H-1B Visa Petition Denials at All-Time High in First Quarter 2019 August 10, 2019 06:15
The United States has turned down work visas to employees of India’s largest IT services exporters inordinately in the past year. According to data from the United States-based research foundation, the denial of work visas…
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Indian American Techie Killed in Road Mishap in U.S. August 08, 2019 12:19
The 28-year-old Indian American techie was killed in a road accident on August 4 (Sunday), while he was heading home in Rawlins, Wyoming along with his co-worker. Hailing from Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, Sivateja Chintala reportedly moved to the United States six years ago to pursue Masters. According to reports, the car he was traveling in lost control and hit a median. In the accident, Sivateja died while his colleague was seriously injured.The family members of his colleague informed Sivateja’s sister Priyanka, who also lives in the United States, about the tragedy. According to The New Indian Express, Siva Teja’s parents - Chintala Ramanjaneyulu and Venkata Ratnam, were planning to get him married this year.Siva Teja’s family requested the Union government to make arrangements for bringing the body to their native village - Komminenivaripalem in Ballikurava Mandal. One of the two brothers of Sivateja is living in Australia, while the other returned to India and is settled in Guntur.In the meantime, Sivateja’s brother-in-law Satyanarayana has set up a fundraiser on Gofundme to fly his body to India and for other funeral expenses.By Sowmya Sangam
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Telangana Rashtra Samithi Membership Drive for NRIs Extended August 08, 2019 06:53
Expressing happiness over a good deal of NRIs registering themselves to join TRS NRI wing, party’s working president KT Rama Rao agreed to extend the membership drive for Non-resident Indians (NRIs) seeking to join the NRI wing of Telangana Rashtra Samithi till August 10. The drive was set in motion across 40 countries in June by the respective TRS NRI branches. TRS NRI wing coordinator Mahesh Bigala was put in charge of coordinating the drive. “Branch presidents and members will take the welfare and developmental programs of the government to the public through different media and encourage NRIs to join the party,” TRS said in an official statement. Bigala told the media that the TRS working president had agreed to propose an NRI Policy to Telangana Chief Minister and TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao.By Sowmya Sangam
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‘Only Sushma Ji Understood My Pain’: Indian Woman Deserted by NRI Husband Recalls Her Meet with Former Minister August 07, 2019 12:31
The news of sudden demise of former external minister Susha Swaraj was no less than a shock for entire world and for chief Indians abroad, to whom Swaraj was source of solution for all their hitches. The Bharatiya Janata Party veteran worked around the clock to alleviate Indian women who were abandoned by their NRI (Non-Resident Indian) husbands. Women from Uttar Pradesh, who had found hope for justice and comfort by Sushma Swaraj after being abandoned by their NRI husbands, were deeply disheartened after the news the of death of Sushma Swaraj came out. “She was a completely accessible minister with a mother’s heart. I met her for a few minutes and she heard my ordeal patiently, assuring me of government’s intervention in my case,” Zuby Zaidi, a distressed woman who met Swaraj on June 11, 2017, in New Delhi, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. According to Hindustan Times, Zaidi got married to an NRI on April 10, 2014. In the span of just two months, she received a divorce notice from her husband and since then, she has been fighting for justice incessantly. “When I met Sushma ji, I felt that she understood my pain. In her demise, I have lost a family member,” she said.Not just Zaidi, when you go to Uttar Pradesh you find number of women who have been abandoned by their NRI husbands just after few months or days of getting married. Several of them met Sushma Swaraj when she was serving as the minister for external affairs.Another agonized woman from Kanpur in UP was quoted by Hindustan Times, saying: “Our fight for justice is on but no one other than Sushma ji understood our pain. She was the one who listened to my story, consoled me and took action in my case.”Another aggrieved women who met the Swaraj in March this year, said that she had assured them that the government would enact a law pertaining to NRI marriages.“She had asked us to meet her after the Lok Sabha elections. When one of us asked Sushma ji if she would remain in the same office in the new government, she had said that she was hopeful of being able to help us out,” said a woman to Hindustan Times.By Sowmya Sangam
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Indian Americans Urge Trump Administration to ‘Fully Support’ India’s Decision on Kashmir August 07, 2019 05:18
The Indian diaspora in the United States has called on Trump administration to “fully support” India’s decision to revoke Article 370, the constitutional provision that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir. They also urged to exert pressure on Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism.Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and allowed it to have its flag and constitution, among other rights, was revoked on Monday by Indian government. The government also moved a separate bill to split the state into two union territories of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. “We urge the U.S. to fully support India's internal sovereign decisions on Kashmir and to continue to exert pressure on Pakistan to end its support of cross-border terrorism, so the Kashmir conflict can be resolved once and for all,” Samir Kalra, managing director of Hindu-American Foundation (HAF), said. Kalra said that the annulment of Articles 35A and 370, which were only intended as temporary provisions, is a crucial step in bringing about a solution to the Kashmir issue."It will help better integrate the residents of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh into the rest of India and apply one set of equal laws across the country,” Kalra said.“Moreover, it will help create conditions for the full rehabilitation and resettlement of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley,” he added. The President of Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), Krishna Reddy, said that this is Narendra Modi government's best gift to the nation on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day of India.“It is a historic day as Modi government could deliver a long-awaited decision of scrapping article 370 and corrected the historic blunder made by the Nehru government,” Reddy said.Reddy announced that OFBJP and other Indian diaspora organizations are planning celebratory events in the coming next two weeks. The World Hindu Council of American hailed the decision of Indian government. It said that with the revoke of Article 370, the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will finally be fully unified with the rest of India, allowing sustainable and effective development in these regions.“We hope that people from all over India, will join the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in celebrating this momentous occasion,” it said. Ravi Batra, the New York-based attorney, said that this action must deliver enhanced peace and security to Jammu and Kashmir, as well as between India and Pakistan.“It's time for the Sub-Continent to celebrate freedom - not only from colonialism - but terror too. The United States, as a friend of the Sub-Continent, wants peace and prosperity to reign, not fear and terror,” Batra said.Indian American Puneet Ahluwalia said that it should not come as a surprise, as revocation of 35A and 370 has always been part of BJP's manifesto. “There are forces in Kashmir and neighbouring Pakistani establishment who would likely want this bold internal initiative to fail. This is a sensitive action which can either turn into a nightmare or paradise for the Kashmiri community,” he said.The Kashmiri Pandits community in the United States rejoiced the Indian government's move, saying that this paves the way for their return to the homeland soon. “The move by the Indian government will also improve the security situation with respect to cross border terrorism and bring peace, harmony and stability in Jammu-Kashmir, now a new Union Territory of India,” said Vijay Sazawal from the Indo-American Kashmir Forum.Indo-European Kashmir Forum (IEKF) based in London and Geneva, and the Indo-Canadian Kashmir Forum (ICKF) based in Ottawa, supported the government's decision, saying that at last Kashmiri minorities, especially the Kashmiri Pandits, will get justice and be able to repossess their ancestral lands from where they were driven out in 1989-1990. Jeevan Zutshi from Kashmir Task Force said, "not only the Kashmir problem has been solved with this historic abrogation of article 370 but it also vindicates all Kashmiris, of all faiths, some of whom lost their lives due to turbulence and some, like Kashmiri Pandits, who had lost their roots completely."The community members anticipate that “these constitutional amendments will enable to get justice, reclaim ancestral homeland, and reverse ethnic cleansing.” the community members anticipate.By Sowmya Sangam
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Triple Talaq: NRI Divorces Wife over Phone, Case Filed August 05, 2019 09:45
Just three days after Triple Talaq Bill was passed by both Raja Sabha and Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh police have registered a case against a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) for allegedly divorcing his wife over the phone. The incident came to light after the woman’s father submitted a written complaint to Kushinagar Police in UP regarding the matter. According to sources, NRI Abdul Raheem said talaq three times to his 25-year-old wife Fatima Khatoon over the phone and ended the call.A case has been registered against the NRI under Section 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, at the Nibua Naurangiya Police Station of Kushinagar district. As per the new law, “The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 makes talaq-e-biddat or any other similar form of talaq having the effect of instantaneous and irrevocable divorce pronounced by a Muslim husband void and illegal.” The law makes it illegal to say talaq three times in spoken, written or through SMS or WhatsApp or any other electronic means in one sitting."Any pronouncement of talaq by a Muslim husband upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal," the law says.“Any Muslim husband who pronounces the illegal form of talaq upon his wife shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine,” the law further states.By Sowmya Sangam
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Meet the 23-Year-Old Indian Origin Doctor Bhasha Mukherjee, Who Is Now ‘Miss England’ August 02, 2019 10:33
Doctors are not just confined to books and infirmaries! This was yet again proved by a 23-year-old Indian origin doctor who has crowned Miss England. Vanquishing dozens of other models, Bhasha Mukherjee stood winner. She will be now entering the Miss World contest and will also bag a holiday to Mauritius. Mukherjee holds two different medical degrees and has an Intelligent Quotient (IQ) of 146, making her officially a 'genius'. Moreover, she is fluent in five languages, according to The Daily Mail. Just hours after getting crowned as Miss England on Thursday evening, Mukherjee was about to start her new line of work as a junior doctor in a hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire. (Image source from: Derby Telegraph) "Some people might think pageant girls are airheads, but we all stand for a cause," she said before the contest. "My pageant career all started to happen while I was in the middle of studying at medical school - it took a lot of convincing for me to do it, but eventually I decided to do it to balance out my studying and give me a break." Born in India and grew up in the United Kingdom since the age of nine, Mukherjee completed two bachelor degrees: one in medical sciences and one in medicine and surgery from the University of Nottingham in England. By Sowmya Sangam
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UK to Extend Post-Study Work Rights for Foreign Students August 01, 2019 12:31
In the last three years, the number of Indians studying in the United Kingdom has almost doubled with more than 21,000 student visas being issued to Indians till March 2019. According to officials, a white…
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Indian Origin Politician Deepak Raj Gupta Takes Oath as MLA in Australia with Bhagavad Gita in Hand July 30, 2019 11:41
Deepak Raj Gupta, an India-born politician, on Tuesday, took oath as the first Indian Australian member of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly. Born in a middle-class family, Deepak Raj Gupta had to wash cars and work in an eating place in Chandigarh to support his studies.Gupta, the first Australian-Indian origin MLA from the Labour Party in ACT, sworn in as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Gungahlin constituency with a copy of Holy Bhagavad Gita in his hand. He is the first elected member to take an oath with Gita in the ACT Legislative Assembly. He went to Australia to study information technology in 1989 and was granted PR in the year 1991.Deepak Gupta's brother Anil Raj who lives in Chandigarh told India Today TV that the family is thrilled with the honor.He told that Deepak was runner up in the elections held in 2016 for Gungahlin constituency, the fourth town of Canberra. Since the winner who was also from the Labour Party resigned recently, so Deepak was nominated for the Parliament as per norms.As an active leader of the Australian-Indian community, efforts of Deepak Raj were recognized with several awards including the excellence in community service awards. He was also awarded the Community Advocate Award by the Government of ACT in 2012.Speaking to the media about Deepak's struggle, Anil Raj told India Today TV that their family moved to the city in 1973. Deepak studied in Government Senior Secondary School and the Graduated from DAV College. Deepak landed in Australia with just 150 dollars in his pocket. He washed cars, worked in restaurants to sustain his studies.He later worked as an Executive Officer in the Defence Department. He was also the President of Australia-India Business Council (AIBC) for 10 years and was also a member of the AIBC National Executive Board of Directors.By Sowmya Sangam
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Young NRI Entrepreneur Returns to His Native Place with an Intent to Save Water in Gardening July 30, 2019 10:36
After staying in Canada for about a decade, a young Non-Resident Indian (NRI) entrepreneur, Nitin Latit, came back to his native place Karnal in Haryana to lend a hand to farmers. The 35-year-old returned India with a vision to utilize waste material to help farmers generate income, besides saving water used in gardening. He set up a unit to produce flower pots and planters from recycled plastic waste and designed them in such a way that they help in conserving water. Besides, he added a saucer-shaped container below the planters and flowerpots to save water. He is making use of soil-less media comprising vermicompost, coco-husk, rice mill ash, and cow dung in these pots and claims to save around 25 percent water in comparison to normal potted plants.The district authorities as well as Rekha Shukla, joint secretary, Health and Family Welfare Ministry, have praised his initiative. Shukla recently visited the district with regard to the Jal Shakti campaign of the Union Government. Now, the Karnal Municipal Corporation is promoting Nitin’s startup by giving him an assignment for the beautification of the city. The young entrepreneur has started the trial work by installing hanging flowerpots on electricity poles near the NDRI. The demand for such pots is coming from various parts of the state. Currently, he is sending his pots to various states in the northeast where these are widely acceptable for organic horticulture.Nitin, an automobile technician, had worked with General Motors in Canada for around five years and returned to India in 2016. He along with his father JK Lalit, a retired banker, started Alpha Advantech LLP.“I am in a habit of gardening and during my stay in Canada, I became familiar with the practices of people living there to save water used in gardening. When I came to my country, I observed unaccounted wastage of water in gardening. This gave me an idea to save water with specially-designed flowerpots and planters, which take less water for optimum growth of the plant,” Nitin was quoted as saying by The Tribune. About the design, he said as quoted by The Tribune, “We use plastic refuse to make the outer shell of the pots, catch plates and saucers for storing water at our unit. These planters efficiently store run-off water during watering cycles in a concealed reservoir for later use. It also prevents evaporative loss and is also inaccessible to flies and mosquitoes for breeding. It also conserves and replenishes water through its vapor-lock design, which provides air and moisture to roots all around and leads to an expedited growth of plants with least efforts”.He added that farmers could use these technologically-advanced planters to potentially increase their income and produce chemical-free food.By Sowmya Sangam
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Saudi Arabia to Ban Foreigners, Including Indians, from Hospitality Jobs July 30, 2019 07:58
In perhaps a big blow to Indian nationals, Saudi Arabia has announced a new move banning the recruitment of foreign workers for certain hospitality jobs to give priority to its own citizens. Announced in Labor…
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23-Year-Old Indian Origin Woman Stabs Her Father to Death in South Africa July 26, 2019 06:03
A 23-year-old Indian origin woman in South Africa stabbed her father to death on July 13 while trying to intervene in the fight between her estranged parents at the local International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) premises where they were residing.Nekita Sukdeo had graduated with a law degree just two months ago.According to media reports, a close family member said that there had been a history of quarreling between the divorced couple - Jewan and Nadira."During the dispute, Nekita got involved in the fight between her parents. From what we hear, she reached for a kitchen knife and stabbed him," the family member, who requested anonymity, told the Weekly Post.Even though Jewan was taken to a local hospital immediately, he declared dead on arrival from his stab wounds.Nandakumar Das, the President of the ISKCON branch, said the incident was the result of "a domestic dispute".The couple had parted ways five years ago and Nadira, a Hare Krishna devotee, relocated into the ISKCON facility.Four months ago, in an attempt to get back together again, Jeewan moved in with Nadira and their children, the relative said. "It takes a lot of hate, anger, and frustration for someone to grab a knife and stab someone, especially your father," said the relative.Nekita appeared in the Alexandra Regional Court last Monday, two days after the incident. She was released to attend her father's funeral and will appear in court again next month.By Sowmya Sangam
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