UP govt goes back on conducting NRI Diwas February 17, 2015 17:53
Uttar Pradesh government has taken back its stand on conducting a two-day event called NRI Diwas in Agra. The programme would be held on February 28th and March 1st. The government is reportedly planning send letters of regrets to the invitees. Actually, the government of UP announced its wish to conduct NRI Diwas during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) in Gujarat in January. The state is eying for development with the assistance by NRIs. The Akhilesh government has expected offshore investments into UP through this first time programme for Indian Diaspora. So far, NRI delegations from Netherlands and Mauritius, along with attendees from UK, US, Fiji and Europe had confirmed their presence at UP's NRI Diwas. And the External Affairs Ministry also asked the UP government over the agenda of this event in the state. However, there is official announcement about the cancellation of NRI Diwas. Akhilesh Yadav is aiming for big boost in the state with the help of all stake holders including the NRIs. -Kannamsai
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Beware of fake job rackets in Malaysia February 13, 2015 17:25
Indian workers in various countries have been caught on the grounds of misusing visiting visa or pass for working without authorized permission. The High Commission of India at Kuala Lumpur has issued a notice in the interest of public from India. It has advised the aspirants to verify the details of the companies before arriving Malaysia, whether they are original or fraudulent firms. And it also suggested the youth to know the living conditions and rules before coming Malaysia. It has said that social visit pass holders working illegally are liable to be imprisoned and valid employment pass should be carried along with the immigrants all the time. For better details you can visit the website of High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur www.indianhighcommission.com.my The appeal also mentioned that several Indians were caught during their journey and carrying some packets filled with drugs and narcotics handed over by the agents. According to their rules possession of drugs is punishable with death penalty in Malaysia. -Kannamsai
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NRI appreciates courtesy of Bengalore February 04, 2015 18:23
Indian-American Ashok K.Mago appreciated people of Bengalore as he got back his Mac Book Air, which he left (lost) at the security screening in Bengaluru airport. "Once I realized that I had left my Mac Book Air at Bengaluru airport, it was a foregone conclusion that I will never get it back. Surprisingly, I got it," Mago said on his return from India. "People at Bengaluru airport were not only polite, but also ensured that the lost laptop (worth $4,000) indeed went to its real owner," said Mago. He came to India for receiving the Padma Shri from the President in recognition of his contribution towards trade and industry last year. He is founder-chairman of the Greater Dallas Indo American Chamber, which renamed to US-INDIA Chamber of Commerce. While lauding the persons who returned his laptop, Mago said that he left his laptop on December 16 after passing through the security checkpoint at the airport. "I was directed to the lost and found department of the airport," he said, adding that a few days later, he received his lost laptop. He was one among a few Indian-Americans invited for the dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee in honour of US President Barack Obama in New Delhi. After his appreciation, Bengalore people are expecting good work in return of their humbleness. India is expecting huge and better from NRI in empowering the Nation. -Kannamsai
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NRI found dead in hotel in Noida January 30, 2015 15:46
An NRI was seen dead in a hotel room in Greater Noida, yesterday. The deceased was here in the city to attend a friend's wedding. The person was identified as Sunil Virmani (35), who was settled in Dubai after his MBA from Australia. On January 27, he had come to attend the marriage of his friend being held at a hotel. He was staying in room number 1008 with his friend Nikunj. Wednesday night, a group of friends had a liquor party, police said. Yesterday evening, when Nikunj came to accompany Virmani for the marriage party, he had seen him lying on bed and thought he might be asleep. But when he touched the body of Virmani, he realized that he was unconscious. Virmani was taken to Kailash hospital where he the doctors said that he was brought dead. "Though initial investigations points to overdose of liquor as the possible cause of his death, we are investigating from all possible angles, including murder. We are questioning his friends and hotel staff," said Brijesh Kumar Singh, SP (Greater Noida). -Kannamsai
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MCI asks medical colleges to conduct entrance test for NRIs January 28, 2015 18:51
The Medical Council of India has issued circular stating medical colleges to admit students under the Non-resident Indian (NRI) quota based on merits through a common entrance test. The circular, dated January 16, available on the MCI website upsets the colleges making mandatory to abide by the norm from the next academic year of 2015-2016. Since government-run medical colleges do not admit NRI students, the rule does not apply to them, a medical education official said. Every private medical college is allowed 15 per cent seats under the NRI quota. Self-financing colleges have management quota and a guideline exists that deemed universities should form a consortium of colleges and hold a common entrance test for admission. “But we don’t how far this is transparent,” the official added. The medical colleges of Private and deemed universities are just admitting the students for money, The NRI quota has completely changed its meaning by allotting them to rich kids of politicians and corporate leaders. This will certainly help the meritorious aspirants and students. However the private college managements are simply ignoring the message and may decide in further stages. -Kannamsai
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India asks US to treat visa for IT Professionals as trade issue January 24, 2015 15:48
India requested US government to treat the visa for IT Professionals from India as a trade issue rather than an immigration issue. During a meeting of the Indo-US Joint Working Group on ICT (Information, Communication and Technology), held in Washington last week, both the parties have came across the issue. “During our meeting with the US officials we asked them to consider the visa for IT professionals as a issue relating to trade in services rather than an immigration issue,” Department of Electronics and IT Secretary R S Sharma told reporters here. Sharma today met with the US Ambassador to India Richard Verma and signed a joint declaration of intent for cooperation in the field of Information & Communications Technology and Electronics (ICTE) between both the nations. “This step is likely to increase the partnership between both the countries on the Digital India programme, electronic manufacturing, cyber security and other related fields,” Sharma told here with media. “The declaration adds to the natural convergence between both the countries and will strengthen cooperation between industries in the ICTE sector,” the Verma said. For a period of next five years the declaration works in strengthening industrial, technological, research & innovation and economic cooperation between India and US in the ICTE sector. It would also lead to US firms exploring opportunities for collaboration in Digital India, electronics manufacturing and human resource development, through cooperation between the firms in a focused manner on par with the ongoing India-US ICT Dialogue, Sharma said. He said the meeting of the Indo US Joint working Group on ICT was held in Washington last week and the next meeting is scheduled to take place in India in the next six months. If US consider our version that will be the best news for IT professionals and for the Indian based companies like Wipro, TCS, Infosys and others. These companies are sending professionals and work force to US from India for short term periods. With the proposed Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act 2013, companies have to reduce our workforce and should engage local professionals at higher remuneration or compensation. -Kannamsai
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NRI imprisoned in Singapore January 21, 2015 18:37
A lorry driver Paramasivam Bharathi, 46, caused the death of a motorcyclist through his negligent driving June 27, last year. District Judge Janet Wang fined Singapore $8,500 and banned from driving for five years on Tuesday. Paramasivam Bharathi, admitted to failing to give way to Mr Lim Shung Ren, 28, when making a right turn from Sungei Kadut Street 2 into Sungei Kadut Street 1, according to ‘The Straits Times’. Lim's pillion rider, Lai Li Theng (25) was hospitalized for a day and given a medical leave till September 17. Driver encroached into the rider's path, and this resulted in the Malaysian crane operator hitting the front right side of his lorry. Mr Lim died eight days later from bronchopneumonia due to compound fracture of the left femur. -Kannamsai
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NRI buys costliest house in Chicago January 19, 2015 19:03
Sanjay Shah, an NRI fulfilled his "Indian-American Dream" By purchasing the 15,000 square feet, 89th floor penthouse in Trump Tower for $ 17 million - the elitist residential real estate transaction in Chicago's history. Interestingly he grew up in a 1200-square foot apartment, in Mumbai. The 46-year-old entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of a software company ‘Vistex’, started in February 1999. He has developed a category of business software called “Go-to-Market” programs, he started out like most people - an MBA. Shah plans to use the penthouse as a second residence, as his present 10,000 square feet apartment in Illinois' wealth suburb South Barrington is very close to his working place and the new hose is 50 kilometers away from his office. He just wants to use his new house for important business dialogues and to host his clients. The millionaire also owns a home in Germany, and another one in India. AW: Kannamsai
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Voting rights to NRIs soon, Supreme Court directs govt January 12, 2015 15:32
NRIs can vote in the elections without coming to their constituencies physically. Supreme Court of India ordered the central government to facilitate the e-voting option to vote from abroad itself, within 8 weeks. The government told the court that it has approved e-ballot voting for Indian passport holders abroad as recommended by the Election Commission in its report, and it would come into effect after amending the laws. In the e-voting system, the NRIs will be sent blank ballot via e-mail and they have fill it and send it back to the respected constituencies authorities. In this procedure there will be very risk of manipulation, rigging and violation of secrecy. E- Voting or e-ballot may enable NRIs to use proxy voting on the lines of defence personnel. In 2010, the government allowed them voting rights, but the NRIs voters must present in their constituencies on the election date. With e-voting facility they need not fly to India back and we can expect vote by all the NRI voters. During the 13th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat from 7th January to 9th January, government promised the Indian Diaspora for creating more opportunities and rights. Indian government has expressed its will and commitment to provide rights and opportunities to the NRI community on various flat forms like PM Modi’s Madison speech, PBD and Vibrant Gujarat summit. AW: Kannamsai
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Indian Diaspora is our Rich Capital: PM Modi January 08, 2015 17:18
Ongoing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was addressed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 13th edition of PBD is witnessing massive support from the NRI community; Modi in his speech also stressed the role of Indians abroad in empowering the mother land. After inaugurating Salt Mountain, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, Near the Mahatma Mandhir, Gandhi Nagar. In 2003 then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has started celebrating the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa, and then the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi has started the Vibrant Gujarat to promote investment opportunities in Gujarat. Narendra Modi in his speech expressed the confidence in Indian Diaspora as the greatest capital India. He said that it responsibility of everyone look after our nation by strengthening the business and by empowering every citizen absolutely. He said that every country rich or poor is looking at India for opportunities. While speaking India’s heritage and strength he said that 177 countries supported India’s proposal to celebrate International Yoga Divas at United Nations. In every possible way Indian richness can be seen in future. And Maa Ganga is of great Religious and Environmental value, NRIs must help in whatever possible to rejuvenate the Ganga River. External Affairs Minister said in her addressing, that without PM Modi’s guidance and leadership the PBD event would not be possible at such a big scale. She called upon the Indian Youth Diaspora to ‘connect, celebrate and contribute’ to the transformational in India in the making of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel too expressed interest in NRIs to strengthen India in all aspects. "The Vibrant Gujarat Summit and the Global Trade Show is making all efforts to fulfill Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' dream. We don't want this trade show to remain only as a B2B meeting, rather it should ignite new vision, new tradition amongst the youth.", said Sarbananda Sonowal, minister of state (independent charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports. AW: Kannamsai
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Ordinance for merging PIO and OCI January 07, 2015 09:26
The government promulgated an ordinance to launch or establish "Indian Overseas Cardholder" scheme by merging Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes. According to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official, President Pranab Mukharjee has signed the Citizenship Ordinance to provide benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station for PIOs. This promulgation has taken place to woo the NRIs before the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2015. This 13th edition of PBD is expecting huge number of NRIs participation and investments from the NRIs. With this ordinance PIOs are exempted from appearing a local police station even after the stay of over 180 days. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced at Madison Square Garden in New York last year, to extend lifelong entry to the NRIs holding PIO card. He also expressed the confidence in NRIs role to empower India. According to MHA, now PIO and OCI schemes will be merged and the combined scheme will be called as “Indian Overseas Cardholder”. Subsequently, the Home Ministry had invited suggestions from the public to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. PIOs earlier used to have limited time period visa to stay in India and appearing before police station, whereas OCI card holders were exempted from all these. OCI card holders had very friendly system in India. Now more user (NRI) friendly scheme is launched to impress the NRIs and Indian-origin fellows to invest in India and to stay in India. AW: Kannamsai
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NRIs seek assurance and transparency January 06, 2015 15:16
NRIs arrived in Gujarat to attend the 13th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) from January 7th to 9th in Gandhi Nagar; governments of all most all states are trying to woo the NRIs for investing in their states during this occasion. All the NDA ruling states and the states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Tamil Nadu are preparing for inviting and engaging the NRIs. NRIs also willing to invest money in various sectors but they are clearly seeking the support from the governments and banks; they do not want to take risk by starting forms and other organizations. State governments utilize the opportunity every year by promoting their incentives (land, labor, energy). This time also governments looking forward to grab the NRIs support. Many states are offering Single-Window System where all the required permissions and approvals can be obtained by providing sufficient information and documents. Earlier it was tough to start a company or industry because of unnecessary and time-delayed provisions. Now the governments are present the vibrant opportunities and possibilities in a detailed manner with effective technological assistance (like power point presentation, readily available videos, and well designed catalogues). While speaking to media, many NRIs are expressing their interest to come back to India or to start projects in the mother land with a clear assurance from government authorities. Hassle free environment can boost investment in India by Non Residents of India. PBD is celebrated every year to mark the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa in 1915. Every year successful and well named NRI shall be felicitated on this day. NRIs come to the nation to participate in the events. AW: Kannamsai
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