# 1 Indian American Weekly: Since 2006 VOL 12 ISSUE 22 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● JUNE 08 - JUNE 14, 2018 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news President Trump to attend G7 Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Summit, in part The two-day meeting will be dominated RSS Headquarters defines India and Patriotism by the possibility of a trade war - Says any attempt to define India through religion, intolerance will dilute its existence prompted by the US levies of 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum NAGPUR, INDIA (TIP): Highlighting the pluralistic and secular strengths of "our WASHINGTON democracy" former President of India and (TIP): After initial Congress veteran Pranab Mukherjee on dithering, President Thursday,June 7 spoke from an RSS platform Trump is heading for to declare nationalism was not bound by race G7 Summit at or religion.He cautioned that any attempt to Charlevoix, Canada define India through "religion, dogma or on Friday, June 8. intolerance" would only dilute the country's Following the session existence. on Women's His half-an-hour address had a lesson for Empowerment, everyone. To the RSS, the former President Donald Trump said he will 'fight' at Trump will travel recalled "vasudhaiv kutumbakam" (the world the G7 Summit 2018. directly to Singapore is one family) as the soul of Indian Photo / Courtesy White House from Canada in nationalism; to new Sangh recruits he spoke anticipation of his of the need for harmony; to his parent party upcoming meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, Congress, he emphasized the need for Tuesday, June 12. Deputy Assistant to the President for dialogue and to PM Narendra Modi, he Pranab Mukherjee said the soul of India resides in pluralism and tolerance contd on Page 32 contd on Page 32 Twitter Photo @RSSorg Preet Bharara for NY Indian Consulate, TV Asia host curtain-raiser to State Attorney General? mark International Day of Yoga 2018 NEW YORK EDISON, NJ (TIP):The Consulate General (TIP): Preet of India in New York, TV Asia and the Indian Bharara, the American community hosted a curtain- former United raiseron May 29 at the TV Asia auditorium in States attorney in Edison, NJ, to mark the International Day of Manhattan who Yoga 2018. was fired by The United Nations General Assembly on President Trump, December 11, 2014 adopted an India led has registered as resolution to declare the day of Summer a Democratic SolsticeJune 21 as the International Day of voter in New York Yoga. The first IDY was celebrated at the for the first time United Nations on June 21, 2015. in more than a Sandeep Chakraborty, India's Consul General The event featured an interactive session in New York addresses the gathering at the decade amid with yoga exponents in the presence of Speculation is rife that curtain-raiser on May 29 at the TV Asia speculation that he Sandeep Chakraborty,India's Consul General Preet Bharara may be auditorium in Edison, NJ, to mark the International Day of Yoga: A Global eying the post of AG of might run for International Day of Yoga 2018. in New York. NY State contd on Page 32 Photo / courtesy Gunjesh Desai/TV Asia contd on Page 7 Celebration Page 20 104-02, 120th Street, S. Richmond Hill, NY 11419 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 NEW YORK 3 Prasanna at the Eye Foundation of America fundraiser casts spell with a memorable musical performance Ashok Raju speaks about the Eye Foundation of America NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Eye Foundation of America (www.eyefoundationofamerica.org) held a fundraiser, May 23 in Downtown here. Ms Neeta Bhasin, CEO of ASB Communications and Chair of Diwali at Times Square making Dr. Leela Raju speaks about various projects Around a hundred well wishers and patrons announcement of having the Eye Foundation as a partner at the October 2018 Diwali at times square of the Foundation gathered to support the announcement by Ms Neeta Bhasin, CEO of Francisco, and maybe at some other Master of Foundation which aims at "preventing the ASB Media and Chair of Diwali at Times locations also, given the fact that the Ceremonies avoidable blindness". Square that the Eye Foundation of America gathering felt hugely entertained by his Kulraaj Ashok Raju and Leela Raju spoke about the will be a partner in Diwali celebrations in ensemble. Bhushan Foundation's work in the last three decades October 2018. Dr. VK Raju, founder of the Eye Anand and expressed their gratitude to the patrons Prasanna and his ensemble which Foundation of America chose no to speak on of the Foundation who have been regularly included his singer wife Shalini cast a spell the occasion. His wife and he kept themselves funding the various projects of the with their soulful music and won the busy looking after the guests. Foundation. admiration and appreciation of the The organizers thanked Prasanna and his The Madullas, Srinu and Tulsi who are gathering. The fundraiser netted $350,000. ensemble, Joe's Pub, the Master of regular donors received special recognition, The Foundation has planned a fundraising Ceremonies Kulraaj Bhushan Anand, Gloria as did the Maddalis, the Panchals, and the event in NJ on Sept 22 at Royal Albert Palace. and the Society and Diplomatic Review, and Modaks for their generous pledges. The Foundation is also considering a tour Prof. Indrajit Saluja and The Indian A highlight of the event was an with Prasanna in Chicago and San Panorama for their support. Prasanna and ensemble performing Organizers and Prasanna Ensemble LEGISLATOR ARNOLD W. DRUCKER CELEBRATES MILESTONE AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE LAURA CURRAN SIGNS ‘TOBACCO 21’ INTO LAW MINEOLA, NY(TIP): The Nassau County championed by Legislator Drucker, who Legislature on May 23 approved the succeeded her in office. measureunanimously, which requires buyers "As the successor to Judy Jacobs, who of products such as "cigarettes, cigars, served the residents of Nassau County with electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, honor and distinction for so many years, I am rolling papers, herbal cigarettes, liquid extremely proud to witness this historic day nicotine and smoking paraphernalia" to be in Nassau County," Drucker said. "Raising the over age 21. minimum age for the purchase of tobacco The action follows years of advocacy by products to 21 will save lives by making it Minority legislators, who have repeatedly harder for teenagers to pick up a dangerous demanded a vote on the measure in recent habit that results in a lifetime of poor health, years. This legislation was first proposed by addiction, inordinate expense, and a loss of the late Legislator Judy Jacobs and was the ability to enjoy life to its fullest." Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview)stood with Legislature colleagues and advocates as County Executive Laura Curran signed life-saving "Tobacco 21" legislation into law. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018 Indian American Techie Shubham Goel is California's youngest Indian Origin Tommy Thomas to be Governor Candidate Malaysia's New Attorney General KUALA LUMPUR (TIP): Indian called to the Malaysian Bar in 1976. origin Tommy Thomas, a top ethnic Kuala Lumpur-born Thomas is also lawyer was appointed Malaysia's new an alumni of Victoria Institution, the Attorney General on June 5th by the University of Manchester and the King, who appealed to Malaysians not London School of Economics. to "create religious or racial conflict" He had also served the legal over the decision, amid protests from community in peninsular Malaysia Islamic groups against his nomination. through the Malaysian Bar's governing A palace statement said Sultan body Bar Council, which he was a Muhammad V has approved member of during 1984-1988 and 1993- terminating the current Attorney 2001 - including a stint as Bar Council General Mohamad Apandi Ali and secretary from 1995-1997. Mr. Goel will contest alongside 27 other candidates replacing him with Mr. Thomas, who is The appointment of Tommy Thomas the first person from the minority Tommy Thomas has been a lawyer in has caused division among the Malaysia for 42 years SACRAMENTO (TIP): Indian American Shubham Goel, who community to hold the post in 55 years Malaysian public as petitions - both has his roots in Uttar Pradesh is the youngest candidate running in the Muslim-majority nation. status of Islam as the federal religion, objecting and supporting his for governor of California, Mr. Goel calls for "fresh voices to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad the agency said. nomination - have cropped up. change the state government". He was born and raised in had recently proposed to nominate Mr. The King also expressed his Parti Islam Se-Malaysia's California and campaigns for need for practical solutions to Thomas, 66, as the Attorney-General, disappointment and worry about information chief on May 2nd also problems that the state faces. the official agency reported. "inaccurate and negative" media reports protested against the government's A virtual reality manager by profession, the 22-year-old has The king called on all Malaysians to of late which could threaten peace and pick, saying that the candidate should been using social media platforms to reach out to the public. His accept that the appointment of the harmony in the country, it said. be an individual "who can protect Islam campaigns show him on the streets of California with a Attorney-General should "not create Mr. Thomas is best known as a as the official religion of the country". megaphone in hand, advocating transparency in the political religious or racial conflict as every constitutional law expert and a civil The Malaysian government had system.