News India-Times

Cricket-loving Mirza glad to be back

2009-07-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sania Mirza first picked up a tennis racket aged six but if she had been a boy she would probably have reached for a cricket bat instead.

"I always said maybe if I was a guy I would play cricket," Mirza told Reuters after a 6-2 2-6 6-2 first-round victory over AnnaLena Groenefeld at Wimbledon on June 22

"Cricket is like a religion in the country. Every second person plays cricket no matter what. If any boy is born, he is going to pick up a cricket bat," she added

But Mirza, 22, took up tennis instead and is thrilled to be playing again after eight months off last year with a wrist injury even if she is still some way from her highest ranking.

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New International Media Institute to launch in India

2009-07-02T00:34:00.000-07:00

The Washington, D.C.based International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announced June 24 the launch of the International Media Institute of India (IMII) in New Delhi, a non-profit educational center that expects to "marry cutting-edge, hands-on journalism instruction with the highest international standards."

A stellar lineup of Indian and international journalists as faculty, the ICFJ is partnering with the Society for Policy Studies, a nonprofit Indian think tank that has the objective of promoting debate on contemporary issues among journalists and concerned citizens and encouraging quality journalism training.

"This new program, with its professional and very practical approach, will meet the demand for high-quality reporters and editors able to use the new array of media tools and techniques," ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan says in a press release.

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Telugu association to host 3-day convention in Chicago

2009-07-01T02:18:00.000-07:00

The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) will host its 17th biennia convention at Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont a northside suburb of Chicago for three days, beginning July 2.

The theme of the convention is "Technological Innovation and Cultural Celebration" and the organizers have pledged that all activities of interest to members – including technology, business and entertainment, as well as social, spiritual and religious issues – will be covered.

Kasi Paturi, chairman of TANA's public relation committee, told reporters here the organizers expect close to 7,000 people of all ages to attend the convention that would include top-ranking personalities in the areas of technology, banking, finance, politics, art, culture, film and youth

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4th of July- The coming of age for Indian Americans

2009-06-30T02:05:00.000-07:00

Ken Mathew, councilman and mayor protem of the small town of Stafford, Texas, is going to ride in an open car decorated with the American flag, in the middle of a July 4 parade scheduled for a day before. Then he, his wife and two daughters will head to the carnival on the school grounds. The next day, they will go to the convention center to hear the famous Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra giving a free performance. And last but not least, will be the July 4 fireworks.

"At the grounds of the carnival I may say a few words as one of the councilors," Mathew told news India Times. "We are going to go to all the places and have a great time. There is going to be a lot of food everywhere."

Like the Mathews, for many Indian Americans food, family and fireworks seem to be the highlights of the July 4

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How the ‘King of Pop' influenced Bollywood

2009-06-29T02:09:00.000-07:00

Half a world away from Los Angeles, the Indian film industry awoke to news of the death of pop icon right plagiarism, they carried on the MJ tradition. Numerous film sound tracks copied the ‘Jackson sound' and many leading stars from Mithun Chakraborty to Govinda, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt and Prabhu Deva, made their mark by following MJ's gravity defying moves.

His influence extended to the shores of the Hindi film industry well before cable television and internet. In the early ‘80s when MJ's moves were swaying the world, Subhash Ghai's Meri Jung brought on Javed Jaffrey, break dancing to''Rock and Roll''. It was a first on the Bollywood screen and set off the break dance trend. News India Times recently caught up with Javed on the sets of Hello Darling, another Subhash Ghai production. "For me Michael Jackson was the ultimate showman," he said. "He knew how to package choreography, music, lyrics and the works.His legacy is unbeatable and history will remember him that way," he told NIT

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Indian mobile users to hit 771 million by 2013

2009-06-26T00:49:00.000-07:00

Indian mobile users will jump more than 90 percent to 771 million by 2013 as companies expand networks to rural areas in the world's fastest growing wireless market, research firm Gartner said.

India had 403.66 million wireless users at the end of April, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India figures showed earlier this month, second only to China that has more than 600 million wireless subscribers.

Cheap call tariffs and handsets are driving demand in India, where operators such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications Ltd are now building telecom towers and networks to cover smaller towns and villages to hook new users.

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United States speeds visas for foreign students, researchers

2009-06-25T02:25:00.000-07:00

United States government officials say they have implemented changes to the visa process that will greatly shorten delays faced by foreign students and researchers traveling to the United States.

Officials won't specify exactly what these changes are but they promise that the time needed for a visas mantis check-a security review aimed at preventing weapons proliferation, and the main bottleneck in the visa approval process-will go down from a current average of several months to two weeks.

The changes, which went into effect last week, are a response to complaints from academic and scientific organizations over the past year

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Anil Kapoor to make TV debut on Fox

2009-06-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

From gameshow host to … peace emissary? Bollywood star Anil Kapoor seems to be cashing in on the popularity of the Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire," where he plays the slimy host of the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." The actor has reportedly bagged a role in the hit Fox series "24," which will begin its eighth season in January next year. The Indian actor will star as Omar Hassan, a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peace-making mission, Newsday reported.

Kapoor will not be the first Indian- origin face on the series. Kal Penn has already done a stint, albeit as a terrorist, on the series that stars Kiefer.

Sutherland as the legendary Jack Bauer, a one-man force fiercely protecting the free world from the forces of evil. The Hollywood star's appearance was brief, though, as he was soon killed off. Here's hoping the Bollywood star has better luck and more screen time

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Pakistani stand-up comedians bring the house down

2009-06-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

Laughter reigned supreme at the Holiday Inn, Edison in New Jersey on June 13 with a live performance by top stand-up talent from India and Pakistan for 13 weeks in a battle for supremacy leading Pakistani stand-up comedians, Shakeel Siddiqui and Kashif Khan.

Presented by Musik Waves L and Rupinder Nayyar, the threehour-long show also included performances by other Pakistani comedians like Gulzar Chand Puri, Parvez Siddiqui, Ali Hassan and Irfan.

Popular Pakistani actress and model Sadia Imam hosted the show.

Khan and Shakeel Siddiqui, who have been regularly featured on Sony Entertainment Television's reality show "Comedy Circus," enthralled the audience of over 800 with their signature puns and jokes.

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Rajeev Motwani: Don of the technology age

2009-06-18T00:56:00.000-07:00

Rajeev Motwani, a leading computer scientist and Stanford University professor who developed new ways to search enormous databases and mentored the founders of Google, has died. He was 47.

Motwani apparently drowned in the pool at his Atherton, Calif., home, where his body was found June 5, the university announced. Friends said he did not know how to swim.

Atherton police are waiting for results of an autopsy before investigating what appears to be an accidental death, a police spokesman said June 9.

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Jayasuriya strikes form to set up Sri Lanka win

2009-06-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

Sanath Jayasuriya thrashed 81 from 47 balls to set up Sri Lanka's 15-run win over West Indies on June 10 in the teams' final group match of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Both teams had already qualified for the second round.

West Indies, chasing Sri Lanka's 192 for five at Trent Bridge, managed 177 for five in reply with Dwayne Bravo top-scoring with 51.

They were left needing 28 from the last over.

Jayasuriya, 40 this month, added 124 from 78 deliveries with opening partner Tillekeratne Dilshan, who scored an equally rapid 74 from 47 balls -- his second consecutive fifty after his 53 against Australia.

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Prince of Wales pays tribute to India's art heritage

2009-06-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

From billboards throughout the Tube to rave reviews, all of London is abuzz over the opening of the Sackler Gallery's highly acclaimed exhibition, "Garden and Cosmos: The Royal Paintings of Jodhpur," according to a press release. The exhibition received a royal reception May 26 at the start of its summer stint at the British Museum

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were the guests of honor at a preview for some 300 museum patrons and special guests, including Gaj Singh and his wife, Hemlata Raje.

Prince Charles commented the exhibition "provides an unrivalled opportunity for the international audience at the British Museum to explore an aspect of India's great artistic heritage,"

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The importance of being Rahul Gandhi

2009-06-15T04:39:00.000-07:00

The Congress Party is celebrating the arrival of Rahul Gandhi. Loyalists waiting to offer his leader ship a grand legitimacy grabbed the opportunity to hail him as an astute political brain and the architect of the party's showing in the national elections.Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not hold back accolades and publicly wooed the reluctant crown prince to join his Cabinet even as the results were coming in.

Yet, amid the extreme flattery and adulation, Rahul betrays no emotions – neither joy, nor relief, nor even the strains of impending responsibilities. In fact, Rahul was absent from the postpoll celebrations. He was at the memorials of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, and father, Rajiv Gandhi, quietly dedicating the victory to them.

As the clamor for granting Rahul a Cabinet post gained ground, he declined, opting to work for the party instead.

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Bhutia to keep his dancing feet firmly on the pitch

2009-06-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

India captain Bhaichung Bhutia remains focused on continuing his soccer career despite leaving his club amid controversy over his appearance in a televised celebrity dance competition.

"Football remains my first love and I don't have any plans to even try dancing after this," Bhutia told the Hindustan Times on June 2.

The striker sought immediate release from Mohun Bagan last month after he accused India's oldest club of humiliating him after they claimed he appeared keener to participate in the dance show than play in the I League.

"It was a great experience for me, but that's it. I won't do any more reality shows. I wanted to try out something different and the best part is that I won it," the face of Indian soccer said.

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Princeton's Kulkarni gets Phi Beta Kappa teaching award

2009-06-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

Sanjeev Kulkarni, a professor of electrical engineering at Princeton University, was honored by the Princeton chapter of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity with its annual award for excellence in undergraduate teaching.

Kulkarni was selected for his "skill in instruction,commitment to working with and building relationships with undergraduates and ability to spark students' intellectual interests." He received a plaque at a ceremony on June 1.

Chris Baldassano, a Phi Beta Kappa member and elector, said in his recommendation that Kulkarni is "universally loved by his students" and "his approach to formal instruction is one that should be emulated by every professor."

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Nadal's foundation to launch tennis school in India

2009-06-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Spanish world number one Rafal Nadal will set up a tennis school n India through his foundation, local media reported on June 4.

The Nadal Tennis School (NTS) will take shape in September and be functional by June next year in Andhra Pradesh, The Hindu newspaper reported.

The paper said NTS is a joint venture between the Rafael Nadal Foundation and Fundacion Vincente Ferrer, the Spanish arm of India based non-governmental organization Rural Development Trust (RDT).

"There have been 135 registrations so far for admission to the academy, which will be restricted to children above eight years," RDT's associate programmed director Moncho Ferrer told the paper.

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A media celebration Parikh - Parikh Worldwide Media gala held in New Jersey

2009-06-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

Some 500 guests, among them the who's who of the IndianAmerican community and public officials attended a May 29 gala to celebrate the acquisition of News India Times and Desi Talk by community activists and philanthropists Drs. Sudha and Sudhir Parikh at the Royal Albert's Palace in Fords, N.J.

The newly formed Parikh Worldwide Media Inc. acquired the two weekly newspapers in April. The new media company, which also owns The Indian American magazine, has more publications than any other organization in the IndianAmerican market.

Consul General of India in New York, Prabhu Dayal; Ambassador Pramathesh Rath, the Indian envoy to Argentina, Assemblyman Peter Barnes, DN.J.Veena Merchant, consulting editor (emeritus) News India Times and Desi Talk; Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J.Edison Mayor Jun Choi,

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India, Canada on brink of signing nuclear deal

2009-06-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

A nuclear cooperation agreement with India is close to a done deal, Day, Canada's minster for international trade. A deal would open up the potentially massive market for nuclear materials trade between the two countries.

Canada had stopped nuclear cooperation with India after New Delhi's 1974 nuclear tests. But Ottawa has been trying to fast-track a nuclear deal with New Delhi following the passage of the U.S.-India nuclear deal and the international community clearing nuclear trade with India last A nuclear cooperation agreement with India is close to a done deal, according Stockwell September.

"We're very close to having an agreement with India related to the civilian use of nuclear energy for the purpose of helping them meet their energy needs,"Day told The Canadian Press on May 27.

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American Airlines makes effort to woo passengers

2009-06-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

In a bid to boost sagging business worldwide, American Airlines has unrelieved a series of innovations aimed at providing better service and customer comfort.

I American recently completed extensive renovations to its largest Admirals Club lounge at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, adding space and seating as well as providing a variety of amenities for business travelers.

Raj Sidhu, sales officer with American Airlines, said the lounge would include 39 work stations and four PCs with high speed Internet access in the Business Center, a walk-up cyber cafe with four PCs and complimentary high-speed wifi access for Admirals Club members and a one-day pass to access the Admirals Club facilities.

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Millions displaced by cyclone in India and Bangladesh

2009-06-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

Cyclone Aila has displaced millions of people in India and Bangladesh, only a fraction of whom have access to food and drinking water, officials said on May 27.

The cyclone has killed at least 210 people in the flood-prone region, though officials said the death toll could rise, and rescuers have struggled to reach millions still marooned.

Cyclone Aila hit parts of coastal Bangladesh and eastern India on May 25, triggering tidal surges and floods.

Officials say more than one million people have been displaced in India's Sundarban islands in West Bengal state alone, one of the world's biggest tiger reserves and which is already threatened by global warming.

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Film inspired by true post-9/11 events ready for release

2009-06-02T00:54:00.000-07:00

The first Indian American film to deal with post9/11 crime is all set for its North America release.

Set in New York City, "Sweet Amerika" is the story of Sikh shop owner Balbir "Bobby" Singh, played byGulshan Grover, an American Sikh who is kidnapped and tortured by a hateful and misguided gang who seek reprisals following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The film is inspired by true events such as the murder of an Arizona-based Sikh businessman Balbir Singh Sodhi.

Canadian writer/director R.Paul Dhillon's debut feature film "Sweet Amerika"is scheduled to release in Toronto on June 5, followed by releases in other metros.

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Kavya casts a spell

2009-06-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

Persistence finally paid off for 13-year-old Kavya Shivashankar, the 2009 champion of the 82nd annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. The unassuming teen from Olathe, Kan., has been a three time Top 10 finisher in the contest since 2006 last year, she placed fourth. This year she became the ninth Indian American to win the bee.

Shivashankar was among 11 finalists at the contest that started out with 293 spellers – the largest number in its history. The tension was palpable at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., May 28 when only three contestants remained: Shivashankar, Aishwayra Pastapur of Springfield, Ill., and Tim Ruiter from Reston, Va.

Pastapur, the first of the three to be knocked out, misspelled "menhir" and departed teary eyed. She will receive $7,500 in prize money. Ruiter misspelled "maecenas," but remained calm.

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Refugee resettlement plan outlined

2009-05-29T00:29:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka plans to resettle most of the 280,000 refugees who fled the war with the defeated Tamil Tigers within six months, the government said on Thursday after meeting visiting Indian officials.

Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and National Security Advisor M.K.Narayanan met President Mahinda Rajapaksa, after Sri Lanka declared total victory in a 25-year war over the Tamil Tigers in which India's role has always loomed large.

Sri Lanka said on May 18 it had totally defeated the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), ending a war long viewed as unwinnable.

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British Prime Minister forced to surrender on Gurkha rights

2009-05-28T00:53:00.000-07:00

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered the latest in a series of setbacks on May 21 when he caved in to public pressure and said more retired Nepalese Gurkha soldiers would be allowed to settle in Britain.

Brown was forced to surrender after being outflanked in a lobby campaiging led by actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the Gurkhas.

Interior minister Jacqui Smith told parliament former Gurkhas who retired before 1997 with more than four years' service would now be eligible to apply to live in Britain. She said that meant up to 15,000 veterans might now apply.

Brown had suffered a parliamentary defeat last month on the issue, his first since taking over from Tony Blair in 2007.

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59 Indian Americans win Intel science awards

2009-05-27T02:36:00.000-07:00

Tara Anjali Adiseshan, 14, of Ramana Academy in Charlottesville, Va., was the top winner in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair awards, winning a $50,000 scholarship for her project on sweat bees and nematodes. She was one of three young women to win Intel's grand awards announced at its fair in Reno, Nev., on May 15.

Adiseshan, who got prizes in T several other categories, was among scores of Indian and South Asian kids in grades 9-12, to get awards at various levels – first, second, third and fourth in several categories.

The Intel contest is the world's largest international precollege science competition, where more than 1,500 high school students from over 50 countries showcase their independent research.

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