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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018
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MIDWEST / EASTCOAST
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community news/midwest 2
FRIDAY,02 FEBRUARY, 2018
FIA-Chicago marks Republic Day
Rishi Agrawal is running for Cook County judge
Rishi Agrawal
BY A STAFF WRITER HICAGO, IL -- Rishi Agrawal, an attorney practicing for almost 20 years, is running for Cook County Judge - 8th Subcircuit. He is seeking to become the first male Asian-American elected to the bench in Cook County. During Rishi’s 19 years of legal practice, he has handled murder trials, million dollar commercial litigation trials, as well as divorce and small business related matters. He has been found qualified or recommended by each Bar Association in Chicago. Rishi has been a community leader for many years. He continues to serve as an elected parent member of the South Loop Elementary School Local School Council and as Secretary of the Board of the Indo-American Center, an organization that serves the immigrant community. Rishi’s grandparents fought the British during India’s Non-Violent Independence Movement under Mahatma Gandhi, and were jailed several times by the British for non-violent protests. This tradition of service and a focus on justice is a necessary qualification, which will serve him well, while delivering judgments from the bench.
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BY A STAFF WRITER HICAGO, IL -- Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago hosted a grand Indian Republic Day Gala on January 26, marked by colorful celebrations encompassing traditional, patriotic and stunning contemporary dance presentations. Present on the occasion at the Meadows Convention Center in Rolling Meadows, IL were Consul General of India Neeta Bhushan, legendary Sarod maestro & Padma Vibhushan Amjad Ali Khan along with wife Subhalakshmi and sons Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash. The highlight of the evening’s celebrations was the swearing-in ceremony of the FIA Executive Board: Sanhita Agnihotri as new
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FIA president with executive vice president Pradeep Shukla, vice presidents: Harish Kolasani, secretary: Saloni Dar, treasurer: Satish Dadepogu, joint secretary: Chris Aryan, joint treasurer: Raj Patel and host of directors-Yoga Balaji, Vijender Doma, Shafeeq Khaja and Shabana. The Consul General congratulated FIAChicago for hosting an impressive event in celebration of the Republic of India, and fondly recalled her first attendance at FIA’s Indian Republic Day event in 2017 as the Chief Guest. Amjad Ali Khan extended warm greetings on the occasion of India’s Republic Day event. FIA president Sanhita Agnihotri unveiled bold ambitious plans to steer FIA in a new direction by launching more meaningful program initiatives significant
to the Indian American community. The evening celebrations predominantly e n c o m p a s s e d b re a t h t a k i n g d a n c e presentations especially an epic ballet dance presentation facilitated by Harish Kolasani with 32 members dancing in unison and harmony. The theme was India’s ‘Unity in Diversity’, hailing India’s landscape of mountain ranges, vast rivers, dark forests, stream, sandy deserts its colorful diversity of people of all castes, creeds, faiths each complimenting the union of India. Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, FIA trustee urged the guests to pause on this Republic Day to salute the freedom fighters who have shown their valor to secure emancipation from the colonial rule and achieve Independence.
Lest Dreamers face a nightmare! BY PARVEEN GOYAL HICAGO, IL -- As you might know, there is a negotiation going on for DACA (Dreamers), the White House has proposed in lieu of immigration for Dreamers, that existing immigration laws for family members of US Citizens may be changed. The following is the proposed item: That immigration for parents and siblings (brothers and sisters) be eliminated. In other words, citizens will not be able to file for their parents Green Card as well as for brothers and sisters. This will cut and leave out millions of family members of US citizens who may not be able to immigrate to the US. Also the President wants 25 billion dollars for building a wall and enforcing security at the border and make strict and tough deportation rules. Of course, there are many other conditions and terms which is going to reduce other legal immigration cases. The bottom line is, first whether democrats agree to the terms or are able
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Attorney Parveen Goyal
to negotiate some break in the proposed amendments. Democrats are in a bad position. First, they do not have majority in US House and Senate.
In order to save dreamers they may give in to cuts in family immigration which can hurt existing family-based immigration for parents and brothers/sisters of US citizens. If they do not agree with President’s proposed terms, they may not be able to get the legalization of Dreamers. It’s a tough call. One is not sure what will be passed or changed in existing immigration laws (especially family-based immigration). If and when the changes to existing family immigration laws will; happen. It is advisable that all US citizens, who are considering to file for their parents, brothers or sisters, must file petition for family member(s) as soon as possible for their case. If filed before the change of law, the case may get protected by the ‘Grandfather clause’ which is expected to be included in the new amendment. (This article is written by attorney Parveen Goyal of American Law Offices with more than 27 years of experience practicing immigration law. Attorney Goyal can be reached at 847-584-7617).
Doctor helps deliver baby on flight
Dr Sij Hemal
BY A STAFF WRITER LEVELAND, OH -- Dr. Sij Hemal, second-year Indian American urology resident at Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, helped deliver a baby on December 17 when a passenger on the New York-bound flight went into labor. Toyin Ogundipe, a banker who resides in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria, went into labor midway through the flight as the flight was over the southern coast of Greenland. In lieu of making an emergency landing, Dr Hemal (27) volunteered to help Ogundipe and instructed the pilot to stay the course to the JFK International Airport in New York. The patient was moved to the roomier firstclass section where the doctor used instruments and supplies in the flight’s scanty medical kit to routinely check her vital signs, including blood pressure, oxygen rate and pulse. Within the course of an hour, Ogundipe’s contractions accelerated; they occurred seven, then five and finally two minutes apart. After about a half hour of pushing, Ogundipe gave birth to a boy, whom she named Jake. Hemal safely removed the placenta, used a surgical clamp (and a shoestring) to tie off the umbilical cord, and then cut it off with a pair of scissors.
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