SPS Oberoi: The Indian businessman who is a life saver for many

ਇਨਸਾਨ ਦੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਭਗਵਾਨ . . ਮੌਤ ਨੂੰ ਖਰੀਦ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ

     SPS Oberoi: The Indian businessman who saved many lives by offering Blood Money

ਏਸ ਪੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਓਬੇਰਾਏ , 59 ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਓਬੇਰਾਏ ਦੁਬਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਿਜਨੇਸ ਮੈਨ ਹਨ ।

 ਉਹ ਯੂਏਈ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੇਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੰਦ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ ਸਜਾ ਪਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ 54 ਦੋਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ । 

ਹੁਣ ਉਹ 30 ਹੋਰ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੇਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਕੱਢਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰ ਰਹ ਹਨ । 

ਉਹ 17 ਭਾਰਤੀ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਛਡਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ 3 . 4 ਮਿਲਿਅਨ ਦਿਰਹਮ ( 5. 7 

ਕਰੋਡ਼ ਰੁਪਏ ) ਦੀ ਬਲਡ ਮਨੀ ਦੇ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ|। ਬਲਡ ਮਨੀ  ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦਾ ਮਤਲੱਬ ਹੈ

 ਉਸ ਪਰਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਮੁਆਵਜਾ , ਜਿਸਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਦੀ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਹੱਤਿਆ ਕੀਤੀ 

ਗਈ ਹੋਵੇ । ਜਨਵਰੀ 2009 ਵਿੱਚ ਜਦੋਂ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਮੌਤ ਦੀ ਸੱਜਿਆ ਪਾਏ ਭਾਰਤੀ 

ਦੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਖਿਆਲ ਆਇਆ ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਦੇ 

ਪਰਵਾਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੀ ਗੁਜ਼ਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ । ਉਸਦੇ ਘਰ ਦਾ ਮਾਹੌਲ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਤਣਾਅ ਭੱਰਿਆ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ । 

ਤੱਦ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੱਥ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੈਣ ਦਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕੀਤਾ । ਓਹਨਾਂ ਨਾ ਸਿਰਫ ਭਾਰਤੀ

 ਨੂੰ ਸਗੋਂ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਲੱਖਾਂ ਕਰੋੜਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਨਵੀਂ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ . . ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ 

ਏਸਪੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਓਬੇਰਾਏ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੁਆਤ 1970 ਵਿੱਚ ਮੈਕੇਨਿਕ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਕੀਤੀ । 

1975 ਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਉਹ ਮੈਟੇਰਿਅਲ ਸਪਲਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਕੰਸਟਰਕਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਬਿਜਨੇਸ ਨਾਲ ਜੁੜ ਗਏ । 18

 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਕੜੀ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਦੇ ਜੋਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਅੱਜ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਦੁਬਈ ਗਰੈਂਡ ਹੋਟਲ ਅਤੇ ਏਪੇਕਸ ਗਰੁਪ

 ਆਫ ਕੰਪਨੀਜ ਹੈ । ਇੱਥੇ ਨਹੀਂ , ਉਹ ਹੁਣ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦੀ ਸਭਤੋਂ ਉੱਚੀ ਇਮਾਰਤ ਬੁਰਜ ਖਲੀਫਾ ਵਿੱਚ 

ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । ਓਬੇਰਾਏ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਲਈ ਅਕਸਰ ਯੂਏਈ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੇਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਚੱਕਰ 

ਲਗਾਉਂਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਘਟਨਾ ਦਾ ਜਿਕਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਓਬੇਰਾਏ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ 

ਹਨ , ਯੂਏਈ ਵਿੱਚ 17ਭਾਰਤੀ ਕੈਦੀ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੰਦ ਸਨ । ਮੈਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਂ - ਬਾਪ ਨਾਲ ਮਿਲਾਉਣ 

ਦੀ ਵਿਵਸਥਾ ਕੀਤੀ । ਓਬੇਰਾਏ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਲੰਮੀ ਕਾਂਟੇਕਟ ਲਿਸਟ ਹੈ । ਇਸਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਨਾਲ ਉਹ 

ਸਾਰੇ ਛੁੱਟੇ ਹੋਏ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । ਜੇਕਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਸਮਾਂ 

ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਭਾਰਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਚਲੇ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ । ਉਹ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਛੁੱਟਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ 

ਅਹਿਸਾਸ ਦਵਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਦੋਸ਼ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ਬਰਬਾਦ ਹੋ ਗਈ । ਕੈਦੀ ਇਸ ਦੇ 

ਬਾਅਦ ਵਾਪਸ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਦੇ ਦਮ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਮਾਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ . . ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਇਸ ਮਹਾਨ 

ਆਦਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਲਾਮ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜੋ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੰਮ ਨਾ ਮਿਲਣ ਉੱਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਹੀ ਕੰਪਨੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੋਜਗਾਰ

 ਵੀ ਉਪਲੱਬਧ ਕਰਵਾ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ . . ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਟਰੱਸਟ ਸਰਬਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ 18 ਹਜਾਰ ਤੋਂ 

ਜ਼ਿਆਦਾ ਸਿੱਖ , ਹਿੰਦੂ , ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਕਮਿਊਨਿਟੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਸਾਮੂਹਕ ਸ਼ਾਦੀਆਂ ਕਰਾ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ

ਵਰਤਮਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਆਰਥਕ ਰੂਪ ਨਾਲ ਕਮਜੋਰ 425 ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ 

ਅਤੇ ਕਈ ਅਸਪਤਾਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਨ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ । ਉਹ ਬੁਜੁਰਗ ਕੈਂਸਰ ਪੀੜਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਘਰ ਬਣਵਾ ਰਹੇ 

ਹਨ । ਅਜਿਹੇ ਬੁਜੁਰਗ , ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੱਚੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ , ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ 

ਖਿਆਲ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ।

Americans attack Sikhs because they think they're Muslims

ਅਮਰੀਕਾ 'ਚ ਸਿੱਖ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਪਛਾਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ 

ਵਾਸ਼ਿੰਗਟਨ, 30 ਦਸੰਬਰ - ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਇਕ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਸਿੱਖ 'ਤੇ ਹਮਲੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਸਿੱਖ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗਲਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਤਵਾਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੱਟੜਪੰਥੀ ਸਮਝ ਲਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ 9/11 ਦੇ ਅੱਤਵਾਦੀ ਹਮਲੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਉਹ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ | ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਸਿੱਖ 'ਤੇ ਹਮਲੇ ਦੀ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਜਾਂਚ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ | ਸੈਂਟਰਲ ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਦੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਕੌਾਸਲ ਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਇਕਬਾਲ ਗਰੇਵਾਲ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਹਿਣ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਇਹ ਤਾਜ਼ਾ ਘਟਨਾ ਹੈ ਜਦਕਿ ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀਪਸੰਦ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਮਹਾਨ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਮਿਹਨਤੀ ਨਾਗਰਿਕ ਹਨ ਨਾ ਕਿ ਅਲਕਾਇਦਾ ਜਾਂ ਆਈ. ਐਸ. ਆਈ. ਐਸ. ਜਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੂਸਰੇ ਗਰਮ ਖਿਆਲ ਗਰੁੱਪ ਦੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ | ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗਲਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਅੱਤਵਾਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੱਟੜਪੰਥੀ ਸਮਝ ਲਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ 9/11 ਤੋਂ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਇਹ ਪੀੜਾ ਸਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ | ਸਿੱਖਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਤਾਜ਼ਾ ਹਮਲਾ ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਦੇ ਫਰਿਜ਼ਨੋ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਵਿਚ 68 ਸਾਲ ਅਮਰੀਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੱਲ ਦੇ ਨਾਂਅ ਦੇ ਇਕ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਸਿੱਖ 'ਤੇ ਹੋਇਆ | ਸਨਿਚਰਵਾਰ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਦੋ ਗੋਰਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਉਸ 'ਤੇ ਹਮਲਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਹੰਸ ਤੋੜ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਸੀ | ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਅਕਸਰ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਸਮਝ ਲਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਸਲਾਮ ਖਿਲਾਫ ਤਿੱਖੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕਿਰਿਆ ਦੇ ਅਕਸਰ ਉਹ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ | ਸਿੱਖ ਕੁਲੀਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਇਕ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਸਿਮਰਨਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਬਣਾਉਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਧਮਕਾਉਣਾ ਨਵੀਂ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ | ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੋਨੋਥੇਸਟਿਕ ਧਰਮ ਜਿਹੜਾ 15ਵੀਂ ਸਦੀ ਵਿਚ ਦੱਖਣੀ ਏਸ਼ੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਹੋਂਦ ਵਿਚ ਆਇਆ, ਦੇ ਪੈਰੋਕਾਰ 20 ਵੀਂ ਸਦੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਵਿਚ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਉੱਤਰ ਪੱਛਮ ਵਿਚ ਪਹੁੰਚਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਨਫਰਤ ਹੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਰਹੇ | ਸਿੱਖ ਕੁਲੀਸ਼ਨ ਮੁਤਾਬਿਕ 2001 ਦੇ ਹਮਲਿਆਂ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਹਿੰਸਾ ਅਤੇ ਨਸਲੀ ਵਿਤਕਰੇ ਦੀਆਂ 300 ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਵੱਧ ਘਟਨਾਵਾਂ ਵਾਪਰੀਆਂ | ਸਿੱਖ ਕੁਲੀਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਕਾਨੂੰਨੀ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰ ਨੇ ਹਰਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੌਰ ਨੇ ਵਾਸ਼ਿੰਗਟਨ ਪੋਸਟ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਕੁਝ ਹਫਤਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਧਮਕਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਪੱਧਰ 11 ਸਤੰਬਰ ਦੇ ਹਮਲੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਵਾਪਰੀਆਂ ਘਟਨਾਵਾਂ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਵੀ ਵਧ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ | ਉਦੋਂ ਲੋਕ ਅੱਤਵਾਦੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿਚ ਸਨ ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਉਹ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿਚ ਹਨ | ਹੁਣ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ ਲਗਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਜਾਂ ਕੋਈ ਗੈਰ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ ਲਗਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ | ਇਹ ਸਿਰਫ ਗਲਤ ਪਛਾਣ ਦਾ ਮਾਮਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹਿ ਗਿਆ | ਇਹ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ | ਮਰਦਮਸ਼ੁਮਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਅੰਕੜਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਘਾਟ ਕਾਰਨ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਆਬਾਦੀ ਬਾਰੇ ਅੰਦਾਜ਼ੇ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਸਿੱਖ ਕੁਲੀਸ਼ਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਪੰਜ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਢੇ ਸੱਤ ਲੱਖ ਸਿੱਖ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ 'ਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਚੋਂ ਅੱਧੇ ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ | ਸਿੱਖ ਅਮਰੀਕਨ ਲੀਗਲ ਡਿਫੈਂਸ ਅਤੇ ਐਜੂਕੇਸ਼ਨ ਫੰਡ ਅਤੇ ਸਟੈਨਫੋਰਡ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਛਾਪੀ 'ਟਰਬਨ ਮਾਈਥ' ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਅਮਰੀਕੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੀ ਭੋਰਾ ਵੀ ਪਛਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ | ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਵਿਚ ਪੇਸ਼ ਤੱਥਾਂ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਦੀ ਅੱਧੀ ਆਬਾਦੀ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਇਸਲਾਮ ਨਾਲ ਜੋੜਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਿੱਖਮਤ ਵੀ ਇਸਲਾਮ ਦੀ ਹੀ ਸੰਪਰਦਾ ਹੈ | ਆਬਾਦੀ ਦਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਲਗਪਗ 70 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦੇਖਣ 'ਤੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਦੀ ਪਛਾਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ | ਸਿੱਖ ਕੁਲੀਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਹਰਸਿਮਰਨ ਕੌਰ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਬੇਨ ਕਾਰਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਡੋਨਾਲਡ ਟਰੰਪ ਵਰਗੇ ਰਿਪਬਲਿਕਨ ਉਮੀਦਵਾਰਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ ਇਸਲਾਮ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਬਿਆਨਾਂ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੈਰਅਮਰੀਕੀ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਖਿਲਾਫ ਹਮਲੇ ਵਧ ਗਏ ਹਨ | ਕਾਰਸਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਮੁਸਲਿਮ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਪਤੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਚੁਣਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਦਕਿ ਟਰੰਪ ਨੇ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਦਾਖਲੇ 'ਤੇ ਮੁਕੰਮਲ ਪਾਬੰਦੀ ਲਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਸੱਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ | ਹੋਰ ਖਬਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਕਲਿੱਕ ਕਰੋ : http://beta.ajitjalandhar.com/news/20151230/1/1188306.cms#1188306 © ਅਜੀਤ - ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ਼

ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ ਐਚ-1 ਬੀ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਧਾਰਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਤੀ/ਪਤਨੀ ਨੂੰ 'ਵਰਕ ਪਰਮਿਟ'

ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਭਾਰਤੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ਫਾਇਦਾ
ਵਾਸ਼ਿੰਗਟਨ, 24 ਫਰਵਰੀ - ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਨੇ ਅੱਜ ਐਲਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ 26 ਮਈ ਤੋਂ ਐਚ-1 ਬੀ ਵੀਜਾ ਧਾਰਕ ਜੋੜਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਕ ਪਰਮਿਟ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ। ਇਸ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਨਾਲ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਗਏ ਹਜਾਰਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਹੁਨਰਮੰਦ ਕਾਮਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਪਤੀ/ਪਤਨੀ ਨੂੰ ਫਾਇਦਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਾਲੇ ਉਥੇ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਇਜ਼ਾਜਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲੀ। ਦੱਸਣਯੋਗ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੌਜੂਦਾ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਐਚ-1 ਬੀ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਧਾਰਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਤੀ/ਪਤਨੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਵਿਚ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਵੀ ਹਨ ਨੂੰ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਇਜ਼ਾਜਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਦੀ ਸਿਟੀਜ਼ਨਸ਼ਿਪ ਅਤੇ ਇਮੀਗ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਸਰਵਿਸ (ਯੂ. ਐਸ. ਸੀ. ਆਈ. ਐਸ.) ਐਚ-1 ਬੀ (ਸਪਾਊਸ) ਲਈ 26 ਮਈ 2015 ਤੋਂ ਵਰਕ ਪਰਮਿਟ ਲਈ ਅਰਜੀਆਂ ਲੈਣੀਆਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰੇਗੀ। ਯੂ. ਐਸ. ਸੀ. ਆਈ. ਐਸ. ਵੱਲੋਂ 'ਫਾਰਮ ਆਈ-765 ਅਤੇ ਐਚ-4 ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਬਿਨੈਕਾਰ ਸਪਾਊਸ ਨੂੰ ਵਰਕ ਪਰਮਿਟ ਕਾਰਡ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਜਿਸ ਪਿਛੋਂ ਉਹ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਕੰਮ ਕਰ ਸਕੇਗਾ। ਭਾਤਰੀ ਮੂਲ ਦੀ ਅਮਰੀਕੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਇਸ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਦਾ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।

Charges against US Sikh dropped

New York - A US court here has dismissed criminal charges against a Sikh for carrying a kirpan to a city airport. The New York City Port Authority Police Department had in May issued criminal summons to Maninder Singh for carrying two kirpans through security checkpoint at the John F Kennedy International airport here.

The summons had charged Singh with violating city federal rules, which prohibit carrying of knives with blade lengths of four inches or more. Singh had faced a USD 300 fine as well as imprisonment of up to 15 days.
The Queens Criminal Court dismissed the criminal summons after rights group Sikh Coalition’s staff attorney Gurjot Kaur represented Singh during a hearing where Kaur explained the religious significance of Singh’s kirpans and the peaceful nature of his religious practice, the Sikh Coalition said in a statement.
Kaur also argued that the law in question provided many secular and recreational exemptions, including exemptions for individuals who carry knives for fishing, hunting and camping purposes and for members of the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. She said the law should provide an exemption to Sikhs who carry kirpans as part of their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.

She cited a similar case in 1987 where the court had dismissed all criminal kirpan charges against the Sikh defendant. 

ਅਮਰੀਕਾ 'ਚ ਐੱਚ-1ਬੀ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਧਾਰਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਤਨੀਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਪਤੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਕੰਮ ਦੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ

ਵਾਸ਼ਿੰਗਟਨ, 8 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ - —ਐੱਚ-1ਬੀ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਧਾਰਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪਤਨੀਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਪਤੀਆਂ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੋਲ ਕੋਈ ਤਕਨੀਕੀ ਮੁਹਾਰਿਤ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ, ਨੂੰ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ 'ਚ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਇਜਾਜ਼ਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ | ਵਾਈਟ ਹਾਊਸ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਜਾਰੀ ਇਕ ਬਿਆਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਹੋਮਲੈਂਡ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਜਲਦੀ ਹੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਦੇ ਤਕਨੀਕੀ ਮਾਹਿਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਤਜਵੀਜ਼ਤ ਨਿਯਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਿਤ ਕਰੇਗਾ, ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਦੀ ਆਰਥਿਕਤਾ 'ਚ ਵਾਧੇ ਦੇ ਮੰਤਵ ਨਾਲ ਇਥੇ ਨੌਕਰੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ | ਬਿਆਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਐੱਚ-1ਬੀ ਵੀਜ਼ਾ ਧਾਰਕਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਕਨੀਕੀ ਮਾਹਿਰ ਪਤਨੀਆਂ ਜਾਂ ਪਤੀਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਭਰ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੋਫੈਸਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਖੋਜਕਰਤਾਵਾਂ ਇਹ ਮੌਕਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ | ਸੂਤਰਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਇਕ ਅਕਤੂਬਰ, 2014 ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਵਿੱਤੀ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਲਈ ਵੱਧ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਦ 65000 ਐੱਚ-1ਬੀ ਵੀਜ਼ੇ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ |

USA-based NRI alleges police inaction in cheating case, to approach higher authorities

Mohali, April 1 - A USA-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI) has questioned tall claims of the Punjab Police in disposing of complaints lodged by NRIs.

Following the alleged inaction by the Mohali Police, the complainant, Tarun Sachdeva, a victim of cheating by alleged influential builders, has now decided to approach the country’s Prime Minister/Home Minister.

In his mail to top police officials and to an MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Badal, Sachdeva alleged that even after four months of registering an FIR against the directors of Sukhm Infrastructure, Mohali, the police have failed to nab the accused.

The victim claimed that since the accused were very rich and influential, the police were not taking action against them, despite his consistent follow ups and personal visit to India in December last year.

Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Gursharan Singh Sandhu said, “All related documents are being checked. Certain cases take time and this is one of those, but we ensure thorough fairness in the investigations. We have already registered a case against the accused. Further action will be initiated soon,” said SSP Sandhu.

Notably, the Mohali Police have booked three directors and a general manager of the company, having a mega project-Yellow Stone Infocity at Sector 66 A, for cheating, breach of trust and criminal conspiracy at the Sohana Police Station on November 13, 2013.

The accused have been identified as Mohinder Aggarwal, Tajinder Singh and V Rastogi, all directors of the company, and Aprajit Sachdev, the company’s general manager.

In his complaint, Sachdeva alleged that he had purchased a plot in the company’s Yellow Stone project for Rs 26.40 lakh and had paid Rs 7.26 lakh as advance. He said four years have passed and the company is yet to give him the allotment letter of his plot. The company has not even returned my money, said Sachdeva, adding that since an FIR has been registered, the accused are threatening him with dire consequences.

ਧੋਖੇ ਨਾਲ ਕਰਵਾਏ ਗਏ ਵਿਆਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਪੀੜਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਡਟੀ ਰੂਬੀ ਢਾਲਾ

ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ, 1 ਨਵੰਬਰ - ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਮੂਲ ਦੀ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਕੈਨੇਡੀਅਨ ਸੰਸਦ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਰੂਬੀ ਢਾਲਾ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ 'ਚ ਧੋਖੇ ਨਾਲ ਕਰਵਾਏ ਗਏ ਵਿਆਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਲੜਕੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਲਈ ਇਕ ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਸੰਸਥਾ 'ਡਰੀਮਜ਼ ਆਫ ਯੂ' ਵਲੋਂ ਚਲਾਇਆ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ, ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਉਦੇਸ਼ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਵਿਆਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਹੋਈਆਂ ਲੜਕੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਨਾ ਅਤੇ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਗਰੂਕ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ। ਢਾਲਾ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ 'ਚ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਸਿੱਖ ਮੂਲ ਦੀ ਸੰਸਦ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਸੀ, ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਦੌਰੇ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਈ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਮਿਲੀਆਂ, ਜੋ ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਝੂਠੇ ਵਿਆਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰ ਬਣੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈ 2009 'ਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਆਈ ਤਾਂ ਮੈ ਇਸ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਲਈ ਇਕ ਸਮਾਗਮ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਹਾ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈ ਸੋਚਿਆ ਕਿ ਸਿਰਫ 15 ਜਾ 20 ਔਰਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਸਮਾਗਮ 'ਚ ਆਉਣਗੀਆਂ, ਪ੍ਰੰਤੂ ਮੈ ਇਹ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਹੈਰਾਨ ਰਹਿ ਗਈ ਕਿ ਹਾਲ 'ਚ ਵੀ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ 'ਚ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਬੈਠੀਆਂ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਸੈਂਕੜੇ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਾਹਰ ਲਾਈਨ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਦਿਨ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਮੈ ਇਹ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਮੈ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਾਂਗੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਕਤ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਜੀਊਣਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਔਖਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਉਹ ਇਧਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਰਹਿੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ ਤੇ ਨਾ ਉਹ ਉਧਰ ਦੀਆਂ, ਅਤੇ ਅਜਿਹੀਆਂ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਹੁਰਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਪਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਰਹਿਣਾ ਔਖਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਸੰਸਥਾ ਵਲੋਂ ਵਿਆਹ ਦੇ ਰਜਿਸਟ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਲਈ ਜਾਗਰੂਕਤਾ ਫੈਲਾਉਣਾ, ਐਨ. ਆਰ. ਆਈ. ਵਿੰਗ ਦੀ ਸਥਾਪਨਾ ਅਤੇ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਮਾਮਲੇ 'ਚ ਫਸੀਆਂ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਤਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਕਾਨੂੰਨੀ ਮਦਦ ਮੁਹੱਈਆ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ। ਢਾਲਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਇਸ ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ 'ਚ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੈ, ਪ੍ਰੰਤੂ ਉਹ ਇਸ ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ ਭਾਰਤ 'ਚ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਗਾਇਕ ਹਨੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਿਰਕਤ ਕੀਤੀ।

Immigration: Canada should follow U.S. lead in locking up its borders

It is a truism that we all (except for a statistically insignificant Native American segment) are immigrants. Whether our families came here centuries ago or just deplaned at Pearson International Airport, we are "immigrants." Somehow that sociological irrelevancy is supposed to make citizens more understanding of those seeking to live in our country, regardless of how they got here. We are the fortunate — just lucky to have beaten the rush and consequently should be humble over our sanguine circumstances and more respectful of the "rights" of those arriving without benefit of hidebound visa bureaucracies.
Sorry about that.
What is it that dewy-eyed human comfort stations don't understand about illegal?  That is I-L-L-E-G-A-L, as in having no right to be here — Having broken the law by their presence and having no respect for the designated procedures and regulations of the country whose bounties they seek to receive.  They are trespassers, queue jumpers, and by definition criminals.
The very first requirement for a nation state is to secure its borders.  This is not the 18^th century when unfettered wanderers could blithely cross the North American continent.  Effective border control is the essence for addressing the immigrant issue.  Hence, efforts — that could be much stronger — across the U.S. southern border are imperative not just to thwart economic migrants but more importantly to combat massive drug smuggling. There should be comparable concern in Canada. Having a border sufficiently porous to permit terrorists to enter Canada and then slip/side into the United States benefits neither country. The U.S.-Canada border is no longer a wink-and-a-nod transit zone, but it is still far from secure with illegal drugs and weapons moving south and north respectively.

Nor should Canadians be dismissive about the 12 million (but who's counting?)  illegals in the United States. Were there to be a comparable number, say 1.2 million, in Canada, one expects that Ottawa would not be amused. It is an immense problem in every dimension that has virtually paralyzed California's finances by attempting to provide social services for these illegals.
We need to set aside the anguished cases of illegal immigrant parents facing separation from legal citizens. We need to ignore these "oh so sad" stories of small child-with-life-threatening-illness used as anchors to rationalize permitting parents to stay. Just who asked these individuals to enter our country illegally? And then to have children?
The only "right" those arriving illegally should have is to be taken to the border humanely and returned to their countries of origin.
Indeed, it is very hard to find diplomats that have issued visas who sympathize with "illegals." They have seen the patient efforts of foreign citizens working through the regulations, adhering to mandated requirements, taking medical exams and language tests, and waiting/waiting/waiting for their opportunity to arrive. Every illegal immigrant has done the equivalent of giving a "Trudeau salute" while sneering "Sucker!" to those that have played by the rules. If for no other reason than keeping the faith with legal immigrants, we must be punctilious about finding and expelling illegal immigrants.
It is absurd that the United State should have a "wet foot; dry foot" rule permitting any illegal boater-rafter that reaches dry land to stay. It is absurd that any individual reaching a Canadian customs post can claim refugee status — and accorded government subsidies while the claim is processed — an effort often taking years.
But we need to be honest.  The immigration dilemma didn't explode overnight.  For a generation there has been a silent conspiracy between Republicans that wanted cheap labor for farms and industry and Democrats that wanted these individuals unionized so eventually they would become voters.  But it is a canard that if there were no illegals, economies would grind to a stop.  With over 8 percent official unemployment, there are individuals that can do the "jobs that citizens won't take."  You either pay to get these jobs done; if they are important enough to do, money will be found to do them.  Or if they are not done, so what?  Every California lawn doesn't need its own manicurist.  Every middle-class working woman doesn't need a nanny/housekeeper.  And real labor shortages will prompt greater efficiencies and technological innovation.
Such an approach hardly implies "shutting the door."  But immigrants are a distinct societal expense, and should be accepted only to the degree that they benefit our economies.  It is a rare privilege to gain access to a first world, human rights respecting democracy.  We should not hesitate to limit access strictly.

Read also: New citizens improve Canada and benefit the economy

US gurdwara shooting: Obama offers condolences to victims, says US enriched by Sikhs

Washington: US President Barack Obama has reviewed the security situation with his top national security aides following the tragic shooting in a Sikh Gurdwara in Wisconsin and also called on Gurdwara trustee to offer his condolences.
Obama convened a call with the FBI Director Robert Mueller, the Chief of Staff Jack Lew, and the Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan yesterday to receive an update on the tragic shooting in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the White House has said.
Following the briefing, the Obama called Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi and trustee of the Gurdwara Charanjeet Singh to express his condolences for the lives lost and his concern for those who were injured.
“During the briefing, the President was informed that the situation at the Sikh Gurdwara was under control and that the lone gunmen was killed by an Oak Creek police officer,” the White House said, adding that Obama was also updated on the condition of some of the victims of the attack.
He also directed that the federal government should assist as appropriate in the investigation into the shooting.
“The President said that he wanted to make sure that as we denounce this senseless act of violence, we also underscore how much our country has been enriched by our Sikh Community, who are an integral part of our broader American family,” the White House said.
Earlier in the day, saddened by the senseless shooting at a Gurdwara in Wisconsin, Obama said Sikhs are part of the broader American family.
“Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin,” Obama said in a statement.
Obama was briefed by his top counter terrorism advisor, John Brennan, on the shooting. Obama is constantly being updated on the tragic incident that has shocked the entire nation.
“At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded,” Obama said, adding that his Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation.
“As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family,” Obama said.
Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican candidate, termed it as a senseless act of violence.
“Ann and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of today’s shooting in Wisconsin. This was a senseless act of violence and a tragedy that should never befall any house of worship,” he said in a statement.
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Oak Creek Sikh community. We join Americans everywhere in mourning those who lost their lives and in prayer for healing in the difficult days ahead,” Romney said.
Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said that his government is working with the FBI and law enforcement officers to investigate into the shooting incident.
“While the situation in Oak Creek continues to develop rapidly, we are working with the FBI and local law enforcement. I became aware of the situation late this morning and continue to receive updated briefings,” he said.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, as we all struggle to comprehend the evil that begets this terrible violence. At the same time, we are filled with gratitude for our first responders, who show bravery and selflessness as they put aside their own safety to protect our neighbours and friends,” Walker said.

6 killed, several hurt in U.S. gurudwara shooting

Wisconsin - At least six persons have been killed and several injured, some critically by one or more gunmen at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, a gurudwara, in what appeared to be a hate crime in Oak Creek, a quiet suburb of Milwaukee. (reports said that an "active shooter” killed at scene and 6 others have been killed at the gurudwara).

After news of the shooting broke around mid-day local time, media reports quoted Lee Biblo, Chief Medical Officer at nearby Froedtert Hospital, saying that three male adults had been brought into the operating room in critical condition, with gunshot wounds to abdomen and the face.

Meanwhile aerial television footage showed at least one body lying near a parking lot outside the gurudwara. A CNN report quoted Gurcharan Grewal, president of the Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin, saying that multiple sources had confirmed that “there were wounded people still inside the temple and that there may have been multiple perpetrators.”

Reports also quoted an unnamed member of the Sikh community saying that a Sikh priest visiting from New Delhi, India, was said to have been shot at, at the scene of the crime. Even as breaking news indicated that at least one gunman may still be inside the gurudwara, law enforcement officers were said to have “returned fire and [a] shooter was put down.”

One police officer was injured in an exchange of fire. Chief Bradley Wentlandt of the Greenfield, Wisconsin Police said that “multiple rounds were exchanged and the officer was shot multiple times,” and the shooter was “presumed deceased.” Mr. Wentlandt however noted that based on information on police scanners there was still no clear evidence that there were multiple perpetrators.

While Mr. Biblo said no women or children had been brought into the hospital yet, Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh council on Religion and Education in Washington said that women and children may have been among those in the gurudwara at the time of the shooting, generally on site at this time of day to prepare the community meal.

However, other local hospitals reportedly received victims from the shooting incident too and a full list of potential victims was not yet available. Amardeep Kaleka who said his father was in the gurudwara at the time of the attack, said to media outlets that his father had sought refuge apparently hid in a closet and said to his son on the phone, “They’re out there.”

Mr. Kaleka added that the police informed him around "26 to 28 people had been shot", including the head priest who was "bleeding profusely."

Meanwhile the Indian embassy in Washington said that it was "seized of the situation and has been in touch with the National Security Council in Washington, D.C." While the Indian Consulate General in Chicago too has been in "close touch with the local authorities to monitor the situation," the embassy also noted that an official has been deputed to visit the site "to ascertain the situation on-the-spot."

Police describe chaotic scene

Authorities were on the scene on Sunday of shootings at the Sikh Temple near Milwaukee, where police and witnesses described a chaotic situation with an unknown number of victims, suspects and possible hostages.

Police were called to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in the suburb of Oak Creek on Sunday morning, when witnesses said several dozen people were gathering for a service. They responded with a dozen ambulances, although Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said it wasn’t clear how many people had been shot.

Mr. Wentlandt also said it wasn’t clear how many suspects were involved, although one opened fire on an officer and the officer “put down” that man. Wentlandt said the officer was shot multiple times.

Three shooting victims, all men, were taken to Froederdt Hospital in Milwaukee, the main trauma center for the area, spokeswoman Carolyn Bellin said. One was in the operating room, another in a surgical intensive care unit and the third was being evaluated in the emergency room, she said.

Sukhwindar Nagr, of Racine, said he called his brother-in-law’s phone and a priest at the temple answered and told him that his brother-in-law had been shot, along with three priests. The priest also said women and children were hiding in closets in the temple, Mr. Nagr said.

No service tax to be levied on NRI remittances: Finance Ministry

New Delhi, July 10

The Finance Ministry today clarified that no service tax would be levied on NRI remittances from overseas.

The clarification by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), which functions under the Finance Ministry, follows concerns over reports that there was a move to levy 12 per cent tax on money sent back home by Indians abroad under the changed service tax regime from July 1.

The CBEC said in a circular “that the matter has been examined and it is clarified that there is no service tax per se on the amount of foreign currency remitted to India from overseas”. In the negative list regime, “service” excludes transaction in money. As the amount of remittance comprises money, the activity does not comprise a “service” and is not subjected to service tax, the circular clarifies.

It further added that “in case any fee or conversion charges are levied for sending such money, they are also not liable to service tax as the person sending the money and the company conducting the remittance are located outside India. Such services are deemed to be provided outside India and thus not liable to service tax”.

It has been further clarified that even the Indian counterpart bank or financial institution which charges the foreign bank for the services provided at the receiving end, is not liable to service tax as the place of provision of such service is outside India.

The clarification will alleviate concerns of NRIs as India is one of the top recipient of remittances ($64 billion in 2011), according to the World Bank data. Given the dire need for dollar at a time when current account deficit is high and Rupee is under pressure, any move to levy service tax on NRI remittances would have been disastrous.

CMs of Punjab and Kerala, which are among the states receiving the largest remittances from NRIs, had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

M Rafeeque Ahmed, president, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said that towards addressing the trade deficit, remittances were the single largest source of unconditional flow of foreign exchange into India, according to estimates by the World Bank. Given the slowdown and declining levels of foreign exchange, service tax could only act as a deterrent to precious incoming foreign exchange, he added.

He said the waiver of service tax on the same would ensure that this stable source of foreign exchange would continue to maintain the delicate balance of payments position of India at this moment of global crisis. 

WHY THE CLARIFICATION  Concerns were being expressed over reports that there was a move to levy 12% tax on money sent back home by Indians abroad under the changed service tax regime from July 1 THE FINAL WORD  The matter has been examined and it is clarified that there is no service tax per se on the amount of foreign currency remitted to India from overseas  As the amount of remittance comprises money, the activity does not comprise a “service” and is not subject to service tax  In case any fee or conversion charges are levied for sending such money, they are also not liable to service tax as the person sending the money and the company conducting the remittance are located outside India

CALIFORNIA MURDERS

Ex-Indian Army officer kills family, self in US 

Los Angeles, June 10
A former Indian Army officer, Major Avtar Singh, who was wanted in India for the murder of a prominent Kashmiri lawyer, has killed himself along with his wife and two children in his California home.

Singh (47) had fled to the United States after he was accused of killing Jaleel Andrabi, a Kashmiri lawyer and activist associated with the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), whose body was found floating in the Jhelum River in March 1996.

Andrabi, 42, was allegedly detained by a unit of Rashtriya Rifles led by Major Singh and his body was found a day later.

Authorities in Selma, California, believe Singh shot his family and then took his own life. Singh was found dead in the living room with an apparent gunshot wound to his head, officials said.

Singh called Selma police around 6:15 am yesterday and told them that he had killed members of his family and was going to kill himself, frenscobee.com quoted the Fresno County Sheriff's Office as saying.

A woman, believed to be Singh's wife, and a three-year-old boy were found in the home's master bedroom dead of gunshot wounds to the head, officials said.

The body of a 15-year-old boy was discovered in another bedroom, also with a gunshot wound to the head.

Selma police called the Fresno County Sheriff's Office to assist because they were aware that Singh had military experience in India, the report said.

Outside Singh's home, officers and deputies tried to contact him verbally and by telephone, but he did not respond.

‘Three lives could have been saved had ex-Army officer been extradited to India’ 

File photo of Jaleel Andrabi 

Srinagar, June 10
As the news about the suicide by former Major Avtar Singh, the main accused in the 1996 killing of Kashmiri lawyer Jaleel Andrabi, broke this morning, the Andrabi family in uptown Srinagar rued that had New Delhi got the former Army officer extradited to India, three lives could have been saved.
“Avtar Singh’s family would have been alive if the government had conducted the trial and got him extradited from the US,” Jaleel’s elder brother Arshad Andrabi said.
Arshad said the J&K police, New Delhi, the US Government and the Interpol failed to bring justice to them. “It is also the failure of justice at all levels,” Arshad said.
Avtar Singh reportedly killed his wife and two of their children in their California home before committing suicide today. Avtar Singh, as per reports, had called the Selma police in California about the death of three family members before ending his life.
“Had Avtar Singh, against whom there was an Interpol red-corner notice, faced trial, other details about the murder of my brother would have also come to the fore.
He could not have killed my brother all alone. There must have been other persons who must have been instrumental in the killing of the noted lawyer,” Arshad said, adding that five FIRs were registered against Avtar Singh.
The 36-year-old lawyer and human rights activist, Jaleel Andrabi, was arrested by an Army team, led by a Major, on March 8, 1996, when he was driving home along with his wife. Some 20 days later, Andrabi’s decomposed, trussed-up body was recovered from the Jhelum.
The report of a special investigation team set up by the J&K High Court in June 1996 identified “an Army Major of 103 Territorial Army posted at Rawalpora as prima facie responsible for the death”.
On the orders of the High Court, a murder case was registered against Major Avtar Singh and others. Singh later fled to the US after he was accused of murder.
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar, Mohammed Ibrahim Wani on February 6, 2010, issued an Interpol red-corner notice against Major Avtar Singh.
The court had also directed the J&K Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to vigorously pursue the extradition of Major Avtar Singh. The case is now pending for trial before the court of the CJM, Srinagar, for over a decade.
Singh was arrested by the California police in February this year following a complaint by his wife in connection with a domestic dispute.
A noted human rights activist, Khuram Parvaiz, said the “impunity granted by the Indian state facilitated the murder of three more persons by Avtar Singh”.
“His suicide and the murder of his family members is no justice for Kashmiris. Justice is still awaited...,” he said.

A peep into the case

l Jaleel Andrabi was arrested by an Army Major on March 8, 1996
l Jaleel’s decomposed body was recovered from the Jhelum on May 27
l SIT was set up by the J&K High Court in June 1996, which identified Major Avtar Singh for Andrabi’s death
l Singh later fled to the US after he was accused of murder
l The CJM, Srinagar, on Febuaray 6, 2010, issued an Interpol red-corner notice against Major Avtar Singh. The court also directed the government to extradite him from the USl The case is lying pending for trial before the court of the CJM, Srinagar, for over a decade.

What is NRI status?

 Many people confused about the NRI term and when a person is considered asNon-Resident Indian(NRI). This article gives you the policies related to NRI and how to decide whether a person is NRI for the specific financial year. Please post your feedback in the comments section. If you like this article please subscribe to our future articles here.

What makes you resident?

• If a person stays in India for more the 182 days for the current financial year
• If you stay in India for at least 60 days in India during the current FY and have stayed in India for at least a total of 365 days during the four previous FYs, then you are a resident.
• However, the criteria of 60 days are extended to the first criteria of 182 days for any one of the following instances:
  • 1. If you reside abroad for the purpose of employment.
  • 2. If you reside abroad as the member of the crew of an Indian ship.
  • 3. If you are an Indian citizen or a person of Indian origin who comes to India on a visit.
• If you are an NRI, only your income from India will be taxed. You don’t have to pay taxes on income earned abroad, even if you remit this income to India.
• An Indian citizen leaves India for the purpose of Employment, Education or Staty with parent, at the moment when he is leaving the India he becomes the NRI. In this case when the return period is un-certain then he will be considered as an NRI.

I hope this article helps to understand the NRI status. If you have any doubts regarding theNRI status, please post it in the comments section. I will answer your questions. Thank you for reading this article. If you like this article please subscribe to our future articles.

Bill C-10 makes crossing U.S. border tougher if you have a criminal record

VANCOUVER - The recent passage of Bill C-10, the federal Safe Streets and Communities Act, has made crossing into the U.S. from Canada more difficult for anyone with a criminal record.

A solution can be provided by Commissionaires B.C., but getting a waiver won't be cheap and it could take as long as a year or more, according to Deb Barnett, supervisor of identification for the organization.

Barnett said a Canadian ``record suspension'' is most important for employment reasons. But the new crime law has extended the waiting period for that to five years from three years for less serious offences and to 10 years from five years for indictable offences.

Anyone with three indictable offences leading to prison sentences of more than two years each can't get their record wiped clean. Neither can someone convicted of sex offences against a child.

But getting a U.S. entry waiver is critical for travel to or through the U.S.

``This has some pretty major effects on people's lives,'' said Barnett.

She cited two cases of people who came directly to her office after being turned back at Vancouver International Airport.

One was heading to the U.S. to visit his dying sister in hospital. A random check revealed he had an assault on his record from a marital dispute more than 20 years in the past and he was rejected.

The other man was heading to his second home in Palm Springs, Ariz., to join family members who had travelled ahead of him. A random check of the man, who was in his 50s, turned up a marijuana possession from when he was 18.

``He had no idea they were doing this,'' said Barnett of the checks.

The Commissionaires are an independent, non-profit security organization that provides meaningful work for former Canadian Forces and RCMP members. There are other companies that also deal with the complicated process of getting what used to be called ``pardons'' but are now, since March 12, called ``record suspensions.''

Barnett pointed out that a Canadian pardon is not recognized by U.S. border guards.

That's where a U.S. entry waiver, which is granted by the Department of Homeland Security, is required. It costs $585 US, payable to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

All of this requires getting criminal record files, for which the Commissionaires charge a service fee. The fee for that is $399 but the total for the entire process averages $1,059.

Criminal records are kept in the Canadian Police Information Centre, which can be accessed by U.S. Customs. If a U.S. official has accessed that record it remains in their database even if that record is wiped out by a pardon in Canada.

That's why the entry waiver is critical.

India drags US to WTO on visa fee hike

 

New Delhi: India has dragged the US to the WTO challenging the visa fee hike which discriminates against the Indian software companies sending professionals to the US on short-term contracts.

"Yes, we have sought consultations with the US on the issue," a senior Commerce Ministry official said.

As per the procedure of the World Trade Organisation, consultation is the first stage of a complaint launched in the global trade body.

The US had raised visa fee in 2010 to fund its enhanced costs on its securing its border with Mexico under the Border Security Act. India has been protesting against the measure and raising its concern for the last 18 months.

The law substantially increased the fees for H1B and L1 categories of visas for applicants which employ more than 50 persons in the US or have more than 50 per cent their employees admitted on non-immigrant visas (the 50:50 rule).

Before India's complaint goes to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the Geneva-based WTO, the parties to the dispute are required to engage into bilateral consultations. The process takes about two months.

"The date and place (of these consultations) have not been finalised," the official said adding the US measure is violating of the WTO rules.

Some of the top Indian companies - TCS, Infosys, Wipro and Mahindra Satyam - were affected by the US action on visa fee. The US is the largest market for the Indian software exports. 

Bobby Jindal, Haley possible Romney running mate

Bobby Jindal

Washington, April 10

Indian-Americans, Bobby Jindal and Nikky Haley, are emerging as possible vice-presidential running mate of Mitt Romney, who is expected to bag the Republican Party’s nomination for presidential polls.

However both Jindal, the Governor of Louisiana, and Haley, the Governor of South Carolina, have repeatedly denied that they are in the race for being considered as the vice- presidential running mate for Romney, who is now almost all set to bag the party’s ticket to challenge incumbent President Barack Obama in the November presidential elections.

In its list of 10 possible running mates of Romney, CBS News, a major American media outlet, named both Jindal and Haley. In an interview to the news channel, top Republican Senator, John McCain, said likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney should consider Jindal.

“There are a number of candidates we have out there, Bobby Jindal. Obviously Marco Rubio is in the top tier, Chris Christie,” McCain said.

“Two-term governor of Louisiana is considered a rising star within the Republican Party. The son of Indian immigrants, Jindal campaigned during his first campaign to be governor on rooting out political corruption and turning around a state budget heading to financial crisis.

He reduced the deficit through spending cuts that includes reducing state employee pensions,” CBS News said.

The first Indian-American to serve as Governor, Jindal endorsed Rick Perry, the governor of neighboring state of Texas, early in the campaign and has remained neutral since Perry dropped out.

Currently the youngest governor in the country and the first Indian-American woman to run a state, Haley garnered national attention during her campaign and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin endorsed her, it added.

Haley endorsed Mitt Romney before her state's primary in January but said she is not interested in serving as Romney's running mate, the news channel added.

"There are a number of candidates we have out there. Bobby Jindal. Mitch Daniels. We have a wealth of talent out there, and I'm sure that Mitt will make the right choice. Obviously, it's a touch decision," McCain said.

Four years ago, Jindal was considered as a running mate of McCain.

US students take pledge against dowry

Patiala, April 6

An awareness seminar for students was held at the Queen’s Colden Centre, New York, by the Panthic Sikh Society and the Sikh Student Federation. Dr Harshindar Kaur from India was the keynote speaker at the programme.

Talking to The Tribune over phone from New York, Dr Harshindar Kaur informed she delivered a factual talk about female foeticide and underlined the reasons goading the people to indulge in this social evil. She exhorted the young to shun the practice of dowry and offered a petition against the dowry system to be signed by willing youngsters.

Surprisingly, boys were more enthusiastic and signed the petition in large numbers. The signed petitions were added to the petitions signed in Canada, Europe, England and India. They would be submitted to the UNO.

Indian among 7 killed in US college shootout

Washington, April 3
A 38-year-old Sikkimese was among the seven killed by a disgruntled college student who carried out an execution type killing spree in a California college that also left an Indian-American girl injured.

Tshering Rinzing Bhutia, 38, of San Francisco, was killed when the gunman, a former nursing student of the college, stole his car outside Oikos University, a tiny Christian college that focuses on nursing, yesterday morning.

Bhutia was born in Sikkim and lived alone in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood and worked nights cleaning terminals at the airport, Oakland Tribune reported. He also studied nursing at Oikos and also worked in restaurants.

Indian-American Dawinder Kaur was shot near the right elbow and is in a hospital in Oakland. The suspect has been arrested by the Oakland Police and identified as 43-year-old One Goh, an American of Korean origin.

Dawinder told her family that the gunman, who had been absent from his class for the past several months, suddenly appeared yesterday and ordered all the students to line up against a wall. "He showed his gun and then the students started running," Dawinder said.

Pastor Jong Kim, who founded the school about 10 years ago, said he was unsure whether the man had been expelled or dropped. 

PUNJABI VIRSA-2012

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿਰਸਾ-2012 ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਸ਼ੋਅ 7 ਨੂੰ ਨਿਊਯਾਰਕ 'ਚ

ਨਿਊਯਾਰਕ, 27 ਮਾਰਚ - ਵਾਰਿਸ ਭਰਾਵਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ 'ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿਰਸਾ 2012' ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ 7 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ ਨੂੰ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਸ਼ੋਅ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਰਾਜਵੀਰ ਐਂਟਰਟੇਨਮੈਂਟ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਇਹ ਸ਼ੋਅ ਯੌਰਕ ਕਾਲਜ, ਨਿਊਯਾਰਕ ਵਿਚ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਮੋਟਰ ਲਖਵੀਰ ਜੌਹਲ ਦਾ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮਨਮੋਹਨ ਵਾਰਿਸ, ਕਮਲ ਹੀਰ ਅਤੇ ਸੰਗਤਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਗਾਇਕੀ ਵਿਚ ਪਾਈਆਂ ਸਾਫ-ਸੁਥਰੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੌਲਿਕ ਪੈੜਾਂ ਸਦਕਾ ਸਰੋਤਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਇਸ ਸ਼ੋਅ ਨੂੰ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਉਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਲੜੀ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਦੇ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਸ਼ਹਿਰਾਂ 'ਚ 29 ਮਈ ਤੱਕ ਚਲੇਗੀ

Bill soon to allow more Indians to visit US

New York, March 25
Amid Indian IT firms' concerns over restrictive US visa policies for their employees, a top American senator has assured that he is working on a bipartisan bill that will reform immigration laws and allow more Indians to come to America.

Influential US Senator from New York Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid met noted Indian-American hotelier and Chairman of Indian-American Democrats Sant Singh Chatwal at his Manhattan hotel here on Friday.

During the nearly hour-long meeting, the three discussed India-US bilateral relations, with Chatwal raising concerns of Indian IT corporations regarding problems faced by them in obtaining work visas like H1B and L1 for their employees.

Reid and Schumer expressed appreciation for the contribution made by the growing Indian-American community to the American economy, saying concerns regarding the visas are being addressed and taken care of.

"I am working to try and change the immigration laws so more Indians can come (to the US). One of the things that Harry and I care a lot about is changing the visas. So more Indians can come here to travel," Schumer told PTI after the meeting.

He said while Indians, Chinese, Russians are keen to come to the US, "the visa laws are a little bit too restrictive so we are working on a bipartisan bill. Harry Reid is going to try to help us get it passed very fast."

Chatwal said Schumer assured him that concerns of Indian firms regarding work visas for their employees are being taken care of and that more visas would be issued to Indian businesses and corporations for their employees.

He said Schumer is keen that more Indians come to the US not only on work visas but also as tourists, thereby contributing to the economy here.

CONCERNS BEING ADDRESSED

Influential US Senator from New York Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressed appreciation for the contribution made by the growing Indian-American community to the American economy, saying concerns regarding the visas are being addressed and taken care of