George Joseph, For Rediff.Com

Stories by George Joseph, For Rediff.Com

More home owners, more foreclosures in US

More home owners, more foreclosures in US

Rediff.com   26 May 2010

With federal help for home buyers and owners, the housing market is on its way to recovery, reveals the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors.

Nikki Haley denies affair with blogger

Nikki Haley denies affair with blogger

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

A political blogger has claimed he had an 'inappropriate physical relationship several years ago' with South Carolina State Representative Nikki (Randhawa) Haley, the front runner in the Republican primary for the South Carolina governor's post.

Surrender certificates: Indian-Americans speak up

Surrender certificates: Indian-Americans speak up

Rediff.com   24 May 2010

The Indian consulates and embassy in the United States have embarked on a campaign to issue surrender certificates on a war footing, people wonder if there is a war going on -- a war against Indians who took up US citizenship?

Booze: Biggest source to Kerala tax kitty

Booze: Biggest source to Kerala tax kitty

Rediff.com   21 May 2010

Kerala registered a 14.1 per cent increase in commercial tax collection for the year 2009-10 with total receipts rising to Rs 13,194 crore (Rs 131.94 billion) as against Rs 11,564 crore (Rs 115.64 billion) in 2008-09.

Shahzad's arrest: What American Muslims say

Shahzad's arrest: What American Muslims say

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

Since South Asians look similar and unofficial racial profiling still exists, the Times Square bomb and Faisal Shahzad's arrest has sent shockwaves through the community. Many lamented that the plot came at a time when the aftershocks of 9/11 were waning. They fear that this will lead to more harassment of people from south Asia, irrespective of the country they come from.

Terror trail runs through Pakistan, again

Terror trail runs through Pakistan, again

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

Faisal Shahzad came to the United States 11 years ago on a student visa. He became a US citizen last year after marrying Huma Mian, who was born in Colorado.

'In the eyes of terrorists, New York is America'

'In the eyes of terrorists, New York is America'

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

The NYPD bomb squad risked their lives to dismantle a lethal assembly that turned the Pathfinder into one big hurt locker. While we can all breath a little easier, we have to stay vigilant. Because in the eyes of terrorists, New York is America, and they keep coming back to kill us

Monal Chokshi in Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame

Monal Chokshi in Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame

Rediff.com   15 May 2010

Monal Chokshi became the first Indian-American to be inducted into Stanford University's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Killer doc alleged harassment at Kingsbrook

Killer doc alleged harassment at Kingsbrook

Rediff.com   15 May 2010

Problems between Dr Vajinder Pal Toor and Dr Lishang Wang started early 2008. Wang alleged in the lawsuit that Toor unfairly targeted him. A confrontation between Toor and Wang occurred on May 15, 2008, when Wang was accused of leaving his post in the intensive care unit and being incommunicado for several hours.

Kalsi, Rattan honored at NY city council event

Kalsi, Rattan honored at NY city council event

Rediff.com   14 May 2010

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn last week honored Captains Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi and Tejdeep Singh Rattan, the first turbaned officers in two decades to complete the US Army's basic training, at the City Hall.

Arizona immigration law will hurt South Asians

Arizona immigration law will hurt South Asians

Rediff.com   14 May 2010

"This effectively allows the police to apprehend any individual who looks 'foreign'--regardless of immigration status--simply based on their appearance," said Priya Murthy, policy director of South Asian Americans Leading Together.

New rules for citizenship card irks NRIs

New rules for citizenship card irks NRIs

Rediff.com   14 May 2010

Procuring an Overseas Citizenship of India Card has become more difficult and expensive for non-resident Indians thanks to new rules introduced by the government. The new rule makes it compulsory to surrender the Indian passports (valid/expired) and get a surrender certificate after paying $175, in addition to the $275 charged for the OCI Card.Anyone acquiring foreign citizenship has to surrender his/her Indian passport within three months.

Sharma, Kini star in New York safety ratings

Sharma, Kini star in New York safety ratings

Rediff.com   12 May 2010

Though heart disease is increasing in America, it is taking fewer lives than it used to, says Dr Samin Sharma, director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. Sharma and Dr Annapoorna Kini, the lab's associate director, were among the five recipients this year of the New York State Department of Health's double-star rating for fewer complications in angioplasty.

Surya Yalamanchili wins Ohio primary

Surya Yalamanchili wins Ohio primary

Rediff.com   11 May 2010

Surya Yalamanchili won the Democratic Primary for Congress from the 2nd District in Ohio, defeating David Krikorian. Yalamachili, a contestant on the 2007 edition of Donald Trump's The Apprentice, got 41 percent of the votes polled; Krikorian got 37 percent.

Parvez Ahmed elected to Florida human rights panel

Parvez Ahmed elected to Florida human rights panel

Rediff.com   11 May 2010

Parvez Ahmed, associate professor of finance at the Coggin College of Business, was appointed to the Jacksonville, Florida, council after an election marked by a smear campaign by an anti-Islamic group, Act for America. The group objected to his record for his previous community activism and his political views and claimed Muslims should not be allowed to hold public office.

Molly inaugurated as Manhattanville college head

Molly inaugurated as Manhattanville college head

Rediff.com   7 May 2010

Dr Molly Easo Smith has been inaugurated as the 11th president of the Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. She began her tenured presidency in July 2008, but the official inauguration was set for this month.

Ist conviction in Virginia burglaries, but...

Ist conviction in Virginia burglaries, but...

Rediff.com   5 May 2010

Though Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, 26, from New York was convicted, the Indian community's apathy or fear or both was evident at the trial of those accused of serial burglaries in Indian homes in Northern Virginia.

How India transformed its image

How India transformed its image

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2010

Kalita also spoke of a major story they broke on corruption in the education ministry. They had expected the minister to go, but nothing happened. However, she said, there were some victories in the fight against corruption, and in India one should celebrate even the small victories.

'India to be third largest economy in 20 years'

'India to be third largest economy in 20 years'

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2010

The demographics favour India, as it is a relatively young country with more working people than anywhere else

'US looks at India for stability'

'US looks at India for stability'

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2010

Optimism for a bright future and pride in the resurgence of India marked the 6th Annual India Business Conference of the Columbia Business School's South Asian Business Association.