Quake "unites" US-based
desis
Johns Hopkins students of
Pakistani and Indian
origin unite
to raise funds for Oct 8 earthquake affected.
NOV 21: Participants at a recent fundraiser at the World
Bank, saw Pakistani American and Indian American students working together to plead the case of the Oct 8
quake affected. The two communities, it was noted, rarely
agree on a single issue. The event was organized by the
Committee for Global Relief (CGR), in collaboration with the
School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at John
Hopkins University. Besides
Pakistan Ambassador Jehangir Karamat, those attending were
diplomats from Sri Lanka, India and Afghanistan; US State
Department and World Bank officials, former diplomats Robin Rafel and Karl Inderfurth, Dr. Jessica Einhorn, dean, Paul
H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, and Dr.
Walter Andersen, Director SAIS; former WB official Karl D.
Jackson, and Theresa Rhodes, chief of CARE.
There have been other relief drives, "but this certainly was
unique"
in that it was the first organized effort "to link" the
Indian American
and Pakistani American community "for a project involving
both India
and Pakistan," said Dr. Walter Andersen of SAIS.
The Committee, comprising very young and savvy professionals
from the Indian American and Pakistani American communities
has had in several areas to invent the wheel, but they have
worked hard and there were early signs of success in this
venture. "They intend to be a continuing organization
because the worst may be yet to come to Kashmir as winter
descends on this region of high mountains, and because there
is no other similar group to link the two communities in the
US," Dr. Andersen added.
The fundraiser was unique in several ways. A moving
12-minute video titled: 'A Catastrophe of Unparalleled
Proportions' with a message 'We are determined to rebuild'-
was shown. It contained powerful glimpses of widespread
destruction, mud sliding, emotions, instinct to live and
distribution of relief goods in the far flung areas of the
rugged terrain.
Pradeep, the visiting Sri Lankan 'sitar' artist, made the
occasion
even more sober by playing 'song of separation', 'a song of
heartbreak,' and, 'loss of a loved one-' all in a brief
sitting. The ending of theraga on the strings was on a note
of hope- as a tribute to the human spirit- which has the
strength to overcome adversity and an instinct to survive.
Pradeep Ratnayake told APP later that the massive 7.6
earthquake
was Tsunami of the Himalayas."So, it was not an occasion to
play mix
blend of Sri Lankan folk melodies with jazz or blues, which
has been
my passion."
In her welcome address, Amina Khan of CGR said "our
initiative is to do
something positive about human suffering- which has prompted
collaboration between the Pakistani American and the Indian
American
communities." She termed this collaboration as "decidedly an
American
experience."
Sanjit Shah also of CGR said, "today, we have come together
Indian American and Pakistani American communities- working
in cooperation towards a common cause. We had the lofty goal
of raising 50,000 dollars- which we have surpassed already."
Sumnath also of CGR said the initiative has the acceptance
and support of the academic community, legislators and
officials of the WB. "The world class academic institution,
like Johns Hopkins School of
Advanced International Science took on this opportunity to
partner with
us, because, they saw four committed professionals focused
on one
thought."
Pakistan Ambassador to USA Jehangir Karamat praised the
remarkable representation at the event. This tragedy which
has struck, he stated, "has seeds of something bigger-
hopefully, for the betterment of South Asia. People of old
age might not grasp it fully yet, though, the younger people
do. "He expressed his support for the initiative.
Sri Lankan diplomat Ravinatha
Aryasinha said
"For us
in Sri Lanka, when two people come together, that's a moment
of
celebration. And today, it is in that spirit that we are so
glad to be
here participating in this event of significance."
(APP)
Desi
Cabbie Finds $350k in Diamonds, Returns Them to Owner
NOV 21: A pouch of diamonds left in a taxi could have gone a
long way toward helping a Los Angeles cab driver achieve his
dreams. But he didn't keep the diamonds. He contacted the
passenger who left them. It turns out they belonged to a New
York jeweler, and were worth 350-thousand dollars.
The cabbie, Haider Sediqi, discovered the pouch after
dropping off a passenger at Los Angeles International
Airport. When he opened it, he found about 100 diamonds,
plus a cell phone bill. He called the number and arranged to
meet the owner at the airport police station to return the
diamonds.
The desi cabbie is an Afghan immigrant with two children and
a pregnant wife. He says he never considered keeping the
gems — even though his wife loves diamonds and he dreams of
opening a restaurant. In his words, "God is up there. He
always watches."
Britain opens its doors to Indian lawyers
NOV 21: Britain has reportedly opened up opportunities for
Indian lawyers willing to practice in that country,
especially in the corporate sector. As a first step, an
Indian lawyer aspiring to become a solicitor of the Supreme
Court of England and Wales no longer has to travel to that
country to take the eligibility exam — Qualified Lawyers
Transfer Test — as centers are being launched in New Delhi
and Mumbai from April next year. The tests will be conducted
twice a year for a fee of £275 (approximately Rs 22,000).
The tests are being conducted in India by UK-based Fulbright
Legal Education, Central Law Training, UK College of Law and
the British Council. Meanwhile the Bar Council of India is
opposing the entry of foreign lawyers in India's legal
practice system tooth and nail.
Indian
students in UK increase
NOV 21: British Deputy High Commissioner of Eastern India,
Dr Andrew Hall, today claimed that there was a four-fold
increase in the number of Indian students going to the UK
for higher education during the past five years. Addressing
the media in Guwahati he informed that about 17,000 Indian
students including over a thousand from Eastern and
Northeastern India went to the UK to take up higher
education courses in business studies, law, medicines,
humanities and social sciences, design and creative
industries. He said there was no dearth of scholarships for
the right students aspiring to study in the UK. He stated
that education was the cornerstone of British government’s
work in India in the light of British Prime Minister Mr Tony
Blair’s emphasis on importance of education in bilateral
links with India. As announced by Mr Blair during his visit
to India in September this year, the UK plans to spend 10
million pounds in a span of five years for promoting
academic links between the two nations. “The UK is open to
welcome more Indian students to its over 3000 institutions
of higher education. They will feel at home in the UK where
a 10 lakh strong India population is thriving. Foreign
students in studying in UK have chances of getting permanent
employment opportunity. They are allowed to work part-time
during the session as well as during the vacation,” the
British official said launching a five-day road show called
— “Discover the power of great education”. (Statesman
News Service)
No place in detention center for desi illegals
NOV 20: Three undocumented immigrants who were arrested and
faced deportation after being found at an Indian restaurant
in UK were allowed to return there because official holding
centers were full, says an IANS - a South Asian news agency,
report.
The trio - two from Bangladesh and one from India - were
first arrested Nov 8 but were allowed to return to the
Eastern Eye restaurant in Newton Abbot, England, because
there was no room for them at an Immigration Service holding
centre, police said.
They have been told to remain at the restaurant until beds
are free at the centre. They have been told they cannot
carry out any paid or unpaid work at the restaurant or
elsewhere.
The three, who have a right to appeal, are aged 27, 32 and
37. All three were arrested on suspicion of entering Britain
illegally. One allegedly entered the country
"clandestinely", while there was no evidence of another
entering legally. The third man is reckoned to be a failed
asylum seeker.
According to IANS, a police spokesman said it was not
unusual for holding centers to be full. He added: "Because
of the difficulty of finding them space at one of the
centers they were given temporary admission to Britain."
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