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New Indian CG in Chicago wins over community Details on page 16

$ 1.5 million grant for Jainism studies Details on page 5

Mush 'controlled' freedom fighters in Kashmir

VOL 22, No. 1169

February 24, 2017

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'INDIA CAN DEVELOP SPACE STATION' INDORE: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman A S Kiran Kumar has said the country has the capability to develop a space station, but it needed a longterm approach and an ambitious planning.

His comment follows ISRO display of technological prowess by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.

"We have all the capabilities to set up a space station.

The day the country takes the decision, we will 'ok' the project. Just draw a policy and provide us necessary funds and time," Kumar said here.

He was in the city to attend the foundation day ceremony of Raja Ramanna Center for Advanced Technology (RRCAT).

"We still talk about what would be the immediate benefits of a manned space mission. That is why the country hasn't made up its mind about when to invest in a space station," he said.

A long-term thinking was needed for setting up a space station, he said, adding "the sooner the better."

Ben Stokes

'Big Ben' stands tall at IPL auctions Details on page 6

Hindus rated 'fairly warmly' in USA Details on page 16

Details on page 5

Details on page 6

Hafiz Saeed 'threat' to Pak: Defense Minister

See pages 27-40

CONTENTS

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Bollywood -------------------------- 15 Classifieds ------------------------- 52

INDIA POST SURVEY

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This week’s question

HealthScience Post --------- 44-46

Pakistan behaves only after US threat?

Horoscope ------------------------- 14 Immigration Post ------------- 48-49

Last week’s result

Life Style ----------------------- 50-51 Philosophy ------------------------- 53

Trump should be allowed to settle down?

YES 83%

NO 17%

LARGEST CONTINGENT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 27-member US delegation of Congressmen led by Bob Goodlatte, Chairman, Judiciary Committee, House of Representatives, during a meeting in New Delhi on February 21

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Bollywood: Action Queen Jacqueline Fernandez enjoys doing action on-screen and is keen to do more movies in the same genre.

Cover Story: 'India space station' India can develop a space station, but it needs long-term approach and ambitious planning, says ISRO chief

Community: New Indian CG New Indian CG Neeta Bhushan assures the Consulate door would remain open for any problem or suggestions.

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HIGHLIGHTS

he no-holds-barred confrontation between the Trump White House and mainstream American media appears to be escalating by the day and I'm afraid of a flashpoint that might cause irreparable damage to one or the other.

It's not liberals vs conservatives anymore; rather it has become a standoff in which the President is lashing out at the media from all fronts taking his fight literally to the people, and the media is desperately trying to stick to facts while ducking his verbal missiles.

Honestly, the media's 'exposes' after painstakingly sifting through the outright lies, exaggerations, uninformed statements, and mind-numbing spin doctoring of information coming out of the White House are paling woefully when compared to the President's sweeping brush-stroking of the media as fake and dishonest.

If the mainstream media has a strategy in their 'handling' of the new presidency it is not showing; but, however bizarre this might sound, the Trump White House seems to be systematically discrediting the media in a consistent and sustained campaign.

Unfortunately, the fight is no longer between an awkward new administration and an elite media. It has spilled into schools, campuses, communities, workplaces, the celebrity world and most significantly social media, threatening to tear apart the fabric that is quintessentially American.

America can learn from a similar situation when India's Narendra Modi became prime minister. Modi had blocked out most of the hostile media from the day-to-day workings of his administration, and in turn, the liberal media pretended to ignore him. That not only avoided potential situations of communal strife but also allowed the administration to settle in.

American media needs to strategize; stop attacking Trump and his supporters. If he fails them, they will know anyway. Otherwise, in this no-win war, the collateral damage would be irrevocable. And that'd be of truth.

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'India can develop space station' INDORE: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman A S Kiran Kumar has said the country has the capability to develop a space station, but it needed a long-term approach and an ambitious planning.

set up a space station. The day the country takes the decision, we will 'ok' the project. Just draw a policy and provide us necessary funds and time," Kumar said here.

He was in the city to attend the foundation day ceremony of Raja

"We still talk about what would be the immediate benefits of a manned space mission. That is why the country hasn't made up its mind about when to invest in a space station," he said. A long-term thinking was needed His comment follows ISRO display of technological prowess by launching 104 satellites in a single mission.

"We have all the capabilities to

Ramanna Center for Advanced Technology (RRCAT).

"We still talk about what would be the immediate benefits of a manned space mission. That is

why the country hasn't made up its mind about when to invest in a space station," he said.

A long-term thinking was needed for setting up a space station, he said, adding "the sooner the better."

Kumar said ISRO was also mulling tying up with the industry to enhance the country's satellite launching capability.

Many more satellites were needed to keep a tab on the land and weather conditions and to enhance the communication network, he said.

This would be possible with increase in the number of satellite launches, for which the country needed to enhance the basic infrastructure and reduce the cost of equipment, he added.

The number of companies

World lauds India for launching 104 satellites WASHINGTON/LONDON: India has emerged as a "key player" in a growing global commercial market for space-based surveillance and communication, world media commented after the country scripted history by successfully launching 104 satellites using a single rocket.

ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C37 injected India's weather observation Cartosat-2 Series satellite and 103 nano satellites, including 96 from the US, into orbit after a textbook lift-off from Sriharikota space centre.

The launch was "another success for the Indian Space Research Organization, which is rapidly gain-

market for space-based surveillance and communication.

"The launch was high-risk because the satellites, released in rapid-fire fashion every few seconds from a single rocket as it traveled at 17,000 miles an hour, could collide with one another in space if ejected into the wrong path," the paper noted.

"Forget the US versus Russia.

The real space race is taking place in Asia," CNN commented.

London's Times newspaper reported that by this feat, India has reinforced its ambition to join the elite space-faring nations.

Many of India's landmark missions have cost far less than their

rocket in 1980, has long made space research a priority. The Indian government has increased the budget for its space program this year and also announced plans to send a mission to Venus," the British paper said.

The BBC, quoting observers, said the space success was a "sign that India is emerging as a major player in the multi-billion dollar space market."

"The successful launch is yet another feather in the cap of India's ambitious space program that has earned a reputation of offering a reliable low cost alternative to existing international players," it said.

Over the past two decades, In-

"The successful launch is yet another feather in the cap of India's ambitious space program that has earned a reputation of offering a reliable low cost alternative to existing international players" it said ing a reputation globally for its effective yet low-cost missions," The Washington Post said, noting that India has already sent up dozens of satellites, including 20 at once last year.

The New York Times said that by sending a flock of 104 satellites into space within minutes, nearly tripling the previous record for single-day satellite launches and establishing India as a "key player" in a growing commercial

equivalents in Russia, Europe and the US. ISRO's Mars mission cost USD 73 million, compared with Nasa's Maven Mars launch, which came in at USD 671 million, the British paper pointed out.

UK's Guardian newspaper, commented that the record-breaking space launch will help India to cement its place as a serious player in the burgeoning private space market. "India, which became just the sixth nation to launch its own

dia has become a key player in the lucrative commercial space market offering a low-cost alternative, the British public broadcaster said.

China's state-run media took note of India's success in the space sector. "India created history by successfully launching 104 satellites in a single space mission, breaking the previous record of 37 satellites launched by Russia in 2014, Xinhua news agency reported.-PTI

A S Kiran Kumar

manufacturing small satellites has gone up across the world, but these companies could not launch them, therefore this area had im-

mense commercial potential and India could tap it by enhancing the launch facilities, the ISRO chief said. -PTI

$ 1.5 million grant for Jainism studies WASHINGTON: An Indianorigin philanthropist in the US has made a grant of USD 1.5 million to a prestigious American University to advance studies in Jainism.

Mohini Jain, a retired teacher, has made the grant to University of California (UC) Davis.

The gift will establish the Mohini Jain Presidential Chair for Jain Studies in Department of Religious Studies as part of a larger effort to position UC Davis as a leader in the study of Indian religions and the interdisciplinary field of South Asia studies broadly.

"In our multicultural, global world, it is important to escape boxed-in points of view," Jain said in a statement, hoping that the impact of the chair at UC Davis will be a broadening of minds and a renewed focus on dialogue and peace.

The chair will be awarded to a scholar with a wellestablished record for creative, exceptional and interdisciplinary research on Jainism.

As a member of the religious studies department, the holder of the chair will help develop curriculum in Jain studies, offer graduate courses in Jainism, pursue a vigorous research agenda, give public lectures, and contribute to the development of a religions of India and South Asia studies initiative at UC Davis by participat-

ing in community outreach, a media release said.

"This gift will further diversify and strengthen our expertise in world religions and is another step toward UC Davis serving as a leader in India religions and Asia studies globally," said Archana Venkatesan, chair of the religious studies department and associate professor of religious studies and comparative literature.

Mohini Jain

Mohini Jain was a research scientist at UC Davis in the 1980's and then served as a high school science teacher for 19 years, retiring in 2008.

In 1988, she made her first gift in honor of her husband, the late Anil K. Jain, a distinguished faculty member in electrical and computer engineering.

Each year, the College of Engineering recognizes outstanding students in the field through the Anil K. Jain Memorial Fund.-PTI

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'Big Ben' stands tall at IPL auctions BENGALURU: England allrounder Ben Stokes became the most expensive overseas buy ever, going to Rising Pune Supergiants for a whopping Rs 14.50 crore, even as some unheralded Indian domestic players trumped seasoned names to land lucrative deals at the IPL players' auction, here.

The second biggest buy at the auction was also an England player, left-arm fast bowler Tymal Mills, who was taken by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a mindboggling Rs 12 crore.

Eight franchises collectively spent Rs 91.15 crore to buy 66 players from a pool of 350 plus that went under the hammer.

The accent was clearly on Indian players with as many as 39 of them bagging contracts while 27 overseas players came into the franchises' roster.

Also making a splash were young Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan Arman, who stunned one and all by getting a Rs 4 crore (USD 600,000) bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad, and spin-bowling allrounder Mohammed Nabi, also going to SRH. The duo will be the first set of Afghan players to take part in the lucrative league.

The uncapped Indian players had a field day too with littleknown Tamil Nadu left-arm seamer T Natarajan going for Rs 3 crore (USD 448,000) to Kings XI Punjab, a 30-fold hike over his base price of Rs 10 lakh.

Hyderabad pacer Mohammed Siraj got a deal of Rs 2.6 crore from his local franchise - the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Rajasthan's left-arm pacer Aniket Chaudhary, who has been a net bowler with the Indian Test squad for some time, also bagged a cool Rs 2 crore (USD 298,000) deal from RCB. Karnataka's young off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham got a Rs 2 crore (USD 298,000) winning bid from Mumbai Indians.

India discards Varun Aaron fetched Rs 2.8 crore (USD 418,000) from Kings XI Punjab while legspinner Karn Sharma was bought for Rs 3.2 crore (USD 477,000) from Mumbai Indians.

For left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, it was another hefty pay day as he bagged a Rs one crore deal from RCB starting at a base price of Rs 30 lakh.

It was definitely much less than last year when Negi's Rs 8.5 crore deal with Delhi Daredevils had surprised one and all. But being an Indian player proved to be his advantage.

For senior Test players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ishant Sharma, it turned out to be an embarrassment as both went un-

The second biggest buy at the auction was also an England player, left-arm fast bowler Tymal Mills, who was taken by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a mind-boggling Rs 12 crore sold at their base prices of Rs 50 lakh and Rs 2 crore respectively.

Irfan Pathan also went unsold at his Rs 50 lakh base price.

Among the prominent international players, who failed to find takers, was South African spinner Imran Tahir, currently ranked No.1 in the ICC list for ODI and T20 bowlers.

The day certainly turned out

to be a good one for the England players with Stokes hogging the limelight but Mills wasn't far behind either.

Both Stokes and Mills entered the million-dollar bracket with the former fetching USD 2.16 million and the latter going for USD 1.8 million.

Even Chris Woakes, with Rs 4.2 crore (USD 627,000) deal from KKR, had a good day. Hard-hitting Jason Roy, after going unsold in the first round of bidding, was picked up during the second round by Gujarat Lions at a base price of Rs 1 crore.

Pune owner Sanjeev Goenka made it clear that they knew Stokes would go for a big price and they are also prepared for the fact that he will not be available to play the full tournament.

"We knew he was going to be expensive. We do believe he is going to be there for the first 14 games and right now we are focusing on first 14, and we are very happy with this. We pretty much knew, we are not going to get him below this price," Goenka told reporters here.

Goenka's Pune Supergiants, who have removed Mahendra Singh Dhoni from captaincy, entered late into the bidding at Rs 13 crore and clinched the deal at Rs 14.50 crore defeating bids from Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Interestingly, Stokes' limitedovers captain Eoin Morgan was taken at a base price of Rs 2 crore (USD 298,000) by Kings XI Punjab.

With capable seam bowling allrounders coming at a premium, Stokes was in the wish-list of five franchises, who engaged in tough bidding for the player, who is now revered as the world's top allrounder.

The 25-year-old, who hasn't played franchise cricket till date, has a career strike rate of 134 plus while batting and a moderate bowling economy rate of 8.60 in 77 matches.

Mills, on the other hand, has played 55 Twenty20 matches, fetching 63 wickets with a reasonably good economy rate of 7.47.

Asked whether Pune skipper Steven Smith was consulted in bidding for Stokes, Goenka said everyone including Stephen Fleming have been a part of the decision.-PTI

Mush 'controlled' freedom fighters in Kashmir ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former dictator General Pervez Musharraf has said his administration 'managed freedom fighters' in Kashmir but later realized a political process was needed to negotiate the issue with India, a media report said.

terrorists, who were supported by the Indian spy agency with the collaboration of NDS, to destabilize the tribal areas."

Musharraf said a holistic approach and planning was crucial at the moment to curb terrorism in the country. His possible ref-

Pervez Musharraf

Musharraf, who served as Pakistan's president from 2001 to 2008 after he threw out the elected government in a coup in 1999, said his government was able to force India to discuss issues that New Delhi was unwilling to negotiate.

"In my tenure as a military chief and president of the country, we were succeeding. We were able to bring India to the negotiating table and to sort out issues that India was not ready to discuss," he told Dunya News in an interview.

He said his government was managing freedom fighters in

erence was to a series of deadly terrorist attack in Pakistan this year, particularly the suicide bombing at a famed Sufi shrine in Sindh in which at least 88 people died.

Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan for allowing sanctuaries to terrorist groups targeting Pakistan on their soil.

The former military chief questioned the steps being taken by Pakistan to eliminate the "sleeper cells" active in the country, including the previously peaceful Punjab province.

"In my tenure as a military chief and president of the country, we were succeeding.

We were able to bring India to the negotiating table and to sort out issues that India was not ready to discuss," he said Kashmir, and later they realized that a political process was required to negotiate further with India, the report said.

Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai in March last year, after his name was removed from the Exit Control List.

The 73-year-old said Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, was playing into India's hands and was being used as a tool to facilitate terror groups in Pakistan.

He claimed operation 'Zarb-eAzb' - during which the Pakistan Army claimed it killed thousands of militants - had no shortcomings as it was specifically for North Waziristan.

"This operation cleaned up all the camps and launching pads of

"What steps are being taken to eliminate these sleeper cells?

Punjab has become the stronghold of militancy," he said, refuting a question that terrorist attacks and terror outfits like the Lashkar-eJhangvi existed during his tenure.

"This all started after I stepped down, we had carved out an effective strategy vis-avis Kashmir, we were near resolving Kashmir issue with India on a four-point agenda, our policies were successful; America and China were aligning with us."

On Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's "house arrest", Musharraf said the Jamaat-udDawa chief is not a terrorist. He claimed India is after Saeed because his supporters go voluntarily to Kashmir to fight the Indian Army. -PTI

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Hafiz Saeed 'threat' to Pak: India, Pak extend pact on nuke mishaps Defense Minister ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Saeed's house arrest was in Pakistan's "larger interest" as he can pose a "serious threat" to the country, Defense Minister Khawaza Asif has said in the first public admission of the JuD chief's terrorism links.

Asif's remarks about the danger posed by the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people died - came at an international security conference in Munich, Germany.

"Saeed can pose a serious threat to the society," Asif told the audience at the Munich Security Conference, The Nation reported.

Saeed was "arrested in the larger interest of the country", he added.

Saeed was placed under house arrest under the fourth schedule

of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) on January 30 in Lahore, provoking an uproar from his party and allies. Saeed's inclusion in the list shows he is linked with militancy in some way. Saeed was earlier this

Hafiz Saeed

month put on the Exit Control List, barring him from leaving the country.

Saeed was also put under house arrest after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, but he

was freed by a court in 2009.

He carries a reward of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities.

During a panel discussion on countering extremism and terrorism, Asif said: "Terrorism is not synonymous to any religion. Terrorists aren't Christians or Muslims or Buddhists or Hindus. They are terrorists, they are criminals."

In a statement critical of the American policies, Asif said Pakistan is determined to fight terrorism: "Let me assure the world community that Pakistan is a frontline state in this war and it will continue to fulfill its obligations to its own people and the international community but if the West's policies are going to be isolationist it won't help the fight against terrorism, only fuel it." -PTI

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have extended their bilateral pact, dealing with reducing the risk of nuclear weapon-related accidents, for a period of five years.

Announcing the decision, the External Affairs Ministry said, "In accordance with Article 8 of the agreement between the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Reducing the Risk of Accidents Relating to Nuclear Weapons, both countries have agreed to extend the agreement for a further period of five years.

"The existing validity was up to February 20, 2017."

According to the pact, which was inked in 2007, both India and Pakistan shall notify each other immediately in the event of an accident relating to nuclear weap-

ons, under their respective jurisdiction or control, which could create the risk of a radioactive fallout, with adverse consequences for both sides or create the risk of an outbreak of a nuclear war between the two countries.

The parties may hold consultations, as mutually agreed upon, to review the implementation of the provisions of this agreement as well as to consider possible amendments aimed at furthering the objectives of this agreement, as per the pact. -PTI

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'Indian economy resilient to global headwinds' PRAKASH M SWAMY

CHENNAI: The US ruling on cancellation of H-1B visa rules poses risk for IT companies immigrants and offshore projects.

Costs would escalate for these companies operating in US. Global growth is challenging, however Indian economy is resilient to global headwinds on account of the strong domestic fundamentals, said Dr Raghavan Seetharaman, CEO of Doha Bank in Qatar.

The Institute of Directors hosted a Felicitation Function of Doha Bank CEO, Dr. R. Seetharaman on Feb 10 at Hotel The Residency Tower Town Hall, Chennai, India.

Dr. Seetharaman said the recent budget has given thrust on infrastructure, agriculture and aims to revive the growth of Indian economy.

India exported $6 billion worth of drugs to the US in 2015 and restrictions on pharmaceutical imports and manufacturing abroad could impact the industry in India, he said.

The Indian government has encouraged global investors to participate through FDI. The recent budget has stated that foreign investment promotion board

Poet Vaira Muthu, Justice PN Prakash, Justice Dr Lakshmanan, Dr Seetharaman and Lt Gen Ahluwalia

will be abolished, which will improve ease of doing business.

IMF has pegged India growth at 7.2 percent in 2017.India's Current Account Deficit decreased from about 1 percent of GDP last year to 0.3 percent of GDP in first

half of 2016-17. India has pegged fiscal deficit for 2017-18 at 3.2 percent and its Forex Reserves at $361 billion offer a comfortable cover for 12 months of imports thanks to better financial management by the Narendra Modi government,

China media warns of Pak financial crisis BEIJING: China must ensure that the rising fiscal deficit in Pakistan does not "snowball" into a major financial crisis as it has invested heavily in the country, specially in the USD 46 billion CPEC project, official Chinese media has said.

"While Pakistan's fast growing economy has made it a darling for

billion, the article said.

"Given the massive investment that China has made in the country as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China has a vested interest to ensure that the rising fiscal deficit in Pakistan not snowball into a major financial crisis," it said.

"China should work closely

A surge in the country's deficit would make it vulnerable to external shocks and would increase Pakistan's chances of a debt default. As a major creditor and the largest investor in Pakistan, China has an obligation to safeguard its investments in Pakistan foreign investment, the surge in the country's fiscal deficit and public debts has increasingly become a source of concern for international investors and has led to doubts about its capability to repay its debts," an article in the state-run Global Times said.

The investments under the CPEC alone amounted to USD 51

with Pakistan to make sure that the projects it has invested in can generate tangible growth in Pakistan's real economy, help the country properly manage its deficit level and put it on a sustainable growth path," it said.

Write-ups critical of Pakistan are rare in Chinese media, considering the all weather close re-

lationship between the two.

Citing Mongolia's experience where the fiscal deficit climbed to around 15 per cent of GDP in 2016, making it hard for to repay foreign debts, the article said "the worst-case scenario is the last thing China would desire in Pakistan".

Citing Pakistan media reports it said Pakistan's fiscal deficit surged to around 2.4 per cent of GDP during the first half (JulyDecember) of the fiscal year 201617, the highest in four years.

In 2014-15, the half-year deficit stood at 2.2 per cent and fullyear deficit at 5.3 per cent.

The government hopes to keep the deficit below 3.8 per cent of the GDP during the full 201617 year.

"A surge in the country's deficit would make it vulnerable to external shocks and would increase Pakistan's chances of a debt default. As a major creditor and the largest investor in Pakistan, China has an obligation to safeguard its investments in Pakistan and ensure it can recoup its loans," it said. -PTI

he said.

Contentious issues are coming between developed and developing world on global trade and investment. The lack of convergence between politics and economics could impact global

growth. We're entering a new stage of international global relations where national policies could shape how globalization eventually develops, he said.

Dr. R. Seetharaman highlighted the opportunities for India arising from global developments. "After Bexit better trading opportunities are available for India than was possible when UK was part of 28member EU. India has had a trade surplus with UK in recent years.

It is thus crucial for India to have a first mover advantage by executing a bilateral trade agreement with UK encompassing goods, services and technology."

Justice Dr AR Lakshmanan, former Judge of Indian Supreme Court and former Chairman of Law Commission of India released a book on Dr Seetharaman titled "In search of truth" a biography on him in Tamil. First copies were received by Poet Laureate Vairamuthu, Judge of Madras High Court Justice PN Prakash and Lt.Gen JS Ahluwalia, President of Institute of Directors. The authors of the book- Prof Aranga Nedumaran and NC Mohandas of Kuwait - were also honored.

'India is world's largest arms importer' NEW DELHI: India was the was far greater than those of its world's largest importer of major regional rivals China and Pakiarms in the last five years and its stan. overseas procurement was far In the last five years, the regreater than that of China and port found that trade of major Pakistan, a Stockholm-based weapons has increased to its highthink-tank has said. est volume since the Cold War, As per latest report of the triggered mainly by sudden spurt Stockholm International Peace in demand from Middle East and Research Institute (SIPRI), India Asia. accounted for 13 per cent of the total global arms import between The US was the top arms 2012-16 which is high- exporter in 2012-16 with a est among all the counone-third share of global tries.

The report said while arms exports and its supChina was increasingly able to substitute arms plies rose by 21 per cent imports with indig- compared with 2007-11 enous products, India remained dependent on weapons technology from Russia, Saudi Arabia was the second the US, Europe, Israel and South largest arms importer in 2012-16, Korea. with an increase of 212 per cent "India was the world's largest compared with 2007-11. Arms imimporter of major arms in 2012 16, ports by Qatar went up by 245 per accounting for 13 per cent of the cent. global total," the leading thinkAccording to the report, Rustank said. sia accounted for a 23 per cent It said India increased its arms share of global exports in the peimports by 43 per cent between riod 2012-16 and 70 per cent of its 2007 11 and 2012 16 and in the last arms exports went to India, Vietfour years its global procurement nam, China and Algeria.-PTI

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Indian-origin officer wins bravery award LONDON: A heroic Indian-origin Scotland Yard officer has been honored with a top bravery award in the UK for risking his own life

Met Police statement read.

"He made his way up the stairs in the darkness and heat and rescued a man and woman from the

Shand Panesar (C) along with his colleague

to save a family trapped in a burning house, winning the vote of thousands of Londoners.

Shand Panesar, along with colleague Craig Nicholson, won the Total Excellence in Policing Awards at the annual ceremony for rescuing a couple from a burning building.

Thousands of Londoners took part in the public vote to choose the winner of this year's Outstanding Bravery of the Year Award, which was won by Nicholson and Panesar from Hillingdon borough, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

In September 2016, PC Nicholson and PC Panesar, arrived before the London Fire Brigade to a raging house fire in Hillingdon and quickly learnt that two people were trapped inside.

Although the officers had no fire safety equipment or protective clothing they acted in the best traditions of the Met and charged into the flame engulfed house without any hesitation.

"They searched blind, in thick black smoke, in a desperate bid to find and rescue those trapped inside but were beaten back by flames and had to retreat outside.

"At this point both officers knew that not going back in would be fatal for those inside. PC Nicholson then took several deep breaths before re-entering the address, only using his police issue white shirt to cover his mouth and nose from the toxic smoke," the

property. Once outside he disregarded his own breathing difficul-

ties and commenced first aid on the woman who was unresponsive.

"She has since made a full recovery and medics confirmed that the woman would have died were it not for the officer's decision to risk his own life to re-enter the burning building, rescue her and commence CPR," it added.

Met Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "These awards give us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the courage and professionalism of our officers and police staff, in saving lives, fighting crime and tackling armed and dangerous criminals.

"We all joined the Met to serve and protect Londoners and make our city safer for everyone. I am proud to lead an organization where amazing work happens every day.

"Today is an opportunity for me to say a final thank you to all those men and women of the Met who give so much for London every day." -PTI

Pak denies Bajwa's 'read book on India' advice ISLAMABAD: After days of he said in the statement posted silence, Pakistan Army has dis- on Facebook. missed as "disinformation" a meIt had been reported that Bajwa dia report that said army chief Gen in the address dwelt on the thorny Qamar Javed Bajwa urged offic- issue of civil-military equation in ers to read a book about how In- the country where the army has dia succeeded in keeping the mili- ruled for almost half of the histary out of politics. tory since independence in 1947.

The Nation newspaper reThe report said the new army ported on February 12 that Bajwa chief in a poised manner commuaddressed a gathering of senior army officers of Rawalpindi Garrison The new army chief said in the General Headquarters in December there should be cooperation and recommended 'Army and Nation: The and not competition Military and Indian De- between army and mocracy Since Independence' written by civilian leadership Steven Wilkinson.

The book provides details of changes made in the nicated it to his officers in unstructure and recruitment pattern equivocal terms that there should of the Indian Army to suit the be cooperation and not competifledgling democracy in the new tion between army and civilian country. leadership of the country.

Army Spokesperson Major "The army has no business General Asif Ghafoor issued a trying to run the government. The brief statement to reject the con- army must remain within its contents of the report. stitutionally defined role," Bajwa "News/comments quoting was quoted as saying.

COAS' address to officers at He also urged officers to read Rawalpindi regarding book 'Army Wilkinson's book, according to the and Nation' is a disinformation," report. -PTI

EU asks India to extend trade pact NEW DELHI: The European Union has pressed India to extend by six months its bilateral investment pacts with several EU-member countries which are expiring soon, saying absence of the treaties could adversely impact trade ties and FTA talks.

first to take forward the stalled FTA talks.

"It will be helpful if trade and investment pacts can be extended for six months. The issue has become a problem for the FTA talks," he told reporters.

India's existing trade and in-

Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, the EU wants tax reduction in wines, spirits and dairy products, and a strong intellectual property regime.

India is asking for granting 'data secure nation' status A high-level European Parliament delegation, here to gauge India's views about the Trump administration and discuss various key issues concerning IndiaEU ties, also expressed concern over situation in Jammu and Kashmir and called for improvement in ties between India and Pakistan.

Chair of the EU delegation for relations with India Geoffrey Van Orden said EU wants New Delhi to renew the investment deals

vestment pacts with The Netherlands have come to an end in November while similar pacts with several other EU countries will expire in the coming months.

Orden said expiry of the pacts will make it difficult for the European countries to go for fresh investments in India, adding the EU wants India to first give the extension to the pacts and then move ahead with the FTA which is known as EU-India Broad-

based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).

On Kashmir, he said EU is always sensitive about issues relating to human rights violations, adding certain forces do not want India-Pakistan relations to improve.

He said there were "serious problems" of Pakistan containing terrorists and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had showed his resolve to improve ties with Islamabad.

Orden said the aim of the delegation is to understand India's views on the Trump administration, discuss issues relating to Pakistan and matters concerning India-EU ties.

The BTIA talks have been stalled since May, 2013, when both sides failed to bridge sub-

stantial gaps on crucial issues, including data security status for IT sector.

The two sides are yet to iron out issues related to tariff and movement of professionals but the EU has shown an inclination to restart talks.

Besides demanding significant duty cuts in automobiles, the EU wants tax reduction in wines, spirits and dairy products, and a strong intellectual property regime.

On the other hand, India is asking for granting 'data secure nation' status to it by the EU. The country is among nations not considered data secure by the EU. The matter is crucial as it will have a bearing on Indian IT companies wanting market access. PTI

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Tatas will lead, not follow: Chandrasekaran MUMBAI: Tata veteran N Chandrasekaran has taken over as the chairman of Tata Sons, promising to deliver "industry leading" performance in all its businesses.

"We will work together to deliver business performance which is industry leading in all our businesses, and lead ...and not follow," the 53-year-old Chandrasekaran told reporters outside the iconic headquarters of the USD 103-billion salt-to-software conglomerate - Bombay House.

"It is an honor and a privilege for me to assume this responsibility...I look forward to the opportunity to serve the group in this new role for the years to come and seek support from everyone so that we can collectively make it happen," he said.

The new Tata chief began his job chairing the Tata Sons Board meeting at Bombay House, sources said.

Chandrasekaran served TCS for three decades as it rose to become the largest IT company in the country and also the crown jewel for Tata Sons - the group holding company which is majority-owned by philanthropic trusts set up by the Tata family.

Chandra succeeds 79-year-old Ratan Tata, who had come back as the interim chairman of the group after a surprise ouster of Cyrus Mistry as the chairman on October 24 last year.

His removal led to a bitter corporate battle with Mistry coming out with not-so-palatable allegations about the functioning of the

The group relies heavily on TCS and the acquired British automaker JLR, whereas other traditional businesses that made it a

Newly appointed Tata Sons Chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran arrives at Bombay House in Mumbai on February 21

diversified group, including personal allegations against Ratan Tata himself.

The Tatas had rubbished all allegations and wrested control after removing Mistry from directorships at group companies and finally the holding company.

force to reckon with like steel, auto and hospitality, are not at the top of their mark, according to industry watchers.

Marathon runner Chandrasekaran is the first nonfamily and non-Tata to lead the conglomerate. -PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with CEO Microsoft, Satya Narayana Nadella during a meeting in New Delhi on February 21

Indian guilty of assaulting woman on US flight WASHINGTON: An Indian has seat on a Virgin America red-eye pleaded guilty to charges of as- flight from Los Angeles to Newsaulting a sleeping female co-pas- ark on July 29 and 30 last year. senger aboard a New JerseyWhile the plane was in air, the bound flight. woman fell asleep. Kunam admit58-year-old Veerabhadrarao ted that while the victim was Kunam had touched the passen- asleep, he inappropriately ger on a Virgin America red-eye touched the woman. flight from Los Angeles to New When the woman awoke and Jersey last year, a US attorney found Kunam touching her, she said.

Kunam, a resident of Visakhapatnam, was ar- While the plane was in air, rested on July 30 after the woman fell asleep. his flight arrived in Newark and was taken Kunam admitted that while into federal custody by the victim was asleep, he the FBI. He faces 30 to 60 inappropriately touched days in prison and up to the woman 90 days in an inpatient alcohol treatment centre.

He will be sentenced on March 22 alerted her male travel companion, in federal court in Newark. who confronted Kunam. InvestiAccording to documents filed gators said Kunam offered to buy and statements made in court, the man a drink, but he declined Kunam was seated next to a and reported what had happened woman who occupied a middle to a flight crew member. -PTI

'2 Indians die every minute due to air pollution' NEW DELHI: The air Indians breathe is turning more toxic by the day and an average of two deaths take place daily due to air pollution, says a new study.

According to medical journal The Lancet, over a million Indians die every year due to air pollution and some of the worst polluted cities of the world are in India.

The study based on 2010 data estimates that globally 2.7-3.4 million preterm births may be associated with PM2.5 exposure and South Asia is the worst hit accounting for 1.6 million pre-term births.

The study says causes of air pollution and climate change are intricately linked and needed to be tackled together.

The Lancet concludes that climate change posed both a "potentially catastrophic risk to human health", while conversely being "the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century" if the right steps are taken.

The smog over northern India is extracting a heavy toll, every minute two lives are lost in India due to ambient air pollution, the

study published in The Lancet says.

Further, according an estimate by the World Bank, this would amount to a whopping USD 38 billion loss in income towards labor in India.

Air pollution has also emerged as the deadliest form of pollution and the fourth leading risk factor for premature deaths worldwide, it says.

Recently, 48 leading scientists released the study and they find

that Patna and New Delhi are the worst polluted cities of the world for PM 2.5 levels or the fine particulate matter that hurts the heart most.

The study notes that a broader evidence base on interrelated health and climate change trends will notably help demonstrate clear co-benefits of action.-PTI

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China building third aircraft carrier BEIJING: China is building a third aircraft carrier based on American models as it seeks to fortify its claims in the disputed South China Sea and dominate the larger Indian Ocean region to realize its blue water aspirations.

Chinese experts said China is on course to build 5-6 aircraft carriers.

While the first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, is a refitted Soviet-era

ship, the second is being built on the same model with more advanced facilities and is likely to enter service in 2020.

The latest carrier, under construction at Shanghai, is based on US models, state-run Global Times reported.

Based on information released

by Chinese defense ministry, the second Type 001A carrier being built at the northeast Dalian port uses the ski-jump technology for aircraft to take off, like the first carrier Liaoning rather than a more advanced catapult technology used by American carriers.

The second aircraft carrier is expected to have a displacement of 50,000 tonnes.

China is looking into catapult technology for the third Type 002 carrier being built in Shanghai, the daily quoted Li Jie, a naval military expert, as saying.

"In other words, 002 is entirely different from Liaoning (001) and 001A, and it will look like a US aircraft carrier rather than a Russian one," Li added.

Official Chinese media have earlier reported about the possibility of a third carrier but it is the first time they have announced that it was being built.

Most advanced carriers use the Electromagnetic Catapult System,

or Electromagnetic launcher (EML), to launch fighter jets, but China is also testing steam catapults, Li said.

"In order to protect China's territories and overseas interests, China needs two carrier strike groups in the West Pacific Ocean and two in the Indian Ocean. So we need at least five to six aircraft carriers," Yin Zhuo, a senior researcher at the PLA Navy Equip-

ment Research Centre, said.

Chinese media has often highlighted the construction of aircraft carriers as the US deployed aircraft carriers in the disputed South China Sea challenging Beijing's claims.

The US Navy announced that an aircraft carrier strike group has begun "routine operations" in the South China Sea. The announcement came despite a warning from

The US Navy announced that an aircraft carrier strike group has begun "routine operations" in the South China Sea. The announcement came despite a warning from China not to interfere China not to interfere with Chinese sovereignty in the region.

China has a long history of maritime disputes with its South China Sea neighbors. It claims almost all of the South China Sea, despite objections from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

China has also created artificial islands in the area, outfitting some of them with military features.

Meanwhile, the Liaoning carried out extensive exercises in the South China Sea and Taiwan straits. China is ramping up plans to produce J-15 fighter jets to be deployed on the carriers. Some of them are seen exercising on the Liaoning.

China Central Television has reported that the second carrier's scaffold has been removed and a red undercoat has been painted below its waterline. A launch ceremony will soon be held.

"Unlike the Liaoning, the 001A is Chinabuilt, and its design, combat capability and technologies will be much more advanced," said Song Zhongping, a military expert.

"One key difference is the design will be more 'humanized,' which means all personnel on the carrier will enjoy a more comfortable and modern environment," Song said.

However, "there's still a long way to go from its launch to enlistment, which normally takes two years," Yin said.

"Its status can be compared to a house whose paint job has been completed but requires decorating, which, in military terms, is called the 'outfitting stage'," Song said.

It means all weapons and equipment, including the radar, airdefense and communications system will be outfitted on the carrier.

After this, the carrier and aircraft on it will be tested and then the carrier will be ready to serve, Song said.

A large amount of work remains to be done on the carrier's outfitting stage after it's launched, presumably sometime this year, Li said.

"It will take about one to two years to carry out functional debugging of its devices, weapons and equipment.

The new aircraft carrier can begin sea trials by early 2019," he said. -PTI

Shahid Afridi announces international retirement SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates: Legendary Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career.

The 36-year-old star had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2 0 1 5 Wo r l d Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India.

He stepped down as captain after the tournament although he retained his slender hopes of continuing his career in the sport's shortest format as a player.

Afridi had been a fan favorite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 17 years.

He became known as a bowling all-rounder in the second half

of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan's early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.

Afridi finishes his international career having played just 27 Test matches which yielded 1,176 runs with a highest score of 156 and 48 wickets.

Shahid Afridi

He played 398 one-day internationals with 8,064 runs, a highest score of 124 while taking 395 wickets with his leg spin.

His Twenty20 international career saw him play 98 matches with 1,405 runs and 97 wickets. -AFP

Indian tourists all over the world: Levison Wood NEW DELHI: For famed British explorer Levison Wood, it is a great kick to see people globetrot and he is particularly impressed with how Indians are taking off to foreign locations besides exploring their own country.

"Indians are travelling. They are seeing not only the world but their own country which I think is great. I was in Haridwar and I saw people who had come for pilgrimage. I saw something which was amazing. There were 2 million people and all in orange shirts," Wood told PTI over phone from London.

Wood, 34, has visited India seven times and he says every time he is amazed to see how swiftly the country changes.

"What strikes me during my visits to India is how fast the country is moving. Everything is changing. I remember going to Dharmshala in 2004. It was a

small sleepy village full of western hippies then. I went back again last year and it was filled with Punjabi tourists," says Wood, who trekked 1700 miles across the Himalayas in a series called "Walking the Himalayas".

In his new show "Walking The Nile", Wood took the daunting journey of covering the length of the world's longest river The Nile.

The former British Army paratrooper took a 4250-mile trek over the course of 9-months to become the first person to go on this journey on foot. On the way, Wood travelled through deserts, jungles and war zones in the African continent.

"I have always been interested in East Africa. Nile is the river that goes through diverse cultures and landscapes. The idea occurred to me seven years ago when I was doing charity in Africa�. -PTI

Tech News Amusement parks for single digit GST rate KOLKATA: The country's amusement park industry, whose combined turnover is expected to touch Rs 6,000 crore in 2020, has urged the union finance ministry for a single digit GST levy.

"We have written to finance ministry officials for a single digit GST levy on the amusement park industry," Ajay Sarin, president of Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) told PTI here.

There are nearly 480 amusement parks in the country, the prominent being AdlabsImagica, Esselworld, Nicco Park and Wonderla.

He said in the present taxation regime the industry is subject to entertainment tax and service tax.

Entertainment taxes are being levied by the states at different rates, with the effective tax rates going up as high as 50 per cent at times. "Since we are a part of the tourism sector, we have requested the ministry to withdraw the levy of service tax as well once GST is levied," he said.-PTI

Audi to launch 5 clean-energy vehicles BEIJING: Audi plans to launch five clean-energy vehicles and expand annual production in China to one million units in the coming five years, the Sino-German auto joint venture FAW-Volkswagen Automotive has said.

Among the five clean-energy vehicles are the Audi A6L e-tron, Q7 e-tron and A3 Sportback e-tron and an all-electric SUV with a 500km range, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Audi is also planning to launch new vehicle types produced locally in China, including the Q2, to meet the diverse demands from consumers in different age groups.

The Q2, the smallest Audi SUV, will be mass produced at the FAW plant in Foshan, Guangdong Province, the report said.

By 2020, FAW Volkswagen's five production bases in China are expected to have an annual production capacity of 3 million units.

Audi's annual production will by then have expanded to 1 million. Last year, FAW sold 589,088 Audi vehicles, taking up nearly one-third of China's luxury car market.

But Audi sales in China had a rocky start this year, with 35,200 units sold in January, down 35.3 per cent from the same period last year.-PTI

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Kraft Heinz withdraws bid for Unilever WASHINGTON: The US food giant Kraft Heinz has dropped its bid to buy Unilever days after it rejected a 143 billion buyout offer, the companies say.

Kraft Heinz had signaled that it would press ahead with its campaign after the British-Dutch consumer products manufacturer said the initial proposal "fundamentally undervalues" its worth.

However, strong resistance from Unilever reportedly persuaded Kraft Heinz over the weekend to back out.

"Unilever and Kraft Heinz hereby announce that Kraft Heinz has amicably agreed to withdraw its proposal for a combination of the two companies," they announced in a joint statement. "Unilever and Kraft Heinz hold each other in high regard," it added. "Kraft Heinz has the utmost respect for the culture, strategy and leadership of Unilever."-AFP

India becomes 12th largest holder of US govt securities WASHINGTON: India became the 12th largest holder of US government securities at the end of 2016, with exposure worth USD 118.2 billion.

With holdings worth USD 1.09 trillion, Japan remained the largest holder of these securities followed by neighboring China with

slightly lower than USD 118.7 billion seen in November.

At the end of December 2015, India's exposure was to the tune of USD 116.8 billion.

As per the data, India was the 12th largest holder of these securities. After Japan and China, Ireland was at the third place with

India is at the third place among BRIC grouping after China and Brazil in terms of exposure.

Russia held American government securities worth USD 86.1 billion in Dec 2016. The data reflects foreign holdings of US securities collected primarily on the basis of custodial data. exposure to the tune of USD 1.06 trillion.

Latest data available with the US Treasury Department showed that India's holding stood at USD 118.2 billion in December last,

holdings worth USD 288.2 billion, followed by Cayman Islands (USD 263.5 billion), Brazil (USD 259.2 billion) and Switzerland (USD 229.3 billion).

Other nations having more

holdings than India were Luxembourg (USD 223.4 billion), United Kingdom (USD 217.1 billion), Hong Kong (USD 191.4 billion), Taiwan (USD 189.3 billion) and Belgium (USD 120.4 billion).

India is at the third place among BRIC grouping after China and Brazil in terms of exposure. Russia held American government securities worth USD 86.1 billion in December 2016.

In general, the data reflects foreign holdings of US securities collected primarily on the basis of custodial data.

"Foreign residents decreased their holdings of long-term US securities in December; net sales

were USD 13.9 billion.

Net sales by private foreign investors were USD 32 billion, while

net purchases by foreign official institutions were USD 18.1 billion," the Treasury Department said in a release. -PTI

First cargo ship from India arrives in B'desh

Startup to market foldable solar cells

DHAKA: The first container the two neighboring countries. ship from India has arrived in Bangladesh Shipping Minister Bangladesh's Panagon river port Shajahan Khan, Indian envoy to here under the Coastal Shipping Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Agreement signed in 2015, allow- Awami League chief Sheikh ing direct cargo vessel movement Hasina's advisor Salman F Rahman between the two countries. also attended the ceremony. The The ship, 'Shonartori Nou link between the Pangaon terminal Kalyan-1' reached the Pangaon In- and India will save time and money, land Container Terminal at said Minister Khan.

Keraniganj with 65 containers on board, The ship, 'Shonartori Nou bdnews24.com reported.

At an event to mark Kalyan-1' reached the the arrival of the ship, Pangaon Inland Container Bangladesh Commerce Terminal at Keraniganj with Minister Tofail Ahmed said that cargo ships will 65 containers now reach and depart from Pangaon to India every 15 days.

"The shipping ministry is in the He said there was progress in process to procure 36 more ships to the field of river transport. boost the use of this network," he With this, the Coastal Shipping said. During Prime Minister Narendra Agreement signed in 2015, comes Modi's visit to Bangladesh in 2015, into effect, paving way for direct the two countries signed the Coastal cargo vessel movement between Shipping Agreement. -PTI

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.: An cense with Sandia last month to Albuquerque startup plans to mar- bring solar glitter to market. ket foldable sheets of solar cells ``We're getting a lot of early into power devices for consumers terest for applications in aeroas well as for satellites. space,'' Okandan said. ``But it's Sandia National Laboratories deployable in many types of power created cells known as solar glit- applications, such as emergency ter that were then used by mPower response equipment or outdoor Technology Inc. to make sheets backpacking.'' of Dragon SCALEs, reported the ``We definitely see this as a big Albuquerque Journal. ``We've packaged it into a condensed, thin, ``We've packaged it flexible format, almost into a condensed, thin, like a bandana, that a person could wrap up flexible format, almost and throw in a backpack like a bandana� for use anywhere,'' said Murat Okandan, Startup founder and CEO. ``It could be win for technology commercializaused in many applications, includ- tion,'' said Mary Monson, senior ing satellites, or bent into curved manager of industry partnerships shapes to attach to buildings.'' at Sandia. ``We're particularly glad The startup invested about $1 that this is a local company. It's million to develop Dragon SCALEs working to grow the business right and signed onto a commercial li- here in New Mexico.'' -AP

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Jharkhand gets commitments Tata Steel explores Myanmar, Bangladesh of Rs 3 lakh cr RANCHI: Jharkhand has received investment commitments of a whopping Rs 3 lakh crore during the two-day maiden global invest-

vestments would help develop industries, create employment opportunities, boost construction of high quality, link remote villages

with cloud and mobile technologies.

"Microsoft will work with the

Union Ministers Arun Jaitely, Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gagkari, Smriti Irani, Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das and industrialist Ratan Tata , Kumar Mangalam Birla at the global investors summit "Momentum Jharkhand" at Mega Sports Complex in Ranchi

ment summit here, according to state Chief Minister Raghubar Das. "We have signed more than 209 MoUs during Momentum Jharkhand Summit. These MoUs have been signed across the sectors...total investment through these MoUs is to the tune of Rs 3.04 lakh crore, most of which will be realized on the ground by 2018," Das said.

It is estimated to create 1.92 lakh direct employment opportunities and 2.70 lakh indirect employments, he said.

"I assure you that my government will start working from today itself towards the implementation of the MoUs that have been signed during this Summit during

by expansion of network.

Moreover, these would help build education, health and transport sectors, Das said.

"We have received several proposals in power and energy sectors; we are committed to reach out to illuminate each household through the effective implantation of these proposals," he said.

Appreciating the efforts of Jharkhand in terms of ease of doing business ranking, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the state has been able to improve its ranking in a very short period of time.

It shows the resolve of the state which has gathered momentum, she said, adding it has lots of po-

Appreciating the efforts of Jharkhand in terms of ease of doing business ranking, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the state has been able to improve its ranking in a very short period of time. the stipulated time-frame," he said.

Adani Group led by Gautam Adani is examining possibility to invest Rs 50,000 crore in coal to polymer complex and exploring 5 locations for this, an official said, adding it is looking for coal linkage.

Some of the other large investment commitments include Rs 5,000 crore each from Aditya Birla Group and Vedanta Resources, while Jindal Steel and Power and Adani Group proposed investment of Rs 20,000 crore each.

The chief minister said that in-

tential for growth in identified sectors.

IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it is heartening to note the kind of investment proposals Jharkhand has got in its maiden effort and it has long way to go. He also promised all the required support in boosting investment in IT and IT-enabled sectors in the state.

The government of Jharkhand has also signed Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft India to enhance citizen services

Government of Jharkhand to support the development of cloud and mobile-based solutions and support the use of machine learning and advanced visualization to help solve challenges in the fields of agriculture and education," Umesh Prasad Sah, Director - IT, Department of IT and e-governance, said in a statement. -PTI

KOLKATA: Boosted with success of its solution business in the retail segment in the domestic market, steel major Tata Steel is now exploring possibility of entering overseas markets like Bangladesh and Myanmar with retail branded steel solution products.

"We have a great success in developing brands and distribution network in B2C markets in India.

Bangladesh and Myanmar are the two B2C markets which have similar profile as India.

We are seeing the opportunity there in the B2C markets to build the brand and distribution network," Tata Steel MD (India and South East Asia) T V Narendran said here.

Tata Steel terms consumer products as B2C and has marketed these steel products similar to FMCG strategy. Narendran however, did not elaborate further on the overseas foray.

Tata Steel offers branded rebars, doors, windows, modular housing, toilets and water ATMs etc in the Indian market and generates some Rs 700 crore revenue annually and was aiming to increase the same to 20 per cent of the topline

over the next few years.

Speaking at Bengal Chamber of Commerce organized Metal 2017, he said country's steel industry had been spending less towards R&D compared to global standards.

"Most industries and countries spend about 2 per cent (of the revenue) towards R&D. Indian steel industry is spending less than 0.5 percent to it.

The government is providing incentives to the industry to invest more in R&D," he said here.

"R&D expenditure is not about spending the money but having the right projects," he added.

Narendran also mentioned that India lacks in high end steel processing for automotive sector. -PTI

Bandhan Bank to retain focus on mircocredit NEW DELHI: As a strategy to grow its business, Bandhan Bank will continue to disburse a large chunk of loans as microcredit for some more time, founder and chief executive Chandra Shekhar Ghosh has said.

Turning from a microcredit institution to a universal bank within one-and-half-years, Ghosh believes serving those at the "bottom of the pyramid" is the right strategy to expand business for a bank.

"We are catering to the bottom of the pyramid. There are people wanting to start new business or expand existing one, or have need for an affordable housing. So, at Bandhan Bank, we are gradually coming to cater to that segment. It is unlike a top-down process," Ghosh told PTI in an interview.

He said that the bank wants to cater to a large number of customers so the main focus is on dis-

bursing microcredit.

"The bank has the capacity as well as skills that have been built at the microcredit level to serve the loan requirement of these people," Ghosh said.

Bandhan Bank presently disburses 91 per cent of its loans in the microcredit form, Ghosh said, adding the portfolio mix need to

to increase its headcount by 1015 per cent.

As of now, the bank has 23,300 employees and hopes to add another 200 by March.

Asked about demonetization, he said there were some hiccups initially but the situation is improving gradually.

"Demonetization was a chal-

Asked about demonetization, he said there were some hiccups initially but the situation is improving gradually. But specifically in the case of Bandhan Bank, we are not facing any sort of cash crunch. be diversified as the bank grows its operations in the future.

With deposit mobilization worth over Rs 19,800 crore and loan book of about Rs 20,200 crore as on date, the Kolkata headquartered bank hopes if the business grows by about 30-40 per cent, it will be able

lenge in initial days, but as of now, it appears to be over. I hope there will be improvement in cash pipeline, but specifically in the case of Bandhan Bank, we are not facing any sort of cash crunch. We have good amount of cash both at the branches and ATMs," he said.-PTI

Horoscope

14 India Post

February 24, 2017

www.indiapost.com

The stationary transit of Rahu and Ketu is in effect till April 2017, Sudden setbacks, obstructions are likely.

Drive safely.

Be patience.

February 24th - March 2nd 2017 Please send your birthday, place of birth and time, so I can give you your zodiac sign, according to Vedic astrology. Send to Jaysastrology@gmail.com

T

he professional matters need care. The promotion is likely to be delayed.

Some additional expenses are likely. Take care of your health, see a doctor is required. Handle relationship matters with care, better to avoid conflicts and confrontation. It is better to avoid new ventures. The child may need help. Things are likely to ease for those who are in foreign lands.

T

T

he professional matters look better. You have to be careful in the matter of status, driving and relationships.

New opportunities are likely.

Health may cause concern.

Those who have some planets around 27 degrees in any of these zodiac signs that is Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces and Taurus are likely to have problems concerning children, emotions, business, health of father and self up to May, 2017.

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he profession, and rela tionships matters look ok. Excercise patience in dealing with obstructions.

Students and those who are appearing in selections should work hard. The prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 9 or some planet is around 9 degree in odd signs up to 15th of April, 2017.

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he professional matters look ok.The mental peace and emotions are likely to be disturbed.Stay away from conflicts and confrontations. Child may need some help, focus on them.

Some additional expenses are likely.The prolonged transit planetary influences caused

by Rahu/Ketu are difficult for those whose ascending degree is around 9 or some planet is around 9 degree.

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T

September 2017.

he professional matters look ok.Some additional income is likely.This week may bring some relief to health. The child may bring happiness. Relationship matter are ok. Continuously propitiate Rahu and Ketu.

Strengthen your birth planets through a Special Power Kavach as transit weakness of planets can bring sudden mishaps. As Rahu/Ketu are stationary avoid grey color.

T

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he professional matters look better. Some easy gains are likely. Take care of relationship matters. Work with patience and avoid conflicts at all levels.Keep new ventures pending, including relationships. The health of family may cause concerns, get regular physical check up.The week may involve some additional expenses.

Avoid haste, aggressive behaviour, conflicts.

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P

S

he professional, health and relationship matters may cause concerns.Some of you may have to move in connection with the job.The promotions/recognition may be delayed.The health of family needs extra care.It is better to avoid haste and conflicts.Avoid driving and risky activities. Patience is the Mantra for you up to

he week indicates con cerns in job/profession.

Take due care. Handle relationship matters with patience. Child needs extra care and help. Some additional stress and extra expenses are likely. It is better to avoid driving. Take care of your health. Those who have some planets around 27 degree in any of these zodiac signs that is Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces and Taurus are likely.

he professional matters create stress. Control your aggressive behaviour.

The week indicates the incidence of conflicts and health concerns.Manage conflicts with patience and compromise. Silence is golden. There is some extra mental stress.

Handle relationship matters with patience. Avoid new ventures. Avoid manipulations.

Child may need help. The time is not good for your father.

rofessional matters look ok. Some additional income is likely. Some new opportunities may also come up. Avoid speculation. Always invest in safe assets.

Patience is the best medicine. The child may bring some good news. Some income constraints are likely. Strengthen your birth planets through a Special Power Kavach as transit weakness of planets can bring sudden mishaps.

he professional matters look ok. Handle relationship matters with care. Obstructions are likely in the sources of income.Health of the spouse may cause concerns.Manage obstructions with patience. It is better to avoid manipulations and driving. The prolonged transit planetary influences caused by Rahu/Ketu are difficult.

Strengthen your birth planets through a Special Power Kavach

ome additional expenses and health concerns are likely. Manage things with patience and avoid conflicts. Professional matters look ok. Unexpected gains are likely. Avoid journey.

Continue to perform peace making remedies for your functional malefic planets Sun, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Strengthen your good planets through a Special Power Kavach.

This weekly horoscope is more focused and accurate as these are based on ascending signs. The ascending sign is worked out on the basis of your date, time and place of birth. You will find the predictions at other places based on your Sun sign or Moon sign. The Sun remains in one sign of zodiac for one month whereas the Moon remains in one sign for about 54 hours. It is the ascending sign, which changes every couple of hours." That is how this site offers you more focused predictions.

JATIN P - ACHARYA MIHIR • JAYSASTROLOGY@GMAIL.COM • 630-675-7148

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Zaalima: Raees 2 The Humma Song: OK Jaanu 3 Laila: Raees 4 Enna Sona: OK Jaanu 15 India Post

www.indiapost.com

February 24, 2017

J

acqueline Fernandez enjoys doing action on-screen and is keen to do more movies in the same genre. Jacqueline tried her hand in action for the first time during 'A Flying Jatt' and now in her two upcoming films, 'Reload' and 'Drive,' she will be seen doing a lot more of it.

"It's an amazing genre and I feel very comfortable about it. If I could be the action icon in Bollywood it would be great. The roles in action genre for females are fewer as compared to actors.

"If there is something in action I take it up. I am dying to train and work in roles that give me the opportunity to do action," Jacqueline said.

The 'Kick' actress feels Bollywood filmmakers can take inspiration from Hollywood when it comes to heroines doing action oriented films. "But if you look at actors like Tiger Shroff there is lot that West can learn from us. He is phenomenal as an action hero and he does his own stunts and he is so good at it."

She penned down a hand-written letter that had words of appreciation for Aamir's performance in the film that totally moved the actor. The 'Dangal' actor's eyes welled up on reading the heartfelt message

A

amir Khan's latest outing 'Dangal' that received many accolades has been one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Amidst all the appreciation, one person that has touched Aamir's heart is none other than the eternal beauty Rekha. The evergreen actress, who doesn't attend too many parties, graced the actor's success party for the film with her presence.

The veteran beauty chose a unique way of expressing her delight. She penned down a hand-written letter that had words of appreciation for Aamir's performance in the film that totally moved the actor. The 'Dangal' actor's eyes welled up on reading the heartfelt message, and why not? After all, not all are as lucky as him to be on the receiving end of such a sweet gesture from Madam Rekha.

5 Dangal - Title Track: Dangal 6 Kaabil Hoon: Kaabil 7 Dhaakad : Dangal 8 OK Jaanu: OK Jaanu 9 Udi Udi Jaye : Raees 10 Bawara Mann: Jolly LLB 2

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here's nothing better than literally stepping into your father's shoes. Tiger Shroff had an opportunity to do that when he shot the street-style dance number, 'Ding Dang', for Sabbir Khan's 'Munna Michael.' The song pays tribute to Jackie Shroff and his bindaas attitude and style.

The film, produced by Eros and Viki Rajani, has been partially shot at Teen Batti Chawl in South Mumbai, where Jackie once lived. "We styled Tiger in a manner similar to his father back in the day.

The dance moves have also been designed keeping Jaggu dada in mind," says Sabbir, adding, "Tiger somewhat looks like his dad from Hero.

He has even spoken in that lukkha lingo and does it well."

Ayesha Shroff, who has witnessed her husband and son's careers, points out, "Tiger is as old as his father was when he acted in 'Hero'. Tiger started out much younger, though. And yes, he has begun to resemble his father a lot more now.�

Desi News Bal Vihar celebrates R-Day with gusto ISHITA SANGHAVI & ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Center for Indian Cultural Education- Bal Vihar of St. Louis celebrated India's 68th Republic Day last month in the presence of 500+ participants that included St. Louis leaders such as Bert Vescolani - CEO of St. Louis Science Center, Beth Rodriguez, CEO and Interfaith Consultant at Interfaith Quest.

The guests included Bal Vihar teachers who were providing services in 1992 when the school was established. The event was held at Ladue Middle school in Ladue, MO. Bal Vihar school children displayed different cultures, languages and more of the United States of India.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA www.indiapost.com

16 India Post

New York School Dist approves Diwali holiday

February 24, 2017

Details on page 23

New Indian CG in Chicago wins over community members HEMA SHASHTRI & RAMESH SOPARAWALA

Details on page 18

IABC hosts business meet with Dr Vora JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: Indian American Business Council [IABC], a Chicago based non-profit organization, hosted the Spring Business Leaders Meet with distinguished Fulbright Specialist Dr. Manu Vora as the keynote speaker. The event held on February 16 at the Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows, Illinois was attended by around 100 business and community leaders Harish Kolasani, IABC President welcomed the guests and urged the business community to join hands with IABC to advance their business goals. Mohammed Faheem, CEO of The Center for Strategic Solutions and IABC Director conducted the proceedings of the evening's interactive meet.

Details on page 19

iCAN awards announces final nominations JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: The iCAN organizers hosted iCAN final nominations event on February 12 announcing details of the iCAN Awards ceremony slated on March 18. More than 300 guests and the probable nominees attended it at Double Tree in Oak brook IL. The Event began with salute to our Motherland by Khushi Dave dance and singing of Indian National Anthem. Jassi, Mohan, Komal welcomed all nominees and guests.

Details on page 20

CG Bhushan honored with bouquets

CHICAGO: The newly arrived Indian Consul General Ms Neeta Bhushan exuded amiability and confidence while assuring members of the Indian community here that under her stewardship the Indian Consulate-Chicago would work closely with the community and that the Consulate door would remain open to community members for any problem or suggestions.

CG Bhushan was the honored guest at the private reception hosted by community activist and former president of FIA, Rita Singh and her husband Sanjeev Singh at their residence in Naperville on Saturday, February 11. Ms. Bhushan attended this dinner with her mother. CG Bhushan said she was very excited to be in Chicago and was looking forward to serving Indian American Community in Midwest.

This private event was attended by a good number of community stalwarts including Mayor Gopal Lalmalani, FIA Founder President Sunil Shah, Omkar Singh Sangha, Mukesh Shah, Syed Hussaini, Jassi Parmar and Ravi Rawat among others CG Neeta Bhushan is a 1994 batch Indian Foreign Services diplomat who has recently joined Indian Consulate-Chicago as new Consul General. Prior to taking this

CG Bhushan with Sanjay Singh, Rita Singh and Mayor Gopal Lalmalani

charge in Chicago, she was Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi. Incidentally, her husband Mr. Anurag Bhushan is also Indian Foreign Services diplomat who is currently serving as Consul General of India in Dubai Rita Singh and Sanjeev Singh welcomed Ms. Bhushan with a bouquet and extended their full support to the new CG to get integrated with Indian community

in Midwest. Ms. Singh candidly expressed her apprehension that when last CG Ausaf Sayeed completed his term, she was concerned if the new CG would be as community-friendly and approachable. However, CG Bhushan's charm and pleasant manners won over every one attending the event. Feeling relieved, Rita Singh along with all the community leaders present expressed their confidence that

Hindus rated 'fairly warmly' in USA SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Most religious groups in USA rate Hindus fairly warmly, according to "polling and analysis" posted by Washington DC headquartered Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank.

Asked to rate a variety of groups on a "feeling thermometer" ranging from 0 to 100, Americans' feelings toward Hindus have shifted from relatively neutral place of 50 in 2014 on the thermometer to somewhat warmer rating of 58.

Americans aged 18-29 put the Hindus at 64 on the thermometer, which is higher than Jews, Athe-

ists, Evangelical Christians, Mainline Protestants, Muslims and Mormons. Jews gave Hindus a thermometer rating of 70, which is highest given to Hindus by any religious group.

Hindus were rated at 70 by those who had personal connections with someone in the Hindu community, as compared to 54 given by those who had no such connection.

Cont’d on page 19 Former President Barack Obama getting a shawl from a Hindu priest during Diwali celebrations in White House

Ms. Bhushan will be the among best Consul Generals that the Indian Consulate-Chicago had the privilege to host so far.

In her thank you speech, Ms. Neeta Bhushan shared that she was looking forward to working with all Indian organizations and community leaders in Midwest and reminded them that the sole purpose of the Consulate was to serve the India American community in Midwest.

Community Across America

February 24, 2017

www.indiapost.com

Indian Americans decry attack on Pak Sufi shrine NEELA PANDYA

WASHINGTON, DC: Members of the Indian community at large in this country were aghast at the recent attack on a Sufi shrine in Sindh that not only resulted in a heavy loss of life but also reflected on the poor handling of terrorist threats in Pakistan This also should be an eye opener for Pakistani rulers that encourage and foment cross border terrorism with India. It can also in some way recoil on them.

Indian Americans condemned unanimously the attack at the shrine of Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh, Pakistan.

The suicide bomber specifically targeted and blew himself up at an area of the popular shrine where women and children traditionally gather to pay their homage. Following the incident, the Islamic State claimed

shrine of Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in which 88 people and counting have perished, including women and children," said Sanjesh Dhanja, Founder and President of Pakistan Hindu Seva Welfare Trust, based in Karachi, Sindh.

"We continue to demand that Pakistan's government take serious actions to ban terrorist organizations and prevent them from perpetrating such attacks. We request [the] government to provide adequate security personnel at all large shrines, churches, mosques, temples and gurudwaras in every city, township, and province. Furthermore, we have urged the government to hire more law enforcement officers from minority religious and ethnic communities as they are most invested in securing their localities."

Home to a traditionally tolerant and peaceful society, Sindh has witnessed a dramatic escalation in Islamic extremism in recent years, pervading all levels of government, civil society, and the public sphere. The deteriorating conditions have allowed Islamist Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar groups to abduct, convert, responsibility for the attack. and forcibly marry young Hindu women and This latest bombing comes on the heels girls to their Muslim captors with impunity. of another attack by an Islamist group affiliHAF led a coalition letter to Sindh Chief ated with the Pakistani Taliban in Lahore Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah last month that killed 13 people in a busy market area. urging the provincial government to rescind Media reports indicate that Pakistan's armed its withdrawal of the historic Forced Conforces have launched major operations tar- versions of Minorities bill, that would have geting Islamist militants, killing almost 100 criminalized forced conversions. Pakistan terrorists.

People's Party chairman Asif Ali Zardari caIt is not only Muslims but even Hindus pitulated to the demands of Jamaat-i-Islami, of Pakistan, and Sindh in particular, have a leading Islamist party, in what was seen revered Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and many as an effort to fend off electoral challenges among Hindus believe that he It is not only Muslims but even Hindus of Pakiwas a manifestation of the stan, and Sindh in particular, have revered Lal Hindu Sindhi Shahbaz Qalandar and many among Hindus patron Saint Jhulelal. While believe that he was a manifestation of the contemporary Hindu Sindhi patron Saint Jhulelal.

Hindu authorities and historians have debated certain in the upcoming Sindh elections. accounts of the life of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, "If this attack doesn't serve as a wake up the shrine is frequented nonetheless by call to Pakistani officials that they cannot millions annually from all religious commu- continue to kowtow to the demands of Isnities of Pakistan. lamist groups at the expense of genuine Hindu American Foundation leaders democratic and progressive reforms, then I indicated that their contacts in Pakistan don't know what will," said Jay Kansara, were extremely concerned by the loss of life Director of Government Relations. and the attack's impact on the Hindu minor"National and provincial Pakistani offiity (estimated as high as 8 million by Paki- cials cannot expect to confront violent terstani Hindu groups), the majority of which rorist attacks against innocent civilians resides in Sindh. when they continue to perpetuate a state "As Pakistani Hindu citizens, we policy that distinguishes between 'Good strongly condemn the suicide attack at the Jihadis and Bad Jihadis'."

India Post 17

Community Across America

18 India Post

February 24, 2017

www.indiapost.com

Bal Vihar celebrates Republic Day with gusto ISHITA SANGHAVI & ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: Center for Indian Cultural Education- Bal Vihar of St. Louis celebrated India's 68th Republic Day last month in the presence of 500+ participants that included St. Louis leaders such as Bert Vescolani - CEO of St. Louis Science Center, Beth Rodriguez,

CEO and Interfaith Consultant at Interfaith Quest.

The guests included Bal Vihar teachers who were providing services in 1992 when the school was established. The event was held at Ladue Middle school in Ladue, MO.

A section of the audience

Flag hoisting at Bal Vihar celebrations

Bal Vihar school children displayed different cultures, languages and more of the United States of India. Students and parents together exhibited booths of different states of India such as G u j a r a t , Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and more where they displayed culture, food, history, and clothing of these states.

Children's enthusiasm was outstanding when Bal Vihar ensemble performed the Indian national anthem, patriotic songs and the flag hoisting ceremony in the presence of the dignitaries. There was excitement among parents and children alike to display their

states and be proud of United States of India.

Bal Vihar of St. Louis school is focused on its vision of instilling

zation, has graduated more than 1000 students over period and its enrollment is growing in the community. Focused on diversity and

A group of participants

Asian Indian culture in children and has been serving the St. Louis community for the last 25 years.

This voluntary non-profit organi-

The event judges

community service under the leadership of professional volunteers, Bal Vihar has earned significant respect in St. Louis where it holds programs in collaboration with the St. Louis Arts Center and St. Louis Science Center, Interfaith community.

The school has been a role model for a few Bal Vihar schools in US such as Ohio, South Carolina and more where it provides guidance and support organizations where focus is our culture.

To celebrate the achievements of the school, Center for Indian Cultural Education will celebrate its 25 years of service to the community to preserve Indian culture on April 1at Lafayette High school in wildwood, MO.

February 24, 2017

Community Across America

India Post 19

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IABC hosts business meet with Dr Vora JAYANTI OZA

Honoring Dr Manu Vora (Left to Right) Nazneen Hashmi, Harish Kolasani, Dr. Manu Vora, Mohammed Faheem and Poonam Gupta-Krishnan

CHICAGO: Indian American Business Council [IABC], a Chicago based non-profit organization, hosted the Spring Business Leaders Meet with distinguished Fulbright Specialist Dr. Manu Vora as the keynote speaker. The event held on February 16 at the Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows, Illinois was attended by around 100

business and community leaders Harish Kolasani, IABC President welcomed the guests and urged the business community to join hands with IABC to advance their business goals. Mohammed Faheem, CEO of The Center for Strategic Solutions and IABC Director conducted the proceedings of the evening's interactive meet.

A section of the attendees at IABC Meet

The IABC team presented a plaque and a shawl to Dr. Manu Vora in honor of his appointment as a Fulbright Specialist by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs.

Nazneen Hashmi, IABC Director made membership drive presentation while Girish Kapur proposed a vote of thanks.

Valentine's Day celebrated at Ashton Place

Dr. Manu Vora in his address emphasized the strategic importance of business and management principles using the U.S. Baldrige Framework concepts which use a holistic approach in focusing on business organization's performance management system that effectively leads to sustainable growth.

In his inspiring summation, Dr. Vora who is the mainstay in pre-

Hindus rated 'fairly warmly' in USA Cont’d from page 16

But only 22% of Americans say they personally know a Hindu.

These were among the findings of a new Pew Research Center survey of 4,248 adults conducted be-

From left Shital Daftari, Ami Gada, Gurmeet Singh, Sunil Shah, Anil Oraskar, Satish Gada, Mukesh Shah, Onkar Sangha & Payal Shah

A

group of Indian Americans led by Payal Shah and Nirav Shah decided to celebrate Valentine Day last week and the event taking place at Ashton Place in Willow Brook, a Southside Chicago suburb turned out to be a huge success

attracting over 400 guests and well-wishers. The DJ had a fivescreen setup that displayed the live feed as the event was going on. All in all, the venue and stage looked grand and mesmerizing.

Payal Shah is a community activist associated with the Federa-

tion of Indian Association as executive member. Among the attendees were Chicago elite and community leaders.-From Suresh Shah More Pics on page 21

sentations to Fortune 500 companies, shared his invaluable experience exploring the key principles and practices with inherent potential to propel business organizations to be successful. He concluded emphasizing that "Leadership is all about influencing, igniting, and inspiring ordinary people to do extraordinary things".

The evening concluded with a formal dinner.

duism the fourth-largest faith.

Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged Hindus to continue with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc.;

Hindu worshippers

tween January nine to 23 on the Center's nationally representative American Trends Panel.

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, published in 2015, the Hindu population in USA reached 2.23 million, an increase of about one million or 85.8 percent since 2007, making Hin-

amidst so many distractions to scale still greater heights. Hindus should continue to focus on inner search, stay pure, explore the vast wisdom of scriptures, make spirituality more attractive to youth and children, stay away from greed, and always keep God in the life.

20 India Post

Community Across America

February 24, 2017

www.indiapost.com

Corrigendum on event honoring Dr. Meshri India Post News Service

I

ndia Post in its last issue dated February 17, 2017 carried a news item about an Internationally known Indian scientist Dr. Dayal

Picture of the tiger quilt with Ginger and Ken Wright

Meshri being honored by the Uni- presentation of a picture of an Inversity of Idaho for his contribu- dian tiger done by a renowned arttion towards the IRIC Building ist Ginger Wright. It was not a picwhereas they named a conference ture but a quilt of Wright, who is room after him and his late wife, the spouse of a former student, Dr. Indurani Dayal Meshri.

Ken Wright, University of Idaho.

The conference room is a part of the $50 million IRIC, "Integrated Research and Innovation Center", and inadvertently we gave the impression that Dr. Meshri helped set up IRIC. Dr. Meshri studied under Professor Jean'ne Shreeve and with Professor Malcom Renfrew, and observed in his address that he was greatly indebted to the University and its staff for helping him build his career in this country. Dr Meshri was recognized as the distinDr Meshri acknowledging honor bestowed guished alumni in 2010 and on him with gratitude was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

She wanted the quilt to hang in We had also mentioned that the Conference room as she felt another highlight of the nearly that Dr. Meshri is the Indian tiger three hour pleasantries was the personified.

Dr Dayal Meshri with President of the University of Idaho (Dr. Chuck Staben)

iCAN awards announces final nominations JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: The iCAN organizers hosted iCAN final nominations event on February 12 announcing details of the iCAN Awards ceremony slated on March 18. More than 300 guests and the probable nominees attended it at Double Tree in Oak brook IL. The Event began with salute to our Motherland by Khushi Dave dance and singing of Indian Na-

played the sponsor video on the screen. Neil Khot and Rita Singh thanked Golden Sponsors. iCAN did random draw for nominees.

Sanjeev Singh and Jassi explained about present Award process.

Girish Kapoor and Ravi Rawat thanked Silver sponsors. Rita Singh, Ashraf Syed thanked media for support. Jassi Parmar did a good job as MC. At the end of the event, iCAN arranged interviews of Nominees, Talent Nominees and Sponsors.

ICAN organizers thanking guests and participants

iCAN honoring Bhartiya Pravasi Sanman Awardee Dr. Bharatbhai Barai

tional Anthem. Jassi, Mohan, Komal welcomed all nominees and guests. They said that iCAN have a 75 plus members team; three major events; major title sponsors Star TV and Life OK; many Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors. "We have 35 Plus Award categories and 80,000 Social Media viewers,"

Jassi Parmar said.

Dr. Bharatbhai Barai of Chicagoland was awarded Bhartiya Pravasi Sanman by President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

He was honored at this event by the iCAN team Sanjeev Singh and Jassi Parmar announced nominees and dis-

Khusi Dave performing dances and Muddy Singh singing a song saluting Motherland India

Community Across America

February 24, 2017

India Post 21

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Sargam's vibrant Valentine's Day party SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Over 200 guests gathered for a vibrant Valentine celebration hosted by Pratibha Jairath's Bollywood Sargam at Ashton in Downers Grove and it was done in a romantic style with red roses at the entrance of the banquet hall, A full moon greeted lovers and sweethearts on this special day. Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day is observed on February 14 each year. The ladies were shinning in beautiful vibrant colors and were presented a single long stem rose upon entrance while the men had formal attire to match that spirit and were also welcomed with Hershy's kisses.

The evening started with welcome from Anoop Walia and this was followed up with singing of romantic old and new numbers

by Pratibha Jairath. She was later joined by Raju Bankapur, a well-known singer who charmed the audience with some great numbers. The party was in full swing with numbers like Baby Doll, Chittiyaan Kalaiyan, Om Shanti Om and Deewangi, Gulabi Aankhen and so on. The duets like Tum hi ho, Soch

Valentine Day Party hosted by Sargam group headed by Pratibha Jairath

Pratibha Jairath, Raju Bankapur and a singer

Na sake, Tere sang yaara brought lovely couples to floor for waltz dancing. This was followed by some very nice listening numbers by Dr. M a n o h a r Jethani such as Pal Pal dil ke paas, Ek ladki ko Dekha and so on. People

Valentine's Day celebrated at Ashton Place Cont’d from page 19

Sunil Shah and Ami Geda in revelry mood

Leading businessman Anil Shah with organizer Payal Shah

requested some more wonderful unique numbers from Dr. Jethani.

Jairath introduced Ashika Kalra, a young lady with desire to help schools back home by her Vidya Dan project. Anil Loomba of Home Mortgage Loan Solutions was the grand sponsor for Vidyadan project and he said he will take care of the first part of the project and students will have a great li-

brary of books. He was honored with a plaque amidst applause.

The sumptuous dinner was followed by an interesting surprise like Belly dancer with Candalbra and folks cheered her on at Mahiya mahiya song's fusion dance. As always Ms Jairath presented an audience participation section of Bollywood dress up and fashion walk which was loved by all.

Community Across America

22 India Post

February 24, 2017

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FIA to host a grand Holi festival MOON KHAN

CHICAGO: The Federation of Indian Associations plans welcoming the spring with a bang by holding a magnificent Holi program on April 2 from 12 pm to 5 pm at Grand Sports Arena, I Hoffman Estates, a northwest suburb of Chicago.

"If our community cooperates with us, we can entertain thousands of people in this arena and make a milestone event for the entire northwest suburbs," said FIA Founder President Sunil Shah.

"Instead of holding small events in various localities, it is better to hold this kind of mega cultural event on a higher level for more soft cultural influence."

To make the program affordable

Holi - a festival of color

Holi revelers

to everybody, FIA has decided to charge only $5 entrance fee if the attendees buy the tickets at www.sulekha.com in advance. However, at the

gate, it will cost $7, said Mukesh Shah, FIA President for 2017. Kids under five are free.

The dazzling program five hours program starting at 12 pm will also let kids and attendees play

with colors from 3 p, to 5 pm. Colors will be available for purchase at a discounted rate. FIA sources expect a crowd of more than 5,000 at the festival."Since we have more bells and whistles than last year,

we can expect more crowd this year," added Rita Singh, another past president.

A mesmerizing cultural program will be presented by prominent local artists.

Saree tying taught at girl scouts jamboree ASHWIN PATEL

ST LOUIS: The India Association of St. Louis participated at the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri to represent India and offered a glimpse of its culture at the annual Girl Scout International Fair Palooza Night.

The event was held at the Berges Family Girl Scout Program Center on February 15. Girls and their chaperones celebrated Girl Scouts' World Thinking Day by experiencing diverse culture from ten countries. The event was attended by more than 100 girls.

Mrs. Shailee Saran Varanasi (President, IASTL) coordinated a saree tying experience by Mrs.

Girija Kasinadhuni to give the young girl scouts true experience of the Indian way of life. A group of young talented girls presented an energetic folk dance choreographed by Mrs. Tania Paul. The saree tying experience and Indian dance were thoroughly enjoyed by the young scouts.

Members of IAS Board 2017 : Shailee Saran Varanasi (President), Krishna Rao (President elect), Sendil Rathinasabapathy (Secretary), Vijaya Lakshmi Buddhiraju (Treasurer), Meera Jain, Vijay Kumar Buddhiraju, Sharath Rao, Venkat Pulumati, and Sanjeev Rao Chintakunta.

Saree event including tying of saree

The India Association of St. Louis at Girls Scout event at International Fair showcasing Indian culture

February 24, 2017

Community Across America

India Post 23

www.indiapost.com

New York School Dist approves Diwali holiday India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The of Board of Education of Half Hollow Hills Central School District (HHHCSD) of Huntington and Babylon in New York State has decided to have Diwali as an official holiday on the 2017-2018 school year calendar.

Nearby Syosset Central School District and East Meadow School District had recently declared Diwali as an official holiday, while Mineola Union Free School District announced that no home work or examinations would be given on Diwali, reports suggest.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists everywhere across the globe.

Indian Americans here have welcomed the HHHCSD Board decision describing it as a step in the right direction, and urged all other public school districts

Diwali- festival of light and joy

and private-charter-independent schools in New York State to do the same.

Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that awareness

about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make New York State students well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

HHHCSD, headquartered in Dix Hills hamlet of New York, serves about 8,550 students in nine schools of Huntington and Babylon communities of Long Island. It has a Mandarin Chi-

nese program. Notable alumni include actor Ralph Macchio, football player Stephen Bowen and professional wrestler Mark LoMonaco. Kelly Fallon is Superintendent of Schools.

Pizzuti to present Visions India lifts curbs on From India exhibition current accounts COLUMBUS, Ohio: The Pizzuti Collection has announced its next exhibition, Visions From India, opening March 10. The celebration of India, full of color, in-

showcase two significant Columbus-based collections, offering an unprecedented look at modern and contemporary art from India.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Pizzuti Collection will host an array of programming: Artist

novation, and delight, features large-scale installations, lush colorful paintings, video works, and remarkable sculptures from the 21st century. An accompanying exhibition of works by Francis Newton Souza will present one of the most important 20th century Indian painters.

Together, these exhibitions will

Talks (featuring Sudarshan Shetty among others); Poetry Nights (including Ohio's Poet Laureate Dr. Amit Majmudar); Family Programming with story times in collaboration with the Bexley Public Library; conversations with scholars from The Ohio State University; special events for young professionals and supporters; and

India Post News Service

musical guests throughout the year.

Transforming Vision includes some of the most prominent Indian artists working today. The forty works in the exhibition share deep roots in a sense of place paired with an engaged and active interest in the global world with themes including religion, environment, colonialism, and technology.

Artists include A. Balasubramaniam, Rina Banerjee, Astha Butail, Krishnaraj Chonat, Anju Dodiya, V i b h a Galhotra, S u b o d h Gupta, Sashki Gupta, Anant Joshi, Jitish Kallat, Reena Saini Kallat, Anish Kapoor, Bharti Kher, Bari Kumar, Sheila Makhijani, Jagannath Panda, Pors & Rao, Chinmoy Pramanick, Kanishka Raja, KP Reji, Mithu Sen, Ranjani Shettar, Sudarshan Shetty, Navin Thomas, and Avinash Veeraraghavan.

India Post News Service

W

Remittances play a tangible economic role in ensuring future settlement or investment back home. Other reasons for sending money to India include regular support, gifting and for ur-

estern Union-a global leader in money transfer services-wants to share some good news with readers.

In a press note, it says the Indian government has lifted cash withdrawal restrictions on current accounts, providing better access to Money transfer recipients in cash for payouts.

India can call 1-800 1027 M o n e y 111 to find a location. transfer recipiIn addition, Western Union ents in India can call 1-800 enables funds to be paid out 1027 111 to find directly into bank accounts a location. in India In addition, We s t e r n Union enables funds to be paid gent needs of the receiver, it out directly into bank ac- says.

It points out that cash paycounts in India.

If sending from the US, con- out limit for Indian nationals and sumers can send money to In- residents is 50,000.00 INR. dia via the Western Union app, Amounts higher than 50,000.00 online at INR will be paid by check. There www.westernunion.com, or at is no cash payout limit for forany of its50,000+ retail Agent eign tourists. Transactions may locations. Transactions can be however be subject to additional funded by bank account, due diligence which may require credit and debit cards, or in pay out by way of check or credit to bank account. cash.

24 India Post

Community Across America

February 24, 2017

www.indiapost.com

Sammy soars again…and again!

S

ammy Obeid returned for an other stellar performance at Cubberly Theater last weekend to wow the audience with his sharp wit and ready humor.

Opening for Sammy, was Imran G, another Bay area native, who had a low key approach and elicited laughs at his take on relationships, angst against communities, and other observations. His relationship with a Jewish girl for example, had an interesting dynamic

ARCHANA ASTHANA

sis on diversity and what it means in the work place, Imran recommends a brilliant solution…to have a "Diversity Consultant" who would be tasked with providing ethnic FengShui …. an accent wall, where all people with accents are placed; put the gays in a corner, to brighten up that side of the office etc, and otherwise turn all stereotypes into positive FengShui!

On being from Pakistan, he is

Identifying himself as Lebanese-Syrian-Palestinian-Italian-American who grew up in Texas, Sammy claims his blood to be pure oil, while dealing with the after math…by the way, he is a Math major from UC, Berkeley, hence…..Who can resist having to do "problems" in Math after recess at school? with no problems until bedtime, when she tended to "occupy" more than her share of the bed; his solution to the problem of being anti-Muslim was to unite and band against Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans. With the current empha-

always bemused at being singled out at the airport lines when officers sniffed his luggage looking for "bomb juice". On being Indian and being referred to as a "coconut", wherein a brown dude wants to be white on the inside, what

about a white guy who wants to be an Asian…could we call him an "egg"? Surely some food for thought!!

And, of course, who can stray too far from politics, so, in closing Imran's restrained political commentary was simply that Trump can't even deal with balding, Syria is a far cry!

To end that appreciative applause and dimmed lights, in walked, Sammy Obeid, the headliner…declaring that comedians are like vampires, so do not come out until it is dark!

Identifying himself as Lebanese-Syrian-Palestinian-ItalianAmerican who grew up in Texas, Sammy claims his blood to be pure oil, while dealing with the after math…by the way, he is a Math major from UC, Berkeley, hence…..Who can resist having to do "problems" in Math after recess at school?

How about making Math fun, and calling it Matheroni, Matheletics…in other words, as far removed from problems as possible.

Cont’d on page 25

Sammy Obeid

February 24, 2017

Community Across America

India Post 25

www.indiapost.com

Sammy soars again…and again!

Cont’d from page 24

His recommendations for teaching Math in a fun way, especially at inner city schools, would be to make it relatable to students' lives: A party with numbers is in progress when one of them knocks over a table...how irrational you say! Or, when your ex walks in with this other number, and you scream, "Y"? And when she has two of them, you consider them odd…Sammy truly had the audience in splits with his quick Mathematical wit.

Continuing with the meaning of his name, he observes that it is a complete sentence, and means "little slave of God" in Arabic!

How apt! He is used to being mistaken for a terrorist, or an Indian, sometimes both…Growing up in Fremont, Sammy realized that Fremont was less urban, and more turban in its composition.

He already had five supporters vote for him in California and Ohio, maybe more, if you do a recount, and he hopes that number

his abundant wit and humor from his campaign platform: Legalizedweed: a common side effect is increased hunger, which can prompt people to consume two rotisserie chickens, effectively killing two birds with one stone!

International relations: the Israel-Palestine conflict looms real; Sammy would, highly discourage the practice of Palestinians throwing rocks at Israel, thereby ceding even more land to the other side! His solution for them is to resort to the good old American pastime of playing baseball: with the Palestinians' pitching arm, and Israeli expertise in stealing bases, and both parties trying to get home, it would work perfectly!

He observed that the average American needs $10,000 worth of healthcare every year, whereas, in countries like Austria, it is free.

Why not fly patients to Austria on a $500 ticket…huge savings, eh? In addition, have your kids on your health insurance for life,

His solution for them is to resort to the good old American pastime of playing baseball: with the Palestinians' pitching arm, and Israeli expertise in stealing bases, and both parties trying to get home, it would work perfectly! will double each year until the elections. He sets out to make America great again, and again, and again….apparently you can add as many agains as you want, even though it sounds unbelievable..Donald Trump's favorite word, which actually is defined as "very unlikely to be truly"…

A few snippets showcasing

changing Obamacare to Yomamacare.

He would want to boost the airlines industry with the slogan, "Fly high in the skies with no cries" by checking in your babies.

Make racism funny again…you can be fined if racism jokes are unfunny.

The fix for the global warming

trend is...to make America cool again, by sharing the climate, and diverting hot winds to cold regions and vice versa.

About homophobia…there are

add to his platform in his inimitable style, and some snippets of that piece are: Gun control: arm women only…it will also take care of the

He observed that the average American needs $10,000 worth of healthcare every year, whereas, in countries like Austria, it is free. Why not fly patients to Austria on a $500 ticket…huge savings, eh?

102 females for every 100 males...what would Adam and Steve do?

Just when you think you could laugh no more, comes another smart pun or situational twist. He courageously invited and accepted audience suggestions to

pay inequalities.

Education: yes, there needs to be a system.

Immigration: we want good ones, and proficient in Math!

Well, the travel ban could not stop the Taliban.

Environment: put trash in

space, since space is a vacuum; use it to clean our homes!

International relations: as a comedian performing in Russia he has built a huge fan base. Problem solved.

Unemployment: Make it zero by paying off job seekers to stop them from seeking jobs.

Other tips: change WiFi password to Isis to stop neighbors from stealing it.

All in all, Sammy continued to dazzle the audience with his clean, crisp and sharp humor, drawing out the satire and wit in situations that might not appear funny to the uninitiated. It is refreshing to be treated to smart, intelligent, stand -up comedy, and EnActe, has hit a home run again by inviting these two rising stars to charm comedy lovers of Bay Area.

February 24, 2017

26 India Post www.indiapost.com

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India Post

February 24, 2017

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India Post News Service

INDIA: The Real Estate sector perhaps has been the most affected by the Demonetization exercise undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016. Experts are divided about the nature of this impact; however there are a few points of consensus.

The real estate sector has traditionally seen a very high involvement of black money and cash transactions. However, almost all such incidences have been in the secondary sales market, where cash components have traditionally been a veritable 'must'. Therefore, according to Money Control website, the resale properties segment will take a big hit.

According to JLL India, the primary market - or, more specifically, the market formed by projects undertaken by reputed and credible developers in the top 8 Indian cities - will remain more or less unaffected. This is because buyers into such projects take the home loans/finance route to buy their homes, and transactions are done through legal channels. Therefore, there will not be any major impact on sales in this segment.

However, there might be an impact on quite a few projects in tier 2 or 3 cities where cash has played a role even in primary residential sales. However, the tur-

moil in this segment will settle down in a short period of time.

In the past one year, there have been a few positive and potentially long-lasting changes in the Indian real estate. The passing of RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act 2016), the Benami Transactions Act and now the demonetization

Impact of Budget

India Post Survey

The Union Budget 2017 has proposed several positive measures to strengthen the edifice of the Indian real estate sector. The tax period for capital gains has been reduced to two years from three years. This means that lesser capital gain tax will be in the offing for those intending to sell their prop-

India Post contacted a number of industry leaders to know their views on the impact of Demonetization on Real Estate, now over three months after its announcement.

Cont’d on page 38

Highs & Lows of Demonetization The primary market formed by projects undertaken by reputed and credible developers in the top 8 Indian cities will remain more or less unaffected. However, there might be an impact in tier 2 or 3 cities where cash has played a role Please find details of India Post interviews with industry leaders inside move will ensure that going forward, the sector will lose much of its historic taint and become more transparent.

Only players who conduct their business with integrity will survive. This bodes well for end-users, who will be aware of their rights, have the assurance of not being cheated and will no longer need to contend with constantly rising prices. They will be able to buy properties of their choice at affordable prices, in projects which will assuredly be delivered on time.

erty after a span of two years of purchase, as against three years (earlier).

The nominal tax on ready but unsold inventory is to be charged after one year. This means that the person holding the land in a given real estate project will have to pay 'tax on gains' once the entire project is completed and not before that.

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L

India Post February 24, 2017

28

LIVE PARIS

IVE THE DREAM: Imagine living in Paris. The winding cobbled pathways, the beautiful lush green gardens, the charming alfresco cafés serving delectable maca roons. Kanakia Spaces, one of the top ten developers in India known for its themebased residences, makes this a reality with the stunning new real estate project, Kanakia Paris @ BKC, Mumbai. Located in the heart of Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai, the property recreates the Parisian experience, through art, romance, architecture, monuments, fashion and food. Spread across approximately 2 acres, Kanakia Paris will have 7 wings with around 463 luxe apartments in 2- and 3-bedroom options.

Live the good life A

s a first in real estate history, football superstar Zinedine Zidane has been unveiled as the face of Kanakia Paris @ BKC, Mumbai. It was Ashish Kanakia's passion for the sport and the Paris project that was instrumental in identifying the legend as the right person to associate with.

Zidane is all set to conceptualize and plan the iconic Z Wellness Holistic program, spread across approximately 51,000 sq.ft.

It will focus on the mind, body and soul

and aims to rejuvenate you, inside out.

"This is the first time that a footballer is going to be involved in the conceptualizing of a real estate project. This association therefore is different and stands us apart from the other brand endorsements that are being announced. His involvement is a lot deeper and positions the brand and project more sharply."

-Mr Ashish Kanakia, Director of Kanakia Spaces

Live the luxury C

hic style. Stunning location. And inimitable design. Olivier Vecchierini, a renowned architect from Paris, has been appointed to design the landscape and a few interior spaces of the project. Kanakia Paris takes the idea of luxury living a notch higher, offering residents the best experiences, the finest extravagances, lavishly pampering them with services and amenities that have been tailor made for their discerning taste.

From a designer clubhouse and 24/7 concierge to a luxe swimming pool, party hall, French café, spa and salon, a mini theatre and the iconic celebrity gym, Kanakia Paris promises to leave you utterly spoiled.

"The real estate sector has grown tremendously and is witnessing a positive change in the coming years. We at Kanakia have always focused on developing the landscape of Mumbai. Kanakia Spaces is a pioneer in developing theme-based projects

across Mumbai and the acceptance amongst the customers is the best testimony for us. 'Kanakia Paris' is our tribute

to man's quest for artistic impressions and we are confident of it being a man-made wonder in the city."

-Mr. Himanshu Kanakia, The Managing Director of Kanakia Spaces

D. R. Horton offers new built for better living® homes

D

. R. Horton, America's Builder, is pleased to offer Built for Better Living® homes priced from the mid$300,000s to the upper-$1.7 millionsat a long list of Bay Area communities in some of the most sought after locations. These include Vacaville, Pleasanton, Oakland Hills,

Newark, Mountain View, Dublin, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Manteca and Patterson. A new community is coming soon to Hayward.

D. R. Horton's Built for Better Living® brands present homeowners with designs that are constructed to provide energy-efficient, comfortable and durable homes. Additionally, the new homes at D. R. Horton communities reflect the experience garnered from over three decades of building quality homes for hundreds of thousands of homeowners.

In fact, Builder Magazine has recognized D. R. Horton as America's #1 Homebuilder by volume since 2002 for fourteen consecutive years.

D. R. Horton, America's Builder, offers new homes including singleD. R. Horton, and family homes, townhomes and condominiums in many of the most sought after Bay Area locations Emerald Homes and Ex-

press Homes, both D. R. Horton Companies, feature a wide array of home styles including single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums in suburban and urban locations.

Emerald Homes offers luxury buyers a personalized approach to the luxury homebuying process. The commitment to luxury and detail makes each home extraordinary - it's the Emerald Homes' difference.

Express Homes is one of the nation's leading homebuilders of affordable homes targeting first-time homebuyers. Express Homes is sure to have a home that suits your lifestyle and budget.

For more information, visit www.DRHorton.com/BayArea or see the advertisement in this supplement.D. R. Horton is an Equal Opportunity Homebuilder.

Presented by Emerald Homes, a D. R. Horton Company, Bellevue in the Oakland Hills offers luxury homes from the upper-$1.7 million

www.indiapost.com

India Post February 24, 2017

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A

standard question gets asked whether I am at a social event or at the open house, hey Amit, how is the market? We hear about all kinds of talk going in the market place. Multiple offers, overbidding, buyers tired of writing offers after offers and confusing loan programs.

We have seen a long stretch of the housing market rise since 2010 and we are expecting further upside in the market place.

IF you listen to my weekly radio show "Power Hour with Amit Inamdar" every Friday at 4 pm on 1550 AM, you may understand the reasons behind this further increase in home prices.

As I indicated in my radio show on Friday January 6, this market has become very selective. Some areas are high in demand and in other areas homes are staying on the market longer. Something we did not see for quite a few years, are the expired listings, the listings that did not sell after being on the market, are showing up. So answer to the question, how is the market depends upon who do you talk to and the local real estate markets.

Before we go into specific markets, remember that the markets are driven by low inventory of homes. The high demand for homes is relative to the low inventory, however, driving force is the low inventory of homes.

As I have always indicated, for a buyer, monthly payments are more important than the price of the home. The monthly payments depend on the loan amount and the mortgage interest rates. In low rate environment we have for past many years, slight increase in the rate increase the interest

payment proportionately. E.g. as the rates have climbed from 3.5% on 30 year fixed to 4.25% range, that is over 20% jump in the

interest rates and reflects proportionate 20% rise in the interest payment on your loan. Also, that does not mean the home prices may drop by 20% to balance off the rise. So buy today. You can always refi-

nance if the rates drop.

This article focuses on the tri-cities and tri-valley markets. Tri-Cities market includes cities of Fremont, Union City and Newark.

I like to call them FUN cities. Tri-valley markets include Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore. Following graphs show the

India Post February 24, 2017

Review of Tri-Cities & Tri-Valley areas AMIT INAMDAR

As I have always indicated, for a buyer, monthly payments are more important than the price of the home.

The monthly payments depend on the loan amount and the mortgage interest rates median sales price for detached homes and ever, if you have a loan with affordable payinventory of homes that are available for ments, there is not much to worry about. sale (active), in contract (pending) and sold As the Fremont and Union City continue is also shown in the adjoining graphs. to climb, you now see the Newark market (Courtesy of Bay East Aspicking up. Even the home sociation of Realtors) builders have started buildOne may think the Freing in Newark and the mont market has gone prices are upwards of down based on the graph $800K for the single family above. However, certain homes. The FUN cities do areas of Fremont are comrepresent a central location manding multiple offers for commute to the job cenand market is rising. Curters around the bay area rently the hot area is the whether you are driving or 94538 zip code, that has taking a BART. climbed from mid $600K to Now let's go across the over $900K in past few 680 corridor. The Tri-Valley years. Median price means area. Here we have cities Amit Inamdar half the homes above and of Pleasanton, Dublin and half the homes below the median price. Livermore.

More sales are I like happening in the Pleasanton. This is lower price range a steady market. and that is why Even in the downyou see lower me- turn of 2008, the dian price.

Pleasanton market In addition to stood strong comthe comments I pared to other made for Fremont, neighborhood citin Tri-cities, you see the inventory driving ies. All schools are good. They have been the sales. Low inventory mean low num- decent all along and no one really comber of active homes, low number of pend- plained about the Pleasanton schools. ing homes and sold Clients always properties. With ask me in the initial seasonal inventory meeting, Amit, how growth, we should much should one see more inventory overbid? And I come in the market, show them the real however, so will be time data. If you the number of buy- run numbers for ers. What I have the list price vs seen over past 4-5 years is that the market sale price, they are all over. Some homes peaks around May-June time frame and sell well above asking while others little buyers go on the sidelines. Buyers who above asking and some even below askhave lost in the market place, bid after bid ing. All depends on where the seller prices and have seen market jump up 50-100K in 6 the home based on the advice sellers remonth period, de- ceive. However, cide not to buy. buyers in open Market slows until market will bid to October time frame provide the market and starts to pick value for the home. up again. Those Only close to real who get in early, ex- time analysis of the perience the home market inventory price rise give a can determine the good feel about buying a home. It's al- right price in light of the *resent competiways better to buy in the rising market, tion. It requires being in the market and meaning the seller's market to see immedi- taking advice of a real estate consultant, ate rise. Conversely, if you buy in the like me, to get into the home of your dreams. buyer's market, meaning buyers are negoVisit OwnSweetHome.Net for higher tiating prices down, you may see values level of services offered for the bay area drop after you purchase the home. How- real estate buyers, and sellers. We also

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provide mortgages that fit your down payment and affordability needs. First Time Home Buyer Webinar and Secrets to Getting Top Dollars for Your Home for the Home Sellers are great resources.

Remember, those who short sold their homes in the aftermath of 2008? Well, that was a wrong thing to do in retrospect. I personally advised against such moves at that time. Those who did so anyway, even though they had means to pay the monthly mortgage comfortably, got hurt. They were barred from getting loans anywhere from 4-7 years and the prices were same as what they had bought the home for originally, when they became eligible to buy. Some even had to pay higher interest rates due to lowered credit scores. With limited work life to age 65, it's hard to play the game of short sale. Would you not rather have a free and clear paid off property by the time you retire?

Who does not like newer construction?

Dublin real estate has climbed due to the newer construction that took place since 2000. Many moved to Dublin as the homes were affordable and newer. Initial fears of the prison in the neighborhood waned as the shine of the homes took over. Now there is enough critical mass for this market to sustain going forward. However, remember, that the new communities are typically build in undesirable locations (near freeway, rail roads, or near industrial parks) and are the most affected in a downturn.

Think - Location. Location. Location.

This area is still affordable to many. I have had clients buy home in Livermore

when prices were in low 500's and have gained substantially percentagewise. However, if you want to see the hot markets,

surprise! Surprise!! Take a look at the FUN cities!!

Amit Inamdar, Realtor - is a Real Estate and Mortgage Broker and is serving the communities of the Bay Area

since 2000. He runs a popular radio show "Power Hour with Amit Inamdar" that airs on 1550 AM every Friday at 4 pm.

Visit his website: OwnSweetHome.Net or call him at (510) 364-6686 CA BRE 01355522, NMLS 236574

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India Post February 24, 2017

31

Right step facilitating greater transparency India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: DLF Limited (Delhi Land & Finance) is the largest commercial real estate developer in India. It has nearly 70 years of track record of sustained growth, customer satisfaction, and innovation. The company has 269 msf of development potential with 27 msf of projects under construction.

In an e-mailed interview, DR. ANANTA SINGH RAGHUVANSHI - Executive Director sales and marketing of DLF home developers Ltd, talks about the impact of

ing greater transparency in monetary transactions. It has attached a greater number of masses with banking system and hence, will indirectly promote loans and other financial instruments for prospective home buyers.

A greater engagement of digital payment systems by customers as well as developers is welcome. Owing to quicker receipt of payments, existing processes would be speeded up, hence adding to saving of time.

Time lost in anomalies such as cheque bounce etc. would be curtailed.

After initial speculation, property prices

A greater engagement of digital payment systems by customers as well as developers is welcome.

Owing to quicker receipt of payments, existing processes would be speeded up, hence adding to saving of time. demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Demonetization It is a step in the right direction facilitat-

are likely to remain stable. The actual value of property hasn't really undergone a change. The prospective buyers may have become little cautious, however aspiration for a new home for ever expanding families will only drive the markets northwards.

With banks in India having greater liquidity than ever, it is expected that home loans for aspiring buyers as well as funding for projects for developers would be made available with greater ease. This will prove beneficial for the entire market.

Scope for NRI investments An important factor the NRIs should keep in mind prior to investing is the credibility and commitment of the developer. Indian developers have been delivering projects at par with the best in the world. It is a safe investment given the fact that the government as well as the developer community are working together to make this industry a success. India has witnessed unprecedented levels of startups coming to the forefront. The commercial market scenario is likely to ride on this startup wave and hence a worthwhile investment driven by rental income. Our projects are approved by various nationalized banks as well as financial houses and each of them provides specialized services

Dr. Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi

to NRIs at their individual level. NRI customers are engaged by our sales as well as customer service team proactively, which includes direct interaction during our participation in International events.

USP of DLF projects One of our project Capital Greens, in Delhi is close to 100 acres of green area. In the same line, DLF Kings Court is a luxury condominium in the vicinity of Jahanpanah forest giving the residents access to nature and cleaner air. Both the projects have set benchmarks in giving buyers advantages in terms of location and good environment to live in at the same time.

It will boost economy, safety, transparency India Post News Service

GURGAON: The M3M Group is a conglomerate of businesses having a wide portfolio of real estate projects straddling

ultra-luxury and premium residential complexes, commercial, hospitality, IT SEZ and education. M3M has scripted its market success and built formidable brand equity within a short time-span owing to a firm commitment to innovation, technology, quality, customer satisfaction and ethical behavior of the highest standards. M3M is today ranked amongst the foremost real estate brands in Delhi/ NCR. In an e-mailed interview, MR. BASANT BANSAL, Founder Chairman, M3M Group, comments on the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Demonetization

Mr. Basant Bansal

Demonetization may be a short-term itch but it will generate long term gains. It will ensure a boost in economy in the long run and will lead to improved transparency. The surgical strike on black money would crash inflation which would benefit the genuine buyers. This decision is positive for the end users looking to buy their dream homes. Also with the implementation of Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA) the sector is soon going to cleanse, boosting India's image globally.

Prices have either corrected or remained stagnant for the last few years, which actually means that the prices have substantially corrected once adjusted against in-

flation. Since prices have reached their lowest in most of the markets and demand may pick up soon, this may lead to an increase in prices.

Many prospective home buyers have been deferring their buying decisions in anticipation of a price correction. Demonetization has added to the perception that the prices will correct further. This has led to a large pent-up demand component being created in the housing market.

With inflation under control, India is en-

With banks flush with funds and interest rates at their lowest in a few years, the opportunity is there for many to fulfill their aspirations of buying a dream home.

Scope for NRI investments The investment in real estate by NRIs can be looked at in two contexts: one as pure investment and the second as end user driven. So, if the person is looking at the first perspective it makes sense to invest in under construction projects where the ob-

With inflation under control, India is entering into a low interest regime as home loan interest rates have expectedly come down and are expected to decrease further. It will result in lowering of EMIs for home buyers along with more people meeting the eligibility criteria tering into a low interest regime as home loan interest rates have expectedly come down and are expected to decrease further. It will result in lowering of EMIs for home buyers along with more people meeting the eligibility criteria. This coupled with rapid urbanization, robust economic growth and higher salaries would create a very large segment of new home buyers resulting in enhanced demand for housing, especially in the urban areas.

jective is to attain capital appreciation or ready to move in apartment where the objective is to attain rental income. In addition to this, amenities offered play a key parameter that influences the decision.

Quality of the product, distance from the city centers and transport hubs, surrounding environment are other factors to be looked at.

Cont’d on page 40

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NEWARK, CA: First phase homeowners have moved in and strong sales continue to soar at William Lyon Homes' spectacular Bayshores master-planned community in Newark. Potential homebuyers eager to tour this popular new residential destination will soon have their chance with exciting model home debuts slated for late spring of 2017.

Set adjacent to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Bayshores' five distinctive home opportunities are surpassing all expectations with timeless architecture and innovative designs that range from low maintenance attached homes to innovative two- and threestory single-family detached residences.

Comfortable lifestyles are elevated by recreational amenities, such as a clubhouse, parks and a dog park, and are enhanced by the community's nature-rich location. While the setting is quietly away from freeways, commuters will find convenient transportation networks are just minutes from home, including I-880, Highway 84 and I-101, as well as the ACE Train, BART and CAL Train.

Those interested in owning at Bayshores are encouraged to visit the sales gallery to take advantage of pre-model pricing, or to learn more about the upcoming model openings this spring, register interest at www.LyonBayshores.com today.

"Sales at Bayshores have been outstanding and it's wonderful to see our Phase One residents settled into their new homes, energizing the community and bringing it to life," said Kathy Floyd, Director of Sales for William Lyon Homes. "There's so much excitement around this master-plan and the springtime debut of the professionally decorated models will be a milestone potential buyers won't want to miss."

Bayshores features an impressive selection of neighborhood offerings, including

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Bayshores in Newark set to debut model homes late spring Strong sales continue with phase one move-ins complete

The Cove condominiums, The Strand townhomes, The Banks three-story detached homes and the exquisite single-family detached designs at both The Tides and The Isles. Floorplans span from approximately 1,306 to 2,802 square feet with two to five bedrooms and up to four and onehalf baths with prices from the mid $600,000s to the low $1 millions.

Premier amenities include a 2,300-square foot clubhouse, an expansive community park brimming with amenities and access to scenic walking and biking trails. The

beautiful 30,000-acre Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is also within close proximity.

The commuter-friendly location puts the region's major employment and business destinations within reach, including San Francisco, Fremont, Silicon Valley and TriValley. The nearby Dumbarton Bridge connects to Menlo Park, Palo Alto and the peninsula, while I-880 guides commuters to Oakland and San Jose.

To visit Bayshores from Interstate 880, take Exit 21 to merge onto CA-84 W towards

Trumark hosts over 500 at Explore & Experience Event

T

India Post February 24, 2017

rumark Communities hosted an "Explore & Experience" event at Wallis Ranch in Dublin, CA on Saturday, February 11 where they activated the community clubhouse and amenity spaces and introduced the new concierge team.

The event drew more than 500 people for a fun-filled day with catered bites and refreshing beverages, farm-to-table cooking demonstrations, poolside massages, professional mini-photoshoots and much more for the family to enjoy. Attendees enjoyed all of these activities, toured new model homes and also met the builders of Wallis Ranch.

Dumbarton Bridge. Exit 36 onto Thornton Ave/Paseo Padre Pkwy. Turn left onto Paseo Padre Pkwy towards Thornton Ave. Turn Right onto Willow Street. The sales gallery is ½ mile up on the right at 37555 Willow Street and is open Monday: 1pm to 5 pm and Tuesday through Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm.

Call 628-222-7690 or visit www.LyonBayshores.com.

It matters who your builder is and William Lyon Homes is a company built upon a legacy of pride and integrity. A team of visionaries who are passionate about homebuilding and committed to providing a high quality homebuying and homeownership experience, William Lyon Homes has earned a solid track record for outstanding construction and customer service since 1956.

The company expands its well-respected brand beyond California, Arizona and Nevada and into other market areas across the Western region with the acquisition of Polygon Northwest Homes, its division in Washington and Oregon, and its Village Homes division in Colorado.

William Lyon Homes' shares are publicly traded on NYSE under the symbol WLH. For updated information and to learn more, visit www.lyonhomes.com.

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India Post February 24, 2017

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India Post February 24, 2017

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India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Raheja Group, one of India's oldest and reputed real estate business houses, directly employs over 1200 employees. Raheja group of companies was created in the year 1990 by Mr. Navin Raheja, the self-made entrepreneur. The group has grown exponentially, not only in real estate development but the company now covers a range of business ventures which include construction, manufacturing, financial services, retail and wholesale, software and movie production. Operating throughout NCR, the company has created a well-established presence in every vertical.

In an e-mailed interview, MR NAVEEN RAHEJA, CMD, Raheja Developers, Pvt, Ltd., speaks about the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Attractive, smart schemes for NRI buyers

Demonetization: Demonetization will boost the image of the real estate sector. It will help it discard the image of a prejudiced segment, inducing more genuine people to buy homes and properties of their choice. Affordable and mid segment will remain unaffected. It will benefit developers who believe in practicing fair dealings and do not deal in cash/ black money transactions.

Primary market is not affected at all by demonetization as developers are selling their properties through maximum banks loans. On the other hand, secondary market where cash transactions are involved, is hard hit to due to shortage of cash, resulting in price fall for categorized homes across India.

Prices in the secondary market will go down up to an extent as there will be fewer cash transactions. The people have to identify the difference between primary and secondary market. Primary market is not affected at all by demonetization as developers are selling their properties through maximum banks loans. On the other hand secondary market where cash transactions are involved is deficiently embellished due to shortage of cash resulting in a price fall for the categorized homes across India.

Scope for NRIs The market for NRIs has become more lucrative as the prices have gone down compared to the prices before demonetization.

Looking at the current scenario and policies made by the government, the market will be led by developers with an intention to deliver on time making the investments safer in the country.

There is a lot demand of commercial investments in the NCR region along with office spaces in the other cities like Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune etc along with tier2 and tier- 3 cities. Return on Investment is always on the higher side as we are expecting lot of foreign brands and companies to foray in the Indian market.

The current trend is of affordable housing. The developers are offering world class amenities nominal prices. As the Government has given infrastructure status to affordable housing which was long pending making the most preferred category amongst buyers. Raheja Maheshwara and Vanya are to great options located at Gurgaon, in affordable housing and are the greenest project with all amenities to attract buyers.

Mr Naveen Raheja

Attractive packages but no price drop India Post News Service

BENGALURU: Ozone Group has a proven track record of innovation and customer satisfaction as one of the premium property developers in Bangalore. From residential condos and serviced apartments to integrated townships, hotels, resorts and business parks, it has been success-

fully combining design and technology in all real estate projects. Their portfolio includes some of the most stylish and luxurious residential properties in Bangalore, Chennai and Goa. In an e-mailed interview, MR SRINIVASAN GOPALAN, Group CEO, Ozone Group, talks on the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Demonetization

Mr Srinivasan Gopalan

There will not be any impact on the lower and mid- segment product offerings in most cities. The prices will not drop, as there is little leeway for the developers to drop prices. The Luxury and Super Luxury product segment will see some drop. But developers will not reduce the price of such offerings. Instead, they will offer freebees, schemes, pro-

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USP of Rahejas projects Rahejas are known for their premium products. We in our projects use latest technology with association with world class companies like Arabtec, Larsen and Toubro. Other than this our projects' architecture as well as proximity makes it unique.

• We have an track record of on time delivery till date of all 11 delivered projects namely; Raheja Atharva, Vedaanta, Navodaya, Sampada, • We also have projects catering to affordable luxury housing; Raheja Maheshwara and Vanya located in Gurgaon give you best of amenities at affordable prices.

• We do international tie-ups with industry specialists like Arabtec, Versace to meet international standards. Raheja Revaanta gives you premium residences with luxurious tiled floor to engineered wooden floor.

Luxurious tiled floor gives you the possibility to imagine and build original and unique environments.

• Another USP is that all our projects are in the green area, taking care of environment. One such project Aranya City is fully integrated smart green township spread over 200 acres and is strategically located in Sohna, the south of Gurgaon, in Sec-11& 14, surrounded by the Aravallis.

This township is having a mix of grouphousing condominiums, penthouses, designer homes, plots and villas. It is designed to be the first Smart Green City in the private sector with features like solar power generation, rain water harvesting, solar street lighting, waste management systems, water recycling systems designed for zero discharge.

motions and other forms of enticements, to prospects, to make the deal sweeter.

What is referred as a jolt of Demonetization is actually a very positive step. The practice of using large amounts of cash in business activities was contributing to lack of transparency in all businesses. Demonetization has helped the business community in moving towards to a cleaner, nocash system. Therefore, from an investor's perspective, it has become much more safer and transparent.

Scope for NRIs So far there was very little opportunity for individual investors to invest in commercial property as the value of such projects is huge, running into hundreds of crores. Now, with REITs allowing individual investors to come in, interested people with small amounts can be a part of large commercial projects. Commercial projects offer far better returns compared to 2-3% rental returns on residential properties. Bangalore, NCR and Mumbai commercial property markets will offer even better returns in time to come, due the increased demand for office space.

We offer a popular Pre-EMI scheme to all NRIs who have bank loan eligibility.

Under this scheme, the customer pays just 10% down payment and books the apartment. The bank disburses 80% of the cost of the apartment to the builder, as per construction progress. The Pre-EMI interest towards the bank loan is borne by us.

Cont’d on page 37

India Post February 24, 2017

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India Post News Service

GURGAON: Central Park Gurgaon is a billion dollar plus conglomerate, with interests in real estate, hospitality, auto components, and infrastructure. Central Park has been awarded as Asia's best and fastest growing real estate brand. It has 5.5 million sq. ft. of superbly built luxury residential and 5-star hospitality projects. Central Park projects are not just luxury residences, but premium townships offering world-class

Mr. Amarjit Bakshi

amenities and ready-to-move-in spaces.

In an e-mailed interview, MR. AMARJIT BAKSHI, Managing Director, Central Park discusses the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Scope for NRIs Demonetization drive and implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA) will help improve confidence of non-resident Indians to invest in the Indian residential market, pushing the total investment from this segment to touch Rs 1,150 crore, according to sources. Luxury housing is the growing popularity among NRIs. The kind of lifestyle they are leading in foreign countries does incline them towards properties that are providing high standard of living in India. NRI customers are looking for those developers who are more transparent, financially stable and highly customer centric. Companies are now focusing more on product quality and customer centric approach to gain the confidence of the customer.

The qualities of product delivered by Indian developers are not at par with overseas developers. But few reputed developers are getting into providing high standard quality of life to their customers.

Investment in the sector is becoming safe and investor friendly. Transparency in accounting, increased inflow of cash into

35

It boosts confidence of NRIs to invest bank accounts, and the ongoing demand for residential investments will influence home loan rates, making them friendlier to buyers. Moreover, though approvals for newer projects will be delayed, existing projects that have received approvals will be able to continue smoothly.

The basic reason for NRIs to choose Indian real estate market for investments is the price appreciation which will increase in luxury segment. Demonetization is hardly going to affect the NRI segment whether it is residential or commercial property as they hold minimal or zero cash in hand. Tier-I cities, which were already witnessing higher investments of NRIs compared to other cities, will witness even higher investments both in villas and big apartments and commercial segment. The government also approved a proposal to allow foreign investment in rent-yielding office and retail space in India. This allows NRIs to invest in Indian retail space, without considering it domestic. If the government removes the minimum requirements on capital and built-up area, NRI investments in office space would rise. This sector is vibrant, and India has seen some of the largest office space deals in the recent past.

For NRIs, we offer a transparent work environment with dedicated relationship managers who work round the clock to offer best of services.

Long term outlook The market will crash further but long term outlook of the Indian Real Estate sector is positive with only transparent and honest developers surviving in the industry. Further, the law of demand does not work in the real estate market. In a normal market, when prices go up, people buy less of that thing. In the real estate market, as prices go up, more and more people enter the market. The trouble is that this is also likely to lead to default of bank loans from real estate companies. As of August 2016, the total lending carried out by banks to real estate companies stood at Rs 1,81,700 crore. If home loan borrowers also start to default, then there will be a bigger problem.

2016 has not been the best of years for the Gurgaon residential real estate market.

Sales volumes fell drastically and prices remained stable. Investors have held their investment decision in real estate sector and are looking for other options. End users are looking for those buyers who are more transparent, financially stable and highly customer centric. Companies are now focusing more on product quality and customer centric approach to gain the con-

fidence of the buyer.

USP of Central Park projects Central Park is not just a real estate brand but Boutique Concepts of Luxury that fuse warm hospitality and hotel like homes thereby offering luxury and personalized touch to its residents and owners. Currently, we have two ongoing projects in Gurgaon: Central Park Resorts & Central Park Flower Valley.

Central Park Resorts is our flagship asset class that has been attracting the crème de la crème and expats for its unique ready to move in homes in a Resort ambience.

Some of the highlights of Central Park Resorts are: 1. ZERO vehicles on ground surface.

central greens and much more including a clubhouse spread across 50000 sq ft 5. Wide variety of F&B delights: Juice bar, Multi cuisine restaurant, specialty Italian, vegetarian gazebos.

6. Superior level 3 tier security. On call hospitality services - launderette, concierge, housekeeping. You think of it and it will be there.

7. 5 Quality certifications at the time of possession by leading 3rd party firms like JLL &Dema Central Park Flower Valley is a Premium Global Township with many firsts. Some of the key features of Flower Valley are: 1. 10 World Class Academies - Boxing, Badminton, Lawn Tennis, Cricket, Day & night Golf Academy, Fitness, Swimming,

The basic reason for NRIs to choose Indian real estate market for investments is the price appreciation which will increase in luxury segment.

Demonetization is hardly going to affect the NRI segment whether it is residential or commercial property as they hold minimal or zero cash in hand International Tunnel driveway experience in 5 star drop offs at this fully delivered project that has a fine mix of nationals and expats.

2. Master Planned by HOK (Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum) International Ltd., Landscape Designed by Green Architects of Thailand, winner of many an award including Asia's best brand, experience Resort living for the first time in India.

3. Spread over approx. 47.5 acres with over 85% dedicated to greens with more than 15000 trees beautiful views, water bodies, grand fountain, open chess and also amphitheatre, pet hotel and even a mess and gym for your staff 4. 360 degree recreational facilities physical, social and more! Walking, jogging track, cycling, skating, racquet sports, golf putting, zumba, yoga, laughter club etc. amphitheatre, grand fountain, 20 acre of

Yoga, Acting & Dance 2. Fitness Farm-Aquatic Gym, Jogging Tracks, Cycling & more 3. Social Networking hub- Experience Café, Gazebos, Fine dining Restaurants, Clubhouse, Juice Centre, Reading Room, Banquet hall 4. Wellness Sanctuary-Meditation, Yoga , Gym, Steam, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Aroma Baths, Sun baths, herbal parks, organic farming, nature walk 5. Green Sanctuary - 9000 trees & flower lanes, Flora fountain 6. A world of all Conveniences - Grocery shop, medical facilities, Shuttle service, 24X7 security, 24 hours power & water backup 7. Kid's World - Children's amusement park and Nursery school 8. Proposed Helipad

India Post February 24, 2017

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Commercial spaces a viable option for NRIs India Post News Service

MUMBAI: Proud bearers of a 47-yearold legacy, The Wadhwa Group is acknowledged for creating state-of-the-art buildings in premium locations. The group is one of Mumbai's leading real estate companies and is currently developing residential and commercial projects spread across approximately 1.4 million square meters (15 million square feet). Over the years, The Wadhwa Group has received many awards for both its commercial as well as residential properties.

In an e-mailed interview, MR GIRISH SHAH, Director, the Wadhwa Group, talks of the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Scope for NRIs Following Demonetization, residential home buyers can be rest assured that their hard earned money will not go waste. Errant operators face a crisis now as they will have to be transparent and accountable in

provide the buyers with market insights and assist them in making informed decisions.

Additionally, if the NRI is looking to sell the property in future for ease of repatriations/he should make all payments from the NRE account only.

We source the best talent and design architects from across the world to construct state of the art properties and match international quality.

The rental yield on commercial properties in India is great and stands at about 810% as compared to residential units. There is a huge scope for NRIs who are looking purely to invest. Considering these factors, small pre-leased retail/commercial spaces in prime locations are a viable option for the NRIs. Our commercial offices, Platina, Capital, and Trade Centre at BandraKurla Complex are classic examples of locations that are well supported by infrastructure development and are attracting companies Indian and International, to take up office spaces in these areas.

As for safety, with measures being taken to bring more transparency, there has never

the near future.

Indian banks have been quite helpful in easing the home buying procedure for NRIs. Majority of the banks and NBFC have their offices overseas catering to NRI clientele requirements including housing loans. Moreover, with offices being present overseas, it not only helps in client servicing but also helps in joint promotion.

We offer investor schemes to NRIs look-

USP of Wadhwa Group projects

We provide the buyers with market insights and assist them in making informed decisions.

Additionally, if the NRI is looking to sell the property in future for ease of repatriations/he should make all payments from the NRE account only their dealings thus providing customers with a sense of safety and security and reinforcing their trust in the sector.

For an NRI, checking the track record of the developer should be of utmost importance, particularly, while investing in under construction properties. Another important factor before making any financial commitment is documentation. This will help prevent any legal or financial troubles and ensure a safe buying experience. We

been a better time to invest. The jolt of Demonetization may have caused a temporary disruption; but for the long run, it is a blessing in disguise and a win-win situation for both, buyers and developers, paving the way for long lasting and trusting relationship.

Looking at the current market scenario, increased governance and stronger economic signs will have an impact on the sector. It will allow developers to focus on quality delivery to command a premium in

of land and available infrastructure present in the suburbs is incentivizing developers to make this change. Many global companies are also moving their offices to these areas owing to low rental costs. This is gradually boosting the residential segment as well especially in central suburbs such as Panvel, Ulwe, Dronagiri located in Navi Mumbai. We have already capitalized on at Panvel by venturing into the low-cost housing residential project in the area.

Additionally, with increased environmental concerns, developers are incorporating green practices in the construction of their projects.

Mr Girish Shah

ing to engage with us and invest in our residential properties.

Current trends There has been a shift in the location preference for developers. A dearth of space in the city has led to many developers exploring other avenues to set up premium projects. Additionally, the low cost

At The Wadhwa Group, our designs adopt the philosophy of 'Ventilit,' based on the elements of height, light, and air. All our homes are designed to perfection and comprise high ceilings and huge windows that allow enough natural light and air to come in.

This philosophy provides a holistic living experience and is adopted across all our properties ranging from ultra luxury to affordable housing. Customer satisfaction is paramount to us, and we aim to provide the best of the best to all our customers.

With the recent developments in the real estate sector such as RERA and Demonetization, the future looks promising for the real estate sector in the country. These moves are expected to bring transparency, efficiency, and credibility to the industry.

Govt changes in policy make it a safe bet India Post News Service

MUMBAI: The name Omkar has become synonymous with luxury. It has delivered

projects that span over 4 million square feet and its current and forthcoming projects in India will develop over 40 million square feet. Its vision is unrivalled mix of exceptional design, state-of-the-art technology and implementation of world-class facilities and amenities. With Omkar projects featuring in the New York Times and Forbes India, you know you are part of the best premium property developer.

In an e-mailed interview, MR DEVANG VARMA- Director, Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd. Talks about the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

World class qualities

Mr Devang Varma

The biggest challenge in the real estate market for any brand is to build trust and credibility. Customers today are globe trotters, exposed to global standards of archi-

tecture, design, construction, luxury and services and expect the same from Indian developers. Omkar's product vision in the luxury housing segment has brought to-

Indian real estate this year has taken bigger strides in policy (to be implemented) front be it GST, RERA to make real estate system more transparent, post implemen-

Omkar's product vision in the luxury housing segment has brought together some of the most admired names in design, architecture, construction, amenities, landscaping, lighting and state-of-art services at par with international standards gether some of the most admired names in design, architecture, construction, amenities, landscaping, lighting and state-of-art services at par with international standards.

Omkar 1973 Worli, Mumbai is a world class product in terms of its location, architecture, design etc.

tation. The approval of "Real Estate Regulatory Bill" by the present government protecting both investors and developers are some of steps to make the sector a safe bet when it comes to investment.

Cont’d on page 37

India Post February 24, 2017

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NVT Group offers professionalism & quality India Post News Service

BENGALURU: NVT Group offers services in quality certifications, consulting, training and infrastructure development.

The Group is spearheaded by alumni from IIT, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University and Wharton Business School.

NVT Quality Certification with business partnerships in the Netherlands and USA, offers services across India, South East Asia and Middle East. NVT Quality Certification has certified more than 500 companies for ISO 9000, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, AS 9100, TL 9000, ISO 20000, ISO 27001 and Third Party Inspection Services.

In an e-mailed interview, MR. VIVEK, DIRECTOR - NVT Quality Lifestyle , discusses the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Demonetization With Demonetization, primary markets will benefit from lowering of interest rates.

stronger monitoring and restriction of cash transaction will bring more and more of the informal economy to the formal. The effects of this would only be felt in the medium term.

One of the suggestions is to reduce the registration and stamp duty significantly.

These are certainly happy times for homebuyers not because prices of homes would reduce but because of reduction in the interest rates. This would bring the cost down towards acquisition by 5-10%.

We frequently engage architects from abroad to ensure that the international trends and best practices are part of our projects too.

As for safety, an intelligently taken investment decision with mandated precautions normally has a very high probability of safety, security and returns.

Commercial Property is not a segment that we at NVT have explored seriously so far in India.

The banks have supported us with dedicated resources under single windows for

being taken towards addressing each of these concerns by the present government, foreign Investments are expected to rise significantly in future. Also relaxations in FDI norms, plans to build 100 smart cities, ease in housing finances, establishment of REIT and land acquisition bills have been a positive step to attract foreign investors

Bangalore will not be impacted as it is already a predominant end-user market with low dependency on cash. It will witness significant PE and FDI flow which would help maintain the prices/ increase prices in the future Secondary market impact will be limited as supply side will witness reduced inventory.

Agriculture land costs will remain stable due to reduced availability of land. Reduction in costs of project financing will increase holding capacity of builders. Bangalore will not be impacted as it is already a predominant end-user market with low dependency on cash. It will witness significant PE and FDI flow which would help maintain the prices/ increase prices in the future The introduction of the GST and with a

NRIs enabling complete assistance, quicker response times and ease of documentation that can be perfectly managed without the need for undertaking any special travel to India for this purpose

Foreign investment The biggest deterrent for any foreign company to invest in India is lack of transparency, uncompetitive tax regimes, and insensitive political will to support businesses, a bad infrastructure and unfavorable or obsolete labor laws. With bold steps

Govt changes in policy...

Cont’d from page 36

USP of Omkar projects Omkar Realtors offers a wide range of residential and commercial realty products ranging from Rs 1.25 crore to Rs 70 crore in the Mumbai market. From a region perspective, our brand has been in the forefront of construction and design innovation. Our key projects are located in prime micro-markets of Mumbai and offer payment flexibility options, delivery and project progress as per defined timelines and some milestone collaborations with globally renowned brands in areas of construction, structural design, interiors, architectural design including landscaping, lighting and innovative amenities.

Future of Real Estate In 2017, the focus of Indian real estate will largely be on affordable housing to give

momentum to the ongoing sales in the market. A recent amendment in the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) has resulted in growth due to easier access to capital for faster project completion.

Largely, those staying in rental accommodation will benefit with affordable housing getting a push from the government with policy changes.

This rationalization of the tax regime for REITs in Budget 2016-17 will help make it a reality. Developers will come up with RIETs to benefit from easier access to capital to fund their projects.

The country's real estate markets are definitely poised for growth in the mediumto-long term on the back of higher transparency and further consolidation. Indian real estate 2017 will be focused around "Housing for all Schemes" and "Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana", with a clear mission to house every Indian.

Mr. Vivek

. We have some of the leading banks as our partners in our project offering some of the best interest rates available in the home loans market for NRIs.

USP of NVT Group projects What truly sets us apart is that NVT is a company of professionals by professionals. The management team with professionals from IIT, Purdue & Wharton having sensibilities of professional lifestyle. When we moved to India and started the operations, we felt the professionalism and quality as some of the pain points of this industry. That was the time we decided to have our offerings reflecting our sensibilities and hence, we do not build villas that we ourselves are not comfortable in staying. Also our deep passion and engagement helps us to deliver results that somewhere meet ours and the client expectations.

We take Quality very seriously and this is an extension of ours as we have been into Quality Certifications for the past three decades, which reflects in every aspect of our business. Most of the specifications including flooring, fittings etc are from companies having global presence. The material and the processes involved in the construction are at extremely high quality and from some of the leaders in the category.

We also take pride in offering master plans and floor plans that are created for the professionals. All our villas come with 2 car parks and large living and family spaces. 65-70% spaces in our gated villa townships are open spaces.

The affordability of homes remains a challenge for most of the Indian households and I think there has been a tremendous push by our government to minimize this gap to create affordable housing for all. Demand for residential properties has surged due to increased urbanization and rising household incomes.

Attractive packages but no price drop Cont’d from page 34

Therefore, the customer pays nothing other that 10% until the apartment is handed over to him. At which point, he pays the balance 10% to the builder. This scheme makes it possible for investors to book an apartment with Ozone group, for as little as Rs 7.5 lakhs!

We also have Ozone Property Management Services division, that helps all investors with payment of property taxes, preventive maintenance, finding tenants, collection of rents, resale of the apartment, among other services. This is big plus and is a hit with all our outstation customers and investors.

USP of Ozone projects We only launch projects which are distinct and offer a set of benefits that are relevant to a particular target segment. All our projects offer lifestyle enhancing amenities and infrastructure, offering unmatched

value. Be it our 185 acres integrated township project - Ozone Urbana in Bangalore Or our 40 acre luxury residential project The Metrozone in Anna Nagar or our Plug & Play boutique residential project in Santa Cruz in Mumbai, all of these have a clear set of benefits and a distinct positioning.

Just in the last two years, over 1200 new NRI customers have invested in Ozone group projects. This is a clear indication of the consumer confidence in our company and products.

As for the future of Real Estate, I think.

India is one of the fastest growing countries, offering immense growth possibilities.

Land is in scarcity and will keep getting more and more expensive. Therefore, any investment in real estate will only appreciate in the medium and long term. With government implementing GST & RERA, real estate dealings will become clean, transparent and the developer will be accountable for timely deliver and quality. This will make investment in real estate even more attractive.

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India Post February 24, 2017

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Big rise in scope for NRI investments India Post News Service

MUMBAI: Rajesh LifeSpaces celebrates its legacy and ability to create budget homes and future-ready apartments in Mumbai. Its legacy arises from decades of experience, crafted by timeless principles, driven by future, led by integrity, accentuated by the way it honors commitments and complemented by adherence to business ethics. It has crafted diverse affordable housing and luxury apartments over 8 mil-

The cost of raw materials will stay the same.

However, the market might witness a rise in land prices. If the operating costs and capital expenditure increases overtime, we don't see how the property prices will come down.

Demonetization has brought in happy times as is evident from the indicators in the Indian economy and the banking system. We are sure this momentum will drive growth into the sector. The government has already announced a few key policies for affordable housing. To add to this, the home loans have become cheaper.

Benefits for NRIs

Mr. Pratik Patel

lion sq.ft with an additional 13.5 million sq.ft of ongoing and 16.2 million sq.ft of upcoming projects in the western and the central suburbs of Mumbai.

In an e-mailed interview, MR. PRATIK PATEL, Director of Rajesh Lifespaces, comments on the impact of demonetization and other issues connected with real estate. The following are edited excerpts:

Impact on prices Property prices are not likely to go down.

Real Estate still remains the best instrument of investment in India. The benefits of investment like rental yield, appreciation of assets and usability make real estate a far more lucrative option than gold, stocks or currency. History tells us that the value of real estate seldom depreciates under normal circumstances.

The scope for NRIs to invest in commercial properties in India has increased tremendously. The demand of commercial spaces is growing at a healthy pace year on year. This gives a huge scope for NRIs to invest in commercial properties in India.

The expected rental yield in this segment is increasing at a rate of 10 - 15 % per annum depending on the project and its location.

At present we have an offer, which lets you pay 5% as an initial down payment and the remaining amount at the time of fit-outs.

This subvention offer is also open to NRIs. Apart from the currency exchange rates, an NRI must consider a few factors while investing in real estate back home, such as: • Location of the project • Stage of construction & possession date

• Rental yield in the local micro market • Reputation of the developer • Finance options available • Bank approvals for the project The real estate products in India and abroad are different. The design of each project is created keeping in mind the local climate and culture. Hence, it is difficult to draw parallels between real estate in India and abroad in terms of quality.

As for the speculation about the bubble being burst, it is merely an urban legend.

Even in the past, we have heard many 'experts' make such statements, only to be proven wrong.

Govt initiatives

to 1-2 years to further enhance investor interests.

Current trends Of late, we have observed mixed trends in the real estate market of Mumbai. There was a dip in demand due to demonetization, but we are noticing a gradual and steady ascent. There is a healthy increase in the number of conversations we are having with our prospects. The demand for 12 BHK homes is robust while commercial properties are also exhibiting a healthy demand.

USP of Rajesh LifeSpaces projects Raj Grandeur, Powai, has Lake View resi-

Raj Grandeur, Powai, has Lake View residences, looking out onto the Powai and Vihar lakes. Internally the homes are adorned with the best in class amenities such as Sundecks, Italian flooring and wooden flooring in the living rooms and bed rooms A few government initiatives to boost FDI in real estate are: • Quick implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Bill (RERA) to enable the realty market to attract FDI • More clarity over the entry and exit norms and processes to be followed by investors.

• Both Centre and States must work together to ensure removal of bottlenecks for faster implementation of reform measures and construction related approvals for foreign investments in real estate.

• The Indian government could also consider a reduced lock-in-period applicable for FDI investments from 3 years currently

dences, looking out onto the Powai and Vihar lakes. Internally the homes are adorned with the best in class amenities such as Sundecks, Italian flooring and wooden flooring in the living rooms and bed rooms. Externally, there is an indoor cricket area, a squash and badminton court with a world class swimming pool and a mini ampi theatre, to name a few.

Some of our other projects are : • Raj Tattva, Thane -Prides in offering the largest living space in Thane with 3.92 acres of open space and 30,000 sqft of recreational space Cont’d on page 40

Highs & Lows of Demonetization Cont’d from page 27

Dr. Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi - Executive Director sales and marketing of DLF home developers Ltd, has welcomed Demonetization calling it a step in the right direction which will facilitate "greater transparency in monetary transactions. It has attached a greater number of masses with banking system and hence, will indirectly promote loans and other financial instruments for prospective home buyers."

Mr. Basant Bansal, Founder Chairman, M3M Group, felt that while Demonetization may be a short-term itch, it will generate long term gains. "No less than a structural coup, it will ensure a boost in economy in the long run and will lead to an improved transparency in all the sectors including real estate. The surgical strike on black money would crash inflation which would benefit the genuine buyers."

Mr Naveen Raheja, CMD, Raheja Developers, Pvt, Ltd. sees the effect of demonetization in the banks cutting down on interest rates of loans. "Since the banks now have huge deposit base with so much money flowing into the bank accounts of people, it can lend money to a large number

of people and at a lower interest rate. With liquidity of banks improving, banks will be compelled to lend aggressively."

Mr Srinivasan Gopalan, Group CEO, Ozone Group feels Demonetization will help cleanse the system of cash dealings and help give it a more clean and professional image. "It will have little impact on affordable and mid-segment residential products

strong, established developers. Prices have already stabilized in view of the situation prevailing prior to the demonetization.

High-end and luxury projects may see a correction."

Mr Girish Shah, Director, the Wadhwa Group, feels that Demonetization is set to change the modus operandi of the real estate sector by gradually wiping out illicit

DLF home developers Ltd, has welcomed Demonetization calling it a step in the right direction which will facilitate "greater transparency in monetary transactions in most cities. Even less impact in Bangalore, where there is no cash component, as majority of the buyers are working professionals a large percentage of whom avail home loans from banks."

Mr. Amarjit Bakshi, Managing Director, Central Park says the market was expecting a correction in the resale properties segment. "However, the primary sales market in the larger cities is not going to be affected, especially when it comes to

transactions resulting in increased transparency. The reduced cost of land will allow developers to transfer those benefits to end users. Demonetization is overall, demarcating the reputed Developers who are ethically strong from the lot."

Mr. Vivek, Director - NVT Quality Lifestyle, had already predicted that demonetization would not result in any drop in the prices. "However, with the additional incentives and the better rate of financing,

the cost of ownership of the property will reduce. Although the decision making cycle has increased, due to the negative sentiments and also the general impression (which is completely wrong) being spread in the market, we find that the serious buyers have now started to take the buying decision."

Mr Devang Varma- Director, Omkar Realtors and Developers Pvt Ltd, said there will be minimal impact on large institutionalized players with a solid brand and governance framework. Sales largely driven by the salaried class or investors with limited cash involvement would not suffer. Smaller developers depend on cash transactions.

We are very likely to see a clean-up of nonserious players due to this."

Mr. Pratik Patel, Director of Rajesh Lifespaces, felt that transactions and conversations with potential homeowners witnessed a slowdown initially. "However, markets improved gradually in due time.

The low lending rate by banks can be perceived as a positive development which is bound to encourage home buyers and instill positive sentiments in the market. In a nutshell, we expect a positive impact in the long term."

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India Post February 24, 2017

39

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India Post February 24, 2017

40

Bay Area market has settled into a simmer RAJEEV AWASTY

B

ay Area home sales sagged in December from a year earlier, but - con tinuing a nearly five-year trend - the median price of a single-family house continued to climb.

For the nine-county region, the median price was $680,000 in December, up 3 percent from December 2015, according to CoreLogic, the real estate information service. Discounting a single month - March 2016, when the price remained flat - it was the 57th consecutive month of year-overyear gains.

For 2016 as a whole, the median price paid for a single-family house rose 4.5 percent to $700,000 from $670,000 in 2015.

As Bay Area home prices increase along, lately, with mortgage rates - families seeking to move up to larger homes can face steep financial challenges. But homeowners who move out of the region have the poten-

percent in San Mateo County, 8.9 percent in Santa Clara County and 9.1 percent in Alameda County.

Home sales in the year-earlier period may have been artificially inflated, LePage said, as new federal mortgage rules had delayed some deals into December 2015 that otherwise would have closed sooner.

Looking at 2016 in its entirety, sales were down 2.6 percent in the nine counties from the year before.

"There's nothing on the market," just 594 active listings in December for all of Santa Clara County. "That is incredibly low," The flip side of the situation is that most of what is available sells - and at a good price. After eight years in Sunnyvale, Swartz's clients Nancee Braddock, a retired registered nurse, and her husband Jim Gurney, a videographer, sold their 1,570-squarefoot home for $1,725,000, about $25,000 over

Home sales in the year-earlier period may have been artificially inflated, LePage said, as new federal mortgage rules had delayed some deals into December 2015 that otherwise would have closed sooner tial to pocket significant profits on their home sales, for now.

The upshot is that the Bay Area's once red-hot market has settled into a simmer. With buyers competing for a notoriously tight supply of homes, prices keep rising, though not at the same clip as in previous years: "The overall trend this past year has been toward a moderation of price growth and at least a modest decline in sales," said Andrew LePage, a research analyst with CoreLogic.

Despite national reports about a surge of buyers getting off the fence as mortgage rates began to rise after the presidential election in November, LePage wondered if the effect was less powerful here.

"It's possible," he said, "that in the Bay Area, where homebuyers face some of the highest prices and mortgage payments in the country, rising mortgage rates in November 2016 had a net negative impact on the number of home sales recorded in December 2016."

December sales were down on a yearover-year basis through most of the region: by 5.4 percent in Contra Costa County, 7.7

the asking price. There were four bids on the property, which was on the market for barely a week.

Why move?

"To get away from the traffic," said Braddock, who previously lived with Gurney in Los Altos Hills. "The traffic is just unbelievable, especially in the last four years - bumper to bumper down El Camino.

So we were looking for some place not so congested and not so rushed, where there's not always somebody behind you who's late for something."

The couple, whose children are grown, moved to Port Townsend, Washington: "You just feel like you can breathe here," Braddock said.

The cost of their 2,300-square-foot house in Washington: just under $500,000.

Compare that with the median prices for Bay Area homes in December: Contra Costa County was comparable at $498,500, up 8.4 percent from a year earlier. But the median price was $700,000 in Alameda County, up 3.2 percent; $865,000 in Santa Clara County, up 1.2 percent; and $1,155,000 in San Mateo

Big rise in scope...

Cont’d from page 38

• White City, Kandivali-1,2,3&4 BHK airconditioned homes spread over 11.5 acres with an unbeatable view of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park • Raj Infinia, Malad-Located near link road, this project connects you to business hubs, shopping malls, restaurants and sports club in a matter of minutes.

• Raj Altezza, Mulund-4-10 ft decks, accessibility to schools, highways, malls

&restaurants within 100meters to a km.

Serves 6 flats per floor with 4 elevators.

• Raj Torres, Thane -Conveniently located with schools, malls, business hubs, restaurants & hospitals within a 2km range; Spacious apartments with over 14,000 sqft area for functional amenities • Raj Spectrum, SionBandra Link Road (SBLR) - 2BHK residences here provide easy access to important landmarks making it a central & convenient locale

County, up 5 percent.

Those home prices were down from November.

(CoreLogic's aggregated December sales and price figures for the Bay Area as a whole were estimates because it said data for San Francisco County were not yet available).

Anecdotally, agents mentioned a softening of the high-end market: "Almost no transactions at all," said Alain Pinel's Mark Wong, who is based in Saratoga. "But at the entry level, it's very active, often with multiple offers and well over asking."

Wong mentioned a house in San Jose - about equidistant from the Municipal Rose Garden and Rajeev Santa Clara University that listed "at $499,000 and got 40 offers, and they ended up with $750,000. You're talking about a quarter million over asking," he said, sounding amazed, "and this is a total fixerupper and tear-down. You cannot live there."

In the East Bay, agent Kevin Kieffer, based in Walnut Creek with Keller Williams, noted too many buyers for too few properties: "Demand's super-high, inventory is super-low, and buyers are being more prudent and not as willing to overbid," he said.

"We're in a worse inventory situation than we were last January. Still, one listing comes up and we're getting multiple offers - kind of unusual for the rainy season."

His clients Simon Yee and Tamara

Corduck recently sold their Dublin house four bedrooms, two baths, about 1,350 square feet - for $722,000. The couple, who work in tech, bought it about eight years ago for $540,000, but were looking for something larger now that they have two children.

"Buying a home was pretty hard because the supply was so limited in the Tri-Valley area," Yee said.

"We looked for over a year, put it on hold for a bit and then started back up."

Eventually, they bid on a house that listed for $1,095,000 in Danville's Greenbrook neighborhood: four bedrooms, three baths and about 2,275 square feet. The schools are good.

The yard is decent. The house needs some upgradAwasty ing: "New colors, and the cabinets might need some change," Yee said.

They bought the house at a slight reduction: $1,072,000.

"We bided our time," he said. "You have to be patient. And we discovered it's best not to sweat the little things; you have to see the big picture. You're not going to get your perfect home, which is hard to accept when you're spending over $1 million. Once we got past that - that it could be 80 percent perfect - it was a little bit easier to pull the trigger."

Rajeev Awasty, Intero Real Estate Services - Broker Associate http://rajeevawasty.com/ (510) 703-7332

It will boost economy...

Cont’d from page 31

Cheaper access to funds is another factor. Home-loans are available to NRIs at very low interest rates, around 4-5 % which is another added incentive.

With increased globalization, Indian consumers are exposed to global standards and wish to live a luxurious life. World-class clubs, concierge services, landscaped parks, swimming pools and health clubs and many other features now form the basics of most of new residential development. Interior designers, architects, design firms and hospitality brands offer the best-in-class features to meet the growing aspirations of well-exposed affluent Indian clientele.

As for safety of investments, the passing of RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act 2016), the Benami Transactions Act and now the demonetization move will ensure that the sector will lose much of its historic taint and become more transparent. Only players who conduct their business with integrity will survive.

Lot of Indian banks have branches offshore and at present evaluation of NRI mortgage funding is relatively easier if a person is from the same place where the bank has a branch. Indian banks need to have stronger relationship with foreign

banks where NRIs have transactions and based on their evaluation, home loan should be given in India. Asset based home loan approvals should be encouraged.

Also, the banks should have separate counter for NRI home loan approval; this will make the entire process seamless.

USP of M3M projects Gurgaon a few years back had small projects, the development that we see today was not there. The city had amenities, but they were few and far between. The families had no avenues of recreation in their residential complexes, they had to go out for family outings. This is where we conceptualized M3M Golf Estate. It had all the components of resort-living at one place, providing avenues of recreation while providing the best-in-class facilities.

Our flagship project was launched in October 2010, and is spread over approximately 75 acres of lush green space. It has a 9-hole executive Golf course designed by Golf Plan, USA. The architecture is a perfect synthesis of eco-friendly green landscape and cutting-edge designs. A combination of low-rise, mid-rise and high-rise towers, it has luxury golf residences and penthouses and is conveniently located on the Golf Course Road Extension.

41 India Post

A

vibrant city, which was es tablished in the year 1727, Jaipur has been ac claimed as the first planned city in India. The capital of the former Kachwaha rulers, Jaipur offers a multifaceted tourist experience. This thriving city has derived its name from the illustrious ruler Sawai Jaisingh II, whose progressive thinking gave birth to a perfectly planned city. The term Sawai was bestowed on him by the then Mughal Emperor as an honor to his multifarious personality. This poetic expression literally means Jaisingh was valuable than one.

Widely acclaimed as the Pink City of India, Jaipur proliferates in

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its magnificent past, bellicose history, renowned tradition, architectural elegance and natural vista.

Though the Rajputs are famed for their valor and bravery, the rulers of Jaipur differ from the rest of the Rajput clan. Apart from exhibiting their chivalry, these great warriors have shown much diplomacy in their relation with the mighty kingdoms of their time.

The planning of the city in accordance with the strict norms of Indian Vasthusasthra shows their credentials as good administrators. Perhaps this might be the only city in the world, which symbolizes the nine divisions of the Universe.

Jaipur is renowned

February 24, 2017

for its majestic buildings, which display unique architectural grandeur. These stunning facades of medieval India have received global acclaim for their intricate and exquisite charm.

A quaint place, Jaipur re-

produces its magnificent past through its sumptuous forts, captivating palaces, littered walls, serene temples and lovely havelis.

Its effervescent panorama is attributed to the charismatic lure of its outstanding gardens. The se-

renity and tranquility of the verdant gardens with marvelously tended landscape and colorful floral arcades presents a picturesque appeal, which will mesmerize any visitor on their India tour packages.

Cont’d on page 43

42 India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

February 24, 2017

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Vintage rally linked with heritage city circuit NEW DELHI: Seeking to explore the country's untouched rural beauty on bygone era automobiles, organizers of an international vintage car rally plan to expand the event into a multi-city heritage circuit tour spanning over 3,500 kms across the country from 2019.

"We have been trying to pitch to the government for making motor heritage as a tourism circuit and so far its role has been very supportive in holding our event. But, we don't want to just keep it in urban areas.

"From 2019, our plan is to turn

this rally into a heritage journey across various cities starting from Delhi. The idea is to not just showcase our motor heritage but also explore the internal beauty of our country, the rural and the virgin regions otherwise untouched,"

said Madan Mohan, Chairman of 21 Gun Salute Heritage & Cultural Trust.

He was addressing a press conference at Tehri Garhwal House here, ahead of the 7th edition of the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally.

"The circuit from Delhi would then move to Agra followed by Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kutch, Bhuj, Mandvi, Bhavnagar and culminate at Udaipur," he said.

This year about 100 rare cars, 85 from India and 10 from foreign

countries, and 25 vintage bikes, would be showcased during the Grand Concours Show, while about 125 cars would be participating in the vintage car racing at Buddha International Circuit in Greater Noida.

"For the first time, we are hosting the car show at India Gate.

Newly restored vintage cars 1922 Moon (only car left in the world), 1927 Lanchester (previously owned by Maharaja of Jamnagar) and 1933 Cadillac v12 seven-passenger limousine (only car available in India) would be the key attractions," Mohan said.

The foreign participating countries include France, the US, Germany, Italy and the UK. 1949 Buick Roadmaster, previously owned by Maharaja of Bhavnagar, 1936 Alvis Speed 20, 1938 Buick convertible, 1911 Silver Ghost from London, would also be exhibited.

"The Culture Ministry has been supporting us and this year too 'Incredible India' brand has been lent to us. The event is about celebrating twin heritage of automobile and culture, and so the cultural program would showcase dances from across the country," he said.

About 20-25 'Maharaja' cars, including two of the Tehri Garhwal family, would be taking part in the event.

"The race at Buddha Circuit would have four categories - prewar, post-war, Edwardian and classic besides a ceremonial drive," Mohan said.-PTI

ASI has no record of protected area around Taj NEW DELHI: The Archaeological Survey of India, mandated to protect ancient monuments, does not have record of demarcated area around marble wonder Taj Mahal in which any new construction is prohibited.

This strange fact came during a hearing before Central Information Commission wherein an RTI applicant had approached seeking the demarcated area around the Taj in which construction is not permitted.

The transparency law makes it obligatory on part of public authorities to disclose information sought by an applicant on the payment of Rs 10 unless it attracts any provisions which allow it to be withheld from disclosure.

The RTI applicant wanted information about demarcation of

500 meter boundary around the mausoleum of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaj Mahal where new construction is prohibited.

The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the ASI said the "record" is not available with them.

Irked by the response, Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said the government has a duty to regulate the construction activity around the protected monument of national importance such as Taj Mahal which was also declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 and attracts around three million visitors from across the globe every year.

Issuing a show cause notice to the CPIO for explaining denial of information, the Commission

also directed the ASI to designate an official who would keep record of complaints on the harassment of residents in the protective zone.

The RTI Act mandates the ASI and the local government to inform the people about the area demarcated, houses included in it, roads and other parts to which regulation extends, the restrictions imposed, procedure of securing permission for maintenance work around Taj Mahal, Acharyulu stated.

"The ASI did not have to make any such voluntary disclosure of this useful information which would have protected the monument. And when the appellant wanted the information under the RTI Act, the ASI claimed that it did not have that record. -PTI

'Chardham' highway project by 2018: Gadkari NEW DELHI: The Rs 12,000 crore 'Chardham' highway project in Uttarakhand will be completed by the end of 2018 irrespective of which party comes to power in the state, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has assured.

Minister for Road Transport and Highways Gadkari also exuded confidence of winning the state election.

"This (Chardham project) is a promise made to the people of Uttarakhand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated the process. It will be completed be-

fore the end of 2018," he said.

Asked whether the promise will be kept if BJP fails to form the government in the state, he said, "Yes. This has nothing to do with politics."

Just a week before the imposition of the model code of conduct in view of the assembly polls in Uttarakhand, Modi had

laid the foundation stone for allweather highway project Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna or the Chardham highway development project - aimed at improving connectivity between pilgrimage centers of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

Gadkari said his ministry also plans to develop Auli, a skiing destination in Chamoli district in the state, as a world class tourist place on the lines of Davos in Switzerland as the place witnesses temperature dipping to minus 6 degrees Celsius.

Noting that investment in tourism increases job opportunities, he said, "We are studying the Auli project. I promise you that 10,000 youths of the hill areas of the state will get the jobs due to this initiative. It will change the face of the area."

Asked about the investment requirement for the Auli project, he said, "There is no dearth of money for this project."

Underlining that Uttarakhand has a huge potential of tourism, he said there are possibilities of other forms of tourism like adventure and water tourism in the hill state.

"With the construction of the all-weather road, tourists will come throughout the year. There would be requirement of restaurants, hotels. There could be water sports, adventure sports in the state," he said.-PTI

Disney to check overcrowding by raising rates ORLANDO, FLA.: Walt Disney World is increasing single-day tickets at certain times of the year and setting expiration dates on tickets in hopes of preventing overcrowding during its parks' busiest times.

Company officials said that single-day ticket prices are either staying the same or are increasing no more than $5 under the new price structure for its Florida theme parks.

Under this plan, ``value'' days for Magic Kingdom will cost $107 for adults and $101 for children. That represents a $2 increase from the pre-

vious prices.

During the ``regular'' times, park visitors will pay $5 more with prices jumping from $115 for adults to $109 for children. The ``peak'' prices will remain the same at $124 for adults and $118 for children.

Expired tickets can be exchanged for credit toward new tickets. -PTI

February 24, 2017

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post 43

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planning of the city. The entire city is built in accordance with the traditional Vastu ideology and the city itself presents a symmetrical appearance. Every nook and corner of Jaipur shows structural excellence, the credit for which went to its progressive rulers.

Cont’d from page 41

It is not just monuments and palaces that Jaipur offers. Apart from an array of fascinating attractions this vivacious city holds exquisite handicrafts and marvelous

jewelry. These delicate artifacts, which portray the rustic and colorful village life, would be a great treasure for every visitor.

With its charismatic panorama of architectural grandeur, tradition, and natural splendor, a trip to Jaipur would be a treat to those who are enthusiastic and eager to know about the rich cultural heritage of India.

Tourist attractions Albert Hall (Central Museum): A fabulous building, which displays Indo-Saracen style of architecture, Albert Hall is a prototype of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Colonel Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob had designed Albert museum and Edward VII laid its foundation stone in the year 1876. Situated in the midst of the verdant Ram Niwas Garden, The Albert Hall elegantly portraits the colorful village life of Rajasthan. It boasts of the rich cultural and historic heritage of the entire state.

Valiant history of the Rajputs takes a substantial part of the specimens of the Museum.

Amber Fort: Amber fort, also known as Amber Palace boasts of artistic grandeur and structural expertise. It is reminiscent of the bravery and courage of the mighty Rajputs, who played a remarkable role in the history of medieval India.

Sheesh Mahal: As the name itself denotes, Sheesh Mahal is a hall of mirrors whose gorgeousness cannot be depicted in words.

It is considered one among the best scenarios of the Pink City, which is majestically set in the

Amber fort. Sheesh Mahal is a rare place having won global recognition.

Amber Palace Museum: Once upon a time this elegant building was the residence of the royal family and now it exhibits the rich heri-

City Palace: The palace is surrounded by a sky-scraping wall on all sides, which makes it slightly difficult to find out the main entrance of the palace. The plan of this extensive mansion is the plan of the city itself and so the palace

tage of the bygone days to the general public. This Museum transmits traditional opulence through the royal artifacts that are put on display.

Ganesh Pol: Ganesh Pol is found on the south side of the courtyard of the palace in Amber Fort. It has an enchanting image of the elephant-headed god in it.

The image is ornate with lovely colors.

This stunning edifice to the private apartments of the royal people was built by the illustrious king of the Rajaputra c l a n , Jayasingh II. Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing: A charitable foundation mainly working at the grass root level, The Anokhi Foundation aims to preserve the centuries old customs and traditions of the artisans in Jaipur. It tries to encourage the ethnicity, craft and artistic talents of the local people by providing employment opportunities to them.

Anokhi Museum and hand printing is one among its innovative vocations, which is a great endeavor to revive the centuries old rich tradition of hand block printing.

Chand Pol (Moon Gate): Jaipur is famed for its brilliant layout and

can be accessed only after roaming through the various bazaars of the city.

Govind Devji Temple: A holy shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna, Govind Dev Ji Temple is located in the City Palace complex. Since it is situated in the palace complex this temple is under the direct control of the royal family.

Mubarak Mahal: Built in the 19th century, Mubarak Mahal boasts of the architectural charm of medieval India. The nobles in the court of the mighty Rajputs built this fabulous manor. A dazzling large haveli, its most significant feature is the vast courtyard, which surrounds the entire building.

Chandra Mahal: The City Palace of Jaipur or the main palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast palace complex occupies one-seventh area of Jaipur.

Originally constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II, alterations have been done to it by many of his de-

scendants. One among the remarkable constituents of the City Palace, Chandra Mahal is the place where the present Maharaja of Jaipur resides.

Hawa Mahal: One of the most imposing structures in Jaipur, Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh. This beautiful monument was the structural design of the eminent artist Lalchand Usta. A five storied structure, Hawa Mahal, is a huge tapering composition with frequent arches, small windows, spires and trellised casements. In spite of its lofty formations, Hawa Mahal appears like a light, roomy structure which might puff away by a gentle breeze.

Jaigarh Fort: Situated on the majestic Chilh-ka-Tola or the hill of eagles, the lofty walls of the Jaigarh Fort spread over a vast area of three kilometers. This impregnable fort of the Rajputs was built purely for defense activities.

Doongar Darwaza and Awani Darwaza are the entry points to this mighty fortress. What makes this elegant fort so famous is its huge canon, which is believed to be the largest one of its kind in the world. Ironically this was not used for a single time in the long history of the fort.

Jal Mahal: Prettily placed in the middle of a majestic lake, the Jal Mahal palace is a delight to watch.

Built in the year 1799, with red sand stones, this Water Palace is a quixotic place. The unruffled water of the lake reflects the elaborate carvings making a fabulous spectacle one could ever dream of. A fivestoried building, its first four floors are under the lake and only the top floor is seen above the lake. The palace also offers the enchanting scenery of migratory and other exotic varieties of the chirping flock.

Jantar Mantar: An observatory constructed mid way between 1728 and 1734, Jantar Mantar is placed adjacent to the city palace.

Literally this term means instruments and formula. Maharaja Jai Singh II was the progressive spirit behind this observatory, which has the accolade of being the largest stone observatory in the world.

Historians are of the opinion that

by Sawai Jaya Singh, Nahargarh Fort houses a mysterious tale with it. Its massive walls and bastions still hold the royal elegance, though much of it was not able to withstand the ramifications of time. A tedious but delightful trek of two kilometers will take one on the uphill from where one can watch the fabulous view of the entire city.

Sisodia Rani Palace and Garden: A sprawling garden, which speaks about of Sawai Jaya Singh's eternal love for his Queen, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh in Jaipur lures the visitor with its aesthetic beauty. Constructed in 1728, this garden houses a unique blend of Mughal and conventional Indian architecture. A scenic place with expansive lawns, luxuriant undergrowth and thriving cyclic blossoms, decorated with appealing fountains, flamboyant figurines, pavilions, galleries Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh presents a colorful vibrancy of nature.

Ridhi Sidhi Pol: A gorgeous structure, the city palace in Jaipur is a delightful place for a stopover.

This splendid citadel is a speaking edifice to the structural brilliance and artistic grandeur of the people of bygone era. Depicting the Mughal and Rajput style design, city palace is a mixture of so many stunning formations, adding to the royal elegance.

Maharaja Jai Singh took long seven years to complete the construction of this observatory.

Nahargarh Fort: Constructed

ration connect Jaipur to all cities in Rajasthan. Many deluxe bus services are available between Jaipur and other cities.

Best time to visit Jaipur offers hot, semi-arid climate and the temperatures remain relatively high all through the year. The best time for visiting the place is from October to March.

How to reach

By Train: Jaipur is well connected by many trains to most of the major cities in India. Apart from these, a special train called "Palace on Wheels" covers all tourist destinations in Rajasthan (Alwar, Udaipur, Jaipur, Swami Madhopur etc) starting from Delhi is also available.

By Air: Sanganer Airport located in Jaipur is nearly 10 km from the heart of the city.

By Bus: State buses of Rajasthan Road Transport Corpo-

„ Health

Line

Health care spending to continue rising WASHINGTON: Government experts say the nation's problem with rising health care spending is back and here to stay.

The report from nonpartisan experts at Health and Human Services concludes that health care spending will claim a growing share of national resources for the foreseeable future, regardless of what President Donald Trump and Congress do with the Obama-era health law.

Health care will grow at an annual average of 5.6 percent from 2016-2025, outpacing expected economic growth. Now $3.5 trillion, the nation's health care tab will increase to nearly $5.5 trillion in 2025, accounting for about onefifth of the economy. That puts a squeeze on other priorities, such as infrastructure improvement.

Accelerating spending is due to fundamentals such as rising prices for treatments and services, as well as an aging population. -AP

1,000 mohalla clinics to be set up NEW DELHI: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain has said 1,000 mohalla clinics, aimed at providing free primary healthcare, will be set up across the city in the next five months.

He also said that the government is set to make Delhi Open Defecation Free (ODF) by June.

"We have constructed 8,000 toilets in the city so far to achieve the target of making the national capital ODF," Jain said.

While listing his achievements on the second anniversary of AAP government, he said the government has built 110 mohalla clinics and 100 new clinics are set to function soon.

Delhi government has set a target of setting up 1,000 mohalla clinics across the city to provide better health services to its residents.

The Health Minister said out of proposed 150 polyclinics, 26 have also been built so far. "We have built 110 mohalla clinics and other 100 will soon start functioning. We will set up all 1,000 mohalla clinics in four-five months.

"Apart from this, 150 polyclinics will be built by the government soon," Jain said.

Giving further details on initiatives taken up by the Health Department, he said in all government hospitals, medicines are being provided to patients free-of-cost. Free test facility was also started in December 2016. -PTI

Health Science

Hospital prices 'out of control' in Montana

44 India Post

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February 24, 2017

Details on Page 46

Trump admin ushers in changes to Obama health law WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has taken steps intended to calm jittery insurance companies and make tax compliance with former President Barack Obama's health law less burdensome for some people.

But the changes could lead to policies with higher annual deductibles, according to the administration's own proposal.

That seems to undercut President Donald Trump's assurance in a recent Washington Post interview that his plan would mean ``lower numbers, much lower deductibles.''

The moves announced separately by the Health and Human Services Department and the IRS don't amount to sweeping changes to the Affordable Care Act. That would fall to Congress, where Republicans are struggling to reach consensus over how to deliver on

Then-Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, now Secretary Tom Price, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Trump administration took steps intended to help calm jittery insurance companies and make tax compliance with former President Barack Obama's health law less burdensome for some people.

their promise to repeal and replace

the health law. House Speaker Paul

Ryan, R-Wis., is expected to present elements of a plan to GOP lawmakers.

But the administration actions do signal a change in direction.

Recently confirmed HHS Secretary Tom Price called them ``initial steps in advance of a broader effort to reverse the harmful effects of Obamacare.'' Premiums are up sharply this year, while many communities were left with just one insurer.

For consumers, the proposed HHS rules mean tighter scrutiny of anyone trying to sign up for coverage outside of open enrollment by claiming a ``special enrollment period'' due to a change in life circumstances such as the birth of a child, marriage, or the loss of job-based insurance. Also, sign-up season will be 45 days, shortened from three months currently.

Cont’d on page 46

US health care system frustrating: Seema WASHINGTON: America's health care system is frustrating and is becoming more and more expensive, putting paid to people's hopes of getting the medical services they need, Indian-American Seema Verma, who has been nominated by US President Donald Trump for a key health position, has said.

Seema told members of the Senate Finance Committee during her confirmation hearing that she was "deeply concerned" by the all-round frustration in the US' health care system.

"I am deeply concerned about our health care system. There is frustration all around," said Seema, who has been nominated for the position of Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

If confirmed by the Senate, Seema in this position is likely to be a key figure in the Trump Administration to the President's plan of repealing and replacing Affordable Care Act popularly

known as Obamacare.

Appearing before the powerful Senate Finance Committee for her confirmation hearing, she said was "extremely humbled" to be nominated by the US President.

"It is a testament to the fact that the American Dream is very much alive for those willing to work for it. My parents made a lot of sacrifices along the way to provide me with opportunities they didn't have," she said.

Seema said it was her passion to continue to work on the front lines of health care, changing and improving this country's healthcare delivery system.

"Doctors are increasingly frustrated by a number of costly and time-consuming burdens, and quite frankly, many Americans are not getting the care that they need. We have a long way to go in improving health outcomes," she told lawmakers.

"Health care continues to grow more and more expensive, and the

American people are tired of partisan politics. They just want their health care system fixed," she said in her testimony, adding she understands what is at stake.

"I have never stood on the sidelines of our nation's health care debate, merely pointing out what is wrong with our health care system. I have spent my entire life

Seema Verma

helping the most disadvantaged in our society receive the kind of accessible, affordable and competent health care service that our

country's health care system is renowned for," She said.

Seema shared her own personal experience to the Senators.

"I know this, not simply because I have worked in health care, but because of how intimately it has affected my personal life. Two people I truly love have been immensely affected by enormous health care challenges," she said.

"My own mother is a breast cancer survivor due to early diagnosis and treatment, and I thank God that she is with me today," she said, adding that a few years back, her neighbor was diagnosed with a stage 4 Neuroblastoma.

"I want to be part of the solution making the system work for all Americans. I want to be able to look my children in the eye and tell them I did my part to serve my country and make things better for people who often do not have a voice," she said. -PTI

February 24, 2017

Health Science Post

India Post 45

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Two big insurance deals called off

I

t was a rough Valentine's Day for the U.S. health insurance industry.

One giant merger was abandoned, another is threatened by infighting, and a major insurer announced it will stop selling coverage on public exchanges in 11 states.

Both merger deals had already been rejected by federal regulators and judges, but the companies were considering appeals to those decisions. Now they both appear to be off.

Aetna said it was abandoning its planned $34 billion purchase of Medicare Advantage provider Humana. Then, later in the day, Cigna said it is suing Anthem to kill a $48 billion acquisition bid.

The deals were conceived as a way to help the insurers increase their enrollment and cut down on expenses in part so they could improve their performances on the Affordable Care Act's public insurance exchanges. Big insurers have been hit with substantial losses from the exchanges, even though they represent a relatively small part of their overall business. Many have already cut back their offerings, and that has slashed customer choices in markets around the country.

The collapse of one deal and the uncertain future of the other could hurt shoppers on the exchanges next year by leaving them with even fewer options and potentially higher prices. Humana told investors that it was abandoning it exchanges in all 11 of its states as of the beginning of next year.

Humana, based in Louisville, Kentucky, was the only insurer on exchanges in 16 Tennessee counties, according to data compiled at the start of the 2017 open enrollment period by the Associated Press and health care consulting firm Avalere. That means customers in those counties may have no way to buy coverage with help from government tax credits next year unless another insurer decides to enter those markets.

Every exchange in the U.S. had at least one insurer selling coverage on it for 2017, according to Larry Levitt of the nonprofit

Kaiser Family Foundation, which studies health care issues.

Morningstar insurance analyst Vishnu Lekraj said it's possible all the four insurers

The Cigna logo at the headquarters of the health insurer Cigna Corp., in Philadelphia.

Cigna said that it is rejecting Anthem's proposed $48 billion acquisition bid and suing the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer. The announcement comes hours after another major insurer, Aetna, said it was abandoning its planned $34 billion purchase of Medicare Advantage provider Humana.

involved in the deals could leave the exchanges.

Aetna Chairman and CEO Mark Bertolini raised that possibility months ago. He said that if his company's planned, was blocked, ``we believe it is very likely that we would need to leave the public exchange business entirely,'' according to court documents filed in that case.

Aetna, based in Hartford, Connecticut, says it lost $450 million last year on ACAcompliant coverage, while the company booked an overall profit of $2.27 billion. Its loss on ACA-compliant business was $100

Govt working to improve health sector JAIPUR: Union Health Minister J P Nadda has said the government is working to improve healthcare sector despite challenges and the decision to slash prices of coronary stent is one of the moves to provide relief to people.

Addressing the platinum jubilee annual conference of All India Ophthalmological Society here, the minister said there are several challenges in the healthcare sector but the government is making all efforts to address them.

"The government decided to slash prices of stents and we will look how other such decisions can be taken," he said.

From disease-centric approach, now "we are now moving with preventive approach" so that diseases could be de-

tected and diagnosed at early stage, he said.

"Lack of human resources and healthcare facilities in rural areas, disparity in facility regionwise are some of the challenges in the healthcare sector and the government is making all efforts to deal with them," the minister said.

"We are trying to develop not AIIMS like institutions but AIIMS. We will not compromise the standards in the new AIIMSes," he said.

The minister said there is decline in MMR, CMR which indicates that the situation is improving.

Rajasthan health minister Kalicharan Saraf and others were present in the program. -PTI

million more than it expected.

Bertolini said recently that his company would announce by April 1 whether it will remain in any of its exchanges. ``We're looking at everything,'' he said.

Government and industry officials have said President Donald Trump's administration and congressional Republicans are weighing measures to stabilize the wobbly exchanges. Insurers have been pushing them to act soon. ``The clock is definitely ticking for the Trump administration to provide some clarity around what the rules will be,'' Levitt said.

In suing to end its tie-up, Cigna, based in Bloomfield, Connecticut, said it wants more than $13 billion in damages from its onetime-companion Anthem, the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer, which is based in Indianapolis.

Cigna says it is seeking a $1.85 billion termination fee from Anthem and billions more in damages for what it says were Anthem's breaches of the merger agreement.

The insurer says the damages include the amount Cigna shareholders would have received if the merger had not failed.

It noted that Anthem assumed full responsibility for litigation strategy and getting

the necessary regulatory approvals, suggesting that it was Anthem's responsibility to push the deal through. ``Cigna fulfilled all of its contractual obligations and fully cooperated with Anthem throughout the approval process,'' the insurer said in a statement.

An Anthem spokeswoman says Cigna has no right to end the deal, and it remains committed to closing the transaction. The insurer had just filed paperwork to appeal the federal court ruling.

Anthem and Aetna put their acquisition bids together in 2015 and touted them as a way to grow enrollment and reap savings that they would then pass on to consumers.

The deal would have given Aetna the opportunity to significantly expand its presence in Medicare Advantage coverage, which involves privately run versions of the federal Medicare program for people who are over 65 or disabled.

But the Department of Justice had sued last summer to stop the deals, due to concerns about how they may affect prices and consumer choices. Federal judges then rejected the acquisitions in separate rulings filed earlier this year.

The deals would have combined four of the nations' five largest insurers.

UnitedHealth Group is the largest. -AP

46 India Post

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Trump admin ushers in changes to Obama health law Cont’d from page 44

For insurers, the curbs on special enrollments are a big item. The industry claimed that some consumers were gaming the system by signing up when they needed expensive treatments, only to drop out later.

Insurers would also gain more flexibility to design low-premium plans tailored to younger people.

But that flexibility could lead to higher deductibles, according to HHS. ``The proposed change ... could reduce the value of coverage for consumers,'' the administration proposal said. ``However, in the longer run, providing (insurers) with additional flexibility could help stabilize premiums.''

Larry Levitt of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation said ``this would allow insurers to offer plans with higher deductibles, which seems counter to President's Trump promise to lower deductibles.'' A deductible is the annual amount consumers pay for medical care before their insurance kicks in.

Democrats said the HHS changes would undermine consumer protections and make more people uninsured. Some called the move ``sabotage.''

Separately, the IRS said it's backing off from a tighter approach to enforcement that was in the works for this tax-filing season. The IRS said that's in line with Trump's executive order directing agencies to ease requirements of the health law.

Under the law, people are required to have health coverage or risk fines from the IRS - an unpopular provision. That underlying requirement remains on the books, and taxpayers are still legally obligated to comply, the IRS said.

But the agency is changing its approach to enforcement. Originally, the IRS had planned to start rejecting returns this year if a taxpayer failed to indicate whether he

Pearson said consumer reviews may also be mixed.

Healthy people may appreciate more affordable premiums.

But people with health problems could see an erosion in coverage. or she had coverage. Now the IRS says it will keep processing such returns, as it has in the past.

Administration officials said the HHS rules will help to stabilize the individual health insurance market for next year. That could buy time for Congress to make bigger changes.

The industry group America's Health Insurance Plans commended the administration, but said more is needed. In particular, insurers want Trump and Congress to remove a legal cloud over billions of dollars in subsidies that

the companies are obligated to pay to cover deductibles and copayments for low-income people.

It remained unclear if insurers would be swayed. Already, Humana announced it will not participate in next year in the government-run marketplaces, where insurer exits have already diminished consumer choice. ``I don't necessarily think these changes are enough to alter insurers' decision-making about staying in the markets,'' said Caroline Pearson of the consulting firm Avalere Health.

Pearson said consumer reviews may also be mixed. Healthy people may appreciate more affordable premiums. But people with health problems could see an erosion in coverage.

Separately, a government report said the nation's problem with rising health care spending is back and here to stay, regardless of what happens to the Obama health law.

Nonpartisan experts at HHS said health care spending will claim a growing share of national resources for the foreseeable future.

Health care will grow at an annual average of 5.6 percent from 2016-2025, outpacing expected economic growth. Now $3.5 trillion, the nation's health care tab will increase to nearly $5.5 trillion in 2025, accounting for about onefifth of the economy.

The unwelcome trend is due to fundamentals such as rising prices for treatments and services, as well as an aging population. -AP

Utah group supports Obama healthcare SALT LAKE CITY: The leftleaning group Alliance for a Better Utah has said that hundreds of Utah residents do not want congress to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law.

The organization presented its report and several residents spoke at a press conference, sharing stories about how the repeal of the 2010 Affordable Care Act would impact them.

Utah resident Terry Mitchell said that she has complex PTSD because of sexual assault and witnessing two murders. She is a selfemployed real estate broker, who has been able to afford treatment for her preexisting conditions because of the health law. ``But while I am grateful,'' she said. ``I am fearful of things going back to the way they were.''

The group plans to deliver cop-

ies of the report to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and other state leaders.

Chase Thomas, of Alliance for a Better Utah, said the Affordable Care Act certainly has its problems, such as premium deductibles that are too high, but that doesn't mean it should be thrown out. ``Ultimately, we believe this report shows, the Affordable Care Act should be simply repaired, rather than repealed and replaced,'' he said.

Thomas said some of the parts of the health care law that Utah residents said they want to see continue include protections for pre-existing conditions, free preventive care and women's health and contraceptive coverage.

Hannah Mullins said in the report that she has Fibromyalgia and PTSD, and the health care law has allowed her to afford treatment

costs.

Last month, the Republican governor cautioned that if Congress repeals the health law without having a replacement plan ready, it could jeopardize coverage for about 180,000 Utah residents.

Herbert, who was not a supporter of the law, wrote in a letter to U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, of California that he understands a replacement could take years to plan and implement, but ``Utah's citizens cannot wait for such a lengthy process.''

At the close of 2016, about 186,000 Utah residents had signed up for insurance through healthcare.gov, a signature feature of the law, and over the past six years, Utah's uninsured rate dropped to 10.5 percent, down from 14 percent, Herbert wrote. -AP

Hospital prices 'out of control' in Montana HELENA, Mont.: Alarmed by rising health care costs, a Montana legislator is seeking to impose price controls on hospitals and place them under the authority of the state's public service commission.

Democratic Rep. Tom Woods of Bozeman asserted before the House Human Services Committee that Montana Hospitals have a virtual monopoly in many communities. He wants the PSC to review any increases in pricing.

As expected, hospitals pushed back against the bill.

Montana Hospital Association Vice President Bob Olsen pointedly denied that hospitals were ``ripping off consumers.'' He said Montana hospital prices rank among the lowest in the country.

Woods is seeking to fix hospital prices according to reimbursements set by the federal Medicare program. Nonprofit hospitals could charge 138 percent of the Medicare reimbursement rate for medical procedures and other services. For-profits hospitals would be allowed to charge 150 percent.

Any price increases would need approval from the PSC, which usually regulates energy companies and other public utilities in Montana. ``We need to treat hospitals like

the monopolies they are,'' Woods told the legislative panel. That monopoly, he said, is partly responsible for rising health care costs. ``I hope we will all agree that there is a need to address this problem,'' he said. ``The solution that this bill offers has a great deal of promise.''

Public Service Commissioner Roger Koopman said the bill would cause ``financial and logistical nightmares.'' ``The prospect of transforming the PSC into a two-headed bureaucracy with two distinctly different missions is mind-boggling,'' Koopman said.

But Woods said the lack of competition in some Montana communities has meant higher costs. ``There is no price transparency, and there is no competition when it comes to hospital care,'' he said. ``I think it's time to recognize that because hospitals are behaving like monopolies, we need to control them like monopolies,'' Wood said.

Hospital prices can vary dramatically from state to state, sometimes from hospital to hospital in the same geographic reasons, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. -AP

Assam to set up three medical colleges GUWAHATI: Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said three medical colleges and hospitals will be constructed across the state over the next three years at an investment of Rs 570 crore.

"In construction of the three medical colleges and hospitals in Dhubri, Nagaon and Lakhimpur, we will spend Rs 570 crore. The amount will be divided equally among the three hospitals," Sarma said at a press conference here.

He said 90 per cent of the amount would be funded by the Centre and the rest would be borne by the state.

"For the Medical Council of India inspection, we will have to upgrade the hospitals in the second phase. For that, we will require another Rs 40-45 crore in each hospital. This amount will be financed entirely by the state government," Sarma said.

Land in all the three places has been acquired and the institutions would be ready in the next three

years, he said.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda would launch the construction work for the hospitals in Dhubri and Nagaon, adding, "All three hospitals will be 500-bedded".

The minister said an additional Rs 25 crore have been spent for acquiring 60 bighas of land for Dhubri Medical College and Hospital.

Likewise, around Rs ten crore has been invested for purchasing 50 bighas of land in Lakhimpur.

"In Nagaon, we did not purchase any land. Government already has enough land and the hospital will be constructed on a 100 bigha plot," Sarma said.

He said work for three more medical colleges at Nalbari, Tinsukia and Kokrajhar would begin by the end of this year.

"The ongoing construction for the Diphu Medical College and Hospital will be over by this year and we will inaugurate it in 2017," Sarma said. -PTI

Datebook

February 24, 2017

India Post 47

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Fri, Feb 24 • Musik Waves -Tribute to Mehdi Hassan

Sat, Feb 25 • Bollywood Beats - A Weekly Sat Night Desiparty

Fri, Feb 24 • Maha Shivarathri Brahmotsavam

Venue: E Hotel, 3050 Woodbridge Avenue,

Venue: LEXICON, 226 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022 Time : 10:00 pm

Venue: Sri Maha Kaleshwar Mandir, Santa Clara, 2344 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051 Time: 08:30 pm

Fri, Mar 3 • Valentines open mic karaoke - Bolly Rhythmz

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 08:00 pm

Fri, Mar 3 • 2017 NJTS Annual Membership Venue: New jersey Tamil Sangam, 30 Ginger Drive, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 01:00 pm

Sat, Mar 04 • Musik Waves -Tribute to Mehdi Hassan Venue: E Hotel, 3050 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 08:00 pm

Fri, Mar 10 • Two to Tango, Three to Jive - Saurabh Shukla LIVE Venue: Flushing Temple Auditorium, 14307 Holly Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355 Time : 08:00 pm

Sat, Mar 11 • The Biggest HOLI Party in New York City Venue: Stage48, 605 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036 Time : 12:00 pm

Sat, Feb 25 • "The Waiting Room" Revolutionary Gujarati Drama Venue: Mexican Heritage Center, 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116 Time: 06:30 pm Contact: 510-648-0596

Fri, Mar 3 • Bollywood Carnival Brazilian Dancers, Beads, & Masks!

Venue: Back Bar - Downtown San Jose, 418 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113 Time: 10:00 pm

CHICAGO

Venue: Amador Rancho Community Center/// Bella Vista Room A, 1998 Rancho Park Loop, San Ramon, CA 94582 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 925-683-2489

Fri, Mar 10 • Ladies Only Night Venue: Pista House Milpitas, 556 South Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 07:00 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, Feb 26 • Paracha Entertainment Venue: Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb

Sat, Mar 4 • Bharatanatyam Dance Performance: Chitravali - A picture Book on Krishnamaya by Vidushi Rama Vaidyanathan With Live Orchestra Venue: CET (Center for Employment Training),, 701 Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110 Time: 04:00 pm

Sun, Mar 5 • 2 to Tango, 3 to Jive: Saurabh Shukla's Hinglish play Venue: Mexican Heritage Center, 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, CA 95116 Time: 05:00 pm

Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339 Time: 07:00 pm

Sat, Mar 11 • Dr. Radhika Chopra Live concert Venue: Ashiana Banquet Hall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 6:00 am

Sat, Mar 25 • Bollywood Beats 2017 Venue: North Gwinnett High School Auditorium, 20 Level Creek Road, Suwanee, GA 30024 Time: 04:30 pm

ILLINOIS Upcoming 1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Swami Ishatmananda • Bhagavad Gita: Philosophy of life Venue: Public Library-95th Street 3015 Cedar Glade Rd Naperville IL 60564 Time: 1st friday of every month 7-8 pm Contact: 630-637-0662

• India Eternal: From the Vedic Age to the Present Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago 10915 N. Main Street Glendale Heights, IL 60139 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 630-655-8822

In Brief Trump withdraws appeal of travel ban WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration has dropped its appeal of a court ruling that suspended his travel ban targeting refugees and seven Muslim countries and said it would replace the measure with a modified version.

The Justice Department announced the move in a brief filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. It said the new order would address complaints from a three-judge panel that parts of the order were unconstitutional.

"Rather than continuing this litigation, the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order to eliminate what the panel erroneously thought were constitutional concerns," the brief states. -AFP

„ Woman locks self away during immigration raid JACKSON, Miss.: A woman locked herself inside a closet and refused to come out as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested her father and brother.

Local media report agents eventually left the Jackson house and didn't arrest Daniella Vargas, the woman.

Vargas told WJTV-TV after she emerged that her family came to Mississippi from Argentina about 17 years ago. She says her 55-yearold father, Daniel Vargas, has an expired visa that he was trying to get renewed. She says her brother, 26-year-old Alan Vargas, was also in the country without permission. ``My dad had just given me a kiss, said bye,'' Daniella Vargas said.

She said agents were in the house for four hours ``searching our attic, our room, pretty much tore down everything.''

Bill Chandler, executive director of the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, said deportation of Daniella Vargas was put off under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a policy implemented under President Barack Obama that allows undocumented immigrants who entered the United States to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation.

Some immigrants without legal status fear a shift in enforcement tactics under President Donald Trump. ICE Public Affairs Officer Thomas Byrd told The ClarionLedger (http://on.thec-l.com/ 2l9y64T) that the agency conducts ``targeted enforcement operations'' but couldn't comment specifically on the Jackson arrests.-AP

Immigration 48 India Post

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February 24, 2017

Indian pleads guilty for H1B visa fraud Details on page 49

Trump promises new executive order on immigration WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has said he will announce a new executive order on immigration that will "comprehensively" protect the US, days after his previous controversial travel ban against seven Muslim majority countries was hit by a legal roadblock.

In a news conference at the White House, Trump said the new order would comprehensively protect the country, and hinted that it might contain new vetting measures for travelers.

"We're issuing a new executive action next week that will comprehensively protect our country," Trump said.

"We'll be going along the one path and hopefully winning that, at the same time we will be issuing a new and very comprehensive order to protect our people. That will be done sometime next week, toward the beginning or middle at the latest part," Trump said.

His previous executive order temporarily suspending entry of Syrian refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries has been put on hold by the

court, which he said is not correct.

Trump said his administration had a very smooth rollout of the travel ban. "But we had a bad court. Got a bad decision. We had

going with that decision. We're going to put in a new executive order next week some time. But we had a bad decision," he said, alleging that such a court ruling is very bad for the safety and se-

President Donald Trump

a court that's been overturned.

Again, may be wrong. But I think it's 80 per cent of the time, a lot," he said.

"We had a bad decision (by the court). We're going to keep

curity of the country.

The rollout of the executive order was "perfect", he said.

Trump said he is going ahead with extreme vetting.

"Now in the meantime, we're

vetting very, very strongly. Very, very strongly. But we need help.

And we need help by getting that executive order passed," he said in response to a question.

"Extreme vetting will be put in place and it already is in place in many places. In fact, we had to go quicker than we thought because of the bad decision we received from a circuit that has been overturned at a record number," he said.

"I have heard 80 per cent, I find that hard to believe, that is just a number I heard, that they are overturned 80 percent of the time. I think that circuit is in chaos and that circuit is frankly in turmoil. But we are appealing that, and we are going further," Trump said.

Soon after Trump's announcement, the US Justice Department told a federal appeals court in San Francisco that there was no reason to reconsider a case on the executive order on immigration and refugees.

A three judge bench had refused to remove the stay on the executive order by another federal court in Seattle. -PTI

Immigration policy change raises concerns HAMPTON, Iowa: Franklin County residents are questioning local law enforcement officials about a decision to revoke its sanctuary policy for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

More than 200 people attended a meeting in Hampton to raise concerns about Franklin County Sheriff Linn Larson's decision to end a policy of not cooperating with federal authorities on immigration policy, The Globe Gazette reported.

Larson made the change on Jan. 23, three weeks after he was sworn into office. The change came two days before President Donald Trump signed an executive order to defund sanctuary jurisdictions that refused to

comply with federal immigration law.

The new policy says the sheriff's office will work with any law enforcement agencies that request assistance, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Larson said he

ment agencies to work with. ``I don't have the right to make that determination,'' he said.

People who attended the meeting wanted to know under what circumstances people could face deportation. They also expressed concerns about racial profiling in

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa sent letters to sheriffs in all of the state's 99 counties in 2014, telling them they weren't required to honor ICE retainers without a warrant. More than 20 Iowa sheriffs said they wouldn't honor ICE detainer requests changed the sanctuary policy because it forced him to ``pick and choose'' which law enforce-

the northern Iowa county, which has a large Latino population.

Hampton Police Chief Robert

Schaefer said nothing will change unless a person commits a serious crime.

Most immigrants living in the U.S. illegally aren't a threat to safety, said Gunda Brost, an immigration lawyer from Cedar Rapids. ``We are living in an atmosphere of trust and fear,'' Brost said. ``Communities need to decide which side they are on.''

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa sent letters to sheriffs in all of the state's 99 counties in 2014, telling them they weren't required to honor ICE retainers without a warrant.

Shortly after, more than 20 Iowa sheriffs, including Larson's predecessor, said they wouldn't honor ICE detainer requests without a judge's order. -AP

Immigration Post

February 24, 2017

India Post 49

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Mexican immigrant sues US over arrest SEATTLE: A Seattle-area man who was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child but was protected from deportation under a policy

by President Barack Obama is suing the federal government over his arrest and detention.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 23year-old Daniel Ramirez Medina at his father's home. Agents were there to arrest his father and took Ramirez into custody even though he has a work permit under Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, court documents said.

ICE spokeswoman Rose Richeson said in a statement that Ramirez told agents he was a gang member and based on those statements and being a ``risk to public safety,'' he was taken into custody.

Mark Rosenbaum, one of Ramirez's lawyers, responded that Ramirez ``unequivocally denies being in a gang'' and that the statement from Richeson is inac-

curate. ``While in custody, he was re-

filiation,'' Rosenbaum said.

Northwest Immigrants Rights Project Legal Director Matt Adams told The Associated Press that Ramirez _ who was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 7 _ has a job, a young son and no criminal record. Ramirez is being held in Tacoma, Washington.

Adams said Ramirez is the first person he knows of with DACA status who has been detained. ``This appears to be a complete one-off,'' Adams said. ``We certainly haven't seen this with our other hundreds of clients who have DACA status as well.''

Attorneys for Ramirez arThis undated photo shows Daniel gue the arrest violates his Ramirez Medina, 23, who was was constitutional rights to live brought to the U.S. illegally as a child but was protected from deportation by and work in this country President Obama's administration. without the fear of arrest and peatedly pressured by U.S. Immi- deportation so long as he satisgration and Customs Enforce- fies DACA requirements. ment agents to falsely admit af``Trust in our government de-

pends upon the Executive Branch keeping its word,'' Rosenbaum, director of Public Counsel's Opportunity Under Law Project, said in a statement. ``Bait and switch sullies the integrity of our nation's core values.''

Emily Langlie, a spokeswoman for the US attorney's office in Seattle, said it would be premature to comment on the lawsuit. A hearing in the case has been scheduled in federal court in Seattle.

Recent sweeps by U.S. immigration agents across multiple states have netted some immigrants with no criminal records, a departure from enforcement actions in the last decade. Under the Obama administration, agents focused more narrowly on individuals who posed a security or public safety threat.

President Donald Trump made illegal immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, saying he will build a wall along the Mexican border and deport millions of people, although actual plans

have yet to be revealed. He has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes.

During an interview with Time magazine late last year, Trump expressed sympathy for the more than 740,000 people in the DACA program, which started in 2012. ``We're going to work something out that's going to make people happy and proud,'' he told the magazine.

Trump can withdraw the promised protection right away through an ``operational memo'' because Obama implemented it through one, William Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said previously.

Adams said he believes Ramirez was apprehended by mistake. ``I don't think this has to do with any change in policy; I just think it was an enforcement procedure gone wrong,'' Adams said. ``Hopefully they're going to come to their senses.'' -AP

Indian pleads guilty for H1B visa fraud NEW YORK: An Indian-origin woman has pleaded guilty for her role in an H1B visa fraud scheme under which foreign workers were recruited by two IT firms here but were not employed full time or paid according to federal rules.

Hiral Patel, 34, of Jersey City pleaded guilty before US District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging her with conspiracy to obstruct justice as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain foreign worker visas, US Attorney Paul Fishman said.

Patel faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a USD 250,000 fine when sentenced in June.

Patel was the human resources manager for two information technology companies SCM Data Inc and MMC Systems Inc, which offered consultants to clients in need of IT support.

Both companies recruited foreign nationals, often student visa holders or recent college graduates, and sponsored them for visas under the H-1B program that allows businesses in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers with specialized or technical expertise in a particular field, such as accounting, engineering or computer science.

Patel's conspirators recruited foreign workers with purported IT expertise who sought work in the

US. They sponsored the foreign workers' H-1B visas with the stated purpose of working for SCM Data and MMC Systems' clients throughout the US. When submitting the visa paperwork to the US Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigrations Services

rently working that if they wanted to maintain their H-1B visa status, they would need to come up with what their gross wages would be in cash and give it to SCM Data and MMC Systems so the companies could issue payroll checks to the foreign workers.

The conspirators asked the foreign workers to submit bogus pay-

Patel, who was the human resources manager for SCM Data and MMC Systems, admitted that in February and March 2015, she was involved in preparing false leave slips for the foreign workers on behalf of SCM Data and MMC Systems.

The case comes amid a strong criticism of the abuse of the H1B

visa program, which US lawmakers say is used to bring in cheap labor from foreign markets like India and replace American workers.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to reform the immigration system to ensure Americans don't lose their jobs and are given priority by companies before bringing in foreign workers. -PTI

India should have 'visa-based data'

(USCIS), the conspirators represented that the foreign workers had full-time positions and were paid an annual salary, as required to secure the visas.

However contrary to these representations and in violation of the H-1B program, the conspirators paid the foreign workers only when they were placed at a thirdparty client who entered into a contract with SCM Data or MMC Systems.

The conspirators told the foreign workers who were not cur-

roll checks to USCIS as proof that the workers were engaged in fulltime work despite the fact that they were not working for the companies.

As the US Department of Labor (USDOL) launched an audit of SCM Data and MMC Systems, the conspirators fabricated leave or vacation slips to USDOL for the time periods that the foreign workers were not working to conceal the fact that they were not paid during those time periods as required by federal law.

NEW DELHI: India should have a "visa-based data" reservoir of foreign nationals visiting the country to effectively check cases of overstaying, union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir has said.

While speaking at the 70th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police held in northwest Delhi's New Police Lines, Ahir stressed on creating a database of foreign nationals visiting India since many a time, they overstay their visa.

"It is the need of the hour to work on creating this data to safeguard our country," he said while referring to the recent arrest of a Nigerian by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly smuggling cocaine by ingesting it.

The minister also said that the 85,000-strong Delhi Police is un-

der tremendous pressure since it guards the national capital that houses the Parliament and various ministries.

"Delhi Police has to be more alert while doing their duty.

You don't have to only contend with criminal elements but also

Hansraj Gangaram Ahir

forces that are trying to weaken the country," he said. -PTI

Premal Badiani and Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, Consul General of India to NY at a reception, hosted at the Indian Consulate to celebrate New York Fashion Week.

50 India Post

Fashion Designer Premal Badiani (center) at a press conference, flanked by Meghna Joshi (left), Mrs India International and Dr. Swetha Reddy, Co-founder of Indiapopup.com at Indian Consulate in New York.

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Indiaspopup.com, a premier online destination for luxury designer wear showcased Prema Badiani's "Root Cause" collection at the Indian Consulate in New York City.

Based out of New York, Indiaspopup.com, promotes talented Indian designers by showcasing their work on an international level and Badiani's collection was the first in a series of such events.

"We are very proud of the craftsmanship and creativity of our Indian designers and hope to make a major dent in the global fashion market," said Dr. Shweta Reddy, Founder

February 24, 2017

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Fashion Designer Premal Badiani at New York Fashion Week.

of Indiaspopup.com.

The event was held at the Consulate as Her label "Premal Badiani part of the New York Fashion week and helped open an avenue for an entire community of " has become synonyIndian Textile makers. mous with sophisticated Her label "Premal Badiani " has become drama, feminine motifs synonymous with sophisticated drama, feminine motifs, unabashed grandeur and contemporary structure. Her enthusiasm for fashion resonates in her designs, resplendent with signature layering, dazzling embellishments, intricate draping and exquisite attention to detail.

Driven by artistic, modern and luxurious design and style, couture-like quality and a high level of customer service, her label holds an impeccable customer appeal.

"Mine is a lifestyle brand, born out of passion for creation and design, inspired by the rich heritage of India. It's an exclusive blend of Premal Badiani displays her creation of evening gown at New York Fashion Week. luxury, opu-

lence, intricate craftsmanship, exquisite em- Gaurav Gupta and of course Premul Badiani. broideries with fresh cuts and the finest qual- Designs which are carefully chosen are put ity of fabrics and global designs that define together on a single platform to make shopmodern Indian couture", said Badiani. ping a great experience for all.

Badiani has also joined hands with The event also featured Mirza Ghalib NGO Hearts@Work foundation led by wines from Sufi Wine Group. the successful entrepreneur Viral S. Desai who has been persistently making tremendous efforts with his various initiatives in the field of environmental awareness to bring in the 360-degree sustainability in the society. The brand is honored to announce an association with the 'Clean India, Green India' initiative.

On their platf o r m , Indiaspopup features several super talented designers including Falguni & Shane Peacock, Rohit Ghandi, Rahul Khanna, Varun Bahl, Anupama Premal Badiani and Mani Kamboj, Chief Operating Officer of Roshni Media at New York Fashion Week.

Dayal ,

February 24, 2017

India Post 51

Deepika bags IndoChinese project

D

eepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra have spread their wings in the international market and are the

top contenders for international projects. While Deepika's maiden Hollywood film 'xXx: The Return of Xander Cage' released last month, Priyanka's Hollywood debut 'Baywatch' will hit screens in May. Reportedly, Deepika has already bagged her second international project, overtaking Priyanka in the race. Filmmaker Siddharth Anand was considering to cast either of the two actresses for his upcoming Indo-Chinese movie, and it seems like the 'Chennai Ex-

press' actress has been finalized for the role, according to a report in Filmfare.

The Indo-Chinese film will also star Chinese actor Deng Chao, who has starred in films like 'The Mermaid' and 'Devil and Angel'.

"Yes, it's a cross-cultural romance set in Beijing. I'm excited to explore and showcase another culture through this film. Our Chinese producers have suggested Deng Chao's name but we will take a final call when I visit China," the popular magazine had quoted Siddharth as saying. The director also added, "The film will have an A-list actress who already has an international presence, so it could possibly be one of them."

However, there has not been any official confirmation in this regard.

Meanwhile, Deepika's Hollywood film co-starring Vin Diesel failed to make an impact at the box-office.

She is currently working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus 'Padmavati', which also stars Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor and Aditi Rao Hydari.

On the other hand,

Priyanka's Hollywood film, starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron among others, will see her in a negative role. The film will release on May 26. She is already winning hearts with her American television series 'Quantico 2'.

S

has become the reason of trouble between Saif and wife Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Allegedly, Bebo and Saif are having arguments over Sara's career. Bebo, being a Karan Johar

loyalist, wants Sara to debut in a Dharma film because she knows her career will take off well, just like Alia. She and her girlfriends too discuss about how Karan's backing has landed Alia where she is today.

But on the other hand, our Chhote Nawab is not too keen on Sara taking the same path. He wants her to be independent and doesn't want Karan to interfere in her career and keep recommending her to other filmmakers.

According to a Pinkvilla report, "Kareena and Saif have been having some disagreements about Sara's career. But Saif really does not want Sara to follow Alia's footsteps. While Kareena understands

SINGAPORE: Indian students have won all three top awards at a prestigious quiz competition held in Singapore.

Defending Champions Rohan Naidu and Shivam Bhardwaj of National University of Singapore (NUS) overcame a stiff competition from Arvind Ramesh and Anshuman Anand of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to win the champion title and trophy of the Tata Crucible Campus Quiz Singapore 2017.

The winners from National University of Singapore (NUS) were awarded a cash prize of Singapore dollars 7,000.

The first runners up won a cash prize of Singapore dollars 3,000 while the second runners up won themselves a cash prize of Singapore dollars 2,000.

The acumen of these teams was assessed in various rounds comprising multiple audio-visual questions from the world of business and economy.

Indian students of National University of Singapore with Singapore Tata Quiz 2017 Trophy

The third place was bagged by Tanushree Kumar and Sahaj Chopra of SP Jain School of Global Management, Tata said in a statement.

The quiz was held on February 9.

The finale consisted of multiple rounds of high energy quizzing.

Saif , Kareena argue over Sara's career aif Ali Khan's daughter is all set to make her big Bollywood debut with Karan Johar's Student Of The Year 2. But now, a recent report on an online portal suggests that this

Indian students win Singapore Tata Quiz

Saif's line of thought, she feels one movie with Karan would do no harm to Sara. She also promised Saif that she will make sure KJo does not get too involved in Sara's career."

Guess Karan's become the reason of disagreement between the lovely couple!

Over the years, the Tata Crucible Campus Quiz has established itself as one of the most awaited quizzes for the student community in Singapore.

The quiz had a participation of 164 students in 82 teams from prominent local institutions.-PTI

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Philosophy

February 24, 2017

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G

od alone is real, and all else illusory. The garden and its owner. God and His splendor. But people look at the garden only. How few seek out the owner!

A Devotee: Sir, what is the way?

Master: Discrimination between the Real and the unreal. One should always discriminate to the effect that God alone is real and the world unreal. And one should pray with sincere longing.

Devotee: But, sir, where is our leisure for these things?

Master: Those who have the time must meditate and worship.

But those who cannot possibly do so must bow down wholeheartedly to God twice a day. He abides in the hearts of all; He knows that worldly people have many things to do. What else is possible for them? You don't have time to pray to God; therefore give Him the power of attorney. But all is in vain unless you attain God and see Him. Another Devotee: Sir, to see you is the same as to see God. Master: Don't ever say that again. The waves belong to the Ganges, not the Ganges to the waves. A man cannot realize God unless he gets rid of all such egotistic ideas as 'I am such an important man' or 'I am so and so'.

Level the mound of 'I' to the ground by dissolving it with tears THE MOTHER (MIRRA ALFASSA)

There are two allied powers in man: knowledge and Wisdom.

Knowledge is so much of the truth, seen in a distorted medium, as the mind arrives at by groping; Wisdom what the eye of divine vision sees in the spirit. -Sri Aurobindo

S

omeone has asked me, "Why are the powers allied?" I suppose that we are so used to seeing all the elements in man quarrelling among themselves that the idea of their being "allied" causes astonishment. But these quarrels are only apparent. All the powers which come from the higher regions are in fact necessarily allied - they are united, they have agreed to fight the Ignorance.

And Sri Aurobindo says clearly enough - for those who understand - that one of these powers belongs to the mind and that the other belongs to the Spirit.

This is precisely the profound truth that Sri Aurobindo wants to reveal in his aphorism: if the mind tries to obtain the second power, it is unable to do so, since it is a power that belongs to the Spirit and arises in the human being together with the spiritual consciousness.

Knowledge is something that the mind can obtain through much

of devotion.

Devotee: Why has God put us in the world?

Master: To perpetuate His creation. It is His will, His maya. He has deluded man with 'woman and gold'.

Devotee: Why has He deluded us? Why has He so willed?

Master: If but once He should give man a taste of divine joy, then man would not care to lead a worldly life. The creation would

sure of 'woman and gold'!

Devotee: Why do we not feel intense restlessness to realize Him? Master: A man does not feel restless for God until all his worldly desires are satisfied. He does not remember the Mother of the Universe until his share of the enjoyment of 'woman and gold' is completed. A child absorbed in play does not seek his mother. But after his play is over, he says,

Their desire for enjoyment has been satisfied with their very birth.

At five o'clock in the afternoon Dr. Madhusudan arrived. While he prepared the bandage for the Master's arm, Sri Ramakrishna laughed like a child and said, You are the Madhusudan of both this world and the next!

Dr. Madhusudan (smiling): I only labor under the weight of my name.

Master (smiling): Why, is the

God alone is real & the world unreal

Spirit is the living body seen from within, and the body is the outer manifestation of the living spirit.

-Carl Jung

Those who have the time must meditate and worship. But those who cannot possibly do so must bow down whole-heartedly to God twice a day. He abides in the hearts of all Sri Ramakrishna

come to an end.

The grain-dealer stores rice in huge bags in his warehouse. Near them he puts some puffed rice in a tray. This is to keep the rats away. The puffed rice tastes sweet to the rats and they nibble at it all night; they do not seek the rice itself. But just think! One seer of rice yields fourteen seers of puffed rice. How infinitely superior is the joy of God to the plea-

'Mother! I must go to my mother.'

Hriday's son was playing with the pigeons, calling to them, 'Come!

Ti, ti!' When he had had enough of play he began to cry. Then a stranger came and said: 'Come with me. I will take you to your mother.' Unhesitatingly he climbed on the man's shoulders and was off.

Those who are eternally free do not have to enter worldly life.

name a trifling thing? God is not different from His name.

Satyabhama tried to balance Krishna with gold and precious stones, but could not do it. Then Rukmini put a tulsi-leaf with the name of Krishna on the scales.

That balanced the Lord.

Excerpted from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. The 181st birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna was celebrated on February 18.

effort, although this is not true knowledge, but only a mental aspect of knowledge; whereas Wisdom does not at all belong to the mind, which is altogether incapable of obtaining it, because, in fact, it doesn't even know what it is.

Wisdom is essentially a power of the Spirit and it can arise only with spiritual consciousness.

dium is the mental medium which works in ignorance and which is therefore unable to express truth in its purity. But since life as a whole is lived in ignorance, the distorted medium is also the earthatmosphere which, in its entirety, distorts the truth seeking to express itself through it. And here lies the most subtle point of this

thing which is no longer the truth?

We are used to being told that one can only have partial, incomplete, fragmentary knowledge which therefore cannot be true knowledge. This point of view is rather trite: one need only to have studied a little in life to be aware of it. However, what Sri Aurobindo means by "the truth seen in a dis-

What does Sri Aurobindo mean when he speaks of "the truth seen in a distorted medium"? What is this "distorted medium", and what does the truth become in a "distorted medium"?

As always, what Sri Aurobindo says can have several levels of meaning - one is more specific, the other more general. In the most specific sense, the distorted me-

aphorism. What can the mind arrive at by groping?

We know that it is always groping, seeking to know, erring, returning upon its previous attempts and trying again... Its progress is very, very halting. But what can it grasp of the truth? Is it a fragment, a piece, something which is still the truth, but only partially, incompletely, or is it some-

Charity is the filthiest invention of the human mind: first you steal what belongs to everyone; then you use the law and various other means to protect it. You give charity to prevent the have-nots from rebelling against you. It also makes you feel less guilty.

-U.G. Krishnamurti

The happiness you are seeking is not to be found in the flow of life, but in your attitude toward whatever life brings.

-Ramesh S Balsekar

The love that you search for everywhere is already present within you. It may be evoked by any number of people or events. But finally, you must realize you are this love. The source of all love is within you.

-Gangaji

Wisdom does not at all belong to mind Knowledge is something that the mind can obtain through much effort, although this is not true knowledge, but only a mental aspect of knowledge; whereas Wisdom does not at all belong to the mind

Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 percent of everything you think, and of everything you do, is for yourselfand there isn't one.

-Wei Wu Wei

The Mother (Mirra Alfassa)

torted medium" is far more interesting than that. Truth itself takes on another aspect; in this medium it is no longer the truth, but a distortion of the truth.

Excerpted from The Mother's commentaries on Sri Aurobindo's Thoughts and Aphorisms. The 139th birth anniversary of The Mother was celebrated on February 21.

Isnt it the very last thing we feel grateful for - having happened? You needn't have happened. But you did happen.

-Douglas Harding

No thought has any power.

You have power. And when you identify and believe in the thought you give power to the thought.

-Mooji

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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February 24, 2017

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Poor Defense budget will hit preparedness

India Post

GURMEET KANWAL

I

n the budget for the Financial Year (FY) 2017-18, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has been allotted INR 2,74,114 crore, excluding the provision for pensions.

The nominal increase of 5.7 per cent over the revised estimates (RE) for FY 2016-17 is barely adequate to provide for domestic inflation. The increase is insufficient to cater to the increase in the pay and allowances of the armed forces and the civilian employees of the MoD consequent to the implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

The total capital outlay for the next financial year - meant mainly for the acquisition of new weapons systems and defense equipment - is pegged at INR 86,488.01 crore. Though the government has been making efforts to encourage the acquisition of weapons systems and defense equipment through the "make in India"

almost every year or transferred to the revenue budget. All of these systemic weaknesses work in tandem and, consequently, the modernization plans of the armed forces are adversely affected.

As a ratio of the country's GDP, the defense expenditure planned for FY 2017-18 stands reduced to 1.62 per cent. This is the lowest level since the disastrous 1962 war with China when it was 1.59 per cent of the GDP and is grossly inadequate to meet India's growing threats and challenges and the need for military modernization.

The allocation for defense must go up to at least 2.0 per cent of the GDP in the supplementary demands for FY 2017-18. It should be raised gradually to 3.0 per cent of the GDP as recommended repeatedly by the Standing Committee on Defense in Parliament if another military debacle is to be avoided.

A workable method needs to be found to overcome the inability of the MoD bureaucracy and the armed forces to spend the funds allotted on the capital account fully and to curb the tendency of India's Ministry of Finance to allow part of the allotted funds to lapse as a tool to manage the burgeoning fiscal deficit route, about 70 per cent of the requirements are still imported.

The 10.05 per cent increase in the capital budget over the budgetary estimates (BE) for FY 201617 (INR 78,586.68 crore) is barely adequate to compensate for the 10 to 15 per cent inflation per annum in the prices of weapons and defense equipment procured through imports. The amount actually spent on the capital account in FY 2016-17 is INR 71,700.00 crore (RE). A sum of INR 6,886 crore was transferred to the revenue account.

The customs duty now being imposed on defense imports and the drop in the value of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar also make the import of weapons and equipment comparatively more expensive. The Rupee had dropped to 68.71 to one US Dollar on 24 November 2016 - its lowest level during the year.

Despite low levels of funding on the capital account, allocations continue to be surrendered

According to a press release issued by the MoD, the Defense Acquisition Council chaired by India's Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar had accorded initial approval - referred to as acceptance of necessity (AON) to defense procurement projects worth INR 2,39,000 crore till July 2016. Of this, contracts worth INR 1,13,995 crore had been signed.

At a DAC meeting held in November 2016, AON was given for new procurement projects worth INR 82,117 crore.

The new projects include the purchase of 83 Tejas Mark 1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force at a cost of INR 50,025 crore; 15 helicopters for the IAF and the Indian Army at a cost of INR 2,911 crore; 598 mini-UAVs for the army at a cost of INR 1,100 crore; and 464 T-90 Russian tanks at a cost of INR 13,448 crore.

Given the low availability of funds on the capital account and the 'committed liabilities' of pre-

vious years - previously negotiated contracts with a fixed annual outgo, It will be difficult for the MoD to find the funds that will be required to sign contracts to acquire even half the weapons and equipment for which AON has been accorded in November 2016.

In FY 2017-18, funds amounting to only about INR 5,000 crore are likely to be available for new weapons and equipment acquisitions. Assuming the first year's payment to be 10 per cent of the total, contracts worth about INR 50,000 crore may be concluded.

A workable method needs to be found to overcome the inability of the MoD bureaucracy and the armed forces to spend the funds allotted on the capital account fully and to curb the tendency of India's Ministry of Finance to allow part of the allotted funds to lapse as a tool to manage the burgeoning fiscal deficit.

In the interim budget that he presented for FY 2004-05, the then Indian Finance Minister Jaswant Singh had made an excellent recommendation. He had proposed to introduce a nonlapsable, rolling defense modernization fund worth INR 25,000 crore. It was an innovative measure that did not find favor with the then Congress-led UPA government that presented the full budget after it came to power.

It is an inescapable national security imperative that a roll-on, non-lapsable defense modernization fund be instituted with a corpus of INR 1,00,000 crore. It should be linked with the Consolidated Fund of India.

Besides being a statement of account, the defense budget is a tool for demonstrating the country's resolve and for enhancing deterrence through signaling.

Infirmity in the approach to the formulation of the defense budget creates the impression that the management of national security does not rate a very high priority. That is not a worthy message to send out from the premises of the Indian parliament.

Overall, with the present defense budget, operational preparedness will deteriorate further even as the threats and challenges continue to increase. And, military modernization, which had just about begun to pick up steam, will stagnate once again.

The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA)

Land of the pure

P

akistan was formed as an exclusive state for Muslims because they did not expect a fair deal in a united India whose promise was followers of all religions living together. It was rightly feared that the few minorities left behind in Pakistan would face persecution. But today even being a Muslim is no guarantee of safety in Pakistan. "Pak" means pure. Thus Pakistan was supposed to be a land of the pure. But followers of different sects of Muslims consider themselves more pure than the others. Since their religious books allow them to take up arms in support of their beliefs and even kill those with different beliefs, they are killing each other to ensure that only the "pure" are left behind. They do not argue to ascertain the validity of beliefs of others but just kill innocent followers of a sect just because they had gathered in thousands at a shrine of their religious leader.

This cleansing of "others" has been exported by Pakistan to Kashmir also. First they began with exterminating Pandits who had been living peacefully together with Muslims. Those not killed left on their own fearing they could be next target of face-covered bandits operating on the orders of the Army and ISI in Pakistan. In the general public, nobody raises their voice against the militants because of the fear of being silenced with a bullet. When the Indian security forces went after the militants exported by Pakistan, they perfected the art of hiding in crowds and firing from that safety. If the Indian forces fired back there was always the danger of killing innocents.

Recently Muslim terrorists killed over 100 followers of a Sufi saint in a shrine named after him. The Pakistani army in its retaliation killed over 100 terrorists, as it called them. This tit for tat is not likely to end. Seeing this state of anarchy in Pakistan, one wonders what do Kashmiris hope for when they declare their desire to join "Pak"istan. Do they think they will be safe under the boots of a different Army? Indian Army is in Kashmir to deter the rush of terrorists that Pakistan keeps exporting. If they go about peacefully doing their business, they face no danger. But the virus that Muslims majority regions must be merged in Pakistan has been injected into Kashmir. Pakistan has tried all in its power to grab the territory of Kashmir, using force most of the time and succeeded in keeping the pot boiling. When India retaliates, it boils further, suiting Pakistani designs. It shouts from housetops for the world to listen that atrocities are being committed in Kashmir against their Muslim brethren. But what about the adherents of Shia, Ahmediya and other sects who are being regularly exterminated in Pakistan? Do the Kashmiris see safety in a Muslim majority region where Muslims are being killed for being different? Aren't the Kashmiris different from those who are today powerful In Pakistan? Even today Pakistan just covets the territory and not the Muslim citizens of Kashmir. When it was threatened under the Indus treaty that India would block water to Pakistan if it doesn't desist from stoking terrorism and unrest in Kashmir, it lost the love for Kashmiris and made international noise that Kashmir must stop building dams on the Indus for their own use because it reduces the water to Pakistan. If Pakistan loves the Kashmiris so much why does it grudge their using their water for their own benefit? It wants the Kashmiris to sacrifice their water for the use of Pakistan. Surveys done on water usage have revealed the colossal state of water wastage in Pakistan. Instead of managing its water resource it wants to deprive Kashmir of its due water, and still it claims it loves the Kashmiris.

It is curious that China doesn't react to the killings spree in Pakistan!

February 24, 2017

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February 24, 2017