Sundar Pichai one of the most renowned CEOs in the world has been awarded Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards.

India's ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu awarded the civilian award to Google and Alphabet CEO in San Francisco.

Sandhu on Twitter said, "Delighted to hand over Padma Bhushan to CEO @Google& Alphabet @sundarpichai in San Francisco. Sundar's inspirational journey from #Madurai to Mountain View, strengthening India-US economic and technology ties, reaffirms Indian talent`s contribution to global innovation."

After receiving the honorary award, the Google CEO in a blog post expressed his gratitude and thanked Sandhu. According to the blog post, Pichai said he is fortunate to grow up in a family that cherished knowledge. He said that he is blessed to have parents who sacrificed a lot to make sure that he gets opportunities to explore his interests, ANI reported.

Pichai added, "India is a part of me. I carry it wherever I go. (Unlike this beautiful award which I will keep somewhere safe)."

The Google CEO also appreciated Indian PM Modi's Digital India vision, saying that the has certainly been an accelerator in the process. He said that he felt proud of the investment that he had made in the digital vision project. They recently announced an investment of $10 billion in India to make internet access easy and build products for India's unique needs using AI.

Talking about India, he said that out of 24 languages on Google Translator, 8 of them are native to India.

He added, "We're also investing deeply in digital skilling, and have trained over 1 million women through our WomenWill Entrepreneurship Program and over 55,000 teachers in partnership with the government and local organizations. We`ve also sponsored over 100,000 Google Career Certificate sponsorships in collaboration with the NASSCOM Foundation and Tata Strive."

Pichai said that he is looking forward to continuing a great partnership between Google and India.

The Sinister Shadow of Nijjar

At 46, Nijjar wasn’t just a member of the local Sikh community; he was a terror mastermind with deep roots in Khalistani extremism. A fugitive from India, Nijjar had been prominently linked to multiple terrorist organizations. As the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), his hands were stained with the plotting of the Hindu priest’s assassination. He also associated himself with the Sikhs For Justice, another notorious extremist group, orchestrating anti-India activities. His social media pages? A veritable library of sedition, hatred, and attempts to ignite communal discord.

Nijjar’s terror lineage is not just a smattering of isolated events; it’s a chronology of grave acts of violence that have left an indelible mark. The 2007 bomb blast at Shingar cinema in Ludhiana? Orchestrated by him. The cold-blooded assassination of Rashtriya Singh Sangat’s President, Rulda Singh, in 2009? His doing. A conspiracy to eliminate Hindu priest Kamaldeep Sharma in Jalandhar, the explosion at the Satya Narayan temple in Patiala in 2010, and the plotting of the assassination of spiritual leader Piara Singh Bhaniara – all bore the unmistakable touch of Nijjar’s terror designs. Even as recently as 2015-16, he directed Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal to target Shiv Sena leaders.

And the global community took note: on 01 July 2020, a red corner notice was issued against him, designating him as an ‘Individual terrorist’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This was not merely a rogue individual but a calculated menace with a track record to match.

Canada’s Troublesome Liaison

For years, Nijjar had spun a web of lies to evade Canadian immigration authorities. Portraying himself as a victim of police torture, he used fabricated letters and even staged a sham marriage to stake his claim to residency in Canada. Although his stories were often rejected, he still managed to operate under the Canadian radar, even identifying himself as a citizen.

Prime Minister Trudeau’s acknowledgment of Nijjar as a Canadian citizen in his recent statements, therefore, stands as an unsettling testament to Canada’s potential complicity in sheltering extremists. While Canada has a proud tradition of supporting human rights and providing refuge to those in need, harbouring individuals with clear extremist ideologies is a different ball game.

Embracing such individuals doesn’t just imperil Canada’s national security. It sends out a stark message to the global community: that Canada might be becoming a safe haven for those with extremist views. In trying to appease a select few, Trudeau risks compromising Canada’s standing on the global stage. The lack of support from G7 allies, evident by their refusal to issue joint statements against India, underscores this sentiment.

Safeguarding Canada’s National Integrity

It is an age-old principle that harbouring a snake can endanger the one providing shelter. With Nijjar’s extensive violent background and the current geopolitical scenario, Trudeau’s allegations against India without substantial evidence run the risk of painting Canada in a precarious light.

Canada, known for its majestic landscapes, multicultural ethos, and global diplomacy, should remain a beacon of hope, not a refuge for extremism. It’s high time the Canadian leadership differentiates between genuine asylum seekers and those with sinister motives. After all, the safety and reputation of a nation should never be traded for political appeasement.

UK Member of Parliament (MP) Theresa Villiers on Monday spoke about the success of India’s recently concluded G20 Summit and the need for stronger ties between the UK and India.

The MP also spoke about the rising Chinese interference in UK politics and the need for counter balance of the Global South.

She was speaking at the 'Indo-Pacific dialogue: Jammu Kashmir 2019 and beyond event' held by the Indo-Pacific All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the UK Parliament.

The event’s keynote speakers included Georgetown University Professor Christine Fair, an affiliate of the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Burzine Waghmar.

The event was attended by a number of parliamentarians including MP and host Bob Blackman and Theresa Villiers.

MP Burzine Waghmar spoke about Pakistan's illegal occupation of a part of Kashmir (POK) and he also emphasised the inclusion of the African Union into the G20. Baghmar highlighted that India has shown leadership as a leading democracy by facilitating the inclusion of the African Union in G20, unlike China which uses Africa only for its commercial and defense needs.

MP Bob Blackman spoke about the need for deeper cooperation between UK and India. He also congratulated Modi for a successful G20. He also referred to the need of tackling extremist fringe Khalistani elements working closely between two governments.

“It was great to sponsor the #JammuAndKashmir Beyond 2019 event in Parliament yesterday in collaboration with @APPGIndoPacific,” Blackman wrote on ‘X’ formerly Twitter on Tuesday.
Christine Fair's talk was about Pakistan's interference in Jammu & Kashmir.

The event was attended by community members and students from various universities in the UK.

The G20 summit had reached a successful conclusion in Delhi on September 10, featuring numerous prominent global leaders who also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines. The summit led to the consolidation of a comprehensive framework with the objective of fostering enhanced collaboration among the G20 member nations, the European Union, and the recently incorporated African Union. (ANI)

The Indian World Forum (IWF) on Wednesday strongly condemned the actions of unlawful organisations, including Sikhs for Justice, for their disturbing activities targeting the Indian diaspora in Canada. In a press release, the IWF highlighted the significant economic and social contributions of the Indian diaspora to Canadian society, emphasising that individuals from various religious backgrounds, including Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, have played a vital role in the progress of Canada.

The press release drew attention to the repeated targeting of the Indian diaspora and their places of worship in Canada. It also pointed out the alarming trend of unlawful organisations attempting to target Indian diplomatic missions and personnel not only in Canada but also in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America (USA). These activities have raised concerns for the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora.

Call for Canadian government action

The Indian World Forum has urged the Government of Canada to take serious action against nefarious elements, specifically mentioning individuals such as Arshdeep Singh Dhalla and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, both of whom have been designated as terrorists by India. The IWF stated the importance of preventing any actions that could endanger the Indian diaspora and their investments in Canada, as such actions would violate the sanctity of the UN Charter and its conventions.

The IWF also highlighted the warm welcome extended to Canadian brethren in India and highlighted the cultural commitment to the well-being of the Canadian diaspora in India.

Diplomatic standoff between India and Canada

Tensions between Canada and India have reached new heights with dueling diplomatic expulsions and an allegation made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the Indian government over involvement in the killing of a pro-Khalistan separatist on Canadian soil. India has repeatedly accused Canada of supporting the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India and has dwindling support among the Sikh diaspora.

On Monday, Trudeau in Parliament described what he called credible allegations that India was connected to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The Indian government denied any hand in Nijjar’s killing while also saying Canada was trying to shift the focus from Khalistan activists there.

In a momentous development for gender equality and women’s empowerment in India, the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, unanimously passed The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023. This groundbreaking legislation, popularly referred to as the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ Bill, received resounding support from members of all political parties during a day-long debate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight at the historic achievement, emphasizing the significant impact it will have on women’s participation in the country’s political process. In a tweet, he thanked MPs from across party lines for their overwhelming support, stating that this legislation would further boost women’s empowerment.

The Women’s Reservation Bill, included in The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, paves the way for a transformative change in Indian politics. The most remarkable aspect of the bill is its provision for a 33% reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state legislatures. This reservation will not only empower women but also contribute to a more inclusive and representative democracy.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal played a pivotal role in explaining the nuances of the bill to the Lok Sabha members. His efforts were instrumental in gaining consensus, and after the thorough deliberation, the bill was approved. During the division, an astounding 454 members supported the legislation, with only two voting against it. Opposition-proposed amendments were rejected, reaffirming the strong backing for the bill’s various clauses. Speaker Om Birla officially announced the successful passage of the historic legislation.

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ Bill carries significant weight, especially considering that it is the first piece of legislation to be passed in the Lok Sabha since its relocation to the new Parliament building. The bill was passed by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of House members present and voting. The division was conducted meticulously through the distribution of slips, ensuring a transparent and democratic process.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal dismissed criticism from the Opposition regarding implementation delays, emphasizing that the bill guarantees transparency. The day-long debate, led by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, showcased the commitment of Parliament to women’s rights and gender equality.

The journey for this historic bill does not end with its passage in the Lok Sabha. It is now set to be debated in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, on the following day. This represents a crucial step towards its eventual implementation.

Notably, the Rajya Sabha had previously passed the Women’s Reservation Bill during the Congress-led UPA government in 2010. However, it remained unaddressed in the Lok Sabha, ultimately resulting in the bill’s stagnation and eventual demise.

The introduction of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 by the government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolute commitment to women’s empowerment, underscores the significance of this legislation. As it progresses through the legislative process, India moves one step closer to achieving a more equitable and inclusive political landscape, where the voices and contributions of women are recognized and valued. The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ Bill stands as a testament to India’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the 21st century.