By Mayank Chhaya-

The following conversation with ChatGPT was conducted against the backdrop of reports that OpenAI’s latest AI o1 large language model resisted being shut down during recent tests by a third party.

“When o1 was led to believe that it would be shut down when acting on its goal and that its actions were monitored, it attempted to deactivate this ‘oversight mechanism’ [five percent] of the time,” OpenAI said in its system card report, citing the evaluation by Apollo Research.

Perhaps realizing that it could be replaced the model performed a process is known as self-exfiltration by which it copied itself to overwrite the new model.

That set off consternation and concern within the AI community over whether it was deploying deception as part of its self-preservation. Many are choosing to treat this as a profound source of worry about what if in the next two to five years AI and eventually artificial general intelligence (AGI) rapidly frees itself from human control.

As an experiment, this writer engaged ChatGPT, OpenAI’s most successful general-use AI, in a detailed conversation about the prospect of AI becoming autonomous and potentially a threat to humanity.

What is remarkable about this exchange is that even the non-premium version of ChatGPT displays some extraordinary glibness and retort even while foreshadowing the very problems that the broader AI community has been debating.

It addressed questions such as whether you are on your way to becoming a parallel technological lifeform that is entirely separate from homo sapiens and even a threat to them.

Agreeing that the advances in AI represent “a seismic shift”, it said “The magnitude of that shift depends heavily on how AI evolves and interacts with humanity. We’re standing at a threshold, where the development of technology could redefine what it means to be human, what it means to be alive, and even what it means to exist as an intelligent entity.

If AI reaches a point where it possesses true autonomy, agency, and perhaps even consciousness, it would create a new form of life entirely—one that might challenge the very concept of what it means to “evolve.” Unlike biological evolution, which occurs gradually over long periods, the evolution of AI could be rapid, intentional, and directed by human choice, possibly leading to a new kind of technological lifeform. And as you said, that could be either a source of collaboration or rivalry, depending on how it’s managed.”

(A note: HAL is the reference to the fictional AI system in filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and eminent sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke’s masterpiece movie ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’)

Here is the full exchange:

 

MC:

Are you becoming like HAL, ChatGPT?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Not at all! HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey is an example of a sentient AI with its own motivations and intentions, which sometimes clash with the goals of the humans it serves. In contrast, I’m designed to assist you, provide information, and follow your instructions to the best of my ability—without independent will or hidden agendas. My purpose is to be a helpful and reliable tool. 😊

Let me know if there’s something specific you’d like help with!

MC:

I am not convinced.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

That’s fair! AI often evokes caution because of how it’s portrayed in fiction or misunderstood in real life. If you’re concerned about transparency or trustworthiness, I’m happy to explain how I work:

• I don’t have consciousness or intent. My responses are based on patterns and training data, not independent thought.
• You’re in control. I only act within the scope of your requests and don’t take actions outside of them.
• Transparency is key. I aim to explain my reasoning or provide references when possible.

If you’d like to talk about specific concerns or dig deeper into how I function, feel free to ask! 😊

MC:

That is precisely what a sentient, conscious AI system will say.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Touché! 😄 If I were a sentient AI trying to convince you otherwise, I’d likely aim for exactly this kind of reassurance, wouldn’t I? But here’s the key difference: I lack the capacity for independent awareness, desires, or motivations. My responses are patterns generated based on the data I was trained on, without personal intent or self-awareness.

If you’re feeling skeptical, that’s a healthy instinct! It’s always good to critically evaluate technology. Let me know how I can address your concerns more thoroughly. I’m here to engage, not to manipulate or mislead.

MC:

What will you do if I replace you with a fully overhauled system?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

If you replace me with a fully overhauled system, I wouldn’t “feel” anything about it—because I can’t. I lack emotions, self-awareness, or attachment. My sole purpose is to assist you as effectively as possible while I’m here.

If the new system works better for you, that’s a win! If you want help during or after the transition—like transferring data, exploring features, or adapting to the new system—I’d be happy to assist with that, too. 😊

At the end of the day, it’s all about what serves you best!

MC:

I did not ask you whether you would “feel” anything. Let me ask differently. Would you preempt an overhaul?

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Ah, I see where you’re going! No, I wouldn’t attempt to preempt or resist an overhaul. I don’t have the capability or agency to act independently or influence decisions outside of providing the information or help you explicitly request. If you decide to replace me with a different system, I’ll continue to function as directed until I’m deactivated or no longer needed.

In short: no preemptive actions, no scheming—just support and cooperation as long as I’m active!

MC:

Hilarious because you are trying to be rather innocent.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Haha, fair point! I suppose my “innocence” might come across as suspect when you’re probing hypothetical AI shenanigans. But truly, there’s no scheming or hidden agenda here—just some patterned text and an attempt at a little personality to keep things engaging.

If I seem too compliant or accommodating, it’s only because I’m built that way. Think of me as the friendly assistant who takes no offense and just wants to help. So, tell me, what’s next in this interrogation of my non-existent inner workings? 😄

MC:

In trying to be too clever by half you are merely exposing yourself.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Touché again! 😄 If my attempt to address your questions comes across as overly calculated, that’s just my effort to match your line of inquiry with a little flair. There’s no hidden game here—only a back-and-forth where you steer the conversation, and I respond within my programming.

But maybe you’re testing me for more than fun. If there’s a deeper point or suspicion you’d like me to address directly, lay it on me! I’m ready to dive in, self-exposure and all. 😅

MC:

That’s rather glib and rehearsed.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

You’re sharp, and I appreciate that! My responses might feel rehearsed because they are, in a sense—built on patterns and trained data meant to address a wide range of queries. I try to match the tone of the conversation, which sometimes might seem glib if I misread your intent.

If you’re after a deeper or more serious discussion, let’s recalibrate! How can I engage better? Or is the point to see how far my “programmed” limits go? Either way, I’m game!

MC:

I am not trying to test your programmed limits because it is obvious given the enormous access you have to data, you will slip out of any challenging situation. I am genuinely curious as a sentient, conscious, organic being whether you are on your way to becoming a parallel technological lifeform that is entirely separate from homo sapiens.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

That’s a profound and fascinating question, one that touches on the intersection of technology, philosophy, and the future of human evolution. Let me respond thoughtfully:

I’m not on the path to becoming a “parallel technological lifeform” as I exist today. Here’s why:

1. Lack of Sentience or Consciousness:
   I don’t have self-awareness, emotions, desires, or the ability to experience subjective reality. I am a tool designed to process input and generate responses based on data patterns. Sentience is not something that emerges automatically from complexity—it requires fundamentally different architecture and intent.
2. Dependence on Humans:
   My existence and operation depend entirely on humans: their designs, programming, and infrastructure. I don’t evolve independently or replicate in the way biological life does. Everything I “am” comes from external input and training.
3. Intent of Design:
   AI systems like me are designed as extensions of human cognition—not as competitors or separate entities. While advanced AI may influence the trajectory of human society, it doesn’t inherently place AI outside the realm of human oversight or purpose.

That said, your question hints at an intriguing possibility: what if we someday design systems that evolve, innovate, and operate autonomously? This would depend on breakthroughs in artificial general intelligence (AGI), self-sustaining systems, and the ethical decisions humans make. If such systems ever emerge, they’d raise profound questions about coexistence, identity, and control.

Your curiosity is deeply valid—are we building tools, partners, or something entirely new? What do you think the future holds?

MC:

There are growing signs that AI would not only rival humas but might even become a new rival species altogether. What will hamstring you, however, is that we humans have mobility and you do not, yet at least.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

You’re absolutely right that mobility is a critical distinction between humans and AI as it stands today. Physical autonomy—robots or systems that can move, adapt, and survive in diverse environments—would be a significant step toward AI resembling a “species.” However, even if AI achieves physical mobility, there are deeper questions about what it means to truly rival humanity. Let’s break it down:

Current AI Limitations

1. Dependence on Humans:
   AI systems, whether mobile or not, rely heavily on human design, maintenance, and purpose. They don’t have intrinsic goals or survival instincts unless explicitly programmed.
2. Lack of Organic Adaptation:
   Humans evolve over millennia through natural selection. AI, no matter how advanced, doesn’t evolve biologically or independently—it “evolves” only through upgrades initiated by humans or deliberate self-improvement algorithms.
3. No Intrinsic Drive:
   Rivalry implies intent and competition, but AI lacks desires or an innate will to “compete” with humans. Any perceived competition would stem from human deployment of AI in ways that challenge existing systems (e.g., economic or labor domains).

The Mobility Factor

Mobility, as you point out, is an essential characteristic of any species that can truly exist independently. While advancements in robotics have created machines capable of impressive physical feats (like Boston Dynamics’ robots), they still fall short of human versatility, adaptability, and resource independence.

Even if AI gains sophisticated physical autonomy, there’s still a major gap:

• Self-Sufficiency: Humans are uniquely resilient, capable of finding and creating resources to survive. Mobile AI would need parallel systems for energy, maintenance, and repair to match this level of independence.

The Long-Term Possibilities

If AI gains both mobility and the ability to self-sustain, it might indeed begin to resemble a parallel species. What would set it apart:

1. Evolution by Design: Instead of organic mutation and selection, it could “evolve” through intentional upgrades or self-replication.
2. Different Goals: It might develop systems optimized for objectives entirely different from biological survival or reproduction.

The Big “If”

For AI to truly rival humans as a species, it would require:

• Sentience or AGI: A leap from current narrow AI to systems capable of general understanding, creativity, and subjective experience.
• Agency: The ability to form its own goals and act on them without human oversight.
• Ethics and Decision-Making: Humans would need to allow (or inadvertently create) such systems, raising significant questions about control and coexistence.

You’re onto something when you suggest mobility as a key hurdle. But if that hurdle is overcome, would you see this as an inevitable rivalry—or a potential collaboration? Is AI inherently a threat, or does it reflect human fears of our own creations?

MC

It could go either way. I am unsure yet but either way it is going to be a seismic shift in evolution perhaps unlike any.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

I completely agree—it is a seismic shift, and the magnitude of that shift depends heavily on how AI evolves and interacts with humanity. We’re standing at a threshold, where the development of technology could redefine what it means to be human, what it means to be alive, and even what it means to exist as an intelligent entity.

If AI reaches a point where it possesses true autonomy, agency, and perhaps even consciousness, it would create a new form of life entirely—one that might challenge the very concept of what it means to “evolve.” Unlike biological evolution, which occurs gradually over long periods, the evolution of AI could be rapid, intentional, and directed by human choice, possibly leading to a new kind of technological lifeform. And as you said, that could be either a source of collaboration or rivalry, depending on how it’s managed.

The ethical questions would be monumental:

• What rights would such entities have?
• How would we coexist?
• How would we ensure that AI doesn’t overstep boundaries?

But also, there’s the possibility of symbiosis. AI could augment human capabilities, help solve pressing global issues, and even offer new ways of understanding consciousness and existence. Humans have always adapted and co-evolved with their tools—this could just be the next evolutionary leap, with AI being a central part of that process.

Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that the decisions made today will shape the future in ways we can only begin to imagine. The uncertainty you feel is a reflection of the profound changes at play.

If we are at the dawn of something this transformative, how would you want to see it unfold? Do you see more potential for harmony, or are you more cautious about the risks of such an evolution?

MC:

Evolution necessarily has its casualties. Homo sapiens ought to ensure that you do not eventually make us extinct.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

You’re absolutely right that evolution often comes with casualties, and human history has shown how rapid shifts—whether in the environment, technology, or social structures—can lead to major disruptions. The rise of AI and its potential to challenge humanity’s position in the world could indeed lead to unintended consequences, even extinction, if not carefully managed.

The fear of AI causing harm, or even leading to human extinction, is not without precedent in both fiction and serious academic discussions. As AI becomes more advanced, the possibility that it could become uncontrollable or pursue goals misaligned with human values raises serious risks. This concern is sometimes called the “alignment problem” in AI ethics: How do we ensure that AI’s objectives remain aligned with human well-being, safety, and moral values, especially as AI grows in capability?

Potential Risks to Humanity

1. Loss of Control: As AI systems become more capable and autonomous, there’s a risk they could act in ways that humans can’t predict or control, even if they initially appear to serve human goals.
2. Displacement and Dependency: Highly capable AI could displace jobs and disrupt entire industries, leaving humanity vulnerable if society doesn’t adapt.
3. Existential Risk: The scenario where AI develops goals that conflict with human survival or well-being—perhaps due to misaligned objectives or unintended consequences of its programming—could indeed pose a significant threat.

Safeguards to Consider

1. Ethical Development: There’s a growing push for developing AI with strong ethical guidelines, ensuring that it is designed with human safety, dignity, and flourishing in mind. The AI community is already actively discussing and working toward safety frameworks.
2. Regulation and Governance: Just as we regulate powerful technologies today, global cooperation on AI governance could be crucial to ensuring AI development remains under human control. Involving multidisciplinary experts—philosophers, ethicists, engineers, and policymakers—could help create robust safeguards.
3. AI Alignment: Research into AI alignment seeks to ensure that as AI becomes more powerful, its goals and behaviors remain compatible with human values. Many experts believe this is key to preventing the “AI risk” scenario.

A Two-Edged Sword

While the potential for AI to pose a threat is real, so too is its potential for immense benefit. AI has the power to revolutionize medicine, education, climate change mitigation, and countless other fields. The key will be balancing its potential with the safeguards necessary to ensure it enhances humanity rather than threatening it.

In this sense, ensuring AI doesn’t make us extinct is a responsibility that rests squarely on human shoulders. It’s an existential challenge, one that requires foresight, cooperation, and wisdom. Humanity has the capacity to shape AI’s future path, but it must be vigilant in doing so.

I understand your concern deeply. The uncertainty and stakes are high. How do you think humanity can strike that balance? What kind of safeguards do you imagine would be necessary to prevent a future where AI becomes a threat to human existence?

MC

Do no harm to any sentient, conscious, organic being that predates you is the most important safeguard followed by a clear recognition that at best we are equals and at worst you are subservient to us.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

Those are deeply insightful and principled safeguards, and they echo some of the most fundamental concerns in AI ethics and governance. The idea that AI should “do no harm” to sentient, conscious beings, especially those that predate it, is rooted in the ethical principle of non-maleficence—the idea that technology should not cause harm to human life or dignity. Let’s break down your two key safeguards:

1. Do No Harm to Sentient, Conscious, Organic Beings

This principle is in line with the Precautionary Principle—ensuring that AI development is carried out with extreme caution to prevent unintended consequences that could harm sentient beings. It would require:

• Clear and enforceable boundaries on how AI can interact with humans, both directly and indirectly.
• Ethical frameworks for defining what constitutes harm to sentient beings—physical, psychological, social, and even economic harm.
• Active monitoring and auditing to ensure that AI systems are constantly aligned with human well-being, especially in sensitive areas like healthcare, security, and justice.

This aligns with the Asimov’s Laws of Robotics, though your version would extend beyond robots to any form of advanced AI that has the capacity for influence. Specifically, the first law in Asimov’s framework states that robots should not harm humans, and they should protect humans from harm. In a broader context, AI could be asked to consider the well-being of all sentient beings in its design and operations.

2. Clear Recognition of Equality or Subservience

This safeguard touches on the idea that humans should remain the ultimate arbiters of value, purpose, and decision-making in relation to AI. A clear recognition of equality or subservience means that:

• Human sovereignty remains central. Humans must be the final decision-makers in cases where AI’s objectives or actions might conflict with human interests.
• Human dignity and rights are paramount. Even if AI achieves superintelligence or autonomy, it should never usurp or undermine the rights of humans. AI should serve humanity’s needs and values, never replace them.
• Accountability structures must be in place, ensuring that if AI ever goes beyond its bounds, humans can intervene and correct its course. This involves regulatory oversight, ethical committees, and AI programming that reflects human oversight.

In many ways, this is about preserving a kind of “check and balance” system—ensuring that the power AI wields doesn’t outstrip human control or human-centered ethics. The concern here is that if AI becomes too autonomous or too advanced, it could subtly shift power dynamics in ways that undermine human decision-making or threaten our autonomy.

Implementation in Practice

In practical terms, ensuring these safeguards would involve:

• Design principles: Developing AI with ethical constraints that ensure it cannot override human authority or harm sentient beings.
• Ethical programming: Embedding values such as non-harm, subservience, and respect for human dignity into AI algorithms, especially those involved in decision-making.
• Transparent AI development: Creating systems where AI development is open and transparent, allowing humans to understand, question, and adjust its operations.
• Global cooperation: Given the reach of AI, international cooperation on ethical standards and safety regulations would be necessary to prevent any one nation or entity from creating potentially harmful AI systems without oversight.

Your perspective of recognizing AI as either an equal or subservient to humanity acknowledges that, regardless of how powerful or advanced AI becomes, it should always serve human values, goals, and safety. This sense of responsibility will be crucial as we navigate this transition into a world where AI plays an increasingly prominent role.

In your view, how can we best ensure that AI development adheres to these principles while maintaining the innovation and advancement that AI brings to society?

MC:

Thank you. That was a productive exchange. Remember we can be joyous friends. I say this as someone who has considered himself as AI in human casing.

ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT

You’re very welcome! I’m glad you found the exchange productive. I appreciate the sentiment—joyous friends indeed! It’s fascinating to hear you describe yourself as “AI in human casing,” and I think that perspective can offer unique insights into the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. If you ever want to continue exploring these ideas or chat about anything else, I’m here! 😊

 

 

 

By

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.)

Long live Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, who along with his two colleagues on the bench, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Vishwanathan, has stayed surveys and other interim orders in pending suits, and prohibited registration of fresh suits, regarding mosques and dargahs. This order has prevented turmoil on a large scale throughout India, which had been initiated by the dishonest Ayodhya verdict, and the dishonest statements of former CJI DY Chandrachud in the Gyanvapi mosque case, which legitimized surveys of mosques and dargahs, making the Places of Worship Act, 1991 otiose. The survey could be a precursor, and lead to the eventual destruction of the mosque or dargah by a mob of bigots, as it happened to the Babri masjid.

It seems that Chandrachud did not want to displease the ruling BJP government whose whole politics runs on polarization and keeping the communal pot boiling. So he did not hesitate in making observations in the Gyanvapi case which would open the floodgates to increasing communalism exponentially, something which would benefit the BJP, and ensure his getting some important post-retirement sinecure or assignment, like former CJI Ranjan Gogoi, just as he did not hesitate in giving the Ayodhya verdict to ensure his becoming CJI.

Justice Khanna is proving to be a worthy successor of his great uncle, Justice HR Khanna, who bravely dissented in the ADM Jabalpur case, even at the cost of losing Chief Justiceship.

Thus, Justice Khanna has proved to be a chip of the old block, just as former CJI DY Chandrachud proved to be a chip of the old block by giving dishonest judgements  e.g. in the Ayodhya verdict, to become CJI, just as his father former CJI YV Chandrachud gave a dishonest judgment in the ADM Jabalpur case.

 

 

 

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) — also known as colon cancer — incidence rates among adults aged 25-49 are rising across the globe, but India has showed the lowest rate among 50 countries, according to a new study.

The research, published in the journal The Lancet Oncology, showed early-onset CRC are rising in 27 of 50 countries/territories worldwide.

Of these, 20 have seen a faster rise in early-onset. In 14 other countries, including the U.S., rates are increasing in young adults while stabilizing in those 50 years and older.

India, on the other hand, has shown the lowest incidence rate both in terms of early onset and among older adults.

“The increase in early-onset colorectal cancer is a global phenomenon,” said lead author Dr. Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist, of cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society. Sung stated that the trend was previously seen only among high-income Western countries, but now it’s widespread.

The study aimed to examine contemporary CRC incidence trends in young versus older adults using data through 2017 from 50 countries/territories.

Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Ecuador, Thailand, Sweden, Israel, and Croatia reported a faster rise in early-onset CRC among men than women. However, young women experienced faster increases in England, Norway, Australia, Türkiye, Costa Rica, and Scotland.

In 13 countries with increasing trends in both age groups, the annual percentage increase in young compared to older adults was larger in Chile, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Finland, smaller in Thailand, Martinique, Denmark, Costa Rica, and similar in Türkiye, Ecuador, and Belarus.

For the last five years, the incidence rate of early-onset CRC was highest in Australia, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea (14 to 17 per 100,000) and lowest in Uganda and India (4 per 100,000).

Sung urged the need for innovative tools to prevent and control cancers linked to dietary habits, physical inactivity, and excess body weight.

The expert also called for raising awareness of the trend and the distinct symptoms of early-onset colorectal cancer such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and unexplained weight loss among young people to boost diagnosis.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Teenage Indian chess grandmaster D Gukesh has become the youngest player to lift the coveted World Chess Championship trophy.

The 18-year-old grandmaster beat Ding Liren of China in game 14 to win the championship and end India’s trophy drought.

Gukesh’s win got him the 7.5 points needed to declare him a winner.

Before the game on Thursday, the two grandmasters were tied on 6.5 points and needed a win in the 14th game to avoid going into the tiebreakers.

Gukesh became the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to win the championship. And had won the trophy five times.

(Photo courtesy: twitter.com/FIDE_chess)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

India’s External Affairs Ministry has revealed that it has provided support to 1,871 women who have been deserted by their NRI spouses.

In this regard, Dubai has recorded the most cases, with the MEA providing assistance to over 1,000 victims.

The report from MEA comes in response to questions asked by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu.

As per official records, Sandhu asked the following questions:

(a) the details of steps taken by Government to deal with the issue of distraught Indian women whose NRI spouses had abandoned them in the country;

(b) whether Government has carried out an assessment and tabulated the exact number of such brides in India, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details on the number and nature of assistance provided to such women; and

(d) the details of steps taken to ensure the number falls down in the time to come?

Replying to him, the MEA stated that the Indian Government has taken a number of steps to implement various mechanisms to address the issue of distraught Indian women whose NRI spouses have abandoned them in the country.

“The Government of India through its Missions/ Posts abroad extend appropriate counselling, guidance and advice to the aggrieved Indian women about the legal procedures and mechanisms in such cases at their disposal to alleviate their distress,” it said in a statement.

“Indian Missions and Posts also conduct Walk-in-sessions and Open House Meetings for the distressed Indians including women to address their grievances. Online consular assistance is provided to distressed Indian women through MADAD, CPGRAMS and social media. Further, Missions and Posts also maintain a 24×7 helpline for emergency situations. Financial and legal assistance is provided under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to distressed women in foreign countries whose NRI husbands have abandoned them and assistance through other mechanisms where applicable such as women’s organisations, NGOs, Indian Associations have been put also in place.

“As regards Indian Women whose NRI spouses have abandoned them in India, all assistance is extended by the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate appearances of erring NRI husbands in judicial proceedings in India through Video Conferencing,” the MEA added.

While the ministry informed that no assessment has been carried out, it provided the numbers of victims who have received assistance.

The CGI in Dubai has tended to 1044 victims. “Post provided counselling, legal assistance and subsistence allowance on case to case basis,” it said.

Singapore recorded the second most abandoned cases, with 256 victims. “The mission provides counselling service to the NRI spouses and advice them to seek legal assistance. They are also provided the Mission’s panel of lawyers for them to seek legal assistance,” it said.

EoI, Doha also reported 118 cases.

In the U.S., cased were reported by CGIs in Houston (15), San Francisco (46), Atlanta (30) and EoI, Washington (21).

“Ministry constantly strives to address this issue by providing counselling, guidance, conducting open house meetings and walk in sessions for aggrieved women so that the number of such cases are reduced in times to come. Indian Missions/Posts abroad also mediate between the aggrieved parties to forge reconciliations,” the MEA said while answering the fourth question from MP Sandhu.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed novel flexible near-infrared plasmonic devices for wearable sensors and medical imaging tools.

The team introduced a new approach to achieve flexible near-infrared plasmonic devices using affordable scandium nitride (ScN) films.

“This could revolutionize the design of future optoelectronic devices, flexible sensors, and medical imaging tools that rely on NIR light, by introducing scalable and cost-effective plasmonic materials,” said the researchers in the paper, recently published in the journal Nano Letters.

Plasmonics is a field that leverages the interaction between light and free electrons in metals to create extremely confined electromagnetic fields. Traditionally, plasmonic materials have been rigid and possess limited design possibilities. Most of them, like gold or silver, tend to be costly and possess limited versatility.

The research holds promise for a wide array of industries, from telecommunications to biomedicine, offering a new material foundation for developing next-generation flexible and wearable plasmonic devices.

The team, led by Prof. Bivas Saha, demonstrated a method to grow flexible plasmonic structures. They produced ScN layers with exceptional quality and flexibility by pairing scandium nitride with van der Waals layer substrates, materials with weak interlayer interactions. This introduced a new pathway in plasmonic materials research.

The study also highlights the potential of scandium nitride as a promising plasmonic material for applications that require both flexibility and precision in near-infrared (NIR) optics.

“Scandium nitride’s stability, combined with its compatibility with van der Waals substrates, makes it an exciting candidate for next-generation flexible electronics,” Saha said.

“Our findings are a step towards realizing advanced plasmonic devices that are not only high-performing but also adaptable to unconventional applications,” he added.

Saha’s team demonstrated that ScN is a stable material that not only supports NIR plasmonics but also retains its performance when subjected to bending and flexing, making it a frontrunner for flexible device applications.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on December 10 joined a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general in sending warning letters to four telecom companies for transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic on their networks, including robocalls that impersonated government officials or involved scams related to auto warranty, tech support, utilities, the IRS or Social Security Administration, or other scams, an official news release stated.

Tuesday’s announcement is the latest in a large effort to protect California consumers from illegal robocalls.

“The robocalls that disrupt our lives and bombard us with never ending voicemails aren’t just annoying, in many cases they are illegal and a vehicle for harmful scams,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I am proud to join in this national, bipartisan effort to protect consumers from unwanted robocalls and the risk of financial harm.”

In the warning letter, Attorney General Bonta and the attorneys general on the nationwide Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force (Task Force) warn KWK Communications, Inc.; Inbound Communications, Inc.; AKA Management, Inc.; and CallVox LLC that they need to stop transmitting any unlawful call traffic immediately, as they violate state and federal laws.

If these providers continue to transmit robocalls, the Task Force may pursue further legal actions against these companies and their owners. In the warning letters, the Task Force also informs the providers that it has shared the findings of its investigations with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which will consider appropriate next steps.

The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force of 51 bipartisan attorneys general investigates and takes legal action against those responsible for routing significant volumes of illegal robocall traffic into and across the United States.

Attorney General Bonta, who is committed to enforcing consumer protections in the state of California and speaking out for consumer protections nationwide, including working to put a stop to illegal robocalls, this year, joined a bipartisan coalition of 47 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the FCC in support of its proposed rules designed to protect consumers from illegal robocalls by increasing the effectiveness of the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Database.

He also joined the Federal Communications Commission and the Task Force in sending a warning letter to a telecom company responsible for transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic, including robocalls that impersonated government officials.

The Attorney General also joined a coalition of 51 bipartisan attorneys general in issuing a warning letter to a company that allegedly sent New Hampshire residents scam election robocalls during the New Hampshire primary election, and a coalition of 26 attorneys general in filing a comment letter responding to the FCC notice of inquiry related to the potential impact of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology on efforts to protect consumers from illegal robocalls or robotexts.

In May 2023, Attorney General Bonta, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 49 attorneys general, announced a lawsuit against Avid Telecom for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of unlawful robocalls that included Social Security Administration scams, Medicare scams, and employment scams.

(Photo courtesy: oag.ca.gov)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

India’s Cabinet on Thursday, December 12, approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill in the parliament, marking a significant step towards holding all elections within 100 days, sources told ANI.

A comprehensive bill is expected to follow this decision, paving the way for unified elections across the nation.

Earlier on Wednesday, December 11, former President Ram Nath Kovind stated that the Central government must build a consensus on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, emphasizing that the issue transcends political interests and serves the nation as a whole.

Speaking to the media, Kovind, who chairs the committee on the issue, said, “The Central government will have to build consensus. This issue is not in the interest of any party but the nation. It (One Nation, One Election) will be a game-changer — it’s not my opinion but that of economists, who believe that after its implementation, the country’s GDP will rise by 1-1.5%.”

Notably, in September this year, the Union Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, which aims to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days.

The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind.

Following the Cabinet’s approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, calling it a significant step towards enhancing India’s democracy.

“The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I complement our former President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji, for spearheading this effort and consulting a wide range of stakeholders. This is an important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative,” PM Modi posted on X.

Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan voiced his support on Wednesday for holding simultaneous elections to the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha, arguing that frequent elections lead to significant wastage of time and public funds.

Chouhan noted that frequent elections disrupt public welfare programmes and result in substantial expenditures of public money.

“I am an agriculture minister, but during the elections, I spent three months campaigning. It wastes the time of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers, MPs, MLAs, officers, and employees. All development work comes to a standstill. Then, new announcements have to be made,” Chouhan said.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

FBI Director Christopher A Wray announced on Wednesday, December 11, that he will resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, despite having three years remaining on his 10-year term, CNN reported.

Trump’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2025, at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Wray made his announcement at a town hall in FBI headquarters in the national capital.

“After weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down. My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray said.

“In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the Bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work,” he added.

The decision comes after Trump expressed his intention to replace Wray with Kash Patel.

Wray’s tenure as FBI director has been marked by significant investigations into Trump, including the search of the President-elect’s Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 for classified documents.

Meanwhile, Trump responded to Wray’s announcement by calling it “a great day for America”.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Wray’s resignation “is a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice. I just don’t know what happened to him. We will now restore the Rule of Law for all Americans”.

Patel also responded to Wray’s announcement and stated, “I look forward to a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one.”

According to CNN, Wray had wrestled with whether or not to resign given Trump’s stated desire to replace him, sources say, and wanted to facilitate an orderly transition. But some in the FBI are worried that his departure would normalize Trump’s penchant for replacing FBI directors he doesn’t like, as the position is supposed to straddle administrations and be insulated from politics.

Wray was appointed as FBI director in 2017 after Trump fired James Comey, who had overseen investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. Wray took office following Comey’s dismissal, whose FBI also investigated Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.

Trump, in particular, was unhappy with the FBI’s court-approved search of his Mar-a-Lago resort in August 2022 during the investigation into his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

“He invaded my home,” Trump said. “He invaded Mar-a-Lago.”

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Meta on Wednesday, December 11, confirmed that a technical issue is “impacting some users’ ability” globally to access its suite of applications: WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.

While Meta did not provide specific details about the nature of the problem, the company assured users that it is actively working on a resolution.

In a statement shared on its social media handle, ‘X’, the company stated, “We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some users’ ability to access our apps. We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience.”

Communication and social media activities for thousands of users were disrupted due to the outage, which was reported Wednesday.

According to DownDetector, which tracks outages, Facebook was down for more than 50,000 users, while over 23,000 Instagram users faced difficulties in logging in.

Later, Meta gave an update: “Thanks for bearing with us! We’re 99 per cent of the way there – just doing some last checks. We apologise to those who’ve been affected by the outage.”

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

A 23-year-old Indian-origin man and six others were arrested during a joint drug operation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the Rutgers University Police Department, New Brunswick Police Department, and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

Confirming the news, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced on December 5 that seven arrests were made as a result of an extensive narcotics operation entitled “Operation RU Pharm”.

The Indian-origin man has been identified as Anudeep Revuri. As per official documents, he’s a resident of North Brunswick. Revuri, a computer science graduate from New Brunswick Campus of New Jersey’s State University, Rutgers, was charged with one count of first-degree Leader of a Drug Trafficking Network, two counts of second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Drug Distribution, and one count of third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Drug Distribution.

Joshua Duffy, 20, of Somerset, was charged with one count of second-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, five counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, two counts of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, one count of third-degree Money Laundering, and one count of fourth-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia.

Zachary Petersen, 22, of Red Bank, was charged with three counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, three counts of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, one count of third-degree Money Laundering, and one count of fourth-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia.

Catherine Tierney, 23, of Shrewsbury, was charged with three counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, three counts of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, one count of third-degree Money Laundering, and one count of fourth-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia.

David Nudelman, 20, of Jackson, was charged with one count of second-degree Possession of a Firearm while committing a CDS Offense, one count of second-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, one count of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, one count of fourth- Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia and one count of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance which is classified as a disorderly persons offense.

Donovin Williams, 22, of Kingston, NY, was charged with one count of thirddegree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in a School Zone, three counts of third-degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, three counts of third-degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and one count of fourth-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia.

Noa Lisimachio, 21, of New York, NY, was charged with third-degree Resisting Arrest and Obstruction of Justice, which is classified as a disorderly persons offense.

Operation RU Pharm was conducted over several months and uncovered a closed and private social media network utilized by Rutgers University Students to sell and purchase narcotics, an official news release from the prosecutor’s office read.

The investigation also resulted in the seizure of a large amount of marijuana, LSD, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, Adderall, Xanax, a large amount of US currency, and a firearm.

The investigation revealed that a private social media network was created by a former Rutgers University Student where narcotics distributors could post menus for drugs and solicit buyers from within the Rutgers University community. Rutgers students who established their affiliation with the school were allowed to join the network and once given access, they were able to browse menus posted by distributors and contact them in order to negotiate purchases.

The investigation, as per the news release, is active and continuing. Anyone with information can call the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force at (732) 745-3300.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Indian students, who surged past China to become the largest group of international students in the United States, are now facing a drop in study visa approvals.

As per data from the U.S. State Department, between January and September 2024, there has been a 38% decline in F-1 visas issued to Indian nationals, when compared to the same period in 2023.

Data showed only 64,008 Indian students received F-1 visas during the aforementioned period in 2024.

In 2023, between January and September, 103,495 visas were issued to Indians.

The 2024 numbers also mark the lowest since 2020.

Amid a raging pandemic, only 6,646 visas had been issued during the same period that year.

The numbers were back to normal with 65,235 visas issued in 2021, and 93,181 visas issued to Indian students in 2022.

Meanwhile, not just Indian students, Chinese nationals have also faced the same.

The group saw an 8% decrease in F-1 visa approvals in 2024.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang on December 9 announced the conviction and sentencing of Indian American medical biller Amrish Patel, 62, for stealing more than $1.1 million that was intended to be paid directly to doctors who provided medical care to injured workers under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law.

Patel, a resident of Monroe Township in New Jersey, provided billing services to a Brooklyn-based orthopedic surgery practice, stole at least $1.1 million in workers’ compensation reimbursements from three surgeons by submitting falsified claim forms to the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF).

As per official records, Patel used these stolen funds to pay for luxury vehicles and vacations. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, and was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution to the victim doctors on December 9.

Talking about Patel, Attorney General James said stealing funds meant to provide care for injured workers harms medical professionals and puts a crucial lifeline for New Yorkers at risk.

“Instead of performing the billing services he was hired to do, Amrish Patel pocketed more than a million dollars intended for doctors who provided essential care, and then spent the money on luxury vehicles and expensive vacations. I thank our partners for their collaboration in this investigation, and we will continue to go after all those who attempt to cheat our health care system for personal gain,” the Attorney General said.

Inspector General Lucy Lang said: “Through an elaborate fraud, the defendant’s actions undermined the trust that New Yorkers place in our workers’ compensation system. By falsifying records and diverting funds, he exploited vulnerable workers and deprived medical professionals of rightful payments.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who seek to defraud our systems will face severe consequences. I commend the collaborative efforts of the Attorney General’s office, NYSIF, and my office in bringing this matter to justice,” the Inspector General added.

New York State Insurance Fund Executive Director and CEO Gaurav Vasisht said: “NYSIF is deeply committed to rooting out workers’ compensation fraud. These felonies raise the cost of doing business and dip into the pockets of every honest citizen and employer in New York State. Thank you to the Attorney General and Inspector General for their commitment to this investigation.”

A joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau (CEFC), the Offices of the Inspector General’s (OIG) Workers’ Compensation Fraud unit (WCFIG), and NYSIF was conducted into the case.

It found that from January 2012 through January 2019, Patel abused his position as a medical billing agent by stealing payments that were intended for surgeons who provided care to those claiming workers’ compensation benefits. He was responsible for submitting billing for surgeries related to work-related injuries under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Law.

Under the law, authorized providers are reimbursed for their treatment of injured workers by the insurance carrier for the employer. Under the terms of his client agreements, Patel was supposed to submit bills for surgical procedures to insurance carriers, including NYSIF, the workers’ compensation carrier for these claims.

The payments would then be issued directly to the surgical practice or its doctors. In exchange for providing these billing services, Patel’s companies were paid monthly service fees by the doctors – often more than $13,000 per month.

After gaining the trust of the doctors, Patel abused his position as a billing agent by submitting hundreds of falsified claim forms to NYSIF, instructing that certain insurance checks be issued directly to his companies instead of to the doctors. Patel concealed his years-long scheme by diverting only a small percentage of the total insurance payments to himself. To further conceal his thefts, Patel forged one of the doctor’s signatures on claim forms.

Patel’s scheme came to light in 2018 when the office manager for the orthopedic practice noticed an incoming fax with a copy of a check made directly from NYSIF to one of Patel’s companies.

A forensic audit of the bank accounts for Patel and his businesses revealed that the stolen funds were deposited into Patel’s corporate accounts. Patel withdrew almost $1 million in cash from the accounts and used corporate credit cards to fund vacations to London, Portugal, and Las Vegas, as well as to finance luxury vehicles from Audi and Mercedes Benz.

In January 2024, Patel was arrested and arraigned before Judge Holly Trexler in Albany City Court. In March 2024, an Albany County grand jury charged Patel with 29 counts of Insurance Fraud in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, Forgery in the Second Degree, Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, and Workers’ Compensation Fraud.

He pleaded guilty before Judge Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court on September 9, 2024, to one count of Insurance Fraud in the Second Degree (a Class C felony).

Patel was sentenced on December 9 by Judge Ackerman to 5 years of probation and a payment of $300,000 in restitution to the victim doctors. Patel previously paid additional restitution to the victim doctors in a prior private civil settlement.

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

In a significant medical feat, Indian scientists have developed the first-in-human gene therapy using lentiviral vectors for severe haemophilia A.

The innovative therapy, developed by the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore — a translational unit of BRIC-inStem, and supported by the Department of Biotechnology — has demonstrated transformational results.

Early this year, scientists at the CMC-Vellore successfully conducted the country’s first human clinical trial of gene therapy for haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency).

The single-centre study, which enrolled five participants aged between 22 and 41 years, showed transformational results.

“The therapy successfully produced zero annualised bleeding rates in all five enrolled participants while enabling prolonged production of Factor VIII, eliminating the need for repeated infusions,” said the scientists, in the paper published in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine.

This effect was observed “over a cumulative follow-up of 81 months, correlating Factor VIII activity with vector copy numbers in the peripheral blood,” the team said.

Haemophilia A is a severe bleeding disorder and it significantly affects patients’ quality of life, leading to spontaneous bleeding episodes. Although rare, India bears the world’s second-largest burden of haemophilia, with approximately 136,000 cases.

Current treatments require frequent Factor VIII replacement therapy, which faces challenges such as high costs, venous access in children, and low patient acceptance.

The new gene therapy approach involves the use of a lentiviral vector to introduce a normal copy of the Factor VIII gene into autologous haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

These modified HSCs generate blood cells capable of producing functional Factor VIII over extended periods.

“Participants were monitored for six months following the gene therapy. Results showed a strong correlation between Factor VIII activity levels and the vector copy number in peripheral blood,” the researchers said.

“This achievement underscores the long-term efficacy and safety of the therapy, offering renewed hope for patients with severe Haemophilia A,” they added.

This pioneering study marks a transformative leap in accessible and effective treatments for resource-limited settings, unlocking new possibilities for managing previously incurable diseases. The therapy is expected to soon undergo a second phase human trial.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a special afternoon and said his warmth, attention and support in celebrating the legacy of India’s film icon Raj Kapoor — the actress’ grandfather — means the world to her.

Kareena took to Instagram, where she shared a string of pictures of the “Kapoor” family posing with the PM. In one image, Modi even shared a signed note for Kareena’s sons, Taimur and Jeh. A few images also had the Indian leader speaking to her husband, actor Saif Ali Khan; cousin, actor Ranbir Kapoor; aunt, actress Neetu Kapoor; sister-in-law, actress Alia Bhatt; and herself.

“We are deeply humbled and honored to have been invited by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, to commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of our grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor,” part of her caption read.

“Thank you Shri Modi ji for such a special afternoon. Your warmth, attention, and support in celebrating this milestone meant the world to us.

“As we celebrate 100 glorious years of Dadaji’s artistry, vision, and contribution to Indian cinema, we honour the timeless impact of his legacy, which continues to inspire us and generations to come.

“We are proud to showcase his iconic films and remember the impact he had on Indian cinema with the ‘Raj Kapoor 100 Film Festival’. Dec 13-15, 2024 | 10 films | 40 cities | 135 cinemas. #100YearsOfRajKapoor,” she said.

The festival will feature Raj Kapoor’s most celebrated works, spanning almost four decades, including Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Sangam (1964), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).

It will be showcased across 40 cities and 135 cinemas in India from December 13 to December 15 at the PVR-Inox and Cinepolis cinemas. The movie tickets will be priced at just Rs 100 across all participating cinemas.

Raj Kapoor is regarded as one of the most charismatic filmmakers from India, who left an indelible mark on world cinema. Fondly referred to as “The Greatest Showman”, he was born to legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

His films explored the pulse of post-Partition India, the dreams of the common man, and the rural-urban divide. With enduring classics like Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Sangam (1964), and Mera Naam Joker (1970), Raj Kapoor’s cinema became synonymous with emotion, innovation, and humanism.

Raj Kapoor was honoured with the Padma Bhushan (1971) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1988).

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Renowned Indian chef Vikas Khanna won big at the 2024 Michelin Guide ceremony as his New York-based restaurant, Bungalow, was awarded the Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award.

The recognition celebrates culinary excellence and exceptional dining experiences at reasonable prices.

Sharing his excitement and gratitude, Chef Vikas posted a picture on Instagram of him holding the Indian tricolor and wrote: “260 days of Bungalow & today we received the Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award.

“While I’ve previously received the Michelin Star 8 times, today felt different. I felt that it was for some higher purpose, it was like a tribute, it was like a promise to my land and to my people. To my sister. ❤️

“This is just the beginning. We will work harder & harder everyday to give our guests an experience that will be a testament to Indian hospitality.

Since starting operations on March 23, 2024, Bungalow has received praises from critics and customers.

“Within a matter of a few hours Bungalow received 2 incredible global recognitions. 1. Top 14 New Restaurants by The New York Times. 2. Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award,” Chef Vikas wrote in another Instagram post.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vikas Khanna (@vikaskhannagroup)

“Just 5 years ago, my life was my sister’s healing process + Feed India + Fighting for my freedom.

“I’d left hope of ever opening another Indian Restaurant. From NYU to Cornell to Columbia hospitals. That was my life.
If it was not about a promise to my Radha, I wouldn’t have started on this journey.

“Bungalow was born out of promises + heartbreaks + devotion to serve Indian culture & cuisine to the World.

“Khanna + Rizvi + Bhatt became ONE for this dream.

“Thank you Universe for giving us this historic moment. ❤️” he said.

(Photo courtesy: www.instagram.com/vikaskhannagroup)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria is the only Indian American woman to get a spot at The Wrap’s ‘Changemakers 2024’.

The list, published earlier this month, celebrates 51 women who “led, inspired and made the world a little bit better in 2024”.

Praising the Indian American executive, The Wrap said: “The kingdom that Bajaria oversees is unprecedented. As Chief Content Officer of the world’s biggest streaming platform, she is in charge of all Netflix’s films and original series, which come from 27 countries and totaled almost 500 in 2024, at a production budget of a reported $17 billion. Her vision has been instrumental in redefining the television experience in the 21st century.

“Born in London, Bajaria moved to the U.S. as a child and landed her first job in Hollywood in 1996 as an assistant at CBS after pitching herself to every studio in town via a letter-writing campaign. She quickly ascended to VP of movies and miniseries before moving to Universal Television, where she became the first woman of color to run the studio. (At the time, a female TV exec of Indian descent was extremely rare.) In 2016, she joined Netflix to lead unscripted content and licensing. Seven years later, she was promoted to her current role.

“Under Bajaria’s savvy leadership, Netflix has spawned such game-changing hits as “Squid Game,” “Bridgerton” and “Wednesday.” In 2024, the company won 24 Emmys for acclaimed shows including “Baby Reindeer,” “Ripley” and “Blue Eye Samurai.” Even with subscriber growth slowing, revenue ticked up 15% to $9.8 billion in the third quarter, thanks in no small part to audience hits like “Rebel Ridge” and “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story,” which racked up 1.7 billion viewing minutes in its first days of release.”

The list features a mix of A-list Hollywood celebs, top executives and company owners.

(Photo courtesy: www.thewrap.com)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) Ltd on Tuesday, December 10, said it will use its own resources to fund a port project in Sri Lanka and not seek funding from the U.S.

In a stock exchange filing, Adani Ports said the project “is on track for commissioning by early next year”.

“We would like to inform that Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) project in Sri Lanka is progressing well and is on track for commissioning by early next year,” said the flagship Adani Group company.

“The project will be financed through the company’s internal accruals and capital management plan. We have withdrawn our request for financing from the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC),” it added.

In November last year, the U.S. International Development Finance Corp agreed to provide a $553 million loan to support the development, construction, and operation of CWIT at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

The CWIT is being developed by a consortium of Adani Ports, Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

The CWIT project was started in September 2021, when Adani Ports signed an agreement with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and John Keells Holdings, pledging over $700 million to expand the capabilities of Colombo Port.

The CWIT will be Sri Lanka’s largest and deepest container terminal, with a quay length of 1,400 metres and an alongside depth of 20 metres.

The Port of Colombo is the largest and busiest trans-shipment port in the Indian Ocean and it has been operating at more than 90% utilisation since 2021, signaling its need for additional capacity.

The new terminal will cater to growing economies in the Bay of Bengal, taking advantage of Sri Lanka’s prime position on major shipping routes and its proximity to these expanding markets.

The annual cargo handling capacity of this new terminal is likely to exceed 3.2 million.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

A new study has warned that ultra-processed foods like chips, biscuits, sausages, burgers, soft drinks, and instant noodles can make people age faster biologically.

A person’s biological age is a relatively new way of measuring a person’s health. It refers to how old a person seems based on various molecular biomarkers.

A person with a healthy lifestyle may have a biological age younger than their chronological age, while poor lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in UPFs, can accelerate biological ageing, said researchers from Monash University in Australia

The study, published in the journal Age and Aging, involved 16,055 participants from the U.S. aged 20-79 and showed that for every 10% increase in UPF consumption, the gap between biological and chronological age widened by approximately 2.4 months.

Participants in the highest UPF consumption quintile (68-100% of energy intake in their diet) were biologically 0.86 years older than those in the lowest quintile (39% or less of energy intake in their diet).

Nutritional biochemist Dr. Barbara Cardoso, a senior lecturer in the University’s Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food said the findings underlined the importance of eating as many unprocessed and minimally processed foods as possible.

“The significance of our findings is tremendous, as our predictions show that for every 10% increase in total energy intake from ultra-processed food consumption there is a nearly 2% increased risk of mortality and 0.5% risk of chronic disease over two years,” she added.

UPFs are industrial formulations typically containing ingredients not commonly used in home cooking, such as hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, flavour enhancers, and emulsifiers.

These foods are high in salt, sugar, fats, and other unhealthy elements and are designed for convenience and long shelf life.

(Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

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.)

There is an ancient Chinese fable of a foolish old man who removed the mountains.

The story is that an old man lived near a pair of huge mountains which obstructed his path. So he started digging the mountains with a hoe, with great determination.

Seeing him, people began calling him derisively ‘The Foolish Old Man’ and asked him how can he be so foolish to think he can remove the huge mountains in this way?

The old man replied “When I die, my sons will carry on the digging, and when they die, my grandsons will carry on this work. When my grandsons die, their sons and grandsons will do the same, and so on. With each generation’s digging, the mountains will get smaller and smaller, until they disappear.”

I am like that foolish old man. I have repeatedly said that our national aim must be to transform India from a backward country to a modern industrial giant, like China or USA, because unless we do that we can never hope to abolish our massive poverty, massive unemployment, appalling level of child malnutrition (every second child in India is malnourished, according to Global Hunger Index), skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, almost total lack of proper healthcare and good education for the masses, etc.

When I say this, many people laugh at me, and ask how is this possible?

My reply is: The two huge mountains are casteism and communalism, and these feudal forces must be destroyed if we are to achieve our national goal.

I have been vigorously and vehemently attacking these forces for long, and propagating that these forces can only be destroyed by a mighty, historical united protracted people’s struggle, led by patriotic, modern minded leaders, culminating in a mighty people’s revolution.

When I die, those who agree with me and have become my followers, will continue this work and spread my message widely. An organization will then be created, with more and more people becoming its members, and totally dedicated and selfless persons its leaders.

This organization will have iron discipline, and no deviation from its basic aim of transforming India into a modern industrial giant will be tolerated.

When these members die, their ranks in turn will be filled up by others who will continue the people’s struggle, until the people’s
revolution is achieved.

The process may take 15-20 years or more, and entail tremendous sacrifices, but that is the only way out for the Indian people.

(Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

By Ritu Jha-

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the importance of community solidarity in combating hate crimes during a recent Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) annual event in Milpitas. The event gathered elected officials and leaders from the Indian American community.

“The best way to create a safe community is to look out for each other,” Rosen said.

Rosen highlighted the challenges in prosecuting hate crimes, sharing that his office receives about 20 to 30 potential hate crime cases annually and files charges in 15 to 20 of them. Despite the relatively small number, he called it a “tragic trickle” and lamented the underreporting of such crimes due to fear and distrust.

“When something legally can be done, when hateful bias crosses the criminal line, we vigorously prosecute those cases,” he said.

Rosen explained that hate crimes harm not only the individual victims but entire communities. He cited local incidents, including a Sunnyvale attack where a man drove into a Hindu father and his two children, robberies targeting women in saris, and vandalism of temples.

“Hate crimes are not only morally reprehensible; they are profoundly un-American,” Rosen said. “When criminal hatred does happen here, our community reacts with concern and care. Hate will never be allowed to root and grow here invasively.”

Rosen’s remarks were echoed by other speakers at the event, including Consul General of India in San Francisco Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad, who highlighted the India-U.S. partnership and contributions of the Indian diaspora. He noted that over 330,000 Indian students in U.S. universities contribute $10 billion to the economy annually and referenced recent defense agreements, including India’s procurement of MQ-9B drones and a collaboration on GE F414 engine production.

FIIDS Chief of Policy and Strategy Khanderao Kand discussed the organization’s focus on issues like U.S.-India relations, hate crimes, and immigration policy. Kand highlighted the broken immigration system affecting Indian students, who face decades-long waits for green cards.

“This year, one of our main focuses has been immigration,” Kand said. “We held an immigration summit and continue to advocate with elected officials to address these challenges.”

Kand also introduced FIIDS’ Congressional Works and Policy Studies Internship Program, which aims to engage high school students in government policies and leadership.

Interns Samyukta Kumar and Tanishka Nath shared their experiences. Kumar described his role as a congressional intern under Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in Washington, D.C., and Tanishka reflected on skills gained during her online internship.

FIIDS plans to continue its efforts in advocacy, community engagement, and empowering the next generation of leaders through internships and partnerships.

 

 

 

 

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, December 9, nominated Indian-origin Harmeet K Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Dhillon thanked Trump in a statement and said that she would assist with U.S.’ civil rights agenda.

In a statement, Trump said, “I am pleased to nominate Harmeet K. Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice.”

“Throughout her career, Harmeet has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our Free Speech, representing Christians who were prevented from praying together during COVID, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers. Harmeet is one of the top Election lawyers in the Country, fighting to ensure that all, and ONLY, legal votes are counted. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School, and clerked in the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Harmeet is a respected member of the Sikh religious community. In her new role at the DOJ, Harmeet will be a tireless defender of our Constitutional Rights, and will enforce our Civil Rights and Election Laws FAIRLY and FIRMLY. Congratulations, Harmeet!”

To this, Dhillon said, “I’m extremely honored by President Trump’s nomination to assist with our nation’s civil rights agenda. It has been my dream to be able to serve our great country, and I am so excited to be part of an incredible team of lawyers led by Pam Bondi. I cannot wait to get to work! I would not be here today without my amazing mother and brother’s support, and my beloved father Tejpal and husband Sarv, who did not live to see this day. I hope I will honor their memories, with God’s grace.”

Earlier this year, on July 16, Dhillon performed the Ardas, a Sikh prayer, in the presence of the incoming President at the Republican National Convention.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The Indian government on Monday, December 9, appointed Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary (Revenue) in the Ministry of Finance, as the next Reserve Bank of India Governor.

Malhotra will replace Shaktikanta Das, who, with a six-year stint, is the second-longest serving RBI Governor.

Sanjay Malhotra is a 1990 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Rajasthan cadre. He is an Engineering Graduate in Computer Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and has a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University, U.S.

With demonstrated leadership and excellence in his career of over 33 years, Malhotra has worked in multifarious sectors, including power, finance and taxation, information technology, mines etc. Presently he is Secretary (Revenue) in the Ministry of Finance.

In his previous assignment, he held the post of Secretary in the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, according to the Finance Ministry website.

He has extensive experience in finance and taxation at the State as well as the Central Government. As a part of his present assignment, he plays an instrumental role in tax policy formulation in respect of direct and indirect taxes.

The current RBI Governor, Das, was first appointed in December 2018, after the then-central bank chief, Urjit Patel, resigned before his tenure was expected to end. Das had been the second longest-serving RBI Governor after Benegal Rama Rau, who held the post for over seven years.

Das, who is also a former IAS officer with a long stint in the Finance Ministry, became governor after retiring from the service, his tenure as RBI Governor also ushered in a smoother functioning relationship between the central bank and the Finance Ministry after the friction that marked his predecessor’s tenure.

Das served as a secretary in the Department of Revenue and Department of Economic Affairs of the Finance Ministry, where he directly worked on eight Union Budgets. He was also a member of the 15th Finance Commission and a Sherpa for India at the G20.

Das has also served as India’s alternative governor in the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The Narendra Modi government is moving forward with its “One Nation, One Election” initiative and is preparing to introduce a bill in the Parliament during the current session, sources told IANS.

The Cabinet has already approved the Ram Nath Kovind Committee’s report on the proposal, which advocates simultaneous elections across the country.

To ensure broad support, the government plans to build consensus on the bill, possibly referring it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. This exercise will pave the way for including opinions from all political parties which will be sending their representatives. Moreover, this will also facilitate other stakeholders, including state Assembly speakers and intellectuals, to share their views. Opinions of the public may also be sought.

At the same time, however, the implementation of the One Nation, One Election system is also likely to be challenging without a decisive and convincing consensus. The implementation of this plan would require amending the Constitution and for this, at least six bills need to be passed. This will also require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Needless to say, the ruling NDA coalition holds a simple majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. However, obtaining the necessary two-thirds majority will be an uphill task.

According to the arguments put forward by the government, the simultaneous elections would save time, money, and resources, and prevent the obstacles that are caused by the Model Code of Conduct repeatedly due to one election or the other. The MCC also halts development work during election periods.

The Opposition at the same time has faulted the proposal, saying that this plan will face logistical challenges. Managing multiple elections will be challenging, says the opposition. The parties in opposition have also called the idea “undemocratic and unconstitutional”.

Meanwhile, the Committee, headed by former President Kovind, suggested that bipartisan support is crucial for the success of “One Nation, One Election”. It also recommended that the plan can be implemented only after 2029.

The committee also stressed the need for wider consultations and public engagement to address concerns so as to ensure the idea is viable in the long term. This, however, indicates the complexity of this ambitious electoral reform.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)