No OCI card for people with military background! November 14, 2016 14:50
The Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card will not be given to Indian origin persons with military background as a inter-ministerial committee recommended to the Indian Government that, any kind of act to grant OCI cards to such people will be against the interests of the country. The high-level committee's recommendation came after carefully examining the all aspects of granting OCI cards to people of Indian origin who had served the militaries of any foreign country. A senior government official privy to the development said that, "The committee felt that any person with military background should not have uninterrupted access to Indian territories. If such a person is granted OCI card, he or she could enter India without visa and the facility is offered for life." The decision came after the government received several applications of persons of Indian origin who had served in the armed forces of foreign countries. In January 2015, the government had declared that all Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders are deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders. An OCI card holder gets benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station on every visit. Also Read: NRIs in UK will get help to deposit banned notes: Indian envoy Nandini
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NRIs in UK will get help to deposit banned notes: Indian envoy November 12, 2016 10:42
India's envoy to the United Kingdom said, Indian government is looking forward to help Non-Resident Indian (NRIs), who may own some banned currency notes so that they can deposit it at a branch of an Indian bank overseas. Dinesh Patnaik said that, "Our endeavour is to help everybody. We have asked Delhi about it (any banned notes with NRIs). I have a feeling we will work out something so that people who have carried certain amount of cash in their pocket, should be able to deposit it in any Indian bank overseas." Earlier this week, as a part of an anti-corruption drive, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced to ban on Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, giving Indians the option to exchange the banned currency at banks all over the country until December 30. India's acting high commissioner to the UK said that, "Basically, it means people abroad should not have more than that. Also, not everybody will have an account with an Indian bank either they will have to open one or find an alternative. So, it is something we will have to look at very closely.” "There is a lot of time, until December 30," he said. "This is not an amnesty scheme or any scheme to garner black money. This is a method to achieve cashless transactions, which in itself will stop corruption, and to make sure that the money which is lying within the non-legal system, gets into the legal system,” Patnaik, the deputy high commissioner said. "And, of course, the threat of fake Indian currency will be eliminated, because that threat was mostly with Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 will have greater security features and it will make it more difficult for counterfeiters to try and copy it," he said. Also Read: Brave and bold Surgical strike on black money and funding of terrorism Nandini
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Indian-American Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump's Immigration Policies! November 11, 2016 16:47
Kamala Harris, who became the first Indian-American to elect to the US Senate, has said she would open a battlefront against the anti-immigration policies of the President-elect Donald Trump, citing "we must reject racism and xenophobia in our politics". The 52 years old Ms Harris said, "I recognize that Tuesday's election has made millions of people in this country feel powerless and afraid of what is to come." She launched a signature campaign against Trump's policies on immigrants. A two-term Attorney General of California described Trump's immigration policies like wall along the US-Mexico border and mass deportations as "absolutely unrealistic". She said that, "Our diverse movement and the responsibility the people have granted me in this office comes into play. We have the power to give a voice to the voiceless in Washington as we advance an agenda rooted in justice and equality, she said.” "It is no secret that there exists two divergent directions for our country to take on immigration reform and the treatment of our immigrant communities, both documented and undocumented.” "One side believes it is okay to demagogue immigrants, has proposed unrealistic plans to build a wall, and is promising to break up families by deporting millions of people. The other side believes in respect, justice, dignity and equality as part of an approach to bring millions of people out of the shadows," she said. "We must reject racism and xenophobia in our politics as we work to protect our immigrants through real reforms. Right now is a time to bring people together. To unite our country around the common values and ideals that actually make us great. Demagoguing or outright attacking communities of colour is not a real plan, it is a recipe for disaster.” "What we must do is rededicate ourselves to the fight for who we are and build a coalition that is ready to join that fight because we are stronger when we are inclusive," Ms Harris said. "I intend to fight for a state that has the largest number of immigrants, both documented and undocumented. We must bring them justice and dignity and fairness through comprehensive immigration reform. I intend to fight for 'Black Lives Matter' and to ensure truth, transparency and trust in our criminal justice system and to fight for a woman's access to healthcare and reproductive rights," she added. Also Read: Indian-American Kamala Harris creates wins US Senate seat! Nandini
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Indian-American Kamala Harris creates wins US Senate seat! November 09, 2016 18:05
History has created after Indian-American California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris won the U.S. Senate seat from the state. She became the first Indian-American to achieve the feat. She would replace Barbara Boxer. The 51 years old Ms. Harris defeated her rival Democrat Loretta Sanchez. She was born in Oakland, California. Ms. Harris said, "My parents met at Berkeley." " My mom, Shyamala Gopalan was a scientist, she came to the U.S. from Chennai to study science, and my father was a professor of economics." "We grew up always being told that you have a responsibility to serve." "I was blessed to have a really great childhood. In my family and extended family, children were nurtured and loved," said Harris. "When I started my career as a prosecutor, I specialized in child abuse and I met so many children who were the victims of circumstances beyond their control." Also Read: Indian-origin lawyer appointed Shadow Attorney General in UK! Nandini
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Over 600 Indian-Americans celebrate Chhath Puja in US! November 08, 2016 10:43
The festival of worshiping the Sun God was celebrated in the United States by the several Indian-American people. More than 600 from the community were gathered on the banks of the historic Potomac River to celebrate the three-day long festival of Chhath. Kripa Singh, who has been organizing the event for the past nine years said that, "This was the largest gathering for Chhath Puja." He is an eminent Indian American community leader in Virginia. Women were attired in colorful traditional saree to worship the rising sun. Several women were came from as far as Ohio, Chicago, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to attend the festival of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. In 2007, he approached the Recreation Department and the Loudon County Parks with the details and sought permission to do the ceremony which was granted. Chhath Puja entails worship of Sun God, embodied in cosmic energy. The festival is mainly observed by people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh states of India. Also Read: Australian of the Year award goes to Indian-origin cabbie! Nandini
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Australian of the Year award goes to Indian-origin cabbie! November 08, 2016 09:57
Indian-origin driver Tejinder Pal Singh will be honoured as the "Australian of the Year" for influencing the lives of people of all colours in a positive way and for his service to the Sikh community. He is the founder of "Food Van", an organization which provides food for the needy. He is treated as the messiah for the homeless people. Gurbax Singh Khalsa, who lives in Melbourne, said that, "I am waiting for the day Tejinder is felicitated. It is an honour for all of us.” The Times of India reported, Gaurav Kumar from Perth said that, " As usual, a large number of Punjabis in Australia run taxis and have to face racist comments some times. When TP Singh came here from India in 2006, he was racially abused by a passenger in his taxi. But, Singh responded in a way that led to a gradual change in the behaviour of the people towards all turban-wearing persons." According to the official website of the Australian of the Year, "Funding the feast each month from his own pocket, Tejinder attributes his generosity to his deep Sikh faith. His work has inspired three other groups to take up the cause to ute free food to the homeless on Sundays. And the hungry and thirsty come flocking when they see Tejinder's van, emblazoned with the sign 'Free Indian food for hungry and needy people'". Also Read: Indian-origin millionaire wins local council election in Australia! Nandini
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Indian-origin millionaire wins local council election in Australia! November 04, 2016 11:02
The Indian-American millionaire Intaj Khan has been reelected in the local council elections of the Wyndham suburb of the Victoria state of Australia. Following his victory from the Harrison Ward of the suburb, Khan will serve for another four years as a councillor of the suburb. Khan, from the Labour Party was elected from more than 95 candidates including dozen from the Indian background. This year, more than 2,100 candidates had filed their nominations for over 600 councillor vacancies in 78 councils across the state. Khan, 44 said that, "I feel privileged as I can serve my community as well as my council for another term. However, it is also a bit disappointing to see that no other Indian-origin candidates were elected across the state in this year's election." "I would consult with the community on representing at the state or federal level but right now I don't have any immediate plans," Khan said. Also Read: Indian-origin bus driver burnt alive in Australia! Nandini
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Modi takes up killing of Indian-origin bus driver with Australian PM! October 31, 2016 16:25
PM Narendra Modi raised India's concern over the brutal killing of an Indian-origin bus driver with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull. The 29-year-old Manmeet Alisher, was burned to death in front of several passengers in Brisbane when a man poured some flammable liquid on him. A Prime Minister’s Office statement said that, PM Modi telephoned Turnbull to wish him on Indian festival Diwali and also conveyed a “sense of concern being felt in India over the recent brutal killing of Mr. Manmeet Alisher, a person of Indian origin, in Australia.” A well-known singer in the Punjabi community, Alisher was targeted by a man who poured an “incendiary device” at him which sparked a fire, when he was driving a Brisbane City Council bus. The driver died on the spot while, many passengers managed to escape through the rear door. Australian PM Turnbull expressed shock at the killing of Indian-origin driver and also conveyed to Modi that the matter is being probed. The statement added, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his invitation to Premier Turnbull for a visit to India in 2017. Also Read: Indian-origin bus driver burnt alive in Australia! - Nandini
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Indian-origin bus driver burnt alive in Australia! October 29, 2016 10:23
An Indian-origin bus driver and a well known singer of the Punjabi community was burned to death in the Brisbane city of Australia. A man poured some flammable liquid on him in front of several passengers, police said. 29 year old Manmeet Alisher was attacked by a man who threw an "incendiary device" at him, when he was driving a Brisbane City Council bus. According to the police, a 48-year-old man was arrested over the incident. There was "no apparent motive" including terror or race related. Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said, the incident is investigating by the detectives from South Brisbane district and the state crime command's homicide group. Stewart said that, "There is no evidence at this time of any linkage to terrorist-type activities and certainly that has not become evident through the ongoing investigations that have occurred. We do not believe there is any evidence at this stage linking this to a racial complaint or concern by either of the people involved." "While we do not know the actual motive at this stage, I want to reassure the community that we take these incidents very seriously and that is why as a precaution, officers from the state security and counter terrorism group have also been involved," he said. Queensland Police Superintendent Jim Keogh said that, "Words escape me, it is a horrific incident here in the quiet suburb of Moorooka." "A bus driver, going about doing his business, supporting the community, has had his life taken from him in what is a senseless and needless act. The fire was substantial, he would have stood little chance," he said. Also Read: Sikh-American techie brutally assaulted in alleged hate crime in US! Nandini
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Short-term UK visas for students October 22, 2016 16:12
During Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit, India hopes to reach a deal with Britain for facilitating short-term visas for Indian students, academicians and businessmen. Acting High Commissioner to the UK Dinesh Patnaik has said, “I am hopeful, certain things will happen”. “I hope we will have a deal on Britain facilitating short-term visas for students, academicians and businessmen from India and these categories should not be in the migration list,” Patnaik said. He said, “This is her first bilateral visit and India is her first trip outside the continent. UK-India, we have a very very long umbilical relationship.” “It is an official visit and she will be heading a high-level 160-strong delegation. The trade delegation also assumes importance because of the Brexit scenario,” he added. “Post-Brexit, they will need it and they want to increase trade outside EU. The discussion will focus on framework of post-Brexit trade deal.” On the Indian side, he said “what we want is ease of doing business – access to the UK, both for students, academicians and businessmen.” India wants Britain to extend visa concessions to Indians – 6 months to 2 years visa for 87 pound. He said many companies here are shifting their jobs to India. In the next 3 to 4 months, about 2,000 jobs are expected to go to India. By Premji
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Indian-American seeks Obama team's help on fundamentalism charges October 18, 2016 15:33
Sonal Shah, the first Indian-American appointed to the presidential transition team of Barack Obama had written that the "frenzy" ethnic Indian press accused her of Hindu fundamentalism in 2008 to discredit him and having her quit. According to data released by WikiLeaks yesterday, Shah, one of the top economists who had been appointed to then president-elect Obama's transition team in 2008, wrote to the team's top leadership that the accusations of her being a right-wing Hindu fundamentalist and that she supported the communal violence in Gujarat, was mainly aimed at discrediting Obama, the emails released by . Shah wrote on November 10, nearly a week after Obama became the first non-White male to win the US presidential elections, "I am writing to get some guidance from you in managing the India press frenzy about my alleged right-wing politics and terrorist tendencies" She was accused of siding with Hindu fundamentalist and had been of being supportive of their cause. As her opponents launched a media campaign against her, Shah sought guidance from her party leadership fearing that this might tarnish the image of Obama. She wrote, "There are hundreds of blog posts and articles on this and without any responses, the rumours are feeding on each other. More interestingly, they were planning a public campaign to embarrass the president-elect and have me resign. I had several calls from prominent folks in India saying the best way to counter the lies and rumors was to put something out there denying the allegations. Others suggested doing a controlled interview.” Also Read: Brics Summit: A huge success for India By Prakriti Neogi
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US elections: Why Indian-Americans support Hillary over Trump? October 18, 2016 10:58
The Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is largely endorse by the Indian-Americans community because of the unique relationship she has built with the community and India. One of her major backers, Frank Islam, an India-born entrepreneur and philanthropist, said that, "Historically, Indian-Americans, like other Asian Americans and a lot of other immigrant groups, have been big supporters of the Democratic Party." "It has been more inclusive and more welcoming toward all immigrants," he said, adding "I doubt any other American politician has been able to build the kind of relationship with the Indian American community and India as Clinton." "Additionally she has been a champion of the middle class for decades," Islam said. "As President, she wants to provide better health care and better jobs for all Americans." "Hillary has been a staunch ally of India and she recognized that Indian-Americans have enabled the US to be a stronger and healthier nation," he added. According to the most recent polls cited by the Washington Post, roughly 70 per cent Indian-Americans plan to vote for Hillary Clinton compared with 7 per cent for her Republican rival Donald Trump. "I am a big fan of Hindu and a big fan of India," Trump told a rally organized by the Republican Hindu Coalition in Edison, New Jersey. "Indian-Americans, as a community, have shunned Donald Trump, and rightfully so," asserted Islam. But he conceded that "Trump has touched the nerve of angry and uneducated white working class voters." "His message on job losses is resonating with these people," he said, adding "Clinton is making every effort to reach out to this demography." "With her strong economic message, I am confident she will succeed converting a significant section of this group to her side." Islam was also confident that Clinton will offer "true friendship" to India and "take the US-India relations to the next level". Noting that "since 1992, the US-India relations have gotten better and better under every president, whether a Democrat or Republican," he said. "I have no doubt that the ties will continue to be nurtured under a Clinton administration." "There will be focus on trade and economic partnership, on cooperation in the area of defence and counter-terrorism, and on climate change and other global issues," Islam said. Also Read: Indian-origin scientist honors young scientist award in US! Nandini
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