Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Issue: 34

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India, we are with you

2 US lifts ban on vax material, rushes oxygen to

MASKIndia is in the middle of a Covid tsunami. There’s UP a lesson for all. It is Hinduphobia defined at not just for governments to look out for us. Each of us is responsible 3 Rutgers for our and others’ safety. Follow Covid protocol diligently. US Senate passes Anti- t’s beyond what we called a surge or look back. Clearly, there is no immediate Hate Crime Bill spike. Covid-19 has evolved into a full- solution to this situation. The least that Iblown tsunami that is threatening to everyone can do is follow the basic Covid wash away everything—a catastrophe protocol. MASK UP and KEEP DISTANCE! that’s probably worse than anything the It’s not rocket science. Indian women win 7 golds human species has ever known. Covid-19 has proved that this indeed in boxing The entire world is in the grip of is a small world. Just look at how rapidly 4 the coronavirus. But, the situation is the newly surfacing variants of coronavirus Now, forest fire in exceptionally alarming for India. On Sunday, spread across the globe. So, to assume that Mizoram the country recorded 3.55 lakh cases and one is safe outside a Covid hotspot is akin 2,807 deaths in just 24 hours. This is a to living in a fool’s paradise. Be it the UK, global record high. In the preceding week, South African or Brazilian variant, the virus the country has travelled Oscars 2021 makes history reported 22.49 thousands lakh new cases, of miles to 5 loses two more higher than any wreak havoc. gems country in the Going by that world in the Govt. of india same time span at any point during the understanding, the double mutant variant pandemic. that is seen at the forefront of the Indian Write to us! One may put it on the relaxations Covid crisis will sooner or later move allowed by the government when cases beyond the country’s borders if not reined Got feedback for us? We would love to hear dropped significantly some timein in immediately. about it. Have an event you want others February. All of this might not find any As for India, it is getting support and to know about? Tell us. Clicked a pic worth justification. The government of promises the of help from the international sharing? Send it across. Your inputs are day would be hard-pressed to answer community. At a lower level, NGOs and invaluable. You can mail your comments to questions that people are raising. Was crowdfunding groups have been trying to [email protected] the pandemic over when it decided to put together funds for Covid treatment give permissions for public events? Did essentials for India. These are tough times You can also follow us on it have a backup plan in case the crisis and we can tide over them only by being @fianynjct.org bounced back? Every time we look back there for each other. at a spike in cases, we shall find a lot that Here’s hoping that we emerge federationofindianassocations might want us to comment that the spike stronger, wiser and more empathetic from was expected. But this is not the time to this situation! Editor @FIANYNJCTorg

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:02 April 27, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY India, we are with you The chorus from across the world is testimony to the goodwill that India has garnered. In its exhausting fight against the deadly coronavirus and efforts to curb rapidly increasing daily cases and deaths due to Covid-19, when the country reached out to others for help, almost all of them responded immediately

n Monday, India recorded 3.2 lakh new help the country cope with a record surge in cases of Covid-19 and 2,766 deaths Covid-19 infections, the French presidency Oof patients infected by the virus. said on Sunday. Grappling with an unexpected and rattling Ursula von der Leyen, president of the Burj Khalifa lit up with tricolour as surge of Covid-19 cases across its territory, European Commission tweeted, “Alarmed show of UAE’s support to India the Indian government has reached out to the by the epidemiological situation in India. global community for help. Many have been We are ready to support. The EU is pooling prompt in announcing support. resources to respond rapidly to India’s request Among the swiftest to respond was for assistance via the EU Civil Protection UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Britain said Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with Sunday it was sending life-saving medical the Indian people! Amid tense relations, equipment to India, including ventilators neighbouring China and Pakistan have offered and oxygen concentrators, as the country assistance to India. Message from Mongolian Airlines for reels from record numbers of daily Covid-19 India infections and deaths. India’s vaccine diplomacy helping? “Vital medical equipment, including Earlier, the country had swiftly India also donated Covid-19 vaccines for UN hundreds of oxygen concentrators and responded to the Covid-19 crisis in other peace-keeping forces. ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to countries. It has donated Made-In-India On the request of the US, India had India to support efforts to prevent the tragicvaccines to several nations across the world. lifted the ban on hydroxychloroquine (HQC). loss of life from this terrible virus,” Prime Seychelles became the first African nation toIt had supplied HQC tablets and paracetamol Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement. be donated vaccines from India. Also on the to 133 countries. While the efficacy of HQC The first consignment of aid from the UK toolist of countries that received India’s help in for treatment of Covid is still being debated, arrived in India. their respective fights against the virus the are promptness with which India supplied France has offered India “significant” Afghanistan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Maldives, the drug and other medicines earned it wide extra oxygen capacity in the coming days to Serbia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Nepal and others. appreciation from other countries and groups. US lifts ban on vax material, rushes oxygen to India After initial reluctance citing responsibility to its own people. The decision invited strong responses with many criticizing ‘special responsibility to Biden for failing to rise up to the occasion Americans’, President Biden and helping India, its strategic partner, in the latter’s crisis. pledges ‘full support’ for India Late on Sunday, Biden agreed to lift the who “was there” for it. ban on export of raw material. The US has millions of unused doses #Washington/New of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has not yet cknowledging that India was “there for been approved for use there. Top infectious us”, US President Joe Biden has pledged diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci said the Afull support to the country amid the option of sending them to India was being ongoing Covid-19 crisis in the country. The considered. US had come in for sharp criticism both from On Monday, after a talk with Indian within and outside after Biden initially rejected PM Narendra Modi, Biden tweeted, “Today, and we will be there for them.” India’s request for supply of raw material for I spoke with Prime Minister @narendramodi An Air India flight brought 328 oxygen manufacture of vaccines. and pledged America’s full support to provide concentrators from New York to New Delhi on Biden had justified his refusal earlier emergency assistance and resources in the Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri citing that his government had a special fight against COVID-19. India was there for announced.us,

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:03 April 27, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Antagonistic, destructive, derogatory… Hinduphobia defined at Rutgers The university’s Student Assembly RUSA passed a historic resolution to adopt the working definition of Hinduphobia which was developed at a conference held by Rutgers Hindu Student Council last week #New Jersey n a historic feat last week, the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) passed Ia resolution to adopt a scholarly definition of Hinduphobia. This is the first time that a US university has institutionally recognised Hinduphobia through its student assembly. The Rutgers Hindu Student Council (HSC) had organized a conference Dr.Audrey Truschke Resolution by RUSA ‘Understanding Hinduphobia’ on April 23. of #Hinduphobia institutionally. Hinduism by associate professor Dr Audrey The scholarly definition of Hinduphobia According to Rutgers HSC, RUSA has Truschke. A group of Hindu students had called was developed at this conference. As per not only recognised the working definition forof terminating her teaching assignments on the definition, Hinduphobia is “a Hinduphobiaset of but also the changes made to Hinduism. However, the university has come antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory the definition within 14 days of the conclusionout in support of Truschke. According to a attitudes and behaviours towards Sanatana of the conference. It is being seen as a major statement by Students Council Dharma (Hinduism) and Hindus that may victory for the Hindu students on the Rutgers at the university, administrators assured manifest as fear or hatred.” University campus, who have been fighting them following a meeting that they would be In a tweet, Rutgers HSC stated, the faculty and administration to recognise working with the Hindu students to create a “Rutgers University’s Student Assembly the perils of Hinduphobia. safer space for them on the campus. (RUSA) becomes the first AmericanThe Diaspora Bi-weekly had reported The university’s decision to support University student government to recognize earlier about controversy at Rutgers over Truschke had shocked current as well as Hinduphobia, including a scholarly definitionreportedly prejudiced commentary on prospective students at Rutgers

Bill passed with 94-1 majority. US US Senate passes Anti-Hate Crime Bill witnessed nearly 150% spike in #Washington Reports of violence against Asian ast week, the US Senate passed Americans have spiked since the beginning anti-Asian hate crime in 2020, as the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Bill by an of the coronavirus pandemic. Activists and per a report Loverwhelming majority of 94-1, with police said anti-Asian sentiment was fed by Missouri Senator Josh Hawley the only ‘no’ comments from former President Donald vote. Trump blaming the pandemic on China using In a statement, President Joe Biden said, terms such as “kung flu.” “I applaud the United States Senate and the The Bill requires the departments of leadership of the Congressional Asian PacificJustice and Health and Human Services to American Caucus (CAPAC) for passing the raise awareness and expedite the review of Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act by an overwhelming hate crimes reported to the police during the margin. This critical legislation will bring our pandemic, and work with law enforcement safety of their loved ones. They have been nation one step closer to achieving justice and agencies to ensure online reporting. It scapegoated, harassed, and assaulted; some equality for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, provides guidance for local law enforcement have even been killed. It has been over a year and Pacific Islander communities.” agencies to report hate crimes, expand of living in fear for their lives, as acts of anti- The Bill must pass the House of public education campaigns and combat Asian bias and violence have accelerated…,” Representatives, where Democrats hold a discriminatory language in describing the Biden added in his statement. clear majority. President Joe Biden has called pandemic. Anti-Asian hate crime in 16 of America’s for passage. “This legislation will improve the Justice largest cities increased 149% in 2020 according “When given the opportunity to work, Department’s response to the appalling rise in to an analysis of official preliminary by police the Senate can work. Members from both hate incidents targeting the Asian American data by the Center for the Study of Hate & sides of the aisle have worked together... to and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community,” Extremismsaid at California State University, San consider and perfect and enact legislation the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Dick Durbin. Bernardino, with the first spike occurring in responding to a pressing issue,” Senate “For more than a year, far too many March and April amid a rise in Covid cases and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Asian Americans have woken up each morning negative stereotyping of Asians relating to the Senate floor earlier in the week. increasingly fearful for their safety and the pandemic.

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:04 April 27, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY

Ready for some cricket?

he Cricket Clubs of Westchester have scheduled their cricket tournaments Tstarting May. The Super 8 League will begin on May 15, with 24 teams. Those interested can apply latest by April 30. The group is introducing more cricket events, for example Children’s / Women’s / Senior’s Cricket tournaments in July. The last date for application for these events will be June 15.

Ladies Of The Ring Now, forest fire in Mizoram #Lunglei, Mizoram Indian women win orest fire started on Saturday on the outskirts of Lunglei town, the headquarters Fof Lunglei district in Mizoram, 170 km from the state capital Aizawl, and spread to 7 golds in boxing non-settled areas in 10 village councils. Forest fires were also reported from Seven of eight finalists from India at AIBA Youth World Boxing Lawngtlai and Serchip districts. On Monday, two M-17 helicopters of Championships were women; all of them clinched gold medals the Indian Air Force were pressed into action to contain the blaze. #Kielce, Poland Previously, Indian women had won five gold The Assam Rifles deployed personnel t was a proud moment for India when medals during the 2017 edition of the Youth and firefighting equipment. seven of its women boxers clinched gold World Championships held in Guwahati. According to officials, while the situation Imedals at the youth world championships An unprecedented eight Indians made has been brought under control in some in Kielce, Poland last week. All the women it to the finals this year. The lone male finalist,places, the dry and windy conditions could finalists—Gitika (48kg), Babyrojisana ChanuSachin (56kg), will fight on Friday. The Indiantrigger fresh flames. (51kg), Poonam (57kg), Vinka (60kg), Arundhati women’s team also finished as the number Just like in Uttarakhand, where deficient Choudhary (69kg), Thokchom Sanamachu one. rain and dry air had been blamed for raging Chanu (75kg) and Alfiya Pathan (+81kg)— won“This has been an amazing effort fromforest fires, in Mizoram too, the dry season is gold medals in their respective categories. our youth boxers especially when the players believed to have fanned the flames. had to be confined at home for the most part of the last year and only make do with online training sessions,” Boxing Federation of Indian President Ajay Singh was quoted by Scroll. “Our coaches and support staff did a stellar job despite the limitations and challenges. This achievement is a testament of the talent we have in the upcoming generation of Indian boxing,” he added. Agencies

www.fianynjct.org Federation of Indian Associations NY-NJ-CT (FIA) [email protected] Tuesday, Page:05 April 27, 2021 THE DIASPORA BI-WEEKLY Oscars 2021 makes history Beijing-born Chloe Zhao becomes first woman of colour to win the best director award for ‘Nomadland’ inners of the Oscars 2021 were Zhao said. “So, this is for anyone who has won the Oscar for Best Picture. This is the announced on Sunday. the faith and the courage to hold on to the third Oscar for McDormand WChloe Zhao won the award for the goodness in themselves, and to hold on to Daniel Kaluuya walked away with the best director for the film Nomadland. Shethe goodness in each other -- no matter how trophy for the best actor in supporting role for became the second woman and the only difficult it is to do that.” ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Yuh-Jung Youn woman of colour to win in this category. Anthony Hopkins won the award for won the best actress in supporting role for Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman director‘Actor in a leading role’ for his performance ‘Minari’. ‘Soul’ was named the best animated ever to win the Oscar in 2010 for The Hurt in the film ‘The Father’. The other favouritefeature film. Locker. was late Chadwick Boseman, who had been In other firsts, Mia Neal and Jamika Due to the Covid situation, attendance nominated for his role in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Wilson became the first Black women to win was limited at the gala held in Los Angeles. Bottom’. the makeup and hairstyling Oscar, a prize they “I have always found goodness in the Frances McDormand was named the shared with Sergio Lopez-Rivera for their work people I met, everywhere I went in the world,” best actress for ‘Nomadland’. The film alsoon ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. Mank, which led the nominees slate with 10 nods, won two Oscars - Best Cinematography and Best Production Design. ‘Sound Of Metal’, starring Pakistani-origin actor Riz Ahmed, also won two of its six nominations - Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

The Winners Best Picture: Nomadland Best Director: Chloe Zhao, Nomadland Best Actress: Frances McDormand, Nomadland Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins, The Father Best Supporting Actress: Youn Yuh-jung, Minari Best Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya, Judas And The Black Messiah Bollywood loses two more gems Best Original Screenplay: Promising Young Woman Music composer Shravan of Nadeem-Shravan fame succumbs to Best Adapted Screenplay: The Father Covid; Hindi-Gujarati actor Amit Mistry suffers cardiac arrest Best Animated Feature Film: Soul Best International Feature Film: Another e it for Covid or non-Covid reasons, his father was Hindustani classical singer Pt Round Bollywood’s losses in the past several Chaturbhuj Rathod. His brother is popular Best Original Music Score: Soul Bmonths have kept on mounting. Last playback singer Roop Kumar Rathod. week, music composer Shravan Rathod of the Popular Gujarati and Hindi film actor Nadeem-Shravan fame lost the battle to Covid Amit Mistry (47), known for starring in films like Voluntary Content at ’s SL Raheja hospital. Shor In The City, Bey Yaar and Amazon Prime Compilation He was 66. Video series ‘Bandish Bandits’, died on Friday FIA NY-NJ-CT and Shravan’s son Sanjeev re-affirmed that following cardiac arrest, his manager said. “He Community Volunteers his parents visited the Kumbh Mela before woke up, had his breakfast and even exercised they were tested positive. before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was Shravan had a musical background— absolutely fit and fine. Amit had no underlying Contributors medical condition. It’s Chandrakant Trivedi, absolutely shocking Amit Yadav news,” the actor’s manager Maharshi Desai told a news Voluntary Graphics agency. Compilation Shravan Rathod Amit Mistry Agencies. Gracia Marcom

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