22nd December 2024
US Immigration Unveils Trial Initiative for H-1B Visa Renewals on American Soil

US Immigration Unveils Trial Initiative for H-1B Visa Renewals on American Soil

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The United States is gearing up to launch a pilot program in December focused on the in-country renewal of specific categories of H-1B visas. This initiative is expected to bring considerable advantages to numerous Indian technology professionals, according to information provided by US officials.

The decision to roll out this program comes on the heels of the White House’s announcement during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June. Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, underscored in an interview with news agency PTI the ongoing high demand for US visas in India. She expressed concerns about prolonged wait times—six, eight, and 12 months—that do not align with their perspective on India.

Commencing in December, the State Department aims to issue 20,000 visas over a three-month period, primarily targeting Indian nationals already residing in the US. This move is poised to significantly benefit India, given its standing as the largest skilled group of workers in the United States.

The program’s primary goal is to eliminate the need for individuals to travel back to India or elsewhere for visa renewal appointments. This, in turn, allows US missions in India to prioritize new applicants. Although the State Department has been actively developing the pilot program for some time, the formal announcement took place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The plan, initially mentioned in the joint statement and later disclosed by PM Modi during his address to the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Centre, has received positive feedback from the Indian community in the US.

Julie Stufft explained that a federal register notice, serving as the first official communication of the program, will be released shortly. This notice will delineate the necessary steps, eligibility criteria for the first tranche of applications, and provide detailed instructions. It’s crucial to note that the domestic visa renewal program specifically applies to work visas.

“This is an existing regulation that was allowed that we just have not used in about 20 years. These are work visas. It is intended for people who are living long-term in the US but want to renew their visa without going back overseas,” stated Julie Stufft.

Characterizing it as a “huge undertaking,” she expressed enthusiasm about the pilot program, set to commence with 20,000 cases in December, January, and February. The State Department is eager to expand the program to include more categories of workers residing in the United States throughout 2024.

Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria hailed the State Department’s move as “significant.” In his capacity as the commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, Bhutoria presented a proposal, accepted and recommended by US President Joe Biden.

“I am happy to see the recommendation I presented on behalf of immigration subcommittees on the Commission for H-1B visa stamping in the USA finally being implemented,” Bhutoria remarked. He highlighted that this relief will ultimately benefit over one million H-1B holders, with a substantial number being Indians.

Bharat JODO Yatra – Confluence of the Thought of Nehru and the Act of Gandhi

Bharat JODO Yatra – Confluence of the Thought of Nehru and the Act of Gandhi

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Certainly, nowadays Indian politics has become a victim of hate speeches, “free ki revdi” culture, and trying to woo people based on caste and religion. It has become a new normal to pursue the minds of the people using these tactics.

Certainly, in the time of a knowledge-packed WhatsApp university , twitter viral war and when the top-rated TV debate anchors invoke nationalism based on the religion you follow and what you eat, arguers are called the best and more visible as they present their viewpoints which can produce enmity between religious groups and more to the young generations that join hands to clap for them.

If someone talks about social injustice, unity in diversity, free speech, secularism, and tolerance will surely be called immature now.

And to an extent that if someone wants to walk down the path of uniting India and talks of secular ideas on the streets will undoubtedly be called a man with no mission.
They will have counters to the question that if India is already united from a geographical point of view, there shall be no need to unite India.

In a time when we are fed with a certain viewpoint of frequent reminders through news channels, and debates, who has the time and courage to think about the Idea of India?

To manifest what you want certainly needs clarity of thought and an immense willingness to act on those principles and values to achieve your absolute goal.
I sometimes think India, that has been brought into existence in 1947 was not only because of only deeds but from words, ideas, and wisdom as well.

I think the Bharat Jodo Yatra has hit that note where it emulates the idea of India and the Act of Gandhi …..

Yatra talks about unity and secularism. As per my understanding of Nehru’s idea of India .. he thinks India’s source of strength lies in its diversity (not some mystical collective of national feeling or being ). His deep commitment was to have India as a community of individuals united.

And on the other hand, the yatra is full of acts and devotion for the desired purpose to unite India based on its emotions, raising the question of social injustice, and financial asymmetry between the people. This was exactly the way Mahatma Gandhi, who went on to concentrate ceaseless activities through his “yatras” and non-violence experiments to awaken the then-British government against injustice towards Indians successfully led India to freedom.

As per my understanding, any noble cause and revolution cant only be successful with a vision of Ideas. And to achieve that you need to act and perform an action to achieve.

Certainly, this confluence of Vision and the devoted efforts of Yatris brings the flavor of an ideology put out by our founding heroes of the nation and, this gives a glimpse of their thoughts, ethics, and activities.

Swati Ravi of Plano City Named Mitchell Scholar

Swati Ravi of Plano City Named Mitchell Scholar

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Swati Ravi CC’22, of Plano, Texas, has been selected as one of twelve recipients of the George J. Mitchell Scholarship. Ravi plans to pursue an MSc in Space, Science and Technology at University College Dublin.

Established in 1998, Mitchell Scholarships provide one year of postgraduate study at an Irish university in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Named after Senator George Mitchell, the program seeks to support future leaders in any field who will benefit from study on the island of Ireland. This is the second year that the Scholars were selected virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ravi won first place for her paper about that project at the 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum, the world’s largest conference for aerospace research and development. She also won the NASA Student Payload Opportunity with Citizen Science competition. She led a team of 25 students in designing a project to study the effects of microgravity on antibiotic resistance of bacteria. This project will fly to the International Space Station in December 2021, said the release.
Ravi served as president of the Columbia Space Initiative, an aerospace engineering student club with 120 active members. She also oversaw Columbia University’s math and science tutoring outreach program with three New York City public schools.

She will be doing her research and study in Space, Science and Technology at University College Dublin.

“Giriraj Govardhan” jubilantly worshipped in Dallas temple

“Giriraj Govardhan” jubilantly worshipped in Dallas temple

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Govardhan puja, one of the biggest festivals in the month of Kartik, observed on Shukla paksha pratipad, is celebrated with great jubilation in Radha-Kalachandji temple in Dallas on November 5th Friday.Puja Celebration kicked off with the Hare Krishna Mahamantra

                                                                           Hare Krishna Hare Krishna , Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

                                                                                 Hare Rama Hare Rama , Rama Rama Hare Hare  

Where everyone was chanting and singing the Mahamantra and able to express their devotion to the Sri Sri Radha-KalaChandji to please the lord and get his Anubhuti on this auspicious day.

Hare Krishna Mahamantra Kirtan was followed by splendid Abhishek ceremony. It is believed  that by performing Abhikesham, the devotees and offeror cleanse and purify their own minds and impurity of soul and thus surrenders to the lotus feet of lord Krishna.

Soon after the awaited “Govardhan Puja” Started, and everyone was immersed in the devotion of “Giriraj Govardhan by offering Puja and chanting Hare Krishna Mantras. The main hall where Srila Prabhupada Murthi is also situated is well decorated and prepared for the celebration.

This Blissful celebration and worshiping program concluded with the sit down bhajans of Hare Krishna Mahamantra and then all the devotees offer ghee lamps in the evening and sing the beautiful Damodarastakam, which created a transcendental atmosphere in temple.

Later all the devotees took Prasadam . The whole atmosphere was filled with devotion, glory of supreme lord Krishna and divinity. Little kids’ devotees were offering the lamp to offer puja to all the devotees was good to see the Krishna Lila and his blessings to the new generation.

How Govardhan Puja started?

Govardhan puja, one of the biggest festivals in the month of Kartik, observed on Shukla paksha pratipad . The glories of Govardhan are endless and the importance of his worship was established by Krishna himself. It is said that once when the Vrijavasis were preparing for the yajna to be performed for the pleasure of lord Indra, to appease him and be blessed with sufficient rain, the young Krishna questioned the ritual and proclaimed that the worship of lord Indra was unnecessary as it was his responsibility to provide the required amount of rain to all the inhabitants of the world. Instead, they should worship mother cow and Giriraj Govardhan, as they are truly the sustainers of all the cowherds in Vrindavan.All Vrajwasis then assembled in front of the hill and performed puja to mother cow and Govardhan hill and offered all the bhoga to him. However, Indra was greatly enraged by this and immediately he ordered his Samvartaka clouds to go and devastate entire Vraj and inundate it with water. The wrath of lord Indra struck fear in the hearts of the Vrajvasis and therefore they took shelter of Krishna and prayed to him to protect them from the torrents of rain being sent by Indra. Seeing the plee of the Vrajavasis Krishna immediately lifted Govardhan hill and held it up for seven days, providing all the residents of Vraja protection from the downpour. Thereafter, when Indra understands the supremacy of Krishna and therefore came and asked for forgiveness, offering many prayers in glorification. In this way Shri Krishna himself established the worship of Giriraj Govardhan and tame the ego of Indra.

Significance of Kartik Month –

Kartik is the eighth month of the Hindu calendar, which usually overlaps with October or November in the Gregorian calendar. The month is considered one of the holiest months and it is believed that it is the month of awakening the soul with meditation and celebration. Observing fasts in the month is glorified in the Puranas. Padma Purana describes Kartik month as Krishna’s favorite month. People observe fast in this month to discard all evil deeds and adopt a pure way of life. Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami, Rama Ekadashi, Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Gowardhan Puja, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja and Tulsi Vivah, are some of the festivals celebrated in Kartik month.

Nityananda das – Ardent Devotee of Krishna, the Yogi, the president of Radha-Kalachandji temple –

Nityananda das serves as the Chairperson for the North American GBC Executive Team, which oversees all ISKCON temples across North America.  He also serves as GBC of five states in the United States of America and serves as Temple President of the flourishing Dallas Hare Krishna Centre (ISKCON Dallas). Under able leadership of Nityananda das Radha-Kalachandji temple carries out several initiatives and programs to take Dallas devotees on the path of Krishna bhakti and setting up a Krishna conscious path for the future generations.