The family members of Jangam Praveen Reddy, the city youth who has been stabbed in London, have been granted UK visa.
Praveen, who was doing MBA from London School of Business, was critically stabbed on Friday night in the Newham borough of London.
Praveen's brother Jayashankar Reddy told reporters here on Sunday that the family members have been granted UK visa and they were rushing to London. He said Praveen was still critical, but there has been an improvement in his condition. Earlier on Saturday, Foreign Minister SM Krishna spoke to Praveen's father Sudhakar Reddy and assured him of all help from the Centre. Krishna also spoke to acting High Commissioner in the UK Rajesh Prasad asking him to extend all possible help to Praveen's family.
Meanwhile, three Indians have reportedly been arrested on the charges of attempt to murder. However, the motive behind the incident was not yet known. (INN)
2012/2/11 8:13:39 The family of Jangam Praveen Reddy, the MBA student who was stabbed on Friday in London, has requested External Affairs Minister SM Krishna to make arrangements for their visit to London to see Praveen.
The External Affairs Minister on Saturday telephone Praveen's father Sudhakar Reddy, a resident of Pragati Nagar in LB Nagar, assuring him that the Indian Embassy has been instructed to provide required help to Praveen in London. He assured the family that arrangements could be made to bring Praveen back to the city. However, Sudhakar Reddy requested the minister to make arrangements for their visit to London.
Praveen, who was doing MBA at the London Business School, was stabbed on Friday in the London. He is said to be in a critical condition. The Scotland Yard has arrested 11 people for the stabbing. (INN)
Chandrabau Naidu who made a personal appearance at the US embassy in Chennai has been granted visa to visit the US. Babu spent about five minutes at the embassy. He has been given a visa for 10 years. His visa has expired and he applied for a fresh visa. Babu is visiting the US for about 10 days. He will leave Hyderabad on June 26. He is expected to take part in the TANA conference during his visit.
Former chief minister and TDP chief Chandra Babu Naidu will wait for his turn like ordinary mortals for a visa at the US embassy in Chennai. Chandra Babu’s visa has expired and he needs a fresh visa to go to the US in the last week of June. Chandra Babu Naidu was exempted from physical appearance at the US Embassy all theses years in his capacity as the Chief Minister.
The US embassy normally waives the rule of personal appearance for certain categories of people like chief ministers. It would be a new experience for Babu, who is attending an interview for visa. Babu has rubbed shoulders with non other than the then US president Bill Clinton when he came to Hyderabad. Babu as the chief minister had issued recommendation letters to the US Embassy requesting visas for many people including party legislators. He even saw to it that his personal staff was not required to go to Chennai for a visa while he was in power.
However, it is learnt that Chandra Babu did not seek an exemption to make a personal appearance at the embassy for the visa. If he had sought permission, he would surely have been granted the privilege.
The fake visa scam and the issue of actress Asha Saini being arrested for trying to smuggling out a girl by claiming her to be her make up artist has sent shockwaves in Tollywood. Many top producers and director are also said to be involved in this. Mallikarjuna Rao said to the media that some time back a delegation of about 20 artists went to the US to take part in TANA conference.
AVS tried to include his brother in the delegation as an astrologer. The US consulate did not issue a visa to him stating that the services of an astrologer were not needed in a cultural team. AVS now wants to know what this has to do with the visa scam.
2008/3/14 12:58:37 The issue of fake visa and the smuggling of people, in the name of artists and technicians has taken a big twist. The US consulate officials state that there are some very big names in the list of 200 people who have been banned from entering into the US forever.
A bit producer, a leading hero and also a leading comedian are said to be in the list that is in the possession of the investigating agencies in Chennai. The gossip in film nagar is now about the identity of these three people. Many names are coming out but no one is yet to come out on record. Till then, the suspense over the names of the big fish involved in the fake visa racket will remain under wraps.
2008/3/14 8:11:11 The issue of fake visa and the smuggling of people, in the name of artists and technicians has taken a big twist. The US consulate officials state that there are some very big names in the list of 200 people who have been banned from entering into the US forever.
A big producer, a leading hero and also a leading comedian are said to be in the list that is in the possession of the investigating agencies in Chennai. The gossip in film nagar is now about the identity of these three people. Many names are coming out but no one is yet to come out on record. Till then, the suspense over the names of the big fish involved in the fake visa racket will remain under wraps.
Lyricist Praveen Bharadwaj who has given lyrics to more than 100 films and 25 music albums has refused to do films with Mahesh Bhatt with whom he had worked on many films at one point of time in his career. One wonders why the fallout between the two despite Bhardwaj wrote hit songs for Mahesh Bhatt's films like Gunaah, Saaya and Inteha.
Praveen laments, "I charge a certain amount for my services. It may look too high to some people, but those are my charges. After the recording of Saaya, Mahesh Bhatt paid me an amount that cannot be mentioned. I just refused the payment. Post that I wrote lyrics for only one song each for his next two films. And both these songs 'Dil Chura Liya' from Saaya and 'Ab Humse Akela Raha Jaye Na' from Inteha were hits."
Incidentally Praveen claims he charges only second to Javed Akhtar.
2011/9/2 3:10:48 Visa related services will soon be available in post offices -- in remote areas.
India Post Friday said it has signed an agreement with VFS Global to provide the services. VFS Global is a leading outsourcing firm providing administrative functions for diplomatic missions across the world.
The agreement was signed Aug 8.
Under the pact, post office counters will be used for fee collection, sell visa application forms, provide information and other services.
India Post and VFS Global are also planning to cooperate in utilizing India Post?s courier service, Speed Post for moving passports to VFS offices and embassies, and their delivery back to the applicants.
Currently people from smaller cities and rural areas travel long distances to avail passport and visa services.
Lack of information is a major area of concern as this allows unscrupulous elements to cheat unsuspecting people. (IANS)
2011/10/18 3:04:41 The recent denial of visa to the Dalai Lama by the South African government has been dragged to courts here.
In an affidavit before the Western Cape High Court, representatives of the Tibetan spiritual leader in South Africa said the country's High Commission in New Delhi had declined to accept a visa application on his behalf on two occasions.
Then on the third occasion, the application was directed to a private processing agency. Since a reply to the request for visa was not forthcoming, the Dalai Lama eventually cancelled his visit.
He had been invited to attend the 80th birthday celebrations of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu in Cape Town Oct 7. He was also scheduled to speak at other engagements.
Indian officials accompanying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said this matter, however, will not come up during his discussions with his host and South African President Jacob Zuma, since New Delhi considers it an internal matter of Pretoria.
Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Singer Sonu Nigam, who was due to perform at London's O2 arena Sunday, is disappointed after he had to cancel his visit following visa issues.
Nigam was due to share stage with Pakistani singer Atif Alsam at Dhamaka Bollywood Concert London 2012, but had to pull out after his group members failed to get visas.
"Disappointed and enraged to inform everyone that I'm not coming to London. Hard to believe that except my visa, not a single visa for my group was done. Never happened in 20 years of overseas travel," Nigam tweeted.
"Don't know whom to blame. Our entire team's time and repute has been wasted. Only if the show is postponed now to another date, would we be vindicated. Prayers everyone," he further posted.
2011/11/29 16:14:17 Mumbai, Nov 29 (IANS) India's medium pacer Praveen Kumar was ruled out of the on-going One-Day International series against the West Indies and also from the forthcoming Test series in Australia from next month.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Jagdale said that Praveen, who was already ruled out of the first three ODIs against the West Indies with a blunt chest trauma, underwent a scan Monday evening, and Tuesday reports said that he has a fractured rib.
"He is expected to recover in 5-6 weeks, and has, therefore, been ruled out of the ODI series against the West Indies as well as the Test series in Australia that follows. His replacement for the Australia tour will be named on December 5, when the selectors meet in Ahmedabad to pick the Indian team for the last two ODIs against the West Indies," Jaagdale said.
Karnataka medium pacer Abhimanyu Mithun was announced as a replacement for Praveen for the first three ODIs against the West Indies.
The 25-year-old Praveen has been suffering from a recurring elbow problem that kept him out of India's successful World Cup campaign at home earlier this year. He bowled well during the Test series in England but an ankle injury forced him to miss the fourth Test at the Oval.
2011/2/1 20:43:55 The all rounder in Indian cricket team Praveen ever since he has been selected for the world-cup team said he is flying high in the clouds. He said that, he feel very happy and proud to represent India in the world cup. Praising his world cup team captain Mahendar Singh Dhoni he said “He is like Obama of the cricket. He always looks quiet peaceful and confident of himself and his team. I have never seen him loose his temper in any kind of situation. We will try our best in winning the world cup for India.”
Saif Ali Khan not refused visa, say festival organisers
2006/12/13 4:55:55 Organisers of the ongoing Sixth Kara Film Festival Tuesday denied suggestions that Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was denied visa by the Pakistan government.
Khan was not coming because of the clash with his shooting schedule, a spokesman of the festival was quoted as saying, rejecting the "notion" that the visa had been denied to him.
Khan, along with many of the artists of "Omkara", were expected to be present at next Saturday's screening of the film that is based on Shakespeare's "Othello."
Media reports here did not mention why Khan's non-arrival had been attributed to denial of visa, a frequent occurrence in India and Pakistan when non-official visits are exchanged.
This would have been Saif's second visit to Pakistan, the first one being a charitable event last year for which he had accompanied Malaika Arora and Sushmita Sen.
The arrival of Ajay Devgun and other star cast would be known only 48 hours before the special screening, the organizers said.
Vishal Bhardwaj, the director of Omkara, is expected to make an appearance along with the stars.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is the festival's ambassador and a regular, his brother Mukesh and some other Bollywood film personalities have attended the festival that has had many Indian films screened this year.
2011/9/23 8:54:15 Worried by continuing slide in the international students' numbers, the Australian government has decided to relax visa norms further.
The decision has coincided with former New South Wales minister Michael Knight's report that calls for loosening the onerous immigration requirements for international students.
The government has accepted all 41 recommendations made by the 'Knight Review'. These recommendations include similar assessment level for all international students regardless of their country of passport. The students would also need to show A$36,000 less to get Australian student visa.
The rising Australian dollar and global financial crisis have dealt a serious blow to the universities and vocational education colleges in the country as international students, especially from India and China, have started shunning Australia.
"The university and vocational education sectors have been concerned for some time that the visa system was making them uncompetitive in what is stiff competition among provider nations," Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans said Thursday.
"They were wanting to make sure our visa system was allowing them to compete on an equal basis," the minister added.
The changes proposed by the Labor government include a more streamlined visa process for international students coming down under for higher studies. This would mean easing financial criteria. International students are now required to prove they have sufficient funds to finance their studies and living expenses in Australia upfront.
The proposed changes would also see introduction of a new work visa for international students. There are speculations that this work visa could be something similar to the ones offered by Canada and New Zealand to international students once they have finished their studies.
The post-studies work visa is likely to be of two to four years' validity depending upon the level of studies completed by the international student in Australia.
While the financial requirements would be relaxed considerably, the onus would be on the student to establish they are genuine students and have plans to return to home country after finishing the studies.
"It's not enough to be genuine about your studies and have no intention of going home, nor is it enough to be genuine about going home but not serious about your studies," Michael Knight said while speaking in a press conference in Canberra Thursday.
The assessment levels which decide financial requirements for various countries have been the major impediment for students from countries like India and China as they are classified as "high risk" countries. The higher assessment levels also mean students have to show much more funds in the bank accounts before student visa could be issued.
"Our consultations found that the financial requirements for student visas were too onerous, so we are reducing the financial requirements for some applicants, with students now needing around $36,000 less in the bank when applying for a visa," Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement accompanying the report's release. (IANS)
US President Barrack Obama has signed an executive order (G.O.) recently, easing the norms for sanctioning US Visas to the tourists. It is mainly intended to attract the tourists especially from developing countries like India and China, which stood first and second in tourists visit to US.
America is expecting at least 14% growth in the tourists' inflow in next five years. James W Herman, the in-charge of counseling affairs in US Embassy in India has said "The decision will surely increase the inflow of tourists into our country. We have been taking all measures to ease the process for sanctioning US Visas to tourists. We have already increased 6% staff in our US consulates in India and also opened two new consulates at Hyderabad and Mumbai cities. We have also made several changes to reduce the waiting period for Visas in our offices. Majority of our tourists are from India. So, we are trying to ease the process of Visa sanctioning to Indians. India stood in 2nd place in working visas and student visas. We have allotted 68 thousands of H1b Visas during the last year and sorted out 7 lakhs Visa application in India alone. So, we give India utmost priority in granting Visas," said Herman.
2010/10/2 9:25:12 The latest sensation in the industry Tapsi Pannu who made her debut with ‘Jummandhi Nadham’ is supposed to go to Switzerland for her film shooting. But, when she went for visa interview held by Swiss Embassy in Mumbai, the officials of the Embassy demands her to show a proof as actress for sanctioning the visa. But, Tapsi’s agent failed to provide any proof about her profession and hence the officials have rejected her application. It’s learnt that Tapsi had a hot discussion with the Embassy Officials for their ignorance about her identity.
2011/2/1 22:35:20 Srikanth’s latest movie ‘Anucharudu’ shooting is progressing with brisk pace at Hyderabad. Tarun and Jasmine are also playing the lead roles in this film. A.Ashok is the director and Praveen Bala is producing it under Praharsha Entertainment banner. Currently, the unit is filming some important scenes on Tarun and Jasmine. Producer Praveen said it is an action packed romantic entertainer. This shooting of this film will be completed in June and film will be released in August, in the beginning of festival session.
2007/2/2 4:25:21 'Vanakkam Talaiva' directed by Shakti Paramesh with Satyaraj, Abbas and Pranathi in the lead is being dubbed into Telugu by Soma Vijay Prakash as 'Namaste Guruva' on the banner of Vijay Entertainments.
The first copy of the film is ready. Producer Vijaya Prakash says, 'The dubbing activities were totally held in Hyderabad. The film is very near to Telugu nativity. We will complete the censor formalities and release the film soon.
Dialogue writer Praveen Chakravarthy says, 'The story deals with a couple who were in love and the consequences due to the entry of a negative character between them. The entire film is quite interesting.' Nazar, Vivek, Swapna, Babylonia and Abhinayasri are in the cast. Lyrics and dialogues are by Praveen Chakravarthy, music is by Deva, executive producer – Yeluru Surender Reddy.
2012/4/15 9:36:42 The Aalmi Jamiyatul Mashaiq, a representative body of religious heads, on Sunday demanded that the Hyderabad City Police impose a ban on the speeches of VHP leader Praveen Togadia.
In a statement, AJM chief advisor Moulana Syed Shah Mazhar Hussaini alleged that despite the prevailing volatile situation due to recent communal clashes in the Old City, Praveen Togadia was being allowed to make provocative speeches in different parts of the city. Referring to one such speech, he said that Togadia objected to the reservation being given to Muslims and tried to instigate SCs and STs by falsely claiming Muslims were being reservation benefits from their quota.
Mazhar Hussaini said that the Muslim community was being reservation not on the religious lines, but due to their poor economic conditions. However, he said the SCs and STs too were given reservation benefits purely on religious grounds. He said that a person belonging to other religions could not get reservation or other benefits that a SC or ST enjoys.
He also defended the Haj subsidy and other benefits that the minorities enjoy and said that Togadia was mistaken that those sops were being given to the Muslims from the taxes collected from the majority community. He said Muslims too were paying the taxes regularly and thousands of Muslim NRIs were contributing to the foreign exchange that the country earns.
Demanding that the City Police impose a ban on the Praveen Togadia's speeches, Mazhar Hussaini said that provocative speeches with distorted facts would only affect the communal harmony in the city. (INN)
The family of Jangam Praveen Reddy, the MBA student who was stabbed on Friday in London, has requested External Affairs Minister SM Krishna to make arrangements for their visit to London to see Praveen.
Visa related services will soon be available in post offices -- in remote areas.
The recent denial of visa to the Dalai Lama by the South African government has been dragged to courts here.
Worried by continuing slide in the international students' numbers, the Australian government has decided to relax visa norms further.
Srikanth’s latest movie ‘Anucharudu’ shooting is progressing with brisk pace at Hyderabad. Tarun and Jasmine are also playing the lead roles in this film. A.Ashok is the director and Praveen Bala is producing it under Praharsha Entertainment banner. Currently, the unit is filming some important scenes on Tarun and Jasmine. Producer Praveen said it is an action packed romantic entertainer. This shooting of this film will be completed in June and film will be released in August, in the beginning of festival session.
