Category Archives: NRI’s / PIO’s

GLOBAL LEADERS : USA : Indian-American Navy Veteran Shanthi Sethi Appointed as US Vice-President Kamala Harris’s Defence Advisor

In her new role, Ms. Sethi coordinates National Security Advisor documentation across the Office of the Vice President.

Shanti Sethi, a trailblazing Indian-American Navy veteran, has joined US Vice President Kamala Harris’s office as her executive secretary and defence advisor, according to a media report.

Ms. Sethi, the first Indian-American commander of a major US Navy combat ship, recently joined Vice President Harris’ office, Politico news website quoted vice president’s senior advisor Herbie Ziskend as saying.

source/contents: thehindu.com (edited)

INTERNATIONAL RECORDS : USA : Week-Long Activities to Celebrate India@75 Launched in the US

Programme aims to celebrate the diversity of India and its people through cultural activities.

In commemoration of India’s 75 years of independence, the Indian Consulate here in collaboration with a city-based cultural organisation and a children’s museum commenced a week-long celebration involving a plethora of activities, including traditional paintings, music and storytelling, that honour the history of India’s people, culture and achievements.

The Consulate General of India in New York, The Culture Tree and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) kicked-off the special activities and interactive programming on Monday that aim to celebrate the diversity of India and its people through dance, music, literature, puppetry, drama, food and art, The Culture Tree said in a statement.

Anu Sehgal, founder and President of The Culture Tree which provides South Asian-themed classes and programmes, said that through these events, we can offer cross-cultural exposure that can help shape knowledgeable, open-minded and respectful individuals, while also offering ways in which children and families from the diaspora can connect with and celebrate their heritage.

source/content: telegraphinda.com (edited)

GLOBAL – GRAMMY AWARDS : ARTS & CULTURE : India’s Rickey Kej and Falguni Shah Win Big at 2022 Grammy Awards

Rickey Kej earned his second coveted gramophone trophy in the best new album category for Divine Tides. Falguni Shah, a New York-based Indian singer known by her stage name Falu, won her first Grammy Award for A Colorful World in the best children’s album category.

A Mumbai-born singer went to the US and made her career in music, while the other, born in the US, moved back to India, the country of his parents’ birth. The ‘crossover’ stars Falguni Shah and Rickey Kej have now won their respective Grammy Awards .

At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday night in Las Vegas, Kej earned his second coveted gramophone trophy in the best new album category for Divine Tides, his collaboration with The Police drummer Stewart Copeland.

Shah, a New York-based Indian singer known by her stage name Falu, won her first Grammy Award for A Colorful World in the best children’s album category.

source/content: indianexpress.com (edited)

INTERNATIONAL : Beulah Ruth Pinto Performs at EXPO 2020 Dubai

UAE Golden Visa nominee and the renowned English singer nicknamed as ‘The Queen of the Stage’  Beulah Pinto performs in EXPO 2020 on March 11.

Indian origin, Beulah’s performance witnesses a huge crowd at the Australian pavilion, incredible moments as audience members join in singing along with her and rejoicing in dancing.

On December 16, 2021 Beulah Ruth Pinto performed at the Fashion Show among national and international models at Fashion Week 2021 in Dubai at Arena IMG Worlds of Adventure and was organised to showcase the national and international designers sharing the stage at this unique event in Dubai.

source/content: daijiworld.com (edited)

INDIA’s PRESENCE OVERSEAS : In Post-Brexit UK, Indians got 43 per cent of all Skilled Work Visas in 2021

Indians nationals are the top nationality in the skilled work category in the United Kingdom, accounting for two-fifth’s of visas granted.

“In the last year alone, over 65,500 Skilled Worker visas were issued to Indian nationals,” a British High Commission spokesperson told this newspaper (new indian express)

Indians have accounted for 43% of the total skilled worker visas in 2021, which is a 14% increase from 2019.  Experts attribute this to point-based UK immigration system that was launched post Brexit.

In May 2021, the UK signed the Migration and Mobility Partnership with India, increasing cooperation on migration and opening access for youth mobility.

A number of legal routes are being offered to work in the UK.

These include the Skilled Worker route, Graduate Route and Health and Care Worker visa.

source: newindianexpress.com

INDIA’s PRESENCE OVERSEAS : ‘Green Triangle’ Named after Mahatma Gandhi Inaugurated in Madagascar’s Capital

As part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate India’s 75th year of independence, a “Green Triangle” named after Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo.

Indian Ambassador Abhay Kumar said Gandh was the “greatest Pravasi’ who returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed lives of indians.

Mayor of Antananarivo Naina Andriantsitohaina and India’s Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay Kumar inaugurated the green space on Wednesday March 17th, at a special ceremony in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo

source: thehindu.com

Indian Artist Sarans Breaks Guinness World Records with Giant Portraits of UAE Rulers

Sarans KK, 35 year old artist from Kerala,  won in the category ‘largest professional oil painting by a single category artitst’. The artwork measured 166.03 sq meters and was created in November 2021.

Sarans drew portraits of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

He made it in Abu Dhabi to co-incide with the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence ‘Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav’ and UAE’s year of 50th celebration.

Captain Harpeet Chandi creates History. First Indian-Origin Woman to reach South Pole trekking solo in 40 days

Hapreet ‘Polar Preet’ Chandi, an Indian-origin British Army Captain created history by becoming the first Indian-Origin woman and the first woman of colour trekking on a solo expedition of 700 miles (1127 Km) to reach the South Pole in just 40 days.

She is a trained Physiotherapist and part of the medical regiment of the British Army.

UAE businessman B M Zaffer Thonse gets Indian Achievers Award-2021

B M Zaffer Thonse, Chairman, Thonse Health Centre (Nature cure and Ayurveda hospital) has been selected for the prestigious Indian Achievers Award-2021 by the Indian Achievers’ Forum.

This was for his professional achievements and contributions in nation building.

Udupi, Mangaluru, Karnataka / UAE