Prem Panicker In Washington, DC

Stories by Prem Panicker In Washington, DC

Harpoon issue: Pak for mutual inspections, says US

Harpoon issue: Pak for mutual inspections, says US

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2009

Responding to "serious" American concerns about illegal modifications made by Pakistan to the US-made harpoon anti-ship missiles that could target India, Islamabad has agreed for "mutual inspections" of the weapon system.

How Sam Pitroda analyses Indian higher education

How Sam Pitroda analyses Indian higher education

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

Telecommunications icon and entrepreneur Sam Pitroda, who is the chairman of National Knowledge Commission, tasked with building excellence in India's education system to meet the challenges of the 21st century, has said India faces serious problems in its higher education system and that unless it is alleviated expeditiously, the Indian march to become a major global player could be adversely impacted.

India needs leaders at many levels: Sam Pitroda

India needs leaders at many levels: Sam Pitroda

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

Sam Pitroda, chairman of India's National Knowledge Commission, believes the United States' model of a liberal arts education is applicable in the revamping of higher education in India and that such a model is very much in the works.He noted during a conference on Higher Education Policies in India, China and the United States, "Too much focus on engineering and medical education has created a situation where liberal arts really did not get due recognition," he said.

'Cooperative education must for India, China, US'

'Cooperative education must for India, China, US'

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2009

If India, China and the United States are to prosper in a globalised economy, a joint, cooperative transformation of their higher education systems was imperative, believes B M Naik, former principal of the engineering school at the Guru Gobind Singh College in Nanded, Maharashtra."To bring about this transformation from one level to the high level and to the global level and quality standard education, what is most important is that these ideas must move fast," he said.

9/11 plotters still alive and planning: US general

9/11 plotters still alive and planning: US general

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2009

Those who plotted the deadly attacks on the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, are still alive and planning to carry out more terror strikes, a top United States military general has said.

Afghan elections a blow to Taliban: Experts

Afghan elections a blow to Taliban: Experts

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2009

The large turnout of voters in the Afghan presidential elections despite threats from militant groups is a blow to Taliban, eminent South Asian experts have said.

Vanita Gupta wins battle to shut detention centre

Vanita Gupta wins battle to shut detention centre

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2009

The Obama administration's decision to improve the United State's immigration detention system, including ending family detention at the T Don Hutto Residential Center, an erstwhile state penitentiary in Taylor, Texas, is being hailed as a major victory for attorney Vanita Gupta.

SRK's detention raises larger questions: Tharoor

SRK's detention raises larger questions: Tharoor

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2009

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor feels it "raises a larger question, as to whether Muslims, who are such a significant portion of our population are suffering particularly from the procedures that are applied to them when they travel to the US."

Jay Goyal flattered to be in race for Ohio Lt.Gov

Jay Goyal flattered to be in race for Ohio Lt.Gov

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2009

The OhioDaily blog reported that it has "learned that Governor Ted Strickland's search for a Lt. Governor may be nearing completion and his short list includes at least two members of the House leadership team: Mansfield-area Representative Jay Goyal and Toledo-area Representative Matt Szollosi. Goyal is the House Majority Whip and Szollosi serves as the Speaker Pro Tempore."

Terrorists in Pakistan making dirty bomb: Analyst

Terrorists in Pakistan making dirty bomb: Analyst

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2009

While the Pentagon has asserted that the US is "comfortable" over the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons arsenal and Islamabad has rubbished a report that militants attacked its nuclear facilities at least three times, an erstwhile CIA analyst has argued that what should elicit more concern among the international community is terrorists in Pakistan acquiring material for a "dirty bomb".

For US body, India same as Somalia and Afghanistan

For US body, India same as Somalia and Afghanistan

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2009

Obviously incensed after being denied visas to visit India, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom -- a US Congress-mandated body that monitors religious freedoms and rights worldwide and then provides independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State and the Congress -- has released it 2009 country report on India, which it had earlier held back and placed India on its "Watch List".

Lanka puts Tamil issue on back-burner, US miffed

Lanka puts Tamil issue on back-burner, US miffed

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2009

The Obama administration has expressed its deep disappointment with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse for relegating the devolution of power in the Tamil majority areas, in the country's northern province, to the back-burner. The international community had urged the Lankan government to put the motion in process after crushing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Indian American gets top post in Commerce Dept

Indian American gets top post in Commerce Dept

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2009

Ro Khanna, 32, has been appointed by President Barack Obama as the new deputy assistant secretary of commerce for domestic operations of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce.He is the first Indian American to be named for a senior position in the Department of Commerce in the Obama administration, whose portfolio will have a direct impact on US-India trade and commercial ties.

In tense times, a play on pangs of 1947 partition

In tense times, a play on pangs of 1947 partition

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2009

The Phoenix Rising Media Group, based in Woodbridge, Virginia, which is staging the play at the Kennedy Centre on August 14 and 15, said, it was to 'remember millions of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs who were killed or displaced by British India's 1947 Partition', and to 'commemorate the recent demise of Habib Tanvir Sahib who first brought the play into limelight amid rave reviews in 1992'.

Major victory for Indian American lawyer

Major victory for Indian American lawyer

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2009

The Barack Obama administration's decision to improve the nation's immigration detention system including ending family detention at the T Don Hutto Residential Centre -- an erstwhile state penitentiary in Taylor, Texas -- was a major victory for Indian American attorney Vanita Gupta.Gupta led the lawsuit against Hutto over two years ago, and exposed the inhumane conditions under which immigrant detainees, especially children of mostly asylum seekers, were incarcerated.

Obama holds beer summit at the White House

Obama holds beer summit at the White House

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2009

In an effort to douse down a racial firestorm, United States President Barack Obama had a glass of beer with professor Henry Gates and the police sergeant, who had arrested the Harvard professor for 'disorderly conduct'.

'Time is ripe for US to help resolve Kashmir'

'Time is ripe for US to help resolve Kashmir'

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2009

Former Pakistani Information Minister and noted journalist, commentator and analyst Mushahid Hussain believes that the United States today has more influence on Indian foreign policy than on Pakistan's, and hence, the time is ripe for the Obama administration to use it's influence to help resolve the Kashmir dispute between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Former Pak envoy to US begins India-bashing

Former Pak envoy to US begins India-bashing

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2009

She's highly articulate, extremely charming, yet unabashedly hawkish when it comes to defending Pakistan, warts and all on the Kashmir issue, and this is sure to be a thorn in India's side in the think-tank circuit in Washington in the months to come and during Congressional hearings on South Asia, to which she's certain to be invited to testify.

'The need for third party intervention in Kashmir'

'The need for third party intervention in Kashmir'

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2009

Noted Indian filmmaker and human rights activist Tapan Bose believes the only way there can be some progress towards a resolution of the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan is through third party intervention.

'Pak gave no proof of India's role in Balochistan'

'Pak gave no proof of India's role in Balochistan'

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2009

United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke on Wednesday said that Pakistani leaders brought up the issue of India's alleged involvement in Balochistan, but did not give any credible evidence to support their claim.