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Area 51

Latest episodes

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6 snips
Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 12min

iNRI- The Wolf of Dalal Street

Hemant Gangolia, founder of iNRI, shares his inspiring story as an immigrant entrepreneur. He discusses overcoming obstacles while developing a revolutionary investment platform for Indian expats. Hemant reveals his journey through prestigious institutions like IIT and IIM, his consulting experiences at McKinsey, and the challenges of starting a company on a dependent visa. He emphasizes the significance of trust in cross-border investments and provides insights into generating passive income. Don't miss out on his exciting giveaway for listeners!
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Nov 18, 2023 • 42min

$66,000

Jaahnavi Kandula. Aishwarya Thatikonda. Sai Charan Nakka. Vamsi Reddy Mamidala. Saiesh Veera. Sharath Koppu. 6 Indian graduate students. 6 tragic stories. 6 unfulfilled dreams. In this somber episode, we delve into their heart wrenching stories that has left countless people in shock and grief. In an attempt to shed light on the untold stories of Indian Immigrants, we explore the lives of 6 graduate students whose lives were tragically cut short. This episode is intended to offer a glimpse into the dreams they pursued and the immense potential that was lost. Join us as we honor the memories of these students, amplify their voices and advocate the collective responsibility we share in fostering a compassionate and understanding community. If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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Sep 19, 2023 • 1h 20min

The Terminal

A month ago, around 21 Indian students were detained on arrival, interrogated and deported back to India. What started off as a journey filled with hope, excitement and an opportunity to  chase the coveted American dream ended as a nightmare as they were detained, interrogated and deported back to India banned from any further travel to US. Many of those students had sacrificed much to make it to that point and had nothing to show for it. Manisha and Balaji were two of those students. In this episode, they walk Rahul, Sanjay and Jon Wasden through their traumatic journey. Even though they've been to hell and back, they are determined to correct the injustice they've faced and raise awareness on this issue. If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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Aug 14, 2023 • 50min

The Phantom H-1B Menace

In a galaxy not so far away, the stories of Indian immigrants in America intersect with a pressing issue that could be straight out of a Star Wars plotline. Join us in Area 51's latest episode as we delve into the intricate web of work visas, FDNS site visits, data collection and fraud findings, guided by a seasoned immigration attorney, Jonathan Wasden who is nothing short of a Jedi in the realm of law.Jon takes us on a journey starting from his days as an attorney for the government to fighting for Indian Immigrants and their rights.  Tune in as we dive headfirst into understanding  immigrant data gathering, voluntary immigration exercises, multiple H-1B registrations, lawsuits against the government while raising thought-provoking questions about privacy, rights and other hurdles in the quest for the Indian American dream.May the force be with you (You're going to need it...)If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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Jul 14, 2023 • 37min

The Rice of Patel Brothers

Join us on an extraordinary journey through time where culture, community and commerce beautifully collide. In today’s episode, we unveil the inspiring tale behind one of America’s most beloved Indian grocery stories- Patel Brothers! For many decades now, Patel Brothers have been bridging the gap between America and India by empowering immigrants to stay deeply rooted in their rich cultural heritage by providing easy access to their cherished ingredients. Join us as we take you back to their humble beginnings, from a tiny shop on Devon Street to a profitable business empire for all things Indian in United States. Discover their trials and triumphs as they navigated the challenges of immigrating to a new land and witness their resilience and grit in building the empire they have today and their commitment to their community’s growth. Patel Brothers has become more than just a grocery store. They have become a symbol of support, helping Indian Immigrants preserve their traditions, connect with their roots and find a sense of belonging in their new home. If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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4 snips
Apr 30, 2023 • 57min

Simon Don't Go Back!

Exploring alternative visa options for H-1B applicants, pathways to green cards, cap-exempt H1B visas, and Canadian immigration as an option. Discussing challenges in the US immigration system and financial investments for employees in programs.
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4 snips
Mar 21, 2023 • 1h 8min

Move over RRR, 'Alien' has landed

The term alien is used to describe any person not a citizen or national of the United States. Very welcoming right. We have all felt outrage being called an alien at some point during our stay here. One person actually decided to do something about it.  In this episode, we are joined by filmmaker Vidyut Latay to talk about her feature documentary film, Alien. Directed by someone who has first hand experience in navigating the immigration system,  Alien exposes the human toll of America's dependence on high-skilled legal immigrants. With the tech layoffs and a broken immigration system looming over our heads, there could not have been a better time for someone to showcase the plight of the community.  If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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Mar 9, 2023 • 39min

Immigration Updates- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

USCIS has been busy since the start of 2023. We have seen more activity in the first two months than the whole of 2022. So we thought it would be helpful to discuss some of the updates for our listeners. In this episode we cover the proposed fee hikes, the "helpful"  options provided by USCIS to help tech workers who have been laid off among other topics. We have some wins to celebrate namely the implementation of a pilot program for visa stamp renewals and a step in the right direction towards addressing the issue of children ageing out while waiting for a green card. Our hearts go out to Tanvi Marupally's family in Arkansas and we hope through this podcast, we can increase the attention to her search and she's safely brought back home. If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!
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Feb 3, 2023 • 38min

The one where we ALMOST won!

Explore the potential impact of important bills like The Relief Act and The Eagle Act, aiming to reform the immigration system and cut down on green card wait times for Indian nationals. Uncover the challenges faced by immigrants in the US, the political landscape surrounding immigration policies, and the hopes for a fairer system. Delve into the details of these bills, the Nine-Year Transition Period, and the implications for hiring practices and immigrant communities.
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Dec 30, 2022 • 46min

Indian Immigrant Crimes - Part 2

Murder plots, Craigslist connections, political controversies, and FBI's most wanted list - this podcast covers crimes, exploitation, and tragic incidents involving Indian immigrants in the US. From hitmen to human trafficking, the hosts delve into shocking cases and discuss portrayal in TV shows.

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