U.S. back in Visa Business after Major Outage June 24, 2015 06:57
U.S. Department of State is back in the business of issuing visas after the online system abruptly stopped working at consulates worldwide earlier this month. About two thirds of visa issuance facilities are back online and have been issued visas although only 45,000 were handed out on Monday. Of those, 15,000 were issued in Beijing, which is the busiest U.S. consulate in the world. "Significant additional numbers will be issued as the backlog clears," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said. "Many posts have now rescheduled interviews, in many cases as early as the 24th", he added. "Significant additional numbers will be issued as the backlog clears," he said. "Many posts have now rescheduled interviews, in many cases as early as the 24th", he quipped. "So far, it's going well," Kirby ended. The State Department hasn't provided details on what went wrong and why it took so long to fix, beyond saying the database needed to be rebuilt. The department said the failure was related to a hardware device and was not the result of a cyber attack. The same database failed at about the same time last year, throwing summer travel plans in chaos for around 200,000 people. On that occasion, a bug-ridden software patch from Oracle and Microsoft caused the problem. Kirby cautioned that the system was still being tested and as such could still be taken offline again. Throughout the outage, which also affected issuance of U.S. passports at missions overseas, the U.S. has been handled a small number of visa cases. It has issued around 1,250 visas to temporary or seasonal workers from Mexico whose biometric details were already in the system and it has handed out around 3,000 visas related to urgent or humanitarian purposes. The system failure was second of its kind in the recent times. It throws the summer plans of almost 2, 00,000 passengers in chaos, when it failed last summer. - Manohar. M
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Hard Ware Problem Stops Visa Processing in US? June 18, 2015 05:33
A never expected problem has been wondering most of the US Visa applicants across the globe. The suspected hardware snag at the state department's computer system has been not allowing the officials to process the bio-metric and other crucial data collected at the embassies and consulates. According to the statement issued by the spokesman of the state department, John Kirby, the technical experts have been trying to fix the issue. Over 100 experts from both private and public sectors across the US are working to get a solution. By next week, the problem could be solved and the visa processing work can be resumed, as per the media reports. "Certainly we regret this inconvenience to travelers, recognize that this is causing hardship for those that are waiting for visas, and in some cases their family members or employers in the United States," Kirby said. He also said, "That's why we're taking it so seriously. So we're going to get it done, we're going to get it done right, and we're not going to rush as well," while noting the importance of the issue. "We're working on this as fast as we can, but it's important to get it done right. Of course, we're going to continue to post regular updates on our website," Kirby added. Lakhs of travelers and students, including the job seekers and employees from various nations are awaiting the US visa to fly. This is really one of the severe technical problems faced by the government department. -Kannamsai
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For this Hyderabad student, iPhone is literally more precious than his life June 15, 2015 07:42
It seems even USA, the so-called poster child of development, is unable to deal with its crime rate and the expats are getting victimized more than often times. In the Sunday attack, a 23-year old Hyderabad student was shot dead by unidentified muggers after a Tiff over “just” an iPhone (well, it’s not just in this case). Sai was hailed from Kushaiguda in Kapra, Hyderabad. Upon his graduation in engineering at Geetanjali College in Keesara, Hyderabad, Kiran applied for Masters in Management Studies at Atlantis Masters at Atlantis University in Miami, Florida. Sai Kiran got a green signal for his course from University officials and he landed in Florida on May 2. Kiran was on the phone with one of his friends on Sunday morning (as per Indian Standard Timings) and had just walked out of his residence. All of a sudden he was accosted by a group of Black Americans. Kiran was reportedly shot four times after he refused to hand over his iPhone. He had last spoken to his parents around 12.15 a.m. (IST) on Sunday. Neither the family members nor his friends expected his death call so sooner. The family of Sai Kiran was in deep shock and the calmness clouded over the vicinity. Kumar's family is seeking the help of the Telangana government and the centre to bring his body back to India. - Manohar. M
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Indian-American Children Win Spelling Bee Contest May 29, 2015 12:23
Vanya Shivashankar and Gokul Venkatachalam, both Indian-Americans, came to a tie and are named as co-winners of the annual spelling Bee contest. It is the second year in a row that co-champions were named and the fifth time in the history of the bee. Vanya Shivashankar, a 13-year-old is from Olathe, Kan., has joined her sister Kavya as the only siblings to have won the bee. Kavya won the title in 2009. Shivashankar and Venkatachalam, 14, of Chesterfield, Mo., intensively competed for 30 minutes, before both were crowned champs. Back and forth they went, correctly spelling words such as scherenschnitte, pyrrhuloxia, thamakau, caudillismo and a slew of other words which would never be able to decode. The crowd roared as Venkatachalam correctly spelled nunatak to ensure that the victory would be shared. “This is a dream come true,” said Shivashankar. “I’ve wanted this for such a long time.” She dedicated her win to her late grandmother. “I hope I make her happy with this,” she said. “I wasn’t nervous at all,” said Venkatachalam. “It was the culmination of all the hard work of the past six years. I’m finally happy to have success.” His one word to describe his win? “Ridiculous.” By Premji
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Indian-American Prof. Akhil Amar named for key post in US May 21, 2015 05:17
An Indian-American professor from Yale University was named by the US President Barack Obama as a member of the prestigious National Council on Humanities to honour his service and to utilize his abundant knowledge in the field of Law and Political Science. Mr. Akhil Amar has been serving as a Professor of Law and Political Science at the university since 2008. He also served as a professor at both Yale Law School and Yale College since 1985 and has held various professorships, including Southmayd Professor from 1993 to 2008, Professor from 1990 to 1993, Associate Professor from 1988 to 1990, and Assistant Professor from 1985 to 1988. He also worked as a law clerk to judge Stephen Breyer, then of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, from 1984 to 1985. He is co-editor of a constitutional law Casebook, 'Processes of Constitutional Decision-making', and has written several other books on constitutional law. "I am confident that these outstanding individuals will serve the American people well, and I look forward to working with them," the President said in a statement. The Sterling professor is a member of the Board of Directors of the Constitutional Accountability Center and the Coalition of Freedom Advisory Board of the National Constitution Center and he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007. Professor Amar has received his BA from Yale College and a JD from Yale Law School. He was named a Senior Scholar by the National Constitution Center in 2000. -Kannamsai
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US Lawmaker Apologises May 19, 2015 10:28
A veteran US house member stirred a major controversy by making a gesture mocking native Americans or American Indians. California Democrat Loretta Sanchez, who is opposing the state's Indian-American attorney general Kamala Harris for the party's nomination for a 2016 Senate run said that the candidates who don't hide behind the handlers sometimes misstep. While speaking to an American Indian group in Anaheim, she was caught on mobile phone video, raising her hand in front of her mouth and making a whooping sound like a typical native Indian 'war cry'. She said: "I'm going to his office, thinkin' that I'm gonna go meet with woo-woo-woo-woo, right? 'Cause he said 'Indian American.'" Sanchez apologised at the state convention, saying "in this crazy and exciting rush of meetings yesterday, I said something offensive and for that, I sincerely apologise." "Those of you who put yourselves out there like I do, who open your heart and who don't hide behind handlers you know how hard it can be," she said. "It's hard to put yourself out there and do what leaders need to do day in and day out. Sooner or later, we all make mistakes. We're all human. But that is the only way to truly connect with people. You can't change the world from behind a desk." It is outrageous that native Americans do not accept people whose ancestors have migrated to US even centuries back and the present generation is born and brought-up in America, as Americans, instead they term the migrants as Indian American or so.This is a kind of racist attitude. By Premji
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Prestigious Intel Award for Indian-Origin student May 16, 2015 12:25
An Indian-Origin student has won the popular Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award on Friday. At the same event nine students from India have won awards in various categories. The 18-year-old Karan Jerath has secured the prize for his work on refining a system to help protect the seas from oil-drilling disasters. He is one among the five students to win Intel and Indo-US Science and Technology Forum Visit to India Award. The group of five will have to showcase their research projects in India. They can visit leading educational and scientific institutions in India. Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF) in Pitsburgh, honours the young and high school student scientists, inventors and engineers after several rounds of screening and competitions held across the world. This Indian American from Friendswood (Texas) was given the $50,000 Young Scientist Award, the second highest prize at the IISEF. The top prize, the $75,000 Gordon E. Moore Award, went to Raymond Wang, 17, of Canada. Among 17 students selected for the IISEF, nine students have been awarded in various departments. -Kannamsai
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Indian Student Found dead in Auckland, two suspects arrested May 14, 2015 07:02
Indian youth from Karnal was found dead under suspicious circumstances at Mission Bay in Auckland yesterday. He was actually scheduled to receive a management degree on June 20, for which his parents were planning to visit New Zealand. The youth, Manjit Singh, reportedly had injury marks on his face. Police have been investigating the case to find the causes of his death. Meanwhile, his parents have approached the local deputy commissioner in Karnal to help them in bringing back his body. According to the brief of his uncle, he had no issues with anybody of his college ‘International College of Auckland’ and with any others outside the campus. However, the police have taken two suspects into custody based on the footage of CCTV at a restaurant, where they were seen separately from Manjit’s place. The members of the deceased’s family are planning to meet Minister for External Affairs for ensuring government’s support in the investigation and to bring back his body asap. -Kannamsai
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Indian-origin Priti Patel, new Employment Minister May 12, 2015 06:10
Prime Minister David Cameron appointed one of Britain's most prominent Indian-origin MPs Priti Patel as the new Employment Minister. Ms Patel was re-elected from Witham in Essex with a big majority in the general election. The 43-year-old replaces Esther McVey, who lost her seat at the polls. Priti Patel, who was born on 29th March 1972 is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament from the Witham constituency in Essex since 2010. Her parents migrated from Uganda and were of Gujarati origin who came to Britain in the 1960s. Ms. PritiPatel attended Watford Grammar School for Girls in Watford, studied economics at Keele University, completed her postgraduate studies at the University of Essex. She joined the Conservative Party when John Major was Prime Minister. It was a Ladies' Day at Downing Street as British Prime Minister David Cameron completed his cabinet formation, in which many ladies found the place. Amber Rudd is made Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Anna Soubry and Priti Patel are appointed as small business and employment ministers. Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid is moved from Culture Secretary to Secretary of State for Business and London Mayor Boris Johnson has been made a minister without a portfolio. By Premji
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10 Indian-Origin MPs in Britain House of Commons May 08, 2015 10:30
The number of Indian-Origin members in House of Commons has not changed as only 10 members have become successful in Thursday’s election. Nine out of ten of previous house have won the election, while Paul Uppal of the Conservative party lost in Wolverhampton South West in the West Midlands of England in the hands of Rob Marris of the Labour party by a margin of 801. The constituency is having storng hold for Sikhs from India. However, Uppal’s loss was compensated by son-in-law of N.R. Narayana Murthy, Mr. Rishi Sunak of Conservative party, from Richmond in Yorkshire. And the nine members, who won their seats again, Keith Vaz (Leicester East), who has been an MP from 1987; his sister Valerie Vaz (Walsall South); Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove), who is half Indian-half Pakistani and was minister for culture, media and sport in the outgoing cabinet; Virendra Sharma (Ealing Southall); Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston); Lisa Nandy (Wigan), who is half Indian-half English; Priti Patel (Witham), who was a junior minister; Alok Sharma (Reading West); and Shailesh Vara (Cambridgeshire North West), another junior minister who has been an MP since 2005. Over 50 Indian-origin members have contested in the neck to neck elections this time. -Kannamsai
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Amitabh to Lead a campaign initiated by NRI doctors April 30, 2015 10:22
Indian movie legend Amitabh Bachchan will be leading an awareness campaign on road safety initiated by the American physicians of Indian Origin. There are several road safety missions and programmes existing in India, but they are unable to drop the number of accidents as expected or as needed. Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and pharma company Abbott jointly organizing the campaign in order to minimize the accidents and there by injuries and deaths. The campaign would include the posters with the messages on road safety endorsed by Amitabh will be showcased in all the clinics and hospitals across the country to remind the importance to the visitors. “I am with you in this campaign to create awareness about head injury and trauma because of road accidents”, said Bachchan in a press statement issued by Abbott. “AAPI is committed to building the right foundation to address the serious concerns of head injury and trauma,” said Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, president of AAPI. AAPI and Abbott have conducted a country-wide road safety awareness drive, which reached over 800,000 people as the Abbott is having larger base in Indian hospitals. The campaign includes the safety precautions like adequate protection, speed limits, concentrated driving. "With our vision of 'Zero Injury Zero Incidents', Abbott’s field force is trained on safe two-wheeler driving. This has resulted in reduction in accidents to the tune of 83 percent amongst Abbott employees," said Bhasker Iyer, Abbott management representative in India. "AAPI has been working with multiple stakeholders and professional associations like NSI, NSSI and AASAN in developing the first trauma and brain injury guidelines for India," said Anwar Feroz Siddiqi, honorary advisor to AAPI. They have designed the project in Indian context to nullify the accidents in India. Renowned actor and potential organizational support can help the NRI doctors to realize their aspirations. - Kannamsai
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Yoga Events at Indian Embassy in Washington April 30, 2015 08:42
The Indian Embassy in Washington has started a series of curtain raiser events to promote the ancient Indian practice called ‘Yoga’. The embassy along with the practitioners, organizers and community associations are planning to conduct a day-long Yoga event at the Mall in Washington on June 21, coinciding with the International Day of Yoga. "Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment, harmony between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being," Charge d'Affaires Taranjit Singh Sandhu quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying at the UN last year. Most of the practitioners have been suggesting yoga as perfect tool to combat all difficulties and to discover the sense of oneness oneself. Yoga will create the social consciousness and help the practitioners to deal with the climate change. In just 75 days the United Nations General Assembly adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as the 'International Day of Yoga' on December 11 with 177 countries becoming co-sponsors. India is planning to celebrate the day by organizing events in several parts of the world including US. Yoga is said to be a better mean to develop the best communication among the people and between people and environment. -Kannamsai
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