NRI Top Stories ( Page 31 of 32 )

NRI Sunita Gupta jumps to death from 14th floor December 20, 2011 15:03

A non-resident Indian woman from the US Sunday committed suicide by jumping off the 14th floor of an apartment block in Ghaziabad, police said. Sunita Gupta, 55, who came to India 20 days ago, jumped off Kaushambi’s Malayagiri Tower in the afternoon. “Prima facie it seems a case of depression,” said Kamlesh Bahadur, police circle officer III. She and her husband Bharat Prakash Gupta, a senior manager US aerospace major Boeing, had come to visit her mother and younger brother here. The two got married 10 years ago. Both had divorced their previous partners. On Saturday afternoon, Sunita climbed up to the 14th floor and jumped to the ground, police said. Her 78-year-old mother was ill and her younger brother had recently been divorced, police said.

A Grand success: UTAA Mahila Sambaralu 2011 December 16, 2011 13:30

The success of UTAA (United Telugu American Association) Mahila Sambaralu 2011 has set a benchmark to all the events of this kind. The event was held at Royal Albert's Palace, Edison NJ on Sunday, Dec 11th 2011. Over 1000 Telugu women and teenage girls participated in the event making it grand success. This is the consecutive third year to organize UTAA Mahila Sambaralu, since 2009. UTAA Mahila Sambaralu 2011 was third event of the kind and its third year this event surpassed all the events of this kind. The resounding success of the event once again proved the faith and commitment of the members and the goodwill for the organization. The event was backed by sponsors, vendors to make it a wonderful journey. Lakshmi Manchu, who was the chief guest and celebrity judge of UTAA Mahila Sambaralu 2011, needs a special mention. She has made the event a special one for every woman present there with her mesmerizing presence. The idea behind this event is to bring all the Telugu women in North America on one stage and also to promote the unity and integrity of the Telugu people. All the participants who gave a grand farewell to the Mahila Sambaralu 2011 are now looking forward to the Mahila Sambaralu 2012. Way to go UTAA!!!

India hopes for early resolution of US visa row issue December 15, 2011 10:23

India today said it has conveyed its concerns to the US over the hiking the fees for H1B and L category visas, and hopes for an “early resolution” of the issue as the move was affecting indian companies. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce Jyotiraditya Scindia assured that the government has made efforts at various levels to resolve the issue at the earliest. “The visa fees applicable to H1B and L category visas have been increased by the US under some legislative measures… The matter has been taken up at various bilateral forums and we are hopeful we will arrive at an early resolution,” he said. He also added that the visa fee hike would affect both the countries in the long run, the minister said movement of Indian professionals is also important for the US as they substantially contribute to its economy.

Brit-Indian honeymooner Dewani may kill himself if extradited to South Africa December 15, 2011 09:58

Brit-Indian businessman Shrien Dewani, who has been charged with masterminding his wife’s murder during their honeymoon in Cape Town last year, may kill himself if he is extradited to South Africa, a London court has been told. Dewani’s barrister Clare Montgomery asked two judges to block the extradition order on mental health grounds. Montgomery said that Dewani’s mental health has deteriorated to the point where he was ‘too ill to be extradited’ and was a suicide risk. She also argued that he was at serious risk of violence - including sexual violence - at the hands of other prisoners if kept in custody in South Africa. “It will not be consistent with humanitarian principle to send some for extradition who is not fit to stand trial. Were Mr. Dewani to be extradited today, according to English standards, he would not be fit to stand his trial,” the Daily Mail quoted Montgomery, as saying. “We do submit it will always be unjust to extradite somebody who is unfit - no matter how serious the charge,” she added. Thirty-one-year-old Dewani has been denying any involvement in the death of Anni Dewani, who was shot dead in a taxi in Cape Town last November in an apparent car-jacking. He faces charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and obstructing the administration of justice. Taxi driver Zola Tongo, who has admitted his part in the crime, has been jailed for 18 years for murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and perverting the course of justice after agreeing a plea bargain.

India world’s 2nd most confident about economy after Saudi November 30, 2011 19:03

"The Indian economy has been well insulated from global economic conditions as it has been fueled by domestic consumption and the increased FDI into the country. Our economy has remained steady at a robust 8.1 per cent and this positive consumer sentiment is seen reflected in our survey," Ipsos India Managing Director Mick Gordon said. Indians have emerged as the second most confident people about their economy, across the world, on account of higher consumption and increased foreign investment, according to a report by research firm Ipsos. The report said that India's economic confidence grew by 6 points to 75 per cent in the month of October compared to the previous month, becoming the second most economically confident country after Saudi Arabia. The report, which examined citizens' assessment of the current state of their country's economy, said that the overall global average economic confidence was down by one point to 38 per cent last month. In terms of gains, two countries-- India and South Africa-- gained maximum economic confidence by five points and six points, respectively. Individually, Saudi Arabia experienced a six-point drop to 83 per cent but continued to hold its pole position, followed by India (75 per cent), Sweden (69 per cent), Canada (66 per cent ) and China (65 per cent). The countries at the bottom of the heap were -- Hungary which lost two points and was at 2 per cent, Spain gained 2 points but was low at 5 per cent, Japan further lost two points to stood at 6 per cent, France lost 1point and was at 6 per cent and Italy was unchanged at 8 per cent. The global aggregate national assessment was dragged by Europe, which was down 2 points to 24 per cent), North America (40 per cent). In fact, all the regions have reported declining national economic assessments – the Middle East and Africa was down 2 points to 60 per cent, Asia Pacific dropped by 1 points to 41 per cent. However, Latin America experienced no change in October and stood at 46 per cent. Looking ahead, 24 per cent global citizens surveyed said their local economy would be stronger six months from now, which was unchanged since August 2011. The natives of Brazil are the quite optimistic about about the state of their economy in the next six months, followed by India and Saudi Arabia. The survey was conducted in October among 18,682 people in 24 countries such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the US.

Anna Hazare protest at Jantar Mantar on Dec11 November 28, 2011 17:17

Anna Hazare is planning to hold a day-long protest at Jantar Mantar here Dec 11 if the parliamentary panel examining the Lokpal bill does not come up with recommendations for a strong anti-graft ombudsman, an activist said Monday. “If the standing committee does not give recommendations for a strong Lokpal, Anna will sit on a day-long protest at Jantar Mantar Dec 11 with other civil society activists,” a Team Anna member Said.\ The standing committee is expected to submit its recommendations to parliament Dec 7 during the ongoing winter session. The government will be able to introduce the Lokpal bill only after that. The winter session is slated to end Dec 21. “We have approached Delhi Police, seeking permission for the day-long protest,” the source added. Earlier, a spokesperson for India Against Corruption (IAC) said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has given the go-ahead to Hazare and his associates to stage a demonstration at Ramlila ground Dec 27-Jan 5. The 74-year-old social activist was on a 12-day hunger strike here in August this year, demanding the government enact a strong law to deal with corruption in India.

Temple treasure value revised to Rs.5 lakh Cr July 07, 2011 13:40

Fresh estimates of the treasure unearthed from the secret chambers of the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has been revised to Rs. 5 lakh Cr. though no one was willing to state the value of the treasure officially. Supreme Court, based on a petition by the members of the Travancore Royal family, has directed all concerned not to reveal the value of the treasure to any one and also not to disclose the details of the treasure unearthed. The apex court also directed the members of the committee not to give interviews to media persons also during the unearthing of the treasure and their inventory. Naga Bhandam The special committee appointed by the Supreme Court is yet to open the chamber number 6 which has the symbol of a snake on its doors. Temple pundits say the chamber has a Nagabhandam and can’t be opened. “If it is opened, there may be some disaster or some unforeseen trouble,” some of the temple pundits said. “One of the counting staff members lost his leg and the mother of another counting member died while taking inventory,” said temple pundits. “So, it is not good to open the sixth chamber.” When there was a famine a century ago in Kerala, temple pundits wanted to open the chamber. But when they tried to open it, they heard the sound of water flowing from it and dropped the idea, according to some old people in the capital city of Kerala.

Sex Swami complains against Kalanidhi July 08, 2011 18:21

Swamy Nityananda, better known as the sex swami, today lodged a complaint against the Kalanidhi Maran, Sun TV network chairman and brother of the former textiles minister Mr Dayanidhi Maran, to Chennai police that the network had morphed his videos and photos and those of movie artiste Ranjitha linking them to sexual encounters. The complaint comes a day after Dayanidhi Maran had resigned his job as the textiles minister due to his involvement in the 2G Spectrum scam. The representatives of the Bangalore based Nityananda Dhyana Peetam met the City Police Commissioner JK Tripati in Chennai and handed over the complaint on behalf of the tainted Swami. “The Sun TV telecast a false footage to tarnish the image of the Swamiji and the Peetam,” said the complaint which also implicated the Sun TV’s chief operating officer Mr Hansraj Saxena. Mr Saxena was already arrested based on a cheating complaint by a distributor in Tamil Nadu.

Temple chambers last opened in 1931 July 08, 2011 14:47

(The following is the reproduction of an informative article published in the leading English daily the Hindu on the discovery of the huge gold treasure in the Sree Ananthapadmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.) Reports in 'The Hindu', and accounts provided in a book, detail how at least one vault at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple was opened decades ago. Seventy-nine years ago, long before the latest discovery of phenomenal treasures in the Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, at least one of the several vaults of the temple had been opened and an inventory made of the precious objects found inside. The Hindu's correspondent, who witnessed the events, filed reports describing the scene and the finds. On Sunday, December 6, 1931, around 10 a.m., at an auspicious time chosen by the temple officials, one of the vaults was opened. Following special religious rites, "the key was applied to the old and rusty locks." Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the Maharaja, himself was at hand. An ambulance waited outside to attend to any emergency. The locks failed to yield, and the doors were broken open after a two-and-a-half-hour struggle. Floodlights and torches were used to light up the space inside, and electrical fans were switched on to ‘pump air in and out' of the cellar. The temple officials found four chests made of brass which contained old coins. Next to them was “a granary like thing,” full of gold and silver coins. Over that there were several gold pots. There was a wooden chest fixed to the ground, and it had six chambers. In it were jewels with diamonds, rubies, emerald and other precious stones. In addition, there were over 300 gold pots and four vancheds, or coffers. The officials who got into the first cellar found that another one was behind it. It was believed, The Hindu report mentioned, that in all there were four cellars: Mahabarathakonathu kallara, Sree Pandarathu kallara, Vedavyanakonathu kallara and Sarswathikonathu kallara. By 3.30 p.m., the operation was stopped and the vault sealed. The four vancheds were taken to the Chellavagai, or palace treasury, “for counting and valuation.” It is not clear from the reports if any of the remaining cellars were opened in the following days. The reasons for opening the vaults too were not elaborated. However, Emily Gilchrist Hatch, who was in Trivandrum in 1933, offered an explanation in her book, Travancore: A guide book for the visitor (Oxford University Press, 1933). She not only recalled the 1931 opening of the vault, but also mentioned a similar but unsuccessful attempt that had been made in 1908. Ms. Hatch, who in the preface to her book profusely thanked the Travancore government for all the “help and counsel” extended to her, recorded that the temple had a vast amount of wealth ‘lain in vaults.' “About 25 years ago,” she wrote, “when the State needed additional money, it was thought expedient to open these chests and use the wealth they contained.” “A group of people” got together and attempted to enter the vaults with torches. When they found them “infested with cobras” they “fled for their lives.” However, in 1931 the temple officials were better prepared with “electric lights and system of fans,” she observed. The 1930s were difficult times. The princely state Travancore, like the rest of India, was facing an economic depression. Revenues had fallen and the prices of agricultural produce had come down. It was in these difficult times that Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma was invested with ruling powers, T. Austin, an Englishman, succeeded Subrahmanya Aiyar as Dewan, and C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar was appointed legal and constitutional adviser to the Travancore government. However, in 1932, when the Dewan recalled the important events of the preceding year in his annual address to the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly, one of the two legislatures in Travancore then, there was no mention of any treasure being taken from the temple or used. Ms. Hatch's book provided a description of how large wooden chests were placed “ready to receive the daily offerings.” She mentioned that as and when the chests became full they were lowered into the vaults for safe-keeping. This may partially explain how votive offerings like gold coins reached the vaults. But the description does not throw much light on how large artefacts such as the golden icon that was recently discovered reached the vaults. Indeed, how such vast amounts of wealth and innumerable artefacts accumulated in the vaults, and remained safe without apparent pilferage for such a long period, remains a puzzle. (Reproduced as it is from The Hindu for the sake of our readers -Andhrawishesh.com)

Opening of temple chamber deferred by SC July 08, 2011 13:47

The Supreme Court today directed its special committee of observers not to open the chamber B of the Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram of Kerala till July 15 and asked the former Travancore royal family and the Kerala government to come out with proper suggestions to protect and preserve the sanctity and wealth of the ancient temple. King Marthanda Varma, senior member of the erstwhile royal family, told the apex court that the treasure belonged to the God Sree Anantha Padmanabhaswamy and no body else can lay a claim over it. “No member of our family is claiming any right over the temple wealth as it belonged to the temple and the God residing in it,” Raja Marthanda Varma told the judges through his counsel and senior advocate KK Venugopal. The apex-court appointed observers have unearthed gold treasure from the five chambers of the temple cellars but one more chamber is yet to be opened. The estimated value of the gold treasure unearthed is put roughly at Rs.1 lakh Cr. Security beefed up for the temple The Kerala government today announced a budget of 1 Cr for the security of the temple and its wealth. Finance Minister KM Mani said in the assembly that already three battalions of Kerala Armed Police and some commandos of the National Security Guards have taken over the security of the temple and more measures are being planned for the preservation of the temple and its wealth. The government is also considering creating a special security zone around the temple and a decision will be taken soon after studying all related aspects, he said.

Rahul takes on Maya during Padayatra July 06, 2011 18:49

Congress general secretary and MP Mr Rahul Gandhi, who launched his Padayatra in UP on Tuesday to rejuvenate and take his party towards political fortunes, had continued with his Yatra on second day today. After launching his Yatra from Bhatta-Parsaul village, Rahul left for Tappal as early as 6.20 am today and visited several villages on the way in the western parts of the state. He ate four rotis and slept in the open on a charpai (blanket) along with others at a farmer’s house in Rampur village last night but was on his feet in the early morning. The 41-year-old AICC general secretary will culminate his Yatra with the proposed ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ in Aligarh district on July 9. Rahul Gandhi has been making impromptu stops and interacting with villagers in his Padayatra to know their problems. During his Padayatra, he was telling the farmers that they were being looted in the Mayaraj. Despite the imposition of Section 144 in the area by the officials at the instance of the chief minister, Rahul Gandhi was braving the prohibitory orders to make a common cause with the farmers by fiercely criticizing the state government's land acquisition policy.

Ram Dev’s condition worsens June 11, 2011 12:18

The health condition of yoga guru Baba Ramdev has worsened further as his indefinite fast against corruption and black money has entered the 7th day today and doctors have suggested his immediate hospitalization.Chief Medical Officer Yogesh Chandra Sharma who examined him this morning said both blood pressure and pulse rate of the Baba are very low at 104/40 and 58 per minute respectively. “His health parameters continue to remain worrisome,” he said. The CMO said he has sent his report to the District Magistrate and response is yet to come from the authorities. “Ramdev has dehydration and has been advised to break his fast immediately but he has rejected my advice,” he said.Meanwhile, the Baba’s aides had announced that the four Trusts founded by Ram Dev are worth Rs.1100 Cr and the Trusts have spent nearly Rs.750 Cr till date since their inception.