The Australian Government will hand over to India details of investigations into high-profile cases of attacks against Indians — particularly students — in Victoria, the Premier of Victoria State John Brumby told The Hindu.
The details will include how many people have been charged, arrested and convicted, said Mr. Brumby, who is on a visit to “strengthen trade/investment and cultural ties”, which have been strained in the wake of the attacks.
The Victorian Government has conveyed this to Union Cabinet Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.
Following a recent incident where a teenaged Australian football player, reportedly high on alcohol, attacked an Indian cabbie, Mr. Brumby has launched a series of ad campaigns titled “Respect Agenda” and moved to tighten liquor laws in the State.
bangalore news, NRI IN INDIA, NRI NEWS, NRI,
Conceding that a “very small portion” of these instances of violence against Indians were indeed racially motivated, he said: “I believe that even if we have only one of these racially motivated attacks in a decade, we have had one too many.”
Nevertheless, he reiterated that Victoria’s capital Melbourne is one of the safest cities in the world with a 24 per cent lower crime rate than the rest of Australia.
Damaged reputation
The attacks have indeed damaged Victoria’s reputation as multicultural and diverse state and, by extension, Australia, Mr. Brumby admitted.
He said maintaining diversity is critical and the Government is taking multi-pronged remedial measures.
A key reason for his visit is to assure India that Victoria is taking measures to tighten security and the educational system. “We have pumped in more funds into the police system (to employ more personnel), given the policemen more powers and even amended the law to provide for harsher punishment to those involved in racial crimes,” Mr. Brumby said.
The government has launched a 24x7 student support service which provides counselling and help in both English and Hindi.
These proactive measures are complemented by state-organised “diversity rallies” and awareness-building campaigns.
“Melbourne is multicultural so I reiterate that any racial crime is certainly out-of-character.”
On the education front, Mr. Brumby admitted that there is a “quality control issue” with several privately funded courses in Australia.
“The federal government is in the process of conducting random audits to tighten this system,” he said.
This, and not fear of racist attacks, is likely to result in a decrease in the number of Indian students entering Australia in the coming years.
Tighter norms will ensure only quality students entered Australia, and these norms will have to be adhered to by educational consultants (or immigration agents) in order to keep a check on the overall quality of the system, he said.
Showing posts with label NRI IN INDIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NRI IN INDIA. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Another Indian student attacked in Australia
A youth from Indore has now become the latest victim of racial attack in Australia.
The victim, identified as Mohit Mangal, a resident of Old Palasia locality here, was attacked by four Australian youths around 1.30 am (IST) yesterday night while he was on his way to a shopping mall in Sydney.
Mohit, who works as a mall supervisor, was attacked from behind with a beer bottle on his head and beaten up with a baseball bat on his waist and leg by the four youths, sources said.
Confirming the incident, Mohit's father Anil Mangal, who runs an automobile business here, said the condition of Mohit was out of danger.
"My son had no enmity with anyone there and the incident, it appears, might be a continuation of ongoing racial attacks on Indian students in Australia', Anil said.
Mohit had gone to Australia about two years back to pursue his study in BE. This was the fourth incident of racial attack on Indian students in Australia after Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's visit to that country.
The victim, identified as Mohit Mangal, a resident of Old Palasia locality here, was attacked by four Australian youths around 1.30 am (IST) yesterday night while he was on his way to a shopping mall in Sydney.
Mohit, who works as a mall supervisor, was attacked from behind with a beer bottle on his head and beaten up with a baseball bat on his waist and leg by the four youths, sources said.
Confirming the incident, Mohit's father Anil Mangal, who runs an automobile business here, said the condition of Mohit was out of danger.
"My son had no enmity with anyone there and the incident, it appears, might be a continuation of ongoing racial attacks on Indian students in Australia', Anil said.
Mohit had gone to Australia about two years back to pursue his study in BE. This was the fourth incident of racial attack on Indian students in Australia after Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's visit to that country.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Seven NRIs sent to judicial custody in UK for killing kabaddi star
Seven people of Indian origin have been remanded to judicial custody in the UK in connection with the killing of prominent kabaddi player Suvinder Singh Batth outside a pub he owned in Bilston in the West Midlands.
Batth, 47, was shot dead outside his pub called Gavin's Sports Bar last week. The seven people charged with his murder were remanded to judicial custody during a hearing at the Wolverhampton magistrates court.
Kabaddi enthusiasts paid tributes to Batth as his family grappled with the loss.
One fan wrote online: "What a tragedy. Great player of the game, but more so, he was well known for being one of the truly great characters. RIP."
Another fan said: "He was one of the best stoppers in England over the years. He went toe-to-toe with much heavier men and was a big crowd favourite. 'He was a real character who will be a big loss for all the Kabaddi world."
Batth's pub was named after his son, Gavin, who reportedly cradled his dying father as he waited for police and ambulance crews to arrive at the scene.
Batth's daughter Danny, 20, said: "He was a loving, caring man who was so generous to us all. We all loved him so much. We just can't believe this."
Batth, 47, was shot dead outside his pub called Gavin's Sports Bar last week. The seven people charged with his murder were remanded to judicial custody during a hearing at the Wolverhampton magistrates court.
Kabaddi enthusiasts paid tributes to Batth as his family grappled with the loss.
One fan wrote online: "What a tragedy. Great player of the game, but more so, he was well known for being one of the truly great characters. RIP."
Another fan said: "He was one of the best stoppers in England over the years. He went toe-to-toe with much heavier men and was a big crowd favourite. 'He was a real character who will be a big loss for all the Kabaddi world."
Batth's pub was named after his son, Gavin, who reportedly cradled his dying father as he waited for police and ambulance crews to arrive at the scene.
Batth's daughter Danny, 20, said: "He was a loving, caring man who was so generous to us all. We all loved him so much. We just can't believe this."
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Special passport counter opened
A special passport counter for Umra and Haj pilgrims going through private tour operators was opened at the Haj House here on Monday. The counter will function up to August 14. Minister for Minorities Welfare Syed Mohd Ahamdullah inaugurated the counter.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
American Telugus opt for study in India
American Telugus are returning to India, not to trace their roots but in search of quality education. Sounds strange, but children of Telugu migrants shattered with recession are looking at universities in Andhra Pradesh for taking up engineering education.
For them it works in three ways – much cheaper than US, staying with their grandparents for four years and easy admission in the best institutions here. Interestingly, people who opted for US universities once upon a time want to send their children back to India. “They all understand the quality of education offered since they were part of it once and it is dirt cheap compared to the US,” says Mohan Nannapaneni, Secretary of Telugu Association of North America (TANA).
Mr. Mohan along with Raghu Korrapati, Commissioner for Higher Education, State of South Carolina has started a group assisting American Telugu students showing keen interest. “We received more than 1,000 requests when we floated the idea and it reflects the popularity of Indian education,” he says.
The group forged an alliance with the JNTU Kakinada for seats in the B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D courses under the 15 per cent supernumerary quota especially created for the NRIs. The NRI quota was already in existence but there was little response earlier. But JNTU Kakinada Vice-Chancellor, Allam Appa Rao promoted the concept in the US using the alumni network and it worked. He also sent two officials to the TANA conference recently where it was widely received. “We are expecting around 100 students this year,” he told The Hindu.
Online courses
Unlike local students they will get admissions directly and the course fee would be just US $2,500 per annum. The same course in US would cost them US $50,000. As of now, M.Tech and Ph.D courses would be offered online while B.Tech students have to come to India. Prof. Appa Rao argues that university colleges continue to maintain their reputation abroad and parents who were products of these colleges hold them in high esteem. He credits APSCHE Chairman K.C. Reddy for conceptualising the NRI quota.
Dr. Raghu admits recession as the reason for this but it is also being realised that Indian education is a fabulous combination of quality and affordability. Moreover, there is also the emotional angle of exposing children to Indian culture. “This is a great opportunity for NRIs to work on their dream of getting Ph.Ds while working in USA,” says Mr. Mohan.
For them it works in three ways – much cheaper than US, staying with their grandparents for four years and easy admission in the best institutions here. Interestingly, people who opted for US universities once upon a time want to send their children back to India. “They all understand the quality of education offered since they were part of it once and it is dirt cheap compared to the US,” says Mohan Nannapaneni, Secretary of Telugu Association of North America (TANA).
Mr. Mohan along with Raghu Korrapati, Commissioner for Higher Education, State of South Carolina has started a group assisting American Telugu students showing keen interest. “We received more than 1,000 requests when we floated the idea and it reflects the popularity of Indian education,” he says.
The group forged an alliance with the JNTU Kakinada for seats in the B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D courses under the 15 per cent supernumerary quota especially created for the NRIs. The NRI quota was already in existence but there was little response earlier. But JNTU Kakinada Vice-Chancellor, Allam Appa Rao promoted the concept in the US using the alumni network and it worked. He also sent two officials to the TANA conference recently where it was widely received. “We are expecting around 100 students this year,” he told The Hindu.
Online courses
Unlike local students they will get admissions directly and the course fee would be just US $2,500 per annum. The same course in US would cost them US $50,000. As of now, M.Tech and Ph.D courses would be offered online while B.Tech students have to come to India. Prof. Appa Rao argues that university colleges continue to maintain their reputation abroad and parents who were products of these colleges hold them in high esteem. He credits APSCHE Chairman K.C. Reddy for conceptualising the NRI quota.
Dr. Raghu admits recession as the reason for this but it is also being realised that Indian education is a fabulous combination of quality and affordability. Moreover, there is also the emotional angle of exposing children to Indian culture. “This is a great opportunity for NRIs to work on their dream of getting Ph.Ds while working in USA,” says Mr. Mohan.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
NRI widow caught in Scotland immigration row
The widow of an Indian-origin computer professional is at the centre of an immigration row between the far-right British National Party
(BNP) and the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland.
Navjot Singh, who was employed by British insurance company Aviva in Perth, Scotland, died in January this year of a heart attack at the age of 35, which compelled his family to return to India since they no longer had permission to stay in the UK.
Singh arrived in the UK with his family in 2004, and was months away from securing permanent residency. Their second daughter Tanisha was born in Scotland.
His wife, Nidhi Singh, 34, and their two daughters, have since returned to India, but Pete Wishart, SNP MP, has taken her case to the House of Commons to secure permission for her to return to Scotland.
His efforts, however, have been attacked by the far-right BNP.
The BNP ridiculed Wishart as a liar and a 'do-gooder' and said: "The SNP are so desperate to disenfranchise the Scots they would bring someone back to Scotland who, under the law, shouldn't even be living here."
An angry Wishart said: "This attack is deplorable. I don't care what the BNP say about me, but the way they have tried to twist the facts of this case to suit their own nasty agenda is beneath contempt.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
(BNP) and the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland.
Navjot Singh, who was employed by British insurance company Aviva in Perth, Scotland, died in January this year of a heart attack at the age of 35, which compelled his family to return to India since they no longer had permission to stay in the UK.
Singh arrived in the UK with his family in 2004, and was months away from securing permanent residency. Their second daughter Tanisha was born in Scotland.
His wife, Nidhi Singh, 34, and their two daughters, have since returned to India, but Pete Wishart, SNP MP, has taken her case to the House of Commons to secure permission for her to return to Scotland.
His efforts, however, have been attacked by the far-right BNP.
The BNP ridiculed Wishart as a liar and a 'do-gooder' and said: "The SNP are so desperate to disenfranchise the Scots they would bring someone back to Scotland who, under the law, shouldn't even be living here."
An angry Wishart said: "This attack is deplorable. I don't care what the BNP say about me, but the way they have tried to twist the facts of this case to suit their own nasty agenda is beneath contempt.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Warangal techie murdered in South Africa
A 28-year-old software engineer from Warangal, Budde Kiran, succumbed on Tuesday to the bullet injuries he sustained when unidentified assailants shot him from point blank range in Johannesburg, South Africa, last week. His room mate, Sridhar of Rajahmundry, who was also shot at by the miscreants, is recuperating in a Government hospital there.
Kiran, a post graduate in computer applications, was working on an assignment with the Johannesburg Municipal Corporation and was living there for the last two years. Two assailants barged into the flat where Kiran and Sridhar were staying and snatched a laptop, wrist watches, wallets and a gold chain, according to Minister for Higher Education and NRI Affairs D. Sridhar Babu.
As the assailants were leaving the flat, Sridhar is said to have pleaded with them to return the passport and ATM card. The infuriated intruders fired four rounds at Sridhar injuring him grievously. Kiran, who came to the rescue of his friend, also sustained injuries but managed to telephone his friends living in an adjoining apartment. The duo was rushed to a Government hospital in Johannesburg, where Kiran breathed his last.
Warangal police have arranged for relevant documents for Kiran’s brother B. Ganesh to secure a passport. Ganesh visited the Regional Passport Office here on Tuesday and submitted his application before calling on Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to seek assistance.
Mr. Sridhar Babu said the government had sanctioned Rs. 5 lakh ex gratia to Kiran’s parents and were making arrangements for his brother’s travel to South Africa at the earliest to bring back the body. Meanwhile, Indian Embassy in South Africa said it would take at least four to five days for the body to reach Hyderabad as post mortem and other legal formalities had to be completed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
