Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

More than 40 Indians die of COVID-19 in US

MORE than 40 Indian-Americans and Indian nationals have reportedly died due to COVID-19 and the number of those having tested positive for the dreaded disease is likely over 1,500, according to community leaders in the US.

The US has become the world's first country to have registered more than 2,000 COVID-19 deaths in a single day with 2,108 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours, while the number of infections in America has crossed 500,000, according to latest Johns Hopkins University data.


New York, which has emerged as the epicentre of the COVID-19 in the US, along with adjoining New Jersey, account for majority of the death cases reported so far.

Notably, New York and New Jersey have one of the highest concentrations of Indian-Americans in the country.

Among those who have died in the fight against the coronavirus, at least 17 are from Kerala, 10 from Gujarat, four from Punjab, two from Andhra Pradesh and one from Orissa. Majority of them are more than 60 years of age, except for one who was of 21 years of age.

According to reports, more than a dozen Indian-Americans have died in the State of New Jersey, mostly around the Little India areas of Jersey City and Oak Tree Road.

Similarly, at least 15 Indian-Americans have reportedly died in New York.

Reports of the deaths of four Indian-Americans have also come from Pennsylvania and Florida. There has been confirmed deaths of at least one Indian-American in both Texas and California.

Reports indicated that at least 12 Indian nationals have died in the US due to the coronavirus, with a majority of them being from New York-New Jersey area.

"We have not seen a situation like this in the past," said Bhavesh Dave, who runs a commercial real estate business on the Oak Tree Road area of New Jersey often called as Little India.       Among those who lost their lives were Hanmantha Rao Marepally, CEO of Sunnova Analytical Inc. He passed away in Edison, New Jersey. He is survived by wife and two daughters.

Chandrakant Amin, a popular face at Indian Square in New Jersey City, and known for distributing flyers for businesses has also died of the novel coronavirus. He was 75.

At least one Indian-American died inside his home in New Jersey.      Community leaders said they estimate more than 400 Indian-Americans have tested positive in New Jersey and more than a 1,000 in New York.

In New York City several Indian-American taxi drivers have tested positive.

One Neila Pandya in Jersey City shared a video on social media on Friday, urging community members not to take the virus pandemic lightly.      Speaking in Gujarati, she said that all five of her family members are seriously ill, of which local hospital has admitted only two of them, as there were not enough beds.

Rasik Patel, 60, from Jersey City who was taken off the ventilator a few days ago is reportedly in a serious condition.         While there is sense of panic among Indian Americans, some of the community leaders have come out with a helping hand.

For instance, Ajit, Sachin and Sanjay Modi from Rajbhog Sweets have been providing free vegetarian food at Jersey City Medical Center.

Dave from Oak Tree Road in New Jersey has started a fund raiser campaign to donate 1,000 face masks to health care professionals and first responders.

World Hindu Council of America volunteers have been supplying free meals to Lowell General Hospital- ER workers in Boston and to first responders and doctors in Indianapolis.

It also distributed 85,000 gloves to the local police, fire, and emergency medical technicians in New Jersey.

More For You

AP Dhillon

From dropping beats to dropping jaws—AP Dhillon steals the show at Chanel in Paris

AP Dhillon owns the spotlight: From Brown Munde to Chanel’s front row in Paris

From selling out arenas to sitting front row at Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week show, the Punjabi rap superstar is moving in spaces once reserved for fashion’s elite. And he’s doing it with the same effortless swagger that made him a household name across South Asia and now, Europe.

AP Dhillon brings his signature style to Chanel’s front row

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS Greenlights New Daily Pill for Endometriosis Relief

This new pill can be taken at home

iStock

NHS approves new daily pill for endometriosis treatment in the UK

A new daily pill, relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone, designed to treat endometriosis, has been approved for use across England’s NHS. This medication provides a convenient and effective alternative to traditional treatments, offering relief for women suffering from this painful condition.

A Breakthrough in Endometriosis Care

Keep ReadingShow less
budget friendly spring destinations

Lock in affordable trips and avoid inflated prices

iStock

Top 7 budget-friendly spring destinations for 2025

With spring break just around the corner, it's time to lock in affordable trips and avoid inflated prices. Booking three weeks to a month in advance can help secure the best deals. Spring 2025 is shaping up to be a great time for travel, with airfares for international trips down by 3% and hotel rates decreasing by 2%, making it easier than ever to plan a memorable trip without breaking the bank. Here are seven top destinations to explore on a budget this spring.

1. Big Bear, California

Big Bear Lake, CaliforniaiStock

Keep ReadingShow less
slushies

Slushy drinks attract young children with their bright colours and taste

istock

Doctors urge children under 8 to avoid slushies due to glycerol risks

Children’s love for brightly coloured, sweet beverages, such as slushy ice drinks, may come with hidden dangers, according to new research that highlights the risks posed by glycerol, a common ingredient in these products. Doctors are now urging that children under eight should completely avoid slushy drinks that contain glycerol, as they may cause serious health issues, including loss of consciousness and shock.

The call for revised health advice comes in response to a recent study conducted by paediatricians in the UK and Ireland. The research, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, examined 21 cases of children aged between two and seven who required emergency treatment shortly after drinking glycerol-containing slushies. These cases, all from 2018 to 2024, involved children who became acutely ill within an hour of consuming the drinks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lab-grown food may hit UK shelves in two years

The FSA aims to approve two lab-grown products within two years.

iStock

Lab-grown food may hit UK shelves in two years

In a world where technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives, it’s no surprise that the food on our plates is next in line for a revolution. Lab-grown meat, dairy, and even sugar could be available for human consumption in the UK within the next two years, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This development marks a significant milestone in the journey towards sustainable and innovative food production. But as the UK prepares to embrace this futuristic fare, questions about safety, ethics, and environmental impact loom large.

What is lab-grown food?

Lab-grown food, also known as cultivated or cell-based food, is produced by cultivating animal or plant cells in controlled environments. For example, meat is grown from animal cells in bioreactors, while sugar alternatives can be created by modifying yeast or other microorganisms. These products are designed to replicate the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of traditional foods but without the need for large-scale farming or animal slaughter.

Keep ReadingShow less