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NRI Newsletter: DDA eyes NRI bidders
Keep abreast of latest NRI-related news in India and abroad and find out how Indians are faring globally with our new monthly newsletter.
DDA eyes NRI bidders
New Delhi
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has modified its policy to now enable NRIs / PIOs to make a bid for residential plots in the Capital during the auctioning. Apart from NRIs and PIOs, corporate bodies, public sector and private banks will also be allowed to participate.
Senior DDA officials said the change in the policy for NRIs and PIOs was in keeping with the Foreign Exchange Maintenance Act and RBI guidelines that allow such people to own residential property but not trade in India. The change in policy is expected to make in more money for the DDA as the bid amount will go up if corporate bodies and NRIs are allowed to participate.
NRI City for Kerala
After helping to successfully tie up an Rs 179 crore NRI township project in Bangalore, the Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs is now facilitating a similar NRI city-in-city project in Kerala.
"Talks are on with other states like Andhra Pradesh, Himachal and Maharashtra to develop such NRI hubs," said the minister for Overseas Indian affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler. "The Ahmedabad municipal authorities have earmarked 2000 acres of land for another NRI city-in-city" he added.
These hubs would include real estate infrastructure, IT support, shopping malls and various other facilities. Meanwhile, the new ministry for NRIs and PIOs is working with the law ministry to set up special courts to fast-track cases relating to them in India.
A Rose by any name….
New Delhi
The nomenclature of the Ministry of Non-Resident Indian Affairs (Anivasi Bhartiya Karya Mantrayala) has been changed to Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Pravasi Bhartiya Karya Mantryalaya). A notification to amend the Government of India Allocation of Business Rules to this effect was duly issued by the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Trinetra Bajpai - Chairman Reception Committee for the NRI Banquet, Dubai.
A competent technocrat, holding a first class engineering degree from Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, work experience of 31 years, exceptional managerial skills, acknowledged expertise in design, engineering, installation, commissioning and sustained productive operations of complex petrochemical process plants. He is an exceptional team leader known for inspiring motivation among subordinate personnel, achieving set goals, delivering results. Functioning as the Chief Operating Officer, Deputy. Managing Director and Senior Vice President of the MANSO Group of Companies, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The group has a cumulative annual turnover of Saudi Arabian Riyals One Billion. Bajpai has authored numerous international papers and publications.
Democrat Rano Singh in race for Arizona Assembly
New York
Rano Singh, 50, small business owner and a former Arizona public school teacher, is running as a Democratic candidate for the Arizona House of Delegates from District 6, in a state where the first fatal hate-crime occurred against an Indian American after 9/11. In Arizona, she is partner and president of DPS Biotech Southwest Inc., a biotech consultancy firm. Rano Singh was born in Hera village near Jalandhar in Punjab, but went to England as a child. Her father was a freedom fighter in India.
India Inc Matchmaker
New Delhi
It is five years old and growing. Global Indian Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and is recognized as a strong promoter of trade between India and the US.
Ajay Raju, founder and also a partner with the law firm of Reed Smith, - passionately involved with GICC as its chairman and CEO - was named as one of the Top 30 people to watch in 2004. "One of our goals is to encourage potential investors to consider India, and not China, Israel, the Philippines, Ireland or for that matter any other country, as their destination for overseas investments. We aim to arm India with a competitive advantage over other countries by educating potential foreign investors about the opportunities in India." says Raju
Reddy to take technology to masses with $250 computer
California
Raj Reddy was fed up debating the problem of the digital divide between the rich and the poor and decided to do something about it. Reddy, a pioneering researcher in artificial intelligence and a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, plans to unveil his new project at the end of this year, called the PCtvt, a $250 wirelessly networked personal computer intended for the 4 billion people around the world who live on less than $2000 a year. Because his low-cost computer doubles as a TV and a DVD player, Reddy believes that he will be able to use it as a vehicle to take computing and communications to populations that have been excluded from the digital world.
Rai is 1st recipient of Cancer Foundation Professorship
New York
Kanti R. Rai, MD, chief of hematology / oncology at the North Shore Long Island Jewish medical centre, is the honoured recipient of the newly created Joel Finkelstein Cancer Foundation Professor of Medicine. Rai was honoured for his significant contributions in the field of leukemia and cancer. Rai received his medical degree from the University of Rajputana in Jaipur. With more than 150 medical journal articles and book chapters, Rai is on the advisory boards for several journals, hematology and oncology societies.
'Relations with India a high priority' says Bush
President George W Bush has said he is "absolutely committed to building an enhanced, comprehensive relationship" with India, including moving forward on the next steps in Strategic Partnership. He looks forward to working with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In an extensive interview that covers a variety of topics, Bush said a visit to India would be one of his top priorities if re-elected.
Three receive GM's top award
Washington
Three Indian-American researchers were among those named by General Motors Corporation, as top global innovators. The award is GM's highest, and recognizes technical inventions and innovations. It honours individuals with outstanding innovations that have benefited GM in the previous year.
Mammen Zachariah named on Florida Board of Medicine
Washington
Florida Governor Jeb Bush has appointed Dr Mammen P. Zachariah to the Florida Board of Medicine for four years. Mammen Zachariah is co-director, Cardiovascular Laboratories, Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. A staunch Republican and a strong supporter of Governor Jeb Bush and also of his brother, President George W. Bush's re-election campaign. Dr Zachariah is the undisputed fundraising king among Indian Americans.
Arun Mohan first AMAF student board member
Georgia
Arun Mohan, a medical student who distinguished himself as an organizer of medical and humanitarian efforts, has been named the first student member on the American Medical Association Foundations' board of directors. Mohan, a fourth year student at Emory Univ. School of Medicine will be a member for one year to bring the 'fresh perspective' of a future physician to the philanthropic arm of America's largest physicians association.
Dhingra gets top post at Metcalf
California
Environmental engineer Ashok K. Dhingra has joined environmental consultant Metcalf & Eddy as senior vice president. Dhingra, who has for over 35 years planned and designed water resource and distribution projects, will lead M&E's Orange, California, operations and serve as a technology leader for water storage reservoirs.
Adil Zainulbhai to head McKinsey's Indian operations
Washington
Adil Zainulbhai, who headed McKinsey & Company's Washington DC office till last month, has moved to India to take charge of its Mumbai office. Zainulbhai, 50, was with the firm for 24 years in the US. In his new role, he will oversee the global management consultancy's huge expansion plans in India. He has worked for a wide range of McKinsey's clients on a variety of strategic, organizational, marketing and financing issues. His being sent to Mumbai, was a decision by the firm that followed its most recent Asia strategy.
Minority Enterprise Development Week, 2004 observed in U.S.
New York
President Bush made a Proclamation in recognition of Minority Enterprise. He said, "Minority businesses are a key component of the American economy and reflect the values that make our country strong. During Minority Enterprise Development Week, we celebrate the achievements of minority businesses and emphasize our commitment to creating an environment in which these entrepreneurs can succeed." He further said, "I do hereby proclaim September 5 through September 11, 2004 as Minority Enterprise Development Week. I call upon all Americans to celebrate this week with appropriate programmes, ceremonies, and activities and to recognize the countless contributions of our Nation's minority enterprises."
New markets for Indian drugs
New Delhi
Six nations in the Gulf with a population of over 33 million are all set to emerge as a new market for the Indian drug companies. Healthcare is one of the leading sectors for exports to and investment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. There is an urgent need to conduct a product-specific survey in these markets for exports, said the FICCI survey on India's export potential of pharmaceutical products in West Asia. The GCC countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and the Sultanate of Oman. FICCI has further suggested that buyer-seller meets in the GCC countries in the above sector should be organized to identify opportunities for trade, besides strengthening marketing infrastructure.
GOPIO urges rejection of Rabuka as Fijian Ambassador to USA
Mr. Inder Singh, president of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has sent a letter to the president of the USA to reject the proposal for nomination of Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka as the ambassador of Fiji to the U.S. Mr. Rabuka, as leader of the coup in 1987, assumed unrestricted powers and became the prime minister of Fiji by forcing the democratically elected government of Fiji, out of office at gunpoint. The U.S. has been waging a war against global terrorism since the 9/11 tragedy, and acceptance of Mr. Rabuka as the Ambassador of Fiji would be counterproductive to the democratic values that the American people cherish and uphold and expect the world to emulate.
IACPA Inters in India
New Delhi
Under a scheme launched by the Indian American Centre for Political Awareness (IACPA) six interns were sent to India to have a closer look at the political process in the world's biggest democracy. On their weeklong India tour, the six met top bureaucrats in various ministries, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, received briefings on business and trade by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and also the Chief Election Commissioner, At one of the dinners hosted for the interns, they met Madhu Goud Yaskhi, NRI Member of Parliament and Chairman of the NRI Institute. Mr. Yaskhi, a Manhattan attorney, won the parliamentary election from Nizamabad in Andhra Pradesh.
(Newsletter compiled by NRI Institute, New Delhi)
