Diaspora

WASHINGTON: Indian-origin Mathura Sridharan has been appointed Ohio's 12th Solicitor General, the Attorney General's office announced in a statement on X. However, her appointment faced backlash with trolls questioning why a 'non-US citizen' was selected for the position, with some even pointing to her bindi, saying "This one has a perma-dot, huh."

For many NRI families living in the Gulf, especially those with strong roots in Punjab and across India, the United Kingdom remains a cherished destination—be it for vacations, family reunions, or educational pursuits for the next generation. With increasing flight connectivity and evolving visa norms, traveling from Dubai to the UK has become more accessible than ever.

JALANDHAR: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed serious concern over the increasing involvement of Punjabi youth, particularly young Sikh boys, in criminal activities across North America. In light of recent incidents reported from multiple cities in the United States and Canada, NAPA is calling on community leaders, parents, and institutions to urgently address this alarming trend.

CHANDIGARH: The Global Sikh Council (GSC), representing Sikh institutions worldwide, has strongly condemned the unilateral declaration by five Granthis of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Sahib, branding Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as Tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct). The GSC has termed this calculated and instigated move a blatant violation of Sikh Maryada, a breach of Panthic protocol and an instigated and direct challenge to the authority and primacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is the only temporal seat empowered to adjudicate Panth-wide matters.

JALANDHAR: Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), has issued a strong condemnation of the shocking and repeated shooting attacks on the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, calling the incidents a heinous hate crime that demands immediate action and federal scrutiny.

JALANDHAR: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) strongly condemns the malicious attempts to label internationally acclaimed actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh as “anti-national.” These baseless allegations not only lack credibility but also reflect a dangerous trend of vilifying artists who have elevated India’s image on the global stage through talent, discipline, and sheer hard work.

JALANDHAR: In light of recent statistics released by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed serious concern over the growing number of individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the vast majority of whom have no criminal convictions.

ALBERTA: The Indian diaspora in Canada is brimming with excitement and optimism ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit, which marks a significant thaw in relations that have been strained over the past year.

AMRITSAR: While conducting the sixth online NRI Milnee, NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal informed that more than 600 complaints of NRI Punjabis have been resolved so far in the online NRI Milnees. The sixth monthly online NRI Milnee held today at Amritsar to resolve the grievances of NRI Punjabis.

INDIANAPOLIS: Former SEWA International USA Vice president 44-year-old Darshan Soni was arrested on May 16 by the Carmel Police Department for allegedly plotting to murder his wife. He faces preliminary charges of conspiracy to Commit Murder, Murder and Attempted Murder so that he would not have to divorce his wife, reports FOX59/CBS4. Darshan Soni is being held in the Hamilton County Jail

AMRITSAR: In a significant development, the Five Sikh High Priests have summoned Sant Singh, President of the Gurdwara Baba Budha Ji Committee in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before the Akal Takht, Sikhism's highest temporal seat. Simultaneously, they have barred him from continuing his duties as President pending further inquiry.

THE HAVUE: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during his visit to the Netherlands, appreciated the Indian community for its significant contribution in enhancing the relationship between India and the European nation.

BRAMPTON:  A Sikh entrepreneur who ran a trucking safety and insurance consultancy was shot dead outside his office in Mississauga, Canada. According to multiple reports, the victim has been identified as Harjeet Singh Dhadda. He hailed from Bazpur in Uttarakhand, India.

BRAMPTON: A 78-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl three separate times at a park in Brampton and police say there could be additional victims.

BRAMPTON: Three youth of Punjab origin have been arrested and charged in connection with an extortion investigation in Brampton. They were allegedly involved in making extortion calls to businessmen, spreading fear in the region.

OTTAWA: The Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF) on Monday strongly condemned the call by Khalistani extremists on Monday to send back 800,000 Hindus to India.

CHANDIGARH: The Global Sikh Council (GSC) has extended its support to the recent appeal made by Singh Sahib Gyani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib, for all Sikh parcharaks (preachers) including Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadhrianwala, to come together under the banner of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib to rejuvenate the mission of Sikhi parchar across India.

PHAGWARA: In a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, USA-based Indian community members led by Phagwara based Dr Romesh Japra who is Chairman Fremont Hindu Temple San Fransisco, held a candlelight vigil at the Vedic Dharma Samaj Fremont Hindu Temple.

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has congratulated a large number of Punjabis, especially Sikh representatives, in the Canadian federal elections, expressing happiness. He said that it is a matter of great pride for the Sikh community and all Punjabis that these candidates have proved their leadership in Canadian politics by winning and have raised the heads of Punjabis.

OTTAWA: Once a kingmaker in Canadian politics, Jagmeet Singh announced on Tuesday that he is quitting as the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) after he lost his own election to parliament and his party suffered a rout.

NEW YORK: A Punjab-born surgeon, her two children and their partners were killed along with her husband, who piloted a small plane that crashed in New York state.

OTTAWA: Canada's three-term Liberal Member of Parliament Chandra Arya, who has been barred from contesting in the forthcoming elections under the party's banner in his own Ottawa Nepean constituency over alleged foreign-interference concerns involving India, believes he has been denied nomination this time for speaking out against the Khalistani extremist movement in the country.

BELGIUM: We, the representatives of Gurdwaras across Europe, strongly condemn the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) backed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for prematurely and arbitrarily removing Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh and Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Sultan Singh by the Executive Committee (EC) of the SGPC without due consideration for the profound religious significance of the position of Jathedar, and instead, the decision is driven by political motives aimed at advancing their own interests.

WASHINGRTON: Kash Patel is set to make history Thursday when the Republican-led US Senate votes to confirm him to head the FBI, the country’s premier investigating agency.

MARYLAND: On the invitation of Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Bhai Sawinder Singh, Hazuri Ragi of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, attended the recent Governor’s Interfaith Council meeting, where faith leaders from diverse communities came together to discuss shared challenges and promote unity.

CHANDIGARH: In a bid to make the verification process easier for Non Resident Indian(NRI) Punjabis, the Government of Punjab under the visionary leadership of S. Bhagwant Singh Mann Chief Minister of Punjab has operationalised E-Sanad portal in September, 2024 all over Punjab through which NRI Punjabis can apply for countersigning their documents from their homes. In this connection, 6481 applications have been received for countersigning on this portal from 1 January 2025 to till date.

CHANDIGARH: The Youth Akali Dal's flagship initiative, 'Meri Dastaar Meri Shaan,' has now gone international, as SAD leader Lakhvir Sangha is set to organize a 'Dastaran Da Langar' camp at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Darbar in Winnipeg, Canada, on 25th January.

AMRITSAR: Four washing machines were presented by US resident Balwant Singh's family to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib.

AMRITSAR: The three- day 34th World Punjabi Conference to be held in Lahore has begun with a call to raise the flag of Punjab , Punjabi and Punjabiyat .

AMRITSAR: Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who has the charge of NRI Affairs, today reached the house of Majitha Road resident Amandeep Singh, who was arrested in a case in Laos, and told the family that his son has been released by the police and Soon he will return to the country.

INDIANAPOLIS: Four residents of Greenwood are in the Johnson County jail this morning accused of murder waiting for extradition to New Jersey.

KUWAIT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian workers abroad during his visit to a labour camp in Mina Abdullah, Kuwait, marking the first official program of his historic visit to the West Asian nation.

CHICAGO: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) participated in the 90th anniversary of Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade with a well decorated float, Ashke Bhangra Club team, Punjabi Dholi Manmeet Singh and DJ Miss Bhalla blasting Punjabi Bhangra music on State Street in the heart of downtown Chicago on November 28, 2024. The Chicago loop boomed with music.

LONDON: UK's Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, which has been opening its monthly meetings with “Bible Reading and Prayer”, has turned down request to have Hindu opening-prayer in an upcoming session.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the deep connection the diaspora shares with their roots, stating that "Bhartiyata (Indianness)" is deeply embedded in the personalities of Indian communities abroad.