Indian teacher commits suicide in Dubai! December 28, 2016 16:56
An Indian teacher allegedly committed suicide at his apartment in the UAE, media reported. Antony Benjamin, who hailed from Jaipur, India was a qualified educationist with Diploma in Phonetics from London and a Masters in…
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Sikh-American doctor files religious discrimination lawsuit! December 28, 2016 12:32
A Sikh-American doctor has filed a lawsuit against a medical organization in the United States, alleging he was denied a neurology job for his religious appearance. Jaswinder Pal Singh,who migrated to the US from India in 2008, is a licensed and board certified physician practising in the area of neurology. The Sikh Coalition, a Sikh advocacy group, filed the lawsuit on behalf of Singh in the US District Court for the Middle district of Tennessee. According to the lawsuit, Singh, an observant Sikh physician who keeps a religiously mandated turban and beard, was denied a neurology job after the employer and recruiter inquired into his religious appearance. However, the recruiter praised Singh's credentials in phone interviews, Singh was allegedly abruptly denied further interviews after he submitted photographs of himself, along with additional information on Sikhs and Sikhism. The job then remained vacant, it said. Singh said in a statement released by the coalition, that, "It was very clear to me that I was denied employment because of my ethnic background and religious appearance." "No Sikh in any job or profession should ever be denied employment because of their religion. By speaking out and taking action, I know that we will continue to hold employers directly accountable," said Singh. "Defendants failed and refused to hire (Singh) for the available neurologist position at Premier Medical Group because of his race (South Asian/Punjabi), colour, religion (Sikh) and/or national origin (Indian)," the lawsuit alleges. Punjab launched Punjabi learning website for NRIs! Nandini
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Punjab launched Punjabi learning website for NRIs! December 27, 2016 12:21
Now, learning Punjabi has became easy for the NRIs, as Punjab School Education Board launched a Punjabi learning website to teach and promote the language across the world. The website has been developed in collaboration with Punjab University, said the state's Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema after inaugurating the website. The Minister said that, people must take full advantage of new technologies in the modern era of globalization, to promote their mother tongue worldwide. With this website, anyone can learn Punjabi sitting in any part of India or abroad. The initiative will also be very useful for NRI Punjabis to now teach their children their mother tongue without travelling anywhere, he emphasized. The move was taken by the Education department under a number of projects launched to promote Punjabi language and dedicated to 50 years celebrations of Punjabi Suba, the minister added. The website also consists the advanced technology, like audio-video assistance for the better learning. The website will also provide the online examination facility soon, so that appearing candidates can evaluate their performance. Indian-origin surgeon receives prestigious UK professorship award! Nandini
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Sushma Swaraj seeks report in NRI Child custody in Norway December 24, 2016 14:52
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj sought a report from India's envoy to Norway on the allegations made by an NRI couple that the Norwegian authorities have taken custody of their five-year-old child alleging abuse. Swaraj tweeted, "I have asked Indian Ambassador in Norway to send me a report." The Indian couple sought the help of BJP leader Vijay Jolly in getting back the custody of their child. Following the incident, he had written to Sushma Swaraj and the Indian Ambassador in Norway. Jolly had raised concern on "forcible custody" of the NRI boy Aryan by Child Welfare Department of Norway on "baseless and fabricated complaint" in Oslo in his letter to Indian Ambassador Debraj Pradhan. Sharma is a member of 'Overseas Friends of BJP'.MEA officials said that, "Our Embassy officials in Oslo have spoken to the boy's father Anil Kumar Sharma and extended full support. However, Sharma informed the mission that he has hired a lawyer to represent him in the case." Norwegian Embassy spokesperson said that, "The Embassy became aware of this case yesterday evening. We have asked relevant authorities in Norway to provide us with further information, and are awaiting their response." Norway takes custody of child, NRI parents protest Nandini
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Indian-origin surgeon receives prestigious UK professorship award! December 19, 2016 10:55
The United Kingdom's Royal College of Surgeons has awarded a British-Indian orthopaedic surgeon with the prestigious Hunterian Professorship and Medal for 2017 for his research on stem cells in articular cartilage repair. The renowned knee surgeon in the UK, Anan Shetty is a Chair and Director of stem cell research at Canterbury Christ Church University. The citation reads that, "The Hunterian Professorship is considered one of the proudest traditional honours of the college bestowed on surgeons of eminence who have richly contributed to the field of surgery by original research or innovations. The honour of delivering the Hunterian lecture is regarded by surgeons around the world as a great privilege and high accolade awarded to recognize their work." Shetty is leading world class research in knee surgery and also trains orthopaedic surgeons at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Indian-origin Shetty is the founder and director of the Kent Knee Unit based at the Spire Alexandra Hospital in south-east England. It was established in response to the requirement and management of knee disorders. Britain to reduce student visas by almost half! Nandini
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Britain to reduce student visas by almost half! December 13, 2016 11:31
The recent media reports say, the British Home Office is planning to cut down international student numbers at universities and institutes in Britain, by nearly half. The threat was being greeted with dismay by university heads, who say some good overseas applicants were already being refused visas on spurious grounds. The Guardian reported that, a vice-chancellor at one Britain's university, said that the judgments being made by Britain Visas and Immigration have changed significantly in the past few months. Indian students, in particular, seem to be having a tougher time. Another vice-chancellor said that, "They are telling some students there is exactly the same quality of course available in India so why are you coming here." "That is outrageous." Sir Keith Burnett of Sheffield University, one of the vice-chancellors who accompanied PMTheresa May on a recent trade delegation to India, said that, "If we genuinely want to be open to the world and a global leader in free trade, we can only do so by welcoming talent." "This cannot simply be our own assessment. International students need to feel welcome and that accessing Britain to study and for a period of work experience is easy. Even a hint that students are unwelcome and they will go elsewhere," Burnett added. Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said that, "The Home Office seems to have decided that cutting international students is the only way of delivering the manifesto target of getting net migration down to the tens of thousands. But it does not address people's concerns about immigration." "The problems people are seeing on the ground are certainly not caused by international university students or staff," he said. Also Read: Trump says H1B visa holders can not replace American workers! Nandini
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Post-demonetisation: Best time to invest in property for NRIs December 13, 2016 10:32
Here is the perfect opportunity to invest in property for NRIs living in the UAE post-demonetisation. A property show in Dubai is all set to attract top real-estate developers from across India. The three-day property show, hosting top developers across India brings thousands of various properties ranging from villas, apartments, plots, row houses, commercial to retail properties to suit their budget. R Srividya, General Manager Corporate Sales and Brand Engagement, Indian Property Show at Sumansa Exhibitions, said that, "For NRIs residing in the UAE, the Indian Property Show is more than just a real-estate exhibition." "It is a perfect opportunity to touch base with the latest happenings and updates on the real-estate front back home-particularly now that we are witnessing several important measures that have impacted the realty industry directly and indirectly,” he said. "For NRIs, these changes herald good omen since many builders are already adopting 100 per cent transparency policy and cheque payments, which obviously boosts the trust level between the two parties,” Srividya added. "The implementation of Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA) rules, have also been instrumental in bringing professionalism, standardization and transparency in real-estate sector. This, along with the recent wave of demonetisation has helped the Indian realty industry emerge more transparent and buyer-friendly," he said. Dharmesh Shah, Vice President-Head Residential Sales and Marketing, Adani Realty, said that, "The direct and most significant benefit of demonetisation is increased liquidity across the banks. Such availability of funds will lead to lowering the rate of interest across different loans which will in turn reduce EMI giving a boost to real-estate demand. We expect home loan rates to be down to approx. 7-8 per cent." "By bringing greater compliance, RERA will help making real-estate class more efficient, transparent and healthy than any other asset class, so best time to buy real estate is now," Shah added. "This bodes well for end-users, who will be aware of their rights and have the assurance of not being cheated. They will be able to buy properties of their choice at affordable prices, in projects which will undoubtedly be delivered on time," he said. Also Read: Demonetisation a huge cause of concern for NRIs, PIOs Nandini
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Ten youths from Punjab on death row in UAE! December 07, 2016 10:26
A trial court in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi awarded death sentence to ten youths from different parts of Punjab, Indian for killing a Pakistani man. All the accused on death row were working as labourers…
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Indian-origin man charged with murder in US! December 06, 2016 15:17
An Indian-origin man has been charged with murder for stabbing his wife to death on a street after an argument. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison. The 50-year-old Prem Rampersaud, who lives in Guyana, is temporarily residing with a friend in Queens. According to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, he has been charged with murder in the multiple stabbing death of his 46-year-old wife Rajwantie Baldeo on the streets in Queens, just after midnight. Brown said in a statement that, "This was an especially violent crime in which the defendant is accused of viciously taking the life of the woman he purportedly loved by repeatedly stabbing her following a heated verbal argument. If convicted, her brutal and senseless death merits serious punishment." Also Read: Demonetisation a huge cause of concern for NRIs, PIOs Nandini
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Demonetisation a huge cause of concern for NRIs, PIOs December 06, 2016 11:35
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) president Niraj Baxi wrote a letter to India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to express their support to government of India's desire to curb terrorist funding and black money by banning Rs 500 and Rs 1000 rupee notes. Baxi said that, "It is a bold decision by Prime Minister Modi and we fully support him." However, the organization also conveyed its concerns on behalf of the NRI and PIO community. GOPIO is the largest organisation that looks after the well-being of the NRIs and PIOs living outside India. It is a 'non-partisan, secular global organization engaged in promoting their well-being and enhancing cooperation and communication between Indians living in different countries'. GOPIO has received numerous calls and emails from NRIs and PIOs regarding withdrawal of higher currency, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation. Dr Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International, said that, "NRIs and PIOs should be allowed to exchange whatever amount they have as long as they show the proof of past conversion of foreign currency to Indian currency in the last 10 years." GOPIO is the largest organization which looks after the well-being of the NRIs and PIOs living outside India. It is a non-partisan, secular global organization linked in promoting their well-being and enhancing communication and cooperation between Indians living in different countries across the world. Also Read: US says demonetisation necessary step to address corruption! Nandini
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Preet Bharara meets Trump, agrees to stay on as US attorney December 02, 2016 09:55
India-American powerful US attorney, Preet Bharara, met with the United States president-elect Donald Trump and agreed to remain in the position. Mr. Bharara has facilitated many high-profile insider trading convictions. Preet Bharara was appointed as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 2009 by outgoing US President Barack Obama. He has earned the reputation of a "crusader" prosecutor. Indian-origin Bharara said that, "The President-elect asked, presumably because he's a New Yorker and is aware of the great work that our office has done over the past seven years, asked to meet with me to discuss whether or not I'd be prepared to stay on as the United States attorney to do the work as we have done it, independently, without fear or favour for the last seven years." "We had a good meeting," he said after meeting with president-elect Donald Trump. "I said I would absolutely consider staying on. I agreed to stay on," said Bharara. The top Indian-American attorney said that, "I have already spoken to Senator (Jeff) Sessions, who is as you know is the nominee to be the attorney general. He also asked that I stay on, and so I expect that I will be continuing to work at the southern district." Bharara was born in a Sikh family in 1968 in Ferozepur in Punjab state of India. He grew up in New Jersey after his parents moved to the US. Also Read: Several Indian Americans in race for place in Trump administration! Nandini
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Several Indian Americans in race for place in Trump administration! December 01, 2016 10:06
The highest ranking Indian-origin politician in the Republican party says, many Indian-Americans are being considered for positions in the Trump government as they all qualify on merit and ethnicity is not an issue. Harmeet Dhillon, a member of the Republican National Committee, said that, "I know of several Indian Americans in consideration for positions. I am not at liberty to mention their names, but there are many people under consideration for positions in a Trump administration." The history is already created as President-elect Donald Trump nominated Indian-origin Nikki Haley, Republican governor of South Carolina, as the United States ambassador to the UN. "The new administration is going to place people according to merit. I do not think they have any particular goal of placing Indian Americans versus other ethnic groups. I think they would be looking to put the best people in the position. I am sure in that process many qualified Indian Americans would become part of the administration," Dhillon said. The 47-year-old Dhillon, an experienced lawyer of repute, said she would also be willing to consider a senior position in the administration. "If I am asked to serve in a senior capacity, I will certainly consider it. Of course, the focus right now is on Cabinet level appointment at this time," she said. San Francisco-based Dhillon, added that, "The RNC Chairman Reince Priebus (who has been picked as White House Chief of Staff) is certainly somebody who I know personally and respect. He is going to be the president's right hand man. His choices are solid. Many of the people who I have seen coming in and out with the president-elect are really outstanding people." "I think, his main challenge is out of many, many great qualified Americans going to help, which one does he pick," Dhillon said. Also Read: Trump chooses Nikki Haley as US Ambassador to UN! Nandini
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