iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

A protein found in the blood of Australian oysters could help in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs, according to a study published on recently.

The study, led by a team from Australia’s Southern Cross University (SCU), discovered that a protein in the blood of the Sydney rock oyster is capable of killing bacteria as well as increasing the effectiveness of some antibiotics against a range of bacteria, Xinhua news agency reported.

In laboratory tests, they found that the protein was effective at killing Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacteria that cause pneumonia and strep throat, respectively.

When used with antibiotics, the protein made them between two and 32 times more effective at killing the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The researchers said that the study supported the potential use of natural products from oysters to treat bacterial infections.

They found that the protein is not toxic to human cells, indicating that it should be possible to optimize a safe antibiotic from oyster blood. Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) superbugs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that no longer respond to antibiotics designed to kill them, have been identified as a major threat to global public health.

According to the World Health Organization, infections that have developed AMR can be difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and death.

The research team found that the oyster protein can kill bacterial pathogens in biofilms, communities of organisms that stick together, enabling them to evade antibiotics and the human immune system.

“The oyster hemolymph proteins were found to prevent biofilm formation and disrupt biofilms, so the bacteria remain available to antibiotic exposure at lower doses,” said co-author Kirsten Benkendorff from SCU’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.

She said that the discovery provided a great opportunity for researchers and the aquaculture and pharmaceutical industries to collaborate on developing a new antibiotic.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

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Among the several executive orders signed by Donald Trump after his inauguration as the 47th President of the U.S., one was to end birthright citizenship in the country.

The order aims to end the automatic citizenship of children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.

The order specified that a child born in the U.S. will be granted American citizenship if at least one parent is either a citizen of the country, a legal permanent resident (green card holder), or a member of the U.S. military.

“The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the regulations and policies of their respective departments and agencies are consistent with this order, and that no officers, employees, or agents of their respective departments and agencies act, or forbear from acting, in any manner inconsistent with this order,” read the White House order.

As per the American Immigration Council website, birthright citizenship allowed those born in the US to be legal American citizens automatically.

If the policy changes, it will affect a large number of Indians who are currently working in the U.S. on temporary work visas or awaiting green card, since their children born in the country would not become US citizens automatically.

Meanwhile, the Asian Law Caucus has filed a lawsuit to protect Birthright Citizenship.

In a statement, ALC Executive Director Aarti Kohli stated: “This Martin Luther King Jr. Day reminds us that the fight for civil rights demands both bold vision and concrete action. Today, as the new administration issued executive orders targeting Asian and immigrant communities, we chose action. I’m proud to share that the Asian Law Caucus and our partners have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the administration’s unconstitutional attack on birthright citizenship. While these orders are designed to create fear and chaos, we want you to know: we are prepared, we are united, and we are fighting back.”

“The orders announced today echo dark chapters in our nation’s history – from the Chinese Exclusion Act to the incarceration of Japanese Americans under the Alien Enemies Act to the sweeping surveillance and profiling of Muslim Americans after 9/11. Politicians have long used false claims about public health, safety, and national security to target and exclude communities of color. Today’s Proclamation explicitly uses this same language of ‘public health, safety, and national security’ to justify widespread restrictions and suspensions of rightful entry. Against this racist rhetoric, we are forging a different path, one that will build a country that upholds our values and our common humanity,” Kohli said

“Our communities have shown remarkable courage throughout history, in the face of exclusion, surveillance, and discrimination. Our clients are workers, tenants, caregivers, and leaders across their communities. Tomorrow, they will go to work, care for their families, and continue contributing to our collective wellbeing and safety- just as they have always done,” Kohli added.

ALC is taking immediate legal action. “Today, along with the ACLU, the ACLU of New Hampshire, the Legal Defense Fund, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and other partners, we filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship – a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment that our communities fought hard to secure in 1898.”

ALC is carefully monitoring and preparing to challenge harmful orders, including the “threat of a reinstated ban against our freedoms to move, travel and be with our loved ones, targeting people from Muslim-majority and other countries, attacks on sanctuary jurisdictions that are keeping communities safe and families whole, and the dangerous plan to invoke the Alien Enemies Act against our rights, the same law used to justify the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans”.

“We have assembled a rapid response team of legal experts and community advocates who understand our communities’ specific needs and concerns. We will provide accurate, timely information about your rights and any changes in policy in multiple languages. We are stronger than fear,” Kohli said.

“Dr. King showed us that meaningful change requires both legal advocacy and community organizing. Our ancestors and elders demonstrated this through decades of strategic litigation and grassroots mobilization. They faced exclusion laws and incarceration – and they persevered through unified action. Today, we continue their work. Together, we will protect our communities and advance justice,” Kohli added.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Just hours after taking oath as the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump reiterated his stance on de-dollarization and warned the BRICS nations against the move.

In a clear threat, Trump stated that countries that are part of this organization would face 100% tariffs on trade with the U.S. if they continue their de-dollarization efforts.

Speaking to the media during his signing ceremony at the Oval Office, President Trump said, “As a BRICS nation… they’ll have a 100% tariff if they so much as even think about doing what they thought, and therefore they’ll give it up immediately,” referring to the reduction in the use of the dollar in global trade.

Trump added that his statement should not be seen as a threat but rather as a clear stance on the issue.

Trump also referenced comments made by his predecessor Joe Biden, suggesting that the former head had indicated the U.S. was in a vulnerable position on this matter, to which Trump disagreed.

He asserted that the U.S. has the leverage over the BRICS nations and that they would not be able to proceed with their plans.

“If the BRICS nations want to do that, that’s OK, but we’re going to put at least a 100% tariff on the business they do with the United States… It’s not even a threat. In fact, since I made that statement, Biden said, they have us over a barrel. I said, no, we have them over a barrel. And there’s no way they’re going to be able to do that,” Trump added.

Earlier, before being sworn as the new US President, had threatened BRICS countries over the imposition of 100% tariffs on all imports from those countries, should they dare to launch their currency.

BRICS nations were already working on reducing dollar dominance in the global financial system by replacing it with a new global currency.

During the plenary session of the 15th BRICS Summit via videoconferencing in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for de-dollarization, stressing that BRICS countries must expand settlements in national currencies and enhance cooperation between banks.

In June 2024, Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BRICS countries met in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod and called for enhanced use of local currencies in bilateral and multilateral trades and financial transactions between the member countries.

By Partha Chakraborty-

I am a transplant from New York City, and it took me years to fully absorb the allure of Los Angeles. I joined millions before me who came to love the climate, appreciate the suburban living, enjoy a diversity of flora and fauna nestled in laps of nature. For the last fifteen years I have been living at the base or somewhere higher up on a small hill in a bedroom community, one of 88 towns that make up the County.

On a (really) really good day, I claim to be able to see the Pacific from my deck; for the others, I am content in my quiet hillside where I am awakened by chirping of birds and retire at the end of a day to a glorious sunset against the hilltops. I can traipse down the slopes to the base of the hill till the fences of the next property bar me from walking into a winding street that abuts it.

On Wednesday, January 08, a small fire broke out at a neighboring parcel around 2:30 PM. Firefighters battled it for two hours and contained it fully. Fire never came within 40-50 feet of our property lines; embers could easily travel farther in the high winds that beset the valley, but did not. Brush on our land had been freshly cleared in anticipation of the fire season, and we were safe. Teresa Fire, as the small fire was named after the hillside alley I mentioned, never again flared up.

Hundreds within our acquaintance circle were not that lucky, unfortunately. The Eaton Fire, the second largest fire in the current set of conflagrations, engulfed Altadena, the next town across the Arroyo. Altadena, a town of about 43,000 with a good school system, is a hub of Black middle class in the greater LA area.

People fled Jim Crow or relocated while in active duty and found out they could afford a nice enough home with a swimming pool on quiet streets, not to speak of the weather and overall welcoming nature of the Los Angeles area (i.e., no redlining). We were frequent in that community — our son played soccer and visited the High School premises on numerous competitive occasions, and our favorite pizzeria is there. No more.

Eaton Fire tore through over 5000 structures in the last few days. Entire streets were laid to waste in heaps of debris, blacked out remains of chimneys, ash, broken tree stumps, and an occasional burnt car on a non-existent road. Gone are decades-old memories; fire burned so fast that there was little time to look for the photo album or the cassette or that VHS tape, or heirloom of any import. Down at the base, fires destroyed our favorite bakery, our son’s favorite ice-cream shop, and numerous ethnic grocery stores that were our regular haunts.

Many people in and around Altadena are retired and on fixed income. Most are ill-equipped to go through the insurance red-tape for reimbursement on whatever little coverage they carried. In most cases, it included a small fraction of replacement cost, only, memories and heirloom not included. They will have insufficient wherewithal to revert to any modicum of respectable living if they choose to stay back post-disaster. Most would not.

Among younger homeowners, calamity is just as real — most took home equity out, repeatedly, in long periods of low interest rates and ever-rising property values. The value of one’s primary home is the single biggest component of wealth in Southern California for most; thousands would see a large chunk of their financial health wiped clean.

I do not believe most local businesses will come back, burdened with clean-up, rebuilding and restocking, with a client base that will be a fraction of what it used to be. Effectively we will see the livelihoods of thousands on pause, at best, and these are not just the mom- and-pop shop owners, but also their employees, many of whom would travel miles to get there.

Equally vulnerable are casual workers, many of whom already come from vulnerable demographics — they tended gardens, did small repairs, provided house-keeping services or delivered at-home care for an aging population. It is highly unlikely that the vast majority will find comparable opportunities. No matter how you look at it, months, years, even decades from now, Eaton Fire will have fundamentally changed the community of Altadena and surrounding towns.

Far west from Altadena the situation is as dire, and worse, in the wake of a much larger Palisades Fire, affecting affluent communities of Pacific Palisades, leaping into tony Malibu and across the Pacific Coastal Highway to the uber-desirable beachfront homes.

Two weeks since the fires started, combined, the two fires burned almost 38,000 acres, reduced over 21,000 structures to ashes. Almost 41,000 residents are still under evacuation orders. The National Guard and the local police have cordoned off communities — left in darkness without access to amenities of minimal civilized existence — so looters do not run amuck. Firefighters on the ground, and in the sky, dominate the landscape, working 48 hour shifts up and down the ravines, twisted roads, and limited, if any, access to water to help them.

Watching a fire battalion move in tandem through a disaster zone gives you faith in humanity, even when you are in distress. It is a choreography borne out of institutional memory of humankind’s ageless battle against catastrophes where these women and men are our saviors, literally; yet there is little movement that is not absolutely needed. Their silhouettes move blithely against the reddish hue on a dark night from a distance. You come closer and their yellow heavy overalls, with all the gear, move in unison, almost weightless, even if their own bodies are hunched up under the weight of it all. The hose could have a life of its own if let go, but letting go is the last thing these lifesavers are to do. They do not let go, they truly run into fire that you are running from. They do not let go of an injured person till they are evacuated to a triage site, and they do not let go of their own brothers and sisters. You walk up with a box of cookies and water; you see beads of sweat trickling down their neck and cheek even on a very cold night.

Firefighters are guardian angels in our City of Angels. Not that we treat them as such in real life, but I will leave that for a later date.

It has been bright and sunny for days on end since the fires dissipated in my little corner of solace — you do not even smell anything funny in the air. If my daily routine does not take me outside of a, say, two-mile radius around our home, I could truly forget all about the carnage and the sleepless nights shook up at the slightest alerts on our phones — maybe this could be another evacuation notice, maybe there is a fire just on the other side of the ravine that we could not see.

We stopped being on edge, though we are fully aware that thousands are looking into a bleak future, at least in the immediate term. As of now days are warm enough for a winter, Santa Ana winds are barely perceptible, and I am looking at another glorious sunset from my study. It could almost be heaven if you asked me.

Los Angeles does this to people. It is a bizzarro land where very real — scrappy new members of the community hungry for any opportunity to use their hands for the family — for example, and very surreal, people who duel in only make-believe triggered worlds of no consequence, to be generous — have learned to coexist, and even feed off one another. It is a world where even when we are getting into what could be the costliest catastrophe in the nation’s history, we cannot but revel in the beauty surrounding us all. It is a world where, paraphrasing Woody Guthrie, we roamed and rambled, and all around us a voice was rumbling that “(T)his land was made for you and me”.

This could be hell for some of us now, but for all of us, this is our heaven, because, this is our City of Angels.

(Representational image. Photo: Quarrie photography/www.who.int)

By Ritu Jha-

Indian American community leaders expressed a range of reactions as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president on Monday.

Some celebrated his victory, while others approached his second term with caution, urging the U.S. and India to strengthen ties and avoid policies that could harm H-1B visa holders.

Dr. Amit Desai,[Above right wearing glasses] founding director of the U.S.-India Relationship Council, hosted a celebration with friends following Trump’s inauguration. He expressed optimism, saying, “Everything will be fine now.”

Desai emphasized that Trump’s stance on immigration focused on illegal, not legal, immigrants, and noted that legal immigrants like himself contribute significantly to the nation.

“He knows immigrants bring a lot of value to this nation. Illegals are dangerous for society,” Desai said.

Desai was hopeful that Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would continue their strong working relationship.

“Trump and Modi have good chemistry,” Desai said, adding that both leaders would likely prioritize economic and geopolitical partnerships between the two countries.

Dr. Sampat Shivangi, a delegate at the Republican National Convention, expressed concerns over the green card backlog affecting aging children of Indian immigrants. He also noted that thousands of legal immigrants with expired visas face uncertainty. Shivangi stated he was working with senators and Congress to address these issues.

While he was unsure about future immigration policies, Shivangi predicted Trump’s second term would be more powerful than President Joe Biden’s.

“He knows the whole country is with him and got the highest number of votes,” Shivangi said. He also mentioned his support for former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and his efforts to bring her into the Trump administration.

Kanwal Rekhi, a veteran venture capitalist, echoed Shivangi’s sentiments, stating, “Trump won the election fair and square. It is time for all of us to respect the people’s verdict and let him execute.”

Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of nonprofit organization TEAM Aid, welcomed Trump’s immigration stance. He criticized the current system, saying, “I see fake resumes and bribery… Our kids pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to go to college here and can’t find a job.”

Chintan Patel, executive director of Indian American Impact, criticized Trump’s immigration executive actions, which he said target and demonize immigrants.

“These unconstitutional actions strike at the heart of our nation’s principles,” Patel said in a statement, vowing to mobilize the community to fight back against what he called divisive measures.

Political strategist Preity Upala, expressed confidence that Trump’s second term would strengthen U.S.-India relations.

“Shared values, enemies, security challenges, geo-political aspirations, and national goals will steer this relationship in the right direction,” she said. Upala also praised the H-1B visa program, noting its value for both the U.S. and India, particularly in the tech sector.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Trump shortly after the inauguration, calling him “my dear friend.” Modi expressed his eagerness to work closely with Trump to benefit both nations. “Best wishes for a successful term ahead!” Modi wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Rep. Ami Bera, a Democrat representing Sacramento County, attended the inauguration, stating that he was there to uphold the tradition of peaceful power transfer. While acknowledging that the outcome was not what many had hoped for, Bera reiterated his commitment to working with both parties to improve the lives of Americans.

As Trump begins his second term, the Indian American community remains hopeful that the U.S. and India will work together to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties while addressing the concerns of immigrants.

 

[Above photo courtesy: Dr. Amit Desai. He is at friends home in California celebrating the installation of President Trump]

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed the appointment of Marco Rubio as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State in the Trump Administration on Monday, January 20.

According to the official website of the Senate, Rubio, who is the senator from Florida, won the vote by 99-0 during the 1st session of the 119th Congress.

The White House, taking to X, also confirmed his appointment as the Secretary of State.

“Congratulations to Marco Rubio on his unanimous confirmation as Secretary of State–the first in President Trump’s Cabinet. America is back and entering a golden age,” the tweet read.

According to the White House, Rubio is the son of two hard-working immigrants from Cuba. His father worked as a banquet bartender, and his mother balanced caring for the family at home while working in a factory, as a cashier, and as a hotel maid.

Rubio saw first-hand how hard work, faith, and community helped his parents achieve the American Dream.

Born in Miami, Rubio was drawn to public service in large part because of his grandfather, who saw his homeland destroyed by communism. During his 14 years in the U.S. Senate, Rubio fought to protect the freedoms and opportunities that made America the greatest country in the history of the world. Rubio also travelled to dozens of countries, met with countless foreign leaders, and saw first-hand how America’s enemies are weakening America.

(Marco Rubio. Photo: www.instagram.com/senatormarcorubio)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that it was a “great honor” to represent the country at the inauguration ceremony of U.S. President Donald Trump

Sharing the pictures of the inauguration ceremony on X, he wrote, “A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today.”

A great honour to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of @POTUS President Donald J Trump and @VP Vice President JD Vance in Washington DC today.

🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tbmAUbvd1r

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 20, 2025

His attendance underscores the importance of India-U.S. relations and the global diplomatic ties shared between the two nations as President Trump begins his second term in office.

Earlier in the day, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump’s swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th U.S. Vice-President.

After taking the oath, Trump declared that the “golden age” of America had begun and today marks the ‘Liberation Day’ for the country.

The 47th U.S. President further spoke on the inflation in the country and reiterated his earlier slogan of ‘drill baby drill’ which refers to his promise of drilling for oil.

“The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices, and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said.

Referring to the wildfires in Los Angeles, the U.S. President criticized the response of the administration and emphasized that this can’t be allowed to happen.

“More recently Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn. From weeks ago, without even a token of defense, they’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer, that’s interesting, but we can’t let this happen,” Trump said.

He added, “We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world and we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves in many cases to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to. All of this will change starting today and it will change very quickly.”

(Photo courtesy: x.com/DrSJaishankar)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Treaty — just as he did in his first term. It’s among a slew of executive actions he signed in front of thousands of supporters at Capitol One Arena.

However, the Trump administration’s move against the 2015 Paris accord in 2017 was reversed by Joe Biden on his first day in office in 2021.

Paris Agreement is an international agreement to combat climate change, and nearly 200 countries have committed to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and ideally below 1.5 degrees. Each country is responsible for developing its own plan to uphold the commitment. However, the agreement is not a legally binding treaty.

Trump also signed a directive to the Federal Government ordering the restoration of Freedom of Speech and preventing government censorship of free speech going forward, adding that he signed a directive to the Federal Government ending the weaponisation of government against political adversaries of the previous administration.

He further, signed more Executive Actions in the Oval Office and took questions from the press.

Earlier, during his speech at the Capitol One Arena, President Donald Trump highlighted the success of his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, calling it the most successful political operation in the history of the country and the world.

“MAGA was the most successful political operation and movement in the history of our country and the world. We are not finished yet. We have a long way to go,” Trump said.

On Monday, January 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Prior to Trump’s swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th US Vice-President. After taking the oath, Trump declared that the “golden age” of America had begun and today marks the ‘Liberation Day’ for the country.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Donald John Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States during the 60th Presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath on Monday, Jan 20.

Trump, 78, who has served as the 45th U.S. president in his second inaugural address reiterated to resolve, ‘Make America Great Again.’

In his first official speech as 47th U.S. president, Trump’s first few words were ‘The Golden Age of America has begun’ and today marks the ‘Liberation Day’ for the country.

Recalling the assassination attempt on him during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last year, Trump asserted that “God saved” his life. “The Golden Age of America begins right now,” Trump said after taking oath. He added that the White House, America now has the chance to seize this opportunity “like never before”.

“America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before. I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country. Sunlight is pouring over the entire world. and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before,” he said. “But first, we must be honest about the challenges we face. While they are plentiful, they will be annihilated by this great momentum that the world is now witnessing in the United States of America.”

Trump added that the United States will flourish and be respected again globally, adding that their first priority will be to create a nation that is “proud, prosperous, and free.”

“From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous, and free,” he said.

Speaking on the assassination attempt on him, Trump added, “Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom and indeed, to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States during the 60th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to Trump. Before Trump’s swearing-in, JD Vance was sworn in as U.S. Vice-President.

Trump alongside outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden arrived at the Capitol from the White House for the swearing-in ceremony. Earlier Vice President Kamala Harris accompanied VP-elect JD Vance to the Capitol.

Donald Trump’s wife, Melania Trump, arrived at the Rotunda along with Vance’s wife, Usha Vance. Biden’s wife, Jill Biden, and Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, arrived ahead of them. Trump’s cabinet nominees took seats ahead of his inauguration. Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and tech billionaire Elon Musk, the co-chairs of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, also attended the ceremony.

Former U.S. Presidents and First Ladies, including Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, George Bush, and Laura Bush attended Trump’s inauguration. Former U.S. President Barack Obama was also present during the ceremony.

Donald Trump’s children — Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, and Baron Trump were present in the U.S. Capitol to attend his inauguration. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Google CEO Sundar Pichai attended the ceremony.

After the swearing-in, President Trump will take part in the signing ceremony in the President’s Room, a tradition that began in 1981 with President Ronald Reagan. This event marks one of the first official actions of the newly sworn president, where he signs nominations and various memorandums or proclamations.

Following the signing, a luncheon will be held, and Trump will take part in the review of the troops before heading to Capitol Hill to join the inaugural parade. Later, Trump and his wife will participate in a signing ceremony at the White House and deliver remarks at the Convention Centre.

The evening will conclude with the first dance at the Liberty Ball, followed by participation in the Commander-in-Chief Ball and the United Station Ball. The day will end with Trump’s return to the White House.

 

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James David Vance in the presence of his Indian American wife Usha Vance and their three children and his mother Beverly Aikins took oath as the 50th Vice President of the United States at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington DC on Monday, January 20.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office to the 40-year-old Vance, who became the third youngest Vice President of the United States. Vance, born James David Bowman in Middletown, Ohio, overcame a challenging childhood marked by his mother’s struggle with addiction and his father’s absence. Raised by his grandparents, Vance’s journey from a difficult upbringing to his current position as a U.S. Senator, and now vice presidential candidate, has garnered significant attention.

Usha’s approach to life and faith became a steadying force for Vance, inspiring him to revisit spiritual questions that had long been dormant. Vance and Usha met as students in the halls of Yale Law School. At that time, Vance was vocal about his atheism, having drifted from the Christian faith he was raised in. Yale Law was where he began questioning many aspects of his life, including his worldview and spiritual beliefs, influenced by his tumultuous upbringing in Ohio, as documented in his memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

While Vance entered law school as a self-described atheist, his relationship with Usha sparked a journey of spiritual exploration. Raised in a Hindu family with deeply ingrained spiritual practices, Usha’s upbringing instilled a sense of devotion, introspection, and a search for purpose, which resonated with Vance. In 2014, Vance and Usha married in a ceremony that included both Christian and Hindu elements, symbolizing a fusion of their faiths and cultural identities. This blending of traditions began Vance’s journey back to Christianity while honoring Usha’s Hindu heritage.

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Tenor Christopher Macchio performed “Oh, America” in the Capitol Rotunda, CNN reported.

Donald Trump arrived at the U.S. Capitol together with outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, following pre-inauguration tea at the White House. Biden told his successor “Welcome Home” when he greeted Trump at the White House for the traditional tea ceremony. Biden has also left a letter in the Oval Office for Trump, CNN reported.

After the swearing-in, President Trump will take part in the signing ceremony in the President’s Room, a tradition that began in 1981 with President Ronald Reagan. This event marks one of the first official actions of the newly sworn president, where he signs nominations and various memorandums or proclamations.

Following the signing, a luncheon will be held, and Trump will take part in the review of the troops before heading to Capitol Hill to join the inaugural parade. Later, Trump and his wife will participate in a signing ceremony at the White House and deliver remarks at the Convention Centre.

The evening will conclude with the first dance at the Liberty Ball, followed by participation in the Commander-in-Chief Ball and the United Station Ball. The day will end with Trump’s return to the White House.

Earlier on January 6, Trump’s election victory was certified ahead of his inauguration with no objections from any lawmakers as the tally of states was announced on the House floor. Donald Trump won 312 electoral votes while Harris got 226 votes, a total that was confirmed during the certification on Monday, marking the final step in the election process.

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

An Indian-origin businessman has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and thrashing a suspected shoplifter in Louisville, Kentucky.

Kaushalkumar Patel, 40, was arrested on Thursday for carrying out the attack on October 6.

According to reports, he spotted a customer leave with a box of vape pens from his E-Z Super Food Mart without paying and carried out the attack.

As per police, Patel and several others chased the alleged shoplifter down in a van and pepper sprayed him in the face.

“The alleged thief reportedly crawled into a yard before Patel pulled up his shorts and blasted mace in his anus before forcing him into the van, police said,” NY Post reported citing WDRB.

The group then took the man to a facility near Patel’s business. Once there, they landed punches and kicks and even hit him with a piece of wood.

The suspected shoplifter was later dropped off at Lee Street.

His mother rushed him to the hospital to get stitches, as per police.

The person also suffered a concussion.

Patel was arraigned Friday on charges of kidnapping, second-degree assault and wanton endangerment, of which he pleaded not guilty. According to court records, Patel is being held at Louisville Metro Detention Center on $100,000 bond.

He is due back in court on January 24.

(Photo courtesy: x.com/theapril29th)

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The Managing Director of Pune-based real estate firm Kundan Spaces, Ashish Jain, on Sunday, January 19, made his notable presence among other Indian business leaders during a private reception in Washington DC, ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as as the 47th president of the U.S.

Jain, who has been part of the real estate business for over two decades, will also be attending Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

The Indian businessman also met with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Trump’s son Eric.

Notably, other than Jain, the reception dinner was also attended by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation founder and chairperson Nita Ambani.

The Ambanis also extended their good wishes to the President-elect at the reception.

The couple expressed their hope for deeper India-U.S. relations to the president-elect and wished him a transformative second term of leadership at the White House.

The power couple further emphasised the potential for progress and collaboration between the two nations and the world during his presidency. The couple will be attending Trump’s inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol on January 20, according to an official involved with planning the event.

Pankaj Bansal, Managing Director of M3M Developers, was also among them, along with Kalpesh Mehta, Founder of Tribeca Developers and the licensed Indian partner for Trump Towers projects, who is also in the U.S. for Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Both Mehta and Bansal are key partners in the development of Trump Towers in India, reflecting the strong ties between Indian business leaders and the Trump Organization. Mehta, the licensed Indian partner for Trump Towers, has been instrumental in bringing the Trump brand to India.

Bansal and Mehta were invited as part of the friends and family groups that include other Trump partners from around the world.

The inaugural events started on Saturday with a reception and fireworks display at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.

Inauguration Day will feature a number of high-profile attendees, and the Indian business tycoons will be one of the most notable names on the guest list.

In addition to billionaire Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, tech moguls from across the pond are also attending the ceremony. French billionaire and tech entrepreneur Xavier Niel will be present with his wife.

During the inauguration event, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. He previously served as the 45th president between 2017 and 2021.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of Trump.

(Ashish Jain with Eric Trump (left) and Donald Trump (right). Photo courtesy: x.com/ANI)

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Reflecting on his time in the country, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, in his farewell bid, spoke about the strong bonds forged between the two nations during his tenure as the 26th U.S. envoy.

In a heartfelt video message posted on his social media, Garcetti expressed his deep connection with India, a country he first visited as a child and later as a student, acknowledging the warmth and hospitality extended to him by the people of India, highlighting the diverse experiences he had during his time in the country.

“My dear India: you’re not just incredible–you’re unforgettable. With love, Eric,” he posted.

“From the moment I landed in New Delhi to serve as the 26th U.S. Ambassador, India has felt like home,” Garcetti said. “Your people’s dosti and zindadili touch me every day,” he added, referring to the deep friendships and zest for life he witnessed throughout his travels across the country.

During his time in India, Garcetti travelled extensively, visiting 28 states and experiencing the country’s unique culture and heritage.

He mentioned some of the most significant moment from his tenure, such as floating past the Ghats at Varanasi, crossing living root bridges in Meghalaya, sailing through the backwaters of Kerala, and cheering for the Indian cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“I’ve been able to float past the Ghats at Varanasi, I’ve crossed living root bridges in Meghalaya, sailed through the backwaters of Kerala, cheered on India at Modi Stadium, and played hoops with the girls in bustling Mumbai. I’ve seen that fusion of ancient royalty and modern innovation in Hyderabad, celebrated the culture of Kolkata and the incredible history in the ancient temples of Chennai,” he said.

“We’ve launched a new beginning in Bangalore,” he further said, referring to the opening of the new U.S. consulate there.

Throughout his tenure, Garcetti was witness to the significant achievements made between the US and India, from the collaboration on vaccine distribution, shared technological advancements to the opening of US consulate in Bengaluru, the fifth US mission in the country. He emphasised the successful cooperation between scientists, businesses, and students from both countries.

“We’ve seen our businesses trade together, our guardians train together, and our people celebrate together,” Garcetti reflected.

The outgoing Ambassador also praised the spirit of innovation and progress in India, noting that the mutual aspirations between the US and India align closely and spoke about the deep respect shared by both nations and the belief in the possibilities that their partnership could offer.

“The American and the Indian dream, they’re flip sides of the same coin,” Garcetti stated, expressing optimism for the continued collaboration between the two countries.

“India, you have my heart,” he added.

He further added, “I will always deeply love America, where I was born. But India has been a place where I’ve learned to embrace life in full color, a place where humanity can understand our past, and it can glimpse our future.”

As his tenure comes to a close, Garcetti expressed confidence in the enduring relationship between the US and India, emphasising that the ties between the two nations would continue to grow stronger in the future. He concluded his message with the famous Bollywood dialogue from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Om Shanti Om’.

“Our relationship is truly an enduring story of love for the ages. And we are only getting started,” Garcetti concluded. “Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost!”

(Photo courtesy: x.com/USAmbIndia)

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The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) held a policy and advocacy event in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area, drawing over 100 attendees, including community leaders, business professionals, and policy analysts.

The event aimed to anticipate policy shifts and strategize ways to advance U.S.-India relations while advocating for Indian American interests.

The evening featured thought-provoking discussions by prominent voices such as Dr. Rajeev Malhotra, Director of the Infinity Foundation; Vibhuji Jha, Founder of Jaipur Dialogue; Pradeep Gupta, CEO of Axis America Market Research; and Khanderao Kand, FIIDS Chief of Policy Analysis and Strategy.

Dr. Malhotra made a compelling case for the Indian American community to engage deeply with higher political circles. Sharing insights from his recent meeting, Malhotra pointed out that there is growing receptiveness within the political ecosystem towards Indian American issues. “Follow-ups and persistent engagement are crucial for achieving meaningful outcomes,” he remarked.

Jha brought an optimistic tone to the conversation, emphasizing President Trump’s pro-India stance. He underscored the potential for the administration to accelerate U.S.-India relations, citing Trump’s alignment with India on key global issues.

Gupta provided a unique perspective on the recent U.S. elections, sharing how his firm’s market research accurately predicted the results. He highlighted the opportunities that this new political landscape presents for Indian Americans to further their interests.

Khanderao Kand, President and Chief of Policy and Strategy at FIIDS, highlighted the positive implications of recent important appointments such as Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, and Sriram Krishnan.

“These appointments signal a stronger alignment on Indian American interests on critical global issues, including the U.S.-India partnership, Indo-Pacific strategy, South Asia, and even matters like the Ukraine war and Hamas attacks,” Kand noted. He also anticipated the administration’s better stance on protecting minority rights in Bangladesh, Pakistan and their critical view of Canada, aligning with diaspora concerns.

However, Kand did not shy away from outlining the challenges ahead. He stressed the need to focus on tech immigration, particularly H1B visas and green card backlogs. He also pointed out that while President Biden’s ICET initiative had laid an important foundation for U.S.-India technology partnerships, it would require concrete actions under the new administration to realize its full potential. Strengthening the Quad alliance and Indo-Pacific collaborations was another area he urged the administration to prioritize.

The discussions were also an opportunity for FIIDS to showcase its recent advocacy efforts. The organization highlighted its 2024 Advocacy Day, where 150 delegates from 22 states met with nearly 100 members of Congress to promote U.S.-India partnerships in areas such as critical minerals, immigration reforms, and combating religious phobia. FIIDS also placed four interns in Congress this year, reflecting its commitment to nurturing the next generation of policymakers and leaders within the Indian American community.

The event underscored the growing importance of U.S.-India relations and the need for sustained advocacy to address challenges facing the diaspora. As Kand aptly put it, “The Indian American community is at a pivotal moment. We must continue to build awareness, engage at the highest levels, and ensure our voices are heard.” He observed that the Department of State’s first bilateral meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and first international alliance meeting on Quad is a positive signal of the administration’s intent to prioritize India in its diplomatic and strategic engagements. He emphasized that FIIDS remains committed to its mission of strengthening the U.S.-India partnership and advocating for Indian Americans at every level.

This event was a result of collaborative efforts by Ravindra Shukla, Narsimha Koppula, Ashwin Reddy, Pranay Kohli, and Himanshu Shukla.

(Photo courtesy: x.com/FIIDSUSA)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of powerful global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions, has congratulated the incoming Trump administration ahead of the President-elect’s inauguration on January 20.

Indiaspora said it has been actively engaged in non-partisan political engagement since its founding in 2012.

“We are pleased that the Indian American community is more politically engaged and are proud of the diaspora voices in American politics today. President Trump’s second-term administration highlights the growing influence of Indian-Americans, with key appointments across civil rights, national security, and technology,” it said.

“We congratulate the following appointees in the new administration: Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, Vivek Ramaswamy, Kash Patel, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, and Sriram Krishnan.”

MR Rangaswami, Founder and Chairman of Indiaspora, said, “On behalf of Indiaspora and the Indian-American community, I’d like to congratulate President Trump as the 47th President of the United States. I expect US-India relations to continue flourishing amidst this new political climate in America. The senior most government officials on both sides have established strong relationships during President Trump’s first term, and there is strong bipartisan support in the United States to further this important bilateral relationship.”

Sanjeev Joshipura, Indiaspora’s Executive Director, said, “Two of Indiaspora’s key focus areas over the years have been our efforts to increase the Indian diaspora’s civic and political engagement in a nonpartisan manner, and to strengthen US-India ties. It is heartening to see every successive American administration, regardless of political party, place Indian-Americans in senior roles in government, and the incoming Trump administration has continued this trend. Furthermore, Indiaspora is poised to continue playing a role in catalyzing bilateral dialogues, just as we did in New Delhi and Houston during the previous Trump administration.”

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Vivek Ramaswamy, who was appointed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as the co-head of a body to improve government efficiency, is planning to run for governor of Ohio, according to media reports.

USA Today reported on Sunday that according to a source close to him, Ramaswamy will announce his run for governor “shortly”.

If elected, he would become the third Indian-American elected governor, after Bobby Jindal in Louisiana and Nikki Haley in South Carolina, all Republicans.

The three made unsuccessful bids for the party’s presidential nomination.

An avowed anti-Left crusader, Ramaswamy, 39, ran against Trump for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination but dropped out to become one of his most vociferous supporters.

Trump appointed him to be the co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Elon Musk after having hinted during the campaign that he may even be considered for Secretary of State.

“He’s really smart, and I hope he’s going to be involved in our administration,” Trump said.

“We can put him in charge of one of these big monsters (in government) and he’ll do a better job than anybody you can think of.”

At the DOGE, only an advisory body outside the government, Ramaswamy, who has a strong personality and is a multi-millionaire, was overshadowed by Musk, who has a stronger personality, is a multi-billionaire and closer to Trump.

While DOGE’s role has to be firmed up, Ramaswamy’s position is even vaguer, and a run for governor gives him an out.

Last week, there were reports that Trump recommended that Ramaswamy take the Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance if it was offered to him.

But Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who appoints an interim Senator, chose Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted who was considered his possible successor.

That opened the gubernatorial run for Ramaswamy, who will have to first win the Republican nomination for the election in November next year, along with Midterm polls for Congress.

Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost and Treasurer Robert Sprague were reported to be preparing to run for the nomination.

The state is overwhelmingly Republican, giving whoever is the party’s candidate a smooth path to the governorship.

Trump won it with a lead of over 11%, and Republicans have a commanding majority in both Chambers of the legislature.

Ramaswamy, whose net worth Forbes puts at $960 million, has a financial advantage in the race as he can himself finance the campaign, unlike his rivals.

He made his fortune first as a biotech entrepreneur and now runs a hedge fund that he co-founded.

In August, Ramaswamy had shown interest in running for both Senator and governor.

In an interview with the Outback website, Ramaswamy said, “Governor is something that people are pushing me for a lot in Ohio. And how could I not consider it?”

“But also, there’s JD Vance, a Senate seat that’s now open in my home state in Ohio, and I think that’s something that a lot of people have really pushed me to consider,” he added.

By Justice Markandey Katju-

(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)

I was motivated to write this article on reading this link.

A University is an institution of higher learning, in which knowledge is not just transmitted from teacher to student ( that is also done in primary and high schools ) but in addition to that, the boundaries of knowledge are extended, by research.

Frontiers have been made in many Universities of the world in science, history, economics, and other subjects, which have extended the branches of knowledge. For instance, great discoveries were made in the Cavendish Laboratory of the Physics Department of Cambridge University in UK, in which great scientists like JJ Thompson, Rutherford, Niels Bohr ( who propounded the modern atomic theory) and others worked. The same happened in many American, German, Russian and other Western Universities.

The Vice Chancellor of a University is the head of the institution, and he should be an eminent scholar, renowned for his knowledge and learning. Apart from his administrative duties, the Vice Chancellor is also the head of the selection committees for selecting professors and other teachers in various departments. These professors and other teachers should be appointed on their merit, not on political or other extraneous considerations, for only then can high standards be maintained in the University.

In my own Alma Mater, Allahabad University, which was once known as the Oxford of the East, there were at one time eminent Vice Chancellors like Dr Ganga Nath Jha and his son Dr Amar Nath Jha, who were renowned as outstanding scholars.

Later, standards fell, and we started having mediocre persons as Vice Chancellors, so much so that at one time Allahabad University had a Vice Chancellor who was a teacher in an intermediate college and was made VC only because he was close to a state minister of UP.

In most Universities in India Vice Chancellors began to be appointed not because they were eminent scholars, but because they were close to influential politicians. The result was that standards declined in Indian Universities, and academic rigor was greatly diluted.

In Central Universities ( Universities under the Central Government e,g. Jawaharlal Nehru University, AMU, Jamia Milia, etc) the Vice Chancellors are appointed by the Central Government and hence are often political appointees.

Under BJP rule, all institutions have been ‘saffronised’, including educational institutions. So VCs of Central Universities in India are nowadays not appointed because they are outstanding scholars, but because they have leanings towards the ruling BJP.

As regards state universities, I may give a personal example. Under section 12 of the UP State Universities Act, the VC of a state university in UP is appointed by the Chancellor ( the Governor of the state). There is a committee of 3 persons, a High Court Judge appointed by the Chief Justice, a person nominated by the Chancellor, and a person nominated by the Executive Council of the University. This committee has to submit a panel of at least 3 names to the Chancellor, who could select anyone in the panel, and appoint him VC.

I was a Judge of Allahabad High Court and had been appointed to the committee by the Chief Justice of the High Court.

What I found was that in every meeting of the committee, the Chancellor’s nominee suggested that each member of the committee should recommend one name to be on the panel, but every time the Chancellor appointed as VC the person suggested by his own nominee out of the panel submitted to him, and invariably he was a person close to the ruling political party,

Realizing that I was being used, I resigned from the committee.

Many American Universities have half a dozen Nobel Laureates in their faculty. On the other hand, Indian Universities have produced only one scientist who was an Indian citizen, CV Raman (3 other scientists of Indian origin won Nobel Prizes, though they had become US citizens ).

Australia with a population of 26.6 million has 180 FRS ( Fellows of the Royal Society), while India with a population of 1430 million has only 18.

As already stated above, the fundamental difference between a high school and a University is that in the latter not only teaching to students is done but also extending the frontiers of knowledge by research.

The quality of research in Indian Universities is abysmal, and much of it is plagiarism. Such ‘research’ is only to get a job, not to extend the frontiers of knowledge.

It is only when our scientists go to America or some other Western country that they achieve anything.

This is the truth about Indian Universities and their Vice Chancellors.

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

India’s Olympic gold medalist and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is now married.

Taking to social media on Sunday, January 19, Neeraj posted the news and shared a series of photographs with his wife Himani, an accomplished tennis player.

“Started a new chapter of life with my family. Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after. Neeraj Himani,” the star athlete wrote on X.

Chopra arguably became one of the biggest athletes that India ever witnessed after sending his javelin to a record-shattering distance in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Chopra fell short of retaining his gold medal, after finishing with a best throw of 89.45 meters.

Despite a strong performance on his second attempt, he struggled with four consecutive foul throws, which prevented him from winning gold.

Chopra became the second male athlete from post-independence India to win two Olympic medals in an individual event. He is also the only Indian athlete to bag two different medals (Gold in Tokyo 2020 and Silver in Paris 2024) at the Olympics.

Chopra’s first and third attempts were invalidated by red flags, and his final three attempts were fouls. Despite a strong performance in the qualification round with a throw of 89.34 meters, his 89.45-meter throw was not enough to retain his gold.

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won gold with a throw of 92.97 meters, setting a new Olympic record. Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters.

Chopra narrowly missed out on another title by just 1 centimetre, finishing second in the Diamond League final with a best throw of 87.86 meters at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium last year.

(Photo courtesy: x.com/Neeraj_chopra1)

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Thousands of Donald Trump’s supporters waited for hours in the cold and rain to attend his victory rally on Sunday, January 19, a day before the President-elect returns to power with plans to aggressively reshape U.S. immigration and trade policy.

The Republican, 78, placed a wreath first at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday before making his first major speech in Washington since a January 6, 2021, rally with his supporters that preceded the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Trump saluted the tomb as a military bugler played “Taps”.

The “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” was due to start at 3 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) at Capital One Arena, an indoor hockey and basketball stadium and the venue for some of Monday’s inauguration festivities after forecasts of bitter cold prompted officials to cancel a planned outdoor celebration.

The line of supporters, many dressed in Trump’s trademark red jackets and MAGA hats, stretched over several downtown Washington blocks. Some chanted “USA! USA!” and others spoke over megaphones while they waited to be allowed in.

Trump himself is set to speak later on Sunday along with Vice President-elect JD Vance and their family members at the event at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington.

Large swaths of the city around the US Capitol and White House have been blocked off by steel fences since last week and there was a heightened police presence throughout the area.

Trump’s rally, along with his inaugural address on Monday, January 20, could preview the tone he plans to adopt during his second White House term. In recent weeks, Trump has bewildered foreign allies by musing aloud about taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal and turning Canada into a U.S. state.

Immigration will be a target of Trump’s first executive actions after taking office, along with energy issues and policies aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, his incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS.

“The American people gave him a clear mandate. Lock down our border, deport the worst of the worst, take on the cartels,” Waltz said in an interview with “Face the Nation”.

Trump’s agenda was a likely topic at his breakfast with Republican US Senators at Blair House, the guest quarters across from the White House. Top Senate Republican John Cornyn, and Senators Susan Collins, Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, and Tim Scott were among the attendees seen leaving the event on Sunday.

The rally is likely to resemble the free-wheeling arena speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House campaign in 2016.

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, who has become a Trump confidant since spending more than $250 million on his campaign, is scheduled to speak at the event, along with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White, conservative activist Charlie Kirk and conservative commentator Megyn Kelly.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew planned to attend the rally hours after Trump said he would revive the app’s access in the US when he takes office on Monday.

TikTok began restoring service to US users on Sunday after Trump said that he would sign an executive order on Monday following his inauguration to delay a federal ban on the app. Chew is expected to join other tech executives at Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Singer and rapper Kid Rock, disco group The Village People, singer Billy Ray Cyrus, and singer Lee Greenwood are all scheduled to perform at the rally.

Biden, meanwhile, made his last official trip as President on Sunday to Charleston, South Carolina, to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is also on Monday, the White House said. He will attend services and speak about King’s legacy at Royal Missionary Baptist Church.

The inauguration is scheduled for noon ET (1700 GMT) on Monday when Trump will take the presidential oath of office inside the rotunda of the Capitol building after the cold weather prompted organisers to move the ceremony indoors.

Nearly 25,000 law enforcement personnel will be on hand to provide security.

(Photo courtesy: Donald Trump Instagram)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Leading experts on India’s growing economic power and widening global influence will gather Jan. 25 at the University of Southern California for India Conference 2025.

Themed “India’s Leap Forward,” the conference will draw more than 300 people and is poised to become a major platform for dialogue, collaboration, and inspiration. The event seeks to empower participants to forge stronger ties between India and the global community by bringing together leaders across industries.

A distinguished lineup of speakers will include representatives of the Indian government, venture capitalists, industry leaders, attorneys, and more. The conference promises to spark engaging discussions and fresh insights with topics ranging from India’s global healthcare leadership to its rise as a tech powerhouse.

The conference is inspired by the success achieved by the Indian diaspora in the United States. Co-founder Tejaswa Gavankar, a recent USC MBA alumnus, highlighted the group’s accomplishments.

“The Indian diaspora in the U.S. is one of the most successful communities globally,” Gavankar said. “With incomes double that of the national average, and exceptional educational achievements — 80% holding a bachelor’s degree, it was clear to us that this group has immense potential. We want to create a forum that inspires people to aspire higher and fosters a supportive network to help them achieve those aspirations.”

The conference also aims to keep attendees connected to India’s rapid economic growth. The other co-founder, Raghav Mahajan, a current MBA student at USC, said that, “Even though many of us have found success in the U.S., it’s important to recognize that India is growing at three times the pace of the U.S. economy. Whether it’s your next business idea, career move, or investment opportunity, keeping an eye on India is not just prudent — it’s essential.”

This event is being made possible by the initiative of student leaders from USC’s MBA program and the broader Association of Indian Students at the university, and the backing of multiple USC schools and corporate sponsors.

The conference also aims to foster mentorship and community. Reflecting on organizing the event, Raghav said, “The most rewarding part of this journey has been the overwhelming support and mentorship from senior industry leaders both in and out of the USC Trojan family. Their encouragement has validated our efforts and motivated us to build something truly impactful for the community.”

Planned to be an annual series of conferences, “India Rising” is laying the groundwork for future editions. Tejaswa expressed optimism about its legacy: “This is just the beginning. I’m excited to see how future student leaders take this vision forward and shape their unique versions of this conference in the coming years.”

Despite being the inaugural edition of the India Conference, the team has raised funds for a scholarship designed to support and celebrate standout individuals who demonstrate a commitment to advancing the South Asian community while excelling academically and professionally.

Highlights:

“India’s Leap Forward”: A discussion on U.S.-India relations featuring Dr. K. Srikar Reddy and Gunjan Bagla.

“India’s Role in Global Healthcare”: Insights from Vik Thapar of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and Ray Mathoda of Anchor Loans on India’s place in global pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

“The Indian Diaspora”: A fireside chat with Kanwal Rekhi, a titan of Silicon Valley on how he has seen South Asians in the entrepreneurship system evolve.

“Tech Talent”: A discussion with Sumant Mandal from March Capital, Priya Rajan from MUFG, and Kavitha Mariappan from ZScaler on whether India can become the next Silicon Valley.

“The Immigrant Dream”: A forum where you can have your questions answered by immigration experts like Gladys Gervacio and Sameer Khedekar.

More panels: Students will explore the role and portrayal of Indians in Hollywood and the evolution of cricket in America.

Attendees will also have a chance to connect with Punita Khanna, and receive a signed copy of her book, Mixed Desis.

 

 

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Ahead of his inauguration on Monday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social that he plans to issue an executive order on Monday to delay the enforcement of the TikTok ban for 90 days.

The extension aims to facilitate negotiations for a solution that safeguards national security and allows the app to continue operating in the United States. Trump proposed a joint venture granting the U.S. a 50 percent ownership stake in TikTok.

“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark! I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect so that we can make a deal to protect our national security. The order will also confirm that there will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order,” Trump stated.

He added, “Americans deserve to see our exciting Inauguration on Monday, as well as other events and conversations. I would like the United States to have a 50 percent ownership position in a joint venture. By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands, and allow it to stay up. Without US approval, there is no TikTok. With our approval, it is worth hundreds of billions of dollars–maybe trillions. Therefore, my initial thought is a joint venture between the current owners and/or new owners whereby the U.S. gets a 50 percent ownership in a joint venture set up between the US and whichever purchase we so choose.”

Earlier on Saturday (January 18) night, TikTok went offline in the United States as the Supreme Court upheld a bipartisan law banning the app unless it is sold to a U.S.-based or allied company. Users attempting to access the platform encountered a message reading, “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, prohibits U.S. companies from hosting or serving content for TikTok unless ownership is transferred. Despite the ban, TikTok hinted at a potential reinstatement as early as Monday, expressing optimism about working with Trump’s incoming administration.

Trump has hinted at delaying the ban to provide a resolution. In an interview, he confirmed, “The 90-day extension is something that will most likely be done because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation. If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

The app’s removal from major platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play marked the enforcement of the ban. U.S. tech companies expressed concerns about potential legal consequences for violating the terms of the law, prompting the removal.

Concerns over TikTok’s ties to China and its potential access to U.S. user data remain at the forefront. However, Trump’s recent statements position him as the app’s potential savior, while negotiations with TikTok’s CEO Shou Chew are expected to continue. The outcome now rests on Trump’s administration as he prepares to take office.

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation founder and chairperson Nita Ambani on Sunday congratulated the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at a private reception in Washington D.C. ahead of his inauguration. The couple will be attending Trump’s inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, according to an official involved with planning the event.

The Ambanis expressed hope for deeper India-U.S. relations with the president-elect and wished him a transformative second term of leadership at the White House. The power couple emphasized the potential for progress and collaboration between the two nations and the world during his presidency.

The couple will have a prominent spot at Trump’s inauguration ceremony, seated together on the platform with other notable guests, including Trump’s Cabinet nominees and elected officials. The Ambanis arrived in Washington DC, on January 18.

The inaugural events started on Saturday with a reception and fireworks display at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.

On Sunday, Nita and Mukesh Ambani will be attending a “candlelight dinner” with President-elect Trump and an intimate experience with Vice President-elect JD and Usha Vance, one of the most sought-after events. Inauguration Day will feature several high-profile attendees, and Indian business tycoons will be among the most notable names on the guest list.

In addition to billionaire Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg, tech moguls from across the pond will also attend the ceremony. French billionaire and tech entrepreneur Xavier Niel will be present with his wife.

Mark Zuckerberg is also co-hosting a black-tie reception on Monday with the Republican mega-donor Miriam Adelson to celebrate the inauguration. The Ambanis are expected to attend this reception as well.

During the inauguration event, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. He previously served as the 45th president between 2017 and 2021. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump.

 

[Photo courtesy: ANI]

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

 

U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Democrat was reappointed to serve on the influential House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence for the 119th Congress.

Rep. Bera was appointed on January 17 by Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The Intelligence Committee is charged with providing oversight of the nation’s intelligence activities, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the military intelligence programs.

“I am honored to be reappointed by Leader Jeffries to serve on the House Intelligence Committee, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and national security of the United States,” said Representative Bera. “As we face heightened instability and newfound challenges both at home and abroad, the work of this committee is more important than ever. I take seriously the responsibility entrusted to me to protect and defend American families, while ensuring the Intelligence Community remains objective and independent. With more than a decade of experience working on critical national security issues, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure our intelligence agencies operate effectively and with integrity to safeguard our great nation.”

Bera was first appointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the 118th Congress, where he served on the National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee and the National Security Agency and Cyber Subcommittee.

Rep. Bera was also elected to serve as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific for the 119th Congress on January 15. “I am proud to continue my leadership on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific. This region is vital for our national security, economic interests, and values as we work to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. I am committed to working with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues to address the many challenges facing the region, including countering the People’s Republic of China’s aggressive and coercive actions, securing critical supply chains, and strengthening multilateral alliances. Together, we can build a stronger and more prosperous future for all nations in the East Asia and Pacific region and beyond,” he said.

Bera has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since entering Congress in 2013. During the 118th Congress, Bera served as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, where he worked to strengthen relationships with our allies and partners in the region. He has traveled extensively in the region, including official visits to our allied and partnered nations in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, to promote economic cooperation, enhance regional security, and support initiatives to advance technological innovation, support public health and address the climate crisis. He will also serve on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia in the 119th Congress.