Friday, July 31, 2009
Harvard graduates hit it off with peer-to-peer loans for students
A t a time when cash is tight and student loan sources are shrinking, three Harvard University graduates have come up with an innovative solution: A peer-to-peer lending Web site called UniThrive.
The brainchild of Tarun Parikh, Nimay Mehta and Joshua Kushner, the site was launched in May to help out students in need of financial aid.
At the moment, loans are limited to Harvard students, but plans are under way to expand to other institutions in the fall semester.
"The Obama administration is seeking to remove private banks from the federal education lending systems," Parikh notes in a blog entry on UniThrive.org.
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The brainchild of Tarun Parikh, Nimay Mehta and Joshua Kushner, the site was launched in May to help out students in need of financial aid.
At the moment, loans are limited to Harvard students, but plans are under way to expand to other institutions in the fall semester.
"The Obama administration is seeking to remove private banks from the federal education lending systems," Parikh notes in a blog entry on UniThrive.org.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: education loans, harvard grads, harvard graduates launch loan website, Harvard University, innovative solution, loan webisite, students, website
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Pakistan court orders Musharraf to explain emergency rule
Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered former president Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday to answer questions next week about his decisions to oust the judiciary and impose emergency rule in 2007.
The order, issued by a 14member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, instructs Musharraf to either show up in court himself on July 29 or have an attorney do so on his behalf.
Compliance is not mandatory but failure to show up will mean Musharraf will have no further chances to defend himself in a case that is aimed at determining whether it was constitutional for him to oust the judiciary and impose emergency rule in November 2007.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
The order, issued by a 14member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, instructs Musharraf to either show up in court himself on July 29 or have an attorney do so on his behalf.
Compliance is not mandatory but failure to show up will mean Musharraf will have no further chances to defend himself in a case that is aimed at determining whether it was constitutional for him to oust the judiciary and impose emergency rule in November 2007.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: constitutional, emergency rule, musharraf, pakistan, pakistan court orders, pakistan supreme court
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Asia darkens under longest solar eclipse of century
China total solar eclipse on July 22 swept across a narrow swathe of Asia, where hundreds of millions of people watched the skies darken, though in some places thick summer clouds blocked the sun.
The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century cut through the world's most populous nations, India and China, as it travelled half the globe. It was visible along a roughly 250 km wide (155 miles) corridor, U.S space agency NASA said.
In India, where eclipse superstitions are rife, people snaked through the narrow lanes of the ancient Hindu holy city of Varanasi and gathered for a dip in the Ganges, an act believed to bring release from the cycle of life and death.
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The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century cut through the world's most populous nations, India and China, as it travelled half the globe. It was visible along a roughly 250 km wide (155 miles) corridor, U.S space agency NASA said.
In India, where eclipse superstitions are rife, people snaked through the narrow lanes of the ancient Hindu holy city of Varanasi and gathered for a dip in the Ganges, an act believed to bring release from the cycle of life and death.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/
Labels: 21st century eclipse, Asia, darkness, eclipse superstitions, hindu holy city, longest solar eclipse, Moon, solar eclipse, sun, total solar eclipse, Varanasi
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Serenading subcontinent
Her name recognition and popularity might rival even that of President Barack Obama. Her admiration and affection for India may be a given. Her determination to take U.S.-India relations to new heights, or what is being referred to as "Version 3.0," may be unquestionable. But has she accomplished what she set out to in her first visit to India as secretary of state? The jury is still out.
During her three-day visit, Hillary Rodham Clinton held parleys with senior Cabinet members, met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had photo-ops with a number of political leaders, including Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, her parliamentarian son Rahul Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani. She interacted with corporate leaders, members of the civil society and even a Bollywood matinee idol. In a gesture rich in symbolism, she stayed at the Mumbai Taj Mahal Hotel, the scene of the terrorist attack last November.
Clinton pitched the expanding India-U.S. relations on to even higher ground than the previous administration. "I can pledge more than what President (Bill) Clinton and (George) Bush did.
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During her three-day visit, Hillary Rodham Clinton held parleys with senior Cabinet members, met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had photo-ops with a number of political leaders, including Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, her parliamentarian son Rahul Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani. She interacted with corporate leaders, members of the civil society and even a Bollywood matinee idol. In a gesture rich in symbolism, she stayed at the Mumbai Taj Mahal Hotel, the scene of the terrorist attack last November.
Clinton pitched the expanding India-U.S. relations on to even higher ground than the previous administration. "I can pledge more than what President (Bill) Clinton and (George) Bush did.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: cabinet members, civil society, clinton popularity, first visit to india, Hillary Clinton, l k advani, mumbai taj hotel, political leaders, Rahul Gandhi, symbolism
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Congress strike shuts down West Bengal
Supporters of Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), India's biggest left party, have a long history of post-poll violence though they were allies in the federal government until last year.
The 12-hour strike paralyzed railway services and forced airlines to cancel or reschedule flights, police said.
After torching several buses on July 16, Congress party supporters squatted on railway lines and blocked major roads on July 17.
"No vehicle is plying in the state but we have (had) no major untoward incident on Friday," Raj Kanojia, a senior police official, told Reuters.
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The 12-hour strike paralyzed railway services and forced airlines to cancel or reschedule flights, police said.
After torching several buses on July 16, Congress party supporters squatted on railway lines and blocked major roads on July 17.
"No vehicle is plying in the state but we have (had) no major untoward incident on Friday," Raj Kanojia, a senior police official, told Reuters.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: allies, congress supporters, cpi, post poll violence, railway lines, railway services, reschedule flights
Monday, July 20, 2009
Clinton has a hard task to make visit to india a success
For a Secretary of State to President Barrack Obama, who has captured the imagination of India, a person, who is well known and liked in India, the first chair of the India "Caucus" in the Senate, a presidential candidate, who received massive support from the Indian Americans, Hillary Clinton is arriving in India a little too late.
She has been in office for nearly six months and she has already visited some other countries in Asia and some of her pronouncements in China have caused concern in India. There are other reasons for her to reassure India that the strategic partnership between the two countries is intact. She, therefore, has a hard task ahead of her to make the visit a success.
Of course, the Obama Administration had to wait till the elections in India. Like everyone else, the US might also have expected change in India.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePpaer, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/
She has been in office for nearly six months and she has already visited some other countries in Asia and some of her pronouncements in China have caused concern in India. There are other reasons for her to reassure India that the strategic partnership between the two countries is intact. She, therefore, has a hard task ahead of her to make the visit a success.
Of course, the Obama Administration had to wait till the elections in India. Like everyone else, the US might also have expected change in India.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePpaer, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/
Labels: China, clinton visit, india visit, Indian Government, intact, obama administration, strategic partnership, terrorism, united states and india, united states voted for change
Friday, July 17, 2009
Malyalee medical graduates meet in Chicago
More than 1,000 physicians and their families attended the 30th annual convention the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates at the Marriott the Magnificent Mile hotel in Chicago, enjoying three nights of entertainment and meetings, including a continuing medical education (CME) session, from July 3 to 5
Physicians from five continents and seven countries attended, organizers told Desi Talk, including from United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Botswana, Australia, India and the United States.
"It was awesome," said Dr M Krishna Prasad, emergency medicine consultant from Milwaukee and convention co-chair, along with Dr. Moly Mathew. "This was amongst the most attended conventions - up there with the 25th jubilee in Detroit."
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Physicians from five continents and seven countries attended, organizers told Desi Talk, including from United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Botswana, Australia, India and the United States.
"It was awesome," said Dr M Krishna Prasad, emergency medicine consultant from Milwaukee and convention co-chair, along with Dr. Moly Mathew. "This was amongst the most attended conventions - up there with the 25th jubilee in Detroit."
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/
Labels: 25th jubilee, emergency medicine consultant, kerala medical graduates, marriott, medical education, medical graduates meet in chicago, performers, session
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Ganguly eyes innings as cricket administrator
Former India captain Saurav Ganguly, who retired last year, wants to use his experience to make a difference in an administrative role, domestic media reported on July 8.
"I'm convinced that I can play a positive role," India's most successful test captain told Times of India.
"Having played the game at the highest level and being part of the system, I know what it takes to make a difference."
The 37-year-old, who played 113 tests and 311 one-day internationals and led India to 21 test wins, could contest the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections in Kolkata later this month, it said.
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"I'm convinced that I can play a positive role," India's most successful test captain told Times of India.
"Having played the game at the highest level and being part of the system, I know what it takes to make a difference."
The 37-year-old, who played 113 tests and 311 one-day internationals and led India to 21 test wins, could contest the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections in Kolkata later this month, it said.
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Labels: administrative role, Bengal, cricket, cricket administrator, cricket association of bengal, innings, Saurav Ganguly
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
New York consulate hosts reception for Ambassador Shankar
Around a hundred and seventy guest, Americans and Indians Americans dignitaries from the Tri-State area, attended a reception in honor of Meera Shankar, India's Ambassador to the United States, on Tuesday, July 7. It was hosted by Prabhu Dayal, Consulate General of India, New York.
Ambassador Shankar in her address, touched upon a variety of issues, covering U.S.-India relations, India's economic growth, and the immense contribution of the Indian American community.
"I come to U.S. as an Indian Ambassador at a wonderful time," she said when the relationship is "on an ascending curve."
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Ambassador Shankar in her address, touched upon a variety of issues, covering U.S.-India relations, India's economic growth, and the immense contribution of the Indian American community.
"I come to U.S. as an Indian Ambassador at a wonderful time," she said when the relationship is "on an ascending curve."
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: Ambassador, india unveiled, Indian Ambassador, issues, New York, reception, tri state area
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
G8 makes scant progress on Copenhagen climate pact
G8 summit made scant progress towards a new U.N. climate treaty due to be agreed in December with some nations back-pedalling on promises of new action even before the end of a meeting in Italy.
"This hasn't given me a huge A rush of adrenaline," said Yvo de Boer, the U.N.'s top climate change official, of climate decisions by the G8 summit and a 17-member climate forum of major emitters including China and India.
"Generally this is careful but useful step forward towards Copenhagen...I'm still confident that the deal can be done," he said of the U.N. pact due to be agreed in mid-December.
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"This hasn't given me a huge A rush of adrenaline," said Yvo de Boer, the U.N.'s top climate change official, of climate decisions by the G8 summit and a 17-member climate forum of major emitters including China and India.
"Generally this is careful but useful step forward towards Copenhagen...I'm still confident that the deal can be done," he said of the U.N. pact due to be agreed in mid-December.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/
Labels: climate decisions, emissions, emitters, g8 summit, g8 summit meeting italy, united nation climate
Friday, July 10, 2009
Pakistan board fines Asif after Dubai detention
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has fined pace bowler Mohammad Asif one million rupees ($10,250) for bringing Pakistan into disrepute, after he was detained in Dubai last year for possessing opium.
However, Asif would be considered for the Champions Trophy in South Africa starting on Sept. 24, after he had completed a 12-month ban for a positive dope test, a senior board official told Reuters on Thursday.
"The probe committee that examined his 19-day detention in Dubai last year in June has found he had violated the code of conduct and brought the country into disrepute," Salim Altaf, chief operating officer, said.
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However, Asif would be considered for the Champions Trophy in South Africa starting on Sept. 24, after he had completed a 12-month ban for a positive dope test, a senior board official told Reuters on Thursday.
"The probe committee that examined his 19-day detention in Dubai last year in June has found he had violated the code of conduct and brought the country into disrepute," Salim Altaf, chief operating officer, said.
To read the full article, click here..
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Labels: champions trophy, criminal charges, dubai, dubai detention, million rupees, oak booard fines asif, pace bowler mohammad asif, pakistan, pcb, postive dope test, South Africa
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Bangladesh struggles to tame violent militants
Violent militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan get more attention, but militant groups also challenge South Asia's other Muslim nation, Bangladesh, worrying neighbors and countries with Bangladeshi workers or immigrants.
Militants in the low-lying nation of some 150 million people threaten its young democratic government's efforts to achieve stability, and raise fears the groups will connect with and strengthen extremist international networks.
The violent Islamists' presence also discourages much needed aid and investment.
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Militants in the low-lying nation of some 150 million people threaten its young democratic government's efforts to achieve stability, and raise fears the groups will connect with and strengthen extremist international networks.
The violent Islamists' presence also discourages much needed aid and investment.
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Labels: Afghanistan, bangladeshi workers, immigrants, militant groups, muslim nation, pakistan, South Asia, violent militants
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bhupathi-Knowles lose quarterfinals, Paes-Black defeat Bhupathi-Mirza
Mahesh Bhupathi and partner Mark Knowles went down in a long drawn out five-set men's doubles quarterfinals match at Wimbledon July 1, defeated by South African Wesley Moodie and Belgian Dick Norman.
The match ran for more than three grueling hours 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 4-6 in which Bhupathi's side garnered four break points converting two of them into wins.
On June 30, Leander Paes and Zimbabwe's Cara Black beat the Bhupathi and Sania Mirza team in their third-round mixed doubles match.
Paes-Black won 6-2, 6-7 (2) 6- 3 to move into the quarterfinals. Bhupathi has won seven mixed doubles titles so far in his career,
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The match ran for more than three grueling hours 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 4-6 in which Bhupathi's side garnered four break points converting two of them into wins.
On June 30, Leander Paes and Zimbabwe's Cara Black beat the Bhupathi and Sania Mirza team in their third-round mixed doubles match.
Paes-Black won 6-2, 6-7 (2) 6- 3 to move into the quarterfinals. Bhupathi has won seven mixed doubles titles so far in his career,
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Labels: bhupathi and sania mirza team, bhupathi knowles lose quarterfinals, mahesh bhupathi, mens doubles quarterfinals match, mixed doubles match, paes black defeat bhupathi mirza, quarterfinals, wimbledon
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Anand reelected mayor of idyllic village in New York
There are 1,900 people living in the idyllic village of Laurel Hollow with its multimillion-dollar homes.
Only 61 of them chose to come out and vote June 16.
All the valid 58 votes went to incumbent Mayor Harvinder Singh Anand, 48, the chemical engineer from Punjab University, who has been running the picturesque town for the last two years."It shows the community's support for my performance in the last two years," Mayor Anand told Desi Talk.
"Even though we are in the middle of a downturn, our village has kept within its budget and we have not raised taxes."
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Only 61 of them chose to come out and vote June 16.
All the valid 58 votes went to incumbent Mayor Harvinder Singh Anand, 48, the chemical engineer from Punjab University, who has been running the picturesque town for the last two years."It shows the community's support for my performance in the last two years," Mayor Anand told Desi Talk.
"Even though we are in the middle of a downturn, our village has kept within its budget and we have not raised taxes."
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/
Labels: chemical engineer, dollars, mayor harvinder singh anand, mayor of idyllic village, multimillion dollars homes, New York, punjab university, votes
Monday, July 6, 2009
Bridge to the 21st Century
A mid glorious promises of better infrastructure and vivid visions of "Bharat Nirman," Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi inaugurated India's first open sea bridge, the BandraWorli Sea Link in Mumbai June 30. She spoke of the government's plan to turn the city, recovering from the Nov. 26 terror attacks, into an international financial hub.
"Mumbai is an embodiment of secularism. The city becoming an international financial center will be a matter of great pride for the citizens of the country. This can happen only when development work is ongoing. The sea link will ease traffic woes of the people and enhance the city's beauty," Gandhi said.
Adding a political master- stroke to the Congress Party dominated gathering, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, whose party is a member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance headed by Gandhi, proposed naming the sea link after Rajiv Gandhi.
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"Mumbai is an embodiment of secularism. The city becoming an international financial center will be a matter of great pride for the citizens of the country. This can happen only when development work is ongoing. The sea link will ease traffic woes of the people and enhance the city's beauty," Gandhi said.
Adding a political master- stroke to the Congress Party dominated gathering, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, whose party is a member of the ruling United Progressive Alliance headed by Gandhi, proposed naming the sea link after Rajiv Gandhi.
To read the full article, click here..
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Labels: bandra worli sea link, financial hub, first open sea bridge in india, indian sea bridge, mumbai, mumbai people, sea bridge, sealink, sonia gandhi
Friday, July 3, 2009
Cricket-loving Mirza glad to be back
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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"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.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: cricket, cricket bat, cricket loving mirza, highest ranking, popularity of cricket, sania mirza, sania returns, tennis, tennis court, tennis racket, wrist injury
Thursday, July 2, 2009
New International Media Institute to launch in India
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.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
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.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: entry level journalists, indian faculty, international media institute, journalism training, journalists, launch, media platforms, media tools, New Delhi, reporters, technical expertise
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Telugu association to host 3-day convention in Chicago
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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To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
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
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: activities, art, banking, chicago, convention, culture, film and youth, finance, north america, organizers, politics, technology, telugu association
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