Sikh-American techie brutally assaulted in alleged hate crime in US! October 08, 2016 05:16
In a recent hate crime incident, a 41-year old Sikh-American IT specialist was brutally attacked by some men, who knocked off his turban and allegedly cut his religiously-mandated unshorn hair with a knife. A father and IT specialist in California, Maan Singh Khalsa, was driving home on the night of September 25 when a group of men in car threw a beer can at his vehicle. According to a statement by The Sikh Coalition, "Khalsa drove away from the scene but the men followed him and assaulted him through his open car window, knocking off his Sikh turban and hitting his face repeatedly." It is nation's largest Sikh civil rights organization. Khalsa said there were "five to six white males in their late 20s to early 30s" who abused him and three of them then attacked him physically. The complaint alleged, Shouting that Khalsa's hair should be cut off, the men pulled his head out of the window, and cut a fistful of his religiously-mandated unshorn hair with a knife. Khalsa sustained injuries to his fingers, hands, eye and teeth. The Sikh Coalition has written to the Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on behalf of Khalsa, urging authorities to conduct a hate crime investigation and prosecution in the case. Khalsa said in a press statement released by the Sikh Coalition, "The attackers caused physical injuries and deep harm when they targeted my Sikh faith." "I urge a thorough investigation so we can address the tide of violence and bigotry in this country." Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur urged authorities to fully investigate "this hateful attack" on Khalsa and his Sikh identity. "The purpose of a hate crime investigation and prosecution is to ensure that our government and communities accurately account for the problem of bias in our society," Kaur said. "We need to acknowledge hatred so that we commit the resources necessary to stem bias-based violence," Kaur added. Also Read: White House refuses to back petition on Khalistan! Nandini
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White House refuses to back petition on Khalistan! October 07, 2016 09:57
A petition seeking support for Khalistan has been refused to be endorsed by the White House. The United States president Barack Obama invoked comments during his last year's trip to New Delhi that India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along religious lines. The White House said responding to a separatist Sikh petition which had garnered more than 100,000 signatures, that, "While we appreciate your participation on this platform, we cannot comment here on the specific policy issue raised in your petition." The petition was created by an individual on July 10, identified with the initials of GP, within the stipulated 60 days, the White House said the US President Obama has made it a priority to promote and protect religious freedom for all people, both at home and abroad. "The peace we seek in the world begins in human hearts. And it finds its glorious expression when we look beyond any differences in religion or tribe, and rejoice in the beauty of every soul. And nowhere is that more important than India," Obama had said. "Nowhere is it going to be more necessary for that foundational value to be upheld. India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith so long as it's not splintered along any lines and is unified as one nation," Obama said in his address in January, 2015.” The White House said the US has monitored and publicly reported on human rights issues, including the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community during the 1984 violence in India. "For example, the State Department's Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices covered the violence and its aftermath in considerable detail.” "We will continue to report on important human rights concerns, and State Department reports are available to the public," it said. Also Read: Indian-origin shopkeeper destroys 9/11-themed dress in UK! Nandini
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Indian-origin shopkeeper destroys 9/11-themed dress in UK! October 07, 2016 04:20
A dress featuring the 9/11 attacks as its design theme was destroyed by an Indian-origin shopkeeper in London after passers-by posted pictures of its offensive pattern on social media. Jaspir Bhatti said said that, "There is no way I would sell that, I'm so horrified. I couldn't even give this to charity. I'm absolutely shocked, it's just the wrong thing to do it's terrifying." He handed over the dress to 'The Sun' newspaper to be destroyed. Bhatti, a stall holder at Chrisp Street market in Poplar area of east London, was alerted to the offensive design of the Twin Towers on fire on the 5-pound dress after passers-by posted pictures of it on Facebook. The newspaper contacted the wholesaler that Bhatti believed he had bought the dress from but was told it was not their product. According to the he newspaper, a clothing label on the dress indicated it had been made in India and is likely to have been imported into the UK from the country. Nearly 3,000 people were killed on September 11, 2001 when planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Centre (WTC) in New York. Also Read: India urges IITian diaspora to make Startup India a success! Nandini
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India urges IITian diaspora to make Startup India a success! October 05, 2016 04:41
The IITian diaspora has been urged by the country to invest in the Startup India campaign of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote a culture of innovation in its ancestral land. The 2016 International Conference of the IIT Alumni Canada has brought more than 400 IITians from the Canada, US and Australia to Toronto. Speaking at the event, Indian Consul General Dinesh Bhatia urged the IITian diaspora to make the Startup India campaign a success. The techie conference was focused on 'Towards a Sustainable and Prosperous Future: Focus on Technology, Health and Environment'. Conference co-chair Raghu Nayak said that, "IITians stand for innovation and these bright brains at the conference have highlight how we can integrate innovation to solve global problems of poverty, diseases and pollution. Since technology caused most of the current problems facing mankind, we think it is the technology that will solve these problems." According to the Bhatia, India is now an over $2 trillion economy and there are huge offers and opportunities for IITians to become a part of its success story. The conference was attended by the Canadian Science Minister Kirsty Duncan, MPs, and mayors along with the IITian gathering which also included the director of IIT-Hyderabad and the deans of IITs in Mandi and Chennai. Duncan lauded the role of the IITians in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Canada. She said the theme of the conference is in tune with agenda of the Canadian government, which wants to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The mayor of the Indian-dominated city of Brampton on the outskirts of Toronto, Linda Jaffrey, invited the IITians to become partners in the progress of her city which is one of the fastest growing in Canada. Canada is home to more than 1,000 hugely successful IITians, including billionaire Prem Watsa who is called the Warren Buffett of Canada. Also Read: Indian-origin teen wins Google Science Fair prize! Nandini
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Indian investment veteran named endowment chief at Harvard! October 03, 2016 06:56
The Harvard appointed an Indian-origin investment veteran as the CEO of the management company that oversees the university's $36 billion endowment, the largest college endowment in the world. The Harvard Management Company (HMC) said in a statement, that, 54 years old NP Narvekar has been appointed as the president and chief executive officer of the HMC, which manages Harvard University's endowment and related financial assets. Harvard's total endowment is values at $35.7 billion. Narvekar will be HMC's fourth CEO in 10 years. Narvekar said that, he is honored to join the investment organization and "help support the mission of Harvard University. HMC has an unparalleled investment platform among endowments and I look forward to working with the HMC Board and team and using my investment experience to serve Harvard in the most effective way possible". Harvard University president Drew Faust said that, Narvekar's "leadership skills" and deep experience at the highest levels of investment management will position HMC for long-term success. According to the HMC Board of Directors chairman Paul Finnegan, Narvekar is a highly successful endowment manager with a 14-year track record heading a large endowment, "providing steady leadership and delivering strong returns". Narvekar holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BA in Economics from Haverford College. HMC was founded in 1974. It manages Harvard University's endowment and related financial assets, seeking strong investment returns to advance the University's academic mission. Also Read: Indian-American bar owner helped catch New York bombing suspect! Nandini
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Indian-American professor named 'Future Leader of Audiology' October 03, 2016 06:49
The American Academy of Audiology named an Indian-American associate professor at Lamar University in Texas as the 2016 class of the 'Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology'. Audiology is a branch of science that studies hearing, balance, and related disorder. Vinaya Manchaiah is one of only a dozen individuals selected nationwide for the honor. Indian-origin Manchaiah holds a PhD in disability research from Linkoping University, Sweden. He also holds a number of degrees including an MBA from Swansea University, United Kingdom, MS in Audiology from the University of Southampton, Doctor of Audiology from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing from the University of Mysore, India. Manchaiah is also the co-founder and director for strategic planning for the non-profit non-governmental organization Audiology India, for which he served as president from 2011 to 2015. The organization seeks to foster ear and hearing health care in India. The American Academy of Audiology is the world's largest professional organisation of audiologists. The members look to provide hearing care services through education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders. Also Read: Indian-origin scientist's team create genetic tool to predict heart disease! Nandini
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Some NRI men abandon wives in India: UK University September 29, 2016 05:19
A new report by the UK University has found that, some British Indian in the UK who are guilty of mistreating and abandoning their wives in their countries of origin. The report 'Disposable Women: Abuse, Violence and Abandonment in Transnational Marriages' by the Lincoln University described that, the practice as an emerging form of violence against women, "especially in the context spanning the UK and the Indian sub-continent". The report said that, “Abandonment of wives by non-resident Indian (NRI) men in transnational marriages has become a widespread phenomenon. Although the focus of this report is on the specific experience of abandoned women in India, experience shows that their appalling accounts of abuse and abandonment are also echoed by women from Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere." "Ongoing demands for dowry and escalating violence where such demands could not be met were significant contexts for abuse for the majority of the women. Inability to meet dowry demands eventually triggered abandonment for most of the women left with their in-laws," it added. The report concluded, "Women who once resided in the UK (no matter how briefly) should be treated in all respects as domestic violence victims. Transnationally abandoned women should be issued with temporary visas to avail the UK's Domestic Violence Rule.” "At the point of their visa application, British embassies abroad should give women a leaflet setting out their rights and entitlements under the UK immigration and family law." Sundari Anitha, from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln, spoke to women personally affected on a number of trips to Punjab, Delhi and Gujarat. "The stigma is massive and it even has an impact on other people in the family. So a woman's sister will find it harder to get married. She will find it harder to get a job, she faces financial insecurity and she's seen as damaged goods - primarily because the assumption that she had sex," she said. "This government will not tolerate abuse through marriage or other relationships. We will look carefully at any evidence of where further action might help to prevent abuse or support victims," a UK Home Office spokesperson said. Also Read: Trump praises Hindu community’s ‘fantastic’ contributions to US! Nandini
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Indian-origin scientist's team create genetic tool to predict heart disease! September 26, 2016 06:39
A new tool to calculate the generic risk score of people likely to develop coronary heart disease in advance has been created by an Indian-origin scientist and his team of researchers. The invention may pave way for early and personalized preventive interventions. Genetic factors have long been known to make a significant contribution to CHD risk. Recent advances in genetics have led to the identification of many Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) very small differences in our DNA that vary from person to person. According to the researchers, they created a score by looking at over 49,000 SNPs, known as a genomic risk score (GRS) and showed that the higher the GRS the higher the future risk of CHD. The study was conducted by the University of Leicester in the UK. It is the first to look at a much larger number of SNPs to give a fuller picture of an individual's genetic risk of developing CHD. Nilesh Samani from the University of Leicester, said that, "This is the first really large study showing the potential benefits of using a genetic risk score over and above current methods to identify people at increased risk of coronary heart disease," "We already know that CHD starts at an early age, several decades before symptoms develop, and preventative measures should ideally be applied much earlier, especially to those who are at increased risk," he said. "Current clinical risk scores are not good at evaluating risk until middle-age. On the other hand the GRS, which is based on your DNA, can be applied at any age," Samani said. "Earlier identification of people who would most benefit from lifestyle changes and medication to reduce their risk of a heart attack could save countless lives," he added. Also Read: One Indian-American, Two Indians among 17 UN Young Leaders! - Nandini
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Indian-American bar owner helped catch New York bombing suspect! September 22, 2016 04:52
An Indian-American bar owner, Harinder Bains is being hailed as a hero for helping capture the 28-year old Afghan-American suspect wanted for the bombings in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Bains owns a bar in Linden found Ahmad Khan Rahami sleeping in the doorway of his bar. He said he was watching news on TV on his laptop from another business across the street. According to the Bains, at first, he thought he was some "drunk guy" resting in the vestibule but then recognized Rahami and called police. Bains said that, "I'm just a regular citizen doing what every citizen should do. Cops are the real heroes, law enforcement are the real heroes," The PTI reported, Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra said that, Bains "dared to honour his Oath of Citizenship to protect & defend the Constitution from enemies foreign and domestic - and it's turns out that the Chelsea Pressure Cooker Bomber suspect, a naturalized citizen, is caught by another immigrant, an Indian-American Hero-Sikh." The National Sikh Campaign said in a said in a statement, that this was brave and courageous act by Bains. "A Sikh helps police get to the terrorist involved in New York and New Jersey bombing over the weekend," it said. "He heroically helped save many innocent lives and yet gave credit to law enforcement officers. Harinder Bains certainly did what every responsible citizen in America ought to do. Brave and courageous act!" said the National Sikh Campaign. Also Read: Indian-Origin Peer Wins 'Lifetime Achievement Award' in UK! Nandini
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One Indian-American, Two Indians among 17 UN Young Leaders! September 22, 2016 04:38
The list of 17 Young Leaders appointed as the inaugural class of UN Young Leaders for Sustainable Development Goals includes two Indians and one Indian-American. The young leaders have been recognized for their leadership and contribution to the achievement of the 17 Global Goals. The goals are also known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, “We are proud to announce this group of young global citizens who are already transforming their communities.” “At the same time, the selection process was an important reminder of the great potential and talent of so many young people around the world, who are making immense contributions to peace, development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he added. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement delivered by Mr. Alhendawi, that, “Today I am pleased to join in welcoming the inaugural class of UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.” “These 17 young change-makers are a testament to the ingenuity of youth and I congratulate them for their exceptional leadership and demonstrated commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals,” he added. The complete list of the UN 17 young leaders includes, Trisha Shetty (India), Rita Kimani (Kenya),Anthony Ford-Shubrook (the United Kingdom), Rainier Mallol (the Dominican Republic), Vincent Loka (Indonesia), Edda Hamar (Iceland/Australia), Samar Samir Mezghanni (Tunisia/Iraq), Carolina Medina (Colombia), Lutfi Fadil Lokman (Malaysia), Jake Horowitz (the United States), Samuel Malinga (Uganda), Shougat Nazbin Khan (Bangladesh), Safaath Ahmed Zahir (the Republic of Maldives), Nikki Fraser (Canada), Ankit Kawatra (India), Tere Gonzalez Garcia (Mexico) and Karan Jerath (the United States). Also Read: Indian-origin businessman joins Business and Sustainable Development Commission! Nandini
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Indian-origin scientist bags Lemelson-MIT in US! September 15, 2016 04:59
A scientist of Indian-origin earned the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Prize worth $500,000 in the United States for his groundbreaking innovations to create solutions to improve lives globally. The 46 years old Ramesh Raskar, who hails from Nasik, India is founder of the Camera Culture research group at the MIT Media Labs and an Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences. A media release said that, "Raskar is the winner of the 2016 $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize for his groundbreaking inventions, commitment to youth mentor-ship, and dedication to improving our world with practical yet innovative solutions." According to the announcement, seeking to catalyse change on a massive scale by launching platforms that empower inventors to create solutions to improve lives globally, Raskar combines the best of the academic and entrepreneurial worlds to achieve milestones in improving the lives and health of people in industrial and developing societies. Raskar is the co-inventor of radical imaging solutions, who has Raskar is the co-inventor of radical imaging solutions including Femto-photography. Stephanie Couch, the executive director of the Lemelson-MIT Program, said that, "Raskar is a multi-faceted leader as an inventor, educator, change maker and exemplar connector. In addition to creating his own remarkable inventions, he is working to connect communities and inventors all over the world to create positive change.” "Everyone has the power to solve problems and through peer-to-peer co-invention and purposeful collaboration, we can solve problems that will impact billions of lives," he said. The annual Lemelson-MIT Prize honors outstanding mid-career inventors improving the world through technological invention and demonstrating a commitment to mentor-ship in science, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Also Read: Indian-origin businessman joins Business and Sustainable Development Commission! - Nandini
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Indian-origin businessman joins Business and Sustainable Development Commission! September 14, 2016 05:19
A Singapore-based Indian-origin businessman joined the Business and Sustainable Development Commission, which aims to help accelerate sustainable growth in agri-business. Indian-origin Sunny Verghese is co-founder and CEO of Singapore's agri-business group Olam International Limited. He joins a host of leaders from the private sector, academia and civil society, who are committed to accelerating the world's transition to inclusive and sustainable growth. Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, Chair of the Business Commission, said that, "The world cannot achieve sustainable development without the full engagement of the food and agriculture sectors, which are critical to achieving not just one, but the majority of the Global Goals." "Sunny's leadership in agri-business will be essential to increasing the number of leaders who understand the incredible opportunity for both growth and sustainability in this sector." Verghese said that, "One of the meanings of the word Olam is 'enduring' or 'everlasting'. I believe the only way we can build an enduring business is to put sustainability at the heart of our business. This is reflected in 'Growing Responsibly', our core purpose, which guides us to pursue profitable growth in an ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable way." "I am excited to join the Business Commission, as it seeks to inspire and catalyse companies to embed sustainability at the core of their businesses and aims to foster collaborations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," he added. The SDGs was launched in 2015. It aims 17 ambitious targets to end hunger and poverty, reduce inequality and tackle climate change by 2030. Also Read: Indra Nooyi 2nd most powerful woman in Fortune list! Nandini
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