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Sujit Choudhry
Indian-origin scholar dean of top US law school Details on page 5
Vardhan invites physicians to motherland
VOL 20, No. 1034
July 11, 2014
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4 INDIAN-AMERICANS HONORED ON I-DAY WASHINGTON: Four Indian-Americans were among 40 people who were honored for their contributions to the US in the annual Great Immigrants tribute in New York on the country's Independence Day. Microsoft Corp chief executive Satya Nadella, Comedian and actor Aasif Mandvi, Carnegie Mellon University president Subra Suresh and former president of the University of West Georgia, Beheruz Sethna were honored
along with 36 others, the Wall Street Journal reported. Hyderabad-born Nadella created quite a stir recently by becoming one of the most powerful leaders in technology after taking over as head of the Microsoft Corp. He studied electronics and communication engineering before heading to the US in the 1980s. Mumbai-born Mandvi first moved to England before migrating to the US when he was 16. Details on page 5
Details on page 16
Bill Clinton
Ex-Prez Clinton to travel to India this month Details on page 5
US: Indian Steel threaded rod being dumped Details on page 6
Ravi Venkatesan joins Rockefeller Foundation Board Details on page 6
IRS makes disclosure of assets easy
US enforcements to push up costs for Indian pharma
Details on page 12
Details on page 13
Indian taxmen to take lessons from Harvard
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 30-31 Classifieds ------------------------- 48
Details on page 13
Community Post -------------- 16-24 Date Book -------------------------- 47
INDIA POST SURVEY
Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35
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Horoscope ------------------------- 49
This week’s question
India conditions make nurses work abroad? Last week’s result
Should India trust China on new secutiry plan? YES 59%
NO 41%
HOMEWARD BOUND: Indian nurses who had been holed up for more than a week in Tikrit, Iraq, were brought home to Kochi in Kerala on July 5 aboard a special flight arranged by the Indian government. Here they are seen at Irbil International Airport in Iraq for the plane to begin their journey home. (Inset) One of the nurses being received by relatives upon arrival at the airport in Kochi. (Details on page 8)
Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 50-52 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 26-27 TechBiz Post ------- 12-15 & 23-25 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-43
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istorically, religion has been the root cause of many a war and even today, religious zealots use religion subversively in an attempt to estab lish superiority. Take the Boko Haram and the ISIS for instance. These irrational fundamentalist groups are fast emerging as an antithesis to modern civilization. It is undeniable that religion is still actively being used today as a tool of suppression and aggression in many parts of the world - that in this 21st century when most among the rational are increasingly questioning the interpretations of the religious texts. For all the emphasis on Constitutional sanctity for individual freedoms, nations across the globe tread a wary line when it comes to accommodating religious authority. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of India held that fatwas issues by Muslim religious bodies by the so-called Muslim courts or Shariat courts have no legal sanction. For all its bravado in actually daring to move against Muslim religious leadership in India, the Supreme Court stopped short of actually declaring such parallel judicial bodies as illegal. The apex court said that religion cannot be allowed to be merciless to the victim, and that faith cannot be used as a dehumanising force. And that's where the rub hurts; because, it is a widely known fact that religious bodies or Shariat courts are notoriously anti-women and largely intolerant of other religions, in that they do propagate intolerance. The Indian Supreme Court's opinion sounds a bit like a Facebook "dislike" when considered in the light of extremist ideologies such as those of Boko Haram and the ISIS. In the Indian context, before holding the Constitutional bodies or ruling administrations responsible for acting against such parallel courts, I would pin the burden on the elite and educated Muslims. It need not be pointed out that some of the loudest voices against Hindu fundamentalism in India are those of Hindus; then why is it that one rarely hears rational Muslim voices rising against the sanctions assumed by the zealots among their own? It really beats me, as it would any rational thinker, as to what is the big deal in questioning religious authority.
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: World's sexiest Long legged beauty and the reigning queen of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone has been voted world's sexiest woman
Cover Story: Indians honored Four Indian-Americans were among 40 who were honored for their contributions to the US on Independence Day.
Community: Serve Motherland Visiting Indian Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan invites Indian physicians to serve the Motherland
Welcoming immigrants Celebrating ethnic diversity of America, President Obama says that welcoming immigrants ``is central to our way of life.
Life style: Secret star Young British Asian Sonia Gill leads a double life as a Bollywood star in India and a council worker in Oxford, UK
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4 Indian-Americans honored on I-Day WASHINGTON: Four IndianAmericans were among 40 people who were honored for their contributions to the US in the annual Great Immigrants tribute in New York on the country's Independence Day. Microsoft Corp chief executive Satya Nadella, Comedian and actor Aasif Mandvi, Carnegie Mellon University president Subra Suresh and former president of the University of West Georgia, Beheruz Sethna were honored along with 36 others, the Wall Street Journal reported. Hyderabad-born Nadella created quite a stir recently by becoming one of the most powerful leaders in technology after taking over as head of the Microsoft Corp. He studied electronics and communication engineering before heading to the US in the 1980s. Mumbai-born Mandvi first
moved to England before migrating to the US when he was 16. He became famous as a correspondent on "The Daily Show," where he was known for his satire on is-
moved to the US to work on a postgraduate science degree, graduating in 1979. He is the ninth president of the Carnegie Mellon University.
the federal science agency in its mission to advance the fields of science and engineering research. Sethna was born in India in 1948 and served as the sixth president
sored by the Carnegie Corporation, a foundation started by a Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie who spearheaded the expansion of the American steel
Satya Nadella
Aasif Mandvi
Subra Suresh
Beheruz Sethna
sues such as Islam, the Middle East and South Asia. Suresh, who is an engineer and scientist, was born in Chennai and
He served as director of the National Science Foundation from 2010 to 2013. Appointed by US President Barack Obama, he led
of the University of West Georgia - the first Indian-American to lead a university in the US. The July 4 event was spon-
industry in the late 19th century and was himself one of the most well-known philanthropists of his time. -PTI
Ex-Prez Clinton to travel to India this month NEW YORK: Former US President Bill Clinton will travel to India this month during which he is expected to visit Lucknow and Jaipur and focus on critical issues, including global health, improved access to medicines, climate change and economic development. Clinton will travel to India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia from July 16 to 23 as part of his longstanding commitment to the Asia/Pacific region and to "highlight" the work of the Clinton Foundation on the key social issues in the five countries. In India, Clinton is expected to travel to Jaipur on July 16, where he would visit a kitchen that is part of a school lunch program that feeds over one million children daily across India. The program is part of a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action made by NGO Akshaya Patra and the Deshpande Foundation. In Lucknow, the former president would visit a school and community center that, through the Clinton Health Access Initiative, are providing health care training and information about using zinc and oral rehydration salts to treat diarrhea, as well as educating mothers through selfhelp groups and school children through classes on these life sav-
ing treatments. "Since leaving office, Clinton has focused on the Asia/Pacific region, working to improve access to life saving medication through the Clinton Health Access Initiative, supporting commitments to global philanthropy
He had also encouraged inclusive, democratic governance across the region, and worked to promote peace and defuse conflict. He has traveled to the region 14 times as President as well as in his capacity as the UN Special
Bill Clinton
through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and addressing the causes of climate change through the Clinton Climate Initiative," a statement said here. As President, Clinton had promoted economic development by elevating the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to a head-of-state event.
Envoy for Tsunami Recovery. In Hanoi, Vietnam, Clinton would visit an orphanage to view a Clinton Health Access Initiative program that aims to prevent tuberculosis among children living with HIV while in Melbourne he would deliver the keynote address at the International AIDS Conference. -PTI
Indian-origin scholar dean of top US law school WASHINGTON: Sujit Choudhry, an international constitutional law expert, has become the first Indian-American Dean of the Berkeley School of Law of the University of California, one of the major law schools in the US. 44-year-old Delhi-born Choudhry, who was initially appointed in May, has begun a fiveyear term as Berkeley Law's 12th dean. He has replaced former Dean Christopher Edley Jr, who left the position in December of last year and who had been temporarily replaced by acting Dean Gillian Lester. Choudhry was the Cecelia Goetz Professor of Law at New York University School of Law. He was also the founder of its Centre for Constitutional Transitions. UC Berkeley Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Claude Steele described Choudhry as a "brilliant scholar, professor, and mentor, who would inspire and lead with 'big ideas' during a time of rapid change in the legal profession." "Choudhry's enduring commitment to social mobility, diversity, and educational excellence will bring renewed energy to the law school's core mission of public
service and community engagement," Steele said. Choudhry called his new job "the opportunity of a lifetime" in an interview with Berkeley Law's annual Transcript magazine. "What's distinctive about Berkeley Law is its culture," he was quoted as saying. "It's got hustle and drive and innovative people willing to ex-
Sujit Choudhry
periment and try new things, which seems very much rooted in Berkeley's identity as a public university." Choudhry's recent work has had an international focus that dovetails closely with the university's global outreach and scholarship. At the Centre for Constitutional Transitions, he led a network of academics in two dozen countries that provided research and policy guidance for civic leaders engaged in constitution drafting.-PTI
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New York Times shuts India-specific blog NEW YORK: The New York Times has shut its India Ink blog, "the first-ever country- specific" news site after a nearly three-year run, as it no longer wants to "direct its resources" towards blogstyle content. NYT had said in a June 30 blog post titled 'We're Moving' that 'India Ink' will have a new online address and it will be merged with coverage of news stories from rest of the world. Public Editor at the Times Margaret Sullivan said that from a high point of about 60 blogs that the publication had launched, half are already gone with more to go. When The Times launched its India Ink blog in September 2011, it noted that this was the paper's 'first-ever country-specific site for news, information, culture and conversation. "Now it's gone. These days, that kind of specificity is no longer the way The Times wants to direct its resources - at least not in the form of a blog, and all that usually comes with it: embedded content, reverse-chronological order, curation of other source material and a personal or conversational tone," she said in a post
in the Public Editor's Journal. Assistant managing editor Ian Fisher said the Times wants to continue "this kind of journalism without the manufactured shell of a blog, with its constant pressure to fill it up. Such coverage would happen through blog-style pieces that
India Ink was The Times' first-ever country-specific site for news and information and was aimed at providing a distinct perspective on news and events that mattered to Indians crop up when needed. "Readers will recognize them through visual cues that are still being worked on. That could be through specific typography, or some form of labeling," Fisher said. The Times has so far ended or
merged about half of the 60 blogs that it had two years ago and another 10 blogs may be dropped in future. In bringing the curtains down on its India-specific blog, NYT had said that it would continue to "produce web-only India Ink sketches, analyses, narratives and news stories, but they will appear on the World page, along with the rest of the newspaper's coverage." The Times had launched the blog in September 2011 as part of expanding its global reach. India Ink was The Times' firstever country-specific site for news and information and was aimed at providing a distinct perspective on news and events that mattered to Indians and those who follow news about India. India Ink featured contributions from New York Times journalists as well as from top writers in India and the Indian Diaspora. The Times had recently decided to end The Lede blog, which aggregated news content on major breaking stories, because it "was getting increasingly incoherent" in its purpose and was "losing its value". -PTI
India test-fires advanced BrahMos missile BALASORE, Odisha: India successfully test-fired an advanced version of the 290-km range Brahmos supersonic cruise missile off the coast of Odisha, giving the country the capability to hit enemy targets hidden behind mountains or in a cluster of buildings with "pinpoint accuracy". The missile traveled its full strike range of 290 kms in about 500 seconds to hit its simulated target in a copybook fashion after being fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-Sea, around 15 kms from here, BrahMos chief A Sivathanu Pillai told PTI. Dwelling on the increased accuracy of the missile, he said, "The advanced guidance system integrating multiple navigation satellites including the Gagan system powered with new software algorithm and developed indigenously by Indian scientists and industries, resulted in pinpoint accuracy of the missile system
against hidden land targets in mountain warfare." BrahMos and DRDO officials involved in the test-firing at the launch block had said earlier the missile could deviate around 10 meters from its target but the new system would reduce it to less than 5 meters which will make it
It is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kgs. "It was a developmental trial of BrahMos," Ravi Kumar Gupta, senior defense scientist and Director, Directorate of Public Interface, DRDO, said. The two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second
highly effective against targets such as hardened concrete bunkers in mountain warfare. The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher at 10.38 AM, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said.
one ramjet liquid propellant, has already been inducted into the Army and Navy, and the Air Force version is in final stages of trial, a defense official said. Work on the submarine-launched version of the system is also in progress. -PTI
Ravi Venkatesan joins Rockefeller Foundation Board NEW YORK: Ravi Venkatesan, former chairman of Microsoft India, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation, a New York-based philanthropic organization. Venkatesan, who is currently the founder and chairman of Social Venture Partners India, a network of philanthropists addressing social problems and a venture partner at Unitus Seed Fund was appointed for his commitment to
portunity, realize shared prosperity, and create jobs for more people globally." Expressing delight over his appointment, Venkatesan said, "I am thrilled and honored to be joining The Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees." As the chairman of Microsoft India between 2004 and 2011, he helped build India into Microsoft's second-largest presence in the world and one of its fastest growing markets.
Ravi Venkatesan
philanthropy and innovation. "Ravi, with his commitment to philanthropy along with his eye for solutions and relentless drive for innovation, will provide essential guidance to our work in the years ahead," said Dr Judith Rodin, President of the foundation. Board Chair David Rockefeller, Jr. said, "His experience will be invaluable in advancing the Foundation's commitment to scaling innovations that expand op-
He also played an instrumental role in creating Microsoft India's Project Shiksha, a computer literacy program which has so far trained over 40 million school children in India. Before joining Microsoft, Venkatesan was the Chairman of Cummins India and has authored an acclaimed book "Conquering the Chaos: Win in India, Win Everywhere," published by Harvard Business Review. -PTI
US: Indian Steel threaded rod being dumped WASHINGTON: The US Department of Commerce has said that imports of steel threaded rod from India have been dumped and subsidized. Such a determination by the Commerce Department paves the way for imposing anti-dumping duty by the United States on Indian steel threaded rod by International Trade Commission - an independent quasi-judicial federal agency in August. In 2013, imports of steel threaded rod from India were valued at an estimated USD 19 million. "Commerce determined that imports of steel threaded rod from India have been sold in the United States at dumping margins rang-
ing from 16.74 to 119.87 per cent. Commerce also determined that imports of steel threaded rod from India have received countervailable subsidies ranging from 8.61 to 39.46 per cent," an official statement said. In the anti-dumping investigation, mandatory respondents Mangal Steel Enterprises Limited and Babu Exports received final dumping margins of 16.74 per cent and 119.87 per cent, respectively. Babu Exports' margin is based on adverse facts available because it failed to respond to Commerce's questionnaire. All other producers/exporters in India received a final dumping margin of 16.74 per cent, the Department of Commerce said.-PTI
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UK ministers voice optimism about 'achche din' MUMBAI: Seeking to give a fresh thrust to bilateral trade and diplomatic ties with New Delhi under the new government, two of Britain's seniormost ministers kicked off their India visit, underlining "good days are coming" for investments by the two nations
visit to the country. Addressing the media, Osborne recalled Modi's victory tweet 'Achche din aane wale hain' and said, "Good days are coming for Indo-British relationship." "Good days are coming for the investment we make in each
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi on July 8
in each other's economies. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs William Hague and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne, heading the largest business and ministerial delegation ever, arrived in Mumbai, their first port of call, during a two-day
other's economies... for the trade between our two trading nations... for the financial partnership we can forge to build, literally, the infrastructure of the future," the Chancellor of the Exchequer said. Osborne said he is leading the largest-ever business delegation
as Britain wants to strengthen further the diplomatic ties and develop partnership in the economic sphere, especially in infrastructural and financial services. He said global sentiment has turned massively positive for India in the past seven weeks post Modi's swearing-in. "It is a measure of the ambition and drive and pace of the new government of Prime Minister Modi that this complete turnaround in sentiment about the Indian economy has been achieved in just seven short weeks since that stunning election victory," Osborne said. Osborne, who had a brief meeting with RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, also announced two investment deals - a 100 million pound investment by Cipla and 20 million pound investment by the Mahindras in an electric car venture in the island nation. Besides, Osborne said, India's defense ministry has signed a 250 million pounds contract with MBDA of Britain to supply advanced short-range air-to-air missiles to Indian Air Force's Jaguar fleet.
On the Mahindra investment, Osborne said 20 million pounds will be pumped in to develop stateof-the-art facilities at Farnham and Donington to support their Formula E racing team - the new racing competition driving innovation in the electric vehicle market.
The technology being developed could be used for Mahindra's consumer electric vehicle program. The first electric car is expected to go on sale in Britain next year, he added. Cont’d on page 9
Gandhi's statue for London's Parliament Square NEW DELHI: Sixty-seven years after he led India to freedom from British rule, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi would be installed in Parliament Square in London by early next year. The British Foreign Minister William Hague and Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne, who are on a visit here, announced the plan for the statue of Gandhi, the inspiration for non-violent civil rights movements around the world. "Gandhi's view of communal peace and resistance to division, his desire to drive India forward, and his commitment to
non-violence left a legacy that is as relevant today as it was during his life. "He remains a towering inspiration and a source of strength. We will honor him with a statue alongside those of other great leaders in Parliament Square," Hague said. Osborne said that as the father of the largest democracy in the world, it's time for Gandhi to take his place in front of the mother of Parliaments. He is a figure of inspiration, not just in Britain and India, but around the world, he said. Cont’d on page 9
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2,200 more Indians want to leave Iraq NEW DELHI: About 2,200 Indians in non conflict zone in southern Iraq have expressed their desire to leave for home and they will be in India in the next few days even as 200 others have reached here. As the momentum of evacuation picked up, the facilitation process of transporting Indian nationals from Iraq is focused on the non conflict zone in southern Iraq, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters. Four mobile teams of six persons each have been placed in Najaf, Karbala and Basra apart from Baghdad which have collected details of those who would like to leave for home. "Our advice to them is to leave. But if they are facing problems or are staying back because of tickets, Government of India is ready to provide them. We are also ready to provide assistance in terms of contractual problems. Based on that our assessment is 2,200 Indian nationals have in some form or other expressed their desire to leave Iraq," he said. Of these, Akbaruddin said 600
Indians who were stranded in Iraq, upon their arrival at IGI Airport in New Delhi on July 8
have been provided tickets by the Government through the facilitation process of the Baghdad mission. 600 have been paid by their companies. Another 1,600 were being pro-
vided tickets by Government for their return, he said adding that since developments in the last 48 hours, the government has calibrated its approach and the momentum of bringing back people
Healthcare group offers jobs to 46 Indian nurses DUBAI: A leading UAE-based Indian physician heading a healthcare conglomerate has offered cash assistance and jobs to 46 Indian nurses who returned to their homeland after being stranded in a militants-held region in Iraq.
the 46 nurses to meet their immediate requirement. Moopen, who is also a director of the Kerala government's department for Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs (Norka), also offered job opportunities to those who are interested in various es-
Indian nurses who returned to their homeland
The offer by Dr Azad Moopen, chairman of Aster DM Healthcare in Dubai, comes a day after Dr B R Shetty, chairman and MD of Abu Dhabi-based NMC Group, also offered jobs to the nurses. Moopen has offered cash assistance of Rs 25,000 to each of
tablishments in India and abroad. "We will recruit these repatriated and devastated nurses on priority at Aster Medcity, Kochi, MIMS Hospitals at Calicut and Kottakkal and DM WIMS Medical College Hospital in Wayanad," Moopen said in a
statement. "For those interested to return to the Middle East, we will accommodate them in our hospitals and clinics in the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia if they fulfill official requirements," he said. Aster DM Healthcare employs about 4,500 people in India and 5,000 abroad including 1,500 nursing staff in across more than 170 establishments under the network. A counter has already been opened at Aster Medcity in Cheranallur, Kochin, for registration of the jobs offered and collection of the immediate financial assistance. After about a month's long ordeal in the strife-torn Iraq, the nurses returned to their homeland with most of them vowing not to go back risking their lives. Of the 46 nurses, 45 hail from various districts of Kerala and one belongs to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.-PTI
has picked up. 170 people were brought earlier and an Iraqi Airways special flight brought 200 more people to Delhi. In addition Iraqi Airways is also flying normal flights from Baghdad. In the next 36 to 48 hours, two other special flights from Najaf and Basra will bring 200 and 280 people respectively to Delhi. Akbaruddin said the Indian
mission was processing documents for facilitating the exit of 200 plus people. In the next 48 hours, all the 1,600 people who have expressed their desire to come back on tickets paid by Government would have been transported. Most of the 600 people, whose tickets have been paid for by the government, were already back in the country. They are from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai. The spokesman said that there were ten commercial flights available from Baghdad to various points in the Gulf and the government was using all seats that were available on these flights. In addition, the government was commissioning special flights of Iraqi Airways from other areas. "With that we will be able to complete the process of bringing back all those who wanted to come back. We are also doing due diligence," he said. Referring to the easing of the situation, Akbaruddin said that approximately 480 calls were received in control rooms in Delhi and Baghdad. He said it was a judgment of the individuals whether they want to come back. Now the calls have come down from 60 to 80 calls to 4 to 6 calls a day reflecting the considerable lowering of levels of anxiety and concern.-PTI
Indian Constitution scholar Granville Austin dies WASHINGTON: Granville Austin, an eminent biographer of India's Constitution and a Padma Shri awardee, has passed away in Washington at the age of 87. Austin, author of two celebrated political histories of the Indian Constitution - 'The Indian Constitution: A Cornerstone of A Nation' and 'Working A Democratic Republic: The Indian Experience', died here on July 6. He was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2011. According to his website, Austin worked as a journalist/photographer and later served with the US Information Service, Department of State, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and on the
staff of a US Senator. He is survived by his wife
Granville Austin
Nancy Austin, four children and three grandchildren. -PTI
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UK ministers voice optimism about 'achche din' Cont’d from page 7
Cipla's investment will go into launching a range of drugs in the area of respiratory, oncology and antiretroviral medicines as well as R&D and clinical trials as part of their expansion plans internationally, he said. Ratan Tata, the patriarch of the Tata Group, which is the biggest employer in the British manufacturing sector, was the notable presence in the packed audience of corporate leaders when Osborne and Hague addressed the media. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Hague announced trebling of the Chevening scholarships for Indian students this year to 150 to further strengthen bilateral ties as the institution celebrates its 30 years. This makes India the largest recipient of Chevening scholarships in the world. Hague also announced granting of 500 'Great Awards' to support Indian students studying in Britain. 'Great Scholarships India' is a joint program part-funded through Great Funds and partly through contributions from Brit-
ish Higher Education Institutions. Hague said there will be no ban on Indian students wanting to pursue higher studies in any of the British universities and qualified professionals working in the island nation. He said Britain had
Osborne expressed his country's interest in investing in the Mumbai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor project. "Prime Minister Modi is seeking more investment in the economy and I want British companies to provide received one lakh Indian students in the last five years. The Secretary of State said his government will organize a Pravasi Bharatiya Divas next autumn to acknowledge the contribution of over 1.5 million British-Indians and NRIs.
"We want to strengthen our educational links because we both benefit hugely from the flow of students, researchers, ideas and expertise. We want to work more closely together in foreign policy to advance our shared interests and values," he said and pledged London's support for New Delhi's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Osborne expressed his country's interest in investing in the MumbaiBangalore Industrial Corridor project. "Prime Minister Modi is seeking more investment in the economy and I want British companies to provide it and the British government to support it," he said. On the forthcoming Budget on July 10, the first to be presented by the Modi government, he said the whole world has high expectations from it. "I have every confidence that Arun Jaitley and the whole government will meet those expectations and succeed. My message to this formidable team of reformers is the same as my message to you today," he said.-PTI
Gandhi's statue for London's Parliament Square Cont’d from page 7
"New Indian Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi invoked his memory in his inaugural speech to Parliament. I hope this new memorial will be a lasting and fitting tribute to his memory in Britain, and a permanent monument to our friendship with India," Osborne said. The Foreign Minister and the Chancellor made the announcement while visiting Gandhi Smriti, the Gandhi Memorial here on the second day of their visit. The British High Commission in a statement said, "A monument in a location of symbolic value for our democracy is a fitting tribute to this great man, which will inspire us all to
uphold his ideals and teachings ahead of important anniversaries of key moments in his extraordinary life." Gandhi has a particular connection to London, having studied there like so many of the talented young Indians it welcomes today, the statement added. The High Commission said that the aim is to install the monument by early next year. Once installed, the statue will provide a focal point for commemoration next summer of the 100th anniversary of Gandhi's return to India from South Africa to start the struggle for selfrule. It will also mark in 2018 the passing of 70 years since his death, and in 2019 the 150th anniversary of his birth.-PTI
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India holds big Yoga Summit in China BEIJING: India held its biggest Yoga Summit in China in a bid to reclaim its ancient legacy over the iconic spiritual practice which in recent years has become a rage here but also stirred up concerns that its popularity is being cashed in by poorly trained coaches. The six-day summit was formally inaugurated at picturesque Dali city in Yunnan Province in which renowned Yoga teachers like Geeta Iyengar, daughter of Yoga Guru B K S Iyengar and Hollywood model Yogi Cameron are taking part. Top local officials as well as Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K Kantha took
part in the inaugural ceremony. The event is being held as part of the "Glimpses of India Festival" to celebrate 2014 as Year of Friendly Exchanges between India and China. Around 1,500 yoga practitioners from all over the world, majority being from China, participated in the event besides local government officials, media and academicians. The theme of the Summit is 'Science of Yoga' during which lectures and physical demonstrations and also video presentations on different aspects of yoga are being made. Elaborating on the initiative, Kantha told
PTI that as yoga is gaining traction at the popular level, there is need to teach correct techniques and engage in dialogue with practitioners. Seventeen prominent teachers of yoga from various disciplines have been invited to take part in the summit to address the concerns that correct techniques are not followed, he said. "These masters will engage in dialogue with yoga practitioners. This interaction will benefit them," he said. Such Yoga meets will be or-
ganized in China every year, he said. In his address to the summit, Kantha said, "through this summit, I am sure that a number of Chinese will realize the increasing number of threads that link China with India. In the past, it was through Buddhism that China knew India, in the 21st century I think it is Yoga that is renewing China's interest in India". Two videos on yoga and Ayurveda which were produced by the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs were being released on the occasion, Consul General K Nagaraj Naidu said. A yoga meet was held few years ago in Guangzhou but on a smaller scale in which Iyengar, who is extremely popular in China attended the meet.-PTI
Ex-President Patil's brother accused of murder JALGAON, Maharashtra: Former President Pratibha Patil's brother has been named by the sessions court as an accused in the 2005 murder of a local Congress leader here. Additional Sessions Judge D J Shegokar passed the order naming Gajendra Narayan Patil, the former President's younger brother, and ex-MLA Ulhas Patil as accused in response to an application filed by the wife of victim Professor V G Patil. V G Patil, the then chief of Jalgaon district Congress, was murdered in September 2005. “Cognizance of the offence punishable under IPC Sections 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) is hereby taken against Gajendrasing Narayan Patil and Ulhas Vasudeo Patil," the Sessions Court said in its order. "The trial of these newly-arraigned accused shall commence afresh as provided by CrPC Section 319 (which gives the court power to try any person which is not an accused initially, if he appears to be guilty)," the Judge said. There was sufficient evidence against these two accused but they were being shielded due to political pressure, Rajni Patil, the wife of slain Congress leader, told PTI.
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4 books on contribution of Indians in Australia MELBOURNE: Four volumes of books giving a detailed and rich account of the arrival of Indians in Australia and their contribution to the country's history have been released here. The four books, that deal with "Are Indians an Ethnic minority?", were released by Indian High Commissioner Biren Nanda at the Indian Consulate here. Authored by two Australian historians Len Kenna and Crystal Jordan, the books are titled 'The Introductory Volume', 'Camels and Trailblazers', 'Horses and Walers' and 'Hawkers and Pictorial History'. Releasing the books over the weekend, Nanda said, "These volumes will be enriching for the Indian Diaspora." Speaking at the launch, Kenna said, "These books can effectively argue that Indians are not an ethnic minority because they were equally responsible for Australia's settlement as they came here very early."
"These books are also an attempt to recognize the contribution and role of Indian community in establishing Australia as a nation," he said. Kenna said the books were the outcome of last five decades of hard work.
Authored by two Australian historians Len Kenna and Crystal Jordan, the books are titled 'The Introductory Volume', 'Camels and Trailblazers', 'Horses and Walers' and 'Hawkers and Pictorial History' He pointed out that Indian sailors undertook the first ever inland expedition in Australia, after the ship-wreck of Sydney Cove in
1796. "There are historical evidences that Indian community was the third top to contribute to Australian history apart from English and Irish community," Kenna said. Under the book titled 'Camels and Trailblazers', the author has examined the exploration and development of the Riverina District of New South Wales and the contribution that Indians, Anglo-Indians and things Indians made to the development of the Riverina and Australia as a whole. The book has also examined the role that Indian cameleers and Indian camels played in the exploration and the development of inland Australia, Kenna said. The third volume titled 'Horses and Walers' explores the origins of the Australian Horse Herd and the circumstances surrounding their transportation to Australia. It examines the uses that the horses were put to and the improvements that were made to the original Horse Herd.-PTI
National identity cards for all Indians: Rajnath NEW DELHI: Government is preparing the National Population Register incorporating all genuine Indian citizens and will give them national identity cards in a time bound manner. Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced this in Lok Sabha while replying questions on reports of illegal infiltrations into the country. "We have to identify who is Indian citizen and who is not. We have to take steps to identify genuine Indian citizens," he said amidst applause from members of the ruling coalition. Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently convened a meeting of various stake holders to discuss how the NPR and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) work in mutual cooperation to prepare a comprehensive NPR data base. "The NPR will be prepared in a time bound manner. NPR will identify who is Indian citizen and who
is not. All genuine Indian citizens will get a national identity card," he said. The Home Minister said government has taken a number of
Rajnath Singh
steps to stop the illegal infiltration from across the border, including fencing the international border. He said out of the 4,096 km long Indo-Bangladesh border, fencing has been completed in 3,300 km while work in another 500 km is on.-PTI
Tech News Eight Indian companies in Fortune 500 list NEW YORK: Eight Indian companies, led by state-run IOC, have made it to the latest Fortune Global 500 list of world's biggest firms which has been topped by USbased retailer Wal-Mart after a gap of two years. Among the Indian companies, which also includes Reliance Industries, BPCL, HPCL, SBI and ONGC, only Tata Motors has managed to improve the ranking and other seven have fallen. Globally, Wal-Mart has pushed energy giant Royal Dutch Shell to the second position in the 2014 list, followed by Chinese majors -Sinopec Group and China National Petroleum -- at third and fourths spots, respectively. Exxon Mobil is ranked fifth, taking the total number of US companies on the list to 128. There are 95 Chinese firms and 150 from Europe on the list, which ranks firms across the world on the basis of their annual revenues. Wal-Mart has topped the list with revenues of USD 476.29 billion, while that of top ranked Indian company IOC's is USD 81.32 billion. IOC is the only Indian company featuring in the top 100 at the 96th position, although down from 88th last year. There are five state-run and three private sector companies including two from Tata group (Tata Motors and Tata Steel). Cont’d on page 13
India's UAE envoy to be representative to IRENA DUBAI: India's ambassador to the UAE T P Seetharam has been appointed as the country's permanent representative to the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The move makes India 19th member of IRENA to designate a permanent representative to the inter-governmental organization. "India attaches great importance to the renewable energy sector and believes that only through a collaborative approach the goal of sustainable energy future can be realized. The accreditation of IRENA marks a significant step in this direction," Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said in a statement. Seetharam formally presented his credentials as India's permanent representative to Adnan Z Amin, Director-General of the IRENA, at a brief ceremony held at organization's headquarters.-PTI
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Xiaomi unveils its 1st smartphone in India NEW DELHI: Chinese handset maker Xiaomi has unveiled its first handset, Mi 3, for the fiercely competitive Indian smartphone market, priced at Rs 14,999. Often touted as the Apple of China, Xiaomi said on its website that Mi 3 will be available for pre-booking in India from July 15. Its India Facebook page said: "Mi fans, we're super excited to announce this. The 1st Mi phone which we will be launching in India is... Mi 3."-PTI
IRS, in friendly gesture, makes disclosure of oversees assets easy
A
s elaborated earlier US citi zens, Green Card Holders, H1B Visa holders and all USA tax residents are required to report global income in their Federal tax return and Federal tax on such global income is payable subject to credit being granted for tax paid overseas. US tax residents are also required to report maximum value of specified foreign financial assets to the US treasury on or before 30th June every year and since 2011 reporting of overseas financial assets has become mandatory if the maximum value of overseas assets exceeds US$ 50,000 as on 31st December or US$ 75,000 during the tax year and in case of married couple tax-payers filing US$ 100,000 and US$ 150,000 respectively in Form 8938 together with Federal Tax return in Form 1040. Out of ignorance great majority of US tax residents had not disclosed their foreign income or assets but unfortunately ignorance of law not being an excuse such defaults were subject to civil and criminal penalties. To mitigate this difficulty IRS had offered Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI) and Offshore Voluntary Disclosure
US tax residents are also required to report maximum value of specified foreign financial assets to the US treasury on or before 30th June and reporting of overseas financial assets has become mandatory Program (OVDP) requiring tax residents to pay taxes for 8 years and file Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) returns for 8 years and also pay penalty of 25% / 27.5% penalty of maximum value of overseas assets during last 8 years. The Internal Revenue Service of USA probably sensed that this
RAJESH DHRUVA
penalty of 27.5% was a hurdle for niency and granted total immunity defaulting US tax residents to opt from civil and criminal penalties by for OVDP and therefore the IRS requiring innocent non-willful dehas extended a friendly gesture to faulter US tax payers to pay a tothe defaulting taxpayers by forgiv- ken penalty and minimal tax. A ing them for their genuine and back-of-the envelope calculation bonafide negligence of not pay- shows that the IRS leniency results in tax saving federal tax on such overings bonanza for a tax payer seas income and who could not declaring have skipped overseas finantax payment on cial assets to the overseas inTreasury by reducing the pencome for a period of 20 years alty to a token and also results 5% of the peak in substantial year end baltax savings for ance of the preceding six years tax payer defaulting for 10 and federal tax years or more. for previous Calculations three years only for a US$ 1 mn under the Streamlined Fil- Rajesh Dhruva, Account Consultant deposit in an ing Compliance overseas acProcedures " (SFCP) being intro- count in 1994 show interesting reduced recently on 18th June, 2014. sults of interesting tax savings. Over 20 years US$ 1 mn would For availing the benefits of SFCP the tax payer should not be have grown to US$ 2 mn at nomiunder audit or criminal investiga- nal interest of 4% per year resulttion by the IRS. The tax payer is ing in an income of US$ 1 mn. This also required to certify under pen- overseas income of US$ 1 mn alty of perjury that non compliance would have attracted tax liability of US tax and reporting of Foreign of say US$ 0.30 mn. Now under SFCP, only 5% penAssets were "non willful". Each case will be reviewed in- alty will be applicable to maximum dependently by the IRS and if the balance over last 6 years say US$ Financial Institutions is under in- 2 mn which amounts to US$ US$ vestigation by IRS where in the 0.10 mn only. And the tax payer US resident is maintaining a finan- will be required to pay tax for precial account offshore penalty will vious three years - say US$ 40000 be 50% of maximum value of over- being 30% tax of US $ 0.135 mn. seas financial assets. For such Fi- So the total payment will amount nancial Institutions wherein IRS is to US$ 0.14 mn and the SFCP realready investigating tax payers sults in tax savings of US$ 0.16 will have the option of buying mn. The relief from penalties is expeace of mind by paying miscellaneous offshore penalty of 50% of tended in case of non filing of the value of overseas assets. FBAR returns too as even civil US tax payers residing outside penalty for failure of FBAR filing USA have been granted exemp- is catastrophic. Penalty for nontion from the token 5% penalty too. willful FBAR filing failure is As such they are required only to $10,000 for each year whereas if pay federal tax for preceding 3 proved willful the penalties can years and file delinquent Foreign be as high as $100,000 or 50% of Bank Account Report (FBAR) re- the amount in the account for turns for preceding 6 years to- each violation. A taxpayer in Florida was pegether with appropriate applicanalized recently with 150% of his tions. The IRS has shown extreme le- overseas account balance. Now
under the SFCP a defaulting tax payer is required just to file FBAR returns for previous six years and the 5% penalty takes care of FBAR failures too. Salient features of the SFCP are: I. ELIGIBILITY: .01 Only individual US tax payers are eligible to opt for SFCP. .02 This would include US citizens, Green Card Holders, H1B visa holders covered by the definition of US tax residents and any of such tax residents residing abroad can also opt for SFCP. .03 The tax payer must have filed tax returns for most recent preceding 3 years. i.e. Year 2011, 2012 and 2013 .04 If the tax payer has sought extension for filing tax returns for the year 2013 then most recent preceding 3 years are year 2010, 2011 and 2012. II. NON ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS: .01 Tax payers in whose cases IRS has initiated civil examination of tax returns for any taxable year.
Penalty for non-willful FBAR filing failure is $10,000 for each year whereas if proved willful the penalties can be as high as $100,000 or 50% of the amount in the account for each violation .02 It is not necessary that the examination results in undisclosed overseas assets or income. .03 Tax payers under criminal investigation by IRS are also not eligible. Cont’d on page 14
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Top taxmen to take lessons from IIM-A, Harvard AHMEDABAD: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has tied up with US-based Harvard Business School (HBS) to offer a four-week executive education course for senior officials of India's Income Tax Department. Various aspects of leadership, dealing with change management in a large organization and becoming more citizen-centric are some of the subjects that will be covered under the short-term program to be launched soon. The course has been designed by IIM-A and HBS Executive Education (HSB-EE), one of the top business schools in the world. The course, having an intake size of 30, will have officers of the rank of Chief Commissioner and above, who would spend two weeks each at IIM-A and HBS. "One of the prominent facets
of change in India today is professionalisation and upgradation of capabilities of the public sector. IIM-A is committed to working closely with public institutions as they go through this
with any educational institute in India for such a program. One of our key priorities is to connect with the private sector, public institutions and internationally renowned management schools. "The I-T officers' course is coming at such a time when enforcement agencies world over are fac-
is to provide I-T leaders with perspective, skills and insights related to the leadership of a public enterprise, change management in a large organization and becom-
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
momentous change," IIM-A Director Ashish Nanda said. "This is the first tie-up by HBS
ing a difficult task conducting their duties," he said. "The objective of the program
ing more citizen-centric," IIM-A Dean (Programs) Ajay Pandey said.
"Public sector leaders seek to find the right balance between responsiveness and policy enforcement. In this program, we will explore the appropriate balance between service-orientation and police implementation, and discuss ways to achieve the balance," he said. "This is a new initiative. We have been making conscious effort to widen the horizons of our Executive Education Program and particularly reach out to the public sector," IIM-A Chair (Executive Education) Abraham Koshy said. "In the last 2-3 months, we have received 35 requests from public sector undertakings and government departments for executive education courses. We have also received 43 requests from private sectors for such programs," Koshy said. -PTI
US enforcements to push up costs for Indian pharma HYDERABAD: Stricter norms by American drugs regulator USFDA will lead to higher compliance costs for Indian pharma, although these enforcements are not country specific but more on account of "cultural differences", said a report by global credit rating agency Crisil. The companies have little choice but to invest in bringing compliance processes up to speed, it said, adding that the cost of not doing so (warning letters/ import alerts may impact both current revenues and future pipeline) will be far higher. In general, the cost of compliance of drug makers has doubled over the past 5 years. About 30 per cent - or USD 4 billion worth of India's pharma exports are to the US. India remains a location of significant importance to the FDA as it has the largest number of FDAapproved drug- manufacturing plants with over 150 formulation facilities and is also the secondlargest pharmaceutical supplier to the US market in terms of volume of generic drugs.
The enforcements by US Food and Drug Administration over Indian pharma companies, though not country specific, are mainly on account of issues such as cultural differences and attitude of employees, it said. However, going forward, Crisil said it expects the cost of compliance to rise as drug makers adapt to a stricter regime. This will include costs of hiring personnel and consultants, apart
in India have been clearly due to cultural differences, attitude of employees, inadequate interpretation/ understanding, and absence of due process and systems.
from investments in upgrading facilities to GMP standards. It added: "While the ratio of enforcements to manufacturing bases is lower in India compared with elsewhere, the enforcements
"Most of the enforcements of the last 2 years were related to differences in interpretation or understanding." Five companies - Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma, Ranbaxy, Cipla and
Eight Indian companies in Fortune 500 list Cont’d from page 12
Reliance Industries is placed at 114th position, followed by Bharat Petroleum (242), Hindustan Petroleum (284), Tata Motors (287), State Bank of India (303), ONGC (424) and Tata Steel (486). Tata Motors has moved up from 316th position last year. Fortune magazine said there
were record number of 17 women as CEOs of Fortune Global 500 companies which includes two first timers from India - HPCL's Nishi Vasudeva and SBI's Arundhati Bhattacharya. "After limping through a worldwide financial crisis and economic slowdown, the 500 largest companies ranked by revenues shattered all sorts of performance records in 2013:
"They racked up combined revenues of USD 31.1 trillion, up 2.5 per cent from 2012, and profits soared 27 per cent to nearly USD 2 trillion," the magazine said. Other companies in the top ten include BP (6th rank), State Grid (7), Volkswagen (8), Toyota (9) and Glencore (10). Warren Buffett-led Berkshire Hathaway is ranked 14th while Apple is at the 15th place. -PTI
Lupin - total up close to USD 3 billion of supplies to the US, while mid-sized players such as Torrent Pharma, IPCA Laboratories, Glenmark Pharma and Alembic Pharma account for the balance, according to the ratings agency. Crisil said it believes that large Indian pharma companies have the financial flexibility to bear the increased cost of compliance and remain competitive in the US, which constitutes more than 50 per cent of their overall revenues. The top 10 Indian pharmaceutical companies by revenues account for more than 70 per cent of the total formulation exports to the US. These players continue to maintain a strong financial risk pro-
file marked by healthy cash accruals, strong networth, moderate gearing and surplus liquidity. "Nevertheless, India continues to enjoy a rising share of ANDA approvals compared to other countries. As on date, the top 10 Indian pharma companies account for more than 800 ANDA filings," the report indicated. The credit risk profiles of the large Indian pharma companies are, therefore, expected to remain strong over the near term. Nonetheless, the risks associated with changing regulations and increasing inspections by the FDA will remain a rating sensitivity factory over the medium to long term, it further added. -PTI
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Women cannot have it all: Indra Nooyi NEW YORK: PepsiCo's Indiaborn CEO Indra Nooyi, counted among the world's most powerful women, acknowledged that it is difficult to maintain a work-life balance and women cannot "have it all", saying she doubts that her
to cope with the situation. "...you have to cope, because you die with guilt. You just die with guilt. My observation... is that the biological clock and the career clock are in total conflict with each other. Total, complete conflict.
Indra Nooyi
daughters think she was a good mother. "I don't think women can have it all. I just don't think so. We pretend we have it all. We pretend we can have it all," 58-year-old Nooyi said in frank remarks at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado when asked if she feels whether women can have it all. Nooyi, who is regularly ranked by Forbes and other publications as among the most powerful women in the world, said she has died "with guilt" several times as she tried to bring up her two daughters with her husband of 34 years. Nooyi recounted that she felt guilty for not being able to attend several activities at her daughters' school as she could not take time off from work. "...every day you have to make a decision about whether you are going to be a wife or a mother, in fact many times during the day you have to make those decisions. And you have to co-opt a lot of people to help you. We co-opted our families to help us. We plan our lives meticulously so we can be decent parents. But if you ask our daughters, I'm not sure they will say that I've been a good mom. I'm not sure. And I try all kinds of coping mechanisms," she said. The times that Nooyi could not be there for her daughters, "I would die with guilt," she said, adding that gradually she learnt
When you have to have kids you have to build your career. Just as you're rising to middle management your kids need you because they're teenagers, they need you for the teenage years," Nooyi said. "And that's the time your hus-
band becomes a teenager too, so he needs you. They need you too. What do you do? And as you grow even more, your parents need you because they're aging. So we're screwed. We have no...we cannot have it all," said Nooyi, who is the fifth CEO in PepsiCo's 44-year history. Nooyi also recounted the day 14 years ago when she was told that she would be made president of PepsiCo and be named to the board of directors. "...I was overwhelmed, because look at my background and where I came from - to be president of an iconic American company and to be on the board of directors - I thought something special had happened to me." But, Nooyi said she was disappointed at her mother's reaction to her "great news." She said her mother told her "let the news wait. Can you go out and get some milk." Nooyi recalled her mother telling her, "let me explain something to you. You might be president of PepsiCo. You might be on the board of directors. But when you enter this house, you're the wife, you're the daughter, you're the daughter-in-law, you're the mother. You're all of that. Nobody else can take that place. So leave that damned crown in the garage. And don't bring it into the house. You know I've never seen that crown." -PTI
StanChart to invest Rs 500 cr in Sterlite Tech NEW DELHI: Standard Chartered Private Equity will invest Rs 500 crore in Sterlite Technologies power transmission infrastructure business for a minority stake. "Sterlite Technologies, power transmission solutions provider...has entered into agreements with Standard Chartered Private Equity for an equity investment of Rs 500 crore in Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Ltd (SPGVL)," Sterlite Technologies said in a statement. SPGVL, a subsidiary of Sterlite, focused on the development and operations of power transmission projects, will issue convertible securities to Standard Chartered Private Equity for a minority share.
The proceeds will be used for equity contribution in existing as well as new power transmission projects. This would be the first foreign investment into India's power transmission sector, the company said in the statement. The first three projects of SPGVL with over 2,000 km of transmission lines are in final stages of completion, while the next 3 projects will start operating sequentially from financial 2017. "T&D is a clear bottleneck due to which many parts of the country are energy surplus while others remain power- deficient," said Pravin Agarwal, Chairman - SPGVL & Director Sterlite Technologies Ltd.-PTI
IRS, in friendly gesture, makes disclosure of oversees assets easy .04 Tax payers who have submitted applications under Overseas Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) can also opt for SFCP. III. PENALTY & TAX: .01 Penalty will be computed at 5% of amount of highest value of overseas assets during the period over last 6 years. .02 Federal Tax of hitherto undisclosed overseas income for last 3 years is to be paid.
.02 One should file delinquent FBAR (New Form FinCEN 114) of last 6 years for which due date has passed. .03 One is required to pay tax, interest and 5% offshore penalty on aggregated highest balance of all foreign financial assets as at end of last 6 years. .04 "Streamline Domestic Offshore Procedures" should be read in red at the top of the page of amended tax returns. VII. CONCLUSION: .01 Procedural compliance should be strictly adhered to by filing specified documents together with receipts of tax and penalty payment which are required to be physically submitted to the IRS office Austin, Texas. The tax payer will be free to opt for SFCP till the IRS declares closure of said scheme
IV. DEFAULTS COVERED: .01 Failure of reporting overseas income and pay tax thereon under US tax laws. .02 Failure to file FBAR reports. Earlier FBAR reporting was required to file on form TD F 90- 22.1 which is now replaced from the current year by form FIN CEN 114 which be filed online and .03 Failure to file in When the law breaking is specified information across the board and that regarding such overseas assets in various too more out of ignorance it forms e.g. Form 3520 ; is pragmatic for a Govern8938 etc. .04 Such failure of fil- ment to offer immunity and ing should be by way of give one time opportunity " Non-willful conduct " which is defined to .02 The SFCP is once in a life mean any conduct that is due to negligence, inadvertence, or mis- time opportunity for defaulting tax take or conduct that is the result payers who have not paid taxes of a good faith misunderstanding on overseas income or not filed appropriate forms or provided inof the requirements of the law." formation about overseas FinanV. PRECONDITIONS: cial assets. .01 Tax payers opting for SFCP .03 Besides the advantage of declaration should be a tax payer peace of mind and exemption from who has failed to fulfill statutory civil and criminal liabilities the tax obligations as a result of "non will- payers actually saves on tax. ful conduct". .04 Post SFCP tax payers can .02 Non willful conducts has freely repatriate his overseas been explained as. "Non-willful wealth into USA and enjoy the liconduct is conduct that is due to quidity in USA. negligence, inadvertence, or mis.05 One can freely and legally take or conduct that is the result enjoy the income and corpus of of a good faith misunderstanding overseas financial assets in any of the requirements of the law." place across the world too. Society is structured around .03 Taxpayers who do not qualify for SFCP may opt for OVDP rules and regulations and citizens and pay 27.5 percent offshore are expected to abide by the same. penalty on the highest balance For easy enforcement of rules statheld during previous eight years. utes provide for strict civil and .05 However if the taxpayer has criminal penalties for the lawan undisclosed account at a bank breakers laws the rules. But when listed on the IRS posted list the the law breaking is across the board and that too more out of igpenalty is 50 percent. .06 The SFCP does not guaran- norance it is pragmatic for a Govtee that the IRS will not recom- ernment to offer immunity and mend criminal prosecution if re- give one time opportunity to citijected. zens to revert back on the legal ways with lenient penalties. IRS VI. PROCEDURES: has chosen to take this path break.01 Tax payers must file ing step of one time amnesty and amended US Tax Returns together it would therefore be appropriate with all required information for for defaulting taxpayers to aplast 3 years. proach and take advice of an experienced Certified Public Ac-
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Hindujas asks UK to fund India Economic Corridor LONDON: Britain's richest family, the Hinduja brothers, have called on British Prime Minister David Cameron to invest in India's ambitious Bangalore-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC) to be the best link between the two countries. Speaking about the ongoing high-profile India visit of two of Britain's senior-most ministers Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne Gopichand and Srichand Hinduja believe that an investment in the mega infrastructure project would undoubtedly boost Britain's economic ties with India. "The prime minister has visited two or three times which is a good sign of his intentions, and his new counterpart has a great vision to build India," Gopichand Hinduja told the 'Telegraph' newspaper. The Mumbai-Bangalore industrial corridor could be the spark for a new economic partnership which could finally deliver the returns Cameron has hoped for, he said. "By deputing his Chancellor
and Foreign Secretary gives a further good signal the Mumbai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor would be the best link between the countries but they have to take a financial package with them," he said. "Even if Britain does not have funding like Japan but London is
Some of the world's wealthiest Indian billionaires, such as steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and mining and metals tycoon Anil Agarwal, are based in London. a financial centre; they can at least create a fund. They should go with something concrete... Mr (Narendra) Modi is looking for foreign funding and our interest is that India-UK trade and industry grows," he added. He believes Britain's health, in-
frastructure and project consultancy sectors could be big beneficiaries, but urged the government to use the local knowledge of the British-Indian business community to increase trading links. Some of the world's wealthiest Indian billionaires, such as steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal and mining and metals tycoon Anil Agarwal, are based in London. The Indian government hopes to generate more than USD 50 billion in investment and 2.5 million jobs with the project and Britain is working with it on feasibility studies. The corridor will connect India's financial and IT capitals with Pune, Belgaum, Dharwad and other growing towns in between. According to G P Hinduja, whose family was confirmed as the richest in Britain in this year's 'Sunday Times' rich list with an estimated fortune of 12 billion pounds, Britain needs to focus on one major project as a showcase for what its industries can do in India. -PTI
Nuclear triad weapons ready for deployment: DRDO NEW DELHI: The weapons systems for the country's nuclear triad, including submarinelaunched ballistic missiles, are "fully ready" for deployment, Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Chief Avinash Chander has said. Addressing a gathering at an Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA) event, he said the nuclear reactor on board the indigenouslyAvinash developed INS Arihant nuclear submarine is also critical and is running on its "full power" before it is launched for sea trials. The weapons for the nuclear triad are "either fully developed or are ready to be deployed," Chander said. The nuclear triad is the capability to launch a nuclear weapon from sea, air and land. India will complete it once the Arihant is operational giving it the option to
retaliate to nuclear strike through submarine-launched BO-5 missiles. The Arihant is expected to be launched for sea trials in the next few months. The Agni series missiles can be used to carry out attacks from land while some of the Indian Air Force aircraft are also capable of launching nuclear attacks. The DRDO completed the development of the Chander over 700km-range BO-5 missiles recently and they would be fired from the Arihant during its sea trials. The organization is also preparing to develop the longer-range K4 underwater missile in near future and some of its trials have been completed successfully. -PTI
MORE TECHBIZ POST PAGES ON PAGE 23-25
Desi News 2 mega events; same day, same place, 1 price India Post News Service
SAN JOSE, CA: Enjoy a night of rocking Tamil music and mega starts Kondattam with Devi Sri Prasad (DSP), accompanied by blockbuster singers and renowned Hollywood dancers on July 13 at San Jose State University. Young music sensation Devi Sri Prasad has mesmerized entire world with his music. This exclusive program is brought to San Jose by Radio Khushi, an online radio service available in Hindi and Telugu for multiple channels in different time zones. Devi Sri Prasad is a successful Indian music composer, playback singer and has won many awards for his peppy songs and catchy music in several blockbuster Telugu and Tamil movies.
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
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16 India Post
Significance of Guru Purnima & celebration at Hindu Temple
Minister Harsh Vardhan invites physicians to serve motherland SURENDRA ULLAL
Details on page 22
Top Indian official holds meetings at Northwestern varsity India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Heading a delegation of four top ranking Indian officials, Dr T.K. Chandrashekar, Secretary, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Science and Technology, was in Chicago recently and had held a series of meetings at Northwestern University in Evanston, a north side suburb of Chicago. Details on page 19
Meditation & discourses by Sudhanshuji RAMESH SOPARAWALA
Indian Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan meeting Indian medical fraternity and community leaders
CHICAGO: Indian Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan urged Indian physicians to make extra efforts in serving the Motherland and assured them that any concern or constructive suggestion from their side would be attended fully. The Minister was on a brief visit to Chicago en route to New Delhi and the Indian Consulate had organized a breakfast meeting in honor of the dignitary. The meet was attended by prominent mem-
bers of the medical fraternity including members of the Indian American Medical Association of Illinois, the Indian Dental Association, the President, Blind Foundation of India, Founder and CEO, Arogya World, Heart Care Center of South Chicago besides others associated with the health sector and service organizations in Chicagoland area. Dr Harsh Vardhan in his address briefed on his five day tour of the United States and his meet-
ings with the Secretary of Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, meetings with the special envoy of the UN Secretary General and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also mentioned his attending the annual convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and other events. He stressed the importance of Chicago as the venue of the famous address by Swami Vivekananda and recalled his first
visit to the Fullerton Hall at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2000. He touched upon the recent launch of the Swasthya Bharat website and invited the assembled physicians to serve their motherland. He invited suggestions and promised to expedite clearances by the Medical Council of India and to remove bottlenecks in programs and schemes. He gave his email address to the guests and asked them to send him their proposals directly.
India Post News Service
CHICAGO: A spiritual guru from India with a very large following in USA and Canada, Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj, is coming to Chicago one more time and his host Vishwa Jagriti Mission of North America(VJMN) has chalked out a four-day crowded program beginning July 24 and culminating with a final session Amrit Varsha - on July 28. Sudhir Kumar, a VJMN spokesman said that the program will start with Discourses on Thursday, July 24 at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago at 7 pm which will be followed with two more discourse Friday July 25 at the Hindu Temple and Saturday, July 26 at Naperville campus at 7 pm. Details on page 21
Customer is the King for Money Dart RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Customer is the King and MoneyDart in Chicagoland sought to prove that maxim to the hilt by organizing a month long celebration eulogizing the huge part that customers play in achieving success. It was the Customer Appreciation Month in June this year which this highly rated money exchange firm in USA sought to highlight and emphasis. Cont’d on page 18
Money Dart Customer King party cake
Babu Patel of Sahil Boutique crowned King Customer
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US firm urged to recall Ganesha duvet cover SURI SWAMY
CHICAGO: Indian Americans across USA have taken strong exception to a Philadelphia based Urban Outfitters (UO), Inc., marketing duvet cover carrying image of Lord Ganesha This type of marketing strategy
counterproductive as well. He said that Lord Ganesha is highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be slept upon. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for com-
Duvet Cover
is deeply hurting religious feeling of Indians and they have pitched for withdrawal of the duvet cover that has Lord Ganesha's image Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, has described this type of marketing highly inapposite and could prove
mercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees. Sohan Joshi, a front ranking community activist in Chicagoland has urged Richard A. Hayne and Tedford Marlow; President of Urban Outfitters, Inc., and Chief Executive Officer of Urban Outfitters Group respectively,
not only to end this type of marketing but also assure Indians that they would not indulge in any measure that would disturb Indian Americans not only in USA but across the globe. Madhu Patel, president of NRI Press Club, asserted that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled. Nand Kapur, former president
of Associations of Indians in America, said that it would be most appropriate for the Hindus to urge the concerned authorities to come out with a legislation that would help them proceed criminally against any corporation that would show disrespect to "our religious belief and our deities." He urged the right minded people to approach their lawmakers and urge them to do something in this regard. The duvet cover which Hindu devotees are finding objectionable is claimed to be Made in the USA
and is priced at $129.00-$169.00 on the website. Urban Outfitters, Inc. is a retail company which offers a variety of lifestyle merchandise in Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain and BHLDN brands through stores in USA, Canada, and Europe; besides garden center, catalogs, websites and wholesale. It boasts of its "established ability to understand our customers and connect with them on an emotional level" and calls its brands "both compelling and distinct".
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Customer is the King for Money Dart Cont’d from page 16
The four weeks celebration included inviting the existing and potential customers to their facilities on Devon Avenue, Chicago and in Hoffman Estate, a northwest suburb of Chicago, and treating them like King and Queen. Not only that, the Money Dart managers and staff members presented the patrons with some gifts as a token symbolizing the appreciation that Money Dart felt for their patronage. The celebrations, says Vice President Prabhakar Patel, included hosting the customers to tea parties, Cont’d on page 18
Sohan Joshi, President of National Federation of Indian Associations, getting present from Shehla Jamil, Development Manager
Jijo George of Hoffman Estate presenting a gift to a customer
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Top Indian official holds meetings at Northwestern varsity India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Heading a delegation of four top ranking Indian officials, Dr T.K. Chandrashekar, Secretary, Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Science and Technology, was in Chicago recently and had held a series of meetings at Northwestern University in Evanston, a north side suburb of Chicago. Dr Chandrashekar visited USA from June 24 to July 3. He was accompanied by Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director, Indo-US S&T Forum, Dr R K Tayal, Advisor, Department of Science & Technology, R Varadarajan, Controller, Indo-US S&T Forum and Dr Nishritha Bopana of Indo-US S&T Forum. The delegation held meetings at Northwestern University, Evanston on Indo-US Center for Research Excellence in Science
Dr Chandrashekar and members of his delegation with Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed
and Engineering (CRESE) on Advanced Materials Research, on
the S.N. Bose Scholars Program and on SERB outreach. The del-
Dr Dhara: An astrologer with a difference
egation called on Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General of India, on June 26 and briefed him on the ongoing programs at the Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the SERB outreach program. The delegation traveled to Madison for meetings at University of Wisconsin at Madison, to
Great Lakes Bio-energy Research Center and for interaction with S.N. Bose scholars and thereafter to Purdue University, West Lafayette Indo-US Center for Research Excellence in Science and Engineering (CRESE), on Nano materials for energy, S.N. Bose Scholars Program SERB outreach.
HARISH RAO
CHICAGO: Many an astrologer sult her for their problems. She has has been coming to this country impressed many and they would for many a year brings with them like her to be coming here again. the crux of ancient Indian scrip"I have found that people here tural knowledge in their bid to help are frank, open minded, respectful stress and problem ridden society and are amiable to suggestions. I at large here. Dr Dhara Patel is one am so overwhelmed with response of this class but strikes a uniquely that I might consider coming back different cord. She is young, hardly 25, holds a doctorate in Alternative Medicine from a Calcutta University, has researched and developed her own method of predictive astrology based on ancient texts supplemented with learning from her grandfather, reads horoscope supplemented with her Nadi grasp, yoga and meditation, and the last but the least offers spiritual healing to needy (no cost for this) to help grow her own spiritual Dr Dhara addressing a seminar in India self. She came to this country a few weeks ago trotting here sometimes next year. But my from Boston, New Jersey to De- aim would be to hold a seminar and troit, Chicago and going back to disseminate knowledge besides Boston before flying to India on offering consultation to those who July 17, but in the short span of need," she said in a telephonic talk four to five weeks she has met and to this paper impressed hundreds of her followDr Dhara has developed her ers and those who came to con- own method of predictive astrol-
ogy based on her study of horoscopes in which Nadi has predominance and factoring in the time when put a question according to Prasna Kundali. "This is the same method that I use in India and it would not be exaggeration to claim that I have proved 98 per cent correct in my analysis, problem diagnosis and to a great extent in resolving the problem. I might have read and studied thousands of horoscopes in the past few years only," she said More than individual meets she has conducted over 70 high end seminars and workshops across India in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Calcutta, Chandigarh and other centers. In October 2012, there was an International Spiritual seminar in Bhopal and she talked on Law of Attraction and presented her own paper on Shabad Shatra. "This was well received by those present," she said. Her talks also cover subjects like Shiva Tatva, Krishna no Manav Sambadh (Krishna relations with humans); Jivan Ek Thapan and like. "Attendance ranges from 3000 to 10,000 at a time," she added. She is open to hold seminars and talks on subjects of Yoga, Meditation, Nadis study and astrology when she plans a visit early next year, she said.
Customer is the King for Money Dart
Kids enjoying ice-cream and candies Cont’d from page 18
Ice cream for kids, social meets, presenting gifts to key account customers and above all, have cake cutting ceremonies at the Money Dart facilities on Devon Avenue and in Schaumburg as well as businesses of valued customers. Ms Shelha Jamil, heading the Devon facility, said that this helped the company a lot in understanding the problems faced by the cus-
tomers and "we would try to address them and make us more customer friendly." Kids of the neighborhood were treated as minikings and they had great time enjoying cookies and ice cream Money Dart has recently started emphasizing its new thrust in their services to the customers and this involves exchange of foreign currencies, including Indian and Pakistani rupees, and Taka of Bangladesh.
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Brahmakumari Usha wins over Chicagoans VINESH VIRANI
CHICAGO: A Rajyoga teacher and scholar Brahmakumari Usha Ji is not an unknown entity for Chicagoans or for that matter the Indian Americans in North America. She had come last year and she keeps coming here at the invitation of her followers who need a periodic pep talk for spiritual upliftment and coming out of their stressful lie. BK Ushaji was here last week addressing an elite gathering of those who knew her and
ened all the important characters in Maharaja Dusrath family to ten Indiryas (faculty senses and instincts) with Dus Rath as the head. If one has good control of the Indriyas, one could easily live a stress free and healthy life. In a talk to this paper, she said that she plans to go to Canada and then to Trinidad before flying back to India. Her visit to this part of the world is at the behest of Brahma Kumari centers the world
BK Usha Ji said that the Brahm Kumaris across the world pick up various global projects at a time and everybody within the centers and outside the facilities of BKs participate. One such project on the anvil is "Million Ways to Do Good" and it will be announced before long also those who had to get a first hand feel of her personality and depth of knowledge. And she did not disappoint all those present at the Waster Ford Banquet in Elkgrove Village (south west suburb of Chicago) through her novel and different interpretation of Ramayana, Bhagvad Gita and talk on stress free life. She lik-
over. There are hundreds of such centers in 140 countries and they are doing yeomen service to the society. BK Usha Ji said that the Brahm Kumaris across the world pick up various global projects at a time and everybody within the centers and outside the facilities of BKs participate. One such project on
the anvil is "Million Ways to Do Good" and it will be announced before long. In all probability, the BKs around the world will have active participation in the project. Brahma Kumari Usha is a Senior Raja Yoga Meditation teacher and a Management Trainer. She has participated in a number of conferences and seminars at national and international levels, emphasizing the importance of spiritual values. She has been conferred with the Hall of Fame award by the Public Relations Council of India for her outstanding contribution to the PR profession in 2011; Sunrise Peace Mission gave her a Peace award. She is a popular figure on Indian TVs with many of her lectures being telecast from time to time on Aastha, Sanskar, Sadhana, Zee Jagran, Peace of Mind channels and various city cables. With her innate qualities, capabilities and Supreme Father's blessings she has focused her strength and specialty into a meaningful channel. In fact, she is a practical example of "Applied Spirituality". She has played a key role in the implementation of Self
Management Training Programs as expounded by Brahma Kumari Self Management Systems.
Brahmkumari Usha Ji
Usha Ji has been invited by many industrial houses in India
and abroad to impart systematic Self Managing Leadership courses for high ranking executives and management staff, thus blending Spiritual dimension with Modern Management philosophy. Some of them are General Electric (Hong Kong), Thai Rayon Company (Thailand), Pan Edible Oils (Malaysia), DRDO, Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd., Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation, AMUL, BSNL, Godrej, Tata Iron and Steel, IPCL, ONGC, Steel Authority of India among others. She has made thousands of presentations in various colleges, universities, medical associations, social organizations management associations and corporate sectors.
Hyderabad: Haleem & crowded mosques everywhere A.Q. SIDDIQUI
HYDERABAD: Every year the holy month of Ramadan brings a notable change of lifestyle in the Muslim world. The thirty days of fasting for God changes the normal life completely. So much is the effect of Ramadan on daily life that no blockbuster Bollywood movie is released during Ramadan. In fact, the big banners wait for the last day of Ramadan to cash in at the box office. In Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, working hours are reduced from 8 to 6, facilitating workers in observing fasting and prayers. Shopping malls and restaurants open soon after sunset and continue brisk business until early dawn. Most res-
taurants remain closed throughout the day. Pakistani TV channels suspend daily entertainment soaps and tune to religious broadcasts. In India, Iftaar parties are common events hosted by social, political, or business organizations. Life in most Indian cities reflects the impact of Ramadan. Mohammed Ali Road or Bhendi Bazar areas in Mumbai are abuzz as soon as the month of Ramadan sets in. Evening stalls for mutton Samosa or Pakories attract hundreds of shoppers in the area. The life, however, has a new set of routine in Hyderabad. Hyderabad is known for overcrowded vehicular traffic. The road traffic jams are common sights in
Hyderbadis celebrate Ramadan
Makkah during Ramadan festival
many parts of the city throughout the day or until late evening hours. However, in Ramadan you can drive easily until 3pm, as roads are not as crowded. Most people fasting prefer staying indoors until early evening hours. Come the month of Ramadan and Hyderabad's favorite dish Haleem - surfaces everywhere. The famous Hyderabadi Biryani is forgotten in Ramadan. It is Haleem and only Haleem everywhere. Haleem is prepared with a combination of meat and whole grain wheat. It is considered the most nourishing food of Ramadan. It
replenishes the fatigue caused by hours of fasting and remains the
Mohammed Ali Road or Bhendi Bazar areas in Mumbai are abuzz as soon as the month of Ramadan sets in. Evening stalls for mutton Samosa or Pakories attract hundreds of shoppers
favorite choice for fast breaking. However, it is equally popular among non-Muslims. Non-Muslims also beeline along with fasting Muslims at Haleem stalls for this tasty food sold in Hyderabad after 4 pm. Pista House Haleem is the most popular and number one choice followed by Shah Ghouse Haleem and others. This year, Pista House has raised the Haleem price to Rs 130 for a single dish and Rs 550 for a family pack. The Haleem is neatly packed and sold as carryout. Cont’d on page 22
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Meditation workshops & discourses by Sudhanshuji Kumar observed. Kumar further said that Maharaj Ji will conduct Meditation CHICAGO: A spiritual guru Workshop on Saturday and Sunday July 26 and July 27 starting morning at 7-30 am to 10-30 am both days. The culmination will be on Sunday July 28 at 11 am which will end w i t h Mahaprasad at 3-30 pm. "The Meditation workshops and Michigan LakAmtrit Varsha require pre-registrations," Kumar pointed out. Sudhanshuji came here two years ago accompanied by Guru Ma and Archika Ji, who is also a very inspiring speaker and quite well Sudhanshu Maharaj versed in ancient texts and "It is this characteristic of scriptures. Maharaj Ji seeking a palatable Sudhir Kumar said that all mix of the age old spiritual through the wisdom with modern day ages, God has thinking that attracts huge been sending His messengers audience wherever he goes," to create awareKumar observed. ness and en-
RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
from India with a very large following in USA and Canada, Sudhanshu Ji Maharaj, is coming to Chicago one more time and his host Vishwa Jagriti Mission of North America(VJMN) has chalked out a four-day crowded program beginning July 24 and culminating with a final session Amrit Varsha - on July 28. Sudhir Kumar, a VJMN spokesman said that the program will start with Discourses on Thursday, July 24 at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago at 7 pm which will be followed with two more discourse Friday July 25 at the Hindu Temple and Saturday, July 26 at Naperville campus at 7 pm. "Maharaj Ji will talk on subjects that have spiritual content but with a twist that would have impact on day-to-day life. The topics that Mahraraj Ji plans covering this time are: Karma and Destiny, Path for Salvation (Mukti Ka Marg) and Stress Free Life. " "It is this characteristic of Maharaj Ji seeking a palatable mix of the age old spiritual wisdom with modern day thinking that attracts huge audience wherever he goes,"
lightenment in the world dispelling darkness and eradicate evils. Ved Vyas, Valmiki, Adi Shankaracharya, Buddha, and Swami Vivekananda to name but a few. Sudhanshuji Maharaj is of the same mould expounding the
child Yashpal was fearless and seeker of truth. He spent most of his childhood in proximity to Nature and sought knowledge from epics in the vicinity of Mother Nature. Mesmerized by the unexplored
dawned on him, he felt the urge to explore the cultural and spiritual profundity of India. It seemed like a divine call for him to spread the spell-binding depth of Indian Spiritual thought to every corner of the world.
Sudhanshu Maharaj with children in Chicago, two years ago
inner self and spreading the message of God. On May 2, 1955 among the lush green Himalayan Valleys of Saharanpur was born a child prodigy who was destined to become a pathfinder to millions. The eldest son of the Shiva-devotee mother was named Yashpal. As a
beauty of Nature, he would sit for hours in solitude chanting the holy name of the Lord and marveling at the Divine Sport of the Almighty. Educated at Gurukul, he read, studied and devoured the Vedas, Upanishads, Sanskrit grammar and astrology. After "Self Realization"
On March 24, 1991, on the auspicious Ramnavami day, he established the Vishwa Jagriti Mission to work towards the Spiritual Elevation of the teeming millions. He has remained a staunch exponent of Indology, Indian philosophical thought and Yogic Sciences.
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Significance of Guru Purnima & celebration at Hindu Temple PUNDIT ANIL JOSHI
I
ndians traditionaly attach huge importance to parents, spiritual gurus and teachers. They are equated with God because they all play the roles of a Guru. Gurus are always regarded a link between the individual and the Immortal. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining enlightenment from their Gurus. The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima in the memory of the great sage Vyasa. On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all dis-
ciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'. Traditionally, spiritual
Pundit Anil Joshi
seekers commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day. We need to realize the sacred
significance and the supreme importance of the Guru's role in the evolution of man. In the ancient time, Guru Kulas were the centers of acquiring all kinds of knowledge, education (mundane, science, medicine, engineering, military, character building, and spiritual enlightenment and how to obtain moksha, the ultimate goal of life). With this reason India, year after year, commemorates this ancient concept of Guru, adores it, and pays homage to it and thereby re-affirms its belief and allegiance to it again and again. For Hindus, Guru is supreme and his orders are ultimate as he is an embodiment of Three Murthis as this sloka narrates. Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwara Guru Sakshath Parambrahma Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha The Guru is Brahma (The creator--who gives us good knowledge, culture, values, skills, per-
2 mega events; same day, same place, 1 price India Post News Service
SAN JOSE, CA: Enjoy a night of rocking Tamil music and mega starts Kondattam with Devi Sri Prasad (DSP), accompanied by blockbuster singers and renowned Hollywood dancers on July 13 at San Jose State University. Young music sensation Devi Sri Prasad has mesmerized entire world with his music. This exclusive program is brought to San Jose by Radio Khushi, an online radio service available in Hindi and Telugu for multiple channels in different time zones. Devi Sri Prasad is a successful Indian music composer, playback singer and has won many awards for his peppy songs and catchy music in several blockbuster Telugu and Tamil movies. Most of his songs follow a
simple rhythmic pattern and orchestration without overproduction. He is adept in composing fastpaced, peppy numbers with catchy hooks which become a rage among the youth and masses.
There is a double dhamaka with a non-stop 2 hour entertainment from 3:30 - 5:30 pm on July 13 at the same venue by Tamil Mega stars "Kondattam" featuring Actress Namitha, popular anchor
sonality building talents and his are the living Gurus who preserved teachings are with us as our guid- and followed the teachings of ing light), Lord Vishnu (The pre- Hinduism - the preaching of huserver-who preserves all the cre- manity. Our teachers are real Guations and helps to develop and rus that bring practical knowledge follow them properly in life) and and enlightenment to our souls. Lord Shiva (the destroyer-who reAccording to astrology also, moves avidya, all bad qualities, our grandparents and parents are thoughts, and actions and trans- the real Brihaspatis. The guru is forms us into Pavitra atmas. Guru beyond name and form, beyond Sakshath Parambrahm is the cre- what we could imagine with the ator of Brahma, Vishnu and limited vision of the thinking mind. Maheshwar. Irrespective of their religions, InThe Guru fulfils all these duties. dian academics celebrate this day That is why we have to pray and by thanking their teachers. Many pay reverence to the Guru who is schools, colleges and universities right before our eyes. We can earn Punya by giving charities and by The full moon day in the doing good deeds and attain Swarga or heaven Hindu month of Ashad (Julybut we enter into this life August) is observed as the cycle again when our Punya is over. Guru is auspicious day of Guru the only person who Purnima in the memory of can show and guarantee the individual to the great sage Vyasa transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, and experi- have events in which students ence the Moksha, ultimate aim of thanks their teachers and rememlife as this sloka describes it. ber past scholars. Alumni visit Dhyana Moolam Gurur their teachers and present gifts as Murthy a gesture of gratitude. Puja Moolam Gurur Padam Hindu Temple in Graylak is celMantra Moolum Gurur ebrating Guru Purnima as Varishta Vakyam Divas to honor them as real Gurus Moksha Moolum Gurur Krupa of families and our society at the In our spiritual world, Lord Hindu Mandir of Lake County on Krishna is considered as Saturday, 12th July. All the seniors Jagadguru and Shankarachary, of Lake County are invited to parRamanujachrya, Madhvacharya ticipate in the event and bless the and Maha Prabhu Vallabhachrya event.
Hyderabad: Haleem & crowded mosques everywhere Cont’d from page 20
Devi Sri Prasad
This will be the first time Devi's fans in US will get to see him perform live from close quarters. "We have also roped in international dancers for special shows," said Prabhu Venkatesh, one of the volunteers.
Divya Darshini, Robo Shankar and other famous Kollywood personalities. Tickets for the concerts can be bought from eventyme.com or Sulekha.com. It also features the itinerary of the concert.
Most salespersons for Pista House Haleem stand across the street and take orders from passing-by vehicles. They bear the company badge and a green uniform shirt. This Indian driveway system caters to more customers in a few hours than any driveway in a US city. Pista House prepares Haleem in the month of Ramadan only and now distributes it in many countries in the Middle East and Europe. In Chicago, Hyderabad Haleem is sold on Devon Ave by Data Darbar Restaurant and Nan O Devon restaurant. This year Hyderabad is also an attraction for visiting NRIs during Ramadan. Due to summer holidays in
America, the Middle East, and Europe, most Hyderabadis are heading for a Ramadan in Hyderabad. A longer summer fast in America is almost for 17 hours, beginning at 4:20am until 8:30pm. The same in Hyderabad begins at 4.45 am and ends at 6.50pm in the cool monsoon weather conditions. The demand is so high that it is hard to get a seat on any airline for Hyderabad until July end. According to Faizan Siddiqui, the Web Manager of Evia Travel, Hyderabad is the most sought after destination of July. While all Middle Eastern airlines are sold out from their home countries, Air India is carrying its maximum capacity for Hyderabad from New York and Chicago.
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No hike in fares, Railways to attract FDI NEW DELHI: Sparing passengers of any further fare hike, Railway Budget for 2014-15 proposes to attract private domestic and FDI in infrastructure projects and pursuing private-public partnership to boost the finances of the cashstrapped railways. Having hiked fares to the tune of 14.2 per cent recently, Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda who presented the new government's first budget in Lok Sabha said he
select sectors was another highlight of the budget, which proposes to allow all experimental stoppages to lapse after September this year. The budget provides higher funds for ongoing projects in North East, including 11 national projects. Rs 5,116 crore earmarked for projects in North East, which is 54 per cent higher than the previous year. While Udhampur-Katra rail link in
Gowda said safety of passengers is of paramount importance and it is estimated that over Rs 40,000 crore would be needed to be invested in track renewals, elimination of unmanned railway crossings and road overbridges and underbridges. plans to leverage railway PSU resources by bringing in their investible funds in infrastructure projects. He announced plans to introduce a bullet train in MumbaiAhmedabad sector and setting up of a Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed rail connecting major metros and growth centers. A sum of Rs 100 crore has been provided for initiating the project. Increasing the speed of trains to 160 to 200 kms per hour on nine
Jammu and Kashmir has been dedicated to the nation, the focus will now be on completion of the missing link between Banihal and Katra. 18 new line surveys have been announced, which include rail connectivity to 'Char Dham' Kedarnath, Badrinath, etc, and Shimoga-Sringeri-Mangalore. Five Jansadharan trains are being introduced along with five premium trains, six AC express trains and 27 express trains and eight passenger trains.
The premium trains are be- minutes to allow 1,20,000 simulta- tions and in select trains, real-time tracking of trains and rolling stock, tween Mumbai Central and New neous users. Delhi, Shalimar-Chennai, Secundarabad-Hazrat Nizamuddin, JaipurMadurai and KamakhyaBangalore. In order to strengthen security in trains and stations, the budget proposes to recruit 4000 women RPF constables. Already 17000 RPF constables have been recruited and shall be available for deployment shortly. Gowda said safety of passengers is of paramount importance and it is estimated that over Rs 40,000 crore would be needed to be invested in track renewals, elimination of unmanned railway crossings and road overbridges and underbridges. A provision of Rs 1,785 crore has been earmarked for railway overbridges and underbridges. Union Minister for Railways D.V. Sadananda Gowda departs from Rail Bhavan to Outlining IT initiatives, Parliament House along with the Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha to present the Rail Budget 2014-15, in New Delhi on July 8 the minister said the railway reservation system is being revamped to move into next Railways will move to paperless mobile-based wakeup call system generation E-ticketing system, offices in five years, provide wi-fi for passengers and mobile-based which will support 7200 tickets per services in A-1 and A category sta- destination arrival alert. -PTI
PM says Rail Budget futuristic, growth-oriented NEW DELHI: Hailing the Railway Budget as "futuristic and growth-oriented", Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said it is for the common people as it aspires for better service, speed and
Minister Sadananda Gowda shows where his government wants to take India through the railways as it focuses on strengthening institutional mechanism, transparency and integrity.
people," Modi tweeted. He said the Rail Budget "aspires for better service, speed and safety. It is an effort to create a modern Railways contributing towards a developed India." In a series of tweets, Modi said, "Rail BudIn a series of get shows the tweets, Modi important role of Railways in said, "Rail India's developBudget shows ment journey." He said the the important Budget keeps in role of mind the development of India. Railways in "This BudIndia's devel- get shows where we want opment to take the railjourney." ways and at the Narendra Modi same time where we want to take safety with focus on development "Congratulations to the Rail- India through the railways," Modi of the country. way Minister for presenting a fu- said, adding, "We can see the He said the Rail Budget pre- turistic & growth oriented budget. great use of technology also." sented in Parliament by Railway It is a budget for the common PTI
NID, Ahmedabad now institute of national importance NEW DELHI: A Bill to declare the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad as an 'institute of national importance' and award degree to its students has been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The passage of the legislation will also prove beneficial for students who wish to pursue post graduation and help the institute promote quality and excellence in design education. Transforming the institute into a corporate body with the legal status of an Institute is the other objective of the Bill. Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, who piloted the legislation, said "this institute is going to stand for excellence and will award degrees, post graduate degrees, MPhil and PhD programs". The Minister said the faculty at the institute would be of high quality and that the institute would continue to follow the reservation policy without any dilution.
The institute will also enjoy the autonomy to increase the seat strength, she said. NID Ahmedabad has two satellite campuses - one in Gandhinagar and the other in Bangalore.
The passage of the Bill will help the institute to act as a nucleus for interaction between the academia and the industry by encouraging exchange of designers and other technical staff between the Institute and the industry and undertaking sponsored and funded research as well as consultancy projects.-PTI
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Gujarat to set up international desks to woo FDI AHMEDABAD: Western Indian state Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is getting ready to set up permanent international desks in foreign countries to woo overseas investment. Once the desks are opened, the state will become the first state in the country to start such independent desks to directly attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), a top official said.'
In the initial phase, the desks will be set up in countries like US, Singapore, Japan, Canada and China, he said. "We have decided to set up international desks in important foreign countries. Gujarat government will independently set up international desks on its own," state Finance Minister Saurabh Patel told PTI. "The basic aim is to facilitate FDI by foreign investors. The
desks set up oversees will serve to provide effective exchange of information to foreign investors who are willing to do business here," he said. An indication about it was given in the state Budget presented recently by Patel. Earlier, Gujarat government officials used to travel to various foreign countries ahead of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summits, but with the setting up
of international desks in those countries, the process of attracting FDI in the state will now continue throughout the year, sources said. Although the state has been a
front-runner in garnering domestic investment in the last few years, it stands at a distant sixth place compared to other states in attracting FDI, as per Department of Industry Policy and Promotion. -PTI
China confident of deal on BRICS bank BEIJING: Sounding upbeat World Bank and IMF, the BRICS about the future of BRICS, China Bank however was bogged down has acknowledged differences over difference on issues like startamong member countries over the up capital as well as its headquarratio of funding to the block's De- ters. velopment Bank but said efforts Plush with over USD 3.94 trilare under way to reach a deal at lion foreign exchange reserves, this month's summit in Brazil. China wants the bank to begin Stating that BRICS comprising function with a start capital of of Brazil, Russia, India, China and USD 100 billion and offered to conSouth Africa would prove skep- tribute USD 41 billion with rest tics wrong, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong told a media briefing here that the economic slowdown was due to external reasons than that of the internal issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the summit of the leaders of BRICS which is taking place on July 1516 in Brazil during which he will hold his first meeting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About setting Seen as an attempt by the up of the BRICS emerging economies to come D e v e l o p m e n t up with their own bank to rival Bank, he said the World Bank and IMF, the "there is consensus about the BRICS Bank however was bank but there are bogged down over difference some differences on issues like start-up capital as regarding techniwell as its headquarters. cal issues". Replying to questions about the probability of from other members. the summit giving a green signal This however raised concerns to the Bank, Li said all the parties that it may vest China with excesare making full use of financial sive influence. Beijing also reportchannel to intensify consultations. edly wants the Bank's headquar"Whether this summit will reach ters to be in Shanghai. and agreement about the estabIn view of this BRICS members lishment of the Bank, we are fully reportedly discussed a proposal confident about that," he said. to have start-up capital of USD 50 The bank was mooted in 2012 billion with equal contributions to fund the infrastructure projects from all the five countries. and approved during last year's Li said total size of the BRICS summit in South Africa. Bank is technical issue. Seen as an attempt by the It needs to be worked out emerging economies to come up through consultations among all with their own bank to rival the the BRICS countries. -PTI
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5 states gave proposals for India's manufacturing growth beats China's greenfield airports NEW DELHI: The governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Goa have submitted proposals to develop airports either at their own expense or through public-pri-
als for greenfield airports in some other areas, Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said in reply to a question. The airports being developed
vate partnership (PPP), Lok Sabha was told. The Centre also received in the recent past similar propos-
either through the states' own expenses or through PPP mode are those at Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra, Bijapur, Gulbarga,
Taste & then order food on Air India MUMBAI: Here is happy news for foodies traveling on India's national carrier Air India. The airline has decided to provide a chance for its first and business class passengers to taste and then choose their food. It will become a reality once the national carrier joins the Star Alliance, a global airlines' club, sources said. Flight caterer TajSATS said it has partnered with Air India to improve the onboard food service on select domestic and international routes. "The Table set-up has been conceptualized to provide the opportunity to savor tailor-make dishes based on individual tastes
and preferences," TajSATS' director for food production Satish Arora said. The induction into Star Alliance is expected to improve Air India's connectivity to highgrowth economies and give the 26 Star Alliance members access to India's vibrant domestic aviation market. A passenger would be able to access the destinations offered by the entire Star Alliance network of over 21,980 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. Air India would add about 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to the Alliance network, with the biggest growth coming from its home market where it flies to 62 cities. -PTI
Hasan and Shimoga in Karnataka, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Mopa in Goa. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) was providing technical assistance for the detailed project reports and undertaking pre-feasibility studies for clearance of proposed sites, he said. The Centre has also received initial proposals for setting up of greenfield airports at several places including Kotkasim in Rajasthan, Karwar in Karnataka, Annakara in Kerala, Androth in Lakshadweep and Taj International Airport at Hirangaon in Uttar Pradesh, Siddeshwara said. Considering the phenomenal growth in the aviation sector and interests shown by various state governments for developing more airports, the Central government had introduced a policy for approval of greenfield airports in 2008, under which these proposals were being considered, he said. -PTI
Hyderabad will need two more airports: KCR HYDERABAD: The city of Hyderabad in south-eastern India will require at least two more airports in the near future as the city's population is expected to touch three crore with the development of the Information Technology Investment Region, according to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. "Hyderabad's population in 2014 is 94 lakh. We are soon to develop a Rs 2.30 lakh crore ITIR that will create two more Hyderabads and the population will shoot up to three crore. So, we will require at least two more airports to the east and north of the city to cater to the additional population," Rao said. He was addressing a workshop 'Re-inventing Telangana' at the Marri Channa Reddy Human Resources Development Institute here. He said satellite towns would have to be developed in a 100-km radius of Hyderabad. "We have to de-congest Hyderabad. We need a rapid rail system to connect the satellite towns and bring people to Hyderabad, say in 21 minutes. We also have to develop Metro Rail on similar lines," he said.-PTI
NEW DELHI: Manufacturing and services sectors in India expanded at a faster pace than China during June while emerging market output registered the strongest upturn in business activity since March quarter of 2013, an HSBC survey said. The HSBC Emerging Markets Index (EMI), a monthly indicator derived from Purchasing Managers' Index surveys, stood at 52.3 in June, up from 50.6 in May, signaling the sharpest rate of expansion since March 2013. The pickup in output growth was reflected in both manufacturing and services, most notably the latter, where activity expansion hit a 15-month high, HSBC said. Stronger output growth was registered across global emerging markets in June, primarily driven by India and China. China posted the sharpest increase in output for 15 months, while India saw the steepest expansion since February 2013. Rus-
sian private sector output stabilized and Brazil, however, registered a further flat trend in activity. During June, the HSBC composite index for India, which maps both manufacturing and services, stood at 53.8, whereas for China it was 52.4, Brazil (49.9) and Russia (50.1). An index measure of above
50 indicates expansion. Meanwhile, the HSBC Emerging Markets Future Output Index that tracks firms' expectations for activity over the next 12 months, rose for the first time since February, indicating strengthening sentiment across emerging markets. India registered the brightest outlook for the next 12 months for the third successive month, ahead of Brazil and China, respectively. PTI
Most Indian airlines suffered losses NEW DELHI: Almost all Indian airlines, barring Jet Airways, IndiGo and GoAir, suffered losses in 2012-13 with Air India suffering the highest loss of Rs 5,490 crore, Lok Sabha was informed. While no-frill carrier SpiceJet registered a loss of Rs 2,798.2 crore in 2012-13, Jet's low-cost subsidiary JetLite recorded a loss of Rs 2,468 crore, Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said in reply to a question. Low-cost airline IndiGo earned a profit of Rs 7,958 crore while GoAir recorded a profit of Rs 851 crore, he said. A major reason for the losses was the changing air transport en-
vironment dictated by the global economic scenario, forcing airlines to seek structural adjustments in order to survive, Siddeshwara said. In India, important causes include the high and growing debt burden, higher operating costs, huge taxation on fuel, high airport charges and maintenance costs which were afflicting the airline industry, he said. Air India's provisional losses in 2013-14 stood at Rs 5,389 crore, as the government was taking a number of measures to beef up its financial position, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said in reply to another question. To another question, Raju said two more airlines have recently been granted the initial No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Ministry to start scheduled regional services.-PTI
Realty Tidbits
Carnival Group buys HDIL's multiplex business NEW DELHI: Media and entertainment firm Carnival Group says it has bought Housing Development and Infrastructure's multiplex business for Rs 110 crore. "Both the firms have been in talks with each other for a few months and the deal concluded on July 2, 2014. Carnival Group bought over HDIL's multiplex chain Broadway Cinemas for around Rs 110 crore," the Kerala based company said in a statement. HDIL operates a chain of multiplexes under the brand name Kulraj Broadway across India. Chairman of Carnival Group Shrikant Bhasi said: "... acquiring HDIL's Broadway Cinema is one more step towards achieving our aim of Vision 300 (launching of 300 screens across India). -PTI
Kolkata consortium buys Keppel Magus MUMBAI: A Kolkata-based real estate consortium has acquired 100 per cent stake in realty firm Keppel Magus Development Pvt Ltd for Rs 150 crore. The consortium, comprising Sureka Group, Merlin Group and JB Group, has bought the entire stake in the company, a special purpose vehicle set up to develop a 25acre township in Kolkata, `Elita Garden Vista', a release said here. After completing the first phase of the project, Keppel Group decided to divest 100 per cent of its stake to the consortium for Rs 150 crore, the release said. The group of developers now plans to execute the remaining two phases covering 13 lakh sq ft, which will comprise multiple towers of 15-32 storey and 1.6 lakh sq ft of developed commercial space, besides speeding up the remaining few deliveries from phase I, it said. -PTI
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Tata to invest Rs 600 cr on Gurgaon project NEW DELHI: Tata group firm Tata Housing will invest Rs 600 crore over the next four years to develop a new luxury residential project in Gurgaon. Expanding presence in the Delhi-NCR market, the company launched fourth project in this region, all in Gurgaon, to develop about 150 villas in a price range of Rs 3-8 crore. "Tata Housing Development Company strengthened its presence in the high-end luxury segment in NCR by launching its 4th project 'Arabella'," the company said in a statement -PTI
Dive into the good life at Coyote Creek in Milpitas India Post News Service
MILPITAS, CA: Coyote Creek in Milpitas has invited homebuyers to dive into the good life and move into their new home this summer. With a limited selection of move-in ready homes available at The Rows and The Courts and the spectacular recreation center now open, homebuyers are encouraged to visit Coyote Creek's Sales Gallery and have a fantastic summer soaking up a resort-inspired lifestyle in the South Bay. A press release issued by William Lyon Homes states: "The combination of stylish, attached new home designs, modern amenities and a convenient location that allows residents to stop commuting and start living has made Coyote Creek by William Lyon Homes one of the best-selling communities in Milpitas. Prices start from the low $600,000s." "Fun and leisure activities are in full swing at Coyote Creek's private recreation center, where residents are enjoying a fully equipped gym, an outdoor pool
and sun deck and a pet spa, among many other incredible amenities," said Kathy Floyd, Director of Sales for William Lyon Homes. "Resort living awaits at Coyote Creek, and The Rows and The Courts can accommodate buyers' timetable with their movein ready opportunities. These contemporary floorplans are selling quickly and the selection is
and three-level new home designs with spacious interiors, ideal gathering areas, gourmet kitchens and contemporary bathrooms. William Lyon Homes' reputation as one of the nation's premier homebuilders gives buyers confidence, as do the brand-new construction and solid builder warranty. The Courts presents seven stylish townhome and flat designs rang-
The clubroom can also be transformed into a studio for yoga classes and other fun activities. The recreation center also includes public restrooms with a shower. The community is within walking distance to Cerano Park's half basketball court and tennis court limited, so act now to experience the good life this summer at Coyote Creek." Desirable new home living at an attainable price is the cornerstone of Coyote Creek, with floorplans offering superior livability, great interior features and a convenient location adjacent to one of the Cisco Campuses. Coyote Creek offers one, two
ing from approximately 1,223 to 1,978 square feet, with up to 4 bedrooms plus a den and 3.5 bathrooms. The seven town home designs at The Rows range from approximately 1,258 to 1,788 square feet, with up to 3 bedrooms plus a den and up to 3.5 bathrooms. As residents of Coyote Creek, an exceptional lifestyle focused on a healthy mind, body and soul
awaits. The recreation center offers residents a private, convenient facility where they can exercise, socialize and relax, whether it's lounging poolside or working out. Additional amenities include a clubroom, outdoor barbecues and outdoor covered living room, plus a fire pit lounge area. The fully equipped kitchen offer residents a great setting for special events. The clubroom can also be transformed into a studio for yoga classes and other fun activities. The recreation center also includes public restrooms with a shower. The community is within walking distance to Cerano Park's half basketball court and tennis court, as well as hiking and mountain biking opportunities along the adjacent Coyote Creek Trail. Coyote Creek is near the Milpitas Park and Ride station for light rail transportation from San Jose to Sunnyvale. Residents can leave the car behind and travel to major Silicon Valley employers like Google, or even stop at the Great Mall® for an afternoon of shopping. Cont’d on page 27
Delhi tops list for property fraud cases NEW DELHI: Delhi tops the list in terms of cases related to property fraud and misappropriation among all states and union territories in the country, according to the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB). The total number of cases reported in sections of property lost under criminal breach of trust and cheating during 2013 was 181, the highest in the country, the report says. While eight cases among them were of criminal breach of trust, 173 cases were of cheating. Delhi was closely followed by Maharashtra with 176 cases, while Punjab came third with 82. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police which investigates financial crimes also says that there has been a spurt in such cases. "Around 30 per cent of all the cases which are reported to us are related to real estate," Joint Commissioner of Police (EOW) Satish Golcha told PTI.
Selling mortgaged property to multiple buyers or on fudged papers have been the typical methods, but now people are coming
up with unique ways to con investors these days, police said. "In a recent case, a real estate firm in its promotional documents
used projects executed by some other entity to gain investors' trust," said a senior police official. An FIR was lodged by one Surrinder Kumar Bangla, a former Assistant General Manager at SBI, against the promoters of Cosmic Structures Ltd at Janakpuri Police Station of West Delhi under provisions like Sections 420 (cheating), 120B (criminal conspiracy), etc. Bangla allegedly paid Rs 70,000 and booked a virtual space in an upcoming tower in Noida of Cosmic Structures Ltd after its promoters provided him with a list of projects they claimed to have developed, constructed and delivered across the country. Cont’d on page 27
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Punjab to construct one lakh houses for poor NEW DELHI: Punjab has announced construction of one lakh houses for economically weaker sections in next three years and urged the Centre to help create a special fund to help states in providing affordable housing. Participating in the 'Housing for All' conclave of State ministers of Housing and Urban Development at Vigyan Bhawan here, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal said the state has already created a land bank of 300 acres for this purpose and expected it to increase exponentially in the next year. Badal, who also holds the Housing portfolio, asked the Urban Development Minister Venakaih Naidu to create a special fund in which excise revenue collected from sale of construction material could be deposited.
He said this revenue could then be transferred to the States for subsidizing housing for the weaker sections. He also proposed exemption of development authorities like GMADA and GLADA from payment of income tax, saying they were contributing to urban development by creating much needed infrastructure as well as housing for weaker sections. He said as part of its policy all developers in Punjab had to hand over 5 per cent of their gross area to government for development of housing for economically weaker sections. The State has already enacted a housing policy envisaging private partnership, so that the committed housing could be built in the stipulated time frame, he said.PTI
Dive into the good life at Coyote Creek in Milpitas Cont’d from page 26
Homeowners who travel for business to the Bay Area and downtown San Jose will also appreciate the neighborhoods' proximity to I-680, I-880 and Highway 237, with shorter commutes that give them more time to spend with family at home instead of enduring long drives. The statement says brokers will receive a $10,000 Flat Referral Fee per closing. Broker must bring cli-
The statement says brokers will receive a $10,000 Flat Referral Fee per closing. Broker must bring client on first visit to register for broker referral fee. Buyers cannot be registered online prior to first visit. Broker referral fee to be paid at the close of escrow. ent on first visit to register for broker referral fee. Buyers cannot be registered online prior to first visit. Broker referral fee to be paid at the close of escrow. It matters who your builder is, and William Lyon Homes means it when they say that they put themselves into their homes. They build each and every home as if it were
their own and have earned a solid track record for constructing quality homes backed by a solid customer service program since 1954. Learn more by visiting www.lyonhomes.com for updated information on William Lyon Homes' new neighborhoods. The Resmark Companies is William Lyon Homes' partner in developing Coyote Creek. Founded in 1995, Resmark is a leading national private equity firm focused on real estate and powered by core foundational discipline and focus. A fully integrated real estate investment group, The Resmark Companies' divisions-Resmark Land and Housing, Resmark Apartment Living and Resmark Shopping Centers-finance, acquire, develop and manage real estate in California and the Western United States and other select major metropolitan markets nationwide. To visit the Coyote Creek Sales Gallery from San Jose via 880, exit E. Tasman Drive and proceed west. Turn right on McCarthy Blvd., left on Technology Drive, left again on Murphy Ranch Road, then right on Coyote Creek Way and follow the signs. The Sales Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, please call 408.432.6021 or visit www.LyonCoyoteCreek.com. You may also Like the community on Facebook. Prices are effective as of the date of publication. Pricing is approximate and is subject to change without prior notice.
Delhi tops list for property fraud cases Cont’d from page 26
"However, Bangla later came to know that the projects Cosmic Structures Ltd was boasting off were actually of Quality Constructions and he demanded a refund. He later approached court and got an FIR registered. Police is investigating the case," said the official. Meanwhile, the owner of Quality Constructions, Rajesh Lamba, who is the brother of late cricketer Raman Lamba, approached Delhi High Court requesting it to restrain Cosmic Structures Ltd from using his name for their promotion. The ruling as sought was
granted to Lamba by the court in an order on April 3. He has also filed a case in this regard at EOW
and it currently is under investigation.
To be safe from property-related fraud, police advice people to be extra cautious during real estate transactions and carry out a thorough background check. "Verify all the documents and other antecedents of the property that you are going to buy. Try not to make cash transactions. If you have to do that, then take proper cash receipts and other documentary evidence. Cheque transactions are advisable," Golcha said.PTI
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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Galliyan: Ek Villian 2 Banjaara: Ek Villian 3 Saturday Saturday: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 4 Caller Tune: Humshakals 30 India Post
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5 Fugly Fugly Kya Hai: Fugly 6 Aaj Phir Tumpe: Hate Story 2 7 Samjhawan: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 8 Raat Bhar: Heropanti 9 Johnny Johnny: Its Entertainment 10 Humdard: Ek Villain
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ong legged dusky beauty and the reigning queen of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone has been voted the world's sexiest woman by FHM magazine. She won over the title from her arch rival Katrina Kaif who was at this position for the last three years. Deepika who had four back to back hits last year also posed seductively for the FHM magazine. In an interview to the magazine she says, "It's a damn good start. Especially since it's by the people and for the people… Plus, a woman always feels complimented when someone says she is sexy. And well, someone's got to win." She adds, "I think people shy away from be-
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ing called sexy because we tend to automatically relate it to sex. The larger assumption is that it has to be about sin show, a full voluptuous body…those are the things that come to people's mind. For me sexy is your personality. For me someone who has a sense of humor is sexy, being confident is sexy, being emotional and vulnerable is sexy…someone who is sensitive is sexy." Deepika relates the sexiest woman title to the kind of work she has selected recently, "I think something like this is really the result of the work that I do. I don't think it has got anything to do with me physically," I she said.
sha Gupta, who was recently reported as having said that she warned her family not to watch her film "Humshakals" as they won't be able to bear it, said she was misquoted. "I have been misquoted. I did tell my father not to watch 'Humshakals' because 'Chakravyuh' was his favorite film as he is from the defense background," the 28year-old said at the premiere of "Lekar Hum Deewana Dil". "I am still with 'Humshakals' and have not disowned it. I am very proud and happy that I did the film. Next time Sajid (Khan) will do even better," she added. Esha's statement had created quite a furor. "Humshakals" received bad reviews from critics but still managed to do good business.
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s a kid, Varun Dhawan was cute and plump and was often teased by his mother and older brother Rohit when his school pants would become tight. He was, as he says, a hutta katta Punjabi kid due to his mother in Mumbai and dadi in Delhi feeding him loads of ghee. Varun says, "Rohit always gave me everything of his, be it his Game Boys or any other toy that I wanted. Actually, be it opportunities in life or anything else, Rohit has always given them up for me. In my upcoming film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, I play Humpty, who has a heart of gold. Rohit is the Humpty in my life as, in reality, his heart is of gold. There is a scene in the film where I am watching Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and crying. When I was small, I would watch films sitting behind Rohit. He was a big DDLJ fan and I remember sitting behind him, seeing him getting emotional during the film. I have copied that image I had in my film."
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hahid Kapoor has been inundated with requests from international organizers to perform overseas. Shahid has been in the film industry for eleven years. Almost all his films have done really well on the musical front right from Ishq Vishk to Kaminey to Jab We Met, more recently Phata Poster Nikla Hero and R Rajkumar. Shahid who started his career as a background dancer with Shiamak has an ear for music. He pays keen attention to the music of his film. He also tries to experiment and learn new dance forms to make it different. Most of his songs become chart busters and have been on the party playlist for a long long time. His dance moves get repeated by fans. This year around Shahid has been spotted performing at most award functions. In the coming month Shahid will be performing at O2 Arena in London. It is a huge event and Shahid is looking forward to the show.
uperstar Rajinikanth is currently busy with the shooting of his Tamil film 'Lingaa'. The film's crew is stationed in the Ramoji film City in Hyderabad and the work is in full swing. It will be a film that covers multiple generations. According to a source the Tamil icon will be seen in a double role. The source said, "He plays a district collector in the present day of the story, while he will be seen in a different role in the flashback sequence. The makers have kept it a secret." Directed by K.S. Ravikumar, this film marks the South debut of Bollywood beauty Sonakshi Sinha. A R Rahman has been roped in to compose the music for the film. This is the first project on which Rajinikanth is working a full time schedule since his illness back in 2011. His last release 'Kochadaiiyaan' was based on motion capture technology so it did not need his full physical participation. He had collapsed on the sets of the film 'Rana.' For a some time the film world was rife with speculation whether he will retire or not. But it looks like the iconic star has no plans to hang his boots yet.
Health
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Sun Pharma recalls 200 vials of cancer drug NEW DELHI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has recalled 200 vials of cancer drug Gemcitabine for injection from the US market for lack of assurance of sterility. Sun Pharma's US subsidiary Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories initiated the voluntary recall on April 9, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in an enforcement report for the week of July 2. The vials were manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, it added. The firm-initiated class-II recall, which is ongoing, is due to "lack of assurance of sterility: a particle excursion for a different batch of the same product may lead to a lack of sterility assurance," the FDA said. According to the US health regulator, a class-II recall is given in a situation when the use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.-PTI
Teen cancer survivor lobbies Capitol Hill
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.: A 14year-old southwest Florida cancer survivor is lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill to fund Medicaid and other children's programs. Tony Colton recently joined more than 25 patients and families from across the country for the Children's Hospital Association's advocacy day. Colton spoke with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and representatives Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kathy Castor and David Jolly about Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Tony has been a patient at All Children's Hospital patient since 2011, after being diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, a rare pediatric cancer. Tony and his family urged lawmakers to fund these specialty programs. Nearly 70 percent of patients at All Children's Hospital are Medicaid recipients. -AP
Health Science
Biochemical cascade can lead to deadly disorders Details on Page 34
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Top 3 reasons why South Asians refuse to exercise India Post News Service
I
n his book "The South Asian Health Solution", Dr Ronesh Sinha has highlighted three major reasons South Asians refuse to move as outlined below: Culture and Upbringing Most of us do not come from families that place an emphasis on physical activity. A South Asian family's prestige often relies on the academic and financial success of its members. I still recall my trips to India: relatives and neighbors would introduce their children with a name, followed by an immediate tagline describing his or her school ranking. Something along the lines of, "this is my son Ramesh - he graduated 3rd out of 5,000 students in the College of Engineering." Without a doubt, these are remarkable achievements that families should be proud of, but the South Asian cultural obsession with these types of success metrics undermines the importance of physical and emotional health and happiness. In fact, this cultural mindset creates excessive pressure that can compromise
physical and emotional health. There are volumes of proven scientific research that confirm exercise and activity improve all major brain functions and are linked to higher academic achievement in children, however the pressure to keep our youth sedentary and studious far outweighs efforts to keep them active and healthy. High-carb Diet A complete lack of energy is often cited as a common reason for avoiding exercise. What most
fat cells, making it unavailable to fuel your brain and your muscles. Pay attention to how you feel in the hour or two following one of your typical high-carb meals, and you'll understand the relationship between what you eat and why you're not moving. When I get my patients to consume more nutrient dense foods and remove excess carbohydrates, in just a few short weeks, not only does body fat start to decrease, but energy levels invariably increase as well. All of a sudden the thought of walking and exer-
'When I get my patients to consume more nutrient dense foods and remove excess carbohydrates, in just a few short weeks, not only does body fat start to decrease, but energy levels invariably increase as well.' of my patients don't realize is that it is often their diet that's a primary culprit. An excessive amount of carbohydrates, a hallmark of the South Asian diet, leads to a tremendous surge in the hormone insulin which actually pushes energy from your foods into your
cising no longer seems to be an insurmountable feat. Exercise Aversion We've built a tremendous metabolic and cultural barrier to activity, worsened by Western society's overaggressive exercise
recommendations. How can someone who sits for a living immediately transition to the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week (which breaks down to 30 minutes, five days a week)? This is like asking a toddler to start running before he can barely walk. Pushing unrealistic exercise goals turns physical activity into a burden and a chore. A nagging spouse or family member that accuses you of being lazy and insists you get exercise only reinforces activity as an act of torture rather than a source of pleasure. Why it is happening? If marathon sitting were an Olympic event, India would finally be earning its share of gold medals. Studies done in the UK in multiple ethnicities have shown South Asian adults and children to be the most sedentary out of all groups. In Silicon Valley where I see South Asians consult patients and run corporate wellness programs I often measure walking steps in patients by having them purchase a pedometer, a portable activity monitor that measures walking steps. Cont'd on Page 35
Vardhan for 50% VAT on tobacco products NEW DELHI: In his bid to discourage smoking among youths, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has urged states and Union Territories to impose VAT of at least 50 per cent on all tobacco products to "make them less affordable". Vardhan's communiqué to states comes soon after his request to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to effect a hike in prices of tobacco products in this year's budget. These steps will go a long way in discouraging tobacco use among the youth, Vardhan has reportedly said. Citing a recent report which put the total economic cost at-
tributable to all diseases caused by tobacco consumption at Rs 1.04 lakh crore, Vardhan stressed the need to discourage tobacco
Gov. Peter Shumlin
consumption for "reducing avoidable public expenditure". In his letter to Chief Ministers, Vardhan has used the example of Rajasthan where VAT (value-added tax) on tobacco products stands at 60 per cent. Quoting a report, Vardhan said 80 per cent of deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases are due to cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory problems and diabetes, for which tobacco consumption is a major reason. Vardhan had a few days ago written to Fi-
nance Minister Arun Jaitley, advocating for hike in prices of tobacco products. In a letter written to Jaitley, Vardhan had said the number of male smokers in the country has increased to 105 million from 83 million in the past one decade, and argued that their ill-effects on health force over 15 million people into poverty every year. In the letter, he has proposed "a large but feasible tax hike in the 2014 budget on cigarettes of Rs 3.5 per stick. The tax would be applied to all lengths to prevent the industry (tobacco) from shifting production and marketing to lower length cigarettes, as has been the past practice." -PTI
July 11, 2014
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5 things to know on children's life insurance ATLANTA: Policies for children represent a small fraction of the life insurance market, but they made the news last week after a court hearing for a Georgia man accused of killing his young son by leaving him in a hot car. Testimony and court documents revealed that Justin Ross Harris and his wife had two life insurance policies for 22month-old Cooper Harris, one for $2,000 and one for $25,000. Prosecutors have portrayed the 33-yearold Harris as an unhappy husband who was exchanging nude photos with several women. Defense attorneys say the death was a tragic accident. Harris remains in jail charged with murder and child cruelty. The insurance policies were mentioned among numerous details from the evidence against Harris and weren't singled out by
prosecutors in their arguments. Still, the case has drawn attention to policies that families sometimes purchase for children. Here are five things to know about the children's life insurance market. HOW DO THE POLICIES FOR CHILDREN WORK? The policies are typically purchased by parents, grandparents or anyone directly related to the child, according to Steve Weisbart, chief economist for the InsurNew on the Carnival Freedom is Camp Ocean, a children's ance Information Institute. area for kids ages 2 to 11. Premiums paid into the policies vary according to the terms. Generally, the higher the death benefit - what's paid out to beneficiaries if the insured person dies - the greater the premium. Insurers require that anyone buying the policy have an ``insurable interest'' in the person covered, meaning the buyer wants the person covered to actually live. INSURERS ATTACH CONDITIONS TO THE DEATH BENEFIT. Insurers require WASHINGTON: Scientists, including Patients should not undergo therapies documentation of how a covered individual those of Indian-origin, have identified a if there's no likelihood of benefit," said Chen, new biomarker that predicts whether glio- the study's principal investigator. blastoma - the most common form of priTo pinpoint which patients were most mary brain cancer - will respond to chemo- likely respond to temozolomide, the retherapy. searchers studied microRNAs that control "Every patient diagnosed with glioblas- the expression of a protein called methyltoma is treated with a chemotherapy called guanine-methyl-transferase or MGMT. temozolomide. About 15 per cent of these This protein dampens the cancer-killing patients derive long-lasting benefit," said effect of temozolomide. Tumors with high Clark C Chen, vice-chairman of Academic levels of MGMT are associated with a poor response to temozolomide therapy. The scientists systematically tested every microRNA in the human genome to identify those that suppressed MGMT expression, with the expectation that high-levels of these microRNAs in the tumor would predict improved therapeutic response to temozolomide. "We showed that a signature of the MGMT-regulating microRNAs predicted temozolomide response in a cohort of glioblastoma patients," Chen said. "Validation of these results should lead to diagnostic tools to enable us to determine which patients will benefit most from temozolomide therapy," said Chen. In the study, the scientists also discovered that injection of the MGMTregulating microRNAs into glioblastoma cells increased tumor sensitivClark C. Chen, M.D., Ph.D., neurosurgeon, UC San ity to temozolomide treatment. Diego Health System Credit: UC San Diego School "These findings establish the founof Medicine dation for microRNAs-based therapies to increase the efficacy of Affairs, Division of Neurosurgery at the temozolomide in glioblastoma patients," University of California, San Diego School said lead author, Valya Ramakrishnan, of Medicine. postdoctoral researcher, UC San Diego "We need to identify which patients School of Medicine. benefit from temozolomide and which anThe other researchers involved in the other type of treatment. All therapies in- study include Deepa Kushwaha, Dipanjan volve risk and the possibility of side-ef- Chowdhury and Kimberly Ng of Danafects. Farber Cancer Institute. -PTI
Biomarker predicts effectiveness of brain cancer treatment
dies, and the policies will not pay out if the beneficiary is convicted of murdering the person covered. POLICIES CAN BE SAVINGS DEVICES. Life insurance policies typically have a cash value while the covered person is still living, with the amount based on premiums that have been paid over time. Often, a parent or grandparent buys a policy with the intention of giving the child the option later in life of using the policy as a cash source. POLICIES FOR CHILDREN ARE TYPICALLY FOR LOWER BENEFITS. Policies for adults, whether purchased individually or through employers, typically offer much higher death benefits than those purchased for children. Weisbart said a $5,000 to $10,000 policy is common, amounts that would help parents pay for a funeral. CHILD POLICIES ARE A SMALL SLICE OF THE OVERALL LIFE INSURANCE MARKET. Weisbart estimates that life insurance policies on children represent less than 1 percent of the overall life insurance market, both in terms of the number of polices and the dollar value. Etti Baranoff, associate professor of insurance at Virginia Commonwealth University, added, ``The nature of life insurance is to provide for economic security if the parent dies, not the other way around.'' -AP
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Safer, cheaper building blocks for future drugs LONDON: Researchers have by one serious hurdle: they de- action that provided a good yield, developed an economical, reliable pend on harmful heavy metals to high regioselectivity and easy and metal-free chemical reaction work, and this severely limits their access to diversely functionalized that could yield building blocks biological applications. 1,2,3-triazoles," said correspondfor future anti-HIV and cancer In new experiments, a research ing author Wim Dehaen. drugs. team at KU Leuven's Molecular "In other words, the reaction A team of researchers from KU Design and Synthesis lab confirm produces plenty of the comLeuven, in Belgium, has pounds we're looking for, developed a chemical redoes so reliably without action that yields fully unwanted or unexpected functional 1,2,3-triazoles. outcomes, and does this Triazoles are chemical in a way that makes it compounds that can be easy for us to isolate the used as building blocks compound. This makes for more complex chemiour method highly desircal compounds, includable," said Dehaen. ing pharmaceutical "Moving forward, we drugs. will focus on expanding Leveraging the the chemistry developed A team of researchers from KU Leuven, in Belgium, compound's surprisingly here to other new reachas developed a chemical reaction that yields fully stable structure, drug detions while also exploring functional 1,2,3-triazoles. velopers have successtheir possible applicafully used 1,2,3-triazoles as build- for the first time that 1,2,3-triazoles tions in pharmaceutical as well as ing blocks in various anti-HIV, can be synthesized through a supra-molecular sciences," said anti-cancer and anti-bacterial metal-free, three-component reac- lead author Dr Joice Thomas. drugs. tion using readily available ingreThe finding was published in But efforts to synthesize the dients. the journal Angewandte Chemie. compound have been hampered "We were able to develop a re- -PTI
Biochemical cascade can lead to deadly disorders WASHINGTON: Like a line of falling dominos, a cascade of molecular events in the bone marrow produces high levels of inflammation that disrupt normal blood formation and lead to potentially deadly disorders including leukemia, researchers have found. The discovery may pave the way for potential new strategies to treat the blood disorders and further illuminates the relationship between inflammation and cancer, said lead investigator Nadia Carlesso, associate professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Bone marrow includes the cells that produce the body's red and white blood system cells in a process called hematopoiesis. The marrow also provides a support system and "home" for the blood-producing cells called the hematopoietic microenvironment. The new research demonstrates the importance of the hematopoietic microenvironment in the development of a group of potentially deadly diseases called myeloproliferative disorders. "It has been known for years that there are links between inflammation and cancer, but these studies have been challenged by the lack of genetic models, especially
for blood-based malignancies," said Carlesso. The researchers focused on what happens when there are abnormally low levels of a molecule called Notch, which plays an important role in the process of blood cell production. Using a genetically modified
Nadia Carlesso
mouse, they found that the loss of Notch function in the microenvironment causes a chain of molecular events that result in excess production of inflammatory factors. The high levels of inflammation in the bone marrow were associated with the development of a myeloproliferative disorder in the mice.
Myeloproliferative diseases in humans can result in several illnesses caused by overproduction of myeloid cells, which are normally are used to fight infections. These diseases can put patients at risk for heart attack or stroke, and frequently progress into acute leukemia and bone marrow failure, which have fatal outcomes. When Carlesso's team blocked the activity of one of the molecules in this biochemical cascade, the myeloproliferative disorder in the mice was reversed. In addition, elevated levels of the blocked molecule were found in samples from human patients with myeloproliferative disease. These findings suggest that developing drugs that target this inflammatory reaction at different key points could be a promising strategy to limit the development of myeloproliferative disease in humans. The molecular cascade leading to inflammation was not occurring directly in the bone marrow cells that produce blood cells, but in cells of the bone marrow microenvironment, especially in endothelial cells that line the capillaries tiny blood vessels - inside the bone marrow. This was a key discovery, Carlesso said. -PTI
Gujarat Bone-Marrow Donor unit launched AHMEDABAD: The BoneMarrow Donor of India (MDRI) has launched its Gujarat chapter here with the support of Indian Red Cross Society and city-based Gujarat Cancer Hospital. "The bone marrow or stem cells can be easily donated by healthy and willing persons for the benefit of patients with the disease," cancer surgeon and trustee of city-based Sadvichar Parivar, Dr Pankaj Shah said. Currently, there are two Marrow Donor registry centers operating in Mumbai and Chennai, and patients will get more alternatives with addition of the Gujarat chapter, he said. Shah on the occasion announced that MP from Ahmedabad East constituency and actor Paresh Rawal will be the MDRI Gujarat-chapter brand ambassador. Bollywood actor Salman Khan is the national brand ambassador of MDRI. According to MDRI, each year, as many as 10,000 patients of blood related diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia and genetic blood disease like Thalassemia are added in the country. Chairman of MDRI, Dr Sunil Parekh said there is lack of awareness in the stem cell donations in the country as com-
pared to the West. "Western countries like America, Germany and UK have more than 2.5 crore donors, while in India the number is less than a lakh. Lack of government support and the public awareness is responsible for this," Parekh said. Getting a good response for
MP from Ahmedabad East constituency and actor Paresh Rawal will be the MDRI Gujaratchapter brand ambassador. Bollywood actor Salman Khan is the national brand ambassador the Gujarat chapter, 40 volunteers donors have already joined hands with the (Gujarat) chapter during the pre-campaigns here, said Parekh. "Bone marrow donation is safe process and a donor can donate marrow for the maximum two times," he added. Bone Marrow is central part in the bones containing precursor cells which produces red cells, white cells and platelets. -PTI
Time for protection against mosquitoes, diseases CONCORD, N.H.: New Hampshire health officials are encouraging residents and visitors to take precautions against mosquitoes and the diseases they may bring, especially the West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The most likely time for mosquitoes to spread disease is June through September. Last year, 24 batches of mosquitoes in the state tested positive for EEE and 14 batches tested positive for West Nile. Three horses tested positive for EEE and one for West Nile. There was also a human case of West Nile, but no EEE cases. Symptoms for EEE may include high fever, severe headache and a sore throat. A stiff neck is a symptom of the severe form of the disease, which can lead to seizures and coma. The risk of contracting the
West Nile virus infection is low and, in the majority of cases, there are no symptoms or just mild, flulike symptoms. At times, the virus can cause meningitis and can be a serious threat to seniors, young children, and those with compromised immune systems. ``Though the numbers of human infections for West Nile Virus and EEE have been low for the past couple of years, unfortunately we can never predict from year to year how prevalent these diseases are going to be,'' said Dr. Jos誰 Montero, the department's director of public health. ``The weather from year to year plays a role, but it is important that residents take the appropriate precautions every year, most importantly using an insect repellent, to avoid becoming infected by one of these diseases.'' -AP
July 11, 2014
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Need to reduce cost of providing healthcare NEW DELHI: India needs to reduce the cost of providing healthcare services as this results in limiting the investments in the sector due to long payback periods, an industry body has said. To ensure this, the government should address the root cause of issues of access and availability, affordability and quality, healthcare sector federation NATHEALTH has said. To address the multiple issues facing the sector, it has submitted a pre-budget wish list to the government. It has urged the government to lower the cost of setting up healthcare facilities. As part of this it has called for finalizing details of guidelines, scope and provisions under granted infrastructure status to the healthcare sector as this would help to raise lower cost funds. "RBI's recognition of infrastructure status would enable fund raising through infrastructure bonds and via other agencies at lower rates," NATHEALTH said. It would also lead to access to government and infrastructure oriented funding (from agencies such as IIFCL, IL&FS, Rural Infrastructure Development Fund), it
added. The federation has also sought corporate income tax incentives on capital expenditure for facilities (greenfield hospitals) with 50 beds (this is currently allowed only
for hospitals with 100 beds and above) and has also asked for extended tax holiday for establishing these facilities. "Depreciation rate applicable on medical and pathological equipment and medical devices should be increased from 15 per cent to 30 per cent," NATHEALTH has said, adding that the government must also set up a healthcare infrastructure fund and a medical innovation fund.
Top 3 reasons why South Asians refuse to exercise Cont'd from Page 32
Human beings should walk between 8,000-10,000 steps daily for optimal health and to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and virtually every major chronic illness. The absolute bare minimum we need to walk is 5,000 steps each day. Unfortunately my typical South Asian software engineer or high-tech entrepreneur walks on average an abysmal 2,000 steps a day. Often my patients feel falsely protected by their genes, bragging to me that their father or grandfather lived to be 80 years of
are consuming considerably more food. The so-called "protective gene" in nearly all cases is a myth that dissipates in the face of our exceedingly unhealthy lifestyles
What to Do? You need to completely redesign and reprioritize the way you and your family are currently living. Physical activity needs to become a way of life and using tools like pedometers can motivate you to reach your daily goals. Kids are more sedentary than ever and are developing obesity, diabetes and signs of heart disease plaque at an early age. Be sure your children get time to play and are physically active every single day. Plan more You need to completely redesign active family recreational activities rather than sedentary resand reprioritize the way you and taurant and movie outings. We your family are currently living. spend enough time sitting durPhysical activity needs to become ing the work week so be sure to spend more time upright and a way of life and using tools like moving during weekends and holidays. pedometers can motivate you to Focus on eating nutrient reach your daily goals dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and age with no health issues. They conve- healthy fats rather than the typical Indian niently neglect the fact that older genera- high carb flat breads (chapatis, etc.), rice tions routinely walked a minimum of 10,000 and junk snacks that promote inactivity and steps, simply as a function of their daily obesity. I outline a detailed South Asian lifestyles. This is why I so frequently see tailored nutrition plan in my book. By foldiabetes and heart disease in patients who lowing some of these simple principles my have had absolutely no family history of hope is that South Asians can make a these conditions. gradual return to a lifestyle that at least My patients today are at least five times somewhat resembles the activity levels of less active than their ancestors, yet they our ancestors.
Healthcare should be exempted from GST as the sector cannot afford levy of service tax, it said. Domestic production in India should be encouraged by removing or rationalizing custom and excise duties on raw material required for domestically manufactured medical devices, it added. NATHEALTH has also requested the government to increase the people's capacity to pay by withdrawal of service tax on health insurance premium and to increase
the limit of exemption for premiums under health insurance from Rs 15,000 at present to Rs 25,000. Other proposals submitted to the government are providing a longer term (10 year window) for 250 per cent deduction of approved expenditure on R&D activities, creation of medical technology parks and free and concessional land for setting up private medical colleges given the huge demand supply shortage of doctors in the country. -PTI
India to provide Rs 50 mn for hospital in Nepal KATHMANDU: India will provide Rs 50 million financial assistance to Nepal for the construction of a new hospital building. The structure, to be built under the Nepal-India Economic Program, will come up inside the premises of Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavre district, 75 km east of Kathmandu. A memorandum of understanding in this regard has been between the Indian Embassy, Dhulikhel Municipality and Dhulikhel Hospital, a statement issued by the embassy said.
The structure would provide improved healthcare facilities to over 2.5 million people of the region, the statement added. Dhulikhel Hospital is an independent, non-governmental institution providing healthcare services to the people of remote areas near the Nepal-Tibet border. The hospital faces space shortage and confronts serious constraints on its capacity to provide quality services. The new hospital will help address these shortcomings. -PTI
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L
ocated 16 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with a beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony outcroppings, form the major attraction of this coastal resort. It has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The beach is spread over four kilometers with plenty of diverse leisure options. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs and
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catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes.
IT HAS BEEN A FAVORITE HAUNT OF TOURISTS, ESPECIALLY EUROPEANS, SINCE THE 1930S. A MASSIVE ROCKY PROMONTORY ON THE BEACH HAS CREATED A BEAUTIFUL BAY OF CALM WATERS IDEAL FOR SEA BATHING
July 11, 2014
Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centers. Backed by precipitously mounting headlands and covered by fertile coconut palms, the beaches are beautiful, especially the southern most part of lighthouse beach. It is also lined with a host of shops and shacks offering all kinds of services; creating an unmistakable resort atmosphere. Curio shops, hawkers of Kashmiri and Tibetan products, moneychangers and beachwear shops, between the surplus of restaurants and hotels, do brisk business during peak tourist season. Cont’d on page 40
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KOVALAM 3 beaches to suit all desires & occasions Cont’d from page 39
The sea port of Vizhinjam is about three km away and is famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a mosque. The proposed international transshipment terminal at Vizhinjam is also close to Kovalam. Kovalam is finding a new connotation in the light of several Ayurvedic salons and healing and renaissance resorts which supply a wide variety of Ayurvedic treatments for tourists. Kovalam beach is well known for its
beautiful sunset. The variation of colors such as red, orange and yellow in the sun and sky draw new masterpiece art works in the sky on every new
sunset. It attracts photographers from around the world to capture the beauty of sun and sky. THREE PARTS Kovalam beach is divided into three main parts known as the southern most or the Lighthouse, the Hawah and the northern most, Samudra beach. The most popular part of the beach is the Lighthouse Beach where an ancient lighthouse is situated which belongs to the British era. You can have a spectacu-
l a r view of the Vizhinzam mosque from here even though photography is prohibited without permission. Hawah is situated in the middle part of the beach. It is also a base for local fishermen. The northern most part or Samudra beach is a
freaky beach relatively and dotted with elementary wooden fishing vessels. Eve's beach of Kovalam is a semi-circular beach and renowned for its peaceful environment. Kovalam beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, herbal body massages, fire rings, bonfire and cultural events. A large variety of continental seafood dishes are available on the beach side restaurants and hotels. Visiting the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops near the waterfront will also be a great enjoyment and you have the opportunity to buy things, if you like. There are facilities for backwater cruise to the beautiful countryside enjoying its lush greenery. One of the popular entertainments in Kovalam beach is to enjoy beach bonfire with your friends or relatives. The beach fire rings and bonfires are usually enjoyed and promoted by local and foreign tourists. You can smell the woods burning and hear the shouts of joy from different parts of the Kovalam beach in the evening. All have rings offered for free use on a first come first serve basis. The camp-like tradition lives on from generation to generation in this time honored celebration that brings families, friends and business associates together in a circle, huddled around the warm glowing flames to fend off the chilled night air of the Arabian Sea. The
The Lighthouse
atmosphere and temperature in Kovalam is very good with soft winds creating a chill, especially in the evenings. IN & AROUND KOVALAM The Lighthouse: The lighthouse is located on a hillock named Kurumkal which is very close to the sea. The southern end of the Kovalam beach is named after this hill house. The lighthouse is a
35 meter tall structure painted red and white and easily visible from a long distance. It is open to visitors and offers spectacular views of the lighthouse beach, Eve's beach and its surroundings. The lighthouse road is a convenient venue for cycling and walks. Karamana River and Boating: The Karamana River crosses the highway at Thiruvallam, twelve kilometers from Kovalam. The place
offers breathtaking views of the backwater and greenery. The Thiruvallam boat club, located on the bank of the river offers cruises, canoe rides, kayaking and houseboat cruises. Vellayani Lake: The place is located seven kilometers from Kovalam. There are boat services available from Kovalam. It is one of the few freshwater lakes in Kerala that
looks enchanting in the moonlight. The Vellayani Lake is the venue of world famous annual boat race organized during Onam festival. The Vellayani Durga Temple is located close to the lake; the specialty of this temple is that it allows only non-Brahmin priests. Valiyathura Pier: It is situated around ten kilometers away from Kovalam. The coastline of this region up to Kovalam is visible from this pier. The Valiyathura literally means 'Big Port'. Cont’d on page 41
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Aviation industry in India very small: Fernandes BANGALORE: AirAsia Group Chief Executive officer Tony Fernandes says considering the population and potential tourism market India has, the aviation industry in the country is very small. "....for the size of the population and for the size of the potential tourist market, the aviation industry is very small. There is huge scope for fourth airline. I would tell my competitors this is not about one airline or two or three airlines that all of us should work together in making it more affordable for Indians to fly, to help lot of Indians to fly overseas for business and also to bring people to this wonderful country," Fernandes told reporters here. Speaking at a press conference to celebrate the launch of AirAsia
forward." Breaking into Indian domestic aviation space, AirAsia India on June 12 launched its operation with a flight from here to Goa in a foray that is expected to intensify the fare war among the no-frill airlines in the loss-hit sector. The country's fourth budget carrier has also announced the addition of Kochi to its existing network from July 20. AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya said "we have 302 employees as of today." He said "we are looking at new networks, new destinations as we go forward. I also want to thank government of India....we have a government in place which stands for change and I'm very excited about what we are going to be able to do in aviation." AirAsia India is a The country's fourth budget 49:30:21- joint venture among Malaysian carcarrier has also announced rier AirAsia, Tata Sons the addition of Kochi to its and Arun Bhatia's existing network from July 20. Telestra Tradeplace. Ratan Tata said "the potential for air travel India that was attended by Ratan in India is enormous; the base of Tata and S Ramadorai, he said "for the pyramid has not yet been the size of Indian population it is tapped." very small." Highlighting the potential of air While Tata is the Chief Advisor travel in India due to population to Airasia India, Ramadorai is the and growing prosperity, he said: Chairman of the Board of the airline. "Air travel is going to be very imThanking the Centre for its help portant form of connectivity for in launching AirAsia India, he said leisure, business and essential ser"obviously we want to reduce cost vices." as much as possible and transfer "The airline has begun its opthat to growth....; we hope that the erations, conducive or not so congovernment of India, and the state ducive, AirAisia is here to stay," governments in the country will Tata said. look at ATF, will look at developResponding to a question on ing low cost infrastructure going synergy between AirAsia and
KOVALAM Cont’d from page 40
There is another port in this region named Cheriyathura, literally meaning 'small port'. This place offers excellent views of the setting sun and sea. Angling is the major activity here. Edakallu: Edakallu is the popular sunset viewing point that lies between the Lighthouse Beach and Eve's Beach. It offers enchanting view of the red and orange sun setting in the horizon with amazing new patterns in the sky. It is one of the best places to view the sunset in Kovalam. Kovalam Art Gallery: The Kovalam art gallery in Kovalam displays artifacts, paintings and art works. The paintings in this art gallery consist of ancient Indian paintings related to the Sanskrit
culture. Europe and Western artists and art lovers are the major visitors in this gallery even though there are other visitors also. Thiruvallam Parashurama Temple: Thriuvallam Parashurama temple is located twelve kilometers from Kovalam. It is one of the major Hindu shrines. Situated on the banks of the Karamana River, it is believed to be about 2000 years old and one of the rare temples dedicated to Parashurama. HOW TO REACH Air: Nearest Airport Thiruvananthapuram (20 kms) Rail: Nearest rail head is Trivandrum Central Road: Kovalam is connected by road with several tourist destinations within Kerala and India.
Tata-Singapore Airlines, he said they will probably compete with each other, but clarified that it won't
be as enemies. Outlining his view on India, Fernandes in response to a ques-
Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of The Tata Group (R), Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fenandes and TASL Chairman S. Ramadorai during a press conference to celebrate the launch of Air Asia India in Bengaluru on July 3
tion, said "we need to accelerate the planes coming here, the load factor has been great, the response has been great....I'm more optimistic about things happening here." He said "We are all very bullish about the Indian market." On expansion to other parts of the country, he hinted at North East, calling it an "appealing destination." To a question on expectations from the government on the budget, Fernandes said "....ATF from the state government restricts domestic tourism...; airport charges are very much higher here." Pointing out that liberalization will encourage more airlines to come in and grow, he said government should facilitate business. PTI
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Travel & Hospitality Post
July 11, 2014
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New train will do Delhi-Agra in 90 mins NEW DELHI: Come November and you can travel to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, by train in just 90 minutes, cutting the journey time by 30 minutes at least. This has been made possible as the railways successfully conducted the trial run of the country's fastest train that moves at a speed of 160 kms per hour. Its commercial operation is expected to begin in November, railway officials said. So far, Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi was the fastest train with a speed of 150 kmph. The trial run of the 'semi highspeed train' was conducted on a 10-coach train. It left New Delhi station at 11.15 am and reached Agra about 99 minutes later. However, from Nizamuddin station, where it will actually originate during commercial operations, the train took 90 minutes, Deputy Regional Manager (DRM) Delhi Division Anurag Sachan said.
A high-speed Delhi-Agra train leaving New Delhi station for a test run on July 3
The time taken currently by the Shatabdi train between Delhi and Agra is 120 minutes. A journey by road via the
Yamuna expressway takes two hours between Delhi and Agra. After the Delhi-Agra service, Railways are expected to run simi-
Dubai to build world's largest shopping mall DUBAI: Dubai has unveiled plans to build the world's first temperature-controlled city Mall of the World, an ambitious project spread over an area of 48 million sq ft, to attract tourists even during the scorching summer months. The project will comprise the world's largest indoor theme park,
covered by a glass dome during the sweltering summer months, and 100 hotels and serviced apartments. It will house the largest shopping mall in the world with an area of 8 million sq ft, which will take the form of an extended retail street network. Additional districts within the project will include a wellness dedicated zone catering to medical tourists. The project was launched by
UAE vice-president Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and will be developed in multiple phases. But the details of the cost or the completion date was not disclosed. Once completed, about 180 million visitors are expected to visit the extended retail street network.
"The growth in family and retail tourism underpins the need to enhance Dubai's tourism infrastructure as soon as possible. This project complements our plans to transform Dubai into a cultural, tourist and economic hub for the two billion people living in the region around us; and we are determined to achieve our vision," Sheikh Mohammed said. "Tourism is key driver of our economy and we aim to make the UAE an attractive destination all
year-long. This is why we will start working on providing pleasant temperature- controlled environments during the summer months," he said. The project, developed by Dubai Holding, will introduce the concept of an integrated pedestrian city connected to the mall and offering a wide range of leisure, retail, cultural, wellness, recreation and hospitality options under one roof. To u r i s t s will be able to enjoy a weeklong stay without the need to leave the City or use a car. The Celebration Walk, similar to the Ramblas Street in Barcelona, will connect the cultural district to the rest of the Mall. "This project is a product of extensive research studying international and regional tourists' requirements and preferences...The project will be developed in phases in alignment with the gradual growth of family tourism in Dubai," said Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, chairman of Dubai Holding, said. -PTI
lar high speed trains on DelhiKanpur and Delhi-Chandigarh sections. "The trial run was conducted
successfully and we hope to start commercial service by November," said Sachan. There are about 16 speed restriction areas and curves on the Delhi-Agra route which had been upgraded to improve the speed. The train would come as a boon for tourists visiting Taj Mahal as the travel time between Delhi and Agra will come down by half-anhour from the current level. The public transporter is using its own resources to make operational the semi-high speed train the first of its kind in the railways. It is estimated that a cost of Rs 15 crore would be incurred to make the track ready for the semi-high speed train, said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the project. There will be fencing for a stretch of 27-km along the track between Delhi and Agra to prevent obstruction and ensure speed. PTI
Kerala keen on world class tourism infrastructure KOCHI: The Kerala Government will accord top priority to developing world-class infrastructure facilities in an environment-
of-the-art facilities in the heart of Munnar in order to offer more quality services to the tourists visiting the famous hill station.
friendly manner at all tourist destinations in the state, Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar has said. "The Government is following a policy of environment-friendly infrastructure development," he said after laying the foundation stone for a new four-storied guest house at the hill resort town Munnar in Idukki district. The state tourism department has decided to construct the additional guest house with all state-
The new building with 36 rooms in four floors will come up near the old guest house, which has only
eight rooms. The new guest house will have conference rooms, modern kitchens and a high-end restaurant. PTI
July 11, 2014
Travel & Hospitality Post
India Post
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Singapore Airlines offers free passes to hotspots MUMBAI: Singapore Airlines is offering free passes for any two of its nine tourist hotspots to customers who choose to fly on its jumbo aircraft A380 from Delhi and Mumbai. Flyers will also be entitled to two days of unlimited rides on the Singapore Airlines hop-on-bus, it said. Customers can book their travel on the Singapore Airlines A380 flight from Mumbai and New Delhi to Singapore and receive free passes to two tourist attractions in Singapore along with two days of unlimited rides on the SIA Hop-onBus, the airline said in a statement. Singapore Airlines is currently the only carrier which operates A380 aircraft to India. The airline operates the
Prescott merchants complain about arts fair PRESCOTT, Ariz.: The city of Prescott is widely known for its arts and crafts scene, walkable downtown and laid-back vibe that attracts tourists from all over the country. Some local merchants, however, complain that the town's regular vendor displays that converge on
the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza are ``stealing the tourist season'' from downtown business storefronts, the Daily Courier reported. ``We think this is a bad business model for the city,'' Kevin Scheevel of the Prescott Downtown Merchants Association told the Prescott City Council recently.
Scheevel, manager at Christina'z Boutique, complained that the ``unregulated transient business'' unfairly competes with the permanent downtown merchants. Sales at many downtown shops fall considerably during the weekends, when the arts and crafts fair takes place on the courthouse square, he said. ``Numerous merchants say they don't even feel they have to be open'' on the weekends, Scheevel said. ``I'm here to appeal to this council, mayor and city. Can't we come up with something?'' Kendall Jaspers, director of the Prescott Downtown Partnership, said the city's central square, along with the arts and crafts fair, is what sets the town apart from others around the state. ``We're the poster child for the downtown, and (PDP's) job is to keep it that way,'' Jaspers said.-AP
`superjumbo' with total seating capacity of 471 seats (12 suites, 60 business and 399 economy class seats), on Delhi and Mumbai routes. Gulf airline Emirates is slated to launch its A380 flights in the country on the 21st of this month. Also, for bookings made until September 30, the airline has offered special economy class return fares to Singapore on the Singapore Airlines A380, the statement added. -PTI
Haryana plan to upgrade tourism complexes CHANDIGARH: In a bid to provide best facilities to tourists, the Haryana government has decided to spend Rs 22 crore during the current financial year for upgrading tourism complexes across the state. This was said by Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Vijai Vardhan in a release issued here. Vardhan said the tourism department is in the process to start a light-and-sound show at Tilyar Lake complex in Rohtak. "History of the state will be displayed in the show with special effects of lights. The show will be commissioned by the end of October this year," he said. Vardhan said the tourism industry in Haryana has recorded a turnover of Rs 330 crore during 201314, which is Rs 15 crore more as compared to the corresponding period of last year. There are a total 42 tourism complexes in the state at present and there is no proposal to shut down any of them, he said, adding that five or six unviable complexes were closed two years ago. -PTI
Indian air travel market grows by 4% NEW DELHI: Indian air travel market showed a "muted" four per cent growth in May, even as overall global air traffic rose by a strong 6.2 per cent, latest figures showed. While global air traffic performance was "consistent with signs of improvement in demand drivers", in India, "by contrast, growth was a muted 4.1 per cent in May," the International Air Travel Association (IATA) said. "Although there is positive sentiment toward the new government, inflation is high and consumer demand remains con-
pared to that a year ago. While a 6.2 per cent growth was seen across all regions, "importantly, airlines in Asia Pacific recorded a solid increase of 7.3 per cent (growth) in May." "We are seeing healthy demand for air traffic to support and help sustain the pick-up in global economic activity," said IATA's Director General and CEO Tony Tyler. Domestic air travel rose 4.6 per cent in May year-on-year, with significant variation in performance continuing across markets. Growth in some BRIC nations
strained," the global airlines body said in its latest analysis. It said the expansion in air traffic volumes has started accelerating again after a slowdown in the growth earlier in the year, following developments in demand drivers. "Latest data show a pick-up in both trade and business activity, which is consistent with this recent spurt in air travel demand," the IATA said, as the figures showed a seven per cent rise in international traffic in May com-
like China and Russia was near or above double digits, up 9.4 and 13.2 per cent respectively; with economic growth substantial enough in both countries to sustain strong expansion in domestic air travel. The passenger load factors of airlines, which measure their capacity utilization or average aircraft seats filled, improved in May, reversing some of the weakness during previous months, the IATA said. -PTI
In Brief France to open visa centre in Ahmedabad AHMEDABAD: French Consul General in India Jean-Raphael Peytregnet met Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel in Gandhinagar discussed the possibility of exploring new avenues of co-operation. To facilitate those wanting to visit France, Peytregnet made an announcement to open a visa centre in Ahmedabad, during his meeting with the Gujarat chief minister, according to an official press release issued here. Besides the visa centre, Peytregnet also expressed his country's desire to expand ties between France and Gujarat by opening a French Language Centre of Excellence here. Peytregnet also said that France would play a crucial role in developing 100 new cities in India and Gujarat is one of their preferred states for the project. During the meet, Patel invited French businessmen to take part in the forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2015. While giving details about opportunities in Gujarat to develop sectors like pharmaceuticals, defense equipment production and cement industry, the Gujarat CM also invited French entrepreneurs to develop Dholera Port City. -PTI
„ Japan to issue multiple entry visa to Indians NEW DELHI: Japan will issue multiple entry visas for short-term stay to Indians. This was announced by the Japanese embassy here. The decision was taken following the announcement by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he visited here this January that his Government would introduce multiple entry visas based on the recognition that enhancement of people to people exchanges is important to further broaden relations between Japan and India," the embassy said. The multiple entry visa will be issued not only at the Japanese diplomatic missions in India but also at all the Japanese embassies and Consulate Generals overseas in light of a large number of Indian nationals living outside India, it said in a release. "It is expected that this will help increase the number of Indian tourists to Japan and improve convenience in business activities, thus further developing bilateral exchanges between the two countries. -PTI
Immigration
White House announces Immigration Reform plan
44 India Post
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July 11, 2014
Details on page 45
Obama: US has always been a nation of immigrants WASHINGTON: Celebrating the ethnic diversity of America, President Barack Obama said more than two dozen foreign-born military members who became U.S. citizens at the White House on the Fourth of July are vivid reminders that welcoming immigrants ``is central to our way of life.'' He pleaded anew for new immigration policies, saying the vast range of backgrounds and experiences that has made America a melting pot for more than 200 years also makes the country stronger. He argued that the system must be changed for the U.S. to remain the greatest nation on earth. ``The basic idea of welcoming immigrants to our shores is central to our way of life, it is in our DNA,'' Obama said after the 25 service members representing 15 countries raised their right hands and pledged allegiance to the United States. ``From all these different strands, we make something new here in America. And that's why, if we want to keep attracting the best and brightest from beyond our borders, we're going to have to fix our immigration system, which is broken,'' he said. Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a Cuban who became a naturalized citizen in 1973, administered the oath of allegiance. The immigration issue is earning renewed attention because of the influx to the U.S. of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children from Central America. Under U.S. law, they must be returned to their home countries, angering immigration advocates who already take issue with Obama's enforcement of deportations. They want Obama to allow the children to stay. At the same time, Obama blames House Republicans for delaying action on legislation covering the millions already living in the U.S. illegally. A comprehensive measure the Senate passed last summer has been blocked by House leaders who also have done little to advance their own immi-
gration proposals. Obama announced earlier that, as a result of inaction on Capitol Hill, he will pursue non-legislative ways he can to adjust U.S. immigration policy on his own. He scheduled a trip to Texas mostly
erything I can to keep making our immigration system smarter and more efficient,'' Obama said. Across the country, more than 100 demonstrators, most of whom support immigrants, gathered again outside a U.S. Border Patrol
Obama announced earlier this week that, as a result of inaction on Capitol Hill, he will pursue non-legislative ways he can adjust U.S. immigration policy on his own.
to raise money for Democratic candidates but plans not to visit the border. ``I'm going to keep doing ev-
station in Murrieta, California, where the agency intends to process some of the immigrants who have flooded the Texas border
with Mexico. Earlier a crowd of protesters blocked buses carrying women and children migrants who were flown in from overwhelmed Texas facilities. The Border Patrol had to take the migrants elsewhere. Later, Obama and his wife, Michelle, welcomed hundreds of military members and their families, including the new citizens, to a barbecue on the South Lawn that was sponsored by the USO, a nonprofit organization that provides services and entertainment to U.S. troops and their families. The event featured a concert by the rapper Pitbull, along with prime seating for the fireworks on the National Mall. Obama said that since the nation's founding 238 years ago the U.S. has become the ``greatest democratic, economic and military force the world has ever known'' and a beacon for others looking on from beyond its borders. The President explained that he had other reasons to celebrate. ``This is always a special day for us because this is Malia's birthday,'' he told guests. His oldest child turned 16. -AP
Afghanistan hails India for easing visa policy NEW DELHI: Afghanistan has welcomed easing of visa regime by India for Afghan travelers and thanked the Narendra Modi government for acting upon its repeated requests to further facilitate people-topeople contacts between the two countries under the key provisions of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2011. "We are delighted by the announcement of a liberal visa policy for Afghans as a direct result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firm commitment to further deepening the ancient and strategic ties between Afghanistan and India," Afghan Ambassador here Shaida M Abdali said. In a relief to hundreds of vis-
iting Afghans, India has announced a new liberal visa policy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
for the citizens of the war-ravaged country that include allowing up to two years stay and exemption from reporting to police by the senior citizens and children. The new visa policy for Afghanistan nationals was being introduced on humanitarian grounds for two years. In addition to thousands of Afghans residing in India, there are more than 10,000 Afghan students studying across India, while hundreds of Afghans daily visit India for business and medical tourism and the new visa policy will facilitate their travel to and stay in India, a release from the Afghanistan embassy said here. -PTI
Immigration Post
July 11, 2014
India Post 45
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White House announces Immigration Reform plan CYRUS D. MEHTA
P
resident Barack Obama an nounced on June 30 that because House Speaker John Boehner has told him that Republicans in the House of Representatives will not pursue immigration reform legislation this year, he has directed Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson and Attorney General Eric Holder to identify administrative actions that can be taken "to try to fix as much of the immigration system as possible." He said he does not "prefer taking administrative action," and that he takes executive action "only when we have a serious problem…and Congress chooses to do nothing." Noting that "there are enough Republicans and Democrats in the House to pass an immigration bill today," President Obama said he had "held off on pressuring them for a long time to give [House Speaker John] Boehner the space he needed to get his fellow Republicans on board" with immigration reform legislation. President Obama also sent a letter on June 30 to congressional leaders asking that they "work with me to address the urgent humanitarian challenge on the border, and support the immigration and Border Patrol agents who already apprehend and deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants every year." The letter notes, among other things, that the Departments of Justice and
Obama administration will submit a related "formal detailed request when the Congress returns from recess." Unaccompanied children Also, on June 20, President Obama directed DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate a government-wide response to the increase in unaccompanied children entering the United States from Central America. A White House fact sheet said the first priority "is to manage the urgent humanitarian situation by making sure these children are housed, fed, and receive any necessary medical treatment." The fact sheet notes that the United States will also increase enforcement and partner with "our Central American counterparts in three key areas: combating gang violence and strengthening citizen security, spurring economic development, and improving capacity to receive and reintegrate returned families and children." White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, "We're going to open up some additional detention facilities that can accommodate adults that show up on the border with their children. And we're going to deploy some additional resources to work through their immigration cases more quickly, so they're not held in that detention facility for a long time,
“We're going to deploy some additional resources to work through their immigration cases more quickly, so they're not held in that detention facility for a long time, and hopefully [will] be quickly returned to their home countr[ies]." Homeland Security are deploying additional enforcement resources, including immigration judges, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys, and asylum officers, "to focus on individuals and adults traveling with children from Central America and entering without authorization." Shelters have been opened at three military bases, according to reports. The letter states that the
and hopefully [will] be quickly returned to their home countr[ies]." He blamed much of the influx on misinformation intentionally "propagated by criminal syndicates in Central America." In Guatemala, Vice President Joe Biden recently met with regional leaders to address the increase in unaccompanied children and adults coming with their children to the United States and to
discuss efforts "to address the underlying security and economic issues that cause migration." The Obama administration announced the following related efforts: • The U.S. government will provide $9.6 million in additional support to Central American governments for receiving and reintegrating their repatriated citizens. "This funding will enable El Sal-
by soon announcing a substantial new Crime and Violence Prevention program. • USAID is calling for proposals to support new public-private partnerships through the Global Development Alliance to increase economic and educational opportunities for at-risk youth in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. • The United States also plans to provide $161.5 million this year
USAID is calling for proposals to support new public-private partnerships through the Global Development Alliance to increase economic and educational opportunities for at-risk youth in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras vador, Guatemala, and Honduras to make substantial investments in their existing repatriation centers, provide training to immigration officials on migrant care, and increase the capacity of these governments and non-governmental organizations to provide expanded services to returned migrants." • In Guatemala, the United States is launching a new $40 million U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program over five years to improve citizen security. "This program will work in some of the most violent communities to reduce the risk factors for youth involvement in gangs and address factors driving migration to the United States." • In El Salvador, the United States is initiating a new $25 million Crime and Violence Prevention USAID program over five years that will establish 77 youth outreach centers in addition to the 30 already in existence. "These will continue to offer services to atrisk youth who are susceptible to gang recruitment and potential migration." • In Honduras, under the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), the United States will provide $18.5 million to support community policing and law enforcement efforts to confront gangs and other sources of crime. In addition, USAID will build on an existing initiative to support 40 youth outreach centers
for CARSI programs "that are critical to enabling Central American countries to respond to the
region's most pressing security and governance challenges. On an ongoing basis, the United States is providing almost $130 million in ongoing bilateral assistance to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala for a variety of programs related to health, education, climate change, economic growth, military cooperation, and democracy assistance. • The United States is collaborating on campaigns to help potential migrants understand the significant danger of relying on human smuggling networks and to reinforce that recently arriving children and individuals are not eligible for programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and earned citizenship provisions in comprehensive immigration reform currently under consideration in the U.S. Congress. Cont'd on Page 46
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Immigration Post
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Indian doctor wins deportation battle MELBOURNE: A 38-year-old Indian doctor convicted of sexually assaulting a patient in Australia has won a legal battle to overrule an executive decision to deport him on character grounds. Perth-based Suhail Ahmad Khan Durani was jailed for more than 18 months for assaulting a 19-year-old woman while examining her at Royal Perth Hospital's emergency ward in February 2010. In May last year, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) had allowed Durrani to retain his Australian visa despite his prison term. Former immigration minister Tony Burke had overturned AAT's decision and Durani was held the day before September's federal election, The Australian reported. He challenged the ruling and the full bench of the Federal Court of Australia delivered a unanimous
verdict in his favor. He was released from the detention centre where he has spent
Suhail Ahmad Khan Durani
the past 10 months and has had his visa reinstated, the report said. His lawyer Shahid Shakur said Durani's case - in the manner of 2007 detention of another Indian
doctor Muhamed Haneef's - was "a most unfortunate example of misuse of power." "Locking up people like Dr Haneef and Dr Durani, who held valid visas and were lawful non-citizens, not unlawful non-citizens, should be the exception to the rule," he said. Speaking to media persons after the judgment, Durani said his first goal had been to be reunited with his wife, who is an Australian citizen, and his five-year-old son. It had been a very tough time for the family, particularly trying to explain to his boy what was happening, he said. "I've got no words. It's been a long journey," Durani added. "I'm satisfied with the decision. I maintain my innocence but don't deny my conviction," he said.
White House announces Immigration Reform plan Cont'd from Page 45
• The Department of Justice and DHS are taking additional steps to enhance enforcement and removal proceedings. This includes increasing detention of individuals and adults who bring their children with them and handling immigration court hearings "as quickly and efficiently as possible while also protecting those who are seeking asylum." The fact sheet says this will allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to return unlawful migrants from Central America to their
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approvals will begin to expire in September 2014. To avoid a lapse in the period of deferral and employment authorization, individuals must file renewal requests before the expiration of their current period of DACA. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages requestors to submit their renewal requests approximately 120 days (four months) before their current periods of deferred action expire. On June 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an-
The first Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approvals will begin to expire in September 2014. To avoid a lapse in the period of deferral and employment authorization, individuals must file renewal requests before the expiration of their current period of DACA. home countries more quickly. • The fact sheet notes that in FY 2013, ICE removed 47,769 undocumented individuals who came to the United States from Guatemala, 37,049 from Honduras, and 21,602 from El Salvador. This represents approximately 29% of all ICE removals. DHS announces DACA renewal process The first Deferred Action for
nounced the process for individuals to renew enrollment in DACA. USCIS has updated the related form to allow individuals previously enrolled in DACA to renew their deferral for a period of two years. As of June 5, USCIS has begun accepting renewal requests. USCIS will also continue to accept requests for DACA from individuals who have not previously sought to access the pro-
gram. As of April 2014, more than 560,000 people have enrolled in DACA. Those who have not continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, are ineligible for DACA. Individuals may request DACA renewal if they continue to meet the initial criteria and: • Did not depart the United States on or after August 15, 2012, without advance parole; • Have continuously resided in the United States since they submitted their most recent DACA request that was approved; and • Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety. Enrollees may begin the renewal process by filing the new version of Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals; Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization; and the I-765 Worksheet. There is a $465 filing and biometrics (fingerprints and photo) fee for filing the I765. As with an initial request, USCIS will conduct a background check when processing DACA renewals. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com
Asked about returning to practicing medicine, he said: "We'll take it step by step." Immigration Minister Scott Morrison could appeal the decision in the High Court. In 2007, Haneef was arrested at
Brisbane airport and held on suspicion of involvement in terror activities before being released. The cancellation of his visa was later overturned by a court and in 2010 he was awarded compensation. -PTI
Visa curbs on migrants hits UK talent pool LONDON: The UK government's immigration crackdown has put off highly-skilled workers from around the world from coming to Britain, a new research has indicated. The study, carried out by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, found that British businesses had less access to the global talent pool because of the government's antiimmigration policies. The Observatory's analysis of the UK's Labor Force Survey statistics revealed that the number of recent migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes countries like India, fell from 154,000 in 2011 to 94,000 in 2013, a decrease of 39 per cent. "There has been a negative trend in this number since 2011, when policies to reduce net migration to the UK presumably began to have the bulk of their effects," the report said. Overall, the number of highlyskilled migrants in the UK dropped 10 per cent, from 270,000 to 242,000, between 2011 and 2013. "The net migration target...has clearly had a damaging impact on UK plc by reducing the talent pool available to companies based here," UK business secretary Vince Cable told The Financial Times. "The harder we make it for international companies to employ the very best executives, the harder it is to sell the UK as a place to do business and foster employment opportunities," Cable added. The latest Oxford study is likely to further intensify debate against the government's stringent immigration policy. Critics, including Cable, want foreign students removed from the general immigration figures. The comment by a leading member of the government's coalition partner, Liberal Democrats, led Downing Street to counter the allegations during a regular briefing. "We want a country that succeeds in the global race, is able to attract the brightest and the best and I think you see that we are
able to do that. To give you one specific example, if you look at sponsored visa applications for skilled workers in 2013/14 they are up almost 20 per cent on the previous year," Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesperson said. "I think alongside controlling immigration you can, and we do...compete to attract the brightest and the best," he added. The researchers stressed they could not be certain what had caused the changes in patterns of highly-skilled migrants between 2011 and 2013, but noted government policies as a potential factor.
"The harder we make it for international companies to employ the very best executives, the harder it is to sell the UK as a place to do business and foster employment opportunities," They suggested the economic downturn could have decreased the demand for highly skilled migrants, and that high unemployment triggered by the eurozone crisis could have increased the supply of talented EU migrants. The Conservative party-led government's efforts to clamp down on immigration have already been criticized for damaging the higher education sector. Foreign students bring 8 billion pound a year to the UK, with total investment set to double by 2025. But that forecast has been brought into question as students are believed to be looking elsewhere for courses due to new restrictions on studying in the UK. The Higher Education Statistics Agency has warned of the largest ever drop in people applying to study in the UK. It had found the number of Indian students starting at UK universities was down 26 per cent and the number of Pakistani students down 19 per cent. -PTI
Datebook
July 11, 2014
NEW JERSEY Upcoming Sat, July 12
• Papon Featuring Bollywood Music Venue: Edward Nash Theatre, Raritan Valley Community College, 118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 609-865-9698
Sun, July 20
• Padma Bhushan Dr K.J. Yesudas
NEW YORK Upcoming Sat, July 12 • Hema Malini as Durga Venue: Colden Center Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Time : 8:00 pm Contact : 718-639-2881
Sat, Aug 9 • Kumar Sanu Live In Concert
www.indiapost.com
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Upcoming
Upcoming
Fri,Sat July 11-12 • Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Smith Center at Ohlone College: SummerFest 2014
Sat, July 12 • Dheeyan Marjanian
Venue: Smith Center Amphitheatre at Ohlone College 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont Time: 8:15pm Contact: (510) 659-6031
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: Colden Center, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367 Time: 08:00 pm Contact : 718-639-2881
Sat, July 12
Fri, July 27
Sun, Aug 24 • Mika Singh Live In New York
Venue: Marriott Uniondale Hotel, 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale, NY 11553 Time : 06:00 pm Contact: 732-331-0255
Venue: Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd, NY 11368 Time: 06:30 pm Contact: 347-989-6104
Venue: Vedanta Societies of Seattle, San Francisco and Portland Time: 4:00 to 6:00 pm Guru Purnima Puja Time: 07:30pm Contact : chicagovedanta.org
Venue: Raritan Valley Community College Edward Nash Auditorium, 118 Lamington Rd, Somerville, NJ 08876 Time: 4:00 pm
• Fashion Extravaganza
India Post 47
• Vivekananda Vedanta Society
Chicago
A Workshop on Ritualistic Worship Led by Swami Harinamananda
Sat, July 12 • Devi Sri Prasad Live In Concert Venue: San Jose State University Event Center, 290 South 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95192 Time: 7 pm Contact: 972-655-8849
Sun, July 13 • Bombay Jayashree And Shubha Mudgal Live In Bay Area Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu temple, 450 Persian Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Contact: 510-565-9518
Upcoming
Venue: Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545 Contact: 408-507-1290
Sat, July 28 • Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty Sanskriti Music Venue: Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94566
• J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org
1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's
Time: 05:00 pm
Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes
Contact: 408-887-5948
ATLANTA Upcoming Fri, July 11 • Tamil Mega Kondattam
ILLINOIS
Stars
Venue: Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, GA 30313 Time: 6:30 pm
Tue, July 24 • Aakriti - An Evening of Indian Classical Dance Venue: Joe Mack Wilson Auditorium,Southern Polytechnic State U, 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060 Time: 4:30 am
July 26, 27, Aug 2, 3 • BATA-Cricbay Cup - Proceeds will go to Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF)
Sun, July 29 • Bollywood Dream Girl Hema Malini As Durga
Venue: Fremont and Sunnyvale Cricket Ground Time: 9:00 am
Venue: Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 Time: 6:30pm
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
Sat, July 12 • A Humble Offering - The intellectual journey of Tagore Presented by: Pratham USA, Chicago Chapter Venue: University of Chicago, Logan Theater Time: 7:00pm Contact: (312) 588 7286.
48
India Post
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July 11, 2014
Horoscope
July 11, 2014
India Post
49
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar
JULY 11TH - APRIL 17TH , 2014 (March 21 to April 20)
J
upiter will bring financial relief. Money stuck for long can also come this week. You may be able to get out of the project or a property draining you out for long. People in power will extend helping hand and will really deliver. You may also replace an old vehicle with newer model. Issue involving a child will get quickly resolved to satisfaction.
(September 23 to October 22)
Y
ou will be spending lots of money on family. Some money will also go towards a future trip. You may be suggested minor surgery to overcome a health issue bothering for quite some time. Stick your terms and soon the others will agree. Spouse may have some unnecessary fears in mind, talking will really help calm things down.
(October 23 to November 22)
(April 21 to May 20)
R
ight help is only a phone call away. Once again things will start moving in right. You will receive useful tips and leads from a matured and elderly person. Business will pick up suddenly and you will be more optimistic about life. You may get out of a bad relationship also. You will call few old friends and arrange a small party at your place.
D
eal will be good in short as well as long term. You will make new friends and one of them will give you good leads. Sibling will call to give you very good news. You will spend money on an upcoming trip also. You will be tempted to take a big risk but something will pull you back on last minute. You will relish your favorite items this week.
(November 23 to December 22)
(May 21 to June 20)
S
ome of you may need to travel out of state for business purpose. Listen to spouse carefully, the idea is not bad. Money wise you will stay comfortable and meet all commitments on time. Strong Venus can take you closer to an adventurous person. New job offer will not be bad and you may be slightly reluctant to take the risk at this point in life.
C
hanges may start taking place at work. Some of you will be offered opportunity little away from home. Pending issues with government are about to be decided in your favor. You will be paying more attention to spouse and try to entertain more often. Some of you may decide to appear and start preparing for a highly competitive exam.
(June 21 to July 22)
U
ncertainty will clear in career and you will escape the worst. Jupiter's aspect on Saturn will bring an end to lots of anxiety and bring peace in mind. Some of you will be shifted to another position at job. Money wise you will continue to do fine and find time and resources to entertain yourself. You will be in great demand at the get together.
(December 22 to January 19)
E
xpect some serious prosperity from now and on. Project you had been working on will be accepted opening new doors. A new member will be added in the family soon. You will also overcome few difficulties in life. Mind will stay calm and you will make excellent choices this week. Hard work and patience will yield rich rewards in very near future.
(July 23 to August 22)
S
ome of you may feel discontent with the changes at work and start looking for a new and better environment. You will be tak ing more interest in a child and try to resolve important issues. Some one from a different culture will make an interesting offer. You may be confused whether to go on a trip. It will be better to think twice before actions.
(January 20 to February 18)
T
here will be big change on financial front. Suddenly you will feel relieved. Expenses will stay under control and new opportunity will bring in extra cash. You will be slowly planning a trip also. Do not disclose your strategy to every one right away. Planets in third will make you take some courageous steps to get out of rat race.
(August 23 to September 22)
B
usiness will pick up suddenly and things will be better at work. Jupiter's transit in ninth brings an end to lots of uncertainty clouding your mind in the past. You may visit a holy place or making some contribution to a noble cause. Expect some last minute delay in ongoing legal matters. Isn't it time to get in touch with old friends and relatives.
PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
(February 19 to March 20)
Y
ou will spend lots of time on phone and writing emails. Commitments made long ago will keep draining you out financially. Health will be better and you will be more confident about your actions. Meetings will go very well and you will be given green signal also. Spouse may not agree on everything but support you on major ones.
510-886-4370 www.parashar.com
50 India Post
www.indiapost.com
July 11, 2014
Sonia Gill
Y
oung British Asian Sonia Gill leads a double life as a Bollywood star in India and a council worker in the suburbs of Rose Hill, Oxford. In the UK, Sonia Gill is a civil servant, but in India she is the Bollywood star of five blockbusters and a beauty of the big screen. The 27-year-old spends part of the year working at Oxfordshire County Council, in a regular 9-5 job where she is part of the Blue Badge team and issues parking badges to people with mobility restrictions after processing their applications. In complete contrast to this, Sonia spent last December shooting her latest movie in Punjab, India. The romantic comedy, titled Arsho, has just been released in the UK.
This road to stardom began when a model scout spotted photos of her on Facebook while she was still a Law student at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe. This led to her modeling in Asian bridal magazines. Then at the age of 22 she was offered a role in the Indian film, Let's Play the Game, and flew to New York and New Jersey to start shooting scenes. On her return to the UK a few months later, Sonia was invited to be in television adverts and fashion shows in Mumbai before appearing in her next film, Society Kaam Se Gayi (2011). Sonia says of Society: "I saw people that I had grown up watching. That was a really good experience for me." Her part in Society was followed by of-
fers to start in Hole Hole Ho Jayega Pyar and Shaadi Ke Side Effects before she decided on her latest project, Arsho. She says of her career: "I feel quite lucky because not everyone gets opportunities like these. I feel lucky because I'm enjoying my life and I'm happy." Despite her success, Sonia has remained down to earth, and to avoid being away from her family full-time she joined a job agency local to her UK home in Rose Hill. She has been working in the Blue Badge department as a customer service advisor since January. One of Sonia's sisters, Monica, says: "Sonia is a very humble person and at home she's very family orientated." Indeed, Sonia herself says: "I usually go to India for six months and do a lot of modeling and acting and the other six months I'm usually here because my family is here."
Incredibly, on her latest trip to India, whilst shooting Arsho, Sonia also learnt Hindi: "I did it in a couple of months. I just converse with the locals but I still have a British accent so that works against me." When she's not jetting to India, Sonia leads a normal life in England, and her council colleagues have been unaware until now of her fame in India, where she is recognized frequently by fans. Sonia lives in her family home in Rose Hill, with parents Prem, 60, and Meena, 55, who moved to England from India in their teens, and sisters Bobbie, 38, and Monica, 31, and brother Roger, 35. Arsho was released internationally on June 13, and the Indian romance is set to be another marker in Sonia's career. Keep watching, as you should be seeing Sonia Gill on a silver screen near you very soon! -Courtesy http://www.desiblitz.com
"I usually go to India for six months and do a lot of modeling and acting and the other six months I'm usually here because my family is here."
July 11, 2014
India Post 51 www.indiapost.com
Ashton Kutcher turns Bollywood star!
H
e may not be ready for a spot on Dancing With The Stars but hunky actor Ashton Kutcher might pull off his first dance when he marries Mila
Kunis. The sexy Two and a Half Men star looked as if he was vying for a role in a Bollywood film as he took to the dance-floor at a friend's
wedding at the weekend, dressed in traditional Indian attire. The father-to-be ditched his usual casual clothing and wore a red turban and dhoti kurta for the performance at the lively ceremony in Italy. Let's face it, he looks good in anything. Ashton, 36, and Mila, 30, who got engaged three months after Ashton divorced Demi Moore, flew in from Los Angeles for the Sikh ceremony. Pregnant Mila, who also wore a traditional Indian gown and showed off her bump, sat in the audience, no doubt cringing slightly, as she watched her fiancĂŠ glide across the floor and attempt a few lifts like Patrick Swayze. The actor danced with a redheaded female friend, who appeared to find the whole thing hilarious, as he tried his best to look the part and entertain the bride and groom, along with their wedding guests. His performance may make up
his appearance in an online advert for Pop Chips in 2012, in which he 'blacked up' and put on a strong accent to play the role of an Indian movie executive. As you can imagine, it didn't go down well. The advert was scrapped after dozens of people complained on Twitter and Keith Belling, the company CEO, had to apologize for the fiasco. He said their team had "worked hard" to create a light-hearted parody featuring a variety of characters that was meant to "provide a few laughs", although, not many people found it funny. Mr Belling added: "We did not intend to offend anyone. I take full responsibility and apologize to anyone we offended." Hopefully after Ashton's attempt at embracing the Indian culture, all will be forgiven. Good work. Now we can't wait for his first dance with Mila at their own wedding. Courtesy www.mirror.co.uk
Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher and Mila-Kunis
Esha: I want to romance all the Khans
I
n a freewheeling chat, hottie Esha Gupta talks about what made her stick to her gut feeling to go strong in Bollywood. Excerpts: Do you consider yourself lucky to have got into a privileged league of films and co-stars in Bollywood? For me, privilege is not becoming an actress, but to have all my limbs working so that I get to stay fit and get going in life. No doubt, I've been lucky, but there's been lot of hard work and struggle behind everything that I have got today. My family is not from Mumbai. There has been lot of struggle in my life before I could become an actress. What made you move from modeling to acting? It is just a coincidence. I did not really think of Bollywood and was doing modeling but at that time I
decided not to quit and take forward whatever I have in my career. This was when my mother was really unwell. She was suffer-
Esha Gupta
ing from brain tumor. When I saw my mother in and out of the hospital struggling in life getting treatment for three years, I decided at that point of time that I should look forward and not backwards in life. Life is too short. Even now, I won't move back, I'll only move forward because life is quite unpredictable. By God's grace my mother's doing well now. I live alone in Mumbai. Emotionally it becomes very difficult because I live alone and manage my life and career all by myself. It really matters when you have a strong family. For me my mother is my best friend, my dad's my punching bag. We are a close knit family. What defines you as a person? I am practical and realistic, at the same time I am also ambitious and energetic. My
policy in life - I want to see myself reaching where everyone wants to, in fact beyond all that actually. Would you like to juggle between modeling and acting now or just focus on acting? Acting, definitely because I love acting. I got lucky to have done different genres till now. A full on romantic film like Shah Rukh Khan does and an Akshay Kumar like action movie as a lead are my
dream roles. I have been into sports all my life. I have got so many medals, in race, athletic, basketball. I don't really know how to action, but would really want to take up an action movie. And the Khans are the ones who everyone wants to work with in Bollywood. I got lucky to work with one of the Khans (Saif Ali Khan in Humshakals), now I am waiting for the others.
52 India Post
July 11, 2014 www.indiapost.com
Performer drapes, lights firecrackers on body COOPERSVILLE, Mich.: John Fletcher gets a bang out of firecrackers - especially those he wraps around himself. The 51-year-old Michigan performer's act includes setting off 10,500 firecrackers attached to his body, The Detroit News reported. ``I guess I'm a little nuts,'' said Fletcher, who goes by the name Ghengis John the Human Firecracker. ``I got a little bit of `Hey, look at me.''' He performed last weekend before 300 people and four firefighters at a motorcycle rally in the western Michigan town of Coopersville. It was one in a string of shows that Fletcher said would be his last. He has yet to keep those promises. ``He's getting too old,'' Sharon
Warner, a friend of Fletcher's, told the newspaper. ``I've been telling him that a long time.'' Fletcher said that over 16 years, he has set off 600,000 firecrackers attached to his body. His ribs have been fractured 17 times and once Fletcher says he was knocked un-
from Pinckney doesn't get paid for his performances and asks audiences to donate to charities. It costs $140 and takes two weeks to put together his firecracker suit, which are strands of firecrackers are glued to four leather sheets Fletcher hangs over
He performed last weekend before 300 people and four firefighters at a motorcycle rally in the western Michigan town of Coopersville. It was one in a string of shows that Fletcher said would be his last. He has yet to keep those promises. conscious. He also has been burned. The gravel pit scale operator
his abdomen, back and arms. He wears safety glasses and a compressed leather vest.
At the motorcycle rally, a volunteer lit the fuse for the firecrackers, and pretty soon, Fletcher began to snap, crackle and pop for about 45 seconds. Emergency medical technicians checked him over for injuries. The most serious ap-
peared to be a bloody nose. `This is why you never do this at home,'' Fletcher told the newspaper. To that, a paramedic replied: ``This is why you never do it.'' AP
Runner returns to Alaska foot race after fall SEWARD, Alaska: The whole city of Seward seemed to have Matt Kenney's back. Escorted by 40 or 50 people who gathered behind him for the final kilometer of the 87th edition of Mount Marathon, Kenney made a triumphant, emotional return to the mountain that nearly stole his life two years ago. Kenney, 43, successfully completed the perilous journey up and down the 3,022-foot peak that is home to Alaska's oldest and most famous footrace. Wearing a helmet that bore a ``Love your brain'' sticker - a nod to the traumatic brain injury he suffered when he careened 30 feet down the mountain during his descent in the 2012
handshakes, hugs and atta-boys. ``Awesome, buddy, awesome,'' said one. ``I'm on top of the world,'' Kenney said. The last time Gretchen waited two hours for Kenney at the finish line was the day Kenney didn't make it to the finish line. ``She kept looking at her watch,'' he said. ``She knew something was wrong: `He should be here.' She called Brad, and Brad asked her, `What was Matt's bib number?' `Forty-seven.' And he told her, `You've gotta go to the hospital.''' Kenney was a well-established mountain runner before his accident, having completed Mount
Two years after a devastating fall during the Mount Marathon race, Matt Kenney returned to the mountain this year and finished. Dozens of supporters joined him for the last leg of the run down 4th Avenue to the finish line.
race - Kenney beat the time limit by more than eight minutes. He finished in 2 hours, 21 minutes, 26 seconds. Waiting at the finish line was Kenney's tearful wife, Gretchen, and the couple's two children, 13year-old Justin and 11-year-old Savannah, who helped hold up a 10-foot-long banner that said ``WE (HEART SYMBOL) MATT KENNEY.'' ``I'm so proud of you,'' Gretchen said as she shared a long hug with her husband. Friends and strangers alike shed tears as they stood near the finish line cheering. Besides the mini-mob that Kenney collected once he came off the mountain and hit pavement, a parade of fellow runners, whose races had ended more than an hour earlier, came to the finish chute to offer
Marathon in less than one hour. He spent eight months in hospitals recovering from horrific injuries that included a broken skull and a broken tibia. His fall happened the same year a Seward runner disappeared on the mountain and was later declared dead, incidents that prompted numerous changes to improve safety in the race, one of the riskiest footraces in the country. To mitigate the risk, Kenney wore a helmet and was accompanied every step of the way by sixtime champion Brad Precosky. ``He told me when to pick it up, when to take a break, when to take a drink,'' Kenney said. Precosky was one of several people who assisted Kenney's comeback by taking him on hikes and climbs around Anchorage. AP
Philosophy
July 11, 2014
India Post 53
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Page Sponsored by Sahanis U.G KRISHNAMURTI
T
he solution for greed, if at all you are interested in freeing yourself from greed, is to allow that greed to fill the whole of your being. Every cell in your body, everything in that body should vibrate with that greed. By wanting to be free from greed, for whatever reason you want to be free from greed, you are destroying the possibility of freeing yourself from greed. It is the selfishness that will free you from selfishness, and not the preaching or practice of selfishness. Spiritual Conmen Those Zen bastards! They institutionalized meditation. Jokers! I was never attracted to Zen masters. Because they were all the followers of Buddha and what Buddhism tried to preach to the world. So reject it. They institutionalized the whole thing. They invented the techniques of meditation. Q: The Hindus say that the Upanishads are much superior. UG: They have to because they are Indian. Q: At least the Upanishads have not institutionalized those things. UG: They created these metaphysics, the intellectuals. And what you find in Upanishads is not the people whom they are talking about, but the aspirations of those people who 'want' to be that state. That's why Buddha had too much SWAMI TAPOVAN MAHARAJ
A
householder should not conduct himself like a vanaprastha or sannyasin; nor should a vanaprastha or sannyasin behave like a householder". This is one of the important injunctions of the scriptures. A householder should perform all the duties pertaining to his station in life; it is not for him to live like a sannyasin (nor is it desirable to do so). A householder, wise and dispassionate, discharges his duties not out of any desire to enjoy sense objects, but out of conviction that it is his duty to do so. He accommodates sense objects so far as they serve him to fulfill his duties; not for selfish enjoyment. To all outward appearances there may be no differences between him and a purely worldly man. Both perform their duties, but really in their attitudes there is an ocean of difference. Sri Yajnavalkya and Vasishta were householders. Full as they were of jnana and vairagya, they continued to perform householder's duties without relaxation. Confronted with agitation Yajnavalkya used to say, "To how many persons I have taught Brahma Vidya, how many of them
intellectual nonsense. That fellow didn't have the guts, sir, to go to the end. And when he had this experience he said, as long as there is a single soul imprisoned in the veil of illusion I refuse to enter the gates of Nirvana. He never entered the gates of Nirvana - he refused for the sake of mankind; like the politicians talking of mankind, humanity, you know? And then for the first time in the history of mankind he introduced the element of
But then Jainism spread in the South, not Buddhism. That's why you have so many Jain temples. The place where I grew up is called "the place of temples". Not Buddhist temples, but Jain monasteries. A lot of prostitutes lived there, along with of course‌they go together: prostitutes and spiritual teachers. It is not a religion. Q: But what is the story that he refused to enter paradise? UG: He didn't have the guts. He stopped with some pretty little
It's a sales speech. They sell that stuff to the poor people. There is authority for them. The filthy word using - enlightenment. Sorry, sir. Q: Buddha had authority? UG: No, no, not at all. It was all political, the man, the King Ashoka. Otherwise, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam would have remained small cults. They became the instruments of power. They forced‌of course, they didn't use violence here in this country, but when Buddhism spread to Japan,
Through greed you'll be free from greed
U.G Krishnamurti
What you find in Upanishads is not the people whom they are talking about, but the aspirations of those people who 'want' to be that state. That's why Buddha had too much intellectual nonsense
conversion, proselytization. He created a sangha - he moved from place to place, followed by all these people, and he wouldn't allow women to join his order for a long time. There were a lot of protestations. Finally he relented and admitted them also. Then came along - this is my reading of history, take it or leave it - an Ashoka, the King, and he used that as an instrument of power, very forcibly in this country.
mystical experience, like anybody else. Like all these gurus you have in the market place. Even Ramana Maharishi stopped there. All of them. That prevents the possibility of these people coming out with something original. So they have to rely upon the authority of the scriptures, and then they interpret. How can a fellow that has written four volumes talk of enlightenment? And claim that he is an enlightened man? He cannot do that.
particularly, the monasteries maintained armies - trained armies - and supplied them to the rival kings. Sanyasins never existed in India. It is difficult to understand because you are all sanyasins. Because you've made a business out of that. Excerpted from 'Thought is Dead: Moving Beyond Spiritual Materialism'. The 96th birth anniversary of U.G. Krishnamurti will be observed on July 9
have I converted to jnanis! How many of my disciples are immersed in bliss deep in brahma samadhi as sannyasins, avadhutas, starknaked vairagis! Yet, my prarabdham is to be subjected to agitation as a householder!" Were there ever greater jnanis like Vasishta who was the author of Yoga Vasishta or Yajnavalkya,
may have firm dispassion; he may have no desire at all for sense enjoyment; yet, he will have to accept sense objects as a householder. A sannyasin may succeed in doing his duty (uninterrupted contemplation of Brahman) without touching a coin, but a householder cannot do so. Vairagya
householder ought to perform his household duties as duty, as service to God. For him it is indispensable to receive sense objects and deal variously with them. That agitation should result at times from this is inevitable. By nature agitation is sorrow and sorrow is the result of prarabdha. Yet, for them who rec-
Agitation and sorrow are results of prarabdha A householder, wise and dispassionate, discharges his duties not out of any desire to enjoy sense objects, but out of conviction that it is his duty to do so. He accommodates sense objects so far as they serve him to fulfill his duties seer of Sukla Yajur Veda? Oceans of wisdom and vairagya as they were, Vasishta lived with Arundhati performing the duties of a householder; Yajnavalkya lived with Maithreyi and Katyayani. To them it was all a Lila or sport. Without vairagya there can be no Brahma-jnana. Great jnanis were also great vairagis. But dispassion and renunciation are entirely different. A householder
means having no raga (desire) within; rejecting things externally also out of dispassion is called renunciation. A householder may lead the life of a great vairagi and great jnani; but he cannot become a great tyagi as he cannot renounce all objects because he has yet to attend to his duties as a householder. Yet he may live with self control and happiness. What I mean to impress through these examples is this: A
The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the man or woman who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful. - Swami Vivekananda Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success. - Swami Sivananda From a Hindu perspective, you are born as what you need to deal with, and if you just try and push it away, whatever it is, it's got you. - Ram Dass You can't make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable. - Deepak Chopra Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. - Joseph Campbell
Swami Tapovan Maharaj
ognize agitation and sorrow as a form of Brahman it will be possible to find happiness even in the midst of suffering. On a sultry day a man stands hip deep in cold water. From head to the hips he experiences heat; below the hips he feels cold - in the same way. Excerpted from 'Guidance from the Guru', Letter 6, written to Mr and Mrs. Chandrasekhara Menon.
The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge. - Albert Einstein Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. - Helen Keller
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July 11, 2014
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India in Iraq: Need for better focus
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hough Iraq has been a particularly good and politically supportive friend and had episodically been the top oil supplier to India in the past, relations perforce started losing momentum in the wake of US policies after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait; finally, India lost interest in Iraq after the US invaded it in 2003 - so much so that there was no Indian ambassador in Baghdad from 2005-2011. Iraq has suddenly dominated Indian public attention for the past month with India's 24x7 TV news channels orchestrating a shrill campaign highlighting the woes of the families of 40 Indian construction workers abducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) after they took control of Mosul and of 46 Indian nurses posted in a hospital in Tikrit; and pillorying the government's alleged "failure" to protect and/or rescue its nationals. The Indian public needs to be made aware of ground realities because of which these things happen. The 39 construction workers are in a war zone and their exact whereabouts are not known. Since neither the territory, nor the captors, nor the evolution of developments are under Indian control or influence, the government is inevitably completely dependent on others - governments of friendly countries who may have local influence; central and regional governments in Iraq; national and international humanitarian and relief agencies; tribal leaders; militants themselves or other individuals or entities who have influence with the militants etc for their safety and return to India. Efforts have been continuing on a 24 hour basis with such entities - that is the best that any government can do. That is how the rescue of the nurses was secured. India and Indians have always enjoyed enormous goodwill in the Gulf region in particular and in the Arab world in general. This is one of the reasons why Indian nurses were not ill-treated and released. If, despite all efforts, the workers are harmed the government should not be blamed. Not a single country, even those with extremely competent intelligence agencies and foreign ministries, and those that intensively interact with Iraq on a daily basis, had anticipated the blitzkrieg of the ISIL in taking over the Sunni provinces of Iraq.
India Post
RANJIT GUPTA
The consul general of Turkey in Mosul and 23 other consulate personnel were abducted and are yet to be rescued. 100 Kurdish school children have been missing for weeks. Numerous others of many nationalities are missing. Therefore, there was nothing that the Indian government or the embassy could have done to prevent the abduction of the Indian workers. Suggestions that they could have been evacuated in anticipation of events made in hindsight completely ignore how the real world functions. They themselves would not have wanted to leave having made large payments to recruitment and travel agents in India. Suggestions that the commando operations can be
ing paid for duty in war zones. In the context of the kidnapping of the drivers, the government banned the movement of Indians to Iraq for employment, which continued till May 2010. This was lifted after a public demand and hence the trouble now. All this highlights the sad fact and national shame that 67 years after independence, millions of Indians have to go abroad to work in conditions that are conducive to their easy exploitation. In the short term, it is difficult to see how this can be prevented. However, one domestic issue needs to be addressed proactively with a sense of priority which unfortunately no government in the past has done: the nexus between the recruiting and travel agents in
Protest in Hyderabad against the violence in Iraq
mounted to rescue them are completely irresponsible. Exactly 10 years ago something similar had happened. Three Indian truck drivers were kidnapped in Iraq in July 2004 while working for a Kuwaiti company that ferried supplies to the US military in Iraq. An Indian diplomatic team was sent to Baghdad and successfully negotiated their release - they had been captive for 41 days. While negotiations were underway, India witnessed similar frenetic TV coverage as now. However, within a few months of their release, the drivers were back in Kuwait. When interviewed on TV, the same family members who had earlier complained about and criticized the government aggressively said that the men had to earn a living for their family members! This team had learnt to its great surprise that as many as 20,000 Indians were working in Iraq, many of them in various US military camps, the attraction obviously being the high salaries be-
India and employment agents in the Gulf countries - the main reason for the exploitation of Indian workers. This unsavory nexus must be broken and stricter regulations must be stringently enforced. The ISIL has announced the establishment of an Islamic Emirate, which in due course, they hope, would include India. However, there is no reason for major concern because the ISIL is going to be extremely busy in Syria and Iraq to stave off defeat ultimately. However, the Caliphate could be an ideological beacon for misguided or unemployed Indian Muslim youth; however, ultimately causes and remedies thereof lie with the Indian government and civil society, not outside India. Ranjit Gupta is a retired Indian Foreign Service Officer, and has served as an ambassador to Yemen (North) and Oman. He is Distinguished Fellow, IPCS, and former Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)
Media & Modi
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he Delhi media has a complaint against Narendra Modi. It doesn't get invited to Modi functions or on his travel trips abroad. Only Doordarshan, All India Radio and some news agencies are preferred. Modi has also told his ministers not to unnecessarily talk to the media and instead attend to their work. Modi himself prefers to directly talk to the people through Twitter or his blog. He has cut down the intermediaries of the media who reflect their own bias in reporting his events, interpreting them and giving them their own meaning which may not have been intended by Modi. So instead of getting into a controversy by denying the media interpretation Modi has preferred to keep to himself and only talk when major announcements are to be made. There is a reason for Modi keeping a distance from the print and television media. The popular channels and their journalists have a fixation for Godhra and the 2002 riots. They view every development concerning Modi through that prism. They think that is all that people want to know. Modi is not allowing his agenda to be hijacked by busybody hacks whose main purpose is to sensationalize news so as to bring in more readership/viewership for their masters. There was a great media circus surrounding the previous government and its ministers which led to its downfall. According to one analysis, the English media especially news channels that originated with English have typically always been scornful of the BJP, usually in the name of secularism. This is also because most of these are in some way connected to the Congress/ Left parties. "This hostility just increases when it comes to the posterboy of the BJP," it says. These English channels have to cater to the so-called secular mindset that exists in the English speaking audiences. Among the NRIs also if there are groups of Modi supporters there are vociferous opponents of Modi who refuse to look at the whole picture and ignore a great deal about Modi which should provide a balanced view. The former BBC correspondent Mark Tully in his column in Hindustan Times points out the attempt by 75 academics, most of Indian origin, to influence the outcome of the recent general elections. They recalled the "extreme violence by the Hindu right in Gujarat in 2002" but they didn't mention the findings of the Special Investigation Team set up by the Supreme Court. They condemned Modi as authoritarian and pro big business but didn't examine the Gujarat model, nor did they mention that Modi had won three assembly elections winning approval of the people. In fact, the more Modi keeps off media the more it arouses its curiosity. Even in the US tremendous interest is growing about Modi the man and so many institutes want to host him. Senior officials of the US administration want to have a feel of the man before he arrives for the big meeting with President Obama in September. To make this possible, India and the United States have agreed to break from tradition and let New Delhi host their annual strategic dialogue for the second year running. Actually it was Washington's turn to host this round of the dialogue, which has been held alternatively in India and the US since it started in 2009. It was now Sushma Swaraj's turn to make the trip to DC which could have been her first visit to the US as minister of external affairs. But the US wanted India to hold this round again so that Kerry could meet Modi, which he has said he has wanted to, to hand over President Barack Obama's invitation, among other things. Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was in the US recently and he was asked in Washington to describe Narendra Modi. His brief answer was, "He is a strong man with a soft heart. But he means business."
July 11, 2014
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