LOS ANGELES: Indian composer A R Rahman scored a double triumph at the Grammy Awards here, scooping two early honours for his music from Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire".
Rahman won the first Grammy of the pre-show at the Staples Center in the best compilation soundtrack for a motion picture category before his "Jai Ho" won in the best motion picture song category moments later.
"This is insane, god is great again," Rahman said as he accepted his second award before a VIP audience.
Rahman's rivals in the soundtrack category included Steve Jordan for "Cadillac Records," Quentin Tarantino for "Inglourious Basterds", and the producers of "Twilight" and "True Blood."
In the best song category Rahman's beaten rivals included Bruce Springsteen for his song "The Wrestler", from the Oscar-nominated movie of the same name.
The Grammy success comes after Rahman earned two Oscars for his music in "Slumdog Millionaire" at last year's Academy Awards.
The talented music maestro picked up the best original score statuette before scooping the best song Oscar.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Lanka President Rajapaksa wins re-election
COLOMBO: Incumbent Mahinda Rajapska on Wednesday emerged victorious in the bitterly-fought first post-LTTE era presidential elections against former army chief Sarath Fonseka after counting showed that he had secured nearly 60 per cent of the total votes polled, according to his office.
64-year-old Rajapaksa polled 60 lakh votes or 58.8 percent of the total ballots cast while Fonseka, the joint opposition candidate, secured 41 lakh or 40.8 per cent, sources in the president's office said.
"By all accounts, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa has won the presidential elections as one only needs over 50 per cent of the votes," Presidential office sources told PTI.
On 59-year-old Fonseka's charges of poll rigging, the sources said it was "absolutely untrue" and pointed out that even former prime minister and opposition UNP chief Ranil Wicremasinghe had given a clean chit on the issue.
Wicremasinghe told reporters that the polls were by and large peaceful and free of any rigging.
64-year-old Rajapaksa polled 60 lakh votes or 58.8 percent of the total ballots cast while Fonseka, the joint opposition candidate, secured 41 lakh or 40.8 per cent, sources in the president's office said.
"By all accounts, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa has won the presidential elections as one only needs over 50 per cent of the votes," Presidential office sources told PTI.
On 59-year-old Fonseka's charges of poll rigging, the sources said it was "absolutely untrue" and pointed out that even former prime minister and opposition UNP chief Ranil Wicremasinghe had given a clean chit on the issue.
Wicremasinghe told reporters that the polls were by and large peaceful and free of any rigging.
India to send two astronauts into space in 2016
BANGALORE: India will launch its first manned mission in 2016 with two astronauts for a week-long odyssey in space, a top Indian space agency official said on Wednesday.
"We are planning a human space flight in 2016, with two astronauts who will spend seven days in the earth's lower orbit," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters here.
Space scientists and senior officials of the state-run ISRO are preparing a pre-project report to build the infrastructure and facilities for the mission, estimated to cost a whopping Rs.124 billion ($2.76 billion).
The Planning Commission had in principle approved the human space flight project in February 2009. Its Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia then said more funds would be allocated in two phases during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) and Twelfth Plan (2012-17).
"We will design and develop the space module for the manned mission in the next four years. Two astronauts will be selected to train for the space flight," Radhakrishnan said on the margins of a space event.
The government had allocated Rs.950 million (Rs.95 crore/$10 million) for pre-project initiatives in 2007-08.
The space agency will set up a full-fledged training facility in this tech hub for training the astronauts and building a third launch pad at its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km northeast of Chennai.
"Spacecraft for the proposed manned mission will have extra facilities like entry into crew capsule and an escape chute," the chairman said after releasing a book titled "Moon Mission: Exploring the Moon with Chandrayaan-1".
The book was authored by S.K. Das, former member (finance) of the space department.
To demonstrate its re-entry technology prowess, ISRO had launched in 2007 a 600 kg space capsule recovery experiment (SRE) using the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) rocket and was successful in bringing it back to the earth safely 12 days later.
"We are planning a human space flight in 2016, with two astronauts who will spend seven days in the earth's lower orbit," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K. Radhakrishnan told reporters here.
Space scientists and senior officials of the state-run ISRO are preparing a pre-project report to build the infrastructure and facilities for the mission, estimated to cost a whopping Rs.124 billion ($2.76 billion).
The Planning Commission had in principle approved the human space flight project in February 2009. Its Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia then said more funds would be allocated in two phases during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) and Twelfth Plan (2012-17).
"We will design and develop the space module for the manned mission in the next four years. Two astronauts will be selected to train for the space flight," Radhakrishnan said on the margins of a space event.
The government had allocated Rs.950 million (Rs.95 crore/$10 million) for pre-project initiatives in 2007-08.
The space agency will set up a full-fledged training facility in this tech hub for training the astronauts and building a third launch pad at its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 80 km northeast of Chennai.
"Spacecraft for the proposed manned mission will have extra facilities like entry into crew capsule and an escape chute," the chairman said after releasing a book titled "Moon Mission: Exploring the Moon with Chandrayaan-1".
The book was authored by S.K. Das, former member (finance) of the space department.
To demonstrate its re-entry technology prowess, ISRO had launched in 2007 a 600 kg space capsule recovery experiment (SRE) using the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) rocket and was successful in bringing it back to the earth safely 12 days later.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
India celebrates 60 years as Republic
New Delhi: India is celebrating 60 years of becoming a Republic on Tuesday with President Pratibha Patil presiding over the ceremony at Rajpath in New Delhi.President Pratibha Patil arrived along with the Chief Guest South Korean President Lee Myung Bak at Rajpath escorted by the President's 46 bodyguards on horses.
Even though the capital was enveloped in thick fog yet the military and paramilitary contingents marched perfectly through the Rajpath with President Patil, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces taking the salute. The majestic Republic Day ceremony started with the 21 gun salute after which President Patil hoisted the flag.
At about 1000 hrs IST President Patil presented Ashok Chakras to Major D Sreeram Kumar of 30 Assam Rifles, Major Rohit Sharma (posthumous) of 1 Para (Special Forces) and Havildar Rajesh Kumar (Posthumous) of 11th Battalion, The Rajputana Rifles. The Republic Day parade was led by General officer Commanding, Delhi Area Lt. Gen. Kanwal Jeet Singh Oberoi.
The 21 tableaux, representing 12 states as well as Central Ministries and Departments showcased the nation's culture, art forms, Scientific and technological progress and rich resources. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and the country's top political and military brass were present to witness the parade.
Before the ceremony at Rajpath the Prime Minister and the three Service Chiefs paid homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. There has been tight security across all major Indian cities. Security has been put on highest alert in the capital, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.
Even though the capital was enveloped in thick fog yet the military and paramilitary contingents marched perfectly through the Rajpath with President Patil, who is also the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces taking the salute. The majestic Republic Day ceremony started with the 21 gun salute after which President Patil hoisted the flag.
At about 1000 hrs IST President Patil presented Ashok Chakras to Major D Sreeram Kumar of 30 Assam Rifles, Major Rohit Sharma (posthumous) of 1 Para (Special Forces) and Havildar Rajesh Kumar (Posthumous) of 11th Battalion, The Rajputana Rifles. The Republic Day parade was led by General officer Commanding, Delhi Area Lt. Gen. Kanwal Jeet Singh Oberoi.
The 21 tableaux, representing 12 states as well as Central Ministries and Departments showcased the nation's culture, art forms, Scientific and technological progress and rich resources. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and the country's top political and military brass were present to witness the parade.
Before the ceremony at Rajpath the Prime Minister and the three Service Chiefs paid homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. There has been tight security across all major Indian cities. Security has been put on highest alert in the capital, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.
H-1B visa-holders being deported from port of landing!
Several Indians who arrived with an H-1B visa at Newark and John F Kennedy airports were deported based on a new rule, immigration attorneys and activists have reported. The new rule stipulates that those who arrive on a work visa should 'arrive at the place of work'. The rule could seal the fate of thousands of Indians who have applied for Green Card too. It could bring an end to consultation, termed by some as 'body-shopping'. Airport deportations have frightened those on work visas and many have canceled their travel plans, too.
Read the full article at http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jan/25/slide-show-1-h-1b-visa-holders-being-deported-from-port-of-landing.htm
Read the full article at http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jan/25/slide-show-1-h-1b-visa-holders-being-deported-from-port-of-landing.htm
Monday, January 25, 2010
130 Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardees
NEW DELHI: Achievers whose works were recognized globally through major international awards last year -- Nobel laureate scientist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Magsaysay awardee social worker Deep Joshi and Oscar winners musician A R Rahman and sound recordist Resul Pokutty -- are among the list of 130 persons for the prestigious Padma awards this year.
Former Reserve Bank of India governor Y V Reddy, film stars Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Rekha, eminent theatre personalities Zohra Segal and Ebrahim Alkazi and Dr Ramakant Panda, the surgeon who operated on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last year, are other prominent personalities who found a place in the Padma awardee list.
The government has, however, not found anyone for the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.
While thirteen in the list are either foreigners, NRIs or People of Indian Origins (PIOs), 17 awardees are women from various fields. Out of the total 130 Padma awardees, while six are to be conferred with Padma Vibhushan for "exceptional and distinguished service", 43 are selected for Padma Bhushan for "distinguished service of high order" and 81 for Padma Shri for "distinguished service in any field".
The list has one controversial figure -- Sant Singh Chatwal -- as well. The US-based hotelier Chatwal -- who had faced trials for alleged bank fraud in India -- is to be conferred with Padma Bhushan.
It is learnt that the name of Chatwal, who is also fundraiser for former US President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, was not initially recommended by the award committee, raising speculation that he might have found place in the list of awardees through some intervention from the top.
Home ministry spokesperson, however, refused to comment whether Chatwal's name was recommended by the award committee or not.
Incidentally, the businessman Chatwal, who was acquitted by special Mumbai court in 2008, is chosen for his distinguished service of high order in the field of public affairs.
Retired IPS officer and former CBI chief D R Karthikeyan, who headed the Special Investigation Team which probed the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is also selected for the Padma Shri award.
Cricketer Virendra Sehwag, Hockey national player Ignace Tirkey, Formula 1 driver Narain Kartikeyan, Badminton star Saina Nehwal, Boxer Vijender Singh and Sachin Tendulkar's "guru" Ramakant Achrekar have been selected for Padma Shri awards in sports category.
Deep Joshi -- a social worker who was awarded Magsaysay award in 2009 for his works for development of rural communities -- and retired doctor of the Border Security Force (BSF) Laxmi Chand Gupta are too chosen for Padma Shri award.
Tamil film music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who set music for Hindi films like `Cheeni Kum' and 'Paa', Hindustan classical vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, dancer Mallika Sarabhai, former Cabinet Secretary and now Member in the Planning Commission B K Chaturvedi have been chosen for Padma Bhushan along with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Moosa Raza and former Vice Chancellor of Goa University P R Dubhashi for civil service.
Noted US-based journalist Farid Zakaria gets Padma Bhushan in journalism category while Prof Tan Chung and Prof A J Paulraj get the award in literature and education and science and engineering respectively. Both are also from the US.
In the art category, Akbar Padamsee, Kumudini Lakhia, Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, Puttaraj Gavai, Ram Kumar, Shrinivas Vinayak Khale and Ustad Sultan Khan are being conferred with the Padma Bhushan awards.
Another Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen and S K Bandyopadhyay have been named in the public affairs category of Padma Bhushan.
Former Reserve Bank of India governor Y V Reddy, film stars Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Rekha, eminent theatre personalities Zohra Segal and Ebrahim Alkazi and Dr Ramakant Panda, the surgeon who operated on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last year, are other prominent personalities who found a place in the Padma awardee list.
The government has, however, not found anyone for the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.
While thirteen in the list are either foreigners, NRIs or People of Indian Origins (PIOs), 17 awardees are women from various fields. Out of the total 130 Padma awardees, while six are to be conferred with Padma Vibhushan for "exceptional and distinguished service", 43 are selected for Padma Bhushan for "distinguished service of high order" and 81 for Padma Shri for "distinguished service in any field".
The list has one controversial figure -- Sant Singh Chatwal -- as well. The US-based hotelier Chatwal -- who had faced trials for alleged bank fraud in India -- is to be conferred with Padma Bhushan.
It is learnt that the name of Chatwal, who is also fundraiser for former US President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, was not initially recommended by the award committee, raising speculation that he might have found place in the list of awardees through some intervention from the top.
Home ministry spokesperson, however, refused to comment whether Chatwal's name was recommended by the award committee or not.
Incidentally, the businessman Chatwal, who was acquitted by special Mumbai court in 2008, is chosen for his distinguished service of high order in the field of public affairs.
Retired IPS officer and former CBI chief D R Karthikeyan, who headed the Special Investigation Team which probed the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, is also selected for the Padma Shri award.
Cricketer Virendra Sehwag, Hockey national player Ignace Tirkey, Formula 1 driver Narain Kartikeyan, Badminton star Saina Nehwal, Boxer Vijender Singh and Sachin Tendulkar's "guru" Ramakant Achrekar have been selected for Padma Shri awards in sports category.
Deep Joshi -- a social worker who was awarded Magsaysay award in 2009 for his works for development of rural communities -- and retired doctor of the Border Security Force (BSF) Laxmi Chand Gupta are too chosen for Padma Shri award.
Tamil film music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who set music for Hindi films like `Cheeni Kum' and 'Paa', Hindustan classical vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, dancer Mallika Sarabhai, former Cabinet Secretary and now Member in the Planning Commission B K Chaturvedi have been chosen for Padma Bhushan along with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Moosa Raza and former Vice Chancellor of Goa University P R Dubhashi for civil service.
Noted US-based journalist Farid Zakaria gets Padma Bhushan in journalism category while Prof Tan Chung and Prof A J Paulraj get the award in literature and education and science and engineering respectively. Both are also from the US.
In the art category, Akbar Padamsee, Kumudini Lakhia, Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana, Puttaraj Gavai, Ram Kumar, Shrinivas Vinayak Khale and Ustad Sultan Khan are being conferred with the Padma Bhushan awards.
Another Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen and S K Bandyopadhyay have been named in the public affairs category of Padma Bhushan.
Indian School of Business ranked 12 in Global B-school rankings
Hyderabad, January 25, 2010: The Indian School of Business (ISB) has been ranked No: 12 in the global B-school rankings released today by the Financial Times, London. This is the third successive year that the ISB has featured among the top 20, in the list of top 100 B-schools in the world. Previously, ISB was ranked 15th in 2009 and 20th in 2008.
"We began with the idea of creating a school in India that would rank among the best in the world. Today, I am delighted that the ISB is consolidating its position as a top-ranked global business school. To receive this news on the eve of the completion of 60 years of the Indian Republic makes it all the more special. I congratulate the entire ISB community on this success" said Rajat Gupta, Chairman, ISB.
Echoing this sentiment, Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB said, "This is indeed a proud moment for the ISB. Our goal has always been to pursue excellence in education and research. As an outcome of this effort, we accept any ranking that we get with humility, and rededicate ourselves to this goal. I would like to thank our alumni, our faculty, students, staff, our board, our associate schools, industry and our well wishers for contributing to this continuing success."
The ISB was established in 2001 with the launch of its pioneering Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM). From an initial class of 126 students, the school has grown successively over the years, and currently has 570 students in the class of 2010. The school has over 2300 alumni who are making a strong impact in business and industry. The school has also established itself as a leader in Executive Education through its programmes designed and delivered for private and public sector corporations, small and medium enterprises, and central and state governments. The ISB faculty research papers are consistently published by top ranked peer reviewed international journals.
After a successful first phase of growth, the ISB has now entered its second phase of growth and expansion. It recently launched its second Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives (PGPMAX), which has generated a lot of interest among senior business professionals. It will soon set up its second campus in Mohali, Punjab. The first academic session at the ISB campus in Mohali is expected to commence in 2012.
"We began with the idea of creating a school in India that would rank among the best in the world. Today, I am delighted that the ISB is consolidating its position as a top-ranked global business school. To receive this news on the eve of the completion of 60 years of the Indian Republic makes it all the more special. I congratulate the entire ISB community on this success" said Rajat Gupta, Chairman, ISB.
Echoing this sentiment, Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB said, "This is indeed a proud moment for the ISB. Our goal has always been to pursue excellence in education and research. As an outcome of this effort, we accept any ranking that we get with humility, and rededicate ourselves to this goal. I would like to thank our alumni, our faculty, students, staff, our board, our associate schools, industry and our well wishers for contributing to this continuing success."
The ISB was established in 2001 with the launch of its pioneering Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM). From an initial class of 126 students, the school has grown successively over the years, and currently has 570 students in the class of 2010. The school has over 2300 alumni who are making a strong impact in business and industry. The school has also established itself as a leader in Executive Education through its programmes designed and delivered for private and public sector corporations, small and medium enterprises, and central and state governments. The ISB faculty research papers are consistently published by top ranked peer reviewed international journals.
After a successful first phase of growth, the ISB has now entered its second phase of growth and expansion. It recently launched its second Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives (PGPMAX), which has generated a lot of interest among senior business professionals. It will soon set up its second campus in Mohali, Punjab. The first academic session at the ISB campus in Mohali is expected to commence in 2012.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
India can become 3rd largest economy by 2012: PwC
NEW DELHI: The US financial crisis may have expedited a shift in global economic power. According to a report by global consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), India could become the world’s third largest economy by purchasing power parity (PPP), overtaking Japan in 2012.
This would be almost 20 years ahead of Goldman Sachs' projection of 2032 in its BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) report.
India is also expected to grow faster than China after 2020. China, which was projected to become the world’s largest economy by 2041, now looks set to achieve the distinction sometime around 2020, the PwC report said.
"While the exact date is open to doubt, it seems highly likely that, by 2030, China will clearly be the largest economy in the world on PPP," writes PwC head of macroeconomics John Hawksworth in the report.
This would be almost 20 years ahead of Goldman Sachs' projection of 2032 in its BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) report.
India is also expected to grow faster than China after 2020. China, which was projected to become the world’s largest economy by 2041, now looks set to achieve the distinction sometime around 2020, the PwC report said.
"While the exact date is open to doubt, it seems highly likely that, by 2030, China will clearly be the largest economy in the world on PPP," writes PwC head of macroeconomics John Hawksworth in the report.
Friday, January 15, 2010
US mission alerts citizens about new Indian visa rules
Mumbai: The US Mission in India wishes to inform US citizens that the Government of India is implementing new regulations that affect visa holders, periods of authorized stay, and registration in India. The US Embassy and Consulates in India have received reports from individuals about inconsistent implementation of the new rules, which have not been widely publicized and are subject to change.
The revised regulations primarily affect travelers, who wish to enter India within two months of their last departure from India. To date, these changes have mostly affected tourist (T) visa holders, but the US Mission has also received reports pertaining to other visa types. Initial information from the Government of India indicated that revised visa regulations would primarily affect travelers with tourist visas, who had been in India for more than 90 days before travel abroad or more than 180 days in the past year. However, the US Mission has received confirmation that foreign passports are now stamped on exit to indicate that the bearer cannot re-enter India within two months of exit unless special permission is obtained from an Indian Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission abroad, regardless of the validity of visa or length of stay in India. Travelers have reported being denied re-entry after exiting India for business or family emergencies, or for tourist travel to nearby countries, even if their initial visit to India was for only a few days. Prior guidance and procedures that allowed re-entry to India after stays of up to 180 days are no longer in effect.
Some Americans entering or re-entering India on tourist visas have been instructed at the port of entry to register with the local Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). The procedures and requirements for registration can be complex. Travelers are advised to follow directions as stipulated on their visas regarding registration procedures, irrespective of their visa category.
Here are some examples of problems Americans have had trying to navigate the recent visa changes:
One American family, visiting India on ten-year, multiple entry tourist visas for several weeks, had to return briefly to the US to attend a funeral. They were not permitted to re-enter India. Another American family, taking a side trip to Sri Lanka from India, was told that they needed to apply for permission to re-enter India at the Indian High Commission in Colombo. An American on a business visa had plans for his children, who are attending a university in the US to visit him in India during their school holiday. His children entered on tourist visas, stayed three days in India, and were informed upon their departure for a side trip to Thailand that they would not be allowed to re-enter to continue the rest of their planned vacation with their family. One American in India on a business visa was informed that she would not be allowed to depart India until she had registered with the Foreign Registration Office (FRO), even though she had only been in India for seven days and her passport was stamped "Registration not required if stay is less than 14 days."
These new visa and registration regulations are being implemented inconsistently and are not finalized. American citizens traveling to, or departing from India are urged to review travel plans in light of these changing procedures and to contact the nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate overseas (http://goidirectory. nic.in/missions.htm) or the nearest Foreigners Registra-tion Office in India (http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/) to determine proper procedures to follow.
US citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration Web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state .gov.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet Web site at http://travel. state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except US federal holidays). Americans are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for India, available on the Embassy’s Web site at
http://newdelhi.usembassy .gov, and also at http://travel .state.gov.
US citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
— The US Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy’s Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
— The US Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
— The US Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate .gov.
— The US Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page address is http://kolkata .usconsulate.gov.
— The US Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. The Internet home page address is http://hyderabad .usconsulate.gov.
The revised regulations primarily affect travelers, who wish to enter India within two months of their last departure from India. To date, these changes have mostly affected tourist (T) visa holders, but the US Mission has also received reports pertaining to other visa types. Initial information from the Government of India indicated that revised visa regulations would primarily affect travelers with tourist visas, who had been in India for more than 90 days before travel abroad or more than 180 days in the past year. However, the US Mission has received confirmation that foreign passports are now stamped on exit to indicate that the bearer cannot re-enter India within two months of exit unless special permission is obtained from an Indian Embassy, Consulate, or High Commission abroad, regardless of the validity of visa or length of stay in India. Travelers have reported being denied re-entry after exiting India for business or family emergencies, or for tourist travel to nearby countries, even if their initial visit to India was for only a few days. Prior guidance and procedures that allowed re-entry to India after stays of up to 180 days are no longer in effect.
Some Americans entering or re-entering India on tourist visas have been instructed at the port of entry to register with the local Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). The procedures and requirements for registration can be complex. Travelers are advised to follow directions as stipulated on their visas regarding registration procedures, irrespective of their visa category.
Here are some examples of problems Americans have had trying to navigate the recent visa changes:
One American family, visiting India on ten-year, multiple entry tourist visas for several weeks, had to return briefly to the US to attend a funeral. They were not permitted to re-enter India. Another American family, taking a side trip to Sri Lanka from India, was told that they needed to apply for permission to re-enter India at the Indian High Commission in Colombo. An American on a business visa had plans for his children, who are attending a university in the US to visit him in India during their school holiday. His children entered on tourist visas, stayed three days in India, and were informed upon their departure for a side trip to Thailand that they would not be allowed to re-enter to continue the rest of their planned vacation with their family. One American in India on a business visa was informed that she would not be allowed to depart India until she had registered with the Foreign Registration Office (FRO), even though she had only been in India for seven days and her passport was stamped "Registration not required if stay is less than 14 days."
These new visa and registration regulations are being implemented inconsistently and are not finalized. American citizens traveling to, or departing from India are urged to review travel plans in light of these changing procedures and to contact the nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate overseas (http://goidirectory. nic.in/missions.htm) or the nearest Foreigners Registra-tion Office in India (http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/) to determine proper procedures to follow.
US citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration Web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state .gov.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet Web site at http://travel. state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except US federal holidays). Americans are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for India, available on the Embassy’s Web site at
http://newdelhi.usembassy .gov, and also at http://travel .state.gov.
US citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
— The US Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy’s Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
— The US Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
— The US Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate .gov.
— The US Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page address is http://kolkata .usconsulate.gov.
— The US Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. The Internet home page address is http://hyderabad .usconsulate.gov.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti quake: Thousands feared dead, many trapped
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti Dazed survivors wandered past dead bodies in rubble-strewn streets on Wednesday, crying for loved ones, and rescuers desperately searched collapsed buildings as fear rose that the death toll from Haiti's devastating earthquake could reach into the tens of thousands. The first cargo planes with food, water, medical supplies, shelter and sniffer dogs headed to the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation a day after the magnitude-7 quake flattened much of the capital of 2 million people.
Tuesday's earthquake brought down buildings great and small - from shacks in shantytowns to President Rene Preval's gleaming white National Palace, where a dome tilted ominously above the manicured grounds.
Hospitals, schools and the main prison collapsed. The capital's Roman Catholic archbishop was killed when his office and the main cathedral fell. The head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission was missing in the ruins of the organization's multistory headquarters. Police officers turned their pickup trucks into ambulances to carry the injured. Wisnel Occilus, a 24-year-old student, was wedged between two other survivors in a truck bed headed to a police station. He was in an English class when the earth shook at 4:53 p.m. and the building collapsed.
"The professor is dead. Some of the students are dead, too," said Occilus, who suspected he had several broken bones. "Everything hurts." Other survivors carried injured to hospitals in wheelbarrows and on stretchers fashioned from doors.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
5000 disenfranchised Indians can return to UK
LONDON: At least 5,000 Indians, disenfranchised by the UK's recent diktats on immigration policy that forced them to return to the mother country, are to be allowed to re-enter Britain, in the latest twist in the two-year-old wrangle over holders of Highly-Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP ) visas.
The British government published its new guidelines on the rights available to non-European immigrant workers on Wednesday. The guidelines offer full protection to non-European holders of HSMP visas, of whom at least 30,000 are estimated to be Indian.
Amit Kapadia, director of the non-profit campaigning organization HSMP Forum Ltd, told TOI the British government "had finally played fair with non-European workers, but then they had no choice".
Kapadia and the HSMP Forum Ltd, who led a long and tortuous 14-month-long campaign for equal rights, worsted the British government in early April when the High Court in London decisively ruled the immigration changes "unlawful" and a rank "abuse of (administrative) power".
The High Court judgement dismissed the UK government's argument that it was in the "public interest...the national interest" retrospectively to apply changes to HSMP visas.
The April ruling, by Judge Sir George Newman, meant that Britain would be forced to grant entry, residence and/or settlement to non-European Union nationals who entered the UK under the 2002 HSMP rules.
Accordingly, the British government has now decreed a fresh look at categories of non-European migrants, including Indian and other non-European HSMP visa-holders forced to leave the UK after the new, restrictive guidelines were put in place in November 2006.
Kapadia said the government's "new Policy Guidance covers migrants who were admitted under the HSMP scheme before 5th December 2006. Various categories of migrants are covered under the policy including those who were refused extension under the unlawful rules, those migrants who did not apply for extension and migrants who have either switched immigration categories to more restrictive visa regimes or those who left the UK".
In November 2006, the British government introduced a new, retrospectively-imposed Points-Based System, which effectively disenfranchised large swathes of the 49,000 non-Europeans who successfully entered the UK under the scheme between January 2002 and late 2006.
The HSMP Forum said it was "delighted to have achieved our objective in fighting the manifest injustice of retrospectively applied legislation".
Commentators said the extent of British government unbending could be gauged from the fact the new guidelines decreed that non-European "migrants whose extensions were refused after the November 2006 unlawful changes will not have to pay application fee again for a review of the decision under the old criteria".
Additionally, Indian HSMP visa-holders forced to leave the UK earlier this year, after the new rules were stringently implemented, will be allowed back without fuss. They can also offset the length of their India sojourn against the HSMP visa requirements leading to full and permanent settlement in the UK.
Kapadia said the British government had admittedly done everything it could to facilitate the return of non-European HSMP visa-holders. But he added, "they had no choice. We had told them we would take them to court otherwise".
The British government published its new guidelines on the rights available to non-European immigrant workers on Wednesday. The guidelines offer full protection to non-European holders of HSMP visas, of whom at least 30,000 are estimated to be Indian.
Amit Kapadia, director of the non-profit campaigning organization HSMP Forum Ltd, told TOI the British government "had finally played fair with non-European workers, but then they had no choice".
Kapadia and the HSMP Forum Ltd, who led a long and tortuous 14-month-long campaign for equal rights, worsted the British government in early April when the High Court in London decisively ruled the immigration changes "unlawful" and a rank "abuse of (administrative) power".
The High Court judgement dismissed the UK government's argument that it was in the "public interest...the national interest" retrospectively to apply changes to HSMP visas.
The April ruling, by Judge Sir George Newman, meant that Britain would be forced to grant entry, residence and/or settlement to non-European Union nationals who entered the UK under the 2002 HSMP rules.
Accordingly, the British government has now decreed a fresh look at categories of non-European migrants, including Indian and other non-European HSMP visa-holders forced to leave the UK after the new, restrictive guidelines were put in place in November 2006.
Kapadia said the government's "new Policy Guidance covers migrants who were admitted under the HSMP scheme before 5th December 2006. Various categories of migrants are covered under the policy including those who were refused extension under the unlawful rules, those migrants who did not apply for extension and migrants who have either switched immigration categories to more restrictive visa regimes or those who left the UK".
In November 2006, the British government introduced a new, retrospectively-imposed Points-Based System, which effectively disenfranchised large swathes of the 49,000 non-Europeans who successfully entered the UK under the scheme between January 2002 and late 2006.
The HSMP Forum said it was "delighted to have achieved our objective in fighting the manifest injustice of retrospectively applied legislation".
Commentators said the extent of British government unbending could be gauged from the fact the new guidelines decreed that non-European "migrants whose extensions were refused after the November 2006 unlawful changes will not have to pay application fee again for a review of the decision under the old criteria".
Additionally, Indian HSMP visa-holders forced to leave the UK earlier this year, after the new rules were stringently implemented, will be allowed back without fuss. They can also offset the length of their India sojourn against the HSMP visa requirements leading to full and permanent settlement in the UK.
Kapadia said the British government had admittedly done everything it could to facilitate the return of non-European HSMP visa-holders. But he added, "they had no choice. We had told them we would take them to court otherwise".
New UK visa restrictions on Indian professionals soon
LONDON: Amidst rising unemployment, Britain is putting in place new immigration restrictions on professionals from India and other non-EU countries so that existing jobs are first offered to local workers.
From April, the basic requirements to enter Britain under the Tier 1 category of the points-based immigration system will be raised. Over 25,000 people, including many from India, entered Britain under Tier 1 last year.
The qualification and minimum salary levels for Indian and non-EU professionals will be raised to masters degree and 20,000 pounds from the current requirement of undergraduate degree and 17,000 pounds.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to announce the new measures soon as part of a 10-point plan which aims to cut overall levels of immigration by next year.
She told The Sunday Telegraph: "We have put immigration controls in place that allow us to raise or lower the bar on the migrants who can come to the UK. We have always said it is important to be selective about who comes here to work."
"We have already put a stop to low-skilled labour entering the UK from outside Europe. Now in response to the global recession and the downturn that has hit British workers, we are setting out how we will now be even more selective," Smith said.
From April, the basic requirements to enter Britain under the Tier 1 category of the points-based immigration system will be raised. Over 25,000 people, including many from India, entered Britain under Tier 1 last year.
The qualification and minimum salary levels for Indian and non-EU professionals will be raised to masters degree and 20,000 pounds from the current requirement of undergraduate degree and 17,000 pounds.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to announce the new measures soon as part of a 10-point plan which aims to cut overall levels of immigration by next year.
She told The Sunday Telegraph: "We have put immigration controls in place that allow us to raise or lower the bar on the migrants who can come to the UK. We have always said it is important to be selective about who comes here to work."
"We have already put a stop to low-skilled labour entering the UK from outside Europe. Now in response to the global recession and the downturn that has hit British workers, we are setting out how we will now be even more selective," Smith said.
UK gets tough on marriage-for-visa scam
LONDON: Following widespread bogus marriages with the aim of gaining residence, the British government is considering bringing biometric checks on foreign nationals. Many Indians are involved in this 'unofficial' immigration process.
"Just because someone is married does not mean at all that their immigration status is granted," immigration minister Phil Woolas told the BBC.
With a general election due in spring and indigenous Britons agitated by an unending flood of migrants amid unemployment of 2.4 million, the incumbent Labour administration is compelled to act on the issue.
In 2005, the Home office decided that foreigners needed permission to get married in the UK. In fact, if a person did not enjoy right of residence, they were generally denied approval. Within months of this stipulation, the number of reported cases of abuse fell from more than 3,500 in 2004 to less than 500 in 2005.
In 2008, the House of Lords struck down the scheme, saying it breached human rights. Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the government regretted the Lords’ ruling and was looking at the law once again.
Meanwhile, suspected bogus marriages have risen again. In 2008, 344 cases were reported by marriage registrars. In the 11 months up to November 2009, the figure had increased to 529.
Pressure on the British government mounted on Thursday night when the BBC aired an undercover investigation on violation of the system on prime time.
Hiring a bona fide Indian student, Jaspal, who pretended to be an illegal immigrant, BBC filmed secretly at various locations, including the registrar’s office in the London borough of Brent. There, a Pakistani man was applying to marry a Lithuanian woman. Neither spoke much English, let alone each other’s language. The former disappeared the moment the superintendent registrar confronted the couple.
Jaspal's probe also took him to Nirmal in the west London suburb of Hayes. Nirmal directed him to a gang in Birmingham with a significant number of people of sub-continental origin.
"Just because someone is married does not mean at all that their immigration status is granted," immigration minister Phil Woolas told the BBC.
With a general election due in spring and indigenous Britons agitated by an unending flood of migrants amid unemployment of 2.4 million, the incumbent Labour administration is compelled to act on the issue.
In 2005, the Home office decided that foreigners needed permission to get married in the UK. In fact, if a person did not enjoy right of residence, they were generally denied approval. Within months of this stipulation, the number of reported cases of abuse fell from more than 3,500 in 2004 to less than 500 in 2005.
In 2008, the House of Lords struck down the scheme, saying it breached human rights. Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the government regretted the Lords’ ruling and was looking at the law once again.
Meanwhile, suspected bogus marriages have risen again. In 2008, 344 cases were reported by marriage registrars. In the 11 months up to November 2009, the figure had increased to 529.
Pressure on the British government mounted on Thursday night when the BBC aired an undercover investigation on violation of the system on prime time.
Hiring a bona fide Indian student, Jaspal, who pretended to be an illegal immigrant, BBC filmed secretly at various locations, including the registrar’s office in the London borough of Brent. There, a Pakistani man was applying to marry a Lithuanian woman. Neither spoke much English, let alone each other’s language. The former disappeared the moment the superintendent registrar confronted the couple.
Jaspal's probe also took him to Nirmal in the west London suburb of Hayes. Nirmal directed him to a gang in Birmingham with a significant number of people of sub-continental origin.
Indian chefs wanted, but no IT workers : UK Panel
LONDON: Indian chefs will be allowed to work in Britain's multi-million pound Indian restaurant industry but Indian IT workers are no longer required here, a key government committee on immigration here said on Tuesday.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) of the Home Office revised its list of occupations and skills that are in short supply in UK, which enables employers to recruit skilled workers from India and other countries outside the European Union.
The revised list includes skilled chefs, secondary school teachers of Maths and Sciences, consultants and senior specialist nurses, some engineering occupations, including civil and chemical engineers. The recommendations made by the committee are usually accepted by the government.
People from the Indian restaurant industry recently took to the streets in London and Glasgow to protest against new immigration measures that prevented them from recruiting chefs from the Indian sub-continent.
Several representations were also made to the government by MPs and association of restaurant owners. The MAC report published on Tuesday includes "skilled chefs" as one of the shortage occupations, meeting the main demand of the industry.
However, it will not be easy for Indian IT workers to find job in Britain due to the surplus in the employment market in the country and the EU. Non-EU workers will only be allowed to work in the shortage occupations listed by the MAC.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) of the Home Office revised its list of occupations and skills that are in short supply in UK, which enables employers to recruit skilled workers from India and other countries outside the European Union.
The revised list includes skilled chefs, secondary school teachers of Maths and Sciences, consultants and senior specialist nurses, some engineering occupations, including civil and chemical engineers. The recommendations made by the committee are usually accepted by the government.
People from the Indian restaurant industry recently took to the streets in London and Glasgow to protest against new immigration measures that prevented them from recruiting chefs from the Indian sub-continent.
Several representations were also made to the government by MPs and association of restaurant owners. The MAC report published on Tuesday includes "skilled chefs" as one of the shortage occupations, meeting the main demand of the industry.
However, it will not be easy for Indian IT workers to find job in Britain due to the surplus in the employment market in the country and the EU. Non-EU workers will only be allowed to work in the shortage occupations listed by the MAC.
Next Bill Gates could be from India!
Washington : A sizeable number of Americans believe that the next Bill Gates would come from India or China as the two Asian giants are fast marching ahead on the global platform, a new US survey has revealed. "When asked where the 'next Bill Gates will come from,' 40 per cent of Americans predicted either India or China," said a national survey released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) on the sidelines of the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow at Las Vegas.
The vast majority of them, about 96 per cent, believe that innovation was critical to the future success of the US as a world economic leader but they were concerned that the rising federal deficit would jeopardize prosperity of future generations, the survey said.
The economic survey, conducted by Zogby International, found that 68 per cent of Americans think innovation was key to the future success of their place of employment, with 50 per cent maintaining that innovation was important for their job remaining in the US.
After the World Economic Forum reported that the US has lost its global competitiveness ranking while India, China and Brazil have gained, 74 per cent of Americans said it was unlikely the US would regain its status next year.
The vast majority of them, about 96 per cent, believe that innovation was critical to the future success of the US as a world economic leader but they were concerned that the rising federal deficit would jeopardize prosperity of future generations, the survey said.
The economic survey, conducted by Zogby International, found that 68 per cent of Americans think innovation was key to the future success of their place of employment, with 50 per cent maintaining that innovation was important for their job remaining in the US.
After the World Economic Forum reported that the US has lost its global competitiveness ranking while India, China and Brazil have gained, 74 per cent of Americans said it was unlikely the US would regain its status next year.
Indian-origin man set on fire in Melbourne
Melbourne : A 29-year-old Indian-origin man was set ablaze by a group of four attackers in Melbourne on Saturday, a week after a student from the country was stabbed to death amid a slew of assaults on the community in Australia.
The man, who suffered 15 per cent burns including on his arms, chest and face, was admitted to 'The Alfred' hospital after he was attacked shortly before 2 am local time (0730 HRS IST) in Melbourne's Essendon area.
The man, who was not identified, and his wife left a dinner party in Essendon, in the city's northwest, between 1.30 am and 2 am and drove to their nearby home in Grice Crescent. He dropped his wife at home and had gone to park his car when he was attacked, local media reported.
Police said that as he was getting out of the car, four men attacked him, pushing him back against the vehicle and pouring an unknown fluid on him. One of the men then ignited the fluid with a lighter before all the attackers fled.
The victim, who is now in a stable condition in the hospital, ran from the car while peeling off his clothes, 'The Age' reported.
The attack comes a week after the stabbing death of 21-year-old Indian graduate Nitin Garg in a Yarraville park while he was on his way to his part-time job in a restaurant.
The body of another Indian youth, 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh, was found beside Wilga Road in Willbriggie in the neighbouring state of New South Wales on December 29. The incident was reported earlier this week.
A police spokeswoman said investigators do not yet know any motive or circumstances surrounding today's Essendon attack.
"They don't believe it was racially motivated at this stage," she said.
The ABC reported that the man is of Indian origin but said police do not know whether he is an Australian citizen.
The incident is being investigated by the arson and explosives squad.
Police appealed for public assistance to locate the victim's clothes, which he shed as he fled the scene.
The man, who suffered 15 per cent burns including on his arms, chest and face, was admitted to 'The Alfred' hospital after he was attacked shortly before 2 am local time (0730 HRS IST) in Melbourne's Essendon area.
The man, who was not identified, and his wife left a dinner party in Essendon, in the city's northwest, between 1.30 am and 2 am and drove to their nearby home in Grice Crescent. He dropped his wife at home and had gone to park his car when he was attacked, local media reported.
Police said that as he was getting out of the car, four men attacked him, pushing him back against the vehicle and pouring an unknown fluid on him. One of the men then ignited the fluid with a lighter before all the attackers fled.
The victim, who is now in a stable condition in the hospital, ran from the car while peeling off his clothes, 'The Age' reported.
The attack comes a week after the stabbing death of 21-year-old Indian graduate Nitin Garg in a Yarraville park while he was on his way to his part-time job in a restaurant.
The body of another Indian youth, 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh, was found beside Wilga Road in Willbriggie in the neighbouring state of New South Wales on December 29. The incident was reported earlier this week.
A police spokeswoman said investigators do not yet know any motive or circumstances surrounding today's Essendon attack.
"They don't believe it was racially motivated at this stage," she said.
The ABC reported that the man is of Indian origin but said police do not know whether he is an Australian citizen.
The incident is being investigated by the arson and explosives squad.
Police appealed for public assistance to locate the victim's clothes, which he shed as he fled the scene.
Friday, January 8, 2010
NRIs to get voting rights by next LS polls: Mr.Singh
NRIs will be able to vote in the next general elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the annual gathering of the Indian diaspora amid indications that the long-held promise may be comimg to fruition with government planning to change the definition of who is a "citizen".
Addressing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Singh said, "I recognise the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad to exercise their franchise and to have a say in who governs India... In fact, I would go a step further and ask why more overseas Indians should not return home to join politics and public life as they are increasingly doing in business and academia."
The law ministry is currently working on amending the definition of the Indian citizen in the Representation of Peoples Act from the current "ordinary resident" to a term that includes those living overseas.
Voting rights could be extended to Indian passport holders while holders of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards would not be eligible. "We seek the active involvement of overseas Indian communities in accelerating the pace of our economic and social development," Singh said.
He also promised a social security net for overseas Indians to tide over economic distress -- an assurance clearly motivated by the concern for NRIs, many of whom have been hit hard by the global economic downturn.
Describing India as a "slow moving elephant", he said, "I recognise the frustration well-wishers feel when they lament why things don't work faster or why well formulated plans and policies don't get implemented as well as they should be." This was a price India paid for its inclusive approach, but that was a price worth paying, he added. "It is equally true that with each step forward we leave behind a deep imprint. Underlying our system is an inherent political and economic resilience that gives our country and its institutions great strength and buoyancy."
Singh called on the Indian diaspora to step up their investments in India, asking them to take a "careful look" at the country of their origin. He pointed out that he expected India would clock 9-10% growth in a couple of years on the back of a strong economic revival.
Addressing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Singh said, "I recognise the legitimate desire of Indians living abroad to exercise their franchise and to have a say in who governs India... In fact, I would go a step further and ask why more overseas Indians should not return home to join politics and public life as they are increasingly doing in business and academia."
The law ministry is currently working on amending the definition of the Indian citizen in the Representation of Peoples Act from the current "ordinary resident" to a term that includes those living overseas.
Voting rights could be extended to Indian passport holders while holders of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards would not be eligible. "We seek the active involvement of overseas Indian communities in accelerating the pace of our economic and social development," Singh said.
He also promised a social security net for overseas Indians to tide over economic distress -- an assurance clearly motivated by the concern for NRIs, many of whom have been hit hard by the global economic downturn.
Describing India as a "slow moving elephant", he said, "I recognise the frustration well-wishers feel when they lament why things don't work faster or why well formulated plans and policies don't get implemented as well as they should be." This was a price India paid for its inclusive approach, but that was a price worth paying, he added. "It is equally true that with each step forward we leave behind a deep imprint. Underlying our system is an inherent political and economic resilience that gives our country and its institutions great strength and buoyancy."
Singh called on the Indian diaspora to step up their investments in India, asking them to take a "careful look" at the country of their origin. He pointed out that he expected India would clock 9-10% growth in a couple of years on the back of a strong economic revival.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
India seen as key small-car production base
New Delhi : As global automakers boost their presence in the thriving Indian market, they will turn the country into a stage for novel experiments in lowering production costs to levels not seen before.
Indian customers' unmatched sensitivity to pricing has meant the market has been dominated for nearly 30 years by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. The unit of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp has been able to build $5,000 cars such as the Maruti800 hatchback by using old, fully depreciated equipment provided by its parent in the 1980s.
Tata Motors took the low-cost theme to the next level with the release last year of the $2,000 Nano, which has achieved only modest success so far.
While the 10 new compact cars launched at the Delhi auto show this week will not be matching that level of pricing, rivals are seeking to inch closer.
Japanese automakers, for one, will enter uncharted territory by expanding parts procurement to Indian suppliers for goods such as sheet steel normally imported from Japan.
"The key to lowering costs was to look for locally available materials," said Yoshinori Noritake, chief engineer of Toyota Motor's Etios family car, one of the highlights of the Auto Expo this week.
The Etios is expected to be the cheapest offering in Toyota's global line-up when it goes on sale in late 2010 in India, with parts sourced from suppliers aligned with Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, such as Tata Steel, Noritake said.
Toyota said it has not set a price for the Etios. But most expect it to compete head-on with Honda Motor's hatchback based on the New Small Concept also unveiled at the auto show and which Honda said would cost less than 500,000 Indian rupees ($10,990).
Indian customers' unmatched sensitivity to pricing has meant the market has been dominated for nearly 30 years by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. The unit of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp has been able to build $5,000 cars such as the Maruti800 hatchback by using old, fully depreciated equipment provided by its parent in the 1980s.
Tata Motors took the low-cost theme to the next level with the release last year of the $2,000 Nano, which has achieved only modest success so far.
While the 10 new compact cars launched at the Delhi auto show this week will not be matching that level of pricing, rivals are seeking to inch closer.
Japanese automakers, for one, will enter uncharted territory by expanding parts procurement to Indian suppliers for goods such as sheet steel normally imported from Japan.
"The key to lowering costs was to look for locally available materials," said Yoshinori Noritake, chief engineer of Toyota Motor's Etios family car, one of the highlights of the Auto Expo this week.
The Etios is expected to be the cheapest offering in Toyota's global line-up when it goes on sale in late 2010 in India, with parts sourced from suppliers aligned with Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, such as Tata Steel, Noritake said.
Toyota said it has not set a price for the Etios. But most expect it to compete head-on with Honda Motor's hatchback based on the New Small Concept also unveiled at the auto show and which Honda said would cost less than 500,000 Indian rupees ($10,990).
Define NRI cinema, say filmmakers
NEW DELHI - The Pravasi Film Festival 2010 ended here Wednesday with the screening of “Chehere” by Rohit Kaushik and a panel discussion on “NRI Films - The Road Ahead”. Panelists asked organisers to stipulate guidelines on what should be categorised as NRI cinema.
The session was attended by filmmaker Mira Nair, director Basu Chatterjee, Dhananjoy, the contributing editor of Pravasi Today, and film critic Aruna Vasudev.
Addressing the session, Chatterjee said the festival must “specify guidelines on the kind of films that would qualify as NRI cinema so that movies are not disqualified from the panel at the last moment”.
“I would like to know whether a movie which has been conceived in India and made abroad qualifies as an NRI film. Three movies have been removed from the panel because they could not fulfill the criteria of NRI cinema,” Chatterjee said.
He urged an action plan “to recommend to the organisers on what should constitute non-resident Indian cinema”.
Echoing Chatterjee’s plea, Vasudev said: “If a director is Palestinian, lives in France and gets funds for his movies from US and other countries of Europe, how would you describe the movie?” She was referring to filmmaker Rashid Masharawi.
Mira Nair, who operates in three continents - Africa (Uganda), India and North America - said she has an Indian passport and will never give it up.
“I used to be pretty sensitive about being called an NRI for a long time. But I think the feel of the movie should have the feel of the journey to the destination and there should be some kind of definition to clarify ideas vis-a-vis movies made by people living abroad,” Nair said.
Pravasi (non-resident Indian) films should have some homeland routes, “but the definition of what constitutes an NRI movie is still very fuzzy”, said the Washington-based contributing editor to Pravasi Today, Dhananjoy.
“Not many pravasi movies are made in India but for many overseas Indians, films are a passion and they make more crossover movies. In the area around Washington where I stay, nearly 100 movies are made every year of which 10-12 make it to the local television.
“What about the rest? They can look forward to be screened in India and gross revenues if the organisers of the festival and the Indian government lay down some points on NRI movies and provide a support system,” Dhananjoy said.
The festival screened 43 movies, both feature films and documentaries. There were six panel discussions on various aspects of NRI cinema.
The session was attended by filmmaker Mira Nair, director Basu Chatterjee, Dhananjoy, the contributing editor of Pravasi Today, and film critic Aruna Vasudev.
Addressing the session, Chatterjee said the festival must “specify guidelines on the kind of films that would qualify as NRI cinema so that movies are not disqualified from the panel at the last moment”.
“I would like to know whether a movie which has been conceived in India and made abroad qualifies as an NRI film. Three movies have been removed from the panel because they could not fulfill the criteria of NRI cinema,” Chatterjee said.
He urged an action plan “to recommend to the organisers on what should constitute non-resident Indian cinema”.
Echoing Chatterjee’s plea, Vasudev said: “If a director is Palestinian, lives in France and gets funds for his movies from US and other countries of Europe, how would you describe the movie?” She was referring to filmmaker Rashid Masharawi.
Mira Nair, who operates in three continents - Africa (Uganda), India and North America - said she has an Indian passport and will never give it up.
“I used to be pretty sensitive about being called an NRI for a long time. But I think the feel of the movie should have the feel of the journey to the destination and there should be some kind of definition to clarify ideas vis-a-vis movies made by people living abroad,” Nair said.
Pravasi (non-resident Indian) films should have some homeland routes, “but the definition of what constitutes an NRI movie is still very fuzzy”, said the Washington-based contributing editor to Pravasi Today, Dhananjoy.
“Not many pravasi movies are made in India but for many overseas Indians, films are a passion and they make more crossover movies. In the area around Washington where I stay, nearly 100 movies are made every year of which 10-12 make it to the local television.
“What about the rest? They can look forward to be screened in India and gross revenues if the organisers of the festival and the Indian government lay down some points on NRI movies and provide a support system,” Dhananjoy said.
The festival screened 43 movies, both feature films and documentaries. There were six panel discussions on various aspects of NRI cinema.
Pravasi meet begins, property-related issues dominate Day 1
A plethora of issues ranging from cheating by builders to complexities involved in succession and inheritance of properties dominated the first day of the annual Pravasi Bhartiya Divas attended by nearly 1,500 delegates from over 40 countries.
Issues like red tape in approval of investment proposals and bottlenecks in acquiring land for various projects were also raised strongly by the delegates who called for simplifying procedures to facilitate their involvement in India's development.
A group of NRIs from the US, the UK, Australia and some Gulf countries strongly raised the issue of non-delivery of flats sold to them by Maytas Properties, the real estate firm promoted by kin of disgraced Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju.
"More than one year has passed but not a single brick moved into Maytas Hill County in Hyderabad. Over 300 NRIs are trapped into this tragedy and the government has done nothing," claimed Srinivas Reddy, an NRI from Britain.
Assuring the diaspora of all possible help, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Minister of State for External Affairs Praneet Kaur said the government would address all the grievances of NRIs and PIOs.
They were speaking at a conference on property- related disputes of the diaspora community.
Issues like red tape in approval of investment proposals and bottlenecks in acquiring land for various projects were also raised strongly by the delegates who called for simplifying procedures to facilitate their involvement in India's development.
A group of NRIs from the US, the UK, Australia and some Gulf countries strongly raised the issue of non-delivery of flats sold to them by Maytas Properties, the real estate firm promoted by kin of disgraced Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju.
"More than one year has passed but not a single brick moved into Maytas Hill County in Hyderabad. Over 300 NRIs are trapped into this tragedy and the government has done nothing," claimed Srinivas Reddy, an NRI from Britain.
Assuring the diaspora of all possible help, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Minister of State for External Affairs Praneet Kaur said the government would address all the grievances of NRIs and PIOs.
They were speaking at a conference on property- related disputes of the diaspora community.
Indians Top Foreign Student Group
For the eighth consecutive year, India sent the largest number of foreign students to the United States, topping 100,000 for the first time for any country, according to the 2009 annual report of the Institute of International Education Open Doors.
Texas (11,987) has the largest Indian student population, followed by California (11,462) and New York (10,716). However, the proportion of Indians in the foreign student body is highest in Connecticut (30%), followed by New Jersey (24%) and Alabama (23%). Indians are the leading foreign student group in 17 states and the second largest group in 14 others. Indeed, they are among the top 5 foreign student groups in all but four states (West Virginia, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska).
The institute does not report country breakdowns for individual universities, but the University of Southern California had the largest number of foreign students (7,482), followed by New York University and Columbia University.
There is little reciprocal interest in Indian education in the United States. India ranks as the 17th most popular choice among U.S. students studying abroad. Even though India experienced the greatest growth in U.S. student enrollment (20 percent) between 2007 to 2008, just 1.2 percent of the U.S. students in study abroad programs headed to India, a quarter those selecting China. The United Kingdom, Italy and Spain are the most popular destinations for U.S. students, according to Open Doors.
Texas (11,987) has the largest Indian student population, followed by California (11,462) and New York (10,716). However, the proportion of Indians in the foreign student body is highest in Connecticut (30%), followed by New Jersey (24%) and Alabama (23%). Indians are the leading foreign student group in 17 states and the second largest group in 14 others. Indeed, they are among the top 5 foreign student groups in all but four states (West Virginia, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska).
The institute does not report country breakdowns for individual universities, but the University of Southern California had the largest number of foreign students (7,482), followed by New York University and Columbia University.
There is little reciprocal interest in Indian education in the United States. India ranks as the 17th most popular choice among U.S. students studying abroad. Even though India experienced the greatest growth in U.S. student enrollment (20 percent) between 2007 to 2008, just 1.2 percent of the U.S. students in study abroad programs headed to India, a quarter those selecting China. The United Kingdom, Italy and Spain are the most popular destinations for U.S. students, according to Open Doors.
Prasad Thotakura honored with Bharat Gaurav Award
India International Friendship Society (IIFS), New Delhi has announced globally reputed 'Bharat Gaurav Awards' for the year 2010. Prasad Thotakura, a well known NRI community leader from Dallas is one of the recipients of this prestigious award for his community service achievements.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Shopaholic NRI VP of US firm in soup over $4.5m fraud
WASHINGTON: She was with an American corporation that made the Koss stereo headphones for nearly 18 years and worked her way up becoming vice-president of finance; she earned a six-figure salary, was the wife of a well-heeled physician, and they owned a million-dollar suburban home. She was an adjunct professor at a well-known university and a pillar of local civil scene, supporting local charity events and helping the poor. Sujata Sachdeva's life defined immigrant-Indians' success in the United States.
Yet, last week, in a case that had the American corporate world aghast, Sachdeva, 46, stood accused of embezzling up to $4.5 million from Milwaukee-based Koss Corporation. She spent most of the money at high-end stores, buying expensive clothing and accessories.
How could she, you ask? Although the sum involved is small beer by modern American corporate standards, it's her likely defence that has everyone slack-jawed: it's 'oniomania' or simply, an addiction to shopping. According to a criminal complaint last week, Sachdeva spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at boutique stores in and around Milwaukee over the last two years, buying expensive items some of which she did not even unpack fully, much less use. The spending spree included $1.3 million at a store called Valentia and $600,000 each at Au Courant and Zita.
Her urge to splurge came to light when she put the tab on her American Express card and paid it off by transferring money from accounts of Koss Corporation, where she literally held the purse strings. American Express executives reportedly contacted the CEO of Koss and told him that Sachdeva was paying down her balances with large wire transfers from a Koss bank account. Koss CEO Michael Koss then personally went to Sachdeva's office and found many American Express credit card statements and several large piles of women's clothing with attached price tags, some for more than $2,000.
Confronted by FBI agents at her Mequon home last Monday, Sachdeva acknowledged she had bought clothing, jewellery and other personal items with money she diverted from Koss Corp, according to local media reports.
She said she carried out the scheme on her own, directing her assistant to make the fraudulent wire transfers. Sachdeva apparently said she concealed the transfers by falsifying the balance in Koss' bank account.
While Sachdeva's spending extended over two years, the fraudulent wire transfers occurred over just three months last fall, according to the complaint. Because of Sachdeva's shenanigans and her position as VP finance, who signed the company's financial statements, Koss, a publicly traded firm, has had to halt trading till its books are re-examined. Some reports suggest Sachdeva's embezzlement may go further back in the company's history and may run up to $20 million.
A loss of $4.5 million could be huge for Koss, which, despite its brand name, is a relatively small company with annual revenues of less than $40 million and only around 75 employees. For the Indian community, the story is a salutary reminder that its widely-chronicled success is spotted with a few odd contretemps.
Yet, last week, in a case that had the American corporate world aghast, Sachdeva, 46, stood accused of embezzling up to $4.5 million from Milwaukee-based Koss Corporation. She spent most of the money at high-end stores, buying expensive clothing and accessories.
How could she, you ask? Although the sum involved is small beer by modern American corporate standards, it's her likely defence that has everyone slack-jawed: it's 'oniomania' or simply, an addiction to shopping. According to a criminal complaint last week, Sachdeva spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at boutique stores in and around Milwaukee over the last two years, buying expensive items some of which she did not even unpack fully, much less use. The spending spree included $1.3 million at a store called Valentia and $600,000 each at Au Courant and Zita.
Her urge to splurge came to light when she put the tab on her American Express card and paid it off by transferring money from accounts of Koss Corporation, where she literally held the purse strings. American Express executives reportedly contacted the CEO of Koss and told him that Sachdeva was paying down her balances with large wire transfers from a Koss bank account. Koss CEO Michael Koss then personally went to Sachdeva's office and found many American Express credit card statements and several large piles of women's clothing with attached price tags, some for more than $2,000.
Confronted by FBI agents at her Mequon home last Monday, Sachdeva acknowledged she had bought clothing, jewellery and other personal items with money she diverted from Koss Corp, according to local media reports.
She said she carried out the scheme on her own, directing her assistant to make the fraudulent wire transfers. Sachdeva apparently said she concealed the transfers by falsifying the balance in Koss' bank account.
While Sachdeva's spending extended over two years, the fraudulent wire transfers occurred over just three months last fall, according to the complaint. Because of Sachdeva's shenanigans and her position as VP finance, who signed the company's financial statements, Koss, a publicly traded firm, has had to halt trading till its books are re-examined. Some reports suggest Sachdeva's embezzlement may go further back in the company's history and may run up to $20 million.
A loss of $4.5 million could be huge for Koss, which, despite its brand name, is a relatively small company with annual revenues of less than $40 million and only around 75 employees. For the Indian community, the story is a salutary reminder that its widely-chronicled success is spotted with a few odd contretemps.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Indian workers sold like cattle in Saudi Arabia: Stowaway
JAIPUR: Habib Hussain of Moradabad, who hid in a toilet on an Air India flight from Saudi Arabia to return to his own country, says he did so for his two children, his pregnant wife, and an ailing mother. After his bizarre experience, Habib says he has realised that 'aadhi roti' (half a piece of bread) at home is better than one in an alien land. He also said Indian labour is sold like cattle in that country.
He had sold his two `bigha' land for Rs 1.25 lakh and left behind just about Rs 11,000 for his family after paying the agent. He now tearfully says, "There was no point in staying in Saudi. I just had to return. My wife was two months pregnant when I left and will have a baby any time now. My family was hungry here; I was hungry there. I was better off earning Rs 80 a day and feeding my family rather than living on a promise of Rs 15,000-20,000 and not getting a paisa.
"I know there could have been serious problems during the flight, but I had confidence in my countrymen. Moreover, I was ready to face any consequence in India which would have been better than living in Saudi Arabia," he says.
"After grazing goats until noon, I offered namaz. In the evening, after helping a Haji with his bags, I slipped into a toilet in the lower deck of the aircraft. Forty-five minutes after the plane took off, an air hostess saw me. After she heard my story, she gave me a seat and food," said Habib.
All that Habib got to eat in the six months that he was away was one roti and a bowl of dal worth Re 1 each day - bought from the money that the Hajis tipped him with. "I didn't get a penny from my employer and started saving whatever I could to get back to my country. I could manage to save Rs 800 and thought if my passport was returned to me, I could board a flight to India. But whenever we asked for our passports, we were kicked and thrashed and made to work for over 14 to 18 hours a day," he said.
"Indian labour is sold in Saudi like cattle and thousands of Indians from UP and Bengal are suffering there. They are helpless without their passports," said Habib. "My agent (Imran) got an assignment to provide 50 labourers from India. We were recruited and sent in groups of five, 10 and 20. After landing, I was made to work in Jeddah for a month. I grazed goats during the day and worked as a cleaner at the airport in the evenings. I worked for 14-18 hours a day. Thereafter, I was sold to a `khafil' or agent in Medina who required 500 people. In Medina, I worked for over 15 hours daily. I wept and wondered how my family was doing back home," he said.
"My father passed away two years back and my mother is ill and needs medication. I just want to get back home. I hope my case will be seen with empathy. Who will feed my children if I am put behind bars?" he asked.
Indian youth dies in Oz after being attacked
Melbourne A 21-year-old Indian youth with permanent residency in Australia was on Sunday fatally stabbed in the abdomen by unidentified assailants here while on his way to work, the first death in a slew of vicious attacks on the community members. Nitin Garg, who migrated from Punjab, was attacked in a park when he was walking towards fast-food joint Hungry Jack's restaurant, where he worked part-time.
He staggered into the restaurant on the corner of Somerville Road and Geelong Road, West Footscray, about 10 pm local time last night (0330 HRS IST this morning) and pleaded for help before collapsing.
He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital but later died, according to TV reports. Police said the youth from Newport had travelled to Yarraville train station about 9.30 pm local time (0300 HRS IST), then walked along Anderson Street to Cruickshank Park, where he was stabbed in the abdomen.
He managed to stumble some 300 metres to the Hungry Jack's restaurant. Homicide Squad Senior Sergeant Dave Snare described it as a vicious attack. He said at this stage there was no known motive and there was no evidence the youth was targeted because of his race.
"I think to draw any conclusion as to the motive may interfere with the investigation and would be presumptuous at this stage," he said.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Muslim-Hindu punk rock bands part of new movement
WAYLAND, Mass. : A small but growing South Asian and Middle Eastern punk rock movement is attracting children of Muslim and Hindu immigrants and sparking new bands across America. Bands like The Kominas (kuh-MEE'-nahs), based in Wayland, Mass., are trying to use their music to explore their identities as Americans and fight stereotypes about South Asian immigrants.
A documentary entitled "Taqwacore: (TAH'-kwah-cor) The Birth of Punk Islam" explores the creation of the new movement and how people are responding to the bands' music. Basim Usmani (BAH'-sim OOS'-mah-nee), a guitarist for The Kominas, said the band tries to keep their lyrics playful but with subtle messages.
Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker Omar Majeed says the film is set for release in the U.S. this year.
A documentary entitled "Taqwacore: (TAH'-kwah-cor) The Birth of Punk Islam" explores the creation of the new movement and how people are responding to the bands' music. Basim Usmani (BAH'-sim OOS'-mah-nee), a guitarist for The Kominas, said the band tries to keep their lyrics playful but with subtle messages.
Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker Omar Majeed says the film is set for release in the U.S. this year.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Visa on arrival for tourists from five nations
India has for the first time introduced visa on arrival scheme for five countries including Japan and New Zealand. This is to facilitate bonafied foreign tourists who plan their visit at short notice. The other three countries are Singapore , Finland, and Luxembourg . According to the External Affairs Ministry, the scheme has been introduced for one year on experimental basis. The visa will have the maximum validity of 30 days and single entry facility will be granted by the immigration Officers at Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata airports. The rule of a gap of two months between two visits will apply to only tourists visa holders . This restriction will not apply to persons of Indian origin(PIO) or overseas citizens of India (OCI) card holders as well as foreigners holding business employment, students and other categories of visa.
The government has also slightly relaxed the visa rules for the tourists who use India as a hub and visit neighbouring countries. In such cases, if the itinerary shows visits to India and other countries as part of the same trip, the government has allowed the Visa Issuing Authorities to relax the 60-day period of break and permit up to three entries into India. For others however after the tourist visits India and leaves the country, there has to be a break of 60 days before he or she can apply for another tourist visa. The residents of Bangalore and Chandigarh will become the first to benefit from an e-governance project that ensures the issuance of passports within three days of the police verifications of the applicants.
The government has also slightly relaxed the visa rules for the tourists who use India as a hub and visit neighbouring countries. In such cases, if the itinerary shows visits to India and other countries as part of the same trip, the government has allowed the Visa Issuing Authorities to relax the 60-day period of break and permit up to three entries into India. For others however after the tourist visits India and leaves the country, there has to be a break of 60 days before he or she can apply for another tourist visa. The residents of Bangalore and Chandigarh will become the first to benefit from an e-governance project that ensures the issuance of passports within three days of the police verifications of the applicants.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)