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IIE confers award on Kapil Sibal Details on page 8

Pravasi Divas to focus on North East investment Details on page 9

India donates additional $20m to Pak fund Details on page 8

VOL 16, No. 838

October 1, 2010

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INDIA, PAK BOTH SAY: VACATE KASHMIR

NEW YORK: Rival India, Pak positions on Kashmir were restated here with the foreign ministers of the two countries asking each other to vacate areas in their possession in statements on the eve of the annual UN General Assembly meeting here. The Organization of Islamic Conference, also meeting here, asked the two countries to resolve the dispute peacefully. Stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna asked Pakistan to end its illegal occupation of some parts of the state before advising New Delhi. "Kashmir is an internal matter of India," said Krishna, who is here on a 10-day visit to attend the annual UN General Assembly meeting.

3 Indians on Obama's Advisory panel Details on page 7

Dipak Jain appointed next Dean of INSEAD Details on page 7

India, Brazil, SA Fund receives UN Award

Details on page 10

Anand discusses restrictive practices by US Details on page 10

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Should US intervene on Kashmir? Last week’s result

Is it opportune time to invest in India? YES 87%

NO 13%

The Indian visa nightmare

Details on page 8

JS BEDI

Largest see-saw in NY dedicated to Sri Chinmoy

India Post News Service

wo individuals applied for a visa to India at one of the Indian consulates here in the United States. One was a white man, let's call him John Doe and the other was an Indian woman, let's call her Sarabjit Kaur. John Doe wanted to travel around India on vacation whereas Sarabjit Kaur wanted to visit Kiratpur Sahib to immerse her husband's ashes and then pay her respects at Darbar Sahib in Amritsar. Both had valid US passports. Doe got his visa in a flash but Kaur wasn't so lucky. It took her many weeks to meander her way through India's officialdom to finally get a visa. She spent more time in getting the visa than the time she spent in India. Details on page 40

Details on page 6

AFP

Details on page 5

Senate confirms Nisha Biswal appointment

Prime Minister Singh conferred World award

Details on page 10

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 34-35 Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 13-23 Date Book -------------------------- 44 Edit Page --------------------------- 50 HealthScience Post --------- 36-37 Horoscope ------------------------- 46 Immigration Post ------------- 40-42 India ---------------------------------- 43

GOOD-BYE GANESHA: Thousands throng a Mumbai road as a huge idol of Lord Ganesha is transported for immersion into the Arabian Sea on September 22. Ganesha idols are brought home and offered prayers in temporary temples to invoke the deity's blessings for wisdom and prosperity during the Ganesha Festival, which culminates with the immersion of the idols in bodies of water

Life Style ----------------------- 24-28 Philosophy ------------------------- 49 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 45 TechBiz Post ------------------- 38-39 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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October 1, 2010

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Romesh & Sunita Japra Publishers Subhash C Japra Co-Publisher Vikram Paul President Krishan Sharma Mg Director & Joint Editor Ranjana Sodhi Managing Editor Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor Naresh Sodhi General Manager Ghanshyam Bisht Supervisor Graphics SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising Sonia Sidhu Management Analyst Radhika Jhamb Correspondent Sudesh Kumari Correspondent Deepa Japra Youth Post Correspondent Rama Mehra Advertising Bhumi Bhutani Health Science Correspondent Jaya Gautam Correspondent Sujata Singh Correspondent Sirisha Chandraraju Correspondent Isha Patnaik Correspondent Raaj D. Photo Journalist Los Angeles Mrs Shashi Trivedi Bureau Chief J S Bedi PR & Marketing Mrs Prem Kishore Sr Correspondent Greg Heffernan Correspondent Ms Bobby Sharma Correspondent Babeeta Kaur Dhillon Correspondent Pavan Kaur Bhatia Correspondent CHICAGO Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor A Q Siddiqui Correspondent ST. LOUIS Ashwin Patel Correspondent NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. Chakravarty Correspondent Nikita Japra Correspondent Sukhvinder Saini Circulation ATLANTA Sanjay Saggere Bureau Chief FLORIDA B K Madnani CANADA Firdaus Ali Correspondent BOSTON Gope Gidwani Bureau Chief DETROIT Ashok B Jain, M D Bureau Chief Gurminder Singh SAN DIEGO Neelu Bhardwaj Bureau Chief SACRAMENTO Madan Sharma Bureau Chief Janak Sidhra Correspondent Upen Shukla Correspondent

October 1, 2010

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Publisher’s Diary

oreign Minister S.M. Krishna, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defense Minister A.K. Antony, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of Communication & IT Sachin Pilot, Minister of Commerce Anand Sharma, Minister of Human Resources Kapil Sibal… that sure is the top rung of India's Cabinet ministers, and if you are wondering why they have been listed here… well, between September-October, they are all here in the US besides a retinue of Cabinet Secretaries, and other miscellaneous government officials, and other support staff for various purposes from government business, international cooperation, bilateral exchanges, conferences, seminars, community events, to personal business. Just a month earlier, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was here to launch his party's North America chapter. Along with him came two more ministers Praful Patel and Chagan Bhujbal, for promoting their political party's agenda. And a month before that Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi was in town for something or the other. Of course currently the United Nations General Assembly is in session which calls for participation and a number of bilateral meets on the sidelines; then there are the "high level" meetings to pave the way for President Obama's forthcoming visit to India; and the routinely ongoing strategic meetings to carry forward the Indo-US agenda of mutual cooperation. But I do wonder how necessary it is for Indian ministers and bureaucrats to make a beeline to the United States as often as they come here given any reason at the slightest drop of an invitation. My biggest beef with these ministers is when they come to attend community events, especially since their speeches on US NRIs being the pride of India and soliciting funds for 'investments' back home never seem to change. What's worse is it's not just the ministers, but miscellaneous lower level legislators and bureaucrats too rack up crores of rupees in foreign travel bills on the exchequer with such impunity that it makes me sick wondering how they get away with it. Who's to blame, who's to be held accountable, who's to answer?

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Lara in love Lara Dutta announces engagement with tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi who gave her a diamond ring designed by himself.

Cover Story: ‘Vacate Kashmir’ Rival India, Pak positions were restated here with the foreign ministers of the two countries asking each other to vacate Kashmir.

Community: Tipped Governor

Indian Americans recently organized a banquet dinner program in honor of Nikki Haley at Ashyana Banquets in Chicago.

India: Amritsar protest Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura objects to Air India plan to route Canada flights from Delhi instead of Amritsar.

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Life Style: Krishan vs. Kanhaiya SB Entertainment presented one of Bollywood's best actors and top comedians, Paresh Rawal, in a hilarious new play.

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Travel: Agartala The capital of Tripura, Agartala, is a mini storehouse of rich cultural diversity due to proximity with Indo-Bangla border.

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October 1, 2010

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India, Pak both say: Vacate Kashmir

India's Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna addresses the Millennium Development Goals Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York, September 22

back to Delhi and they have had wide ranging discussions across the board from all shades of opinion. "So, Government of India is fully conscious of its responsibilities... institutional mechanism and individual mechanism will be put in place so that the genuine grievances of Kashmir and the people of Kashmir will be addressed squarely and directly," the External Affairs Minister told NDTV news channel. Pak seeks US intervention

Pointing out that Pakistan is in ‘illegal occupation of some parts of Jammu and Kashmir’, Krishna said, ‘it is desirable that they vacate that and then start advising India as to how to go about doing things in Kashmir.’ asked Pakistan to end its illegal occupation of some parts of the state before advising New Delhi. "Kashmir is an internal matter of India," said Krishna, who is here on a 10-day visit to attend the annual UN General Assembly meeting. Pointing out that Pakistan is in "illegal occupation of some parts of Jammu and Kashmir", Krishna said, "it is desirable that they vacate that and then start advising India as to how to go about doing things in Kashmir." "We have taken certain actions in terms of assisting what needs to be done in Kashmir... An all party delegation has just gone

Pakistan has meanwhile asked the international community, particularly the US, to intervene in Kashmir in resolving the contentious issue which is central to peace in the region. "The occupation cannot continue. The rights of the Kashmiri people cannot continue to be denied," Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said while speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, a New Yorkbased think-tank. "We call upon the United States particularly, which is pressing so responsibly for peace in the Middle East, to also invest its political capital in trying to help seek

an accommodation for Kashmir," he said. Qureshi asserted that resolving Kashmir was central to peace in the region, and likened it with finding a solution to the Palestinian conflict as a fundamental step for peace in the Middle East. "It has always baffled me that the international community has long recognized that the Palestinian question is the core issue to peace in the Middle East, but does not seem to understand that, similarly, until the status of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved, real peace in South Asia will remain elusive," the minister said. "We are convinced that sustainable peace can only offer the best guarantee for ensuring a bright and prosperous future for the over one billion people inhabiting the region," he added. Qureshi, who is here to attend the General Assembly and seek more aid for flood-victims, said the present turmoil in Kashmir is homegrown and was not coming from outside. "Today, the Kashmiri youth, children and women have once again highlighted the occupation and suppressive policies of occupation in Indian held Kashmir," he said. "Surely the world can recognize that this resistance is internal and visceral. It may be easy for some to dismiss the uprisings as outside agitation, but no one any longer can seriously believe this," he added. "The international community must recognize that the people of Kashmir in an entirely indigenous upsurge are demanding their right to self determination," Qureshi continued, noting that the "the UN has long recognized this and now it is the time for the international community to do something about it." Qureshi further said that resolving the Kashmir issue would

also help combat anti-terror activities in the region. "It would be critical for the containment of terrorism, which is fueled and thrives on blatant examples of social and political injustice." Underling that Pakistan was "committed to peace in South Asia", Qureshi said that resuming a dialogue process with India "remains a major objective" for Islamabad. OIC appeal The Organization of Islamic Conference has asked India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue, as a peaceful settlement of the dispute would serve not only the people of the two counties but also the overall interests of the

people of India and Pakistan but also the overall interests of the region," he told the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on the sidelines of the Annual Coordination Meeting. Ihsanoglu said he was concerned over the situation in the Kashmir and had expressed his disappointment at the use of force and violence against the people. "We earnestly hope that the peace process between India and Pakistan becomes result-oriented in addressing all outstanding issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir," the Turkish-origin Secretary-General said. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister of Turkey Ahmet

S.M.Krishna External Affairs Minister, Brazil Foriegn Affairs Minister Celso Amorin (left), Indonesia Foriegn Minister Martynata Legawa (2nd R) and South African Ambassador L.Pepani (2nd L) at a meeting on Palestine †in NY on September 21. Pic Mohammed Jaffer/SnapsIndia

region. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that he had urged India to seek a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue. "A peaceful settlement of the dispute would serve not only the

Davutoglu and senior representatives from Saudi Arabia and Niger attended the meeting. The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations and has membership of 57 states spread over four continents.-PTI

India pursuing 'inclusive growth' schemes: Krishna UNITED NATIONS: Though India still has to travel a long distance to eradicate poverty, it is pursuing "inclusive growth" schemes which have been designed to ensure that all sections of society benefit from them, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has said. "We need to, however, be cognizant that the largest concentration of poor in the world continues to remain in India and South Asia," Krishna said at the closing

session of the three-day Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) summit here. Though India still has to travel "a long distance to put poverty behind us," the country should not be "underestimated," he said. Krishna asserted that New Delhi is pursuing schemes of "inclusive growth" so that the fruits of growth reach everyone. "This, indeed, is the main objective of India's ambitious socioeconomic development pro-

grams," he said. The summit was convened to assess where the world stands in terms of achieving the eight social and economic targets by 2015. These MDGs include eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/ AIDS and ensuring environmental sustainability. Cont’d on page 7

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October 1, 2010

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Prime Minister Singh conferred World Statesman Award and Islam came to In- as Finance Minister and Prime dia very soon after Minister of India. their revelation. ToAccepting the award on beday, 160 million Mus- half of Prime Minister Singh, lims are contributing Ambassador Shankar said the to India's nation prime minister profoundly bebuilding efforts." lieves in the mission of the ApIn the context of peal of Conscience, which is events of 9/11 and 26/ building bridges across reli11 (in Mumbai), Singh gions. "In India we don't besaid, "We simply lieve any religion has a premium cannot afford to de- over any other," she said. fine communities, soAddressing the who's who of cieties and religions the world leadership, President based on the action Shimon Peres mentioned that of a small group of in- one of the most famous poets dividualsâ&#x20AC;Ś As I have of India - Nissim Ezekiel - was John Elkann, Chairman, Fiat Group, Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Cooften said, terrorism Jewish. He said the Middle East Founder, the Blackstone Group, Indian Ambassador to the United States Meera Shankar anywhere threatens was at a new beginning of and Rabbi Arthur Schneier (Left to Right) at Appeal of Conscience Foundation Annual Awards Dinner. Pics by Diane Bondareff peace everywhere. peace efforts and prophesied Poverty anywhere, that "we shall definitely see SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY Henry Kissinger, and Chairman of undermines prosperity every- peace." President Peres spoke about India Post News Service the President's Economic Recov- where. It is, therefore, in all our interests to seek a world free of the important role that India is ery Advisory Board Paul Volcker terror, free of poverty, free of tyrplaying in the modern day poNEW YORK: At a glittering also addressed the international anny." litical world and thanked India gathering that brings together black tie dinner event in New York On India's growth, Singh said, for being a friend to Israel City on Sept 21, dozens of heads leaders of business, public and reIn his remarks lauding Prime of state, industry leaders, media ligious life, members of the diplo- "I am convinced that the sociostars, members of the diplomatic matic corps, and prominent reli- economic transformation of a Minister Singh, Under Secrecorps and several multi-faith spiri- gious leaders of the Christian, population as large as India's tary of State Burns said on betual and religious leaders brought Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and within the framework of a demo- half of President Obama and cratic polity will have profound Secretary Clinton that there together by a shared vision of re- Hindu communities. "The three honorees have pro- implications on which way the could truly be no better choice ligious tolerance in the world, and no better model of what invided leadership for strengthen- world will head in the future." joined in to celebrate the presentDelivering the commendation tegrity and statesmanship are ing of the World Statesman Award ing peace through international to Indian Prime Minister Dr. and intercultural cooperation address, Dr. Henry Kissinger all about on the world stage. Secretary Burns called Prime Manmohan Singh by the Appeal while respecting the diversity of praised Prime Minister Singh for our civilization. They have all his leadership, which has been Minister Singh a man of uncomof Conscience. India's Ambassador to the made a difference for the benefit instrumental in the economic mon decency and grace who United States Meera Shankar ac- of humanity," Rabbi Schneier said. transformation underway in In- never lost sight of his responThe Prime Minister, in his re- dia. He described Singh as a sibility to lead every Indian. "A cepted the award on behalf of the Prime Minister who delivered his address to the audience in a video presentation in the ornate Grand A 'surprise' guest at Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria the event was Nobel hotel in Manhattan. President of Appeal of Con- laureate and Presiscience and founder of this interfaith coalition of business and re- dent of Israel Shimon ligious leaders Rabbi Arthur Peres, who, Rabbi Schneier said Prime Minister Schneier said had Singh was being awarded as a leader of integrity who has earned not been on the the respect of his people, for his guest list, but had commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and peace in himself called to say the service of humanity. he wanted to join in John Elkann, the 34-year old Chairman of Fiat Group received when he heard Dr. Henry Kissinger, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Rabbi Arthur the Appeal of Conscience Award about the honorees Schneier at Appeal of Conscience Foundation Annual Awards Dinner for his contribution to international and intercultural cooperation, and Stephen A. Schwarzman, corded acceptance speech said, Statesman with vision, persis- member of the Sikh religion, he Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of "I accept this Award on behalf of tence and integrity. He empha- is the first Prime Minister of Inthe Blackstone Group received a people who have lived in this sized the close convergence of dia from a minority faith. He curthe Appeal of Conscience Award sacred land for a millennia and India and US interest in Asia in- rently serves in a government cluding Afghanistan and called that includes a Hindu President for his contribution to education, have lived together. Two ancient Sanskrit sayings for regional countries, particu- and a Muslim Vice-President. the arts and international coop- Vasudhaiva Kutambakam - The larly India to play a greater role The youngest Minister in his eration. A 'surprise' guest at the event Whole World is One Family - and in pursuing ways to bring Cabinet is a Catholic. None of that was Nobel laureate and President Sarva Dharma Sambhava - All peace, stability and develop- should be surprising in a country which has given birth to or of Israel Shimon Peres, who, Faiths are Equal, Singh said, ment in Afghanistan. Dr. Paul Volcker recalled his influenced nearly every major reRabbi Schneier said had not been come not just from India's holy ligion in the world," Burns said. long acquaintance with Prime texts but from its lived experience. on the guest list, but had himself "In the face of much skepti"Hinduism, Sikhism, Bud- Minister Singh and praised called to say he wanted to join in when he heard about the honor- dhism and Jainism were born on both his insights as an econo- cism at home, he held to his conees. Former US Secretary of State Indian soil. Judaism, Christianity mist and his outstanding work viction that the people of India

would gain more by engaging in the global economy than by remaining apart from it. The results of the policies he has advocated are indisputable: during his tenure as Prime Minister, a vibrant democracy of over one billion citizens has grown its economy at an unprecedented 8-9 percent annually, and lifted more than a hundred million people out of poverty. "In the face of long and tangled regional conflicts, Prime Minister Singh has been a courageous advocate of peace and reconciliation. His composure and steady hand have been crucial to sustaining communal harmony at home and to keeping alive the search for common ground with India's neighbors. He has not so much preached tolerance and respect for diversity as he has lived it, through the model he has set and the leadership he has shown," Burns said. "History will also mark with special significance Prime Minister Singh's personal contributions to the emerging partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies, America and India. As President Obama prepares for an historic state visit to India later this autumn, the promise of our partnership, built on strong bipartisan foundations in both our countries, looms bright and unmistakable," Burns concluded. In his lengthy speech, Blackstone's Schwarzman mentioned that his company has over $1.2 billion in investments in India. He said he had had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Singh on several occasions, and said he would be traveling to India soon as he was jury chair for the Economic Times Corporate Excellence awards. Among the dignitaries that the evening brought together were Gjorge Ivanov, President of Macedonia; Ivo Josipovic, President of Croatia; Pal Schmitt, President of Hungary; Emil Boc, Prime Minister of Romania; Joseph Deiss, President of UN General Assembly 65th Session; Ambassador William Burns, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Also present were Preet Bharara, US Attorney; Commissioner Raymond Kelly of NYPD; Bill Blasio, NYC Public Advocate; and Thomas DiNapoli, NY State Comptroller. The awards dinner chairmen included Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton; and Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company.

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3 Indian Americans on Obama's Advisory Commission India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Three Indian Americans have been appointed by President Obama as members of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. F a r o o q Kathwari, Sunil Puri and Amardeep Singh are among Farooq the more than dozen new members of the President's Advisory Commission to be sworn in at the US Capitol on Sept 21. The Commission will work to

improve the quality of life and opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through increased access to, and participation in, Federal programs in which they may be underserved, by providing advice to President Obama and the cochairs of the White House Initiative, Education Secretary Arne Duncan Kathwari and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. President Obama said, "Our nation will be well-served by the skill and dedication these men and

tional; and a direc- ness School. women bring to tor and former Amardeep Singh is the cotheir new roles. I chairman of the Na- founder and presently the Direclook forward to tional Retail Fed- tor of Programs at the Sikh Coaliworking with them eration. He holds a tion, the nation's largest Sikh civil in the months and B.A. degree in En- rights organization. Prior to joinyears ahead." glish Literature and ing the Sikh Coalition in 2002, F a r o o q Political Science Singh worked as a Researcher in Kathwari is the from Kashmir Uni- the US Program of Human Rights Chairman, Presiversity, an M.B.A. Watch (HRW). While at HRW, he dent and Chief Exin International authored its report, "We Are Not ecutive Officer of Sunil Puri Marketing from the Enemy: Hate Crimes Against Ethan Allen Interiors. Kathwari serves on many not- New York University, and also Arabs, Muslims, and Those Perfor-profit organizations including holds two honorary doctorate de- ceived to be Arab or Muslim after the chair of the Kashmir Study grees. September 11." Mr. Singh was Sunil Puri is the President and also an Adjunct Professor at CoGroup; a member of the Council l u m b i a on Foreign Relations; a director sole owner of First of the International Rescue Com- Rockford Group, Inc., University's mittee, the Institute for the Study a real estate developCenter for the Study of of Diplomacy at Georgetown Uni- ment firm he founded Ethnicity and versity; a director and former in 1984. He also sits chairman of Refugees Interna- on a number of Race where he boards including the taught a course Rockford Area Ecoon the intersecnomic Development tion of ethnic Council and the identity and the Rockford College law. He curpublished some 60 articles in Board of Trustees. rently serves on scholarly and professional jourPuri holds a B.S. in the Board of DiAmardeep Singh nals and three books. He has preAccounting from rectors of the sented and lectured at universities throughout the world, and is the Rockford College. He has also South Asian Bar Association of recipient of numerous awards for pursued graduate work at Rock- New York. Mr. Singh holds a B.A. ford College, London Business from Rutgers University and a J.D. teaching and scholarship. Apart from teaching, Jain is cur- School, as well as continuing ex- from Case Western Reserve Unirently involved in two social ecutive courses at Harvard Busi- versity School of Law. projects: creating a business school in Bangladesh, focusing on entrepreneurship and small business management, for women from countries such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan; and starting a full-fledged university in Angola. He is a director of John Deere, the mortality ratio came down from Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 5 Northern Trust, Reliance Industries 570 deaths per 1,00,000 live births and Media Bank. On the issue of climate change to 230 in 2008, India still had the "Management Education must and rain-fed agriculture, Krishna highest rates of maternal deaths include social and environmental described how changing weather in the world with at least 63,000 elements of the ecosystem," says patterns have aggravated the situ- such deaths taking place in 2008 Jain. "For global prosperity and ation in traditionally drought and alone. peace to come in the world, we flood- prone regions in the counOn the sanitation front, a study have to target women. These are try. released last year by the WHO all values that are central to "Our national action plan on and UNICEF found that India had INSEAD, which has always had a climate change will increase the the largest number of persons global approach, has emphasized share of clean and renewable en- that defecate in the open -- 665 diversity in its Faculty, staff, and ergy in our energy mix, increase million. student body, and strives for in- energy efficiency across the Secretary General Ban Kinovation backed by intensive re- economy and expand our forest moon, meanwhile, launched a search." cover," the minister said. USD 40 billion global health iniJain will be introduced at Urging the international com- tiative that focuses on women INSEAD's Leadership Summit Asia munity to act quickly, Krishna re- and children. 2010 in Singapore on Nov 12 and called Mahatma Gandhi's words: US Secretary of State Hillary will assume his duties as Dean in "A small body of determined spir- Clinton along with philanthropist March 2011. its fired by an unquenchable faith Melinda Gates announced a five"On behalf of the INSEAD in their mission can alter the year public-private global alliance Board of Directors, I would like to course of history." on schemes like family planning, thank Frank Brown for his hard On the issue of women and skilled birth attendance and inwork and contribution to the children's health, the minister ac- creasing the numbers of women school during his five-year man- knowledged that India faced and newborns receiving quality date and to welcome Dipak Jain as "enormous challenges" in this post-natal care by 2015. the new Dean of The Business area and said the government's NaThe alliance includes the US School for the World," said Humer. tional Rural Health Mission was Agency for International DevelAs one of the world's leading aimed at providing health care in opment (USAID), UK Department and largest graduate business the rural areas, which is acces- for International Development schools, INSEAD brings together sible, affordable, accountable, ef- (DFID), Australian Agency for people, cultures and ideas from fective and reliable. Another UN International Development around the world to change lives report, released last week, found (AusAID), and the Bill & Melinda and to transform organizations. that although India's maternal Gates Foundation.-PTI

Dipak Jain appointed next dean of INSEAD India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Leading international business school, INSEAD has appointed Dipak C. Jain, currently the Dean Emeritus of Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, as its next dean, succeeding J. Frank Brown, who will step down in 2011. Franz Humer, Chairman of the INSEAD Board, said: "I am pleased that someone of Dipak Jain's caliber and values will continue to develop the school, as Frank Brown has done, and to help secure its future. Frank built stronger connections with our alumni and with the business community and he achieved greater brand awareness for INSEAD. During his tenure INSEAD opened its third campus in Abu Dhabi and established the Blue Ocean Strategy Institute and the Social Innovation Centre. He also increased the participation of women students in the MBA program by more than 50%''. Jain, an American citizen and native of Tezpur, Assam, India, was Kellogg's Dean from 2001-2009, and where he is the Sandy and Morton Goldman Professor in Entrepreneurial Studies and Professor of Marketing, a Chair he has held since 1994. He is a graduate of Guwahati University in India and received a Masters in management science and a PhD in marketing from the University of Texas at Dallas. Humer further commented on the appointment: "The Board chose Dipak Jain to lead INSEAD into what is fast becoming a new global economic climate - one in which emerging markets are growing at a faster rate than the industrialized mature economies of Europe and North America. In this

environment we need to teach solid business and management skills while being innovative, entrepreneurial and instilling a culture of true sustainability. INSEAD's three campuses - in Europe, Asia and Abu Dhabi - allow us to be physically present in three distinct business and academic environments, benefiting from different views on the ground, rather than one far-removed view from a desk." "What attracts me to INSEAD is that it is a true global brand in management education, one with enduring passion and inspired vision," Dipak Jain. "The values that drive INSEAD - including a deep

Dipak C. Jain

respect for the power of diversity; a desire to link theory and practice to address important managerial issues; and an entrepreneurial approach to teaching and research are ideal to meet the opportunities and challenges facing organizations in the coming years. I am deeply honored to be joining INSEAD as part of this global community of scholars and practitioners dedicated to bringing people and ideas together in ways that enhance global peace and prosperity. I look forward to working with all INSEAD supporters as we continue to advance the global efforts of this great institution." A noted scholar in marketing and entrepreneurship, Jain has

India pursuing 'inclusive growth' schemes: Krishna

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IIE confers prestigious award on Kapil Sibal India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Institute of International Education (IIE) presented Kapil Sibal, India's Minister of Human Resource Development, with its Stephen P. Duggan Award for Mutual Understanding, named for the Institute's founder, at an event hosted at the Mandarin Hotel in New York City on Sept 21. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, joined Ibrahim in presenting the award. The award is given to outstanding individuals who further IIE's work in international exchange. In presenting the award, IIE trustee and dinner co-chair S.A. Ibrahim praised Minister Sibal for his "vision of global education and commitment to internationalizing Indian higher education, especially through partnerships with US institutions, promises to provide greater higher education access across India and open India's doors to increased global collaboration." In accepting the award Minister Sibal said he was "indeed honored to have been conferred this very prestigious award...We are

confronting enormous challenges that afflict the global community for which we will need solutions and the only way that that can happen is through empowerment through education. There is no other way that we can combat the challenges of the 21st century." "The challenges are truly global, the challenges of hunger, poverty, of global warming and climate change, of energy, of the way we deal with nature. And all of those challenges cannot be confronted by nations acting on their own. They'll have to be confronted by the global community working together. Education is about intense collaboration in an environment of competitiveness. The environment must be competitive, but the exercise must be collaborative. And it is in this spirit that we in India approach educa-

tion. It is in this spirit that I come here this evening to reach out to you and to say that it is time for us to hold each other's hands to confront the challenges of tomor-

SA Ibrahim, Sam Pitroda and Kapil Sibal

row." A Member of Indian Parliament for over 10 years, Minister Sibal previously served as Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences in the first Manmohan Singh Cabinet, where he supported advances in Indian science and technology as the

India, Brazil, South Africa Fund receives UN Award India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund) received the 2010 MDG (Millennium Development Goals) Award for South-South Cooperation. The Award recognizes the work of the three countries in using innovative approaches to share, replicate and scale up successful development experiences for combating poverty and hunger in other parts of the world through the IBSA Trust Fund. The annual MDG Awards support and raise awareness for the Millennium Development Goals. The award for IBSA was received by high-level representatives of the three countries and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation in the United Nations Development Program at a prestigious gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York on September 19. The IBSA Trust Fund brings together three emerging economies and vibrant democracies that span three different continents in the quest to combat poverty in other developing countries. Each country contributes $1 million an-

Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, Permanent Representative of India to UN and DPR Manjeev Singh Puri†with the†2010 MDG Award for South†South Cooperation to IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa). Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

nually to this Fund which is managed by the UNDP Special Unit for South-South Cooperation. Projects are executed by various UN Agencies and partners on the ground across the globe with a strong emphasis on national ownership. IBSA projects focus on the sharing of best practices and proven

experiences and include initiatives as diverse as improving agricultural techniques in remote villages, reducing urban violence in slums, or delivering safe drinking water. Current IBSA initiatives include projects in Haiti, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Burundi, Palestine, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

foundation for building a more modern, globally competitive India. He has pioneered efforts to open India's doors to increased global collaboration, competence and understanding. Minister Sibal received his MA in History from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, and a law degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. In 1977, he received an LLM from Harvard Law School. IIE's Center for International Partnerships in Higher Education is working on a special partnership initiative this year between US and Indian higher education institutions (ww.iie.org/ cip), and the Institute has recently published a book on educational exchange between the United States and India. Also at the same event IIE pre-

sented Microsoft with the Opening Minds Corporate Leadership Award. The event highlighted Microsoft's support for the Women in Technology (WIT) Program, a partnership among Microsoft, IIE and the US Department of State. Chuck Close received IIE's Fritz Redlich Alumni Award in recognition of his distinguished career as a world-renowned artist whose life and works have increased mutual understanding, and his status as an alumnus of the Fulbright program, which is sponsored by the US Department of State. According to IIE President and CEO Allan E. Goodman, "The individuals and organizations that the Institute honored realize the potential impact of education on people's lives across the world and represent the diversity of the community that champions international education. They are leaders in business, government, philanthropy and the arts, and they embody IIE's mission. They are a reminder of what is possible when people exchange ideas across cultures, learn from one another and cooperate globally. IIE is proud to celebrate their many achievements."

India donates additional $20m towards Pak flood aid India Post News Service

India decided to send the money through the UN after Pakistan requested it to do so as the UN is coordinating the relief and rehabilitation program. While handing over the check, Ambassador Puri recalled the messages of solidarity, sympathy and support from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the External Affairs Minister, S. M.

NEW YORK: Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations on Sept 17, handed over a check for an amount of $20 million to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York in the presence of the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Am- This $20 million is in addition to bassador Abdullah the $5 million that the Hussain Haroon. The $20 million is Government of India has India's contribution to- already contributed to the wards the 'Pakistan World Food Program for its Emergency Response Plan' launched by the relief efforts in Pakistan UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the wake of the dev- Krishna to their Pakistani counterparts in the immediate aftermath astating floods in that country. This $20 million is in addition of the devastating floods that afto the $5 million that the Govern- fected parts of Pakistan in August ment of India has already contrib- this year. Ambassador Puri also uted to the World Food Program said, "Natural disasters do not respect national boundaries. This is for its relief efforts in Pakistan. Welcoming the contribution a small but significant gesture from from the Indian government, Sec- the highest levels of the Indian retary General Ban said: "I hope Government conveying the mesthis money will be used for those sage that the people of India stand who really need the warm hands by the people of Pakistan in their hour of need." of the international community."

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HAF meet focuses on human rights and religious freedom India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Hindu Americans celebrated results of their advocacy and lauded prominent supporters and lawmakers at the annual Capitol Hill reception sponsored by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) recently. The reception followed a day of intense meetings where the largest delegation of Hindu Americans to date broke into teams meeting with 25 members of Congress and their senior aides. The teams discussed a specifically prepared "Hindu American Agenda" focusing on topics ranging from human rights and religious freedom, to even a House resolution supporting healthy vegetarian meal options in public schools. The reception the same evening, held in the famed Gold Room of the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill, hosted over 150 Hindu American delegates, several lawmakers of the US House, congressional staffers, representatives of several NGOs and media. The Foundation honored four awardees for their "dedication to civil and human rights." Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), co-Chair of the India Caucus, received the Friend of the Community Award. Addressing a packed hall, he spoke of the plight of Hindu Pandits driven out of their ancestral homeland of Kashmir, and the need for the governments of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan to safeguard their religious and ethnic minorities. "As someone who has been to Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Asia and Central Asia, I know of the stories of many of the two million Hindu Americans who have suffered injustices in these countries,"

said Congressman Royce. "It sickens me to think that Pakistan was once twenty-five percent Hindu and is now less than two percent, and to think about the intimidation that is used against Hindu women. The same thing occurs in Bhutan and the same thing occurs in Bangladesh." "Congressman Royce absolutely understands the need to monitor our nation's funding of regimes that are inimical to our nation's interests in democracy and religious plurality," said Jay

The reception held in the famed Gold Room of the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill, hosted over 150 Hindu American delegates, several lawmakers of the US House, congressional staffers, representatives of several NGOs Kansara, HAF's Associate Director. "Each year, HAF publishes a report of human rights violations against Hindus in the Diaspora, and it's alarming the amount of aid given to many of the eleven countries who continue to remain in the report. We demand accountability from our nation's leaders and that is why we come to DC every year to voice our concerns." As Royce focused on the rights of Hindus living abroad, Neal Katyal, Acting Solicitor General for the United States, narrated his family's early experiences as immigrants to this country and the

progress Hindus have made in the United States. Katyal expressed his admiration for the work of the Foundation. Katyal received the Pride of the Community Award for his celebrated role in guaranteeing the rights of detainees in Guantamano Bay, in addition to many other achievements. "I marvel at the fact that the office that I work for, the Solicitor General, once filed briefs stating that the 'teeming millions' of Indians arriving in this country could never integrate in America because they could never assimilate," reflected Katyal. "I think everyone here in the room is proof that such a prophecy was fundamentally wrong. In an environment that is at times worrisome, I applaud the work of the Foundation to promote values of equality and justice not just for Hindu Americans, but for all Americans." The Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism went to Reverend Patrick McCollum, a leading chaplain of the Wiccan faith, who spearheaded an effort to overturn a hiring policy in California that limited the hiring of chaplains to five-faiths: Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Native Americans. Rev. McCollum also joined HAF and 40 other faith based and civil liberty organizations to advocate for the introduction and passing of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act. He spoke on the need for America as a whole to recognize the need for plurality in society. "I want especially to thank the Hindu American Foundation for even acknowledging people who do this work," lauded Rev. McCollum. "In the spirit of accepting the award, I would like to be a representative of all the unsung

heroes, men and women, who work daily to bring about pluralism for all people. So it isn't just me, there are so many people who need to be recognized for this important work." Vishal Agarwal, one of the foremost lay scholars of Hinduism in the United States, received the Dharma Seva Award. He has worked closely with HAF during several national campaigns over textbooks and overcoming biases in academia. Despite the first round of House

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In an environment that is at times worrisome, I applaud the work of the Foundation to promote values of equality and justice not just for Hindu Americans, but for all Americansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; votes after a five week recess coinciding with the evening's reception, several Congressmen also attended to welcome the Hindu American community and express appreciation for the work of the Foundation. Amongst these were Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Jeff Miller (R-FL), Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC). Earlier that day, members of the Foundation's Board of Directors, senior staff and active members fanned out for meetings at over a dozen offices of key House members. They pressed for recognition of the plight of Kashmiri Pandits

in House Resolution 1601 sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone (DNJ), chair of the India Caucus' Kashmir Task Force. In an official statement from his office regarding the resolution, Rep. Pallone said, "The U.S. is being tested more than ever in our determination to protect human rights and ensure peace and security for the people of Kashmir. I will face these challenges head on with you by continuing to advocate for the basic liberties, rights and individual freedoms of all Hindus here on Capitol Hill." HAF also garnered support for the US to urge Pakistan to address mounting human rights violations in that country against Hindus and other minorities. The delegates endorsed a congressional resolution promoting inter-religious dialogue and protection of religious freedom in House Resolution 764. The Foundation added its own voice to those of many community groups demanding more vegetarian and vegan options be added to school lunches to promote a healthy lifestyle by advocating for H. R. 5504. Delegates also encouraged the passing of House Resolution 1593 promoting the development of a national curriculum standard for social studies in American schools in the wake of politically and religiously biased school board proceedings in Texas earlier in 2010. "I think we were successful in getting our voice heard in today's meetings," noted Sheetal Shah, HAF's Senior Director. "We have been building substantial relationships with our nation's lawmakers for nearly a decade, and we hope to continue our dialogue for the benefit of future generations of Hindu Americans."

Pravasi Divas to focus on North East as investment destination NEW DELHI: Showcasing North East as an attractive investment destination and engaging young overseas Indians in the country's development will be among the main themes of next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an annual congregation of Diaspora community, to be held here from January 7. The three-day high-profile annual convention will be addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 8 and President Pratibha Patil will deliver the valedictory address and confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards the next day. The ninth edition of the flagship event of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will also provide the Diaspora community an opportunity to interact with Union Ministers including Finance Minister

Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Road Transport Minister Kamal Nath. Although the three-day event will begin on January 7, it will formally be inaugurated on January 8 by the Prime Minister. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the Northeastern states will be the partner states of the event and government will showcase investment opportunities in the region to the Diaspora community. "We have not been able to showcase the Northeastern states of India the way we wanted. In PBD we will try our best to showcase the region as a potential investment destination," he said addressing a press conference. The congregation will also have

The congregation will also have a plenary session on "Engaging young overseas Indians", besides two other sessions on education and health care services. The PBD conventions, provide the largest platform to the PIOs and NRIs for exchange of views a plenary session on "Engaging young overseas Indians", besides two other sessions on education and health care services.

"The proposed legislation on entry of Foreign Education providers bill will open up new avenues for deeper engagement with Diaspora. Overseas Indians have also excelled in health care sector. So we have decided to focus more on engaging the Diaspora in these two areas," Secretary in Ministry of Overseas Indians A Didar Singh said. Ravi said in the last PBD held earlier this year here, the Prime Minister had promised that Indian passport holders living abroad could get voting rights and government has already made significant progress in fulfilling the promise. Parliament had last month passed the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 to allow NRIs to exercise their franchise in Indian elections.

The bill aims to provide those Indians who went abroad for employment or education but have not obtained citizenship of the country they are residing, the rights to get registered in the electoral rolls and vote in elections to legislatures and Parliament. Asked when the provisions of the bill will come into effect, officials said the President will have to give assent to it and then Law Ministry will have to issue a notification. The PBD conventions, held for some eight years now, provide the largest platform to the PIOs and NRIs for exchange of views and networking on matters of common interest and have been successful in linking overseas Indians to the country of their origin.-PTI

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Minister raises issue of restrictive Largest see-saw in NY practices with USTR dedicated to Sri Chinmoy India Post News Service

NEW YORK: India's concern about the trade restrictive and protectionist policies adopted by the United States in recent months were raised by India's Minister for Commerce & Industry Anand Sharma at the Ministerial Indo-US Trade Policy Forum meet held in Washington DC on Sept 21. At the Forum co-chaired by Ambassador Ron Kirk, the US

jectories, we have to be strong to resist domestic calls and pressures to increase barriers to trade." The Minister also stressed upon the need for a Totalization Agreement between India and the United States that will go a long way towards supporting growth in the Services sector. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders said last week's Trade Policy Forum gave them the opportunity to

Minister of Commerce & Industry Mr. Anand Sharma meeting United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Kirk in Washington, DC on September 21

Trade Representative, Sharma talked about the recent Executive Order of Ohio state Governor that imposes restrictions on outsourcing and the Border Security legislation, that directly impacts Indian software companies and increases their costs by millions of dollars were raised by him. "Protectionism kills growth and innovation. In order to ensure that we continue our high growth tra-

focus together on the state of the burgeoning US-India trade and investment relationship, which is becoming an increasingly significant factor in the economic life and prosperity of our countries, as well as in the global economy. "We held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues, identifying areas for future constructive engagement between the two trading partners. In doing so, we

noted our shared goals of bringing growth and prosperity to our two peoples. At the same time, we were also able to exchange concerns on issues where we differ, recognizing that such issues are a natural part of growing trade and investment linkages between economies as dynamic as those of India and the United States," the statement said. Sharma along with Ambassador Kirk received feedback from the 5 Focus Groups on Agriculture, Innovation & Creativity, Investment, Services and Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers to Trade that work under the TPF. The focus groups held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues, identifying areas for future constructive engagement between the two trading partners. Welcoming the reports of the Focus Groups established under the TPF, the statement said, "Recognizing that more can and should be done to strengthen our bilateral trade and investment relationship, we instructed our Focus Group leads and other staff to redouble their efforts, particularly in the coming weeks before President Obama's visit to India, to take concrete steps towards resolving several issues of concern and to keep senior officials regularly informed of the results of those efforts." Sharma and Ambassador Kirk said they were particularly appreciative of the input provided by the Private Sector Advisory Group and the inaugural meeting of the US-India SME Forum. "Both of these institutions serve to remind us that - just as in the domestic economy - it is private enterprises, and especially those that are small and medium-sized, that are key to maximizing the trade and investment flows that provide sustained employment, higher incomes, and other critical economic benefits."

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: It is 79 feet 2 inches (24.13 m) long and although one finds it usually on a playground, it might be not recommended for children to use this record apparatus: the largest seesaw of the world. If you sit on the side that is up, you are 11 feet 7 inches (3.53 m) above the ground. With the giant teeter-totter Ashrita Furman made a new entry into the Guinness Book of Records. In New York City, the 55-year-old American health food store manager, with the help of 83 helpers who carried the wooden construction from two blocks away, dedicated it to Indian born poet, composer and peace visionary Sri Chinmoy on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Furman said: "As an expression of gratitude we celebrate Sri Chinmoy's 79th birthday with a 79 feet long see saw, which gives happiness to children small and big. Sri Chinmoy himself was such a childlike, happy person and he inspired me to set records with his weightlifting world records. His philosophy is that through happiness we can have peace." It took Furman and his team of 15 people 7 days to construct the teeter-totter weighing almost 13,000 pounds (5900 kg) without the stand. The supersized apparatus works like the ones on the

completing 27,000 jumping jacks. Since then he has broken 299 records on all seven continents, including racing against a Yak in Mongolia to set the mile sack-racing record, doing underwater Aqua Pogo for 3 hours 40 minutes in the Amazon River in Peru and bouncing the fastest mile on

a kangaroo ball along the Great Wall of China. As a teenager Furman got inspired by Sri Chinmoy's philosophy of self-transcendence. Sri Chinmoy himself set many records, such as lifting elephants, airplanes and trucks with a calfraise machine and composing 21,000 songs in his lifetime. Furman attributes his success at breaking records to meditation, which he practices daily for 30 minutes in the morning and in the evening. Meditation helps him keep his childlike spirit and his mental and physical strength which is needed to continuously set world records. Since Furman started 31 years ago, he never stopped setting world records which need a lot of serious preparation or training: "Going beyond

Senate confirms Nisha Biswal appointment to USAID India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The US Senate has confirmed the appointment of Nisha Desai Biswal as Assistant Administrator for Asia of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Biswal most recently served as the Majority Clerk for the State Department and Foreign Operations Subcommittee on the Committee on Appropriations in the US House of Representatives which has jurisdiction over the

State Department, USAID and other aspects of the international affairs budget. Biswal was the Director of Policy and Advocacy at InterAction, the largest alliance of US based international humanitarian and development non-governmental organizations. She was on the professional staff of the House International Relations Committee where she was responsible for South and Central Asia policy as well as oversight of the State Department and USAID.

Biswal previously served at USAID as Special Assistant to the Administrator and chief of staff in the Management Bureau in addition to positions in the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Office of Transition Initiatives. She has also worked with the American Red Cross both in their Washington headquarters and overseas as an international delegate in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Biswal holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia.

playground. "200 guests enjoyed the ride on the see-saw and smiled. I had to smile so much that it even hurt", Furman, holder of 122 current Guinness World Records, including the record for the most records, said. Furman has been breaking Guinness World Records since 1979. His first entry in the Guinness Book he achieved by

your every day capacity is such a fulfilling feeling. The day I break a record I'm just happy the whole day," he says. The Guinness Book of Records is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books. About 120 million copies were sold worldwide since its first publication in 1955.

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Silicon Valley entrepreneur sets up Global School SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: With an aim to molding future global citizens through holistic education, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Narpat Bhandari on September 2, launched the Global School of Silicon Valley in San Jose, California. The school that is geared to offer 21st century education from Junior Kindergarten through 8th grade, is backed by the Singapore-based Global Indian Foundation (GIF), which currently operates 21 highly successful schools in seven countries. For Bhandari and his wife Chandra, this venture is a realization of a dream. "My work on behalf of the Global School has brought my life full circle, enabling me to continue to create and in-

novate while also providing a catalyst for me to give back to the community that I have called home for more than 40 years," says Bhandari. "All of us want to make life better for our children and

Narpat Bhandari

grandchildren, and one of the ways I believe we can ensure this is to provide them with the best

education available." Silicon Valley is the first operational campus in the US and serves as a sound model for future expansion nationally. The Foundation plans to have 100

For Bhandari, a scientist, entrepreneur and mentor with five decades of Silicon Valley experience, taking up this project was an extension of his social entrepreneurship campuses worldwide by 2020. The setting up of the Global School in Silicon Valley is the re-

sult of the vision that Dr. L.M. Singhvi, Founder President of GIF shared with Bhandari to set up a school in the US that propagates the best tenets of global education. For Bhandari, a scientist, entrepreneur and mentor with five decades of Silicon Valley experience, taking up this project was an extension of his social entrepreneurship. "Despite all my work in Silicon Valley, I felt there was still something missing and that I needed to do something for my grandchildren. And so, I associated myself with Dr. Singhvi and Atul Temurkar, the co-founder and Chairman of GIF." Bhandari considers basic high school education being offered in American schools was terrible and that children needed to be molded through a holistic ap-

proach to education. The GIF endeavors to educate the next generation of enterprising and ethical leaders regardless of nationality, and inculcate a sense of social and cultural integration that is critical for them to grow as global citizens of the future. The Global School program is based on a unique tailoring of the curriculum of the GIF network of international Global Schools to incorporate the California Standards and best practices of high performing independent schools in the US. Besides the school's extensive extra-curricular and academic program, its network of 21 campuses in eight countries affords students at the Silicon Valley campus and staff the unique opportunity to connect and share with peers internationally.

Bell Bajao campaign goes global India Post News Service

Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications and IT speaking at a High Lave meeting on (Millennium Development Goal) MDG e Abler at in New York on Sept 21. Pic Mohammed Gaffer-SnapsIndia

Sachin Pilot at launch of Goals eNabler India Post News Service

NEW YORK: On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, India’s Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Sachin Pilot last week participated in a high level meeting along with several government leaders and

chiefs of technology corporations at the Millennium Hotel and the launch of an online set of tools to help achieve world anti-poverty goals. The “Millennium Development Goals eNabler” responds to demand from developing countries for better-fitting means to implement information and communications technology (ICT) strategies

for development. The infrastructure for the portal is being set up under the direction of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development. eNabler serves as a “onestop-shop” for policymakers, planners, project managers and development practitioners to implement national development strategies and programs.

NEW YORK: In a major step forward in its advocacy against domestic violence, Breakthrough's president and CEO Mallika Dutt announced the launch of its global campaign on domestic violence at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). Building on the award-winning 'Bell Bajao (Ring the Bell) campaign in India, Breakthrough will call on men and boys from around the world to champion the cause by ringing the bell to interrupt domestic violence. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has joined the campaign as the inaugural global "Champion", and Breakthrough will align with his UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign as its first global partner. Dutt announced this partnership, as well as the organization's global commitment Sept 21, during the Clinton Global Initiative's Opening Plenary. "We are honored and delighted to have Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as our inaugural champion for the Global Bell Bajao campaign," says Dutt. "Having a leader of his stature will inspire men and boys around

the world to challenge social norms, take a stand against gender-based violence, and promote equal rights for women." Breakthrough's Bell Bajao campaign started in India as part of a three-year Clinton Global Initiative commitment to bring an end to the pandemic of violence against women and HIV/AIDS in that country. Through a series of powerful, award-winning print, radio, and television public service announcements, created pro bono by Ogilvy & Mather, Bell Bajao

has started a national conversation in India by reaching more than 130 million people, enhancing public awareness of laws against domestic violence, and sharply increasing reporting of the crime. So far, the campaign has won a Silver Lion Award at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, adding to the Gold Spike for Best Integrated Campaign at Spikes Asia 2010, the Gold Spike at Spikes Asia 2009, and the Gold and Silver Abby Awards at GOAFEST.

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CLEAN FUN: Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh having a light moment with with the German Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen (center) and European Union Commissioner for Environment Janez Potocnik (left) at United Nations in NY on sept 21. Pics Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

Krishna says CWG will be a success NEW YORK: With the Delhi Commonwealth Games hit by a series of concerns, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna sought to reassure the world that India was determined to make the event a success, and that security will not be a worrying issue. Krishna, who is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, asserted that athletes and participants arriving in New Delhi will be protected and have no reason to worry. "Their security will not be an issue," Krishna told BBC, even as a number of athletes pulled out of the October event that has been marred by delays and lapses. England's world champion

triple jumper, Phillips Idowu, became the latest star athlete to pull out of the scandal-marred Commonwealth Games due to security reasons. The build-up to the Games has also been marred by complaints over unhygienic conditions at the Games Village, and to make things worse a foot over bridge collapsed near the main stadium, injuring 27 people. Commonwealth Games Federation chief Michael Fennell has already shot off a letter to Cabinet Secretary detailing the "unlivable" conditions at Athletes' Village which along with a footbridge collapse near the main Games venue had triggered withdrawal of two

high-profile athletes besides pull out threats from some countries. But, Krishna, put up a confident face saying India had put a lot of effort, and it was determined to make the Games a success. "Come 3rd of October, the international community will be able to see the efforts that India has put in making the Games a success," Krishna said. Earlier this week, two foreign tourists were injured when gunmen targeted their vehicle near Jama Masjid, putting a question mark over Delhi's security preparedness. 'Now call it off!', 'Games in crisis' screamed British tabloids, slamming what are being described as shoddy preparations and a blow to India's pride. The collapse of the bridge near the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and poor living conditions in the Games Village too hogged space in the media, with the leading daily 'The Guardian' asking 'Does this look ready to you?' Responding to a question over the collapse of the bridge, Krishna said, "This is a period of monsoon season, the bridge was under construction".-PTI

Pakistani minorities launch protest outside UN in Geneva India Post News Service

fellow workers who accused him of insulting Islam. Minorities in Orakzai agency and Khyber have been warned by militant groups to convert or leave the area. Threats against Sikhs, Hindus and Christians are the latest in a series of warnings against religious minorities in the NWFP, who have had to pay jizya and submit to Sharia. The Taliban in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) have issued an ultimatum against local Hindus and Sikhs: either you pay "jizya", an Islamic poll tax for religious minorities that is akin to pro-

NEW YORK: The European Organization for Pakistani Minorities (EOPM) launched a threeweek long hunger strike with a poster campaign outside the United Nations in Geneva during the 15th Session of the Human Rights Council Sep 13 to Oct 1. The demonstration will continue till the end of the session and will focus during the demonstration on atrocities against minorities in Pakistan including Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and other communities like Ahmediyas and Shias. The last few months have witnessed unprec- The demonstration will continue edented atrocities on till the end of the session and minorities including will focus during the demonruthless attacks on stration on atrocities against places of worship. EOPM condemned the minorities in Pakistan including brutal attacks and Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and called upon the govern- other communities like ment of Pakistan and In- Ahmediyas and Shias ternational Community to stop the violence tection money, or you leave. Many against the innocent people. According to the EOPM, al- Hindu and Sikh families have although no figures are made avail- ready left for Peshawar and neighable, anecdotal evidence and hu- boring provinces. Some 400 Sikh man rights groups say that attacks and 100 Hindu families have already against Hindus have risen in the left the towns of Bara and Tirah. Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and last two years, with temples and worshippers targeted, especially other minorities throughout Pakiin Sindh province. All the Hindus stan recount numerous incidents worry about the future of their of attacks and threats and express families, especially the children in an overwhelming sense of fear. Minority Rights Group InternaPakistan. Human Rights Commission of tional, a watchdog organization, Pakistan also acknowledges that had ranked Pakistan last year as, Hindus are in danger. Extremists 'the world's top country for major have in the past attacked a Hindu increases in threats to minorities Holi religious festival not far from since 2007'. The group also lists the border with India, set fire to a Pakistan as seventh on the list of Hindu temple and destroyed sev- 10 most dangerous countries for eral shops. A few months ago, a minorities, after Somalia, Sudan, young Hindu worker was beaten Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar and to death at a factory in Karachi by Congo.

CIA runs 3,000-strong covert army to hunt al-Qaeda in Pak NEW YORK: CIA is running a 3,000-strong covert army to hunt down key leaders of Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with US officials saying that the force is proving "highly effective". The heavily-armed irregular force manned entirely by Afghan personnel operates in small units called Counter- terrorism Pursuit Teams is modeled after the US Special Forces, the officials said confirming the disclosure made in new book 'Obama's wars' by journalist Bob Woodward. The brigade sized force, offi-

cials said is "one of the best Afghan fighting force that has made major contribution to stability and security". The stunning disclosures in the book which is making waves for laying bare the policy divisions and the personality clashes among the Obama advisors on the Afghan policy may complicate relations between Washington and Islamabad. The book said the force trained and bankrolled by the CIA and had been operating for nearly eight years to hunt al Qaeda and Taliban commanders.-PTI

Desi News Fruitful dialogue between UCB and clients India Post News Service

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

13 India Post

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BAPS Walkathon at Fremont's Lake Elizabeth

October 1, 2010

Details on page 20

Chicagoans open up hearts & wallets to support Nikki Haley

Details on page 15

Sikh American sues convenience store chain India Post News Service

NY Museum exhibiting 'Scenes from Ramayana'

Nikki Haley addressing supporters in Chicago India Post News Service

CHICAGO: The Indian American Friends of Nikki Haley recently organized a banquet dinner program in honor of Nikki Haley at Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove, a south west suburb of Chicago. Daughter of Indian immigrants

from Punjab, Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Randhawa, is the Republican Party candidate for Governor of South Carolina and looking at the double digit lead that she enjoys over her Democratic opponent, she is set to win. A national rising star in American politics, she was featured on the front cover of Newsweek as the

Details on page 19

Face of the New South. Despite short time of less than three weeks to organize the event, the banquet was attended by more than 200 supporters. There were many prominent members and activists from the Indian community of Chicagoland and Central Illinois. After Nikki Haley was briefed

Included in the introduction via phone were Vikram Aditya Kumar, Future CEO of AVG and his fiancĂŠe Miss Pooja Chitgopeker, MD and also Miss India 2007. The principal donors included Brij Sharma, President and Owner of Power Volt, an electronics manufacturer, as well as Jayshree and

Despite short time of less than three weeks to organize the event, the banquet was attended by more than 200 supporters. There were many prominent members and activists from the Indian community of Chicagoland and Central Illinois

India Post News Service

Nikki Haley with Sikh community activists

Nikki supporters Jayshree Patel and Shalli Kumar

on the evening's program, she was introduced to the organizing team and principal donors by the Chairperson Shalli Kumar, a Chicago based engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and CEO of AVG Advanced Technologies which is a mini-conglomerate of electronics companies with worldwide operations.

Nilam Patel, insurance agents and businesspersons. After the private reception, Nikki Haley and Shalli Kumar entered the banquet hall where they were given a rousing reception and a standing ovation. Nikki Haley is seen as a taxpayers' friend. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 16

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October 1, 2010

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Juveniles in Sinha murder to be tried as adults SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: The five juveniles arrested and charged in the brutal killing of Indian American technocrat Dr. Divyendu Sinha of Old Bridge, will be tried as adults, Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan has announced. The five juveniles were charged with murder after a Family Court judge granted a request by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to move the case to Superior Court, where they will be tried as adults. The five defendants, all residents of Old Bridge, also were charged with two counts of aggravated assault for attacking Dr. Sinha's two sons, ages 16 and 12, during the attack on Dr. Sinha, who died on June 28. All defendants are expected to appear in Superior Court next week. A hearing date was not immediately set. The adult charges were filed after Superior Court Judge Jane Cantor, sitting in Family Court in New Brunswick, signed an order permitting the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to try the juveniles as adults. After the charges were filed, the juveniles were identified as: Cash Q. Johnson (17) Steven K. Contreras, (17) Christian M. Tinli, (18) Christopher Conway, (17) and Julian C. Daley (16). Tinli, who is now 18 years old, was 17 at

the time of the attack and, by law, was initially charged as a juvenile. The judge set bail in various amounts, ranging from $300,000 to $450,000 for each of the defendants, who are being held at the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center in North Brunswick. They must post

defendants post bail, they cannot have any contact with the victim's family and cannot have any contact with each other. In addition, they may not have access to the crime scene or the victim's family's home, including the entire Oakwood housing development, the judge ordered.

The five defendants, all residents of Old Bridge, also were charged with two counts of aggravated assault for attacking Dr. Sinha's two sons, ages 16 and 12, during the attack on Dr. Sinha, who died on June 28 Divyendu Sinha

the full amount of bail before they can be released. Bail for Tinli and Conway was set at $450,000 each; bail for Daily was set at $400,000; bail for Contreres, $350,000, and Johnson, $300,000. At the request of Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Kuberiet, Judge Cantor ordered that in the event the

They also would be prohibited from attending any school or school function in Old Bridge, and would remain under house arrest between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am. The adult charges were filed as a result of the on-going investigation by Detective Greg Morris of the Old Bridge Police Department and Investigator Paul Miller of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

On June 25 Dr. Sinha, while walking with his wife and two sons near his home on Fela Drive in Old Bridge, the attackers came in a car and attacked them. They beat up Dr. Sinha and his two sons. The sons sustained minor injuries, while Dr. Sinha succumbed to injuries on June 28, at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brimswick. The investigation is still continuing, according to the police, and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Morris of the Old Bridge Police Department at (732) 721-5600, or Investigator Miller of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 745-4466. Applauding the court's decision to try the accused juveniles as adults, the Indian American Defense League (IADL) said it would continue to watch the case to ensure that all possible evidence is used to properly punish those responsible to the fullest extent permitted under the law. In case the juveniles make bail, IADL said it would work with city and county administration to ensure every step is taken to protect the Sinha family and ensure they have confidence to conduct their daily life. IADL was formed in response to the senseless murder of Dr. Divyendu Sinha, to support the Indian American Community to defend against such crimes. IADL is working with other community and government organizations to ensure justice is served for the family of Dr. Sinha.

Nikki Haley charms Indian Americans in Dallas

Nikki Haley with Indian youth in Dallas during fundraiser event India Post News Service

DALLAS, TX: Indian American Community of Dallas/Fort Worth gathered in large numbers to support Nikki Randhawa Haley for Governor of South Carolina at a gala fundraising luncheon reception held on Sunday, Sept. 19 at FunAsiA Banquet Hall in Richardson, TX. Welcoming the guests and invitees, Piyush Patel, Vice-President of the Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC), said that it was heartening to see Nikki Haley on the cover page of Newsweek recently as the new face of the South and wished all the best with her campaign. Prasad Thotakura, TX State

Coordinator- IAFC, while introducing Nikki Haley mentioned that

As the strongest fiscal conservative she got re-elected in 2006 and was sent to back to the State House in 2008 with more than 83% of the vote - the highest percentage of votes earned by any lawmaker in that year in South Carolina Nikki after graduating from Clemson University with B.S. de-

Gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley with Board members of IAFC in Dallas

gree in Accounting, worked as an Accounting Supervisor at FCR Inc and five of its subsidiaries. Actually, her first job at the age 13 was to keep the books of her family's small clothing businesses which she eventually helped grow into a multi-million dollar enterprise. Nikki was first elected as a State Representative of South Carolina in 2004 beating the longest serving State legislator. As the strongest fiscal conservative she got re-elected in 2006 and was sent to back to the State House in 2008 with more than 83% of the vote the highest percentage of votes earned by any lawmaker in that year in South Carolina. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 16

The attendes

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October 1, 2010

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Fruitful dialogue between UCB and clients India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A group of Indian American businessmen in Chicagoland led by community activist Balwinder Singh held two meetings here airing their grievances over the functioning of newly acquired United Central Bank. Both the meetings were well attended and had the presence of US lawmakers Congresswoman Jan Schakowski and Re. Danny Davies. It was an erstwhile Mutual Bank headed by banker Amrish Mahajan and owned by Pethinaidu Veluchamy that was taken over by a Houston-based United Central Bank last year. Indian Americans allege high handed and bias on the part of the new management of United Central Bank for the Chicagoland area During the first meeting at Viceroy of India restaurant, over 70 Indian Americans – mostly businessmen having deals with the Bank were present. The second meeting was held with the Bank management and this was also with a view to have the views of both the parties heard in open in the presence of community members and US lawmakers. It was a good platform for airing views and soliciting reactions for the aggrieved. It turned out to be a good platform also for the Bank management to state their views on

the problems aired by the bank depositors and borrowers alike. “It was an excellent meeting,” said community leader Balvinder Singh. “We are happy that United Central Bank listened to us and that they are establishing a process to continue our conversation. I was also pleased to learn that the bank will stop foreclosures until business owners can

It was a good platform for airing views and soliciting reactions for the aggrieved. It turned out to be a good platform also for the Bank management to state their views on the problems aired by the bank depositors and borrowers alike meet with them to discuss their loans. This is a very important development for the community and I look forward to future meetings between our leaders and the Bank.” “So far, so good,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky after a meeting she

organized between the top management of United Central Bank, including the President/CEO, and more than 100 business owners— primarily from the South Asian community—who are facing potential foreclosures. This was the second meeting in eight days organized by community leaders to address the potentially devastating loss of dozens of businesses that represent thousands of employees in the Rogers Park area and beyond. Congressman Danny Davis (DIL), who said some businesses in his community would also be affected, was in attendance at both meetings, as was 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. State Senator Ira Silverstein had attended the first meeting. United Central Bank, based in Garland, Texas, was chosen to be the successor to Mutual Bank, which was shut down by the FDIC. Many leaders in the community found UCB treating them rudely and to be unwilling to work out agreements that would prevent them from losing their businesses and their personal assets, since most borrowers had also signed personal guarantees to back up their business loans. “Talking to many business men and women, I learned that this was not just a threat to individuals,” said Schakowsky. “The extent of the foreclosures in this

area would have absolutely devastated the entire community. Something needed to be done. “I feel optimistic that serious progress was made on Sunday. Luke Lively, the President and CEO of the Bank, brought well over a dozen bank officials with him—some from Texas and others from the local branch located on Western Avenue. He agreed

“These small business owners are not looking to escape responsibility,” said Schakowsky. “They just want a chance to continue to operate but need to negotiate a plan that will allow them to pay back a reasonable amount over a reasonable time period, but they say that up until now United Central Bank has refused that the bank would work with each borrower, and in the meantime, put a halt to foreclosures. He asked the community to select some leaders to participate in a ‘community outreach committee’ that would meet every month to work out any and all problems

with the bank. He agreed to personally attend some of those meetings.” Lively announced that he would put a moratorium on the legal proceedings of foreclosures for individuals who call United Central Bank at (773) 290-6636 and set up an appointment to discuss their loans. Prior to the Sunday meeting, Lively negotiated new terms with some of the larger borrowers. “These small business owners are not looking to escape responsibility,” said Schakowsky. “They just want a chance to continue to operate but need to negotiate a plan that will allow them to pay back a reasonable amount over a reasonable time period, but they say that up until now United Central Bank has refused. “When small businesses shut their doors, it is truly devastating to the community as a whole because buildings often become vacant and many families—in this case, many of them immigrants from South Asia—lose their livelihoods. It’s clear we need collaboration right now in order to preserve these culturally rich communities. That starts with beating back the tide of foreclosure that is looming for so many businesses. Based on Sunday’s meeting with the community and United Central Bank, I believe we’re making critical strides.”

Indo American Center set for expansion NISHA SUTARIA

CHICAGO: Over 400 guests, invitees and supporters of Indo-American Center (IAC) gathered at Oak Brook Marriott in Oak Brook, a suburb of Chicago, to celebrate IAC's 20th anniversary and support its endeavors for the years to come - among these, finalizing the space expansion decision to meet growing needs in the community. In the 20 years since its inception in 1990, IAC has transformed and grown exponentially to serve the needs of the community. The present day Center does so through eight developed programs: Citizenship and Immigration Assistance, Public Benefits Assistance, an Adult Literacy Program, a Youth Development Program, Civics and American History courses, Computer classes, a Seniors' Program and the Cyriac D. Kappil Legal Clinic. In her address to the audience, former IAC President of 2000, Lakshmi Menon, explained how the IAC has never ceased to "stay true to the vision of its founders." As it looks to the future, IAC continues to promote their vision of a secular organization offering community members free and lowcost services to address changing needs and improve overall quality of life.

Community support has allowed IAC to continue to uphold this vision - a tough challenge in the face of increasing community needs and decreasing public funding. Throughout the evening, attendees responded generously to the opportunities available to support the IAC: live and silent auctions along with the Matching Program

sults we were able to achieve are a testament to the connection the community has with the Center and to the community's resolve to give regardless of the circumstances." Keynote speaker, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Cisco Systems, Inc., Ms. Padmasree Warrior, spoke on this theme,

Throughout the evening, attendees responded generously to the opportunities available to support the IAC: live and silent auctions along with the Matching Program that promised to match every donated dollar with a matching dollar from a fund of $50,000 that promised to match every donated dollar with a matching dollar from a fund of $50,000. A preliminary figure approximates that $135,000 was raised at the event. Speaking to the telling theme of the evening, "Connecting the Community," IAC Executive Director Jay Luthra said, "We are so pleased to have hosted a very successful event, especially in light of the economy - the re-

explaining the personal and cultural struggle of assimilating into advancing communities, while maintaining a sense of cultural identity. In commenting about her attendance at the IAC annual banquet, Ms. Warrior said, "this is my way of belonging to my community." Also drawing on this connection was ABC 7 news anchor Ravi Baichwal, returning for his fourth consecutive year in his role as Master of Ceremonies.

Prem Balani, IAC Chief, thanked and recognized its sponsors and the countless individuals whose donations at this event have contributed significantly to fulfilling the IAC mission: President's Circle: National Republic Bank; Platinum: Basanti and Manatosh Banerji, Dr. Kallol Guha - Saint James School of Medicine, Ashref Hashim and Kathi Rose; Gold: Drs. Vijaya and Bapu Arekapudi, TEKchand LLC; Bronze: Harris Bank, Shalini and Sanjeev Lulla, Ralph and Marta Nicholas; Friends of the Center: Siddarth and Swati Mehta, Prabha Parameswaran, Rajendran Raja, Jody and Florence Wadhwa. IAC specially recognized Rattan Khosa, a continued supporter of IAC, for making the highest donation during the event. The Indo-American Center is a not-forprofit community service organization serving the South Asian immigrant population. The mission of the Indo-American Center is to promote the well being of South Asian immigrants through services that facilitate their adjustment, integration and friendship with the wider society, nurture their sense of community, and foster appreciation for their heritage and culture.

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Nikki Haley charms Indian Americans in Dallas

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NFIA honors 10 at biennial convention India Post News Service

Nikki speaks at IAFC meet Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 14

Thotakura observed that Nikki displayed her leadership skills in fighting back false allegations on her character with inner strength, resolve, resilience and family support. She is endorsed by who's who of the Republican Party and already holding a double digit lead over her Democratic opponent. Addressing the gathering, Nikki Haley appreciated the Dallas Indian American community for their wonderful support for her campaign all way along and this is her third visit to Dallas. She said she would be back as Governor one more time just to thank the community for their unconditional support. Haley said she is very proud of her rich Indian cultural heritage and a lot of respect for the first generation of Indian Americans like her parents who sacrificed a lot for the well being of the next generation. "As a Governor of South Carolina, I want to create and keep more jobs in South Carolina. I do encourage small and mid level businesses to prosper and know exactly what it takes to move them to the next level. I have an unwavering commitment to tax-payers bottom-line. I have a thorough

knowledge of present economic conditions and focus on future to help the next generation and the senior citizens", she said. Rao Kalvala, IAFC Board of Director, moderated an interactive question answer session with Nikki Haley. A group of Indian

She said she would be back as Governor one more time just to thank the community for their unconditional support. Haley said she is very proud of her rich Indian cultural heritage and a lot of respect for the first generation of Indian Americans like her parents American youth welcomed Nikki Haley with a bouquet of flowers. Prasad Thotakura pledged a donation of $250 from IAFC for the ECoppell project to bring environmental awareness to local citizens. Taiyab Kundawala, Secretary of IAFC proposed a vote of thanks.

October 1, 2010

NEW YORK: The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) celebrated its 16th biennial convention and 30th anniversary Sept 17-19 at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel and the World Fair Marina Restaurant in New York City. During two-and-half day event ten Indian Americans were honored for their outstanding achievements and contributions to humanity and society. This year's awardees are recognized for their achievements in various fields as well as for philanthropy and community service. They are: Narpat Bhandari, a technologist and entrepreneur for Leadership in Silicon Valley Hi-Tech industry; New York philanthropist Peter Bhedha for Community Service; Shanti Bhavan founder Dr. Abraham George in Education and Philanthropy; PND Hotel Investors CEO Pravin Khatiwala for Community Service and Hospitality; South Asian Times publisher Kamlesh Mehta in Media; geotechnical forensic expert Dr. Awtar Singh in Philanthropy; AAPI President Dr. Ajeet Singhvi for Organizational Achievement in Medical and

Health Sciences; Manhattan College President Dr. Molly Easo Smith for Education; TV Asia Anchor Rohit Vyas for Television and Mass Media; and technology entrepreneur Dr. Vivek Wadhwa for Engineering, Technology and Society.

The event was inaugurated by Arun Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. Other guests of honor included New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, New Jersey Assembly Deputy Speaker Upendra J. Chivukula, Columbia University Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, Technologist and Entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa "NFIA has been honoring outstanding achievers among Indian Americans for the last thirty years who have made a mark in the American society and/or have

done outstanding community service and the New York convention will honor ten such achievers and contributors to our society," said Lal Motwani, Convention Convener. "NFIA is proud to honor these award recipients who are role models to our new generations growing up in America," said NFIA President Chandu Patel. The event was inaugurated by Arun Kumar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. Other guests of honor included New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, New Jersey Assembly Deputy Speaker Upendra J. Chivukula, Columbia University Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, Technologist and Entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa, and New York City Comptroller John Liu. Ten conference sessions on Sept.18th covered contemporary issues affecting the IndianAmerican community. The panels covered a whole range of issues including those of diasporic cultural identity, youth achievements, inadequacies in social services, senior citizens issues, political engagement, philanthropy and US-India relations.

Chicagoans open up hearts & wallets to support Nikki Haley Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 13

She credits her success to Indian heritage and serves as a role model for young Indian Americans. Jayshree Patel as the representative of young Indian Americans introduced Nikki Haley to the gathering. Ms. Haley spoke about her growing up in America and how she entered politics and fought the odds successfully. Through her success and prominence she encourages broader Indian participation in the American political process, particularly for second generation Indian Americans. She passionately spoke of conservative values we bring from India, values of hard work, spend wisely, live within your means, encourage and reward success as against creating a nanny State. She appealed against piling of debt for our children and grandchildren. She said that we know how to spend our money ten times better than the government. The program began with a prayer of unity and was emceed by Shri Chandak.

The highlight of the program was a panel discussion between Nikki Haley and Shalli Kumar. They covered a wide range of issues of major interest to the Indian American community.

She passionately spoke of conservative values we bring from India, values of hard work, spend wisely, live within your means, encourage and reward success as against creating a nanny State Nikki Haley favored capping government spending. She is also pushing for elimination of small business income tax in South Carolina. She elaborated on job cre-

ation and why she is against government healthcare mandates requiring everyone to have health insurance. She is a big promoter of Term Limits legislation. She favors Indo-US nuclear deal. She said she would support inclusion of India as a permanent member of UN Security Council. She is for legal immigration including the increase of number of H1 visas as recommended by US Chamber of Commerce. It was obvious that she touched every one's heart. The participants were immensely impressed with her simplicity and earnestness. It was felt that Nikki Haley could increase the clout of Indian community in the country. She can and will influence national policy favorable to Indian community and their values. Hailing from Punjab and a significant numbers of guests being Punjabi Indian Americans, it was only befitting that this magnificent evening ended with almost 20 minutes of Bhangra dance with active participation from both Shalli Kumar and Nikki Haley.

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Sikh American sues convenience store chain India Post News Service

RALEIGH, NC: A Sikh American in North Carolina was denied a job because of his religion and race - a violation of federal and state civil rights laws - according to a federal lawsuit filed by Public Justice and its co-counsel, Winslow Wetsch, PLLC, and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. The complaint alleges that Durhambased M.M. Fowler, Inc., which owns and operates the Family Fare Convenience Store chain, denied employment to Surjit Singh Saund because he is a Sikh and wears a turban and beard. Saund, a U.S. citizen who has worked in other convenience stores for nearly eight years, applied for a store operator position with Fowler in early 2008. Saund was qualified for the position, but the company refused to hire him because of its alleged grooming policy, even after Saund explained that his turban and beard are required by his religion. The company told Saund that it would hire him, but only if he first removed his turban, cut his hair, and shaved his beard. "I came from India to find a better life for me and my family in America, and I

was looking for a better job." said Saund. "M. M. Fowler wanted me to choose between a job and my religion. What they did was not right, and is not allowed in

venience store," said Victoria Ni of Oakland, CA, a Public Justice Senior Attorney representing Saund. "M. M. Fowler had a duty to try to accommodate Mr.

Surjit Singh Saund

Saund, a U.S. citizen who has worked in other convenience stores for nearly eight years, applied for a store operator position with Fowler in early 2008. Saund was qualified for the position, but the company refused to hire him because of its alleged grooming policy, even after Saund explained that his turban and beard are required by his religion

America." "Nothing about Mr. Saund's turban and beard would interfere with his ability to run the cash register and manage a con-

Saund's religious beliefs. It didn't even try." Public Justice's lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleges that

Fowler violated civil rights laws when it refused to hire Saund and make accommodations to its alleged grooming policy to allow Saund to work for the company with a turban and beard. Fowler has approximately 70 convenience stores, located throughout North Carolina, which offer gasoline at self-service fuel dispensers. Kavneet Singh, a Board Member and Managing Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), a Sikh American civil rights and advocacy group, said his fellow adherents face ignorance and intolerance daily, especially since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which unleashed a torrent of discrimination. "M.M. Fowler's actions are another example of the widespread and serious problem of workplace discrimination against Sikh Americans," said Mr. Singh. "Every day, Sikh Americans face employment discrimination, hate crimes, school bullying, and harassment due to misconceptions about the Sikh identity. Religious intolerance is un-American, and even at a time of economic crisis, we must make sure to not lose sight of the ideals that our country was founded on."

Paryushan Maha Parva celebrated AIA's new way to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti at Jain Temple MOHAMMAED GHOUSE

Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: The eight-day festival, known as "Paryushan Maha Parva" is a festival of Dharma Aradhana. It was celebrated with religious fervor and enthusiasm by hundreds of followers of Jainism across Chicagoland at Jain Temple in Bartlett. During these eight days Jains follow total non-violence, love, compassion, and fasting. The festival ordains the Jains to observe the ten universal supreme virtues in daily practical life. The nonJains also express high reverence

Swami Shrutpragyaji

for this Jain festival. At the temple the celebrations started two days before the actual start of Paryushan, that is on September 4. On this occasion, well known scholar Swami Shri Srutpragyaiji of Peace of Mind in-

CHICAGO: Association of Indians in America (AIA) Illinois Chapter is holding Youth Singing and Dancing Competition in celebration of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on Saturday, October 9 at

Jain Society Office bearers (from left) Atul Shah (President), Tejas Shah (Secretary), Arvind Shah (Trustee), Vipul Shah (Membership Secretary), Parag Shah (Treasurer), Hitesh Shah (Food Secretary), Piyush Shah (Youth Secretary), Hemant Shah (Vice President), Sunil Jain (Trustee), Kishor Shah (Trustee) -Pic Asian Media USA

stitution of Rajkot delivered a series of lectures throughout the eight days, both morning and evening. Chosen topics were very appropriate for day-to-day life, and kept about 800-1000 people on daily basis seated in a main auditorium with pin-drop silence, glued to their seats. Each evening prior to lecture, a melodious musical (Bhavana) was performed by well-known singers and musician Karnik Shah & Rinku Shah of Vadodara. Ending was with Aarti and Mangal Divo sung by musical group each day. During the grand celebration of the Janma Vaanchan, JSMC Chairman Prabodh Vaidya welcomed the community and announced the goal for the fundraising - "Million to go. Million to be free." JSMC President Atul Shah also touched upon the fundraising goal and explained the importance of Tapasya (fasting), while Secretary Tejas Shah

provided detailed outline of the Paryushan program including Idol Puja, Snatrapuja, Bhakisangeet, Ekasana and Swamivatsalya. JSMC raised $ 2 million interest free loan and about half a million dollars in donation/pledges from the members. With collected loan amount and donations, JSMC was able to pay off the entire outstanding bank mortgage amount-the biggest milestone in JSMC history. Samatsavari, the last day of this festival is also one of the most significant when every member forgives one another by saying Michchhami Dukkadam. Following Samvatsari was the Tapasvi Parana Celebration where all the Tapasvis break their fast. This time there were 60 Atthai and above (8 Upavas or more). One of the Board of Trustees Sunil Jain inaugurated Tapasvi Parana Celebration which was uniquely done.

bution to the world is unprecedented and India will always be indebted and grateful to such a humanitarian, peacemaker, leader, and freedom fighter. First, second, and third prizes

First, second, and third prizes will be awarded in the group dance category. The cash prizes are: First Prize: $1,000 Second Prize: $500 Third Prize: $250 Mahatma Gandhi

6 pm at Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC), Lemont, a southside suburb of Chicago. In keeping with AIA's traditions, the event will highlight the contribution of Nation's Father Mahatma Gandhi. This would be a unique way to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti by getting youth involved in the program. Gandhji's contri-

will be awarded in the group dance category. The cash prizes are: First Prize: $1,000 Second Prize: $500 Third Prize: $250 AIA urged Indian Americans to come in large numbers to encourage the youth in this unique competition. Refreshments will be available during intermission. Entrance fee is $10 per adult and $5 per student.

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Memoirs of Ganesh Festival in Mumbai AQ SIDDIQUI

MUMBAI: Every year, Mumbai awakens to a familiar resounding, "Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva" and beautiful pandals are erected in every locality - from posh Pedar Road to BDD Chawl near Parel Station for a 10 or 12 days celebration of Ganesh Festival. The festival of sound and light brings joy not only to the devotees of

Lord Ganesha but also to many non-Hindu families in Mumbai. If you observe closely, you will see many Muslim and Christian families visiting Ganesh festival in different parts of the city. For those born and brought up in Mumbai, the Ganesh Festival is not a religious event, it is rather a "cultural festival" assimilating all communities living in Mumbai. As a public event, it was perhaps started way back in 1893 or 1896. But as a small child I have reminisces of annual Ganesh Festival in Mumbai or Bambai as it was commonly called in those days, as a week of good holidays. In view of Ganesh Chaturthi, no home work will

Ganesh idol Visarjan in NY and in Mumbai, India

be given to us in school. Absence from school was also not viewed seriously. We kids will have our weekly plans that included visiting all important Ganesh Pandals, not to miss the Girgaum location managed by Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsave Sanstha. But for us, the kids living in Chembur, the festival used to have another importance. The famous Kapoor family would establish

Ganesh Puja at Illinois University Asian Community News Services USA

NORMAL, IL: Lake County Balagokulam Shakha organized Ganesh Utsav at Illinois State University (ISU) on Sept 11. This was the first time that Ganesh Puja was conducted on the campus. Bloomington Swayamsewaks had hour long preparations which were followed by Puja and Aarti.

Ganesh Idol in RK Studios and will keep the gates open for public. We used to quietly slip to the different stages in the biggest RK Studios and have the "close encounters" with famous film stars. The evenings in Ganesh Festival were not to be missed. Most localities had public exhibition of movies. We used to gather information which locality will be showing which movie on a particular day. Today, many Muslims outside India will raise eye-brows watching Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan mingling in Ganesh festival activities. But Mumbai film industry was always part of Ganesh Festival, and the festival was never a purely religious event. It has its own cultural affinity for all sections of Mumbai citizens. For Ganesh immersion or

Ganpati Visarjan, we used to go early to Chaupati fearing local trains will be crowded, (of course it used to be a public holiday). It used to be a "sea of humanity" on Chaupati with devotees taking the idols deep into water chanting, "Ganpati Bappa Mourya, pursha worshi loukar yea". The times have changed. I have just returned from Mumbai attending the festival for the very first day. Loudspeakers have been replaced by modern Hifi music systems. Hi-tech electronic gadgets are now used to attract visitors. But for devotees the Lord Ganesh is the same. They call him Bappa or Ganpati, because he is the God of group (Gana), the non-egoist deity, the leader of group to appreciate the virtues of others.

Mushaira to support literacy projects DR TAUSIF ALAM

This discussion proved to be very different for the students as they had never heard of such activities. 16 students along with eight karyakartas attended the Puja and 16 students went for lunch to HSS swayamsevak's house Midwest Sambhag Sahsanghchalak Srinarayanji Chandak and Smt. Ashaji Chandak were present on the occasions. Karyawah Murliji Reddy explained the various HSS activities and Sewa karya in the US. He explained HSS work in the US and how Swayamsewaks are contributing to motherland even being so far away. Chandakji explained aspects of community involvement

Participants at Ganesh Puja at the University (Pic Asian Media USA)

and how it can benefit students and lead to service towards motherland. This discussion proved to be very different for the students as they had never heard of such activities. In all 16 students along with eight karyakartas attended the Puja and 16 students went for lunch to HSS swayamsevak's house. This was the great start for the campus activities by Hindu Yuva and its newly constituted body on the very occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Fourth annual Ganesh Pooja was held by the Lake County Shaka on Sunday, September 12. Over 100 people (36 kids; 66 adults) attended the Pooja. Some of the handmade murtis were made by children. The Ganesh Pooja started with a warm welcome greet-

ing by Dr. Joshiji who gave a wonderful explanation on Samuheek (collective) Ganesh Pooja and how it started. Yashji inspired the children and their families as she led the group in a step-by-step Sanskrit version of the Pooja. Avni Patel (13) provided the translation for children. Muranilaji Kulkarni shared information about the Lake County Shaka and provided examples of some of the successful events and encouraged families to come and join HSSBalagokulam Shakha family. The devotees were graced by the presence of Sanatan's Sattvik Idol of Lord Ganesh. Pooja Vidhi concluded with Ganesh Aarti and Mantra. All the families got to visit each other as they enjoyed the Prasad that was offered to Ganeshji.

CHICAGO: The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association of Greater Chicago (AMUAA-GC) has scheduled an International Mushaira "Surprise & Delight" on Friday, October 15 at Northwestern University in Evanston to support Literacy Projects. The evening features famous Indo-Pak poets and other talented poets of North America, such as Nida Fazli (India), Rais Ansari (India), Nasim Nikhat (India), Khalid Irfan (Pakistan), Tariq Sabzwari (Pakistan), and Hashmat Sohail (Chicago). An evening to enjoy Ghazals, Geet, Naghmein and Mazahiya Urdu Shayari! Nida Fazli is one of the very few poets who can be called the cultural ambassador for not only India but also the Urdu language. He is a famous lyricist of Bombay Film industry and has won numerous awards. Some of the films with his lyrics are: Razia Sultan, Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Aap To Aise Na The, and Yatra, Sarfarosh. Rais Ansari is a senior Indian poet of considerable standing

Hashmat Sohail

while Tariq Sabzwari hails from Pakistan and Nasim Nikhat from Lucknow, India. Hashmat Sohail is from Chicago. There will be several talented poets from Northern America. The AMUAA-GC is a nonprofit (tax-exempt) charitable organization of alumni and wellwishers of the Aligarh Muslim University working to advance educational, social, and cultural causes. All proceeds will go towards Literacy Projects of AMUAA-GC.

October 1, 2010

Community Across America

India Post 19

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Another Andhraite killed in accident India Post News Service

ORLANDO, Florida: A tragic car accident at grassy median of State Road 405 near Orlando, Florida took the life of Venkata Sai Reddy Ragidi, 17, recently. Venkata Sai and his sister Mounika Ragidi 19, both hailing from Hyderabad, had come to USA only 10 days ago just to visit USA and they were scheduled to go back to Hyderabad. They were in the car driven by Harika Gunna Reddy, 25, also from Hyderabad but living in Naperville, a Chicago suburb. They were visiting Florida along with Harika, their friend. Harika was driving a 2010 Nissan Sentra and she steered the car into the grassy median of State Road 405 near Orlando, Florida. When she tried to re-enter the roadway, she reportedly overcorrected and her car skidded over the right shoulder. It got overturned and entered the water submerging all three people in the car. This hap-

pened on Thursday September 16 around 5 p.m. Highway Patrol pulled all three of them out of the water and flew them to Holmes Regional Medical

Venkat Sai is survived by father Lakshma Reddy, a businessman and General Secretary of the Congress Party of Greater Hyderabad, mother Rajani and sister Mounika who is in her second year of Medical College in Hyderabad Center in Melbourne. "Doctors pronounced Venkat Sai dead as he was strapped with his seatbelt in the car under water for more than 9 minutes. Mounika and Harika are recovering and out

of danger. Ragidi family called Prasad Thotakura, TANA Executive Vice-President for the needed help and to send the remains of Venkat to Hyderabad. Mohan Nannapaneni, TANA Secretary and other TANA Team Square volunteers Srinivas Jarugula, Sridhar are working on the case to expedite the process. We express our deepest condolences to the Ragidi family." said Jayaram Komati, President TANA Venkat Sai is survived by father Lakshma Reddy, a businessman and General Secretary of the Congress Party of Greater Hyderabad, mother Rajani and sister Mounika who is in her second year of Medical College in Hyderabad. "Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the wreck, and investigators had not yet determined what caused the driver to lose control of the car and we are investigating the case" said, Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Partnership walk helps raise $400,000 SADRUDIN NOORANI

A group of participants at Agakhan Partnership Walk in Chicago

CHICAGO: Over 2,800 people took part in Partnership Walk at Montrose Harbor in Chicago to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty. It helped raise $400,000 from this single city for the noble cause. Partnership Walk, an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation USA (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world, is held annually and this is the 16th such walk in the past as many years. Nationwide, over 34,000 are expected to participate in the 2010 Walk in nine cities, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Orlando and San Francisco. The 2010 theme for Partnership Walk is "Our Environment: One People, One Planet," Partnership had teams from corporations, universities, schools and community organizations who demonstrated their solidarity to take a step at ending global poverty. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn

addressing the enthusiastic crowd said, "The great movements of our people have not been by those on the top with power but by those everyday people banding together, for a cause they believe in. And the cause of relieving global

Partnership Walk, an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation USA (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world, is held annually and this is the 16th such walk poverty is a cause of a lifetime." The full 100% of funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. Given the unprecedented floods crisis in the past month, 50% of the funds raised at 2010 Partner-

Actual Walk at Montrose Harbor

ship Walk will go to support the Aga Khan Development Network's response to the floods in Pakistan and surrounding areas, including Focus Humanitarian Assistance. Remaining funds raised go directly to poverty alleviation projects supported by Aga Khan Foundation in Africa and Asia. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky said it was inspirational to see the active network of volunteers and that it was praiseworthy to ensure a peaceful, prosperous future for all humankind and not just our own citizens here in the Unites States. Alongside a grand electrifying performance of the Jesse White Tumbling Team and Drummers enlivened the atmosphere. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said, "It's a great day for a walk and a great day to share your love and appreciation for your fellow men and women. Distinguished guests included Illinois State Representative Elaine Nekritz and many government officials and community leaders.

NY Museum exhibiting 'Scenes from Ramayana' India Post News Service

MMA's collections include Hindu bronzes from the Chola period (ninth to 13th century); Kashmiri and Pala-period sculptures (sixth to 13th century); Indian court paintings from the

NEW YORK: Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) of New York is hosting an exhibition on "Scenes from Ramayana", which will continue till October three. It contains a few dozen paintings and sculptures showing Hanuman bearing the mountaintop with medicinal herbs, Angada stealing Ravana's crown, King Dasaratha and his retinue proceeding to Rama's wedding, awakening of Kumbhkarna, combat of Rama and Ravana, building the bridge to Lanka, monkey king Vali's funeral pyre, Hanuman conversing, etc. Founded in 1870, MET is one of the world's largest and finest art Rama receives Surgriva and Jambavat, the Monkey and Bear Kings: Leaf from a manuscript of the museums. Its colRamayana, ca. 1605; Mughal India Opaque waterlections include color and gold on paper over two million works of art spanning 5,000 16th through the 19th century; years of world culture, from pre- Nepalese religious imagery from history to the present and from the eighth through the 19th cenevery part of the globe. Nearly tury and sculptures of standing five million people visit the Mu- Parvati, seated Ganesha, Krishna seum each year. James R. on Garuda, Goddess Durga killHoughton is Chairman Board of ing Buffalo Demon; etc. Trustees, while Thomas P. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 22 Campbell is the Director.

Nevada Unity Day had Hindu invocation India Post News Service

NEVADA: Nevada Religious Freedom and Unity Day event in Reno on September 19 was marked with Hindu invocation. Event coordinator Reverend Neal T. Anderson, Minister of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada, launched the event at City Plaza, and this was followed with Hindu leader Rajan Zed reading from ancient Hindu scriptures Rig-Veda, Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord). Other participants included, Reverend Gene Savoy Junior (International Community of Christ), Rabbi Elizabeth Beyer (Jewish), Imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi (Muslim), Reverend Rich Smith (Congregational United Church of Christ). Reverend John Emerson (Meth-

odist), Kendrah Fredricksen (Lutheran), Roya Galata (Baha'i), Shirley Diaz (University of NevadaReno), Iris West, etc. Prayers, speeches and music will form part of this event to honor religious freedom, unity and diversity. According to Reverend Anderson, this gathering was a celebration of religious diversity and freedom, meant to combat religious discrimination. He plans to make it an annual event, to be held on second Sunday of September each year, to bring different faiths together on one platform. Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that despite our different beliefs, we should learn to live together in mutual trust and peace. Existence of different traditions is a sign of God's bountifulness, he observed.

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Cal News Kavita Arora to cover community events for IP India Post News Service

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BAPS Walkathon at Fremont's Lake Elizabeth

First ever US immersion of Ganesha idol India Post News Service

Ribbon cutting

KAVITA ARORA India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: The BAPS Charities 10K annual walkathon organized by BAPS Charities was held at Fremont's Lake Elizabeth and drew over 250 community volunteers despite the drizzle.

Walkers of all age groups participated as they went around Lake Elizabeth four times to complete the 10k. This year's theme was "Building a Better Community, One Step at a Time." Proceeds from this year's walk were given to Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, Milpitas Unified

So Cal Edison provides helpful electric safety tips

October 1, 2010

School District, and BAPS Charities. A representative from Children's Hospital & Research

The 10K walkathon inspired people to go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of children. With each step, participants of all ages joined hands and raised funds to build awareness for children's health and education Center Oakland said that the hospital is "the only independent children's hospital in Northern

California. We are 100% focused on kids, 100% of the time. Thank you again BAPS for supporting the Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland." Mindy Bowler, Director of Educational Services, Curriculum and Instruction, thanked BAPS Charities for supporting the Milpitas Unified School District and said, "These are such economically difficult times and in particular, for education in California, it has never been tougher. We continue to struggle to give our students the quality education that they deserve. Thanks to organizations such as yours, the support has made a significant difference." Ajay Patel, one of the lead volunteers said, "BAPS Charities is a humanitarian wing which has organizations all over the world, with 50 centers in North America. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 22

A touch of Shakespeare at Marwaha Ranch MAGDA MARCELLA & JS BEDI

he electricity we use each day is al-ways actively lighting up our homes and businesses and providing us with many modern conveniences. But when electricity is mishandled it can provide a life-changing accident or fatality. Southern California Edison (SCE) wants to remind you that electrical safety, inside or outdoors, is a serious matter. Look around you. Electricity is everywhere. Each day, we operate appliances and machinery that are directly connected to an electrical source. You must always be mindful of situations that present safety hazards. Details on page 23

MALIBU: The Host Club held its annual fundraiser at the Marwaha Ranch on Sept 18. The event was hosted by Dr Amarjeet and Mrs Kuljit Marwaha and was attended by about 300 guests. The setting was totally Shakespearean with members of

the Shakespeare at Play theater group dressed in 16th century attire. Complementing them were craftsmen also dressed in similar attire attending to their craft. There was sumptuous lunch with an open bar. The Marwahs left no stone unturned in their hospitality.

The highlight of the day was staging of the play "Taming of the Shrew" which everybody enjoyed immensely. Dr and Mrs Marwaha, known for their philanthropy and largesse, are highly respected and loved dearly by the community. Their sprawling ranch has been a

venue for a number of community and charity events that they have hosted. The next major event is the 21st Annual Fulbright Lunch scheduled Oct 2 at their ranch here in Malibu. More pics on page 23

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Kavita Arora to cover community events for India Post India Post News Service

FREMONT: India Post is pleased to welcome Kavita Arora, the popular Anchor & Co-Producer of Sitaare TV, who will hereafter be covering Bay Area Community events for India Post. Sitaarre TV is a magazine style television program featuring star profiles, interviews, movie reviews, features, and community events. Kavita has anchored, written, and produced over 100 original episodes for broadcast on Comcast and Ohlone Networks. She has interviewed high-profile entertainment celebrities such as: Anil Kapoor, AR Rehman, Aftab Shivdasani, Asha Bhosle, Mika Singh, Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Kavitha Krishnamurthy, Suresh Wadkar, Kailash Kher, Dr. Kiran Bedi (also aired on Direct TV), Munni Begum, Lisa Ray, Tisca Chopra, Darshan Jariwala, Senthil Ramamurthy, Annu Kapoor, Nandita Das, Shabana Azmi, Vinod Rathore, Tabu, Dev Anand, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwariya Rai, Abhishekh Bachchan, Prakash Jha, Sudhir Mishra, Kundan Shah, Usha Uthup, Mauli Dave, Vishal Dadlani, Sunny &

Bobby Doel, Amrita Rao, and many others. All the interviews, she says, are memorable for one reason or another. But interviewing Arun Dutt, the son of the legendary Guru Dutt was a rare treat for her.

from his son and that was an amazing experience. Plus, during this entire conversation, Guru Dutt's movie, Chaudhavi Ka Chand was being screened in the background in the historic Castro Theater in San

Kavita Arora

She says some her best episodes have been outdoor location shoots, the Switzerland location episode they shot in Switzerland and also the boat episode on a Yacht in San Francisco. As for viewership of Sitaarre, she said, "We have viewers in all age ranges from young children to older adultsâ&#x20AC;?

"Arun Dutt told me things about his father that he hasn't communicated before to other journalists. I got to learn about Guru Dutt, some of his personal habits, interests, personality characteristics, and passion for films,

Francisco, so I could hear the movie as well. It was a surreal experience. I was getting goose bumps and Arun Dutt resembled Guru Dutt so much. This was my most memorable moment. Another memorable moment was in-

terviewing Dr. Kiran Bedi because she's such an inspirational, dynamic, intelligent, and strong woman." Asked about her USP, Kavita said, "My USP is that I'm warm and open as a person, but I'm not interested in gossip about the artists and they figure that out really quickly and most of them open up to me. I'm also very respectful of the artists and if they ask me not to reveal or air any part of the interview, I respect their wishes. "I approach the artist both as an interviewer and also a fan, so I think my genuine enthusiasm and excitement about the artist shows. Plus, I spend a lot of time and effort to research about each artist so I know pretty much everything that has been written about them or released videos before I meet them. I'm a Bollywood buff naturally and the research part is very enjoyable. Overall, I try to be careful and not ask any questions about sensitive areas or personal information." She has also developed show segments such as star profiles, community events, movie reviews, interviews, fashion, news,

and talent promotion, event pro21 motion, film promotion, and feature stories. She says some her best episodes have been outdoor location shoots, the Switzerland location episode they shot in Switzerland and also the boat episode on a Yacht in San Francisco. As for viewership of Sitaarre, she said, "We have viewers in all age ranges from young children to older adults. Also, we have a broad South Asian viewership and we get feedback from non South Asians as well. Bollywood is so popular and people can relate to it so our viewership has grown tremendously over the past three years. "Sitaarre airs on Comcast in the East Bay on Channel 29, 28, and on the Ohlone Network on Channel 28, and is starting in Comcast in the South Bay on Channel 15. Viral marketing as been a great for us through youtube and also facebook. Our viewers can join our facebook page also and get a hold of us on our website www.sitaarre.com or via email at info@sitaarre.com"

First ever immersion of Ganesha idol in USA India Post News Service

EL MONTE, CA: Over 100 devotees took part in a unique first of its kind ever performed in USA, Nimmajjan (immersion) of Lord Ganesha's idol on September 19. For nine days Pandit Samavedula Sharmaji of Vydic Yagna Center made a Sankalpa to celebrate Navarathri Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Daily tarpanam and evening chanting of 1008 names of Lord Ganesha followed by bhajans and prasad were held at Revelations Yoga and Vedanta Books Store, in El Monte. Owner Niren Rambhatla provided the space and took active part in daily rituals. Several devotees had their gotras and names recited in daily prayers. On the 10th day, after doing the final concluding puja at Revelation Yoga Place, the deity of Lord Ganesha was transported to Long Beach, Dock 2 where the first of its kind immersion ceremony took place. A chartered boat left Long Beach in to the ocean about six miles and there the Ganesha idol received Abhishekha with waters obtained from Gomukh, Gangotri, Haridwar, Kedarnath, Triveni Sangam, Cauvery and Mansarovar. These waters and idol of Lord Ganesha with highly energized devotees saying Ganapati Bappa Maurya ended the event by immersing Ganeshji to Pacific

Ocean waters and from there into the cosmic sphere.

Niren Rambhatla said that by being a part of such a historical event praying for world peace, Pacific Ocean has become purified by these holy river waters and will protect it from tsunami, terrorist acts and natural calamities Niren Rambhatla said that by being a part of such a historical

event praying for world peace, Pacific Ocean has become purified by these holy river waters and will protect it from tsunami, terrorist acts and natural calamities. This immersion festival will raise the cosmic consciousness, said Pandit Sharmaji.Already many inspired devotees were talking about next year preparations, which was a testimonial to the great success of this event. The Captain of the ship was very moved by the significance of Lord Ganesha's powers especially removing obstacles and bestowing peace to all beings of the worlds and he felt very privileged to be the captain for this first ever historical peace mission event.

Community/California Age-old issue of dealing with age

October 1, 2010

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Glimpses of Chand Raat mela around Artesia area on eve of Eid

NY Museum exhibiting 'Scenes from Ramayana' Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 19

It has over 35,000 objects of Asian art, from the second millennium BCE to the early 20th century, which include paintings, prints, calligraphy, sculptures, metalwork, ceramics, lacquers, works of decorative art, and textiles. Indian Americans across the tri-state have welcomed this move on the part of MET. Some prominent Indian activists have even urged other museums across the country to hold such exhibitions for cultivating interests in this ageless Indian culture and traditions and religions. Applauding

MET for exhibiting Hinduism focused art, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism in Nevada made a fervent plea to other major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee d'Orsay of Paris, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frequently organize Indian art based exhibitions in order to share India's rich heritage with the rest of the world.

DR. JASWANT SINGH SACHDEV

o Upjio So Binas Hai, Paro Aaj Kay Kaal," as enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was stated by Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, the 9th Guru-Preceptor of the Sikhs. It implies that "whosoever is born, will ultimately parish, be it today or tomorrow." The religious scriptures of all faiths, ever since they came into being, have been propagating this fundamental truth. Consequently, every member of the human race, regardless of one's ethnicity, culture, creed, country or religion is fully aware of this fact. Yet all, irrespective of their ages, places of residence, faiths, or cultures simply tend to ignore this painful, yet fundamental truth about death. Everyone seems to hope that death won't affect us for it is meant for others. We all want to live a comfortable life style and why shouldn't we? All of us wish to live long, in fact, as long as we can. And then throughout our stroll on the face of this earth, we also hope to stay healthy and perhaps wealthy too. We all pray that we be spared of the sufferings and misery in the final days of our lives so that we do not become invalid or disabled and end up depending upon others. Not bad wishes at all. But alas! The truth often turns out otherwise and not everyone is granted the wish in-toto. When we look around, we notice that many who lived and worked among us are no more to be seen. Like us, they also longed to live long and healthy but when the call arrived they could not stay and had to leave. Some of them did have painful final departures which they did not wish or ask for. Likewise, many among us living today will have to face their final departure from

this earth that also could turn out to be different. We also know, yet decide not to know that each day that we spend on this earth, in fact, leads us closer to the final chapter of life. Time moves on and so does life, whether we like it or not. We are scared of that final moment. We are scared of aging and scared of leaving this universe. If it were a truth, which we all know it is, shouldn't then it make sense that we adopt a life-style that makes the arrival of this ultimate eventuality easier to handle as and when it befalls upon us? Why is it that we try not to yield placidly to changes of life? Do we not obey the rules and laws of the country and town where we live? Do we not often try to tell ourselves, "Hey we can't do this way or that way for it is against the law of the land?" Do we not go to work and stay at work and return only at the time prescribed by our employer? Why should then it bother us to accept the ultimate law of nature - the supreme law - pleasantly and placidly? Why shouldn't we prepare ourselves graciously for what lies in store ahead knowing fullywell that aging is a pre-destined process. We all have to ultimately pass through it to finally get to the moment of truth. And that is the moment of death, the time when reality supervenes and about which we certainly may not wish to think now. To enjoy old age like we enjoyed our youth should be the ultimate objective of all. However, such enjoyment is usually dependent upon the health and resources of an individual as well as availability of a reliable company. It may be the company of a friend, family member or else of the life partner - more than anything else - that truly brings

happiness in our lives. The loneliness that one faces during the final days of human existence happens to be the cruelest form of the punishment to which an elderly person could be subjected to. In the countries of our births, presence of abundant relatives as well as of an extended brood in the form of sons, daughters and grand-children does create a dent in the loneliness during those days and oftentimes makes lives somewhat palatable. But out here in the Western world, as we advance in years and as the children start coming of age, the nest starts to get empty. The elderly individuals often end up staying at their homes, lonely and alone. They fight against it as much as they can, but being in a brittle age, uncertainties usually abound. Here today and gone tomorrow, at home one day, and in a hospital-bed the next day surrounded by tubes, bottles, machines and little queens dressed in whites - the nurses, and haughty kings - the doctors, happens to be the natural outcome of life at this age. Unfortunately, once one of the spouses leaves this earth for the so-called heavenly abode, the life of the other simply turns into a mere existence and it doesn't remain interesting any more. Oftentimes, I come across several individuals of this age in my practice. Their stories and their living could not have been considered a life in the true sense of word. Yet there are rays of hope that help make life yield placidly to aging and death. In order to perceive those bright rays one has to realize that the very moment a conception takes place in mother's womb, the process of death begins. The fact is that we all suffer from a fatal illness and that fatal illness happens to be the life itself. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 23

BAPS Walkathon at Fremont's Lake Elizabeth Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 20

September is walkathon month and a walk is happening in over 30 centers throughout North America. The proceeds go to local charities like schools and hospitals." It was great to see a charity serving the local community. Ajay Patel added that, "BAPS Charities has a belief that you should serve your local community as well as you can. If our schools improve, our communities improve. It's simple common sense." The 10K walkathon inspired people to go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of children. With each step, participants of all ages joined hands and raised funds to build awareness for children's health and education. This was the

first time it had rained on this walk in the past 13 years and what a way it was to break the heat. Mayor Bob Wasserman, of Fremont, was the chief guest at the walkathon and appreciated the community support by BAPS Charities. "It's easy to have a good, safe, peaceful community when it is full of people like you who take care of each other, take care of the city, and take care of the needs of the people. That is one of the most important things we do," he said. "We are honored to walk for such a noble cause that will directly support the community that we call home," said Sachin Shah, volunteer for BAPS. "This is a unique opportunity BAPS Charities has to bring together old and young to serve the community.

We're humbled by the energy of all the volunteers that have come out to make today a tremendous success." "I love how this walkathon involves everyone, and I'm so happy to be a part of this day," said Sonia Chalakka, a walkathon participant from Fremont. "Especially when BAPS supports the local community, we definitely want to be a part of it," added Chitra Chalakka, another walker from Fremont. Heli Patel, 16, of Pleasanton, a volunteer from BAPS, got to Lake Elizabeth Park at 6:30am to help prepare for the day's event. "I am excited for today's walkathon! Events like this allow us to bond with each other and do something positive for the wider community." Kavita Arora is Anchor & Co Producer Sitaare TV

Community/California

October 1, 2010

India Post 23

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So Cal Edison provides helpful electric safety tips

he electricity we use each day is always actively lighting up our homes and businesses and providing us with many modern conveniences. But when electricity is mishandled it can provide a lifechanging accident or fatality. Southern California Edison (SCE) wants to remind you that electrical safety, inside or outdoors, is a serious matter. Look around you. Electricity is everywhere. Each day, we operate appliances and machinery that are directly connected to an electrical source. You must always be mindful of situations that present safety hazards. For example, when working in the yard trimming trees and tall shrubbery, look up and around to find out where the power lines are located. Keep your tools at least 10 feet away from the power lines. And keep in mind that even at low voltages, such as the 120 volts typically powering your home or work, accidental contact with a power line or a damaged

energized tool or appliance can cause serious injuries, burns and may even be fatal. SCE recommends that you should always hire a licensed electrician to make any electrical repairs around your home or business. Do not do the work yourself! There are

For example, when working in the yard trimming trees and tall shrubbery, look up and around to find out where the power lines are located. Keep your tools at least 10 feet away from the power lines also many other situations that could bring you into harm's way with electricity. For example: • If you live where there are underground utilities, call 811 at least two working days before you dig, even if it's just to plant a

The question then arises what a poor mortal should do in such circumstances? Should one be seeking a Banbass (permanent residence in a remote jungle) away from the worldly affairs like the Yogis and Sanyaasies of the India-past did? Or should one attempt to leave the hustle and bustle of the universe and perch on a mountain top for the remaining years? While practiced still by some hermits and yogis of India, this option doesn't carry the true spirit of life for many ordinary mortals like me. And it is here that the submission to the Will of God, the ulti-

mate driving force, comes into play. Interpreted in a simple way, it amounts to a life that yields placidly to the "Will of God" playing subservient to the environment and circumstances beyond one's control while attempting to seek truth without closing the doors to the wisdom of science. Working in synch with the nature and the ultimate truth while exploring science to the fullest for the benefit of mankind happens to be a true path to that placidity and this is what is being referred to herein and this is what we should attempt to practice in my humble view. Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev is the author of recently published book, 'Square Pegs, Round Holes.'

A touch of Shakespeare at Marwaha Ranch

• Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Keep all electrical appliances and tools far away from sinks, showers, pools and anywhere water might be present. • Replace all your electrical wall sockets located near water with sockets equipped

with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). They are designed to help prevent injuries by cutting off the electricity if there's an accident. During power outages and on windy days: • Stay far away from downed power lines and keep others away until help arrives. Immediately report the problem by calling 911 or SCE's 24-hour emergency line at 800611-1911. • Always have a battery-operated flashlight, and fresh extra batteries, available at all times. Never use candles during power outages. • During an outage, turn off all unattended electrical appliances to avoid possible hazards when your electrical service is restored. • If you are driving, watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach uncontrolled intersections as four-way stops. For additional information on home safety tips, please visit www.sce.com/safety.

The problems with biofuels

Age-old issue of dealing with age Cont’d from page 22

tree. As a free service to you SCE will come to your home and mark the location of all your underground utilities. • Damaged electrical equipment can give a powerful shock. Either throw the damaged equipment away or have a qualified electrician make the repairs.

VANDANA SHIVA

Dr. Vandana Shiva

ndustrial biofuels are being promoted as a source of re newable energy and as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are two ecological reasons why converting crops like soy, corn and palm into liquid fuels can actually aggravate the CO2 burden and worsen the climate crisis while also contributing to the erosion of biodiversity and the depletion of water resources. David Pimentel and Ted Patzek, professors at Cornell and Berkeley, respectively, have shown that all crops have a negative energy balance when converted to biofuels - it takes more fossil fuel energy input to produce biofuels than the resultant biofuels can generate. It takes 1.5 gallons of gasoline to produce one gallon of ethanol. For each fossil fuel unit of energy spent producing corn ethanol, the return is 0.778 units of energy, 0.688 units for switch grass ethanol, and 0.534 for soybean diesel. Pimentel and Patzek were criticized by the US government for including the energy used for building new refineries. However, these are new energy

investments that do generate emissions, and Pimentel and Patzek are right to include them when calculating the overall energy balance. In 2006, the US used 20 percent of its corn crop to produce 5 billion gallons of ethanol, which only substituted for 1 percent of its oil use. If 100 percent of the corn crop were used to make ethanol, it would be able to substitute for 7 percent of the total oil used. Even if all US soy and corn were converted to fuel it would only substitute for 12 percent of the gasoline and six percent of the diesel. To satisfy the entire current oil demand of the US with biofuels would take 1.4 million square miles of corn for ethanol or 8.8 million square miles of soy for biodiesel, which is more than all the agricultural land in the U.S. All the solar energy collected by every green plant in the U.S in 2006 - including agriculture, forests, and lawns - is only half as much as the fossil fuel energy consumed in that year. This is clearly not a solution to either peak oil or climate chaos. In fact, ethanol is another source of crisis when you look at all the resources it demands. It takes 1700 gallons of water to produce a gallon of ethanol. Corn uses more nitrogen fertilizer, more insecticides, and more herbicides than any other crop. Ethanol constitutes 99 percent of all biofuel production in the U.S. In 2004, there were 3.4 billion gallons of ethanol produced and blended into gasoline, amounts to about 2 percent of the nation's gas consumption. There has been a flood of sub-

sidies in the west for the production of biofuels. The cost of support of ethanol varies from $0.29 to $0.36 per liter in the US and $1 per liter in the EU. Support for biodiesel varies between $0.20 per liter in Canada and $1 in Switzerland. In 2007 US taxpayers provided $6 billion to ethanol producers through subsidies. In 2008, the government introduced a tax credit of $0.51 per gallon on ethanol and mandated a doubling of the amount of ethanol to be used in gasoline by 2012, to 7.5 billion gallons. The total cost to the consumer of subsidizing corn ethanol is $8.4 billion per year. Subsidization of biofuels is creating a deep impact on demand for foodstuffs from the United States. In 2007, for example, the increase in ethanol production will account for more than half of the global increase in demand for corn. Much the same is true in the US and EU for soybeans and rapeseed used in biodiesel. The rising price of food is good for producers. It is dreadful, however, for consumers, particularly for those in poor, food importing countries. Increased production of biofuels also adds stress on existing land and water supplies. Dr. Vandana Shiva is a physicist, ecologist, activist, editor, author. She founded the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology (1982) in Dehra Dun dedicated to high quality and independent research and Navdanya (1991), a national seed movement to protect the diversity and integrity of living resources, promote organic farming and fair trade

Jodhpur Folk Festival from October 21 Detais on page 26

India Post

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October 1, 2010

KAVITA ARORA India Post News Service

SAN JOSE, CA: On September 19, 2010, SB Entertainment presented one of Bollywood's best actors and top comedians, Paresh Rawal, in his hilarious new Hindi play, "Krishan vs. Kanhaiya" in a jam-packed, house full San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. What an actor's actor Paresh is, with amazing concentration, eye contact, comic timing, expressions, and mindful humor. Dressed casually in a blue denim jacket, a tiny bit of stage make-up, Paresh Rawal was a delight to meet at a press meet at the historic St. Claire's Hotel right before he was set to perform. About theater, a very direct and articulate Paresh said, "Theater feeds my creative needs. It is an actor's medium. I get an immediate high and an immediate response from the audience. I can do things on stage that I cannot in films. In films, my job as an actor is over, once the director says cut. In theater, I get to add onto my performance as the play continues." He added, "I'm more comfortable

with doing something challenging. If you give me something easy to do, I can do it, but I find it very boring. As an actor, I should take something from the role also." A veteran actor who admires Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh was very down to earth, warm, and held my eye in a steady gaze while we talked about his career and his new play. Well, about the play, he said, "All I'm going to say is that it's a hard hitting thought provoking comedy." The play had a simple set and a superb performance by Paresh and the entire cast. What he does in films with the

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I can do things on stage that I cannot in films. In films, my job as an actor is over, once the director says cut. In theater, I get to add onto my performance as the play continuesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; option of retakes, he did non-stop for the stage, rarely going off stage during the entire duration of the play. "The play was amazing and Paresh Rawal was awesome," said Amitabh Bhargava. While Ajay Jain thought it was "one of the best shows in the Bay Area ever." Paresh Rawal has been in the Bollywood

big screen and stage since 1980s, with hundreds of hit movies and scores of awards under his belt. Some of his well known movies are Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Golmaal, Chup Chup Ke, Bhool Bhulaiya, Paa, 36 China Town, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge among others. "Krishan Vs Kanhaiya" is directed by Umesh Shukla. Along with Paresh, actors

include Dharmender Gohil, Sirdhar Vatsar, Vaibhav Biniwala, Khusboo Brahmbhatt, Chirag Vora, Ankit and others. This Hindi play is based on the super-hit Gujarati comedy "Kanji Virrudh Kanji" currently rocking the Mumbai theatres. This was the second event Shawn Bhattacharya has brought to the Bay Area while Induz was a non-profit associate with this event. After a fantastic event earlier this year with the Asha Bhosle and Sudhesh Bhosle concert, this was a superb play and exceptionally well-organized. Kavita Arora is Anchor & Co Producer Sitaare TV

October 1, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Maitri's 'Salaam India' is hilarious this theatrical production, a play inspired by Pavan Verma's bestseller, 'Being Indian.' The play is traveling across the US. "This is our opening night, first performance in the United States. No matter where we are,

KAVITA ARORA India Post News Service

SANTAS CLARA, CA: On September 18, Maitri hosted its annual fundraising event, a play entitled, "Salaam India," at the Santa Clara Convention Center to a full-house. Several hundred Maitri supporters came out for this humorous play. "The play is just hilarious and for a serious cause like Maitri, this adds a little lightness to it. I'm glad we are able to get this wonderful play to the Bay Area," said Vinita Gupta, a long-time supporter of Maitri.

What should we choose as India's national dish? Should it be vegetarian, a snack item such as a samosa, alloo tikki, or pao bhaji, or a South Indian idli or dosa? In a country with so many vegetarians, can it be tandoori chicken? Who should pay for the wedding and other expenses, the girl's side or boy's side and should the girl's side be subservient to the boy's side, a tradition that has been followed for centuries? These are just some of the thought provoking issues highlighted in

Who should pay for the wedding and other expenses, the girl's side or boy's side and should the girl's side be subservient to the boy's side, a tradition that has been followed for centuries? These are just some of the thought provoking issues highlighted when I look out and I see the stage and the set, that's our stage, our set, that's our space. So when we go out there, it's the same as anywhere else, "said Andrew Hoffland, one of the male leads in "Salaam India." Salaam India is directed by Lushin Dubey and

written for stage by Nicholas Kharkongor. The cast includes Shena Gamat, Ashish Paliwal, Andrew Hoffland, and Lushin Dubey. Well-known stage actress Lushin talked about the prior work she has done with Maitri and added that "when Mukta asked me about Salaam, I said of course because I've brought these very intense plays in the past and this would be something that definitely has content, has thought provoking bits and moments. It talks about our history, talks about so many things, like our basic psyche

that makes us Indian." Vinita Gupta added that "our hope and goal is with our community support, we can do early detection and prevention and make our community a stronger community so we have to face these issues lesser than what we are at the moment. The biggest thing that would help prevention goal is we need more involvement of role models of men. It's not like anybody comes out ahead when there is a breakdown in the family. This is part of our next strategy."

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7+ %,57+'$< &(/(%5$7,21 :,7+ $1286+.$ 6+$1.$5 Don’t miss the legendary sitarist and composer – India’s most celebrated music ambassador – in a very rare appearance.

Tanmoy Bose tabla • Ravichandra Kulur flute • with tanpura accompaniment

Wed OCT 20 • WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL Order Your Tickets Today! LAPhil.com • 323.850.2000 Box Office (Tue-Sun, 12-6pm) • Groups (10+) 323.850.2050 Programs, artists, prices and dates subject to change. Media sponsor: 89.9 KCRW

Cont’d on page 26

26 India Post

October 1, 2010 www.indiapost.com

Jodhpur Folk Festival from October 21

India Post News Service

JODHPUR: Renowned for creating ripples in the music circuit, the Jodhpur Rajasthan International Folk Festival (J-RIFF) is back again to enchant music lovers at the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur from October 21-25. Currently in its fourth year, the festival promises to captivate audiences with its amalgamation of traditional Rajasthani music that blend seamlessly with unconventional collaborations between Indian and International artists. The festival is scheduled to open with traditional Maand by Ali Mohammed (Shekawati), Pt.

Chirenji Lal (Jaipur) and Banarasi ji (Jodhpur). Visitors are in for a rare musical extravaganza as artists like Ashwini Bhide, Susheela Raman, Sona Mohapatra, percus-

musicians from Rajasthan. Adding to this star studded entourage, JRIFF will also present the Warszawianka folk dance ensemble from Poland, the Zawose

Currently in its fourth year, the festival promises to captivate audiences with its amalgamation of traditional Rajasthani music that blend seamlessly with unconventional collaborations between Indian and International artists sionist Pete Lockett, Sufi rock band Mekaal Hasan, Brazilian DJ Maga Bo and gypsy-jazz guitarist Augustin Carbonell 'El Bola' take centre stage along with traditional

est full moon of the year in North India, the spectacular concerts of Jodhpur RIFF will take place amidst stunning settings in and around Mehrangarh Fort. Voted "Asia's Best Fortess" by Times Magazine, venues inside the Mehrangarh Fort include the Main Stage for the performances of headline artists, parties at the Club Mehran; Dawn and Dusk devo-

heritage. The festival is a partnership between Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation and has been endorsed by UNESCO as a "Peoples' Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development." Speaking about the upcoming festival, Mr. Divya Bhatia - Festival director, Jodhpur RIFF said, "It's time again to bring together

tional concerts performed at sunrise and sunset, Living Legends Stage dedicated to the most experienced performers and Interactive Folk sessions, which will offer listeners an opportunity to learn the finer nuances of rare traditional art forms from the musicians themselves. Rated India's best new music festival, J-RIFF was established in 2007 to help ensure the continuation of the region's rich musical

music lovers at a juncture that is the Jodhpur Rajasthan International Folk Festival (J-RIFF). Besides being a confluence of artists across the globe, the festival has a social responsibility to provide traditional performers from Rajasthan a platform to showcase their musical heritage. We hope for the continual support of our loyal patrons to keep this initiative alive and thriving."

Family from Tanzania; and a special Flamenco-Kalbeliya dance collaboration. Timed beautifully to coincide with "Sharad Purnima" the bright-

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Maitri's 'Salaam India' is hilarious Cont’d from page 25

Mukta Sharangpani, President of Maitri, saw similarities between "Salaam India" and Maitri. Maitri has made several achievement and brought cutting edge programs to Bay Area South Asian families in need such as "the transition home and our hotline," but "biggest achievement is that the community supports the organizations," said Mukta. "Almost every dollar that we raise goes towards direct services. We live and work here in the valley and we serve this community."

Sarah Khan, Program Director for Maitri noted that with the economic downturn, families have been impacted and call counts already reached 1,900 as of August 2010. Maitri is a free, confidential, referral non-profit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families from South Asia facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, human trafficking or family conflict. Kavita Arora is Anchor & Co Producer Sitaare TV

October 1, 2010

India Post

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South Asian Film Festival in Chicago Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) Team headed by Ketki Parikh said here that they would host would the Festival - the first of its type event in Chicagoland - from October 1 to 3. The Festival will showcase 16 diverse independent films during the three-day gathering in the heart of downtown Chicago. The opening day will be a red carpet affair at the Chicago Cultural Center with Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala, Rajit Kapoor, Aparna Sen, Ajay Naidu, Ravi Kapoor, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Meera Simhan, Umakanth Thumrugoti, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Baljit Sangra, Bornila Chatterjee, Reena Shah and Sandeep Sharma. The opening night movie is Deepti Naval's Two Paise for Sunshine Four Aanas for Rain. After the viewing, there will be an interactive session among attendees, filmmakers, and the remarkable artists.

ability of cinema to transcend across all of humanity. He observed that the diverse line up offers something for everyone.

Left to Right: Kaivan Dave (Marketing and Technology Director), Suhani Amin (PR Director), Kekti Parikh (Executive Director), Parveen Usman (Sponsorship Director), Mileen Patel (Programing Director) -(Pic courtesy Asian Media USA)

Akshay wants ban on the word 'Retarded' The recent incident involving Jennifer Anniston using the R word on live TV was of course blown out of proportion. Its not like the rest of us are angels, but it just shows how unaware we are and how frivolously we use this word Retard. One could never understand how much it hurts it demeans such great people who strive harder in life than we could ever imagine."

Akshay Kumar India Post News Service

s one of the Brand Ambassadors for the Special Olympics, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has hit out at the negative connotation and use of the 'R-word' ('Retard'). Akshay is upset at the continual and ignorant use of the word and has kickstarted a campaign to demand a ban on the wrongful usage of the word 'Retard'. Following the controversy of Hollywood Actress, Jennifer Anniston's wrongful usage of the 'R-word' in her interview on the 'Live with Regis and Kelly' show, Akshay has spoken out saying "Being Ambassador for the Special Olympics in India, I have always tried to make these wonderful and extremely talented human beings feel as loved and respected as humanly possible.

The humanitarian takes his role as a Special Olympics Ambassador very seriously and has made concerted efforts to make the 'Ban the R Word' campaign a success. On his twitter, Akshay has personally requested for those that have a heart to visit the website www.rwordindia.org and pledge their support for the banning of the 'R' word The humanitarian takes his role as a Special Olympics Ambassador very seriously and has made concerted efforts to make the 'Ban the R Word' campaign a success. On his twitter, Akshay has personally requested for those that have a heart to visit the website www.r-wordindia.org and pledge their support for the banning of the 'R' word. The campaign will help further the actor's bigger efforts to ensure mentally and physically challenged individuals are recognised as equal members of society, as well as encouraging them to blossom in their abilities.

Kekti Parikh, CSAFF Executive Director, spoke of her experiences with South Asian Film festivals across the U.S. in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. And it was dream come true when with other team members - Mileen Patel, Parveen Usman, Kaivan Dave and Suhani Amin - a festival got organized here too. When asked what the festival has to offer to Chicagoans, Mileen Patel, CSAFF Programming Director, spoke of the rich story telling of the selected films and the unique

The films will be screened at Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Center. Movies range from feature films to documentaries and even shorts. There are a handful of premieres in the line up including the World Premieres of Water Pressures and The Professionals The films will be screened at Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Center. Movies range from feature films to documentaries and even shorts. There are a handful of premieres in the line up including the World Premieres of Water Pressures and The Professionals. There are variety of passes and tickets available ranging from the opening night gala to full day access to individual film showings and more. There will also be free screenings for certain films on the Chicago Cultural Center.

India Post

October 1, 2010 www.indiapost.com

Isheeta Ganguly's new fusion CD to be launched India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Fusion singer Isheeta Ganguly's new album Damaru-I Feel Your Rhythm - a crossover medley of music that weaves together Indian folk-pop, classical, lounge, elektronika, and Rabindrasangeet (the music of Rabindranath Tagore) is set to be released in New York on Oct 6. Released with Times Music in India in August, the album will be launched in New York by the Indo American Arts Council (IAAC). The CD launch party will include a special musical performance by Isheeta Ganguly, as well as the New York premiere of the "Bande Mataram" music video, featuring Bollywood superstar John Abraham, which has received significant national acclaim in India.

Rolling Stone magazine raves "Damaru, a six song, multi-lingual (its got songs in English, Hindi & Bengali) Tagore fusion album, is a tie-up of Ganguly's musical worlds and cultural contexts - jazz, gospel, pop & R&B at one end and Rabindrasangeet, the 2000 plus body of songs left behind by Tagore, on another." "It expresses Rabindrasangeet in a new language which is essentially my language', says Ganguly, who has also written the English lyrics for all of the songs. The album has been created in active collaboration with percussionist Tanmoy Bose, Bollywood composer Shantanu Moitra, and NY-based elektronika producer Phil Levy. "These melodic songs represent themes of patriotism, universalism,

Fusion singer Isheeta Ganguly

and love," says Aroon Shivdasani, Executive Director of the IndoAmerican Arts Council. "The IAAC is proud to present artists like Ganguly, whose music represents the cross-cultural flux and multi-

layered journey in dual worlds." Isheeta is a crossover singer of the Indian Diaspora who began her musical journey at the tender age of seven and released her first Rabindrasangeet album at the age of fifteen. Raised in the US, Turkey, Japan, and Indonesia, Isheeta's music weaves together the many threads of her musical journey from her training in Tagore's music (under maestro Suchitra Mitra) to her versatile training and performance in jazz, pop, and R&B styles throughout her youth. She has released seven widely

Sahara bid to buy MGM, set up film city

Akshay Kumar

Sonakshi Sinha

A model displays a creation by Indian designer Arjun Saluja on the second day of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2010 in Mumbai on September 18. (Above) Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha on the ramp

acclaimed Rabindrasangeet albums since her childhood and, more recently, began incorporating sounds of jazz, gospel, and R&B into a contemporary fusion sound which appeals to listeners across the globe. She has performed and collaborated on a number of international multimedia projects including "Chiranthan" with Amitabh Bachchan, "Riot" with Shabana Azmi and Shashi Tharoor, "Still I Rise" with danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, and "Tribute to Tagore" with the late Ustad Vilayat Khan.

ahara India Pariwar's latest move of putting in $2 billion bid to buy Hollywoodbased film production and distribution major, Metro-GoldwynMayer (MGM) Inc, is a part of its larger plans for film production and distribution including setting up of a hi-tech Film City at Aamby Valley. Subrata Roy, Managing Worker & Chairman of Sahara India, informed that the group has chalked out mega plans in the film business that include developing a worldclass Film City and distribution of films through satellite. "Our upcoming Film City at Aamby Valley will be the first of its kind with hi-tech facilities for indoor and outdoor shooting, besides massive pre-productions and post-production facilities," added Roy. Elaborating on the concept of Film City, Roy said, "For indoor shooting, the Film City will have four huge air-conditioned domes. One of the domes will be like a city, complete with roads, street lights, houses etc., suitable for a specific city-location shoot. Likewise, one of the domes will depict a sea shore. The best part is that the skyline of the dome can be changed so that you can have the sea shores of Mumbai, New York or any other city you want. The dome with snow and changing skyline will provide an opportunity to film makers to shoot snow fall scenes of any Indian or foreign locale. Then there's this dome complete with forests. We will also have a huge pond, similar to the one which was used for shooting the movie, Titanic. We are already in the process of seeking details from global studios for setting up these domes." The studios at Film City, according to Roy, will have all pre and post-production facilities. "The whole concept is such that a film maker enters the studio with

an idea and comes out with a finished film. With the modern and hi-tech facilities at the Film City, film makers would be able to complete a film in just a month's time. Moreover, Aamby Valley provides excellent living accommodation and superb climatic conditions ideal for outdoor shooting. Speaking about Sahara's plans for film distribution, Roy said that they would modernize film distribution by replacing the old system of physically sending film prints to movie halls with the new system under which film prints would be distributed through a satellite link to cinema screens

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our upcoming Film City at Aamby Valley will be the first of its kind with hi-tech facilities for indoor and outdoor shooting, besides massive preproductions and postproduction facilitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; across the country. In a related development, Sahara is setting up 3-screen multiplexes across 217 townships planned by it which in turn will be linked to its upcoming Film City. Sahara Group with its assets totaling over $13 billion has diversified business interests that include financial services, real estate, infrastructure, print and televisions media, film productions, sports, healthcare, hospitality, etc. And if Sahara's recent initiatives meant to revamp its operations in media and entertainment domains come through as planned, these will completely change the face of film production and film distribution in the country.

he capital town of the eastern state of Tripura, Agartala, is a mini store house of rich cultural diversity. This is due to the city's physical proximity with the Indo-Bangladesh border, which is just two km away. Agartala moved to its present location in 1850, under the regime of King Maharaja Radha Krishna Kishore Manikya Bahadur. It is known for its twin modern palaces - Ujjayanta and Kunjaban. Agartala is located in the western part of Tripura, astride the Haroa River. It is 1680 km from Calcutta and 599 km from Guwahati. National Highway No. 44 connects Agartala to Guwahati via Shillong. It takes about 24 hours by road from Guwahati to reach Agartala. The journey time by road between Dhaka and Agartala is approximately three hours. Best time to visit: The best time to visit Agartala is between October and April. Towards the extremes of this period, one might experience a few showers, but they are quite refreshing. The town is known for its cultural and historical worth, and one can easily notice bright bamboo and cloth umbrellas over ponds. Such parasols are part of the tribal customs of grandsons commemorating the deaths of their grandfathers on their anniversaries. Agartala was once part of a

29 India Post Hindu kingdom, until the state was taken over by the Mughals in 1733. The British took over the reins of governance in 1808 and Tripura was a princely state until 1956, when it became a Union Territory. When Tripura gained statehood in 1972, Agartala became the state capital. Tourist attractions: The major interest of the town is the Ujjayanta Palace, which was built in the IndoSaracenic style in 1901 by Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya. It is a two-storeyed mansion, with 28 hectares of parkland, and now houses the office of the State Legislative Assembly. In the grounds, there are two temples Umanneshwar and Jagganath - both of which are ochre in color.

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The major interest of the town is the Ujjayanta Palace, which was built in the Indo-Saracenic style in 1901 by Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya. It is a two-storeyed mansion, with 28 hectares of parkland

October 1, 2010 Another important attraction is the Kunjaban Palace built in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya. It is located about 1 km away from the Ujjayanta Palace on a hillock. The Palace is the official residence of the Governor of Tripura. The southern part of the Palace is open to public and has been named as Rabindra Kanan. Situated about 55 km from Agartala is Neermahal, Tripura's major tourist attraction. It is a summer resort built in the middle of a lake named Rudrasagar, with a total area of about 5.35 sq. km. It is the only lake palace in Eastern India and has been built in a mixture of Hindu and Mughal styles. Places around: Near this capital city, there are few places known for the rock cuts and carvings. These include Debtamura, Unakoti and Pilak. Debtamura is situated 75 km away from Agartala, on the banks of the river Gomati, between Udaipur and Amarpur. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 30

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

October 1, 2010

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Babies galore at Los Angeles Zoo India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Zoo has announced the birth of a Masai giraffe, a Calamian deer and two Chacoan peccaries. On August 30, a female Masai giraffe was born at the L.A. Zoo. Able to stand shortly after birth, calves can grow four feet during their first year. When full grown giraffes can reach a height of 18 feet, making them the tallest land mammal. Native to Kenya and Tanzania, Masai giraffes can reach a speed of 35 miles per hour. Their kicks are so powerful that they're capable of decapitating a lion. Giraffes communicate with one another through posturing, movement and carriage of their tails, retreat and sometimes vocalization, which includes moos, bellows and whistles. September 1, brought the birth of a male Calamian deer, a type of endangered deer native to the Philippines' Calamian Islands. These deer prefer to live in swampy areas close to rivers, marshes with tall grass, open forests, clear cut areas or second-growth scrub. These deer feast on low-lying leaves, twigs and shoots. Occasionally they will graze on fallen

flowers and fruits. Male deer need large amounts of calcium and phosphate from their food in order to grow antler bone. On August 23, two Chacoan peccaries, a species similar to pigs, were born. Chacoan peccaries are native to Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay. They were thought to be extinct until 1972 when biologists found the species still existed in Paraguay. Although peccaries look simi-

of cactus make up most of the peccary's diet. Like hogs, peccaries have a well-developed snout used to root out bulbs, roots, tubers and rhizomes of a variety of plants. Occasionally, peccaries also eat small mammals and reptiles. Unlike the domestic pig, the peccary is a slow and dainty eater; they do not devour their food rapidly. These recent births are just a few of the exciting reasons to visit the L.A. Zoo this fall. All of these

These recent births are just a few of the exciting reasons to visit the L.A. Zoo this fall. All of these babies are now on exhibit with their parents. Visitors can also stop by the Winnick Family Children's Zoo to see several of the young Komodo dragons lar to pigs, they belong to a different taxonomic group than the true pigs of the Old World. In peccaries, the tusks point downward as opposed to upward. They have 38 teeth instead of either 34 or 44 like suids and peccary babies don't have the "watermelon" striped coats that the offspring of true pigs, such as red river hogs and Visayan warty pigs, are born with. In the wild, low growing species

babies are now on exhibit with their parents. Visitors can also stop by the Winnick Family Children's Zoo to see several of the young Komodo dragons that hatched last month, as well as a variety of exotic hoof stock youngsters that are being raised in the nursery. The male harbor seal pup, born in June, is also on exhibit after a successful introduction to the Zoo's five adult harbor seals.

Baby giraffe

Agartala: Storehouse of rich cultural diversity Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 29

It is famous for its panels of rock carvings on the steep mountain wall on the banks of Gomati. There are huge images carved of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartika, Mahisasur Mardini Durga and other gods and goddesses. This is also called Chabimura. These images date back to 15th-16th centuries. Debtamura means God's peak. The beautiful images of deities are carved with a lot of dexterity on the rocky faces of Debtamura which is as steep as 90 degrees. The hill ranges are covered with thick jungles and one can reach this abode of gods only after trekking through these jungles. Unakoti is located at a distance of about 178 km from Agartala and is a pilgrimage site for Shiva worship. It dates back to the 8th and 9th century. It is surrounded by waterfalls on all sides. In the center is a 30feet-high statue of Lord Shiva who is called Unakotishwara Kal Bhairava. The main attraction is the Ashokasthami festival held here every year in the month of April. Pilak is located about 100 km from Agartala and is famous for its carvings in stone and terracotta plaques. These belong to the 8th and 9th century and are spread within an area of 10 sq. km. Mammoth stone images of Narasimha and Avlokiteshwara are seen here. An important pilgrimage point for the Hindus is the Mata Tripureshwari Temple, which is among the 51 pitha stalas according to Hindu mythology. It is situated at a

distance of 58 km from Agaratala. It houses the statue of Goddess Kali. Since it is in the form of a tortoise, it is also called the Kurma Pith. About 14 km from Agartala is located the Chaturdas Devta Bari Temple. The famous tribal festival of Karachi is a major attraction of this temple and is held in the month of July annually. Maa Bhubaneshwari Temple was built on the right banks of the Gomti River by Maharaja Govinda Manikya in the 17th century. The Buddha Vihar on Airport Road is in the North of the city and houses the Burmese statues of Lord Buddha. Other important temples of Agartala are Lakshmi Narayan temple, Jagannath temple, Uma Maheshwari temple and Durga temple. Jampui Hills are located at a distance of about 200 km from Agartala and is famous as the land of the permanent spring. It is at a range of about 300 ft above sea level. The place is known for its natural splendor and

Maa Bhubaneshwari Temple was built on the right banks of the Gomti River by Maharaja Govinda Manikya in the 17th century. The Buddha Vihar on Airport Road is in the North of the city and houses the Burmese statues of Lord Buddha. Other important temples of Agartala are Lakshmi Narayan temple, Jagannath temple, Uma Maheshwari temple and Durga temple serene atmosphere. Located 55 km south is the city of lakes,

Udaipur, which is known for its Mahadev temple and Tripura Sundari temple. Also nearby Agartala are the Sepajhila wildlife sanctuary and Krishna wildlife sanctuary. Dumboor, a locale of abundant natural beauty, is 100 km from Agartala and is famous for its lake and Sankranti Mela held in January. In the vicinity, one can find the temple of Lake Kamlasagar. Fairs & festivals: The Durga Puja season is generally the busiest time of the year and one can then experience the richness of Indian cultural extravaganza. Agartala is also known for its tribal festivals like Karachi, and Garia Puja. How to reach Air - The airport is 12 km to the north and leads on to Agartala via the Ujjyanta Palace. Agartala is well connected with Guwahati, Silchar, Udaipur, Melaghar and Unakoti. Rail - The nearest railhead is at Kumarghat.

October 1, 2010

Travel & Hospitality Post

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Nepal to invest tourism revenue in development KATHMANDU: Nepal government has agreed to invest 60 per cent of revenue collected from tourism in Upper Mustang close to the Chinese border for local development in a bid to boost the sector still reeling under impact of the Maoist insurgency which came to an end in 2006. The people of Upper Mustang, the famous tourist spot in the mountainous north-west region of Nepal, had threatened to prevent the entry of visitors from October 1 if the government failed to invest most of the income generated from the sector for local development activities. According the Upper Mustang Youth Society (UMYS), which is leading the agitation to step up pressure on the authorities to agree to their demand, has decided to withdraw the plan for the stir to prevent the entry of tourist in the Upper Mustang situated near the China border. Lopsan Chhomphel Bista, coordinator of the UMYS, said the decision to end the agitation was in view of the possible negative impact to the government's plan to launch 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011' in a bid to attract one million tourists to the country. In a statement, he asked the government to release the funds for local development as soon as possible, warning that if the commitment is not fulfilled they would be compelled to take strong action. The government and Tibet Autonomous Region of China last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operation of buses between Nepal and Tibet.

The accord also allows regular Nepali helicopter and charter services in the sacred Mansarovar area, promoting Nepal Tourism Year 2011 in Tibet and providing Tibet visa to international tourists from Kathmandu and operating more Chinese airlines between Lhasa-Kathmandu. The government plans to hold a grand function on January 14 next year to formally launch 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011' (NTY) in a bid to give a boost to the sector still reeling under the impact of the

decade-long Maoists-led insurgency. The tourism sector is largest foreign exchange earner for the country. Last week, Tourism Secretary Kishor Thapa said that Nepal is observing the NTY 2011 event with a view to spread the message that Nepal is a safe, exciting and peaceful destination for international visitors. It was expected that with the end of the Maoists-led insurgency in 2006, the country's tourism sector would get a boost. However, the

country has been faced with political and economic instability, that has impacted the tourism sector. More than two months after the 22-party coalition led by Prime

Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal collapsed, seven rounds of Parliament vote has failed to elect a new leader, deepening the political crisis in the country. -PTI

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Anjaana Anjaani Ki Kahaani: Anjaana Anjaani 2 Tere Mast Mast Do Nain: Dabangg 3

Pee Loon: Once Upon A Time in Mumbai

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October 1, 2010

Hairat: Anjaana Anjaani

5 Mera Jeena Hai Kya: Aashayein 6 Tujhe Bhula Diya: Anjaana Anjaani 7 Chori Kiya Re Jiya: Dabangg 8 Man Lafanga: Lafangey Parindey 9 Naav: Udaan (New) 10 Desh Mera: Peepli Live

fter winning the Miss Universe crown ten years ago, Lara Dutta lived in New York for a while. Tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi was there, too. But, they never bumped into each other then. Still, the city remains one of their favourites in the world, and that is perhaps why Mahesh chose to pop the question there, during the recent US Open. "He did it over a candlelit dinner and took me completely by surprise. I couldn't believe that he had picked the stone and designed the ring all by himself," beams Lara, flashing her diamond. The engagement has made the relationship "official", as the couple has been spotted often, publicly, but till now neither had confirmed or denied a relationship. "When I was asked if I was single, I said `no', but beyond that refused to divulge details about my personal life. I've always said that I'd speak about my relationship only when I knew where it was headed. Mahesh was going through a divorce and he needed space to sort things out and not a complicated `khichdi'," she reasons. Even when Mahesh's ex-wife Svetha Jaishankar opened up to the media, insisting that Lara had been responsible for the end of her marriage, the actor maintained a dignified silence. Today, Lara says, "I met Mahesh a year after he had separated from his ex-wife. So I was not involved or responsible for their break-up. Once we started seeing each other, I knew instinctively that he was my Mr Right. But we waited, gave ourselves time to see if things would work out right and announce it properly." So, when did epiphany strike? "I was shooting for Houseful in London, Mahesh was training nonstop. We hadn't seen each other in six weeks. When we finally met, I knew we both were in trouble," Lara laughs. When's the marriage? "Not this year," she says. "Both of us are too busy. After the Davis Cup, Mahesh has the Commonwealth Games coming up." She adds, "Our families are excited.â&#x20AC;?

ul Panag turned 30 recently and that too while shooting for "Turning 30". "A turning 30 syndrome plagues only the city-women, for in other parts of India, by the time one is 30, one is married with two kids," she said making it sound like she has no qualms about turning 30. So, does the movie, "Turning 30", bring in light any of her own experiences? "I really have relived some of my funny personal experiences before the camera," she said with a smile. "Interestingly, the whole crew of "Turning 30" actually turned 30 while shooting for this film!" she added. Entire crew - she must be kidding? "See, I recently turned 30, the director turned 30 and so did the casting designer and the cameraman," she said. Co-star Purab Kohli also? "Purab had turned 30 some time back, but it wasn't so long ago. There was only one person, whom we call Suresh bhai, who wasn't 30, but much older, because Prakash Jha wanted one elderly person to be around to keep an eye on us 30-somethings," said the actress. We asked if her unique hair cut restricts her from playing different roles? "Your hair can hardly ever restrict your career. And if a role demands long hair, then there are always wigs that can be used. And wigs are as good as natural hair," she explained. That's probably because she doesn't play the quintessential in-love Bollywood girl who sings and dances, right?

Rs 100 cr suits

e guess he's called King Khan for a reason. Every thing about superstar Shah Rukh Khan's next film Ra.One, which is touted to be one of the most expensive Hindi films ever, is being described as 'king size', be it action, music or budget. And just when the media was digesting news that his superhero rubber suit in the movie will cost Rs 1 crore, SRK clarifies the real cost of the suit is much, much more. Says Khan, "I keep reading in the papers that my costume is a million rupee costume. But it's actually a million dollar costume - that's four-and-a-half crore rupees per costume. And there's not one costume, there are 20 such!" That puts the cost of just the costumes of the movie at Rs 100 crore, which reads like an unlikely figure. When asked about the budget of the movie, Khan plays it down by shifting focus instead on to the 'simple' story of the movie, "Ra. One is a very real film, although it is in the genre of superheromeets-genie in a bottle. I have tried not to keep it over-the-top or too 'dialoguey'. It has real situations and authentic dialogue."

Bollywood

October 1, 2010

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he Toronto International Film Festival wasn't just about Hollywood A-listers. Adding to the zing was a gaggle of Bollywood actors The first day of the Toronto festival saw the evening screening of "Dhobi Ghat" at the city's elegant and old world Elgin Theatre. Tickets, sold out well ahead, were being bartered in black. The cast and crew arrived late for their red carpet parade, which alarmed even the unflappable co-director of the festival and selector of Indian films, Cameron Bailey, waiting to receive them. The reason? Aamir Khan's car and later he himself were mobbed en route. The packed hall awaiting the film's entourage started with the usual starstruck frenzy, with loud hoots and shrieks of "I love you, Aamir". Then came Cameron Bailey's introduction on stage of the film's representatives. Kiran Rao, completely in control, led her two female leads, Monica Dogra and Kriti Malhotra, Prateik Babbar accompanied them. Thundering applause broke out as Aamir took the mike. He said that he fell in love all over again with his wife when he read her extraordinary script and he'd to fight his way into being cast by her. The audience was cosmopolitan even with its vocal Indian component. Surprisingly they watched the film in taut silence. They got totally into the mood of the film, taking Aamir's entrance without a trace of the usual squeals that a star elicits. It was Prateik who drew chuckles and laughter as he played the simple dhobi with a guileless candour that was totally endearing. The film ended to a loud and prolonged applause. A nervous Prateik followed on stage minutes later, and literally stumbled at the sudden vociferous standing ovation he received.

bhay Deol and his girlfriend, Preeti Desai (British model and Miss Great Britain 2006), are inseparable. Last year Mumbai Mirror was the first to report that they were dating. Preeti had flown to Spain to accompany Abhay, who was shooting for Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The latest grapevine is that the two are now in a live-in relationship. Preeti has moved into Abhay's flat at Juhu. Earlier, Abhay was living with the Deols in their palatial bungalow in Juhu. However, he moved out in 2007 and is now living in a separate house in the same locality, one that Preeti could well be sharing with the actor. Says a source, "The two are very happy. Their relationship, which did have its fair share of ups and downs, is now rock-steady." Preeti and Abhay's relationship ran into turbulent waters when Abhay went to America in mid-2009 for a few months; the long distance started telling on their relationship. But once Abhay returned to India, the two not only sorted out their problems but also cemented their union. Preeti is the first woman of Indian origin to win the Miss Great Britain title. Born and brought up in London, she is settled in Mumbai since 2008 and done quite a few modelling assignments. Abhay and Preeti first met in February 2009 at the success party of the Abhay starrer Dev D. It was love at first sight. Both Preeti and Abhay are quite settled in their respective careers. While Abhay has almost moved into a quasi-A bracket post Dev D, Preeti has a lot of modelling work, aside from Ekta Kapoor's film Shor opposite American TV actor Sendhil Ramamurthy.

ipasha Basu has decided to forego payment for socially relevant films. In fact, the actor even preaches the same for her Bollywood contemporaries. Referring to her last release, Lamhaa - a film that dealt with the problems in Kashmir, but bombed at the box office - Bips said, "If Lamhaa had been made for the price of an Udaan or a Tere Bin Laden, it would have been a hit. Taking a pay cut is the only way these films can work." Although reasons vary, other actors are following suit, too. Friend in need: Shahid Kapoor did not charge any money for Paathshala, which released in April and focussed on the life of school children. About the film, written by his best friend, choreographer Ahmad Khan, and producer Khan's wife, Shaira, Shahid said, "I haven't done this for commercial reasons. We wanted to reach out to people," Nana Patekar also refused remuneration for the film. Team effort: The team of I Am, including actor Juhi Chawla and film-makers Anurag Kashyap and Anurag Basu, worked in the project for free. The money for the film was collected through Facebook. "Everyone was very helpful," says director Onir Anirban.

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DC bill requires exam after head injury

WASHINGTON: A D.C. Councilman says he will introduce a bill that would require kids to be examined by a professional if they are suspected of getting a concussion while playing a sport. Council member Phil Mendelson will join with the general manager of the Washington Redskins and others to introduce the bill at a press conference. The legislation Mendelson plans to introduce would require young athletes to be removed from practice or play following a suspected concussion. The athlete could only return to play if cleared by a licensed health care provider. The legislation is modeled on a law introduced in Washington state, and since enacted in a number of other states. The NFL has backed the legislation. -AP

Doctors give up independence, move to hospitals BOISE, Idaho: Idaho doctors are increasingly abandoning independent practices and going to work for hospitals. The Idaho Statesman reports that economic pressures including shrinking government reimbursements, as well as rising health insurance costs for employees, are factors behind this shift. Dr. Michael J. Tullis, of the 42year-old Cardiothorasic & Vascular Associates, says ``There is more security in aligning with the hospital.'' Tullis is among doctors there who voted recently to sell to St. Luke's in Boise. St. Luke's Health System, which had 111 doctors in 2008, now has 218, many of them previously in private practices. -AP

Spiriva as good as Serevent in asthma study

LOS ANGELES: Researchers say they've found a possible new treatment for adults with hard-tocontrol asthma. A federally funded study found that Spiriva, which is used to treat emphysema and other lung problems worked as well as the asthma drug Serevent. But the discovery came at a price. Scientists had to spend nearly $1 million of taxpayers' money after British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline declined to donate its asthma drug and look-alike dummy medicine for the study. Drug companies aren't required to supply their medicines for study, but they often do. -AP

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Farmers urged to be smart, be safe during harvest ST. PAUL, Minn.: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is telling farmers to be smart and be safe as they gear up for the fall harvest. -AP

October 1, 2010

GOP divided on how to replace health overhaul law WASHINGTON: Republicans are promising to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's health care overhaul if they win control of Congress. But with what? Not even they know. Some have proposed major changes to workplace coverage, even turning Medicare into a voucher plan. Many prefer small steps that tiptoe around political land mines. Others want a clean start. ``During the health care debate there was just as much division within Republicans as there was between the parties,'' said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a leading adviser to 2008 GOP presidential candidate John McCain. ``It will be more visible now that Republicans may be in charge of one house because those divisions will come to the surface.'' Republicans appear have better than even odds of winning the House. At least 75 seats are competitive, the vast majority held by Democrats, according to a recent Associated Press analysis. The GOP only has to win 40. One of the first acts of a Re-

publican majority would be a vote to repeal what they dismiss as "Obamacare.'' But they haven't said much about what would replace it. A GOP bill rejected by the Democratic-led House last year is the closest thing to a starting point. The Republican plan would cover an additional 3 million people by 2019, compared with nearly 33 million under the Obama health care law. It would lower pre-

Democrats have tried. A budget crisis could push them to the forefront because lowering health costs is critical to reducing record federal deficits. Many of those ideas come from Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., one of a group of younger lawmakers trying to energize the party leadership. Along with Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Ryan sponsored legislation that would begin to wean the

Any attempt to tamper with the tax-free status of employer health care is certain to provoke an all-out counterattack from labor unions. That hasn't deterred Ryan. He also risks antagonizing the seniors' lobby miums modestly for many small businesses and for people buying insurance directly. It wouldn't solve the nation's long-term cost and coverage problems. ``On a scale of 1 to 1,000, it's about a 5,'' scoffs former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a senior Democratic adviser. Yet some Republican proposals are as far-reaching as anything

middle-class away from job-based coverage and replace Medicaid with private insurance for most low-income people. The idea is to foster personal responsibility, on the theory that consumers will seek better value for their health care dollars and help drive down costs. Their plan would make employer coverage taxable to the

employee, but that would be offset with a tax credit available to all Americans. It could be used to buy coverage individually or to keep a plan at work. Some people with generous employer coverage could face higher taxes. ``We either embrace bold reform or watch our future collapse under a mountain of debt,'' said Coburn. In contrast to the Democrats' health care law, there would be no federal mandate that individuals get coverage or employers help pay for it. The plan, however, is a hard sell. Any attempt to tamper with the tax-free status of employer health care is certain to provoke an allout counterattack from labor unions. That hasn't deterred Ryan. He also risks antagonizing the seniors' lobby. On his own, Ryan has proposed to convert Medicare into a voucher system. People who become eligible starting in 2021 would get a federal payment to buy private insurance. Because of the timing of the transition, most baby boomers get to keep the current government-run program. -AP

Duo's love deepens with kidney transplant EDWARDS, Colo.: Joy Birmingham didn't think twice about donating her kidney to her boyfriend. ``I would do it for anyone close to my heart,'' she said. She and her boyfriend, Avon resident Brian Gilbertson, had a kidney transplant at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. The couple started dating on New Year's Day and had only been together for a few months when Birmingham, 29, discovered she was a match to donate her kidney. They both work for Colorado Mountain Express. People in the community have been quick to rally around the couple. ``It's a true love story,'' coworker Maggie Silvers said. About 100 people came to a fundraiser for the couple on Sept. 9 at E-town in Edwards. The event

raised about $2,600. Gilbertson said the money will help with any medical expenses his insurance doesn't cover. The money will also go toward living expenses while he and Birmingham, who lives in

serious condition. In 2007, he went to the doctor for a head cold and discovered he had extremely high blood pressure. The doctor urged him to look deeper into the problem.

The couple started dating on New Year's Day and had only been together for a few months when Birmingham, 29, discovered she was a match to donate her kidney. They both work for Colorado Mountain Express Dillon, are recovering. Gilbertson, 35, has a condition called IGA nephropathy. ``Essentially, my body is attacking my kidneys as if they were foreign,'' he said. The 12-year Vail Valley resident said he often felt tired but never suspected he had such a

Gilbertson was heading to Alaska for the summer to work as a rafting guide. After seeing a doctor in Haines, he got a biopsy done in Anchorage. The results took him by surprise. ``Immediately when I found out, I thought: 'My life is over,''' he said.

In January 2008, doctors placed him on a waiting list for a transplant from a deceased donor. Meanwhile, several family members and friends agreed to get tested to see if they were a match for a live donation. Gilbertson said his kidney function had dwindled to about 20 percent by the time he received his diagnosis. Over the past three years, it has declined to about 14 percent. The transplant is mostly a preventive measure, Gilbertson said. Without the surgery, he would eventually have to go on dialysis. Doctors have told Gilbertson that he'll be able to live a normal life after the transplant, although he'll have to be a bit more cautious. ``It kind of feels like a fresh start,'' he said. -AP

Health Science Post

October 1, 2010

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Atheist Hitchens skipping prayer in his honor BIRMINGHAM, Ala.: Stricken with cancer and fragile from chemotherapy, author and outspoken atheist Christopher Hitchens sits in an armchair before an audience and waits for the only question that can come first at such a time. ``How's your health?'' asks Larry Taunton, a friend who heads an Alabama-based group dedicated to defending Christianity. ``Well, I'm dying, since you asked, but so are you. I'm only doing it more rapidly,'' replies Hitchens, his grin faint and his voice weak and raspy. Only wisps of his dark hair remain; clothes hang on his frame. The writer best known to believers for his 2007 book ``God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything'' has esophageal cancer, the same disease that killed his father. He is fighting it, but the 62year-old Hitchens is realistic: At the very best, he says, his life will be shortened. For some of his critics, it might be satisfying to see a man who has made a career of skewering organized religion switch sides near the

end of his life and pray silently for help fighting a ravaging disease. On the informally proclaimed ``Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day'' Christopher Hitchens won't be bowing his head, even on a day set aside just for him. ``I shall not be participating,'' he told AP.

The writer best known to believers for his 2007 book 'God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything' has esophageal cancer, the same disease that killed his father Hitchens was diagnosed with cancer in June, forcing him to cancel a tour to promote his new book, ``Hitch-22: A Memoir.'' He took time off from work as chemo treatments began but recently published the first of what is intended to be a series of essays in Vanity

Fair magazine about his diagnosis. On Sept. 7, he visited Birmingham for his first public appearance since the diagnosis, a debate against David Berlinski, author of ``The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and Its Scientific Pretensions.'' They argued over the implications of a purely secular society before a crowd of about 1,200 in an event sponsored by Fixed Point Foundation, the Christian apologetics group headed by Taunton. Taunton is devoutly Christian yet has developed a fast friendship with Hitchens, who appeared at a similar debate sponsored by the organization last year. Taunton is among those praying for Hitchens, and Hitchens takes no offense. The way the English-born Hitchens sees it, the people praying for him break down into three basic groups: those who seem genuinely glad he's suffering and dying from cancer; those who want him to become a believer in their religious faith; and those who are asking God to heal him. -AP

Farmers fear dust rules won't reflect rural life INDIANAPOLIS: As they begin the fall harvest, wary farmers are watching a federal debate over whether to clamp down on one of rural life's constant companions the dust clouds that farm machinery kick up in fields and along unpaved roads. Farming groups have urged the US Environmental Protection Agency to retain its current standards for dust, soot and other microscopic particles, arguing that tighter restrictions would be unworkable and that dust isn't a real pollutant. Grain farmer Charles Schmitt, who farms about 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans near the southwestern Indiana town of Haubstadt, called the possibility of tougher rules on dust ``ridiculous.'' The 59-year-old, who's farmed for more than four decades, said there's little farmers can do to reduce dust, especially after a dry summer like this year's that left his fields parched. ``Mother Nature has more to do with it than we do. There's going to be dust and dirt no matter what,'' Schmitt said. The EPA is reviewing its air-

borne pollutant standards, as required every five years under the Clean Air Act. It's looking both at its standards for tiny particles of industrial pollution, and slightly larger particles called ``coarse particulate matter'' that include dust. Supporters of tougher restrictions said they're needed to help

Farming groups have urged the US Environmental Protection Agency to retain its current standards for dust, soot and other microscopic particles clear the air of tiny grains that can lodge deep in the lungs, worsening heart and respiratory problems. But farming and livestock groups and some lawmakers call those risks overstated. They argue that tighter rules could hurt rural areas, which they fear might exceed new limits and be required to implement plans to reduce dust. -AP

Tech News United States says binding carbon cuts for India, China NEW YORK: If the international negotiations were to move in the direction of legally binding carbon emission cuts then all major economies, including India and China should be under an obligation to do so, the US said here. "If we are in the world of legally binding...where the negotiation on the table is for legally binding commitments... then it would be legally binding for China and India and other major developing countries," America's top climate change negotiator, Todd Stern told PTI. Speaking at the end of the two day Major Economies Forum (MEF) meeting in New York, Stern also stressed that the US had been working with China and India on several non-binding initiatives to tackle climate change as well. "So we're not pushing to have legally binding commitments on China or India or Brazil or anybody else... we're only saying that if it were to go in a legally binding direction then it would have to be legally binding for all the major players." -PTI

Cycle market growing at 15-18 pc: Munjal CHANDIGARH: The market of cycle is growing at a rate of 15 to 18 per cent in the country, a top cycle manufacturing company official said here. Hero Cycles Managing Director Pankaj Munjal told reporters here that there had been tremendous increase in growth of the cycle market due to domestic and international demand. He, however, said that despite India and China being the biggest manufacturers of cycle, its market is four times more in the US, Europe and Japan. The cycle market was much bigger overseas, compared to India, as cycling is a mode of recreation in some countries. Demand for cycle parts was bigger in countries like Denmark and the US, he said however, adding that the penetration of cycle in Indian markets was less. Munjal at the same time said that the cycle demand will further grow in India in view of health and environment concerns in times to come. He said that the company's manufacturing cycles in India were keeping technological needs in mind. "These days cycles are of light weights, as these are made up of aluminum and carbon fiber," he said. -PTI

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Govt reduces borrowing target by Rs 10,000 cr NEW DELHI: The government will borrow Rs 4.47 lakh crore -- Rs 10,000 crore less than it had planned -- this fiscal, given its comfortable fund position thanks to windfall revenue from auction of 3G telecom licenses. "We are required to as per the program given earlier to raise Rs 1.73 lakh crore (in the second half of FY'11). Looking at the projected cash flows and current requirement, we think it is not required to raise the whole amount. The amount reduced is at present by Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 1.63 lakh crore," Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla told reporters here. -PTI

Job creation headlines US-India SME Forum India Post News Service

NEW YORK: In anticipation of President Obama's historic visit to India, the US-India Business Council (USIBC) hosted the inaugural meeting of the interactive Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Forum, "Integrating SMEs into the US-India Value Chain". The event was done in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), who organized a distinguished CEO delegation led by Hari Bhartia, CII President and Managing Director of Jubilant Organosys. The program concluded with remarks by United States Under Secretary of Commerce, Francisco Sanchez. The launch of the SME Forum represents a fresh outlook on how the US and India can help generate new jobs, new investments, and spur economic growth long after the President's visit in No-

vember. Representatives on both sides repeatedly spoke to the vast potential for SMEs to enter and reshape the global value chain, creating mutually beneficial opportunities for both countries. As India's population and

States and India's emerging regions. "It is critical that small and medium-sized enterprises are able to participate in the extraordinary growth story unfolding in India," noted USIBC President Ron Somers. "By accessing new and

Only 27% of these manufacturers benefit from exports. The goal is to integrate more of these types of American companies into India's global value chain, and vice versa economy continue to grow, SMEs are more important than ever, a fact underscored by Under Secretary Sanchez's Growth in Emerging Metropolitan Sectors (GEMS) initiative, announced earlier this year. The SME Forum continues the trend of linking the commercial services of the United

exciting markets, these companies will help drive growth, innovation and job creation here in the United States. USIBC and CII will help these companies in finding new opportunities in India's fastgrowing Tier II and Tier III cities. We will also work to encourage Indian SME investment here in

AARA tradeshow showcases 1400 retailers India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: At least 80 vendors and more than 1400 retailers participated in the annual trade show organized by the Asian American Retailers Association (AARA) on Sept 24, at Royal Albert's Palace in New Jersey. The show is aimed at helping AARA members and other retailers, among them convenience stores, liquor stores and gas stations, to network and make profitable relationships in this economy. AARA President Gary Patel said, "The basic idea behind the tradeshow is to raise awareness among retailers about market trends. It is a platform for retailers and vendors to build a strong network while negotiating the deals." Prashant Desai, Executive Vice President, of AARA said, "Retail businesses are facing difficult times so the show creates an opportunity for store owners to discuss the problems with other retailers and vendors and also the store owners have opportunity to find the new product and services to increase profit margins. The networking event after the show

with question and answer session was to assist store owners to implement new tactics." During the show, free wine and liquor tasting were offered while other distributors came up with new and existing products and services. Bipin Patel, Chair-

to understand market better by communicating with other retailers and vendors." An entertainment program was held in the evening for all retailers to unwind after a day's work. AARA is an association, which develops policy, creates

AARA President Gary Patel said, "The basic idea behind the tradeshow is to raise awareness among retailers about market trends. It is a platform for retailers and vendors to build a strong network while negotiating the deals." man of Board of Trustees of AARA said, "It is important to continuously learn about the industry, new products and services in the market to offer best to customers. I think the tradeshows always help retailers

economic incentives, communicates vital information, exposes new products and services, and offers tools and strategies for retailers' growth. This diverse combination of programs makes AARA a unique forum.

the United States. This SME Initiative presents a "win-win" opportunity for both sides, and enriches the global value chain to mutual advantage," Somers said. There are 3.7 million manufacturers operating in the United States today. So far, only 27% of these manufacturers benefit from exports. The goal is to integrate more of these types of American companies into India's global value chain, and vice versa, leveraging the US-India commercial link - already surpassing $40 billion in two-way trade. "USIBC stands ready to support President Obama's upcoming visit to India by creating new opportunities for American and Indian companies and strengthening bilateral trade and investment. This is the time when the governments and private sectors of both countries must focus on growth and job creation," Somers said.

PM to launch UID scheme on Sep 29 NEW DELHI: The ambitious scheme of providing unique identity number to the citizens of the country will get off on September 29 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presents first such number at a function in a tribal district of Maharashtra. UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also attend the function to roll out the 'Aadhaar' scheme at Shahada in Nandurbar district in North Maharashtra, sources said here. Under the scheme, a 12-digit unique number will be provided to every citizen of the country. As per the plan, the number will be given to 100 million people by the end of the current financial year and cover around 600 million Indians by 2014. The number is aimed at ensuring that the citizens get more efficient access to national schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the public distribution system and a range of other services including banking for the poor. -PTI

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October 1, 2010

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Kingfisher defers delivery schedule of superjumbo A380s NEW DELHI: Kingfisher Airlines said it has deferred the delivery of superjumbo Airbus A380 and induction of other aircraft like A330 and A320. "We have deferred the delivery schedule of A380, which was expected to begin next year. Delivery of other aircrafts like A330s and A320s, has also been deferred," Vijay Mallya, Chairman of the airline, said at a CII conference here. The airline has placed orders for a total of 67 aircraft, which includes, five A380s, 42 A320s and 15 A330s. In this context, he said Jet Airways had also leased several of its Boeing 777s to other global carriers and termed the decisions to defer deliveries or lease out planes as "day -to-day business decisions" to maintain capacity induction in the right perspective. Mallya also said that the fund raising plans for the airline was on schedule, when asked about reports that plans to raise USD 200 million through an issue of global depositary receipts (GDRs) has been put on hold. "All GDR plans, fund raising, are bang on target," he told reporters on the sidelines of the conference. Talking about the dues of

oil marketing companies for supply of air turbine fuel (ATF), Mallya said "We have given them (oil marketing companies) a lot of money... we do not have any overdues", but refused to comment any further. Last week, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's CMD

He said Jet Airways had also leased several of its Boeing 777s to other global carriers and termed the decisions to defer deliveries or lease out planes as ‘day to-day business decisions’ Subir Roy Choudhury had said that Kingfisher still owed Rs 220 crore to the company and the fuel supply to the airline continues to be on a cash-and-carry scheme. The loss-making private aircarrier was put on the cash and carry basis by the state-run oil marketing company some months ago after it failed to provide bank guarantee cover against payment

defaults. HPCL is Kingfisher Airline's largest aviation turbine fuel (ATF) supplier. The airline buys over 1,300 kilolitres of jet fuel to the tune of over Rs 130 crore every month. Talking about the domestic aviation sector which was now getting back to shape, Mallya said that it was for the government to ensure that the industry was healthy and safe as "it has much larger stake and it owns nearly all the banks who have lent to the domestic aviation industry, which is unique." Last month, the RBI allowed banks to recast debts of the airline companies like Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Air India, whose combined debt is estimated to be over Rs 60,000 crores. He said the government should "reasonably tax" the airline industry to ensure that they had a fair return on their investments. Expressing disappointment over India not having a comprehensive civil aviation policy, Mallya said "the Civil Aviation Ministry had prepared the plan 18 months ago but meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the issue has not taken place. There is very little the industry can do". -PTI

ONGC deliberately did not put rival bid for Cairn NEW DELHI: State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp took a "consciously" call not to rival Vedanta Resources' USD 9.6 billion bid for Cairn India, but will do everything possible to protect its interest, company head R S Sharma has said here. "The date (for making a) counter-offer is gone. If ONGC did not make (a rival) offer (for Cairn India) that was done consciously," he told a news conference here. London-listed Vedanta Resources is buying 40-51 per cent stake of Cairn India, which owns the nation's largest onland oil field, from its parent Cairn Energy Plc of UK for up to USD 8.48 billion. Billionaire Anil Agarwal-run Vedanta Group has also made an open offer to buy as much as 20 per cent of Cairn India shares from minority shareholders. As per market regulator SEBI's regulations, a rival offer had to come within 21 days of the open offer being made, i.e. by September 7. "That (not making a rival offer) has been a conscious decision after considering all legalities and after considering all commercial

aspects," Sharma said. "We will not be swayed by sentiments." However, September 7 was only the deadline for making a counteroffer as per Indian listing regulations. ONGC still can make a counter-offer or exercise its selfclaimed pre-emption right in cer-

‘We have not compromised even an iota of ONGC's commercial interest or legal rights,’ he said. ‘ONGC management will not be found wanting in protecting the company's interest’ tain properties of Cairn India before the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called by Cairn Energy Plc on October 7, to ratify the sale to Vedanta. If it chooses to do so, ONGC will have to approach Cairn Energy Plc management before October 7

and, upon acceptance of its offer by the board of the company, go to SEBI for stopping Vedanta's open offer for Cairn India shares that will be launched on October 11. Sharma said ONGC will continue to do everything possible to protect the company's interests. "We have not compromised even an iota of ONGC's commercial interest or legal rights," he said. "ONGC management will not be found wanting in protecting the company's interest." ONGC, which has between 22.5 per cent and 40 per cent interest in Cairn India's three producing assets - the giant Rajasthan oilfields, Ravva oil and gas field in KG basin and CB/OS-2 in Gujarat offshore, has studied threadbare the implications of the Vedanta deal. "ONGC management is fully conscious of its interest and responsibilities and has acted in a responsible manner," he said. "We will continue to protect ONGC's interests." Asked if ONGC had surrended its pre-emption rights, Sharma said: "I haven't said that." -PTI

India Post

India switches over to cleaner petrol, diesel NEW DELHI: The country has fully switched over to cleaner Euro-III and Euro-IV petrol and diesel as of yesterday and well ahead of the October one deadline, Minister of State for Petroleum Jitin Prasada said here. "We launched Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel in 13 big cities from April 1 and Euro-III grade fuel was to be introduced in the rest of the country in phases by October one. We have already introduced Euro-III petrol and diesel in North Eastern states (the last of the regions)," he told reporters here. With this, the launch of ultra low sulphur and benzene fuel has been completed ahead of schedule, he said. "The roll-over happened without a glitch. There are no disruptions of fuel (supplies) anywhere in the country." When Euro-IV grade fuel was launched in April, petrol prices were increased by Rs 0.50 a liter and diesel by Rs 0.26 per liter. For introduction of Euro-III grade, petrol prices have been raised by Rs 0.26 per liter and diesel by Rs 0.21 a liter in phases as the fuels were introduced throughout the country. "There will be no further increase in prices as a result of introduction of Euro-III fuel. Whatever had to be done, has already been done," Prasada said. He said public sector firms spent over Rs 32,000 crore in upgrading refineries to produce higher quality fuel. "This (introduction of Euro-III and IV grade fuel) will considerably improve the air quality with reduction in emission of pollutants in fuels." As against the approved scheduled of introducing Euro-III

fuel by October one, introduction of higher grade petrol was advanced in 20 states and that of diesel in 23 states. In the last leg, Bharat Stage-III (the India equivalent of Euro-III) petrol and diesel has been introduced in the seven North Eastern States on September 22, he said. The government had already introduced BS-IV (the India equivalent of Euro-IV grade) petrol and diesel in all 13 identified cities

‘We launched Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel in 13 big cities from April 1 and Euro-III grade fuel was to be introduced in the rest of the country in phases by October one. We have already introduced Euro-III petrol and diesel in North Eastern states (the last of the regions),’ he told reporters (NCR of Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, Solapur, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) on a single day effective April 1, 2010. The Auto Fuel Policy had prescribed a road map for introduction of BS-IV and BS-III grades of petrol and diesel (equivalent to Euro-III and Euro-IV Petrol and Diesel) in the country. -PTI

In Brief Illegal immigrant charged in fatal Pa. crash HANOVER, Pa: An illegal immigrant is charged with vehicular homicide in a central Pennsylvania crash that police say happened just after he tried to pull his girlfriend out of another vehicle as the two cars drove side-by-side. Police in West Manheim Township arrested 18-year-old Francisco Javier Santos at York Hospital and charged him in the deaths of two passengers killed in the crash. Santos and three passengers were ejected from his sport utility vehicle when it rolled over in southern York County. Just before the crash, police say Santos tried to pull his girlfriend through a car window while driving beside another vehicle in Maryland. -AP

Immigrant advocacy group leader to resign LOWELL, Mass.: The leader of a Lowell immigrant advocacy group who has pushed for more minority candidates and organized soccer tournaments for the area's many immigrants has announced she is stepping down. Victoria Fahlberg, executive director of ONE Lowell, said that she is leaving the nonprofit organization because ``it's the right time.'' She is stepping down at the end of September. Fahlberg has been with ONE Lowell since 2002 when it was part of a federal pilot program aimed promoting civic engagement among the city's immigrants. She helped create a truancy prevention program, citizenship classes for Cambodian refugees and the annual ONE Lowell World Cup, for which immigrants form teams based on their country of origin. -AP

Man sentenced in Arizona stash house operation TUCSON, Ariz.: A member of the Tohono O'odham Nation has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for operating an illegal immigrant stash house. Federal prosecutors say 36year-old Darrell Lee Miguel was given a 37-month sentence plus three years of supervised release after his prison term. Miguel pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to transport illegal immigrants. Authorities say Miguel and his family housed illegal immigrants in their home on the tribal nation until they could be transported to Tucson or Phoenix. -AP

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Reid looks for elusive middle on immigration LAS VEGAS: Sen. Harry Reid's latest Nevada campaign advertisement says he's tough on border security. Details on page 42

The Indian visa nightmare JS BEDI India Post News Service

Doe got his visa in a flash but Kaur wasn't so lucky. It took her many weeks to meander her way through India's officialdom to finally get a visa. She spent more time in getting the visa than the time she spent in India fore they can get to visit their ancestral land. Indian missions make ridiculous demands - old Indian passport, original documents of entry to the United States etc etc. This

is insane. Many people came here decades ago and became citizens back in the sixties or early seventies. No, they do not have their old paperwork but they do have a valid US passport like John Doe,

the white guy. So where lies the problem? Why does the consulate discriminate between Indians and others? It does not end here. There are many people here who emigrate from India to other countries, became a citizen of that country and then immigrated to the United States and became a citizen of this country. Like all first generation immigrants they still have strong ties with India. But getting a visa to India for them is next to impossible because there is no way they can produce all the documents the Indian mission stupidly demands. India is essentially a poor third world country that cannot provide the basics to its impoverished mass of humanity. An overseas visitor to India will bring in valuable foreign exchange to the country. He will also spend money paying hotel bills, shopping, domestic travel etc........in other words he will contribute to the local economy. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 42

Arizona sheriff calls for more federal help PHOENIX: An Arizona sheriff whose county is at the end of a smuggling corridor between Tucson and Phoenix is calling for more federal help to battle the problem, but he made the call as he tried to persuade his own county to give him money to create an anti-smuggling unit of his own. Smugglers are making the rugged mountains near some rural residents homes' too dangerous, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said repeating his call for thousands of federal troops to battle the problem that he said is falling on deaf ears. Residents of the rugged area south of Arizona City, about 60 miles south of Phoenix, told how they saw a spotter for smugglers living in a mountain cave overlooking their land in July. The sheriff's office called the U.S. Border Patrol, who Babeu said found the man, determined he was an illegal immigrant and deported him. Babeu also highlighted a resident whose home was burglarized, presumably by smugglers or illegal immigrants, last week.

The problems aren't new, and President Barack Obama announced in May that he was deploying 1,200 National Guard troops to four border states to help the Border Patrol. In Arizona, troops began deploying at the beginning of September and more than 500 are expected to be on duty by Oct. 1. That's not enough for Babeu,

Mexican border, but facing north, in English, warning to our citizens, 'travel not recommended.' ``This is unacceptable. These signs need to be taken down and we need to make a stand here in America.'' Kelly Ivahnenko, spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, said the federal government has

Smugglers are making the rugged mountains near some rural residents homes' too dangerous, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said repeating his call for thousands of federal troops who criticized Obama while pointing to pictures of signs warning residents not to stray into the backcountry. ``Here's the response when we ask for help from the federal government: 'danger, warning, stay out' to our own citizens,'' Babeu said. ``In response to our pleas for help and for armed soldiers they put up these signs, not written in Spanish, not facing south to the

poured ``unprecedented resources'' into the Border Patrol's Tucson sector and continues to add to those numbers, along with help from other federal agencies and prosecutors. That said, ``The challenges remain,'' Ivahnenko said. ``The terrain is challenging and the geography is challenging and there is no single solution, which is why the Department of Homeland Se-

curity has made such a concerted effort to get additional resources to that area.'' The sheriff's press conference came the same day that The Arizona Republic ran a story about his county's Board of Supervisors balking at immediately funding seven extra deputy position to tackle smuggling issues. Pinal County board chairman Pete Rios said Babeu made his request for $1.5 million over two years just weeks after the county's fiscal year began. ``Now he's basically saying that's it's very urgent and it's an emergency,'' Rios told The Associated Press. ``Well, he just submitted his budget not too long ago, we just got into this fiscal year, and we kind of, especially me, said if it was such an urgent thing why didn't you include it in your budget request?'' Babeu suggests the county take the money from its $29 million 'rainy day' fund, which helps the county keep its A-plus bond rating and plan for expected state funding shifts. -AP

Immigration Post

October 1, 2010

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Obama promises to push citizenship law

President Barack Obama

‘The president noted that it is time to stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents, especially when those youth grew up in America’ those youth grew up in America and want to serve this country in the military or pursue a higher education,'' the White House said in a statement after Obama's meeting at the presidential mansion with Gutierrez, Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Sen. Robert Menendez. All three are Democrats. When Obama was a senator he supported the DREAM Act, which has been kicking around Congress for close to a decade. The meeting followed Obama's

speech at a Hispanic awards dinner, where he urged Latinos not to punish Democrats at the polls because he has been unable to keep his promise to sign a comprehensive immigration bill into law. Advocates, meanwhile, are launching a major lobbying effort for DREAM, enlisting educators, clergy and others to press senators to support the measure. Velazquez said passing the bill ``is the right thing to do. It's a matter of fairness for thousands and thousands of young kids'' who entered the country illegally with their families. She and others say they should not be punished. Republicans contend that the bill rewards law breakers. ``The DREAM Act is yet another attempt by Washington Democrats to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants who have broken our laws,'' said Republican Rep. Phil Gingrey. Carlos Saavedra, national coordinator of United We Dream, a coalition of student immigrant advocacy groups, said voters who care about the issue will be watching how senators vote on the bill. ``Folks are literally dropping their lives right now to work on this,'' Saavedra said. ``This is one of our last chances to get some justice to the immigrant community and immigrant youth. It's huge.'' -AP

Idaho's Minnick, Labrador battle over immigration BOISE, Idaho: A Democrat in a battle to keep his U.S. House seat picked a fight with his Republican challenger, only to watch his adopted teenage daughter get pulled into fray. The campaign of Rep. Walt Minnick, who represents Idaho's 1st Congressional District, launched a TV ad targeting his GOP rival Raul Labrador, who is an immigration attorney. The 30second spot tells viewers that illegal immigration is good business for Labrador because more than half his legal work is ``helping illegal immigrants stay in the United States.'' Labrador demanded Minnick yank the ad and called him a hypocrite, pointing out that in the 1990s

he worked at the law firm that helped Minnick finalize the adoption of ``his foreign born child.'' ``The level of hypocrisy he has stooped to is callous in the extreme,'' Labrador said in a statement. Minnick and his wife have four children, including a daughter they adopted from China. His campaign declined to comment on Labrador's mention of their daughter. With six weeks left before the general election, the TV spot highlights audio of Labrador referring to the broken immigration system as he jokingly says: ``Now I like it because I make a good living because of it.'' Labrador's full quote: ``Our system is broken and this is where I

work with the system all the time. I'm trying to get people to go through the legal immigration system. They have to pay me thousands of dollars just to bring somebody to the United States. That's ridiculous. Now I like it because I make a good living because of it.'' The ad highlights Labrador's past role as head of a company that sold self-help kits on legal immigration to America, saying that he ran www.rapidimmigration.com with ``easy to understand advice for illegal immigrants seeking amnesty.'' ``This is a disgusting, disgraceful, shameful ad that bald-faced lies and succeeds in only twisting and editing my words into quotes that are blatantly untrue,'' Labrador said. -AP

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WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama is promising to work with senators to help pass legislation to allow thousands of young people who attend college or join the military to become legal U.S. residents, according to Hispanic lawmakers who met with the president. ``The president made it absolutely clear to us that he would leave no stone unturned'' in pushing for Senate approval of the law known as the DREAM Act, said Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, head of Obama's Democrats in the Senate, has said he wants to add the immigration measure to a defense policy bill the Senate plans to take up before lawmakers leave town to campaign for the November elections. Republicans oppose that move and have accused Reid of playing politics with the bills. Some military leaders support Reid because of the recruitment potential for the armed services. Under the bill, the young people must have come to the United States before age 16 and have lived in the country for at least five years. At least two years of military service would be required. ``The president noted that it is time to stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents, especially when

India Post

Immigration Post

October 1, 2010

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The Indian visa nightmare Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 40

And amongst such tourists / visitors are Indians holding US passports. Rather than welcoming them back to their roots the Indian government chooses to be pricey and arrogant when granting them a visa. The babus and the bureaucrats in India's maze of officialdom need to understand that first generation immigrants have strong ties to India. Never mind how long ago we left or what passport we hold. What matters is that we have a valid passport. How and when we came to the US is none of their business. The Indian government has also a "Visa on Arrival" (VOA) facility for some select countries. This appears to mean that a national of that country can get a visa on arrival at any Indian international airport. So hypothetically speaking, a Japanese criminal on the run can get a visa on arrival at New Delhi, but Mrs Patel has to run around in circles to get a visa to visit her ailing mother in Baroda! During the Punjab crisis of the 80s to the mid 90s many people immigrated to the US on political asylum. 99.9 percent of these were economic immigrants and not secessionists. However the prevail-

ing situation in Punjab and the Indian Government's bungled policies made political asylum an easy way not only to go to America but also to get the right papers, Green card and finally citizenship. They came here with their families including minor children to a new life and to live the American dream. The Indian government in the meantime created a 'Black List' of

Nobody amongst the powers that be ever stopped to note that Kiranjot Kaur was three years old when she came to the United States back in 1983 individuals who are here on political asylum. Also on the list are the names of their children who were then minors. Almost all the people on this list are Sikhs. The Indian Government must understand that political asylum was then a convenient means of getting into this country and getting the paperwork, green card etc. These people are not terrorists or secessionists. They are regular

Reid looks for elusive middle on immigration LAS VEGAS: Sen. Harry Reid's latest Nevada campaign advertisement says he's tough on border security. But in Washington, Reid is also pushing legislation that would let some illegal immigrants become legal U.S. residents. The Democratic Senate major-

ity leader is trying to find an elusive middle ground on a hot topic in his campaign for re-election against Republican tea party challenger Sharron Angle. Angle supports tougher immigration enforcement, and she and GOP leaders say Reid can't be both friend and foe to illegal immigrants. -AP

folks out to secure a sound future for themselves and their families something that the Indian state cannot provide. Denying them a visa is denying them the opportunity to visit the land of their heritage. It also denies them the opportunity to visit their holiest shrine, Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. That is not right and the Indian Government must do away with this list. To confound matters even more, also on the Black List are the names of their kids who were then minors and are now adults. This means that Kiranjot Kaur cannot get a visa to attend her cousin's wedding in Jalandhar because her father brought the family to the US on a political asylum appeal. Nobody amongst the powers that be ever stopped to note that Kiranjot Kaur was three years old when she came to the United States back in 1983. Why should she be penalized for something she had nothing to do with? It is high time that the Indian government did away with such rules and policies that discriminate against Indians. Every neta or minister that visits America only talks about how easy the Indian Government has made it for the NRIs to remit money to India. All that the Indian government cares about is how to milk the last drop out of the NRIs and nothing else. And as for the discriminatory policies like the Black List against Sikhs, there may come a time when Sikhs may begin to reconsider their loyalties towards India. The Indian Government must wake up to the ground realities before it's too late and Mera Bharat may not appear Mahaan to its overseas Diaspora.

Briefs

AFSPA an enabling provision, not arbitrary: Army

CHENNAI: The army has expressed the hope that the government will take a "correct" decision on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which it maintained was an "enabling provision" that is not "arbitrary". In the midst of a raging debate on the application of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief Gen V K Singh said there were "different" opinions on the issue and it was in deliberation with the government. "The question is under deliberation with the government. Everybody has a different opinion about it and I think our leadership is considering it in all aspects. It is an enabling provision. -PTI

HC dismisses plea on Aamir Khan's film 'Dhobi Ghat' NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today dismissed a plea challenging the title of upcoming Aamir Khan's film 'Dhobi Ghat' on the ground that it offended the sensitivity of a particular "caste". A Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra dismissed a public interest litigation seeking it to frame guidelines to prevent use of name of castes in the title of films. The petition filed by Hindustan Kanojia Organization of Dhobis' Chairman Vinod Kumar Kanojia contended that storyline of the film does not revolve around 'dhobi ghat' (the place where washermen wash clothes). -PTI

No headway in Jama Masjid attack probe NEW DELHI: No headway has been made in the investigations into the firing incident near Jama Masjid though Delhi Police claimed that they have some leads to solve the case. Investigators have questioned about 30 people following incidents of firing at a Taiwanese media crew and a car catching fire after a "crudely-circuited" device went off. Two Taiwanese nationals were injured in the firing. "We have some leads. We are working on it. We are confident of cracking the case," a senior police official said. Police also said that a person residing in Vasant Kunj, who was picked up for questioning in connection with the incidents, was cleared of any suspicion. -PTI

India News 43

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Police-public meeting held in Kashmir district SRINAGAR: In its effort to restore peace and harmony, Jammu and Kashmir Police reached out to the people in the highway town of Awantipora in Pulwama district and assured all possible help and assistance. A police-public meeting was held at Kachkoot in Awantipora, 32 kms from here, under the chairmanship of SP M S Punoo, a police spokesman said. -PTI

October 1, 2010

Air India dropping Amritsar connectivity flayed India Post News Service

CHANDIGARH: Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura has urged the Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to ensure that the Air India retained its international connectivity from Amritsar International Airport. Referring to the reported proposal of the Air India to route Canada flights from Delhi instead of Amritsar, he said, it ran contrary to the interests of the people of Punjab, particularly the Non Resident Indians. In a statement, Khangura said, "the proposal to route UK and Canada flights from Amritsar via Delhi is a regressive move that must be rejected forthwith". He observed, if numerous other international airlines can maintain direct connectivity with Amritsar, why not Air India? He said consistent efforts of the then Punjab government led

by Capt Amarinder Singh had resulted in the resumption of flights after twenty years when Air India reconnected Amritsar with the outside world in May 2005 with its flight to Toronto via Birmingham.

'The proposal to route UK and Canada flights from Amritsar via Delhi is a regressive move that must be rejected forthwith' However, Khangura regretted, "the sad reality is that the current Akali-led Punjab government has been intent from the beginning on undermining Amritsar International airport". He disclosed, "Our Deputy Chief Minister has a fleet of private jets and may not need commercial airlines but, all the

Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura

same, he has made it abundantly clear that the priorities for his government are to promote Chandigarh Airport, for the substantial real estate opportunities surrounding that the ruling family and party cronies have amassed considerable interests in". The Qila Raipur MLA observed

if in the medium term Punjab can only have two viable international airports then Sukhbir Badal would prefer these to be Chandigarh and the new Bathinda Airport that he is so keen to promote. Khangura suggested, instead of the current proposal Air India should be promoting Amritsar as a regional hub to take passenger traffic to London and beyond to the Eastern Seaboard of USA and Canada. He said, with the existing Boeing 777 fleet Air India could readily offer daily flights Amritsar to London or Birmingham, ultimately terminating in Toronto, New York and Chicago on different days of the week. He observed, if similar services are added from Delhi and good connectivity to these key North American cities via the UK, whilst providing passengers an opportunity to travel direct to Delhi or Amritsar on both days can be achieved.

Shiv Khera book sells 2 million copies India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Shiv Khera, renowned motivational speaker, released a special edition of You Can Win with VCD at India Habitat Centre here on the occasion of his book ccrossing two million in sales. The publishers, Macmillan, claimed this book has changed the lives of millions of people and is a best seller in India. Written in an easy to read, practical, common-sense approach that takes one from ancient wisdom to contemporary thinking. You Can Win helps one dispel confusion in daily life and clarify values. The book helps one to evaluate if one is going through life out of inspiration (playing to win) or desperation (playing not to lose). It translates positive thinking into attitude, ambition and action that brings in the winning edge. Shiv Khera is the founder of Qualified Learning Systems Inc. USA. An Author, Educator, Business Consultant and successful Entrepreneur, he is a much sought-after speaker. He inspires and encourages people, making them realize their true potential. He has taken his dynamic personal messages to opposite sides of the globe, from the U.S. to Singapore.

The publishers, Macmillan, claimed this book has changed the lives of millions of people and is a best seller in India

His 30 years of research, understanding and experience have helped people on the path of personal growth and fulfillment. Mr. Khera is the author of 12 books. His other book "You Can Sell" has hit the bestsellers list. His clients include GM, IBM, HP, Citigroup, HSBC, Canon, Nestle, Phillips and many more.

Datebook

India Post

October 1, 2010

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK/ Upcoming Sat Oct 2

Fri Oct 8

• The Infamous NYC Padlock Party

• Broken Images - A Play starring Shabana Azmi

Venue: 49 Grove, 49 Grove Street, New York, 10014, NY Time: 7pm to 10:30pm Contact: 776-677-1757

Thurs Oct 7

Venue: NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place, (at Washington Square South), NY Time: 8:30pm to 10pm Contact: 732-688-7249

• D'Arranged Marriage

Sun Oct 17

Venue: Triad NYC, 158 West 72nd Street, 1st Floor, NY Time: 9pm Contact: 212-362-2590

• 10th Muslim matrimonial hosted by MillanUS.com

Sat Oct 9 • Navratri Night - Dandiya Raas by Mera Heritage Venue: Jewish Temple at Union Turnpike, 26222 Union Turnpike, Floral Park, New York Time: 8pm Contact: 917-535-9903

Venue: Adria Hotel & Conference Center, 22033 Northern Blvd., Queens, Bayside, NY Time: 3pm Contact: 516-840-0396

Thurs Oct 21 • D'Arranged Marriage - Oct 21st Venue: Triad NYC, 158 West 72nd Street, 1st Floor, New York Time: 9pm Contact: 212-362-2590

ILLINOIS

NEW JERSEY

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat Oct 2

Fri Oct 1 • The Merchants of Bollywood Chicago - North American Premier Venue: Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago, Illinois Time: 8pm to 11pm Contact: 317-222-1325

Venue: Linwood Middle School (Cafeteria), 25 Linwood Place, North Brunswick, NJ Time: 4pm to 8pm Contact: 609-634-5029

Fri Oct 8

Sat Oct 2

• Swarnim Navaratri 2010

• Ishq 2010 Venue: North Shore Center Of Performing Art, Skokie, Ill Time: 7pm to 9pm Contact: 847-230-7977

Venue: Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, New Jersey Time: 9pm Contact: 732-283-1234

Sat Oct 9

Sat Oct 2 • Navratri Raas Garba Dandiya Venue: Hoffman Estate Park District Gym, 1685 W Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois Time: 7:45pm Contact: 847-722-3410

• 6th Year Grand Mettil Otsava Celebration Venue: Hindu Temple of San Antonio, TX, 18518 Bandera Road, Helotes, Texas Time: 8am to 2pm Contact: (281)392-6685

Sun Oct 10

Fri Oct 22 • Hemant Chauhan - Dandiya Raas Venue: Harper College, 1200 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, Illinois Time: 8pm Contact: 708-975-0076

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Sat Oct 2 • Gandhi Jayanti Venue: Gandhi Memorial Center, 4748 Western Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland Time: 4pm to 5:30pm Contact: 301-320-6871

Sat Oct 16 • Dashera, Ramchandra's Celebration

• AgrawalSamajUSA presents Agrasen Jayanti Celebration

Lord Shri Vijay ot sava

Venue: Hare Krishna Temple, 103110 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, Maryland Time: 4pm Contact: 301-299-2100

Fri Oct 1 • The Chitresh Das Dance Company & Chhandam School Celebrate their 30th Aniversary Venue: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, California Contact: 415-333-9000

Sat Oct 2 • Vibha Dandia 2010 - Oct 2nd Venue: Centerville Junior High School, 37720 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, California Time: 7pm Contact: 408-505-3732

Sun Oct 3 • Ranjani & Gayatri - Vocal Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, California Time: 3:30pm Contact: 408-252-5231

• Sensheelta(Tolerence) Venue: Knights of Columbus Hall, 116 Grand St, Iselin, Alabama Time: 10am to 11:30am Contact: 732-207-7592

Thurs Oct 14 • The Merchants of Bollywood Newark Venue: New Jersey Performing Arts Center Prudential Hall, One Center Street, Newark, New Jersey Time: 8pm Contact: 317-222-1325

Sun Oct 17

Fri Oct 8 • Sewa Dandia Night 2010 Venue: Sunnyvale Temple Hall, 420, Persian Drive, Sunnyvale, California Time: 8pm Contact: 510-364-6095

Sun Oct 10 • Ekal Walk/Run 2010 Venue: Shoreline Park, 3070 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, California Time: 7:30am to 1am Contact: 510-676-73576

Sat Oct 16

• Dharam Ki Vastavikta Venue: Knights of Columbus Hall, 116 Grand St, Iselin, New Jersey Time: 10am to 11:30am Contact: 732-207-7592

• Kailash Kher Live Venue: Chabot College, Hayward, California Time: 8:30pm to 11:30pm Contact: cultural@prabasi.org

Sun Oct 17 • Diwali Dhamaka 2010 with ANWESHA Live In NJ

Sun Oct 17

Venue: North Brunswick School Auditorium, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ Time: 4pm to 7pm Contact: 908-271-6364

Venue: Hilton Hotel Fremont/ Newark, 39900, Balentine Dr, Newark, California Time: 11am to 5pm Contact: 510-894-3047

• Diwali Expo 2010

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming Every Sat (start from Sat Aug 8) • Gurukul Classes for Children Venue: Sindhu Center, South California Time: 2pm to 4pm Contact: 818-541-1754 & 909-576-1114 Highlights: Children between the ages of 5 and 18. Children will be taught the Fundamentals of Hinduism, Prayers, Shlokas, Bhajans and Values of our culture.

Sat Oct 30 & Sun Oct 31 • Fun At "Boo At The Zoo"! Venue: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Time: 10am to 4pm Contact: 323-644-4200 Highlights: The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.

Sat Oct 16 • The Special Event Soiree' Venue: Agua Caliente' Casino Resort & Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, California Time: 4pm to 9pm Contact: 509-487-3040

Sun Oct 17 • Diwali Expo 2010 Venue: Hilton Hotel Fremont/ Newark, 39900, Balentine Dr Newark, CA, Newark, California Time: 11am to 5pm Contact: 510-894-3047

Sum Oct 3 • CRY San Diego Walk For Child Rights 2010 Venue: Balboa Park, San Diego, California Time: 9am Contact: sandiego@cryamerica.org

Realty Tidbits

Old Mumbai bungalow sold for 300cr

Real Estate

n old bungalow property in the exclusive residential enclave of Carmichael Road in south Mumbai is believed to have been sold for around Rs 300 crore. Villa Nirmala, an over six-decade-old property, has been jointly purchased by Peninsula Land, which is part of the Ashok Piramal Group, and developer Khemchand Kothari. Sources said the transaction involved a payment of Rs 240 crore plus 15,000 sq ft of space for the occupants of the bungalow once it was redeveloped. The bungalow, which has a garden at the back and occupies about half-anacre, may give way for a skyscraper in the otherwise low-rise Carmichael Road, a declared heritage precinct.

Construction along Mumbai coast will be easier

he Central Government relaxed the stringent Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules for Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. However the environment ministry has declared that open spaces in Mumbai including parks and playgrounds cannot be developed. This relaxation spells hope for the proposed airport near Panvel though the project still needs clearance from the ministry, which has asked the state to examine four alternative sites. When the ministry had issued a draft CRZ notification, housing in the city's coastal area will get exemption if supported by public finance.

Home, auto loans to get dearer

onsumers will pay more on home and auto loans as bankers may hike lending by 25 to 50 basis points from October onwards. One basis point is equal to one hundredth of a percentage. This follows the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) move to hike its key policy rates - repo rate (the rate at which it lends to commercial banks) by 25 basis points (bps) to 6 per cent and reverse repo rate (the rate at which banks park excess cash with RBI) by 50 bps to 5 per cent. Banks are also expected to increase deposit rates since the growth rate of deposits has been rather sluggish at just about 14 per cent. SS Ranjan, Chief Financial Officer, State Bank of India said, "RBI move clearly signals an upward bias on interest rates.

45 India Post

www.indiapost.com

October 1, 2010

Foreign PE funds stay away

aving burnt their fingers during the economic slow down of 2008-09, foreign private equity (PE) funds continue to stay away from Indian real estate, even as domestic funds have taken the lead in property investments. While domestic funds have put in $864 million (Rs 3,950 crore) in 22 realty deals since January this year, foreign funds have invested a mere $126 million (Rs 575 crore) in only three deals, according to data collated by Venture Intelligence, which tracks PE and merger and acquisitions in India.

Tallest residential project gets green signal

onstruction on World One, the 117-storey residential tower at Lower Parel by the Lodha Group is all set to begin. Touted as the tallest residential building in the world, the building was awaiting the clearance of the state environment panel, which came in August-end. The two-member State Environmental Impact Assessment Committee (SEIAC) cleared the project following positive recommendation from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), an advisory body that scrutinises all big construction and infrastructure projects in the state. The green nod comes after the developer reduced 75,481 sq metre of the total construction area. Reduction in the total con-

area. The committee had said this could stretch the available infrastructure in the area, besides affecting traffic on the roads outside the building.

Lodha has brought the construction area down marginally to 6.38 lakh sq metres, less than 12 times the net plot area struction area does not imply reduction in the number of storeys. In May, the SEAC had asked the developer to make changes

in the project, saying that it had "unacceptably high" construction area. The total construction area of 7.14 lakh sq metres was more than 13.3 times the net plot

Lodha has brought the construction area down marginally to 6.38 lakh sq metres, less than 12 times the net plot area.

Ansal to invest Rs 4,500 Pune Realtor to invest 1000 cr in IT-SEZ crore in hi-tech city

ealty firm Ansal Properties and Infrastructure (Ansal API) plans to invest about Rs 4,500 crore to develop the second phase of its 2,500 acre hi-tech city adjoining Greater Noida. According to sources, the company would soon launch the second phase of its integrated township 'Megapolis' at Dadri covering 650 acre of area where it would offer 1,900 plots and build nine million sq ft each of housing and commercial space. The project cost for the second phase would be around Rs 4,500 crore and the company expects to realise nearly Rs 7,500 crore in the next three-four years, they added. When contacted, Ansal Hi Tech Townships chief operating officer Rakesh Kaul said: "The company would soon approach the Uttar Pradesh government for signing the development agreement for the second phase of Megapolis and the project would be launched only after that". Kaul declined to give further details about the project. In mid-2008, Ansal API had bagged a hi-tech city project from the UP government spread over 2,500 acre, which can be extended to 9,000 acre. The company had then announced an investment of Rs 13,000 crore to develop this town-

ship at Dadri near Greater Noida. It had also expected revenue to the tune of Rs 26,000 crore from the township, which would be completed by 2016. Ansal API had raised Rs 225 crore from HDFC AMC through dilution of 8.5 per cent stake in the project. Sources said the company

The company would soon launch the second phase of its integrated township 'Megapolis' at Dadri covering 650 acre of area where it would offer 1,900 plots had sold so far about 80 per cent of its total saleable area in the first phase comprising 500 acres. The hi-tech city would have an education city, a medicity and one 18hole signature golf course designed by Nick Faldo, apart from polo and equestrian facilities. The company would construct four hotels in three and five star categories, comprising about 250 rooms in each hotel. It would also house five shopping malls.

he IT and ITES segment appears to have recovered sufficiently for developers to venture again into it. Punebased Kumar Urban Development will build an IT-SEZ project on 13.5 acres near the first phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Info Tech Park there. Another 13.5 acres have been earmarked as non-processing at the same location. The entire project entails an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and in the first phase the company will invest about Rs 400 crore. All clearances for the proposal have been received. In the first phase, about 1.8 million sq ft will be developed, of which 4 lakh sq ft will be operational by Q3-2011. Kumar Urban was keen to make the SEZ

cost-efficient for its clients, said Lalitkumar Jain, chairman and managing director of Kumar Urban. The LEED certified project hopes to create a work environment for 18,000 people and has been planned on the lines of successful tech parks abroad. On project funding, Jain said he had tied up with local financial institutions for the construction component. Asked whether the business environment was conducive for an IT park, given that quite a few leading developers had sometime back sought de-notification of their ITSEZs fearing slump in demand, Kumar said Pune had seen about 2 million sq ft of IT space being leased out in the last six months.

Horoscope

46 India Post

October 1, 2010

www.indiapost.com

by Pandit Parashar

Oct 1st - Oct 7th

bstacles will be followed by good solutions. Advice from a learned person will steer you towards safer grounds. Money wise it looks like a promising week and all you financial plans will will be successfully implemented. You will become more religious and visit a holy place. Very good week for people in retail business.

ecisions taken in a hurry will prove to be blessings in disguise. You may invite or take few important people out for dinner this week. You will be exploring more ways to dispose off a property draining you out lately. Spouse will be little upset with one of your business decisions but will support your idea later on.

egal battle can come to a pleasant end with large financial gains. Some of you may sign papers to buy a property with lots of greenery around. With the blessings and guidance of a holy person you will continue to do well in all areas of life. You may be taking a short trip to a slightly warmer area for some urgent business.

pponents will try to corner you and you may feel your defence not working out quickly. You will have several issues on mind and start working on one at a time. Idea of investing in a property will continue to occupy your mind. Very favorable week for people in food business. You will be closer to finishing the project on time.

njoy the new relationship but watch out and keep it to yourself. You will start to reap rewards for work done few months ago. Material will be useful and sharpen your skills. You will be happy the way things are making progress about a child. You may be thinking of relocating your office to more accessible place.

move will become certain but you will still have lots of time for preparations. Pressure at work will increase and you may be asked to clean up mess created by others. You may be taking a short business trip to another state this week. You may dispose off some stocks and put money away. A close friend will come up with business idea.

here will be some interesting developments at work. Some one may leave and you may become one of the contenders for the job. You will be little tough on the phone but will get few jobs done. A relative will call to invite you to a party. You will take time out of busy schedule and spend quality time with children.

here will be lots of conflict in your mind initially but advice from a trusted person will clear all confusions. It is very favorable time to take decisions about career and even ask boss for a raise or moving to a better position. You may change your earlier plans to go to a party because of hectic schedule.

e careful with money. Mistakes made earlier could catch up now. Be careful and read before you sign any contract this week. In laws will offer help but you may decline for the time being. People in business should keep an eye on help recently hired. You have a small refund coming via mail.

lanets will help those doing research or working in emergency room. Changes you had been waiting will start taking place at work now and soon you will be in line for what was supposed to come months earlier. You may make some money through stocks also. You will be on lookout for a nice property for investment purpose.

oney will come in plenty but expenses could exceed your earlier budget. You may want to keep an eye on other family members charging heavily on your cards. You will be working on an important proposal and may discuss it with a colleague before sending it out. Some of you may get another job offer from out of state.

Money you were promised will be delivered with slight delay. You will share your knowledge with few new recruits. Spouse will make commitment to a friend to help with some cooking for a party. You will slowly working on a travel plan but will not be completely sure. Health will keep improving with new diet plan and exercises.

US co withdraws shoes carrying images of Hindu deities WASHINGTON: Designer shoes carrying pictures of Hindu deities were withdrawn from sales in the US after an outcry by the Indian community here. The American company, which had launched the shoes named after guitar legend late Jimi Hendrix, apologized to the Hindu community and immediately withdrew from the market its special designer shoes. "We apologies for the unintentional offence and have decided to immediately discontinue the sales of the Jimi Hendrix/Axis shoes," said Jessica, a spokeswoman for the company. The shoes carried images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The Converse shoe company launched its new range of shoes to commemorate the memory of Rockstar Jimi Hendrix by introducing shoes, which carried the cover of his record breaking album 1967 "Axis: Bold as Love". A Houston-based woman Beth Kulkarni raised the issue with the shoe company last week and the company sent its apologies to her via email. The company re-

sponded, saying it was an unintentional mistake on their part. "As a Hindu, I am very much offended by the use of pictures of Hindu deities on Converse shoes. Hindus in general find this very offensive. To avoid further hurting the sentiments of Hindus world-wide, I request that these shoes be removed from the market effective immediately," Kulkarni wrote in three emails to the Converse shoe company. "Converse designed the Converse Chuck Taylor Jimi Hendrix/ Axis shoe to demonstrate our support of music culture and to celebrate the contributions of the global music icon, Jimi Hendrix," Jessica said in her email response yesterday. "With approval of the Hendrix estate, we applied artwork taken directly from the 1967 "Axis: Bold as Love" album cover. The cover art included images of Hindu deities. Our ambitions were to honor the music of Jimi Hendrix. It was not our intent to offend Hindu culture by having Hindu deities on footwear," Jessica wrote. -PTI

Classifieds

October 1, 2010

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PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Notice of request for Prequalification of Design/Build Entities will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, 9th Floor, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 Request for Prequalification of Design/Build Entities 単 Project 10020 単 Ashland Youth Center Responses Due by 2:00 pm on October 14, 2010 County Contact : Howard Johnson at (510) 208-9648 or via e m a i l : howard.johnson@acgov.org Information regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org. 10/1/10 CNS-1945741#

Virtual Investments is looking for part time workers for the post of a payment representative sales, and A bookkeeper. The requirements for these positions underline that you are computer literate, have two to three hours of access to the internet weekly, If you are interested or just need more information. Please Contact

ETHAN MIN by email ethan1955@gmail.com

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Philosophy

India Post

October 1, 2010

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis MAHATMA GANDHI

he word satya (Truth) is derived from Sat which means 'being'. Nothing is or exists in reality except Truth. That is why Sat or Truth is perhaps the most important name of God. In fact it is more correct to say that Truth is God than to say God is truth. But as we cannot do without a ruler or a general, such names of God as 'King' or 'Kings' or ' The Almighty' are and will remain generally current. On deeper thinking, however it will be realized that Sat or Satya is the only correct and fully sign fact name for God. And where there is Truth, there is also is knowledge which is true. Where there is no Truth, there can be no true knowledge. That is why the word Chit or knowledge is associated with the name of God. And where there is true knowledge, there is always bliss. (Ananda). There sorrow has no place. And even as Truth is eternal, so is the bliss derived from it. Hence we know God as Sat-ChitAnanda, one who combines in Himself Truth, Knowledge and Bliss. Devotion to this Truth is the sole justification for our existence. All our activities should be centered in Truth. Truth should be the very breath of our life. When once this stage in the pilgrim's progress is reached, all J. KRISHNAMURTI

he flowering of goodness is the release of our total energy. It is not the control or suppression of energy but rather the total freedom of this vast energy. It is limited, narrowed down by thought, by the fragmentation of our senses. Thought itself is this energy manipulating itself into a narrow groove, a centre of the self. Flowering of goodness can only blossom when energy is free, but thought, by its very nature, has limited this energy and so the fragmentation of the senses takes place. Hence there are the senses, sensations, desires and the images that thought creates out of desire. All this is a fragmentation of energy. Can this limited movement be aware of itself? That is, can the senses be aware of themselves? Can desire see itself arising out of the senses, out of the sensation of the image thought has created, and can thought be aware of itself, of its movement? All this implies - can the whole physical body be aware of itself? We live by our senses. One of them is usually dominant; the listening, the seeing, the tasting seem to be separate from each other, but is this a fact? Or is it that we have given to one or other

other rules of correct living will come without effort, and obedience to them will be instinctive. But without Truth it is impossible to observe any principles or rules in life. Generally speaking observation of the law of Truth is understood merely to mean that we must speak the Truth. But we should understand the word Satya or Truth in a much wider sense.

be able to find out what is worth doing, what is worth seeing, what is worth reading. But how is one to realize this Truth, which may be likened to the philosopher's stone or the cow of plenty? By single minded devotion (abhyasa) and indifference to all other interests in life (vairagya) replies the Bhagavad-Gita. In spite, however of such devotion, what may appear as Truth

wrong in every man following Truth according to his lights. Indeed it is his duty to do so. Then if there is a mistake on the part of any one so following Truth it will be automatically set right. For the quest of Truth involves tapas, self suffering, sometimes even unto death. There can be no place in it even a trace of self interest. In such selfless search for Truth nobody can lose his bear-

All our activities should be centered in Truth Mahatma Gandhi

Where there is honest effort, it will be realized that what appear to be different truths are like the countless and apparently different leaves of the same tree

There should be truth in thought, truth in speech, and truth in action. To the man who has realized this truth in its fullness, nothing else remains to be known, because all knowledge is necessary included in it. What is not included in it is not truth, and so not true knowledge; and there can be no inward peace without true knowledge. If we once learn how to apply this never failing test of Truth, we will at once

to one person will often appear as untruth to another person. But that need not worry the seeker. Where there is honest effort, it will be realized that what appear to be different truths are like the countless and apparently different leaves of the same tree. Does not God himself appear to different individuals in different aspects? Yet we know that He is one. But Truth is the right designation of God. Hence there is nothing

ings for long. Directly he takes to the wrong path he stumbles, and is thus redirected to the right path. Therefore the pursuit of Truth is true bhakti (devotion). It is the path that leads to God. There is no place in it for cowardice, no place for defeat. It is the talisman by which death itself becomes the portal to life eternal. The 141st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi will be observed on October 2

a greater importance - or rather that thought has given the greater importance? One may hear great music and delight in it, and yet be insensitive to other things. One may have a sensitive taste and be wholly insensitive to delicate colour. This is fragmentation. When each fragment is aware only of itself then fragmentation is maintained. In this way energy is broken up. If this is so, as it appears to be,

whether the whole organism, the physical entity, can be aware of itself. You may be aware of the movement of an arm, a leg or the head, and through that movement sense that you are becoming aware of the whole, but what we are asking is: can the body be aware of itself without any movement? This is essential to find out because thought has imposed its pattern on the body, what it thinks is right exercise, right food and so on.

tional or sensory demands of desire. When one is hungry one eats but usually taste, formed by habit, dictates what one eats. So fragmentation takes place. A healthy body can be brought about only through the harmony of all the senses which is the intelligence of the body itself. What we are asking is: does not disharmony bring about the wastage of energy? Can the organism's own intelligence, which has been

Goodness can only blossom when energy is free

J. Krishnamurti

is there a non-fragmentary awareness by all the senses? And thought is part of the senses. This implies - can the body be aware of itself? Not you being aware of your own body, but the body itself being aware. This is very important to find out. It cannot be taught by another: then it is second-hand information which thought is imposing upon itself. You must discover for yourself

Does the body, the physical organism, have its own intelligence? It has when all the senses are acting together in harmony so that there is no straining So there is the domination of thought over the organism; there is consciously or unconsciously a struggle between thought and the organism. In this way thought is destroying the natural intelligence of the body itself. Does the body, the physical organism, have its own intelligence? It has when all the senses are acting together in harmony so that there is no straining, no emo-

suppressed or destroyed by thought, be awakened? Remembrance plays havoc with the body. The remembrance of yesterday's pleasure makes thought master of the body. The body then becomes a slave to the master, and intelligence is denied. So there is conflict. Excerpted from Letters to Schools Volume One 1st July, 1979

I find that somehow, by shifting the focus of attention, I become the very thing I look at, and experience the kind of consciousness it has; I become the inner witness of the thing. I call this capacity of entering other focal points of consciousness, love. - Nisargadatta Maharaj Bondage is of the mind; freedom too is of the mind. If you say 'I am a free soul. I am a son of God who can bind me' free you shall be. - Ramakrishna Do not be misled by what you see around you, or be influenced by what you see. You live in a world which is a playground of illusion, full of false paths, false values and false ideals. But you are not part of that world. -Sai Baba As long as you look for a Buddha somewhere else, you'll never see that your own mind is the Buddha. - Bodhidharma The happiness of one's own heart alone cannot satisfy the soul; one must try to include, as necessary to one's own happiness, the happiness of others. - Paramahansa Yogananda

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Issue of land: industrialization vs displacement PR CHARI

ndia is not short of laborskilled, semi-skilled or un skilled-or indigenous capital. Several of the richest people in the Forbes list of billionaires are Indians. Further, a recent UN report informs that India has become a top destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), despite its infrastructural and governance inadequacies. Indian business groups like the Tatas, Ambanis and Mittals are buying prestigious but ailing enterprises in the United States and Europe. So, why cannot India just stride ahead of China? Many answers are possible, but one of them is the unavailability of land. This may sound facetious, since thousands of acres of agricultural and non-agricultural land is there. But, this land cannot be acquired for infrastructural or industrial purposes due to political interests making it impossible. A weak coalition government in New Delhi, dependent on the support of regional parties has been unable to resolve the dilemma of balancing infrastructural and industrial imperatives with the humanitarian needs of the oustees. Adding to these issues are environmental concerns, some genuine, some contrived, by NGOs and politicians jockeying for their advantage and power. The combination of these negative factors has impinged on land availability that will seriously impinge upon India's growth story. Significantly, steel makers like Posco (South Korean) and Arcelor Mittal (MNC) have decided to wind up their plans to set up megasteel plants in Orissa that involved an investment of US$80 billion. The Golden Quadrilateral program designed to link the four metropolitan cities of India by modern highways is ailing, largely due to difficulties in acquiring land for this critical project. Land has become India's most insidious obstacle to becoming G-3 over the next decade, as is being predicted. Proceeding further, how does the issue of land become securitized? We notice that any large scale project leads to displacement of population and impacts on the ecology. Tensions arise between those displaced and

the State or the population benefited, that leads to great acrimony and violence. The other side of this issue which is rarely noticed is that more employment opportunities need being provided for India's growing population. Its youthful demographics are universally deemed to be an asset for economic growth. But, if this volatile population remains unemployed, it could become a major internal security threat, fueling urban unrest and left extremism.

Farmers protest

Clearly, progress cannot be achieved at human cost. Despite its remarkable progress in the industrial and services sector, India remains an agricultural economy. Some 65-70% of its population is dependent on land, while agriculture contributes towards only 25% of the GDP. Clearly, fertile and irri-

Can the oustees be given a choice of being resettled on land, or accommodated in allied vocations like dairy, piggery and poultry farming? Or, provided training in non-agricultural vocations like electricians, fitters, turners, radio and TV mechanics gated lands should not be acquired, nor should forests be destroyed, since that would accelerate climate change. A balance is required, but where this balance should be drawn leads to different answers. Only some inveterate environmentalists would argue for halting industrialization and development with the population remaining in

their villages. The problem becomes different if this idealistic vision is abandoned, and consequence management is pursued. In other words, the outcome of land acquisition and deforestation needs being addressed. What does this imply? Two issues are involved-resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced population, and mitigating the effects of the environmental impact. Addressing the displacement issue requires that the affected population is enabled to acquire a lifestyle, which is not inferior to, and is conceivably superior to what they had before. Further, the environment must be restored to either what obtained earlier or is better than what existed. Many mental cobwebs need removal if this approach is to be followed, and antiquated beliefs abandoned. Taking up relief and rehabilitation first, why should the oustees be resettled on land, especially, when land is scarce? The intention cannot be to acquire land from nonoustees to rehabilitate them; creating a cycle of rehabilitation and ouster. Can the oustees be given a choice of being resettled on land, or accommodated in allied vocations like dairy, piggery and poultry farming? Or, provided training in non-agricultural vocations like electricians, fitters, turners, radio and TV mechanics, data processors and so on? Jobs could be provided to them in the projects from which they are displaced by an amendment to the concerned recruitment rules. Similarly, lateral thinking is required for dealing with the environmental impact. Government needs to insist that the environment is restored to its original condition by ensuring that open cast mines are filled up and planted over with forest cover. Compensatory afforestation could be ensured by, for instance, insisting that at least two or more trees are planted and nurtured for some years for every tree that has been felled. Similarly, effluents should be treated before they are evacuated into rivers; smoke stacks should be equipped with electrostatic precipitators to remove carbon and so on. Political will and administrative honesty are the obvious pre-requisites required. The writer is Research Professor, IPCS

India Post Bridge to Pak

he Kashmiris are being forced to make a choice between India and Pakistan. They do not want to. The Pakistanis are brethren to them for being co-religionists. India is where they are living and which is their home. They follow the developments in Pakistan as eagerly as they do in India. For them nothing could be better if Pakistan and India combined were one country! Instead of being reviled as unpatriotic and anti-national, they could guide us to an opening where the two countries can talk. They could be the leaders to organize India, Pakistan talks. In fact there could be no better place to hold India, Pakistan talks than Srinagar. Every single recent opinion poll says that a negligible percentage of Kashmiris would want to join Pakistan now that country is in such a mess. Formed for the good of the Muslims, if in the "pure" Pak land Muslims are at the throat of other Muslims what better fate can the Muslims of Kashmir expect if they choose Pakistan? But today they are saying we are making no choice. The 'Azadi' call doesn't mean they want to join Pakistan. But they do think if India makes up with Pakistan, they can lead a less stressful life. It is this assurance that they are not choosing Pakistan which should encourage India to trust the Kashmiris. They demand a role in India-Pakistan talks and indeed they should be given a seat at that table. They will have a significant contribution to make in moving forward the dialogue. For instance, where would the sympathies of Kashmiris lie if there are talks on Indus waters? Pakistan has been making a great fuss over being allegedly denied its share of waters because some dams are being built on the Indus in the Indian portion of Kashmir. The Kashmiris would not go along with Pakistan in this view because the dams are going to solve their energy problems. It would also show to them that when it comes to self-interest, Pakistan can very well go against the Kashmiris. Pakistani officials and a few in the West have been complaining that international opinion has been "silent" on the Indian "atrocities" in Kashmir. This is because the world now knows better the character of the state of Pakistan which is known internationally as the breeding ground of terrorists. And it is also known internationally that Pakistan is inciting the violence in Kashmir. That is why Pakistan has lost credibility on its case on Kashmir. Right since Independence it has been the habit of Pakistan to try and grab things from India by force because it feels it won't get anything at the table. Kashmiris, like Pakistanis, feel they cannot make India talk unless there is a threat or disturbance. If the circumstances are peaceful, then India goes to sleep as far as Kashmiris are concerned. Pakistan is also unwilling to let go of the instrument of terrorism because otherwise India would just ignore it. Kashmir and its people also go off the radar once things are peaceful. The all-party delegation to Kashmir can be faulted for being too little and too late but it has been able to bring out in the open the pain of ordinary Kashmiris. Some of the delegation members went and met the separatist leaders too. And they did not seem to be such monsters. Their main demand that they be included in talks with Pakistan to decide the future of Kashmir doesn't seem to be such an intractable thing either. But is the paralyzed Indian government going to move?

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