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Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
California varsity launches Sikh studies project led by Punjab-origin scholar
The University of California, Santa Cruz, has launched a new academic initiative aimed at reshaping global perceptions of Sikhism through digital storytelling and inclusive scholarship. Led by Punjab-origin professor of economics and Sikh studies scholar Nirvikar Singh, the project seeks to offer a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Sikh history, identity, and philosophy. The project is titled 'Sikhs in the 21st Century: Remembering the Past, Engaging the Future', an official release by the university said on May 15. The initiative, housed at UCSC's Humanities Institute, produces multimedia content exploring the evolution of Sikh institutions, the impact of colonialism, and the complex identity of the Sikh diaspora. It challenges oversimplified narratives and aims to offer a more accurate and nuanced view of Sikh history and philosophy, according to the release. 'Many existing accounts lack depth or are shaped by colonial-era interpretations,' said Singh, who earlier held the Sarbjit Singh Aurora Chair of Sikh and Punjabi Studies. 'We're reexamining inherited assumptions and opening space for deeper, evidence-based engagement.' In collaboration with UC Santa Cruz's Teaching and Learning Centre, the project also creates space for voices often excluded from Western academic circles, especially young scholars from Punjab and marginalised communities in the Sikh diaspora. The videos, enriched with archival visuals, maps, and carefully curated sources, are designed to engage younger generations, including Sikh youth in India and abroad who are navigating identity in a globalised world. Simran Jeet Singh, a US-based Sikh scholar and author, praised the initiative for its intellectual rigour and cultural sensitivity. Singh said the goal is not just to correct the historical record but to 'help scholars and communities see old things in new ways,' while honouring the depth and diversity of Sikh heritage.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
UC Santa Cruz launches Sikh studies project led by Indian-origin scholar
Live Events Houston: The University of California, Santa Cruz, has launched a new academic initiative aimed at reshaping global perceptions of Sikhism through digital storytelling and inclusive scholarship. Led by Indian-origin professor of economics and Sikh studies scholar Nirvikar Singh, the project seeks to offer a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Sikh history, identity, and project is titled 'Sikhs in the 21st Century: Remembering the Past, Engaging the Future', an official release by the university said on May initiative, housed at UCSC's Humanities Institute, produces multimedia content exploring the evolution of Sikh institutions, the impact of colonialism, and the complex identity of the Sikh challenges oversimplified narratives and aims to offer a more accurate and nuanced view of Sikh history and philosophy , according to the release.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)"Many existing accounts lack depth or are shaped by colonial-era interpretations," said Singh, who earlier held the Sarbjit Singh Aurora Chair of Sikh and Punjabi Studies. "We're reexamining inherited assumptions and opening space for deeper, evidence-based engagement."In collaboration with UC Santa Cruz's Teaching and Learning Centre, the project also creates space for voices often excluded from Western academic circles, especially young scholars from Punjab and marginalised communities in the Sikh videos, enriched with archival visuals, maps, and carefully curated sources, are designed to engage younger generations, including Sikh youth in India and abroad who are navigating identity in a globalised Jeet Singh, a US-based Sikh scholar and author, praised the initiative for its intellectual rigour and cultural said the goal is not just to correct the historical record but to "help scholars and communities see old things in new ways," while honouring the depth and diversity of Sikh heritage.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish woman living in US detained after travelling to Ireland to visit sick dad
An Irish woman who has been living in the US for decades was detained by border agents after returning from a trip to Ireland to visit her sick father. Cliona Ward was initially stopped in Seattle last month after attempting to return to the US following a trip to Ireland with her step-mother so they could be with her father, who is currently battling dementia. Living in Santa Cruz in California for 30 years, the 54-year old Irish woman is a permanent legal resident in the US, with a valid green card and had reportedly emigrated to the States when she was just 12 years old. Cliona was kept at the airport for a number of days owing to an allegedly expunged criminal conviction from two decades ago. She was then released so that she could bring officials the necessary documents, to prove that her records had been expunged, at San Francisco International Airport. According to the US publication Newsweek, Cliona's previous convictions include two felonies involving possession of drugs and four misdemeanours. But after showing up to the airport last Monday, April 21, she was detained by agents and is currently being held at the Tacoma Northwest Detention Centre in Washington. "She has a criminal past, but she's not a criminal. She's a person with a painful past," her sister Orla Holladay told Newsweek. She added: "Those court cases are from 20-plus years ago. She has been completely sober for 20-plus reality of the felony is that she was an addict and she was picked up for possessing the poison that she was putting into her own body." A fundraiser has been launched following Cliona's detention, raising almost €20,000 for the "private and gentle" Irish woman and her family so they can retain a lawyer to fight this "nightmare". Her sister wrote in a post on GoFundMe: "She did everything she was supposed to do in order to make reparations for that criminal conviction, and has been gainfully employed, paying taxes, and building a family in Santa Cruz." She added: "She [has] lived in Sacramento, attended UCSC and has built a life here. She has a son who is chronically ill who depends on her for care-giving. "She followed all of the instructions given to her by CBP for this supposed administrative meeting today, which was, in reality, an effort to take her into custody. "Cliona is a very private and gentle person, who wants nothing more than to return to her quiet life. "Please help her family secure the funds to retain a lawyer who can help her through this nightmare, and return her to her family and community as soon as possible. You are appreciated." So far the GoFundMe has raised $22,385 (€19,699) out of the $30,000 (€26,408) target. To donate to the fundraiser, head here. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the Irish government is "concerned" about this case. He told the Irish Mirror: "We are concerned about that case. Obviously, our consular officials and our consulate general in San Fran, that's where we'll be supporting and facilitating Cliona and the family to get this issue resolved. "When issues like this arise from time to time, our officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs engage with a view to getting the issues resolved. "Our advice is consistent in terms of where people have green cards, for example, or citizenship rights, there shouldn't be an issue. "We will be pursuing it on a bilateral basis to make sure that those who are legitimately entitled to be in the US are free from any challenges or difficulties of this kind. "I need to get a fuller report as there are some reports of other incidents like this. This is something we will take up with the US in bilateral meetings." The Department of Foreign Affairs told the Irish Mirror they are aware of the case and are providing consular assistance. A spokesperson said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."
Extra.ie
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Irish woman legally living in US detained after visiting dad in Ireland
An Irish woman who has been living in the United States of America (USA) for three decades has been detained after she returned from a visit to Ireland to see her father who is unwell. 54-year-old Cliona Ward emigrated to the States when she was in her late teens and attended college at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Ms Ward is a permanent legal resident with a valid green card. 54-year-old Cliona Ward emigrated to the States when she was in her late teens and attended college at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Pic: Getty Images The mother-of-one travelled back to Ireland with her step mother in recent weeks to visit her father, who is at the end of his life and battling dementia. On returning to the States, Ward was apprehended by customs due to a conviction that was expunged 20 years ago. Sharing her story on Go Fund Me, the woman's sister Orla Holladay explained: 'She did everything she was supposed to do in order to make reparations for that criminal conviction, and has been gainfully employed, paying taxes, and building a family in Santa Cruz… An Irish woman who has been living in the United States of America for three decades has been detained after she returned from a visit to Ireland to see her father who is unwell. Pic: Go Fund Me 'She has a son who is chronically ill who depends on her for care-giving.' Ms Ward was released from the airport but returned on Monday to show documentation to US Customs and Border Protection officials highlighting that her conviction had been struck out. The meeting led to Ward being taken into custody, with her sister noting it was all part of a plan to do so. 'Cliona is a very private and gentle person, who wants nothing more than to return to her quiet life,' Orla wrote, 'Please help her family secure the funds to retain a lawyer who can help her through this nightmare, and return her to her family and community as soon as possible.' Ms Ward was released from the airport but returned on Monday to show documentation to US Customs and Border Protection officials highlighting that her conviction had been struck out. Pic: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images The Irish native is currently at an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention centre in Seattle with a court date on May 7. Sharing an update on Saturday, Orla revealed she had been in contact with her sister who is 'terrified [and] scared of getting lost in the system.' Orla added that they had found a lawyer and were hopeful they would represent her sister. Orla followed up that Cliona said that she 'has been really depressed but knowing people are keeping eyes on her lifted her again.' 'She shared that although she can't speak with the majority of the women in there because most don't speak English, they have been giving each other support and there are lots of tears and hugs between the women,' Orla added. For more information and to donate to Cliona's cause go here.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chile's resilient Patagonian Ice Dragon insect at risk from dwindling glaciers
CONCEPCION, Chile (Reuters) - Chile's Patagonian Ice Dragon is a tiny and mighty insect that lives its whole life in freezing glaciers while feeding off algae and bacteria. The wingless finger-shaped black insect with long antennae measuring just 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) is one of the few creatures able to survive such harsh conditions, but it is now an endangered species as global warming accelerates the loss of glaciers. Maribet Gamboa, a researcher at Chile's UCSC university, is leading a study that aims to preserve the Patagonian Dragon, as well as the glaciers it inhabits. "The research aims to understand the glacier and understand how the Patagonian Dragon lives," Gamboa said, adding that scientists took samples from the insect to understand the genes that have adapted to its harsh climate. First discovered in the 1950s, the Patagonian Dragon was believed to have been extinct until it was rediscovered during an expedition in 2001. The mighty insect can survive up to 40 meters deep and is seen as an indicator of clean glacial waters since it acts as a natural filter, feeding on organic matter, dust and bacteria. This, Gamboa hopes, will also let the insect become a barometer for glacier health in a warming world. "It's a combination of studying the dragon and how climate change is affecting glaciers and its habitat," Gamboa said. "This lets us use it as a sentry for climate change in the region."
