Indian student killed in Canada by Stray Bullet April 19, 2025 15:49
A 21-year-old student from India lost her life after being inadvertently caught in a shooting between two groups in Canada. According to Hamilton Police, Harsimrat Randhawa was at a bus stop when a stray bullet hit her during the altercation that involved two vehicles. Enrolled at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, she was en route to her workplace at the time of the tragic event. Randhawa is the fourth Indian national to pass away in Canada within the last four months. The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed that she was an innocent bystander who was “fatally struck” by the bullet. "We are profoundly grief-stricken by the tragic loss of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa... As indicated by local authorities, she fell victim to random gunfire during a shooting between two cars. A homicide investigation is currently in progress. We are maintaining close communication with her family and providing them with all necessary support," stated a tweet from the Consulate. Hamilton Police reported that the shooting took place at the intersection of Upper James and South Bend Road. They discovered Randhawa suffering from a gunshot wound to her chest and swiftly transported her to a nearby medical facility, where she later passed away. Surveillance footage from the area captured an individual in a black vehicle firing at the people in a white sedan. Both cars fled the scene following the gunfire. Additionally, police noted that nearby homes were also impacted by the gunfire, resulting in bullets breaking a window; fortunately, no injuries were reported. This incident follows a series of three separate killings involving Indians in Canada over the past four months, prompting the Indian government to advise its citizens to be vigilant amid rising hate crimes and violent acts in the country. On December 1, 2024, Gurasis Singh, a 22-year-old postgraduate student from Ludhiana in Punjab, was fatally stabbed at his rented home. Another Indian student, also 22 and from Punjab, Rittika Rajput, died when a tree fell on her during a late-night gathering with friends; authorities are investigating this incident. Furthermore, on December 6, Harshandeep Singh, a 20-year-old of Indian descent working as a security guard, was shot and killed by a gang in Edmonton.
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The Rising Cost Of Foreign Education November 16, 2024 13:04
The USA is one of the most popular destinations among students who want to study abroad. Every year, the country attracts a large number of international students from all over the world. The cost of training here depends on the type and program of the university. Universities are divided into private and public/public institutions. Tuition fees at public universities are relatively lower than at private institutions. Tuition fees for international students in the United States range from $25,000 to $55,000 per year. The average cost of tuition and fees in the United States has reportedly increased in recent years. In 2018-2019, the average cost for public public universities ranged from $9,716 to $35,676 for private schools. Fees for humanities, education and arts courses are very low compared to subjects like medicine, engineering and business administration. The cost of studying in the UK has also risen over the years. Students in EU and UK will have to pay Rs 9250 or almost Rs 927485 per year. Tuition fees for international students start at Rs 10,000 or Rs 10,02,598 and go up to Rs 38,000 or Rs 38,10,205 for specialized degrees in medicine and other fields. Compared to the US and other countries, students choosing the UK can save significantly on living costs, and most UK universities offer shorter courses. A typical bachelor's degree takes three years instead of four, and a master's degree takes one year instead of two.
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Indian man jailed in Singapore for a Mistaken Transaction October 16, 2024 20:36
A Singaporean court has sentenced a 47-year-old Indian citizen to nine weeks in prison for using money he mistakenly received in his bank account to pay off debts and sending some of the money to his family in India. PTI reported. It was reported. The man, identified as Periyasamy Mathiyazhagan, worked for a plumbing and engineering company from 2021 to 2022. On April 6, 2023, the company director deposited S$25,000 (approximately Rs. 1.6 million) into the man's bank account based on the following assumptions: It was a company account. Public Prosecutor (SPO) Lim Yeo Leong said the manager intended to repay the personal loan taken by the company. “After the incorrect transfer, the complainant was informed by the (managing director) on the same day that the account did not belong to the company and the company had not received the money,” the SPO said. The manager then informed the male bank about the incorrect transfer and asked them to cooperate in recovering the money. On April 10, 2023, the bank sent a letter to the man's address explaining the transfer and asking him to repay the money. However, the letter was delivered to the company itself as the man's last address on file with the bank was that of the company. When the letter was not delivered to the man's address, the bank informed management that his request to recover the money had failed. He then filed a police report on May 23, 2023. The police investigation revealed that the man recognized that a large amount of money had been deposited into his account in early May 2023. The SPO informed the district court that the criminals were aware that the large amount of money did not belong to them and had been wrongly transferred. Nevertheless, on May 21 and 22, he transferred the entire amount to another bank account in four installments. Later that month, company employees learned that the company itself had received a letter from a bank asking the man to send money. After that, the company called me and asked me to pay back the money, but I replied that I used all the money to pay off the debt. During police interrogation, the suspect also revealed that he had sent some of the money to his family in India and asked for time to return the money in exchange for a monthly payment of S$1,500. However, The Straits Times reported that the money has not been recovered to date.
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Indian Origin Ex-Minister In Singapore Gets One Year Jail October 03, 2024 15:25
The former Singaporean transport minister of Indian descent, S Iswaran, was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty to five charges related to corruption and obstructing justice in the High Court on September 24. The sentence was higher than the six to seven months requested by the prosecution, which the judge, Justice Hoong, considered "manifestly inadequate". The judge stated that the higher the public office held by the offender, the greater their level of responsibility. Iswaran is the first person to be prosecuted under Section 165 in post-independent Singapore, as reported by The Straits Times. The judge acknowledged the mitigating factors presented by the defense, including Iswaran's public service to Singapore, his voluntary repayment of benefits, and his early guilty plea. However, the judge also noted that the additional 30 charges taken into consideration were similar to the proceeded charges, where Iswaran received gifts, indicating the scale and repetition of his offenses over a significant period. The judge considered this a factor that increased Iswaran's culpability, while his public service and contributions to Singapore were seen as neutral factors at most. Based on the defendant's public statements denying the charges, the judge believed Iswaran was regretful. However, the judge stated he could not agree with the defense's arguments. The accused is only eligible for a maximum reduction of 10% in their sentence.
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Top 10 Business Schools Based On QS Global MBA Rankings 2025 September 26, 2024 15:56
The QS Global MBA and Masters Business Rankings 2025 were released on Wednesday, evaluating programs in 58 countries and regions across a range of in-demand professional master's degree programs, including management, finance, marketing, business analytics and supply chain management. This year, US institutions dominate the ranking of the 340 business schools evaluated. Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) maintained its No. 1 ranking for the fifth year in a row. The institute provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills while promoting a positive attitude and a strong network of high-performing colleagues that extends beyond the academic world. The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School placed second with a score of 99.8, recognizing its extensive global network and highly respected faculty. Harvard Business School ranks third with a score of 99.4, cementing its reputation as a leader in business education. Fourth place goes to the MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Admission to this institution requires a GMAT score of 700 or higher, a GRE score of 312 or higher, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. London Business School ranks fifth and is considered the best business school for an MBA outside the US. We offer a diverse range of programs including Masters, MBA and EMBA degrees, covering areas such as accounting, finance and entrepreneurship. Over 90% of our doctoral students are international students with over 110 nationalities. To attract top talent, London Business School offers a range of scholarships including the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Global Management. Universities that remain in the top 10 include: HEC Paris in sixth place, Cambridge Judge Business School in seventh place, Columbia Business School in eighth place, IE Business School in ninth place and IESE Work in the tenth place. The QS Global MBA Rankings are out now! @StanfordGSB leads the way followed by @Wharton and @HarvardHBS in the top three. Want to find the best global MBA for you this year? Visit https://t.co/0IKXxvNcDy to view the full ranking! #GlobalMBARankings #QSWUR #StudyAbroad pic.twitter.com/LBVx8a0bsU — QS Top MBA (@TopMBA) September 25, 2024 Additionally, three Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad are among the top 100 universities in the world for MBA programs. The IIMs include IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta, all of which are in the top 50 in terms of employability. A total of 14 Indian full-time MBA programs are included in the 2025 global list, including three new entries. The 14 institutions in India consist of seven IIMs: Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Indore, Lucknow, Udaipur and Kozhikode. Other well-known institutes include Institute of Management Technology (IMT) in Ghaziabad, Management Development Institute (MDI) in Gurgaon, Xavier Institute of Management, International Institute of Management in Delhi and Kolkata and Somaya Vidya in Mumbai etc.
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Canada's study visa approvals for Indian students to drop by 50% in 2024 September 10, 2024 20:06
Indian students wishing to study in Canada face major challenges as study permit applications are expected to drop by nearly 50% this year. While student visa approvals are expected to return to recent levels in 2018 and 2019, the number of approvals has declined due to measures by the Canadian federal government to reduce the number of international students. This information comes from the ApplyBoard report. The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday. "In the first half of this year, the number of study permits issued in India has halved," the report said. This can be an indication of what the whole year will look like. ApplyBoard, a company that connects international students with universities and colleges around the world, reports that by the end of 2024, the number of new study permits will exceed 231,000, a sharp contrast to 436,000 in 2023. The number of study permit applications in Canada increased by 39% in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2022, of Canada's 5.5 million international students, 2.26 million are of Indian origin, and 3.2 million Indians remain in Canada on student visas and contribute to the economy as casual workers. The Canadian government's decision to increase financial requirements for international students and proposals to tighten immigration policies are putting off many potential students, said Meti Basiri, CEO and co-founder of ApplyBoard. “In recent months, Canada has not been seen as a host country for international students,” Pasiri said, according to The Globe and Mail. Germany and France. In December 2023, Immigration Minister Mark Miller introduced new financial requirements for students applying for a study permit. They should set the minimum amount at $20,635, replacing the $10,000 requirement that has been in place for two decades. This policy change is intended to slow the growth of international student numbers and address the rising cost of living in Canada. In January 2024, Mr. Miller announced a cap on international student growth over the next two years, which would result in a 35 percent decline in student numbers in 2024 compared to 2023. Canada's international student population is particularly dire. According to the Globe and Mail, study permits for Indian students halved in the first half of this year. If the current process continues, the government's target of approving 364,000 study permits in 2024 based on the cap of 606,000 applications will not be achieved, the applications committee report said. Taking into account factors such as about 20% of students applying for renewals each year, 97,000 approvals fell short of the target, resulting in a revised goal of 364,000 study permit approvals. The original target was 485,000 new international students in 2024. "This projected number of admissions is approximately 47 percent lower than the 436,000 new admissions approved in 2023," the report said, according to the Globe and Mail. In addition, applications for graduate programs such as master's and doctoral programs that do not fall under the state cap have also dropped significantly. From January to June 2024, only 114,000 study permits were approved, a decrease of 48 percent compared to the same period last year. The number of requests processed in the second quarter of 2024 (April to June) also fell by 54% compared to the previous year. IRCC spokesman Geoffrey MacDonald acknowledged that early indications suggest that the cap introduced in January has had an impact on the amount of study permits issued. “Early indications are that the cap announced on January 22, 2024 will impact study permit numbers,” MacDonald was quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail. He said: “Approvals and applications fell significantly in the first half of this year, but considering that the busiest times for processing study permits are in the summer and early autumn, it is still too early to fully assess the impact of this cap".
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Four Indians Die In Road Accident September 04, 2024 21:26
In a devastating incident, four Indians were killed in a road accident on August 30th on Highway 75 in Anna, Texas. The victims died in an SUV by a speeding truck, which left the vehicle burnt into ashes. The four deceased were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, his friend Farooq Shaik and Lokesh Palacharla, all three are from Hyderabad and one more Darshini Vasudevan is from Tamil Nadu. The accident took place on Friday afternoon at around 3:30 PM. The impact was severe, and the car caught on fire. The deceased were trapped inside the car and unable to come out. As per Texas media, four individuals were in a carpool connected via app and were heading to Bentonville. Aryan and Farooq were returning from a trip to Dallas, and the residents of Bentonville. Lokesh Palacharla was travelling to Bentonville to meet his wife and Darshini Vasudevan was on her way to visit her uncle. Darshini Vasudevan was a Master’s degree graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington. The identification of the victims also became difficult because they were burnt completely. Authorities depending on the carpooling app details identified the victims. After the incident, vehicles on highway 75 were standing still and the traffic was heavily slowed down. The speeding truck collided with the vehicle, leading to this fatal accident. Several Indians, who went to the USA for their education or for jobs, died in vehicular road accidents. Recently, three members of an Indian-origin family were killed in a car crash in Texas, Houston. Not only this, On May 14th three Indian students in Alpharetta, Georgia died in a road accident in a major car crash. The Indian diaspora has been left in shock, they are planning to send the bodies to India. But sadly the bodies were completely burnt.
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Indians leaving Sweden in Record Numbers August 24, 2024 13:16
Many Indians migrate abroad in search of a better future. Traditionally, countries like the US, UK and Canada have been popular choices for Indian students and professionals looking for better opportunities. But in a surprising development, the European nation of Sweden has reversed this trend with more Indians emigrating abroad. Between January and June 2024, Sweden recorded a significant increase in the number of immigrants of Indian origin. With 2,837 departures compared to 1,046 departures in the same period last year, there was a significant increase of 171%. According to Swedish statistics, Indians are the largest immigrant group from Sweden, surpassing immigrants from Iraq, China and Syria. This decline could be influenced by current challenges such as layoffs in the technology sector and stricter work permit regulations. According to Swedish statistics, the population of Indians in Sweden was 58,094 in 2023. The change marks the first time since at least 1998 that Sweden recorded negative net migration of residents of Indian origin in the first half of this year. From 1998 to 2010, a total of 24,034 residence permits were issued to Indian nationals. Of these, 61.2% (14,705 people) were used for work, 25.8% (6,200 people) for school, 9.6% (2,307 people) for family renewal, 3.1% (747 people) for adoption and 0.3% (75 people). ) was done for humanitarian reasons. According to the European University Institute report. Robin Sukia, secretary general and CEO of the Sweden-India Business Council, cautioned against jumping to conclusions. We do not believe there is a single reason for this change as it is likely due to a variety of factors including the high cost of living, lack of serviced apartments and general accommodation issues. Sukia told Local Sweden. According to a local Swedish newspaper, despite this increase in immigration, Indians will still be one of the largest groups of new immigrants to Sweden in 2024, just behind Ukrainians. From January to June 2024, a total of 2,461 people born in India immigrated to Sweden, compared to 3,681 in the same period last year. Excluding the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, this is India's lowest immigration rate since 2017. The decline follows years of steady growth, fueled by strengthening diplomatic ties and Sweden's efforts to attract skilled workers to fill gaps in areas such as technology. However, recent challenges such as layoffs and stricter work permit regulations in the tech sector are affecting this trend. The number of work permits issued for highly skilled immigrants fell 20 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, while the number of first-time work permits for Indian nationals fell by 30 percent. These trends reflect the changing challenges faced by Indians in Sweden and indicate possible changes in the country's migration dynamics.
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Newly-wed Indian-origin man shot dead in front of wife in USA July 22, 2024 20:34
In the US state of Indiana, a 29-year-old Indian man was shot dead in front of his wife in a traffic accident. The victim was armed with a handgun in his van when he confronted the other driver, and the suspect, who was initially arrested at the scene, was later released, suggesting the two may have acted in "self-defense." According to police and media reports, the incident occurred last week, on July 16, at an intersection in Indianapolis. Police said the victim, Gavin Dasaur, was on his way home with his Mexican wife, Viviana Zamora. According to local news reports from WTHR, the man, who was from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, married on June 29, just two weeks before Zamora's death. The video shows Dasaur approaching the driver of the van, holding a gun in his right hand and banging on the door. He then moved his right hand to the window of the truck and transferred the gun to his left hand. In response, the pickup driver fired three shots and Dasaur immediately fell to the ground. During the brief seven-second encounter, the suspect never got out of the car. USA - An Indianapolis road rage incident has claimed the life of 29-year-old Gavin Dasaur. He approached another car and can be heard screaming "You want to play with me?" as he banged his gun against the door of the pickup truck of the man he was arguing with. Dasaur was… pic.twitter.com/GzT8z7ZKbX — The Many Faces of Death (@ManyFaces_Death) July 18, 2024 Officer Amanda Hibshman of the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) reported that just after 8 p.m. on July 16, authorities received a report of a gunshot victim at an intersection on the city's southeast side. Arriving officers reported seeing a man lying on the ground in the middle of the street with at least one gunshot wound. The shooting victim was identified by the man's wife. “I held him while he bled and waited for an ambulance,” the victim’s widow told the Indianapolis Star. According to IMPD, the shooting and the alleged road rage incident remain under investigation. While mourning her husband's death, Dasaur's wife condemned the shooting. “He was a hard-working man who wanted to give me and my family the world and always tried to help others,” she told local media.
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Australia doubles student visa fees to curb Migration July 01, 2024 16:21
The Australian government has introduced a significant increase in the fees for international students, more than doubling the cost from AUD 710 ($473) to AUD 1,600 ($1,068). This new measure, implemented by the Anthony Albanese government, effective July 1, aims to curb the high influx of migrants that has put pressure on the housing market. The move is likely to affect Indian students, who make up the second-largest group of international students in Australia. Additionally, temporary visa holders, such as those on Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas, will no longer be eligible to apply for a student visa while they are in the country. This change will impact thousands of Indian students currently residing in Australia. The Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O'Neil, stated that "The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system, and create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia." The Australian government's crackdown is intended to ensure that only genuine students are granted visas, thereby supporting the country's economic growth. The recent government data reveals a substantial influx of Indian students into Australian educational institutions. In 2022, over 100,000 Indian students were enrolled, and this number grew to 1.22 lakh during the January-September 2023 period. However, the increasing costs associated with obtaining an Australian student visa have made it significantly more expensive compared to options in the United States and Canada, where the fees are around $185 and CAD 150 ($110), respectively, as reported by Reuters. In response, the Australian government has announced measures to close loopholes in visa regulations that allowed foreign students to extend their stay repeatedly. This decision comes after observing a surge of over 30% in the number of students holding a second or subsequent student visa, reaching more than 150,000 in the 2022–23 academic year. Additionally, the government has raised the minimum savings requirement for student visas from AUD 24,505 ($16,146) to AUD 29,710 ($19,576).
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Indian Man Shot Dead During Texas Robbery June 24, 2024 13:30
A 32-year-old Indian man was shot in a robbery incident that took place in USA in the state of Texas and the tragic indicent took place in a grocery store. Dasari Gopikrishna, a native of Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla district, arrived in America just eight months ago. The incident happened on June 21 at a gas station in Pleasant Grove, Dallas. The DC Consul General was in Dallas on Sunday for Yoga Day. Manjunath confirmed to PTI that the incident was not related to the Arkansas shooting. As various sources have already reported. Condolences to the Gopikrishna family, Mr. Manjunath said, “We are contacting the local family members after learning of the tragic death of Gopi Krishna Dasari of Indian origin at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, Texas.” A resident of #AndhraPradesh died in #America. Gopikrishna native of Bapatla district is residing in America. Gopikrishna was injured in a shooting at a store in Dallas. He died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Gopikrishna went to America 11 months ago. pic.twitter.com/s9yY2eVP6b — Sowmith Yakkati (@YakkatiSowmith) June 23, 2024 The Consulate General of India, with the support of Indian associations, will provide all assistance in repatriating Mr. Gopikrishna's body to India, with local formalities including autopsy and issuance of death certificates. Mr Gopikrishna sustained serious injuries during the robbery and was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning. The incident deeply affected the Indian community in and around Dallas. Mr. Gopikrishna is survived by his wife and son.
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Schengen Visa: Europe Trip Gets Costlier from Today June 11, 2024 16:30
Starting today, June 11, 2024, travelers to Europe will face higher visa application fees. The European Commission has implemented a 12% increase in Schengen Visa fees, affecting applicants worldwide. This move aligns with the bloc's efforts to boost tourism in the region. Under the new fee structure, adult applicants will now pay €90, up from €80, and children aged 6-12 will pay €45, increased from €40. Countries deemed uncooperative with the EU's repatriation efforts will experience steeper hikes, with fees reaching €135 or €180. The Slovenian government has confirmed the European Commission's decision to raise short-stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees globally by 12%, effective from June 11, 2024. The Commission cites inflation and rising civil servant salaries as justifications for this increase, which follows a scheduled review of EU visa fees that took place in December 2023, as required by the Schengen Visa Code every three years. The Schengen visa system encompasses a group of European nations, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway (though not officially a member, it adheres to the regulations), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This development has brought disappointment, particularly for Turkish citizens who have long awaited a visa-free travel agreement with the EU. In 2023, the Schengen region experienced a significant increase in short-stay visa applications, reaching over 10.3 million, representing a 37% year-on-year rise. However, this figure still falls short of the pre-pandemic peak of 17 million applications received in 2019. India secured the third position in terms of visa applications for Europe, with a total of 966,687 submissions. The recent visa fee hike coincides with Europe's efforts to attract tourists from around the globe. Notably, on April 18, 2024, the European Commission introduced a new visa regime specifically for Indian citizens residing in India, referred to as a "visa cascade", which includes easier access to multi-entry visas, rewarding positive visa history, and the potential for a five-year visa.
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