NRI News ( Page 19 of 23 )

Nirupama Rao hails Indian system April 28, 2012 13:20

The Indian Ambassador to the United States, Nirupama Ro has addressed the students at the University of Florida. She has hailed the Indian system and stated that it was the best in the world in terms of recognizing the contributions of women. She has cited her own example and said she rose to the highest position in Indian diplomacy. Nirupama Rao said: "In the years since when I came to be a diplomat, the impact that women have on public life in India has also grown from strength to strength. For example, I was privileged to head India's Foreign Service as the Foreign Secretary for two years from 2009 to 2011. It was a unique experience in every way." "It also demonstrated that our system is fair and just, and one of the best in the world when it comes to acknowledging the contribution of women in public service and to the life of the nation," she added. It has to be mentioned here that Nirupama Rao appeared for the civil sevices and opted Indian Foreign Service. She belongs to 1973 batch IFS. Nirupama Rao has also great love for literature. She authored the book, Rain Rising and the poems in the book were translated to Chinese and Russian. (Phani)

Another Indian national found dead in US April 25, 2012 07:34

Another Indian national was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the United States of America. The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) which came to know about the incident two days ago informed the parents in India the death of 28-year-old Nikhil. The post-mortem on the body was completed and the police said that the person would have died of drug reaction. The dead body is expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on Friday. According to the sources, the body was completely spoiled and the officials suspect the death apparently took place ten days back. The people living in the apartments where Nikhil stayed (on the outskirts of Dallas in Trophy Club city) complained the police about the filthy smell that they were getting from the flat. The police who broke open the door on April 21 have found the dead body in reportedly decomposed state. It may be noted that Nikhil was working with an investment company after he completed M.S in 2008 from A & M University in Texas. Before moving to US, he pursued M.S (Industrial Engineering) at NIT Allahabad and worked with a private company in Noida. Notably, this is the second death of Indian students in US within a week. The Centre-instead of taking up matters like frisking Bollywood stars at airport seriously-should focus on frequent deaths of Indian nationals in US. (Phani)

Eunuchs take NRI for a ride April 24, 2012 09:25

A Non Resident Indian (NRI) was allegedly looted by two eunuchs in the wee hours of Saturday. The 26-year-old man who supposedly came down from Dubai last month was returning to his home in Horizon View Residence from Bandra. He hired and auto and came across two women in the road waving hands for lift. The NRI man Rahul Seth never suspected that these two women were actually eunuchs and they would take him for a ride royally. He has offered them a lift after he asked the auto man to halt on looking at them. The two women reportedly asked the man to drop them near Lokhandwala. When Rahul Seth got down the auto-after he arrived at his residence-he pulled out his wallet to pay the auto fare. He still didn’t notice the eyes of these women, who presumably noticed his wallet filled with cash. The women asked Seth to let them into his room as they wanted to attend nature’s call. Seth agreed and as soon as they entered his flat, the two women jumped on him, pulled the knife, threatened him, punched him on his face and fled with fifteen thousand rupees besides a gold ring worth 60 thousand rupees that was purchased by Seth in Dubai. Seth said he approached the nearby police station and filed a complaint against his robbery. The police said they had filed non-cognizable offence since the investigation was underway. They have also said that Seth was drunk heavily when he approached the police station. Helping strange women and giving them lifts is perfectly alright, but inviting them to flats is always risky and foolish too. (Phani)

NRI elected to US academy April 23, 2012 12:36

The reputed American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected India born Kamaljit Singh Bawa as its members. Kamal is currently Biology professor at University of Massachusetts. He is schedules to join the academy on October 6 along with some world’s influential authors, leaders, scholars, scientists and artists. "Election to the Academy is both an honour for extraordinary accomplishment and a call to serve," said Academy President Leslie C. Berlowitz. "We look forward to drawing on the knowledge and expertise of these distinguished men and women to advance solutions to the pressing policy challenges of the day," she added. This news came in as a big surprise when Kamaljit Singh Bawa was receiving world’s first major award for sustainability by Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letter for his research in sustainability of global bio diversity. Every Indian should feel proud of this personality and hope our country produces many such legendary personalities who spread the name and fame of the country. (Phani)

US legislators ask FBI to look into hate crimes against Sikhs April 21, 2012 04:42

A team of 100 law makers in the United States headed by New York Congress leader, Joseph Crowley, have penned down a letter to the Department of Justice to seek Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s intervention in the hate crimes against the Sikh community in the country. The law makers, in their letter, have opined that FBI can gather the data on the hatred against this community and the possible measures to avoid such racial attacks. Crowley has said that most of the countrymen were in a misconception that these people were associated with extremism only due to their distinct identity and appearance. It has to be mentioned that several incidents of attacks against Sikhs and their religious institutions came to light in many parts of America within a year. The areas even include the famous destination, New York. It may be recalled that even two Sikhs were even allegedly murdered. The current letter by the legislators requested the FBI to even update the information pertaining to hate crime rate. The letter even said that excluding Sikhs in hate crime data will weaken the security of Sikh-American community. The worst part is that even in computer games such as GTA 3, the player-1 (who will be deployed on a destructive mission) will have the option to stop the cab, hit the driver and steal it. The driver animations in this game will have Sikh appearance with turbans. (Phani)

New Visa application centre in Bangalore April 20, 2012 12:03

Good news to Bangloreans as the global outsourcing services major, VFS Global has opened a new Visa application Centre in Bangalore on Thursday. The new application centre would give visas to all the 25 European countries that come under Schengen region. Addressing the media on the opening of the new center, France Consul General (Bangalore) Dominique Causse said the France visa aspirants from Garden City need not go to Mumbai as they get the visa here itself. He has also said that the centre would cater visa needs to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh residents. Therefore, people from Andhra Pradesh too can apply for visa at the new centre. The Switzerland Consul General (Bangalore) has said that VFS has tied up with them, which would result in speedy visa process for the applicants who approach this centre. He has also said that over 75,000 visas to Switzerland were granted to Indian nationals. Meanwhile VFS regional head Vishal Jairath has said that apart from France and Switzerland the centre would process visa applications to Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal and Italy. (Phani)

Indian beer at Buckingham Palace April 19, 2012 12:30

Indian beer Cobra is going to be supplied at Diamond Jubilee Picnic that was thrown by British Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace on June 4 this year. It has been reported that Cobra draught beer will be served to the guests, who will be more than 12,000 in number. The best of this picnic is that even the performers would be given a chance to sip this mouth watering beer at the exclusive reception after the concert is over. "Given Cobra's Indian heritage, we feel our presence at these celebrations also serves to represent the Commonwealth," said the founder and chairman of Cobra Beer, Karna Bilimoria. He also said: "We know that this will bring a great deal of pride not just to the UK's 2.5 million-strong Asian community, but also to the 1.2 billion people in India and the 30 million people of Indian origin worldwide.” It has to be mentioned that so far only Queen Victoria in 1897 was the only woman from this family who celebrated Diamond Jubilee and now Queen Elizabeth joined the list. With the news that Cobra beer would be served at Buckingham, people in India are reportedly showing more interest in sipping this beer. (Phani)

Norwegian Court to decide fate of 2NRI kids in a week April 18, 2012 10:26

The Norwegian Court that is trying the case of parental neglect of two NRI kids is likely to decide the fate of the duo next week. The parents, Anurup and Sagarika Bhattacharya, are exuding the confidence that the court will send their two children back to India. It may be recalled that three-year-old Abhigyan and one-year-old Sagarika were handed over to the foster care after the Norwegian authorities came to a conclusion that the two children didn’t receive proper parental care and that the children have emotional detachment with the primary caretaker-the mother. Foster care also argued that the mother of the two children had psychological problems and therefore it cannot believe she can become a good caretaker in future. The case has took several turns and even alarmed the Centre. In fact, the prime minister Manmohan Singh took up the matter seriously and spoke to the Norwegian counterpart. He asked Norway to send back to India. We have to wait for one more week and see as to what happens to these kids. Meanwhile, the delegation that the prime minister Manmohan Singh sent to Norway to look into the issue asked the court to handover the kids to their paternal uncle who stays in India. (Phani)

UK dashes hopes of Indian employees April 16, 2012 10:24

The Government in UK has dashed the hopes of lakhs of Indian employees-working on a temporary basis in UK-stating that it could not enter into a social security totalization pact. This agreement exempts Indian employees in UK from paying social security taxes if they paid the same in India. In short, it’s a step to stop double payments. The UK has said that it could not enter into the agreement citing the fiscal pressure it has been facing post global recession. The social security amount can be withdrawn only after a period of ten years and the temporary employees in UK pay huge amounts to the country, which they could not withdraw as most of them leave the country before ten years. It has to be mentioned here that the Indian Government has took up the issue seriously to shield the temporary employees in UK, but to no avail. It may be recalled that India earlier entered into such deals with countries such as France, Germany , Netherlands and Belgium. As of now there are over five lakh temporary employees in UK and they are making double contributions—one towards the social security and other towards the employee provident fund. Financial experts are of the opinion that UK doesn’t want to lose thousands of pounds that it receives from foreign temporary employees.

Indian film released in US April 14, 2012 13:44

Databazaar Media Ventures has released a Bollywood feature film “9 Eleven” by a US-based film maker Manan Singh Kotohora. The film has won 2012 Rising Star Award at the Canada International Film Festival. This film revolves around the lives of ten persons who belong to different walks of live with every individual well-placed in their respective fields. Their darker side of live come out eventually when they were given sometime to introspect. They realize as to how their lives were inter-woven that take the peace their peace of mind for a toss. This film is also set on the backdrop of terrorism. The film unit exuded confidence that this film was going to receive good response in the USA. All in all, movies like 9 Eleven will always remain as good pictures and shining examples of real film making.

Billionaire Scientist MS Reddy nominated to the Noble Prize April 06, 2012 04:33

The Telugu Entrepreneurs Association (TEA) is proud to congratulate Dr. Reddy for being a proud nominee to receive 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The Telugu Entrepreneurs Association (TEA) had an immense pleasure of honoring Dr. Reddy as a chief guest in 2011 to give lecture and motivate Telugu community on how to foster entrepreneurship among in greater Dallas area and around the globe. Dr. Reddy is the author of several books like Keys to Winning, A to Z of Success, etc. It is a proud movement for all members of Telugu Entrepreneurs Association (TEA) and all Indian professionals and Indian citizens living abroad and in India to know that Dr. M.S. Reddy (Dr. Malireddy Srinivasulu Reddy) has been nominated in excellent standing for 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The other outstanding nominees for 2012 Nobel Peace Prize from U.S. include former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft Chairman and the world’s richest man Bill Gates etc. To be nominated, for the Nobel Peace Prize, the candidate must be outstanding, exceptional, well established, and well recognized all over the world and must have contributed throughout his life, significantly, to improve the quality of life of the people worldwide, peace in the world through reduction of conflicts among nations, reduction of hunger through improved food production etc.,. This year’s Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. M.S. Reddy, a billionaire scientist, who has contributed immensely to the world economy by over one trillion dollars through his scientific inventions, which had a significant impact to reduce the hunger, diseases, pollution, global warming, and human suffering in the world and thus to improve peace. His recent one hour lecture on “how to become a billionaire businessman” presented at TEA business seminar at Dallas, Texas on October 29, 2011 is an all time hit in the U-Tube watched daily by people around the world with great comments.

NATA-TCA Ugadi Celebrations in Houston March 29, 2012 08:14

North American Telugu Association (NATA) sponsored a grand TCA-organized Ugadhi celebrations in Houston. The ‘Sri Nandana Nama’ Ugadhi Vedukalu, a full-day melodious cultural fiesta, was held on Saturday March 24, 2012 at Meenakshi Temple Kalyana Mandapam, Pearland, Texas. This glittering event was attended by over 1000 Telugu people from the Houston and nearby towns Sugarland, Meyerland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Pasadena, and College Station. The festival program consisted of traditional Panchanga shravanam, distribution of “Ugadhi Pachadi” and a delicious Andhra Bhojanam. The cultural program was the star attraction of this year’s Ugadhi Vedukalu organized by the local TCA team. Apart from Indian classic and semi-classical dances, young adults gave mesmerizing popular and upbeat performances in a variety of stage programs. The audience were delighted with traditional songs by local talent, especially small children who showcased their talent of Telugu culture, traditional dress and dance events. The night ended with grand musical performances by emerging Tollywood playback singer and new music director Mr. Partha Sarathi (Parthu) of Padutha-Theeyaga fame. The selected numbers from yesteryear and latest movies truly captured the audience. NATA was the grand sponsor of this Ugadhi 2012 program. The Houston NATA team led by RVP Manohar Medi and Media chair Dr. Samba Reddy have set up a NATA publicity desk and actively pursued convention registration drive with the help of regional coordinators Raghavender Nadnur, Dr. Rajender Aparasu, Siva Konduri, Durga Prasad, Girish RamiReddy, Sanjeeva Reddy, Dr. Manchi Reddy, and other members. The team also helped the organizers at the stage and serving the food. The Houston team showed NATA brand with a T-shirt and enthusiastic coordination of the program. President AVN Reddy, Jithender Reddy, Manohar Medi and Samba Reddy and over 20 other convention team members have joined in these celebrations. AVN Reddy, Samba Reddy, Manohar Medi, and Jithender Reddy addressed the participants. The NATA convention team members provided an update on the 1st NATA Convention to be held in Houston from June 29 to July 1, 2012. A brief program outline was explained to the audience by the convention cultural (Ram Cheruvu) and publicity (Sridhar Dadi) teams. Other members who participated include Sai Kumar, Chandrashekar Sreepadam, Uma Medi, Sai Rachakonda, Prasad Kalva, and Raj Rentala. A video greeting of Andhra Pradesh Dy Chief Minister Sri Damodhara Raja Narasimha, who conveyed Nandana Nama Ugadhi greetings to all American-Telugu families, especially NATA and Houston Telugu community, was the star highlight of the event. The crowd was jubilant with the DyCM’s greeting clip played by the Media chair Samba Reddy. The TCA and NATA teams thanked Manohar Medi for arranging this clip. Sarada Akunuri and the entire TCA team thanked the NATA for sponsoring the event, and thanked all NATA volunteers and regional coordinators for helping with the program. The team thanked the TCA past-president Raghavender Nednur who worked in both organizing and sponsoring teams.