Aziz Haniffa And Prem Panicker In Washington DC

Stories by Aziz Haniffa And Prem Panicker In Washington DC

Mr Verma comes to India

Mr Verma comes to India

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2014

Richard Rahul Verma, the first Indian American to serve as US Ambassador to New delhi, quips that surviving the first month in India is his first goal.

Two Indian American attorneys top off a landmark week for community

Two Indian American attorneys top off a landmark week for community

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2014

As Preet Bharara told Rediff India Abroad, "When is the last time you had two Indian Americans doing a law enforcement press conference" dealing with violations of civil rights and taking the city of New York to court?

'As a daughter of Indian immigrants, I'm proud to serve President Obama'

'As a daughter of Indian immigrants, I'm proud to serve President Obama'

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2014

Aditi Hardikar says she is proud to honour her parents' sacrifices by giving back to her community and country.

As 'America's Doctor,' Vivek Murthy will hit the ground running

As 'America's Doctor,' Vivek Murthy will hit the ground running

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2014

More than a year after he was nominated by President Barack Obama, the US Senate, defying the powerful pro-gun lobby National Rifle Association, voted to confirm Dr Vivek Hellegere Murthy as the first Indian American US Surgeon General and the youngest ever at age 37, in a cliff-hanger of a 51-43 vote.

Exclusive! New US envoy speaks to Rediff.com

Exclusive! New US envoy speaks to Rediff.com

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2014

'I know how important the India-US partnership is, as evidenced by President Obama's planned visit in January. I can assure you we will work hard to realise his vision of India and the US becoming and remaining the closest of friends and strategic partners.'

PM Modi should be granted immunity from lawsuits in US: Preet Bharara

PM Modi should be granted immunity from lawsuits in US: Preet Bharara

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2014

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, has once again gone to bat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the immunity the Indian leader enjoys from lawsuits brought against him in the United States.

Icing on the cake of a remarkable career: Thomas Kailath

Icing on the cake of a remarkable career: Thomas Kailath

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2014

Professor Thomas Kailath was tickled that a phrase he had used -- that scientists are 'intrinsically hopeful' -- and which President Barack Obama had used thrice, had captured the people's imagination.

Obama felicitates Indian American for scientific achievement

Obama felicitates Indian American for scientific achievement

Rediff.com   10 Dec 2014

Not only did Barack Obama mention and quote Thomas Kailath in his remarks before presenting the Stanford University professor emeritus of engineering with the National Medal of Science, the President also cited Kailath as a shining example of the brilliant talent of immigrants who make invaluable contributions to the United States and the world.

When the next US defence secretary spoke to Rediff.com

When the next US defence secretary spoke to Rediff.com

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2014

'We have a common way of looking at the world, a common way of thinking, and a common set of values that predispose us to be partners. And our interests overlap greatly,' Dr Ashton B Carter, America's next defence secretary, told Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

'An exciting time in the US-India relationship'

'An exciting time in the US-India relationship'

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2014

'President Obama will make a historic visit to India in January, becoming the first US head of State to attend India's Republic Day and the only sitting US president to visit India twice.' 'There's little doubt the relationship has been re-energised, with renewed enthusiasm to take our partnership to the next level.'

US lawmakers celebrate Diwali at Capitol Hill

US lawmakers celebrate Diwali at Capitol Hill

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2014

The spell that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast over US lawmakers nearly two months during his visit to the United States has still not worn off, as was manifest by the gushing nostalgia of the Modi magic by both Democratic and Republican party representatives at the Congressional Diwali celebration on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Ami Bera, only Indian-American in US Congress, wins tight race

Ami Bera, only Indian-American in US Congress, wins tight race

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2014

The Indian-American Democrat edged out his competition Republic Doug Ose by a narrow margin of 1,432 votes to represent California's 7th Congressional District, reports Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa.

6% rise in number of Indian students in the US this year

6% rise in number of Indian students in the US this year

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2014

With fresh enrollments crossing 100,000 mark, the total number of Indian students studying in the US reported a sharp increase this year.

Robin Raphel, the American Indian diplomats hated

Robin Raphel, the American Indian diplomats hated

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2014

On Thursday, November 6, the Washington Post newspaper reported that controversial American diplomat, Ambassador Robin Raphel, had her office and home searched by the FBI. This most unusual development likely raised much cheer at India's ministry of external affairs, in whose flesh Raphel had been a thorn through much of her tenure in the first Bill Clinton administration in the early and mid-1990s by her anti-India and pro-Pakistan stand. Seventeen years ago, as she was about to step down as Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Raphel granted an exclusive interview to Aziz Haniffa and India Abroad, the leading Indian-American weekly newspaper, which is now owned by Rediff.com The July 1997 interview, which provoked a raging controversy in both capitals, Washington, DC and New Delhi, is reproduced here...

Indian American Congressman Ami Bera will fight till last vote is counted

Indian American Congressman Ami Bera will fight till last vote is counted

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2014

Indian American Congressman Amerish 'Ami' Bera has no plans to throw in the towel just yet in his re-election election bid from California's 7th Congressional District where he narrowly trails his Republican opponent Doug Ose.

US midterm polls: The desis who disappointed

US midterm polls: The desis who disappointed

Rediff.com   6 Nov 2014

Iraq war veteran and Democrat Manan Trivedi tried his luck for the third time, but was trounced by Republican Ryan Costello, the Chester county commissioner for Pennsylvania's open seat in District 6

US polls: Nikki Haley, Tulsi Gabbard re-elected

US polls: Nikki Haley, Tulsi Gabbard re-elected

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2014

Hindu-American Congresswon Tulsi Gabbard coasts to a rollicking re-election victory in in Hawaii's 2nd District

Preet Bharara wants legal immunity for Modi in US

Preet Bharara wants legal immunity for Modi in US

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2014

The office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara on Sunday, October 19, in papers filed with the US District Court in Manhattan strongly argued in favour of immunity for Prime Mimister Narendra Modi in a pending lawsuit against Modi that has been brought by an organisation based in the United States.

Arvind Subramanian: 'India doesn't have this ability to project power like China'

Arvind Subramanian: 'India doesn't have this ability to project power like China'

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2014

Arvind Subramanian talks about US and China's power play and where India figures in these dynamics.

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

In Vanita, US trusts: Desi picked as acting attorney general

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2014

'Vanita Gupta is the greatest civil rights lawyer of her generation' Praise comes flying in from all corners Vanita Gupta is appointed acting US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The 39-year-old is known for her work in criminal justice reforms, legalising marijuana and racial justice, reports Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com.