by Hind Himalaya Staff | Oct 19, 2023 | Indian-American
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe deal for 31 MQ-9B Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with the U.S. is expected to be concluded by February 2024 and deliveries will begin from February 2027, three years from the signing of the contract, according to defence sources.
“The deal is on track and the Letter of Offer and Acceptance [LOA] is now awaited from the U.S. The contract is expected to be concluded by February 2024,” a defence source with knowledge of the matter said.
As part of this plan, General Atomics (GA) is scheduled to establish a global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. But its location has not yet been finalised, the source stated, adding that it could likely be in Bengaluru.
In June, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) cleared the procurement of 31 MQ-9B UAVs from GA, including 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and eight Sky Guardians each for the Indian Army and Air Force, at an estimated cost of $3,072 million though the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. Following this, last month, just ahead of the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued the Letter of Request (LoR) to the U.S. government.
Based on the LoR, the U.S. government and MoD will finalise the LOA where details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be negotiated and finalised in accordance with the FMS programmme, the Ministry stated earlier.
As part of the process, the U.S. administration will have to notify the U.S. Congress of the sale, expected to be a formality in this case. In the penultimate step, the deal has to be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security of the Indian government after which the contract will be concluded.
The MQ-9B, which will significantly boost the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of the Indian armed forces, has two variants – the Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian, its maritime variant. MQ-9B is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40 hours, depending on configuration, in all types of weather and safely integrate into civil airspace, according to its manufacturer.
by Hind Himalaya Staff | Oct 17, 2023 | Indian-American
Reading Time: 3 minutesAn elementary school in the US state of Texas named after Indian-American trailblazer Sonal Bhuchar has been formally dedicated to her memory at an official ceremony where speakers highlighted her contributions to the community and the needy.
The Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) Board of Trustees on Sunday unanimously approved naming the elementary school after Sonal, who died in 2019 at the age of 58 due to cancer complications.
The funding for the Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School in Missouri City, Texas was provided through a 2018 bond.
Sonal was an FBISD board member, an esteemed leader, a consensus builder and a well-respected trailblazer.
She was a dedicated volunteer with Child Advocates, the Literacy Council, the Cultural Arts Foundation and the Fort Bend Education Foundation.
She was elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees for six years and served as the Board President for two years.
Sonal also took her community service to the political field too and sought the Republican Party nomination for the State Representative position in 2012.
In 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbot appointed Sonal to the One Star National Service Commission Board which promotes volunteerism and oversees the administration of the AmeriCorps programmes in Texas.
Originally from Mumbai, Sonal, a professional physiotherapist, had her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Mumbai University before immigrating to Houston in 1984 with her physician husband Dr. Subodh Bhuchar.
The memorable dedication for the school named after her opened its doors in August.
The school’s mascot, a Bengal tiger named Royal, is an emblem of Bhuchar’s Indian culture. ROYAL stands for Resilient, Optimistic, Youthful, Admirable, Leader.
Walking into the lobby of the school is a prominently placed mural on a wall, with her image alongside a quote that guided her life, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.
The school was built to house 1,000 students and features an outdoor classroom for students’ and teachers’ use on nice weather days.
Glowing tributes were paid by the speakers at the ceremony, highlighting the contribution of Sonal in the community and how she encouraged them to serve for the betterment of the needy in the community.
Consul General of India D C Manjunath, who was amongst the special guests at the event, paid his tributes and gifted the elementary school with special books on India.
Sonal’s children gave an emotional speech about the lessons learned from their mother, and how she spent hours volunteering the community causes without any expectations in return as she believed in doing things for good without an ego.
The school will forever promote education and development, which was close to her heart. Their speech touched many chords and left many eyes wet.
“Along with establishing her own practice, she managed her husband’s office, raised three children, and served on various charitable boards in the community”, they said.
“She served in many leadership roles, and up until her passing, was actively involved as a Board Member with the Child Advocates of Fort Bend and Parks, Art, Recreation, Culture, and Streetscapes (PARCS).
“During her tenure with the district, she spearheaded many efforts including chairing the WATCH programme (a healthy lifestyle education program for elementary school kids), developing the concept for the Fort Bend Education Foundation’s Annual International Festival to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the District, Student Leadership Programme, Legislative Advocacy Program, and countless scholarship opportunities for students.”
She was a giver in the community, highly regarded,” said Christie Whitbeck, superintendent for Fort Bend ISD.
Others who spoke at the dedication include Judy Dae, FBISD Board President, Robin Elackatt, Mayor Missouri City, Nikki Robert, School Principal, Rebecca Wells, School Music Teacher.
Principal Nikki Roberts said she is “incredibly excited”.
Roberts told PTI that we are honoured to celebrate the life of service Sonal Bhuchar dedicated to the district and the beautiful school she is named after.
Roberts said she wants all children to love learning and is grateful for the opportunity to open a school that pays tribute to a person who was a giant in the community.
by Hind Himalaya Staff | Sep 28, 2023 | Indian-American
Reading Time: 2 minutesContinuing his proposals of harsh policy changes, Indian-American presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy, in his second Republican presidential debate, has said he would favour ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants in the US.
The second Republican debate of the 2024 election cycle which was held at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California on Wednesday, saw Mr Ramaswamy sharing the stage with six other candidates including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
When asked “what legal premise” he would use to expel undocumented immigrants and their American-born children from the country, Vivek Ramaswamy, the son of Indian immigrants, resurrected a 2015 proposal of ending birthright citizenship from then-candidate Donald Trump, reported the Washington Post on Wednesday.
The first section of the citizenship clause of the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment says, “All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
Although most agree with the long-held tradition that it grants citizenship to those born on US soil, some legal scholars argue that the phrase “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” seems to give the government some leeway to restrict the right, just as other constitutional principles can be limited, the report said.
Because of this, he argued, children of undocumented immigrants born in the United States should not be granted citizenship, because their parents “broke the law” to be in the country.
Vivek Ramaswamy, 38, also supported his opponents onstage and acknowledged other measures such as militarisation of the southern border, defunding “sanctuary cities,” and an end to foreign aid to Mexico and Central America.
He said he would go a “step further” by ending “birthright citizenship for the kids of illegal immigrants in this country.” A second-generation Indian-American, Mr Ramaswamy, had earlier criticised the H-1B visa programme saying the current “lottery” system needs to be “gutted” and replaced with a “meritocratic” skill-based immigration scheme to match the needs of the US.
The H-1B visa, much sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
His stance on H-1B visas is also reminiscent of the 2016 Trump campaign, when then-candidate Donald Trump, who has also hired a number of foreign workers under H-1B visas for his businesses, took a hardline stance on these foreign workers before later softening his rhetoric.
It is to be noted that Ramaswamy himself has used the H-1B visa programme 29 times.
According to Politico, from 2018 through 2023, US Citizenship and Immigration Services approved 29 applications for Vivek Ramaswamy’s former company, Roivant Sciences, to hire employees under H-1B visas.
Mr Ramaswamy, who was addressed as “Trump’s heir apparent” by Time Magazine has garnered quite an attention after his maiden Republican presidential primary debate held on August 23.
The first poll after the debate said that 28 per cent of the 504 respondents said that Ramaswamy performed the best.
Mr Ramaswamy’s harsh proposals have helped him stand out in the crowded primary field, according to US media reports.
by Hind Himalaya Staff | Sep 28, 2023 | Indian-American
Reading Time: 2 minutesA prominent Indian-American businessman in New York, Sant Singh Chatwal said that more than 99 per cent of the Sikhs love India, and there is a very small number who support Khalistan, adding that those extremist elements who are talking about the issue have never ever been to Punjab.
Speaking to ANI, Chatwal said, “There’s hardly anybody who’s supporting Khalistan…There’s some sort of big miscommunication going on…We all Sikhs, everybody, more than 99 per cent, we love India. India is our country…Nobody’s interested in Khalistan.”
“I am very clear that there are very, very less people over here (supporting Khalistan). I don’t know who’s funding them, they have never been to Punjab. I am proud to be a Sikh. I am in this country for more than 50 years,” he added.
He also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the Sikhs are proud of what he has done for the community.
“India under the leadership of PM Modi has done a great job. He opened the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikhs. He has done a lot for the Sikhs,” said Chatwal.
“Even with PM Modi being there, we are very proud of what he has done for Sikhs. I am openly saying, there is hardly anybody who’s supporting Khalistan,” he added.
He further said that more than 99 per cent of the Sikh community love India and consider it as their country, adding that those who talk about Khalistan, have never been to Punjab.
“I am afraid to say the people who are talking about Khalistan, have never been to Punjab. I don’t know what they are thinking about it, they are very less. Whether they are in Canada, or in America, there is no one to support them,” he said.
Speaking on India-Canada diplomatic row over killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Chatwal said, “This has become a political tension between the two countries and there’s some sort of big miscommunication going on.”
Early last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive statement accusing the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’.
Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.
Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise “utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in the country.
Chatwal emphasised that people from the Sikh community are in prominent position in India, and have served at many prestigious positions.
“Sikhs are in very prominent positions in India. We have a Sikh as one of the ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri. Sikh ambassador Sandhu sahab (Indian envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu) is in Washington, DC,” the businessman said.
He added, “We, as a Sikh community in North America, are enjoying such a good facility. We love India, we visit India. In India, Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, and Giani Zail Singh was the President for five years. We have the Army chief, Air Force chief, Navy chief…in very prominent positions”.
by Hind Himalaya Staff | Sep 25, 2023 | Indian-American
Reading Time: 2 minutesA 29-year-old Indian-American Democrat leader, Taral Patel, who is running for the post of Fort Bend County Commissioner in Texas, said that he has received racist and hate-filled messages on social media.
In a press release last week, Patelm shared a picture of some of the messages he has received on social media, where people asked him to leave America and “go to Bombay”, accused him of trying to take away people’s freedom and guns and questioned whether he was even born in the country. Some people even commented in support of Andy Meyers, the current commissioner, because he is Christian while Patel and his followers “worship animals”.
“As your Democratic candidate for County Commissioner, I am always open to criticism of my policy positions and stances on issues. However, when my Republican opponent’s supporters decide to hurl racist, anti-immigrant, Hinduphobic, or otherwise disgusting insults at my family, faith community, colleagues, and me – that crosses a line,” Patel said.
He also took a dig at former US President Donald Trump and the Republican Party instilling fear among people that immigrants will “take away their jobs” and claimed that they end up hurting “our communities”.
“Whether it was tackling the COVID crisis head on by initiating our vaccine clinics in every corner of Fort Bend, setting up warming centers during the Winter Storm, coordinating emergency responses during floods, or more, I have taken my responsibilities extremely seriously,” he further said.
Patel was born in the US and went to local schools. He previously served as the chief of staff for Fort Bend County. He says that his campaign for the post of commissioner is focused on hard work and respect for all communities.
He was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as the White House Liaison for matters related to housing, urban development and resilience. He oversaw the construction of two flagship Amazon centres, establishment of affordable housing developments and campaigns against anti-human trafficking and anti-animal cruelty tax forces.
