Aziz Haniffa In Washington, DC &Amp; George Joseph In New York

Stories by Aziz Haniffa In Washington, DC &Amp; George Joseph In New York

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

Meet the 23-year-old desi who won from Ohio

Meet the 23-year-old desi who won from Ohio

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2014

Indian-American law student Niraj Antani makes history as he goes on to become the youngest sitting state representative. Rediff.com's George Joseph reports

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

Maya Sarihan wins 'Miss India America' title

Maya Sarihan wins 'Miss India America' title

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2014

Physiology student Maya Charuni Sarihan from Scottsdale, Arizona, was crowned the 22nd Miss India America 2014 in Los Angeles.

Texas city gets Mahatma Gandhi statue

Texas city gets Mahatma Gandhi statue

Rediff.com   22 Oct 2014

On the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Irving city in Texas, United States became the sixth town in the country to install a Gandhi statue.

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.

'4 men, a dog and a tent are no military threat'

'4 men, a dog and a tent are no military threat'

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2014

'We don't want confrontation; we are trying to build a cooperative relationship in which both sides have stakes in producing an improving climate of relations and responsible behaviour.' What does Shiv Shankar Menon, one of India's most brilliant diplomats and the former National Security Advisor, think of the Modi visit to the US, the Chinese stand-off in Ladakh and the situation on the LoC?

Kerala observes first liquor 'Dry Sunday'

Kerala observes first liquor 'Dry Sunday'

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2014

Apart from Sundays, the first day of each month will be a dry day and holidays like Gandhi Jayanti and Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti are also termed as dry days.

NaMo has warm water, Barack has red wine

NaMo has warm water, Barack has red wine

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2014

Modi presented Obama with a richly silk-covered special edition of Mahatma Gandhi's interpretation of the Bhagvad Gita, and recordings of Dr Martin Luther King's speech when he visited India in 1959 and also a specially framed photograph of Dr King when he visited Rajghat. Modi had scrupulously researched and selected these gifts for Obama and more gifts would be presented on Tuesday during their summit for both the President and the First Family.

'Mr Modi, help save this home'

'Mr Modi, help save this home'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

In an attempt to preserve a crucial piece of Indian history, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's followers have sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help in buying the London apartment, which was once the social crusader's home.

'India must show the world it is a power to be reckoned with'

'India must show the world it is a power to be reckoned with'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

Speaking of the religious freedom and safety they feel in India, Rabbi Romiel Daniel, part of the Indian Jewish Congregation of USA, tells George Joseph/Rediff.com that members of his community hope for better relations between India and Israel.

'Modi's speech was full of ideas'

'Modi's speech was full of ideas'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

'He brings fresh ideas and leadership.' 'Modi is bold, doesn't care about criticism.' Members of the Madison Square Garden audience praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech.

Modi's wit keeps celebs, lawmakers hungry for more

Modi's wit keeps celebs, lawmakers hungry for more

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

'This speech is going to be more of a punishment. I spoke too much this afternoon' A tireless Prime Minister Narendra Modi left over 700 notable luminaries in peals of laughter with his quick wit and sense of humour during a dinner and reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Taj-owned, The Pierre Hotel. In the presence of the who's who of desi Americans and US lawmakers, Modi once again thanked the Indian-Americans for their contributions and discussed his plans of developing India and the ties he hopes to nurture with America. Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com presents a sneak-peak into the festive, grand dinner.

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

'India is going to maintain its ties to China, India is going to develop a strong relationship with the United States. It means that India is going to have the flexibility to pick and choose its friends.' 'That's traditional Indian foreign policy, and it's smart.' Former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner, one of America's sharpest minds on South Asia, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com what Washington can expect from Narendra Modi's visit.

90 minutes of promises to 'make India the India of your dreams'

90 minutes of promises to 'make India the India of your dreams'

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2014

Desis at Madison Square Garden welcomed Narendra Modi with the kind of gusto and reverence unprecedented for any Indian leader visiting the United States.

Sikh-Americans meet Modi, discuss passport, visa issues

Sikh-Americans meet Modi, discuss passport, visa issues

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States hasn't been all rosy with a Sikh group protesting his visit and also securing a summons against the Indian PM in the 2002 Gujarat riots case. However, in the face of these protests, a group of Sikhs in New York met with the PM and expressed solidarity with him on Saturday.

36 US lawmakers to attend Modi's MSG event

36 US lawmakers to attend Modi's MSG event

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2014

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, US Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker from New Jersey and US Congressmen Steny Hoyer (Maryland), Ami Bera and Ed Royce (California) Elliott Engel, Joe Crowley, Nita Lowey, Carolyn Maloney, Jerald Nadler (New York), Frank Pallone (New Jersey), Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas) Joe Wilson (South Carolina) and Jim McDermott (Washington) are among those confirmed their attendance.

New York court summons on Modi has no effect: White House

New York court summons on Modi has no effect: White House

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2014

As a sitting head of government Narendra Modi enjoy immunity from suits in American courts and also enjoy personal inviolability.