George Joseph

Stories by George Joseph

Anand Jon case could end in mistrial

Anand Jon case could end in mistrial

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2009

Four months after a jury found fashion designer Anand Jon guilty on 14 felony and two misdemeanour counts, the Los Angeles County Superior Court is yet to give an order on punishment despite taking the matter up twice. Jon, meanwhile, languishes in the county jail's solitary confinement without bail.

Obesity could be in your genes

Obesity could be in your genes

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2009

In a finding that could bring hope to millions, scientists have determined that a specific gene plays a role in the weight-gain response to a high-fat diet.

TANA settles dispute, Kakarala reinstated as prez

TANA settles dispute, Kakarala reinstated as prez

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2009

TANA is one of the largest Indian organizations in the US and a split in it upset most people. The 17th national conference is scheduled for July in Chicago.

Federal Bank, CSB merger may get delayed

Federal Bank, CSB merger may get delayed

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2009

The proposed merger of Federal Bank and Catholic Syrian Bank may be delayed, following the announcement of dates for general elections. All major political parties, especially the Congress, seem to be sympathising with the Thrissur Arch Diocese of the Catholic church, which is vehemently opposing the merger move. Since the church has quite an influence in parliamentary constituencies such as Thrissur, Chalakudy, all political parties are supporting the anti-merger move.

Church to protest Federal Bank-CSB merger

Church to protest Federal Bank-CSB merger

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2009

With the Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB) board scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the proposal of the merger with Federal Bank, the Catholic Church is also gearing up to agitate against the move.

Satyam employees in Green Card fix

Satyam employees in Green Card fix

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2009

Of the approximately 11,000 employees of Satyam USA, 7,000 are on H1B visas, says Mathew Daniel, a vice president of US operations with the company.

The Indus Civilization demystified

The Indus Civilization demystified

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2009

Who were the people of ancient Indian civilizations? Has archaeological evidence confirmed the existence of common features of Vedic and Indus culture(s)? Is there an indigenous continuity of the culture in India and Pakistan or did the people come from outside the subcontinent? A two-day international conference on the Indus Valley Civilization, organized by the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angles, California, will attempt to answer some of these questions.

Kerala's 'remittance economy' under threat

Kerala's 'remittance economy' under threat

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2009

100-150 NRKs are returning from the Gulf sector every week.

Atul Nakhasi to attend Obama inaugural

Atul Nakhasi to attend Obama inaugural

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2009

Atul Nakhasi is among several students from Iowa University attending Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States. "Iowa had a special place in the election as the first state to conduct the caucus. When Obama appeared on the campaign scene there, he was virtually unknown compared to Senator John Edwards or Senator Hillary Clinton," Nakhasi, who was called the 'campus king maker' during the election cycle, said.

Muslims a victim of stereotypes, says author

Muslims a victim of stereotypes, says author

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2009

Fear of Islam is not new to the West; 9/11 merely added fuel to the fire, writes Kavitha Rajagopalan in her new book Muslims of the Metropolis. The author argues that Westerners tend to look at Muslims as one entity, ignoring the fact that they are diverse and unrelated communities, and to associate Islamic identity with largely negative social stereotypes. The result is that Muslims live in the West under the constant scrutiny of the rest of society and of the government.

'Mumbai attacks, crime against humanity'

'Mumbai attacks, crime against humanity'

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2008

'There may be elements in New Delhi, Islamabad and Kashmir, who want to create trouble between both countries. But peace is the best thing for all,' Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai said.

New York remembers Mumbai victims

New York remembers Mumbai victims

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2008

In a rare gesture of solidarity with the Indian Americans, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and a few other officials came to the Ganesh Temple in Flushing, Queens to participate in a memorial service for the victims of terror attacks in Mumbai.

2 Indians killed in US church shootout

2 Indians killed in US church shootout

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

Reshma (25), a nurse from Kaduthuruthy in Kerala, and Dennis John Mallusseril (23) succumbed to their wounds in the hospital. Reshma was shot in the head. The third victim -- Silvy Perincheril -- is in serious condition at the St Joseph's Hospital in Paterson.

Gita study to be mandatory at Seton Hall Univ

Gita study to be mandatory at Seton Hall Univ

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2008

The study of the Bhagvad Gita has become mandatory for every student joining Seton Hall University in New Jersey from this year. Seton Hall is an independent, Catholic university under the Archdiocese of Newark founded in 1856.

Post-9/11 racism prompts Swaranjit Singh into poli

Post-9/11 racism prompts Swaranjit Singh into poli

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2008

Singh, 55, is a graduate of Delhi University class of 1976. He is a motivational speaker, chairs a committee at Queens Borough Community College Holocaust Center, and is a member of Community Board 13. He also serves as the third chair of Queen's Hospital Center board, and works as a director for Red Cross's Queens chapter.

Yoga teacher Mary Dunn passes away

Yoga teacher Mary Dunn passes away

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2008

Mary Dunn, a pioneering yoga teacher and founder of the Iyengar yoga institutes in San Francisco, San Diego and New York, died recently in Scarsdale, New York. She was guru to thousands of people all over the United States.

Sri Ramakrishna temple moves to Chicago suburb

Sri Ramakrishna temple moves to Chicago suburb

Rediff.com   21 Oct 2008

The Sri Ramakrishna Universal Temple has relocated to the Chicago suburb of Homer Glen, honouring the memory of the historic speech made by Swami Vivekananda in the city, 115 years ago.

'NRIs deserting their wives skyrocketing'

'NRIs deserting their wives skyrocketing'

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2008

Don't marry Indians in America, including Canada,' Vayalar Ravi, India's minister for Overseas Indian Affairs often tells people back home.

'Am I better off than eight years ago? No!'

'Am I better off than eight years ago? No!'

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2008

Theresa Thanjan, the New York Coordinator of South Asians for Obama, says she joined the campaign out of conviction and support for all that Obama stands for. She plans to return to the media world once the elections are over, and says she did not join the campaign expecting to springboard into political office later.

US: Sister named after Sister Alphonsa

US: Sister named after Sister Alphonsa

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2008

Three churches in the United States were named after Sister Alphonsa before she would be declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12 in Vatican.