Perturbed Hindus have asked for the immediate removal of some Lord Ganesha T-shirt designs displayed on Chicago (USA) headquartered "Threadless Tees" company website, calling these inappropriate.
Hindus are finding the following objectionable: "Nerdy Lord Ganesha" (a nerdy take on Ganesha where he holds a tobacco pipe, glass of wine, etc.), Ganesha shown as "Ping Pong God", "Ganesha alien" and “Ganeshamadonna” (Ganesha and Mother Mary merged together in one figure).
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be thrown around loosely in reimagined versions for dramatic effects for mercantile greed. Such absurd depiction of Lord Ganesha with no scriptural backing was hurtful to the devotees.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued.
Rajan Zed further said that such trivialization of Lord Ganesha was disturbing and offensive to the one billion Hindus world over and requested Threadless Tees to immediately remove it from its website. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the devotees, Zed added.
Founded in 2000, “Threadless Tees”, whose tagline is “Nude No More”, is a community-centered online apparel company of skinnyCorp which also has a store in Chicago and branch office in Boulder (Colorado, USA). Also referred as "World's Most Inspiring Online Design Community", it claims over one million members. Jake Nickell is founder and CSO, while Thomas Ryan is CEO.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.
Oct 26, 2011
Saal Mubarak : President Obama
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| President Obama and the First Lady's Diwali dance in India |
Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends and—as we experienced in India—celebrating with good food and dancing. It is also a time for contemplation and prayer that serves as a reminder of our obligations to our fellow human beings, especially the less fortunate. To all who are observing this sacred holiday here and around the world, Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.
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Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and and de facto Prime Minister of India Sonia Gandhi are gearing up to boogie for Diwali 2012.
Oct 25, 2011
Detroit Telugus killed in traffic accident
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| Rajendra Prasad Jonnala |
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| Satyendranath Akula of Miracle Software of Novi, Michigan |
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| Sumanth Rajana of Miracle Software of Novi, Michigan |
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| Venkata Chalam Pasala of Miracle Software of Novi, Michigan |
Oct 21, 2011
Asian Indian Diwali Festival at Cleveland City Hall
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| Cleveland Mayor to participate in Asian Indian Diwali Festival |
Oct 16, 2011
Vijaya Emani gets Presidential Citizens Medal
Kori Schulman writes on The White House Blog that in May, President Obama called on the public to help identify outstanding Americans for the 2011 Citizens Medal, the nation's second-highest civilian honor. Nearly 6,000 nominations were submitted and reviewed this year, and the President has selected 13 outstanding Americans to receive the award. "This year’s recipients of the Citizens Medal come from different backgrounds, but they share a commitment to a cause greater than themselves," said President Obama, "They exemplify the best of what it means to be an American, and I am honored to be able to offer them a small token of our appreciation."
Vijaya Emani became a role model for victims of domestic abuse because of her strength and determination in overcoming domestic abuse in her own life, and by speaking out about the issue publicly, she broke a long held taboo in the Indian American community. Emani lived and breathed many causes including projects to aid the homeless and promoting diversity. Although she was killed in a tragic vehicle accident, her example and message live on. Emani posthumously receives the Citizens Medal for her courage in overcoming and speaking out against abuse.
Vijaya Emani became a role model for victims of domestic abuse because of her strength and determination in overcoming domestic abuse in her own life, and by speaking out about the issue publicly, she broke a long held taboo in the Indian American community. Emani lived and breathed many causes including projects to aid the homeless and promoting diversity. Although she was killed in a tragic vehicle accident, her example and message live on. Emani posthumously receives the Citizens Medal for her courage in overcoming and speaking out against abuse.
Oct 15, 2011
India Grocers of Parma Heights
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| Asian Indian Grocery store in Cleveland, Ohio |
Once a year, India Grocers has a Diwali sale. It gets uncomfortably crowded and its not worth saving a few bucks.
This Asian Indian grocery store is located next to the Cuisine of India which has changed ownership many times.
Oct 14, 2011
Asian Indians, Heart Disease and Diabetes
Asian Indians Have Less Space To Store Fat Than White Caucasians
It's not fair, but it's true. A new study by researchers at McMaster University has found that some ethnic groups are more likely to be adding dangerous fat onto their internal organs like their liver when they gain weight, while others just add it to their waistline.
Dr. Sonia Anand, who led the study published today in the medical journal PLoS ONE, said South Asians are particularly more likely to add the type of organ-hugging fat that can lead to diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Previously the researchers at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and the Population Health Research Institute had found that, even with the same body mass index as white Caucasians, people who originate from the Indian subcontinent have more risk factors for cardiovascular disease including Type 2 diabetes, low "good" or HDL cholesterol, and more abdominal obesity.
"The new study showed South Asians have less space to store fat below the skin than white Caucasians," said Anand, a professor of medicine and epidemiology. "Their excess fat, therefore, overflows to ectopic compartments, in the abdomen and liver where it may affect function."
This visceral fat, she added, is associated with metabolic problems such as elevated glucose and abnormal lipids which are risk factors which ultimately lead to coronary artery disease.
The study was sponsored by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Anand holds the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario/ Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Population Health Research.
"Many Canadians of South Asian descent — as well as those of Aboriginal, African and Chinese descent — are experiencing historic levels of risk for heart disease and stroke. It is only through research like this that we can learn how better to treat and prevent these diseases, so lives are not cut short," said Mary Lewis, vice-president, research, advocacy and health promotion of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. "The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is proud to support such important work."
Dr. Arya Sharma, director of the Canadian Obesity Network and a co-author of the study said: "This study helps explain why South Asians experience weight-related health problems at lower BMI levels than Caucasians. For the clinician, this also means that individuals of South Asian heritage need to be screened for the presence of heart disease and diabetes at lower BMIs."
It's not fair, but it's true. A new study by researchers at McMaster University has found that some ethnic groups are more likely to be adding dangerous fat onto their internal organs like their liver when they gain weight, while others just add it to their waistline.
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| Sonia Anand, McMaster University |
Previously the researchers at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and the Population Health Research Institute had found that, even with the same body mass index as white Caucasians, people who originate from the Indian subcontinent have more risk factors for cardiovascular disease including Type 2 diabetes, low "good" or HDL cholesterol, and more abdominal obesity.
"The new study showed South Asians have less space to store fat below the skin than white Caucasians," said Anand, a professor of medicine and epidemiology. "Their excess fat, therefore, overflows to ectopic compartments, in the abdomen and liver where it may affect function."
This visceral fat, she added, is associated with metabolic problems such as elevated glucose and abnormal lipids which are risk factors which ultimately lead to coronary artery disease.
The study was sponsored by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Anand holds the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario/ Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Population Health Research.
"Many Canadians of South Asian descent — as well as those of Aboriginal, African and Chinese descent — are experiencing historic levels of risk for heart disease and stroke. It is only through research like this that we can learn how better to treat and prevent these diseases, so lives are not cut short," said Mary Lewis, vice-president, research, advocacy and health promotion of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. "The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is proud to support such important work."
Dr. Arya Sharma, director of the Canadian Obesity Network and a co-author of the study said: "This study helps explain why South Asians experience weight-related health problems at lower BMI levels than Caucasians. For the clinician, this also means that individuals of South Asian heritage need to be screened for the presence of heart disease and diabetes at lower BMIs."
Oct 10, 2011
Best Asian Indian Biryani in Cleveland Area
Hope for Asian Indian Biryani Lovers of Cleveland
I got an opportunity to stop by for the first time, at this newest Asian Indian restaurant in the Cleveland area with some coworkers. Priya Indian Cuisine is located in a partially vacant strip mall at the intersection of Snow Road and Chevrolet Boulevard in Parma. This Asian Indian restaurant is huge in size and the decor of the restaurant indicates that it was probably a Chinese restaurant before.
Priya Indian Cuisine of Cleveland had the typical food items that are available in any Asian Indian restaurant buffet except for the mutton biryani. Hyderabad, India is famous for its biryani, I think. I suspect that the cook of this Asian Indian restaurant has a connection to Hyderabad because this Asian Indian restaurant served the kind of biryani that not only looks and tastes like a biryani, it actually is delicious. I would visit this restaurant again just for their biryani. The biryani is kind of low in meat, which is good or bad depending on the view, but for about $10.00 Asian Indians shouldn't expect more than what Priya Indian Cuisine offers.
According to the Plain Dealer, Priya in Parma is owned by Cleveland Asian Indian Jalabi Sridhar. He and his business partner, Prabhakar Bamineni, own two additional Priya locations in Lowell, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. Dhanabal Veerannan started under Prabhakar Bamineni in the Hartford location three years ago and now manages the Parma restaurant. Polite and accommodating, he will happily answer questions and clarify menu descriptions.
I got an opportunity to stop by for the first time, at this newest Asian Indian restaurant in the Cleveland area with some coworkers. Priya Indian Cuisine is located in a partially vacant strip mall at the intersection of Snow Road and Chevrolet Boulevard in Parma. This Asian Indian restaurant is huge in size and the decor of the restaurant indicates that it was probably a Chinese restaurant before.
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| Priya Indian Cuisine in Parma Ohio |
Priya Indian Cuisine of Cleveland had the typical food items that are available in any Asian Indian restaurant buffet except for the mutton biryani. Hyderabad, India is famous for its biryani, I think. I suspect that the cook of this Asian Indian restaurant has a connection to Hyderabad because this Asian Indian restaurant served the kind of biryani that not only looks and tastes like a biryani, it actually is delicious. I would visit this restaurant again just for their biryani. The biryani is kind of low in meat, which is good or bad depending on the view, but for about $10.00 Asian Indians shouldn't expect more than what Priya Indian Cuisine offers.
According to the Plain Dealer, Priya in Parma is owned by Cleveland Asian Indian Jalabi Sridhar. He and his business partner, Prabhakar Bamineni, own two additional Priya locations in Lowell, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. Dhanabal Veerannan started under Prabhakar Bamineni in the Hartford location three years ago and now manages the Parma restaurant. Polite and accommodating, he will happily answer questions and clarify menu descriptions.
Asian Indian Names Figure in H1B Visa Fraud Indictments
Shiva NEELI, Ramakrishna MAGULURI, Villiappan SUBBAIAH, Suresh POLA, Vishnu REDDY, Chockalingam PALANIAPPAN, Vijay MYNENI, Venkata GUDURU, Praveen ANDAPALLY, Amit JUSTA, Karambir YADAV Indicted for H1B Visa Fraud
Federal agents arrested 11 individuals in 6 states Wednesday as part of an investigation into suspected visa and mail fraud. Matthew G. Whitaker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, announced the operation, which was carried out by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in Iowa, California, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
VISION SYSTEMS GROUP, INC., a New Jersey Domestic Profit Corporation, with a branch office in Coon Rapids, Iowa, was also indicted in a ten count federal indictment that included one count of conspiracy, eight counts of mail fraud, and one count of ‘Notice of Forfeiture’ in the amount of $7,400,000.
“Today’s multi-state enforcement action is the result of an extensive, ongoing investigation into suspected H1B visa fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy,” said U.S. Attorney Whitaker. “Dubbed Operation Pacific Vision, this investigation is the result of outstanding cooperation and collaboration among law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.”
The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Fraud Detection and National Security Division (FDNS); U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); U.S. Department of State; Social Security Administration - Office of The Inspector General, and is supported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
“This case highlights the Department of Homeland Security’s commitment to identifying and dismantling visa fraud schemes,” said Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary for ICE John P.
Torres. "Ensuring the integrity of our nation's legal immigration system is a top priority for ICE.”
“This is a prime example of how the Department of Homeland Security identifies fraud,” said Michael Aytes, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Deputy Director. “Our adjudication officers can spot inconsistencies during the application process that ultimately lead to the successful outcome we’re seeing today. Visa fraud undermines the integrity of the immigration system and I’m proud that our officers have helped to ensure that the American people and our customers can continue to depend on a reliable system.”
Federal authorities, with assistance from state and local law enforcement, served search warrants at addresses in Urbandale and Clive, Iowa; in Santa Clara, Rancho Cucamonga and Arcadia, Calif.; and in South Plainfield, N.J.
This investigation involves companies that sponsor primarily H-1B non -immigrants, or temporary workers in specialty occupations that require particular expertise. The companies that are the subject of this investigation have asserted that the foreign workers have been brought to the U.S. to fill existing vacancies. However, the companies allegedly have not always had jobs available for these workers, thereby placing them in non-pay status after they arrive in the United States. In some cases, the foreign workers have allegedly been placed in jobs and locations not previously certified by the Department of Labor, displacing qualified American workers and violating prevailing wage laws. The companies and foreign workers have allegedly submitted false statements and documents in support of their visa petitions. The false statements and documents were mailed or wired to state and federal agencies in support of the visa applications. The companies are suspected of visa fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.
“The foreign labor certification programs are designed to permit U.S. employers to hire foreign workers to fill jobs essential to American businesses,” said Daniel R. Petrole, Deputy Inspector General, United States Department of Labor. “Our agency remains resolute in its commitment with its law enforcement partners to investigate fraud committed against these Department of Labor programs.”
U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers. As part of the H-1B program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) require U.S. employers to meet specific labor conditions to ensure that American workers are not adversely impacted, while the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division safeguards the treatment and compensation of H-1B workers. Congress sets a numerical cap for the admission of skilled workers into the U.S. The current H-1B cap is set at 65,000 per fiscal year. H-1B aliens can work in the United States for three years, with an option for an additional three years (for a maximum of six years).
Those arrested Wednesday by ICE agents include:
1. Shiva NEELI, Arrested in Boston, Massachusetts
2. Ramakrishna MAGULURI, Arrested in Atlanta, Georgia
3. Villiappan SUBBAIAH, Arrested in Dallas, Texas
4. Suresh POLA, Arrested in Pennsylvania (SAC PHI)
5. Vishnu REDDY, Arrested in Los Angeles, California
6. Chockalingam PALANIAPPAN, Arrested in San Jose, California
7. Vijay MYNENI, Arrested in San Jose, California
8. Venkata GUDURU, Arrested in New Jersey
9. Praveen ANDAPALLY, Arrested in New Jersey
10. Amit JUSTA, Arrested in New Jersey
11. Karambir YADAV, Arrested in Louisville, Kentucky
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation; a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Federal agents arrested 11 individuals in 6 states Wednesday as part of an investigation into suspected visa and mail fraud. Matthew G. Whitaker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, announced the operation, which was carried out by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in Iowa, California, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
VISION SYSTEMS GROUP, INC., a New Jersey Domestic Profit Corporation, with a branch office in Coon Rapids, Iowa, was also indicted in a ten count federal indictment that included one count of conspiracy, eight counts of mail fraud, and one count of ‘Notice of Forfeiture’ in the amount of $7,400,000.
“Today’s multi-state enforcement action is the result of an extensive, ongoing investigation into suspected H1B visa fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy,” said U.S. Attorney Whitaker. “Dubbed Operation Pacific Vision, this investigation is the result of outstanding cooperation and collaboration among law enforcement agencies at all levels of government.”
The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in collaboration with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Fraud Detection and National Security Division (FDNS); U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); U.S. Department of State; Social Security Administration - Office of The Inspector General, and is supported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.
“This case highlights the Department of Homeland Security’s commitment to identifying and dismantling visa fraud schemes,” said Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary for ICE John P.
Torres. "Ensuring the integrity of our nation's legal immigration system is a top priority for ICE.”
“This is a prime example of how the Department of Homeland Security identifies fraud,” said Michael Aytes, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Acting Deputy Director. “Our adjudication officers can spot inconsistencies during the application process that ultimately lead to the successful outcome we’re seeing today. Visa fraud undermines the integrity of the immigration system and I’m proud that our officers have helped to ensure that the American people and our customers can continue to depend on a reliable system.”
Federal authorities, with assistance from state and local law enforcement, served search warrants at addresses in Urbandale and Clive, Iowa; in Santa Clara, Rancho Cucamonga and Arcadia, Calif.; and in South Plainfield, N.J.
This investigation involves companies that sponsor primarily H-1B non -immigrants, or temporary workers in specialty occupations that require particular expertise. The companies that are the subject of this investigation have asserted that the foreign workers have been brought to the U.S. to fill existing vacancies. However, the companies allegedly have not always had jobs available for these workers, thereby placing them in non-pay status after they arrive in the United States. In some cases, the foreign workers have allegedly been placed in jobs and locations not previously certified by the Department of Labor, displacing qualified American workers and violating prevailing wage laws. The companies and foreign workers have allegedly submitted false statements and documents in support of their visa petitions. The false statements and documents were mailed or wired to state and federal agencies in support of the visa applications. The companies are suspected of visa fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy.
“The foreign labor certification programs are designed to permit U.S. employers to hire foreign workers to fill jobs essential to American businesses,” said Daniel R. Petrole, Deputy Inspector General, United States Department of Labor. “Our agency remains resolute in its commitment with its law enforcement partners to investigate fraud committed against these Department of Labor programs.”
U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers. As part of the H-1B program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) require U.S. employers to meet specific labor conditions to ensure that American workers are not adversely impacted, while the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division safeguards the treatment and compensation of H-1B workers. Congress sets a numerical cap for the admission of skilled workers into the U.S. The current H-1B cap is set at 65,000 per fiscal year. H-1B aliens can work in the United States for three years, with an option for an additional three years (for a maximum of six years).
Those arrested Wednesday by ICE agents include:
1. Shiva NEELI, Arrested in Boston, Massachusetts
2. Ramakrishna MAGULURI, Arrested in Atlanta, Georgia
3. Villiappan SUBBAIAH, Arrested in Dallas, Texas
4. Suresh POLA, Arrested in Pennsylvania (SAC PHI)
5. Vishnu REDDY, Arrested in Los Angeles, California
6. Chockalingam PALANIAPPAN, Arrested in San Jose, California
7. Vijay MYNENI, Arrested in San Jose, California
8. Venkata GUDURU, Arrested in New Jersey
9. Praveen ANDAPALLY, Arrested in New Jersey
10. Amit JUSTA, Arrested in New Jersey
11. Karambir YADAV, Arrested in Louisville, Kentucky
As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation; a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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