George Joseph, For Rediff.Com

Stories by George Joseph, For Rediff.Com

Indian philanthropist is top donor for US univ

Indian philanthropist is top donor for US univ

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2008

When John P Kapoor graduated from Bombay University in the 1960s, he had hoped to continue his studies in the United States but could not afford to pay for it. The State University of New York at Buffalo offered him a graduate fellowship.He never forgot his alma mater. In 2000, he gave it $5 million, and, recently, he increased that sum to $10.8 million.

Indian Americans re-elected in Texas polls

Indian Americans re-elected in Texas polls

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2008

Ken Mathew was re-elected as Stafford City Councillor At Large with 76 per cent of the votes polled while Tom Abraham was unopposed in nearby Sugarland, as Councilor At Large Position One for a third time.

Indian immigrants slow to assimilate: Study

Indian immigrants slow to assimilate: Study

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2008

Immigrants from India and China are quick to assimilate into the economic fabric of the United States, but are not as quick when it comes to assimilating culturally and in civic matters, a study by Jacob Vigdor, associate professor of public policy studies and economics at Duke University, has found.

Sameer Ahuja helms Sports Museum of America

Sameer Ahuja helms Sports Museum of America

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2008

When New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg formally inaugurated the Sports Museum of America May 7, Sameer Ahuja saw a dream transform into vibrant reality. The nation's first and only interactive, multi-media all-sports museum experience proved an instant hit, with people lining the street before its 26, Broadway entrance, just across the street from the Statue of Liberty ferry, to get in. The building had earlier housed the Standard Oil Company, founded by John D Rockefeller.

The secret of taste is in the plate

The secret of taste is in the plate

Rediff.com   23 May 2008

Does food served on a paper plate taste worse than the same food served on a china plate? Does mineral water served in a flimsy cup taste worse than the same water served in a firmer cup?Yes, if touch plays a role, according to a study by Professor Aradhna Krishna of the University of Michigan, and Maureen Morrin of Rutgers University.

Asian-American council honours Vaz, Pandey

Asian-American council honours Vaz, Pandey

Rediff.com   21 May 2008

Two Indian-Americans were among seven people selected by the Asian American Heritage Council of New Jersey for its 2008 achievement awards. IT entrepreneur Dr Rajan Vaz will receive the President's Award while Dr Ramesh Pandey, president of the Ayurvedic University, will receive the award reserved for a person from the Indian community. The awards will be presented at a gala banquet scheduled at the Meadowlands Sheraton, East Rutherford.

Harmeet to contest California assembly seat

Harmeet to contest California assembly seat

Rediff.com   20 May 2008

Though the Iraq war and the economic downturn have affected the popularity of the Republican Party, Harmeet Dhillon, candidate for the 13th Assembly District in California, is not unduly worried. "I am running for a local election, not for the United States Congress. International or national issues are not relevant," Dhillon, who is unopposed in the Republican Primary scheduled for June 3, said.

A four-in-one Hindu temple to promote unity

A four-in-one Hindu temple to promote unity

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2008

Situated on a five acre plot, the temple has four centres: The Temple of Unity, the main temple; the Indian heritage community centre; the museum of Indian journey to the US and the Ganga Sagar meditation and sculpture gardens.

US work visa norms for students relaxed

US work visa norms for students relaxed

Rediff.com   18 Apr 2008

Even as the H1-B cap for the year was reached for regular and 'advanced degree' students, the Department of Homeland Security announced an extension of the Optional Practical Training period up to 29 months.

Pope to hold inter-faith meet in New York

Pope to hold inter-faith meet in New York

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2008

The high profile visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the US is noted for the involvement of several Indian Americans as well as a protest in New York. People belonging to different faiths, excluding the Sikhs, will meet with him in an interfaith dialogue at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington DC, on Thursday evening. Several Indians are also invited to the White House reception to the Pope.

Outsourcing takes the pain out of visa processing

Outsourcing takes the pain out of visa processing

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2008

Thomas Mathew went to the Travisa Outsourcing Center in New York expecting the same treatment as he had received at the consulate earlier. "But things have changed. There was no long queue especially outside of the building. Services were prompt and employees were more helpful," he said.

UK: Indian church leader dead

UK: Indian church leader dead

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2008

Dr Thomas Mar Makarios, metropolitan of the Canada, Britain and Europe Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, died on February 23 at Newcastle General Hospital, London. Dr Mar Makarios, 82, was seriously injured in a car accident on January 5 and remained on life support system thereafter.

Breast milk compound could fight cancer

Breast milk compound could fight cancer

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2008

A slight variation of lactoferrin, known as talactoferrin alfa, helps fight lung cancer, according to research by Dr Atul Varadhachary, president and chief operating officer of the Houston-based Agennix.

Dr Ramkumar wins Top 20 Under 40 award

Dr Ramkumar wins Top 20 Under 40 award

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2008

The non-woven military wipe can be used to protect and clean soldiers and military aircraft that have been contaminated with lethal chemicals. The wipe technology developed at Texas Tech has been evaluated for its protection against toxic chemicals and is proved to be one of the best dry-wipe technology available.

Shrimp exports to US fall sharply

Shrimp exports to US fall sharply

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2008

Shrimp exports to the US, one of the largest overseas markets for the country, have dropped 100 per cent in the last four years to 20,776 tonnes in 2007 compared with 41,004 tonnes in 2004.

Amul may buy Kochi-based Vanilco

Amul may buy Kochi-based Vanilco

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2008

Cooperative dairy products manufacturer Amul plans to buy Kochi-based Vanilla India Producers Company (Vanilco), which processes and markets natural vanilla.

PlanetSpace inks landmark deal

PlanetSpace inks landmark deal

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2008

PlanetSpace, a company led by Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria, won half the battle to get a contract from NASA, when it managed to bring space heavyweights Lockheed Martin and Alliant Techsystems as its partners. Bank of Montreal too is part of the venture. The mission is to build an unmanned spacecraft to deliver cargo to the International Space Station.

Two Indian-origin persons shot dead in US

Two Indian-origin persons shot dead in US

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2007

Two persons of Indian origin were shot dead in a restaurant

NIH clears grant to study plants used in Ayurveda

NIH clears grant to study plants used in Ayurveda

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2007

The Nagarkattis became interested in investigating the plant products for their anti-inflammatory properties because of their exposure to Ayurvedic medicine, which has argued that several plant products are effective against arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The team plans to collaborate with scientists from India to test a large number of plant extracts for their anti-inflammatory properties and study their mode of action.

P Somasundaran wins Columbia University award

P Somasundaran wins Columbia University award

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2007

Helping his students to gain the ability to surpass the teacher himself is what he considers his most important contribution as a teacher. He keeps exhorting students to work hard, aim higher and think outside the box. 'If you are one among the crowd, you will not be noticed,' he tells them. 'If you want to go up you must be different and surpass the achievements of others.'