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Dec 16 incident: All 5 convicted for rape, murder Details on page 5
FDA probes arsenic presence in rice from India Details on page 13
VOL 19, No. 991
September 13, 2013
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INDIAN TEEN KILLED IN PRANK GONE WRONG NEW YORK: In a freak accident, an 18-year-old Indianorigin girl was killed in the US when she jumped out of a closet to surprise a friend, who shot her thinking she was an intruder. Premila Lal jumped out of a closet as a harmless joke to surprise Nerrek Galley, a 21-year-old family friend. But the noise startled the friend, who grabbed a gun and shot her, her father Praveen Lal said. The incident happened on Sept 6 night in Longmont, Colorado, north of Denver. The teenager's death was "unintended and extremely tragic," police said in a statement.
"The closet opened and I think she jumped and screamed and he thought it was an intruder inside the closet, so he pulled the trigger," Praveen Lal said. Premila was a track star and was honored at a weekend cross country meet at her alma mater, KVDR TV reported. Her family described her as an athlete, popular girl and strong student. Just before 8 pm (local time) Premila Lal showed up at a house her family once called home. They had since moved, and were preparing to sell the place. Details on page 5
Saleena Khamamkar
Yash & Saleena are Mr & Miss India Globe Details on page 34
'Joint action' with US proposed to nab Dawood Details on page 6
Jhumpa Lahiri makes it to Booker shortlist
Rahul Gandhi
Details on page 6
Providing food to poor is not wastage: Rahul
When US backed Pak bloodshed in Bangladesh
Details on page 6
Details on page 7
Modi devises new alphabet of Cong corruption
CONTENTS Bollywood -------------------------- 31
Details on page 6
Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 18-28 Date Book -------------------------- 40
INDIA POST SURVEY
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HealthScience Post --------- 50-52
This week’s question
Horoscope ------------------------- 12
Leander Paes is greatest Indian tennis player?
Immigration Post ------------- 44-46
Last week’s result
Should we trust spiritual gurus? YES 37%
NO 63%
GOING STRONG AT 40: When Leander Paes (right) and Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) won the US Open men's doubles title in New York on Sunday Sept 8, Paes became only the second tennis player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam at the age of 40. The first person to have achieved that feat was Martina Navratilova, who did that partnering Paes in 2003 at the Australian Open. Paes and Stepanek beat Alexander Peya of Austria, and Bruno Soares of Brazil 6-1, 6-3 for the title. (Details on page 11)
Life Style ----------------------- 34-35 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 32 TechBiz Post ------------------- 13-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 41-43
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Publisher’s Diary O
bama is no different from Bush. That's what the latest criticism against President Obama is and perhaps his critics are justified too. He is just itching to go to war - kind of, not satisfied with taking over the reins of his predecessor's war, but to have one of his own. I think it's just a Man thing to do. How can you carry the really heavy tag of being the Most Powerful Man on Earth as the US President and complete your presidency without the legacy of having declared at least a teeny little war…? Okay, so Syria has become an international issue. You can't have a government - at least not in the 21st Century - that kills its own people using chemical weapons. The world is supposed to be civilized enough and inter-connected enough to feel the need to react, if not do something more concrete about it. And it's also okay that we as the United States think we have been ordained by some divine power to assume the obligation of being the savior of the world, even if only to suit our vested purposes. Aren't we clever though… because we are careful enough to take care of domestic American sentiments by declaring that "there would be no American boots on the ground (in Syria)." Of course we are all with any citizens in their fight against oppression. But Mr President what about the sentiments of the local Syrians? Do they really want an American intervention or for that matter, intervention from any other country. Now it is the European Union that has come out with a statement that the purported chemical attack in Syria was a machination of the Syrian regime, "may be". It would seem that it is enough for these western powers to have doubt and not necessarily hardcore conclusive evidence before they launch attacks. We are still asking why we attacked Iraq in the first place. Anyway, I have another question… why is it that it is either the US or Europe that comes up with these declarations and not the United Nations? Guess I am just being naïve. Romesh K Japra
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Devi for Japan Not since Rajinikanth has an Indian actor made the impact that Sridevi has in Japan with screening of English Vinglish
Cover Story: Freak accident In a freak accident, an 18-year-old Indianorigin girl was shot in the US when she jumped out of a closet to surprise a friend
Community: Best music Sunehri Yaadein was a beautiful journey of Bollywood's Golden Era showcasing the best music with Live band
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Immigration: AAPI lobbying AAPI doctors have said they will approach the Congress for medical graduates to be fast-tracked for Green Cards
Life Style: Miss India Globe Saleena Khamamkar and Yash Patel were crowned Miss India Globe 2013 and Mr India Globe 2013 at the world pageant
Techbiz: Arsenic in rice FDA is conducting a detailed inspection of the arsenic level in rice including that of basmati variety imported from India.
Travel: Sunderbans A land of 54 tiny islands, criss-crossed by innumerable tributaries of the Ganges, is now the abode of varied flora and fauna
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Indian teen killed in prank gone wrong NEW YORK: In a freak accident, an 18-year-old Indian-origin girl was killed in the US when she jumped out of a closet to surprise a friend, who shot her thinking she was an intruder. Premila Lal jumped out of a closet as a harmless joke to surprise Nerrek Galley, a 21-year-old
intended and extremely tragic," police said in a statement. "The closet opened and I think she jumped and screamed and he thought it was an intruder inside the closet, so he pulled the trigger," Praveen Lal said. Premila was a track star and was honored at a weekend cross coun-
Premila Lal jumped out of a closet as a harmless joke to surprise Nerrek Galley, a 21-year-old family friend. But the noise startled the friend, who grabbed a gun and shot her, her father Praveen Lal said family friend. But the noise startled the friend, who grabbed a gun and shot her, her father Praveen Lal said. The incident happened on Sept 6 night in Longmont, Colorado, north of Denver. The teenager's death was "un-
try meet at her alma mater, KVDR TV reported. Her family described her as an athlete, popular girl and strong student. Just before 8 pm (local time) Premila Lal showed up at a house her family once called home. They had since moved, and were pre-
paring to sell the place. In the meantime, Galley was staying at the house. Premila Lal and her 12-year-old cousin apparently came to visit Galley. Lal's 15-year-old brother was also at the home, hanging out with Galley. Praveen Lal, said in interviews with local media that his daughter entered the home without Galley's knowledge. Authorities said that the father's description of what happened next, involving the closet, and Galley's gun, is consistent with their investigation. "All the witnesses had consistent statements," Commander Jeffrey Satur of the Longmont Police Department told CNN. A neighbor was quoted as saying that she saw the group rush out of the home, screaming. Lal was admitted to a hospital and was pronounced dead about an hour later. "We lost a daughter, so we don't want anybody else to lose
their son, you know, especially when it was accident," Praveen Lal told Denver TV station KCNC.
brother had access to the gun, police said. So far Galley has not been
Premila Lal
Galley has been charged with reckless endangerment, child abuse and providing a gun to a juvenile because Lal's 15-year-old
charged in Lal's killing. Police said they do not suspect the involvement of alcohol or drugs. -PTI
Dec 16 incident: All five convicted for rape, murder NEW DELHI: Less than nine months after the December 16 brutal gangrape incident, a fast track Delhi court has held all the five accused, including a man who died during the trial, guilty of rape and cold blooded murder of a "defenseless" 23-year-old girl that can fetch them death. Additional Sessions Judge Yogesh Khanna, delivering the 237-page judgment for convicts Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Akshay Thakur, said, "The facts of the case make all accused liable for the cold
blooded murder of the defenseless prosecutrix and thus the offence under Section 302 (murder) read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC stands proved and the accused persons are thus convicted," the judge said. "... all the accused in pursuance of the conspiracy committed gangrape with the prosecutrix and thus are convicted under section 376(2) (g) (gangrape) of the IPC
with the aide of section 120B IPC," the court said. Rejecting the defense argument that the girl had died due to delayed medical aid and infection caught in the hospital during treatment, judge Khanna observed that "the important aspect of this trial is the manner in which both rods and hands were used for damaging the alimentary canal and pulling it out from the body (of the girl). "This act of complete destruction of the most vital parts of the body can never be termed as in-
tending to cause bodily injuries and rather it will be act done with intention of causing death." The judge said they had conspired to gangrape her and the crime had been committed in a "premeditated manner". "The accused are also liable for gangrape committed with the prosecutrix in pursuance to their conspiracy," the court said. The judge also convicted them for kidnapping or abducting with
intent to secretly and wrongfully confining a person, abducting to subject a person to grievous hurt and slavery, abducting woman to cause her defilement, voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery and dishonestly receiving property stolen in the commission of a dacoity of the IPC. As soon as the verdict was delivered, Pawan broke down while Vinay was in a state of shock. Mukesh was heard saying "that they would have to face the consequences for what they have done". The fourth convict Akshay seemed unaffected. "All the accused have been convicted for various offences including attempt to kill the complainant (victim's male friend), for gangrape with the victim and also for unnatural sex with her and killing the victim... "The accused have also tried to destroy the evidence after the incident, so they are convicted under section 201 of the IPC. They had abducted the victim to have illicit intercourse with her, so they are convicted under section 366 of the IPC," the judge said while pronouncing the judgment. The murder charge, for which the four men have been convicted, entails a maximum of death penalty and life term as the minimum punishment. While pronouncing the verdict, the judge said, even though the proceedings against accused Ram
Singh (34), who was found dead in his prison cell after he committed suicide on March 11, were abated, "he is also convicted under same sections (gangrape, murder and other offences)". On the night of December 16, last year, Ram Singh, Vinay, Akshay, Pawan, Mukesh and the juvenile had gangraped the girl in a bus after luring her and her 28year-old male friend, who was also assaulted, on board the vehicle, which was later found to be plying illegally on Delhi roads. The victim's friend, a software
presence of the convicts in the bus in which the crime was committed has been established through the location of their mobile networks. Before pronouncing the judgment, the judge thanked the Delhi Police, the prosecution team and the defense counsel for bringing the case to its conclusion. After pronouncement of judgment, the girl's family members, who were present in the court, said, "The day they (convicts) will be awarded death penalty, justice will said to be done." Defense lawyer A P Singh al-
On the night of December 16, last year, Ram Singh, Vinay, Akshay, Pawan, Mukesh and the juvenile had gangraped the girl in a bus after luring her and her 28-year-old male friend, who was also assaulted, on board the vehicle engineer, had fractured his limbs in the incident. The girl succumbed to her injuries on December 29, 2012 in a Singapore hospital. The court relied on the dying declaration of the victim, forensic evidence, including finger prints, dental models, DNA samples and other medical reports of the convicts, electronic evidence and the statements given by them to the police after their arrests. The judge also said that the
leged the verdict has been delivered under pressure and the four men will now be punished for the offences which they have not committed. Advocate V K Anand, who appeared for Mukesh, said he will appeal against this conviction in the superior courts as he was only driving the bus. Mukesh's mother was seen crying in the court while the other family members refused to speak. -PTI
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Modi devises new alphabet Jhumpa Lahiri makes it to Booker shortlist of Congress corruption JAIPUR: Narendra Modi has said the country should be rid of Congress rule to make it corruption free and devised a political alphabet to take a jibe at the ruling party over a spate of graft cases. Launching the BJP campaign in poll-bound Rajasthan, Modi also continued his attack on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Gandhi family, alleging that the Congress leadership lacks the ability to lead and take important decisions and has no accountability. "A for Adarsh Ghotala, B for Bofors Ghotala, C for Coal ghotala, D for Damad ka ghotala (corruption)...this is the new ABCD...which the Congress adopted to introduce a new book of alphabets for children," the Chief of BJP's National Campaign Committee said addressing a mammoth rally on the concluding day of state BJP's Suraj Sankalp Yatra here. "Corruption is Congress' ornament, a gift, and one who does more corruption, gets promotion in the party‌Corruption is a disease inflicting the country... hence if India is to be made corruption free, then it should be first Congress free India," the Gujarat Chief Minister said. Stating there is a big difference between Congress of before 1947 and after it, Modi said that after 1947 it is immersed in "Bhakti of one family". On the contrary, Modi claimed that "...BJP is immersed in Bharat Bhakti. It is for the well being of the 125 crore people of India." After attacking the Gandhis, Modi slammed the Prime Minister. "After returning from G-20 summit, nation does not know what PM has done there what he
had said there...what kind of India's representation he made there...what kind of issues raised at the international level...no new information is made available to countrymen." "On his return from G-20 summit, PM did announce a name of his new boss...he is ready to work under leadership of him (Rahul) after next 2014 general polls," he said without naming Rahul Gandhi. Scores of burqa-clad women attended the rally of Modi, who is believed to be days away
reply from them how, when, where, for whom it is done. The country cannot have such irresponsible government which cannot take the nation on the path of prosperity," he added. Wooing the country's youth, Modi said for the Congress, youth is a voter but for the BJP youth is power and the strength of the country. "Youngsters must be excited to become voters." Modi attacked the Congress for destroying the path created by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi addresses BJPs Surj Sankalp Yatra in Jaipur on September 10
from being named the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. "In the last nine years of UPA government, with 11 allies from inside, three parties (BSP, SP and RLD) from outside, and CBI's hidden support, I have never seen a government that had no power to take any decision nor any satta (power) to run the nation and take important decisions," Modi alleged. "The UPA government is run by those who have no accountability, nor can anyone ask or seek
Vajpayee. Praising Vajpayee and LK Advani, Modi said, "Nation remembers the NDA Government under Atal Ji and Advani Ji. When we remember the JaipurDelhi highway we remember Atal Ji. But what has happened to it?" UPA did not walk on Atal Ji's path but it did not even keep the paths Atal Ji created in good shape." Modi also claimed, "People told me, we made a mistake five years ago, we are going to correct that mistake." -PTI
Providing food to poor is not wastage of money: Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi attacked critics of the food security bill which was passed by Parliament, saying money spent on providing meals to the poor cannot be called "wastage" of financial resources. He said the legislation is aimed at removing hunger from the country by giving people right to food which is part of a series of landmark initiatives of the UPA government such as Right to Information Act and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employ-
LONDON: Indian-American author Jhumpa Lahiri has made it to this year's Man Booker Prize shortlist for her new fiction 'The Lowland', an intimate portrayal of two brothers set in Kolkata of the 1960s. Her tale, set in the suburban streets of Calcutta of the 1960s and told through the eyes of brothers Subhash and Udayan in 'The Lowland', will compete alongside five other works of fiction for the coveted literary award worth 50,000 pounds to be announced here next month. Born in London and based in New York, 46-year-old Lahiri is the daughter of Indian immigrants from West Bengal. She is also a member of US President Barack Obama's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. She won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with her debut short
ment Guarantee Act. "Is providing food to people called wastage of money.... The opposition says it is a wastage of money. We want the poor people of the country to stand on their feet," Gandhi said. "We are giving rights to people. Rights means guarantee of development. After the food security legislation, no body in the country will remain hungry," Gandhi said, defending the food security scheme. The Congress vice-president
was speaking at a function after handing over documents offering ownership rights to the first batch of residents of the resettlement colonies in Delhi. The ambitious bill, expected to benefit 82 crore people in the country, is seen as a "game changer" by the Congress as it prepares to face general elections due in May next year. The BJP had termed the Bill as a "gimmick" with an eye on elections though the party supported it.-PTI
story collection 'Interpreter of Maladies' (1999) and her first novel 'The Namesake' (2003) was
adapted into a popular film of the same name by filmmaker Mira Nair. Her writing is rooted in the Indian milieu and attempts to capture dislocation and ambivalence with a unique play of words. 'The Lowland', released this month, is already being pitched as an easy front-runner among lit-
Jhumpa Lahiri
erary circles here. Birmingham-based Jim Crace is also being touted as among the 2013 favorites for 'Harvest', a novel about the fragile social ecosystem of a remote English village, which the author has claimed will be his last. Like Crace, Colm Toibin is also a previous nominee and is heading the list with 'The Testament Of Mary' about the mother of Jesus grieving angrily years after her son's crucifixion. If it wins, it will be the shortest novel to win the Booker with just 104 pages. Eleanor Catton, 28, is the youngest to make the cut with her book 'The Luminaries', while Ruth Ozeki with 'A Tale For The Time Being' and NoViolet Bulawayo 'We Need New Names' complete this year's selection. Robert Macfarlane, chair of the judges, said the shortlist was "instantly striking because of its global range".-PTI
'Joint action' with US proposed to nab Dawood MUMBAI: The Indian government has proposed a joint action with the United States to arrest the fugitive gangster and country's most wanted terrorist, Dawood Ibrahim, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said here. "We have arrested some most wanted terrorists (of late) and have killed a few on the border. As far as Dawood (Ibrahim) is
concerned, we are in touch with (US agency) the FBI," Shinde said, talking to reporters here. "There is already a red corner notice (against Dawood Ibrahim). We have proposed a joint action with the US (to arrest him). US Attorney General Eric Holder has also agreed to this," he added. Indian intelligence agencies have claimed for long that the gangster is living in Pakistan. -PTI
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When US supported Pak military bloodshed in Bangladesh WASHINGTON: More than four decades ago, the Nixon Administration knowingly broke US law to help Pakistani army against Bangladesh and encouraged China to mass troops on Indian border to oppose the strong stand taken by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, according to a new book. In his latest book, Princeton historian Gary Bass 'The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger and a Forgotten Genocide' documents how the then US President Richard Nixon and his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger supported Pakistan military dictatorship as it brutally quashed the results of a historic free election. The Pakistani army launched a crackdown on East Pakistan, killing hundreds of thousands of people and sending ten million refugees fleeing to India one of the worst humanitarian crisis of the 20th century. The author writes in the latest book, which is scheduled to hit the book market on September 24, how Nixon-Kissinger hated both India and Indira Gandhi and tried their level best to oppose the strong moral stand taken by the then Indian Prime Minister. Nixon and Kissinger thought in Cold War terms but also indulged in their personal disdain for India and its leader Indira Gandhi, Bass writes in the book, adding that
Nixon-Kissinger hated both India and Indira Gandhi and tried their level best to oppose the strong moral stand taken by the then Indian Prime Minister they even secretly encouraged China to mass troops on their India border, and illegally supplied weapons to the Pakistani military, all while censoring American officials who dared to speak up. Based on previously unheard White House tapes, the book gives a fresh insight into the Nixon-Kissinger hatred against Indira Gandhi, and how the then American leadership supported the butchering of innocent people, who dared to speak their voice and vote against Islamabad. As India under the strong leadership of Indira Gandhi decided to rescue the lives of people of then East Pakistan from the brutality of the Pakistani military, Bass writes in the book running into nearly 500 pages that Kissinger proposed three "dangerous" initiatives against India. "The United States would illegally allow Iran and Jordan to send squadrons of US aircraft to Pakistan, secretly ask China to mass its troops on the Indian border, and deploy a US aircraft carrier group to the Bay of Bengal to threaten India. He urged Nixon to stun India with all three moves simultaneously," Bass wrote. As China showed some reluctance in amassing troops on the India border, Bass writes in the book that Nixon argued that "we can't do this without the Chinese help-
ing us. As I look at this thing, the Chinese have got to move to that damn border. The Indians have got to get a little scared." According to Bass, Kissinger agreed, proposing that they notify the Chinese about what Nixon was secretly doing, and tell them of the advantages of China moving some of its soldiers to India's border. On secretly supplying military equipment to Pakistan, Kissinger told Nixon: "We are the ones who have been operating against our public opinion, against our bureaucracy, at the very edge of legality."
"That understates it," Bass writes. "In fact, to help Pakistan, Nixon and Kissinger knowingly broke US law, and did so with the full awareness of George H W Bush, H R Haldeman, Alexander Haig and others," Bass said. Then then Pakistani dictator, General Yahya Khan, on the second day of the war begged for US help, adding "for God's sake don't hinder or impede the delivery of equipment from friendly third countries." Kissinger told Nixon, "If war does continue, give aid via Iran." Nixon was relieved: "Good, at least Pa-
kistan will be kept from being paralysed." According to the book, the Shah of Iran agreed to a US request to send Iranian military equipment to Pakistan, with the United States replacing whatever Iran sent. "Jordan also got a request from Yahya, for eight to ten sophisticated US-made F104 Starfighter fighter-interceptors. King Hussein seemed keen to move his squadrons, but, fearing congressional wrath, did not want to act without express approval. When he nervously asked the US embassy in Amman for advice, the diplomats balked," the book says. -PTI
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Thotakura to get ANR Swarna Kankan Award FRANK FERNANDES
HYDERABAD: Dada Saheb Phalke Awardee, Padma Bhushan, Nata Samrat, Dr Akkineni Nageswara Rao celebrating his 90th birthday this month, has announced that one NRI and nine other prominent people from different walks of life in Andhra Pradesh will be bestowed with "Akkineni Life Time Achievement Swarna Kankan awards." From the viewpoint of NRI community in North America, one of its activists from Texas, Prasad Thotakura was declared an Award recipient along with nine others from local area. The award presentation is sched-
uled for Sept. 22 at Ravindra Bharathi in the course of a star-studded ceremony hosted by Vamsee Art Theaters International, a noted service organization, headed by Vamsee Ramaraju. Supreme Court Justice Jasti Chelameswar will be the Chief Guest and Padma Bhushan Dr C. Narayana Reddy, Dr T. Subba Ramireddy, MP and Entrepreneur N.T. Chowdary will attend as special guests. A special ANR Golden Hits live concert with full orchestra will be conducted by NRI popular singer Sarada Akunuri along with other noted singers Geetanjali, Chandrateja
Prasad Thotukara
and Vinod Babu at this event. A special souvenir highlighting Dr ANR's life history will be released on this occasion. The following are some of the awardees: NRI Community activist from Texas, Prasad Thotakura; Padma Bhushan Nata Sekhara G. Krishna; Guinness Book of World-record holder Director Smt. G. Vijaya Nirmala; Dharskendra K. Raghavendra Rao; Comedian actor Ali; Producer, Director and Actor R. Narayana Murthy, Senior High Court Lawyer Yellamraju Gopalakrishna Murthy (104 yrs old,);Famous writer Smt. C. Ananda Ramam; SVBC Channel CEO Dr P. Madhusudhana Rao; Celebrity Mistress of
Prasad Thotakura from Dallas, TX, has been serving the Indian American community for more than 25 years. He has been associated with several organizations Ceremonies Smt. MKR Asha Latha. Prasad Thotakura from Dallas, TX, has been serving the Indian American community for more than 25 years. He has been associated with several organizations, including as President, Telugu Association of North Texas (Tantex); President, India Association of North Texas (IANT); President, Telugu Association of North America (Tana); General Secretary, Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) and Advisory Board of Director, Dallas Community College District (DCCCD).
Afghan police arrest two over Indian writer's murder KABUL: Afghan police have arrested two militants over the murder of Indian writer Sushmita Banerjee whose book about her dramatic escape from the Taliban was made into a Bollywood film, an official said here. Banerjee, 49, was dragged out of her husband's house by masked gunmen in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province and shot dead on Sept 4. "Police have arrested two people who have confessed to killing her," Paktika governor spokesman Mokhlis Afghan told AFP. "They have said in their confession that they were ordered to kill the lady because the film that was made from her book was an insult to the Taliban," Afghan said. -AFP
September 13, 2013
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World Bank lauds Bihar development, may double loans PATNA: Appreciating the double digit growth rate logged by Bihar under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the World Bank has said it may consider doubling soft loan, to around USD 1 billion, for accelerating development works in the state over the next couple of years. Bihar has made good progress and registered a double digit growth rate under the leadership of Kumar, World Bank Country Director (India) Onno Ruhl told reporters here, adding that the state must sustain the growth rate to catch up with the rest of the country in terms of development. In order to grow at a fast clip, he said, Bihar needs lots of investment for which the bank has been asked by the Union Finance Ministry to hike investment. Ruhl said the previous government which was led by RJD - had pressed 'pause button' to suppress development as against 'play button' pressed by the incumbent Chief Minister. He lauded Kumar for making human re-
WHO praises India on polio; No case in 30 months NEW DELHI: WHO has lauded India's efforts in eradicating polio and said the country has not reported a single case of polio in the last 30 months. "You did it. For 30 months you have not got a single case of polio," WHO Director General Margaret Chan said while addressing the meeting of Health Ministers of South-East Asia Region in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee. She said India achieved the feat even as 194 countries in the world were speculating whether it can interrupt the transmission of polio. She also urged nations of the region to adopt universal healthcare access for all. "I want to urge countries in this region. Please continue to champion universal access to healthcare. That is the platform to deliver healthy human capital that are important for sustainable development in the future," she said. The WHO DG complimented India's health-care initiatives in improving the health of its mothers and children and said, "This country is moving in a big way to promote better health to their women and to their children." She also lauded the role of Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad saying, "This country is very fortunate to have a minister totally dedicated to health." She also expressed concern over the growing incidence of heart disease which saw 9.4 million deaths every year and said high blood pressure has contributed to it. "The scale of the problem is a challenge," she said, adding that more than one in three adults across the world are suffering from high blood pressure. Chan was here to attend the 31st Health Ministers' meeting of South-East Asia region which comprises of almost 1.8 billion people. -PTI
sources development his key priority in addition to improvement in law and order situation and infrastructure development. "Bihar is important to us and we may consider doubling up assistance in the next couple of years from 500 million dollar at present," Ruhl said. He identified segments of development for assistance in Bihar and said the international donor has been supporting the state government's programs like teachers' training, secondary education for girls and health care. "We also propose to provide assistance under other schemes like construction of road for habitats with 200 people, power
distribution, tourism and agriculture roadmap," he said. The World Bank is working on development of the Buddhist circuit in Uttar Pradesh in partnership with the state government and would like it to be extended to Bihar. Religion and heritage-based tourism has lots of potential for job creation and enhancing the earning capacity of the people, besides propping for economic activities in locations of the Buddhist pilgrimage centers. The World Bank has also identified urban infrastructure as an area of cooperation with Bihar in view of growing aspiration of the people of villages and rural ar-
eas to migrate to towns and cities for better lives, Ruhl said. Urbanized states have grown faster and achieved inclusive growth as against those states where majority of population live in rural areas, the World Bank official said. He advised the Bihar government to work on infrastructure development and amenities in the cities and towns to accommodate migrating people. Raul also emphasized on the need for industrial growth in Bihar, but rued lack of port in Bihar for export and asked the state government to leverage the Eastern Freight Corridor to maximize benefits. -PTI
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Asaram served notice over India's new border posts property tax dues 'provocative': China NEW DELHI: Asaram Bapu's ashram in property tax, Mann said, "MCD as part the national capital has been slapped with of a self-assessment system gives June a notice by North Delhi Municipal Corpo- 30 as the last date to file the returns". ration for alleged non-payment of propIf found guilty in such violations, erty tax since 2004, a top civic body offi- MCD can attach properties, raise decial said. mands and ultimately attaches bank ac"Yoga Vedant Samiti, a three-acre counts. ashram run by Asaram at Upper Ridge The penalties include payment of due Road in Karol Bagh area was served no- property tax, 30 per cent additional over tice on September 4 for non-payment of the taxable amount and interest over property tax," a senior NDMC official told them, the officials said. PTI. He refused to disclose the amount due against the The penalties include payment of ashram. During a situational surdue property tax, 30 per cent vey of the ashram on Sepadditional over the taxable tember 2, the municipal officials had found commercial amount and interest over them, activities were being carried the officials said out there. The ashram was found selling Asaram's books, publications, The 72-year-old self-styled godman, ayurvedic medicines, dhoop, incense and accused of sexually assaulting a 16-yearother religious materials. old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur, also "Under the Delhi Municipal Corpora- owns properties under South Delhi Mution Act, religious places are exempted from nicipal Corporation jurisdiction. payment of property tax and no commer"Asaram has three properties in Delhi cial activities could be carried out on such - a 15-20 acre ashram at Rajokri, another land. But, in this case, ashram was found is near Rajouri, as well as one in Dwarka indulged in carrying out commercial ac- Sector 22-23 area," SDMC public relation tivities," NDMC public relations officer officer Mukesh Yadav said. Yogendra Singh Mann said. Asaram is currently in judicial custody Explaining the provision for municipal in a Jodhpur jail. -PTI
BEIJING: India's plan to set up 35 new "There are undefined boundary areas border posts along the Sino-Indian border between India and some countries, some has sparked off concerns in China, with a of which even don't have a line of actual Chinese expert at an influential think-tank control (LAC). Nevertheless, the Indians here terming the move as "provocative" have an 'ideal' boundary in their minds and that may trigger a new round of tension. any other country crossing the line means "The establishment of new border posts they are invading India's territory," it said. is a sensitive issue. China-India border war "India's hyping of China's 'aggression' in 1962 was caused by the forward policy on the border comes from its growing upinitiated by the Jawaharlal Nehru govern- sets and worries. The border issue has bement," Liu Zongyi, an expert from Shang- come long-delayed and difficult to address hai Institute of International Studies (SIIS), and India is seeing an increasing gap with wrote in an article published in the state- China in comprehensive strength and inrun daily Global Times. frastructure construction along the border," "Now the LAC between China and India it said. is located to the north of the MacMahon Liu's article followed intense interactions Line and the new posts built by India may cross the line, "It is intended to underline India's triggering a tense situation in the border area and thus afequal status with China in tackling fecting the bilateral friendly cooperation in other fields," divergences and conflicts between said the article titled 'Prothe two and cater to the West. Howvocative border posts add to tension'. ever, India's narrow-mindedness is Last month, Indo-Tibetan Border Police outgoing Diharmful to mutual communications rector General Ajay Chadha and problem-solving," he said had said that 35 new border posts will be created and additional ITBP personnel deployed in a phased manner to bolster secu- between officials and think-tanks between rity on Sino-India frontier, which has seen India and China in recent weeks ahead of a spate of incursions from the Chinese re- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's planned cently. visit to Beijing next month. At present, India has over 150 posts Liu also accused India of hyping up along the border and the paramilitary per- China's "incursions" on the border, "which sonnel guard 3,488 kms of the LAC. in fact mirrors the fragility and sensitivity Referring to the proposed posts besides of India's mentality when dealing with periodic reports about incursions by the China". Chinese troops and speculation about the "It is intended to underline India's equal uncertainty over Air Chief Marshal NAK status with China in tackling divergences Browne's visit to China, Liu said the Indian and conflicts between the two and cater to government and the media are over react- the West. However, India's narrowing to the "border issues". mindedness is harmful to mutual communi"Candidly the China-Indian relationship cations and problem-solving," he said. has never been that motivated. Instead, it's Stating that Western countries will play the Indian media and government that each a "small role" in helping India in alleviating time overreact to border issues. Another pressure of the devaluation of its currency, target of criticism by Indian media in recent the article said the proposed USD 100 bildays is Myanmar, which is accused of al- lion BRICS' emergency reserve fund may leged incursion in Manipur," the article said. be more helpful. -PTI
Indian charged in UAE for forcing wife into prostitution DUBAI: An Indian man has been charged with human trafficking in the UAE for forcing his wife into prostitution while another compatriot was charged for having sex with the woman on several occasions against her will. Indian identified only as AS, 38, is said to have brought his 30-year-old spouse to the UAE in 2011 before threatening to kill her and their three children if she refused his wishes, a court here heard. The husband was also said to have pretended not to know that the men he was bringing to his room were there for
sex. Prosecutors charged AS with human trafficking and fellow Indian EK, 34, was charged with having sex with AS's wife on several occasions against her will, a media report said. Both men denied the charges at the Dubai Criminal Court. Prosecution records show that AS started asking his wife to have sex with EK, who owned the room in which AS and his wife of 13 years lived. The woman refused but was beaten and deceived into having sex. -PTI
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Age is just a number to look at and smile: Paes NEW YORK: The oldest tennis player to win a Grand Slam with the US Open men's doubles trophy, Indian veteran Leander Paes said age is just a number for him, something that he just "looks at and smiles". The 40-year-old partnered Czech Radek Stepanek to win the US Open 2013 men's doubles title, his eighth men's doubles Grand Slam title and 14th overall, last night after beating Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares 6-1 6-3. "Today Radek helped me to get to be the oldest man or the oldest tennis player to ever win a Grand Slam in the Open era. I thank him for that, and we are definitely not done. I'm going after 41 now, 42, and then 43," said Paes after winning the title. "We both come from humble background and come from countries where tennis wasn't neces-
Leander Paes, of India, right, leaps for a shot as Radek Stepanek, of the Czech Republic, looks on against Alexander Peya, of Austria, and Bruno Soares, of Brazil, during the men’s doubles final of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Sept. 8, in New York
Over 20,000 Indians want to settle on Mars WASHINGTON: India is spread across two years. ranked second in the list of counBy 2015, six-ten teams of four tries whose people are interested individuals will be selected for in settling on Mars permanently, seven years of full-time training. with as many as 20,747 applying In 2023, one of these teams will for the opportunity being pro- become the first humans ever to vided by a non-profit foundation. land on Mars and live there for Mars One will establish a per- the rest of their lives, the statemanent human settlement on the ment said. Red Planet in 2023 and is in the proMars One said each Round 1 cess of selecting people to live there. applicant is now being screened Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing tech- By 2015, six-ten teams of nologies, it said in a four individuals will be sestatement. At the conclusion of lected for seven years of a five-month-long first round of Mars One As- full-time training. In 2023, tronaut Selection Pro- one of these teams will gram, 2,02,586 people from around the world become the first humans have applied. ever to land on Mars The United States tops the list with 47,654 applications, followed by India by the selection committee, which (20,747), China(13,176), Brazil is expected to take several (10,289), Britain (8497), Canada months. Candidates selected to (8241), Russia (8197), Mexico pass to the next round will be no(7464) Philippines 4365 and Spain tified by the end of 2013. (3722) in the top 10 list. The second round of selection From this applicant pool, the will start in early 2014, where the Mars One selection committee will candidates will be interviewed in select prospective Martian set- person by the selection committlers in three additional rounds tee. -PTI
sarily the number one sport. We both fought against adversity to get to where we are. So age is just a number for us. Age is something that we look at and we smile.
of his most "special" victories. "This one is actually really, really special. For me, this one is probably even more special than the Australian Open win. In Australia I was going for a career slam,
"We both come from humble background and come from countries where tennis wasn't necessarily the number one sport. We both fought against adversity to get to where we are. So age is just a number for us� "We chat with you guys and smile about it, because, you know, you guys tease us about it, which is nice. For us, we really take it very seriously to go out and get better every day and to push each other," he added. Paes insisted that this was one
and that was something that Radek worked so hard to do. "We achieved it; he did it for me. That was really special. This one really means a lot to me, because through this year we both had to handle a lot of adversity," he said. -PTI
Horoscope
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September 13, 2013
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar
SEPTEMBER 14 TH - SEPTEMBER 20 TH , 2013 (March 21 to April 20)
P
lanets are in perfect order to help you attain your goals easily. Mind will be full of bright ideas and you will find the right team to launch your project. Avoid any argument with some one you barely know at the party. Opportunity will be not less than a jackpot. You may travel to a slightly warmer area with family this week.
(July 23 to August 22)
C
hanges will take place in a strange way but only to your advantage. Strong Sun will bring confidence back. Contract will reduce liability and increase your profit margin. It will be another rewarding week for people working as brokers. Some of you may take a short overseas trip for business purpose. bank balance will continue to grow.
(April 21 to May 20)
E
xalted Mercury will bring a big opportunity to make money in short span of time. Your calculations will be perfect and you will achieve your financial goals quickly. People in business will also sign new contract that will be profitable for long time to come. Handle all tools with care and avoid getting angry on the phone this week.
(August 23 to September 22)
P
ositive changes in career will be accompanied with financial relief. Once again you will start to feel lucky and work on your plans with full energy. You may also recover part of loan extended to a friend. You will be invited to a couple of parties. Boss will call you to discuss some important project to be launched in near future.
(May 21 to June 20)
z
atience and hard work will pay off in big way. You will finally find right people to work on your idea on hold for long time. You will also make final payment on few old bills or loan. A child may be getting ready to move away for educational purpose. Some of you may finally locate a real nice property and start the procedure to buy it.
(September 23 to October 22)
T
hings will once again start moving in right directions and you will keep hitting your targets one after another. Bachelors may come across some one nice and connected with health industry. Money wise you will start to feel little comfortable after taking care of an old debt. Keep trying your hands at lottery this week.
(June 21 to July 22)
S
trong Sun in the second can get you money through lottery or other financial speculations. A refund could also come from a Government agency. Your ideas and plans will earn appreciation by people around. presentation will go well and the confirmation may come any day. Any change in career will prove to a blessing in disguise soon.
(October 23 to November 22)
S
ome strong developments will take place in career and people creating trouble in the past will just evaporate. There is no harm in enjoying the company of a temporary friend but just stay within legal parameters. Just stay away from any speculation and stocks for few more weeks. Favorable week for people in health industry. (November 23 to December 22)
P
resence of Sun in ninth gives you the Midas touch. take your chance and make attempts without any hesitations. Success will come instant. You will also receive good advice and important leads from an elderly person. A child may need your help in resolving an important issue. All business meetings will go very well this week. (December 22 to January 19)
S
trong Sun will help you recover big chunk of money this week. Expect few positive developments at work also. You may finally obtain the green signal from a government agency blocking the big project for past few months. You may hear some exciting news from distant places. bank balance will grow rapidly this week. (January 20 to February 18)
Y
ou will get to spend an evening with famous people and some prominent politicians this week. There will be slight change in travel plans. Money wise you will continue to well and may make some money through stocks also. Expenses will come down a lot with new strategy. You may do some cleaning in and around your home. (February 19 to March 20)
Y
ou will grab the opportunity to make money little unorthodox way and immediately put it aside for any future emergency. People in business will continue to gain edge over competition with new strategy. You will quickly recover from any health problem. If appearing for any competitive exam, expect nothing but success.
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
Tech News Kotak Mahindra Bank's 'Onam' sop for NRIs THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seeking to strengthen its NRI business, Kotak Mahindra Bank has come out with an offer of discount vouchers worth Rs 30,000 for those opening NRE and NRO accounts with its branches in Kerala in September and October this year. Termed as 'Onam bonanza" as it coincides with Keralites' most important festival, the discount vouchers could be used for making purchases with some of state's leading jewelers and shops or enjoying the hospitality of major restaurants, a senior executive of KMB told a press meet here. Those opening Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts in any of the seven branches of the branch could avail the offer. The existing account holders could also benefit from it by introducing new NRI customers, KMB Executive Vice-President Deepak Sharma said. The bank has seven branches in the state including those at Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram. -PTI
AirAsia: Swamy files PIL in Delhi HC NEW DELHI: BJP leader Subramaniun Swamy has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the Center's clearance given to proposed low-cost airline AirAsia India. The Supreme Court had on August 16 asked the senior politician, who had earlier approached the apex court, to move the Delhi High Court with his plea. In his plea, Swamy said Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared the proposal but the airline does not exist and FIPB cannot give nod to greenfield projects. Malaysia's largest budget-carrier AirAsia has set up a joint venture with the Tata Group and Telestra Tradeplace to launch the regional airline in India. AirAsia India will be based in Chennai in which the Malaysian carrier will hold a 49 per cent stake. Initially, AirAsia plans to invest USD 30 million in the company. In his PIL, Swamy has challenged the clearance granted to the proposed airline on the ground that according to the policy, foreign investment is only permitted for an existing airline but AirAsia India was not an existing carrier. -PTI
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September 13, 2013
Models pose with the new Hyundai Grand i10 during its launch in Chennai
FDA probes arsenic presence in rice from India WASHINGTON: The US health watchdog FDA is conducting a detailed inspection of the arsenic level in rice being sold in the American market, including those of basmati variety imported from India. While an analytical study of more than 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, including basmati from India, did not show any alarming levels of arsenic presence, the FDA will now conduct a "comprehensive risk assessment" study to determine the long-term impact of the arsenic found in rice. Arsenic is a chemical element present in the environment from both natural and human sources and its inorganic forms have been closely associated with long-term health effects such as higher rates of skin, bladder and lung cancers. While most crops don't readily take up much arsenic from the ground, rice is different because it takes up arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains. In a latest consumer update, the FDA (Food and Drug Admin-
istration) said it has "increased its testing of rice and rice products" to determine the level and types of arsenic found in these products, usually a life-long dietary staple. The regulator said its next step will be "to conduct a risk assess-
ment following peer review, it said. Agency scientists have so far determined that amount of detectable arsenic is too low in rice and rice product samples to cause any "immediate or short-term" adverse effects. US rice imports have been in-
basmati is one of the most expensive rice in the US as it commands 2-3 times higher price than American domestic long-grain rice. The results of the analytical study of about 1,100 samples of rice and rice products were released last week, while a prelimi-
Arsenic is a chemical element present in the environment While most crops don't readily take up much arsenic from the ground, rice is different because it takes up arsenic from soil and water more readily than other grains. ment", wherein it would analyze the health risk associated with eating rice and rice products to determine the steps required to minimize the risks for consumers, including vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women. The draft risk assessment will be made available for public com-
creasing in the last 25 years. Most US rice imports are aromatic varieties from Asia - jasmine from Thailand and basmati from India, the world's largest producer of the aromatic grain. Total US rice imports for 2012/ 13 was projected at 19.5 million cwt (centum weight). Indian
nary set of results for nearly 200 samples were released in September 2012. The study of more than 1,300 samples of rice and rice products, which included more than 30 from India, found 0.1-7.2 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per serving in them. -PTI
JLR to invest 1.5 bn in new tech, create 1,700 UK jobs LONDON: Tata Motorsowned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a major investment boost of 1.5 billion to introduce technologically advanced aluminium vehicle architecture in a new range of models. The company will create as many as 1,700 new jobs at its advanced manufacturing facility in Solihull in the West Midlands region of England to meet the requirements of the enhanced product portfolio. The latest additions will bring the total number of UK manufacturing jobs announced by JLR over the last three years to almost 11,000. "Jaguar Land Rover is a busi-
ness driven by design, technology and innovation and this investment and level of job creation is yet further evidence of our com-
and its supply chain," JLR Chief Executive Officer Ralf Speth said at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As part of a series of announce-
mitment to advancing the capability of the UK automotive sector
ments at the automotive show in Germany, Speth revealed that the
first new model to utilize the innovative new architecture will be a mid-sized sports sedan from Jaguar. The new model, to be launched in 2015, is being billed as one of the most efficient, advanced and refined premium sports sedans in the segment. It will also feature the first engine to be built at the iconic luxury car brands' new 500-million engine manufacturing centre near Wolverhampton. Jaguar also revealed its firstever sports crossover concept vehicle the C-X17 which was created as a design study to introduce the aluminium monocoque architecture. -PTI
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TRAI proposes sharp cut in mobile spectrum auction
200 business queries generated at Jaipur Expo India Post News Service
NEW DELHI: With successive rounds of spectrum auctions finding few takers because of high reserve prices, India's telecom regulator has recommended a sharp 60 to 80 per cent cut in the floor price of mobile phone airwaves for an upcoming auction. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) suggested a pan-India reserve price of Rs 14.96 billion per MHz in the 1800 band, down from the base price of Rs 36.40 billion in the previous auction. In the 900 MHz band, which is also used by GSM players, it recommended a reserve price of Rs 2.88 billion per MHz for Delhi, Rs 2.62 billion for Mumbai and Rs 1 billion for Kolkata. These rates are about 80 per cent lower than the previous reserve price. Most telecom firms had stayed away from bidding in the previous two auctions, saying the prices were high. Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said the recommendations are reasonable and in recognition of market realities. "Not only will the government get its revenue but the market will also be able to purchase spectrum at reasonable prices so that the long-term impact on the market and on the telecom sector is positive," he said. TRAI, whose recommendations will now be considered by the government, said spectrum
trading should be permitted and there should be no reservation of spectrum for renewal of licenses. It said all bidders should be treated alike and no priority should be accorded to licensees seeking renewal in the bidding process. Also, spectrum usage charges for all airwaves allocated through auctions should be at a flat rate
Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal
from April 1, 2014. Asked if the reserve price was too high last time, TRAI Chairman Rahul Khullar said, "Yes...please understand the approach has completely changed from the previous pricing regime." TRAI said spectrum in the 1800 MHz should be bid out in blocks of 2x200 kHz and existing licensees be asked to bid for a minimum of three blocks. New entrants, it said, must bid for a minimum of 25 blocks of 2x200 kHz each. For 900 MHz band, it said the block size should be 2x1 MHz, with the minimum bid set at five blocks. The reduction in reserve prices follow the failed March auction, which drew just one bidder. "We have reduced the reserve prices to make the auction suc-
cessful," Khullar said. "If you ask me if the previous prices were high, my short answer is yes." TRAI said eligibility rules will remain the same as in the previous auctions and no preference should be given to incumbents. It said the Department of Telecommunications should come out with a clear road map before the upcoming auction, indicating the quantum of spectrum that will be available in future, along with time-lines so that operators whose licenses are due for renewal in 2015-16 can take an informed decision about bidding for spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. It also recommended roll-out obligations for licensees having spectrum in 800/900/1800 MHz bands. "All villages having population of more than 5,000 to be covered within five years of effective date of allocation of spectrum for access services and all villages having population of more than 2000 to be covered within seven years of effective date of allocation of spectrum," TRAI said.-PTI
JAIPUR: The two-day Industrial Expo organized by the Con-
This was revealed by Director and Head, CII Rajasthan, Nitin Gupta. Throughout the morning there were intense business discussions
Japanese delegation from Neemrana under the leadership of Shinji Fujiki at the Industrial Expo in Jaipur
federation of Indian Industry (CII) here generated over 200 business queries among buyers and sellers.
G20 summit takes note of India's infra plans NEW DELHI: India's commit- lion USD in investment. ment to continue with its ambiIn addition, two new major ports tious infrastructure program in- and a new outer harbor will be decluding the Delhi-Mumbai Indus- veloped in an existing port through trial Corridor and setting up of two PPP starting 2013-14," it noted. new major ports has been taken Giving a push to infrastructure note of by G20 at its just concluded development, the Union governSt. Petersburg summit. ment recently approved a proposal The commitment has been re- to set up two major ports in West flected in the St. Petersburg Ac- Bengal and Andhra Pradesh at an tion Plan as the Group of 20 in- investment of about Rs.15,820 dustrialized and major developing crore. The move to set up new countries decided to reset its struc- ports comes after several years. tural reforms agenda along more relevant, concrete, and well-tar- Giving a push to infrastrucgeted lines. ture development, the Union All the member coun- government recently aptries have outlined their commitments on struc- proved a proposal to set up tural reforms to promote two major ports in West investment in a bid to lift Bengal and Andhra Pradesh potential growth, create jobs and contribute to needed global rebalancing, the The new port in West Bengal, Action Plan said. which will have a capacity of 54 mil"India commits to continue with lion tonnes per annum (mtpa), is exits ambitious infrastructural pro- pected to require an investment of gram, including the Delhi-Mumbai around Rs.7,820 crore while the other Industrial Corridor connecting the new port in Andhra Pradesh, whose national capital and the commer- projected capacity is around 50 cial capital with high speed rail and mtpa, is expected to entail an investroad links entailing nearly 100 bil- ment of about Rs.8,000 crore. -PTI
between the interested companies to move forward for working handin-hand. Some of those who have received business queries included RS Power (Jaipur), Toshniwal Industries (Ajmer), Orbit Industries (Vadodra), Cosmic Healers (Delhi), KGK Industries, SS Engineers, among others. A Japanese delegation from Neemrana, under the leadership of Mr. Shinji Fujiki, also visited the exposition. Gupta said that discussions were also held for joint ventures between different companies. Big players like the Defense, Indian Railways, JCB India Ltd, Ashok Leyland, Autolite (India) Ltd., Bosch Ltd., Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals, Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO), GAIL India Ltd, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., National Engineering Industries Ltd. and Sandhar Technologies Ltd., among others were present to network with MSMEs. All the above companies gave detailed presentations for making the MSMEs understand the business opportunities available as well as the procedural formalities for getting access to market their products. The Industrial Expo had stalls of small, medium and micro industries showcasing a variety of products from industrial bearings to construction and agriculture equipments, from cast iron grills to hydraulics and pneumatics and from green doors to bio bags and from industrial boots to building solutions.
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September 13, 2013
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Auto and student loan category up 8.1 percent WASHINGTON: Americans cut back on using their credit cards in July for the second straight month, while taking on more debt to buy cars and attend school. The decline in credit card use suggests consumers remain cautious, a trend that could hold back economic growth. Consumers increased their bor-
rowing $10.4 billion in July from June to a record high of $2.85 trillion, the Federal Reserve said. That followed a gain of $11.9 billion in June. A category that includes auto loans and student loans increased
$12.3 billion in July to a record $2 trillion. But a measure consumers' credit card debt fell $1.8 billion to roughly $850 billion. That followed an even larger $3.7 billion decline in the credit card category in June. July's pattern of consumers' borrowing habits illustrated trends that have surfaced in the post-recession economy: Ameri-
cans are using credit for their most urgent needs, while forgoing debt for discretionary purchases. The auto and student loan category is up 8.1 percent from a year ago and has risen in every month but one since May 2010. But credit
card debt has barely changed in the past year and is nearly 17 percent below its peak hit in July 2008 - seven months after the Great Recession began. Slow but steady job growth and small wage gains have made many Americans more reluctant to charge goods and services to their plastic. That could hold back consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of economic activity. Americans may also be hesitant to take on more high-interest debt because of higher Social Security taxes. At the same time, the w e a k economy is sending more people back to school. The Federal Reserve's consumer credit report does not separate student loans and auto loans. But the Federal Reserve Bank of New York quarterly report on consumer credit shows student loan debt has been the biggest driver of borrowing since the Great Recession offi-
cially ended in June 2009. Economists are hoping that as the impact of those higher taxes fades, consumer spending will strengthen in the second half of this year. That forecast is also counting on steady job growth to bolster income growth and support higher spending. B u t there are forces still working to dampen growth, including t h o u sands of federal furloughs which depressed income growth in July. And job growth has been weaker than first thought. The government reported that employers added 169,000 jobs in August but 74,000 fewer jobs in June and July than previously reported. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent, but lowest in nearly five years. But the rate fell because more Americans
stopped looking for work and were no longer counted as unemployed. The overall economy grew at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the April-June quarter. But recent data has economists predicting that
growth may be slowing in the July-September quarter to an annual rate of 2 percent. The Fed's borrowing report tracks credit card debt, auto loans and student loans but not mortgages, home equity loans or other loans secured by real estate. -AP
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Desi News Jalaram Mandir raises $ 70,000 to expand & idol installation RAMESH SOPARAWALA & ASIAN MEDIA USA
CHICAGO: The fundraising event hosted by Hoffman-based Jalaram Mandir last week with a group of Swarkinnari artists from India at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows turned out to be a huge success as the Mandir Management raised over $70,000 in donations and pledges for Mandir expansion and progress. The temple expansion plans, said Yogesh Thakkar, a spokesman, would add 6400 to 14000 square feet of area and help installing divine image (murti pratishthan) in the course of next year and half by 2013-14. The temple Jalaram Bapa, one of most revered saints of India, was formally launched here in March 2008 but has following across USA with burgeoning membership now at 4200. Details on page 23
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
Lord Krishna birthday celebrated with great devotion Details on page 25
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'Sunehri Yaadein' celebrates Bollywood's Golden Era of music VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service
FREMONT, CA: Star Entertainment presented "The 1950-1980 Musical Journey of Bollywood Era - Sunehri Yaadein" at Chandni Restaurant on Friday, September 6. The memorable event was organized by Peter Sahjani and Dahya Mistry, two talented performers of Bay area. The event was planned
meticulously by Peter Sahjani and Dahya Mistry and showcased the best ever show with Live band and singers in Bay. As the name suggest "Sunehri Yaadein" was a beautiful journey of Bollywood's Golden Era. The show started at 7:45 pm with the finest singers of Bay area transporting the audience to '1970s' with their breathtaking rendition of evergreen numbers of legend-
L to R: Neelakshi, Peter Sahjani, Dinesh Kumar, Raman Sharma
ary singers Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle. Mandeep Singh opened the evening with his performance of "Aaj ki Raat" from Dilip Kumar's Ram aur Shaam. This was followed by melodies of Lata Mangeshkar and Vani Jayram by Anuja Surlaker and Rajini Vijay. Sachin Srivastava rocked the stage by rendering the Bollywood Badshah Amitabh Bachchan's songs. Guest singers were Ria Nilawar, Sreedhar Ganapaty and Nidheesh Dubey. Daya Mistry, Organizer of the show enthralled the crowd by singing
Roop tera Mastana and other popular medley. Robin John, the Lead Keyboard player was accompanied by sup-
Elena Elsoukov
port Keyboard player Krishnamurthy Kalvai, Base Guitarist Faran Mohamed, Lead Guitarist Tamal Dey, Handsonic Raj Iyer, Drummer Arun Narasimhan and Gurjeet Hira on Tabla. Peter Sahjani, Organizer of Sunehri Yaadein performed the act of Dev Anand from the movie "Guide" and sang Shammi Kapoor melodies.
Peter Sahjani and Dr Romesh Japra
Cont’d on page 20
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Dharma & Yoga Fest to showcase best of Hinduism India Post News Service
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: There has been a great response to the Dharma and Yoga Fest organizers' call for volunteers for the upcoming Dharma & Yoga Fest on September 14. Over 300 volunteers showed up to participate in volunteers' orientation to ensure smooth execution of the Dharma & Yoga Fest. The team visited the respective venues (Mission College and Alameda County Fair Ground) to understand the layout and logistics of the event. Volunteers assured that the attendees will have the best of experience. The participants have been requested to check-in at the registration desk and enjoy the event. There has been good progress for the Shri Krishna Leela also to be performed by kids who were going through final dress rehearsal. The Hindu Theme Park committee has come up with exciting activities for children. These are: Bharat Darshan Yatra, a unique way for children to visit various booths to learn about different regions of India and its language while collecting stamps in the passport book to win a gift. Hindu Character Parade where children will be able to enjoy and take pictures with various characters of India and of Hinduism. Other activities will include
Carnival games, Arts and Crafts, Art Contest, Magic Show, Laughing Yoga and Face painting. Youth participants will be inspired by speakers such as Nipun Mehta (TED Talk Speaker), David Frawley, renowned Vedic Scholar,
and Dandia. Confirmed dignitaries for Raja Yoga session include Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian, Spiritual Director of the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, Michael Yankaus, Co-Director of the Transcenden-
Bhakti Yoga participants will experience soul stirring music from Jai Uttal, bhajans by famous Indian singer Anuradha Paudwal and hip hop Bhakti music from MC Yogi along with many more artists felicitation of young achievers and panel discussion on Practicing Dharma and Yoga in Modern Day. Youth team will take up a unique Indian style Ganesh procession
tal Meditation (TM) Center, Palo Alto, CA and Ashwini Surpur who is an experienced and passionate yoga teacher with Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy from
Vivekananda Yoga University (SVYASA), Bangalore, India and is the Director of Yoga Therapy at Yoga Bharati. Bhakti Yoga participants will experience soul stirring music from Jai Uttal, bhajans by famous Indian singer Anuradha Paudwal and hip hop Bhakti music from MC Yogi along with many more artists - all this to elevate you to a new sphere of spiritual experience. There will be enlightening spiritual / Intellectual discussion of Swami Vivekananda and Jnana yoga, relevance of Atma-Jnan and Native American prayer and blessings. The speakers include Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Palaniswami, one of the stewards of Saiva Siddhanta Church, Himalayan Academy and Hindu Heri-
tage Endowment. Sannyasin Senthilnathaswami, a member of the Ganapati Kulam, assists Bodhinatha, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami and Acharya Kumaranathaswami in the editing, design and production of publications. Yogashree N.V. Raghuram is the Spiritual Founder and Chairman of Yoga Bharati and Vedacharya David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) is a western born teacher in the Vedic tradition. As Swami Vivekananda said, "They alone live who live for others". Karma Yoga, basically, spirit of action will be braced by real life examples of how one can take action for the greater good. Inspiring speakers include Dr Bidyut Bose, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of Niroga Institute; Dr Sailesh Rao Executive Director of Climate Healers, Murali Krishnamurthy of Sankara Eye Foundation, Dr Arutselvan Natarajan of Sewa International and Dr Bikul Das of International Center for Cultural Studies. It is a good occasion to give oneself an experience of Hindu life. Enjoy with your family the Hindu concepts of Athithi Devo Bhava ("Guest is God"), Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam ("The whole world is one family"), and lots more through skits, presentations and live performances. Don't miss watching the live beta version of a Vedic Hindu Marriage. MC Yogi will reaffirm his marriage vows in Traditional Hindu way.
Spellbinding tributes to legends of Bollywood like Bollywood stage with large pictures of all movie stars beginMILPITAS, CA: Unique Pro- ning from Raj Kapoor. It was a ductions presented a mesmerizing historic concert. The main orgamusical concert, "Tribute to Leg- nizer Abhinav was excited to see ends" in association with Ajmer people from different backgrounds Rana and Jayant Kumar on August and age groups present at the show. Many folks couldn't buy the 30 at ICC, Milpitas, CA. The Venue was packed with full tickets at the door since it was a capacity of 600+ and was set up sold out event. The musical program started with Golden era songs. Alka Bhatnagar, "The Nightingale of Bay Area" who was awarded by Raj Kapoor himself and blessed by music legend RD Burman, b r o u g h t Bollywood to Bay Area with her awesome melodious voice. Alka's versatility, style Alka Bhatnagar singing melodious song and range encomIndia Post News Service
Standing: From left Rakesh Kapoor, Aditi Chadha, Rakhi Sharma, Dr Romesh Japra, Arun Bhatnagar, Alka Bhatnagar, Vijay Thapar and sitting left is Dhaval Shah and to his right is Rohit Saini
passes classical music, through playback to light and popular. It is rare to find such a multifaceted talent. She started with haunting melodies like, "Ayega anewala, Lag ja
Gale, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Nigahein milane ko,", and mesmerized the audience with old to new hits. Alka also performed latest hits like "Ooo lala, Sharara" and duets like Kajra mohabbat wala with
Seema Verma. Seema also with her velvet voice kept the aura of old melodies like "Tera mera pyar amar, O saathi re" and won the hearts of audience. Cont’d on page 22
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Enlightening lecture on Vedas by Bhadreshdas Swami India Post News Service
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asudhaivKutumbakam' is an ancient Sanskrit phrase that stands for the ideology: 'the entire world is one family'. The message signifies that despite varying backgrounds and varying beliefs, every living being is part of a greater family. Respect and honor of these differences is integral to maintaining harmony throughout the world. This year, a unique lecture series on the universal Vedic topic of 'Brahmavidya' was held in cities across North America to help preserve and nurture this universal message of Hindu spirituality. Vedic literature contains not only the oldest spiritual texts known to man, but also eternal truths that lead to spiritual bliss and universal harmony. The lectures were delivered by Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, one of the most learned swamis in BAPS, and an accomplished scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures. After being initiated as a swami in 1981, he has been studying Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures for the last 32 years. Having completed a 500-page thesis on the Bhagavad Gita written in Sanskrit, he has earned five Masters degrees as well as a PhD in Sanskrit. He recently completed
commentaries on the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and the Gita and is currently working on a commentary on the Vedas. In recognition of his achievements, the Kavikulguru Kalidas
also a Project Committee Member of the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Ved-vidya Pratishthan (MSRVVP). In addition to teaching practical spirituality, Bhadreshdas Swami enlightened
Sanskrit University (KKSU) in Nagpur awarded him a Doctorate of Literature as well as the honorary award of Mahamahopdhyaya, an honorary title given to prestigious scholars by the Government of India. Bhadreshdas Swami is
the audience on classical topics such as the meaning of the word Veda, the various parts of the Vedas and their ancientness, as well as the need of understanding the Vedas in modern context. Despite his many achievements,
perhaps his greatest talent is his natural ability to lucidly explain complex spiritual topics, thus making the most arcane subjects universally relevant and interesting. The event was appreciated by dozens of prominent IndianAmericans who attended, including philanthropist Navin Doshi, poet Anandrao Lingayat, president of the Indian Dental Association Dr Kiran Trivedi, among many others. Upon completion of the event in Chino Hills, California, Paul S. Husson said "Swamiji did an amazing job by making such complex Vedas information so easy to understand." Among other attendees, Rajendra D Bhakta of Chino Hills, mentioned, "For me, Vedas was just a word about Hindu scriptures. Swamiji explained in detail the
meaning and importance of "Shastras". Knowing the perfection of the Sanskrit language and the way to study "Vedas" and "Shastras" was totally new and very enlightening" Inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organizes a variety of such social, cultural, spiritual and humanitarian projects around the world. The Veda Vidya lecture aimed to provide the Hindu community around North America an introduction to the Vedas, Upanishads and other ancient Scriptures while also exploring some of the topics contained therein, including the values of universal harmony, the secrets of spiritual living and effective answers to life's toughest questions.
'Sunehri Yaadein' celebrates Bollywood's Golden Era of music Cont’d from page 18
The film "Guide" is based on the critically acclaimed novel, The Guide, by R. K. Narayan, and is widely considered to be one of the masterpieces of the Indian film industry. Guide was also the first film
Mandeep Singh
to win all four of the major awards (Best Movie, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress) at the
Filmfare Awards. Peter Sahjani, who has a close resemblance to Dev Anand, acted the masterpiece with utmost perfection. He considers Dev Anand as his godfather and has a passion towards Bollywood's Golden era, which is the driving force for memorable events such as Sunehri Yaadein. Elena Elsoukov, who has been performing various dance styles in Bay Area for the past few years like Indian Classical, Belly Dance & Bollywood numbers, mesmerized the audience by her classical moves from Bobby and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. The highlight of the evening was a 1970s Retro-Style fashion show by Jyotica Bhatia. The models dressed up in 1970s style showcased the collection on music of the era. Costume courtesy for the fashion show was Malabis Couture. The finale of the fashion show was enhanced by
Saxophonist Puneet. Dance performers were from Dil Se and JB Fashion. The Grand Sponsor of the event were Dinesh Kumar of India Cash & Carry, Platinum sponsor Garry of Chaat Bhavan & Park Balluchi and the Gold sponsor Charanjit of Uppal Dental Care. Other sponsors included ViBha, Zaris Passion drive Fashion, Shiva Beauty Salon, ARS Insurance Agency, Taj Imports and Rachna Dumra of Rachdee Design. Smitha Deepak, Anchor of WomenNowTV and Jayshri Sharma, a tech professional and Radio Host of Radio
Audience responds
Dehotties on 1170am were the Emcees of the event. Menon Ramakrishna presented a birthday portrait to Peter Sahjani.
Peter Sahjani thanked Ray Walia, Dr Romesh Japra, Krishna Pandey and Rewa Kumar for their presence and support.
Pooja Kaur, Smitha Rao, Pallu Bhandari, Suchartia Paruchuri, Shalini Chaudhuri, Bella Sofia, jyotica Bhatia, Dakshata Talekar, Rachna Dumra, Shweta Singh Kirti, Harina Badwai, Lina Soni
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Choices: A story of love with no boundaries RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
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t their core, human be ings are driven by the same desires: love, security, care, and compassion. Whatever their upbringing, culture or traits, these common values are shared by everyone. The movie "Choices to Live and Die For" focuses on the commonality of people across cultural divides, and focuses on the blossoming romance between an Indian immigrant and an American woman down on her luck, and their struggles to survive and provide for their loved ones. Cultural divides lead to stormy and tumultuous relationships lived through accidental encounters and anchored by an unusual romance, the movie team is able to juggle right balance of stagecraft, story-telling and setting to give unexpected soaring flight to "Choices to Live and Die For." Set in the City of San Francisco, the story of Ajay, a struggling Indian immigrant student meets with a down on her luck street walker that culminates into a monumen-
sive pimp and Ajay, to rescue her, paves the way for friendship that slowly turns into love. Ajay starts loving not just Amy but also helping her daughter. The movie centers on Ajay and Amy, and their cultural integration, reconciling differences, and evolving family relations and emotions. It showcases their sacrifices to protect and support each other. "Choices to Live and Die Frank Maharaj, Elizabeth O'Brick and Kanak Khanna For" depicts life's vicissital life journey for everyone in- tudes, twists & turns uncertainvolved. Amy, young mother of an ties and eventual compromises 8-year-old daughter named Andy, that must be made to sustain livstruggles to make a living by be- ing in society. It depicts the resilcoming a street walker. She is ma- ience of unconditional love, selfnipulated by a vicious and abu- sacrifice, forgiveness and gives
Ro Khanna launches Chineselanguage 'Microsite' FREMONT, CA: The Ro for Congress campaign has launched a Chinese-language
into Chinese with extensive information about congressional candidate Ro Khanna, his forwardlooking ideas for representing the district, and regular blog updates.
"microsite" designed to engage voters in the community around Ro Khanna's vision for bringing California's 17th congressional district into the 21st century. The first-of-its-kind website provides a translation
The new site demonstrates Ro's broad commitment to engaging voters in the district and reflects his open and constituent-focused approach to public service. "Government should be responsive to the needs of its citi-
India Post News Service
zens - that means reaching people where they are on the issues that matter most to their families and communities," said Khanna. "I hope this website speaks to members of the Chinese-America community in a meaningful way and provides an easy portal for them to make their voices heard." The microsite is the latest action taken by the campaign to build a strong program to reach key communities throughout the Bay Area. In June, Obama for America campaign veteran Andy Wong joined Ro for Congress as the deputy campaign manager and head of constituency outreach. Last week, the campaign hired Don Sun, Chair of the Cupertino Planning Commission, as its chief advisor on Chinese community outreach. Both Andy and Don bring with them extensive experience in Bay Area politics - together they're building one of the broadest constituency outreach efforts ever seen in a Congressional race.
people the strength to rise above one's self in protecting loved ones. Cinematography and sets are beautifully done. Viewers are engaged so that there is never a dull moment. The actors do a great job showing the emotions that bring two people from completely different walks of lives together. The director Garvey Bedwal packs powerful emotional performances and the editing is riveting. Producers Brij Chandok and Amrik Chand Lakha pooled their Producer Brij Chandok
Set in the City of San Francisco, the story of Ajay, a struggling Indian immigrant student meets with a down on her luck street walker that culminates into a monumental life journey innovative ideas and resources to produce Choices as a mainstream film that would find interest and acceptance not only with Indian and American audiences, but across a wide spectrum of immigrants from a variety of demographics and all age groups. This main stream feature film was shot /filmed in San Francisco & Mumbai, with Hollywood & Bollywood cast. The movie has gained quick early acclaim and critical praise.
Jayesh Parekh, Singapore Sony Entertainment Television Founder says "the movie was really good, and Elizabeth was exceptional." After watching the movie, you are assured to make the right choices in your life. The movie is
Producer Amrik Chand
now available for download or to buy DVD. Visit www.sevenseasfilms.com and www.makeachoice.net for more details.
Spellbinding tributes to legends of Bollywood
Cont’d from page 19
Jatinder Singh with his powerful voice kept the crowd entertained with hits like Ek ajnabe haseena & Naina thag lenge. Rohit Saini, who is a very versatile and dashing singer, gave hits like "Papa kehte hein & Jeevan ke
har mod pe' with Alka. Varun Tiwari rocked the stage with his tribute to Rafi Saheb. He sang songs like Pardah hai Pardah, Badan pe sitare and latest hits like "Tum hi ho". For almost four hours the audience remained spellbound, enjoying the Bollywood evening and still craving for more.
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Jalaram Mandir raises $ 70,000 to expand & idol installation RAMESH SOPARAWALA & ASIAN MEDIA USA
CHICAGO: The fundraising event hosted by Hoffman-based Jalaram Mandir last week with a group of Swarkinnari artists from India at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows turned out to be a huge success as the Mandir Management raised over $70,000 in donations and pledges for Mandir expansion and progress. The temple expansion plans, said Yogesh Thakkar, a spokesman, would add 6400 to 14000 square feet of area and help installing divine image (murti pratishthan) in the course of next year and half by 2013-14. The temple Jalaram Bapa, one of most revered saints of India, was formally launched here in March 2008 but has following across USA with burgeoning membership now at 4200. It was less than 500 to begin with. The kick off the near four hours program was with the ceremonial lamp lighting by invited guests and Temple officials after a small welcome address by emcee Vipul Thakkar and co-emcee Ravi Thakkar. Temple priest Katenbhai Jani recited auspicious Vedic
Jalaram Fundraiser Lamp ceremony. Seen in the picture among others State Senator Dan Kotowskey, Mayor of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, and State Reps Fred Crespo and Michelle Mussman, Sunil Shah and priest. Pics Asian Media USA
verses and the guests - State Senator Dan Kotowskey, Mayor of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, and State Reps Fred Crespo and Michelle Mussman, and Village
Jalaram Team with invited dignitaries (standing) Chandulal, Rajendra, Yogesh, Hasmukh and Bhupendra Thakkar
Trustee Gary Pilafis - were individually honored with bouquets. A front ranking community activist and founder president of recently formed FIA, Sunil Shah, introduced each of the dignitaries individually, starting with Keynote speaker Kotowskey, who in his speech praised various philanthropic activities of the Mandir, specifically recounting an anecdote of feeding three hungry Muslims. "We should follow the life and message of Bapa," he declared amidst applause McLeod stated that "Hoffman Estates is proud and privileged to host the temple and benefit from its public services. Religious institutions must complement the work of government." He effusively praised contributions of Indians and of India to the wider American community. Kamal Vibhaker, a temple bene-
Swarkinnari artist group that enthralled the audience
factor, talked about the temple history mentioning that the Mandir took out a mortgage loan of $1,018,000 in 2008 but has paid off $328,000 in a short period of five years. Several projects have been completed, including the parking lot, elevator, kitchen remodeling,
gram that is typically Gujarati folk songs, lores interspersed with jokes and other light entertainment. They were accompanied by singers Dharmendra Gohil and Priyanka Marolia, Bhavesh Dave on keyboard, tabla player Prakash Parmar, Bindesh Pande on SideRhythm, Pramod More on dholak (drum). Together they kept the audience spellbound with many seen swaying and even dancing on their seats to the lively rhythms and sentiments. At one point after the dinner, a group of men & women were so charged that they came near the dais and performed Gujarati Gaarba to the delight of all. Bhanubhai Vora, who began at the age of nine, has been singing devotional and folk songs in India and before the Indian Diaspora across the world for the past 44 years. He has recorded more than 40 CD albums representing a wide variety of song genres and humor. Trupti Chhaya, who has done Masters in Psychology, is likewise a versatile singer who can sing both light classical, popular, and folk songs with equal ease. The entire Jalaram Temple team, including Chairman of the
The temple expansion plans, said Yogesh Thakkar, a spokesman, would add 6400 to 14000 square feet of area and help installing divine image (murti pratishthan) in the course of next year and half by 2013-14 bathroom renovation and water sprinkler system for the landscaping, all per city rules. The eight-member Swarkinnari musical group from Mumbai led by Bhanu Vora and Tripti Chhaya commenced their "Dairo" pro-
Temple's Board of Trustees Hasmukh Thakkar and Temple President Bhupendra Thakkar, Committee members, pujari (priest), and volunteers did an excellent job of making this fundraising event a success.
A section of the audience at Jalaram Fundraiser
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Janmasthami celebrated with great pomp ASHWIN PATEL
Devotees doing aarti in St Louis
CHICAGO: The Gujarati Community of St. Louis celebrated Krishna Janmashtami, appearance day of Lord Krishna, at Mahatma Gandhi Center, St Louis with great pomp, devotion and enthusiasm on September 1. The program started with a welcome address by Madhukar Bhakta and was followed by bhajans by devotees, Aarti and Jhoola Darshan. Delicious Gujarati food was served to all devotees. Over
300 Gujarati members attended this event. Janmashtami is deemed most auspicious occasion by Krishna devotees and Vaishnavas when the Lord descended about five thousand years ago to get rid of evil, protect his devotees and re-establish the religious system. Krishna, which means all attractive, is the most opulent Supreme Person who excels in possession of beauty, strength, intelligence, fame, riches and renunciation.
Samoohik Satyanarayan Katha held first time GEETHA PATIL
CHICAGO: Under the auspices of Religious Committee of Hindu Mandir of Lake County, a grand celebration of Saamoohik Satyanarayan Katha was held on Sunday September 1 for the first time. Over 30 families sponsored the
Samagri and Maha Prasadam for all devotes. Delicious Mahaprasad was prepared by the Neelkantha Anand, Kamal Gupta and the kitchen team. Pandit Joshi told about the true meaning of Satyanarayana Katha in Kaliyug. He said that this Katha
Samoohik Satyanarayan Katha in progress
event and more than 150 devotees of all age groups participated in the pooja and listened to the Satyanarayana Katha narrated by Pandit Anil Joshi. The significance of Samoohik Satyanarayana Katha was to bring all Indian communities on one platform. This sort of event results in respecting the different cultural values, traditions, customs, outlook, uniformity and differences as well. The Temple committee organized the Pooja
reflects the thinking, mental states, and behavior of human beings in all the four varnas - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. He said we should always be thankful to God for what he has blessed us with in this beautiful world. Pandit Joshi expressed that this Katha is a mirror of good and bad things people do in their lives and reflects the mentality of human beings. Cont’d on page 25
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Lord Krishna birthday celebrated with great devotion GEETHA PATIL
CHICAGO: Sri Krishna Jayanti was celebrated in Grayslake Hindu Mandir with great devotion. Hundreds of devotees who observed fasting the entire day and also those who did not fast participated in this program and celebrated the birthday of Krishna in quite a traditional manner. Another aspect of the celebration was the 'Muddu Krishna' (cute Krishna) procession arranged on Tuesday, 27 August at 7.00 pm in the courtyard of the temple. Several children participated in it by wearing various costumes of Krishna. The procession was led by conch blowing, bell ringing and drum beating devotees. Little children carried colorful flags which brought special attraction to the celebration. They also tried to imitate the childhood pranks of Krishna with devotional songs being sung in the background. Later, everyone in the gathering enjoyed the Dahi Mataki event which was a symbolic experience for removing their ego. Anu Gupta from the cultural committee of the temple arranged singing and dancing by children highlighting baby Krishna's mesmerizing childhood activities. Little girl Sanjana Kumar stunned all devotees by chanting the 12th chapter of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita. The temple and the shrine were decked with variety of flowers. The presiding deity of Lord Krishna was decorated in the form of kneeling Bala Krishna in the cradle. Another attraction of the decoration was showing how
Celebration of Sri Krishna Janmasthami at Grayslake Temple
Nandgaon people celebrated Baby Krishna's birthday by placing lots of nicely painted wooden cutouts
of musicians, Shortly after this, Pandit Anil Joshi delivered pravachan stress-
Cultural program by young artists
on the stage. In this beautiful venue at 10:00 pm, Bhajan Sandhya was started by a group
ing the importance of Sri Krishnashtami celebration. He said that the Lord takes Avatar to
Cute Krishna being taken in procession
maintain religious values, to protect spiritual people from evils, and to accomplish the truth on this earth. The biggest message of Lord Krishna Janmashtami is "love humanity". By 11:30 pm a devotee in the form of Vasudev entered the shrine with baby Krishna. People welcomed him by chanting hymns and dancing. Temple priest Anil Joshi chanted Krishna Mantra and Gita Slokas. By midnight Baby Krishna Avatar was shown to devotees by removing the petals of roses that covered Him. Later, both temple priests performed Abhishekam of Baby Krishna with
saffron milk. Their ritualistic hymns praising the Lord echoed in ambiance of the temple. Sri Krishna Archan and Arati were performed followed by offering of traditional Bhoga. This was distributed among the devotees and children. Maha Prasadam was served to both fasting and non-fasting devotees. This program was managed by Naveen Mishra and religious committee members very efficiently. Temple president Harsh Kumar gave vote of thanks to all the devotees and volunteers for making this celebration a grand success.
Samoohik Satyanarayan Katha held first time
Trivialization of goddesses in ad campaign decried SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: Members of Indian community across Chicagoland and many parts of USA have expressed concern at the trivialization of their highly revered goddesses in an ad campaign highlighting domestic violence which showed them battered and bruised. London headquartered charity Save the Children, one of whose units that commissioned this ad campaign aims to "build partnerships". It would be misrepresentation to show images of goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati apparently as battered and scarred victims of domestic abuse with bloody lips, cuts on faces and black eyes. Accompanying text stated: Tomorrow, it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to.
Madhu Patel, president of NRI Press Club said that the community as a whole irrespective of caste creed and religion, should unite and voice its concern to those indulging in such nefarious activities which hurt "all of us emotionally and spiritually." In
The community should unite and voice its concern to those indulging in such nefarious activities which hurt "all of us emotionally and spiritually”
fact, it is the Sanatan religion with millions of followers that has elevated women to the level of goddesses. Goddesses Durga, Laxmi, Kali are revered as Jagat Jannani and to depict them as battered women is travesty of truth. Quoting ancient Indian text Manusmriti, Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, observed that it clearly enjoined "Where women are revered, there the Gods are pleased; where they are not, no rite will yield any fruit." Number of Rig-Veda (oldest existing scripture of mankind) hymns were said to be composed by women, and Aditi, who was sometimes referred as "mother of the gods", found mention in Rig-Veda as a goddess. Cont’d on page 26
Arati at Katha Cont’d from page 24
He communicated to devotees that due to weaknesses within us we are not developing in a real spiritual sense even though we are making massive materialistic development. We spend time in fighting and letting other people down and end up being in the re-birth cycle. He added that to attain moksha we should love each other and maintain peace in the world.
"Sarve Bhavantu sukinah" slogan needs to be followed by everyone in this world more than ever before. Rita Patel and Kamlesh Desai sang bhajans and made the event very melodic and devotional. Archana and Maha Mangala Aarti were performed by all devotees with utmost dedication. Homemade Bhoga was offered to God and distributed to everyone along with Mahaprasadam.
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Community Across America
September 13, 2013
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Chicago hosts Inter-Church Cricket Tournament KEERTHI RAVOORI
Baptist Telugu Church [ITBC], Wesley Church of South India [WCSI]. Each team played a competitive game of cricket to secure the Trophy. At the draw of the night, the two final teams Chicago Bible Fellowship [CBF] and Bible Mission Church [BMC] clashed in a tenacious fight each excelling in batting, bowling and fielding. However, CBF took an edge and emerged victorious. The night took a festive turn under the flood lights when the trophies and cash-prizes were given away amid loud cheers and applause. Runners Up Trophy was presented by Mrs Subhadra John
Vipparthi. 'Man of Series' award was presented to Raju Pasumarthi and Man of the Match awards went to Nani of CSI team, Ramesh of BMC team, Ravi of CBF team, Praveen of BMC team, Anil of ABTC team and Vijay of CBF team. Dr Heyer Paul Devarapalli was one of the major sponsors who gave away a grand cash prize to CBF. Dr & Mrs Nandan Thogaru presented the attractively tall Rolling Trophy to the winning team. Captain Emmanuel Neela of CBF decided to donate the cash-prize to widows and orphans. Rev. Peter Pereira stirred up the youth with his brief yet inspiring summation urging youth to play competitively while exemplifying the tenets of faith.
Chicago Bible Fellowship [CBF] Captain Emmanuel Neela and his team won the tournament champion trophy
CHICAGO: With passion for the game of cricket growing among second generation Indian youth, Chicago's church commu-
nity organized the first-ever InterChurch Cricket Tournament to provide their youth the opportunity to showcase their talent on
the cricket field. The tournament was held at the Dee Park in Desplaines, a northwest suburb of Chicago, on Saturday August 31 drawing families, youth and children in large numbers to cheer their favorite teams. The tournament had seven teams represented by various Telugu Churches to play in the knock-out format tournament which included Antioch Telugu Baptist Church [ATBC], Bethesda Telugu Church [BTC], Bible Mission Church [BMC], Chicago Bible Fellowship [CBF], CSIRunners-Up team Bible Mission Church [BMC] led by Chair Raju Pasumarthi,Team Captain Wesley Church Kamalakar along with the team & their church head Mrs Subhadra Vipparthi [CSI-W], India
MAFS to host fundraising dinner in Schaumburg BEGUM NAZNEEN
CHICAGO: Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), a premiere organization for seniors in Chicagoland, has announced hosting its 21st Annual fundraising dinner on September 21 at India House, Schaumburg, a north side suburb of Chicago. This year's event will feature Breathtaking live magic show by Dennis Watkins, the famous magician from Chicago Theater, dance performance by Bollywood choreographer Catherine Jafri and her New York dance group, fashion show by leading fashion designers from Raaz boutique, and music performance by Rinki Talati. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Indian Consul General Chi-
cago, Ausaf Sayeed will be this year's Keynote speakers. Other prominent dignitaries in attendance will be Bill Foster, the U.S Rep, Mary Killough Deputy Director, Illinois Dept. of Aging, Johnathan Levin, Director of Age Options and others. "This is one of our most popular events of the year. Through a shared commitment with community MAFS is aiming to transform the entire field of social services as a shared responsibility of all," said Mrs Santosh Kumar, Executive Director MAFS. Ms Kumar invited the community to join in this mission of serving better by participating and donating in the upcoming MAFS' dinner.
Trivialization of goddesses in ad campaign decried Cont’d from page 25
"This denigration was hurtful for the devotees. It (domestic violence) is a worldwide phenomenon and is prevalent among followers of all religions and it would be unfair to just point fingers only at Indians as this campaign is depicting only Hindu goddesses," Rajan said. Nand Kapoor, former president of Association of Indians in America and community leader said that it would be in the fitness of the things that this matter is brought to the attention of Board Chair Charles Perrin and CEO Jas-
mine Whitbread of Save the Children to initiate steps curbing this type of ad campaign ASAP. He for one would like members of other religions also to work unitedly with Hindus to stop this type of denigration of deities. Rajan Zed further said that the world, including India, needed to do serious soul searching on the treatment of women as the recent World Health Organization (WHO) report stated that violence affected over one third of all women globally. World needed to provide safer non-violent environment for women to go about their daily lives.
Rajan Zed, Nand Kapoor and Madhu Patel
Community Across America
September 13, 2013
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Sniti Mishra sings for a good cause
A section of the audience Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: A group of Indian community activists led by Ravi Rawat of India House, Cecil Joseph of IDF USA, Prashant Mohanty an Oriya community leader and others hosted a musical concert with prominent Saregama singer Sniti Mishra and local artist Chetan Saini to raise funds for Uttarakhand victims. The program on Saturday September 7 at India House Banquet Schaumburg was attended by 300
a humble request by Amitabh Bachchan to help the victims of the floods. Without further ado, Sniti Mishra the Saregama singing star started her program enthralling the audience with the popular Bollywood numbers. Sniti continued to sing for two hours and it was Chicago's very talented singer Chetan Saini' s turn who was at his best while singing new songs. After a short dinner break, Sniti took over the stage once again
Ravi Rawat, Prashant Mohanty, Cecil Joseph with Sniti Mishra during Uttarakhand fundraiser
plus attendees from Metro. Versatile stage artists Noman Khan and Nishma Patel performed for all those present. This was followed by a slide show highlighting natural calamity and its sufferings with
followed by Chetan Saini and both were fabulous as duo. Overall the singers, the musicians, the band, the emcees, the video and the format of the program made it one of the most memorable evenings for Chicagoans.
Sniti Mishra and Chetan Saini
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Community Across America
September 13, 2013
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Does NRI mean Non Recognized Indians? RAM KONDURI
L
ike most others, I was under the impression that NRI means Non Resident Indians, but then it does not seem to hold water. Let me explain. . As we all know millions of Indians left their motherland because of multiple reasons. One reason stands out to be the most important one - to grow financially. Especially non reserved middle class had no options left for their careers. Using their skill as investment, snubbing their emotions they left wherever they could find a place in
the world to work hard and grow. In the process they faced many hurdles to stabilize their careers. The objective was to save hard earned money and invest back in the country for their families. As a result the Indian government gained huge foreign exchange as a secondary beneficiary. Government of India offers various incentives like tax benefits, low lending rates, EPZ and subsidies etc for export companies in India. Through media I had come to know that UPA offered 20 lakhs crore in-
centives to various companies in India in the last seven years. I tried to communicate with Sujata Sudarshan, CEO-Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) to know what incentives are offered to NRIs who generate foreign exchange to India as remittance. In response I got information regarding investment opportunities. When Indian firms are offered subsidies and other tax benefits to generate foreign exchange, why Individual NRIs who remit on regular basis to country are
Ram Konduri
alienated? According to OIFC data NRIs remit close to $ 70B (2012), much higher than FDI to India annually. That means around 4.55 lakh crores ($ =65 rupees) added to Indian economy annually. Instead of offering benefits, some time back the Government of India proposed to tax remittance by NRIs up to 20 percent. Fortunately the idea went into cold storage. Don't you think it is discrimination against NRIs? To express tokenism to NRIs, the Indian Government conducts Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and honors few individuals by mentioning NRIs as patriots of the nation. I spoke to GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh to allow me to get connected with Chicago center to share my views. I thought we as a group could communicate to Government of India. Unfortunately my repeated attempts failed. No one knows what the ac-
To express tokenism to NRIs, the Indian Government conducts Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and honors few individuals by mentioning NRIs as patriots of the nation complishments are done to protect the interest of NRIs and address their concerns. To be more specific, the event is cultural, about raising investment and a boost for the government in power. Truly it has no value addition for large number of NRIs in the world. The Indian government never realized the pain and agony that NRIs go through to protect their own investments. Many NRIs lost their investments either in companies or in real estate deals. Truly there is no hope in future. I really fail to understand why one of the major contributors to Indian economy has no voice to express their concerns? Hope one day we all NRIs represent to Government of India to be treated fairly and get our concerns addressed instead of treating us as a group to raise foreign exchange reserves for India. Will the Indian government understand these NRIs of the nation? Feedback: konduriram@gmail.com
September 13, 2013
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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Get On The Dance Floor: Chennai Express 2 Titli: Chennai Express 3 Gulabi: Shuddh Desi Romance 4 Ye Tune Kya Kiya: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara 31 India Post
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5 Lungi Dance: Chennai Express 6 Sun Le Re: Madras Cafe
N
ot since Rajinikanth has an Indian actor made the impact that Sridevi has in Japan, thanks to a pre view and festival screening of English Vinglish...and the film has not even been released there as yet! Apparently, the theme of an Asian woman struggling with the English language has struck a universal cord in Japan. And the Japanese women, themselves driven to despair by the linguistic discrepancies of the Diaspora, have embraced the film in a big way. Now they want to meet Sridevi before the film gets a Japanese release in December. Speaking from Tokyo where he is currently visiting to launch the film, producer R Balki said, "The response is terrific. Every Japanese woman identified with Sridevi. The Japanese love the film. Anyone and everyone who has seen it has connected immediately with the theme of linguistic barricading." He adds, the demand to meet Sridevi in Japan is deafening. "Gauri (English Vinglish director Gauri Shinde) and Sridevi have become very popular here. Sridevi must come to Japan."
T
he Sri Lankan import Jacqueline Fernandez seems to be on cloud nine these days. The reason? Well, in her upcoming film Roy, she is super excited about not just playing a double role (first time in her career), but also that she will be seen playing the role of a movie director. Talking about the same, an elated Jacqueline said that she's lucky enough to be playing a director in the film, and that she will take some tips from directors she knows. She added that they will start the shoot by end of the year. Besides Jacqueline, Roy stars Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in the lead roles. While the film is being directed by Vikramjit Singh, it's slated for a June 2014 release.
JACQUELINE SAID THAT SHE'S LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE PLAYING A DIRECTOR IN THE FILM
7 Tere Mere Beech Mein: Shuddh Desi Romance 8 Main Rang Sharbaton Ka : Phata Poster Nikla Hero 9 Shuddh Desi Romance: Shuddh Desi Romance 10 Zinda: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
S
hah Rukh Khan is all set to sing and dance his way down under. The superstar will headline a series of live shows, which kick off at the Allphones Arena in Sydney on October 7, marking his first performance in Australia. The event will also be held in Perth and Melbourne. Rani Mukerji and Madhuri Dixit will join SRK on stage this year for the annual extravaganza which is held in a different country every year. Currently, SRK is shooting for Farah Khan's Happy New Year and buzz is that he will travel to Australia directly from the film's Dubai schedule. And tickets are selling out fast with the public expecting high-octane performances from the trio. A source close to the development said, "SRK is in great demand in Australia these days.
„
Realty Tidbits
Mumbai property rates may remain subdued: Icra MUMBAI: Real estate developers in Mumbai are finding it difficult to increase property prices because of rising inventory levels, subdued demand and uncertain macroeconomic environment, says credit rating agency Icra. "Declining affordability and high economic uncertainty are the twin reasons, which would cause property prices in Mumbai to remain subdued, in the near and medium term," it said in a research report. The capital rates in the city's real estate market have remained largely firm in the past, supported by limited supply as well as increasing cost pressures, Icra noted. However, peripheral areas of Thane, Navi Mumbai, would continue to report healthy development as well as traction in the affordable housing segment, given the lower ticket sizes," it said. -PTI
„ Warner Bros eyes franchising for faster growth MUMBAI: Following its foray into the retail space with 'Kids WB' stores earlier this year, Warner Bros Consumer Products (WBCP) is now looking at growth through avenues like licensing with real estate developers and live shows in the country. Known for properties like Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo and DC Comics' Superman and Batman, WBCP opened its first exclusive store at Coimbatore in partnership with Suncorp Exim in April this year. While it is bullish on expanding the retail presence, it is also exploring options to extend licensing to different categories like real estate. "Globally, WBCP is a USD 6billion business and India is a relatively small currently... "However, it is a fast growing market and there is a huge potential. There are a number of licensing opportunities that we are looking at," WBCP managing director Preston Kevin Lewis told PTI. -PTI
Real Estate 32
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Nitesh launches Rs 300 cr project in Bangalore NEW DELHI: Realty firm Nitesh Estates launched a housing project, Nitesh British Columbia, in Bangalore with an investment of Rs 300 crore. The project, a premium high-rise condominium project spread over 4.70 acre in south Bangalore, is aimed at first-time buyers, Nitesh Estates said in a BSE filing. It will have 388 apartments with an area ranging from 1,000-1,600 sq feet and is in 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom configuration.
Investor home purchases raise rental concerns INDIANAPOLIS: Thousands of houses in Indianapolis and surrounding counties have been bought by investors in the past year, driving up prices and fueling residents' worries about what the future holds for their neighborhoods. The mass purchases by big investors have fueled a 19 percent increase in sales of existing homes in the past 12 months. About half the increase is due to the investor activity. Jim Litten, president of the residential division at F.C. Tucker, estimated that more than 10 percent, or 2,700, of the 27,000 homes that sold in the area in the past year were bought by institutional and other investors. ``They're buying a ton of homes,'' Litten told The Indianapolis Star. The buyers aren't home flippers, who flooded the market during the mortgage meltdown in 2006-08. Most intend to rent out the homes they've purchased, many of which were sold at sheriffs' sales. The more than $400 million the
investors have spent in the past year has driven down the housing vacancy rate and shored up prices, which dropped 15 percent between 2003 and 2011 but have risen nearly 2 percent since then.
plan to convert houses on his curved street to rentals will affect resale values. Neighbor Dan Ropte said he shares Stark's concern but said the California-based company offered
But it's also made some neighborhoods more of a rental market in Indianapolis, which has seen its homeownership rate drop from a high of 79 percent in 2006 to 67 percent. Christopher Stark, who bought a Noblesville house with his wife in 2004, said he is worried about how American Homes 4 Rent's
him $5,000 more for his three-bedroom house than an agent wanted to list it for. The $125,000 deal was too good to pass up, he said. ``They pay cash, and you don't have to do an appraisal,'' he said. ``And they didn't want anything fixed.'' Some mortgage brokers expressed concern that the pur-
chases could distort the market. When the investor groups decide to put their money into ``something else bright and shiny, we're going to see a false equity raise, and then the bottom's going to fall out,'' said Lucy Brenton, a mortgage broker and board member of the Central Indiana Real Estate Investors Association. Indiana's low housing prices make it an attractive market for investment groups, said Lance Rhoades, a broker-owner for the Re/Max Centerstone realty office in Hendricks County. American Homes 4 Rent, for example, has paid an average of $149,000 for its Indianapolis houses, the lowest per-home price among the eight largest markets in which it has bought houses. Rhoades called the institutional money a ``mixed blessing.'' ``It's kind of got a nasty connotation: Out-of-towners coming in and buying up properties. I've had 'em come to me and say, `I'm looking for 100 homes.' " On the other hand, Rhoades notes: ``It's not all bad because it's pushing prices up a bit.'' -AP
Mixed views on linking home loans to stage of construction MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank's decision to link disbursal of home loans with stages of construction has received a mixed reaction from the industry, as some believe the move will streamline the sector while others worry it will impact delivery of projects. "We welcome this move as it aims at protecting the interest of consumers, banks and developers simultaneously in the long
run. It will also reduce the risk of customers and banks as money won't get diverted to other projects. So, the ongoing project will not be affected," National Real Estate Developers' Council Vicepresident Sunil Mantri said. The RBI notification follows the introduction by some banks of "innovative housing loan schemes" like 80:20 and 75:25 in association with developers or builders, where upfront disbursal of housing loans is made to builders without being linked to the various stages of construction. The central bank had said such home loan products are likely to expose banks and their borrowers to additional risks. Jones Lang LaSalle Managing Director Capital Markets Shobhit Agarwal said: "This move is aimed at protecting the interest of property buyers who are not aware of the long-term financial implications of such and similar schemes. It is definitely meant to advance the cause of greater transparency
in the Indian real estate sector, and also to protect the financial institutions that provide funding in it." Parsvnath Group Chairman Pradeep Jain said: "It (RBI step) will help streamline the sector and will curb delayed deliveries of projects. This will also restrict developers from diverting the 80 per
cent of loan amount to other project. The developer will have to maintain time line for construction in order to get the next installment from bank." Criticizing RBI's decision, Amit Enterprises Housing Chairman and Managing Director Kishor Pate said: "This can prove to be yet an-
other blow to the residential real estate industry. Many developers have been banking on funds generated by these schemes to complete and deliver their projects. "Established developers with the capacity to complete projects on the basis of their own resources and traditional funding will still be able to honor their commitments to their customers. "But the shake-up that the industry is experiencing now is going to make it very hard for new entrants to gain a foothold," Pate said. CBRE South Asia Chairman and Managing Director Anshuman Magazine said: "it will disallow banks from granting loans for under-construction projects through innovative schemes, which will thus adversely affect the sale of projects where such schemes were prevalent." -PTI
September 13, 2013
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India Post News Service
zine, JINmodels.com, & JNB. South Asia Magazine revealed their latest issue with cover girl French supermodel Nabilla, who walked the red carpet and thrilled everyone with her presence. Emcee for the pageant was Director Revi Chohan and Mr India Global 2012 Sunny Tripathy who
LOS ANGELES, CA: Saleena Khamamkar and Yash Patel were crowned Miss India Globe 2013 and Mr India Globe 2013 respectively at the world pageant on August 24 at the Los Angeles Renaissance.
Yash Patel after being crowned Mr India Globe 2013
Produced by Spirit Of India, the gala was presented by Homestead and Co-Presented by Star TV, Sacramento Kings, South Asia Maga-
kept the audience enthralled and loving every moment of the show being shot by Star TV's camera crew (to be seen internationally
September 13, 2013
at a later date on Star Plus). Jinnder Chohaan, Creator of Mr & Miss India Globe, Mr & Miss India Global, Mr & Miss India America & Mr & Miss India California has built a strong reputation around the world with more than two decades in the entertainment industry, and has had winners successfully represent India in many world pageants. Jinnder hosted a private celebrity lounge which was only for celebrities and sponsors. Catering was by Spice Hollywood and Music/Sound by DJ Scorpio. A fashion show for S. Beatus designer line by Rubina Dilaik, who is known to Indian TV fans as 'Radhika' - the main character in Zee TV's 'Chotti Bahu' - was revealed to all. The gala brought awareness on Jagriti, a charity group with President Dr Parvin Syal addressing the audience on their work with domestic violence issues in the South Asian community. The Elite Awards 2013 were presented to Bollywood producer/director Kunal Kohli of Fanaa, Hum Tum fame; singer Raghav; actress Navi Rawat of Numbers, The OC fame and Hollywood producer Sunil Perkash of Salt with Angelina Jolie. The awards were given in recognition of exceptional achievement and excellence in their field and for being an inspiration to others. Highlights of the evening were when singers Anjali Dea and Raghav took the stage and excited the audience with their surprise performances. Winners for the Miss India segment included: Miss India Globe 2013 - Saleena Khamamkar; Miss India Global 2013 - Lipi Patel; Miss India America 2013 - Anisha Patel; Beauty of India 2013 - Rittika Roy; Miss India Galaxy 2013 - Dhruti Patel; Star TV People's Choice 2013 - Tulsi Shah; JINmodels.com Miss Photogenic 2013 - Faraah Mazra. In the impressive male segment the winners were: Mr India Globe
Saleena Khamamkar after being crowned Miss India Globe 2013
2013 - Yash Patel; Mr India Global 2013 - Akshay Patel; Mr India America 2013 - James Ralph; Star TV People's Choice 2013 - Akshay Patel; JINmodels.com Mr. Photogenic 2013 - James Ralph. In the Mrs. India segment, the winners were: Mrs India Global 2013 - Afsha Rangwala; Mrs India Galaxy 2013 - Shikha Mohta; Mrs India America 2013 - Zahra Patel; Star TV People's Choice 2013 Afsha Rangwala; JINmodels.com Mrs. Photogenic 2013 - Zahra Patel. Judges for the beauty pageant this year were: Bollywood Producer/Director Kunal Kohli (Fanaa, Hum Tum), singer Raghav, actress Navi Rawat (Numbers), Hollywood producer Sunil Perkash (Salt), actor Mark
Famiglietti (Terminator 3), actor Brawley Nolte (Nick Nolte's son), actor Lane Garrison (Prison Break), CEO of Bridgestreet-Sean Worker, and Hollywood writer Bill Kelly (Premonition & Enchanted). Presenter Homestead hosted a private party on August 23, where some pre-judging occurred. The awards won included: Best Smile 2013 - Sanam Desai; Best Catwalk 2013 - Pavan Basra; Best Hair 2013 -Karishma Patel; Best Eyes 2013 Tulsi Shah and Best Fresh Face 2013 - Shivani Gupta. Spirit Of India's next show is this month on September 29, Mr/ Miss/Mrs India North America 2013 in the San Francisco area with actress/model Lisa Ray and other celebrities, plus hosted by Indrani Pal-Chaudhari.
Raghav crowning Anisha Patel Miss India America 2013
September 13, 2013
India Post 35 www.indiapost.com
Tale of two 2 women & 2 Indias India Post News Service
T
he World Before Her is a tale of two Indias. In one, Ruhi Singh is a small-town girl competing in Bombay to win the Miss India pageant-a ticket to star-
dom in a country wild about beauty contests. In the other India, Prachi Trivedi is the young, militant leader of a fundamentalist Hindu camp for girls, where she preaches violent resistance to Western culture, Christianity and Islam. Moving between these diver-
gent realities, the film creates a lively, provocative portrait of the world's largest democracy at a critical transitional moment - and of two women who hope to shape its future. Nisha Pahuja's The World Be-
fore Her, winner of the World Documentary Award at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, has its national broadcast premiere on Monday, Sept. 16 at 10 p.m. (check local listings) on the award-winning PBS documentary series POV (Point of View). The film will stream
on POV's website, www.pbs.org/ pov/worldbeforeher, from Sept. 17Oct. 16, 2013. The film is a co-presentation with the Center for Asian American Media. Winning the Miss India title means instant stardom, a lucrative career path and freedom from the constraints of a patriarchal society. "I think of myself as a very modern young girl and I want freedom," says Ruhi, who is from Jaipur in northern India. For women in her world, a beauty pageant is a road to liberation. In the city of Aurangabad, about 200 miles from Bombay, thousands of girls attend annual camps run by Durga Vahini, the women's wing of the largest Hindu nationalist group in India. At its camps for girls, to which the crew of The World Before Her gained firsttime access, its young charges are taught a combination of Hindu femininity and fighting skills. "We are trying to save ourselves," says Prachi. "The Hindu movement is life for me." In one of the film's remarkable twists, it turns out that beauty queens and Hindu fundamentalists have something in common. Approximately 750,000 girls are electively aborted every year and an unknown number are killed at birth in India. But Prachi's father had chosen to save her and raise her as his only child. And Miss India of 2009, now a star, had been saved from infanticide only because her mother had walked out on her husband. This reality is shared by girls and women on both sides of the divide between tradition and modernity. "I have been going to India for nearly 15 years and the more time I spend there, the more I realize that what India does best is teach," says writer/director pro-
ducer Nisha Pahuja. "It forces one to see that assumptions are never safe and nothing is simple. I chose to focus on the battle between tradition and 'modernity,' fundamentalism and capitalism and how this plays out on the bodies of women. In some ways, what hangs in the balance is not just the future of women in this country but the very future of the country itself." Nisha Pahuja, Writer/Director/ Producer, was born in New Delhi, India, and grew up in Toronto. She started off as a researcher for some of Canada's brightest documentary talents, including John Walker and Ali Kazimi. She cowrote and directed Diamond Road, a three part series on the
global diamond trade for ZDF/ Arte, TVO, Discovery Times and History Television. Diamond Road received the 2008 Gemini award for best documentary series. Pahuja's Bollywood Bound, about a quartet of Indo-Canadians who travel to India to make it big in Bollywood, screened at numerous film festivals and was widely telecast around the world. It was the closing night film at Hot Docs 2001 and was nominated for a Gemini in 2002. The multi-award winning The World Before Her is her third film. It was selected as the opening night documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012 and has since been selected by more than 100 festivals worldwide.
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NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Sep 14
• Hariharan Live In Concert In NJ
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• DJ Aqeel Live - The Official Black Out Party
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Upcoming
Upcoming
Sat, Sep 14 • Ballet Folklorico Mexicano Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont CA Time: 8:00 pm Contact: (510) 659-6031
Sun, Sep 14 • A Classical Concert by Kaushiki Chakrabarty Venue: Duarte Performing Arts Center, 1401 Highland Ave, Duarte, CA 91010 Time: 7:00 pm
• Amjad Ali Khan – Live in Concert
Sun, Sep 15
Contact:
Venue: North Brunswick Township High School Auditorium, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 04:00 pm Contact: 817-781-6869
Venue: Hyatt Regency Long Island, 1717 Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY 11788 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 516-849-5330
Sat, Sep 14 • Pratham Dandiya Charity
Tue, Sep 17 • Free Job Fair Open To The Community Venue: San Leandro Library 300 Estudillo Ave. San Leandro, CA 94577 Time: 11am-2pm Wabsite: www.tricitiesonestop.com
Sat, Sep 28 • Sef Dandia 2013 Venue: Kellogg Gym, 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 Time: 8:00 pm Contact:714-587-7466
626-840-7898
Sat, Sep 21
• India Fest Utsav 2013
Event Venue: Kellogg Gym, 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA 91768 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 714-267-0076
Sun, Sep 15 • Flamenco Music, Arturo Martinez - Spanish Guitar Venue: Ferguson Library Auditorium One Public Library Plaza, Stamford, CT 06904 Time: 2:30 to 4:00 wabsite: www.fergusonlibrary.org
Fri, Sep 27 • Lata's Voice Klose To My Soul - A Musical Evening Venue: Haveli Indian Cuisine, 17221 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 562-869-9009
• Dharma Yoga Fest 2013 Venue: Excelsior High School Grounds, 15711 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 650-215-8484
ATLANTA Upcoming Fri, Sep 20 • Playback Singers with Lakshman Sruthi in Atlanta Venue: Forsyth Conference Center, 3410 Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Cumming, GA 30041 Time: 6:30 pm Contact: 4048049912
Sat, Sep 21 • Guest House ,Gujarati Natak Venue: Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta, at Sardar Patel Bhavan, 5331 Royal Woods Pkwy, Tucker, GA 30084 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 404-401-4404
ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month 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
Fri, Sep 20 • Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2013 Venue: Showplace Icon Theater:, 150 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60605 Time: 10:00 am
Fri, Sep 20 • Tribute to First Super Star Rajesh Khaana Venue: Des Plaines Theater, 1476 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016 Time: 5:30 pm Contact: 630-913-6660
41 India Post
S
underbans, the world's largest estuarine forest and delta covered by mangrove forests and vast saline mud flats is situated on the lower end of Gangetic West Bengal. A land of 54 tiny islands, criss-crossed by innumerable tributaries of the Ganges that was once infested by Arakanese and Portuguese pirates is now the abode of varied flora and fauna population. Sunderbans is bound on the west by river Muriganga and on the east by rivers Harinbhahga
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and Raimangal. Other major rivers flowing through this ecosystem are Saptamukhi, Thakurain Matla and Gosaba. Unlike other wildlife parks, where roads, jeeps and guides provide a semblance of control, here visitors will find themselves holding their breath and stiffening to a state of alertness as their boats glide through the creeks and rivulets, bordered with primeval mangrove forest sheltering the most unimaginable dangers in its impenetrable undergrowth. A unique region where there are no borders to divide fresh
September 13, 2013
from saline water, river from sea. With a little luck one may experience a salt water Crocodile sunbathing in the mud; a flash in the corner of your eye could be deer running into the forests. Most famously, however, this protected area is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. There are strategically placed watch towers from which, fortunate travelers may get the opportunity to observe the regal beast in its natural surroundings, a thrill that can only be experienced first-hand. Incidentally, these watch towers may be reached only through corridors covered in protective net fencing. You can explore the wildlife of Sunderbans that harbors jungle cats, fishing cats, axis deer, wild boar, rhesus monkeys, mongooses and the largest estuarine crocodiles in the world. Sunderbans is the breeding ground of immense variety of birds like heron, egret, cormorant, fishing engle, white bellied sea eagle, seagul, tern, kingfisher as well as migratory birds like whimprel, blacktailed godwit, little stint, eastern knot, curlew, sandpiper, golden plover, pintail, white-eyed pochard and also whistling teal. Cont’d on page 42
42
India Post
Travel & Hospitality Post
September 13, 2013
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SUNDERBANS
Unique region with no division between river & sea Cont’d from page 41
Come and discover wide variety of aquatic and reptile life forms that include Olive Ridley sea turtle, hardshelled Batgur Terrapin, pythons, King Cobra, Chequered Killback, monitor and lizards including the Salvator lizards. Sunderbans is characterized by the Sundari trees that give the mangrove their name. These trees hold together the small islands of mud, on which they grow, with their roots. Nevertheless, with each incoming tide, the greyish brown silt looses itself to water seamlessly. Sunderbans consists
of a large flora population like genwa, dhundal, passur, garjan and kankra. Apart from these trees, impenetrable goran trees be-
tween 1.8 meters and 3.6 meters high cover almost the entire region. One of the most remarkable features of this place is the bayonet like roots of mangrove forests that stick out above the water level. Nature apart, if you want to feel the essence of spirituality then this is the place to be. A place famous for Ma Bonobibi (the goddess of
the forest) to Shiber Kumir (Lord Shiva's crocodile) or from Dakshinaroy (an ogre, the ancestor of all tigers) to Kapil Muni (an incarnation of Vishnu). UNIQUENESS OF SUNDARBANS FOREST Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve was constituted by Government of
India (GOI) in 1989 and it received the recognition of UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program in November, 2001. Sunderbans National Park, forming the core area of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, received recognition as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Cont’d on page 43
September 13, 2013
Travel & Hospitality Post
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Kerala to develop tourism as global brand KOCHI: Kerala government was making efforts to develop the state tourism as a global brand in the domestic and international market, Chief Minister Ooman Chandy said here. "Our vision is that tourism should become vibrant and signifi-
cant contributor to the development of the state. We are working on developing Kerala tourism as global brand in the domestic and international market," Chandy said in his inaugural address at the 29th Indian Association of Tour Opera-
tors conference here. The state would also focus on providing training on quality human resources through training institutes of tourism and hospitality, he said. Pointing that Kerala was open to investment in tourism sector,
Chandy said priority would be given to small and medium investments. The chief minister said that there was need to find ways of knowing needs of the tourists and create product and services based on that knowledge.
Goa incentive to airlines to fight rising airfares PANAJI: In a bid to arrest slump in arrivals and insulate itself from rising airfares during the upcoming tourist season, the Goa government has decided to offer incentives to all airlines refueling themselves in the beach destination. Chief Mini s t e r Manohar Parrikar said the state has a l r e a d y slashed Value Added Tax (VAT) on Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) refueled in the state from 22 percent to mere 12.5 per cent. "Further we are in the process of drafting a scheme wherein the frequently flying airlines will get refund up to five percent of VAT on ATF from the 12.5 per cent. So it would be economical for airlines to refuel the aircraft in Goa," he said. The rising airfare has become a major concern for the tourism industry which fears that it may contribute to the slump in arrivals. Media reports indicated that
some of the domestic flights will hike their tickets by 25-30 per cent due to rise in ATF pricings. But the state government has said that the rise has been pre-empted due to incentives offered for the airline companies. "The airline companies which
fly more frequently will get refund of VAT on ATF. The more the flights the more would be the benefit. This means they will get more passengers in the state," Parrikar reasoned. The scheme for the same is being drafted and it will be notified by October-November this year when tourist season starts, he said. The state government has also announced a scheme of refunding VAT on goods purchased.-PTI
"We must keep novel ways to keep the tourists interest alive and make them visit a destination again and again," he said. Union Ministers K V Thomas, K C Venugopal, state tourism minister A P Anilkumar, IATO president Subash Goel, additional Di-
rector, Tourism, Usha Sharma and Kerala tourism secretary Suman Billa were among those who delivered speeches at the conference. About 1,500 delegates from all over the country participated in the three-day conference. -PTI
Travel cos in Goa fear slump in tourism PANAJI: Even as Goa's tourism industry is waiting to start this year's tourist season with the arrival of the first international chartered flight mid-October, the travel companies feel that the lack of infrastructure at the airport might be a dampener this season. The first chartered flight to Goa will arrive from Moscow (Russia) on October 16. Pegasus Chartered flight will be the first one (this year) to land at state's lone Dabolim airport, Ernest Dias, Executive member of Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) told PTI here. The state Tourism Department has painted a rosy picture claiming a 15 per cent rise in the tourist arrivals and subsequent growth in the chartered flight arrivals. However, the tour and travel companies handling the chartered flights claim that the existing facilities at Dabolim airport, combined with the developments in the international airlines front will cause a slump in the flight arrivals in the state. -PTI
SUNDERBANS Unique region with no division between river & sea
Cont’d from page 42
It has been nominated by GOI for recognition as Ramsar Site (a wetland of international importance). Sunderbans Tiger Reserve was constituted by GOI under Project Tiger scheme, in 1973. Sunderbans is the only mangrove forest in the world which is the home of Tigers. Sunderbans Tiger Reserve has the highest tiger population in the world. ECOSYSTEM Sunderbans has extremely rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Sunderbans's highly productive ecosystem acts as a natural fish nursery. Sunderbans mangrove reduces the fury of cyclonic storm and prevents erosion due to tidal action. Finally, millions of people depend on Sunderbans ecosystem for their livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and fuelwood/timber. TOPOGRAPHY & SOIL Geologically, the Sunderbans delta is the largest prograding delta on the globe. The region is covered solely by quaternary sediments carried and deposited by the rivers Ganges, Matla & Bidyadhari. CLIMATEAND RAINFALL Although the region is situated south of the Tropic of Cancer, the temperature is equable due to its proximity to the sea. Average annual maximum temperature is around 35 C. Average annual rainfall is 1920 mm. Average humidity is about 82% which is more or less uniform throughout the year. PEOPLE OF THE SUNDERBANS The people of this area are unique in their occupation and lifestyle, faiths, rituals and beliefs - farmers, fishermen, wood collectors, honey collectors and poachers. Sunderbans represents a society that is primarily agricultural. The people live in villages adjoining forests which is the home of tigers. For survival, these people
have to fight with nature day in and day out. The hardships of daily existence have given rise to fraternal feelings and non-communal traditions. Members of both Hindu and Muslim communities worship the same gods and goddesses. The two most famous among them are Dakshin Ray and Banabibi. Dakshin Ray is worshiped as the God of Tiger and all those who enter the forests for subsistence, worship Dakshin Ray irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. Banabibi, on the
other hand, is considered as the protector of the inhabitants of the forests. She is popular both amongst Hindus and Muslims. HOW TO REACH Sunderbans is accessible by air, rail and road via Kolkata. But, as the entire place is a network of river tributaries, you have to take boat ride to visit the remote areas of the park. Boat is the best bet to explore the park extensively. International Airport: Kolkata Airport: nearest airport at Kolkata, at 112 km. Railways: Canning is nearest railhead (48 km). Road: Road transportation is available from Kolkata for Namkhana (105-kms), Sonakhali (100-kms), Raidighi (76-kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92-kms), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways.
In Brief Plea hearing set in immigrant smuggling case JACKSON, Miss.: A change of plea hearing has been rescheduled for Sept. 24 for a naturalized U.S. citizen charged in Mississippi with transporting two Chinese immigrants who were in the United States illegally. A criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Jackson alleges the immigrants went from China to Hong Kong to Honduras. The complaint says they traveled through Mexico and crossed the border near Laredo, Texas. Court records say Ming Che Chen picked them up in Texas and was taking them to New York when a deputy stopped him on Interstate 20 in Rankin County. Ming was arrested after all three were questioned. He previously pleaded not guilty. The hearing is scheduled to take place in U.S. District Court in Jackson. A previously scheduled plea change hearing in July was postponed. -AP
NYC school former employees accused of sex attacks NEW YORK: A former assistant principal of a Brooklyn high school has been accused of raping a former student after threatening to report her to immigration authorities. The report released by the office that investigates misconduct at New York City schools also says a former employee of an after-school program at the same school forced another student to perform oral sex on him. The report alleges repeated incidents of sexual abuse at Progress High School for Professional Careers starting in 2009. It follows an earlier probe by the same office accusing William Abreu, a former assistant principal at the school of making inappropriate sexual remarks and propositioning a 15-year-old student. According to the report by the special commissioner of investigation for city schools, Abreu hired a 17-year-old graduate of the school to perform clerical work in 2009 and paid her in cash. The report says Abreu knew the girl lacked documents to live and work in the United States legally. It says he told her at one point, ``If you don't allow me to touch you I will have to call immigration.'' It says he raped her and abused her sexually during the month she worked for him. -AP
Immigration 44 India Post
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September 13, 2013
Don't lose focus on Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Details on page 46
AAPI wants medical graduates to be fast-tracked for Green Cards WASHINGTON: An influential group of Indian-American doctors have said they will approach the Congress seeking a say in the immigration reform, as they said the country was facing shortage of doctors with present mechanism. American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) the largest ethnic association of physicians in the US - has also announced to hold a symposium on health care at the Capitol Hill on September 18, in which several members of the Congress are expected to attend. "AAPI is once again in the forefront in bringing many burning health care issues facing the community at large and bringing them to the Capitol and to the US Congress," said Dr Sampat Shivangi, co-chair of AAPI Legislative Affairs Committee. "Many prominent US Congressmen and the Senators are expected to address the symposium," he said. Indian-Americans constitute less than one per cent of America's population, but they account for nine per cent of the country's doc-
tors and physicians. "The over representation of Indians in these fields (engineering, IT and medicine) is striking in practical terms; one out of seven doctors is likely to be of Indian Heritage," Forbes magazine recently wrote.
Dr Harbhajan Ajrawat, chair of AAPI Legislative Affairs Committee. As part of comprehensive immigration reform, AAPI has urged the Congress to include international medical graduates also, along with international students
The US, he said is currently experiencing a physician shortage, which will be exacerbated by retiring baby boomers, affecting thousands of patients' access to a physician and ultimately the health care they need. "The symposium will have a panel discussion on Immigration Reform and ways for AAPI members to be part of the process in the implementation of the health care reform in this country," said
graduating with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) being fasttracked for Green Cards. This proposal enables highlyskilled workers to remain in the
United States after receiving their higher education in America. Among the areas where AAPI had sought US lawmakers to support their agenda included increasing 15,000 more Residency Positions. "The millions of people who will become insured under the health system reform law will compound the issue," said Dr Jayesh Shah, AAPI president and past chair of the AMA International Medical Graduate Section. "The shortage is going to get worse with the health care reform," he said. The US, he said is currently experiencing a physician shortage, which will be exacerbated by retiring baby boomers, affecting thousands of patients' access to a physician and ultimately the health care they need. AAPI strongly supports the 'Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2013,' introduced by Congressman Joe Crowley and Senator Bill Nelson, which would provide an additional 15,000 residency positions in Fiscal Years 2015-2019, the statement said. PTI
Murthy no fan of running company based on visas MUMBAI: Amidst concerns over the visa curbs set out in the US Immigration Reform Bill, Infosys Chairman N R Narayana Murthy said Indian IT firms need to hire more locals for their onsite operations and that he is not a great fan of running a company based on visas. "Whenever the economy is not doing well in a country, it is inevitable that the unemployment levels go up. Therefore, the legislators would be concerned about jobs and therefore the countries will automatically take such decisions that may discourage outsiders from impacting the jobs in the country," he said at the ninth Motilal Oswal Global Investor Conference. He said the "correct model" for the Indian software industry is to have the US citizens and
permanent residents selling the company or doing whatever is required for interfacing with customers there. Indian IT industry had ex-
N R Narayana Murthy
pressed concerns over the visa restrictions set out in the US Im-
migration Reform Bill that could hit their business hard. "Indians should add value from within India by demonstrating their wonderful competence in software t e c h n o l o g y, " Murthy said. He added that he is "not a great fan of running any company based on visas". Infosys has already faced lawsuits on three separate occasions by its employees in the US alleging discrimination of US job applicants in favor of South Asians. The first lawsuit was by one of Infosys' American employee Jack
'Jay' Palmer who claimed he was harassed after he refused requests by the company to circumvent US visa laws. He accused Infosys of using short-term business visas instead of work visas meant for high-skilled labor. In August last year, a US court dismissed harassment charges, ruling in favor of Infosys. The second lawsuit was by Satya Dev Tripuraneni, a US citizen, who alleged harassment for blowing the whistle on the alleged visa and tax fraud issue. The latest lawsuit, filed in the US District Court in Eastern Wisconsin by Brenda Koehler on August 1, 2013, charges Infosys with engaging in "systematic, company-wide discrimination against individuals based upon their national origin". -PTI
Immigration Post
September 13, 2013
India Post 45
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UK relaxes business and education immigration rules LONDON: The UK has relaxed its immigration rules giving greater flexibility to students and businesses that employ and sponsor international migrants, a move likely to benefit Indians. According to the new rules, visitors to the UK will be allowed a short period of study or training as part of their stay. Multinational firms will be able to bring their own auditors to the UK on business visitor visas. Business visitors will also be able to do a short course of study while they are here. The changes will make the UK more attractive to international students by allowing them to take
up corporate internships after completing their degree and making it easier for graduate entrepreneurs to take up skilled jobs, an official statement said. The British Home Office also made changes to the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa system to enable employees to extend their stay without having to take a language test. The ICT route is already well regarded with business customers describing it is "the most userfriendly in the world", the statement said. "The UK is open for business: we are building an immigration system that works in the national
interest and supports growth," Immigration Minister Mark Harper said.
Multinational firms will be able to bring their own auditors to the UK on business visitor visas. Business visitors will also be able to do a short course of study while they are here. The changes will make the UK more attractive to international students "Today's changes will ensure that the UK continues to attract global talent to work for British businesses and study at our
British MP quits politics over visa bond LONDON: A prominent British MP - who shot to fame when she became the youngest Member of Parliament a decade ago - has decided to quit politics over her party's increasingly toughening stance on immigration. Sarah Teather belongs to ruling coalition partner Liberal Democrats. She described party leader Nick Clegg's support for a UK Home Office plan for some immigrants, including those from India, to pay a 1,000 pounds deposit when applying for visas as the final straw that left her feeling "desolate" and "catastrophically depressed". "It was an absolutely black moment. I couldn't even move from my seat when I read it. I was so depressed I couldn't even be angry. I was utterly desolate," says the MP from Brent in north London, explaining her decision to step down from the House of Commons in 2015. Her decision to quit comes just before the Lib Dem annual conference and will come as a blow to Clegg. "Of course we are disappointed by Sarah's decision," a party spokesperson said.
The Liberal Democrats have a proud record in government, including cutting taxes for working people by 700 pounds and lifting the poorest paid out of tax altogether, helping businesses create
Sarah Teather
a million jobs; investing billions more in schools to help the poorest children and introducing radical plans for shared parental leave, the party said. "Sarah was a part of this when she served as a minister in the coalition, as well as playing a key role in ending Labor's disgraceful policy of locking up children for immigration purposes," the spokesperson added.
world-class universities," he said. "Immigration reform is working; we have tightened immigration
Sarah maintains that Clegg was "a decent bloke", but complained that he led a party that too often appeared to have lost its passion for the values that had attracted her as a teenager. "It was the moment of realizing that my own party was just as afraid of public opinion as the Labor party. Something did break for me that was never ever repaired," she said. Sarah rode a wave of anti-Iraq war sentiment in 2003 to overturn a Labor party majority of more than 13,000 at the age of 29. Following boundary changes she won the Brent Central seat in 2010 by a slim margin of 1,345 and has also been a former minister for children and families. Sarah was appointed minister for children and families in the coalition government but she lost her place in September last year to make room for the return of David Laws, who resigned over his expenses in 2010. -PTI
routes where abuse was rife, while still encouraging the brightest and the best to come to the UK." Minor changes have also been made to the Family Rules to benefit UK citizens applying to bring their Non European Economic Area spouses and children to the country as they will be given
greater flexibility. Changes to the general visit visa will enable tourists to complete training courses in topics such as English and leisure activities, the statement said. The UK is still an attractive education destination for Indians, even after a 24 per cent drop in Indian students coming to Britain was reported during the 2011-12 academic year. With the new rules, it will become easier for Arts Council-endorsed artists "with exceptional promise" to come to the UK to work rather than just those who have established themselves globally. For the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, temporary immigration measures will be in place to enable athletes, coaches and officials to take part. -PTI
PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law
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Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1
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2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659
46 India Post
Immigration Post
September 13, 2013
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Don't lose focus on Comprehensive Immigration Reform GARY ENDELMAN & CYRUS D. MEHTA
A
fter hearing about the horrific kill ing of civilians in Syria in a chemi cal weapon attack, President Obama stated: "We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried these out. And if that's so, then there need to be international consequences." The United States may resort to this military action alone, even though Britain has backed out, although France too believes that there must be a serious deterrent to
through a UN force to protect the Syrian people from future chemical weapon attacks. The United States, along with France, is attempting to assert and develop a new legal doctrine to bypass the Security Council, which is that a country can use force to protect the citizens of another country that have been killed, such as in the Syrian chemical weapon attack. They use the recent example of NATO's use of force during the Kosovo crisis in 1999 and bypassing the America will never win universal admiration Security Council in the face of a Russia as a superpower and it will make terrible veto, that premistakes, like the Iraq invasion, whose vented Milosevic from further slaughspecter still haunts us and inhibits countries tering the Albatoday from intervening in the affairs of anand which other sovereign state even in the face of an nians, resulted in his actual chemical weapon attack downfall. Today, Serbia is discourage the use of chemical weapons a member of the European Union and again. The potential use of force against Kosovo is an independent country. Kosovo another country brings up the specter of is a successful example of countries interIraq, when we went to went to war on false vening through force to stop a humanitarinformation that Saddam Hussein had weap- ian disaster. On the other hand, the world ons of mass destruction. This time it is dif- stood by when there was genocide of unferent. imaginable proportions in Rwanda. There is conclusive proof of a chemical No matter what people think, but America weapons attack, and it is sad to see images still remains the superpower and is expected of rows of bodies of innocent children, to lead the rest of the world during such a which was most likely perpetrated by the crises. America will never win universal adAssad regime in Syria. miration as a superpower and it will make Still, people are legitimately questioning terrible mistakes, like the Iraq invasion, America's role and whether it is legal for whose specter still haunts us and inhibits America to use force without a Security countries today from intervening in the afCouncil resolution. It is a foregone conclu- fairs of another sovereign state even in the sion that Russia, which is a steadfast ally of face of an actual chemical weapon attack the Assad regime, will veto any proposal in that has resulted in the slaughter of thouthe Security Council to militarily intervene sands of innocents (including 400 children)
like insects killed by pesticide. only sure guide, surely the reverse must be If America, as a superpower, continues true. From the time that Thomas Jefferson to play the role of a cop in world affairs by in the Declaration of Independence attacked virtue of its superpower status, it will have King George III for interfering with immimore moral legitimacy to do so if it embraces gration, since the first Congress enacted the people from the world through a humane Naturalization Act of 1790, our immigration and compassionate immigration system. It system has been a symbol of what kind of a is a system that allows immigrants to quickly people we are and what manner of nation integrate and become part of America re- we seek to become. gardless of their nationality, religion or The many ideological grounds of excluethnicity. sion in the 1952 Immigration Act eloquently Even though our immigration system Perhaps, no other country would have is presently broken legalized 10 million of its undocumented and does not permit all deserving people population ever, and put them on the path to become legal, towards becoming Americans. The signifiAmerica has not en cance and impact of such an mass deported its 10 million undocu- immigration measure would give America mented immigrants. more moral legitimacy The world would much rather prefer America as a superpower reflected the anxieties and prejudices of the that embraces immigration than a rising su- Cold War. The abolition of the national oriperpower such as China, which may not in gins quota in 1965, passed the same year as the same way as America. the Voting Rights Act, testified to the In the same vein, if America is trying to nation's belief in the promise of equality for develop a new international legal norm, all. The Refugee Act of 1980 was the emwhich is the right to protect people and bodiment of our continued commitment to bypass the moribund Security Council, even the preservation and promise of America as if one does not agree whether use of force a refuge for the persecuted and the opis the only way to protect, America will have pressed. more legitimacy to do that if it is still looked The Immigration Act of 1990 by tripling upon as the beacon for hope through its the number of employment-based visas and immigration system. creating the national interest waiver reflected At the dawn of the American Republic, a growing national realization that particiThomas Paine in Common Sense rightly and pation in a global economy required an enmost proudly proclaimed that "the cause of hanced readiness to accept and admit the America is in a great measure the cause of best and the brightest from all nations reall mankind." In this fateful hour of deci- gardless of nationality. An American that sion, with history and our conscience the readily embraces immigrants from around the world will be more likely to better understand the world. Therefore, while the Obama Administration and Congress are involved with Syria, they must not lose focus on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The Senate Bill, S. to North Carolina citizens,'' Jaclyn 744, which has already passed the Senate, Hirschhaut, the vice president of public will expand pathways for people to come to relations and marketing for the High Pointthe US, and will also legalize more than 10 based American Home Furnishings Allimillion people. If the House passes a similar ance, told WRAL-TV in Raleigh. version of S. 744, a reformed immigration Doug Bassett, chairman of the High system will continue to burnish America's Point Market Authority board of directors role in the world. and president of Vaughan-Bassett FurniPerhaps, no other country would have ture Co. Inc., also weighed in. legalized 10 million of its undocumented ``I am not aware of a problem,'' Bassett population ever, regardless of where they said to The High Point Enterprise. have come from, and put them on the path Sen. Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph) sugtowards becoming Americans. The signifigested in an interview with the News & cance and impact of such an immigration Record of Greensboro that McCrory was measure would give America more moral lereferring to United Furniture, a company gitimacy to speak on behalf of the world that wants to expand its manufacturing opand to seek to establish new international eration near High Point and add as many legal norms that would protect vulnerable as 600 new jobs. populations from future humanitarian disasUnited spokesman Bob Cottam deters such as the chemical weapons attack clined to comment about the governor's we witnessed in Syria. remarks or Tillman's suggestion that the Now, it is our turn to decide if our policy company was involved. abroad and our actions at home will honor ``It would be inappropriate and I will Dr. King's teaching that "the arc of history not comment on remarks purportedly made is long but it bends towards justice." by Gov. McCrory about High Point furniture manufacturers,'' Cottam said. ``Over * Cyrus D Mehta, may be conthe next several days we plan to reach out tacted at 212-425-0555 or to the governor and his staff directly.'' -AP
McCrory: Furniture industry pushed E-Verify bill RALEIGH, N.C.: North Carolina furniture makers are pushing back after Gov. Pat McCrory suggested they are behind a new law giving employers more time to verify the immigration status of workers. McCrory made the comments shortly after legislators voted to override his veto of the bill, saying manufacturing companies in such towns as High Point lobbied hard in favor of the bill because they want to hire illegal immigrants. The legislation extends from 90 days to nine months the period for an employee can work without having his or her immigration status checked against the federal E-Verify database. While backers of the bill mostly cited agricultural interests in arguing for an override of McCrory's veto, the governor suggested other industries were also involved. ``In fact, some of the manufacturers in towns like a High Point worked hard for this bill because they, frankly, want to hire illegal immigrants as opposed to North Carolina workers,'' McCrory, a Republican, said at a meeting of the N.C. Board of Education. High Point is known for its heavy concentration of furniture companies and a massive semi-annual home furnishings
trade show. Industry executives quickly spoke out about McCrory's comment, denying furniture makers want to hire workers in the United States illegally.
Gov. Pat McCrory
``I'm not aware of a preference by any home furnishings manufacturer in the High Point area for hiring illegal aliens as opposed
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Governor Cuomo makes cribs available for safety ALBANY, N.Y.: For the second straight year, New York State is offering portable cribs to families in need. It's part of the Cuomo administration's efforts to promote safe sleeping practices for infants. The Office of Children and Families Services will buy over 2,000 portable play yards that will be made available to counties and community-based programs to benefit families who can't afford to buy them. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says reports to the state show that unsafe sleep conditions are a leading cause of child deaths. Dangerous sleeping arrangements can result in suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and have caused nearly one-third of child fatalities reported in New York State since 2010. -AP
„
Chicago to pay $2M to settle discrimination suit
CHICAGO: The city of Chicago is set to pay nearly $2 million to settle a lawsuit filed by women who claimed they were denied jobs as firefighters because the department's physical fitness test discriminated against female applicants. The 138 women sued after passing a written exam but failing the physical test. The lawsuit claimed the exam tested pure physical strength, not whether a candidate was capable of doing the job. The city has since begun using a different fitness exam developed by the International Association of Firefighters. Marni Willenson, an attorney for the women, says the new test more closely simulates firefighting. ``Lots and lots of those women are not only capable of doing the job. They'll be great at it,'' Willenson told the (Chicago) SunTimes. The City Council's Finance Committee approved a $1.98 million settlement. The money will be split among 50 women who are now older than the department's age limit of 38. Some of the other women are now going through the process of being hired. The lead plaintiff in the case, Samantha Vasich, is one of the women planning to retake the test. She said she's been fit her entire life and that it was ``heartbreaking'' to come close but not pass the physical exam. She said she's going after the job again in part to teach her daughter not to
Health Science 3D video game boosts cognitive performance 50
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Teen battling cancer gets wish from foundation CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.: When Bridgett Adams came home from school August 30, she probably just expected to find her parents waiting to ask about her day. What she didn't expect was a Ferrari red baby grand piano sitting in her living room. In December, Bridgett, a 16year-old from Jackson who has Hodgkin's lymphoma, shared her wish for a red piano with the Make-A-Wish foundation. In May, Blue Bunny threw Bridgett a party to announce her wish would be granted as part of its 100 Years, 100 Wishes campaign. JoAnn Pierce, wish-granter with Make-A-Wish, said many wishes have been granted in the Southeast Missouri area, but Bridgett's red piano stood out. ``Each wish is unique, and we make the best effort we can to make each one special. But when they step out of the box with wishes like this one, we just love it,'' she said. The foundation partnered with Piano Craft, based in Springfield, Mo., to make the wish a reality.
Jim Hearn, vice president of Piano Craft, helped grant the wish. Hearn was there with Pierce to surprise Bridgett. He's been in the business for 38 years and is no stranger to granting wishes, although he admits this was a
Seoul, South Korea, and said it took them about six months to make the custom piano. ``It's custom made, just for her,'' said Hearn. ``You couldn't just walk into a store anywhere and get a Ferrari red piano like this
unique request. ``We're honored and very, very thrilled to do this,'' he said. ``We're very excited for Bridgett.'' Hearn reached out to Samick, a piano manufacturing company in
one.'' Bridgett's reaction to finding the bright red piano in her living room turned instantly from shock to tears of joy. Her wish finally had become a reality, but she said it
still felt like a dream. ``I really had no idea this was going to be here today when I got home,'' she said as she sat on the matching red bench in front of the piano. ``I couldn't have imagined this.'' Bridgett has been taking piano lessons for about a year. An active member of the Apostolic Promise Church youth ministry, she said she hoped to eventually play the piano in her church. Her parents, Winnie and Shannon Adams, said sometimes Bridgett's treatments left her too tired or sick to practice the piano, but she never gave up. Her mother Winnie Adams said, ``Church is our life,'' and the family has remained strong in their faith since Bridgett's diagnosis in May 2012. Bridgett still is working through another round of treatments, but Adams said she believes the new piano will go a long way toward inspiring her daughter to continue playing. ``This is just a dream come true,'' Adams said. ``It's so awesome.'' -AP
Long 'fingers' of heat beneath Earth discovered WASHINGTON: Scientists seeking to understand the forces at work beneath the Earth's surface have detected previously unknown "fingers" of heat, some of them thousands of miles long, in our planet's upper mantle. The discovery helps explain the "hotspot volcanoes" that give birth to island chains such as Hawaii and Tahiti. Many volcanoes arise at collision zones between the tectonic plates, but hotspot volcanoes form in the middle of the plates, researchers said. Geologists have hypothesized that upwelling of hot, buoyant rock rise as plumes from deep within Earth's mantle - the layer between the crust and the core that makes up most of Earth's volume - and supply the heat that feeds these mid-
plate volcanoes. Computer modeling approach, developed by University of Maryland seismologist Vedran Lekic and
colleagues at the University of California Berkeley, has produced new seismic wave imagery which reveals that the rising plumes are,
in fact, influenced by a pattern of finger-like structures carrying heat deep beneath Earth's oceanic plates. Seismic waves are waves of energy produced by earthquakes, explosions and volcanic eruptions, which can travel long distances below Earth's surface. As they travel through layers of different density and elasticity, their shape changes. A research team led by Scott French found finger-like channels of low-speed seismic waves flowing about 193 to 354 kilometers below the sea floor, and stretching out in bands about 1127km wide and 2253km apart.
The researchers also discovered a subtle but important difference in speed: at this depth, seismic waves typically travel about 4 to 4.8 kilometers per second, but the average seismic velocity in the channels was 4 per cent slower. Because higher temperatures slow down seismic waves, the researchers infer that the channels are hotter than the surrounding material. "We estimate that the slowdown we're seeing could represent a temperature increase of up to 200 degrees Celsius," said French, the study's lead author. At these depths, absolute temperatures in the mantle are about 1,300 degrees Celsius, the researchers said. The study was published in the journal Science Express. PTI
Health Science Post
September 13, 2013
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One change to NJ medical pot laws could be major TRENTON, N.J.: New Jersey is poised to change some of its medical marijuana regulations to ease access for sick children, and advocates say one of the measures could have a broad impact. If it gets Assembly approval, the state will no longer limit licensed dispensaries to growing three strains of cannabis. Ken Wolski, executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, said the change would allow the alternative treatment clinics to provide the types of cannabis most likely to help specific patients with varied conditions. He said research has found that various strains
help with different conditions and symptoms: Some control nausea, while others control pain or reduce convulsions. Lawmakers adopted the change in June as part of a bill inspired by children with a form of epilepsy to knock down some of the state's barriers to young patients getting marijuana. Last month, Gov. Chris Christie issued a conditional veto. He agreed to end the cap on the number of strains that growers can provide and to allow them to sell edible forms of marijuana to young patients. But the governor struck a change that would have let sick children get medical pot with the approval of just one
doctor, just like adults. Instead, they will continue to need at least two doctors -
have laws allowing medical marijuana, New Jersey is considered to have the
and in some cases, three to sign off. Of the 20 states that
strictest regulations. It has a shorter list of qualifying medical conditions than most of the other states do. It is one of few that make it tougher for qualifying children to get the drug than adults, for instance, and the only one to limit the potency of pot available. None of the other
IBM moving some retirees off its health plan
I
BM plans to move many retired workers off its health plan and give them money to buy coverage on a health-insurance exchange. The move is part
will make annual contributions to health-retirement accounts. Retirees would use the money to buy Medicare Advantage or supplemental Medigap policies
Other large employers are also moving away from retiree health benefits. American Airlines parent AMR Corp., for example, is seeking approval for the change from a federal bankruptcy court judge. of a corporate trend away from providing traditional retiree health benefits as costs rise. The company says it acted after projections showed that costs under its current plan for Medicareeligible retirees will triple by 2020 and that the increases would be paid by retirees through premiums and outof-pocket costs. An IBM spokesman said that the change will affect about 110,000 retirees who are eligible for Medicare. Under the change, IBM
through a private Medicare exchange. The change affects medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. The company is meeting with retirees around the country to explain the change. About 1,300 retirees attended the first one last week in San Jose, Calif. The next is planned in Austin, Texas. IBM acknowledged that ``some retirees may be skeptical'' about the changes. But it said the health exchange, Extend Health, will
offer benefits not now available under IBM's group plans and possibly at lower cost to retirees. Spokesman Douglas Shelton said IBM capped health subsidies to retirees in the 1990s, and so higher costs would mostly lead to higher premiums and outof-pocket costs for retirees. Other large employers are also moving away from retiree health benefits. American Airlines parent AMR Corp., for example, is seeking approval for the change from a federal bankruptcy court judge. A Kaiser Family Foundation report issued last month found that among companies with at least 200 workers, 28 percent that provide health benefits also offer retiree coverage. The study's authors said few large employers have turned over benefits for workers or retirees to private exchanges like Extend Health. But they said 29 percent of companies with at least 5,000 workers are considering it. The authors said there could be ``a significant change in the way that employers approach health benefits and the way employees get coverage, with employers playing a less active role.'' -AP
states have capped how many types of marijuana the licensed sellers can produce. Advocates have criticized the limit on strains since it was proposed three years ago, but it was the story of 2-year-old Vivian Wilson that inspired lawmakers to press to change it. The Scotch Plains girl's family says it believes her Dravet syndrome - a rare and sometimes deadly form of epilepsy - can be controlled with a strain of marijuana that is high in a compound known as CBD and low in THC, the chemical that gets users high. But with the limit on how many strains New Jersey treatment centers can offer, it appeared unlikely she would be able to get it legally in the state. But it's not just children who may benefit from having a variety of types of the drug.
``It really gives us a lot more opportunity to start strains that will help people in different ways,'' said Andrei Bogolubov, a spokesman for Compassionate Sciences, a group that hopes to open a growing facility and dispensary in Bellmawr next year. He said it also appears that combinations of strains seem to help many patients. Jahan Marcu, a Philadelphia-based scientist who plans to move to Massachusetts in coming months to run a cannabistesting lab, said lifting the limit on strains opens up the possibility of combining strains for patients in New Jersey. ``People want to tease out individual properties,'' he said. So far, only one of six dispensaries selected by the state in 2011 has opened. A second one is hoping to start serving patients this month. -AP
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SD health systems requiring 3D video game boosts staff vaccines cognitive performance SIOUX FALLS, S.D.: South Dakota's top three health systems say they will require annual flu vaccinations for all employees, health care providers and volunteers. Sanford Health, Avera Health and Regional Health said in a joint release that the decision was made to maximize patient safety and protect employees against the disease. ``Required influenza vaccination for health care workers is the right thing to do for patient safety,'' said Charles Hart, president and chief executive of Rapid Citybased Regional Health. Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease spread by droplets from coughing,
sneezing or talking. South Dakota this past winter had its highest number of flu deaths since 2004 with 37. The disease can be high risk for the elderly and young children. Pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions, health-care workers and household contacts of high risk populations are also vulnerable. Wendell Hoffman, the medical director of infection prevention and control for Sanford's Sioux Falls region, said the decision has physician support in all of Sanford's four regions. Sanford Health is based in Sioux Falls and Fargo, N.D.-AP
Worcester pharmacy to pay $1.6 million over violations WORCESTER, Mass.: Prosecutors say a Worcester pharmacy will pay $1.6 million to settle allegations that it broke state laws by automatically refilling prescription medications that were not requested by MassHealth patients. Attorney General Martha Coakley says AllCare Pharmacy has agreed to return $1.6 million to Massachusetts state coffers and be subject to additional reporting requirements to ensure that it complies with state
laws in the future. The attorney general's office said that the settlement is the first case in the state to crackdown on a pharmacy that automatically refills prescriptions for MassHealth members. Authorities alleges automatic refill programs cause MassHealth patients to obtain medications far in excess of what was used or needed, leading to wasted government resources. -AP
WASHINGTON: A specially designed 3D video game can reverse some of the negative effects of ageing on the brain and improve cognitive performance in older adults, a new study suggests. In the game developed by researchers at University of California, San Francisco, participants race a car around a winding track while a variety of road signs pop up. Drivers are instructed to keep an eye out for a specific type of sign, while ignoring all the rest, and to press a button whenever that particular sign appears. The need to switch rapidly from driving to responding to the signs multitasking generates interference in the brain that undermines performance. The researchers found that this interference increases dramatically across the adult lifespan. But after receiving just 12 hours of training on the game, spread over a month, the 60- to 85-year-old study participants improved their performance until it surpassed that of 20-somethings who played the game for the first time. The training also improved the participants' performance in two other important cognitive areas: working memory and sustained attention. And participants maintained their skills at the video game six months after the training had ended. "The finding is a powerful example of how plastic the older brain is," said Adam Gazzaley, UCSF associate professor of neu-
rology, physiology and psychiatry and director of the Neuroscience Imaging Center. Gazzaley said his game, NeuroRacer, does more than any ordinary game - be it bridge, a crossword puzzle, or an off-theshelf video game - to condition the brain. Like a good teacher, he said, NeuroRacer undermines people's natural tendency to go on automatic pilot once they've mastered a skill, and pushes them further than
they think they can go. Gazzaley said it's encouraging that even a small amount of brain training can reverse some of the age-related decline. Gazzaley's group found evidence of a possible brain mechanism that may explain the improvements he saw in his older subjects, and why these gains transferred to other cognitive areas. Electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings point to changes in a neural network involved in cognitive control, which is necessary to pursue goals, researchers said. The study was published in the journal Nature. -PTI
NV woman arrested in fundraising hoax MESQUITE, Nev.: A 36-year-old woman has been arrested in southern Nevada on suspicion of trying to collect money by lying that one of her five children was suffering from a malignant form of liver cancer. Shawnanna Starr Flores of Mesquite, 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, was arrested on felony charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, fraud, theft and child abuse. Flores is accused of falsely stating that a 7-year-old son had a liver cancer known as Hepatoblastoma. The Spectrum of St. George, Utah, reports a benefit car wash on Aug. 24 raised $404 to benefit the child and a garage sale netted an undisclosed amount of money. In addition, a fund was established for
the youth at Wells Fargo Bank and money jars were placed in businesses around Mesquite. Police say Flores was booked into the Mesquite jail and was to be taken to the Clark County jail in Las Vegas sometime over the weekend. Investigators say future fundraisers were scheduled in Mesquite to assist the child, and the case came to light when organizers of one of them dropped him from the list of beneficiaries after Flores failed to provide documentation of her son's liver cancer. The Spectrum reports Flores and her family shaved their heads in support of the boy who they claimed was losing his hair because of chemotherapy. -AP
Philosophy
September 13, 2013
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Page Sponsored by Sahanis ANAGARIKA DHARAMPALA
T
he Bhikkhu who does not observe the precepts and leads an unworthy immoral life is called a `Samana preta' which means a dead ghost and he is also called a 'mahacora ' great thief. The bad upasaka is called 'upasaka chandala'. The duty of a good Bhikkhu is to study the Dhamma, to attend to the daily duties in connection with the worship of the Buddha, to keep the arama 'temple premises' clean, to get his food by begging, to practice kammatthana for the development of his psychic faculties and for the attention of passions. He has to observe the disciplinary rules of perfect conduct: has to control his sense organs in walking, standing, sitting, lying down, moving from place to place, and to cultivate attentiveness coupled with wisdom in every act he does. He has to observe the rules of perfect livelihood in order to get his food (ajiva parisuddhasila) : and make strenuous effort to prevent sinful thoughts arising, to create good thoughts and to fertilize them, he has to resolve that either he shall die in the battle field of psychical progress or conquer and avoid all passionate and sensual longings : cast off all angry thoughts and hatred : not let the mind become indolent and slothful, and his perceptions weak : nor VINITA DUBEY PANDEY
H
ere's how Swami Tejomayananda explains Dharma: When we try to please ourselves or others we tend to compromise on our values. However; we should choose the right thing to do, and that often requires sacrifice. That's Dharma. Here are a few meanings of Dharma: 1. The absolute meaning as mentioned above is that which integrates, upholds, sustains. Adharma, unrighteousness, is that which divides, disintegrates, and creates conflict. 2. It brings integrity within us the integration of mind and intellect. Even though we know what's the right thing to do we often do the opposite. This creates problems. That which integrates the family is Dharma, and that which divides the family is Adharma. Dharma integrates the community, the world. That which leads to prosperity as well as peace and happiness is in line with Dharma. If there's only prosperity, comfort, power without peace and happiness, then it will lead to problems. 3. When something brings faith and devotion in the divine, know that to be in accordance
let restlessness and skepticism have control over him. His mind must not dwell on any other subject outside his special psychical field of activity. He should practice wakefulness by sleeping only four hours during night that is from ten o'clock to two o'clock in the morning and from two o'clock in the morning to use the cloister. Cleanliness is absolutely necessary for the psychical student.
must not touch gold or silver, nor be attached to his residence, his patrons, his clan, and he must not hesitate to impart knowledge to others. He must be always contented with whatever food he gets and be ready to share it with other Bhikkhus. DUTIES OF A LAYMAN Now the duties of a layman are to take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, the Buddha
residences and medicines. He should visit the Bhikkhus and listen to the Dhamma. He must not engage in unrighteous occupations, viz. trading in flesh, intoxicants, living beings, murderous weapons and poisons. He has to contribute to the welfare of his relations, show hospitality to strangers. He should visit the temple and pay worship to the Bodhi tree and the Relic Stupa, and on sabbath days observe the
Bhikkhu leading immoral life is called dead ghost
Anagarika Dharampala
Cleanliness is absolutely necessary for the psychical student. The Lord Buddha emphasizing cleanliness declared that the observance of cleanliness is the fulfillment of the law of the Buddha.
The Lord Buddha emphasizing cleanliness declared that the observance of cleanliness is the fulfillment of the law of the Buddha. Physical cleanliness is a corollary to mental purity. If the oil is impure, and the wick not trimmed and lamp full of dirt the light could not be bright. Dirty nails, unkempt hair, ill-smelling clothes, unclean seat are hindrances to psychical progress. The object of the Bhikkhu life is to preserve the perfect life of Brahmacariyam. Renunciation is the law of the Bhikkhu's life. He
as the supreme one above all gods and lords and the Dhamma as the supreme one above all gods and lords and the Dhamma as verifiable Truth, and the Sangha as the brotherhood of holy Bhikkhus without evil and sin. Upasaka has to observe most scrupulously, the five observances of non-destruction, non-stealing, non-sensuality, non-lying and nonintoxication. He must get rid of superstitions, avoid worship of false gods: take care of holy Bhikkhus by helping them with robes, food,
eight precepts. The Blessed One made no distinction of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, upasakas and upasikas. The consummation of the Brahmachariya life was not only for the Bhikkhu and the Bhikkhunis, but also for upasakas and upasikas. The door to Nibbana is open to all. Excerpted from Maha Bodhi Journal, Vol. 27. The 149th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharampala will be observed on Sept 17.
with Dharma. If you protect Dharma then Dharma will protect you. Like the law of the land protects one who abides by law. How do you determine what is Dharma, what is right at a certain time and in a particular situation? What is said in the ancient scriptures is Dharma. If you haven't read them then learn them
would do in your life, regardless of money and salary, what would it be? Of course it can also be done in addition to earning a living. Know your nature, your unique talents and personality. Someone may be born to be an architect, a surgeon, perhaps a meditation teacher, political leader, trader or carpenter. Each one has a unique role we have come to play in this
doing what you're here to do once you gain a vision of what it is. Pursuits not in line with your SwaDharma, your nature, your purpose for being here, will not bear fruit, will not bring fulfillment, even if they bring material success. The moment you gain a clear vision of your purpose and align with it, the forces of nature will flow through, and support you.
What does Dharma mean for you and me? Pursuits not in line with your SwaDharma, your nature, your purpose for being here, will not bear fruit, will not bring fulfillment, even if they bring material success. from the learned and the wise. Also, listen to your conscience. It will tell you whether something is right or wrong. While the scriptures such as the Vedas and the Bhagavat Gita instruct and teach us on Dharma, the Ramayana demonstrates the application of Dharma. Dharma as Purpose of Life If you had to choose what you
theater. Amazingly we may have played this role over several life times, because it's the nature of our soul, our core competency. In addition to the role we play here, the ultimate purpose of life for all of us is Moksha (enlightenment). It's a tragedy to end life without finding this fulfillment, without knowing and living your Dharma. It's a tragedy not to start
Every man is a divinity in disguise, a god playing the fool. -Ralph Waldo Emerson A great man knows he is not God, and the greater he is the better he knows it. That is the paradox; everything that is merely approaching to that point is merely receding from it. -G.K. Chesterton [Man] is ... a living plume of fire, raying out upon the world the Divine Love which fills his heart. -Jiddu Krisnamurti Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. -Khalil Gibran Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance. -Rabindranath Tagore
Dharma Wheel
Dharma will do the work for you, and you will not be the doer. Life will become self-organizing, selfactualizing and finally you'll find fulfillment. You will smile a true smile, and know true happiness. Life will become a dance, a celebration. You will sing from your heart. The sun, moon, and creation will celebrate your presence! So ask yourself, "Why am I here?"
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things. -Rainer Maria Rilke
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End of American hegemony: Iran, North Korea & now, Syria
India Post
D SUBA CHANDRAN
T
he Obama administration, after failing in Iraq and later in Afghanistan, today is itching to carry out military strikes against Syria. In the contemporary world, especially during the last two decades, American foreign policy has been met with a series of failures, starting from Iran and North Korea. Is this the end of American hegemony? If it is indeed, what does this mean for global stability and international order? Who is likely to, perhaps more importantly, who should fill the void, which is being created with the American decline? First, a short note on the ongoing debate on the current crisis in Syria. There are adequate reports to prove that the chemical weapons have been indeed used in Syria against the population. The argument - that Syria has not violated any international norms by using chemical weapons, or has not threatened to use against another country, in this case the US, may have a legal position, but is against any moral and political norms, that have been widely accepted by the international community and the institutions including the United Nations and the International Court of Justice. The primary focus of this commentary is not about Syria but about the declining power of an international hegemon, and its fallout on the global order. Undoubtedly, after the demise of the Soviet Union and the end of Cold War, the US has become the sole super power and an international hegemon since the 1990s. No country has wielded the military superiority in the history of world, which the US has now. Not only the US has been sole super power, but also has been investing in military technology and has been leading the race. Look at the nuclear weapons, ICBMs, aircraft carriers and now the precision personified drones. Clearly, the US is a generation ahead of other States that could be even considered as a potential contender, including China. Besides the military superiority, the US also has substantial political clout at the international level. It has been successful in bulldozing other institutions - both the UN and the NATO to pursue its strategy. But has the US succeeded today in converting this military and political superiority in the last two decades to achieve the desired results? Is that not what a hege-
mon is supposed to do - converting its political and military superiority to coerce an outcome, irrespective of the resistance? The American record in this regard in the recent decades has been far from even satisfactory. Consider the cases of Iran, North Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the 1980s, the US has used all possible strategies to make a regime change in Iran. The economic sanctions and the UN resolutions have not been sufficient to cause any damage in Iran which is continuing its pursuit of nuclear weapons and there is a strong pressure on the US to engage Teheran rather than isolating it. There is no indication, that the new President of Iran is likely to make any decisive U-turn in his country's objective to build nuclear weapons. North Korea perhaps is the biggest failure in terms of any decisive American foreign policy. Thanks to the presence of nuclear weapons, the US today is afraid
cance? Are Iraq and Afghanistan any better today, than before the American invasions? The answer should be an emphatic no. Why then is Obama is itching to strike Syria? Why then there is so much of rubbish being produced in the American media that something needs to be done to avoid future Syrias? Perhaps, Obama sees Syria as "doable" visa-vis North Korea and Iran. In military terms, Syria stands no chance against the US; and that shows the decline of American military strength - to target a weak opponent and keep away from States such as North Korea. Such a selective target will only increase the resolve of States like Iran to possess nuclear weapons. The era of American hegemony is on the decline. But the bigger question is, what next? Will an American decline help the evolving international order? Despite all the criticisms, the US is a great democratic society and many within believe in shared values.
Hundreds died in the alleged chemical attacks including many women and children in Syria
of opening any military front visa-vis Pyongyang. Rather, the US is expecting China to handle the issue and keep North Korean military interests and pursuits within an acceptable framework. However, North Korea is unlikely to denuclearize. More than Iran and North Korea, perhaps Iraq and Afghanistan should be considered as the biggest foreign policy failures for the US. While the American Presidents from George Bush, the senior to Obama today did not want to militarily interfere in North Korea and Iran, cutting cross the party lines in the US, there has been an approval for the American strategies towards Iraq and Afghanistan. But, what has been the American score card in these two countries, where there were no nuclear weapons, or any weapons of substantial military signifi-
The "American dream" within is worth emulating in every country, in terms of ideals, aspirations and delivery institutions. China, the distant contender is no way closer to any domestic emulation in terms of an internal model and ideal. It is in this context - a declining hegemon with no contender, there should be a sincere push to increase the faith in multilateral institutions and global norms. In fact, the US has to lead this initiative, in terms of building international norms and institutions acceptable to every one; that would be the greatest American contribution to a "global dream". Will the US realizes its relative decline, yet the potential to shape an international structure, and perhaps make the greatest American contribution to international history? The writer is Director, IPCS
Age of Money
B
est selling Indian novelist Amish Tripathi is a thought leader for the youth of today. In an age when the BJP has made a mess of the appeal of Hinduism, he comes across as gleaning the wisdom of Indian scriptures and presenting it in a modern, palatable interpretation which can be tested as practical for all religions. In his latest column in Hindustan Times, he claims we are now living in the Age of Money (Age of Vaishya or the Trader as per Indian scriptures). The other three Ages being Age of Brahmin where importance was given to Knowledge; Age of Kshatriya which is prominent for triumph of violence and the Age of Shudra in which individualism is said to become prominent. Amish claims we have just crossed the Age of Kshatriya where violence was the main instrument for change. Hereafter violence is not going to produce results that it did previously when warriors were feted. Today it is money which talks and produces best results. It can be argued that there are people today who go all out in making money and in the process trample under foot rights and feelings of others. They amass money at the cost of others. There is a theory in economics of bad money driving out good money. For example, ordinary house owners in Delhi who toiled the whole life to be able to build a house for themselves in a good colony, are now being offered indecent amounts to sell and make way for those who have amassed a great deal by hook or crook. Is that what Amish is advocating? No. He says as in the Age of Violence, there were dharmic warriors who fought with a code, "believing their mission was to protect the weak. But there were also adharmic warriors, who used their skill to harm innocents. Similarly today, there are dharmic money-makers and adharmic money makers." Recently, India's security agencies have been successful in apprehending Pakistan-aided terrorists Abdul Karim 'Tunda' and Yasin Bhatkal who carried out bomb blasts at public places killing and maiming innocents and destroying property against which they had no quarrel. Terrorism is not working any longer because it is "adharmic." It does not enjoy public support. Tunda, the Lashkar bomb-maker was also a ring leader of the fake currency racket which Pakistan uses to harm the Indian economy. During interrogation he revealed the name and modus operandi of the Pakistan-based top boss of the fake Indian currency notes racket. Under the cover of trading in garments and cosmetics, Lahore-based Iqbal Kana, he said, is being run by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan and is sourcing his supplies from currency forging centers in Peshawar and Lahore. A police source said that without top-level support, it's not possible to produce such high-quality counterfeit notes, which often fool experts. This reveals that Pakistan, which lives by violence, has also realized that without money it cannot run its terrorist operations in India. But it is once again "adharmic' use of money and it will not bring much benefit to that country. What about the wide misuse of money that currently takes place in India? Amish also asks, "Can money lead to damage sometime? Yes. But then so could violence in the Age of Kshatriya, knowledge in the Age of Brahmin, or individualism in the Age of Shudra. It is not money itself that causes harm, but our reaction to it." What is then his recipe for India? He wants us to sacrifice our hypocrisy about money and accept the rules of this age. "Those who preach that money is impure and capitalism is evil, are being as irresponsible as those who preached non-violence in the Age of Violence…we should celebrate our dharmic money makers, like societies in the Age of Violence celebrated their great warriors…We must understand that even when knowledge or violence is used today, its likelihood of success increases when backed by money."
September 13, 2013
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September 13, 2013