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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Salman Rushdie Calls For Fighting For Freedom As He’s Honored In London Indian Overseas Congress USA Launches Michigan Chapter, Appoints Leadership Of 7 New Chapters N ovelist Salman Rushdie was awarded the Liberatum Cultural Honour in London onWednesday (July 8, 2026) at a ceremony run- ning under the theme “Freedom of Expression.” He is the 14th recipient of the award which recognizes both artistic achieve- ments and contributions to cross-cultural understanding. Previous honorees in- clude authors Sir V.S. Naipaul, Gore Vidal, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Holly- wood actress and activist Susan Sarandon among others. In an interview with Reuters before he went on stage, Rushdie said freedom of speech is under “real assault” around the world. The Indian-born British-American author is quoted saying, “I live in America and I never thought that there would be such an assault on free speech, coming from the authorities in the land of the First Amendment.” He went on to add, “The fact that they have been attacking journal- ists, comedians, writers, artists, intellec- tuals for expressing dissenting opinions shows what they think of free speech.” “There’s a big struggle. I have to say that there’s quite a good fight back there. For instance, all these books being banned from libraries, there’s a lot of chal- lenges to those. And in many cases the challenges are successful,” he noted. According to Rushdie, it’s a “difficult time in many parts of the world” and “I think it’s a moment when we have to gird our loins and fight a fight that I thought we’d won. And it turns out we didn’t win it. We just won it for a while.” Over the last several decades, Rushdie has faced death threats after his fourth book, The Satanic Verses” was published in 1988. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini place a Fatwa on his head, and the book was banned in many countries including India. In 2022, while addressing a meeting in upstate NewYork, Rushdie was attacked by a member of the audience who rushed onstage and stabbed him repeated. The attack left him blind in one eye and af- fected the use of one of his hands. “I’m fortunate to be all right. It’s now been almost four years since the attack, and I’m as mended as I’m going to be, which is not bad,” Rushdie told Reuters. Regardless of his injuries, Rushdie has been prolific since the attack. “I’ve actually published three books in the last three years, so it’s going all right. And I’m working on something now, but it’s in early stages. It’s not really ready to talk about.” The Booker Prize-winning writer has published 23 books, including novels “Midnight’s Children,” “The Moor’s Last Sigh”, “Anton Chekov” “Shalimar the Clown”, including children’s books like “Haroun and the Sea of Stories”. T he Indian Overseas Congress USA, formally launched a Michigan chapter in Farmington Hills MI recently. While launching the Michigan Chapter June 26, 2026, IOC-USA also announced the appoint- ment of presidents for seven new chapters across the United States at a ceremony held at St. Toma Hall in Farmington Hills, a press release from the organi- zation said. The event, attended by near- ly 700 members of the Indian-American community, community leaders, profes- sionals and supporters fromMichigan and neighboring states, “marked one of the most significant organizational expan- sion initiatives undertaken by IOC USA in recent years,” organizers said. The highlight of the evening was the virtual keynote address by IOC Global Chairman Sam Pitroda, who joined the gathering from Iceland. Congratulating the newly constituted Michigan Chapter and welcoming its President Sridhar Patel and his office bearers, Pitroda expressed confidence that the new leadership would strengthen the organization and inspire greater participa- tion among the Indian diaspora. He called on overseas Indians to remain committed to democratic ideals, and em- phasized the importance of democracy, unity, liberty, and constitutional values in shaping a vibrant and inclusive society. “The Michigan Chapter will strengthen our organization and inspire greater participation among the Indian diaspora,” Pitroda is quoted saying in the press release. “Our responsibility is to strengthen democratic institutions, promote inclu- sive leadership, and reinforce the endur- ing ties between India and the global Indian community through public service and civic engagement,” he said. Pitroda further encouraged the newly appointed office bearers to lead with commitment, integrity and humility while remaining closely connected with their communities. He said the Indian Overseas Congress has an important role in promoting democratic participation, encouraging inclusive dialogue, and serving society. Wishing the newly appointed leaders suc- cess in their responsibilities, he expressed confidence that they would make a meaningful contribution to the continued growth of the organization. The program was presided over by President of Indian Overseas Congress USA Mohinder Singh Gilzian. Attendees included Patel Ramesh Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation, George Abraham, Vice Chair- man of IOC USA, Baldev Randhawa, Vice President, John Joseph, Secretary Gen- eral IOC USA, Pradeep Samala, Working President (North-East Region), Dr. Joshua JayaSingh, National Treasurer, and several national and regional office bearers. Addressing the gathering, Gilzian described the Congress as “not merely a political party, but a global movement rooted in the ideals of democracy, justice and public service.” He announced the organization’s ambitious goal of develop- ing 100 strong leaders across the United States by December 2026 under Pitroda’s guidance. Describing the simultaneous launch of seven new IOC USA chapters as a sig- nificant milestone, Gilzian said the expansion would strengthen the organization nationwide while bringing together members of the Indian diaspora around the shared values of democracy, secularism and inclusive leadership. He urged the newly appointed office bear- ers to work collectively, ex- pand grassroots outreach and remain committed to community service. A major highlight of the evening was the appointment of new chapter presidents across the United States. Apart from Sridhar Patel, other appointments included Rupinder Sahoke (Indiana), Vidyasagar Vangala (North Carolina), Dheeraj Gahtori (Colorado), Ilyas Mohammed (Houston), Rayadas (Roy) Manthena (Vermont), Rupal Rajendra Shirpurkar (Maharashtra Chapter), as well as Joseph John Joseph as Secretary General of IOC USA. The appointment letters, signed by IOC USA President Mohinder Singh Gilzian, took immediate effect for a two-year term under the IOC USA Bylaws and provide for a six-month performance review. Patel Ramesh Reddy highlighted the Telangana Government’s welfare, develop- ment and tourism initiatives and con- gratulated the newly appointed chapter presidents. The program also featured addresses by George Abraham, Pradeep Samala, Sharath Chandra Vemuganti, and other senior leaders. PHOTO:REUTERS Salman Rushdie gesturing during an interview at the awards ceremony in London July 8, 2026. From News Dispatches By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:COURTESY IOC USA Photo (left): Michigan Chapter of IOC USA being launched June 26, 2026. Photo (right): President of Michigan chapter of IOC USA Sridhar Patel, being appointed at June 26 launch meeting. Community News India Times (July 11, 2026 - July 17, 2026) July 17, 2026 9