NRI Top Stories ( Page 30 of 33 )

Dharun Ravi trial: MB testifies having sexual relations with Tyler March 03, 2012 15:51

A mystery man known only as MB testified that he had sexual relations with a student in Rutgers university dorm room on the two nights they allegedly were spied on by Indian-American student Dharun Ravi. The student Tyler Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge after discovering that his roommate, Ravi had been allegedly attempting to record his sexual encounter with another man in Sep 2010. Ravi was charged with bias intimidation as a hate crime, along with invasion of privacy and hindering apprehension. He is not being charged in connection with Clementi’s death. Testifying for the prosecution in New Brunswick, New Jersey superior court, M.B. said he noticed the camera on a computer pointed toward the bed the first time he had sexual relations with Clementi on Sep. 19. M.B. said the webcam was not there on Sep. 21, the second, and last, time they had sexual relations. “While we were intimate on the bed, I glanced over my shoulder and noticed the webcam facing toward the bed, which I thought was kind of strange,” M.B. said. “Being in a compromising position, it seemed kind of strange.” M.B. testified that the camera that he described as shaped like “a business card” was not there the last time he saw Clementi on Sep 21. M.B. who appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s with full, but short, black hair told of how he first came into contact with Clementi via a gay website, Adam4Adam, before they set up their first meeting via text messages and online messages at Clementi’s dorm room on Thursday, Sep 16. Ravi’s attorney, Steven Altman, cross examined M.B. for about 90 minutes asking questions concerning messages and plans exchanged between M.B. and Clementi, particularly from Sep 16, when the two first met, until Sep 21, their last meeting. In particular, Altman wanted to know why the two did not meet in person until Sunday, Sep 19, after their first meeting on Sep 16. M.B. said Clementi had trouble contacting Ravi during that time to ask to have the room to himself for some time. M.B. vaguely recalled being busy or having to work. “There was discussion about meeting again,” M.B. said regarding correspondence he had with Clementi after their first meeting “We wanted to see each other every single day. We had a good relationship.”

Birt-Indian Killed ex-Boyfriend February 27, 2012 18:40

An Indian origin medical student in Britain has been found guilty of playing a role in a plot to kill her ex-boyfriend for revenge after he tried to rape her. Twenty-year-old Mundill Mahil lured her boyfriend Gagandip Singh to her house, where he was beaten unconscious, then bundled into the boot of a car and burned alive. Mahil decided to ‘play God’ when she recruited two men to carry out the fatal attack on Singh, who she claimed had tried to rape her six months earlier, The Daily Mail reports. According to the report, Singh, a 21-year-old entrepreneur who founded a global television station dedicated to the Sikh community, was kicked, punched and struck with a camera tripod, then put into the boot of his car. The vehicle was then driven to a quiet London side street and set alight. The post-mortem examination revealed Singh was still alive when the fire began. Mahil was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm for her role in the attack, and was warned by the judge it is ‘virtually inevitable’ that she will be given a long jail sentence. Her two conspirators were also convicted of murder and manslaughter respectively. In a trial at the Old Bailey lasting more than two months, jurors were told it was a revenge killing in retaliation for an attempted rape of Mahil the year before. An Indian origin medical student in Britain has been found guilty of playing a role in a plot to kill her ex-boyfriend for revenge after he tried to rape her. Twenty-year-old Mundill Mahil lured her boyfriend Gagandip Singh to her house, where he was beaten unconscious, then bundled into the boot of a car and burned alive. Mahil decided to ‘play God’ when she recruited two men to carry out the fatal attack on Singh, who she claimed had tried to rape her six months earlier, The Daily Mail reports. According to the report, Singh, a 21-year-old entrepreneur who founded a global television station dedicated to the Sikh community, was kicked, punched and struck with a camera tripod, then put into the boot of his car. The vehicle was then driven to a quiet London side street and set alight. The post-mortem examination revealed Singh was still alive when the fire began. Mahil was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm for her role in the attack, and was warned by the judge it is ‘virtually inevitable’ that she will be given a long jail sentence. Her two conspirators were also convicted of murder and manslaughter respectively. In a trial at the Old Bailey lasting more than two months, jurors were told it was a revenge killing in retaliation for an attempted rape of Mahil the year before.

Trial of Indian student in roommate's suicide begins February 27, 2012 18:15

As a former Indian American student went on trial for spying on his roommate, who later committed suicide, with another man, prosecutors called it a hate crime and the defence a stupid teenage prank. In opening arguments on Friday at Dharun Ravi's trial, a Superior Court jury in New Brunswick, New Jersey heard two versions of a case that gay-rights advocates say underscores the problems of harassment and bullying faced by homosexual teenagers. Ravi's roommate, Tyler Clementi, 18, committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge days after learning that Ravi had used a laptop webcam to secretly view him in a sexual encounter with another man. "This isn't about Dharun Ravi having to like Tyler Clementi's (sexual) orientation," Middlesex County First Assistant Prosecutor Julia McClure told the jury. "It's about having the decency to respect it."McClure called Ravi's actions "malicious and criminal," and argued that he set out to harass and intimidate Clementi because he was gay. But Steven Altman, Ravi's lawyer, asked jurors to withhold judgment until they heard all of the facts, contending that the prosecution had put a "spin" on the case that was not supported by the evidence. Ravi, who will turn 20 on Tuesday, is not a bigot and is not homophobic, Altman said. At the time of the incidents described in the criminal case, he said, his client was "an 18-year-old boy" beginning his first year in college. "Don't rush to judgment. Keep things in perspective," Altman said during a 25-minute opening in which he used the word "boy more than a dozen times to describe his client. Ravi "might have been stupid," Altman said, "but he certainly wasn't a criminal. "Ravi, who dropped out of Rutgers, the New Jersey State University, after being arrested in October 2010, has been charged in a 15-count criminal indictment. He could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if convicted of bias intimidation, a so-called hate-crime offence.

US judge orders Indian diplomat to pay $ 1.5 Million to former maid servant February 24, 2012 14:43

Manhattan federal Magistrate Judge Frank Maas has directed an Indian lady diplomat to pay a compensation of $ 1.5 million to her former domestic maid servant in the US for inflicting barbaric treatment on her, according to a report published in the New York Post. The judgment is in response to a petition filed by one Shanti Gurung who served as maid servant to the diplomat Neena Malhotra and her husband Jogesh Malhotra in their Manhattan post apartment. The daily said, quoting the judgment, that the couple had seized her passport and visa papers and forced her to work without pay for longer hours. They used to extract work from her by constantly warning her that if she travelled on her own without their permission, she would be arrested, beaten, raped and sent back to India as cargo. Gurung alleged in her suit that in bringing her over to the US in 2006 on a A-3 visa, the diplomat forced her to tell the US embassy in New Delhi that she would be paid $7 per hour. The former maid servant also said in her complaint that she was forced to lie about her age covering her minority at the US Embassy in Delhi. The judgment should be ratified by senior judge Victor Marrero, who is overseeing the case, the Post said. The judgment said the first ruling was given in the case so that the papers can be served to the couple who are presently based in Delhi. “The ruling was passed after repeated attempts to reach them failed through all channels,” said the judge in his order. (JUBS)

TANA announces Short film contest February 23, 2012 13:53

TANA (Telugu Association of North America) is conducting a Short Film contest to promote and perpetuate Telugu, our mother tongue. It was announced by TANA president Prasad Thotakura and 19th TANA Convention Coordinator Murali Vennam in a press release on Tuesday. The contest is being held on the eve of International Mother Language Day, they said. It is very important for all of us to remind ourselves how to save our great language from the current waning stage. International Mother Language Day is annually celebrated on February 21st around the world. The main objective of this observance is to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Telugu People across the globe can participate in this competition. TANA solicit films made up to a maximum of five minutes focusing on the current status of usage of Telugu Language and its future. The content of the film should be message /solution oriented. The concept is ‘Mana Telugu bhashanu brathikinchu kundam’ said Prasad Thotakura. Participants can contest by emailing their videos as YouTube film links. There is no entry-fee. A panel of judges chaired by renowned movie director Sekhar Kammula will judge the best entrees. Best selected films will be screened at the upcoming 19th TANA Convention to be held at Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas from July 4th ‘ 6th, 2013 and also winners will be awarded on the main stage. More information on rules and regulations will be announced soon. Please visit www.tana.org periodically or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. // if you have any questions.

India heads US party's state finance panel February 23, 2012 11:25

Akshay Desai, who studied medicine in India, has been made the chief of the Republican Party of Florida's finance committee. "...I am grateful that Desai has agreed to accept this crucial role," said RPOF's chairperson Lenny Curry. "In this election year, we need the resources for victory, and Desai's long history of work for the state and our party make him a proven leader. A.K. and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and win," a statement quoted Curry as saying. Desai has been a member of the Florida State Board of Education since 2007. He received his medical degree in India, and earned his Master's in Public Health Administrative Medicine from the George Washington University. Desai is currently president and CEO of Universal Health Care Group, which he founded in 2002, and serves the health care community through several associations. He previously served as commissioner and chairman of the Health Committee on the White House Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders 2005-08.

International Interfaith Harmony award for Yusuf Ali February 15, 2012 12:19

NRI business magnate M A Yusuf Ali has been selected for the prestigious Interfaith Harmony Award specially endowed with United Nations’ Interfaith Harmony Week initiatives and observations. Ali is one of Kerala’s most popular ambassador in the Middle-East on account of his hugely successful business empire and he has been credited with swinging the much-hyped Rs.1,500 crore mega Smart City Kochi IT project being built by Smart City Dubai, in favour of Kerala, when it appeared lost due to differences between the previous Left government and the Dubai promoter. The International Interfaith Harmony Week, United Nations initiative, seeks to spread the message of harmony and tolerance among the followers of religions, faiths and beliefs. The award will be presented to Ali March 1 at the International Seminar on Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance held in the International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak campus at Kuala Lumpur. This award is the prime attraction of the International Seminar on Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance which is jointly organised by International Islamic University, Malaysia and the Kerala-based Madin Islamic Academy. In a press release issued here Tuesday, the Madin Islamic Academy said the jury commended Ali as the fittest for this award after considering his social commitments. “He is the unique one even in the business world, where 27,000 people work together without any discrimination of religion, caste, creed and nationality,” noted the jury. The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly Sep 23, 2010 by King Abdullah II of Jordan. On Oct 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.

NRI scientist invents device for diabetic treatment February 10, 2012 17:44

Dr. Kumar, a medical doctor hailing from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh has done thorough research on diabetics and developed technology to identify diabetic neuropathy. Jairaj Kumar, an NRI Indian scientist has come up with a diagnostic device, Diasense, which proves to be a great advantage in the treatment of diabetics. The device is capable enough to identify if there are any hidden chances of danger due to the disease. The Central Government offered a helping hand by funding the project, as they understood the importance and potential of the device. The project will be funded through Technology Development Board, which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The complications arising as a result of diabetics can be prevented with the help of this device, as it enables the screening of individuals. Diasense is very sensitive and can identify changes even in short intervals of time. As a result major or minor downfall and reversal of the situation can be detected. Dr. Kumar, a medical doctor hailing from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh has done thorough research on diabetics and developed technology to identify diabetic neuropathy. He has been honoured with many awards such as Phillips Best Inventor Award in the year 2009, DST-Lockheed Martin Gold Medal in 2010 and Best Medical Electronics Product of the year 2011, USA. He has also come up with more than 50 international research papers and has filed more than 13 patents.

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.

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.

Biomass for Energy Security and Empowerment of Rural India January 09, 2012 12:28

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2012 organized jointly by Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Government of India), Government of Rajasthan and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Jaipur saw an interesting session on “Enhancing Rural Energy Access”. The Session focused primarily on outlining possible opportunities for NRIs to invest in solutions / initiatives to meet the basic energy requirements of rural India. Biomass was highlighted as the most promising solution. Biomass is expected to constitute almost 70% of household energy source as early as 2030. Its primary advantages include its abundant availability, its renewable nature, has a built in energy storage like fossil fuel and needs no conversion to produce energy. In addition rural communities have a high comfort level with it due to the familiarity with its raw material. The use of gas derived from gasification of biomass as a fuel is hampered by its lower energy density requiring larger flows of gas, but it is still the next best source of energy after electricity. The post-independence model of large centralized power generations systems have their limitations. De-centralised, local power generation systems managed by the community itself are the way forward. Even where rural electrification has been achieved, availability of power is still an issue as rural areas bear the brunt of the power shortages. The session was Chaired by Mr Deepak Gupta, Former Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India. Mr K Krishan, Chairman, CII Task Force on Bio-Energy & Chairman, MPPPL Renewable Energy outlined the various modes available for NRIs to safely invest in various projects including rural electrification through due diligence provided by IDF, CII and CREWA The session also featured Technology and Business Model presentations on Rural Energy Projects. Dr B C Jain, MD, Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies supported the generation of power derived from biomass at the village level. He expressed that energy from biomass would generate employment, carbon credits and most of all would lead to empowerment of rural areas when connected to the grid. Mr Sanjay Kahzanchi, Consultant, Rockfeller Foundation, shared the unique features of the Smart Power for Environmentally Sound Economic Development (SPEED) programme, which supports the setting up of rural electrification projects through a unique business model. Environmental and social advantages of using pine needles as a biomass source were highlighted through a presentation by Mr Rajnish Jain, Avani. Mr Gyanesh Pandey, Co-Founder, CEO & CTO, Husk Power Systems outlined the models employed by his firm in Bihar with case study examples. Ms Swati Bhogle, Secretary, TIDE, Bangalore discussed the model specifically developed by her organization for research into smokeless Commercial Cook Stoves.