NRI Top Stories ( Page 14 of 32 )

Indian-origin doctors get reprieve from deportation April 01, 2017 05:25

Two prominent Indian-origin doctors in the United States are facing deportation as their travel documents had expired and got a last-minute reprieve on humanitarian grounds. They were granted a 90day extension on humanitarian grounds. Dr. Pankaj Satija and his wife Dr. Monika Ummat, have been working legally in the United States for the last 15 years. They visited India to see Pankaj’s sick father in October last year. On their return back to the United States, they were stopped at the Bush International airport by Customs and Border Protection officials because their travel documents had expired. The officials of Customs and Border Protection stamped their travel document by informing that their documents would expire in June this year, when in fact the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services noted that their document actually expired in June last year. Upon returning to the United States a week later, an official noted the discrepancy. At first Pankaj and his wife were told by immigration officials on Wednesday that they had only 24 hours to leave the United States. Later, the agency offered them three months of humanitarian parole, which is a rare measure allowing immigrants, who are otherwise not permitted to enter the country, the opportunity to do so due to a "compelling emergency" to sort out their paperwork. NRI arrested nine years after the case was filed AMandeep

NRI arrested nine years after the case was filed March 31, 2017 13:14

A Rupnagar court in Punjab has sent an Indian-American, Jatinder Vashisht to judicial remanded till April 10th on Monday for allegedly torturing his wife, in a case filed back in 2008. The order was passed by Chief Judicial Magistrate Jasbir Kaur. Vashisht had managed to flee India, while facing allegations of dowry harassment and had recently returned after nine years. He married a woman from the Ghanauli village near Rupnagar on December 11, 2003. The woman accompanied her husband to the United States after the marriage and on November 16, 2005 she gave birth to a boy. According to the complaint after the birth of their son, her husband along with her in-laws started torturing her for more dowry and even sent her back to India for bringing less dowry at the time of their marriage. The victim’s father subsequently lodged an FIR at Sadar police station in Rupnagar against Vashisht, and his parents. A case under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 498A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and 34 (common intention), IPC was registered against the three on April 5, 2008. Immediately Vashisht applied for anticipatory bail before the Sessions Judge, where he was granted interim bail on the condition that he would deposit his passport with the local police. He deposited the passport with the police on April 19, 2008, but later took it back, by allegedly in connivance with police personnel. The police conducted a departmental inquiry on a complaint from the victim's father. According to the inquiry against Sadar Station House Officer Tejpal Singh and Additional SHO Vinod Kumar and they were booked for dereliction of duty. While, Vashisht managed to flee India, the court declared him as a proclaimed offender. Nine years later, when he returned to India. . Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested him on Sunday. NRI arrested for Theft in Bihar AMandeep

NRI arrested for theft in Bihar March 31, 2017 04:34

Police has arrested an NRI for allegedly stealing a motorbike and consuming alcohol in the dry state of Bihar on Thursday, according to reports. Raju Srivastava, who is a US based NRI, was arrested in West Champaran district in connection with the theft of a motorbike and consumption of alcohol. Officer in charge of the town police station, Vimlendu Kumar said that, “Raju, along with his friend, who is a local resident Akhilesh Sharma, were arrested for their involvement in the theft and for consuming liquor in the dry state.” Raju is a resident of the Raghunathpur village under the district’s Turkauliya police station, he returned to his native place from the United States last month. “Both the suspects have also confessed their involvement in the theft other motorbikes last month,” police said. Raju said to police that he was a former employee of a private company in the United States. Police have also recovered some important documents from Raju, including his Green Card. Both Raju and Akhilesh have been sent to prison after being presented for a trail in a local court, police said. Six booked for duping NRI of over 30 million AMandeep

Six booked for duping NRI of over 30 million rupees March 30, 2017 10:20

Police have arrested six persons, including a revenue official and a woman for allegedly duping an NRI of over 30 million rupees under the grab of selling a piece of land to him, which did not exist. Harbajan Singh Jaspal, who is a UK based NRI said that particularly property dealers had done a deal of selling him a 20 kanal and 2 marla piece of land with him for Rs 18 million on May 18, 2015. The suspects reportedly said Jaspal that the land belonged to Rajwinder Singh, whose mother Shiv Dev Kaur has the power of attorney, police said. Jaspal gave 4.5 million rupees through different cheques as advance money, police said. Registry was due on September 9, 2015. The suspects demanded additional 4.6 million rupees, which he paid, but still the registry was incomplete. Meanwhile, an official from the revenue office appeared on the scene and assured that the NRI, if he agreed to buy the land at a high price of 20 million rupees (2 million more than the previously settled rate), then the official would ensure that the registry was done, police said. The NRI later came to know that the fees of stamp papers for the registry were only 2 million rupees and the officials had defrauded him of 5.2 million in this too. Later, Jaspal realized that he was taken for a ride as the land did not exist at all and the piece that the accused had shown him was actually a road, police said. A case under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (forgery) 467 (forgery of a valuable security, will), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC was registered against the accused, they added NRIs Not Eligible for Aadhaar Card AMandeep

Indian-origin teens Sweep National Brain Bee Championship March 28, 2017 06:48

Indian-origin teenagers in the United States have swept to victory this month at the National Brain Bee Championship, with Sojas Wagle, 15, a sophomore at Springdale’s Har-Ber High School in Arkansas declared the 2017 national champion of the three day competition. The National Brain Bee Championship is held annually at the University of Maryland. Wagle beat runner-up Aarthi Vijayakumar of Minneapolis and Amit Khana of Indianapolis, who are also of Indian descent. Wagle will be going to Washington, D.C., in August this year for the International Brain Bee Championship, he also won an eight-week internship in a neuroscience laboratory. A donation will also be given to the brain-disorder charity of his choice, the Alzheimer's Association. The International Brain Bee competition will be held from August 3 – 6, in conjunction with the American Psychological Association conference. All the winners from 51 Brain Bee chapters from around 30 states competed in Baltimore from March 17-19 in the event hosted by the University of Maryland that featured written and oral exams, patient diagnoses using actor patients, and microscopic slide studies. "I studied harder and kind of perfected the neuroanatomy section to make sure I was familiar with all parts of the brain and could point those out on a brain model," Wagle told arkansasonline.com. Wagle participates in debates and plays violin, he is considering a career in medicine, possibly neurology. His father Sameer Wagle is a neonatologist and mother Aparna Wagle is a computer laboratory manager for the Springdale School District. Indian-American condemns CNN for defaming Hinduism AMandeep

Six Indian-origins nominated for Ellis Island Medal of Honor March 25, 2017 10:35

Six Indian-Americans have been nominated for the highest civilian award in the United States for immigrants - Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2017. Among 88 named recipients, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, author Fareed Zakaria, Harman International Industries Chairman CEO Dinesh Paliwal, Dr. Annapoorna S Kini, Yashvant Patel, and Mohan H Patel. Indra Nooyi has been the CEO of PepsiCo since 2006 and chairman since 2007. Nooyi was previously the president and chief financial officer at the company, as well as senior vice-president, and senior vice-president of corporate strategy and development. Zakaria is the host of CNN’s shows "Fareed Zakaria GPS" as well as a columnist for the Washington Post. He also served Newsweek as a columnist, editor of Newsweek International and editor-at-large of Time. Paliwal has been the chairman of Harman since 2008 and president and CEO since 2007. The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) founded the Ellis Island Medal Honor and is given to individuals, whose achievements in their field and service to the country are cause for celebration. Since its establishment in 1986, the medal has been recognized by both Houses of Congress as one of the nation’s most prestigious awards. NECO has honored diverse Americans, including six presidents of America, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as esteemed Americans such as Frank Sinatra, Lee Iacocca, Quincy Jones, Muhammad Ali, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, Louis Zamperini and Rosa Parks. The 2017 recipients will be honored at an event on Ellis Island in New York on 13th May. Trump nominates Indian-origin to a top Judicial post AMandeep

Indian-origin Priest stabbed in Melbourne Church March 20, 2017 06:58

An Indian-origin Catholic priest in Melbourne was stabbed in the neck at a church in what seems to be an apparent racist attack. The suspect called him unqualified to say mass as he was an Indian. 48-year-old Tomy Kalathoor Mathew, a native of Anakkampoyil in Kozhikode district, Kerala, was stabbed at around 11 a.m. Australian time at St. Matthew’s Church in Fawkner. The attack took place when, Mathew was about to begin the Italian mass. According to local media reports, it is believed that the offender told the priest that because Mathew was an Indian, he must be a Hindu or Muslim and therefore he was not qualified to say mass. Melina, one of the parishioners said that "There was some shouting and a lot of movement at the back of the church and then I saw Father Tommy coming to approach me. He waved me over and asked me if I could look at his neck because he said 'I've just been stabbed'.” Mathew was immediately taken to Northern Hospital and treated for a wound to his neck. Police on Sunday night arrested a 72-year-old Fawkner man, believed to be of Italian-origin. And he was charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury. He was bailed to appear in Broad meadows Magistrates' Court on June 13. Rhiannon Norton a Detective Seniors Constable said that at this stage, he believes that the incident was isolated. There is nothing to suggest he is a danger to anyone else. "People should never be treated like this. This fellow is doing wonderful work for his parishioners and this is really blight on the great work that many, many Catholic priests are doing," Shane Healy a spokesperson for Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne said. Thamarassery diocese authorities said that Mathew will continue his role as priest at the church. He has been parish priest of the church since 2014.Mathew is from a Kalathoor family of Karuimbu in Anakkampoyil. He had served as a vicar at churches in Adakkakundu, Vettilappara, Kallurutti and Chundathumpoyil. NRI writes Exquisite poem dedicated to his parents AMandeep

Punjab Withdraws NRI Quota from AYUSH Colleges March 03, 2017 06:49

Punjab has withdrawn management and NRI quota for U.G. courses in private Ayush colleges (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) after the directions from the Union government. Now, all the 800 seats in private and government colleges will be selected through the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET). Before the admissions were based upon the statewide entrance test, which was conducted by Hoshiarpur-based Guru Ravidas Ayurved University. Dr. Sujata Sharma the Director of research and medical education said that these changes have been made after the decision of Center to bring AYUSH system medicine under NEET that would make education more affordable. “The new fee structure is being worked out after withdrawal of management and NRI quota seats that had higher fee than government seats,” she said. There is only one government ‘Ayurvedic’ college in Punjab, and 15 private colleges where the 50 percent of seats add to management quota for at Rs 1.20 lakh per annum and Rs 80,00 if in case for a government quota seat. While the 15 percent seats were allotted to NRIs at Rs 2.4 lakh per year. The state also has 4 private homeopathic colleges and a unani college. Dr. YN Sharma the Principal of Ludhiana-based Guru Nanak Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Institute, said that the decision would hit the colleges financially. Since the management and NRI quota was only the source of funds for better facilities. “The state should take a call on deciding our fee structure since it will directly affect our working and facilities to students,” he said. Other colleges complain that the fees for AYUSH courses have not been revised by the state government for last 5 years, whereas the fee for MBBS and MD courses have been revised twice during that period. “The state government has sought our opinion on the new fee structure. We will respond by Monday, the registrar of Guru Ravidas Ayurved University Jatinder Garg said. Seven Indian-American students nominated for Turman Scholarship 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

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