The Indian Panorama

Month: October 2016

  • NO MANDATORY ENGLISH? GOVT ‘NOTES’ RSS AFFILIATE’S PROPOSALS FOR EDU POLICY

    NO MANDATORY ENGLISH? GOVT ‘NOTES’ RSS AFFILIATE’S PROPOSALS FOR EDU POLICY

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The government has assured a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh affiliate that a raft of suggested changes– including scrapping English as a mandatory language and banning references that insult India or eminent personalities – will be considered when the new education policy is formed.

    A report in the Indian Express on Friday said the RSS-affiliated Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (SSUN) has written to the government with proposals for the new policy that is to be announced soon.

    The suggestions include making the medium of instruction in schools the respective mother tongues, doing away with foreign language as an alternative to Indian languages and junking English as a mandatory subject.

    The group also wants all government-funded research to be linked to “national requirements” and banning any textbook references that “insult Indian culture, tradition, sects, thoughts, eminent personalities and offer wrong explanations”, the Indian Express reported.

    The SSUN is also pushing for Indian language teaching in IIT, IIM and NITs.

    The founder of the organization, Atul Kothari, told the newspaper that human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar appreciated some of the suggestions and promised that the Centre would consider them.

    An October 14 email by an HRD official said “suggestions given by you have been noted down. They will be discussed during the formation of the new education policy”, the Indian Express said.

    The incident is likely to bolster charges that the BJP-led government is trying to influence the education policy to push its agenda. Source: HT

     

    Source: PTI

  • BJP wins over old Congress hand Rita Bahuguna in UP

    BJP wins over old Congress hand Rita Bahuguna in UP

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Senior Congress member from UP Rita Bahuguna Joshi joined BJP on Oct 20 (Thursday) and attacked Rahul Gandhi’s style of functioning and his “khoon ki dalali” comment with regard to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Joshi joins her brother former Uttarakhand CM Vijay Bahuguna who had switched sides several months ago and led a revolt against CM Harish Rawat, almost toppling the government. Her move had been anticipated over the past few days.

    She is the first Congress leader of note from UP to join BJP after the saffron party was successful in poaching influential BSP leaders like Swami Prasad Maurya.

    Joshi said that the nation is not willing to accept Rahul’s leadership and that several senior Congress leaders are upset with him. While Congress chief Sonia Gandhi understands leadership and interacts with different people, Rahul Gandhi is not taken seriously, she said.

    For BJP, Joshi’s crossing over is a boost as it is expected to reinforce the impression that it is the preferred choice among upper castes and is seen to be in contention to assume office in next year’s assembly election.

    Joshi, 67, daughter of late Congress leader Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, joined BJP in the presence of party chief Amit Shah at the party headquarters here. Joshi, who also gave up her membership of the UP assembly, said there is no alternative to PM Narendra Modi and BJP. Her unhappiness with the Congress leadership is understood to have deepened following the projection of veteran leader Sheila Dikshit as the CM nominee in UP. She said Congress is in such bad shape that it has outsourced its functioning to poll strategist Prashant Kishor. Slamming Rahul Gandhi for his `dalali’ barb, Joshi said, “India is fighting terrorism and the Modi government has given the Army a free hand. Besides valour of the Army, the government’s strong leadership was also behind the surgical strikes.

    Noting that she had spent 24 years out of 27 years of her political career in Congress she said, “The decision to quit Congress was not easy . However, I took it in the interest of the nation and the state (UP).”

  • Poll schedule in 5 states of India after security inputs: CEC

    Poll schedule in 5 states of India after security inputs: CEC

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Election Commission will take a call on the dates of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand, due early next year, based on the inputs provided by security forces and state law and order machinery, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said here, October 19.

    Zaidi said the schedule will be finalized keeping in mind the weather and examination schedule. “We are trying to assess the requirement of security forces, climate and exam schedule – all these inputs are being taken into consideration. Only then will we be able to say whether they will be staggered or multi-phase,” the CEC told mediapersons on the sidelines of an event.

    “As far as the schedule is concerned, the commission has not given a thought as yet.” On if the EC should get powers to prevent parties from making statements in states where elections have not yet been announced, Zaidi said once the model code came into force, the EC would ensure its compliance. Assembly elections are due early next year in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Manipur. The terms of Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand Assemblies end in March, while that of UP ends in May.

  • Punjab sends proposal to Centre for setting up STF to keep vigil on borders

    Punjab sends proposal to Centre for setting up STF to keep vigil on borders

    LUDHIANA (TIP): Punjab’s Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said that a proposal has been sent to Centre for setting up a Special Task Force for keeping vigil on the borders to stop inflow of the drugs.

    “We have sent the proposal to the Centre,” Badal said while speaking on the sidelines of a function here.

    Notably, opposition Congress and AAP have made drug menace an issue in Punjab ahead of the assembly polls in the State, which are due early next year.

    Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday set the tone for the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the ‘Punjabi Suba’. A book titled ‘Dhart Punjab’ was also released which chronicles the cultural, economic and social traditions and environment of Punjab.

    Sukhbir Badal also eulogised the role played by Punjabis in the country’s freedom struggle.

    He said that Punjabi Suba was formed after enormous struggles and sacrifices but even at that time the state was discriminated against allegedly by then Congress government at the Centre.

    He further said that despite this, Punjab marched ahead on the road to prosperity especially under the SAD-BJP government. Lashing out at Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh, the Deputy chief minister said that the opposition leader was misleading people by making “false promises” of waiving off debt of the farmers. He also said that Captain Amarinder should give an affidavit in the court that he would sell his whole property including palace in Patiala if he fails to waive off the debt in case his party comes to power. Source: PTI

  • CBI registers FIR against UK-based arms dealer in Embraer deal

    CBI registers FIR against UK-based arms dealer in Embraer deal

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a UK-based arms dealer for allegedly taking kickbacks worth over USD 5.70 million from Brazilian company Embraer in the 2008 three-aircraft deal.

    CBI sources said a case has been registered against a UK based NRI whose named had also figured in another defence deal probed by the agency.

    They said the kickbacks were allegedly paid in 2009 through subsidiaries of Embraer via a Singapore based company which is owned by the middleman.

    It is alleged that the payoffs were routed through Austria and Switzerland.

    They said the agency, which had registered a preliminary enquiry in September, has converted it into a regular FIR as enough prima facie material has been found by it to proceed in the case.

    The deal for three aircraft which were to be used by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for air-borne radar systems was inked in 2008 with Embraer.

    A Brazilian newspaper had alleged that the company had taken the services of middlemen to clinch deals in Saudi Arabia and India. According to defence procurement rules of India, middlemen are strictly barred in such deals.

    Leading Brazilian newspaper ‘Folha de Sao Paulo’ had reported that the company allegedly paid commissions to a UK-based defence agent to finalise the deal with India. DRDO had purchased three aircraft from the company in 2008 and customized them for serving air-borne radar system known as airborne early-warning and control systems or AWACS for the Indian Air Force. The company has been under investigation by the US Justice Department since 2010 when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans’ suspicions, the report said.

    Since then, the investigation has widened to examine business dealings with eight more countries.

    After the PE was registered, Embraer had issued a statement saying, “Since 2011, Embraer has publicly reported that it has been conducting an extensive internal investigation and cooperating with the authorities on investigations regarding alleged violations of the FCPA.

    “The company voluntarily expanded the scope of the investigation, systematically reporting the progress of the case to the market. “

    “The company is not party of the legal proceedings in Brazil. Therefore, it does not have access to the information contained therein,” it had said.

  • LODHA PANEL REFORMS: SC BARS BCCI FROM GIVING FUNDS TO STATE ASSOCIATIONS

    LODHA PANEL REFORMS: SC BARS BCCI FROM GIVING FUNDS TO STATE ASSOCIATIONS

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India’s cricket board cannot release funds to state affiliates until they implement sweeping reforms backed by the Supreme Court, the top court ruled on Friday, a decision that may disrupt the sport at the domestic level.

    The top court also ordered the setting up of an independent auditor to scrutinize the accounts of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is accused of flouting suggestions made by the SC-appointed Lodha panel.

    “Not a single penny will be given to state associations until they comply with the Lodha panel,” the court said, ordering the board to file a compliance report in two weeks.

    The SC asked BCCI chief Anurag thakur to be present before the Lodha panel and comply with the recommendations, and imposed a ceiling on the tender and contracts that BCCI could enter.

    The BCCI says it wants to implement the Lodha panel reforms but many of the state associations are opposed to it.

    Friday’s order is the latest in the face-off between the judiciary and the world’s richest sports body that has been accused of cherry-picking directives made by the Supreme Court-appointed panel.

    However, the fund freeze is unlikely to affect the state units’ functioning immediately as they are believed to have substantial money in their accounts with the BCCI having released huge sums in August. But the ongoing Ranji Trophy tournament could be disrupted if they plead a financial crunch.

  • Nepal lifts ban on allowing migrant workers to Afghanistan

    Nepal lifts ban on allowing migrant workers to Afghanistan

    KATHMANDU (TIP): Nepal will allow its nationals to go to war-torn Afghanistan for work, a labour ministry official said on October 20, ending an almost four-month ban imposed after 13 Nepali security guards were killed by a Taliban suicide bomber in the Afghan capital.

    Labour Ministry spokesperson Govinda Mani Bhurtel said employers would have to make adequate security arrangements for their stay, travel and work before Nepali nationals were given a work permit by the government to leave Nepal.

    “We’ll allow our people to go to Afghanistan to work only with foreign missions and international companies located inside the Green Zone which is considered safe,” Bhurtel told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

    “Their security and safety must be ensured by the employers,” he said, adding the organisations included UN agencies and embassies of the United States, Britain and Canada.

    Nepalis are still banned from working in other conflict hotspots such as Iraq, Libya and Syria, Bhurtel said.

    The impoverished Himalayan nation, which relies heavily on remittances from its migrant workers, imposed the ban after 13 Nepalis and two Indians who were security guards at the Canadian Embassy in Kabul were killed while on a bus on June 23.

    Nepal, one of the world’s 10 poorest countries, is still reeling from two devastating earthquakes in 2015 that killed nearly 9,000 people.

    Political instability since a decade-long civil conflict ended in 2006 has discouraged investment, stunted growth and curtailed job creation –forcing hundreds of thousands of Nepalis to migrate overseas in search of work.

    More than four million of the country’s 28 million population are working mainly in the Middle East, South Korea and Malaysia as guards, drivers, construction workers or domestic staff –sending home remittances which make up nearly 30 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product.

    But many also face abuses such as a lack of freedom of movement, long working hours, unsafe working conditions and withholding of their salaries, activists say, adding that many are trafficked through India and then onward to these countries.

    Bhurtel said it was imperative that employers take full responsibility for their overseas workers and ensure all provisions are made to ensure their safety.

    “If there is an accident or attack on workers the employing company must pay compensation and make arrangements for their evacuation to Nepal during emergencies,” said Bhurtel.

    (Reuters)

  • Pak lodges protest over India’s ‘ceasefire violation’ on LoC

    Pak lodges protest over India’s ‘ceasefire violation’ on LoC

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan today summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner here over the killing of a civilian in India’s “unprovoked ceasefire violation” across the LoC and sought an immediate probe.

    Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that 28-year-old villager Abdul Rehman was killed in “unprovoked firing by India in Karela sector of the Line of Control (LoC)” late last night.

    12 others, including women and children, were injured in the incident, the FO said in a press release.

    The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was called in by the Director General (South Asia & SAARC) today over “unprovoked ceasefire violations on the LoC by Indian forces”, it said.

    “It was conveyed that the Indian side must investigate the incident and share the findings with Pakistan, India must instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, refrain from intentionally targeting the villages and maintain peace and stability on the LoC,” the release said.

    It further added that Pakistan notes with “deep concern that during the last couple of months, there have been a number of ceasefire violations from the Indian side on the LoC and the Working Boundary”.

    Separately in Rawalpindi, the Pakistani military handed over a protest letter to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) representative.

    “UNMOGIP representative was handed protest by GHQ (Pakistan’s General Headquarters) regarding targeting of civilians by Indian Army and use of heavy calibre mortars,” Zakaria said in a tweet.

    “UNMOGIP has been requested to immediately investigate the matter,” he added.

    Pakistan and India have been accusing each other of violating the ceasefire of 2003 in Kashmir since the Uri terror attack last month.

    India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the LoC. India has always stated that it has “no role to play whatsoever” (PTI)

  • Pakistan warns of action if India breaches Indus Water Treaty

    Pakistan warns of action if India breaches Indus Water Treaty

    ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan on October 20 warned of “appropriate action” if India violates the Indus Water Treaty and said it is closely monitoring the situation, amid reports that New Delhi may revisit the key water sharing accord+ .

    “Appropriate action will be taken in line with the Treaty in case of any violation by India,” Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said at the weekly briefing.

    Pakistan was keeping a close eye on the situation, Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.

    Zakaria’s remarks come amid reports that India may review the 56-year-old Indus Water Treaty+ .

    He said that India is making “desperate attempts” to divert attention from the ” atrocities and human right violations+ ” being committed in Kashmir.

    He said Pakistan is highlighting Indian brutalities in Kashmir at world fora and there has been “very substantive outcome” of these efforts but the international community remains concerned about the situation.

    Responding to a question, he claimed that India violated ceasefire on the Line of Control for more than 90 times this year.

    The notion of isolating Pakistan is “ridiculous”, Zakaria said, adding that India’s “negative attitude” has been exposed which is the biggest hurdle in the way of regional development and prosperity.

    He also termed the Indian treatment to the Pakistani artistes as “very disappointing and highly regrettable” as he deplored India’s decision to “use SAARC for its political ambition”, according to the report.

    Zakaria also referred to a media report quoting US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who described tensions between India and Pakistan as a “very, very hot tinderbox” and offered to be “the mediator or arbitrator”.

    Zakaria noted that though Pakistan does not comment on media reports usually, in this case it welcomed the mediation offer. (PTI)

  • 48 bodies recovered after ferry capsizing in Myanmar

    48 bodies recovered after ferry capsizing in Myanmar

    YANGON (TIP): The death toll from a ferry disaster on a river in central Myanmar four days ago has risen to nearly 50, officials said on October 19, with most of the deceased identified as women and at least two dozen others still missing. The overloaded vessel, whose passengers included scores of teachers and university students, went down early Saturday while it was travelling on the Chindwin River in Sagaing region.

    Some 150 people were rescued alive on that day but officials believe the ship was carrying up to 250 passengers when it sank on its way to Monywa, a city around 72 kilometres south. “We have found altogether 48 dead bodies so far,” said local MP Tun Tun Win, a jump up from the 32 people pronounced dead on Monday.

    “Many more could be dead,” he said, adding that local monks have begun leading memorial services for the deceased. An official from the local relief and resettlement department said two thirds of the dead were women.

    At least 23 people — 17 of whom are women — are still missing, the official said, requesting anonymity. One end of the brightly-painted ferry has been raised above the river’s surface, with bloated bodies found trapped inside, but most of the vessel remains submerged. On Oct 20 rescuers continued efforts to raise the rest of the ship using cranes.

    (AP)

  • Bangladesh PM Shiekh Hasina may come this December

    Bangladesh PM Shiekh Hasina may come this December

    CAVELOSIM, GOA (TIP): Indian and Bangladeshi officials are working on a plan that could see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visit New Delhi this December.

    Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque told reporters that Hasina may visit India on a bilateral tour in December. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had heaped praises on Hasina’s counter-terror initiatives at a meeting between the two leaders during the BRICS-BIMSTEC meet on Sunday. The move is seen bolstering efforts by the Modi government to build a strong front against terror activities in the region.

    “The two sides are working on this visit,” Haque said, even as the much anticipated Teesta water sharing deal between the two nations is yet to see progress. (PTI)

  • The debut opening of SAC in Cleveland received the pledges for support for 62 orphan kids in Bharat (India)

    The debut opening of SAC in Cleveland received the pledges for support for 62 orphan kids in Bharat (India)

    CLEVELAND (TIP): Cleveland community is known for its great philanthropic activities and love for art and culture. This dual combination came to a reality on Saturday, 1st October at the Beachwood Community Center when a musical dance drama depicting story of divine love of Krishna, Radha, and Meera, was performed to generate awareness and raising funds raise funds for supporting underprivileged and orphan kids in Bharat (India). The musical dance drama was performed by famous Kathak artists came from Mumbai, Ms. Aditi Bhagwat, Mr. Sushant Jadhav, and Ms. Harshada Jambekar.

    This was also the first launch of Support-A-Child (SAC) movement in Cleveland. The mission of SAC is to provide education (up to high school), boarding, lodging, medical care and Samskara (values) to the children of under-privileged background from different parts of Bharat, said Mrs. Renu Rajvanshi Gupta, the national coordinator of SAC and the chief guest of the program. She further elaborated that SAC program was started by World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) in year 1985. Under this program the organization have been supporting more than 1000+ boys and girls all over Bharat. These children are selected from remote areas of Bharat, many are orphans; others are children of sex-worker and many come from the below the poverty line under-privileged back ground. Through SAC these children have received the quality education they deserve and have subsequently attended college education, technical education and even advanced degrees like Ph. D. and Doctor of Medicine. Today, many of these children are working as teachers, engineers, doctors and other professionals.

    The SAC program provides a way to all of us to connect with our roots in Bharat said the event organizer Dr. Adityanjee. He emphasized that we can’t fail our future generations just because the lack of resources and education. Dr. Adityanjee, a Cleveland-based psychiatrist and geo-political strategic expert is also known for his social and philanthropic activities in Cleveland. While talking to the hall filled with Cleveland community members who gathered to support the cause, Dr. Adityanjee said that if we want to see a peaceful world without conflicts, the change needs to start from us and we can achieve this goal successfully by ensuring that no child is left behind due to lack of resources. SAC is a great way to put your hard earned money to effective work. The cost of supporting a child, who has lost his or her parents due to terrorism, woman trafficking, poverty or any other ailments, is less than a dollar a day. There is a triangular relationship in between poverty, education and crime. We can reduce the chances of violence by supporting the education, food and shelter of underprivileged kids, who are most vulnerable to be trapped in such unsocial activities, said Dr. Adityanjee.

    There can’t be a better gift than giving a child the gift of education especially when many children in Bharat are waiting for our support, said Prof. Rama Jayanti, a renowned marketing Professor at CSU, who also extended her hands of support the cause. For $250 a year one can make a difference in the life of an underprivileged child, this speaks a lot about the effective organization management. There are several organizations working for similar cause but SAC is special because they have minimal operating cost and put more than 90% of money goes to support the actual cause. This gift of less than dollar a day will provide a child with Boarding, Lodging, Education and Samskara (values). Majority of the victims of social ill are from lower income group families and are girls. We can empower the girls through the Support a Child (daughter) option. Since it was the auspicious day of Navratra Sthapna, several families decided to adopt a girl child. Several local dance school gurus also participated in the program and showcased their student’s talent during the event. Families are free to choose the child of their choice from their specific region of interest in Bharat. The pledges, donations and support were still pouring in during and after the event day, but so far sponsorship for 62 children was pledged during the Cleveland fund-raiser. With the help of reputed service organizations like Sewa Bharati, Sewa Dham, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Kalyan Prathishthan and many more, the SAC team has selected more than 28+ hostels/schools and institutions from 18+ different states. These children will stay in the hostels and will get education at accreditated schools. Along with the quality education, children will receive medical aid, healthy/nutritious food, school supplies, clothing and housing. These children will also get opportunities to learn, music, art, sports and Samsakara (values).

    Under this program the donors will be connected directly to their supported child and every year, a progress report of the child with the child’s photograph, details of parents, class, name, percentage of marks secured, performance etc. will be delivered to the donors address in the US. Moreover, donors will be able to meet and write to the child through SAC. Several families have chosen this option to provide best gift to their son or daughter. Internship programs are also available in SAC projects in Bharat and we encourage sponsoring families to visit the supported child during Bharat visit, said Dr. Sudesh Agarwal.

    If you are still interested in supporting the cause you can directly contact Dr. Adityanjee at (440) 503-6692. All donations are tax-exempt under 501(C) rules of the IRS.

  • INDIAN-AMERICAN WOMAN ATTORNEY CHARGED WITH VISA FRAUD

    INDIAN-AMERICAN WOMAN ATTORNEY CHARGED WITH VISA FRAUD

    NEWARK, NJ (TIP): A 39-year-old Indian-American woman attorney on Monday, October 17, pleaded guilty to visa fraud charges related to students and H-1B visas, federal prosecutors said. Sunila Dutt, of Virginia, pleaded guilty before US District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging her with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and obstruct justice.

    Dutt, an immigration attorney for two information technology companies – SCM Data Inc and MMC Systems Inc – admitted that she submitted phony documents and obstructed a federal investigation as part of a scheme that fraudulently obtained foreign worker visas, US Attorney Paul J Fishman announced.

    According to court information, SCM Data Inc and MMC Systems Inc offered consultants to clients in need of IT support. Both companies recruited foreign nationals, often student visa holders or recent college graduates and sponsored them for H-1B visas. Dutt and other conspirators recruited foreign workers with purported IT expertise who sought work in the United States. The conspirators then sponsored the foreign workers’ H-1B visas with the stated purpose of working for SCM Data and MMC Systems’ clients throughout the United States.

    When submitting the visa paperwork to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the conspirators falsely represented that the foreign workers had full-time positions and were paid an annual salary, as required to secure the H-1B visas, federal prosecutors alleged. Contrary to these representations and in violation of the H-1B program, the conspirators paid the foreign workers only when they were placed at a third-party client who entered into a contract with SCM Data or MMC Systems.

    Justice Department alleged that in some instances, false payroll records were generated to create the appearance that the foreign workers were paid full-time wages. Dutt admitted that she submitted, or caused to be submitted, one or more filings to USCIS falsely representing the companies would employ foreign workers for in-house positions when no such positions existed. Dutt faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for February 6, 2017.

  • PRACHI MAKKAR AT ‘IMPROVING DIVERSITY IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY: A HOLISTIC VIEW.’

    PRACHI MAKKAR AT ‘IMPROVING DIVERSITY IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY: A HOLISTIC VIEW.’

    NEW JERSEY (TIP): Prachi Makkar, who the entire Indian American community in the Tri-States area knows as a versatile young woman and a superb singer of Bhajans, particularly Bhetas to Maa Vaishno Devi, was selected to represent Stillman School of Business along with 2 other students- Geoffrey Thomulka and Luciano Cundari for a seminar on”Improving Diversity in the Financial Services Industry: A Hollistic View.”

    The Conference was held in Newark, NJ on October 19th, 2016. Mr. John Williams, President & CEO of Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, CA, delivered the key note address.

    As such, Wall Street/ Financial Industry is notorious for not giving adequate representation to women and minorities. The conference explored the issues and solutions for improving opportunities for minorities and women in the financial services sector. Through a combination of panel discussions and presentations by a broad range of industry professionals, academics and current students, the conference shed light on the full range of issues and challenges that impact the level of diversity within the industry.

    Participants and attendees walk away with a better understanding of the current level of diversity within the financial services industry, along with tangible approaches being proposed and/or implemented to improve outcomes. The conference also served as the springboard for launching the “Center for Research on Diversity in the Financial Services Industry” at the Rutgers Business School to promote academic research and future events on this important topic.

    Prachi is a Senior at Seton Hall University studying finance and IT as major and marketing as minor. She is part of the Leadership Development Business Honors program and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Prachi has been a Peer Adviser at her school from 2013 to 2016 and now she is on the admission panel. Currently she is interning part time at Merrill Lynch’s Global Wealth Management office in Short Hill office since May 2015 besides working for them full time as Summer intern in 2015. This summer she interned full time at J P Morgan Chase as financial analyst in their New York office.

    Along with her academics, she has been singing for the past 12 years and is very involved in the community. She can sing in Hindi, Punjabi & Sanskrit and plays Harmonium and violin. Besides devotional singing in Temples & Gurudwara, she is a Punjabi Folk singer also. For last 4 years she is more known for her “Maa Durga Chowki” along with her younger brother Surya Makkar. She is the winner of various academic and cultural awards. She was associated with Hindu Youth Summer Camps at Bala Ji Temple for over 6 years and for last 2 years she was the Assistant Director of the program.

  • Mayor’s campaign fund-raisinginquiry: FBI gets assistance from restaurateur Harendra Singh

    Mayor’s campaign fund-raisinginquiry: FBI gets assistance from restaurateur Harendra Singh

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): A federal investigation into Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign fund-raising has recently secured the assistance of Harendra Singh, owner of Water’s Edge restaurant in Queens, who has been indicted on unrelated federal fraud and bribery charges, according to a report by The New York Times.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the office of the United States attorney in Manhattan, Preet Bharara, are conducting the inquiry.Investigators have zeroed in on whether donations were exchanged for beneficial city action in several cases. But so far they could not gather sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against de Blasio or his aides to prove that they took official action for donors in exchange for aids to his nonprofit or to his campaign.

    Harendra Singh and another donor Jonah Rechnitz were cooperating with the inquiry in an effort to obtain leniency for their own crimes, says the report. Singh already faces federal charges that he bribed a Town of Oyster Bay employee to get loan guarantees for two food concessions, and fraudulently collected $1 million in Sandy disaster aid for the Queens restaurant, Water’s Edge, which closed last year.

    In 2011 and 2013 Singh hosted de Blasio fundraisers inWater’s Edge. The Mayor got over $50,000 in political donations from Singh, his family and associates, and named Singh to his inaugural committee and other advisory posts.

    In September 2015 Singh was arrested on numerous charges and after eight months’ detention he was released form jail in August

  • New York City Mayor Hosts a Diwali Reception at his Official Residence

    New York City Mayor Hosts a Diwali Reception at his Official Residence

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): A beautiful evening. A well-dressed gathering to celebrate Diwali at Gracie Mansion, New York City Mayor’s official residence by the waterfront. It was a perfect setting for a great celebration. And the gathering was not disappointed, except for the fact that they waited for some time for the hosts to appear on the scene.

    Mayor Bill de Blasio in his 5-minute speech on the occasion said: “Now, it has been a number of years since there was a Diwali ceremony and celebration in Grace Mansion, and we thought it was time to bring Diwali back to Gracie mansion. Because this place – Grace Mansion, yes, it is the people’s house, it is the representation of all of New York City. It’s a home for all New Yorkers, and we can’t have the embodiment of this great city and not have this opportunity to celebrate this great holiday, and we want everyone to experience it together. Now, let me tell you, I want to wish everyone -so, I sometimes get to represent in terms of my statements what all 8.5 million New Yorkers feel in common, and this is something I think we can all agree on. Happy Diwali to everyone!Now, I also want to wish – I want to wish a special greeting to my Sikh brothers and sisters. Let’s see if I get this right – Bandi Chhor Divas! Mayor’s greetings received thunderous applause. But equally thunderous were shouts for a Diwali holiday.

    Speaking of New York City’s special characteristics and advantages, de Blasio emphasized the oneness of the City. “We believe when any community – when any community’s attacked or when any individual is attacked because of who they are, because of their faith, because of where they come from – an attack on one is an attack on all of us. And that is something we believe deeply, and you will see whenever any community is affronted the NYPD will be present to protect that community and whenever there’s a hate crime we are very adamant. When we know something’s a hate crime we will call it a hate crime, and we will act on it as a hate crime to protect people and say it is unacceptable in the City of New York to act in any biased fashion against any of the great people that make up this city”.

    Mayor de Blasio on this occasion honored Waris Ahluwalia – a Sikh fashion designer, model and actor. “As we have these wonderful gatherings we also get to honor someone, and we are honoring someone very special this evening – Waris Ahluwalia”.

    “He is a fashion designer. He is a writer. He is an actor – of course he’s a model, too. And he has an unmistakably New York style, and, as a Sikh, he proudly wears his dastar wherever he goes. And so he sends a powerful message to our city, to our country – countering ignorance, celebrating inclusion, and advocating for religious understanding and tolerance in everything that he does. And we want to celebrate him.”

    “It is my honor as the Mayor of New York City to proclaim Wednesday, October 19th 2016, in the City of New York as #WarisAhluwaliaDay “. Waris Ahluwalia spoke of how the Sikhs had to suffer jeers, insults, assaults in the wake of 9/11 because they were mistaken for being Al Qaeda- a hated group which had brought pain and suffering to America. As a Sikh, he said, he stood steadfast and wore all symbols of his faith.

    Thanking the Mayor for the honor, he said, “”I’m a New Yorker. Having been around the world many times, to many of the great cities of the world on numerous occasions, I can confidently say this is the greatest city of them all. It’s given me so much already. I’m honored beyond words and will to continue to uphold the values of this magnificent metropolis.”

    Earlier, the Mayor, his wife Chirlane McCray and Nisha Agarwal, Immigrant Rights Commissioner, New York City lighted the lamp to inaugurate the Diwali evening.

    Nisha Agarwal, in her opening remarks, spoke about the great contribution of the South Asian American community, in particular, the Indian American community to the growth of the City of New York. She said it was a kind thought of the Mayor to have the community come and celebrate Diwali at Gracie Mansion.

    Chirlane McCay, the co-host with her husband said she was happy to welcome the beautiful gathering to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor.

    A number of New York City politicians and public officials were present on the occasion. India’s Consul General Riwa Ganguly Das and the Deputy Consul General Manoj Mohapatra as also a few other Consuls were present.

    It was a representative gathering of people from all faiths and walks of life.

    No Indian celebration could be complete without the Punjabi Dhol and Bhangra. There surely was a Dholi (drummer) and people performed Bhangra (a Punjabi dance form).

    Surely, an evening to remember and to wish for an encore.

  • Air India adds more color to Diwali Stamp celebrations

    Air India adds more color to Diwali Stamp celebrations

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): India’s national carrier Air India (AI) made this Diwali very special for Indians living in the USA by offering a unique gift. On October 5 the United States Postal Service released the Diwali Forever stamp at the Consulate General of India where AI announced that they are giving 10 Air India free Return tickets to India for promoting Diwali stamp.

    Lighting the lamp - Consul General Riva Ganguly Das lights the lamp. Also seen in the picture are Vandana Sharma, Air India Regional Manager and Diwali Stamp Project Chair Ranju Batra, with others
    Lighting the lamp – Consul General Riva Ganguly Das lights the lamp. Also seen in the picture are Vandana Sharma, Air India Regional Manager and Diwali Stamp Project Chair Ranju Batra, with others

    The Air India Raffle in support of the Diwali Stamp that took place on Thursday, October 20at the Consulate was actually a continuation of Diwali Stamp release celebration.All who purchased Pre-Sale Diwali Stamps through DSP and/or purchased at CGI-NY on the first day – when USPS dedicated and unveiled the stamp were eligible for the Raffle Draw.

    In her welcome speech Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, Consul General of India said, “This very prolonged Diwali celebration shows the strength of our community. It reinforces the recognition of Indians here.”

    Diwali Stamp Project ChairRanju Batra hailed the ‘Selfless Support’ of AI that helped boost the sale of Diwali stamp that created history by beating every record of first day sale of any stamp in the USA.

    Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das welcomes
    Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das welcomes

    Vandana Sharma, Regional Manager, Air India in her speech touched upon the ‘Huge emotional connect’ between people of India and Air India that continues generations after generation. “We supported Diwali Stamp Project because it’s symbol of recognition and inclusion for Indian community here.” She also took this opportunity to speak about how AI is regaining its health and expanding in a big way. AI is doubling the number of flights between San Francisco and Delhi, which was launched last year. The flying time is also coming down to 15 hours, as it will take unique route by crossing the Pacific while coming and fly over Atlantic while returning. Similarly, Air India launched a direct flight from Newark to Delhi via London.

    After the lucky draw, winners were declared. TV Asia CEO HR Shah, Madan Goel, Neeta Jain, Dr Dhaval Shah, and Ranju Batra got the AI tickets for buying stamps worth 10,000 dollars or more. Others included Shashi Ravi and Surinder Kathuria.

    Ravi Batra, Esq., Chair, National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs moderated the event.

  • Trump drops a bombshell: Says won’t accept poll results in case of his defeat

    Trump drops a bombshell: Says won’t accept poll results in case of his defeat

    LAS VEGAS (TIP): Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump threw hints, October 19 that he may not accept defeat in the presidential polls which he has been saying is “rigged”, stunning the political scene and threatening to overturn US’ democratic convention of a smooth transfer of power. His stance drew a sharp attack from Hillary Clinton as the two faced off in the feisty final presidential debate in which she was declared the winner.

    The controversial 70-year-old Republican candidate maintained that he would keep the suspense about accepting the election result till November 8. “I will look at it at the time. I’m not looking at anything now,” he said in response to a question whether he would accept the poll results, during the third presidential debate at the University of Nevada here. “I will tell you at that time. I will keep you in suspense,” he said in the primetime debate that lasted for over 90 minutes, reiterating that the current elections are rigged.

    “The media is so dishonest and so corrupt and the pile on is so amazing, The New York Times wrote an article about it. They don’t even care, it’s so dishonest, they’ve poisoned the minds of the voters, but unfortunately for them, I think the voters are seeing through it,” he said. Trump’s comments at the Las Vegas showdown marked a stunning moment that has never been seen in the weeks before a modern US presidential election, CNN said.

    “The stance threatens to cast doubt on one of the fundamental principles of American politics – the peaceful, undisputed transfer of power from one president to a successor who is recognized as legitimate after winning an election,” it said. Trump’s remarks came after moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News said the peaceful transfer of power, a hallmark of American democracy, depends on the losing candidate accepting the validity of the electoral results.

    Democratic nominee, Clinton, described her rival’s refusal to accept the outcome of the election as “horrifying”, and even went so far as to paint him as a “puppet” of Russian president Vladimir Putin. “He is denigrating and he is talking down our democracy,” said the 68-year-old former secretary of state. “And I, for one, am appalled that someone who is the nominee of one of two major parties would take that position.” “Every time Donald thinks things are not going in his direction, he claims whatever, it is rigged against him,” said Clinton, adding that he has, at various times, accused the FBI, Republican primary process and judicial system of being corrupt.

    Mainstream Republicans were quick to denounce Trump’s comment. Senator Lindsey Graham, a former presidential candidate, said: “If he loses, it will not be because the system is ‘rigged’ but because he failed as a candidate” Republican strategist Ryan Williams found Trump’s statement “deeply concerning”.

    “You have to accept the results unless there are grounds for a recount and at this point it does not appear that we’re heading for a close election.”

    Donald Trump’s son thinks that running for President is a “step down” for his father who is very new to politics. “He (Trump) hasn’t spent his whole life to be up on the debate stage like a career politician. He spent his life creating jobs, building things, doing things that would benefit American workers,” Donald Trump Junior said.

     

  • Nassau County Top Brass arrested by Feds on Corruption Charges

    Nassau County Top Brass arrested by Feds on Corruption Charges

    CENTRAL ISLIP, NY (TIP): The 13-count indictment charges Mangano, the highest ranking elected official in Nassau County, with selling out his position to a wealthy businessman in exchange for free vacations, meals and other gifts. The businessman also allegedly paid Linda Mangano more than $450,000 for doing little or no work at one of his restaurants.

    vendittoThe businessman is not named in the indictment, but sources say the bribes were paid by restaurant owner Harendra Singh, who is now cooperating with the feds against Mangano and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, 67, who was also indicted. Mangano and Venditto are both Republicans. All three were released on $500,000 bail and are due back in court on Dec. 7.

    The Manganos, both 54, are also charged with obstructing justice by repeatedly meeting with Singh to come up with bogus stories to explain the gifts and no-show job. Robert Capers, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said Mangano and Venditto “undermined the very system of laws they promised to uphold by furthering their personal interests rather than the best interests of their constituents.

    “Sadly, Mangano enlisted the assistance of his wife in an attempt to shield his wrongdoing from public scrutiny,” Capers added. Mangano and Venditto face up to 20 years in prison if they are convicted of honest services wire fraud, Mangano faces 20 years for extortion and the three each face up to 20 years for obstruction of justice.

    Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif dismissed the criticism and noted that Democrats have also drawn recent legal scrutiny, referring to the probe of Mayor de Blasio’s 2014 fundraising efforts on behalf of Democratic Senate candidates. “Senator (Jack) Martins, Senator (Kemp) Hannon and Senator (Carl) Marcellino and the Republican candidates who are running there have already called on the County Executive and Town Supervisor to resign,” Reif said. “We have absolutely no tolerance for corruption of any kind, regardless of whether it is committed by a Democrat or Republican.”

    Singh’s dealing with City Hall is the subject of a separate federal investigation by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney. Singh raised$21,425 for Mayor de Blasio’s 2013 campaign from friends and family. In June 2014, Singh was appointed to the Mayor’s Fund – a nonprofit that raises private money for city causes – and the Democratic National Committee.

    Singh’s restaurant Water’s Edge, located on city-owned land in Queens, owes the city $1.2 million in back rent and late fees. On Thursday morning, a Long Island good government group called on Mangano and Venditto to resign.

    “Given the fiscal mess that Nassau County and Oyster Bay find themselves in, County Executive Edward Mangano and Town Supervisor John Venditto should resign immediately,” Dean Hart, the head of Long Island Citizens for Good Government, said in a statement. “Nassau County and Oyster Bay need undivided attention and complete focus to address this very grave fiscal crisis, not politicians trying to cling to power.” Nassau Comptroller George Maragos, who recently changed parties from Republican to Democrat to run for county executive in 2017, called the allegations “a betrayal of the public trust and further shake our trust in government. Given the nature of the charges, it would be in the best interest of the county if both would resign in order to allow the people’s work to be conducted with unquestionable integrity.”

    Oyster Bay spokeswoman Marta Kane said Venditto “is still the town supervisor,” but that Leonard Genova, who serves as both town attorney and deputy supervisor, would step in for Venditto’s absence if necessary. The announcement by Nassau Republicans comes only 19 days before Election Day. Martins is facing a tough battle with former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi in the vacant 3rd Congressional District.

    Marcellino (R-Syosset) will take on Suffolk Water Commissioner James Gaughran while Hannon (R-Garden City) faces attorney Ryan Cronin. McGrath, a Hewlett attorney, faces Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) in a rematch of their April special election and Phillips, the mayor of the Village of Flower Hill, takes on Democratic businessman Adam Haber for the 7th Senate seat being vacated by Martins.

    State Sen. Michael Venditto (R-Oyster Bay), the son of the Oyster Bay supervisor, did not attend the news conference but Martins said he agreed that the two should resign.

    A Senate spokesman said Michael Venditto was expected to release a statement on Thursday.

    Marcellino called it a “sad day” for Nassau but that “the people come first. People before politics. The government must go on.”

    McGrath said replacing Mangano and Venditto “would restore public trust so that the children and our families know that we are have zero tolerance for corruption.”

    Senate Democratic spokesman Mike Murphy said Republican lawmakers “spent years empowering Ed Mangano and John Venditto and protecting them as they abused their offices to line their pockets … These corruption enablers standing up now is not only laughable but offensive. It’s is easy to feign outrage after the fact but let’s be clear they are part of this Nassau Republican criminal enterprise. “

  • #SALDEF Trainings Continue Across America

    #SALDEF Trainings Continue Across America

    NEW YORK (TIP): For nearly 20 years, SALDEF has provided trainings to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as part of the Law Enforcement Partnership Program (LEPP). These presentations are conducted by SALDEF staff and Regional Directors. Among other accolades, SALDEF was recognized by the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) inaugural Community Partnership Award at their National Conference.

    This program continues to expand as the following agencies contact us: colleges and universities, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

    New Jersey

    Kiran Kaur Gill and Amman Seehra conducted two trainings this summer in New Jersey. In August, they addressed approximately 40 recruits at the Mercer County Police Academy in New Jersey. The following month, they presented to about 30 officers-including the Chief of Police Chris Nitti-of the Robbinsville, NJ Police Department.

    Nevada

    SALDEF Board Member Kavneet Singh served on a panel for the EEOC’s Western regional conference this summer. The approximately 60 attendees included employers, HR representatives, and investigators. Kavneet addressed common religious accommodations for Sikh Americans and shared examples of employment-related challenges faced by the community. The EEOC is a federal agency in charge of enforcing federal employment laws that make it illegal to discriminate against job applicants or employees based on religion.

    Southern California

    This summer, Gurpreet Kaur presented two trainings at the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Academy. She delivered SALDEF’s law enforcement training to more than 100 attendees. The program was sponsored by the county’s Commission on Human Relations.

    Massachusetts

    In July, SALDEF Regional Director Jaswant Singh Chani conducted a law enforcement training for more than 60 policy academy personnel and supervisory staff at Middlesex Community College, Lowell. Jaswant has now made dozens of presentations to hundreds of officers. SALDEF is inspired by his commitment to this volunteer effort.

    If you would like SALDEF to conduct a training in your local community, please email info@saldef.org or call our national office at 202-393-2700.

    Thank you for continuing to work with SALDEF to ensure Sikh Americans are accurately represented as a vibrant part of our nation’s fabric. Please make a 100% tax-deductible donation to support SALDEF by clicking here or going to www.saldef.org/donate on your mobile device now. Thank You.

    About SALDEF

    Founded in 1996, SALDEF’s mission is to achieve equal access and opportunity for Sikh Americans by protecting civil rights, building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans.

    Contact SALDEF
    Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
    1730 M St NW, Suite 909 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-393-2700 Fax: 202-318-3344
    Web: www.saldef.org Email: info@saldef.org (Press Release)

  • Volume 4 Issue 41 | Dallas | Oct 21

    Volume 4 Issue 41 | Dallas | Oct 21

    special-issuePrint Edition ~ Digitally

     

    Issue 41 ~ Dallas ~ Oct 21

     

  • Volume 10 Issue 41 | New York | Oct 21

    Volume 10 Issue 41 | New York | Oct 21

    special-issuePrint Edition ~ Digitally

     

    Issue 41 ~ NYC ~ Oct 21

     


  • Volume 4 Issue 40 | Dallas | Oct 14

    Volume 4 Issue 40 | Dallas | Oct 14

    special-issuePrint Edition ~ Digitally

     

    Issue 40 ~ Dallas ~ Oct 14

     

  • Volume 10 Issue 40 | New York | Oct 14

    Volume 10 Issue 40 | New York | Oct 14

    special-issuePrint Edition ~ Digitally

     

    Issue 40 ~ NYC ~ Oct 14

     


  • Vote to See IMPACT -|- Hillary Clinton Vs. Donald Trump

    Vote to See IMPACT -|- Hillary Clinton Vs. Donald Trump

    vote

    Hillary Clinton

    Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton could become the first ever woman President of the United States in January next year. Unlike her Republican rival Donald Trump, Clinton is a veteran politician who has served both as a US Senator and as US President Barack Obama’s Secretary of State. She knows how things work at the White House, having been First Lady during her husband Bill’s two terms as US President.

    Will Hillary Clinton be a good or bad President for India? Here’s a five-point overview of the different ways in which her Presidency could impact India, based on comments she’s made during her campaign, or on promises she’s made in the manifesto on campaign’s website.

    FASTER FAMILY VISA PROCESSING

    In January, Clinton promised to take steps to reduce the family visa backlog, saying that two-fifths of all applicants were from the Asia-Pacific region (which includes India), PTI reported.Many families have had to endure years of separation as a consequence of this backlog, and Clinton said that she would “expand fee waivers” and “increase access to language programmes” in order to help prospective US citizens.

    GREEN CARDS ‘STAPLED’ TO HIGHER STEM DEGREES

    Hillary Clinton says in her manifesto that she’ll “staple” green cards to graduate and doctorate degrees earned by international students in four academic categories – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). If she keeps her promise, Indian students in US colleges who earn Master’s degrees and PhDs in academic disciplines such as aerospace engineering or applied mathematics will automatically obtain permanent resident status. This can, of course, be viewed in two ways – as giving Indian scholars better opportunities to contribute to their fields, or as catalyzing ‘brain drain.’

    ‘START-UP VISAS’

    Under a Clinton Administration, foreign entrepreneurs may be able to apply for ‘start-up visas’ and launch companies in “technology-oriented globally traded sectors” in the US, her manifesto says. The entrepreneurs would need their US investors to pledge their financial support to get the visa, and meet employment and performance targets to be eligible for permanent residency. Clinton’s focus, of course, is on creating more jobs for Americans, but that doesn’t change the fact that this a tantalizing prospect for Indian entrepreneurs.

    According to research by the National Foundation for American Policy, immigrants have founded more than half (44 of 87) of America’s startup companies valued at $1 billion or more.

    MAKE IN AMERICA, NOT INDIA

    Like Donald Trump, Clinton has also made the US manufacturing sector one of the focal issues of her campaign. She says in her manifesto that she’ll discourage companies from outsourcing jobs and capital, and reward them for returning jobs to the US. Two of the policy changes she proposes are removing tax breaks for US companies that send jobs abroad, and imposing “an ‘exit tax’ on companies that leave America to lower their tax burden.” So Clinton, like her Republican rival, could make it more difficult for American companies to accept Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to ‘Make In India.’

    DOES CLINTON SUPPORT H1B?

    Clinton’s priority is Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) – an overhaul of the entire US Immigration system, one of whose goals is to provide undocumented immigrants to the US a path to legal status and citizenship. In an interview with Vox.com in July, Clinton said she didn’t want to “mix” CIR with “with other kinds of changes in visas and other concerns that particularly high-value technical companies have.” She added that “keeping pressure on them helps us resolve the bigger problem,” and other options could be explored later.

    Donald Trump

     

    While these comments must have sounded like bad news for US companies using H1B visas to bring in highly-skilled workers, Clinton said later in the month that what she wanted was a “truly comprehensive” system for all kinds of immigrants, including highly-skilled workers.

    Writing for the Economic Times, immigration lawyer and Brooklyn Law School professor Cyrus D Mehta says Clinton “will probably support the H1B programme.” He says she will accept compromises on H1B – such as “increasing the H-1B cap in exchange for imposing certain restrictions on IT companies” – if it will help her make CIR a reality.

    It seemed highly unlikely a year ago, but Republican nominee Donald Trump could very well become the 45th President of the United States in January next year. From an Indian perspective, what exactly would that entail? Here’s a five-point overview of the impact a Trump Presidency could have on India.

    H1B VISAS

    Trump has said he’s in favour of retaining highly talented people in the US, as long as they are in the country legally, according to a PTI report.

    But Trump’s official manifesto proposes that the “prevailing wage” paid to H1B workers be increased to put pressure on US firms to look within the US for talent. “This will improve the number of black, Hispanic and female workers in Silicon Valley who have been passed over in favor of the H-1B program,” it says. It also notes that the H1B doesn’t require American companies to first hire US workers before bringing in overseas talent. “Petitions for workers should be mailed to the unemployment office, not USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services),” it says.

    Trump has also said the “H-1B program is neither high-skilled nor immigration”, and that he’s “totally committed to eliminating rampant, widespread H-1B abuse.”

    PAKISTAN AND KASHMIR

    Trump has called Pakistan “probably the most dangerous” nation in the world, and has suggested that the US can work with India to keep Pakistan in check. “You have to get India involved … They have their own nukes and have a very powerful army. They seem to be the real check … I think we have to deal very closely with India to deal with it (Pakistan),” Trump said last September. So a Trump-led US government could be open to a rapprochement with India on issues such as Pakistan-sponsored terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

    CHINA’S TRADE LOSS INDIA’S GAIN?

    In his manifesto, Trump vows to work to rebalance the US-China trade deficit, and bring back millions of manufacturing jobs to the US. Writing for the Economic Times, former US diplomat William H Avery says Trump’s best strategy would be to “offset Asia’s (especially China’s) labour cost advantage in manufacturing with a combination of tariff and non-tariff barriers.” Doing so would affect India less than China, as it would be harder to place tariffs on IT services – India’s strength – than on China’s manufactured goods, Avery suggests. “China’s loss is India’s gain,” he concludes.

    MAKE IN INDIA

    On the flip side, Trump’s determination to revitalize the US manufacturing sector may not be good news for American businesses interested in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make In India initiative.

    A WINDFALL FOR INDIAN INVESTORS?

    In his manifesto, Trump pledges to “unleash American ingenuity” and make the US “the most attractive place to invest in the world” by lowering corporate tax rate to 15% (from almost 39% as of September 2016). Indian companies exploring the possibility of tapping into the US market may find this proposition enticing.