Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know HCNJ Brings Free Health Fair To Balaji Temple In Bridgewater T he Health Camp of New Jersey (HCNJ), in col- laboration with Shree Venkateswara Temple and RobertWood Johnson University Hospital (Som- erset), held a successful Community Health Fair on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the Balaji Temple in Bridge- water, NJ. The event attracted over 150 attendees and provided a wide array of healthcare services, educational resources, and community engagement activities. Attendees benefited from free health screenings, one- on-one consultations with medical professionals, and hands-on sessions in CPR and AED training. Specialized care areas included cardiology, endocrinology, neurol- ogy, women’s health, urology, mental health, physical therapy, dental and oral care, and dietary counseling. Eye screenings for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy were also offered, alongside guidance on home health care and rehabilitation services. The fair was made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers from HCNJ, SSAI, SAMHIN, RWJ-Somerset, and numerous local community organizations includ- ing NJ Artists Lions Club. Supporting institutions such as LabCorp, Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy, ANS, and Faith Home Health Care provided essential services and education throughout the event. The event also received civic support, with Hillsbor- ough Mayor John Ciccarelli and Deputy Mayor Catherine Payne in attendance. Both officials praised HCNJ and the temple for their continued commitment to the health and well-being of New Jersey’s diverse communities, es- pecially through the nonprofit’s 25-year legacy of service. HCNJ and its partners aim to continue organizing similar health-focused initiatives. The next community health fair is scheduled for Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Hindu American Temple & Cultural Center in Morgan- ville, NJ. Pre-registration is available at www.IHCNJ.org and will close on August 4. Over the past 25 years, HCNJ has served more than 13,500 individuals and identified over 4,200 chronic con- ditions. The organization is currently working on launch- ing a permanent Community Health Center in 2026 to offer year-round, culturally sensitive care and follow-up services to underserved populations. For more information or to contribute to HCNJ’s initia- tives, visit www.IHCNJ.org or email info@IHCNJ.org . By a StaffWriter 6 CITY VIEWS August 1, 2025 Indian Diaspora Leaders Urge Government Action Over Passport-Related Delays In Repatriating Mortal Remains A dvocacy groups in the Indian community living in the US, called for streamlined procedures after airlines refused to transport mortal remains without original passports. Indian diaspora organizations have written to India‘s Home Secretary re- questing urgent intervention to address bureaucratic obstacles preventing griev- ing families from repatriating their loved ones’ remains to India. The letter, sent by prominent advocacy groups including TEAM Aid and Jaipur Foot USA, highlights a growing crisis af- fecting Indian families worldwide when Indian citizens die abroad without their passports readily available. The issue has intensified after Air India faced multiple fines from India‘s Bureau of Immigration, prompting the airline to adopt a strict policy refusing to transport human remains without the deceased’s original passport-even when Indian em- bassies have issued No Objection Certifi- cates (NOCs). Other airlines have reportedly followed suit with similar policies, creating what advocacy leaders describe as a “deeply distressing and devastating situation” for bereaved families. Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA, and Mohan Nannapaneni, founder of TEAM Aid, authored the letter to Home Secretary Govind Mohan outlin- ing the humanitarian crisis. TEAM Aid’s Founder and President, Mohan Nannapaneni, along with his dedicated team of volunteers, has facili- tated the repatriation of over 4,000 mortal remains from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to every state across India. The organizations explain that pass- ports often become inaccessible when individuals die abroad due to heart- wrenching circumstances. In cases involv- ing accidents, suicides, or homicides, documents may be held by investigating officers for weeks or months. Immigration authorities sometimes retain passports in cases involving asylum seekers or visa violations, leaving families in agonizing limbo. “In several tragic cases, the deceased individual lives alone, and their passport is often inaccessible at the time of death,” the letter states, painting a picture of isolated deaths far from home. Residences are sometimes sealed during investiga- tions, making document retrieval impos- sible while families desperately wait to bring their loved ones’ home. The human cost of these policies is starkly illustrated in the case of Rahul Patel, whose tragic story has become emblematic of the crisis facing Indian families abroad. “For over a week now, the tragic, untimely, and unnatural death of Rahul Patel has left his mortal remains stranded in a funeral home despite all documenta- tion, including the NOC from the Indian Consulate, being in order,” Bhandari said. “The only hurdle is the passport, stuck with customs in Chicago for the last three days, delaying its cancellation. No airline is willing to transport the body due to fear of penalties.” The personal toll on families is devas- tating. “Meanwhile, I receive calls at odd hours from the deceased’s brother, Dilip Patel, from Gujarat every day whose fami- ly hasn’t slept–desperately waiting to bring Rahul home,” Bhandari added, highlight- ing the sleepless nights and anguish that define the experience of families caught in this bureaucratic maze. Despite Indian consulates show- ing compassion by issuing NOCs that acknowledge missing passports, families face additional trauma when remains ar- rive in India. Airport immigration officials sometimes detain bodies for hours, citing the absence of original travel documents, creating further delays in an already ago- nizing process. “We used to occasionally ship human remains even when the original passport was unavailable, with the support of the Indian Consulate-issued No Objec- tion Certificate (NOC),” says Nannapa- neni. “However, due to recent penalties imposed on airlines by the Bureau of Immigration, carriers are now refusing to transport remains without an original passport. This has created heartbreaking challenges for grieving families who are unable to fulfill sacred religious rites and ensure a dignified final journey to their loved ones’ homeland.” The advocacy groups note this heart- breaking scenario occurs “even after families have endured days of emotional turmoil and logistical challenges to bring their loved one’s home.” Chief Advisor Prem Bhandari raises a fundamental question about the current system: “Indian Consulates, Embassies, and High Commissions issue a No Objec- tion Certificate (NOC) for the repatriation of mortal remains only after verifying the deceased’s Indian nationality. Therefore, penalizing airlines in such cases is neither understandable nor justified.” His words underscore the frustration felt by families caught between competing bureaucratic requirements while trying to honor their departed loved ones. In light of this growing crisis, TEAM Aid’s Chief Advisor, Prem Bhandari, has formally appealed to the Home Secretary of the Government of India, urging im- mediate intervention and a permanent resolution to protect and support Indian families in distress abroad. The organizations are requesting a formal directive or circular to airport and immigration authorities across India, stipulating that valid embassy NOCs men- tioning passport unavailability should be sufficient for releasing remains without further delays. “We humbly request your interven- tion to streamline the process,” the letter states with quiet desperation, emphasiz- ing that the issue “affects the dignity of the deceased and the sentiments of their families.” The groups describe the matter as a “critical humanitarian concern” requir- ing immediate government attention to support the Indian diaspora community, particularly the substantial population in North America. For families already shattered by loss, the additional bureaucratic hurdles trans- form grief into a prolonged nightmare, denying them the closure that comes with performing final rites in their homeland. -ANI By Reena Bhardwaj Representative image of Indian Passport A CPR training session in progress during the health fair, with attendees learning life-saving techniques hands-on from Beatz N Breaths volunteers. PHOTO:Dreamstime PHOTO:Dr.Tushar Patel