Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are targets of violence: Obama

PTI Washington Bureau
Washington, May 1 (PTI) US President Barack Obama has acknowledged that even today a number of people from the South Asian origin — particularly those from Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities — are becoming victims of hate crimes in America.
“Even today, South Asian Americans, especially those who are Muslim, Hindu and Sikh, are targets of suspicion and violence,” Obama said in a presidential proclamation that recognized the contribution of Asian-Americans in the
socio-political and economic milieu of the country.
“Like America itself, the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community draws strength from the diversity of its many distinct cultures – each with vibrant histories and unique perspectives to bring to our national life,” Obama said.
“Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have helped build, defend and strengthen our Nation – as farm
workers and railroad laborers; as entrepreneurs and scientists; as artists, activists, and leaders of government.
They have gone beyond, embodying the soaring aspirations of the American spirit,” Obama said.
Noting that May month marks 145 years since the final spike was hammered into the transcontinental railroad, an achievement made possible by Chinese laborers, who did the majority of this backbreaking and dangerous work, Obama this May, they will receive long-overdue recognition as they are inducted into the Labor Hall of Honor.
“Generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have helped make this country what it is
today,” he said.
“Yet they have also faced a long history of injustice -from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and its devastating impact on the history, language and culture of Native Hawaiians; to opportunity-limiting laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924; to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II,”
he said.
Obama reiterated his determination to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would modernise the legal immigration
system, create a pathway to earned citizenship for undocumented immigrants, hold employers accountable, and strengthen the border security.

He said with courage, grit, and an abiding belief in American ideals, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have challenged the Nation to be better.
“Nearly 5 years ago, I re-established the White House Initiative on AAPIs. The initiative addresses disparities in
health care, education, and economic opportunity by ensuring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders receive equal access to
government programs and services,” Obama said.

World T20 final defeat still rankles Yuvraj

B D Narayankar reports

Bangalore, April 17 (PTI) Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh on Thursday said it was difficult to cope with the World Twenty20 final defeat against Sri Lanka but he was learning to take disappointments in his stride.

India had reached the summit clash of the tournament unbeaten but had failed to cap their brilliant campaign with a win.

“A match like the finals always left feelings of ‘so near yet so far’, but as sportsmen they need to overcome these emotions quickly and face next challenge,” he said in an interview published on the Royal Challenger Bangalore’s official website.

“As a team we played a fantastic tournament and displayed emphatic cricket all around. But in the finals thing didn’t go the way we planned and it’s not easy to overcome that disappointment,” he said.

Yuvraj said in his younger days, one of his coaches told him that sportsperson one should be able to handle both the success and the defeats alike.

“That’s what I want to do,” he said.

Yuvraj said he is thrilled to be a part of RCB and hoped it would a memorable season for the side. He said the most of the team-mates got a short but very refreshing break after the World T20 and they are ready for the next 50 days.

He added that the last few days have given the team ample time to be with each other and figure out combinations.

“We had some very useful practice sessions and that has given use fair idea about our strategies and game plans.”

The Punjab southpaw said the side boasts of a very good mix of experience and youth and positivity around the team is infectious and uplifting.

“This comes across as a group that is willing to back each other in good and bad times. It is an absolute privilege to share the dressing room with the likes of Chris Gayle, Muttiah Muralitharan, AB de Villiers, Daniel Vettori and Alan Donald,” Yuvraj said.

“It is equally pleasing to know that I would be bowling to Gayle in the nets only,” he added.

Yuvraj said the facilities and arrangements are top class and they expect full house in most of the games because this part of the world has loads of Indian and South Asians.

“I can imagine they won’t miss the chance to see this spectacle live. So I expect a full house in most of the games,” he said.