Indian-origin teen wins Google Science Fair prize! October 03, 2016 10:09
An Indian-origin South African teenager bagged the grand prize worth $50,000 scholarship, at the annual Google Science Fair for her work using orange peel to develop a cheaper “super-absorbent material” that helps soil retain water. 16-year-old Kiara Nirghin, a Grade 11 student at private school St Martin’s, submitted her project titled ‘No More Thirsty Crops’ which was aimed at tackling the severe drought plaguing South Africa. Her solution to the problem of drought uses orange and avocado fruit peel that is normally discarded. Ms. Nirghin said in her submission, said that, “I have always had a great love for chemistry since I was young. I vividly remember at the age of seven experimenting with vinegar and baking soda solutions in plastic cups.” “M.S. Swaminathan has always been an inspiration of mine as he truly believed in the necessary movement of not only India but the whole world towards sustainable agricultural development,” she said. “I hope to one day become a scientist specializing in agricultural science and also become a molecular gastronomist,” she added. Ms. Nirghin explained how she had found an alternative in the fruit peel to super-absorbent polymers (SAPs), which absorb and carry about 300 times their weight in liquid relative to their own mass. “These SAPs are not biodegradable, are costly and full of acrylic acid, sodium hydroxide and other chemicals. During more research on the topic, I found that natural occurring polymers exist in most citrus fruits,” Ms. Nirghin said. The Google Science Fair is a programme for budding scientists between the ages of 13 to 18, who are invited to solve the world’s biggest challenges using science and technology. Also Read: Indian-American professor named 'Future Leader of Audiology' Nandini
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Indian-Americans in Trump's advisory committee! September 27, 2016 04:59
The Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee consists Indian-Americans. He appointed Indian-Americans with little over a month to go before the general elections. The committee includes more than 30 members. The Trump Campaign announced, the committee consists Indian-Americans K V Kumar from California, Puneet Ahluwalia from Virginia, Shalabh Kkumar from Illinois. Shalabh Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition said that, "We are on the cusp of history. It is a movement that I am witnessing this presidential election. I am confident that Trump would be the next president of the United States." "Under Trump administration, India-US relationship would reach a new height," he said. Puneet Ahluwalia is a member of Virginia's Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Advisory Council, while K V Kumar has earlier worked with the World Bank. "It is my great honor and a privilege to be part of Trump AAPI Advisory Committee. This is a pivotal election which impacts the future of our nation and its people," Ahluwalia said. Governors Eddie Calvo and Ralph Torres of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) respectively, will serve as the Council's Co-Chairs, it said. The committee members will support and strengthen ties to each community and provide recommendations on to ensure AAPI voices are heard and included in the Campaign. The Campaign said that, "Furthermore, the committee's formation represents Trump and Governor Pence's commitment to AAPI communities." "Trump understands the critical role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders play in the growing and providing for an energetic economic base which has been lacking over the past eight years of Obama/Clinton policies," the campaign said. "Trump's Asian American and Pacific Islander Advisory Committee is a great addition to the vibrancy of his campaign," Ron Falconi, Mayor of Brunswick, Ohio said. "His ability to connect with everyday Americans is a testament of his character, and what he wants to do to bring America forward from the past 8 years," he said. Also Read: Trump praises Hindu community’s ‘fantastic’ contributions to US! Nandini
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Trump praises Hindu community’s ‘fantastic’ contributions to US! September 26, 2016 07:30
The Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has lauded Hindu community’s contributions, what he described “fantastic” to world civilization and American culture. The New York billionaire also confirmed that, he would be addressing an Indian-American event in New Jersey next month. Mr. Trump said in a statement, that, “The Hindu community has made fantastic contributions to world civilization and to American culture and we look forward to celebrating our shared values of free enterprise, hard work, family values, and a strong American foreign policy.” He issued a short 24-second video message inviting Indian-Americans to attend the “incredible” event on October 15. Mr. Trump said in his video message, that, “Hello everyone, it is my pleasure to invite you to a Republican Hindu Coalition rally at the PNC Arts Center in New Jersey. I am very much looking forward to speaking to thousands of Indian-Americans and others about making America great again. I look forward to seeing everybody there. It would be an incredible evening.” The Trump Campaign said that, the all-day event brings together top actors, singers and dancers from Bollywood, Hindu spiritual and civic leaders for a celebration of Hindu culture and heritage. “The proceeds of the event will benefit global victims of Islamic terror,” the campaign said. “I am looking forward to joining my good friend Shalli Kumar, founder and chairman of the Republican Hindu Coalition for this terrific event,” Mr. Trump said in an accompanying statement issued by his campaign. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, has held and attended a series of fund raisers organized by Indian Americans across the country including at their homes. But those are all closed door events away from public glare. Ms. Clinton (68), often called as Senator from Punjab and has a large following among the Indian-Americans is yet to make any public appearance before the community. Also Read: Obama awarded Indian-origin physician with National Humanities Medal! - Nandini
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Obama awarded Indian-origin physician with National Humanities Medal! September 24, 2016 04:45
The United States President Barack Obama awarded an Indian-American physician and author with the America's highest humanities award, the National Humanities Medal, for his contribution in the field of medicine. Indian-origin Abraham Varghese, professor of medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine has authored several acclaimed books including 'My Own Country' and 'Cutting for Stone'. He was one among the several other recipients of the medal at a ceremony took place at the White House. The citation of the medal read, that, "The 2015 National Humanities Medal to Abraham Varghese for reminding us that the patient is the center of the medical enterprise." "His range of proficiency embodies the diversity of the humanities, from his efforts to emphasize empathy in medicine, to his imaginative renderings of the human drama," a military aide to the President read from the citation. President Obama said on the occasion, that, "All of today's honorees work in an age where the stories we tell and the technologies that we use to tell them are more diverse than ever before, and as diverse as the country that we love." The National Humanities Medal was started in 1997. It "honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation's understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens' engagement with history, languages, literature, philosophy, and other humanities subjects.” Mr. Verghese said that, "I felt strongly then and now that what I was writing about, and my interest in the human experience of being ill or caring for the ill, was as much a part of medicine as knowledge of the function of the pancreas, for example." He is also a vice chair of Stanford's Department of Medicine. Also Read: Indian-American physician to receive National Humanities Medal in US! Nandini
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Indian-Americans to US: Designate Pak as terror sponsor state September 22, 2016 05:37
Following the Uri terror attack that killed 18 soldiers, the Indian-American community has asked the United States government to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism and impose sanctions on it. Jagdish Sewhani, the president of American India Public Affairs Committee, said that, "Enough is enough. It is time that Pakistan be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism." "Leaders of Pakistan need to understand the price they might have to pay for their continuing support to terrorist activities in India," Sewhani said. Samir Kalra, senior director and Human Rights Fellow at the Hindu American Foundation, said that, "The ability of groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad to operate freely and with impunity in Pakistan are a direct indication of state sponsored terrorism by the country's intelligence services and military apparatus." "Since 1989, a militant insurgency supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency has left thousands of Hindus dead, and has driven out more than 350,000 people from the Kashmiri Pandit community from the Kashmir Valley," it alleged. Indian National Overseas Congress, USA said in a statement, that, "It is time for the US to take a serious look at the foreign military assistance to Pakistan and how those resources are being diverted to cross-border terrorism and other nefarious activities." "We join the civilized people everywhere in condemning this dastardly attack across the border from Pakistan and offer our condolences and prayers to families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives," said George Abraham, chairman, INOC, USA. "We also call upon Pakistan to stop exporting terrorism and return the region to relative peace and tranquility," Abraham said. Also Read: Indian-American bar owner helped catch New York bombing suspect! Nandini
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Indian-Origin Peer Wins 'Lifetime Achievement Award' in UK! September 19, 2016 04:37
A leading publishing group in the United Kingdom has honored an Indian-origin British obstetrician and member of the UK Parliament for his work in the medical profession and being incredible role model for social justice, equality and those less fortunate. The 78-year-old Lord Narendra Babubhai Patel has been awarded with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' during the Asian Achievers Awards for his work in the medical profession and public life in Britain over the years. Excluding Mr. Patel, the other winners included Ms Manjit Gill, CEO of Binti, a social enterprise that works for women's causes in India and Africa, Mr Selva Pankaj, CEO of Regent Group, a London-based education skills and training development group and Paralympian Mr Ryan Raghoo, a long jumper who suffers from cerebral palsy. British Prime Minister Theresa May said in her message issued for the awards night, that, "This is a celebration of the enormous contribution British Asian make to our country. We see their success in sports, in enterprise and running of multi-million-pound businesses, media, public services and our Armed Forces." Mr Patel, member of the House of Lords who also serves as Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said that, "This is a real honour. It feels like the bigger the award, the less deserving we may be." The Asian Business Publications Limited (ABPL) organized the Asian Achievers Awards every year to honour British Asian achievements across different fields. This year, the occasion coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. Mr C B Patel, publisher and editor of of ABPL Group, said that, "It is a very special day for Prime Minister Modi, whose birthday has already begun in India. We send him our best wishes." "As in years gone by, the winners this year are exemplary individuals who not only have excelled in their chosen professions, but also are incredible role models who work for social justice, equality and those less fortunate," he added. The event was attended by more than 650 people including entrepreneurs, business tycoons, MPs and the uniformed services, It raised 180,000 pounds (USD 2.34 lakh) through a live auction for its charity partner, Indian Ocean Disaster Relief, set up after the 2004 Tsunami to provide immediate relief and long-term projects in case of natural disasters. Also Read: Indian-American physician to receive National Humanities Medal in US! Nandini
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Indian-American physician to receive National Humanities Medal in US! September 16, 2016 04:59
The White House announced that, the Indian-American physician-author Abraham Verghese has been selected for the prestigious 2015 National Humanities Medal. His work has emphasized empathy in medicine. Verghese will be honored along with 11 others and the recipients of 2015 National Medal of Arts, by the United States president Barack Obama at ceremony on September 21. 61-year-old Verghese is currently a professor of medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine. He authored several acclaimed books, including "Cutting for Stone" and "My Own Country". The White House said in a statement that, Verghese has been given the award for reminding "us" that the patient is the centre of the medical enterprise. "His range of proficiency embodies the diversity of the humanities, from his efforts to emphasise empathy in medicine, to his imaginative renderings of the human drama," the White House added. Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, said that, "Abraham Verghese is not only an exemplary clinician, he is an exemplary humanist." Tessier-Lavigne said that, "Every day in the classroom, he teaches his students that professions such as medicine benefit from an understanding of the human condition. We are so proud that his breadth of scholarship has been recognized with this honur." Verghese an alumnus of Madras Medical College, India, said in a statement issued by the Stanford University that, "I am humbled and excited by this honour." "The names of previous recipients include writers I most admire. It is a wonderful affirmation of a path that in the early years I wasn't sure was the right path, even though it was one I felt compelled to follow," Verghese said. "I felt strongly then and now that what I was writing about, and my interest in the human experience of being ill or caring for the ill, was as much a part of medicine as knowledge of the function of the pancreas, for example," he added. Also Read: Indian-origin researcher wins Young Scholar award! Nandini
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Indian-origin researcher wins Young Scholar award! September 15, 2016 05:30
An Indian-American researcher Dinesh Bharadia at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been honored with the prestigious Young Scholar award for his contribution to radio waves. The award was given by the US-based Marconi Society. The society said in a statement, that, "Bharadia has been chosen for the 2016 Paul Baran Young Scholar Award for his contribution to send and receive radio (wireless) signals, including mobile telephony and data on the same channel (wave)." Bharadia, 28, who hails from Ichalkarnji in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra, is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh and a doctorate from Stanford University. "Bharadia's research disproved a long-held assumption that it is not possible for a radio to receive and transmit on the same frequency band because of the interference that results," the statement added. The Marconi Society is named after Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi, who invented radio, and set up by his daughter Gioia Marconi Braga through an endowment in 1974. The organization wards annually outstanding individuals whose scope of work and influence emulate the principle of 'creativity in service to humanity' that inspired Marconi. The Marconi young scholar award includes $4,000 prize and expenses to attend its annual awards event. Bharadia is going to receive the award at a ceremony on November 2 in Mountain View, California. The Society also honors distinguished scientists with the $100,000 Marconi Award and Fellowship for emulating the principle of creativity in service to humanity. Bharadia said in the statement, that, "Marconi invented the radio but couldn't solve the problem of duplexing. It's fitting that this work is recognized by the Society." Bharadia invented a technology, which can be used in India to build relays which can listen to signals from a cellular tower, transmit them instantly and extend the range across the country. "This (technology) is needed as we have only a few towers; by deploying simple relay, we don't need to put in huge infrastructure for the cellular towers," noted Bharadia. "India has much denser users for cellular data connectivity and a few cellular towers. In other words, if I can talk and listen at the same time in context of wireless radio, then one can double the data we can service," Bharadia said. Also Read: Indian-origin man drives solar auto-rickshaw from India to UK! - Nandini
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Indian-origin man drives solar auto-rickshaw from India to UK! September 14, 2016 05:06
To create awareness about alternative mobility solutions using renewable energy for passenger vehicles in Asian and European countries, an Indian-origin engineer Naveen Rabelli drove 10,000km on a solar-powered auto-rickshaw from India to London. The auto had set off from Bengaluru in February. It is also known as 'tuk-tuk' in some parts of the world 35 years old Rabelli reached at Dover ferry crossing in the UK, days later than expected because he was robbed during a toilet break as he approached the ferry crossing from France. The diesel-powered auto-rickshaw cost him $1,500 to buy. He spent an additional $11,500 to get it ready for the zero-emission adventure titled 'Tejas'. The Times of India reported, Rabelli, who refused to let the robbery in France get him down, explained that, "The purpose of this journey is to create awareness of alternative mobility solutions for passenger vehicles in Asian and European countries using renewable energy - mix of solar and electricity." "My passport and wallet were stolen when I parked to go to the toilet at a fast food restaurant at Sarcelles, about 45 km west of Paris. I reported it to the police, where there were some language issues but after a few hours they found an officer who could speak English. They are very helpful and sorry when they heard that I was about to finish my trip," he added. India-born Rabelli was able to acquire an emergency travel document and complete his journey. He now holds an Australian passport. "The aim was to highlight an entirely Indian solution to the world and show the benefits of using a prototype that is reliable, feasible and affordable," said Rabelli. The specially-modified auto rickshaw is equipped with a bed, food cupboard and solar-powered cooker. It was shipped from India to Bandar Abbas in Iran from where he kick-started the overland mission to drive through Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France before arriving in the UK. Also Read: NRI gives Sushma Swaraj Rs 1 crore cheque for a cleaner India! Nandini
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NRI gives Sushma Swaraj Rs 1 crore cheque for a cleaner India! September 10, 2016 09:24
An Abu Dhabi-based NRI doctor given a cheque for Rs 1 crore to the External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for India, becoming 'Swachh Bharat,' and becoming a bigger economic player on the world stage go hand in hand. Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil said that, "If India needs to emerge a strong nation globally, its workforce should be healthy. This can happen only when the population is healthy and disease-free. It is my strong conviction that Swachh Bharat will accelerate the process of creating healthy citizens." India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) a non-profit government trust currently chaired by Swaraj that invites NRIs, PIOs, and OCI card holders to donate to development projects in India. Valayil, who in 2007 founded VPS Healthcare, a group of hospitals, medical centres and pharmaceutical businesses in the UAE, said that, "With high productivity and less absenteeism, soon India will be in a trajectory of accelerated economic development." In a video message to overseas Indians uploaded to the Ministry of External Affairs' Twitter page Indian Diplomacy, Swaraj said that, "This money isn't just a donation. It's a way to connect to your roots. It's a way to repay your debt to your motherland. It's a way to express your emotional attachment to your country." Nandini
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Indian-American student recites painful poetry of replacement of Tamil with English at White House! September 10, 2016 07:17
The sizeable audience at the White House was attracted towards an Indian-American girl Maya Eashwaran when she recited a poem about her experience as an immigrant and how it was painful to replace her mother tongue Tamil with English. The event was also attended by the First Lady Michelle Obama, who felicitated Maya Eashwaran and four others, including another Indian-American, Gopal Raman, as part of the prestigious National Student Poets in recognition of their poetry skills. Maya, 17, concluded, reading her poetry, "I have lost more than I have ever lost in sixteen years. I have started shedding ethnicity like hair. Mother, I fear I'll go bald." "Ma, I haven't spoken (Tamil) in three years," she recited, amidst applause from the audience. "Maya - where's Maya? You put it best. These are your words, I'm told: "On the stage, there is no way to leave unnoticed. Did you say that?" the First Lady asked. Maya, born in the US to Tamil parents, said that, "My family is Tamil. I was born here. I write a lot of my poems based on my culture, my heritage." "The poem that I actually read at the White House is based on experience of losing my mother tongue and kind of replacing it with another, which is very painful thing to imagine to go through," she said. Gopal, 17, the other Indian-American budding poet who received national attention, lives in Dallas, said that, "It (love with poetry) started in seventh grade. I had a really great English teacher. He really pushed me in writing in more creative way. I choose poetry as my avenue of writing." "I am super honoured to meet the First Lady," he said. "I also want to plan for pre-med. My dream job right now is some sort of medical doctor" he added. "This is the last time that we're going to have the pleasure of welcoming a class of National Student Poets to the White House, at least under this administration. So I'm feeling a little melancholy here, because this has truly been an honor and a privilege and a joy," the First Lady said. She said when they came here, they wanted to use "this incredible platform of the White House to inspire young people to dream really big for themselves, to think about what their lives could look like beyond what their everyday existence is like." Also Read: MEA launches registration module for Indian students abroad! Nandini
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MEA launches registration module for Indian students abroad! September 09, 2016 06:00
The Ministry of External Affairs launched a registration module for the Indian students studying abroad, so they could be reached in case of emergency. The move has came in the wake of the absence of any data on Indian students studying abroad. The Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "We have no data of Indian students studying abroad. We have therefore, started a Students Registration Module on madad.gov.in/." "I request all Indian students to register themselves on this module. This will be of immense help," she added. "In case of any emergency, our Embassy will be able to reach you. While abroad - Indian Embassy is your family," she said in a series of tweets. On the other hand, the business insider reported that, the number of Indian students going abroad for under-graduate and post-graduate studies is expected to increase by up to 50% over the next five years. Rohan Pasari, Co-founder and CEO of Cialfo, a Singapore-based education technology firm, said that, "We see, conservatively, a 50% increase in Indian students going to the US and UK for under-grad and post-grad studies over the next five years. This is strongly supported by the growing disposal income of their families." Also Read: NRI architect launches bamboo structure design in Australia! Nandini
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