NRI Top Stories ( Page 36 of 47 )

Indian-American appointed to key post in US August 26, 2014 16:26

Indian-American lawyer Reena Patel has been appointed to a key post in US. Patel has been named to the post of civil division chief in the attorney general's office in the Northern Mariana Islands. The island is one of the five island territories of US that is inhabited. Recently the appointment of Patel to the post was announced by the territory's acting Attorney General Gilbert Birnbrich. As chief of the civil division, Patel will have the responsibilities to administer the day to day smooth functioning of the department. After the appointment Patel expressed her gratitude for being offered the position of chief of the civil division. Patel also said she was looking forward to continue serving the people of the commonwealth in her new role. Reena Patel is a native of New York City. Her academic qualifications include an undergraduate degree from New York University in 2000, a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2008 and an LLM in international trade in 2009. Patel entered private practice in San Diego after her law. In March 2012, Patel moved to the CNMI to serve as an assistant attorney general. During her stint as attorney general, Patel served as legal counsel to several government agencies that include labour, commerce and consumer counsel. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

Indian-origin woman gets top honour in South Africa August 20, 2014 18:48

Indian-origin South African academician Leila Patel has been named as one of the top women researchers in the country. Leila Patel was honoured with the annual Women in Science Awards hosted by South Africa's Ministry of Science and Technology. At present Patel is a professor of social development studies and director of the Centre for Social Development in Africa that had been founded by her in 2002 at the same institution. Leila Patel received her PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand. The South African government hosts these annual awards in recognition of the work of women researchers, who are into full-time research and achieve a master's or doctoral degree in areas where the participation of women have been generally low. Patel did pioneering research work in the field of social welfare in a post-apartheid country when the first democratic elections started in South Africa in 1994 post Nelson Mandela's release. Patel's book 'Restructuring Social Welfare Options for South Africa' was published one year before the 1994 elections. Her book eventually led to social welfare legislations which adopted the new democratic parliament after three years. In 2005, Patel was appointed director-general of the department of social welfare, from where she led a team which had the task of transforming the country's welfare system from the apartheid era that was a racial and unequal system. Her second book, 'Social Welfare and Social Development in South Africa' published in 2005, has been a part of international writings. It seeks alternative model of development in the global south, aiming to reduce poverty, build human capacity and engage communities in a positive manner. This year the Women in Science Awards went to women who had done pioneering research work in fields that included biostatistics, traditional medicine and agriculture. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

PIO man arrested in basmati bags drug smuggling case in Canada August 12, 2014 16:34

The lure towards easy money has pushed many towards drugs smuggling. Drug smugglers have taken to camouflaging the restricted good in the sweet-smelling Basmati rice bags that are exported from Punjab. Indian basmati rice has been helping drug cartels in Canada to push through the contraband in export consignments. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have recently seized nearly 96kgs of synthetic drugs in a rice shipment from India. Authorities have also arrested a Punjabi, based in Brampton, along with two other men. On August 7, the RCMP took three Greater Toronto Area residents under custody for importing over 72.8kg of ketamine and 23.5kg norephedrine illegally. Brampton-based Amritpal Gill, 35 years, is one of the accused in the drugs case. The three men were, however, released later and will appear for investigators on September 2. According to reports, CBSA officers found ketamine and norephedrine concealed in 500 rice bags from India in a Toronto-bound container at Montreal port. The drugs were cleverly concealed in the rice bags. Punjab police have been in the look out for drug racketeers due to international pressure from law enforcement agencies, said former Punjab DGP (Prisons) Shashi Kant. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

Indians among top spenders in Singapore July 21, 2014 17:31

Indians love to travel and do some shopping at the local malls and popular shopping hubs. Visitors from India to Singapore were among the top three spenders in the city. Singapore tourism board (STB) said that Indian tourists were the third most spenders in during their visit in the first quarter of 2014. China is at the top when it comes to spending on shoppings in Singapore, followed by Indonesia. However, this year, the spending by Indian tourists during the quarter was down by 3 % on the year at SGD284 million. This has been attributed to a fall in arrivals and lower per capita expenditure by tourists, said the board. This year around 65,557 Indian tourist arrived in Singapore in January, less by 7.9 % who had visited last year. During February, 62,999 Indian tourists arrived in Singapore, up by 5.6 % from last year, and the figure for March was 70,472 , same as March 2013. In April, Indian tourists visiting Singapore stood at 79,522, which was 4.5 % higher than last year. However, their expenditure was not included in the quarterly report. Singapore's earnings from tourism increased by 5 % on the year to SGD6 billion from 3.9 million visitors, compared to last year, as per STB. China stood at the top, with 557,466 Chinese tourists spending SGD800 million during the period January-March 2014. Indonesia's 749,389 visitors spent SGD658 million in the first quarter of 2014, said STB. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

US names peak Mt Sinha after Indian origin scientist July 02, 2014 18:01

Eminent Indian-American scientist Akhouri Sinha got a rare honour from the US. A mountain peak in Antarctica was named Mt. Sinha after him. Sinha had done pioneering biological research expedition in the frozen continent has provided valuable data related to animal populations. Sinha is an adjunct professor in University of Minnesota in the department of genetics, cell biology and development. The US Geological Survey recognized his work as an explorer and named the mountain Mt Sinha honouring the eminent scientist. Sinha and his team undertook population studies of seals, whales and birds and catalogued the same. population studies of seals, whales and birds in the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas. The research team used US Coast Guard Cutters Southwind and Glaciers in 1972 and 1974 for their project. Mt Sinha, with a height of 990 m, is located in the southeast extreme of Erickson Bluffs, in southern part of McDonald Heights. The peak overlooks lower Kirkpatrick Glacier in the north, in Marie Byrd Land. The decision to name the peak after Sinha was taken by the US Geological Survey and the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN). (Picture Source: intoday.in ) (AW: Pratima Tigga)

Indian-American dentist case: Rashmi Patel fights to keep license June 19, 2014 16:18

An Indian-American dentist Dr Rashmi Patel appeared before the State Dental Commission in Hartford Connecticut in a lawsuit to get back his license on Wednesday. Patel's license was suspended following the death of a patient under his care. Judith Gan was undergoing a dental treatment at Patel's Enfield family dental when she died, following which his license was suspended in April. The 64-year-old patient was getting dental implants and 20 teeth extracted. Gan, Gan of Ellington, had a heart attack during the dental treatment after which she died. The victim was rushed to a hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts, but she could not be saved. In the first day of hearing, attorney David Tilles of Department of Public Health questioned the competence of the dentist who continues with his dental work when the patient is going through a severe crisis. It's the responsibility of any dentist to recognize the health problems of the patient under his care. According to investigators at one instance Patel's dental assistants asked him to stop and administer emergency medication. But he ignored their pleas. This was not the lone incident. Another of his patient almost choked to death during a dental procedure in December. The 55-year-old man, was under conscious sedation and almost choked to death on a throat pack. Other allegations against Patel includes allowing more than five medications to expire. Patel's defence attorneys said that he had performed 50,000 to 75,000 dental procedures in his long career. But his decision making in two cases is being used to put a halt to his practice and mar his reputation. The attorneys contend that all allegations against him are false and that the witnesses and evidences against him are not credible. Defence attorney Michael Kogut said that the charges against Patel are not supported by medical and empirical data. After the proceedings, Patel said he would be vindicated when evidences will be presented. Next hearing of the Dr Rashmi Patel case is scheduled for July 16. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

10-year-old Indian prodigy is youngest US high school graduate June 13, 2014 17:20

Can you name the youngest high school graduate in US. Meet Tanishq Abraham, a 10-year-old Indian-origin genius, who surprised everyone by graduating high school in the US. Tanishq, from Sacramento, in California, was awarded his high school diploma on Sunday at a private ceremony held at California Auto Museum. He has been home-schooled since he was 7 years old. In March, Abraham cleared a state exam, certifying him to have achieved the appropriate academic standards to receive the diploma. Abraham is ambitious and harbours dream of becoming the president of US one day. He's excited at being given his diploma. But it had been hard work all along and he's very happy that finally he has graduated high school, said Abraham. Since he was 7-years-old, Abraham had been taking community college classes and scored well on the SATs. After getting his diploma Abraham said that he would finish community college by next semester. That will give him an associate's degree and he can transfer to university, he added. Abraham is interested in studying medicine at UC Davis. When Abraham was in kindergarten, he realized his special gift. The little boy could read books meant for second and third graders. He even had enhanced maths skill and could solve problems ment for second and third graders, according to Abraham. Abraham is fascinated by science and wants to be a scientist or doctor, but he also want to be the US president. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

Indian male nurse assaulted in UAE for having 'smiling face' June 10, 2014 17:59

People are usually happy to see a smiling face. But an Indian male nurse realised that his smiling face could land him with a few blows and hospitalisation. An Indian male nurse serving at a UAE hospital was assaulted by five men for allegedly being amused at the death of their relative. The unnamed man in his 30s was beaten up severely by five local youths in Sharjah's Al Qassimi Hospital, in UAE. The youths saw the smiling face of the male nurse and thought that he was laughing at them. A case has been registered against the five local residents by police, who described the victim as "a smiling face" man. The unsuspecting victim suffered bruises and had to be admitted in the surgical department of the hospital. The unnamed male nurse failed to offer help to a woman who fell on the ground after the death of her relative, according to reports. Following which the five young Emirati men hit the male nurse thinking that he was amused at the woman's fall. The hospital authorities have confirmed the incident. Footage of the surveillance camera has been handed over to the police by the hospital management for further investigation. (AW: Pratima Tigga)

Hinduja brothers richest in Britain May 12, 2014 17:47

Indian origin business tycoons Hinduja brothers have emerged as Britain's richest billionaires. The Hinduja brothers, who have been valued at £11.9 billion, beat Russian magnate Alisher Usmanov and steel tycoon Lakshmi N Mittal and figure at the top of the list. Prepared by The Sunday Times, the annual list of UK's super rich is scheduled to be released next Sunday. However, the preview figures suggest that the Hindujas based in London would emerge on top as their fortunes have seen an estimated jump of £1.3 billion. According to figures compiled by The Sunday Times, Gopichand and Srichand Hinduja have a fortune valued at £11.9 billion. The London-based Hindujas run a multinational Hinduja Group conglomerate and have interests in automotive, real estate and oil industries. Russian business chief Alisher Usmanov would be placed in the second rank after his estimated fortune fell to £10.65 billion. Kolkata-born Lakshmi N Mittal will feature in the third place with his fortune valued at £10.25 billion. His business concerns registered growth in profit by £250 million from what he had last year. According to this year's The Sunday Times' list London figures at the top when it comes to the maximum number of billionaires in the world. The newspaper revealed that currently there are 104 billionaires based in the UK and their combined wealth adds to over £301 billion. (Picture Source: gg2.net)(AW: Pratima Tigga)

Don Bradman scholarship for Indian-origin Australian student May 08, 2014 17:33

Indian-origin Australian student beat 60 other applicants to win the Don Bradman scholarship. The 23-year-old student was chosen for the prestigious educational scholarship for displaying qualities held by the cricket legend. The scholarship, named after Sir Don Bradman, is awarded to students who display a balance of educational excellence, sporting ability and community involvement. Amit Balgi, a third year dental science at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) in New South Wales, will be provided with USD 4,670 annually towards educational expenses for the remaining three years at his university. Balgi said that he loves cricket and is a great fan of Sir Don Bradman. He had even contemplated taking up cricked as a career. He feels lucky to be selected for the prestigious educational scholarship. The recipient of the scholarship was finalised by a panel that included Bradman Foundation chairman Maurice Newman, former Australian prime minister John Howard, the foundation's executive director, Rina Hore and 2008 Bradman Scholar David Miller. (Picture Source: ndtv.com)(AW: Pratima Tigga)

3 NRIs convicted in $15 million fraud case May 01, 2014 17:48

A federal jury in the US has convicted three Indian medical professionals bor being a part of a $15 million medicare fraud scheme in the country. The three NRIs include 30-year-old physical therapy assistant Jigar Patel, 43-year-old physical therapist Shahzad Mirza and 38-year-old foreign medical school graduate Srinivas Reddy, who doesn't hold a license to practice medicine. Acting assistant attorney general David A O'Neil of criminal division in justice department said that each of them have been found guilty of conspiring to commit health care fraud related to a medicare scheme that was active in the period between July 2008 to September 2011. The scheme was functional at healthcare facilities in Detroit. Besides, Patel and Mirza were found guilty of two counts of health care fraud. The duo had submitted false claims to federal insurance programme medicare for home health services. Reddy was convicted of three counts of health care fraud for submitting false claims connected to physician home visits. Moreover, Patel was also found guilty of one count of money laundering via MI Healthcare Staffing, which he owns. During the trial evidence suggested that the beneficiaries pre-signed medical paperwork that was provided to Patel and other physical therapist assistants. They filled in false information showing that medical care was provided. Actually it was not provided. Mirza, Patel and others would provide their signature on the paperwork purpoting that they had provided services. (Picture Source: yespunjab.com) (AW: Pratima Tigga)

NRI to enter poll fray in Visakhapatnam April 15, 2014 15:09

London-based NRI Buddha Chandrashekhar is all set to take the poll plunge in Lok Sabha elections 2014. Chandrashekhar's decision to jump into the poll fray is due to his unhappiness with the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The NRI businessman has plans to contest elections as an independent candidate from Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency. He has already come up with a vision 2020 for the growth and development of Seemandhra, the residual state of Andhra Pradesh. The head of New World Software and former CEO of HiJobs, stated that the time is ripe for the growth of Seemandhra. He even said that he has an inclusive development plan in mind that includes a BPL Zone (reach Beach Premier League) between Kakinada and Vizag. The zone would be an area for international clubs to host events around water sports. Besides he has plans of an IT and petro zone. According to his Vision 2020, the region would have a single window clearance facility to enable smooth flow of foreign and domestic investments. Buddha Chandrashekhar , who has his roots in Visakhapatnam, is not a well-known face to people and trying hard to make his presence known through Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. (Picture Source: blogs.lse.ac.uk) (AW: Pratima Tigga)