The Sikh turban does not mean terrorism but symbolises faith, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, as he described the recent attacks and hate crimes against the community as a “stain” on the country and vowed to protect its members.

He also gave a clarion call for educating people about Sikhism.

“You are not about terror; you are about protector. That is what needs to be taught throughout this entire city. Our young people need to know that, our adults need to know that,” Adams said while addressing members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in the Queens neighbourhood of South Richmond Hill.

Describing the Sikh community as an “anchor” in the Richmond Hill neighbourhood, Adams said: “Your turban does not mean terrorism. It means protecting, it means community, it means family, it means faith, it means city, it means us coming together. We will change the dialogue and narrative with you. We can do it together.” Adams and New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar met and addressed members of the Sikh community here Sunday, in the wake of recent incidents of hate crime and assault against Sikhs.

On October 15, a 19-year-old Sikh boy was attacked by Christopher Philippeaux, 26, while he was riding the bus in Richmond Hill. Philippeaux punched the Sikh teenager in the back of the head, tried to knock off his turban and told him “We don’t wear that in this country.” Philippeaux has been charged with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

Within days of this assault, 66-year-old Jasmer Singh was attacked when his car collided with another vehicle. The driver of the other car, 30-year-old Gilbert Augustin, allegedly punched the elderly Sikh man three times in the head and face and Singh later succumbed to his injuries.

Describing the attack against Singh as a “violent senseless act,” Adams said “Jasmer should still be with us. He should still be with his son. He should still be living out the American dream, watching his son, who’s now an immigration attorney.

“He should still be…part of this community. That dream turned into a nightmare the other day when his life was taken from us prematurely,” Adams said, flanked by Singh’s son Subeg Singh Multani and other members of the Sikh community.

Describing Sikhs as “protectors” of society, Rajkumar asserted that the hateful targeting of Sikhs is “not acceptable” and perpetrators of such violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law.

“For the first time, we are going to use the levers of government to end hate crimes against Sikh Americans. For the first time, we are going to come together and…educate…New York State, the United States and the entire world about who the Sikh people truly are so we are not attacked and misunderstood,” Rajkumar, the first Indian-American woman elected to New York State Office and who described herself as a “daughter of Punjab”, said.

Rajkumar said this was not the first time she had visited the Gurudwara and had spoken out against hate crimes. “But it is the last time I want to be standing here speaking out against hate crimes. Starting now we are going to end the hateful targeting of Sikhs,” she said.

On behalf of herself and the Sikh community, Rajkumar presented the Mayor with a ‘Kirpan’, a mandatory article of faith in Sikhism. The sword, engraved with the words “New York City Mayor Adams is our protector”, is “to embolden you in your fight for our Sikh community,” Rajkumar said to Adams, amid slogans of ‘Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akal’.

Adams said the sword is a symbol of how as the mayor, he must be the protector of the Sikh community. “And when a member of your community is harmed, I take full responsibility (for) that.” Multani, who became emotional and choked up as he addressed the gathering, said his father came from India to the US in the early 1990s with the American dream in his eyes. “We didn’t know that the dream would be shattered the way it has shattered” on October 19 in this “great” and diverse city of New York.

Multani said his father lived in Richmond Hill all his life because he considered the neighbourhood his home. Multani “pleaded” that the Mayor and city officials take “strong measures” to ensure the safety of the Sikh community so that no other person suffers the loss he is enduring.

“We love everyone, we love every other minority. But why we are being targeted? That is the question. We are law-abiding citizens of the United States. We love this country as much as others do,” Multani said.

Multani said he is constantly in contact with the Queens District Attorney and officials regarding the case. He called on members of the Sikh community to accompany him when Augustin is arraigned on October 31.

“I am requesting everyone to join me that day,” he said, adding that with their turbans on, “we will show solidarity and unity” to the judge. “We can show them this is a hate crime. This case must be pursued as a hate crime.” Adams said that to lose a member of the Sikh community in this magnitude is a “stain on our entire city and nation, because the hate we are seeing because your symbol of faith is not only localised to New York City, we are seeing similar acts across the entire country.” He recalled that after 9/11, Sikhs were “under attack over and over again because of the lack of understanding of what your turban represents.” Rajkumar noted that the recent attacks against Sikhs are part of a nationwide trend: in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, documented hate crimes against the Sikh community increased 140% across the country. Hate crimes have been frequent in the Richmond Hill area, her office noted.

Rajkumar demanded that incidents of hate against Sikhs must be stopped. “This is our fight for civil rights. This is our demand. Stop the targeting of Sikh Americans and see the Sikhs for who we really are – the protectors of society, proud Americans with generous hearts.” Adams said there must be a “full frontal assault on ending hate…What plays out across the globe by other doers is being attached to your community. We need to clearly educate people about what this community stands for and what you represent.” He recalled how the Sikh community, during the Covid-19 pandemic, had fed millions of people without asking about their backgrounds, economic status or religion.

“I came here and watched in awe as you opened your doors when the hearts of many were closed. You were truly protectors during the most difficult time. It is our obligation to join you as you protect your community,” Adams said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday cited an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study and said those who had earlier suffered a severe bout of COVID-19 must not overexert themselves for a year or two to avoid heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Several deaths due to heart issues have been reported in Gujarat recently, including during ‘garba’ events that mark Navratri festivities, which prompted state health minister Rushikesh Patel to hold a meeting with medical experts, including cardiologists.

Rushikesh Patel had asked experts to collect data of the deaths to find out causes and remedies.

“The ICMR has conducted a detailed study. As per this study, those who have suffered from severe COVID-19 infection should not overexert themselves. They should stay away from hard workouts, running and strenuous exercises for a short time, say a year or two, so as to avoid heart attacks,” he told reporters.

During her recent visit here, Uttar Pradesh Governor and former Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel had also expressed concern over the issue.

Among those who died of heart attacks was one Veer Shah, a Class 12 student from Kheda district, 28-year-old Ravi Panchal from Ahmedabad, and 55-year-old Shankar Rana from Vadodara.

Incidentally, before the start of Navratri festivities, the state Health and Family Welfare Department, through a notification, made it mandatory for garba event organisers to deploy an ambulance and a medical team at the venue to provide immediate aid to participants.

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy recently suggested that India’s youth must work for 70 hours every week to boost the country’s overall work productivity and economy. This remark created a stir online with some entrepreneurs supporting the idea while others questioned the long-term health implications of having a work schedule consisting of unreasonable and extremely long working hours. Now, Shark Tank India judge and Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal took to X, formerly Twitter, and shared a selfie with the judges of the show. He wrote, “After all these years, still working 70-hour weeks.”

The selfie features Mr Mittal alongside boAt CEO and Co-founder Aman Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of CarDekho Amit Jain, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited Namita Thapar, and CEO and Co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics Vineeta Singh.

After all these years, still working 70 hour weeks ? pic.twitter.com/A9cnbRniGX

— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) October 28, 2023

Since being shared, his post has amassed 3.2 lakh views and over six thousand likes.

“You are an Entrepreneur that’s why. Tell me, If you are an employee in Infosys or any other company, where the only reason to do work is money (even the salaries are like offered by Infosys) then? There is difference bw an Entrepreneur and Employee,” a user commented. To which, Mr Mittal said, “I was an employee once but treated my job the same as i do now.”

Another added, “Working 70 hours a week or more as an entrepreneur makes sense, but do you ask your employees also to work for 70 hours? If employees are side hustling for their own business that makes sense but organizations do not approve of that.”

“Work is when you have billable hours for playing golf, dining at Michelin star restaurants, and giving empty ‘motivational’ speeches to temporarily embarassed millionaires,” remarked a third user.

“This isn’t work, my good man,” commented a person.

A person said, “It’s a choice not a mandate. And it shouldn’t be forced just because Mr Murthy cited it.”

Meanwhile, Shark Tank is a reality show where startups seek investment from established businessmen. Season 3 of ‘Shark Tank India’ will stream on the OTT platform Sony Liv. Zomato Co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal joined the as its newest shark for the upcoming season. The announcement came after the unveiling of Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of OYO Rooms as the seventh judge on the show.

Shark Tank India season 2 ignited a wave of entrepreneurial growth by investing a staggering 80 crores across 103 businesses. From breakthrough technological solutions to cutting-edge healthcare innovations, the show witnessed some exceptional pitches and celebrated the spirit of entrepreneurship, propelling startups to new heights.