NRIs news around the world

Satveer Chaudhary has co-sponsored legislation to provide tax relief for residents of the state who make charitable contributions.

Minnesota state senator Satveer Chaudhary has co-sponsored legislation authored by state senator Ann Rest, a fellow Democrat, to provide tax relief for residents of the state who make charitable contributions for the victims and families of the Tsunami that ravaged parts of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

HT Image

"We want to send a strong signal of support from Minnesota that donations for tsunami relief this month will be deductible from state 2004 tax returns," said Chaudhary, who represents Fridley, and is also now the Minnesota Senate Majority Whip, while introducing the legislation.

Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal receives new assignment

US Representative Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal has received three committee assignments in the 109 Congress - rare, Congressional sources say, for a freshman. Jindal has been asked to serve on the newly created permanent Committee on Homeland Security, as well as the Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Resources.

"I am thrilled by my committee assignments," said Jindal as each offers him a chance to be of direct service to the 1 District, which he represents, and to Louisiana as a whole.

Parag Patel elected to city council

Parag Patel, the first Indian American ever to be elected to a City Council, the first to become President of Edison City Council unanimously elected Patel, 35, to the presidency - a position that comes up for election annually.

"I'm very proud to represent the Council in this new capacity, as well as to represent the Indian-American community," said Patel. He serves on the legal council of Indian-American community organizations such as BAPS; Manavi, a non-profit one that works with victims of domestic violence.

Atul Kochar joins UNICEF's tsunami appeal

NRI restaurateur, Atul Kochhar, has joined the Unicef 's tsunami appeal to launch Unichef. The brainchild of Phil Howard, chef-proprietor of The Square in Mayfair, Unichef will involve each restaurant donating up to 100 per cent of their takings of February 7 to the appeal, and raise more than Pound 2,50,000 to give children in the devastated region a future. Kochhar, who owns London's famous Indian restaurant, Benaras, joins the appeal.

Rabindranath elected

Rabindranath (Rabi) Martins has been selected as Parliamentary Candidate for Regents Park and Kensington North. The Constituency has a significant Asian population. As such he is looking forward to fighting their corner.

Ronen Sen

Alongside his diplomatic duties, Ambassador Ronen Sen has assumed a journalist's mantle. Beginning this month, Sen will oversee the publication of the India Review, a Monthly Newsletter to be published by the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC. The 12-page glossy is an attempt by the Embassy to keep people posted about important developments in India, as also in the realm of India-US relations.

(Source: NRI Institute Letter)