George Joseph

Stories by George Joseph

Stars favour Obama, says US astrologer

Stars favour Obama, says US astrologer

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2008

The stars are with Barack Obama, says an Indian astrologer in the United States. "Whatever the polls may convey, the cosmic timetable and the karmic events all seem to point in favor of Barack Obama to occupy the Presidential seat in January 2009," Malini Parthasarathy, a former senior management specialist at the World Bank, and an astrologer, says.

Community could cast deciding vote in US poll

Community could cast deciding vote in US poll

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2008

The Indian-American community, always considered numerically significant to impact a national election, could this year finally have its defining moment. "This year's Presidential election is likely to be determined by small margins in a handful of states with significant enough Indian-American populations -- states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio," points out Toby Chaudhury, communications director for Campaign for America's Future.

Seshadri Ramkumar recognised for textile research

Seshadri Ramkumar recognised for textile research

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2008

The International Conference on Performance Wear and Functional Textiles presented the Technical Textiles Accomplishment Award to Professor Seshadri Ramkumar of Texas Tech University.

Setting the WTC conspiracy theories to rest

Setting the WTC conspiracy theories to rest

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2008

A 'new phenomenon' known as thermal expansion caused World Trade Centre 7 to collapse September 11, 2001. This is the conclusion of a report released by an investigative team headed by Dr Sivaraj Shyam Sunder, director of Buildings and Fire Research Laboratory at the Nationals Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Indian American whizkid behind Google Chrome

Indian American whizkid behind Google Chrome

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2008

Sundar Pichai, a technology whiz-kid and an IIT-ian, was responsible for the development of the Google browser as the company's vice president of product development.

Toilet proves short cut to jail for Indian doctor

Toilet proves short cut to jail for Indian doctor

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2008

Dr Sivaprasad D Madduri of Missouri, who landed in jail when he attempted to use the toilet during a flight, has initiated legal action against Southwest Airlines.

US: Family indicted in 'slavery' case of Indian

US: Family indicted in 'slavery' case of Indian

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2008

In yet another 'slavery' case, an Indian woman, her husband who is deputy sheriff in Forsyth County, Georgia, and her fatherin-law, a former Fulton County magistrate judge, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on human trafficking charges.The indictment alleges that in January 2003, the three defendants conspired to bring an Indian woman, identified only as 'RS', to the United States to serve as a nanny for Malika's children.

'Indians in America don't fight for community'

'Indians in America don't fight for community'

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2008

While America celebrated Independence Day, Parikh is living in a little village in Gujarat, attempting to recover from the scars of his months in an American prison, and musing on the events of July 4, two years ago.

With Mars behind him, Prasun Desai aims moon now

With Mars behind him, Prasun Desai aims moon now

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2008

As the Phoenix Mars Lander safely landed on Mars on May 25, Dr Prasun Desai and his colleagues released the breath they had been holding in, in a long exhalation of relief. "After months of work and days of high anxiety, now I feel relaxed," Dr Desai, senior engineer and Entry, Descent and Landing lead engineer at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, said.

Zutshi Foundation to fight OTC drugs

Zutshi Foundation to fight OTC drugs

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2008

A personal tragedy for Jeevan Zutshi, founder of the Indo-American Community Federation, turned into a talking point for the Unity Dinner '08 held at the Newark Fremont Hilton in California.

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.