Indians in New York urge US to boycott Olympics

The Indian American Intellectuals Forum has urged the United States to boycott the coming Olympics to send a ''clear and strong'' message to Beijing that Washington would not tolerate suppression of and brutalities against peace-loving Tibetans.

''This will be a minimal symbolic gesture of our solidarity with the Tibetan people,'' said the Forum President Narain Kataria in a letter to President George Bush on Saturday.

Stating that there is precedent, Kataria recalled the boycott of Moscow Olympics in 1980 after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

I catch up on news related to India only on NDTV 24x7 since it is the only channel that provides comprehensive and accurate news. People in the US can access this channel only through DirecTV.

Americans seek employment in India

American citizens with professional degrees from the US are looking forward to move to India. And here I am, an Indian in the US.

In the past two years, the New York Consulate has issued work visa to more than 900 people. In 2006 the New York Consulate issued 335 employment visas while in 2007, more than 430 employment visas were issued. If the trend of the first three months is of any indication, 2008 could well break all previous records.

Figures made available indicated the Indian Embassy in Washington issued about 300 work visas in past two years, while Houston Consulate down South issued nearly 100; indicating India is gradually emerging as employment destination for the Americans as job opportunities in the US has increasingly been shrinking in past two years.

I saw this news on NDTV 24x7. The India-centric news channel is available in the US through DirecTV.

Indian writer nominated for top UK prize

I saw the coverage on NDTV 24x7 about Indians abroad. I like to stay abreast of latest happenings in India and India-centric news. So, to subscribe for NDTV 24x7 was a logical choice. News channels in US do not cover India-centric news extensively. Needless to say, Cricket and Bollywood are like UFOs, covered once in a few months.

Famous Indian writer Anita Nair has been included in the long list for the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction, one of Britain's most prestigious awards in the literary circuit.

Nair's nominated book Mistress, is her third novel, one among the many which have been translated into over 25 languages.

The winner will receive a cheque for 30,000 pounds and a limited edition bronze known as a 'Bessie', created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven.

The Orange Broadband Prize, the UK's only annual book award for fiction written by a woman, is now in its 13th year.

I have subscribed for NDTV 24x7 through DirecTV, the best Satellite TV service provider in the US. It has got some nice packages for Indian channels. I think DirecTV is a must for Indians in the US. Here is the link for DirecTV:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart2.jsp?assetId=1200042

Anand beats Mamedyarov in rapid game, maintains joint lead

My favorite chess player & World champion Viswanathan Anand thumped Shakhriayar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan to register his second straight rapid game victory in the second round of the Amber Blindfold and Rapid Chess tournament.

No channel shows a chess match live, I watched the news on NDTV 24x7, available in the US through DirecTV.

Anand continued excellent results with black pieces in the traditional yet unique event that has one blindfold and one rapid game in each round.

With nine rounds still to go, Anand is now sitting pretty at joint top in rapid along with Levon Aronian of Armenia on two points each after two wins with black pieces. They are followed by Magnus Carlsen of Norway, Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria and Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk on 1.5 points each.

I am sure Anand will comfortably win the chess tournament, I will be watching the news on NDTV 24x7 and keep posting.

Force India 9th & 17th in Practice2

The 2008 season of Formula1 has begun with Practice 1 & 2. McLaren looked strong in the 2nd Practice session but it was a Ferrari 1,2 in the 1st Practice.

Our very own Force India had a decent debut with Fisichella finishing 9th fastest but Adrian Sutil could only manage the 17th fastest lap. Fisichella was almost 2 seconds behind Hamilton's McLaren. A difference of 2 seconds is a lot but for a new team on the circuit it couldn't be better. I think Mallya's objective of finishing in the 1st 10 places is reasonable.

Fisichella looks promising sporting the Indian colours and I will be backing him besides Kimi Raikonnen, the defending champion.

The qualifying for the 1st race of F1 2008 is all set for Saturday till then I will be watching NDTV 24x7 for updates just as the news channel was the 1st one to break this news to me.

NDTV 24x7 is available in the US only through DirecTV. I will watch the news channel after Sunday's race as the race will be analyzed with Force-India as the focus.

Royal welcome awaits Team India

The victorious Indian team leaves airport in a bus for the hotel. Virender Sehwag leaves earlier in a personal vehicle. I was expecting a grand welcome just like the Twenty20 World Cup. Doesn’t matter, I am not in India to receive the victorious team but can atleast watch the coverage on NDTV 24×7 - my only source of India-centric news.

The battle has been won and the warriors are back.

NDTV got exclusive access to the Indian cricket team on their flight from Melbourne to Mumbai. NDTV 24×7 is a boon for Indias living in the US.

The exhausted players were catching up on some much needed sleep, after a grueling 84-day tour Down Under.

The Indian team was accorded little chance of winning the Commonwealth Bank Series. Australia was the bookies’ favourite for winning in the second final in Brisbane.

The new-age Indian team proved most pundits wrong, wrapping-up the series with a comfortable 2-0.

A lot of credit has rightfully gone to Captain M S Dhoni, considering his fearless team selection and the immense faith he displayed in the young side.

NDTV 24×7 is a must for Indians residing in the US. The incisive news channel is available in the US only through DirecTV. For more information visit the Squidoo Lens.