Washington DC, In a tragic incident, Raj Singh, also known as Goldy, a Sikh musician originally from Uttar Pradesh, India, was shot dead by unknown assailants outside a gurudwara in Selma, Alabama. Singh had been in the United States for over a year, performing with a group of musicians, and his death has raised concerns among his family and community members about the possibility of a hate crime.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Singh was visiting the gurudwara in Selma to perform kirtan, a form of devotional singing central to Sikh worship, with his musical group. The shooting occurred on February 23, shortly after their performance, as Singh stood outside the religious site. The motives behind the attack remain unclear, and no suspects have been apprehended.
Gurdeep Singh, the deceased’s brother-in-law, expressed the family’s distress over the delay in the postmortem examination and their efforts to seek justice. The family has reached out to the gurudwara committee for assistance and has appealed to the Indian government for help in addressing the killing and facilitating the repatriation of Singh’s remains.
The incident marks the second murder of an Indian-origin individual in Alabama in February, following the killing of Pravin Raojibhai Patel, a 76-year-old hotelier. These violent acts have left the local Indian-American community in shock and mourning.
Goldy, who was the primary provider for his family following his father’s death five years ago, is survived by his mother, two sisters, and a younger brother. His family has petitioned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting support in bringing his body back to India for cremation, underscoring the profound impact of this loss on his loved ones and the broader community.
Karachi, In a vibrant celebration of flora, the Karachi Development Authority’s Director General, Naveed Anwar, inaugurated a flower exhibition at the Karachi Press Club, an event organized by TMC Gulberg Town Karachi. The exhibition, aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for horticulture among the citizens, marks a significant effort to combat environmental pollution through greener initiatives in the city.
According to Karachi Development Authority, DG Anwar, serving as the chief guest, praised the collaborative effort between TMC Gulbarg Town and the Karachi Press Club for organizing the exhibition. In his opening speech, Anwar highlighted the importance of such events in raising awareness about environmental issues and the role of horticulture in enhancing urban life. He announced that the Development Authority has embarked on a tree-planting campaign across KDA townships and schemes to mitigate environmental pollution.
During his tenure of three months as the Director General of KDA, Anwar noted the media’s role in both acknowledging positive developments and offering constructive criticism. He outlined significant financial steps taken under his leadership, including the approval of a 40 crore grant for staff salaries and a 3 billion rupee fund from the Sindh government for pension payments and dues of retired employees. These measures, Anwar emphasized, are crucial for ensuring the economic stability of the institution.
The upcoming auction of KDA’s commercial plots across the city was also highlighted as a pivotal move expected to bolster the organization’s income sources, setting a positive trajectory for future development. The ceremony saw commendations for Anwar’s proactive leadership from Nadeem Hanif, Director of Parks Karachi Department, and officials of the Karachi Press Club, who voiced their support for the new direction the Karachi Development Authority is taking under Anwar’s guidance.
The event underscored the collective commitment to environmental stewardship and urban development in Karachi, with the flower exhibition serving as a testament to the city’s evolving relationship with nature and sustainability.