INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 1 A We e kl y N e w s p a p e r Fe a tu r i ng N ew s an d Tren d s f ro m the In d ian Sub- Co n tin en t Pub li s hed From the U S Ca pi ta l Web Site: WWW.Indiathisweek.us Volume 35 No. 29 Washington DC. Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800; 301-445-1868 E-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Friday July 17, 2026 India Mourns the Passing of Legendary Playback Singer S. Janaki New Delhi/Mysuru, July 12 (ANI): India bid farewell to one of its greatest musical icons as legendary playback singer S. Janaki, affectionately known as the “Nightingale of South India,” passed away at the age of 88 in Mysuru on Saturday, marking the end of an extraordinary era in Indian music. Janaki died at Apollo BGS Hospital after suffering age-related health complications. According to the hospital, she was admitted on July 11 after her condition deteriorated. Despite intensive treatment and continuous monitoring by a multidisciplinary medical team, she suffered multiple cardiac arrests and was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. Born on April 23, 1938, Janaki enjoyed an illustrious career spanning more than six decades, recording over 48,000 songs in more than 20 Indian languages. Renowned for her remarkable versatility and expressive voice, she captivated audiences across generations with film songs, classical compositions, devotional hymns and folk music. Her exceptional contribution to Indian music earned her numerous National and State awards, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Melbourne [Australia], July 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese concluded the third Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the two nations’ six-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The meeting, hosted in Melbourne, resulted in a landmark suite of agreements focused on reinforcing the Indo-Pacific’s security architecture, securing critical mineral supply chains, and accelerating the transition to clean energy. According to the joint statement released by the PMO Australia, central to the summit was the release of a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, which effectively replaces the 2009 security pact and deepens military integration. “Australia values India as a top-tier security partner, and the Declaration reflects our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Prime Minister Albanese stated. “We will boost strategic coordination, increase the complexity of our defence exercises and further build interoperability between our defence forces.” Prime Minister Modi underscored the practical implications of this shift, noting the creation of an India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor. “Through the India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor, we will work to connect defence startups and industries,” Modi said. “Our maritime security collaboration roadmap will infuse new strength to our shared efforts in the Indo-Pacific.” Another major breakthrough of the summit was the finalisation of the administrative arrangements nation in paying tribute, describing her passing as “an irreparable loss to the world of music and cul- ture.” “The passing of the distinguished playback singer S. Janaki Amma is an irreparable loss to the world of music and culture. Her songs in various languages were popular across generations. They gave voice to every emotion with unparalleled grace and versatility. Her melodies will continue to enchant listeners in the years to come,” the Prime Minister said, extending his condolences to her family, admirers and the music fraternity. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan described Janaki’s death as “an irreparable loss to the world of music and to the nation’s artistic heritage.” He praised her uniquely expressive voice and extraordinary versatility, noting that she enSinger Janaki See Page 6 Australia and India expand ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ with new security and tech pacts Remember: “It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.” Proverbs required to implement the 2015 Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. This milestone paves the way for the export of Australian uranium to India, exclusively for peaceful, IAEA-safeguard- ed civil nuclear energy programs. “The arrangement facilitates Australian uranium exports to India to help increase the share of non-fossil fuel power capacity, providing an additional market for the Australian resources sector,” Prime Minister Albanese stated. Prime Minister Modi echoed this sentiment, noting that the agreement would “give our clean energy objectives fresh momentum” as India seeks to drastically scale its nuclear baseload capacity by 2047. With a focus on economic security and decarbonisation, the leaders unveiled the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies, and Supply Chains (PACTS). The pact aims to develop a “critical minerals corridor,” essential for both nations’ strategic security and their respective clean energy transitions. Complementing this is a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of India. This partnership aims to map and uncover new deposits, effectively creating a “critical minerals corridor” to secure the supply chains necessary for global clean energy and high-tech manufacturing.Amid rising regional tensions, the summit served as a platform for both nations to reassert their commitment to a “free, open, and prosperous” Indo-Pacific. The leaders announced the India-Australia Defence Innovation inDia-aUSTraLia See Page 4
INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 PM Modi, Christopher Luxon Advance Strategic Partnership, Target Doubling Bilateral Trade by 2030 Auckland [New Zealand], July 11 (ANI): Reaffirming that geographical distance is no obstacle to economic and technological collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, jointly viewed a sports equipment and technology exhibition in Auckland on Saturday, highlighting innovation as a key pillar of their newly established Strategic Partnership. The event, hosted by Prime Minister Luxon, brought together leaders from business, academia, technology, sports, and the arts to celebrate the elevation of bilateral ties. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders toured New Zealand’s sports technology exhibition, where leading athletes and sporting figures demonstrated advanced equipment and innovations. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, “PM @narendramodi, together with PM @chrisluxonmp, took a walkthrough of New Zealand’s innovative sports equipment display. The leaders witnessed cutting-edge sports equipment and technologies, demonstrated by some of New Zealand’s leading athletes and sporting icons.” Earlier in the day, Jaiswal said Prime Minister Modi attended a special event hosted by Luxon. In another post on X, he said, “India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a special event hosted by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, bringing together leaders from business, academia, technology, sports and the arts. The two leaders welcomed the elevation of India-New Zealand ties to a Strategic Partnership. PM highlighted the opportunities created by the recently concluded FTA, including for businesses, youth, and farmers, and helping achieve the target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.” Addressing the gathering, Modi emphasized the significant opportunities created by the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying it would benefit businesses, young people, and farmers while supporting the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Prime Minister Luxon also highlighted the economic benefits of the agreement, noting that it would provide immediate tariff relief for New Zealand exporters seeking greater access to India’s large consumer market. Modi also met with leading business executives from India and New Zealand alongside Luxon. In a separate post on X, Jaiswal said, “PM Narendra Modi met with leading CEOs from New Zealand and India alongside PM Christopher Luxon. The discussions underscored the India-New Zealand FTA as a landmark milestone and set an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. The leaders emphasized leveraging each other’s strengths and complementarities while deepening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, sustainable agriculture, and technology.” In another post on X, Modi wrote, “At the India-New Zealand business event in Auckland, which I attended with PM Luxon, I told business leaders: India is not only a market. India is a launchpad for global growth. Together, let us take this economic partnership to new heights!” In a separate post, Modi said, “Held extensive Immigration Lawyer Law Office of Ryan Morgan Knight Email or call for free consultation ryan@immigrationknight.com 1 (888) 735-0560 Ryan Knight Licensed to practice immigration law Nationwide; Licensed to practice art law in Maryland and fruitful talks with PM Luxon in Auckland this morning. His own visit to India last year energised our bilateral partnership and my visit today, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades, has added further momentum to the India-New Zealand friendship.” Earlier Saturday, Luxon wrote on X, “New Zealand and India bookend the Indo-Pacific, but distance is no barrier to us working together to grow our economies. That’s what we’re doing through our free trade agreement, which will eliminate tariffs on 57% of everything we sell to India on day one.” The two prime ministers directed their ministers and senior officials to maintain close engagement and ensure the timely implementation of the initiatives outlined in the Roadmap to 2030. They agreed that progress would be reviewed regularly by ministers and senior officials. Modi thanked Luxon and the Government and people of New Zealand for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. The two leaders also agreed to sustain the momentum of high-level exchanges and fully realize the potential of the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership. At the invitation of Prime Minister Luxon, Prime Minister Modi is on an official visit to Auckland on July 10-11. The visit is the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years, marking a historic milestone in the relationship between the two countries. Education, Research Key Pillars of India-New Zealand Relationship: MEA Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday affirmed that education, research, science and technology, and innovation are key pillars of the India-New Zealand relationship, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The two leaders encouraged government agencies, academic institutions, and industry to develop partnerships in agriculture, climate action, digital transformation, science, innovation, and emerging technologies. The prime ministers recognized education as a central pillar of bilateral ties, supporting people-to-people connections, skills development, research collaboration, and long-term economic partnership. They welcomed the growing links between educational institutions in both countries and agreed to strengthen cooperation to promote student mobility, institutional partnerships, innovation, and mutual understanding. The leaders also reviewed progress in implementing the 2025 Education Cooperation Arrangement and acknowledged the new institutional partnerships and engagements that have developed since its signing. Recognizing the shared challenges posed by climate change and the transition to low-emissions, climate-resilient econo- mies, the prime ministers agreed to deepen cooperation through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the Global Biofuels Alliance, the MEA statement said. The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India’s National Disaster Management Authority and New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience building to enhance the resilience of communities, infrastructure, and institutions in both countries. The prime ministers also expressed their commitment to advancing research, innovation, and practical solutions to support more sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient agriculture and food systems. Meanwhile, addressing a special media briefing on Prime Minister Modi’s official visit to New Zealand, MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon said visa decisions are a sovereign matter for the New Zealand government. “On visas, this is actually a question you need to address to the New Zealand side. That’s a sovereign decision. As long as our businesses can work, our students get to study, and the exchanges planned by both sides are taking place, visa decisions and the granting of visas are sovereign matters that we can’t really comment upon at this juncture,” he said. (ANI) Guwahati (Assam), July 15 (ANI): Assam floods have affected 37,032 people across six districts, with one flood-related death reported in Sonitpur district, according to the Assam Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS). According to the DRIMS released on Tuesday, the affected districts are Sonitpur, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat and Sivasagar. A total of 12 revenue circles and 99 villages have been impacted by the floods. While no river is currently flowing above the danger or highest flood level, floodwaters have submerged 1,103.943 hectares of crop area. Lakhimpur is the worst-hit district, accounting for 35,696 of the affected population, followed by Sonitpur with 1,178 affected people and Dhemaji with 158. The report claimed that 20 relief distribution centres have been opened across the affected districts, while no relief camps are currently operational. Around 6,984 people are receiving assistance through relief distribution centres.According to the report, one flood-related death has been reported from Sonitpur district, while no person has been reported missing.F loods have also affected 16,139 animals, while two animals were washed away. Damage to residential infrastructure includes one fully damaged house and 72 partially damaged houses. Rescue operations were carried out in Sonitpur with the assistance of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), during which 16 people were evacuated by boats. Authorities also reported damage to four roads and one embankment breach in Sonitpur’s Chariduar revenue circle caused by the Jiabharali river. Assam flood fury: Over 37,000 people affected in six districts
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 3 M A K E YO U R R E TI R EM E N T E V E N MO R E Extraordinary Discover premier senior living at an Erickson Senior Living®-managed community. • Gain time and freedom from house maintenance. • Enjoy stylish residences and on-site amenities. • Benefit from a safety net of on-site support. Call 1-800-691-2034 or visit EricksonSeniorLiving.com for your free brochure. • Riderwood® Silver Spring, MD • Greenspring® Springfield, VA • The GrandviewSM Bethesda, MD • Woodleigh Chase® Fairfax, VA 2816250 • Ashby Ponds® Ashburn, VA 15 Indians Killed in Vietnam Boat Tragedy; Survivor Recalls Horror as Victims’ Bodies Return Home HANOI/NEW DELHI, July 13: The mortal remains of the 15 Indian tourists who lost their lives in the tragic speedboat accident off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island are being repatriated to India on Monday, as survivors recounted the terrifying moments when the vessel capsized within seconds during a sudden storm. According to the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, the bodies were scheduled to be flown from Ho Chi Minh City to Mumbai aboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN979, departing at 6:00 p.m. local time and arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9:35 p.m. IST. State governments have been informed to coordinate with the victims’ families for the onward transportation of the mortal remains to their hometowns. The accident occurred on July 11 when a tourist speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, overturned while traveling between islands near the popular tourist destination of Phu Quoc. All passengers were thrown into the sea after the boat capsized during severe weather. The Indian Embassy confirmed that all 15 fatalities were Indian nationals, including 10 from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and two from Kerala. One of the survivors, Nirmal Kumar, described the tragedy as unfolding within moments. “A sudden storm came, and within a second the boat went upside down. We were seated in the front and managed to jump into the sea. Those inside the boat became trapped when it overturned and could not escape,” he told ANI. Kumar praised the prompt response of local rescue personnel but expressed concern that the lack of adequate emergency medical facilities on the nearby island may have contributed to the loss of additional lives. “The rescue teams reached us quickly, but the island did not have sufficient medical equipment or medicines. A doctor traveling with us said that if proper facilities had been available, more lives could have been saved,” he said. He added that the Vietnam Air Force arrived two to three hours later and assisted in treatment and evacuation. Several survivors, including a group from Andhra Pradesh, returned to India on Sunday night, arriving at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The Embassy of Vietnam in India expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy and assured that Vietnamese authorities are working closely with Indian officials to assist the affected families, expedite the repatriation process, and ensure proper treatment for those injured. Tran Thanh Tung, Charge d’Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, said Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung had immediately directed all relevant agen- cies to carry out rescue operations, provide the best possible medical care, and support the victims’ families. He also noted that Vietnam’s top leadership—including General Secretary and President To Lam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung— had conveyed condolences to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and the people of India. “We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families during this difficult time and remain committed to providing all possible support and assistance,” Tung said. Vietnamese authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, which occurred while the speedboat, operated by Ocean Pear Island Company, was ferrying tourists from Hon May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port, approximately 25 kilometers from Phu Quoc Airport. The Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said they remain available to assist the families and continue to work with Vietnamese authorities to complete all remaining formalities.
INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 Vietnam boat tragedy: Flight carrying mortal remains of 15 Indian nationals reaches Mumbai airport Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 13 (ANI): A flight carrying the mortal remains of Indian nationals who lost their lives in the tragic boat accident off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island arrived at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday evening. The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it would continue to coordinate with state governments to facilitate the onward transportation of the mortal remains to their respective hometowns.” The flight transporting the mortal remains of the Indian nationals who had lost their lives in the tragic boat accident on 11 July in Phu Quoc has just arrived in Mumbai. The Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City will continue to coordinate with respective State Governments to ensure that the mortal remains reach the bereaved families at the earliest. Our prayers are with the families of the deceased,” the Embassy said in a post on X. Earlier in the day, the Embassy had informed that the mortal remains of 15 Indian nationals departed from Ho Chi Minh City aboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN979.It said the respective state governments had already been informed and requested to coordinate the onward transportation of the victims to their final destinations. The Embassy and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City also thanked the authorities of the Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone, An Giang Province, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies for extending all possible assistance in the aftermath of the tragedy. The tragedy stuck on July 11 when a tourist speedboat carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members, capsized near Hon May Rut Ngoai Island off Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. According to Vietnamese authorities, the vessel, operated by Ocean Pearl Island Company, was ferrying tourists from Hon May Rut Islet to An Thoi Port, around 25 kilometres from Phu Quoc Airport, when it encountered rough weather and overturned, throwing everyone on board into the sea. Nearby tourist boats rushed to the accident site within minutes and rescue teams subsequently brought all passengers ashore. Of the 36 people on board, 21 survived while 15 tourists lost their lives. Ten of the victims were from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh and two from Keralam. Following the accident, the Indian mission worked closely with Vietnamese authorities to complete identification, documentation and consular procedures for the victims while also extending assistance to survivors and their families. The Embassy also provided an update on the lone critically injured Indian survivor, stating that the patient had successfully undergone a medical procedure before being shifted from Phu Quoc to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for advanced treatment.”The Indian national undergoing treatment at Phu Quoc after the tragic boat accident Australia and India expand ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ with new security and tech pacts inDia-aUSTraLia From Page 1 Corridor, designed to link defence startups and industries, facilitating joint research and production. A new Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap was endorsed to improve information sharing and operational coordination between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command. Furthermore, addressing the broader security environment, the leaders issued a stern warning against global threats. “Both India and Australia believe that terrorism is a serious challenge not just for one single country, but for entire humanity,” PM Modi declared. “That is why our fight against terrorism is shared and our resolve is unbreakable.” A major highlight of the summit was the agreement to commission a temporary space tracking terminal on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. This facility is designed to support India’s landmark Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, providing essential telemetry tracking for the upcoming crewed missions. “As we expand our cooperation in science and technology, we have agreed to commission a temporary space tracking terminal on Cocos Keeling Islands which will support India’s landmark Gaganyaan human spaceflight program,” Prime Minister Albanese announcedBeyond high-level policy, the summit emphasised the “living bridge” of the Indian diaspora and strong people-to-people links. In a lighter moment, Prime Minister Modi likened the bilateral relationship to a game of cricket. As part of a gesture of goodwill, the leaders also announced the repatriation of an Australian First Nations ancestor held in the Government Museum of Chennai, alongside the return of cultural items from Australian galleries to India. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to finalising the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). Both leaders expressed a desire for an “ambitious, balanced and win-win” deal that would expand upon the success of the 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. “India-Australia partnership is not just a partnership for the present; it is also a partnership for the future,” Modi concluded, inviting Albanese to return to India for further consultations. (ANI) successfully underwent a medical procedure yesterday evening. He was admitted to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City today. His family members have also arrived in Ho Chi Minh City. We continue to pray for his early recovery,” the Embassy said. The Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Keralam made arrangements to receive and transport the mortal remains after their arrival in Mumbai. Andhra Pradesh Bhavan stated that, following the intervention of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and consultations with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, detailed arrangements had been finalised for transhipment. The three mortal remains belonging to Andhra Pradesh were scheduled to be flown to Hyderabad before being transported by road to Machilipatnam, Kadapa and Hindupur under the supervision of state officials. Tamil Nadu and Keralam also appointed specialised handling agencies to facilitate the transportation of the deceased to their hometowns. In Keralam, the mortal remains of AC Thomas (57) and his wife Loveni Thomas (56) from Kottarakkara in Kollam district were expected to be flown from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram, where the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department would coordinate their transportation to their residence. Family members of the couple de- scribed receiving the news of the tragedy as a devastating shock and said they had been in constant contact with the Indian Embassy and state authorities. Meanwhile, several survivors returned to India on Sunday night. Survivors arriving at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport recounted the horrifying moments when the boat overturned within seconds after being struck by high waves. They praised the swift rescue efforts by local responders while also pointing to the challenges faced during emergency medical treatment on the island. The Vietnamese Government launched a large-scale response following the accident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs constituted dedicated working groups to assist the victims’ families, provide legal and consular support and coordinate with Indian diplomatic missions. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang led a delegation to oversee relief efforts, while the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations arranged for the transfer and preservation of the mortal remains at the city’s Forensic Medicine Centre and established round-the-clock assistance teams for grieving families. The Vietnamese Government also coordinated immigration procedures for representatives from Tamil Nadu travelling to Vietnam to facilitate the repatriation process. Vietnamese authorities have also initiated a criminal investigation into the incident. Throughout the operation, the Indian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City maintained close coordination with Vietnamese authorities, the Ministry of External Affairs, state governments and airport authorities to ensure the dignified repatriation of the victims. With the arrival of the mortal remains in Mumbai, state administrations have now begun the phase of transporting the deceased to their hometowns. (ANI) Rangareddy (Telangana) [India], July 11 (ANI): In a shocking incident Friday night, a POCSO Act accused allegedly killed a minor victim, her mother, and her grandmother under the Shabad police station limits in the Rangareddy district. Following the attack, the accused also killed his own wife and two children. He then alerted his family members via a phone call, stating that he had finished off both fam- ilies and intended to commit suicide. The accused is currently absconding. The police have launched a search operation to apprehend him and are actively investigating the matter. According to a police official, “Yesterday, Raju Kumar, 35, an accused in a POCSO case, allegedly killed six people. The victims include the minor girl, her mother, her grandmother, his wife, and two children. After committing the crime, he informed his parents, who then alerted the police. We are currently investigating the matter and searching for the accused. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary for post-mortem examination.” The accused was previously booked in a POCSO case and was out on bail. The victim’s family resides in Shahbad. The accused is a native of Raiwalaguda. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) POCSO accused kills 6, including minor girl, his own family in Telangana’s Rangareddy; search on
India This Week 5
The Poetic Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- July 17, 2026 Bullies May Not Always Win By Rajan George Bullies presume the world is theirs, To bend by force, by fear, by might; To make the weak submit their will, Or cast them out should they resist. They maim, they torture, and they kill All whom they reckon as their foes. No mercy stirs within their hearts, No grace, no pity, no remorse. They butcher lives and trample justice, As though the earth were theirs alone. Armed to the teeth with sword and steel, They reign through terror and through fear. The common soul, bereft of strength, Must bow beneath their iron hand, Compelled to serve, though unwilling still, To save a life too frail to fight. The days pass slowly into weeks, The weeks dissolve to months and years; Yet still the cruelty marches on, Relentless as a winter storm. The innocent are cut to pieces, Condemned for crimes they never wrought, Or merely for refusing To kneel before the tyrant’s throne. To question such a wicked reign Is counted as the gravest crime. The gallows waits; the firing squad Stands ready at the ruler’s word. No court will hear, no plea avail, No justice speaks, no mercy calls; The sentence falls before the trial, And innocence is left to die. These tyrants, born of pride and hate, Seem fashioned in the fires of hell. They seek no fairness in their rule, Nor equity, nor righteous peace. Their only purpose is to crush The voice that dares to speak the truth, For every honest word they hear They count a threat to their command. To all alike they pour their scorn; Their poison knows no class nor race. A plague upon humanity, A blight upon civilization. They swagger in imagined strength, Mocking all who stand before them, Blind to the power gathering still Beyond the reach of haughty eyes. Yet history speaks with solemn voice: No throne built upon blood shall stand. No tyrant’s hand, however strong, Can hold dominion endlessly. For when the righteous rise at last, When courage overcomes despair, The bully’s boasts are swept away Like chaff before the mighty wind. Then pride shall be their final chain, Arrogance their certain grave. The power they trusted shall depart, The fear they sowed shall turn on them. Their reign shall crumble into dust, Their names become a byword and a warning; For though bullies may triumph for a season, In the end, they shall not win. India This Week Friday, July 17, 2026 Navi Mumbai airport India Mourns the Passlaunches international ing of Legendary Playoperations with 1st flight to back Singer S. Janaki Samithi (BRS) Working S J Abu Dhabi from Wednesday President K.T. Rama Rao F P 1 inger New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India’s largest private airport operator Adani Airport Holdings (AAHL) has announced the commencement of scheduled international operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with Air India Express launching direct services between Navi Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from July 15. According to a press release, the thrice-weekly service opens NMIA’s international network in less than 200 days after the airport commenced domestic operations on December 25, 2025. It also makes every airport in AAHL’s portfolio internationally connected, reflecting the rapid scale-up of India’s newest greenfield international airport and strengthening connectivity across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), home to one of India’s largest concentrations of people, businesses and economic activities.As per the release, the new route offers travellers a convenient di- rect link to the UAE in West Asia and reflects the coordinated efforts of government agencies, aviation regulators, airline partners and airport stakeholders in establishing NMIA as MMR’s second global gateway. Arun Bansal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AAHL, stated, “The launch of our first scheduled international flight marks the beginning of a new phase in Navi Mumbai International Airport’s journey. We thank all the state and central government agencies and stakeholders for their invaluable support in helping us achieve this milestone.” “We also appreciate Air India Express for partnering with us on this important first international route. As we expand our network with more airline partners and destinations, our focus remains on delivering seamless operations and a world-class travel experience while strengthening Navi Mumbai’s position as a preferred gateway for international travel,” he said. 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: Dr. Babu Stephen Chief Editor: Rajan George Contributing Editors: 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 rom anaki age thralled audiences for over sixty years with thousands of songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and several other languages. He said her mastery of classical, devotional and folk music left an indelible mark on Indian culture and that her legacy would continue to inspire generations of artists and music lovers. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed profound sorrow over the loss of the legendary singer, fondly remembered in Karnataka as “Gaana Kogile.” “As long as the Kannada language exists, S. Janaki’s songs will remain immortal. We grew up listening to Kannada songs in her voice. She infused sweetness into the beauty of Kannada,” he said. Recalling her simplicity and lifelong contribution to music, Shivakumar said Janaki’s unparalleled voice would forever remain part of Karnataka’s cultural heritage. “Though she hailed from Andhra Pradesh, her love for Kannada brought her to settle in Mysuru. She sang more than 48,000 songs in over 20 languages. With Janakamma’s demise, one of the greatest melodies of Indian music has fallen silent,” he added. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy remembered Janaki as one of India’s brightest musical stars. “Her timeless voice transcended generations, touching millions of hearts across languages. Indian music has lost one of its brightest stars, but her melodies will live on forever,” he said. Bharat Rashtra Remember: (KTR) called her passing an irreplaceable loss to Indian cinema and the music world. “With her mellifluous voice she could express every human emotion. For nearly six decades she enthralled Indians by singing thousands of songs in numerous languages. Though she is no longer with us physically, her songs will continue to captivate us forever,” he said. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Janaki’s golden voice transcended languages and generations, becoming an inseparable part of India’s cultural consciousness. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described her as “a once-in-a-generation talent” whose iconic voice gifted India countless unforgettable melodies. The Karnataka government announced that the legendary singer would be accorded full state honours during her final rites. State Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said Chief Minister Shivakumar had directed officials to make all necessary arrangements for the public to pay their last respects. Janaki’s mortal remains will be kept for public viewing from 8 a.m. on Sunday, allowing admirers, family members and well-wishers to bid a final farewell. With her passing, India loses not only one of its finest playback singers but also a cultural icon whose voice transcended linguistic and regional boundaries. Her timeless melodies, emotional depth and unmatched artistry have left an enduring imprint on Indian music, ensuring that the voice of S. Janaki will continue to inspire and enchant generations to come. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.…
India This Week 7
INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026 India Launches Campaign for UNSC Non-Permanent Seat; Jaishankar Highlights Peacekeeping Record, ‘SHANTI’ Vision New York, July 14 (ANI): India on Monday officially launched its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar outlining the country’s priorities, peacekeeping record, and commitment to multilateralism. Launching India’s candidature at the UN headquarters, Jaishankar said the move comes at a time when the world is facing growing conflicts and instability, making the role of the United Nations and the Security Council more critical than ever. “It’s a pleasure to join you today afternoon to launch India’s candidature to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2028-29. We do so at a time when the world is facing a profound paradox… At the same time, we are witnessing levels of conflict, violence and instability that threaten even those who may be very far away,” Jaishankar said. He said member states would naturally assess both India’s vision for addressing global challenges and its track record of contributing to international peace and security. “As a candidate, it is natural that member states would like to understand what India brings to the table. One part of that is our vision of the priorities that the world and the United Nations must address. The other is a track record which enables the international community to make its own judgment,” he said. Presenting India’s approach to global governance, Jaishankar unveiled the SHANTI vision — Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity — describing it as the guiding principle of India’s efforts toward building a secure, peaceful, and equitable world. “Recent developments have only demonstrated that peace, progress and prosperity cannot be sustained in a fragmented manner… The world must therefore focus on holistic advancement… That journey can only be undertaken effectively when global order is valued and rules are respected. This puts a premium on norms, on trust and integrity. That is the approach that India offers: ‘Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity’. That is SHANTI as an acronym,” he said. Highlighting India’s contribution to UN peacekeeping, Jaishankar said India has deployed nearly 300,000 personnel across about 50 UN peacekeeping missions since the organisation’s inception. “Peacekeeping has been a crucial element of maintenance of international peace and security since the very inception of the United Nations. India has always been in the forefront of discharging that responsibility. Our cumu- lative contribution is nearly 300,000 deployments in about 50 missions worldwide. Currently, we have 4,300 personnel across 10 of the 11 active missions,” he said. He said India would continue advocating for better-equipped, technologically enabled, and realistically mandated peacekeeping operations while championing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Jaishankar also highlighted India’s role as a development partner, noting that Indian-funded projects are currently being implemented in 79 countries. He said India has consistently promoted dialogue and diplomacy amid global conflicts and worked to amplify the concerns of the Global South. “In a world with too many conflicts and tensions, India has consistently espoused dialogue and diplomacy. We have sought to bridge differences and find common ground. Our focus has been on mitigat- ‘Shared commitment to deeper defence cooperation’: Envoy Gor welcomes Indian Navy at US-led maritime exercise ‘RIMPAC 2026’ New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, on Monday welcomed the Indian Navy’s participation in the US-led maritime exercise ‘RIMPAC 2026’ presently underway in Hawaii.In a post on X, he underlined how it further reflects the shared commitment to fostering deeper defence ties between New Delhi and Washington. Gor said, “The world’s largest international maritime exercise, #RIMPAC2026, is underway in Hawaii! We warmly welcome the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime reconnais- sance aircraft to this U.S.led exercise that highlights our shared commitment to deeper U.S.-India defence cooperation.” The Indian Navy’s P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii, to participate in the 30th edition of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. The P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft has assumed a key anti-submarine warfare leadership role at the Rim of the Pacific Exercise – RIMPAC 2026 as the sea phase of the exercise begins. Earlier in a statement, the Indian Navy said that its P-8I LRMR aircraft and contingent of participating personnel continued active engagement with partner navies through mission planning, technical preparations, operational briefings and professional exchanges. “This is the first time that Indian Navy is discharging the role of Deputy Commander Task Force for Theatre-level Anti Submarine Warfare during the exercise,” the statement said.The deployment reaffirms Indian Na- vy’s commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rulesbased Indo-Pacific while enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness and operational cooperation with partner navies, the Indian Navy underlined in a previous statement. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. According to an official US Navy website, thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands. (ANI) ing the impact of these developments for the Global South,” he said. Expressing confidence in India’s candidature, Jaishankar said the country’s presence in the Security Council would strengthen decision-making through wider consultations and harmonisation of interests. “We believe that India’s presence in the Security Council will help strengthen decision-making in this vital body. We therefore seek your support for our candidacy,” he said. If elected, India would join the UNSC’s 10 rotating non-permanent members, who serve two-year terms alongside the Council’s five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Non-permanent members are elected by the 193-member UN General Assembly and require a two-thirds majority vote. India has previously served as a non-permanent member of the Security Council eight times — in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 198485, 1991-92, 2011-12, and most recently in 2021-22. As a founding member of the United Nations, India strongly supports the purposes and principles of the UN and has made significant contributions toward implementing the goals of the UN Charter and the evolution of specialised programmes and agencies. India believes that the United Nations and the norms of international relations it has fostered remain the most effective means of addressing today’s global challenges. India has consistently advocated reforms of the UN Security Council to meet the challenges of the present era. (ANI) Big Breaking! 17-yrold boy stabbed to death in Delhi’s Badarpur, Police arrest two accused New Delhi, July 13, 20236(ANI): A 17-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the Molarband area of Badarpur. Police have apprehended two accused in connection with the incident. Jagmohan Singh, father of deceased, said, “My son’s name is Yash and he was 17 years old. He was in class 12th... I don’t know what had happened... He left the house at 6:30-6:45 PM... He went to get fuel with a friend... ten minutes later, I got a call saying he was in the hospital... when I got to the hospital, he had already passed away... He was attacked with a knife... We want justice... He was my only son. I do private work and I am from Himachal Pradesh...All I want is whatever happened with my son will also happen with them (perpetrators)...”
INDIA THIS WEEK 9
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