Photo: Khurram Shahzad

Dr. Rashid Piracha: A legacy of philanthropy and community service

Dr. Piracha made unmatched efforts to strengthen the Pakistani-American community. He put forth endless effort to meet the needs of immigrants, especially physicians, and promote a feeling of community since he understood the particular difficulties they faced.

Art as an instrument of healing: Recasting Buddhist imagery to convey secular ideas

His parents, Norbu Wangdu and Dolma Tsering, fled Tibet in the 1960s after China’s occupation in the late 1950s. Born in 1982 in Kathmandu, Nepal, Rigdol came to the United States in the late 1990s to study at the University of Colorado, Denver. He earned a BFA in painting and drawing and a BA in art history in 2005. He simultaneously studied traditional Tibetan sand painting and butter sculpture at the Shekar Chorten monastery in India and thangka painting under Phenpo Tenthar at the Tibetan Thangka Art School in Kathmandu.

H-1B visa controversy: Trump, Musk quash opposition to programme dominated by Indian techies

Elon Musk took a personal approach, posting on X, “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H-1B”. He warned that the US would “LOSE” without attracting the world’s best talent.

Amplifying South Asian narratives, empowering region's filmmakers

The power of storytelling shone through at the Tasveer Film Festival, a key player and pivotal stakeholder in the global South Asian film market. Since its inception in 2002, the festival has consistently amplified South Asian narratives and boosted their visibility on the world stage.

More on SOUTH ASIA ABROAD

Four Pakistani Britons honored for social service by British PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday presented the Points of Light award to four Pakistani Britons  for their  campaign that benefitted the National Health Services (NHS), key workers, the homeless, and people in need

Saudi Kingdom's new vaccine conditions leaves Pakistani travellers in trouble

The Saudi kingdom has not added any of the Chinese manufactured vaccines in its list which has left Pakistanis' aspiration to travel to the kingdom in trouble, Pakistani media reports said

Indian-origin man in US, boasting 'Im very rich', arrested for letting Tesla car autodrive from back seat

An Indian-origin man who pulls off stunts to flaunt his wealth was arrested in California for letting his Tesla car illegally "autodrive", but as soon as he was let out he bought a new one and repeated the stunt, according to local media reports

US ‘takes note’ of Chinese envoy’s remarks in Bangladesh

The US has said that it has “taken note” of the remarks of Chinese Ambassador in Bangladesh Li Jiming on the US-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as Quad

New York police salute first Bangladeshi female sergeant

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has saluted Nessa for becoming the "first Bangladeshi female sergeant" in its force, the Daily Star reported quoting the department’s Facebook post

Kuwait bans entry of flight, travellers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Kuwait has now barred travellers and flights from Pakistan to enter its nation, an attempt made to control the spread of COVID-19

US engaging with Indian government on protecting minorities, says top official

A senior State Department Official dealing with religious freedom has said the United States was regularly engaging with Indian officials on protecting the rights of minorities and the government has opportunities to address the concerns of civil society groups "through greater dialogue and engagement"

Five Dalits sue largest Hindu temple in US alleging forced labour

Five men who had worked at a Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple have filed a case in a federal court alleging that they were made to work as “forced labour” in the construction and maintenance of the shrine in New Jersey, according to court documents

US withdrawal from Afghanistan must be seen as transition, not closure, says US Senator

The United States must view its withdrawal from Afghanistan not as closure, but as a transition, US Senator Jack Reed during an event at the Reagan Foundation

India should be provided resources to make vaccines, says top US disease expert

India, the largest vaccine maker in the world, should be provided with resources to make its own vaccines or donate vaccines, Antony Fauci, the top US expert on COVID-19, has said

1100 Pakistanis locked in Saudi jails to return home

An agreement has been reached between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for the repatriation of 1100 Pakistanis, locked up in Saudi jails, informed Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, reported Geo TV

Non-resident Nepalis to send 100 oxygen concentrators to Nepal

Amid increasing coronavirus cases in the country, non-resident Nepalis have decided to send 100 oxygen concentrators to assist the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reported The Himalayan Times

Will NYC elect a South Asian American on city council this time?

Despite vibrant South Asian communities - like the one in Jackson Heights - flourishing across Queens and New York for decades, New York City has never elected a South Asian American city council member

European Parliament resolution on the state of human rights in Pakistan was overdue

It would not have come as a surprise to any Pakistan-watcher that the European Parliament, in view of the “alarming” increase in the abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, last week adopted a resolution calling for a review of the GSP+ status, the EU’s most beneficial trading relationship, which it had granted to the country

'Outpouring of support from Indian diaspora towards India COVID-19 relief'

Following remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris reiterating United States’ strong partnership with India in this "hour of need", Silicon Valley angel investor and entrepreneur MR Rangaswami, who founded Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders, spoke of the outpouring of support from the Indian diaspora toward India’s COVID-19 relief efforts at a discussion hosted by the State Department