We wish readers Happy 551st Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru ...

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# 1 Indian American Weekly: Since 2006

We wish readers Happy 551st Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

;fsr[o BkBe gqrfNnk, fwNh X[zd ir ukBD j'nk

With the emergence of thecomplete Guru, Guru Nanak,

the mist cleared and thewhole world was illuminated.

Padma Bhushan Sant Singh Chatwal

New York

I am pleased to learn thatThe Indian Panorama isbringing out a special editionto mark the 551st BirthAnniversary of the FirstMaster of the Sikhs, ShriGuru Nanak Dev Ji.

I commend and congratulatethe publication and its staffled by chief editor Prof.Indrajit S Saluja who is aveteran in the field ofjournalism and has renderedyeoman service to society.

Born in a small village RaiBhoi Di Talwandi, in Punjab,in 1469 Shri Guru Nanak DevJi left his worldly remains in1539 in Kartarpur Sahib.

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was

sensitive to the injusticesaround him. His lifeexperiences soon led to aspiritual path, a journeywhich took him all over theworld afar, spreading hismessage of humanity andgently questioning the normsand rituals of the powerful,especially the priests.

He expressed his powerfulsimple egalitarian beliefsthrough poetry and music,similar to the sages andsaints of the past.

Remembering Guru Nanak isimportant for many reasons.Guru Nanak embodies thevalues of tolerance, peace &love. Guru Nanak rejectedlabels, castes, class ordistinctions of any kind; he

was pure humanity. "Knowye all human race as one", hesaid. It is this universalmessage which resonateswith all across the world.

Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's551st Birth Anniversary isbeing celebrated the worldover not only by over 27million Sikhs spread acrossthe world, but by all peace,love and human rights lovingpeople anywhere in theworld.

I wish the readers, patronsand the staff of The IndianPanorama a happy 551stBirth Anniversary of ShriGuru Nanak Dev Ji.

Happy Gurpurab!

M E S S A G E

Happy 551st Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

ADVERTISEMENT THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 02

VOL 14 ISSUE 48 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● NOV 27 - DEC 02, 2020 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458

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# 1 Indian American Weekly: Since 2006

"A Light Has Gone Out" Eminent Physician, community leader and a gem of a person Ajay Lodha

passes away at 58Ajay Lodha is survived by wife Smita, son Amit , daughter Shweta, and

daughter-in-law Priyanka

I.S. SALUJA LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Dr. Ajay

Lodha, eminent Indian-Americanphysician and community leader and aformer President of American Associationof Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) haspassed away after battling covid-19 for eightmonths at the Cleveland Clinic. He was 58.

Lodha, who died on Nov. 21 is survived byhis wife Smita, son Amit, daughter Shweta,and daughter-in-law Priyanka.

Dr. Lodha's funeral on November 24 wasa restricted affair for close family only dueto COVID restrictions on gatherings.However, hundreds of Dr. Lodha's friendsand relations attended the ceremony vialive telecast on YouTube, courtesy VaahoStudio.

Present at the funeral included AjayLodha's father Prof. Shyam Sunder Lodha,mother Mrs. Vallabh Lodha,

contd on page 10Dr. Ajay Lodha passed away on Nov 21 at 58

President-elect Joe Bidenunveils first cabinet picks

Nominates first woman to lead intelligence and first Latino to head homeland security

WASHINGTON, DC(TIP): President-elect JoeBiden on Monday, November 23, unveiled a slate oftop foreign policy and national security picks,including the first woman to lead the US intelligencecommunity and first Latino to helm the Departmentof Homeland Security.

Cuban-born Alejandro Mayorkas, a former deputysecretary of DHS who Biden has nominated to leadthe department, will be tasked with rebuilding anagency that carried out some of the most draconianmeasures associated with President Donald Trump'shardline immigration policy, including familyseparations at the US-Mexico border. Biden's pick fordirector of national intelligence, Avril Haines, aformer top CIA official and deputy national securityadviser, will also make history if confirmed by theSenate. contd on page 50

President-elect Joe Biden introduces key foreign policy and national securitynominees and appointments at the Queen Theatre on November 24, 2020 in

Wilmington, Delaware.

The ruling comes four days afterPennsylvania officials certified theirvote count for President-elect JoeBiden

WASHINGTON (TIP): PresidentDonald Trump's legal team suffered yetanother defeat in court Friday,November 27, as a federal appeals courtin Philadelphia roundly rejected thecampaign's latest effort to challenge thestate's election results. Mr. Trump's

lawyers vowed to appeal to the SupremeCourt despite the judges' assessment

contd on page 50

Another setback for Trump: Appeals court rejectsTrump appeal over Pennsylvania race

PresidentTrump of latesaid he would

leave theWhite House if

ElectoralCollege

formalized Mr.Biden's win. -

File photo

We wish readers Happy 551st Birth

Anniversary of ShriGuru Nanak Dev Ji

QUICK TAKESGURU NANAK AND HIS RELEVANCE

TODAY : Page 26GURU NANAK: POET PHILOSOPHER FOR

OUR TIMES: Page 27GURU NANAK: THE FIRST MASTER OF

THE SIKHS: Page 28 and 29GURU NANAK DEV JI, THE PROPHET OF

ONENESS OF HUMANITY: 0

04THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020INDIANS ABROAD

Indian-Origin Students Win Queen'sCommonwealth Essay Competition 2020

Winners were declared from a "staggering" 13,000 entries across the 58 Commonwealth nations

LONDON (TIP): Aditya Choudhury, a14-year-old Indian-origin student fromSingapore, was on Friday named thewinner in the Senior category of theQueen's Commonwealth EssayCompetition (QCEC) 2020 at the firstvirtual award ceremony for the world'soldest international school writingcompetition.

Mr Choudhury was named winner forhis essay 'Voices from the Blue World'during the event that was organized bythe Royal Commonwealth Society.

Mr Choudhury joined the virtualevent from Singapore as he wasconferred the award by Camilla Parker-

Bowles - the Duchess of Cornwall, whois the royal patron of the event.

"I think you must be very welleducated and very clever. I have seen alot of stories coming from Singapore butI really do think yours is the best I haveever read," she said.

Ananya Mukerji, 16, from India wasnamed the Senior Runner-up for heressay 'The Waters Rise', which was readduring the ceremony by Bollywood starKareena Kapoor Khan.

"I thought your story was absolutelybrilliant. We get to see one of the greatwriters of the future," said the Duchessof Cornwall.

The ceremony revealed the winnersfrom a "staggering" 13,000 entries acrossthe 58 Commonwealth nations. In thejunior category, the winners included a10-year-old schoolgirl Eleni Bazikamwefrom Ghana and a 13-year-old girlCassandra Nguyen from Canada.

The ceremony included notableliterary figures, actors, andhumanitarians from across theCommonwealth. Ambassadors of theRoyal Commonwealth Society, actor-

author David Walliams and singerAlexandra Burke, were joined by Britishactor and writer, Stephen Fry, andKareena Kapoor Khan, to read extractsfrom the winning pieces during theceremony.

It also featured highlights ofworkshops that the Winners andRunners-up had with the Society'sAmbassadors, Geri Horner (neeHalliwell) and Lewis Pugh, to discusstheir pieces on the theme of "ClimateAction the Commonwealth".

Each year, aspiring young writers areasked to submit their pieces in responseto a theme.

Recent themes have included AConnected Commonwealth (2019),Towards a Common Future (2018), ACommonwealth for Peace (2017), and AnInclusive Commonwealth (2016);drawing out innovative ideas for positivechange and encouraging entrants toconsider new perspectives.

The themes are rooted inCommonwealth values, providing aninteresting introduction to the networkand allowing young people to explore

their own connection to theCommonwealth, whilst fostering anempathetic and open-minded world view,the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS)said, adding that the institution has arich history of nurturing the creativetalents of young people around theCommonwealth and endeavor topromote literacy, expression andcreativity by celebrating excellence andimagination.

"The Competition invites all youngCommonwealth citizens and residents,regardless of region, education orbackground, to share ideas, celebratetheir story and have their voice heard.Through partnerships with Book AidInternational, Worldreader and theNational Literacy Trust, the Society isworking to increase access to thisopportunity for a wider range of youngpeople," the RCS said.

All entrants and all participatingschools receive a Certificate ofParticipation and one Winner andRunner-up from the Senior and Juniorcategories win a trip to London for aweek of educational and cultural events.

For representational purpose only

Four Indian Americans among 32 students chosenas Rhodes Scholars from US

NEW YORK (TIP): Four Indian Americansare among the cohort of 32 students chosenfrom the US as Rhodes Scholars virtually forthe first time this year due to the COVID-19pandemic.

The diverse group, that won scholarships tothe Oxford University in England, comprisesimmigrants and students of color.

American Secretary of the Rhodes TrustElliot Gerson announced the names of the 32Americans chosen as Rhodes Scholarsrepresenting the US on Sunday.

The four Indian-American students includeSwathi R Srinivasan, VijayasundaramRamasamy, Garima P Desai and SavarniSanka.

Never before has a class of Rhodes Scholarsbeen elected entirely virtually, with bothcandidates and selectors participating safely,independently and digitally, Mr Gerson said.

He said this year's class for the prestigiousscholarship reflects the remarkable diversitythat characterizes and strengthens the UnitedStates.

Out of the 32students, 22 are ofcolor; 10 are Black,equal to the greatestnumber ever elected inone year in the UnitedStates, nine are first-generation Americansor immigrants and oneis a Dreamer withactive Deferred Actionfor Childhood Arrivals(DACA) status.Seventeen of thewinners are women, 14

are men, and one is non-binary.These bright young Americans will go to

Oxford October next year to study in fieldsbroadly across the social, biological andphysical sciences, the humanities, and publicpolicy.

They are leaders already, and we areconfident that their contributions to publicwelfare globally will expand exponentiallyover the course of their careers, Mr Gersonsaid.

Swathi Srinivasan from Ohio is a senior atHarvard College with double concentrationsin Social Studies and History of Science, witha focus on public health inequality. She is alsowriting a thesis for the ChemistryDepartment.

She was an intern at the UN Joint Programon HIV/AIDS in Geneva, has done extensiveresearch and activism on the opioid epidemic,and chaired the Policy Program at theKennedy School Institute of Politics. She isalso a Ghungroo choreographer. (Read full

story at www.theindianpanorama.news)

Swathi R Srinivasan, Vijayasundaram Ramasamy, Garima P Desai and SavarniSanka are four Indian American students chosen as Rhodes Scholars

Indian American Kash Patelleads transition at PentagonWASHINGTON (TIP): Indian American

Kashyap "Kash" Patel, a Trump loyalist who wasinstalled at the Pentagon two weeks ago, has beenput in charge of the Defense Department'stransition to the new Joe Biden-Kamala Harrisadministration.

Patel's role was confirmed by a Pentagonspokesperson Tuesday after the General ServicesAdministration allowed the Trumpadministration to begin talking with theincoming Biden team to begin the transitionprocess, Politico reported.

Patel, a senior director of counter terrorism atthe National Security Council, was named chief of staff to actingDefense Secretary Chris Miller the day after the president fired DefenseSecretary Mark Esper.

His former chief of staff, Jen Stewart, resigned shortly after. Stewartwas leading the transition effort before she left the Pentagon, so it wasexpected that Patel would take over those responsibilities, Politico said.

Patel previously worked for Rep. Devin Nunes, the top Republican onthe House Intelligence Committee, and as a staffer played a key role inhelping Republicans discredit the Russia probe.

He was one of the authors of the so-called Nunes Memo that accusedthe FBI and Justice Department of bias against Trump.

He also held a number of roles in the Trump administration,including on the National Security Council staff, in the office of formeracting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, and mostrecently as a top White House counter-terrorism official.

Patel is no stranger to controversy. Last year, he had filed a defamationsuit against Politico and journalist Natasha Bertrand after theyreported that he was involved in President Trump's plan to withhold$400 million in aid to Ukraine to pressure that country's leader toinvestigate former Vice President Joe Biden.

He sought $25 million from Politico alleging defamation. He said thatat no time before October 30, he had ever communicated on Ukraine withthe President.

Publicly released transcripts of the congressional testimony offormer NSC Russia expert Fiona Hill and its then-White House officialCol. Alexander Vindman had also mentioned Patel's role in the matter.

Trump administrationhas placed Kash Patel

in charge of theDefense Department'stransition to the new

Joe Biden-KamalaHarris administration.

05THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020INDIANS ABROAD

Indian American MalaAdiga appointed as JillBiden's Policy Director

WASHINGTON

(TIP): USPresident -e lectJoe Biden onFriday appointedan IndianAmerican, MalaAdiga, the policydirector of hiswife Jill Biden,who will be theFirst Lady.

Mala hasserved as a senioradvisor to Jill Biden and a senior policyadvisor on the Biden-Kamala Harriscampaign. Previously, Ms Adiga wasdirector for Higher Education andMilitary Families at the BidenFoundation.

During former president BarackObama's administration, Mala Adigaserved as the deputy assistantsecretary of state for AcademicPrograms at the Bureau of Educationaland Cultural Affairs, in the Secretaryof State's Office of Global Women'sIssues as chief of staff and senioradvisor to the Ambassador-at-Large,besides as director for human rights onthe National Security Staff.

A native of Illinois, Ms Adiga is agraduate of Grinnell College, theUniversity of Minnesota School ofPublic Health, and the University ofChicago Law School.

A lawyer by training, Ms Adiga hadbeen a clerk for a federal and hadworked for a Chicago law firm beforejoining the campaign of formerpresident Barack Obama in 2008.

She started in the Obamaadministration as a counsel to theassociate attorney general.

Joe Biden made the announcement ofher appointment as he announced thenames of four new members of hisWhite House senior staff.

Cathy Russell, Vice-Chair of theBiden-Harris campaign, has beennamed as the director of the WhiteHouse Office of PresidentialPersonnel.

Louisa Terrell, who currentlyoversees legislative affairs for theBiden-Harris transition team, willserve as the director of the WhiteHouse Office of Legislative Affairs inBiden administration.

Carlos Elizondo, a Special Assistantto the President and Social Secretary toVice-President and Dr Jill Biden for alleight years of the Obama-Bidenadministration, was appointed as theWhite House Social Secretary.

In a statement, Joe Biden lauded the"dedication" of additional members ofhis team and said the new addition willserve the American people and helpbuild back better, creating a more just,equitable, and united nation.

(Read full story atwww.theindianpanorama.news)

Indian American Doctor identifies possibletreatment to prevent COVID-19 deaths

WASHINGTON (TIP): An IndianAmerican doctor and scientist hasdiscovered a potential strategy toprevent life-threatening inflammation,lung damage and organ failure inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Published online in the journal Cell,the research coming from the lab of DrThirumala-Devi Kanneganti, an Indian-born researcher working at St. JudeChildren's Research Hospital inTennessee, identified the drugs afterdiscovering that the hyperinflammatoryimmune response associated withCOVID-19 leads to tissue damage andmulti-organ failure in mice bytriggering inflammatory cell deathpathways.

The researchers detailed how theinflammatory cell death signalingpathway worked, which led to potentialtherapies to disrupt the process.

"Understanding the pathways andmechanism driving this inflammation iscritical to develop effective treatmentstrategies," said Dr Kanneganti, vicechair of the St Jude Department ofImmunology.

Dr Kanneganti was born and raised inTelangana. She received herundergraduate degree at KakatiyaUniversity in Warangal, where shemajored in Chemistry, Zoology, andBotany. She then received her M.Sc. andPh.D from Osmania University in India.She joined St. Jude, in Memphis,Tennessee, USA, in 2007.

"This research provides thatunderstanding. We also identified thespecific cytokines that activateinflammatory cell death pathways andhave considerable potential for

treatment of COVID-19 and other highlyfatal diseases, including sepsis," shesaid.

The other researchers were ShraddhaTuladhar, Parimal Samir, Min Zheng,Balamurugan Sundaram, Balaji Banoth,RK Subbarao Malireddi, PatrickSchreiner, Geoffrey Neale, Peter Vogeland Richard Webby, of St. Jude; andEvan Peter Williams, Lillian Zalduondoand Colleen Beth Jonsson, of theUniversity of Tennessee Health ScienceCenter. COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infection has killedmore than 1.2 million people in less thanone year and sickened millions more.

The infection is marked by increasedblood levels of multiple cytokines. Thesesmall proteins are secreted primarily byimmune cells to ensure a rapid responseto restrict the virus. Some cytokines alsotrigger inflammation.

The phrase cytokine storm has beenused to describe the dramatically

elevated cytokine levels in the blood andother immune changes that have alsobeen observed in COVID-19, sepsis andinflammatory disorders such ashemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH), St Jude's said in a statement.

But the specific pathways that initiatethe cytokine storm and the subsequentinflammation, lung damage and organfailure in COVID-19 and the otherdisorders were unclear.

The cellular and molecularmechanisms that comprehensivelydefine cytokine storm was also lacking.Dr Kanneganti's team focused on a selectset of the most elevated cytokines inCOVID-19 patients. The scientistsshowed that no single cytokine inducedcell death in innate immune cells, itsaid.

"The findings link inflammatory celldeath induced by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma to COVID-19, Dr Kannegantisaid.

"The results also suggest thattherapies that target this cytokinecombination are candidates for rapidclinical trials for treatment of not onlyCOVID-19, but several other often fataldisorders associated with cytokinestorm," she said.

"We were excited to connect these dotsto understand how TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma trigger PANoptosis," said co-firstauthor Rajendra Karki, a scientist in theKanneganti laboratory.

"Indeed, understanding howPANoptosis contributes to disease andmortality is critical for identifyingtherapies," added co-first author BheshRaj Sharma, a scientist in theKanneganti laboratory.

Dr Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti, an Indian-bornresearcher working at St. Jude Children's

Research Hospital in Tennesseehasdiscovered a potential strategy to prevent

life-threatening inflammation, lung damageand organ failure in patients diagnosed with

COVID-19

Indian-Origin Republican Leader CondemnsDonald Trump for dividing Americans and

damaging America's reputation in the world WASHINGTON (TIP): Outgoing President Donald

Trump has left America more divided than ever andthe country's reputation under his presidency hasbeen damaged on the international stage which willtake years to repair, says an influential Indian-American Sikh leader.

"This is a democracy at work, on both sides.Whether Democrat or Republican... people are excitedand want to speak out. The election's historic turnoutmeans people are hungry to change the status quo onboth sides.

"We are more polarized and divided than I have everseen being an American for 25 years. I believe peopledo care who will represent them, especially in timeslike the COVID-19 pandemic," Indiana-based Gurinder

Singh Khalsa told PTI. A recipient of the prestigious Rosa Parks TrailblazerAward in recognition of his efforts in changing the Transportation SecurityAdministration's policy regarding turbans, 46-year-old Khalsa, though amember of Republican party, did not vote for Trump in this election or in2016. "I do not think he is morally or ethically fit to be president, especiallythe leader of the free world. I came to America by choice; for dignity andrespect. For the first time as an American, I have felt challenged on thosevalues," he said. Though he is disillusioned with the current state of affairsof the Republican Party, Mr Khalsa said he has no plan on leaving the GOP."I do not think the issues lie within the party. It is those like Trump whohave twisted the foundation of what it means to be a Republican," he said.

Mala Adiga hasbeen appointed asthe policy directorto Jill Biden, whowill be the First

Lady.

Indiana-basedRepublican leader

Gurinder SinghKhalsa has said

President Trump hasleft America more

divided

Indian-Origin MP Gaurav Sharma inNew Zealand Takes Oath in Sanskrit

WELLINGTON , NZ (TIP): Indian - Origin Dr.Gaurav Sharma, one of the youngest and newly-elected MPs in New Zealand, on Wednesday,November 25, took oath in Sanskrit in thecountry's Parliament. Dr Sharma, 33, hailingfrom Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur, was recentlyelected as the Member of Parliament from theLabor Party for Hamilton West in New Zealand.

India's High Commissioner to New Zealand andSamoa, Muktesh Pardeshi said on Twitter thatSharma took oath first in "New Zealand'sindigenous Maori language, followed by India'sclassical language - Sanskrit, showing deeprespect for cultural traditions of both India andNew Zealand."

(Read full story atwww.theindianpanorama.news)

Recently elected Indian origin MP in New Zealand tookoath in Sanskrit

06THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020ADVERTISEMENT

Mr. Biden has carefully sought toremain close to the politicalcenter so as to maximize his

chances of working successfully towardbipartisan consensus.

His appointments suggest he wouldundo many of Trump's policy decisions

If the nearly four years under U.S.President Donald Trump led the countryaway from international alliances andeschewed Washington's commitment toglobalization and multilateralism, itappears that the administration of JoeBiden, Democrat and winner of the 2020election, will aim to reverse thatexperience.

The recent announcement by Mr. Bidenand Vice President-elect Kamala Harristhat they would be inducting a raft ofObama-era policy specialists into the 46thPresident's Cabinet suggests two things:first, the early months of his term will bededicated to undoing the damage done byMr. Trump to the U.S.'s past foreignengagement in various treaties andalliances; and second, Mr. Biden hascarefully sought to remain close to thepolitical center so as to maximize hischances of working successfully towardbipartisan consensus with the likelySenate Majority Leader from January2021, Mitch McConnell.

Consider the backgrounds of the mosthigh-profile appointees thus far. Leadingthe list is Antony Blinken for Secretary ofState. A former Deputy Secretary of Statewho served under Presidents Bill Clintonand Barack Obama, Mr. Blinken's work todate suggests that he has an unshakeablecommitment to internationalism,particularly to the U.S.'s transatlanticalliances, given his many years spent inParis.

He shares the Biden-Obama keenness to

speak up against perceived human rightsviolations abroad, for example publiclyruing the decision for the U.S. to notintervene in the humanitarian crisis ofrecent years in Syria. The flip side of thiszeal to get involved in such internationalepisodes, which includes a firmcommitment to ally Israel's security, isthat his views might be opposed by someDemocrats farther to the left of Mr. Biden,including outspoken advocate ofPalestinian rights, MichiganCongresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

Policy direction

Several other Cabinet appointments byMr. Biden point in the same direction,including Linda Thomas-Greenfield, asenior diplomat with years of experienceacross Africa, shaping U.S. foreign policyin the sub-Saharan region., as the nextU.S. Ambassador to the UN. Similarly,Jake Sullivan, a lawyer, a former NationalSecurity Adviser to Mr. Biden when hewas Mr. Obama's Vice President, andDeputy Chief of Staff to formerSecretary of State Hillary Clinton, hasbeen chosen for the National SecurityAdvisor's role.

He, along with former Secretary ofState John Kerry as the Special Envoy forClimate Change, will presumably help theBiden administration carry out its toppriorities for its first 100 days in the WhiteHouse: a gradual reversal of the U.S.'sabrogation of the Iran NuclearAgreement and the Paris ClimateAgreement. It will certainly help that Mr.Sullivan played a critical role innegotiating the Iran deal, while Mr. Kerry

was a key interlocutor in forging togetherthe Paris accord.

On the economic front, matters may bemore straightforward, if perhapsperilously poised, making Mr. Biden's pickof Janet Yellen, the first woman to chairthe Federal Reserve, as TreasurySecretary, an optimal one. She comes withdecades of experience in macroeconomicpolicy, particularly the impact ofeconomic growth on labor markets. Justas President Obama inherited the worstmoments of the Great Recession of 2008 atthe very outset of his first term, Mr. Bidenwill be in firefighting mode to tacklerampant joblessness and the sharpestdrop in economic activity witnessed in ageneration, owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this light, there is perhapsno one better qualified for this top job atthe Treasury than Professor Yellen.

Similarly, in nominating AlejandroMayorkas, a Cuban-American attorneyand Deputy Secretary of HomelandSecurity under Mr. Obama, as Secretaryof Homeland Security, Mr. Biden has notonly sought to signal diversity within his

Cabinet selection - Mr. Mayorkas would bethe first Latino and first immigrant inthis role - but also likely a break from theuncompromising policies of the Trumpadministration in handling the influx ofundocumented workers across the U.S.'ssouthern border.

Under Mr. Trump, executive orders andadministrative rules for the Immigrationand Customs Enforcement were used toimplement a steady crackdown onaspiring immigrants, includingeverything from family separations andthe holding of minors in detentionfacilities, to the ban of issuance on greencards and skilled worker visas for newapplicants. While it may be tempting toassume that the incoming administrationwould adopt a more nuanced approach, itremains a fact that the Obama yearsactually witnessed a spike indeportations, and given the mood andpressures in U.S. politics at the moment,Mr. Biden could hardly appear to be softon immigration policy.

(The author is associate editor with TheHindu))

With Cabinet picks, Joe Biden remains close to the political center

08THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020EDITORIAL

AS I SEE IT

By Narayan Lakshman

As the Sikhs across the world getready to celebrate the 551st birthanniversary of their First Master

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, it is pertinent to askif the Great Master's message is kept inmind while celebrating the momentousevent in Gurdwaras and elsewhere.

The universal message of Guru Nanakhas always had relevance. It is morerelevant today when the world isgettingmore and more strife ridden and peopleare taking to the path of hatred andviolence, forgetting the virtues of loveand peace.

Guru Nanak, more than five hundred

years ago, preached a philosophy thatcould rid the world of much of itsailments and miseries. He preacheduniversal brotherhood. He declared thathe recognized human raceas one. "Maanaski jaat sabhe eke pahchanbo", he said.

Again, he said, "Na ko bairi, nahebigana, sagal sanghumko ban aayee"which means there are no strangers. Iamon terms with all. Peace, harmony, lovewere the virtues Nanak gave value to. Infact, in recognizing humanrace as one,he was only taking forward the oldIndian idea of "VasudhaivaKutumbkam" which means the wholeworld is a family.

In Guru Nanak's times in India, therewere two major religious groups- theHindus and the Muslims. The lattercame to India as invaders and forcedmany Hindus to convert to Islam. Therewas natural hatred amongst the Hindusfor their Muslim oppressors.

Guru Nanak raised his voice againstthe tyranny of the Muslim rulers butnever became a part of the hatecampaign. He had two constantcompanions- one a Hindu - Bala, and theother, a Muslim - Mardana. He gave out amessage of love and oneness ofhumanity in having the two of themfrom rival faiths. It is said when Guru

Nanak left this world his bodywasclaimed by both the Hindus and theMuslims for the last rites. KartarpurSahib in now Pakistan where GuruNanak Dev breathed his last has agurdwara and a majar at the same place,and both the Sikhs and the Muslims visitthe holy shrine to pay their obeisance tothe man who preached oneness ofhumanity.

We need a Guru Nanak today. And wecan find him inhis teachings. The worldcan certainly become a better and a morebeautiful place to live in if we turned toGuru Nanak for guidance on the art ofliving in love and peace as brethren.

TURN TO GURU NANAK TO END THE WORLD’S WOES

Mr. Biden's appointments suggest he would undo many of Trump's policy decisions.

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris introduce their nominees andappointees to key national security and foreign policy posts at The Queen theater, Tuesday,

Nov. 24, 2020, in Wilmington, Delaware.- Screenshot / WSL 10

While it may be tempting to assumethat the incoming administration

would adopt a more nuancedapproach, it remains a fact that theObama years actually witnessed a

spike in deportations, and given themood and pressures in U.S. politics

at the moment, Mr. Biden couldhardly appear to be soft on

immigration policy.

COMMENTProf I.S. Saluja

The US wishes to weanIndia away from Russianmilitary hardware, butgiven India's historicdependence on it, thismay not be possible.CAATSA is likely tobecome a critical issue,forcing India to choose,say former US andIndian officials. India'sautonomy to buy from ormake weapons withRussia could comeunder stress.US-INDIA relations enjoy a

bipartisan consensus, especiallyon defense and security relations

(DSR) which are the original drivers oftheir comprehensive global strategicpartnership. DSR is now the crown-jewelof the partnership with past biases anddistrust diminishing.

India expects the Biden administrationto catalyze DSR by implementing theDefense Technology Trade Initiative toprovide high-end defense technology,change the buyer-seller mode to jointdevelopment and co-production, now thatthe Defense Industrial Security Annexeand Basic Exchange and CooperationAgreement (BECA) are signed. ACountering America's AdversariesThrough Sanctions Act (CATSA) waiveron India buying Russian defenseequipment, like the S-400 air defensesystem, though expected, is iffy.

President-elect Joe Biden had said in2006: "My dream is that in 2020, the twoclosest nations in the world will be Indiaand the US. If that occurs, the world willbe a safer place."

During the third India-US 2+2 meetingheld last month in New Delhi, formerDefense Secretary Mark Esper stressedinter-operability so that 'we can build

capacity to fight together if we are calledto.' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, at thesame meeting, said: "The US will supportIndia to defend its territorial sovereigntyand liberty." In an interview with TimesNow, Pompeo said: "We can have a jointdeterrence - jointly deter Chinesetyranny."

No US official has ever made suchdefinitive commitments to India's defenseand security earlier. Defense MinisterRajnath Singh, at the same 2+2, said: "Thedefense partnership is even more vitalnow due to challenges India faces." He didnot name China.

In 2015, Admiral Harry Harris,Commander-in-Chief, US PacificCommand, had said: "We want India tobecome the pivot in the Indian OceanRegion (IOR) and we can do combinedcombat patrols."

So what does the Biden presidency bodein DSR? India has ticked all the boxes foraccess to critical defense technology. It hassigned the four foundational agreementsthat took three decades to fructify due tohesitations of history, the last being BECAwhich will enable Indian missiles to hittargets thousands of miles away withaccuracy and permit the purchase of USarmed drones. The Defense IndustrialSecurity Annexe (DISA), the classifieddefense technology enabler, was signed inDecember 2019 and India will attend itsfirst meeting next month.

India's landmark achievements andcategorizations include being made amajor defense partner in 2016. In 2017,

the US National Security Strategy Papercalled India the Most FavoredDefensePartner. The Defense Trade andTechnology Initiative was to lead to co-developing and co-producing criticaltechnologies overriding the US ExportControl Law covering seven technologies.An India-specific rapid reaction cell wascreated, but the DISA had not been signed.Until 2008, the US had sold militaryequipment worth $200 million which hasrocketed in 2020 to $20 billion, with $15billion stores in the pipeline. The jointchallenge is converting the seller-buyerrelation to co-development and co-

production and Make in India.The DISA meeting in December is

expected to become the open sesame toadvance technologies and cooperation incyber security. The defense and securitycooperation, military training programsand exercises are the most intensebetween any two countries.

The US Pacific Command was renamedIndo-Pacific Command with Indian navalofficers deployed in Honolulu and alsowith the US Central Command at Bahrain.Similarly, a US officer is posted in theMaritime Domain Awareness Centre ofthe Indian Ocean Region at Chennai. Bothcountries are members of an upratedQuad and a reanimated India-led Malabarnaval drills series - which concluded its24th exercise last week in the IOR - as partof the US-India Joint Indo-Pacific Vision.India was invited for the first time to theFive Eye Meeting, a World War-IIintelligence grouping of the US, Canada,the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The revival and revamping ofinstitutions in the Indo-Pacific is seen asunmasking the containment of China, thebiggest external challenge for both the USand India. Still, despite the momentumand scale of the DSR, mistrust of the USamong younger officers is a legacy of theUSS Enterprise in the Bay of Bengalduring the 1971 war, concludes retired USColonel David Smith, from his deep studyof the Indian military.

The sticking point in the India-US DSRis that Russia is India's exclusive strategicdefense partner and the US CAATSA ishanging like the sword of Damocles. Asmuch as 80 per cent of all military

equipment and platforms in the threeservices are of Soviet/Russian origin.

The strategic partnership withRussia had veered towards a virtualalliance in the 1971 Treaty of Peace,

Cooperation and Friendship, whichhelped India win the war against Pakistanby keeping China and America at bay.Further, Russia has leased two nuclearsubmarines, provided technology fornuclear reactors of Indian submarinesand the two countries have co-producedand co-developed the Brahmos missile andRussia has made in India platforms andequipment. No two countries have hadsuch deep trust and cooperation.

Last week, the Russian embassy in NewDelhi said: "Russia was looking forward toexpanding defense cooperation and exportof Brahmos to the Philippines." It alsomentioned that it will ensure the S-400 ADsystem worth $5.4 billion is delivered bythe end of 2021. A number of otherprojects, joint ventures andmodernizationprograms, like the Kamov-26 helicopters, AK-203 rifles, SU30 MKI,T90 tank, frigates, missiles andsubmarines, are in the pipeline.

The India-Russia defense cooperationprogramme is huge. The problem is thatRussia has also intensified defensecooperation with China and Pakistan,both India's adversaries-turned-enemies.There is still no word on the US waiver onthe S-400, as there is on Chabahar Port.

The US wishes to wean India away fromRussian military hardware, but givenIndia's historic dependence on it, this maynot be possible. A CAATSA is likely tobecome a critical issue, forcing India tochoose, say former US and Indian officials.Access to critical technologies, sale ofarmed drones and US Make in India aremore likely to happen now, but with severeend-user riders. India's strategicautonomy to buy from or make weaponswith Russia could come under stress.

The challenge for India is finding amodus vivendi over Russia even as Russiawalks tightrope its relations with Chinaand Pakistan - a crowded menage a trois!

(The author is a Military Commentator)

09THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020PERSPECTIVE

By Maj-Gen AshokKumar Mehta

Russia a sticking point in Indo-US defense ties

The sticking point in the India-USDSR is that Russia is India'sexclusive strategic defense partnerand the US CAATSA is hanging likethe sword of Damocles. As much as80 per cent of all militaryequipment and platforms in thethree services are ofSoviet/Russian origin.

PARTNERSHIP: The India-US 2+2 meeting held in New Delhi stressed on inter-operability. - File photo / IANS

TRIBUTE 10THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

"A Light Has Gone Out" CONTD FROM PAGE 1

wife Smita Lodha, Son Amit Lodha, daughterShweta Lodha, daughter-in-law Priyanka Lodha,brother Dr. Sanjay Lodha and his wife, and maternaluncle K K Mehta, besides many other relations frompaternal and maternal families.

Born in Rajasthan, Lodha was a graduate of RNTMedical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Lodha completed his Residency at the FlushingHospital, New York. He was the founder and presidentof Queens Medical Services, a primary care practicewith two locations serving Queens, New York since1995 and was a partner in Hillaire and NesconsetNursing homes.

During his career as a physician, he came to occupya number of positions of honor and receivedrecognition, honor and awards for his professionalcompetence and community services.

He was a former president of 100,000 strong bodyAssociation of American Physicians of Indian Origin(AAPI).

He was a former president of Rajasthan Associationof North America and Rajasthan Medical AlumniAssociation and Director of Research Department atFlushing Hospital, New York.

Lodha was a former Chief Medical Officer andSenior Vice President of Caritas Health Care Systemrepresenting St. John's Hospital and Mary ImmaculateHospital in New York

Dr. Lodha was a recipient of Lawrence J. ScherrAward of Excellence for being an OutstandingPhysi-cian. He has also been honored for Out-standingContributions to Research & HypertensionDepartment at the Flushing Hospital, New York.

In 2008, he was bestowed with the Nargis DuttMemorial Foundation Physician of the Year Award.

He was also a recipient of the coveted Ellis IslandMedal of Honor, besides scores of awards and honorsby various US governmental and government of India

bodies, professional and community organizations Dr. Lodha's death due to COVID has sent shock waves

among all sections of Indian American community.THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA in New

York tweeted: deeply saddened to learn of the demise ofDr. Ajay Lodha, a prominent member of the Indian-American community. He will be in our hearts always.His humility, kindness and contribution to the societyshall continue to inspire us.

AAPI President Sudhakar Jonnalagadda

expressed shock and sadness at the passing of thevisionary leader and said his death is "the darkest dayin AAPI history.

President-Elect of AAPI Dr. Anupama

Gotimukula said "Lodha's heroic fight with COVID-19epitomizes the struggles of frontline health workers.Lodha along with other physicians of Indian originwho have lost their lives due to the pandemic "willcontinue to inspire us and AAPI forever."

Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari

expressed condolences on the passing of Lodha, whohe described as "a dear friend and a great human beingwho used to go out of his way to help those in need."

Condolence messages also came from Former Chief

Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje whorecalled Lodha's immense contribution to the diaspora,especially the Rajasthani community, in the U.S.

Former Director General, Border Security

Force, K.K. Sharma said Lodha was not only aproficient doctor but also an important functionary ofRajasthan Association of North America. He wasalways ready to help others and will be fondlyremembered.

Describing him as a dear friend and courageous soul,Vice-president of AAPI Dr. Ravi Kolli said Lodhawas a "man of passion, integrity, determination andgenerosity. He fought till end with great valor befittingof a warrior. His commitment to AAPI family wasunprecedented."

CONTD ON PAGE 11

Funeral; Ajay Lodha lies I state Nov 24 - Screenshot

Smita Lodha biding adieu to Ajay Nov 24 - Screenshot

Amit Lodha pays tribute to his father - Screenshot

A senior member of family pays tribute

The Indian Panorama receivedcondolence messages

A large number of community and professionalleaders, and Dr. Lodha's friends and admirers senttheir tribute to the dear departed to The IndianPanorama which we are publishing below.

Dr. Uma Mysorekar, President, The Hindu

Temple Society of North America in her condolencemessage sent to The Indian Panorama said, "We areshocked and deeply saddened to learn the passing awayof Dr. Ajay Lodha, who was not only an eminentphysician but also one of the great community leaders.His passing away leaves a big void in the community. Hiscontributions to the society as a leader of AAPI will beforever remembered. His humility and kindness addedto his distinguished personality. On behalf of The HinduTemple Society of NA, I want to convey my deepestcondolences to his family and the community and offerour prayers for his soul to rest in peace."

Saleem Iqbal, President & CEO, HAB Bank said,"On behalf of HAB Bank and its team, I extend ourdeepest and profound condolences to Dr. Smita Lodha,Amit, and Shweta on untimely passing of our beloved,Dr. Ajay Lodha. We would like to convey our prayers andplease know that we are with you in this hour ofimmeasurable pain and sense of profound loss.

Dr. Lodha to us was more than a friend. He wasembodiment of what a decent and caring human being isall about. He was kind and had an infectious laughterand smile. Besides being a great doctor, he always foundtime to serve our community through AAPI and RANAto name a few. He impacted many lives through hisservice to South Asian community of Long Island &

11THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020TRIBUTE

beyond. By any measure, he achievedmany milestones yet he stayed humbleand always found time to chat. He will begreatly missed but we know that positiveimpact that he had on numerous liveswill live beyond our lifetime. He madeour community a better place to live.

We will always carry with us theconversations we had, pleasantmemories we shared and friendship thatwill last forever.

Bhagwan divangat atma ko cheershanti pradan Kare!

Vandana Sharma, a former

Regional Manager Americas for AIR

INDIA in New York who knew Dr. Lodhawell, in her message to The IndianPanorama said:

"Adieu The End.The place of this phrase is where

else...at the end. If it comes in the middleof a story, it leaves everyone wondering."What If ?" "A feeing "Abhi picture baakihai dost!"

When "the end" cuts short a life, itleaves us shell shocked and groping to fillthe vacuum. Words fail. I close my eyes.Dr. Ajay Lodha, his gentle laugh,cherubic face, kind eyes, reappear. Saatsamundar paar. Yet in grief and shockthat COVID has claimed another victim,devastated a family, and in taking the lifeof Dr Ajay Lodha, a humanitarian, adoctor, a philanthropist, a wonderfulhuman being, it has dealt a body blow tothe Community.

Dr Ajay Lodha, stood tall amongst menwith his deeds. As elected President ofAAPI of 2016, he officially interactedwith me in my capacity as RegionalManager, Americas, Air India. Hebecame our family physician, aconfidant, a cherished friend. In mylimited interactions of a few years, DrAjay Lodha left a mark. His personaexuded warmth and a great love of lifeand people. Originating from Rajasthan,India, his home in New York is abeautiful synthesis of elements acrosscultures, a salute to mharo Rajasthan.Built with materials sourced from acrossthe world, their home is a reflection oftheir persona, exuding warmth,everlasting beauty and great hospitality.

The Lodha's Clinic was always full ofpeople from all walks of life. Each onewas treated with dignity. As a physician,he was quick to respond and identify theailment, look at treatment, and worked toheal his patients.

Our last interaction was of March 24,2020, when he messaged back to wish uswell and said "Keep yourself healthy inthis great calamity"

How do we reconcile ourselves to thisgreat loss of a doctor who has treated somany patients, helped them to recover,has been a great healer, succumbinghimself to a disease in prime of life,where official mortality rate is less than2 percent! No logic, no answers. Besttreatment and prayers, a brave fight overeight months, and finally he hung up hisstethoscope. His passing is also a tributeto the great doctor and man who did notbelieve in giving up. Well fought Dr AjayLodha. May your soul attain moksh.

May God give Smita ji and family,strength to bear this great loss. OmShanti ??

Dr. Jagdish Gupta,Board ofTrustees, AAPI 2020-2023 in hismessage said: A Tribute to Ajay-my friend and Confidante:

Alegendary leader of the IndianCommunity passed into oblivion,leaving all of us, heartbroken and

sad. It is hard to fathom the loss to hispatients, to us his colleagues, hisparents, his family and to the entirecommunity, as he was loved by everyonewho came in contact with him.Dr. Lodhawas a dynamic, enthusiastic, andvisionary leader with endless energy,who commanded as President ofNational AAPI, AAPI QLI, RANA andRAJMAAI. He always strived forexcellence. He made our organizationsvibrant, strong and politically powerfuland provided significant contributions tothe society at large.

In spite of the very brave fight put upby him like a good "Rajasthani Warrior"for almost 8 monthsand the best medicalcare received, he lost the battle, as GodAlmighty probably had a better callingfor him. Today, I lost one of my bestfriends and confidante. The pain isunbearable forme. While extending myheartfelt condolences to the entire"Lodha Parivar" I sincerely pray to GodAlmighty, to provide strength andresilience to his parents, his wife Smitajee, his children Amit, Shweta, Priyankaand the entire Lodha Family to endurethe irreparable Loss.

May God bless his divine soul andprovide "Sadgati &Moksha" Om ShantiAum.????

Rakesh Dua, Past PresidentAAPIQLI wrote:

“Not a day has gone by since my familyand I have not thought about Ajay andkept him in our prayers as he fought hislong battle against Covid-19 and relatedcomplications. He was a great friend,brother, and mentor. He touched theheart of so many people across thecountry and shared a specialrelationship with each and every one ofus. He was instrumental in allowingAAPI and RANA to reach its heights andthe reason behind our strength as a

community. Our friendship and bondgrew stronger through my years inAAPI. He welcomed me and supportedme as a colleague and leader. I recall theyear that he was president of NationalAAPI. The same year, I received theopportunity to serve as president ofAAPIQLI. We would meet 3-4 times aweek and speak on the phone daily. Ifirsthand witnessed his determination,

courage, and hard work to make the localand National convention a great success.Post his year as president, our closefriendship and relationship grew. We metoften and would talk to each other. I wasfortunate enough to attend his son'swedding in Jaipur, and I will cherish thecolorful memories forever. Ajay you willalways have a special place in our heartsand we love you very much."

CONTD FROM PAGE 10

Dr. Lodha at The Indian Panorama Holi. L to R: Dr Jagdish Gupta Sandeep Chakraborty, Andy Mansukhani, Mr Rastogi Prof. Saluja Ajay Lodha

CONTD ON PAGE 12Dr. Ajay Lodha with Dr. Rakesh Dua


AIA, NY President Harish Thakkarmessaged:

"Dr. Ajay Lodha was a tremendousindividual and possessed a tireless love

of his APPI and the community. Hisenergy and laughter were infectious andinstantly created warmth in any room heentered. We will remember Dr. Lodha'smany contributions to AIA, NY & to the

community.This loss leaves a very big hole in our

community. Dr. Lodha's legacy will liveon through all the lives he's impacted on,in our community and the indelibleinfluence he had on APPI, AIA & entirecommunity.

I admired all those wonderful qualitiesthat made him the special person that hewas. I will never forget all that he did forAIA, NY & me. He always supported me& all of AIA, NY Chapter's events. Hewas kind, compassionate, and a caringperson.

I will miss him greatly and he will bein my thoughts and prayers always. Oneof the things we will never forget is thegreat sympathy he aroused from us. Hemade us rejoice even in the most difficulttimes and give us a voice ofencouragement which made us able toaccomplish everything. His absence willbe difficult to get over, as no one canreplace him. He has left us with so manywonderful memories. I will cherish themforever."

Jagsish Sewhani, President ,American India Public AffairsCommittee sent a message whichread:

"We are deeply saddened at theuntimely passing away of our dearfriend Dr. Ajay Lodhaji . It's saddest newsfor the Indian community. I have knownhim for more than two decades. He hadPassion for Bharat . Ajay ji was humble ,dedicated and outstanding Leader ,always full of energy.

Ajay ji you will remain in our heatsforever.

Our heartfelt condolences to LodhaFamily"

Tirlok Malik, Filmmaker |

Restaurateur | Happy Lifestyle

Speaker, and Emmy nominee in hismessage emailed to The IndianPanorama said, "He lived a life of GOODKARMA helping people with his workand his being KIND Humanbeing.

He died in the line of duty of A Doctor.People like him do not die. They liveforever in our hearts.

I will remember him always."I am grateful to all who sent their

condolence messages to The IndianPanorama. I am sorry if a message has

been overlooked.Vandana Sharma has been kind

enough to send a poem on the subject ofdeath in the cruel times of COVID. Ithank her for the lovely poem. I hope shewill give me her permission to publish itwith retrospective effect though.

Dr. Lodha celebrates Independence Day of India with Dr. Jagdish Gupta and AAPI colleagues atthe FIA India Day parade.

REST IN PEACEEach time one friend goes on, away.A vacuum, sorrow, memories stay.

A grieving world, a gentle ache,Oh Rest In Peace, whispered,

messaged.

How does one really Rest In Peace?Is it when our breath does cease?

When soul has left body bereft,Which of the two in peace does rest?

Till moment passed, the soul justdanced,

Carefree, the body puppet pranced.Work, work, work, work, a sudden

pause,Left incomplete, left with no thought.

Who really knows the great beyond?Do souls take rest? Live on and on?No answer yet we guess, and guess.

Waste our today, in strife, unrest.

Parent's gone on; we still live on.Distraught, perplexed, we carry on.He lived his life, so we could rest,Enjoy this world, heaven at best.

Now He is just a breath away,Beloved! In memories remains.

Last lesson taught, with breath that'sgone,

Don't fret, enjoy each breath that'syours.

- Vandana Sharma

Dr. Lodha (extreme right) with AIA President Harish Thakkar and others

Dr. Sunil Mehra, Past President AAPI-OLI and IALI , in his message sent toThe Indian Panorama, wrote "We

feel very sad and heartbroken at theuntimely death of our dear friend, a familymember and a sincere human being Dr.Ajay Lodha.

Indian community has lost a great socialworker, a warrior for everyone.

AAPI has lost a true professional whocared for his patients with respect,respected and helped his colleagues, andbrought all the associations he workedwith, to higher levels.

He was president of AAPI-QLI, NationalPresident of AAPI, RANA and RAJMALL.

We pray to God to give peace to his souland a place in heaven, and strength toSmita Bhabhi, his children-Amit , Shwetaand Priyanka along with his parents andbrother.

He was a true leader and mentor to manyof us . He was a visionary, a dreamer and akindhearted human being."

DR. AJAY LODHA The Dear Departed

Deeply Mourned and Missed



DR AJAY LODHA


DR AJAY LODHA A Man of all seasonsAt ease with all- old, young, men, women . No matter, what the situation, Dr. Lodha was always composed. He knew to be royal,and at the same time, play a commoner. He belonged to all, and all belonged to him. It is this ease which was the hallmark of Dr.

Lodha's personality. Here is the man in pictures from The Indian Panorama.

The royal look. Dr. Ajay Lodha addresses AAPIconvention

Exuding warmth: Dr. Lodha with AAPIcolleagues

Dr. Lodha is honored at AAPI Convention

Dr. Lodha celebrates Independence Day with community

Dr. Lodha is with elected leaders including Congressman Tom Suozzi and others andcommunity leaders

Enjoying The Indian Panorama Holi with friends. Seen from L to R: Dr Jagdish Gupta SandeepChakraborty, Andy Mansukhani, Mr Rastogi , Prof. Saluja Ajay Lodha

Dr. Lodha is honored at Town of Hempstead . Seen seated on left is Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson,Indian American Forum

Dr. Lodha honors Baba Ramdev at AAPIConvention

Some fun with colleagues at AAPIConvention. L to R: Dr. Lodha, Dr. Wasil, Dr.

Jagdish Gupta and 2 more .Sharing spiritual moments with

Brahmakumari Sister Shivani

STAMFORD, CT (TIP): Indian Americans havecome a long way in politics since the early '80s, says Dr.Thomas Abraham, head of a leading communityorganization, noting their record success in 2020elections across the United States.

"In the early 80s, there were two city council membersfrom the Indian American community in small towns -a remarkable achievement then," said Abraham,founder president and current chairman of the GlobalOrganization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).

"From those days we have traveled a long way to winmany positions in several states, including the vicepresidency of the US," he said at a virtual celebrationhonoring the newly elected members to various statelegislatures.

Held over Zoom Friday, November 20 the event washosted by GOPIO chapters (Manhattan, New York,Central New York, Connecticut, Central Jersey andVirginia) and the Indian American Impact Fund(IMPACT). The program was streamed live though TheIndus TV, PIO TV and UNI TV all over the world.

Two Republicans and 13 Democrats elected to 11 statelegislatures recounted their experiences with formerKansas State Representative Raj Goyle, a co-founder ofIMPACT, moderating the discussion.

It feels like he was elected 10,000 years ago in 2006when he was 31, said Goyle calling it an emotional thingnoting there were just about 10 Indian families in thedistrict at that time.

The community worked for the level of successreached this year, he said. "We expected it," added Goylenoting the IMPACT fund raised a war chest of $10million for the community's campaigns.

Impact Executive Director Neil Makhija providedinformation on the functioning of IMPACT andsuggested potential candidates fill up the form at theIMPACT website to get its help.

Deepak Raj, the other IMPACT co-founder, recountedhow IMPACT was born after he met Goyle in 2008 anddiscussed how to get more Indians elected. It was Rajwho wrote the first check for the organization.

"As a broad-based community organization, we atGOPIO want to provide a bipartisan platform to allIndian American elected lawmakers," Abraham said.He hoped "this will motivate more Indian Americans tojoin the political leadership process - especially youngIndian Americans."

Dr. Nikil Saval, Democrat, a writer and communityorganizer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, describedhis fight in the Senate District 1 to dislodge a three-termincumbent.

The first Indian American elected to thePennsylvania legislature, Saval said he raised moneyfrom 5,000 people, with about 500 volunteers working tomeet the voters.

Connecticut Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan,Democrat, elected from the 2nd District noted hisGuyanese and Irish Catholic origins. This is his secondterm and he has plans to run for US Congress in thefuture.

Harry Arora, Republican, elected to ConnecticutHouse 151st District for a second term, expressed his joyto meet with people with similar background as hisown. Niraj Antani, 29, a Republican who in 2014 becamethe youngest member of the Ohio State House, has beenelected this year as Ohio's first Indian American statesenator from District 6. He described the journey hisparents took from India and his own achievements.

Attorney and professor Jay Chaudhuri, a Democratwho in 2016 became the first Indian American statesenator in North Carolina, spoke about his work andthe voters' confidence in him that saw him re-elected toa third term.

Immigration attorney Nima Kulkarni, Democrat,who was elected to Kentucky House from the 40thDistrict, said there are only a handful of Indians in theconstituency. She defeated a 22-year incumbent.

Padma Kuppa, Democrat, who was re-elected from theMichigan House's 41st District, takes pride in herHindu heritage. An engineer by profession, she was alsohappy to have two more Indians in the Michiganlegislature.

Ranjeev Puri, a Democrat elected from District 21,noted his Sikh heritage and his plans to improve the lifeof his constituents.

Dr. Shri Thanedar, 65, Democrat, elected from 3rdDistrict, noted he ran for Michigan governor in 2018winning 18 percent votes.

This time, Thanedar, an entrepreneur and scientistwith a PhD in chemistry, ran from Detroit, where 90percent of the voters are African American. He plans tohelp the African American community membersbecome entrepreneurs and thus create a new Black WallStreet in Detroit.

Jenifer Rajkumar, 38, Democrat, an attorney andprofessor, noted a few records she has created. The firstSouth Asian woman and Hindu elected to the New YorkState House, she defeated a 11-year incumbent.

Latha Mangipudi, a Democrat elected to NewHampshire House's 35th District for a fifth term, saidshe shares her Indian culture in her talks and thatmainstream people appreciate it.

She also coined the term 'Idli Caucus' to describeSouth Indian representatives as US House member RajaKrishnamoorthy has nicknamed Indian Americanlawmakers in the US Congress as the 'Samosa Caucus.'

Kesha Ram, Democrat, the first woman of colorelected to Vermont State House and later Senate notedher Hindu/Jewish ancestry. She became a HouseRepresentative in 2008 when she was only 21.

Dr. Amish Shah, a Democrat re-elected to ArizonaState House, joined the meeting in scrubs since he wasworking at the hospital. His district includes parts ofPhoenix. He spoke about his work for the communityand also how the state is changing from red to blue.

Dr. Tushar Patel, GOPIO Health Council Chair, saidthat GOPIO chapters would be enablers in promotingcommunity involvement, especially the youngsters, inthe political process.

In closing remarks GOPIO-Manhattan PresidentShivender Sofat, urged the community to join GOPIOInternational or any of its chapters.

18THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020US

INDIAN AMERICANSHAVE COME A LONG

WAY IN POLITICS GOPIO, IMPACT celebrate community's record

success in 2020 elections Celebration organizers (from top left clockwise): Raj Goyle, Dr.Thomas Abraham, Deepak Raj and Dr. Tushar Patel

22THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020INDIA

Sushil Modinominated for RS

bypoll

The BJP on November 27nominated former Bihar DeputyCM Sushil Kumar Modi as its

candidate for Rajya Sabha bypoll.While the leader’s election to the UpperHouse is almost certain, the decisionhas sparked speculation about aCabinet reshuffle in near future.

The former Bihar deputy CM isbelieved to be among the topcontenders for vacancies in the ModiCabinet for which names of severalleaders, including JyotiradityaScindia, are doing the rounds. It is saidsome new faces may be inducted fromWest Bengal, Andhra Pradesh,Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab,Uttarakhand, Assam and UttarPradesh in the expansion expected“sometime in December”. Someministers from these states may also bedropped, it is said. A seat had fallenvacant following the death of LJP’sRam Vilas Paswan.

Internationalflights to remain

suspended tillDecember 31

The Centre on Thursday, Nov 26,extended the suspension ofscheduled commercial

international flight operations to andfrom India till December 31.

"This restriction will not apply to theinternational all-cargo operations andflights specifically approved by theDGCA (Directorate General of CivilAviation)," an official statement said onThursday. "However, internationalscheduled flights may be allowed onselect routes by the competent authorityon a case-to-case basis," it added.

At present, India has entered into 'AirBubble' agreements with severalcountries. This type of arrangementallows nationals of both the countries totravel in either direction. Passenger airservices were suspended on March 25due to the nationwide lockdown tocheck the spread of Covid-19. Domesticflight services, however, resumed fromMay 25.

Modi likely to laystone for new

Parliamentbuilding

Prime Minister Narendra Modi islikely to lay the foundation stonefor a new Parliament building in

the first half of December.Around five statues, including of

Mahatma Gandhi and Bhim RaoAmbedkar, in the Parliament complexare also likely to be relocatedtemporarily due to the constructionwork and they will be reinstalled atprominent places within the newcomplex once the project is completed.The new building will be constructedclose to the existing one under theCentral Vista redevelopment projectand it is expected to be completed in 21months from the start of constructionwork.

Covid cases down 50% in past 8weeks, Delhi has 61% of deaths

NEW DELHI (TIP): Providing detailsof the overall Covid-19 situation in thecountry, the Centre has informed theSupreme Court that the average casesper day have reduced by 50 percent sincethe past 8 weeks, and currently, only 2states have more than 50,000 cases,contributing almost 33 percent of theoverall active cases.

Delhi constitutes 62 percent of thenationwide active cases and 61 per cent ofthe total deaths, the apex court was told.

The Union Home Ministry emphasisedthat the Covid situation in the country isbeing constantly monitored by the Officeof the Prime Minister.

And, on November 11, the CabinetSecretary also reviewed the Covid-19situation in eight states/UTs includingNCT of Delhi, and emphasised oneffective dissemination of ICE campaign,strict implementation of guidelines forCovid appropriate behaviour and rigor ofcontainment measures, it said.

In this meeting, it was found that Delhiis broadly lagging on various counts foreffective Covid-19 management, theMinistry said.

These shortcomings led to a massiveincrease in the Covid infection and theincreasing strain on the capacity ofmedical infrastructure in the hospitalswith the National Capital Territory, itsaid. As a consequence, the Union HomeMinister was constrained to call anotherreview meeting on November 15, where

he reviewed the Covid19 situation inDelhi, it added.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in anaffidavit, said currently 10 statescontribute almost 77 per cent of theactive case load in the country. These are:Maharashtra (18.9 per cent), Kerala(14.7), Delhi (8.5), West Bengal (5.7),Karnataka (5.6), Uttar Pradesh (5.4),Rajasthan (5.5), Chhattisgarh (5.0),Haryana (4.7) and Andhra Pradesh (3.1).

"Our case fatality rate remains low at1.46 per cent, when compared to a globalaverage of 2.36 per cent. We stand at atotal death count of 0.13 million," said theaffidavit.

The MHA said it will continue makingefforts to bring the CFR (case fatalityrate) down to less than 1 per cent, andaccelerate efforts in reducing thepositivity rate, which stands at 6.9 percent, and India is now testing, on anaverage, almost 1.1 million samplesdaily.

It submitted that as on November 24, atotal of 15,454 dedicated Covid treatmentfacilities with 1,54,6983 dedicatedisolation beds (including 2,67,886 101oxygen supported beds) have beenidentified. Also, a total of 79,005 ICUbeds (including 40,183 ventilator beds)have been earmarked in these facilities.

Rahul Gandhi, Bengalleaders discuss Left-Cong

alliance for 2021 pollsKOLKATA (TIP): Senior

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi onFriday, Nov 27, held a virtualmeeting with Bengal unit leadersand discussed various aspects ofthe party's alliance with the LeftFront for 2021 Assembly elections.

According to the state Congressleadership, Gandhi enquiredabout the seat-sharing dealbetween the two parties.

During the meeting, the entirestate Congress leadershipfavoured the party's alliance withthe Left, but opinions of seniormembers differed over seat-sharing.

Some members said that theparty should take a cue from thejust-concluded polls in Bihar,where it managed to win only 19out of the 70 seats it contested,before arriving at any decision.

We have told Rahul Gandhi jithat the entire state unit is keenon forging an alliance with theLeft, but seat-sharing talks wereyet to start. The Left-Congressalliance in Bengal is the bestpossible option for defeating theTMC and the BJP," a senior partyleader said.

Another leader, who was also apart of the meeting, said, "Somewere of the opinion that the partyhad contested 92 seats during the2016 polls, and the numbershouldn't go down this time.Others said it would be wise to

concentrate on areas where theparty has a significant supportbase."

Both Rahul Gandhi and generalsecretary (organisation) KCVenugopal gave the state unitleaders a patient hearing and gaveassurances that they wouldapprise party president SoniaGandhi about the development, headded.

In 2016, both the Left and theCongress had fought together andbagged 76 seats in the 294-memberassembly. The CPI(M)-led LeftFront later walked out of thealliance.

During the 2019 Lok Sabhapolls, the two sides failed to reachan agreement on seat sharing.After their dismal performancelast year, with the Congressbagging two Lok Sabha seats andthe CPI(M) drawing a blank, thetwo sides have now decided tostitch an alliance again for 2021polls, likely to be held in April-May.

Bibi Jagir Kaur elected asSGPC president

AMRITSAR (TIP): Former Punjab minister and BholathMLA Bibi Jagir Kaur was on Friday, Nov 27, elected theShiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president atthe annual general house meeting at Teja Singh SamundariHall, the headquarters of the apex gurdwara body, inAmritsar.

Elected as the SGPC chief for the third time, Jagir Kaur, astaunch Badal loyalist, replaces Gobind Singh Longowal,who had faced criticism over the 328 missing copies(saroops) of Guru Granth Sahib. Kaur had become the firstwoman to be elected to the post in March 1999. She held thepost till November 2000. Her second tenure was fromSeptember 2004 to November 2005.

A day after SGPC members owing allegiance to the SAD,which has a majority in the SGPC general house, authorisedits president Sukhbir Singh Badal to choose the name of thepresident, other office-bearers and 11 members of theexecutive committee, the annual poll session was held.

Former SGPC acting president Alwinderpal SinghPakhoke proposed Jagir Kaur’s name for the top post. Themembers of the opposition, however, proposed the name ofMithu Singh Kahne Ke as their candidate. As a result, votingwas conducted with ballot papers. Jagir Kaur got 122 of thetotal 143 votes cast and was declared elected, while one votewas cancelled.

Newly elected SGPC chief Babi Jagir Kaur with her supporters inAmritsar.

23THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020INDIA

J&K goes to pollsfirst time after

Article 370abrogation

For the first time after theabrogation of Article 370 and thereorganisation of erstwhile state

Jammu and Kashmir, the unionterritory is going to the polls onSaturday, Nov 28.

Apart from being the first electionsince August 5, 2019, what makes theseelections stand out is the formation ofthe Gupkar alliance ahead of theelections and the exchange of barbsbetween Gupkar leaders and BJPleaders ahead of the election.

National Conference, PeoplesDemocratic Party, Communist Party ofIndia (M), Jammu and KashmirPeople’s Conference, PeoplesMovement, Awami NationalConference came together to form analliance with Farooq Abdullah as thepresident and Mehbooba Mufti thevice president of the coalition. TheBJP has slammed the coalition as anti-national and questioned the Congresson its stand regarding the agenda ofthe alliance.

HC terms BMCaction ‘illegal’,

asks Kangana to‘exercise restraint’

Adivision bench of the Bombayhigh court, on Friday, Nov 27,struck down a September 9

order issued by the BrihanmumbaiMunicipal Corporation to demolishseveral unauthorised alterations madeby actor Kangana Ranaut at her PaliHill bungalow in Bandra (West).

The bench of justices SJ Kathawallaand Riyaz Chagla held that the civicaction was “actuated by malafides”and accepted the actor’s claim seekingcompensation for damage caused bythe illegal action. The bench said thatthe actor is justified in claimingdamages in view of the law laid downby the Supreme Court in the SunbeamHightech Developers case, where thecourt held that it can awardcompensation where demolition wascarried out illegally, even if thestructure was unauthorized.

72% Of BulletTrain Contracts

For IndianCompanies

Seventy-two per cent of contractsof the bullet train project betweenMumbai and Ahmedabad will be

undertaken by domestic firms as partof the railways' efforts to boost''Aatmanirbhar Bharat'', Chairman andCEO of the Railway Board V K Yadavsaid on Friday, Nov 27,. Most of thehigh value technical work like laying ofbridges and tunnels will be handled byIndian contractors, while Japanesefirms will handle works related tosignalling, telecom and rolling stock,he said at a webinar organised by theAssociated Chambers of Commerce ofIndia (ASSOCHAM).

Farm laws: After clashes, tear gas,protesting farmers reach Delhi

NEW DELHI (TIP): Thousands ofagitating farmers, after braving watercannons and clashing with securitypersonnel, on Friday, Nov 28, reachedDelhi’s Burari ground after policeallowed them to hold peaceful protests.The farmers, who were part of the ‘DelhiChalo’ march against the Centre’s threefarm laws, were escorted to the nationalcapital by the police amid tight security.

Union agriculture minister NarendraSingh Tomar on Friday reiterated hisinvitation for talks on December 3 toresolves differences. Tomar had onThursday assured that the talk will havea positive outcome as he appealed to thefarmers to not agitate.

Delhi Police agreed to let the farmersstage a peaceful protest inside the Capitalafter initially blocking them on theoutskirts and firing tear gas and watercannon at them. They allowed thefarmers to hold their protest at northDelhi’s Nirankari Ground - one of thebiggest grounds in the national capital.However, farmers gathered at the Singhuborder have not entered the city so far.

The agitating farmers were let in soonafter Delhi Police commissioner SNShrivastava announced that they will beallowed to enter and continue with theirdemonstration peacefully at theNirankari Samagam Ground in the city’sBurari area. “They will have thepermission to protest at the NirankariSamagam Ground in the Burari area,”Shrivastava was quoted as saying bynews agency ANI.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal)president Balbir Singh Rajewal said that

the farmers were headed to the Burariground after their demand to hold theirprotest at the Ramlila Ground wasrejected by the Delhi Police. “We’vecrossed about 10 barriers on our way.We’re thankful to the administration forgiving us permission to protest. We’rehappy and only want a peacefulresolution to the issue,” a farmer toldANI.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Police usedtear gas at the Singhu border to dispersethe protesting farmers who were tryingto head towards the national capital.Farmers also pelted stones at police andbroke barricades in an attempt to enterDelhi amid heavy deployment. Plumes ofsmoke were seen as security personnelused multiple rounds of tear gas todisperse the protesting farmers at thisborder. The marching farmers clashedwith police at the Tikri border and alsotried to remove a truck, which was placed

as a barricade, by tying it to a tractorwith the help of a chain.

Punjab chief minister AmarinderSingh welcomed the move to allow theagitating farmers to enter Delhi andcontinue with their stir. Singh alsorenewed his appeal to the Centre toinitiate talks with the farmers to resolvethe issue that has been raging for overtwo months now.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saidthat no government in the world can stopthem from fighting the ‘battle of truth’.“The PM should have remembered thatwhenever the ego hits the truth, it isdefeated. No government in the world canstop the farmers fighting the battle fortruth. The Modi government has toaccept the demands of the farmers andblack laws will have to be withdrawn.This is only the beginning!”?Gandhi’stweet roughly translated from Hindiread.

India’s first Organ Donor Memorial open for public in Jaipur By Dr Yash Goyal

JAIPUR (TIP): India's 1st OrganDonor Memorial to make awareness andenthusiasm in General Public forcadaver transplant opened in Pink City'sCentral Park here.

Coinciding with the National OrganDonation Day today, the 27th November,the Memorial built by an NGO : MohanFoundation Jaipur Citizen Forum(MFJCF) jointly with the JaipurMunicipal Corporation depicts humanlife looking at 'Cosmic Heavens inGratitude, Sacrifice, Compassion andLove".

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot opened itfor public eyes through a virtualplatform from his CMR. Anyone passingthrough SMS hospital and Prithvi Rajroad can view its importance and readnames of donors.

Names of donors whose cadavertransplant saved the lives of 120 seriouspatients from Rajasthan, Mumbai andDelhi have been etched on thememorial.

The structure built in stones is in theform of a sculpture inspired by Jaipur'sancient Jantar Mantar .

"This is not important how much itcost us; the importance is of Navjeevan(new life) after cadaver transplant. Thesculpture emphasizes Ek Khamoshi,Anek Muskan, Aao Karein Angdan",promoting the mission to educatepeople on organ donation Rajiv Arora,Founder Chairman of MFJCF told TheIndian Panorama.

"Rajasthan has reported so far 38donor who had given their vital organslike heart, liver, kidneys, lungs,pancreas, and since 2015, 38 familieshave donated organs of their near anddear ones after being declared braindead", according to Mr Arora.

A government data indicates that sofar 69 patients received kidney, 33 liver,19 heart, one each of lung and pancreas,12 cornea, and 2 heart valves.

Sameer Wheaton and Bhavna havedesigned and crafted it. Mohit, a

resident of Alwar, was the first whodonated his organs in 2015.

"Do not take your organs to heaven.Heaven believe that they are needed onearth, this is the message from thismemorial to reach masses", MFJCForganizers convey to public.

On the eve of National Organ Day, allimportant historical buildings inJaipur city like Hawa Mahal, AmberFort, Albert Hall have been illuminatedwith green color decoration lights as asymbol of organ donation.

India's first donor memorial.

Photo / Dinesh Bagra - photojournalist

South Korea agency saysNorth Korea executed

people, shut PyongyangSEOUL (TIP): North Korean leader

Kim Jong Un has ordered at least twopeople executed, banned fishing at seaand locked down capital Pyongyang aspart of frantic efforts to guard againstthe coronavirus and its economicdamage, South Korea's spy agency toldlawmakers on Friday.

Kim’s government also ordereddiplomats overseas to refrain from anyacts that could provoke the UnitedStates as it’s worried about President-elect Joe Biden’s possible newapproach on North Korea, lawmakerstold reporters after attending a privatebriefing by the National IntelligenceService. One of the lawmakers, HaTae-keung, cited the NIS as saying Kimis displaying “an excessive anger” andtaking “irrational measures” over thepandemic and its economic impact.

Ha said the NIS told lawmakers thatNorth Korea executed a high-profilemoney changer in Pyongyang lastmonth after holding the personresponsible for a falling exchange rate.

He quoted the NIS as saying thatNorth Korea also executed a keyofficial in August for violatinggovernment regulations restrictinggoods brought from abroad. The twopeople weren’t identified.

“North Korea has also bannedfishing and salt production at sea toprevent seawater from being infectedwith the virus,” the NIS toldlawmakers. North Korea recentlyplaced Pyongyang and northernJanggang province under lockdownover virus concerns. Earlier thismonth, it imposed lockdown measuresin other areas where officials foundunauthorised goods were brought in,Ha cited the NIS as saying.

North Korea also made anunsuccessful hacking attempt on atleast one South Koreanpharmaceutical company that wastrying to develop coronavirus vaccine,the NIS said.

The agency has a mixed record inconfirming developments in NorthKorea, one of the world’s mostsecretive nations. The NIS said itcouldn’t immediately confirm thelawmakers’ comments. North Koreahas maintained it hasn’t found a singlevirus case on its soil, a claim disputedby outside experts, though it says it’smaking all-out efforts to prevent thespread of the coronavirus.

A major outbreak could have direconsequences because the North’shealth care system remains crippledand suffers from a chronic lack ofmedical supplies. The pandemicforced North Korea to seal its borderwith China, its biggest tradingpartner and aid benefactor, in June.The closure, along with a series ofnatural disasters over the summer,has dealt a heavy blow to the North’seconomy, which has been underpunishing US-led sanctions. AP

24THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020WORLD

Over 100 mn doses of Russia'sSputnik V Covid-19 vaccine to be

produced in IndiaRequests for more than 1.2 billion doses of Sputnik V vaccine have come from over 50 countriesDELHI / MOSCOW/ NEW YORK

(TIP): Russian Direct Investment Fund(RDIF) and pharma firm Hetero haveagreed to produce over 100 million dosesper year in India of the Sputnik Vvaccine against COVID-19, Russia'ssovereign wealth fund said in astatement.

The parties intend to start theproduction of Sputnik V in thebeginning of 2021, it added.

Currently, Phase III clinical trials areapproved and are ongoing in Belarus, theUAE, Venezuela and other countries, aswell as Phase II-III in India, RDIF said.

In October, domestic pharma major DrReddy's Laboratories and RDIF hadreceived approval from the DrugsController General of India (DCGI) toconduct an adaptive phase II/III humanclinical trial for Sputnik V vaccine inIndia.

Requests for more than 1.2 billiondoses of Sputnik V vaccine came fromover 50 countries. The vaccine suppliesfor the global market will be produced byRDIF's international partners in India,Brazil, China, South Korea and other

countries, RDIF said."We are delighted to announce the

agreement between RDIF and Heterothat will pave the way to production ofthe safe and highly effective Sputnik Vvaccine on Indian soil," Russian DirectInvestment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitrievsaid.

The vaccine's interim clinical trialresults show 95 per cent efficacy on the42nd day after the first dose, he added.

"Thanks to our cooperation with

Hetero, we will be able to significantlyincrease production capacity andprovide people of India with an efficientsolution in this challenging period of thepandemic," Dmitriev said.

The Gamaleya Center and RDIF onTuesday had announced that the efficacyof its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine isover 95 per cent and the cost of one doseof the shot for international markets willbe less than USD 10 (around Rs 740).

"We are pleased to collaborate withRDIF as a manufacturing partner for themost anticipated Sputnik V vaccine for...COVID-19. While we look forward to theclinical trial results in India, we believethat manufacturing the product locallyis crucial to enable swift access topatients," Hetero Labs InternationalMarketing Director B Murali KrishnaReddy said.

Meanwhile, on Monday, pharma majorAstraZeneca had said an interimanalysis of clinical trials of its COVID-19vaccine in the UK and Brazil showed thatit was 70 per cent effective on average.

(Source: PTI)

Over 100 mn doses of Russia's Sputnik VCovid-19 vaccine to be produced in India -Photo for representational purpose only

Japan spacecraft carrying asteroid soil samples nears homeTOKYO (TIP): A Japanese spacecraft

is nearing Earth after a yearlong journeyhome from a distant asteroid with soilsamples and data that could provideclues to the origins of the solar system, aspace agency official said on Friday.

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft left theasteroid Ryugu, about 300 millionkilometers (180 million miles) fromEarth, a year ago and is expected toreach Earth and drop a capsulecontaining the precious samples insouthern Australia on December 6.

Scientists at the Japan AerospaceExploration Agency believe the samples,especially those taken from under theasteroid's surface, contain valuable dataunaffected by space radiation and otherenvironmental factors.

Makoto Yoshikawa, a Hayabusa2project mission manager, said scientistsare especially interested in analyzingorganic materials in the Ryugu soilsamples.

“Organic materials are origins of lifeon Earth, but we still don(asterisk)tknow where they came from,”Yoshikawa said. “We are hoping to findclues to the origin of life on Earth byanalyzing details of the organicmaterials brought back by Hayabusa2."JAXA, the space agency, plans to drop thecapsule containing the samples onto aremote, sparsely populated area inAustralia from 220,000 kilometres(136,700 miles) away in space, a bigchallenge requiring precision control.

The capsule, protected by a heat shield,

will turn into a fireball during re-entryin the atmosphere at 200 kilometers (125miles) above ground.

At about 10 kilometers (6 miles) aboveground, a parachute will open to preparefor landing, and beacon signals will betransmitted to indicate its location.

JAXA staff have set up satellite dishesat several locations in the target area tocatch the signals, while also preparingmarine radar, drones and helicopters toassist in the search and retrievalmission.

Without those measures, a search forthe pan-shaped capsule with a diameterof 40 centimeters (15 inches) "would be

an extremely difficult," Yoshikawa toldreporters.

For Hayabusa2, it's not the end of themission it started in 2014. After droppingthe capsule, it will return to space andhead to another distant small asteroidcalled 1998KY26 on a journey slated totake 10 years.

Hayabusa2 touched down on Ryugutwice, despite its extremely rockysurface, and successfully collected dataand samples during the 1½ years after itarrived there in June 2018.

In the first touchdown in February2019, it collected surface dust samples. InJuly, it collected underground samplesfrom the asteroid for the first time inspace history after landing in a craterthat it had earlier created by blasting theasteroid's surface.

Scientists said there are traces ofcarbon and organic matter in theasteroid soil samples. JAXA hopes tofind clues to how the materials aredistributed in the solar system and arerelated to life on Earth.

Asteroids, which orbit the sun but aremuch smaller than planets, are amongthe oldest objects in the solar system andtherefore may help explain how Earthevolved.

It took the spacecraft 3½ years toarrive at Ryugu, but the journey homewas much shorter because of the currentlocations of Ryugu and Earth.

Ryugu in Japanese means “DragonPalace,” the name of a sea-bottom castlein a Japanese folk tale. — AP

25THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020WORLD

Suspected Iranian nuclear mastermindFakhrizadeh assassinated near Tehran

DUBAI (TIP): An Iranian scientistlong suspected by the West ofmasterminding a secret nuclear bombprogramme was killed in an ambushnear Tehran on Friday, likely to provokeconfrontation between Iran and its foesin the last weeks of Donald Trump’spresidency.

The military adviser to IranianSupreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneivowed to strike against the killers ofMohsen Fakhrizadeh, who died ofinjuries in hospital after armedassassins fired on his car, state mediareported.

“We will strike as thunder at thekillers of this oppressed martyr and willmake them regret their action,” tweetedHossein Dehghan, also a militarycommander.

Fakhrizadeh has long been describedby Western countries as a leader of acovert atomic bomb programme haltedin 2003, which Israel and the UnitedStates accuse Tehran of trying to restorein secret. Iran has long denied seeking toweaponise nuclear energy.

“Unfortunately, the medical team didnot succeed in reviving (Fakhrizadeh),and a few minutes ago, this manager andscientist achieved the high status ofmartyrdom after years of effort andstruggle,” Iran’s armed forces said in astatement carried by state media.

Semi-official news agency Tasnim said

“terrorists blew up another car” beforefiring on a vehicle carrying Fakhrizadehand his bodyguards in an ambushoutside the capital.

Whoever is responsible for the attack,it is certain to escalate tension betweenIran and the United States in the finalweeks of Trump’s US presidency.

Trump, who lost his re-election bid onNovember 3 and leaves office on January20, has repeatedly accused Iran ofsecretly seeking nuclear weapons.Trump pulled the United States out of adeal under which sanctions on Iran were

lifted in return for curbs on its nuclearprogramme. President-elect Joe Bidenhas said he would restore it.

A US official confirmed earlier thismonth that Trump had sought frommilitary aides a plan for a possible strikeon Iran, but had decided against it at thattime.

Fakhrizadeh is thought to have headedwhat the UN nuclear watchdog and USintelligence services believe was acoordinated nuclear weaponsprogramme in Iran, shelved in 2003.

He was the only Iranian scientist

named in the International AtomicEnergy Agency’s 2015 “final assessment”of open questions about Iran’s nuclearprogramme.

Amad plan

The IAEA’s report said that he oversawactivities “in support of a possiblemilitary dimension to (Iran’s) nuclearprogramme” within the so-called AMADPlan.

Israeli Prime Minister BenajminNetanyahu said in a 2018 presentationaccusing Iran of continuing to seeknuclear weapons that Fakhrizadeh wasstill working within Iran’s DefenceMinistry on “special projects”.

“Remember that name, Fakhrizadeh,”Netanyahu said at the time.

On Friday before the news of theattack on Fakhrizadeh emerged, anIsraeli official said Israel was discussingwith and Gulf Arab states how to tackleIran.

“The story is not Trump, nor evenIsrael. The story is Iran - the growingdread that a new U.S. administration willgo back to the nuclear deal whichthreatens the very existence of the Gulfcountries,” Tzachi Hanegbi, who sits inNetanyahu’s security cabinet, told TelAviv radio station 102 FM. “We will knowhow to handle the issue of the Iranianthreat, even if through our own means.”--- Reuters

Pope backs Argentine women’sopposition to abortion Bill

UK PM warns of New Year lockdown as hedefends new tier system

ROME (TIP): Pope Francis isencouraging Argentine women who areprotesting a proposed new law to legaliseabortion, saying the protection of life isabove all a matter of human ethics.

In the letter to the women datedNovember 22, the Argentine pope wrote:“Is it fair to eliminate a human life tosolve a problem? Is it fair to hire a hitman to solve a problem?” After Francis’handwritten letter circulated on socialmedia this week, the news portal of theHoly See confirmed Francis’intervention on Friday.

Vatican News said Francis wasresponding to a group of women fromthe shantytowns of Buenos Aires wherehe used to minister who have organisedin recent years to oppose efforts todecriminalise abortion.

In the letter, Francis thanked thewomen for their activism andencouraged them, saying “the country isproud to have women like you”.

President Alberto Fernandezannounced earlier this month that hewould present a Bill to legalise abortion,saying it would save lives by preventingwomen from resorting to unsafe,clandestine procedures.

Francis’ native country currentlycriminalises abortion except in the caseof rape or risk to the mother’s health.

Fernandez campaigned on promises hewould propose legislation to legalise it,but the coronavirus pandemic delayedmovement on the proposal until thismonth.

Francis has strongly upheld Catholicdoctrine forbidding abortion,denouncing it as part of today’s“throwaway culture” that doesn’trespect the dignity of the unborn, theweak or elderly. He has, however, offereda merciful approach to women who haveresorted to abortion, allowing merepriests and not just bishops to absolvethem if they seek forgiveness. AP

LONDON (TIP): UK Prime MinisterBoris Johnson was on Friday fightingback rebels from within his ownConservative Party who are opposed tomost of England being put into thetoughest two tiers of high COVID-19 alertafter the country's second stay-at-homelockdown ends next Wednesday.

In a Downing Street briefing onThursday after he ended his self-isolationon being in contact with a COVID-19positive MP, Johnson defended the three-tier system as the best chance of avoidinga third complete national lockdown in theNew Year.“If we ease off now, we risklosing control of this virus all over again,casting aside our hard-won gains, andforcing us back into a New Year nationallockdown with all the damage that wouldmean,” said Johnson.

“Under our Winter Plan, England willreturn to a tiered system of localrestrictions. Our decisions on which areaenters which tier are based on publichealth advice according to five indicators:cases across all ages, especially the over60s, the rate by which cases are rising orfalling, the percentage of those tested in alocal population who have COVID-19, andthe pressure on the NHS,” he said.

However, the COVID Recovery Group(CRG), made up of Tory backbencherswithin his party, said it was

“authoritarianism at work”.“There is no logic whatsoever in having

a month of lockdown only for people tohave to live under an even more severe setof restrictions afterwards,” said HarriettBaldwin, the Tory MP for WestWorcestershire, which has been placed inTier 2.

Johnson has a comfortable 80-strongmajority in the House of Commons but if40 of his own MPs vote down his WinterPlan when it comes for a vote nextTuesday, he will have to rely on supportfrom the Opposition to get it through.

And, the Labour Party is expected todecide only early next week whether toback the plans after consultation withgovernment coronavirus experts.

Under plans laid out in the Commonson Thursday, only three areas of England– Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and Isles ofScilly – have been placed into the lowestTier 1 or the medium restrictionscategory, with most of England either inTier 2 or 3.

Under the highest Tier 3 alert level,there is a complete ban on mixing ofhouseholds except in limited outdoorsettings. For Tier 2, the rule of six applieswith up to six members of differenthouseholds allowed to meet outdoors andunder Tier 1, the rule of six applies bothindoors and outdoors. PTI

26THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020GURPURB SPECIAL

GURU NANAK AND HISRELEVANCE TODAY

When Guru Nanak cameinto this world, humanitywas in the midst of

coming out of the realm ofprimitive homo sapiens, that washitherto the animal world.

In their history, the people ofthat century were waking up fromawful nightmares of animal life.As characteristic of human form,people were always engaged infighting for food as the famineswere the order of the day. Peopleoften lacked abilities to fighthunger and disease, and humanitywas faced with those awfulcalamities on a regular basis.Their physical survival waschallenged daily.

Basically, men were there tohunt for food and protect thefamily, while women were thereonly for bearing children.

It took thousands of yearsbefore those dreams of primitivetimes were coming to an end. Now,at the time of Guru Nanak, peoplewere out of the dangers that theanimal world faced, although theirlives were still in the hands ofhomo-sapiens biology in theirthinking. The people were onlysluggishly advancing in theirintellectual abilities along withtaking care of their biologicalevolution.

With time, humanity was on itsway to manage to rein on famine,plagues, or even heart diseasesand some cancers. However, theirminds would continue beingoverpowered by animal-likeemotional tendencies. In thedescription of the human mind,Guru would still describe thecondition of human beings as,

psU mwxs cMim plyty AMdrhu kwilAw]SGGS p. 1284

The human beings are nothingmore than beasts, wrapped up inhuman skin; their minds wereblackened within (with animalinstincts).

Religions and ReligiositiesBefore Guru Nanak

According to the Sikhtheologian of the highest repute,Bhai Gurudas, as soon as humanbeings came out of the animalworld, they began withformulating religions. Peoplesinvented religions that dividedthem, causing disputes and fightsamong and between the followers

of both Judeo-Christian Religionsof the West and Dharmic religionsof Asia.

Thus, when Guru Nanak cameto this world, paths toenlightenment were devoid ofdivinity; they were completelydistorted towards unholy goals ofthe exploiters of people. Thereligious institutions had devisedbeauty shows with religiouspractices that were intended toattract innocent minds. Forexample, they invented deitieswith accompanying stories, idolswith descriptions of their powers,recitations to invoke imaginarydeities, and rituals that buttressedeach other.

Clergies asked people to erectstunning buildings to house godsand promised accessibility to godsat precise times and places openedonly through the expense ofwealth, time, and inner energy.Altruism was perverted so that itonly benefited clerics, their agents,and their business.

A class of religious leadersroutinely concocted religiouspractices to thrust on people toserve many unholy interests.These interests were mutuallysupportive and were successful indesigning a variety of concealedtricks to fool people who wereseeking salvation.

Religious institutions werebuilding cults of external marksand body wrappings to encouragemurders and wars against thosewho did not toe the line, or whowere members of competingenterprises.

Many other tricks wereemployed to speed a religion'sinstitutional agendas. Forexample, miracles were inventedto convert people and influencehuman behaviors. The religiousmyths were invented to answerreal questions and thensafeguarded those miracles andmyths by un-testable threats andpromises.

People were asked to invest amassive amount of wealth, time,and mind in ritualistic illusionsand also in corrupted beliefs suchas, either converting others orserving clergy with wealth andflesh that would guaranteeheavens no one had ever seen.

Above all, the self-appointedclerics used horrific fears toensure compliance with all theirtricks.

Guru Nanak Began HisMinistry

Guru Nanak came out of hisenlightening meditation at theVein River with fervent zeal to

spread what he said wasinspiration from the ONE Creator.He then taught that human lifewas a result of the millions ofyears of history as well theexperience from numerous lifecycles of birth and death of theirconsciousness.

In the very first stanza of hisvery first composition JAP, GuruNanak warned against religiosityconsisting of practices promotedby the clergy class.

Liberation Not After-LifeBefore Guru Nanak, and

continued to date, we are told tolook forward to achieving thegoals of eternal peace andspiritual heights to be awarded inthe next life, the life after the deathof human existence. Both Judo-Christian religion of the west andDharmic religions of the Eastpromised the life of the fulfillmentin the heavens reached only afterdeath. Guru Nanak refused toaccept that.

mUey hUey jau mukiq dyhugy mukiq n jwnYkoielw] SGGS p. 1292

If You award me the salvationfrom all pains after I am dead, noone will know that I am liberated.

Throughout history, religionsand ideologies did not sanctify lifeitself. They always sanctifiedsomething above or beyondearthly existence and wereconsequently quite tolerant ofdeath. Indeed, some of them havebeen downright fond of the GrimReaper. Because Christianity,Islam, and Hinduism insisted that

the meaning of our existencedepended on our fate in theafterlife, they viewed death as avital and positive part of the life.Humans died because God decreedit, and their moment of death wasa sacred metaphysical experienceexploding with meaning to berealized after death.

When a human was about tobreathe his last, this was the timeto call Brahmans, priests, rabbis,Sikh granthis and shamans, todraw out the balance of life, and toembrace one's true role in theuniverse. Just try to imagineChristianity, Islam, or Hinduismin a world without death - which isalso a world without heaven, hell,or reincarnation.

Modern science and modernculture have an entirely differenttake on life and death. They do notthink of death as a metaphysicalmystery, and they certainly do notview death as the source of life'smeaning. Rather, for modernpeople, death is a technicalproblem that the scientists oftoday are trying to solve, as peopledo not want to die to get rewardsfor their good deeds. Lengtheningthe human lifespan is a majorthrust of scientific research today.We have already tripled humanlife span since the times of GuruNanak.

In reality, however, humans donot die because the rewards andpunishments for their deeds inthis life are waiting to be fulfilled.Humans die because modernmedicine could not save them

from some biomedical glitch. Theheart stops pumping blood. Themain artery is clogged by fattydeposits. Cancerous cells spread inthe liver. Germs multiply in thelungs and elsewhere. Nothingmetaphysical about it. It is allcurrently insoluble technicalproblems. When some problemsindeed are solved, humans beginto live longer. With the advances intechnology, life expectancies areexpanding from 20 yrs. at one timeto now nearly a century in somesocieties. And life span of twocentury is within sight.

Sachiara As HumanLife objective

In the JAP composition, GuruNanak asks for becomingSachiara meaning to be truthful asthe objective of this human life. Heused the Sachiara term right inthe first stanza in the GuruGranth. Later, in the Guru'shymns, other terms such asMukta, Panch, Parvan, Pardhan,Gurmukh, are also used forachieving the same or a similargoal.

When asked as to how to achievethe human goal he prescribed,Guru Nanak answered thequestion by saying that onebecomes Sachiara essentiallywhen, under the guidance of thedivine wisdom, one succeeds insuppressing and abandoningnarcissism in favor of fullcommitment in Hukam,inculcation of the consciousnesswithin that recognizes Divineblueprint for its creation.

ikv sicAwrw hoeIAY ikv kUVY qutY pwil ]hukim rjweI clxw nwnk iliKAw nwil]1]SGGS p. 1.

How may one become Sachiara,the truthful? And how may thewall of falsehood (veil of illusion)be torn away? Says Nanak, walkon the path of Hukam, the laws ofcreation that are written in thesystems of the creation, i.e., theWay of His Will.

Hukam may be simply definedas Creator's blueprint for thecreation as well as for itsmanagement. Hukam is a self-regulative teleological principle;the purpose of which is to serverather than become the cause bywhich it may arise. Sachiarabegins to observe and appreciateHukam in the working of theliving environment as opposed toit being an illusion or imaginationand achieved after death.

(The author is Professor andChair Emeritus, University of

North Texas Health Science Center.He can be reached at

[email protected])

When Guru Nanak came to this world, paths to enlightenment were devoid of divinity; they were completely distortedtowards unholy goals of the exploiters of people. The religious institutions had devised beauty shows with religious practicesthat were intended to attract innocent minds. For example, they invented deities with accompanying stories, idols withdescriptions of their powers, recitations to invoke imaginary deities, and rituals that buttressed each other.

By Harbans Lal, PhD; D.Litt.

Guru Nanak's philosophyis grounded inhis ontological experience of Reality-that of the One infinite reality, Ikk Oan

Kar. Whether it is Being, Knowledge, Beauty,Morality,or Liberation,the philosopher Nanakapproaches these perennial issues as a poet.The word "method" is a composite of meta(after) and hodos (way) and in Guru Nanak'smethod, philosophy and poetry are not at oddswith each other. Plato may have found poetrytoo captivating and therefore banished thepoets from his Republic, but the divinelyinspired Guru tried to awaken his followersand revitalize their senses, psyche,imagination, and spirit through poetry. Acrosshis oeuvre the Guru's intimate experience ofthe infinite One is fused with his keenphilosophic pursuit towards an ever-wideningReality. As he interrogates, analyzes, criticizes,and wonders, he perfectlyillustratesWittgenstein's maxim that philosophy oughtreally to be written as one "writes a poem."

In fact Guru Nanakidentifies himself as a"poet"(shair): "my breath,my flesh,my very lifeis Yours, You are my absolute love, and this iswhat poet (sairu) Nanak says, You are our trueprovider-sasu masu sabh jio tumhara tu maikhara piara,nanaku sairu ev kahatu hai sacheparvadgara"(GGS: 660).He also calls himself a"songster" (dhadhi): "a dhadhi of low caste-haudhadhi ka nic jati (Asa di Var, 9). These self-references introduce us to a most humblepersonality; the living breathing corporealfigure is before our eyes, with each poresaturated in the Divine. He is the picture-perfect image of his supreme moral value"sweet humility, Nanak, is the core of virtuesand good deeds" (GGS: 470).

Guru Nanak's 974 hymns recorded in theGuru Granth Sahib are an extraordinaryphilosophical gift for humanity. In his spirituallyrics our magical shair-dhadhi conjoinsverbal language and musical sound. Poetry isuniversal to begin with, and set in musicalmeasures enhances their access to audienceswho may not know the language. Cosmicmelodies, sounds of nature, musicalinstruments, and biological rhythmsreverberate across Guru Nanak's mesmerizingrepertoire. Completely taken by his awarenessand love for the universal Divine the Guru hasno control over his words: "jaisi mai avekhasam ki bani taisara kari gianu ve lalo-ascomes to me the Husband's word, that is what Isay O' Lalo!" (GGS: 722).

Paradoxically, his spontaneous speech endsup being most philosophically meaningful andaesthetically effective.His melodious ensembleis full of vibrant spiritual, emotional, social,and political resonances. Each simple briefpassage is so richly packed that it can beutilized to navigate any aspect of life at anystage. Guru Nanak's timeless verse infiltratesprecise historical moments and emotions togenerate new values, new attitudes, neworientations, new social and cosmicrelationships. The Guru has gifted us aninexhaustible reservoir that diverse culturescan keep feeding on for generations. Forinstance we can draw upon the followingNanakian metapahysical, ethical, and artisticvalues:

1.For our dangerously divided and polarizedworld, what could be more valuable that GuruNanak's philosophical vision of Ikk Oan Kar -One Being Is? The primary number '1' isimmediately recognizable to people of alllanguages and cultures. The transcendentDivine is without any borders - linguistic,spatial, temporal or gender. The singularity

and unity of the Divine is reproduced over andover in his hymns. We need to get a real feel forthe oneness because without it we cannotimplement our social, political, economic, andenvironmental policies.How do we bring aboutchange in our global world today? Only whenwe align ourselves with That One will we takeconstructive steps towards equality,healthcare,education, and ecosystem.

Moreover Guru Nanak's philosophy is lifeaffirming. This world is sacred because thedivine One is everywhere. Human life isprecious "like a diamond" (hire jaisa).Therefore we must ethically live out ourdiamond like qualities. We exist authenticallyby attending to ourselves, to our familymembers,to our communities,and to the worldat large. The temporal world is a part of theInfinite One and partakes of its characteristics.The deeper our awareness of the Divine, themore vibrant is our participation in theeveryday affairs.We are grounded in our socialcontext. Guru Nanak's ideal fits in perfectlywith our secular lifestyles,for we do not need togive up our families, professions, or hobbies.Our human obligation is to refine our mental,emotional and spiritual faculties so that weconstruct a better world for all of us,and for ourfuture generations. All of us are equallyresponsible.

2) Guru Nanak's artistic language is full oflove. Without "teaching" as such, his beautifullyrics train us to appreciateand absorb thishealthy and wholesome emotion. His words gobeyond discords of Sanskrit and Arabic,polytheistic and monotheistic, eastern andwestern, ancient and modern, classical andvernacular, human and cosmic. When wefamiliarize ourselves with Allah, Khuda,Nirvana, Banvari, Hari… we sweat out toxichostilities and begin to feel the differentfeatures of our shared humanity. Differentimages and symbols from respective religiousand cultural backgrounds come togetherharmoniously in his calligraphy of love. Howcould there be communal bloodshed when weshare our universal language? Since theinfinite source is the Beloved - piara - whateverensues and however it ensues, has to be love.Multi religions and multi cultures and multilanguages sonorously play in Guru Nanak's

philosophical poetry.3) Guru Nanak charges everyone-equally to

make this world a better place for all of us. Herejected the customary four-fold division ofIndian society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas,Vaishyas, and Shudras, along with its divisionof life stages brahmacarin, grahastha,vanaprastha, and sanyasin (varna-ashrama-dharma).Diametrically opposed to the fourfoldsocietal hierarchy and its correspondingprivileges, duties, and responsibilities, hepostulates the same morality for people of allclasses, races, faiths, and ages. The Gurucategorically says that there is only oneDharam: "eko dharam" (GG: 1188). Themutually exclusive scripts that were enforcedon people simply on the basis of their biologicalbirth are obliterated. Everyone is equallyimpelled to perform their ethical dutythroughout their entire life. The Kshatriya isnot obligated to take up arms for justice,nor theWhite Man to carry out his burden. Hearing,singing, reciting, and experiencing his versesfree us from the conventional codes thatsmother self-worth and self-realization, andmotivate each one of us to actualize our humanpotential. His philosophical poeticsoffers acompelling critique of the ancient castesystem,untouchability,religious divisions,andbasic human degradation. We are inspired tofight against patriarchal "isms" of classism,ethnocentrism, racism, and sexism thatcontinue to fester our modern society.

4) He offers an exciting bridge betweenreligious studies and natural sciences, whichremain divided in our contemporary society.Recurring verses fill us with curiosity aboutour cosmos and the myriad species: "vismaddharti vismad khani - wonderful earth!Wonderful species!" (GGS: 464) The Guruushers us into a magical space where webecome epistemologically open-minded anddiscover new tracks. Similarly, "patala patallakh agasa -- worlds below worlds millions ofspheres beyond spheres" (Japji: 22) shifts ourattention from a geocentric model of theuniverse to the ultramodern view of"multiverse" (multi as distinct from universe).It is as though the Guru were offering us asneak preview of the highly sophisticatedtechnological view from the New James Webb

Space Telescope! The knowledge of infinitydestroys all kinds of limitations andprejudices, and creates an all-accepting andwelcoming attitude. Guru Nanak's verse is likeentering a planetarium: its mystery and thrillleave us wide-eyed.

Overall, Guru Nanak's poetic repertoireverse offers a sumptuous variety of images,symbols,and metaphors that have the potentialto help readers realize the countless resourcesof our common humanity.The literary devicesintegrate the intellectual faculties with theaesthetic, axiological, and emotional self.Absorbing them fosters morality.For our shair-dhadhi an aesthetic experience of theambrosial poetry was the only avenue to realchange. It would make the inner circuits andimpact external conduct. The aestheticexperience is neither antithetical to themetaphysical doctrine of Oneness, norantithetical to moral behavior; rather, it is themechanism for ethical and spiritual growth.

In the 21st century how easily we connectover Email, Twitter, Skype, WhatsApp,Facebook, Instagram… But do we connectemotionally and spiritually? Guru Nanakoffers us a strong and enduring infrastructurewith fellow beings. We remember him, weimagine him, and we praise him for breakingbarriers; innovatively and gently he guides usto envision the single Reality - timeless,formless, fearless, who cannot and must not beconfined to any sect or religion. Men andwomen of all ages, stages of life, sexualorientations, and religious backgrounds areinspired by his "magical" personality and"magical" words. They are magical for sure,precisely because they are so real, applicable,and empowering. The Guru Nanak Effectsurges across multifarious channels andmoves us to embrace fellow beings. Seeing ourself in the other is what Guru Nanak'sspiritual, philosophical, and musicalrenditions bring about. The founder Guru's551st birth anniversary is but the beginning ofexciting new encounters….

Gurpurab Mubarak!(Author of scores of books, Professor Nikky-

Guninder Kaur Singh is Chair of theDepartment &Crawford Family Professor of

Religion, Colby College, Waterville, ME. USA.)


GURU NANAK: POET PHILOSOPHER FOR OUR TIMES

"Guru Nanak offers us a strong andenduring infrastructure with fellowbeings. We remember him, we imaginehim, and we praise him for breakingbarriers; innovatively and gently he guidesus to envision the single Reality -timeless, formless, fearless, who cannotand must not be confined to any sect orreligion. Men and women of all ages,stages of life, sexual orientations, andreligious backgrounds are inspired by his"magical" personality and "magical"words. They are magical for sure,precisely because they are so real,applicable, and empowering. The GuruNanak Effect surges across multifariouschannels and moves us to embrace fellowbeings. Seeing our self in the other iswhat Guru Nanak's spiritual,philosophical, and musical renditionsbring about.”

Guru Nanak’s 974 hymns recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib are anextraordinary philosophical gift for humanity. In his spiritual lyrics our

magical shair-dhadhi conjoins verbal language and musical sound.

Each simple brief passage is so richly packed that it can be utilized tonavigate any aspect of life at any stage. Guru Nanak's timeless verse

infiltrates precise historical moments and emotions to generate new values,new attitudes, new orientations, new social and cosmic relationships.

By Dr. Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh

Guru Nanak Dev Ji has gifted us an inexhaustible reservoir that diverse cultures can keepfeeding on for generations. Guru Nanak with Mardana to his right and Bala.


GURU NANAK: THE FIRSTMASTER OF THE SIKHS

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurb or Prakash Utsav, is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism. The day marks thebirth anniversary of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. The 551st anniversary of the first Sikh master will be celebrated on Monday,

November 30, this year. The Indian Panorama wishes its readers happy Gurpurb.

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism, one ofthe youngest religions. Guru Nanak became thefirst Sikh Guru and his spiritual teachings laid

the foundation on which Sikhism was formed.Considered a religious innovator, Guru Nanak travelledacross South Asia and Middle East to spread histeachings. He advocated the existence of one God andtaught his followers that every human being can reachout to God through meditation and other piouspractices. Interestingly, Guru Nanak did not supportmonasticism and asked his followers to lead the life ofhonest householder. His teachings were immortalized inthe form of 974 hymns, which came to be known as‘Guru Granth Sahib,’ the holy text of Sikhism. Withmore than 20 million followers, Sikhism is one of theimportant religions in India.

Early LifeNanak was born into a middle-class Hindu family and

raised by his parents, Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. Hespent most of his childhood with his older sister, BebeNanaki, as he was fond of her. As a child, Nanak went onto astound many with his intelligence and his interesttowards divine subjects. For his ‘upanayana’ ritual, hewas asked to wear the sacred thread, but Nanak simplyrefused to wear the thread. When the priest insistedhim, a young Nanak took everyone by surprise byasking for a thread that is sacred in every sense of theword. He wanted the thread to be made of mercy andcontentment, and wanted continence and truth to holdthe three sacred threads together.

In 1475, Nanak's sister got married to Jai Ram andmoved to Sultanpur. Nanak wanted to stay with hissister for a few days and hence went to Sultanpur andstarted working under the employer of his brother-in-law. During his stay in Sultanpur, Nanak would go to anearby river every morning in order to bathe andmeditate. One fine day, he went to the river as usual butdid not return for three days. It is believed that Nanakwent deep inside the forest and stayed there for threedays. When he returned, he looked like a man possessedand did not utter a word. When he finally spoke, he said,“There is no Hindu and no Musalman.” These wordswere the beginning of his teachings which wouldculminate in the formation of a new religion.

SikhismNanak then came to be known as Guru Nanak

(teacher) as he travelled far and wide to spread histeachings. He founded Sikhism, one of the youngestreligions, through his teachings. The religionemphasizes on the importance of leading a spiritual lifewithout embracing monasticism. It teaches its followersto escape the clutches of ordinary human traits, such aslust, rage, greed, attachment and conceit (collectivelyknown as the ‘Five Thieves’). Sikhism is a monotheisticreligion, which believes that God is shapeless, timelessand invisible. It also teaches the concepts of worldlyillusion (Maya), Karma, and liberation. Some of the keypractices of Sikhism are meditation and the recitationof Gurbani, the hymns composed by the Gurus. Thereligion also advocates justice and equality and urges itsfollowers to serve mankind.

TeachingsGuru Nanak taught that every human being is capable

of attaining spiritual perfection which will ultimatelylead them to God. He also said that rituals and priestsare not required in order to have direct access to God. Inhis teachings, Guru Nanak emphasized that God hascreated many worlds and also created life. In order tofeel the presence of God, Guru Nanak asked his

followers to repeat the name of the God (Nam Japna). Healso urged them to lead a spiritual life by serving othersand by leading an honest life without indulging inexploitation or fraud.

Guru Nanak’s JourneysGuru Nanak was determined to spread the message of

the God. He was saddened by the plight of mankind asthe world was fast falling prey to the wickedness of

Kaliyug. Hence, Guru Nanak decided to travel across thesubcontinent to educate the people. It is said that heundertook five journeys (udasis) in his lifetime. Beforebeginning his first journey, Guru Nanak is believed tohave visited his parents to explain them the importanceof his journeys. During his first journey, Guru Nanakcovered most parts of present day India and Pakistan.This journey lasted for seven years and is believed to

Continued on page 27

29THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 GURPURB SPECIAL

have taken place between 1500 and 1507AD. In his second journey, Guru Nanakvisited most parts of present day SriLanka. This journey too, lasted for aboutseven years.

In his third journey, Guru Nanaktravelled through the difficult terrains ofthe Himalayas and covered places likeKashmir, Nepal, Tashkand, Tibet andSikkim. This journey lasted for about fiveyears and took place between 1514 and1519 AD. He then travelled to places likeMecca and most parts of Middle East inhis fourth journey. This lasted for aboutthree years. In his fifth and final journey,which lasted two years, Guru Nanakfocused on spreading the message withinthe region of Punjab. He wasaccompanied by Bhai Mardana in most ofhis journeys. Though the authenticity ofthese journeys is challenged by scholars,it is believed that Guru Nanak spent 24years of his life in his journeys, coveringa staggering distance of 28,000 kilometersby foot.

Contributions to HumanityGuru Nanak’s preaching came at a

time when there were conflicts betweenvarious religions. Mankind was sointoxicated with pride and ego thatpeople had started fighting against eachother in the name of God and religion.Hence, Guru Nanak began his teachingsby saying that there are no Hindus and noMuslims. This implies the fact that God isone and that He is only seen differentlythrough various religions. Guru Nanak’steachings, although not intended,contributed to the unity of Hindus andMuslims to an extent. He alsoemphasized on the importance ofequality of mankind. He condemnedslavery and racial discrimination andsaid that all are equal.

Guru Nanak is one of the mostimportant religious figures to havecontributed to women empowerment inIndia. Guru Nanak appealed to hisfollowers to respect women and to treatthem as their equal. He said a man isalways bound to women and that withoutwomen there would be no creation onearth. He also restored the faith in God bysaying that the Creator is deeply involvedin what man is trying to achieve on earth.While most of the major religionsincluding the sects of Hinduism andBuddhism advocated monasticism inorder to achieve salvation, Guru Nanakcame up with a religion that supports thelifestyle of an average householder. Mostimportantly, he also taught his followersthe methods to attain salvation whileleading a normal life within the society.He, in fact, stressed on the importance ofleading life with one’s family members.Not only did he teach his ideals, but healso served as a living example. WhenGuru Nanak left for the heavenly abode,nine other Gurus followed his teachingsand continued to spread his message.

DeathThrough his teachings, Guru Nanak

had become extremely popular amongboth the Hindus and the Muslims. Hisideals were such that both communitiesfound it ideal. They both claimed GuruNanak to be one of their own andneedless to say, Guru Nanak’s ardentfollowers who called themselves theSikhs (disciples) were also in the racealong with the Hindus and the Muslims.According to the legend, when GuruNanak approached his final few days, adebate between Hindus, Muslims, and theSikhs arose as to who should be given thehonor to perform the last rites. While

Hindus and Sikhs wanted to cremate themortal remains of their Guru as per theircustom, the Muslims wanted to performthe last rites according to their beliefs.When the debate failed to concludeamicably, they decided to ask GuruNanak himself as to what needs to bedone. When they all approached him,Guru Nanak asked them to bring flowersand lay them next to his mortal remains.He asked the Hindus and the Sikhs toplace their flowers on the right side of hisbody and the Muslims to place theirs onthe left. He said that the honor ofperforming the last rites would go to theparty whose flowers remain fresh for anight. When Guru Nanak breathed hislast, the religious communities followedhis instructions. When they came backthe next morning to see whose flowersremained fresh, they were surprised tosee that none of the flowers had wilted,but the biggest surprise was that GuruNanak’s mortal remains had disappearedand all they could see in place of his bodywere fresh flowers. It is said that theHindus and the Sikhs picked up theirflowers and buried it, while the Muslimsdid the same with their flowers.

A nagar kirtan (religious procession) on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. (File photo)

From page 26


GURU NANAK DEV JI, THE PROPHETOF ONENESS OF HUMANITY

GURU NANAK, theEnlightened one says thereis ONLY ONE

OMNISCIENT, who is alwaysthere, here and everywhere for alland OMNIPRESENT in all. TheDivine Guru says GOD can berealized by humans in differentways and GOD is worshipped andknown by innumerable HOLYNAMES, as per the experience ofthe devotee. GOD existed fromtime immemorial, before theProphets were born and beforethe Scriptures and Religions.GOD is the ETERNAL energy,power, origin and source of everycreation.

After the Divine-Merger of theProphets, GOD grantedimmortality to the Prophetsbecause they disseminated theREAL TRUTH about the TRUEONE.

Guru Nanak Ji was the pioneer,enunciating the cause of Inter-Religious Peace and Harmony.His Tenets emphasize upontruthful living, humility, liberty,equality, justice, compassion,honest earning, serving the needyselflessly and protecting the weakand the meek. All this, he saidwould be tantamount to a DivineLife and real, true, actual worshipand attainment of God andfulfillment of the purpose ofhuman-birth.

Guru Nanak reformed severaltyrannical rulers, vociferouslyadvocated human rights andwomen's rights, brought aboutsocial revolution, by speaking outagainst slavish mentality,superstitious beliefs, hollowritualistic practices, religiousbigotry and suppression of thedowntrodden social andeconomic classes.

For over a thousand years,India was invaded by a smallbunch of horse-riders, fromMongolia, Persia, Afghanistan,and other regions. Taimur,Ghazni, Ghori, Nadir Shah,Abdali, Durrani, Babar, SherShah Suri are only a few of thoseinvaders, who plundered HinduTemples, looted gold, took womenand children as slaves, killed alland sundry who crossed theirpath.

And then, in Circa 1469,appeared a man on earth, thelikes of whom are seen, once in amillennium. GOD sent GURUNANAK, The Divine Preceptor of

ONENESS of humanity and theepitome of humility to HEALhumanity. He was blessed by TheCreator, to win the hearts of all,and to bring about massivetransformation, wherever hewent. The Divine Preceptortraversed various continents,27000 miles in 25 years of his 70-year sojourn onthis planet,fostering Goodwill amongst races,cultures, religions.

Two of the ten Gurus had totake up arms, to protect themasses from the extremepersecution and tyranny of theruling elite. The sixth GuruHargobind Sahib Jee and thetenth Guru Gobind Singh Jee,with their disciples were theSaint Warriors. The fifth GuruArjan Sahib Jee and the ninthGuru Tegh Bahadur Jeeembraced martyrdom, forrefusing to follow the diktat ofthe barbaric regime. Such eventsforced the sixth and tenth Gurusto raise a martial force, the armynamed The Khalsa.

Guru Nanak Jee enunciated

the Divine Tenets thus : "Humaninteractions must be replete with*Divine-Love & Godly-Light*,L i f e l o n g - L e a r n i n g ,Humanitarian-Service, Spirit-of-Sharing, Peace, Amity, Goodwill,Tolerance, HarmoniousCoexistence, Acceptance andUnderstanding. He traveled farand wide, to have discussionswith Saints professing divergentfaiths and he collected theirspiritual poetry to be included inThe Scripture, Guru GranthSahib Ji, much later, by his fifthembodiment, Guru Arjan SahibJi.Guru Nanak Sahib Jee says : "Ido not know how and what tospeak. I utter only that, whichYOU, O' GOD, command me tochurn out". Guru Sahib saysGOD is the bestower of ALLBLESSINGS. Guru Nanak claimsNO credit, whatsoever and says,"the earth is ONE global familyand all creatures and creationscome from OUR CREATOR, TheOnly Omniscient One".

To me, the most significantelement of the Divine Persona of

Guru Nanak Ji is the HUMILITYfactor. Guru Sahib says : "O' GOD,I am a beggar at the gate of YourPalace. I am a minstrel singing atYour Door. Forgive this ignorantone, as I have committedinnumerable sins. I am aslanderer, a fraudster, a liar, aschemer, a lustful being.Therefore, my Supreme Master,please pardon this sinistercreature, by not taking intoaccount my sins, for ifaccounting is done, I would notstand even an iota of a chance, tobe pardoned. So, I seek YourMercy". Due to such inherenthumility, the SOUL, which wasnamed GURU NANAK, wasendowed with Divine Wisdom, byGOD.

Guru Nanak was on a DivineMission. He was a SpiritualMaestro, a Renaissance-Man, aCrusader for InterreligiousAmity, an extraordinary social-reformist much ahead his eraand yet he utters the absoluteTRUTH that "he is, what he is,ONLY because of the GraciousMercy of The Almighty and he isnothing without GOD". In otherwords, Divine Guru is teachinghumanity to embrace humility,by refraining from selfaggrandizement

To say that Guru Nanak wasthe "Founder of Sikhism" wouldbe a travesty of the larger truth.His reach and depth of thoughtwas expansive as theunfathomable ocean andlimitless sky. Similarly, theDivine teachings of Sree RamChandra , Sree Krishna, Moses,Jesus, Hazrat Mohammed,Gautam Buddha, TirthankarMahavir and all Prophets are forthe entire humanity and notmerely for those who say they arethe followers of a particularProphet. All Prophets wereexpansive in their Vision &Mission, whereas the discipleshave limited them in a House ofWorship and have startedasserting the supremacy of oneProphet over others. TheProphets invested their life forUnification but the followersstarted discrimination. ThePROPHETS are in absolutePEACE with each other andenjoy Ultimate Communion withGOD. Guru Sahib taughthumanity to deal in the TrueBusiness of making concertedendeavors towards fosteringPeace, Equality, Liberty, Justice,Compassion, by shunning allvarieties of discrimination,domination, bigotry, tyranny, biasand prejudice.

Guru Nanak says "Do NOTworship me, I am not GOD. If youso desire, then follow my humbleadvice to lead a Pure, Holy, Pious,Divine Life and this, in itself,shall be tantamount to realizingand attaining GOD, residingwithin you and in everyone. Do

not brag about ANY intellect,talent, knowledge, education,comfort, luxury, power, authority,beauty, courage, ALL of whichyou have received from GOD, as aGIFT. Always remain humble andlearn, as the term 'SIKH' denotes'a learner for a lifetime' and sharethis knowledge with all. Earnhonestly, serve selflessly, sharecompassionately. RememberGOD and shun cruelty anddomination. Remember thatNOTHING belongs to us, not evenLIFE, which we have received ona LEASE-basis. Remember thatDEATH could be lurking roundthe corner, waiting to strike, thevery next moment. By cultivatingsuch thought, we would refrainfrom harming anyone".

Imbibing such attributes wouldbe real service to GOD,worshipping GOD, becomingGOD; not actually GOD, butfeeling like GOD and feelingGOOD about the journey. Thesoul MUST return to The Origin,in the pristine, sublime form, justas it was, when it attained thishuman Body-Temple. By LIVINGand LOVING thus, The SOUL(Aatma) would enjoy eternalcommunion with 'The Parent-Soul', GOD (Param-aatma).Living thus, is the Real, TruePurpose of life. This is Mukti,Moksha, Nirvaan, Liberation,Salvation, Redemption,Emancipation. This is what canbe termed as the Final, Absolute,Ultimate and True Destination,to arrive at which this Souldonned this human body-attire.Humans have the heart, with theemotion of empathy andcompassion or hatred andviolence, and the brain decidesaccordingly, asking the hands totake action and implement,execute the plan, eithercompassionate or evil-minded.

Sree Guru Nanak Sahib Jeesays : "There is One Light of OurCreator pervading in the entireCreation and in all Creatures".The Divine Guru commands : "Iam a mere speck of dust, at thefeet of the Holy Saints and TrueDevotees of GOD. A disciple canrise to be the Guru". And he,actually, bowed before hissuccessor, while anointing himThe Guru, and so did allsuccessive nine Gurus, whentheir successor was anointed.

(The author is a recipient of theAmbassador For Peace Award,from

the Interreligious InternationalFederation for World Peace N.Y.,

Affiliated to the United Nations.As thePresident of 'Aspirations &

Expressions',he is the Initiator of'1GOD1humanity' Accolades & 'Guru

Nanak Benediction' Awards,presentedto Honorees from ALL Religions,

Cultures,Races,for their Endeavorstowards a Divine Humanity.

He can be reached [email protected]/events)

Guru Nanak Ji was the pioneer, enunciating the cause ofInter-Religious Peace and Harmony. His Tenets emphasize

upon truthful living, humility, liberty, equality, justice,compassion, honest earning, serving the needy selflesslyand protecting the weak and the meek. All this, he said

would be tantamount to a Divine Life and real, true, actualworship and attainment of God and fulfillment of the

purpose of human-birth.

Guru Nanak was on a Divine Mission. He was a SpiritualMaestro, a Renaissance-Man, a Crusader for Interreligious

Amity, an extraordinary social-reformist much ahead his eraand yet he utters the absolute TRUTH that "he is, what heis, ONLY because of the Gracious Mercy of The Almighty

and he is nothing without GOD". In other words, Divine Guruis teaching humanity to embrace humility, by refraining

from self aggrandizement

By Amarjit Singh Anand

In a world stricken by an unprecedentedpandemic, the emergence of a uniqueHimalayan protocol - Yoga of Immortals,mindfulness and the like has proven to be thegreat healer across specialities and

specializations. The rich to the disadvantaged, theblood pressure patients to the diabetics, the ablebodied to the differently-abled, fair skinned to theirdarker counterparts, men to women, Asians toEuropeans, Africans to Americans, students to theworking class, sportsmen to peacekeepers, soldiers tothe utterly pious, all have converged on the common,powerful pulpit of self-awakening that is Yoga ofImmortals. Such a conflation of disparate strata ofsociety is a testament to the efficacy and potency ofthe practice of meditation originated, honed,simplified and pioneered by the Himalayan Yogis ofIndia.

Young Visionary Ishan Shivanand is the founder &master trainer of the ultimate Yoga of Immortalsumbrella of courses, being taught and learnt acrossthe globe for the last three decades in its current form

and in existence since times immemorial. This yogicscience, which employs an array of vigorous andsoothing pranayama, consciousness, mindfulness and

energy channelization techniques pre-dates all yogaforms and is also widely known as the genesis of thecontemporary yoga revolution.

After the rapid spurt in the popularity of meditationworldwide in the last few months owing to the spikedmental health disease incidence, today, meditation hasbecome a touchstone of a good routine and no surpriseto witness a vast multitude of masses and classes -celebrities to vanilla civilians, all embracing Yoga ofImmortals meditation for the sundry benefits itconfers, ranging from peace of mind to clarity ofthought, emotional release to mental de-stress, psychicdetox to self-healing.

Yoga of Immortals meditation has something foreveryone - for those looking to reduce anxiety to thosewith urinary incontinence and has emerged as a greatunifier, a leveler non-pareil, transcending thegeographical and human demographical barriers.

For the homestuck humankind shackled byCoronavirus, Ishan Shivanand's innovative appencompassing Yoga of Immortals (YOI) curriculumbecame a godsend. Its users and practitioners becamepart of the medical research by a team of doctors fromRutgers, Mayo Clinic et al, reported remarkableimprovements in anxiety levels, mental peace, innerequilibrium and optimal health even as they were

rendered immobile in their homes. YOI has not onlyhelped further the vision of integrative health for allbut also in decreasing behavioral health issues. YOIhas clinically proven to improve wellness outcomes,personal sleep patterns, productivity, absenteeism incorporates practicing it, besides upping their financialproductivity as evidenced by clinical presentation ofover 10000 people - with a randomized sample size of1000 with very positive results.

31THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020ADVERTORIAL

YYOGA OF IMMOROGA OF IMMORTTALSALSA boon from the Himalayas: Towards multi-disciplinary healing

Ishan ShivanandInternational Executive Coach,

Performance & Wellness [email protected]

yogaoftheimmortals.com

ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan'sCabinet has approved two anti-rapeordinances which called for the chemicalcastration of rapists with the consent ofthe convict and setting up of specialcourts for rape trials, according to amedia report on Friday.

A meeting of the Cabinet committeeon legislative cases chaired by federalLaw Minister Farogh Naseem onThursday approved the Anti-Rape(Investigation and Trial) Ordinance 2020and the Criminal Law (Amendment)Ordinance 2020. The ordinances havealready been approved in-principle bythe federal Cabinet on Tuesday, the DawnNews reported.

The concept of chemical castration forfirst or repeated offenders has beenintroduced mainly as a form ofrehabilitation, and subject to consent ofthe convict, it said.

According to law minister Naseem, itis mandatory under the internationallaw to take consent of the convict beforecastrating him.

In case, chemical castration is orderedwithout taking consent, the convictmight challenge this before a court oflaw, he said.

If a convict would not agreeto castration, he would bedealt with in accordancewith the Pakistan Penal Code(PPC) under which the courtmight award him deathsentence, life imprisonmentor 25-year jail term, theminister said.

However, he said, it is up to the court todecide the punishment. The judge mayorder chemical castration or thepunishment under the PPC.

The court might order castration for alimited period or lifetime, Naseem said.

The ordinances also provide for settingup of special courts to conduct trial inrape cases. Special prosecutors for thespecial courts will also be appointed.

As per the proposed legislations, anti-rape crisis cells headed by acommissioner or deputy commissionerwill be set up to ensure promptregistration of an FIR, medicalexamination and forensic analysis.

It also bar the cross-examination of arape survivor by the accused. Only judgeand the accused's lawyers will be able tocross-examine the survivor.

The proposed laws include in-cameratrials, witness protection for the victim

and witnesses, use of modern devicesduring investigation and trial, legalassistance to the victims andappointment of independent supportadvisers for the victims.

It prohibits the controversial “two-finger” test performed on rapesurvivors. The World HealthOrganisation has already declared thetest as “unscientific, medicallyunnecessary and unreliable”. HumanRights groups have also termed the testas invasive, disrespectful and a grossviolation of a woman's right to dignityand privacy. PTI

32THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020SOUTH ASIA

Doval in Colombo fortrilateral meet with Sri

Lanka, MaldivesCOLOMBO (TIP): National Security

Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Fridaycalled on Sri Lanka Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa and also met thecountry’s defence secretary to furtheradvance “valuable” bilateral cooperationthat contributes to peace and security inthe region.

Doval arrived here on Friday fortrilateral maritime dialogue amongIndia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Sri Lanka will host the fourth nationalsecurity advisor trilateral meeting onmaritime security cooperation withIndia and the Maldives on Saturday. Themeeting is to take place after six years —the last meeting was held in New Delhi in2014. “NSA Ajit Doval called on PMMahinda Rajapaksa. NSA conveyedgreetings from PM@narendramodi andrecalled the contribution of thesuccessful Virtual Bilateral Summitbetween the two leaders to progress inbilateral cooperation,” the Indian HighCommission in Colombo said in a tweet.

Modi held wide-ranging talks with hisSri Lankan counterpart MahindaRajapaksa during the summit inSeptember, covering the entire spectrumof bilateral ties and with a focus onfurther expanding cooperation in keyareas.

Doval also met Sri Lanka DefenceSecretary Major Gen (retd) KamalGunaratne and they agreed on severalsteps to further strengthen the“valuable” cooperation between the twocountries. “NSA Ajit Doval met MajorGeneral (retd) Kamal Gunaratne,Defence Secretary of SriLanka &discussed matters pertaining to thegrowing defence and securitypartnership between the two countries,"the Indian High Commission in Colombosaid in another tweet. — PTI

Shringla inaugurates three schoolsbuilt under Indian assistance in

Nepal's Gorkha districtKATHMANDU (TIP): Foreign

Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla onFriday inaugurated three schools builtunder Indian assistance in Nepal'sGorkha district, the epicentre of the 2015earthquake.

In April 2015, a devastating earthquakeof 7.8 magnitude rocked Nepal, killingnearly 9,000 people and wounding nearly22,000 others.

"FS@harshvshringl inaugurated threeschools in Gorkha completed underIndia's reconstruction assistance:investing in people and investing ineducation," the Indian embassy heretweeted.

The Ministry of External Affairs alsotweeted a video of the schoolinauguration event.

The foreign secretary also inaugurateda Buddhist monastery, renovated withIndia's assistance, in Manang district.

"FS@harshvshringla inaugurated therenovated Tashop (Tare) GompaMonastery in the Manang district, thatwas done with Indian assistance and thatexemplifies India-Nepal development andcultural cooperation," the Indianembassy tweeted.

"Buddhism is an important thread thatconnects India and Nepal," it added,quoting Shringla.

Earlier, delivering a talk hosted by theAsian Institute of Diplomacy andInternational Affairs (AIDIA) -- aKathmandu-based non-partisan foreignpolicy think-tank, Shringla noted thatafter the 2015 earthquake, Indiacooperated with Nepal in the restorationof 30 heritage locations, including theiconic Seto Machindranath temple inKathmandu, the HiranyavarnaMahavihar at Patan and the Jangam

Matha at Bhaktapur."Our best domain specialists are at the

service of the living history of Nepal.Yet, our endeavours are meant to not onlypreserve and celebrate the past but alsobuild and nurture the future," he said.

The foreign secretary said given theyoung population—both in India andNepal—education is a crucial bridge.

"Seventy schools and 150 healthfacilities are coming up in 12 districts ofNepal with Indian support," he said,adding that few projects are as satisfyingas those that promote learning and thehealth for the well-being of our citizens.

In June, the Indian Embassy in Nepalsaid it will rebuild 56 higher secondaryschools, replete with furniture andmodern sustainable technology, inGorkha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Dolakha,Kavrepalanchowk, Ramechhap and

Sindhupalchok districts.These schools are being rebuilt as part

of the Indian government's post-earthquake reconstruction works inNepal with a grant of around Rs 184crore.

Apart from the reconstruction of theschools, the Indian government has alsoextended a helping hand in rebuildinghouses damaged in the earthquake in theHimalayan nation.

"The outlay of Indian earthquake-related assistance is USD 1 billion but itstrue value is not in monetary terms. Itlies in how it has helped communities onthe ground. To cite an instance, 46,000houses have been built in Gorkha andNuwakot. They incorporate earthquake-resilient technologies in line with yourmotto of 'Build Back Better'," Shringlasaid at the AIDIA event. PTI

Pakistan Cabinet approves chemical castrationof rapists, special courts for rape trials

The overall number of globalcoronavirus cases has topped61.5 million, while the deaths

have surged to more than 1.44million, according to the JohnsHopkins University.

In its latest update on Saturday,Nov 28, the University`s Center forSystems Science and Engineering(CSSE) revealed that the currentglobal caseload and death toll stoodat 61,585,651 and 1,441,875,respectively.

The US is the worst-hit countrywith the world`s highest number ofcases and deaths at 13,086,367 and264,842, respectively, according to theCSSE. India comes in second place interms of cases at 9,309,787, while thecountry`s death toll soared to 135,715.

The other countries with more thana million confirmed cases are Brazil(6,238,350), France (2,248,209), Russia(2,196,691), Spain (1,628,208), the UK(1,593,248), Italy (1,538,217),Argentina (1,407,277), Colombia(1,290,510), Mexico (1,078,594) andGermany (1,027,327), the CSSEfigures showed. Brazil currentlyaccounts for the second highestnumber of fatalities at 171,974. Thecountries with a death toll above20,000 are Mexico (104,242), the UK(57,648), Italy (53,677), France(51,999), Iran (47,095), Spain (44,668),Argentina (38,216), Russia (38,175),Colombia (36,214), Peru (35,785) andSouth Africa (21,378).

LONDON/MANILA (TIP): Britainasked its regulator on Friday, Nov 28, toassess AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine fora possible rollout, while the Philippinesand Thailand secured millions of doses,giving the shot a vote of confidence afterexperts raised questions about trial data.

The UK government, which has secured100 million doses of the vaccine developedby AstraZeneca and Oxford University, hastargeted a rollout to begin beforeChristmas.

"We have formally asked the regulator toassess the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, tounderstand the data and determinewhether it meets rigorous safetystandards," British Health Secretary MattHancock said.

"This letter is an important step towardsdeploying a vaccine as quickly as safelypossible."

In the global race to develop vaccinesagainst COVID-19, AstraZeneca'scandidate is viewed as offering one of thebest hopes for many developing countriesbecause of its cheaper price and ability tobe transported at normal fridgetemperatures.

The Thai government signed a deal onFriday to procure 26 million doses of thevaccine to fight the pandemic, which haskilled more than 1.4 million peopleglobally. Officials in the Philippines saidthey would secure 2.6 million shots andwere negotiating a possible purchase of afurther 1 million doses.

The announcements came after somescientists raised doubts about therobustness of results showing the shot was90% effective in a sub-group of trialparticipants who, by error initially,

received a half dose followed by a full dose.AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said on

Thursday that the drugmaker was likely torun an additional global trial to assess theefficacy of its vaccine using the lowerdosage.

The company had released trial data onMonday that showed its experimentalvaccine prevented on average 70% ofCOVID-19 cases in late-stage trials in

Britain and Brazil.While the success rate was 90% in the

sub-group, some experts said the relativelysmall number of participants made itharder to be confident in the findings.

AstraZeneca said the administering ofthe half dose had been reviewed andapproved by independent data safetymonitors and the UK regulator, adding theregulator publicly confirmed there was

"no concern".

CONFUSION 'PROBLEMATIC'When the full dose was given twice, as it

was for most trial participants, the successrate was 62% - still above the 50% requiredby US regulators. Europe's drug regulatorhas said it will not set a minimum level ofefficacy.

If a vaccine has an efficacy of 50%, itmeans that if 100 people who have not beenexposed to the virus are immunised withthe shot, 50 of them would not get infected,on average.

A spokesperson for Oxford Universitysaid additional data from internationaltrials would help researchers assess thevaccine's efficacy among a more diversepopulation.

But Pauline Londeix, co-founder ofFrench drug transparency group OT-Med, said apparent confusion over thetrial results was "very problematic forpublic confidence in vaccines".

"It has largely to do with the racedrugmakers are engaged in currently,which leads them to present vaccinecandidates in the best possible way andnot release full protocols and results. Itis the opposite of what is needed in ourview." Nonetheless, Britain's topscience adviser said the interim resultsshowed the AstraZeneca vaccine wassuccessful.

TRACKING THE VIRUSGLOBAL INDIA

Cases61,585,651

Cases9,309,787

Deaths1,441,875

Deaths135,715

33THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020COVID-19 CRISIS

COVID-19infections in

Germany surpass 1million

The number of COVID-19 infectionsin Germany surpassed the onemillion mark and the daily death

toll hit a record of 426, data from theRobert Koch Institute (RKI) forinfectious diseases showed on Friday,Nov 27.The figures reflected the realitythat Germany was at best keeping newinfections stable, which ChancellorAngela Merkel has said would notsuffice to ease restrictions andeliminate the risk of overwhelminghospitals. The number of confirmedcoronavirus cases increased by 22,806 to1,006,394, according to the RKI.

China questionscoronavirus origin

to Wuhan

Battling global adversity over thecoronavirus and bracing for aWHO inquiry over its origin,

China on Friday claimed that justbecause COVID-19 cases were firstreported in Wuhan does not mean thecontagion originated from the centralChinese city. Various outlets of the state-run Chinese media have been carryingreports in recent days stating that anumber of imported food products fromdifferent countries, including aconsignment of fish from India, werefound to have traces of the COVID-19alleging that the virus may have enteredChina through foreign routes.

Global Covid-19 cases top61.5 mn: Johns Hopkins

Britain and other nations press on withAstraZeneca vaccine amid trial questions

34THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020IAAC LIT FEST

IAAC LIT FEST: Stories of HumanityBY MABEL PAIS

IAAC LIT FEST 2020CELEBRATESINTERNATIONALLYBEST-SELLING & AWARD-WINNINGAUTHORS

Diksha Basu, Aseem Chhabra, Oliver Craske,Sopan Deb, Avni Doshi, Ambassador Haksar,Balli Kaur Jaswal, Anupam Kher, MeghaMajumdar, Rajiv Malhotra, Dr. PratapadityaPal and Sejal Shah and more

The Indo-American Arts Council(IAAC) Annual Literary Festival6th edition celebrates from

December 4-13, 2020 literature influencedby the Indian subcontinent.

Presented in the virtual setting, readersglobally will be able to experienceinternationally renowned authorsdiscussing their work. Authors will cometogether over the course of 10 days topresent exceptional literary works. Fromthe secret lives of India's urban teens to a'New York Times' journalist's attempt tofind his parents, quantum marketingskills to a spirited romance, translation of2500-year-old Sanskrit classics to the lifeof Irrfan Khan, the IAAC LiteraryFestival showcases a stellar range ofwriters on a remarkable range of topics.

Taking place during the pandemic, thisyear's theme "Stories of Humanity"beautifully illuminates the breadth of thefestival's offerings. Including books bynovelists, essayists, art scholars,journalists, biographers, actors andmore, the IAAC Literary Festival exploresthe diversity of literature in andinfluenced by India.

Featuring both debut authors andestablished voices, the IAAC festivalspotlights an array of varied topics,including spiritual journeys, thechallenges and joys of translation, thepower of claiming one's identity, mentalhealth issues, the intimate creative livesof beloved artists and performers, andemerging threats to individual freedom.Each evening of the 10-day festival willinclude two in-conversation events andmany of the featured authors will havetheir premiere launch at the festival.

FEATURED WRITERS ANDCONVERSATION PARTNERS AT THEIAAC LITERARY FESTIVAL

Dr. Madhu Bazaz Wangu, founder of the'Mindful Writers', will discuss her novel"The Immigrant Wife", winner of theNational Indie Excellence Award, withjournalist-author Jean Nayar.

Anupam Kher, internationallyrenowned actor currently starring in thehit NBC TV series New Amsterdam, willlaunch his new book "Your Best Day isToday". Kher will be in-conversation withbestselling author and purpose coach JayShetty.

Rajiv Malhotra will launch his mindbender "Artificial Intelligence and theFuture of Power: Five Battlefields" inconversation with tech leader UshaChaudhary.

Megha Majumdar will delve into her'New York Times' bestselling debut novel,"A Burning", with writer Eshani Surya."'A Burning' signals the arrival of a new

voice of immense talent and promise"(Amitav Ghosh).

Dr. Makarand Paranjape will present"JNU Nationalism and India's UncivilWar", a powerful look at the forcesshaping Jawaharlal Nehru University, inconversation with Professor LouMarinoff .

Aditya Narayan Dhairyasheel Haksar,Diplomat and acclaimed translatorAmbassador, will illuminate hismasterful translation of "Chanakya Niti"and Kshemendra's "Three Satires fromKashmir" with Consul General of IndiaRandhir Jaiswal.

Aseem Chhabra, film journalist andfilm festival director will discuss hisnewest book, "Irrfan Khan: The Man, The

Dreamer, The Star", an emotive look at theartistic and personal life of theinternational star, in conversation withfilm critic and television host RajeevMasand.

Sejal Shah will present "This is OneWay To Dance", a debut essay collectionthat Kiran Desai calls "one of the mostnuanced, wise, and tender portraits ofimmigration I have ever read." Shah willbe in conversation with editor-writerGeeta Kothari.

Nev March will discuss her debut novel"Murder in Old Bombay", winner of theMystery Writers of America's award forBest First Crime Novel, with screenwriterSooni Taraporevala.

Diksha Basu, international bestsellingauthor, will dive into "DestinationWedding" (which Chrissy Teigen is"extremely obsessed with") with writerand filmmaker Priyanka Mattoo.

Tazmeen Amna will discuss her debutnovel "Goner", which explores a youngwoman's mental health crisis andoverdose, with research scholar AnabNaiyer.

Raja Rajamannar, global marketingexecutive, will offer his expertiseregarding "Quantum Marketing", in

conversation with author and marketingleader Rakesh Kaul.

Yashica Dutt, journalist will presenther powerful memoir, "Coming Out asDalit", which forces readers to confrontthe injustices of caste. Dutt will be inconversation with Convener of theNational Campaign for Dalit HumanRights, Professor Vimal Thorat.

Sopan Deb, 'New York Times' writer andcomedian will discuss "MissedTranslations", his search for hisestranged parents and family history,with art and culture writer Aarti Virani.

Dr. Aparna Pande will delve into"Making India Great: The Promise of aReluctant Global Power" with businessleader Anil Bansal, IAAC Board Memberand President of the Federation of IndianAssociations (FIA).

Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava will discuss"Stoned, Shamed, and Depressed", whichexplores the secret lives of India's urbanteens with Manika Raikwar, formerManaging Editor of NDTV 24x7.

Balli Kaur Jaswal, author of "TheUnlikely Adventures of the ShergillSisters" and the runaway internationalbestseller "Erotic Stories for PunjabiWidow", will delve into her creativeprocess and inspirations with novelistand advertising creative director PiaPadukone.

Avni Doshi will discuss her debut novel"Burnt Sugar", which was shortlisted forthe 2020 Booker Prize, with writer andarts organizer Swati Khurana. "Doshi'sprose is arresting and her ideas fiercelyintelligent" ('Sunday Times').

Oliver Craske will present "IndianSun", his definitive biography of RaviShankar--a "superb" ('Times LiterarySupplement') book "written with insightand compassion" ('The Hindu'). Craskewill be in conversation with award-winning documentary filmmaker MarkKidel.

Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, museum curatorand prodigious art writer, will be inconversation with Asia scholar Dr.Vishakha Desai about Dr. Pal's "Quest forCoomaraswamy: A Life in the Arts".

To learn more, visit iaac.us/iaac-literary-festival-2020/ for the completeFestival lineup, including dates and timesfor every presenting author.

To learn more about IAAC, visit iaac.us.IAAC SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/iaac.usTwitter: https://twitter.com/IAArtsCouncilInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/IAArtsCouncilHashtag: #IAACLitFest

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts andEntertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and

Health & Wellness)

“Our Literary Festival promises to haveblockbuster book launches, with storiesthat will move the heart and the mind.""This carefully curated selection reflectsIAAC's unique sense and sensibility, whichpays homage to the principle that grandstories unite us and are forever."

Rakesh K. Kaul, IAAC ViceChairman and author

“The IAAC Literary Festival celebrates ourvoices that have been shaped by the Indianethos and experience. Notwithstandingthese unprecedented times, our storiescapture our collective shared experiencesthat have reshaped our perspectives anduplifted us. We are especially proud topresent the young, emerging, powerfulauthors from within our globalcommunity."

Nili Lakhani, Lit Fest Director

Authors featured in Lit Fest 2020 - Photo / Courtesy IAAC

35THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020FUNTAINMENT

HOLIDAY FUNTAINMENT AT NJPACBY MABEL PAIS

Lillias White Sings Sarah Vaughan

"Lillias White singing for you is a musical dreamcome true"- Broadway World

Virtual Performance &Conversation with JohnSchreiberThursday, December 3,2020 at 7:30 p.m.FREE

Join the New JerseyPerforming ArtsCenter (NJPAC)

President and CEO JohnSchreiber for a fresh lookat the classic AmericanSongbook in this freeonline series. Eachmonth, a special guest isinvited to NJPAC'svirtual theater to sharethe songs of a performeror composer they love.

Afterward, John dives deep with a one-on-one chatabout timeless music, legendary artists, and creativeinspiration.

Lillias White, Tony Award® winning singer andactress, is best known for her star turns on theBroadway stage in "Dreamgirls", "Fela!" and "The Life".White pays tribute to Newark jazz legend SarahVaughan, with a virtual performance and conversationwith John Schreiber.

To RSVP and register, visit njpac-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nhFATUdETLqe3yshEPEQsA

A Christmas Vacation With TheGriswold's: With Chevy Chase

and Beverly D'AngeloThe New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

presents "A Virtual Christmas Vacation with theGriswold's: An Evening with Chevy Chase and BeverlyD'Angelo" on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.

Switch on the Christmas lights and join Chevy Chase(Clark Griswold) and Beverly D'Angelo (Ellen Griswold)for this online salute to the holiday classic, NationalLampoon's Christmas Vacation. Expect the unexpectedas these legends share a no-holds-barred trip downmemory lane and unveil the behind-the-scenes secretsof the Vacation film franchise. They'll also answerYOUR questions during the live audience Q&A. Sogather the family and cozy up on the couch as NJPACstreams the Griswolds directly to your living room for avirtual holiday celebration. Chestnuts and eggnogrecommended!

Upgrade to VIPTREAT yourself to an upgraded experience when you

add on the VIP option. VIP ticket holders will have theopportunity to engage in a one-minute one-one videochat with Chevy and Beverly. The capacity for thisexperience is extremely limited and must be purchasedwithout delay.

For ticket information, visit njpac.org/event/christmas-vacation-with-the-griswoldsAbout NJPAC

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC),located in downtown Newark, N.J., is America's mostdiverse performing arts center, and the artistic,cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -where great performances and events enhance and

transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diversecommunities together, providing access to all andshowcasing the state's and the world's best artists whileacting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of itshome city. Through its extensive Arts Educationprograms, NJPAC is shaping the next generation ofartists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attractednearly 10 million visitors (including over 1.7 millionchildren) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurturesmeaningful and lasting relationships with each of itsconstituents.

Get Social! Follow NJPAC Online:Website: njpac.org888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)Twitter: @NJPACHashtag: #NJPACFacebook: facebook.com/NJPACYouTube: NJPACtv

WOMEN@NJPAC - Keeping NJ Arts Alive

Leading Ladies: Women Keeping NJ's Arts AliveVirtual PanelAnnual Members MeetingWed, Dec 2 @ 9:30AM - 10:30AMFree on Zoom

Meet the women who are saving the arts in NewJersey!

Join Women@NJPAC's Leading Ladies paneldiscussion, where they sit down for a chat withmembers of the powerhouse team behind the newlycreated New Jersey Arts and Recovery Fund. Thisincredible initiative has already raised millions ofdollars to keep the arts alive in the wake ofcoronavirus.

This event will also honor Women@NJPAC's retiringtrustees, including the beloved president Marcia WilsonBrown. This special online event is a must for anywoman who cares about the arts-and it will leave youoverflowing with optimism, inspiration and ideas.

PANELISTSColbert, the founding

Board member ofMontclair Film, currentlyserves as the President ofits Board of Directors. Sheis a member of theGovernor's Restart andRecovery Commission, tohelp New Jersey recoverfrom the COVID-19pandemic.

Johnson directs thefoundation's arts grantswhich foster a diverse andvibrant arts ecosystem,create broad-based publicsupport of the arts, andsupport communitiesengaged in creativeplacemaking in NewJersey.

Miller served as ArtPride's Executive Directorfor 20 years. Prior tojoining ArtPride, AnnMarie was Director ofDevelopment at McCarterTheatre, a Tony Award-winning regional theatreand performing artscenter, and GrantsCoordinator at the NewJersey State Council on theArts.

Tratner, during her timeat the Council, has helpedusher in a variety ofprograms and initiatives,building strongrelationships with artsorganizations, artists, andcommunities throughoutthe state.

To RSVP, visitnjpac.tfaforms.net/119To read complete bios of

the panelists, visit njpac.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AnnualMeeting_Bios-Final.pdf

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, SocialIssues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)

Lillias WhitePhoto / Courtesy NJPAC

John SchreiberPhoto / Courtesy NJPAC

Evie Colbert -President,Montclair Film

Photo / Courtesy NJPAC

Sharnita Johnson - ArtsProgram Director, Geraldine

R. Dodge FoundationPhoto / Courtesy NJPAC

Ann Marie Miller - Director ofAdvocacy & Public Policy, Art

PridePhoto / Courtesy NJPAC

Allison Tratner - ExecutiveDirector, New Jersey State

Council on the Arts

Photo / Courtesy NJPAC

Annual Holiday Toy & Food Drive

Share the love this holiday season withchildren from La Casa de Don Pedro, NewJersey's largest Hispanic social services agencyserving 36,000 families in Newark and EssexCounty.

You can donate virtually! Select a gift from LaCasa de Don Pedro's Amazon Wish List forgreater Newark-area pregnant mothers,newborns, children, teens, and young adults byDecember 7th. Please select "La Casa de DonPedro / Judy Gonzalez" as the shipping address.Your generosity can make their dreams cometrue!

Donate a gift atamazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GQD1TIZUGXQ3/ref=cm_go_nav_hzNewark Working Kitchens

Newark Working Kitchens enlists localrestaurants to deliver nutritious meals toresidents in need - sustaining and strengtheningthe neighborhood anchors that will power thecity's comeback. 574,000 meals have beendelivered in Newark by 24 local restaurants.

You can help by donating to buy meals tosustain Newark's restaurants and communitymembers most in need through the crisis.

To donate a meal, visitnewarkworkingkitchens.com/donate

Taapsee shames abusivesocial media troll

Taapsee Pannu is not new to social media trolls.The actress has been targeted often online forher strong and forthright opinions and this has

attracted some haters. However, Taapsee isn't one totake insults lightly.

Recently, Taapsee shared some instances of onlineabuse that she faced from a troll on Instagram. Puttingsnaps of hateful, aggressive and abusive messages onher Instagram stories, Taapsee did not back downfrom shaming the one who trolled her by her callingher names and abused her.

Meanwhile, on the movies front, Taapsee has startedwork on her upcoming project, Looop Lapeta. She tagsthe film as crazy fun and, going by her latest post onsocial media, she looks forward to having a morerelaxed schedule shooting for the film than thedemanding regime of her other upcoming film,Rashmi Rocket.

Taapsee posted an image on Instagram of RashmiRocket, where she plays an athlete. She had to undergoa strict fitness regime for the film and in the image sheis seen running on a racing track.

SANA CHANGES HER NAMETO SAIYED SANA KHANAFTER TYING THE KNOT

Kriti Kharbanda shoots downrumours of wedding

Kriti Kharbanda,who has been ina relationship

with her Pagalpanti co-star Pulkit Samratsince one and a halfyears, has said thatmarriage is a distantdream for the two ofthem. The couple isgoing strong and eventook a road triptogether during thecoronavirus pandemic.

Kriti has nowrevealed that she hasalready startedplanning for hisbirthday which comeslater next month. Theactor said that sincePulkit gave her a bigsurprise on herbirthday in October,she would now like tomatch up to it.

Talking about theirrecent trip before herbirthday, Kriti toldBangalore Mirror inan interview, “The tripgave us time to get to know each other better. I feel lucky to have someonelike Pulkit who makes sure that I always have a smile on my face. I trymy best to do the same for him.”

Sana Khan surprised everyonesometime back as she tied the knotwith Mufti Anas who hails from

Surat, Gujarat. No sooner had they tiedthe knot, their pictures and videos fromthe wedding went viral on social media.The former Bigg Boss contestantshared her first picture with herhusband on social media later on thattook the internet by storm. She lookedregal in a red bridal attire in the picturethat has now gone viral. Moreover,wishes have been showered on thecouple from everywhere.

In the meantime, we have learnedthat Sana has changed her named posttying the nuptial knot with Mufti Anas.Yes, you heard it right. If one visits herInstagram account now, they will seethe name ‘Saiyed Sana Khan’ flashingin her bio. For the unversed, the actressrevealed about her marriage on Sundaythat left everyone in deep shock. Thecouple is said to have tied the knot onNovember 20, 2020.

This is not the first time that SanaKhan has made headlines in the media.A month earlier, she had announcedher exit from the entertainmentindustry. Yes, that’s right. In fact, sheshared a long post on Instagram andrevealed to have big goodbye to theworld of showbiz. Citing the reasonbehind the same, Sana said that she hasdecided to live her life servinghumanity. And now, she is all set tobegin a blissful married life with herhusband.

‘All my dates are yours’: Deepikapromises Kartik Aryan on InstagramDeepika Padukone and

Kartik Aaryan are atthe top of their game

when it comes to Instagram,but they create real magicwhen we see them having aconversation on thephotosharing platform. Thelatest instance began withDeepika wishing Kartik onhis birthday and ended withDeepika promising all herdates to him. It seems a filmwith both of them is in theoffing, or at least that is whatwe hope.

On Kartik’s 30th birthday,Deepika wished him andwrote: “Happy Birthday, Maywe sign a fun film togetherthis year.” Kartik, who hassaid in the past that he hopesto work with Deepika, wrote:“Aap bas dates taiyyar rakho,fun and film mai laa rha haun(keep your dates ready, I amcoming with fun and films).”Deepika took to herInstagram Stories and wrote,“Sir, mere sare dates apke (allmy dates are yours).”

Earlier this year, Kartik

had expressed his desire towork in a film with Deepika.Taking to his Instagram story,Kartik had shared a collage oftheir throwback photos andwritten “Hai kisi Director

mein dum (Will any directordare)?” He had shared acollage of a picture of him inhis Maine Pyaar Kiya lookand a still of Deepika fromthe film Om Shanti Om.

36THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020BOLLYWOOD

MEGAN FOX OFFICIALLY FILESFOR DIVORCE FROM BRIAN

AUSTIN GREEN

Singer Peter Andreturns fitness and

health guru

Singer Peter Andre seems to be tryingout a new career as he is going to usehis fitness and health knowledge to

help people.He is launching a diet and exercise

channel online, where he aims to advisepeople on how to enjoy their food whilestill staying healthy, reportsfemalefirst.co.uk.

He said: "As well as our YouTubechannel, 'Life with the Andres', I'll also belaunching a fitness and cooking channel. Iwant to show people they can eat the foodsthey want and counteract it with exerciseand making subtle changes."

"I've been training since I was 13 so Iknow all the old and new styles oftraining and I can help people of all agesand abilities," he added.

Hilary Duff reunites with kids after being exposed to coronavirus

KAITLYN BRISTOWE WINSDANCING WITH THE STARS

Kaitlyn Bristowe has won 'Dancing With TheStars'.The 'Bachelorette' star and herprofessional dancing partner Artem

Chigvintsev looked shocked as Tyra Banks revealedthey were taking home the Mirrorball Trophy, pippingNev Schulman to the post.

Revealing the big news on Monday night's (23.11.20)final, Tyra paused for dramatic effect before excitedlytelling the dancing duo: "The winners and newchampions are Kaitlyn and Artem!"

Tyra even asked how they were feeling but theycouldn't her because they were shrieking withexcitement, with the model quipping: "They can't evenhear me, they're so excited!"

The duo triumphed over 'Catfish' host NevSchulman, who placed second with equally perfectscores. And rapper Nelly was third whilst actressJustina placed fourth.

Hilary Duff has reunited with herchildren after quarantiningfollowing her “exposure” to

coronavirus.The 33-year-old actress - who is currently

pregnant with her third child - took toInstagram over the weekend to reveal shehad been “exposed” to Covid-19, meaningshe was having to self-isolate away fromher kids.

But now, Hilary - who has Luca, eight,with ex-husband Mike Comrie and Banks,23 months, with current husband MatthewKoma - has confirmed she’s tested negativefor the virus, so she can now be in contactwith her brood again.

She posted a picture on her InstagramStory of herself hugging her kids, andwrote: “Not totally in the clear but lookingpositive and by that I mean negative!”

Hilary had been filming the seventhseason of her hit TV series ‘Younger’ inNew York most recently, but it’s not knownwhere the star came into contact with theillness.

Meanwhile, Hilary revealed she wasexpecting her third child in October, byposting a sweet video of her growing babybump on Instagram.

37THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020HOLLYWOOD

Megan Fox has officially filed fordivorce from Brian AustinGreen. The ‘Jennifer’s Body’

star split from Brian in May this yearafter almost 10 years of marriage, andthis week, she made the end of theirromance official by filing legaldocuments to terminate their marriage.

According to The Blast, Megan filedfor dissolution of marriage onWednesday (25.11.20) in Los AngelesCounty Court, which comes just daysafter she made her first red carpetappearance with her new boyfriend,Machine Gun Kelly, whom she has beendating since June.

The Blast also reports Brian - whohas Noah, seven, Bodhi, six, and three-year-old Journey with Megan - filed hisresponse to the ‘Transformers’ star’sdivorce filing on Wednesday too.

Terms of the divorce, including acustody agreement over their threesons, are not yet known to the public,but the former couple recently clashedon social media after Megan accusedBrian of making her seem like an"absent mother”.

Megan hit out at the ‘BH90210’ starlast month when he shared Halloween(31.10.20) snaps with his kids, as shesaid she never posts pictures of herchildren online for the sake of theirprivacy.

She fumed: "Why does Journey haveto be in this picture? It's not hard tocrop them out. Or choose photos thatthey aren't in.

OILY TO DRY: SKINCARE MISTAKES TO AVOID

CONNOISSEUR’SCHOICE

By Tript Arora

Chilli Garlic Mushroom is cooked just like any other IndoChinese dish. Button mushrooms are cooked in chillisauce and served as a starter or along with fried rice and

noodles. Button mushrooms are deep fried and tossed withcapsicum and onion cut into squares. Since mushrooms are fullof moisture they need a firm and crispy coating. I have usedcorn flour and rice flour to make it firm and crispy from outside.This dish is made dry as well as with gravy. I have taken amiddle path. I have made it slightly moist and juicy by coating itwith a thick sauce. I have not added the ajino motto but if youdesire you can add it.

I suggest using firm and fresh button mushrooms which are fullof moisture. As they will then be firm from outside and juicyinside. If you wish you can add more gravy by doubling cornflour slurry and water. Serve them as a snack or accompanythem with fried rice and noodles.

We needFor Frying Mushrooms: 200 gm Mushroom, 2 Tbsp Garlicminced, 3 Tbsp All purpose Flour( Maida), 3 Tbsp Corn flour, ½Tsp salt, ½ Tsp Turmeric Powder, ½ Tsp. Red chilli Powder, Oilfor Deep frying.

For The Sauce: 2 Onions Chopped in quarters, 1 large GreenCapsicum cut into quarters. 3 Green Chillies diagonally slit, 6 to7 pods Garlic chopped, 1 Tbsp Chopped Ginger, 2 TbspCornflour, 2 Tbsp Tomato Sauce, 1 Tbsp Soya Sauce, 1 Tbsp RedChilli Sauce. A pinch of Red food Colour ( optional), 2 TbspCooking Oil.

Let us get StartedWash Mushrooms thoroughly in water removing all dirtand grime. Rinse and keep it in a strainer to remove allwater. When the water is rinsed, cut the mushroom headinto quarters and chop the stems separately.

Take a bowl and add cornflour and all purpose flour. Tothis add salt, red pepper powder, turmeric powder andminced Garlic. Add a little water and make a batter ofcoating consistency

Heat oil for frying. Coat the mushrooms with the batterand deep fry them till crisp on medium heat. All the waterin the mushrooms should dry up. Otherwise themushrooms will turn soggy . Drain them on paper toweland set aside

Heat a wok or nonstick pan. Add 2 Tbsp of cooking oil init. When the oil is heated add garlic and ginger to it.Saute till the raw smell of garlic goes away. Then addcapsicum, green chillies and onions to it. Saute tillvegetables are bit transparent but crunchy. The capsicumshould not lose their colour . It will take around 2 minutes.

Time to add all the three sauces ie tomato, soya and chillisauce. and mix everything properly.

Dissolve 2 Tbsp corn flour in 100 ml water and add thisslurry to the vegetables in the pan slowly stirringconstantly till glossy. Avoid lumps. When the sauce startsboiling, add in fried mushrooms to it. Coat them well withsauce . Serve hot and Enjoy this snack with noodles, friedrice or simply on its own.

You Can reach me at: www.triptasfoodtunnel.comEmail : [email protected].

Instagram: @triptasfoodtunnel

38THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020WOMEN

Signs of ageing can be easilydeveloped if you do not doyour skincare routine the

right way. Here are five reasons thatprove you're doing it all wrong:

Skipping out moisturiserIf you think that oily skin

produces enough oils to moisturisethe skin, you're wrong. Thesebaceous glands produce naturaloils to compensate for the dryness.It is imperative to apply sunscreenand moisturizer even if you haveoily skin. Your skin will naturallyadapt to the topical ingredientsprovided and produce less oils.Make sure to use a water-basedmoisturiser instead of a cream-based. This will ensure that yourskin will not feel sticky throughoutthe day.

Taking long showersYour skincare routine starts with

cleansing and if you're doing thefirst step wrong, the next few don'treally matter. Taking long showersespecially hot ones end up strippingyour skin off its natural oils. Thisdry skin then becomes prone to fivelines and wrinkles.

Skipping out on sunscreen No matter what your skin type is

what season you're in, never missout on sunscreen. It is one of themost important steps in anyskincare routine. It not onlyprotects your skin from the harmfulUV rays of the sun but also works asa protective layer against all otherenvironmental factors like

pollution.

Not taking your makeup offMakeup has a reputation of

clogging the pores only if you do nottake it off properly.

Every night, make sure to washoff your makeup and ensure youdouble cleanse so no residue is leftoff.

Adding to it, make sure that youonly use brushes and sponges thataren't used on other people.

Overdoing itWe often forget that the skin

needs to breathe. So overdoing itwith serums, creams, products andmasks will only confuse your skin.Make sure you use minimalingredients and products that givemaximum benefits. Don’t over-exfoliate and give your productssome time to work before you switchthem. Make sure to apply yourproducts from the lightest ofconsistency to heaviest.

CHILLI GARLIC MUSHROOM

UN releases USD 25 million to organisationsfighting violence against women

The United Nations humanitarian chief hasreleased 25 million US dollars from its emergencyfund to support women-led organisations that

prevent and respond to gender-based violence.The funding has gone to the United Nations

Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women that havebeen asked to channel at least 30 per cent of it toorganisations run by women that prevent violenceagainst women and girls, and help victims andsurvivors with access to medical care, family planning,legal advice, safe spaces, mental health services andcounselling, UN Office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs said in a press release onWednesday.

“The Covid-19 pandemic helped reveal the full extentof gender inequality while creating a set ofcircumstances that threaten to reverse the limitedprogress that has been made,” said Mark Lowcock, UNUndersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs andEmergency Relief Coordinator.

“It’s a smart investment and it’s the right thing to do.We can only successfully find a way out of thispandemic if we bring everyone with us,” he added.

UNFPA will receive 17 million dollars and 8 milliondollars will go to UN Women. They will now decidewhere and how the money will be spent, said the pressrelease.

“It’s time to say “enough” to gender-based violenceand to prioritize the rights and needs of women and

girls in humanitarian crises,” said Natalia Kanem,UNFPA’s executive director.

The announcement came at the start of “16 Days ofActivism Against Gender-based Violence”, aninternational campaign, which runs each year fromNovember 25, the International Day for the Eliminationof Violence against Women, to December 10, the HumanRights Day.

“The high levels of gender-based violence thatwomen and girls experience, especially in countriesthat are in crisis and in need of humanitarianassistance, remains one of the greatest injustices in ourworld,” said UN Women Executive Director PhumzileMlambo-Ngcuka.

DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND DDRR.. SSAATTIISSHH AANNAANNDD

FFoorrmmeerr CChhaaiirrmmaann,, BBooaarrdd ooffTTrruusstteeeess,, AAAAPPII NNaattiioonnaall

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FFoorrmmeerr PPrreessiiddeenntt,, IInnddiiaaAAssssoocciiaattiioonn ooff LLoonngg IIssllaanndd((IIAALLII))

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PPAAGGEE SSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

Major measles outbreaksforecast for 2021 due to

Covid: StudyResearchers have stressed that major measles

outbreaks will likely occur in the wake of theCovid-19 pandemic as early as 2021 due to many

missed vaccinations.Measles is a highly contagious illness caused by a

virus that replicates in the nose and throat of aninfected child or adult.

The study, published in the journal The Lancet, hascalled for urgent international action to preventpotentially devastating measles epidemics in thecoming years.

"Many children have missed out on measlesvaccination this year, making future measlesoutbreaks inevitable," said study lead author KimMulholland from the Murdoch Children's ResearchInstitute in Australia and Chair of the World HealthOrganization's SAGE Working Group on measles andrubella vaccines.

Mulholland said while 2020 had been a quiet yearfor measles, in part due to travel reductions andnational Covid-19 control measures, the economicimpacts would lead to many cases of childhoodmalnutrition.

Malnutrition worsens the severity of measles,leading to poorer outcomes and more deaths,especially in low- and middle-income countries.

"Children who die from measles are oftenmalnourished, but acute measles pushes manysurviving children into malnutrition," he said.

"Malnutrition, along with measles-associatedimmune suppression, leads to delayed mortality,while co-existing vitamin A deficiency can also leadto measles-associated blindness," he warned.

According to the researcher, the coming monthsare likely to see increasing numbers ofunimmunised children who are susceptible tomeasles.

Many live in poor, remote communities wherehealth systems are less resilient, and malnutritionand vitamin A deficiency are already increasing.

Professor Mulholland said the Covid-19 pandemichad also had a profound effect on the control ofvaccine-preventable diseases, with vaccinationcampaigns paused in the early months of 2020 androutine immunisation services greatly disrupted inmany countries.

GREEN MEDITERRANEAN DIET BETTER FOR HEART

HEALTH: STUDYAgreen Mediterranean diet,

containing even more plantmatter and very little red

meat or poultry, maybe even betterfor cardiovascular and metabolichealth than the traditionalversion—at least in men, sayresearchers.

The Mediterranean diet, rich inplant-based foods, is linked to alower risk of heart disease, stroke,and diabetes and currently formsthe backbone of dietary guidelinesto stave off coronary heart disease.

It's thought that its impact isrelated to higher dietary intake ofpolyphenols, 'healthy' fats and fibreand lower animal protein intake.

The researchers wanted to findout whether a greener version ofthis diet, higher in green plant foodsources and even lower in red meatintake, might be even better forhealth.

They randomly assigned 294sedentary and moderately obesepeople (BMI of 31) with an averageage of 51 into three dietary groups.

The first group received guidanceon boosting physical activity andbasic guidelines for achieving ahealthy diet.

The second received the samephysical activity guidance plusadvice on following a calorie-restricted (1500-1800 kcal/day for

men and 1200-1400 kcal/ day forwomen) traditional Mediterraneandiet. This was low in simplecarbohydrates, rich in vegetables,with poultry and fish replacing redmeat. It included 28 g/day ofwalnuts.

The third group received physicalactivity guidance plus advice onfollowing a similar calorie-restricted green version of theMediterranean diet ('green Med').

After six months, the effect ofeach of the diets on weight loss and

on cardiovascular and metabolicrisk factors was assessed.

Those on both types ofMediterranean diet lost moreweight: green Med 6.2 kg;Mediterranean 5.4 kg; healthy diet1.5 kg.

Waist circumference--anindicator of a potentially harmfulmidriff bulge--shrank by an averageof 8.6 cm among those on the greenMed diet compared with 6.8 cm forthose on the Mediterranean dietand 4.3 cm for those on the healthydiet.

New gene therapy developed for treating eye disease

Scientists from Trinity College Dublin havedeveloped a new gene therapy approach thatoffers promise for one day treating an eye

disease that leads to a progressive loss of vision andaffects thousands of people across the globe.

The study, which involved a collaboration withclinical teams in the Royal Victoria Eye and EarHospital and the Mater Hospital, also hasimplications for a much wider suite of neurologicaldisorders associated with ageing.

The scientists published their results in leadingjournal, Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Dominant optic atrophy (DOA)Characterised by degeneration of the optic nerves,

DOA typically starts to cause symptoms in patients intheir early adult years. These include moderate visionloss and some colour vision defects, but severityvaries, symptoms can worsen over time and somepeople may become blind. There is currently no wayto prevent or cure DOA.

A gene (OPA1) provides instructions for making aprotein that is found in cells and tissues throughoutthe body, and which is pivotal for maintaining properfunction in mitochondria, which are the energyproducers in cells.

Without the protein made by OPA1, mitochondrialfunction is sub-optimal and the mitochondrialnetwork which in healthy cells is well interconnectedis highly disrupted.

For those living with DOA, it is mutations in OPA1

and the dysfunctional mitochondria that areresponsible for the onset and progression of thedisorder.

The new gene therapyThe scientists, led by Dr Daniel Maloney and

Professor Jane Farrar from Trinity’s School ofGenetics and Microbiology, have developed a newgene therapy, which successfully protected the visualfunction of mice who were treated with a chemicaltargeting the mitochondria and were consequentlyliving with dysfunctional mitochondria.

The scientists also found that their gene therapyimproved mitochondrial performance in human cellsthat contained mutations in the OPA1 gene, offeringhope that it may be effective in people.

39THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020HEALTH

40THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020SCIENCE & TECH

Windows 10 PCswill directly installand run Androidapps from 2021,

claims report

Eliminating the need for third-party emulators, Microsoft isnow planning to include

functionality to directly install and runAndroid applications on the Windows10 platform. This information comescourtesy of Windows Central which ina report has claimed that the tech giantis considering bringing this feature toWindows in 2021.

The report claims these apps will bebrought to Windows 10 OS through theMicrosoft Store. While the report doesnot explain how the company wouldimplement this or whether it wouldcome to Windows running ARM-basedchips. This could definitely be the caseas Android apps are currently made formostly ARM-based devices.

The feature is expected to also comewith a new update to the Windowsplatform, which will be the Windows10X. This version of the OS is expectedto arrive sometime in the first half ofnext year. Interestingly, with thisfeature, Microsoft will be taking onGoogle's Chrome OS which has theability to run Android apps natively.However, running Android appsnatively on Windows OS will not onlyrequire a lot of work from Microsoft'spart but also involve some from thepart of developers.

Google Hangoutswill no longersupport video

calling on Android,web

Google Hangouts users will nolonger be able to use the groupvideo calling feature on the

Android app and the web version.However, the new changes areapplicable only to the latest version ofthe app. If you have not updated yourHangouts app on your Android phone,you can still use the feature. The userswho are trying to make video calls onHangouts are being redirected toGoogle Meet.

So when you update your Hangoutsfrom Google Play Store, you no longerget the option to host a group videocall. When you try making a call, youare greeted with a message that reads,“Video calls in Hangouts now useGoogle Meet. That gives you livecaptions, screen sharing, and more.”However, you can still make one-on-onevideo calls and audio calls from the appand the web version of the app.

Google is trying to make the videocalling feature exclusive to GoogleMeet. When you tap on the video callicon on a Hangouts group, a GoogleMeet link would be instantly generatedand pasted on the group for everyoneelse to join. Users can join the meetingby clicking on the link. This is prettysimilar to how Facebook uses theMessenger Rooms feature. The Roomshortcut is available on WhatsApp butthat would not let users host a videomeeting on the app itself.

UK to impose new rules to limittech giants’ power

The UK will impose new rules next year aimed atpreventing Google and Facebook from abusing theirmarket dominance. The Competition and Markets

Authority (CMA) said the two firms accounted for around 80%of the £14bn ($18.7bn) spent on advertising online in 2019.

The new regime will attempt to give consumers more controlover their data.

It will also "help small businesses thrive, and ensure newsoutlets are not forced out by bigger rivals," according to thegovernment.

"There is growing consensus in the UK and abroad that theconcentration of power among a small number of techcompanies is curtailing growth of the sector, reducinginnovation and having negative impacts on the people andbusinesses that rely on them," said Digital Secretary OliverDowden, in a statement.

"It's time to address that and unleash a new age of techgrowth."

The new code will set clear expectations for the mostpowerful firms over what represents acceptable behaviourwhen interacting with competitors and users.

Platforms that are funded by digital advertising could berequired to be more transparent about the services theyprovide and how they are using consumers' data.

They will be expected to give consumers a choice overwhether to receive personalised advertising, and preventedfrom placing restrictions on their customers that make it hardfor them to use rival platforms.

The code will be enforced by a new dedicated unit within the

CMA.The Digital Markets Unit could be given powers to suspend,

block and reverse decisions made by technology firms and toimpose financial penalties for non-compliance.

Google and Facebook have previously said they arecommitted to working with the British government andregulator on digital advertising.

The new code could also affect the media industry, which haslost much of its advertising revenues to Facebook and Google.

China launches roboticspacecraft to retrieverocks from the moon

China on Tuesday launched a robotic spacecraft tobring back rocks from the moon in the first bid byany country to retrieve samples from the lunar

surface since the 1970s, a mission that underscoresChinese ambitions in space.

The Long March-5, China’s largest carrier rocket,blasted off at 4:30 am Beijing time (2030 GMT onMonday) in a pre-dawn launch from Wenchang SpaceLaunch Center on the southern Chinese island ofHainan carrying the Chang’e-5 spacecraft.

The Chang’e-5 mission, named after the ancientChinese goddess of the moon, will seek to collect lunarmaterial to help scientists understand more about themoon’s origins and formation. The mission will testChina’s ability to remotely acquire samples from space,ahead of more complex missions.

State broadcaster CCTV, which ran live coverage ofthe launch, showed images of China National SpaceAdministration staff in blue uniforms applauding andcheering as they watched the spacecraft climbingthrough the atmosphere, lighting up the night sky.

If successful, the mission would make China only thethird country to have retrieved lunar samples, joiningthe United States and the Soviet Union.

Upon entering the moon’s orbit, the spacecraft isintended to deploy a pair of vehicles to the lunarsurface: a lander and an ascender. The landing is due totake place in about eight days, according to Pei Zhaoyu,a spokesman for the mission. The probe is due to be onthe lunar surface for about two days, while the entiremission is scheduled to take around 23 days.

WhatsApp could soon get Read Later,Multi-devices support and other features

WhatsApp rolled out acouple of new features inthe past. The messaging

app launched disappearingmessages features, WhatsAppPayments, bulk delete, Shoppingbutton and more. However,WhatsApp is not done yet as themessaging app is working ondozen other features yet thatcould soon make it to the app.

As per Wabetainfo, some of thefeatures that WhatsApp could getare the Read Later, Mute Videosbefore sending, report toWhatsApp, and more. Thefeatures are currently underdevelopment and its traces werespotted in the latest updates.

WhatsApp is reportedlyworking on a feature called ReadLater. As the name suggests, thefeature will let users read theirmessages “later”. The WhatsAppfeatures tracker, WaBetainforeports that the Read Laterfeature is a modified version ofthe already available ArchivedChats feature. Once the feature is

turned on, you will no longerreceive any calls or messagesfrom the chat you have archived.

Sometimes blocking a contactalone does not help, sometimes itneeds to be reported to WhatsAppto stop the contact from thefurther menace. ThereforeWhatsApp has been reported to beworking on a feature that wouldlet users report unwanted chats orgroups from the app itself.

The messaging app will letusers report contacts similar tohow accounts are reported onFacebook.

WhatsApp has been rumored tobe working on multi-devicesupport for the longest time now.The feature has reportedlyreached its final stage of testingand may get ready for a rolloutanytime soon. The feature wouldlet users sign into one accountusing four different devices.Currently, a user can only signinto WhatsApp using the web appand the mobile app at the sametime.

41THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020BIZ & FINANCE

India to offerincentives for

solar modules:PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi on Thursday,Nov 26, said production-linkedincentives similar to those for

electronic manufacturing will beoffered for high-efficiency solarmodules to boost the generation ofelectricity from renewable sourceswhich has the potential to generate anannual business of USD 20 billion.

Speaking at the Renewable Energy(RE)-Invest 2020 conference, he invitedglobal investors to join India’srenewable energy journey. “There arehuge renewable energy deploymentplans for the next decade,” he said,adding that these are likely to generatebusiness prospects of the order ofaround USD 20 billion per year. “Today,India’s renewable power capacity isthe fourth largest in the world. It isgrowing at the fastest speed among allmajor countries,” he said. Renewableenergy capacity will rise to 220 GW by2022 from the current 136 Giga Watts(GW), he added.

Google pays Rs 33,737 cr for

7.73% stake in Jio

Alphabet Inc's Google has paidRs 33,737 crore for a 7.73 percent stake in Reliance

Industries Ltd's (RIL) digitalsubsidiary, Jio Platforms Ltd, joiningthe list of global investors such asFacebook, billionaire MukeshAmbani's firm said.

The transaction also marks the UStechnology giant's biggest-everinvestment in an Indian company.With this, Jio Platforms has raised atotal of Rs 1.52 lakh crore by sellingnearly 33 per cent stake to 13 financialand strategic investors in just 11weeks.

This has helped RIL erase its netdebt much ahead of the March 2021target.

Auto firmsovercome Covid,

China hurdlesIndia’s leading automakers and

their parts suppliers have managed tonearly overcome the supply chaindisruptions caused by the pandemicand deteriorating bilateral tiesbetween New Delhi and Beijing, threeindustry executives said.

Parts supplies have recovered toalmost 85-90% of pre-Covid levelswhile imports from China and othercountries have also returned to near-normal levels, barring a few items,the executives said. India imposedstiff curbs on Chinese imports after aborder clash in June between Indianand Chinese troops led to the death of20 Indian soldiers. This severely hitautomakers as spare parts importswere already under pressure sinceJanuary due to Covid, whichoriginated in Wuhan, China.

Economy shrinks 7.5% as India enters recession

NEW DELHI (TIP): The Indianeconomy shrank by 7.5% in the secondquarter of 2020-21, doing better than mostanalysts expected it to, although the touchof grey to this silver lining was providedby the fact that with the secondconsecutive quarterly decline, it istechnically in recession -- a result of thelasting effect of the 68-day lockdownenforced to slow the coronavirus disease,and some lingering restrictions.

A Reuters poll of economists hadprojected an 8.8% contraction in theSeptember quarter from a year ago. The7.5% decline is a sharp improvement fromthe 23.9% contraction seen by the economyin the previous quarter, although much ofIndia spent two entire months of thatperiod almost completely under lockdown.The recession is India’s first in at least 24years.

“I would say, we should be cautiouslyoptimistic and the caution is warrantedbecause the economic impact that we areseeing (in the June and Septemberquarter) is primarily due to thepandemic”, chief economic adviserKrishnamurthy Subramanian said whilecommenting on the economic outlook.“While we have crossed the peak of thefirst wave in September, winter monthsmust warrant caution.” He pointed outthat the second wave of the Spanish Flu inthe early 20th century was worse than the

first.The finance ministry said in a seriesof tweets that the number “buttressesrecovery as captured in several highfrequency indicators” and pointed to thehigh purchase managers index formanufacturing (a measure ofmanufacturing activity) and services,positive factory output, and a “V shapedrecovery in ... consumer goods, especiallyconsumer durables, and investment ,especially capital and infrastructuregoods”.

Experts are divided about growthtrajectory in the second half of the fiscal

year. Speaking to Bloomberg Quint, India’sformer chief statistician Pranab Sen saidthat he expects the third quarter numbersto deteriorate once again.

The second quarter had the unusualfortune of having tailwinds from both thepent-up demand due to the lockdown andthe forthcoming festive season. Thesefactors will not be there in the thirdquarter, he said. The fact that index ofeight core sector industries suffered abigger contraction of 2.5% in Octobercompared to 0.8% in September supportssuch a view.

Wa l m a r t -o w n e dF l i p k a r t

Group has emergedas the top e-c o m m e r c emarketplace duringthe online festivesales between mid-October to mid-November 2020 witharound 66 per centshare of the overallgross merchandisevalue (GMV) worth$8.3 billion, according to a RedSeer report. Jeff Bezos Amazon'sIndia business, on the other hand, cornered 34 per cent share. Thefestive month saw overall online sales up 65 per cent from the year-ago sales worth $5 billion and more than the predicted $7 billionthis festive season by the consultancy firm. Importantly, the two e-commerce companies, Amazon and Flipkart, raked in close to 90per cent of the $8.3 billion GMV, Mrigank Gutgutia, Director E-commerce, RedSeer Consulting told Financial Express Online.

"Lot of customers were holding back on their online purchasedue to Covid and potentially waiting for the right opportunity tospend while offline was not operating in a massive way. So, all thatspending got transferred to the online channel. This was thegeneral trend. The more specific trend was that Tier-II customerswere much more willing to transact online heavily. This benefitedFlipkart as it has always been targeting small-town customers,"said Gutgutia.

The festive season saw 87 per cent growth in the number ofcustomers to 88 million up from 47 million during last year’s sales.Of these 88 million, around 57 per cent came from Tier-II andbeyond cities, according to the report. Among the top categories,mobiles continued to dominate this year with 46 per cent share ofthe $8.3 billion sales vis-à-vis 46 per cent of $5 billion sales lastseason.

AstraZeneca CEO expects torun new global trial of

COVID-19 vaccine: Report

Flipkart pips Amazon to leadonline festive sales this year

As t r a Z e n e c ais likely torun an

additional globaltrial to assess theefficacy of itsCOVID-19 vaccineusing a lowerdosage, its chiefexecutive wasquoted as sayingon Thursday, Nov26, amid questionsover the results ofits late-stage study.

Instead of adding the trial to an ongoing US process,AstraZeneca might launch a fresh study to evaluate alower dosage of its vaccine that performed better than afull dosage, Pascal Soriot told Bloomberg News.

"Now that we've found what looks like a better efficacywe have to validate this, so we need to do an additionalstudy," he said, adding that the new, likely global, studycould be faster because it would need fewer subjects asthe efficacy was already known to be high.

The news comes as AstraZeneca faces questions aboutits success rate that some experts say could hinder itschances of getting speedy US and EU regulatoryapproval.

Several scientists have raised doubts about therobustness of results released on Monday showing theexperimental vaccine was 90 percent effective in a sub-group of trial participants who, by error initially,received a half dose followed by a full dose.

Soriot said he did not expect the additional trial todelay British and European regulatory approvals.

42THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020ASTROLOGY

ARIES: Ganesha says the family and newaspects of spiritual progress will play aprominent role in your life now. People play a vitalrole and there may be love, romance perhaps anengagement or wedding, hobbies, fun, gambling,speculation and much more on the cards. This iscertainly an interesting combination and you willnot be alone in the new orientations and intereststaking centerstage in your life.

TAURUS: There are several deadlines,commitments and targets to be met and you areslogging away, burning the midnight oil. Youmanage to meet them all successfully, however,and the rewards will be there for you to see. It is abusy, action-oriented period and you will beworking at a scorching pace. At the end, you willbe brimming with confidence, and the satisfactionof having done a good job. Not to forget a justifiedsense of achievement.

GEMINI: You will be productive at work andwill achieve much, once again. Your self - imagegets a boost and you get kudos from family,friends, colleagues, co-workers and associates.Try not to get an inflated ego as everything isworking out the way you wanted it and it will bedifficult not to get over-confident. Try instead tokeep a humble and low profile as it will benefityou in the long run.

CANCER: There is a lot of satisfaction to behad. You bask in the magic of love, truecontentment and peace. A lot of it is thanks to thefamily who rally around you and share with youthe very joys of existence. All this relaxes you andyou enter new ventures, projects, collaborationsand partnerships, with fresh ideas and a newsense of purpose.

LEO: The results of this period are spectacularand you are 'the man of the match' more thanonce. You are the toast of the season and winpraise, adulation and applause from everybody.You are glowing and growing, emotionally andspiritually, and its happy days once again. You seeand realize the power of money and are ware ofjust how real and tangible it is.

VIRGO: There is greater joy in life for you now.You are sorting out the money angle and evenmoving headlong and with great speed anddetermination on that front. There is happinessand contentment. Family life, too, brings joy, andif you are a parent there will be even greaterhappiness. The money angle continues to be insharp focus. All this makes you positive,energetic, enthusiastic.

LIBRA: You are calm and contented and findmarvelous emotional balance. You are amiableand understanding and can work throughproblems well. There are many intellectual,spiritual and physical gains as Ganesha crownsyour efforts in almost all directions with splendidsuccess. There is opulence in your life and youjust love the charisma and glitter of success!

SCORPIO: You have to make the rightchoices now as there will be many things tochoose from. While it is fine to focus on thematerial world, several other issues have to beworked out in the other areas of your life.Mutual funds, shares and stocks, capital-raising and all other money matters come to thefore and you will have to work hard to see themthrough satisfactorily. Your esteem in thecommunity gets a huge hike, which satisfiesyour ego drives immensely.

SAGITTARIUS: You taste the good life again.There are new acquisitions and additions, whichcan even be gems and jewels, gold and luxurygoods along with genuine accomplishments,achievements and true love. Ganesha also givesyou the joys of greater bonding at home. Whilelife is buoyant and without hassles and hiccups, itis also necessary to tread carefully and be on yourguard lest you slip up and undo all the good thatyou have accomplished.

CAPRICORN: The theme this period ismaterial bonding and close family relationships.It is an emotional period with loved ones and youget a lot of joy from the new chemistry that younow experience. You love all this and it is awelcome respite from the hard work that you haveput in most of this period. From being a soloplayer, you now work in a team and enjoy all thebenefits of collaboration, bonding and harmonywhich a good team brings to you.

AQUARIUS: The action continues with manychallenges in store. The period seems to be packedto the brim for you. But this is a pleasurable phaseas you get a chance to showcase your skills, talentand determination. You will thrive in the use of thelast word in technology and will invest in the latestgadgets, gizmos and software. There is also excitingtravel on the cards with many new possibilities.

PISCES: This is an intense phase and a lot willhappen. This period could be quite dramatic.There is money to be made and success willbeckon on the work front. But, more important,you could be in the throes of a sizzling romance. Itis fine if you are single, but I don't have to add herethat if you are married, a third person will spoil atall. I suggest you take adequate precautions.

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

By Vedic Astrologer Nastur Bejan Daruwalla

is available for astrologicalconsultations.

He can be reached [email protected]

and on phone

+91 8141234275 for astrological

querieswww.bejandaruwalla.com

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE NOV 30-DEC 06, 2020

The Indian Panorama brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope from the World's mosttrusted Vedic Astrologer Nastur Bejan Daruwalla.

NOV 30: Ganesha says though othersappear amiable, it really isn't the time to counton cooperation. An undercurrent ofwillfulness or distractions stands in the way.Enjoy the pleasantries, superficial thoughthey may be.

DEC 1: Your social life can slip into highgear, possibly related to the prospect ofenjoying a weekend away or other funactivities. You and a friend are on the same

wavelength.DEC 2: As the Sun changes sign, look for

added emphasis and vital developmentsregarding employment, as well as health andfitness. See what positive changes you can getgoing in these areas.

DEC 3: Accidentally stumbling ontoconfidential information or a bright idea,especially regarding a home, family, orproperty interest, can really get you going.

DEC 4: Relationship issues surface. Stayaway from touchy subjects. Don't look for

sympathy or be a doormat. There's motivationto get a makeover.

DEC 5: You feel like you're on a collisioncourse with the forces of change. Some changeis welcome, though, especially if it means theend of a stalemate.

DEC 6: You can get into a heated exchangewith a friend over money. Don't letimpulsiveness or competitiveness do thetalking.

Birthday Horoscope November 30 - December 06, 2020

VEDIC ASTROLOGER NASTUR BEJAN DARUWALLA Chirag Bejan Daruwalla with his father late Bejan Daruwalla

Tulsi Vivah is organized on theEkadashi date of Shukla Paksha ofKartik month, according to the

Hindu calendar. This year, the Tulsiwedding is on Thursday, November 26.On this day, Tulsi is ceremoniallymarried to Lord Shaligram. There is alegend in reference to why Tulsi ismarried to Lord Vishnu in the form ofShaligram (stone) on Kartik ShuklaEkadashi. According to the boon given toVrinda, Tulsi and Shaligram gotmarried.

Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is also knownas Dev Uthani Ekadashi. On this day,Lord Vishnu comes out of his endlesssleep. All the gods along with them alsoabandon yoga sleep. Lord Vishnu isworshiped on this day. Then LordShaligram and Tulsi are married.Manglik functions like marriage,mundan, upanayan rites start from thisday itself.

Benefits from tulsi marriageWorship of Tulsi and Lord Shaligram

on Ekadashi ends the problems faced inmarried life. People who are not married,their relationships get confirmed. Notonly this, by marrying Tulsi, one getsmerit like Kanyadaan.

Tulsi Vivah Puja VidhiIt is believed that on the evening of

Ekadashi, devotees must decorate theflower basil plant with ocher etc. Then,by making a pavilion of reed around it,they cover it with a chunari or emblem ofa boar. Wrap basil in a saree and wearbasil leaves to Tulsi and adorn them.

After that, worship Lord Ganesha, thedeities and Shaligram Ji duly andworships the Shodashopchar, worship ofSritulasi ji with the mantra 'TulasaiNamah' is also done. Then, keep acoconut with Dakshina in the formprasad and take the throne of the idol ofLord Shaligram in the hand and do sevencircumambulations of Tulsi Ji andcomplete the marriage ceremony afterAarti.

Tulsi marriages carry out all thefunctions similar to Hindu marriages.Mangal songs are also sung at the time ofmarriage. Tulsi marriage in Rajasthan isknown as 'Batua Firana'. The dedicationof one lakh Tulsi letters to SrihariVishnu leads to the attainment ofBaikuntha Loka (Heaven).

History and SignificanceTulsi is venerated as a goddess in

Hinduism and is considered as a wife ofVishnu, with the epithet, "Vishnupriya","the beloved of Vishnu". The legendbehind Tulsi Vivah and its rites are toldin the scripture, Padma Purana.According to these legends, there wasdemon king Jalandhar who wasinfamous for his evil acts and his successlay in the virtuous character of hisbeloved wife Brinda.

The Gods wanted to end this but evenLord Shiv could not defeat Jalandhar, sohe requested Vishnu to find a solution.Lord Vishnu disguised himself asJalandhar and tricked Vrinda bytouching her. She realized it was not herhusband but Vishnu. This destroyed herchastity.

After that, the legends say thatJalandhar lost in the fight and died.When his wife, Brinda came to know

about this, she cursed Lord Vishnu tobecome a stone named Shaligram andperformed and immolated herself on herhusband's pyre. After this, Lord Vishnu,converted her soul into Tulsi plant andpromised to marry her and that's how theShaligram stone married Tulsi plant.

How is Tulsi Vivah celebrated?Tulsi Vivah can be celebrated either in

temples or at home. Usually, a fast orTulsi Vivah vrat is kept till the eveningwhen the rituals are started. Theceremony begins with bathing a Tulsiplant and a Vishnu idol and decoratingboth with garlands and flowers. TheTulsi plant is decorated like a bride witha red sari, jewellery and bindi. TheVishnu idol is dressed in dhoti. A threadis then tied to link the couple.

The ceremony ends with peopleshowering vermilion and rice on thecouple. After that, Prasad is distributedamong the devotees.

RITUALS The marriage ceremony of the Lord

Krishna with Tulsi resembles much likeany traditional Hindu wedding. Therituals are observed in various temples;however one can easily perform the TulsiVivaah at their home.

The observer of the Tulsi Vivaah mustkeep the fast till the evening, when theactual ceremonies begins.

An attractive mandap is made aroundthe tulsi plant suing the sugarcane stalksand is decorated with colourful rangoli.The tulsi plant is then beautifullyadorned with bright sari, earrings andother ornaments just like an Indianbride. Vermillion powder and turmericis also applied on the tulsi plant. A face

drawn on a paper is put on the Tulsiplant to which, nose-ring and a bindi isalso attached.

The groom is depicted either as a brassidol or picture of Lord Vishnu.Sometimes even the ‘Shaligram Stone’,symbolic of Lord Vishnu is used for thepuja. The image of Lord Krishna/Vishnuis then covered in a dhoti.

A special vegetarian lunch is preparedfor this grandeur occasion. In most ofthe household’s puris, rice and dal, redpumpkin vegetable and a delicious sweetpotato kheer is prepared. The preparedfood is then kept aside for ‘bhog’ after thecompletion of marriage rituals.

The actual ceremony starts in theevening. As a part of the vivaahceremony, both Lord Vishnu and Tulsiare given a bath and adorned withflowers, before the wedding. A yellowthread is used to link the couple together

for the ceremony.The tulsi Vivaah ceremony can either

be performed by a priest or women in thehouse collectively perform the puja. Theritual can be performed by women of allage groups, but only widows are notallowed to participate in the tulsi Vivaahceremony. The mantras are enchanted allthroughout the wedding ceremony. Atthe completion of the marriage rites, thedevotees shower rice mixed withvermillion on the newlyweds.

After the puja, a tulsi aarti is sung.Once the aarti is finished, the cookedfood is offered as ‘bhog’ together withfruits. The prasad is then eaten togetherwith family members and other guests.

A person who observes the TulsiVivaah should also eat a Tulsi leaf that issymbolic of Goddess Tulsi entering thedevotee’s body. Prasad in the form ofsweets are then distributed among all.

TULSI VIVAH

ARISH K. SAHANI SSeerrvviinngg SSiinnccee 11997722

Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs

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PPAAGGEE SSPPOONNSSOORREEDD BBYY

““IIff HHiinndduuss ddoonn’’tt mmaaiinnttaaiinn HHiinndduuiissmm,, wwhhoo sshhaallll ssaavvee iitt??””

““IIff IInnddiiaa’’ss oowwnn cchhiillddrreenn ddoonn''tt cclliinngg ttoo tthheeiirr ffaaiitthh,, wwhhoo sshhaallll gguuaarrdd iitt??””

““IInnddiiaannss aalloonnee ccaann ssaavvee IInnddiiaa,, aanndd IInnddiiaa aanndd HHiinndduuiissmm aarree oonnee..””

43THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020SPIRITUALITY

On this day, Tulsi isceremonially married to LordShaligram. This year, TulsiVivah will be organized onNovember 26.

44THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020INTERVIEW

A Renowned Pharmacologist, Neuroscientist andEminent Scholar of Sikhism - Bhai Dr. Harbans Lal

BY DR. DEVINDER PAL SINGH

Dr. Harbans Lal, born in 1931, at Haripur, theNorth-West Frontier Province, and named atPunja Sahib Gurdwara both now in Pakistan, is

an internationally recognized pharmacologist cumneuroscientist. He is also a profound scholar of Sikhi-sm.

After receiving his B.Sc. degree in PharmaceuticalSciences from Punjab University, Chandigarh, India, hemigrated to the USA in 1956. Therein, he completed hismaster's degree from the University of Kansas in 1958and received a Ph.D. degree in Medical Sciences(Pharmacology), from the University of Chicago, in1962.

Over the years, Dr. Harbans Lal held various teachingand research positions at the University of Kansas,University of Chicago, IIT Research Institute andUniversity of Rhode Island. During 1980-2000, he servedat the University of North Texas Health Science Center,as Professor and Chairman, Dept. of Pharmacology andNeurosciences.

In his long career as a pharmacologist/neuroscientist, he is credited with over 400 researchpapers, 28 books on medical research, several researchreviews and 56 chapters in books on Medical sciences.He served as the Editor-in-Cheif of the monthlyresearch journal "Drug Development Research" for 14years.

Dr. Lal served on many national and internationaladvisory boards, including the National Institute ofHealth, National Institute of Ageing, National ScienceFoundation, and US Food and Drug Administration.Society of Neuroscience honored him with aDistinguished Neuroscientist Award. The AmericanCollege of Neuropsychopharmacology elected him as amember and included him among accomplishedscientists recognized for making discoveries inmedicines in the past 50 years. American PsychologicalAssociation honored him with honorary membershipfor his contribution to psychology research being a non-psychologist. It was done on the recommendation of BFSkinner, the father of Behavioral Psychology. TheScientists of Indian Origin in America elected Dr.Harbans Lal as its President.

In his public life, Dr. Lal promoted interfaith andmulticultural understanding. He serves in variousleadership capacities in interfaith organizations suchas the World Center for Thanksgiving, InterfaithCouncil of Thanksgiving Square, The FaithConversation, Alliance for Religious Freedom, and

advisor to the American Project on Religion in theNews Media. He is the Ambassador of the Parliament ofWorld's Religions.

Dr. Lal's contributions are published not only in theSikh press but in other world-class periodicals such asDallas Morning News, Tribune, Times of India,Hindustan Times, etc.

For his contributions, Dr. Lal was recognized with theAmbassador of Peace Award by Interreligious andInternational Federation for World Peace. He washonored with the International Medal of Honor by theGrace Seminary, and the International Ummah Awardby the Islamic Association.

Besides serving as a medical educationist at variousprestigious educational/medical institutions in theUSA for over fifty years, and serving a multitude ofpublic service projects, Dr. Lal has also establishedhimself as a leader of several Sikh institutions and asan eminent writer in the field of Sikh theology.

Harbans Lal was one of the founders of the All IndiaSikh Students Federation (AISSF) subsequently servingthis organization in many roles leading to his beingelected as the AISSF President (1954-56). He also servedas the Editor-in-Chief of the Sikh Students' Bulletin, amonthly magazine of AISSF. AISSF honored him withthe name Bhai Harbans Lal. In 1963, at a Samundri HallConference in the Darbar Sahib Sri Amritsar complex,the Shiromani Parbandhak Committee President,Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, honored Dr. HarbansLal with the ceremonial Siropa and the Sri Sahib(ceremonial sword) as well as the honorific title of BhaiSahib. Since then Dr. Harbans Lal has been known asBhai Harbans Lal in the Sikh circles.

Bhai Harbans Lal was the Founding Vice President of

the Sarab Hind Sehajdhari Sikh Organization (1949-56).From 1975- 2018, Dr. Lal served as the Founding Vice-President of Sri Nanakana Sahib Foundation(President Late Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon), anorganization credited with opening the free access tothe Sikh historical places left behind in Pakistan afterthe partition of India. The Nanakana Sahib Foundationis also credited with the establishment of the PakistanSikh Gurdwara Parbandhac Committee.

Since 2016, Dr. Lal is a regular contributor to Sikhthoughts via his blog "Seeking Wisdom". Through hisliterary essays, as published in many reputed researchjournals, magazines, books, and newspapers, he hasbeen able to create an indelible mark of scholarship onthe minds of his readers. He has published a book onGuru Nanak's teachings and several reviews on Sikhthemes.

Dr. Bhai Harbans Lal has been honored for hisservices to the Sikh cause by several Sikh organizationse.g., Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee,Amritsar; Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee,New Delhi, The Akal Takht, Takht Hazur Sahib, Takhat

Sri Patna Sahib, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Sikh DharmaInternational, and the Sikh Social and EducationalSociety, Canada.

In recognition of his contributions to Sikh Studies,he has been awarded, D. Lit. (Honoris causa) degree byGuru Nanak Dev University in 1995. He has also beenhonored with the Order of Nishan-e-Khalsa, byAnandpur Sahib Foundation, in 1999, for his impressiveaccomplishments in Sikh scholarship and promotingSikhism. Most recently (2019), he was honored with theProf. Sahib Singh Memorial Award established by MianMir Memorial Trust.

A widely acclaimed pharmacologist/neuroscientistand a noted Sikh theologian, Dr. Harbans Lal, is afounder member of the School of Scientific and LogicalInterpretation of Gurbani. He is committed to bringingout the truth of Gurbani, logically, rationally, andscientifically. With his scientific training and devotionto Gurbani, he is eminently qualified to do so. In hisworks, Dr. Lal portrays intellectually courageous andauthentic attempts to interpret Sikh Gurus' verseslogically and scientifically, to create an accurateunderstanding of the Gurbani. His scientificbackground and professional life as a scientist haveundoubtedly influenced his choice of paradigm andperspective.

A votary of honest living, Dr. Harbans Lal led a life,dedicated to the love of God and selfless service tosociety. He is a true Karam yogi, who had devoted hiswhole life to spread the message of education, Gurmat,and service to all. He asserts that Sikh Gurus'philosophy, their Sikhi ethics, their compositions, andSri Guru Granth Sahib are the substance that makes forspirituality befitting the 21st century.

His views on various aspects of Gurbani arepresented here for the benefit of readers:Dr. Singh: You are a scientist by training and a teacher cumresearcher by profession. How have you become sointerested in theology?

My mother told me that my parents received me as agift from Guru Nanak including my name and theywould raise me to serve the causes of Guru Nanak. Soshe taught me about our gurus and their teachings withthe help of two woman-granthis of the gurdwara forwomen, Istri Satsang Sabha, in Haripur. The samefunction was taken over by my AISSF family.

Dr. Singh: What is Sikh Philosophy, and what are itssources?

The Sikh philosophy is imbibed in the verses ofGurus' hymns inscribed in SGGS. The general andfundamental questions about human existence, thepurpose of the creation, and human life are well

In his long career as a pharmacologist/ neuroscientist, Dr.Harbans Lal is credited with over 400 research papers, 28

books on medical research, several research reviews and 56chapters in books on Medical sciences. He served as the

Editor-in-Cheif of the monthly research journal "DrugDevelopment Research" for 14 years.

CONTD ON PAGE 45

45THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020INTERVIEW

deliberated in SGGS. In a few words, one is in this worldas a part of the Divine blueprint to be fulfilled with thewonders of this creation by living our lives accordingly.The Guru provided in the commencing verse of SGSGSthe divine attributes that are meant for us to emulatethrough behaviors and characteristics dictated by theguidelines narrated in the three pillars of life describedas Naam, Daan, Isnaan. The Naam is noumenon, i.e. thespiritual experience of reality peculiar to religion anddistinct from aesthetic, euphoric, or moral experiences.Daan is sharing God-given bounties of materialtreasures and intellectual capacities, as well as seekingdivine gifts such as Naam, the company of otherseekers, fearlessness, and abilities to serve others.Isnaan is noble deeds that cleanse the mind, vision, andbody. These principles were meant to combine thepractice of Naam to achieve Divine consciousness witha socio-political order of noble deeds and sharingpractices of all kinds at all levels. The purpose was toachieve equality and unity of humankind under theCreator as well as the fulfillment of human goals whileliving in every environment.

Dr. Singh: What makes Sikh Gurus' philosophy original andunique?

Siddha asked Guru Nanak as to what his dharma was,when was it founded, and for what environment was itsuitable? The Guru answered that his dharma was GurMat, it was established as soon as humanity came intoexistence and it was suitable for all times.

Dr. Singh: What is the relevance of Sachiara (as envisionedby Guru Nanak in his Jap composition) in a moderncontext?

To become Sachiara, in short, is to awaken theeternal truthfulness within so that the humannarcissism is replaced, and one seeks divinecompanionship. For Sachiara, forms, and events(Hukam) reveal the key sources of the truth; theordinary becomes extraordinary, the "secular" becomesthe "sacred". Therefore, Sikhs constantly conflate,juxtapose, and interpenetrate opposing boundaries -between Hindu pantheism, Islamic monotheism, andBuddhist nothingness.

Dr. Singh: In Oct 2019, you have delivered an invitedlecture at McGill University, Quebec, Canada, on the topic"The Miracle of Sultanpur Lodhi - the Founder of InterfaithDialogue Worldwide". Does Sikh Gurus' philosophyencourage belief in miracles?

I used the term miracle as a metaphor. Nanak wentinto meditative trans somewhere at the banks of theVein river in Sultanpur away from the distractinghustle and bustle so that he was left alone tocontemplate for 3 days. He emerged as, we may call,Prophet Nanak or Guru Nanak. It is similar to the caseof Prince Gautam who meditated under a banyan treeand came out of his trance as Gautam Buddha.

Dr. Singh: Different Sikh scholars emphasize one or theother versions of the Three Pillars of Sikhism e.g. (i) KiratKaro, Naam Japo, Vand Chhako (2) Naam, Daan, Isnaan(3) Deg, Teg, Fateh, etc. Based on Sikh doctrines, what doyou think is the aptest version?

Beginning with Guru Nanak, all ten Gurus used theterms, Naam (Mindful Awareness of Divine Presence),Daan (Live Out the Culture of Altruism when SeekingDivine Benevolence), Isnaan (Implement Ethics ofGood Deeds that Cleanse both Body and Mind).

Their contemporary Sikh theologians used the Gurugiven terms. Other terms like Kirat Karo, Naam Japo,Vand Chhako were introduced by Bhai Vir Singh in hisnovel Bijay Singh and became fashionable thereafter. Idare not outsmart my Guru and use only the Gurugiven terms, Naam, Daan, Isnaan. Moreover, the otherterms do not convey the exact meanings that our Gurushad in mind.

Dr. Singh: Is Sikh Gurus' Philosophy in conflict or harmonywith science? How can Sikh Gurus' Philosophy help in thecultivation of scientific temper in society?

Our Gurus were fully consistent with science. Themore we know about creation with scientific advances,the more we realize the truth in Guru's teachings andbecome humble before the Creators.

Dr. Singh: Some scholars emphasize that Sikh philosophydepicts a way of life, not a religion. What is your opinionabout it?

Our gurus did not use or accept the term religion ormazhab. Religion is a Judeo-Christian term and theterm mazahb is from Abrahamic traditions. Guru usedthe term Dharam, in the West Dharma, which isentirely distinct from religion. Dharma is devoid ofritualism and mythology; it is simply a pathway toconnect with the Creator while living a happy andhealthy life.

Dr. Singh: As per Sikh Gurus' Philosophy, what is themeaning or purpose of our presence in this Universe?

Our purpose is to appreciate the Divine and Creationunder the guidance of the Guru. We can do this throughthe gift of Dharma.

Dr. Singh: What is the perspective of Sikh Philosophy aboutthe existence of God? Can faith in God be justified?

Under the guidance of the Sikh philosophy, weconnect with Ek Ongkar, the icon selected to commencethe text of SGGS. The symbol or icon means One realitymanifested in all creation.

Then, we are to perceive the same manifestationwithin each one of us so that we may emulate some ofthe divine virtues within us under Guru's guidance andbenevolence. The rest of the SGGS trains us towardsthat goal.

Dr. Singh: Do scientists believe in God?Depending on which God? They do not believe in the

anthropomorphic God that the clergy class (clerics,pujaris) has invented, with miracles and rituals. Butthey do believe in the Ek-Ongkar symbolizing OneVirtual Reality manifested in all creations. Mostscientists dislike the associated mythology and rituals.

Dr. Singh: What is the SGGS's perspective aboutspirituality?

I do not know what spirituality is although I do hearabout it. It is something the intellectuals follow insteadof any organized religion. The spiritualists believe inharmonizing with the Universe and Nature as beingspiritual. They do not get solace by going to places ofworship but seek happiness from within. They, rather,align with their "spirit" for eternal bliss. Somespiritualists that I now do have their living guru. Onefriend told me his belief this way. He wrote, "If youwant to know Him, you have to experience Him vividly.You can never find Him by repeating His namemindlessly. The singing of hymns would not enhanceyou spiritually." The example he gave me was reallyconvincing. If you are hungry, you will have to eatfood…just uttering the names of different dishes ortheir recipes would not satisfy your hunger!!!

I cannot have any qualm with it except I get myspiritual guidance from Gurbani.

Dr. Singh: What is the perspective of Sikh Philosophy aboutsociety?

Guru talks about humanity and Gurmukh panth. Ihave not studied as to where society fits in. I am not ableto explain in a few words. It needs a chapter.

Dr. Singh: Do Sikh doctrines drive towards thesustainability of living beings on the earth?

The divine creation will live or die according toHukam, the blueprint that the Creator has implementedfor the creation. The God-given treasures will never runout.

Dr. Singh: Based on Sikh Philosophy, what can be done tostop humans fighting each other for race, religion, caste,color, or creed?

To stop those fighting among groups, eliminate ordiscourage the culture of mera and tera, meaning mineand yours, us, and them. All of us carry the same jot orthe flame of life.

Dr. Singh: Can rational inquiry and Gurbani convictions co-exist?

Gurbani is all rational. At any one moment, we maynot understand the real meaning of a verse and it mayseem irrational. In this case, we must continue to prayand seek SABD DEEDAR, to mean the guidance in theunderstanding of the true meaning and significance ofthe verse. Most verses are in metaphors and must berealized as such.

Dr. Singh: What is the perspective of Sri Guru Granth Sahibon life, soul, death, and reincarnation; Karam and nadir?

All of us who are born will die. That is the end. Thebody will become ashes and merge into the elements.The egoistic mental entities will end forever. When weare living, our mind goes through numerous lives andreincarnations. A Sikh seeks an end to thesereincarnations of the human mind that we call M^N.

Dr. Singh: Do Sikhs believe in an afterlife? Do they believein Heaven/Hell, salvation?

No. Sikhi does not believe in heavens, hell, salvationin the afterlife, etc. These terms in Gurbani are used asmetaphors to explain the experiences as well as therewards and punishments in this life.

Dr. Singh: What are the barriers to the logical and rationalinterpretation of Gurbani?

Religious information concocted by ill-trainedclerics, pujaris, who are hired or paid otherwise toimpart religious education most of the time. Most ofthem promote barriers to a real understanding ofGurbani. They discourage intellectual contemplation ofGurbani in favor of merely listening to it verbatim inpopular tunes.

Dr. Singh: You have been the founder president of theAcademy of Guru Granth Studies since its inception. Canyou elaborate on some of the outstanding contributions ofthe Academy?

The Academy participated in several collaborationprojects with others over the years. Presently it isengaged in bringing out the Urdu translation of theGuru Granth to benefit nearly 400 million Urdu-speaking people in the world. As always, the Urdutranslation project too is multidimensional and issupported by many organizations and manyindividuals in its various dimensions. We urgently needsome Urdu scholars of Gurmat to help in the project.

Dr. Singh: Recently you have published your book titled:"Guru Nanak's Religious Pluralism and Sri Guru GranthSahib". In this book, you have emphasized that the Sikhreligion, as envisioned by Guru Nanak, is pluralistic,inclusive, and contemporary. Can you share a few salientfeatures of your thesis?

The message of the nearly 300 pages book is that ourGuru's teachings are universal and are etched in stonein the hymns of the Guru Granth. They form the basisof Guru's message that is for the whole of humanityirrespective of any linguistic, historic, or culturaldifferences among societies. No history should beallowed to rule over the Guru's message. Similarly, noculture should come in the way of Sikhi practices. Thebest ways to connect with the Guru's teachings areillustrated in Gurbani. My book describes how best toconnect to the message of Gurbani.

Dr. Singh: Prof. Hardev Singh Virk, a noted Sikh scholar,during one of his lectures at San Jose Gurudwara, USA, in2018 argued that "Sikhism fails to impact at the globallevel." Would you like to share your opinion about thisstatement?

I agree that Sikhi-sm to date has failed to impact anysociety outside the Punjabi ethnic populations in everycontinent. I do not know the reason, but my workinghypothesis is that it is because our clergy class thatmanages our religion has evolved rigid rituals in ourpractices so that our dissemination of Guru's messageis walled within our religious institutions run byPunjabi ethnic groups.

CONTD ON PAGE 50

CONTD FROM PAGE 44

46THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020CLASSIFIEDS

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DIEGO MARADONA (1960-2020)

HAND OF GOD WITH FEET OF DIVINITYDiego Maradona has died from a

heart attack days after turning 60.He breathed his last at home, his

lawyer said, just three weeks afterhaving surgery on a blood clot in hisbrain.

Maradona won the football World Cupwith Argentina in 1986, having knockedEngland out of the tournament in amatch which saw him score the infamous‘Hand of God’ goal, and another —widely considered to be the greatest goalof all time. One of the greatest players onthe pitch, his life off the pitch wasequally colourful — amid battles withdrug and alcohol addiction. He not justinspired a generation, he defined it.

BackgroundMaradona had a humble upbringing,

he was bred in the city of Villa Fiorito inthe outskirts of Buenos Aires and wasborn to underprivileged parents. Whenhe was eight years old, Maradona cameunder the eyes of a talent scout when hewas playing in the neighborhood clubEstrella Roja.

Soon, the natural skill set made himthe chief player of the Los Cebollitas(The Little Onions), the junior team ofBuenos Aires’s Argentinos Juniors.

DebutMaradona made his professional debut

for Argentinos Juniors in the year 1976,after the conclusion of the match hestated, “That day I felt I had held the skyin my hands.” He played for five years atArgentinos Juniors and scored 115 goalsin 167 appearances. Maradona wastransferred to Barcelona in Spain for athen world record fee of £5 million in theyear 1982, and the club raced to glory.

His international debut came in theyear 1976 when Argentina played againstHungary. Maradona was not included inthe 1978 World Cup squad, which washeld in Argentina as the coach CésarLuis Menotti felt that he’s still a novice toplay in the World Cup.

He played the 1979 FIFA World YouthChampionship in Japan, Argentina wonthe final and Maradona was the star ofthe tournament. His first seniorinternational goal came in the year 1979in a 3–1 win against Scotland atHampden Park.

Rise to gloryMaradona was the youngest player to

make it to the national team. In 1979 hewas declared to be the South AmericanPlayer of the Year and he led Argentinain the Junior World Cup. Maradona wasthe newsmaker in 1982 when he was soldto Barcelona for $7.7 million at the age of21.

With Maradona’s extraordinarygameplay, Argentina became thechampions in 1986 World Cup and he wasnamed “athlete of the decade” by theBritish. But he wasn’t short ofcontroversy, as he scored a pivotal goalagainst England with the help of hisarm. After the match, Maradonafamously said that if the ball struck anyhand, it was the hand of God.

He also received the FIFA World CupGolden Ball and the Silver Shoe in thesame year.

He led Napoli to the Serie A title twicein his career.

Low pointsMaradona had a tough time with

Barca, he was addicted to cocaine, due towhich Barcelona’s directors had disputesand Maradona was sold to Napoli foranother record fee of £6.9million.

Maradona was banned from footballfor 15 months in 1991 after testingpositive for cocaine.

CaptaincyMaradona captained the Argentina

national football team 16 times, and ledhis nation to World Cup title in 1986.

RecordsThe Argentine ace footballer has

scored 312 goals in his entire career. Hehas recorded 8 goals and provided 8assists in 21 World Cup appearances.Maradona was the second highest goal-scorer from Argentina in World Cupfinals.

RetirementPost-retirement from football, he won

FIFA Player of the Century award. Heplayed few charity matches in order toraise money for trusts and organization.

“Today I say goodbye to a friend andthe world says goodbye to an eternalgenius. One of the best ever. Anunparalleled magician. He leaves toosoon, but leaves a legacy without limitsand a void that will never be filled,” thePortugal and Juventus superstar wrotein his twitter handle. “Rest in peace,ace. You will never be forgotten.”

— Cristiano Ronaldo

“A very sad day for all Argentinians andfor football. He has left us but he isn'tgoing anywhere because Diego iseternal. I'll remember the lovelymoments I experienced with him and Isend my condolences to his family andfriends. Rest in peace.”

— Lionel Messi

"What sad news. I lost a great friendand the world lost a legend. There isstill much to be said, but for now, mayGod give strength to family members.One day, I hope we can play balltogether in the sky.” — Pele

1986: The year of Diego Maradona

The 1986 World Cup in Mexicomust be the only World Cup inthe history of the tournament to

be won by a single player. Not a team -in this game that defines teamwork -but one man. The 1986 World Cupbegins and ends with Maradona.

It comes alive with Argentina’s firstmatch, where the diminutive manfeeds all three goals that his countryscores past South Korea; for his thirdassist, he bursts into the box andbrushes off two defenders - a sign ofthings to come - before squaring theball across the goal. In their secondmatch, he outmuscles his doggedItalian marker and reaches a lobbedpass inside the box and unleashes apowerful left footed drive from a toughangle. The match is drawn 1-1.

Against Bulgaria, which Argentinawin 2-0, he provides the assist for thefirst goal. He scores both goals againstBelgium in the semis for a 2-0 win - thefirst, a flick with the outside of thefoot while two defenders and thegoalkeeper clatter into him; thesecond, a marvel of speed and control,scything through four defenders andtwisting into a shot that flies into thegoal at an acute angle even as he losesbalance at that speed. But wait. Bythen, that was not magic. It was justMaradona doing his thing.

It was just an unstoppable forcedoing the inevitable. The ball getsglued to his left feet. No defender cankeep up. He is everywhere. A bundle ofmuscle, a burst of pure energy, theCosmic Kite, the ball goes where hewants it to go, he dictates matches, heowns the pitch.

It has all already happened beforethe hapless Belgians face him - him,not Argentina - in the semis.

It has happened in the match thatwill forever define Maradona, the twosides of the man, the devil and theangel, genius and rogue. It happens inthe quarterfinal against England,where, in the space of a few minutes,Maradona provides the most divineand the most divisive memories of theWorld Cup. The first is a brazen,reckless, desperate move, him risingabove the towering Englandgoalkeeper Peter Shilton to meet ahigh ball with his fist. The world callshim a cheat; he says it’s the “Hand ofGod”.

His second simply becomes knownas the “goal of the century” - never tobe outshone in the collective memoryof football for its sheer audacity andits improbable skill. The visual impactis indelible - Maradona, collecting theball in his own half, spinning awayfrom two defenders, and zooming offin a blinding, mazy run, chest out,tongue out, thighs pumping like thepistons from some steampunk monsterengine and one by one, leaving sevenEnglish players flailing in his wake.

He had tried it before, six yearsearlier, at the Wembley - England vsArgentina again, May 1980 - but thattime he had unleashed an angled shotthat had whizzed just wide of the farpost. Somehow, in the middle of thismesmeric run, Maradona remembersthat moment. This time, he rounds thegoalkeeper so nothing is left to chance.He travels 60 yards in 11 otherworldlyseconds for that goal.

49THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020SPORTS

Tokyo Olympicsorganisers plan to host

18 test eventsTOKYO (TIP): The postponed Tokyo Olympics

are getting a kick-start. Local organisers on Fridayannounced a series of 18 test events set to begin inMarch and run into May.

The Tokyo Olympics are set to open on July 23,2021, after being postponed eight months agobecause of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement in an online news conferencecame the same day that the Tokyo MetropolitanGovernment reported a one-day record of 570 newcoronavirus infections in the capital.

Although Japan has handled the pandemic betterthan most countries, cases have been surgingrecently with about 2,000 deaths attributed toCOVID-19 in a country of 125 million.

Officials said at least four of the test events willinvolve athletes from abroad, including tests inswimming, gymnastics, diving and volleyball.

A track and field meet on May 9 at the newNational Stadium is listed as test event. It is notclear if athletes from abroad will participate.

Hidemasa Nakamura, the games delivery officer,said none of the test events would allow fans fromabroad, although some events would permit anunspecified number of fans from Japan.

"No, we will not have spectators from abroad,"Nakamura said.

Several of the events will not even involveathletes, testing "operations" only as a way to cutback on spending.

Belgium No. 1 in FIFArankings, France 2nd

and Brazil 3rdZURICH (TIP): With Belgium still at No. 1,

FIFA released its final rankings list for 2020 onFriday, Nov 27, and set the seedings for theEuropean portion of the World Cup qualifyingdraw.

Defending World Cup champion France is insecond place, with Brazil third and Englandfourth. European champion Portugal rounds outthe top five, with Spain in sixth.

FIFA will host the European draw on December7. The 10 top-seeded teams include Italy, whichwas seeded second four years ago and failed toqualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia afterending up in a group with Spain.

The Netherlands, ranked 14th, took the last top-seeded place, dropping No. 16 Switzerland into pot2.

The 10 group winners will qualifyingautomatically for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.The 10 runners-up will enter the playoffs, joinedby two teams from the Nations League groups.

Argentina moved up one place to No. 7 after tworounds of World Cup qualifying in SouthAmerica. Uruguay fell one place to No. 8.

At No. 9, Mexico is the highest-ranked teamfrom the CONCACAF region, while the UnitedStates stayed at No. 22.

Senegal leads African nations at No. 20, whileJapan is Asia’s top-ranked team at No. 27. WorldCup host Qatar dropped two places to No. 59.

FINCH, SMITH HIT TONS,HAZLEWOOD STRIKES AS

AUSSIES CRUSH INDIASYDNEY (TIP): Skipper Aaron

Finch and Steve Smith blazed centuriesand Josh Hazlewood ripped apart theIndian top order as Australia won by 66runs in the first one-day internationalat the Sydney Cricket Ground onFriday, Nov 27.

The Indians, coming out ofcoronavirus quarantine, looked rustyin their first taste of internationalcricket since February, as theAustralians went on a run rampage toreach 374 for six after winning the toss.

Hazlewood then put the skids underthe tourists, triggering a top-orderwobble. Among his victims was covetedwicket of skipper Virat Kohli, as Indiaamassed 308 for eight in reply.

Australia enjoyed perfect battingconditions. Finch belted 114 and sharedan opening stand of 156 with DavidWarner, who made 69 off 75 balls.

Smith had some early luck earlybefore taking charge and hitting 105 off66 balls with four sixes.

He was saved by DRS after aconfident appeal for leg before wicketon 15. Then Shikhar Dhawan badlymissed Smith's miscue on 38 at long on.

"I've been searching for somethingfor a couple of months now, but a coupleof days ago I started to hit the ballwhere I wanted it, and everything cameback, the rhythm came back," man-of-the-match Smith said.

"Finchy and Davey set an excellentplatform, we could come and just takeoff." After Finch raised his 17th ODIcentury he was out for 114 off 124 ballstrying to steer a Jasprit Bumrah lifterbehind the wicket in the 40th over.

Glenn Maxwell hit a rumbustious 45off 19 balls as Australia built a massivetotal to defend under the evening lights.

India made a fast start, the openersflaying the Aussie attack for 53 before

Mayank Agarwal fell to Hazlewood for22. Kohli was dropped on one by AdamZampa at fine leg after top-edging a PatCummins lifter.

The reprieve did not last long whenthe India skipper was cramped byHazlewood and found Finch at mid-wicket, his night over at 21.

"We got enough time to prepare, Idon't think there's any excuses on thefield when you don't pull up as a side,"Kohli said. "It's probably the first longgame we've played in a while. The bodylanguage after 25-26 overs wasdisappointing.

"A quality side will hurt you (if youhave fielding lapses). We'll have to findout ways of getting a few overs from afew part-time (bowlers) in the side."

Hazlewood picked up Shreyas Iyer,failing to get his bat away from abouncer and skying to Alex Carey fortwo, leaving the tourists at 80 for three.

Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandyagave India an outside hope of pulling offvictory in a 128-run partnership beforeDhawan was caught by Mitchell Starcoff Zampa for 74.

India's remaining hope went withPandya who took on Zampa but failed toclear the rope and was caught by Starcfor 90 off 76 balls. Zampa finished withfour for 54 off his 10 overs.

India had not played internationalcricket since a tour of New Zealandearlier in the year and it showed withtheir outfielding ragged at times.

In contrast, Australia came into thematch on the back of beating 50-overworld champions England inSeptember.

Even getting to the opening toss wasan uphill battle for India, withwrangling over quarantinerequirements and a recent outbreak ofcoronavirus in Melbournecomplicating matters. But CricketAustralia was desperate for theblockbuster tour, which also includesfour tests, to go ahead, with the fundsgenerated crucial after the sport was hithard by the Covid-19 shutdown.

Before play, both teams formed aceremonial, barefoot circle toacknowledge the traditionalindigenous owners of the SCG land.

NZ pull off Auckland thriller despite Pollard blitzWELLINGTON (TIP): New Zealand greeted

international cricket back in the country with a thrillingfive-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 against WestIndies on Friday, Nov 27.

Kieron Pollard’s blistering 75 not out powered WestIndies to a commanding 180-7 in the Auckland contestwhich was reduced to 16-overs-a-side following raininterruptions.

New Zealand’s top order let them down but JimmyNeesham forged important partnerships with debutantDevon Conway and Mitchell Santner to seal victory withfour balls to spare.

This was the first international match in New Zealandsince the Christchurch test against India that ended onMar 2. “It was a very strange game but nice to come out theright side,” said home captain Tim Southee, leading theside in absence of Kane Williamson.

The first five overs of the match contained plenty of thedrama, including a couple of rain interruptions.

Put into bat, West Indies plundered 55 runs off the firstthree overs before the hosts staged a remarkablecomeback.

Lockie Ferguson’s (5-21) double strikes triggered aspectacular collapse as West Indies slumped from 58 for noloss to 59-5 in the space of 12 deliveries.

Pollard not only arrested the slide but also launched a

blistering counter-attack, smashing eight sixes in his 37-ball blitz. New Zealand’s top order wilted early butNeesham, who remained not out on 48, partnered Conwayto revive their chase before pulling it off in company ofSantner (31 not out).

“I hope the crowd enjoyed it,” Pollard said.“It was a topsy-turvy game. A bit of indiscipline showed

for us, in the bowling, and losing five wickets in that spaceof time in the batting too.”

The teams now move to Mount Maunganui for the lasttwo Twenty20 matches, to be played on Sunday andMonday, before a two-test series between them.

Virat Kohli congratulates Aaron Finch after the match.

50THE INDIAN PANORAMAFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020TURN PAGE

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CONTD FROM PAGE 45

A Renowned Pharmacologist,...As Sardar Kapoor Singh had described, our present language

of dissemination is "gibberish" to our youth and people outsideof the Punjabi ethnicity. Our religious practices have beenmade subservient to our cultural practices that insistentlyexclude and discourage others.

Dr. Singh: Your book "Guru Nanak's Religious Pluralism and SriGuru Granth Sahib" points out many of the issues confronting ourdiverse and pluralistic world, particularly the world that emergedafter 9/11. Can you share a few of these issues, specificallyimpacting the Sikhs?

In the past century, we began to live in variousneighborhoods within a global village. Suddenly we are facedwith the responsibility of explaining the Sikhi theology to ournew neighbors. We are certainly not prepared for that. That isthe main issue.

Dr. Singh: Since 2016, you are writing a blog "Seeking Wisdom".Can you elaborate, how and why you came up with this idea?

Because of my advancing age, I was advised to undertake anew project that may exercise my brain to slow down in itsdegeneration. After discussing with my family and mycolleagues I initiated writing for the new blog. I define a Sikhas a person who is a seeker of the divine wisdom throughGuru's hymns. So, I named my blog as "Seeking Wisdom" andpen down my thoughts in my spare time. Thus, I share withother wisdom seekers what I learn from Gurbani.

Dr. Singh: What is the Sikh Gurus' perspective on religious/spiritualexperience as reported by various religious devotees/scientists?Can you share any of your unique religious/spiritual experiences?

No, I do not have any spiritual experience except that I oftensee and interact with Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh inmy dreams.

Dr. Singh: Karl Marx, the German philosopher, and economist,once said that "Religion is the opium of the people." Is SikhPhilosophy a new variety of this opium?

As I said before, Sikhi-sm is not a religion as the religion isdefined by the Judeo-Christian traditions. So, it may not havethe same ill effects on society as experienced under Abrahamicreligions. No, Sikhi-sm it is not the opium of the people.

Dr. Singh: Is Sikhism universal? If so, why has it not been soaccepted yet?

What is universal? Universal is that which applieseverywhere, to whole humankind, and in all civil societiesregardless of culture, race, gender, religion, nationality, or anyother distinguishing feature. Further, universal can berelevant only in the world of diversity.

Let us apply the dynamics of universality to Sikhi toestablish that they are universal. To start with, the Sikhidynamics are universal because the founder of the Sikhiclaimed them to be so. When we go deep into Guru's teachings,we find a dynamic relationship between Sikh identity, the Sikhcommunity, and the grace-awakened values that our Gurusprescribed in our scripture. It is the need of the hour that theyare articulated in the language that the new civilizations cangrasp. Where their universality is not apparent, we mustactively explore ways of universalizing Guru's message.

Guru Nanak used the metaphor of the ocean waters thatthrough the routes of cloud formations give birth to glaciers,lakes, and rains. They, in turn, go on to form rivers andrivulets. These rivulets then flow through mountains and landsto irrigate vast territories on all continents before they returnto the oceans again.

Our clergy, exegetists, and even scholars stress loudly andwith authority as well as with pride that our Gurus gave us auniversal religion. However, our clergy and exegetists neverelucidate what they mean from the Sikhi teachings beinguniversal. As a matter of fact, in the name of their universalreligion, they religiously promote rituals, definitions, andreligiosities which are out and out anything but universal.

Sikhi would never formally align Guru Wisdom with oneethnicity, one society, one culture, one denomination, onepolitical party, or one geographical area. Guru will also notallow someone to use a Sikhi rivulet to ignore laws of civilsocieties, of sciences, or colors and diversities within the samecommunity. As far as we know, that was the intent of GuruNanak.

There is another point to ponder. A rivulet is a minority ifyou look at one at a time, but it is the majority if you look at it"connected to the source along with others and its ending intothe ocean with all others." Then you are part of a vast majority.This way the Wisdom Seekers or the Sikhs encounter thecoming waves of global uncertainty with confidence andoptimism.

(The author is with Center for Understanding Sikhism, Mississauga,L5A 1Y7, ON, Canada)

contd from page 3

President-elect Joe Biden unveils...Here's who Joe Biden has selected for his Cabinet

Biden is moving swiftly to craft his incoming administrationdespite Trump's ongoing efforts to reverse the election resultsand gum up the transition. CNN reported Monday that Biden isexpected to name Janet Yellen as Treasury secretary, accordingto a source with knowledge of the pick. Yellen would be thefirst woman to serve as secretary of the Treasury if nominatedand confirmed.

The slate of nominations announced on Monday includedconfirmation of the selection of Antony Blinken, Biden's topforeign policy aide, as the next secretary of state, LindaThomas-Greenfield to be the US ambassador to the UnitedNations. Jake Sullivan will join the White House team asBiden's national security adviser.

The choices reflect Biden's desire to construct a diverseCabinet with experts versed in public policy and deepexperience in government. Former Secretary of State JohnKerry has been tapped to serve as Biden's climate czar. Kerry isa champion of the Paris climate agreement, the landmark dealfrom which Trump withdrew the US. Kerry was also Biden'spick to co-chair a "unity task force" on climate change withallies of Sen. Bernie Sanders after the Democratic presidentialprimary.

Biden in a statement described Monday's selections as "thecrux" of a team charged with reasserting American leadershipon the global stage in the aftermath of Trump's efforts to cutoff multilateral diplomacy and wreck fragile pacts like the Irannuclear deal.

"These individuals are equally as experienced and crisis-tested as they are innovative and imaginative," Biden said."Their accomplishments in diplomacy are unmatched, but they

also reflect the idea that we cannot meet the profoundchallenges of this new moment with old thinking andunchanged habits -- or without diversity of background andperspective. It's why I've selected them." (Read full story at

www.theindianpanorama.news)

Another setback for Trump...that the "campaign's claims have no merit.""Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy.

Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an electionunfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegationsand then proof. We have neither here," 3rd Circuit JudgeStephanos Bibas wrote for the three-judge panel.

The case had been argued last week in a lower court byTrump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who insisted during five hours oforal arguments that the 2020 presidential election had beenmarred by widespread fraud in Pennsylvania. However,Giuliani failed to offer any tangible proof of that in court.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann had said the campaign'serror-filled complaint, "like Frankenstein's Monster, has beenhaphazardly stitched together" and denied Giuliani the right toamend it for a second time.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called that decisionjustified. The three judges on the panel were all appointed byRepublican presidents. including Bibas, a former University ofPennsylvania law professor appointed by Trump. Trump'ssister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, sat on the court for 20years, retiring in 2019.

"Voters, not lawyers, choose the president. Ballots, not briefs,decide elections," Bibas said in the opinion, which also deniedthe campaign's request to stop the state from certifying itsresults, a demand he called "breathtaking."

(Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news)

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