Hind Himalaya Staff, Author at Hind Himalaya

NRI’s can now vote in Indian elections

by Hind Himalaya Staff | Nov 14, 2023 | @HH Bright Zone, Editors Choice

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step towards ensuring the participation of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) voters in the country’s electoral process. In a move that aims to empower overseas voters, the ECI has made it possible for NRIs to exercise their right to vote from abroad.

As part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative, the ECI has introduced a process for NRI voters to enroll and cast their votes. The commission has urged NRI voters to fill out Form 6A in order to get enrolled as voters. This form can be accessed through the Voter Helpline App or by visiting voters.eci.gov.in.

This development comes as a significant milestone in the efforts to make the electoral process more inclusive and accessible to all eligible Indian citizens, regardless of their geographical location. By providing NRI voters with the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, the ECI is taking a proactive step towards ensuring that the voices of overseas Indians are heard and represented in the country’s governance.

The move to enable NRI voters to cast their votes is a testament to the ECI’s commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. It also reflects the commission’s recognition of the valuable contribution that NRI voters can make to the country’s electoral process.

The ECI’s decision to facilitate voting for NRI voters is expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming elections, as it opens up the possibility for a larger and more diverse pool of voters to participate in the democratic process. This move is likely to enhance the overall representation and inclusivity of the electoral process, as it allows for a broader range of perspectives and voices to be heard.

In light of this development, the ECI has called upon NRI voters to take advantage of this opportunity and play an active role in shaping the future of the country through their participation in the electoral process. By filling out Form 6A and enrolling as voters, NRI citizens can make a meaningful contribution to the democratic process and help shape the direction of the nation.

The ECI’s initiative to provide voting facilities to NRI voters has been widely welcomed as a positive step towards strengthening the democratic fabric of the country. It is a testament to the commission’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and have their voices heard.

In conclusion, the ECI’s decision to enable NRI voters to cast their votes is a significant and commendable step towards making the electoral process more inclusive and accessible. By providing overseas Indians with the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, the ECI is taking a proactive step towards ensuring that the voices of NRI voters are represented in the country’s governance. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the upcoming elections and enhance the overall representation and inclusivity of the electoral process.

The Surge Continues: Record Number of Indian Students Opt for the US, Reveals Open Doors 2023 Report

by Hind Himalaya Staff | Nov 13, 2023 | Immigration, Indian-American, Uncategorized

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Open Doors 2023 report has revealed a significant increase in the number of Indian students choosing to stay back in the US on OPT (optional practical training) after completing their academic studies. According to the report, India has become the second leading country for students studying in the US, with the number of Indian students reaching an all-time high of 268,923 in 2022-23, marking a 35% increase from the previous year.

The report, released by the US department of state’s bureau of educational and cultural affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE), also highlighted the robust growth in the number of Indian graduate students, which saw a 63% increase. Additionally, there was a 16% increase in the number of Indian undergraduate students choosing to study in the US.

The surge in the number of Indian students in the US was largely driven by the growing interest in STEM subjects, particularly maths and computer science. Despite concerns about job losses and lower job opportunities in the US, the report indicated that there has been a steady increase in the number of Indian students opting to stay back in the country on OPT.

Dr. Mirka Martel, head of research, evaluation & learning at IIE, emphasized that the data continues to indicate robust growth and interest from Indian students to continue their studies in the US. She also noted that there has been a 17% increase in the overall number of international students on OPT, indicating a strong rebound of international graduates pursuing post-study work opportunities.

Furthermore, the report highlighted that US institutions have reported increases in new Indian student enrolment, with over half of higher education institutions stating that they have more new Indian students this fall than they had a year ago. This trend is expected to continue, with US higher education institutions reporting an 8% increase in international students in Fall 2023, across all academic levels and OPT.

Marianne Craven, acting deputy assistant secretary for academic exchanges, bureau of educational and cultural affairs, US department of state, emphasized the importance of the education relationship between the United States and India, highlighting the significant increase in student visas issued in mission India.

The report also indicated a 14% increase in the number of international students enrolling for the first time at a US college or university during the 2022-2023 academic year, building on the 80% increase in the prior year. This growth was particularly notable in graduate student enrolment, with 467,027 international students pursuing master’s, doctorate, or professional degrees, marking a 21% increase year-over-year.

Overall, the Open Doors 2023 report paints a positive picture of the growing interest and participation of Indian students in the US education system, despite concerns about job losses and lower job opportunities. The report’s findings indicate a strong and enduring relationship between the United States and India in the field of education, with both countries continuing to strengthen ties and promote academic cooperation.

As the number of Indian students in the US continues to soar, it is evident that the US remains a top destination for Indian students seeking higher education and career opportunities. With the ongoing growth and momentum in international student mobility, the future looks promising for Indian students pursuing their academic and professional aspirations in the US.

Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal Gears Up for USA Release

by Hind Himalaya Staff | Nov 12, 2023 | Entertainment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ranbir Kapoor’s highly anticipated film, Animal, is set to have a wider release in the USA than his other upcoming film, Brahmastra. The film is scheduled to premiere in the USA on November 30, with a release in India on December 1. Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, showcases a darker and intense side of Ranbir Kapoor, a departure from his usual charming persona and youthful films.

The film’s pre-teaser and teaser have left audiences in awe of Ranbir’s intense performance, creating a high level of anticipation for the movie. Animal is set to be released in India on December 1, coinciding with the release of Vicky Kaushal and Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Sam Bahadur’, which portrays the life of India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the leader who steered India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan.

According to recent reports, Animal is set to have a wider release in the USA than Brahmastra, with over 888 screens. This surpasses the number of screens for Brahmastra, which was reported to have 810 screens. The USA premiere of Animal is scheduled to start from 6:30 in the evening on November 30, with advance booking for the film expected to begin next week.

There has been some confusion regarding the length of the film, with one ticket booking app showing the length of the film as 3 hours and 18 minutes, while IMDB states the length of the film as 2 hours and 26 minutes. However, no official word has been issued to address this confusion. Despite this, the makers of Animal are confident about the film’s prospects, given the genre and the positive reception of action films in recent times.

Animal was initially supposed to release on August 11, but due to production issues, the release was postponed to December 1. The film also stars Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Rashmika Mandana, adding to the excitement surrounding its release.

The action genre has seen success with recent releases such as Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘Leo: Bloody Sweet’, Rajinikant’s ‘Jailer’, Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’, and ‘Jawan’, all of which have performed well at the box office. With the growing popularity of action films, the makers of Animal are optimistic about its success not only in India but also across the globe.

The wider release of Animal in the USA is a testament to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the film. With Ranbir Kapoor in a darker and intense role, audiences are eagerly awaiting the film’s release to witness his powerful performance on the big screen.

USA Cricket’s ‘Cricket Heroes’ Program Gains Momentum with Zonal Lead Appointments

by Hind Himalaya Staff | Nov 6, 2023 | Sports

Reading Time: 2 minutes

USA Cricket is set to appoint zonal leads for its new ‘Cricket Heroes’ program, which aims to introduce cricket to American children and provide them with a fun and engaging first experience with the sport. The program will be rolled out in the host cities of the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup – Nassau County, New York; Grand Prairie, Dallas, Texas; and Broward County, Florida.

USA Cricket is seeking to hire six zonal leads, with one male and one female leader in each of the target cities. The zonal leads will play a crucial role in training and supervising activators who will assist in delivering the Cricket Heroes program in schools and school districts within their designated zone. They will also be responsible for reaching out to schools to enroll them in the program and maintaining ongoing relationships with them.

To be successful in this role, candidates will need to have a passion for working with children and youth, as well as experience in delivering cricket or sports programs and/or coaching. Excellent communication skills and a team player attitude are also essential, along with strong leadership qualities.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their resume and cover letter to [email protected] The application deadline is October 30, 2023. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

USA Cricket is the National Federation for cricket in the United States and is officially recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Its mission is to govern, regulate, develop, and promote all forms of cricket at all levels within the country. The organization is dedicated to enabling U.S. cricketers to achieve sustained competitive excellence and successfully compete in national and international competitions.

The Board of Directors of USA Cricket, representing various cricket stakeholder groups, is committed to leading the sport to new heights. The organization creates and administers value-added programs to grow and develop cricket, ensuring that it remains a thriving and inclusive sport within the United States.

For more information about USA Cricket and its programs, visit their website at www.usacricket.org.

Indian Rupee Strengthens Against The U.S. Dollar

by Hind Himalaya Staff | Oct 19, 2023 | Indian-American

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The Indian rupee opened stronger against the U.S. dollar on Thursday.
The local currency strengthened three paise to open at Rs 83.24 against the U.S. dollar on Thursday. It closed at Rs 83.27 against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg data.

“The Indian rupee could start this Thursday on a flat note as expectations of RBI presence could offset losses coming from an overnight rally in crude, U.S. Treasury yields, and the dollar,” Reliance Securities said in Oct. 19 note.

The Rupee may open around Rs 83.2300-83.2400 against the greenback compared with Rs 83.2600 in the previous session, with the possibility of trading between Rs 83.1500 and Rs 83.3400 on Thursday, the brokerage said.

“Crude oil prices experienced an uptick, likely driven by geopolitical tensions, such as the Middle East and the visit of US President Biden to Israel. These events have been closely monitored and could have implications for global markets”, Jateen Trivedi, vice president of research at LKP Securities, said.

“Indian capital markets have seen substantial selling pressure, potentially due to a combination of global and domestic factors. Overall, the rupee remains weak in the near term, although the RBI’s intervention continues to provide some stability,” Trivedi said.

“Rising tensions in the Middle East are leading to risk-off sentiment, and stronger US yields are pushing the US dollar higher. 10-year US Treasury yields reached it highest level since 2007, while DXY again surpassed 106.50 levels,” said Kunal Sodhani, vice president, Shinhan Bank (Global Trading Centre).

“For dollar/rupee, the support is seen at Rs 83.15 while the immediate resistance is seen at Rs 83.32 followed by Rs 83.50,” he said.

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