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Ro Khanna talks China, India, US partnership Details on page 16
NAK Browne
India Air Chief discusses space plan with US
VOL 19, No. 985
August 2, 2013
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TOP SCIENCE AWARDS FOR 4 INDIANS IN U.S.
WASHINGTON: Four Indian-American professors are among 13 mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theoretical computer scientists selected for the Simons Investigators awards for their cutting edge research. The four professors - Kannan Soundararajan, Rajeev Alur, Salil P Vadhan and Senthil Todadri - will receive USD 100,000 a year for five years for long-term research, with the possibility of renewal for five additional years. The awards for 2013 were announced by Simons Foundation, a New York-based non-profit organization with a mission to advance the frontiers of research in mathemat-
ics and basic sciences. Soundararajan, a professor of mathematics at Stanford University, "is one of the world's leaders in analytic number theory and related areas", the Foundation said in a statement. The India-born professor represented the country at the International Mathematical Olympiad in 1991 and won a silver medal. A Sloan Foundation Fellow, Soundararajan has an undergraduate degree from University of Michigan and a PhD from Princeton. Details on page 5
MPs' letters to Obama on Modi visa 'authentic'
Details on page 23
Republicans to field 10 IndianAmericans
Industry asks PM to remove hurdles
Details on page 8
INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question
Telengana decision will open floodgates? Last week’s result
US has little concern for India over Taliban fears? YES 67%
NO 33%
Encyclopedia of Hinduism launched
Youth front in US to help build new India
Details on page 5
Details on page 6
Details on page 18
Details on page 23
Details on page 7
Batla House encounter: Life term for Shazad
Jimmy Shergill is Festival of India Grand Marshal
Details on page 12 BIRTH PANGS: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi with other leaders during the CWC meeting at 10 Janpath in New Delhi on July 30 which approved statehood for Telengana
Telangana to be 29th state of India NEW DELHI: Brushing aside opposition after dithering for nearly four years, the Congress and the UPA coalition has unanimously endorsed creation of a separate Telangana state from out of Andhra Pradesh. It will be the 29th state of India. "It is resolved to request the Central government to make steps in accordance with the Constitution to form a separate state of Telangana ......within a definite timeframe," said a resolution of the Congress Working Committee, the highest policy-making body of the party, after over an hour-long meeting.
The Congress also decided to recommend to the government that Hyderabad be made the joint capital of the newly-proposed state and the other regions Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra - for a period of 10 years. The momentous decisions by the CWC and the UPA came after hectic consultations for the last over a week on creation of the 29th state of the country that will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Details on page 6
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post -------------- 16-26 Date Book -------------------------- 36 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 47 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 50-51 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 30-31 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-43
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Publisher’s Diary W
ith no dramatic pictures coming out of Kedarnath and Rishikesh anymore, the Indian media seems to have moved on to wetter pastures in politics, but there are still many dedicated voluntary organizations that are working in the flood-hit areas of the Indian north where more than 10,000 people are still reportedly missing. Among those working to provide relief by way of basic necessities to those affected is the US-based humanitarian voluntary organization, United Sikhs. The United Sikhs, after weeks of relief efforts, has now established a missing persons' hotline and a webpage to assist flood victims in finding their loved ones who are still missing. Anyone here with local contacts, friends, relatives living in the affected region, may pass on the Helpline number for Uttarakhand victims: 91-882-6369335. Please also share the webpage "Search4Missing" that has been established on the United Sikhs website, where one can find information on missing persons. Victims are still facing the need for food, water, and refuge. The United Sikhs has urged volunteers to join the efforts to rebuild and restore homes and businesses, and life in these damaged areas. Now, I just want to say something here. While what United Sikhs and the other such organizations that are working in the disaster areas are doing is truly commendable, maybe every one of those involved in these efforts should now bring the local authorities round to come together to rebuild the region with a little more planning and a lot more conscience. Disasters, however natural, tend to be more damaging to life and property, where human negligence is involved. Everyone knows that commercial development is not warranted in the higher reaches of the Himalayan region, but greed has driven many to callously ignore the fragile environment and build entire towns where there is not supposed to be any habitation at all. Devotees visiting these holy places must realize that these are not tourist resorts and expect commercial comforts when they go there. Of what value faith if it results in ravaging the environment that is holier than any perceived blessings of a pilgrimage. Romesh K Japra
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Out in the open An online photo shows Katrina Kaif in a skimpy bikini having fun with boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor in Spain
Cover Story: Top science awards Four Indian-American professors are among 13 scientists selected for the Simons Investigators awards
Community: Silicon Valley Roundtable Ro Khanna joined community leaders for an in-depth exploration into relations between the U.S., China, and India
Immigration: Hiring lobbyist India’s IT services industry body Nasscom has hired influential lobbyist, public relation and law firms in US
Life Style: Painted car A hand painted car 'Maximum Nano' signed by Malayalam megastar Mohanlal is a highlight of Saffronart auction.
Techbiz: Appeal to PM India Inc has asked PM Manmohan Singh to clear hurdles facing projects and create environment for investment
Travel: Horsley Hills Renowned for its beautiful landscapes and salubrious climate, Horsley Hills is a hill station located in Andhra Pradesh.
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Top science awards for 4 Indian Americans WASHINGTON: Four IndianAmerican professors are among 13 mathematicians, theoretical physicists and theoretical computer scientists selected for the Simons Investigators awards for their cutting edge research. The four professors - Kannan Soundararajan, Rajeev Alur, Salil P Vadhan and Senthil Todadri will receive USD 100,000 a year for five years for long-term research, with the possibility of renewal for five additional years. The awards for 2013 were announced by Simons Foundation, a New York-based non-profit organization with a mission to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and basic sciences. Soundararajan, a professor of mathematics at Stanford University, "is one of the world's leaders in analytic number theory and related areas", the Foundation said in a statement. The India-born professor represented the country at the International Mathematical Olympiad in 1991 and won a silver medal. A Sloan Foundation Fellow, Soundararajan has an undergraduate degree from University of Michigan and a PhD from Princeton.
"His work is focused on understanding the zeros and value distribution of L-functions, and on analyzing the behavior of multiplicative functions," it said. Two of three computer sci-
mal modeling and algorithmic analysis of computer systems". "A number of automata and logics introduced by him have now become standard models with great impact on both the
Applied Mathematics at Harvard University, was recognized for his "original and influential papers on computational complexity and cryptography". He has a PhD in applied math-
six Simons grant-winners in that discipline. "Senthil Todadri's work...on Z2 topological order in models of spin liquid states provided key insights and initiated the
Kannan Soundararajan
Rajeev Alur
Salil P Vadhan
Senthil Todadri
ence awards were given to Indian-Americans Alur and Vadhan. Alur, the Zisman Family Professor in the department of information and computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, "is a top researcher in for-
theory and practice of verification," the Foundation said. Alur has bachelor and PhD degrees in computer science from IIT-Kanpur and Stanford University. Vadhan, the Vicky Joseph Professor of Computer Science and
ematics from MIT and a certificate of advanced study in mathematics from Churchill College at Cambridge University. Todadri, a professor of physics at MIT and Distinguished Research Chair at the Perimeter Institute of Physics, was one of
systematic investigation of gauge structures in many-body systems, now a vital subfield of condensed matter physics," the Foundation said. Todadri has a PhD from Yale and an undergraduate degree from IIT-Kanpur. -PTI
MPs' letters to Obama on Modi visa 'authentic' WASHINGTON: The controversy over Indian MPs' letters to President Barack Obama for denying visa to Narendra Modi has taken a new turn with a California-based Forensic Document Examiner certifying that the signatures of the lawmakers are "original and authentic" and not a cut and paste job as claimed. "Using accepted principles and methods of forensic examination, it is my opinion that the Q1-Q3 (three pages of Rajya Sabha MPs' letter) document was created in a single event, and that the signatures found upon it are original/authentic wet ink signatures," said the report after a forensic examination of the letter. A similar finding was made in respect of the letter by Lok Sabha members. The forensic examination of the handwritings on the two letters to Obama by members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on November 26 and December 5 last year respectively, which were re-faxed to the White House on July 21, was done by Nanette M Barto, approved Forensic Document Examiner, in
California. The examination was prepared at the request of Coalition Against Genocide (CAG) campaigning against Modi after some parliamentarians, notably CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, M P Achutan (CPI) and K P Ramalingam (DMK) denied having signed the letter to Obama.
"Using accepted principles and methods of forensic examination, it is my opinion that the Q1Q3 (three pages of Rajya Sabha MPs' letter) document was created in a single event, CAG, a broad alliance of about 40 Indian American organizations, has been campaigning against US visa for Modi. When contacted for reaction to the forensic examination report, Achutan maintained that he did
not remember to have appended his signature to a memorandum like this. All that he remembered was that he had signed a representation expressing anguish at the detention of Muslim youths in different parts of India, especially in northern states, by branding them as terrorists on flimsy grounds, he said. Ramalingam said this was a privilege matter which has to be given to Chairman Hamid Ansari. "I have already said I have not signed the letter," he said. Yechury, who had earlier said that he had not signed the letter and his purported signature on the document, was a "cut and paste job" is away in Pyongyang on a visit as part of a parliamentary delegation to North Korea. He could not be reached for his comments. Raja Swamy of CAG claimed that the forensic examination proved that the documents "are authentic, without any cut and paste operation done on either the paper copy or the electronic version and that each of the signatures is distinct individual". "Since the authenticity of these letters has been called into ques-
tion by some members of parliament who either do not recollect or deny having signed the letters, CAG decided to engage a professional forensic examiner, to verify the authenticity of the two letters. "The forensic examiner we engaged is Ms. Nanette Barto, a court qualified Forensic Document Examiner and Handwriting
"Careful examination of the document blown up to 400 per cent revealed that each entry was crisp, smooth, and fluid handwriting in various color and types of inks�and thus an original document Analyst," Swamy, a CAG spokesperson, told PTI. Notarized copies of the reports, which are admissible as evidence in a court of law, were provided to PTI by the CAG. "To summaries, the forensic
examination proves that the document is authentic, without any "cut and paste" operation done on either the paper copy or the electronic version, and that each of the signatures is from a distinct individual," Swamy said. In her forensic report, one for each of the letters, Barto said that font, leading, and kerning are consistent between each page indicating that the document was created all at one time. "Staples impressions are consistent with the three-page document having been stapled together at the same time. The jpeg scan was scanned in at 300 dpi and in color. Examination of the handwriting revealed that this document was the original wet ink document scanned in at a high resolution," the report said. "Careful examination of the document blown up to 400 per cent revealed that each entry was crisp, smooth, and fluid handwriting in various color and types of inks. Natural pooling, breaking, and feathering of ink can be easily seen to support that this is a scan of an original document," it said. -PTI
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Telangana to be 29th state of India NEW DELHI: Brushing aside opposition after dithering for nearly four years, the Congress and the UPA coalition has unanimously endorsed creation of a separate Telangana state from out of Andhra Pradesh. It will be the 29th state of India. "It is resolved to request the Central government to make steps in accordance with the Constitution to form a separate state of Telangana ......within a definite timeframe," said a resolution of the Congress Working Committee, the highest policy-making body of the party, after over an hour-long meeting. The Congress also decided to recommend to the government that Hyderabad be made the joint capital of the newly-proposed state and the other regions Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra - for a period of 10 years. The momentous decisions by the CWC and the UPA came after hectic consultations for the last over a week on creation of the 29th state of the country that will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Contrary to speculation that the new state could be named
Rayala Telangana, including a couple of districts of Rayalaseema, the districts that will be part of the new state will be Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad,
clusion of more areas, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, in charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs in Congress, told a press conference after the CWC meeting. Out of 42 Lok Sabha seats and 294 Assembly seats in Andhra
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Sushilkumar Shinde, Kamal Nath and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi during the UPA meeting on Telangana
Rangareddy and Warangal besides Hyderabad. At the moment the idea is to have 10 districts in Telangana but it will be for the Group of Ministers to consider demands for in-
Pradesh, Telangana is likely to have 17 Lok Sabha seats and 119 Assembly seats. The process of creating a new state - which will include a vote in Parliament - will take about four
2008 Batla House encounter: Shazad gets life term NEW DELHI: Suspected Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist Shahzad Ahmed, convicted in the 2008 Batla House encounter case, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court, which said the case does not fall under the rarest of rare category warranting death penalty. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Rajender Kumar Shastri handed down life term to Shahzad for killing decorated police officer Inspector M C Sharma and injuring two other cops. Shahzad was also slapped with a fine of Rs.95, 000 of which Rs.40, 000 will be given to Sharma's family. Shahzad, 25, was convicted in the September 19, 2008 encounter when a team of Delhi Police Special Cell raided the Batla House flat in Jamia Nagar in south Delhi following a tipoff that terrorists allegedly involved in the September 13, 2008 serial blasts in the capital were holed up there. The court denied police's plea for death penalty saying the case does not fall under the rarest of
to five months. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that the resolution on the issue, adopted by the Working Committee, acknowledges the difficulty of its decision. Part of the problem lies in the
rare category as the mitigating circumstances outweigh the aggravating ones. "Ruminating on the facts of the case and also the circumstances
Suspected IM operative Shahzad Ahmed
of the convict, I find mitigating circumstances more than aggravating ones and hence the case in
hand is not a 'rarest of the rare case', which warrants death penalty upon the convict," the judge said. The aggravating circumstances cited by the court were obstructing police officers from doing their job by attacking them and in this case killing one--Inspector M C Sharma-- and attempting to kill others. One of the several mitigating circumstances enumerated by the court were that the incident at Flat No.108, L-18, Batla House, was not premeditated and occurred on the spur of the moment. "Police is an integral part of our life. While in any peril, we rely upon the police. When we sleep, police awakes. It ensures our safety day and night... Law obliges every person to assist the police in apprehending the suspect, whom the police is authorized to arrest. "There can be no deeper wound on rule of law than to attack a police officer, while discharging his official duty. -PTI
opposition to the bifurcation among Congress leaders who belong to the non-Telangana regions referred to collectively as Seemandhra. But over the last few days, the party has worked to
blunt extreme protests and the possibility of resignations, including that of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy. The Congress said that the government will be asked to ensure that the concerns of the residents of Telangana and Seemandhra are addressed and resolved within "a specified time frame" - these include how to divide water, electricity and revenue between the old and new states. A new capital will be identified eventually for Seemandhra, Mr Singh said. "We are drinking poison for the sake of the Congress," said Rudraraju Padma Raju, the chief whip of the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. But like others, he agreed that resigning from the state assembly will not yield any benefits, except to the opposition. The decision to create a Telangana state was first taken by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. With national elections just months away, the Congress wants to leverage the fact that half of Andhra Pradesh's parliamentary seats are located in Telangana. By agreeing to the popular sentiment there, the party is counting on an electoral windfall. -PTI
Gorkhaland, Bodoland agitation to be intensified NEW DELHI: Protagonists of gal. We want Gorkhaland," Giri Gorkhaland and Bodoland have said. threatened to intensify their agiThe GJM has threatened that tations for statehood, saying with the ongoing three-day strike the creation of Telangana, the would be converted into an indefiCentre cannot deny them their nite one to press for Gorkhaland "old and justified" demands. in case statehood was conferred Gorkha Janmukti Morcha on Telangana. (GJM) general secretary Roshan BPF Lok Sabha member Giri and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) "After Telangana, the central MP Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary said government will now have they have no option but to give us Gorkhaland. They to intensify their movements for separate cannot deny our old and states to be carved out justified demand. We will of West Bengal and intensify our agitation� Assam respectively. "After Telangana, the central government will now Bwiswmuthiary said they have have to give us Gorkhaland. They called a public rally in Kokrajhar, cannot deny our old and justified Assam, on August 5 to renew demand. We will intensify our agi- their demand for separate tation," Giri told PTI. Bodoland. The GJM leader said Darjeeling "Demand for Bodoland is sevhills and its adjoining areas were eral decades old. If the Centre can never part of West Bengal and give Telangana, why not therefore there was no reason "to Bodoland. We will soon meet forcefully keep us with West Ben- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gal". UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi "We do not want to remain with and Home Minister Sushilkumar West Bengal. It is a mystery how Shinde to press our demand," he we were attached with West Ben- told PTI.-PTI
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Browne discusses space and cyber command in US WASHINGTON: India and the US discussed a host of issues, including the security situation in South Asia, East China Sea, antipiracy operations and America's help in developing two new commands - space and cyber, during a recent visit of Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne here. Commander of US Pacific Air
side, piracy going into Maldives, to East side what happening in the East China Sea and how we can continue to maintain security and stability in the region. We had very good discussion," Carlisle said. Responding to a question, Carlisle said, "China was very much discussed" during Browne's
Afghanistan. We talked a little about his concerns. I think many nations there are concerned with what it looks like post 2014 and of course, the proximity of the border gives him (the IAF chief) concerns with potential for terrorism and other things," he said. As such Browne spent time in Colorado talking to Gen Charles Jacoby, Commander of US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command about security and homeland defense and some of the things "potential if things went bad" in Afghanistan. Carlisle said the Asia Pacific region is a priority area for Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne at a meeting with US Air Force Chief the United General Mark Welsh at Pentagon, Washington DC States. "Expanding Forces and Air Component Com- US visit. engagement is one of the prime mander General Herbert Carlisle "I think, every nation in the tenants of our strategy," he said said the "relationship is great with Asia Pacific region has relation- in response to a question. Indian air force." ship with PRC (People's Republic Carlisle also extended "an apolDescribing Browne as his of China) and we have to be cog- ogy" for canceling the Red Flag "good friend", Carlisle said dur- nizant about. We talked about exercise due to sequestration - or ing the Indian Air Chief's four-day their issues and commonality with automatic budgetary cuts in the US visit they talked about a vari- the PRC, they have border issues, American armed forces. ety of things and regional issues. but they also have trade," he said. "We did make a commitment "The other things that he talked "We talked about the fact that about having Red Flag next year about that the Indian Air Force, the US-China relationship is so this time and they (Indians) are the Indian military is trying to develop a space command on the "I think, every nation in the Asia Pacific military side, because right now almost everything that is done in region has relationship with PRC (People's India in space is on the civilian Republic of China) and we have to be cogand commercial side," Carlisle nizant about. We talked about their issues said. "They are trying to develop an and commonality with the PRC, they have Indian military space capability, as border issues, but they also have trade" well as cyber capability," he added. Browne went to Colorado to important to the entire region. I going to participate," Carlisle said meet the Space Command, during heard that in Singapore, when I in response to a question, during which he was briefed on how the was there, I head from the Indian a Defense Writers Group breakUS Space Command works, the Air Chief that you hear everywhere fast meeting. organizational structure, tech- you go, how the United States and "The sequestration had an imnologies available, and the les- PRC manage and build their rela- pact wherein we had to cancel the sons that the US has learned from tionship which is critical to the Red Flag (exercise). Actually the its experiences, Carlisle said, add- entire region. He reiterated that. Indian Air Force was going to ing the two forces are likely to do "And again I think, the fact that bring Su-30 and participate in it," "subject matter" exchanges with every nation has a complex and he said. experts in this field in the near fu- many times challenging relationCarlisle described as how ture. ships. It is important that we US Browne had worked hard to get They also talked about the se- stay cognizant to the challenges permission from the Indian Govcurity situation in South Asia and that those nations face in dealing ernment to have IAF Su-30 parwhat the two forces can do as with the PRC," Carlisle said, add- ticipate in this exercise, which was partners to continue to work in ing that they had "very good dis- scheduled to be held at the Nellis that region. cussions." Air Force base in Nevada this "It is everything from west "We did not talk much about July. -PTI
Indian Army most influential in Asia Pacific: US Gen WASHINGTON: The Indian Army is by far the most influential in the Asia Pacific region, a top American General has said as he stressed on the importance of building military-to-military relationship between the two countries. "As is in many of the Asia-Pacific countries, the army is the dominant service in those countries. India is a prime example. It is by far the largest service. It is by
command, which is their most important command, which is responsible for the borders of Pakistan and China," he said. "I had the chance to meet with their staff and their commanders, and what really caught me was the fact that, what they have been doing for the past 20 years, is what we have been doing for the past 12, counter-insurgency, protecting their space, there's a lot of lessons learned that they have
US Army Chief of Staff General Raymond T Odierno
far the most influential," US Army that we have. And so, there is a Chief of Staff General Raymond T lot of knowledge that we can Odierno said. share," the US General said. "It is important for us to build "So I think that will be the baarmy-to-army relations as we con- sis of the continued relationship, tinue to re-balance the Asia- Pa- is the sharing of information about cific region," he told a Washing- what they face on a day-to-day ton audience. basis up in the Kashmir area, with Odierno recently returned from a Pakistan, as well with China, as trip to India during which he met his you just talked about with a miIndian counterpart and held a wide nor incursion not too long ago...," range of discussions with the top he said. Indian military leadership. He also traveled to the "One thing we realized we Northern Command. "The first comments have so much in common, about India, specifi- the two largest democracies cally, is, one of things in the world, we are two we have to remember is, we have to make sure very professional armies, they maintain their own and there is much we can strategic autonomy. And we do things in do to learn from each line with them to help other," Odierno said in rebuild capacity, help sponse to a question at the learn from each other," American Enterprise Institute he said. "One thing we realized (AEI) - a Washington-based we have so much in com- think tank mon, the two largest democracies in the world, we are two He added that the two counvery professional armies, and there tries have a lot in common, in sharis much we can do to learn from each ing lessons, in professional develother," Odierno said in response to opment, a lot in developing future a question at the American Enter- leaders, a lot in understanding prise Institute (AEI) - a Washing- techniques on what they see will ton-based think tank. be potentially prominent as they "We talked a lot about the way deal with future problems, not ahead in the region, the impor- only around the world, whether it tance of operations in the region. be there or the Middle East, there's They took me up to their northern some commonality. -PTI
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Republicans to field 10 Indian-Americans in 2014 WASHINGTON: As part of its effort to change the face of the party, diversify its base and gain the support of this cash rich
community, the Republican Party is working to field 10 Indian-Americans in the 2014 Congressional elections.
Around half a dozen Indian-Americans - from various field and States - have been identified and currently undergoing training, before their names could be announced and made public, said Shalabh Kumar, who has been closely associated with such an effort initiated by the Republican Party. The seats identified by the Republican Party are two each in Illinois (Congressional districts eight and 11), New Jersey (Congressional districts six and 12), New York (Congressional districts three and four) and California (Congressional districts 15 and 17). Other seats are in Virginia and Maryland. According to Kumar, so far about half a
dozen Indian-Americans have been identified, who are undergoing training and a vetting process, before their names could be announced. Of the more than 3.5 million IndianAmericans, an overwhelming majority of them support the Democratic Party. Two of the only Indian-American Governors - Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley - are from the Republican Party and the only Congressmen in the current Congress, Dr Ami Bera, is from the Democratic Party. Kumar heads the Indian-American Executive Council of the National Republican Congressional Committee. -PTI
Tata on jury to select Zayed Future Energy Prize DUBAI: Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of India-based Tata Sons, will be a part of the jury that will select winners of Zayed Future Energy Prize this year, an award for innovation in renewable energy and sustainability. Besides Tata, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson will also be a part of the jury, according to a statement released here. The USD 4 million Zayed Future Energy Prize is awarded annually in five categories - large corporation, small and medium enterprise, non-governmental organization, lifetime achievement and high schools - for significant contributions to the future of ene r g y , sustainability and climate change. In the last five years, the award has recognized 21 innovators. Ratan Tata Winners of the sixth edition will be announced on January 20 next year. Ratan Tata was the Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, for 21 years until his retirement in 2012. "Through their bold initiatives and innovative thinking, Sir Richard and Tata have already created a legacy that will serve to enhance the world we live in; this is what lies at the heart of the legacy left to us by the Prizes namesake and founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan," Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Director General of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, said in the statement. Chaired by Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of the Republic of Iceland, the 2014 judging panel will also include Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Republic of the Maldives; Dr Han Seung-soo, former Prime Minister of Korea; among others. -PTI
August 2, 2013
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Reliance assails court's order summoning Anil, Tina NEW DELHI: Reliance Telecom Ltd has assailed in the Supreme Court the order of the special court allowing CBI plea to make Anil Ambani and his wife Tina as witnesses in 2G spectrum case saying it was aimed at "covering the lacunae" of the agency which has been "groping in dark". Reliance Telecom Ltd, one of the three companies named as accused in the case, contended that the trial court wrongly exercised its power allowing CBI plea to make Ambani couple along with 11 others witnesses in the case which would prejudice the case of accused. "There is nothing to discover from Anil Ambani. He has already given his statement (to CBI) under section 161 of Code of Criminal Procedure on February 16, 2011. The reason for filing the application (by CBI) is to camouflage its own lacunae. "It (CBI) is groping in dark and fishing for something. It is nothing but to cover up its lacunae," RTL's counsel and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted before a bench of justices G S Singhvi and K S
Tata Steel eyes UK firm's Indian assets LONDON: India's largest steel giant, Tata Steel, has set its sights on the Indian iron ore assets of one of Britain's largest independent steel trading companies Stemcor, according to a media report. The British firm has run into trouble as a result of a global slowdown in the steel industry and is in rescue talks with banks after de-faulting on more than USD 1 billion of loans. The cash crunch has forced the company to offload some of its physical assets, including its iron ore mine in Orissa which could fetch an estimated USD 800 million. According to 'The Sunday Times' sources, Tata Steel is keen to grab the iron ore to feed its Indian steel mills. The company, which bought over British steelmaker Corus back in 2007, faces stiff competition for the iron mines from another Indian rival Jindal Steel and Power. Stemcor has been granted a payment holiday by banks on its unpaid debt until September 16. It presented a recovery plan that proposed shrinking the business. The move would slash revenues by about 30 per cent. Stemcor is to present a full debt restructuring plan to lenders by the end of August. The company's Indian beneficiation plant takes low grade iron ore fines from various local mines and refines them while the pellet plant, located near local steelmakers, converts low-grade iron fines into value-added pellets. Iron ore is a key ingredient to produce steel and India is a main supplier of spot cargoes to China, the world's largest buyer of the metal. -PTI
Radhakrishnan. Rohatgi made it clear that the petition challenging the July 19 order of the trial court on the issue was not filed by Ambani but by the RTL as it was passed on the misconceived application of the CBI at the fag end of the trial when 140 witnesses have been examined. He also questioned the reasoning of the trial court that the order summoning fresh set of witnesses was in sequence to the order of November 19, 2012 when the CBI's plea for placing additional documents relating some banks was allowed.
The senior advocate assailed this order saying "when prosecution has been unable to prove its case after examination of 140 witnesses it should be the funeral of the case". He submitted that the trial court judge should not give "helping hand" to the CBI for its shoddy job as section 311 of the CrPC under which the agency's plea was allowed "is not a handle to help prosecution" more so when the whole trial procedure has gone for toss. At the outset, Rohatgi also raised objection over the apex court's April 11, 2011
order barring Delhi High Court or any other court from entertaining the appeal against the special CBI court's order. He agreed to the suggestion that he will file a separate application contending that the apex court order takes away the constitutional right of the accused. Rohatgi got support on the issue by senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, who was appearing for other accused challenging the trial court order making fresh set of witnesses. Jethmalani said the order was coming in way of fair trial which the accused deserve.-PTI
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FIPB nod for Jet-Etihad deal with riders NEW DELHI: The controversial Rs.2058 crore deal under which Abu Dhabi based Etihad will hold 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways has got the approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) with major riders to maintain effective Indian control over the airline. "Jet management has to work as per the Indian law. They would have their headquarters in Mumbai. They would be governed by the Indian Aircraft Rules," Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told reporters here. Serious concerns had been raised regarding the effective control and ownership of Jet Airways after Etihad picks up stake in the Indian airline. Some MPs had also raised questions whether the operational base of Jet would shift to UAE after the deal. Under the conditions set by FIPB, Jet will have to seek prior government approval to make any changes in the Share Holders Agreement (SHA) with Etihad or any change in share-holding of the company. "We have approved (the JetEtihad deal) with some condi-
Association before the deal is put before Finance Minister P Chidambaram for approval and then to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Maintaining that the FIPB clearance would restore confidence of investors on India, the Civil Aviation Minister said the issues raised by some MPs and others were "politically motivated" and all their concerns have been resolved. Etihad would now have two seats on the 12-member Jet Board instead of three previously proposed. The Indian partner, Naresh
Dubey, who has written several letters to the Prime Minister as well as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner on the issue, said the proposed deal was "against national interest". Swamy too reiterated his threat of moving court if the deal was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. tions," Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram said. The conditions also include that all shareholder disputes and disputes under SHA would have to be adjudicated under Indian law as opposed to English law as was proposed in the revised SHA submitted just before the FIPB meeting. Any other arbitration can happen under English law. Besides agreeing to these changes, Jet and Etihad would have to submit new Articles of
Goyal, besides appointing four board members, would have the right to nominate the Chairman, whereas Etihad would appoint a Vice Chairman. The 12-member Board would have four Directors from Jet, two from Etihad and six independent directors. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said he would raise the issue in Parliament and Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy threatened to move court if the Jet deal was
not put on hold on grounds of national security. "The deal approved by the FIPB with riders is more alarming. Though it is yet to be cleared by the Cabinet, I will raise the issue in the forthcoming Monsoon session of the Parliament," Dubey said. Dubey, who has written several letters to the Prime Minister as well as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner on the issue, said the proposed deal was "against national interest". Swamy too reiterated his threat of moving court if the deal was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. "We knew it (FIPB approval). But Sebi, CCI and Cabinet has yet to clear it. Despite all the cut and paste job (tweaking of the shareholders agreement), the illegalities continue and its fundamentals remain unchanged," he said. The Janata Party chief, who shot off another letter to the Prime Minister, claimed that the deal had "serious national security" implications. "I expect that you would put a hold on both the India-UAE bilateral and the Jet-Etihad proposed deal until a thorough independent investigation is made. But I find instead enormous and unbecoming haste in the manner in which the entire transaction has been sought to be railroaded." However, major consultancy firm KPMG expressed the hope that government clearance to the deal would lead to more such deals in the coming months. Noting that the deal was "important to Jet which is facing significant financial challenges," senior KPMG official Amber Dubey said it would "also help the Indian aviation industry by enhancing capacity, increasing competition and bringing down airfares. We may also see some more deals in the coming months." -PTI
GOPIO women conference to be held in Australia WASHINGTON: The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will hold its 2nd Women's Conference in Australia later this year, to address critical issues confronting women of all ages globally. On the theme "Women of the Indian Diaspora - Challenges, Empowerment & Opportunities", the conference is being held as an integral part of GOPIO's Biennial Convention preceding Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 (PBD2013) in Sydney on November 9. In a statement, GOPIO said the Women's Conference seeks to address critical issues confronting women globally as evidenced by the recent revelations of abuses against women in many countries. There are several sessions of the conference designed with
specific sub-themes on these current issues, highlighting the history, aspirations, challenges and achievements. These topics of discussion are within the context of the relations of women, including Indian women, in politics, government, private sector, NGOs and women empowerment; and the prominent roles of Indian women, it said. A prominent, international advocacy organization that monitors and addresses the issues and interests of persons of Indian Origin living outside of India, GOPIO International recognizes the tangible and meaningful contributions of the over 25 million PIOs all over the world in various countries, their sense of patriotism and national loyalty while making significant progress in all segments of society. -PTI
Indian, held in Dubai for uploading video, to be freed DUBAI: The high-profile case against an Indian man who was arrested by the police for uploading online a video of a senior Emirati official assaulting another Indian has been dropped, officials have announced. The cases against a government official accused of assaulting a van driver and the 22-yearold Indian who videoed the incident have been dropped, Dubai's Attorney General was quoted by 7Days newspaper as saying. Essam Eissa Al Humaidan, head of Dubai Public Prosecution, said the two men, an Indian expat
and an Emirati, will be released after the complaints against them were withdrawn. The Emirati suspect, who works as a manager at a government department, was arrested after footage of a road rage incident was posted on YouTube. The Indian was later arrested after the Emirati's family complained that the expat had acted illegally by filming people in a public place without their permission. They also said the video footage defamed their relative. The men have been in custody for more than 10 days.-PTI
Proposal for learning kiosks mooted at UN conference GENEVA: A proposal to build learning kiosks equipped with computers and latest technology in rural areas has been made to a UN conference here. A high-level expert group meeting organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs here heard this proposal from Shanu Hinduja, Chairperson of the Hinduja Foundation, USA. Experts from several countries including the US, Netherlands, Colombia, Spain and Italy discussed empowerment of people through Information Communication Technologies (ICT) with speakers emphasizing that the
world cannot afford to leave behind those who could not benefit from the knowledge revolution. Calling for "global equalization", Hinduja told the conference that simple incentives should be created to enable the disadvantaged to participate and make the best of the knowledge revolution. She pointed out that in India creation of basic infrastructure facilities could open up investment opportunities worth USD one trillion. Unveiling the concept of rural kiosks, Hinduja said that as an alternative to building an entire school, kiosks could be built as "communal places" for learning.-PTI
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Indian students present research in Australia MELBOURNE: Four Indian doctoral students studying in Australia have presented their research to key industry stakeholders in the fields of chemistry, physics, biotechnology and bioinformatics under a scholarship program to attract India's best and brightest students. The high quality of the research presented at the Knowledge Exchange event demonstrated the success of the Victoria India Doctoral Scholarships (VIDS) in attracting India's best and brightest students to Victorian universities, Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said. "This exciting scholarships program is playing a key role in strengthening education links between India and Victoria," Asher said. Indian doctoral students participating through the VIDS program gain access to Victoria's world-class research facilities and make a significant contribution to the state's research and academic knowledge, she said. Established in 2012, VIDS provides scholarships of Australian dollars 90,000 over three years to outstanding Indian doctoral students, and Victorian host universities waive their tuition fees. Twenty scholarships have been awarded till now, with 10 students commencing studies in 2012 and another 10 commencing this year. The program is being delivered by the Australia India Institute on behalf of the Coalition Government, and in partnership with Victoria's nine universities.
"This exciting scholarships program is playing a key role in strengthening education links between India and Victoria," Asher said. Indian doctoral students participating through the VIDS program gain access to Victoria's world-class research facilities and make a significant contribution to the state's research and academic knowledge, she said Four Indian students, who were chosen for the scholarship last year, shared their research with key industry stakeholders as part of the 'VIDS Knowledge Exchange Series'. Abishek Suresh of RMIT University presented his research on 'Computational Design of Neuroactive Peptides' while another presentation by Sayali Shah of The University of Melbourne was made about 'Dissecting the mechanism of N-glycan processing enzyme endomannosidase' which aims at developing new ways to synthesize immunogenic natural products that can be used to provide a detailed insight into how this organism causes disease, an official statement said. Research by Debabrata Sikdar of Monash University was on 'Engineering the plasmonic response of nanoparticle systems' focusing on how tailoring the size, shape, and composition of a sub-wavelength noble metallic nanoparticle contributes to resonance states in a particle's optical response. Jyotsna Nagpal of Latrobe University, whose study is on 'Molecular Dissection of Mycobacteria ClpP: Assembly, Activation, Cofactors and Physiological Targets' involved studying novel proteins believed to be involved in the recurrence of the disease tuberculosis. Jyotsna plans to characterize these proteins and target them with a wide range of known drugs. -PTI
AAPI to hold healthcare summit in Ahmedabad WASHINGTON: The influential Indian American doctors' community has announced holding their "Global Healthcare Summit" in Ahmedabad next January for bringing affordable world class healthcare for Indians. "The Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) would like to make a positive and meaningful impact on the healthcare in India," said the AAPI president, Dr Jayesh Shah, on his return from India along with other members of the organization. Shah said Global Healthcare Summit 2014 which will be held in Ahmedabad from January 3-5 next year and is aimed at advancing the accessibility, affordability and quality of world-class healthcare to the Indian people. Among other areas, the Summit will focus on prevention, diagnosis, treatment options and share ways to truly improve healthcare transcending global boundaries, he said.
Noting that healthcare in India is one of the largest sectors in terms of revenue and employment, Shah said "AAPI has been engaged in harnessing the power of Indian Diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost effective healthcare solutions to India." So far AAPI has organized seven Indo-US Global Healthcare Summits and has developed strategic alliances with various organizations. -PTI
Tech News Pfizer, Boeing lobbying hard on Indian issues WASHINGTON: At least two dozen American companies and industry groups are lobbying hard with the US lawmakers on issues related to their Indian business interests and bilateral trade issues between the two countries, even as retail giant Walmart has halted such activities. According to latest lobbying disclosure reports filed with the US Senate and the House of Representatives, Pfizer, IBM, Boeing, Dow Chemicals, Yum Brands and Colgate Palmolive are among the major companies that lobbied with the US lawmakers in the second quarter on issues related to India. Besides, a host of business chambers and industry bodies including those representing US companies in sectors like pharma, telecom, information technology and dairy, have also disclosed having lobbied on India-related issues. The lobbying issues for these companies and groups in the last quarter included issues related to intellectual property, patent, market access, trade and investment issues related to their individual businesses, as also the bilateral treaties and trade issues between the US and India.-PTI
PepsiCo to enter premium water market with 'Om' NEW YORK: PepsiCo plans to jump into the premium bottled water market with a drink called Om, following the popularity of Coca-Cola's Smartwater. The soda and snack food company, which also makes Aquafina
bottled water, plans to launch the line next year, according to the trade publication Beverage Digest. PepsiCo Inc. has so far been on the sidelines when it comes to the premium water segment, which includes brands such as Evian and Fiji. A representative for PepsiCo, based in Purchase, New York, declined to comment or provide any details. -AP
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Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors Limited at the unveiling of their new variant Force One EX in Chennai on July 30
Industry asks PM to remove hurdles to investment
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Dy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia during a meeting with business leaders of India in New Delhi on July 29
NEW DELHI: India Inc has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to clear hurdles facing large projects and create an environment for investment driven growth that has taken a battering due to external and internal factors. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, along with heads of leading industry chambers brainstormed with the Prime Minister on the problems facing the country and the economy. Others who attended the meeting include Rahul Bajaj, Narayana Murthy, Azim Premji, Swati Piramal, Deepak Parekh, Jamshyd N Godrej, Venu Srinivasan, Sunil Kant Munjal, S Gopalakrishnan and Sunil Bharti Mittal, among others. The high-level meeting of the Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry was attended by Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Prime Minister Economic Advisory Committee (PMEAC) Chairman C Rangarajan, among others. Prime Minister wanted a report within a month on what could be done in the next 2-3 months to revive growth. "We have given suggestion in two categories, one for near term and one for longer run. For near
term, we have suggested clearing of large projects and those projects which were cleared should now be executed," FICCI President and HSBC India head
trial corridors and skill development. Kidwai said industry expects some decisions on the suggestions within a week.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of decelerating industrial production and the liquidity tightening measures undertaken by RBI to arrest decline in rupee. RBI initiatives are intended to squeeze out excess liquidity from the market.
existing 51 per cent. The meeting took place against the backdrop of decelerating industrial production and the liquidity tightening measures undertaken by RBI to arrest decline in rupee. RBI initiatives are intended to squeeze out excess liquidity from the market. Industry, Kidwai said, wanted to know by when the RBI's measures on liquidity tightening would be reversed. CAD last fiscal was 4.8 per cent and the government intends to bring
Business leaders during a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 7RCR in New Delhi on July 29
Naina Lal Kidwai said after the meeting that lasted 160 minutes. The business communities in their deliberation with Singh discussed current account deficit, reviving economic growth, indus-
ASSOCHAM demanded increase in FDI limit in insurance sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent and raising the foreign investment cap in the multi-brand retail segment to 100 per cent from the
it down to 4.2 per cent this financial year. The rupee slide is another concern for the government. Earlier this month, it plummeted to all-time low of 61.21 against the US dollar. -PTI
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MEA launches app to end passport woes NEW DELHI: Have an android or iOS platforms phone? Then tracking your passport application will be just a matter of pushing some buttons with Ministry of External Affairs launching a mobile application. In the next couple of months, people will be able to even apply for passport through their phone. For the first time in the world, a country's Foreign Ministry has been able to integrate and consolidate its entire digital presence in one's hand, thanks to 'MEAIndia' app. The MEA envisages the application be a "one-stop shop" for you. From getting updates from all the 124 Indian missions in the world, to getting information for consular access in case you are abroad, to booking yourself for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, everything is now available on your fingertips. "It's a one stop shop to give you all you need to know," said outgoing Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai after inaugurating the app at an event here. And in what could be a record of sort, the mobile application project was completed in just a little under six months. The MEA is the first government department to have a mobile app for smartphone users. It will provide details of all citizen-centric services of the MEA
like passport, visa for those traveling to India and Haj related details among others. "We were a little reticent when we started this process about six months ago... and it is over in little less than six months," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. The main people behind the creation are two young techies from Silver Touch Technologies Prakash Srivastava and Sarla Meghnani - and young IFS officer
In case you are planning to travel abroad for work or study and you need to legalize your documents, the app simplifies the steps involved for you and helps you identify the authorized agencies for attestation of your documents. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy besides Akbaruddin and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai. Besides providing vast information on India's foreign policies and activities, one can even take part in quiz and win Rs 1000 evouchers for buying books. Not only that, you can even throw a question at the External
Affairs Minister and he will answer two of the most voted queries every month. One can even follow Prime Minister on his official visits abroad and get updates as they happen on his programs, meeting, outcomes among others. Users can also download and watch pictures and documentaries on India, share and contribute their own pictures and suggestions. In case a person is traveling abroad and is in need of emergency consular assistance, the app will help him to find the nearest India Mission/Post and establish contact with officials there. Also, in case you are planning to travel abroad for work or study and you need to legalize your documents, the app simplifies the steps involved for you and helps you identify the authorized agencies for attestation of your documents. "The requirements of communications have changed and evolved and so have we in the Ministry of External Affairs. "We have adapted and adopted to these new demands of technology and means of communications," Mathai said. He said the Ministry is poised to take the audio route and has agreed with Prasar Bharati to tie up for a regular program on FM Radio on India's foreign relations. -PTI
Amazon.com looks to fill 7,000 jobs in 13 states NEW YORK: Amazon.com Inc. says it is adding 7,000 jobs in 13 states, beefing up staff at the warehouses where it fills orders, and in its customer service division. The company says it will add 5,000 full-time jobs at its U.S. distribution centers, which currently employ about 20,000 workers who pack and ship customer orders. The world's largest online retailer has been spending heavily on order fulfillment, a strategy meant to help the business grow, but one that has also weighed on profit margins. The company said that it lost money in the second quarter, even as revenue increased. Distribution center jobs are available in Phoenix; Middletown, Del.; Patterson, San Bernardino and Tracy, Calif.; In-
dianapolis and Jeffersonville, Ind.; Hebron, Ky.; Breinigsville, Pa.; Charleston and Spartanburg, S.C.;
Chattanooga facility. No public schedule was yet posted on the White House website, but the
Chattanooga and Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Coppell, Haslet and San Antonio, Texas and Chester, Va. Amazon said President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the
president made what was billed as a major speech on the economy and brought the topic up again in his weekly Internet and radio address. -AP
ISRO, Tata Motors develop India's first fuel cell bus BANGALORE: For the first time in the country, a Hydrogen-powered automobile bus has been developed by Tata Motors Limited (TML) and Indian Space Research Organization after several years of research. The hydrogen fuel-fitted bus was demonstrated at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, an ISRO facility in Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu. It's a CNG-type bus. Hydrogen in bottles at high pressure is stored at the top of the bus and there would be zero pollution. The hydrogen cells were a spin-off of the cryogenic technol-
ISRO team had generated technical specifications for all the elements and general specifications for the bus. According to Honorary Adviser of ISRO V Gnana Gandhi, who led the technical team in this project, ISRO and TML entered into an MoU in 2006 to design and develop an automobile bus using hydrogen as a fuel through fuel cell route. Gandhi, a Padmashree awardee and retired scientist from ISRO, and Dr M Raja, DGM of TML made the announcement the two organizations have developed fuel cell
ogy that ISRO had been developing for the last few years, the Bangalore-headquartered ISRO officials said. "That's not exactly the cryogenic technology...(It's) liquid hydrogen handling and that's where ISRO has some expertise," they said. ISRO has a very rich technology in producing, storing and handling gaseous and liquid hydrogen in the last three decades. Its expertise is also in safety. An
bus for the first time in India, which will run on Hydrogen. "This is a leap for automobile industry for future transportation. In this vehicle there will be zero pollution since the product of cold combustion is water. This is a result of great team work of Tata Motors and ISRO specialists with contributions from DSIR (Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization)," Gandhi told PTI here. -PTI
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Tandem unveils latest portfolio of startups India Post News Service
NEW DELHI: Tandem, Silicon Valley's first and largest mobile accelerator, has announced the launch of its latest fund, Tandem Habit Fund III, and unveiled its latest portfolio of startups including India-based Shoptimize, and AcceptPay and PacketZoom, which are based in the US.
Sunil Bhargava
As the third fund from Tandem, the Habit Fund speaks to the accelerator's continued success. It will preserve the fund's focus on disruptive mobile products and platforms, and will concentrate on habit-forming businesses - those that have the potential to become an integral part of people's daily
lives. It will also allow Tandem to bring its unique approach, called "muscle capital," to an increased number of early-stage startups. Muscle capital delivers a combination of cash and strategic/operating support from seasoned company builders to Tandem company founders from the very beginning, substantially increasing the odds of success for Tandem's portfolio companies. Responding to widespread demand from entrepreneurs across the globe, Tandem has begun to scale globally. Adding to its base in Silicon Valley, it recently opened an office in Bangalore, India. As Tandem continues to grow its team and operations, it will be working with more international companies with the intent to bring many of these to Silicon Valley. We are very excited to launch Tandem Habit Fund III," said Rohit Bhagat, Tandem partner and managing general partner of the Habit Fund. "It allows us to scale
Tandem's proven muscle capital approach and track record, and takes the model global, particularly focusing on regions that are rich in talent but lack a valley-like
The Shoptimize team based in Pune has developed an innovative contentcuration approach that generates and directs high potential consumer traffic
ecosystem." Details on the first set of portfolio companies out of Tandem III are below: • Shoptimize: a mobile commerce platform for traditional merchants in emerging markets. The Shoptimize team based in Pune has developed an innovative contentcuration approach that generates and directs high potential consumer traffic to merchant sites, and is currently working with over 20 businesses outside the U.S., instantly making their products and services available on mobile devices to engaged consumers. • AcceptPay: a cash-on-delivery platform to support e-commerce in cash-centric economies. They have a core technology team in Silicon Valley with business operations that work closely with banks and merchants outside the U.S. • PacketZoom: a mobile content delivery network started by exGoogle engineers. They accelerate
mobile application performance substantially across the last mile of mobile networks, substantially improving the user experience. About Tandem: Started in June 2007 by veteran technology entrepreneurs Doug Renert and Sunil Bhargava, Tandem utilizes its "muscle capital" to champion the next billion dollar business in the mobile market. Tan-
Rohit Bhagat
dem backs founders with a unique mix of cash investment and handson support in areas such as strategy, product design, technology architecture, user acquisition, employee recruiting and channel development. Tandem is based in Burlingame, CA and Bangalore, India.
US to probe India for selling steel Walmart halts India-specific lobbying in US pipe at unfairly low price WASHINGTON: The US Department of Commerce has opened a probe into allegations that India and eight other countries are illegally selling steel pipe at an unfairly low prices in America. "Domestic steel pipe producers are being crippled by an onslaught of foreign competitors illegally dumping imports in the United States," Senator Sherrod Brown said, days after the Commerce Department launched a probe against South Korea, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine of unfair and illegal trade practices. Brown and Senator Rob Portman called on the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to protect domestic producers of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) from foreign competitors that use unfair and illegal trade practices. "The International Trade Commission must commit to Ohio's workers and businesses and crack down on countries that sell their products at unfair prices. As our trade deficit widens, leveling the
playing field is the only way to protect local jobs, and in the future, create them," Browne said after sending the joint letter to US ITC. Noting that Ohio-based companies that produce Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) support many
goods must be allowed to compete with their global competitors on a level playing field," Portman said. OCTG are used for domestic oil exploration, particularly in the shale industry, and are produced in Ohio by companies including
WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: Global retail giant Walmart has stopped its lobbying with the US lawmakers on India-specific issues, after continuously seeking their support for about five years to facilitate its entry into the high growth Indian market. The disclosure incidentally
good-paying jobs in the state, Portman said if the ITC does not stand up for these American manufactured goods and punish foreign companies who are flooding US our markets with unfairly imported cheap products, businesses and thousands of American workers are at risk. "American manufactured
US Steel in Lorain, Wheatland Tube Company in Warren, Vallourec Star in Youngstown, and TMK IPSCO in Brookfield. Each is among the plaintiffs accusing South Korea, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine of unfair and illegal trade practices. -PTI
comes at a time when Indian government is preparing a report to be presented in Parliament next month based on findings of a probe into Walmart's US lobbying activities for getting an access to India. According to the latest lobbying disclosure reports filed by Walmart and its registered lobby-
ists with the US Senate and the House of Representatives, the company spent close to USD two million (about Rs 12 crore) on various lobbying activities during the second quarter ended June 30. However, no India-specific matter figures among close to three dozen issues discussed by Walmart and its lobbyists with the lawmakers in the US during this period. This has come as a major departure from the prior period lobby disclosure reports, including that for the preceding quarter (JanuaryMarch 2013) wherein 'Discussions related to FDI in India' figured as one of the lobbying issues, the Congressional records show. The company had spent a similar amount of about USD two million in the previous quarter as well on its lobbying activities, which are being undertaken by it directly as also through close to ten other registered lobby firms.-PTI
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Your student loans cannot be canceled
U
nderstanding the repay ment process for your federal student loans can go a long way toward building a solid financial foundation. Remember, federal student loans are real loans, just like car loans or mortgages. You must repay a student loan even if your financial circumstances become difficult. Your student loans cannot be canceled because you didn't get the education or job you expected, or because you didn't complete your education (unless you couldn't complete your education because your school closed). Making Payments You need to make payments to your loan servicer. Each servicer has its own payment process, so check with your servicer if you aren't sure how or when to make a payment. You are responsible for staying in touch with your servicer and making your payments, even if you do not receive a bill. Loan Servicers The U.S. Department of Education (ED) uses several loan servicers to handle the billing and other services on loans for the William D. Ford Federal Direct
Loan (Direct Loan) Program and for loans originally made under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program but now owned by ED.
Choosing a Repayment Plan You have a choice of several repayment plans that are designed to meet your needs. The amount you pay and the length of time to repay your loans will vary depending on the repayment plan you choose. Loan Consolidation Learn what it means to consolidate your loans, how to apply for loan consolidation, things to consider before consolidating your loans, the types of loans that
qualify for consolidation, and what happens after you consolidate your loans. Deferment and Forbearance Deferment and forbearance offer a way for you to temporarily postpone or lower your loan payments while you're back in school, in the military, experiencing financial hardship, or in certain other situations. Forgiveness, Cancellation, and Discharge In circumstances such as certain kinds of teaching service, total and permanent disability, or the closure of the school where you were studying, your obligation to
repay your federal student loan may be removed. Understanding Default NEVER ignore delinquency or default notices from your loan servicer. If you don't make your monthly loan payments, you will become delinquent on your student loan and risk going into default. Contact your servicer immediately if you are having trouble making payments or won't be able to pay on time. Resolving Disputes If you have a dispute about your loan, you may be able to resolve it by simply contacting your loan servicer and discussing the issue.
Should one finance through a car dealership?
A
re you planning on purchasing a car soon? When purchasing a car, there are so many factors to consider about your purchase. One of the biggest factors involves financing your car. Just where should you finance your car at? Some people would recommend that you finance your car straight through the dealership. However,
this can be a bad idea, especially for those with poor credit. Let me explain a few of the reasons why you should avoid dealer financing based upon my own personal experiences. First, let's start with the obvious reason. Dealerships have financial managers not for the convenience of the customer, but for the added income they earn.
Many car dealerships spend a lot of money on their financial managers. These financial managers will do whatever it takes to smooth talk you into agreeing to an auto loan at a higher price through the dealership. They are not "on your side", and you should look to receive a loan from a place that has your best interests in mind. Second, obtaining bad credit
auto loans through a dealership may very even worsen your credit. A friend of mine had poor credit and felt his options were very limited. When he went to the dealership to purchase a car, he was offered a car loan through the dealership. Because he felt his options were limited, he jumped at the chance of this car loan.
Desi News Youth movement to build new India reaches US RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: CHICAGO: Volunteers for a Better India (VBI), an organization inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has come up with a novel idea of rejuvenating India not by blaming any person, group or organization but by creating awareness among the masses. The masses can bring about major changes by themselves, without looking up to the government or help from outside sources. This movement has gained hefty ground in India, says Darshak Hathi, the Chief architect of VBI, currently on tour of USA for enlisting the support of segments of NRI community, principally the youth.
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
Uttarakhand Fundraiser receives big response Details on page 26
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August 2, 2013
Ro Khanna joins local leaders to discuss US-China-India partnership
Details on page 23
Mamta Joshi performs at Fremont Hindu Temple RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: On Sunday, July 28 worshippers of Fremont Hindu Temple were treated to melodious Sufi songs. Dr Mamta Joshi, an accomplished Sufi Singer gave Bhajan performance at the temple. Dr Mamta Joshi is on a world tour to promote Sufi music and raise funds for victims of recent Uttarakhand tragedy, where hundreds perished in flash floods at Kedarnath pilgrim center. She is traveling under the banner of "Beats of Life", an organization headed by Dr Harmesh Kumar. Details on page 20
Huge support for Indian Icon Audition-3 Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Singing auditions can be challenging even for the most seasoned singer and one has to present the best to have a chance to progress to the next level. In this case it was the semifinal round of Chicago Indian Icon (CII) competition. The CII karaoke competition is already making history for it is the first of its kind in the US and the response from the Indian community has been positively abundant, exploding every imaginable bench mark, and propelling itself to the forefront of music-lovers' dream of a unified musical platform that is provided in Chicago. Details on page 25
Eugene Zhang - CEO of Innospring, Ro Khanna, Don Sun - Chair of Cupertino Planning Commission India Post News Service
SANTA CLARA, CA: Ro Khanna, candidate for Congress and former Obama administration official, joined community leaders Eugene Zhang, CEO of InnoSpring, and Don Sun, Chair of the Cupertino Planning Commission on July 28 for an in-depth exploration into relations between the U.S., China, and India and what it means locally for the 17th
velopment of new technologies. The panelists discussed how an expanded partnership will impact Silicon Valley's high technology and skilled manufacturing sectors over the next 20 years, and reflected upon the opportunities, challenges, and possibilities for economic growth that will be opened when these countries work together. "I am excited to have the opportunity to come together with
The vibrant Indian and Chinese communities here in the 17th district have made incredible contributions to our economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation and taking risks to start new companies district. The China-India-US: Silicon Valley Roundtable took place at Innospring, Inc., 2901 Tasman Dr. In a globalized 21st century economy, it is increasingly important for countries with dynamic economies to unite together to promote strong economic partnerships, allowing well-balanced domestic manufacturing to grow, and facilitating innovation and the de-
two economic experts in our local community to discuss this important and pressing international relationship," said Khanna. "The vibrant Indian and Chinese communities here in the 17th district have made incredible contributions to our economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation and taking risks to start new companies. "Not only do I believe the strengthening of our economic
Dr Romesh Japra speaking on the occasion
partnership with India and China is possible, I know that it is imperative for America to have a prosperous and peaceful 21st century. I am thankful for the support of Eugene Zhang and Don Sun as I run for Congress to bring a new type of forward looking vision for Silicon Valley." A Bay Area resident for more than a decade, Ro returned home to Silicon Valley after spending two years in the Obama Administration, where he took a practical, hands-on approach to public service. As Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ro regularly traveled around the country meeting with American manufacturers of all sizes to better understand their needs and the best ways for government to promote and support them. In this role, Ro managed 108 domestic Commerce offices dedicated to helping companies in the United States innovate and increase their exports to consumers around the world. Ro's book on manufacturing, Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is Still Key to America's Future, has
won widespread praise for its strategies for keeping the best companies, jobs, and opportunities in America. "As CEO of InnoSpring, I recognize the vital importance of encouraging cross-cultural innovation between China, India, and the US - three of the world's fastest
Kansen Chu
developing technology industries," said Zhang. "InnoSpring, home to startups from all three nations, is a technology startup incubator that is committed to helping startups expand internationally and take advantage of global market opportunities. Cont’d on page 19
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100 Silicon Valley innovators, entrepreneurs, tech leaders endorse Ro India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: Ro Khanna, candidate for Congress in California's 17th District, has received the emphatic endorsements of many of Silicon Valley's most influential tech leaders and job creators. These leaders have joined together in calling for a new type of thought leadership that eschews special interest money and is less focused on ideological entrenchment and finger pointing, and more focused on results. The endorsements are a strong validation of Ro's forward looking vision for fostering innovation and keeping America as the most entrepreneurial and dynamic economy in the world. Ro's technology policy priorities include: 1. It is imperative that America reforms the immigration system to attract and retain the best and brightest from around the world. We need policies to make sure that entrepreneurs, technology leaders, and skilled engineers come to the United States and start businesses here instead of in Canada, Europe or China. 2. America needs a 21st century approach to education that uses technology to improve educational outcomes by expanding broadband to every classroom, introducing code into the curriculum in elementary school, and supporting Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to democratize access to education. 3. Promote a comprehensive strategy for increasing the number of women working in STEM fields. This includes special STEM and entrepreneurship classes for young women, so they learn, engage and become excited about
These leaders have joined together in calling for a new type of thought leadership that eschews special interest money and is less focused on ideological entrenchment and finger pointing, and more focused on results. The endorsements are a strong validation of Ro's forward looking vision potential STEM careers from an early age. We must also pass laws that require family and children friendly work policies and make sure there is equal pay for equal work. 4. Support small businesses by simplifying bureaucratic red tape, and having a one-stop shop to help startups navigate regulatory regime. Promote programs that partner with organizations like The Indus Entrepreneurs to help teach the skills of entrepreneurship. 5. Support entrepreneurs through student loan deferment, tax deductions for software purchases, and applying the Research and Development Tax Credit to employer taxes instead of income. We should also make technology licensing easier for startups from universities and our national laboratories. 6. Ensure that America leads in household high-speed broadband availability and mobile high-speed coverage at affordable rates. We also should make sure our schools have access to high-speed Internet by making that a priority of the federal E-Rate program. 7. Reform a tax code written in the 1960s to bring it up to date for the 21st century globalized economy. The current code incentivizes companies to park cash offshore and has numerous unjustifiable loopholes written by special interests. We need a tax regime that incentivizes companies to invest in the United States, and create good paying jobs here in California's 17th district. "I am humbled that so many leading innovators and job creators are supporting my message of bringing Silicon
Valley solutions to Washington," said Khanna. "People across the district - from those that started companies to those who work hard every day to develop the next big idea - are calling for a new type of thought leadership that has been absent from our political discourse. Not only do these incredible technology leaders keep Silicon Valley at the forefront of innovation, they also create and sustain hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs for our community. Cont’d on page 19
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Jimmy Shergill to be Festival of India Grand Marshal RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: For the 21st Festival of India and Parade, FIA has invited Bollywood star Jimmy Shergill to be the Grand Marshal. Jimmy Shergill is known for his Bollywood and Punjabi movies. Some of his hit movies are "Munna Bhai MBBS", "Dangerous Ishq", "Saheb Biwi aur Gangster" and "Mohabbatein". Keeping with the FIA Festival
tradition, Sniti Mishra, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa sensation will be the Chief Guest and lead the Bollywood musical extravaganza. For past 20 years, FIA organized Festival of India has come to symbolize the unity, integrity, culture and best of the things that are hall mark of Indian community in Bay area. Celebrated over two days, this festival coincides with Indian Independence day celebration and has many popular and well sought after segments such
as health fair, grand parade, Bollywood celebrity as Grand Marshal, kids talent programs, cultural programs representing cross section of India and a Mela that features best of offers for Indian community. Visitors can enjoy mouth-watering chaat, instantly made Jalebis, attractive jewelry, trendy clothes, and discounted local merchandise. Cont’d on page 20
Ro outlines Platform at Meet & Greet function
From Left: Niket Patwardhan, Nipun Vaidya, Ro Khanna, Charu Vaidya, Nita Vaidya, Divyang Vaidya & Chaitanya Vaidya India Post News Service
SAN JOSE, CA: Ro Khanna, candidate for Congress in California's 17th District, is participating in several Meet and Greet functions to mobilize grassroots voter support. One such function was organized by Charu Vaidya here on Saturday July 27. The turnout was amazing with over 50 San Jose area Indo Ameri-
cans attending. Ro delivered a very passionate speech outlining his Platform. This was followed by a lively Question and Answer session that lasted almost 45 minutes. Even though Ro Khanna had to leave at 6:00 pm however, due to overwhelming interest in him, he stayed and interacted with everybody till 6.45 pm. Ro and his staff agreed that it was a very successful event.
From Left: Niket Patwardhan, Anil Pandya, Mr Dharmani, Mrs Dharmani, Ro Khanna & Chaitanya Vaidya
August 2, 2013
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Local business owners endorse Ro & his vision India Post News Service
FREMONT: Ro Khanna's candidacy and platform for supporting small business has received
the endorsement of many local small business owners. Ro for Congress will also be announcing the formation of its Small Business Advisory Council, which will pro-
Small business owner Dave Hoemberg supports Ro Khanna
vide insight and counsel to Ro on the interests of small businesses in California's 17th district. Ro's five small business priorities include: 1. Hiring credit for businesses in areas with high unemployment and poverty rates that hire long-term unemployed workers, unemployed veterans, and people receiving the federal earned income tax credit. 2. Help businesses navigate federal regulations by providing resources that help them estimate compliance costs and streamline
100 Silicon Valley innovators, entrepreneurs, tech leaders endorse Ro Cont’d from page 17
"I share their commitment to creating a better future, and I will stand by the issues that matter most to Silicon Valley so that we can continue to push the boundaries of innovation, and to bolster employment opportunities for everyone here in our district and across the country." A Bay Area resident for more than a decade, Ro has dedicated much of his career to working within the technology and manufacturing industries. Like many of the technology and entrepreneurial leaders in the Valley, Ro is the US born son of immigrants who came to this country to give their children an opportunity at the American dream. As an intellectual property attorney at both Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and O'Melveny & Myers, Ro has worked closely with numerous high technology companies. Ro is a member of the California Workforce Development Board, serving as chair for the Advanced Manufacturing Committee-a position he was appointed to by Governor Jerry Brown. Ro returned home to Silicon Valley after spending two years in the Obama Administration, where he took a practical, hands-on approach to public service. As Deputy Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Commerce, Ro regularly traveled around the country meeting with American manufacturers of all sizes to better understand their
needs and the best ways for government to promote and support them. In this role, Ro managed 108 domestic Commerce offices dedicated to helping companies in the United States innovate and increase their exports to consumers around the world. Ro's book on manufacturing, Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is
"Ro represents what is best about the Silicon Valley: he is forward thinking, hard working, and always focused on how the government can work more intelligently and efficiently for the taxpayers who fund it" Still Key to America's Future, has won widespread praise for its strategies for keeping the best companies, jobs and opportunities in America. "Ro understands that government needs to invest in technology to spur our future progress as a nation," said Garry Tan, Partner at Y Combinator. "I have had tremendous opportunities that allowed me to work my way up from growing up in a middle class neighborhood in Fremont, to attending Stanford University, and finally to pursuing my dream of being an entrepreneur. But not
everyone is as lucky as me, and Ro will help young startups get on their feet. That's something my business is committed to, and I have seen firsthand how investing in technological innovation has a great potential for growing our economy." "Ro represents what is best about the Silicon Valley: he is forward thinking, hard working, and always focused on how the government can work more intelligently and efficiently for the taxpayers who fund it," said Steve Westly, managing partner at the Westly Group and former Comptroller of California. "He also embraces the idea that dynamism and disruptive innovation are good for government and good for society. "He is a champion of clean technology, and I applaud his vocal support of increasing government investment in the type of research and design that has fueled worldchanging inventions across the Valley. His knowledge of the global economy and dedication to public service are exactly what we need in the next generation of Silicon Valley leadership." "Ro Khanna is a new generation of leader who truly understands the needs of the high tech industry and the leadership role Silicon Valley plays on the global stage," said Penny Herscher, President & CEO, First Rain. "I know he will partner with constituents across Silicon Valley to create more jobs - and more qualified STEM employees for those jobs. I support Ro Khanna for Congress."
implementation. mal people are struggling to make 3. Access to capital for small ends meet - to make payroll and businesses, especially early on, so ensure that our employees aren't they can set up the infrastructure laid off. Ro has a vision that I beto begin expanding and exporting lieve will help me stay in business their products overseas. and help other aspiring business 4. Incentivize established owners get their ideas off the business owners to mentor the ground." next generation of small business "I own a business that is comleaders because the greatest de- mitted to hiring returning veterans cline in entrepreneurial activity in and providing them with stable the recession occurred in the 18- jobs so that they can play an inte24 age group. gral role in growing our economy," 5. Increase funding for the said Dave Hoemberg, owner of Manufacturing Extension Project USA Reclamation and Recycling. and the Small Business Adminis- "Ro understands that supporting tration to provide vital support for small businesses is critical to adsmall manufacturers as they try to dressing our country's pervasive expand their business and access unemployment. To small business markets overseas. owners, growing the economy' is "I am extremely grateful to receive the support of so many "Ro understands that supsmall business leaders in our community," said porting small businesses is Khanna. "My campaign critical to addressing our is about bringing the country's pervasive unemvibrancy and ingenuity of Silicon Valley to ployment. To small business Washington. Part of owners, growing the this is recognizing that small businesses play economy' is not just a an enormous part in cul- talking point. It means tivating and sustaining creating real jobs� Silicon Valley's forward thinking culture. "I am proud to release my set not just a talking point. It means of five priorities for supporting creating real jobs and real incomes small business, and I will continue for the people who need them to seek common-sense solutions most." aimed at helping new businesses "These days I wonder if more get a start, expanding good pay- businesses like mine will be able ing jobs, and supporting busi- to get started," Garry Singh, owner nesses as they compete in today's of Chaat Bhavan. "It might mean global economy." more competition down the road. "I am so excited to support Ro But at the end of the day, I have in his run for Congress," said Pe- had the opportunity to live out my ter Lim, S L Carter Press & Ser- dreams by starting and running a vice. "As a proud small business business and Ro will fight to make owner in San Jose, all I want is the sure others can do the same. If you opportunity to keep serving my own a business, Ro is your candiloyal consumers. Sometimes it's date. If you are yet to start your frustrating to hear all the grand- dream company, Ro will fight to standing in Congress when nor- make sure it happens."
Ro Khanna joins local leaders to discuss US-China-India partnership Cont’d from page 16
"I have seen our partnerships stimulate innovation, and I believe that the U.S. should jump on the opportunity to increase market opportunities on a grand scale. I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss these issues with Ro, someone who truly understands the innovation economy and the role that foreign partnerships play in the success of the Valley." "Silicon Valley is such a unique area because we are a hub for innovation, and we also have a great
potential for high tech manufacturing," said Don Sun. "As the Chair of the Cupertino Planning Commission, I firmly believe that the government could do better by the middle class if it worked to strengthen the economic partnership with China and India. That would create good paying jobs by expanding our capacity for domestic manufacturing. Ro and Eugene are leaders on this issue who have pragmatic proposals for expanding markets, and I am encouraged that we are engaging the community in this important discussion."
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Mamta Joshi performs at Fremont Hindu Temple
Dr Mamta Joshi being honored by Fremont Hindu Temple trustees. Pics Neeloo Kapoor
RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: On Sunday,
with her family and accompanists and Dr Harmesh and his family, was honored by Temple Chairman Rajesh Verma, Leela Mathur ( Re-
ligious Chair), Manorama Joshi ( CFO & Trustee), Veena Birla (Trustee), Sunita Japra and Deepak Chhabra (Chair Event).
Dr Joshi with dignitaries
July 28 worshippers of Fremont Hindu Temple were treated to melodious Sufi songs. Dr Mamta Joshi, an accomplished Sufi Singer gave Bhajan performance at the temple. Dr Mamta Joshi is on a world tour to promote Sufi music and raise funds for victims of recent Uttarakhand tragedy, where hundreds perished in flash floods at Kedarnath pilgrim center. She is traveling under the banner of "Beats of Life", an organization headed by Dr Harmesh Kumar. She sang many heartwarming Sufi Kalams & Bhajans of different variety and enthralled the audience and had them dancing. Her one and half hour rendition left the audience craving for more. She was welcomed by CFO Manorama Joshi on behalf of the temple. After the program she along
Rep. Honda convenes meeting of STEM advisory board India Post News Service
SANTA CLARA, CA: At the campus of high-tech manufacturing supplier Applied Materials, Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) convened the first meeting of his newly formed STEM Advisory Board. The group will meet quarterly to advance STEM (ScienceTechnology-Engineering-Math) school programs throughout the country to ensure that the children of today have the educational background to become the tech innovators of tomorrow. The board comprises experts from the education sector - including the presidents of San Jose State University and De Anza College - as well nonprofit board members and executives from Intel, IBM, Apple, Cisco Systems, and other tech firms. White H o u s e Deputy Director of Science and Technology Policy Tom Kalil gave the keynote speech at the launch event. Rep. Honda explained the need for forming the STEM Advisory Board in his remarks: "The children of Silicon Valley, the state, and indeed the country are at a disadvantage if we do not con-
tinue to give them the educational tools they need to grow and succeed in a global, high-tech economy. "I have long fought in Congress to ensure that every student in our public schools has access to an equitable education from preK to college, and a structured curriculum of math and science programs must serve as its foundation." Over 40 members of the advisory board attended the kickoff. It was claimed by his team that
Rep. Mike Honda
Rep. Honda has been the leader in advancing STEM education in Congress, having introduced the STEM Innovation Networks Act earlier this month, which aims to create public-private partnerships that fund science and math programs across the country.
Jimmy Shergill to be Festival of India Grand Marshal Cont’d from page 18
Dr Joshi performing on stage
This year the festival is celebrating Centenary of Gadar movement, 150th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and 100 years of Bollywood. Some of activities planned are kids' contests and exhibitions. Parade floats are getting ready, participants are practicing to give best performance at cultural programs, sponsors and booths are excited to give their best deals and best names in Bay Area are getting their best recipes ready for 21st Festival of India and Pa-
rade to be held on August 17 and August 18 at 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA. Given above events, this year's Festival of India is turning out to be a pan south Asian event. FIA has invited everyone to come together and make this a grand success. There are several opportunities to get involved: Booths, Events, Floats, Showcases, Cultural programs, Sponsorships and raising community awareness and participation. Visit fiaonline.org or call 510-565-9993 for more details!
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Shirdi Sai Darbar celebrates Muslim student appointed UC student regent Guru Poornima India Post News Service
moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and guru. Sai Baba's teachings combined elements of Hinduism and Islam: he gave the Hindu name Dwarakamayi to the mosque he lived in, practiced Hindu and
Guru. On the auspicious occasion, Shirdi Sai Darbar in Sunnyvale celebrated Guru Poornima on Sunday July 21 with offering of Chappan Bhog. All devotees were invited to bring their favorite food
Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures that drew from both traditions, and was buried in Shirdi. Shirdi Sai Darbar is a non-profit organization. It is based in Bay
The landlord has given SSD limited time buying option with lease. The total area is 20,000 sq. ft. They would be allocating 10,000 sq ft for the main prayer hall and the rest for meditation and dining facilities. The facility has about 200 parking spaces. The space is already pre-approved for religious activities by the City of Sunnyvale. The estimated total cost for this project is $6 million. The immediate requirement is 3 million so that the rest can be approved through a lending institution. The organization welcomes donations for the construction of new temple complex. They have introduced a unique donor program called "Donor Recognition Wall," which will give you a chance to contribute towards building of Sai temple and have your name inscribed on the wall. Due to limited space, the wall will be filled quickly and thus they encourage the devotees to make the donations as soon as possible. The program will end on January 31, 2014 or when full capacity is reached.
for Baba and about 3000 devotees came in for Baba Darshan. Baba Palki ceremony was performed in the evening around 6:00 pm. Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian guru, yogi, and fakir who is regarded by his Hindu and Muslim devotees as a saint. He taught a
Area, California. It is a 100% volunteer base organization. All activities are managed by SSD volunteers. SSD new and current Baba temple location is at 255 Geronimo Way, Sunnyvale, CA94085. This new location is located at the intersection of Wolfe and Arques Ave.
Donation options: Cash/check in the name of "SHRIDI SAI DARBAR" at Baba Temple. Mail check in the name of "SHRIDI SAI DARBAR" to temple address 255, San Geronimo way, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Paypal/Google checkout (Details on www.shirdisaidarbar.org)
VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: Guru Poornima is celebrated on the full moon day that falls in July-August and is observed as an auspicious day where pujas are performed to the
Utility Bill scams continue to target Edison customers India Post News Service
ROSEMEAD, CA: Southern California Edison (SCE) is advising customers to be aware of a telephone scam that demands immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills. Imposters have been calling SCE customers telling them they must make immediate payment on past due bills or have their electric service disconnected. The callers are also demanding that payment
be made through a prepaid cash card. Other forms of fraud involve customers being asked to purchase prepaid debit cards. Scammers ask for the debit card number and collect the value deposited on the card. SCE customers have reported about 800 instances of phone scams this year. About 150 residential and commercial customers have been victimized by some form of bill scam with the incidents costing them an average of $800 to $1,000. "We ask our customers to be
alert to these calls that demand immediate payment and threaten service disconnection," said Marlyn Denter, SCE manager of consumer affairs. "Customers suspecting a fraudulent call should ask for the caller's name, department and business phone number. If the caller refuses to provide this information, customers should terminate the call and report the incident immediately to local police or SCE at 800-6554555." Cont’d on page 25
LOS ANGELES: The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) has congratulated the first observant Muslim student ever to be appointed as the new University of California (UC) student regent for 2014-2015. Sadia Saifuddin was confirmed in a nearly unanimous
as leaders. Participants also got to listen to Lori Soraya, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota, who delivered a presentation on her experience working with CAIR. Through her inspiring stories, participants learned about the various skills needed to be an effective organizer in order to make a positive impact on the American Muslim
Participants in CAIR-CA's 9th annual Muslim Youth Leadership Program taking part in a mock legislature session where they debate bills
vote by the UC Board of Regents, during its meeting recently. A UC Berkeley senior majoring in social welfare, Saifuddin participated in CAIR-CA's flagship Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) in 2008, and also served as an advisor for this year's cohort of MYLP participants. MYLP is an annual political immersion and leadership building retreat in Sacramento, which aims to equip high school students with an understanding of the legislative process, as well as train-
One of the participants speaking
ing in the areas of civic engagement and media advocacy. In late June, nearly 40 American Muslim students from across California were selected to participate. Throughout the four-day program, participants attended workshops and presentations on community organizing, public speaking, and the political process in California. This year, the program began with a welcome address delivered by Imam Luqman Ahmad on leadership from an Islamic perspective. Imam Ahmad's discussion on the character of a Muslim leader allowed participants to understand how their identities as Muslims can positively impact their roles
community and the broader society. To that end, participants engaged in an interactive workshop on community organizing wherein they worked together to find solutions to various scenarios regarding discrimination and prejudice. The participants were given scenarios that have not only occurred in the Muslim community, but also in other religious communities to promote an understanding of diverse viewpoints. Participants also learned that effective communication is part of effective organizing; knowing how to speak eloquently and confidently is an important leadership skill. During this workshop, participants fine-tuned their public speaking skills by discussing the importance of public speaking, and learning tips and tricks on how to speak effectively. Participants put the lessons they learned from the discussion into practice by writing and presenting a short speech to their fellow participants. In addition to these presentations and workshops, MYLP participants took part in a mock legislature session at the California State Capitol, in which they debated public policy issues relating to education, elections, as well as health and human services. Throughout their time at the Capitol, participants also had the opportunity to listen to senators, assembly members, Capitol staff members and lobbyists with many years of experience. Since its inception in 2004, MYLP has helped empower over 350 youth, like Saifuddin, with the skills necessary to grow into community leaders.
August 2, 2013
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Youth movement to build new India with self-help reaches US RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Volunteers for a Better India (VBI), an organization inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has come up with a novel idea of rejuvenating India not by blaming any person, group or organization but by creating awareness among the masses. The masses can bring about major changes by them-
for enlisting the support of segments of NRI community, principally the youth. Hathi was in Chicago and met representatives of Indian ethnic media last week and sought to explain the basic philosophy behind this new movement which has no political bearings. In his brief address Darshak said that one may hold an American citizenship or may have spent
Darshak Hathi (right) with Vinesh Virani, an activist associated with Art of Living
selves, without looking up to the government or help from outside sources. This movement has gained hefty ground in India, says Darshak Hathi, the Chief architect of VBI, currently on tour of USA
years away from India but one still has a deep connection to the country of origin. We still get affected by the current situation in the country of birth be it the news on corruption and scams, terrorist strikes, women's issues or suicide
by farmers or the continuing water shortage or power cuts or calamities and disasters, but blaming the government is not the right solution, he said. Not content to watch passively, over 100,000 youth from all over India gathered together at the Ram Lila Maidan in New Delhi on February 3 to participate in the launch of the Volunteer for a Better India (VBI) movement inaugurated by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. They had a very simple goal to inspire millions of Indians to give just one hour a day for the nation. This call for action resulted in implementation of several projects all over India and finally reached NRI youth. Many UN agencies, Indian Medical Associations and many Not for Profit organizations have joined hands with VBI to become a party to transform India. A few NRI and PIO youth, not willing to be left behind, decided to start the Overseas Wing of the Overseas Volunteers for a Better India (OVBI). Over 1800 youths have already joined OVBI since its launch in May 2013. "We found to our utmost happiness that being Indian goes beyond the geographical boundaries of the country and there are many overseas
Indians who want to be part of rebuilding and strengthening of India," Hathi pointed out. Hathi has traveled to 21 cities in USA and plans to go to New York, New Jersey, Washington, Houston, Bay Area and few more before flying back to India. He said that he was overjoyed with the amazing response among the Indian community in USA. During the brainstorming session with leaders of the community the following key points were identified: To support the projects related to
tion of India and Indians. Darshak Hathi, the socio-spiritual activist, previously a core member of 'India Against Corruption' (IAC) movement led by Anna Hazare, spent two days with Annaji in Tihar jail in August 2012. Darshak has initiated and participated in various service projects and civil society movements such as conflict resolution, rehabilitation, a peace initiative program in North East India, the creation of model villages in various districts of Maharashtra, child protection
Hathi has traveled to 21 cities in USA and plans to go to New York, New Jersey, Washington, Houston, Bay Area and few more before flying back to India. He said that he was overjoyed with the amazing response rebuilding India; the need to organize and mobilize the NRI community; effectively highlight issues that concern the NRIs in USA in their day to day life; rectify the incorrect projection of India and Indians in the mainstream; Need to voice the issues of the homeland India in USA. OVBI seems to bring a ray hope for development and transforma-
in Uttar Pradesh with UNICEF, Bharat Jagao Abhiyan, Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna and Jal Jagriti Abhiyan. He is the strategic advisor for 'Together Reform India', a Times Foundation initiative. Based on his selfless service to rural India, Darshak was awarded the 'Servant of the Poor' award by the confederation of NGOs of Rural India, in 2010.
Encyclopedia of Hinduism launched in Chicagoland RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: It is one of the most unique books on Hinduism that took twenty-five years in the making with contributions from well
formally saw the light of the day at a glittering event at Manav Seva Mandir (MSM) on Saturday July 27. It is for the first time in history that the depth and breadth of India's great spiritual culture
Launch of Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Pics Asian Media USA
over 1000 esteemed scholars from across the world. The Encyclopedia of Hinduism with 11-volumes and approximately 7000 entries
has been made available in authentic, academic and scholastic form for generations to come. As put by DP Prajapati of Manav
Seva Mandir, it is "a great boon to the second and third generations of Indians living abroad to learn and understand the true meaning of Hinduism." The launch was at the hands of one of the saintly persons from India, Swami Chidanand Saraswati in the presence of four hundred plus scholars and priests of Hinduism, representatives of various social and religious organizations and followers of Sanatan Dharma which is popularly known as Hinduism. The Encyclopedia was conceived, inspired and blessed by Swami Chidanand Saraswati and is published by India Heritage Research Foundation. Swamiji won the hearts and minds of all those present with his soul-stirring speech which underlined the universality of Sanatan Dharma. He explained that the basic principle of this Dharma was to see Divinity in all and practice Ahimsa in thought, word and action. Cont’d on page 24
Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati
Audience at the launch ceremony
Community Across America
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Guru Purnima celebrated at Gayatri Shaktipeeth ATUL PATEL
CHICAGO: Global Gayatri Pariwar Chicago and Gayatri Shaktipeeth Chicago celebrated Guru Purnima festival with 108 Kundi Gayatri Yagya on Sunday July 21 from 11am to 2 pm in Desplaines, a north side suburb of Chicago. Chief Guest Mrs Santosh Kumar, CEO of MAFS, inaugurated Gyan Mashal souvenir book. She spoke about Gurudev Pandit Shree Ram Sharma's divine work and teaching that everyone should read Devotees performing Aarti at Guru Purnima celebrations by Gayatri Shaktipeeth his literature to solve day-to-day problems. Main Yajman were Chetanbhai and devotees not only to participate Thakkar and Bhanu Darji. During Manishben Patel and Varshaben in this program but regularly help the pious event, the organizers and Shaileshbhai Gadani. In the Gayatri Shaktipeeth Chicago distributed 108 Tulsi plants. More Pushpanjali ritual, Natubhai Patel for day-to-day expenses. than 300 devotees offered Aahuti announced quitting his Pan Parag Pushpaben Parikh and Bhamini in Gayatri Yagya. Aabh Contrachabit. Minaben Poorohit and Acharya sang melodious songs tor chanted Gayatri Mantra on Sohanbhai Joshi appealed to along with Kusum Patel, Harsha stage. Kusum Patel and Rajnibhai Modi performed Gaytari Yagya and devotees chanted Gayatri Mantra, Mahamurtunjay Aahuti was offered for the departed souls at Utttarakhand and also for Mrs Pearl Cooper, 84, an ardent devotee of Gayatri Mata and selfless worker. She passed away on June 21. The function was a great success. Ayurvedic Dr Varma announced giving his lecture and free service on Sunday August 4 at 11am at Gayatri Shaktipeeth Chicago. "Gayatri Upasna" CD is Chief Guest Ms Santosh Kumar with guests Sohan Joshi, Meena Purohit available at Gayatri Shaktipeeth and organizer Dr Kusum Patel Chicago.
Entertainers to bring cheer to kids during FIA Parade SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: To make the India Independence Day parade a grand affair, FIA is deploying clowns, jugglers, tall-stiletto walkers and other entertainers colorfully dressed to criss-cross the parade route in order to provide added fillip and excitement to the grand parade. I f t e k h a r Shareef, FIA Trustee Chair, providing this update said it was important that we offer to the children some gleeful excitement and the best way we can do it is to employ entertainers who can bring lot of cheer to the young children. He added this side show with clowns and jugglers will provide a wholesome family entertainment on a day filled with patriotism and Indian pride. Banquet Chair Veenod Patel said they were working hard to make the August 16 Independence Day Banquet at India House in Schaumburg a very successful event. He said Bollywood Actress Soha Ali Khan will make special appearance. Program will be filled with cultural programs co-ordinate by Bhavana Modi. Awards will be presented to four selected community/business
leaders recommended by Trustees of FIA. Banquet will be attended by over 800 people along with guests from India including Union Minister of Transportation Sarve Sathyanarayana, the new Consul
Soha Ali Khan
General of India, Dr Ausaf Sayeed. Other VIP guests will be Mr World, Mr India and many more. Minhah Akhtar, Treasurer of FIA-Chicago, said Flag Hoisting ceremony will be held on August 15 at 11.55 am in front of Daley Plaza (Dearborn & Washington Ave) Downtown. It will be followed by cultural program. Refreshments will be served at the event he said.
Encyclopedia of Hinduism launched in Chicagoland Cont’d from page 23
He said that it is "we who make heaven or hell with our own acts of commission and omission" and that it was essential that we set the goal of our life merging with divinity. He formally launched the Encyclopedia inviting leaders of various organizations on the stage and blessing those who really worked hard for promoting the cause of true religion and Manav Seva Mandir. Earlier, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, PhD made a really an inspiring speech explaining in her beautiful way with lot of examples the real meaning of religion. Meditation, puja, worship and ritual are
Devotees at the Aarti after Launch ceremony
all good in a way but while practicing all these, we should never swerve away from the basic concept of Hinduism which is to search divinity thru seeking divinity in all the creation. An American graduate of Stanford University who has spent the last 17 years living in India, studying and serving under Swamiji, Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati is the Managing Editor of the Encyclopedia. She gives discourses, lectures, question-answer sessions and leads meditation at Parmarth Niketan and travels around the world. She said that the Encyclopedia is not limited to Hinduism as a religion, but rather provides all inclusive treatment of India's spiri-
tual culture (including in-depth coverage of Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism, and aspects from Islamic and Christian traditions in India). The Encyclopedia was previewed and blessed at a huge ceremony in India by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and hundreds of India's most revered spiritual, social and national leaders. The launch ceremony was preceded by Yagya which was part of the two-day celebrations of MSM Patosav. Dahyabhai Prajapati said that MSM library will house all the eleven volumes of the Encyclopedia and anybody interested in reading them or learning more about Hinduism was welcome to come the facility and avail of all the volumes of Encyclopedia.
August 2, 2013
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Huge support for Indian Icon Audition-3 Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: Singing auditions can be challenging even for the most seasoned singer and one has to present the best to have a chance to progress to the next level. In this case it was the semifinal round of Chicago Indian Icon (CII) competition. The CII karaoke competition is already making history for it is the first of its kind in the US and the response from the Indian community has been positively abundant, exploding every imaginable bench mark, and propelling itself to the forefront of music-lovers' dream of a unified musical platform that is provided in Chicago by the five founding members of Indian Event Management (IEM). The third and final audition of the CII was held on Sunday July 21 at the Ashyana Banquet Hall. The program commenced with
Chicago Indian Icon Management Team L to R Brij Sharma, Pratibha Jairath, Sharan Walia, Raju Bankapur and Anoop Walia
Brij Sharma, the IEM president, updating the audience about the
significant progress made by CII in a short time since inception three months ago. He said that TV Asia would broadcast 30minute episodes of CII Karaoke competition from the beginning to the final crowning of the CII on September 21. The Chief Guest for the event was Dr Thomas John, Some of the singers Priyanka, Rahul and Suraj participating in the third audition world-renowned
Guru Purnima celebrated by honoring elders GEETHA PATIL
CHICAGO: Hindu Mandir of Lake County celebrated Guru Purnima on July 21. It became more special when the Executive Committee of the Temple honored almost hundred Varishta Vyaktis (elder citizens) of Illinois. The function started with regular Ganesh Abhishekam performed by Pandit Ganeshji followed by Guru Poojan of Shankaracharya, R a m a n u j a c h a r y a , Madhavacharya, Maha Prabhu Vallabhacharya and Jagadguru Lord Krishna with the Vedic Mantra chanting. This day is celebrated as Vyasa Punima also. As a mark of respect to Maharishi Veda Vyasa, the temple priest offered turbans to two senior Brahmins after cleaning their feet. The priest also presented them Tilak, Prasad and Aarti for the Vyasa Pooja with Vedic mantras. Bhajans were sung by Rita Patel, Atul Soni and Vasu Choksi. President Irshad Khan of Is-
lamic Foundation North along with other dignitaries attended the whole ceremony with open hearts. This is an example of interfaith fellowship. Vaseem from the IFN sang
our family. They play important roles in building well-balanced families and society. Our Indian Identity is standing out in the world because of their guidance and directions to
Honoring Varisthas at Hindu Mandir of Lake County
a devotional bhajan. President Harsh Kumar honored them with Sanman Patra and Uttariya. This spreads the color of friendship between religions. According to Pandit Anil Joshiji, Varishta Vyaktis are living gurus of
lead a spiritual life. In this connection youngsters honored almost 100 seniors by washing their feet, and presented them with Tilak, Uttariya, Sanman Patra, Prasad and Aarti. Cont’d on page 26
Harvard trained ophthalmic surgeon and cornea specialist of Indian origin. The contestants started lining up two hours ahead of time and the audition continued until midnight. Highlights of the day were Priyanka Khanna and Suraj Patnaik getting standing ovation from the audience. Equally favorites in different categories were Rahul Jain, Gautam Khanna and Mona Malhotra. The top duet item was performed by Bharat
and Nehali Dhutia and the fun, energetic group item was from the movie 'Dil Chahta Hai', performed by Ravi Dudeja, Gautam Khanna, Gaurav Khurana and Sanjeev Arora. Pratibha Jairath, the Vice President of IEM, said that the semi finals will give an opportunity to the audience to be involved in the decision making process. The 'audience votes' and 'judges votes' are equal at fifty percent. Top six performances will be selected from each category to enter the semi finals. The first semi final is scheduled to be held on August 4 at the Waterford Banquets in Elmhurst and the second semi final will be held on August 25 at the Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove. Sharan Walia, the Director of Management and Planning, said that the audience voting was tested in the third audition to give people a flavor of "what is coming ahead." Raju Bankapur, Director of Execution and Planning, congratulated his team for a spectacular job of complicated execution process. The Judges included Mani Majumdar, Kalyan Pathak, Hitesh Master and Manjiri Vaihampayan. The singers and audience both enjoyed their valuable feedback.
Utility Bill scams continue to target Edison customers Cont’d from page 22
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, whose office prosecutes crimes in about 80 cities within SCE's service territory, joins the utility in warning consumers about telephone scams. "SCE and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office share a common interest in keeping Los Angeles County residents safe from bill scams and other financial crimes," Lacey said. "A first step to preventing financial scams - particularly among the elderly and in ethnic communities - is to educate the public," she said. "When these crimes do occur, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is fully committed to prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law." SCE also reminds customers to ask for identification when a stranger comes to the door or calls claiming to be a utility worker. SCE utility workers will provide verification, including their department and phone number, when asked. In most cases, home visits by
SCE are scheduled by the customer and SCE will confirm the appointment in writing. If there are any concerns, SCE and law enforcement officials suggest having the utility worker wait outside until their identity can be verified. SCE customers should also note that: • An SCE employee will never ask for money in person. • Never reveal your credit card, ATM or calling card numbers (or PIN numbers) to anyone. • If someone calls and requests you leave your residence at a specific time for a utility-related cause, call the police. This could be a burglary attempt set up by the caller. • Be suspicious of anyone who arrives at your house without an appointment asking to check an appliance, wiring or suggesting that there may be some other electrical problem inside or outside your residence. • For more ways customers can stay safe, please see sce.com/ safety and read the safety tips section.
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Uttarakhand Fundraiser receives big response RAMESH SOPARAWALA & JODH SINGH
CHICAGO: It was a heartwarming sight to see the elites of Indian community flocking to India House Schaumburg on Sunday July 21 to show their support and sympathy for the victims of Uttarakhand (Dev Bhumi) disaster by participating in fundraising efforts organized by a group of community activists led by Jagmohan Jayara and Ravi Rawat. Many who could not make it to the event still showed their support thru on line and Pay Pal donations resulting in a hefty collection of over $61,000 in a single day that would be used with no overhead expenses for the rehabilitation and providing relief to the victim families. Ravi Rawat, one of the main organizers, was so optimistic that he told this paper he would not be surprised if the total crosses $100,000 mark before long. Jagmohan Jayara and Ravi Rawat, both hailing from Uttarakhand, were hugely upset at the natural disaster wrecking this Dev Bhumi a month go and wanted to enlist the support of the community at large to extend all possible help. They hosted a very successful a fundraiser with over 400 guests attending a near three hours program. It started with a short film presentation that
program by local artists Key volunteers like Mrs Vandana Dalal, Mrs Sudha , Dr Hans Upadhyay, Pritesh Gandhi, Paresh Patel, Jassi Parmar, Nilesh Patel, Mrs Shree Mohanty, Amit Patel, Mrs Shirley Hathaway, Raman Patel, Bob Shah, Ashok Shah, Suryakant Patel were active and collective efforts resulted in raising nearly $ 61,000 for rebuilding Char Dham Uttarakhand, where the devastation and destruction has been beyond belief and comprehension. Desi junction Radio Host Jassi Parmar and Mrs Sudha Upadhyay, a native of Uttarakhand, emceed the program adroitly. The start was with a "Ganesh Stuti" followed by national anthems of India and USA. A moment of silence was observed for the departed souls Main organizers Ravi Rawat, Jagmohan Jayara and Vandana Dalal welcomed the guests. Ravi Rawat shared his feelings and experience while he was in Uttarakhand during his childhood and the respect he got from the people all over the world for being a native of Devbhumi. He urged the community to stay united in times of national emergency as people from all States
Volunteers with organizers of Devbhumi fundraiser
depicted the plight of devotees and local residents and ending with a fervent appeal for help. Showing appreciation to those who came for the event, besides small speeches, it culminated in a sumptuous dinner and music
of India were present at the event. Jagmohan Jayara thanked the community and said that Devbhumi Uttarakhand belongs to all Indians. He assured all those present that every penny will be used to benefit the affected indi-
The fundraiser organizers Ravi Rawat, Vandana Dalal and Jagmohan Jiyara
viduals at grassroot level. He was confident that "our collective efforts will lead to the rebuilding of Char Dham Uttarakhand." Vandana Dalal executive director of MAAC (Midwest Asian American center) earlier had introduced Ravi Rawat and Jagmohan Jayara by highlighting their help for the organization. Mrs Rita Shah sung a beautiful prayer appropriate for the occasson. "Ai malik tere bande hum." Mrs Shree Mohanty sang "Vaishnav Jan to tene kahie". A heart touching video presentation featuring Char Dham Uttarakhand, the devastation and destruction in the Uttarakhand and the rescue operations by Indian Army compiled by Nilesh Patel was followed by a keynote speech from Jodh Singh Rawat, a community activist hailing from Uttarakhand. JS Rawat spoke about how Panch Pandvas went to Kedarnath on their way to Vaikunth and also narrated how the Char Dhams
Some of the Community leaders at the Fundraiser
Gangotri, Yamnotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath were established by Adi Shankarachayra. He added that Uttarakhand was founded on
native of Uttarakhand and Sanjiv Pandey a Chicago entrepreneur who spent his childhood in Joshimath, addressed the gathring. Sunil Shah founder president of new FIA , pitched for funds and his emotional appeal moved the entire audience and inspired them to donate generously. The checks were flowing and donor names were announced. Om Dhingra pledged to adopt 2 orphan kids till their college education. Mrs Shree Mohanty was joined by Ajai Kumar in singing favorite Bollywood numbers mesmiring all those present. Those who desired to make a donation are requested to Log on to: www.uttarakhandrelief.org (PayPal: visa/MC/ Amex/Dis-
Speakers J Rawat, Ravi Rawat and Jagmohan Jiyara
November 9, 2000 as the 27th state of Republic of India, having its capital in Dehradun. Mrs Anuradha Negi (Vice Consul, Indian Consulate Chicago)
cover) Or Write checks to: MAAC (memo: Uttarakhand relief fund) and mail to India House 1521 West Schaumburg Road Schaumburg IL -60194.
Guru Purnima celebrated by honoring elders Cont’d from page 25
The Temple president honored Smt Vandana Jhingan of TV Asia for her dedicated, sincere and honest services to the Indian community. The program ended with vote of thanks by Dr Harsh Kumar. He thanked all the attendees and volunteers for their support to make this function a grand success. More than three hundred people attended the function. The Langar Prasad was arranged in a beautifully decorated dining hall of the temple by temple volunteers.
Honoring Vandana Jhingan for her community services
Honor to the president and others of Islamic Foundation North, IL
August 2, 2013
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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Maston Ka Jhund: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 2
Tum Tak: Raanjhnaa
3 Sawaar Loon: Lootera 4 Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 28 India Post
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August 2 , 2013
5 Ay Saki: Raanjhnaa 6 Mera Yaar: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
A
photo was leaked online which shows Katrina Kaif in a skimpy bikini having fun with boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor during their Spanish holiday. Both were totally into each other with nobody around them. They were clicked beside the beach side. Katrina was spotted wearing a white and red twopiece. The picture was posted in the latest edition of Stardust. Editor Ram Kamal Mukherjee says, "I think it's great that Ranbir and Katrina are coming out into the open with their romance
now. It's great to be in love. "They have been going on holidays and visiting rock shows together. Recently at Katrina's birthday during a screening of Ship Of Theseus, Ranbir got up and started singing Happy Birthday to Katrina, in front of everyone else. So yes, the couple are in love and they want the world to see that!" Ranbir is shooting in Sri Lanka for 'Bombay Velvet' these days and guess what, Kat accompanied him!
“BOTH WERE TOTALLY INTO EACH OTHER WITH NOBODY AROUND THEM. THEY WERE CLICKED BESIDE THE BEACH SIDE. KATRINA WAS SPOTTED WEARING A WHITE AND RED TWO-PIECE”
B
y now, we all know that Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan hugged at politician Baba Siddiqui's Iftaar party recently. However, according to sources it would be foolhardy and utterly unrealistic to presume that that the cold war between the two Khans is over. "Far from it," says a source close to Salman, "Bhai has said many times in the past that he would never again be friends with Shah Rukh. Their differences are irreconcilable. And that's how it remains. The hug at the Iftaar party just happened because of circumstances. Neither Bhai nor Shah Rukh could say no to their host when he led Salman to Shah Rukh. They've the highest regard for him. And that's why they were both there at the same place at the same time. It was only because of the host that Bhai made that gesture. There is nothing more to it." Adds Salman's brother Sohail who was present at the supposedly historic patch-up. "They just greeted each other. There is nothing more to it."
“BHAI HAS SAID MANY TIMES IN THE PAST THAT HE WOULD NEVER AGAIN BE FRIENDS WITH SHAH RUKH”
7 Manmarziyan: Lootera 8 Ek Ghadi : D-Day 9 Murshid Khele Holi: D-Day 10 Ghanchakkar Babu: Ghanchakkar
Bollywood
August 2, 2013
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A
ustralian Celeste Geer, 40, studied art and law before taking the plunge with documentary filmmaking. Her latest work, Then The Wind Changed, was recently screened in Indian capital, New Delhi. The film is about Australia's worst natural disaster, a bushfire in the state of Victoria that claimed 173 lives in 2009. Geer says, "People have been very moved by the film and I think what people respond to most is the sense of community. I am really in-
I
ssaq' movie is based on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Its lead pair, Prateik and Amyra, were asked whether true love exists in today's world? Amyra: At 20, I am yet to experience it. At the moment, I want to have fun and focus on my career. Falling in love would be a burden as it will hold me back from so many things. Prateik: It does exist. Watch Issaq and you will know (laughs). Amyra: I think in today's time, guys are more into commitment, while girls just want to have a good time. Prateik: Well, we shall let love slap you in the face. Amyra: That's what I am scared of. I don't want that to happen. On a different note, Amra went on to reveal something about Prateik. "He is terrified of bugs. Once, in the middle of a kissing scene, a moth landed on his shoulder. Instead of giving the shot, he started screaming at me saying, 'Get it off... get it off...' He almost pushed me and ran!"
I THINK IN TODAY'S TIME, GUYS ARE MORE INTO COMMITMENT, WHILE GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME
terested to see how audiences react here. Especially because the scale of disaster on one level is smaller than what happened here (Uttarakhand) but at the same time, the loss of one child or the loss of 1,000 children is still awful." Asked about her favourite Indian director, film or actor, she said, "I like watching Mira Nair's movies. I loved Monsoon Wedding. My favourite Indian actor is Om Puri. My husband and I are in love with the movies of Om Puri."
V
idyut Jamwal who made an action packed debut alongside John Abraham in Force seems to be fast becoming the next action star of Bollywood. With his film Commando getting rave reviews; Vidyut is all set to join the league of international action legends like Jet Li and Lee Byung-Hun. Vidyut's work and his action will soon be showcased at the Fantasia International Film Festival - the ultimate large screen action extravaganza in Montreal, Canada. Says Eric S. Boisvert, one of the members on the board of the film festival, expressing his faith and belief in Vidyut, "Fantasia has always been a turning point for emerging Asian actors. Over the past 17 years Fantasia has introduced countless action stars, such as Jet Li and Lee Byung-hun, long before they exploded onto American screens. This year is no exception. We confidently guarantee you that Vidyut Jamwal will soon earn his well-deserved spot among the great names of action cinema."
Realty Tidbits
UP to raise Rs 400 cr by selling houses for laborers LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government plans to sell nearly 30,000 houses situated in labor colonies across 18 different cities, including Lucknow, to raise around Rs 400 crore. Those living in these houses, including nonlaborers, will have the option to purchase their houses. A proposal in this regard will be soon tabled before the state cabinet for its approval. UP has 30,643 houses in labor colonies. Most of them - 18,015 are situated in 22 labor colonies in Kanpur, which is the industrial capital of the state. These colonies were constructed for people who worked in factories. The construction was completed in 1952 with Central government's assistance. At most places, since the land was provided by the state government, their ownership was transferred to it. Laborers living in these colonies were allotted houses on nominal rent with their maintenance and upkeep managed by the Labor Department. Now most of the factories have shut down and those who were allotted these houses have either died or left the city. Most of the houses are now in possession of illegal occupants, who acquired them from the laborers in lieu of money. Descendants of laborers are living in some of the houses. The rent is Rs 125 for a one-room set and Rs 235 for a two-room set. The total rent from these houses is Rs 5 crore annually, which is deposited with the Labor Department.
Indiabulls Real Estate Q1 net up 92% NEW DELHI: Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd has reported jump of 92.36 per cent in consolidated net profit at Rs 72.6 crore for the quarter ended June 30 on account of higher sales. It had posted net profit of Rs 37.74 crore in the year- ago period, according to the company's filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Total income from operations jumped more than two-fold at Rs 508.33 crore during April-June quarter of 2013-14 fiscal, as against Rs 214.66 crore in Q1, 2012-13. Profits in the first quarter rode on 2-fold increase in sales to Rs 507.30 crore, from Rs 214.19 crore in the corresponding period of last fiscal.-PTI
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Mahindra forms housing JV with StanChart NEW DELHI: Realty firm Mahindra Lifespace Developers has announced setting up of equal joint venture with an arm of UK's Standard Chartered Bank for developing housing projects in India with proposed investment of about Rs 1,000 crore. Mahindra Lifespace, part of USD 16.2 billion Mahindra Group, has entered into a joint venture arrangement with SCM Real Estate (Singapore) Pvt Ltd, an investment arm of Standard Chartered Bank.-PTI
6 worst home fixes for the money DANA DRATCH
I
t's the magic phrase uttered by almost anyone who's ever con sidered the cost of home remodeling: "We'll use our home equity and get it back when we sell." Unless you keep those projects
master suite addition. Or the home office redo designed just for you. Here are the six improvements that, in their 2010 report, ranked dead last nationally when it comes to getting those renovation dol-
space, Alfano says. He offers two tips for home-office remodelers when they sell. First, opt for something that can be easily converted back into a bedroom or den for (or by) the next
Home Office Remodel
practical, though, you might just be kidding yourself. For example: • Steel front door: Good. • Master suite addition costing more than the average American home: Bad. Every year, Remodeling magazine looks at the hottest home upgrades and renovations and calculates just how much owners get back when they sell. Upkeep is more popular than upgrades these days, says Sal Alfano, editorial director for Remodeling. These are the projects that often recoup the biggest slice of expenses at resale. But prices and returns do vary regionally, he says. Ever wonder what brings the lowest return when you plant that "for sale" sign? Think high-dollar, high-end and highly personalized add-ons that make you drool. Like a totally tricked-out garage built from the ground up. Or a super luxe
Back Up Power Generator
lars back at resale. HOME OFFICE REMODEL Want to get an idea what today's office-away-from-the-office looks like? Walk into Starbucks. These days, a home office consists of a multiple-choice combination of wireless laptops, smartphones, PDAs and touchscreen tablets. And that worker bee might be toiling anywhere from a home patio or a favorite restaurant to a park bench. The standard home office renovation, meanwhile - complete with plenty of built-in storage and hightech wiring - is this year's biggest loser in the resale value sweepstakes. Nationally, homeowners spent an average of $28,888 and can expect to recoup about 45.8 percent at resale, according to the report. Return on investment doesn't reflect your enjoyment of the
buyer. Second, when you're selling, call it a study, den or hobby room. "There's lots of call for multipurpose space. Don't lock yourself into that one use," Alfano says. Don't use words that invoke images of actual work. Or the office. BACK UP POWER GENERATOR You see a backup generator and imagine all of the comforts no matter what the weather. But potential buyers hailing from outside your local area may not share that vision. (And a handful of those who do might have watched too many zombie movies.) On average, when homeowners have a heavy-duty backup power generator installed, they spend about $14,718, according to the report. Going with a slightly less expensive model or having a less
Sunroom addition
complicated installation could cut the costs significantly, Alfano says. Average amount of the price recovered at resale time: 48.5 percent. SUNROOM ADDITION Real estate agents will tell you that potential buyers want square footage, pristine condition and lots of light. So a brand-new room that has the word "sun" in it, it has to be great for resale value, right? Not necessarily. Your first clue: The word "addition" - which means expanding the footprint of your home - indicates that this is not a renovation for the faint of heart (or wallet). "It's one of the more expensive projects," Alfano says. While it seems simple enough, the national average for a sunroom addition is $75,224, according to the report. Homeowners can expect to recoup about 48.6 percent when they sell. That doesn't mean that adding a sunroom is always a bad move. If your home needs another common area, a sunroom could be the answer, says Katie Severance, co-author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Home." An addition is best considered in the context of the whole home, she says. "The doctor has to treat the whole patient. You have to look at the house and say 'What's out of balance?'" UPSCALE MASTER SUITE ADDITION Who doesn't want to wake up in a five-star-hotel-quality suite with an attached spa bathroom and a kitchenette that affords you coffee and pastries before facing the world? Cont’d on page 31
Upscale master suite addition
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HDFC's Rs 100-cr property deal for Axis Bank MUMBAI: In one of the biggest office rental transactions in recent times, private lender Axis Bank is believed to have entered into a property lease deal worth about Rs 100 crore for housing its back office operations. The property is being taken on a nine-year lease from Raheja Group and the deal has been arranged by HDFC Realty, sources said. The deal was finalized at a rate of Rs 39 per square feet a month for an office space having area of over two lakh square feet. Axis Bank has agreed to pay a rent of Rs 82.4 lakh per month and applicable taxes for the property situated in a building at Airoli in Navi Mumbai area.
This is one of the biggest office property rental deals in this area as also in the entire Mumbai region. Axis Bank has taken this property on a nine-year lease from K Raheja Corp for housing its back office operations. Both the parties were represented by HDFC Realty in the deal. HDFC Realty, a real estate advisory services company, is a 100 per cent subsidiary of financial services giant HDFC Ltd and is present in more than 23 cities across the country. It offers advisory services in residential properties, commercial spaces and land to individuals, landlords, developers, occupiers, MNCs and financiers.
The deal comes at a time when the office rental business in India has been in mostly a stagnant mode. According to a latest report by real estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, the office rents "held generally flat" in India during the first quarter of 2013, and slow expansion by MNCs was partly offset by steady demand from IT/ ITES firms. However, the supply has remained robust. According to CBRE, key cities across the country witnessed supply of over 20 million square feet of prime office space in the first half of 2013, while total absorption for the period was less than 14 million square feet. PTI
Mafia involved in procuring govt contracts BALLIA, UP: Mafia in eastern Uttar Pradesh are strengthening their hold over the real estate business and running their writ in procuring government contracts, according to a letter by a senior officer. IG, Varanasi zone, G L Meena, in a letter sent to all the police officers of his zone on July 17, said mafia dons are pulling strings for procuring government contracts for sand mining, liquor, among oth-
ers and are also involved in the real estate business, police sources said. In the letter, Meena has written that this is a matter of concern and in view of recent criminal incidents, there is a need to rework the strategy to check the activities of mafia gangs, the sources said. The IG has asked police officers to keep a lookout on the activities of alleged mafia Mukhtar Ansari, Brijesh Singh, Munna
Bajrangi, Haider Ali, Vishwas Sharma, Abhishek Singh, Kaushal Chaubey, Guddu Singh and Gulab Singh, the sources said. In the 13 points mentioned in the letter, he called for secret inquiry into the involvement of mafia in government contracts, locating their gang members and those providing them shelter, collecting information about properties acquired through wrong means and initiating steps for its seizure.-PTI
NRI interest in Gurgaon realty up as rupee touches new low GURGAON: The fall of Rupee has raised speculations of increased NRI investments in the reality sector. Builders and analysts say that Gurgaon continues to be a popular destination for NRIs buying property mainly for the purpose of investment. The Indian Rupee (INR) has
seen 12.0% depreciation against the US dollar since the start of May till June, thereby forcing its value go down against all other currencies pegged to US dollar, including the UAE Dirham (AED). As a result, the Rupee has also depreciated against the AED by 12.0% during the same period. Builders maintain that this slip might prove a good opportunity to tap the potential offered by the NRIs. According to Ravi Saund, COO, CHD Developers Ltd, most developers are taking cue from this situation and coming up with products primarily targeted at the
NRI segment. "We, at the CHD, are coming up with high-end studio apartments in our upcoming commercial tower CHD Sky One. This will majorly be targeted at our NRI customers," he said. Gurgaon has emerged to be one of the most lucrative investment options for NRIs since it ensures a good return on investment. The areas most preferred by the NRI segment are Golf Course Extension, Sohna Road and the upcoming Dwarka Expressway. "If the rupee maintains its current levels, real estate developers could see more NRI investments during the period. On the downside, cost of construction may marginally go up as we will have to pay more in rupee in order to procure raw materials," Saund added.
6 worst home fixes for the money Cont’d from page 30
Once you see the price tag, it won't just be the coffee keeping you up at night. For a super-deluxe master suite addition - which adds square footage and uses only top-dollar materials - the average cost is about $232,062, according to the report. That's 460 nights at a posh resort with enough left over to raid the minibar. In years past, this project was "sort of a trend in vacation homes" that migrated to primary dwellings, Alfano says. Sellers can expect to recover about 52.7 percent at resale. Your buyer can purchase a newer house with the same features as part of the original floor plan that "probably lays out better anyway," says Loren Keim, author of "How to Sell Your Home in Any Market." So while the next buyer may appreciate your luxury accommodations (which could even tip their decision in your home's favor), chances are they won't want to pay the full tab for your remodel. BATHROOM ADDITION Unless you're a hermit who never entertains, you've probably wished for an extra bathroom now and then. But bathroom additions require serious coin. For a moderately outfitted addition with synthetic stone or plastic laminate surfaces, figure parting with about $21,695, according to the Remodeling report. Go upscale, with finishes like premium marble or fine tile, and you can easily spend in the neighborhood of $40,710. Either way, you get about the same return: 53 cents on the dol-
lar. "In the buyer's mind, the additional bathroom isn't worth that additional $20,000 to $40, 000," Keim says. Investigate a less-expensive way to get the same result without flushing quite as much cash. While additions usually cost more, pros might be able to reconfigure your existing space to add a bathroom for less, Alfano says. UPSCALE GARAGE ADDITION Instead of cleaning out the garage, how much would you pay to have a new one built from scratch? This time, it would have all the
Bathroom
organizational built-ins, and a durable, easy-to-clean floor to ensure it would never be messy again. And windows for natural light. Oh yeah, and you could store a couple of cars in there, too. The price tag for a top-of-theline detached two-car with all the trimmings is about $90,053, according to the report. You can expect to recover about 53.6 percent of that when you sell. "This one is completely decked out on the inside," says Alfano. "It's a dream garage." And that's likely some of the problem with recovering the value at resale. Says Keim, "You've got a very small target audience out there that wants an upscale garage."-Courtesy Bankrate.com
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$3.2 million grant aimed at smoking cessation ROANOKE, Va.: A Virginia Tech addiction expert has received a $3.2 million grant to help people quit smoking. The Roanoke Times reports that the grant to psychology professor Warren Bickel is one of the largest in the history of Tech's Carilion Research Institute in Roanoke. The grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse will support Bickel's work over the next five years. The research will require the recruitment of hundreds of smokers. The study will try to answer the question: why does the brain of a smoker ignore the long-term benefits of not smoking for the instant gratification of having a smoke?-AP
Beware of bluegreen algae, expert warns MANHATTAN, Kan.: Beware of the blue-green algae contaminating lakes in Kansas and across the nation. That's the message of Kansas State University toxicologist Deon van der Merwe. The associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology says health problems can arise when animals and people come into contact with various toxins produced by the toxic algae. The most prominent problem involves a toxin called microsystin. It affects the gastrointestinal tract and liver. When animals are exposed to this toxin, they may experience vomiting or diarrhea. If the exposure is severe, it can be lethal and cause liver failure in animals. -AP
Creighton professor to discuss how brain works OMAHA, Neb.: How the brain works is the focus of the Aug. 6 Omaha Science Café. Dr. Sanjay Singh will discuss telepathy, memory and other aspects of the brain. He is chairman and professor of the Department of Neurology at Creighton University School of Medicine and medical director of neurosciences at Creighton University Medical Center. In 2009 Singh gave a similar presentation, and Science Cafe organizers say his presentation on Aug. 6 will pick up where the first one left off.-AP
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5-year survival after lung cancer treatment remains low Details on Page 34
US FDA asks Indian drugmakers to comply or face action NEW DELHI: As many Indian drugmakers find themselves on wrong side of American rules, the US health regulator FDA says they are finding contaminants like filth, pesticides and insect parts in drugs manufactured here, but similar problems exist in many other countries as well. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also warned of "appropriate action" against the companies who fail to implement "Good Manufacturing Practices". The health watchdog said that many Indian drugmakers are wellcompliant with the rules in the US, to whom India is the second largest drug exporter, while it is ready to provide guidance to others that "present problems and challenges". The comments follow various instances of Indian pharma companies facing regulatory actions like drug recalls, warning letters and penalties from the FDA for violating the US rules. At least two firms, Wockhardt and Fresenius Kabi, have received warning letters this month alone, while Hospira Healthcare India
and RPG Life Sciences got such letters in May. These warnings have been issued by FDA mostly for lapses in good manufacturing practices. Besides, the FDA last week clamped down on 15 companies
Others having faced FDA action for non-compliance with various US regulations include Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's Labs, Sun Pharma, Cadila, Aurobindo Pharma and Glenmark. Asked about the spate of such
"FDA seeks to ensure that Indian manufacturing facilities importing to the US understand the risks associated with their product's processes and assure they remain compliant to FDA's regulations," he said. globally, including Gujarat-based Amrutam Life Care, for illegal sale of drugs labeled as dietary supplements and Ayurvedic products for treating diabetes.
actions, an FDA spokesperson Christopher C Kelly told PTI in reply to emailed queries that India has been "a consistent provider of low-cost and quality medi-
cal products for many countries of the world". "FDA seeks to ensure that Indian manufacturing facilities importing to the US understand the risks associated with their product's processes and assure they remain compliant to FDA's regulations," he said. Listing out the problems encountered by its investigators in India, FDA said these were similar to those seen around the world and include issues associated with quality systems implementation, data integrity, and validation of various processes used in manufacturing or testing. "FDA also encounters adulteration with contaminants that shouldn't be there, like microbiological agents (such as salmonella, listeria), or products identified with unapproved chemicals or pesticides, or presence of filth (such as foreign bodies, insect parts). According to estimates, original drugmakers across the world would lose patent over products worth over USD 100 billion in the next five years, thus opening further market for generic versions. -PTI
America's NIH suspends clinical trials in India WASHINGTON: America's top medical research center, the National Institute of Health (NIH), has suspended its clinical trials in India in the wake of the country toughening its regulatory norms. An arm of the US health department and considered as one of the world's best health-related research institutions, NIH is not the only one to take such a decision. Many in the private sector have taken similar decisions in recent months and have been withdrawing their clinical trials from India. A month before the NIH confirmed its decision, a McKinsey report prepared for the Bostonbased USA India Chamber of Commerce had identified India's
clinical trial policies as one of the biggest hurdles to the country's booming pharma sector, which as per current projections is expected to grow to USD 45 billion by 2020 from the USD 18 billion today. "While both global and Indian industry leaders opine that India's intellectual property (IP) situation needs to be addressed and clarified, they have highlighted that in fact clinical trials infrastructure and policy
are the biggest obstacle for India to meet its potential of driving R&D innovation at scale," said the report. Expressing concern about the new regulations, the NIH in a recent statement said it looks forward to hearing clarifications from India on this important issue. "The NIH hopes that future changes will enable studies to resume, and that we will be able to continue
collaborations with colleagues in India for the mutual benefit of our citizens," a NIH spokesman said. Similar views were expressed, by industry experts at a recently held US-India BioPharma and Health Care Summit 2013 in Boston organized by the USA India Chamber of Commerce, wherein they said that the current policy and environment is not conducive to clinical trials in India. An industry expert said under the present policies, "clinical trials in India would be impossible to conduct" as companies could be held liable if a patient receives a placebo or if an investigational product fails to provide its intended therapeutic effect. -PTI
August 2, 2013
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Indian doctors give new life to African patient GURGAON: Afflicted with a rare cancer The schedule in the first stage of the that affected a large part of his face, leav- operation involved four sessions of cheing intact only the eyes and a 10 per cent motherapy to decrease the bulk of cancer. survival chance, a 22-year-old from Congo Holes were drilled in the front in the has now received a new lease of life from a neck to enable temporary breathing and city-based hospital, which reconstructed higher dose of antibiotics given to reduce his facial structure. infection. Several hospitals in India and abroad "In the second stage, we removed both had given up hope for Nkosi who suffered his cheeks, upper jaw, lower jaw-bone, 90 per cent cancer in mouth, lip, cheeks, and half of the tongue. Our team used jaw bone and part of his tongue which left two flaps - pedicle skin from his chest to him unable to speak and eat since past make his oral cavity and another from four years. thigh (free flap) to "This is the sixth cover his face. The such case of its Holes were drilled in the third round comkind in the world. front in the neck to enable prises a surgery When Nkosi apafter six months proached us five temporary breathing and when his mouth months ago, his higher dose of antibiotics and lips will be condition was horcarved," said the given to reduce infection. rific and his mother doctor. had lost all hopes Only last week after her son was denied treatment ev- Nkosi's teeth were brushed for the first erywhere," Rakesh Durkhure, who led a time in four years. "He got emotional and team of surgeons who operated on Nkosi was in tears," said the doctor. at Gurgaon based Paras hospital told PTI. Nkosi, who is now able to speak, al"The poor guy had not been able to beit with some difficulty is going back to even speak, chew and eat for four years. his native country next week with new His mother used to feed him in drops," hopes of life and is scheduled to come he said. back for the fourth stage surgery. Several hospitals in India and abroad "Nkosi's relatives used to send some had denied him treatment due to the risk money from his village. We also here in of death involved. our capacity, tried to help him in whatDurkhure performed the surgery in three ever way we could, charged only onestages with the final surgery slated in six fourth fee", Durkhure said. months time. From a person who had 10 per cent "We have performed his surgery in chances of survival, to having regained three stages and finally been able to bring his voice and looking forward to get comback his voice. A third surgery will be per- pletely cured after six months, 22-year-old formed after six months when we will carve Nkosi couldn't have hoped for more. -PTI out his lips and mouth" the doctor said.
Blame bad night's sleep on full Moon LONDON: Can't sleep? Blame it on the Moon! Scientists have found evidence that human sleep patterns are timed to the phases of the Moon, and that people sleep 20 minutes less on average during a full Moon. Many people complain about poor sleep around the full Moon and the study offers some of the first convincing scientific evidence to suggest that this really is true. The findings add to evidence that humans - despite the comforts of our civilized world - still respond to the geophysical rhythms of the moon, driven by a circa-lunar clock. "The lunar cycle seems to influence human sleep, even when one does not 'see' the Moon and is not aware of the actual Moon phase," said Christian Cajochen of the Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel. In the new study, the researchers studied 33 volunteers in two age groups in the lab while they slept. Their brain patterns
were monitored while sleeping, along with eye movements and hormone secretions. The data show that around the full Moon, brain activity related to deep sleep dropped by 30 per cent. People also took five minutes longer to fall asleep, and they slept for twenty minutes less time overall. Study participants felt as though their sleep was poorer when the Moon was full, and they showed diminished levels of melatonin, a hormone known to regulate sleep and wake cycles. "This is the first reliable evidence that a lunar rhythm can modulate sleep structure in humans when measured under the highly controlled conditions of a circadian laboratory study protocol without time cues," the researchers said. Cajochen said that this circalunar rhythm might be a relic from a past in which the Moon could have synchronized human behaviors for reproductive or other purposes, much as it does in other animals.-PTI
WHO warns against complacency in fight against leprosy India Post News Service
BANGKOK: The fight against leprosy has made great progress in the past two decades but complacency may now be threatening the last push towards a world free of this debilitating disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on the opening day of the International Leprosy Summit. The three-day summit (24-26 July), organized by WHO and the Nippon Foundation, brought health ministers from eight countries and global experts to discuss the current leprosy situation and strategies for further reducing the disease burden and realizing a leprosy-free world. The development of multidrug therapy in the 1980s effectively cured 16 million people in the past 20 years. But in many countries where the disease is endemic, new case-detection rates have been either static or showing increases. Globally, every 2 minutes, a new case of leprosy is detected and 7 out of every 10 cases is a child. Misinformation about leprosy is common and the disease continues to be shrouded in stigma with communities shunning patients even after they are cured. "Our challenge is to sustain the quality of leprosy services and to ensure that all persons affected by leprosy, wherever they live, have an equal opportunity to be diagnosed early and treated by competent health
workers," says Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia. "While we've covered a lot of ground in reducing the disease burden in all endemic countries, there is no room for complacency. The final battle against leprosy is yet to be won." Mr Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, agreed with Dr Samlee and cautioned that the remaining challenges are becoming increasingly more difficult and complex. "The target populations are living in difficult to reach areas such as urban slums, border areas and ethnic minority areas. Moreover, available resources in each country have declined," Mr Sasakawa said. He called on all parties involved to make political commitments and contribute resources and expertise to the fight against leprosy. To this end the Nippon Foundation will be committing US$20 million for the next five years, Mr Sasakawa announced. Since 1995, WHO has been providing free multidrug therapy (MDT) to all patients worldwide. This was initially funded through The Nippon Foundation and, since 2000, through the MDT donation provided by the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development. Nearly 16 million people have been cured of leprosy using MDT and more than 10 million people have been prevented from developing visible deformities. Cont'd on Page 35
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5-year survival after lung cancer treatment remains low
Utah boy survives nail to heart
BOBBY RAMAKANT
L
ung cancer is lurking around along with known risk factors such as tobacco smoke. Although with recent advancements in medical science 5 years survival rate for other forms of cancer has increased considerably yet the same remains as low as 14% for lung cancer patients since past two decades. Professor (Dr) Rajendra Prasad, Director of Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI) was speaking to Citizen News Service - CNS before a lung cancer update in Delhi. Lung cancer has reached epidemic proportions. It is the leading cause of cancer death in developing countries and is rising alarmingly in developing countries. Five year survival rate for lung cancer has improved only marginally from 5% in the late 1950s to 14% by 1994. This is in contrast to the 5 years survival of 52% for other forms of cancers. Prof Prasad said that males are more likely to get lung cancer than females in India with ratio: 4.5: 1. Up to 40 years of age small cell type of lung cancer predominates and has less association with smoking. After the age of 40 years squamous cell type of lung cancer is commonest in smokers and adeno-carcinoma in non-smokers. In India, 40% of lung cancer patients are less than 50 years of age and 11% are less than 40
years. In younger age group lung cancer is commonly misdiagnosed as tuberculosis. Nonsmall cell lung cancer constitutes 75-80% of lung cancers. More than 70% of them are in stages III and IV when diagnosed making curative surgery difficult. The 5 year survival is only 14%
Countries such as India where tobacco smoking, the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, is alarmingly high, and implementation of comprehensive tobacco control measures weak, must listen to this alarm. and it has not changed dramatically in last two decades. Small cell lung carcioma which constitutes 20% is in the extensive stage when diagnosed in 70% of patients. Tobacco smoking is the single largest risk factor for lung cancer in both males and females. History of passive tobacco smoking exposure is found in 3% cases. Thus 90% of all cases result from tobacco exposure. Smoking of bidi and hookah as well as cigarettes
had similar lung cancer risks. Environmental tobacco smoke is a known lung carcinogen. Occupational exposure to chemicals such as asbestos, arsenic, chromium, among others, has been shown to cause lung cancer. Some dietary factors such as b-carotine and retinoids may be protective against lung cancer. The symptoms like fever, cough, expectoration, hemoptysis, fever, weight loss and anorexia are common to both tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer and in India since TB is rampant it is not uncommon to find a lung cancer being treated a TB initially. But age of the patient, smoking history, mediastinal symptoms like hoarseness of voice, SVC obsctruction and dysphagia etc will favour lung cancer, said Professor (Dr) Rajendra Prasad. Physical examination should look for signs of collapse or mass clubbing, metastatic and non-metastatic complications of lung cancer. Countries such as India where tobacco smoking, the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, is alarmingly high, and implementation of comprehensive tobacco control measures weak, must listen to this alarm. Protecting people from risk factors such as tobacco use which increases their risk for lifethreatening ailments is a responsibility of the state.-CNS
Bipolar disorder evolves differently in those who binge eat WASHINGTON: Bipolar disorder evolves differently in patients who also binge eat, a new study has found. Binge eating and obesity often are present among bipolar patients, but the mood disorder appears to take a different path in those who binge eat than it does in obese bipolar patients who do not, researchers from Mayo Clinic, the Lindner Center of HOPE and the University of Minnesota found. "Up to 4 per cent of Americans have some form of bipolar illness, and of those, just under 10 per cent also have binge eating disorder - a higher rate of binge eating than seen in the general population," said co-author Mark Frye, a psychiatrist and chair of the Department of Psychiatry/
Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Bipolar patients who binge eat are more likely to have other mental health issues such as suicidal
thoughts, psychosis, anxiety disorders and substance abuse, the study found. People with bipolar disorder who are obese but do not binge
eat are more likely to have serious physical problems such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It was more common for women than men with bipolar disorder to binge eat or to be obese, the study showed. "The illness is more complicated, and then by definition how you would conceptualize how best to individualize treatment is more complicated," Frye said. "It really underscores the importance of trying to stabilize mood, because we know when people are symptomatic of their bipolar illness their binge frequency is likely to increase. We want to work with treatments that can be helpful but not have weight gain as a significant side effect," Frye said. The findings are published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. -PTI
MIDWAY, Utah: Young Abe Tullis was considering starting a yard work business with his friends this summer so he decided to first learn how to mow lawns by cutting his family's grass. He had only mowed one row when a loose nail got caught in the lawn mower blade, and shot out into his chest. Abe Tullis, 12, said the pain felt like a ``stinging bruise'' when it happened on June 4, KSL-TV and the Deseret News report. His father heard the lawn mower stop and his son yell. At first, David Tullis didn't think his son was seriously injured - until he lifted up his shirt and saw a 2.5 inch nail. ``There was just a little tiny hole,'' David Tullis said. ``I pulled it up and I remember just seeing this curved end just sticking slightly out of the skin. As I pulled the shirt up and watched him breathe, as his chest expanded the nail pulled in a little bit and it
looked like it could be deep.'' His wife got the car as his son's condition quickly worsened. ``His color was changing, his eyes rolled back and he was having a real hard time breathing,'' said Myndie Tullis, his mother. Abe Tullis says he thought he might be dying. At the hospital in Midway, doctors discovered the nail had pierced the left ventricle of the boy's heart. He was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake where surgeons did open heart surgery. Surgeons stitched around the nail and then like, a drawstring, they pulled the nail out and closed the hole in his heart, the family said. ``It was still plugging the hole that it went through, and he was able to form a clot around that, and I think that is what saved him,'' said David Tullis, a family practice and emergency room doctor.AP
Man fined for giving away baby turtles as prizes PASO ROBLES, Calif.: California Mid-State Fair carnival game operator has been fined for giving away baby turtles as prizes because the tiny creatures are considered a health risk. The San Luis Obispo Tribune reports 41-year-old Steve John Lopez was fined $1,000 and could face probation. The tiny turtles were given away at a game where contestants try to throw ping pong balls into
floating rings. Turtles and other reptiles can pose a threat of salmonella with their droppings, but baby turtles are considered more of a health risk because they're handled more frequently. It's illegal to distribute turtles smaller than 4 inches long. Department of Fish and Wildlife Lt. Todd Tognazzini says the department is pursuing a criminal complaint. -AP
Dr Batra's Healthcare to open 78 homoeopathy clinics NEW DELHI: Dr Batra's Healthcare has said it will open a total of 78 homoeopathy clinics across the country and abroad in the ongoing financial year as part of its expansion plans. "We will open 76 clinics in India and one each in Dubai and United Kingdom by the end of the current fiscal year," Dr Batra's Healthcare Founder Chairman Mukesh Batra told PTI. The clinics in India will be in a mix of company owned and franchise models, he added. "Out of the total new clinics planned in the country in this fi-
nancial year, 20 will be company owned while 56 will be through franchising," Batra said. When asked about the investments, the company will incur for the expansion, Batra said the investments will be only for the clinics that will be company owned, while on others investments will be made by the franchisees. "In tier I and tier II cities the clinics will be owned by company while clinics in tier III and tier IV cities they will be franchised," Batra said. Overseas the new clinics will be in Dubai and UK, he added. -PTI
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Nevada's insurance exchange work in progress CARSON CITY, Nev.: Nevada's health insurance exchange won't have all the bells and whistles initially hoped for when it launches Oct. 1. But state officials said the glitches should be minimal for consumers and the all kinks worked out by early next year. CJ Bawden, spokesman for the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange that was created by the 2011 Legislature to set up Nevada's online health insurance marketplace, said there are some ``nice to haves'' that won't be available when enrollment begins.
plan but we don't have a sort function where if you type in a certain prescription it shows you every plan that has that,'' Bawden said. Instead, at least initially, people will have to click on each plan individually to see if specific medications are covered and at what price and take their own notes to do a comparison. Bawden said those setbacks will be temporary and won't compromise the overall goal of the exchange, which is to make finding affordable health insurance in Nevada just a mouse click or two away. ``In 2014 we will have outstanding support functionality,'' he said. ``But we will not be missing any required funcNevada has been ahead of tionality and will have a lot more than the curve when it comes to many other exchanges out there.'' planning for implementation of Nevada has been ahead of the curve when it comes to planning for implePresident Obama's Patient mentation of President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Protection and Affordable Care Act enAct enacted in 2010 acted in 2010 and upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year. Under the law ``We'd like to have a virtual assistant in states could set up their own online health there,'' Bawden said. ``It's not going to make insurance marketplaces to make finding it on Oct. 1.'' coverage easier; form exchange partnerFor people not Internet savvy, an online ships; or let the federal government handle virtual assistance is a tool with almost un- it. canny qualities - the ability to comprehend Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, while sentences and answer questions. It pops opposed to the law, in 2011 supported creup on a website and helps users navigate ation of a state exchange, saying it was in their way around. the state's best interest to set up its own Another feature not yet up to snuff is a program rather than cede control to the fedfunction to sort insurance plans based on eral government, which would then bill the specific prescriptions covered. state. -AP ``You're going to be able to search each
WHO warns against complacency in fight against leprosy Cont'd from Page 33
The number of highly endemic countries has gone down from 122 in 1985 to less than 20. However, despite significant progress, leprosy continues to be a health concern in these endemic pockets. In 2012 there were 232 850 new cases of leprosy reported, with 94% of these cases restricted to 15 endemic countries - many of them in South-East Asia and Africa. This represents an increase of 6224 cases since 2011. Additionally, the number of people with leprosy who sought treatment only once they'd already developed visible deformities increased from 13079 in 2011 to 14409 in 2012. This is indicative of the need to detect cases early to prevent deformities among new cases. Significant gender inequities remain in reaching leprosy-affected persons, especially when it comes to case detection. Although the distribution of disease is likely to be even between women and men, leprosy is detected in a lower percentage of women. In order to bridge these gaps, and ensure that leprosy work continues on the path to further reduce the global disease burden, more work needs to be done. WHO is ad-
vocating prompt treatment with MDT and allocating more resources to facilitate early case detection. This can be accomplished by training existing health workers to recognize and treat leprosy, which will help detect new cases earlier and remove leprosy's status as a "special" or "feared" disease. Community awareness is also important in encouraging health seeking behavior among the general public. Lastly, discrimination and stigma remain a huge issue for leprosy-affected persons. Many countries still have outdated laws from the 1800s which, for example, list leprosy as grounds for divorce or forbid persons with leprosy from running for office or obtaining a driver's license - even after they have been treated. Several countries, however, have led the way in repealing these laws. In 2011 Bangladesh enacted a bill repealing discriminatory laws directed against persons with leprosy and the United Kingdom removed visa restrictions in time for the 2012 Olympic Games. "Discriminatory laws and regulations against leprosy-affected people continue, depriving them of many legal rights and social entitlements, and in fact jeopardizing their basic human rights," cautions Dr Samlee.
Illinois mental health center may lose funding ANNA, Ill.: A mental health facility in far woman Januari Smith told The Springfield southern Illinois risks losing millions of bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers. dollars in federal funding after regulators Cary Quick, president of the local union said workers failed to keep two patients from representing Choate workers, tells WSILharming themselves, state officials said. TV that the type of patient living at the The Clyde L. Choate Mental Health and facility has changed in recent years as more Development Center in Anna came under fire earlier this month after investigators said employees didn't do enough to keep two developmentally disabled women from eating items such as snaps, batteries, coins, necklaces and pen clips. Both women suffer from pica, a disorder where they eat inedible objects. If Choate is decertiChoate Mental Health and Development Center fied, it'd lose federal money. The facility, which is disputing the people need more intense care and treatfindings, has until mid-August to be recer- ment. tified by the state - a requirement to get ``Some of the people that we now have, federal Medicaid money. that we didn't have so much in the past, The Illinois Department of Human Ser- require constant supervision along the vices is getting the facility's roughly 350 lines of one-to-one staff,'' he said. employees additional training. Seventeen Smith said officials at the 168-resident new workers have also been hired. facility 19 miles south of Carbondale are ``We are committed to bringing the fa- also exploring whether to create a separate cility into compliance,'' agency spokes- residential unit for pica patients. -AP
Datebook
36 India Post
August 2, 2013
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NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Upcoming
ILLINOIS
Upcoming
Upcoming
Upcoming
Upcoming
Sun, July 28
Sat, Aug 3
• Shri Krishna Madhura Sathvaro Shri Radhe Shyamno
• NKC Eid Exhibition
Sat, Aug 3 • Jaane Kahan Gaye Won Din
Venue: Holiday Inn Westbury, 369 Old Country Rd, Carle Place, NY 11514 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 631-456-7335
Venue: Royal Delhi Palace, 22323 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 Time: 6:30 to 8:00 pm Contact: 805-404-9836
Aut, Aug 10
Sun, Aug 11 • Silent River Film & Literary
Venue: Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St, Rahway, NJ 07065 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 718-639-9200
Sun, Aug 4 • Chand Raat Eid Festival Venue: The Rose Garden, 911 Arena Dr, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610 Time: 4:00 am Contact: 6098884141
Sun , Aug 4 • Satinder Sartaaj Live in NY Venue: Colden Center , 65-30 Kissena Blvd, , NJ 11367 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 516-852-2222
• Salute 66: An Indian Independence Day Bash
Society
Venue: Cellar Bar at Pranna Restaurant, 79 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 419 855 2742
Venue: Irvine City Council, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: 949-394-5148
Thu, Aug 15
Sat, Aug 17 • 21st Festival of India and
• DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra August 15 Venue: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY 10012 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 718-207-0058
Parade Venue: Corner of Paseo Padre and Walnut Ave., 39439 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 510-565-9993
Sun, Aug 18 • Satsang with Swami Premodaya Venue: Bhakti Yoga Shala, 207 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 310-497-1899
Sat, Aug 24 • MISS INDIA AMERICA w/ Mr. & Mrs. India America Venue: LAX Sheraton Hotel, 6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 310-994-9500
SUN, Aug 25 • Pankaj Udhas Live in Concert - LA Venue: Jordan High School, 6500 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 310-753-8990
Fri, Age 2
• J K Yog Satsang and Bal
• “Cbazaar Style Bash – Clothing Exhibition”
Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month
Venue: Holiday Inn Express, 5925 Lusk Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 314-258-3117
Fri, Age 2 • The Moment of Calm - Global Forgiveness Moment Venue: Place of work or residence , 100 South Main Street, Carson, CA 90745 Time: 2:00 pm
Sun, June 24-August 8 • Ohlone for Kids (and Teens) Summer Enrichment Program Venue: Office of College Advancement Ohlone College Contact: 510-742-2304
ATLANTA Upcoming Wed, Aug 7 • DJ Shaan's Chand Raat Eid Mela Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Dr, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 6:00pm Contact: 404-993-2060
Sat, Aug 10 • Pankaj Udhas Live In Atlanta Venue: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Dr, Duluth, GA 30096 Time: 8:30pm Contact: 404-934-9991
Sat, Aug 24 • Festival Of India 2013 Venue: Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 404-317-5474
Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org
1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund
Sat, Aug 3 • Sathwaro Shri Radhe Shyamno Venue: Coppernicus Center (Gateway Theatre), 5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 708-408-2488
Fri, Aug 9 • FIA independance day Gala Banquet Dinner Venue: India House Banquet, 1521 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193 Time: 7:00pm Contact: 630-251-5843
India Post 37
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R
enowned for its beautiful landscapes and salubrious climate, Horsley Hills is a hill station located in the Nallamalai range in Chittoor dis trict in Andhra Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 4,100 ft, the climate remains pleasant and cool throughout the year making Horsley Hills an all-season destination. The hill station was earlier called Yenugu Mallamma Konda. It is said that a small girl named Mallamma used
THE HILL STATION WAS EARLIER CALLED YENUGU MALLAMMA KONDA. IT IS SAID THAT A SMALL GIRL NAMED MALLAMMA USED TO RESIDE IN THE HILLS AND TREAT THE TRIBALS. A TEMPLE DEDICATED TO HER IS A POPULAR PILGRIMAGE SITE
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to reside in the hills and treat the tribals. A temple dedicated to her is a popular pilgrimage site. Other prime attraction of the hill station is the Rishi Valley School. The hills got its present name after it was renamed after W D Horsley, the collector of Cuddapah district. He got impressed with the beauty of the hills during his visit in1840-43 and made the hill station his summer residence. The surroundings comprising lush green plains spread all over and the forest, though not dense, add to its beauty. You can see various species of plants stretching along the narrow roads. Trees like Eucalyptus, Jacaranda, Allamanda, Gulmohar and flowering plants like Reeta, Shikakai, Amla, Beedi leaves, Bay leaves, Red Sanders and Blue gum are found in the forest. There are sandalwood trees all over Horsley Hills. In the dense forests of the shady slope hills, wooded with luxurious vegetation, you can find animals like bears, wild dogs, jungle fowls, sambar and panther. Cont’d on page 40
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Horsley Hills
Lush green with cool climate throughout year Cont’d from page 39
The Chenchu tribes dwell in these forests. They rear their famous Pungannur cows, which eat less food and yield more milk. There is also a 150-year old Eucalyptus tree called Kalyani and a colonial style house, known as the Horsley Bungalow. The hill station also offers several adventure sports activities like bungee run, rappelling, rock climbing, trekking and many more. There are various nature trails that pass through hills and valleys.
dess and made a temple in her name. Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated at Palamaner in the state, Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of around 358 square kms. Ficus bengalensis, Ficus tomentosa, Ficus religiosa; Albizia amara and bamboo are the various species of trees which are found in the sanctuary. Sloth bear, Himalayan black-bear, jungle fowl, wild boar, cheetal, mouse, jackal, panther, jaguar, starred tortoise, porcupine, puma, hyena, jungle cat, hippopotamus and four-horned antelope are the mammals found in the sanctuary.
TOURISTATTRACTIONS Mallamma Temple: Devoted to Goddess Mallamma, Mallamma Temple is an old shrine which is situated atop Horsley Hills.
HOW TO REACH The hills can be reached by either road or rail. The nearest airport is located at Ban-
The Legend goes that a little girl named Mallamma living on the hill used to cure the local tribal people. One day she vanished suddenly and from that time the people of the region started believing her as a god-
galore at around 160 km. Tirupathi Airport is another option located around 165 km from the hills. Taxis are available. The nearest railway station is at Madanapalle, around 43 km from the town.
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Patrol hours for Goa beaches extended till midnight PANAJI: Goa's beaches will be patrolled till midnight by a special police division when the tourism season begins in September this year, a minister said here. Goa Tourism Minister Dilip
Parulekar told reporters that the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), which has been guarding Goa's beaches in the absence of a tourist police, would now maintain vigil till midnight to curb crimes.
Online visa application system to boost tourism: Chiranjeevi NEW DELHI: The recently-in- dian agencies, the IVFRT will help troduced online visa application in 'software-aided passenger prosystem by the Home Ministry has filing to identify 'risky' travelers at been welcomed by Tourism Min- missions, integrated checkposts ister K Chiranjeevi who said it and foreigners registration offices would go a long way in boosting and generate automated alerts on tourism in the country. their overstaying. "The progress in the standardization of visa application forms and the integrated online application system in 120 Indian Missions abroad is yet another major milestone towards making the Indian visa application process tourist-friendly Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi and a boost to Indian tourism," Chiranjeevi said. The system enables the authoriThe facility of the Integrated ties to maintain a databank of all Online Visa Application System travelers from those countries apunder the Immigration Visa and plying for Indian visa and also keep Foreigners Registration and Track- a track of their movement after their ing (IVFRT) is now operational at arrival in the country. 120 Indian Missions abroad. The Government is implementing a system is operational at Indian Mission Mode Project on IVFRT embassies of Brazil, Ireland, South project which has a global outAfrica, Sri Lanka, the Phillipines, reach since its scope seeks to netUkraine, Bulgaria, Mexico and work 169 Indian Missions abroad, New Zealand among others. immigration check posts in India Besides helping foreigners get and FRROs/FROs. visa quickly and sharing informaThe project is expected to cost tion about travelers with other In- approximately Rs 1011 crores. -PTI
Adventurers ate Indian desserts, Persian bread on Silk Road BEIJING: Persian bread, Indian desserts and Arabic naan were some of the exotic delicacies adventurers relished on the ancient Silk Road as evidenced by frescoes found recently in China. The frescoes found at the Mogao Caves at Dunhuang in Gansu province, have revealed a culinary side of the travelers in those days. Dunhuang was a trading hub on the ancient trading route. Grottoes along the ancient Silk Road are home to roughly 70,000 square meters of frescoes. These murals and about 50,000 ancient books that have been unearthed in the same areas offer vivid accounts of what adventur-
ers ate on the grand trade route that linked the Chinese city of Xi'an with Rome from about 110 BC to the late 1400s. "Many paintings portray people eating doner kebab, a food that has swept the world nowadays," Gao Qi'an, a Dunhuang researcher at Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics told staterun news agency Xinhua. Researchers also found some of the cookware used to make these dishes, and they are as same as the pans and griddles still used by people living in Gansu's rural Hexi Corridor. Zhao Chang'an, deputy chairman of the Gansu Institute of Dunhuang Studies, is breathing new life into these ancient delicacies.-PTI
In the last tourist season, IRB personnel were stationed at beaches until 9 pm. It has also been decided that the number of IRB personnel would be increased from the present 160 to 235 for the purpose of guarding the 105km-long shoreline, he said. The state tourism ministry has also decided to give three-year licenses for shacks on beaches as against the earlier policy of permits valid only for a year, he said. Tourism ministry officials will begin consultations with shack owners from August 1 about the new policy, which will be announced on August 15, he said. One of the new proposals for shack owners would be that they have to install CCTV cameras at their establishments, although that
would not be mandatory, he said. The state-run Goa Tourism Development Corporation has, mean-
while, decided to set up and operate a "model shack" at Baga from the forthcoming tourist season. -PTI
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Tourists to Gujarat expected to go up by 20% BANGALORE: Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited has said the number of tourists traveling to Gujarat is expected to grow by 20 per cent during 2013-14. "We have seen 13.6 per cent growth in number of tourist visiting Gujarat last year that is around 2.5 crore, we are optimistically targeting the growth to be 20 per cent in 2013-14," TCGL, Managing Di-
rector Sanjay Kaul told reporters on the side lines of an event here.
Aiming for investment into tourism sector TCGL has identified 39 locations in the state and has called for bids from large operators to put up their projects. "We have identified 39 locations in the state that include beaches, ecotourism
projects; we have called for bids from large operators, many of them are interested to put up star hotels and resorts. Basically it is under process," Kaul said. Stating that things have started taking shape in the tourism sector of the state, that includes development of basic infrastructure he said, only in last 3 to 4 years Gujarat tourism has come in to recognition, investor will only put in money when he or she feels that there is some thing workable, now things have started coming. "
"We have managed to make twenty thousand rooms in last three years," he added. TCGL said the state has grown as a major tourist destination to travelers from neighboring states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, specifically from the city of Bangalore- down south. According to TGCL, out of Rs 385 crores budget allocated for the
year, Rs 200 crores has been set aside for infrastructure development and approximately Rs 120 crore for costal tourism development. "There is also Government of India funds, as and when they come in. Along with this we also have temple development related funds getting allocated to the corporation," he added. Sanjay said third phase of 'Khushboo Gujarat ki' campaign with Amitabh Bachchan as the brand ambassador is expected to start in September. -PTI
India becomes Abu Dhabi's largest overseas tourist market DUBAI: India has toppled Britain to become Abu Dhabi's largest overseas tourist market, according to latest figures released by UAE authorities. Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said 80,179 Indian nationals stayed in the city's hotels from January until the end of June, registering a 22 per cent rise on last year. They accounted for 334,238 guest nights, which is up 43 per cent on 2012 and stayed an average of 4.17 nights, an increase of 17 per cent, said a TCA Abu Dhabi statement. However, domestic tourism continued to be the destination's largest single catchment. Abu Dhabi has reported a 12 per cent rise in the number of guests staying in its 145 hotels and hotel apartments for the first half of this year compared to the first
six months of last year. "We are benefiting from increased destination awareness in India following the opening a year ago of a dedicated promotions office there and also of increased air access from the country following
Etihad Airways' equity stake in Jet Airways and the move by the Indian carrier of its Middle East hub to Abu Dhabi," said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the TCA Abu Dhabi. -PTI
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Vegas casino expansion pushes out 9/11 memorial LAS VEGAS: The city known for detonating its past to make way for gleaming new development on the Las Vegas Strip is preparing to push out its Sept. 11 memorial. The shrine on the Las Vegas Strip sprung up spontaneously under the ersatz skyline of the New York-New York casino in the days after the terrorist attacks. For more than a decade, a rotating collection of first responder T-shirts from across the country, many bearing handwritten notes, has decorated a wrought-iron fence near the faux fireboat below the casinos' 47story replica of the Empire State Building. Now, MGM Resorts International is starting a $100 million renovation of the promenade in front of 16 year-old Manhattan-
Pedestrians walk along the edge of a renovation site outside the New York-New York casino where demolition has already begun on a Sept. 11 memorial which once drew visitors
NJ shore sees drop in beach revenue after Sandy TRENTON, N.J.: New Jersey may be ``Stronger than the Storm,'' as the state's promotional jingle goes, but towns up and down the stretch of shore that took the biggest whack from Superstorm Sandy nine months ago are seeing declines in beach revenue despite racing to rebuild, the best they could, in time for tourist season. The drop in the number of beachgoers is being blamed on a number of Sandy-related factors early decision-making by some regulars to book trips elsewhere during this season of rebuilding, fewer available rental units, delayed beach openings and changes in the school calendar to make up for storm days. But some resort towns say it was an old boogeyman that did them in: rain. All eight shore towns responding to a survey by The Associated Press reported a drop in beach attendance and beach revenues as of the third weekend in July, and most said that even if blessed with great weather through the remainder of the season, they doubt they'll be able to make up for the early drop-off in attendance. Manasquan is one town whose revenue decline can be attributed to just about every problem experienced along the
shore. Beach revenue, including from parking, was down $290,000 through July 21. Part of the loss is due to a two-
destroyed or uninhabitable, Wall said. Then there was the weather. Manasquan had some days when
themed casino and the adjoining Monte Carlo. The memorial will have to go. MGM says it will relocate the shrine, which has remained a heartfelt marker amid the plastic artifice of the desert playland. ``We are working with representatives of the First Responder community in Las Vegas to identify and determine an appropriate and permanent placement of the memorial to the victims of September 11th,'' MGM spokesman Clark
Dumont said in a statement. In 2003, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas began collecting the T-shirts, hats and handwritten notes left at the memorial. It now stores nearly 6,000 of the artifacts in plain office boxes at the university library. Curators rotate the memorabilia through a permanent display case that MGM opened in 2003 at the foot of the resort's 150foot model Statue of Liberty. Professor David Schwartz, who oversees the university's involvement with the memorial, said he hopes MGM will relocate the display somewhere equally visible. ``It would be nice to have the public be able to view the shirts still. It's something unique to Vegas, though of course the tragedy affected everybody,'' he said. ``When we first got the shirts and we were going through them, just seeing the messages people who had lost someone had written kind of drove the horror of the whole thing home.'' MGM is in the process of transforming the congested sidewalks in front of its New York City and European-themed casinos into an outdoor plaza featuring trees, benches, food trucks and shops. The new promenade is intended to recall Madison Square Park. AP
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week delay in opening the beach during the week because students who staff lifeguard jobs were making up school days lost after Sandy, resulting in 5,000 fewer beach badges being sold, or $40,000, said beach department manager Wally Wall. Seasonal beach badge purchases were also down, in part because about 100 rental units were
no beach badges were sold at all, including the wet, cold Saturday during Memorial Day weekend. ``We had our beaches open and ready to go,'' Wall said. ``Unfortunately, everyone cooperated except the weatherman.'' In Avon, total beach attendance and revenue was down more than $213,000 - with consequences for the courts. While parking in town is free, when beachgoers pack the area, people tend park in handicap or yellow zones, according to administrator Timothy Gallagher. With ample parking because of low attendance, money generated from those tickets is lost, Gallagher said. Gallagher said the town expects to make up the lost revenue next year when more concession stands will be up and running. ``I don't see us coming out even (this year),'' Gallagher said. ``You're not going to catch up to $213,000.'' -AP
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In Brief Paul Ryan lays out immigration proposals RACINE, Wis.: U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan laid out his proposals to achieve a consensus in Congress and push through immigration law reform during a Racine town hall meeting. The recent vice presidential candidate has been working as bridge-builder between fellow Republicans in Congress. The U.S. Senate has already passed an immigration reform bill that included a 13-year path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people who are in the country illegally. He said in the House, where Republicans are in the majority, the intent is to create five or six bills and vote on them possibly in October. Under one proposal, those who are here illegally would have to wait a minimum of 15 years to gain citizenship. But he says they would be eligible to receive a ``probationary visa.'' -AP
Bloomberg: US needs immigration reform now NEW YORK: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, kicking off a weekend of events dedicated to America's immigration heritage, said that now is the time for immigration reform. Bloomberg told a bipartisan delegation of more than 70 political and community leaders from across the country that America needs a modern immigration system that ``welcomes the entrepreneurs and the hard workers that will grow our nation's economy.'' The independent mayor made the remarks at Gracie Mansion during the Becoming America Congressional Pilgrimage, a threeday event organized by the nonprofit Faith & Politics Institute. Attendees include Democratic Reps. Joseph Crowley, of New York, and Mario Diaz-Balart, of Florida. Bloomberg said almost half of New York City's small business owners are immigrants. ``Immigrants really are the key to the future of New York _ and to the prosperity of our nation,'' he said. The forum will convene at various historical sites across the city, including Ellis Island, the Sept. 11 memorial and the Museum of Jewish Heritage. At a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, Crowley talked about how his grandfather came from Ireland in 1912. -AP
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Immigration reformers rally at Boehner's OH office Details on page 45
Nasscom hires lobbyist, PR & law firms NEW DELHI: With the USD 87 billion software export industry being hit by the new US immigration law, IT services industry body Nasscom has hired influential lobbyist, public relation and law firms to plead the case of Indian firms with Congressmen. Last month, US Senate passed an Immigration Bill that changed rules governing H-1B and L-1 employment visas intended for highskilled workers. Nasscom is however confident that the Bill may not be adopted in the current format, as it will now be sent to the US House of Representatives, which is working on a similar Bill, minus the negative provisions. "We (now) have two lobbyists. We have a PR firm and we have a legal firm," Nasscom President Som Mittal told PTI. While one of the lobbyists is public affairs firm BGR, the "other is a person who is a specialist in immigration area and he runs his own... But he doesn't do lobbying on the Hill... So we do not call him a lobbyist", he said. Mittal however refused to disclose either the identity of the lob-
byist or the PR and law firms Nasscom has hired to help Indian IT industry understand the US
Nasscom President Som Mittal
immigration bill and approach the concerned people in the US. "We have a law firm and we also have a PR firm. We need these resources. We need to analyze the Bill, what words need to change, etc," he added. The legislation passed by US Senate allows more H-1Bs while also increasing their cost and bar-
ring some companies from placing holders of the visa with customers.
Mittal said he was "very hopeful" that US House of Representative will not pass the legislation as approved by Senate. After Congressmen pass their version of immigration bill, a final reconciliation conference between the two versions will take place, he said. Indian software-export giants like Tata Consultancy, Infosys and Wipro rely on an army of such guest workers to service clients in the US, its biggest market. US contributes 65 per cent of the revenue of these firms. Non-immigrant H-1B visa allows companies in US to temporarily hire workers in specialist
fields. Indian firms apply for the visas and often locate the recipients at a client's company to support the software. The Bill's provisions detrimental to Indian IT companies include restriction on a company with more than 15 per cent of its workforce on H-1Bs (job visas), from placing more H-1B workers on client premises. Also, from 2016, any company with more than half of its staff on such work permits will be unable to apply for more visas, effectively creating a cap on temporary immigrant staff. Mittal said he was "very hopeful" that US House of Representative will not pass the legislation as approved by Senate. After Congressmen pass their version of immigration bill, a final reconciliation conference between the two versions will take place, he said. "We also work with industry body USIBC, which is lobbying there. They have taken up lobbying firm Patton Boggs to lobby. Patten Boggs is also helping us. There are a lot of people like that helping us," he said. -PTI
Final immigration law may not have harmful clauses: Wipro BANGALORE: IT major Wipro has said it expects that the final version of the proposed US Immigration Reform law will not have "harmful" provisions that have been passed by the Senate. "There are certain provisions in the Senate bill that in some form are harmful and not necessarily in the nature which encourages international trade and commerce," Wipro CFO Suresh Senapaty told reporters after announcing the first quarter results (April-June) here. "Our expectation is that some of those provisions will not find a place in the final bill," he added. The bill, which was recently passed by the US Senate, and is before the House of Representatives, proposes several
changes, including higher visa costs and increase in wages for
and their operations are expected to be impacted if the new law
H-1B visa holders. Most Indian IT service providers depend on visas to send their employees to client sites in the US,
comes into force. Another IT major Infosys recently said that it was in discussion with clients for a contingency
plan to ensure business continuity in the event of the US immigration reforms bill becoming a law. When asked if Wipro's customers are worried over the proposed law, the company's CEO T K Kurien said: "Customers are not particularly worried over the bill...haven't given their statement that they are worried." He said that it would be a challenge to pass the bill in both the houses. "I don't see a big secular change happening in terms the way business is done or the competitive advantage going forward," he said. Wipro has announced 11 per cent rise in June quarter profit to Rs 1,623.3 crore on back of increase in large contracts. -PTI
Immigration Post
August 2, 2013
India Post 45
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Immigration reformers rally at California denies complaint from Carlos Slim's firm Boehner's OH office SPRINGFIELD, Ohio: Hundreds of activists for immigration reform rallied at an Ohio office of
John Boehner
the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge his support for a plan that includes a path
to U.S. citizenship. Civil rights activists, labor leaders, religious leaders and others held the rally at John Boehner's congressional office in Springfield, in western Ohio. They want Boehner to push for immigration changes that include a ``roadmap'' for citizenship that they say will help the economy and families. Boehner and other Republican leaders in the House have been trying to decide how to move forward on immigration after the Senate passed a comprehensive bill that included a path to citizenship for 11 million people already in the country illegally. The rally drew people the local area and from out of town, The
Cincinnati Enquirer reported. ``We're here to ensure that pathway to citizenship is part of a bill that emerges and gets voted on quickly,'' the Rev. Troy Jackson, director of Ohio Prophetic Voices, told the crowd. Ester Arteaga, 41, of Louisville, also attended the rally. Arteaga, a U.S. citizen naturalized from Guatemala two years ago, said she attended in an effort to help ease the path for others who want to live peacefully and work in America. ``We're so happy to be citizens and we want others to have it,'' she told the newspaper, referring to herself and her husband and two sons. Some Republicans have favored a narrower path to citizenship. Boehner is among those who have embraced legislation to offer citizenship to some immigrants brought here illegally as children by their parents. Opponents of that plan have said it would split of families.-AP
Immigration activists remain held in Arizona PHOENIX: Nine activists remained in custody in Arizona nearly a week after attempting to cross the border from Mexico into the U.S., asking to be allowed to remain on humanitarian grounds in a protest against American immigration policies, their attorney said. Margo Cowan, a Tucson-based lawyer who works for the office of the Pima County Public Defender, said she is asking the U.S. government to allow the detainees to remain in the United States on what's known as humanitarian parole, essentially to permit admission to the country because ``their presence in America will serve an important public interest.'' She said all nine have been detained since crossing the border in Nogales and remained held at the Eloy Detention Center, about
70 miles south of Phoenix. ``It's shameful that they're holding them,'' said Cowan, who is representing the detainees as a private attorney and not in her ca-
She is also seeking asylum in the U.S. for all nine should the government deny their requests for humanitarian parole. U.S. officials are expected to interview the activists pacity as a county employee. She said they are currently on a hunger strike because authorities are limiting their telephone privileges.
``Their calls are being blocked,'' Cowan said. She is also seeking asylum in the U.S. for all nine should the government deny their requests for humanitarian parole. U.S. officials are expected to interview the activists, Cowan said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, meanwhile, declined to discuss specifics of the case. ``The United States has been and continues to be a welcoming nation,'' CBP spokesman Michael Friel said. ``Under U.S. immigration law ... applicants for admission bear the burden of proof to establish that they are clearly eligible to enter the United States. In order to demonstrate that they are admissible, the applicant must overcome all grounds of inadmissibility.'' Cont'd on Page 46
SACRAMENTO, Calif: A California political watchdog agency said this week that an immigrant rights group didn't violate lobbying laws, contrary to allegations from a company owned by the world's richest man, Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. Telephone tycoon Slim's TracFone Wireless Inc., a unit of America Movil, filed a complaint alleging Two Countries, One Voice used phony grass-roots organizations to influence the American government. The California Fair Political Practices Commission notified the company that there's insufficient evidence to support that allegation of a Political Reform Act Violation.
``We will continue to pursue every avenue to make sure the funders of this group are properly identified,'' TracFone spokesman Jose Fuentes told the Times. The rights group said Slim has retaliated over their accusations that Slim and his companies use monopolistic business practices. Juan Jose Gutierrez, a cofounder of Two Countries, One Voice, told the Times he was pleased that ``the FPPC did not allow itself to be used by TracFone and Carlos Slim to do their dirty work.'' For the fourth consecutive year, Slim was named the world's richest man by Forbes in March, when his net worth tallied $73 billion. -AP
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UK yet to finalize controversial visa bond scheme LONDON: Britain's controversial 3,000 pounds visa bond scheme proposed for visitors from certain "high risk" countries, including India, could take weeks to finalize after a high-level meeting here, officials said. The UK Home Office has proposed a pilot scheme to tackle visa dodgers by issuing the hefty refundable financial bonds to "tightly targeted" tourists. The six countries initially shortlisted for the pilot included India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana. "The details of this scheme are still being worked out and the list of countries has not been finalized yet. The meeting in London addressed the visa bond and officials from the Indian side made their stand very clear. "All these concerns will be taken on board before the details are worked out," a spokesperson for the British High Commission in New Delhi told PTI.
The scheme, due to begin with tourist visas this November and expected to run for a year before being extended to other visa types, is part of a series of measures being used by the Conser-
month. Indian minister for commerce and industry Anand Sharma had raised his concerns with his counterpart, UK business minister Vince Cable, during a visit to Lon-
British officials have been holding discussions with their Indian counterparts on the matter, with the meeting on July 25 here the most recent one to look into the issue. It is now expected to take a few weeks before further details on the scheme are released. vative-led British government to cut illegal immigration into the country. However, the idea of demanding such bonds from Indian visitors, who bring in huge financial benefits to the British economy, had triggered widespread outrage among ministerial circles in Delhi when it was announced last
don at the time and was assured that no such decision had received British government approval. "We are seriously concerned. How can a country that is a strategic partner be categorized as a high-risk country, in the bracket with some of the others. If that were to be true, that would be
Immigration activists remain held in Arizona Cont'd from Page 45
Mohammad Abdollahi, cofounder of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, said all nine of the detainees will remain on a hunger strike until their release. He said officials at the detention center warned them they would be placed in solitary confinement if they don't start eating. Protests of the detentions were being staged across the country. Supporters spoke during a news conference and prayer vigil in Wichita, Kan., demanding the release of the detainees. Among those in attendance were the sisters of Claudia Amaro, 37, who they say was brought illegally into the U.S. as a child after her father was murdered in Mexico. The sisters said the woman lived in Kansas for more than 17 years but returned to Mexico after her husband's deportation, and now wants to come back to America. In Chicago, a small group of activists has been staging a sit-in at U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez' office. The protesters are demanding the release of the detained activists as they try to draw awareness to the increase in deportations. Gutierrez and U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, of Colorado, sent a letter of protest to President Barack Obama expressing concern over the detainment of the activists.
``We urge you to release the DREAMers detained on the U.S. border in Arizona and allow them to rejoin their families,'' the congressmen wrote. ``While we are aware that the
The so-called DREAMers are pushing for legislation being considered in Congress to offer eventual citizenship to some immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children. White House received it, we have received no reply,'' Rivlin said. The so-called DREAMers are pushing for legislation being considered in Congress to offer eventual citizenship to some immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children. House Republicans took a tentative step toward offering citizenship to some unauthorized immigrants this week who fit into this category, but they hit an immediate wall of resistance from the White House on down as Democrats said it wasn't enough. The dismissive reaction to the Republican proposal to offer eventual citizenship to some immigrants
brought illegally to the U.S. as children underscored the difficulties of finding any compromise in the Republican-led House of Representatives on the issue of immigration reform. The so-called DREAM Act, which aimed to provide just such a path to citizenship for those children, passed the House in 2010 when it was controlled by Democrats, but was blocked by Senate Republicans. ``Legalizing only the DREAMers is not enough,'' Gutierrez, who is a leading Democratic advocate for immigration reform in the House, said earlier this week in Washington. ``I cannot imagine for one minute that Republicans, who also honor the sanctity of families, want to legalize the children, but leave the rest of the family vulnerable.'' Cowan said U.S. government officials have yet to respond to any of her letters or filings on behalf of the detainees. Three of the activists left the U.S. and traveled to Mexico expressly to participate in the protest. All of them were apparently raised in the United States after having been brought to the country by their parents who entered illegally. Still, Cowan said, due to their long-standing ties to the U.S. and lack of any cultural connection to Mexico, they should be allowed entry. -AP
taken as an affront...," Sharma had said. "Any such scheme will be designed in a way that does not cut across the UK's wish to be open for business, students and tourists," the UK government had clarified soon after. British officials have been holding discussions with their Indian counterparts on the matter, with the meeting on July 25 here the most recent one to look into the issue. It is now expected to take a few weeks before further details on the scheme are released. Financial Times newspaper reported that India's anger at the proposals spurred David Cameron into action, with the British prime minister insisting he would not sanction a policy that undermined efforts to boost trade links with India. His aides said Cameron "had not signed off" details, and his office appeared to put the scheme
into the deep freeze. Indian industry bodies such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) had also voiced uproar on such visa bonds, given the UK's enhanced business relationship with India. Nigeria had gone as far as to term such a proposal as racial discrimination. The Nigerian Ambassador to Britain had written to British Indian MP and chair of the parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz, saying his country is "not favorably disposed to the proposal as it will affect a good number of Nigerians visiting the UK, even in spite of assurances to the contrary". "We view it as discriminatory and targeted at only non-white members of the Commonwealth," ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida wrote. -PTI
Husband ordered to trial in Iraqi-American's death EL CAJON, California: A California judge has ordered an Iraqi immigrant to stand trial in the killing of his wife, whose fatal beating prompted international condemnation because it originally appeared to be a hate crime. Kassim Alhimidi's lawyer had urged the court to let his client go, saying there is no forensic evi-
with police throughout the investigation, even voluntarily returning from Iraq after burying his wife in their homeland. ``It doesn't make sense, your honor,'' Berkon told Lewis. ``The real killer is still out there.'' The mother of five, who immigrated to the United States in 1994 to flee her country's violence, was found by her eldest daughter in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor. She had multiple skull fractures and died two days later. Berkon questioned why Alhimidi would choose to kill his wife when their daughter was upstairs, sleeping. Kassim Alhimidi, left, looks on alongside his son, Alhimidi's Mohammed Alhimidi daughter, identidence linking him to the death of fied only as Fatima, testified that 32-year-old Shaima Alawadi. her father could not accept that Attorney Richard Berkon Jr. his wife wanted to get divorced noted no blood or glass was found and move to Texas, where her famon Alhimidi's body or clothing. He ily members lived. said his client does not speak EnThe teen said her parents had glish, raising doubts he was ca- loud arguments but she never saw pable of staging the killing as a her father strike anyone. hate crime by planting the note She said her father told her found in the next room that read: about a month after the killing that ``Go back to your country, you he had thrown out his wife's shoes terrorist.'' and another unidentified object of Alhimidi has pleaded not guilty hers because he feared police to murder. He also has cooperated would ``suspect it was him.'' -AP
Horoscope
August 2, 2013
India Post
47
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar
AUGUST 2 ND - AUGUST 8 TH , 2013 (March 21 to April 20)
J
upiter's aspect on house of luck is really helpful. Your efforts and courage will turn the table in your favor and all you will overcome all previous fears and uncertainty in life. Money wise it looks like a rewarding week and the rewards will be more than expectations. People in business will experience better sales and feel like celebrating.
(July 23 to August 22)
I
t's the positive attitude which will help you hit the bulls eye. Initially you will be shaky but success will bring confidence back. Mind will turn towards religion and you may pay a visit to a holy place with family this week. Just avoid consuming too much liquor at the party. You may be asked for more paper work to buy the new business.
(April 21 to May 20)
A
nd of course the expenses will not leave you alone. People in business will need to pour in more money in order to stay well ahead of competitors. You may develop a taste for hot and spicy food. Eye sight need to be tested again. Drink more clear fluids in order to stay calm other wise you will loose some one close because of bad choice of words.
(August 23 to September 22)
Y
ou will continue your search for more avenues to increase your revenues. Things may keep getting tough at existing place and you may be under the pressure because of approaching deadline. Some of you will be traveling long distance in near future for a reunion. You may have little work done in or around your home this week.
(May 21 to June 20)
M
ars will make you impulsive but Jupiter will hold you back very tight. This is not to time to show your anger and react. Only patience will get to out of a muddy situation you are in because of some bad choices made in the past. You may also give final shape to a short vacation to an exciting place. Children will continue to well in their lives.
(September 23 to October 22)
Y
ou will be assigned an important position or project by boss. Do not get too friendly with the associates or the work will not get done. You will be paying several bills this week but will have enough leftover. There will be last minute change in your earlier plans and you will end up attending a party thrown by a close relative.
(June 21 to July 22)
Y
ou may not like the way things are shaping up in career. Some of you may be assigned a position away from home but with added bonus. Move is almost imminent. Expenses will stay under control. You may completely drop the idea of buying a running business not doing so well. You will attend a wedding or big party with family this week.
(October 23 to November 22)
T
here is absolutely no harm in being ambitious but take expert opinion before you make any big financial commitment this week. Watch out a female co worker who's been asking too many personal questions lately. You may try some over the counter or home made remedy to counter an health issue. You may visit a close relative this weekend. (November 23 to December 22)
C
ontinuous reminders will help you recover at least part of Loan made to a friend. Some cracks could start appearing in a new relationship, have patience if you want to make it materialize. Expenses will not leave you alone but you will be successful in putting some money in savings. Try to re connect with old friends and relatives. (December 22 to January 19)
I
ssue involving a child will cause some serious concerns and the solution will be hard to find. You may a have a chance to spend some quality time with a well known politician. Some one will send or bring you some gifts. Money wise you will stay comfortable. Sale of profit making Stocks will give you some extra money to enjoy. (January 20 to February 18)
D
on't pay attention to conflicting feedback others have been giving you and just listen to your own instincts if you really want to make it happen. Little sacrifice on your part will fill some one's life with happiness. Some one in family will be going on a short trip. You may have to keep checking on an elderly person's health. (February 19 to March 20)
Y
ou will get a lucky break in career. the news will come this week and the implementation could take few more days. You may be traveling to a considerably warm area to attend an event with the family. Money wise you will stay comfortable but still looking for additional income. Ongoing legal matters will take a dramatic turn. Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com
48 India Post
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50 India Post
NEW DELHI: A hand painted car 'Maximum Nano' signed by Malayalam megastar Mohanlal and previously displayed at the Kochi-Muziris art bienalle is one of the highlights of the upcoming Saffronart auction. The car, a white colored Tata Nano, painted in vivid colors by contemporary artist Bose Krishnamachari is being auctioned to collect funds for the bienalle, whose next edition is scheduled to take place in December 2014, according to the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF). "We had chosen the Nano because it is the common man's car," said Krishnamachari, co-curator of the 96-day biennale which showcased works of 90-odd artists from within India and abroad at 14 venues around Kochi before
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it ended on March 17. Krishnamachari, a Mumbai-based artist from Kerala said he had used "maximum number of colors possible" to paint the car in the four-day exercise that began on February 14. The 50-year-old artist included the work, titled "Maximum Nano", under his renowned series "Stretched Bodies". Art on cars have been a phenomenon across the world. Late English musician John Lennon and US singer songwriter Janis Joplin have driven in painted cars. American artist Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol as well as English painter-photographer David Hockney have painted cars. "I used automotive paint. That will ensure the longevity of the work. We have got it laminated as well, adds 50-year-
August 2, 2013
old Krishnamachari, who is also president of the 2010-registered KBF. Proceeds from upcoming auction would be a means to raise funds for the first chapter of the biennale that began on December 12, 2012, according to Shwetal Patel, Head of Programs and Digital Development, KBF. The 2000-founded Saffronart which has in its catalogue labeled the "art car" as an installation introduces the car with a zero reserve price. "The bidding starts at a mere Rs 100," said Shivajirao Gaekwar of Saffronart. "This was keeping in line with Bose's well-known abstract idiom, this vivid, drivable installation evokes the myriad colors and emotions of India," he said. The vehicle was donated to the KBF by Coffee Beanz, Kochi and the La Gallery 360 in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, other highlights at the Saffronart's Travel and Leisure sale include objects from the estates of the late artist Jehangir Sabavala and silverware from the Nawab of Murshidabad. Campaign furniture, vintage luggage, sporting goods, collectible watches and vintage travel posters are among the offerings set to go under the hammer. -PTI
TV channel to re-examine Kennedy killing BEVERLY HILLS, California: Weeks before the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination this fall, a TV network will take another look at the killing in a docudrama that suggests a Secret Service agent fired one of the bullets that felled Kennedy. ReelzChannel's ``JFK: The Smoking Gun'' is based on the work of retired Australian police Detective Colin McLaren and the book ``Mortal Error: The Shot that Killed JFK'' by Bonar Menninger. McLaren spent four years combing through evidence from Kennedy's death on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. He and Menninger also relied on ballistics evidence from an earlier book by Howard Donahue. The two-hour docudrama airs Nov. 3 in the U.S., Canada and Australia. It suggests that agent George Hickey fired one of the bullets that hit Kennedy. Hickey, who is now dead, was riding in the car behind Kennedy's limo that day. ``What we're saying is that we believe it was a tragic accident in the heat of that moment,'' McLaren told the Television Critics Association. When Lee Harvey Oswald fired his first shot, McLaren said Hickey responded by trying to fire back on
and accidentally hit Kennedy, who was struck in the neck but quite possibly not fatally wounded by Oswald's second shot. ``We don't suggest that he was in any way involved in a conspiracy,'' McLaren said of Hickey.
The two-hour docudrama airs Nov. 3 in the U.S., Canada and Australia. It suggests that agent George Hickey fired one of the bullets that hit Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy
Oswald's position using his Secret Service-issued rifle. But because he was inexperienced with the weapon and the car lurched forward, McLaren said the shot went awry
The Warren Commission report in the 1960s concluded that Oswald was the lone gunman in officially explaining the assassination. The program is ReelzChannel's second Kennedyrelated offering. In 2011, the cable channel aired ``The Kennedys'' after History Channel dropped the miniseries amid reports that the real-life Kennedy family was unhappy about the project. -AP
August 2, 2013
India Post 51 www.indiapost.com
Dark lips, powder bindis make stunning divas NEW DELHI: Ace fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani, who has introduced bridal jewellery and nude-shaped drapes in his recent couture expo, tips dark lips, bindis
and kohl eyes as evergreen style statements for women. "Always wear dark lipsticks and powdered bindis. Be contemporary, use your kajal beautifully and one can look stunning," Tahiliani
told PTI during the three-day fashion extravaganza at the DLF Emporio here which began July 18. Titled "4Cs - Couture, Crystal, Craft and Carat" the annual fashion event by the designer is also set to be held in Mumbai in August first week. Tahiliani, renowned for his signature bridal designs and drapes has in his latest collection incorporated new styles which contain shimmering gold and soft pastels hues. The color palette of the couture has pinks, ivory restrained beige and bridal reds. "The new bridal wear is much younger and modern. There's a fluidity to the couture. As opposed to heavy, over the top bridal wear these clothes are flexible yet
simple," says Tahiliani. The range of bridal wear includes dhotis, paneled kurtas with opals and pearls with Swarovski crystals, Tahiliani's long-time association. Others include saris with a hint of golden and silver work generously smattered with zardosi and brocade. The designs also have gota, chikankari and bandhini indulgences making the couture comfortable yet stylish. "To have beautiful lightness and comfortable designs is modern for me," says the designer who has over two decades expertise in the Indian fashion industry. Tahiliani has also panned the use of neon colors that had become a trend with several designers last season. "I don't like neon colors other than the green malmal kurtas which look stunning. But neon bridal wear to be worn in cities is so out of place," says Tahiliani, the first Indian designer to have showcased his work in Milan fashion week and whose designs have been worn by celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, Deepika Padukone,
Mehr Jesia and Lisa Haydon. The space where the Delhi expo is held, Tahiliani decked it up with floor to ceiling drapes and lit it with dim yellow lights. "The exposition is how a wedding must be. Lightness in clothes, comfortable designs ornamented with golden drapes and
Mumbai-based antiques store Ancestry to outfit the space showcasing wedding masterpieces with osler chandeliers, rare osler crystal furniture, crystal candelabras and other artefacts. To celebrate his association with a diamond brand, Tahiliani has designed an iridescent black
Revealing his personal favorites, Tahiliani says, "I love dressing Mehr, Deepika Padukone but Gauri Khan carries clothes beautifully. She has a unique sophistication." For this year's couture exhibition, Tahiliani also enters the world of bridal jewellery inspired by Mughal designs with the Azva brand. royal interiors," he says. Revealing his personal favorites, Tahiliani says, "I love dressing Mehr, Deepika Padukone but Gauri Khan carries clothes beautifully. She has a unique sophistication." For this year's couture exhibition, Tahiliani also enters the world of bridal jewellery inspired by Mughal designs with the Azva brand. He has also teamed up with
gown in jersey material with a slight trail whose silhouette is modern with dhoti drapes in the bottom and a plunging V-neckline. Tahiliani is also set to be the finale designer at the upcoming India Bridal Fashion Week. Talking about his contribution he says, "We are showing the same collection with some new additions. However, the style and movement will be on the ramp." PTI
Mass. girl, 9, becomes youngest US chess expert CHELMSFORD, Mass.: Only three years or so since first picking up the game of chess, 9-yearold Carissa Yip can already look down at 93 percent of the more than 51,000 players registered with the U.S. Chess Federation. She has risen so far up the rankings that she has reached the expert level at a younger age than anyone since the chess federation began electronic record-keeping in 1991, a new level she reached in recent weeks. Her father, Percy, who taught her until she began beating him within a year, said she could reach master level in as soon as a year. ``Some never reach master level,'' he said. ``From expert to master, it's a huge jump.'' But Carissa, who will be a fifthgrader at McCarthy Middle School this fall, has improved by
leaps and bounds. She first played competitively at the MetroWest Chess Club and
Carissa Yip
Wachusett Chess Club, at the lat-
ter of which she's the top-ranked player. Last fall, she competed in an international competition in Slovenia, and in December, she'll play the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates. Carissa is hesitant when asked about her accomplishments, saying she doesn't spend much time thinking about them. But she also set a goal for herself this year to reach 2,100; an expert is anyone over 2,000. Anyone at 2,200 is a master. She also wants to one day become the first female to win the overall championship _ not just in the female category, her father said. ``It's not like the rating matters,'' Carissa said. She later demonstrated her ability by playing with her back to
the board, reading her moves to her father and keeping track of the whole board in her head. She has been called an intimidating player in an ironic way, because she's far short of even 5 feet tall. Her U.S. Chess Federation ranking places her in the top 7 percent of all players registered with the group and the top 2 percent of female players. Closer to home, Carissa has impressed others who have been
playing chess for far longer than she has been alive. ``This was not a record she won by a few days,'' said Nathan Smolensky, the president of the Massachusetts Chess Association. ``It was a significant margin. So it's very impressive.'' Among other younger stars at the Boylston Chess Club in Somerville, where Yip has played, most are in their teens and are boys, Smolensky said.-AP
52
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Philosophy
August 2, 2013
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W
hat is this moment's treasure? There is so much happening right now as you read these words. Thoughts, feelings, desires, sensations, and the whole world of objects and events are all taking place in this very moment. And yet we often look outside of this moment for happiness, satisfaction, freedom, and ultimately our true nature. When you look outside of what is actually happening, all you can ever find is an idea or fantasy. That is what is meant when we say someone is not in the present moment. It is not that they actually are somewhere else, it is just that they are looking somewhere else and the only other place to look is in their own mind at a story about another time. The tricky thing is that our stories about the future or past are very convincing. The mind is a good storyteller. And every now and then, one of our stories comes true: the thing we were imagining in one moment actually happens. If we are honest, we have to admit that this is quite rare. If our present moment experience is always present and real and true, why do we pay so little attention to it? Why aren't we filled with wonder and curiosity about this endless parade of true, real experiADYASHANTI
T
rue meditation has no direction or goal. It is pure wordless surrender, pure silent prayer. All methods aiming at achieving a certain state of mind are limited, impermanent, and conditioned. Fascination with states leads only to bondage and dependency. True meditation is abidance as primordial awareness. True meditation appears in consciousness spontaneously when awareness is not being manipulated or controlled. When you first start to meditate, you notice that attention is often being held captive by focus on some object: on thoughts, bodily sensations, emotions, memories, sounds, etc. This is because the mind is conditioned to focus and contract upon objects. Then the mind compulsively interprets and tries to control what it is aware of (the object) in a mechanical and distorted way. It begins to draw conclusions and make assumptions according to past conditioning. In true meditation all objects (thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, etc) are left to their natural functioning. This means that no effort should be made to focus on, manipulate, control, or suppress any object of aware-
ences showing up in every moment? It's not a lack in the present moment. It's our simple misunderstanding that what matters is what happens, when what makes a moment satisfying and worthwhile is the awareness of what happens. If what matters is what happens, then it makes sense to pay attention to what we want to happen. If the important thing is the content of our experience and by extension the content of our
ment is a constant feature of every present moment. The awareness is a complete mystery, and yet it is the source of every experience of joy, peace, happiness, satisfaction, and love that we have ever had. The only difference when something we want to happen happens is that we usually pay full attention to those experiences. And in that full flow of awareness there is always a quality of our Being which is satisfying. The
the content of our experience. So it's not that important if something better is happening or not. Discovering this simple perspective is like finding out you live in a candy store. Everywhere you turn is another goodie! Beyond that, is the recognition that this endless supply of goodies is what you really are. You are not the content of your experience; you are the awareness that brings life and joy to every experience. Talk about not having to worry
Most important is awareness of what is happening
Nirmala
What if what really matters is both the ultimate nature of awareness and also the specific quality of our awareness in this moment? This is the 900 pound gorilla in the room that nobody is talking about.
thoughts, then of course we will pay attention to that. But what if the most important thing is what is aware of what is happening? What if what really matters is both the ultimate nature of awareness and also the specific quality of our awareness in this moment? This is the 900 pound gorilla in the room that nobody is talking about. The awareness of the present mo-
satisfaction is not in the content of our experience; it is in the flow of awareness. Recognizing this fundamental truth about the source of our joy, peace, and love can dramatically simplify our lives. It turns out it doesn't matter that much what is happening. The real treasure in this moment is always to be found in the awareness of this moment, and not in
about what happens! Nothing that happens can change what you are, and what you are is the biggest treasure. It is hidden in plain sight right in front of you, always in the experience you are having right now. After experiencing a profound spiritual awakening in India, Nirmala has been writing spiritual poetry about awakening and offering spiritual teaching and mentoring in the U.S.
ness. In true meditation the emphasis is on being awareness; not on being aware of objects, but on resting as primordial awareness itself. Primordial awareness is the source in which all objects arise and subside. As you gently relax into awareness, into listening, the mind's compulsive contraction around objects will fade. Silence of being will come more clearly into consciousness as a welcoming to rest
unmanifest potential, the silent abyss beyond all knowing.
awareness. True Meditation is progressively letting go of the meditator without getting lost in thought. Q. When I meditate I sometimes experience a lot of fear. Sometimes it overwhelms me and I don't know what to do. A. It is useful when experiencing fear in meditation to anchor your attention in something very grounding, such as your breath or even the bottoms of your feet.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDITATION Q. It seems that the central instruction in True Meditation is simply to abide as silent, still awareness. However, I often find that I am caught in my mind. Is it OK to use a more directed meditation like following my breath, so that I have something to fo-
In true meditation, no effort is made to focus In true meditation all objects (thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, etc) are left to their natural functioning. This means that no effort should be made to focus on, manipulate, control, or suppress any object of awareness.
and abide. An attitude of open receptivity, free of any goal or anticipation, will facilitate the presence of silence and stillness to be revealed as your natural condition. As you rest into stillness more profoundly, awareness becomes free of the mind's compulsive control, contractions, and identifications. Awareness naturally returns to its non-state of absolute
cus on that will help me to not get lost in my mind? A. It is perfectly OK to use a more directed technique such as following your breath, or using a simple mantra or centering prayer, if you find that it helps you to not get lost in thought. But always be inclined toward less and less technique. Make time during each meditation period to simply rest as silent, still
If you assert that the world exists, it is your burden to prove that it does. -Atmananda Krishna Menon Even when covered in our own shit and without a tomorrow, we are nothing less than divine. -Jeff Foster Beware; your actions in the present determine your future. -Mata Amritanandamayi It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -Jiddu Krishnamurti When you give it all up, you get it all. You end up losing absolutely nothing, other than some well cherished opinions and ideas. -Dennis Genpo Merzel Remember: if you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear. -Hua Hu Ching
Adyashanti
But don't fight against the fear because this will only increase it. Imagine that you are the Buddha under the Bodhi tree, or Christ in the desert, remaining perfectly still and unmoved by the body-mind's nightmare. Adyashanti is an American spiritual teacher from the San Francisco Bay Area who gives regular satsangs in the United States and also teaches abroad.
Nothing makes man more unhappy than the untruth appearing as the truth. -Barry Long Your medicine is in you, and you do not observe it. Your ailment is form yourself and you do not register it. -Hazrat Ali
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Doha collapse has only strengthened the Taliban
W
hat was touted as the Doha process - negotiations with the Afghan Taliban - appears to be dead now. There was a parallel initiative within Pakistan, between the government and the Teherik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which also appears to be in limbo. Why have the much talked about negotiations with the Taliban - Afghan and Pakistani varieties - not yielded substantive results, either in terms of the process, or in terms of the outcome? Are the objectives totally different between the stakeholders? Is there no meeting point? Or are these processes a chimera, to
process last month) in scuttling whatever was taking place with the Taliban. Two primary reasons could be identified for Pakistan playing a negative role in the previous attempts. First, the US or whoever led the initiative on behalf of Washington, did not keep Pakistan in the loop, especially the military leadership and the ISI. Despite the "close" US and Pakistan relationship, the former did not trust the latter, and hence kept Kayani and Pasha outside the loop. Nor did the Taliban leadership, despite its own "close" relationship with a section of Pakistan's military and its ISI, inform the latter. As a result, Pakistan has not
The new office of the Afghan Taliban in Doha, Qatar
hoodwink public opinion, and buy more time? The 'Moderate' Taliban: American Discovery or Invention? With the Afghan Taliban, the Doha process is not the first initiative. Ever since the Americans discovered (or perhaps invented) the "Moderate Taliban" (referred also as the "Good Taliban") there have been multiple attempts in negotiating with them. While some of these attempts did result in establishing contact with the Taliban, there were also instances of being fooled by those who projected themselves as having reached into the Taliban leadership, especially Mullah Omar. In retrospect, it appears that none of the above attempts had the approval of the Afghan leadership, especially the Quetta Shura led by Mullah Omar. It is clear now, that unless the Afghan Taliban leadership is directly involved, any attempt to negotiate would be futile. PAKISTAN'S ROLE Besides the involvement of the top leadership of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan has been playing a role (perhaps until the Doha
India Post
D SUBA CHANDRAN
only been apprehensive, but it has also been angry with any dialogue process with the Taliban behind its back. The GHQ would prefer that it either leads the show with the US and the Afghan Taliban present, or is kept totally informed and a close observer in the process. It appears now that the latter was the reason behind Pakistan's comfort level in the failed Doha process. KARZAIAND KABUL Where do Karzai and Kabul stand in the dialogue process with the Taliban? In principle, Karzai has already agreed to a dialogue process with the Afghan Taliban. The High Peace Council has the popular mandate of the Afghan people, Karzai and his administration. Why did then Karzai play a spoilsport in the Doha process? The reasons are similar to why Pakistan did. Karzai, his administration and the rest of country would like to see this dialogue with the Taliban as "Afghan Owned and Afghan Led", instead of being dictated or decided by others. There is a general fear in Kabul today that the dialogue process (in Doha) was being completely
hijacked by outsiders and the Afghan government absolutely sidelined. Worse, there is a bigger fear that there might be a larger collusion between the US and Pakistan in imposing a solution on Kabul on the Taliban. The Million Dollar Question: Is the Taliban Interested in a Dialogue? The primary reason for the failure of all earlier attempts to dialogue with the Afghan Taliban's leadership seems to be the latter's interest in such an attempt. Why should the Afghan Taliban leadership negotiate with the US? The Afghan Taliban seems to be playing a waiting game. With the 2014 deadline approaching fast, the Taliban leadership seems to be well aware of the international fatigue over Afghanistan; it is unlikely that the international community will be engaged in Afghanistan, especially on economic and investment sectors. The US, as has been clearly indicated by Obama, is winding up its military operations. While Obama's "Zero Option" may have totally surprised the Taliban leadership, this is what they are expecting. On other side, there are huge expectations from the Afghan people and Karzai is seen as a huge disappointment. Clearly, the Taliban is not in a hurry. Why would it hurry or enter into a dialogue with the US? All it has to do is to sit tight and wait till December 2014. If the above is the case, why would the Taliban agree to the Doha process? Perhaps, it has nothing to lose. Perhaps, it is making a statement; the fact that it used its flag and the "Emirate of Afghanistan" in Doha much before the dialogue could start clearly projects the Taliban's state of mind. Perhaps, the Taliban did that deliberately to ensure that the process fails. Has the collapse of Doha process affected Taliban? Rather, the subsequent developments and statements from Kabul and Washington lead one to conclude, that the Doha collapse has only strengthened the Taliban. There could be a few more processes, perhaps in Paris or in Istanbul. But none would succeed. The Taliban is playing a waiting game. Americans should keep watch, for time is on Taliban's side. The writer is Director, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi.
A
Sen vs Bhagwati
debate has been ignited on the economic model for India. On one side of it is Nobel Laureate and Harvard Professor Amartya Sen. Challenging him is another Indian in the US, Professor Jagdish Bhagwati of Columbia University. Both are nonresident Indians and probably do not have a vote. But their views are going to decide which way the average Indian should vote in 2014. Prof Bhagwati is an advocate of free trade. He believes that free markets deliver high growth and high growth solves issues of equity and justice. The job of the State is to create the climate for high growth. His economic ideas are being linked with the politics of Narendra Modi who holds himself up as an icon of high growth which he has demonstrated in Gujarat and wants to replicate it for India as a candidate for a future government at the Center. Prof Sen is not against high growth but his priority is that the state should focus on education and health care. This will improve the living condition of the people and they will end up having a higher rate of growth. According to Prof Sen, education and health care creates human capability to be more productive in industry, in agriculture, to be more informed in political debate, more demanding about the accountability. The critics of Prof Sen point out that the Indian state is already involved in healthcare and education. There are dispensaries in villages but there are no doctors. Hospitals are ill-equipped. Healthcare in villages is so bad that even the poor have to rush to cities for treatment. In education, the schools are there but no teachers. The buildings housing the schools are dilapidated and at times the teaching has to be done in the open. There are mid-day meal schemes but the quality of food served is bad due to corruption by middlemen in the way. The recent example of 23 kids dying after taking mid-day meals in a Bihar village is a case in point. This is the outcome of the Prof Sen like socialist ideas being tried out since the time of Nehru. Tavleen Singh in her column in Indian Express has asked Prof Sen to explain, "Why he believes that all that is needed to save our abysmal public schools and hospitals is more investment? Why he thinks economic growth is somehow in conflict with higher standards of education and healthcare? Why he believes that pouring thousands of tones of foodgrain into a broken public distribution system is the solution to malnutrition in Indian children." In answer to this criticism, Prof Sen says, "You don't want to talk about power subsidy, fertilizer subsidy, cooking gas subsidy, why is it that you only want to cut MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)? Only those subsidies that benefit the relatively poor seem to be on the chop for comparison, never the subsidies that benefit people like you and me?" Prof Bhagwati counters that growth pulls people out of poverty, enabling them to also spend on education and health care; so do the increased revenues from growth. "These are surefire ways of improving their well-being - the terminology of 'capabilities' adds nothing to these phenomena! Sen should exchange his terminology for concrete progress in poverty reduction and human wellbeing!" Reviewing Prof Sen's latest book, 'An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions' Prof Ashutosh Varshney of Brown University, asks, "Should the project of capability enhancement be led by governments, by non-governmental organizations funded by governments, foundations and/or businesses, by private market-based organizations, or by a combination of these? The book heavily favors government intervention, but that leads to questions about whether beyond Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, state governments have the capacity to deliver education and health, or whether such capacities can be created." While the two professors have offered their reasoning, further debate on this issue is needed.
August 2, 2013
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