The Indian Panorama

Tag: Air India

  • Consular outreach to Buffalo on August 21-25

    Consular outreach to Buffalo on August 21-25

    NEW YORK (TIP): With an aim to strengthen ties with the local Indian community in Buffalo, Consul General of India, New York, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M Mulay, would be leading a delegation of high-ranking diplomats, and officials from banking, tourism, and aviation sectors, to Buffalo, New York on August 21-25, for an Outreach Program at The Palms, Tandoori Restaurant, 7740 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221

    The delegation is expected to meet various American dignitaries from Buffalo on August 21, 2105. The two-part event on August 22, 2015 will begin with a Camp for Consular Services from 9:00 am to 2pm; followed by the main Outreach Program and Networking event from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

    Details for both events on August 22, 2015, are listed below:

    Part I: Camp for Consular Services | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at The Palms, Tandoori Restaurant, 7740 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221

    Cox and Kings Global Services will organize a Camp for Consular Services, which includes collection of application forms for Visa, OCIs, Renunciation Certificates and other Consular Services. Applicants are requested to make online appointments here, and complete their online application forms. Please bring all necessary documents, including passport size photographs for each service. Information about required documents for each service can be found online on our website http://www.in.ckgs.us

    Part II: Outreach Program and Networking | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at The Palms, Tandoori Restaurant, 7740 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221

    The second half of the day will begin with an interactive networking session, followed by presentations by the Consulate, Indian Banks, Air India, PSUs, and the Tourist Board. There will also be a Q&A session with the audience, followed by a cultural program, and dinner.

    Upcoming outreach events are scheduled for the following locations: Cleveland, OH (September 2-3), Rhode Island (October 11-12), and Philadelphia, PA (October 25-26).

  • Latecomer VIPs delay flight

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Nirmal Singh were caught in a controversy on July 2 following reports that an Air India flight was delayed due to their late arrival.

    Some fliers, including a senior official, were offloaded to accommodate them.

    The Air Traffic Controller of Leh confirmed that on June 24, flight AI 446 to Delhi was delayed to accommodate the Union minister, says a report by the Indian Air Force that runs the 21 Wing ATC at Leh.

    The Prime Minister’s Office has asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation for a report on delay in Air India flights on account of VIP travels in the recent past. The Civil Aviation Ministry, in turn, has sought a report from Air India on the two incidents at Leh and Mumbai. The Mumbai incident involves a US-bound delegation of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this week.

    The Leh-Delhi flight was to depart at 11:20 am, but the schedule was later revised to 10:20 am as it reached early. The flight was held for almost 50 minutes.

    It finally took off at 11:12 am after at least three passengers, including an Indian Foreign Service officer, were not permitted to fly. Because of the rarefied atmosphere, flights from Leh maintain a permissible weight limit as overloaded flights cannot take off due to low air pressure.

  • Air India crew member detained in Jeddah

    Air India crew member detained in Jeddah

    NEW DELHI (TIP): A cabin crew member of an Air India flight was detained by the Jeddah Airport authorities on charges of smuggling out gold.

    The detained cabin crew was to board the flight bound for Kochi, along with 11 other crew members, sources said.

    The incident which happened this morning forced Air India to operate the flight with 11 cabin crew members instead of mandatory 12, the sources added.

    There was no official word from Air India.

    An Air India spokesperson later confirmed the detention of one of its cabin crew members but said that the reason was yet to be known.

    “The cabin crew is still in detention. We are ascertaining the reason behind his detention,” the spokesperson said, adding that the airline will take suitable action in this regard.

  • Air India operates additional flights, carries relief material free of cost to Kathmandu

    Air India operates additional flights, carries relief material free of cost to Kathmandu

    NEW YORK (TIP): “Air Indians along with the people of India grieve for the families in Nepal, India, Tibet and Bangladesh affected by the earthquake in Nepal, April 25”, stated Rishikant Singh, Air India Regional Manager-USA .

    “Air Indians join everyone’s prayers for the departed souls and the grieving families”, he added.

    After Yemen, Libya, Tunisia, Lebanon and several other evacuations and national emergencies, national carrier Air India has, yet again, risen to the occasion in times of crisis, announcing the operation of two additional flights to and from Kathmandu on 26th April, to fly Nepali people wishing to reach home to their families, and for people stranded in Nepal to fly out.

    India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was sent to Katmandu from Kolkata by AIR INDIA special flight AI-1247 on emergency duty.

    Air India is carrying relief material free of charge on priority basis, on its flights to Kathmandu, both from Delhi and Kolkata.

    The regular scheduled operations from Delhi and Kolkata have also resumed since  opening up of the Kathmandu airport.

    Air India operates two daily flights out of Delhi. From Kolkata, there is a flight every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

    Change of Booking fees, Cancellation and Refund charges for travel on Air India to/from Kathmandu for travel up to 2nd May 2015 will be waived with travel agents advised of suitable waiver code for use.

  • Air India operates additional flights, and carries relief material free of cost to Kathmandu

    Air India operates additional flights, and carries relief material free of cost to Kathmandu

    Air Indians along with the people of India grieve for the families in Nepal, India, Tibet and Bangladesh affected by the earthquake in Nepal past Saturday.

    Air Indians join everyone’s prayers for the departed souls and the grieving families.

    After Yemen, Libya, Tunisia, Lebanon and several other evacuations and national emergencies, national carrier Air India has, yet again, risen to the occasion in times of crisis, announcing the operation of two additional flights to and from Kathmandu on 26th April, to fly Nepali people wishing to reach home to their families, and for people stranded in Nepal to fly out.

    India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was sent to Katmandu from Kolkata by AIR INDIA special flight AI-1247 on emergency duty.

    Air India is carrying relief material free of charge on priority basis, on its flights to Kathmandu, both from Delhi and Kolkata.

    The regular scheduled operations from Delhi and Kolkata have also resumed since yesterday after opening up of the Kathmandu airport.

    Air India operates two daily flights out of Delhi.  From Kolkata, there is a flight every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

  • AIR INDIA PRESENTS NEW SUMMER ONBOARD MENU

    AIR INDIA PRESENTS NEW SUMMER ONBOARD MENU

    JAMAICA, NY (TIP): Air India, New York invited Media Partners to “Air India’s New Summer 2015 Inflight Menu Presentation” on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Flying Food inflight caterers, at JFK International Airport in New York.

    Regional Manager – Americas Rishikant Singh, and members of his team welcomed the invitees.

    Samples of the menu in all three classes of service were on display for inspection.

    James Ball, Flying Food Group VP Sales & Services, and Intiaz Yasin, Account Manager for Air India, along with their team of talented chefs, were on hand to describe and present the variety of items served inflight, and described the entire process of food preparation and quality control.

    Air India has always been known for its onboard cuisine, and for the gracious hospitality with which it is served. Air India, unlike many airlines these days, still offers inflight entertainment, multiple meals and drinks onboard at no cost, and the quantities served ensure that passengers will have no trouble in falling asleep after their meals.

    The Regional Manager discussed the importance of food in Indian culture, and the great variety of cuisines found in India – all of which are reflected in Air India’s inflight menu. The dietary or religious requirements can be taken care of including kosher, halal and no beef. First class passengers enjoy the luxury of a multi-course meal at the time of their choosing.

    All Special Meal (SPML) requests need to be made at least 48 hours prior to departure, especially for economy class.

    Following are some of the types of meals offered by Air India which can be booked online or through your travel agent:

    • Asian Vegetarian (Hindu Vegetarian)
    • Jain Meal – (vegetarian meal without roots & tubers)
    • Hindu Meal (Non vegetarian excludes beef)
    • Baby Meal/Infant Food (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Bland Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Child Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Diabetic Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Fruit Platter Meal
    • Gluten Intolerant Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Kosher Meal
    • Low Calorie Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Low Fat Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Low Salt Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Moslem Meal
    • Low Lactose Meal (Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian)
    • Vegetarian Raw Meal
    • Seafood Meal – (only in first & executive classes)
    • Special Meal -(needs to be specified)
    • Vegan Meal – (vegetarian meal without dairy products)
    • Lacto-Ovo Meal (vegetarian meal with dairy products & eggs)
    • Vegetarian Oriental Meal

    Vegetarian or non-vegetarian choice needs to be specified with all Special Meal (SPML) requests in all classes.

    Take in a movie at leisure on comfortable and ergonomically designed seats !

    Please check our website www.airindia.in for more details about ouronboard service, and any other needs about your booking.

    Air India with 3 non-stops from Newark, New York and Chicago to Delhi and Mumbai with over 60 onward connections within India and to other continents is your window to Asian culture and the world.

     

  • Lovely nostalgic memories of Air India

    Lovely nostalgic memories of Air India

    Air India was a part of J.R.D”s vision for India. Being India’s first true business scion, Tata was a director at Tata Sons Limited; one of Asia’s largest industrial companies. In July of 1932, he created an aviation department at the company; and began the first un-subsidized (i.e.: no mail contract from the British) domestic air service in India after receiving a license for through flights between Madras (Chennai) and Karachi via Bombay
    (Mumbai) on October 15th, 1932.

    1973 Air India Ad that read” Next time you fly 747 to New York, be unfaithful.”

    The Sari becomes the official dress code for Air India since 1960.

    “Memories of dark-haired beauties”, is what a traveler brings back from India, in an advertisement published in 1970. “Long after you leave India, India will still be with you,” the tag line reads. Guess who the model was? -Zeenat Aman.Air India

    Vidal Sassoon was onboard giving Air India hostess Ruby Bharucha a few hints on grooming hair at 40,000 feet, en route from London to New York in 1965.

    Now experience the new Air India that is a member of the largest airline alliance STAR Alliance with access to over 1000 lounges worldwide among other niceties.

    Air India operates nonstop services from Chicago’s O’Hare, New York’s JFK to T3 of New Delhi, and another from Newark’s EWR to T2 of Mumbai BOM, with a fabulously convenient schedule departing afternoons and arriving afternoon with over 45 domestic connections and many more to other countries.

  • US gives visa to Sureshbhai Patel’s wife Shakuntala Patel

    US gives visa to Sureshbhai Patel’s wife Shakuntala Patel

    NEW YORK (YIP): The very special and mature relationship between India and USA evidenced itself in US government acting swiftly to provide a visa to Shakuntala Patel, wife of Sureshbhai Patel who was assaulted by a police officer in Madison, Alabama on February 6. Shakuntala Patel has since arrived in Madison and is with her husband who is convalescing in a hospital with serious spine injury which has nearly paralyzed him.
     
    New York based attorney Ravi Batra had, in a letter earlier, (published in The Indian Panorama) requested US Secretary of State John Kerry to grant a humanitarian visa to Sahakuntala to visit her husband. Mr. Batra had also requested Rishikant Singh, Regional Manager of Air India to facilitate Shakuntala Patel’s travel from India to USA. 
     
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  • MUMBAI: ANOTHER ISIS TERROR MESSAGE IN AIRPORT WASHROOM

    MUMBAI: ANOTHER ISIS TERROR MESSAGE IN AIRPORT WASHROOM

    MUMBAI (TIP): Security was stepped up at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on January 16 after another terror message was discovered by cleaning staff in a washroom in Terminal 1A.

    The message warned of an Islamic State (IS) attack on January 26th.The incident is being probed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

    A similar message was discovered on January 7 with the words, ‘ATTECK BY ISIS 10/01/15 (sic),’ scribbled by pen on a men’s washroom wall.

    According to a senior security official, “The terminal is already under watch after Air India received threat and hijack calls earlier this month. After the T2 message, security was beefed up and today’s messages will ensure that the security will be strengthened even further, especially on the city side.”

    With no CCTV cameras inside the washroom, the CISF is analysing footage from outside the washroom as well as getting experts to analyse the handwriting in both the notes.

  • Delhi Police question crew of Air India flight on which Sunanda, Tharoor fought

    Delhi Police question crew of Air India flight on which Sunanda, Tharoor fought

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Taking forward its ongoing probe into the Sunanda Pushkar death case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Delhi Police is reported to have questioned the crew of Air India flight on which Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and his deceased wife had an altercation on January 15 last year.

    Media reports on January 16 claimed that the Air India crew was questioned by the SIT on January 15.

    The SIT may also question a senior Congress leader, who was on the same flight, to know what actually triggered the altercation between the couple, a senior Delhi Police official associated with the probe indicated.

    The development comes a day after Tharoor lashed out at the media, saying he was being “defamed day in and day out”.

    Tharoor, who refused to take any questions related to his wife’s death regarding which Delhi Police filed a murder case last week, said the advent of 24/7 TV channels and the pressure of breaking news and TRPs has led to a race to the bottom in terms of sensation, voyeurism and headline grabbing.

    “I have been misquoted in media, being defamed now day in and day out,” the former union minister told reporters here.

    Describing the media as “free and irresponsible”, he said, “90 percent of Indian journalists do not record what I am saying. Almost every quote attributed to me in the Indian media is an inadequate para-phrase by the journalist of what he thinks I said.” Sunanda, who married Tharoor in 2010, was found dead a year ago at a five-star hotel in the national capital. She had checked into The Leela Hotel in Chanakyapuri a day before her death on January 17, 2014.

    Tharoor’s aides said the couple had checked into the luxury hotel because of renovation work at his Delhi bungalow.

    Prior to her death, Sunanda was embroiled in a spat with Pakistan-based journalist, Mehr Tarar, whom she accused of stalking her husband.

  • Daughter of senior AI executive travels in bunk

    Daughter of senior AI executive travels in bunk

    MUMBAI (TIP): In an alleged violation of aviation safety norms, a daughter of a senior Air India executive traveled in the bunk which is only meant for resting of flight crew members as per the DGCA norms, during one of the airline’s flight to Newark recently.

    K.V.J. Rao, a union leader and former Air India cabin crew, has also alleged in his complaint, lodged with the secretary in the Civil Aviation Ministry V. Somasundaran that a first class passenger was forced to sit in the executive class on one of the national carrier’s flights to Delhi from Frankfurt to accommodate a senior bureaucrat last month.

    According to Mr. Rao, the daughter of a senior Air India pilot was first allowed to sit on the jump seat and then rest in the bunk during the 14-hour long flight to Newark from Mumbai on December 13.

    A jump seat in the aircraft is meant for non-operating staff.

    “For take-off, rest and landing she was illegally allowed to sit in the cabin crew horizontal rest area [bunk] by the commander. Immediately after the flight took off, the First Officer of the flight was asked to relax in the vertical seat

    [jump seat] and denied his horizontal rest in the bunk beds.

    “When the second set of cockpit crew went to rest she was then moved to the cabin crew rest area,” Mr. Rao said in his complaint.

    When contacted, the Air India spokesperson refused to comment on the issue, while Mr. Somasundaran said he was not aware of any such complaint.

  • Air India bags “Best airline of Central/South Asia and India” Award

    Air India bags “Best airline of Central/South Asia and India” Award

    LOS ANGELES (TIP): Air India received Global Traveler corporate segment magazine “Best airline of Central/South Asia and India” award on December 16th night at Beverly Hills Peninsula Hotel at Los Angeles.

    This is the second reader selection award received by Air India.

    Earlier this month on December 4th, Air India bagged Premier Traveler corporate travel magazine Award for “Best airline to India”.

    Recently Air India also won the Quality Diamond award at London.

    Air India regional Manager Rishikant Singh said,
    “Our message of nonstop to India from US, UK, Europe and most global markets, the convenient timings, good service and membership into Star Alliance is reaching discerning audiences.”

  • SPICEJET’S LOSS IS OTHER CARRIERS’ GAIN

    SPICEJET’S LOSS IS OTHER CARRIERS’ GAIN

    NEW DELHI (TIP): SpiceJet’s fall from grace has led the cash registers ringing for other Indian carriers. Troubles at Kalanithi Maran-owned low cost carrier (LCC) started from mid-November when leasers started repossessing aircraft, leading to reduction of flights. As SpiceJet’s slashed its schedule, passengers of its cancelled flights made a beeline for other carriers — mainly IndiGo and Jet.

    According to directorate general of civil aviation ( DGCA) data, market shares of IndiGo and Jet shot up from October (when SpiceJet was flying its entire fleet) to November (see graph). Wadia Group’s GoAir also gained and carried more flyers. State-owned Air India, which is being kept alive by pumping in thousands of crores of tax-payers’ money, could not capitalize on the situation. It actually saw its market share drop by two percentage points from October to November. AI (domestic) even pipped SpiceJet in terms of numbers of passengers being affected by flight cancellations. As many as 4,242 AI passengers had seen their flights cancelled, while the figure for SpiceJet was 3,290. And, 27,200 AI (domestic) flyers faced delays of over two hours. “The focus may be on SpiceJet but AI should be the real worry for the government,” said an official.

    Meanwhile on December 18, sources said SpiceJet operated over 140 flights by evening and had six cancellations by then— out of its truncated schedule of 230 daily flights. Oil companies have put SpiceJet on cash-and-carry and the LCC is paying cash to get fuel.

    Full service carriers, Jet and AI, are now planning to fill in the void created by SpiceJet’s flight reduction. They are both planning to deploy wide body aircraft on domestic routes. AI has three Boeing 777-200 (long range) which it will lease out by next summer. It plans to utilize these three twin aisle planes on domestic sector till then.

    Jet on December 18 introduced 12 additional daily flights on domestic routes. It will deploy wide body Airbus A-330 on routes like Delhi-Bengaluru-Delhi and Delhi-Chennai-Delhi from next Tuesday to January 29, 2015.

  • Dr. Sadhna Shanker Felicitated

    Dr. Sadhna Shanker Felicitated

    NEW YORK (TIP): Dr. Sadhna Shanker, a senior government of India, ministry of finance officer and wife of Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, Consul General of India in New York, was felicitated at a meet and greet event organized by Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, editor of The Indian Panorama and his wife Lovllien Kaurr at Haveli Restaurant in Queens here on November 10. Introducing Dr. Sadhna Shanker, Renee Lobo, ITV anchor, said Dr. Shanker “is a multifaceted personality.


    2
    Assemblyman David Weprin extended greeting to Mulays. Also seen are (L to R) Prof. Saluja, Mr. Malik and Mrs. Malik



    3
    Malini Shah presented a citation from Assemblyman Paul Vallone to Dr. Sadhna Shanker. Renee Lobo ( left) reads out the citation. From L to R: Renee Lobo, Malini Shah, Mr. Malik and Dr. Sadhna Shanker



    4
    Attorney Ravi Batra welcomed Mulays



    5
    Air India General Manager Rishikant Singh extended a word of welcome to Dr. Sadhna Shanker and Ambassador Mulay.

    She is an administrator, a literary artist, a theater artist and a journalist, in her own right. One of the senior officers with Ministry of Finance, department of Revenue Services, Dr. Shanker has held a number of important administrative positions. At present, she is Advisor Advocacy, Competition Commission of India, a position she has been holding since March, 2013. Dr. Shanker distinguished herself as a creative writer, with her novel “Never a Disconnect” published in 2010.


    6



    c1
    Ambassador Mulay celebrated his birthday, a belated one, with the gathering.

    She is almost ready with another piece of fiction. She authored a book of essays “When the Parallels Meet” on her journeys to places and cultures. Yet another book “Ahlam wa- sahlam- A Syrian Journey” was published in three languages- English, Arabic and Hindi. Dr. Shanker has been actively associated with the national television of India, Doordarshan. She scripted, hosted and anchored a number of programs.


    c2
    A little celebration. The gathering broke in to a dancing session to celebrate the occasion



    c3
    Dr. Sadhna Shanker and Ambassador Mulay mingled around and obliged with photograph


    Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shanker exuded optimism about India’s growth. She said India was well on way to becoming a formidable economic power and praised the Indian diaspora for thinking and caring for India. About her literary plans she said she was working on a piece of fiction and would be happy to have it published soon. Dr. Shanker said she enjoyed coming to USA and, New York, in particular. She had a lot of praise for New York and the Indian American community here. Consul General Mulay obliged the gathering with a Hindi poem that depicted the loneliness of a lover whose beloved is away from him. The poem received rave appreciation. The gathering celebrated Ambassador Mulay’s birthday, a little belated one though.

    Ambassador Mulay cut a cake and the gathering celebrated with a little dancing, to the great singing by the famous Sa Re Ga Ma star Asad who had traveled all the way from New Jersey. Sikander Khan sang a few soulful ghazals to the accompaniment on Tabla by Shams Khan. The two are in attendance at Haveli to entertain guests on week ends. Present on the occasion were around a hundred men and women drawn from various sections of society. Those who spoke on the occasion included Assemblyman David Weprin who extended his greetings to Mulays and the gathering and spoke of great relationship between USA and India.

    Ravi Batra, Rishikant Singh, Prof. Saluja and Mr. Malik also spoke. Mrs. & Mr. Malik, owners of Haveli restaurant, who also own Tamba Restaurant in Manhattan, were gracious enough to provide sumptuous hospitality. Maliks have a chain of restaurants and Mrs. Malik is one of the best known chefs in the city. Mr. Malik had been a senior government of India official and had worked with two prime ministers of India. After retirement he moved to USA and got in to hospitality business. The couple is very popular in Indian social circle, both for their tasty bites and for their warmth of relationship. Earlier, on arrival, Dr. Sadhna Shanker and Ambassador Mulay were warmly received with bouquets by Mrs. & Prof. Saluja, and, Mrs. & Mr. Malik. Dr. Shanker was presented a citation by Malini Shah on behalf of New York City Councilmember Paul Vallone.

  • MALINI SHAH | a multifaceted personality

    MALINI SHAH | a multifaceted personality

    Malini Shah is a community leader who is currently President of her diamonds company, Difference Inc. She is also the Founder of Nritya Kala Kendra which was founded in 1992. It is an organization that promotes India’s Art and Culture through classes,workshops, and lectures, visiting artist programs, children’s Day at the Indian Consulate, Asian Heritage programs, and Indian Educational programs in schools. She is currently on the Advisory Committee of the Queens Museum of Art, Community and Cultural Liaison for Council Member Paul Vallone, and has also served as the chairperson for Assemblyman Nick Perry,Women’s Group Bill de Blasio for Mayor, Vice chair Queens South Asians for Bill de Blasio for Mayor , Chair Indian Americans for Melinda Katz for Queens Borough President. She enjoys being a consultant to various organizations in the USA and other countries,where she visits and holds workshops. Today she has extended her proficiency to many schools within the country with the resolve of integrating cultural education along with academic skills. Malini received Bachelor’s in Arts and Child Education from The Teachers Training Institute in India. She has spent over 30 years teaching in schools, one of which includes “Modern School, one of the most prestigious schools of India, situated in Delhi. She has conducted various lectures in rural areas for the India International Rural Cultural Center, and at various Universities in the United States of America. Also, she has contributed vastly to educational film documentaries. NKK undertakes numerous educational and informative programs all around the country and abroad through programs such as the recent Internationals Children’s Day by the Turkish Women’s League of America & Ataturk School 2014, Asian Heritage Month Queens Borough Community College 2014, the incredibly successful “Year of India “2012-2013 at Queens College, New American Program at the Queens Library, DC 37and NYC Council’s Asian American Heritage Programs, Cultural Educational Programs in schools, annual Children’s day at the NY Indian Consulate, ‘Meeting God’ exhibition at the Museum of Natural History, India Columbia Day at the Queens Museum of Art, Culture Day at Barnard College and Columbia university, Tropical Carnival, Queens Festival, Caribbean American Information Day, A Salute to Diversity at York College, United Nations Staff day International Concert, Harmony Day, workshops at Pace University, Orphan International United , Borough of Manhattan community College events, Annual Rockaway Multicultural Family Fest, World Vision 2000 Global Youth Conference in DC, A Rainbow Community Business Development Arts & Culture Exposition, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens Celebrating Cultures Events, Sacred Arts conference at Cathedral of St. John the Devine. As a Cultural Ambassador she has traveled extensively abroad for festivals sponsored by the India Tourism Development, Air India, and ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) to countries which include Kula Lumpur, Athens, Bangkok, Singapore, New York ,Caribbean. She has had the privilege to travel as part of the Indian delegation of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations headed by the former Vice President of India, Mr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. When you work so devotedly, recognition must follow. Malini has received many prestigious awards such as ‘Jewel of India’ Award, “Positive Indo-Image Award”, An Exclusive “Distinguished Leadership in the Arts and Culture Award” from Assemblyman Nick Perry .City Council Citations, “Certificate of Recognition” from Kate Murray Supervisor Town of Hempstead, for outstanding community service and significant contribution to the community (SAWA) 2013,Citation from New York City Council member Peter Koo for recognition and honor for years of service to the Community, “Outstanding Mother Award” by C.A.P.S.C., Hind Rattan Award for Outstanding Services, London, Achievement and Contribution . She is also the recipient of “Exceptional Woman Award” from South Asian American Women’s Alliance. Her autobiography appeared in the “Who’s who in India” and Best of New York. Her autobiography appeared in the “Who’s who in India” and Best of New York.

  • Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in the court of Indian Americans

    Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in the court of Indian Americans

    By The Indian Panorama Investigative Team

    Federation of Indian Associations, NY/NJ/CT (FIA) has been making tall claims for decades under its Chairman for life Ramesh Patel with his handpicked kitchen cabinet that “FIA” is a representative organization of Indian Americans and that it is the largest umbrella organization of Indian Associations in this part of USA.

    It is a claim that The Indian Panorama had contested two years ago and is being contested today, too, in the court of Indian Americans. And we will leave to our readers to judge for themselves if the claims of FIA have any merit.

    The Indian Panorama investigative team has collected information and evidence which belie the tall claims of the FIA leadership, which consists of a handful of people from one community and one region.

    Today,we are more than convinced than we were two years ago, that the FIA is not a representative organization of Indian Americans. And we will like to add that its ways of working and the accounting practices are mysterious and confusing, to say the least, as will be evidenced from the Tax Returns it submitted with the IRS over the last couple of years.We will be happy to make available copies of Tax returns to any reader wanting them. Just drop an email to editor@theindianpanorama.news.

    FIA’s IRS Tax returns are nothing but accounting tricks, fiction, hocus-pocus, misleading statements, half truths, omissions and appear to be, at times, outright lies. FIA has been filing IRS Tax returns claiming that they have “0” (No) Voting Members, “0” Independent Voting Members, “0” Volunteers and “0” numbers of employees. But since 2004 to 2012 they have collected $2,293,886.00 from public, private enterprises and Government of India Enterprises to organize “Celebrity Parades” to parade themselves, their family, friends, supporters, politicians and Bollywood stars in the name of India Day Parade to insult India and every Indian around the world.

    Please consider: Where are the 100 organizations that the FIA claims are its members when Tax Returns mention “0” (No) Voting Members, “0” Independent Voting Members, “0” Volunteers and “0” numbers of employees?

    If one pays close attention to the parade expenses; it clearly indicates expenses have been fudged to match revenue and some of the expenses do not make any sense. Some of the expenses are fluctuating big time like “Occupancy” (with no definition or explanation) $29,897.00 in 2008 dropped to $7,147.00 in 2009, only to go up to $56,212.00 in 2011 and again dropping to $29,271.00 in 2012.

    Travel Expenses in 2009 for $6,418.00 went up to $33,423.00 to drop down to $ 22,320.00 in 2012. (No explanation who traveled and to where). The performer’s fee has gone up from $0 in 2008 to $63,856 in 2012. The “Other Expenses” have gone up almost 4 times from $21,053.00 in 2008 to $82,595.00 in 2012; whereas the Assets have gone up from $ 47,741.00 to $ 48,832.00 only.

    Moreover when FIA could do a Parade for $185,991.00 in 2008 how it is that they spent $ 357,239 in 2011? Though comparisons are said to be odious, it would be in the fitness of things to make one here. The Sikh Day Parade with the same or more number of Floats and Bands from the same sources cost only $85,000; that too, with more than plenty of free food and drinks for participants and general public from all walks of life along the entire parade route and at the end of the parade.

    Another distinct aspect. In 2006 FIA collected a record $425,231.00 from the public that dropped to $169,182.00 in 2009, to go up again to $332,220.00 in 2012. The FIA revenue does not include the Bollywood Stars sponsored by an organization or individual and Free Air Tickets from Air India and free media coverage and publicity from their main media sponsor.

    In IRS returns FIA is also admitting that they do not get their IRS returns audited or reviewed independently and for FIA’s books and records, official address, Principle Officer, every time they are using different name and addresses and surprisingly on their website they have New York office address. Amazingly after removing Nirav Mehta a proclaimed economic offender from India as a Trustee in July-Aug 2013; FIA on 10-15-13 on IRS Form 8868 for extension, mentioned that “The Books are in the care of “Nirav Mehta, 163 Washington Valley Rd,Warren, NJ 07059 with “No” telephone and Fax numbers.


    5

    Here are the facts and figures for the Readers to come to their own conclusions whether FIA deserves to be supported for Future Parades, as well as for the Government of India to decide whether the Consulate, Government of India Enterprises and their own departments should patronize FIA in future in its present set up and functioning..

    FIA INFO AS PER THEIR TAX RETURNS FORM 990 FOR 2008,2009, 2011, 2012.
    The return for 2007 & 2010 is not available but some of the information is available in 2008 & 2011 returns that give Revenue figures only up to 2004.

    Readers, please consider the following:
    WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF FIA OFFICE? :
    2008: 1398 Edinburgh Rd, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 Tel 917 855 2057
    2009: 163 Washington Valley Rd., Warren, NJ 07059 Tel. 732 369 6629
    2011: C/O K Patel LLC, 1050 Wall Street W # 320, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 T732 369 6629
    2012: C/O K Patel LLC, 1050 Wall Street W # 320, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 T201 939 4266
    NOTE: K Patel LLC is Kaushik Patel LLC, the IRS Returns Preparer for FIA
    FIA Address as per their Web Site: 37-0574TH St, 2ND Fl, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
    T 908 279 7757, 848 248 0707, 732 325 7891

    WHAT IS THE NAME & ADDRESS OF PRINCIPLE OFFICER?:
    2008: Yash Paul Soi, 1398 Edinburgh Rd, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
    2009: Dipak Patel, 1398 Edinburgh Rd, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
    2011: Yash Paul Soi, 1398 Edinburgh Rd, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
    2012: Ramesh Patel, 153 Mount Pleasant Ave., Wallington, NJ 07057
    NOTE: Dipak Patel & Yash Paul Soi using the same address.

    SIGNATURE OF OFFICER (SIGNING THE RETURNS)
    2008: Yash Paul Soi as President FIA
    2009: Dipak Patel as President FIA
    2011: Bipin Patel
    2012: Kanu Chauhan & Sanjay Amin

    PAID PREPARER FOR 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2012: Kaushik Patel
    Kaushik Patel LLC, 1050 Wall Street West Suite 320, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 T201939 4266

    IS FIA REALY AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION? HOW FIA IS THE UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION WHEN:
    NUMBER OF VOTING MEMBERS FOR
    2008: Blank | 2009: 35 | 2011: 35 | 2012: 0

    NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT VOTING MEMBERS:
    2008: Blank | 2009: Blank | 2011: 0 | 2012: 0

    NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS:
    2008: Blank | 2009: Blank | 2011: 0 | 2012: 0

    NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
    2008: Blank | 2009: Blank | 2011: 0 | 2012: 0

    NOTE: Why FIA that claims that they are Premier Umbrella Organization for dozens of Indian organizations; is being run without voting members, independent voting members, volunteers, employees and independent auditors?

    NAME, PHYSICAL ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE PERSON WHO POSSESSES THE BOOKS AND RECORDS OF THE ORGANIZATION:
    2008: Blank
    2009: Nirav Mehta, 163 Washington Valley Rd, Warren, NJ 07059 (No phone #)
    2011: Nirav Mehta, 163 Washington Valley Rd, Warren, NJ 07059 (No phone #)
    2012: Sanjay Amin (No Address) Phone: 908 230 7086

    NOTE: Amazingly after removing Nirav Mehta a proclaimed economic offender from India as a Trustee in July-Aug 2013; FIA on 10-15-13 on IRS Form 8868 for extension, is mentioning that “The Books are in the care of “Nirav Mehta, 163 Washington Valley Rd,Warren, NJ 07059 with “No” telephone and Fax numbers.

    Income- Expenditure Statements

    YEAR REVENUE EXPENSES LOSS/PROFIT NET ASSETS
    2007 244,369 243,348 + 1,020 47,741
    2008 176,428 185,991 – 9,563 38,177
    2009 259,017 263,266 – 4,249 20,176
    2010 320,822 305,440 + 15,382 31,493
    2011 366,850 357,239 + 9,611 41,194
    2012 332,220 316,448 +15,448 48,832


    DONATIONS RECEIVED AS PER FIA FILINGS OF 2008-09-11-12:

    2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
    137,800 193,711 425,231 245,976 244,368 169,182
    2010 2011 2012 GRAND TOTAL FOR 2004 TO 2012
    224,576 320, 822 332,220 $2,293,886.00

    Note: from the available documents the amounts must be shown as:
    2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
    244,368 176,428 259,017 320,822 366,850

    NET ASSETS 2007-2012
    2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
    47,741 38,177 20,176 31,493 41,194 48,832

    NOTE: From the above figures readers can draw their own conclusions. In 2006 FIA collected $425,231. In 2006 from the public and Government of India enterprises that does not include if the Bollywood Stars has been sponsored by an organization; why the revenue dropped. More over FIA could do a parade for $185,991.00 in 2008 why they spent $357,239.00 in 2011. That is also a fact that Sikh Day Parade with the same or larger number of Floats and Bands cost only $85,000.00 that too with more than plenty of free foods, drinks and snacks.

    The figures for individual parades and expenses under different heads are also an eye opener. Someone in FIA is knowingly and deliberately moving expenses from one head to another head year after year and creating new expense account names to mislead the public and IRS.

    EXPENSES: 2008 2009 2011 2012
    Floats & Bands 49,000 52,100 64,284 46,700
    Stage & Tent 24,091 27,100 34,989 X
    Advt. & Promo 17,456 26,430 2,550 4,573
    Occupancy 29,897 7,147 56,212 29,271
    Travel 6,418 7,144 33,423 22,320
    Special Event 15,500 33,026
    Badges & Sashes 10,390
    Printing 7,005
    Entertainment/Travel 1,761
    Legal 1,070
    Office Expenses 500 4,586 1,913 3,405
    Accounting 350 1,000
    Insurance1, 500 1,370 1,550 1,050
    Special Event Exp 15,500 X X X
    Stage &
    Reception Décor X 19,820 X X
    Conference,
    Convention X 1,200 10,967 10,106
    Performers X 17,790 49,043 63,856
    Reception &
    Banquet X X 25,479 27,896
    Fees & Licenses X X X 25,000
    All Other Expenses 21,053 64,553 76,060 82,595
    TOTAL FUNCT. EXP 185,991 263,266 357,239 316,772

    STAGE & TENTS

    2008 2009 2011 2012
    24,091 27,100 34,989 19,000 (from “Other Expenses”)

    NOTE: It looks like that FIA has become more efficient as they brought down the cost of Stage & Tent from $34,989 to $19,000 in 2012. But 2012 saw a new expense $25,000 Fees & Licenses! Also the cost of the Parade has gone up from $185,991 to $357,239. Also included in the cost are all other expenses that have gone up from $21,053 to $82,595. The performer’s fee has gone up from $0 in 2008 to $63,856 in 2012. Reception & Banquet from $15,500 in 2008 has gone up to $27,896. Travel from $6,418 to $33,423, fluctuating Occupancy (FIA to explain) $29,897 to $56,212 back to 29,271.

    2008 2009 2011 2012
    BADGES &SASHES: 10,390 3,852 6,492 3,000
    PRINTING & BOOKLETS 7,005 12,735 6,084 3,650
    SOUND & LIGHTS: 11,470 16,480 5,010
    SOUND SYSTEM X 8,360 X X
    TROPHY & FLOWERS X 1,767 9,658 10,707

    NOTE: The number of people wearing Badge & Sashes every year is increasing exponentially. Still FIA has brought down the cost from $10,390.00 to $3,000.00. it is the same story with booklets and trophies and achievement fees. For Sound & Light FIA bought a Sound System in 2009 for $8,360.00 and still spent $11,470.00 on Sound & Light!

    ALL OTHER EXPENSES_ NO ITEMIZED INFO FOR 2008 ($21,053)

    2009 2011 2012
    Printing/Booklets 12,735 6,084 3,650
    Sound System 8,360 X X
    Cleaning & Sanitation 6,429 6,822 7,102
    Video/Photography 5,850 9,715 6,000
    Supplies 5,390 276 1,907
    Web Site 3,944 500 968
    Badge & Sashes 3,852 6,492 3,000
    Marketing 3,269 X X
    Sounds & Lights 3,110 16,480 5,010
    Meals & Entertainment 2,967 X X
    Trophy & Flowers 1,767 9,658 9,481
    Transportation 1,655 X X
    Fees & Licenses 1,605 6,094 4,250
    Auto Rental Limo 1,500 X X
    Donation 1,100 X X
    Bank Charges 946 256 2,438
    Toll & Parking 74 338 X
    Misc Labor Expenses X 5,949 8,877
    Security X 4,070 3,720
    Banner X 2,700 2,700
    Awards & Achievements X X 1,842
    Special Events X X 1,326
    Telephone X 461 466
    Repair & Maintenance X 165 X
    STAGE & TENTS X X 19,000
    TOTAL $ 64,553 76,060 82,595
    TOTAL EXP 263,266 357,239 316,772

    OFFICE BEARERS AS PER IRS FILINGS FOR 2008:
    Yash Paul Soi President Dipak Patel Executive VP
    Bhavana Shah, Secretary Haresh Hemrajani Joint Secretary
    Vijay Shah Treasurer

    OFFICE BEARERS AS PER IRS FILINGS FOR 2009:
    Dipak Patel President Nirav Mehta Executive VP
    Jaswant Mody V.President Haresh Hemrajani Secretary
    Deven Patel Joint Secretary Ahmed Shakir Treasurer

    OFFICE BEARERS AS PER IRS FILINGS FOR 2011:
    Bipin Patel President Kaurang Shah Executive VPNimesh
    Dave Vice President Haresh Hemrajani Secretary
    Srujal Parikh Joint Secretary Sanjay Amin Treasurer

    OFFICE BEARERS AS PER IRS FILINGS FOR 2012:
    Kanu Chauhan President Kaurang Shah, Executive VP
    Sanjay Amin, Vice President Srujal Parikh, Secretary
    Ahmed Shakir Treasurer

    BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Ramesh Patel, Chairman Yash Paul Soi, Vice Chairman
    Chandrakant Trivedi, Secretary
    Ram Ghadvi, H. R Shah Dr Sudhir Parikh
    Dipak Patel Bipin Patel
    Albert Jasani Dr Pravin Pandhi
    Kanu Chauhan Jagdish Patel Prabir Roy

    MEMBERS OF CURRENT COMMITTEE AS PER FIA WEB SITE
    Ramesh Patel, Chairman Ankur Vaidya President
    Anand Patel Executive VP Srujal Parikh Vice President
    Nishil Parikh Genl Secretary Alok Kumar Treasurer
    Sanjay Amin Im. Chhavi Dharayan
    Past President Joint Secretary
    Sourin Parikh Chair 2014 Committee

    NOTE: The Office Bearers & perpetual Trustees of FIA are practically from one religion and one region of India but still they have the sanity to claim that FIA is the umbrella organization of Indian organizations and people of Indian origin from different religions and different regions! Chhavi Dharyan is the wife of Sarvesh Dharyan who was Chairman of Reception Committee till he got arrested by Federal Justice Department for Money Laundering, Bribery etc. on July 17, 2013. Nirav Mehta was made President in 2010 by Chairman Ramesh Patel knowingly and despite public knowledge that he is a proclaimed economic offender and a fugitive from Indian Law Enforcement.

    BOOTH RENTAL APPLICATION FORM: NO CHARGES SPECIFIED
    For Additional table would be provided @ $ 60 and chairs @ $ 25

    CONTACT FOR BOOTH: 732-910-7473
    booth@fianynjct.org

    Mahesh Dubal 973-879-6452
    Abhay Shukla 201-407-1723
    Nitin Patel 908-625-4842

    FLOAT APPLICATION FORM: NO CHARGES SPECIFIED

    CONTACT FOR FLOATS float@fianynjct.org
    Saurin Parikh 516-348-4364
    Himanshu Patel 732-887-7606
    Dhananjay Patel 201-757-1735

    NOTE: Where is the transparency in collecting money from the renters for Booths and Floats? It is a well known fact that there are vendors who can sell services with no local taxes and credit card fee if payment is strictly cash. Also there are organizations/individuals who want to be in media/public limelight and for photo-ops with Bollywood celebrities and politicians do not hesitate to make cash donations. More over this is another open secret that individuals or companies are paid 25%-30% commissions for raising funds/donations for FIA.

    This expense is no where mentioned in Tax Returns of FIA. We have placed in the hands of our readers the information that the FIA should have made public on its own. After all, it is a not-for profit organization and enjoys privileges under section 501 (C). Also, at the same time, it is mandatory for FIA to be in compliance with the legal provisions that go with the 501 (C) privileges, which, to our understanding, the FIA has failed to do.

    Hence, IRS will be within its legal right to order a thorough investigation in to the financial dealings of FIA. And, we hope, IRS will not close its eyes to various kinds of violations that FIA might have committed. As honest citizens of this great democratic nation, it is the duty of all residents of USA not to let an individual or an organization violate with impunity the laws of the land.

    Our readers have the moral right to question FIA leadership on the functioning of the organization. We will welcome comments from our readers on the issue.We will be happy to answer any question related to the issue and to address any issue related with the subject. Please email your comment/ question to editor@theindianpanorama.news.

    To recap, the broader questions are:
    1. Is FIA a representative organization of Indian Americans?
    2. Is FIA a democratic organization?
    3. Should a coterie of handful persons from one community and one region control the levers of an organization
    claiming to be “an umbrella organization of over hundred organizations”?
    5. Should India Day Parade, to celebrate the nation’s proudest moment, be left in the hands of a coterie?
    6. Should Indian banks, Air India, the loss making elephantine national carrier, with corrupt officials, having vested interests at the helm of affairs here, India Tourism and other such agencies of government of India waste the Indian taxpayers’ money in funding the coterie?
    7. Shouldn’t the IRS order a thorough investigation in to the financial dealings of FIA?
    8. Shouldn’t other investigative agencies step in, if any other serious offence of criminal nature, surface against a member of the coterie controlling FIA?

    Now, you be the judge.

  • Ansari in China to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel

    Ansari in China to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Panchsheel

    BEIJING (TIP): Vice-President Hamid Ansari arrived in Xian, June 26, on his maiden visit to China. He said he would discuss all matters of “bilateral agenda” with his Chinese counterpart while simultaneously emphasizing on the continued relevance and applicability of the Panchsheel. His statement came in response to a question on whether he intended to discuss the continuing incidents of intrusion and aggression by China’s People’s Liberation Army along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

    “All matters of bilateral agenda will be taken up,” he said while avoiding giving a direct answer to a supplementary question on whether Chinese military intrusions would specifically get discussed. “Bilateral agenda means bilateral agenda; that is the totality of substance between the two countries discussed from time to time. We will discuss but I cannot anticipate the talks”, he said. The two countries are scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements, most likely pertaining to trade and commerce.

    One issue on which Vice President Ansari was more forthcoming was the balance of trade. In reply to a question he said the two governments were working on this. “It is a matter of concern to us that while trade is increasing, the balance of trade is not coming down. The two governments are seized of the matter and will address them in time”, he said adding that Union Minister of Commerce Nirmala Sitaraman, who is accompanying him on the official visit, is expected to discuss this with her Chinese counterparts.

    That India attaches high importance to its relations with China was evident from Ansari’s opening statement at a brief interaction he held with the media on board the special Air India flight soon after take off from New Delhi. “China is a very important country. It is our most important neighbor. It is a country with which our bilateral trade is almost at the top with only one or two countries recording higher bilateral trade”, he said adding, “Both governments are committed to furthering our relations”.

    Ansari’s visit is the first by a high ranking Indian this year which incidentally has been designated as the ‘Year of Friendly Exchanges’. His visit is preceded by Premier Li Keqiang’s congratulatory phone call to newly elected Prime Minster Narendra Modi which was followed by a visit of a special Chinese envoy to New Delhi. He is scheduled to meet the Communist Party of China’s secretary for Shaanxi province before arriving in Beijing tomorrow night. Incidentally, Shaanxi province is the birth place of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He was received by the Vice Governor of Shaanxi province Wang Lixia.

    In Beijing, the Vice President is scheduled to hold a set of both bilateral and trilateral meetings. His bilateral meetings with the Chinese leadership will include holding discussions with his counterpart Vice President Li Yuanchao, a meeting with Premier Li Keqiang and a call on President Xi Jinping. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Myanmar President Thein Sein. But the significant occasion for which he is here is the India-China-Myanmar trilateral summit meeting to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the historic Panchsheel, a joint statement on which was issued by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in New Delhi on June 28, 1954.

    Asked about the relevance of the Panchsheel, Ansari, who is a former IFS officer, replied “Panchsheel are of universal value. So much so that not only China, India and Myanmar, but the entire non alignment movement and a majority of the nations subscribe to it. Inter-state relations can only be on these principles”, he added pointing out that the “principles (of Panchsheel) are impeccable and there is no dispute about it.” The Panchsheel or the five principles of peaceful co-existence comprises mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non aggression, mutual non-interference, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.

  • TATA-AIRASIA GETS LICENCE FROM DGCA

    TATA-AIRASIA GETS LICENCE FROM DGCA

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Indian flyers are soon going to be spoilt for choice and low fares may make a comeback. The Tata Sons’ JV budget airline with Malaysia’s AirAsia got the licence to fly from the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday.

    This clearance, however, is subject to the judicial ruling in this regard as BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has moved court against forming startup airlines using FDI from foreign airlines route. The JV, AirAsia India Pvt Ltd (AAIPL), will be India’s seventh airline and aims to start flying anywhere between one to three months from now. Its CEO Mittu Chandilya says the new low-cost carrier will offer “35% lower fares” from current fare levels.

    “As of now we have one Airbus A- 320 and we will induct one aircraft every month. We will like to begin operations with a fleet of three planes. While three network options have been worked out, the first flight could be out of Chennai (the airline’s hub). Initially, our network will be all the metros except Mumbai. We may fly to Delhi as leaving the national capital out of the network does not seem feasible for a national airline like AAIPL,” Chandilya said after getting the air operator’s permit from DGCA chief Prabhat Kumar.

    Prabhat Kumar said: “We have granted the Air Operator’s Permit (AOP or flying licence) to AirAsia India, subject to the final decision of the high court and that is, under the directions of the Supreme Court.” The airline marks the re-entry of the Tatas into airline business after several decades. They had tied up with Singapore Airlines (SIA) in the late 1990s to acquire a stake in Air india but due to opposition from some players in the airline business and political interference, the move fizzled out.

    Once UPA-II allowed FDI by foreign airlines into Indian carriers, the Tatas came back with a bang. While Tata-AirAsia has been cleared to take off, the DGCA is in the process of granting licence to a Tata-SIA JV full service airline that should also start flying this year. AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted: “History has been made today in Aviation. Everything has been hard for Airasia but we never give up.

    Today AirAsia India has got APPROVAL….. Our CEO @MittuChandilya with Air Operators permit. What a battle that was. Proud day for me and all AirAsia stars.” Chandilya also tweeted: “Boom! 1815hrs(IST) today AirAsiaIndia was born. So, proud of my team. Who is ready to revolutionize Air Travel in India.” But, not everyone was happy. Swamy, who is opposing the Tata JVs, ‘condemned’ the move and said it was done “reckless disregard of the rules and regulations”.

  • AIR INDIA, INDIGO, GOAIR, JET JOIN LATEST WAR OVER AIR FARES

    AIR INDIA, INDIGO, GOAIR, JET JOIN LATEST WAR OVER AIR FARES

    MUMBAI (TIP):
    Four more airlines have joined the fare war by offering discounted fares in the domestic sector to counter SpiceJet’s latest offer. While Go Air had started a two-day sale of tickets on Wednesday, Indigo, Air India and Jet Airways came out with attractive offers on April 3, travel agency officials said. IndiGo, Jet Airways officials did not respond to calls for conformation. Air India has announced a three-day sale of discounted tickets under Monsoon Bonanza, and the offer will end on April 5. Under this scheme, tickets are available from Rs.1,499 plus taxes onwards in 108 flights to 40 destinations.

    This offer is for limited seats, and the travel is valid till September 30. IndiGo has come out with a 90-day apex fare starting Rs.1,389 inclusive of base fare and fuel surcharge. Go Air’s latest offer comes over 30 per cent cheaper than normal fare, travel agency officials said. “The trend of discounted air fares is a good strategy by operators to fill up seats that would otherwise be running below optimal capacity. These sales encourage advance travel planning as people have realised that booking early brings down their overall travel cost significantly, as much as 20 per cent.

    We are expecting a good demand for destinations such as Ladakh, Goa, Kerala and Jaipur, which are appealing monsoon getaways,” Neelu Singh, COO, Ezeego1.com said. SpiceJet, on April 3, said it had withdrawn the Re.1 and Rs.799 offers as per the DGCA directive. But it said: “the lowest sale fare still available as part of the sale is Rs.1,499 inclusive of fuel surcharge, but excluding taxes and fees.” “In an effort to make pricing simpler and more transparent for the benefit of customers, SpiceJet is currently in the process of removing the ‘fuel surcharge’ add-on from all of its pricing, and consolidating it as part of the base fare,” the airline added.

  • Improving travel experience of NRI youth is high on Civil Aviation Ministry’s agenda: KC Venugopal

    Improving travel experience of NRI youth is high on Civil Aviation Ministry’s agenda: KC Venugopal

    New Delhi (TIP): K.C. Venugopal, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, has underlined the Govrnment’s commitment to improve the travel experience of the youth who search for greener pastures across the world. Addressing a session on ‘Young Achievers’ at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Minister said, “Air India as the National Carrier is indebted to the Overseas Indians and always offers you the opportunity to fly you around. Air India had a bad time combating with debts. Now we are regaining the ground. We are happy that the improved customer confidence is being reflected in the bookings as well.

    There were certain issues and concerns about the performance of Air India Express, the low cost carrier from Air India Group. Air India Express is specially designed for Gulf sector services. The process of empowering Air India Express as an independent business entity is progressing. We have rolled out many initiatives to make Air India Express complaint free. We have also increased our services to Gulf Sector, and on time performance is monitored at the apex level to ensure customer satisfaction. To hear from the NRIs personally about their concerns about Air India Express, I started a mail service too”, he said. The Minister said that every generation of NRIs has its own specific opportunities and challenges.

    The long cultural exchange and bartering between the countries have set the soil ready for larger acceptance of young Indians. He said, “The second generation NRIs are the ambassadors of a resurgent India, which has opened its doors for the world. Ambition, innovation and management expertise in international trade are the trademarks of a successful Young Indian. They have enhanced footsteps of Indian business across the world. Even in Kerala, we have many such young investors who ventured to go out from their middle class houses in small towns to international business hotspots. However, the expectation levels and competencies of new generation NRIs are manifold compared to their predecessors. They deserve more handholding and enabling policies by the Indian Government.

    It is a fact that there are initiatives to motivate the young investors back home in India. But I do believe that we have to expand our net so that a government umbrella for Young Overseas Indians can be set up. Such a body will have to extract data regarding investment potential in each sector, may tie up prospective cash flow for various PPP models, may ensure single window clearance for NRI investments etc.” “As a country and a responsible government we are committed to provide young Indians similar opportunities elsewhere, so that they can confidently invest in India. It is high time that we need to develop our own engineering research and reduce dependence on the borrowed technologies. In this liberalized economy now we can afford to integrate R&D into the prime business of Indian companies. The companies also need to promote the synergy between industries & education,” said Shri Venugopal.

  • Devyani Khobragade gets back to India

    Devyani Khobragade gets back to India

    I.S. Saluja

    NEW YORK (TIP): Soon after she got full diplomatic immunity Wednesday, January 8, Devyani Khobragade left for New Delhi, January 9. External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi issued her transfer orders earlier in the day. Sources, on condition of anonymity, have confirmed the departure of Devyani on the evening of January 9. A US state department official said Ms Khobragade was asked to leave the United States after India had refused a request to lift her diplomatic immunity. The charges against her remain in place, the official said.

    Devyani’s departure from New York brings down curtain on just one scene. The play is likely to continue. It will be interesting to watch how the curtain finally comes down on the sordid drama that has caused anguish to a senior Indian diplomat and strained relations between two friendly countries. Devyani Khobragade was charged by a federal grand jury in Manhattan with visa fraud and making false statements in a case that has triggered an outcry in India.

    She’s accused of fraudulently obtaining a work visa for her New York City housekeeper. The indictment said Khobragade had made multiple false representations to US authorities, or caused them to be made, to obtain a visa for a personal domestic worker. She planned to bring the worker the United States in September 2012 when she worked at the Consulate General of India in New York, according to the indictment. Khobragade, 39, India’s deputy consul general in New York, has maintained her innocence to accusations that she claimed to pay her Indian maid $4,500 per month but actually gave her far less than the US minimum wage.

    Her arrest last month sparked outrage in India after revelations that she was strip-searched and thrown in a cell with other criminal defendants before being released on $250,000 bail. In a letter to the judge, prosecutors said there was no need for an arraignment because Khobragade had “very recently” been given diplomatic immunity status and left the United States on Thursday, January 9. The letter said the charges will remain pending until she can be brought to court to face them, either through a waiver of immunity or on her return to the US without immunity status.

    “We will alert the court promptly if we learn that the defendant returns to the United States in a non-immune capacity, at which time the government will proceed to prosecute this case and prove the charges in the indictment,” the letter from the office of US attorney Preet Bharara said. The timeline of the case:- ● 23 June: Maid Sangeeta Richard goes missing. Ms Khobragade informs Office of the Foreign Missions and New York police
    ● 8 July: India revokes Richard’s passport, says she’s staying in the US illegally; Khobragade accuses her of theft and attempt to blackmail
    ● 4 September: US state department asks Indian embassy to inquire into Richard’s allegations disputing her terms of employment
    ● 8 October: Indian embassy writes to state department explaining facts of the case and accusing Richard of “seeking to subvert both Indian and US laws”
    ● 19 November: A Delhi court issues warrant for arrest of Sangeeta Richard
    ● 6 December: India forwards the warrant to the US embassy in Delhi and the state department
    ● 10 December: Richard’s husband and children fly to the US
    ● 12 December: Khobragade arrested in New York, produced in court and released on a $250,000 bond
    ● 8 January: US State Department grants immunity to Khobragade. It then asked Khobragade to leave the United States on Thursday, January 9, after India had refused a request to lift her diplomatic immunity so that she could be tried.
    ● 9 January: Khobragade leaves New York for India by an evening flight of Air India.

  • AIR INDIA DREAMLINERS TO BE GROUNDED FOR REPAIRS

    AIR INDIA DREAMLINERS TO BE GROUNDED FOR REPAIRS

    NEW DELHI (TIP): US aircraft major Boeing will begin repair work on its snag-prone Dreamliners from Sunday. It will carry out both software upgrades and some hardware replacements in Air India’s B-787s. All airlines globally using the Dreamliner have been facing issues with this brand new plane. “We have 10 Dreamliners. About seven to eight of them will need different amount of work as the newer ones that have joined the fleet recently have those upgrades.We will be grounding our Dreamliners one by one to carry out repairs.

    This grounding for repair by Boeing is coinciding with our schedule grounding for normal checks,” said a senior AI official. AI is looking forward to the repairs as software errors have meant that the cockpit gets too many warning signals on this plane. For safety reasons, these warnings cannot be ignored. Almost every time, we have found these warning to be erroneous but this has meant delaying flights and causing passengers’ inconvenience. People rightly expect a flight on a brand new plane to be on time. That unfortunately has so far not been happening with the Dreamliner,” said the official.

    There have been instances when aircraft about to take off had to be stopped due to some warning. Coupled with pilot shortage, snags in the Dreamliners have affected AI’s on time performance badly. Ironically, it was banking on the newest aircraft to improve its punctuality. A few months back, the wiring of electric ovens in AI’s Dreamliners was changed following overheating in them. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked AI to prepare a standard operating procedure to ensure that its Dreamliners stay away from cumulonimbus clouds by at least 50 nautical miles of 80-90 km.

    This order came after the US aviation regulator and Boeing warned airlines that some General Electric engines used on the B- 787 and B-747-8 are seeing ice crystal formation while flying through certain clouds and thunderstorms. This is leading to loss of thrust as the passage of the gush of air in the engines is impeded by crystals at the engine’s rear. Japan Airlines has already withdrawn the B-787 from certain sectors like Tokyo-Delhi due to this reason as it says these routes did not allow aircraft the space to fly away 80-90 km from cumulonimbus clouds. An AI official said: “We have issued a company advisory and are analyzing the impact of the latest issue (with the Dreamliner).We are working on DGCA and US regulator’s airworthiness directive.”

  • Trivedis Pack New York Love to London

    Trivedis Pack New York Love to London

    NEW YORK (TIP): Bank of Baroda Chief Executive for US Operations, Mr. Dhimant Trivedi has been posted to London office as Chief of European Operations and leaves on November 30. He has been succeeded by Ashok Kumar Garg. Bank of Baroda, November 26, organized a get together to bid farewell to Mr. Dhimant Trivedi and the new incumbent Mr. Ashok Kumar Garg. The get together was attended by a large number that included Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Consul General of India in New York, representatives of State Bank of India, Bank of India, Air India, clients of Bank of Baroda, many friends of the Trivedis, and, of course, the staff of Bank of Baroda. Company Executives come and go. There are usual receptions to welcome and bid farewell. But there are some who are not the treated to the “usual” reception alone.


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    Consul General Mulay joined Trivedis and their friends at a farewell dinner hosted by Prof. Indrajit S Saluja at the Mint in Manhattan. Seen in the picture (sitting, L to R): Ranju Batra, Priyanka Pattanaik, Sulochana Pattanaik, Yamini Trivedi, Swati Vaishnav (Standing L to R): Pramoda K. Pattanaik, Indrajit Saluja, Sudhir Vaishnav, Dhimant Trivedi, Sanal Kumar, Ambassador Mulay, Master Mohinder Singh, Ravi Batra, Atul Kumria, Jagdish Sewhaney, Rajeev Bhambri, Trilok Malik and Herman Singh.

    They are special and get the special treatment. Dhimant Pradyuman Trivedi, Chief Executive of Bank of Baroda for US Operations and his lovely wife Yamini, over a period of close to three years in New York, had endeared themselves to so many. They were admired, loved and sought after for the finest qualities of head and heart they have been endowed with. Mr. Trivedi, who has been known to be a hard taskmaster, was also loved by the staff of the bank for his simple way of life and his passion for taking bank to higher heights in USA. Bank of Baroda, during his tenure from September 24, 2010 when he took over from another wonderful person, Mr. K.D. Lamba, who incidentally was posted to London as Chief of European Operations, the post that Mr. Trivedi has now been posted to, made a remarkable progress. The overall business growth has been substantial, with internet banking facility introduced only recently. His efforts to have the Bank’s own residential property yielded results and his successor now has the privilege of staying in his own spacious apartment in New York City.

    The social life of Mr. Trivedi and Yamini Trivedi who, is a wonderful person with literary and artistic tastes, has rather been hectic. The fun loving and sociable couple has been part of the various social and cultural circles in New York. So, when the news of the transfer of Mr. Trivedi to London reached his friends, there was a clamor to have the family over farewell dinner. I have been to some of them. I managed to avoid some simply because it was proving to be a surfeit for me. I was lucky to have managed to get Trivedis’ assent to one that I hosted which was well attended. Mr. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, India’s Consul General and some of the close friends of Trivedis attended. Ravi and Ranju Batra hosted one. Yet another was hosted jointly by Kirti and Versha Bhatia and Nitin and Sangeeta Parikh at Bhatias’ home in Long Island which was marked by fun and dancing. There were a couple of others also who hosted farewell dinner for the family. The bank staff, of course, hosted one. It surely is an expression of love for a wonderful family which will be sorely missed. Also missed will be their lovely and talented daughter, Chandni, who as President of CORD, New York, a charitable organization, has been deeply involved in the rural education projects of the organization. The Indian Panorama wishes the Trivedis all health, happiness and luck in their new city of residence.

  • Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association holds 25th Diwali Mela

    Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association holds 25th Diwali Mela

    Ravi and Ranju Batra honored for their services to community

    NEW YORK (TIP): In an unending stream of Diwali Melas in New York, Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association held its 25th Diwali Mela on Sunday, the 13th October. On a pleasant Sunday afternoon, the Mela attracted large crowds though they may have been disappointed to find fewer stalls selling wares and food items as compared to earlier years. Also, the entertainment content left much to be desired, as our reporter gathered after having spoken with some in the crowd. The Mela, as usual, had a fair presence of officials that included the Consul General of India in New York, Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Senator Jose Peralta, Council Member Daniel Dromm and some others.


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    Representatives of business organizations, including the Bangladesh Merchants’ Association were also present. Then there were the honorees that included attorney Ravi Batra and Ranju Batra who initiated the demand for a US postage stamp in commemoration of Diwali, the festival of India. Also honored on the occasion were sponsors that included Air India Area Manager Riwo Norbhu and Habib Bank Manager, among others. Citations by Senator Peralta and Council Member Dromm were presented to organizers who honored them with plaques. We bring here to our readers a pictorial description of the Mela.

  • History making Indian Diwali at Times Square mesmerizes visitors

    History making Indian Diwali at Times Square mesmerizes visitors

    NEW YORK (TIP): Diwali maybe a month away but for Indian Americans at Times Square, festivities started as early as September 22 when the entire cast of Besharam made a special appearance at the ‘Maharashtra Tourism Diwali at Times Square’. But Diwali at Times Square was much more than just the special performances from the Besharam team. Roughly about 30,000 people attended the Diwali event on Sunday at the busiest area for pedestrians in the world where 3,00,000 people visit every day. In a bid to tap major international source markets and increase tourist arrivals, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) participated in the early Diwali celebrations. Speaking on the occasion Minister for Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, Chhagan Bhujbal said, “Due to this event, the image of Maharashtra is going to be boosted in all international markets, not just in the USA. We want foreign tourists to come to Maharashtra, explore its rich cultural heritage and UNESCO world heritage sites like Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves.


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    They should also visit Tadoba Tiger Sanctuary, near Nagpur, where any tourist would spot tigers. It is my pleasure to invite all international tourists to indulge in the luxurious Deccan Odyssey train which covers the beautiful Maharashtra.” Mr. Satish Soni, Director – Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, ‘It’s an extravagant event for Maharashtra tourism in a foreign land. We are glad at its grand success as thousands of people visited and enjoyed the event at the magnificent Times Square. We appeal to the people of the world to come to Maharashtra for an unforgettable experience. “There were many enquiries for the Deccan Odyssey train followed by the wildlife reserves, mostly from foreigners and local Americans,” said one of the organizers at the tourism booth. The festivities showcased Indian music, cuisine and fashion. Times Square between 45th to 47th streets was bustling with tourists and visitors dressed in traditional attire as they lined up to get the saffron Kolhapuri turbans, pointed mustache masks, Gandhi caps and chudis (bangles). The cultural festival included dance, diya, rangoli painting, Indian arts and crafts, fashion show, photo booths with ethnic outfits, celebrity autograph/photo booth and much more. The event saw some famous dancers performing Lavani, and other well-known Marathi dances styles, Bhangra, fusion etc.


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    Dhol – Tasha and Tutari enthralled the crowds eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite Bollywood stars. Groups like Sangharsh and Sankalp promoted Govinda festival by forming human pyramids. Late in the evening at the Light Up Times Square concert had the music maestro Shankar Mahadevan also created a sensation through his voice and musical troupe. “Where in my dreams did I think that I will sing Ganpati bhajan at Times Square,” said Mahadevan. The concert also saw Canada based group Culture Shock perform live on a mix of songs. Although Indian Americans dominated the crowd many tourists as well as local Americans enjoyed the festivities. “This is my first ever encounter with India. I have heard a lot about the country that it is colorful and vibrant but experienced it for the first time. I loved the energy and the sense of community and also the samosas. My next holiday destination is India for sure,” said Suzan Lew. The festival encountered mixed reactions from the Indian Americans. “Diwali is a festival of lights and what better place to celebrate than Times Square. It is like a mela out here, I have never seen such a crowd in the US. Only Indians can party like this, I am proud to be an Indian,” said Pragya Mahajan who wore a saffron turban. “Celebrating Diwali at Times Square is celebrating the cultural capital of the world (India) at the cultural capital of the United States,” said Sunny Doshi, a new Jersey resident.

    While there were positive responses to the event, many Indian Americans were disappointed with the ‘westernized’ Diwali celebrations and poor management. “Speakers at the very end did not work. We tried to go forward but feared stampede and because there were no screens to look at we headed back,” said Reetu Kumar who had come with her 68 year old grandmother. The night culminated into the star studded performances from Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor, and debutant Pallavi Shardha who made a special appearance along with Rishi and Neetu Kapoor to promote their upcoming film Besharam. The crowd gathered at Times Square went ballistic on catching a glimpse of one of Bollywood’s most eligible bachelors. Dressed in a black ‘sherwani’, the young Kapoor danced and interacted with his fans as his father recalled visiting the city years ago and expressing gratitude for the adulation shown to him and his family. Congratulating Maharashtra Tourism for its achievement, Rishi Kapoor said, “I am proud to be a part of Maharashtra.” Complimenting ASB Communications and Event Guru, Shankar Mahadevan said, “Congratulations for pulling this off. To do this at Times Square was close to impossible. God bless”. “I came to the USA over 36 years ago and I still remember being awed by Times Square when I first saw it. I told myself even at that time that I will showcase the diversity and richness of India at this location. I am so thankful to all those who came here today. I am equally thankful to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, Air India, MoneyGram, DishWorld, Wells Fargo, Bank of Baroda and all other sponsors without whose support this event would not have been possible”, said Neeta Bhasin, President, ASB Communications, the conceptualizer of the event.