NRI News ( Page 2 of 22 )

Indian-American Appointed 1st Woman Chief Technology Officer at FCC December 23, 2019 11:39

Dr Monisha Ghosh, an Indian-American has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer at the Federal Communications Commission which is the most powerful in US government. She replaced Dr Eric Burger.Ghosh will be advising the Indian-American Chairman of the FCC Ajit Pai and she will be working closely with the Office of Engineering and Technology as she takes charge on January 13 the next year.The interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all the fifty states included in the District of Columbia and US territories will be regulated by FCC.FCC is an independent agency of the US government that has been overseen by Congress. It is a federal agency which takes the responsibility of implementation and enforcement of America’s communications law and regulations.“As the FCC moves aggressively to advance American leadership in 5G, Dr Ghosh’s deep technical knowledge of wireless technologies will be invaluable,” says Chairman Pai.He added saying that, Dr Ghosh has been a part of both conducting as well as overseen research into the cutting-edge wireless issues in academia and industry and that her expertise ranges from internet of things, medical telemetry, and broadcast standards. Chairman Pai said that, Gosh would lead a path inspiring the young women in considering careers in STEM fields.“Dr Ghosh has both conducted and overseen research into cutting-edge wireless issues in academia and industry. Her expertise is also broad, ranging from the internet of things, medical telemetry, and broadcast standards. And it bears noticing that this is a historic appointment: I am proud that Dr Ghosh will be the FCC’s first female CTO, and hope her example inspires young women everywhere to consider careers in STEM fields. I’m grateful to her for serving in this important position at this important time,” he said.Ghosh is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and has done her B.tech from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1986. She received her Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1991.Ghosh conducts research on wireless technologies for internet of things, 5G cellular, next generation Wi-Fi systems and spectrum coexistence as a research professor at the University of Chicago."Dr Ghosh has done outstanding work during her time at the National Science Foundation (NSF). "As a program director within our Division of Computer and Network Systems, she has contributed to programs supporting advanced wireless research including innovative uses for spectrum and wireless spectrum sharing. We congratulate Dr Ghosh on her appointment as Federal Communications Commission's Chief Technology Officer; we know the Nation will benefit from her technical expertise in wireless networks," says NSF's acting Assistant Director for Computer Information Science and Engineering, Erwin Gianchandani.Erwin Gianchandani says that Dr Ghosh being a program director has given her contribution in supporting advanced wireless research that includes innovative uses for spectrum and wireless spectrum sharing.By Shrithika Kushangi

Former Indian shuttler crowned Mrs India USA Oregon 2019 December 07, 2019 16:13

Being a PhD holder and former Indian No. 3 in badminton, Kadambari Chheda-Donvalkar crowned as the new ‘Mrs India USA Oregon 2019’ in Seattle (Washington) was a pleasant surprise. She is an epitome of a versatile personality with a perfect blend of outstanding sportsperson with charming beauty. She made her country proud as she won the pageant which was organised by Ravishing Women Organization.Kadambari had won several state level and national level titles as a teenager. She also represented India in 2008 at the Indonesian Open with Saina as her teammate. She has also been a part of the Indian University badminton team during her graduation, which participated in the 2010 World University Championships in Chinese Taipei.In 2008, Kadambari was ranked as No. 3 in India in the U-19 girls singles and No. 1 in U-19 girls with Sanyogita Ghorpade as her partner.The 29-year-old Kadambari has excelled striking a balance between sports and academics as she is PhD in economics and used to work as a senior research officer with United Nations (India office).Kadambari being a badminton player, promoted sports as she performed at the pageant organised by Ravishing Women which is an organisation that works with the vision to inspire, encourage and empower women.Kadambari was born and brought up in Mumbai and is now based in Orgeon(USA) after her marriage.She is currently the state women’s badminton champion at Oregon USA state and also a coach at the Oregon Badminton Academy in Portland (USA).By Shrithika Kushangi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Indian American Student Drowns in Crater Lake in Oregon August 22, 2019 15:49

A 27-year-old Indian American student has drowned after jumping off from a popular recreation spot at the Crater Lake in Oregon. Sumedh Mannar jumped off the "Jumping Rock" on Sunday around 4:40 p.m. (local time) and did not came to the surface, Marsha McCabe, a spokeswoman for Crater Lake National Park, was quoted as saying by the Oregonian newspaper. McCabe said a graduate student at the Oregon State University had jumped from was about 25 feet high. She further said the cliff was not a prohibited area for jumping. The officials have not yet determined exactly why he drowned.The average temperature of the lake is about 3 degrees, but in summers, the surface of the lake warms up to about 15 degrees Celsius. Swimming is only permitted in the area along the shore of Wizard Island and around Cleetwood Cove. (Image source from: KDRV)As soon as people at the scene realized Sumedh Mannar disappeared, they threw a life ring into the water, and Crater Lake hospitality staff took a small boat out to the area to help search, she said.Read: Indian Youngster Drowns in Ukraine RiverThough the Park staff came to the scene to help with the search, the choppy waters and poor clarity conditions made the search difficult.Officials called off the search for the night after continuous three hours of search operation and no sign of Mannar. The searching resumed Monday morning. Divers on Monday morning dove in the last known spot where Mannar had been seen and located him about 90 feet straight down in the water on a rock ledge. Beyond that point, the lake drops off dramatically to a depth of more than 1,200 feet.Sumedh Mannar's body was transported to Klamath Falls.By Sowmya Sangam

American Airlines Names Priya Aiyar as Senior Vice President August 20, 2019 11:40

American Airlines Group has hired an Indian American Priya Aiyar as the senior Vice President and General Counsel. She succeeds Paul Jones, who retired from American earlier this year.Aiyar, a former Obama administration official, holds a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, a master’s degree from the University of Oxford, and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.“We are thrilled to welcome Priya to American Airlines,” said Steve Johnson, American’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs on August 5. “Priya is an outstanding lawyer and an extraordinary intellect, and her strategic perspective, integrity, energy, unique experience, passion for the law, and demonstrated ability to build and inspire teams make her the perfect person to lead our legal strategy and the team over the coming years. We remain focused on evolving our culture and attracting the best and brightest to American and, in both respects, we could not have found a better person.”Read: American Airlines Leave Special-Needs Kids Stranded at Airport Aiyar’s will be the lead of the the major a major American airline’s Legal Affairs team and its legal strategies, including company’s corporate governance, securities, and corporate finance, business and commercial, litigation, competition and antitrust, compliance, privacy, environmental, employment, and intellectual property legal issues and work.“We are enormously proud of what Paul and our terrific legal team have accomplished,” Johnson added. “I’m looking forward to working with Priya to build on that American work and take us to the next level.” (Image source from: The Rhodes Project)Aiyar joins American from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where she has been a partner and brings more than 18 years of government and private sector experience. She served as Acting General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of the Treasury as well as Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy. Aiyar occupied senior legal roles within the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and the Federal Communications Commission and was a partner at Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel PLLC. She began her legal career as an employee to Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and to Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court.By Sowmya Sangam

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