Originally in the India New England News, May 15th, 2002

Mass. professor leads terrorism panel

WASHINGTON, D.C. - University of Massachusetts Dartmouth professor Bal Ram Singhmoderated a recent panel discussion on the media coverage of terrorism in India and Pakistan.

The panel was to focus on the Indian subcontinent and global terrorism as well as the media coverage of U.S. immigrant groups that have been affected by Sept. 11. It was held in the First Amendment Room at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Panelists included: U.S. Sen. Frank Pallone, Selig Harrison of the Center for International Policy, professor Romesh Diwan of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, professor Ved Prakash Nanda of the University of Denver, Mahesh Mehta of the Hindu Heritage Foundation of America and Rita Frenchman of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

The panel discussion was sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's Center for Indic Studies. Singh, the director of the center, has also served as a professor of biophysical chemistry at the university for the last 11 years.

The center's mission is to educate about issues relating to Indian arts, philosophy, societal values and customs; to promote international harmony through the mix of ancient and modern values; and to promote awareness among Americans on contemporary India and its diversity.

Plans for the center include a continuing lecture series on Indian culture, summer courses on Indian traditions, yoga classes and research projects.

According to Singh, the center will be funded primarily through donations from the Indian-American community, with the goal of collecting an endowment of $1 million. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has pledged to match funds donated at the rate of 50 percent.

 Last Updated On: 3/29/06