<![CDATA[India Journal

<![CDATA[India Journal - Stories]]>Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:47:26 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Paintings to showcase Ramayana at NY museum]]>Thu, 08 Aug 2019 23:03:43 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/paintings-to-showcase-ramayana-at-ny-museumNEW YORK - Starting Saturday, the Metropolitan Museum of Art here will display a selection of 30 paintings depicting Ramayana, painted during 17-19th century for the Rajput and Pahari courts of north India. The year-long show titled "Sita and Rama: The Ramayana in Indian Painting" will narrate the heroic and adventurous tale of Ram's rescue of his wife.

These paintings and textiles capture court artists' collective visual imagination and efforts to depict the 2,500-year-old Sanskrit epic Ramayana, which consists of over 24,000 verses.
The exhibition will conclude in August 2020.

]]><![CDATA[4-year-old Aussie boy claims to be reincarnation of Princess Diana]]>Wed, 17 Jul 2019 21:39:51 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/4-year-old-aussie-boy-claims-to-be-reincarnation-of-princess-dianaLONDON - A four-year-old Australian boy has bizarrely claimed to be the reincarnation of Britain's Princess Diana. The boy's father, a noted Australian television presenter, has said that his son believes he is the reincarnated embodiment of Diana, a UK media report said. Billy Campbell, son of Australian TV personality David Campbell, was born 18 years after the princess's death...

in a car crash in 1997. The bemused father said: "Billy (aged two at this time) pointed and said, 'Look! It's me when I was a princess'," when he spotted Diana on a card.
However, David goes on to say that the kid's obsession with Diana didn't stop there.
Peculiarly, Billy could apparently recount details about Diana's life as a toddler, he would refer to Princes William and Harry as his "sons" and have conversations with freaked-out family members in which he would casually mention his "boys". Even more ludicrously, David alleges that his son would talk about Diana's brother John, who sadly died as a baby just hours after his birth.

]]><![CDATA[FB post inviting alien-fanatics to raid Area 51 gets 600K sign-ups]]>Sat, 13 Jul 2019 18:42:24 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/fb-post-inviting-alien-fanatics-to-raid-area-51-gets-600k-sign-upsSAN FRANCISCO - A viral Facebook post, calling out to alien enthusiasts from around the world to gather in Amargosa Valley, Nevada and storm into the restricted Area 51 region on September 20 has already listed 600,000 people who say they are "going" to the event. Hosted by accounts "Shitposting cause im in shambles" and "SmyleeKun", the post has also collected 569,000...

people who say they were "interested" in storming into Area 51, a controversial region that has tickled generations of conspiracy theorists
According to the event's organisers, they are more interested in the content that could be seem interested mainly in the amount of content like Internet memes and video games the event could generate, NBC news reported on Friday.
"We will all meet up at the Area 51 Alien Center tourist attraction and coordinate our entry. If we naruto run, we can move faster than their bullets. Lets see them aliens," the Facebook post for the event tited, "Storm Area 51: They Can't Stop All of Us" reads.
According to the report, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed that the service branch was aware of this Facebook post but declined to provide additional comment.
For years, conspiracy theorists have believed that the remains of crashed UFO spacecrafts are stored at Area 51, an Air Force base about 242 km from Las Vegas. It is believed that US government scientists reverse-engineer highly advanced technology in the labs. Apparently, the area is also prone to frequent UFO sightings.The signs outside the controversial regions prohibits people from photographing the place and also warns that security is authorised to use deadly force on those who insist on trespassing. Taking a fun spin at the event, creators are sharing hilarious memes about the event, most of which show dialogue-backed images of popular TV show "Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons in his Sheldon Cooper look and multi-billionaire tech moghul Elon Musk having conversations. It would be interesting to see if people actually do attend the event in September and what finally becomes of it.

]]><![CDATA[4 charged with downing MH17 flight over Ukraine]]>Wed, 19 Jun 2019 18:28:23 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/4-charged-with-downing-mh17-flight-over-ukraineAMSTERDAM - Three Russians and one Ukrainian, allegedly involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in 2014, would be tried for murder in the Netherlands, the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the tragedy said on Wednesday. "We have decided to prosecute four suspects for downing flight MH17," said Fred Westerbeke,

a lead investigator for JIT. "This is the start of the Dutch criminal proceedings," he said.
All 298 passengers and crew aboard the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight were killed when it was hit by a Buk surface-to-air missile while flying above the conflict zone near Donetsk on July 17, 2014.
A court case will begin in the Netherlands on March 9, 2020. International arrest warrants have been issued for the four. At a press conference in Nieuwegein city, Dutch National Police chief Wilbert Paulissen named the suspects as Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Leonid Karchenko, Efe news reported. Girkin was the so-called Donetsk People Republic's (DPR) Defence Minister when flight MH17 was downed, Dubinsky was his deputy and a former member of Russia's GRU intelligence service, Pulatov was head of the DPR's intel service and Karchenko, who has no military background on record, commanded a unit in Donetsk.
The first three were of Russian nationality and probably resided in Russia, the JIT said. Karchenko is of Ukrainian nationality and is presumed to live in eastern Ukraine, where the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic are still at war with the central Ukrainian government. According to the open-source investigative website Bellingcat, which has collaborated with the investigation, Dubinsky received the Buk missile from Russia, Pulatov escorted it and Karchenko assured its passage back across the border into Russia.
The JIT, bringing together experts from Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine, previously presented evidence that claimed the Buk missile used in the downing of MH17 belonged to the Russian military and had been brought from across the border into the insurgent-held areas of east Ukraine. It was fired from an agricultural area not far from the town of Pervomaiskiy before being returned to the Russian Federation. The investigation into the downing of the plane had been hampered by lack of sufficient access to the key areas of interest, many of which remain behind the frontlines of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, the JIT said.

]]><![CDATA[London museum may acquire 'Trump Baby Blimp']]>Mon, 03 Jun 2019 17:36:48 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/london-museum-may-acquire-trump-baby-blimpLONDON - "Trump Baby Blimp", the six-meter balloon which was a symbol of protest during US President Donald Trump's visit to London last year, may again take to the skies this week with Trump visiting the city again. The Museum of London on Monday announced its ambition to acquire two giant balloons depicting as babies US President Donald Trump and city Mayor Sadiq Khan as part of its permanent "Protest" collection.

It hopes to reach out to the creators of both soon.
"In July last year, Londoners took to the streets to protest President Trump's visit to the UK. To mark this moment, an over-sized balloon showing the President in a diaper, was flown above Parliament Square," the Museum said. In quick response, a blimp of Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, was also created and floated in the capital to protest against some of his policies and advocate the Londoners' right to freedom of speech, it added.
If acquired, the balloons will join the Museum's "Protest" collection, which comprises objects related to the Suffrage movement 100 years ago, banners, flags, and tents that belonged to Brian Haw, who used to actively protest outside the Houses of Parliament, as well as recent placards used by protesters against public spending cuts.
The US President arrived in London on Monday on a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
"We are yet to hear if the Sadiq Khan balloon will make another appearance," the Museum of London said.

]]><![CDATA[Mughal, Indian royal jewels up for New York auction]]>Mon, 27 May 2019 18:12:25 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/mughal-indian-royal-jewels-up-for-new-york-auctionNEW YORK - Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's jade hilted dagger, the priceless jewels of the Nizams of Hyderabad, and a string of pearls belonging to Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur are among the 400 royal artefacts that would be auctioned here on June 19. Organised by global auction house Christie's and titled "Maharajas and Mughal Magnificence", the auction for a valuable group of jewels, gemstones and decorative objects spanning...

over 500 years will showcase the illustrious culture of Indian jewelled arts from the Mughal period to the age of the Maharajas. Among the most prominent objects is a dagger once owned by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor who commissioned the Taj Mahal. One of the masterpieces of Mughal art, the dagger features scrolling designs inlaid in gold at the top of the blade, and an inscription in ‘Nasta'liq' script with a title the monarch had taken. It is estimated to fetch between $1,500,000 and $2,500,000.
The collection also has 'sarpechs' (turban ornaments), necklaces such as a diamond riviere necklace originally from the collection of the Nizam of Hyderabad, 33 Golconda diamonds (estimated between $1,200,000 and $1,500,000), and the Nizam of Hyderabad's diamond encrusted ceremonial sword, set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds ($1,000,000-$1,500,000).
"The collection begins in Mughal India, the most important dynasty that ruled the country, which was famous for its emeralds, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, weapons and objects which are bejewelled beyond belief," the Christie's said. Also featured are carved Mughal emeralds, jewelled boxes, the famed ‘Arcot II' diamond, presented to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, by Muhammad Ali Wallajah Nawab of Arcot, and the magnificent ‘Mirror of Paradise' D colour Internally Flawless Golconda diamond.
An 18th century gold finial from the throne of Mysore's ruler Tipu Sultan would go under the hammer as well. Set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, the marble plinth with gilt metal fittings is one of eight finials that ornamented the gold throne of Tipu Sultan. Following his defeat at the hands of the British in the battle of Seringapatam (1799), the throne was dismantled and its components were dispersed.
"(The sale) traces the history of jewellery from early Mughal India through the Maharajas and their collaborations with the world's most renowned jewellery houses to create some of the most exceptional pieces of jewellery ever made," the auction house said. The Patiala Ruby Choker created by Cartier in 1931 is an example of the fusion between India and the West. It was commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. Another carved emerald brooch and interchangeable Jigha mounting depicts Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman. Another offering, the Enamel and Diamond Peacock Aigrette by Mellerio dits Meller, was purchased by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala in 1905 in Paris. A natural pearl and diamond necklace of Rajmata Gayatri Devi, wife of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur, would be on offer as well. The objects would be on exhibition here from June 14-18 before going under the hammer on June 19.

]]><![CDATA[2 Sikh youth killed in car crash]]>Mon, 20 May 2019 19:40:21 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/2-sikh-youth-killed-in-car-crashWASHINGTON - Two Sikh youths were killed in a car crash in the US state of Indiana, the media reported. Authorities on Thursday identified the victims as Davneet S. Chahal, 22, and Varundeep S. Bring, 19, both from Fishers city, the American Bazaar reported. The crash took place at around 2.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The car crashed into a tree and one of the victims was thrown out of the car on impact, the police said.

A third passenger on the backseat survived the crash. He has been identified as 20-year-old Gurjot S. Sandhu.
The Sikh community in Indiana has shown solidarity with the victims' families.
"Whole City of Fishers, especially the Sikh community, is shocked and heartbroken to hear the tragic death of two young boys," said prominent Sikh activist and founder of SikhsPAC Gurinder Singh Khalsa. "The loss is unfathomable and irrecoverable..."

]]><![CDATA[4 Indians among 207 killed in Sri Lanka mayhem]]>Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:37:15 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/4-indians-among-207-killed-in-sri-lanka-mayhemCOLOMBO - At least 207 people were killed and 469 injured when eight suicide bombings, mainly in Colombo, ravaged Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in the island's bloodiest day since the civil war ended a decade ago. Four Indians, two of them women. were among the dead while some others had a narrow escape. Sri Lanka declared a nationwide curfew and placed curbs on social media to kill fake news after suicide bombers carried out...

a string of well-planned explosions targeting luxury hotels and Catholic churches in Colombo and elsewhere, triggering international outrage.
The first of the eight blasts took place in the morning in three luxury hotels in the heart of Colombo and in a church each in Colombo, Negombo, 30 km from here, and in the Tamil-majority Batticaloa town in the island's east that was once a Tamil Tiger stronghold.
In the afternoon, another blast hit a guest house near the zoo in Dehiwala in Colombo, killing two persons, and a housing complex at Dematogoda in the city leaving three policemen dead.
A total of 27 foreigners, including four Indians and also people from Turkey, the US, Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal and China, perished in the mayhem.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, quoting official reports from Colombo, identified the Indians as Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh.
The fourth was a Kerala woman holidaying in Colombo. P.S. Razeena, 58, had arrived there along with her husband to meet their relatives engaged in business there and was staying at one of the three hotels targeted by suicide bombers. Razeena and her husband, who hail from Kerala's Kasargode, lived in Dubai.
Many Indians, including noted Indian Tamil actress Radikaa Sarathkumar and a party of businessmen from Andhra Pradesh's Anantpur, had a narrow escape. Radikaa tweeted that she was staying at the Cinnamon Grand, located near the official residence of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, and had just left it prior to the blast there.
Authorities said a total of eight suspects had been arrested but gave no further details.
Officials and survivors painted a horrific picture of what happened.
Kieran Arasaratnam, who was staying in the Shangri-La, one of the three hotels, said he heard what sounded like a "thunder", forcing him to sprint all the way down from the 17th floor, BBC reported.
He saw the second floor restaurant gutted and realized he was alive only because he delayed his breakfast.
In Cinnamon Grand, survivors said that a suicide bomber had joined the line at the breakfast buffet and detonate the explosives. Member of European Parliament, Nirj Deva said he had just arrived at one of the hotels after the blast and saw scenes of carnage all around.
The bloodbath started around 8.30 a.m. at the St Anthony's Shrine at Kochchikade in Colombo during Easter Mass where one man said he heard a booming explosion and saw virtually the whole roof come crashing down. "We just ran," he told the media. The other places hit were St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, the Zion Church in Batticaloa, 250 km east of Colombo, and the Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotels.
Photos and videos circulating on social media showed the roof of one church had been almost fully blown away in the blast. The floor was littered with a mixture of roof tiles, splintered wood and blood, media reports said.
Many people could be seen covered in blood. Some helped those with more serious injuries. Ambulances, their sirens wailing, rushed the dead and seriously injured to hospitals -- once a familiar sight in Colombo.
Minister of Economic Reforms Harsha de Silva described the carnage. "Horrible scenes. I saw many body parts strewn all over," he said.
No one claimed responsibility for the bloodbath but AFP reported that Sri Lankan Police chief Pujuth Jayasundara had issued a nationwide alert 10 days ago warning that suicide bombers planned to hit prominent Catholic churches. The Daily Mirror newspaper quoted the findings of initial investigations as saying that the first six major blasts were caused by suicide bombers and added that two of them had checked a day earlier into the Shangri-La Hotel. It said that the investigators who broke into Room No 616 "had recovered materials used by radical" Islamist extremists. The Mirror said it was not clear if the bombers were Sri Lankans or foreigners.
The government declared a state of emergency, imposed indefinite curfew across the nation and temporarily blocked Facebook and Instagram to curb the spread of fake news. All schools were ordered shut until Tuesday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on phone with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, called the terror attacks "cold-blooded and pre-planned" barbarism and offered all help from New Delhi.Condemnation was fast and swift from across the world: China, the US, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pope Francis, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Ireland, Britain, Germany, Singapore, the Philippines, Israel, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Egypt, New Zealand, Canada and the European Commission denounced the killings.
A Sri Lankan Tamil journalist, V. Thanabalasingham, told IANS that a sense of panic had gripped Colombo, which had given up its overbearing security cover ever since the Tamil Tigers were crushed in May 2009, leading to a decade of peace.
President Sirisena urged the public to be calm and cooperate with the authorities to conduct swift investigations into the blasts. "I am shocked and saddened by the situation."
AFP said a foreign intelligence agency had reported that the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ), a Muslim group blamed for attacks on Buddhist shrines, was planning to carry out suicide attacks against prominent churches as well as the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
Although Christians form only around 7 per cent of the Sri Lanka's mainly Buddhist population, they are found both in the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil communities.

]]><![CDATA[Toyota Hosted First-Ever Hybrid CARnival in Little Tokyo]]>Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:17:16 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/toyota-hosted-first-ever-hybrid-carnival-in-little-tokyoLos Angeles, CA — Toyota hosted a Hybrid CARnival at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo from March 27 to March 31. The 5-day complimentary experience featured several Toyota hybrid cars, interactive exhibits, musical performances, curated food, giveaways and more. Wrapped in a modern carnival theme and “Let’s Go Places” vibe, the event showcased the style, performance and versatility of Toyota hybrids...

while giving ample opportunities for guests to capture shareable moments.
Visitors were entertained from the moment they arrived and through a sequence of immersive environments. The first stop on the journey was the Future Metropolis, where the Camry was set against a dazzling 3D cityscape projection. The next space was called Higher Ground, a sensory experience of the great outdoors featuring the versatile and powerful Highlander. Finally, guests made their way to the Seaside Strand where the Prius and RAV4 offered more fun challenges.
By mixing the unexpected features of hybrids with truly unique environments and experiences, Toyota made this Carnival truly one of a kind experience. To make the event even more of a draw, the CARnival hosted amazing culinary offerings such as Korean-America fusion by Belly Bombz, Asian-Indian cuisine by Bollywood Bites ,and sweet treats by Fluff Ice. There was an exciting lineup of artists and special guests starting at 8pm each night.

]]><![CDATA[Gurudwara Dubai showcases Punjabi culture, heritage]]>Tue, 26 Mar 2019 17:51:06 GMThttp://www.indiajournal.com/stories/gurudwara-dubai-showcases-punjabi-culture-heritageDUBAI - The Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai organised the Punjabi Culture and Heritage Festival at the Indian High School here. The Al Maktoum Foundation Dubai, an organisation focused on humanitarian work at the local, regional and global levels, was the patron of the event, Gulf News reported on Monday. The event's schedule included a video presentation on Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus.

It also included panel discussions on teaching and travels of Guru Nanak as well as Punjabi poetry and literature.
"We are indeed most fortunate that the United Arab Emirates not only values harmonious coexistence but also upholds these values that are being echoed to the rest of the world," said Surender Kandhari, Chairman of the Gurudwara, referring to the Year of Tolerance. The event also saw performances by the renowned Pure Bhangra Group, an all-male Bhangra dance and an all-female Gidda Jugni dance.

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