Missing Super Tuesday in Michigan

Ok, so call me crazy, but I am really regreting the fact that Michigan is not one of the states holding a primary on Super Tuesday. On February 5th, 24 states including states with large Indian American (Asian Indian) populations such as New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois will participate in primaries, caucuses, or conventions to select party delegates that will go to the nominating convention in August-September of 2008.

But why oh why did Michigan hold it's primary early?

There appears to be excitement in the Indian American community about the upcoming primary. Many Indian Americans are Democrats (after all, their coming here is attributed to the Democratic values!) and support Mrs. Clinton but there appear to be a lot of supporters of Mr. Obama too.

The Indian American who are Republicans (and include many Democrats turned Republicans) appear to be more and more in support of Mr. McCain.

I do my own informal polling at social events with friends and find the above to be consistent, Indian Americans for the most part are either for Mrs. Clinton (especially the women) or for Mr. McCain depending on their party affiliation.

There's a shift that I've observed when compared to past election years. There is more active dialog within the Indian American community regarding the upcoming elections this time around than in past years. Even kids are participating (including my kids) in the dialog and expressing their opinion about the various candidates based on what they hear on television or read in the newspapers.

This is encouraging because we finally are becoming mainstream and are actively participating in issues that will impact us and letting our voice heard through participation in primaries and such.

So Indian Americans, go out and vote on Super Tuesday if you are eligible. Your vote will make a difference!

Nishith Patel - Pilot at Northwest Airlines

Its rare to find a Indian American Pilot flying for a major carrier in United States. Meet Nishith Patel a Pilot for Northwest Airlines.

Nishith Patel graduated from Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology located at St. Louis, MO. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics. You rarely hear a Indian American pursuing a career in Aeronautics.

He came to United States in 1979 when he was just 11 years old. His first plane ride was on British Airways Boeing 747 from Mumbai to Chicago. After this ride he decided he wanted to be a pilot. So becoming a pilot became a goal for him and he pursued it and he accomplished his goal.

For more on his fascinating story listen to Nipa Shah's podcast interview with Nishith Patel at Round Table India at MIICC (Michigan India Chamber of Commerce).

Women Democrats Elected to DNC 2008

IndiaPost is reporting that

Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean and the DNC Executive Committee nominated and elected Smita Shah, founder and president of Spaan Technologies; Kamala Harris, District Attorney of San Francisco; and Sunita Leeds, who is currently Chair of the DNC Indo-American Leadership Council Advisory Board.

Smita Shah

Smita Shah, who won the prestigious Ellis Medal of Honor in New York last year, is founder of Spaan Technologies, a Chicago-based company that specializes in engineering, construction management, facility and technology services. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and served on President Bill Clinton's Millennium Council to Save America's Treasures. Shah is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northwestern University, and she serves on the Loyola University Board of Regents.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris made history when she became the first woman District Attorney in San Francisco in 2003. With that she also became the first African American to be elected to this post in California, and the first Indian American to be elected to this position in the United States. As a former Deputy District Attorney in San Francisco and Alameda County, Harris has dedicated her career to prosecuting violent crime, combating the sexual exploitation of children and working to improve the quality of life in her community. She has been honored by the National Urban League as a "Woman of Power" and received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the National Black Prosecutors Association in 2005.

Sunita Leeds

Sunita Leeds has been involved in Democratic politics for years. A software developer by training, she is now deeply involved with progressive non-profit causes particularly focused on education, is on three advisory boards related to education, and Co-Chairs the Enfranchisement Foundation, which funds charities that act as catalysts in breaking the cycle of poverty and ignorance, and charities that specialize in women's issues. As Chair of the DNC Indo-American Leadership Council Advisory Board, Leeds coordinates a network of Indian-American activists, community leaders, elected officials, and celebrities to support the fundraising and outreach work of the Council.

Happy 59th Republic Day

Wishing Indians in United States and around the GLOBE a Happy 59th Republic Day.

Enjoy this song, one my all time favorites. This is "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" from UPKAR. It takes me right back to India whenever I listen to it.

Navjeet Bal - Massachusetts Commissioner of Revenue

Navjeet Bal an Indian American woman has been appointed Massachusetts Commissioner or Revenue. Also she is only the 2nd woman to hold this post.

Attorney Navjeet Bal, 44, who was born in Kenya to Punjabi parents and immigrated to the United States 30 years ago, will assume her duties as the state’s Commissioner of Revenue at the end of January.

(more at IndiaNewEngland)

Kay Khan (D-Newton, MA) up for reelection

Meet Kay Khan (D-Newton, MA) a state representative who is up for reelection.

She describes herself as an elected official who is "probably [the] closest to an Indian". How so?. Because she is married to Nasir Khan, a Muslim man who was born in London, but whose family is from Rampur (Now there are 2 Rampur's one in Uttar Pradesh and one in Himachal Pradesh - I am not sure which one)

(via IndiaNewEngland)

India honors Indians in US with Padma Awards on the eve of 59th Republic Day

Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams was awarded Padma Bhushan for Astronautics.

The newly appointed Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit, based in New York was awarded Padma Bhushan for Trade and Industry.

Prof Kaushik Basu, Prof Padma Desai and Dr Srinivasa S.R. Varadhan (all three from the US) were awarded Padma Bhushan for literature and education

The Padma Shri winners are filmmaker Manoj 'Night' Shyamalan (US), Dr Nirupam Bajpai (US) for literature and education, and Sant Singh Virmani (US) for science and engineering.

(Source: manglorean.com)

Abhijit Mahato murder suspect arrested

19-year-old Stephen Oates has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Abhijit Mahato.(Do check this link out!!)

This from News14Carolina

Stephen Oates walked in to court Thursday morning wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs on his wrist. Police charged him with first-degree murder for the shooting death last week of 29-year-old Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato.

This via SepiaMutiny

a funeral service will be held this Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., by The Hindu Society of North Carolina. ABD, DBD, bespectacled or not, I think the one thing we can all agree to do is to keep Abhijit and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Miss Teen USA 2008 could be an Indian-American

Miss Teen USA for 2008 could be an Indian.

Sana Adnani, 17 who is "Miss Teen New York 2008" could make history in 2008 as for the first time in the history of "Miss Teen USA" pageant, after it was started in 1983, an Indian-American has managed to reach the finals of Miss Teen USA 2008.

"This (Miss Teen New York 2008) is a great accomplishment. I am really proud that I am the first Indian American to reach the finals. I would like to take it a step further by winning the title," said Sana, who as a hobby spends time with senior citizens of the area. "I love spending time with them. You learn a lot,"

(via ndtvmovies.com)

Abhijit Mahato - PhD Student at Duke University Murdered

Abhijit MahatoAbhijit Mahato a d PhD Student at Duke University was found shot to death, Friday January 18th in his apartment (Anderson Apts, Durham, NC), south of the Duke campus. He was an Engineering grad student from India. (more at abc11.com)

Another senseless tragedy, this on the heels of 2 Indian grad students who were shot to death last month at Lousiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.

Our deepest condolences to the family of Abhijit Mahato.

Google Maps Satellite View of Anderson Apts, Durham, NC

Stephanie Mehta named Global Editor of Fortune

Stephanie Mehta, a veteran writer at Fortune, has been named global editor of the US business magazine.

Mehta, whose father is from India and mother from the Philippines, replaces Robert Friedman, an internal memo at the magazine said.

Mehta has earlier worked with the Wall Street Journal.

She has a master's degree in journalism and a bachelor's in English from Northwestern University. (via Kalinga Times)

Tiger Attack Victims were drinking and on marijuana

MSNBC is reporting that Tiger Attack Victims, the Dhaliwal Brothers were tested positive for Alchohol and Drugs.

A new San Francisco Chronicle report said police found drugs and alcohol in the systems of the victims of the deadly Christmas Day tiger attack. One of the men had admitted to taunting the wild animal, according to the newspaper.

Paul Dhaliwal's blood alcohol level was 0.16 -- twice the legal limit for driving. Kulbir Dhaliwar's was .04 and Carlos Sousa Jr.'s was tested at .02, according to the report.

The newspaper also reported that marijuana and a partially-full vodka bottle were also found in Dhaliwal's vehicle.

FDA Recalls Skin and Hair Products Imported from India

United Press International is reporting:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of Swad Brand skin and hair products imported from India for religious purposes.

The FDA said the recalled 3.5-ounce packages include Abil, Gulal, Kanku, Kum Kum and Swad Brand Lagan Samagri Kits and Pooja Samagri Kits.

The recall by Raja Foods LLC of Skokie, Ill., was ordered because the products contain high levels of lead, posing a health risk.

The recalled products were distributed through Indian grocery stores in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

The FDA said although the products were not intended to be sold for food use, the labeling might be confusing and imply they could be used as food.

The Abil, Gulal, Kanku and Kum Kum products are distributed in plastic bags with a front label stating "Swad Best Taste in Town Sindoor." The Lagan Samagri and Pooja Samagri products are distributed in plastic bins with similar labels.

External use of the product does not pose a health hazard, the FDA said.

Consumers are urged to return the products for a refund or contact the company at 800-800-7923 x 2860.

Bobby Jindal set to move into his new home

Bobby Jindal is set to become the youngest governor when he is sworn in on January 14th, 2008 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The 36-year-old Oxford-educated Jindal's inaugural ceremony begins on the state Capitol and will feature live music, a 19-cannon salute and fighter jet flyover.

This is where Bobby Jindal will now get to stay (Google Maps View of Louisiana Governor's Mansion - Baton Rouge)

Ranbir Kaur - NRI Sikh Girl deployed in Iraq

Ranbir Kaur! what a brave young girl. Ranbir (21) a Sikh girl who is attached to National Guards has headed back to Iraq. This is not new to Ranbir. Early in 2007 she was assigned to duties in Iraq and prior to that she was patrolling the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan.

Back in November 2007, Ranbir was injured in Iraq. She returned back to United States and rested for approximately 4 weeks and now she is back in the most troubled part of the world.

Quoting nriinternet

Born in Nijjran village of Punjab's non-resident Indian (NRI)-dominated Jalandhar district, the Ranbir Kaur reached US shores as a seven-year-old after her father Mahan Singh, pursuing dollar dreams, secured a US green card in 1990.

Singh, who lives with his large family in San Joaquin Valley, Earlimart-California, is now a grape-grower.

Kaur's liking for action was revealed when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. She responded to the request of an organisation, the United Sikhs, to help salvage from the rubble the holy book of the Sikhs - Guru Granth Sahib - also referred to by the community as a living guru.

God Bless Ranbir Kaur!.

Bina Menon - Indian Dance Instructor

Meet Bina Menon (of Kalashri School) who teaches Indian dance to approximately 200 girls, ages 5 to 20, all of them Indian-American. The dances are taught at Parsippany (NJ) based school, with satellite offices in Bergenfield and West Nyack (NY).

Ms Bina Menon who was born in Tamil Nadu, India was featured in New York Times. NY Times writes that Bina Menon's school:

The Kalashri School employs no other teachers because, as Ms. Menon says: “I haven’t seen anyone who can teach as well as I can. And I really want my students to be good at what they’re doing. Many girls dance with me from the time they’re 5 until they go away to college. I don’t want it to seem as though they’re wasting their time, just fooling around.”

But the lack of professional help — outside of administrative tasks, Ms. Menon delegates to no one — has not prevented her from taking her senior dancers, ages 12 to 20, around the region.

Ms. Menon's Kalashari School's will present "Ramayanam" production which will be performed by 25 senior-level dancers on January 27th, 2008 at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown.

The NY Times further writes that

Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were among the guests when Ms. Menon and her dancers performed at a 2005 wedding reception at Tavern on the Green in Manhattan. They also danced at Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s inauguration — her late husband, B.T. Menon, had worked on the campaign — as well as at the New Jersey State Theater in New Brunswick and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

“And if any stars from India come through, they ask us to travel with them,” Ms. Menon said, explaining that she also teaches Bollywood-style dancing when her schedule allows and that, as a teenager, she toured internationally with the Bollywood star Hema Malini.

Indian American honored for promoting ties between India and United States

Ashok Mago an Indian American community leader from Texas has been honored for his role in promoting ties between India and the US.

Hindustan Times is reporting that

Ashok Mago, Chairman of the Dallas based US-India Forum and a community leader has been nominated for the "Apostle of International Understanding" by the Unity International Foundation for his "exceptional role in bring India closer to the USA".

Mago played a prominent role in the passage of the Henry Hyde Act of 2006 dealing with the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.

He is the founding Chair of the Greater Dallas Indo American Chamber of Commerce; a former Chair of the Asian American Chamber and a former Member of the Board of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airports.

The earlier recipients of the award include people from Japan, Austria, Norway, Argentina, Tunisia and Britain.

Indian "Bundlers" - 2008 Presidential Campaign

What is a Bundler? Quoting Wikipedia

"bundlers", people who can gather contributions from many individuals in an organization or community, and present the sum to the campaign. Campaigns then elevate and publicise these bundlers to an elite level. Bundlers became especially important after the 2002 revision to campaign finance law made unrestricted soft money more difficult to get through corporations and other big organizations.

Here's a list of Indian Bundlers working for 2008 United States Presidential Candidates. (via)

Bundlers for Hillary Clinton

Sant Chatwal (New York)
Hampshire Hotels & Resorts
over $100,000

Vikram Chatwal (New York)
Hampshire Hotels & Resorts
over $100,000

Kamil Hasan (California)
Hitek Venture Partners
over $100,000

Talat Hasan (California)
Hitek Venture Partners
over $100,000

Kishore Kaul (California)
Urbantec Developers
over $100,000

Arvind Raghunathan (New York)
Deutsche Bank
over $100,000

Anil Shah (California)
Cardiologist
over $100,000

Prakash Shah (New Jersey)
First Mortgage Realty
over $100,000

Ken Singh (California)
Kenpo Inc.
over $100,000

Mahinder Tak (Maryland)
Physician
over $100,000

Bundlers for Barack Obama

Vinai K. Thummalapally (Colorado)
Mam-A Inc.
over $100,000

Deven Parekh (New York)
Insight Venture Partners
over $100,000

Karim Alibhai (Florida)
Gencom
over $50,000

Jatinder Bedi (Illinois)
The Indian Reporter
over $50,000

Sunil Puri (Illinois)
First Rockford Group
over $50,000

Balvinder Singh (Illinois)
A-One Carpets
over $50,000

Bundlers for John Edwards

Indra Chatterjee (California)
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Amount Not listed

Akshay Rao (Minnesota)
University of Minnesota
Amount Not listed

Bundlers for Mitt Romney

A.K. Desai (Florida)
Universal Health Care
Amount Not listed

R. Vijay (Florida)
Gulf to Bay Cardiovascular
Amount Not listed

Bundler for John McCain

K. V. Kumar (Arizona)
Business & Strategic Consultants
Amount Not listed

Indian council member from Edison, New Jersey takes oath on Bhagvad Gita

Sudhanshu Prasad, a doctor who was elected as a member of Edison, New Jersey town council, too his oath of office on Bhagvad Gita while being sworn in on January 1st.

Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad who belongs to the democratic party has this to say

The Bhagvad Gita is where my conscience is

For more on this story check out Hindustan Times.

Hindus evicted from Temple in New Hampshire

Members of Saraswati Mandiram temple located at 36 ladds lane, Epping, New Hampshire were evicted on Friday January 4th, 2008. This as a result of a ongoing legal battle over the ownership of the property. MSNBC is reporting

The temple has faced the threat of an eviction for weeks after it lost the property during a foreclosure.

The legal fight began when Virginia-based lending firm G&G LLC took the temple to court in 2006, accusing members of defaulting on a loan they took out to improve the facility.

G&G won a $2.5 million judgment against the temple in 2006 in a Virginia court. The temple then went bankrupt, and in November 2006, the 100-acre property was sold during a foreclosure.

Five Indians killed in a fiery Christmas Day California Crash

Natarajan Vadivelu (31) driving a 2007 Pontiac along with passengers Poovarasan Thamizhvanan (28), Rajarajeswari Panneerselvam (24), Mala Sivanandam (31) and Mohit Natarajan (son of Mr. Natarajan - driver) were all killed in a fiery Christmas Day Crash.

(Check out Google Maps View of the crash area based on news accounts)

SanLuisObispo.com states

Their car veered off highway 46 near Antelope Road, on a broad curve before a downhill grade about a mile west of the Kern County line.

Investigators are saying that the women in the backseat did not appear to be wearing any seat belts and Panneerselvam was partially ejected through the car's sunroof. As well, the boy was not in a car seat and was killed on impact. The causes of the other four occupants' deaths are pending, awaiting toxicology reports. But they appear to have died in the fire that resulted from the wreck.

The occupants were citizens of India who were working as software engineers for Cognizant Technology Solutions in Southern California on work visas. They were listed as living in Cypress, Calif.

Hunt on for passengers sitting near American Airlines TB Traveler

A nationwide search has been launched by United States Health Authorities for 44 airline passengers who were sitting near a California Woman who was infected with multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The 30 year old Sunnyvale California woman was traveling on a American Airlines flight 293 from New Delhi to Chicago. The passengers who the health officials are looking for continued their onward journey to Texas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.

For more on this story check out Houston Chronicle.

International Students Dead on a snowy Indiana Toll Road

Sweety Mazumdar (25) of Kolkata, India and Apsana Giri (26) of Kathmandu, Nepal - both Graduate Students at Bowling Green State University, Ohio died in a auto accident on a snowy Indiana Toll Road during early hours of January 2nd 2008.

Quoting MyFox Toledo

Two women are dead and five others injured, all Bowling Green State University graduate students, after a van went out of control on a snowy Indiana Toll Road and crashed early Wednesday morning.

Bowling Green spokewoman Teri Sharp says in the van were international students returning from a trip to Chicago over the holiday break.

The crash occurred at about 12:20 a.m., 11:20 p.m. Central Standard Time, on the Interstate 80/90 Indiana Turnpike near the Indiana-Michigan line, and about 15 miles from the Ohio border. The van was traveling east when it rolled several times and landed on its roof near the median.

ISP officials say the 25- and 26-year-old women who died were ejected from the van when it rolled over into the median. The two international students have been identified as Sweety Mazumdar of Kolkata, India, and Apsana Giri of Kathmandu, Nepal.

According to BGSU, Mazumdar was a master's degree student in geology. Giri was a master's degree studying biological sciences.

While the road was snowy, Cpl. Derek Fisher of the Indiana State Police could not say if the weather had contributed to the crash.

Our deepest condolences to the families of Sweety Mazumdar and Apsana Giri.

Indian American's Firm acquired by BAE Systems

Modern Technologies Corp (MTC) based in Dayton, Ohio and which is the sixth largest supplier to the US Defense Department has been acquired by BAE Systems for $450 million.

Modern Technologies (MTC) was established in 1984 by Indian Americans Rajesh K Soin and his wife Indu Soin. Modern Technologies today employs approximately 3,000 professionals at more than 40 locations nationwide.

For more on this story check out IndiaPRwire.

Sam Singh an Indian American to run "The Antarctic Marathon"

Sam Singh an Indian American Former Mayor of East Lansing, MI has a BIG and I mean real BIG Agenda planned. Lansing City Pulse is reporting

Come March 2008, 12-year East Lansing Councilman and two-year mayor Sam Singh will finally find himself in a place where zoning and economic development are not on the agenda: Antarctica.
(Note: Keep checking Sam Singh's journey for the next 16 months which will take him to over 25 countries by visiting his website/blog.)
Instead of analyzing bike lane proposals, wooing developers or smoothing university-city relations, Singh will be running a half-marathon along pristine shores thronged by penguins and seals at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Antarctic Marathon is one of the more exotic stops in a 16-month, globe-girdling trip Singh began Dec. 31.

Singh, 36, has dreamed of the trip since he was a teenager, when he started an ambitious list of places to visit before he died.

“For a long time, I thought this would be the type of experience I’d do when I retired,” he said. “Then you get fears of ‘Will I be healthy enough?’ or ‘Will I be able to do it because of family situations?’”

Sam Singh is going to mix Community Service along with his travels. This quote from his website

A major component for my travels will be to work with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations throughout the world. I will use this section to highlight groups I work with as well as compiling the trends in the field of international volunteering.

Indian Americans to vote Democrat in Iowa Caucuses

IBN Live is reporting that Indian-Americans in Iowa are all set to vote for Democrats in the upcoming Iowa Caucuses.

Quoting IBN Live:

Just four days into the New Year, many of them will participate in the Iowa caucuses. From all indications, most will swing Democrat.

Says the President of the Indo-American Association of Iowa, Amar Sinha, “I think everybody I've talked to in the last one week or so, they're excited about the change in Government. When I talk to them about what kind of change, they say, ‘Hope to see the Democrats come back again and let's see if they can change things around’.”

Indian-American actor Kal Penn added some star appeal by batting for Barack Obama in Iowa, but there are still many staunch Hillary Clinton supporters within the community.

Says Saatchi Kalra, “India has had a woman Prime Minister. England – Margaret Thatcher. I think it's time the US has a woman President.”

On the January 3, the Indian community in Iowa will send out its message to the Presidential candidates at the Iowa caucus.