INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2024 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 75th Republic Day parade showcases India’s ‘Nari Shakti’, concludes with stunning air, motorcycle display Vol 33 No: 5 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday FEBRUARY 2, 2024 New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): The parade on the momentous platinum celebrations of India showcased ‘womenled development at Kartavya Path boosting the ‘Viksit Bharat’ envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ‘Nari shakti’ took centerstage as women soldiers marched down the Kartavya Path on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day on Friday. P r e s i d e n t Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations arrived at Kartavya Path in the ‘Traditional Buggy’, a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years. The cultural extravaganza at Kartavya Path highlighted the diversity and vibrancy of India’s cultural tapestry, captivating the audience with a fusion of artistic expressions from across the country. Viksit Bharat’s rich cultural diversity and the ‘Aatmanirbhar’ military prowess were the themes that graced Kartavya Path apart from the dominating theme of ‘nari shakti‘ in the 90-minute parade. The 75th Republic Day March Past began on Kartavya Path with the proud winners of the highest gallantry awards, the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashok Chakra, following Parade Commander Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar. For the first time, an all-women contingent of the Armed Forces Medical Services marched on Kartavya Path, led by Major Srishti Khullar, with Capt Amba Samant from the WASHINGTON: Revolutionary changes are taking place in the U.S.-India relationship, the outgoing Indian Ambassador here, Taranjit Singh Sindhu has said, stressing that the bilateral ties have only covered the tip of the iceberg and are going to go far and wide. Addressing a gathering of Indian Americans at farewell reception Sandhu said, it is important that their second generation remains connected to India. You are already hearing about AI, the different dimensions of AI (Artificial Intelligence). India is going to play major role. Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu is one of the most experienced Indian diplomats on US affairs, having served in the Indian Mission in Washington DC twice earlier. He was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington DC from July 2013 to January 2017. Earlier, he was First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of India, Washington, DC responsible for liaison with the United States Congress from 1997 to 2000. He has also been at the Permanent Mission of India to United Nations, New York from July 2005 to February 2009. Army Dental Corps, Surg Lt Kanchana from the Indian Navy, and Flt Lt Dhivya Priya from the Indian Air Force. French troops and aircraft also participated in the “Platinum Republic Day Parade’ at the Kartavya Path. The French Foreign Legion music band, led by Captain Khourda, consisting of 30 musicians is marched first, playing the Legion’s anthem called “Le Boudin”. The recipients of Prior to his current assignment in Washington DC, Ambassador Sandhu was High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020. He had also served at the High Commission of India, Colombo earlier as the Head of the Political Wing from December 2000 to September 2004. Ambassador Sandhu was Consul General of India in Frankfurt from September 2011 to July 2013. He has worked in the Ministry of External Affairs in various capacities: as Joint Secretary (United Nations) from March 2009 to August 2011; and later as Joint Secretary (Administration) heading the Human Resource Division. He was Officer on Special Duty (Press Relations), Ministry of External Affairs from December 1995 to March 1997, and was responsible for liaison with foreign media in India. In a distinguished career spanning over thirty years in the Indian Foreign Service since 1988, Ambassador Sandhu started his diplomatic career from former Soviet Union (Russia) where he worked as Third Secretary (Political) / Second Secretary (Commercial) in the Indian Mission from 1990 to 1992. Following the breakup of Soviet Union, he was sent to open a new Embassy in Ukraine. He served as Head of Political and Administration Wings in Indian Embassy in Kiev from 1992 to 1994. Born on 23 January 1963 in a family of educationists, Ambassador Sandhu studied at The Lawrence School, Sanawar and graduated with History Honors from St. Stephens’ College, Delhi. He pursued a Master’s Degree in International Relations at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Ambassador Sandhu is married to Mrs. Reenat Sandhu, who is a senior officer in the Indian Foreign Service and currently Ambassador of India to the Netherlands. They have two children. His interests Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar showcased their achievements during the 75th Republic Day parade. The first army contingent leading the mechanized column was that of the 61 Cavalry led by Maj Yashdeep Ahlawat on the occasion ‘Aavaahan’, encompassing an exquisite symphony of a variety of Indian musical instruments from across the country was at the forefront of the grand ceremonial parade. The distinguished band comprising 112 women artists played a variety of folk and tribal percussion instruments, becoming a powerful symbol of women’s strength and prowess. As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity with the help of REPUBLIC DAY SEE PAGE 21 Revolutionary Changes Taking Place In U.S.-India Relationship, Says Outgoing Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu Remember: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you. ” – Jesus Christ include books, movies and outdoor sports. Ambassador Sandhu assumed charge as Ambassador to the United States on February 3, 2020. Ambassador Sandhu presented his credentials to the President of the United States of America on 6 February 2020. The Farewell reception was hosted by: Sikhs of America, Inc, U.S. India SME Council, Inc, US India Sikh Alliance, Inc, National Council of Asian Indian Association, Inc, Global Assamese Entrepreurship Forum, Global Haryana and Overseas Friends of BJP.
FEBRUARY 2, 2024 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday Over 40 Years Of Experience 5 FAMILY HAIRCUT $ MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 $ & up SERVICES • BEARD TRIM $500 $ • SHAMPOO 1000 • BLOW DRY $1000 $ 00 • PERM FROM 20 $ 00 • COLOR FROM 20 • HIGHLIGHTS FROM $3500 • SPA PEDICURE FROM $1700 Beauty & Barber Shop 7311 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 info@csbarbernschool.com US: Missing Indian student of Purdue University, confirmed dead By Reena Bhardwaj | Indiana [US], January 30 (ANI): An Indian student studying at Purdue University who was reported missing since Sunday has been confirmed dead, according to the Tippecanoe County Coroner. According to the Tippecanoe County Coroner‘s Office, officials were called around 11:30 am. Sunday to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette for a possible dead body. Upon arrival, a “college-aged male” was found deceased on Purdue’s campus. The deceased student has been identified as Neel Acharya by the authorities. On Sunday, Gaury Acharya, mother of the deceased student, in a post on X, appealed, “Our son Neel Acharya is missing since yesterday Jan 28 (12:30 AM EST) He is studying in Purdue University in the US. He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off in Purdue university. We are looking for any info on him. Please help us if you know anything.” The Consulate General of India in Chicago replied to her post on X, saying, “Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel’s family. Consulate will extend all possible support and help.” A c co r d in g to Purdue Exponent, a multimedia agency independent of the university, in an email written to the university’s computer science department on Monday, interim CS head Chris Clifton confirmed students and faculty of Neel Acharya‘s death. Earlier this week, another Indian student was brutally killed with repeated blows from a hammer by a homeless man inside a store in Lithonia, Georgia, US. A video of the incident went viral on social media, but the date of the incident can’t be confirmed. The man seen attacking Saini is reportedly a homeless person. A person familiar with the case told ANI that police authorities acted firmly on the visual evidence of the case, and arrests were made promptly. The mortal remains of the victim, being an Indian citizen, were sent back to Vivek’s family in India on January 24, the person added. (ANI)
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FEBRUARY 2, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Strengthening India-France bond: 4 French nationals among recipients of prestigious Padma awards New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): As French President Emmanuel Macron graced India as the Chief Guest for Republic Day, the profound ties between India and France have once again come to the forefront. In a testament to robust bilateral relations, four individuals from France are set to receive the prestigious Padma Awards this year. The four French individuals who are being honoured with Padma Shri are: Charlotte Chopin, Kiran Vyas, Pierre Sylvain Filliozat, and Fred Negrit. C h a r l o t t e Chopin, a 100-year-old yoga practitioner, will be felicitated with the Padma Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his France visit last year, met her. “In Paris, I had the opportunity to meet the remarkable Charlotte Chopin. She began practising Yoga at the age of 50. She’s going to turn hundred soon but her passion towards Yoga and fitness has only increased over the years,” PM Modi said in a post on X. The remaining two awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. ‘Padma Bhushan’is awarded for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions that are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually around March or April every year. For the year 2024, the President has approved the conferment of 132 Padma Awards. The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women, and the list also includes 8 persons from the categories of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs, and OCI, as well as 9 posthumous awardees. (ANI) Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 31 (ANI): The Mavelikkara Additional Sessions Court has issued death sentence to 15 Popular Front of India (PFI) members in the BJP leader Ranjith Sreenivasan murder case. All the accused are the workers of PFI and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). The sentence was pronounced by Mavelikkara Additional District Judge V G Sreedevi. The court accepted the arguments of the prosecution that it is a rarest of the rare case. Prathap G Padickal is the Special Public Prosecutor for the case. Prathap G Padickal said, “The court by accepting the argument of the prosecution that this is the rarest of the rare case, has given death penanly to the 15 accused. 6 lakhs will be collected as fine and given to his wife and children. The evidence provided by the prosecution has been accepted.” The first eight accused, namely Nizam, Ajmal, Anoop, Muhammad Aslam, Salam Ponnad, Abdul Salam, Safaruddin and Manshad, were found guilty of murder. The incident occurred on December 21, 2021 in Alappuzha. BJP OBC Morcha state secretary Ranjith Sreenivasan was hacked to death by a group in front of his mother, wife and minor daughter. This happened hours after the murder of SDPI leader Shan in Alappuzha. (ANI) Kerala Court awards death sentence to 15 PFI members in BJP leader Ranjith Sreenivasan murder case are Pierre Sylvain Filliozat (87), a Sanskrit scholar dedicated to advancing Indian culture studies, and Fred Negrit, an indologist promoting great awareness and appreciation of the culture of India. From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- January 19, 2024 The Past By Ralph Waldo Emerson The debt is paid, The verdict said, The Furies laid, The plague is stayed, All fortunes made; Turn the key and bolt the door, Sweet is death forevermore. Nor haughty hope, nor swart chagrin, Nor murdering hate, can enter in. All is now secure and fast; Not the gods can shake the Past; Flies-to the adamantine door Bolted down forevermore. None can re-enter there,— No thief so politic, No Satan with a royal trick Steal in by window, chink, or hole, To bind or unbind, add what lacked, Insert a leaf, or forge a name, New-face or finish what is packed, Alter or mend eternal Fact. Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards in the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines / fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online Remember: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” JESUS CHRIST
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FEBRUARY 2, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK President Murmu hosts French counterpart Macron at Rashtrapati Bhavan on R-Day; PM Modi, other top dignitaries attend New Delhi [India], January 26 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Friday hosted an at-home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, were among the many dignitaries attending the reception. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar were also among the attendees at the reception. Lok Sabha speaker OM Birla, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, and Dharmendra Pradhan also attended the in-house reception on a decked-up and well-lit front yard of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu was pictured introducing her French counterpart to other dignitaries at the reception. The President also interacted with the foreign dignitaries at the function. Earlier in the day, President Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. On her arrival at Kartavya Path, she was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Based on the twin themes of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Bharat – Loktantra ki Matruka’, this year’s parade witnessed the participation of around 13,000 special guests, an initiative aimed at providing an opportunity for people from all walks of life to take part in the celebrations and encourage ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (public involvement) at the event. As many as 16 states and Union Territories also displayed their heritage diversity through cultural performances and tableaux. President Droupadi Murmu and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the Kartavya Path in the traditional buggy, which made a comeback at the event after 40 years. For the first time, an all-women contingent of the Armed Forces Medical Services marched on Kartavya Path, led by Major Srishti Khullar, with Capt Amba Samant from the Army Dental Corps, Surg Lt Kanchana from the Indian Navy, and Flt Lt Dhivya Priya from the Indian Air Force. The Indian Navy tableau also highlighted the themes of ‘Nari Shakti and ‘Atmanirbharta’, also showing aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and Navy ships Delhi, Kolkata and Shivalik and Kalavari Class Submarine. A French military contingent also participated in the Republic Day parade. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh: Police rescue 300 tourists stranded near Atal Tunnel in Rohtang after snowfall Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 31 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Police rescued 300 tourists stranded near the South Portal (SP) of the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang after heavy snowfall on Tuesday evening. Kullu SP Sakshi Verma said, “Around 50 vehicles and one Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus got stuck near the South Portal (SP) of ATR, in which 300 tourists were travelling. All tourists have been evacuated from ATR.” SP Kullu further said that she, along with Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Manali, Tehsildar Manali, Station House Officer (SHO) Manali and team conducted a rescue operation. This comes as the India Metrological Department issued an orange alert for various places in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, indicating the possibility of snowfall in the higher mountains and rain in other parts of the state during the next 48 hours. According to IMD, from the late night of January 30 to the morning of February 2, heavy rain or snowfall is likely at some places in Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul, Spiti, Mandi, and Shimla districts. The Meteorological Department has predicted snowfall in the high-altitude areas of the state and snowfall in the plains. “During the next five or six days, right from tonight, there are possibilities of rain and snow in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh. The rain activity will start tonight. On January 31 and February 1, in the districts of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Kullu, there are chances of moderate to heavy snowfall. We have issued an orange alert for these areas. There are chances of rain and thunderstorms with lighting activities in districts of Kangra, Bilaspur and Shimla,” Sandeep Kumar Sharma Senior Scientist of IMD said. (ANI) FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2024 9 Sale Ends 2/28/2024 “We are not afraid...,” Mallikarjun Kharge on ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ D e h r a d u n (Uttarakhand) [India], January 28 (ANI): Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party asserting the BJP made every effort to stop the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra‘ in Assam adding that we are not afraid of them. Addressing the Workers Convention in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Kharge said that Rahul Gandhi had taken out ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, but such an incident did not happen anywhere, as has happened in BJP-ruled Assam. “Ever since our ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra‘ started, BJP has made every effort to stop and scare it. ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra‘ was stopped in Assam, stones were thrown at vehicles, and posters were torn. But we are not afraid,” Kharge said addressing the Workers Convention in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He further said that Congress leaders have laid down their lives for the country, BJP has made no sacrifices. “Everyone believes in God. But, religion and country are different. But here, they (BJP) have mixed up everything. And when you combine religion and country together, it becomes hard to identify what is good and what is bad,” he added. Earlier on January 20, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that an FIR has been registered against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, party General Secretary KC Venugopal, National Students’ Union of India All India Congress Committee Incharge Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Rahul Gandhi is leading the party’s Manipur to Mumbai Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and as the Yatra was about to enter Guwahati city, Congress workers were stopped from entering the city and clashed with Assam Police. (ANI)
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