About Anu

making a difference in people’s lives Anu Peshawaria – Former Legal Advisor, CCA, Embassy of India Washington DC

Social and human rights activist, professional attorney, founder of assortment of NGOs, author and Former Legal Advisor, CCA, Embassy of India Washington DC, Anu Peshawaria rides experience of several worlds.

Ms. Peshawaria is a globally renowned professional attorney from India. Residing currently in California, United States of America, her work is devoted to advocacy and sheltering legal and human rights internationally. Apart from being an avid social activist, Ms. Anu is also a world class Tennis Champion and United States Tennis Pro. She has represented India at Wimbledon.

She has been dynamically planning initiatives and extending her services across the world for the past 25 years. From launching a variety of non-profit organizations like Indian Vision Foundation and SevA Legal Aid, to help the destitute realize their rights, Ms. Anu’s dedication has made her a recipient of a number of awards like:
Alien of Extraordinary Ability – She was awarded in year 2000 by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the U.S. for her exemplary and commendable achievements in the field of athletics and human rights.

Award for Excellence by American Federation of Muslim (AFMI) – Ms. Peshawaria received this award in year 2006 for outstanding, humble and generous contribution to the community and remarkable performance in the legal profession.

Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award / Pravasi Bhartiya Award – She was honored with this award in year 2008 by Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Prakash Singh Badal. This prestigious award is given on Pravasi Bhartiya Divas to mark the contribution of Individuals of Overseas Indian community in development of India by The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. It was the occasion when Ms. Peshawaria also released her book "Immigrant's Dream".

Outstanding Community Leadership Award

– This award was presented to her by the City of Fremont, California for her outstanding work in the launch of legal aid programs for helping new immigrants adapt triumphantly to U.S. customs and laws in order to enjoy a higher quality of life.

She has also been awarded with a Political watch award for her commendable work in defending tortured female protestors and received prestigious Hind Rattan award, 2009 for her masterful and generous work in helping Indian Immigrants in the U.S. Read more about her awards.

Ms. Anu has been acclaimed regularly for authoring variety of articles on legal, societal and human rights, matrimonial and immigration issues. Her book "Immigrant's Dream" (2008) is appreciated worldwide. All her articles and book have proved to be an eye opener for all those people who wish to reside in the US.

Activities

Since childhood, Anu Peshawaria has worked hard to encourage and give power to females with the intention of developing the minds as well as the bodies of the girls and ladies. She always wanted to nurture self-awareness, confidence and mastery in each and every lady so that they can become independent. During her childhood and her college days she enhanced her athletic skills and achieved national and international approbation in girl’s and women’s tennis. Apart from being athlete, Ms. Anu is an author as well as an acclaimed attorney from India who has a keen knowledge and vast experience in Indian law, U.S. law and international law.

Anu as Author
Anu has authored a number of books for the use of general public involving issues related to crime prevention, immigration, ethics, law and mortality. Among her various book, Immigrant’s Dream has achieved a lot of popularity for being a legal guide for NRI women, explicitly for those abused in wedlock. This book highlights the do's and don’ts of NRI marriages. It includes real life stories of Immigrants who struggle for settling in US. The manuscript aids, guides and empowers women who have been a casualty of wedding deceit. It further covers information like which hospitals take you without any paperwork, shelters for homeless women and children, non-profit organization which will assist with things like translation services and filling out paperwork, etc.

Ms. Anu Peshawaria has also written a series of ‘I Care’ articles. These ‘I Care’ articles have been published in some of the leading newspapers. Some of these articles are:

‘Dowry: An Ill-Defined Crime’.
‘The Immigrant Dream Handicapped’
‘Institutionalization Racism and Immigration’
‘The USA Patriot Act’
‘Divorce’
‘NRI Fake Marriages…Spells Doom for Many’

‘I Care’ articles
These articles have been published in leading newspapers. They include:

“Dowry: An Ill-Defined Crime” was published on March 31, 2006. This article mainly lays down the laws of dowry in India as well as mentions the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961/1980) and the Punishment for Acts of Dowry Crime. It further suggests steps to amend to bring an end to the dangerous dowry crime.
“The Immigrants Dream Handicapped” was published on April 14, 2006. It depicts the several emotions experienced by the immigrants on entering U.S., whether be it on a H1B visa, H4 dependent visa, green card, student visa, etc. Emotions experienced by them are loneliness, fear, alienation, sadness, longing, despair and powerlessness.
“Institutionalization Racism and Immigration”, published on June 9, 2006 discusses the negative impacts of racism and the facts that immigrants need to focus on getting citizenship through the right way. She further emphasized that the immigrants should obtain the citizenship by following laws and they should also be aware regarding the laws that are in effect and that affect them.
“The USA Patriot Act”, published on June 23, 2006 defines the U.S. Patriot Act and also elucidates how the laws let the government run into the private lives of citizens.
“Divorce”, in this article, Ms. Anu has highlighted the various reasons for granting divorce. In most of the Western nations, there are sixteen different reasons available over which a divorce can be granted while in India there are only five main reasons. She advises one to keep certain guidelines in mind when getting married and filing for a divorce.
NRI Fake Marriages…Spells Doom for Many, Ms. Anu in this article has addressed NRI marriages as a multi-faceted problem. She states that these marriages have more space for fraud and complications.

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Testimonials

Anu your efforts in helping me become a U.S. citizen is a dream come true! Thank you so much for guiding me in the whole process and allowing me to start my new life here!

Preeti

Posted by: Preeti

Thank you Anu for answering all my questions and being patience with me in the process of bringing my wife to the US. You made the whole process go very smooth and in a short amount of time. I am very grateful for all your help.

Thanking you,

Shahid

Posted by: Shahid

“I was very pleased with Anu’s services. She handled my case in a very professional and confident manner. She put me at ease with her knowledge of the law and I felt very comfortable talking to her. I really felt she made my case a top priority. I would highly recommend Anu to anyone that wants an attorney that makes you feel they take your case and situation very seriously.”

Sincerely,

Aneesh

Posted by: Aneesh

Ms. Peshawaria and team,

My I 485 got approved and everything. I finally got my Green Card in my hands. Thanks to all of you who made it possible. I will certainly recommend your immigration firm to anyone who would ask me.

Thanks a lot, Regards, Mohua

Posted by: Mohua

Dear Anu,

This was amazing news. I am so happy I got my green card. Thank you for taking special interest in my case. My family and I truly appreciate it.

Sincerely, Shipra Godhwani

Posted by: Shipra Godhwani

I am glad that Anu Peshawaria, an eminent lawyer and a dedicated social worker, an eminent lawyer and a dedicated social worker who in her individual capacity as a lawyer and as the founder of SevA, an NGO, has helped many battered women regain their legal rights and status.

Vayalar Ravi

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs

Government of India

Akbar bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110 021

Posted by: Akbar bhawan

Anu Peshawaria is well versed in the problems of immigrant women in America by devoting her life to helping them. Many young brides face extreme hardship such as physical abuse and exploitation at the hands of their husbands and in-laws. Anu has fought for them against all odds. She has presented such cases in American courts and advocates for them against all odds. She has presented such cases in American courts and advocates for them in her capacity as Legal Advisor to the Embassy of India, in Washington, DC. She has shined a light on the agonies of such tortured women in the form of this very important book, (The Immigrant’s Dream).

Kiran Bedi (IPS, Retd.)
Former Police Officer and Social Activist (Winner of Magsaysay Award)

Posted by: Kiran Bedi

‘We are glad that Anu,s SevA legal Aid project is helping the immigrant community learn about becoming U.S. Citizens. Their efforts in educating the community are noteworthy.”

Dr. Ramesh Japra M.D. Federation of Indo American of Northern California, Convener & President

Posted by: Dr. Ramesh Japra

“We were delighted when Anu Peshawaria and her organization, SevA, offered to do a workshop on gaining citizenship. This is an important topic for many of the families we serve.”

Suzanne Shenfil, City of Fremont, Human Resource Director ,California

Posted by: Suzanne Shenfil

“Anu Peshawaria is devoted to the advocacy and practice of legal rights on a global scale. She is avid social activist for immigrant, legal and human rights. She has dynamically planned action initiatives, launched a variety of non-profit organizations and extended her services, time and energy to help destitute and oppressed.”

H.R. Bhardwaj, former Minister of Law, India

Posted by: H.R. Bhardwaj

I have known Anu for approximately 20 years when she was still a law student. Over the years, I have had an opportunity to observe Anu’s performance as a lawyer. I believe her to be an exceptionally competent lawyer with demonstrated legal skills in handling complex legal problems. She has successfully handled many high profile cases in India that comes with increased media and public scrutiny. I believe her written and oral communication skills to be excellent. She is also a very good negotiator.

Mueksh Advani

The Schinner Law Group
40 First Street,
4^th FloorSan Francisco. CA 94105

Posted by: Mueksh Advani

I am Senior Advocate in the West Coast Office of Consumer Union. For more than 20 years I was the director of the office. I have been a member of the California Bar Association for over 35 years and 7 years practiced corporate and transactional law.

I have found Anu to be a very competent and experienced lawyer who has a thorough knowledge of the law. She reflects the ability to have a quick grasp of the matter at hand. She has demonstrated effective communication and negotiation skills with the ability to take quick and sound decisions.

Harry Snyder

137 Oakdale Avenue, Mil valley, CA 94941

Posted by: Harry Snyder

I am a patent attorney and a graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law. From the moment I met Anu, I was impressed with her experience, drive, enthusiasm and commitment to her law practice. She is an action- oriented person who quickly identifies the key issues, determines an appropriate action plan and aggressively implements her plan. She is a sympathetic listener and comes directly to the point to resolve the client’s issues.

Silicon Valley Law Offices of Theresia Sandhu

Posted by: Theresia Sandhu

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