NRI ( Page 74 of 83 )

Lithuanian charged with Indian's murder commits suicide February 01, 2012 10:25

A Lithuanian charged with the murders of an Indian-origin man and his British wife at their home in Birmingham has committed suicide in police custody, a media report said. Avtar Kolar, 62, and Carole Kolar,…

Case of 17 Indians to be heard on Feb 15: Sharjah Civil Court January 31, 2012 13:51

The hearing in a Dh1.5million civil compensation suit against 17 Indians who had earlier won a reprieve from death sentence will continue in the Sharjah Civil Court of First Instance on February 15. The civil…

Hight Court slaps Rs.20,000 fine on NRI January 31, 2012 13:39

Abusing the process of law by questioning investigating agencies and maligning the judiciary has cost a non-resident Indian (NRI) Rs.20,000. The Delhi High Court order came on a plea of NRI N.S. Hoon seeking compensation of Rs.5,000 crore from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly implicating him in a criminal case. He sought action against the erring officials of CBI for harassing him for 25 years. Justice M.L. Mehta said: “In the present petition, not only the CBI and police are questioned but even the judiciary and the government are sought to be maligned in a highly derogatory and utterly contemptuous manner. The unparliamentary language used by the petitioner is evident by words like ‘slave magistrate’, ‘obliging judge’, ‘corrupt CBI’.” The court said that such petitions were nothing but a waste of precious judicial time and mockery of the legal process. “The conduct of the petitioner is highly condemnable and deserves no consideration even due to his age as he has unabatedly abused the process of law in intimidating and obstructing public officials from discharging their duties,” the court said. Hoon, who had acquired British citizenship, had argued that the officers of CBI acted against him at the instance of some influential people and they should be prosecuted under law. He claimed to have undergone mental agony and physical suffering in the past 25 years and sought financial compensation. “I was arrested on May 14, 1987 despite an anticipatory bail order from the Delhi High Court. They seized my passport for such a long time causing huge losses to my business abroad,” Hoon said. He added even the trial court had acquitted him from all the charges under the Foreigners Act. According to the CBI, Hoon concealed his identity as a British citizen during his stay in two different hotels, in 1986-87, which was a criminal offence. The CBI alleged that during his stay in Delhi’s Ambassador Hotel, the petitioner paid the hotel tariff in rupees whereas he should have paid in British pounds. Similarly, he stayed at an hotel in Jaipur and paid Rs.8,000 in Indian currency. Justice Mehta called the petitioner a “chronic litigant” who filed cases against the authorities whenever any step was taken against him due to his activities which were contrary to law.

Ex-IITian NRI's 5 mn dollar gift to cancer research project January 30, 2012 10:01

Living up to his promise made nearly four years ago, a US-based Indian and IT entrepreneur on Friday came to his alma-mater Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here to launch a research centre for biosciences and bio-engineering with the focus on cancer. An alumnus of the 1969 batch of IIT, Romesh Wadhwani, founder of Symphony Technology Group and chairman of Wadhwani Foundation, along with his wife Kathy and IIT Bombay director Devang Khakhar, inaugurated the Wadhwani Research Centre in Biosciences & Bioengineering (WRCBB) at the IIT-Bombay campus on Friday. The WRCBB follows a generous gift of US$ 5 million announced by Wadhwani in 2008 in New York, towards the project, designed to focus on understanding cell motility and cancer invasion. The IIT-B's Faculty of Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering will be affiliated to the WRCBB for the research projects, said Khakhar. He said the Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering is relatively a young department but has already achieved recognition for its research excellence in multiple areas. These include -- cancer cell biology, signalling mechanisms in immune cells, computational biology, computational neurobiology, bio-nanotechnology, biosensors and drug delivery systems, among others. In addition, WRCBB will focus on understanding cell motility and cancer invasion as its research area with the ultimate goal to build a better knowledge base in this field. "WRCBB intends to have top-class faculty conduct cutting edge research using latest in emerging technologies with the sole purpose of changing lives for the better all over the world," Khakhar said.

Aneesh Chopra, Obama's Indian American IT head, quits January 30, 2012 09:38

Aneesh Chopra, President Barack Obama's information technology honcho, who was the highest ranking Indian American in the Obama administration, is leaving the White House, apparently to try his hand at politics. Announcing the departure of Chopra, Assistant to the President and the federal government's first Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Obama said "Chopra did groundbreaking work to bring our government into the 21st century. "Aneesh found countless ways to engage the American people using technology, from electronic health records for veterans, to expanding access to broadband for rural communities, to modernizing government records." "His legacy of leadership and innovation will benefit Americans for years to come, and I thank him for his outstanding service." While the official announcement gave no reason for Chopra's resignation from White House, the Washington Post citing unnamed Democrats said he is widely expected to announce that he will run for lieutenant governor in Virginia. Chopra has flirted with running for statewide office in Virginia for years, building up support among Democratic activists and serving on Obama's transition team in 2008, it said. The timing of his resignation allows Chopra to campaign this year for his two former bosses: former governor Tim Kaine, who is running to replace retiring Senator James Webb this year; and Obama, who will face a tough fight in the swing state of Virginia. He is expected to attend Virginia Democrats' biggest fundraiser of the year, the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, Feb 11 in Richmond, where those who are looking to run statewide host parties and mingle with more than 1,500 activists, the Post said. The eldest son of Indian immigrants, Chopra, 40, was sworn in into his White House job on May 22, 2009 after serving as Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia from January 2006 to April 2009. He previously served as Managing Director with the Advisory Board Company, a publicly-traded healthcare think tank. Chopra was named to Government Technology magazine's Top 25 in their Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers issue in 2008. Aneesh Chopra received his BA from The Johns Hopkins University and his MPP from Harvard's Kennedy School.

8 people of Indian origin in Padma list January 27, 2012 09:23

Ten people of Indian origin and foreigners have been awarded India's prestigious Padma awards announced on Wednesday. While seven have got the Padma Bhushan, three are listed for the Padma Shri. Amongst the eminent NRIs getting the Padma Bhushan are sculptor Anish Kapoor (Britain) and judge PC Rao (Germany). The list also includes four people in the literature and education category -- Vidya Dehejia, Arvind Panagariya and Jose Pereira from the US and Homi K Bhabha from Britain. Also in the Padma Bhushan is George Yong-Boon Yeo, Singapore's former Foreign Affairs Minister. Another Singaporean, Gopinath Pillai, is slated to get the Padma Shri in the trade and industry category.Shoji Shiba from Japan (trade and industry) and US-based professor Jagadish Shukla (science and engineering) are also in the list.

India to Norway: Settle issue of Indian kids with family January 25, 2012 10:46

India on Monday conveyed to Norway that it should work out a settlement with the immediate family of two kids who are now under foster care on the orders of a local court there. External…

Indian -origin surgeon Jayant Patel's appeal to be heard on Feb 10 January 25, 2012 10:10

Convicted Indian- origin surgeon Jayant Patel's appeal will be heard at an Australian High Court on February 10. His appeal will be heard by video link between Canberra and Brisbane, The Courier Mail reports. Patel, also dubbed as Doctor Death, was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and one case of grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to seven years in jail in June 2010 The convictions related to his tenure as a Bundaberg Base Hospital surgeon between March 2003 and April 2005. The Queensland Court of Appeal had earlier rejected Patel's appeal against his conviction.atel will apply for leave to appeal to the High Court on several grounds, including the trial judge Justice John Byrne incorrectly interpreted the legislation under which the crown ran its case. The high court application has a significant importance for Patel as he is still facing eight charges of fraud and attempted fraud in relation to gaining employment at the hospital.

Ind-American jailed for 20 yrs for money laundering January 23, 2012 11:42

An Indian-American entrepreneur has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for using his perfume distribution business to launder millions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels. 51-year-old Vikram Datta, who was found guilty in September last year on money-laundering charges, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court here. "Datta used his perfume business to remove the stench from Mexican drug cartel money, and now he will pay a steep price for his crimes," Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara said. She said the "sentence should make anyone think twice about getting into business with narcotics traffickers." Datta owned multiple retail perfume stores on the US-Mexico border and sold significant amounts of perfume to Mexican purchasers. As payment, he accepted millions of dollars in cash that had been generated from drug sales in the US. According to trial evidence, Mexican money exchange businesses purchased these "narco dollars" in exchange for Mexican pesos. The narco dollars were transported back into the US and used to purchase perfume at businesses, including Datta`s, located in Laredo, Texas.

India ranks 72 in 'global educational survey' January 23, 2012 11:27

School students celebrate after checking their CBSE results. A global survey has found that the average 15-year-old Indian is over 200 points behind the global topper. MUMBAI: Across the world, India is seen as an…

NRIs to get right to vote in Indian elections: PM January 11, 2012 09:31

Fulfilling a long-standing demand of its diaspora, India on Sunday said it would allow NRIs to vote and participate in the election process. "Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable Non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the government has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. "This constitutes the first major step to enable Indian residents abroad to participate in our election process," the prime minister said while addressing the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas diaspora meet here. He said the diaspora plays an important role in the growth and development of the country. The government recognises it, and was committed to address their concerns and fulfil their demands. "The government and people of India recognise and value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. We believe that Indian diaspora has much more to contribute to the building of modern India," the prime minister said. "We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement. Over the past year, we have taken a number of steps towards this end," he added, as he formally inaugurated the 10th annual diaspora meet, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said NRIs would be able to exercise their franchise in upcoming elections. "Indian nationals living abroad can now exercise their franchise in India at the time o f the elections," Ravi said. Now those NRIs who have registered with the embassies of their respective countries of stay, would be eligible to vote in the upcoming assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. Polls will take place in these countries between Jan 28 and March 3. Ravi said objective of the government was to further increase engagements with diaspora. "Our objective is to raise the level of engagement to go beyond mere investment related issues and address a broader agenda." "We believe that this will provide the vast majority of you the opportunity to benefit from as well as contribute - each in your own way - to India's development story," the minister said. Later talking to media person, Ravi said this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is the largest congregation of Indian diaspora. He said almost 1,900 delegates from around 60 countries were participating in the three-day event.

Involve overseas Indians as partners: President Pratibha Patil January 10, 2012 10:20

President Pratibha Patil on Monday said the country would continue supporting overseas Indians and encourage greater exchanges among the communities living abroad. In the present times of economic uncertainty and profound change in the world, the country would actively involve overseas Indians as partners in the development and progress of the nation, she said addressing the valedictory session of the 10 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here. Addressing a packed B.M. Birla Auditorium in the presence of Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Rajasthan's acting Governor Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the President said the overseas Indians were becoming influential in the economic and political fields of the countries of their residence. They could play a key role in taking forward India's interests as well, she added. The President said health, education and skill development would continue to remain the priority areas in the strategy of inclusive development in the 12th Plan. She said the Government would spend adequate resources to ensure maximum efficiency in these identified focus areas. The Government also should ensure that the resources were spent to achieve maximum efficiency in terms of outcome. “We need to harness private investment in these areas,” she added. Ms. Patil, who talked about a sustainable future, said the Overseas Indians could play a decisive role in it with the knowledge they have gained in various fields. She underlined the role of linking the younger generation with the country of their forefathers. “We must continue to promote greater exchanges between the youth as an important aspect of forging linkages and maintaining the tradition of close bonds.” Ms. Bissessar, the chief guest at the function, was the first one to be called out to receive the “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” awards along with 14 others. Dressed in colourful Rajasthani attire to suit the occasion, she demurely touched the feet of Ms. Patil in the true Bharatiya style to make it the high point of the three-day function. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Bissessar said the only passport out of poverty to a better life was education, which was a priority among Indians. She added that the Indian values helped the diaspora during the good and not so good times. “We believe in our potential. We have not allowed anything to put us down,” she said about the undying spirit of the Overseas Indian. Complimenting India, she said the country has become truly global. The cultural and economic power house that India is today impacts the lives of people beyond its borders. She concluded by urging the young diaspora to participate in the PBD with enthusiasm. She cited the words of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking to build bridges of communication and ended saluting the Mahatma. “A small body of spirit fired by unquenchable faith in a mission can alter the course of history,” she added. The President gave away the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards also to P. V Radhakrishna Pillai (Bahrain) for his outstanding contribution to the Indian community; Sachchidanand Sahai (Cambodia) for his scholarly work, and for his role in fostering relation between India and Canada; Deepak Naraindas Shivdasani (Cote D'Ivoire) for promoting India in Africa; and Victor Shahed Smetacek (Germany) for his outstanding contributions in the field of science. Awards were given for furthering the interests of the Indian communities abroad to Sri Prakash Lohia (Indonesia), Jose Parayanken (Mozambique), Kiran Navinchandra Aher (Oman), Hassan Abdulkarim Chougule (Qatar) Khorshed Noshir Ginwala-Rustomjee (South Africa), Rajesh Kumar Saraiya (Ukraine) and Surendra Kumar Kaushik (US) for his contributions in the field of economics. Kalpalatha Kummamuri Guntupalli (US), who spoke on behalf of all the awardees, was honoured for her contributions in the field of medicine. Also awarded in absentia was S.R. Nathan, former President of Singapore, for his contributions in the field of public service. Referring to the theme, “Global Indians -- Inclusive Growth”, Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, said the diaspora could play a very constructive role in the inclusive growth agenda of the Government.