Tuesday, July 6, 2021 Issue: 40

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Indian-American boy is world’s youngest chess 3 Grandmaster

India to issue 5 lakh free 5 tourist visas Young hopes pinned on America’s Children Act

Teary-eyed Serena exits 6 Wimbledon in Round 1

Members of FIA at the warehouse in Keasbey NJ where the supplies were packed and labelled. Sania set to make history in Tokyo

Legendary actor Dilip At your service, Ma 7 Kumar no more Telugu heartthrob Vijay FIA shipped 9 containers of medical cargo to India last week as part of 8 Deverekonda speaks its continued efforts to help its motherland tide over the Covid crisis about upcoming film ‘Liger’ t was a proud moment for the Federation India. The supplies were donated by the City of of India Associations and the entire Indian New York, while the rest of the logistics related Trolled for performing Idiaspora, when the last of the cargo to the shipment were handled by FIA. hubby’s last rites, Mandira containers was loaded to be shipped to India General Secretary and executive gets support last week. There were nine such 40-feet committee member of FIA-NY NJ CT Parveen containers, each containing essential medical Bansal led the logistical efforts. Swami Vivekananda’s tryst with American equipment related to treatment of Covid-19 Deputy Consul General of New York 9 and aimed at helping India with preparing for Shatrughna Sinha was all praises for the Independence Day the third wave of Covid-19 which, according team’s efforts in taking charge of the cargo and to experts, is likely to strike in the coming managing its timely shipment. He also thanked months. The second wave in the months of all the sponsors for their contributions. Write to us! April and May had had a disastrous effect on FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya applauded Got feedback for us? We would love to hear India. The country that had been among the the efforts of City of New York, Hon. Mayor Bill about it. Have an event you want others first to respond to other nations’ call for help De Blasio and his team, Jennifer Geiling from to know about? Tell us. Clicked a pic worth had been brought down to its knees. There the Mayor’s office, CG-NY Randhir Jaiswal, sharing? Send it across. Your inputs are was acute shortage of oxygen, ventilators, DCG Shatrughna Sinha and the India team invaluable. You can mail your comments to BiPAP machines, oxymeters, etc. Thousands including Diwakar Mittal from NITI Aayog, [email protected] of lives were lost because of this shortage. Prime Minister’s Office, Red Cross India, Air India has started preparations for the India, Maersk, R&A Logistics, besides sponsors You can also follow us on third wave. FIA stands with its motherland including FIA President Anil Bansal, Kenny in her hour of need. Last week, it shipped Desai, Board Member Prabir Roy, Executive @fianynjct.org cargo comprising 400,000 pulse oxymeters, Committee member Mahesh Dubal, Board federationofindianassocations ventilators, resuscitation bags, BiPAP Member Anand Patel. He also thanked machines, test kits, etc, from Keasbey, NJ to executive members Haresh Shah, Saurin @FIANYNJCTorg Navi Mumbai. Ventilators were sent via Air Parikh and Alok Kumar.

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www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:03 July 6, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY A quick glance Indian-American boy is US announces $41 million aid to India world’s youngest chess GM ndia will receive an additional assistance Abhimanyu Mishra, 12, from New Jersey won the title in Budapest to the tune of $41 million from the United IStates towards its ongoing Covid battle. #Budapest to be a grandmaster. To help him have a This fund will be used in areas like testing, he world chess arena has got its chance at it, his father took him to take him to pandemic-related mental health services, youngest star. Abhimanyu Mishra, Europe where there were more tournaments timely referrals to medical services and access Ta 12-year-old from New Jersey, was happening. to healthcare in remote areas, according to named the youngest chess grandmaster ever Abhimanyu got his first and second the United States Agency for International after scoring his his third GM norm on June norms in April and May. However, he failed to Development (USAID). 30. win in the next three events. He got 2500 Elo With this, the overall assistance With this achievement, he broke the points, a requirement to be a GM. He then won provided by US to India has reached $200 record of Russia’s Sergey Karjakin who had his third GM on June 30 after defeating Indian million, besides an additional $500 million held the title since 2003. Karjakin was 12 GM Leon Luke Mendonca in the final round. towards emergency supplies and training of years and seven months old when he won the Abhhimanyu currently has a over 214,000 frontline health workers, the title. Mishra was 12 years, four months and performance ELO rating of 2619 and is ranked USAID said. 25 days old when he reached the milestone. 742 in the world. He aims to be the world Abhimanyu already holds the title of champion someday. the youngest International Master which 9 Indian-Americans in he got in November 2019. At that time, he had broken the record of GM Rameshbabu Spelling Bee finals Praggnanandha. he Indian-American kids have once Abhimanyu was introduced to the game again proved they have got their by his father Hemant, a data management Tspellings right. Nine of the 11 finalists of professional, when he was just three. the prestigious 2021 Scripps National Spelling He was then mentored by Gary Bee are from the community. Kasparov after he joined the latter’s Young The nine are Bhavana Madini (13) fron Stars Programme. New York, Sreethan Gajula (14) from North A player needs to win three GM norms Carolina, Ashrita Gandhari (14) from Virginia, Avani Joshi (13) from Illinois, Vivinsha Veduru (10) from Texas, Dhroov Bharatia (12) from Dallas, Vihaan Sibal (12) from Texas, Akshainie Kamma (13) from Texas and Chaitra Thummala Lights, sound, action… (12) from San Fransisco. The others are Roy Seligman (12) from The Bahamas and Zaila Students of Mokshaa Dance Academy put up enthralling Avant-garde (14) from New Orleans. The final round will be held on July 8. performances at their annual show conducted recently Last year, the contest had to be cancelled #New Jersey because of the Covid-19 pandemic. t was a riot of colours and movement as children as young as 3 and teens as old as 18 Itook to the stage of the annual function of Shalina Kumar is first Mokshaa Dance Academy recently. There were a total of 16 performances, South Asian fed judge including two finales and a flash mob dance by ndian-American circuit court chief judge the parents. Shalina D Kumar has been nominated by IPresident Joe Biden as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. She will be the first federal judge of South Asian descent in Michigan, the White House has said. Kumar has served on the Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court since 2007. The Michigan Supreme Court appointed her the chief judge in January 2018. Mokshaa students in action The youngest dancers performing

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www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:05 July 6, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Delta variant India to issue 5 lakh now seen in 96 free tourist visas nations: WHO Offer valid till March ’22; aimed at reviving tourism industry 11 of them reported the variant of

#New Delhi She also announced other measures concern (VOC) in just one week ne of the worst sufferers of the to support stakeholders of the sector. #New Delhi Covid-19 pandemic has been the The travel and tourism sector has nown as a highly transmissible strain Otravel and tourism industry. In a bid suffered huge losses across the world, thanks of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the Delta to revive the sector, the government of India to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting Kstrain has been detected in at least last week announced that it would issue free lockdown everywhere. Even when the travel 96 countries now, according to the Covid-19 tourist visas to 5 lakh tourists. This is among restrictions were removed after the first weekly epidemiological update by the WHO. the slew of measures announced by Finance wave, many were reluctant to travel for fear It was first detected in India and has since Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. of contracting the virus. rapidly spread through other countries. This offer is valid until March 31, According to reports, the Delta variant 2022, or until the figure of 5 lakh is reached, is 55% more transmissible than the Alpha whichever is earlier. A tourist can avail of this variant. Of the 96 countries, 11 were added in offer only once. just the last week of the compilation of these Sitharaman, in her briefing, pointed out data, according to WHO. that India had 10.93 million foreign visitors in 2019 who spent $30.098 billion on leisure and business. A foreign tourist stays in India for an average of 21 days, she said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Young hopes pinned on Someone needs America’s Children Act your help… Bill proposes to provide pathway to permanent residency to minors hen 52-year-old Vivek Nema who arrived on dependent visa and risk deportation at 21 years of age from Jabalpur in Madhya WPradesh developed Covid-19, his #Washington legal immigrants who came to the US as family had not imagined how far things hat happens when you are forced to minors and grew up in the country are not would worsen. Post-Covid, he contracted leave the place where you grew up, forced to leave. According to estimates, of the mucormycosis (Black Fungus). Its treatment made friends and went to school nearly 2 lakh children on dependent visa in the is not cheap, and In just a few weeks, W the family had exhausted their savings and college? What when you must head to a US, 70% are Indians. place which, though is the place your family and taken big loans. His daughter Ashna came from, is entirely unfamiliar to you? What’s happening started a fund-raiser in India while family That’s the uncertainty the children of The children of parents who are in friend Deepti Nanawati did that in the US. non-green card holders in the US have been the country on an H1-B visa get a dependent Unfortunately he could not make it—he facing for a very long time now. And that’s the H-$ visa. However, that expires once they get passed away on July 4. uncertainty the America’s Cultivation of Hope married or cross the age of 21, whichever is Money will not and Inclusion for Long-Term Dependents earlier. If their parents fail to qualify for a green bring him back, but it will Raised and Educated Natively (America’s card before that, they must either get another help his family tide over CHILDREN) Act hopes to address. temporary stay visa or leave the country. the debt crisis. The legislation was introduced by Rep The Bill, if approved, will allow them to If you feel you Deborah Ross, a Wake County Democrat, apply for permanent residence in the US. It will can help them, along with Reps Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois), also allow them to work here and also reclaim find the link to Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa) and Young their position in the queue to get green cards the crowdfunding Kim (California). It proposed to ensure that if their parents get these. page below.

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-vivek-nema-family Tuesday, Page:06 July 6, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Teary-eyed Serena exits Wimbledon in Round 1 Williams slipped on the grass court and injured her ankle, after which she could not play for long

#London She walked out of the court in tears. or the first time in her entire career, The last time Williams won a Slam was American legend Serena Williams bowed the Australian Open 2017. After her exit, Andy Fout of a Wimbledon tournament in the Murray tweeted, “Brutal for @serenawilliams first round itself. The reason: an injury. but centre court is extremely slippy out there. Had she won, it would have been her Not easy to move out there.” eighth Wimbledon singles title. Williams was However, this is not the first time that leading 3-1 in the match against Aliaksandra a player slipped on the grass court and had to Sasnovich on Centre Court when she slipped retire from the match. and hurt her ankle. She returned after Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic, examination, but had to stop at 3-3. too, have had such dramatic falls. Serena Williams

Peek into Tokyo Games Sania set to make US women’s soccer team all set history in Tokyo Will be only Indian female athlete for Tokyo, eyes another gold to compete in four Olympics

hey are the four-time Olympics win back-to-back World Cup and Olympics #New Delhi champion. And now, the US women’s titles. On Monday, the team completed its ndian tennis star Sania Mirza is all set soccer team has set its eyes on yet preparatory road to the Tokyo Games after a T to create history at the Tokyo Olympics, another gold. Only this time, the victory will second friendly win against Mexico. scheduled to start later this month. She will be even more special. If they get the gold, On board are Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd I be the only Indian female athlete till now to they will become the first team in history to and Tobin Heath. have participated in four Olympic Games. The Tokyo Games commence from July 23. Mirza has qualified for the women’s Badminton: Sindhu on final list doubles for which she will partner with he Badminton World Federation has Denmark’s 2017 World Champion World No 95 Ankita Raina. The latter is India’s announced names of 87 male and 86 Viktor Axelsen and home favourite OKUHARA highest-ranked doubles player. This is also Tfemale badminton players who will Nozomi, who won bronze at Rio 2016, are also the first time that Mirza with partner with compete at Tokyo 2020. among the star names. someone who is among the world’s top 100 The list includes A total of 50 NOCs for the women’s doubles event. She will use reigning men’s singles from five continents will her protected world ranking of 9 to enter the Olympic champion Chen be represented in the Olympics. Long (People’s Republic of competition, which begins China) and Rio 2016 women’s on 24 July at Musashino singles silver medallist PV Forest Sport Plaza. Sindhu (India). 5G-enabled viewing experience he Tokyo Organizing Committee of the These facilities will be offered at sailing, Olympic and Paralympic Games has swimming and golf venues. Tannounced that it will deploy the latest 5G technology to showcase innovative sports at three competition venues during the Games. The new arrangements will include broadcasts of ultra-high resolution videos and simultaneous multipoint videos with the help of the high-speed 5G technology. Sania Mirza Serena Williams

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:07 July 6, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY End of An Era Dilip Kumar bids goodbye Among the biggest stars of Indian film industry, the thespian breathed his last on Wednesday morning

#Mumbai ever mind the fact that he was 98. The popularity of Dilip Kumar, or Dilip NSaab as he was fondly addressed, was intact. So much so that every time he was hospitalized, his wife and yesteryear actress Saira Banu would keep posting health updates to avoid being inundated by calls. The legendary actor breathed his last at 7.30 am IST on Wednesday at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai where he had been admitted last week after complaining of breathlessness. He was 98. His death was announced via his Twitter handle by family friend Faisal Farooqui.

The legend Born Mohammad Yousuf Khan in Mughal-E-Azam Peshawar on December 11, 1922, Dilip Kumar marked his debut in films with Jwar Bhata. colourized and released again in theatres in Awards The credit for bringing him to films goes to 2004 and 2008 respectively.) • First recipient of Filmfare award late actress Devika Rani. It was there that he He married Saira Banu in 1966 and then • 8 Filmfare awards for best actor was given the name ‘Dilip Kumar’ to better his Asma Sahiba in 1981, but the second marriage • Lifetime Achievement Award prospects. ended in 1983. • Padma Bhushan in 1991 While his initial films did not do well, he Dilip Kumar took a five-year break from • Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 tasted success with ‘Jugnu’ in 1947 acting from 1976 to 1981. His comeback film • Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1998. He went on to Shaheed, Andaz, Deedar, Kranti, a star-studded film, was the biggest hit • Guinness world record for maximum Daag, Devdas, Azaadn and Madhumati. The of the year. number of awards won by an Indian epic Mughal-e-Azam of 1960 can easily count Later, he could be seen in supporting actor. as one of the biggest films of the Indian film roles, but even there his mark was indelible. • He was also nominated as Rajya Sabha industry. (Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur, He was last seen on screen in Qila in member by Congress between 2000 and originally made in black-and-white, were fully 1998. 2006.

Naya Daur Kranti Madhumati

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:08 July 6, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Telugu heartthrob I am Vijay talks about ‘Liger’ ready The much-awaited multi- lingual film has completed for you nearly two-thirds of shooting #Mumbai cent of the shooting, Vijay has said. Goes t the very start, we shall give the without saying that we are all excited. disclaimer. The first part of the headline The film has been produced by Puri Adoesn’t have anything to do with the Jagannadh with Karan Johar, Charmy Kaur, second, or at least the context wasn’t the same. Apoorva Mehta and Hiroo Johar as producers. Recently, the young and dashing Telugu star While giving an update about the film’s Vijay Deverakonda had posted his photograph status, Vijay said that 65% of the shooting had from Daboo Ratnani’s calendar on Twitter. As been completed and that now they would if that was not enough to make girls swoon, he move to Mumbai. He said that the team captioned it with “I am ready for you”. hoped to complete the production by August The responses to that tweet weren’t and shoot in Mumbai. He also talked about entirely unexpected. “I am ready for you too,” complex scenes that he would be required went many of his fans. to shoot in coming days for the film. “... other Indeed he has. Now that we have explained the first scenes require numerous people on sets. Amid After the blockbuster ‘Arjun Reddy’ part, let’s move to the next. fear of the third wave, we’re trying to figure it (2017) which was highly successful and had Liger, the much-awaited multi-lingual out,” he said. girls swooning over Vijay, Liger will mark his film starring him and Bollywood actress A star has arrived, wrote Forbes India debut in Bollywood and Ananya’s in Tollywood Ananya Panday, has completed about 65 per when it featured him in its 30 under 30 list. (the Telugu film industry).

Trolled for performing hubby’s Want to advertise with us? We can help you last rites, Mandira gets support take your brand farther. Raj Kaushal passed away after a massive heart attack last week Get in touch with us at #Mumbai ilm-maker Raj Kaushal, husband of [email protected] actress Mandira Bedi, passed away Flast week after a massive heart attack. Mandira performed the final rites. But when photos appeared on social media, she was Published by trolled for breaking Hindu traditions and Federation of Indian Associations doing something supposed to be done by more abundant than any other element,” (NY-NJ-CT-PA-MA-NH) males. Even her choice of clothes—jeans and wrote Sona Mohapatra. “Makes me sick T-shirt—was critized. that people are having a field day trolling a Editor However, many from the industry came grieving woman for performing last rites on Chitra Nair out in her support. “That some people are still her husband instead of asking a stranger or Voluntary Design & Graphics commenting on Mandira Bedi’s dress code or her tiny kid. Or for not having the time to Gracia Marcom choice to carry out her husband Raj Kushal’s dress the way THEY imagine grieving women last rites shouldn’t surprise us. Stupidity is should dress,” wrote Mini Mathur.

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:09 July 6, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Swami Vivekananda’s tryst with American Independence Day Swami Vivekananda, a great social reformer who had lived in America for four years, celebrated America’s Independence Day throughout his stay here. July 4 also happens to be his death anniversary

TO THE FOURTH OF JULY

Behold, the dark clouds melt away, That gathered thick at night, and hung So like a gloomy pall above the earth! Before thy magic touch, the world Awakes. The birds in chorus sing. The flowers raise their star-like crowns– Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair. The lakes are opening wide in love Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes To welcome thee, with all their depth. All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light! A welcome new to thee, today, O Sun! Today thou sheddest Liberty! Bethink thee how the world did wait, And search for thee, through time and clime. Some gave up home and love of friends, And went in quest of thee, self- banished, hose of us who have followed Swami chose deliberately to leave his body on the Through dreary oceans, through Vivekananda’s short and turbulent life evening of July 4. We take this as a symbol. primeval forests, Tknow that the 4th of July—America’s Vivekananda, who had throughout the 39 Each step a struggle for their life or Independence Day—has had a special years of his life chafed under the burden of death; significance in his life. In four of the years an unwell body, found his independence And worship, love and sacrifice. he spent in America, he celebrated the day from it at last, his mission accomplished, now Fulfilled, accepted and complete. with his companions and friends. On another achieving his well-deserved rest. He gave out Then thou, propitious, rose to shed occasion, while spending a summer in London, certain signs in the later days of his life that, The light of Freedom on mankind. he was a guest of honor at an event where the his work being over, he would accept now the Move on, O Lord, in thy resistless American community was celebrating the day. mergence in freedom which his master had path! The gala had been hosted by a well-known promised. Lying on his cot in the evening, he Till thy high noon o’erspreads the American lady who had married a British sent away his attendant, entered into a deep world. banker. He loved the United States like his meditation and moved to another world. Till every land reflects thy light, native country. On his arrival in Chicago, he Here is Swami Vivekananda’s poem to Till men and women, with uplifted lived with a mid-western American family from the Fourth, which he composed on a houseboat head, whom he learned a lot, and most willingly. in Kashmir in 1898 and read, or had someone Behold their shackles broken, and Only then was he ready to teach. read, at the early morning breakfast. As he Know, in springing joy, their life It was in 1902 that he looked in an did in everything, in this symbol of American renewed! almanac a few months ahead and apparently freedom too, he saw divinity.

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