The Subcontinent: 10 March 2021
Indo-American Appointed Director, White House Military Office
Malala Signs Deal with Apple TV+
Two Pakistani Brides Reunite with Indian Husbands after 2 Years
India-Bangladesh Bridge Inaugurated
Priyanka Chopra’s Restaurant In New York
1. Indo-American Appointed Director, White House Military Office
An Indo-American, Maju Varghese has been appointed as Director, White House Military Office (WHMO). Maju will oversee all military operations aboard Air Force One on Presidential missions worldwide (The Economic Times).
Tell Us More About Maju
Maju Varghese was Executive Director of the Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor on the Biden campaign from the primaries through the general election. His family hails from Kerala, India (White House).
2. Malala Signs Deal with Apple TV+
Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai has signed a deal with Apple TV+ to produce dramas and documentaries focusing on women and children.
“Her original programming will span dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation, and children’s series, and draw on her ability to inspire people around the world,” Apple said (Apple News Room).
3. Two Pakistani Brides Reunite with Indian husbands after 2 Years
Two years after their weddings, two Pakistani brides finally got reunited with their Indian husbands. Two Indian men from Barmer and Jaisalmer districts in Rajasthan got married in January 2019 when they went to Pakistan to marry. However, following the Pulwama and Balakot episodes, their wives found it difficult to obtain Indian visas to enter India. Finally, they have been granted a Long Term Visa (LTV), and after seven years, they will be eligible for Indian citizenship (The New Indian Express).
Marriages Across the Border
Marriages between Hindus settled in border districts of India and Pakistan are not uncommon (Yahoo News).
No Train As Of Now
With the stoppage of route between Khokhrapar in Pakistan and Munabao in India, they were unable to take the train between the two countries, and they finally entered India via the Wagha border in Punjab.
4. India-Bangladesh Bridge Inaugurated
A bridge over the River Feni now connects India and Bangladesh following its inauguration by the Indian and Bangladesh Prime Ministers. Called Maitri Setu, it joins Sabroom (Tripura) in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh (Business Today).
The bridge will enable access to the Chittagong port, which is about 80 kms from Sabroom (The Daily Star) and emerge as a Gateway for NorthEast India.
5. Priyanka Chopra’s Restaurant In New York
Priyanka Chopra is opening a new restaurant that will serve Indian food in New York. Called Sona, the menu has been created by Chef Hari Nayak (Delish).