NRI ( Page 38 of 82 )

Ireland’s Indian-origin gay minister frontrunner in Prime Ministerial race May 22, 2017 17:44

Ireland’s first openly gay minister, who is of Indian decedent has emerged as the front runner in the prime ministerial elections in Ireland. 38-year-old Dr. Leo Varakdar, who is the son of a Mumbai-born father and Irish mother is expected to become Ireland’s first ever minister from LGBT group. Currently, Dr. Varadkar is the welfare minister of the Ireland and has won an early support for his leadership bid from several senior Cabinet members and a majority of his parliamentary colleagues have supported him publicly. Dr. Varadkar announced his candidacy following the resignation of current Prime Minister Enda Kenny, a title, which is referred to as ‘Taoiseach’ in Ireland. Housing minister Simon Coveney have also been nominated for the leadership of the governing ‘Fine Gael’ party this week. "I am not counting my chickens. I am really humbled at the level of support I have received from my colleagues and I am really looking forward to the hustings and the debates," he said. Enda Kenny’s successor is due to be elected by June 2nd and the Ireland’s Parliament will vote in the new leader as Prime Minister a few days later. In 2015, Dr. Varadkar publicly came out as a gay, when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage thorough popular voice. In a coming out speech, which he have through radio: "It is not something that defines me. I am not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It is just part of who I am, it does not define me, it is the part of my character I suppose". He has campaigned on same-sex marriage and liberalizing abortion laws. Dr. Varadkar has worked as a general practitioner before wining a sear in the Parliament in 2007 and steadily raised through party ranks. He held several ministerial portfolios including minister for social protection and minister for transport, tourism and sports. "Leo has got off to a good start but there are two weeks to go so we will see how that plays out," said his opponent Coveney. Fine Gael is a center-right political party and the party is taking liberal positions on several social and economic issues. India to open 40 consulate sub-offices for NRIs AMandeep

India to open 40 consulate sub-offices for NRIs May 16, 2017 11:21

India will be opening 40 new consulate sub-offices soon in countries that have a strong presence of non-resident Indians, Akali Dal’s MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said on Sunday as he was referring to a "communication received from the External Affairs Ministry". "India is going to open 40 new consulate sub-offices in countries where NRIs have settled in large numbers," the Anandpur Sahib MP said in a statement here. Chandumajra had been taking up the issues concerning NRIs in general, especially Punjabi NRIs. He said that he had recently received a word from the Ministry of External Affairs in this regard. Referring to countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia, where NRIs had to travel long to get visas from consulate offices, the Akali Dal general secretary and spokesperson said, "They had been demanding more sub-offices in their respective countries. This step would go a long way in mitigating their problems." The Indian government has also agreed for people from Punjab who have settled abroad on political asylum to visit India along with their families for up to two years in a stretch. Informing that he had been pressuring the government for these people to be treated as “economic asylum-seekers:, he said: “A large number of people had sought political asylum in countries including the United States, Canada and Germany, despite never being active in the militancy (earlier in Punjab). However, once they were granted asylum on political grounds, it became impossible for them to visit. NRIs can exchange old currency notes till 30th June AMandeep

11 Indian-Americans in Forbes list of best venture capitalists May 15, 2017 18:38

The Forbes magazine's annual list of the 100 best venture capitalists has featured 11 Indian-origin investors, who are behind some of the highest-returning investments in the technology sphere. 'Midas 2017', which is a part of Forbes, compromises the top 100 venture capitalists in the world, while taking into account a a five-year look-back at a partner's portfolio, with exits by IPO or acquisition of at least $200 million and private holdings that raised money at valuations of at least $400 million over that time period. Jim Goetz, who is partner in Sequoia Capital topped the list. He retained the top stop three years after messaging giant WhatsApp was sold to Facebook for nearly $22 billion. Goetz is the only investor in the company and transformed $60 million over three rounds into more than $3 billion in Facebook stock Goetz, the only investor in the company, transformed $60 million over three rounds into more than $3 billion in Facebook stock The list includes 11 venture capitalists who are of Indian-origin. Neeraj Agrawal, General Partner in Battery Ventures is on the 17th spot and leads the pack of Indian-origin venture capitalists on the list, followed by Sameer Gandhi, Partner in Accel Partners (23); Asheem Chandna, Partner in Greylock Partners (28); Salil Deshpande, Managing Director, in Bain Capital Ventures (33); and Aneel Bhusri, CEO and Cofounder of Workday (37). Gaurav Garg, Founding Partner of Wing Venture Capital (48); Promod Haque, Senior Managing Partner of Norwest Venture Partners (67); Hemant Taneja, Managing Director of General Catalyst Partners (70); Navin Chaddha, Managing Director of Mayfield Fund (73); Ravi Mhatre, Partner in Lightspeed Venture Partners (76); and Deven Parekh, Managing Director of Insight Venture Partners (99) also figure on the list. Agrawal made into the list for the 7th consecutive time. His companies Coupa and Nutanix, went public last year and AppDynamics was about to go public this year but was scooped by Cisco for $3.7 billion. Taneja holds five degrees from from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He debuts the list due to an early investment in Snap that went public at market capitalization of $25 billion in February this year. Haque, who is a graduate from Delhi College of Engineering, has worked as a senior managing partner at Norwest Venture Partners since 2013. He has invested in more than 70 companies that have produced more than $40 billion in exit values in over 15 years of venture capital experience. Forbes said that still accounts for 12 Midas investors and Facebook another 10, they are now moving for Snap with eight investors in the 2017 Midas ranks. Indian-origin doctor warned about the cyber attack that hit the world AMandeep

Indian-origin restaurant owner under toilet-bill controversy May 11, 2017 14:11

An Indian-origin restaurant owner in Durban, South Africa is surrounded by controversy after his restaurant charged ‘20 Rand’ to use the toilets on the premises. Junaid Moola, who is the owner of Jolly Grubber, said that charging R20 (approximately Rs. 95) was the only way to keep away people from visiting the restaurant who abused the facilities that his staff maintained for the free use of his customers who bought food at his premises. Reza Khan, a customer posted on his Facebook page that they were given a receipt of R40 after they were initially stopped from using the toilet before they paid. "My cousin asked if we could not buy cool drinks instead, but we were told cool drinks don't qualify," Khan posted. "In my whole entire existence on this earth, this is the most expensive p*** I've ever taken," Khan said. There is a sign at the entrance of the restaurant that reads: "Toilets are for use of Jolly Grubber customers only. Buying just drinks will not qualify you to use these facilities. Therefore, it is unlawful, dishonest, theft, haraam to use this facility without permission." "Service charge of R20 per person, payable at the counter. This is not a public toilet." "This is not a question about humanity, compassion nor religion, there are free public facilities just a stone's throw away," said the restaurant, which also maintains a 'Namaaz room' for Muslim patrons to perform their prayers free of charge. A municipal working in the department licensing public restaurants said that R20 did appear to be "a bit exorbitant", but the restaurant was well within its rights to charge without contravening its licensing conditions, as restaurants require to ensure that it has toiler facilities available for its customers. Donald Trump appoints Indian-American to key Federal energy agency AMandeep

Donald Trump Appoints Indian-American To Key Federal Energy Agency May 09, 2017 14:33

President Donald Trump has appointed Indian-origin Neil Chatterjee to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The agency oversees the electricity, natural gas and oil at the national level. 40-year-old Chatterjee will play a key role in President Trump’s program to reshape energy policy, which is greatly opposed by environmentalists and Democrats. If the appointment is confirmed by the Senate, he will be the second Indian-American to be appointed by President Trump to a major regulatory position with a controversial mission Chatterjee, who is an energy policy advisor to US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has played an integral role in the passage of major energy, highway and farm legislation, the White House said. Prior serving to McConnell, Chatterjee worked as a principal in Government Relations for National Rural Electric Cooperative Association as an aide to House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce of Ohio. Chatterjee’s work backed the Senator’s campaign against regulations to restrict the use of coal for electricity generation. He started as an intern with the House Works and Means Committee. Chatterjee grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, where his parents worked in cancer research. He will likely deal with the construction of the Keystone pipeline that will carry crude oil from Canada to Texas. The project was stopped by former president Barack Obama.Last week, lawmakers expressed their concern over vacancy in this crucial federal regulatory commission. I would like to see some names now. It's very frustrating that we are here at May 3 and there has not been a quorum at FERC for months now, said Senate Energy Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski. "We cannot do much of anything in the energy space until there is a functioning quorum at the FERC. First, we need to get names so that we can actually act as a committee. Believe me, I am urging anybody who will listen that they need to get moving on it," she said. The other Indian-American, who has been appointed for a key Federal role is Ajit Pai, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Pai is spearheading the administration’s drive to end net neutrality, which prevents internet service providers from giving special treatment to preferred web companies. Chatterjee held the influential position of energy policy advisor to Senate Majo. Sikh Community Demands Distinct Religious Category AMandeep

NRI woman granted divorce via video-link May 04, 2017 18:37

In a rare judgement, a civil court on Tuesday granted divorce to an NRI couple after hearing the woman petitioner, who is a Lonon based techie, through video conference. The couple filed the divorce plea by mutual consent under the section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, before a Pune civil court on August 12, 2016. Advocate Suchit Mundada who presented the woman petitioner said: "The couple, who are IT professionals got married in May 2015. However, barely within two months of their marriage, differences cropped up between them and they started staying separately." Mundada’s client was unable to leave the United Kingdom for the court hearing, as the terms and conditions of her job did not allow her to leave. "I, on behalf of her, filed an application before the court seeking permission to conduct the hearing through video conferencing, which the court agreed," said Mundada. On April 28, the husband came down to Pune from Singapore, where he is working currently, whereas the wife appeared via video-conference. Judge V.S. Maklapatte Reddy passed the judgment stating that the marriage between the parties’ stands dissolved under section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. "Having considered the contentions of the petition along with the respective affidavits, it transpired that the parties have been living separately since June 30, 2015. They have not been able to live compassionately and have mutually agreed that their marriage should be dissolved," the judge observed. The advocate claimed that this for the first time that a court has used technology to grant a divorce. "Generally, physical presence of both the husband and the wife is necessary in the court in such cases," he said. Pregnant Indian woman racially abused in Sydney AMandeep

Pregnant Indian women, racially abused in Sydney May 03, 2017 11:33

A pregnant Indian woman and her family were racially abused by a lady in a park in Sydney, Australia, after her husband asked the lady if they could sit next to her. The incident occurred on April 22nd in Luna Park. The pregnant woman’s husband Utsav Patel recorded a video, who was at the receiving end of the woman’s racist tirade. You can hear the lady shout “F#@* off” and F#@* India” at Patel his pregnant wife and their 4-year-old daughter. Patel said that the incident precipitated after his wife wanted a seat as she waited for them to finish a ride. When he requested the lady, who was seated on a nearby bench to give a little space for his wife, she refused and began swearing and abusing at the young couple. .@lunaparksydney @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/EjjE7mRddx — UtsaV (@PatelUtsav4155) April 23, 2017 Stung by her expletive-laden rant, Patel asks the woman, "Why?” to which the woman replies, "Because I don't like them. Go f#@* yourself... get out of here man. Go, go, go." When Patel told the woman that was not the right manner to treat people, she disrespectfully responded with an insulting mimic of Patel’s Indian accent. Patel then warned the lady that he would inform the security officials, but the lady responded saying, “What's security going to do? I can say whatever I like," she shouts. Patel said that he alerted the park authorities and showed them video evidence of the racist attack. New South Wales police has contacted Patel's family and is investigating the incident. Fifth man from Indian community shot dead in the United States AMandeep

Fifth man from Indian community shot dead in U.S. April 29, 2017 18:17

An Indian-origin man has been killed after getting caught in the crossfire outside a motel in Tennessee. The incident strikes the fifth killing among the community in the United States, since February. 41-year-old Khandu Patel, who was a father of two, worked as a housekeeper at Best Value Inn and Suites in Whitehaven. The incident occurred earlier this week, when about 30 shots were fired. According to police one of those bullets hit Patel. He was standing at the back of the motel when he was shot and was pronounced dead at the Regional Medical Center. Patel had worked at the motel for about 8 months. His wife and children lived at the motel with him. "He finished his day’s work and was out walking around the property. The next thing you know he hears some gunshots flying around and one caught him in the chest," Jay Patel, the victim's nephew, was quoted as saying by the report. "He did not even make it to the hospital to be saved." Jay Patel added that the family was about to shift to another location for a new job. "He was ready to get out of there," said Jay Patel. "Just trying to put food on the table so he had to take what he had at the time." Police have put up flyers all over the area asking for information about the suspect. The flyer also reads there is a ‘Crime Stoppers reward. Jay Patel has requested people with information to come forward to help the family get justice. -On February 22, Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhota was killed in a ‘hate crime’ when a Navy veteran opened fire at him and his friend. -43-year-old Harnish Patel was found dead of gunshot wounds in the front year of his home in Lancaster, South Carolina. In early March. -On March 23, 38-year-old Sasikala and her 6-year-old son Anish Narra were found dead inside their apartment in New Jersey. NRI in Indian-squad for FIFA U-17 World-Cup AMandeep

Indian-origin man strangles son to death April 28, 2017 18:45

An Indian-origin man in South Africa allegedly strangled his 7-year-old son to death, while his 4-year-old daughter watched in terror has been arrested. The man is expected to appear in the court on Tuesday. The 29-year-old man was separated from his wife, but a court granted him right to visit his children. The suspect’s identity has not been revealed due to South Africa’s child protection law. The mother reported to police officers after the father failed to bring the children back to home at the scheduled time, an uncle of the children said. Police officers found the father wandering around a park with both the kids in his arms. He claimed that the boy was asleep. The children were rushed to a hospital where the boy was declared dead. His sister described how her father choked him. Tracy Sinayhakah, who is the grandmother of those children said that she had received a chilling WhatsApp message from the father just before the alleged killing, asking her to tell his estranged wife what she was 'going to lose'. Lieutenant-Colonel Thulian Zwane said that a murder case has been registered. The cold blooded murder incident took place earlier this week. The incident has shocked the community of Phoenix, the sprawling township in Durban, which was created during the apartheid era to forcibly resettle the Indian community in the city. Hyderabadi woman sold to Kafeel for Rs. 3 lakh AMandeep

Indian businessman wins UK’s prestigious award April 27, 2017 18:47

Indian businessman’s food processing firm in the United Kingdom has won the prestigious Queen’s Enterprise Award 2017 for its outstanding contribution to the country’s trade, industry and economy. 61-year-old Yusaffali MA said that the recognition for this Birmingham based Y International Ltd will spur his UAE headquartered Lulu Group International to further expand business interest in the United Kingdom. "I am extremely honored and proud to hear the news about Y International UK Ltd been selected for the prestigious Queen's Award this year. This great recognition will surely help us further strengthen our plans to expand business interests in the UK and continue with our innovations and contributions to the dynamic economy of the UK," the Kerala-born, UAE-based entrepreneur said in a statement. The food processing plant employs 300 local staff. It was established in Birmingham in 2013to source and process food products from the United Kingdom to support the demand for high-quality British products for sale in Lulu Group’s hypermarkets across the Middle East, India and Far East. "We are in the process of setting up another world-class food processing plant in the 12.5 acres of land allotted by Birmingham City Council, to further boost our exports and cover a bigger variety of products. The planned investment would be to the tune of 36 million pounds," Yusuffali said. The Queen's Award is conferred annually by Queen Elizabeth II on her birthday, April 21, upon firms that display great enterprise across the fields of innovation, international trade, promoting opportunity through social mobility and sustainable development. The selections are based on the recommendation of Downing Street and published in the official London Gazette. All the entries are subject to audit and scrutiny by over thirty United Kingdom agencies before being included in the roll of honor. The Y International Limited is listed as an international distributor of grocery products, perishables products and non-foods products, was chosen in the international trade category. The winners of the 2017 awards will be invited to a special reception at Buckingham Palace later this year. The Lulu group’s estimated worth is about $6.9 billion, it is ranked as a top retailer in the MENA region and listed among the50 fastest growing retailers in the world by Deloitte. The company made headlines in the United Kingdom in recent years for acquiring the iconic Scotland Yard building in London and for its investment in luxury retail brand East India Company. NRI Bank accounts must be linked to Aadhaar card to avoid blockage AMandeep

NRI in Indian Squad for FIFA U-17 World Cup April 17, 2017 15:22

India is set ready to host its first ever FIFA tournament, as it is going to host Under-17 World Cup in October this year. The home squad has been boosted with the inclusion of Namit Deshpande, who is a US-based NRI scouted by the ‘All India Football Federation’ (AIFA) through its overseas scouting portal. Last year, AIFA launched a website in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, which saw young Non-Resident-Indian footballers with valid Indian passports, uploading their freestyle videos in an attempt to catch the selectors’ eye. The website received about 50 applications, but it was Deshpande, son of New Jersey based architects, originally from Mumbai, who impressed the selectors most. Deshpande first travelled to Brazil, where the Indian squad, under coach Nicolai Adam, was on an exposure trip. The coach was flattered by the youngster, who plays in the central defense. However, Adam was sacked following allegations of physical and verbal abuse by his players. When Luis de Matos of Portugal took charge of the team, Deshpande reached the Goa camp and after flaunting his skills over a four day period, he proved that he was as good, if not better, than the boys in training. Since 2006 Deshpande is living with his family in the United States. Before he joins the rest of the teams travel to Portugal next month, he has to handle his school assignments. The squad is currently touring Europe and is scheduled to play a series of friendly matches in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Hungary before returning back to India for the final leg of preparations. The U-17 World Cup will be held from October 6 to 28. Former Indian striker Abhishek Yadav along with other sports disciplines are monitoring the overseas scouting project, they receive videos from players on an everyday basis and feel that more players could follow Deshpande to break into the squad for the U-17 World Cup at home "Just yesterday, I received two profiles, but they are from a different age group. Deshpande was the most impressive of all the players I have seen," said Yadav."He is a central defender and a very good one at that. When he came to Goa, the coach was impressed with his talent and work ethic." Indian-origin sparks interest in Real Madrid AMandeep

NRI bank accounts must be linked to Aadhaar to avoid blockage April 12, 2017 17:41

The Indian tax department on Wednesday (April 12) announced that all the bank accounts, including insurance and stocks – opened between July 2014 and August 2015 have to be linked to the holders Aadhaar card by the end of April. Failure to meet the order may result in blocking the holders account. All the account holders under ambit of the Foreign Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which was signed by India and the U.S. in July 2015 to weed out tax evaders, will have to self-certify themselves by submitting KYC documents (Know your customer) and their Aadhaar card number to bank accounts and financial institution by April 30th. In a statement the Tax Department of India said that "the account holders may be informed that, in case self-certifications are not provided till April 30, 2017, the accounts would be blocked, which would mean that the financial institution would prohibit the account holder from effecting any transaction with respect to such accounts." Although the Supreme Court has directed the government that Aadhaar cards can only be used for welfare services and not as an identification tool or a requirement for general services. The Majority of people are concerned that the Aadhaar card and biometric analysis is not the safest tool to let someone- a government agency for agency - to identify (and track) someone. According to the new Finance Bill the filing of income tax returns will require individuals to quote their Aadhaar number The Aadhaar number will also be linked to their permanent account number (PAN) card or else the PAN card will be cancelled from July 1st. AMandeep