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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Indian-origin scientist honors young scientist award in US! October 13, 2016 10:42
An Indian scientist with the Department of Packaging has been awarded the prestigious International Association of Food Protection (IAFP) Young scientist scholarship award in the United States. Kirtiraj Kundlik Gaikwad has been awarded for his research work on "development of novel oxygen absorbing package in the field of active packaging for oxygen sensitive food products". This award worth $2000 and award plaque was presented in the annual meeting of IAFP held in St Louise, USA by the IAFP Foundation, USA. Its purpose was to encourage young outstanding food safety scientist from all over the world. Kirtiraj developed novel oxygen scavenging package from the natural source. The feature of this package is it can extend the shelf life of food also it is suitable for microwave, liquid food packaging like juices, and metal detector friendly at processing line. The International Association for Food Protection recognizes young researchers from around the world that are the future leaders in the field of food safety. The IAFP Foundation has been dedicated to enhancing the career potential of exceptional researchers through the annual IAFP Scholarship Program, which provides full funding for attendance at the Association's renowned annual meeting. Kirtiraj received his BTech (Food Science) from Dr PD Agriculture University, India in 2009, MTech (Food safety & standards) from Allahabad Agriculture University, India in 2011 and MS (Packaging) from Michigan State University, USA in 2013. He has authored and co-authored 15 research papers in reputed international journals. Also Read: Indian-origin lawyer appointed Shadow Attorney General in UK! Nandini
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Indian-origin lawyer appointed Shadow Attorney General in UK! October 08, 2016 10:52
The UK's Opposition Labour party appointed a 47-year-old Indian-origin human rights lawyer, Shami Chakrabarti, as the Shadow Attorney General. She will hold the government's chief legal advisor to account for their actions. She recently became a Labour member of the House of Lords and also chaired the party's anti-Semitism inquiry. She was confirmed in the new role in a reshuffle of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's top team. The Attorney General is the UK government's chief legal advisor and is drawn from the legislature; their shadow holds them to account and develops alternative policies. The Baroness said that, "It is an enormous privilege to take up the post of Shadow Attorney General in Jeremy Corbyn's new team. I hope to follow in a great tradition of law officers on both sides of the aisle who have defended rights, freedoms and the Rule of Law." Corbyn, re-elected as Labour party leader after overcoming an attempted coup by some members of his party, also promoted long-time ally Dianne Abbot to the post of shadow home secretary. "I am delighted to confirm the appointments of extremely talented women to our shadow cabinet. These appointments mean, for the first time ever, two out of the three traditional 'great offices of state' will be shadowed by women," Corbyn said. "We are disappointed, but sadly unsurprised, that once again Shami Chakrabarti and Jeremy Corbyn have spectacularly undermined her so-called 'independent' report. We hoped her report would be a potent weapon in the fight against anti-semitism. It now looks increasingly like the whitewash was a job application. She has sold out the Jewish community," the board's vice-president, Marie van der Zyl, said. Also Read: Indian-origin teen wins Google Science Fair prize! Nandini
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Sikh-American techie brutally assaulted in alleged hate crime in US! October 08, 2016 10:46
In a recent hate crime incident, a 41-year old Sikh-American IT specialist was brutally attacked by some men, who knocked off his turban and allegedly cut his religiously-mandated unshorn hair with a knife. A father and IT specialist in California, Maan Singh Khalsa, was driving home on the night of September 25 when a group of men in car threw a beer can at his vehicle. According to a statement by The Sikh Coalition, "Khalsa drove away from the scene but the men followed him and assaulted him through his open car window, knocking off his Sikh turban and hitting his face repeatedly." It is nation's largest Sikh civil rights organization. Khalsa said there were "five to six white males in their late 20s to early 30s" who abused him and three of them then attacked him physically. The complaint alleged, Shouting that Khalsa's hair should be cut off, the men pulled his head out of the window, and cut a fistful of his religiously-mandated unshorn hair with a knife. Khalsa sustained injuries to his fingers, hands, eye and teeth. The Sikh Coalition has written to the Richmond Police Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office on behalf of Khalsa, urging authorities to conduct a hate crime investigation and prosecution in the case. Khalsa said in a press statement released by the Sikh Coalition, "The attackers caused physical injuries and deep harm when they targeted my Sikh faith." "I urge a thorough investigation so we can address the tide of violence and bigotry in this country." Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur urged authorities to fully investigate "this hateful attack" on Khalsa and his Sikh identity. "The purpose of a hate crime investigation and prosecution is to ensure that our government and communities accurately account for the problem of bias in our society," Kaur said. "We need to acknowledge hatred so that we commit the resources necessary to stem bias-based violence," Kaur added. Also Read: White House refuses to back petition on Khalistan! Nandini
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White House refuses to back petition on Khalistan! October 07, 2016 15:27
A petition seeking support for Khalistan has been refused to be endorsed by the White House. The United States president Barack Obama invoked comments during his last year's trip to New Delhi that India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along religious lines. The White House said responding to a separatist Sikh petition which had garnered more than 100,000 signatures, that, "While we appreciate your participation on this platform, we cannot comment here on the specific policy issue raised in your petition." The petition was created by an individual on July 10, identified with the initials of GP, within the stipulated 60 days, the White House said the US President Obama has made it a priority to promote and protect religious freedom for all people, both at home and abroad. "The peace we seek in the world begins in human hearts. And it finds its glorious expression when we look beyond any differences in religion or tribe, and rejoice in the beauty of every soul. And nowhere is that more important than India," Obama had said. "Nowhere is it going to be more necessary for that foundational value to be upheld. India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith so long as it's not splintered along any lines and is unified as one nation," Obama said in his address in January, 2015.” The White House said the US has monitored and publicly reported on human rights issues, including the atrocities committed against members of the Sikh community during the 1984 violence in India. "For example, the State Department's Official Country Reports on Human Rights Practices covered the violence and its aftermath in considerable detail.” "We will continue to report on important human rights concerns, and State Department reports are available to the public," it said. Also Read: Indian-origin shopkeeper destroys 9/11-themed dress in UK! Nandini
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