Govt. to Table Bill to Stop NRI Men from Deserting Their Wives in India November 30, 2018 10:43
To curb the incidents of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) husbands abandoning their wives after marriage, the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has announced that the administration will table a bill in the approaching winter session. Talking to the media in Hyderabad, Swaraj said that the government has already launched an institutional mechanism to track such incidents and added that 25 passports of such NRI husbands have already been revoked by the MEA. Related content: NCW Appeals MEA to Foil Ex Parte NRI Divorces Replying to a query about NRI husbands abandoning their wives, Swaraj who was in Hyderabad to campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the imminent Telangana assembly elections said that through this bill the government aims to tackle such cases which have increased significantly over the years. The Supreme Court has recently sought a response from the Centre on a plea seeking obligatory arrest of NRIs who not only desert their wives but then likewise harass them for dowry. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K Joseph issued directives to the Centre and said that the deserted women should be accorded legal, financial help and their estranged NRI husbands must be arrested once the FIR is filed. A group of women who had allegedly been abandoned by their NRI husbands and endangered to dowry harassment moved to the apex court seeking reliefs plus the mandatory arrest of their estranged spouses and consular help in fighting cases in the foreign land, reported PTI. Earlier in September, the Delhi High Court also expressed concern over this matter and sought the response of various ministries on it. -Sowmya Sangam
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UK-Based Author Creates Cookbook with Indian Recipes November 26, 2018 12:01
An Indian-origin author launches a new cookbook in the United Kingdom and India, aiming at time-poor people who want to recreate a true taste of India in their kitchens. Mallika Basu's 'Masala: Indian Cooking for Modern Living', was launched in the UK a few months ago and in India this month. It takes a fresh look at family favorite recipes, untangling and updating them for busy home cooks. Basu, the granddaughter of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, believes there is no reason to shy away from shortcuts. "I openly recommend ready shortcuts like packs of roti, jars of pickle. When you're rushing around you need to pick your battles. There is no shame in that," the London-based communications professional-cum-food writer says. "I have divided the chapters by moments like quick fixes, slow feasts, big platters and, of course, brunch, in a nod to our nation's love of breakfast. You don't have to be an expert at all, in fact, I am quite honest about my failings in the kitchen. I am a home cook who is trying to get wholesome recipes, simply and as often as possible on the table," she says. Dishes from All over India Basu has been writing about Indian food for more than a decade and found herself simplifying recipes to fit with her busy life and present-day kitchen. "So many Indian cookbooks are based on nostalgia and what our grandmothers and mothers did, and yet our lives have changed so much. I wanted to create a cookbook that reflects the way we live, cook, eat and entertain today, and a very contemporary Indian design aesthetic," she explains. The dishes selected for her new book are favorites from her family home in Kolkata, and her mother's Delhi and Afghani heritage, as well as some newer ones she fell in love with on her recent tours to India. The dishes are from all over India, with simplicity being the key factor that binds them together. "The book is a very personal one that mirrors my own upbringing and learning. I was brought up in an unconventional home with flavors from around India and beyond making it into our kitchen. All of this unconventional thinking, deep love and detailed understanding has made its way into 'Masala'," she says. Packed with Practical Tips In reference to Britain's own love affair with Indian food, Basu welcomes the increasing admiration of the food of different parts of India but acknowledges a certainly limited view of the complication of the country's cuisine. Read: Kolkata-Born Scientist Rahul Mandal Wins UK's Popular Baking Show She says, "There is still a giant post-colonial hangover in the way Indian food is described and viewed...there is no such thing as curry in India, it simply means gravy/sauce, and that the curry house and 'Indian' takeaway food you get in the UK bears little resemblance to what we eat. In fact, it was developed specifically for the British palate and is British food rather than anything else." Basu's cookery book is packed with practical tips and tricks from busy mundane cooks, including recipe hacks that save time and effort, smart ways to merge vegetables into meals, creative ways to use grains and pulses, tips on fermentation and a sizeable troubleshooting section. After the promotion in the UK, Basu is presently preparing for a series of talks and book signings in India in January 2019. -Sowmya Sangam
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Sabarimala Row: Kerala Police Issue Warning to NRIs Inciting Riots November 21, 2018 11:01
Amid irrepressible protests in Kerala over Sabarimala temple, now warning has been issued to Non-Resident Indians who have allegedly been inciting riots and fermenting trouble over the Sabarimala issue. A notice issued by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner says that NRIs found spreading instability about the Sabarimala issue through social media posts and voice notes will have their passports canceled, and be forced to return to India. The notice says, "It has come to our notice that posts and voice messages calling for riot with the intention of creating instability are being spread through social media in connection with Sabarimala pilgrimage. Those who spread these messages will be booked under non-bailable sections. The cyber cell of the police has collected details of those who are spreading such malicious messages from abroad. Legal action has been taken to cancel their passports and to make them return to the state." Related content: Sabarimala: SC Agrees to Hear Review Petitions on Jan 22 When TNM asked the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner P Prakash IPS (Indian Police Service) about the reasons for which the notice had been issued, he said, "The circular was given to address Sabarimala-related provocative voice notes videos and photos, and social media posts, it says those sending such things will have strict action taken against them." When pressed about the reason for including the warning to foreign nationals about their passports being canceled for indulging in such activities, he said, "It is on the basis of the DGP's circular. We have written like this because the highest number of such posts are coming from abroad, and [it needs to be known] that strict action will be taken against them. Their passports will be canceled and a case taken up against them." He reiterated, "This is a criminal case, it will be taken up in that matter. Hence the circular was given as an advance warning." The notice is being circulated on social media and causing some indignation with those who align themselves to Save Sabarimala protests alleging that this was a restraint strategy of the Kerala police. Even NRIs are threatened by saying that their PP will be cancelled. Utter Chaos. Govt must enquire and take action against city police Commissioner, Tiruvanathapuram. #SaveSabarimala https://t.co/ib3n2C4MEF cc @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj @HMOIndia pic.twitter.com/6VNTE4dqAC — Puushothman Vaikkath (@purushueme) November 20, 2018 Hope MEA will assure safety of NRIs. I cannot afford cancellation of my passport. Should I renounce Indian citizenship for living as an Ayyappa Devotee & stand with my temple Sushma ji @SushmaSwaraj ? https://t.co/uXcSWSbd37 — Anjali George (@Kuvalayamala) November 20, 2018 -Sowmya Sangam
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Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Work Authorization of H-1B Spouses November 17, 2018 14:34
The H-4 Employment Protection Act, a legislation seeking to stop Trump administration from revoking the work authorization of spouses of H1-B visa holders, which include Indians, has been introduced in the United States Congress by…
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Dust From Middle East Affects Indian Summer Monsoon: Study November 16, 2018 12:48
A study has found that dust and soot transported from the deserts of the Middle East settle on the snow cover of the Himalaya mountain range, affecting the intensity of the summer monsoon in India.…
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Tips for NRIs Before Making Real Estate Investment in India November 12, 2018 12:32
International Indians are major contributors to Indian forex reserves through investments and payments in several Indian asset classes, of which real estate investments form a crucial chunk. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), too, have always found investing…
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U.S. Says Will Take Public Opinion On H-4 Visa Revocation Proposal November 09, 2018 18:05
The Trump administration has made it certain to lawmakers and the American corporate sector that the people would get a chance to respond to its proposal of revoking work authorization to H-4 spouse visas after…
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India Should Have Long-Term Visas Like U.S.: KJ Alphons November 08, 2018 13:06
The tourism ministry is in negotiations with the home ministry to have the time period of electronic (e) visas for India extended and bring it closer to paper visas that let visitors stay for longer…
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Big Fat Indian Wedding Eases Entry in U.S. for Indian Spouses November 06, 2018 10:55
A big fat Indian wedding consistently persuades the United States consulate officials in India that the marriage was genuine and the bride was not soliciting for a U.S. green card. Kavita Dixit (name changed), whose…
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Galore Indians Apply for Passports as UAE Extends Amnesty Deadline November 02, 2018 17:18
Indian residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to a great extent have applied for short validity passport under the visa amnesty scheme which has been prolonged for a month. According to a report in…
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Kolkata-Born Scientist Rahul Mandal Wins UK's Popular Baking Show November 01, 2018 12:34
A Kolkata-born research scientist, who is currently living in the United Kingdom has crowned the winner of a popular baking show on British television after winning over the judges with his elaborately-designed pastries and cakes. The 30-year-old Rahul Mandal was declared the winner of Channel 4's 'Great British Bake Off' on Tuesday night after impressing the judges with his "East meets West" style of baking. As the winning name was revealed, he said: "I don't know whether to laugh or to cry. I just feel I need to talk with my mum." Mandal was born in Kolkata and moved to the United Kingdom as a student, where he started elevating curiosity for cooking and baking. Mandal from Rotherham in northern England struggled with disasters during the show's finale when his icing bag exploded during a doughnut challenge. Shortly after, his mixing bowl smashed while he was creating his rock garden, motivated by Victorian explorers bringing back exciting plants from around the globe, for the "Edible Landscape" show-stopper challenge. Despite the mischances, the taste and quality of Mandal's baking saw him win over the judges as he beat fellow British Indian contestant Ruby Bhogal and Kim-Joy Hewlett in the grand finale of the long-running television show. "He is one of those characters that you will miss when you are not with him. I don't think he realizes still how good he actually is and I think that's what's magic about Rahul," said celebrity chef Paul Hollywood, one of the judges. "I never baked when I was in India. My baking journey began in the UK about five years ago when I was feeling lonely, and needed to do something along with my studies," he said. "At that time, it was limited to making bread and biscuits. The first cake I made was about two years ago when my parents visited the UK for the first time," he added. The winner is bestowed with a coveted cake stand trophy and the publicity from the show can outcome in a huge career boost for galore contestants. Every year, amateur baking enthusiasts vie to get a spot among 12 bake-off contestants and spend nine weeks in a large tent to compete in a series of elimination rounds. "Cooking programs always interested me. Even as a child, rather than watching sports, I enjoyed watching cookery shows. I started cooking and experimenting with food from the age of 15, however, proper everyday cooking started since I moved to the UK," Mandal said. "I like the simple classics, sometimes with a little twist in it. My colleagues love my Lemon drizzle cake and its cousins like Lemon and cardamom drizzle cake, or lemon and elderflower drizzle cake - they like them a lot," he said. While baking is a hobby, he sees a connect with his day job as a scientist as he believes precise planning and attention to detail come in handy for both. "If it is something big, I develop and design it over the week and then execute it over the weekend," he said. The final three contestants in the 2018 series were evenly matched for this year's finale, which attracted a lot of social media attention. ImageSource: The Telegraph Fans were split over Mandal being given an extra 15 minutes after he smashed his mixing bowl while creating his showstopper but the majority were rooting for the diffident and humble scientist-baker. The recent series evidenced a rating success for Channel 4, which took over the show earlier this year following its move from its original home on the BBC. -Sowmya Sangam
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Former NRI Fills Drinking Water Pots Each Morning to Serve People October 25, 2018 17:48
There are not a lot of souls around in our country who have a heart of compassion, nevertheless, 69-year-old Alag Natarajan is one from the noble minority.The former Non-Resident Indian (NRI) who lived in London for about three decades intended to do a bit for the people on his comeback. One thing that caught his eyes is that people who spend most of their time on the roads do not get the minimum necessity of water to slake their thirst.According to a report in Inuth.com, Natarajan, a resident of South Delhi, started setting up water coolers around his locality to meet people's needs. He installed 10 coolers at different locations, starting from his own residence in Panchsheel Park. But immediately, he grasped that no one was keen to fill water in those coolers. There was as well the difficulty of getting an electric connection to run the devices."It has been four years now including the cooler maybe five years. When I started, I installed 10 coolers in different parts of Delhi but half of them I have to bring back because people had no respect for it. Each cooler cost me Rs 25,000," he was quoted as saying by Inuth.The man did not lose trust, however. He switched to a low-priced substitute - earthern pots of 'matkas'. He placed around 80 of them in different areas and on a daily basis, at around 4 a.m., he takes out his water van to fill them.Natarajan, however, does not charge money for his social service. Now and then, people donate money for his hard work, but his financial support comes mostly from his pension in London. His family too supports him. One 'matka' costs him Rs 350, he said.In addition to serving water, the veteran as well provides breakfast to security guards, laborers, and drivers and at the present, he has started making the foodstuff (idli) besides serving cucumbers and bananas. He has as well put up self-help cycle pumps in different areas to promote cycling.-Sowmya Sangam
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