Indian-American Dies Of Cardiac Arrest Four Months After Marriage November 15, 2019 11:12
Death is inevitable. There is possibly nothing that one can do to stop it if situations similar to that arise. The same was the fate that 32 year old Prashanth Padla from Tampa, Florida experienced. The Indian American passed away on November 09, 2019 in an untimely death caused because of cardiac arrest. The loss of such an young Indian professional is not just ghastly but terrifying at the same time. The barbaric thing about this event is the fact that Padla got married just four months before his death to his wife Sindhu. She recently moved together with her husband in America as the couple were close to getting their green card applications approved.Prasanth and his wife and some family members including his toddler nephew took part in the green card backlog rally recently which was organized by the Illinois Immigration Forum in Chicago.The sudden death of the bright individual has left behind a dark glooming situation above the heads of the families and that too in a situation of such distraught. The North American Telugu Society has started their fundraiser to help out the young family in question during their time of need.They have set up a Go Fund Me page for the deceased and the family and is working actively with the family and friends of Padla to help make all the necessary arrangements for the funeral and the fund raising support involved in it. According to the fundraiser, Padla has been described as a responsible, loving brother and a very joyous friend and caring husband. The friends and family of the individual have also described him as a very kind and generous man who always went out of their way to help people when it need of it. The sudden death has come off as a shock for the entire family. The goal of the fundraiser was raised at $100,000 out of which $58,409 has already been raised. In terms of the origin, Padal belongs to the Armoor city from the state of Telangana. He also does have some family residing in the United States.By Somapika Dutta
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NRI Marriage Registration Bill Relayed to the Standing Committee on External Affairs October 09, 2019 10:55
The NRI Marriage Registration Bill makes it mandatory for the NRI men to essentially register their marriage within 30 days of marriage. The same has been relayed on to the Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs. As per the “Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019” bill, it provides all the power to the passport authorities to impound or even end up revoking the passport as well as the travel documents of the NRIs who do not actively register their marriage within 30 days of getting married.A Lok Sabha secretariat in a bulletin said that the Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019 bill which was priorly introduced in the Rajya Sabha has been forwarded to the Standard Committee on External Affairs in the Parliament for further examination and salient report in the coming two months. After the introduction of the bill in Rajya Sabha, the lack of exposure made it backtrack. But, with consistent highlights and better exposure induced by the Women Empowerment Foundation (WEF), the change was meant to happen. They did a number of digital campaigns, started a petition in change.org and even appealed directly to PM Narendra Modi and honourable Minister Smriti Irani.BJP Government has taken an extensive initiative to bring through a breakthrough with this specific bill to be passed under the Lok Sabha and make it a law to further ensure better security for the Indian women stuck in NRI marriages.Owing the increasing number of cases of Indian women being trapped in a fraudulent marriage with an NRI, the Rajya Sabha was approached with the issue to look for an immediate solution. The bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in February. The same induces the compulsion for the NRI Marriage Registration within 30 days of marriage. Failing the legalized registration of the marriage by an NRI man, the same can result in revoking the passport and the travel rights of the individual. In addition to that, failing the registration also does give the court the power to attach the properties, movables as well as the immovable of the accused. The same even take place if the accused fails to show up to the court despite the issued warrants against them. According to the NRI Marriage Registration Bill, the law will only be applicable to the NRIs marrying Indian women in or around India.By Somapika Dutta
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Indian-Origin Millionaire, Tushar Atre Abducted From California Home And Found Dead October 03, 2019 15:15
An Indian-origin tech executive Tushar Atre was abducted from his home in California on 01st October, 2019 and later his dead body was found near his own BMW. The millionaire was a resident in an amazing area around Santa Cruz in California from where he was abducted on Tuesday and his dead body was found later. The police department is working thoroughly on the case to get hold of the abductor and possible murdered of the millionaire.According to the reports published by the police department, they clarified stating that this popular businessman and the owner of a well established digital marketing agency, Atre Net Inc was abducted from his residence around 3 am on Tuesday. He was last seen getting inside of his white BMW, near which his dead body was found. The motive and the possible string of events surrounding the same has still not been clarified by the police department but they do believe that there has to be something big that made him get abducted from the oceanfront home. Following the case, the Santa Cruz police officials have released some details regarding the case and the possible reasons why it happened. The officials reported that they received a 911 emergency call from Tushar’s residency in Santa Cruz, that too very early in the morning. One officer investigating the case said that Atre was kidnapped at 3 in the morning amidst a “possible crime” in the house. Following which he was seen getting inside his white BMW. The deputies were able to trace the car in the Santa Cruz mountains and the dead body of the businessman was found in the area nearby the car itself.The sheriff finally took to Facebook to announce that they have successfully located the car and found a deceased body around that area. It was later on Wednesday afternoon that the body was identified to be of the multimillionaire. The sheriff clarified stating that they have enough evidence to prove for a fact that the reason behind the death could be robbery.The police are now working to investigate the two connected people in this case behind the abduction and possible murder of Tushar Atre.By Somapika Dutta
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Indian Origin Scientists, Technocrats to Work for Country’s Growth September 23, 2019 14:22
Indian origin scientists and technocrats residing in foreign countries will come together on Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats (GIST) Forum, created by Vijnana Bharati, a common platform to share their ideas for inclusive development of India.GIST forum has recently constituted GIST-USA chapter to link the scientists and technocrats of Indian origin working in the United States. The forum will provide a chance to the scientists and technocrats to come together and hold discussions on multiple issues such as the impact of global warming on whole world and India and what will be a possible solution to the problems on way to inclusive development of India.Speaking on the sidelines of the event, ‘A dialogue between Vedic and the modern sciences’ at IIT-BHU, national organizing secretary, Vijnana Bharati, Jayat Sahasrabuddhe said that GIST forum’s USA chapter has been set up recently to connect Indian origin United States-based scientists and technocrats to make them share their ideas on various topics, including swadeshi sciences - Astronomy, Astrology And Ayurveda - at the GIST forum. They would also suggest possible and feasible solutions to the problems like growing air pollution and water pollution among others, he said.Saying that GIST forum will be set up in different countries across the globe, he said it will also help nurture Swadeshi sciences like Ayurveda, Astrology and Khagol Shashtra among many.Sahasrabuddhe said many Indian origin scientists were working in the area of Swadeshi sciences but they work at different locations on an individual basis and different places. During discussions at the forum, they get to know about works of one another. He added that this GIST forum is an effort under which they are trying to utilize the experience of the scientists and technocrats for the growth and development of the country with a focus on nurturing the Swadeshi sciences. He said that dialogue between Vedic and modern science is a must in order that both may benefit and enrich one another.He said that Vijnana Bharati has plans to organize such sessions in other universities and institutions also and it already organized several such workshops where a number of noted scientists and technocrats participated together.By Sowmya Sangam
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Indian American Couple’s $200mn Plan to Transform Healthcare in India September 17, 2019 10:39
An Indian American doctor couple, Kiran Patel and Pallavi Patel, has teamed up with the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to advance healthcare in Florida and internationally to underserved communities in India and Africa with an initial investment of $200 million. Zambia-born India-educated cardiologist Kiran Patel and his India-born pediatrician wife Pallavi Patel have already acquired 50 hectares of land near Bharuch, Gujarat, the western region of India, to set up the medical college effectively. The Patels are planning to visit India in October to discuss their project with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that is said to transform healthcare in India with technological advancements and efficiently trained doctors. (Image source from: New Indian Express)In the meantime, the NSU on Saturday opened a brand new campus in Clearwater, near Tampa. Eventually, the couple is working towards setting up three medical colleges in rural areas, wherein students will be trained and two of these medical colleges are said to offer Indian degrees with one offering a United States degree. Read: Why Indians with Foreign MBBS Fail to Get Licensed in Home Country Kiran Patel said that approvals were being sought for the use of acquired agricultural land for non-agricultural grounds followed by a necessary approval from the Medical Council of India to set up a college. Asked if recent changes in the law to improve access to quality and affordable medical education in India would be helpful to his plans, he said that "only time will tell". My hope is the new organization will be expeditious in their decisions and would not put unnecessary roadblocks in the path. Lectures will be directed from Tampa to classes at the planned college in India with live interaction with professors, he added. (Image source from: The Universal News Network)Later, American professors would be positioned in India and Indian professors brought will be brought to the U.S. to sort of train the trainers to academically produce students of the same caliber as those graduating in the U.S.Subsequently, the college will be accredited with American bodies to start residency in India. Indian students coming to the U.S. will be aware of how a world-class institution works and Indian doctors will get an insight into modern healthcare.Noting that students, residents, and post-graduates will start providing services when the college opens, Kiran Patel said the move would solve the crisis of paucity of healthcare in India. Once the India project gets going, Kiran Patel plans to extend his operations in Africa and achieve his desire to start with Zambia, the land of his birth, he said.Currently, there are two Nova institutions in the U.S. named after the Patels producing 625 graduates whereas India providing another 300. According to Kiran Patel, the ultimate goal of the Indian American doctor duo is to produce doctors all around the world to come forward and help people in a potentially 'borderless' world.By Sowmya Sangam
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Man Jailed for Life for Murder of Indian Origin Colleague in UK September 13, 2019 10:40
A Pakistani-origin man in the United Kingdom has been jailed for life for murdering his Indian origin co-worker in the mistaken belief that he was having an affair with his wife. The 27-year-old Aqib Pervaiz lured Nadeem Uddin Hameed Mohammed, a native of Hyderabad, to an underground car of the supermarket, where they were working. Minutes before, Pervaiz purchased a kitchen knife from the store in Slough, near London. Despite Pervaiz being on friendly terms with Mohammed, he got convinced by his another colleague that Mohammed was in a relationship with his wife, Saima Munir. (Image source from: BBC) Photo: Aqib Pervaiz “You believed quite wrongly and without any foundation at all that your wife had formed a relationship with Mr. Mohammed, despite the efforts of your wife, other family members, and Mr. Mohammed to convince you your suspicions were all in your mind," Judge Heather Norton told Pervaiz during sentencing at Reading Crown Court this week. Mohammed’s wife, Afsha, who was eight months pregnant at the time of the murder in May, has returned to India with their baby daughter who he never got to meet, the court was told. Mohammed’s family, in a statement, said: "He was brutally and unfairly taken from the world when he was giving so much and had a big future. It is impossible to explain how deep and profound his loss is to the whole family; his wife, his newborn child, his father, the wider family and beyond. None of us can imagine a life with him gone and he will never be forgotten. May God give us strength and Nadeem peace." In a CCTV footage, which was shown to the court, Pervaiz was seen attacking Mohammed from behind, using 20cm (8in) kitchen knife to deliver a single fatal blow to his chest. Mohammed, the resident of Southall suburb of south-west London, later died in hospital. Before being considered for parole, Pervaiz was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years imprisonment. He was also sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession of a bladed article, which will run concurrently with his life sentence. Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Shearwood of Thames Valley Police's Major Crime Unit, said: "This was a horrific incident, which occurred in daylight hours in front of members of the public. Pervaiz's actions on that day were despicable."Without warning, he brutally stabbed Nadeem in a very public place, in front of people going about their normal daily routines and his actions cost Nadeem his life."The officer praised Mohammed's family for their dignity and bravery all through the extremely stressful and tragic time.He added: "Pervaiz admitted his guilt due to the substantial amount of evidence against him, and I am pleased that Nadeem's family have been spared from a trial in court."Pervaiz will now serve a life sentence for murder, while it cannot bring Nadeem back, I hope it offers some form of closure for his family and it can help them to move on."Mohammed married Afha in India less than a year ago and she had joined him in Britain just a month prior to the murder in May this year. The store where Mohammed worked as an assistant manager issued a statement expressing shock and upset at the murder.By Sowmya Sangam
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Trump Nominates Indian American Anuraag Singhal as Florida Judge September 10, 2019 10:08
President Donald Trump on Monday nominated an Indian American Anuraag Singhal as a federal judge in Florida to replace James I. Cohn. Singhal, who is currently on the 17th Circuit Court in Florida, is among the 17 judiciary nomination sent by the White House to the Senate. He is the first Indian American to be nominated for this position in Florida. The senate judiciary committee is scheduled to announce the name for the United States district judge for the southern district of Florida on Wednesday. Singhal’s parents, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, migrated to the U.S. in 1960. His father was a research scientist with Exxon. Read: American Airlines Names Priya Aiyar as Senior Vice PresidentAccording to a media report, Singhal is most famous for representing the notorious Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer who murdered seven men in Florida. Although Singhal did not represent the serial killer at the time of the trial, he represented her in a lawsuit when she accused prison guards of "harassing her to death"."Aileen was difficult to represent because she had volunteered for the death penalty. She wanted to go," Singhal had told India-West in 2012 after he was appointed to the circuit court."I tried to talk her out of it. I tried to get her re-evaluated. I wanted to keep her from getting executed," Singhal told the newspaper. Then-Governor Rick Scott appointed Singhal to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court in 2011, where he currently serves.By Sowmya Sangam
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Indian American Family Dies in Florida Car Crash September 05, 2019 10:37
An Indian American family of three lost their lives in a dreadful accident on the Sawgrass Expressway in Florida while on their way to the Fort Lauderdale airport after spending the long holiday weekend. The residents of Coral Springs - Boby Mathew (47), his wife Dolly Mathew (41) and their son, Steve Manoj (16) - crashed into a retention pond near the northbound entrance ramp toward Florida’s Turnpike. Following the crash, the car, a Honda Accord, drowned in water and the rescuers retrieved three family members trapped inside the submerged car out the vehicle. According to the rescue team, the car lost its balance immediately after it exited the ramp and fell into the pond. Hailing from Ernakulam district in Kerala, Boby is an IT professional in Dallas. The couple’s elder son, Austin, was not with them at the time of the accident. By Sowmya Sangam
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Dinesh Chawla, Trump’s Former Partner, Held for Theft at Airport August 27, 2019 11:15
An Indian origin hotel owner who earlier partnered with President Donald Trump’s family on four hotels has been arrested for stealing luggage at Memphis International Airport, Tennessee, last weekend. According to police, Dinesh Chawla, the Chief Executive Officer of Chawla Hotels, was seen taking luggage from the baggage claim in the airport, put it in his car and went back inside the airport to catch a flight. The airport authorities upon searching the car found the suitcase and another piece of luggage that had been taken from the airport last month, The New York Times reported.Chawla, who was arrested when he returned to Memphis, admitted to stealing the two bags and their $4,000 valued contents, according to a police affidavit.He also admitted to stealing luggage "over a long period of time" for the thrill and excitement though he knew it was wrong, the report said but it provided no details of other thefts.Chawla brothers operate a chain of hotels and motels in the Delta and are currently constructing a luxury hotel in Cleveland, an undertaking that until February was a joint venture with the Trump Organization. (Image source from: CBS News)The contacts between the Trump family and the Chawlas dates back to 1988 when Chawla brothers’ father V K Chawla reached out to Donald Trump Sr for help starting a motel in Greenwood. Trump called the Suresh Chawla, the brother of Dinesh Chawla, and suggested that he apply for a minority Small Business Administration loan, which he did successfully.By Sowmya Sangam
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Indian Origin Pakistani Leader B M Kutty Dies at 89 August 26, 2019 12:32
Indian origin Pakistani politician and human rights activist Biyyothil Mohyuddin Kutty, popularly known as B M Kutty, died on Sunday in Karachi after a prolonged illness. He was 89. “He was ill for a while. He spent his life fighting for civil and human rights,” said Marvi Sarmad, a human rights activist and journalist. B M Kutty moved to Pakistan from Kerala state in India in 1949. His wife Birjis Siddiqui died in 2010. The couple has four children. Condoling the death of Kutty, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembered him as a “leader who constantly fought for improving the relation between India and Pakistan”. “He (Kutty) was born in Tirur (in Malappuram district) and later emigrated to Pakistan and emerged as a major figure in Pakistan’s politics,” Vijayan said. “He was also a prominent journalist and a determined leader who fought for peace and against communalism,” he added. Life of BM Kutty (Image source from: www.thenews.com.pk)Born in 1930 in Kerala’s Tirur town to a Malayali Muslim family, Kutty was raised in middle-class resources. Kutty joined the Muslim Students Federation at the age of 16 under the All-India Muslim League. He attended Mohammedan College in Chennai, where he studied science for four years. In 1972, Kutty associated with the then governor of Balochistan province Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo and served as political secretary - this can be regarded as the high point of his career. Kutty served as the general secretary of Pakistan Peace Coalition, a civil society group that aims to promote peace between India and Pakistan.In 2011, Kutty launched his autobiography “Sixty Years in Self-Exile: No Regrets; A Political Autobiography”, in which he narrated the story about his journey from Kerala to Karachi. He also made clear why he had chosen to stay in Pakistan. (Image source from: Rediff.com)Condolences Pour in for Pakistani Peace Activist Talat Aslam, a Pakistani journalist and editor of the News International daily, tweeted: “Sad to learn about the death of veteran left activist BM Kutty. Originally, from Kerala, Kutty came to Pakistan as a young man and became a key figure in the politics of his new homeland, championing progressive causes…” Sad to learn about the death of veteran left activist BM Kutty. Originally fm Kerala, Kutty came to Pakistan as a young man & became a key figure in the politics of his new homeland, championing progressive causes. He was a close confidant of veteran Baloch leader GB Bizenjo. RIP — Talat Aslam (@titojourno) August 25, 2019 Heartbroken about the passing away of veteran Leftist legend, comrade B.M. Kutty. He has as much contributions in Baloch politics as any Baloch leader. He was a close aide to my father Mir Ghous Buksh Bizenjo; also wrote his autobiography.He was more of a family than a friend. pic.twitter.com/G5fynCYI0v — Hasil Bizenjo (@hasilbizenjo) August 25, 2019 Rest in peace, Kutty sahib. We will miss your gentle peace-making ways profoundly. Remember going with him to Nirmala Deshpande’s funeral in better times. He worked so hard for progressive politics to take root, never daunted by setbacks. Feels like the end of an era. Sad pic.twitter.com/pT5cpCVl8L — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 25, 2019 A pic of MRD leaders’ meeting (1987 Karachi) headed by late Benazir Bhutto. #BMKutty is seen in 1st from the left. In the anti-Zia dictatorship movement, BB used to ask Kutty to draft MRD documents/press briefings bcoz of his command in drafting political documents. pic.twitter.com/w0nYpdrqgg — Zia Ur Rehman (@zalmayzia) August 25, 2019 In Shashi Tharoor 's words, Kerala's gift to Pakistan. RIP #BMKutty https://t.co/sGryej0NvL — Ayanangsha Maitra (@Ayanangsha) August 26, 2019 BM Kutty-in him I have lost a great comrade, he was not only an intellectual of the left but also an activist till he could do it. Great loss for all of us.#comradekuttyfarewell@bmkutty — BabarAyaz (@BabarAyaz1) August 26, 2019 By Sowmya Sangam
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Indian Origin British Tourist Strangulated to Death in Thai Hotel August 24, 2019 17:10
An Indian origin British native was strangulated to death at a Thai hotel when he told another guest to lower their voice as his wife and son were trying to sleep, according to a statement by his family. The 34-year-old Amitpal Singh Bajaj, from London, was lodging at the five-star Centara Grand Hotel in Phuket with his family when he complained about noise from the next room, according to a report by BBC. According to Bajaj’s family, a man forced his way into their room through the balcony on Wednesday and strangled Bajaj. In a statement on Friday, Bajaj's wife Bandhna Kaur Bajaj said: "My husband sacrificed his life to save my son's life and mine. He will always be our hero."She told how the attacker "barged" into their room naked and "just started charging at my husband". "My husband tried to block the man and move me and my (two-year-old) son away. As the man was kicking, punching and just, beating him up, my husband told me to please leave and save our son," she added in her statement.As soon as the police were informed about the incident, they reached the scene. Bajaj was confirmed dead at the Patong hospital. The United Kingdom Foreign Office confirmed the incident and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry states that Norwegian citizen has been taken into custody in Thailand and is being provided consular assistance.By Sowmya Sangam
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Meet Indian Origin Gurtej Sandhu, the Biggest Indian Inventor Alive August 22, 2019 17:17
An Indian origin scientist Gurtej Sandhu of Boise, Idaho in the United States has received nearly 1,300 patents, outdoing inventor Thomas Edison who died with 1,084 patents to his name. Born in London to Indian parents, the 58-year-old Sandhu is seventh on the list of most prolific inventors in the world. He is a Senior Fellow and the Vice President of Micron Technology.Before moving to the United States to pursue a doctorate in physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sandhu did his graduation in electrical engineering from IIT Delhi. Read: Indian Origin Researcher Gets $3.3 Mn Grant to Tackle Battery WasteAt the time when he was looking for employment, Sandhu received two job offers - One from the Texas Instruments, the top American computer memory maker at that time and other from Micron Technology, an 11-year-old start-up in Boise making every effort against government-subsidized memory-chip makers in Japan and other countries, the Idaho Statesman reported. Sandhu chose to work with the smaller company Micron on the advice of his professor and mentor. At Micron, Sandhu gained his first few patents where he worked to sustain Moore’s Law and improving how many memory units could be filled up into these chips. Ever since his inventions have been incessant. (Image source from: The Universal News Network)From that time chip manufacturers, mostly technically owned by Micron around the globe, have made use of Sandhu's patents. Sandhu increased his patents list with the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, self-driving cars, and Internet of Things (IoT) and there has been no lack of innovation for Sandhu to experiment with. Sandhu said: “being an Indian citizen settled in Boise comes with challenges. American-born citizens sometimes think he’s Arab. He once asked a group of students to guess where he was from; one said Japan. The U.S. is more insular compared to any other nations.” “After 9/11, a woman in Boise saw him driving his black SUV, wearing his turban, a symbol of his faith. She called the police. Nothing came of the call,” Sandhu said. In some countries, he said, such a report may have led to intimidation or extortion, it said.“The reality is there is no place in the world, no society, where a minority does not feel uncomfortable,” he told the publication. “But I’ll tell you: Today, the best place for any minority to live in any society is the United States. … In terms of basic fairness, still, there’s nothing matching this country.” We can beyond any doubt say that Gurtej Sandhu is certainly the biggest Indian inventor alive.By Sowmya Sangam
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