NRIs Seek Protection for Investments, Petition Indian Embassies Worldwide
Bengaluru : In a significant global initiative, NRIs across the world have gathered at Indian embassies and consulates, urging for the protection of their investments and savings in India. This campaign marks one of the largest gatherings of NRIs post-independence.
The NRIs have organised themselves into groups, advocating for relief measures and highlighting their concerns. Their petition, presented at various locations, stresses on the point that approximately one out of every three NRIs has faced victimisation in India. They appeal to the Indian government for support, citing their substantial contributions to the nation.
The key request of the NRIs is the enactment of the NRI Protection Bill to address their concerns and safeguard their investments. This campaign began in Eastern Asian regions like Hong Kong and Australia, followed by petitions in the Middle East, Gulf nations, Europe, the US, and Canada.
Subhas Balappanavar, the international convenor leading the campaign, and his team visited seven consular offices in the USA. Balappanavar recounted his experience at the Indian consulate in San Francisco, stating that after some initial hurdles, they were able to meet consulate officials to submit their petition.
Meanwhile, Mohan Vel Thandapani, a member of the NRI Grievance group, visited the Indian consulate in Dubai. He mentioned that with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the Middle East as part of the 'Alhan Modi' campaign, where 55,000 NRIs have already registered, they aim to meet the PM and urge him to address the issue of protecting NRI savings and investments.
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Australian woman fined for stealing Chanel perfume from airport duty-free store after two years
Singapore: A 35-year-old Australian national, Raj Varsha, was fined $750 by a Singapore court on April 11 after pleading guilty to stealing a bottle of Chanel perfume valued at nearly $250 from a duty-free store at Changi Airport in March 2023.
According to court proceedings, the incident occurred at around 4:10 a.m. on March 22, 2023, when Varsha entered The Shilla Duty Free store located in the Terminal 1 departure transit area.
State Prosecuting Officer Zakir Hussain informed the court that Varsha had concealed the perfume bottle in her bag and exited the store without making payment.
Security personnel, upon noticing the missing item, alerted store employees. CCTV footage confirmed the theft, after which the store supervisor notified the Airport Police Division. Varsha departed for Thailand with her family at approximately 9:10 a.m. on the same day.
She was detained on March 31, 2025, upon re-entering Singapore. During investigations, Varsha admitted to the theft and stated that she had given the stolen item to her mother as a gift.
In court, Varsha, who did not have legal representation, expressed remorse and apologized for her actions. She told District Judge A. Sangeetha that she accepted full responsibility and had no prior legal infractions. Full restitution for the stolen item has since been made to the store.
Under Singapore law, theft is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both.
