NRI ( Page 41 of 82 )

Seven Indian-American students nominated for Truman Scholarship March 03, 2017 05:41

Seven Indian-American students have been selected for the prestigious Harry S Truman Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to college juniors for demonstrating leadership potential and a commitment to public service. The selected students will compete for the prestigious national awards, which provides up to 30,000 USD for graduate studies. The award is given to college students for demonstrating their leadership, public service and academic achievement. Every year only 60 students across the United States are awarded with Truman Scholarship. According to a release, the foundation reviewed 768 potential scholars from 315 institutions before setting the 199 students from 136 institutions. Shreya Ganeshan of the University of Georgia, Anjali Misra of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Samarth Gupta of Harvard University, Megan Patel of Georgetown University, Maya Durvasula of Duke University, Manju Bangalore of the University of Oregon, and Anjana Murali of the University of Pittsburgh were among the finalists. The finalists will be interviewed from March 3 to April 7 by a foundation regional review panel and the scholars will be announced on April 21st. In 1975 the Congress established The Truman Scholarship Foundation as the federal memorial to President Harry S Truman. Every year, a selection committee reviews applications from over 600 nominees for the Truman Foundation in Washington D.C. Indian-origin cartoonist asked to shut design school AMandeep

Indian-origin cartoonist asked to shut his design school March 02, 2017 08:30

South Africa based Indian-origin cartoonist’s design school has been asked to shut down by the South African government. Nanda Sooben often caricatures leading political figures, his work were greatly lauded by the former president Nelson Mandela and forms part of the late elder statesman's collection established the Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design in 1994 as democracy dawned in South Africa. The Education Department had informed Sooben that his accreditation to operate as a private higher education institution had been suspended for the second time within weeks. He has appealed against the decision and has refused to stop tutoring his 20 students-half of whom are studying for free. He said that his first accreditation was suspended, he failed to provide the department details of the students. Sooben quoted by saying I was robbed four times and forced to move premises. The department suspended our accreditation, because we didn't have our students' database' which had been stolen in the robberies' with all our computers. We then set up a new database' appealed and were reinstated," When Sooben failed to provide the Education department with a health and safety report the school’s accreditation was suspended again. Sooben said "We moved in a hurry because of the crime situation. But we got the report done and sent it within the specified time. They say the appeal is pending, but we are still suspended. His supporters have started an online petition against the Education Department, few sclaims that Sooben is being victimized because he often caricatures figures of leading politicians and speaks against government’s corruption. In his youth the Durban University of Technology denied Sooben’s registration as a student. In 2010 the University awarded him an honorary doctorate for his significant contributions to society. Donald Trump breaks his silence on Kansas shooting AMandeep

Indian-origin man gets three life sentences for killing wife, kids March 02, 2017 04:26

An Indian-origin man in South Africa has been sentenced to three life terms in jail for brutally murdering his wife and two children with a mace. Mogamberry Rajan Kandasamy is from sprawling Indian township of Chatsworth near Durban. Rajan managed to escape death penalty only because it has been outlawed constitutionally in the post-apartheid democratic order. The 41-year-old was sentenced three life sentences for killing his wife, 41 year-old Versham his son 17-year-old Megandran and 18-year-old daughter Melarisa. In 2013 Rajan attacked the family, when he came to know that his wife wanted a divorce to marry another man. At the trail Rajan confessed during the trial that the murdered his wife and two children with a mace. "While she was on the floor, I hit her twice with the Hanuman stick on her head. On the third strike the stick broke,” he said. Captain Sathisiven Naidu said Rajan had made the confession of his own accord, although he claimed he had been coerced into doing this. "I'm here to tell you what I did. I want to tell you the truth and come clean, it is eating me inside," Rajan told to the police two days after the incident. Rajan initially pleaded that he was not guilty, by claiming that he had no memory of the attack or evidence by a state witness, Ashley Ganesh. Ganesh found Rajan wandering in a park nearby the family home. After observation at a mental health institution following Rajan’s amnesia claim, he was declared fit to stand trial. Earlier in the investigation Police ruled out any possibility of the murders resulted due to an attempted robbery at the house, as alleged by Rajan, who also claimed that he might have been drugged by the robbers. Donald Trump breaks his silence on Kansas shooting AMandeep

NRI executive at Uber asked to quit March 01, 2017 04:50

An Indian born high executive at the ride hailing company ‘Uber’ was asked to leave after the company found that he did not disclose that he had left his former job at Google after a sexual harassment complaint. Amit Singhal joined Uber in January this year as a senior vice president of engineering after working for 15 years at Google, where he overlooked the company’s search efforts. According to a report Uber CEO Travis Kalanick asked Singhal to resign on Monday (27th Feb) after it was found that Singhal did not disclose that he had left the Internet search giants a year earlier after an allegation against him of sexual harassment. Google had deemed the employee's claim of sexual harassment against Singhal "credible" in an investigation. The report said that Singhal, "a highly regarded engineer in Silicon Valley", had disputed the allegation to Google executives at the time and denied the allegations again. According to the report Google was ready to fire Singhal over the sexual allegations after the probe, but it did not have to do so, as he resigned. The employee who filed the complaint did not work for Singhal directly, but she worked closely with the search team. Singhal said that “Harassment is unacceptable in any setting. I certainly want everyone to know that I do not condone and have not committed such behavior”. He also said that in his 20-year-career, he has never been accused of anything like that before and the decision to leave Google was his own.Singhal’s departure comes at a time, when Uber is facing scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment by a previous employee against her manager. The former employee said in a blog last week that her manager sent inappropriate messages to her and the company’s HR department were not supportive. Kansas City held a peace march for deceased Indian techie AMandeep

Indian-origin authors joins anti-travel ban February 23, 2017 05:05

Indian-origin authors Jhumpa Lahiri and Anish Kapoor joined scores of other writers to oppose the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, asking him to “rescind” his last month’s travel ban. "In barring people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the US for 90 days, barring all refugees from entering the country for 120 days, and blocking migration from Syria indefinitely, your January Executive Order caused the chaos and hardship of families divided, lives disrupted, and law-abiding faced with handcuffs, detention, and deportation," about 70 eminent American writers and artists wrote to Trump. The artists and writers said in a letter, the executive order hindered the free flow of artists and at the time when vibrant, open intercultural dialogue is indispensable in the fight against terror and oppression. The top US artists and the authors under the banner of PEN America said that the travel ban is inconsistent with the cause of the US and the freedoms for which it stands. Chimamanda Adichiem, Margaret Atwood, Rita Dove, Jonathan Frazen, Khaled Hosseini, Azar Nafisi and George Packer, were among the notable signatories to the letter. The negative impact of the original immigration ban was felt immediately creating stress and uncertainty for artists and writers of global renown and disrupting major American cultural events. "Oscar-nominated director Asghar Farhadi, who is from Iran, expecting to be unable to travel to the Academy Awards ceremony in late February, announced that he will not attend," it said. According to the letter preventing international artists from contributing to the American culture will not make America safe. But, it will damage its international prestige and influence. They warned such policy will not only prevent great artists from performing, but it will also constrict the interchange of important ideas. The policy will isolate US politically and culturally. Reciprocal actions taken against US citizens, such as those that have already taken by the governments of Iraq and Iran, will limit the ability of US artists to move freely. In their letter, the writers and artists said that they strongly believe that the immediate and long-term consequences of his original Executive Order are entirely at odds with the national interests of the US. The letter also said “As you contemplate any potential fresh measures we respectfully urge you to tailor them narrowly to address only legitimate and substantiated threats and to avoid imposing broad bans that affect millions of people, including the writers, artists and thinkers whose voices and presence help foster international understanding.” Microsoft launches new products made in India for India AMandeep

NRI Couple quits job to teach Gujarati to daughter February 21, 2017 12:58

Leaving a high-profile job with the one of the world's biggest investment bank is not an easy decision. But the Indian couple Gaurav Pandit and his wife Sheetal had no qualms when they resigned together from Goldman Sachs in New York City. But the reason for this tough decision could leave many surprised. The Gujarati couple left the job, only because they wanted their 18-month-old daughter to stay in their native Bhanagar and learn their mother tongue. February 21 is observed as the 'International Mother Language Day.' The couple filled with pride that their daughter Taashi now 3-year-old, speaks fluent Gujarati. After working in the United States for 15years, the couple returned to Bhavnagar in 2015 and lived there for 18 months till their daughter started speaking Gujarati effortlessly. "The idea was to connect with our roots and stay with families with Taashi. She received immense love from family and friends and we could see she enjoyed a lot and she started learning Gujarati along with eating traditional rotlis. We took her to important places and forests of country including Gir. She experienced the first rain of the monsoon and drew Rangoli in Diwali. She enjoyed Holi with Keshuda's natural colour and eat Rotlas. Our journey to India will sow seeds in her which will connect to our roots in her lifetime'' "They wanted Taashi to grow up in an environment where their mother tongue is spoken. What could have been a better place than our own native? Moreover, they decided to return when she was just learning to talk. She picked up Gujarati very well and speaks fluently now," Gaurav's father Nalin Pandit.Gaurav completed his chemical engineering from Nadiad-based Dharamsinh Desai Institute of Technology (DDIT) where as Sheetal completed her graduation from the same institute. Sheetal then went to Boston for further studies. They were family friends and ultimately got married after a brief courtship. Amul celebrates ISRO’s success in its own way AMandeep

Indian-origin Chancellor rejected Chinese student groups call not to call Dalai Lama February 18, 2017 04:29

A University in California headed by an Indian-origin academician has turn downed a call by Chinese students to withdraw an invitation to exiled leader of Tibet ‘Dalai Lama’, but assured them that his speech would have nothing to do with politics. Pradeep K Khosla the Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) met with three Chinese overseas student groups: The Chinese Union, Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and the Chinese Business Society. In the meeting the University declined the Chinese overseas students to withdraw the invitation of the spiritual leader for a graduation speech in June this year, but assured them that his speech would not have anything to do with politics. Fan Da member of Chinese Union said that the University would not disinvite Dalai Lama, but they will stop describing him as ‘freedom fighter’ and spiritual head and leader of the Tibetan people. K Khosla promised that the Dalai Lama would not include any political content in his speech and the university would soon publish a notice about the issue. Fan said that when they asked the Chancellor if he knew that the invitation to the Dalai Lama hurt the Chinese student’s feelings, the Chancellor said that he only knew that he was only a ‘religious activist’ but Chancellor had no idea what he did. It is not clear what actions Chinese groups would take to continue their protest, he said. An article in the paper said "By calling the Dalai Lama "the exiled spiritual head and leader of the Tibetan people" and "a man of peace," the University has shown admiration for the Dalai Lama. Earlier this month the University announced that it has invited the 14th Dalai Lama to give a keynote the All Campus Commencement on 17th June, and a speech on 16th June at a public event. UCSD described the Dalai Lama, as "the exiled spiritual head and leader of the Tibetan people" in the announcement. Narendra Modi to meet Donald Trump in May AMandeep

Indian-origin Convicted in H1-B Visa Fraud February 17, 2017 05:28

An Indian-origin woman has become the third person involved in two outsourcing companies to be convicted of H1-B visa fraud in a scheme that also ripped off tech employees, the federal prosecutor for New Jersey Paul Fishman said. 32-year-old Hiral Patel worker for SCM Data and MMC System as an HR Manager, she pleaded guilty of obstructing justice in connection with the scheme in front of federal judge Kevnin McNulty in Newark, New Jersey. Patel was arrested in May last year. In October last year Sunila Dutt, a Virginia-based lawyer was convicted of involvement in the fraud. Hari Karne the immigration manager for an Indian-based company was found guilty in same fraud scheme in December 2016. According to prosecutors Karne was from Hyderabad, India and worked for SCM Pvt Ltd. That had an agreement with SCM Data and MNC System to provide staff. The New York based owner of the two companies Swrabh Sharma was arrested in September 2016 and 31-year-old Shika Mohta of Jersey City the head of finance for both the companies was arrested in May 2016. Both the accused were charged with fraud in the scheme. According to the prosecution, the companies recruited student visa holders or recent passed out graduates as consultants obtained, obtained H1-B visas, which is meant for professionals with specialized skills and placed them with companies requiring IT support. The prosecution also said under the terms of the H1-B, the consultants had to be given full-time positions and paid an agreed minimum salary. But they were paid only when they were working at the 3rd party companies that contracted them. To the show the U.S officials that they were paid as full-time workers, those employees were asked to give SCM and MMC cash equal to salaries for the periods they were not at the 3rd party companies and their employer, the two outsourcing companies, did not pay them. Both the companies then issued them checks for those amounts, which they were made to show to the officials of immigration as a proof that they were working full time and receiving the salary that they were supposed to for the H1-B visas, the prosecution said. December last year that there were six co-conspirators in the scheme, the prosecution said. But they did not identify them. SCM Data is based in New Jersey and MMC System is headquartered in Virginia. Private bill to introduce on wedding extravaganza AMandeep

NRI and Daughter killed in road accident February 17, 2017 05:18

In road accident a US-based NRI and his daughter in law were killed while his wife and son were critically injured, when their vehicle fell into a dry canal after being hit by a truck. The family was travelling from Begowal in Bholath subdivision to Chandigarh. The incident occurred on Thursday early morning 4:30 a.m. at Adampur. 64-year-old Mela Singh and his wife Jasvir Kaur were going for a medical examination to get her visa application work done with their son 32-year-old Lakhwinder Singh. Lakhwinder Singh married 28-year-old Amandeep Kaur around six months ago. Both Mela Singh and Amandeep died on the spot. The family was taking a turn at Adampur near the canal when the Lakhwinder who was driving the car failed to notice the truck and took the hit. The car filled and fell into the canal. The oil tanker truck was heading towards the Indian Oil Depot at Suchi Pind. The driver of the truck Santosh Kumar of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh fled the spot. A case under Sections 304-A (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving or driving on a public way), 337 (causing damage by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing damage by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) has been registered against him. NRI Couple charged in murder conspiracy of adopted son AMandeep

Indian-origin Surgeon suspended after writing love letter to patient February 16, 2017 04:59

The United Kingdom tribunal has banned an Indian-origin surgeon from practicing medicine, after he was found guilty of abusing his professional position by writing a love letter to a female patient. 59-year-old Dr Sachiendra Amaragiri was removed from the UK’s medical practitioners’ register, after a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing was reported that the Dr Amaragiri was infatuated with a lady he treated for a stomach complaint, the identity of the woman has not been disclosed. Dr Amaragiri wrote in the letter “You twanged some distant cord which had laid dormant in me for so many years. When you stepped into my clinic for the first time, I was suddenly stunned and taken aback by your presence.” According to a report, after receiving the letter the woman called the police and complained that she was very distressed. Dr. Amaragiri, who was not present at the MPTS hearing, has insisted he had not taken advantage of Patient A and described that his letter to her, which also invited her out for a coffee, as a “moment of madness”. Since then the doctor has apologized to the woman and his colleagues at the Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley in the West Midlands region of England, where he worked as a consultant. Dr. Amaragiri said that he intends to appeal the tribunal’s decision to suspend his medical registration. Indian-origin NASA employee detained at Airport AMandeep

INOC wants to ban funds to Hindu groups February 16, 2017 04:52

The Indian National Overseas Congrees (INOC) in the United States is seeking an action against Hindutva groups that raise funds in the Country, after an independent bipartisian American group asked President Trump’s administration to ban such groups in the United States. The Chairman of the Indian National Overseas Congress George Abraham said in a statement that it was unfortunate that last two years have witnessed a steady deterioration of religious freedom and current rights in India, especially that of the minorities and the current administration cannot shirk their responsibility in that regard. US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in their latest report by a Pakistan-origin author mentioned that the religious minority groups and low caste people face discrimination and persecution in India, where hate crimes, social boycotts and forced conversion have escalated dramatically since last two years. The report urged India to immediately lift sanctions against NGOs that are working for the welfare of the minorities in India. The report also pointed out that FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) is an escalating tool used to shut down foreign-funded minority NGOs., according to INOC. "INOC, the United States had urged the growing Indian community in the country to refrain from funding these organizations that promote hatred and bigotry against the minorities in India," it said. More than ever, as minorities in the United States, it is incumbent upon us to uphold the democratic and pluralistic values that are a hallmark of this country and it is in our own 'vested interests' to see that those values preserved and protected," it said. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) slammed the report and said it was outsourced exclusively to activist Iqtidar Karamat Cheema, who is a Pakistan-origin author, HAF raised serious questions about the Commission's credibility and transparency. The senior director of HAF Samir Kalra said "USCIRF has failed to justify its intentions of this report on the India prima face based on the sources cited and findings presented." "Though the previous reports that were published by USCIRF on religious extremism within Pakistan's textbooks have been deemed insightful by the leaders of HAF, this recent report does not meet the standard of those reports and in the context of India's pluralistic democracy, the report's author simply cites what have become known as 'alternative facts'," he said. HAF criticized USCIRF over anti-India report AMandeep

NRI couple charged in murder conspiracy of adopted son February 15, 2017 04:42

In a devastating incident an NRI couple have hired engaged killers to finish of their adopted son. An Nri couple has been charged for allegedly being part of the murder of their adopted son so the couple could pocket the insurance amount of 1.2crore rupees, which they had taken as a cover for the latter’s life, police said. Police lodged an FIR against the couple, Kanwaljitsinh Raijada and his wife Arti Loknath for allegedly being part of the conspiracy to murder 13-year-old Gopal, said Keshod police inspector Ashok Tilva. Arti and Kanwaljitsinh conspired with Nitish Mund to adopt Gopal and get him insured and then murder him, so they could cover the insurance money. Nitish also lived in London before shifting back to India after his visa got expired. He planned along with the couple to kill Gopal since 2015, Mr. Tilva said. After police officers arrested Nitish on Monday in connection with the murder, the involvement of the couple was revealed. The boy was stabbed by unknown accused riding tow motorbikes on the night of 8th February in Keshod, Junagadh district, the body stopped breathing on Monday at a Rajkot hospital on Monday. Gopal was returning back to his home town Maliya from Rajkot, he was accompanied with Nitish, Haruskh Patel and Mahadev, Mr. Tilva said. Gopal was living with Nitish who planned the crime by hiring two local goons for 500,000 rupees each, Mr. Tilva said. Indian-origin charged for helping gangsters AMandeep