Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Issue: 32

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Glory reclaimed: NY Senate’s Read Inside

anti-Swastika Bill dropped win T20 series at 2 Narendra Modi Stadium in Todd Kaminsky said he is officially withdrawing Ahmedabad an anti-Swastika Bill that he had introduced in • Master Blaster +ve for Covid Giant vessel blocking Suez New York Senate in August 2019, proposing to Canal finally freed

include it in school curriculum as a hate symbol Now, file tax returns by May 17 t was a moment of victory for all those So when Kaminsky’s Bill proposed who have fought to uphold the dignity to include Swastika as a hate symbol in of the ‘Swastika’, the religious icon highly school curriculum, it agitated Hindus and revered by communities including other communities. If made into a law, it Holi festivities muted IHindus, when the anti-Swastika Senate Bill would have required all schools in New 3 amid Covid concerns in New York was dropped on March 26. York to introduce Swastika to students as While withdrawing the Bill, New a symbol of hatred and intolerance. It was World Water Day: Time to York State Senator Todd Kaminsky who cleared by the Senate on July 21 and awaited renew our water pledge had introduced it the review of the in August 2019, Assembly Education portraying the Committee. Realising Awards 2021: Swastika as a that not many 4 , Tapsee Pannu symbol of hatred, understood the named best actors said his intention difference between• Babil wears dad Irrfan’s was to promote the Swastika and the clothes to award function tolerance and not German Hakenkreuz, cause friction with Hindu groups Write to us! the Hindus. launched efforts to The Swastika create awareness Got feedback for us? We would love to hear has been respected about the symbol. about it. Have an event you want others in India for millennia The dropping to know about? Tell us. Clicked a pic worth as an icon of well- of the Bill has come sharing? Send it across. Your inputs are being and piety. as a major relief for invaluable. You can mail your comments to Somewhere Hindus, Buddhists, [email protected] down the line, it was Jains and others for appropriated to form the Hakenkreuz, the whom Swastika is an inseparable part You can also follow us on hooked cross that represented the Nazis of their religion. After spending months @fianynjct.org and soon became a symbol of hatred, in fretting over the possibility of their children

the process distorting its origin beyond either being forced to be apologetic about federationofindianassocations recognition for a world that did not know Swastika or groomed into looking at it with much about its deep-rooted religious and disdain, these communities are now finally @FIANYNJCTorg cultural significance. heaving a sigh of relief.

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:02 March 30, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY After T20I, Team India win ODI series Nail-biting finish to fifth match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 20 where the hosts gave England a mammoth target of 225; later in Pune, the Men in Blue sealed a 2-1 victory in 3-match ODI series #Ahmedabad

kipper Virat Kohli and his team have continued their winning streak. After clinching the five-match T-20I series against England at Narendra Modi SStadium in Ahmedabad on March 20, they went on to bag the three-match ODI series, also against England. The matches were played in Pune, the last one on Sunday. In response to a target of 330 runs, England could only reach 322 for nine in 50 overs, with Sam Curran smashing an unbeaten knock of 95 runs in 83 balls. Despite Curran’s In Ahmedabad valiant display, the visitors crashed to a defeat, Master Blaster tests positive crumbling against India’s bowling department. For England, it was a bad start when Shardul Thakur was in top form for India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent their opener Jason for Covid-19 returning with four wickets and Bhuvneshwar Roy back to the pavilion in the first over Kumar scalped three dismissals. Also, T itself, with no run. Jos Buttler (52 off 34) and # Natarajan took a wicket and held his nerves in Dawid Malan (68 off 46) t kep India on the the final over to take India to a thrilling series edge with a threatening 130-run stand but Cricket legend win. Earlier, the hosts were bowled out for 329 England’s challenged fizzled with the fallSachin of Tendulkar runs in 48.2 overs. the wicketkeeper-batsman in the 13th over said on Saturday Earlier in Ahmedabad, after the bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (March 27) that he blistering half-centuries scored by Kohli and When the going seemed to get tough, had tested positive Rohit Sharma, bowlers ensured England Bhuvneshwar scalped Butler in the 13th over. for Covid-19 and wrapped up their game at 188/8. Sharma’s Jonny Bairstow came in as number four, but had quarantined sensational 64 off 34 balls and Virat could Kohli’s not last long. himself at home. unbeaten 80 off 52 balls powered India to England’s innings eventually ended at He said the a massive 224 for two, their best ever total188 for eight as they lost match by 36 runs symptoms were mild and that he was against England, after the visitors won the toss Bhuvneswar got 2-16 in his four overs. Shardul following all Covid protocol as advised by for the fourth time in the series and opted to picked up three wickets, while Hardik Pandya his doctor. All other members of his family field. Hardik Pandya scored 39 off just 17 balls. and T Natarajan got one each. have tested negative. Giant vessel blocking Suez Canal finally freed Now, file tax returns

ver Green, the giant ship that had been by May 17 blocking Egypt’s Suez Canal for almost a week now, has finally been refloated, #Washington allowing hundreds of stranded ships he Treasury Department and Eto resume movement. The canal links the Internal Revenue Service of the US Mediterranean to the Red Sea and is one of the government recently announced that busiest trade routes in the world. According to Tthe federal income tax filing due date a report, the ship was holding up an estimated for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be $9.6 billion of goods each day. At that time, it automatically extended to May 17, 2021, from was believed that freeing the ship, one of the The ship ran aground last Tuesday when it was the earlier deadline of April 15. biggest container vessels in the world, would caught in a sandstorm. Small but powerful tug This concession has been made to take several weeks. boats were pushed into action to dislodge the help individual taxpayers amid the pandemic. BBC.com quoted Peter Berdowski, CEO ship, while dredgers were employed to dig out This also automatically will permit taxpayers of Dutch salvage company Boskalis, as saying mud and sand from beneath the ends of the who owe taxes to pay by May 17 without that the ship had been refloated at 15:05 ship. any penalty and interest. They may avail the (13:05 GMT) on Monday, “thereby making The traffic may be cleared in the next provision of paying estimated tax in advance free passage through the Suez Canal possible few days. by April 15,2021. again”.

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:03 March 30, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Rang Barse... The usual ‘dhamaal’ and Holi festivities muted ‘masti’ were missing at most places, but the spirit amid Covid concerns of the festival is intact oli, the festival of colours just went the boon could not protect her. She died and by. And, has ensured that the young boy came out unscathed. Thus, the everyone who knows about festival came to signify the victory of good films will by default know about this over evil. Hfestival. Another legend talks about Radha- While local governments in India had Krishna and Gopis playing with colour on what banned public celebration of Holi this year later came to be known as ‘Dhuleti’ due to the pandemic, families and close In the United States and other countries, groups had small-scale celebrations. Many, with a significant presence of the Indian including celebrities posted photographs of Diaspora, Holi is celebrated in temples and their celebrations on social media. Taimur Ali Khan playing Holi by associations. For instance, in New Jersey, Besides being the riot of fun and colours Holi is celebrated at Dwarkadhish Temple at that it is, Holi has very strong roots in Hindu Prahlad in her lap. Hiranyakashyap wanted Parlin and Shri Swaminarayan Temple- Agna mythology. It coincides with the full moon day everyone to worship him as God, while Upasana center, Monmouth junction as well (Poornima) of Falgun month every year. The Prahlad continued to worship Lord Vishnu. as other locations like Gayatri Chetna Center, festival is celebrated over two days. The first Furious, Hiranyakashyap decided to get rid Piscataway, Sanatan Temple, Parsippany one is when the Holi pyre is lit, also called the of his son. When all other attempts failed, he attract. Holika Dahan. Legend has it that Holika, the approached his sister Holika, who had a boon Here’s hoping for and praying that sister of demon king Hiranyakashyap, sat on that would protect her from fire. However, we can enjoy the festival, subdued by the the pyre with the latter’s son and her nephew when she entered the fire with Prahlad, even pandemic this year, in its full glory! Time to renew our water pledge This crisis is not something in the distant future; it is here, in our face. Globally, more than 1.42 billion people live in water-scarce areas, according to UNICEF. March 22 is celebrated as World Water Day. # New York children cannot wash their hands to fight off ccording to UN-Water, scarcity diseases.” Children in 37 ‘hotspot’ countries of water already affects every face especially dire circumstances in terms of continent. Its use has been growing absolute numbers, the proportions of children globally at more than twice the rate affected, and where global resources, support Aof population increase in the last century, and urgent action must be mobilized. This list and an increasing number of regions are includes Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, reaching the limit at which water services can Haiti, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua be sustainably delivered, especially in arid New Guinea, Sudan, Tanzania and Yemen. regions. March 22 was World Water Day, a Amid the rising population and climate day when we pledge, or renew an old one, to A woman in Madagascar (UN Water) change, the availability of fresh water is do something about the precious commodity becoming worrisome in South Asia, particularly called water. coming, it is here, and climate change will only in Pakistan, which may face absolute water Globally, more than 1.42 billion people, make it worse,” said UNICEF Executive Director scarcity by 2040. including 450 million children, live in areas of Henrietta Fore. “Children are the biggest Taiwan will from next month ration high, or extremely high, water vulnerability, victims. When wells dry-up, children are the water for more than one million households according to a new analysis released by ones missing school to fetch water. When in the centre of the island because of a UNICEF. This means that 1 in 5 children droughts diminish food supplies, children drought, Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua worldwide does not have enough water to suffer from malnutrition and stunting. Whensaid last week. However, the technology hub meet their everyday needs. floods hit, children fall ill from waterborneof Hsinchu will not be affected. “The world’s water crisis is not simply illnesses. And when water resources decline, Agencies

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:04 March 30, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY 2021 Irrfan, Tapsee named best actors Irrfan was given the award posthumously: His son Baabil Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) received it; ’s ’ walks away with Irrfan () seven awards, the maximum

#Mumbai Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female) t had to be a star-studded event on Saturday night (March 27). After all, the stars were Taapsee Pannu (Thappad) being recognized for their Iperformances at the 66th edition of the Filmfare awards. Irrfan Khan was posthumously honoured with the best actor award for ‘Angrezi Best Actor (Critics) Medium’. He was also given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Irrfan passed away last year in - Gulabo Sitabo Mumbai. Amid the sadness, his son Baabil received the awards on his behalf. Taapsee Pannu won the Best Best Director Actress Award for Thappad, which also bagged the Best Film, Best Story and Best Editing trophies. Amitabh Bachchan won the Om Raut Best Actor (Critics) award for his performance in Gulabo Sitabo (: The Unsung Warrior) while the best actor-female (critics) award went to for Sir. Om Raut bagged Best Lyrics Best Music the best director award for Album Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior. won the award for - Best Actor in Supporting Role for his work in Tanhaji: The Unsung Chhappak Pritam Warrior while ’s Devi won the Best Short Film (Popular Choice) (Chhappak) (Ludo) award.

Babil Khan, Irrfan Khan’s son, received the Filmfare awards on behalf of his Voluntary Content Babil wears father. On Sunday, Babil revealed that the clothes he wore belonged to his Compilation father. In a clip that he shared, Babil’s FIA NY-NJ-CT and dad Irrfan’s mother Sutapa Sikdar can be seen Community Volunteers helping him getting ready for the awards, which she also attended. clothes “Mamma dressing me up - So, in my little speech…, I basically said, ‘This Contributors is not my place to say anything. Chandrakant Trivedi, to award People always say that you cannot Amit Yadav fit into your father’s shoes but at least I can fit into his clothes. I just want to show all my function Voluntary Graphics gratitude to the audience and our industry...” Compilation Gracia Marcom

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected]