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Big community support to Nimish Jani Details on page 16

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U.S. ASSURES INDIA ON HATE CRIMES

India announces new policy on oil exploration

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India open to bilaterally settling Indus pact

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‘UK schools should teach colonial history’

survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Is Trump administration’s assurance on hate crime convincing?

Last week’s result

Modi should speak to Trump on Kansas?

YES 78%

NO 22%

Ro Khanna joins new H1B reform bill

Indian in UAE wins Rs 12 cr in lottery

CNN's 'negative portrayal' of Hinduism hurts

INDIA POST SURVEY

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H-1B part of immigration package: US

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CONTENTS POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP: Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson whom he met in Washington on March 3. (Details on page 8)

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WASHINGTON: The US has assured India of "speedy justice" to the Indian-American victims of hate-related crimes as the Indian envoy here reached out to the State Department to convey his "deep concerns" over such tragic incidents.

"State Department, on behalf of US Govt, expressed condolences and assured they are working with all agencies concerned to ensure speedy justice," the Indian Embassy in the US said in a series of tweets.

India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna reached out to the State Department to convey his "deep con-

cerns" to the US government on the recent tragic incidents involving Harnish Patel and Deep Rai. Patel, 43, the owner of a convenience store in Lancaster County, South Carolina, was found dead of gunshot wounds in the front yard of his home.

Rai, 39-year-old Sikh, was shot outside his home by a partially-masked gunman who shouted "go back to your own country", in a suspected hate crime.

Sarna also "underlined" the need to prevent such incidents and protect the Indian community.

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Bollywood: Big Will To celebrate Women's Day, Amitabh Bachchan has willed his assets to be shared equally between his daughter & son

Cover Story: US assurance The US has assured India of "speedy justice" to the Indian-American victims of hate-related crimes

Community: Support to Jani The Indian American Republican Organization hosted a grand reception & fundraiser to re-elect Nimish Jani

Romesh K Japra

FLORIDA B K Madnani CANADA Firdaus Ali Correspondent

HIGHLIGHTS

ast and furious - that's one way to define the way events unfolding in the country right now, and the information overload seems to be blowing our minds too fast and way too furiously.

Somehow, every major unsettling event in this country, almost invariably impacts our community directly. For those of us who saw the fallout of the terrorist attacks in the post-9/11 months, it feels like déjà vu; the only difference from then to now being that the anti-immigrant hate seems to have acquired a sanction of sorts.

Still, I don't want to sound an alarm. The reason? My innate belief in America, the American people and American values. Way too often we see innocent Americans falling victim to senseless acts of violence by one of their own simply because that individual happened to be armed with a crazed mind and an easily available gun. Those crazies don't define the rest of America. Nor do the bigots who find soft targets in people of South Asian origin, particularly those of Sikh faith.

So how does one process the bizarre never-seen-before flare up of emotions from coast to coast; the vicious cat and mouse game between the new administration and the media; the anger and fear stemming from all quarters in the country which seem justified at varying levels; and the consequent upheavals in nations around the world including India.

I have always believed in the laws of nature - in the way nature resorts to course correction, bringing from time to time, calamitous changes, allowing for a renewed and more vibrant form of life to thrive. So would it be too optimistic or even delusional on my part to expect a renewed and more vibrant America to emerge once the dust settles down? C'mon people, this is America, remember?

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US assures India on hate crimes WASHINGTON: The US has assured India of "speedy justice" to the Indian-American victims of hate-related crimes as the Indian envoy here reached out to the State Department to convey his "deep concerns" over such tragic incidents.

"State Department, on behalf of US Govt, expressed condo-

Harnish Patel

lences and assured they are working with all agencies concerned to ensure speedy justice," the Indian Embassy in the US said in a series of tweets.

India's Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna reached out to the State Department to convey his "deep concerns" to the US government on the recent tragic incidents involving Harnish Patel and Deep Rai. Patel, 43, the owner of a convenience store in Lancaster County, South Carolina, was found dead of gunshot wounds

in the front yard of his home.

Rai, 39-year-old Sikh, was shot outside his home by a partiallymasked gunman who shouted "go back to your own country", in a suspected hate crime.

Sarna also "underlined" the need to prevent such incidents and protect the Indian community.

Indian Embassy officials are in constant communication with local police officials in both the cases. In the case of Patel, the County Sheriff had pointed out that this may not be a hate crime.

"We will remain in touch with them," an Indian Embassy source said.

There have been a slew of biasrelated incidents in the US, raising concerns over the safety of the members of the Indian-American community.

Last month, 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed when 51-year-old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at him and his friend Alok Madasani, yelling "get out of my country".

FBI joins probe Meanwhile, in Kent, Washington State, the FBI has joined the investigation into the shooting of a Sikh Deep Rai, by a partiallymasked gunman, who shouted "go back to your own country", in a suspected hate crime.

The Federal Bureau of Investi-

Attacks 'very sensitive issue': Pradhan BOSTON: Terming a series of US in the wake of attacks tarrecent attacks on the Indian- geting Indians.

Americans as "very sensitive The minister, who was atissue", Minister of State for Pe- tending a reception organized troleum and Natural Gas for him by the Indian commuDharmendra Pradhan has said nity in the greater Boston area, that the whole however, asked world is "very the Indian concerned" Diaspora to reabout certain frain from giving developments any knee-jerk rein the US. action.

"This is a "Let us not very sensitive jump (the gun) or issue now. give any knee-jerk Whole world reaction, let us is very conwait and watch," cerned about he said at the reDharmendra Pradhan certain develception. opments in Pradhan noted this country," Pradhan, who was that Indian-Americans are now here on a two-day visit, said fighting elections and being when asked by some members elected to office in the US and of the community over the cur- becoming a voice of the people rent environment of fear in the in the country's politics.-PTI

gation (FBI) is investigating the incident as a potentially hate-motivated crime.

"The Seattle FBI is assisting the Kent Police Department through a joint investigation of

pursue a hate crime investigation," said Sikh Coalition interim program manager, Rajdeep Singh.

The Coalition also urged the Trump administration to take concrete actions to prevent the recur-

A man bows his head as he attends Sunday services at the Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington, a Sikh temple in Renton on March 5, south of Seattle

the shooting incident.

"The FBI remains committed to investigating crimes that are potentially hate-motivated and we continue to work with all our community partners in the Seattle area," said FBI Seattle Spokesperson Ayn Dietrich.

Rai was released from the hospital on March 5.

Police Chief Ken Thomas said detectives have canvassed Kent's East Hill neighborhood, where the shooting took place, and have spoken with potential witnesses and area businesses.

However, he declined to discuss any evidence detectives collected. Governor Jay Inslee, in a statement, condemned the shooting, saying "these acts of violence are hateful, detestable, and unAmerican".

Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera has condemned the shooting of Rai, saying crimes motivated by hate are on the rise.

"This disturbing crime is an outrage that goes against everything we stand for as a nation of immigrants," Bera said.

"On the heels of the Kansas shooting, crimes motivated by hate are on the rise," Bera said.

"Xenophobia and racism have no place in America, and we as a nation need to stand up to these hate crimes - starting with the President (Donald Trump). Thankfully, the victim is recovering and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," said Bera, the three-term Indian American Congressman from California.

The Sikh Coalition praised Kent Police for swiftly moving to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

"We applaud the decision by the Kent Police Department to

rence of such crimes.

"Immigrants and religious minorities are being attacked around the nation, but the Trump administration has not even created a task force to address this issue...," Rajdeep said, adding, "The White House needs to show leadership in preventing hate violence."

"The purpose of forums is to (1) introduce Sikh American community members to agencies and groups that can address complaints, incidents, or issues and (2) provide local, state and federal governmental agencies the opportunity to build relationships with and address the specific needs of their local Sikh American community," SALDEF said.

The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of North America said it was "gravely concerned about the sharp increase in racial and religiously targeted crimes throughout the country".

"We call upon the federal government to take immediate public action to protect the public and denounce these heinous and bigoted acts," said Vichal Kumar, SABA North America president.

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a rights organization, alleged that President Donald Trump's "dangerous combination" of rhetoric and policies has fanned the flames of violence, including the deadly February shooting of two Indian men in Kansas and the shooting of a Sikh man in Kent, Washington.

SAALT called upon the US

Sarna also "underlined" the need to prevent such incidents and protect the Indian community. Indian Embassy officials are in constant communication with local police officials in both the cases Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) said, "This incident followed a surge of attacks on our communities."

SALDEF said it will be launching a series of 'Know Your Rights Forums' in gurdwaras across the country beginning in Durham, North Carolina on March 26.

President to immediately reverse course and end his campaign against Muslim and immigrant communities.

"It is time for the White House to set the tone for our nation and turn its back on poisonous rhetoric. It is time for our nation to begin to heal from the violence," it said. -PTI

Purinton asked victims if 'status was legal' OLATHE, KS: An Indian man wounded in an apparently racially motivated shooting that killed his friend at a suburban Kansas City bar has told detectives the gunman asked if their "status was legal."

Johnson County court officials released a redacted affidavit for 51-year-old Adam Purinton, who is charged with murder and attempted murder in the February 22 shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

The shooting killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounded his friend, Alok Madasani. The FBI is investigating the incident as a hate crime.

The affidavit says Purinton was escorted out of the bar after confronting the two Indian men and opened fire with a handgun after returning about 30 minutes later.

A third man, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he intervened. AP

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'Hate' video says Indians Harnish Patel killing 'no hate crime' ravishing Midwest NEW YORK: Amid attacks on Indian-origin people in the US, an anti-immigration website has caused alarm among the community after featuring a video showing a man secretly filming Indian families at an Ohio park and commenting that the "Indian crowd" has "ravished the Mid-west".

The 2:49 minute video is titled 'Welcome to Columbus Ohio Suburbs - Let's Take a Walk to Indian Park' and according to BuzzFeed News it has been created by 66year-old computer programmer

ning around and playing on the swings while their parents and guardians watch on.

"I'm not saying it's bad or good.

I'm worried about the people that had jobs and worked here," the man says in the video.

As he records the video showing some men playing volleyball, Pushor comments that till last year the Indian crowd was playing cricket and they have now turned to volleyball, migrating "towards the American way of life".

As he pans his camera across

The website saveamericanitjobs.org says its mission is to "save American IT jobs for future generations" and has sections like 'Indian IT Mafia' and posts on 'I lost my job to H1B' and 'the perpetuated H1B scam from Virginia named Steve Pushor.

It has been posted on the website saveamericanitjobs.org.

"The Indian crowd has ravished the Midwest. It's crazy. I ask this question - what happened to all the American people that used to live in this middle, upper-middle class neighborhood. Where does all this money come from," the man remarks as he walks through the park secretly filming the video.

Young children are seen run-

the unsuspecting crowd, he remarks that the number of people from foreign countries "blows my mind out here".

"This is an amazing number of jobs that have been taken away, more than last year or year before.

It's crazy inanity," he comments, as he shows young children running around the park, playing on the swings and women standing and talking.

He also remarks that he can

"get away" with taking the video instead of taking pictures.

Pushor comments on the "traditional outfits" that the Indian women are wearing, saying it is "phenomenally mind blowing".

Pushor told BuzzFeed News that he is trying to point out that "people in Ohio, IT workers and other professional people, have lost their jobs to foreign guest workers. That's what our point is."

The report said Pushor had initially posted the video in August and it has re-surfaced again recently.

The website saveamericanitjobs.org says its mission is to "save American IT jobs for future generations" and has sections like 'Indian IT Mafia' and posts on 'I lost my job to H1B' and 'the perpetuated H1B scam that is hurting USA IT workers and abusing H1B Indians'.

The video, where Pushor is stalking and secretly filming unsuspecting families, has been seen as disturbing and has raised more concerns in the community.

Bhavin Bavalia, an Americanborn IT professional and the son of Indian immigrants, was quoted as saying, "It's very scary for me knowing that I have a lot of family in these small Indian communities." -PTI

Sikhs respond to shooting with fear, disbelief KENT: Fear, hurt and disbelief weighed on the minds of those who gathered at a Sikh temple after the shooting of a Sikh man who said a gunman approached him in his suburban Seattle driveway and told him "go back to your own country."

"Everybody who is part of this community needs to be vigilant," Satwinder Kaur, a Sikh community leader, said as several hundred people poured into a temple in Renton for worship services about one mile from the shooting.

"It is scary," she added. "The community has been shaken up."

Authorities said a gunman approached the 39-year-old Sikh man as he worked on his car in his driveway in the city of Kent, about 20 miles south of Seattle.

The FBI will help investigate the shooting, authorities said.

Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas said the department is investigat-

ing the shooting as a hate crime.

He said no arrests have been made yet after the victim was shot in the arm but that he did not believe anyone was in imminent danger.

"This is a top priority investigation, and we are doing everything possible to identify and arrest the suspect," Thomas said in an email, adding that residents in the city of about 125,000 should "be vigilant" but also not let the shooting hurt their quality of life.

The FBI's Seattle office said in a statement that it is "committed to investigating crimes that are potentially hate-motivated," the Seattle Times reported.

The shooting was on the minds of many who gathered at a Sikh Temple in nearby Renton for worship. Women in colorful saris and headscarves and men wearing turbans sat on the floor on

opposite sides inside the worship space.

As they entered and left the services, many expressed fear that one of their own was targeted and said they're scared to go to the store or other public places.

Some said they have noticed an uptick in name-calling and other racist incidents in recent months. Still others expressed hurt and disbelief at the lack of understanding and ignorance.

"Sikhism teaches about equality and peace," said Sandeep Singh, 24. "It's sad to see that's what it has come to," he said of the violence. "This is our country. This is everyone's country."

Gurjot Singh, 39, who served in the Marine Corps and is an Iraq war veteran, said he was dismayed that people think others who look different aren't equal or don't contribute equally to the community.

-AP

WASHINGTON: Lancaster county authorities in the US have suggested that the killing of a 43year-old Indian-origin store owner there may not be a hate crime.

Harnish Patel, 43, the owner of a convenience store in Lancaster County, South Carolina, was found dead of gunshot wounds in the front yard of his home.

The County Sheriff has pointed out that this may not be a hate crime, sources said. "Local authorities are investigating. We will remain in touch with them," they said.

"Consulate General of India, Atlanta, is in touch with the family. It is deputing a consular offi-

cial to meet the family and offer condolences and any required assistance. It is also in touch with the local community organization of expat Indians, including those from Gujarat," they added.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "I am pained to hear about the killing of Harnish Patel, a US national of Indian-origin in Lancaster, South Carolina. Our Consul has reached Lancaster and met the family of Harnish Patel."

She said the investigation in the case was in progress. Swaraj also offered her condolences to the bereaved family.-PTI

Indian assaulted in NZ; told to go back MELBOURNE: An Indian thing in my mind was that he national in New Zealand was might hurt me with some assaulted, subjected to a racist weapon." tirade and told to go back to When Singh left, he assumed his own country during a road it was all over. But when he rage incident in Auckland, a parked on a nearby side street, media report says. he says the white Holden pulled Narindervir Singh said he up once again and the racist rant was filming from inside his ve- continued. hicle when the incident hapAnother man, Bikramjit pened on a weekday.

Singh, suffered similar abuse "I gave him a space... that recently as he left a Papatoetoe lady gave me the finger. He was storage facility. driving that car [pointing to a A man who claimed Bikramjit white Holden] and now he's try- was speeding yelled at him, saying to threaten me, giving me ing: "Go back to your country bad names," Singh says in a video which was being "I don't know what to do, it streamed live onto Facebook. really hurts my heart...The After Singh informed the driver first thing in my mind was that he's uploading that he might hurt me with the video live, the situation escalated some weapon" and Singh was abused, sworn at and told to go back to his own slow down! You know what the country. speed limit is here."

The abuser, who is seen in Bikramjit says he wasn't video wearing a grey Everlast speeding, is a New Zealand citit-shirt, was tail-gating accord- zen and has lived here for more ing to Singh, who says he sim- than a decade. The man who ply pulled over to let him pass. hurled abuse in that case ended The man also made derogatory up apologizing in an email, blamremarks about Punjabi people, ing two alcohol beverages he'd Newshub reported. consumed earlier that day.

As Singh drove off, the But those who work with miabuser exposed himself. "It re- grants say such discrimination ally shocked me and after he does appear to be increasing. [left], I was really shaken," "We are seeing it much more Newshub quoted Singh as say- openly which is a very serious ing. concern," said Anu Kaloti from "I don't know what to do, it the Migrant Workers Associareally hurts my heart...The first tion.-PTI

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Pak ex-NSA admits 26/11 attack NEW DELHI: Pakistan's former top security officer Mahmud Ali Durrani has said the 26/11 Mumbai strike was a "classic example" of cross-border terrorism, carried out by a Pak-based group and hoped that its chief Hafiz Saeed is punished.

However, Durrani, a former na-

Pakistan, was a classic trans-border terrorist event," he said while addressing a conference on combating terrorism at the Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis here.

Later talking to reporters, he said, "I know (this) for definite. I have very good information that

tional security advisor of Pakistan, maintained that the government had no role in the terror strikes that claimed lives of 166 people.

"26/11 Mumbai strikes, carried out by a terror group based in

the Government of Pakistan or the ISI (Pakistan's spy agency) was not involved in 26/11 (terror attack). I am 110 per cent sure."

Asked to elaborate, Durrani declined to divulge details, saying he was sacked by the Paki-

stani government for certain statements he made regarding the Mumbai attack. "I made a statement which the government did not like and I got sacked," he said.

In response to a question on JuD chief Saeed's usefulness to Pakistan, Durrani said he has "no utility" for the country and that the Mumbai attack mastermind should be "punished".

Durrani, who had served as a Major General in the Pakistani army, was sacked in 2009 for having indicated that Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist arrested for the Mumbai terror attack, may have been a Pakistani.

Kasab was hanged by India.

Durrani also sought to debunk India's assertion that it carried out surgical strikes on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC), saying he did not see evidence of any such attack by the Indian forces.

However, he advocated cordial relations between New Delhi and Islamabad and said Pakistan cannot progress if there is no friendship with India. -PTI

Pak groups fund J-K terrorism through charity NEW DELHI: Pakistan-based Asian Security Conference on terror groups finance terrorism in 'Combating Terrorism: Evolving an Jammu and Kashmir by generat- Asian Response'. The session was ing millions in donations through chaired by former Home Secretary their charity organizations, an NIA G K Pillai. officer said here.

'Al Rehmat Trust' distributes Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation pamphlets to raise funds for sacri(FIF), a charity run by terror out- ficing animals during Eid and after fits Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and collecting the money, they finance Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Al terrorism, the officer said.

Rehmat Trust, backed by another FIF, one of the major and fastterrorists group Jaish-e- est growing Non-Government OrMohammed (JeM), have been supporting The NIA was looking into the terrorists and funding terrorism in Kashmir, activities of JuD, LeT and said Atul Goel, Superin- JeM and also the working of tendent of Police, Natrusts associated with them tional Investigation in the neighboring country Agency (NIA).

The agency is entrusted with probing terrorism-re- ganizations (NGOs) in Pakistan, lated cases. also collects money from people Goel said the NIA was looking and uses them to fund terrorists, into the activities of JuD, LeT and Goel said.

JeM and also the working of "JuD chief Hafiz Saeed adtrusts associated with them in the dresses the volunteers of FIF. They neighboring country. have an entire network of people "These outfits collect dona- who work for their agenda of fotions from people in Pakistan and menting terror in Kashmir," he said. then pass on the money to finance Goel said these organizations interrorism in Kashmir through their dulge in collection of money outover ground workers," he said, side mosques. addressing a session at the 19th "Authorities have a video in which two persons are seen soliciting funds from people outside a mosque in Karachi in the presence of Pakistani Rangers," the officer claimed. These groups organize special campaigns during natural disasters and festivals and solicit money.

"JuD seeks voluntary donations during Eid. FIF, under the name of it was abundantly clear that Tehreek-e-Azadi Jammu and KashPakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was behind the deadly mir, organize campaigns and seeks Mumbai attack and Islamabad donations illegally. Such incidents should act against all those in- often get published in the local media (there)," Goel said.

FIF also seeks collection of funds online. One of the major sources of fund collection is sacrificing animals and collection of money during festivals, he said.

"Apparently, they collect millions of dollars in donations through crowd funding in the name of social service. A 2012 report says 780 million Pakistani rupees were collected for funding terrorism in Kashmir," the officer said.

The groups also run profit-genKiren Rijiju erating businesses like operating schools where fee is exceptionally volved in it.

Former Home Minister P high in the context of South Asia, Chidambaram had said on June 28, targeting upper middle class, he said.

Director General, National Acad2012 that Pakistani state actors emy of Customs, Excise and Narwere involved in the 2008 carnage. cotics, P K Dash said terrorism had "When I say state actors, at the moment, I am not pointing a fin- mutated into a business of power ger at any particular agency. But and money cloaked in fundamenclearly there was state support or talism, funded by rogue economstate actors' support for the 26/11 ics that requires little capital but gives huge return.-PTI massacre," he had said. -PTI

Pak offered probe team Nothing new, says Rijiju on Durrani remark after 26/11: Durrani NEW DELHI: Pakistan had proposed to send a probe team to India immediately after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai but the then UPA government did not respond, former Pakistan National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani said here.

At a conference on combating terrorism here, Durrani, who was the NSA during 26/11 terror attacks, said he had approached his Indian counterpart M K Narayanan and suggested to him about sending Pakistani investigators to India for a probe.

"He never got back on my proposal possibly because of the mistrust between the two countries," Durrani, who was sacked by the Pakistan government, said at the conference being organized by the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses.

The comments assume significance as the present NDA gov-

ernment has been criticized for allowing a Pakistani team, which included an official from the ISI, to carry out investigation in connection with the terror strike on

Mahmud Ali Durrani

the strategic IAF base at Pathankot.

The government had said that the Pakistan government would also allow Indian investigators to carry out probe in their country on a "reciprocal basis", but the visit has not been finalized so far.

-PTI

NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju said India's position on the 26/11 Mumbai attack is very well known and there is "nothing new" in former Pakistani NSA Mahmud Ali Durrani's remark that it was a "classic example" of cross-border terror.

"India's position is very well known and consistent. There is nothing new for us," the Union minister of state for home told PTI when his response on Durrani's statement was sought.

Addressing a conference on combating terrorism here, Durrani said the 26/11 terror strikes were a "classic example" of cross-border terrorism, carried out by a Pakistanbased terror group, but maintained that the Pakistani government had no role in the attack.

India has been blaming Pakistani government establishments for the country's worst terror attack in which 166 people lost their lives.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said on February 12, 2016 that

8

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Trump admin positive on India: Jaishankar WASHINGTON: The Trump Administration has a "very positive view" of the Indo-US relationship and takes a lot of interest in taking the ties forward, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said here after his wide-ranging talks with senior Cabinet members and top officials here.

for the India visit of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to hold the first India US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue under the Trump administration.

"Overall, (the) sense was that the Administration has a very positive view of the relationship,

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar

"Optimistic" about the continuation of the upward trajectory of the bilateral relationship, Jaishankar told Indian reporters here that the India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, which was started under the previous Obama administration, would be held later this year.

Dates were being worked out

positive view of India," said Jaishankar, who along with Commerce Secretary Rita Teotia, is on a visit here to engage with the new Trump administration.

"We saw a lot of goodwill and a lot of interest in taking the relationship forward," he said.

Jaishankar, during his visit, held a number of key meetings

here, including with Secretary of State Tillerson, Commerce Secretary Ross, Secretary of Homeland Security Gen (retd) John Kelly, National Security Advisor R McMaster, and Deputy Assistant to the President, Ken Juster.

The visiting Indian officials, accompanied by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, also met the top leadership of the US Congress, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker and his House counterpart Congressman Ed Royce.

They also met Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India caucus, and Co-Chairs of India Caucus in the House Congressman George Holding and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

Jaishankar and Teotia, during their visit, interacted with US businesses through the US India Business Council.

"The (US) Congress has been extraordinarily supportive of the growth of this relationship. Since there has been a change in the political landscape, we thought engaging them was something which was important," Jaishankar said.

"Broadly with the (US) administration, we explained to them the

H-1B part of immigration package: US to India WASHINGTON: The US has assured India that the H-1B visas issue was not a priority for it and would be part of the larger immigration reforms package that the new Trump administration is working on.

The assurance came amid an ongoing debate in the US and reported moves by the Trump Administration

retary Rita Teotia told reporters at a news conference here.

"Nevertheless when it is addressed, it would be part of the overall immigration package," Teotia said.

Teotia, along with Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, is currently in the US meeting top officials of the Trump administration and the

"There was a sense that there is recognition of the contribution of the Indian tech sector.

Certainly this is not very much...not a priority of the government. They are concerned with the immigration issue� to bring out an executive order to curtail the use of H-1B visas.

"There was a sense that there is recognition of the contribution of the Indian tech sector. Certainly this is not very much...not a priority of the government. They are concerned with the immigration issue...most of the issues are quite different," visiting Commerce Sec-

Congressional leadership.

India has been strongly taking up the case of H-1B visas with the Trump administration.

During their meetings with the top administration officials, including Commerce Secretary William Ross, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and with the Congressional leadership, the vis-

iting Indian officials conveyed that H-1B is a "category of trade and services" which actually helps American economy to be more competitive.

"If the Trump Administration's intention is to bring back American companies to America and attract more foreign investment in America and therefore have more growth in the near term, then it was important growing America remains competitive. So, there would actually be (a) growing need for this partnership," Jaishankar said.

H-1B, he noted, was a trade and business issue and not an economic issue, even though in the US context it was seen as part of the immigration basket.

"What I would remind you that the President himself in his address to the Congress preferred a merit-based approach to the subject. We heard across the board a lot of respect expressed for Indian skills in the United States," Jaishankar said.-PTI

progress that the India US relation has made in the last many years. So it was a full spectrum (of) discussions," he said.

With Tillerson, Jaishankar discussed bilateral strategic relationship as well as the situation in Afghanistan and the Asia Pacific region.

Discussions with Secretary Ross were more focused on bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and with the Homeland Secretary, to some extent, issues re-

of optimism. I think, the current Administration has a very strong sense of optimism about the relationship," Jaishankar said in response to a question.

Ross' own business experience with India has been very positive, he said.

"What we heard across the board in the Administration, whether it was business, security, defense cooperation, whether our engagement in the region or working together on international is-

Jaishankar, during his visit, held a number of key meetings here, including with Secretary of State Tillerson, Commerce Secretary Ross, Secretary of Homeland Security Gen (retd) John Kelly, National Security Advisor R McMaster, and Deputy Assistant to the President, Ken Juster lated to immigration and also welfare of the Indians and Indian American community in the US were discussed.

Jaishankar's discussions with the Homeland Secretary assume significance in the backdrop of the death of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed in a shooting by an American navy veteran.

"Yes, we have a strong sense

sues, overall a very positive sense of India as a partner," he said.

"Also, a lot of respect for the economic changes which have taken place in India. An acknowledgement that there has been a very robust growth and that this has made India a particularly attractive partner. So a lot of appetite for working on economic cooperation," Jaishankar said. PTI

Indian in UAE wins Rs 12 cr in lottery DUBAI: A 33-year-old Indian buy," he said. expatriate in Abu Dhabi has won Krishnan, who earns Dirham a life-changing lottery of over Rs 6,000 (approx. Rs 1,09,000) in 12 crore. monthly salary, said his first priSreeraj Krishnan Kopparembil, ority was to pay off his housing from Kerala has won a whopping loans back in India.

Dirham 7 million (approx.

Rs 12,71,70,000) in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket Draw.

"I just went blank for a minute when I got the call from the Big Ticket. I still cannot believe it has happened," said an elated Krishnan, who has been working in the UAE for the last nine years.

"I am now convinced Sreeraj Krishnan Kopparembil with his wife my lucky number is 44698," Krishnan, who works as a "That is what my wife also shipping coordinator, was quoted wants me to do," said Krishnan, as saying by the Khaleej Times. whose wife works as an adminisThough a regular buyer of lottery, trative assistant in a private firm.

Krishnan said he had never won The couple said they want to anything before. continue working in the UAE. "This time when I bought the "Why would I leave this counticket, I had decided it would be try where we got lucky? I am a my last try. And as luck would mature person who wants to stay have it, this is definitely my last grounded," Krishnan said.-PTI

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March 10, 2017

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Ro Khanna joins new H1B reform bill WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of four US lawmakers, including Indian-American Ro Khanna, have introduced legislation in the Congress to reform the current H-1B and L1 work visas and end its abuse by foreign companies.

The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2017 introduced by Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Dave Brat, Khanna and Paul Gosar is in addition to the nearly half a dozen similar legislations pending in the US Congress, either the House of Representatives or the Senate, all of whom seek to close loopholes in the H-1B and L visa programs to reduce fraud and abuse, provide protections for American workers and visa holders.

The latest move from four Congressmen comes a day after a NASSCOM delegation concluded its trip to US during which they met a number of US lawmakers to sensitize them about the importance of H-1B and L1 visas.

A significant chunk of US political leadership believes that Indian companies are major benefi-

wage requirements, and establish wage requirements for L-1 workers.

The bill proposes to prohibit employers from outsourcing H1B and L-1 visa holders to other sites unless the employer obtains a waiver which is available only in limited circumstances when the rights of American workers are protected.

It gives more authority to the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to investigate fraud and abuse in the H-1B and L-1 programs by requiring the two departments to audit employers and share information, ensuring visa petitions are more effectively scrutinized.

Among others it proposes to prohibiting companies from hiring H-1B employees if they employ more than 50 people and more than 50 per cent of their employees are H-1B and L-1 visa holders. This provision of the bill would majorly impact Indian companies.

The bill calls for creation of a new H-1B visa allocation system

It gives more authority to the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to investigate fraud and abuse in the H-1B and L-1 programs by requiring the two departments to audit employers and share information, ensuring visa petitions are more effectively scrutinized ciaries of this foreign guest worker program and allege that this resulted in displacement of American workers.

The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2017 has the endorsement of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

The bill, a companion to the Senate's version sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), would restore Congress' original intent for the H-1B and L-1 visa programs, a media release said.

The bill, if passed by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by the US President, would require employers to make a good faith effort to recruit and hire American workers before bringing in foreign workers and prohibits employers from replacing American workers with H-1B and L-1 workers or giving preference to H-1B visa holders when they are filling open positions.

It will modify existing H-1B

that gives top priority to workers who have earned advanced science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degrees from US institutions.

It recommends increasing penalties on those who violate the law, and provides visa holders with a list of rights before they enter the US to ensure they are better protected against mistreatment or underpayment of wages.

"This legislation will offer reforms that eliminate the abuse of the H1-B visa program. As the son of immigrants, I know that immigrants strengthen our nation and economy. But we cannot allow for companies to underpay foreign workers and use them to replace American workers," Khanna said.

"Instead, we need American companies to invest in our own workforce. The bill will prevent the exploitation of foreign workers while still recognizing the contributions immigrants make to our economy," he said.

Congressman Pascrell said abusing the visa system to get

cheap labor hurts the American middle class and is something he cannot accept.

he said.

"Too often companies capitalize on the loopholes in our immi-

Ro Khanna

"The critical reforms in this bill will support American workers and create safeguards against the exploitation of visa workers,"

gration system to displace highskilled American workers in search of cheap labor. This bipartisan legislation presents a real

opportunity to prevent fraud and abuse in our visa system so it better serves the American worker," Brat said.

According to the Congressman, the legislation would close loopholes in the H-1B and L visa programs to reduce fraud and abuse, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, and require more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers.

"This bipartisan legislation would overhaul the H-1B and L1 visa programs to protect workers and crack down on foreign outsourcing companies which deprive qualified Americans of high-skill jobs," the media release said. -PTI

More top stories on pages 50-51

March 10, 2017

10 India Post www.indiapost.com

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'HP to completely control TB by 2023' SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh would achieve its target of completely controlling tuberculosis (TB) by 2023, two years ahead of the target, state Health Minister Kaul Sing said.

The state was front-runner in TB control activities and carved a niche for it at the national level, he said at the closing session of a twoday workshop of Zonal Task Force (North Zone) here.

The workshop was organized by the State Task Force, State TB Cell and National Health Mission HP, in collaboration with Central TB Division, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As many as 100 delegates from eight states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh participated in the workshop.

He said India contributed over 25 per cent of total cases of TB in the world. The 28 lakh cases and 4.8 lakh deaths every year in India tells the story of disease burden.

The minister said the state had decentralized TB diagnostic and treatment services and today it has 72 TB units for 74 health blocks and all allopathic health institutions were functioning as peripheral health institutions.

There were 200 diagnostic microscopic centers in the state and 15 more such centers were being opened, he said. -PTI

Health care sector may grow by 12-14% MUMBAI: The health care sector is expected to witness an annual revenue growth of 12-14 per cent over the next five years due increasing medical tourism and higher health insurance penetration, rating agency ICRA has said.

"India has seen an increase in inflow of international patients, mostly from developing countries in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Most commonly availed treatments by foreign patients visiting India are complex and high value procedures. For the large hospital chains the revenue from international patients has grown at the rate of more than 20 per cent over the last three years," ICRA said.

ICRA expects annual revenue growth of 12-14 per cent over the next five years in the health care sector, in line with the trend in the last three years.

Cont’d on page 12

Health Science 11 India Post

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March 10, 2017

Help for those with blurry vision Details on Page 13

Trump idea to expand health care competition faces hurdles SACRAMENTO, CA: Allowing insurers to market health care policies across state lines is one of President Donald Trump's main ideas for bringing down costs.

While supporters of the idea cast it as a way to make insurance policies more competitive, critics say it's unlikely to result in more affordable plans and could undermine stronger consumer protections in states such as California and Hawaii. Such a ``race to the bottom'' could leave some older consumers with health problems unable to afford coverage.

And there's another complication: Trump's proposal appears unlikely to pass Congress unless Democrats cooperate. Congressional aides involved with health care legislation say the proposal to allow cross-state insurance sales would need 60 votes in the Senate.

In his speech to Congress, Trump said the nation must turn to new ideas to help control costs. ``The time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase

health insurance across state lines,'' the president said.

The estimated 20 million Americans who buy coverage directly from an insurer would be affected.

Their health plans are regulated by

state governments, which decide the minimum benefits that must be covered and mediate disputes between insurers and their customers, among other consumer protections.

Enrollment counselor Vue Yang, left, goes over some of the plans available through the state health insurance exchange with Laura San Nicolas, center, accompanied by her daughter, Geena, while enrolling for health insurance at Sacramento Covered in Sacramento, Calif. Allowing insurers to market health care policies across state lines is one of President Donald Trump's main ideas for bringing down costs. While supporters of the idea cast it as a way to make insurance policies more competitive, critics say it's unlikely to result in more affordable plans and could undermine stronger consumer protections in states such as California and Hawaii.

Variation between the states was extreme until former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, which raised the minimum standards for legal coverage nationwide.

One of the sharpest differences was coverage for maternity care.

Mandy Burke of San Leandro, California, who is pregnant with a girl due in May, doesn't want to go back to a time when it might be more difficult or more expensive to find coverage for pregnancy care.

The costs for repeated prenatal visits, ultrasounds, blood tests and a hospitalization for delivery are insane, said Burke, a 39-yearold musician and music teacher who has subsidized health coverage through California's insurance exchange. ``That was something we had to check out - can we even afford to be pregnant,'' she said.

Trump and congressional leaders have vowed to repeal the law and replace it, although the details of their plans remain in flux.

Cont’d on page 13

Tamil Nadu traders ban Coke & Pepsi CHENNAI: A call by the Traders Federation in Tamil Nadu to ban sales of Coca Cola and Pepsi soft drinks has come into effect with its President A M Vikrama Raja declaring drinks as 'toxic' for consumption.

"About 70 per cent of the (15 lakh) traders have decided to boycott the sales of Coke and Pepsi for their toxic nature. Whatever you find on the shelves of the stores are leftover stocks and those not taken back by the (distributing) agencies," he said.

Raja had earlier proposed a ban on sale of these brands at the height of pro-jallikattu protests in the state in January, where it was widely claimed that many international groups may have been behind the ban on the bull taming sport.

Raja had then said that the youth and students who were part of that movement had ex-

tended their support to the cause of banning these soft drinks.

Reacting to the call to boycott products of Coca-Cola and PepsiCo India, the Indian Beverage Association said it was

"deeply disappointed".

"This is against the proven fundamentals of robust economic growth, and against the clarion call of Make in India," it said. IBA noted "the products manufactured by Coca-Cola and Pepsi are of global standards and one of the safest available."

Citing a Supreme Court order of 2013, which had reportedly quoted an FSSAI panel's submission that ingredients present in aerated beverages "do not pose any health hazard," IBA, an organization of non-alcoholic beverage industry, said the boycott call "violates the rights of the consumer to exercise choice."

Raja said that there was no estimate available on the revenue for traders from cola sales or the losses they could incur by boycotting them but insisted that the move was undertaken for "health awareness" of the people of the state.

"Health takes priority for us

traders over revenue," he told a private news channel.

He claimed there was a 70 per cent dip in the sales of these cola brands ever since there was "awareness" among students during the pro-jallikattu protests "when many of them decided to stop endorsing such international brands."

Raja had earlier said that the traders were opposed to the cola giants not because they were part of an MNC conglomerate but because of their "toxic nature."

As many as 15 lakh of the 20odd lakh stores in the south eastern state of Tamil Nadu were selling cola brands manufactured and marketed by Coca Cola and Pepsi, running into several hundreds crores of rupees, he had said earlier.

Both Coca Cola and Pepsi have bottling units in Tamil Nadu.

-PTI

Health Science Post

12 India Post

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States told to curb 'needles' Caesereans NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry has asked states to curb "needless" Caeserean section surgeries, after a health survey pointed a sharp rise in such operations in the private sector.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) made available by the ministry, the nationwide average Caesarean section surgeries rose from 8.5 per cent (NFHS-3) among all deliveries in the 2005-06 survey to 17.2 per cent in the 2015-16 survey.

In the private sector, Caesarean section surgeries made up about 40.9 per cent of deliveries in 2015-16 from 27.7 per cent in 2005-06.

Similarly according to NGHS4, such surgeries in public health facilities declined from 15.2 per cent during NHFS-3 to 11.9 per cent during 2015-16.

"We are trying to tell the states to convince the private sector to do Caesarean only when it is required," Union Health secretary C K Mishra told reporters here.

He said it is a very "dichotomous" situation where on one hand, the ministry is trying to create facilities to do caesarean operations in public health facilities

while a lot of caesarean surgeries are happening in private sector which is elective.

Other health officials informed that the Ministry has been writing to the state governments and

Health Minister J P Nadda saying the doctors who carry out Caesarean operations without a valid medical reason must be "named and shamed".

Gandhi wanted Nadda to make

Health secretary C K Mishra

gynecology associations and trying to suggest to them to use provisions of The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act and others to nudge the private providers whose caesarean rates are "excessive".

Recently, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi had written to

it mandatory for hospitals to display their rate of Caesarean, also known as C-section, deliveries in response to a Change.org petition against hospitals and doctors profiteering by pushing women towards surgical deliveries instead of natural vaginal birth. PTI

Democrats say Trump will 'rip' away care WASHINGTON: Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear took a populist tenor in the Democrats' formal response to President Donald Trump's speech to Congress, accusing him of planning to ``rip affordable health insurance'' from Americans and being ``Wall Street's champion.''

Seated at a diner in Lexington, Kentucky, Beshear assailed Trump for ``ignoring serious threats to our national security from Russia, who's not our friend, while alienating our allies.'' Democrats have berated Trump for his repeated warm remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin and questioning the value of NATO, the longtime Western alliance.

Beshear's words and tone seemed a direct Democratic attempt to recapture the loyalties of working-class voters who helped power Trump's election upset last November. Beshear, 72, wore no jacket or tie and spoke of his upbringing in a family of Baptist preachers that owned a funeral home.

His selection by Democratic Party chiefs to deliver their response seemed aimed at reaching

mid-America. While far from a national figure, Beshear, whose eight years as governor ended in 2015, is best known for expanding health care coverage in his deep red state under former President Barack Obama's health care law.

Trump used his first address to

Steve Beshear

Congress to urge lawmakers to kill Obama's 2010 overhaul and replace it with tax credits, health savings accounts and other elements of a plan being pushed by House GOP leaders. Conservatives have rebelled against the developing package, though leaders say they will push ahead with legislation in March.

``You and your Republican allies in Congress seem determined to rip affordable health insurance away from millions of Americans who most need it,'' Beshear said.

Republicans believe lower-income people ``just don't deserve health care, that it's somehow their fault'' they lacked it, Beshear said. Twenty million Americans have gained coverage under Obama's law.

During the President's speech, the visitors' galleries were stuffed with immigrants and recipients of health benefits under Obama's law - special guests invited by congressional Democrats, and a large number of Democratic women wore white to symbolize support for women's suffrage.

Beshear said that while Trump campaigned as ``a champion for people struggling to make ends meet,'' he's taken executive action to roll back consumer protections against giant financial institutions and has stocked his Cabinet with wealthy business executives. ``That's not being our champion. That's being Wall Street's champion,'' Beshear said.-AP

November 11, 2016

Trump's view overly downbeat on health law WASHINGTON: A claim by President Donald Trump from his speech to Congress and how it stacks up with the facts: Trump, in prepared remarks, said: ``Obamacare is collapsing ... so I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.''

The Facts: There are problems with the 2010 health care law, but whether it's collapsing is hotly disputed.

One of the two major compo-

of people uninsured if the replacement plan has shortcomings. Some critics say GOP rhetoric itself is making things worse by creating uncertainty about the future.

The health law offers subsidized private health insurance along with a state option to expand Medicaid for low-income people.

Together, the two arms of the program cover more than 20 million people.

Republican governors whose states have expanded Medicaid are trying to find a way to persuade Congress and the administration to keep the expansion, and maybe even build on it, while imposing limits on the long-term costs of Medicaid.

While the Medicaid expansion seems to be working, the markets for subsidized private health insurance are stressed in many states.

Also affected are millions of people who buy individual policies outPresident Donald Trump waves as he side the government arrives at the podium to address Congress. markets, and face the nents of the Affordable Care Act same high premiums with no fihas seen a spike in premiums and nancial help from the health law. a drop in participation from insurLarry Levitt of the nonpartisan ers. But the other component, Kaiser Family Foundation says equally important, seems to be ``implosion'' is too strong a term. working fairly well, even if its costs An AP count found that 12.2 milare a concern. lion people signed up for this year, Trump and congressional Re- despite the Trump publicans want to repeal the whole administration's threats to repeal thing, which risks leaving millions the law. -AP

Health care sector may grow by 12-14% Cont’d from page 11

"India has significant cost advantages in medical tourism as treatments here can be done at 6090 per cent of the cost of such procedures in the US. The medical tourism sector has been growing at the rate of more than 20 per cent and is expected to continue to grow at the same rate, thus doubling in size by 2021," said ICRA Senior Vice-President and GroupHead, Corporate Ratings, K Ravichandran.

He said, the recently approved liberalized medical visa regulations by the government allowing a 60day stay (against 30 days earlier) and triple entry (against single entry earlier) will further boost the industry.

"This will create opportunities to hospital chains in India, particularly to large players in metros

and tier-I cities," he added.

The key factor which deters patients from developed economies in America and Europe from visiting India is availability of affordable options closer to home, primarily in Mexico, Turkey, and Portugal, ICRA said.

ICRA opined that India's cost advantage is more appealing for developing nations, where healthcare facilities are inadequate.

"These trends are also reflected in the profile of source countries, which are mostly from the developing nations in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Due to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and long waiting periods, few developing countries also support overseas travel for medical treatment. India is a beneficiary of the supportive policies of these countries, because treatment costs here are one of the lowest," ICRA said.-PTI

Health Science Post

March 10, 2017

India Post 13

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Help for those with blurry vision WASHINGTON: Squinting while texting? Always losing your reading glasses? An eye implant that takes about 10 minutes to put in place is the newest in a list of surgical repairs for the blurry close-up vision that is a bane of middle age. But who's really a good candidate to toss their specs? ``It's not bringing anybody back to being 20 again,'' cautioned Dr. Shilpa Rose, a Washington ophthalmologist who tests whether patients' eyes are healthy enough to qualify. ``But it decreases the need to rush to get that pair of reading glasses every time you want to send a text or read an email.''

Nearly everybody will experience presbyopia at some point, usually starting in the mid-40s. At first you may notice yourself holding restaurant menus at arm's length. Eventually, even in good light, reading becomes a blur.

How well you see has to do with how light is directed through the natural lens to the back of the eye. That lens stiffens with age, losing its ability to shift and bend light so that it becomes more difficult to focus close-up.

The usual options are magnifying drugstore reading glasses or, for people with other vision problems, bifocals, multifocal con-

tact lenses or what's called monovision, correcting for distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other. ``I have glasses everywhere the bedroom, the office, the kitchen,'' said Christianne Krupinsky, 51, of Marriottsville, Maryland, who'd never needed them until presbyopia struck. ``Getting ready in the morning, even to put on jewelry I can't see the clasp. It's so frustrating.''

watching studies of the inlays.

Krupinsky was a little nervous while lying on the operating table to receive the new Raindrop near vision inlay. ``The most you're going to feel is pressure,'' promised Washington refractive surgeon Dr. Mark Whitten, applying numbing drops to her left eye.

A gel-like device that looks like a miniature contact lens, the Raindrop is smaller than the eye of a

Gradually training eye surgeons to use the Raindrop properly, after the Food and Drug Administration approved it last summer based on a study of 373 people whose only vision problem was moderate presbyopia.

And while surgery always carries some risk, corneal inlays that are implanted into the eye's clear front surface are getting attention because they're removable if necessary. ``It's not magic. It's surgery.

People have to remember this is not one and done,'' but requires post-surgical exams and care, said Dr. Deepinder K. Dhaliwal of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a corneal specialist who is

needle. It's the first implant to treat presbyopia by changing the cornea's shape, making it steeper to alter how light passes through.

It's placed in only one eye; both eyes still see at a distance. Patients can test-wear a single contact lens to be sure they'll like the effect before choosing surgery.

Rose, the ophthalmologist, checked for dry eye, underlying diseases like glaucoma, and whether the corneas were thick and

healthy enough to implant before turning Krupinsky over to her surgical partner. ``Just look straight up,'' Whitten said as he used a laser to slice a flap in Krupinsky's cornea. He centered the Raindrop inlay over her pupil and lowered the flap to seal it in place.

Minutes later, Krupinsky read lines on an eye chart she previously couldn't make out without glasses, albeit still a little blurry.

She'll need eye drops for several months as her cornea heals so vision can sharpen.

Maker ReVision Optics Inc. is gradually training eye surgeons to use the Raindrop properly, after the Food and Drug Administration approved it last summer based on a study of 373 people whose only vision problem was moderate presbyopia. Two years later, 92 percent had good near vision, 20/40 or better without glasses, in the implanted eye.

Potential side effects include infection, dry eye, glare, or corneal problems such as scarring.

About 7 percent of study participants had the implant removed, mostly because they weren't satisfied with their vision or experienced a haze or clouding of the cornea. Most returned to their presurgical vision, although one had

lingering haze.

Other surgical options: • Another FDA-approved corneal inlay, the Kamra, is a doughnut-shaped device, also used in one eye and removable. It works like a pinhole camera, improving vision by focusing light through the center of the pupil. • A more invasive operation replaces the natural lens in each eye with an artificial one, named Symfony, that can focus both near and far. Approved for cataract surgery, it also is being offered as a presbyopia fix for the middle-aged who don't yet have cataracts. Unlike inlays, artificial lenses can't simply be removed.

Insurance doesn't cover elective presbyopia surgery. Rose said the inlays average about $4,000 to $5,000, while the artificial lens in both eyes can cost twice as much.

Patients should consult a surgeon experienced with all the options who can determine which best suits their eyes, advised Pittsburgh's Dhaliwal.

Each has pros, cons and unknowns. For example, elective lens replacement isn't for the very nearsighted because they're at higher risk for a vision-threatening complication, Dhaliwal said. -AP

Trump idea to expand health care competition faces hurdles Cont’d from page 11

The Trump proposal on crossstate sales would ``eviscerate the ability of state legislatures and state governors to decide what the appropriate consumer protections are for their state's consumers and businesses,'' said Dave Jones, a Democrat who regulates some of California's health plans as the elected insurance commissioner.

The concept of cross-state sales has been around for at least 10 years, but experts say there is a good reason why it hasn't advanced: It might not deliver as promised. ``Premiums really reflect the cost of care where an individual lives,'' said Barbara Klever of the American Academy of Actuaries, a professional group that represents experts who advise on health care and pension programs.

Health insurance is a little bit like real estate, in that costs reflect local conditions. If an insurance company based in a low-cost state such as Utah is allowed to sell policies in a high-cost state such as New York, its premiums for New Yorkers would reflect medical costs in their own state, not Utah.

Economist Joe Antos of the

business-oriented American Enterprise Institute, said the idea of cross-state health insurance has an instinctive appeal because Americans have seen competition drive down costs in other areas, from credit cards to air travel.

But Antos said it's a ``faulty analogy'' when it comes to health insurance because where the competition really needs to happen is among hospitals and doctors. And they are increasingly consolidating into bigger units, partly to fend off insurer demands to cut fees. ``You have to have competition at the service-delivery level, as well,'' Antos said. ``The most expensive part of health care is hospitalization, and that is pretty much going to drive the price of insurance.''

Out-of-state insurers also face the challenge of building local networks of hospitals and doctors that would make their product appealing to consumers. And then there's a conundrum over who would regulate the out-of-state carrier. ``A consumer who had a concern about their claim being denied couldn't go to their local insurance regulator,'' said Trish

Riley, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, a nonpartisan group that advises states.

Concerned that repealing the Affordable Care Act would eliminate consumer protections, Democratic lawmakers in some states, including Washington, Hawaii and Nevada, have introduced legislation to preserve some of the act's consumer protections in state law. Allowing cross-state insurance sales could undermine those efforts. ``We have a small market ... and it would take a lot for some com-

Cross-state insurance is popular with conservative lawmakers who believe extensive state-level regulations require people to buy coverage they don't want or need and drive up costs for consumers, particularly those who are young and healthy. ``If you live in the state of California or New York and you wanted a policy that had fewer state mandates and might be cheaper, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to go to the state and find a plan that supports your needs,'' said Sally Pipes, president of the Pacific Research Institute,

Normally 60 votes are needed to pass contested legislation, and there are 52 Republican senators. That's why Republicans are planning to use special budget-related procedures to pass most of their ``repeal and replace'' legislation. pany from the mainland to try to come out here and get a foothold,'' said Hawaii state Sen. Rosalyn Baker, a Democrat who heads that state's committee overseeing health care.

which advocates free-market ideas.

In his speech to Congress, Trump projected a sense of confidence about his health care proposals as he challenged Republi-

cans and Democrats to work together. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said there's a ``strong consensus'' for cross-state sales.

But behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, there's lots of uncertainty about whether the proposal will get very far.

There's doubt it can meet the test for inclusion among budgetrelated items that Republicans can push through the Senate with just 51 votes under special procedures.

Normally 60 votes are needed to pass contested legislation, and there are 52 Republican senators.

That's why Republicans are planning to use special budget-related procedures to pass most of their ``repeal and replace'' legislation.

A House GOP leadership document prepared for lawmakers refers to cross state sales as an idea that Republicans will pursue through ``regular order.''

The translation: 60 votes would be needed in the Senate.

A legislative referee called the Senate ``parliamentarian'' will make the final ruling on whether crossstate insurance can be considered under the special procedures that require only 51 votes to pass legislation.-AP

14 India Post

Health Science Post

Walnuts may boost sperm health WASHINGTON: Eating about 70 grams of walnuts daily may improve sperm quality by reducing the process that damages these cells, according to a new study in mice.

Researchers from the University of Delaware in the US showed that a walnut-enriched diet may reduce lipid peroxidation, a process that can damage sperm cells.

This form of cell damage harms sperm membranes, which are primarily made up of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Walnuts are the only tree nut that are predominantly comprised of PUFAs, researchers said.

As this is an animal study, there is no direct correlation to processes that occur in the human body, researchers said. However, the findings support previous research suggesting that walnuts provide key nutrients that may be essential for sperm function.

Scientists found that significant improvements in sperm motility and morphology in mice that consumed a diet containing 19.6 per cent of calories from walnuts (equivalent to about 70 grams per day in humans) compared to mice that did not consume walnuts.

Sperm motility (movement) and morphology (form) are markers of semen quality, which is a predictor of male fertility.

March 10, 2017

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"What's fascinating is we found that eating walnuts can actually help improve sperm quality, likely by reducing peroxidative damage in sperm cells," said Patricia A MartinDeLeon, from the University of Delaware.

"More research is needed to understand the specific nutrients in walnuts that may contribute to this improvement, but the findings suggest that walnuts may be beneficial for sperm health," Martin-DeLeon said.

The study supports previous findings which showed that eating 75 grams of walnuts per day improved sperm vitality, motility and morphology in men who added walnuts to their diet compared to men who did not add walnuts.

Intrigued by these findings, MartinDeLeon set out to understand the mechanism involved in improved sperm quality with a walnut-enriched diet.

Healthy male mice as well as mice that were genetically predetermined to be infertile were randomly assigned to a walnutenriched diet or a control diet without walnuts that was followed for nine to 11 weeks.

Among the mice that consumed walnuts, fertile mice experienced a significant improvement in sperm motility and morphology and the infertile mice had a significant improvement in sperm morphology. -PTI

US approves genetically engineered potatoes BOISE, Idaho: Three types of potatoes genetically engineered to resist the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine are safe for the environment and safe to eat, federal officials announced.

The approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration gives Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Co. permission to plant the potatoes this spring and sell them in the fall.

The company said the potatoes contain only potato genes and that the resistance to late blight, the disease that caused the Irish potato famine, comes from an Argentine variety of potato that naturally produced a defense.

There is no evidence that genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, are unsafe to eat, but changing the genetic code of foods presents an ethical issue for some.

McDonald's declines to use Simplot's genetically engineered potatoes for its French fries.

chemical that's a potential carcinogen and is created when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.

Conventional potatoes can turn a dark color when cooked after they were kept cold for too long, a problem the new varieties reduce, the company said. Simplot also said the enhanced cold storage will likely have significant ramifications for the potato chip industry by reducing trucking costs.

Potatoes are considered the fourth food staple crop in the world behind corn, rice and wheat. Late blight, which rotted entire crops and led to the deaths of about a million Irish in the 1840s, is still a major problem for potato growers, especially in wetter regions.

Fungicides have been used for decades to prevent the blight. Simplot says the genetically engineered potatoes reduce the use of fungicide by half.

The company also notes the potatoes contain no DNA from an unrelated organism.

The Non-GMO Project, which opposes GMOs and verifies non-GMO food and products, said the new potatoes don't qualify as non-GMO. ``There is a growing attempt on the part of biotechnology companies to distance themselves from the consumer rejection of GMOs by claiming that new types of genetic engineering ... are not Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., and supplied by actually genetic engiJ.R. Simplot Company shows wilted conventional potato plants without resistance to the pathogen that caused the Irish potato neering,'' the Washingfamine on the left next to surviving rows of J.R. Simplot Co.'s ton state-based group genetically engineered potato plants that resist the disease. The said in a statement.

U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it has approved The most recent commercial planting of two types of potatoes that are genetically federal approvals apply engineered to resist the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine. to Simplot's second generation of Innate The three new varieties of potato - the potatoes. The first generation didn't include Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Atlan- protection from late blight or enhanced cold tic - have previously been approved by the storage.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. They ``have The first generation has been sold in the same taste and texture and nutritional stores under the White Russet label. Cole qualities'' as conventional potatoes, Simplot said the company hasn't decided how it will spokesman Doug Cole said. market the new Innate potatoes.

The company said they will have reIt is also working on a third generation duced bruising and black spots, enhanced that Cole said will have protections against storage capacity and a lower amount of a additional strains of late blight. -AP

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Desi News Shilpa lends grace to women empowerment gala SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Bollywood actress and entrepreneur Shilpa ShettyKundra attended women empowerment gala held here to celebrate International Women's Day on March 3. It turned out to be a huge success with large attendance and heavy participation by women speakers.

A fervent defender of gender equality and women's empowerment, Shilpa Shetty highlighting the pivotal role of women in society as source of love, care and affection. She said, "If empowered, the hand that rocks the cradle can surely rule the world; complementing, contributing, creating a better tomorrow for everyone. I'm not a feminist but a responsible woman. I salute all the women who are homemakers and I think that's the most difficult job. There is no day off.

Details on page 18

AAPI calls for hate crime law in Kansas India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Leaders and members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) have written to Governor Brownback of Kansas to express their feelings about the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the shootings of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot.

In their letter to the Governor, they said, "The Indian American community nationwide has been shocked by this senseless act. We are even more disappointed to discover this shooting was conducted by a Navy veteran; every year at our annual convention, we honor the men and women of our Armed Forces. To see a veteran commit this heinous act truly shocks the conscience.

COMMUNITY

GITPRO joins ITRA for India tech projects

ACROSS AMERICA

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Details on page 23

March 10, 2017

IARO reception highlights big community support to Nimish Jani RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

SCHAUMBURG: The Indian American Republican Organization (IARO) hosted a grand reception and fundraiser to re-elect Nimish Jani for Schaumburg Township Trustee recently and heavy community turn out and presence of a number of political stalwarts underlined the huge confidence and trust that Jani enjoys all around in this area.

Indian American Community in Schaumburg Township is made up of small business owners and highly educated professionals in the fields of IT, health care, engineering, finance, law, hospitality and many more."Our community is educated and has proven itself to be the best in the field of profession and business. Now it is extremely important for us to get involved in serving on elected positions and help our people who are taking this initiative," said Krishna Bansal, who is the Vice Chair of IARO, Commissioner of Naperville and a Community & Business Leader. "Nimish Jani has selflessly worked for our community and we need to help him in all possible ways to get reelected," he added.

Tim Schneider, Chairman of Illinois Republican Party and Cook

A section of Indian community members attending

County Commissioner applauded the contribution of Indian American community and said that his association with Jani has taught him that Indians and Republicans have common beliefs. "Nimish Jani deserves support from Indian community" said Dr Bharat Barai stating that it is very important to support a person over party.

Mary Wrobleski, Supervisor of Schaumburg Township, appealed to everyone to come out and vote for Jani as she reminded Pete Patel had lost his election by only 32 votes just a few years ago. Ketan Patel, Chair of host committee and Diamond sponsor, said Nimish has pro-actively helped many people.

Furthermore he is Indian American

Nimish Jani addressing the gathering

and he is Republican".

Other key speakers included Tonia Khouri DuPage County Board Member, Ryan Higgins, Dr. Umang Patel, Dr. Hina Patel and other Schaumburg Township trustees.

The IARO aim is to educate, increase awareness and enhance participation of Indian Americans to promote a fair and transparent government in alignment with fiscally conservative Republican ideals and core values to improve the future of our citizens. Key IARO members present at the event were Prajesh Patel, Chirag Jani, Bharat Thakker, Parthiv Patel, Dr. Hemant Patel, Dr. Hina Patel, Nirav Patel and Krishna Bansal.

Details on page 19

Rajinikanth daughter dances at UN PRAKASH SWAMY

NEW YORK: Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth Dhanush, filmmaker, UN Ambassador for Gender Equality and daughter of Superstar Rajinikanth presented a Bharatanatyam performance at the United Nations on the International Day for Women March 8.

The nattuvangam was provided by her dance guru noted Bharatanatyam dancer Meenakshi Chittaranjan.

Details on page 21

The IARO Team & ARO Team: Dr. Hemant Patel, Parthiv Patel, Ketan Patel, Nimish Jani, Krishna Bansal, Prajesh Patel, Dr. Hina Patel and Chirag Jani

Cont’d on page 19

March 10, 2017

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Kansas Governor assures safety to Indians MADHU PATEL

TOPEKA, KS: Members of the Indian and Hindu American community of Kansas met with Governor Sam Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer here to voice their concern about the recent tragic hate crime shooting at a bar in

working for Garmin. Ian Grillot, an American bystander, remains critically injured from his heroic attempt to stop the shooter from inflicting more harm.

The recent public Facebook post written by Sunayana

Governor Sam Brownback and Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer

Olathe. Two persons of Indian origin were the victims - Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and Alok Madasani was injured by in shooting.

These Indian immigrants were

Dummala, widow of Srinivas, was presented to the Governor. Messages for the Governor sent to the delegation from Sunayana and Alok were read as well, both thanking the Governor for his attention

to the tragedy and urging for justice to be served.

Community leaders discussed ways forward, including: strengthening state hate crime laws, greater engagement by the state government to the Indian and Hindu American community, education to encourage better understanding of Indians and Hindus in Kansas and their contribution to Kansas' vibrant economy and society, as well as legislative and executive proclamations honoring the community. A potential Diwali observance at the State Capitol was also discussed.

The community leaders and HAF were encouraged by the openness and sincerity of Kansas officials in the wake of the shooting. Governor Brownback gave assurances that the perpetrator in custody, Adam Purinton, currently facing first-degree murder and attempted first degree murder charges, would be prosecuted to 'furthest extent of the law'. He further gave commitments that state officials would cooperate with fed-

eral authorities officially investigating the incident as a hate crime.

"The hateful actions of one man don't define us-KS welcomes & supports Indian community," Governor Brownback said in a tweet shortly after the meeting.

Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer also took to Twitter to express his support after the meeting, "Unique

heroism of Grillot. The delegation also included Mayor Usha Reddi of Manhattan, KS. "The meeting with Governor Brownback and Lt. Governor Colyer was very fruitful in my opinion," said Sridhar Harohalli, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Indian Association of Kansas City. "The delegation which in-

"The hateful actions of one man don't define us-KS welcomes & supports Indian community," Governor Brownback said in a tweet shortly after the meeting. Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer also took to Twitter to express his support contributions of the Indian community make KS a better place. We stand with them in the face of this crime."

Anupam Ray, the Consul General of India based in Houston, TX, was also present to convey concern about the safety of its citizens from the Prime Minister of India, as well as gratitude for the

cluded Dr. Anupam Ray, the Indian Consul General, really helped us get assurance that this incident will be prosecuted effectively.

Governor Brownback's commitment and help to get Srinivas' widow Sunayana Dummala back to her home and career in Kansas was also heartening.

Cont’d on page 19

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Shilpa lends grace to women empowerment gala SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Bollywood actress and entrepreneur Shilpa ShettyKundra attended women empowerment gala held here to celebrate International Women's Day on March 3. It turned out to be a huge success with large attendance and heavy participation by women speakers.

A fervent defender of gender equality and women's empowerment, Shilpa Shetty highlighting the pivotal role of women in society as source of love, care and affection. She said, "If empowered, the hand that rocks the cradle can surely rule the world; complementing, contributing, creating a better tomorrow for everyone. I'm not Speakers at the event: Shilpa Shetty-Kundra, Surinder (Karl) Kalra, Asha Oroskar, Geetanjali Maru, Madhoolica Dear, Sabrina Hans and Nausheen Ali

manding times of motherhood, followed with age-and skill related programs in support of our golden and senior years, will offer a comprehensive testament to our continuing promise to human lives."

Geetanjali Maru shared her story and her dream with the audience. "My Dream & Vision Took Shape & Raag 'N' Rock Entertainment was born."

Madhoolica Dear talked about Indo American Heritage Museum which is the only kind of institution for Indian Americans in USA. Dr. Satish N. Patel of Board Certified Family Medicine strongly believes in helping his clients age gracefully by having them pursue preventive services. He has branched out to aesthetic medicine due to a special interest in it and he provides non-invasive and non-surgical services such as wrinkle reduction, stretch mark removal, brown spot reduction, acne

provoking topics and insights brought in by multi-talented actress. On the work front, ShettyKundra was last seen on the small screen judging children dancebased reality show "Super Dancer". The Government of India has roped in Shetty-Kundra as a Swachh Bharat brand ambassador.

She concluded by saying, "My mission is to promote holistic health for those people who cannot afford a gym or nutritionist and not get enough time to take care of their fitness, especially working women. I would be more than happy to know if I can bring change in even one person`s life on fitness".

Among the Sponsors were Surinder (Karl) Kalra, Harpreet Kalra, Anoop Mamtani from Atlantic Travel. Asha Oroskar, Geetanjali Maru, Madhoolica Dear, Sabrina Hans, Payal Shah, Sonia

a feminist but a responsible woman. I salute all the women who are homemakers and I think that's the most difficult job.

There is no day off.

Women are not only going out and earning bread and butter but also looking after the family."

Shilpa may be a celebrity to the outside world, but at heart, she says, she's still the girl who comes from a middle-class background and has seen her father helping her mother in household work.

The event honored female achievers of Chicagoland from all walks of life. Some women speakers talked about true success stories pertaining to issues related to women emancipation and gender equality. Ekjut Theater presented two acts on women's empowerment. It brought in true stories of the struggles of women and emerging winners in all its situations.

Asha Oroskar talked about gender equality and observed "Genuine practices that promote gender equality within the nuclear family, within academic institutions, and within professional circles Sonia Kalra, Asha Oroskar, Geetanjali Maru, Madhoolica Dear, Sabrina Hans, Madan could offer a meaningful Kulkarni, Brij Sharma and Payal Shah were honored by Shilpa Shetty-Kundra approach to bringing with plaques women empowerment at an individual, social and economic scar reduction, skin renewal, hair Karla, Brij Sharma and Madan level. Nurturing the females in step removal, and weight loss manage- Kulkarni were honored by Shilpa Shetty-Kundra with plaques. with males through childhood, ment Nausheen Ali did an excellent adolescence, formative years of The event inspired the audiour careers, and through the de- ence members with its thought job as Emcee of this event.

Community Across America

March 10, 2017

India Post 19

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AAPI calls for hate crime law in Kansas India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Leaders and members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) have written to Governor Brownback of Kansas to express their feelings about the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the shootings of Alok Madasani and Ian Grillot.

In their letter to the Governor, they said, "The Indian American community nationwide has been

Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. § 249.

"This law enables law enforcement and federal prosecutors to bring additional charges in federal court when bodily injury or death is caused by the perceived race, color, or national origin of the victim.

"In this case, the accused shot two men of Indian origin, killing one of them just after using racial slurs, which clearly fall within the federal statute.

"We also believe that now is

"The Indian American community plays a vital role in the fabric of our nation's culture, history, and daily life. The murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla is senseless; ensuring federal hate crime charges are brought and a state law passed in his name are the proper ways to honor him” shocked by this senseless act. We are even more disappointed to discover this shooting was conducted by a Navy veteran; every year at our annual convention, we honor the men and women of our Armed Forces. To see a veteran commit this heinous act truly shocks the conscience.

"While the accused has been charged with first-degree murder and two charges of attempted first-degree murder under Kansas law, Kansas does not have a hate crime statute. We urge you to support prosecution of these acts under the nation's federal Hate

the time for the state of Kansas to pass a state hate crimes law named after Srinivas Kuchibhotla. He was a hard-working legal immigrant, a husband, a graduate of an American university, and a valued community member in Kansas. He was a model immigrant and the type of person we want coming here and becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

"The Indian American community plays a vital role in the fabric of our nation's culture, history, and daily life. The murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla is senseless; ensuring federal hate crime charges are

brought and a state law passed in his name are the proper ways to honor him, his family, and the Indian American community in Kansas. As governor, we urge you to work with legislators to pass such a law immediately."

Among the signatories of the letter were AAPI President Dr. Ajay Lodha; AAPI Legislative Chairman Dr. Sampat Shivangi; President-Elect Gautam Samadder , MD; Vice President Naresh Parikh, MD; Secretary Suresh Reddy, MD; Treasurer Manju Sachdev, MD; Immediate Past President Seema Jain, MD; Chair, AAPI Board of Trustees Madhu Aggarwal, MD; PS President Aaditya Desai, DO; MSRF President Atul Nakhasi, MD; Regional Directors Vandana Agarwal, MD; V. Ranga, MD; Arun Kumar, MD; Anupama Gotimukula, MD; Rupak D. Parikh, MD; Anjana Samadder, MD; Khaleel Ashraf, MD; Seema Arora, MD; Sunil Mehra, MD; Tarun Bhandari, MD, Sudhir Sekhsaria, MD; Amish M. Parikh, MD; Board of Trustees Chair Madhu Aggarwal, MD; Krishan Kumar, MD; Satheesh K. Kathula, MD; Ashok Jain, MD; Dharmi Kanuga, MD; Ami Shah, MD; Ajeet Kothari, MD; Sreeni Gangasani, MD; Kusum Punjabi, MD; Aravind Pillai, MD; Rupak Parikh, MD; Dhaval Bhanusali, MD; Legal Advisor Hari Lal, Esq; Administrative Director Vijaya Kodali.

GOPIO condemns killing of Indian India Post News Service

T

shooting in Kansas and we do not have place for senseless acts of violence in our country,' said GOPIO President Niraj Baxi.

GOPIO news release stated that any act of violence fueled by hatred, xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. The local and federal law enforcement must investigate the shooting as a hate crime.

"The FBI and other state agencies must initiate quick legal proceedings against the murderer

he Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has condemned the recent shooting to death of Indian American Srinivas Kuchibhotla of Kansas. GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said that the "apparent hate crime" is vicious and GOPIO stands together with the victims' families at their time of distress.

The 32-year-old Indian engineer Kuchibhotla, who was working in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin “We also want White House Ltd, died after he was to issue a statement against shot by navy veteran Adam Purinton who, such senseless violence according to wit- against immigrants who are nesses, yelled "get out of my country" and legally in America and "terrorist" at a bar on contribute to the economy the night of February 22, 2017 before open- of our country" ing fire.

Kuchibhotla's colleague Alok Madasani, also an and the incident must be treated engineer from Hyderabad, was as a hate crime," said GOPIO Vice critically injured in the attack. President Ram Gadhavi. “ We also want White House Another bar patron, 24-year old Ian Grillot, who had tried to ap- to issue a statement against such prehend the gunman, was also in- senseless violence against immijured in the shooting and report- grants who are legally in America edly put his life in risk to save the and contribute to the economy of our country," said Dr. Rajeev Indians.

"Our thoughts are with the vic- Mehta, GOPIO's International Cotims and families shaken by the ordinator for North America.

Kansas Governor assures IARO reception highlights community safety to Indians support to Nimish Jani

Cont’d from page 16

In response, Nimish Jani thanked everyone for their overwhelming support and asked all to contact at least 25 voters, and have them cast their votes on April 4. He also asked everyone to take Team Jani Yard signs and spread the word using word of mouth, social media, etc. while pledging his continuous commitment to help the community Jani has been a resident of Schaumburg Township for over 24 years. As a small business owner, he is a strong advocate of fiscal responsibility, training and community services. He was first elected as the Trustee in 2013. In 2015, Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Jani as the member of 'Illi-

From L to R: Tim Schneider, Tonya Khouri, Joe Khouri, Nimish Jani, Seth Lewis

nois State Asian American Employment Plan Advisory Council'.

He has served the community

through various organizations (Lions Club, Kiwani, Boy Scouts, & BAPS Charities).

Cont’d from page 17

We look forward to working with his office on initiatives such as the Indian Heritage Month to further enhance awareness about our community in the state."

"Governor Brownback recalled an old adage of having two choices in the face of tragedy -becoming bitter or becoming better. Based on the assurances he made that justice will be served, Kansas is on the path to better," said Suhag A. Shukla, HAF's Executive Director.

"His promise for greater outreach and action to ensure that all Kansans -regardless of background - are not only safe and secure, but are welcomed an integral part of Kansas will also go a long way for Srinivas Kuchibhotla's tragic death to not go in vain."

HAF urged anyone that has been harassed, assaulted or threatened with harm on the basis of their identity (e.g., race, religion, disability, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation), to report the incident to law enforcement immediately. Similarly, community members should report any incidents involving vandalism, hateful graffiti, desecration, arson, or violence directed towards temples or other properties.

HAF also requested help in tracking incidents of identitybased or bias-motivated intimidation, threats, harassment, and violence being experienced in our communities by filling out the Bias-Motivated Crime Data Collection Form, if they or someone they know has experienced or witnessed an incident.

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Anoushka to perform at Symphony Center SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: The Symphony Center Presents (SCP) Special Concert has scheduled a performance by renowned classical sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar on Saturday, March 25, at 8 pm This concert marks the first solo performance for Anoushka at the Symphony Center stage, having appeared several times since 1998 accompanying father Ravi Shankar. "Expect to be thoroughly intoxicated" observes Time Out New York.

The evening featuring selections from her 2015 release Home, which is a return to her classical roots that showcases the meditative and virtuosic qualities of Indian raga. Home pays homage to the teachings of her father and guru Ravi Shankar. Her performance features two ragas, one of

which is a creation of Ravi's, and with them Anoushka shares an intimate, heartfelt live performance in the traditional style.

Indian classical music is not written down, but has been improvised and passed down through an oral tradition for centuries;

Anoushka Shankar

Home is a paradigm of this genre, exemplifying the unique dichotomy between the ancient structure and in-the-moment improvisations.

She will be joined on stage by musicians playing shehnai, flute, tanpura, tabla and Indian percussion.

Shankar has garnered several prestigious accolades including six Grammy? Award nominations, been recognized as the youngest, and first female, recipient of a British House of Commons Shield, was credited as an Asian Hero by

Time magazine and received a Songlines Best Artist Award. By the age of 20, she had made three classical recordings and received her first Grammy nomination, becoming the first Indian female and youngest-ever nominee in the World Music category. She was the first Indian artist to perform at the Grammy Awards. She has created a vital body of work with a prominent roster of artists such as Sting, M.I.A, Herbie Hancock, PepeHabichuela, Karsh Kale, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Joshua Bell.

Bal Vihar to celebrate silver jubilee ASHWIN PATEL

CNN promoting Hinduphobia, says AHAD India Post News Service

Ajay Shah, Convener, American Hindus Against Defamation, has accused CNN of misrepresenting Hinduism with its show "Believer with Reza Aslan."

In a statement he says, "Within days of seemingly racially motivated shooting of two Hindu engineers in Kansas, CNN is unleashing a program that is certain to promote xenophobia, specifi-

"Aslan attributes the quest for societal-equality in Indian society to Aghori influence, ignoring the fact that underpinning of this equality is inherent in the most ancient of Hindu scriptures, including Rig Veda, the earliest scripture of Hindu dharma. As most non-practicing Hindus, Mr. Aslan has not gained deeper understanding of difference between varna (caste label that is acquired based on profession and is not

"We welcome Mr. Aslan to meet with practitioners of mainstream Hindu faiths. Learn about Hindu faith from our saints, priests and ascetics, and experience the practice of Hindu traditions from its practitioners and not merely from the libraries of elite universities or known Hindu haters.� cally, Hinduphobia.

"The six-part CNN series, "Believer with Reza Aslan," purports to demystify some of the world religions, however, from the promotional material and review articles about the show, it is clear that the show paints Hindu dharma (spiritual, religion and cultural tradition) by accentuating a lesser understood tiny sect of a faith that count seventy ascetics among a one and a quarter billion adherents, whose mainstream practices and philosophical underpinnings have flourished for thousands of years.

based on birth) and jaati (family association that traditionally passed through inheritance).

"A self-professed Muslim, Mr. Aslan has an interesting way to denigrate other religions. He promotes "moderate" Islamic Sufi tradition as mainstream in the media, while ignoring the outrages inflicted by more prominent Wahabi ideology. On the other hand, Mr. Aslan generalizes fringe elements of Hindu faith, while ignoring the peaceful, non-violent, all accepting and universal ideals of Hindu dharma.

"AHAD believes that this crass

representation of Hindu faith will do little to promote interfaith understanding. It will promote ignorance about Hindu traditions and promote ridicule of Hindu children in the schools.

For example, a teacher has requested CNN on Facebook if the Hindu related episode will be available for teaching ancient Indian history to her sixth grade class!

We believe that more schools will use these half-baked, un-researched and inappropriate content to portray Hindu traditions as mainstream and this will have wider Hinduphobic societal impact than CNN can imagine.

"We welcome Mr. Aslan to meet with practitioners of mainstream Hindu faiths. Learn about Hindu faith from our saints, priests and ascetics, and experience the practice of Hindu traditions from its practitioners and not merely from the libraries of elite universities or known Hindu haters.

"As a major global media outlet, CNN must hold itself to higher standards. To ensure that the educational ideals of this series are met, AHAD demands that Hindu related episodes in the series be reviewed by practicing Hindu experts before they are aired. AHAD will be glad to provide such experts. After the Hindu related episodes are aired, Hindu scholars must be invited to discuss the content of the show on air, and provide a deeper Hindu perspective."

ST LOUIS: Bal Vihar, which promotes Indian cultural education in St Louis, will be celebrating 25 years of its services to the community with a large number of dignitaries, members and guests on April 1 at Lafayette High School The event will be graced by MO State Senator Maria ChapelleNadal and Midwest Region US district Judge Henry Edward A u t r e y along with CEO of St. Louis Science Center and other community leaders as guests for the event, according to the Center sources.

A highlight will be performance by students o f Ramayana epic, one of India's greatest epic stories.

Shoba Shekar of the Center said the event will also underline the dedication and passion that the community has for Indian culture, children and youth. This is the same passion that has contributed to the tremendous growth that the school has experienced, reaching a student population of more than 450 students, over 70 teachers, 30 admin staff. "Because of the com-

mitment of so many donors, partners, staff volunteers, families, and students in a very near future we anticipate a new home in the new Indian Community Center next to the Hindu Temple."

Bal Vihar of St Louis, a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3), a volunteer based K-12 Sunday school, was founded in 1992 as a school with focus to pro-

Bal Vihar silver jubilee

mote, instill and foster Indian culture in children of Asian Indian origin. Since growing up outside of India can lead to a disconnection from the Indian heritage, the attempt by the Center management is to present a broad spectrum of Indian culture, Cont’d on page 21

March 10, 2017

Community Across America

India Post 21

www.indiapost.com

Rajinikanth daughter dances at UN PRAKASH SWAMY

NEW YORK: Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth Dhanush, filmmaker, UN Ambassador for Gender Equality and daughter of Superstar Rajinikanth presented a Bharatanatyam performance at the United Nations on the Interna-

Tamil Nadu performed at the world body in the presence of diplomats and invitees. The event was organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations.

Aishwaryaa R Dhanush is an Indian film director and a start up entrepreneur. She is the daughter of the Indian Superstar Rajinikanth The event was co-sponwho is one of Asia's sored by America Tamil biggest actors. She is married to Dhanush Sangam which is also hostwho is today one of the ing a reception for her in most talented and successful pan-Indian acHaveli Restaurant in Forest tors. She is a mother of two boys.

Hills on Sunday March 12.

Aishwaryaa completed her schooling at tional Day for Women March 8. The Ashram in Chennai. She has The nattuvangam was provided also acquired a diploma in law from by her dance guru noted Chennai.

Bharatanatyam dancer Meenakshi She directed her first feature Chittaranjan. Last year the UN film "3" in 2011 featuring her husWoman named her as Goodwill band Dhanush. The film was sucAmbassador for Gender Equality. cessful critically and commercially The event was co-sponsored and it catapulted Aishwaryaa as a

by America Tamil Sangam which leading young director. The film is also hosting a reception for her was famous for the song "why this in Haveli Restaurant in Forest Hills kolaveri" which became a worldon Sunday March 12. This was the wide viral phenomenon. first time a celebrity dancer from She was invited to several pres-

Bal Vihar to celebrate silver jubilee Cont’d from page 20

including religion, traditions, values, history, geography, festivals, etc in order to help students identify with their culture including prayers, yoga, bhajans (Indian religious songs), and teachings from Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Bal Vihar of St. Louis has partnered with the St. Louis Science Center and Interfaith Quest to create a Canstruction mural from canned goods which are donated to Operation Food Search after several weeks of display. In addition, the youth participate in Shoeman Water Project, poverty simulation game, Bridge soup kitchen, and Mother Teresa's ministries and more.

Bal Vihar also hosts International Day of Yoga annually in June to honor the United Nations General Assembly Resolution and also celebrates India's Independence Day with the St. Louis Art Museum patrons in August.

Aishwaryaa with Permanent Representative of India to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin

tigious film festivals and panels post the release. Aishwaryaa's second feature film "Vai raja Vai " an ensemble cast venture released in 2015, was also equally successful.

Aishwaryaa is a multi talented person. She is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, a voracious reader and writes very well. She launched her company Ten Entertainment recently, which is a digital medium to promote short film content. The company will promote and distribute content in the digital platform. Additional to this she oversees the production activities of Wunderbar films, a production company launched by her husband Dhanush.

Aishwaryaa is keenly interested in the cause of women and has associated herself with various welfare activities. She strongly propagates the cause that every girl child in India should have the fundamental right to education and to be independent. She is a perfect example of how an Indian woman juggles multiple roles. Her future plans include directing feature films and developing and extending her company Ten Entertainment in digital media spheres.

Community Across America

22 India Post

March 10, 2017

www.indiapost.com

IMA founder Dharam Paul bereaved India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Dr Dharam Paul, a community leader and one of the founding members of Indian Medi-

Born in 1924 in Lucknow, India, she graduated in medicine from King George's Medical College and came here in early sixties. She worked as a successful physician

Dr Dharam Paul with wife Dr Premlata

cal Association in Chicago, lost his loving wife Dr. Premlata Paul on February 26 in Orlando, FL. Her death was sudden and hence, very shocking to all family members, friends and community members.

in her own medical practice for over 35 years in Chicago, Illinois. Though in her nineties, she was in robust health but like any Hindu wife she did not want to outlive her husband, Dr Dharam saying, "I cannot live

without him." She passed away peacefully in her sleep Funeral services were held 10:30 am Sunday, March 5 at Woodlawn Memorial Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida in the presence of a large number of family members, relatives and friends.

This was followed by Shanti Path on Monday, March 6 at Maa Durga Sai Baba Temple, Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, Fl. She is survived by Dr. Dharam Paul, two daughters, and five grandchildren.

Madhu Patel, an IP writer and family friend of the Doctor couple commented that Dr. Premlata Paul and Dr. Dharam Paul were the best hosts, like a networking center during 1960-70s for Indian and Americans VIPs and community members at large. They were always ready to host businessmen, politicians, diplomats or social workers and accommodate as far as possible the immigrants from India in need and sought to bring together Janma Bhumi & Karma Bhumi.

They were also mentors for Indian Consulates as well as local guides for politicians like IL Governors and Chicago Mayors about Indian culture and communities.

They were the pioneers and founders of IMA, the Indian Medical Association. The ever-smiling couple was always ready to guide and help many Indians as well as Americans.

New Krishna temple takes off in Naperville ANUJA GUPTA

CHICAGO : The ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago in Naperville (a South West suburb of Chicago) has announced the construction of new temple starting this May 2017.

The Naperville ISKCON temple

Work begins on construction Shyamasundar deity and will also with Bhumi Puja - the Ground offer seminars, workshops, exbreaking ceremony - on Sunday, panded Sunday school programs May 21at 9 am. New construction for children's education, summer commences thereafter with the and winter camps for children and goal of achieving completion of young adults, and congregational Phase I by January 2018. Delicious outreach programs for spiritual Krishna Prasadam lunch will be served on The new temple will have a this occasion.

In pursuance of the beautiful altar with Sri great desire of Srila Radha Shyamasundar deity Prabhupada (FounderAcharya of ISKCON), and will also offer semithe new temple will be a nars, workshops center for disseminating the profound message of education in multiple languages.

Bhagavad-Gita and SrimadEquipped with a certified Bhagavatam. Delivered in a mod- kitchen and a snack bar, the new ern context to people irrespective temple will serve both vegan and of color, nationality, background vegetarian cuisines. A community or gender, the spiritual teachings hall will cater to social events, such are aimed to free mankind from the as birthdays, weddings, graduation ceremonies, etc. Apart from continuing to offer Krishna Prasadam as part of the regular 'Sunday Feast' program, the new temple will also facilitate an expanded prasadam distribution program to the community.

Health & wellness sessions on highly insensitive. yoga, health fair and screenings, However, he insisted that a foretc will be a regular feature in the mal apology from Amazon.com program offerings besides a gift President Jeffrey P. Bezos to the shop specializing in ethnic clothupset community was still due, as ing, books, music, and devotional this was not the first time for the paraphernalia. company to offer such products As ISKCON celebrates its fifty which were deemed offensive by years of existence among 650 cenHindu devotees. ters, temples, schools and colleges Hinduism is the oldest and third worldwide, ISKCON Naperville, largest religion of the world with conveniently located off Route 59 about one billion adherents and a and I-88 in Naperville, IL, it took rich philosophical thought and it on the noble mission to establish should not be taken frivolously.

Symbols of any faith, larger or a new temple building at its cursmaller, should not be mishandled. rent location. From its humble The Hindu community members roots, ISKCON Naperville grew into an ardent congregation of argued Amazon.com, Inc., a Fortune hundreds of devotees, and con500 company founded in 1994, and tinues to serve the spiritual needs headquartered in Seattle (USA), of the community with the undeclaims to offer earth's biggest se- terred focus of spreading the ethos of Vedic spirituality. lection.

Amazon removes Hanuman underwear after protest India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Online retailer Amazon.com withdrew underwear carrying image of Hindu deity Lord Hanuman from its website after upset Indians across the country protested calling it "highly inappropriate".

Hanuman men's underwear, made from satin cloth with Lord Hanuman image, and sold for $49.62 at Amazon.com, does not show up anymore. Amazon.com also removed doormat carrying Lord Hanuman image.

Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, who spearheaded the protest, thanked Amazon.com for understanding the concerns of Hindu community which thought image of Lord Hanuman on such a product was

sufferings of material existence and help people find everlasting peace and happiness in Krishna Consciousness.

The new temple will have a beautiful altar with Sri Radha

March 10, 2017

Community Across America

India Post 23

www.indiapost.com

GITPRO joins ITRA for India Another award for tech projects Prince CEO Tolani work, sincere efforts, tenacity and perseverance. This honor IRVINE, CA: Prince Organi- belongs to Indian Community zation CEO Sunil Tolani received and most importantly dedicated the Distinguished Executive to my uncle Ashok Israni of PaciDesignation from the Expert fica Host Hotels who provided Network which is only con- inspiration to succeed in hosferred upon the Top 3% of ex- pitality business. It symbolizes ecutives in the nation who have the American Dream through contributed meaningfully to overcoming your own limitatheir field, and can demonstrate tions, weakness, and barriers a distinct perspective on the fu- on the path to success in ture of their profession who have America, the land of unlimited a compelling success story and opportunity."

Mr Reay, President of Atlas are considered thought leaders Hospitality in their field. said "Those The selecwho know tion process Tolani will is based on a say that thorough Tolani is all multi-phase about people research and and relationevaluation, ships. He's selecting got great inprofessionstincts of unals who have derstanding d e m o n customers strated supeand how to rior influence, build a great leadership, organization. reputation It's a rarity in and knowlSunil Tolani the hospitaledge. Their ity business review includes, among other factors, that you find someone very scrutiny of education, training, well-rounded in multiple areas certifications, professional of business, coupled with kindachievements, disciplinary his- ness and compassion."

"Sunny has a vision to build tory, and review of organizations and publications includ- the most exciting, progressive ing Fortune, Forbes, and Crains and vibrant hospitality comas per Ginger Ichenbaum Senior pany with fair, equitable work practices having the highest Director.

Tolani added "I am humbled ethical standards ,integrity and to honored and in Top 5. My life work ethics attracting the most is one of countless other immi- talented associates making grants worldwide who have as- them proud of what they do," piration and inspiration to suc- said the organization's Attorney ceed in life through faith, hard Mr Jon.

India Post News Service

fter the success of its Annual Conference 2017, Global Indian Technology Professionals Association (GITPRO) had the fortune of hosting Prof. Narendra Ahuja and lis-

A

Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, as a pilot for a new model of enhancing quality and impact of research and advanced education in India.

Prof. Ahuja, a distinguished academic with close to four decades of experience, is currently a

tened to his vision and his association Information Technology Research Academy (ITRA).

ITRA is an initiative of a distinguished Prof Narendra Ahuja sponsored by the Department of

research professor in Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UIUC. Prof Ahuja has authored over 450 journal and conference papers, authored three books and has supervised thesis research of

India Post News Service

around 150 students.

Prof. Ahuja crisply articulated the vision behind ITRA in front of the gathering of 60 high-tech professionals and entrepreneurs gathered by GITPRO. He emphasized on the need for an ecosystem of practical innovation with measurable results required for India. He also stressed on providing tools and frameworks for Tier II & Tier III institutions for participating in this vision.

The efforts of ITRA for the last three years is already showing results with participating across India which has yielded as many as 17 new products and nine patents. The wide range of project are focused towards problem solving in variety of social cases, for an example, a remote communication network for fishermen gone deep in sea connecting them with each other, family and market.

As ITRA's vision closely aligns with Gitpro's vision of providing a platform to Indian professional to give back to India. Gitpro (with all its chapters) announced a partnership with ITRA to participate in projects and provide technology and mentorship to ITRA initiatives.

Global Indian Technology Professionals Association (GITPRO) is an eight-year-old global networking platform for Indian Technology Professionals Association contributing to enhancing their professional leadership and motivating to participate in India's progress.

24 India Post

Community Across America

March 10, 2017

www.indiapost.com

Willow TV to broadcast IPL in US India Post News Service

Willow TV, the primary broadcaster for cricket in North America, has acquired the exclusive media rights in the United States for the VIVO IPL 2017 Twenty20 tournament.

The IPL (Indian Premier League) is the world's leading professional cricket tournament, with recordbreaking fan attendance and multimedia consumption. Willow previously broadcast the IPL in 2014, at the time setting cricket viewership records in the United States.

"Willow is delighted to bring exclusive live coverage of the VIVO IPL 2017 to our viewers across television and digital platforms," said Vijay Srinivasan, CEO of Willow. "Viewer interest for cricket in the US stands at unparalleled levels, as over 1.4 million households watched the ICC World Twenty20 on Willow in 2016. We look to continue to set new all-time high ratings this year. The IPL is the crown jewel of professional Twenty20

tournaments, and cricket fans in the US are in for a treat when the tournament kicks off on April 5."

The 10th season of the VIVO IPL 2017 starts on April 5 with the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad against last year's runner up Royal Challengers Bangalore. The tournament features 60 matches, played over 47 days in multiple venues across India.

Willow will provide live coverage of all 60 matches, culminating with the final on May 21.

Willow, which is part of Times Internet Limited (India's largest diversified digital group), is one of the fastest growing sports networks in the U.S, and the only channel that is dedicated solely to cricket.

The channel, along with its "TV Everywhere" service, is distributed by the largest satellite, cable, IPTV and OTT platforms in a variety of subscription packages. The channel also offers a direct-to-consumer digital service at www.willow.tv.

Horoscope

March 10, 2017

India Post

25

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.

March 10th - March 16th 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

P

rofessional matters don’t look good, focus on work and dont get mad.

Look after fathers health. Stay away from conflicts with spouse and business partners. Problems in income, and look after your elder siblings and highly placed friends. The week finds you in strained finances. Expect lossess and expenses in foreign land. Stress can lead to sleepiness nights.

oss of income, look after your older and younger siblings. Look after your health especially if you have diabetics, get regular physical check up. Enjoy time with your children, can invest in stock market. Also can lead romance where emotions are involved.

Watch what you say or do can lead to losso of status or reputation. Loss of mental peace.

L

S

T

rofessional matters face conflicts, avoid arguments with other coworkers.

Stomach issues may arise.

Trouble in foreign land avoid travel. Expenses on health may arise. Loss of assets in form of real estate and make you angry this week. Problems in income and look after your siblings. Basically avoid argument is home and at work don't lose your temper. Anxiety and moody behavior.

udden setbacks and delays at work professional matters are rough, Avoid haste and stay focused at work. You feel lack of initiative and courage, avoid new ventures in business and relationships. Arguments and conflicts in relationship matters causes setbacks. You can have losses thru being cheated. Loss of assets involving real estate. Losses for those in foreign land.

he professional matters face setbacks and delays. The week indicates the incidence of conflicts and health concerns. Manage conflicts with patience. Silence is golden. Handle relationship matters with patience. Avoid new ventures and new relationships. Avoid manipulations or getting cheated by someone. The time is not good for your father. Take care.

P

rouble in income and to older sblings. professional matters may face sudden setbacks can have trouble at work. Look after father's health. Lack of happiness from male child if you have one. Focus on the child and help them. Look after mother and wife. Disturbance to mental peace. As jupiter and mars are weak watch your lanuage with others as you may offend them.

T

rofessional matters are good. Enjoy time with your spouse. Can start new venture or relationship. Some may have abdominal problems. Might have sleep problems.be patience. 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

he professional matters look ok, travel for work is seen. Avoid starting confrontation in relationships, as domestic peace is disturbed and can feel moody. Be patience. Look after father health. Be careful what you say can lead to loss of status, trouble to spouse and loss of accumulated wealth.

Delay new ventures as this can lead to failure of venture.

T

eek at work looks good. Focus on father's health, setback on projects creating loss of mental peace. Be careful for disputes, debts and stomach problems, litigations and theft.

Focus on parents also. Dont invest in real estate as setback in assets can be seen. Some may have eye or teeth problems. Anxeity can caused by problems at home, thus creating a depressive mood.

W

T

P

E

T

xtra income is seen.

Enjoy time in a social circle. Spend time with family. Mental peace is seen at home enjoy family time. Professional matter is ok, Can start a new venture or a new relationship. May see a setback to father, you feel lack of energy. Dont invest in stock market, be careful of manipulation. Mars being weak may cause anger and unfulfilled desires.

he professional matters need to be handled with care. Handle relationship matters with patience. Obstructions are likely in the sources of income. Manage obstructions with patience. It is better to avoid manipulations and driving. 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 degrees.

he professional matters need care. Some unexpected and easy gains are likely. Avoid unnecessary journey. Some additional expenses and health concerns are likely. Manage things with patience and avoid conflicts.

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 degrees

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

March 10, 2017

26 India Post www.indiapost.com

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Datebook

March 10, 2017

India Post 27

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NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, Mar 11 • Gujarati Comedy Natak “Jyan Laxmi Tyan Narayan” Venue: Plainfield High School - NJ, 950 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060 Time: 07:30 pm

Sat, Mar 18 • Holi Dhamaka In Jersey City Venue: Dorrian's Red Hand Restaurant, 555

NEW YORK

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

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

Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310 Time: 09:30 pm

Venue: Stage48, 605 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036 Time : 12:00 pm

Fri, Mar 24 • Mardi Gras With Tanushree Dutta In New Jersey

Sat, Mar 18 • Festival of Colors / Holi In The City Brunch Party

Venue: Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Edison, NJ 08837 Time: 07:30 pm

Venue: Stage48, 605 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036 Time : 12:00 pm

Fri, Mar 10 • Troika Ensemble Smith Center Presents!

Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard Fremont, CA 94539 Time: 08:00 pm Tickets: $15-$20 Event Parking: $4 Box Office: 510-659-6031 Buy tickets online at: smithcenter.com

Sat, Mar 16 • Vidushi B. Suchitra - Katha Kutcheri, Vidwan VVS Murari – Violin, Vidwan NC Bharadwaj - Mridangam Venue: CET - Soto Theater, 701 Vine Street, San Jose, CA 95110 Time: 04:00 pm

CHICAGO

Upcoming Fri, Mar 10 • Ladies Only Night Venue: Pista House Milpitas, 556 South Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 07:00 pm

Sat, Apr 01 • Movie On Stage – The Magic Of Flavors Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center Theater, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Time: 1:00 pm

ATLANTA Upcoming

Sat, Mar 18 • SPB 50 - Exclusive Telugu Concert Live In Bay Area Venue: City National Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95113 Time: 06:30 pm

Sat, Mar 11 • Dr. Radhika Chopra Live concert Venue: Ashiana Banquet Hall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 6:00 am

Fri, Mar 24 • Jayanthi Raman presents “Duality – A Dance Drama” Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Time: 08:00 pm Contact: 4085799426

Sat, Mar 25 • Saratoga Hindu Venue: Saratoga Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070 Time: 06:00 pm

Sat, Mar 25 • Bollywood Beats 2017 Venue: North Gwinnett High School Auditorium, 20 Level Creek Road, Suwanee, GA 30024 Time: 04:30 pm

Sat, Apr 08 • Radha Mangeshkar Hrishikesh Ranade Venue: Berkmar High School Auditorium, 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn, GA Time: 07:00 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

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

28 India Post

March 10, 2017

www.indiapost.com

1 Tamma Tamma: Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya 2 Zaalima: Raees 3 Badri Ki Dulhania: Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya 4 Enna Sona: OK Jaanu 5 Laila: Raees 6 The Humma Song: OK Jaanu 7 Bawara Mann: Jolly LLB 2 8 Humsafar : Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya 9 Kaabil Hoon: Kaabil 10 Dum Dum: Phillauri

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idyut Jamwal's Commando was one of the unexpected hits of 2013. Not many trade pundits bet on Commando, but it turned out to be a sleeper hit. High-octane action and a new action hero on the block made it one of the most watched films on TV. He is now back with Commando 2 which features Adah Sharma with him.

But one can't rely only on stunt scenes in Bollywood where romantic films still rule the roost. So, were his recent music videos with Huma Qureshi and Urvashi Rautela a conscious effort to also paint himself as a romantic hero? Pat comes the reply, "Every music video is a training ground. They teach you to romance, dance the ideal way."

Refusing to comment on other action heroes in Bollywood, he says, "I already am the biggest action hero in Bollywood. Nobody can do what I can. If they can, they should show it, not just talk about it."

o celebrate Women's Day, Amitabh Bachchan - arguably India's biggest star - has made the most important statement for gender equality. The actor tweeted an image which said, "When I die, the assets I shall leave behind, shall be shared equally between my daughter and my son #genderequality #WeAreEqual." Big B has two children - actor Abhishek Bachchan and daughter Shweta Nanda. He captioned the picture as, "#WeAreEqual ... and #genderequality ‌ the picture says it all !!"

The move has a lot of relevance in India where traditionally a father bequeaths his all to his sons. Despite courts coming to the aid of beleaguered daughters, the tradition continues as is. Taking to his blog, the actor seems to be talking about the image when he says, "The office of the public servants that promote various campaigns are keen for this ... and so I do it ... though talking about it and exhibiting its plea is hesitating for me."

"I already am the biggest action hero in Bollywood.

Nobody can do what I can. If they can, they should show it, not just talk about it."

icha Chadha has wrapped up shooting for 'Fukrey Returns'. "I feel blessed to have worked on this film... to have a character that's so black that it's lovable... to play a woman that's empowered and hence memorable... true, it doesn't fit into the neat little boxes, but who wants to live in a box anyway," Richa said in a statement.

The film is a sequel to 2013 comedy film 'Fukrey'. Directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the film also features Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh and Pulkit Samrat.

'Fukrey Returns' has been shot across various locations in N e w Delhi, South Africa a n d Mumbai.

Richa will reprise her role of Bholi Punjaban, one of t h e most beloved comic characters as the Delhi street don.

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"I was looking for a script that would challenge and excite me, and Hichki came my way. Each of us has a weakness that pulls us back. It could be a disability or any condition but if we just look at it as simply a hiccup, we can emerge as a winner�

S

he had an impactful appearance with home production Mardaani (2014) when she impressed as the power-packed policewoman. Rani Mukerji then took time off for motherhood and is now all set for her onscreen return with Yash Raj Films' Hichki, to be directed by Siddharth P Malhotra.

Rani will be seen in a positive and inspiring story about a woman who turns her biggest weakness into her biggest strength.

Speaking about the comeback, Rani said in a press statement, "I was looking for a script that would challenge and excite me, and Hichki came my way. Each of us has a weakness that pulls us back. It could be a disability or any condition but if we just look at it as simply a hiccup, we can emerge as a winner. It won't come in the way of achieving our dreams. Hichki is built on this positive premise and I decided to take it up."

K

iara Advani, who made her debut in 2014 with the film Fugly and was last seen in M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, says people will find difficulty in any field in the initial years.

"I think no matter what field you choose there will be challenges and it will always be difficult initially to get your foothold, but personally I have enjoyed my journey (in Bollywood)," Kiara says.

Kiara will next be seen in Machine, a romantic thriller, which marks the debut of Mustafa, son of Abbas Burmawala from the popular director duo Abbas-Mustan.

The film features a revamped version of popular song "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast" that starred Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon. While it was originally sung by Udit Narayan and Kavita Krishnamurthy, the new version has Neha Kakkar crooning the duet with Udit Narayan.

W

ith six films already in her kitty, Sayani Gupta feels blessed to have already shared screen space with commercially big names such as Shah Rukh Khan in Fan (2016), Akshay Kumar in Jolly LLB (2017) and Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif in Baar Baar Dekho (2016). Gupta says that working with such successful names helps new actors in expanding their reach.

The actress, who made her debut with Margarita with a Straw (2014) never expected to become an overnight sensation and get noticed by people. "Not everyone would know me from Margarita, but with Fan and Jolly LLB, the fan base definitely expanded," she says. "If I was constantly doing smaller films, you wouldn't want to know me. So, it wasn't a conscious decision to choose different scripts. It just so happened that I got a chance to play these roles and these parts," adds Gupta, who will feature in filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's next.

30 India Post Four years before the movie ``Lion'' was released, two Associated Press reporters told the story of Saroo Brierley's complicated reunion with his mother, Fatima Munshi. This is that story, which was originally published by the AP in 2012: KHANDWA, India: Saroo's eyes snapped open and everything was suddenly, horribly,

wrong.

The 5-year-old's tiny body was still curled up on the hard wooden seat of the Indian train, just as it was when he'd drifted off to sleep.

The rattle of the train was loud and steady, just as it always was when he rode home with his big brother, Guddu.

But Guddu was not there. And the alien landscape flashing past the window looked nothing like home.

Saroo's heart began to pound.

The train car was empty. His brother should have been there, sweeping under the seats for loose change. Where was Guddu?

Where was Saroo?

It was 1987 and Saroo knew only that he was alone on the train.

Soon, he would find himself alone in the world. He wouldn't know for decades that this fateful train ride was setting into motion a chain of events both fantastic

www.indiapost.com and horrific - events that would tear him away from his family and join him with a new one.

Events that would spark the determined hunt of a mother for her son and a son for his mother, brought together only to realize that you can never really go home again.

In the beginning, though, all Saroo knew was that nothing was as it should be. ``MA!'' he

screamed, wild with fear as he ran up and down the empty compartment, tears streaming down his face. ``GUDDU!'' Only the relentless hum of the train answered his cries. Outside the window, the remains of his old life had faded into the distance. The train was thundering down the track toward a destination - and a destiny - unknown.

Fatima Munshi was frantic. When she returned to her cramped house after a hard day of work on a construction site, her two young sons still hadn't arrived. They should have been back hours earlier.

Fatima lived for her children. She had little else to live for.

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Karan Johar welcomes twins via surrogacy MUMBAI: Karan Johar has become a single father of twins - a baby boy and girl - who were born through surrogacy and the filmmaker says he is "enormously blessed" to be a parent.

Johar, 44, has named his daughter Roohi and his son Yash, after his late father Yash Johar.

"I am ecstatic to share with you all the two most wonderful additions to my life, my children and lifelines; Roohi and Yash. I feel enormously blessed to be a parent to these pieces of my heart who were welcomed into this world with the help of the marvels of medical science," Johar said in a statement.

The "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" filmmaker says it was an emotional but well thought out decision which he has taken considering all the responsibilities and duties that come with being a parent.

"In order to arrive at this decision, I have prepared myself mentally, physically, emotionally and logistically to ensure that my children get all the unconditional love, care and attention from me and mine. I have submitted to the fact that my children are my world and priority."

Johar says his work, travels and

social commitments will have to take a back seat after the arrival of his kids and he is prepared for that.

"By the grace of God, I have the most caring and

grateful to her as she has fulfilled his "lifelong dream and provided a warm, loving and nurturing environment to my children before bringing them into this world."

"She will always remain in my prayers. Finally, a big thank you to Dr Jatin Shah for his guidance and support and for being like a family member through this wonderful and exciting journey," he concludes.

Earlier, Johar, in his autobiography, "An Unsuitable Boy", had expressed a desire to adopt or have a surrogate child.

supportive mother who will be an integral part in the up-bringing of her grandchildren and of course, friends who are family," he says.

Thanking the surrogate, the filmmaker says he is eternally

Last year, actor Tusshar Kapoor welcomed a baby boy, who was born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy.

Johars friend, superstar Shah Rukh Khan's third child, AbRam,

was also born via a surrogate in 2013. • B-town showers blessings Karan Johar's friends and colleagues from Bollywood including Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt and Farah Khan, have expressed their happiness for the director.

Taking to Twitter, the stars congratulated Johar on the arrival of his little ones.

Alia, who considers Johar her mentor and guide, was the first one to wish the filmmaker on social media. "Finally I can say I have a younger brother AND sister!!! So so so happy!!! So much love to give uff bursting with joy," she tweeted.

Priyanka wrote, "Congratulations @karanjohar so happy for you. May Yash and Roohi always have a beautiful healthy life. Much love always."

Farah posted, "Glad you took my advice seriously. @karanjohar Best thing to happen to you... And they'll be the youngest people you hang out with so all's good."

Sidharth Malhotra, who made his Bollywood debut with Johar's "Student of the Year" alongside Alia and Varun Dhawan, is elated with the decision of his first time

director. "So happy you took this decision Johar! It's a full house now. You will be an amazing father, love to your new big family," he tweeted.

An excited Varun posted, "Karan you are the best human being I know and Im sure you will make the best dad. Can't wait to meet these lil munchkins."

Riteish Deshmukh said, "Heartiest congratulations my dearest @karanjohar thrilled beyond words. Love to little angels Roohi & Yash & big big hug to Hiroo aunty."

Sushant Singh Rajput, who is busy shooting Johar's next film "Drive", congratulated the producer on his biggest day. "I'd such a big smile this morning when I read about this. Lots and lots of love @karanjohar and a big hearty congratulations," Sushant wrote.

Arjun Rampal tweeted, "@karanjohar Congratulations Johar, this is the best news in years. You will make an amazing parent. Love to the little ones. God bless."

Singer and music-composer Vishal Dadlani said, "Congrats, @karanjohar! You'll make a wonderful parent. All it takes is a good heart (and lots of patience!). -PTI

Artist couple staying in Rashtrapati Bhavan NEW DELHI: Internationally acclaimed artists Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher are staying in Rashtrapati Bhavan here for a week.

Their stay is under an initiative of President Pranab Mukherjee to provide an environment which will inspire creative thinking and rejuvenate artistic impulses.

The couple, who are married, are in residence at Rashtrapati Bhavan till March 10, an official release said.

Gupta was born in 1964 in Khagaul, Bihar and studied at the College of Art, Patna (1983-1988).

He is known for working with everyday objects such as steel kitchen utensils.

While stainless steel is his signature medium, he has also masterfully executed works in bronze, marble, brass and wood.

His works have been exhibited in prestigious museums, art fairs and biennales throughout the world.

Solo exhibitions of his work have been held in internationally renowned museums and galleries, including National Gallery of Modern Art (New Delhi), Museum f r Moderne Kunst (Frankfurt), Victoria and Albert Museum (Lon-

don), Hauser & Wirth (London, Zurich, New York and Somerset), Arario (Seoul and Beijing), Pinchuk Art Centre (Kiev) and Galeria Continua (San Gimignano, Italy).

He was awarded the Chevalier dans l Ordre des Arts et des Letters, among the French government's highest honors, for his contribution to contemporary art, the release said.

Kher, who was born in 1969 in London, is a leading Indian contemporary artist.

She studied painting and design at Middlesex Polytechnic in London and then at Newcastle

Polytechnic in Northern England. .Kher uses the bindi as a central motif in her work to link tradition and modernity, the East and the West, it said.

Her famed installation, The Skin Speaks A Language Not Its Own (2006), features a life-size elephant made with fiberglass and covered with numerous white bindis, kneeling on the floor in an ambiguous state between dying and living.

In her sculptures and collages, Kher has created hybrid beings that unite contradictions of gender, species, race, and social role.

Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher

Sculptures such as Arione (2004) and Arione's Sister (2006) are part-human, part-animal; sperm-shaped bindis writhe over their bodies, completing the vision of a futuristic femininity.

She has been exhibiting internationally for more than two decades. Her most recent shows include the ones at the Vancouver Art Museum (Vancouver), Freud Museum (London), Rockbund Art Museum (Shanghai), 20th Biennale of Sydney (Sydney), Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi), Centre Pompidou (Paris).

Kher is the chairperson and founding member of Khoj International Artists Association.

She was also an artistic advisory for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016 and is an executive committee member for Jawahar

Kala Kendra Museum, Jaipur. Kher was awarded the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2015.

The 'In-Residence' program in Rashtrapati Bhavan was launched by the President on December 11, 2013 with the aim of providing writers and artists an opportunity to stay in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The program intends to honor and recognize eminent and established artists and writers as well as encourage young upcoming talent from different parts of the country.

Prominent artists who have stayed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan under this program so far include Jogen Chowdhary, MP (Rajya Sabha), Paresh Maity, Jayasri Burman and Shahabuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh.-PTI

32 India Post

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Saroo's story AP filed this report 4 years before release of film 'Lion' Cont'd from Page 30

She was born to landless Hindu peasants who worked as nearslaves in others' fields until her father was killed by a heart attack and her mother died a few months later in childbirth. At the age of 10, she was sentenced to one of the most miserable of fates in rural India: That of an orphan girl, with no family to offer support or protection, nobody to arrange her marriage or pay her dowry.

But the little girl had grit.

She waded into fieldwork, harvesting crops to survive. Neighbors slipped her and her four siblings scraps. As a teenager, she moved into a construction job, carrying cement in a broad bowl balanced on her head above her petite but sturdy frame.

She caught the eye of her supervisor, an orphan himself. In a whirlwind romance rare in tradition-bound India, they fell in love and got married. She converted to Islam and changed her name from Kamla to Fatima.

They moved to the town of Khandwa and found a home in Ganesh Talai, a neighborhood of tiny buildings subdivided into tinier apartments filled with day laborers, vegetable vendors and the cheap domestic workers who kept the town running.

She bore three sons in quick succession, Guddu, Kallu, and her baby boy, Saroo. When they grew up, she dreamed, they would live in big homes nearby and each give her 10 rupees (20 cents) a day, so she wouldn't have to work and could look after her grandchildren.

Instant divorce en the life she had worked so hard to rebuild collapsed.

Her husband stopped coming home, first for a night, then several nights in a row. He stopped giving them money and food.

Eventually, even as Fatima grew pregnant with their daughter, he took a second wife. Fatima blamed black magic.

One Sunday, a desperate Fatima, with her baby girl on her hip, confronted him. She beat him with a shoe. He beat her with a stick. Soon the whole neighborhood gathered, and in front of the village elders, they instantly divorced.

Fatima stood on her doorstep, back at the bottom where she had started, an abandoned woman

with four young children and no family for support. She was the poorest in a neighborhood of poor people, a charity case even for those who had nothing.

She went back to work in construction. Guddu, who was about 7, and Saroo, four years younger, took to begging for food and loose change.

sleepy fog. So Saroo had boarded the train and drifted off again, thinking his brother would wake him at Khandwa.

But now the train was stopping.

There was no Guddu, and this was not Khandwa.

The doors opened and Saroo stepped out into chaos.

Hordes of people, pushing, rushing. Speaking in an unfamiliar tongue. He was in Calcutta, nearly 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from home. It might as well have been Mars.

He pleaded for help. But he spoke Hindi, and most here spoke Bengali. Besides, he had never been to school; he didn't know his last name, or the city he came from

Abhishek Bharate as Guddu in Lion

When the monsoon leaked through their roof and turned the dirt floor of their home to mud, she huddled them into a dry corner to sleep. When the summer heat forced them to sleep outside, she billowed out her head scarf as a thin sheet to cover them.

Often there was no dinner, and she put them to bed with a glass of water. ``Mom, give us food,'' they would beg. ``There is none,'' she'd answer in shame. ``I have nothing,'' she thought on those wretched nights, ``but at least I have my children around me.''

In another land Saroo slumped in his seat. How long had he been asleep? It was dark when he'd boarded the train, and now it was bright. Half a day had surely passed.

He struggled to think. He remembered how he and Guddu had taken the train from their local station, Khandwa, to Burhanpur, about 70 kilometers (40 miles) away, to hunt for change. When they arrived, a weary Saroo had collapsed into a seat on the platform. Guddu had promised to be back in a minute and walked off.

When Saroo had next opened his eyes, a train was waiting at the platform. Guddu must be on board, he had thought, still in a

- only the name of his neighborhood and not how to spell it. No one understood him.

No one wanted to deal with yet another child beggar in a country that has millions of them. No one cared.

Frantic, he boarded another train, hoping it would take him home. It looped back to Calcutta.

He hopped another train, and another, praying he would be carried back to his family. They all returned to this strange, frightening place.

Saroo did this for days, begging

The boy had either fallen off the train or been pushed. Police took photos of the mangled but still identifiable body found by the tracks, and then cremated him. passengers for food. This, at least, was familiar; back home, he begged every day for a cup of chai tea or a bite of roti bread.

Now, he scrounged together enough morsels to survive. At night, he slept underneath the train station's seats. Eventually, he ventured into the streets.

The mighty Ganges River that snaked through the city reminded Saroo of his favorite waterfall back home, where he had spent so many happy days watching the local fishermen catch their dinners.

But this new river offered no peace; the fierce current and deep water sucked him under when he tried to swim. A bystander plucked him out, but he was terrified. He retreated to the streets, approaching a man who spoke Hindi for help. The man took Saroo home, and gave him food and a place to sleep.

Saroo grew uneasy when the man invited a friend over for breakfast. He shivered, without knowing why, under the friend's gaze.

That night, when Saroo was supposed to be washing dishes, he fled.

Barefoot, he ran, the men chasing close behind. But Saroo was small and quick. He slipped into an alley, where he hid until they passed.

Panicked search When night fell and her boys still weren't home, Fatima panicked.

She took a neighbor she called Uncle Akbar to the station to look for them, but most of the trains had already come and gone. They searched the nearby market where the boys would beg.

She went to the fountain where they liked to play.

By morning, her body felt like it was on fire. Her mind raced.

Maybe they had been kidnapped.

Maybe they were lost. Maybe they were dead.

She had never been on a train before, but she and Uncle Akbar rode to Burhanpur and Bhusawal, asking police if they had seen her sons. She widened her search to bigger and further cities.

She cried and prayed for their safe return at the holy crypt of the Sufi Muslim saint Tekri Wale Baba.

She approached another mystic said to channel the dead saint's spirit. ``There are no longer two flowers,'' he said. ``One flower has fallen, the other has gone to a far off place. He doesn't remember where he is from. He will come back, but only after a long, long time.''

She didn't believe him. Her boys were going to be fine. Then she ran into a police officer she knew.

Guddu was dead, he said.

The boy had either fallen off the train or been pushed. Police took photos of the mangled but still identifiable body found by the tracks, and then cremated him.

Fatima fainted.

In Govt center Miserable, Saroo walked across a bridge to the other side of the Ganges, where he met another man who spoke Hindi. This man took him to a government center for abandoned children. The workers fed him, then moved him to a larger holding area, swarming with lost youngsters.

It was hell. The bigger kids picked on him. No one spoke Hindi. He tried to explain who he was, but it was hopeless.

Weeks later, a staffer told him he was moving again. He was cleaned up, dressed up and transported to the Indian Society for Sponsorship and Adoption.

This place was heaven. There were around 15 children, and no one bullied him. He even made friends. He had a comfortable bed, fresh clothes, plenty of food.

The staff hunted for his family, using the scraps of information Saroo remembered. But it wasn't enough. The government declared him a lost child.

Months went by. Then one day, a worker approached him with news.

A new family wanted him. And they lived in a place called Australia.

Search continues Where was Saroo, Fatima thought. Her happy son, who would accompany her to work sites and build little roads out of rock. Her sweet boy who insisted his baby sister sit next to him at every meal. She had nursed him through eight days of high fever after he was kicked in the face by a horse; she wouldn't give up now.

She and Uncle Akbar, a Muslim holy man, took to the rails again.

He begged for food for their survival. She was repeatedly cornered by passengers, police officers and rail workers who tried to rape her.

She would cry and beg for mercy she was just a mother looking for her missing son, take pity.

They searched the train stations of Bhopal and Sikanderabad, the police stations in Hyderabad, the jails in Bombay. They visited cities three or four times, talking to anyone who might have seen her missing son.

But she never went as far as Calcutta. She couldn't imagine he had gone so far.

New life in Tasmania Saroo was zooming through the clouds toward an island called Tasmania. He chewed anxiously on a chocolate bar and thought about the new family waiting for him. The adoption agency had given him an album with photos of his new parents, his new house, his new dad's car.

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Saroo's story AP filed this report 4 years before release of film 'Lion' Cont'd from Page 32

His new life.

When the plane landed, he was escorted to a VIP area and spotted his adoptive parents. He was nervous and shy; they were patient and kind. They went through his photo album, then took him to his new home.

It was a palace. Four bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and a big back yard where he could play.

He had his own room, decorated in cheerful yellows and blues. Atop his bed sat a stuffed koala he dubbed ``Koala Dundee.''

It became his favorite toy.

The kitchen was stocked with sweets, and his adoptive parents cooked him delicious Indian dinners. He sometimes ate as if it were his last meal. Sensing his loneliness, they adopted another Indian boy. His new brother.

It was like a story in a book.

Very few of the millions of parentless children in India end up adopted by families overseas; the annual number has never topped 1,200 in recent decades, according to India's Central Adoption Resource Authority.

Saroo was given a new last name: Brierley. He went to school, learned English, made friends.

But the questions about his past still simmered. The map of India hanging on his bedroom wall, a certain song or something learned in school could ignite a blaze of images from his old life so vivid it felt like he was still there.

On restless nights, he thought about his mother. Was she OK? Was Guddu?

Sometimes he cried. Often, he prayed: If there is anything magical in the world, he pleaded silently, could you help me find my family?

Turns to prayer After three months riding trains, Fatima was exhausted. She abandoned her physical search for a mystical one.

She visited a holy man who pointed to the horizon and said her son was there with a good Hindu family.

Every Thursday she walked an hour to a Sufi tomb to offer incense and rose petals in prayer for Saroo's return.

At the Eid festival, when she bought Shakila and Kallu new clothes, she would buy an outfit

for Saroo too and donate it to charity.

She didn't buy herself anything. She had pledged not to do nice things for herself, not to enjoy life, until Saroo returned.

She dreamed of growing wings and flying to him.

used Google's satellite feature to get a bird's eye view of his Australian house. Would it have similar images of his homeland?

He sat down at a computer and called up a map of India. He randomly zoomed in on a train track and followed it, scrutinizing stations he passed, searching for something familiar. He zeroed in on Calcutta, since that was where he'd ended up, and worked backwards. He narrowed down the search area by multiplying the approximate time he'd been on the train by an estimate of how fast an Indian train could have traveled.

It was a needle in a haystack,

Dev Patel as Saroo Brierley in ‘Lion’

When she slept, sometimes she would see him, pull him on her lap and play with him. Sometimes he was sleeping next to her. When she awoke, he was gone.

Kallu and Shakila watched her cry all the time. Kallu refused to pray; he blamed God for destroying his family.

Shakila prayed to every God she could find. She went with neighbors to church to ask Jesus to bring her brother back. She prayed for Saroo at the local Hindu temple. She fasted for Allah and bowed at the shrines of Sufi saints.

College student Saroo was grown now, a university student studying business and hospitality. His classmates were friendly, and he found himself drawn to the students from India.

Years had passed since that awful train ride, but Saroo hadn't stopped searching for answers.

And so he asked his new Indian friends: Had they heard of a train station that started with a B ...

Bara-something?

Lots of train stations in India sound like that, they told him.

They needed more information.

All Saroo had were the vivid memories of his town - the waterfall he played in, the train station, the fountain near the cinema. The laneways surrounding his house.

His house ... he had recently

and he knew it. Still, his hunt dragged on for years. His girlfriend, Lisa Williams, watched him hunch over his computer night after night, scrolling and searching. She wondered if this ritual would ever stop. If Saroo would ever stop.

He'll be back soon In Ganesh Talai, Fatima refused to stop as well.

She had never touched a computer, heard of Google or seen an airplane up close. But for a quarter century, she remained a regular visitor to fortunetellers.

This time, she brought some rice to a Sufi mystic. He scattered it on

It took years of searching the Internet before he finally found his way back to this town. After all this time, would his family still be here?

the floor and stared hard at the grains to find her destiny.

Your Saroo, he said, is coming home. He will be back in 40 days.

Search on Google Saroo's eyes drifted across an

image of yet another train station and froze. The walkover bridge, the water tank - exactly as he remembered. He scrolled further. The waterfall where he used to swim.

A familiar tunnel. The fountain.

His heart was pounding. He pressed a hand to his forehead.

The map listed the town as ``Khandwa.'' He plugged the name into Facebook. Bam - a group called ```Khandwa' My Home Town.''

On March 31, 2011, he wrote: ``can anyone help me, i think im from Khandwa. i havent seen or been back to the place for 24 years. Just wondering if there is a big fountain near the Cinema?''

The administrator's response was vague.

On April 3, 2011, Saroo tried again: ``Can anyone tell me, the name of the town or suburb on the top right hand side of Khandwa? I think it starts with G...''

The administrator answered the next day: ``Ganesh Talai.''

Ganesh Talai.

Home.

He raced into the bedroom, waking Williams with shouts of victory. He told his adoptive parents. Everyone was excited, but cautious. ``There's a lot of water fountains in India,'' Saroo's mother told him.

But he knew. And he knew he had to find out what had happened to his family. To Guddu. To his mother. He knew he had to go back.

But what was he going back to?

His loved ones in Australia had warned him not to expect too much.

He remembered the cramped house he had left behind, the poverty, the hunger. He'd spent years wondering about the fate of his family, and tried now to prepare himself for the worst.

He stood still, drinking it all in.

Through his now-adult eyes, everything seemed much smaller than in his memory. But the smells and sounds were the same, and the layout almost exactly as he remembered: The road near the train tracks, the fountain he'd spotted on an Internet satellite image. He began to walk, following twisty pathways etched into his brain as a child.

Saroo could feel it. His memory was guiding him home.

Back in Khandwa Saroo Brierley pulled up to the train station and stepped out of his car into the chaotic landscape that had haunted his dreams.

The swerving bicycles, noisy three-wheelers and vendors' pushcarts crowding the streets of this Indian town were half a world from where he lived in Australia's tranquil island state of Tasmania. And yet he knew that once - a lifetime ago - he had called this place home.

It was Feb. 12, 2012, and he hadn't been here in nearly 25 years, since that nightmarish day when his brother vanished and a train whisked him away from everything he knew. Since he had ended up an orphan in distant Calcutta, before an Australian couple adopted him and gave him a second chance at family.

It took years of searching the Internet before he finally found his way back to this town. After all this time, would his family still be here? If they were, what would they say? What would he say?

Mother; his mother Saroo stared at the house in front of him in shock. One, because it was the place he'd called home so long ago. Two, because it seemed impossibly tiny; the top of the front door reached his chest.

He was examining the door's padlock and chain when a woman emerged from the adjacent house.

She asked, in hybrid Hindi-English, if he needed help.

Saroo pulled out a copy of a childhood photo his Australian parents had taken of him. He showed it to the woman, tried to explain. He said the names of his siblings and mother, waiting for a flicker of recognition. He felt dread growing in his gut as she stared in silence. Was his family dead? Had he lost them forever?

More neighbors were gathering. He repeated his pleas. Did someone, anyone, know where his family was?

A man plucked the photo from Saroo's hand. ``Wait here,'' he said, and hurried off. A few minutes later, he returned.

Guiding memory

Washing dishes Fatima struggled to take her usual nap after returning from her morning routine of cleaning neighbors' homes and washing their dishes. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Saroo. She had heard of a man wandering through a nearby neighborhood who had amnesia and couldn't find his family.

Could that be her son? She doubted it. She had heard he wasn't tall like her other children, but she decided she would find him in the next day or two just to be sure. She gave up on sleeping and rose from the bed she had borrowed from a neighbor, rolling off a mattress so wafer thin that a gentle hand could feel the metal slats underneath.

She sat on her doorstep, watching life go by along the alley.

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Saroo's story AP filed this report 4 years before release of film 'Lion' Cont'd from Page 34

``Come with me,'' he said. ``I am going to take you to your mother.''

Saroo was numb as the man guided him around the corner, where three women stood waiting.

He stared at them blankly. Only the woman in the middle seemed remotely familiar. ``This is your mother,'' the man said, gesturing toward the woman in the center.

She had been young, in her 30s, the last time he saw her. She looked so much older now. But behind the weathered face, there was something unmistakable. Unforgettable.

Mother. His mother.

Your Saroo is back Fatima was still sitting on her doorstep when she heard the words she always knew would come, but couldn't believe were actually being spoken. ``Your Saroo is back,'' a neighbor screamed, running toward her.

Fatima walked down her alley and saw a mob of people walking up the road as if in a procession.

In the middle stood a man calling out the names of her family.

Of his family.

He rushed to her, and she to him. They grabbed each other and hugged tightly. He couldn't find words, so he just held her.

The scar from the long-ago horse kick was still there in his forehead, and he had the same chin dimple that marked all her children, but Fatima would have recognized him anyway, even though he was now 30. She led him by the hand to her new home and hugged him for what felt like an hour, cried and caressed his head. ``My Saroo is back,'' she said. ``The almighty has finally answered my prayers. He has brought the joy back. He has finally brought my Saroo back.''

Saroo was overwhelmed. Tears slid down his face.

He wanted to know whether Fatima had looked for him. She told him about her search and how she had never given up hope. He told her that when he went through tough times, he would think of his family in India and go into a corner and cry. Saroo was devastated to learn about his brother Guddu's grisly death on the train tracks.

Fatima called Kallu and Shakila with the news of their brother's return. Kallu raced over on his

motorcycle. ``You will be happy now,'' he told his mother. ``Your son is back.''

Saroo broke away to call his girlfriend. Lisa Williams, who had spent endless nights watching him hunt online for his hometown, was

Fatima worried that he wouldn't like the food she made, though he said it was fine. Even his name was strange. They pronounced it `SHEH roo' in keeping with the local Hindi dialect; He had anglicized it to `SAH roo.'

They hired a photographer to document their reunion. In one photo, Fatima, wearing a sari, tenderly cradles his face in her hand and kisses his cheek. Saroo, wearing a pink T-shirt and jeans, smiles wide and looks at the camera.

Days together Their 10 days together went by so fast - too fast. Local media kept

Nicole Kidman as Sue Brierley and Sunny Pawar as Young Saroo in ‘Lion’

still asleep when the phone rang.

Saroo had done it: He had found his family.

Williams shot out of bed. ``What?!'' she screamed. He repeated the words. She began to dance around the room. Closure, she thought. At last.

Closure is complicated Saroo's questions about his family's fate were answered, but new ones about how to deal with the future took their place.

Fatima's quest was over too, but how much did her lost son want to be in her life? Enough to satisfy a mother who never gave up on finding him?

Can a mother and son ripped apart, separated by decades, thousands of miles and different cultures, fit back together again?

Their first problem: They couldn't communicate.

Fatima was illiterate and knew no English. Saroo remembered only a tiny handful of Hindi words.

It took them hours to find a neighbor to translate.

Over the next few days, they communicated through hand gestures. Not understanding anything happening around him, Saroo would sit quietly and watch his family. If an English speaker dropped by, they would chat.

He was unfamiliar in other ways as well. He drank bottled water so he wouldn't get sick from the hose everyone else drank from outside.

trying to interview him. Neighbors stopped by to meet the boy who had miraculously returned. There was little time for the family to be alone.

Suddenly, Fatima was standing with Saroo outside the airport terminal, wanting to drag him back home with her. He said goodbye, then walked inside to check in. It wasn't long before he came back out, to see if she was still there.

She was, and waited with him until he finally had to leave. He promised he would return.

``I've got to be very careful with everything, you see. I don't want to upset my family here and give too much attention to my family in India'' In Tasmania, Saroo faced more changes. The media frenzy over his story intensified. He hired an agent to juggle interview requests.

Movie producers began calling.

Publishing houses battled over the book rights.

He went back to work at his family's hose supply business, and hunted for a house with his girlfriend. He turned off his phone at night to silence the relentless ring-

ing.

He began sending Fatima $100 a month, so she could quit her job cleaning homes and washing dishes that pays her about 1,500 rupees ($30) a month. But she hasn't quit her job and hasn't touched the money he put in her bank account. She insists she won't take his money unless he gives it to her in person.

She seems to want him to care for his mother as a good Indian boy should, seeing to her every need, following her commands and revering her above any job, girlfriend or wife. That's what many sons are brought up to do in India. Not in Australia.

She still lives in her tiny concrete home with peeling whitewash and a roof of bamboo and corrugated metal, surviving on subsidized grain, near-rotten onions she buys at a discount and stale bread she softens in lentil stew. She frets that her poverty might embarrass Saroo or his Australian parents.

The gulf between mother and son remains vast.

Talk to us Fatima and Shakila beg a visitor to call Saroo for them.

The conversation, through a translator, begins like so many other mother-son calls. She asks if he is eating. Then she complains he doesn't call enough. ``Why don't you talk to us?'' she asks. ``At least ask how your mother is doing.''

They don't speak the same language, so what's the point in calling, he says. When he does call, he has trouble getting through.

Meanwhile, his sister calls him, sometimes in the middle of work, sometimes in the middle of the night. She never speaks, he says, frustrated. It's like a crank call.

Fatima says she left him a message and cried when he didn't call her back. The ache for her son is clear in her voice.

Saroo insists he sends text messages to his brother to have translated and passed on to her. ``I'm not able to talk to them all the time, it's just hard for me,'' he says.

She grows sarcastic. ``Take care of the family you are staying with, don't bother with this family here,'' she says.

They need to understand the difficult position he is in, he says. ``I've got to be very careful with everything, you see. I don't want to upset my family here and give

too much attention to my family in India,'' he says.

Then he announces he is coming back. He is getting money together and is going to buy her a house. ``No, no!'' she says angrily.

Don't bother coming. I will go away for a few months and no one will be here to see you, she says, voice dripping with acid. ``Just stay calm and be happy that I'm alive and you know where I am,'' he says in exasperation.

Fatima is in such a fury, the translator stops interpreting her words. Her rage is incomprehensible to her perplexed son. ``I was hoping that my son would come back. How could I have known that my son would not come back,'' she hisses into the phone. ``With my heart and my soul I prayed to the almighty, I went walking barefoot for your sake. Why will my prayers not be answered? You continue staying there, son. If you think of a family, think only about that side of the family.''

An Australian now Saroo doesn't want to overthink it. He wants to revel in the joy of their remarkable reunion. For him, it has been a miracle punctuated by a happy ending. ``It's sort of taken a weight off my shoulders,'' he says. ``Instead of going to bed at night and thinking, `How is my family? Are they still alive?' I know in my head now I can let those questions rest.''

He hopes to visit India once or twice a year, but he cannot move back. He has other responsibilities, other family and a whole other life in Tasmania.

He is Australian now. ``This is where I live,'' he says. ``When I come back, whether it's sooner or later, then we can start building our relationship again.''

Fatima is confused and frustrated.

She doesn't want him to move back here, where there is nothing.

But she wants to be with him.

Maybe she can move to Australia, she says. She adds sternly that she would ban all girlfriends from his house.

A few minutes later she softens. She couldn't really move away from her life here to an unfamiliar place where no one can talk with her, she says.

At least, and at last, Saroo's return has brought her ``mental peace,'' she says. She tries to understand that he has new parents, new expectations and a new life a world away.

She just wants him to see her once in a while, to call her occasionally, even if they can only speak a few sentences to each other. ``For the moment,'' she says, ``it's enough for me that I went to him. And he called me Amma.'' -AP

Tech News Human-robot melds flourish in startup

G

ive a robot a human buddy and it will flourish. A secretive Canadian startup called Kindred AI is teaching robots how to perform difficult dexterous tasks at superhuman speeds by pairing them with human "pilots." When a robot struggles, it asks for human help and is then controlled via VR-but the robots keep close watch, making use of reinforcement learning to ensure that they can perform a similar task in the future. It works: the robots can work through some jobs twice as fast as humans.

-MIT Technology Review

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March 10, 2017

Rise of DIY autonomous cars

I

f a Tesla's too expensive, why not fit self-driving capabilities to your own car. Tom Simonite reports that some people are starting to use off-the-shelf components and open source software to imbue their vehicles with Autopilot-like features.

The mods are based on plans made available by autonomy start-up Comma.ai, which released code after its technology, intended for sale, was questioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There appears to be little stopping consumers from making such tweaks to their vehicles-other than their own limits on personal safety.

-MIT Technology Review

Make in India & Make in America not contradictory: Pradhan

Virtual Reality competition gets real

C

onsumers are voting for VR with their wallets. Despite a sluggish debut for the headsets, we're now seeing some firms rise and others struggle. Having already closed down a string of instore demo stations after poor interest from consumers, Oculus has now slashed the price of its VR headset by $200. Meanwhile, the New York Times recently reported that sales of Sony's headset have surpassed even the company's expectations, shifting 915,000 units in just four months.

-MIT Technology Review Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan interacts with the executives of LyondellBasell Houston Refinery and Channelview petrochemical complex in Houston on March 5

World getting hotter not a good sign

O

ur seasons are changing. The study of nature's cyclical events, such as budding and migration, suggests that spring is arriving almost four weeks early in parts of the Northern hemisphere, and researchers say that it tallies with global warming.

Meanwhile in Australia, heatwaves are becoming stronger and more persistent, with analysis showing that events are 50 times more likely as a result of climate change. Enjoy it if you want, but remember that, when the world gets warmer, bad things happen.

-MIT Technology Review

BOSTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Make In India' and US President Donald Trump's emphasis on 'Make in America' are "not contradictory", Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan has said.

Pradhan, who was on a twoday visit to the city, made the remarks while underscoring India's focus on creating "a new energy story" using world class technology and cutting-edge innovation.

Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Make in India and Trump's 'Make in America' are not contradictory, he said.

"If we use American technology and innovation in India's market, then it is not necessary that all components will be made in America. If American technology needs business, then they will have to come to India. We need a good business model and technology in our market. These are not contradictory," Pradhan told PTI in an interview here.

During his stay, Pradhan delivered the keynote address at the

2017 MIT Energy Conference and addressed students at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

He held talks with top city officials and energy experts, including former US Secretary of Energy and now a professor at MIT Ernest Moniz and Professor Henry

goal to produce 175 GW renewable energy by 2022 and to ensure energy security requires delivering energy to a large mass of population in a short span, for which self-sufficiency will be critical.

"We will need to increase our production. All this we will be able to accomplish when we have technology.

Institutions like MIT and

On the government's demonetization move, he said despite attempts at generating a "fear psychosis", economic growth has been on track and will improve in the months ahead Lee at Harvard.

Pradhan said energy accessibility and affordability is the Modi government's primary priority.

"We have to give clean energy to all our citizens. Our energy basket predominantly has coal but gas and renewables will also be part of our energy mix in future," he said.

He also emphasized that India's

Harvard are natural points of innovation and new ideas. We are here to see how we can link this to our market, how we can bring the concept of energy justice as a deliverable," he said.

During his interaction with students, Pradhan said they talked about energy as a commodity and how to make it into a business

model that can be replicated across developing nations that have to fulfill energy requirements for its citizens.

On the government's demonetization move, he said despite attempts at generating a "fear psychosis", economic growth has been on track and will improve in the months ahead as a vast majority of the Indian population has supported the government's move to combat corruption and black money.

He also attended a reception hosted for him by the Indian community in the greater Boston area, where he lauded the achievements of the Indian Diaspora. He called on the Indian community to contribute to the technological advancement of India.

"We need technology, innovation, good business models and processes to take our country to the next level of growth. As the world today becomes a global village, we need the support of the Indian Diaspora to realize this dream for our country," he added.

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mmigration has become a toxic subject. In the United States, President Donald Trump is trying to ban or block the entry of refugees and of people from Mexico and parts of the Middle East. Other nations, from the United Kingdom, France and Germany to Australia and Thailand, face political pressure to curb numbers of incomers.

Anger at the erosion of national competitiveness is the root of the rage in the United States, in my view. Increasing financial inequity, changing racial and ethnic demographics and a widening knowledge gap between technology haves and have-nots are other factors. Immigrants and global trade have

become the scapegoats.

Blaming foreigners Blaming foreigners is not new; it happens when people feel disenfranchised. Throughout US history, each wave of immigrants has forced preceding generations to compete.

Newcomers often achieve great success, and face resentment.

Chinese engineers helped to build US railways in the nineteenth century, but faced riots and even massacres because they were hired on cheap wages preferentially over whites. The Italian immigrants who came after them were blamed for everything from domestic radicalism to organized crime. Then it was the Poles, the Japanese and the Germans who faced abuse.

The United States has gained tremendously from foreign-born inventors. From Alexander Graham Bell, the Scot who invented the telephone, and Nikola Tesla, the

Serbian who invented the laser and radio remote control, to Albert Einstein and the wave of scientists fleeing Nazi Germany; immigrants have made the United States the world's leader in technology. Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs

Now, as dark clouds of nativism swirl around Capitol Hill, the country's leaders face an important choice. They can play the populism card, close the doors and watch US global competitiveness fall - or they can welcome the

ing to the high costs of the core technologies, US and European research labs held a monopoly on large-scale innovations. Whereas early generations of supercomputers cost tens of millions of dollars, today's

dian executives were at the helm of 24% of the businesses started in Silicon Valley between 1980

Boost visas for foreign entrepreneurs Strict immigration policies stifle innovation and job creation VIVEK WADHWA

fuelled the dot-com boom in the late 1990s. A South African, Elon

Musk, founded Tesla Motors and the aerospace firm SpaceX. But in the past decade, skilled immigration has stalled. Flaws in the US visa system make it hard for well-educated and experienced immigrants to stay. Rather than set up companies and create employment in the United States, foreignborn scientists and engineers

have been returning home, taking their ideas and inventions with them. As a result, innovation has become global and the technology playing field has leveled across the world (see go.nature.com/ 2kmqmjq).

world's best and brightest to boost innovation and create jobs.

Technology will advance with or without the United States. The nation needs to decide whether it wants the innovators on its side.

Other countries seeking to limit immigration should ask themselves the same question.

Global innovation Today, Internet companies in China, such as Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent, are among the most innovative and valuable in the world.

Facebook has mimicked features of their products; Apple has been accused of copying Chinese innovations in the iPhone 7; and search engine Baidu's artificial-intelligence system is more advanced than Siri.

Chinese scientists will soon lead the pack on applying CRISPRCas9 gene-editing technology (see, for instance, Nature 539, 479; 2016). India has sent an orbiter to Mars and launched a record-breaking 104 satellites from a single rocket. Its new platform for digital currencies, India Stack, may allow its financial system to leapfrog that of the West. Chilean scientists have built cheap technologies that sanitize water by temporarily changing it into a plasma phase. South Korea has built autonomous cars that it aims to have on its roads before the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games in 2018.

One measure of globalization is the number of 'unicorns', technology start-up firms valued at US$1 billion or more. As recently as 2000, nearly all of these were in the United States; other countries could only dream of creating a Google, Amazon or Facebook. By February 2017, of the 213 unicorns in the world, China had given birth to 55 and India 10. The United States is home to only 110; half of those have at least one immigrant founder. The US share of unicorns is shrinking, and Silicon Valley is facing unprecedented competition.

Gone are the days when, ow-

smartphones, which outperform them, cost as little as $30.

Sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics, genomics and 3D-printing technologies are globally available and inexpensive. Any-

one, anywhere, can use these to build world-changing products.

Government-built walls of visas and travel restrictions are no barriers to innovation, only to economic growth.

and 1998. That proportion doubled the following decade.

My research team worked with her to show that between 1995 and 2005, foreign-born innovators founded 52.4% of technology companies in Silicon Valley and 25.3% nationwide.

We also showed that immigrants generated $52 billion in revenue and employed 450,000 workers in 2005.

They filed the majority of patents at technology companies such as Qualcomm (72%) and Cisco (60%), and more than 40% of US government-filed international patent applications had foreign authors4.

Then things changed. A backlog of applications built up for employment-based visas that al-

Canadian-born chemist Michelle Zatlyn co-founded the US Internet company CloudFlare

Brain drain The contributions of immigrants to tech companies are well documented. In 1999, regional economist AnnaLee Saxenian at the University of California, Berkeley, found that Chinese and In-

low permanent residency (green cards). With sociologist Guillermina Jasso of New York University, we analyzed this backlog.

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SBI to charge for breach of min balance NEW DELHI: After a gap of five years, State Bank of India has decided to reintroduce penalty on non-maintenance of minimum balance in accounts from April 1, and revised charges on other services, including ATMs. The country's largest bank will permit savings bank account hold-

levy could go as high as Rs 20,000.

As per the list of revised charges of SBI, failure to maintain Monthly Average Balance (MAB) in accounts will attract penalty of up to Rs 100 plus service tax.

In metropolitan areas, there will be a charge of Rs 100 plus service tax, if the balance falls below 75

ers to deposit cash three times a month free of charges and levy Rs 50 plus service tax on every transaction beyond that.

In case of current account, the

per cent of the MAB of Rs 5,000.

If the shortfall is 50 per cent or less of the MAB, then the bank will charge Rs 50 plus service tax.

The charges and MAB varies

according to the location of bank.

It is minimum in case of rural branches.

A senior SBI official said the bank had suspended levying charges on breach of minimum balance requirements in 2012 to acquire new customers. The charges are now being reintroduced from April 1.

The Reserve Bank has permitted banks to levy charges for breaching minimum balance limit.

Withdrawal of cash from ATMs will attract a charge of up to Rs 20 if the number of transactions exceeds three from other bank's ATMs in a month and Rs 10 for more than five withdrawals from SBI ATMs. However, SBI will not levy any charge on withdrawals from its own ATMs if the balance exceeds Rs 25,000. In case of other banks' ATM there will be no charge if the balance exceeds Rs 1 lakh.

SBI will charge Rs 15 for SMS alerts per quarter from debit card holders who maintain average quarterly balance of up to Rs 25,000 during the three months period. There will be no charge for UPI/ USSD transactions of up to Rs 1000. -PTI

I-T to send notice to non-respondents NEW DELHI: Keeping up the heat, the income tax department will issue statutory notices to all those who have failed to respond to its SMS and e-mail queries seeking explanation on bank deposits made after demonetisation.

Notice under Section 133(6) of the Income Tax Act will be issued to any 'person under verification' who has failed to file online response in a timely manner in spite of the reminder, the Central Board

rupee notes.

Under Operation of Clean Money, 18 lakh SMS and e-mails have been issued to people who have made suspicious deposits of over Rs 5 lakh during the 50-day demonetisation period ended December 30.

Over 9 lakh responses have come in the I-T department's e-filing portal and the department will issue the notices to the rest.

The suspicious deposits were

The notice under Section 133(6) gives the department wide powers of investigation, including the one to seek information about an assessee even from outsiders that include banks. Such a notice can be issued to "any person including a banking company� of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in an instruction.

CBDT, however, said the notice can be issued only after taking permission of no less an officer than a commissioner or directorate of income tax.

The tax department generated hundreds of queries on suspicious deposits made after November 8 decision to junk old 500 and 1,000

referred to as 'person under verification' who were asked to file the explanation about the source of the cash. Valid explanations were considered 'Accepted' and further verification closed.

"In case no response is furnished within the specified timeframe, the assessing officer may form a view that 'person under verification' has no plausible

explanation to offer regarding the cash deposits in his/her bank account(s) and consequently, the case may be escalated as 'NotAcceptable' for further action in accordance with the procedure prescribed," it said.

The notice under Section 133(6) gives the department wide powers of investigation, including the one to seek information about an assessee even from outsiders that include banks.

Such a notice can be issued to "any person including a banking company or any officer thereof".

The 'person' can be an individual, an HUF, a company, a firm.

Information under this section cannot be sought for in the case of any hypothetical proceedings which may or may not take place.

"Notice under Section 133(6) of the Act is required to be issued, after obtaining prior approval of principal commissioner of income tax, commissioner income tax, principal DIT as provided in the Act, in case where the 'person under verification' fails to file online response in a timely manner in spite of the issue of reminder by the assessing officer," the CBDT instruction said.-PTI

Aadhaar data base fully safe: UIDAI NEW DELHI: Dismissing reports of misuse of biometrics data, the government has said Aadhaarbased authentication is "fully safe and secure".

Moreover, subsidy transfers linked to Aadhaar have led the exchequer to save Rs 49,000 crore during the last two-and-half years.

According to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), there has been no incident of misuse of Aadhaar biometrics leading to identity theft and financial loss when more than 400 crore Aadhaar authenticated transactions took place during the last five years, it said.

UIDAI also said that it has carefully gone through various reports and would like to emphasize that there has been no breach to UIDAI database of Aadhaar in any manner whatsoever and personal data of individuals held by UIDAI is fully safe and secure.

"Aadhaarbased authentication is robust and secure as compared to any other contemporary systems. Aadhaar system has the capability to inquire into any instance of misuse of biometrics and identity theft and initiate action," it said.

With reference to an incident of misuse of biometrics reported in a newspaper, UIDAI said that it is an isolated case of an employee working with a bank's Business Correspondent's company making an attempt to misuse his own biometrics which was detected by UIDAI internal security system and subsequently actions under the Aadhaar Act were initiated.

Responding to media reports about on-boarding of the ecosystem partners, UIDAI said that the regulations under the Aadhaar Act strictly regulate the on-boarding, functioning including the data sharing restrictions imposed on the companies which want to use Aadhaar information.

UIDAI further said that Aadhaar is an important tool of good governance and empowerment of people and has helped more than 4.47 crore people open bank accounts through Aadhaar e-KYC. It has enabled the government to do Direct Benefit Transfers under various schemes including LPG subsidy and has helped the

exchequer save over Rs 49,000 crore during the last two and half years.

Aadhaar-based Public Distributions System is benefiting people by ensuring that their food grain entitlement are given only to the deserving beneficiaries and are not cornered by unscrupulous and corrupt elements, it said.

With reference to reports that there are no extant regulations available to prevent storage and misuse of e-KYC data, while citing instances like capturing IRIS from high resolution photograph, UIDAI said that there are stringent provisions in the Aadhaar (Authentication) Regulations governing the usage of e-KYC data including storage and sharing, resident consent being paramount in both the cases.

Any unauthorized capture of IRIS or fingerprints or storage or replay of biometrics or their mis-

use is a criminal offence under the Aadhaar Act, it said.

On reports of misuse of e-KYC data by various agencies and allegations that the e-KYC API is available in public domain, UIDAI said that e-KYC APIs are available only to authorized Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) and e-KYC User Agencies (KUAs) through authorized Authentication Service agencies (ASAs) which have established secured network connectivity for the purpose of authentication with the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR).

The authorization is in compliance with the Regulations, specifications, standards and technology architecture as prescribed, it said, adding, any violation would lead to penal action.

The statement said that news reports also speak of private agencies hired by mobile operators and banks for e-KYC leading to availability of these data in parallel database and the vulnerabilities in the scenario where there is no privacy law in the country.-PTI

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China lowers GDP growth target to 6.5% BEIJING: China has cut its GDP growth target to 6.5 per cent in 2017, a 25-year low, as the world's second largest economy braced for further slowdown with Premier Li Keqiang warning of a far more complicated global picture in the year ahead.

China will "pursue better results in actual economic work", Premier Li said while addressing the country's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), which has gathered in Beijing for its annual session.

realities, the report said, adding that it will help stabilize market expectations and facilitate the country's structural adjustments.

It will also contribute to achieving the goal of finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the report said.

Defending his move to fix the 6.5 per cent target, Li said that it was important for China to maintain steady growth to ensure employment and improve people's lives.

This year's target for urban job

In a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's complaints about China's exchange rate and trade policies, Li warned of a far more complicated global picture ahead "China has set its GDP growth target at around 6.5 per cent for 2017, compared with a target range of 6.5-7 per cent for 2016," according to the government work report.

This closely-watched target is a 25-year low. The previous low was a 6 per cent target for the gross national product growth in 1992, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The projected target is in line with both economic principles and

creation is over 11 million, up by one million from 2016, underlining the greater importance China attaches to employment.

China recently announced five lakh job cuts and promised to relocate those employees. Every year China produces over seven million graduates who join the job market.

"Considering our sound economic fundamentals and the capacity they bring for job creation,

this target is attainable with hard work," the report said.

Li repeatedly paid tribute to Communist Party leader and President Xi Jinping and said that under the sound leadership of the party, the Chinese people had the courage and ingenuity to overcome all difficulties.

In a veiled reference to US President Donald Trump's complaints about China's exchange rate and trade policies, Li warned of a far more complicated global picture ahead with China facing the threat of growing protectionism.

Li said the Chinese economy registered a slower but stable growth. The GDP last year reached 74.4 trillion yuan (over USD 11 trillion) representing 6.7 per cent.

Presenting the work report at the opening session of the NPC attended by President Xi and top leadership of the ruling Communist Party and over 2,900 lawmakers, Li said China will pursue a more proactive and effective fiscal policy with government fiscal deficit projected to be three per cent of its GDP. While the deficit-to-GDP ratio stays unchanged from last year, the government fiscal deficit volume is set at 2.38 trillion yuan (about USD 345 billion), a year-on-year increase of 200 billion yuan. -PTI

Make in India & Make in America not contradictory: Pradhan Cont’d from page 35

8 percent growth In his keynote address at the 2017 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Conference here, he said India's economy will continue its momentum despite demonetization and achieve an eight per cent growth next year.

"Last November, we demonetized 85 per cent of our currency in circulation and even after that India's GDP continues to grow.

According to recent data, growth for the September-December quarter stood at 7 per cent," Pradhan said.

Pradhan expressed confidence that India will "exceed" seven per cent overall growth rate this year and "achieve 8 per cent in the next year".

Addressing students, faculty, energy analysts and experts at the MIT conference titled 'Balance of Power: The Changing Energy Para-

digm', Pradhan underscored the Narendra Modi government's emphasis on energy justice linked with climate justice.

"In India, we want to create a new energy story. We are committed to energy justice. Our approach has been holistic and covers conventional and alternate sources of energy with a view to promote Prime Minister Modi's vision of energy justice to all linked with climate justice," he said.

He also visited the MIT Energy Lab and saw the cutting- edge research on carbon capture being done by students and researchers, many of whom are of Indianorigin.

Addressing the MIT conference, Pradhan said, "global warming is real" and India still has millions of its citizens without access to energy.

The country is determined to provide energy to all its citizens,

doing so in a sustainable manner, he said.

Depending on coal "We will continue to depend on coal. However we will gradually shift to gas and renewables," he said, adding that India believes in climate justice and will grow without harming the environment.

"We want to grow, however, we want to grow sustainably," he said, reiterating the government's target to provide electricity to all by 2018 and noting that majority of the power will be coal-based.

"Our dependence on coal will continue as we provide one of the most basic rights of modern world to all the citizens of India," he said.

In the longer term, India will target to increase the share of natural gas to 20 per cent by 2030, Pradhan said.

He said coal provides 60 per cent energy to India and dependence on coal will continue.

Tech Briefs SpaceX to fly tourists around moon E lon Musk could take you on the trip of a lifetime. His rocket company, SpaceX, says that two private individuals have paid a "significant deposit" to secure spots on a mission that will see them launched into space, looped around the Moon, then returned to Earth. The pas-

sengers will spend a week aboard an autonomous Dragon capsule, and Musk says more will followeventually going as far as Mars.

But making it happen by 2018 will be tough: SpaceX hasn't flown a crewed Dragon capsule yet, and the company has recently suffered with delays.

Weird ways to make VR feel real

V

R wants to fool all of your senses. Rachel Metz has tried a new waterproof VR headset, designed to take advantage of the floating sensation of being in water to provide a more immersive experience. Her verdict: it made it "easy to forget about the outside world and just

enjoy the weird virtual one."

Elsewhere, researchers have recently developed other systems to trick your body-from weather add-ons to make you feel wind and haptic feedback to help you touch what's not there, to scent systems that stimulate your nose.

Super-fast 3-D printing

A

startup called Daqri has developed a device that can create solid objects far faster than regular 3-D printers.

Using a new silicon chip that can control the magnitude and time-delay of reflected light to create holograms, the team can cure a light-activated monomer

into solid objects in one go-unlike other approaches, which must scan a laser back and forth to achieve the same result. The approach can already create small items, such as a paperclip, in five seconds, which would usually take regular printers minutes.

Code of life looks to compute

D

NA could power a new wave of computing. Researchers have been developing ways to store digital data in the molecules for some time, but a team from Columbia University has now made the process error-free and 60 percent more efficient. More tantalizing

is the prospect of using it to perform calculations. New Scientist reports that researchers are using gene-editing to create endlessly changing strings of DNA, which could lead to a super-fast computer able to perform some tasks simultaneously rather than sequentially.

Light beams to kill bugs

T

argeted bug killing can be achieved using beams of light. Intellectual Ventures, founded by ex-Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold, has developed a system that uses cameras and a laser beam to identify and shoot down insects, and it's now being tested in the citrus farms of Florida against

crop-ruining psyllids. Meanwhile, current Microsoft employees have developed a device for selectively catching mosquitoes, which uses an infrared beam to determine what kind of creature has flown into a trap, then closes a door only behind species deemed to be a nuisance.

-MIT Technology Review

TechBiz Post

March 10, 2017

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Rotimatic delivers cutting-edge cooking tech SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Zimplistic has announced opening orders for Rotimatic, an intelligent household device that makes it easy and convenient to enjoy fresh, healthy rotis (flatbreads) in just minutes. This comes after a two-and-a-half-year wait, and with over 300,000 waitlist users from around the world.

this problem by taking care of an otherwise time- and energy-consuming component.

The latest model combines cutting-edge, AI-driven technology with internet connectivity to create the ultimate smart cooking device. The Rotimatic companion app will also act as a chef's assistant, allowing users to turn on and automatically update the device, download new recipes, and more.

Many people want to eat fresher, healthier foods, but don't have the time to prepare and cook an entire meal from scratch.

Rotimatic was designed to solve

"I use Rotimatic all the time because the whole process is so easy and automated. You don't even have to stand there to cook the rotis! You can do something

India Post News Service

else while they're being made," said customer Bhavana. " It's just so much more convenient and healthy. Rotimatic is like a printer you switch it on, you leave, and you come back to a stack of finished rotis."

"Especially if you're a household in which both parents are working, Rotimatic helps you live a healthier lifestyle, because it uses fresh ingredients and allows you to always eat them hot! You always know exactly what your family is eating, because you get to choose the ingredients yourself and steer clear of unwanted preservatives," added customer Raji.

"The kids don't even have to wait for me to get home - they can start eating fresh rotis instead of junk food. It makes your life a lot more convenient!"

The device is incredibly simple to use: just add your preferred flour, water, and oil to individually designated compartments, and the ingredients are automatically measured and mixed to deliver one fresh roti every 90 seconds.

Customization is the name of the

game with Rotimatic - you can choose the thickness, softness, amount of oil, and flour type for your personalized rotis. Maintenance is extremely convenient: just detach the dishwasher-safe components for simple cleaning.

"We're thrilled to open orders for Rotimatic, which we've recently upgraded with new connected capabilities that really bring home cooking to the next level," said Rishi Israni, Co-Founder and CEO of Zimplistic. "Our user community is so in love with Rotimatic that they have not only stood by us patiently for over two years, but have given us input and feedback to make it even better. Despite all the complexities involved in creating an entirely new kind of product from scratch, we've made Rotimatic a reality and have delivered thousands of units to complete pre-order fulfillment in Q1, 2017."

"Rotimatic is life-changing - it helps my entire family eat healthier and fresher food, with just the touch of a button! The beauty of having a final product that is so

hassle-free is totally worth the wait," said Rotimatic user Rohinee Karmarkar. "We live in an immediate-gratification world where we want everything instantly, but Rotimatic is proof that the very best things take a little while."

You can see Rotimatic in action at the pop-up store located at Westfield Valley Fair (2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara,

CA 95050), as well as select demos in Jersey City, NJ. Rotimatic retails for $999, and orders are available exclusively to users on the waitlist.

Boost visas for foreign entrepreneurs Cont’d from page 36

As of 1 October 2006, there were almost half a million applicants (more than one million when family members were included). Because only about 120,000 visas are available each year, getting a green card can take a decade. We forecast that this wait would increasingly frustrate highly skilled workers, leading to a 'reverse brain drain'.

Indeed, by 2012, my team found that immigrant entrepreneurship had stalled. The proportion of companies founded by immigrants fell nationwide to 24.3% and in Silicon Valley to 43.9%.

We believe from anecdotal evidence that highly skilled workers are returning to their home countries in even larger numbers today.

These are the people who set up the unicorns in countries such as China and India. Each of those companies has one or more US returnees in senior leadership positions, and restrictive US immigration policies put them there.

Two decades ago, it was the norm for students who came to the United States from China and India to want to stay. No longer.

On graduating from engineering

courses, most overseas students say that they will work for a short time to gain experience, then return home. Human-resource directors of companies in India and China tell me that they are flooded with CVs from students from US universities. Working for an exciting start-up such as Baidu or Alibaba is more enticing than being locked into a menial US position for a decade awaiting your green card.

When I visit technology centers in China and India, and increasingly in places such as Mexico City or Santiago in Chile, I see a beehive of start-up activity.

As well as social-media and Internet applications, overseas entrepreneurs are designing wearable medical devices, robots, drone-based delivery systems, microsatellites and agriculturalautomation systems. They are building self-driving cars, solar technologies and 3D-printing systems to solve global problems.

Meanwhile, the US visa backlog is climbing. I estimate that there are more than 1.5 million skilled workers in immigration limbo in the United States today.

Each one is a lost opportunity and a waste of talent.

Everyone loses. The precarious position of foreign-national staff leaves them open to mistreatment

by their employers. Rules prevent employees from changing jobs while waiting for their green cards - even to other jobs in the same company. H-1B visas for temporary stays allow employers to replace US workers with people who are paid less than they should be, given their skills.

This is one of Silicon Valley's darkest secrets - and it is why tech companies lobby for more H-1B visas rather than more green cards.

pand the number of permanentresident visas and clear the backlog. These people are already working in the country legally, and have the experience and skills needed.

Retaining them will boost the economy. Accelerated granting of permanent residency could be contingent on buying a house, making investments or starting companies that create jobs. Imagine the benefits of 10,000 new technology start-ups.

By becoming the best place in the world for entrepreneurs to study and work in, the United States could again be in the driving seat of technology innovation. Then we can share the resulting prosperity in a more equitable way Skilled people become frustrated as their careers stagnate. The jobs that would have been created in start-ups go overseas.

Unless it changes its immigration outlook, the United States will forgo economic benefits and jobs in a misguided effort to protect both. It will have to watch as the rest of the world leaps ahead. It doesn't have to be this way.

Embrace outsiders The United States needs to ex-

We need to make it easy for entrepreneurs abroad to bring start-up firms to the United States.

One solution is to provide a 'startup visa' as a path to permanent residency. This would perhaps be valid for five years, with an upgrade to permanent residency dependent on the firm's employment of US workers.

The Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri, has estimated that such a visa would create 1.6 million jobs within 10 years

and boost the US economy by $224 billion a year.

The solution to the mistreatment of foreign workers is easy: untether the H-1B visa from the employer. Let people change jobs, and let the market decide what their salaries should be.

This would remove the financial incentives for companies to replace Americans with cheaper foreign workers, and would encourage them to hire the best talent.

By becoming the best place in the world for entrepreneurs to study and work in, the United States could again be in the driving seat of technology innovation. Then we can share the resulting prosperity in a more equitable way to mitigate the anger of the electorate.

First published Nature 543, 29-31 (02 March 2017) doi:10.1038/543029a

Vivek Wadhwa is Distinguished Fellow, Carnegie Mellon University Engineering at Silicon Valley. Syndicated columnist Washington Post, Contributor: VentureBeat, Huffington Post, LinkedIn Influencers, ASEE Prism Magazine Website: www.wadhwa.com , Twitter: @wadhwa. Author: The Immigrant Exodus and Innovating Women.

40 India Post

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T

he Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve extends over an area of 257 sq. km. in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hill ranges, along the northern boundary of Nagpur District. It was declared a National Park by the Government of Maharashtra in 1975 and received the official status of "Tiger Reserve of India" in February 1999.

The park gets its name from the Pench River, which mean-

March 10, 2017

ders through it like a mammoth python, dividing it down the center.

Rich in biodiversity, its terrain defined by hills, valleys and the oc-

casional precipitous slope, Pench is an important ecosystem supporting an abundance of flora and fauna, including a rich variety of

aquatic life.

Not surprisingly, the beauty of this part of central India has earned much literary attention. Poet Kalidas writes about the scenic charm of the place in his epics Meghdootam and Sakuntalam.

R.A. Strendale's "Camp in the Satpura Hills" draws a vivid pen picture of this idyllic paradise - as does Forsyth's "Highlands of Central India".

It is well known that the Jungle book of Rudyard Kipling is based on this woody forest and its rich wild life. An account of its natural assets and affluence cropped up in Ain-i-Akbari. Apart from this, this beautiful land and its varied flora and fauna find place in numerous books on natural history.

A tribal locale with copious natural resources and rich wild life is a recommended place for those who rejoice in the charisma of the woody forests and its wilderness.

Cont’d on page 42

March 10, 2017

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Delhi-Mumbai in 60 minutes by Hyperloop NEW DELHI: US-based Hyperloop One has made a strong pitch for Indian market to move people and goods much faster way using magnetic levitation technology.

Offering super fast transportation solution, the company claims to reduce travel time between Delhi and Mumbai to just 60 minutes and Mumbai to Chennai to 30 minutes.

"So many new technologies are coming to the fore. We are keenly watching it," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said here participating in an event organized by Hyperloop One. Hyperloop is working on a technology that would use magnetic levitation in low-pressure tubes to transport people and goods at airplane-like speeds. Currently the company is involved to operationalise its product in Nevada in the US. Terming the Hyperloop technology "very exciting", Prabhu said "Think of travelling to MumbaiDelhi in just 60 minutes and

Mumbai to Chennai in 30 minutes.

We will closely watch how it is happening."

He said Indian Railways has undertaken a massive exercise of modernization of infrastructure and also increasing speed.

speed on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah route on the existing track," the Railway Minister said.

Referring to India's first bullet train project with Japanese participation, he said the ground work

"Speed is also our focus. We are trying to increase the average speed of all trains. Recently we have initiated steps to increase

for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route is expected to start in 2018.

Highlighting the procedures of foreign participation, Prabhu re-

TN, UP received most domestic tourists NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh top a list of states visited by Indian tourists last year, Tourism Ministry has said.

As per data released by the Ministry, a total of 344.3 million domestic tourists visited Tamil Nadu in 2016 while 229.6 million Uttar Pradesh.

The number of domestic tourist visits (DTVs), compiled by Union Tourism Ministry after receiving data from the states and

the Union Territories, increased to 1,653 million last year as compared to 1,432 million in 2015, it said.

Similarly, Madhya Pradesh received 184.7 million tourists, Andhra Pradesh 158.5 million and Karnataka 129.8 million last year.

Maharashtra recorded 115.4 million tourist visits last year, while West Bengal (74.5 million), Telangana (71.5 million), Gujarat (42.8 million) and Rajasthan (41.5

million).

The domestic tourism sector continued its growth momentum with recording a jump of 15.5 per cent in tourist visits to various states and Union Territories during 2016, the release said.

In 2015, the growth was 11 per cent over 2014, showing the sector is continuing with its forward march as government hinges on tourism for boosting economic growth, it said. -PTI

ferred to the selection of two global companies - GE and Alstom in manufacturing of electric and diesel locomotives.

"We follow most transparent system. Our minds are open. GE and Alstom were selected for manufacturing diesel and electric locomotives in t h e country through a most transparent bidding s y s tem."

NITI Ayog C E O Amitabh Kant said that "rapid urbanization" is taking place in the country.

The nation is passing through

Railways app for total travel solutions NEW DELHI: The Railways will launch an integrated mobile application for all travel-related services, including ticketing, hiring taxis and porters, in order to make a journey hassle-free.

The mobile app is set to be launched in May. Though there are various mobile applications available for booking tickets, taxis, e-catering and other such services, the integrated app will cover almost the entire gamut of travelling, a senior rail-

Vistara launches Amritsar-Delhi flight MUMBAI: Full-service airline Vistara has started a direct daily service between Delhi and Amritsar, and said it will connect the Punjab city with Mumbai from March 8.

For the Tatas-Singapore Airlines JV this is the fifth destination in the North, while the Mumbai-Amritsar daily flight will make it the only full service airline to connect the two cities.

Commenting on the service, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said introduction of the new flights from Amritsar to Delhi by Vistara will help not only the people of the state, but all flyers who travel within the country and overseas.

The service will help Punjab harness its industrial, tourism, religious as well as business growth potential, he added.

Vistara CEO Phee Teik Yeoh said connecting Amritsar is in line with the airlines focus on customers and is also well aligned with its evolving international plans, as

a huge vibrancy and dynamism.

The urbanization has ended in the US and it has just begun in India.

It has billion mobiles... key to India's growth is how to transform the process of urbanization, Kant said.

Highlighting the need for substantial growth, he said, transportation is a challenge.

"We are doing innovative things, dedicated freight corridor (DFC) is coming up for faster movement of goods. It takes 13 to 14 days to transport goods from north to south.

But in the upcoming DFC it would take 14 hours. So from 14 days to 14 hours."

The NITI Ayog CEO said for the faster movement of the people and goods, the only way is to do is through technology.

He said Hyperloop presents the transformational technology and India would be happy to join the venture. "We will be happy to facilitate and act as a catalyst and to work in partnership with you," Kant added. -PTI

millions of NRIs travel to and from the Punjab city every year.

Launched in January 2015, Vistara currently connects 19 destinations with over 500 weekly flights. The airline, which has a fleet of 13 aircraft, has flown 4 million customers since the launch, he said. -PTI

way ministry official involved with the project said.

As per the new business plan 2017-18 launched by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, the mobile app aims at becoming a one-stop solution for various travel related services, like booking tickets, retiring

rooms, booking tour packages, ordering food from a restaurant and finding hotel rooms.

It would help passengers book reserved and unreserved tickets, including season tickets, as well as buy platform tickets. There will be a common registration and payment account for all types of ticketing.

Expanding the mobile application for unreserved ticketing at all non-suburban stations would help in reducing queues at ticket booking counters, eliminate use of paper tickets and promote digital payment.

The app is part of the nonfare revenue scheme being undertaken by the Railways through scaling up of ecommerce activities to earn additional revenue.

It will generate non-fare revenue by utilizing passenger-related data available with the Railways.

The app will use affiliate sale partnership model to make available services and products needed by passengers. -PTI

42 India Post

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Cont’d from page 40

Indeed, the Pench National Park is four different forest regions in one, an extravagance of trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers, weeds and herbs, with teak being the most prominent of the tree species. The park is home to 33 species of mam-

mals, 164 species of birds, 50 species of fish, 10 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, and a wide variety of insect life.

eyed buzzards, storks, waterfowls, four endangered vulture species, and the green pigeon, which is the State Bird.

Pench is a naturalist's dream come true; a mind-expanding experience if ever there is one.

Flora: Ain, Bamboo, Haldu,

Karu, Arjun, Tendu, Char.

Fauna: Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, jackal, sambar, Indian bison, barking deer, blue bull,

spotted deer, chausingha, ratel, flying squirrel, wild boar, langur, rhesus monkey, porcupine, pangolin, mouse deer.

Weather: There are three distinct seasons. Summer is from February to middle of June. The monsoon starts from mid-June and lasts till October. Winter starts in

ary to April.

The Pench National Park is open to visitors from 1st October to 30th June each year and remains closed during the rainy season (July- Sept). Visiting hours are from 6 am to 11 am, and from 3 pm to 6 pm. Light vehicles and 15-seater buses are allowed, and speed re-

October with low temperatures in December/January.

strictions must be followed.

Best time to visit is from Febru-

nearest airport 88 kms away. Takes 2 - 3 hrs by road. Jabalpur airport is 200 kms by road from Pench.

Jabalpur is well connected with Delhi and Mumbai, and many other cities of India.

By Rail: Nagpur is the nearest railway station. Nagpur Junction is well connected with all cities of

How to reach:

By Air: Nagpur is the

India.

By Road: Nagpur is only 88 kms from Pench via Seoni (NH No. 7).

It is well connect with all the major cities of India.

While primarily a reserve for tigers and panthers, Pench is also home to sambhar, chital, barking deer, nilgai, black buck, gaur, wild boar, chausingha, sloth bears, wild dogs, langurs, monkeys, mouse deer, black-naped hares, jackals, foxes, hyenas, porcupines, and flying squirrels, to name a few.

Here, birdlife is equally bountiful. The feathered denizens of Pench include both resident and migratory birds like Malabar pied hornbills, Indian pittas, ospreys, grey-headed fishing eagles, white-

March 10, 2017

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Israel may ease visa norms for Indians JERUSALEM: In its efforts to attract Indian tourists, Israel has increased its promotional budgetary allocation to USD 2.5 million in the last two years and plans to ease visa norms, senior officials have said.

"We realize that India is going to be one of the top three countries sending tourists to Israel and so we have started to invest a lot in marketing our tourism potential there," Director General of Israel's Ministry of Tourism, Amir Halevi said.

"We have already opened a tourist office in India. We also launched our first campaign last year which was a big success. We also got an award for it saying it had the same level of impact as Pepsi in India," he told PTI. "Right now about 50,000 Indians are coming to Israel every year.

There is a huge potential given India's size and this number can be easily doubled in a very short time. Indian tourists generally spend more than the average tourist which also makes them an attractive target. The marketing budget has been increased by ten times to USD 2.5 million compared

to what it was two years ago", Halevi said.

When asked about concerns related to visa issuance to Indians and also subsequent problems to such visitors in travelling to the Arab world, he said the process has been made "better and would

be even easier".

"The visa process is now better and hopefully would be even easier. A tourist from India looking to get visa stamped on paper can get it that way and there will really be no problem with that," he said.

A spokesperson to the ministry said that, "given the importance of India as an emerging market for incoming tourism to Israel, the Tourism Ministry has submit-

ted a request to ease the visa restrictions on Indian tour groups wishing to visit the country."

"It is hoped that this request will be granted in the near future, reducing the wait time for a group visa to five working days," she said.

However, the "game changer" in these efforts is going to be the expected introduction of direct Air India (AI) flights between India and Israel later this year, Halevi said.

Discussions regarding the launch of Air India direct flights is said to have started last year and as per sources at the Israeli tourism ministry, the Chairman and Managing Director of AI, Ashwani Lohani, and its Commerce Director Pankaj Srivastava are likely to visit Israel in the next few days.

"Hopefully Air India would soon start direct flights between India and Tel Aviv which is going to be a game changer increasing manifold the number of tourists coming from India to Israel. The number of tourists from China to Israel doubled in one year after the start of direct flight by Hainan Airlines. We expect something similar with India", Halevi said. -PTI

Philippines eyes 1 lakh Indian tourists NEW DELHI: The Philippines is expecting over 1 lakh arrivals from India in 2017 as it undertakes a slew of initiatives to promote itself as a preferred destination for tourists here. Philippines had 90,816 tourist arrivals from India in 2016, becoming the twelfth largest international source market for the Southeast Asian island nation.

"We expect the number of tourist arrivals from India to grow beyond the 100,000 in 2017. It would be another milestone for Indian travelers," Philippines Department of Tourism, Market Development Division Chief Tourism Operations Officer Raymund Glen A Agustin told PTI. This will elevate India to the level of a strategic market from an opportunity market that it is at present for Philippines. A strategic market is one that generates between 1 lakh to 2 lakh arrivals annually to Philippines, he added.

When asked about the major segments that compose the bulk of Indian travelers to the country,

Agustin said: "The largest segment that drives volumes for us from India is incentive travel which is part of MICE segment".

The others segments are group travelers. The department is also focusing on promoting Philippines as a wedding destination. The other verticals are leisure and business, he added.

On being asked about the steps being taken to achieve the 1 lakh milestone, Agustin said: "We are taking a number of measures to promote our country here such as focusing on corporates and incentive travel organizers. We conduct

training sessions for the travel trade partners here, we also participate in trade fairs and do B2B sessions".

The training programs are one of the most effective ways to interact in depth with valuable trade partners and impart destination knowledge, he added.

"We also do advertisement and conduct familiarization tours," Agustin said.

Philippines is located in archipelagic Southeast Asia, with 7,107 islands spanning more than 300,000 square kilometers of territory. -PTI

Greece looking to attract Indian tourists MUMBAI: To tap the Indian outbound travel segment, Greece is planning to position itself in the top 5 list of European destinations and promote as a holiday site that can be visited all around the year.

"India is an important market

known cities of Greece which have great geophysical, historical and cultural importance in India.

Kountoura said Greece is looking at reaching out to affluent Indians this year through a well planned marketing and advertising campaign.

GNTO is looking at promoting the southeastern European country as a destination for weddings, honeymoon, families, FITS (first time travelers segment), MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) and films. " M a n y Bollywood and regional films from India have captured the Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura with GNTO’s scenic beauty Secretary General, Dimitris Tryfonopoulos and the of Greece in celAmbassador of Greece in New Delhi. luloid and we for us; therefore, we decided to want to further strengthen this foray into the country to tap the segment. As we all know one picgrowing affluent and the out- ture is worth a thousand words and bound travel segment. We want to we want to promote many more unposition Greece in the top 5 list of seen destinations for film shoots," European destinations that every she added.

Indian would want to visit," Greece The Minister said India and Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura Greece have rich ancient history, told PTI here. warm culture and love for food.

She said in 2016, around 70,000 Admitting that direct air conIndians visited Greece through Eu- nectivity between the two counrope. tries will boost tourism, she said "Our strategy is to promote 365- GNTO is in talks with representaday tourism in Greece and we are tives of leading carriers such as confident that we will see a boost Emirates, Qatar, Etihad and Jet Airin the number of Indian arrivals ways to improve services to Athwith our initiatives. Our target is ens from India. to double the 2016s arrivals by "We hope there will be direct 2018," she added. air connectivity between both the The Greek National Tourism Or- countries this year. This will boost ganization (GNTO) is planning to the tourism sector tremendously," create awareness about lesser Kountoura added. -PTI

South Carolina tourism exceeds $20B SPARTANBURG, S.C.: Officials say South Carolina's tourism industry surpassed $20 billion for the first time in 2015.

The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports that Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Duane Parrish announced the milestone in Spartanburg during the South Carolina Governor's Conference on Tourism and Travel.

Parrish says tourism generated

$20.2 billion in economic activity statewide in 2015, a 6.1 percent increase over 2014, and the fourth straight year of growth. Final numbers for 2016 aren't yet available, but Parrish said it looks like last year was ``another great year.''

Parrish says tourism is South Carolina's largest industry, supporting one in 10 jobs and generating $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenues. -AP

In Brief EU may allow Ukrainians visa-free entry BRUSSELS: The European Union has moved a step closer to granting visa-free entry to citizens of Ukraine.

Negotiators from EU member countries and the European Parliament reached a deal to allow Ukrainians who have biometric passports to enter the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

The visa waiver will apply to all members of the 28-nation EU except Britain and Ireland. It won't give Ukrainians the right to work in the EU. The deal now has to be formally endorsed by the full European Parliament and by ministers from EU member countries.

European Parliament lawmaker Mariya Gabriel said that approving the visa waiver ``is an important step forward toward reforming Ukrainian society by bringing people together, building bridges across borders.'' -AP

„ Sheriff's office to enforce immigration law CAPE MAY, N.J.: A New Jersey sheriff's office is seeking to enroll in a program so its officers can enforce immigration laws.

The Press of Atlantic City obtained documents showing that the Cape May County Sheriff's Office has requested to join the 287(g) program in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement would train three officers. Those officers would investigate and process for deportation county jail inmates who are in the country illegally.

About two dozen residents protested the agreement during Cape May County freeholder meeting. ``Think before you act because there's a lot of them (immigrants) that work here and we need them,'' said Bill Causey, a local antique shop owner from West Cape May. ``You're going to hurt the thing that runs our economy.''

Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said the corrections officers would work exclusively in the jail and would not be stopping anybody on the street.

ICE has agreements with a total of 37 law enforcement departments nationwide. The Monmouth and Salem county sheriff's offices and the Hudson County Corrections Department each participate in the program, which identified more than 370,000 potentially deportable immigrants and trained more than 1,500 local officers between 2006 and 2014. -AP

Immigration

South Dakota official's immigration stance reflects Trump's

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Details on page 47

US temporarily suspends premium processing of H-1B visas WASHINGTON: The US has said it is temporarily suspending the 'premium processing' of H-1B visas from April 3, eliminating the option of shorter wait times for the program that helps highly skilled foreigners work at American firms.

Under the current system, companies submitting applications for H-1B visas for potential employees can pay extra for expedited processing, which is known as premium processing.

The suspension is effective April 3, and could last up to six months, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The H-1B visas are widely used

by Indian IT majors.

Premium processing costs an additional USD 1,225 and ensures a response from the USCIS in 15 days or the fee is refunded. Processing of standard H-1B applications - those that are not premium - takes between three to six months.

"This temporary suspension

will help us to reduce overall H-1B processing time," the USCIS said.

The change comes as President Donald Trump is said to be draft-

By temporarily suspending premium processing, the USCIS said it will be able to process long-pending petitions, which they have

ing a new version of his courthalted executive order that banned travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.

currently been unable to process due to the high volume of incoming petitions and the significant surge in premium processing requests over the past

few years, and prioritize adjudication of H-1B extension of status cases that are nearing the 240-day mark.

For Silicon Valley companies, many of which employ large number of H-1B holders, this move could signal that waiting time for approval may get much longer.

Under the current system, a company that is sponsoring a potential employee or current employee's H-1B petition may fill out a form to expedite the processing of that petition, the Verge reported.

Meanwhile, the USCIS also announced that it would start accepting the H-1B visa applications for the fiscal year 2018 beginning October 1, 2017, from April 3. -PTI

Indian sportsman held in US for sexual abuse NEW YORK: A 24-year-old Indian sportsman has been arrested here on charges of sexually abusing a minor girl, days after he arrived in the US from Kashmir for a snowshoe competition.

Tanveer Hussain arrived in the small village of Saranac Lake in New York state for the World Snowshoe Championships.

Police said he has been charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

He had garnered much attention before arriving for the championship after the US Embassy in New Delhi denied him and another athlete Abid Khan visas around the same time President Donald Trump had issued an order barring people from seven Muslim-dominant countries to the US. Though India was not among

the seven countries, the denial of visa was seen associated with the executive order.

Hussain was allowed a visa to

Tanveer Hussain

enter the US for the competition

following intense lobbying from local officials and residents in the Adirondacks, as well as by US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.

Police arrested Hussain after the girl, who is under the age of 13, accused him of sexually abusing her, a report in t h e Adirondack Daily Enterprise said.

Police Sergeant Casey Reardon said the

girl and her parents reported the abuse to police. After the complaint, Reardon said police located Hussain who has been cooperating in the case, the report said.

Hussain was arraigned and his lawyer entered a not-guilty plea on Hussain's behalf.

"I could not have entered anything else but a not-guilty based on the information I had," his lawyer Brian Barrett said.

"Based on the limited communications I could have with Hussain, it did not allow for me to properly evaluate the case and make an informed decision on behalf of my client.

"They are merely allegations alone. Not only is he innocent, he is presumed innocent by law.

That is how he should be seen in the community and by anyone paying attention in this case," Barrett said.

Cont'd on Page 47

Immigration Post

March 10, 2017

India Post 45

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Trump's immigration mixed message draws skepticism WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump surprised congressional leaders when he suddenly suggested he was open to broad immigration reform. But while there is appetite on Capitol Hill for legislation, there is also skepticism, and the president's hard-line rhetoric over the past two years could make a compromise bill much harder.

Trump signaled a potential shift in a private meeting with news anchors. He told them he was open to legislation that would give legal status to some people living in the U.S. illegally and provide a pathway to citizenship to those brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

Those private comments raised expectations that he might make a similar call in his prime-time address. Instead, Trump pledged to vigorously target people living in the U.S. illegally who ``threaten our communities'' and prey on ``innocent citizens,'' words similar to his campaign speeches.

The mixed messaging underscored the uncertainty about the president's intentions, and drew a mixed reaction on Capitol Hill.

While some in his party could welcome a new push for comprehensive immigration reform, it's far from clear exactly what that might entail. Trump spent his campaign whipping his supporters into a frenzy on the issue, painting a picture of a nation overrun by violent people living here illegally, committing crimes and stealing American jobs.

less in the speech than what came out earlier. He said the time was ripe for action, despite Trump's past rhetoric denouncing ``illegal amnesty.'' ``Only Nixon could go to China, I think there are parallels there,'' said Flake. That was a reference to President Richard Nixon's 1972 meeting with Mao Zedong, now a political metaphor for a leader tak-

US President Donald Trump

ing an action that his supporters would typically condemn if taken by someone from another party.

Flake suggested that Trump could ``come out and say, `All right, we've got to solve this. We're not going to deport 11 million people. There are people out there afraid. ... Why don't we get something we can agree on? Now's the time.''

But GOP Rep. Ken Buck, R-

Trump did say during the campaign that he was open to ``softening'' his position - and some who met with him privately were convinced at times that he was going to move in that direction. But he ultimately landed where he started That's left many Democrats skeptical and Republicans on both sides of the issue appearing to hear what they want. ``I hope that it opens the door for comprehensive immigration reform, which we obviously feel is vital,'' said Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who was a member of the so-called Gang of Eight that spearheaded a 2013 immigration bill that ultimately failed after passing the Senate.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., another Gang of Eight member, said he was encouraged by Trump's remarks -

that,'' Buck added.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said that any legislation would have to be on Trump's terms. ``He recognizes that a solution, a comprehensive solution, has eluded our nation for a long time.

And it's a big problem. And if he can get it consistent with his principles he will,'' Spicer said.

Colo., heard something else. He says Trump ``was very clear that he wants to secure the border, he wants to make sure that we are deporting criminal aliens and he gave some very vivid examples of the dangers of having people in this country who should be removed, have been removed and have come back.'' ``I did not hear him mention anything about comprehensive immigration reform, I have never heard him say anything about

Trump campaigned as an immigration hard-liner, vowing to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and step up deportations.

Since taking office, he has hewed closely to those promises, signing an order aimed at suspending the U.S. refugee program and subjecting all immigrants in the country illegally to possible deportation if they are charged or convicted of any offense, or even suspected of a crime.

Trump did say during the campaign that he was open to ``softening'' his position - and some who met with him privately were convinced at times that he was going to move in that direction. But he ultimately landed where he started, declaring in September that under his presidency there would be ``no legal status or becoming a citizen of the United States by illegally entering our country.'' ``People will know that you can't just smuggle in, hunker down and wait to be legalized,'' he said then. ``Those days are over.''

Trump's vacillations are nothing new. During the campaign, he routinely said that while the ``bad guys'' would have to go, he would eventually find a mechanism to let the ``good'' immigrants stay. In a high-profile campaign immigration speech Trump kicked the can down the road, saying that once the borders were secure and a new immigration system in place,

he would ``be in a position to consider the appropriate disposition of those who remain.''

Roy Beck, the president and CEO of NumbersUSA, a non-profit that advocates for reduced immigration, said that while Trump's comments appear contradictory, comprehensive immigration reform doesn't necessarily mean to Trump what it has meant in the past. Still, he said, Trump is walking a fine line on an issue that helped drive him to the White House. ``He cannot lose the moral high ground that he has on that issue. So he's got to be very careful'' to avoid alienating his supporters, Beck said. ``But that's not to say there's not room for some maneuvering and flexibility.''

However, conservatives including Rep. Steve King of Iowa caution Trump against pursuing broad immigration legislation, calling it a ``trap.'' ``Comprehensive is the code word for amnesty, and everyone knows that by now,'' King said.

He also said going in that direction could swiftly alienate core GOP supporters. ``If it's not going to be a promise kept on immigration, the base will be gone.'' -AP

Virginia guidance for schools on immigration RICHMOND, Va.: State officials are distributing legal guidance to local school districts on immigration-related issues in re-

The memo emphasizes that districts must provide a high-quality education for every student, regardless of immigration status. It also says school divisions cannot inquire into a prospective student's citizenship status.

The memo advises districts to develop or review policies for students who cannot go home in case

a parent or guardian is detained by immigration officials.

The guidance is being issued after Trump issued a travel ban targeting seven predominantly Muslim countries. The president has also promised a stepped-up campaign deport criminal immigrants and others living in the U.S. illegally. -AP

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law

Rida Ali, 16, a junior at Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Va., carries an American flag during a student walk-out protest she helped organize.

sponse to President Donald Trump's recent executive actions.

Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven Staples sent a memo to local superintendents with the advice.

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46 India Post

March 10, 2017

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'Deporting immigrants could slow US economy' WASHINGTON: If President Donald Trump's hardline stance on illegal immigration leads to large-scale deportations, among those hurt could be the U.S. economy.

That's the view of many economists, who say the United States can't afford to suddenly lose vast numbers of the immigrants who work illegally picking fruit and vegetables, building houses, busing tables, staffing meat-packing plants and cleaning hotel rooms.

Immigrants living illegally in the United States account for roughly 18 percent of employment in agriculture, 13 percent in construction and 10 percent at restaurants, hotels and casinos, according to a study done last year by the National Bureau of Economic Research. ``The economic shock would

cause widespread ramifications,'' says Ben Gitis, director of labor market policy at the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank.

Addressing Congress, Trump vowed to build ``a great, great wall'' to bar Mexican from entering the United States illegally. Even as he spoke, the president said, U.S. authorities were deporting the ``bad ones.''

Economists note that immigrants, including those working in the country without permission, play a vital role in the U.S. economy, and not only because they fill many low-paying jobs that Americans won't or can't do. The United States, like Japan and Western Europe, is being hobbled economically by an aging and slower-growing workforce. Economic growth depends on a

steadily growing supply of workers.

But aging baby boomers are retiring. And an unusually large proportion of prime-age men have

stopped looking for work. Nearly eight years after the end of the Great Recession, the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.8 percent, near what economists consider

jobs for American farm workers and raise their wages.

But researchers Ethan Lewis of Dartmouth College and Michael Clemens and Hannah Postel of the Center for Global Development found that barring Mexican farm workers ``failed to raise wages or substantially raise employment for domestic workers.'' Instead of hiring Americans, farms turned to machines to pick cotton and tomatoes and to tend to sugar beets.

Economist Ryan Edwards of Mills President Donald Trump, flanked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, and College says U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., speaks during a meeting with House and Senate leadership, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. employers would likely shrink their full employment. businesses - rather than search in As older Americans retire, vain for legal workers - if they lost younger ones are increasingly workers to mass deportations. choosing to enroll in college rather The cutbacks could take a than start work right out of high heavy economic toll. Edwards and school. One result is that it's be- Francesc Ortega of the City Unicome harder for employers to fill versity of New York estimate that the entry-level jobs that are often immigrant workers living in the from Democrats and some Repub- taken by immigrants living in the country illegally account for 3 percent of private gross domestic licans, who accused Keough of United State illegally.

Gitis reviewed the numbers and product - the broadest measure of trying to hijack a top legislative priority intended to help the state's said he reached a striking conclu- economic output - or nearly $5 trilsion: Suppose, he says, the United lion over 10 years. most vulnerable children.

Dallas Democratic Rep. Rafael States were to deport or otherwise Mass deportations could imAnchia blasted Keough's pro- lose all the estimated 6.8 million pose other costs as well. Gitis esposal as creating a litmus test that immigrants working in the coun- timates that the government would turn the state agency that try illegally. At full employment, would have to spend $400 billion oversees foster care into an ``im- there wouldn't be enough legal to $600 billion to deport all those workers to fill all those jobs. At living in the United States withmigration cop.'' ``You're trying to conflate chil- least 4 million jobs would go un- out permission and to prevent fudren who are in desperate need filled. ture illegal immigration.

Still, critics have often argued In a 2013 study, the Social Sewith law breakers,'' he said. ``As the son of immigrants to this coun- that low-wage immigrants in the curity Administration found that try and a proud Latino, this feels United States end up depressing immigrants living in the country pay for everyone else. And econo- without permission had paid $13 really racist.''

The amendment also split Repub- mists have long wrangled over that billion into Social Security in 2010 licans. An emotional Rep. Byron possibility. and received only $1 billion in benA paper issued last month by efits. The administration conCook, R-Corsicana, said he was the National Bureau of Economic cluded that their contributions had ``heartbroken to be part of this.'' ``I feel like crying today,'' Cook Research studied what happened had ``a net positive effect'' on Soin 1964 when the government cut cial Security finances. told the chamber.

Keough scrapped his amend- the supply of seasonal Mexican So mass deportations mean ment amid intense pressure, and farm workers entering the United ``we'd not only be losing workers,'' lawmakers quickly passed the bill States. By excluding the Mexicans, Gitis says. ``We'd lose consumers, to bump up kinship payments with- the move was supposed to create even taxpayers.'' -AP out the immigration language.

Also, the House approved a proposal to restructure the state agency in charge of foster care.

SAN DIEGO: A federal judge sive force. Prosecutors declined to Republican Speaker Joe Straus will consider an agreement for the file criminal charges. hailed the passage of the bills.

U.S. government to pay $1 million Terms of the settlement disGov. Greg Abbott has declared to the family of a Mexican man who closed in a court filing would split foster care reform a priority for the died after being detained by immi- the money among Anastasio session as the state appeals a fed- gration authorities and shot sev- Hernandez's five children, with eral court ruling from 2015 that found eral times with a stun gun. about a quarter going for attorney Texas' system unconstitutionally If approved at a hearing in San fees and costs. flawed and ordered an independent Diego, the settlement would end a The 42-year-old unarmed man overhaul. More than 100 children nearly 7-year-old case that died after a confrontation with audied last year after the agency failed prompted widespread complaints thorities in May 2010 at San to adequately investigate tips about that U.S. immigration authorities Diego's San Ysidro border crossabuse and neglect. -AP tolerated agents who use exces- ing. -AP

Immigration fight spills into foster care debate AUSTIN, Texas: The opening efforts by the Texas House to solve the state's foster care crisis erupted into a fierce debate over immigration, when a Republican lawmaker proposed ending financial assistance for adoptions of atrisk children by relatives in the country illegally.

Lawmakers eventually passed the chamber's first two major bills of a legislative session that began nearly two months ago - both aimed at mending foster care system that a federal judge has ruled is unconstitutional - but not before a roughly hour-long, raucous

Houston, tried to amend a major, bipartisan bill to increase state spending on efforts to persuade relatives to adopt abused and neglected children as part of socalled ``kinship care.''

The proposal, touted as one of the House's main pieces of foster care legislation, would give more financial assistance to grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members who adopt a relative by providing monthly lump sums that in some cases could reach almost $520. The program currently provides a one-time ``integration payment'' of $1,000 per child and

Gov. Greg Abbott has declared foster care reform a priority for the session as the state appeals a federal court ruling from 2015 that found Texas' system unconstitutionally flawed and ordered an independent overhaul. argument over immigration that featured accusations of racism.

The unexpected diversion came weeks after the Texas Senate passed a hotly contested bill prohibiting ``sanctuary cities,'' and potentially jailing law enforcement officials who don't help enforce federal immigration policies - underscoring Republicans' determination to impose tough immigration policies in the era of President Donald Trump.

The House flap started when Republican Rep. Mark Keough, of The Woodlands in suburban

an annual reimbursement of about $500 per child, regardless of the caregiver's immigration status.

But Keough proposed a change to say that Texas would be barred from providing money to a relative or caregiver ``who is not lawfully present in the United States.'' He said payments to such people who adopt a relative are equivalent to an ``entitlement.'' ``I'm not asking anybody to leave,'' Keough said. ``All I'm saying is if they are not documented we wouldn't fund them.''

The idea drew instant backlash

Settlement likely in US border killing

Immigration Post

March 10, 2017

India Post 47

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South Dakota immigration stance reflects Trump's SIOUX FALLS, S.D.: Alexander Salgado shouldn't have killed 16year-old Jasmine Guevara.

He shouldn't have even been in the country, according to South Dakota's top prosecutor, the Argus Leader reported.

Attorney General Marty Jackley's views on immigration were significantly shaped by the

his then girlfriend Maricela Diaz slit Guevara's throat and leave the teen to burn alive in the trunk of a car in a Hansen County field.

He is currently serving life in prison without parole.

A native of Guerrero, Mexico, Salgado had ties to Mexican drug cartels, and before his arrest in South Dakota, was suspected in

``There's always been a recognition of the need for a proper vetting procedure that will not only make America safe, but would also be a supplement to our workforce,'' Jackley said.

2009 case, in which the immigrant living in the U.S. illegally pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Jackley has generally supported President Donald Trump's tougher stance on immigration, and that support stems in large part from the Salgado case, one of the state's most brutal murders in recent memory.

Salgado admitted to helping

a series of crimes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. ``He was being held in a holding facility in Indiana and they let him go,'' Jackley said. ``There was a little girl here in South Dakota that was harmed, and that could have been prevented on the federal side had they done their jobs.''

To Jackley, the case under-

scores the need for federal immigration reform. A more comprehensive approach to immigration, he said, might have prevented Salgado from coming to South Dakota and killing Guevara. ``There's always been a recognition of the need for a proper vetting procedure that will not only make America safe, but would also be a supplement to our workforce,'' Jackley said. ``When it's not done, we are left with situations like the Salgado case.''

The following year, Jackley backed Arizona after it was sued by the federal government for a bill its governor signed giving police the power to question anyone who they had reasonable suspicion of being an illegal immigrant. And in 2014, he was among the attorneys general and governors who sued the federal government over former President Obama's order offering temporary legal status to millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.

His frustration is amplified by another case in which he was unable to protect victims and witnesses from deportation after

Immigration raids at Mississippi restaurants JACKSON, Miss.: Federal authorities have raided multiple restaurants in Mississippi as part of an immigration check.

Agents with Immigration and Custom Enforcement executed criminal search warrants at eight Asian restaurants. It was unclear how many people were detained.

Agency spokesman Thomas Byrd tells The Clarion-Ledger the majority of restaurants affected were part of the Ichiban chain. The raids occurred in Jackson, Flowood, Pearl and Meridian. A China Buffett in Pearl was also a target of the search warrants.

Bryd declined to say what

was outlined in the warrants.

However, he said, all of the warrants are related.

Bill Chandler with Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance says it's his understanding the raids were targeting those ``not in status'' or undocumented workers who may be in Mississippi on expired visas. -AP

2,000 attend Sen. Murphy's town hall WEST HARTFORD, Conn.: More than 2,000 people gathered in West Hartford for a public meeting with Sen. Chris Murphy to ask questions and express concerns on issues including climate change, immigration and the Dakota access pipeline.

The Hartford Courant reports more than 450 people filed into

the town hall auditorium. Several dozen others watched in an overflow room. Hundreds were shut out when the fire marshal closed the building.

Murphy, a Democrat, suggested that individuals frustrated with Washington become involved locally, voice their grievances and hold Republicans

accountable for their promises, particularly about repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. Murphy says some Republicans are ``very concerned about what's going on.'' He says it's challenging for them to oppose a Republican president so early into his term. -AP

Oregon joins suit against Trump travel ban PORTLAND, Ore.: The state of Oregon has filed a motion to join a lawsuit by the states of Washington and Minnesota against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Oregon Attorney General

Ellen F. Rosenblum filed the motion in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

The state claims Oregon would be harmed by the order in the areas of its finances, educational institutions, refugee resettlement organizations and health care system.

Trump's original order, which also paused the entire U.S. refugee program, was blocked temporarily in the courts earlier this month as a result of the lawsuit.

Rosenblum contends that joining the lawsuit remains timely because the case is still in the preliminary stages.-AP

Attorney General Marty Jackley

they testified in a human trafficking case.

In his previous role as U.S. Attorney, he prosecuted Robert John Farrell and his wife, Angelita Magat Farrell, who were convicted by a federal jury in November 2007 after hearing from four victims who had been treated as modern-day slaves by the couple.

The Farrells first committed visa fraud to bring Philippine workers into the United States, then chained them to the cleaning and front desk duties at the hotel they owned in Oacoma.

Jackley's office tried to secure visas for cooperating witnesses and victims, but the attempts were unsuccessful. The workers fell into the hands of the federal Immigration Custom and Enforcement. It's unclear whether the victims returned to the Philippines. -AP

Indian sportsman held in US for sexual abuse Cont'd from Page 44

Hussain and Khan had planned to return home. It said "a visibly upset Hussain", with hands shackled and still wearing a maroon World Snowshoe Championships hat, pleaded with the judge not to send him to jail, the report said.

"Sir, please. Help me," Hussain said.

The judge decided not to accept a plea because he was not sure if Hussain fully understood the charges against him. He remanded him to the Essex County Jail in Lewis in lieu of USD 5,000 cash bail or USD 10,000 bond.

Khan said Hussain told him he was innocent. Khan said the girl had followed him and Hussain during their stay here and Hussain had told the girl to go back to her home.

"He (Hussain) says there was no contact at all," he said. When asked about Khan's account, Reardon said police have enough evidence for probable cause.

"We are confident in our investigation and the results of it. There were other witnesses. Social media was involved. There is evidence that supports the charges," Reardon said in the report.

Khan, 34, is president of the Snowshoe Federation of India. He said Hussain was not aware that the girl is a minor.

"We told him (Hussain) later that she is a minor. He does not understand proper English, so he does not know," Khan said.

Khan said he and Hussain were embarrassed by this situation, both for themselves and for Saranac Lake.

"It is embarrassment because people gave us love, respect, everything. They opened their hearts to us. I am more responsible because it should not have happened. I am the guy who is here representing everything. It is even more embarrassment for the people of Saranac (Lake). We will not be

The judge decided not to accept a plea because he was not sure if Hussain fully understood the charges against him.

He remanded him to the Essex County Jail able to show our face to them again," the report quoted Khan as saying.

The Indian snowshoe team became a cause for local residents, who had campaigned to bring them to the Adirondacks, assisting with fundraising and other logistics.

Earlier, Hussain was welcomed warmly by Saranac Lake. "It is amazing to be here among the people of Saranac (Lake)," Khan had said.

Hussain's story drew international attention from the BBC network. He finished in 114th place in the 8-kilometer championship race.

Hussain was supposed to leave the US after the World Snowshoe Championship that concluded on February 25. -PTI

„

Realty Tidbits

Kentucky settles suit against MERSCORP FRANKFORT, Ky.: Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear says his office has reached a settlement with a national mortgage recording company that will provide $2.8 million for the state.

Beshear said the deal with MERSCORP Holding and its wholly owned subsidiary, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, will result in more protections for homeowners.

The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed by Beshear's predecessor, Jack Conway. The suit accused the company of failing to record mortgage assignments with county clerks

Andy Beshear

when mortgages were sold or transferred from one bank to another.

Beshear says the system was created to avoid paying fees in county clerk's offices. He says MERS did not admit liability in agreeing to terms.

Beshear is urging lawmakers to use the $2.8 million to support affordable housing, legal aid foreclosure work and to help county clerks' budgets. -AP

„ Indiana nonprofit to repair White Castle INDIANAPOLIS: A tiny downtown Indianapolis building that's one of the oldest-surviving original White Castle restaurants is getting a makeover.

Indiana Landmarks plans to repair the 90-year-old castle-like building's white glazed brick exterior and then sell it with a preservation covenant.

The nonprofit recently bought the building for $1 from the city of Indianapolis. The small building opened in 1927, but served up its last White Castle slider in 1979. It later housed a real estate office and a National Guard recruiting center.

Mark Dollase is Indiana Landmarks' vice president of preservation services. He says the roughly 200-square-foot building is considered the third-oldest White Castle built by the Columbus, Ohio-based chain that operates nearly 400 restaurants in 13 states.

It's one of a handful of the chain's remaining original highstyle castle restaurants. -AP

Real Estate 48 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 10, 2017

Builder to pay for 'environmental damage' PUNE: The National Green Tribunal's bench here has directed a builder to restore the environmental damage allegedly caused to a housing society in Khandala due to illegal hill cutting and tree felling.

The western zonal bench of judicial member U D Salvi and expert member Ranjan Chatterjee asked the Mumbai-based builder to deposit Rs 40 lakh with Lonavala Municipal Council for the restoration work.

Details on page 49

Icahn selling Trump Taj to Hard Rock ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.: Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has reached a deal to sell the shuttered Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City to Hard Rock International and two New Jersey investors.

The sale comes four months after Icahn closed it amid a crippling strike. A sale price was not revealed. ``We are excited to be part of this revitalization of Atlantic City creating thousands of jobs to help local employment,'' Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, said in a statement. ``We are 100 percent convinced Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City will be a success.''

He said the company plans to invest $300 million in renovating and rebranding the property.

Icahn, who also owns Atlantic City's Tropicana Casino and Resort, said he decided one casino in town is enough. He said in January he had lost about $300 million owning the Taj Mahal, and would be delighted if he could sell it for half that amount. ``We ... are extremely happy with our ownership of the Tropicana Casino and Resort, and after considerable analysis and deliberation we determined that we only wanted to own one operating casino property in Atlantic City,'' he said in a statement. ``A sale of the Taj Mahal therefore represents the optimal outcome for

us. We wish Hard Rock and its partners the best of luck with the Taj Mahal.''

Hard Rock has proposed building a major casino resort in northern New Jersey at the Meadowlands racetrack with its owner Jeff Gural.

ment, creates hundreds of construction positions, countless positions within the Hard Rock Casino Hotel and will bring thousands and thousands of new visitors to this great city,'' Jingoli said. ``This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of revi-

But voters overwhelmingly rejected a statewide referendum last November that would have authorized casino gambling to expand beyond Atlantic City, and the issue cannot be revisited for at least two years.

It was not immediately clear whether Hard Rock still intends to seek a Meadowlands casino.

The two investors are Joseph Jingoli, who is working on a new campus for Stockton University in Atlantic City, and Jack Morris, CEO of Edgewood Properties. ``This project is led by a proven leader in gaming, brings hundreds of million dollars in new invest-

talizing one of our nation's most iconic destinations,'' Morris added.

Hard Rock has long toyed with the idea of opening a casino resort in Atlantic City. In 2011, the company proposed - and soon abandoned - a music-themed casino resort at the southern end of the Boardwalk.

Icahn said the sale does not include the shuttered Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, which closed in 2014. Icahn said he is still trying to sell that property.

President Trump, who at the time was a Manhattan real estate mogul, dubbed the Taj Mahal

``the eighth wonder of the world'' when it opened in 1990.

But within a year it was in bankruptcy, the victim of unsustainably high levels of debt taken on during its construction.

Trump cut most of his ties with Atlantic City in 2009, stepping down from the company he once ran, Trump Entertainment Resorts, most of which was then controlled by bondholders who swapped their debt for equity in the company during bankruptcy. Trump retained only a 10 percent stake in the company in return for the right to use his name, but that was wiped out last year when Icahn acquired the company from its latest Chapter 11 filing.

Local 54 of the Unite-HERE union went on strike against the Taj Mahal on July 1 when it could not reach a new contract with Icahn to restore benefits that Trump Entertainment got a bankruptcy court judge to terminate in October 2014. Losing millions of dollars a month, Icahn decided to close the casino on Oct. 10, putting nearly 3,000 workers out of jobs.

Many of those workers are expected to be rehired when the casino opens, which might not happen until the summer of 2018. AP

Benami Act violators face legal action NEW DELHI: The tax department has warned that those who undertake Benami transactions would invite Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) of up to 7 years and such violators would also stand to be charged under the I-T Act. In advertisements issued in leading national dailies, the Income Tax department stated: "Do not enter into benami transactions" as the Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988, is "now in action" from November 1, 2016.

"Black money is a crime against humanity. We urge every conscientious citizen to help the government in eradicating it,"

the Income Tax department said.

The department also spelled out some salient features of the new Act: "Benamidar (in whose

may get RI up to 7 years besides being liable to pay fine up to 25 per cent of fair market value of benami property."

The department also spelled out some salient features of the new Act: "Benamidar (in whose name benami property is standing), beneficiary (who actually paid consideration) and persons who abet and induce benami name benami property is standing), beneficiary (who actually paid consideration) and persons who abet and induce benami transactions are prosecutable and

It added that "persons who furnish false information to authorities under the Benami Act are prosecutable and may be imprisoned up to 5 years besides being liable

to pay fine up to 10 per cent of fair market value of benami property."

The department made it clear that the benami property "may be attached and confiscated by the government" and that these actions are in "addition to actions under other laws such as Income Act, 1961."

The department, since the enactment of the law last year, has registered over 230 cases and attached assets worth Rs 55 crore nationwide, which also coincided with the action against black money post demonetization.

Cont’d on page 49

Real Estate Post

March 10, 2017

India Post 49

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Incentives for realty players in affordable housing NEW DELHI: The participation of organized real estate developers would increase in the affordable housing segment with various tax incentives announced in the Budget, the rating agency ICRA has said.

"The thrust of the measures announced in the Union Budget 2017-18 for promotion of the housing sector have been focused on the affordable segment. This segment which has high demand potential has been underserved on account of inadequate supply and limited credit availability," the agency said in a report.

The key measures taken include giving infrastructure status for affordable housing segment, relaxation of criteria for eligibility for tax benefit under Section 80IBA and higher allocation for

the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

"The budget accorded infrastructure status to affordable housing projects, which can help developers in accessing credit at lower rates and longer tenures, including from sources such as external commercial borrowings.

The cost savings from these ben-

ICRA said that it expects that the availability of tax exemption would spur many developers in the organized sector to enter the affordable housing segment.

"For a representative affordable housing project with execution cycle of 3.5 years and profit before tax (PBT) margins of 16 per cent, the tax exemption would re-

efits would further incentivize projects in the affordable segment," the report said.

sult in a boost to the equity IRR (internal rate of return) by around 3 per cent.

Builder to pay for 'environmental damage' PUNE: The National Green Tribunal's bench here has directed a builder to restore the environmental damage allegedly caused to a housing society in Khandala due to illegal hill cutting and tree felling.

The western zonal bench of judicial member U D Salvi and expert member Ranjan Chatterjee asked the Mumbai-based builder to deposit Rs 40 lakh with Lonavala Municipal Council for the restoration work.

It also restrained the developer from resorting to any further tree felling or hill cutting.

It asked the municipal council to restore the destroyed recreation ground and hill side at the Vikas Valley housing society at Khandala near here to its original form.

The bench, in its judgment on February 28, also ordered the developer to pay Rs one lakh as litigation cost to the applicants Nanik Rupani and Ashish Vaid - who had approached the NGT alleging "environmental damage" in the area.

The tribunal ruled that the respondents - Vikas Developers and Vikas Gupta - shall jointly or severally pay the costs and expenses incurred for restitution of the space and deposit Rs 40 lakh with Lonavala Municipal Council within a month.

According to the application, the builder had illegally cut a hillside and felled trees to make an illegal and unauthorized road without permission from Lonavala Municipal Council. The

Benami Act violators face legal action Cont’d from page

48

A total of 235 cases and instances have been registered under the said Act by the department till mid-February this year.

Show cause notices for attachment have been issued in 140 cases where benami assets worth Rs 200 crore are involved.

"In 124 cases, benami assets worth more than Rs 55 crore have been provisionally attached till now," an I-T report, accessed by PTI, had said.

The attached assets, officials had said, include deposits in bank accounts, agricultural and other land,

flats and jewellery, among others.

Post demonetization on November 8 last year, the I-T department had carried out public advertisements and had warned people against depositing their unaccounted old currency in someone else's bank account.

The I-T department is the nodal department to enforce the said Act in the country.

The taxman had initiated a nationwide operation to identify suspect bank accounts where huge cash deposits have been made post November 8 when the government demonetized the Rs 500/ 1000 currency notes.-PTI

builder, however, denied the allegation of causing environmental damage in the area.

"We also direct Lonavala Municipal Council to restitute the area of garden/open space as shown in the sanctioned layout, more particularly a strip of land admeasuring 6 meter wide and 105 meter

long in recreation ground/open space, within six months and recover the costs from the builder," the tribunal said in its written order.

The developers shall not in any manner whatsoever illegally and unauthorisedly fell the trees or carry out hill cutting in the project area of Khandala at Maval taluka in Pune district, it ruled.

"Illegal and unauthorized tree felling and hill cutting is an offence to environment," the tribunal observed while disposing of the application.

The Lonavala civic body informed the bench that it had issued stop work notice to the developers but they did not respond.

"It appears that hill cutting and tree felling have been done," the tribunal said.

The bench also noted in its order that the Lonavala civic body and the state government supported the applicants, who alleged environmental damage in the area. -PTI

"The incremental returns estimated are moderated by the fact that minimum alternate tax (MAT) would be payable on the book profits from the project, notwithstanding the income tax exemption under Section 80IBA," the report said.

ICRA, however, said that the 3 per cent incremental return estimated does not factor in benefits, which could be available to the developer by way of offsetting MAT credit against taxes arising out of other projects on the same balance sheet.

To boost demand for affordable homes, ICRA said the government has taken steps to improve affordability for the end consumers, especially in the economically weaker section (EWS) and lower income group (LIG).

The credit linked subsidy avail-

able through the PMAY is expected to play a substantial role in providing subsidized credit facilities to consumers in the lower income groups.

The government had announced an expansion of the income limits for the beneficiaries under the credit linked subsidy program of PMAY in December 2016, thereby further increasing the target customer base and expanding it to the middle income group (MIG). The earlier income limit for beneficiaries in the LIG segment was Rs 6 lakh per annum.

"Eligible beneficiaries in the MIG category (first time buyers only) can have a maximum annual income of Rs 18 lakh and will receive interest subsidy of 3 per cent for principal up to Rs 12 lakh for 20 years. This move is expected to significantly increase the number of people eligible for receiving credit linked subsidies and drive demand for affordable housing projects," the report said. -PTI

Lodha sells properties worth Rs 850 cr NEW DELHI: Realty firm Lodha group has sold housing properties worth Rs 850 crore in February and expects its annual bookings to cross last fiscals Rs 6,400 crore mark, beating demand slowdown.

Sales bookings of the Mumbaibased group declined to about Rs 400 crore level in November and December due to adverse impact of demonetization but the sales picked up from January, a company official said.

"Our new sales bookings stood at about Rs 850 crore in February, which is highest monthly sales in this fiscal. In

October, which is a festival month, we did sales of about Rs 800 crore," Lodha Group Chief Sales Officer Prashant Bindal told PTI. Two projects, World Towers and Palava, in the Mumbai Metropolitan region contributed the most to overall sales bookings.

Bindal said sales have picked up, especially in low-cost homes category, after the governments

announcement of infrastructure status to the affordable housing.

The company sold over 850 units in February across price points ranging from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 10 crores and across projects from mass to luxury housing.

"The customer response to our new launches has been very good, especially when there have been contradictory theories about the economy and real estate sector's performance," he said.

"Our belief is that the real estate demand is India is very strong and sustainable for high quality product from credible developers and this strong performance shows that the adverse effects of demonetization have now passed and market is returning to normal operating conditions," he added.

The privately-held Lodha group is currently developing around 4.1 crore sq ft of residential real estate and has 31 ongoing projects across London, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune and Hyderabad. Last fiscal, Lodha Group delivered 6,800 units across projects. -PTI

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India announces new oil exploration policy HOUSTON: India has announced a new hydrocarbon exploration licensing policy which offers single license to explore conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources, as the country seeks to propel investment in the energy sector.

Dharmendra Pradhan.

Pradhan is leading a high-powered delegation to Houston to attend CERAWeek 2017 an international meeting of top leaders from the oil, energy and natural gas industry.

In addition to the Canadian

tional flexibility to the investors," he said.

One of the key features of the new policy is Open Acreage licensing which permits investors to select the exploration blocks after accessing G&G and historic data of India through the national data repository. They can then submit expression of interest for such blocks without waiting for formal bid round.

Pradhan hoped that the bidding under the new policy would be in mid-July.

Pradhan said the Union government is also contemplating a policy for production enhancement of mature fields currently being operated by national oil companies by inducting Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressing a news conference on the partners to infuse state of sidelines of the CERAWeek conference, in Houston the art E&P technologies, investments and Christened "Hydrocarbon Ex- Prime Minister, the week-long best-in class management pracploration Licensing Policy" or meeting is being attended by oil tices.

HELP, the new policy also gives and energy ministers from coun"The objective of this policy the investors the much needed tries like Russia, Saudi Arabia and would be to increase India's infreedom in pricing and marketing United Arab Emirates. digenous oil and gas production for crude oil and natural gas.

"In the new model, government by maximizing the potential of alThe new policy is part of the will not micromanage, micro moni- ready discovered hydrocarbon strategy to make India a business tor with producers. Government resources in India," he said. and investor friendly destination will only share revenue. It will be "We need global best practices and achieve the plan to double an open and regular affair," and modern technologies to deIndia's existing oil production Pradhan told reporters at a news velop the sector. With this in mind, from current 80 million metric tons conference here. we have introduced landmark to about 150-155 million metric "The policy aims to propel in- changes in the entire value chain tons by 2022, said the Union Pe- vestment in the energy and pe- of oil and gas sector," he said. troleum and Natural Gas Minister troleum sector and provide opera- PTI

'Treat PoK like Taiwan; back CPEC' BEIJING: India should be "more pragmatic and flexible" to support the multi-billion dollar CPEC project despite sovereignty issues linked to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as China backs business links between Taiwan and India, state-run media has said.

The project is an economic plan set to connect China and Pakistan and advance Pakistan's economy and improve the lives of its people, the paper said, adding the investment from Chinese firms and their participation in some architectural construction won't af-

"The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) won't affect the status quo of Kashmir dispute" as China has stated that it should be resolved between India and Pakistan�

"The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) won't affect the status quo of Kashmir dispute" as China has stated that it should be resolved between India and Pakistan, an article in the state-run Global Times said.

fect the situation of Kashmir either.

"Just like the Taiwan question, Beijing doesn't object any economic links between Taiwan and other countries including India because economic activities won't

alter China's sovereignty over the island," it said.

"Hence, India should be flexible and pragmatic, and be more open to economic activities in the Kashmir region conducted by Chinese companies," it said.

Clashes have impeded the economic development of both India and Pakistan as violence and terrorism led to underdevelopment and poverty in Kashmir, it claimed.

"The CPEC, however, will boost the economic development in the region, bringing jobs and improving the quality of life," the paper said, adding that the project can be extended to Jammu and Kashmir if India allows, and benefit the Indian people, as well as regional stability. India has protested over the CPEC project as it passes through PoK.-PTI

CNN's 'negative portrayal' of Hinduism condemned WASHINGTON: A number of Hindu Americans were up in arms against CNN for airing a show which they alleged portrays Hinduism in a negative light.

'Believer with Reza Aslan', a six-episode "spiritual adventures series", explores the facts and myths behind the Aghori, a mystical Hindu sect known for extreme rituals.

Eminent Indian American Shalabh Kumar, a top supporter of the US President Donald Trump said, "This is a disgusting attack on Hinduism."

In a tweet, Kumar said, "Hinduism has been attacked because a large number of Hindu Americans supported Trump during the election campaign."

"I condemn @rezaaslan, CNN for airing Believer with fiction. Disgusting attack on Hindus for supporting @POTUS @stephenkbannon @newtgingrich," Kumar, also the founder of Republican Hindu Coalition said in a tweet.

A host of individuals and organizations joined him against the CNN show.

"When we are witnessing intolerant attacks on minorities, telecasting this serial will add more misrepresentation, bias and may lead more hate crimes," said Khanderao Kand, a community leader who had initiated efforts to

eradicate misrepresentation of Hinduism in California text books in 2004.

"With multiple reports of hatefuelled attacks against people of Indian origin from across the US, the show characterizes Hinduism as cannibalistic, which is a bizarre way of looking at the third largest

Reza Aslan

religion in the world," US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) said in a statement.

It urged CNN to stop the show from being aired at the night.

"We are very disappointed.

This is an issue that is of deep concern to the Indian American community evidenced by the large number of calls/emails we have received. In a charged environment, a show like this can create a perception about Indian Americans which could make them more vulnerable to further attacks," said USINPAC chairman Sanjay Puri.-PTI

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UK schools should teach colonial history: Tharoor LONDON: Prolific author and MP Shashi Tharoor says he is astonished to know that Britain does not teach its colonial history in schools and urged the country to educate students about it to ensure a well-rounded view of the past.

The Congress lawmaker from Thiruvananthapuram, who is in the UK for a launch tour of his new book, 'Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India', said while his book was not about India's modern-day relationship with the UK, it was important to learn some of the lessons of the past.

"It is astonishing that nothing is taught here at all about colonial history in schools. If it is still happening today, then a corrective is needed," Tharoor said at the UK launch of the book in London.

"This book attempts to fill a bit of a deficiency... as a broad-brush portrait of the British Empire. It is not about India's relationship with Britain today as two sovereign equals or written with a desire to influence today's geopolitics in any way," the former UN diplomat said.

The book was launched by Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, who is also a student of history

and a batch-mate of Tharoor from his days at St Stephen's College in Delhi University.

"As we celebrate the UK-India Year of Culture, it is appropriate that this book is released here as a literary effort. While we may or may not agree with everything written in the book, it is important

rule in India.

It was born out of a speech he had given at the Oxford Union in 2015, which went viral with millions of hits on social media.

"The fact that my speech struck such a chord with so many suggested that what I considered basic was unfamiliar to many and

Shashi Tharoor

to look at history from an informed perspective. And, as we acknowledge the past, we must look at the present and future [of UK-India ties], which in my view is extremely bright," Sinha said.

Tharoor's book, which was released in India last year as 'An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India', catalogues the harsh economic impact of Britain's colonial

resulted in this book," Tharoor said, adding that his book was intended as a means of triggering an interest in exploring the history of the British Raj in greater depth rather than as a comprehensive account of Britain's colonial past.

"It is not intended to serve as fodder for any score settling. History is its own revenge," he said.

-PTI

India presses UN on anti-terror convention NEW DELHI: India has renewed its pitch for early adoption of a global convention by the UN to effectively combat terrorism, terming the menace the single biggest threat to international peace and security.

In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said India has been a victim of "proxy war" for several decades and that there was a need

important.

He was speaking at a conference on combating terrorism at the Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis.

Parrikar said there must be action against entities which fund terror groups, propagate their ideologies and provide safe havens to terror groups and added that India has been seeking inclusion of these provisions in the CCIT.

"Terrorism remains the most pervasive and serious challenge to international security.

Developing a serious and cognitive global response to it is very important but seemingly very difficult to achieve," he said for developing an Asian approach to push the global fight against terror networks.

Calling for early adoption of India-backed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the UN, Parrikar said terror remains the "most pervasive and serious challenge" to international security and a united approach to deal with it was very

Talking about issues relating to global security, Parrikar also mentioned about challenges like global uncertainty, revival of populist movements, heightened nationalism, backlash against globalization and possible closing of borders by several countries.

The Union Minister said Asia has been victim of some of the most dreaded terrorist networks

and a strong regional push from Asia will exert more pressure on rest of the world to adapt a cohesive framework to combat terror.

Without giving specific details, he said India experienced almost seven per cent of the total terror attacks globally.

"Terrorism remains the most pervasive and serious challenge to international security. Developing a serious and cognitive global response to it is very important but seemingly very difficult to achieve," he said.

Parrikar said India will continue to push for shutting down terror camps, imposing ban on all terror groups, prosecuting all terrorists under special law and making cross-border terror an extraditable offence under the CCIT. "Terrorism is undoubtedly the single biggest threat to international peace and security. While the threat is transnational, response does not appear to be coordinated even though there is a broad consensus on what constitutes an act of terror," he said.

He said the arch of terrorism was expanding in Asia and there was a need for a regional approach to defeat terror.-PTI

India open to bilaterally settling Indus pact NEW DELHI: India and Paki- on tributaries of Chenab River, are stan will hold talks on various is- in the pre-construction/undersues relating to the Indus Waters construction stages.

Treaty (IWT) in Lahore on March Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai are 20-21 with the Indian side main- being built in Jammu and Kashmir taining that it is always open to a at cost of Rs 7464 crore (Novemresolution bilaterally. ber 2008 price level) and Rs 396 "The agenda for the meeting crore respectively. of the Permanent Indus CommisMiyar hydroelectricity project, sion (PIC) has not been finalized located in Himachal Pradesh's yet but India is always open to Lahaul Spiti district, is estimated settling issues relating to the pact to cost Rs 1125 crore. with Pakistan bilaterally," a top The commission, which has government source said. officials from both the countries Pakistan has been flagging as its members, was set up under concern over designs of India's the treaty to discuss and resolve five hydroelectricity projects - issues relating to its implementaPakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 tion.

MW), Kishanganga (330 MW), It is mandatory for the commisMiyar (120 MW) and Lower Kalnai sion to meet at least once in a fis(48 MW) - being built/ planned in the Indus river basin, contending "Pakistan has been raising these violate the treaty. concern over designs of the Pakistan had also approached the World three projects for at least Bank, the mediator between the two coun- two-three years now. These tries of the 57-year-old issues may be discussed� water distribution treaty, in August last year raising issues over cal, alternately in India and PakiKishanganga and Ratle in Jammu stan. and Kashmir.

The PIC's meeting, to be atWhile there is no confirmation tended by India's Indus water so far whether issues relating to commissioner and MEA officials, these two projects will figure dur- will take place nearly six months ing the two-day meet as they are after New Delhi decided to susbefore the WB, the source said pend talks on the pact in the wake Pakal Dul, Miyar and Lower Kalnai of the Uri terror attack by Pakimay be discussed. stan-based outfits.

"Pakistan has been raising The PIC last met in May 2015 concern over designs of the three here. projects for at least two-three India has downplayed its paryears now. These issues may be ticipation in the upcoming meetdiscussed as there has not been ing in Pakistan to discuss issues any resolution yet," the source relating to sharing of Indus river said, but stressed "these projects water, saying it does not amount do not violate the pact". to resumption of governmentThe three projects, being built level Indo-Pak talks.-PTI

Indian-American found dead in NJ NEW YORK: A 29-year-old Indian-American man has been found dead in the US state of New Jersey, an incident which the family has described as a "personal issue".

Sources here said the cause of the death was still unknown and the medical examiner's office was investigating the incident which took place in Jersey City.

More details were not immediately known. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted that the Indian Consulate here "has

spoken to the father of the deceased in Massachusetts. He says this is a personal family tragedy".

Consulate officials have reached out to the deceased's family in Massachusetts and sources said the family has requested privacy, saying "it is a personal family matter".

The sources strongly cautioned that the incident should not be seen as linked to a possible hate crime since all details are still not available and the family too has termed it as a personal issue. -PTI

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Philosophy

Narch 10, 2017

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W

e can see different levels of thought in ordinary life. The most ordinary mind, let us call it the logical mind, is sufficient for all the simple problems of life. We can build a house with this mind, obtain food, know that two and two make four and that "horses eat oats and hay ". So that in its proper place the logical mind is quite right and quite useful.

But when the logical mind meets with problems which are too big, and when it does not stop before them but starts out to solve them, it inevitably falls down, loses touch with reality and becomes in fact "defective ".

To this "defective mind" and "defective method" of observation and reasoning humanity owes all superstitions and false theories beginning with the "devil with a goose's foot" and ending with Marxism and psychoanalysis.

But a logical mind which knows its limitedness and is strong enough to withstand the temptation to venture into problems beyond its powers and capacities becomes a "psychological mind ".

The psychological method distinguishes between different levels of thinking and of realizing the fact that perceptions change according to the powers and properties of the perceiving apparatus.

DENNIS WAITE

A

dvaita is a teaching tradition that has existed for thousands of years. It was originally passed from teacher to disciple by word of mouth only, usually in verse form to aid accurate recollection of the material.

Over time, the memorized stories, metaphors etc were written down but, even then, the ways of interpreting and passing on the understanding of what was said in these 'scriptures' were carefully conveyed from 'guru' to 'seeker'.

This is the 'tradition' called sampradAya, which means that any given teacher can trace his or her lineage back for hundreds of years and can be guaranteed to be competent to help the seeker overcome Self-ignorance.

And this is the purpose of the teaching - to replace ignorance of 'who I am' by knowledge. When that occurs, the seeker can be said to be 'enlightened'.

Enlightenment is a term which is misunderstood and misused by very many teachers and most seekers. It has nothing to do with practice or experience, for example. The purpose of practice is to prepare the mind so that it is sufficiently still and disciplined to be able to receive and assimilate the teaching. Thus it is that Advaita hap-

The psychological mind can see the limitations of the "logical mind" and the absurdities of the "defective mind"- it can understand the reality of the existence of a higher mind and of esoteric knowledge.

This is impossible for a merely logical mind. If a man of logical mind hears about esotericism he will want to know where the people are who belong to the esoteric circle. Who has seen them, and

characteristic feature is the certainty that what is seen through the keyhole or the slit represents all there is and that there is and can be nothing else in it except what is visible in this way. Given a certain imagination and a tendency towards superstition the defective method can make something very strange or monstrous out of an ordinary room. The logical method is based upon a glance at the room from one definite spot,

about the room in this way than by the logical method, and that it is possible to find many mistakes and wrong conclusions of the defective method.

The esoteric method of approach to the study of the room would include not only the whole room with everything it contains but the whole house, all the people in it with all their relationships and their occupations; and further, the position of the house in the street,

4 methods of observation and reasoning

"Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water."

-Zen proverb

The psychological method distinguishes between different levels of thinking and of realizing the fact that perceptions change according to the powP. D. Ouspensky

ers and properties of the perceiving apparatus.

when and how he can see them himself. And if he hears that for him this is not possible he will then say it is all nonsense and that no esoteric circle exists at all.

Let us try to imagine the four methods of observation and reasoning in relation to the room in which I am writing this. The defective method is based upon a glance at the room through the keyhole or through a narrow slit and its

at one definite angle, and usually without enough light.

Too big a confidence in it and the defense of this angle of vision makes the logical method defective. The psychological method compared with the two first would be like a view of the room in daylight, moving about in it in various directions, knowing the objects in it and so on. It is quite clear that it is possible to learn more

of the street in the town, of the town in the country, of the country on the earth, of the earth in the solar system and so on. The esoteric method is limited by nothing and always connects every given thing, however small it may be, with the whole.

Excerpted from 'A New Model Of The Universe'. The 139th birth anniversary of P. D. Ouspensky was observed on March 5

pily uses techniques from Yoga philosophy to this end. But practice of any kind can never bring about enlightenment because practice is not opposed to ignorance.

Similarly experience is an event in time, having a beginning and an end. The knowledge conveyed by Advaita is that there is only Con-

imposed duality. Accordingly, no 'experience' could ever bring about or be relevant to enlightenment.

Once this is all understood and totally accepted, the 'person' thus enlightened could in theory then tell others about it. He or she could become a 'teacher' for those seeking to discover the truth for them-

be able to explain things to the student but such a teacher would be rare indeed. (Ramana Maharshi was such a teacher.) But the problem is that 'ad hoc' teaching - just answering questions that are causing confusion at the time - can easily miss out crucial elements that will bring about later misunderstanding or at least delay correct

Enlightenment has nothing to do with practice SampradAya, means that any given teacher can trace his or her lineage back for hundreds of years and can be guaranteed to be competent to help the seeker overcome Self-ignorance. sciousness - ever. Consciousness is non-dual, so there is nothing else; never has been, never will be.

'I' (who I really am) is Consciousness. There is no 'world'. What we see as world is also really Consciousness. In our ignorance, we see forms as separate and give them names, and thus the whole appearance of duality is conjured into existence. Time does not really exist either; it is part of this

selves. But, whilst the 'final truth' is ever so simple, the steps that are able to lead the seeker there are not.

There are a myriad stories, metaphors and analogies used in the scriptures to explain various aspects and these are brought into play progressively as the understanding of the seeker grows. A really skilled teacher who has not been trained in their use might still

Dennis Waite

understanding. It is this combination of knowing the proven scriptures and being able to interpret them that defines the traditional teacher of Advaita.

Advaita is a specific teaching methodology whose aim is to explain the truth of non-duality.

Educated in Chemistry, Englishman Dennis Waite worked until 2000 in computing, after which he began writing.

The soul doesn't love; It is love itself. The Soul doesn't know.

It is Knowledge itself; The Soul doesn't exist, It is existence itself.

-Patanjali

If you want peace, then do not look into anybody's faults.

Look into your own faults.

Learn to make the world your own. No one is a stranger; the whole world is your very own.

-Holy Mother Sarada Devi

Acquire knowledge. It enables the possesor to distinguish between right and wrong; it is our friend in the desert and our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guides us in happiness and sustains us in misery; it is an ornament among friends and armour against enemies.-Islam

God's kindness toward his creature is greater than that of a mother toward her babe.

Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. - Judaism

Faith is, 'To believe what you do not see', the reward of which is, 'you see what you believed'.

-Swami Chinmayananda

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Accelerated demise of Two-State solution

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DEREK VERBAKEL

A

t a White House press conference on 15 February, US President Donald Trump said he was neither committed to a 'two-state solution' nor opposed to a 'one-state solution' to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

This upended a position held unanimously by the so-called international community, including successive US administrations, which for decades has paid lipservice to the notion of the eventual creation of a Palestinian state co-existing alongside Israel.

On 23 February, Trump backpedaled slightly, saying "I like this two-state solution, but I am satisfied with whatever both parties agree with." While the Trump administration's ambiguity constitutes a significant rhetorical wobble, in practice it portends an acceleration of long-running US policies enabling Israel to gradually foreclose the possibility of a 'two-state solution'.

The UN has endorsed the creation of separate and independent Israeli and Palestinian nation-states since the mid-1970s. However, Israel's current right-wing government, like its predecessors, has continued to colonize land on which such an agreement is to be based by establishing state-subsidized, Jewish-only settlements, including on private Palestinian property.

Although in its last days his administration called settlements an obstacle to peace and allowed passage of a UN Security Council resolution condemning them, this process carried on under former US President Obama.

Trump, regarded as even more sympathetic, has been welcomed by the Israeli right. He appointed David Friedman, a Zionist

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

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s I looked out from the gallery restaurant of Rotana clock tower hotel, I could see the vast sprawls of holy city of Makkah. A look at the surrounding of mystic city itself gives an awe-inspiring feeling. As far as you behold you can see mountains all around and the magnificent huge boundaries of expanded Haram, with same Kaaba in the midst, we call it House of God. For 24 hours year round believers keep circling it

hardliner who has long opposed a 'two-state solution' and financed settlement construction, as the US' ambassador to Israel.

Although Trump later called for some restraint in settlement expansion outside existing blocs, since his inauguration, Israel's emboldened Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced plans to construct over 6000 new settlement homes in the West Bank. A Supreme Court challenge may come, but on 6 February, Israeli parliamentarians passed a bill retroactively legalizing thousands of settler homes built on Palestinian land in the West Bank.

Netanyahu has said the Palestinians should be left with a "stateminus." This, it seems, would entail the continued aggrandizement of the territory, resources, and power of an ethnocratic Jewish state at the Palestinians' expense.

Equal rights would remain absent for Palestinian citizens of Israel.

Those in the West Bank would continue to have limited autonomy in fragmented enclaves, subjected to systemic violence and overriding Israeli security control over all the area west of the Jordan River.

Gaza, already blockaded and periodically subjected to devastating Israeli attacks, would remain in limbo under the pretext of Israeli security concerns. New would be designation of Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, which would retain at least all the major West Bank settlements, encircled by a completed Separation Wall marking the 'border'.

However, Netanyahu's ability to establish such an arrangement at his own pace is challenged by those within his Likud party and coalition partners who demand

open and immediate annexation of all or parts of the West Bank.

Netanyahu is a cautious and calculating politician averse to drastic steps. However, with Obama's departure - and while facing a corruption probe and angling for a fifth term in office - Netanyahu loses the ability to invoke the excuse of an American response.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, supported by other Arab states, has reiterated insistence on a 'two-state solution' and a halt to settlement expansion.

But clinging to this strategy has never resulted in sufficient international pressure on Israel to bargain in good faith or reverse course, and so weakens the ability of the PLO and Palestinian Authority leadership to continue legitimizing its own existence.

Ordinary Palestinians are increasingly frustrated by their ineffectual leaders and the occupation sustaining them, and this will likely fuel both non-violent civil disobedience and an uptick in uncoordinated armed attacks on Israelis.

Netanyahu may seek Trump's assent to a "state-minus" scenario, presenting it misleadingly as a security imperative to prevent the West Bank from being taken over by radical Islamists. Such an agreement would help Israel counter expected censure from European countries for dismissing the twostate paradigm.

Its preferences may become clearer, but through design or incompetence - and for better or for worse - the Trump administration could usher in a new international agenda to address the Israel-Palestine issue.

The writer is Researcher, IReS, IPCS

Afraid of marriage

I

f you do not want to marry, either you are a monk or you do not want to share your wealth and independence. Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar obviously belongs to the second category. He is not married and doesn't intend to marry but had been hinting from various platforms his paternal instincts. These have now found fulfillment. With great delight he announced to the world that he has become a single father of twins - a baby boy and girl - who were born through surrogacy.

Johar said his work, travels and social commitments will have to take a back seat after the arrival of his kids and he is prepared for that. But he would not surrender this lifestyle of his for any real woman. He wants a family but sans a woman.

Men and women both of marriageable ages are finding that they can have temporary friendships but are not willing to enter into a lifelong partnership.

They have become calculating. They figure out gains and losses and prefer to stick with the apparent gains.

Bollywood men like Johar love frolicking with women in films, the parties and the outside world but can't tolerate a woman at home to be sharing their life. Men like him want the best of both worlds. Enjoying kids at home and the freedom to have affairs outside.

It is no longer a question of supporting a woman - anyone who would marry Karan Johar would be an established career woman. It would be more a question of adjustment - of give and take which Karan Johar is not willing to undertake. He is too much in love with his own lifestyle, his own private space.

In this age of rising women empowerment, men are becoming wary of women. So they have thought out alternative arrangements. Since marriage is a commitment, a responsibility, they are choosing to opt out.

If modern women are also afraid of marriage, their case is a bit different. They fear losing their new found independence, their career, their income. However there are bold women like actress Nina Gupta who chose to be a single parent to a child fathered by West Indies legend Vivian Richards. Or Sushmita Sen who has adopted children as a single parent. In ordinary life, many women are constrained to live as single parent as the husbands may have walked out on them.

As the world celebrates women's day, think of the woman who went through the ordeal of nurturing Johar's children for nine months in her womb for an 'x' amount of money!

It is love that has gone out of lives, otherwise marriage is not such an insurmountable problem.

Cancelling Umrah trips after travel ban chanting glory of One God. A small verse in Holy Quran says, "Whoso enters it is safe". Safe from what, only God knows but we can conceive the meaning of it. It is the word of God that whoso enters it, is safe.

For me this line is enough to believe as I have occasionally told my friends that many verses in Quran have very simple meaning for mankind. And I will repeat here for mankind and not just for Muslims. For example about Dome of rock from where the

Prophet Muhammad boarded his non-stop flight for heavens, God says, "Holy is He Who carried His servant by night from the Holy Mosque (Makkah) to the farther mosque (in Jerusalem), whose surroundings We have blessed.

(Quran 17:1).

It means whosoever enters into that surroundings; he or she is entering into the mercy of Lord.

What a simple announcement by God Himself for the mankind and sadly there only few takers for it.

Looking at the largest circle

across the Kaaba I felt pity for those hundreds of Indian-Pakistani Americans who have cancelled their Umrah trips in the wake of President's Executive travel ban order for seven countries. Although Indians and Pakistani were in no way connected to the travel ban when it was announced but many cancelled their travel plans, fearing "something will happen" when they return.

This reminds me of the story of Prophet Moses. When he led his people to the bank of Nile and

Disclaimer :- India Post does not endorse opinions expressed in the letters.

tore it apart with the command of God and asked them to walk through the open path, people asked him, "Oh Moses, what happens if we go through it and the two parts of water meet again?" They were people believing in circumstances and not in God. And for that reason God turned away from them. We are Muslims, we are asked to believe in God but ‌ A.Q. Siddiqui Chicago, IL

March 10, 2017

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March 10, 2017