IndiaPost_10-14-2011 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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Dr. Gaurav Gopalan

Indian scientist's murder shocks LGBT community Details on page 10

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October 14, 2011

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INDIAN IDENTIFIES 'WAKE-UP' GENE

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Fireworks at South Street Seaport Diwali

VOL 17, No. 892

NEW YORK: Indian American scientist Satchidananda Panda and his colleague at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, California, have identified a new component of the biological clock, a gene responsible for starting the clock from its restful state every morning, in short, the gene that 'wakes' one up in the morning. Discovery of this new gene and the mechanism by which

it starts the clock everyday may help explain the genetic underpinnings of sleeplessness, aging and chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes, and could eventually lead to new therapies for these illnesses, the researchers feel. "The body is essentially a collection of clocks," says Satchidananda Panda, associate professor in Salk's Regulatory Biology Laboratory, who led the research along with Luciano DiTacchio, a post-doctoral research associate.

Obama honors 3 Indian American scientists

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Half of NYC business owners are immigrants Details on page 36

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Chhaya CDC gets $100,000 in HUD grants

Ministry launches global video contest on India

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Indian, US law firms improve business climate

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

America will live to regret stance on immigrants

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Last week’s result

Manmohan did not make much impact at UN? YES 83%

CONTENTS

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Bollywood ---------------------- 34-35 Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 10-21 Date Book -------------------------- 46 Edit Page --------------------------- 49 HealthScience Post --------- 42-45 Horoscope ------------------------- 28 Immigration Post ------------- 36-39 Life Style ----------------------- 24-27

GIRL POWER: President Barack Obama congratulates Google Science Fair

Philosophy ------------------------- 46

winners, from left, Naomi Shah, Shree Bose (both Indian-Americans) and Lauren Hodge in the Oval Office, Oct. 3. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza. (Details on page 5)

Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 TechBiz Post ------------------- 40-41 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31

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inally, it's happening. It began with a couple of thousand people camping out on Wall Street with no specific demands except to express their angst against everything that is wrong with this country, especially corporate greed that's sucking the blood out of the poor and middle class. 17 days to date, the protest has morphed into an organically growing movement across the country, increasingly making local administrations and police jittery; beginning to grab Washington DC's attention and forcing mainstream media to realize how big this story is likely to be with the general elections looming ahead. They call themselves the 99%, the working class Americans, who are claiming their lives back - lives that have for so long been pushed down by the top 1%, that is the rich in this country. Sure, this is not Egypt, nor Liberty Plaza on Wall Street, Tahrir Square. But revolutions happen whenever a few dare to come down to the streets ready to be pepper sprayed, beaten down or arrested by police for the sake of the larger good. Not all folks camping out on Wall Street might elicit credibility - some of them carry colorful balloons, some wear beads and tattoos and sport unruly hair, some wearing 'Om' t-shirts sit in the midst of the cacophony and meditate, some are into beating drums and chanting, and some walk around with faces painted like zombies… but they are not out having a Tea Party; they are real people who realized the abomination of economic inequality and dared to raise their voice first - in a country where ordinary folks deify the rich and condone their excesses simply in the hope and greed that one day they would become rich too. Already several workers unions have joined the 'Occupy Wall Street' protest. The far reaching impact of their protests notwithstanding, what they are doing today is daring to imagine a new socio-political and economic alternative that offers greater possibility of equality. If you can't join them, at least take the blinkers of abusive capitalism off. It will give you hope, if not your living standards back.

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Stop it Deepika Police played spoilsport at Deepika Padukone's housewarming party leading to abrupt end of the celebrations.

Cover Story: ‘Wake-up’ gene Indian American scientist Satchidananda Panda and his colleague have identified the gene that 'wakes' one up in the morning.

Community: Engineer killed

Aerospace engineer Dr. Gaurav Gopalan was killed on the streets in the Columbia Heights in suspected hate crime.

Health: Peace Walk AAPI organized the second Mahatma Gandhi Health and Peace Walk in Harlem, New York on Oct 2.

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Travel: Chittorgarh The Fort of Chittorgarh is a treasure trove of history and offers an insight into the life of the Great Rajput rulers.

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October 14, 2011

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Indian scientist spots 'wake-up' gene India Post News Service

ology Laboratory, who led the research along with Luciano DiTacchio, a post-doctoral research associate. "We roughly knew what mechanism told the clock to wind down at night, but we didn't know what activated us again in the morning. Now that we've found it, we can explore more deeply how our biological clocks malfunction as we get older and develop chronic illness." In a report published in the jour-

Satchidananda Panda with colleague

the mechanism by which it starts the clock everyday may help explain the genetic underpinnings of sleeplessness, aging and chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes, and could eventually lead to new therapies for these illnesses, the researchers feel. "The body is essentially a collection of clocks," says Satchidananda Panda, associate professor in Salk's Regulatory Bi-

nal Science, the Salk researchers and their collaborators at McGill University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine describe how the gene KDM5A encodes a protein, JARID1a, that serves as an activation switch in the biochemical circuit that maintains our circadian rhythm. In their research, which was primarily funded by Salk's Innovation Fund, Panda and his colleagues identified JARID1a, a

type of enzyme, as the molecular bugle call for cells and organs to get back to work each morning. By studying the genetic mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms in human and mouse cells and in fruit flies, the researchers discovered that JARID1a was required for normal cycling, both at the cellular level and in terms of an organisms' daily behavior. Now that scientists understand why we wake each day, they can explore the role of JARID1a in sleep disorders and chronic diseases, possibly using it as a target for new drugs. "So much of what it means to be healthy and youthful comes down to a good night's sleep," Panda says. "Now that we have identified JARID1a in activating our daytime cycle, we have a whole new avenue to explore why some people's circadian rhythms are off and to perhaps find new ways to help them." The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world's preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probe fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative, and creative environment. Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, M.D., the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark.

Indian American sentenced for making extortion threat India Post News Service

Comptroller, the US Attorney said. Sekhar threatened to reveal an alleged extramarital affair unless the General Counsel recommended that the New York State Comptroller, the sole trustee and manager of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, commit to a proposed $35 million investment of New York State Common Retirement Fund assets in funds managed by FA Technology. If FA Technology had received the proposed $35 million investment, then it would have

NEW YORK: An Indian American venture capitalist has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for attempted extortion of the former General Counsel to the New York State Comptroller, the US Attorney's office, Northern District of NY announced. Giridhar C. Sekhar, 41, was sentenced Oct 4, to 15 months in prison by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy for attempted extortion and the interstate transmission of extortionate threats, announced United Following a trial, Sekhar was States Attorney Rich- convicted of one count of ard S. Hartunian and Special Agent in attempted extortion and five Charge Clifford C. Holly counts of interstate transmisof the Albany Division of the Federal Bureau of sion of an extortionate threat. Investigation. Sekhar, He was acquitted of one count who was also ordered to pay a $600 special of interstate transmission of assessment, began an extortionate threat serving his sentence immediately. Following a trial, Sekhar was received more than $8 million in convicted of one count of at- fees. Sekhar sent the messages aftempted extortion and five counts of interstate transmission of an ter learning that the Commitment extortionate threat. He was acquit- would not be approved and that ted of one count of interstate the General Counsel had recomtransmission of an extortionate mended that it not be approved. By threatening to disclose the althreat. From November 17, 2009 leged extramarital affair, Sekhar through December 1, 2009, Sekhar, attempted to obtain, with the Genthen a managing partner of the eral Counsel's consent, his recomventure capital and private equity mendation to approve the Comcompany FA Technology Ven- mitment. The electronic mail mestures Corporation, sent six extor- sages traveled from and through tionate electronic mail messages Jersey City, New Jersey and to the General Counsel for the Brookline, Massachusetts to AlOffice of the New York State bany, New York.

Obama welcomes Indian American Science Fair winners India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Three young students - two of them Indian American - who won the Google Science Fair competition were welcomed to the White House by President Obama Oct 3. According to a blog on the White House website, President Obama, in keeping with his promise to honor the winners of science competitions as much as those who win sports championships, welcomed the firstever Google Science Fair to the Oval Office. The winners, Shree Bose, Naomi Shah and Lauren Hodge, bested roughly 10,000 competitors from 90 different countries to earn top accolades from a

judging panel of acclaimed scientists. Their victories represent the impressive accomplishments that students - including girls and underrepresented groups - can achieve in science, technology, engineering, and math subjects when given the tools and support they need to succeed, the blog post said. In their meeting with the President, the winners described their hopes of earning advanced degrees in the sciences and making that research relevant to the lives of others in their communities. According to the Google Science Fair judges the unifying elements of all three young women were their intellectual curiosity, their tenaciousness and their ambition to use science to find solu-

tions to big problems. They examined complex problems and found both simple solutions that can be implemented by the general public - like changing cook-

In their meeting with the President, the winners described their hopes of earning advanced degrees in the sciences ing habits or removing toxins from homes - as well as more complex solutions that can be addressed in labs by doctors and researchers, such as Shree's groundbreaking discovery, which

could have wider implications for cancer research. Shree Bose, 17 (Winner age 1718 category, Grand-prize winner), from Ft. Worth, TX, discovered a way to improve ovarian cancer treatment for patients who have built up a resistance to certain chemotherapy drugs. Naomi Shah, 16 (Winner age 1516 category) from Portland, OR, demonstrated that making changes to indoor environments can improve indoor air quality and reduce reliance on asthma medications. Lauren Hodge, 14 (Winner age 13-14 category) from York, Pennsylvania, tested the effect of different marinades on the level of potentially harmful carcinogens in grilled chicken.

The top 15 Google Science Fair finalists had descended on Google's headquarters Oct 3 and wowed the luminary judges as well as more than 1,000 local attendees plus Googlers who stopped to check out the action, according to a Google blog. The winners took home prizes furnished by Google and its partners CERN, LEGO and National Geographic. Bose received a $50,000 scholarship, a trip to the Galรกpagos Islands with a National Geographic Explorer and an internship at CERN. Naomi and Lauren each received $25,000 scholarships and internships at Google and LEGO. All three were awarded lifetime digital subscriptions to Scientific American.

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Obama honors 3 Indian American Early-Career Scientists India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Three Indian Americans are among the 94 researchers as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. The three awardees are Dr. Kartik A. Srinivasan of National Institute of Standards and Technology, who won under the Department of Commerce; Dr. Sumitha Pennathur of University of California, under the Department of Defense; and Dr. Hari Shroff of National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, who won the award under the Department of Health and Human Services. The Presidential early career awards embody the high priority the Obama Administration places on producing outstanding scientists and engineers to advance the Nation's goals, tackle grand challenges, and contribute to the American economy. Sixteen Federal departments and agencies

join together annually to nominate the most meritorious scientists and engineers whose early accomplishments show the greatest promise for assuring America's preeminence in science and engineering and contributing to the awarding agencies' missions.

The Presidential early career awards embody the high priority the Obama Administration places on producing outstanding scientists and engineers to advance the Nation's goals, tackle grand challenges "It is inspiring to see the innovative work being done by these scientists and engineers as they ramp up their careers - careers that I know will be not only personally rewarding but also invaluable to the Nation," Presi-

dent Obama said while announcing the awardees. "That so many of them are also devoting time to mentoring and other forms of community service speaks volumes about their potential for leadership, not only as scientists but as model citizens." Dr. Kartik Srinivasan is a project leader at the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST), part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. On his home page, Dr. Srinivasan writes that he is building a research effort in nanophotonics at CNST, with a focus on measurements of lightmatter interactions in chip-based optical structures and the development of new tools by which processes in such devices can be effectively characterized. Before coming to NIST, he was a postdoctoral scholar at the Center for the Physics of Information and a graduate student in the Department of Applied Physics, all at Caltech. His graduate research was generously supported by the Hertz Foundation, he writes. Dr. Sumita Pennathur is an As-

UN Security Council adopts 'zero-tolerance' to terrorism India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Outcome Document for the special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council, chaired by Ambassador H.S. Puri, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, has called on all member states to ensure "zerotolerance" towards terrorism. The meeting held September 28, commemorated the adoption of the Security Council resolution of 2001 - adopted in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and elsewhere in the US - has further urged all member states to take urgent action to prevent and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The Outcome Document urges member states to: • Prevent those who finance, plan, facilitate or commit terrorist acts from using their respective territories for those purposes against other States or their citizens and to deny safe haven to persons engaged in these activities; • Bring to justice those who finance, plan, support, facilitate, or commit terrorist acts, in particular noting the principle of "extradite or prosecute", in accordance with

international law, including human rights law; • Enhance cooperation in bringing terrorists to justice, including cooperation in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of terrorists and offenses; • Prevent the movement of terrorists, including the supply of weapons, through effective border

The Counter-Terrorism Committee recognized that over the past 10 years notable successes have been achieved, and significant steps taken in the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by Member States controls; • Ensure that funds for charitable purposes are not diverted or utilized for terrorist purposes; • Develop comprehensive and integrated national counterterrorism strategies that fully comply with the rule of law; fully respect the dignity and hu-

man rights of all; and reach out to, and actively involve all parts of society and all communities; and • Develop and implement comprehensive strategies to effectively address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism including radicalization and recruitment for terrorism and take necessary and appropriate steps to prevent and counter incitement to commit terrorist acts, including those motivated by extremism and intolerance, within a framework of dialogue and understanding and in accordance with their international legal obligations. The Counter-Terrorism Committee recognized that over the past 10 years notable successes have been achieved, and significant steps taken in the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001) by Member States, including a significant increase in the number of States becoming party to the international counter-terrorism instruments; the criminalization of terrorist offences; the strengthening of criminal justice systems; the successful prosecution of terrorist cases; the introduction of robust measures to counter terrorist financing; and measures to enhance cooperation at the political, technical and operational levels. Cont’d on page 9

sistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Pennathur received her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University in 2006, where her research investigated electrokinetic transport of fluids

Dr. Shroff is now Chief of NIBIB's section on high resolution optical imaging laboratory, where he and his staff are developing new imaging tools for application in biological and clinical research at the nanoscale. Prior to Stanford, she received both her B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering from M.I.T where she studied microscale cavitation in MEMS devices. Dr. Hari Shroff received a

B.S.E. in bioengineering from the University of Washington in 2001, and completed his Ph.D. in biophysics at the University of California at Berkeley in 2006. He spent the next three years performing postdoctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Farm Research Campus where his research focused on development of photactivated localization microscopy (PALM), an optical superresolution technique. Dr. Shroff is now Chief of NIBIB's section on high resolution optical imaging laboratory, where he and his staff are developing new imaging tools for application in biological and clinical research. The awards, established by President Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. Awardees are selected for their pursuit of innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology and their commitment to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, or community outreach.

India formally supports Palestine's bid for UN membership India Post News Service

Nations." Ambassador Puri said that the Committee on Admission of New States should report to the Security Council that the Palestinian application for membership be recommended to the General Assembly in accordance with the relevant provisions of the UN

NEW YORK: India has, through its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador H.S. Puri, formally supported the application of Palestine for membership in the United Nations. Participating in the meeting of the UN Security Council's Committee on Admission Ambassador Puri said that the of New States on Sept 30, Ambassa- Committee on Admission of New dor Puri recalled States should report to the Secuthat India granted recognition to the rity Council that the Palestinian State of Palestine in application for membership be 1988 and was the recommended to the General first non-Arab state Assembly in accordance with to do so. In his speech in the relevant provisions of the UN General Assembly on Sept 24, the UN Charter Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, said, "India is stead- Charter, the Provisional Rules of fast in its support for the Pales- Procedure of the Security Countinian people's struggle for a cil and the Rules of Procedure of sovereign, independent, viable the General Assembly. In his statement, Ambassador and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capi- Puri also said that Palestine's aptal, living within secure and rec- plication for membership to the ognized borders side by side UN is not incompatible with, nor and at peace with Israel. We look does it exclude, direct negotiaforward to welcoming Palestine tions between the parties to reas an equal member of the United solve the final status issues.

October 14, 2011

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More tax fraud charges Gandhi Jayanti recognized in against HSBC India client US House of Representatives India Post News Service

his undeclared bank accounts at HSBC India and HSBC Jersey. One of these bankers NEW YORK: An Indian American doc- allegedly helped Dr. Ahuja avoid receiving tor, who was earlier indicted for not declar- bank statements at his house in Wisconing millions of dollars deposited in his sin, by, among other things, informing an HSBC India branch, is now facing additional HSBC employee in India that Ahuja "has charges of conspiracy to defraud the Inter- requested that he does not want any kind of mail at his US or India address. He wants nal Revenue Service (IRS). A superseding indictment was Sept 29 a HOLD on all his accounts . . . he does not in Milwaukee against Dr. Arvind Ahuja of wish to receive any mail." The bankers Greendale, Wisconsin, adding a charge of also allegedly helped Dr. Ahuja access the conspiracy to defraud the IRS, the Justice funds in his undeclared bank accounts Department and IRS announced. Dr. Ahuja when he traveled abroad and transferred was previously indicted in June 2011 on money from his undeclared HSBC India four counts of willfully filing materially false account to other undeclared financial actax returns and four counts of failing to file counts in India. As alleged in the indictment, US citizens Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Achave an obligation to report to the IRS on counts (FBARs). According to the superseding indict- Schedule B of their US Individual Income Tax Return, Form 1040, The superseding indictment alleges that Dr. Ahuja whether they have a financial failed to report these bank accounts to the IRS on interest in, or his 2006-2009 tax returns; and that he failed to signature authority over, a report more than $1.2 million in interest income financial acthat he earned from his HSBC India account count in a foreign county in ment, Dr. Ahuja, a board-certified neuro- a particular year by checking "Yes" or "No" surgeon, wire transferred and maintained in the appropriate box and identifying the millions of dollars in bank accounts in In- country where the account was maintained. They further have an obligation to redia and the Bailiwick of Jersey at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpo- port all income earned from foreign finanration Ltd. (HSBC). In 2009, the HSBC bank cial accounts on the tax return and to pay account in India had a balance of $8,733,785. the taxes due on that income. Separately, The superseding indictment alleges that US citizens with a financial interest in, or Dr. Ahuja failed to report these bank ac- signatory authority over, a foreign financounts to the IRS on his 2006-2009 tax re- cial account worth more than $10,000 in a turns; and that he failed to report more than particular year, must also file an FBAR form $1.2 million in interest income that he earned with the Department of the Treasury disfrom his HSBC India account and failed to closing such an account by June 30 of the pay the taxes due on that income. For the following year. Dr. Ahuja faces a maximum penalty of five 2006-2009 tax years, Dr. Ahuja also failed to file FBARs to report his foreign bank ac- years in prison for the conspiracy charge and counts to the Department of the Treasury. a $250,000 fine. Each false tax return charge The superseding indictment also alleges carries a maximum penalty of three years in that Dr. Ahuja conspired with HSBC bank- prison and a $250,000 fine. The failure to file ers who worked at an HSBC India office in FBAR charges each carry a maximum penalty New York to conceal from the IRS the exist- of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. A ence, ownership and income derived from trial date has not yet been set.

Ministry launches global video contest on India India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi has launched a global initiative called the "India is …", aimed at encouraging individuals and countries around the world to think of India in interesting, pervasive and positive ways. For this purpose, a Global Video contest is being organized on the following three themes: 1. 2.

India is … Colorful India is … Creative

3. India is … Wherever You are Under this program, a 3-minute video film about India on one of the three themes is being invited from anyone interested in participating. Detailed information on the program, including rules and regulations as also the procedure to participate, is available at www.indiais.org. The program will run from Oct 1-Dec 31, 2011. The Ministry of External Affairs will be organizing an event in March 2013 where the winning entries will be recognized and rewarded suitably.

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Gandhi Jayanti, India's national holiday celebrating the birth of Mahatma Gandhi was recognized in the US House of Representatives by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY). Speaking on the floor of the House for the Congressional Record on Oct 3, Congressman Crowley said, "It is my privilege and honor to offer my best wishes to the millions of Indian-Americans and to Indians around the globe on this Gandhi Jayanti, India's national holiday celebrating the birth of Mohandas Gandhi." Describing Gandhi, Crowley further said, "Political prisoner, freedom fighter, father of a nation - Gandhi shaped modern India and has continued to shape the world we live in by inspiring some of the greatest leaders of our time. A champion for the rights of all people, he fought apartheid in South Africa, colonial rule in India, and oppression and injustice in all its guises. In doing so, he has inspired our world's greatest leaders from Nelson Mandela to Cesar Chavez, Aung San Suu Kyi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "It was Dr. King who once said he owed his inspiration to fight injustice to God and his method - nonviolent resistance - to Gandhi. The American civil rights move-

ment, from lunch counter sit-ins to the Montgomery County bus boycott, was influenced by Gandhi's foundational principle of Satyagraha, or nonviolent civil disobedience." Crowley further stated, "On this day, I join the Indian-American community and friends around the globe to remember and celebrate the life of this fearless man who led a nation to gain independence for his

‘Political prisoner, freedom fighter, father of a nation Gandhi shaped modern India and has continued to shape the world we live in by inspiring some of the greatest leaders of our time’ people from the British Empire. Gandhi's life was a testament to invincibility of truth over injustice. As he said, "When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it, always.''

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Hindu protests get Husain exhibition cancelled India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Forum for Hindu Awakening last week led protests from the Hindu American community resulting in the cancellation of an exhibition of the Late M.F. Husain's paintings in New York. An exhibition of Husain's paintings was to be held in conjunction with a dance performance by veteran actress and danseuse Hema Malini, organized by the South Asian Music and Arts Association (SAMAA), at New York University's Skirball Center on Oct 1. According to the Forum, upon learning about the scheduled exhibition, members of the Forum and others concerned sent protest emails to the organizers, who apparently then decided to cancel the exhibition. The organizers apparently wrote to the protesters, "On behalf of SAMAA, we

apologize to all of you if we hurt your sentiments. Hemaji was unaware of such an exhibition. As soon as we received your emails, we cancelled the exhibition. As

An exhibition of Husain's paintings was to be held in conjunction with a dance performance by veteran actress and danseuse Hema Malini, organized by the South Asian Music and Arts Association soon as Hemaji came to know about the exhibition, she totally opposed it and did not want to be any part of it."

The Forum said that the organizers also forwarded a confirmation from officials of New York University (NYU) Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, where the concert was held, that no painting of M. F. Husain was displayed at the center. The NYU Skirball Center's Senior Director, Michael Harrington wrote, "It is our understanding that no work of the artist in question was displayed at either the Skirball Center or Kimmel Center on October 1." As well, Jonathan Ross of NYU wrote, "To add to Michael's email, the university will not be making a formal statement, but I can certainly assert that as per our agreement (on Saturday), no works by MF Hussain were displayed at the Kimmel or Skirball Centers at NYU." The Forum said that on Oct 1, it had received a complaint about the exhibition to be held during the post (Hama Malini) concert

Steve Jobs was an innovative man: Manmohan Singh NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he was saddened at the demise of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, calling him an innovative man who had taught the world new ways to communicate and connect. "I am deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Steve Jobs. He was truly an innovative man and taught us new ways to connect and communicate," the Prime Minister said in his condolence message. Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple who revolutionized the world of technology, died yesterday at the age of 56. Jobs was a pancreatic cancer survivor and had undergone a liver transplant several times in 2009. He had been on a leave of absence since January this year his third since his health problems began - and stepped down as Apple CEO in August, handing over the reins of the company to Tim Cook. PTI

Steve Jobs

Buddhism -- India's gift to Steve Jobs NEW YORK: Like it has done to so many icons across the world, India was the source of spirituality to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who later converted to Buddhism. Jobs had taken a "spiritual retreat to India" and "traversing through the country had

sparked Jobs' conversion to Buddhism," a CNN report said. Jobs had traveled to India in the late 1970s, with money he had saved working as a technician at a video games manufacturer in the US. He reportedly visited the Neem Karoli Baba at his Kainchi Ashram with a Reed College friend Daniel

Kottke in search of spiritual enlightenment. Born in 1955 in San Francisco, Jobs grew up amid the rise of hippie counter-culture. Bob Dylan and the Beatles were his two favorite musical icons and he shared their political leanings and antiestablishment views.-PTI

reception that evening. The Forum immediately appealed to Hindus across the US and India to write to the event organizers, requesting cancellation of the exhi-

‘Within hours, many Hindus had promptly protested by email and phone to the organizers, and tried to reach Hema Malini via Bharatiya Janata Party contacts,’ the Forum claimed bition by Late M. F. Husain, who has "blatantly denigrated Hindu Deities through his paintings". Considering Hema Malini's

standing as a public official (she is an ex-MP and current official of India's political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party), the Forum apparently urged Hindus to reach out to Bharatiya Janata Party contacts and Hema Malini, and to request her to perform only if the Husain exhibition was canceled. "Within hours, many Hindus had promptly protested by email and phone to the organizers, and tried to reach Hema Malini via Bharatiya Janata Party contacts," the Forum claimed. "Despite the short notice, a Caribbean Hindu gentleman, Patanjali Rambrich had also stood outside the concert venue, giving out flyers to the concert goers, creating awareness about the issue." "Upon receiving the news of the cancellation of the exhibition, Hindus worldwide are paying gratitude to the divine," the Forum said.

Sydney church is now Hindu Shakti Temple

India Post News Service

SYDNEY: Sydney Shakti Temple in Australia, which used to be Old Toongabbie Uniting Church, now regularly performs poojas, abhishekams and aartis, according to reports. Sydney Shakti Temple, Cultural & Education Centre of Hindu Society of NSW; a non-profit organization whose mission includes "providing an opportunity for understanding and promoting Hinduism…"; opens everyday and organizes daily aarti; monthly Durga pooja, hawan and

abhisekam; and celebrates Hanuman Jayanti, Thaipoosam and Kavadi Pooja. This Temple offers forum and space for worship, prayers, teachings, and other religious-philosophical activities. It is planning to build its own car park and make some other alterations. Jim Venkteshwar is Vice President of the Society. It can organize poojas at devotees' homes also. Its website suggests: "Before visiting the temple make sure you eat vegetarian food that day and wear clean decent clothes."

October 14, 2011

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Kids in India engaged in worst forms of child labor: US WASHINGTON: Observing that children in India are engaged in the "worst forms" of child labor, the US has asked Indian government to establish a minimum age for employment in hazardous and nonhazardous jobs consistent with international standards. "Children in India are engaged in the worst forms of child labor. Most work in agriculture producing crops such as rice and hybrid seeds. Children who work in agriculture may carry heavy loads and apply harmful pesticides," said US Department of Labor in its 10th annual Congressional mandated report that provides information on the efforts of certain US trade beneficiary countries to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. "Children in India also work in dangerous conditions, quarrying sandstone and other materials, breaking stones and polishing gems as well as in manufacturing," said the report, according to which. India along with Bangladesh and the Philippines lead the world in the number of products made by child workers. "We believe that every child has the right to an education and a childhood free from exploitation. We believe that Godgiven potential is present in every child born into this world? no matter how poor, and no matter his or her race, class, or geographical origin," US Labor Secretary, Hilda Solis, said at the release of the report "Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor". Giving a detailed account to practices of child labor in countries across the globe including India, the US report asked the Indian Government to establish a "minimum age for employment" in non-hazardous and hazardous occupations consistent with international standards; and expand the scope of the act to cover children working in family enterprises. -PTI

UN Security Council adopts 'zero-tolerance' to terrorism Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 6

The Committee also expressed concern at the terrorists' adaptation to, and misuse of new technologies, such as the Internet, for their communication, propaganda, financing, planning, recruitment and operational purposes; as also over the close connection between terrorism and transnational organized crime, including trafficking of illicit drugs, money-laundering, illegal arms trafficking, and illegal movement of nuclear, chemical, biological and other potentially deadly materials. The Committee also reaffirmed that member states must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

New rules to stop Indian workers settling in UK LONDON: UK has announced that Indian and other non-EU professionals will have to return to their countries of origin after their work visa expires instead of being allowed to settle here after working for five years. Currently, immigration rules allow nonEU professionals to settle in Britain indefinitely after working for five years. This provision is likely to be soon scrapped under the David Cameron government's plans to cut immigration. Setting out several measures the Cameron government had taken since assuming office in 2010, Home secretary Theresa May said: "Under Labor, temporary immigration led to an automatic right to settle here. So we're breaking that link,

Immigration minister Damian Green reiterated the government's commitment to tighten immigration rules, and cited two examples from Delhi to allege abuse of the visa making sure that immigrants who come here to work go home at the end of their visa". Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, May drew applause as she announced changes to immigration rules that would enable officials to deport

foreign nationals who commit crimes in Britain, and seek to stay on using the right to family life under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Earlier, immigration minister Damian Green reiterated the government's commitment to tighten immigration rules, and cited two examples from Delhi to allege abuse of the visa system for students and workers. Recalling the annual cap of 21,700 for foreign workers, Green said: "I saw, in our office in Delhi, a man being interviewed for his visa. He said he was coming for a skilled job working on a busy production line making machinery. He needed an interpreter for his visa interview. He would not be safe on a busy, dangerous production line". -PTI

Desi News Service Day brings volunteerism to the fore

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

India Post News Service

Medstar Lab celebrates 10th anniversary IPNS & Asian Media USA

Fireworks at South Street Seaport mark Diwali India Post News Service

BAPS Walkathon for 'Building Better Community' Details on page 17

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October 14, 2011

Indian scientist's murder shocks LGBT community India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Weeks after Washington DC resident and an aerospace engineer Dr. Gaurav Gopalan was killed on the streets in the Columbia Heights neighborhood where he lived, police are yet to determine if it was a hate crime given that the victim was gay. According to a report on the website of the Dept of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, Dr. Gopalan, a 2004 aerospace Ph.D. graduate, was found unresponsive on Sept 10 in Washington, DC and shortly declared dead thereafter in the Columbia Heights neighborhood he called home. His death was ruled a homicide on Sept 20 and an investigation is in progress. Dr. Gopalan, 35, was an Assistant Research Scientist in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and worked with Professor Fredric Schmitz. Full of life, Dr. Gopalan was known and loved in multiple communities. As a graduate student, he was a member of the Graduate Lamda Coalition and, in addition to being a brilliant researcher, was known for his love of Shakespeare. A passionate thespian, he was an active member

of the Washington Shakespeare Company, where he served as a director and stage manager. A number of memorial events were held to honor Dr. Gopalan's life and memory, including a campus candle light vigil sponsored by the office of LGBT Equity. At a candlelight vigil held in his

American science simply would not move forward." Congresswoman Norton further said, "Without a green card, Gaurav nevertheless loved our city and became one of us, having embraced our vibrant theater and found comfort in our neighborhoods. Here, Gaurav found a part-

A number of memorial events were held to honor Dr. Gopalan's life and memory, including a campus candle light vigil sponsored by the office of LGBT Equity Dr. Gaurav Gopalan

honor at Dupont Circle, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DDC) said, Dr. Gopaln was a multitalented and brilliant aerospace engineer, and was "the type of scientist our nation seeks to attract because, without them,

ner and was finding himself, but it was also here that he lost his life." "This brutal crime is an unbearable truth that Gaurav's death calls us to confront at last. To fail to engage the fact of the violence that took him from his partner, his

friends, his family, and this city is to condone it. The recent surge in crimes against the LGBT community is a thundering call for action. I call on the US Attorney for the District of Columbia to designate as a special priority bringing Gaurav's killer to justice to show the city and the world that these recent hate crimes, which tarnish the reputation of a great, progressive city, will not be tolerated," the Congresswoman said. According to a local daily, born in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dr. Gopalan grew up in Delhi, India, and attended the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur, where he earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. He then moved to the United States, earning a master's degree and doctorate from the University of Maryland. He then worked as a research assistant for the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center at the University of Maryland's Department of Aerospace Engineering, applying his technical skills to a number of contracts for NASA investigating helicopter noise reduction. In 2010, he founded and became president of the Fred Schmitz Group, an aerospace engineering consulting firm.

RIC-NJ hosts Governor Nikki Haley India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: The New Jersey Chapter of the Republican Indian Committee (RIC-NJ) hosted a very special event for visiting South Carolina Governor Nikki R. Haley at the Bridgewater Marriot on Sept

Kuchipudi Bapineedu were among the host committee introducing Governor Haley to Central New Jersey's prominent business leaders within the Indian-American community. Members of the New Jersey Republican Party were well repre-

Members of the New Jersey Republican Party were well represented by Ocean County Chairman George Gilmore and NJ Tea Party favorite Anna Little 28. RIC-NJ President Arthur Kapoor and wife Sita greeted the Governor and her guests on behalf of the New Jersey Chapter. RIC Committee members, Bhrugesh Patel, Dr. Mukesh Roy and Dr.

sented by Ocean County Chairman George Gilmore and NJ Tea Party favorite Anna Little. Other prominent members of the Indian community who attended included Dr. Bindu Kansupada, Chairman of RIC-

From left: Dr. Mukesh Roy, Arthur Kapoor, Gov. Haley, Dr. Bindu Kansupada, Dr. Bapineedu Kuchipudi, Anoop Kansupada

Pennsylvania; Anoop Kansupada, RIC Youth Director; H. R. Shah of TV Asia; and Dr. Navin Mehta. Governor Haley's strong "Cut

Taxes" position has given her the recognition of being one of the strongest fiscal conservatives in state government. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

October 14, 2011

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Hindu temples endorse Green Pilgrimage Network India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Green Pilgrimage Network initiative was endorsed last week by some 280 primarily US and Canadian-based Hindu delegates, representing more than 100 temples and Hindu organizations from across the world at the sixth annual Hindu Mandir (Temple) Executives' Conference (HMEC) held Sept 23-25, in Columbus Ohio. The Green Pilgrimage Network is being launched on November 1 in Assisi Italy, by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) in the presence of Prince Philip, who is ARC's founder. The vision is of pilgrims on all continents, and the pilgrim cities which receive them leaving a positive footprint on the earth. Founding members include Amritsar for Sikhs, Assisi for Catholics, Etchmiadzin for Armenian Orthodox Christians, Luss for Church of Scotland, Kano for Nigerian Muslims, St Albans for Church of England, Trondheim for Norwegian Lutherans. Several Hindu cities in India have expressed initial interest. "This initiative presents an unprecedented opportunity to Hin-

dus to reclaim the ecological vision inherent in our culture and share it with the rest of the world. Our temples must become models of care and respect for the environment, reflecting the deep values of Vedic tradition," said

Kusum Vyas, Hindu Climate Change Ambassador, addresses the Conference.

Kusum Vyas, Hindu Climate Change Ambassador at the meeting. "I am intrigued. This is a very important initiative and I will help the Green Pilgrimages team connect with locations and projects with most need and impact," said

Ashok Singhal, President of World Hindu Council. "The initiative to bring back a pristine, serene and welcoming environment at our temples and places of pilgrimage, the HMEC in North America strongly welcomes

Founding members include Amritsar for Sikhs, Assisi for Catholics, Etchmiadzin for Armenian Orthodox Christians, Luss for Church of Scotland, Kano for Nigerian Muslims, St Albans for Church of England and supports the idea that our temples have a role to play in helping conserve the environment and save Mother Earth. This is a core value practice of Sanatana Dharma, intrinsic to its sustainable nature," said Dr. Abhaya Asthana, Program Co-Chair

"This is just one of the many shining possibilities that can manifest out of a Dharmic philosophical foundation, and many more such projects need to be taken up for the well being of mother earth and all life," said Ravi Jaishankar, General Secretary, Hindu Students Council, which has some 2,000 members in 40 Chapters at major universities in the US. "We as Temples and religious organizations are the stewards of these holy places, both from a spiritual and an environmental point of view, and we need to adjust our practices as necessary to support this goal of conservation, rejuvenation, and beautification of these holy places," said Swami Nikhilanand Pracharak for Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Radha Madhav Dham. Srilekha Reddy Palle, Executive Secretary at the Durga temple in Virginia, which is the first Bhagwati Durgaji temple built in the USA said, "Devotees spend majority of their time after home and work at the temple. We, as delegates and those in leadership roles, should strive to put forth any green initiatives in our place of worship in the best interest of our devotees. We should create a

greener environment in the temple and encourage organizations such as this in order for them to create an environment that pursues the path which leads all of us to the goal of cleaner and greener environment within our organizations."

Commitment to sustain dharma

The Sixth HMEC was attended by participants from throughout the mainland USA, Hawaii, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. It is an annual meeting aiming to explore the expanding role of temples to meet the ever changing needs of North American Hindus and to develop a network of all Hindu temples in North America. The HMEC was hosted by Bharatiya Hindu Temple (Columbus) and ten other Mandir cohosts from the Midwest and East Coast. Delegates ranged in ages from teenagers to those in their eighties and came from a variety of ethnic and career backgrounds. The participants were focused on developing programs to provide leadership to nourish, protect and sustain Hindu Dharma in North America. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

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Service Day brings volunteerism to the fore

Jain Center Raas Garba attracts hundreds VIPUL SHAH

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The spirit of volunteerism and community service should be taken beyond a single day of service - that was the message at the annual 'Be the Change' national day of service hosted by the Washington DC areabased non-profit organization, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), on Oct 1, in coordination with campus and city planning teams around the country. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's message, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world," over 2500 volunteers including students, retirees and professionals contributed their time and energy to service activities around the country, including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, New Brunswick, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. In addition, college campuses from Wyoming to

service in their lives," said Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of SAALT. Rupal Shah, the Project and Volunteer Coordinator of the Austin, Texas planning team noted, "I am beginning to realize the impact that Be the Change had on our

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's message, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world," over 2500 volunteers including students, retirees and professionals contributed their time and energy to service activities Minneapolis to New York coordinated Be the Change activities. "Every year, Be the Change offers community members, young professionals and students the opportunity to cultivate and reinforce a culture of volunteerism and

volunteers: we are empowering others to find joy in service while strengthening the community." This year's service activities included organizing and cleaning children's playrooms to sorting food at food banks to assisting

South Asian community-based organizations. Partners and sponsors also affirmed the values of Be the Change. This year, partners ranged from South Asian sororities and fraternities to national Asian and Pacific Islander organizations and South Asian professional networks. As in previous years, Be the Change 2011 was supported by Sodexo. "Be the Change mirrors Sodexo's service spirit and highlights the importance of community," said Bill Codus, Senior Business Technology Manager at Sodexo and National Chair of Sodexo's Pan Asian Network Group. "Many cultures come together as one to help each other, and to better the communities in which we are all entwined."

Jain Center honoring sponsors Naren Patel of MedStar and Kiran Doshi, Chairman of Comfort Suites

CHICAGO: Jain Center of Chicago hosted Raas-Garba Ramzat 2011 with Raj and Smruti Pandya Group of KY at the Jain Community Center on Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1, keeping up its recent tradition The first day theme for music was the "Dholida naa Taale" followed by a "Bollywood Fusion" on the second day that continued from 8pm till 2am with huge enthusiasm from the hundreds of participants from across Chicagoland. JSMC Committee members along with President Atul Shah inaugurated the festival by lighting the lamp "Mangal Deep." Vice President of JSMC Hemant Shah welcomed dignitaries and all the attendees. The diamond sponsors

for the event Naren Patel, CEO of Medstar Laboratories, Kiran Doshi, Chairman of Comfort Suites, Schaumburg, Savio Dias General Manager of Kingfisher Airline, Chicago and Rohit Shah, Agent of American Family and sponsors families were recognized and were presented with mementos by JSMC. Throughout the event Eshana, Raj and Smruti Pandya, a famous musical group and lead vocalists and band leaders Raj and Smruti Pandya, entertained the participants with unique merging of Eastern and Western music. "Gamthi" theme decoration throughout the facility with a beautiful centerpiece of "Shrifal" and "Raath with Ganesh" became a major attraction. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 15

Scintillating Raas Garba from Gujarat Cultural

Dandia Raas at Gujarat Cultural program ASIAN MEDIA USA

NILES: One of the oldest and premier Gujarati organizations, the Gujarat Cultural Association hosted Navaratri Mahotsav on Saturday October 1 at Feldman Recreation Center, Golfmaine Park District in Niles, a northwest Chicago suburb. The event started at

8 pm but lasted till midnight. Young and Old participated enthusiastically but the presence of the youth was very visible and pleasing. The program started with a prayer followed by rhythmic conformist Garba music accompanied by energetic performance by participants. There was traditional swirling

Young participants during Navratra celebrations. (Pics Asian Media USA)

dance around Mataji's symbolic presence turned in to shrine. After the brief break and Arati, the festive music of Dandia-Raas commenced with once again enthusiastic participation by all but largely from the young members of the community The Navratri is the Prasad, distributed at the end of the Garba.

Sponsors and vendors participated by displaying their banners and advertisements. Lahni prices were distributed during the event. The event was sponsored by National Republic Bank of Chicago, Merlin Muffler & Brake, Dr. Nita Patel, World Money Exchange, Raj Jewelers, Chicago Import Inc, State Farm, and Medstar Laboratory.

Gujarat Cultural Association will hold a Diwali Dinner on Saturday October 22 at 6:30 pm at the Waterford in Elmhurst, IL. The 2011 Board Members including Kanti Patel, President, Girish Patel, Daxa Mehta, Dinesh Patel, Kanu Parekh, Jyotindra Patel, Vijay Patel, Jyotindra Patel, Vijay Patel, Yogi Patel and Geeta Bhatt, were present at Garba.

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Jain Society of Chicago celebrates Mela 2011 VIPUL SHAH

JSMC office bearers from left: Sunil Jain (Board of Trustees), Hemant Shah (VP), Arvind Shah (BOT), Atul Shah (President), Tejas Shah (Secretary), Guruvanandji, Dr. Mukesh Doshi (BOT), Vipul Shah (Membership Secretary).

CHICAGO: The Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC) recently organized a unique Mela 2011 with about 10 events running simultaneously throughout the day! Over 1700 members of the Society and other community attended the Mela making it an overwhelming success. Over 19,000 Mela tickets were sold for Food Fest and Carnival Games. Everyone enjoyed over 35 unique Indian, non-Indian and Jain delicious variety food items prepared and served by number of JSMC volunteers. Outdoor games and carnival games kept kids and young adults entertained throughout the day. For the first time, JSMC organized 'JSMC Got Talent' competition as part of the Mela. Out of 30 performances between two age groups - five from each age- group - were selected by the panel of judges. In the finale of the talent competition, top three were

Group of volunteers and officials from left: Hitesh Shah, Robby Shah, Vipul Shah, Sunil Jain, Shikhar Shah, Yashesh Makwana, Neki Shah, Subhash Nadkarni, Vaishali Nagori, Jennis Shah, Swati Shah, Tejas Shah and Purva Shah. (Pics courtesy Pragnesh Shah)

declared winners. The vendor fair was a major attraction as 35 vendors from Chicagoland participated. They were vending a host of items ranging from Indian costumes, Indian and imitation jewelry, boutique shop, Indian clothing, silk

organizations. Two rounds of Bingo and a unique fun game show - Minute-to-Win-It! - entertained and engaged the crowd. Professional magician Paul Lee presented an hour of breathtaking magic show and amazed the audi-

Two rounds of Bingo and a unique fun game show - Minuteto-Win-It! - entertained and engaged the crowd. Professional magician Paul Lee presented an hour of breathtaking magic show and amazed the audience with live animals and birds appearing magically sarees, dish network and home based cooking. Among the participants were interior designers, insurance agents, painters and artists, henna artists, realtors, lawyers, grocers, chiropractors, dentists, and non-profit

ence with live animals and birds appearing magically! Life Source organization arranged a blood donation drive for the entire day. In all 35 people were able to donate their blood. Tapasvi Bahuman was conducted fol-

lowed by light dinner sponsored by Tapasvi Bahuman Samiti. All the Tapasvis who did fasting (eight days or more) during Paryushana and Das Laxana were recognized by JSMC community. Evening finale started with blessings by Pujya Gurudev, Brahmrishi Shree Guruvanand Swamiji. Followed by Lamp Lighting ceremony, Mela Core leaders Vipul Shah Sunil Jain , and Tejas Shah welcomed all and thanked volunteers and sponsors of the day. President Atul Shah and Vice President Hemant Shah introduced and presented memento to Shree Guruvanand Swamiji. Shree Guruvanand Swamiji in his speech showed his passion about India's culture and its moral values. He also explained in detail the meaning and the importance of Namaskar Mahamantra - a fundamental Mantra of Jainism.

North South Foundation Indian bio-energy researcher honored Walkathon raises $9,000 SURENDRA ULLAL

KK RAJDA

CHICAGO: The North South Foundation (NSF) chapters of Greater Chicago organized their Annual Walkathon on September 25, inclement weather notwithstanding. Chilly weather or the drizzle did not prove a deterrent and ample greenery, pleasant walking trails, tranquil atmosphere and beautiful lakes at the Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville turned out to be a great compensatory factor for the activity. This year's Walkathon introduced some new activities for children and adults Ultimate Frisbee and Cricket! A group of 10 kids, ages ranging from 9 to 16, enthusiastically partook in a friendly game of Ultimate Frisbee. Other games, like chess and cricket, entertained players of all ages. Volunteers at the registration desk constantly updated a 'Donation Thermometer' displaying the funds collected and number of

children helped. NSF patrons were also invited to taste the delicious snacks and lunch provided by Viceroy of India, Cuisine of India, Panera Bread and Dominick's Super Market. Kids and adults both took turns roasting the corn, providing a scrumptious snack for all.

A group of participants

With the dedicated contribution of those who attended, as well as hundreds others, North South Foundation was able to raise $9,000 to support the education of 36 children in India! A little two-year old girl, Anjana, with the help of her grandparents walked and raised funds to send 10 poor children to college in India.

CHICAGO: An India-born globally recognized bio-energy researcher, Suresh P. Babu, Ph.D., was presented with the Don Klass Award for Excellence in Thermochemical Conversion Science to recognize his pioneering and innovative contributions in the field of bio-energy on September 28 at a tcbiomass2011 dinner event held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The Award for Excellence in Thermochemical Conversion Science is a tribute to the notable Dr. Donald L. Klass, who was president and one of the original founders of the Biomass Energy Research Association (BERA). Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a leading research, development, and training organization serving the global natural gas and energy industry for 70 years, had announced the award to Dr Suresh Babu The tcbiomass2011 is a threeday International Conference on Thermo Chemical (TC) Biomass Conversion Science bringing together over 300 experts and visionaries in gasification, pyrolysis, upgrading, and pretreatment to explore the world of bioenergy

from September 27 to 30 in downtown Chicago. Dr. Suresh Babu works in the Global and Regional Solutions Directorate at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National

Dr Suresh Babu

Laboratory in Upton, NY, where he's responsible for Biomass Program Development for NE Biomass. Prior to that, Babu worked with Battelle Science & Technology, Malaysia and The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI), Delhi, India to develop pyrolysis of Malaysia's oil palm biomass and gasification of India's biomass, respectively. He also served as a

consultant for E4tech (UK) Ltd., German Council for Sustainable Development, and the Swedish Energy Agency. Dr. Babu's research experience covers the entire spectrum from hands-on research to planning and deployment of technology. Past accomplishments include leading for 20 years the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task on Thermal Gasification of Biomass for 12 OECD member countries on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He is a Fellow of the Gas Technology Institute. Dr. Babu has a B.S. (Gold Medal) in Chemical Engineering from Osmania University in India and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Fuels, and Combustion from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, India. He earned his Ph.D. from Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, IL. He has published over 70 papers, been awarded three patents and has won a number of awards, including the David Hall World Prize for Bio-Energy at the Second World Biomass Conference in Rome, Italy.

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Medstar Laboratory celebrates 10th anniversary IPNS & Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: A front ranking Indian owned company providing highest quality diagnostic testing to its varied clients across Chiicagoland and neighboring States, MedSAtar recently celebrated its tenth anniversary in a grand style cruising at Navy Pier in Chicago in Spirit of Chicago boat with a large number of associates, well wishers, family members and friends. The celebration may well be described as an Affair to Remember as there was everything that one could think of spending an evening having fun, food and friendliest atmosphere. This was on Saturday, September 24 and the hosts were Naren Patel and his two sons, Neal and Raj sharing their trial and tribulations, achievements and progress over the past ten years and offering promise to do one better incoming years This commitment of Patels could not have been put better than by Dr Yash Amin, a director of the Drug Compliance State of Illinois, who in his speech said "the Mantra with MedStar is Quality. Driven by this Mantra that serves as the foundation stone for the company, MedStar has notched exemplary progress over

Nilesh Patel, Vice President Business development, Medstar, Dr. Sonal Patel, Mrs. Sumitra Patel, Dr. Benton Cook, Dr. Schaffer, Medical coordinator, State of Illinois, Dorothy Brown, Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, Dr. Yash Amin, Illinois Director of Professional Regulation, Naren Patel, President & CEO, Medstar, Ravi Baichwala, Anchorperson ABC Channel 7, Raj Patel, Vice President Operations, Medstar, Mrs. Nisha Patel, Administrator, Domestic Violence, Illinois and Mrs. Beena Patel, of Circuit Court of Cook County.-Pic Asian Media USA

the years and would continue to do so," he observed. The party started after the boarding at 7 pm. Beena Patel, a successful anchor and emcee at variety of functions in the City, did her job exceedingly well this time too introducing guests one by one and dwelling on the progress made by the company in recent years through hard work and devotion to the staff and management together. She introduced Ravi Baichwal, an anchorman with ABC TV Channel 7 who in his short speech talked about his association with

the Patel family and their huge commitment to give back to society which helped them to rise to the level they are today.

"The Mantra with MedStar is Quality. Driven by this Mantra that serves as the foundation stone for the company, MedStar has notched exemplary progress over the years” Beena then introduced a notable Chicago icon, Ravi Baichwal, who is an anchorman and field reporter for Chicago's ABC Channel

Consulate hosts conference on Indian agriculture HARISH RAO

CHICAGO: The Consulate General of India, Chicago hosted a symposium on ‘Opportunities for Innovation in Indian Agriculture Sector’ at Hilton Hotel Downtown Chicago on October 4 partnering with the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Michigan State University and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The conference brought together over 100 regional and international agriculture experts from the government, academia and the corporate world to share information and experiences in Indian agriculture and articulate the challenges and opportunities for innovation in the Indian agriculture sector. A fifteen member business delegation from FICCI also participated in the Symposium. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Indian Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations and Dr Robert Easter, interim Vice President, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign were opening keynote speakers and Dr Marshall Bouton, President of The Chicago Council on Global

Affairs presented the keynote address during the lunch. P.K Basu, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India made a presentation on policy initiatives conducive to the development of this sector. He stressed that mar-

The symposium presented four engaging panel discussions focusing on various areas for innovation in agriculture sector like production practices, the water challenge, post harvest loss and integrated food system ket led extension, development of efficient supply and value chains, building agriculture infrastructure, climate resilience are some of the priority areas for the ministry today.

7 news. Ravi spoke about how he has become close friends with the Patel family over a period of time and how he appreciates their drive

and kindness/generosity through their actions in the community. Many prominent Chicagoans attended the event and this in-

Consulate celebrates Gandhi Jayanti in NY India Post News Service

The symposium presented four engaging panel discussions focusing on various areas for innovation in agriculture sector like production practices, the water challenge, post harvest loss and integrated food system in India today. The luncheon panel discussed in depth the investment opportunities in Indian agriculture. All the panel discussions stressed the importance of knowledge transfer - not just from a top down perspective but from a peer to peer perspective. It is crucial that the knowledge and learning flow not only from the lab to land, but also from land to land. Technology when embedded through the process will help to provide better information, cheaper tools, and the ability to reengineer the value chain. The panel discussions successfully highlighted the growing need for drought or pest resistant seeds, small farm mechanization, modular warehousing and better weather forecasting technology thus presenting a huge opportunity for the US firms to explore the Indian agriculture sector.

cluded Ms Dorothy Brown, Dr. Robert Schaffer, the Associate Medical Coordinator for the State of Illinois and Fred Moody, an Associate Director at the Cook County Clerk's office. It was the turn of Naren Patel President and CEO of the company to come to the mike. He thanked everybody for their time to join them in their happy moments. He thanked his two sons Neal and Raj also for their navigating the ship of MedStar so successfully over the years that it is ranked among the top similar facilities in the State of Illinois. He also thanked his wife, Sumitra, and daughters-in-law Sonal and Nisha for always standing by them and providing valuable support. His closing words were quite inspiring to the company's staff members when he asserted that "without you, Medstar would not notch this high level of success that it has done." Concluding he said that MedStar's success corner stones are Quality, Integrity, Innovation and Accountability A delicious dinner that satisfied the tastes of those present accompanied with spread, music and wonderful socializing was another highlight of the four hours of celebrations.

NEW YORK: The Consulate General of India, New York celebrated the 142nd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Union Square Park, near the Gandhi statue. Ambassador of India to the United States, Nirupama Rao and Amb. Vijay Nambiar, Under Secretary General to the United Nations graced the occasion along with several members of the Indian American community. The program began with floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by the dignitaries and participants. Consul General Prabhu Dayal, in his opening remarks, quoted Albert Einstein's tribute to Gandhi, which stated that "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth". He recalled Gandhi's influence on Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in shaping the non-violent movement for freedom and civil rights. Amb. Rao, recollecting the impact of Gandhism on mankind

mentioned that this day reminds one to renew allegiance and pledge to follow Gandhian ideals of peace and non-violence, which have led us through the century. "Gandhi Jayanti is not only a time to recall and recollect the life of the Mahatma but also to be inspired to face the challenges that follow and an occasion to draw inspiration for life in the present times of conflict and contradictions. It is an opportune time to think, reflect, introspect and follow the precepts of Gandhiji to 'Be the change you want to see in the world'," she said. Amb. Nambiar in his remarks mentioned that the United Nations has declared Oct 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence. He mentioned that the Mahatma's message resonates around the world and his ideals of Non Violence are also showing relevance in the Arab world today. The event concluded with the singing of Gandhi's favorite bhajans, namely 'Vaishnav Jan To' and 'Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram' by the music academy of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

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'Dancing with Stars' raises $72,000 Jain Center Raas Garba attracts hundreds

India Post News Service

GREENVILLE, SC: Capitalizing on the popularity of "Dancing with the Stars," a local human service organization - Senior Action staged the 2nd Annual "Dancing with the Carolina Stars" on October 1 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville. The fundraiser took place from 6pm-10pm and included local "celebrities," that were diverse group of community leaders and influencers. The celebrities were paired with professional dancers to train and compete for the

public's votes. The event raised $72,000 for Senior Action. RP Rama, of JHM Hotels, and Frederick Turner, of Lockheed Martin went into the evening as the top fundraisers. The evening took a dramatic turn when both men received perfect "10's" from the judges' panel. RP Rama eventually swept the evening, winning both the "Champion Fundraiser" trophy and "Champion Dancer" trophy, for his Viennese Waltz with partner, Cary Beth Scherban, of Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Over all, RP Rama personally raised over $12,600 for Senior Action.

Raas Garba in progress

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

Mukherjee visits Tagore exhibition India Post News Service

NEW YORK: India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited an exhibition of paintings and drawings of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the Asia Society Museum, New York. Mukherjee, who was in transit in New York, paid a visit to the Asia Society Museum on September 21, to see the ongoing exhibition entitled "Rabindranath Tagore: The Last Harvest", which is being held to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Tagore and is devoted to his artistic legacy. The exhibition comprises the paintings and drawings of Gurudev drawn from the collections of Visva Bharati,

Santiniketan and the National Gallery of Modern Art, and is open for the public through Dec 31. The Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Prabhu Dayal,

Rajchandra idol to be installed at Jain Center SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Two days of festivities have been arranged on Saturday and Sunday October 15 and 16 by Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago for installation of an idol of Shreemad Rajchandra Prabhuji in Raj Chandra Gyan Mandir at Jain Center, Chicago. On Saturday 15, there will be Bhakti, Pravachan and ghee boli by 9 am in the morning and thereafter lunch will be served to all the devotees. On Sunday October 16 the idol installation ceremony (Murti pratishthan mahotsav) will be started at 9 am. Sudhaben Shah, all the way from India, has come to Chicago to perform this religious ceremony. After that all the devotees will chant

Shrimad Rajchandra

Atmasiddhi 142 namskar Mantra. A lunch and dinner (swamivatsatsalya) will be served in the noon as well as in the evening.

Consul General of India in New York, Jawahar Sircar, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Dr. Vishakha Desai, President Asia Society.

Everyday contests for Best Performances and Best Costumes were thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants. Trophies and prizes were donated by Dipak and Ginni Doshi. Grand lucky draws were organized and winners received round-trip airline tickets for Domestic-India as sponsored by Kingfisher Airline. More than 1300 people purchased the ticket to enter in this event on Saturday and made this event a sold out show. JSMC was able to provide a very good community event, raising funds and building harmony among members.

A seven-year old playing Dholak

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Fireworks at South Street Seaport mark Diwali India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Diwali, as with each year, came early to New York City, with the usual fanfare and fireworks at the picturesque South Street Seaport. The sudden drop in temperatures and a downpour of chilly rain notwithstanding, dozens of government officials, diplomats, state and city lawmakers and legal luminaries joined thousands of revelers who turned up for the day long mela, Bollywood dances and other cultural entertainment, street food and finally the fireworks over the East River on Sunday, Oct 2. Organized by the Association of Indians in America (AIA) this year was the 24th annual Diwali festival focused on the theme of 'Non-violence in today's world'. The AIA, this year, took on in full force a signature campaign to get the US Postal Service to issue a stamp commemorating the Hindu

NYC Comptroller John Liu presenting Proclamation to AIA NY President Ranju Batra during the South Street Deepawali Mela on Oct 2. Others in the picture are Ravi Batra, Consul General Prabhu Dayal and Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney presenting Proclamation to AIA NY President Ranju Batra during the South Street Deepawali Mela on Oct 2. Ravi Batra, Uma Sen Gupta, Consul General Prabhu Dayal and Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri can be seen. (Pics Mohammed Jaffer-Snapsindia)

festival of lights. The food stalls, as always, were the biggest draw attracting hordes of both Indian and non-Indians New Yorkers to the spicy fare.

Deepawali fireworks at South Street Deepawali Mela.

NYC Comptroller John Liu greets Indian Americans during South Street Deepawali Mela on Oct 2.

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BAPS Walkathon for 'Building Better Community'

India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Over 550 community volunteers participated in the BAPS Charities' 14th annual walkathon held on Saturday, September 17. In keeping with its theme, "Building a Better Community, One Step at a Time", the proceeds from this year's walk will go to local organizations, including the Chino Hills High School and the Wounded Heroes Foundation. With each step, participants of all ages joined hands and raised funds to build awareness for the students of five academies at Chino Hills High School. These academies strive for academic excellence in an environment that fosters real-world applications at the high school level. Participants also raised funds for the injured men and women of the Armed Forces donating to the Wounded Heroes Foundation. Through charitable contributions, the Wounded Heroes Foundation provides care packages, financial and other assistance to those

who are injured during service. The organization prides itself in assisting in any way possible, such as helping with late mortgage payments, purchasing a handicap accessible van, building or remodeling ones home, securing a new mortgage at a lower interest rate, assembling and delivering care packages and even providing a recreational trip to enhance a veteran's recovery. Funds were also raised for the local heroes of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District and the Chino Hills - San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. They serve to protect the local community on a day-to-day basis. "Walking for such a noble cause is a great honor," said Nilkanth Patel, President of BAPS Charities. "Organizing such an event as this walkathon is a unique opportunity BAPS Charities has to bring together old and young to serve the community. It is amazing to see such energy from all the volunteers that have come out to make today a tremendous

success." "As friends and family came out to volunteer, there is no better way to foster unity within one's community," said Pranav Patel, a volunteer for the walkathon. "This has been a walk that will

Chino Hills Mayor Ed Graham attended the walk and appreciated the efforts of BAPS Charities, saying "I want to thank BAPS for all the outreach that is vital to the community. This was a great job at reaching out to our commu-

"As friends and family came out to volunteer, there is no better way to foster unity within one's community," said Pranav Patel, a volunteer for the walkathon be long lasting - benefiting local students, local heroes and veterans. The 5K walkathon, held at Chino Hills High School inspired people to go the extra mile to make a difference in someone's life.

nity." Also in attendance were Chino Hills Vice Mayor, Art Bennett and City Councilman Peter Rogers. Vice Mayor Bennett presented a proclamation from the city for the walkathon for its outstanding ser-

vice to the local community. Councilman Rogers remarked, "This is what BAPS Charities is about - bringing the community together. I want to thank BAPS Charities." Zaydev Zala, a representative from California State Assemblyman Curt Hagman's Office also presented BAPS Charities with a proclamation. Chief Kirk Summers of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District and Board member Brandon Blanchard of the Chino Unified School District were present to accept the donations. With over 40 centers participating in similar walks across North America, this is just one of many initiatives that BAPS Charities takes to support local communities. Throughout the year, BAPS Charities hosts medical fairs, education and career development seminars, blood drives and much more. BAPS Charities sincerely serves the community, by improving the quality of life of individuals and families.

Nirankari Baba delivers message of 'Humanity in Harmony' SANJEEV SAGAR

TRACY, CA: "Humanity in Harmony" was the message delivered by Nirankari Baba Hardev Singh Ji at a huge congregation held in Tracy, California on Sunday, September 11 to promote divinity, peace and harmony. More than 1000 people from diverse backgrounds, religions and regions with heart full of devotion attended this spiritual event. Prior to Baba Ji's speech, many saints and people from different community and other organizations including Mr. Michael

Marcel, mayor of Tracy City, members of interfaith organization and native delegates welcomed Baba Hardev Singh and shared their spiritual thoughts on humanity and divine love via hymns, songs, poetry and speeches. His Holiness was awarded "Distinction of World Peace" by Mayor of Tracy City and "Ambassador of Peace" by Interfaith organization members. Publication booth was also set up by sewadal members at the main samagam hall entrance door. Hundreds of saints visited the booth

and purchased the literature. Many inquisitive guests came and discussed about the Mission and its principles in detail. Despite of all the different thoughts the spirit was one and the same 'Humanity in Harmony'. In no time the whole atmosphere turned into a beautiful harmonious place as if an expert maestro is guiding the entire different suite of musical instruments to resonate together and produce a beautiful intoxicating note. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 21

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Indo-Americans get together to support Modi's mission India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO: In the heart of Silicon Valley, on September 18, Bay area Indian community lead by Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) thronged Swagat Restaurant in Milpitas, CA to express solidarity with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's three-day Sadbhavna Fast on his birthday for Unity, Peace and Harmony. Indian community in Bay area has been impressed with Shri Modi's bold initiatives in improving state's growth and development in economic and human index with his selfless service. Today, the world is witness to and appreciative of his vision, plans and projects and its successful implementation. Various community leaders and prominent people were present to cheer and appreciate Modi's mission and to wish him success. Mr. Vinod Patel, a prominent leader of the Bay Area's Gujarati community, office bearer of ICA and Secretary of Bay Area OFBJP, addressing the gathering said, "The country which once denied the visa, has recognized Mr. Modi's success and certified him as the best Chief Minister in India". He also highlighted that the contribution of Mr. Modi to the

state of Gujarat is enormous and no other Chief Minister has done for any other state in the history of Indian politics. Mr. Raj Bhanot, Co-Founder of Hindu Temple, South Bay said "Mr. Modi is today's Vallabhbhai Patel (India's first home minister) and his devotion will not be limited to the state of Gujarat, but will extend to the whole country to see India as one of the top ranked countries in the world. Mr. Chandru Bhambhra, Executive Vice President of OFBJP (USA) started the event by talking about Mr. Modi's open letter to the people of Gujarat, announcing his three-day fast as part of a Sadbhavna mission, a movement for the Prosperity and Welfare of the State of Gujarat. Mr. Bhambhra also read out a list of major

projects initiated by Mr. Modi and its positive impact.

"Mr. Modi is today's Vallabhbhai Patel (India's first home minister) and his devotion will not be limited to the state of Gujarat, but will extend to the whole country to see India as one of the top ranked countries in the world Mr. Sunil Ganu, Past President of Maharashtra Mandal, also provided statistics of Gujarat's

growth, which included every sphere of development. A substantial growth was recorded in agriculture, industrial and social areas. The growth was not just limited to a section of the society, but had positively affected every social and religious group, be it, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or other religious groups and socially disadvantaged groups such as various castes and tribes. Mr. Jeevan Zutshi, Leader of the Bay Area Kashmiri Community and Founder of Indo American Community Federation also praised his leadership and wished him success. Mr. Girish Thobbi, Public Relations Officer of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, said Mr. Modi's mission would create a wave of movement not just in

Gujarat but in entire Bharat. Mr. Haresh Panchal, Past President of NFIA also congratulated him on this recognition and projected him as the next Prime Minister of India. Mr. Govind VS, Founder of Bay Area Tamil Sangam and Co-Chair of Tamil Cell OFBJP (USA), said the younger generation in particular is solidly behind him, for his extraordinary vision for development. Many other community leaders like Mr. Ramji Patel, Mr. Manoj Jawle, Mr. Ramesh Hazari, Mr. Ramesh Mistry and Mr. Subhash Patel actively participated in the event. The event ended with passing a resolution in support of Mr. Modi's fast and continued peace, harmony and "sadbhavna" for all.

Bay Area fashion extravaganza a big success JAYA GAUTAM

A beautiful designer saree

A look at the new collection

SAN JOSE, CA: WomenNow TV and Borrow it Bindaas hosted a extravagant evening of fashion, food and fun at Kaama Lounge in San Jose, California on September 24. WomenNow TV, 'America's first South Asian TV talk show' and Borrow it Bindaas, an online virtual boutique with great finds from India for borrowing or buying, worked in collaboration to make the event a runaway success. Riddhi and Siddhi Khara, cofounders of Borrow It Bindaas, kick started the evening with an exclusive interview with WomenNow TV. "The idea behind the event was to introduce our concept to the people of Northern California.

A purple and pink ensemble

Working with Women Now TV was a perfect fit for us as we ourselves are huge fans of the show and they have a large and loyal following among the South Asian women in Northern California", said Siddhi Khara. "We decided to collaborate with Women Now TV because we truly feel like their mission and goals of trying to reach South Asian women demographic are the same as ours." says Riddhi Khara. The co-founders of WomenNow TV, Ena Sarkar and Jaya Gautam, said they were enthused by the entrepreneurship and creative new South Asian business model conceptualized by

A sunny churidar outfit

Symphony of colors

Guests at the event.

the Khara sisters. Entrepreneurship in different fields, especially by young South Asian women, needs to be nurtured. And, of course, a woman always appreciates a help-

ing hand to be fashionable. Ably emceed by Manesh Judge and Harbir Bhatia, the evening comprised fashion shows, jewelry displays, Indian ensembles, delicious

New offering for the festival season

food and a shopping extravaganza. Borrow It Bindaas showed off their elegant designer saris, many of which come ready pleated to be more convenient for the Indo-American (and other) women who utilize the site. Some of Borrow It Bindaas' other collections were also on display and the ladies present at the glamorous event got an exclusive advance look at what new fashion to expect in the coming festive season., with lehengas, peshawaris and salwars. Guests also had a chance to browse the site and sign up at the Borrow it Bindaas tech station with iPads and MacBooks. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

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RIC-NJ hosts Governor Nikki Haley Cont’d from page 10

In 2009, Governor Haley was named by the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers as a "Friend of the Taxpayer." "The RIC-NJ Chapter strongly supports elected officials sharing similar fiscally-based policies and encourages members within their community to become more involved in the political process," commented Arthur Kapoor. "Everyone recognizes the contribution our business community provides this region and the state," said Bhrugesh Patel RICNJ Vice President, "And it is equally important for all of us to participate in the process of advocating for cutting taxes and creating more jobs," he added. Throughout the evening

guests found solace among their peers engaging in receptive conversations from offering creative solutions to the nation's failing economy to advocating supportive dialog for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's efforts in putting New Jersey on the road to recovery and Governor Haley for her fiscal leadership in government. Dr. Kuchipudi Bapineedu, RICNJ Chairman observed, "Governor Haley is not only a friend to the residents of South Carolina and to the Indian-American community throughout the United States, but to all of us who practice fiscal conservatism. The recognition she has received throughout the years is a tribute to her selfless leadership. She is truly deserving of such recognition."

Bay Area fashion extravaganza a big success Cont’d from page 18

Hindu temples endorse Green Pilgrimage Network Cont’d from page 11

There was also an emphasis on service to the broader community through blood drives, health fairs, school supply donations and tutoring projects. Addressing the conference by video, Swami Dayananda Saraswati of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (AVG), emphasized that the Hindu Mandirs need to work together to stand up to external forces. Each Mandir and individual can contribute to projects and ideas that are generated at HMEC, he said. Sadhavi Chaitanya of AVG gave a rousing keynote address on karma, temples and responsibilities of Hindus as devotees, stating that "everything is worshipful, everything is an act of worship, this is what we have to understand." Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Palaniswami of 'Hinduism Today' spoke on 14 questions people ask about Hinduism while Dr. S. Yegnasubramanian explaining the practice of Vedic tradition in the West urged that, "we need to make Bhagavad Gita the glove compartment text for all Hindus. There is no shortcut to education, even in religion." Other prominent speakers included Swami Parmatmananda of AVG in Rajkot, Gujarat, Srinandanadana Das, Swami Parmeshanand and Swami Nikhilanand of Radha Madhav Dham, who pointed out in his part-

ing thoughts that, "Sanatana Dharma is eternal and survives even pralaya. It doesn't need us, we need it. Sanaatan Dharma is going to survive no matter what. Our involvement will just benefit us". Ashok Singhal, President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, gave an inspiring speech on the need for unity, assertiveness and a collective response in the face of insults and threats facing the Hindus around the world and touched on the unconstitutional 'Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill of 2011' proposed by the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Government of India. Sessions for discussions included a variety of topics relevant to the Mandirs and Youth - the tomorrow's torchbearers of Sanatana Dharma. Other topics included 'Dangers to the Integrity of India (Breaking India)', 'Existential Threats to Hindus' and 'Plight of Hindu and the Temples in ROW (Rest of the World)'. Several action-items and projects emerged out of these sessions. Greater participation by youth speakers was one of the highlights of the HMEC 2011. Second book in the HMEC samskar series on "Vivaha Samskar" written by Deepak Kotwal and team was released by Sadhvi Chaitanya. An interim report on the Seva Divas: National Blood Drive 9/11 project led by Dr.

Rahul Jindal was presented. The report on HAVAN - Hindu American Vaanaprasthi Network was presented as well. Displays from several suppliers of books (including VHPA), local organizations and temple software management systems, contributed to the benefits offered to the delegates. In the concluding session of the conference, delegates agreed on five resolutions: 1. Strengthen and uphold the traditional standards of worship in mandirs 2. Involve and integrate youth in mandirs 3. Create leadership continuity for annual HMECs to achieve Hindu unity 4. Create a support network for all mandirs 5. Support the Global Hindu Forum - World Hindu Congress 2014 in India. The Hindu Jain temple, Pittsburgh meanwhile has announced to host HMEC-Priest Conference in Spring 2012; Durga Temple, Virginia has announced to host Coalition of Hindu Youth (CHY) Bal Vihar network seminar in Spring 2012 and Toledo Hindu Temple has announced to host HMECHAVAN (Vanaprasthi) conference in Nov 2011. They are already looking forward to 7th HMEC conference in Fremont, California which will be hosted in 2012 by several temples on the west coast.

The exclusive invitees also indulged in some great products that Borrow It Bindaas set aside for a fun raffle giveaway. Four lucky Ena Sarkar and Jaya Gautam. women walked away with BIB signature clutches, an elegant gold bracelet, and beautiful gold and emerald pearl jhumkha earrings. Asked about their first ever event in the Bay Area, Siddhi Khara said: "We received a very warm welcome from the people of • Wide selection of conventional and government loans, • PriorityBuyer® preapproval the Bay Area and everyone here including FHA financing • Wells Fargo Closing GuaranteeSM1 responded very favorably to the • New construction financing • Responsive service and professional knowledge unique designs and pieces that we had on display. We had such a great time get• Since 2002, ranked among top 10 volume producers for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Silicon Valley ting to personally speak with the guests at the event and they all • One of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage’s top 125 volume producers in the nation absolutely loved the idea! " • Winner of numerous Sales and Service awards during his 19 years The event saw a 200+ turnout, with fabulously dressed women, many with partners in tow, lookCall today for a complimentary consultation. ing forward to some great finds to take home. The event concluded Neil Sheth with a question and answer ses39265 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538 sion with the guests, and the coOffice: 510-818-9536, Cell: 408-396-3545 founders of Borrow It Bindaas, answered each one in detail. With Fax: 510-713-1387 women, fashion, appetizing hors n.sheth@wellsfargo.com, NMLSR ID 460012 d'oeuvres and drinks under one 1. Available on all qualified purchase transactions. Other terms and conditions apply. roof, it was a luxurious, stylish and See a home mortgage consultant for details. fashionable evening! Borrow or Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2011 Wells Fargo buy, either way, Borrow It Bindaas Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. NMLSR ID 399801. AS527480 ŲźƤųųƝųųƤųų has America covered this festival season.

There is a reason Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is one of the nation's leading retail mortgage lenders

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Remembering Faiz in conversation with Salima Hashmi RAS SIDDIQUI

Faiz Ahmad Faiz

Salima Hashmi.

Raka Ray.

BERKELEY, CA: When an email arrived from The Center for South Asia Studies (CSAS) at UC Berkeley to help spread word within the community about a September 25 weekend program on the legendary Urdu Poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz featuring his daughter Salima Hashmi, what did come to this scribe's mind was hall capacity. That thought has some history behind it because South-Asia related events held at the campus sometimes don't draw large audiences. I can recall one famous Pakistani scholar who gave a talk in front of just seven people, and that number included his wife. But this time the concern was quite the opposite since the draw was Faiz the poet, one with a following that transcends borders and the problem to consider was that the venue might not be large enough! As expected a very packed hall greeted Salima Hashmi here. She is a scholar, keen observer and critic of art herself, and she proved her knowledge of it while keeping us engaged here on Faiz's Sahib's ability to inspire artists during his life and several years after his death. Salima, the painter, educator, artist, anti-nuclear weapons activist, one of two daughters of Faiz (plus a cousin of the late Governor Salman Taseer) received a warm welcome at The Bancroft Hotel from members of the faculty, students and some prominent members of the area Pakistani and Indian community. A welcome address was presented by Raka Ray, Chairperson of the Center for South Asia Studies. She thanked the audience for coming to Berkeley to celebrate the Faiz Centenary. She said that she was pleased and proud to welcome everyone for this triple launch event which included the Urdu initiative, the Pakistan initiative and Guftugu, a series of conversations about Pakistan's culture, history and politics on campus. "It is our good fortune that we begin it all with the great Faiz," she said. Munis Faruqui, a Professor of South and Southeast Asian Studies at UC Berkeley was emcee of the event. He elaborated on the decades long interest in the region at CSAS especially it's highlight-

ing of the Urdu, Pakistan and the South-Asian Muslim experience. He said that the center's 2011 Urdu conference attracted over 600 people. On Faiz, he said that we are continually but not solely inspired by his poetic genius. Dean of Arts and Humanities Anthony Cascardi also spoke brief words of encouragement while Qamar

(today's Dhaka) and feeling the new distance created between himself and old friends like painter Zainul Abedin really hurt Faiz. She also spoke of Faiz's exile period in Beirut, Lebanon during some very trying times for that country and his own. But the conversation was not without its humor. Salima described her father as a pushover

Nandita Kala Dabral sings Hum Dekhain Ge.

whether she understood her husband's poetry, she replied that she did not. "Shairi to Nahin Samajhti. Shayir Ko Acchi Tarah Samajhti Hoon" (I may not understand the poetry but I understand the poet all too well!). Next in the program Faiz Sahib's poetry was recited by Anil Chopra

tinued throughout his life and after his death. The great Pakistani impressionist Sadequain was one such artist but many of his works on Faiz had disappeared and she has been unable to locate them. Salima Hashmi also briefly described the period of artistic rebellion during the Zia Dictatorship in Pakistan inspired by Faiz's poems of resistance. Also mentioned were writers Manto and Agha Shahid Ali along with artists including Lubna Agha, Shazia Sikandar amongst others, and most recently the work of Imran Qureshi highlighting the continuing suffering of mankind. Salima with her vivid description of these works drove some including Munis Faruqui to tears. In conclusion and befitting the occasion three singers from the area presented some of Faiz Sahib's

"He refused to be jingoistic," she said. Faiz flew from Lahore to Delhi for Mahatma Gandhi's funeral at a time when it was extremely unpopular to do so Saba Mahmood (left) and Salima Hashmi in Guftugu.

Jalil, Lecturer in Urdu at Berkeley shared some of his own unique and humorous experiences about meeting Faiz Sahib. To set the stage A. Sean Pue, Professor of South Asian Literature at Michigan State University spoke next and proceeded to present a comparative analysis on the differing views of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and his contemporary Noon Meem Rashid. Incidentally Professor Pue is currently writing a book on the latter. A very interesting comparison was made between the two poets by Pue and we know that we have not heard the last of this discussion from the learned Professor. And now to the Guftugu or "Conversation" itself: Saba Mahmood, Professor of Anthropology at UC Berkeley while interviewing Mrs. Hashmi asked her to recall some of the really trying times in Faiz's life. Salima mentioned the Partition of 1947 and the tremendous sadness that seemed to live in their house. "He refused to be jingoistic," she said. Faiz flew from Lahore to Delhi for Mahatma Gandhi's funeral at a time when it was extremely unpopular to do so. Salima especially highlighted the profound sadness of Faiz on losing friends to that murderous period of 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh. His visit to Dacca

whom she and her sister Moneeza would go to for support because her mother Alys kept them in line and ran a very tight ship. She also shared with the gathering how Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda and Faiz once spent some time together on the Black Sea coast and became friends. She recalled that on one occasion after great festivities Neruda recited his poems in Spanish and Faiz Sahib in Urdu and that the two somehow seemed to understand each other perfectly! And on another note when someone once asked her mother Alys Faiz, who was English,

Ras & Salima Hashmi (Pics Courtesy Ras H. Siddiqui)

who presented Raqeeb Se followed by Mrs. Hamida Banu Chopra who presented Sheeshon Ka Maseeha Koi Nahi (There is no Messiah for a Broken Mirror). And Tashie Zaheer presented his own tribute to Faiz, Nazr-e-Faiz which left many in the audience spellbound. After a brief interval Salima Hashmi returned to address the audience on the topic of "Faiz and his influence on Art" which highlighted the works of various artists from Pakistan, India and the Diaspora. She said that Faiz's connection with the visual arts con-

greatest poems in verse. Dasht-eTanhai was beautifully presented by Anupama Chandratreya. That was followed by a superb "Mujhse Pehli Si Mohabbat Merey Mehboob Na Maang" by Irum Musharraf and last but not least "Hum DekainGe" by Nandita Kala Dabral which produced both goose bumps and old memories of defiance to close the formal program. To reach as appropriate end here let us revisit a part of a Dua by Faiz: "Let's pray that our poisoned today is filled with the sweetness of tomorrow" (translated by the late Khalid Hasan).

Family's idea of preparedness shaken up India Post News Service

SACRAMENTO: Just when you think you have done all you can to prepare for an earthquake, "Totally Unprepared" comes in to show you what you may have missed. In the latest video, hostess Susan Jekarl introduces us to the Gingery family - a family that has taken several important steps to prepare for disaster. However, following a ride in the "Big Shaker", they quickly discover there is still work to be done. The Gingerys have taken great

care to secure heavy items such as bookshelves and televisions in case of a quake. However like many Californians, they have overlooked a number of little things throughout their home which also pose a big danger. Over the next couple weeks, Totally Unprepared will get them on the right track. The "Totally Unprepared" campaign is a year-long collaborative effort between the California Emergency Management Agency, the California Seismic Safety Commission (CSSC) and the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). It is

a unique and insightful multimedia campaign that aims to help Californians better understand their risk of earthquakes and how to prepare for them. Based on recent research about what does and does not motivate people to prepare, "Totally Unprepared" uses social media, video, and mobile applications to increase pervasiveness of earthquake preparedness issues. A special 30minute program is also being aired on twelve California Public Television Stations throughout the month of September.

Community/California Nirankari Baba delivers message of 'Humanity in Harmony' October 14, 2011

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The spirit of divinity captured everybody's mind. The speakers came from India, London, Canada and different states of America. The essence of all their contribution was to spread peace and love. Rev. Sunny Khinda Ji and Rev. Sukh Dayal Ji also accompanied Baba ji in his caravan and added more flavors to the whole theme. They shared the ideals of a true Gursikh that he or she should rise above the materialistic desires. In line of the same thought current, children were no less than elders, they expressed their deep devotion for spiritual love though sweet prayers. Rev. Dr. I.S. Rai ji (President, USA) explained that how the mission is uniquely different from many other organizations in the world for achieving the peace within. He also shared the few glimpse of Baba Ji's speech from the Peace Conference in India, where all the different religions and missions were invited and how the mission was acknowledged and welcomed in front of religious leaders and media. The main program concluded with Babaji's speech in which he explained in many ways about the 'Harmony in Humanity' which can come through God knowledge. Further, His Holiness elucidated

on how our shallow ignorant mind clouds our own clarity and gets divided but God is not American or Hindu or Punjabi. The one who surrenders himself in truthfulness and for the word God realization gets liberated from these perceptual differences. In another way, His Holiness defined Harmony as 'Haar- Manni', which in Punjabi means accepting the defeat. In simple words if we accept the defeat of our ego, Harmony shines automatically between human beings. Similarly when a small river surrenders itself to ocean, it simply becomes ocean and dies to its own shallow form. With this powerful message

Cal Museum exhibiting paintings from Rajasthan India Post News Service

SANTA MONICA, CA: The Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMOA) in California is currently exhibiting “Tantra Song: Contemporary Tantric Paintings from Rajasthan” till December 10. This is a collection of 39 anonymous works from India; made in tempera, gouache, and watercolor on salvaged paper. “The process of painting these works is part of a spiritual practice” and they are “anointed for use as spiritual objects”, the Museum announcement says. This rare lineage of Tantric art evolved from seventeenth-century and these deeply symbolic paintings, used to awaken heightened states of consciousness, include a range of familiar geometric forms, each imbued with spiritual meaning, symbolically represent goddess Shakti, Lord Shiva, etc. Applauding SMMOA for exhibiting Hinduism focused art, Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) said that

art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth. Rajan Zed urged major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee d’Orsay of Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, 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 Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu art heritage with the rest of the world. SMMOA, founded in 1984, claims to foster “diversity, innovation, and discovery in contemporary art” and celebrate “expanding boundaries; exploring individual differences; enhancing public knowledge of art; and broadening the art experience”. Elsa Longhauser is the Executive Director while Peter A. Gelles is Board of Directors President.

Finally the forum was converted into a very warm Meet and Greet arena; all were very thankful, happy and felt spiritually enriched

about Humanity in Harmony enveloped in many examples His Holiness concluded the spiritual discourse. Subsequently all devotees took blessings from Babaji in person one by one. At this time spiritual food (Langar) was served by volunteers to all invited people. Finally the forum was converted into a very warm Meet and

Greet arena; all were very thankful, happy and felt spiritually enriched. The conference was organized by the Northern California branch of Sant Nirankari Mission. The mission has more than 2000 centers worldwide with its world headquarters is in Delhi, India. Local weekly congregations are held in Tracy, CA.

Overwhelming Ohlone student attendance at Transfer Day India Post News Service

FREMONT, CA: Over 1000 students swarmed around potential college reps at the annual Transfer Day event at Ohlone College, evidence that community college students are hungrier than ever to continue their education and prepare for their future. On Transfer Day, an annual event at Ohlone, recruiters representing 45 different colleges and universities from all over the country come to meet with students and provide information on transfer planning, admission requirements, scholarships and programs. Transfer students typically complete their lower division

coursework, freshman and sophomore level, at Ohlone then transfer to a four year university or college to complete a bachelors degree. Statistics show that students transferring from community colleges do as well or better than students who go straight to university from high school. That is why they are heavily recruited by the four year schools. College representatives came to meet with Ohlone students from Hawaii, Alaska, Washington DC, Arizona State, Colorado, and Nevada, plus 15 UCs and CSUs and multiple private universities from across the state, such as Santa Clara, Notre Dame de Namur, St. Mary¹s, and John F. Kennedy.

Schools with unique and specialized programs such as Animation Mentor, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise, NewSchool of Architecture and Design, and The San Francisco Art Institute were present and very popular among the students. Gallaudet University and The National Technical Institute for the Deaf were also in attendance. Frances Fon, Transfer Center Assistant and Transfer Day Coordinator, said, "All of the representatives were very impressed by inquiries made by the Ohlone College students. We look forward to providing this great opportunity for students to meet reps face to face each year."

First woman Dy Consul of Bangla Consulate M ZAFAR ULLAH

LOS ANGELES, CA: The Government of Bangladesh has appointed its first woman diplomat Shahnaz Gazi as the Deputy Consul General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles. She started her diplomatic career in 1998 as the Assistant Secretary of Americas and Pacific desk in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She was Second Secretary Bangladesh High Commission in London from Sept 2002 to February 2004. She was then promoted as the First Secretary in London till 2005. After stints in Stockholm, Swe-

den she went back to the Bangladesh Ministry and worked briefly as Deputy Chief of Protocol, Mission Service. In May 2009 she was promoted as Director in Foreign Minister's office and worked closely with Dr. Dipu Moni, Foreign Minister from July, 2009 till August 2011. She has a Masters in Diplomatic Services from the University of Westminister, London, UK and also holds a Masters in English Literature from Jahangirnagar University Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is married to Dr. Shamsad Mortuza, Associate Professor,

English Department, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is blessed with a child 14 years old. The role of the newly created position of Deputy Consul General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles is to further strengthen the Consular Services to expatriate Bangladeshis community and foreign nationals residing in the West Coast. In addition, the Deputy Consul General complements the efforts of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, DC to advance the economic, cultural, Immigration and other interests of Bangladesh in the United States.

Realty Tidbits Â&#x201E; Flat associations file caveat in DLF case

Real Estate C

Navratra property carnival registers impressive sale

wo flat owners' associations have filed a caveat in the competition appellate tribunal COMPAT, requesting it not to decide on case concerning realty major DLF without giving them a chance of hearing. The case pertains to fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) having imposed Rs 630 crore fine on DLF for abusing its dominant position and imposing unfair conditions on the buyers of its flats. DLF, in turn, plans to move the COMPAT challenging the CCI order. According to the sources, the associations - Belaire Owners' Association and Park Place Residents' Welfare Association - have filed a caveat in the COMPAT, to be heard first, in case DLF challenged the CCI's order. Caveat, which means "let it beware", is filed by a party before any judicial forum so that no order is passed without hearing him.

Â&#x201E; Oberoi may buy 50% in ICCI Mumbai project

he Oberoi Realty Group is in talks to buy the 50 per cent stake held by ICICI Venture in a residential project in south Mumbai. Oberoi Realty, the group's publicly held company, is expected to pay Rs 300 crore for the stake, giving ICICI Venture a return of almost six times in seven years. Oberoi, in 2004, teamed up with ICICI Venture to float a joint venture to buy a prime four-acre plot belonging to GlaxoSmithKline to develop a residential high-rise. The JV planned build around 44 duplex apartments in two 65stroreyed towers overlooking the sea. But it could not immediately go ahead as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demanded a fee from Glaxo worth up to 50 per cent of the value of the land sale, which was 108 crore.

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ashing in on positive buyer's sentiments during Navratra, the two-day (1st & 2nd October) 'Navratra Property Carnival' (NPC) registered heavy footfalls and impressive sale figures. The expo organized by Investors Clinic (IC), in association with TOI and Realty Plus, showcased over 40 residential and commercial projects not only coming up in Delhi-NCR but also in the nearby locations including Haridwar, Moradabad, Bareilly, etc.

No slowdown in Pune real estate

hile many of the Indian cities are reeling under the apprehension of slowdown with sales nose-diving, Pune's real estate market has defied any such apprehensions. The demand for homes in Pune does not come from the IT sector alone. Pune's manufacturing sector, which features a number of international names, also drives residential demand. "Pune markets have always been at the peak as far as real estate is concerned. Property buyers have high hopes from Pune with regards to rate appreciation, be it investors or end users. Keeping this in mind, we have launched a project in the vicinity of the most upmarket area of NIBM. We are offering two BHK boutique apartments with all amenities and affordable prices" shares Tushar Sanklecha, director, Sanklecha Constructions. Though the growth of property values cannot be compared to that of neighboring Mumbai, Pune has the advantages of being a stable market with consistent demand

coming from a number of strong and dependable business sectors. Due to the increasing demand for homes by IT and industrial employees, most of the residential projects being launched in Pune are concentrated on the northwestern and south-eastern side. Encompassed in these regions are areas like Baner, Aundh, Balewadi, Hadapsar, Kharadi and Nagar Road.

The city's road network, which was increasingly being challenged, is being enhanced with the addition of more access roads where they are needed the most According to Jones Lang LaSalle India, capital values on the Pune residential market have appreciated by approximately four to six per cent since the beginning of 2011 and is expected to appreciate further by another three to four per cent by the end of the year. Anuj Puri, chairman and country head, Jones Lang LaSalle India says, "As

IHC Group's Gateway plans 50 hotels

he Indian Hotels Company (IHC), a Tata group listed hospitality firm, has announced it expects its Gateway vertical to be a 50-hotel brand by 2015. The company plans to come up with Gateway Hotels first in all the metro cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, the first one of which will open in early 2012, according to its top official, "We have 21

always, Pune's property market benefits from the fallout of Mumbai's effervescent economic climate, as well as its own demand drivers. The city is already venue to many multinational manufacturing companies' corporate headquarters. While Mumbai will continue to be the destination of choice for large financial institutions, Pune

hotels operating under the brand Gateway in our portfolio today. And another 22 new Gateway hotels are under various stages of development," said P K Mohankumar, chief operating officer (COO), Gateway Hotels. Mohankumar was in Ahmedabad to announce the launch of The Hotel Gateway Gir, the fourth Gateway brand property in Gujarat, in addition to existing hotels at Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara. "The revival of resort in Sasan Gir will have a ripple effect. It shall offer a new experience of Gujarat to visitors from across the globe," Mohankumar said. "We expect Gateway to be a 50hotel brand by 2015, what our vision and mission is," he said. "Out of the proposed 22 properties 10 are greenfield hotels which are under various stages of construction and another eleven or so are at various levels of approvals," Mohankumar said.

holds a lot of appeal for IT/ITeScentric firms. Also, it is a preferred retirement destination for a large segment of Mumbai's mid-management cadre. In this manner, Pune and Mumbai are symbiotically juxtaposed to each other on the real estate map," he explains. Kruti Jain, director, Kumar Urban Developers asserts that Pune

city has witnessed a massive inflow of population from various metros. In a short span of five years, Pune has undergone a sea change in terms of infrastructure, making it one of the most preferred real estate destinations. "Pune has become a metro in the investors' eye. This creates a huge demand which gives a scope for more launches," points out Jain. The property market is growing in Pune, despite a substantial hike in the rates. In Kothrud, the increase in property rates has been from Rs 4,500 to Rs 8,000 per sq ft, in the last few years. In Baner and Deccan, property has been selling on an average rate of Rs 8,000 per sq ft. In general, Pune's residential market can look forward to a healthier growth in the future. The city's road network, which was increasingly being challenged, is being enhanced with the addition of more access roads where they are needed the most. A number of malls are being launched in the eastern and the western parts of Pune which will further enhance demand for homes there.

Godrej premium residential project in Bangalore

umbai-based Godrej Properties (GPL), the real estate development arm of the Godrej Group, has launched a premium residential project Godrej Platinum at Hebbal, Bangalore on Airport Road. Godrej Platinum offers 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments and penthouses, with sizes ranging from 2,914 sq ft to 6,320 sq ft. The base price is fixed at Rs 6,490 per sq ft. Milind Korde, MD, Godrej Properties, said, "This is our third residential project on Airport Road in Bengaluru after the successful launch of Godrej Woodsman Estate and Godrej Crest." The project has a club house, which comprises a gymnasium, steam and sauna, a temperaturecontrolled swimming pool, squash court, indoor games, billiards and a yoga room. In addition, Godrej Platinum will include facilities such as a dedicated crĂ¨che space, special service apartments for guests, dedicated dormitories for servants, drivers with attached toi-

lets and a convenience store. The company has applied to India Green Building Council (IGBC) for gold certification of the project. Continuing with the Godrej Group's legacy of environmental leadership, GPL has ensured that Godrej Platinum is ecofriendly. Sustainability reflects in the design itself and various features are incorporated in the project to minimize energy requirements and conserve water, the company said. Some of the ecofriendly features include solar panels, rain water harvesting system, glazed windows, central water heating and electric car charging facility in the parking lot. Godrej Platinum is adjacent to Godrej Woodsman Estate and Godrej Crest and has the advantage of being strategically located at Hebbal, the fast-developing residential corridor in Bangalore city. It is directly accessible from the international airport and offers views of the Hebbal Lake.

October 14, 2011

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NEW YORK: In the wake of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, South Asian American hip hop artist Kaly, has released his first single, a powerful callto-arms for the oppressed, entitled "Politics Pt. 2". The single, featured on his debut EP release entitled "The Flight", has Kaly verbally barraging the listener with emotional raps based on his personal experiences with prejudice. The song's message is further amplified by the visual accompaniment, which features a poignant story that he thinks would resound with any victim of discrimination, regardless of their race, religion, or background. Completely self-financed and created over the course of a year that saw Kaly at his absolute lowest point, "The Flight" stands as a testament to his struggle to overcome negativity in his own life and to being a voice for those who dare to go after their dreams. Born to immigrant parents from a humble background, Kaly's music is shaped by his tough surroundings and circumstances. Kaly is known more for his raw, gritty vocals and uncompromising lyrics. Softspoken and respectful in person, he admits he has no idea why a change comes about every time he steps into the booth, stating, "I literally have no idea when that first started happening or why it still happens, people are always surprised when they hear me in person and then on a track. Trust me, I'm the most amazed out of anyone." Kaly is planning on taking "The India Post News Service

NEW YORK: New York-based Indian American filmmaker Tirlok Malik's new Punjabi film Khushiyaan is being released worldwide October 14, by Eros International. Malik's earlier film "Lonely in America" was an award winning comedy shown in 74 countries and screened at 37 film festivals. Malik has been making films in America for several years and Khushiyaan is the first film he has made in India. High on emotional drama, Khushiyaan is the story of a family's journey told by veteran and talented actors such as Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rama Vij, Tisca Chopra (of Taare Zameen Par fame), Gurpreet Ghuggi, Deep Dhillon, Vivek Shauq and Jasbir

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October 14, 2011

Soft-spoken and respectful in person, he admits he has no idea why a change comes about every time he steps into the booth, stating, "I literally have no idea when that first started happening or why it still happens” Flight" on the road with an extensive international tour including the US, UK and India as well with DJ Nemesis. He has garnered praise by industry leaders including Rishi Rich, Jay Sean for whom he has opened for in the past, and has even had his music featured in hot selling video games ("Haze" for the Sony Play Station 3 console).

Jassi, the famed singer. Talking about his experience of working with all these actors, Malik said, "When you have good

Actors Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Rama Vij came together after 31 years since acting in the National Award winning Chan

Talking about the many memorable incidents during the making of the film, Malik mentions an intimate scene between Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Rama Vij, where the actress kisses the veteran actor on the lips. "Both actors loved

of Bollywood be accepted to do this…do you think when people get older their emotions die? Isn't love ageless?" Recognized for his work, Malik has in the past received the Pride of India medal from the Indian

Tirlok Malik's Khushiyaan to release October 14 actors, they know their craft… you don't have to direct them, you only have to navigate them to translate your vision to the screen."

Pardesi. Music being a highlight of the film, there is a Shabd sung by famed ghazal singer Jagjit Singh.

the intention behind the scene," says Malik. "But some of my crew members were against showing an older couple kissing. I said why should only the Kareena Kapoors

Ambassador in the US and also the New York Citizen Award from the Mayor of New York. Malik says he is just lucky to be able to do some good work.

October 14, 2011

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Chicago South Asian Film Festival a big hit joined the Q&A session via videoconferencing. The audience was captured by her own story of coming out to the world, and by the stories of many other LGBT individuals and their families, profiled in the documentary. Two industry panel discussions were held during the festival: one on South Asian Emer-

SUHANI AMIN

CHICAGO: Film lovers flocked to the attend the Second Chicago South Asian Film Festival hosted by Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) and were fully compensated for their time, money and energy with 30 films, two industry panels, a free tabla concert, in three days beginning September 30. The CSAFF 2011 opening night, was a true red carpet affair attended by celebrities, media and hundreds of fans. Several highly accomplished filmmakers and artists including Nandana Sen, Nila Madhab Panda, Geeta Malik, Pankaj Johar and Sandeep Sharma were in attendance. Chicago Film Office Director Rich Moskal and Alderman Ameya Pawar were also present. Kicking off the festival was Ketan Mehta's 'Rang Rasiya'. The audiences found a perfect blend of contemporary relevance, universal appeal and cinematic exuberance in the movie. In the Q&A session for the film, actress Nandana Sen spoke of her portrayal of Sugandha, Painter Raja Ravi Varma's muse and how he created a fascinating world of romanticism through his paintings of Indian women. In a letter to the CSAFF team, Mayor Rahm Emanuel wrote "This Festival creates an innovative cultural and cinematic experience for Chicagoans and visitors alike and I would like to commend the South Asian Film Festival for its dedication to our South Asian community." Over the next two days, audiences showed up in the hundreds for the rest of the film screenings. The culturally diverse crowd enjoyed film screenings at Columbia College Chicago as well as the Chicago Cultural Center. Moviegoers appreciated how accessible the actors and filmmakers were

CSAFF Team (L-R) Parveen Usman, Argi Patel, Kant Desai, Raza Siddiqi, Ketki Parikh, Kaivan Dave, Shalini Trivedi, Amit Rana, Mileen Patel, and Suhani Amin -Pic Rahul Rana

In the Q&A session for the film, actress Nandana Sen spoke of her portrayal of Sugandha, Painter Raja Ravi Varma's muse

Nandana Sen -Pic Rahul Rana

Tabla concert by Talavya -Pic Agnel Antony

even after the formal sessions. In his Q&A session, Pankaj Johar, the producer of 'Shuttlecock Boys' joked about how couldn't afford taking city permissions for their tighton-a-budget film. He then added how their personal struggles with being an independent filmmaker had inspired the script. The centerpiece film, 'I Am Kalam' was a true celebration of the

human spirit. When asked about the Oscar buzz surrounding the film, Director Nila Madhab Panda expressed how he wanted to make a happy film about a rather serious subject. He wanted to stray from the poverty stricken images of India and showcase the issue through the ignited eyes of a child. For 'I Am', the closing night piece, filmmaker Sonali Gulati

gence in US Media and the other on Filming in Chicago: Past, Present & Future. This engaging and educative programming got the actors, filmmakers as well as the CSAFF team involved. Another high note of the festival was a free tabla concert by Talavya. Their high-energy classical tabla acts with a modern twist kept the audience cheering on the

edge of their seats. Kekti Parikh (Executive Director), Amit Rana (Festival Director), Mileen Patel (Programming Director), Suhani Amin (Art Director), Kaivan Dave (Marketing Director), Parveen Usman Shalini Trivedi, Margi Patel, Raza Siddiqui, and Kant Desai had big cheers from the audience and all those coming to the event and they announced that they have already started working on CSAFF 2012.

Master painters of India on display at Met Museum India Post News Service

NEW YORK: New York's prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) is currently running an exhibition of Indian art titled "Master Painters of India, 1100-1900", that will run through Jan 8 2012. Indian paintings have traditionally been classified according to regional styles or dynastic periods, with an emphasis on subject matter and narrative content, according to the Museum. Recent scholarship, however, has begun to securely link innovations in style with specific artists and their lineages. Together with a careful study of artist's inscriptions and scribal colophons, it is now possible to construct a more precise chronology of the development of Indian painting, the Museum says.

This major loan exhibition is devoted to the connoisseurship of Indian painting, with some 220 works selected according to identifiable hands and named artists. The exhibition will dispel the notion of anonymity in Indian art. The high points of artistic innovation in the history of Indian painting are demonstrated through works by forty of the greatest Indian painters, some of whom are identified for the first time. Each artist is represented in the exhibition by five to six seminal works. Structured chronologically, the exhibition features the artistic achievement of individual artists in each period. Highlights include: A Sufi Sage, after the European personification of melancholia, Dolor by Farrukh Beg, an extraordinary painting representing the last chapter of the artist's long

career (1615, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha); Peafowl attributed to Mansur, a master of observation of the natural world (ca. 1610, private collection); Jahangir receives Prince Khurram at Ajmer on his return from the Mewar campaign: page from the Windsor Padshahnama by Balchand, a master of composition (ca. 1635, Royal Collection, Royal Library, Windsor); Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupad by Pahari, a superb painting with intense saturated color, bold but sparse composition, and stylized landscape, depicting the divine couple relaxing on a tiger skin playing chaupad, a form of chess (169495), Metropolitan Museum); and Emperor Muhammad Shah with Falcon Viewing his Garden at Sunset from a Palanquin attributed to Chitarman II (ca. 1730, Boston Museum of Fine Arts).

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Book on 'Gurus' for children's libraries India Post News Service

NEW YORK: United Sikhs, the Sikh advocacy group, has added the children's book 'Journey with the Gurus' in its recommendation list for Sikh Awareness Through Libraries (SATL) project and highly recommends adding it to not only household collections but also to be given as a gift to families and school libraries. Journey with the Gurus, Volume One, is a children's book based on the life and teachings of Guru Nanak. Each story is woven in an easy to understand language - that captures the imagination of young minds. The added features of this book are the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. These questions create shared learning and meaningful conversations. The aim of the book is to encourage dialogue between parents and children. Sixty beautiful original illustrations in rich, vibrant colors make the stories come to life. This hard-cover book has been esthetically designed and can be passed from generation to generations. This book is fundamentally changing the way young children are associating with Guru Nanak. Because this book is dialogue oriented, it helps in transporting the chil-

dren to the time and space of Guru Nanak. The children can feel Guru Nanak as a companion and as a friend. And that helps them absorb the ideals of the Sikh way of life in a non-preachy and logical way. Journey with the Gurus has replaced the Disney's bed time stories in many Sikh households. Children are asking their parents to read to them these awe-inspiring stories. These stories are inspired by the Balam Sakhian of Bhai Vir Singh, and are retold by Inni Kaur who has been involved in educating Sikh children for decades. It is a perfect family time activity by the fireplace or a perfect fit for the Sunday Gurmat school story-telling session. Sikh Awareness through Libraries (SATL) aims to improve the availability of information on Sikh culture, history and religion via multimedia resources - books, DVDs, CDs and microfilms. Under the SATL project, these resources are made available in public and private libraries, including those in schools, universities and other educational institutions, throughout the world. The objective of the project is to reach out to various demographics through multiple media to provide global access to reliable and complete information on Sikhs.

October 14, 2011

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Sikh Film Festival to honor Gurinder Chadha India Post News Service

orphans of farmers have committed suicide; and Canadian SolNEW YORK: The Sikh Art & diers Sikhs, director David Gray's Film Foundation will present its chronicle of ten Sikh men in the eighth annual Sikh International Canadian army struggling through Film Festival and inaugural Lead- enlistment, training, and the battleership Summit, October 13-15, at field. The opening night festivities the Asia Society and Museum, in New York. The Festival closes include the US Premiere screenings of the docuwith the Sikh Heritage mentaries A Little Gala and awards cerRevolution and The emony at Cipriani, Wall Ulysses with an afStreet. ter party to follow Filmmaker Gurinder at the Asia Society. Chadha (Bend it like The short film Beckham) is a featured program includes guest during Sikh Herithe world premiere tage Week. She is also of Let It Out, a muone of the three sic video addressawards recipients to be ing bullying in honored by the Founschools from a Sikh dation during the point of view, and event. Gurinder Chadha New York premiere The festival presents more than 14 documentary of The Reunion, about two Sikh and short films featuring Sikh sto- friends and their different way of ries from across the globe, from assimilating into American society. Preceding the film festival, the both established and emerging filmmakers. Premiere films debut- Leadership Summit on Oct 13 will ing include Harpeet Kaur's fea- bring together leaders and menture-length documentary A Little tors in the Sikh community and Revolution, a gripping story of beyond to discuss the next genhope, empowerment, and dreams eration of leaders and provide an in the rural village of Punjab where opportunity to network.

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Horoscope

India Post

October 14, 2011

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar

OCTOBER 14TH - OCTOBER 20TH ARIES (MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20)

TAURUS (APRIL 21 TO MAY 20)

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.

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.

GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20)

CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22)

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.

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.

LEO (JULY 23 TO AUGUST 22)

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. You should take advice and change strategy.

VIRGO (AUGUST 23 TO SEPTEMBER 22)

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.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 TO OCTOBER 22)

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 TO NOVEMBER 22)

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.

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.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 22)

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 19)

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.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 TO FEBRUARY 18)

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 TO MARCH 20)

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.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

oney 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.

925-833-7170 website: www.parashar.com

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29 India Post

he story of Chittorgarh is a saga of valor, tenacity and sacrifice. Chittorgarh (also Chittaurgarh) was sacked three times and its defenders had to make the supreme sacrifice. The Fort of Chittorgarh is a treasure trove of history and offers to the traveler an insight into the life of the Great Rajput rulers, who laid down their lives fighting a superior enemy instead of leading a life of submission under them. Location: Chittorgarh lies in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, in the northwestern part of India. It is located beside a high hill near the Gambheri River. It is 112 km from Udaipur and 182 km from Ajmer. The climate of Chittorgarh is arid. Summers are quite hot (April-June) and winters are cool (October-February). It experiences scant rainfall between June and August. Best time to visit: The best time

to visit Chittorgarh is in winters. History: The origin of Chittorgarh can be traced to the seventh century. Earlier it was known as Chitrakut, after a local Rajput chieftain named Chitrang. It remained the capital of the local Sisodia clan of Rajputs from the eighth to the 16th century. The history of this town is written in blood and sacrifice. Muslim rulers sacked it three times in the medieval period. The first was by Ala-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in 1303. Khilji laid siege of this hill fort to capture the beautiful Padmini, the queen of Chittorgarh. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 30

October 14, 2011

30 India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

October 14, 2011

www.indiapost.com

Goa Tourism plan to develop West Coast circuit MUMBAI: Goa Tourism is working with the neighboring states to offer a wholesome tourist circuit on the West coast at the upcoming Goa International Travel Mart (GITM), a top official said. "We want to build synergies with the West coast states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala to create a wholesome tourist circuit in the region," Goa Tourism and Development Corporation Managing Director Melvyn Vaz said. GITM 2011 (October 21 to 23), being organized jointly by the Goa Tourism Department and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, in association with ITB Berlin, will see attendance from global tourism and travel industry, Vaz said. The theme of the second edition is 'Unearth the Hidden Trea-

sures of Goa'. "Goa is a premier holiday destination and is placed firmly on the

The GITM 2011, will promote the entire West Coast region, bringing together coastal states on a common platform, he added. The organizers hope to attract over 2,500 trade visitors to the mart global travel map. The first edition of GITM last year spearheaded its

growth further, bringing better opportunities to the travel and tourism trade," Vaz said. The GITM 2011, will promote the entire West Coast region, bringing together coastal states on a common platform, he added. The organizers hope to attract over 2,500 trade visitors to the mart, against last year's 1,000 visitors and around 450 hosted buyers. On the back of the GITM 2010, for the first time, the number of tourists was 26.42 million last year, more than double of Goa's population. As many as 4.41 lakh of them were foreigners; the numbers beat the previous record of 2007. In 2007, Goa had 25.98 lakh tourists and 3.88 lakh of them were foreigners. According to the 2001 Census, Goa has a population of just 1.34 million. -PTI

Karva Chauth package in HP hotels SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Limited (HPTDC) has offered Special Karva Chauth package in its hotels from October 14 to 17 providing for totally "free stay" on the third day. The package involves totally free stay for 3rd day. The discount will be equal to one day's rent plus luxury tax only if the guest has stayed for 2 days by paying regular rent plus tax and the Corporation will bear the burden of rent as well as luxury tax for the third day. During the festival, this has been declared a "gazetted holiday" for women employees. The 'Sargi' (festive offering) would be arranged free of cost to the guests availing the package in HPTDC hotels.

Besides, special dinner would be prepared for women observing fast which would be complimentary on the festival day. This package is in addition to

The discount will be equal to one day's rent plus luxury tax only if the guest has stayed for 2 days by paying regular rent already offered eight attractive combi-packages for 'Har Gaon Ki Kahani' destinations in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. -PTI

Chittorgarh: Land of great Rajput rulers' valor, tenacity and sacrifice Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 29

When the situation worsened, Bhim Singh, the ruler of Chittorgarh, led his men donned with saffron robes of sacrifice, and rode out of the fort to certain death. Inside the fort, women, including Padmini and the children, committed mass suicide or jauhar by immolating themselves on a huge pyre, rather than losing their honor at the hands of the enemy. In the middle of the 15th century, Chittorgarh gained eminence when the legendary Rajput ruler, Rana Kumbha, ruled it. He built the Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji, the ruler of Malwa, in 1440. Chittorgarh was sacked again in 1535 by Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat. The jauhar that followed the siege saw the death of 13,000 women and 32,000 Rajput soldiers. The third and final siege took place in 1568 at the hands of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Jaimal and Kalla, two Rajput generals, valiantly defended the fort but with their death and deteriorating situation, jauhar was performed. However, Maharana Udai Singh II, the ruler of Chittorgarh, fled to Udaipur and re-established his rule. The Mughal emperor Jahangir returned Chittorgarh to its rulers in 1616. Tourist attractions: The main tourist attraction of the town of Chittorgarh is its fort, which is located on a steep hill beside the modern township. A zigzag ascent of about 1 km through

seven gates leads the tourist to its main western gate or Rampol. On the way, one can see two chhatris or memorials of Jaimal and Kalla marking the spots where they fell while defending the fort during the siege of 1568. The main gate on the eastern side of the fort is known as the Surajpol. Though most of the monuments in the fort are in ruins, yet they reflect the glory of its great rulers. Rana Kumbha Palace is an important spot and it is believed that Queen Padmini had performed jauhar in one of its cellars. The Archeological Museum, the Singa Chowri Temple, and the Fateh Prakash Palace and Museum are some places to visit, adjacent to Rana Kumbha Palace. The Victory Tower or Vijay Stambh is one of the main tourist attractions of the fort. It was built by Rana Kumbha to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khilji,

the ruler of Malwa in 1440. This 37-m, nine-storied tower has a number of balconies at each story, from where the tourist can look at the monuments within the fort. The Sammidheshwara Temple is near

Queen Padmini in a mirror while she stood behind a pavilion in this palace. Ala-ud-din was so smitten by her beauty that he invaded and sacked Chittorgarh to possess her. The Tower of Fame or Kirti

Bhim Singh, the ruler of Chittorgarh, led his men donned with saffron robes of sacrifice, and rode out of the fort to certain death. Inside the fort, women, including Padmini and the children, committed mass suicide or jauhar by immolating themselves

this tower. Gaumukh reservoir and the Palace of Queen Padmini are important spots to the south of the Rana Kumbha Palace. According to legend, Ala-uddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, was allowed to see the reflection of

Stambh is another important monument. This 22-m-high tower, with carvings of Jain deities, was built in 12th century and is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankara (spiritual leader). Other spots worth visiting are

the Bhimtal Tank, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Meera Temple, Kumbha Shyam Temple, and the 8th-century Kalika Mata Temple. Places around: Bijaipur, 40 km from Chittorgarh, is an important tourist spot, with its fort converted into a hotel. One can see ancient temples at Menhal, on BundiChittorgarh Road, which is 48 km from Bundi. One can also see ancient Hindu and Buddhist monuments at Nagri, which is 17 km north of Chittorgarh. How to reach: Chittorgarh does not have an airport of its own. Rail: Chittorgarh railway station is located on the western banks of Gambheri River. It has rail links with Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kota and Delhi. Road: The main bus stand is also on the western banks of Gambheri River. There is good bus service for Ajmer, Bundi, Kota and Udaipur from Chittorgarh.

October 14, 2011

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post 31

www.indiapost.com

Nepal reports surge in foreign visitors to Nepal KATHMANDU: There has been a surge in arrival of foreign visitors to Nepal, amid efforts by the government to give a boost to the tourism sector which is still reeling under the impact of a decade-long Maoist-led insurgency that ended in 2006. The arrival visitors to Nepal by air in the month of September 2011 increased by 11 per cent to 45,782 compared to the same month last year, according to the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Last month, there was a robust growth of 66 per cent in tourist arrivals from China. There was 24.5 per cent growth in visitors coming from India. In total 5,024 visitors arrived from China by air whereas 10,316

tourists came from India. In aggregate, while the Asian segment registered a positive growth of 28.9 per cent, the European markets registered a sluggish growth of just 7.8 per cent. Altogether 369,844 tourists arrived by air from January to September in 2011 including 112,235 Indian visitors. The tourism sector is largest foreign exchange earner for the country. It launched 'Nepal Tourism Year 2011' in January in a bid to attract one million visitors. However, the target of one million tourists is unlikely to be achieved despite some 23 per cent increase in total tourist arrivals over the past nine months. Last week, NTB launched four

trekking trails - the Great Himalayan Trail - in a bid to boost foreign visitors. The GHT, the longest and highest trekking trail in the world, extends from Darchula in the far west to Taplejung in the east. 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 key sector. Nepalese political parties have failed to conclude the peace process and draft a new constitution more than three years after holding election for the Constituent Assembly that acts as the interim parliament. -PTI

Minister stresses need to develop new spots MUMBAI: To increase inbound tourism in the country, there is a need to develop new destinations and improve infrastructure of the existing ones, Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai said here. "Tourism as an industry has the potential to become one of the largest employment generation sectors in the country, for which we need to increase the inbound tourism. To attract inbound tourists, we need to create new destinations

and strengthen infrastructure of the existing ones," Sahai said at a function organized by travel operator Thomas Cook India. Maintaining that tourism has become one of the top agendas for the Centre, the minister said, "we are working with the states for developing infrastructure." He further said all high revenue generating sectors should be on public private partnership (PPP) models, including tourism.

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said the existing and the emerging tourist destinations need to create a pool of skilled manpower for the sector to continue providing quality services. Thomas Cook India' Centre of Learning released a book, which is a compilation of winning research papers from across the country, initiated through its initiative Disha - platform for research in tourism. -PTI

Royal wedding dress big tourist draw LONDON: The dress worn by the former Kate Middleton when she married Prince William fueled a surge in regal tourism with 600,000 flocking to see the gown on display at Buckingham Palace, it has emerged. Hordes of enthusiasts queued for hours to see the Alexander McQueen ivory and white satingazar dress, designed by Sarah Burton, swelling palace visitor numbers by 50 per cent. The figure dwarfs the previous record set in 1994, the year the iconic London landmark was first opened to the public to help pay for damages sustained in the Windsor Castle fire.

Visitors to the palace, which closed its doors to the public on Monday after a 73-day open season, stumped up 18 pounds to see the dress, although many plumped for the 32 pounds ticket which also covered the royal mews and Queen's gallery. Money raised by the annual opening of the grand gates goes towards maintaining the Royal Collection buildings and works of art. "We've enjoyed welcoming visitors from all over the world to Buckingham Palace in record numbers this summer," a spokeswoman for the Royal Collection said. "It has been an incredibly busy few months and we're delighted that

it's been such a huge success." Around one million people lined the streets of London to see the couple, now titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, marry on April 29, but few will have had the opportunity to study the gown's intricacy at close quarters. The lace applique on the bodice and skirt was made by cutting out individual lace flowers and sewing them in a unique design onto ivory silk-tulle, using tiny stitches every two or three millimeters. In an interview after the wedding, Burton explained that Catherine had asked for a dress which acknowledged the past, yet looked to the future. (AFP)

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1 Chammak Challo : Ra.One 2 Piya Kesariyo : Hum Tum Shabana 3 Khwabon Khwabon : Force 4 Madhushala : Damadamm 5 Dildaara (Stand By Me) : Ra.One

India Post

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October 14, 2011

6 Rabba Toh Mar Gaya Oye : Mausam 7 Umrao Jaan : Damadamm 8 Chhayee Hai Tanhayee : Love Breakups Zindagi 9 Teri Meri : Bodyguard 10 Isq Risk : Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

olice played spoilsport at Deepika Padukone's house warming party at Prabhadevi in central Mumbai when they stopped loud music being played, leading to abrupt end of the celebrations. The party was on in full swing till the wee hours and this forced neighbors to call the police. An eyewitness said, ''A police patrolling van stopped outside the building around 0315 hrs and an officer went to Padukone`s flat on the 26th floor. We learnt that local residents had called up the police control room complaining of loud music''. Imran Khan and his wife Avantika were the first to leave the venue. Business tycoon Vijay Mallya, Abhay Deol and his partner Preeti Desai also left as soon police stopped the bash. The other guests to grace Deepika's party were Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Siddharth Mallya, Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia D`Souza, Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma.

ingle and eligible -Shahid Kapoor says he loves attention and adulation from his female fans. "I feel very happy and glad about it. I like it (female attention), it's nice," Shahid says in an interview. The 30-year-old, who was earlier dating Kareena Kapoor and was rumored to be in a relationship with Priyanka Chopra, admits he wasn't always comfortable with compliments from the fairer sex. "Initially I used to not know how to deal with it. I used to get flustered and didn't know how to react to it. But now, I like it. It feels good. "I have learnt to accept the fact that this is what I wanted and it is good to know that people like you and they love you. It is wonderful to feel so. So yes, I like it, I love it," said Shahid, flashing his dimpled smile. The dashing actor, whose work in his father Pankaj Kapoor's directorial debut "Mausam" won him much praise, loved working in the romantic saga. But asked about romance in his life, he replied: "I have no idea about my love story. I think love is the most unpredictable thing and it happens when you least expect it, and the way it turns out to be, you never thought it would.

Super energy

hah Rukh Khan is working day and night to make his ambitious project "Ra.One" a huge success but the actor is not letting his energy levels go down. "Distinction between night and day waning. having dinner at 6 a.m. energy levels still high. joules to joules i can take on anyone and still smile," Shah Rukh wrote on microblogging site Twitter. "For those who think my energy is comparable to anyone else's... I have only one thing to say... u have a lot to learn baby!! Ha ha," he further posted. King Khan's superhero film "Ra.One" is slated for a Diwali release and also stars Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.

Bollywood

October 14, 2011

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Slow & steady A

e started off as a lover boy, but over a period of 11 years he has gone on to play intense roles. Jimmy Shergill describes his progress as slow and steady - something that helped him grow as an actor in a fastchanging industry. "Bollywood is changing big time; you can see that different kinds of films are being made. One is typical hardcore commercial, then masala cinema and then you see a lot of unconventional films doing well. The industry has indeed seen a lot of changes," said Jimmy who has also been doing a lot of Punjabi cinema. Jimmy is currently seen in 'Sahib Biwi Gangster' and now he is busy shooting for Vikram Bhatt's 'Dangerous Ishq', which will see Karisma Kapoor making a comeback. "I would say my progress has been okay. I don't think I have reached a stage where I can say I have progressed. I am somewhere in the middle. I am yet to reach that stage where I can say my progress has been fruitful," he added.

meesha Patel started her career with two blockbusters 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai' and 'Gadar - Ek Prem Katha' but the actress, who is turning producer, says her decade long journey in Bollywood has not been easy. The 36-year-old star has had a mix run in the film industry and Ameesha blames it on the insecure nature of the showbiz. "Bollywood is a difficult place to be in. People here scrutinize you after every film. Also, you can't ignore the 'camp factor'. You are also expected to get extra special with your hero. Unfortunately or fortunately, these are some of the things that I have never learnt over the years," Ameesha said. Ameesha's last release, the long-delayed 'Chatur Singh', which also marked her return to Bollywood after a gap of three-years, failed at the box office. But the star remains unfazed and recently launched her production house. Ameesha has roped in David Dhawan and Priyadarshan to direct two films. She will produce and star in the movies.

Yummy mummies

Acting producer T

insel town has a host of yummy mummies to boast about these days. However, the newest entrant on the block, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, seems to be in no mood to compete with them. Rarely spotted at any occasion since the announcement of her pregnancy, the blue-eyed girl of Bollywood stepped out to attend actor Sanjay and Manyata Dutt's Mata ki Chowki. One was pleasantly surprised by a sighting of the Bachchan bahu; the same however could not be said about her ensemble. Layers of heavy make-up camouflaged her natural pregnancy glow, while the bright green anarkali did little to flatter her healthy baby bump. One can't blame the star for keeping a low profile, as she fends off rumors and speculations about both IVF and her carrying twins. However, one can blame her for not scoring on the fashion front and making that rare sighting count. The occasion clearly demanded Indian attire, which goes a long way to both compliment and disguise a pregnant figure as opposed to the western options.

In Brief DOJ cuts, reassigns 81 immigration prosecutors WICHITA, Kan.: Barry Disney was the first and only federal prosecutor in Kansas dedicated solely to handling criminal immigration cases. His job as an assistant U.S. attorney in Kansas was created under a supplemental appropriation passed last year in the Southwest Border Security Bill, an initiative targeting criminal immigration cases and Mexican drug cartels. With the end of the federal fiscal year, the temporary funding for 81 immigration-dedicated federal prosecutors like him has also ended. Justice Department spokeswoman Jessica Smith says 13 temporary prosecutors were cut, while 68 others are being reassigned within the Justice Department. -AP

Perry takes on immigration policy criticism HAMPTON, N.H.: Republican presidential contender Rick Perry is in New Hampshire and he's promoting his years of experience taking on illegal immigration. That's a new strategy from the Texas governor and it's designed to blunt criticism from rivals that he's soft on immigration, which is an important issue for GOP primary voters. There's growing criticism about a Texas policy that allows illegal immigrants to get in-state tuition rates at state colleges. The issue came up during Perry's latest town hall meeting in New Hampshire. Dave Connors, a 67-year-old local small business owner, says Perry's support for the policy doesn't make sense. -AP

Pa. House panel to take up illegal immigrant bills HARRISBURG, Pa.: More than a dozen bills designed to address illegal immigration in Pennsylvania are on the agenda of a state House committee. Chairman Daryl Metcalfe says he's trying to discourage illegal immigrants from coming to Pennsylvania by making it harder for them to keep jobs or get public benefits. The Butler County Republican says one of his top priorities is a Senate-passed bill making most people seeking welfare, health care or other public benefits show a driver's license or similar ID and sign a form swearing they're in the U.S. legally. -AP

Immigration 36

India Post

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October 14, 2011

Half of NYC business owners are immigrants India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Immigrant small business owners are a strikingly high share of all business owners in New York, according to a new report by the Fiscal Policy Institute. Immigrants make up 48 percent of all business owners living in New York City, and an even bigger share of some kinds of businesses that are central to daily life in the city. In New York City, the top 10 countries of birth for immigrant small business owners are China, Dominican Republic, Korea, India, Italy, Greece, Colombia, countries of the former Soviet Union, Israel (including Palestinian Territories) and Jamaica. No single group dominates: immigrants from China make up 9 percent of all immigrant small business owners, and the top ten coun-

tries of origin combined make up 45 percent - that is to say, 55 percent of immigrant small business owners come from countries that are not on this top 10 list. Among small businesses owners in the city, immigrants make up

in specialized design services. Immigrants are particularly prominent in some sectors where earnings are low and working conditions frequently very tough, but that are services taken for granted as part of daily life in New York

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I would say to states like Arizona or Alabama that are creating an environment that is increasingly hostile to immigration: look what you're giving upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 84 percent of small grocery store owners, 69 percent of restaurant owners, and 63 percent of clothing store owners. Immigrants are also 62 percent of all small business owners in construction, 40 percent of those in architectural and engineering services, and 39 percent of those in real estate, and 33 percent of those

City - such as dry cleaning and laundry services (90 percent immigrant share of small business owners) and taxi and limousine service (90 percent), child day care services (75 percent), and beauty salons (70 percent). Immigrant share of small business owners is high, but so is immigrant share of the labor force in

general. Immigrants make up 36 percent of the city's population, and 46 percent of the labor force. The immigrant share of the labor force is proportionately high, the report notes, is primarily because immigrants are concentrated among adults in prime working age - 44 percent of all people 16 to 64 years old are immigrants, well above their share of the overall population. "New York benefits enormously from the rich array of small business owners who are immigrants," says David Dyssegaard Kallick, director of the Fiscal Policy Institute's Immigration Research Initiative. "I would say to states like Arizona or Alabama that are creating an environment that is increasingly hostile to immigration: look what you're giving up. Immigrants can be an important part of a healthy and diverse economy."

Estimates of employment-based visa availability CYRUS D. MEHTA

he October Visa Bulletin from the Department of State's Visa Office notes that employment-based visa availability in the coming months is expected to be "Current" for the employment first preference (EB1) category; the employment second preference (EB-2) Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines categories; and the employment fourth and fifth categories. The Department noted that the estimates are subject to fluctuations in demand, but said that categories with a "Current" projection "will remain so for the foreseeable future." For categories other than those noted above, the bulletin states: Employment Second: China and India: The current cutoff date is approaching the most favorable date previously reached for applicants from China and India. The rapid forward movement is intended to generate demand based on new filings for adjustment of status at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices, which currently accounts for over 85% of all employ-

ment-based number use. Once the level of demand increases sufficiently, it may be necessary to slow or stop the cut-off movement, and a retrogression of the cut-offs at some point during the year is a distinct possibility. Employment Third: Worldwide: up to one month

report in September on H-1B workers' use of Social Security Numbers (SSNs) that could result in more close monitoring of status violations by H-1B workers and potential liability for H-1B employers. Based on the results of the review, the OIG estimated that

The OIG noted that unauthorized work by H-1B workers weakens SSN integrity and may require that the agency pay future benefits to individuals who misuse an SSN to work in the US China: one to three weeks India: up to two weeks Mexico: up to one month Philippines: up to one month The October Visa Bulletin is available at travel.state.gov/visa/ bulletin/bulletin_5560.html. SSA Inspector General Finds Anomalies in H-1B Workers' Use of Social Security Numbers The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a

about 7,131 (18 percent) of the 38,546 H-1B workers to whom the SSA assigned an SSN in 2007 may have used their SSNs for purposes other than to work for their approved employer. This estimate included about 4,433 (11 percent) H-1B workers who had posted wages during the audit period from an employer other than their Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-approved employer. The estimate also included about

2,698 (7 percent) H-1B workers who had no posted wages from 2007 through 2009. The OIG noted that unauthorized work by H-1B workers weakens SSN integrity and may require that the agency pay future benefits to individuals who misuse an SSN to work in the U.S. In addition, the OIG noted, H-1B workers who do not work for their approved employer "could pose a risk to homeland security, because they may obtain employment in sensitive areas." The OIG also commented on a recent DHS study reporting that about 21 percent of the H-1B petitions it examined involved fraud or technical violations. The types of fraud identified included counterfeit or forged documents, storefront or shell businesses, no bona fide job offer, and misrepresentation of H-1B status. DHS subsequently clarified field guidance and instituted employer site visits to reduce alleged fraud and abuse in the H-1B visa program. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 39

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October 14, 2011

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Chhaya CDC gets $100,000 in HUD grants India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Chhaya Community Development Corporation (Chhaya CDC), a Jackson Heights, New York based organization that works to help with the housing and development needs of the South Asian community in New York, is among the seven local organizations to receive a grant fund from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Of the $649,000 that the HUD has awarded to these select community organizations serving diverse communities across the country, Chhaya CDC will receive $100,000 in grant funding. The funds are expected to help ensure persons who are limited English proficient to have access to information in their native languages on HUD housing, programs, services and activities. "Partnering with organizations that work directly with limited En-

glish proficient persons helps HUD provide more effective and efficient services to people who are limited English proficient," said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing

‘How well people speak English must not determine their access to safe, affordable, and decent housing’ and Equal Opportunity. "How well people speak English must not determine their access to safe, affordable, and decent housing free from discrimination. Through these partnerships, HUD will ensure that the LEP individuals and families have meaningful access to information

on fair housing, homeownership, lead abatement, housing assistance, and countless other services." In coordination with local HUD grantees, the recipients will use the funds to, for example: create fair housing presentations and trainings on HUD programs in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Korean in Washington, DC; conduct community meetings and refugee orientation sessions for Bosnians and Arabic speakers to learn more about affordable housing in St. Louis; produce brochures in English, Nepalese, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese for people seeking rental housing and homeownership information in Queens, New York; and develop posters, brochures, and training tools about HUD's Fair Housing and Home Ownership programs in Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi-Turkish, Somali, Burmese, and Bhutanese in San Diego.

Immigration law author tells farmers: No changes STEELE, Ala.: A sponsor of Alabama's tough new immigration law told desperate tomato farmers that he won't change the law, even though they told him that their crops are rotting in the field and they are at risk of losing their farms. Republican state Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale met with about 50 growers, workers, brokers and business people at a tomato packing shed on Chandler Mountain in northeast Alabama. They complained that the new law scared off many of their migrant workers at harvest time. ``The tomatoes are rotting on the vine, and there is very little we can do,'' said Chad Smith, who farms tomatoes with his uncle, father and brother. ``My position is to stay with the law as it is,'' Beason told the farmers. Beason helped write and sponsor a law the Legislature enacted in June to crack down on illegal immigration. It copied portions of laws enacted in Arizona, Georgia and other states, including allowing police to detain people indefinitely if they don't have legal status. Beason and other proponents said the law would help free up jobs for Alabamians in a state suffering through 9.9 percent unemployment. The farmers said the some of their workers may have been in the

country illegally, but they were the only ones willing to do the work. ``This law will be in effect this entire growing season,'' Beason told the farmers. He said he would talk to his congressman about the need for a federal temporary worker program that would help the farmers next season.

Chad Smith's father, challenged the senator to pick a bucket full of tomatoes and experience the labor-intensive work ``There won't be no next growing season,'' farmer Wayne Smith said. ``Does America know how much this is going to affect them? They'll find out when they go to the grocery store. Prices on produce will double,'' he said. Lana Boatwright said she and her husband had used the same crews for more than a decade, but only eight of the 48 workers they needed showed up after the law took effect. ``My husband and I take them

to the grocery store at night and shop for them because they are afraid they will be arrested,'' she said. Chad Smith said his family would normally have 12 trucks working the fields, but only had the workers for three. He estimated his family could lose up to $150,000 this season because of a lack of help to pick the crop. ``We will be lucky to be in business next year,'' he said. Tomato farmer Brian Cash said the migrant workers who would normally be on Chandler Mountain have gone to other states with less restrictive laws. After talking with farmers at the tomato shed, Beason visited the Smith family's farm. Leroy Smith, Chad Smith's father, challenged the senator to pick a bucket full of tomatoes and experience the laborintensive work. Beason declined but promised to see what could be done to help farmers while still trying to keep illegal immigrants out of Alabama. Smith threw down the bucket he offered Beason and said, ``There, I figured it would be like that.'' The farmers said they get about $10 a box for their tomatoes. The produce box costs $1, the workers get $2, and the remainder goes to cover the farmers' other costs and provide their income. -AP

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Illegal students face obstacles even after college PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: When Rhode Island became the thirteenth state to allow cheaper in-state tuition for illegal immigrants at public colleges, supporters heralded the move as one that would give students the kind of advanced education they need to succeed in the work force. But students who are not here legally may still face a major obstacle even with the benefit of a college degree: Many have no immediate pathway to legal status and, under current federal immigration law, employers cannot legally hire them. ``I know of students who have graduated magna cum laude and top honors in their colleges, but right now they're working minimum wage in restaurants,'' said Antonio Albizures-Lopez, 20, who came to the U.S. from Guatemala when he was 1. Albizures-Lopez, who is pursuing legal residency, says the best solution is passage of federal legislation, known as the DREAM Act, which provides a pathway to legal residency for college students. The Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, which oversees the state's three public higher education institu-

tions, unanimously approved instate tuition for illegal immigrants last week, effective in the fall of 2012. The General Assembly had failed repeatedly to take action on legislation that's been introduced year after year. Eleven states California, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, and Washington _ have laws allowing the children of illegal immigrants to receive in-state rates if they meet certain requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Oklahoma allows instate tuition for the children of illegal immigrants under a state Board of Regents policy. Gov. Lincoln Chafee, in urging the Board of Governors to adopt the change, said it would allow more Rhode Islanders to attend college, help build a stronger work force and boost an economy that is among the nation's most troubled. Research varies on how much resident tuition rates for illegal immigrants increase enrollment. A 2010 paper co-authored by Aimee Chinn, an economist at the University of Houston, did not find a sizeable increase overall for 18- to -24-year-olds in the 10 states stud-

ied, although it did find that Mexican men in their 20s attended at modestly higher rates. It also found that even in-state tuition may still be too expensive, especially since illegal immigrant students do not qualify for federal education aid.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Even with a college degree, there hasn't been a more general immigration reform that would enable these kids to get a job once they have their degree,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Chinn By contrast, a study this year by the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, which looked at an array of research on the issue, said that in-state tuition has led to an enrollment increase among illegal immigrants, on average, of 31 percent in the places it has been implemented. The Urban Institute has estimated that 65,000 illegal immigrants graduate from high school in the

Ag commissioner: Ga. farmers need migrant labor ATLANTA: A farm labor shortage that left crops rotting in the fields after Georgia passed a law cracking down on illegal immigration shows the need for a retooled or expanded guest worker program for migrant laborers, Georgia's agriculture commissioner told a panel of Washington lawmakers. Commissioner Gary Black testified at a Senate subcommittee hearing on immigration enforcement and farm labor that an informal survey showed farmers of onions, watermelons and other handpicked crops lacked more than 11,000 workers during their spring and summer harvest. Farmers say that's because the Georgia immigration law scared off many migrant workers. Financial incentives aimed at getting unemployed Georgians and even criminals on probation to take their place picking crops were marginally successful, Black said, because the new workers were too slow and often quit because of the strenuous labor involved. ``A robust agricultural guest worker program, properly designed, will not displace American

workers,'' Black said in remarks prepared for the hearing. ``As my testimony shows, in Georgia, even with current high unemployment rates, it is difficult for farmers to fill their labor needs.'' Black said it's still unclear how much the labor shortage will ultimately cost farmers. But one group

Financial incentives aimed at getting unemployed Georgians and even criminals on probation to take their place picking crops were marginally successful says growers have already lost tens of millions of dollars. Charles Hall, director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, released figures from an upcoming industryfunded study that says farmers lost at least $74.9 million in unpicked crops harvested by hand

last spring and summer because they didn't have enough labor. The farmers said they lacked 40 percent of the total work force they needed. The numbers come from selfreported surveys completed by 189 farmers of onions, watermelons, bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, blueberries and blackberries, said John McKissick, director of the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, which is compiling the report. It's a snapshot of just a small fraction of Georgia's farmers overall. The surveyed farmers hold just short of half the state's overall acreage for those seven crops. And the seven crops examined in the study accounted for just 5 percent of Georgia's $11.3 billion in farm products from 2009, according to the agribusiness center's last annual report. The growers association reported other figures estimating even broader economic losses, based on the $74.9 million figure, but McKissick said those numbers were not scientifically derived. -AP

U.S. every year. But even if more students go on to attend public colleges and universities with the benefit of in-state rates, a big question remains: how will they fare in the work force after they graduate, even with a degree that traditionally makes it easier to get the kind of high-skill, high-paying job not available to those who finish only high school. ``Even with a college degree, there hasn't been a more general immigration reform that would enable these kids to get a job once they have their degree,'' said Chinn. Amanda Pereira, 18, came to the U.S. illegally at the age of 6 from Brazil with her family. ``In a way, it is going to be another dead end,'' she said. ``But in a way it is a help, because at least they got through another four years and got their education, so they can find ways to possibly get legalized through an employer.'' The Brandeis University freshman was granted legal status after more than a decade pursuing it last spring, but is continuing to advocate for illegal immigrant students. ``We do need to continue pushing for the DREAM Act,'' she said. That federal legislation the De-

velopment, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would provide a pathway to legal residency for illegal-immigrant students providing they meet certain requirements. A December study by UCLA estimated that such students could contribute anywhere from $1.4 trillion to $3.6 trillion to the nation's economy over the course of their careers, depending on how many ultimately obtain citizenship. But the bill has failed to win the necessary votes in the U.S. Congress despite repeated tries, and its prospects for passage are uncertain. Albizures-Lopez, a resident of Lincoln who graduated from Blackstone Academy Charter School in 2009, called in-state tuition a ``stepping stone'' to college but added, ``It's not complete. It's not even halfway complete.'' He says he has ``protected status'' while his legal case for residency is pending, so he is able to work a part-time job coaching soccer at a private high school. He plans to apply to college, including the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College, where he could get in-state rates. URI's in-state tuition is $9,824, compared to $25,912 for out-of-state students. -AP

Judges review Texas immigrant housing ban NEW ORLEANS: Federal laws permit a Dallas suburb to restrict illegal immigrants from renting housing, a lawyer for the city argued before a federal appeals court. The city of Farmers Branch, Texas, is asking the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a judge's ruling that the city tried to impose unconstitutional restrictions on home rentals to illegal immigrants. A three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit didn't immediately rule after hearing arguments over a housing ordinance that the Farmers Branch city council enacted in 2008. Farmers Branch says U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle erred last year in ruling that its ordinance is pre-empted by federal immigration law. The city argues that denying illegal immigrants access to rental housing isn't fundamentally different than denying them employment or public benefits. Kris Kobach, a lawyer for Farmers Branch, cited six federal statutes that he says support the city's right to pass the ordinance. ``We drafted this ordinance to mirror the terms of federal law,'' said Kobach, who was elected Kansas Secretary of State last year. Kobach said the ordinance

doesn't attempt to regulate who can or cannot enter the country, but Judge Thomas Reavley said the city's intent was clear. ``The whole purpose is to keep illegal aliens out of Farmers Branch. Period,'' Reavley said. Boyle barred the city from enforcing the ordinance, which required anyone seeking rental housing in Farmers Branch to apply for a residential occupancy license costing $5. The ordinance called on the city's building inspector to check the immigration status of applicants who aren't U.S. citizens and revoke their license if they aren't ``lawfully present'' in the country. Landlords who knowingly allow a tenant to occupy a rental unit without a license would have their rental licenses suspended under the measure. Landlords and tenants who challenged the ordinance said the licensing scheme adopted by the council impermissibly intruded on the federal immigration system. ``The city's ordinance is unconstitutional because it establishes an independent scheme to regulate immigration in private rental housing,'' said plaintiffs' attorney Nina Perales. -AP

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October 14, 2011

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Estimates of employment-based visa availability Cont’d from page 36

Additionally, the OIG noted, the Department of Justice has pursued criminal charges in some H-1B fraud cases. In one case, six individuals pled guilty to participating in a criminal conspiracy with the owner of a consulting firm to obtain H-1B visas for ineligible or unqualified individuals. All six individuals admitted that they had secured cash-paying jobs from unapproved employers instead of working for the consulting firm. In another case the OIG discussed, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested 11 individuals accused of H-1B visa fraud. This investigation involved companies that did not always have jobs available for H-1B workers, which placed the workers in non-pay status after they arrived in the U.S. These companies and workers also allegedly submitted false statements and documents to support their H-1B visa petitions, the OIG noted. Because the subject of the OIG report involved immigration enforcement and visa-related issues, the OIG said it planned to share the report with the DHS and State Department Offices of Inspector General. The OIG recommended that SSA contact DHS to offer to establish a data match agreement to assist DHS's efforts to identify and reduce the number of H-1B workers who may use their SSNs for purposes other than to work for their approved employer. SSA agreed with that recommendation. The OIG report, "H-1B Workers' Use of Social Security Numbers," is available at http:// oig.ssa.gov/sites/default/files/ audit/full/pdf/A-08-11-11114.pdf. DHS Launches 'Study in the States' On September 16, 2011, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton announced an initiative to streamline the international student visa process for foreign students seeking to study in the U.S. The "Study in the States" initiative is "a key component of a government-wide effort to encourage the best and brightest foreign students to study and remain in the U.S.," a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) media release said. "Attracting the best and brightest international talent to our colleges and universities is an important part of our nation's economic, scientific and technological innovation and competitiveness," Secretary Napolitano said. "Foreign students and ex-

change visitors bring invaluable contributions to our nation, and the Study in the States initiative is an important step in empowering the next generation of international entrepreneurs, right here in America."

The OIG recommended that SSA contact DHS to offer to establish a data match agreement to assist DHS's efforts to identify and reduce the number of H-1B workers who may use their SSNs for purposes other than to work for their approved employer DHS noted that more than 1.1 million active nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors and their dependents study in U.S. universities, exchange programs, and training opportunities. Study in the States will examine regulatory changes, expand public engagement between the government and academia, and provide a central online information hub for DHS and its agency partners to provide current and prospective students with updated and relevant visa requirements in a user-friendly format. "Study in the States encourages international students who

The US Consulate General in Mumbai recently announced the resumption of interviews for H and L visas, after a stoppage beginning in March 2011 due to aging infrastructure. In 2010, Indian applicants received 65 percent of all H-1B visas issued worldwide seek the wealth of educational opportunities available in the U.S. to remain here following their studies and apply their new skills here in our country," said ICE Director Morton. "We aim to strike a balance-providing an open and welcoming experience for international students and visitors seeking information, while maintaining the integrity and security of our visa process. This site is an important step toward reaching that goal."

DHS said that the Study in the States website is intended to be an innovative, interagency portal that will include: • Interactive and accessible information, allowing prospective and current students to visually navigate steps of the student visa process on their own "Road Map to Success." • Links to social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, disseminating relevant visa requirements and information to international students, exchange visitors, and the academic community. • A blog with posted videos, public service announcements, relevant news, requirements, helpful tips, and success stories. DHS said that Study in the States builds on other new policies intended to encourage talented students from other countries to study and work in the U.S. For example, earlier this year, DHS announced an extension to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees for international student studies, allowing graduates of a STEM degree to remain in the U.S. through Optional Practical Training (OPT) for up to 29 months after graduation. U.S. Consulate in Mumbai Resumes H and L Visa Processing The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai recently announced the resumption of interviews for H and L visas, after a stoppage beginning in March 2011 due to aging infrastructure. In 2010, Indian applicants received 65 percent of all H-1B visas issued worldwide. All interviews will be conducted at the Lincoln House Consulate building, located at 78, Bhulabhai Desai Road, until further notice. Visa appointments may be made online via VFS at http://www.vfsusa.co.in/ApplnForms/ SchduleMenu.aspx. The announcement is available at http:// mumbai.usconsulate.gov/interviews-and-appointments.html. Firm in the News Cyrus Mehta was on a panel at the 5th Biennial Global Immigration Conference of the International Bar Association in London on September 23-24, 2011. For more information, see int-bar.org/

conferences/conf383/binary/ London%20Global%20Im migration%202011%20p rogramme.pdf. He also spoke on a panel on "Teaching Ethics Across the Curriculum" for

Brooklyn Law School faculty on September 21, 2011. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Tech News India ‘important partner’ in Asia: Switzerland BERN: Affirming its belief in the booming Indian economy, Switzerland has described India as one of its "most important partners" in Asia and said that its exports to the country have grown by 19 per cent this year despite difficult world economic climate. "India has become integrated in the world market and has been growing strongly, with its GDP increasing at the mean annual rate of 5.8 per cent. It is now one of the world's ten largest national economies," the Swiss government said in a statement. The statement came after President Pratibha Patil and her Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmi-Rey addressed the Indo-Swiss Business Forum here in the Swiss capital. "India is one of Switzerland's most important partners in Asia and has tremendous potential for the future. Commodity trade is flourishing and the volume has exceeded the 3.5 billion Swiss Franc mark for the first time in 2010," it said. Despite difficult world economic climate, Switzerland's exports to India have grown by a good 19 per cent in the first eight months of 2011, while the imports have gone up by 17 per cent, the statement said. -PTI

India keen to scale up economic ties with Indonesia' JAKARATA: With an eye on mineral resources like coal, India is scaling up its economic ties with Indonesia and the move is being helped by big Indian business houses like the Tatas, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and Aditya Birla Group. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma is leading a big CII delegation, headed by well-known industrialist Vijay R Kirloskar, to develop new linkages with the Indonesian government and industry. The initiatives include negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement aimed at not only liberalizing existing bilateral trade of USD 14 billion and taking it up to USD 25 billion by 2015, but securing access for Indian services like education and health in the 250 million people Indonesian market. "India and Indonesia can do much more in the changing world," Sharma said at a reception hosted by the India-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce last night. He said while Indian business houses have invested US 20 billion in sectors like steel, power and coal, Indonesia should allow access to Indian pharmaceuticals, which have made a name for themselves in the world market. -PTI

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Reliance, GAIL, IOC among finalists for Platts awards NEW DELHI: Seven Indian firms, including Reliance Industries, Cairn India and Indian Oil Corp (IOC), figure in the list of finalists for "the Oscars" of the energy industry, the Platts Global Energy Awards. The 2011 finalists, drawn from 19 countries and chosen from more than 200 nominations, were announced here by program host Platts, a leading global provider of energy information. Contíd on page 41

October 14, 2011

Indian, US law firms join forces for better global business climate India Post News Service

NEW YORK: As fiscal challenges in the Euro Zone threaten to slow economic growth, US and Indian law firms last week gathered at the US-India Business Council's 3rd Annual Legal Services Conference in New Delhi to forge closer ties and share experiences on how best to navigate the rising tide of complex regulatory and policy hurdles assaulting the global marketplace. Facing a common need to generate jobs, spur business, and enhance two-way trade and investment, more than 190 US and Indian law firms convened to discuss the best means by which to expand two-way trade and investment, including allowing entry and establishment of foreign law firms on Indian soil, as well as adopting international best practices for overcoming the regulatory and policy hurdles that are increasingly affecting the ability to conduct business in the global commons. The conference theme of maximizing value in the Indo-US regulatory thicket assumes signifi-

cance against the backdrop of recent calls by both governments to forge a Bilateral Investment Treaty between the two economies. Featured guests included Salman Khurshid, India's Minister of Law; former Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma; Chairman of the Committee on National Competition Policy, Dhanendra Kumar; and Deputy Chief of the US Em-

sophisticated transactions, mergers and acquisitions, so too will our legal issues become more and more complex, requiring the support of the best legal and accounting talent available in our respective countries," said Ron Somers, President of USIBC. "Whether issues of sovereign magnitude such as limitation of industrial liability affecting nuclear cooperation,

The conference theme of maximizing value in the Indo-US regulatory thicket assumes significance against the backdrop of recent calls by both governments to forge a Bilateral Investment Treaty bassy, Don Lu. Fali S. Nariman, eminent Supreme Court Advocate and author of his best-selling autobiography, 'Before Memory Fades' received the USIBC Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to global understanding and international jurisprudence. "As economic ties strengthen between India and the United States, underpinned by ever-more

mergers involving intellectual property protection, or mere contractual transactions that must address regulations in multiple jurisdictions, it will be imperative for companies in this new global environment to 'see around the corner' in order to create value by anticipating trends and opportunities. USIBC's aim in convening this annual conclave of legal experts is to assemble the 'best in

class' law firms and in-house corporate counsel to foster greater understanding and collaboration as we foster a multi-national approach to regulation and business such that US-India trade and investment flourishes." "The pace of events over the last couple of years and the speed with which the US-India relationship has progressed has meant that USIBC has had to react to new each year to serve lawyers in India and the US. The quality and diversity of the legal issues discussed each year reflects greatly to USIBC's credit. Another important reason why our two countries have moved closer commercially is because of highly skilled lawyers in both countries, who have adapted with increasing comfort to each other's legal and commercial environments. As markets further integrate, creating greater opportunities for both countries, we look forward to playing an important role in furthering the collaboration," said Ralph Voltmer, Chair of USIBC's Legal Services Executive Committee and Partner at the US law firm of Covington & Burling LLP.

India, Afghan agree to boost trade; lower tariffs NEW DELHI: With a view to expanding trade and economic relations, India and Afghanistan agreed to take steps to simplify customs procedures and gradually lower tariff barriers. A joint statement issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai said, "The sides agree to take effective measures to create a favorable environment to promote trade and investment." The measures include enhancing investment protection, simplifying customs and other procedures, and promoting the removal of non-tariff barriers and gradually lowering tariff barriers, the statement added. "To achieve a sustained expansion of bilateral trade and economic ties with a long-term perspective, the sides will establish

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

effective mechanisms for interaction between Indian and Afghan entities," it said. The specific measures agreed

upon in this regard include encouraging contacts between regions or provinces in both the countries and jointly exploring the possibili-

ties of regional trading arrangements with third countries. Contíd on page 41

TechBiz Post

October 14, 2011

India Post

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EU firm on ETS from January, India to oppose it NEW DELHI: With the European Union insisting on implementing the emission trading system (ETS) for all flights operating in the region from January, India has expressed "grave concern" and said it would continue to voice reservation against the move. "No. It is a law," EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik told reporters here when asked whether the EU would back out from ETS in the face of opposition from 26 countries including the US, India and China. Hours after Potocnik's remarks, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan expressed grave reservation and opposition to the EU decision and said India would continue to raise it at various fora. "We have expressed grave reservation and opposition on extending ETS to aviation. We will continue to voice our reservation," she said. Natarajan had raised the issue with EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard during a meeting in Pretoria. "We intend to raise it (again)," she said, adding that India was in informal talks with other countries opposed to the move. A meeting of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council and non-EU member

states on inclusion of aviation in EU-ETS, convened here last week, had expressed concern over the measure. However, Potocnik appeared undeterred by the opposition to the ETS in aviation. "There are ways on how the aviation sector should participate and how they should do their job

available ensures that they have a value. Potocnik said for the aviation sector, up to 85 per cent allowances are distributed freely and only 15 per cent go for auction. "If a company is pushing its carbon dioxide emissions down there is no need to pay anything," he said, adding even by 2020 up

"We have expressed grave reservation and opposition on extending ETS to aviation. We will continue to voice our reservation," she said Jayanthi Natarajan

in the fight against climate change," he said. Under the EU ETS there is a "cap" on the total amount of certain greenhouse gases that can be emitted by factories, power plants and other installations. Within this cap, companies receive emission allowances which they can sell to or buy from one another as needed. The limit on the total number of allowances

to 83 per cent allowances would be distributed freely. Potocnik said if EU partners are ready to take comparable measures to tackle climate change domestically, it would exempt them from the ETS. Asked to comment on Potocnik's suggestion, Natarajan said it was "too premature" to say that India would take similar steps to tackle climate change. -PTI

Reliance, GAIL, IOC among finalists for Platts awards ContĂd from page 40

"Seven energy companies from India, including Indraprastha Gas Ltd, Reliance, GAIL India Ltd, IOC and Cairn, have been chosen as finalists under various categories in the Platts Global Energy Awards, an annual program recognizing exemplary industry leadership," Platts said in a press statement. Established in 1999 and often described as "the Oscars" of the energy industry, Platts Global Energy Awards highlight corporate and individual innovation, leadership and superior performance in 19 categories spanning the entire energy industry. An equal number of Indian companies were among the finalists for the Global Energy Awards in 2010. This year, Reliance was nominated in two categories, one of which is a newly introduced category - Petrochemical and Blendstock Innovation Award highlighting innovations in this important, petroleum-related industry. Reliance is also up for honors in another category for its energy efficiency initiatives.

India, Afghan agree to boost trade; lower tariffs ContĂd from page 40

Bangladesh allows transshipment of Indian goods DHAKA: The government has allowed the transshipment of Indian goods from Bangladesh's northeastern Ashuganj to Akhaura on trial basis in line with an earlier bilateral agreement, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said. "Three cargo ships - two Bangladeshi and one Indian are now anchored at Ashuganj river port and the fourth ship is sailing towards Ashuganj from Kolkata port," she told media persons in the capital. Moni said road, railway and water transit between Bangladesh and India were already there in the existing agreements signed in 1972 and 1980, and renewed over the years. In November last year, India and Bangladesh signed a crucial deal to allow Indian heavy equipment be transshipped to its landlocked northeastern Tripura state for a proposed

Dipu Moni

power plant through Bangladeshi territory. Roads & Highways chief engineer Azizur Rahman and India's Oil and Natural gas Corporation's senior adviser R K Madan signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which would allow India to transport heavy equipment for its proposed Palatana Power Plant in Tripura in 96 consignments through Bangladesh. Asked about the likelihood of a bilateral agreement on water sharing of Teesta River and exchange of letters on transit facilities, the Foreign Minister said both will be done in the future. "(But) I cannot give specific time and date as I'm not an astrologer," she said. -PTI

Gas utility GAIL India is in fray for the Downstream Operation of the Year Award, while Cairn's success at the huge oilfield it discovered in Rajasthan has put it in fray for the Energy Producer of the Year Award. IOC is one of the contenders for the Construction Project of the Year, IGL for the Industry Leadership Award and Sea Water Electricity for the Sustainable Technology Innovation of the Year Award. Platts said along with awarding companies and industry leaders in specific performance categories, Platts will also name the 2011 Energy Company of the Year, which will be chosen from the entire list of finalists. "Winners in all categories are selected by the program's independent panel of judges, which includes former regulators, past heads of major energy companies, leading academics and international energy experts," it added. Nearly 600 guests are expected to attend the black-tie dinner at New York's Cipriani Wall Street on December 1, when the 2011 Global Energy Awards will be presented by Platts. -PTI

Encouraging cooperation between industry chambers in the two countries is another step envisaged in the statement. To enhance the competitiveness of goods, a mechanism will be established to promote cooperation between quality assurance and

standardization institutions, it said. "Recognising that regional economic cooperation is vital to the future economic prosperity of individual nations, the sides (India and Afghanistan) agree to cooperate, both bilaterally and through regional organizations in promoting regional economic cooperation," the statement said. -PTI

Health

Line

NH holds summit on prescription drug abuse CONCORD, N.H.: New Hampshire's community and business leaders are working with government and health care officials to address what they call an epidemic in the state prescription drug abuse. State officials say deaths involving prescription drugs have more than quadrupled in the state in the last 15 years. That statistic and others prompted the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment to hold a summit, bringing together groups working to reverse the trend. The commission is expected to release a detailed prescription drug strategy in December. -AP

Health Science

LA campaign against sugarloaded drinks Details on page 44

India Post

www.indiapost.com

October 14, 2011

AAPI invokes Gandhi for health and physical fitness

Md. to keep monitoring cancers near Fort Detrick FREDERICK, Md.: Maryland's public health agency says a nearly 18-month cancer investigation has produced enough statistically significant results to warrant continued monitoring in neighborhoods around Fort Detrick in Frederick. A Department of Health and Mental Hygiene official said at a public meeting that the incidence of lymphomas within a mile of the Army installation from 1992 to 2008 was 25 percent higher than in the state as a whole. But Dr. Clifford Mitchell says there was no statistically significant difference between the Fort Detrick area and the rest of Frederick County. He says public health officials will analyze new data as they become available to try to understand the mixed findings. -AP

Neb. will wait for health care ruling LINCOLN, Neb.: Nebraska will not enact a health care exchange mandated by the federal health care overhaul until officials know for sure whether the measure is constitutional, Gov. Dave Heineman has said. Heineman told reporters that the state is planning and designing a program in case the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of President Barack Obama's health care law. But the Republican governor said it doesn't make sense to build a formal proposal before the court decides. He said he doubted most states could meet the federal deadlines because of lingering confusion about what they will need to enact to comply with the law. -AP

Rahul Sur is addressing the gathering while Dr Kanumury, Manjeev Puri, Dr Bharucha and Dr Kumaresan look on India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The latest public outreach program of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) - walkathon for health - that was launched in multiple locations as part of Indian Independence Day on Aug 15 cul-

minated in New York with AAPI President Dr. Sunita Kanumury participating in second Mahatma Gandhi Health and Peace Walk in Harlem, New York on Oct 2. During this period, AAPI worked with several community and religious organizations, local AAPI chapters and temples throughout the US to

Dr. Sunita Kanumury addressing the crowd while Ambassador Manjeev Puri, Dr. Bharucha, Dr. Kumaresan and Rahul Sur (standing) look on

promote healthy lifestyle among people by staging walkathons. In this direction, AAPI had reached out to a large section of people in creating a positive vibe on walking to keep lifestyle diseases at bay. On Oct 2, over 250 participants came from New York, New Jersey, neighboring states to participate

in the Mahatma Gandhi health and peace walk at Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan. The first walk was held in the same venue last year and scores of local population of Harlem were seen walking briskly sporting Gandhi t-shirt donated by the organizers. Cont’d on page 44

Indian doc receives NIH grant for research LUCIA GONZALEZ

CHICAGO: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry Assistant Professor of Endodontics Dr. Satish Alapati has received a grant from the National Institute of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The NIH/NIDCR K Grant will last five years and will be worth approximately $683,040. The grant will fund Dr. Alapati's core research focus on stem cellbased therapeutics in Endodontics. Dr Alapati who earned his DDS degree in India and his Certificate in Endodontics from the UIC College in June 2011, is seeking to revolutionize root canal treatment by incorporating regenerative components to root canal therapy. "I want to discover a way to get stem cells from dental tissues and regenerate the diseased tooth structures to their natural anatomy" Dr. Alapati explained. "This will allow whole root structures to grow

edge science that combines both tissue engineering and stem cell biology concepts to regenerate the pulp-dentin complex for

'I want to discover a way to get stem cells from dental tissues and regenerate the diseased tooth structures to their natural anatomy'

Dr Satish Alapati

to completion, thereby preventing loss of tooth." He hopes through his research to be able to save young diseased teeth. Most importantly, through his research he is working so people will be able to

retain their natural teeth for a longer period of time. The grant will allow Dr. Alapati to start "an exciting career in Regenerative Endodontics," he said. "It is a new frontier and cutting-

prompt healing, repair, and continual development of the tooth." In addition to researching the use of stem cells in Endodontics, Dr. Alapati has an interest in nickeltitanium metallurgy, development of novel rotary endodontic instruments, and advanced ceramicbased biomaterials. Cont’d on page 44

October 14, 2011

Health Science Post

India Post

www.indiapost.com

NY floods roil the water but little health threat PRATTSVILLE, NY: New York waterways remain turbid and strewn with trees, stones and debris more than three weeks after Hurricane Irene caused widespread flooding, and some still require special chemical treatment but do not pose a threat to the drinking water that flows from upstate reservoirs to the taps of 9 million people in New York City. Officials say they have been effectively addressing risks to city drinking water and made progress collecting wreckage, vacuuming oil spills and starting repairs. ``Turbidity levels are still elevated but they are much lower,'' said Farrell Sklerov, spokesman for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. The DEP's water system holds up to 580 billion gallons, providing about 1 billion gallons daily unfiltered to New York City. High counts of bacteria from human or animal waste appeared initially in the water system after the flooding. The water was treated with slightly more chlorine than usual in Westchester County. The coliform levels in the upstate system have since come down, he said. The disinfection process prevented a health risk, Sklerov said. ``We know the storm doesn't

actually have an impact on water that makes it into people's taps,'' he said. The city DEP doesn't filter the water but has some flexibility to draw the best-quality water from among 19 upstate reservoirs. It has also continued adding aluminum sulfate to the system, which causes sediment to clump and sink. The Mohawk River, which overflowed its banks in the storm and flooded some lowlands, hardly flowed west of Schenectady, instead in spots resembling mud puddles separated by swaths of sand, silt, stones and uprooted trees with some scattered plastic trash tangled in their roots. Part of the state canal system, dams on that section of the river were opened to let water out for repairs, dredging and removing debris. The nearby Great Flats Aquifer provides drinking water to more than 150,000 people in Schenectady County. But the only effects from the storm were a few temporary advisories to boil water, some from a pipe break in the cleanup, said county spokesman Joe McQueen. Within days after the storms, at least 124 smaller public water systems statewide advised cus-

tomers to boil water to ensure it was safe to drink. Many had system power outages, and 15 advisories were still in effect, typically from infrastructure problems such as burst pipes, according to the state Health Department. ``A lot of it was short-term disruptions,'' said department spokesman Peter Constantakes.

The city DEP doesn't filter the water but has some flexibility to draw the best-quality water from among 19 upstate reservoirs ``Overall the water systems performed very well.'' The state Department of Environmental Conservation received more than 1,000 spill reports for oil and other contaminants, setting aside nearly $5 million to clean up, helped establish waste transfer stations for debris and identified sites to compost dead animals, spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said. Total statewide livestock fa-

talities were fewer than 10, not the 200 suspected earlier, she said. The state agency is working with localities to repair waterways with washed-out or eroded banks and trying to minimize environmental damage, DeSantis said. Some environmentalists are complaining about the use of heavy dredging equipment. In Prattsville, one of the hardest-hit upstate communities, residents said 14 mobile homes, two houses, countless propane tanks, several cars and an entire gas station were washed away. The Schoharie Creek was still running low and milk chocolate brown recently out of the Catskills, through the town and into the northernmost reservoir in New York City's water system. Heavy equipment was removing truckloads of stone and mud from the creek bed with the water now well below the banks. ``They dug out a brand-new car,'' noted Bill Briggs, finishing a free lunch at the fire station in Prattsville. His Dimension Hardwoods factory, which made ash and maple billets for baseball bats, was destroyed, with all his power equipment washed away and seven drying kilns still missing, likely buried in the gravel, he said.

People in both the Schoharie and Mohawk River valleys beyond the Schoharie Reservoir, which holds nearly 18 billion gallons and overflowed in the storm, feared its dam would erode or break, turning damaging flooding into catastrophe. Its warning sirens were triggered Aug. 28 by rising water and the loss of electronic monitoring devices. The water level rose to a foot-anda-half higher than the previous record, set during a 1996 storm, before it began to recede the same evening, according to the DEP. Sklerov said some minor contracting work was being done last week at the site and to some infrastructure but not to the dam itself. New York waterways remain cloudy and strewn with trees, stones and debris more than three weeks after Hurricane Irene caused widespread flooding. And, while some still require special chemical treatment, officials say there is no threat to the drinking water that flows from upstate reservoirs to the taps of nine million people in New York City. Officials say they have been effectively addressing risks to city drinking water and made progress collecting wreckage, vacuuming oil spills and starting repairs. -AP

India Post

Health Science Post

October 14, 2011

www.indiapost.com

LA campaign against sugar-loaded drinks India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's RENEW LA County initiative has launched its firstever sugar-loaded drink awareness campaign aimed at addressing a major contributor to the county's obesity epidemic. Fueled by the release of local data on obesity and sugar-loaded drink consumption, the campaign will inform the public of the amount of sugar in popular drinks such as sodas, sports drinks and energy drinks, and the direct impact that excessive consumption of sugar-loaded drinks has on obesity, especially for the county's children. The sugar-loaded drink campaign will illustrate the amount of sugar in popular drinks by showing the equivalent amount of sugar packs and asking the question: if you wouldn't eat that much sugar, why are you drinking it? Campaign elements will include "shareable" social media videos, an interactive sugar calculator, targeted Facebook ads, posters, flyers, outreach to schools, paid transit advertisements, online videos and more. The shareable videos, featured on the Choose Health LA website and Facebook page, show a 20-oz. soda, a 20-oz. sports drink and a 16-oz. energy drink being poured into a glass. As the liquid is poured, it turns into sugar and then into sugar packs showing the average sugar content for the different drinks. Similar visuals will be used throughout the campaign. More than 58 percent of adults in Los Angeles County are overweight or obese, and almost 23 percent of county children in grades 5, 7 and 9 are obese. For

younger children, obesity rates have increased from 16.7 percent in 2003 to 21.8 percent in 2008. Obesity rates have increased in tandem with consumption of sugar-loaded drinks - which has doubled over the past 30 years. Sugar-loaded beverages are the largest single source of added sugar in the American diet. The health consequences related to excessive consumption of sugar-loaded beverages are serious: the extra calories in sugar-loaded drinks may lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. "If we're serious about doing something about the disturbing obesity trend, we have to start with the biggest culprits," said Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director and Health Officer of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. "There is a tremendous lack of awareness about the amount of sugar in these drinks. Our goal is to empower all county residents - especially parents and caregivers - so they can make informed decisions about their drink choices for themselves and their families." In Los Angeles County, more than 43 percent of children ages 17 years or younger consume at least one sugar-loaded drink on an average day. A child's risk for obesity increases an average of 60 percent with every additional daily serving of soda. Among adults in Los Angeles County, nearly 39 percent report drinking at least one soda or sweetened drink per day, far exceeding the American Heart Association's recommendation of no more than 450 calories from sugary drinks per week, or fewer than three 12-oz. cans of soda. Certain populations and regions

in the county are more vulnerable than others. Among those residents consuming sugar-loaded drinks at a higher rate than the rest of the county are:

The health consequences related to excessive consumption of sugar-loaded beverages are serious • Young adults ages 18-24: 70.8 percent drink at least one soda or sweetened drink per day • Latinos: 51.2 percent drink at

least one soda or sweetened drink per day • African Americans: 48 percent drink at least one soda or sweetened drink per day • Residents of South Los Angeles: 56.2 percent drink at least one soda or sweetened drink per day • Residents of East Los Angeles: 54 percent drink at least one soda or sweetened drink per day • Low-income residents: 52.2 percent drink at least one soda or sweetened drink per day The obesity problem also directly impacts Los Angeles County's economy. Health care and lost productivity resulting from overweight and obesity cost the county nearly $6 billion annually. The campaign encourages resi-

dents to reduce the amount of sugar-loaded drinks they consume, whether that means replacing a daily soda with water, cutting back on the number of sugared coffees or teas they drink, or reducing the consumption of sports drinks with all exercise. Suggested healthy alternatives include water, sparkling water, unsweetened tea, low-fat or fatfree milk, unsweetened coffee and 100% fruit juice diluted with water or sparkling water. In addition, RENEW LA County is pursuing successful policy interventions to help make Los Angeles County's communities healthier by working closely with cities, schools and employers to increase access to healthy foods and beverages in high-need communities.

AAPI invokes Gandhi for health and physical fitness Cont’d from page 42

The Walk is based on the original concept created by Rahul Sur to draw inspiration from the life and example of Mahatma Gandhi --who was an excellent walker--and encourage people to walk daily with the aim of enhancing their wellness, fighting diabetes and heart disease. Consequently, the Walk's slogan is "In His Footsteps - For Your Health." Other notable persons who attended were Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, deputy permanent representative of India to the United Nations; Dr Jacob Kumaresan, executive director of World Health Organization (WHO), New York; Dr. Jamshed Bharucha, president of the Cooper Union, and Syderia Chresfield, President of the Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA) and Rita Batheja, founder, Indian American Dietetic Association (IADA). Ambassador Puri said recently the UN had a major international conference on how to control the outbreak of non-communicable diseases such as heart attack, diabetes and stroke and its time that people took time off their busy schedule to take care of their health. Mahatma lessons and teaching encompass a wide range of subjects and that include health and fitness. Dr. Kanumury said AAPI's 150 chapters in the US had launched a drive focusing on fitness and so far conducted 14 major walks throughout the country in the past two months. AAPI is now focusing on prevention by promoting healthy lifestyle, diet, nutrition and

physical fitness besides yoga and meditation. Dr. Kumaresan said WHO has been working in several countries to prevent major ailments. In the next five years, there are plans to prevent one million people from dying of heart disease with the help of education and awareness. It's imperative to educate children on obesity and choice of healthy foods. Whatever may be the work load, walking half an hour a day will do a lot of good nothing is more important than our own health and wellbeing. Dr. Bharucha said exercise is not only important for physical health but to improve mental health as well. There are vast numbers of people who suffer from mental health due to increasing demands. There is a general decline of mental well being no thanks to sedate lifestyle. Chresfield said she was happy that the organizers choose Harlem for Mahatma Gandhi health and peace walk. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease prove to be a silent killer and people should be educated from young age how to lead a healthy life. Rahul Sur, the creator of the Mahatma Gandhi Health and Peace Walk addressed the participants on the subject of Gandhi, health and peace. The best way to operationalize Gandhi was to walk long distances in peace every day. This would enable people to benefit from his giant life and help address today's problems in a concrete way, he said. After the Walk, the participants assembled for a meditation ses-

sion that was led by the Art of Living Foundation. Also, Shanti Fund of Long Island commemorated Gandhi's Salt March symbolically with a "Peace Walk" around the H L Dennison Building Hauppauge, Long Island, and this year AAPI was represented by its senior leaders and members from Long Island chapter in the "Health Walk" program as part of its national wide walkathon movement.

Indian doc receives NIH grant for research Cont’d from page 42

Dr. Alapati studied in the College's Endondontics residency program with an American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Educator Fellowship Award from 2009 to 2011. Before joining the program, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science at the College of Dental Medicine in the Medical University of South Carolina. After getting his DDS in India, he continued his education in the United States at a hospital based general practice residency program (GPR) in Kansas City Missouri. Subsequently, he received his MS in Dental Materials Science and a PhD in Oral Biology from The Ohio State University in 2006. Dr. Alapati says, "I want to fulfill my passion for education, research, and clinical practice."

October 14, 2011

Health Science Post

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Feds revise medical rules for transgender inmates SAN FRANCISCO: Transgender inmates who did not begin treatment prior to entering federal custody can now receive hormones, specialized mental health counseling and possibly gender reassignment surgery while they are in prison, according to new rules adopted by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as part of a court settlement. A May 31 memo issued to wardens at the nation's 116 federal prisons and made public by gay rights groups in announcing the settlement states, ``current, accepted standards of care'' will be applied to inmates who believe they are the wrong gender. Under the bureau's previous policy, issued in 2005, only federal inmates with a preexisting diagnosis were eligible for transgender-related care, which was limited to treatments that would maintain them ``only at the level of change which existed when they were incarcerated.'' The new guidelines mean prisoners who were previously disqualified from treatment because they had not received any on the outside will now be eligible to begin hormone therapy to feminize or masculinize their features and to dress and live accordingly as part of individualized

treatment plans. ``The treatment plan may include elements or services that were, or were not, provided prior to incarceration, including, but not limited to: those elements of real life experience consistent with the prison environment, hormone therapy and counseling,'' the memo from bureau medical director Newton Kendig states.

Under the bureau's previous policy, issued in 2005, only federal inmates with a preexisting diagnosis were eligible for transgenderrelated care The policy memo does not mention surgical intervention, but National Center for Lesbian Rights Legal Director Shannon Minter said the agreement would permit surgery as a treatment option if prison doctors agree it is necessary for individual inmates. The May guidance specifically advises wardens that ``treatment options will not be precluded

solely due to level of services received, or lack of services, prior to incarceration.'' That language, as well as the reference to accepted standards of care is significant since the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the professional organization that issues guidelines for treating gender identity disorders, considers genital reconstruction surgery ``essential and medically necessary'' for some patients suffering from ``gender dysphoria.'' Jennifer Levi, director of the Transgender Rights Project at Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, said that because the memo does not prohibit surgery, `It leaves open the possibility that the full range of appropriate medical care must be considered in adopting an individual treatment plan.'' ``There is no reason why an incarcerated person should be excluded from receiving surgery if it turned out to be medically necessary for that individual,'' Levi said. Bureau spokesman Ed Ross said there are currently 48 federal inmates who have been diagnosed with gender identity disorders. All state and federal prisons in the United States assign in-

mates to men's or women's prisons based on their genitalia. The policy shift resulted from a two-and-a-half-year-old lawsuit seeking hormone therapy for Vanessa Adams, who began serving a 20-year sentence as Nicholas Adams and was diagnosed with gender identity disorder in 2005 by doctors at the U.S. Medi-

cal Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo. After she was denied treatment because of the rule requiring previous care for gender identity disorder, Adams, 41, tried to castrate herself with a razor and attempted to and ultimately succeeded in amputating her penis, according to court papers. -AP

Datebook

46 India Post

October 14, 2011

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

NEW JERSEY

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat Oct 22

Sat Oct 15

• An Evening of Indian Classical Music with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia

• Ramzat Dandiya Masti by Preeti Pinki

Sat Oct 15

Sat Oct 1 & Sat Oct 8 & Sat Oct 15

• Navratri' 11

• SEF-Dandia 2011

Venue: The New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th Street, Central park West, NY Time: 5pm Contact: 201-855-6243

Venue: Forest View Education Center, 2121 S, Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, Chicago Time: 8:30pm Contact: 630-677-3070

Venue: Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrum Drive, Somerset, NJ Time: 9pm Contact: 732-283-9696

Thurs Oct 27

Fri Oct 21

Sun Oct 23

• MACs Girls Night Out

• Diwali Celebration

• Diwali Mela

Venue: Radisson Hotel, One Radisson Plaza, New Rochelle, NY Time: 5pm Contact: 914-299-2859

Venue: The Art Institute of Chicago 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603 Contact: 312-443-3127 Time: 7:30pm

Venue: Garden State Expo Center 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ Time: 12am Contact: 732-763-0118

Venue: Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA, Oct 15: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. CA Time: 7pm Contact: 408-658-0191 Highlights: Preety Sha and Troupe Internationally acclaimed artist with the “Voice of Lata” and Oct 15 is Dhol Baaje Entertainment

Sun Oct 30

Sat Oct 22

• Dancing the Gods: KuchipudiShantala Shivalingappa

• Rajasthani Association Diwali Milan Celebration

Venue: NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place, Washington Square South, New York Time: 7pm Contact: 212-545-7536

Venue: The Meadows Club 2950 W Golf Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Time: 6pm to 11pm Contact: 630 886-3106

Thurs Oct 27 • Macs Girls Night Out! Venue: Radisson Hotel, One Radisson Plaza, New Rochelle, NY Time: 5pm Contact: 914-299-2859

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Sat Oct 15 • CATS Dasara, Diwali Event Venue: Eleanor Roosvelt Highschool, 7601, Hanover Parkway, Near Shiva Vishnu Temple, Greenbelt, MD Time: 5pm Contact: 815-483-6230

Sun Oct 16 • Kutumba Ln DC Venue: Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, 3001 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, Virginia Time: 6pm to 8:30pm Contact: (703) 509 1127

Sat Oct 22 • Desi Idol-Singing Competition Venue: St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Greater Washington, Silver Spring, MD 20904 Time: 2pm

Sat Oct 15 • 10th annual Walk for Hop

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Sat Oct 15 • 2011 Fall Community Events and Business Expo Venue: City Plaza 11688 South St. Artesia, California Time: 10am to 4pm Contact: 562-533-3112 Highlights: Food samplings, Demonstrations, Chiropractic/acupuncture, Health screenings, Flu shots available, Live music and entertainment!, Raffle prizes

Sat Oct 15 • Inner Engineering, Technologies for Wellbeing

Venue: El Dorado Park, Golden Grove Picnic Area, 7701 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, CA Time: 10am to 2pm Contact: (714)243-8655 Highlights: 2 miles, Quotes, Activities, Lunch, Concert.

Venue: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California Time: 3pm to 9pm Contact: 866-424-4742

Fri Nov 18 to Sun Nov 20

Venue: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, California Time: 8pm Contact: 951-318-7375

• The Sikh Arts & Film Festival Venue: Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, in Orange, CA Contact: 714-759-4SAF Highlights: The festival opens with a red carpet welcome night, filled with films and entertainment, and a sumptuous dessert reception.

Sat Nov 12 • Hello Namaste Salaam Satsriakal Masti Venue: Chandn Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Rd, Balentine Plaza, across Hilton Hotel, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 7pm Contact: 510-299-1138

Sat Oct 15 • Navrati Festival 2011 - Raas Garba

Sat Oct 22 • Vibha Dream Mila LA 2011 Venue: Woodley Park, 6350 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, LA Time: 8pm Contact: 818-963-1703

Fri Nov 4 • Bollywood HP Night out Venue: Rock Bar N Lounge 8462, W Sunset Blvd, West Las Angeles Time: 10pm Contact: 805-587-9144

Fri Oct 7 • Asha for Education, SF Presents Dandiya Raas 2011

Sat Nov 5

Venue: The Women's Building, 3543 18th St (18th/Guerrero), San Francisco, CA Time: 7pm Contact: 612-308-0274

Venue: Clifton Middle School Auditorium, 226 S. Ivy Ave, Monrovia, California Time: 6pm to 10pm Contact: 626-991-4789

• HTHF Diwali Cultural Program

Classifieds

October 14, 2011

India Post 47

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Licensed Real Estate Agent (Fremont) FAST GROWING REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE AND NEEDED AGENTS IN FREMONT. I am targeting very specific agents:

Agents who aren't making the money they would like, but have the passion to work!

You've completed transactions and understand the process BE SELF MOTIVATED

Be education based (willing to take classes, educate your clients, etc)

Looking to build their client portfolio

NOTICE This notice is given for and on behalf of Shri Virumal Motwani, s/o Late Pritam Das, Currently residing at 1780 Crescent Knolls Glen, Escondido, CA ñ 92025, USA. The said Mr. Virumal Motwani the Executor, has filed a petition for probate of the will ofShri Pritam Das dated 25.3.2000 vide Testamentary Case No.47 of 2011 in the Delhi High Court regarding the properties mention hereinafter. 1. House No. A-1/33, Janak Puri, New Delhi (663.1 Sq Mts) 2. Shop situated at 7A/9, WEA, Karol Bagh, New Delhi 3. Shop situated at Topi Bazaar, Lashkar, Gwalior, bearing Municipal No. 40/417/2 4. Shop Nos. 2, 4 and 4A situated at Pritam Market, Topi Bazaar, Lashkar, Gwalior 5. Cash, Bank Balances, Fixed Deposits and Securities. If anybody has any objection in this Honíble Court granting probate in favour of the said Mr. Virumal Motwani, write to or send your objection with adequate documentary support to the undersigned within 30 days from the date of this notice. Saurabh Suman Sinha Advocate, Supreme Court of India C-128, II Floor, Defense Colony, New Delhi ñ 110 024

(by closing transactions) Have some sales background Excellent communicator a must We will provide lots of open house opportunities, leads, and clientele base Please email to

lindayoung8000@yahoo.com

Philosophy

India Post

October 14, 2011

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis

n ancient India there lived a robber. Young and strong, he could easily attack and overcome travelers going by lonely roads. Then he would take their money and all the valuables they had with them. Many were his victims. One day the robber caught hold of a traveler who had nothing. Angry, he asked him how he could wander around like that. "I am the sage Narada," said he. "I travel freely even between heaven and earth. I am one of the 'immortals'." The robber had a sense of right and wrong, and he felt some respect for the sage. "Don't you know it is a great sin to rob and kill human beings?" asked Narada; "Why do you do all this?" "I want to support my family," the robber replied. "All right," said Narada, "you tie me up here securely and then go ask your family if they will share in your sin, the way they share your money." The robber agreed, tied Narada to a tree, and went to find his father. "Do you know how I support you?" he asked. "No, I have always wondered," the father replied. "I am a highwayman - I rob and sometimes I have to kill." "What! Horrible!" the father

exclaimed, "Get away from me." "So will you not share in my guilt, in the eyes of God?" "No! Why should I?" answered his father. In the same way he told his mother and his wife, asking if they would share in his sin, help to bear his karma. The mother said, "Why should I? I never stole anything in my life!" And his wife said, "Of course not! It is your duty to support me."

The robber's eyes were opened. Going back to the tree where Narada was tied, he said, "Even my nearest and dearest, who live by my plunder, do not agree to share in my guilt! Tell me, O sage, what can I do?" "The 'love' of your loved ones is fair-weather love: it lasts while riches last, and leaves when riches leave. Learn to love and worship Him who is the only one who stands by us, in

a robber." "No more robber," the voice went on, "you are a purified soul. Your guilt has been erased; you have had a new birth, and you now have a new name: Valmiki - meaning, he that was born in an ant-hill." One day Valmiki saw a pair of doves making love. The next moment an arrow whizzed past his ear and brought down the male dove. The female dove went on whirling

the divine voice again: "Do not be alarmed. What is coming out of your mouth is poetry; your true nature is that of a poet. Write now the life of Lord Rama in poetry for the benefit of the world." When the former robber discovered what was hidden within him, he began to write the book called Ramayana. The birth anniversary of Sage Valmiki will be observed on October 14

FRIEDRICH WILHELM NIETZSCHE

reprehensible and unimportant in nature that it would not immediately swell up like a balloon at the slightest puff of this power of knowing. And just as every porter wants to have an admirer, so even the proudest of men, the philosopher, supposes that he sees on all sides the eyes of the universe telescopically focused upon his action and thought.

ing lies like a blinding fog over the eyes and senses of men, thus deceiving them concerning the value of existence. For this pride contains within itself the most flattering estimation of the value of knowing. Deception is the most general effect of such pride, but even its most particular effects contain within themselves something of

peak in man. Deception, flattering, lying, deluding, talking behind the back, putting up a false front, living in borrowed splendor, wearing a mask, hiding behind convention, playing a role for others and for oneself-in short, a continuous fluttering around the solitary flame of vanity - is so much the rule and the law among

nce upon a time, in some out of the way corner of that universe which is dispersed into numberless twinkling solar systems, there was a star upon which clever beasts invented knowing. That was the most arrogant and mendacious minute of "world history," but nevertheless, it was only a minute. After nature had drawn a few breaths, the star cooled and congealed, and the clever beasts had to die. One might invent such a fable, and yet he still would not have adequately illustrated how miserable, how shadowy and transient, how aimless and arbitrary the human intellect looks within nature. There were eternities during which it did not exist. And when it is all over with the human intellect, nothing will have happened. For this intellect has no additional mission which would lead it beyond human life. Rather, it is human, and only its possessor and begetter takes it so solemnly-as though the world's axis turned within it. But if we could communicate with the gnat, we would learn that he likewise flies through the air with the same solemnity, that he feels the flying center of the universe within himself. There is nothing so

our good and in our evil." Narada taught the young man to worship and told him to go into the forest. He went into solitude and began to practice meditation. He kept this up for many years, forgetting himself, so much so that even ants came and made ant-hills around him, heaped up high, so that he looked like a mountain of ants. After many years a divine voice came to him. "Arise, O Sage." it said. "Sage?" he exclaimed; "I am

around her dying companion with cries of shock and anguish. Valmiki, now enlightened, filled with compassion, turned around and saw the hunter. "You are a wretch" he cried, "without an ounce of mercy! Your slaying hand would not stop even for love!" Valmiki was surprised. The words that had come from his mouth were strange. "I have never spoken in this way before," he thought to himself. Then he heard

Enlightenment of Ramayana composer, Valmiki â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Do not be alarmed. What is coming out of your mouth is poetry; your true nature is that of a poet. Write now the life of Lord Rama in poetryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Valmiki

It is remarkable that this was brought about by the intellect, which was certainly allotted to these most unfortunate, delicate, and ephemeral beings merely as a device for detaining them a minute within existence. For without this addition they would have every reason to flee this existence as quickly as Lessing's son. The pride connected with knowing and sens-

the same deceitful character. As a means for the preserving of the individual, the intellect unfolds its principle powers in dissimulation, which is the means by which weaker, less robust individuals preserve themselves since they have been denied the chance to wage the battle for existence with horns or with the sharp teeth of beasts of prey, This art of dissimulation reaches its

Man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. -Charles Darwin All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. -Ralph Waldo Emerson All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. -Henry Ellis Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out. -Anton Chekhov

On Truth and Lies in a nonmoral sense As a means for the preserving of the individual, the intellect unfolds its principle powers in dissimulation, which is the means by which weaker, less robust individuals preserve themselves

Real silence is explosive; it is not the dead state of mind that spiritual seekers think. This is volcanic in its nature; it's bubbling all the time - the energy, the life that is its quality. -UG Krishnamurti

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

men that there is almost nothing which is less comprehensible than how an honest and pure drive for truth could have arisen among them. They are deeply immersed in illusions and in dream images; their eyes merely glide over the surface of things and see "forms." The 167th birth anniversary of Friedrich Nietzsche will be observed on October 15

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. -William James Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. -Buddha

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October 14, 2011

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Reading Pakistan: What if US-Pak ties break? D SUBA CHANDRAN

bill has already been inThe killing of Osama bin Laden lieves China will come to Pakistan's troduced in the US Con- and the anti-terrorist efforts by the rescue, this sentiment needs to be gress to cut aid to Paki- Pakistani military has made many probed. In what ways will the Chistan, following the accusation that within Pakistan unhappy. The dar- nese come to help Pakistan, and the Haqqani network has been ing American raid in Abbottabad, for what objectives? One, Sinofunctioning as a 'veritable arm' of well within Pakistani territory, has Pak nuclear relations may conthe ISI in Afghanistan. Pakistan made Pakistan's military the most tinue as Indo-US relations grow has retorted that such accusations vulnerable in terms of public opin- further, especially in the nuclear will lead to the US losing ion. If there is complete public an- field. The growing Sino-Indian Islamabad as an ally. What economic relations may then if the alliance breaks perhaps dent the above up? What are the possible collusion. On the economic scenarios for US and Pakiside, Sino-Pak relations are stan? unlikely to grow beyond a Question 1: Will Pakicertain level. Bilateral trade stan manage itself politibetween the two countries cally? is insignificant. While What would the break-up China has invested subof US-Pakistan mean for Pastantially in Pakistan's kistan politically? Both the infrastructural projects, polity and the military have there is not much aid in invested heavily in the US hard cash. If Pakistan's since 2001. Ever since Pakieconomy dovetails, how stan made a U-turn almost much Chinese support will ten years ago (read Gen keep it afloat? At the interMusharraf's memoirs), the national level, the Chinese US Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm Mike Mullen greets present leadership has made support to Pakistan may be Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, substantial investments in issue-based. Gen Ashfaq Kayani. US-Pakistan relations. While Question 4: If corNawaz Sharif and the leaders of ger against the US within Pakistan, nered, will Pakistan turn against religious political parties have op- a substantial segment is angry India? posed the US, the PPP initially led against their own military as well, If the US support is declining, by Benazir Bhutto and now her for colluding with the Americans along with that of the rest of the husband Zardari have leaned com- and not protecting their own in- international community, and if pletely towards the US. terests. Pakistan is facing increasing interIf the US-Pakistan relationship The military may well shift the nal instability, will the strategic breaks now, it will be a disaster for blame on political leadership, and community blow up the Indian the PPP in particular. Facing the threat to keep the country united next general elections shortly, both and revive global interest? The bigger question is the PML-N and the religious parWhat will the non-state actors ties will target the PPP for taking - of the Taliban and Lashkar variwhat the US will do if Pakistan down a suicidal path eties, do if Pakistan is unstable? there are dangers of along with the US. Given the prevaWill the TTP see it as an opportulent anti-American sentiments in nity and step up its attacks? Will Pakistan's nuclear Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, Imran the Lashkar get more space and assets falling into the Khan and the religious political revive its terror activities against parties should have a field day. India? wrong hands, in the Will the PPP also join the bandQuestion 5: Will the US place event of an unstable wagon and sloganeer about being its boots on Pakistani soil? Pakistan. For precisely back-stabbed by the US? Perhaps. If Pakistan becomes unstable or It would be a better strategy for if there is a threat to regional stathis reason, the US can the PPP to use the back-stabbing bility (for Afghanistan and the be expected to slogan than trying to defend its American security forces from actions for going along with the groups with bases east of the muddle through US. Durand) what will the US do? Question 2: Will the military While the US has on many occashift the blame on the civilian gov- perhaps make Zardari and Gilani sions threatened to send troops ernment? into scapegoats. across into Pakistani soil, it is unPakistan's military will be the Question 3: Will Pakistan likely to be an easy option. worst hit if there is a break-up in lean towards China? However the bigger question is US-Pakistan relations. TraditionWhile China may not want a what the US will do if there are ally, the military derived its exter- failed Pakistan, it may not want to dangers of Pakistan's nuclear asnal support from the Pentagon back its ally beyond a certain level sets falling into the wrong hands, and the White House, which was either. Sino-US and Sino-Indian in the event of an unstable Pakiused by Rawalpindi to keep the relations will certainly play a cru- stan. For precisely this reason, the political leadership inside Pakistan cial role in determining the extent US can be expected to muddle under its thumb. Today, this tradi- of Chinese support to Pakistan. through. tional support by the Pentagon Besides, the Chinese are also apThe writer is Director, Institute and White House is fast evapo- prehensive of growing jihadi of Peace and Conflict Studies & rating. In fact, they are likely to be threats in the region, centered in Visiting Professor, Pakistan Studthe primary reasons for the break- Af-Pak. ies Program, Jamia Millia up. While a section strongly be- Islamia

India Post Second phase

t is difficult to see the Congress party changing. Its style of functioning, when faced with a crisis, is to buy time with sops and then slide back into its old ways. There is a complacency that with the opposition too in disarray, people will willy nilly turn to Congress as they would not like to trust "communal forces", meaning the BJP. So, no matter how they perform, the Congress is secure. It is with this mindset the Congress dealt with the Anna Hazare campaign and was taking its sweet time on his demands on the pretext of "due process." Another tactics now familiar is that the Congress-led government would set its CBI hounds on its opponents or have IT raids organized against them. These tactics seem to be failing to pay dividends as the motive has become known and the people are no longer afraid of this bullying. And these tactics are not working against the Anna Hazare team as they are so much in the public eye, and any government move is being watched with suspicion. It is in this atmosphere that Anna Hazare has announced the launching of the second phase of his agitation. The electoral process is the mother of all corruption. So the Anna team have their eyes set on the coming elections, big or small. This time Anna has unequivocally declared that the voters should defeat the Congress if it shows any reluctance to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the coming winter session of Parliament. Anna would himself travel to these constituencies and tell the voters to vote for only that party which supports the Jan Lokpal Bill. There are allegations that the Anna Team is paving the way for a BJP comeback. Ultimately the BJP has to put its own house in order to have any impression on the electorate. Anna team has made it clear that it supports no political party. If the BJP is able to make capital out of it, good luck to them. But in the new India it is performance which is going to count. And the wiser electorate knows what is going on in BJP-ruled states like Karnataka and Gujarat. Anyway, it is the local conditions of roads, electricity and inflation which will make the voter decide. And it is these public services which are ridden with corruption. So the Anna team's second outing is going to make a difference. Elections are due next year in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. Anna has given a clear war cry of "defeat the Congress" in these states if the Center fails to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session. Of immediate interest is the by-election for the Haryana Lok Sabha seat of Hisar this month. The Anna Hazare campaigners are out on the streets calling for defeat of those candidates who have not supported the Jan Lokpal Bill. And the Congress candidate has obviously not supported the bill. Would Anna Hazare's team support a Congress candidate if he is clean and not corrupt? Anna had a telling reply for this question. He said, "What is the purpose of a clean candidate if the party is not right? Is Manmohan Singh not clean? The problem is that he is remote-controlled." So in the new politics that Anna is seeking, it is not enough to be clean. The Congress reaction to this new call by Anna Hazare has been surprisingly muted. It is in sharp contrast to the combative style that it adopted the first time the Anna agitation started. It has merely counseled patience to him as "government is committed to a strong and effective Lokpal Bill." We are all waiting to see that.

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