News India-Times

Federal Bureau of Investigation gets 60 days to file charges against Pakistani plotters

2009-11-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been given 60 days to file charges in the foiled terror plot in India and Denmark by two Pakistan-born Chicago men at the behest of Pakistanbased terrorist outfit Lashker-eTaiba (LeT).

Chicago court's chief Judge James F. Holderman has extended till next Jan 1, the period of filing indictment against the accused duo, David Coleman Headley, a Pakistan-born American national, and his Pakistan-born Canadian associate Tahawwur Hussain Rana.

FBI agents arrested Headley Oct 18 from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Philadelphia, and subsequently arrested Tahawwur Hussain Rana, whose former name was Daood Gilani.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Indians bring robbery issue to the fore in Fairfax, VA

2009-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

In the wake of a spate of daytime robberies of Indian homes in Fairfax, VA, some residents are mobilizing to bring the issue to the state capitol, Richmond.

Fairfax Times online reported Nov. 10 that a crowd of close to 200 residents met in Centerville, VA. Ajay Laheri, one of the residents who has taken the initiative, addressed the crowd saying the community had to help law enforcement and public officials deal with the crimes.

Following the public meeting of Oct. 29, the ad hoc group also held a "meet and greet" at a Chantilly restaurant with Republican candidate for Virginia's 37th District Senate seat, Marianne Horinko, to apprise her of their concerns.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Indo-American Film Festival opens in New York City

2009-11-18T00:25:00.000-08:00

The Mahindra Indo American Arts Council Film Festival opened in New York City with a Gala film screening , Nov. 11.

Now in its ninth year, the 5day festival included 47 screenings including 44 premieres of features, documentaries and shorts from India, Canada, the UK and the U.S, a press release said.

The Nov. 11 opening night film was "Today's Special," a comedy written by and starring Aasif Mandvi ("The Daily Show") accompanied by Naseerudin Shah and author and actor Madhur Jaffrey.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Mob boss Dawood Ibrahim figures on Forbes' list of most powerful

2009-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

President Barack Obama tops Forbes magazine's list of "The World's Most Powerful People," but he shares that space with terror mastermind Osama bin Laden's and reputed Indian mob boss Dawood Ibrahim.

The list, which names "67 heads of state, criminals, financiers and philanthropists who really run the world," includes Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is ranked 36th, a rung above bin Laden.

It also includes Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani at 44, steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal at 55, industrialist Ratan Tata at 59 and the Dalai Lama at 39.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/

Pakistan Bomb is Chinese takeout

2009-11-16T02:40:00.000-08:00

In 1982, a Pakistani military C-130 left the western Chinese city of Urumqi with a highly unusual cargo: enough weapons-grade uranium for two atomic bombs, according to accounts written by the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, Abdul Qadeer Khan, and provided to The Washington Post.

The uranium transfer in five stainless-steel boxes was part of a broad-ranging, secret nuclear deal approved years earlier by Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto that culminated in an exceptional, deliberate act of proliferation by a nuclear power, according to the accounts by Khan, who is under house arrest in Pakistan.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Off-year elections catch Obama on wrong foot

2009-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Indian Americans on all sides of the political divide concur that these off-year elections Nov. 3, are at the very least a warning sign for President Obama. Democrats lost key Gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and Republicans crowed that a page had turned in the Obama presidency so soon after takeover. Indian Americans also seem to agree that the slogan that worked against Republicans now holds true for Democrats "It's the economy stupid." And even Democrats faulted their party for the quality of campaigns run and felt the community had been neglected or taken for granted, making some candidates more precarious.

But Indian Americans are mixed on whether these losses at the polls were actually a referendum on President Obama's accomplishments since that undeniably historic day he was elected a year ago Nov. 3. Some say they were while others contend it was mainly the local scenario that determined the vote.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Slumdog's Little Jamal is leading man in Swiss film

2009-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, 11, best known for his role as the youngest Jamal in "Slumdog Millionaire" is playing the leading man in Swiss film "Shyam's Secret".

Set in India, it is the story of an eight-year-old European girl and her friendship with an enigmatic Indian boy Shyam.

Also known as "Le secret de Shyam", it will be made in French and English. To be released next year, this adventure film is reportedly being shot in Goa . Directed, produced, and written by Deborah Mangola, the film is co-produced by Adam Bedi and written by Lalit Ajgaonkar.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Sharmila Tagore, Soha share screen space in 'Life Goes On'

2009-11-10T01:38:00.000-08:00

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has starred with her daughter Soha Ali Khan for the first time in "Life Goes On", a film on British Indians that was screened at the ongoing 11th Mumbai Film Festival.

"This is the first time Sharmila Tagore and Soha are sharing screen space. I have known Sharmila Tagore for a long time and from the very beginning I have imagined her in the character she is playing," said Sangeeta Datta, who has made her directorial debut with the film.

"I have worked with Soha while I was associate director in Rituparno Ghosh's `Antar Mahal'," said London-based Datta.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Gulzar gets lifetime award at 11th Osian's film festival

2009-11-06T00:56:00.000-08:00

The 11th edition of the annual Osian's-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema commenced in New Delhi Oct. 24 evening with legendary lyricist Gulzar getting the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I really want to thank Osian's and all people for this honor bestowed upon me. The journey (cinematic and poetic) that I have gone through has been really beautiful. A person needs these kind of acknowledgements because they give creative satisfaction to an artist," said Gulzar.

"I have been doing my work with full sincerity since all these years and I'll continue giving my best," he added.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Lindsay Lohan to shoot documentary in India

2009-11-05T00:00:00.001-08:00

Lindsay Lohan, who is keen to put her bad girl reputation behind her, is flying to India next month to shoot a documentary highlighting the trafficking of children in Bihar.

The "Mean Girls" star, who has hit headlines for her stints in rehab and drunk-driving arrests, has teamed up with the BBC Network for the charity work, reported contactmusic.com.

"I'm going to India soon, actually, before Thanksgiving. And I'm doing a documentary for the BBC Network. It all happened actually when I was in Dubai. I like to support charities. I think it's important to kind of have a voice when you can have one and make a difference," said Lohan.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Indian Weightlifting Federation faces ban, drops Asian meet

2009-11-04T00:00:00.001-08:00

India's national weightlifting federation has pulled out of hosting the Asian junior meet in December as it faces a possible suspension following a spate of positive dope tests by its lifters.

"We've declined to host it," Indian Weightlifting Federation secretary B.R.Gulati said Oct. 27.

Seven Indian lifters, including international medallists, were caught in out-competition tests conducted last month by the international body as well as national anti-doping officials.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Sikh groups lend support for November 3 shutdown

2009-11-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Various Sikh organizations, including Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Oct. 28 announced they would support the call for a Punjab shutdown Nov 3 to mark 25 years of anti-Sikh riots.

"All educational institutions and other offices falling under the management of DSGMC would remain close on Nov 3 to pay homage to thousands of innocent Sikhs who were killed 25 years ago on this day," said Parmjit Singh Sarna, the president of the DSGMC in a statement. The shutdown call was given by radical Sikh organizations Dal Khalsa and Khalsa Action Committee, to protest the killings of thousands of Sikhs 25 years ago. Manjit Singh Calcutta, chairman of Shiromani Panthic Council, said: "The massacre of Sikhs is a big blot on the face of India's so-called secularism. Though 25 years have passed but the country's justice system has failed to bring the perpetrators to book."

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Captain Dhoni leads India to big win over Australia

2009-11-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Aquickfire century by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni set up India's 99 run victory over Australia on Oct. 28 as the home team levelled the one-day series 1-1.

Man of the match Dhoni hit 124 off 107 balls, putting on 119 for the fourth wicket with Gautam Gambhir (76) and 136 for the next with Suresh Raina (62) to propel India to 354 for seven after they lost the toss in the day-night game.

After India compiled their highest one-day total against Australia, paceman Praveen Kumar took two early wickets including skipper Ricky Ponting for 12, to help Dhoni's team bowl out the visitors for 255 in 48.3 overs.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

One-third of world's child brides from India-UNICEF

2009-10-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

More than a third of the world's child brides are from India, leaving children at an increased risk of exploitation despite the Asian giant's growing modernity and economic wealth, according to a UNICEF report.

Nearly 25 million women in India were married in the year 2007 by the age of 18, said the report released Oct. 6 which noted that children in India, Nepal and Pakistan may be engaged or even married before they turned 10.

Millions of children are also being forced to work in harmful conditions, or face violence and abuse at home and outside,

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Growing up in India in America

2009-10-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

This August, I had the pleasure of attending Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America's Vivekananda Family Camp in Tolland, Mass. The campsite is nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains, on hundreds of acres of land with well-equipped facilities owned and maintained by the Girl Scouts of America. The wooded area is just yards away from a scenic lake.

This was actually my fourth summer at camp; in fact, most people come back year after year, and a few have been coming for an astounding 10 or more years. Part of the reason for this, I believe, is our struggle for identity as young Indians born and raised in the United States.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Robbers target Indian homes looking for gold

2009-10-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

Indian and South Asian homes have been targeted in a months-long series of daytime breakins in Northern Virginia by burglars looking for gold that mirror a disturbing trend seen in other parts of the U.S. as well.

"The burglars are discerning. They have taken 22-karat pieces but left behind sterling silver and well-crafted costume jewelry," the Washington Post reported Oct. 17.

"They have sifted through floor-length gowns lovingly stored in closets and plucked every custom-made sari threaded with gold and worth thousands, disdaining saris worth only hundreds," it said.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Wall Street villains?

2009-10-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

Then federal authorities came to arrest Anil Kumar, 51, a partner at the global consulting firm McKinsey & Co., for alleged insider trading with Raj Rajaratnam, the founder of Galleon Management, it is reported he fainted at the door and had to be hospitalized.

Kumar's colleagues at McKinsey are shocked as are Silicon Valley friends, who know him as a careful and smart man who never discussed inside information. In fact, Kumar was so trusted, McKinsey sent him to India back in 1998 to set up its India Knowledge Center, a data backbone for Wall Street investors, the Financial Times reports.

To friends and colleagues, Kumar and Rajiv Goel, one of the directors at Intel Capital who is also accused of insider trading, were generous and philanthropic.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Clinton justifies concessions for nuclear India

2009-10-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

The Obama administration wants India as its partner in reshaping the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) asserted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She was delivering a major policy speech on nuclear non-proliferation at the U.S. Institute of Speech Oct. 21.

Her comments come in the midst of seemingly contradictory stands taken by President Obama on the U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement and his calling for complete disarmament, urging the signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the Non Proliferation Treaty by non-signatories including India. Secretary Clinton stepped in to square the two, or at least she tried. Whatever `concessions' had been made to India were an expression of confidence in that country, she indicated.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Sania Mirza in semi-finals of Japan Open

2009-10-22T01:01:00.000-07:00

India's Sania Mirza entered the semi-finals of the Japan Open tennis Oct. 16 after second-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli withdrew while trailing 4-6, 02 due to a shoulder injury.

Mirza now plays fourth seeded Italian Francesca Schiavone, who didn't even need to take the court after seventh-seeded Melinda Czink pulled out due to a right foot injury.

The 22-year-old Hyderabadi said she was glad to outplay a top 15 player.

"You always like to win match point, so it was unfortunate the match ended this way.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

`Really sexy' Bollywood dancers rock Buckingham Palace

2009-10-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

After honoring a bhangra singer and choosing Sikhs to be her personal bodyguards, Britain's reigning monarch has notched up another first by hosting a racy Bollywood dance in her gentle royal residence.

Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Phillip and Princess Michael of Kent were among British royals who watched dancers from the British Asian group Nutkhut swing to the throbbing rhythms of Bollywood tunes in steps that could have come right out of a film set in Mumbai.

The event, an advance reception in honor of the October-end visit by President Pratibha Patil, was held Oct. 13

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

A presidential diwali

2009-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Amidst sacred chants, a diya was lit. But this simple act, repeated across the world as Hindus celebrated Diwali, was so much more special. This was at the White House, and it was none other than President Obama who was lighting the diya. It was historic and it was a first.

On Oct. 14, in the East Room of the White House, Obama lit a ceremonial lamp in the presence of 200 Asian Americans, with a Hindu priest chanting sacred lines from the Upnishadas.

It was the first time that a U.S. president attended Diwali celebrations at the White House.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Sakhi celebrates 20th anniversary of working with women

2009-10-19T00:06:00.000-07:00

Sakhi, one of the oldest women's organizations n the United States servng South Asian women, held its 20th anniversary gala recently at the Manhattan's Prince George Ballroom. More than 270 supporters gathered to commemorate the organization's dedication to and numerous achievements in quelling domestic violence.

The diversity of the crowd was a testament to Sakhi's tremendous community outreach efforts over the years. Women, in glittering saris and cocktail dresses, and men, in tra ditional Indian attire and business suits, of various ethnic backgrounds, age groups and professions mingled in the lobby, sipping cocktails and surveying the silent auction, which included a selection of original art, jewelry and destination vacations.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com/

Founder of Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C., dies

2009-10-16T00:10:00.000-07:00

Ben Ali, the founder of Ben's Chili Bowl diner, a landmark in Washington's black business and entertainment district and a frequent stop for politicians and celebrities, has died.
He was 82.

Ali died of congestive heart failure Wednesday night at his home, his daughter-in-law Sonya Ali said Thursday. Ben Ali was born in 1927 and opened the restaurant with his wife, Virginia, in an old movie house in 1958, when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president and integrating public schools.

It became a longtime fixture in the black business community, serving up bowls of chili and its trademark chili-covered halfsmokes.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Office rage in the sky, slugfest in the cockpit

2009-10-15T00:30:00.000-07:00

The sight of airline cabin crews trying to mollify enraged passengers has become all too common. But a recent Air India flight added a twist when crew members mid-flight started punching each other in front of startled passengers.

Accounts of what happened differ now that everyone's back on the ground. Exactly who started the brawl and why got a bit lost in the clouds, though one flight attendant has accused a crew member of trying to molest her. What no one disputes is that with New Delhi-bound Flight IC844 cruising at 30,000 feet over Pakistan at around 4 a.m.
Saturday, the cockpit and cabin crews broke into fisticuffs.

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com

Dushahra Festival in New Jersey attracts huge crowds

2009-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Nearly 15,000 people from the tri-state area attended the 11th Dushahra Festival at the Lake Papaianni Park in Edison, N.J., Oct. 4, organizers said.

Hosted by Indo American Festivals Inc., the celebration began with a cultural program followed by Ram Leela, a press release said.

Mangal Gupta, founder and chairman of Indo American Festivals, described the event as "the best Dushahra Festival celebration in 11 years."

To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com