FRIDAY MARCH 7, 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 Vol 34 No: 10 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday March 7, 2025 Indian Army concludes search and rescue ops in Chamoli avalanche; 46 rescued, 8 lives lost C h a m o l i (Uttarakhand) [India], March 2 (ANI): The Indian Army concluded the search and rescue operations at the Mana area of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand on Sunday. These operations were part of the relief efforts to rescue the trapped Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers after the avalanche on February 28. According to the Indian Army, 46 out of the 54 BRO workers were rescued and are undergoing treatment, while 8 people lost their lives in the avalanche. “Search and rescue operations at the Mana Avalanche site concluded today with 46 workers being rescued successfully, who are currently being given necessary medical treatment. However, despite relentless efforts, day and night, through inclement conditions by the search and rescue parties, 8 lives could not be saved,” posted the Army on X. “The Indian Army extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. We also salute the indomitable courage of all personnel of the Border Roads Organisation, who are our partners in developing remote areas of our country,” read the post by the Army on X. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday offered his condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased BRO workers who lost their lives in the avalanche. The Chief Minister also prayed for the swift recovery of the BRO workers injured in the avalanche. Speaking to ANI, CM Dhami said, “The rescue operation was going on continuously for the last two days, and the entire rescue is almost complete. New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The cricket fraternity hailed Team India and star India batter Virat Kohli following Men in Blue’s win over Australia in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai on Tuesday. Virat’s chase masterclass and fine run in ODIs against Australia continued as he powered India to a four-wicket win over Aussies in the semifinal, driving the Men in Blue to brink of a win from situation of 43/2 during a 265-run chase before some heavy blows from Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul finished things off in style. International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah hailed Team India following their win, posting on his X, saying, “Well done to India on qualifying for the #ChampionsTrophy Final to be played on March 9 in Dubai. A great team performance against a quality opponent.” Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also hailed Mohammed Shami and Virat for their standout performances, saying that while Shami “set the tone”, Virat “stood out”. “Clinical performance by Team India. @MdShami11 The 46 people who were found in it have all been shifted from Badrinath to Joshimath, and some from Joshimath to AIIMS Rishikesh.” “May all of them recover soon and get completely cured, and some people are no longer among us. We pray to God to give peace to their souls and give strength to their family members to bear the loss,” said CM Dhami. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari also spoke to ANI about the development in the avalanche incident and said, “The operation was completed at 5:30 pm today, and out of the 54 Border Roads Organisation workers who were trapped there, 46 have been rescued safely, and there have been 8 casualties.” “The district administration got full support from the central government and the state government, due to which this operation was successful. The bodies will be handed over to their families after completing the legal formalities,” he said. The body of the eighth worker missing in the Mana (Chamoli) avalanche incident was recovered by the Army on Sunday afternoon during the ongoing search operation, officials said. Earlier in the day, three more bodies were found as rescue teams continued searching for the last missing worker. “All 54 persons CHAMOLI AVALANCHE SEE PAGE 6 “Shami set the tone, Virat stood out...”: Cricket fraternity hails Team India for win in CT semis against Australia Remember: “Some people don’t like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster.” Elon Musk set the tone early, and our batters chased with patience. @imVkohli’s knock stood out. All the very best for the final,” he posted on X. Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who missed out on the tournament due to injury, also summed up Men in Blue’s campaign in one word, posting on X, “Unstoppable”. Former Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Shikhar Dhawan also expressed their happiness on India’s win. Sehwag hailed Virat for again stepping up in ICC tournaments and India making their third ICC tournament final in 15 months. “Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The King shines and we make another ICC world cup finals, 3rd in 15 months. Simply amazing,” posted Sehwag. Shikhar also hailed KL Rahul’s last six as “something that we will never forget”. “What an intense semi finals match it was. @imVkohli and @hardikpandya7 you both were truly outstanding, and @klrahul the last six to finish with is something we will never forget. One more win and the Champions Trophy is coming home. Lets make this one unforgettable!,” he posted on X. India’s World CRICKET 2 SEE PAGE
March 7, 2025 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK “Shami set the tone, Virat stood out...”: Cricket fraternity hails Team India for win in CT semis against Australia CRICKET PAGE 1 FROM Cup winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also posted on X, “Finals here we come! Bowlers did the job with @MdShami11 leading from the front & keeping the Aussies in check. Great partnership between @imVkohli and @ShreyasIyer15 handling the pressure and then @klrahul and @hardikpandya7 taking the game away in the end! One step away from glory – let’s get it boys! #INDvsAUS #ChampionsTrophy #CT2025.” `Former England captain Michael Vaughan also hailed Team India, expressing that the trophy will go to India. He also hailed India’s bench strength, saying that they can field another team that can play as good as their main side. “The problem for the rest of the world in White ball cricket is that India have another team that could play and they are equally as good ... the Aussies to push them so close was a great effort with so many missing ... It’s India’s trophy for me ... #ChampionsTrophy2025,” he posted on X. Coming to the match, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. After an early wicket of Cooper Connolly, Travis Head (39 in 33 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) had a 50-run stand with Steve Smith. Smith carried on, with half-century stands against Marnus Labuschagne (29 in 36 balls, with two fours and a six) and Alex Carey (61 in 57 balls, with eight fours and a six). Carey was there till 48th over, untill a fine direct hit from Shreyas Iyer ended his knock. Australia was skittled out for 264 in 49.3 overs. Shami (3/48) was the top bowler for India, while Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) also unleashed a spin web. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya took a wicket each. During the run chase, India lost skipper Rohit Sharma (28 in 29 balls, with three fours and a six) and Shubman Gill (8) early and were reduced to 43/2. From then on, a 91run partnership between Virat and Shreyas Iyer (45 in 62 balls, with three fours) brought India back into the game. Virat also had a brief 44-run stand with Axar Patel (27 in 30 balls, with a four and six) and a 47-run stand with KL Rahul (42* in 34 balls, with two fours and two sixes). Hardik delivered a brief and fiery cameo, scoring 28 in 24 balls, with a four and three sixes, helping India seal a win. India finished at 267/6 in 48.1 overs. Nathan Ellis (2/48) and Adam Zampa (2/60) were the top bowlers for Australia. (ANI) Language Implementation Committees (TOLICs) were also honored with the TOLIC Rajbhasha Samman. A total of 48 awards were distributed, selected based on the Quarterly Progress Reports submitted through the Information Management System. This regional conference covered both the East and Northeast regions. The East region comprises West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, while the Northeast region includes Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier in the year, the first regional conference was held on January 4, 2025, in Mysore, Karnataka, followed by the second conference on February 17, 2025, in Jaipur. The primary objective of these conferences is to ensure the effective implementation of the Official Language Policy across Central Government Offices, Banks, PSUs, Autonomous Bodies, and Town Official Language Implementation Committees in these regions. (ANI) Joint regional official language conference for east and northeast regions held in Guwahati G u w a h a t i (Assam) [India], March 5 (ANI): The Joint Regional Official Language Conference and Award Distribution Ceremony for the East and Northeast regions, organized by the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, was held in Guwahati on Wednesday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai attended the event. Distinguished guests were also present, including Members of Parliament Dilip Saikia and Bijuli Kalita Medhi. The conference focused on promoting Hindi, its growing use in government work, and the integration of technology to enhance its accessibility. In his address, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai emphasized the importance of Hindi as both an official language and a unifying force in India’s diverse linguistic landscape. He highlighted the significance of the Rajbhasha Sammelan as a platform for encouraging the use of Hindi across government departments, offices, and banks. He stressed that government schemes and initiatives must be effectively communicated to all citizens, ensuring equal access and benefits. He further underscored the importance of fostering a strong connection between the government and the public through the use of familiar languages, reinforcing Hindi’s role in this endeavor. T he Minister reiterated that language is not just a means of communication but a reflection of a nation’s cultural identity. He elaborated on various initiatives undertaken by the government to promote Hindi and other Indian languages, including the launch of the ‘Kanthasth’ translation tool in 2018, the emphasis on mother tongues in the New Education Policy of 2020, and legislative measures to include Hindi, Kashmiri, and Dogri in the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, he highlighted the introduction of the All India Rajbhasha Sammelan in 2022 and the expansion of the Rajbhasha Gaurav Purashkar Yojana.’ He emphasized the need to integrate Hindi and Indian languages with technology, ensuring wider accessibility and efficiency. In his speech, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described Hindi as a symbol of national unity. He noted that despite India’s linguistic diversity, Hindi serves as a vital link connecting different regions. He praised the Ministry of Home Affairs for its efforts in advancing translation software and integrating Hindi into modern technological platforms, urging for even greater inclusion of Hindi in governance and administrative functions. During the event, a special edition of the departmental magazine Rajbhasha Bharti was unveiled, along with the launch of the alpha version of Kanthastha (3.0), a multilingual translation software developed for the Bhartiya Bhasha Anubhag. The conference also featured an award ceremony recognizing excellence in the use of the official language. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented awards to various government offices, banks, and undertakings for their outstanding contributions to promoting Hindi. Town Official
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March 7, 2025 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Man killed in Jordan, Gabriel Periera’s family asks for financial help to bring his mortal remains home Washington DC [USA] March 3 (ANI): A 47-year-old man from Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala, named Thomas Gabriel Pereira, was reportedly shot and killed by security forces in Jordan while attempting to illegally cross the border into Israel. Gabriel, who had travelled to Jordan on a tourist visa. He was accompanied by 43-yearold Edison, who was injured by a bullet during the incident. His family is now seeking financial assistance from the Indian mission Kin of Thomas Gabriel Periera, who died in Jordan, says, ” My relative’s son is in London and he is the one who called and informed me about this incident. We don’t know what happened exactly. He left from here on 5th (February). On 9th (February), my sister received a call, it was just for 2 minutes. He just asked to pray for him and cut the call. Then we received an email and we got to know that he died after he was shot in the head and his body is lying at a government hospital there. He once worked in Kuwait for 5 years...he didn’t say anything to his wife and anyone, he left silently. He called once he reached there and then only he told where he went to”. Wife of Thomas Gabriel Periera, who died in Jordan, said, “Last time I received a call, he only spoke to me for 2 minutes. He just asked me to pray for him”. Adoor Prakash, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Attingal, Kerala wrote a letter to EAM S Jaishanker stating, “Respected Dr. S. Jaishankar Ji, this is with reference to the attached email reply received from the Indian embassy in Jordan regarding the death of Mr. Thomas Gabriel Pereira. The family of the deceased is not in a position to bear the expense of transporting the mortal remains to India and is requesting financial assistance from the Indian mission. I request you to kindly give consent to the Indian embassy to provide financial assistance for the dispatch of mortal remains to India.” Senior BJP leader Prakash Javdekar criticised the Kerala Government on the issue accusing it of being unable to providing jobs for the youth. “Yet another Kerala youth was shot dead by Jordanian army, while sneaking into Israel. This is just not a Visa fraud, it is a complete failure of LDF and UDF in creating jobs. Kerala youth do not find jobs in Kerala. They have to either go to other states or countries,” he alleged in a post on X. On March 2, sources in the External Affairs ministry informed that an Indian national was shot and killed at by the Jordanian security when he was allegedly trying to cross over into another country illegally, The Indian Embassy in Jordan mourned the demise of the national, and said it is working closely with the authorities for the transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased. In a post on X, the embassy said, “The Embassy has learnt of the sad demise of an Indian national in unfortunate circumstances. The Embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased and is working closely with Jordanian authorities for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased.” (ANI) Amritsar (Punjab) [India], March 3 (ANI): A Pakistani intruder was shot dead by BSF troops for surreptitiously crossing the international border in Punjab’s Amritsar, Public Relations Officer (PRO), BSF said in an official statement on Monday. The legal formalities of handing over the dead body of the Pak intruder to Ramdas police station are being carried out, the PRO added. According to the statement, “On 03rd Mar’ 2025, during the morning hours, alert BSF troops on duty observed suspicious movement of a Pakistani intruder, who surreptitiously crossed the IB (International Boundary) and started approaching the border security fence, taking advantage of undulating ground and wheat crops, in the border area near Village–Kotrazda of district Amritsar. “Attentive BSF troops immediately challenged the intruder, but he did not stop his advance and started running towards the border security fence. Noticing his aggressive gesture, the troops on duty fired upon the advancing intruder in self-defence and neutralized him on the spot. On searching the area carefully, one Mobile phone was recovered from his possession,” the PRO added. Vigilant and dutiful BSF troops once again successfully foiled the nefarious intentions of the cross-border terrorsyndicate to carry out this infiltration bid in the Indian territory from across the border, the PRO said. (ANI) FM Sitharaman, EU commissioners Pakistan intruder shot discuss Economic Cooperation, dead along Punjab FinTech, Trade, and Investment border by BSF New Delhi [India], February 28 (ANI): Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, met with Maria Luis Albuquerque, European Commissioner of Financial Services, Savings and Investments Union, and Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner of Budget, Anti-fraud and Public Administration, in New Delhi. The meeting centered around discussions on strengthening economic ties, enhancing mutual cooperation, and exploring new avenues for collaboration in key sectors such as financial technology (FinTech), trade, and investment between India and the EU. In a social media post, the Ministry of Finance said, “Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt.@nsitharamanmet H.E. Ms. Maria Luis Albuquerque, European Commissioner of Financial Services, Savings and Investments Union” Both sides acknowledged the strong partnership between India and the European Union (EU) and highlighted the significance of the visit by the EU College of Commissioners. This visit marks their first official engagement outside Europe since assuming office in December 2024, underlining the importance of India as a key global partner. P a n k a j Chaudhary, the Union Minister of State for Finance, was also present at the meeting. The leaders reaffirmed the historic ties between India and the EU and emphasized the need to deepen collaboration in critical areas of mutual interest. With growing global economic challenges, India and the EU aim to strengthen their partnership through enhanced trade relations and investment opportunities. FinTech emerged as a key area of discussion, given its potential to drive financial inclusion and economic growth in both regions. The discussions also reflected on the need for continued cooperation in regulatory frameworks, financial services, and investment policies that could foster a stronger and more resilient economic relationship. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing commitment to working closely to expand bilateral economic cooperation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners is on a twoday visit to India. This is the firstever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India and among the first such visits since the start of the mandate of the current European Commission in December 2024 after the European parliamentary elections held in June 2024.
FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2025 5
March 7, 2025 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Indian Army concludes search and rescue ops in Chamoli avalanche; 46 rescued, 8 lives lost CHAMOLI AVALANCHE FROM PAGE 1 have now been rescued or recovered. This marks the culmination of the Mana Village Rescue Operation,” said Lt Col Manish Shrivastava, PRO (Defence), Dehradun. According to officials, the search operation resumed on Sunday morning to locate four missing workers believed to be trapped under the snow after an avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) project site in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on February 28. With this, the death toll had risen to eight. Four workers had died on Saturday. The bodies of the BRO workers retrieved from the avalanche site were airlifted today and brought to the Joshimath military hospital, officials said. A total of 54 workers were buried when the avalanche struck on the morning of February 28. Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF personnel conducted rescue operations over the past two days. The SDRF team continued searching the site using victim-locating and thermal imaging cameras. From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- March 7, 2025 CROOKS NEVER ADMIRE VIRTUES By Rajan George Crooks can never admire good deeds, Though they claim they do. Filled with vice and greed, they spew Hatred from their tenebrous hearts. Demonizing virtuous souls, Is in their veins, they ne’er retire, Casting aspersions on those They view as threats to their scam. They embezzle Public funds When caught red-handed Hide their crimes beneath The veil of vitrue, they despise Incapable of doing good, They take pleasure in slinging mud At noble hearts that give so much, To serve the nation they hold dear. They whine, they rant, they never cheer, No words of wisdom leave their lips, Only expletives and spiteful jeers For those they cannot eclipse. No leadership, no plans for growth, No virtue to their name, Only pretense, conceit, and pride, In their boorish, hollow claim. A capricious mind who conceives crime as virtue and virtue as crime, would see no mirth in noble deeds that fails to satiate his endless greed A Drone-Based Intelligent Buried Object Detection System was brought to Joshimath today and deployed at the avalanche site in Mana to assist in the search operation. Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman stated earlier that favourable weather conditions aided the search and rescue efforts. On Saturday, Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C, Central Command, and Lt Gen DG Misra, GOC, Uttar Bharat Area, visited the avalanche site to oversee and coordinate rescue operations. Lt Gen Sengupta stated that specialised reconnaissance radars, UAVs, quadcopters, and avalanche rescue dogs were deployed to locate survivors. Helicopters were continuously used to transport essential equipment and resources and to evacuate the injured. (ANI) 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 Indian national trying to illegally cross border shot dead in Jordan: MEA Sources Amman [Jordan], March 2 (ANI): An Indian national was shot and killed at by the Jordanian security when he was allegedly trying to cross over into another country illegally, The Ministry of External Affairs sources said on Sunday. The Indian Embassy in Jordan has mourned the demise of the national, and said it is working closely with the authorities for the transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased. In a post on X, the embassy said, “The Embassy has learnt of the sad demise of an Indian national in unfortunate circumstances. The Embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased and is working closely with Jordanian authorities for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased.” According to the MEA sources, the Indian Embassy in Jordan is in touch with the local authorities and following up on the matter. The Embassy has also informed the family of the death and is rendering all possible consular assistance. Notably, many foreign countries do not provide information on illegal stay in their countries, except when they are under orders of deportation and travel document/ nationality verification is required, former MoS, V Muraleedharan informed Parliament last year. As such, Indian missions and posts do not have any reliable data on the number of Indians staying or working illegally in foreign countries. The procedure followed for deportation of foreign nationals also varies from country to country. Some countries do not arrest the deportee and keep them in detention/deportation centers until deportation, he stated. Moreover, the information about arrest/ detention and deportation is not shared with Indian Missions/Posts, and the deportation is done directly by the host Government if the deportee has valid travel documents. Indian Missions/ Posts are contacted by the host Governments only in such cases where the nationality verification and issuance of Emergency Certificate (EC) to the deportee is required. Since all foreign countries do not share details of all Indian deportees, the exact number of Indians deported from foreign countries is not available with the MEA. Notably, India signed a total of 12 Labour Mobility Agreements (LMAs) with countries including Israel, Denmark, Portugal, Japan, Mauritius, Jordan and GCC countries, the former MoS said. (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
FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2025 Father’s plea for MEA intervention for daughter on UAE death row ends in tragedy New Delhi [India], March 3 (ANI): In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), appearing for the Centre, informed the court that Shahzadi Khan, the woman from Uttar Pradesh, had been executed on February 15. `The ASG also stated that the authorities are extending all possible assistance to her family and her cremation is scheduled for March 5. The father’s plea for MEA intervention for his daughter on UAE death row ended in tragedy, and as a result, the court has disposed of the plea. Representing the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma and Advocate Ashish Dikshit informed the Delhi High Court that the Embassy of India in UAE received an official communication on February 28, 2025, from the UAE government. The communication stated that Shehzadi’s death sentence was executed on February 15, 2025, in accordance with UAE laws and regulations. On the same day, the Embassy informed Shabbir Khan, the father of Shehzadi, about the confirmation of her execution. He was also informed that the family could come to the UAE by March 5, 2025, to participate in her last rites. Additionally, a dedicated mobile number for contacting the Indian Embassy was provided to Khan, stated MEA. The father of Shahzadi Khan, the UP woman facing a death sentence in the UAE, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking a directive to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and appropriate authorities to issue a bulletin and ascertain information regarding the exact current legal status and well-being of his daughter. Shahzadi Khan, a 33-year-old woman from Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, was facing execution in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Shahzadi Khan, who was imprisoned in Abu Dhabi‘s Al Wathba jail, New Delhi [India], March 4 (ANI): In a development towards India’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi flagged off the firstever trials of hydrogenpowered heavy-duty trucks launched by Tata Motors in New Delhi on Tuesday, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a release. Speaking on the occasion, Nitin Gadkari said, “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. Such Initiatives will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking and move us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future. I congratulate Tata Motors for taking the lead in this significant step towards enabling hydrogenpowered green and smart transportation.” Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said, “Hydrogen is an important fuel for India’s transition to a sustainable and zero-carbon future. The beginning of this trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector. This initiative, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and achieving India’s energy independence while contributing to global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for taking the lead in this pioneering effort.” This historic trial, marks a significant step towards sustainable long-distance cargo transportation in the country, as Tata Motors underscores its commitment to leading the charge in sustainable mobility solutions, aligning with India’s broader green energy goals. The company was awarded the tender for this trial, which is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It marks a significant step forward in assessing the real-world commercial viability of using hydrogen powered vehicles for long distance haulage as well as setting-up the requisite enabling infrastructure for their seamless operation. The trial phase will span up to 24 months and involves deployment of 16 advanced hydrogenpowered vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities. These trucks, equipped with new age Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will be tested on India’s most prominent freight routes, including those around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, highlighted Tata Motors’ preparedness, saying, “Tata Motors is deeply honored to be at the forefront of driving India’s transformation towards greener, smarter, and sustainable mobility. As a company with a longstanding commitment to nation-building, we have continuously embraced innovation to develop mobility solutions that contribute to India’s growth and development. Today, with the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials, we are proud to further this legacy by pioneering the transition to clean, zero emission energy for long haul transportation. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible, and we remain committed to playing our part in building sustainable, future ready mobility solutions that will deliver better performance and efficiency,” added the ministry release. (ANI) Nitin Gadkari, Pralhad Joshi flag off firstever trials of hydrogen-powered heavyduty trucks from Tata Motors stable was sentenced to death by a court for the death of a child who was under her care. Plea moved through advocate Ali Md Maaz stated that in December 2021, Shabbir Khan’s daughter obtained a visa and traveled to Abu Dhabi, with a transit in Dubai. In August 2022, her employer gave birth to a son for whom Shabbir’s daughter was employed as a caregiver. On December 7, 2022, the infant received routine vaccinations and tragically passed away that evening. The hospital recommended a postmortem, but the infant’s parents refused and signed a consent letter waiving further investigation, the plea stated. It further stated that in February 2023, a video recording allegedly showed Shabbir’s daughter confessing to the infant’s homicide, a confession she claims was extracted through torture and abuse by Employer and her family. On February 10, 2023, she was handed over to the Abu Dhabi police, and on July 31, 2023, she was sentenced to death for the infant’s homicide. Although legal counsel was provided by the Indian Embassy, it reportedly pressured her to confess, denying her adequate representation. Her appeal in September 2023 was dismissed, and the death penalty was upheld on February 28, 2024. F o l l o w i n g the dismissal, Shabbir Khan sought clemency proceedings through the Indian Embassy but received a reply concerning an unrelated case. He filed a new mercy petition in May 2024. On July 11, 2024, he forwarded a mercy petition to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi but received no response. On February 14, 2025, Shabbir Khan received a call from his incarcerated daughter, suggesting imminent execution. He then filed a formal request with the Ministry of External Affairs on February 20, 2025, seeking an inquiry into her legal status and wellbeing, but received no update. India provided all possible legal assistance to Indian national executed in UAE: MEA 7 The Indian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates provided all possible legal assistance to Shahzadi, the Indian national executed in UAE, including sending mercy petitions and pardon requests to the Government of the UAE, the XP Division of the Ministry of External Affairs stated. Shahzadi, was convicted on charges of murder of an infant and sentenced to death in the UAE. The highest court of the UAE, the Court of Cassation, upheld the sentence. The UAE authorities intimated to the Embassy on February 28 that the sentence of Shahzadi has been carried out in accordance with local laws. The family of Shahzadi was informed of the matter, the MEA division said. In a heartbreaking turn of events, theAdditional Solicitor General (ASG), appearing for the Centre, informed the court that Shahzadi Khan, the woman from Uttar Pradesh, had been executed on February 15. The ASG also stated that the authorities are extending all possible assistance to her family, and her cremation is scheduled for March 5. The father’s plea for MEA intervention for his daughter on UAE death row ended in tragedy, and as a result, the court has disposed of the plea. Representing the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma and Advocate Ashish Dikshit informed the Delhi High Court that the Embassy of India in UAE received an official communication on February 28, 2025, from the UAE government. The communication stated that Shehzadi’s death sentence was executed on February 15, 2025, in accordance with UAE laws and regulations. On the same day, the Embassy informed Shabbir Khan, the father of Shehzadi, about the confirmation of her execution. He was also informed that the family could come to the UAE by March 5, 2025, to participate in her last rites. Additionally, a dedicated mobile number for contacting the Indian Embassy was provided to Khan, stated MEA. (ANI)
March 7, 2025 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Durga temple Fairfax VA celebrates Maha shivratri By S.S. Manku For 26 years, the Durga Temple of Virginia has celebrated all Hindu festivals and cultural events. In 2025, Durga Temple’s first major festival, Maha Shivratri, was celebrated on Wednesday, February 26. The temple remained open from 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight. D e s p i t e ongoing construction and renovations, a large number of devotees gathered to observe the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. The temple conducted two prahar pujas, each offering a dedicated time for prayer and spiritual reflection. Devotees chanted sacred mantras, offered panchamurtham and other items to the Shiva Ling, and participated in various The Durga Temple Staff, Management, Religious Coordinator and Volunteers devotional activities. Throughout the evening, the temple was filled with the sound of bhajans, nama sankirtan, and aarti, followed by prasad distribution, which elevated the spiritual energy for all in attendance. Volunteers played a vital role in ensuring the smooth execution of the celebrations, making it a collective effort highlighting the spirit of service and devotion. With heartfelt gratitude, Durga Temple acknowledges the unwavering support of its sponsors, devotees, and volunteers. Their dedication and contributions help sustain the temple as a spiritual center and a true family for all who visit. the universe. Devotees engaged in heartfelt prayers, bhajans, and Abhishekam, offering milk, honey, and sacred Belva leaves, seeking the benevolent grace of Mahadeva to dispel ignorance and illuminate their spiritual path. Today also marks the divine conclusion of Maha Kumbh Year 2025 held at Prayag Raj in India, a sacred confluence attended by close to 400 million devotees. The Naga Sadhus, various Akharas, and revered saints who celebrated the Maha Kumbh are ardent Shaivites, followers of Lord Shiva. The current Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also the head priest of the Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur, serves the lineage of Baba Gorakhnath — a divine manifestation of Lord Shiva known for his boundless generosity. Even Lord Rama, the divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, worshipped Lord Shiva and established his holy adobe known as Rameshwaram. The renowned Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is believed to be the celestial site where the divine wedding of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva took place, with Lord Vishnu himself performing the sacred ritual of tying the knots, uniting the divine couple for eternity. A very large crowd of devotees thronged the temple throughout the day and night to perform the worship with unwavering devotion. Five different set-ups were arranged for devotees to offer milk and sacred betel leaves to the Shiva Lingam. By the time of this reporting, close to eight thousand devotees had performed the sacred puja, filling the atmosphere with divine vibrations. From 12 PM to 6 PM, the highly esteemed Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam was performed by multiple priests collectively chanting Vedic hymns. The Abhishekam was offered to Lord Shiva with 11 dravyas, symbolizing the honoring of the Ekadash or 11 Rudras of Lord Shiva. The sacred items offered to Shivlinga were til ka tel (sesame oil), Ganga jal (holy water from the Ganges), snan powder, panchamrit, honey, milk, curd, sugarcane juice, lemon juice, chandan (sandalwood paste), and bhasm (sacred ash), invoking the infinite grace of the Lord. Rajdhani Mandir regularly organizes the divine Kailash Manasarovar Pilgrimage for its congregation in collaboration with the Nepali Government. This year’s sacred yatra will be held from July 13th to 19th, offering devotees an opportunity to embark on the celestial journey to the abode of Lord Shiva, seeking spiritual elevation and divine blessings. The Rajdhani Mandir’s solemn observance of Maha Shivratri resonated with profound devotion, uniting the community in reverence to the supreme cosmic power, reminding all of the divine interplay of life, death, and the transcendental truth of the universe. Maha Shivratri celebrations at Rajdhani Mandir By S S Manku Rajdhani (Capital Area) Mandir, a revered sanctum of Hindu and Jain traditions located in Chantilly, VA, celebrated the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri on Wednesday, February 26th with great devotion and spiritual fervor. The nightlong celebrations were marked by the divine fourkaal (time) Puja of Lord Shiva, with the temple remaining open throughout the night to allow devotees to offer their prayers and immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere. To uphold the authenticity of this sacred observance, Mandir conducted the highly sanctified rituals at 1 AM and 4 AM on Thursday early morning, embodying the timeless traditions passed down through the ages. Unlike Krishna Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Ganesh Chaturthi, or Hanuman Jayanthi — which commemorate the divine birthdays of various deities — Maha Shivratri is the cosmic wedding night of Lord Shiva and his divine consort Devi Parvati. It is also the night when Lord Shiva performed the celestial Tandava Nritya, the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and dissolution, orchestrating the eternal rhythm of
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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 GeM emerges as game-changer in public procurement in India New Delhi [India], March 2 (ANI): The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has emerged as a game-changer in public procurement, creating an open and inclusive platform that benefits not just government buyers but also local entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Public procurement plays a crucial role in a nation’s economic growth, directly impacting the lives of its citizens. W h e n governments purchase goods and services efficiently and transparently, it not only ensures the effective use of public funds but also stimulates economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes. This, in turn, drives employment, promotes innovation, and contributes to overall societal development. In alignment with the societal development of the nation, GeM has enabled startups to fulfil orders worth Rs 35,950 crore. Women entrepreneurs comprise 8 per cent of the total seller base on GeM, with cumulative 177,786 Udyam-verified women micro, and small enterprises (MSE) registered on the GeM portal, having fulfilled a cumulative order value of Rs 46,615 crore. What is GeM? Government eMarketplace (GeM) is an online platform for public procurement in India which was envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative was launched on August 09, 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the objective to create an open and transparent procurement platform for government buyers. GeM is characterized by three core elements: openness, fairness, and inclusiveness. Here are some of the key features of GeM: SWAYATT: SWAYATT is portal’s commitment to enhance ease of doing business and establish direct market linkages to annual public procurement for startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and youth, especially those from backward sections of the society. Since inception, the initiative is focused at facilitating the training and onboarding of last-mile sellers, developing women entrepreneurship and encouraging participation and small-scale businesses in government procurement. Startup Runway 2.0: Showcasing Innovation: Startup Runway 2.0 is an opportunity for Startups to showcase their innovative products and services to Government buyers and engage in public procurement. GeM has created a dedicated marketplace category for all Startups to list their products and services, irrespective of their DPIITcertification. The platform offers Startups all the marketplace functionalities that are available to regular sellers and the objective is to spur “Make In India” procurement from India Startups. Womaniya: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: “ Wo m a n i y a ” initiative seeks to showcase products made by women entrepreneurs and women self-help groups [WSHGs], and spur Women entrepreneurship by aligning them with opportunities to sell their products to various Government ministries, departments and institutions. GeM has specially categorized products such as handicrafts and handloom, accessories, jute and coir products, bamboo products, organic foods, spices, home decor and office furnishings for ease-in-procurement. Womaniya aligns with Government’s initiative of reserving 3 percent in public procurement from women MSME entrepreneurs and this offers immense potential for procurement. MSME SC/ST entrepreneurs on GeM: GeM is collaborating with various stakeholders from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises [MSME] ecosystem with special focus on entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Caste/ Schedule Tribes [SC/ ST]. The partnership is based on the objective of achieving the mandatory procurement goal of 25 percent from MSMEs and a sub target procurement of 4 percent goods and services from MSME entrepreneurs within SC/ ST communities, by all government departments and public sector enterprises [PSE]. This initiative seeks to encourage active participation of MSE sector in public procurement. The Saras Collection: Celebrating Handcrafted Excellence: The SARAS Collection is a pristine handcrafted collection of handicrafts, handloom textiles, office decor, furnishings, accessories, event souvenirs, personal hygiene and care products from top of the line SHGs in India. GeM Statistics: A Snapshot of Growth and Impact: The latest statistics reveal significant activity in the marketplace, showcasing a robust ecosystem with 162,985 primary buyers, 228,754 secondary buyers, and a diverse range of 11,006 product categories and 332 service categories. In the last financial year, the order volume reached 62,86,543, with an order value of Rs 4,03,305 Crore. Continuing its momentum, the current financial year has already recorded 61,23,691 orders worth Rs 452,594 crore. Notably, 37.87 per cent of the total order value is attributed to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), underscoring GeM‘s role in empowering local businesses and fostering inclusive economic growth. As GeM continues to evolve, it remains committed to its vision of creating a sustainable, open, and competitive marketplace, driving India’s progress towards inclusive and transparent public procurement practices. (ANI)
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