# 1 Indian American Weekly: Since 2006 VOL 13 ISSUE 13 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● MARCH 29 - APRIL 04, 2019 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news India Shoots down Weather Satellite; VAISAKHI SPECIAL EDITION We will bring out a profusely illustrated special edition on the occasion of Vaisakhi Joins the Space ‘Superpower’ Club which falls on April 13. Articles and advertisements for publication in the NEW DELHI (TIP): India has joined a Space Shot (Image for Vaisakhi special edition may please be emailed representation only) by April 5, 2019 to [email protected] club of space superpowers, India's prime For any question, please call 646-247-9458. minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday, March 27 after successfully shooting down one of its own satellites with a locally- Sultanpur Lodhi pledges to developed missile. Narendra Modi made the surprise open doors for devotees announcement in a press conference that India was "now an established space power". SULTANPUR The leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party LODHI (TIP): The (BJP) added that the missile had destroyed 550th birth the 190-mile distant satellite in less than anniversary of Guru three minutes. Nanak Dev may still He said the test made India the world's be months away fourth country to have developed and (November 12), but demonstrated the anti-satellite missile residents of capability after China, Russia and the US. Sultanpur Lodhi and "India has always maintained that space The historic gurdwara at adjoining areas should not be an area for warfare and that Sultanpur Lodhi remains unchanged in spite of this test", contd on Page 32 Modi declared in a televised address to the nation. Iceland's WOW Air budget carrier But India, he stated, also wanted to defend folds up; cancels all flights, itself and it was with this intent that it had pursued and achieved the missile capability. leaving thousands stranded In an official statement India's foreign ministry declared that the debris generated REYKJAVIK (TIP): from the impact would "decay and fall back to Iceland's budget carrier earth within weeks" as the test was executed WOW Air said it had in the "lower atmosphere". ceased operations and The foreign office also stressed that the test cancelled all flights on was not directed against any country but Thursday, stranding added that the capability provided India thousands of "credible deterrence against threats to its passengers. The collapse space-based assets from enemy missiles". of the troubled airline, which transports more than a contd on page 32 third of those contd on Page 32 House fails to override Trump's veto over Trump meets Pichai, says Google committed national emergency wall fight to US military, not China WASHINGTON (TIP): The House WASHINGTON (TIP): President Donald failed Tuesday to override President Trump said Wednesday,March 27 that Google is Donald Trump's veto after both totally committed to the US military as he met chambers of Congress sought to the Internet giant's Indian-American CEO overturn his national emergency Sunder Pichai at the White House, days after he declaration to build more border wall. accused the tech company of helping China and The vote was 248-181, with 14 its army. Republicans voting with Democrats to Trump, who has been at loggerheads with support the override. It was a steep hill several big companies, earlier this month said, to climb for opponents of Trump's "Google is helping China and their military, but Sundar Pichai, CEO Google national emergency as the House would not the US". Photo / Courtesy Google have needed two-thirds of its members On Wednesday, after a meeting with Pichai at to back the veto override. Thirteen the White House, the US President said: "Meeting ended very well". Republicans voted for the resolution in "Just met with @SundarPichai, President of @Google, who is obviously doing quite well," he Trump shows the Veto he signed on March 15 the first place. contd on Page 32 said. contd on Page 32 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 NEW YORK 3 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji celebrated at the Indian Consulate Prachi Makkar sang Gurbani with accompanists Gurleen and Surya Makkar NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Consulate General of India in New York organized a Gurbani Kirtan at the Consulate , March 27. Prachi Makkar, a trained classical singer who has for long been singing devotional songs at Gurudwaras and temples, sang a couple of hymns (shabads) . She was accompanied by Gurleen Kaur, trained in classical singing, on Surmandal, and Surya Makkar on Tabla. Surya plays 5 musical instruments with equal aplomb. Besides Tabla, he is good at dhol, dholki, harmonium and saxophone. Performers and some of the children with Ambassador Chakraborty It was the second Gurbani Kirtan session organized by the Consulate in commemoration of 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Earlier this year , eminent Gurbani singer Ambassador Sandeep Chakraborty paid tribute to Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Bhai Baldeep Singh had sung Gurbani Kirtan in classical ragas. The Sikh community has greatly appreciated the initiative of Ambassador Sandeep The three enthralled the audience for an hour. Prachi cast a spell with her melodious voice. Chakraborty , the Consul General who took a lead in having the Gurbani Kirtan session The roomful audience appeared to be in a trance while Prachi sang 5 shabads, followed by recitation of Anand Sahib and ardas (prayer). Performing artists with their parents, teachers, and Ambassador Chakraborty Prachi Makkar doing Gurbani kirtan. To her right is Gurleen Kaur on Surmandal. On extreme left is Surya Makkar on Tabla organized. It was his idea that the younger generation should be involved and encouraged to People came from far and near to listen to Gurbani Kirtan. They included men, women and participate in promoting Indian culture in whatever form . Mr. Chakraborty and his wife children. Taruna Chakraborty listened to Gurbani Kirtan with rapt attention. Ambassador Chakraborty presented bouquets and plaques to the team of Hymn singers who were joined by their parents and teachers for a group photograph. Mr. Dave Makkar, father of Prachi and Surya Makkar played a pivotal role in putting together the event. Mrs. Rashmi Makkar, mother of Prachi and Surya, father of Gurleen Kaur and a teacher of the three artists were also present. contd on page 7 Ambassador Chakraborty presented bouquets and plaques to performing artists- Prachi (extreme right) , Gurleen( second from right) and Surya (extreme left) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 Indian-Americans Take a Stand to Fight Food Indian American Appointed President Insecurity in NYC of California State University, Fullerton SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): The California a staff of attorneys, paralegals and support State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has personnel, and oversaw all legal services for appointed Framroze "Fram" Virjee to serve as the 23-campus CSU. Virjee also served as chief president of California State University, legal officer to the Board of Trustees, advising Fullerton (CSUF). Virjee has been serving as them on all legal issues including open campus president under a term appointment meeting laws, board rules and procedures and since January 2018 and will assume the education code compliance. permanent presidency immediately. Prior to joining CSU, Virjee was a partner "Joining the Titan family has been the most in private practice for almost 30 years at rewarding professional experience of my O'Melveny & Myers, the oldest law firm in Los career," said Virjee. "I am thrilled at the Angeles and one of the largest in the nation. opportunity to continue working alongside At O'Melveny, Virjee specialized in labor and the tremendously talented faculty, staff and employment law with an emphasis in administrators to further the great work representing educational institutions in the enabling student achievement and degree areas of collective bargaining, education code completion that we've started, and to chart the compliance, and discrimination and path forward for CSUF." employment litigation. Virjee's practice Virjee becomes the sixth permanent included representing employers in president of CSUF. He was subsequently Virjee has been serving as campus president employment litigation, providing appointed by CSU Chancellor Timothy P. under a term appointment since January 2018 preventative advice through client White to serve as president of CSUF until the counseling, policy and procedure review and Pictured (left to right): Indian American Council Founders and Advisors Aradhana next president was appointed by the Board of time leading CSUF, Fram has demonstrated drafting, and extensive in-house training and "Anna" Asava and Raj Asava, and Co-Chair Trustees. unbridled energy and passion for the campus education on important labor and Payal Sharma "We conducted a national search that and students, and under his leadership CSUF employment issues. Virjee also served in included many exemplary candidates, and it will reach even greater heights." several leadership positions at O'Melveny, NEW YORK (TIP): Indian Americans became apparent that the best person to be the From January 2014 through December 2017, including Secretary to the Management across New York are coming together to next president of CSUF was already serving Virjee served as executive vice chancellor, Committee, Chair of the Employment fight food insecurity with Food Bank For the campus," said CSU Trustee Silas Abrego, general counsel and secretary to the CSU Committee, and the Partner-in-Charge of both New York City. The newly formed Indian chair of the CSUF search committee. "In his Board of Trustees. In that capacity, Virjee led Lateral Hiring and Diversity. American Council (IAC) kicked off their Million Meal Marchcampaign at Baar Baar restaurant on Tuesday, March 12. Indian American Amit Jani Indian American Arish Mudra The launch event garnered more than 100 attendees and raised over 610,000 meals Rakshasa Named Earlham's Next for New Yorkers in need.