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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 5 CITY VIEWS March 14, 2025 University Of Pittsburgh Pre-Med Student Missing In Dominican Republic T he search continues days after 20-year old Uni- versity of Pittsburgh pre-med student, Sudiksha Konanki, went missing in Punta Cana in the Do- minican Republic (DR) where she was on spring break with her five friends. While DR’s Police Department has officially declared the missing as accidental drowning, Konanki’s parents and family are finding that hard to believe as her body would have washed up ashore after so many days if that was the case. ABC News has quoted 3 local officials to have seen Konanki with six other people on the night of March 5 on the surveillance camera. After some time, Konanki was left alone on the beach with one person with whom she was seen going in for a swim at 4:15 am on Friday, while the rest of the group went back to the Riu Republic Resort where they were staying. That was last that Konanki was seen. According to Konanki’s father, his daughter and her friends went to the beach around 4:00 am with some people they had met at the resort. Konanki and others were spotted on surveillance footage near the beach shortly before she went missing, CNN reported. An extensive search involving helicopters, boats and foot has been combing the region soon after Konanki’s friends reported her as missing at 4:00 pm on Thursday after they did not find her in her room, according to reports. Public Ministry Officials have said they have ques- tioned the friends and the person who Konanki was left alone with. Konanki’s clothes were found on a portable bed with no signs of foul play, according to the latest reports. While the DR Public Ministry is convinced Konanki drowned, her parents have filed a complaint to inten- sify search for her. According toWTOP reports, there is a suspicion that there might be a crime, specifically the possibility of kidnapping. DR Police are assisted by agencies from Konanki’s hometown in Loudoun County in Virginia, and by the Indian Embassy in the DR. Konanki, a legal permanent resident in the US, was an Indian citizen. As such, DR Police are also being assisted by the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the University of Pittsburgh police, according to the Lou Doun County sheriff’s office. In DR, the Civil Defense, local firefighters, Police, Navy and National Police are heading the search. Konanki’s parents have already left for Punta Cana, according to reports. In the meantime, the family and friends are posting requests on Facebook and other social media to get help finding her. By Archana Adalja P aterson, New Jersey-based nonprofit organization, World Vegan Vision (WVV), celebrated the anniversary of its Gujarat Chapter in Ahmedabad recently with a Vegan Awareness Day filled with inspiring and informative talks, get-togethers and a vegan food. The day’s events began with an engaging and enlightening talk about veganism organized at Gujarat Law Society’s H.A. Commerce Col- lege. The event attended by a large number of speakers, participants and invited guests, was coordinated by Nitin Vyas, Global Public Rela- tions Director ofWorld Vegan Vision USA and Dilip Thakkar, President of the Gujarat Chapter. Also present at the event were Dr. Sanjay Vakil, the Principal of H.A. College, and Dharti Thakkar, the newly elected President of the Gujarat Chap- ter, and Dr. Khushbu Shah, member of theWVV Advisory Board. Speakers related their own experiences in their journey to veganism. There were interac- tive sessions to discuss ways to increase awareness on vegan- ism, and on the three fold benefits of veganism which include health, environmen- tal sustainability and animal welfare. Vegan snacks and savo- ries along with a vegan cake, desserts and drinks were served at the end of the talk including healthy versions of traditionally rich Gujarati food such as dhokla, gol papdi, kahwa, a vegan organge flavored cake, fruit based jam, crackers and biscuits, and multi-flavored vegan ice cream. The vegan food was provided by Gopi restaurant in Prahlad Nagar, Purvi’s Rasoi, and Maulik and Megha caterers, according to an Instagram post by @sanganipooja. A talk on veganism was also organized the same day in the afternoon at the Ahmedabad Medical Association’s (AMA) LadiesWing. The AMA LadiesWing was founded in 1966 and has been empowering women since. Speak- ers included Rajni Maheshwari, Shushilaji, and Vimala Ben Trivedi. Participants enjoyed a delightful vegan food competition and tasting session cel- ebrating the pleasures of plant-based cuisine. The third and final event of the day was a vegan dinner along with a Meet & Greet where a large gathering of veganism experts and activ- ists exchanged ideas. Besides the officials of the Gujarat Chapter ofWorld Vegan Vision Shah and Thakkar, participants also included Ramesh Tanna of Positive Media. In November 2024, Ahmedabad was awarded the most vegan friendly Indian city of 2024 by People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India. Ahmedabad has a flourishing vegan community with various plant based and vegan food options available at popular restau- rants including The Vegan Kitchen, Satvegan Café and cloud kitchens Jaco’s Vegan Hangout and Killos by Krrishna Patel. Ahmedabadis love their vegan desserts including Keventers Frozen Vegan Dark Chocolate and Plat- away’s Vegan Gelato. People in Ahmedabad are also learning to cook traditional Gujarati dishes without the use of dairy. Ahmedabad has many vegan organizations and associations which bring more awareness about veganism to its residents. These include the Vegan Club of Ahmedabad and Vadodara and many veg- etarian restaurants like the Vegan Kitchen. WVV has expanded to include chapters in Ohio, Mum- bai and Ahmedabad, and reaches out through its various activities and newsletter. Formed in 1992 by H.K. and Malti Shah to promote vegetarianism, it has become an important information source on veganism. Tristate-Based World Vegan Vision Celebrates Gujarat Chapter Anniversary By Archana Adalja PHOTOS:WorldVeganVision A section of the audience at the World Vegan Vision event celebrating the Gujarat chapter in Ahmedabad, held recently in February. Main organizers and attendees at the WVV event in Ahmedabad, Gujarat pose for photos. Main speaker being felicitated with a bouquet. Appeal for Sudiksha Konanki who is missing in the Dominican Republic