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INOC hosts farewell for CG Prabhu Dayal Details on page 16
Wal-Mart keeps lobbying in US for India entry
VOL 18, No. 961
February 15, 2013
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GOP MUST WIN IDEAS DEBATE: JINDAL WASHINGTON: Indian-American Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal has said Republicans thinking about the 2016 presidential race need to get their "head examined" as the party must win the "debate of ideas" after losing two consecutive bids to the White House. "Anybody on the Republican side even thinking or talking about running for president in 2016, I've said needs
to get their head examined and the reason I say that is we've lost two presidential elections in a row. We need to be winning the debate of ideas then we'll win elections," Jindal said on Fox News's 'Fox & Friends'. "The country doesn't need four years of nonstop presidential debate. We just inaugurated a new term of this president's second term." Details on page 5
Erick Swalwell discusses immigration Details on page 21
Big US defense team at Aero India 2013 Details on page 7
CONTENTS
Details on page 24
Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29
Obama honors NRI scientist Srinivasan
Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 27 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-36 Horoscope ------------------------- 52
Details on page 5
Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 48-50
INDIA POST SURVEY
Philosophy ------------------------- 53
survey@indiapost.com
Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4
This week’s question
Real Estate -------------------- 30-31
Should the GOP compromise on health & immigration ?
TechBiz Post ------------------- 24-26 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-42
Last week’s result
Will ‘peace-mongering’ between India, Pakistan work? YES 39%
NO 61%
CALIFORNIA TO KUMBH: Ashley (L), Marcia (C) and Mereith (R) from California cheerfully greeting devotees at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad on February 5. (Details on page 8)
Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”
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t's hard to beat her celebrity. The new Secretary of State John Kerry will have a tough time against his predecessor Hillary Clinton's enviable status as not only the most powerful woman in American history but also the coolest woman in American politics. He's perhaps logged his own frequent flyer miles in traveling the world as a former senator, but as Secretary of State he is set against a steep million miles across 112 countries around the world that Clinton had covered during her four year tenure as the country's top diplomat. She also leaves behind a lofty legacy as a champion of development and women's empowerment in the developing world, but more than that Secretary Kerry would have the tough job of upholding the immense goodwill that Clinton built for the United States over the last four years, at a time when America's power as a world leader was being challenged by the world polity. Coming into this august office to fill a chair left behind by two powerful women in succession - Condoleezza Rice during the George W. Bush administration was Secretary of State before Clinton - Secretary Kerry, to be fair, has his own reputation built over nearly three decades as US Senator from Massachusetts. Secretary Kerry, with his left-centrist leanings may not upset much of the American apple cart in terms of foreign policy, but he might just prove to be somewhat prickly for India for his strong support to Pakistan - only last week he vociferously deposed in support of monetary aid to Pakistan at his Senate confirmation hearing stating that any aid cut to Pakistan would be a "dramatic, draconian and sledge-manner measure." And if one were to recall, Kerry's entire 2004 Presidential campaign was against outsourcing of back office jobs particularly to India at the time. Elsewhere he is again a vocal and sworn supporter of Israel, a stand which might just have to be toned in keeping with the altered Middle-East equations now. Anyway, as Hillary Clinton now settles into catch up on 20 years of sleep deprivation, Kerry had better keep his eyes wide open.
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: The richest Shahrukh Khan has topped the list of highest earning Indian celebrities in Forbes India magazine’s new list
Cover Story: Debate of ideas Indian-American Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal says Republican party must win the "debate of ideas"
Community: Farewell to Dayal The Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) hosted a dinner reception to bid farewell to Consul General Prabhu Dayal
Health: Birth control offer Obama govt has proposed a compromise for faith-based nonprofit organizations that object to covering birth control
Life Style: Bioscopewalli Creative bug that stung Vanita Omung Kumar of Bioscopewalli led to films and television set designs
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GOP must win ideas debate: Jindal WASHINGTON: Indian-American Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal has said Republicans thinking about the 2016 presidential race need to get their "head examined" as the party must win the "debate of ideas" after losing two consecutive bids to the White House. "Anybody on the Republican side even thinking or talking about running for president in 2016, I've said needs to get their head examined and the reason I say that is we've lost two presidential elections in a row. We need to be winning the
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal
debate of ideas then we'll win elections," Jindal said on Fox News's 'Fox & Friends'. "The country doesn't need four years of nonstop presidential debate. We just inaugurated a new term of this president's second term." 41-year-old Jindal, often mentioned as a 2016 contender, said last month in a speech at the Republican National Committee's meeting in Charlotte that the GOP needed to "stop being the stupid party". He reiterated those sentiments during the interview and said that Republicans need to rethink how they're talking to Americans. "A majority of American voters think that the government is trying to do too much. They
want smaller government yet they still voted for President Obama that means we're not winning the conversation. We're not presenting our ideas. We're not in that debate as well as we should be," he said.
person on food stamps or welfare or signing up for unemployment. He'd say, 'This poor woman wants a better quality of life for herself and for her children.' He would honor the dignity of that person and say, 'I can provide her
41-year-old Jindal, often mentioned as a 2016 contender, said last month in a speech at the Republican National Committee's meeting in Charlotte that the GOP needed to "stop being the stupid party". He reiterated those sentiments during the interview He continued: "If Ronald Reagan were alive today, if he were running for office today this is what he would say about that poor
a better economic future by putting in place policies that actually work.' We need to be having that kind of debate." -PTI
Obama honors NRI scientist Rangaswamy Srinivasan WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has presented the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation to eminent Indian American Rangaswamy Srinivasan for his groundbreaking work with laser. Rangaswamy received the award along with Samuel Blum and James Wynne, for the pioneering discovery of excimer laser ablative photodecomposition of human and animal tissue, laying the foundation for PRK and LASIK laser refractive surgical techniques that have revolutionized vision enhancement. At a glittering function at the White House, Obama presented National Medal of Science to 12 eminent scientists while 10 extraordinary inventors received 2011 National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honors bestowed by the United States Government upon scientists, engineers, and inventors. Established by statute in 1980, the National Medal of Technology and Innovation was first awarded in 1985 and is administered for the White House by the US Department of Commerce's Patent and Trademark Office. Congratulating scientists and inventors Obama said if there is one idea that sets this country apart, one idea that makes it different from every other nation on Earth, its that here in America, success does not depend on where one is born or what his/ her last name is. Success depends on the ideas that you can dream up, the possibilities that you envision, and the hard work, the blood, sweat and tears you're willing to put in to
real-world challenges with a broad domain of expertise, said Dr Wynne of IBM Research. In 1981, Srinivasan discovered that an ultraviolet excimer laser could etch living tissue in a precise manner with no thermal damage to the surrounding area. He named the phenomenon Ablative Photodecomposition (APD), which later revolutionized eye surgery.
Inducted into the US Inventor Hall of Fame in 2002, Srinivasan has spent 30 years at IBMs T J Watson Research Center. He received both bachelors and masters degrees in science from the University of Madras, in 1949 and 1950. He earned doctorate in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California in 1956. He currently holds 21 US patents.PTI
US India Security Council backs Hagel nomination India Post News Service
US President Barack Obama honoring NRI scientist Rangaswamy Srinivasan with prestigious 2011 National Medal of Technology and Innovation award at White House in Washington on February 1
make them real, he said. We have a map of the human genome and new ways to produce renewable energy. Were learning to grow organs in the lab and better understand what's happening in our deepest oceans. And if that's not enough, the people on this stage are also going to be responsible for devising a formula to tame frizzy hair as well
as inspiring the game Tetris, Obama said amidst laughter. It is a huge honor to receive this award for our research more than thirty years after its initial discovery. This achievement is a reflection of IBM's culture of innovation, to think far into the future, and a result of enabling different disciplines to come together to tackle
democracies. Additionally, USISC organizes monthly forums which bring together leading members of the American and Indian security communities to share ideas and find opportunities for collaboration. By fortifying this alliance, USISC aims to further peace, prosperity and security in Asia and
WASHINGTON, DC: The US India Security Council has strongly endorsed President Obama's nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel to be the next secretary of defense. "President Obama is committed to working with leaders in South Asia to bring stability and peace to “Not only does Senator the region. That com- Hagel know the value of mitment is highlighted India's strategic partnership by his nomination of Senator Chuck Hagel to with the United States, but he lead the Pentagon," said has a record of working US India Security Counto strengthen it” cil President Ramesh Kapur. "Not only does Senator Hagel know the value of beyond. Senator Hagel shares these India's strategic partnership with the United States, but he has a goals. He was an early supporter record of working to strengthen it." of the landmark civilian nuclear The US India Security Council agreement between the United advocates for U.S. policies that in- States and India that finally becrease military and commercial ties came law on October 8, 2008. Cont’d on page 6 between the world's two largest
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India will be self-sufficient in Petroleum products: Moily India Post News Service
NEW YORK: The Indian National Overseas Congress(I) formally inaugurated its Karnataka Chapter in the presence of the Union Minister of Petroleum and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Veerapan Moily on February 3 at Royal Palace Restaurant in White Plains (NY) in the presence of the executive members of INOC(I) , chapter heads and other dignitaries and guests from Karnataka. The chapter is headed by former AAPI President and philanthropist Dr Dayan Naik who runs several medical schools in Aruba and other parts of the world. The Inaugural event started with a classical dance performance by Arpita and was followed by a power point presentation on Karnataka and its legends and their contribution to the growth of India. The national anthems of America and India were sung by everyone. The Karnataka Koota performed an ethnic folk song before the formal start of the event. Dr Dayan Naik opened the event by stressing the need to strengthen the Congress Party with like minded people. He welcomed the guests and Chief Guest Shri Veerapan Moily, the Executive members of the INOC (I) and other dignitaries like the vice consul general Dr Devyani, officials of the petroleum ministry and others. The formal event started with the INOC (I) Vice-President Mr Shudh Jasuja introducing the various chapter heads and Executive Committee Members. INOC (I) President George Abraham hailed the Chief Guest as a modern reformer for the many reforms he undertook as Chief Minister of Karnataka and as Union Minister. He also praised Dr Dayan Naik as a great asset to INOC (I) and commended his past roles as President of AAPI (American Association of Physicians from India) and other posts he held. He spoke of the various Government initiatives and programs undertaken by the UPA government and that contributed to the economic growth of the Country in the past decade. He also spoke on the contributions of the NRIs in the economic growth of India and the role of INOC (I) members in the campaign of the Congress Government in the various State Government elections. Chief Guest Veerapan Moily was accorded a thunderous applause on being invited to speak and he spoke from the heart. Mr Moily praised the NRIs and the INOC (I) for organizing such a beautiful event at such a short notice and their concern and love
L to R: Jerome Pereira, Dr Vaijanath Chakote, Ravi Bhooplapur, Dr Dayan Naik, Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily, George Abraham, Shudh Jasuja and Mohinder Singh Gilzian
for India. He spoke on the great Indian mindset from the Indian mythologies documented by his literary work in the books that he authored. He said that the back-
succeed. He spoke on how he got the idea to build a Silicon Valley in Karnataka after a visit to the Silicon Valley in US and the initia-
ing nature entrepreneurs like Narayan Murthy (Infosys founder) and others. The Petroleum Minister said that he has a plan in place to make Indian self
INOC Executive Committee and Chapter Heads
bone of India was its pluralistic society and its secularism and the in born talent and willingness to
tives that he took at Chief Minister of Karnataka in building the Silicon Valley in the state and help-
sufficient in Petroleum by 2030 and that he would have a phased manner to achieve this objective/
vision. He said that the Indian Economy is resilient with strong basics and checks and has withstood two major economic down turns that the world witnessed in 2008 and 2012. He hoped that young people in India needs to unleash positive energy to convert India into a super power and this can be done as India's turn is around the corner due to its young age of its demographic population. He said that India is on the threshold of great economic opportunities and that NRIs should avail the opportunities and benefit from the growth of Indian Economy. He also praised the Karnataka Chapter of INOC (I) for putting together a great cultural program me and the leadership qualities of the Chapter President Dr Dayan Naik. The Karnataka Chapter honored Mr. Ravi Bhooplapur for his outstanding service to the Indian community. The event concluded with the photography session of the Chief Guest with the INOC (I) Executive Committee/ Chapter Heads/ Members and guests and a very lavish Lunch organized by the Karnataka Chapter.
US India Security Council backs Hagel nomination Cont’d from page 5
During his trip to India in 2006, Senator Hagel told reporters in New Delhi the bilateral civilian nuclear deal "represents one of the most thoughtful new approaches to foreign policy in maybe 25 years." "Senator Hagel has visited India and South Asia many times. He is familiar with the complex reality on the ground and the significant role India - among the largest providers of reconstruction aid to Afghanistan - continues to play in bringing about regional security and stability," said Kapur,
a Massachusetts entrepreneur and founding National Chair of the Democratic National Committee's Indo-American Leadership Council. USISC National Secretary Shekhar Tiwari, a businessman from Virginia and founder of the Republican Indian Committee (RIC-PAC), is also enthusiastic about Senator Hagel's nomination. "The United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act would not be the law today without President George W. Bush's leadership, but Sena-
tor Hagel also deserves much of
Chuck Hagel
the credit," said Tiwari, an original member of the Indian Ameri-
can Republican Council, a precursor to RIC-PAC. "Senator Hagel's passionate advocacy kept the deal alive when global politics threatened to unravel it." "During a tense Congressional review of U.S. military aid to Pakistan in exchange for cooperation in the war on terror, Senator Hagel made clear that America's relationship with India should be independent from America's relationship with Pakistan. He insisted that U.S. diplomacy with each of these countries should never come at the expense of U.S. diplomacy with the other," Tiwari explained.
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Large US defense team taking part in Aero India 2013 India Post News Service
NEW DELHI: The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) has launched its 12th landmark Executive Defense Mission to Aero India 2013, signaling the deepened defense and security partnership between the United States and India. The Executive Mission, led by Lt. General Jeff Kohler (Ret.), Vice President, Boeing Military Aircraft, and Vice Admiral (Ret.) Kevin J. Cosgriff, Senior Vice President, International Business & Government, Textron Systems , brings the largest industry delegation to Aero India 2013, and comprises senior executives from America's premier aerospace and defense companies. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is the host and organizer for Aero India 2013 and is USIBC's partner on the ground. Lt. General (Ret.) Kohler and Vice Admiral (Ret.) Cosgriff expressed optimism towards the growing defense partnership, and noted the maturing partnership between the two countries' defense industries. "India's defense modernization requirements and
capacity building measures are vast, and reflect a growing need to secure critical infrastructure assets and defend sizeable borders, while securing their economic growth. In meeting many of these requirements, U.S. indus-
Lt. General (Ret.) Kohler and Vice Admiral (Ret.) Cosgriff expressed optimism towards the growing defense partnership, and noted the maturing India, US partnership try leads the way in offering the most advanced technology with long-term support for the multitude systems offered." said Kohler. "In addition to offering proven US platforms and systems and an end-to-end commitment to customer satisfaction, we are eager to initiate cooperative programs with India's defense industry in
order to take advantage of Indian Industry's engineering talent, growing production capability, and regional expertise," Cosgriff said in a statement. Senior executives representing America's top defense companies, including ATK, BAE Systems Inc, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, DuPont, Exelis, FLIR, General Electric, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp, Harris, Honeywell, L-3 Aviation Products, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, Sikorsky, Textron Systems, Telephonics Corporation, Tyco, and many others, will be present at Aero India 2013. The United States has again brought the single largest industrial delegation to the show. U.S. industry will showcase advanced capabilities geared towards India's air, land, naval, and internal security systems needs. On display will be a USAF variant of the recently acquired C-17 heavy-lift aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules, F-16, KC-135, and other best-in-class systems from U.S. industry, such as armored security and light combat vehicles, tactical communications equipment, integrated weapons systems, ther-
mal imaging technologies and network munitions systems. "We have seen a tremendous evolution and maturation of our bilateral defense relationship over the past decade alone. Our presence here today transcends business and speaks to our commitment to meeting India's defense modernization and capacity building requirements.
try at all levels, which enhances our commercial strategic partnership" said Ron Somers, President of USIBC. Referring to the advanced bilateral security ties, Mr. Somers also said that "the U.S. has consistently offered India the bestin-class capabilities across all defense and security dimensions, broadening the areas in which our
Recent U.S. offerings to India, including heavy-lift and transport aircraft, Sensor Fuzed Weapons, advanced maritime surveillance aircraft, attack helicopters, and light towed howitzers all speak to a high level of trust and cooperation between our two countries. Furthermore, our companies have made significant progress in partnering with local Indian indus-
two Governments, militaries, and industries cooperate." Defense sales, which have risen from just over $200 million in 2001, have increased to over $14 billion today. "This remarkable growth in defense sales translates to thousands of high-skill jobs being created both in India and the United States, making it a "win-win" for both countries."
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FIA celebrates R-Day with 'Dance Pe Chance' India Post News Service
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ: The Federation of Indian of Indian Associations (FIA) of the tri-state (NY NJ CT) celebrated the 64th Republic Day festively in the form of FIA's annual traditional show 'Dance Pe Chance' (DPC) which marked the 33rd edition of the show this year. The show was held on Saturday February 2 at the State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ. Federation of Indian Associations of the Tri-State (NY NJ CT) is the largest non-profit Umbrella Organization of the Indian community. The event started with the inaugural lamp lighting ceremony by the DPC Committee as well as FIA Executive Committee, Trustees and dignitaries in attendance. The dance performances followed. Twenty-three dance performances were presented with precision, grandeur, co-ordination and talent. These were spread among three categories namely Minor, Junior & Senior. Every performance presented a unique blend of art and heritage along with the signatures dance patterns of their respective choreographers. The spectacular entertainment also promoted their talent and Indian culture to viewers across the America. The conclusion ceremony event included honoring the Consul General of India and the traditional ceremony of oath for the FIA's incoming Executive Committee of 2013. (President: Sanjay Amin, Exec. Vice President: Sudhir Vaishnav, Vice President: Anand Patel, Gen. Secretary: Srujal Parikh, Jt. Secretary: Mangesh Bhil, Treasurer: Ankur Vaidya) Dr. Sudhir Parikh on behalf of the Board of Trustees and dignitaries in attendance which included Ramesh Patel, H R Shah, Albert Jasani, Shobhna Patel,
Bipin Patel, Dipak Patel, Dr. Pravin Pandhi and Yash Paul Soi; invited the Consul General on the stage with a warm welcome. C G Prabhu Dayal emphasized the important role FIA has played in efficiently representing the Indian community in the tri-State as well as in improving and en-
are all the Ambassadors of India in essence." He added, "You can take an Indian out of India but you will never take India out of an Indian." Ramesh Patel, Chairman of FIA congratulated Mr. Kanubhai Chauhan the outgoing President and welcomed Mr. Sanjay Amin,
entire DPC 2013 team for working diligently to bring a show of this magnitude together with the best of the dance groups from tristate performing on stage. Mr. Sanjay Amin the new President of FIA, addressed the attendees and commended the Mr. Kanubhai Chauhan and his
applaud the DPC 2013 Chair Mrs. Daxa Amin and Mrs. Chhavi Dharayan along with the entire DPC 2013 team for putting together a show of repute and grandeur with the best talent, designing and conceptualized in a time frame of12 weeks. Multiple winning contestants
hancing Indo-American relationship. He added, "The relations between the two countries have seen unprecedented success but the best is yet to come." Dayal addressed his upcoming retirement and stated, "The joyful memories I have acquired will remain with me forever and the credit of positive representation bears on the shoulders of each Indian staying here and they
the new President of FIA. He added, "FIA is a distinctive organization that celebrates India's Republican Day in a gala entertainment destination and with a unique style. As Americans of Indian origin we are very proud to celebrate Indian Republic day and be part of this showcase." He commended both the outgoing as well as the incoming Executive Committee along with the
team. Amin emphasized that FIA has gone above and beyond in proving that this event is precisely a family oriented not for profit event. He pointed the value of return to the participants is $55/child worth compared to the $20/child registration fee charged. He mentioned that the complimentary snacks and water provided to all in attendance was courtesy of FIA. He went on to
took to stage to receive their respective trophies and checks. The general consensus was that the competition was very neck to neck in general but it was intense between Deewakar Performing Arts and Aatma Performing Arts. Both won prizes in different categories. All dance schools including Arya Dance Academy, Aum Dance Studio won prizes in various categories.
Harvard students conduct research at Kumbh Mela ISHANI PREMARATNE
D
uring their winter break, a group of Harvard students and professors traveled to India to witness the Kumbh Mela, which has been widely described as the largest human gathering on Earth. Wandering among a crowd of Hindu devotees and sadhus, or holy men, the students were there to research and observe the temporary mega city that had popped up along the banks of the Ganges to house the mil-
lions of festival attendees. For Brenna McDuffie, a sophomore majoring in South Asian Studies at Harvard, this incredible feat of urban planning and design sparks many potential research questions. "There are hundreds of reasons to marvel at such an event. How can such a mammoth city be constructed for a one-month festival? How does such a mass gathering remain largely peaceful? Why do people keep coming to such an
event? Such a gathering is definitely one of the greatest opportunities for research of all kinds," McDuffie said. The Harvard undergraduate students joined forces with students from across Harvard's graduate schools, along with professors and researchers in the field, to collaborate on a project called "Mapping India's Kumbh Mela." Harvard University stu-dents and faculty enjoy a meal during their winter break trip to explore India's Kumbh Mela festival. Pic Diana Eck
Cont’d on page 11
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USINPAC congratulates John Kerry on his confirmation India Post News Service
WASHINGTON DC: The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) has congratulates Senator John Kerry on his confirmation as the Secretary of State in the second Obama administration. Sen. Kerry has successfully served as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the past four years, and is known foreign policy expert. USINPAC President, Sanjay Puri in his congratulatory wishes to Sen. Kerry said, "Sen. Kerry has repeatedly displayed his high-regard for a strong US-India partnership and we value his support during the Civil Nuclear Deal negotiations and believe he shall continue the momentum of this relationship and take it to the next level." During his Presidential bid, Sen. Kerry has written to the members of USINPAC and expressed that, "...it is important, to both the United States and to India, that
the economic and military relationship between our two countries continue to grow." Latha Manipudi, USINPAC
NH Chapter, I have had the opportunity to discuss the Indo-US relationship and other issues of concern to the Indian-American
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan swears-in the new US Secretary of State John Kerry at Capitol in Washington
New Hampshire Co-Chair also congratulated Sen. Kerry on his appointment and said, "Along with other members of USINPAC
community with Sen. Kerry, and I believe that he will work favorably towards further strengthening the US-India relationship."
Indian-origin doc’s lawyers win right to question jurors MELBOURNE: Indian-origin surgeon Jayant Patel's defense team has won the right to question jurors ahead of his manslaughter trial, the first of its kind in a legal case in Australia's Queensland province. 62-year-old Patel's legal team led by Ken Fleming made an application under the Jury Act to poll the jury to try to discern any bias against their client. Patel, who is accused of causing the death of 75year-old Mervyn Morris at the Bundaberg Hospital in 2003, is due to face trial in the Supreme Court in Brisbane from tomorrow. The Crown has alleged that Patel caused his patient's death by performing an unnecessary operation. Justice George Fryberg allowed the application and it is likely that the 12 jurors and three reserves will be asked to fill out a questionnaire in the jury room about Patel, according to media reports here. Fryberg is expected to publish
his reasons for allowing the application at another date. He has asked the defense lawyers and prosecution to consider overnight what format the polling might take. The questions would be answered without discussion, with
Jayant Patel
a bailiff in the room to enforce the rule and once the answers were completed lawyers would be able to question any jurors in open court, according to the reports. Unless there was a request from a juror for an answer to remain private, the answers would be made public, it said. -PTI
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PIO police chief in UK criticises ethnic recruitment
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ne of Britain's top ethnic minority police officers has accused chief constables of not understanding the need for more black and Asian recruits. Ch Supt Dal Babu told BBC News many of his colleagues just "don't get it". Ch Supt Babu, 49, who retired from the Metropolitan Police after 30 years' service, said "radical measures" were needed so police had a better understanding of different cultures. The Met said it had made "good progress" with ethnic recruitment. Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said the obstacle to greater ethnic minority recruitment was the legal framework - not senior officers.
'Business case
In spite of targets to boost the number of ethnic minority police officers in England and Wales
they remain under-represented at 5% of the workforce. In the majority of the 43 forces, there are no black or Asian officers at senior levels. Home Office figures show there were only six such officers at the ranks of Assistant, Deputy and Chief Con-
Ch Supt Dal Babu
stable in March 2012. There are also comparatively few black and minority ethnic officers in specialist units, such as CID and firearms. Ch Supt Babu, who is of Indian
heritage and helped found the National Association of Muslim Police, said there was a "business case" as well as "moral" reasons for raising numbers, particularly in specialist units. He said: "It's about having that cultural understanding when you're planning the firearms operation - do you understand the cultural aspects that might be misinterpreted as being aggression within a particular community? "Do you understand when communities are praying on a particular day?" adding that having more officers from different backgrounds would also help cut translation costs. "But ultimately it's the right thing to do," he said. "We need to make sure that people who join feel confident that they can join different parts of the organization."-Courtesy BBC
UAE Crown Prince sits by roadside with 'lost' school-girl
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bu Dhabi residents and motorists were greeted with a sight they are unlikely to see again. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was sitting calmly by the side of the road. However, that was just the beginning of the story. In another incident that shows the great humility and love that the leaders of the UAE have for their people it transpires that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was driving in Abu Dhabi when he saw the girl outside a school looking around as though she was lost. Sheikh Mohammed parked his car and went with his assistant to
the girl, asking if she was lost and offering to drive to her home. The little girl replied that her father was supposed to pick her up and she was waiting for him. She then responded that she
could not accept the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi's offer to drive her home because her dad
told her not to speak to strangers. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's assistant then told the little girl that this was no stranger and went on to introduce the Crown Prince. The girl answered: 'Yes, I know, but my dad said not to go with any strangers.' Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed then smiled he decided to wait next to the girl till her father showed-up. The picture here was taken by one of the school teachers. The story first broke on a UAE Facebook page and the plaudits and comments began to flow in. Comments left on the page included: Veera Sequeira wrote: 'So down to earth!' While Sherif Embabi added: 'Like son like father.' -GN
UAE arrests three Indians for smuggling poppy DUBAI: Three Indians have been arrested by the UAE Customs Authority in Abu Dhabi for allegedly trying to smuggle nearly 130-kg of poppy seeds into the Gulf country. Custom inspectors at the Abu Dhabi International Airport have
foiled the smuggle of huge quantity of narcotic poppy seeds weighing 128.2 kg, the WAM news agency reported. On inspection, 52 bags of narcotic poppy seeds, weighing 52 kg were found with the first suspect, an Indian, while the second
and third suspects, both Indians, were respectively found out to carry 35.1 kg and 41.1 kg of narcotic poppy, the report said. The three accused - arrived in the UAE on a flight from India were referred to a competent authority, it said. -PTI
Starbucks looks to work with Indian coffee growers NEW DELHI: In order to in- the statement said. crease presence in India, US cofBesides, the minister was told fee chain Starbucks is looking at that local craftsmen will be inways to work with local coffee volved in designing the outlets in growing communities with focus India that will have a distinct Inon agronomy, sustainable farming dian imprint in ambiance and ofpractices and creating jobs. ferings, it added. Starbucks Coffee President Commenting on the meeting, (China and Asia Pacific) John Cul- Sharma said: "India provides a ver informed Commerce, Industry robust investment environment, and Textiles Minister Anand which is being recognized by the Sharma of the company's various initiatives in India at a Culver told Sharma on the meeting here, accord- company's activities regarding to an official stateing working with the coffee ment. Culver told Sharma growing communities of on the company's activiIndia "with a specific focus ties regarding working with the coffee growing on agronomy and sustaincommunities of India able farming practices, "with a specific focus on along with its community� agronomy and sustainable farming practices, along with its community invest- global investors." ment initiatives and employment It is a matter of happiness that generation activities". a global investor is sensitive toThe company's equal joint wards the needs of the local growventure in India, Tata Starbucks ers and recognizes local talent, he Ltd (TSL) Chief Executive Officer added. Avani Saglani Davda also accomStarbucks had entered the Inpanied Culver at the meeting. dian market in October 2012 with "Culver conveyed to Sharma the launch of three stores in that TSL is committed to high qual- Mumbai. ity coffee sourcing and long Last month, Tata Starbucks standing sourcing relationship opened two more outlets at the with India. Culver also explained National Capital's Indira Gandhi their plans and initiatives as part International Airport. The third of the coffee sourcing and roast- one in the city will be inaugurated ing agreement with Tata coffee," tomorrow. -PTI
22 Asian workers killed in UAE road accident DUBAI: In the worst accident in the history of the UAE, at least 22 people were killed on-the-spot and 24 others injured when a bus carrying Asian laborers collided with a truck carrying construction materials during busy hours. "Twenty-two people were dead at the scene and the bodies were taken to Al-Ain Hospital. There were 24 others injured, and their injuries ranged from minor and moderate to serious," Brig Gen Hussein Ahmed Al Harthi, Director of Abu Dhabi Traffic Police said. The crash happened on the Old Truck Road (E30), near Al-Ain city, just before 8am when a bus carrying 46 workers thought to be from a cleaning company collided with a large truck carrying sand and concrete, local media reported. The truck overturned and landed on the bus when its brakes
failed, Harthi said, adding that there wasn't a safe distance between the two vehicles. Most workers died after suffocating in the pile of sand and construction material, witnesses said. The accident is thought to be the worst in the history of the UAE, The National newspaper reported. Eleven of the injured were taken to Tawam Hospital and are currently in stable conditions in intensive care units or in surgery, a hospital employee said. One victim with a severe injury was airlifted to the hospital. The dead, all of whom were Asians, were taken to Al-Ain Hospital, the report said. All police units were immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving the report to rescue victims that were trapped in the bus and to provide first aid to the injured.-PTI
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'CIA used ISI detention centers in Pak during war on terror' NEW YORK: Pakistani spy agency ISI's detention facilities in Karachi and elsewhere were used as an initial detention and interrogation point by the CIA during America's war on al-Qaeda which was supported by over 50 countries following 9/11 attacks, a new report has claimed. The report authored by Amrit Singh, daughter of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, says over 50 countries assisted the US in its war against al-Qaeda including by hosting CIA prisons on their territories and detaining, interrogating and "torturing" terror suspects. It said detention facilities in Pakistan in which detainees were held at the behest of the CIA include the ISI detention facility in Karachi, which was allegedly used as an initial detention and interrogation point before detainees were transferred to other prisons. Although controlled by the ISI, detainees at the facility claim to have been interviewed by both US and British intelligence officials. The report 'Globalizing Torture
- CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition' released by rights advocacy group Open Society Justice Initiative details the involvement of 54 nations in the
It said detention facilities in Pakistan in which detainees were held at the behest of the CIA include the ISI detention facility in Karachi, which was allegedly used as an initial detention and interrogation point before detainees American campaign against alQaeda and identifies 136 people who had been held or transferred by the CIA, describing when and where they were held. Singh said she had found evidence that prisoners were held in
countries like Thailand, Romania, Poland and Lithuania while Denmark facilitated CIA air operations. The report provides the number of known victims of secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations, in which suspects were transferred from one country to another without any legal process. Singh, who joined the Open Society Initiative in 2009 as senior legal officer for national security and counter- terrorism, said: "moral cost of these programs was borne not just by the US but by the 54 other countries it recruited to help." The report said foreign governments also failed to protect detainees from secret detention and extraordinary rendition on their territories and to conduct effective investigations into agencies and officials who participated in these operations. The governments identified in the report span the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America and include
Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and United King-
Amrit Singh, daughter of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
dom. "By engaging in torture and other abuses associated with secret detention and extraordinary
rendition, the US government violated domestic and international law, thereby diminishing its moral standing and eroding support for its counterterrorism efforts worldwide as these abuses came to light. "By enlisting the participation of dozens of foreign governments in these violations, the United States further undermined longstanding human rights protections enshrined in international law including, in particular, the norm against torture," Singh said in the report. "Responsibility for this damage does not lie solely with the United States, but also with the numerous foreign governments without whose participation secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations could not have been carried out. By participating in these operations, these governments too violated domestic and international laws and further undermined the norm against torture," Singh said. -PTI
Harvard students conduct research Getting better: Malala in at Kumbh Mela her first video message Cont’d from page 8
As part of its research, the group is studying the complex dynamic and environmental impact of the "pop-up mega city" that is built for the festival, replete with housing, water supply systems and electricity. Rachel Taylor, a sophomore studying anthropology at Harvard, commented on environmental concerns associated with
vidual student contributions can contribute to something larger. "It was fascinating when a big group of us would go to a sadhu's akhara together, but would each be looking at something different. While I might be watching the singing bards as part of my research on performance, another student would be checking out the toilet facilities while yet another was taking pictures of the akhara's alleyways and camp
It was fascinating when a big group of us would go to a sadhu's akhara together, but would each be looking at something different. While I might be watching the singing bards as part of my research’ another student would be checking out the toilet facilities the festival. "Many pilgrims hold the belief that since Mother Ganga can purify souls, she can surely handle discarded plastic bags," Taylor said. "A major focus of this year's Kumbh has been the health of the heavily polluted Ganges." While many students who find more than academics abroad do so as an individual pursuit, this interdisciplinary Harvard project to map the Kumbh Mela is based on the premise that many indi-
structure as part of a mapping project," McDuffie said. However, the research initiative was not a one-sided experience that benefited the students alone. In a setting far removed from the typical university classroom, professors were able to interact and engage with their students in a unique learning environment. "I love the independence of spirit that students demonstrated. ‌ They had a kind of fearlessness and a can-do spirit that en-
abled them to accomplish far more than I had imagined," wrote Diana Eck, a professor of comparative religion and Indian studies at Harvard who was one of the faculty members leading the team. Students share a similar admiration for the professors who worked with them. "I became interested in a course on the Kumbh Mela last spring when Professor Diana Eck told me her hopes to offer it, and I didn't hesitate for a moment when the opportunity to enroll arose," Taylor said. "She is an incredible professor and person, and I knew this was truly a once in a lifetime trip." Now returning to campus, the work will continue as students attend debriefing sessions and prepare their research to be included on the Harvard South Asia Institute's Kumbh Mela website. In reflecting on her experience at the festival, McDuffie is liberal with her praise. "There is no better place to see the scope of Indian culture, religion and tradition than at the Kumbh. From performances, to rituals, to displays of class structure and social disparity, the Kumbh has it all." Ishani Premaratne is a Spring 2013 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent.
LONDON: Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani teenage rights activist shot in the head by Taliban, has made her first video statement since she was nearly killed, saying she was recovering and thanked everyone for her "second life". Speaking clearly but with a slight stiffness in her upper lip,
15-year-old Malala said she was "getting better, day by day." "Today you can see that I am alive," she said in the video. "I can speak, I can see you, I can see everyone. It's just because of the prayers of people. Because all people - men, women, children - all of them have prayed for me," The Mirror quoted her as saying. "And because of all these
prayers God has given me this new life - a second life. And I want to serve. I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated. For that reason, we have organized the Malala Fund," she said. Malala drew the world's attention when she was shot by Taliban militants on October 9 on a school bus in north-western Pakistan. A bullet was removed from her head by surgeons in Pakistan, before she was flown to the UK for specialized treatment. Se underwent two successful surgeries including one to fix a titanium plate on her skull. Malala had been discharged as an inpatient from the hospital in January after undergoing weeks of specialist treatment. The Queen Elizabeth is also home to the Royal Centre for Defense Medicine, which has treated many of the injured servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan. Earlier, Malala was reported to have been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. -PTI
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Surrender-The True Means of Conquering the Mind SWAMI MUKUNDANANDA
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ut of all the concepts that have been explained so far, the main concepts to understand are that one who loves is the premi, or the lover, and the one who is loved is the premaspad, or the Beloved, and that only God and Saints can occupy the seat of the Beloved. The mistake we have made so far is in our understanding of the most important thing - whom the lover should accept as the Beloved. Since eternal time, we have heard and understood a lot, but on the practical level we always chose material personalities as our Beloved. We must further understand who it is that has to practice devotion. In a general way it is said that the individual soul practices devotion. However, the soul is a non-doer. It does not perform any actions. The performer of each and every action is the mind. I have explained this hundreds of times to you, but you people forget. You have come here with the genuine desire to practice devotion, but you forget the main point that it is the mind which must be attached to God. Mere physical work of the senses will not do. Activities with the senses, like sankeertan, etc. are done to help you absorb the mind quickly in God. You might say something is better than nothing. However, Ved Vyas says that devotion practiced only with the senses is not devotion at all. "Mind alone is the cause of bondage as well as liberation." So if the question is asked as to who it is that has to love, the answer is "the mind". When we say that someone loves, it means that he focuses his mind on the Beloved. In other words, we must fix the mind on God. However, many people say that it is useless to fix the mind on God. There have come to this world many so-called learned people, who were in fact very ignorant. Just hear some of their theories. According to Sigmund Freud, it is an irrefutable law of nature that all human beings will always have a troubled mind. Therefore, he says that no one should hope for or try to attain peace and happiness. What a wonderful philosophy this is! Our world has produced such capable men! In the book titled "Sickness of Civilization," Radhakamal Mukherjee of India has refuted Freud's philosophy that everyone is doomed to remain distressed, restless, and unfulfilled, and that this is an inflexible law of nature. Another very famous philosopher is Schopenhauer. He says that it is the fate of the human mind to sway in sorrow and restlessness, and that there is no cure for it. But, we have a cure here in India. These philosophers have accepted defeat because they have used their material intellect to reach the answer. Neither do they conduct spiritual research themselves, nor are they willing to accept the findings of the great Sages who have conducted such research. What knowledge can they acquire in this way? Whatever knowledge they possess, they present in a book which is then called a "philosophical treatise." However, their philosophy contains only their own limited and material knowledge.
Another philosopher, Bertrand Russell, The path of yog does not constitute only says that the dissatisfaction and troubles postures; that is the physical part of yog. of the mind and its constant fluctuations Real yog means to control the mind. For have to be borne. There is no solution, but this, Patanjali has recommended many methif a person immerses himself in work day ods in his Yog Darshan. But, in the end he and night, he can forget his miseries. This accepts defeat and says that the techniques is his method. What he says is true to a he is suggesting are very difficult and even great extent, beif someone mascause "an idle ters them, there is mind is the still no guarandevil's worktee that the mind shop." So, the will always repoor fellow has main in control. at least sugThings can go gested a method wrong. Thereof avoiding the fore, in the end problem. he has written an It is our tenaphorism - "Surdency to engage render to God." in frivolous acHe says, "If you tivities on our surrender to days off. People God, I can then play cards, go to guarantee that nightclubs, your mind will watch movies, come under congamble, go to trol permanently. restaurants, and Otherwise, it will visit friends to behave well for a engage in idle while and misbegossip. In other have once words, when we again." have free time, The West has our mind goes to its share of Hath where it has yogis (advocates formed attachof forceful rements. And even straint of the if we sit at home, mind on the relaxing in our strength of the easy chair, our will power) like mind engages in Diogenes who attachment and used to beg becriticism of othfore a stone figers. Russell's ure for food and method is someclothing. A comwhat effective panion of his for the common asked him, "Are man, but it is ceryou insane? tainly not a cure. Why are you The Hatha begging from a yogis recoms t a t u e ? " mend gaining Diogenes anSwami Mukundananda control over the swered, "I am domind through ing this delibersheer obstinacy. This is described in the ately. I know very well that this statue will Darshan Shastras as well. Pay close atten- not give me anything. I am only practicing tion. This is spiritual philosophy, not mate- tolerance so that I may not feel badly if I rial. In his Yog Darshan, Patanjali describes speak to a person and he does not fulfill my the method to gain control over the mind. request or even if he refuses to talk to me." You hear the word "yoga" these days; it is This was his method, but it will not take being practiced everywhere. The "yoga" of you to the goal. Swami Ram Teerth had a
William James has created a formula, which is somewhat correct. He says that there are two things: desire and gain, or longing and attainment of worldly goods. If your desires reduce and your worldly goods increase, then you get more happiness. And if your desires are greater and your worldly gain is less, you experience unhappiness today is mere physical exercise. The true meaning of yog is disclosed by Patanjali in the aphorism "Yog means to control the waverings of the mind."
strong liking for apples. Everyone has his or her likes and preferences. It may be something small or big; something good or bad. Some like eggplant; others have a craze for
rasgullas. Everyone has his own habit or weakness. Swami Ram Teerth's weakness was for apples and he thought, "I try to take this mind to Shyamsundar, but it goes to apples instead." So he sat in front of an apple and looked at it continuously. The entire day passed; then the night. Second day passed, then the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. The apple rotted and became infested with worms. Addressing his mind, Swami Teerth said, "O mind! Do you still wish to eat this apple?" Why was he doing this? To control the mind, by not eating an apple put in front of it. This is not a solution, but excessive stubbornness. Today you win, and tomorrow, the apple may win. This method does not provide a permanent cure. Ramakrishna Paramhans would take a rupee in one hand and a lump of dirt in the other, and tossing them back and forth between the two hands, he would repeat "Taka (rupee)-Maati (dirt)." He did this the entire day. People would ask, "What are you doing, O Revered Swami Ji?" "I am practicing convincing the mind that money is dirt, so that greed may never arise in me." Imagine! He is a devotee of the Divine Mother; he should meditate on Her rather than doing "taka-maati" all day long. I accept that such methods bring temporary relief; however, they do not result in gaining permanent control over the mind. You do not fall off a bicycle as long as it is moving. It may be moving forward, or turning right or left, you will not fall off. But as soon as you stop pedaling, you will fall. Likewise, our mind has to be moving constantly. It may be moving in the direction of the world or God. You cannot stop it from moving. God has given us such a machine that we cannot lock it up and put it away. Without the mind you cannot think, speak, walk or do anything else. Of course, one way to stop the mind from thinking is to smell chloroform and go into a state of deep sleep. Then you will not think, see or hear anything. However, you do not need chloroform to go off into a state of deep sleep. Right here there may be half a dozen dholaks being played in keertan, still some people manage to go off to sleep. And if I tell them to stand up, they look behind them, as if I am addressing someone else. In other words, they think it is someone else who has been caught sleeping. You see, the one who has been sleeping, does not realize he has been sleeping. When he opens his eyes, he thinks that he has been awake all along. So you see, the mind stops functioning in deep sleep. At that time, you do not do anything at all. You do not speak, think or understand anything. Other than this, it is impossible to lock the mind away some place. Psychiatrists accept this fact as well. William James has created a formula, which is somewhat correct. He says that there are two things: desire and gain, or longing and attainment of worldly goods. If your desires reduce and your worldly goods increase, then you get more happiness. And if your desires are greater and your worldly gain is less, you experience unhappiness. Cont’d on page 13
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Surrender-The True Means of Conquering the Mind Cont’d from page 12
So if you want happiness, reduce your desires; and if you want misery, increase your desires. If your desires come to zero, that is the biggest happiness; and if your worldly gain comes to zero, that is the biggest misery. What he is saying is not altogether wrong, but it is a theoretical philosophy. How do you practically bring your longings to zero? James does not answer this question in his book. How wonderful it would be if we could destroy desires by merely thinking, "I will no longer desire; I will no longer desire; I will no longer desire." If this were possible then why would the greatest yogis and ascetics perform the difficult sadhanas that they do? James must have thought to himself, "Have I destroyed my own desires?" Then he must have thought, "No, but still I am going to write about it." You say that you can eliminate desires by merely thinking about eliminating them. But this is impossible. The mother of desire is maya. Unless God Himself gives a signal to maya to leave the individual alone, desires cannot come to an end. Great Sages, ascetics and yogis, who are capable of traveling through the sky at will, and who can acquire thousands of bodies simultaneously and who have many mystic powers, have not been able to do it. How can you? Just constantly pondering over and reflecting, "I should not increase desires," as psychology says, is a very ineffective cure. Everyone, not only the psychiatrists, know that desires are undesirable, but merely knowing this will not benefit you. Right from birth, a child hears from his parents that it is wrong to tell lies. The child grows up hearing this; he reads about it and later as an adult he lectures others about it, but still he cannot renounce the habit of lying. Why? Because it benefits him to tell lies. Because he is attached to material goods, he will do whatever he can to acquire them. So it does not help to merely know, hear and read about it. This is why even this theory is unacceptable to us. However, this method has been proven somewhat beneficial. A philosopher by the name of Charles Hume writes in his book that all the psychiatrists in the world using all medicines available cannot give the same relief to a patient, as a man following the most ordinary, basic religious principles. An ordinary believer, mind you. How much more can a great believer accomplish! Thus, we see that there are many theories regarding the mind prevalent in the world, but none of these theories suggests any permanent cure. The first and most important problem is that you will not attain Divine Bliss by using these methods. The unlimited Divine happiness that the soul is seeking will not be attained by these cures, even if the impossible is achieved and you put an end to all desires. At the very most, even though this is absolutely impossible too, anger, lust, greed, infatuation, envy will come to an end. But you will still not attain Divine Bliss. The fact is that no one can bring these evil tendencies under control permanently. They become suppressed for some time for
everyone. Right now, all of you are free from lust, anger, greed, and are listening attentively to what I am saying. Who can guess that you are afflicted by any of these maladies? But they are all within you. And, finding the right opportunity, they manifest themselves. If someone pushes you, you flare up and say "Can't you see where you are going?" See, anger has made its appearance. You
reaching for your gun. Just in case your parents did not tell you this, I am teaching you this survival skill. So, surrender means to do nothing. This is all we have to understand in order to attain God's grace. All the sadhana we have done for many ages is simply to bring us to the point of surrender. And, it is the mind that has to surrender. Since the mind has surrendered
The mother of desire is maya. Unless God Himself gives a signal to maya to leave the individual alone, desires cannot come to an end. Great Sages, ascetics and yogis, who are capable of traveling through the sky at will, and who can acquire thousands of bodies simultaneously and who have many mystic powers, have not been able to do it see a 1000 rupee note and no one is around. You put it in your pocket. Greed has come. You do not announce among the satsangis, "Has anyone lost 1000 rupees? Now, if it was a 100 rupee note, it gets announced. One's dignity is preserved and one is even termed "honest." So all bad qualities reside within us and finding the appropriate atmosphere, they manifest externally. It is not wise to try for temporary relief from these vices. If you are going to make an effort, make sure that the disease is destroyed at the root. I will not go into detail about the various remedies recommended by Meemansa, Nyaya, Vaisheshik, Yog of Patanjali, and the Advaita Vedant of Shankaracharya. This is a very detailed topic. Understand in brief that the mind cannot be controlled, and that the diseases of maya will not leave you until you are free of maya. And how can we attain liberation from maya? Shree Krishna says, "Only one who surrenders to Me can cross over maya." Release from maya takes place only by His
to the world in infinite past lives, it turns around and returns there. I had explained the science of the mind and intellect in detail earlier. Briefly, understand that the main worker is the mind. When you are working in the world, take special care to ensure that the mind does not become attached to the world. And when doing spiritual sadhana, do not forget that it is the mind alone that has to form an attachment to God. In the world, any attachment shown must be in acting. With God and Guru, the attachment should be a fact. An act is not rewarded. The fact is, if you act with God and Guru, your sadhana will not bear fruit. And if rather than acting in the world you become attached in fact, you will attain worldly results. Even in the world no one pays attention to an act. It is like the playful banter by the in-laws. It is like the joke played on Holi or on April Fools' Day. Similarly, God places no value on external actions, but notes our inner attachments. So, we have to remember that the actual
You may have been Laila-Majnu or Sheeri-Farhad, but you have never loved anyone. You have always loved yourself. Only yourself. Memorize this statement. I hope you have not forgotten what I have already explained to you in detail. Every soul loves another for his own selfinterest, until the point that he attains God. Every action of his before God-realization is motivated by selfishness grace. It cannot take place on the strength of any spiritual discipline. The only spiritual discipline we have to perform is to surrender to God. That is all. What does it mean to surrender? To surrender means to accept our helpless state, "I cannot do anything on my own." When the army of a nation surrenders to another, what does it do? It puts down its weapons and raises the white flag. If someone ever shows you a gun, and asks you to surrender, what should you do? You should immediately stop all work and put up your hands. Don't do anything foolish, like putting your hands in your pockets. If you do, the attacker may kill you, thinking you are
"lover" is the mind of the individual. You can say the mind, or you can say the individual soul, plus the mind, plus the intellect, plus the senses, plus the body. The combination of all these constitutes a human being. And it is this combination that is the "lover." But amongst all these, it is not the body, senses or the soul that perform any action. It is only the mind and intellect that are the workers. This is why we must focus on the mind and the intellect. Now let us move on. We have understood that we must love God and His devotees, the Saints. We should also understand that there is a condition that has to be fulfilled in this love. Condition in love? Yes.
What condition? The condition in love is that we must love. What does this mean, to love you have to love? Because you have never loved, you do not know how to love. "What are you saying? I have loved countless fathers, mothers, wives, and husbands in countless lives and you are saying that I do not know how to love?" That was all wrong. You can write it in golden letters that you have never loved anyone, ever. You may have been LailaMajnu or Sheeri-Farhad, but you have never loved anyone. You have always loved yourself. Only yourself. Memorize this statement. I hope you have not forgotten what I have already explained to you in detail. Every soul loves another for his own self-interest, until the point that he attains God. Every action of his before God-realization is motivated by selfishness. And what happens when one attains God? One's aim of infinite, eternal happiness is attained. Now, there is no longer any selfish reason for any action. "Upon attaining God, the soul has no further work that remains to be done." But we see Godrealized Saints engaged in great works. Saints like Prahlad are ruling kingdoms, getting married and having children. They are fighting battles and killing others. 99.9 percent of Saints, like Hanuman, Bharat, Lakshman and Arjun, led very active lives. Why are they performing actions? Have they not attained Bliss, which is the ultimate motive behind every action? Yes, they have. Then logically, their actions should have come to an end. Let us understand this with an example. When you heat butter in a pan, it makes loud splattering sounds as it is being cooked. The impurities decrease and now the butter becomes quieter. And when the butter becomes pure ghee (clarified butter), it stops making even the slightest sound. Its work has now come to an end. It will not speak any longer. But if someone puts raw dough into the ghee, the ghee will speak once again. Why? In order to cook the raw dough and make it into a poori. The ghee does not speak for its own sake; it speaks for the sake of the poori. When the poori is cooked, the ghee becomes quiet once more. When more raw dough is put into the ghee, it speaks once again. Once the poori is cooked, the ghee becomes quiet once more. Likewise, God and the Saints, who are eternally gratified since they possess Divine Bliss, do work only for the benefit of others. They cannot do anything for themselves. Just as we cannot do anything for anyone else before God-realization, in the same way, they cannot do anything for themselves after God-realization. They are helpless in this regard. When there is nothing left for them to attain, what can these poor souls do! They have no more personal motive to fulfill, and therefore, God and Saints descend to earth and mix with worldly people, encouraging and inspiring them to detach themselves from the world and follow the Godly path. They have to hide their true identity to mingle with their opponents (proponents of the worldly path), and bring them over to their side. Cont’d on page 14
Astro Plus
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February 15, 2013
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Can Destiny be changed? PANDIT PARASHAR
H
uman form is the finest form on the face of Earth. It is attained by per forming some good deeds and lots of Tapasya in previous form. Of course some bad deeds or unfinished desires get attached along with the good deeds. So whatever happens in one's life is a direct result of deeds good or bad from previous lives. Sometimes we call it Karma also. The whole purpose of this fine life is divided into four parts - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Holy scriptures say that one should maintain a balance between these four. Out of these four Dharma (duty towards family) and Kama (attachment and fulfillment of human desires) are under the control of human beings to a great extent. The other two - Artha (the material to fulfill duty towards family and fulfill worldly desires and desires of senses) and the Moksha or liberation from transmigration, getting out of the cycle of birth and death are in the hands of Lord Almighty, the Creator of the Universe. According to ancient Indian wisdom, only the person who maintains a balance or devotes almost equal time to these four aspects of life can achieve all goals, peace, harmony, happiness in this and eternal life and can be liberated from transmigration. Whether living the life of a householder or sitting and praying in a temple for 18 hours a day, if one doesn't fulfill the Dharma to-
wards his family, he won't be able to please his Maker. That's what Balance is about. In what family we will take a birth, how our childhood will be, how many siblings we will have, how our upbringing will be, what kind and level of education we will
do in his or her life. The weak and strong areas in life can be slightly improved but cannot be changed. It means the basic traits or characteristics of the person cannot be completely changed. The timing of events to occur in one's life cannot be changed.
God or that Super Power has not given any human being (Astrologer) extraordinary powers to peep into His affairs. A good and spiritually connected Astrologer can make very good guesses based on past, pattern or trend and the planetary position in one's chart receive and the time and person we will get married to, and how married life will be and how many and what kind of children one will have, is all predetermined. This is better known as Destiny. Birth chart is the guide map of one's life. It gives us a fair indication of how one will
God or that Super Power has not given any human being (Astrologer) extraordinary powers to peep into His affairs. A good and spiritually connected Astrologer can make very good guesses based on past, pattern or trend and the planetary position in one's chart.
As far as the remedies are concerned, it's a myth. When you are in trouble no socalled astrologer or gemologist, or pujari or Vaastu consultant can change your life or remove what God has in store for you. They all have a selfish motive of getting more money out of you in your hard time. If it were easy to change Destiny, I would not be working but relaxing on a nice beach with beautiful view and a glass of some nice cold drink in my hands. Now the big question is how and who can change your destiny? Or can destiny be changed at all? The answer to this big question is, Yes. There are two people in this world who can alter or change your Destiny, because God listens to them. And mark my words, those two people are: Your Parents if you are fortunate and have them around. And last but least, a real Saint or real Guru. To be honest, that is a rare commodity in this materialistic and selfish world. God bless and help you all. Pandit Parashar www.parashar.com 510-886-4370
Surrender-The True Means of Conquering the Mind Cont’d from page 13
The Saints meet with resistance from all corners. If one member of a family starts moving rapidly in the direction of God, the entire clan unites to try and prevent him from becoming a "renunciate." "Who is this Saint who has come to destroy our family?" This is just like in politics where people unite to pull someone into their party. Now the poor Saint is alone on one side, and on the other side are millions of worldly people trying to pull down the soul who is starting his spiritual life. If the aspirant succumbs to weakness; if he becomes afraid of criticism, he will give up. But if he perseveres, he does not care about what others think, and he says: "Some call me characterless; some says I am from a good family, and some say that I am from a bad one. Some call me a beggar. I may be stigmatized by society and called unchaste. I am not concerned with this world or heaven or the family of my husband. I have chosen a path far removed from all these. I can give up my body, my mind, heavenly gods and reject the authority of my respectable seniors. But I cannot stop glorifying Him. I sacrifice everything on the form of Shyamsundar of Vrindavan." "I give up my house, the forest, the city and all its inhabitants. I have no hesi-
tation in renouncing Vanshivat. I can abandon my body, my home, but I cannot give up my Beloved. The world calls me mad but I do not argue with them. I say they are perfectly right. I have given up hearing and speaking. I have abandoned my father and brother, mother and everyone else, but I cannot give up my Shyamsundar."
Saints use Their unlimited power, but They have to accept defeat in front of us. The way we apply our intellect and question everything with our "buts" and "whys", prevents us from surrendering to God and Guru. And without surrender, the greatest descensions of God and the foremost of Saints cannot give us anything.
This is the entire message of the Geeta. In the first chapter Arjun is saying, "I am your disciple, and I am surrendered to You." Later, in the eighteenth chapter, God says, "Listen to some very confidential knowledge." "What is it?" "Surrender to Me alone." But, was not Arjun saying "I am surrendered to You" right at the beginning of the Geeta? No, no! First Arjun was surrendered to Shree Krishna as well as to dharma. The few souls who are adamant, manage to escape from the madness of this world and get freed from the clutches of maya. They are so rare that we can count them on our fingertips. Some examples are Tulsi, Soor, Meera, Kabir, Nanak and Tukaram. They went over to God's side, while the world looked on and commented, "Look, he is leaving us." "Let him go. One person leaving will not affect us. But be careful that others do not escape." Yes, we make such efforts to stop a person from going towards God! God and
They are bound by the eternal law of gracing only surrendered souls. Therefore, though they have come to the world to distribute Divine gifts, they are forced to return with them. And, the souls who do surrender, do so only to some degree, while what is required is complete surrender. The Vedas say that if there is a distance of a hair's breadth, just a minuscule bit left in surrender, you will not attain the goal. Surrender must be total and complete. If you wrap the touchstone in a piece of cloth and then touch it to iron, the iron will not become
gold. The touchstone and the iron have to make complete contact. Similarly, our surrender must be one hundred percent. This is the entire message of the Geeta. In the first chapter Arjun is saying, "I am your disciple, and I am surrendered to You." Later, in the eighteenth chapter, God says, "Listen to some very confidential knowledge." "What is it?" "Surrender to Me alone." But, was not Arjun saying "I am surrendered to You" right at the beginning of the Geeta? No, no! First Arjun was surrendered to Shree Krishna as well as to dharma. Now, Shree Krishna is saying, "Surrender to Me alone." This is the main problem. Partial surrender will not do. Shree Krishna wants complete, one hundred percent surrender. This complete surrender means "to do nothing." But, because since eternity we have practiced doing everything, there is a lot to be done to come to this state of "doing nothing." This effort is known as sadhana. Saints have recommended many methods of doing sadhana, like chanting, singing bhajans and doing worship. "The mind should be attached to Shree Krishna using any and every means." Thus, we must take the mind and focus it on the Beloved. But there is a condition to be fulfilled here also. The condition is that in love, we must truly love. Since we have never loved in the countless past lifetimes, we do not know how to love.
February 15, 2013
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Desi News Congressman Erick Swalwell discusses immigration issues RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
FREMONT: Erick Swalwell became Congressman for 15th California district after winning in the recent elections. He defeated long time incumbent Pete Stark by advocating choice of a representative more connected with constituents. On February 2, there was an open house for his new district office in Pleasanton. On this occasion, he discussed his top legislative priorities and positions on immigration in an exclusive interview with Ritu Maheshwari of India Post.
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
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Swami Mukundananda answers questions on Spirituality
February 15, 2013
Details on page 22
INOC hosts farewell reception for Consul General Prabhu Dayal
Details on page 21
Dr Meshri again on Science Research Board RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Indian origin globally famous scientist Dr Dayal Meshri has added one more feather to his cap by earning the distinction of being the first ever Indian to be re-appointed to the prestigious science and technology research and development agency of Oklahoma State. Oklhahoma Governor Mary Fallin said in a communication to Dr Meshri that his four year term begins from July 1, 2013 and will end June 30, 2017 and that Dr Meshri, besides representing the scientific community, will also be representing small businesses. Details on page 20
TLS educates you about healthy kitchen CHITRA THAKUR
A
fter you cleanse your body by jump start, it is imperative to put nutrition through fresh foods coming from a clean, hygienic and healthy kitchen. TLS educates about the kitchen and its health. Remember your waist starts in the kitchen! Here are some tips for that. Details on page 21
Max New York Life offers career opportunities Details on page 23
Consul General Prabhu Dayal being honored India Post News Service
NEW YORK: To bid farewell to Consul General Prabhu Dayal, the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) hosted a dinner reception for him at a newly opened restaurant called Amla in Manhattan. The national executive body of INOC USA got together to honor the popular CG and various chap-
ter presidents and council heads also joined in. Bobby Kumar, Prem Bhandari and Gunjan Rastogi also graced the occasion as special invitees of INOC. One after the other, the speakers from every segment of the community, caste and religion spoke about the achievements of Mr. Dayal. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Prabhu Dayal said, "The Indian
Diaspora should stay engaged with India and the strength of the community will only be truly realized when there is unity." He acknowledged that at times the new rules and regulations emanating from New Delhi might have created unease among some in the community and the Consulate had to mitigate and resolve the problems. However, he gave credit to the many leaders in the commu-
nity taking initiative and working with the Indian authorities to resolve many issues. He urged the civic and community organizations to work together to achieve greater progress in dealing with new challenges and praised the INOC for its commitment to promote stronger cooperation and collaboration between India and U.S. Cont’d on page 17
Pratham wins TOI award for Social Impact India Post News Service
NEW YORK: Pratham USA was declared this year's winner of the Times of India Social Impact Award in the category "International Contribution to India." It was commended for utilizing philanthropy to positively impact the children of India. With 14 volunteer-run chapters across the United States, Pratham USA raises more than $10 million annually. Over 94% of the money raised by Pratham USA goes directly to Pratham and its partner organizations in India. Pratham provides educational programs, conducts research on educational standards and offers various innovative learning opportunities for children and young adults
Pratham aided school in India
throughout India. "This award not only recognizes the efforts of Pratham USA, but most importantly, it recognizes the continued generosity of our
donors, both large and small," says Arvind Sanger, Chairman of the Board of Directors Pratham USA. "Every donor to Pratham USA has a strong belief that edu-
cation provides the foundation for individuals to raise themselves socially and economically. Cont’d on page 19
Community Across America
February 15, 2013
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Children participation highlights Republic Day celebration RAVI RAWAT
CHICAGO: Hindi Lovers Club of Illinois organized a colorful function to celebrate Republic Day, bringing a lot of patriotism among Indians, especially among those far away from India. The event at India House in Schaumburg spread a lot of love and happiness among the community in Chicagoland. It could be easily seen as everyone was enjoying the program with a smile on their face. The heart of the event was performances by children right from start to end. The Republic Day celebration began with a grand but cute march past by children as well as attendees carrying Indian flags and chanting patriotic slogans. Children were dressed as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The Parade was led by Vinita Gulubani, Secretary of Hindi Lovers Club and Praful Rami, Executive member of HLC, with a big tricolor in his hand. Kamal Gupta welcomed everyone on behalf of Hindi Lovers Club and invited Ms. Vandana Jhingan of T.V. Asia who gave a
Lamp lighting by Chief Guest and other honored guests at the Republic Day celebrations by Hindi Lovers Club
Vinita Gulbani and P Rami leading the March
very thought provoking speech about the importance of this event. Chief Guest Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor of Oakbrook, Guests of Honor Indian Consul N.J.Gangte, Rishikant Singh, Manager Air India - Midwest Region, Naren Patel CEO Med Star and Anil Pandya of MY life were invited by the Club President Gurbachan Kaur to light the lamp. This was followed by the singing of na-
INOC hosts farewell reception for Consul General Prabhu Dayal Cont’d from page 16
George Abraham, president of INOC thanked Mr Dayal for his dedication and
Being presented memento
diligent service to the community over the years and wished him well on his retirement. Shudh Jasuja, Senior Vice-President of INOC, praised Mr Dayal for his close work-
ing relationship with the Diaspora and stated that he has succeeded in reaching out to every segment of the community by the open door policy that he practiced. Dr. Dayan Naik, newly appointed President of the Karnataka Chapter, sang the Rabindranath Tagore rendition of "Devi Bhuvana Mana Mohini. Kalathil Varughese, Bobby Kumar, Rajender Dichpally, Anand Ahuja, Mohan Wanchoo, Girish Vaidya, Zach Thomas, Juned Qazi, Zinda Singh, Ravi Chopra, Mohinder Singh Gilzian, Anand Ahuja, Harbachan Singh, Phuman Singh, Sabinal Ali and Prasad Kambhampaty also spoke on the occasion. INOC presented him Mr Dayal with a plaque praising him for his dedicated service to the Diaspora.
tional anthems of both the countries, India and USA. It was remarkable to see many big personalities from the State of Illinois to be present at this function which explains not only that Republic Day is important to Indians in US but also to the mainstream people of the society here. Master of Ceremony Vinita Gulabani kept
the crowd entertained with beautiful couplets. There were speeches from the Hindi Lovers Club board members and the chief guests. Dances from artists of Pika Munshi dance school and Vidya Balodyan were flawless as they danced on a variety of songs of all kind from patriotic to Bollywood. Cont’d on page 18
Community Across America
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February 15, 2013
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Texas temple begins construction of sanctum sanctorum
Children participation highlights Republic Day celebration Cont’d from page 17
ANGELA LEE
HOUSTON, TX: Construction of the sanctum sanctorum (Sreekovil) of Sri Guruvayurappan (Sri Krishna) Temple in Houston was formally launched after elaborate two-day ceremonies and ancient rituals. The Temple organizers plan to build this grand temple based on the architectural and ritual features
of Guruvayur Devaswom of Kerala, India. When completed, it will be the first of its kind Guruvayurappan temple in the western world. The second phase will include a community center. It conducted Shadhadhara Prathishta, a ritual milestone, in 2011 and buried a time capsule. Phase three will bring more accom-
plishments. The Kerala Hindu Society, a non-profit organization established in 1983 but with history dating back to 1979, had acquired 4.8 acres for this project and architect Kanippayyur Krishnan Nampoothiripad was associated with it. Dr. C.V.Sathees, Sasidharan Nair, Sri Prasad M Kuberan Nambuthiri and Brahmasree Kariyannur D i v a k a r a n Nambuthiri are President, Board of Trustees Chairman, Priest and Thantri respectively. The artisans placed the first granite component at the center of the basement at the auspicious muhurtham symbolizing a formal launch of the sanctum sanctorum construction.
Idol of Sri Guruvayurappan at Hindu Temple of Sri Guruvayurappan and priests performing Puja
Cont’d on page 19
Other children also did a great job of singing, dancing and acting. A patriotic act by one of the performers, Master Laksh Patel got a standing ovation from everyone which brought tears in many people's eyes and a huge round of applause. The event concluded Mayor of Oakbrook Dr Gopal Lalmalani addressing the meet
Children dressed Indian style in Republic Day march
Club President Gurbachan Kaur addressing the attendees
with the quiz competition for children, judged by Vandana Jhingan and Subash Panday. The contest winners were rewarded with Kindles. The program kept everyone happy and people were glued till the very end. The DJ did a wonderful job and so also the staff of the Banquet hall. Overall, Hindi Lovers club succeeded in the achieving the motto of Republic Day, that is "Unity in Diversity".
Community Across America
February 15, 2013
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IAC celebrates Republic Day with enthusiasm GEETA CHAWLA
CHICAGO: Indo American Center, a no-profit body serving the immigrant community in Chicago land, celebrated India's Republic Day on January 24 with lot of enthusiasm. Close to 175 guests and seniors attended the program that was elegantly emceed by Jashan Chhatlani. The event started with the singing of National Anthem by seniors followed by speeches eulogizing the importance and significance of India becoming a Republic. The speakers were Naresh Shah, Probir Sen, Qudari
Mohammad, Kirit Shah, Hamid Syed, Chimanlal Thakkor and Manganbhai Patel. Patriotic Bollywood songs rendered by local artists were quite enthralling. Singers were Marudula Ben who sang jhanda uncha rahe hamara, Raj Kumari (aye mere pyare watan), Suresh Sukharia (sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamal), Sudha Baxi (26 January), Sabera Saiyed, Adam Osman, (mujay zindagi ka sahara ) Mariya Christian (mera India ) Mir Ali ( main bhaart ka rahne wala hu & dil diya hai jaan bhi dengey). The event concluded with a nice lunch.
Seniors and guests at Republic Day celebration
Pratham wins TOI award for Social Impact Cont’d from page 16
Our donors understand that they have succeeded because of education and they want their resources to support the children of India in their own path to success." The International Contribution to India Award is given to an organization based outside India that makes significant contributions to address key challenges within India. Social issues of concern include poverty, lack of access to quality education, poor healthcare, social inequity, and limited employment opportunities among others. In presenting the award, by the unanimous decision of its jury, the organizers recognized Pratham USA for the seminal role it has played in supporting the activities of Pratham in India. Since its founding in 1994 by Dr. Madhav Chavan, Pratham has reached more than 34 million children across India through its preschool, community libraries, and remedial learning programs. In addition Pratham is the only organization in India that conducts ongoing research regarding the status of education among
India's children and outcome of the nation's educational investments through its ASER program. "Pratham USA should serve as a model for many communities in the U.S. as they support global social and economic transformations," says Dr. Molly Easo Smith, Executive Director of Pratham
Arvind Sanger of Pratham USA
USA. "The Indian American community understands the concept of organized and impact-focused philanthropy as a basis for significant social change globally." Smith added that this is the first time Pratham USA has been recognized by a national organization in India for its fund-raising efforts within the United States. Pratham USA was represented at the ceremony by its President, Dr. Atul Varadhachary. A former student who attended a Pratham pre-school in New Delhi presented
the International Contribution to India Award to Mr. Varadhachary. The star-studded ceremony attended by the President of India as well as many other prominent leaders within the Indian community and the Indian Diaspora was held on January 28 at the Convention Hall at The Ashok, in New Delhi, India. On the heels of Pratham's recognition in November 2012, when Dr. Madhav Chavan was presented the 2012 Prize for Education at the 4th World Innovative Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, the Times of India Social Impact Award adds to Pratham and Pratham USA's expanding global reach and reputation. Pratham is the largest non-governmental organization providing quality education to underprivileged children of India. With a budget of less than $14 million, Pratham uses very low-cost and scalable methods and works in collaboration with the government, local communities, parents, teachers and volunteers across the country to educate millions of children every year. Pratham's mission is "Every Child in School and Learning Well."
A section of the gathering enjoying lunch
Texas temple begins construction of sanctum sanctorum Cont’d from page 18
Intricate granite components to be used in the construction of this temple with unique architectural features were carved in the quarries in Kerala. Maha Mrityunjaya Homam, various shudhis, Deeparadhana, Ganapathi Homam, Kalasaabhishekam, Paduka sthapanam, vilakku pooja, etc., were part of the ceremonies. Currently the Temple, which opens at six am every day, follows stringent Tantric worship traditions, offers various religious services including Nirmala puja and Vahana Pooja (vehicle worship) and organizes Malayalam and religious classes. Guruvayur Devaswom, abode of Lord Sree Guruvayoorappan at Bhoolokavaikundam, about 29 kilometers from Thrissur (Kerala), is a well known pilgrimage site in India, where the presiding deity is Mahavishnu. According to the legend, the idol worshipped here
is more than 5000 years old. Guruvayur is a form of Krishna. Another $6 million Guruvayurappan Temple was also announced in Brampton (Ontario, Canada). "Our goal is to recreate the Sri Guruvayurappan Temple of Guruvayur when the project is completed both in the architectural features and in the ritualistic traditions. The construction is expected to complete within the next two years. The proposed plan of construction is under the supervision and guidance of Sri Kanippayyur Krishnan Nampoothiripad (Famous Kerala temple architect) and Sri Karianur Divakaran Nampoothiri (Thanthri)," according to Kerala Hindu society, a tax exempt organization registered in Texas. Incorporated in 1837, Houston, which houses NASA Johnson Space Center, is the fourth-largest city of USA. Annise D. Parker is the Mayor.
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February 15, 2013
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Dr Meshri re-appointed to Science Research Board RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Indian origin globally famous scientist Dr Dayal Meshri has added one more feather to his cap by earning the distinction of being the first ever Indian to be re-appointed to the prestigious science and technol-
(OSTRaD), Dr Meshri is one of the eleven who have voting rights. The Board oversees an annual budget that ranges from $30 to $ 40 million for promoting science and technological research and innovation besides helping smallmedium businesses. The OSTRaD plays a significant role in channeling sciences
Oklhahoma Governor Mary Fallin said in a communication to Dr Meshri that his four year term begins from July 1, 2013 and will end June 30, 2017 and that Dr Meshri, besides representing the scientific community, will also be representing small businesses ogy research and development agency of Oklahoma State. Oklhahoma Governor Mary Fallin said in a communication to Dr Meshri that his four year term begins from July 1, 2013 and will end June 30, 2017 and that Dr Meshri, besides representing the scientific community, will also be representing small businesses. Of the 21-member Oklahoma Sciences and Technology Research & Development Board
and technology related research in the State and has sizeable help from the Federal government as well. Many corporations have avidly sought out the Board's help their research projects. The OSTRaD Board governs the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). The Board through the agency of OCAST has helped many projects. In July 2012, it named three successful appli-
cants in the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Applications Project (ONAP). The winning firms will receive $745,000 collectively for research that will be completed within three years. In June 2012 it announced awards totaling $1,633,663 to support research efforts to strengthen the research efforts in the State. In May 2012, it awarded nearly $4 million dollars for 30 health research projects that will take up to three years to complete. The Oklahoma Health Research program was the first one implemented by the state's science agency when it was created 26 years ago as Oklahoma began a long-term economic diversification effort. The agency currently administers 11 programs that offer funding or support in areas ranging from health research to plant science. Seven applicants, including four private firms and two projects from the University of Tulsa, have been approved for funding under the OCAST Intern Partnerships program. OCAST awarded the winning applicants a total of $191,900. In February 2012, seven researchers, representing the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Oklahoma State University
Community leaders meet members of Judiciary
Dr Dayal Meshri
and the University of Oklahoma, proved successful in their quest for funding from the OCAST Plant Science Research program. The projects collectively were awarded
Indian community mourns Mayor Ed Koch India Post News Service
O
n January 27, Community leaders met with members of the Judiciary from the District Court, Supreme Court, Appellate Term and the Court of Appeals - New York's highest court. The lavish function was held at the Carlton Hall located on Long Island, New York. Picture shows (from left) Judge Gardner, Dr Parveen Chopra, Judge Paradisio, Judge Skelos, Samir Chopra
$655,509 for up to two years of research. In a talk with this paper, Dr Meshri said that he would see if some of the research and development projects could be of help to the Indian corporations seeking advancement in the field of science and technology. Dr Meshri is off to India for four weeks trip to India beginning February 4 for business and social projects. He would attend a meeting of scientists in Pune and will visit Indore for organizing Sindhi Sammelan in 2014. He will visit Kalyan-Mumbai for rehabilitating some of the Sindhi immigrants who migrated to India from Pakistan sixty years ago and are still living in squalid conditions.
the City Hall with regular meetings with community representatives," said Dr. Abraham. Mr. I.P. Shah, a close friend of the mayor represented the Indian community at this council. The community in turn also endorsed him for his reelec-
NEW YORK: Mayor Ed Koch, the three time mayor of New York from 1978 to 1990 passed away due to congestive heart failure on February 1at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He was 88. "Since the community grew in large number in the 1970s in New York city, there were issues of the community including crime against the community and Mayor Koch opened Thomas Abraham with Ed Koch after endorsing him the city hall for his mayoral bid in 1977 for interaction with the community," said Dr. tions in 1981 and 1985. "As the community started to Thomas Abraham who was serving as the president of the Federa- settle in America, political leaders tion of Indian Associations (FIA) like Mayor Koch helped the comof New York, New Jersey and Con- munity to get involved in the political process, and that is how we necticut at that time. "For the first time, he had set remember Ed Koch," Dr. Abraham up an Ethnic Advisory Council at added.
Community Across America
February 15, 2013
India Post 21
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Congressman Erick Swalwell discusses immigration issues Swalwell said that his top three priorities during first year of of-
RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service
F R E MONT: Erick Swalwell became Congressman for 15th California district after winning in the recent elections. He defeated long time incumbent Pete Stark by advocating Congressman Erick Swalwell choice of a representative more connected with constitu- fice are immigration, local business development and encouraging ents. green technology development. He is a strong proponent of comprehensive immigration reforms with a path that leads to citizenship. He said, "America is a nation built by immigrants and we should welcome hardworking individuals who are Congressman Erick Swalwell with Ritu Maheshwari working hard in the country." He On February 2, there was an also supports increase in H1 visa open house for his new district quota to allow right talent into the office in Pleasanton. On this oc- country for economic growth. He casion, he discussed his top leg- maintains that students who come islative priorities and positions on here for higher studies should be immigration in an exclusive inter- welcomed to contribute to US view with Ritu Maheshwari of economy and growth, rather being sent back. He supports makIndia Post.
TLS educates you about healthy kitchen CHITRA THAKUR
A
fter you cleanse your body by jump start, it is imperative to put nutrition through fresh foods coming from a clean, hygienic and healthy kitchen. TLS educates about the kitchen and its health. Remember your waist starts in the kitchen! Here are some tips for that. Why is cleaning out the kitchen the first most important thing you can do to for your success? To remove what may impede your success and to motivate
through easy access Which are the first things you should get rid of? All of the following: Junk food; Quick fix mixes; Food with no expiration dates; Frost bitten food; Crusty Food; Can't remember when you made it or bought it Transform basic dishes into memorable meals through what? Herbs and spices Which oils are good for baking? Walnut & Canola Cont’d on page 22
ing family visas easy. His office has a dedicated immigration representative, who can help constituents with any immigration related challenges they encounter. He stressed that we need to carry out immigration reforms while keeping safety as one of key con-
siderations. Swalwell stated that federal government can help a lot in local economy development and he will push for this contribution. Similarly green technology is key for future energy requirements and Bay area is hot bed of innovation
in this area. He supports continued investment in the area. The Congressman plans on continued involvement and contact with constituents and will be opening one more office in Hayward for people to be easily in touch with his office.
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Community Across America
February 15, 2013
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Swami Mukundananda answers questions on Spirituality India Post News Service
S
wami Mukundananda is a world renowned spiritual teacher from India, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj and founder of JK Yog. He has received his degrees in engineering from world renowned institutes in India, IIT and IIM. He has inspired people all over the world on the
It is important for a person to understand that you are the soul, which is a part of God, and hence by nature you are perpetually Divine. You do not need to cleanse the soul path of spirituality, holistic health, yoga, meditation, service to society and God realization. These days we talk about the need of purifying our mind, body and soul. A plethora of techniques and self-help books are available in the world for practicing positive thinking in its various forms and connotations. However, all these techniques have very limited effectiveness, and the results achieved are temporary. So what is it that can truly purify our mind and help the soul achieve a state of purity which is so natural to it? Swami Mukundananda asks us to remember that the mind is made from Maya, which is God's energy, and it cannot be conquered merely by self-effort. The mind can be
mind, the corresponding guna becomes dominant in it. However, God is beyond these three gunas. He is Divine, and so if we attach our mind to Him, it too rises beyond the three gunas and becomes Divine. The following are answers to the questions put up to Swamiji: In today's materialistic world, the soul takes a beating, and the extent depends on the society, the profession, the community and each person's ability to bear it. How does one cleanse or heal his soul? Swami Mukundananda: Here it is important for a person to understand that you are the soul, which is a part of God, and hence by nature you are perpetually Divine. You do not need to cleanse the soul. The problem is that the soul is identifying with the body, mind, and intellect. Hence, when the mind feels tormented, the soul experiences the misery. So when you say that the soul takes a beating, what you mean is that the mind takes a beating, and the soul experiences the pain vicariously. Once the mind is sufficiently cleansed, the soul will be able to perceive the distinction between itself and the mind, and dis-identify itself from its dualities. Hence, we must endeavor to cleanse the mind. And as mentioned already the most powerful practice for cleansing the mind is to engage it in Bhakti, or love of God. The Bhagavatam states: Dharma satya dayo… "We may follow all the rules of proper conduct, we may perform severe austerities, and we may accumulate the most esoteric knowledge, but without Bhakti, none of these practices will suf-
Divine love is that where the desire is simply to give…give…and give. There is no selfish desire for anything in return. Worldly love is that where the desire is to take…take… and take. It is a selfish affection for own happiness permanently and totally healed only by the Grace of God. So the most powerful practice for cleansing the mind and receiving the grace of God is to engage it in 'Bhakti', or 'love of God'. That is the verdict of all the Vedic literature and the essence of all religion. Shree Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Geeta that Maya has three gunas (modes of material nature) - sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). These three modes are also present in the mind, and thus it fluctuates between these three gunas. Whatever atmosphere one gets or wherever one attaches the
fice in cleansing the mind." What is Divine Love and how is it different from worldly love? SM: Divine love is that where the desire is simply to give…give…and give. There is no selfish desire for anything in return. Worldly love is that where the desire is to take…take… and take. It is a selfish affection for one's own happiness. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu compared the two to sunlight and darkness: Kamer tatparya n i j … " Worldly love (lust) is for the sake of self-pleasure while Divine Love is for the sake of Shree
Krishna's pleasure. Reject all kinds of religiosity to practice devotion to Shree Krishna. Relish this Divine Love for the sake of Shree Krishna's happiness. There is a great difference between Divine Love and lust; the former is like the rays of sunlight, while the latter is like darkness." If in unconditional love we should not ask God for anything, then why should we also ask Him for His grace? SM: The scriptures ask us to engage in devotion for the pleasure of God and to make His service as our goal. However, we can only serve God if we possess love for Him. God is not interested in our mechanical actions; He is pleased by the love of our heart. So with the goal of serving God and making Him happy, we can ask for Grace, Divine knowledge, Divine Love, renunciation from the world, etc. Since our objective is the satisfaction of God and Guru, our asking will not be considered selfish. How can the gopi's love for Krishna be interpreted in the path of devotion? SM: We should not make figurative interpretations of the Divine pastimes of God; rather we should take them as literal and true. The word for devotion in Sanskrit is "Upasana", which means to go and sit close to God. But how will we go close to Him? There are five bhavs (sentiments) of devotion that help us develop proximity with Him: 1. Shant bhav or the sentiment of Majesty: "Shree Krishna is my King." 2. Dasya bhav or the sentiment of Servitude: "Shree Krishna is my Master." 3. Sakhya bhav or the Fraternal sentiment: "Shree Krishna is my Friend." 4. Vatsalya bhav or the Maternal sentiment: "Shree Krishna is my Mother." 5. Madhurya bhav or the Conjugal sentiment: "Shree Krishna is my Beloved." These sentiments get us sequentially closer to God. The gopis loved Shree Krishna as their Beloved, and this is considered the highest sentiment of devotion. It is distinguished from the sentiment of worldly lovers by the trait of selflessness. The great Acharya of Bhakti, Narad Muni states: Yatha braj gopika bhav (Narad Bhakti Darshan) "The highest ideal of devotion was manifest in the gopis." Hence, the scriptures and the great Saints have alike praised the devotion of the gopis and we should not misinterpret it to be
some kind of material love. Is Bhakti something that is bestowed upon the soul by God's Grace, or is it something that is
Swami Mukundananda
developed in the heart by purusharth (self-effort)? SM: The highest power of God is is Yogmaya (Divine Internal Energy). That Yogmaya has three attributes: Sat, Chit and Anand. The highest of these is Anand Brahm (the Bliss aspect of God). The essence of Anand is Hladini Shakti (the power that gives Bliss to God). The essence of Hladini Shakti is Prema Shakti (the power
of Divine Love). It should suffice to bear in mind that Prema Shakti (Divine Love) is the essence of the essence of the essence of the highest power of God. It is such a power that God Himself becomes a servant of whoever possesses it. Bhagvatam states: Aham bhaktparadhino… Shree Krishna says: "I am not independent; I have been enslaved by My devotees. My Bhaktas have purchased my heart and are very dear to Me." This highest power of God cannot be attained by purusharth (self-effort). It is only attained by the Grace of the God-realized Saints who already possess it. Lord Ram told Lakshman: Bhakti taat anupam… (Ramayan) "Bhakti is the source of incomparable Divine Bliss. It is obtained when the Guru bestows His Grace upon the soul." We need to keep in mind that the Grace of God and the Guru is not a whimsical occurrence. Grace is bestowed when we prepare the vessel of the heart to receive it. The heart is cleansed by doing Sadhan Bhakti (Preparatory Devotion). Thus, we need to do Sadhan Bhakti and then by the Grace of the Guru, we will get Siddha Bhakti (Divine Love).
TLS educates you about healthy kitchen Cont’d from page 21
Which oils are good for sautéing? Walnut, Canola & Olive Oil Which oils should not be heated? Flaxseed What is the recipe for homemade produce cleaner? 1 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp baking soda; 3/4 cup vinegar; 8 oz. water; 10 drops grapefruit seed extract Why is it best to go shopping on a full stomach? When you are hungry and your blood sugar is low, your shopping rationalization drops. Describe the best rule when buying vegetables with regard to size? Buy between sizes. Too small lack flavor, too large possibly on the way out. Describe the best rule when buying vegetables with regard to weight? Heavy is better than too late. Describe best rule when buying
vegetables with regard to color? The brighter the color, the more flavor. Which vegetables or fruits should not be stored in the refrigerator, but in a cool, dry area for optimal preservation of natural state? Bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, lemons and limes Which vegetables or fruits should be kept at room temperature with ventilation? Onions and garlic What is the Best thing to do with your fruits and vegetables to make them grabbable? Cut, clean and sort the day of purchase What can you do with fruit beginning to ripen? Freeze it for shake How should you store herbs and spices? Cool, dark and dry place For more information about the program please contact TLS coach Chitra Thakur 510-474-1368 or Priya nayar 510-565-9993
February 15, 2013
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You do not need a Mufti for performing Umrah A.Q. SIDDIQUI
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very year soon after Hajj till the end of Ramadan month, thousands of Muslims wrapped in two pieces of white clothes from all over the world
Muhammad. If we study how and why Prophet performed Umrah we would know that he left Umrah ritual as the best form of direct
not far from Makkah. While Muslims were forced to abandon Umrah Ihram and return to ordinary clothes as Prophet Muhammad signed a peace treaty
Worshippers at the Sacred Place for Muslims
throng to Holy Kaaba in Makkah and circle it seven times. The ritual is the personal worship of believers in One God and performed exactly the way Prophet Muhammad did in his life. Performing Umrah is an exclusive form of worship Prophet Muhammad did in his life and all that he did in his life is followed by Muslims as guidance. Many Muslims and non-Muslims wrongly equate Umrah with Hajj. While Hajj is mandatory for every Muslim who can afford it, Umrah is voluntary prayer. But Umrah is so important form of prayer that it was later added to Hajj rituals in Qiran method by Prophet
worship to God. A man enters in a state of consecration, i.e. Ihram as he intends for Umrah. The Ihram puts a man under some restrictions but brings him closer to God. Prophet Muhammad first intended for performing Umrah in the Sixth Year of Hijra (February AD 628). It was a dream he saw entering into Kaaba with his companions. And he set out for Umrah from Medina to Makkah with 1400 of his followers. All his close companions such as Hazrat Abu Baker, Omar, Ali, Othman accompanied him. Though they were prevented by enemy Quresh from performing Umrah and forced to return back from a place Al Hudaibiya,
with enemy Quresh of Makkah. Muslims were not happy that they discontinued Ihram without performing Umrah, but Prophet assured his companions that it was victory for them. And scholars
Quresh opted for truce and recognized the State of Islam. A year later, as per truce agreement Prophet Muhammad set out for Umrah again with 2000 followers, including women and children. The Prophet was on his she camel, Al Qasswaa as he entered the vicinity of Holy Kaaba. The enemy Quresh left the city of Makkah and went over the nearby mountains and watched Muslims perform first Umrah of Islam. When Prophet came near Kaaba, he asked his companion Abdullah ibn Rawahah to repeat these phrases loudly that translate as, "There is no deity but Allah alone. He has fulfilled His promise given victory to His servant and dignity to His soldiers and He has alone defeated the confederates". After repeating these phrases he touched the Black stone by his stick and started the Tawaaf of Kaaba. First three circles were carried out jogging round the Kaaba. Rest of rounds were carried out walking around the Kaaba. After finishing his Tawaaf, the Prophet and his com-
When Prophet came near Kaaba, he asked his companion Abdullah ibn Rawahah to repeat these phrases loudly that translate as, "There is no deity but Allah alone. He has fulfilled His promise given victory to His servant and dignity to His soldiers believe it was the first victory for Muslims as powerful enemy
panions drank Zamzam water and went to do his Saie, which is seven
walks between the hills of As Safa and Al Marwah. After performing Saie, they shaved or cut short their hairs and came out of the condition of Ihram. This was completion of the ritual of Umrah. Scholars advise that you make as many prayers as you can while making seven rounds around the Kaaba. The Kaaba is considered as the House of God and believed to be exactly below the Throne of God. You do not need a Mufti or any special prayers to perform Umrah. Make your own prayers in your own language as you circle the holy Kaaba. Try holding the threshold of Kaaba and asking for forgiveness and mercy of God. That is the best opportunity to speak to God. Remember if you can reach the threshold of Kaaba, you have an opportunity of life time to speak to God. So make as many prayers as you can. Many Muslims also question if they should first go to Makkah and perform Umrah or go to Medinah first? The answer is in the practice of what Prophet Muhammad did, i.e Sunnah. He set out for his first Umrah from Medinah. So it is most appropriate that you follow the Sunnah of Prophet. But for those who want to do Umrah first, there is the example of Prophet's second Umrah. Prophet did his second Umrah soon after he conquered Makkah and demolished the idols from the vicinity of Holy Kaaba. He asked his companion to start for a place Tamim for Ihram and returned in Ihram and performed Umrah. Scholars consider Prophet first Umrah as the "compensatory Umrah" and second Umrah as the "Thanksgiving to God". Perform Umrah with your family and children. Make it short and comfortable. Good travel agents offer Five star Hotels very close to Haram. When you enter holy Kaaba, remember what God says in Holy Koran, "Whosoever entereth it is safe!" (L 97 Surah Al Imran). This is a promise by God and only He knows you are 'safe' from what?
Max New York Life offers career opportunities India Post News Service
SAN JOSE: Max New York Life Insurance Company arranged a banquet here with which focus on recruiting agents in the South Asian community. The "Asian Indian ARD Banquet" was held at
Madhuban Lounge, San Jose on January 31. The team explained to the gathering how this is the best career opportunity for intelligent and hard-working individuals. Mr. Todd Langton spoke about his journey with the insurance business and how through this the
Asian community people can make a difference in other people's lives. He said it was a career with a purpose in the following ways: • It helps to build a career with significant earnings potential and management opportunities. • Growing business supported
by the financial strength and integrity of New York Life. • It customizes the career path to match your personal goals. • Provides with best in class learning and professional development. • Makes a difference in the community by helping others
achieve peace of mind. Mr.Todd and his team are looking for intelligent and hardworking individuals to work as agents in the business and grow mutual. If you are interested contact Mr.Todd Langton at tplangton @ft.newyorklife.com
Tech News Fin Min forms online data bank to check black money NEW DELHI: In order to check black money and tax evasion, an online data bank is being setup by the Indian Finance Ministry for effective coordination and dissemination of various inputs pertaining to illegal funds. The online system, which would act as data bank for financial intelligence sleuths, named 'Virtual Office' will help in monitoring of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) generated by Financial Intelligence Unit-India, an agency tasked with receiving, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions to enforcement agencies and its foreign counterparts. It will have a representative each from Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) and FIU-Ind. -PTI
Changing special status criteria for Bihar not possible PATNA: It will not be possible for the Centre to tweak the criteria for special state status so as to only benefit Bihar, which has been pitching strongly for it, the Plan panel has said. "It will not be possible (for the central government) to revisit the criteria for special status only in the context of Bihar...," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told reporters here. "The existing criteria for special status can be reviewed only by National Development Council which has set the norms," he added.-PTI
IBM partners Galgotia University for MBA NEW DELHI: Technology giant IBM says it has partnered with Galgotias University for an MBA program in Business Analytics to help organizations build high quality skilled resources in areas of managerial decision making and strategy. The curriculum of the program has been developed jointly for better industry alignment and will be delivered by both GU faculty and experts from IBM, IBM said in a statement. -PTI
TechBiz 24 India Post
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February 15, 2013
Quick Heal ties up with SoftBank for anti-virus technology MUMBAI: Leading IT security solutions provider Quick Heal Technologies said it has tied up with Japanese mobile operator SoftBank Mobile Corp to provide anti-virus software to mobile phones. "We have entered into a tie up with Japanese mobile operator Softbank Corp to provide mobile security anti-virus software to its customers in Japanese language. We have installed 1 lakh anti-virus copies last month and hopes to supply 1.5 million copies in a year," Quick Heal Technologies Managing Director and CEO Kailash Katkar told PTI here. He said the company has opened an office in Japan and now we are also negotiating with several leading Japanese firms as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) partners.-PTI
Wal-Mart continues lobbying in US for India entry WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: Amid a probe being initiated into Wal-Mart's US lobbying with regard to its India entry, the global retail giant has continued to lobby with the American lawmakers on this issue, as also others, and spent a total amount of USD 6.13 million on the same during 2012. As per the latest Congressional records of lobbying disclosure reports, the US-based Wal-Mart Stores spent a total amount of USD 1.48 million (about Rs eight crore) on lobbying for various issues, including on "discussions related to FDI in India", during the last quarter ended December 31, 2012. This has taken the total lobbying bill of the company for entire 2012 to USD 6.13 million (about Rs 33 crore), the lobbying disclosure records available with the US Senate show. Wal-Mart has been lobbying with the US lawmakers on dozens of issues every quarter, whose disclosures it is mandatorily required to make under the American regulations. Recently, the Indian government initiated a probe into the lobbying activities by Wal-Mart in
the US for gaining access to Indian market, after disclosures about these activities caused a furor and a political debate in India. The company has, however, maintained that these disclosures have nothing to do with political
Wal-Mart has been waiting for years to open its supermarkets in India and it has been lobbying with the US lawmakers since at least 2008 to facilitate its entry into the highly lucrative Indian market. Its total bill on these activities has now crossed USD 34 million
or governmental contacts with India government officials and they only show that Wal-Mart's business interest in India was discussed with the US government officials along with many more other topics.
(about Rs 180 crore) since 2008, which has been incurred on account of lobbying for more than 50 issues every quarter, including the issues related to "enhanced market access for investment in India".
However, the amount spent by Wal-Mart in last quarter was lower than USD 1.65 million incurred in the previous three- month period ended September 30, 2012, when also one of its lobbying issues was "discussions related to FDI in India". Its annual lobbying bill also fell to USD 6.13 million in 2012, from USD 7.84 million in 2011. Prior to that, it had spent USD 6.16 million in 2010, USD 7.39 million in 2009 and USD 6.59 million in 2008. Wal-Mart has lobbied for its various business interests with the US Senate, the US House of Representatives, the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the US Department of State, among other organizations and departments. The companies are allowed to lobby for their cases in various departments and agencies in the US, but they are required to file their lobbying disclosure reports every quarter with the US Senate. As per Wal-Mart's lobbying disclosure reports, the company has continuously lobbied for its India entry since 2008, except for a few quarters in 2009.-PTI
Deeya eyes energy storage devices mkt in India NEW DELHI: Deeya Energy has said it aims to become a leading player in India's USD 20 billion energy storage devices market with its technology that helps reduce dependence on diesel for meeting power needs. Ravi Sharma, a global director at US-based Deeya Energy, said the "breakthrough (storage) technology" would help in replacing diesel gensets. "India will be the launch pad for this technology. India is a key market for us. Besides the whole of South Asia, Middle East and Africa would also be big markets for this technology," said Sharma, the former CEO of Adani Power.
He is now a director on Deeya Energy's global board. Sharma said the technology will help India "reduce its fuel subsidy bill and cut operational expenses
for industry which uses expensive diesel as fuel".
Talking to PTI here, he said Deeya Energy has already set up a manufacturing facility in Gurgaon and would soon start supplying the batteries to telecom a n d power entities. Among others, the product has a long life, charging takes less time and is environment friendly, he added. "We have done the testing with
telecom and tower companies. We have also done it with power companies such as Power Grid and some other railway signaling schemes. After doing some fine tuning, we found that they have approved our batteries to be used," Sharma noted. Sounding bullish on the USD 20 billion Indian energy storage devices market, he said that he expects the company to become a leading player in the next three years not just in India but also other developing markets. However, he did not share the company's financial details. Deeya Energy would also be targeting Railways and other segments with its technology. -PTI
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US businesses created 2.2 million jobs last year WASHINGTON: Stating that businesses in America created 2. 2 million jobs last year, US President Barack Obama has said the Congress should work together on a balanced approach to reduce deficit and promote economic growth and job creation. In his weekly address to the nation, Obama said the country's economy was poised to expand in 2013 "if Washington politics doesn't get in the way". He said this year began with economists and business leaders saying the country was poised to grow in 2013. "And there are real signs of
progress: Home prices are starting to climb again. Car sales are at a five-year high. Manufacturing is roaring back.
Apple dethrones Nokia in Internet mobile market NEW DELHI: Apple for the first time has toppled Nokia to become the leading smartphone in terms of worldwide Internet usage on handsets, a report by web analytic firm StatCounter has said. Finnish handset maker Nokia, which lead the mobile devices Internet usage market with 37.67 per cent share last year, has been relegated to third place this year with Samsung emerging as the second largest mobile vendor in
ment in Indian mobile devices Internet usage market and occupies the second spot with 26.87 per cent share in January 2013. The third spot in the country is occupied by an 'unknown brand' with 13.17 per cent. Globally this unknown brand accounted for 10.95 per cent market share and occupied fourth spot. StatCounter report called in unknown as like other known brands as it could not gather information about mobile
terms of Internet usage. "In January 2013 Apple led globally for the first time in terms of Internet usage with 25.86 per cent, ahead of Samsung (22.69 per cent) and Nokia (22.15 per cent)," the report said. Last year Apple occupied second spot with 28.67 per cent share and Samsung was third with 14.84 per cent market share, the report said. In India, Nokia still holds the top slot even as its share has dropped to 52.1 per cent in January this year, from 72.95 per cent in January 2012. Samsung has shown improve-
vendor and browser used in the device. Globally, HTC occupied fifth position with 3.69 per cent followed by Blackberry. Share of Blackberry globally declined from 8.3 per cent in January 2012 to 3.48 per cent in January 2013, the report said. StatCounter said that it has excluded tablets but included all pocket-sized computing devices for the research. The global stats data in the report is based on over 15 billion page views per month to the StatCounter network of more than three million websites, it said. -PTI
"Our businesses created 2. 2 million jobs last year. And we just learned that our economy created more jobs over the last few months
Bharti Airtel launches service in Kargil JAMMU: Telecom major Bharti Airtel has announced launch of its service in Kargil and said its mobile network is now available across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir. "District Kargil is known for its inclement weather conditions and remains cut off from the rest of the country for more than 6 months...we are pleased to have the network deployment that will allow the natives and tourists to stay connected," Bharti Airtel's Director for Network Services Group Jagbir Singh said in a statement. "At Airtel, it is our constant endeavor to provide superior user experience to our customers by seamlessly connecting them wherever they go," he said. With this launch, Airtel has now become the only private operator to have network footprints in all the districts of J&K, the statement said. Due to extreme weather conditions and rough terrains of Kargil, Airtel said it has used VSAT links and specially designed telecom infrastructure which can be adjusted as per the need during any unprecedented weather conditions for providing connectivity in the district. While the government has undertaken various measures to improve tourist infrastructure in the region, lack of accessibility and communication during winters keeps Kargil isolated from other parts of the country, it said. "Airtel through its network presence across all 22 districts of J&K will now allow the residents and tourists to stay connected with their friends & family across India," it added. -PTI
than economists originally thought," Obama said in his web and radio address. He said the country had also received its first estimate of America's economic growth over the last few months. "And it reminded us that bad decisions in Washington can get in the way of our economic progress," he said. "We all agree that it's critical to cut unnecessary spending. But we can't just cut our way to prosperity. It hasn't worked in the past, and it won't work today. "It could slow down our recovery. It could weaken our economy. And it could cost us jobs now, and in the future," Obama said. What instead was required, was a balanced approach, the US President said. "...an approach that says let's cut what we can't afford but let's
make the investments we can't afford to live without". He called for investments in education and infrastructure, research and development, "the things that will help America compete for the best jobs and new industries". Obama said 2013 can be a year of solid growth, more jobs, and higher wages. "But that will only happen if we put a stop to self-inflicted wounds in Washington. Everyone in Washington needs to focus not on politics but on what's right for the country; on what's right for you and your families," he said. "That's how well get our economy growing faster. That's how we'll strengthen our middle class. And that's how well build a country that rewards the effort and determination of every single American," Obama added. -PTI
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Etihad Board to decide on buying stake in Jet ABU DHABI/MUMBAI: Gulf carrier Etihad, which is tipped to acquire 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways, has said it would complete due diligence on the Indian carrier within a week and leave it to its board to take a final view on the matter. In his first formal acknowledgment that the Abu Dhabi-based airline was interested in investing in Jet after several rounds of talks between the two carriers, President and CEO, James Hogan, said "we are undertaking due diligence" which would be completed soon.
The findings would then be presented to the Etihad Board for it to take a final view on the matter, he said at a post-financial results press conference in Abu Dhabi, which was beamed live across the world. Etihad reported 200 per cent jump in net profit for 2012 to USD 42 million. Hogan said he had met Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh in Delhi to understand the new FDI rules and the regulatory requirements for buying equity in the In-
dian airline company. Etihad is likely to buy 24 per cent equity in Jet Airways valued at about Rs 1,800 crore. If the deal is carried through, it would be the first investment by a foreign car-
cussions with Etihad were still going on and nothing has been finalized as yet. "It is too early to talk about all
rier in an Indian airline. Parallely, a senior Jet Airways official said in Mumbai that dis-
these things. The discussions are still going on. We have not finalized anything," Jet Vice President
India Inc presses for cut in excise to boost growth NEW DELHI: Pitching for an investor-friendly budget to boost sagging growth, Indian industry representatives have demanded that Finance Minister P Chidambaram cut excise and customs duty and put in place a stable direct tax regime. The industry also raised concerns on the taxation of higher income individuals and opposed the introduction of inheritance tax in the budget. "We have concerns on taxation of higher income. Tax rates should be stable. They (government) should not do anything that will disturb the savings rate... By putting inheritance tax we'll bite into savings of citizens," Senior Vice President of Ficci Siddharth Birla told reporters at a conference here. The industry demanded roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the earliest and also asked the government cut subsidies and pursue the path of fiscal consolidation. "Stable fiscal and regulatory regime must. Policymakers should
think on these lines seriously. A subsidy sharing mechanism (for oil companies) has to be put in place," RS Sharma, Chairman of Ficci Hydrocarbons committee said. Besides, Ficci President Naina Lal Kidwai pitched for more capital to be made available to the banking sector and further expan-
ducted by the industry body, 77 per cent of the respondents felt that the current business environment in the country was not favorable for capacity expansion. The survey also found that investing outside India by the Indian industry was easier and better than undertaking investments
“We have concerns on taxation of higher income. Tax rates should be stable. They (government) should not do anything that will disturb the savings rate... By putting inheritance tax we'll bite into savings of citizens," Senior VPof Ficci Siddharth Birla said sion of banking services. "Banking sector has to be larger whether it is through existing banks expanding operations or new banks coming in...More capital has to be made available to banking sector," Ficci President Naina Lal Kidwai said. As per a recent survey con-
within the country. Moreover, 90 per cent of the respondents believed that a cut in the interest rates was essential to give an impetus to investments. The survey was conducted before the Reserve Bank slashed repo and Cash Reserve Ratio rates by 0.25 per cent. -PTI
'First Flight of UAV Rustom-2 in Feb 2014' BANGALORE: The first flight test of indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Rustom2, set to be used solely for defense purposes, would take place in February 2014 as per schedule, a top official has said. "The first flight of Rustom-2 will take place in February 2014," Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) Director P S Krishnan told reporters on the sidelines of the Aero India seminar here. Weighing 1.8 tonne, Rustom2 would have a capacity payload
of 350 kg, a wingspan of 21-metre and an endurance of above 24 hours, he said.
Rustom-2 is in the league of US 'Predator' drones because of
its advanced capabilities and additional payloads, Krishnan said. Rustom UAVs could be deployed for military missions like reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition, target designation, communications relay, battle damage assessment and signal intelligence, he said. To a query, Krishnan said DRDO had conducted four test flights of Nishant, fitted with 80 kg engine developed from scratch by ADE and it was ready for serial production and supply to the defense forces.-PTI
(Commercial Strategy and Investor Relations) K G Vishwanath told financial analysts without directly referring to Etihad. The statements came days after Jet announced a net profit of Rs 85 crore in three months to December in its Q3 results. A deal with Etihad would expand Jet's equity base, which now stands at 8.63 crore shares valued at Rs 5,370 crore. Etihad has in the past two years picked up stake in several international carriers like Virgin Australia, Airberlin, Air Seychelles and Irish carrier Aer Lingus. -PTI
Hinduja Group to expand India presence LONDON: Bullish on India, global business conglomerate Hinduja Group has announced plans to nearly double their India exposure to 30 per cent in the next few years.
don School of Economics (LSE) as part of its annual India Week here. "The key to doing business in India lies in finding the right partner. Challenges of bureaucracy exist everywhere but the opportunities are immense," added brother S.P. Hinduja, chairman of the London-headquartered company. The UK-based group, run by billionaire Hinduja brothers, is already present across various countries including India in sectors like banking, auto, energy, technology and healthcare, and has a turnover of over USD 25 billion (about Rs. 1.4 lakh crore). The group's InG P Hinduja dian units include commercial banking entity IndusInd “We, as a group, are exBank, lubricants specialty tremely confident about India. and chemicals firm Gulf Our exposure in the country is Oil and commercial vehicle maker about 17.5 per cent, which Ashok Leyland, among others. we plan to increase to 30 per "The upcoming cent," G P Hinduja, the Presivisit by Prime Minister David Cameron dent of the Hinduja Group, to India later this said during a business summit month will include a large business team and is a good op"We, as a group, are extremely portunity to expand India-UK ties confident about India. Our expo- even further," G P Hinduja added sure in the country is about 17.5 at the summit, organized by the per cent, which we plan to in- Indo European Business Forum to crease to 30 per cent," G P bring together CEOs and Hinduja, the President of the policymakers working within the Hinduja Group, said during a busi- India-Europe space to interact with ness summit organized at the Lon- LSE students. -PTI
Datebook
February 15, 2013
India Post
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
NEW YORK
NEW JERSEY
ILLINOIS
Upcoming
Upcoming
Upcoming
Upcoming
Upcoming
Fri Feb 15
Sat Feb 16 • Music Group Daybreak Trio Venue: Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538 Time: 2:00 pm Contact: (510) 745-1401 Highlight: The Daybreak Trio is led by Wayne Siligo, jazz and pop guitarist, vocalist, saxophonist and blues-harp player.
Sat Feb 16 • An Evening in Paris - Induz Valentine Soiree and Banquet Venue: Golden Peacock Grand Ballroom, 24989 Santa Clara St, Hayward, CA 94544 Time: 6:30PM Contact: Induz Events (510-875-5006) Highlight: Elegant Parisian Theme /Photo Corner, Couture Fashion Show, Dance Performances, Musical Performances, Fun Games, DJ Dancing, Full Bar, Gourmet Dinner
Sun Feb 17 • Vasant Panchmi Undhiyu Celebrations
Ponk-
Venue: Shreemaya Krishnadham, 25 Corning Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 01:00PM Contact: Bay Area Youth Vaishnav Parivar (408-586-0006)
Sun Feb 24 • Satsang Venue: Society of Abidance in Truth, 1834 Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Time: 10:00AM Contact: Society of Abidance in Truth (831425-7287) Highlight: Elegant Parisian Theme /Photo Corner, Couture Fashion Show, Dance Performances, Musical Performances, Fun Games, DJ Dancing, Full Bar, Gourmet Dinner
Valentines Party Venue: Endless Food & Fun, 7227 Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 323-363-4022
Fri Jun 21 • UCarnival Los Angeles 2013 Venue: Holiday Inn - La Mirada, 14299 Firestone Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638 Time: 10:00 am Contact: 510578728
ATLANTA Upcoming Sat Feb 16 • CUPID CALLING Valentine Party 2013 Venue: Ashiana Impact Banquet Hall, Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 08:00PM Contact: Desi Events (404-246-3256)
Sat Feb 23 • International Bridal Fashion & Jewelry Week Venue: 200 Peachtree, 200 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30303 Time: 06:30PM Contact: Mosaic International Group LLC (678-973-9717)
Sat Feb 16
Fri Feb 15
Fri Feb 22
• Bollymix Nyc Presents Disco Deewane
• Trendz Entertainment
Venue: K-Lounge, 30 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 Time: 10:00PM Contact: Bhav-Bollymix NYC (724-777-8187)
Venue: Hotel 999, Formerly Known as Ramada, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 347-385-8587
• Siddharth Randeira is coming to Chicago in GUJJUBHAI NI GOLMALL, Dinner & Drama Night
Tue Feb 26
Fri Feb 15
• West Sonoma Coast Vintners presents NYC West of West Wine Festival
• Hum Tu m Valentines Ever
Venue: JClarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: Every 2nd and 4th Sun. 3:30pm-5:30pm
Venue: Holiday Inn, 195 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873 Time: 08:00PM Contact: R S Entertainment (732-522-1755) Highlight: Live Dhol player, Open premium bar, Hor D'oeuvers, International Cuisine, Free Couple Picture, Free CD giveaway
• Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes
Venue: City Winery, 155 Varick St, New York, NY 10013, Time: 6:00 pm
Sun May 05 • Masters of Indian Music Venue: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 212-545-7536
Fri May 10 • Soorya Festival New York Venue: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 832 643 9131
WASHINGTON DC Upcoming Sat Feb 16 • Lover's Nest - A Valentine Party
Sun Mar 24 • My Shadi Bridal Expo Venue: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 9547848100
www.Indiapost.com
Venue: Bombay Tandoor Restaurant, 8603 Westwood Center Dr, Vienna, VA 22182 Time: 8:30 pm Contact: 571-340-7289
Fri Mar 8 • Hillarious Gujarati comedy play Venue: Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Ln, Laurel, MD 20707 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 703-449-0772
Presents Valentines Party
Venue: Jain Center, Bartlett, IL Time: Dinner 6:30 pm and Play 8 pm
• J K Yog Satsang & Bal Mukund Hindi Classes
Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Time: Every 1st and 3rd Sun. 11am-1pm Contact: jay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-5614807 www.jkyog.org
TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Jiya Lage Na: Talaash 2 Ishq Shava: Jab Tak Hai Jaan 3 Dagabaaz Re: Dabangg 2 4 Fevicol Se: Dabangg 2 5 Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola: Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 28 India Post
www.indiapost.com
February 15, 2013
6 Oye Boy Charlie: JMatru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 7 Darmiyan: Inkaar 8 Jee Le Zaraa: Talaash 9 Khamakha: Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 10 Heer: Jab Tak Hai Jaan
F
orbes India magazine has come out with its inaugural India celebrity 100 list, based on their popularity and income. Shahrukh Khan, who became the first Indian actor to appear on the magazine cover, has topped the list of the highest earning Indian celebrity, followed by Salman Khan. Bollywood Badshah earned a whooping amount of Rs.202.8 crore, between October 2011 and September 2012, while Salman Khan made a total of Rs 144.2 crore during the same period. Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni grabbed the third place with total earnings of Rs. 135.16 crore. The top 10 in the list also included, Akkshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Kareena Kapoor, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli and Katrina Kaif. However, in terms of fame and popularity, Salman Khan is no.1. In the field of cricket, Indian captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the No.1 sportsperson. While Karan Johar has been named the most powerful director, Maliaka Arora Khan is the leading TV personality. The Forbes India's special edition "decodes what lies behind the success of India's biggest creative entrepreneurs across eight categories: film actors, directors, sport stars, TV personalities, singers/musicians, authors, models and comedians", it said.
SRI SRI
T
he Barbie doll of Bollywood, Katrina Kaif was on top of the world when she was awarded the Zee Cine Award for the Best International Icon Female. Her happiness doubled when she was presented the prestigious award by Sridevi. Beaming with joy, Katrina said," Well I think first and most importantly, it's a huge honor to get any award from Sridevi. It's a huge honor to stand next to her and I think this year honestly belongs to you and Boneyji. I don't know what to say but he's (Boneyji) been extremely important to me in the years I've been here, and a huge support to me. So to receive this award from Sridevi and from you (Boneyji) is seriously a great honor. So thank you Zee and thank you everyone for this award… thank you very much." The emotional moment turned hilarious when Shahrukh Khan on receiving the same award (Best International Icon Male), gave his thanks giving speech. The superstar at his witty best imitated Katrina and said, "Thank you so much… it has been one of my most cherished dreams… aur meri zindagi ka bahut bada din hai ki Boney Kapoorji ne mujhe yeh award diya hai, aaj jo meri feeling hai, main aapko bata nahin sakta aur Sri bhi aayi hain… thank you!"
HIT-LESS COUPLE
K
areena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan will not be gracing the screens together anymore. The newlyweds who have worked together in three films, Tashan, Kurbaan and Agent Vinod may be shining as one of the best off screen couples, but on screen will no longer work together. Saif told NDTV he believes that the more comfortable couples are in real life; the more terrible they are to watch on film. He stated, "I don't need to work with Kareena in order to feel fulfilled. Kareena is a great actor and it would have been nice to work with her.' The couple who tied the knot in October last year have not managed to score a hit at the box office. Agent Vinod, which was released under Saif's own production house, could not wow audiences, but Love Aaj Kal in which he starred opposite Deepika Padokune, became the second highest grossing film of the year. The history of the couple's films is enough to persuade Saif that they should not work together; not even a great script will encourage them to unite, "I feel it burdens the script when you put two of us together. The fun of the scene becomes dull and that's a danger."
Bollywood
February 15, 2013
India Post 29
www.indiapost.com
BOLD&
MARRIED I am an actor and I am married are two different things. Both of us (Siddharth and I) respect each other and our work
V
idya Balan is one professional actress Bollywood has discovered. Married to UTV CEO Siddharth Roy Kapur, she says, marriage will not affect her work. She is open to intimate scenes and even liplock. "I am an actor and I am married are two different things. Both of us (Siddharth and I) respect each other and our work," Vidya said. The actress was at the wrap-up party of her upcoming film Ghanchakkar with Emraan Hashmi. Describing her role in her upcoming film Ghanchakkar, Vidya said, "My character is loud, boisterous and she feels she knows everything. She wears her heart on her sleeve. It is the first time that I am attempting something like this." The 33-year-old actress has yet again won the black lady, the Filmfare award for her performance in Kahaani and waiting eagerly for Kahaani 2 script. "Ask Sujoy, I am very excited to know which 'Kahaani' he has written. So, let's see," Vidya Balan said.
In ACTION mode The year 2012 proved fruitful for John as his career took a turning point when his first production Vicky Donor becoming the biggest sleeper hit
J
ohn Abraham is geared up for action films. He says, "I guess the line between a hero and an anti-hero has almost diminished now. This is the reason why most of us actors are playing a grey or an out and out black character. In Race 2 and Shootout at Wadala , you would realize that everyone is so fabulous out there. Also, drama and action brings out quite a few turning points as well." The year 2012 proved fruitful for John as his career took a turning point when his first production Vicky Donor becoming the biggest sleeper hit. Also, Housefull 2 was a commercial success. No wonder, 2012 turned out to be a defining year for John. "Yes, it indeed was a turnaround year for sure. I wanted to marry commerce with content and now Vicky Donor has set a benchmark. Even in future, my films would definitely try to make a statement. It is not a boisterous statement though. I am going to live up to such huge expectations with my next production Madras CafĂŠ."
Realty Tidbits
Eight city clusters to be developed at Rs 2,100 cr BANGALORE: The Karnataka government has decided to develop eight city clusters in Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDL) areas at an estimated cost of Rs 2,100 crore. Government will avail Rs 1,400 crore loan from Asian Development Bank and contribute Rs 700 crore to develop the city clusters, Minister for Urban Development, S Suresh Kumar told reporters after the cabinet meeting here. The Karnataka Industrial Development Corporation had submitted a plan to the government suggesting development of city clusters in areas falling under BMRDL as its study indicated that the population there would inflate to 1.80 crore by 2030, he said.
HUDA to give 2% commercial space to disabled people GURGAON: After three years of Punjab and Haryana high court's order, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is finally going to have reservation for disabled people for allotment of commercial space in HUDA markets. The apex housing body of the state has come out with a recent circular in connection with the reservation of space to be given to disables. The HUDA has come up with the Punjab and Haryana high court order which had ordered 2% reservation for the disabled people. The court order was pronounced in 2009 while settling the case of a disable group housing board colony in Panchkula. Speaking with the TOI, the HUDA administrator, Praveen Kumar, said, "The policy relating to allotment of kiosks and booths in HUDA markets will be implemented as per the court order, in the new sectors coming up in Gurgaon." The administrator also added that the HUDA markets in new sectors will also have new disabled-friendly entry and exits.
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Hyderabad second most affordable office market NEW DELHI: Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune have figured in the list of world's top 10 most affordable office markets, according to a report by property consultant DTZ. "Tier II cities in China and India continue to dominate the list of top 10 most affordable markets globally," DTZ said in its report Global Occupancy Costs - Offices.-PTI
February 15, 2013
5 housing trends in winter 2013 POLYANA DA COSTA
W
hether you are a home owner seeking to refi nance, a homebuyer or a renter, expect higher housing costs this winter. Certain mortgage fees are rising, especially for those with small down payments. Luckily for borrowers, low mortgage rates are still around, but they only have one way to go this year, and that's up. This isn't the time to wait for a better deal. It's time to act. It's also time to pay close attention to a number of new mortgage regulations that are being released this year. They will help determine who gets a mortgage in the near future. Here are five housing trends you should expect to see this winter. Homebuyers with low down payments will pay higher mortgage insurance premiums when they get a Federal Housing Administration mortgage this year. The FHA says it will increase the annual insurance premium that is added to a borrower's monthly mortgage payments by 0.1 percent.
FHA borrowers are charged about 1.25 percent of the total balance of their loans per year. Before the financial crisis of 2008, the charge was about 0.5 percent.
rise -- probably slowly, until the Federal Reserve decides to stop printing money to invest in mortgage bonds. Then rates could spike overnight.
The Mortgage Bankers Association estimates that the 30-year fixed will rise to about 3.9 percent by the end of the first quarter of the year.
Because mortgage rates are extremely low, the added cost might not affect borrowers significantly now. That could change once rates rise, says Janneke Ratcliffe, executive director for the Center for Community Capital at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The FHA also is considering tightening certain requirements for borrowers with FICO credit scores between 580 and 620. Among some
It's unlikely the Fed will give up on keeping mortgage rates artificially low so early in the year. But refinancers and homebuyers who have not taken advantage of the historically low rates shouldn't waste time, mortgage professionals say.
That's still an attractive rate, especially for those who still pay 5 percent or higher on their loans. Those who qualify for a mortgage and are ready to refinance should do so as soon as possible, mortgage professionals say.
Because mortgage rates are extremely low, the added cost might not affect borrowers significantly now. That could change once rates rise, says Janneke Ratcliffe, executive director for the Center for Community Capital at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill It may sound like a small increase, but this hike is on top of numerous insurance premium raises the FHA has implemented since 2008 as part of its ongoing efforts to shore up the FHA's reserves. Industry observers say there's great potential for much higher increases this year.
of the changes, the FHA would increase the down payment requirement and costs for borrowers in high-cost areas borrowing between $625,000 and $729,000. Mortgage rates appear to have reached bottom. They can stay low or rise, but don't bet on them falling. Most analysts say they will
Cont’d on page 31
Durham to open branches in India KOLKATA: UK-based educational institution Durham School has tied up with real estate company Infinity Group to open its branches across India and is scouting locations like Kolkata, Goa, and Jaipur for setting up a Rs 100crore investment schools. To be known as Durham Infinity International Schools, it will also work with investors in locations across the world to plan, build and operate leading schools based on the established and recognized Durham day and boarding school model. "We have seen properties in
Bangalore, Goa, Jaipur, Lavasa, Hyderabad and Kolkata, in India, but we have not zeroed in on any yet. We are typically looking for an investment of Rs 100 crore per
school and a land size of 20-25 acres," Infinity Group Chairman Ravindra Chamaria told reporters here.-PTI
Real Estate
February 15, 2013
India Post
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Split ownership through tenants in common Steve McLinden Dear Real Estate Adviser,
W
e live in Southern California and are considering selling a percentage of our home to our married daughter. It would take years for her and her husband to save enough for a down payment on a home here. But if we sold our house to them, we wouldn't get back what we put in. We thought if we sold them a percentage, they could at least stop flushing away rent money, plus this would help with our mortgage debt. Can this be done? -- J.J. Dear J.J., Yes, it can be done. But first, kudos to you for looking out for your daughter's future in the highbarrier-to-entry Southern California real estate market. You can indeed sell the kids a percentage of your home through
a mechanism called TIC, an acronym for tenants in common or tenancy in common. TIC is also an umbrella term covering similar terms such as "shared ownership," "co-ownership" and "fractional ownership." Unlike the joint homeownership you share with your spouse where you possess
Particularly in pricey real estate markets such as yours, banks have fine-tuned their "fractional loan" lending programs over the past decade to accommodate the increasing number of TIC transactions and to decrease the risks faced by other co-owners (you in this case) at the same time. Each TIC loan involves a
The share price should be based on the relative value of her assigned area, based on the property's overall square footage. While this sort of pact may sound a trifle impersonal for an all-in-the-family deal, it's nevertheless essential an equal share of the property, a TIC structure allows you to sell any percentage to your daughter and spouse - or anyone else, for that matter.
note signed solely by each of the tenants in common. Hence, if one owner defaults on his or her loan, the lender can only foreclose on that owner's share. Eventually, your
5 housing trends in winter 2013 Cont’d from page 30
"In the long run, locking and closing a loan at these rate levels will forever be a smart decision," says Brett Sinnott, director of secondary marketing at CMG Mortgage Group in San Ramon, Calif. Rents will continue to climb in many parts of the country, as the number of apartments available for rent shrinks, and demand from renters rises. U.S. apartment vacancies dropped to an 11-year low of 4.5 percent in the last quarter of 2012, according to real estate research firm Reis. Foreclosures, still-tight mortgage lending requirements and a weak jobs market are contributing to the surge in demand and rental prices. "A majority of distressed and displaced homeowners would prefer to remain in single-family homes, but it remains difficult for potential buyers to secure mortgages to purchase those homes," says Wally Charnoff, chief executive officer of RentRange, a provider of rental market data and analytics. "As the homeownership rate in the U.S. continues to decline and the rate of distress remains elevated, demand for quality rental properties will continue to grow and bring with it the associated competition that traditionally drives rent increases." Now that the election is over and the "fiscal cliff" ordeal has been put to bed - at least partially - President Barack Obama's administration will likely renew its push to help underwater homeowners. That could result in new refinanc-
ing opportunities for homeowners who have not been helped by the numerous refinancing programs that have been created since the financial crisis. "I wouldn't expect a big shift in administration strategy, but I do think the administration will return to some of the issues they have previously worked on, in particular refinancing, which I would expect to be highest on their agenda," says Julia Gordon, director of housing finance and policy for the Center for American
"A majority of distressed and displaced homeowners would prefer to remain in single-family homes, but it remains difficult for potential buyers to secure mortgages to purchase those homes" Progress. "I also think they do have an interest in principal reduction and an interest in trying to nominate someone to replace Mr. DeMarco." Edward DeMarco, the acting director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has been a strong opponent and a major obstacle to any programs that involve offering underwater borrowers partial principal forgiveness on loans owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Once DeMarco is replaced, which is expected to be soon, talks involving some type of principal reduction may resume. A series of new mortgage and servicing rules is in the process of being unveiled in early 2013. These rules will reshape the mortgage industry and could affect consumers, for better or worse, once they go into effect. The mortgage industry has long claimed that many of the rules could restrict lending and the availability of capital, making mortgages much harder to get. Consumer advocates and other industry observers say the announcement of these will actually bring clarity and more certainty to the market, making loans actually easier to get. Many of the rules, which resulted from the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, have been in the works for about two years. The main rule released so far requires lenders to verify that a borrower has the ability to repay the loan when getting a mortgage. The rule was designed to protect borrowers from the types of risky loans that led to the housing crash. The regulation had to be crafted with caution so that it wouldn't restrict lending and hurt the housing recovery. "We got what we thought we were going to get, so I don't expect any dramatic changes for most borrowers," in terms of getting approved for loans, says Anthony Hutchinson, a senior policy representative at the National Association of Realtors.- Courtesy Bankrate.com
daughter and her husband could buy out your share should you, for example, want to move elsewhere to retire. Or you could buy them out if the situation dictates. As part of the process, be sure to construct a detailed agreement regarding living arrangements, home usage, tax responsibility, maintenance obligations and other contingencies, particularly reselling the share to an outsider (you probably don't want that for obvious reasons). The share price should be based on the relative value of her assigned area, based on the property's overall square footage. While this sort of pact may sound a trifle impersonal for an all-in-the-
family deal, it's nevertheless essential in avoiding potential pitfalls and strained relationships. You might assume that family co-owners create fewer problems in these deals, but the opposite is frequently true, say experts. Sometimes, personal relationships make it more challenging to resolve issues. Hire a tax, estate or real estate attorney - or a similarly qualified professional - to handle the paperwork, particularly because your daughter will be an heir. It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask your daughter and husband to shoulder some of the legal costs, given your generous offer. Good luck in your TIC partnership.-Courtesy Bankrate.com
Dubai's Emaar posts 18% rise in net profit DUBAI: Dubai-based real estate giant Emaar Properties has said its 2012 net profit rose 18 per cent compared on year to USD 577 million, as its retail and hospitality arms grew robustly. Revenues increased only slightly to USD 2.24 billion from USD 2.21 billion in 2011, with shopping malls and other retail businesses contributing USD 1.12 billion, which was up 27 per cent on an annual basis. The builder of the world's tallest tower, Dubai's Burj Khalifa, said the visitor footfall at its grandiose Dubai Mall hit 60 million in 2012, more than 11 per cent higher than the previous year. Revenues from hospitality and
leisure businesses also increased 13 per cent to USD 375 million. Dubai's once-booming real estate market was among the sectors hardest hit by the global financial crisis in the glitzy Gulf business and tourism hub.
But Emaar, which has succeeded in diversifying its portfolio, launched new large-scale projects last year in the emirate whose property sector is showing strong signs of a recovery. -AFP
Health
Line
NJ doctor jailed for role in kickback scheme NEWARK, N.J.: Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey doctor who took part in an illegal kickback scheme involving more than a dozen health care providers has been sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home detention. Daisy Deguzman of Livingston will also have to serve two years of supervised release once those sentences are complete. She also must pay a $20,000 fine and forfeit $23,595. Deguzman had pleaded guilty last June to violating a federal health care program anti-kickback statute. Prosecutors say the 70year-old Deguzman, who practiced in Newark, admitted taking nearly $4,000 in cash in exchange for making patient referrals.-AP
Former hospital CEO wins $350,000 in arbitration WENATCHEE, Wash: The former CEO of Lake Chelan Community Hospital has won $350,000 in arbitration over a defamation lawsuit. The Wenatchee World reports an arbitration ruling has ended the legal battle over the hospital's decision to fire David Bernier less than two years after he was hired. A strongly-worded termination letter said Bernier was fired because of dishonesty and fraud. Bernier claims he was fired because he is gay, and called the board's action a hate crime. He has denied any dishonesty and says he had been harassed by some hospital employees.-AP
Former delegate to serve as legislative liaison CHARLESTON, W.Va.: A former West Virginia lawmaker is serving as the state Department of Health and Human Resources' legislative liaison. The agency says it has appointed Virginia Mahan to the position. She was a member of the state Houses of Delegates, representing Raleigh and Summers counties, from 1997 to 2012. In a prepared statement, acting Cabinet Secretary Rocco Fucillo said Mahan's extensive legislative experience and knowledge will be an asset to the department.-AP
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February 15, 2013
Medical group to serve Iowa liver disease patients IOWA CITY, Iowa: The University of Iowa and two Des Moinesarea health care groups are forming a new organization to improve and coordinate care for patients with liver disease.-AP
Obama offers faith groups new birth control rule WASHINGTON: The Obama administration has proposed a compromise for faith-based nonprofit organizations that object to covering birth control in their employee health plans, trying to appease religious groups that have filed a tide of lawsuits over the president's signature health care overhaul. Some of the lawsuits appear headed for the Supreme Court, threatening another divisive legal battle over President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, the official name for Obama's health care overhaul, which requires most employers to cover birth control free of charge to female workers as a preventive service. The birth-control rule, first introduced a year ago, became an election issue, with some advocates for women praising the mandate as a victory but some religious leaders decrying it as an attack on faith groups. The law exempted churches and other houses of worship, but not religious charities, universities and hospitals. Catholic bishops, evangelicals and some religious leaders who have generally been supportive of Obama's policies lobbied fiercely for a broader exemption. The new regulation attempts to create a barrier between religious groups and contraception cover-
age. Female employees would still have free access through insurers or a third party, but the employer would not have to arrange for the coverage or pay for it. Questions remained about how
food pantry serves the whole community would not have to comply. The Catholic Church prohibits the use of artificial contraception. Evangelicals generally ac-
Barack Obama
the services ultimately would be funded, but the Health and Human Services department said any additional cost would be covered by a deduction in federal user fees for whoever issues the policy. The new regulation would also more simply define the religious organizations that are exempt from the requirement altogether. For example, a mosque whose
cept the use of birth control, but some object to specific methods such as the morning-after contraceptive pill, which they argue is tantamount to abortion, and is covered by the policy. But the National Association of Evangelicals, which represents about 40 denominations and works with the administration on immigration and other issues,
quickly rejected the rule. It said the change didn't create enough of a buffer between faith groups and birth control coverage. ``The Obama administration should have done the right thing and dropped the contraception mandate, or at least should have exempted all religious organizations,'' said Leith Anderson, the association's president. Kyle Duncan, general counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing religious nonprofits and businesses in lawsuits, said many of his clients will still have serious concerns. ``This is a moral decision for them,'' Duncan said. ``Why doesn't the government just exempt them?'' Some women's advocates were pleased. ``The important thing for us is that women employees can count on getting insurance that meets their needs, even if they're working for a religiously affiliated employer,'' said Cindy Pearson, executive director of the National Women's Health Network. Policy analyst Sarah LiptonLubet of the American Civil Liberties Union said the rule appeared to meet the ACLU's goal of providing ``seamless coverage.'' Cont’d on page 33
Cautious optimism on new health mandate OKLAHOMA CITY: Several Oklahoma leaders of Christian nonprofits said they were ``cautiously optimistic'' about a workaround the Obama administration has proposed for religious nonprofits that object to providing health insurance that covers birth control. However, they said they are troubled that the new options will not help for-profit businesses like the Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby or address what they see as the government's trampling on
their civil rights, The Oklahoman and Tulsa World report. ``This latest move by the administration shows the impact that citizens of faith are having,'' the Rev. Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Bap-
tist General Convention of Oklahoma, said. ``Therefore we should redouble our efforts toward the goal of a complete restoration of religious liberty and not be satisfied with its mere shadow.'' Leaders of the Roman Catholic
"This latest move by the administration shows the impact that citizens of faith are having,'' the Rev. Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said"
Archdiocese of Oklahoma City had not yet analyzed the new options, a representative of the faith group said. But Patrick Raglow, executive director of Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City, said although he had not read the ``fine print'' of the Health and Human Services amendment, he was pleased concessions are being made for organizations such as his that object to paying for contraception and abortion-inducing drugs for employees. Cont’d on page 34
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Amway India launches Nutrilite women's range NEW DELHI: Direct selling FMCG company Amway India has announced a new range of products in women's health category under Nutrilite, its flagship nutrition and wellness category. "Indian women, in their effort to manage multiple tasks at work and at home, tend to overlook key aspects of their health and it is here that our new range steps in to address the nutritional gap and helps them to take charge of their health," Amway India Managing Director and CEO William Scott said. The new range is targeted at both working and non-working women, addressing the nutritional requirements across life stages helping them maintain a perfect balance between health, wellbeing and daily activities, the company said in a statement. Quoting industry studies, the company said 53 per cent of working women skip meals and go for junk food, 33 per cent of women worry about thinning and greying of hair and nearly 75 per cent of women in India are anemic. Nutrilite Women's range will be available to consumers from February-end 2013. The new range of products includes Nutrilite Tri-Iron & Folic, Nutrilite Black Cohosh and Soy, Nutrilite CalMag D and Nutrilite Bone Health. Nutrilite California, Scientist - Supplement Product Development, Samantha Marie Izzy said, "A woman undergoes a number of changes throughout her life span. At Nutrilite we have developed these products to meet specific health needs of women and provide targeted nutrition to support overall health and well-being." The company which is targeting turnover of USD 1 billion by 2020, gets over 50 per cent of revenues from Nutrilite brand currently. In 2012, Amway had a turnover of Rs 2,288 crore.-PTI
Half of world countries unprepared to deal with cancer: WHO GENEVA: Less than half of all countries in the world have functioning plans to prevent cancer and provide treatment and care to cancer patients, the World Health Organization lamented here. "Cancer should not be a death sentence anywhere in the world, as there are proven
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement that the compromise would provide ``women across the nation with coverage of recommended preventive care at no cost, while respecting religious concerns.'' Scientific advisers to the government had recommended that artificial contraception, including sterilization, be included in a group of services for women under the Affordable Care Act. The goal, in part, is to help women space out pregnancies to promote health. Obama had promised to change the birth control requirement so insurance companies - and not faith-affiliated employers - would pay for the coverage, but religious leaders said more changes were
Vaccines exist for some infections linked to cancer, including hepatitis B, which can cause liver cancer, and papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer. And if detected early on, many types of cancer can be cured, the agency pointed out.
The UN's health body said it had recently conducted a survey of 185 countries revealing that less than half of them, and only 17 percent of countries in Africa, had sufficiently funded cancer control plans. This is a major concern in a world where each year almost 13 million new cancer cases are diagnosed and some 7.6 million people die of cancer ways to prevent and cure many cancers," Oleg Chestnov, in charge of WHO's noncommunicable diseases and mental health unit, said in a statement. Yet the UN's health body said it had recently conducted a survey of 185 countries revealing that less than half of them, and only 17 percent of countries in Africa, had sufficiently funded cancer control plans. This is a major concern in a world where each year almost 13 million new cancer cases are diagnosed and some 7.6 million people die of cancer - a number the WHO warned in 2010 could double to more than 13 million by 2030. The shortage of functioning cancer control plans is especially alarming in developing countries, since they already account for more than two-thirds of the new cancer cases and deaths each year. And things are only expected to get
Obama offers faith groups new birth control rule Cont’d from page 32
worse as populations age and increasingly feel the impact of exposure to major risk factors like tobacco, certain chemicals and infections, according to Andreas Ullrich, of WHO's Department of Chronic Diseases. "We expect, especially in metropolitan areas of the developing world, to see a major
needed to make the plan work. Since then, more than 40 lawsuits have been filed by religious nonprofits and secular for-profit businesses contending the mandate violates their religious beliefs. As expected, this latest regulation does not provide any accommodation for individual business owners who have religious objections to the rule. In its new version of the rule, the Health and Human Services Department argues that the change won't impose new costs on insurers because it will save them money ``from improvements in women's health and fewer child births.'' The latest version of the mandate is now subject to a 60-day public comment period. The overall mandate is to take effect for religious nonprofits in August. -AP
increase in cancer," he told reporters in Geneva. The agency pointed out that up to a third of all cancer deaths are linked to "modifiable risks" like tobacco, obesity and harmful use of alcohol.
"In order to reduce exposure to risk factors leading to cancer and ensure that every person living with cancer gets access to appropriate care and treatment, comprehensive cancer control programs need to be set up in every country," Chestnov said. -AFP
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Indian-American jailed for 17 years for healthcare fraud WASHINGTON: An IndianAmerican pharmacist has been sentenced to 17 years in prison by a US court for a major healthcare fraud worth USD 57 million. Babubhai (Bob) Patel, 50, who owned and operated 26 pharmacies across metro Detroit, was sentenced in Michigan court, five months after a jury convicted him of billing the government for more than USD 57 million for painkillers that were medically unnecessary or never provided. The government said he paid doctors to write the orders and had recruiters offer cash to poor people in exchange for their Medicare or Medicaid number. He was arrested on August 2, 2011.
In addition to 17 years of imprisonment, the court also ordered Patel to pay restitution to the
Babubhai
Medicaid and Medicare programs in the amount of USD 17.3 million,
and restitution to Blue Cross Blue Shield in the amount of USD 1.5 million. In sentencing the defendant, the court told the defendant that "what you have done is reprehensible." The criminal conduct engaged in by other health care fraud violators sentenced by the court was "small scale compared to this." According to evidence presented during a six-week jury trial concluding in August 2012, Patel between 2006 and 2011, billed Medicare and Medicaid more than USD 57 million. At least 25 per cent of those billings were for drugs that were either medically unnecessary never dispensed. Additional amounts were
Backpack programs begin at Kentucky school CORBIN, Ky.: A southern Kentucky woman has taken up the plight of hungry children by starting a backpack program at an elementary school. Melinda Moses told The Times-Tribune that the initiative sends a backpack full of food home with needy children when they leave the classroom of Boston Elementary in Whitley County on Friday afternoon. Moses says
the food - mostly items that are packaged and ready to Everybody says they want to eat - ensures chil- help, but very few act on it,'' dren have enough food don't go hun- Fuson said. ``But there are gry while they are people in my district who do out of school on help and will help these kids" weekends. She said she worked with Denise McKeehan to get the program food.'' started in Moses said she got the idea J a n u a r y . due to a similar program at another Eventually, school. she said she She said addition donations would like to meant they were able to help alsee it spread most twice as many students durto all schools ing the second week of distribuin Whitley tion. County. ``We've already got 13 this ` ` T h i s week,'' she said in January. ``We program is had seven last Friday.'' for children Magistrate Jamie Fuson said in school he's ``a full supporter'' of the iniwho receive tiative. ``Everybody says they little or noth- want to help, but very few act on ing to eat it,'' Fuson said. ``But there are (through the people in my district who do help weekend),'' and will help these kids.'' Moses said. Moses said she would even``They're not tually like to see the program exg e t t i n g pand. good, ad``It's my dream to see this proequate nutri- gram carry over into all the tion - and schools in Whitley County,'' she that affects said. ``But to see the program get their behav- bigger we need more donations.'' ior (and) She said she hopes to change their atti- perceptions through the protude. gram. ``We want ``We want to challenge the to make sure mentality of the community,'' she they have said. ``And change starts with e n o u g h young people.'' -AP
fraudulently billed to private insurers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The pharmacies operated on a business model that paid kick-
"What you have done is reprehensible." The criminal conduct engaged in by other health care fraud violators sentenced by the court was "small scale compared to this" backs to physicians in exchange for writing prescriptions for expensive medications, the Justice
Department said. The affiliated doctors would also write prescriptions for controlled substances, without regard to medical necessity, which would be filled at the pharmacies and distributed to paid "patients" and patient recruiters. The expensive non-controlled medications would be billed but not dispensed. Earlier, the US court sentenced an Indian Canadian (Brijesh Rawal) and two Indian nationals Ashwini Sharma and Lokesh Tayal - to 68 months of imprisonment for their participation as pharmacists in these criminal offenses. They will be deported to their country of their citizenship upon the completion of their sentences. -PTI
Lawmaker wants to change HIV transmission law DES MOINES, Iowa: A Des infected 13 women and girls with Moines lawmaker plans to intro- HIV. duce legislation that would reduce Among those voting for the penalties for HIV-positive people Iowa law was McCoy, who is who have sex without disclosing openly gay. their health condition. McCoy said the current law Des Moines Democratic Sen. made sense based on what was Matt McCoy said he wants to known about HIV and AIDS, but change the law to reduce penal- times have changed. ties and focus on people who pur``The fact that I'm gay has a posefully try to infect others with real impact on my sensitivity to the virus. this issue,'' McCoy said. ``Clearly, Under the current law, HIV- I'm extremely impacted by the gay positive people who have sex community and sensitive to without disclosing their condition people living with HIV. can face up to 25 years in prison if ``I just feel it's the right thing convicted, regardless of whether to do for this group of people that someone is infected. have been so stigmatized.'' ``That is truly a Draconian punThe proposed changes to the ishment,'' McCoy said. ``Being diagnosed with HIV is no longer the Under the current law, HIVdeath sentence it once positive people who have was.'' McCoy wants to sex without disclosing their change the law so someone convicted of condition can face up to 25 intentional or at- years in prison if convicted, tempted transmission of the virus could be regardless of whether sentenced to a maxi- someone is infected mum of five years in prison and face a $750 to $7,500 fine. That would put HIV law would take into account in the same criminal category as whether an HIV-positive person transmitting any other communi- took steps to prevent transmission cable disease, such as Hepatitis of the disease, such as using a C. condom and taking medication McCoy also wants to end a re- that makes it less likely that a quirement that people convicted sexual partner would be infected. must be placed on a sex offender Medications have dramatically registry for life. improved over the decades, and The Legislature unanimously with proper treatment HIV-posiapproved the current law in 1998. tive people can greatly reduce the The law was approved, in part, as amount of virus in their blood and a reaction to a 1996 case in New make transmission of the disease York where a man intentionally unlikely.-AP
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Republicans say FDA withholds key meningitis docs WASHINGTON: House Republicans are ing process. threatening to subpoena documents from ``FDA has produced no communications the Food and Drug Administration as part from staff and officials at FDA headquarof an ongoing investigation into whether ters, who were actually making the decithe agency could have prevented a deadly sions about how to address the situation,'' outbreak of meningitis caused by contami- according to the letter, signed by Chairman nated drugs. Fred Upton and four other Republicans. Republicans on the Energy and Com- They point out that the Massachusetts merce Committee said that the FDA has Board of Pharmacy, ``a much smaller entity three weeks to turn over internal documents than the FDA,'' produced all the documents concerning its oversight of the New En- requested by the committee before the gland Compounding Center. The pharmacy November hearing. produced a contaminated steroid, used Agency spokeswoman Erica Jefferson mainly to treat back pain, that is blamed for said that the FDA is working to respond to fungal meningitis that has killed 45 people the committee, and has turned over more and sickened more than 600. than 3,500 pages of documents to Congress The outbreak was first identified in September and Congress has been inThe FDA inspected the pharmacy vestigating the case since three times between 2002 and 2005 October. But their inquiry and issued a warning letter in 2006 has been slowed by the complex overlap of state ordering NECC to stop mass-producand federal laws and reguing drugs outside the scope of its lations that govern specialty pharmacies like the license. But regulators never shut the Framingham, Mass.-based operation down. At a November NECC. hearing, FDA Commissioner Margaret The FDA inspected the pharmacy three times beHamburg said the agency decided to tween 2002 and 2005 and defer the issue to Massachusetts issued a warning letter in Board of Pharmacy 2006 ordering NECC to stop mass-producing drugs outside the scope of its license. But regulators since October. never shut the operation down. At a No``These documents include corresponvember hearing, FDA Commissioner Mar- dence from FDA's district offices and FDA garet Hamburg said the agency decided to headquarters as well as inspectional docudefer the issue to Massachusetts Board of ments and adverse event records from the Pharmacy, which had more direct oversight 2002-2006 timeframe,'' Jefferson said in a of the company. statement. While the agency has turned over the The lawmakers say they will consider documents related to its inspections, Re- issuing a subpoena if the FDA doesn't turn publicans say they want to see internal over key internal memos related to the case memos about the agency's decision-mak- by Feb. 25. -AP
Cautious optimism on new health mandate Cont’d from page 32
``The potential was we'd have to choose between not providing health care for our employees or providing health care for our employees that violates our tenets. It should have never happened in the first place,'' Raglow said. Loren Gresham, president of Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, said he was cautiously optimistic about the effect the new ``opt out'' options will have on schools like SNU and other religious nonprofits. He said he remains concerned about Hobby Lobby's battle against the government-imposed mandate. ``For the nonprofits, at least initially, it sounds like it might help us a great deal, but we'll have to digest the fine print of it,'' Gresham said. Raglow added that it also troubled him that
businesses who have religious objections to the mandate must still comply with it. Hobby Lobby was disappointed with the proposal as well, said Kyle Duncan, one of the attorneys representing Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. in its federal court challenge of Affordable Care Act requirements. ``We remain committed to protecting religious liberty until the administration recognizes the conscience rights of all Americans,'' Duncan said. The proposed rule will not affect Hobby Lobby's legal challenge to the mandate, company attorneys say. Hobby Lobby has said it would rather incur hefty fines than provide insurance coverage for contraceptive pills. The federal government contends that religious freedoms don't apply to the company, because it is a secular, for-profit corporation. -AP
Bharat Family Clinic to open 30 clinics by 2015 NEW DELHI: Primary healthcare provider Bharat Family Clinic has said it would invest Rs 60 crore to open up to 30 clinics by 2015. "We will be opening around 30 Bharat Family Clinics by end of 2015. We will be investing Rs 60 crore for this," Bharat Family Clinic Chairman and MD Pradeep Handa told PTI. This is part of the company's long-term plans to establish a large network of outpatient primary care clinics across India, he added. When asked how the company plans to raise the finances for the expansion, Handa said: "Entire operation and expansion of these clinics in India would be financed through internal accruals." The company has also tied up with Johns Hopkins Medicine International for an advisory role in developing clinical programs, assistance with facility design and operation of the clinics besides training of
physicians. "The new facilities will adopt the outpatient primary care procedures and protocols of Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, and will feature diagnostic equipment and highly trained teams of health care pro-
viders," Handa said. Areas of specialty will include general internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology among others, Bharat Family Clinic said. -PTI
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'Milk and yogurt promote healthy hip bones' WASHINGTON: Consuming milk and yogurt can give you healthier hip bones than cream, according to a new study led by an Indian-origin scientist, which found that not all dairy products are equally beneficial in promoting bone strength. The study by researchers at the Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) at Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School (HMS), has found that dairy intake - specifically milk and yogurt - is associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) in the hip, but not the spine. Cream, on the other hand, may be associated with lower BMD overall. "Dairy foods provide several important nutrients that are beneficial for bone health," said lead author Shivani Sahni. "However, cream and its products such as ice cream have lower levels of these nutrients and have higher levels of fat and sugar. In this
study, 2.5 - 3 servings of milk and yogurt intake per day were associated with better bone density," she said in a statement. "More research is needed to examine the role of cheese intake (some of which can be high in fat and sodium), and whether individual dairy foods have a significant impact in reducing fractures," she added. Researchers based their findings on data collected from a food
frequency questionnaire completed by 3,212 participants. They then compared participants' dairy intake with BMD measurement, which revealed the benefits of milk and yogurt versus cream in largely middle-aged men and women. According to the study, nutrient composition varies among dairy foods. Choosing low-fat milk or yogurt over cream can increase intake of protein, calcium and vitamin D while limiting intake of saturated fats. The study was published in the journal Archives of Osteoporosis. -PTI
Minnesota, health providers take on Medicaid costs ST. PAUL, Minn.: Gov. Mark Dayton has announced that his administration is partnering with six Minnesota health providers in testing a new Medicaid payment model aimed at reducing the cost of treatment for 100,000 medical assistance enrollees, primarily through a greater emphasis on preventive care. Under the new approach, the state Department of Human Services will shift from paying primarily based on volume of patients served, to financial incentives for lowering health care costs for those patients. Each year, the cost of care per patient will be compared to mutually set targets for
cost and quality; any savings will be shared by the state and providers. The state and providers would jointly make up losses in cases where cost savings are not achieved. The administration cited an actuarial study that predicted the new payment system would save taxpayers about $90 million over three years. Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said her agency already is working to expand the model to more providers who treat the roughly 800,000 people on Medicaid or MinnesotaCare. ``It's not about paying less, it's about changing what we're pay-
ing for,'' Jesson said. Paying health care providers for volume rather than outcomes skews their priorities, Jesson said, creating incentives to simply treat large numbers of Medicaid patients rather than focusing on approaches that prevent health problems. Jesson called it a ``fundamental change'' in the way the state provides medical assistance. The initial six health care providers participating are Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Essentia Health, CentraCare Health System, North Memorial Health Care, Federally Qualified Health Center Urban Health Network and Northwest Metro Alliance. -AP
RI receives $250K to deal with climate change PROVIDENCE, R.I.: Rhode Island will receive $250,000 from the federal government to help authorities in the state address and prepare for health effects associated with climate change. That's according to the state's congressional delegation that says the funding will come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Department of Health will be able to use the funding to help the state and municipalities create an action plan and coordinate activities to investigate, prepare for and respond effects of climate change. According to the CDC,
weather and climate have always had a key influence on human health - either through our direct exposure to the elements or by
providing conditions that help or hinder the spread of disease. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says climate change is already bringing warmer temperatures that affects children and seniors. -AP
Maryland County recommends TB testing in school SALISBURY, Md.: Wicomico County officials are recommending that students and staff at a Salisbury high school be tested as a precaution for tuberculosis after a student was diagnosed with it. Officials say skin testing will be free to anyone who had extended contact with the infected student, who attends James M.
Bennett High School and is receiving medical care. The school district sent out a letter to students and staff and also held an informational meeting. School and health officials say there's only a small risk of infection from exposure to the infected student, and there's no risk of additional exposure to students or staff.-AP
Flu cases subsiding in Rhode Island PROVIDENCE, R.I. : Rhode Island health officials say an early spike in influenza cases appears to be subsiding But the state's Department of Health also warned that the number of cases could rise again before the official end of flu season this spring. Health department director Michael Fine says it remains important for residents who aren't vaccinated to get immunized against the flu. The state says nearly 8,000 people with flu-like illness have visited emergency rooms in
Rhode Island since Dec. 10. More than 470,000 of the state's
1 million residents have been vaccinated against the flu this season. -AP
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P
elling is a picturesque town located in the district of West Sikkim. The town is at a distance of about 10 km from the district headquarters of Geyzing. Pelling is said to have been the first capital of Sikkim. It is also believed that the Chogyal dynasty lived and ruled here. It is famous for its view of the snow-capped peaks of Kanchenjunga. Situated at an altitude of 6,800 ft, it offers a great view of the complete mountain ranges like the Koktang, Kumbhakarna, Dom, Kanchenjunga and others. The great Himalayan ranges and the Kanchenjunga can be sighted at close quarters from here. Pelling also serves as the base camp for treks in West Sikkim.
People & Culture Pelling and its surrounding areas are home to many tribes and communities such as Bhutias, Lepchas, Tamangs, Limboos and Marwaris among others. These people have contributed to the diversity of Pelling; its food and its culture. They are involved in cattle farming, agriculture to being businessman and owning small shops in the main markets of Sikkim. The town also has a spiritual feel to it as it is home to many Buddhist monasteries. Most of the local inhabitants of Pelling are Buddhists and speak the local Sikkimese language. The other languages spoken here are Nepali, Hindi, and English.
Things to do Places to visit in and around Pelling include the local monastery, the rock garden and waterfall near Rimbi, the double-pronged Kanchenjunga Falls, Singshore Bridge, Changey Waterfalls and Khecheopalri / Khechuperi Lake, which is considered sacred by Buddhists. The Pemayangtse Monastery is one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sikkim. Pemayangtse literally translates to 'Perfect Sublime Lotus'. On the third floor of the monastery, there is a seventiered painted wooden model of the abode of Guru Rimpoche. In January or February every year, a religious dance called 'Cham' is performed in Pemayangtse. Another attraction of Pelling is Sangachoeling Monastery, which is located on the top of the mountain behind the town. Khecheopalri Lake is considered one of the sacred lakes of Sikkim. The lake is actually hidden in the forest. There is a belief that birds prevent leaves from floating on the lake surface. Cont’d on page 40
Places to visit in and around Pelling include the local monastery, the rock garden and waterfall near Rimbi, the double-pronged Kanchenjunga Falls, Singshore Bridge, Changey Waterfalls and Khecheopalri / Khechuperi Lake, which is considered sacred by Buddhists
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Pelling: Great view of Himalayan mountain ranges Cont’d from page 39
Another place to visit in Pelling is the Rabdengtse Ruins that are hidden from the main road and are at a walking distance from Pelling and the Pemayangtse Monastery. Also, the Sangay Waterfalls are
delights such as thukpa and steaming momos. The town has a few restaurants and street stalls that serve these delicacies. As for shopping, Pelling has a few options. Tourists can buy handicrafts made by the local tribes such
many hotels and lodges are situated in and around Pelling offering a range of accommodation options. Tourists can reach Pelling from Gangtok, which is 115 km away. Pelling is 135 km from Siliguri, the nearest rail connection. The nearest airport is Bagdogra airport near Darjeeling. Pelling has a designated helipad area though there is no actual or
Tourists can buy handicrafts made by the local tribes such as tribal jewellery, woolen garments and bamboo products Singshore Bridge - Asia's second highest hanging bridge
about 10 km from Pelling. However, with the invasion of tourists, the area is going through a transformation, with the roads being refurbished and new hotels coming up.
as tribal jewellery, woolen garments and bamboo products. Travelers can also try the locally made drink called tongba which is made from whole grain millet.
Food & Shopping
Traveling to Pelling
Pelling offers the usual food
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regular air service. Helicopters connect Pelling with Gangtok on request. Shared jeeps are available regularly from Gyalshing. There are also frequent services to Gangtok via Ravangla and one jeep daily to Siliguri. Buses are also available from Siliguri via Jorethang.
Buddhist temple
gust. An umbrella is anytime handy though. The monsoon season which starts from June experiences heavy rainfall. Summers, from March to May, are pleasant with the maximum temperature remaining well within 30° Celsius. However, temperatures fall at night making it essential to carry a light jacket or sweater. Winters can see the temperatures drop to as low as
kms when traveled by road. By Rail: Jalpaiguri has the railway station that is closest to Pelling. You have to cover the distance of about 187 kms by road in order to reach here. Siliguri also has railway station to provide transport to Pelling. Distance of 139 kms has to be covered to reach Siliguri from Pelling. Usually the trains come into Siliguri
-5° Celsius with the maximum daytime temperature not going beyond 10° Celsius.
or New Jalpaiguri. From any of these two stations, tourists may carry on to Pelling by Toy-Train. Tourists have the options of Limo Van or bus or taxi or Land Rover in order to reach Pelling. By Road: All weather metalled roads are linked from Pelling, Siliguri, Gangtok, Kalimpong and the like. Pelling is well linked by bus and jeep services.
Traveling within Pelling The best way to explore Pelling is on foot. Tourists can also hike or trek their way up to discover attractions like local monasteries. The government tourism office in Pelling also organizes guides for nature walks across Pelling.
Accommodation Hotel options in Pelling are aplenty. Upper Pelling has a number of budget hotels while other areas have a few luxury accommodation options. Resorts located near popular monasteries like Pemayangste and Dubdi can be contacted directly or by signing up for holiday packages in Pelling. Pelling can be visited throughout the year apart from the rainy season, i.e. from mid June to Au-
How to Reach By Air: The nearest airport from Pelling is Bagdogra airport which is at a distance of 154 kms if traveled by road. The airport at Gangtok is also close to Pelling. This airport is at a distance of 89
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Kerala bags award for favorite winter, beach destination THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has emerged as the favorite winter and beach destination in the country, according to the annual Outlook Traveler Awards. The state tourism won awards for the "Favorite Winter Destination" and the "Favorite Beach Destination," the second one for its famed beach resort Kovalam near here, a Kerala Tourism release said.
Kerala Tourism was the only state board other than Jammu and Kashmir Tourism to pick up two awards at the travel magazine's award ceremony held in New Delhi. "It is a big honor for Kerala to win the two highest prizes in the prestigious Outlook Traveler Awards," said Kerala Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar. "The awards are a recognition
Hawaii lawmakers propose shielding celeb privacy HONOLULU: More than twothirds of Hawaii's state senators have signed onto a bill to protect celebrities from paparazzi, giving them power to sue over unwanted beach photos and other snapshots on the islands. The bill's author says he's pushing the law at the request of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, the former ``American Idol'' judge who recently bought a new home in Maui. Sen. Kalani English, a Democrat from Maui, told The Associated Press the so-called ``Steven Tyler Act'' will help Hawaii's tourism and film industries, encouraging famous people to come here without fear of being stalked by
Sen. Kalani English
“The Legislature finds that sometimes the paparazzi go too far to disturb the peace and tranquility afforded celebrities who escape to Hawaii for a quiet life� paparazzi. ``These are my constituents as well,'' English said. ``Public figures have a right to reasonable privacy. There's a balance that we need to create.'' The bill would open people up to civil lawsuits if they invade the privacy of public figures by taking or selling photos or videos. It
defines invasion of privacy as capturing or trying to capture images or sound of people ``in a manner that is offensive to a reasonable person'' during personal or family moments. It does not specify places where pictures would be OK or whether public places would be exempt. The bill says it would apply to people who take photos from boats or anywhere else within ocean waters. ``Although their celebrity status may justify a lower expectation of privacy, the Legislature finds that sometimes the paparazzi go too far to disturb the peace and tranquility afforded celebrities who escape to Hawaii for a quiet life,'' English wrote in the bill. Longtime Hawaii media lawyer Jeff Portnoy said the legislation is vague and panders to celebrities. ``It's unnecessary, it's potentially unconstitutional and it flies in the face of decades of privacy law,'' he said. He said that it's hard to know how the court would interpret the state constitutional provision for the right to privacy in terms of this bill, but that based upon privacyrelated court precedents, the law would be unnecessary. The bill has only been introduced and referred to committee; lawmakers haven't set a date to discuss it yet. While 18 of 25 of the state's senators have signed on, including the Senate majority leader, it's unclear whether the bill would stand a chance in the House. Hawaii House Majority Leader Scott Saiki said he supports the idea of protecting celebrities' privacy but thinks the bill should be more specific. ```In a manner that is offensive to a reasonable person' - what does that mean?'' Saiki said. He said he thinks the bill needs substantial amendments to make sure it's enforceable. English said he believes the bill is constitutional. He said the state has a provision in its constitution to protect the right to privacy.-AP
of the state's leading role in the travel and tourism sectors of the country," Tourism Secretary Suman Billa said. Last year, Kerala had bagged a string of awards like Conde Nast
Travel Award in the 'Excellence in Taking Brand India Global' category. It had also edged out Taj Mahal to become the number one travel destination in the Google's search
trends for India in 2012. Kerala's hill destination Munnar was on the list of Top 10 Indian destinations on Google's Zeitgiest site showing search trends from around the world. -PTI
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NYC's landmark Grand Central Terminal turns 100 NEW YORK: New Yorkers marked the 100th birthday of Grand Central Terminal and ended up celebrating the legacy of another emblem of the city, former Mayor Ed Koch, who died on February 1 and who supported efforts to spare Grand Central from demolition. The always bustling terminal was even more crowded than usual as tourists and commuters leaned in to hear birthday speeches under the twinkling constellations that adorn the main concourse's soaring ceiling. The ceremony started with a moment of silence for Koch, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg then
praised both his predecessor and Grand Central. ``We almost lost this extraordinary building, if you remember, back in the `70s,'' Bloomberg said. ``And as a matter of fact, at that time the whole city was crumbling, and then we elected Ed Koch.'' Bloomberg said Koch ``really
would have wanted us to celebrate his life and the life of the city he loved. So I think it's only fitting that we're gathered here to celebrate the life of another New York City icon, Grand Central Terminal.'' The party took place exactly 100 years after the keys to Grand Central were first given to the stationmaster on Feb. 1, 1913. Conceived as a palace of train travel, the majestic Beaux Arts building now houses the MetroNorth Railroad, a commuter line serving New York's northern suburbs, with connections to the subway system. It is also a shopping and dining destination and is one
of the world's most popular tourist attractions. But as several speakers recounted, Grand Central was in danger of being demolished in the 1970s to make way for a new office tower. It was saved by preservationists including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Caroline Kennedy said her mother was a native New Yorker who cared deeply about the city and mourned the loss of buildings like the old Penn Station, torn down in the 1960s and replaced with Madison Square Garden. ``She understood how great public spaces can help build community,'' Kennedy said. Kennedy read from a letter Onassis wrote to thenMayor Abe Beame in 1975 urging him to support saving Grand Central. ``It would be so noble if you were to go down in history as the man who was brave enough to stem the tide,'' Onassis wrote. Robert Tierney, chairman of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission, noted that a newspaper recently ran a 1970s photo of Onassis and Koch, then a member of Congress, ``leading the charge, leading the fight to save this building.'' He called it ``a poignant memory.'' The battle for Grand Central went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 1978 that saving Grand Central under the city's Landmarks Preservation Act did not constitute a ``taking'' but was a reasonable use of regulatory power. The decision was the first time the court ruled on a preservation issue and paved the way for saving other historic struc-
Kuwait infrastructure investment driving tourism sector DUBAI: The USD 13 billion investment in its transport infrastructure has given a boost to Kuwait's tourism sector. "Kuwait is now midway through its latest five-year tourism plan, which has leisure sector growth as its primary focus. "This is supported in the mid to long term by an investment of USD 6 billion to expand the capitals airport, with a second terminal by 2016, and a new USD 7 billion metro system which will be operational by 2020," Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed
Travel Exhibitions, said during an event in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, the leading investment bank Alpen Capital in its GCC
Hospitality industry report said the GCC hospitality market is likely to grow at an annual rate of 8.1 per cent to USD 28.3 billion by 2016 compared to USD 19.2 billion in 2011. The development of Kuwait's existing leisure and business infrastructure is also set to drive new inbound business, it said. The steady tourism growth over the last decade has led to a 13 per cent rise in international tourist arrivals in the country for the period 2001-2011, with tourism receipts of USD 5.3 billion in 2011. -PTI
tures. ``There are so many great buildings and neighborhoods that could well not be here today but for the landmarks law being upheld,'' Tierney said. The birthday party started with a performance by the West Point Brass and Percussion Band, which
Speakers included actress Cynthia Nixon and former New York Mets star Keith Hernandez, who said he often took the No. 7 subway train from Grand Central out to Shea Stadium. ``Welcome, everybody, to New York's other great playing field,'' Hernandez said. ``I love this building.''
The battle for Grand Central went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 1978 that saving Grand Central under the city's Landmarks Preservation Act did not constitute a ``taking'' but was a reasonable use of regulatory power played a ``Grand Central Centennial Fanfare'' commissioned for the occasion. Melissa Manchester sang Cole Porter's love song to the city, ``I Happen to Like New York,'' written in 1930 when Grand Central was just 17.
A high school choir from the Bronx sang ``Happy Birthday'' as bakery workers wheeled out a cake shaped like Grand Central's famous clock, which has served as a meeting place for generations of New Yorkers.-AP
J-K urges Spain to lift negative travel advisory JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government has requested Spain to lift the travel advisory issued to its citizens against visiting the state, following considerable improvement in situation. "We request the Government of Spain to lift the negative travel advisory issued to its citizens against visiting the state as the situation here has improved considerably," state tourism minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir said during his meeting with Spanish Tourism Officers in Madrid. The Tourism Minister, along with officers of Tourism Department, is on a four-day visit to Spain, representing the state in the International Tourism Trade Fair there.
According to an official statement issued here, the minister during his meetings and interaction, received positive response from the Spanish authorities and expressed hope that the advisory would be lifted soon. Mir told Spanish officials that Germany and UK have already lifted similar travel advisories against the state, following which, a large number of foreign tourists have visited the state. The state government has set up stalls at the fair showcasing tourism potential of the state, besides publicity counters to familiarize participants with scenic spots and adventure, heritage and spiritual tourism of J&K. PTI
Astro Buzz
February 15, 2013
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Here is an astrology column with a difference, giving you advice for the coming week by
DR ASHIT JALUI FEBRUARY 15TH - FEBRUARY 21ST 2013
Y
ehind the scenes, quiet diplomacy could have favourable consequences. It may be time to reveal aspects of your recent behaviour and stun colleagues with your qualities. If you're shifting your professional direction, consider something in the charitable line.
B
A
ocial indications remain promising and casual contacts may have helpful consequences on your professional life or family arrangements. However, you must guard against today's overall risk of muddle and confusion - the Full Moon is broadly supportive.
S
f you've been pondering secret plans, it will soon be time to take the initiative and make these public. The moment for open action has not yet arrived, however, and discretion may still be the best course. You will gain from joint investments.
he Moon supports your sign, present ing you with a number of emotional challenges, most of them positive. You may be called away from home soon. If so, the cause is more likely to be the fulfilment of some deeply- held long-term ambition, rather than routine concerns.
M
here's a mood of uncertainty today, although you may be unaware that anything strange is afoot, until you try to firm up agreements. The fact that the Moon aligns with emotional zones in your chart might encourage you to embark on a romantic adventure.
T
he Moon shows the way ahead and whatever you do today will bring a massive pay-off sooner than you think. In the meantime, your social commitments are at least partially responsible for steadily mounting expenses, and that's precisely why it's within your power to reduce your overheads.
ercury is now sufficiently at home in your chart to be feeding you some of the best ideas and plans around. By all means work hard at promoting yourself and raising your profile at work or in social activities, but this is not the time to expect final decisions.
T
oday's sensitive planetary pattern resonates nicely with your own horoscope, although you might misunderstand friends' intentions or behavior. Keep a sense of realism well to the fore and remember that impulsive decisions may make sense this week but will seem foolish by next week.
major plan is coming to fruition and, assuming you've gained partners' approval, you can look forward to the future with a fair degree of optimism. Your old-fashioned attitudes will charm your friends and could open the door to a new romance.
I
Y
our tendency to hang on to the past is now a potent force in your life, even if you still believe yourself to be a forwardlooking go-getter. You must try to be flexible in all matters requiring agreement with colleagues - especially if money is involved.
our most important objectives will become clearer from now on, despite the threat of a silly confrontation this morning. Come to firm decisions based on an accurate appraisal of all the facts, and continue to keep a close eye on your finances.
T
T
T
here are some people who expect you to look after them but it really is time they realised that you have your own needs to take care of. With the Moon falling deep in the heart of your chart, it's the moment to let people know exactly what you're feeling.
Dr. Ashit Jalui, Masters in Astronomy also an expert in Numerology, Vastu and Vedic Astrology Now get one free astro consultation from Dr. Ashit Jalui by e-mailing your question to ASHITJALUI@GMAIL.COM
In Brief Bennet: Best shot in 20 years for immigration fix DENVER: Senator Michael Bennet says that, for the first time in 20 years, there is hope an immigration overhaul will pass Congress. Bennet was one of eight bipartisan Senators who released an outline of an immigration bill that would allow most illegal immigrants to eventually become citizens. He said there has been a ``sea change'' nationally that gives him hope it could become law. Bennet is a Democrat. He warmly praised Republican Senators John McCain and Marco Rubio for working with him on the outline and helping lead their party toward an immigration deal. -AP
Senate group focuses on border security WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of senators working to write immigration legislation is focusing on how to define when the U.S. border is secure, one of several contentious issues that could cause the whole deal to collapse, a key Senate negotiator said. Sen. Chuck Schumer, a leading Democrat, pointed to ``serious challenges ahead'' as the lawmakers delve into the nitty gritty of border security, how to define a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, and other issues such as a guest worker program - something business wants and organized labor has concerns about.-AP
Immigrant from Venezuela tries to make it in Okla TULSA, Okla: Almost every weekend since November, Veruska Hernandez has made tamales in the back of an east Tulsa restaurant that is owned by a friend of a friend. But because Hernandez has a full-time job, and because the restaurant's owner lets her use the space only after normal business hours, Hernandez usually does not start work till about midnight, at times finishing as late as 5 a.m. Hernandez got a food handler's license and began selling her tamales after a friend, Stephanie Lewis, suggested that it would be a good business. Lewis knew Hernandez was saving money to apply to become a permanent resident - she needs about $3,000 for paperwork and attorney fees - and thought that it would be a good way for the single mom to get some extra cash.-AP
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Gay, Latino groups forge immigration alliance Details on page 46
Immigration bill splits Republicans WASHINGTON: The immigration debate is threatening to split the Republican Party, pitting those who focus mainly on presidential elections against those who care mostly about congressional races. Strategists say that if Republicans are to win presidential elections, which they've been losing lately, partly because of dismal support from Hispanic voters, they must soften their rhetoric about illegal immigrants and embrace some version of ``immigration reform.'' But granting illegal residents a pathway to citizenship, which critics call ``amnesty,'' is deeply unpopular in many House Republicans' districts. President Barack Obama wants such a pathway. So do some prominent Republican lawmakers who are seeking a way out of their party's jam. The plans differ on when and how citizenship might occur, with border security a central issue. Resolving these differences may determine whether a major law is enacted in the coming months. Some Republican strategists fear they will lose either way. If by the next election Latino voters think Republicans opposed and possibly blocked a comprehensive immigration overhaul, they might turn against the party in even bigger numbers. On the other hand, converting millions of illegal Hispanic residents into citizens might produce large numbers of new voters who will lean Democratic for years. ``This is a perilous debate that
Republicans have entered into,'' John Ullyot, a Republican consultant and a former Senate aide, said. Obama won 71 percent of the Hispanic vote last November and 67 percent in 2008. Republican campaign professionals say Republicans are dooming them-
constituents. The upcoming debates could stir passions further, even in swing districts. Rep. Steve Chabot lost his Cincinnati-area seat in Ohio to a Democrat in 2008, then regained it two years later. He opposes giving illegal immigrants an eventual route
A bipartisan group of Senators including Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio announced their framework for immigration reform
selves if they don't show a more welcoming face to this fast-growing segment of voters. ``Republicans need to solve this issue, politically, if they wish to win national elections, and they know it,'' said Texas-based Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak. Winning elections to the House of Representatives, however, is a different matter. A number of Republican lawmakers and aides say ``amnesty'' for illegal immigrants triggers strong resentment among their
to citizenship. ``It is unfair to allow those who have willfully and intentionally broken our nation's immigration laws to, in essence, cut in front of those who have been patiently and legally waiting their turn to become U.S. citizens,'' Chabot wrote on his House blog. Republicans should appeal to Hispanic voters ``on principle,'' he said, not by agreeing to liberal immigration policies. ``Republicans are better for Hispanics because our policies are better for them,'' Chabot said.
Republican leaders hope to minimize internal conflicts by finding a compromise that Obama and the Democratic-controlled Senate will accept. A bipartisan group of senators has proposed a plan that would allow illegal immigrants to pursue citizenship only after steps, yet to be detailed, are taken to further secure the border with Mexico. The plan is backed by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, whose parents were born in Cuba. He is seen as leading player on immigration. Some other high-profile conservatives, including Fox News commentator Sean Hannity and the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, have spoken favorably about Rubio's approach. Democrats insist that the border security prerequisites not be onerous. They worry that Republicans will never agree that border enforcement is strong enough to start the citizenship process for illegals. Similarly, some Republicans say they fear Democrats won't deliver tougher security once illegal immigrants are allowed the first step toward legal status. Republican strategists say respectful rhetoric in the coming debates is crucial to wooing Hispanic voters who feel previous Republican comments revealed anti-immigrant feelings. ``If the tone of the debate is thoughtful,'' then Republicans can survive politically even if they reject ``blanket amnesty,'' campaign adviser Terry Nelson said. Cont’d on page 46
Some waivers may be sought before departing US-II DAVID A. ISAACSON Continued from last week
O
ne interesting consequence of this new eligibility for those with administratively closed removal cases relates to the process created by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in its October 16, 2012 opinion entitled In the Matter of Immigration Petitions for Review Pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the
Second Circuit. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in order to avoid having to spend court time unnecessarily reviewing a removal order in cases where ICE would anyway not seek to execute the order, has created an automatic 90-day waiting period during the processing of petitions for review (although one which can be ended early by either side) to allow for discussion of whether the exercise of prosecutorial dis-
cretion is appropriate. In cases where the Office of Immigration Litigation that is representing the government on the petition for review determines in consultation with ICE that a case is low-priority and suitable for the exercise of prosecutorial discretion, the case will be remanded to the BIA for administrative closure. Thus, at least in the Second Circuit, and perhaps in other Circuits which may come to follow the lead
of the Second Circuit, some who have already received final orders of removal, but who would be eligible for a provisional waiver absent such final order and have petitioned for review of the order, should be able to return their case to an administratively closed state under the new process and then apply for a provisional waiver. Cont’d on page 46
Immigration Post
February 15, 2013
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Obama seeks Cong nod for his immigration reforms WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has come out with his much-awaited comprehensive immigration reforms, that, among other things, will pave way for legalization of more than 11 million undocumented immigrants. The reforms, which also pro-
"It (immigration) keeps our workforce young, it keeps our country on the cutting edge, and it's helped build the greatest economic engine the world has ever known. After all, immigrants helped start businesses like Google and Yahoo. They created
President Barack Obama
pose to eliminate the annual country caps in the employment category, are expected to benefit large number of Indian technocrats and professionals. In a major policy speech on comprehensive immigration in Las Vegas, Obama urged the Congress to act on his proposals.
entire new industries that in turn created new jobs and new prosperity for our citizens," Obama said The other key proposals of his "comprehensive" reform plan include "stapling" a green card to the diplomas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), PhD and Masters Degree
graduates from qualified US universities who have found employment in the country. The President also proposed to create a startup visa for job-creating entrepreneurs. The proposal allows foreign entrepreneurs, who attract financing or revenue from American investors and customers, to start and grow their businesses in the US, and to remain permanently if their companies grow further, create jobs for American workers, and strengthen the economy. The proposal removes the backlog for employment-sponsored immigration by eliminating annual country caps and adding additional visas to the system. Outdated legal immigration programs are reformed to meet current and future demands by exempting certain categories from annual visa limitations, the White House said. Obama also proposed to eliminate existing backlogs in the family-sponsored immigration system by recapturing unused visas and temporarily increasing annual visa numbers. The proposal also raises existing annual country caps from seven per cent to 15 per cent for the family-sponsored immigration system. It also treats same-sex units as families by giving US citizens and lawful permanent residents the
South Asians call for humane reform of immigration WASHINGTON:As US President Barack Obama moves ahead with his ambitious immigration reforms, a coalition of South Asian organizations has called for a just and humane system to be put in place. The National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO), a coalition of 41 groups in US, said in a statement that it looks forward to offering input and recommendations as the policy process moves forward in the upcoming months. The groups works closely with South Asian immigrants who are
the fastest growing major ethnic group in the US, increasing by 78 per cent from 2000 to 2010 to approximately 3.4 million people. NCSO urged the Obama Administration and the Senators to have an immigration system that creates accessible and affordable pathways to legalization and citizenship for all undocumented individuals; keeps families together, eliminates the visa backlogs, and increases caps for family and employment visas. "We urge the Administration and Congress to continue to work
together and pass immigration policy reform that unites our families, provides us with options towards obtaining visas and citizenship, and ends unjust enforcement measures that have affected so many of our community members, especially in the past decade. "Only then will we have a system that is just and humane for South Asian Americans, all immigrants, and society as a whole," said Deepa Iyer, executive director, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). -PTI
ability to seek a visa based on permanent relationship with a samesex partner. The proposal also revises current unlawful presence bars and provides broader discretion to waive them in cases of hardship.
here in Nevada, folks who came here seeking opportunity and now want to share that opportunity with other Americans," Obama said. "But we all know that today we have an immigration system that's
The proposal allows foreign entrepreneurs, who attract financing or revenue from American investors and customers, to start and grow their businesses in the US, and to remain permanently if their companies grow further, create jobs for American workers, and strengthen the economy "In recent years, one in four high-tech startups in America were founded by immigrants. One in 4 new small-business owners were immigrants, including right
out of date and badly broken. A system that's holding us back instead of helping us grow our economy and strengthen our middle class," he noted. -PTI
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Gay, Latino groups forge immigration alliance SAN FRANCISCO: As a gay Mexican immigrant living in the United States illegally, Alex Aldana acutely understands his doubleminority status. Not only does he fear deportation, he can't seek citizenship by marrying a partner because the federal government doesn't recognize same-sex marriages. He and other gay activists are hoping the new immigration debate at the top of Washington's agenda will change that, and they are betting on a newly forged but still fragile alliance between a pair of voting blocs considered critical to President Obama's re-election: Latinos and the gay community. The gay rights movement is working to make sure bi-national, same-sex couples are included in immigration reform legislation making its way toward Congress, a tricky task for a constituency at the nexus of two hot-button social issues. So far, it has done so with strong backing from its liberal Latino partners. Groups such as the League of United Latin American Citizens, the National Council de la Raza and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund _ all of which endorsed same-sex unions last year _ reiterated this week that married gays should be part of a reform plan that provides a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. Both Obama and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have included bi-national gay couples in
their immigration reform blueprints. The framework that eight leading Democratic and Republican senators unveiled this week did not. Republicans John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, two of the senators working to hammer out a bi-
Rep. Mike Honda, a California Democrat and vice-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, plans to reintroduce stand-alone legislation in hopes of getting its provisions incorporated in any immigration bill partisan immigration bill, already have rejected the idea that gay immigrants have a place in the coming debate. ``I'm telling you now, if you load this up with social issues and things that are controversial, then it will endanger'' the endeavor, said McCain, whose wife and daughter support marriage rights for same-sex couples. He does not. Aldana, 26, is torn. He encourages Hispanic groups to include gay rights in their struggle, but reminds gay activists that immigra-
tion rights go far beyond just fighting for legal residency for foreigners in same-sex marriages. ``The reality is that immigration is not just about married couples. That's a middle-class concern. It's a privilege I support, but it's not something that will benefit all our immigrant communities,'' Aldana said. Rep. Mike Honda, a California Democrat and vice-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, plans to reintroduce stand-alone legislation in hopes of getting its provisions incorporated in any overarching immigration bill that reaches the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. ``In the bow of the ship is immigration reform, and the big iceberg out there is reuniting families with bi-national couples,'' Honda said. ``They cannot be excluded from the definition of family. Otherwise, we can't call it comprehensive.'' Another factor is the U.S. Supreme Court's consideration in late March of the federal law that currently bars U.S. citizens in samesex marriages from sponsoring their foreign-born partners for permanent legal residency. If justices uphold the Defense of Marriage Act, gay-friendly lawmakers would have less leverage to press the issue. Gay rights leaders have focused attention on building strategic coalitions with ethnic and racial minority groups since the passage in 2008 of California's constitutional ban on same-sex marriages.-AP
Immigration bill splits Republicans Cont’d from page 44
Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon, who heads the Republican Party's 2014 House campaign efforts, said the party must communicate better with minorities. ``Obviously we've got to address this,'' he said of immigration changes. ``We've got 50,000 young Hispanics reaching voter age every month.'' Some conservative pundits, however, say turning illegal immigrants into voting citizens will hurt the Republican Party, not help it. Latinos ``are disproportionately low-income and disproportionately likely to receive some form of government support,'' the conservative magazine National Review said in an editorial. ``Take away the Spanish surname and Latino voters look a great deal
like many other Democratic constituencies.'' House Speaker John Boehner says he's ready to tackle big changes in immigration laws. But the effort may conflict with another of his goals: passing major legislation only if most House Republicans support it. House insiders say many, and perhaps most, Republican lawmakers will want to vote against a citizenship-granting immigration bill, even if they quietly hope it passes and helps their party at the presidential level. Such ``vote no, hope yes'' groups are well-suited for passing difficult measures with a modest number of Republican votes and many Democratic votes. It happened twice in January: on a hurricane aid bill and a vote to avert the ``fiscal cliff'' of
automatically triggered tax increases and spending cuts. At a recent House Republican retreat in Virginia, Boehner brought in independent political analyst Charlie Cook to explain to lawmakers why they face serious trouble with Hispanic voters. Cook said House Republicans make a mistake if they view national issues such as immigration ``through the prism of your district,'' said a participant at the private session. Republicans eventually can improve their standing with Latinos if they stop talking and acting as though they don't like immigrants, Cook told the House members. ``Holes tend to fill in over time if people stop digging,'' Cook was quoted as telling the lawmakers. AP
Some waivers may be sought before departing US-II Cont’d from page 44
chance to observe how the initial, narrower version of the provisional waiver process works in practice. Another restriction worth noting is that the provisional waiver will not be available to those who have already been scheduled for an immigrant visa interview as of January 3, 2013. The key question is not when the interview was scheduled to take place, or whether the applicant attended the interview, but whether the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) had already acted to schedule a consular interview by January 3. If the NVC had scheduled a visa interview by January 3, the provisional waiver process will not be available. If the NVC had not acted to schedule an interview by January 3, then the subsequent scheduling of an interview will not remove one's eligibility for the provisional waiver, although in the interest of efficiency prospective
In another positive development, the final rule has retreated somewhat from the initial USCIS position that the provisional waiver process would only allow for what one might call a single bite at the apple, permitting neither appeal nor re-filing, so that an applicant who was denied a provisional waiver could only proceed with the process by departing from the United States and reapplying for a conventional waiver from abroad. Although an administrative appeal is still not available, an applicant whose application for a provisional waiver is denied will be permitted under the final rule to file a new application (with the appropriate filing fee). Not all the news from the final rule is good news, however. Unfortunately, despite the urging of many commenters, the provisional waiver process will not be available to those who are currently in removal proceedings, unless their proceedings have The provisional waiver process been administratively closed and also will not apply to those who not recalendared. are inadmissible for reasons It will also not other than the 3- or 10-year be available to those who are cur- bar resulting from previous rently subject to a unlawful presence final removal or deportation or exclusion order-even though those waiver applicants with a case besubject to such orders have long fore the NVC are advised to notify been able to file a stand-alone I- the NVC of their intent to seek a 212 application for advance per- provisional waiver before an intermission to reapply for admission view is scheduled. prior to departure from the United The NVC has already begun sending emails to some prospecStates, under 8 C.F.R. § 212.2(j). Unless those subject to a final tive visa applicants advising them order can get the case reopened that they must inform the NVC of and administratively closed (as for their intent to seek a provisional example could be possible on re- waiver, by sending an email to mand from a Court of Appeals), it NVCI601A@state.gov, and that appears they will need to follow failure to do so would delay the the conventional waiver process visa application. from abroad, despite the resulting For additional background on hardship to qualifying relatives. the final provisional waiver rule, The provisional waiver process interested readers may wish to realso will not apply to those who view posts about it on the "AILA are inadmissible for reasons other Leadership Blog" of the American than the 3- or 10-year bar result- Immigration Lawyers' Association ing from previous unlawful pres- and the "Lifted Lamp" blog of ence. Although the above-men- Benach Ragland LLP. tioned previous post on this blog, The New York Times has also and our official comment submit- reported on the new provisional ted to USCIS along the same lines, waiver rules. Despite all of its imadvocated that provisional waiv- perfections, the final provisional ers should be available in contexts waiver rule is a very positive desuch as alleged fraud for which a velopment, an important step waiver is needed under INA sec- along the road of reducing unnection 212(i), USCIS chose not to essary hardship to the qualifying accept that suggestion. relatives of waiver applicants. However, USCIS has held out * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted the possibility of perhaps extendat 212-425-0555 or ing the provisional waiver process info@cyrusmehta.com to other contexts once it has had a
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February 15, 2013
Conjuring chairs with wings
Film sets thrive on Bioscopewalli's art PREETI VERMA LAL
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er nails are painted pink, her eyes rimmed with kohl. She is wearing black, her hair ironed straight, her voice brimming with ardor. A hundred painted beer bottles hang from a fiber tree, candles are flickering in the cement grotto,
Before you step into Bioscopewalli, shed all notions of ordinariness. Forget the triteness of straight lines. Ignore the triviality of everyday artistic outpouring. Kumar's creative line is certainly neither dull nor predictable or everyday
Mona Lisa stares from a high-back chair, a page out of an old dictionary bears the image of Frieda Kahlo and wooden horse seems to gallop off from the ceiling. You'd think that the famous film and television production designer will talk of vibrant pinks and pulsating greens. Or, maybe the stark black of film Black or the surreal blue of Saawariya, film sets that she created. No, she does not begin with colors. Or, the furniture/jewellery designs that she illustrates on her sketch pad. Sitting pretty in Bioscopewalli, her new furniture/linen/jewellery store in Andheri, Mumbai, Kumar talks of bugs. No, not the creepy, slithering ones. But the creative bug that crawled into her head early because she was born to parents who worked for the advertising world. The creative bug that often stung her with the realization that her destiny lay in something 'arty'. That restless bug that inspired her to do a formal course in applied arts. The degree - and the bug - that led to films and television set designs. And finally, the big fat bug that pushed her onto another path - creating her own furniture, linen, jewellery line. Before you step into Bioscopewalli, shed all notions of ordinariness. Forget the triteness of straight lines. Ignore the triviality of everyday artistic outpouring. Kumar's creative line is certainly nei-
ther dull nor predictable or everyday. But do not conclude that it is edgy or funky or kitschy. Warning: Do not use these adjectives. Because Kumar rarely identifies her work with kitsch. She calls them 'Creations', 'Visual Art'. Stick to these adjectives. Once you walk into Bioscopewalli, you'd know why. Exquisitely chiseled chairs have grown large wings, a square table has a naked man painted on it, an antique gramophone still hums a tune, Rembrandt-esque women lounge on cushion covers, three brooches together get transformed into a dainty bracelet and a cowboy-ish shoe pin becomes part of a chandelier earring. Miniature curios huddle in an ebony shelf as 'assemblage art' and Raja Ravi Varma acquires a new meaning when his coy sariclad woman becomes part of a decorative bed. Jesus and wings are ubiquitous. Quiz Kumar about it and she'll animatedly tell you about her 'connect' with Christianity and all things 'winged'. For Kumar, inspiration is not static. Not sourced from one entrepot. That process is eternally on a continuum. Her beliefs begin everywhere. From her journeys around the world. From 'lived in' furniture. From pain that is palpable in this world. From her dream that no one grows old ever. From her love for animals. From mythology. From ancient art. From her favorite color black that she Vanita Omung Kumar describes as mysterious, intriguing and beautiful. From everything. From everywhere. Every moment, Kumar lives that 'eternal process'. Perhaps that explains why when she sat with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the look tests of films Black and Saawariya, she conjured a dark, stark world of a blind girl in Black and a dreamlike-blue/green for an unusual love story in Saawariya. That process came in handy even while designing sets for other films like Love Story 2050; Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi; Shabd; Chameli; Yuvraaj; Jhankar Beats and television serials like Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, Behane, Virudh, Ramayan, Prithviraj etc. Cont’d on page 50
February 15, 2013
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Akshay turns jewel thief India Post News Service
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or a change, Akshay Kumar leads a pack of "26" hardened criminals in a daring jewellery heist, which sent shockwaves across India. Based on a true story, Akshay's character 'Mon Singh' is based on real-life, notorious conman Natwarlal, who sold the Taj Mahal in a series of daring scams, before he was stopped. Special Chabbis is a cleverly scripted and observed gritty drama film, which is based on the real-life events of the infamous Mumbai daylight raid of 19th March 1987 in which an unknown conman posed as CBI officer 'Mon Singh' to recruit a band of 26 impostor income tax officials to carry out an audacious robbery on the Opera House branch of Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri in Mumbai, disappearing with precious jewellery worth lakhs. Akshay Kumar plays the ruthless and brilliant criminal mastermind 'Mon Singh' in Neeraj Pandey's much-awaited cinematic release. Pandey is best known for his thought-provoking films, such as the critically acclaimed A-Wednesday, for which he won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Time Director, and the gritty thriller Ek Chalis Ki Last Local. Special Chabbis boasts an esteemed supporting cast, which includes Manoj Bajpai,
Kajal & Akshay Kumar
Jimmy Shergill, Anupam Kher, and relative newcomer to Hindi cinema and the only female protagonist in the film Kajal Aggarwal. Here is Akshay Kumar talking about his new movie, released through Viacom 18 Motion Pictures What made you sign Special Chabbis? When I first read the script, I was totally bowled over. The film is based on a real life story of the Mumbai Opera House heist which took place in 1987 in India, where 26 conmen posed as Central Bureau of Investigation officers on a raid and walked away with jewellery worth millions of rupees. It was one of the biggest cons in Indian history. Special Chabbis is definitely an entertaining story and I am sure the film will appeal to the masses. Like every film, Special Chabbis also has a strong moral: the public need to be particularly alert in life so that they never find themselves in a situation where they have been conned or have been taken for a ride. What is your role in Special Chabbis? Special Chabbis is a very close film to me as it gave me the opportunity to re-invent myself as an actor. My role is of a common man and tells the story of how his life is
literally shaken up by a series of life changing events which lead him to become a conman. How true is the film to the incident? Directors such as Neeraj really do their homework before they embark on a film project and it took him almost three years to put the script together for Special Chabbis. Neeraj conducted thorough research into the incident to ensure the film was as authentic as possible. What was your experience like working
with your co-stars? I have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful actors in Special Chabbis and learn so much from the esteemed star cast - in front of them I felt like a complete beginner Why did you decide to sing Mujh Mein Tu? Cont’d on page 50
Anupam Kher & Akshay Kumar
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February 15, 2013 www.indiapost.com
'Maharajas of Comedy' to launch in New York City India Post News Service
NEW YORK: Celebrity comedians are joining together in NYC to showcase the Maharajas of Comedy - a live one hour comedy show. "The Maharajas of Comedy" is a 'stand-up' comedy show, featuring the performances of some of the world's top comedians of S o u t h Asian origin. T h e event is set to take place on Friday, February 15 and Saturday, February 16 at Mason Hall in New York City. Filmed in front of a live audience, comedians will give the audience their views on being South Asian in America. You'll hear
personal stories of growing up, their families, their experiences, dating and a variety of other subjects. The Live show will air on a major television network this spring. Maharajas of Comedy will be hosted by Kunal Nayyar best
formed for President Obama and is known to deliver 100% clean material, Anish Shah headliner for the sold-out No Laughing Matter comedy tour in 2012, Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh, who has shared the stage with some of the biggest comedians including Dave
known for his role as Rajesh Koothrappali on the number one network television sitcom for three years, The Big Bang Theory and Gupta in movie series, "Ice Age". Performing comedians include Dan Nainan who has recently per-
Chappelle, Dane Cook, Bill Burr, and Russell Peters, Mark Saldana, named "The best Indian...if not Asian comic in the country." by The Los Angeles Times, and Paul Singh, one of the only comedians who can perform in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Lastly, live via tape from India, Papa CJ will deliver a special message. Following the taping, a worldwide tour will begin throughout North America and overseas showcasing an Indian perspective in America from many hilarious viewpoints. This will be an excellent chance for the comedians to showcase their talent in front of a large live audience and provide exposure to a very wide international theatrical and home audience. Papa CJ will be joining the tour at its next date.
Conjuring chairs with wings Cont’d from page 48
Blame it on the bug. Or, her ceaseless restlessness. Or, those silent moments when she takes a break from fabricating a piece of furniture or devising an illusory film set and lazes on a settee doing nothing. Nothing at all. That nothingness, however, is not meaningless. That eternal process spins her yesterdays and tomorrows. Her yesterday has
been rewarding. Her present fulfilling. She waits for a happier tomorrow. And in that wait lie new ideas, new dreams for tomorrow a musical. And a shelter for animals. The famous production designer owes it to the 'bug' in her head. Bioscopewalli is her world. But she knows somewhere another world waits. All she needs is to pick a pair of chiseled golden wings from Bioscopewali. And fly.
Zee TV cuts ties with ATN to launch 24/7 Network India Post News Service
NEW YORK: Zee TV, the #1 South Asian Entertainment Network in partnership with Ethnic Channels Group Limited (ECG), Canada's largest distributor of third language television services, has launched Zee TV Canada! Zee TV will be available to Canadian viewers as a 24/7 service for the first time! Canadian viewers who enjoyed Zee's top programming such as Pavitra Rishta, Punarvivaah a n d SaReGaMaPa on ATN, will now be able to watch their favorite shows throughout the day. Zee TV Canada is now available on Rogers, Bell and Telus. Zee's relationship with ATN has been a happy one. In Canada, however Zee has outgrown the relationship and felt the need to address the immediate and evergrowing consumer need for more top notch Zee content. Zee Americas CEO Suresh Bala said "The impact and growing importance of the South Asian Diaspora in Canada cannot be overstated. And with the launch
of Zee TV Canada, we are now in a position to address this significant opportunity. Zee has and continues to remain the leading South Asian media brand globally. 650 million viewers in 169 countries around the world are testament to its popularity. We are fortunate to have found an energetic and progressive partner in ECG and we are confident that this partnership will help us to exponentially grow our business in Canada". "Ethnic Channels Group is privileged to partner with the #1 South Asian Channel in the World. Canadian viewers will be enthralled by Zee's programming repertoire" said Slava Levin Co-founder and CEO of Ethnic Channels Group. "As the largest distributor of international TV in Canada, the launch of Zee TV is a great addition to our Group" added Hari Srinivas, President of Ethnic Channels Group. Zee now has 6 channels in Canada catering to the diverse group of viewers. ETC Punjabi, Zing, Zee Salaam, Zee Tamizh and Zee Cinema will now be joined by Zee TV Canada as a 24/7 channel!
Akshay turns jewel thief Cont’d from page 49
That was a task in itself and when I went into the recording studio for the first time, I was literally cursing myself as to why I agreed to sing the track! I had heard the song before filming and one day Neeraj heard me humming the track on set and asked if I wanted
to sing it for the reel screen and I said why not, let's give it a try. After recording the track my director and I heard it and we both liked it and I hope you do too. What else can we look forward to from you in 2013? I have Naam Hai Boss this year which is directed by Tony D'Souza and also the sequel of Once Upon
a Time in Mumbai. I also have some very interesting regional projects through my company Grazing Goat Pictures such as the Punjabi film Paaji in Trouble and the Marathi film 72 Miles. We have also just announced another Marathi film Adhantari which will be shot extensively in London and stars Tanisha Mukherjee.
February 15, 2013
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Horoscope
52 India Post
February 15, 2013
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar FEBRUARY 15TH - FEBRUARY 21ST 2013 (March 21 to April 20)
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oncentration of four planets in house of gains is helpful in many ways. Opponents will make a futile attempt to cause disturbance but may end up helping your cause. Negotiations with a well known company will continue to make progress in the right direction.Bank balance will keep growing at fast pace.
(July 23 to August 22)
W
ait would be over. Some thing you had been working for or waiting for several years may take place this week. Planets and positive developments will boost your morale and image in social circle. You will be spending an evening with some famous people this week. New contracts will come on easy terms and longer duration.
(April 21 to May 20)
I
ts going to be a very fruitful week. You will once again gather your self and make a big attempt. Results will be better than expected. Value of your assets will appreciate. You may also visit a holy place with family this week and participate in special prayers. Very favorable week for people looking to change job.
(August 23 to September 22)
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clear victory possible in ongoing legal matters. People suffering from ailment for long time will finally find the cure. It will be another good week for people in business. There will be big change in your religious beliefs and you may start following a Guru. Do not be double minded and go for the right thing.
(May 21 to June 20)
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o not be double minded and stick to your earlier plans and wonderful strategy. Ultimate success is close by. You will be attending a big party with family this week. You may also receive a weak offer to start a new project with an old friend. Relationship recently started will continue to move in right direction.
(September 23 to October 22)
P
lanets are really in a good shape as far as the money is concerned. Chance of hitting some kind of jackpot still strong. You may start to have some kind of burning sensation in stomach mainly due to irregular eating habit. People will notice some change in your personality also. You will visit an old friend this week.
(October 23 to November 22)
(June 21 to July 22)
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ou may need to travel to another state on a very short notice. Meeting will go well and the other side will put the offer on table right there and then. You may have some work done in or around your property and may get rid of lots of stuff gathering dust. For those looking for a change in career, its going to happen soon.
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et the things go and forget about the incidence, Its their loss. You will be in touch with a learned person for some advice. Spouse will be successful in shedding off many pounds with new diet. Growth will be slow as far as money matters are concerned. Idea of buying a property for investment purpose will cross your mind. (November 23 to December 22)
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ou may feel little tired of stale life and take your chance. Results will be astonishing and fill you up with energy and self confidence. Some one close will test your patience, just listen and stay calm. You may be slowing getting ready for an upcoming important trip. Children may take you out for dinner to a nice place. (December 22 to January 19)
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ombination of Mars and Sun in house of savings and finance for next few weeks is not good. You should use utmost care when it comes to money. Do not stretch your limits and be conservative when it comes to spending. It will be better to avoid too much spicy food and red meat for some time. An interesting person will become friend. (January 20 to February 18)
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ife will become little challenging. Problems will pop up from least expected places. Presence of mind and casual attitude will lead you out this gridlock. You will still take time out to entertain family and may go to a new place for some nice food. Stay away from a heavy set and short in height person this week. (February 19 to March 20)
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arge gains possible from distant places and projects in progress in other country. New source of income will open though it will not pay too much but you will be able to make use of spare time on hands. Some of you may take a day off to appear for an important interview. You will receive couple of invitations in mail.
Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com
Philosophy
February 15, 2013
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Page Sponsored by Sahanis ECKHART TOLLE
T
o love is to recognize your self in another. The other's "otherness" then stands revealed as an illusion pertaining to the purely human realm, the realm of form. The longing for love that is in every child is the longing to be recognized, not on the level of form, but on the level of Being. If parents honor only the human dimension of the child but neglect Being, the child will sense that the relationship is unfulfilled, that something absolutely vital is missing, and there will be a buildup of pain in the child and sometimes unconscious resentment toward the parents. "Why don't you recognize me?" This is what the pain or resentment seems to be saying. When another recognizes you, that recognition draws the dimension of Being more fully into this world through both of you. That is the love that redeems the world. I have been speaking of this with specific reference to the relationship with your child, but it equally applies, of course, to all relationships. It has been said "God is love" but that is not absolutely correct. God is the One Life in and beyond the countless forms of life. Love implies duality: lover and beloved, subject and object. So love is the recognition of oneness in the world of duality. This is the birth
J KRISHNAMURTI
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hat is right living? As society exists now, there is no right way of living. You have to earn a livelihood, you marry, you have children, you become responsible for them and so you accept the life of an engineer or a professor. As society exists can there be a right way of living? Or is the search for a right way of living merely a search for Utopia, a wish for something more? What is one to do in a society which is corrupt, which has such contradictions in itself, in which there is so much injustice - for that is the society in which we live? And, not only as a teacher in a school, I am asking myself: what shall I do? Is it possible to live in this society, not only to have a right means of livelihood, but also to live without conflict? Is it possible to earn a livelihood righteously and also to end all conflict within oneself? Now, are these two separate things: earning a living rightly and not having conflict in oneself? Are these two in separate, watertight compartments? Or do
of God into the world of form. Love makes the world less worldly, less dense, more transparent to the divine dimension, the light of consciousness itself. Giving up role-playing To do whatever is required of you in any situation without it becoming a role that you identify with is an essential lesson in the art of living that each one of us is here to learn. You become
religious leaders, are completely identified with their role, with a few notable exceptions. They may be considered VIPs, but they are no more than unconscious players in the egoic game, a game that looks so important yet is ultimately devoid of true purpose. It is, in the words of Shakespeare, "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Amazingly,
but function from the deeper core of their Being, those who do not attempt to appear more than they are but are simply themselves, stand out as remarkable and are the only ones who truly make a difference in this world. They are the bringers of the new consciousness. Whatever they do becomes empowered because it is in alignment with the purpose of the whole. Their influence, however, goes far be-
I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God -Sufi Proverb
Love is recognition of oneness in world of duality If parents honor only the human dimension of the child but neglect Being, the child will sense that the relationship is unfulfilled, that something absolutely vital is missing, and there will be a buildup of pain in the child
Eckhart Tolle
most powerful in whatever you do if the action is performed for its own sake rather than as a means to protect, enhance, or conform to your role identity. Every role is a fictitious sense of self, and through it everything becomes personalized and thus corrupted and distorted by the mind-made "little me." Most of the people who are in positions of power in this world, such as politicians, TV personalities, business as well as
Shakespeare arrived at this conclusion without having the benefit of television. If the egoic earth drama has any purpose at all, it is an indirect one: It creates more and more suffering on the planet, and suffering, although largely ego-created, is in the end also ego-destructive. It is the fire in which the ego burns itself up. In a world of role playing personalities, those few people who don't project a mind made image
yond what they do, far beyond their function. When you don't play roles, it means there is no self (ego) in what you do. There is no secondary agenda: protection or strengthening of yourself. As a result, your actions have far greater power. Excerpted from 'A New Earth Awakening to Your Life's Purpose.' The 65th birth anniversary of Eckhart Tolle will be observed on February 16
they go together? To live a life without any conflict requires a great deal of understanding of oneself and therefore great intelligence - not the clever intelligence of the intellect - but the capacity to observe, to see objectively what is happening, both outwardly and inwardly and to know that there is no difference
to live a life without any conflict? Which comes first? Do not just let me talk and you listen, agreeing or disagreeing, saying "It is not practical. It is not like this, it is not like that saying, "It is not practical. It is not like this, it is not like that" - because it is your problem. We are asking each other: is there a way of living
cause you have given your life over to an idea, or a person, an image or symbol, you expect to be looked after. But very few believe any more in monasteries, or in saying, "I will surrender myself". If they do surrender themselves it will be surrendering to the image they have created about another, or
Is it possible to earn a living & not have conflict?
J Krishnamurti
between the outer and the inner. It is like a tide that goes out and comes in. To live in this society, which we have created, without any conflict in myself and at the same time to have a right livelihood - is it possible? On which shall I lay emphasis - on right livelihood or on right living, that is, on finding out how
To live a life without any conflict requires a great deal of understanding of oneself and therefore great intelligence - not the clever intelligence of the intellect - but the capacity to observe, to see objectively which will naturally bring about a right livelihood and at the same time enable us to live without a single shadow of conflict? People have said that you cannot live that way except in a monastery, as a monk; because you have renounced the world and all its misery and are committed to the service of God, be-
which they have projected. It is possible to live a life without a single shadow of conflict only when you have understood the whole significance of living - which is, relationship and action. The 27th death anniversary of J. Krishnamurti will be observed on February 17
If words come out of the heart, they will enter the heart, but if they come from the tongue, they will not pass beyond the ears. -Al-Suhrawardi The Thing we tell of can never be found by seeking, yet only seekers find it. -Bayazid Bistami Asking good questions is half of learning. -Muhammad A donkey with a load of holy books is still a donkey. -Essential Sufism Whatever you have in your mind - forget it; Whatever you have in your hand - give it; Whatever is to be your fate - face it! -Abu Sa'id Pray for what you want, but work for the things you need. -Essential Sufism
You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs
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Pak 'Gang of Four' grievously miscalculated on Kargil PR CHARI
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ardly has the dust settled on the Indo-Pak allegations and counter-allegations regarding the tragic death of two Indian and two Pakistani soldiers following cross border firings across the LOC, and the trade and transit between the two countries disrupted in consequence been restored than a new ghost has arisen from the grave to bedevil their relations all over again. Dawn (Karachi) has published a lengthy article extensively quoting Lt. Gen. (retd) Shahid Aziz, former Chief of General Staff in the Pakistan Army, detailing the Kargil operations in May-July 1999 that ended in ignominy and failure. The article itself is a curtain raiser for General Aziz's book. Much of what the article purports would be detailed in the book and is widely known, but its value lies in the mea culpa tone adopted by frankly confessing to what was really happening in Pakistan at that juncture. There are some five critical points in this narrative that bear highlighting. First, Operation Badr as Rawalpindi codenamed the Kargil intrusions was a closely knit conspiracy. It was confined, and this is documented in several other accounts, to just four military officials, viz. General Musharraf (Chief of the Pakistan Army), Lt. Gen. Mohammad Aziz (Chief of the General Staff), Lt. General Javed Hassan (Force Commander, Northern Areas), and Lt.Gen. Mahmud Ahmed (Commander 10 Corps). Amazingly, even the Director General Military Operations, Lt. Gen.Taugir Zia, was not informed. The question of enlightening the other two armed forces in Pakistan viz. its Navy and Air Force just did not arise in these unusual circumstances. Second, a lively controversy had arisen when Kargil occurred, which has continued thereafter, as to whether Nawaz Sharif, the civilian Prime Minister, knew about these operations. In other words, was he taken into confidence by General Musharraf, and to what extent? General Shahid Aziz believes that, "Mr. Sharif was not fully in the picture" and this choice of words is significant. The Indian Defense Minister at that time, George Fernandes, is on record
stating that Nawaz Sharif was kept out of the picture. Several accounts have claimed that he was told about these operations but, perhaps, not provided any details. This interpretation is probably accurate, in that Sharif was given some sketchy information about the Kargil operations, but not explained its repercussions or their potential consequences or their political implications. Third, this account negates the fiction promoted by Pakistan that the Kargil intrusions were conducted by militants and some elements of its Northern Light Infantry (NLI); indeed, it clarifies that,
kistani 'Gang of Four' had grievously miscalculated the likely Indian and international response to the Kargil intrusions. The belief that India would quietly acquiesce to the alienation of significant territory in Jammu and Kashmir was completely naive. Domestic imperatives would have forced New Delhi into a "notan-inch-of-our-sacred-land-willbe-lost" posture leading to its violent reaction. And, the international community could hardly have looked on benignly while settled borders were infracted, lest it inspire other aberrant states and global anarchy. In the event, Pakistan was forced to withdraw its
Indian guns in Kargil
apart from the NLI, regular Pakistan Army troops were deployed. The NLI, too, was not a true paramilitary force, since it was operating under the control of the regular Army. In fact, there was much derision everywhere with Pakistan's strenuous claims that mujahedeen were responsible for the Kargil intrusions. It was apparent that highly trained and acclimatized personnel were needed to survive and fight at those heights, taking into account the terrain here. Fourth, this account informs that Pakistan wished to interdict the Srinagar-Drass-Kargil-Leh road and cut off Indian logistical support to Siachen, forcing India to evacuate the area. Other accounts would suggest that several other motives were operating like regaining the territory lost to India after the 1971 conflict in the Kargil sector, reinforcing militancy in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, and internationalizing the Kashmir dispute. Fifth, General Shahid Aziz is quite right in holding that the Pa-
forces from across the LoC and face universal opprobrium for its feckless adventurism. A review of this sorry history only consolidates the impression that Pakistan is a permanent state of concern. Its rulers have no use for international norms, codes of conduct or civilized discourse with its neighbors. Following Kargil, Pakistan had instigated the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001, encouraged the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, sheltered Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad until he was discovered and eliminated in May 2011. Earlier, A.Q.Khan was freely transferring nuclear technology across the world with official patronage. The latest revelations regarding the Kargil misadventure will only strengthen beliefs that Pakistan is an outlier in the international system. New Delhi will have only itself to blame if it fails to appreciate this reality. The writer is Visiting Professor, IPCS
In the name of action
T
he Indian government has issued an ordinance ostensibly giving the sanctity of law to the recommendations of the Justice Verma committee to prevent sexual violence against women. The UPA government has often been accused of being unresponsive, lethargic, lax in governance and paralyzed policywise. So this time it wanted to show it can act quickly, also to douse the protests that don't seem to be ending against violence on woman. Even as the ordinance was being signed by the President, the number one and two of the Congress party, Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul Gandhi visited the family of the young women who was brutally raped and murdered in December and which incident led to protests and the appointing of the Verma Commission to suggest changes in criminal law. All this activity on part of the ruling establishment is to give the impression to the public that it is doing something. However a closer look reveals what a sham this ordinance is and the surface activity of the leaders cannot hide their failure or the unwillingness to address the vital issues connected with this crime against women. If the government were to seriously implement the Verma Commission's recommendations it would have to take up electoral reforms, police reforms and changes in the impunity granted to the armed forces under AFSPA. The government has rejected all the major recommendations of the Verma Commission on these vital issues. The commission had recommended that politicians facing charges of sexual offences should be barred from contesting elections. Will any government be willing to implement this recommendation? As long as politicians rule the country they will not bring a law to control their libido. The Verma Commission had suggested that marital rape should be made an offence, a key demand of women's rights activists. It also observed that sexual violence was being legitimized under AFSPA and suggested that such crimes by members of the armed forces be tried under ordinary criminal law. These suggestions were also rejected. A major recommendation was about checking police crimes against women. The three-member panel had suggested changes in law to fix "offence of breach of command responsibility" so that a police or armed forces officer could be charged if he is found to have failed to take steps to stop crime against women committed by personnel under his command. "Whoever is guilty of the offence of breach of command responsibility shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 7 years, but may extend to 10 years," the committee had suggested. But the Union Cabinet did not accept this recommendation saying it "fixes vicarious criminal responsibility on the leader of a force for acts of subordinates." Similarly, the committee was also very vocal against misuse of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act by army personnel in extremism-affected areas and suggested that "sexual violence against women by members of the armed forces or uniformed personnel must be brought under the purview of ordinary criminal law." It noted, "Serious allegations of persistent sexual assault on the women in such areas and conflict areas are causing more alienation." But the government rejected the panel's recommendation. The committee also recommended that no sanction would be required for prosecution of a judge or magistrate or public servant if accused of crimes against women. But the Cabinet did not agree to this provision "to avoid false complaints" against government officers. So it seems the government has gone ahead with tackling soft options and refused to touch any area which covers crime against women by the Government's own men and politicians. Even the necessity of an ordinance when Parliament was to meet in three weeks time is being questioned. Is the government not confident of getting its proposed law passed? Or did it want to create an impression for the agitating public that it is taking "stringent" action on the Verma Commission report?
February 15, 2013
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