NRI Top Stories ( Page 15 of 32 )

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 NASA employee detained at Airport February 13, 2017 12:01

An Indian-origin was stopped at the George Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas. Sidd Bikkannavar is an American citizen of Indian-origin and an employee of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. After spending two weeks in South America, he was flying back home to the United States on January 30th. When he arrived at the airport, he was welcomed with an unexpected gesture that Sidd would never have thought as he was an American. According to the reports, he was stopped at the airport and was questioned for over four hours and also had to divulge his phone’s PIN to be let of finally. Sidd left to South America on January 15th, while Obama was still the President, when he returned on January 30th, it was little over a week into the Trump’s presidency. Sidd posted an on his Facebook wall stating that he was “detained by the Homeland Security and held with others stranded due to the immigration ban.” Though he initially refused to share his PIN, as his one of the phone was the property of his office with confidential information on it, he was forced to give his PIN and was detained till they finished copying data from the phone. His entry should not have raised such problems as he is an American by birth with a US passport. He is also enrolled in Global Entry, a program through CBP that allows individuals who have undergone background checks to have expedited entry into the country. Sidd did not visit any of the listed country listed in Trump’s immigration ban. His office where he has been working since 10 years, JPL, is a US federal agency. His passport was scanned by the CBP, when he entered the country and was taken to a room to wait along with five other people, who seemed to be affected by the ban. Sidd asked why Homeland security officers that why he was being questioned, but they did not provide him any answer.Sidd was also presented with a document titled “Inspection of Electronic Devices” and he was explained that the CBP can search his phone. He showed them the phone which had a JPL pin code protection, making the device a property of NASA. US may ask social media passwords from Visa Applicants AMandeep

Shawna Pandya clarifies: Not listed for NASA February 10, 2017 12:56

News were circulated about an Indian-origin woman, Shawna Pandya stating that she was shortlisted for NASA. But she denied all the reports that stated being shortlisted for NASA. In a Facebook post she clarified that "The Canadian Space Agencyastronaut selection is ongoing and will be finalized by the end of this year; Pandya said that she was not a part of the selection". She also clarified that she was not a neurosurgeon or an opera singer. Shawna Pandya on her Facebook Post she wrote: Thank you all for your recent well-wishes and support; it is really fantastic to see such enthusiasm for space and exploration. I am many messages behind, but will get to them all in the coming days. In light of the many many media reports and interviews over the past 24 hours, I would just like to make a few clarifications about my work and qualifications, as I have noticed more than a few misstatements. “There has been no new announcement, flight assignment or selection of missions with respect to my work as a citizen-scientist astronaut with Project Possum or The PHEnOM Project”. “I am no more or less likely to fly than any other member of than these projects than I was 24 hours ago”. “I remain, however, a steadfast, committed and dedicated teammate and crew member to the work of both projects”. My work is separate from the work of the Canadian Space Agency and that of NASA, and should not be represented as such. The Canadian Space Agency astronaut selection is ongoing and will be finalized this year; I am not a part of the selection. While I have previously interned at NASA-Johnson Space Center, I have no current affiliation with either organization, and would like to clarify that any reports or articles claiming as such are mistaken. Any articles stating that I am a neurosurgeon are mistaken. I previously trained in neurosurgery for a short period; however, my medical license is in general practice. I am not an opera singer; I have sung opera on stage once. It went well and I would do it again; however, just as boxing once does not a boxer make, neither does that one event makes me an opera singer. I look forward to continuing my work as a physician, speaker and citizen-scientist astronaut and aquanaut, and just as importantly, look forward to continuing my work with outreach and education about these projects.Dr Shawna Pandya is working as a citizen-scientist, astronaut with Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere and physiological, health, and environmental observations in Microgravity. Indian-origin doctor performs operation to save woman’s life AMandeep

Missing Hyderabad NRI found dead in Falaknuma February 10, 2017 11:54

Syed Imran a 35-year-old NRI, who was working with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi had gone missing from Falaknuma, Hyderabad last week was found dead and his body buried at an under-construction house, police said today (February 10). Police on Friday got exhumed the body of Imran, who was employed as the Customer service Officer at National Bank of Abu Dhabi. Police said that he was murdered for having extra marital affair with a city-based woman. Imran’s mother lodged a missing complaint with Falaknuma police on February 4th. She said that her son had gone missing following which police registered a missing case. DCP of south zone V Satyanarayana said during the investigation, police found that Imran had met a lady at Rythu Bazzar (Vegetable Market) in Falaknuma and he left with her on a two-wheeler on 4th February. During the investigation, Saif Bin Sabeth Barabood said to police that the missing person was having an extra-marital affair with the wife of his elder brother Sayeed Bin Sabeth Barabood and also his elder sister. Sayeed Bin Sabeth Barabood was working as a servant in Qatar Army, when came back to Hyderabad. DCP explained that when Sayeed met his younger brother, he was informed about the extra-marital affair of Syed Imran with his wife and sister. Then Sayeed plotted a plan along with his brother Said Bin and his wife, they lured Imran through his wife to Rythu Bazaar from where they went to Jamalbanda, DCP said. "They later murdered Imran by cutting his throat with a knife after sprinkling chili powder in his eyes and caused his instantaneous death and buried his body," the senior police officer said. He further added that the investigation was in progress to bring-out the total facts and to unravel a conspiracy hatched by the accused persons. Indian-origin ordered to pay alimony to ex-wife AMandeep

Indian origin led startup launched overseas transaction platform February 09, 2017 11:46

A financial technology startup based in Singapore by an NRI today launched an online platform by which people can transfer funds to India cheaply. SingX Pte Ltd is planning to expand its services from Singapore to allow online money transfer to Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia, where it holds licenses along with other countries. The app was launched in mid January 2017, using the service Singapore based consumers can transfer money to Indian consumers at fraction of charges. They claimed that it would be a fraction of what consumers typically pay money transfer through regular banking charges. SingX is backed by some of the country’s most experienced bankers, the foreign exchange platform can help consumers and small/medium sized enterprises save up to 90% of remittance charges. Atul Gard the SingX’s Principal Founder and CEO said that the company wants to create the Airbnb of global payments with the Country’s first peer-to-peer foreign exchange platform. Garg said that they their targets are consumers and SMEs, the segments they believe are undeserved and consumers are paying higher rates of remittance. SingX’s technology will provide them with a smarter way of moving their funds, swiftly, smoothly and cheaply. Consumers no longer have to stand in bank queue’s or fill up the forms. Sid is of Indian-origin in Singapore with over 25 years of baking and payment experience. According to a report in 2016 by the Boston Consulting Group commissioned by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, estimates cross border payments at USD 30 trillion and growing at 10 per cent. The estimated revenues from cross border payments are USD 300 billion. Indian-origin awarded UK’s top honour in Mathematics AMandeep

Indian-origin ordered to pay alimony to ex-wife February 08, 2017 05:45

An Indian-origin banker Amit Goyal in the United Kingdom has been ordered to pay alimony to his ex-wife from his pension funds, which he had transferred out of India, in a high court ruling that has been described as a “landmark.” Justice Mostyn said in his ruling last month that “there were powerful reasons for making a supplementary periodical payments order in the favour of the wife. The Goyal vs Goyal case in the Family Division involves a long-running divorce battle between Amit 39-year-old and his ex-wife Ankita Goyal 35-year-old and also strikes a blow at attempts by divorcing spouses trying to conceal their assets overseas. Under the order, Ankita will receive new periodical payments of around 5,200 pounds every year, which is 100 pounds per week. Judge added that it was a very small sum of objectively, but will be a meaningful sum for her as she will attempt to rebuild her life and support their child. The order will end, if she remarries, which she hopes to do. According to the Britain law a pension may be divided between divorcing spouses by means of a pension sharing order pursuant to the Matrimonial Causes under the Act 1973. But a previous judgment court appeal in the case ruled that pension sharing pursuant to Section 24B did not apply to foreign pensions. Amit appealed in the court that it was not possible for the court to make a pension sharing order in respect of overseas pension. While his ex-wife Ankita failed to show that the pension sharing order would be enforceable in India. However, the latest court ruling decided that it was open to order the UK-based husband to make payments from the annuity to the wife as maintenance payments. Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors represented Ankita on a pro bono basis said that it was a landmark judgment in a long running financial remedy case which relates to a foreign pension which the husband had transferred out of the UK to India. Amit claimed that he had transferred his pension annuity to a friend in India to satisfy a debt. But the court disbelieved his claim and concluded the story was a barefaced lie. Amit and Ankita were married in 2004 before separating in 2011; they have a 9-year-old daughter. Previously a judge ordered Amit to hand over his remaining assets to his ex-wife Ankita. However, they have been locked in legal battles for years now, something the judge in the latest ruling expressed his regret about. NRI and team creates Guinness world record AMandeep

NRI and Team Creates Guinness World Record February 07, 2017 04:47

Suneet Jain a 24-year-old mechanical engineer, joined Chrysalis Entrepreneur from India in Koh Tao, Thailand to break the ‘Guinness world record for the longest human chain underwater with an amazing 182 scuba divers. Previously the record was held by 173 divers from Italy. The attempt to create a record was planned with Absolute Scuba in India and took place at Coral Grand Resort, Sairee Beach, Koh Tao. 140 meters were the total length of the human chain. From an age group of 8-year-old to 58-year-old participated in the chain, more than 30 people were non-swimmers and several in the team were first-time scuba divers. The team overcame several challenges, which included recruiting and training more than 200 people, scouting a perfect location and organizing a large scuba diving in a foreign country. However, after six months of planning the team failed in their practice attempt Because of many divers were not familiar with salt water. Overnight the team replaced several divers created a winning dive plan to set this spectacular record, demonstrating their belief and proved to the world that ‘nothing is impossible’. The goal of this world record attempt was to inspire ordinary people to extraordinary accomplishments Suneet now plans to use his engineering skills for his next Guinness world record. He has a few ideas and is already working out their feasibility. Indian-American boy may change the world with his new invention AMandeep

Indian-American boy may change the world with his new invention February 06, 2017 04:23

Chaitanya Karamchedu an Indian-American boy from Portland, Oregon found a cheap and easy way to convert clean water from salt water. Karamchedu is studying in Jesuit High School/Portland State University, he used a desalination technique based on hydrogel and used saponified starch grafted polyacrylamide’s hydrophilic properties to harvest fresh water. The following process does not require thermal or electrical energy filtered water has comparable conductivity of 306.32 µS/cm which is comparable to the conductivity of distilled water at 200 µS/cm. The revolutionary process has negligible pre-treatment and post-treatment cost makes it available on a small scale, especially for the area which is prone to a lack of fresh water. While testing it was found that the water had a total dissolved solids concentration of 513 mg/L which is within the standards of World Health Organisation (WHO) at less than 600 mg/L, compared to 35,000 mg/L for sea water. According to the details obtained from analysis the water contained 25.8 mg/L of sodium and 36 mg/L of chloride. The relevant EPA secondary concentration levels (aesthetic standards) for sodium is 20 mg/L and for chloride is 250 mg/L. The process yielded over 70% of fresh water and also produced a commercially useful fertilizer, CaSO4, as a byproduct. The sea water contains 19,000 mg/L chloride and 10,500 mg/L sodium Karamchedu stated that one in every eight people does not have access to clean water, it is an issue which is very important to be addressed. He said the best access to water was from the sea, the planet is covered with 70 percent of the ocean, scientist have looked at desalination, but it is too much costly to be implemented on a large scale and was also not accessible to all the places. Karamchedu’s biology teacher Dr. Lara Shamieh said People are concentrated on that 10 percent of water, which is bonded with salt and no one looks at the 90 percent that is free. Karamchedu just looked at the problem and said why to focus on the 10 percent if only 10 percent is bonded and 90 percent is free, let's ignore it and focus on 90. Karamchedu work does not end with cleaning salt water, he also has interests in other fields too such as in curing cancer. Karamchedu is currently working with his teachers on the same subject. Suppermassive black hole 660 million times larger than Sun AMandeep

Indian-origin charged for impersonating US tax official February 02, 2017 04:14

An Indian-origin and another person were charged for allegedly impersonating US tax officials and falsely representing victims from the department to send payments to their bank accounts and debit cards. Abhijeetsinh Jadeja 29 years of Miami, Florida and Rachel Jean Roragen a 41 years old of Miami Beach were charged for 12 count indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity on 27th January, Wifredo A Ferrer a Southern Florida federal prosecutor said on Tuesday (31st Jan). To allegations contained in the indictment, between the year January 2014 and March 2016, Jadeja and Roragen's co-conspirators impersonated officials from the IRS in the United States and other agencies. During the telephone calls Jadeja and Roragen falsely represented to individual victims that they owed money to the IRS or fees on loans or grants. To satisfy their alleged debts, victims were fraudulently induced to send payments to bank accounts and debit cards that were under the control of Jadeja, Roragen and their conspirators. Assistant US Attorney Daya Nathan is prosecuting the case. Indian-origin woman 6th victim to die in Australia car rampage AMandeep

Indian-origin woman humiliated at Frankfurt airport February 01, 2017 05:00

An Indian-origin woman from Singapore was asked detained in ‘Frankfurt airport’ and was humiliated by the German police, when she was asked to squeeze her breast to prove that she was lactating. Gayathiri Bose a 33 year old is a manager at a transport company, she is the mother of two children, the eldest being 3 years old and the younger one a 7 months old infant, Gayathiri has filed a complaint alleging that she was asked to squeeze her breast to prove that she was lactating. She told to press that she was “humiliated” and "very traumatised" by the experience and she would take legal action. She said that police officers at the airport felt suspicious because she was carrying a breast pump but travelling without her baby. German police declined to comment on the allegations, but they said that such measures were clearly not part of the routine procedure. Gayathri was travelling alone and she was on her way to board a flight to Paris, when she was stopped at the security screening station. Her carry-on bag contained her breast pump, which went through the X-ray machine and she was taken aside for questioning. Gayathiri said the officers had an incredulous tone 'You are breastfeeding? Then where is your baby? Your baby is in Singapore?'," she said about the 45-minute episode. They kept her passport aside and was taken to a room by a female police officer for further questioning. Inside the room Gayathiri was asked to open her blouse and show her breast. Bose said she complied and squeezed her breast. "I was just in shock; I was going through the motions. I was all by myself as well, and wasn't sure what would happen to me if they decided to make trouble for me." Later, when she came out, Gayathiri felt terribly upset and started to cry after slowly understanding, what just happened. She said officials then tested and cleared the pump before returning her passport, and she was allowed to board her plane to Paris. Spokesperson for the German federal police at Frankfurt airport Christian Altenhofen said that they could not comment on the incident for reasons of data protection He also added “if a suspected explosive is detected the baggage and the person must be searched. The measures described for a breastfeeding mother are clearly not included. Aviation expert Ellis Taylor from aviation publication Flightglobal said, asking a mother to show she was lactating was "pretty ridiculous". Kal Penn raised funds after mocked on social media AMandeep

Indian-origin teacher suspended for shooting water at Trump’s Image January 31, 2017 07:36

An Indian-origin, school teacher has been suspended after a controversial classroom stunt video which went viral on social media, that shows her shooting water from a squirt gun at an image of President Donald Trump and yelling "die". Payal Modi is an art teacher at Adamson High School in Dallas, Texas; she was caught shooting a squirt gun as a video of President Trump at his Inauguration ceremony projected onto a whiteboard. In an eight second video which was posted on an Instagram account on 20th January, the day of Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration, showed Payal holding a squirt gun. Pointing it at an image of Trump projected onto a whiteboard, and yelling "Die!" as she shoots the gun. The video has been watched by thousands of people since it was posted online, that prompted an investigation from the officials at the Dallas Independent School District. The Spokesperson of Dallas Independent School District Robyn Harris was quoted by the Dallas Morning news as saying that Modi was placed on leave. However, Harris said DISD would not comment as the investigation was still going on. The statement said “DISD was made aware of a social media posting being circulated involving a teacher at W H Adamson High School, the teacher has been placed on administrative leave and the district has opened an investigation. This is a personnel matter and, as such, we cannot comment." However, that has not stopped parents from voicing their concerns. A Facebook user said “Five of her grandchildren go to Dallas ISD schools, do they have a venue where the concerned voices are heard.” Few students admitted that the teacher’s actions were inappropriate, but the majority believes that she was just making a joke. Leslie Jaimes a junior of Adamson High School said she was in Payal’s second period class, when she pulled out a squirt gun. “When Trump came out she shot at him, but like it was just a water gun,” Jaimes said. “It is not a big deal.” Trump fires Sally Yates for defying him on travel ban AMandeep

Indian-origin faces fraud charges in Singapore January 28, 2017 11:54

A Singapore based Indian-origin has been charged with multiple counts for helping others to fraudulently obtain cash payouts and bonuses amounting to $760,000. S Chandran a 35 year old was charged yesterday (27th January) with 58 counts of helping 49 claimants to fraudulently get state-funded Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) cash payouts and bonuses amounting to 1.1 million Singapore dollars ($760,000). A new agency reported the case as one of the biggest case of its kinds involving an alleged PIC promoter in the country. Chandran is the owner of firm Paradize Consultancy and was offered bail for 200,000 Singaporean dollars. Chandran will return to court on February 3rd. Chandran was the winner of “International Magicians Society’s Merlin Award” in the year 2014; he acted as a PIC broker and received about 400,000 dollars from the payout. He also holds a doctorate in the magic studies from the United States, the report said. The alleged offenses occurred between June 2013 and November 2014. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has conducted extensive investigations into a number of suspicious PIC claims. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore investigated the case and found many of the suspicious claims were linked somehow to Chandran. Around 200 people were called up to help in the investigations. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore scheme offers tax deductions or cash payouts to all the companies that invest in fields such as staff training, information technology or automation equipment to boost their productivity. If convicted, Chandran will face a mandatory penalty of four times the amount of cash payout or PIC bonus. He could also face a fine of up to 50,000 dollars or a jail term of up to five years per charge. Singapore man fined for abusing pet dog AMandeep