AHMEDABAD, India (Diya TV) — We have complete coverage of President Trump’s state visit to India. The President and first lady flew from Washington to Gujarat, where they first went to the Sabarmati Ashram to meet Prime Minister Modi and spin yarn to honor Mahatma Gandhi. From there, they headed to Sardar Patel Stadium, the largest cricket venue in the world to greet more than 120,000 people, the largest audience Trump has ever spoken to live. From there, the Trump family went to see the Taj Mahal, before reconvening over dinner with Prime Minister Modi. This is the first stand-alone visit by a US President to India, one that shows the increasing importance both nations apply to the relationship. And our political analysts say it’s also a sign of the value Trump has in winning over the Indian American community in an election year, since the demographic has historically voted for Democrats and is the now the fastest growing, most affluent and most educated in the United States. Trump even referenced Indian Americans during his speech as “truly spectacular people.”
WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. wants India to reduce its dependence on Russian weapons. That’s why it’s preparing a military aid package worth as much as $500 million. If the deal happens, it would make India one of the largest recipients of foreign aid behind Israel and Egypt. This U.S. effort is part of a much larger initiative to court India, despite its reluctance to criticize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she has tested positive for COVID-19. The Seattle Democrat says she’s experiencing flu-like symptoms and will be isolating and working remotely. Jayapal is vaccinated and double boosted. She also encouraged everyone who is eligible to get a second booster.
COPPELL, Texas (Diya TV) — In a student-captured viral video shared online on May 11, Indian American student Shaan Pritmani was physically attacked in an act of bullying at Coppell Middle School North in Coppell, Texas.
Pritmani is seen to be sitting on a bench when another student, a white teenager, forcefully asked him to move. When Pritmani did not comply, after indicating he was there first, the other student put Pritmani in a chokehold and dragged him out of the seat.
The Coppell Independent School District (ISD) is known to be diverse and bullying incidents like the one detailed above are not commonplace. However, there was a faculty member arrested on accounts of sexual assault and indecency with a child in early 2021.
Once the video spread, Brad Hunt, Superintendent of Coppell Independent School District, shared a statement condemning the situation, saying “bullying, both verbal and physical, as well as physical acts of aggression are never acceptable and do not align with who we are at CISD and our core values.” The statement also notes that the district is undergoing an investigation into the issue to provide closure.
Pritmani was suspended for 3 days, while the assaultor got 1 day of suspense.
The issue has gained traction on social media, with many people of Indian and South Asian descent stunned by the graphic video:
A teenager Shaan Pritmani was attacked and choked by another student for sitting in an empty seat. The other teen, a wrestler, chokes him. Shaan was penalized by the school. Honestly, this is enraging. And the school is still “investigating.” https://t.co/ObQbjAvrFx
Pritmani’s mother, Sonika Kukreja, has started a petition to spread more awareness, not only towards this specific altercation, but bullying as a whole across the nation. The petition states: “Shaan’s parents reached out to school authorities, shared the evidence and requested a reassessment. The school informed the parents that they have seen the video and that there will be no change in the course of action.”
The petition has over 200K signings at the time of this publication and that number continues to grow.
DALLAS (Diya TV) — A disturbing video out of Texas is going viral. It shows a white middle school student severely bullying an Indian American classmate, putting the young man in a chokehold and twisting his neck. It’s unclear if any serious injuries were sustained. Coppell Middle School’s superintendent says they are investigating and have bullying measures in place. Many parents, especially in the Indian diaspora are demanding accountability and consequences for the attacker.
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