NRI Amloh youth killed in US cremated

Amloh, August 24
The body of a youth named Manpreet, who was murdered in US, was brought and cremated at his native village, Majri Kishnewali, today. Manpreet was shot dead at a petrol pump in South Lake Tahoe city. He worked as a clerk at the pump.

Surveillance video showed a thin man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, shoot Manpreet. The man was wearing a mask. Avtar Singh Bhamarsi, who brought the body from US, said, “Manpreet Singh Ghuman (27) worked in South Lake Tahoe city in El Dorado County in California.”

Non Resident Indian (NRI) Satnam Singh Chahal, North American Punjab Association activist, said, “The Punjabi community in the US was shocked by the incident.”

Former minister Randhir Singh Cheema, SAD vice-president and councillor Darshan Singh Cheema and SGPC member Ravinder Singh Khalsa were present.

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

Philippine Brides, Don't Be a Fool

 

What to know when considering a Philippine Bride

The Philippines is a poor country and has a reputation for relationship fraud. Of course there are plenty of good, beautiful and honest women seeking marriage with foreigners. There is also an active population of scammers, fraud schemes and old fashioned gold diggers. Some women seek financial gain and lifestyle upgrades, an escape from poverty. Others are actually seeking a loving relationship, marriage and something new and exciting. How to tell this difference is the key question.

If she asks for money, put the brakes on. Beware of family or medical "emergencies" where the woman needs cash and financial support fast. Know that sending money via Western Union is likely lost in the event that she's a scammer. Understand that the scammers are professional criminals and are very difficult to distinguish between an honest and trustworthy woman.

Educated yourself by reading about scam and fraud methods. Knowing about the different scams will help you recognize any foul play. The schemes and fraud efforts vary in strategy, but all have one thing in common, money. Money is usually requested in the form of advance fee fraud, where the criminal needs help with school, medical, rent, family, visa, etc. You can read more about the fraud types at Wikipedia's site for relationship fraud and advance fee fraud. This is a major step in prevention.

Once you understand the fraud types and warnings signs, consider a trip to the Philippines. Get to know her and her country. See for yourself who you're dealing with. This is a key step in not only preventing fraud, but also in establishing a meaningful relationship. Take time to get to know her. A Philippine woman in a hurry to marry is a major red flag.

Lastly, if all checks out, get a professional background check by a firm with a local presence in Manila and Cebu. Wymoo offers confidential investigations and has years of experience dealing with potential brides and relationships in the Philippines.

Best of luck, and do your homework!


Admin

PBN

Dangerous - Do not drink Coka-Cola and eat MENTOS together...!!! Seeing is believing ?don't you think ?!!! Last week a little boy died in Brazil after eating MENTOS and drinking Coka-Cola together. One year before the same accident happened with another boy in Brazil .. Please check the experiment that has been done by mixing Coka-Cola (or Coka-Cola light are the same) with MENTOS........ So be careful !!

 
 
 

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.