NRIs in UK will get help to deposit banned notes: Indian envoy November 12, 2016 10:42
India's envoy to the United Kingdom said, Indian government is looking forward to help Non-Resident Indian (NRIs), who may own some banned currency notes so that they can deposit it at a branch of an Indian bank overseas. Dinesh Patnaik said that, "Our endeavour is to help everybody. We have asked Delhi about it (any banned notes with NRIs). I have a feeling we will work out something so that people who have carried certain amount of cash in their pocket, should be able to deposit it in any Indian bank overseas." Earlier this week, as a part of an anti-corruption drive, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced to ban on Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, giving Indians the option to exchange the banned currency at banks all over the country until December 30. India's acting high commissioner to the UK said that, "Basically, it means people abroad should not have more than that. Also, not everybody will have an account with an Indian bank either they will have to open one or find an alternative. So, it is something we will have to look at very closely.” "There is a lot of time, until December 30," he said. "This is not an amnesty scheme or any scheme to garner black money. This is a method to achieve cashless transactions, which in itself will stop corruption, and to make sure that the money which is lying within the non-legal system, gets into the legal system,” Patnaik, the deputy high commissioner said. "And, of course, the threat of fake Indian currency will be eliminated, because that threat was mostly with Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 will have greater security features and it will make it more difficult for counterfeiters to try and copy it," he said. Also Read: Brave and bold Surgical strike on black money and funding of terrorism Nandini
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Over 600 Indian-Americans celebrate Chhath Puja in US! November 08, 2016 10:43
The festival of worshiping the Sun God was celebrated in the United States by the several Indian-American people. More than 600 from the community were gathered on the banks of the historic Potomac River to celebrate the three-day long festival of Chhath. Kripa Singh, who has been organizing the event for the past nine years said that, "This was the largest gathering for Chhath Puja." He is an eminent Indian American community leader in Virginia. Women were attired in colorful traditional saree to worship the rising sun. Several women were came from as far as Ohio, Chicago, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to attend the festival of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. In 2007, he approached the Recreation Department and the Loudon County Parks with the details and sought permission to do the ceremony which was granted. Chhath Puja entails worship of Sun God, embodied in cosmic energy. The festival is mainly observed by people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh states of India. Also Read: Australian of the Year award goes to Indian-origin cabbie! Nandini
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Modi takes up killing of Indian-origin bus driver with Australian PM! October 31, 2016 16:25
PM Narendra Modi raised India's concern over the brutal killing of an Indian-origin bus driver with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull. The 29-year-old Manmeet Alisher, was burned to death in front of several passengers in Brisbane when a man poured some flammable liquid on him. A Prime Minister’s Office statement said that, PM Modi telephoned Turnbull to wish him on Indian festival Diwali and also conveyed a “sense of concern being felt in India over the recent brutal killing of Mr. Manmeet Alisher, a person of Indian origin, in Australia.” A well-known singer in the Punjabi community, Alisher was targeted by a man who poured an “incendiary device” at him which sparked a fire, when he was driving a Brisbane City Council bus. The driver died on the spot while, many passengers managed to escape through the rear door. Australian PM Turnbull expressed shock at the killing of Indian-origin driver and also conveyed to Modi that the matter is being probed. The statement added, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his invitation to Premier Turnbull for a visit to India in 2017. Also Read: Indian-origin bus driver burnt alive in Australia! - Nandini
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Indian-origin bus driver burnt alive in Australia! October 29, 2016 10:23
An Indian-origin bus driver and a well known singer of the Punjabi community was burned to death in the Brisbane city of Australia. A man poured some flammable liquid on him in front of several passengers, police said. 29 year old Manmeet Alisher was attacked by a man who threw an "incendiary device" at him, when he was driving a Brisbane City Council bus. According to the police, a 48-year-old man was arrested over the incident. There was "no apparent motive" including terror or race related. Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said, the incident is investigating by the detectives from South Brisbane district and the state crime command's homicide group. Stewart said that, "There is no evidence at this time of any linkage to terrorist-type activities and certainly that has not become evident through the ongoing investigations that have occurred. We do not believe there is any evidence at this stage linking this to a racial complaint or concern by either of the people involved." "While we do not know the actual motive at this stage, I want to reassure the community that we take these incidents very seriously and that is why as a precaution, officers from the state security and counter terrorism group have also been involved," he said. Queensland Police Superintendent Jim Keogh said that, "Words escape me, it is a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka." "A bus driver, going about doing his business, supporting the community, has had his life taken from him in what is a senseless and needless act. The fire was substantial, he would have stood little chance," he said. Also Read: Sikh-American techie brutally assaulted in alleged hate crime in US! Nandini
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Short-term UK visas for students October 22, 2016 16:12
During Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit, India hopes to reach a deal with Britain for facilitating short-term visas for Indian students, academicians and businessmen. Acting High Commissioner to the UK Dinesh Patnaik has said, “I am hopeful, certain things will happen”. “I hope we will have a deal on Britain facilitating short-term visas for students, academicians and businessmen from India and these categories should not be in the migration list,” Patnaik said. He said, “This is her first bilateral visit and India is her first trip outside the continent. UK-India, we have a very very long umbilical relationship.” “It is an official visit and she will be heading a high-level 160-strong delegation. The trade delegation also assumes importance because of the Brexit scenario,” he added. “Post-Brexit, they will need it and they want to increase trade outside EU. The discussion will focus on framework of post-Brexit trade deal.” On the Indian side, he said “what we want is ease of doing business – access to the UK, both for students, academicians and businessmen.” India wants Britain to extend visa concessions to Indians – 6 months to 2 years visa for 87 pound. He said many companies here are shifting their jobs to India. In the next 3 to 4 months, about 2,000 jobs are expected to go to India. By Premji
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Indian-American seeks Obama team's help on fundamentalism charges October 18, 2016 15:33
Sonal Shah, the first Indian-American appointed to the presidential transition team of Barack Obama had written that the "frenzy" ethnic Indian press accused her of Hindu fundamentalism in 2008 to discredit him and having her quit. According to data released by WikiLeaks yesterday, Shah, one of the top economists who had been appointed to then president-elect Obama's transition team in 2008, wrote to the team's top leadership that the accusations of her being a right-wing Hindu fundamentalist and that she supported the communal violence in Gujarat, was mainly aimed at discrediting Obama, the emails released by . Shah wrote on November 10, nearly a week after Obama became the first non-White male to win the US presidential elections, "I am writing to get some guidance from you in managing the India press frenzy about my alleged right-wing politics and terrorist tendencies" She was accused of siding with Hindu fundamentalist and had been of being supportive of their cause. As her opponents launched a media campaign against her, Shah sought guidance from her party leadership fearing that this might tarnish the image of Obama. She wrote, "There are hundreds of blog posts and articles on this and without any responses, the rumours are feeding on each other. More interestingly, they were planning a public campaign to embarrass the president-elect and have me resign. I had several calls from prominent folks in India saying the best way to counter the lies and rumors was to put something out there denying the allegations. Others suggested doing a controlled interview.” Also Read: Brics Summit: A huge success for India By Prakriti Neogi
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Indian-origin scientist honors young scientist award in US! October 13, 2016 10:42
An Indian scientist with the Department of Packaging has been awarded the prestigious International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) Young scientist scholarship award in the United States. Kirtiraj Kundlik Gaikwad has been awarded for his research work on "development of novel oxygen absorbing package in the field of active packaging for oxygen sensitive food products". This award worth $2000 and award plaque was presented in the annual meeting of IAFP held in St Louise, USA by the IAFP Foundation, USA. Its purpose was to encourage young outstanding food safety scientist from all over the world. Kirtiraj developed novel oxygen scavenging package from the natural source. The feature of this package is it can extend the shelf life of food also it is suitable for microwave, liquid food packaging like juices, and metal detector friendly at processing line. The International Association for Food Protection recognizes young researchers from around the world that are the future leaders in the field of food safety. The IAFP Foundation has been dedicated to enhancing the career potential of exceptional researchers through the annual IAFP Scholarship Program, which provides full funding for attendance at the Association's renowned annual meeting. Kirtiraj received his BTech (Food Science) from Dr PD Agriculture University, India in 2009, MTech (Food safety & standards) from Allahabad Agriculture University, India in 2011 and MS (Packaging) from Michigan State University, USA in 2013. He has authored and co-authored 15 research papers in reputed international journals. Also Read: Indian-origin lawyer appointed Shadow Attorney General in UK! Nandini
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Sikh-American techie brutally assaulted in alleged hate crime in US! October 08, 2016 10:46
In a recent hate crime incident, a 41-year old Sikh-American IT specialist was brutally attacked by some men, who knocked off his turban and allegedly cut his religiously-mandated unshorn hair with a knife. A father and IT specialist in California, Maan Singh Khalsa, was driving home on the night of September 25 when a group of men in car threw a beer can at his vehicle. According to a statement by The Sikh Coalition, "Khalsa drove away from the scene but the men followed him and assaulted him through his open car window, knocking off his Sikh turban and hitting his face repeatedly." It is nation's largest Sikh civil rights organization. Khalsa said there were "five to six white males in their late 20s to early 30s" who abused him and three of them then attacked him physically. The complaint alleged, Shouting that Khalsa's hair should be cut off, the men pulled his head out of the window, and cut a fistful of his religiously-mandated unshorn hair with a knife. Khalsa sustained injuries to his fingers, hands, eye and teeth. The Sikh Coalition has written to the Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on behalf of Khalsa, urging authorities to conduct a hate crime investigation and prosecution in the case. Khalsa said in a press statement released by the Sikh Coalition, "The attackers caused physical injuries and deep harm when they targeted my Sikh faith." "I urge a thorough investigation so we can address the tide of violence and bigotry in this country." Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur urged authorities to fully investigate "this hateful attack" on Khalsa and his Sikh identity. "The purpose of a hate crime investigation and prosecution is to ensure that our government and communities accurately account for the problem of bias in our society," Kaur said. "We need to acknowledge hatred so that we commit the resources necessary to stem bias-based violence," Kaur added. Also Read: White House refuses to back petition on Khalistan! Nandini
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White House refuses to back petition on Khalistan! October 07, 2016 15:27
A petition seeking support for Khalistan has been refused to be endorsed by the White House. The United States president Barack Obama invoked comments during his last year's trip to New Delhi that India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along religious lines. The White House said responding to a separatist Sikh petition which had garnered more than 100,000 signatures, that, "While we appreciate your participation on this platform, we cannot comment here on the specific policy issue raised in your petition." The petition was created by an individual on July 10, identified with the initials of GP, within the stipulated 60 days, the White House said the US President Obama has made it a priority to promote and protect religious freedom for all people, both at home and abroad. "The peace we seek in the world begins in human hearts. And it finds its glorious expression when we look beyond any differences in religion or tribe, and rejoice in the beauty of every soul. And nowhere is that more important than India," Obama had said. "Nowhere is it going to be more necessary for that foundational value to be upheld. India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith so long as it's not splintered along any lines and is unified as one nation," Obama said in his address in January, 2015.” The White House said the US has monitored and publicly reported on human rights issues, including the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community during the 1984 violence in India. "For example, the State Department's Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices covered the violence and its aftermath in considerable detail.” "We will continue to report on important human rights concerns, and State Department reports are available to the public," it said. Also Read: Indian-origin shopkeeper destroys 9/11-themed dress in UK! Nandini
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Indian-origin shopkeeper destroys 9/11-themed dress in UK! October 07, 2016 09:50
A dress featuring the 9/11 attacks as its design theme was destroyed by an Indian-origin shopkeeper in London after passers-by posted pictures of its offensive pattern on social media. Jaspir Bhatti said said that, "There is no way I would sell that, I'm so horrified. I couldn't even give this to charity. I'm absolutely shocked, it's just the wrong thing to do it's terrifying." He handed over the dress to 'The Sun' newspaper to be destroyed. Bhatti, a stall holder at Chrisp Street market in Poplar area of east London, was alerted to the offensive design of the Twin Towers on fire on the 5-pound dress after passers-by posted pictures of it on Facebook. The newspaper contacted the wholesaler that Bhatti believed he had bought the dress from but was told it was not their product. According to the he newspaper, a clothing label on the dress indicated it had been made in India and is likely to have been imported into the UK from the country. Nearly 3,000 people were killed on September 11, 2001 when planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Centre (WTC) in New York. Also Read: India urges IITian diaspora to make Startup India a success! Nandini
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India urges IITian diaspora to make Startup India a success! October 05, 2016 10:11
The IITian diaspora has been urged by the country to invest in the Startup India campaign of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote a culture of innovation in its ancestral land. The 2016 International Conference of the IIT Alumni Canada has brought more than 400 IITians from the Canada, US and Australia to Toronto. Speaking at the event, Indian Consul General Dinesh Bhatia urged the IITian diaspora to make the Startup India campaign a success. The techie conference was focused on 'Towards a Sustainable and Prosperous Future: Focus on Technology, Health and Environment'. Conference co-chair Raghu Nayak said that, "IITians stand for innovation and these bright brains at the conference have highlight how we can integrate innovation to solve global problems of poverty, diseases and pollution. Since technology caused most of the current problems facing mankind, we think it is the technology that will solve these problems." According to the Bhatia, India is now an over $2 trillion economy and there are huge offers and opportunities for IITians to become a part of its success story. The conference was attended by the Canadian Science Minister Kirsty Duncan, MPs, and mayors along with the IITian gathering which also included the director of IIT-Hyderabad and the deans of IITs in Mandi and Chennai. Duncan lauded the role of the IITians in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Canada. She said the theme of the conference is in tune with agenda of the Canadian government, which wants to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The mayor of the Indian-dominated city of Brampton on the outskirts of Toronto, Linda Jaffrey, invited the IITians to become partners in the progress of her city which is one of the fastest growing in Canada. Canada is home to more than 1,000 hugely successful IITians, including billionaire Prem Watsa who is called the Warren Buffett of Canada. Also Read: Indian-origin teen wins Google Science Fair prize! Nandini
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Indian investment veteran named endowment chief at Harvard! October 03, 2016 12:26
The Harvard appointed an Indian-origin investment veteran as the CEO of the management company that oversees the university's $36 billion endowment, the largest college endowment in the world. The Harvard Management Company (HMC) said in a statement, that, 54 years old NP Narvekar has been appointed as the president and chief executive officer of the HMC, which manages Harvard University's endowment and related financial assets. Harvard's total endowment is values at $35.7 billion. Narvekar will be HMC's fourth CEO in 10 years. Narvekar said that, he is honored to join the investment organization and "help support the mission of Harvard University. HMC has an unparalleled investment platform among endowments and I look forward to working with the HMC Board and team and using my investment experience to serve Harvard in the most effective way possible". Harvard University president Drew Faust said that, Narvekar's "leadership skills" and deep experience at the highest levels of investment management will position HMC for long-term success. According to the HMC Board of Directors chairman Paul Finnegan, Narvekar is a highly successful endowment manager with a 14-year track record heading a large endowment, "providing steady leadership and delivering strong returns". Narvekar holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BA in Economics from Haverford College. HMC was founded in 1974. It manages Harvard University's endowment and related financial assets, seeking strong investment returns to advance the University's academic mission. Also Read: Indian-American bar owner helped catch New York bombing suspect! Nandini
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