India Herald 111214

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VOL . 20 NO. 46 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • P.O. BOX 623 • SUGAR LAND, TX 77487 • PERIODICAL PERMIT USPS 017-699 25 Cents

Sikh woman scores victory Marathi play in aid of building project in ritual dagger case

Former Houston IRS worker Kawaljeet Tagore and the U.S. government last week reached an agreement in a lawsuit stemming from the Sikh woman’s dismissal for insisting on wearing a 3-inch ceremonial dagger sacred to her faith to work.

The settlement announced Nov. 6 expunges Tagore’s firing from her record, allows her to enter federal buildings with the blade for a period of three years and awards her lawyers $400,000 for fees and expenses.

Tagore, 41, will be barred from seeking re-employment with the IRS, but may seek work with other federal agencies.

She currently works as a self-employed tax consultant

Kirpan Left, Kawaljeet Tagore and filed the lawsuit in 2009.

Houston lawyer Scott Newar, who worked with attorneys from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said the case prompted Federal Protective Services to acknowledge for the first time that wearing the blade, known as a “kirpan,” is protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In the settlement, the agency, which oversees security in federal buildings, agreed to educate its employees about the kirpan’s significance.

This week’s settlement grew out of a trial ordered by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which last year partially reversed a lower court’s summary judgment dismissing Tagore’s lawsuit.

See DAGGER, Page 7

Princess Durga (Isha Dighe), with King and Queen (Arnav Moharir and Sai Bapat) and Alisha Swadi (left, who plays Durga’s friend) in Houston Maharashtra Mandal’s presentation of the play, Durga Zali Gauri, on Saturday, Nov 8, to raise funds for HMM’s Vastu project. See Page 3 Photo: Rajesh Thatte.

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All eyes are turned skywards as students at University of Texas-Austin watch the Diwali fireworks, organized by the Hindu Students Association. Story on Page 13.

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 3

COMMUNITY NEWS On November 8, 2014, more than 600 attendees at Cullen Performance Hall experienced a spellbinding performance of the Marathi Classic, Durga Zali Gauri, presented by over 60 children and adults of Houston’s Maharashtrian Community. Durga Zali Gauri is the story of the transformation of ‘Durga’, a stubborn and pampered princess, into ‘Gauri,’ a hard-working helper of the community. The performance was attended by renowned Marathi actors Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar. Sachin, who is very familiar to all Maharashtrians, started out as a child actor, went on to become a lead actor in Hindi and Marathi films and now produces and directs movies and TV programs.

Durga Zali Gauri was originally produced about 25 years ago by Sulabha and Arvind Deshpande, noted Marathi artists. It has been playing continuously in theater since then. The presentation of Durga Zali Gauri in Houston was envisioned about a year ago by then HMM President Sharmila Moharir to support the Vastu (home) initiative. Artistic directors Madhura Swadi, Rupa Aranke, Tanuja Sahasrabuddhe and Uma Rajguru accepted the task and created a masterpiece presentation that the Maharashtrian community in Houston area will remember for long.

The Durga Zali Gauri team included young children, some as young as 4 years old, and they presented their scenes with such fluidity and confidence that audience rose to their feet to applaud.

HMM’s Durga Zali Gauri a super successful event

All elements of the show worked flawlessly. Seamless set changes were accurate on the cue. Taking advantage of theater’s sound and presentation systems, team created a presentation that provided fitting colorful backdrop for every scene. The light effects were adding charm to the show.

Original musical score presented the story through melodious songs.

The hour-and-half-long presentation was gripping from start to end. Adapting the musical for presentation by second and third generation Maharashtrians presented some challenges. This is where the creative talent of directors and producers came in. English narration was added before the start of every scene so that young children and non-Marathispeaking audience could easily comprehend the context of each scene. Gandhar Kothi did an exceptional job of English narration

HMM donates to Sewa International for Kashmir flood relief Sewa International and Houston Maharashtra Mandal join hands to raise funds for Jammu & Kashmir floods The plight of children and families suffering in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the devastating flood in September meant more to some wonderful men and women at HMM president Megha Ozarker presents a check Houston Maharastra for Kashmir flood relief to Sewa International Project Coordinator Kavita Tewary (right).

Mandal.

Sewa International, a leading Hindu faith-based nonprofit with humanitarian focus and worldwide reach, and Houston Maharashtra Mandal’s board members, particularly Mridula Lele and its President Megha Ozarker and Ravi Ozarker, undertook the noble endeavor of raising funds for this disaster.

Houston Maharashtra Mandal, while researching organizations that were helping for this cause, came across Sewa International. Sewa is a reputed organization in the Houston area and they also have their sister branch Sewa Bharati, in India, which is working for this cause on ground level.

HMM contacted Sewa whose project coordinator Kavita Teaary informed them of the intensity of the flood situation and how they were helping the people affected. Impressed with Sewa’s record, HMM decided to give the collected fundS to Sewa.

The effort put in by the HMM president Megha Ozarker was commendable. HMM 2014 committee members had a phone conference with Kavita Tewary, who gave a detailed account of the flood disaster and lauded HMM’s intention to help. After the meeting, HMM sent an email blast to all its members to raise awareness for this calamity, an appeal was posted on HMM website, and a donation box was set up at HMM’s Diwali event in Katy. If you want to help or if your organization wants to do similar efforts for flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir or states hit by Cyclone Hudhud, contact Sewa at Houston@sewausa.org or call Kavita Tewary 713-303-4253.

and kept the show going fluently.

The centerpiece character roles of ‘Durga’ and ‘Gauri’ were played

by Isha Dighe.

Isha performed the dual personality role with amazing grace and skill. Looking at the performance of the children, it will not be an exaggeration to say that there is no shortage of talent in the community and picking one from another will be a tough choice.

Their lip-synching to dialogues and lyrics was perfect. Thanks are in order for every HMM family that devoted their time and efforts for more than six months for preparation of show.

Supriya Pilgaonkar gushed that the performance was so good that she felt as if she was watching the (original) show in India.

Sachin said “TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More. HMM members and Maharashtrian community have come together to accomplish the construction of Vastu. Their efforts received a great boost by performance of this entertaining, thoughtful and positive dance drama.”

Considering the fact that most of the artists in the show are second generation Maharashtrians born and raised in U.S., this is honor for artists. The play was

The performers take a bow at the end of the show. (Below) Chief guests Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar.

followed by candid interview of Sachin and Supriya by Sameer Karandikar and Achala Bapat.

HMM presented plaque to Sachin and Supriya thanking them for their presence and providing encouragement to the team. Most of the audience stayed back to listen to these famous professionals talk about their work, and take playful digs at each other. Both was great storytellers and the audience thoroughly enjoyed this segment.

Durga Zali Gauri was presented as a fundraiser for HMM’s Vastu

project to build temple and community center for use of growing Maharashtrian community in Greater Houston area. Donations for the project are welcome.

HMM has put in an aggressive timeline to bring the project to fruition with proposed land acquisition and construction to begin in 2015. HMM is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. For more information about Vastu project and HMM visit www.hmmhouston. org — Photos and text by Rajesh Thatte

PAGE 4 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

VOICES More Ministers in Cabinet Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only shuffled his cards but he has added to the pack. The question that needs to be asked following the changes in the Union cabinet is what gains accrue from them.

The political gains for Mr Modi are obvious enough. There is a clear attempt on the prime minister's part to make his team of ministers more inclusive.

His choice of ministers cut across caste and creed. More importantly, there is greater regional representation. West Bengal, a state that for the first time is acquiring some importance in the Bharatiya Janata Party's priorities, now has a representative in Mr Modi's team.

Similarly, Haryana, which brought the BJP fresh electoral laurels, has Birender Singh as a cabinet minister. Assembly elections in Bihar are round the corner and this cannot be totally unconnected with the large number of ministers from that state.

Not all those who have been elevated to the position of ministers can be said to have earned it on merit. It is worth recalling that one person who has been made a minister asked all those who are opposed to Mr Modi to go to Pakistan. The practice of awarding rewards for loyalty and giving precedence to political gains over merit thus continues.

The expansion of the council of ministers also has to be seen in terms of adding to administrative efficiency. Here quantity has not added to quality. The Telegraph has consistently argued that the size of the council of ministers should be kept small. And one way that this can be achieved is by merging certain ministries.

The ministry for transport could have under its umbrella responsibilities pertaining to railways, civil aviation, surface transport and shipping. A genuinely reformist move would have been to separate the asset-owning roles of some ministries from their regulatory responsibilities. Mr Modi has not moved in such directions at all. This raises a big query about the kind of change he is heralding, if he is heralding any change at all. If ministry-making is any measure of things, there are enough facts to support the assertion that this dispensation is carrying on, maybe more efficiently and more honestly, along the lines laid down by the two previous United Progressive Alliance governments. These are early days and it can be argued that such apprehensions are premature. At the moment, the famous slogan, "minimum government, maximum governance'', sounds like a distant echo. — The Telegraph

Jharkhand & Kashmir Elections Anti-incumbency will most likely be a strong factor in both Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand, where assembly polls kick off at the end of this month. And BJP, of course, will try to derive maximum advantage from it. Aided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtuoso campaigning, this strategy paid off huge dividends for the party in Haryana and Maharashtra polls. However, a repeat performance is not guaranteed, especially in J&K. BJP’s ‘Mission 44+’ looks like a tall order. For it to succeed, out of the total 87 seats in J&K the party needs to sweep all 37 in Jammu and the four in Ladakh, in addition to picking up a few in the Kashmir valley. Given that BJP has never won from the Valley, this will be a huge challenge. However, the incumbent Omar Abdullah government is facing substantial dissatisfaction among J&K’s electorate on account of its inefficiency and inability to deal with chronic corruption as well as recent floods.

The NDA government’s hopes of capitalising on the army’s impressive flood relief efforts will be doused by the recent killing of two youths in Budgam district by armymen. Add to this the separatist call for poll boycott and Pakistan-backed terrorists threatening to step up their attacks. The so-called Modi wave with its promise of development could find traction in Jammu and Ladakh and swell BJP’s vote base over previous elections in the state. Should the party get close to the 37-seat mark it will be in a good position to form a coalition government, with PDP and smaller parties as possible partners.

Although the party has entered into a pre-poll alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union whereby the latter will contest eight of the total 81 seats, it’s brand Modi that will be BJP’s trump card. But unlike Haryana and Maharashtra, Congress in Jharkhand remains a potent force. And despite the recent Congress-JMM split, the former along with JD(U), RJD and potentially JVM will seek to blunt BJP’s advance. However, with the saffron party picking up 12 out of 14 Jharkhand seats during Lok Sabha polls, the electoral tailwind is clearly with BJP. — The Times of India

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TOPIC OF THE WEEK Is electoral politics tearing Delhi’s social fabric?

In the last month, five areas of the national capital were brought to boiling point. Two spilled over, three were narrowly contained. Television screens flashed visuals that had long since been forgotten.

Is electoral politics tearing Delhi’s social fabric?

It has been almost a year since the Assembly elections in Delhi, and the interval has been anything but ordinary. The Capital saw the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party and its fall in just 49 days after forming government. It saw Delhi under President’s rule for Trilokpuri’s streets are now calm but debate still rages on who started the the first time since its creDiwali rioting and why. ation as the National Capital Ter- many thought the tension was a by “certain elements to aid BJP in ritory (NCT) in 1993. And now, one-off. But it wasn’t. It took just polarizing votes in Okhla”, sitting Delhi bears witness to a danger- 10 days to prove it, this time in MLA Asif Mohammad Khan was ous first — communal tension with Bawana. Hindus from 51 villages far more blunt and said, “The BJP another election beckoning. collected at a mahapanchayat at attempts this every time, trying to Consider this: In the last month the main marketplace in the Jat- unite Gujjar and Dalit votes against alone, five different areas of the dominated area in northwest the Muslim.” national capital were brought to Delhi.

Both went around from house boiling point. Two spilled over, They called for a Muharram to house, urging people to remain three were narrowly contained. procession, which had been car- calm while campaigning for their Television screens flashed vi- ried out for seven years, to stop respective parties. But before suals that had long since been for- passing through “their area.” The Trilokpuri, Bawana and Okhla, it gotten. The police came out in local MLA Gugan Singh extended had all begun in the Jorbagh force, ushering people inside their his support. In his words, “they Karbala on October 11. Though homes. Some were armed, oth- could do whatever they wanted the conflict between the Anjumaners merely looking out for signs of outside their homes, but couldn’t E-Haidari, in charge of the Shia danger. Families left homes, and disturb others.” The problem was site, and residents of the largely livelihoods came to a temporary with “the aggressive nature” of Hindu BK Dutt Colony was halt. Delhi had watched as riot the procession and the Jat’s prom- longstanding, locals had rarely seen after riot erupted in neighbouring ised that “they would show no such an outpouring of anger.

Uttar Pradesh before the Lok fear, and the administration would Till late at night, the battlelines Sabha polls. The city now be responsible for any ensuing vio- stood clearly demarcated. Inside watches with bated breath as the lence.” the dargah, the Muslims stood violence comes to its doorstep.

But even before the Jat show camped. Outside in the bylanes of On the night of October 23, a of strength, the Muslims of area, the colony were groups of angry drunken brawl between two suitable intimidated and grossly Hindu’s, targeting and assaulting groups took place in Trilokpuri, outnumbered, had agreed to “outsiders” to the colony. In the next to a Mata ki Chowki, a tem- change the route. Days later, on middle was a street full of stones, porary religious structure. The October 5 in another end of Delhi, and a burnt canopy, standing testinext day, aided by the misuse of a mosque was found desecrated mony to the ferocity of the viotechnology, the incident had taken in Okhla’s Madanpur Khadar. lence the police had to quell. In a communal turn, and was read Like Trilokpuri there was a Mata two days, tensions eased and both as an altercation between the Hin- ki Chowki next to the mosque. sides sat and conversed. Only on dus and Muslims of Trilokpuri.

Here, though, the Hindus who Sunday night, Babarpur joined the They had lived together for years were outnumbered. Violence list. This time, the severed head in homes separated by an arms could have exploded again. But it of a cow was found outside a shop. length, but the next night, all ties didn’t as the police reacted In Trilokpuri, it was a “drunken were left behind. promptly, cleaning the mosque and brawl”, in Okhla it was a desFor 8 hours, neighbours pelted urging every one to maintain ecrated mosque and in Bawana, stones at each other, and shops peace. But by then, residents and cattle theft. Elections in Delhi have were burnt. Morning came, but politicians had both begun to won- not even been notified, nor has brought no succour. For three der if the tension was being engi- campaigning begun, but the polidays, the police struggled to con- neered for electoral gain. AAP tics of polarisation has. tain the span of the violence, so and Congress, for once agreed.

— By Aniruddha Ghosal & deep rooted in the bylanes it had While AAP leader Irfanullah Dipankar Ghose in The Indian become. Thirteen were injured, claimed that this was being done Express eight with bullet wounds.

The Trilokpuri MLA was from the AAP, and Raju Dhingan will not survive the episode. In the aftermath of the incident, the AAP launched a verbal attack on the BJP, accusing it of inflaming communal tensions to polarise voters and pointing to the alleged role of ex MLA Sunil Kumar. But even if the AAP leadership did not blame Dhingan for the riots, it has punished him nonetheless. “He is not being given a ticket for his ineffective handling of the aftermath of the riots,” an AAP leader said.

In the days since Trilokpuri, there has been a tenuous calm, with “Aman committees” working overnight. Traditional methods of involving themselves in each others festivals were used, and

THE LIGHTER SIDE

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

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Clements students introduced to “A Day of Coding” As the thirty high school students walked into class on a Saturday morning, they weren’t thinking about the coding lesson they were walking into, but rather, the amount of candy they had collected the night before on Halloween.

They had to quickly change their focus and get ready for the morning class organized jointly by the IIT Alumni of Greater Houston (IITAGH) and the Global Studies Academy (GSA) at Clements High School.

The class, titled “A Day of Coding,” was created to allow students with no coding experience to learn the basics of HTML and JavaScript, and have a functional website deployed on the internet by the end of the class.

“Anand Chauhan expertly broke down the various steps to basic programming and provided the students with comprehensible input and theory to better grasp the scope and potential of computer science and coding,” said Anne Beckman, Academy Coordinator at Fort Bend ISD. “The fact that you yourself were coding and were able to see your results in the end was the

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All the students felt comfortable with some level of coding in HTML and had created webpages with colored backgrounds, links, various fonts, and formatted tables.

“We are looking forward to hosting a spring session with more students and introducing advanced concepts,” shared Pratish Kanani, President of IITAGH. Anne commented that “Sparking interest in young minds and providing them the gateway to success is a shared mission between the Academy and IITAGH.” The students also got to see a short video of various influential people instructing them to learn coding, include Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and President Obama.

Anand Chauhan (sitting on the chair), the course instructor, surrounded by Anne Beckman, Pratish Kanani, and the “Day of Coding” students at Clements High School.

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Indian Music Society of Houston Present An Evening of Ghazals & Light Classical Music by Sumeet Tappoo Saturday, Nov 22 @ 4 p.m.

Univ. Center Auditorium, UH 4800 Calhoun • Tickets $50 per person The fast ascending star on India’s light classical firmament, Sumeet Tappoo, was born and raised in Fiji, where his family has settled for three generations. Sumeet was enraptured by the alluring strains of Indian music from a very young age.

With encouragement from his parents, Sumeet made an early decision to pursue music full time. He made his way to India and set up home in Mumbai to learn vocal music from Anup Jalota whose bhajans and ghazals enthralled Sumeet.

It is a treat to hear him sing Sanskrit shlokas. His diction is perfect and is testimony to his long hours of practice not just singing them but also in pronouncing and intonating them correctly –a challenge even for those educated in India.

Sumeet’s strong grounding in classical music has prepared him well for the challenges of performing different types of songs in the wide repertory of India’s light classical music. He is at once comfortable with semi-classical and traditional bhajans, ghazals and modern songs that follow more eclectic styles of both composition and rhythm.

Blessed with an endearing stage presence, Sumeet has his own special way of connecting with his audiences by constantly communicating with them in between his songs and even while singing. He encourages his audiences to sing choruses, particularly when singing devotional songs – something that enhances the experience of the audiences several-fold.

For more information, call Sanjay Rao 281-802-581 • Suresh 281-935-4653

Ticket: $50 Buy online at www.tickets2events.com or Maharani Music 713-782-6553 Kirti Jewelers 713-789-4653 IMS Programs are partially funded by a grant from Houston Arts Alliance.

Programs are subject to change for reasons beyond the control of Indian Music Society of Houston.

PAGE 6 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

INDIANS ABROAD KTRU interview with maker of Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain Plano businessman feeds 1600

The 30th anniversary of the biggest industrial disaster in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, gains attention worldwide. With numerous events being hosted regarding the disaster a strong film Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain takes center stage not only in India but also in the U.S. The London-based film director and writer, Ravi Kumar, chats with KTRU’s Navrang program show host Varsha Vakil. A candid conversation starts with Ravi Kumar sharing his Indian roots and his career as a Pediatrician in the U.K. He enthusiastically channels the conversation towards his filmmaking passion and relates to his past experience of short films.

Ravi Kumar acknowledges the ease of working with his characters supported by Indian artists’ Raajpal Yadav, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Manoj Joshi and US based actors’ Martin Sheen, Kal Penn, Mischa Barton and others.

In the interview the director admirably credits his entire team for their commitment and efforts for making this film a success.

The extraordinary musical score by Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale has delighted Varsha

as she reveres these artists and KTRU listeners are familiar with their music through the Navrang show. The added bonus to this fusion was Bono’s voice which elates the musical experience in the film along with other tasteful folk tracks.

Ravi Kumar relates to Varsha that this film is a “learning tool not only for universities offering Environmental Health but also for health departments” in an event of a disaster.

But his strong sentiments about the reckless dealing of the disaster are heard loud and clear in the interview. Ravi Kumar anticipates accountability, larger compensation for the people who lost their lives. The arrogance of an apology never delivered by the USbased chemical factory to the affected individuals in Bhopal still lingers in his mind.

The Bhopal movie is scheduled to release in two US cities; on 11/ 7 in New York City and on 11/14 in Los Angeles. Varsha highly recommends this film to everyone.

The recorded interview aired on KTRU’s Navrang show on Saturday, Nov 8, at 10 a.m. and can be heard through ktru.org, 90.1FM HD2, and with various apps including iheartradio, ITunes, Tune-In with code KTRU.

Ro Khanna concedes defeat to Mike Honda WASHINGTON: Indian-American Ro Khanna conceded defeat Nov 8 after giving the seven-term Congressman and incumbent Mike Honda the toughest fight of his life for the Silicon Valley Congressional seat. Khanna, 38, a patent attorney, conceded to his opponent from Democratic party, Honda, acknowledging the 73-year-old lawmaker has an insurmountable lead in a race that gained national attention.

Khanna’s backers included technology leaders such as Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, Yahoo's Marissa Mayer, Google's Eric Schmidt, venture capitalist Peter Thiel, angel investor Marc Andreessen and Napster founder Sean Parker.

Honda was leading with 4,000-plus vote lead and both candidates agreed it would be impossible to reverse it, even though counting of postal and absentee ballots was still going on. Honda has been elected to the US House of Representatives for the eighth-term, but not before getting battered with the toughest race of his congressional career. Slamming Khanna, Honda said, You cannot buy grass roots. You could not buy it this year, and you will not be able to buy it next year, either. This district and our democracy is not for sale.”

homeless on Diwali day PLANO: Diwali, the largest and most elaborate festival of Indian culture, is about lighting up lives across the world in commemoration of fun, food, family and good business.

To celebrate Diwali, the Dharod Food Foundation partnered with Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, North Texas Food Bank and Houston Food Bank to provide meals for over 1,600 people in need at shelters in Dallas, Austin and Houston.

Sunil Dharod, the patriarch of the family and President of Apple Texas Group, donated his time alongside friends and volunteers at shelters on Monday, October 20 to offer a Diwali feast to those in need.

Dharod and the others helped prepare and serve the feast, which was comprised of an authentic American Thanksgiving dinner including turkey, stuffing and all of the traditional fixings.

The participating shelters included in Dallas (Dallas Life Foundation, Union Gospel Mission and Family Gateway), in Austin (Caritas) and in Houston (Santa Maria Hostel and Star of Hope).

“In our culture, it is considered good luck to begin an important venture during Diwali,” said Dharod, owner of 70 Applebee’s restaurants in the Lone Star State.

“The Dharod Food foundation will bring light and hope to many Texans, just as Diwali brings to us each year. This ‘festival of lights’ is a celebration of all things related to food and family, and it is the perfect time to invite Texans to join with us in the fight against hunger.”

The Dharod Food Foundation realizes the far-reaching implications of hunger. Applebee’s locations in Texas operated by the Dharod family are proud to lead a number of initiatives that bring the community together for the common good around food like the Flapjack Fundraiser, which allows schools and other worthy neighborhood causes to raise money; Dining to Donate, in which Applebee’s donates up to 15 percent of a participant’s total food bill to the organization of their choice; “A is for Applebee’s,” which honors student achievement in academics, citizenship and more with a free kid’s meal; and the Thank You Movement, which collects messages of appreciation from the public to give to veterans and provides former and current service members with a free meal on Veteran’s Day. The Dharod Food Foundation is a non-profit launched one year ago by the Dharod family to ignite passion for food culture in Texas, bringing awareness about nutrition and food choices, and battling the fight against hunger. The Foundation includes Sunil Dharod, his wife Sharmila; son, Chris; and daughter, Puja.

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 7

COMMUNITY

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PAGE 8 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Emotional health of children Sun., Nov 16 @ 12:30 p.m.

SEWA international and Arya Samaj presentation by Bhavana Luthra, marriage and family therapist. At Arya Samaj of Greater Houston, 14375 Schiller Rd. The event is free. Call Umesh Kapoor 713-591-2912 or Rajeshree Jaiswal 281-804-9759

Express Children’s Theatre - Little Scrooge An adolescent boy strikes it rich by inventing a popular phone app but loses sight of what really matters in life. Based on the Dickens classic. Showing Saturdays at 2 p.m. on November 22, 29 and December 6, 13, 20 2014 at Express Children's Theatre at Northwest Mall. To reserve a private weekday performance at the theater for your group (30 persons minimum) call 713-682-5044

Arya Samaj Satsang Weekly Havan Satsang every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

DAV Sanskriti School Sundays 10 a.m. to 12 noon. - Havan, Hindi and Naitik Shiksha classes. DAV Montessori School for ages 2 to 7 years. Call Arti Khanna 281-7593286. Free Yoga classes on Sat. Sanskrit & Upanishad classes Tue. 6-8 p.m. At 14375 Schiller Rd. (bet Westpark & Bellaire off Hwy 6).

281-752-0100.

Chinmaya Mission Sunday satsangs for adults, youth, and children. A unique Bala Vihar program for each grade, from PreK to Grade 12. Satsangs in two sessions between 8:35 a.m.

- 10:15 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. 1p.m. Bala Vihar students can take shloka, bhajan and orchestra classes or language classes for Hindi, Telugu, Marathi, and

Gujarati. Located at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77498. New members may visit the welcome desk between 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Visit www.chin mayahouston.org or call Bharati Sutaria 281.933.0233.

Vedanta Society

Heritage Classes

Vedanta Society of Greater Houston, 14809 Lindita Drive (77083) has classes every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 1st & 3rd Sunday; Bhagavad Gita, 2nd Sunday; on works of Swami Vivekananda, 4th Sunday; Holy Mother Sarada’s Gospel, 5th Sunday. Swamis of Ramakrishna Order visit to conduct retreats and talks. www.houstonvedanta.org or 281-584-0488.

Ashirwad’s Heritage Classes in Katy, Cypress and Sugar Land for kids 4 to 18 yrs - meditation, Yoga, slokas, stories from scriptures, Vishnu Sahasranam, bhajans, competitions and fun activities. Adult meditation classes. Register at www.ashirwadablessing.org or Sri Ravula 281-995-0930.

Durga Bari Temple Durga Bari temple is open from 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Mon. thru Sat. Sandhya aarti at 6:30 p.m. Temple closes at 7 p.m. Sunday special from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Puja services - Priest Bishnupada Goswami 281-597-8100 Temple is located at 13944 Schiller Rd (off Hwy 6 bet. Bellaire & Westpark).

Call Ganesh Mandal at 713-7979057 / 832-423-8541.

Telugu Fellowship Telugu Christian Fellowship meets every third Saturday of the month at Triumph Church, 10555 W. Airport Blvd., Stafford TX 77477 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a time of praise, worship and fellowship. Worship is in English. Call Chris Gantela 281-344-0707, or Rev. V. Gurrala 281-997-0757.

‘Explore the Universe Within’ Sahaj Marg is a natural and simple system of heart-centered meditation and spiritual practice

Open Forum Radio Program Where Your Opinion Counts

KGOL 1480 AM • Saturdays 4 to 6 p.m.

Informative programs with doctors, lawyers, politicians and other newsmakers.

Call 713-784-1480 Hosts: Dinkar Chheda, Jagat Kamdar & Subodh Bhuchar

SALES HELP WANTED Well-known Houston jewelry store is looking for saleswomen availabe to start immediately. Must be able to speak English and Hindi well. Call 713-789-7575

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that helps one realize the utimate potential within oneself. The meditation is available to anyone who wishes to practice. Weekly meditation sessions held throughout the Houston area. Web: www. sahajmarg.org Email: meditate_ houston@yahoo.com.

Classes in Houston, Mission Bend, & Sugar Land

Hare Krishna Dham Houston’s original Vedic temple, ISKCON of Houston. At 1320 W 34th St. (77018). Daily Darshan & Arati Times: 4.30am, 7am, 8.30am, 12noon, 4.30pm, 7pm, 9pm. Sunday Festival: 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Weekly Gita classes for adults; call 281-433-1635 or harekrishnadham @gmail.com

Rd. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Malayalam service at 9:30 a.m. on 1st & 3rd Sunday. Adult Bible class at 9:30 a.m. English service at 10:30 a.m. on 2nd & 4th Sunday. Call 713-991-1557 or 281-261-4603.

Sri Guruvayurappan Temple

Hours: Mon to Fri 6 a.m. -8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Weekends & Holidays: 6 a.m. to noon and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Bhajans Saturdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Special poojas (weekends and holidays) Choroon (Annaprasam) for kids, Thulabharam, Vahana Pooja, Nirapara. Temple is located at 11620 Ormandy St (77035) Tel: 713-729-8994 email: temple@ guruvayur.us

Arsha Vidya Bharati

Sanskrit classes and special worship sessions for all ages. At 2918 Renoir, Sugar Land, TX 77479.Call 281-606-5607 or AVB.Houston@gmail.com. Web-site: https://sites.google.com/site/ avbtexas/classes

Preksha Meditation

New facilities of JVB Preksha Meditation Center. Classes for Yoga and Meditation under guidance by Samani jis and discourses. At 14102 Schiller Road (off Hwy 6 bet Bellaire and Westpark - 77082). Tel 281-596-9642.

Patanjali Yogpeeth

Free Yoga Classes every Sat/Sun at Arya Samaj from 8 am to 9:30 a.m. Call Anil 281-579-9433. For other free classes, call Indra 281537-0018. For Yoga/Herbal products, call Shekhar 281-242-5000. Web: www.pyptusa.org and www.DivyaProducts.com.

Gandhi Library

Sadhu Vaswani Center

Mahatma Gandhi Library Book Club: Meets 2nd Sunday of each month; 12:30 PM at Arya Samaj Greater Houston, 13475 Schiller Rd. Join the discussion of the great man’s autobiography – The Story of My Experiments with Truth.

Call Manish Wani 713-829-6979.

Sadhu Vaswani Center of Houston holds regular Satsang on 3rd Thursday of the month and daily Arti at 7.30 p.m. Call 281-463-0379 or e.mail ramolaj@aol.com

Saumyakasi Sivalaya Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya is located at Chinmaya Prabha, 10353 Synott Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Temple timings: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon and 5:00 - 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday: 8:30-2:00 PM and 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Contact Bharti Sutaria 281568-1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832541-0059 or visit www.saum yakasi.org.

Veerashaiva Samaja VSNA Houston is a group of families who believe in Veerashaiva dharma (Basava dharma).

Monthly Mahamane program for prayer and discussion on Vachana Sahitya followed by Prasada. Contact: vsnahouston@gmail.com or Jagadeesh Halyal 832-744-4166.

Shiv Shakti Mandir Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir, 6640 Harwin. Open daily 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All major festivals, as well as birthdays, naam karan, engagement and other ceremonies. Call Pandit Virat Mehta 713-278-9099 or Hardik Raval 361-243-6539 for puja or other ceremonies.

Houston Namadwaar A prayer house where the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Maha-mantra is continuously chanted. Weekends: 8-11 AM & 4-7 PM, Weekdays: 7-8 AM & 6-7 PM. Weekly “Gopa Kuteeram” children’s heritage classes and Srimad Bhagavatam classes. Call 281402-6585; visit www.godivinity.org (Global Organization for Divinity).

Mar Thoma Church Trinity Mar Thoma Church every Sunday at 5810 Almeda Genoa

Sathya Sai centers

Sunday program held at two locations (North Houston: 12127 Louetta Rd, Houston; South Houston: 246 Fluor Daniel Dr, Sugarland, TX, 77479) from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Sai Spiritual Education classes for children; study circle for adults. Service programs - food distribution & food drives; nursing home visits, tutoring at schools etc. Contact Sanjay Gupta (North) 832-687-6766 or Sondip Mathur (South) 832-215-8675 www.sairegion10.org.

Gaudiya Math

Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha at 16628 Kieth Harrow Blvd., Houston 77084. Satsang Sundays 5 to 7 pm. Mantra meditation, kirtan, Sanatan Dharma classes. Vedic Education and Hindi classes for kids 5-14 yrs. Gita classes noon - 1:30 pm Wed. Hanuman Chalisa and Ramcharit Manas on Tue. 7:30–8:30 p.m. info@sggm. org or 281499-3347.

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 9

INDIA Modi balances caste, merit in expanded cabinet

Vice President Hamid Ansari, left, President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister narendra Modi and Manohar Parrikar, the new Defence Minister after the swearing ceremony.

Considerations of merit, caste equations in States crucial to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and representation of various regions seem to have weighed on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while expanding the Union Council of Ministers on Sunday, Nov 9, five months after it was formed.

No Minister was dropped or promoted from Minister of State

to Cabinet rank. Former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is the new Defence Minister while Suresh Prabhu, who joined the BJP only on Sunday, is the new Railway Minister. D.B. Sadananda Gowda has been shifted to Law. J.P. Nadda is the new Health Minister.

Jaitley has been given additional charge of Information and Broadcasting, while Prakash Javdekar has retained Environment.

President Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office to 21 new Ministers, including four

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Cabinet Ministers, three Ministers of State with independent charge and 14 Ministers of State.

Making the council more representative geographically and socially, the exercise is expected to stabilise the BJP’s internal politics. The exercise however, alienated former ally Shiv Sena further; the latter refused to accept the Minister of State position offered to it.

The new inductions make largescale changes in portfolios imperative, but no announcement was made until late on Sunday.

While Parrikar is set to be the new Defence Minister, other Ministers said they had no information regarding their responsibilities.

Southern ally Telugu Desam Party’s Y.S. Chowdary was sworn in Minister of State and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was present at the ceremony.

Sunday’s expansion increases the strength of the Union Cabinet to 66 and ends the experiment of maintaining its size small, with related ministries clustered under one Minister.

“The PM has gone for merit.

Mahesh Sharma is a medical doctor and Jayant Sinha is an IITHarvard alumnus,” a Union Minister, requesting anonymity, said.

Modi went the extra mile to induct Parrikar, who had to resign as Goa Chief Minister and Suresh Prabhu, who had to leave Shiv Sena and join as a BJP member.

“Ram Kripal Yadav from Bihar represents a finer version of backward politics while Vijay Sampla, a Dalit, started his career as a plumber. This is Modiji’s ability to find talent,” said another Union Minister. The second Dalit member is Agra MP Ramshankar Katheria.

The changes are meant to fur-

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ther the party’s politics in crucial States of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, two States that elected 93 of the 282 BJP members in Lok Sabha.

Fresh inductions to the Union Council of Ministers on Sunday clearly indicated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s nervousness that the resentment among particular social groups may adversely affect the party.

Several social groups that supported the BJP in the Parliament election have been annoyed at being excluded from power sharing. Brahmins in Uttar Pradesh, Rajputs and Bhumihars in Bihar, Jats in Haryana and Rajasthan have been offered an olive branch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by inducting their representatives.

Giriraj Singh from Bihar had kicked up a storm during the election campaign with a controversial speech in which he is alleged to have said that those opposed to Modi must shift base to Pakistan. The Bhumihar community that he belongs to, had revolted against the BJP, and voted against it in the recent Assembly by-polls in the State.

Three recent entrants into the party have joined the Ministry. Suresh Prabhu, who joined the BJP on Sunday morning was a Union Minister as a Shiv Sena representative earlier; Birender Singh crossed over from the Congress before the Lok Sabha election and Ram Kripal Yadav was a confidant of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav earlier.

Modi meets with Myanmar’s Thein NAY PYI TAW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Myanmar’s President U Thein Sein to begin a string of bilateral meetings with over 40 world leaders during his 10-day three-nation tour on the margins of key multilateral summits here and in Australia and a visit to Fiji.

Modi met Thein Sein at the Presidential Palace here shortly after his arrival at the Nay Pyi Taw international airport where he was given a guard of honour and greeted by young boys and girls in traditional costumes. He was welcomed by Myanmar’s Health Minister Than Aung.

After his 45-minute meeting, Modi tweeted that he had a “very good” meeting with President Thein Sein. “We had extensive discussions covering various aspects of our bilateral relations,” he said.

Besides participating in the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit here and at the G20 summit in Brisbane in Australia, Modi is due to have several meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of these international events.

On the sidelines of the international summits in Myanmar, Modi will be meeting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Singaporean President Tony Tan besides meeting the host President Thein Sein, Indian officials said. Modi will have his first meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the East Asia summit at Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar as he is set to meet several world leaders bilaterally there and in Australia.

After good show in Maharashtra, MIM eyes Bengal HYDERABAD: Buoyed by its success in Maharashtra where it won two seats in the recent assembly elections, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is all set to make its debut in West Bengal, party president Asaduddin Owaisi said here on Tuesday, Nov 11.

Lashing out at Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is now in the eye of a political storm, Owaisi told TOI that Banerjee has not done anything for the upliftment of Muslim minorities, despite many among the community voting for the Trinamool after being tired of the Left Front. "She had promised Muslims reservations, but nothing has been done so far. We intend to work for the minorities. The representation of Muslims in West Bengal is a cause of concern," Owaisi said.

West Bengal has 26 per cent Muslim votes that had been largely garnered in the last few years by the Trinamool. With the entry of MIM, the ruling party in the state will be at the receiving end. This might tilt the balance in favour of the BJP. With many describing MIM's foray into Maharashtra as "disturbing", Asad questioned why victories of the BJP and the rise of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have been ignored. "Are not these developments disturbing?" he questioned.

Political analysts say that the anti-Muslim sentiment in West Bengal had increased with a perception prevailing that the Left parties and the Trinamool have not done enough to contain the infiltration from Bangladesh. Further, the Modi factor played a pivotal role in the rise of the BJP in the state, despite the fact that Muslims are strong in around 50 constituencies, they said.

Apart from West Bengal, the MIM plans to contest polls in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh as well.

Owaisi also tore into those who call him and his party anti-national and communal. "I have firm faith in the Constitution. Call me antinational if I say that I do not believe in elections. I have not said this at all. Why is this (MIM winning in Maharashtra) a cause of concern?

India is a diverse country and shouldn't Muslims be represented in the largest panchayat, the Parliament? Unless Muslims have political representation, they will not go forward in terms of educational and social development," he said. A legal notice has been sent to Maharashtra legislator Praniti Shinde, daughter of former Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who had recently accused MIM of having a divisive agenda. A defamation case would be slapped on her, he added.

PAGE 10 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

“Cancer is going to fall to the axe of science”

By MANU SHAH In a riveting talk by Dr. Ronald DePinho, President, MD Anderson Cancer Center at the IACCGH Distinguished Lecture held on November 7th at the Hilton, members and guests listened in rapt attention to the tremendous strides made in research and the treatment of the “merciless experience” of cancer.

The event was sponsored by Shell and Houston Business Journal.

IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia welcomed the gathering and recalled the crucial role played

by IACCGH in taking the first MD Anderson delegation to India 12 years ago and the resultant MOU with the Tata Memorial Cancer Center in Mumbai.

IACCGH President Sanjay Ramabhadran outlined the Chamber’s mission as well as honoring the founding promise of being the voice of the Indo US business community in Houston since its inception 15 years ago.

Promoting the economic interests of the Greater Houston region is at the core of what the organization does and he was happy to announce that IACCGH was leading two trade delegations to India with Judge Ed Emmett this December and Mayor Annise Parker in April, 2015 to tap “the tremendous investment opportunities in India.”

As President of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. DePinho comes with an impressive array of credentials and awards for his groundbreaking work in the treatment of cancer.

Introducing Dr. Ronald DePinho, IACCGH Board member Karen Francis stated that Dr.DePinho brought new vision and great energy to the institute and was also “setting the stage for MD Anderson to continue to be a world leader in cancer treatment.”

Describing MD Anderson

as “the NASA for cancer care and a research powerhouse”, Dr. DePinho stated that MD Anderson was elevating the standards of care for cancer.

By adopting a multidisciplinary care approach where a patient was seen not by “a doc” but a team of doctors, the collective wisdom developed a personalized best possible regimen for every single patient.

He reiterated MD Anderson’s mission which is to end the “great humanitarian crisis” – cancer, in the world.

Observing that this “was a game changing time in the history of science, medicine and technology” Dr. DePinho believed that the cracking of the genetic code in 1953 gave us the fundamental understanding of how life works and the basis for disease.

As a result of these and other groundbreaking research, we have reached a point where we now have the ability to understand the disease, the aging process, the knowledge to manipulate the aging process and thus eliminate the disease.

A chilling fact, Dr. DePinho shared, is that one out of two runs the risk of cancer.

While the primary causes of cancer are smoking, obesity and sun exposure, the good news is that 50 percent are easily preventable.

He also shared the profound impact of breakthroughs such as the “dream come true” HPV vaccine which will prevent certain cancers and extraordinary drugs for leukemia, melanoma, breast and ovarian cancer which are giving durable responses if not saving thousands of lives.

He also believed that in the next ten years, a simple and cost effective blood test will allow the detection of cancer at an early stage.

An achievement, he was particularly proud to announce was the Texas legislation banning access to tanning beds for children under 18 as just 11 sessions of tanning increased the

Shell’s VP of Human Resources, Ken Coon, center, presents a plaque to Dr. DePinho; at right is IACCGH President Sanjay Ramabhadran.

IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia, left, Ashok Garg, Joya Shukla, Dr. Ronald DePinho, Karen Francis, Swapan Dhairyawan, Dr. Atul Varadachary, Chamber President Sanjay Ramabhadran, and Ken Coon. risk of melanoma decades later by a staggering 85 percent.

He also urged the gathering to do “all the commonsense things” such as exercise, eat fruits, vegetables, stay away from processed foods and sugar, not smoke and manage stress – factors which could dramatically reduce the inci-

dence of cancer.

Dr. DePinho concluded by stating that “many centuries from now, we’ll be known as the generation that understood life, put others before ourselves to make an impact not just in our families but families around the world.”

He was also proud that MD

Anderson was making cancer “history not only for Houstonians but for all of humanity.”

Shell’s VP of Human Resources, Ken Coon presented a plaque to Dr. DePinho, remarking that the brilliance and passion Dr. DePinho brings into a room is an inspiration for everyone.

Suite 127

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Madhya Pradesh Mitra Mandal holds annual picnic

Members of Madhya Pradeh Mitra Mandal prepare snacks for their picnic. — Photo Credit – Navin Mediwala.

Madhya Pradesh Mitra Mandal (MPMM) organized its SEVENTHG th annual DaalBati picnic on Sunday, Oct 26th at Bear Creek Park, in

Houston.

It was attended by approx.

200 people who enjoyed fresh made Daal-Bati, Poha-Sev, Jalebi, Jiraman and garma-ga-

ram Chai during this day long event.

The feeling of togetherness, the bonding between families and friends and the fun atmo-

sphere made this gathering quite unique and entertaining.

Everyone joined hands to volunteer in various areas: cooking batis, serving food or

performing on stage.

After new families made introduction, everyone played Picture Housie (Tambola) which was prepared by one of the members. This was about places in MP or personalities who belong to MP. Everyone got to know interesting facts from MP while enjoying the quizzes.

Weather being perfect for outdoors, several members took on sporting avatars to play Cricket and other games.

One of the highlights of the event was live message delivered via phone by Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, Cabinet Minister from Madhya Pradesh who handles Housing & Environment as well as the urban development portfolio.

He felicitated MPMM for keeping roots of India alive in USA and also shared of great progress possibilities of India under leadership of our Prime Minister.

This live Phone Call was coordinated by Jitendra Muchhal of New York, who also belongs to MP and an avid Daal-Bati fan.

For the past couple of years, response to this picnic has been so overwhelming that RSVP had to be closed 2 weeks before the event, to ensure that picnic is managed well by the volunteers.

MP Mitra Mandal is an informal community group made up of people who have come from Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh to Texas.

These states reflect “unity in diversity” in true sense which is visible amongst the people who attend MPMM events in Houston.

This group was started by Ashish Bhandari & Nikhil Jain in Houston in the year 2002.

Today it’s grown to over 200 families belonging to various cities like Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Bilaspur, Raipur, Gwalior etc., who are also registered on the group’s website http://www.mp.abindore.com .

This unique Annual event has been covered by various media groups in Houston as well as in India in the past.

PAGE 12 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS ICC holds elegant donor appreciation dinner

ICC TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS: Seated, Manisha Mehta, left, Sangeeta Pasrija, Jasmeeta Hardik Jani, left, and Mahalakshmi Krishnan Singh, Parul Fernandes and Nirmala Patel. Rear, Vijay Pallod, left, Hasu Patel, Ajit Patel, Charlie Patel, Raj Bhalla, Lachhman Das, Girish Naik, Swapan Dhairyawan, Rajiv Bhavsar, India Culture Center of Houston combined an elegant evening Hemantkumar Patel and Harshad Patel. with entertainment, and mixed music, fun and food to demonstrate its appreciation to donors on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the India House.

Stripped of long-winded speeches and sticking to the simple message of ICC’s role in bringing the Indian community together during its 41 years of existence, ICC ofďŹ cers made brief remarks and showed a short video.

ICC Director Col. Raj Bhalla set the tone for the event with his witty and somewhat mature humor. The donor appreciation dinner was ďŹ rst started by Bhalla two years ago.

ICC President Charlie Patel thanked the Indian American organizations and community members for their support. He recalled the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, major successful events hosted by the ICC, in addition to Hindi Ĺ˝Ä‚ĆŒÄš ÄžĆŒĆ&#x;ĎĞĚ sÄ‚Ć?Ä?ĆľĹŻÄ‚ĆŒ Θ /ĹśĆšÄžĆŒÇ€ÄžĹśĆ&#x;ŽŜĂů ZÄ‚ÄšĹ?ŽůŽĹ?Ĺ?Ć?Ćš Kavi Sammelan and Holi.

ICC, established in 1973, is one of the oldest Indian American organizations in Houston and aims to preserve and promote India’s cultural and national heritage.

Chief Trustee Swapan Dhairyawan recognized how the ICC had grown into a strong community organization, thanks to the veteran community leaders who gave their time, money and energy to serve the organization.

Dhairyawan recognized the ICC Board of Directors and described them as ‘unsung heroes,’ the volunteers who have put in unlimited hours for the organization over the years. He outlined the ICC structure which has 16 Board of Directors (2 year term) and seven trustees who serve as custodians of the organization.

Dhairyawan said ICC is an “event-basedâ€? and “service-basedâ€? organization. Among various donations made by the ICC, notable was the contribution to the Houston ďŹ reďŹ ghters fund last year and for the relief of recent Andhra cyclone victims.

Singers Mahalakshmi Krishnan and Hardik Jani simply stole the show with their heart-throbbing musical melodies. Darshak Thakkar ably supported them on the drums.

Dr. Subodh Bhuchar, through a live auction, helped raise over $10,000 for the ICC. Auction items included jewelry by Karat 22, Tanjore paintings

by Anju Mittal, Mahatma Gandhi portrait done with pins, air tickets to India, and other items donated by Parul Fernandes, Rajiv Bhavsar, Swapan Dhairyawan and Barkat Khowaja.

Dawat (Madras Pavilion) catered a delicious dinner. #ALL TO 3CHEDULE Guests also had a chance to take portrait photos by Photographer st Raghu Thakkar as a keepsake from ICC. The event was organized under the leadership of Swapan Dhairyawan with Meera Kapur, Sangeeta Pasrija, Parul Fernandes, Lachhman Das, Vijay Pallod, and Hasu Patel.

For more information visit www.icchouston.org —SESHADRI KUMAR

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Hindu Students Association at UT Austin celebrate Diwali On October 23rd, 2014, students of The University of Texas at Austin gathered together in front of the renowned UT tower to celebrate Diwali.

This event was put on by Hindu Students Association, with sophomores Namita Pallod and Bharath Lavendra leading the charge. Preparation for the event began in May. Asked about the goal of this event, Bharath Lavendra explained “Our motivation from the start was to really bring the spirit of Diwali to campus, by bringing together the Austin community to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and instilling a sense of togetherness.”

This year, the program began with an interactive yagna led by Girish Chaitanyaji. As students entered the yagna, they were marked with a red tikka and then were given individual aarti plates, adding a very homely feel to this university celebration.

At the same time, main mall was buzzing with the activity stemming from the booths.

Students strolled through Main Mall, enjoying the celebrations by partaking in different booths, which ranged from candle-making to rangoli designs.

Out of all of these, the mehendi line could be seen snaking throughout Main Mall as students eagerly awaited for a mehendi design.

The yagna was followed up by a performance segment

by UT students.The segment started off with a bang with Dirty South Dandiya, and was also fueled by classical artists Priya Gupta and Preethi Menon. The performances left the audience members clapping with shouts for encores.

The night was topped off with a magnificent four minute firework show. The fireworks were shot straight from the UT tower, and captivated the audience immediately. These fireworks serve as the trademark of Diwali at UT, since the only other time fireworks occur on campus are at University Commencement.

HSA has been hosting diwali on campus for many years, and all events are open to the entire Austin community. It was attended by students of all faiths and colors, as well as many non-UT students. Tiffany Yung said “I was drawn to the event by all the lights and the sound of the festivities, and it ended up being the best night of my semester!”

This year marked a new height however, with unprecedented attendance of over 800 people. Aneesh Angirekula, president of HSA, noted “Students from all over the 40 acres can appreciate and enjoy the fireworks, much like how every student can appreciate the theme of Diwali: victory of good over evil.”

Hindu students at UT Austin join a prayer at the Diwali celebration.

OCTOBER 18 TH through NOVEMBER 16 TH , 2014 Diwali is the traditional time for sharing. Let us join the fight against hunger by giving back to the community we live in. Every $1 provides a full day of meals to our neighbors in need. Give someone their next meal today.

Donate generously cash or vegetarian non-persihable food items.

PARTICIPATING TEMPLES / ORGANIZATIONS:

• Arya Samaj • Chinmaya Mission • Sri Meenakshi Temple • VPSS Haveli • JVB Preksha Meditation • Sewa International • Ashtalakshmi Temple • Mahatma Gandhi Library ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN JOINING THE DIWALI FOOD DRIVE MAY CONTACT:

Anshuman Desai (coordinator): 832-641-1117 Sharad Amin (HGH President): 713-854-0633

PAGE 14 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

INDIANS ABROAD

Kerala Center announces 2014 community awards

The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center (http://keralacenterny.com) will honor nine Indian American Malayalees for their outstanding achievements in their field of specialization or for their service to the society. The awardees were selected by a committee consisting of four members headed by Kerala Center Board Member and Trustee Dr. Thomas Abraham.

“Every year we invite nominations and the committee has to make a unanimous choice for a candidate in a category to be selected to receive the award and this year is no different from previous years in terms of their achievements,” said Dr. Abraham.

This year’s honorees are: Prof. Geeta Menon, 11th Dean of the Undergraduate College at NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and the Abraham Krasnoff Professor of Global Business and Professor of Marketing in Education; Siby Vadekekkara, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Marlabs, New Jersey for Entrepreneurship; Suresh Nair, Head of Global Wealth and Investment Management Technology, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, New York for Corporate Leadership; Abraham Pannikottu, Principal and Operations Manager, American Engineering Group, Akron, OH in Engineering; Dr. Gabriel D. Roy – ONR Global, Fairfax, VA for Service to Government; Dr. Thomas John Colacot, Global R&D Manager of Homogeneous Catalysis at the Johnson Matthey Catalysis and Chiral Technologies (JMCCT), West Deptford, New Jersey in Applied Sciences; Thelma Kizhakedan (Kollam Thelma) Dickinson, Texas, for Literature and Writing; Baby Uralil, former President, FOMAA Centereach, NY for Community Service; and Dr. Teresa Antony, Woodmere, NY with a Special

Award.

The awardees will be honored at the Kerala Center’s 22nd Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 15th starting at 6.30 p.m. at World’s Fair Marina in Flushing (Queens, New York City, address: 1 World’s Fair Marina, Flushing). The keynote speaker is Dean Geeta Menon of NYU’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

This year’s celebration also includes a Technology Summit for Kerala where invitations are extended to Malayalee academics, scientists, technologists, engineers, entrepreneurs and businessmen to be held at the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in East Elmhurst (opposite LaGauardia Airport in New York city).

This is a community initiative of North American Malayalees who are involved in science, engineering and technology areas.

AWARD WINNERS: Top, Gita Menon, left, Siby Vadakekkara,Suresh Nair, Abraham Pannikottu; Bottom, Dr. Gabriel D. Roy, left, Dr. Thomas J. Colacot, Baby Uralil, Thelma Kizakedan and Dr. Teresa Antony. media’s Fast Growth 100 and football league helmet and im- of Knanaya Catholic Congress rated as the “Ten software ex- plantable cost-effective titanium of North America (KCCNA).

As an entrepreneur he was priviperts you should know”. Recog- hip and knee.

Recognition for Outstanding leged to be the Founder and first nition for Outstanding Contribution in Corporate Leadership Contribution in Services to Gov- president of Indian American Recognition for Outstanding - Suresh Nair ernment Malayalee Chamber of comContribution in Education – Dr. Roy served as a faculty merce. He is also CEO for MaAs the Head of Global Wealth Dr. Geeta Menon is a re- and Investment Management member in Mechanical Engi- layalam IPTV. spected educator at the graduate Technology at Bank of Amer- neering in India and the U.S. Recognition in Literature and and undergraduate levels, and ica/Merrill Lynch, Suresh has and also managed sponsored Writing - Thelma Kizhakedan has mentored many doctoral played a key role in stepping up research and IR&D in industry.

Kollam Thelma [Thelma students who have gone on to technology operations. Suresh’s He held positions of Associ- Kizhakedan] is known as a become faculty members at top passion has been in building ate Director at the U.S. Office writer, gaayika and abhinethri.In schools, including the Universi- IT systems that aligned with of Naval Research Global Sin- 1970’s Thelma has started writty of Chicago, Cornell Univer- customer needs and provided a gapore, Program Manager for ing in the Kerala periodicals like sity and Dartmouth University. path to drive growth. He insti- Advanced Propulsion for the ‘Malayala Nadu, ‘Janayugam’, Dean Menon is also a promi- tuted new platforms that have U.S. Navy at the Office of Naval ‘Kaumudi’ and her stories were nent scholar whose study of the been transforming the invest- Research, and for Pulse Power broadcasted in the All India Rarole of consumer memory and ment advisory programs such at the Ballistic Missile Defense dio Trivandrum [Aakashavani]. emotion in survey methodology as integrating workflows and Organization, and published While she was a Degree student has been published in leading communications, strengthening over 20 books and 100 papers. in Kerala, has won State Award academic journals,. client relationships, and creating He received the US Secretary for English Short story conductRecognition for Outstanding greater efficiencies. Recognition of Navy Medal for Meritorious ed by the ‘All Kerala English Contribution in Entrepreneur- for Outstanding Contribution Civil Service.

Literature’. Since 1984, after ship Recognition for Outstanding settled in USA, she wrote novin Engineering - Abraham PanSiby Vadakekkara is the nikottu Contribution in Applied Sci- els ‘Manushya nee mannaakunfounder, Chairman and CEO Mr. Pannikottu is the princi- ences nu,’ ‘Apaswarangal,’ ‘Chilanthi of Marlabs, a software services pal of an Ohio based engineerDr. Thomas J. Colacot is cur- vala,’ ‘American Teenager’ in firm headquartered in New Jer- ing firm which developed a rently the Global R & D Man- community publications . Besey which he started with three unique carbon fiber hoop design ager in Homogeneous Catalysis sides, ‘ Vanitha’ of Kottayam employees in 1997 and has now zero pressure tire for the US at Johnson Matthey Catalysis published another novel. She become over 1800 employees military that could keep military & Chiral Technologies in West takes pride that her son Lazar globally with over $100 million vehicles running faster and lon- Deptford. His educational back- Kizhakedan is active in English in revenues. Marlabs is ranked ger after an attack. His group is ground involves a Ph.D. in literature, who published ‘Pearl number one in the application also working on new innovative Chemistry (IIT Madras, 1989) Drops’, a collection of short stodevelopment category in CMP products such as US national with post-doctoral research ries.

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 15

BOLLYWOOD Publicity graffitti for Kill Dil

HARDIK VYAS Youngest Astrologer in North America Vaastu & Gem Stone Consultant; Hindu Priest for all Pujas & Marriages Ali Zafar, Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra, after taking over all major television shows to promote the release of their much anticipated film Kill Dil, have now picked up paint brushes to bring their creative side out on the streets of Mumbai.

Painting pro Ali Zafar sprayed his Kill Dil poster look on a white wall. Parineeti and Ranveer chose to paint keywords used in the film’s digital promotional campaign.

As soon as those in their surroundings realiZed that the graffiti artists were none other than the Kill Dil actors, a sea of people gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars and the interesting activity.

Ali Zafar, who seemed really pumped up at the event, confessed: “I was going to paint my son’s bedroom wall in our new house... might as well practice a little bit”.

About the film, Ali said: “This is my favorite look I have played in any film so far. I haven’t done any kickass action on screen in the past, so I am really excited for this one. Let’s hope people like the film.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ranveer Singh said: “I am trying to make a hit film. We have worked really hard to make this film, and we are looking forward to its release now. We have made this film with our heart and soul, and it’s an entertainer. So, I hope that people like it”.

Directed by Shaad Ali and produced by Aditya Chopra, Kill Dil also stars Govinda and is slated for release on November 14.

20 films to release in Nov/Dec Not five or 10, but as many as 20 films are set to fight it out at the box office in the last two months of this year. The maximum number of releases over the period of November and December has not crossed 11 in the last three years.

While the risk of Ileana D’Cruz and Saif Ali Khan in Happy Ending films eating into each other’s profits remains, footfall in theatres are maximum at this time of the year, owing to the overall celebratory mood around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. “Business is usually up around this time. Small films, unless they have great content, do suffer, but big films don’t get affected. By now, audiences will have anyway decided which film they want to watch... for instance, there is a lot of curiosity around Aamir’s PK; Emraan Hashmi’s Ungli, and the masses will go for Ajay Devgn and Sonakshi Sinha’s Action Jackson,” says film distributor Girish Johar. Trade analyst Atul Mohan feels that releases of big-ticket movies are spread out well. “The business period of a film is short nowadays. Films have to make maximum revenue in their first weekend itself, so the business of other smaller releases in the same week will be affected,” says Mohan.

Film-maker Rensil D’Silva is happy that, at least, no other big movie is releasing along with his Emraan and Kangana Ranaut-starrer Ungli.

“Films are unlimited, but Fridays are limited. The competition is cutthroat. All one can hope for is a solo weekend,” says D’Silva.

Meanwhile, producer Pooja Gujral’s film — which will mark the big screen debut of TV actor Barun Sobti — will clash with the debut film of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty this December.

“It’s certainly bad, as the films do not get enough screens, which affects their collections. Besides, the average Indian family has a monthly entertainment budget so when 10 films release in a month in comparison to three, and a family has the budget to watch only three films, the other seven get affected,” says Gujral.

Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Gujarati & Marathi Astrologer Hardik Vyas, a famous young face in Vedic Astrology from India is in Houston. Call for guidance on Health, Wealth, Education, Career, Business, Property, Love & Passion, Marriage & Compatibility, Horoscope-Making, Child Problem, Luck & Fortune, Peace & Prosperity, Karma & Economic success.

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PAGE 16 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

REVIEW/PREVIEW MUSINGS

By Gadfly In celebrity culture talk shows become chat shows Rang Rasiya: Passionate but flawed “All of us have been there – all of us women, that is. You’re walking on the street minding your own business and some leering jerk lets loose with a ‘Hey, honey, nice t—s’. Such catcalls leave you feeling embarrassed, threatened, or even violated.” (If you think this refers to what happens on Indian streets with unpleasant frequency, you would be wrong. It is more universal.)

This is Marcela Garcia writing in The Boston Globe referring to a new video gone viral that has captured exactly how common sexual harassment is. A stony-faced woman wearing nondescript jeans and a black Tshirt is secretly recorded walking around New York City for 10 hours. During that time, Shoshana Roberts is catcalled no less than 108 times ranging from ‘Good Morning’ to ‘Sexy! Damn!’ One guy walks along with her for five minutes. Kelsey McKinney in vox.com wrote: “This video was not made for women facing sexual harassment. It was made for men who remain blissfully unaware of how often women feel unsafe just walking down the damn street.”

I’m quoting the above paragraphs from a US publication in light of Parineeti Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Kangna Ranaut appearing on Satyamev Jayate finale - referred to as ‘What Women Want’- airing on Nov. 9, 2014. I can see in my crystal ball the ladies saying the obvious, trying to be funny, bringing in a bit of the pop culture and going back to their film-star status. The only positive to come out of such guest list will be the ratings. This is what happens in a celebrity culture where talk shows become chat shows. Being a film star or merely being a woman does not qualify anyone for a discussion on serious issues. If that were the case, Madonna would be the spokesperson for women all over the world and Geraldo Rivera the most sought after speaker about serious journalism.

Unfortunately, we’re in an age where Grand Marshall’s honor on India’s Independence Day parade has gone from Nargis Dutt, Sunil Dutt to Priyanka Chopra.

The trend being so ‘popculturish’, Amir Khan obviously did not think of inviting the wellqualified and respected Waheeda Rehman for this. However casual choice of guests for a discussion of any serious nature trivializes the subject matter.

Christine Sisto, writing for NationalReview.com says: ‘And now to address the elephant in the room. It’s impossible not to notice that most of the men who shouted at Roberts seem, generally, to be of low economic status.’ That is a bit far-fetched conclusion. Economic poverty does not mean cultural poverty. Would I have approached or made suggestive comments to some scantily-clad dancer if I had met her outside? No. Economically, my four brothers and I grew up in a lower middle class family in

our two room tenement in a chawl.

We couldn’t afford a table fan till I was 16. Yet culturally we were rich. Sexual harassment is not a monopoly of poverty. We’ve read about enough rich men indulging in sexual harassment.

Besides, any talk show tackling a serious issue without the right guests risks being on shallow ground, slipping into pleasantries.

It then becomes a politically correct discussion - preaching to the choir and ending up saying the obvious, benefitting none. It comes with two problems that hinder a good solution. They have guests that are not qualified for a thoughtprovoking discussion on the issue.

Consequently, such shows come up with empty platitudes.

One night, while walking after my dinner, a young woman bicycled past me with her dog on a leash. As I admired her dexterity at bicycling while hanging on to the leash and controlling the dog so well, I thought of the streets in India and thought how lucky the women in America and probably most developed countries are.

They can walk, bike or run late in the evening (it was 10pm) without worrying about being attacked. In India, women can’t do that. The next thought was…is that because of bad Indian men!?! Yes. After all who is the danger to women?

Men. Are all Indian men bad? No, though it IS a case of more than a few bad apples. Thinking about that problem, I remembered saying in a telephone conversation with a young woman in India that just because a woman is scantily clad or provocatively dressed does NOT mean she is available.

After that conversation, I wondered: Growing up, what did I/we think of scantily clad women? We didn’t see them on the streets. We saw them in Hindi films like the cabaret dancer Helen, Padma Khanna, Bindu. Didn’t we think they were fallen, cheap women who would go to ‘highest bidder’?

Didn’t we think they were cheap and probably went from man to man depending on who offered more luxuries? In other words ‘Available’. That’s how most of us thought of them.

I have been to a cabaret dance once in Mumbai. Only once. For some reason, cabaret never appealed to me, neither in India (where I felt distasteful to go see a scantily dressed woman) nor in the US (the feeling didn’t change in a different culture).

I never ever went back to another cabaret either in India or in America. The point is about cultural realities. The ground reality in India. A scantily dressed woman is still ill-thought of in India. The specter of ‘availability’ still hovers over her.

If women are a lot freer to move around alone, late or scantily clad or all of the above together, it is not just because in America, women are much stronger, physically and politically. And so, if shows like Satyamev Jayate ‘trying’ to handle women’s safety issues spur Indian women to become politically more powerful like American women, it will be a misguided path because

the issue is more social than political and requiring social changes before political muscle. Western answers are not one-size-fits-all as China and France will tell you.

If the Indian women’s movement goes for political power in India as a solution, it will be in the wrong hands like Arundhati Roy’s.

It is not difficult to pinpoint where the cultural problem lies. It is not an excuse but a way to a solution. In 1970s an Indian priest visited America for 3-4 months during summer. He came alone as he couldn’t afford to bring his wife and children. The family he lived with took him to the various touristy spots as also to the parks on weekends. In those parks he witnessed almost bare female bodies. Being a cultured and sophisticated man, he got used to it after the initial shock. Upon his return, when asked about that, he said, “I still have eyesight lekin meri nazar mar gayee hai.” In other words, he looked but stopped seeing. He had gotten so used to seeing such women around him that it didn’t affect him anymore. Now this was a priest, educated and cultured. Most men on the streets of India are not priests nor as cultured. No amount of education can create those dead eyes most Indian men need, not to be affected by half-clad women. Is that an excuse for sexual harassment or rape? Of course not. Does that mean Indian women should throw caution to the winds BEFORE ground ‘cultural’ reality changes?

Proceed at your own risk because no amount of education will change that reality overnight. It is when provocative dressing spreads to Indian villages that young men coming to cities will be used to scantily dressed women. The bottle with the genie will have to be opened slowly. Let the air out of the bottle first before the genie pops out.

In the meantime, men and women of India must make sure that women’s issues don’t fall in the wrong hands, male or female.

Here’s why. Comedienne and TV host Chelsea Handler took to Instagram to post a photo of herself topless while riding a horse, juxtaposing this racy image with a similar photo made famous by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

When Instagram deleted her picture three times, Handler reacted with this: “If Instagram takes down this again, you’re saying Vladimir Putin has more 1st Amendment rights than me.”

Now I don’t think she doesn’t know the difference between a bare-chested man and a topless

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Nandana Sen, Paresh Rawal.

Director: Ketan Mehta The film begins in present time where auction bids for Raja Ravi Varma's paintings are reaching multiple crores. In flashback, it's in a courtroom in the 19th century, where the artist (Randeep Hooda) is being tried in an obscenity case filed by fundamentalists.

In the courtroom, Varma tells his tale, and we're transported to his childhood where his genius as an artist is already getting noticed.

The film then takes us through various episodes in Varma's life his marriage to a princess, his affairs with his muses, and his falling in love with Sugandha (Nandana Sen), who inspired his most famous work.

Then follows his ascent to riches, fame and influence. He retains Sugandha as his muse and lover, while also getting involved with a more sophisticated woman.

Through his journey, we see several landmark moments - the Lumiere Brothers screening their films in Watson Hotel. Varma's encouraging a young, eager boy who goes by the name of Dadasaheb Phalke, and the Nationalist Movement taking ground.

This was the 19th century and Varma was at the peak of his career, when the leader of a fundamentalist party filed a case against him labeling his art, several of it combining the erotic elements of Indian mythology with European technique, obscene.

By that time, Varma had started his chromolithograph press. Thousands of prints were possible from one painting, and soon his prints were adorning the walls of modest homes and shops. Untouchability was challenged, as people who weren’t allowed to enter a temple, began praying to Varma’s paintings as a symbol of divinity.

That the muse for his goddess pictures was Sugandha, a prostitute was also something that was objected to.

The film feels disjointed because it tells of the main episodes of Varma’s life in an episodic manner. As separates, several of these

woman or 1st Amendment and nudity in public. She does. This is just her cheap publicity stunt for – what else - cheap publicity.

— Send responses to gadfly7_7@yahoo.com

portions work and are memorable, but as a whole, the film is just not as effective as it could have been.

As the legendary painter and human being, who is often referred to by the film as a "sacha kalakaar", Randeep Hooda is reasonably good. His strong suits are the risque, rebellious scenes, and he seems inhibited in the pure emotive pieces like the courtroom monologue scene. Still, Hooda makes us care for the character enough to stay in the story.

Nandana Sen is superb as Sugandha, bringing out the nuances of the character's naivety and sensuality expertly. Can’t imagine anyone else in this role.

Writer-director Ketan Mehta gives us a film with a staccato recounting of the life of this legendary artist, with simplistic dialogue devoid of nuance. There is an attempt to include arresting visuals like that paint-soaked lovemaking scene and a bonfire near a waterfall, but not all of them have the desired effect.

For choosing to tell the story of this extraordinary artist and for standing up for artistic freedom, Rang Rasiya is recommended.

That it could have been a far better film, is another story.

Shaukeen Cast: Akshay Kumar, Lisa Haydon, Rati Agnihotri, Annu Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Dimple Kapadia If you've seen the original (Basu Chatterjee's 1982 Shaukeen), you'll barely be able to sit through this one.

You know the story...three old men nearing their 60s lust after girls less than half their age. They sit in parks with dark sunglasses eyeing them surreptitiously. But their desperation gets the better of them, when they try picking up girls on the street, mistaking them for prostitutes.

Then they call an escort service, but the women don't want to entertain the old men...

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INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 17

RELIGION/ SPIRITUALITY Break down those walls to breathe free

By Swami Sukhabodhananda He was a monk. He had a begging bowl, which would never get filled. On hearing, this, the king’s ego was affected and he decided to fill the bowl. He instructed his subjects to fill it.

People started pouring food into the bowl, but it never got filled.

The king asked the monk, “What is the secret of this bowl not getting filled?” The monk answered, “It is made of human skull.”

The human mind is never satisfied with ‘what is’ or what it already has. It always wants more and more. This is killing people.

Recently, I was asked, “What is the worst stress that a person suffers?” I said, “The greed to be somebody, and the fear of being nobody is the greatest stress.”

I can hear you asking, “How can development happen if you do not want to have more?”

Fundamentally, we all want fulfillment. Money, power, position, pleasure are only means for fulfillment. One is lost in wanting more and more of money, pleasure, position. You do not realise that money is not an end in itself.

So, true development is the discovery of fulfillment that happens when your mind is happy in the now, joyous in the now, loving this moment and not allowing ignorance to create its illusion.

Those who have money still worry about having more of it.

Money does not run after man; man runs after money. So, money appears to be wiser than man!

Let me put this differently. To live a simple and ordinary life is the greatest art. It demands intelligence.

But, if you are living a superficial life, then you will have superficial comprehension. For a simple living, you have to just to drop your regrets, resentments and righteousness which have become a restriction to life and living.

The four R’s do not allow us to flow with life but create conflict with life. These four R’s create a wall all around us. It appears to be protecting us, but, in fact, it is imprisoning us.

Thus, our life is complicated with regrets, resentments and righteousness. Since we are stuck to our point of view, we struggle to prove that we are correct. It requires intelligence to demolish this wall and thus ventilate our life. This is true growth and development.

Our regrets and resentments make us miserable and with this inner misery, we will not rejoice the success brought in by money or position.

This process of dissolution of

regrets and resentments implies expansive thinking and effort. Our life is bound by our conclusions, negative beliefs and negative mind sets. Such a life is complicated.

Reflect on this. A senior executive was upset that his boss spends with him one hour in the morning and thus disturbs his work, when he has urgent issues to be addressed. This he complains to his wife, friends and finally to me. I counselled him by telling that your boss has taken one hour of your time, but your complaint is more than four hours. Is it not? So, your emotional trauma has taken more time than one hour of time taken by your boss.

Therefore, to dismantle the four R’s is a part of intelligent living.

This requires intelligent thinking and such an intelligent thinking will help you in your corporate and family life.

Guru Nanak’s liberal philosophy

By Inder Raj Ahluwalia Kirt karni, working for a living; Naam japna, remembering God and vand chakna, sharing one’s possessions -- these formed the cornerstone of Guru Nanak’s thinking and philosophy. The founder of Sikhism, the world’s youngest religion, Guru Nanak was not only a supreme apostle who propagated dharma and belief in one God; he was also among the greatest philosophers of the modern era, having reached heights of spiritual enlightenment.

Among the western world’s philosophers, Galileo’s belief that planets orbit the sun, led to his arrest. Prince Machiavelli’s acute understanding of the human nature was regarded the work of the devil.

William Gilbert, Vesalius and Francis Bacon shaped their generation’s thinking, and Martin Luther, John Knox and John Wesley are credited with awakening the stupefied spirit. At about the same time, Guru Nanak was shaping thinking in the Indian subcontinent. His projection of earth’s distance to the moon corresponds to what scientists tell us today. He also disclosed that there are multiple universes, spheres, and planets.

While Christopher Columbus was voyaging the seas, Guru Nanak walked the land, spreading his teachings in the same manner as had Jesus some 1, 400 years before. Going by recorded accounts, Guru Nanak spent a lot of time travelling the world. He is believed to have travelled over 28, 000 kilometres in his five major tours between 1500 and 1524, leaving a great impact on everyone he encountered. What’s significant is the fact that he travelled with a purpose – to contribute towards creating a better world.

The Guru gave his attention to almost all issues that impacted society and contemporary existence. He challenged the Indian caste system, promoted women’s rights, championing the cause of women’s liberation. He promoted education for all men, women and children by introducing the Gurmukhi script of the Adi Granth, which became accessible to all.

He introduced an agenda of reconciliation and community cohesion to create an inclusive society and just world. He believed that integrity, respect and trust between different communities would lead to dignity for all people.

His greatest contribution was the teaching of the ‘Science of the Word’ (Naam), which forms the subject matter of the Adi Granth which was composed and compiled by the Sikh Gurus. The gift of Naam was the ultimate gift of the Sikh faith and has a pure and special message for the whole world – by communion with Shabad, the Word, shall be attained the personal realisation of God, and hence, the sure way to salvation.

Guru Nanak was an embodiment of love. People of all faiths loved and respected him, and on his death, flowers from both Hindus and Muslims were placed over his body. According to legend, the claim to his body was to go to the community whose flowers remained fresh the longest. The following morning, both groups of flowers remained fresh but the body was missing!

Thanks to Guru Nanak’s wisdom, Sikhism with its monotheistic outlook shared a common bond with Islam, and with its Indian cultural identity, a cultural one with Hindusim and Buddhism. Sikhism was to be the common meeting ground between these three cultural streams.

This gives meaning to the decision of Guru Ram Das to invite a Muslim saint to lay the foundation stone of the Golden Temple, which was intended to be a symbol for a future confluence of world cultures.

Guru Nanak’s teachings of love, compassion, mercy, kindness, tolerance and mutual respect flowed from his teachings of love for God.

Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir Rudrabhishek every Monday followed by Aarti and mahaprasad. Everyone is invited to join the puja.

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IMMIGRATION

Executive action likely

By Rahul Reddy & Emily Neumann President Obama discussed immigration in an interview with "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer, which aired on November 9, 2014. He again confirmed his intention to use his executive authority to act on immigration by the end of the year.

The President indicated that his action will not include everything that needs to be done and will take time to implement. The three areas that may be addressed by Executive Action include border security, making the current legal system more efficient, and providing a chance for undocumented immigrants with American children to legalize.

“I’d prefer, and still prefer, to see it done through Congress. But every day that I wait, we’re misallocating resources, we’re deporting people that shouldn’t be deported, we’re not deporting folks that are dangerous and need to be deported,” the President said.

Although House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have both warned the President against taking action on his own, Obama reminded them that no one is stopping Congress from acting in parallel.

While details of the President’s plan remain unknown, any application for benefits will likely require an individual to establish identity, when entry to the United States occurred, and continued physical presence in the country. Steps can be taken now to preserve evidence that might be necessary for documenting that the requirements for relief have been met. The following list of documents may be helpful for this purpose: · Valid and/or expired Passport, Visa, I-94, any receipt from USCIS. • Any Identification Card (Driver License/ID card/school ID, etc.).

• School Records • Medical Records from hospital or doctor visits.

• Lease Agreement • Utility Bills • Official Records from Religious entity in the USA, such as records of baptisms, weddings, etc.

• Travel Records such as transportation tickets, hotel receipts, etc.

• Money order receipts, vehicle registration, insurance policies, etc.

• Any receipts from Western Union. • Traffic Tickets.

• Any major purchases like furniture or car repairs.

• Bus and air tickets from travel within the U.S. • Any mail that you received while you have lived in the U.S. • Hotel stay invoices • Records from county or city libraries.

The above list is not intended to confirm the possible documents that may help to establish eligibility. Until the President’s plan is announced and the application process is implemented, take care to avoid scams. Follow these tips from the American Immigration Lawyers Association to escape being taken advantage of: • Do not believe it if someone tells you about a secret new immigration law or claims to have connections or special influence with any government office or agency • Don’t pay for referral to an immigration lawyer • Walk away if an immigration lawyer doesn’t have a license • Never sign an application that contains false information, and try not to sign blank forms. If you must sign a blank form, make sure you get a copy of the completed form and check to make sure all the information is correct before it is filed • Always get proof that your papers have been filed–ask for a copy or government filing receipt whenever anything is submitted in your case Only a licensed lawyer or accredited representative is authorized and qualified to assist with an immigration case. Before paying any money or filing any case, check whether an immigration lawyer is in good standing and licensed by contacting the state bar.

Rahul Reddy & Emily Neumann practice business immigration law and are partners in Reddy & Neumann, P.C. in Houston, TX. Neumann writes a blog on immigration law (immigrationgirl.com).

Contact Rahul Reddy at his direct number 713-395-4371. Reddy & Neumann, P.C • P. O. Box 421807, Houston, TX 77242 713-953-7787 Ext. 104. Fax 713-953-7797 Email: rahul@rnlawgroup.com, Web: www.rnlawgroup.com * Dallas office location! 15950 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400, Dallas, Texas 75248 Phone (214) 281-8900

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PAGE 18 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

INDIA Al-Qaeda training Indian militants for big attacks? Buffalo on Surat airport runway Decrypted communications between Indian Mujahideen (IM) and al-Qaeda and testimony from suspects have triggered alarm among intelligence officials in New Delhi — the groups appear to be working together to launch major attacks in the region.

The officials told Reuters that plots they had uncovered included the kidnapping of foreigners and turning India into a "Syria and Iraq where violence is continuously happening".

Allegiances between Islamist militant groups can be murky and fleeting, and providing concrete proof of operational ties is notoriously difficult.

But Indian security agencies said evidence they had gathered pointed to growing ties between al-Qaeda and IM, a home-grown movement hitherto known for low-level attacks on local targets using relatively crude weapons like pressure cooker bombs.

Weeks after al-Qaeda announced the formation of a South Asia wing to strike across the subcontinent, agencies said they had discovered IM members were training with al-Qaeda and other groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan for major attacks.

That increases the risk of a more dangerous form of militancy in the world's biggest democracy, which has been largely spared the kind of violence that regularly rocks its neighbour Pakistan and, beyond it, Afghanistan.

Security officials cite last Sunday's deadly suicide bombing on the Pakistani side of a border crossing with India, and a terror alert on Tuesday at two eastern ports that forced the Indian navy to withdraw two ships, as evidence that militant coordination and activity are on the rise.

HARDENEDFIGHTERS

"The thing we are looking for is how al-Qaeda/ISIS tie up with local groups, especially as the drawdown takes place in Afghanistan," said Sharad Kumar, head of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country's main counterterrorism arm.

ISIS, also known as Islamic State, has carved out swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, but its influence over militant groups in South Asia is believed to be limited so far.

Al-Qaeda is deeply entrenched, however, with leader Ayman alZawahri believed to be hiding near the Afghan-Pakistan border and its militants fighting NATO forces in Afghanistan. Foreign combat troops are due to withdraw at the end of the year.

Some members of IM are already fighting alongside al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, according to an Indian government charge sheet against 11 suspected members of the group alleged to have plotted attacks in India.

The worry is that more battle hardened fighters could now turn their sights on their homeland.

Others have joined al-Qaeda to try to carry out kidnappings of Jews in India and Nepal to secure the release of Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist jailed for 86 years in the U.S. for attempting to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

IM has also been urged by alQaeda to open a base in Myanmar to avenge attacks on Rohingya Muslims, said the charge sheet prepared by the NIA, which has gathered hundreds of pieces of evidence of Internet conversations and meetings between militants in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Internet chats, which the United States helped Indian investigators to decipher, reveal tensions between IM and Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, which India says has nurtured the group with finance and equipment.

In one conversation, Riaz Bhatkal, one of the founders of IM now based in the Pakistani city of Karachi, tells his men that it was important to build direct ties with al-Qaeda, cutting out Pakistan agents whom he described as "dogs".

He talks about visiting al-Qaeda leaders in the tribal belt on the Afghan-Pakistan border, despite ISI orders not to do so.

"It has been clear for some time that there is no group that is fully within ISI control. They are all itching for independent action, some want to have a go at us immediately," said an Indian security official.

Pakistani officials deny they have links with the militants. "This is an outdated story. It does not serve any purpose for Pakistan to support such groups," said a senior intelligence official in

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Islamabad, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media about the issue.

"These terrorists are openly attacking us, the army, innocent civilians, everyone here is a target," he told Reuters. "Why would they do so if we were helping them in any way?"

On Nov 2 at least 57 Pakistanis were killed in a suicide bombing at Wagah, near the Indian border, which the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat Ahrar group, whose leader has ties to al-Qaeda, said was also aimed at India.

Two Indian naval warships were abruptly ordered back to sea on Nov 4, a day after they docked at Kolkata port after intelligence agencies issued a terror alert.

Kolkata Port Trust Deputy Chairman Manish Jain said security had been enhanced several times over in Kolkata and Haldia ports.

He did not have more details, but a police officer in Kolkata said they had been warned of an attack by Pakistan-based militants.

"It is the Afghan drawdown, there is a competition to do something spectacular. Wagah was the first," the officer said.

India beat Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI HYDERABAD: India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third one-day international to win the series with two games to spare.

Sri Lanka's 243 all out was underpinned by Mahela Jayawardene's 118 for Sri Lanka, while India seamer Umesh Yadav recorded career-best figures of 453.

Shikhar Dhawan led the India chase with 91 off 79 balls and Virat Kohli's 53 sealed victory with 35 balls to spare.

It puts India 3-0 ahead in a series arranged at short notice after West Indies aborted their tour .

Jayawardene held the Sri Lanka innings together almost single-handedly, coming to the crease with his team on 7-2 after Kusal Perera and Kumar Sangakkara departed in successive deliveries.

He put on 105 with Tillakaratne Dilshan and 67 with Seekkuge Prasanna before reaching his 17th ODI century with a six. But the total of 242 never looked enough as India's openers Ajinkya Rahane and Dhawan put on 50 for the first wicket.

Dhawan was nine runs short of his century when he was given out caught behind even though the ball appeared to graze his helmet.

Kohli steered himself to 50 with his 6,000th ODI run - becoming the quickest to that landmark in ODI cricket - but holed out to longon, leaving Suresh Raina and Wriddhiman Saha to complete India's victory.

Sri Lanka 244 all out in 50 overs (M Jayawardene 118, Dilshan 53, Prasanna 29; Yadav 4 for 53, Patel 3 for 40) India 245 for 4 in 44 overs (Rahane 31, Dhawan 91, Kohli 53, Rayudu 35, Raina 18 n/o; Kulasekara, Dilahsn, Perera 1 wkt each)

causes alarm at DGCA NEW DELHI: A SpiceJet aircraft taxiing to take off hitting a buffalo on Surat runway has exposed the harsh reality of Indian airports: they are virtually grazing grounds for cattle and their dirty surroundings are magnets for birds. Directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) data shows that the combined "wildlife strikes" — birds and animals hitting aircraft on roll at airports — has been steadily rising over the years, putting air travellers at great risk.

The Surat incident led to a long, rambling tweet from former Bihar chief minister and Narendra Modi foe Nitish Kumar mocking Modi’s claims of development in Gujarat.

The DGCA has now compiled a list of 18 airports where "wildlife hazard" is the worst, which includes all the six metros. Among these 18, five have been found to be the worst affected: Udaipur, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Nagpur.

The DGCA has formed teams to inspect these 18 airports by December 20. Safety pilots from airlines will accompany the regulatory team on these checks. The five affected worst airports will be inspected by DGCA's head of safety, Lalit Gupta.

The preliminary probe into Surat's buffalo-hits-aircraft has given the jitters to aviation authorities and puts a question mark on the thousands of crores being pumped into modernization of airports and in installing complex security systems. The fact is that India's state-of-the-art aviation showcases remain afflicted by the most basic problems on ground.

"Even if boundary walls are built, they can't remain unbreached for long. There are villages abutting airports at many cities. Villagers break the walls so that their cattle can graze in the vast greens abutting the runway-taxiway areas. So building a wall is not enough, there has to be constant monitoring by local police to ensure that no one breaches them," said a person closely involved with the Surat probe.

Some airports like Surat have fishing ponds abutting their periphery.

Apart from dirty surroundings, these ponds attract birds which pose a big risk to approaching and departing aircraft. Ahmedabad, in particular, is notorious for bird hits.

The DGCA had written a letter to chief secretaries of all states earlier this year, saying "wildlife/bird strike to aircraft is considered a serious safety issue... (these) invariably result in expensive repairs to aircraft/engines, losses to airlines, cancellations/delays of flight which cause inconvenience to the travelling public."

The Aircraft Act, 1934, specifically prohibits any slaughtering or flaying of animals or dumping garbage in a way which could attract animals and birds within a 10-km radius of airports. Yet a visit around any big city airport would show how this rule is flouted with impunity.

Facebook says 4,960 posts were curbed Facebook has disclosed that it restricted as many as 4,960 items of content on the social networking site in India in compliance with official requests in the first half of 2014. Facebook said that the requests, primarily from law enforcement officials and the country’s Computer Emergency Response Team, were made “under local laws prohibiting criticism of a religion or the state”.

The number of requests for access to users jumped from 3,598 (covering 4,711 users/accounts) in the previous six-month period to 4,559 (covering 5,958 users/accounts) in the first six months of 2014.

Half of the requests were complied with.

Article 19(2) of the Constitution permits reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, among other grounds, “in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.”

Social media have sometimes been used to spread rumors — the ones that sparked an exodus from Bengaluru of residents from the northeastern States in 2012 being an example. However, is it reasonable to use the principle to bar all criticism of the state or religion?

A book by the Indologist Wendy Doniger was withdrawn and pulped because the publisher was threatened with prosecution under Section 295-A of the IPC, which makes “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings” a punishable offence. Recently, a political activist was arrested for an innocuous comment that implied that divine retribution was behind a cyclone that hit Visakhapatnam. If the government is making thousands of requests either for user data or blocking content, it should be transparent about the real nature of its requests, rights activists say.

11 women die after botched sterilizations TAKHATPUR: Bungled sterilizations at a government health camp in Kanan Pendari village in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh triggered the worst-ever medical tragedy in the state, with 11 women dead, seven battling for life and 40 in shock and trauma triggered by loss of blood.

As many as 83 tubectomy operations were performed in threeand-a-half hours, with one doctor and his attendant spending, on average, two minutes per surgery.

The surgeries began at 1.30pm on Saturday, Nov 8, and lasted till 5pm. Medical officer at the Takhatpur primary health centre Dr Katalam Singh Dhurve, who was present at the camp, said Dr R K Gupta conducted the surgeries with a single laparoscopy machine. An FIR has been lodged against Gupta.

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 19

INDIA Court clears way for women make-up artists

NEW DELHI: Describing it as a “taboo” stemming from acute “gender bias,” the Supreme Court on Monday put an end to a 59year-old tradition that bars women from becoming make-up artists in the Indian film industry.

Till now, only men were allowed to wield the brush while women could be hairdressers.

The Indian Express had first reported on November 4 about the court’s ultimatum to the trade union to delete this clause on their own or be ready for a judicial order. The trade union, however, refused to accept the SC sugges-

Only men were allowed to wield the brush while women could only be hairdressers in India’s film industry.

tion and argued that this was to ensure that men are not deprived of work.

While issuing the order for Bollywood on Monday the bench said that it would also apply to such unions in Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad that have film industries and all other regional federations that bar women from the job.

The court ordered deletion of relevant provisions from the Con-

Presidential pardon for fishermen mulled NEW DELHI: India wants Sri Lanka to take a "political" rather than a "legalistic" view of the case of the five Indian fishermen sentenced to death by a court in that country, sources said.

India is making a strong diplomatic push for a presidential pardon of the five Indian fishermen who were recently sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court, The Hindu newspaper said.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday and their talks “centred on the fishermen’s sentence,” sources in the President’s office said on Monday, Nov 10. Sri Lanka may consider a commutation of the sentence to enable the transfer of the five men to serve out a life sentence in an Indian jail.

But Sri Lanka has not made a final decision either way, and the sources said a decision would be unlikely before the January elections. The issue of drug smuggling and the government’s inability to curb is high on the agenda of Jathika Hela Urumaya, a party of Buddhist monks allied to the ruling alliance.

India wants Sri Lanka to take a “political” rather than a “legalistic” view of the case of the five Indian fishermen sentenced to death by a court in that country, sources said on Monday.

Sri Lanka is learnt to have conveyed to India that at the moment, the best option would be to approach the court of appeals.

Army apologizes for Kashmir shooting SRINAGAR: The Indian army has issued an unusual apology for shooting dead two teenage boys in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The army says it made a mistake in firing at a car they were travelling in on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday, Nov 3.

It is rare for the army to admit such an error in such speedy and unambiguous terms. A senior army commander based in the Jammu region flew especially to Srinagar to address the media in the aftermath of the deaths. "We take responsibility for the death of the two boys in Kashmir," the chief of the army's northern command, D.S. Hooda, told reporters late on Friday, Nov 7.

"We admit a mistake was made... There was some information about a white car with terrorists. Obviously, the identity was mistaken in this case," he said.

Gen Hooda promised an enquiry into the deaths would be carried out with "the highest standard of transparency".

Anger has been rising in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley over the killings. Indian newspapers including the Hindustan Times have reported that the army's swift apology was aimed at dampening public anger.

The newspaper reports that the car in which the teenagers were travelling was hit by 32 bullets. It quotes a senior army officer as saying it should not have been shot at with automatic weapons when no threat was posed to the soldiers.

Families of the youths killed have turned down the army's offer of one million rupees ($16,283) as compensation.

stitution of the Cine Costume Make-up Artists and Hair Dressers Association (CCMAA), considered the Bollywood’s official body of these professionals.

The trade union had said women could become members and work in the Bollywood only as hair dressers, apart from insisting on a minimum five-year domicile in Maharashtra to become eligible for a membership card.

The bench junked both the clauses and directed the Maharashtra’s Registrar of trade union to ensure omission in 10 days. Holding that harassment of women is “unconscionable, unacceptable and untenable,” the bench also directed the police to ensure they are not harassed as they seek to procure their membership cards.

Slamming the restriction, the court said, “It is scuttling drive in an individual to achieve excellence in his or her field of work.

Such a limitation is unacceptable. We have no hesitation in saying that it is a discrimination between men and women without any reasonable or rational criteria but solely on gender basis.”

The court was hearing a petition by Charu Khurana and other women make-up artists, who were rebuffed by the CCMAA when they applied for make-up artist cards.

Khurana, who was present in the court on Monday, said she was relieved that her right to earn a living had been restored and that her decision to fight back the bias culminated into a positive direction for all the women in the Indian film industry.

Hospital fights rat infestation INDORE: A government hospital in the central Indian city of Indore is trying to rid itself of tens of thousands of rats overrunning its premises.

Pest control workers say they have killed more than 2,500 rats at the Maharaja Yeshwantrao hospital so far. The 400-bed hospital’s outpatient department is visited by nearly 1,000 people every day.

Nearly 70,000 rats are believed to be hiding in about 8,000 ratholes, city commissioner Sanjay Dubey told the BBC. "Rats had become a massive problem here. We've launched this campaign to rid the hospital of rats because they are present here in such large numbers," Dubey who ordered the rat-extermination drive told BBC Hindi.

Sanjay Karmakar, chairman of the Lakshmi Fumigation and Pest Control Limited, which was given the job of killing the rats, said workers were leaving food like prawns, jaggery, chickpeas and apples laced with poison near rat-holes to kill the rodents.

The cost of ridding the hospital of rats has been put at 5.5 m rupees ($89,511). "Rats are very intelligent animals. If they see a rat dropping dead after eating a food item, they would not touch it again.

That's why we change the menu daily," Karmakar said.

Gujarat first to make voting in local bodies poll compulsory AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has become the first State to make voting compulsory in local bodies after Governor O.P. Kohli recently gave his sanction by signing the controversial Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009.

“The Governor sent his assent to the Parliamentary Affairs Department last week. Now it is up to the government to publish [the rules] in the gazette. The implementation will begin after the official notification,” D.M. Patel, Secretary, Gujarat Legislative Assembly, said.

Amid opposition from the Congress, the Bill was first passed in the Assembly in 2009.

The Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2009 empowers an official chosen by the State Election Commission to declare an absent voter a “defaulter” except in case of illness or being out of town. The defaulter is liable for punishment but the nature of penalty is not specified. The Bill also provides for 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, raising the quota from 33 per cent.

Governor Kamla Beniwal returned the Bill to the Gujarat government for reconsideration, noting that it violated Article 19(1)(A) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression that also includes the right not to vote. She also recommended converting the women’s reservation clause into separate legislation.

However, the Narendra Modi-led State government reintroduced the Bill in its original form and passed it in 2011.

“This is a democratic country and this Bill is autocratic. An individual has the freedom whether or not to exercise his or her right to vote. We welcome the provision for women’s reservation, but the autocratic rule of compulsory voting violates fundamental rights,” Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi told The Hindu.

After Modi became Prime Minister, Beniwal was transferred from Gujarat to Mizoram as Governor in July and then dismissed from office. In August, O.P. Kohli assumed office as Governor.

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PAKISTAN Govt. agreed to set up panel to probe rigging, says Imran ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that the government had agreed in talks held recently to set up a judicial commission to investigate rigging in last year’s general elections.

“During talks between the government and the PTI it was decided that a judicial commission would be formed and assistance from any institution might be taken under the constitution,” he said while addressing participants of his party’s sit-in here on Monday.

He said it had also been decided that during the investigation the judicial commission could seek help from anyone it liked, but the PTI ended the dialogue process when the government started taking action against its party workers.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said officials of security agencies cannot be included in the judicial commission formed to probe alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

He was addressing a news conference in Islamabad today along with Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid and Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid.

Dar said that as per the Constitution, a judicial commission only comprises judges and the government will not do anything in violation of the Constitution. He said nominating members of a judicial commission is the prerogative of the chief justice, and that even the government cannot propose the names.

“Whatever I said in my speech in Rahimyar Khan had already been agreed upon by the government and the PTI during the talks, but the government took a U-turn as usual and backed off,” the PTI chief said.

“We demand the judicial commission to complete the investigation into the rigging within six weeks during which we will continue our sit-in and Nawaz Sharif may continue to occupy his seat.

But if rigging was proved, the prime minister will have to hold fresh elections,” he added.

Khan said several PML-N legislators wanted to join the PTI. “Several members of the national and provincial assemblies belonging to the PML-N want to join me. I will disclose their names one by one before Nov 30,” he said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he said, was trying to buy the loyalty of PTI members of the national and provincial assemblies. “I welcome Mr Nawaz Sharif to cleanse my party because I have already decided not to give party tickets to such people in the next elections.”

Khan said it would be a mistake to assume that the PTI leadership would call off its sitin without resignation of the prime minister.

“Mr Nawaz Sharif, you can take time to tender your resignation and let me visit people across the country and prepare them for a ‘new Pakistan’.”

“I am not Malala” day in some schools ISLAMABAD: An association of Pakistani schools held an "I am not Malala" day on Monday, Nov 10, condemning young Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai for what it called her support for controversial novelist Salman Rushdie.

Education campaigner Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban in October 2012 but recovered and went on to win this year's Nobel peace prize. The 17-year-old has been hailed around the world for standing up for girls' rights to education, but the response to her in Pakistan has not been universally positive, with some seeing her as a "Western agent" on a mission to shame her country.

The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation last year barred its members from buying Malala's memoir "I am Malala" because of what the group said was its "anti-Pakistan and anti-Islam content."

It said the book, written with British journalist Christina Lamb, was too sympathetic to British novelist Rushdie.

Rushdie in 1989 became the target of an Iranian fatwa, or religious edict, calling for his murder for allegedly blaspheming Islam and the Prophet Mohammed in his book "The Satanic Verses".

Mirza Kashif Ali, the president of the schools' federation, said in a statement it was "clear that Malala has nexus with Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin, and also has alignment with Salman Rushdie's ideological club". He said walks, seminars and press conferences were held to highlight the "I am not Malala" day.

"We severely condemned the chapter of the book in which Salman Rushdie's book has been mentioned as freedom of expression by Malala while referring to father's views," Ali said.

Bangladeshi author Nasrin was forced to flee her homeland in 1994 after radical Muslims accused her of blasphemy over her novel "Lajja" (Shame), in which a Hindu family is persecuted by Muslims.

Malala's book describes her life under the Taliban's brutal rule in Pakistan's Swat valley in the mid-2000s, hints at her ambition to enter Pakistani politics and even describes her father's brief flirtation with Islamic fundamentalism as a youngster.

The book describes public floggings by the Taliban, their ban on television, dancing and music, and the family's decision to flee Swat along with nearly one million others in 2009. Malala now lives in Britain where she went for treatment after being shot.

IS recruiting in Pakistan KARACHI: The provincial government of Balochistan has conveyed a confidential report to the federal government and law enforcement agencies warning of increased footprints of militant Islamic State (IS), also known as Daish, in Pakistan.

The ‘secret information report' is dated October 31, and states that IS has claimed to have recruited a massive 10 to 12,000 followers from the Hangu and Kurram Agency tribal areas.

"It has been reliably learnt that Daish has offered some elements of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Ahl-e-Sunnat Wai Jamat (ASWJ) to join hands in Pakistan.

Daish has also formed a tenmember Strategic Planning Wing," the report from the Home and Tribal Affair Department of Balochistan says.

50 die in road mishap SUKKUR: At least 50 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured on Tuesday morning following a collision between a passenger coach and a trawler near Theri Bypass in Sindh's Sukkur district, DawnNews reported.

Medical Superintendent of Khairpur Civil Hospital M Jaffar Soomro told Dawn at least 50 people had died in the fatal mishap. He added that the condition of three wounded was critical and they had been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward.

The accident occurred when the driver of the speeding coach, which was travelling from KP’s Swat district to Karachi, tried to overtake a vehicle resulting in a head-on collision with a truck coming in the opposite direction.

UAE to extend polio aid PESHAWAR: The United Arab Emirates has agreed to extend financial aid for anti-polio vaccination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) for the next 15 months, according to officials.

The UAE government, which has been helping Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata as part of its Pakistan Assistance Program since June 2014, will give $21 million more to continue the drive.

Officials said UAE was assisting polio immunization in 11 districts of KP and entire Fata.

Over 40 suspects in jail for lynching Christian couple

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Monday, remanded in custody four people accused of killing the Christian couple Shama and Shehzad, for alleged blasphemy, officials said.

“The police produced four suspects in anti-terrorism court and the judge remanded them into police custody for further interrogation till November 19," a prosecution official told AFP. He said 39 more suspects were already in jail, out of a total of some 60 suspects named in the lynching of the Christian couple.

Shehzad Masih, a bonded laborer, and his pregnant wife Shama Bibi were beaten by a mob of 1,500 people then thrown on top of a lighted brick furnace last week in a crazed reaction to rumors that they had thrown pages of the Holy Quran into the garbage. The woman, a mother of three, was pregnant.

The horrific incident took place on November 4 in the tiny hamlet of Chak 59 (village 59) near the town of Kot Radha Kishan, 40 miles southwest of Lahore. It has sparked protests across the country by Christians and outrage among rights activists. Police have arrested more than 40 suspects.

Some 900 students from Lahore’s missionary schools staged a demonstration outside Lahore Press Club.

Protesters shouted "We want justice!" and "Stop killing minorities!" as they carried placards and banners.

Police last week arrested 50 villagers who were part of the mob. Kasur District Police Officer Jawad Qamar confirmed the arrests and said a local religious leader had fanned the issue. But the DPO did not disclose his name.

The lynching has sparked protests across the country by Christians and rights activists.

Police and witnesses told Dawn that announcements had been made from mosques on Tuesday asking villagers to gather at the Yousaf brick kiln where 25year-old Shama and her husband Shahzad Masih worked as bonded labourers.

Over 1,000 charged people from three villages took out the couple from a room (where they had taken shelter) after tearing apart its roof. The mob tortured the couple before putting them into the kiln’s furnace.

The mob held hostage five policemen who tried to rescue the couple. The villagers also manhandled some media personnel and snatched their cameras.

Opener Shehzad fractures skull ABU DHABI: Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad suffered a fractured skull after being hit by a bouncer during the second day of the first Test against New Zealand on Monday, Nov 10.

Shehzad, 22, hit a wicket off seamer Corey Andeson. He scored a career-best 176 but was dismissed in the last over before lunch. Shehzad attempted a hook but missed the ball which hit him on the side of the temple. He fell and as he did so, his bat hit the stumps for a hit-wicket dismissal.

Shehzad felt dizzy and had to be helped off the field. He was rushed to a hospital where a scan revealed a minor fracture. “The specialist surgeon has confirmed minor fracture and has advised 48 hours of close monitoring,” said team manager Moin Khan.

INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 • PAGE 21

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PAGE 22 • INDIA HERALD • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014

INDIANS ABROAD Tamil actor S. Ve. Shekher honored in Bay Area Noted Tamil film and stage actor S Ve Shekher was honored last week in Bay Area for his service to the film and stage

by Prof. George L Hart, distinguished professor of Tamil at the University of California, Berkeley. He presented the title “Nataka Ulaga Nayagan” (King of drama) to the veteran actor. The event was organized

by Geekay, a Cupertino-based theater group and Maniram.

Hart, a world renowned Indologist, was responsible for inaugurating the Tamil department at Berkeley. He has studied Latin and Greek as well as several modern European and Indian languages. Hart is best known for his translations of several Tamil epics into English and for asserting that Tamil should be classified as a classical language. In 2004 the Indian Union Cabinet recognized Tamil as a classical language.

Playwright, Television, Film and Theatre artiste playing lead roles, Shekher is a household name with Tamil connoisseurs, popularly known for his punch, quick wit and humor since 1974.

Encouraged by the success of a Singapore drama tour in that year, he founded his own drama troupe Nataka Priya which has so far produced 24 stage plays and performed more than 5900 shows He has toured US, Canada, Dubai, Qatar, Abudhabi, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to stage plays.

In the US he created history in staging full length dramas with his own troupe 28 shows

Noted Tamil film and stage actor S Ve Shekher was honored last week in Bay Area by Prof. George L Hart, distinguished professor of Tamil at the University of California, Berkeley. in 32 days apart from perform- awarded Tamil Nadu Governing his mega hit plays with the ment’s prestigious Kalaivanar local talents at Washington, Award in 1991 and KalaimamNew Jersey, Los Angeles, Se- ani in 1993.

American Tamil University attle and Philadelphia.

Shekher made his debut in conferred him with doctorate film in 1980 with K Balachand- for his Theatrical and Social er’s Varumayin Niram Sigapu Services.

Shekher is a regular blood and since then has acted nearly 90 films. He was the Regional donor having donated more Chair-person of Central Board than 50 times and raised funds for the good cause with the of Film Censors.

He popularized eye dona- help of Jaycees, Lions and Rotion, blood donation, juvenile tary Clubs. He was also elected diabetes through his innumer- as Member of the Tamil Nadu able stage plays. Shekher was Legislative Assembly.

Hindus help Yezidis spread awareness about genocide of Yezidis The Yezidi – Hindu Coalition efforts on raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis faced by Yezidi people in northern Iraq have gained momentum over last three weeks. The group comprises of distinguished members from both Yezidi and Hindu communities in USA and Canada, and has itself has grown from 24 to 138 members in this short span of time.

It may be worth recalling that ever since ISIS (Islamic State) laid siege on Northern Iraq in August 2014, one of the holiest places for Yezidis – Mt Sinjar – has seen many tragic and miserable days. The community which once boasted of 23 million practitioners has been reduced to close to a million at the moment. Between August 2014 and now, over 500,000 Yezidis have been displaced; around 2000 Yezidi men massacred and close to 7000 men, women and children have been kidnapped and/or enslaved.

The efforts of bringing Yezidis and Hindus started in July 2014 with the establishment of Yezidi Sanatan Dharma Society (YSDS) and later bolstered by Yezidi – Hindu Coalition. Sewa International played its part by helping bring the two communities together, by inviting Yezidi brothers and sisters to Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Canada.

About 200 Yezidis from all over U.S., supported by the Hindu community, joined hands for a demonstration at White House, Washington DC on Oct 24th to make an urgent plea for the U.S.

1970 - 2014

intervention to halt the murderous ISIS campaign of forced conversion, enslavement, and genocide of Yezidi men, women, and children in the Sinjar area of northern Iraq. A Yezidi delegation, led by their supreme spiritual leader Baba Sheikh, went to Murugan Temple in Washington DC to offer prayers and meet and thank the local Hindu leadership there. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the spiritual leader of Art of Living, also met the Yezidi delegation in Chicago and assured them of all possible help. Tulsi Gabbard was also present at the occasion. The Hindu leadership in Houston invited local Yezidis for the big Diwali event and the same warmth was extended at many other cities throughout USA and Canada.

As a result of the pressure created by Yezidi-Hindu Coalition, the white house stepped up its offensive against ISIS and also issued a statement reiterating United States commitment to the safety and security of Yezidi people.

Over next couple of months, the coalition intends to conduct fund raising all over USA to help with the humanitarian relief work on the ground and requests the support from all right thinking people who believe in Humanity. Here are the two links for Donation: http://www.sewausa.org/files/ uploads/2014_Diwali_SewaUSA.html Sewa International https://secure.iahv.org/donations.aspx?ref=0 IAHV (associated with ART of Living Foundation)—Achalesh Amar

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