Indian students in UK Protest against the ‘brutal crackdown’ on Universities January 08, 2020 16:11
A protest against the Narendra Modi governments’s “brutal crackdown” on universities and minority communities will be held in UK by a group of students under the banner of South Asians Against Fascism and the SOAS India society.This protest is scheduled to be from 8am to 8pm being a day long sit-in protest in front of London’s India House. This is to resist the Indian government’s repressive moves. The demonstration also consists of poets, artists, and academics who will be engaged in teach-ins and performances.The organizers of the event released a statement saying that,” the working class is also going for a national strike on the same day against the anti-people, anti-workers policies of the government…students across India will boycott classes and come out to the streets…”The strike is said to be a nationwide strike by the central trade unions with the slogan “Educate! Agitate! Organize!” which is a against the policies of the government.The general secretary of AITUC Amarjeet Kaur said, the 10 central trade unions participating in the nationwide strike included AITUC, INTUC, CITU, AICCTU, CUCC, SEWA, LPF along with several sectoral independent federations.The protest has been supported by the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as he has tweeted showing his support. The Modi-Shah Govt’s anti people, anti labour policies have created catastrophic unemployment & are weakening our PSUs to justify their sale to Modi’s crony capitalist friends. Today, over 25 crore workers have called for #BharatBandh2020 in protest. I salute them. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 8, 2020 The protest has also gained support by several Left-leaning farmer’s bodies and the expected people to join the all-India strike is over 25 crore.By Shrithika Kushangi
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NRI Woman’s 18 Lakh Diamond Necklace Stolen January 07, 2020 12:25
In recent news, a United Stated based NRI woman lodged a complaint against an unidentified woman for allegedly stealing her diamond necklace worth INR 18 lakh. The same is believed to have happened from the counter of a beauty parlour located in Sector 16-17 of Hisar. The complaint had been lodged and the police have already started working on the case but no leads have been found yet that could lead to the accused woman. The case had been lodged under the Section 380 (theft) under the Indian Penal Code. The NRI woman, Prem Gaur is originally a resident of the Sargathal Village in the Sonipat district. In the issued complaint, Gaur clarified saying that she lives in America with her husband and children and has been in India for the last 10 months.Further emphasizing and clarifying on the situation, Gaur stated saying that on December 30, she came to visit her brother Peshl Kumar Sharma at his house which is located in Sector 9-11 in Hisar. It was on the same day that she and her sister in law, Rajbala went to Chugh beauty parlour which is stationed at the house of Monika Chugh. During her facial treatment, Gaur opened her diamond necklace and handed it over to her sister in law who was busy talking to someone else on the phone. Rajbala clarified saying that she kept the diamond necklace on the counter.After the treatments done, when Gaur and her sister in law returned home, they realized that they didn’t have the necklace with them. In panic, they all went back to the parlour to retrieve the necklace but couldn’t find a trace of the same around.By Somapika Dutta
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Rallies in support of CAA, NRC by Indian-Americans in US December 26, 2019 15:11
Dispelling the misinformation and myths surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a large number of Indian-Americans have come out in order to support the law.According to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the non-Muslim communities i.e., Hindus, Sikhs, Buddists, Jains, Parsis, Christians who have come from the three neighbouring nations Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh on or before December 31, 2014 and who are following religious persecutions will be getting Indian citizenship.Protests are being held across India from the day CAA was introduced in the Parliament earlier this month.The organizers said that these rallies are aimed at eliminating the misinformation and myths about the law as well as to counter the propaganda of hate, lies and the absurdities. A pro-CAA rally has been held by Indian-Americans in Seattle at Victor Steinbrueck Park in December, in Austin near Capitol Building on December 22 and in Houston on December 20 in front of the Indian Consulate.“We held this rally to counter the fear-mongering of Islamic and leftist organizations about the CAA and the NRC and their bizarre statements that the NRC in combination with the CAA is designed to expel Muslims from India,” said one of the organizers from rally that was held at Dublin Ohio, Vineet Goel.The rally that was held in Raleigh in North Carolina was joined by more than 70 eminent doctors and community leaders. They said that, the reason was to support Narendra Modi. The enactment of the CAA was welcomed by Ashok K Karmakar, chairman of Bangladesh Hindu Buddist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC).Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) are being held across various parts of India. Peaceful protests were held in several areas which included Jantar Mantar, Jamia Milia Islamia Nizammudin, Alaknanda and Connaught Place.By Shrithika Kushangi
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Indian-American Appointed 1st Woman Chief Technology Officer at FCC December 23, 2019 11:39
Dr Monisha Ghosh, an Indian-American has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer at the Federal Communications Commission which is the most powerful in US government. She replaced Dr Eric Burger.Ghosh will be advising the Indian-American Chairman of the FCC Ajit Pai and she will be working closely with the Office of Engineering and Technology as she takes charge on January 13 the next year.The interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all the fifty states included in the District of Columbia and US territories will be regulated by FCC.FCC is an independent agency of the US government that has been overseen by Congress. It is a federal agency which takes the responsibility of implementation and enforcement of America’s communications law and regulations.“As the FCC moves aggressively to advance American leadership in 5G, Dr Ghosh’s deep technical knowledge of wireless technologies will be invaluable,” says Chairman Pai.He added saying that, Dr Ghosh has been a part of both conducting as well as overseen research into the cutting-edge wireless issues in academia and industry and that her expertise ranges from internet of things, medical telemetry, and broadcast standards. Chairman Pai said that, Gosh would lead a path inspiring the young women in considering careers in STEM fields.“Dr Ghosh has both conducted and overseen research into cutting-edge wireless issues in academia and industry. Her expertise is also broad, ranging from the internet of things, medical telemetry, and broadcast standards. And it bears noticing that this is a historic appointment: I am proud that Dr Ghosh will be the FCC’s first female CTO, and hope her example inspires young women everywhere to consider careers in STEM fields. I’m grateful to her for serving in this important position at this important time,” he said.Ghosh is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and has done her B.tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1986. She received her Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1991.Ghosh conducts research on wireless technologies for internet of things, 5G cellular, next generation Wi-Fi systems and spectrum coexistence as a research professor at the University of Chicago."Dr Ghosh has done outstanding work during her time at the National Science Foundation (NSF). "As a program director within our Division of Computer and Network Systems, she has contributed to programs supporting advanced wireless research including innovative uses for spectrum and wireless spectrum sharing. We congratulate Dr Ghosh on her appointment as Federal Communications Commission's Chief Technology Officer; we know the Nation will benefit from her technical expertise in wireless networks," says NSF's acting Assistant Director for Computer Information Science and Engineering, Erwin Gianchandani.Erwin Gianchandani says that Dr Ghosh being a program director has given her contribution in supporting advanced wireless research that includes innovative uses for spectrum and wireless spectrum sharing.By Shrithika Kushangi
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NZ announced Culturally Arranged Marriage visitor VISA for spouses December 16, 2019 16:01
IT system engineer, Raman Singh found out a solution to fix a problem where his wife couldn’t visit him in New Zealand as they tied a knot in India in January.Singh is NZ citizen as he had migrated with his parents as a child. As he loved Indian culture, heritage and wanted to stay connected to the same, he had planned for and Indian wedding.“I love my Indian heritage and wanted to stay connected to it. So, I agreed with my parents on having a culturally arranged marriage, “ he told Times Of India (TOI).An estimate based on hearsay suggests that 1,200 applications for visitor visa that were filed by spouses have been rejected from when the introduction stricter interpretation norms were made.The authorities in the immigration have made changes in the visa guidelines last month by as a response to an outcry from the Indians in New Zealand.The General Manager Enablement at Immigration New Zealand said that, the instruction in the New Zealand Immigration previously allowed visitor visa to an individual for arranged marriage with a residence class holder or a citizen but a visitor visa was not granted to individuals who have entered into arranged marriage overseas. Later on, he added saying that the NZ government made changes in the instruction and is allowing individuals to be granted visitor visa regardless of where the arranged marriage took place.“INZ immigration instructions previously allowed granting of a visitor visa to an individual to enter NZ for an arranged marriage with a citizen or a residence class visa holder. However, a visitor visa was not granted to those who had entered into an arranged marriage overseas,” General Manager Enablement, at Immigration New Zealand,Stephen Dunstan,told TOI.“In November, the NZ government made a small change to the arranged marriage instructions to better reflect the intention of the policy. It now allows a visitor visa to be granted to individuals who have entered into an arranged marriage, regardless of where that marriage took place,” he adds.Alastair McClymont told TOI that the guidelines that are being amended enable the applicants to gain a visitor visa for three months who had a traditional cultural marriage outside the country so that, they can be with their partners which means that, no proof of the couple being together is needed for the approval of visa but the genuinity can now be about the traditional elements in the marriage.“The amended guidelines enable applicants who had a traditional cultural marriage outside the country, to gain a three-month visitor’s visa to NZ to be with their partners. This means, the couple do not have to prove that they have been living together before qualifying for the visa. So, the test of what a genuine partnership is, can now be about the traditional cultural elements of the marriage, rather than the duration of living together,” founder of the immigration law firm McClymont & Associates, Alastair McClymont told Times Of India.Dustan explains that the new guidelines will allow individuals who have not lived together as an arranged marriage, an opportunity to live together in New Zealand and to later on satisfy the partnership visa requirements.The NZ immigration authorities advised Singh to get a general visitor visa for his wife prior to the introduction to the stricter interpretation was made in May. Unfortunately her application for visa was denied as she was not a bonafide visitor visa applicant.Considering the new guidelines, under the Culturally Arranged Marriage visitor visa, the spouse would be eligible to visit NZ if a visitor visa is applied within three months of the arranged marriage and a general visitor visa may be granted to the spouse if the three months time has lapsed.McClymont said that the immigration officials expect proof of the couple’s parents discussing the plans about the marriage as evidence failing to which leads to rejection. “Immigration officials expect couples to provide independent and verifiable evidence of their parents meeting to discuss the marriage plans. Officials have traditionally rejected support letters from family members as having very little evidential value,” he says.“It’s too early to tell whether or not the amendments to policy will help. If the immigration officials wish to take a pragmatic and common sense approach to the applicants, only then will the guideline changes potentially help,” sums up McClymont.Till date, 800 individuals whose visa was declined have been sent emails inviting to submit a new visitor visa application and their fees have been waived.By Shrithika Kushangi
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Former Indian shuttler crowned Mrs India USA Oregon 2019 December 07, 2019 16:13
Being a PhD holder and former Indian No. 3 in badminton, Kadambari Chheda-Donvalkar crowned as the new ‘Mrs India USA Oregon 2019’ in Seattle (Washington) was a pleasant surprise. She is an epitome of a versatile personality with a perfect blend of outstanding sportsperson with charming beauty. She made her country proud as she won the pageant which was organised by Ravishing Women Organization.Kadambari had won several state level and national level titles as a teenager. She also represented India in 2008 at the Indonesian Open with Saina as her teammate. She has also been a part of the Indian University badminton team during her graduation, which participated in the 2010 World University Championships in Chinese Taipei.In 2008, Kadambari was ranked as No. 3 in India in the U-19 girls singles and No. 1 in U-19 girls with Sanyogita Ghorpade as her partner.The 29-year-old Kadambari has excelled striking a balance between sports and academics as she is PhD in economics and used to work as a senior research officer with United Nations (India office).Kadambari being a badminton player, promoted sports as she performed at the pageant organised by Ravishing Women which is an organisation that works with the vision to inspire, encourage and empower women.Kadambari was born and brought up in Mumbai and is now based in Orgeon(USA) after her marriage.She is currently the state women’s badminton champion at Oregon USA state and also a coach at the Oregon Badminton Academy in Portland (USA).By Shrithika Kushangi
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Indian-American Dies Of Cardiac Arrest Four Months After Marriage November 15, 2019 11:12
Death is inevitable. There is possibly nothing that one can do to stop it if situations similar to that arise. The same was the fate that 32 year old Prashanth Padla from Tampa, Florida experienced. The Indian American passed away on November 09, 2019 in an untimely death caused because of cardiac arrest. The loss of such an young Indian professional is not just ghastly but terrifying at the same time. The barbaric thing about this event is the fact that Padla got married just four months before his death to his wife Sindhu. She recently moved together with her husband in America as the couple were close to getting their green card applications approved.Prasanth and his wife and some family members including his toddler nephew took part in the green card backlog rally recently which was organized by the Illinois Immigration Forum in Chicago.The sudden death of the bright individual has left behind a dark glooming situation above the heads of the families and that too in a situation of such distraught. The North American Telugu Society has started their fundraiser to help out the young family in question during their time of need.They have set up a Go Fund Me page for the deceased and the family and is working actively with the family and friends of Padla to help make all the necessary arrangements for the funeral and the fund raising support involved in it. According to the fundraiser, Padla has been described as a responsible, loving brother and a very joyous friend and caring husband. The friends and family of the individual have also described him as a very kind and generous man who always went out of their way to help people when it need of it. The sudden death has come off as a shock for the entire family. The goal of the fundraiser was raised at $100,000 out of which $58,409 has already been raised. In terms of the origin, Padal belongs to the Armoor city from the state of Telangana. He also does have some family residing in the United States.By Somapika Dutta
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NRI Marriage Registration Bill Relayed to the Standing Committee on External Affairs October 09, 2019 10:55
The NRI Marriage Registration Bill makes it mandatory for the NRI men to essentially register their marriage within 30 days of marriage. The same has been relayed on to the Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs. As per the “Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019” bill, it provides all the power to the passport authorities to impound or even end up revoking the passport as well as the travel documents of the NRIs who do not actively register their marriage within 30 days of getting married.A Lok Sabha secretariat in a bulletin said that the Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019 bill which was priorly introduced in the Rajya Sabha has been forwarded to the Standard Committee on External Affairs in the Parliament for further examination and salient report in the coming two months. After the introduction of the bill in Rajya Sabha, the lack of exposure made it backtrack. But, with consistent highlights and better exposure induced by the Women Empowerment Foundation (WEF), the change was meant to happen. They did a number of digital campaigns, started a petition in change.org and even appealed directly to PM Narendra Modi and honourable Minister Smriti Irani.BJP Government has taken an extensive initiative to bring through a breakthrough with this specific bill to be passed under the Lok Sabha and make it a law to further ensure better security for the Indian women stuck in NRI marriages.Owing the increasing number of cases of Indian women being trapped in a fraudulent marriage with an NRI, the Rajya Sabha was approached with the issue to look for an immediate solution. The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in February. The same induces the compulsion for the NRI Marriage Registration within 30 days of marriage. Failing the legalized registration of the marriage by an NRI man, the same can result in revoking the passport and the travel rights of the individual. In addition to that, failing the registration also does give the court the power to attach the properties, movables as well as the immovable of the accused. The same even take place if the accused fails to show up to the court despite the issued warrants against them. According to the NRI Marriage Registration Bill, the law will only be applicable to the NRIs marrying Indian women in or around India.By Somapika Dutta
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Indian-Origin Millionaire, Tushar Atre Abducted From California Home And Found Dead October 03, 2019 15:15
An Indian-origin tech executive Tushar Atre was abducted from his home in California on 01st October, 2019 and later his dead body was found near his own BMW. The millionaire was a resident in an amazing area around Santa Cruz in California from where he was abducted on Tuesday and his dead body was found later. The police department is working thoroughly on the case to get hold of the abductor and possible murdered of the millionaire.According to the reports published by the police department, they clarified stating that this popular businessman and the owner of a well established digital marketing agency, Atre Net Inc was abducted from his residence around 3 am on Tuesday. He was last seen getting inside of his white BMW, near which his dead body was found. The motive and the possible string of events surrounding the same has still not been clarified by the police department but they do believe that there has to be something big that made him get abducted from the oceanfront home. Following the case, the Santa Cruz police officials have released some details regarding the case and the possible reasons why it happened. The officials reported that they received a 911 emergency call from Tushar’s residency in Santa Cruz, that too very early in the morning. One officer investigating the case said that Atre was kidnapped at 3 in the morning amidst a “possible crime” in the house. Following which he was seen getting inside his white BMW. The deputies were able to trace the car in the Santa Cruz mountains and the dead body of the businessman was found in the area nearby the car itself.The sheriff finally took to Facebook to announce that they have successfully located the car and found a deceased body around that area. It was later on Wednesday afternoon that the body was identified to be of the multimillionaire. The sheriff clarified stating that they have enough evidence to prove for a fact that the reason behind the death could be robbery.The police are now working to investigate the two connected people in this case behind the abduction and possible murder of Tushar Atre.By Somapika Dutta
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Indian Origin Scientists, Technocrats to Work for Country’s Growth September 23, 2019 14:22
Indian origin scientists and technocrats residing in foreign countries will come together on Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats (GIST) Forum, created by Vijnana Bharati, a common platform to share their ideas for inclusive development of India.GIST forum has recently constituted GIST-USA chapter to link the scientists and technocrats of Indian origin working in the United States. The forum will provide a chance to the scientists and technocrats to come together and hold discussions on multiple issues such as the impact of global warming on whole world and India and what will be a possible solution to the problems on way to inclusive development of India.Speaking on the sidelines of the event, ‘A dialogue between Vedic and the modern sciences’ at IIT-BHU, national organizing secretary, Vijnana Bharati, Jayat Sahasrabuddhe said that GIST forum’s USA chapter has been set up recently to connect Indian origin United States-based scientists and technocrats to make them share their ideas on various topics, including swadeshi sciences - Astronomy, Astrology And Ayurveda - at the GIST forum. They would also suggest possible and feasible solutions to the problems like growing air pollution and water pollution among others, he said.Saying that GIST forum will be set up in different countries across the globe, he said it will also help nurture Swadeshi sciences like Ayurveda, Astrology and Khagol Shashtra among many.Sahasrabuddhe said many Indian origin scientists were working in the area of Swadeshi sciences but they work at different locations on an individual basis and different places. During discussions at the forum, they get to know about works of one another. He added that this GIST forum is an effort under which they are trying to utilize the experience of the scientists and technocrats for the growth and development of the country with a focus on nurturing the Swadeshi sciences. He said that dialogue between Vedic and modern science is a must in order that both may benefit and enrich one another.He said that Vijnana Bharati has plans to organize such sessions in other universities and institutions also and it already organized several such workshops where a number of noted scientists and technocrats participated together.By Sowmya Sangam
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Indian American Couple’s $200mn Plan to Transform Healthcare in India September 17, 2019 10:39
An Indian American doctor couple, Kiran Patel and Pallavi Patel, has teamed up with the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to advance healthcare in Florida and internationally to underserved communities in India and Africa with an initial investment of $200 million. Zambia-born India-educated cardiologist Kiran Patel and his India-born pediatrician wife Pallavi Patel have already acquired 50 hectares of land near Bharuch, Gujarat, the western region of India, to set up the medical college effectively. The Patels are planning to visit India in October to discuss their project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that is said to transform healthcare in India with technological advancements and efficiently trained doctors. (Image source from: New Indian Express)In the meantime, the NSU on Saturday opened a brand new campus in Clearwater, near Tampa. Eventually, the couple is working towards setting up three medical colleges in rural areas, wherein students will be trained and two of these medical colleges are said to offer Indian degrees with one offering a United States degree. Read: Why Indians with Foreign MBBS Fail to Get Licensed in Home Country Kiran Patel said that approvals were being sought for the use of acquired agricultural land for non-agricultural grounds followed by a necessary approval from the Medical Council of India to set up a college. Asked if recent changes in the law to improve access to quality and affordable medical education in India would be helpful to his plans, he said that "only time will tell". My hope is the new organization will be expeditious in their decisions and would not put unnecessary roadblocks in the path. Lectures will be directed from Tampa to classes at the planned college in India with live interaction with professors, he added. (Image source from: The Universal News Network)Later, American professors would be positioned in India and Indian professors brought will be brought to the U.S. to sort of train the trainers to academically produce students of the same caliber as those graduating in the U.S.Subsequently, the college will be accredited with American bodies to start residency in India. Indian students coming to the U.S. will be aware of how a world-class institution works and Indian doctors will get an insight into modern healthcare.Noting that students, residents, and post-graduates will start providing services when the college opens, Kiran Patel said the move would solve the crisis of paucity of healthcare in India. Once the India project gets going, Kiran Patel plans to extend his operations in Africa and achieve his desire to start with Zambia, the land of his birth, he said.Currently, there are two Nova institutions in the U.S. named after the Patels producing 625 graduates whereas India providing another 300. According to Kiran Patel, the ultimate goal of the Indian American doctor duo is to produce doctors all around the world to come forward and help people in a potentially 'borderless' world.By Sowmya Sangam
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Man Jailed for Life for Murder of Indian Origin Colleague in UK September 13, 2019 10:40
A Pakistani-origin man in the United Kingdom has been jailed for life for murdering his Indian origin co-worker in the mistaken belief that he was having an affair with his wife. The 27-year-old Aqib Pervaiz lured Nadeem Uddin Hameed Mohammed, a native of Hyderabad, to an underground car of the supermarket, where they were working. Minutes before, Pervaiz purchased a kitchen knife from the store in Slough, near London. Despite Pervaiz being on friendly terms with Mohammed, he got convinced by his another colleague that Mohammed was in a relationship with his wife, Saima Munir. (Image source from: BBC) Photo: Aqib Pervaiz “You believed quite wrongly and without any foundation at all that your wife had formed a relationship with Mr. Mohammed, despite the efforts of your wife, other family members, and Mr. Mohammed to convince you your suspicions were all in your mind," Judge Heather Norton told Pervaiz during sentencing at Reading Crown Court this week. Mohammed’s wife, Afsha, who was eight months pregnant at the time of the murder in May, has returned to India with their baby daughter who he never got to meet, the court was told. Mohammed’s family, in a statement, said: "He was brutally and unfairly taken from the world when he was giving so much and had a big future. It is impossible to explain how deep and profound his loss is to the whole family; his wife, his newborn child, his father, the wider family and beyond. None of us can imagine a life with him gone and he will never be forgotten. May God give us strength and Nadeem peace." In a CCTV footage, which was shown to the court, Pervaiz was seen attacking Mohammed from behind, using 20cm (8in) kitchen knife to deliver a single fatal blow to his chest. Mohammed, the resident of Southall suburb of south-west London, later died in hospital. Before being considered for parole, Pervaiz was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years imprisonment. He was also sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession of a bladed article, which will run concurrently with his life sentence. Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Shearwood of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Unit, said: "This was a horrific incident, which occurred in daylight hours in front of members of the public. Pervaiz's actions on that day were despicable."Without warning, he brutally stabbed Nadeem in a very public place, in front of people going about their normal daily routines and his actions cost Nadeem his life."The officer praised Mohammed's family for their dignity and bravery all through the extremely stressful and tragic time.He added: "Pervaiz admitted his guilt due to the substantial amount of evidence against him, and I am pleased that Nadeem's family have been spared from a trial in court."Pervaiz will now serve a life sentence for murder, while it cannot bring Nadeem back, I hope it offers some form of closure for his family and it can help them to move on."Mohammed married Afha in India less than a year ago and she had joined him in Britain just a month prior to the murder in May this year. The store where Mohammed worked as an assistant manager issued a statement expressing shock and upset at the murder.By Sowmya Sangam
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