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APJ Abdul Kalam in Beijing

China offers India joint space mission Details on page 6

GOPIO launches Gadar centennial Details on page 7

India clears 12 FDI proposals worth Rs 707 cr Details on page 10

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

Indian Americans are more Hindu than India residents?

Last week’s result

Will Cabinet reshuffle help the Congress?

YES 37%

NO 63%

VOL 18, No. 948

November 16, 2012

50¢

Periodical Postage

SANDY HIT INDIANS IN SLOW RECOVERY

NEW YORK: A week after superstorm Sandy battered the US East Coast, a large number of Indians residing in New York and New Jersey, the two worst-hit states, continued to struggle to get back on their feet, with several of them saying they had never experienced such devastation before.

Like the millions of other residents in the region, recovery from the destruction caused by Sandy has been painfully slow for the Indians, who make up a chunk of the New York and New Jersey population.

Several of them live in areas where power has not yet been restored and there appears to be little hope for any relief soon.

New Jersey resident Mansi Agarwal, who works as a software engineer at Google's Manhattan office, has been without power since the storm made landfall in New Jersey.

Mother of seven-month old twin daughters, Agarwal said she moved to a friend's place after waiting in vain for a couple of days for power to be restored in her building.

Diwali Bazaar: Blend of fun and shopping Details on page 30

Pages 24-29

CONTENTS Bollywood -------------------------- 40 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post ---- 16-23, 30-34 Date Book -------------------------- 49 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 12-15 Horoscope ------------------------- 50 Immigration Post ------------- 44-45 Life Style ----------------------- 42-43

MOVED BY FAITH: Hindu-American politician Ms. Tulsi Gabbard is contesting for the 2nd Congressional District of US Congress from Hawaii. In spite of her busy schedule, she took time to meet Indian-American leaders in Dallas, and also visited some temples. (Details on pages 5 & 16)

Details on page 5

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 46-47 TechBiz Post ------------------- 10-11 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 36-37

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November 16, 2012

IndiaNewsweekly Post Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information.

Publisher’s Diary

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s I sit to write this, the Presidential election is still a day away; the postSandy clean up is several days away from being over; and Sandy sufferers are bracing themselves for the next storm.

But I am not thinking about the existential woes of Americans today. Right now I am riveted by the story of one Irom Sharmila, a social worker in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. Known as the 'Iron Lady' - not for her physical stature, but for her unflinching determination - Sharmila, has apparently, completed 12 years of an indefinite fast she has been on, to demand the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Somehow, I am unable to wrap my mind to comprehend how a young woman could be so dogged in her resolve, how strong of her convictions, and how resistive to the simple temptations of hunger for 12 long years.

Sharmila, who began her fast unto death to protest against the killing of 10 persons in an alleged encounter with security forces in the year 2000, is routinely 'arrested', produced in court on charges of attempted suicide, besides being force fed (through a tube) in a hospital ward that has been converted into a prison cell.

The whole situation to me is bizarre, if not immensely saddening when I think of the state of the Indian democracy, the almost criminal negligence of the state and federal governments, the indifference of the Indian media in not finding the story sensational enough to focus their attention on, and just the fact that a human being could be subjecting herself to such physical torture for a larger social cause.

We know Mahatma Gandhi has fasted during his lifetime, for a larger good, but we do not know if he would have survived it for such a long period. More recently, we saw Gandhian activist Anna Hazare undertaking a fast to demand legislation against corruption, but we know he could not keep it up beyond a few days.

12 years is a long time. And to not have eaten for so long, it's not even civilized anymore.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Big leap Emraan Hashmi has been signed for a film by Academy Award winning Bosnian-Belgian director Danis Tanovic.

Cover Story: Struggle after Sandy A large number of Indians residing in New York & New Jersey continued to struggle to get back on their feet after Sandy.

Community: Hindu by faith Tulsi Gabbard, contesting for 2nd Congressional District from Hawaii, visited Dallas to meet Indian-American leaders.

Health: Blocking law An arts and craft supply company owned by a Christian family has asked a judge to block a portion of the new health care law

Life Style: Priyanka fans Desi girl Priyanka Chopra's first international single, In My City, is sure getting her international fan following.

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Sandy hit Indians in slow recovery NEW YORK: A week after superstorm Sandy battered the US East Coast, a large number of Indians residing in New York and New Jersey, the two worst-hit states, continued to struggle to get back on their feet, with several of them saying they had never experienced such devastation before.

Like the millions of other residents in the region, recovery from the destruction caused by Sandy has been painfully slow for the Indians, who make up a chunk of the New York and New Jersey population.

Several of them live in areas where power has not yet been restored and there appears to be little hope for any relief soon.

New Jersey resident Mansi Agarwal, who works as a software engineer at Google's Manhattan office, has been without power since the storm made landfall in New Jersey.

Mother of seven-month old twin daughters, Agarwal said she moved to a friend's place after waiting in vain for a couple of days for power to be restored in her building.

Agarwal said she had not expected such severe damage from Sandy as last year's storm Irene, which had also threatened to cause major destruction, had eventually not had much impact in the New York region.

"I had not expected the power outage to last this long. No one had thought Sandy would cause destruction of such magnitude. It has been a terrible and frustrating experience. A feeling of desperation is now setting in among people who want to return to their normal lives," she told PTI. Like thousands of other New Jersey residents, Agarwal has not

been able to go to work in New York for about a week since the public transport system that con-

‘I had not expected the power outage to last this long. No one had thought Sandy would cause destruction of such magnitude. It has been a terrible and frustrating experience. A feeling of desperation is now setting in for those wanting to return’ nects New Jersey to Manhattan has remained suspended in the aftermath of the storm.

Indians living in New Jersey use the PATH commuter trains to get to work in New York. While the subways in New York are

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has said the PATH trains, which carry 244,000 passengers each weekday, would be out of service for at least seven to 10 days due to widespread flooding in tunnels and multiple stations, as well as power outages that have shut down signals and switches.

Sangeeta Singh, an Associate Director at an independent school in New York, says she has never seen such devastation caused by a natural disaster in the past 27 years that she has been in the US. The storm "has been totally devastating. It is an act of mother nature that has literally taken the region by storm," she said.

Singh was among the few fortunate residents who did not have to go days without power but her home suffered significant damage when power cables fell on her roof, triggering fears of fire.

The region is now facing severe gas shortage, with Singh describing scenes outside the lone gas station in her area as "cha-

6-7 miles, she said.

The acute gas shortage has prompted Christie to sign an ex-

Singh, however, lauded the recovery efforts undertaken by the state and federal government, saying the damage by the storm could have been much worse had the local authorities not put in place necessary arrangements to deal with it ecutive order to ration gasoline in 12 counties throughout New Jersey.

Under the rationing rules, drivers whose license plates end in an odd number may only buy gas on odd-numbered days of the

Consulate offers help to hurricane affected NEW YORK: The Consulate General of India in New York has offered to help those Indians who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

In a statement, the Consulate said it "wishes to convey its sincere sympathy and support to all

persons who have been affected by the recent devastation caused

by Hurricane Sandy. The Consulate understands that several Indians have also suffered damage.

The Consulate hopes that all such affected persons will be able to overcome this difficult situation and that their lives will soon be back to normal. The Consulate

also appreciates the efforts of the local authorities to overcome the challenges posed by this unprecedented crisis situation."

The statement by Consulate said that in case of emergency, they may contact Mr. V. Perumal, Consul(CPV & PIC), Cell No. 646 289 2194 and Mr. S. Sinha, Vice Consul (Visa), Cell No. 917 434 4785.

gradually resuming operations, the PATH service, which forms the primary transit link between Manhattan and Jersey, remains suspended.

otic."

People are forced to wait for nearly three hours to fill their gas containers at stations where lines of cars and residents stretch for

month and those with even-numbered plates will be eligible to buy gas on even-numbered days.

Singh said grocery stores and supermarkets are running out of

India Post News Service

essential food supplies as trucks have not been able to cross into the city for days due to flooding.

She said several stores are being forced to throw away frozen food products, which have gone bad due to the prolonged power outages.

Singh, however, lauded the recovery efforts undertaken by the state and federal government, saying the damage by the storm could have been much worse had the local authorities not put in place necessary arrangements to deal with it.

"The government has done a phenomenal job in managing the post-storm crisis. While no one had expected Sandy to cause such damage, things could have been worse if the authorities had been totally unprepared," she said.

Kalin Agarwal, who works in a financial services firm in Connecticut, too credited the local authorities, particularly the police, for their efforts to prevent looting at stores and gas stations and in directing traffic.

A US citizen, Agarwal further said he intends to vote but added that voter turnout at polling stations could be impacted as people remain preoccupied with getting their life back in order in the storm's aftermath.

Agarwal also pointed out that it was heartening to see the help and support people offered to those in need in the wake of the storm.

"One wishes that no one goes through such damage and devastation again. The experience will make people appreciate and understand the hardships others go through in natural disasters much severe than Sandy," Agarwal said.-PTI

Gabbard feels her Hindu faith an asset as Congresswoman WA S H I N G T O N : Tulsi Gabbard, who appears all set to become the first Hindu to be elected to the US House of Representatives, has said her faith would be an asset in the Congress as it would help enhance mutual understanding between America and India.

“It is clear that there needs to be a closer working relation-

ship between the United States and India. How can we have a close relationship if decision-

“Hopefully the presence in Congress of an American who happens to be Hindu will increase

While Gabbard has welcomed Indian-American support, her campaign noted that their contributions account for less than 3 per cent of the total it has raised. Still, her potential election has electrified the Hindu American community, which is estimated to be from 600,000 to 2.3 million makers in Washington know very little, if anything, about the religious beliefs, values, and practices of India’s 800 million Hindus?” Gabbard asked.

America’s understanding of India as well as India’s understanding of America,” Gabbard, 31, was quoted as saying by ‘Religion News Service’ news

agency.

While Gabbard has welcomed Indian-American support, her campaign noted that their contributions account for less than 3 per cent of the total it has raised.

Still, her potential election has electrified the Hindu American community, which is estimated to be from 600,000 to 2.3 million, most of them Indian-Americans.

Gabbard was born in American Samoa to a Catholic father and a Hindu mother. She fully embraced Hinduism as a teenager.

Gabbard was elected to the Hawaii state legislature in 2002, when she was only 21. -PTI

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China offers space collaboration to India BEIJING: China rolled out the red carpet to "Missile man" and exPresident APJ Abdul Kalam on his first visit to the country, proposing a joint collaboration for a space solar power mission with India and inviting him to teach at the prestigious Peking University here.

In a surprise move, the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), the official body operating host of China's space missions as well as satellite launches, invited Kalam to its headquarters where he was given a "great reception" by the Chinese scientists.

Besides briefing the 82-yearold Kalam about its recent mission to send three astronauts, including China's first woman to space, CAST officials have shown "great interest" in partnering the mission with international collaboration for Space based Solar Power initiative, said V Ponraj, a scientist who is part of Kalam's delegation.

"Wu Yansheng, President of CAST has said his organization

is very much interested to collaborate with India and ISRO on the space mission and would like to establish a formal initiative from both the nations," he said in a

Both sides agreed that this mission will bring synergy between the two nations and also become a role model project for India and China and also to the world to cooperate and collaborate on a societal mission for bringing peace and prosperity for all statement.

"Kalam assured them he would certainly take up this interest to the Govt of India and ISRO, so

that a hard cooperation and collaboration between ISRO, DRDO and CAST is realized on one of the great mission, may be Spacebased Solar Power initiative so that both India and China can work for long term association with proper funding along with other willing space faring nations to bring space solar power to earth," the statement said.

"Such a mission will be a great example for the entire world and will bring peace and prosperity to the both the nations as well as to the world," it said.

Both sides agreed that this mission will bring synergy between both the nations and also become a role model project for India and China and also to the world to cooperate and collaborate on a societal mission for bringing peace and prosperity for all.

The visit to CAST, which currently building its Global Positioning System (GPS) with a string of satellites was a surprise change in Kalam's program as he was ini-

FDI in retail will benefit common man: PM NEW DELHI: Accusing the opposition of spreading misinformation regarding policy initiatives taken by UPA, a combative Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said reform measures, including FDI in retail, will benefit the common man and create more jobs.

Addressing a Congress rally at the Ramlila Maidan here, he said Congress party and the government were committed to create a prosperous India but the people have to travel a long distance to achieve that goal.

"If we want to bring some changes in our policies for the benefit of the country, we will definitely do so," he said.

Defending the opening up of multi-brand retail to foreign investment, he said suggestions that this will harm farmers were "wrong".

The "difference" between Congress and those opposing them was that his party and the government wanted to create a change in the society, he said.

"We have to take difficult decisions to achieve this...

Those opposing us will be proved wrong. Eight crore people have benefited from the MNREGA. Twelve crore children have benefited from mid-day meal

program. Prosperity should reach the common man.

"We need economic reforms to create more jobs... The people are

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

Referring to economic reforms initiated in 1991 when he was Finance Minister, Singh said this is not the first time that the country has brought in foreign investment being misled about recent government decisions...

We have done a lot of work in the last eight years," Singh said.

Elaborating on his defense of FDI, he said Congress and the

government believes that FDI in retail is in the interest of farmers.

"All will be benefited. Farmers will get the right price for their produce. New employment opportunities will emerge.

It is wrong that FDI in retail will affect farmers. Such a suggestion is aimed at misleading the country," he said.

Singh dismissed opposition suggestions that FDI will take jobs away from people.

"We want FDI in retail primarily in bigger cities. We have seen other countries progressing after introduction of FDI in retail," he said.

Referring to economic reforms initiated in 1991 when he was Finance Minister, Singh said this is not the first time that the country has brought in foreign investment.

"We have done it before and today we are reaping its benefits," he said.

On oil prices, the Prime Minister said India imports 80 per cent of the petroleum products.

"We have taken some steps on prices of petroleum products. We have not increased kerosene prices. This decision is for the betterment of the people. We want our farmers to be happy and prosperous," he said. -PTI

tially scheduled to visit China's aeronautical firm.

The delegation was shown the Manned Spacecraft Capsule Experiment Laboratory, one of the

tation of the reputed Beijing Forum, a government-backed intellectual body.

Peking University invited to him to teach with an offer a labo-

Former President APJ Abdul Kalam at the Beijing Forum 2012 in Beijing on November 2

three largest space thermo vacuum chambers available in the world.

Kalam arrived here at the invi-

ratory of his choice. Kalam appeared happy to receive the offer to teach here but said it all depended on his schedule.-PTI

Gadkari expresses regrets over Vivekananda remarks NEW DELHI: Under attack over a statement his detractors took umbrage at, BJP President Nitin Gadkari has denied comparing Swami Vivekananda with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and expressed "sincere regrets" over the hurt to public sentiments caused by his remarks.

"I would like to reiterate that I never compared Swami Vivekananda with anyone. I had absolutely no intention to project Swami Vivekananda in bad light.

"If my words about S w a m i Vivekananda have hurt the public sentiments in any manner, I express my sincere regrets," he said in a statement.

Gadkari's speech in a speech in Bhopal that appeared to compare the Intelligence Quotient of Swami Vivekananda and Ibrahim had come under attack from his political rivals.

"As per psychology, if we can compare the IQ level of Swami Vivekananda and that of Dawood

Ibrahim, then it could have been the same. But Vivekananda used it in nation building, brotherhood and spiritualism, while Dawood used that in excelling in crime world," Gadkari was reported to have said in that speech.

The BJP President clarified that Swami Vivekananda has always been a source of inspiration for

Nitin Gadkari

everyone in BJP. "My personal reverence for Swami Vivekananda is second to none. In that context, I had referred to Swami Vivekananda dedicating his intellect for the welfare of humanity," he said adding, "I am deeply pained to note that my words have been taken out of context to create confusion." -PTI

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Gadar movement's centennial celebrations launched WASHINGTON: The Gadar movement's year-long centenary celebrations were launched in the US by a group of eminent IndianAmericans, remembering the 1913 rebellion in history as a testimony of the deep love the immigrants had for their motherland.

The year-long Gadar Centennial celebrations were formally launched in the presence of Ambassadors to the US from four countries, India, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The celebrations would be held in more than two dozen cities across the United States.

An initiative of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), eminent Indian-Americans were behind the year-long celebrations as they hailed the Gadar movement for being a testimony of the deep love that the Indian immigrants had for their motherland.

Gadar was a newspaper published for the Hindustani Association of the Pacific Coast, founded at Portland in 1912.

The Gadar Party, built around

Release of GOPIO book "Global Indian Diaspora" by Ambassador Nirupama Rao at the launch of the Gadar Cenetennial events in the United States by GOPIO at the Embassy of India on November 3

the weekly paper, was formed in 1913 in the United States under the leadership of Har Dayal, with Sohan Singh Bhakna as its president.

The Gadarites wanted India freed from the British and did not hesitate to make any sacrifices for

the cause of freedom, dignity and prosperity of their motherland, the Indian-Americans said.

"India and overseas Indians should pay fitting and well deserved tributes to Gadarites," Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO, said.

"We owe them a debt of gratitude," Rajen Anand, GOPIO member said.

Observing that the Gadar Movement is an integral part of the rich heritage in the United States for the Indian-Americans and of Indian history, Ashook Ramsaran, GOPIO president said that Gadarites left an extraordinary legacy for the future generations

Gadar Movement.

The upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Kochi next year would have a special session on the Gadar movement, besides an exhibition on the Gadar movement.

"Leaders like Bhagat Singh were truly inspired by Gadar Babas," she said.

Besides India and the US, a

The upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Kochi next year would have a special session on the Gadar movement, besides an exhibition on the Gadar movement. Besides India and the US, a series of events have also been planned in other parts of the world and a global centennial commemoration is a fitting and well deserved tribute.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian Ambassador to US Nirupama Rao said that the Indian Government would also commemorate the

Guests in attendance

series of events have also been planned in other parts of the world including London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, Auckland, Durban and Suva, before it culminates in San Francisco, California on November 1, 2013.-PTI

Resign immediately: Ram Jethmalani to Gadkari NEW DELHI: Stepping up further pressure, Ram Jethmalani has demanded the immediate resignation of BJP President Nitin Gadkari and claimed three other senior

"I am in touch with Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha (all Lok Sabha members). We seem to be on the same wave length. I don't presume

Jethmalani said there was churning going on in the RSS on the Gadkari issue and felt that the Sangh founthead has not backed him on the issue. He said he had tried to discuss it internally but nobody in the party had called him for any discussion leaders including Jaswant Singh and Yashwant Sinha were with him on the issue.

to predict how they will. We are clearly of the opinion that resignation of the party President is

imminently called for," he told reporters He said he had written to Gadkari and L K Advani on his and on behalf of other three leaders but refused to divulge the contents.

Jethmalani, who first demanded Gadkari's resignation last month, said Gadkari should not be given another term as President since it would harm the party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The recent BJP national council meeting had amended the party's constitution to enable Gadkari get a second term.

His son Mahesh, who is also an eminent lawyer, has already quit BJP national executive, saying he

cannot be associated with it as long as Gadkari remains the party President.

Ram Jethmalani

Jethmalani said there was churning going on in the RSS on the Gadkari issue and felt that the Sangh founthead has not backed him on the issue.

To a question on the statement by some in BJP that he should not have gone public with his demands, he said he had tried to discuss it internally but nobody in the party had called him for any discussion. Gadkari has been under attack from various quarters after media expose of the alleged dubious funding of a company run by him. He has refused to quit maintaining that he has offered himself for any probe on the issue.-PTI

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India assumes UNSC prez; to work for seat expansion UNITED NATIONS: India, which assumed the rotating Presidency of the UNSC here, hopes to reach out to other nations in garnering support for expansion of the world body's top decisionmaking arm besides seeking a comprehensive anti-piracy strategy to tackle the maritime menace.

presidency in August 2011.

Its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council would end this year.

Puri said India has been steadfastly undertaking outreach efforts with the African countries, mainly the L-69 group and C-10, for the last several months on the

Puri stressed that permanent membership for India at the UN high table "will not come from goodwill of the five permanent members, which is important, but it will come from traction in the General Assembly. ‘We have to complete our groundwork to prepare our outreach’ India will have a "very full agenda" as President of the powerful 15-nation UN Security Council this month, with every troubled spot in world, including Yemen, Libya, Syria, Sudan, the Palestinian question and terrorism expected to be discussed at the UNSC in November, India's Permanent Representative Hardeep Singh Puri told PTI. India had last held the Council

issue of expansion in the permanent and non-permanent membership of the UNSC. Puri stressed that permanent membership for India at the UN high table "will not come from goodwill of the five permanent members, which is important, but it will come from traction in the General Assembly.

"We have to complete our groundwork to prepare our out-

reach, after that it requires political courage and will to put it to vote. It will be time to test the waters in an open vote."

Puri said the outreach efforts are "almost nearing completion to our full satisfaction," which would lay the basis for securing the required 128 votes in the General Assembly.

"Once we get that done, hopefully very very soon, rest will be political decisions."

Expectations were high when India joined the Council last year in achieving considerable forward movement in expansion of the Council's membership.

A short resolution that seeks expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories and improvement in the Council's working methods has received support from more than 84 signatories.

Puri said when India came to the Council after a gap of 19 years, "we had every intention of seeking a more permanent presence.

"We have every intention of utilizing our period of Security Council membership in working towards laying a solid basis for more enduring presence."

He, however, added that the process has been "tough" and one has "to fight every inch of the way. But our ground work and the hard work we are putting in will bear fruit."

During its presidency, India will

robbery at sea is a major concern for the international community.

For a country like India, the problem is particularly severe," Puri said.

With a bulk of India's trade going through the Gulf of Aden

Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri during a press conference

also be holding thematic debates on working methods of the Security Council, piracy and peace and security.

"Maritime piracy and armed

and Indians constituting seven per cent of the world's seafarers, India has been at the receiving end of the impact piracy has on trade and its citizens. -PTI

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Tech News US economy added 171,000 jobs in Oct WASHINGTON: The unemployment rate in the US is little changed at 7.9 per cent in October with the addition of 171,000 new jobs, reflecting signs of a steady but slow recovery.

Total non-farm payroll employment increased by 171,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 7.9 per cent, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics report said, adding employment rose in professional and business services, health care, and retail trade.

This, however, does not account the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in the last week of October in the Eastern Coast of the US, in particular States like New York and New Jersey. -PTI

CVC detects Rs 1,000 cr tax evasion in CWG NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission has detected tax evasion of about Rs 1,000 crore by government departments and private companies in carrying out Commonwealth Games-related works.

Vigilance Commissioner R Srikumar said Rs 1,000 crore evasion was detected with the help of a multi-jurisdiction investigation platform, comprising officers from tax and other authorities, developed by CVC to look into the CWG scam.

"In the CVC, we have been trying this (multi jurisdiction investigation platform) out in our direct inquiries into the CWG scam where 37 departments spent over Rs 15,000 crore in 9,000 publicly funded projects," he said. -PTI

Odisha slaps fine on mines for excess production BHUBANESWAR/ NEW DELHI: The Odisha government has said it has imposed Rs 67,900 crore penalty on 103 mines for excess production of iron ore, but denied any mining scam while blaming the Indian Bureau of Mines for its failure to detect the irregularities.

"We have imposed penalty on major mining companies. So far, 103 mines have been asked to pay fine totaling Rs 67,900 crore for indulging in excess production of ore," Steel and Mines Minister R K Singh told reporters. -PTI

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Minister of International Trade and Asia-Pacific Gateway, Canada, Ed Fast meeting the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Textiles, Anand Sharma, in New Delhi on November 5

India clears 12 FDI proposals worth Rs 707 cr NEW DELHI: The government has cleared 12 FDI proposals, including the ones by UK's footwear chain Pavers England and America's oldest clothing retailer Brooks Brothers, that envisage a total investment of Rs 706.66 crore.

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in its meeting on October 19 gave its approval for induction of foreign equity worth Rs 98.26 crore by Pavers to carry out the business of single brand retail trading, a Finance Ministry statement said.

Permission is also given to Brooks Brothers to invest Rs 6.22 crore in its recently announced 51:49 joint venture with Reliance Brands, a unit of Reliance Industries.

The proposal of Adcock Ingram Healthcare Ltd's for Rs 480 crore foreign equity investment to carry out the business of maintaining transactional support offices

and proposed pharmaceutical manufacturing was also approved by the board.

The proposals cleared include the one by Larsen & Toubro for

foreign equity in group company engaged in the defense sector.

Another proposal of Italian jewellery brand Damiani to set up a 51:49 joint venture with Mehta's Pvt Ltd also got the approval.

Damiani would bring in Rs 35 lakhs worth equity.

The FIPB, headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram, also approved PVR Leisure Ltd's proposal to induct Rs 50.10 crore foreign equity in an investing company.

Besides, pharma firm Premier Medical Corporation's Rs 54.28 crore proposal was also approved by the FIPB. The FIPB, however, deferred 19 FDI proposals and also rejected five. -PTI

Send money free to Cadbury under lens for excise duty evasion India as Diwali gift India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Wells Fargo & Company is offering free global remittance services from any Wells Fargo checking or savings account to any ICICI or HDFC bank branch in India through Novem-

"Indians consider Diwali the start of their New Year, and to celebrate this special time with our customers, Wells Fargo has made the resolution to enable gift-giving to family members and friends in India a little bit easier by making it completely free leading up

"We truly value our South Asian customers and consider them family; it's important for us to participate in their traditions and customs, whenever possible." ber 16, 2012, as a Diwali gift to its South Asian customers. Diwali, which falls on Nov. 13 this year, is a time of celebration and gift-giving for the Indian community.

South Asians living and banking around the country can take advantage of this offer at 785 Wells Fargo branches.

to Diwali," said Daniel Ayala, executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo's Global Remittance Services.

"We truly value our South Asian customers and consider them family; it's important for us to participate in their traditions and customs, whenever possible."

NEW DELHI: Confectionery firm Cadbury India Limited has come under the scanner of financial intelligence sleuths for alleged excise duty evasion of about Rs 100 crore.

In an inquiry being conducted by the Department of Revenue, the firm was allegedly found to have wrongfully claimed 'area based exemption' for its new unit at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, official sources said.

A Cadbury India spokesperson confirmed that a probe was on but declined to discuss details about it.

"A compliant and ethical corporate culture, which includes adhering to laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate, is integral to our success. To that end, we are fully cooperating with the authorities on this inquiry.

"Since the investigation currently is underway, it will be inappropriate on our part to discuss

the details at this time," the spokesperson said in an email response to PTI. As per the central government norms, the area based exemption for new industrial units of firms in Himachal Pradesh provide full exemption from excise duties for specified goods for a period of 10 years. However, for availing this the unit should have been established before March 2010 to claim such exemption.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the officers of Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence (DGCEI) found that the company claimed excise duty exemption for its new unit in Sandoli village in Baddi, relating to a period even before it came into existence, the sources said.

According to a certificate of commercial production by the Industries Department of Himachal Pradesh, the unit was established sometime in January, 2011, they said.-PTI

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RP Rama New global president of HFTP India Post News Service

GREENVILLE, South Carolina: Raman P. Rama was recently installed as global president of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) at the association's 2012 Annual Convention & Tradeshow in Orlando, Florida. HFTP, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses.

With 4300 members worldwide, HFTP provides first class educational opportunities, research, and publications to members around the globe including, the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC. HFTP also awards the only hospitality specific certifications for accounting and technol-

R.P. Rama

ogy --the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Tech-

nology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP is currently working on a Global Hospitality Accounting System Users Guide, a new resource for the industry.

Raman P. Rama (R.P.) has been a member of HFTP since 1991. He is Principal, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer/Chief Information Officer for JHM Hotels based in Greenville, South Carolina. R.P. has a Baccalaureate Degree in Business and Accounting from Maharaja Sayajirao University. He serves on the advisory boards of the hotel schools of the University of South Carolina and the University of Delaware, and also that of the Carolina Culinary Institute in Greenville, SC. He is a director on the Marriott & Starwood IT Advisory Boards, the South Carolina Hospitality Association, and a member of the

Britain to slash aid to India by half LONDON: Britain is set to unveil plans to slash its 280 million pounds per annum aid to India by half, amid criticism that its overseas assistance was not justified at a time of cut backs at home, a media report said.

Justine Greening, Britain's International Development Secretary, will unveil plans to slash Britain's controversial 280 million pounds-a-year aid budget to India.

Greening, who is due to visit India shortly, will outline how the payments could be reduced amid claims that India is too rich to need handouts.

Quoting sources, The Sunday Telegraph reported that Greening may cut the subsidies by up to half.

The move comes amid mounting criticism that Britain's overseas aid program, which is set to reach more than 12 billion pounds by 2014, cannot be justified at a time of spending cuts back home.

However, the Daily Mail re-

pounds per annum to India even though the country has its own space program and its leaders claim it does not need the cash from the UK. The rapidly industrializing country, whose economy is ranked tenth in the world on one measure, recently earmarked 52 million pounds to send a probe to Mars.

The Daily Mail has also revealed how the UK spent tens of millions of pounds on an army of consultants to tell India how to spend the cash.

The Department for Interna-

The Daily Mail reported that Greening will merely divert money sent to India to poorer countries, not cut the overall aid budget.

Britain sends about 280 million pounds per annum to India even though the country has its own space program and its leaders claim it does not need the cash from the UK. ported that Greening will merely divert money sent to India to poorer countries, not cut the overall aid budget.

Britain sends about 280 million

tional Development has defended the subsidies, saying India is still home to a third of the world's poor who survive on less than 80 pence a day.

Greening, a former accountant who only took on the international aid brief only two months ago, revealed last month that she was in talks with India over turning off the aid tap.

She told last month's Tory con-

Justine Greening

ference:" We should recognize that as countries get richer, we need to be responsible about how we transition in our relationship with them from aid to trade."

"Those are the discussions that I am having with the Indian government at the moment," she said.

Greening also promised a "new approach" to ensure every pound of British aid spent around the world had the "biggest impact".

Although she has backed David Cameron's controversial pledge to increase UK overseas aid to 0.7 per cent of the nation's GDP, the former Transport Minister was portrayed as skeptical of the initiative when she was appointed International Develop-

AAHOA Educational Advisory Committee.

In his new role as President of HFTP, R.P. has a great vision for growth globally. He wants to branch out into regions with vi-

tion in the hospitality industry.

HFTP benefits have been invaluable to me as a long-time member so I am honored to give back and help bring new ideas as HFTP continues to grow worldwide."

R.P. has a great vision for growth globally. He wants to branch out into regions with vibrant hospitality business, with a focus in Brazil, Russia, India and China. R.P. and the entire Rama family are known for their dedication and steadfast support of education brant hospitality business, with a focus in Brazil, Russia, India and China.

"I am privileged to serve as the President of this vital organization that is an important resource for finance and technology informa-

R.P. and the entire Rama family are known for their dedication and steadfast support of education, and through HFTP, he hopes to increase the level of education in the field of hospitality around the world.

Health

Line

Human West Nile cases level off in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY: The number of human cases of West Nile Virus has leveled off in Oklahoma, a state health official said, while the number of horses with the potentially deadly virus has risen sharply in the past two months.

The state has had a record 176 cases and 12 deaths due to the disease thus far in 2012, said state epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley.

That includes six cases and one death in the past two weeks.

Even as the virus is waning in the human population, the number of horses that have contracted the disease has jumped from two at the end August to 39, with 14 cases in September and 23 in October, according to state veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall. -AP

RI has 2nd case of fungal meningitis

PROVIDENCE, R.I.: State health officials say a second Rhode Island patient has contracted fungal meningitis in a nationwide outbreak linked to steroid injections prepared by a Massachusetts pharmacy.

The case announced is a Lincoln woman in her 60s who got spinal injections at Ocean State Pain Management of Woonsocket on Aug. 31 and Sept. 21. She was treated at a hospital and is recovering.

The health department said a woman in her 40s was hospitalized and receiving treatment after getting an injection at Ocean State on Sept. 22. -AP

Tests find bacteria in products of Mass. pharmacy

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.: Federal regulators say that they've found more contamination in drugs made by a pharmacy tied to a deadly meningitis outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it doesn't yet know the significance of the bacterial contamination discovered in recalled New England Compounding Center products. Some of the bacteria found are rarely cited as a cause of disease in humans. And no NECC products have been tied to reports of infection from the bacteria, the FDA said.

But the agency said the findings bolster concerns about a lack of sterility at the now-closed company. Investigators there have already found standing water from a leaking boiler, filthy floor mats and records indicating drugs were shipped before sterility tests were returned. -AP

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Hospital in hepatitis C case must give records CONCORD, N.H.:ANew Hampshire judge says a hospital tied to a hepatitis C outbreak must grant public health officials broad access to patient records. Exeter Hospital had argued it would be violating state and federal law if it provided unfettered access to its records system. -AP

Hobby Lobby asks judge to block health care law OKLAHOMA CITY: An arts and craft supply company owned by a Christian family has asked a judge to block a portion of the new federal health care law, claiming that mandated coverage for certain birth control pills violates its religious freedom rights.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc.'s owners believe the use of morning-after and week-after birth control pills are tantamount to abortion because they prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a woman's womb. At a federal court hearing, a government lawyer said the drugs do not cause abortions and that the U.S. has compelling interest in mandating insurance coverage for them.

The company, which is self-insured, says it will face a daily $1.3 million fine beginning January 1 the start of its health insurance plan year if it ignores the law. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton did not rule on the company's request for an injunction but noted Hobby Lobby's deadline for compliance. ``This does raise a lot of new and different issues,'' he said. ``There's not a lot of guidance out there.''

Hobby Lobby is the largest and only non-Catholic-owned business to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate that forces all companies, regardless of religious conviction, to provide coverage of drugs the lawsuit alleges are abortion-inducing.

Company lawyer Kyle Duncan

said ``millions of Americans'' would consider drugs that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb an abortifacient.

But government lawyer Michelle Bennett disagreed and said failing to mandate insurance

deeply held religious beliefs under threat of heavy fines, penalties and lawsuits.'' It claims a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate is unconstitutional.

The morning-after pill works by

The company, which is self-insured, says it will face a daily $1.3 million fine beginning January 1 the start of its health insurance plan year if it ignores the law coverage for the drugs would increase the number of unwanted pregnancies. ``It's the government's position that they do not terminate pregnancy,'' Bennett said.

The Green family filed suit in September, saying the law would force them to ``to violate their

preventing ovulation or fertilization. In medical terms, pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can reduce a woman's chances of pregnancy by as much as 89 percent.

But critics of the contraceptive

say it is the equivalent of an abortion pill because it can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.

According to the lawsuit, the Green family holds a ``sincere religious objection'' to providing coverage for certain kinds of intrauterine devices and alleges they can cause the death of an embryo by preventing it from implanting in the wall of a woman's uterus.

Hobby Lobby calls itself a ``biblically founded business'' and is closed on Sundays. Founded in 1972, the company now operates more than 500 stores in 41 states and employs more than 13,000 fulltime employees who are eligible for health insurance coverage.

The lawsuit also was filed on behalf of another of the Green family's businesses, Mardel Inc., a bookstore and education company also based in Oklahoma City that sells a variety of Christianthemed materials. The company operates 35 stores in seven states and has 372 full-time employees.

In a separate case involving a Detroit-area company owned by Roman Catholics, Weingartz Supply Co. won an early round in its lawsuit challenging the health care law's mandate requiring contraception coverage. A federal judge blocked the government from taking any action against that company, which sells outdoor power equipment. The company is challenging the contraception mandate on religious grounds. -AP

Michigan firm wins round in health law dispute DETROIT: A Detroit-area company challenging the federal health care law’s mandated contraception coverage won an early round in its lawsuit against the Obama administration.

U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from taking any action against Weingartz Supply Co., which has 170 employees and sells outdoor power equipment.

Weingartz said the contra-

ception mandate violates the religion and free speech rights of its owners, who are Roman Catholics.

But the health care law requires health plans to cover birth control for women, and employers can be fined by 2014 if they try to get around the mandate by not offering insurance.

Cleland said the government could eventually win the lawsuit.

But he believes an injunction is appropriate in a case that will last months.

“ Violation of a First Amendment right in itself constitutes irreparable harm,” even for a brief period, the judge said.

Cleland said the government must show in the months ahead that the law carries a “compelling interest” for the public. Government lawyers so far have argued that the contraception mandate benefits women and their role in society.

“Because Weingartz Supply Co. is a for-profit, secular employer, many of its employees un-

doubtedly do not share Mr. Weingartz’s religious beliefs,” the U.S. Justice Department said in a court filing, referring to company president Dan Weingartz. “Those employees should not be denied the benefits of receiving a health plan through their employer that covers contraceptive services.”

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said the injunction is an important step in possibly defeating the contraception mandate. -AP

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Bullied kids may face long-term Azad asks states to monitor fund health problems: study use in health projects WASHINGTON: Childhood bullying can have a long-term impact on health causing general and mental health issues, eating disorders, smoking and alcohol abuse in later life, a new study has warned.

Researchers from the Crime Victims' Institute at Sam Houston State University found that bullying victims had more negative perceptions of their general health and mental health and higher rates of emotional/ mental or behavioral problems that interfered with school or work.

They were also more likely to have an eating disorder, smoke, consume alcohol, experience subsequent violent victimization, or be homeless.

"While these are adverse consequences themselves, they may also serve as intermediate mechanism for even more long-term health issues, such as cancer, alcoholism, depression and other serious problems," said Maria Koeppel, co-author of the study.

The current study is based on the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, a longterm study that tracks a sample of US residents born between 1980 and 1984.

Nineteen per cent of those surveyed said they had been a victim of repeated bullying.

"What is apparent from these results is that bullying victimization that occurs early in life may have significant and substantial consequences for those victims later in life," said Leana Bouffard, Director of the Crime

Victims' Institute.

"Thus, the adverse health consequences of victimization are much more far-reaching than just immediate injury or trauma. Understanding these long term consequences is important to assessing the true toll of crime on its victims and on society as well as responding to victims more effectively," Bouffard said in a statement.

"They may also serve as intermediate mechanism for even more long-term health issues, such as cancer, alcoholism, depression and other serious problems" The study recommends investing in victim services and effective prevention programs which can help address the immediate trauma, both mental and physical, that victims experience.

"This type of investment may also have the added benefit of reducing the long-term deleterious effects identified in this and other studies, thus reducing the high cost of victimization born by the victims themselves, the health care system and society in general," Bouffard said. -PTI

NEW DELHI: Cautioning state governments against under-utilization of funds on health projects, the Centre has asked them to closely monitor the progress in use of funds in these programs for ensuring effective and expeditious implementation.

Addressing a two-day meeting of State Health Ministers and senior health officials here, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad flagged several areas of concern which need action by the government.

"I would strongly urge all state Health Ministers and state Secretaries to closely monitor the financial progress and utilize the funds effectively and expeditiously," he said.

Expressing concern over issues that need attention, he highlighted the slow pace in creating health infrastructure and irrational deployment of doctors, which are affecting the functioning of various health units.

Azad also pointed to the large number of vacancies in high focus districts which have relatively poor health indicators.

"Facilities need to be strengthened for Janani Suraksha Yojana. It is important that the sanctioned works are executed in a timebound manner and availability of trained

staff is ensured," he said.

He also asked the states to integrate all modes of patient transport into a proper network, ensuring that the services reach intended beneficiaries.

For bringing mortality rates under control, he said "we must work very hard to achieve the goal of infant mortality below 30. We need to strengthen the capacity of both laboratory testing and treatment facility for MDR TB in each state."

Azad mentioned the need to control Japanese Encephalitis and dengue and said a multisectoral intervention program is needed to include Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies for coordinated action.

For initiatives during the 12th Plan, Azad said district hospitals must become strong hubs for secondary care and it is being planned to strengthen these with advance secondary and multi-specialty healthcare.

"We propose to introduce universal screening for all children for disease, disability and deficiency which should be followed up by free treatment where required," he said. This program aims to cover approximately 14 crore children throughout the country. -PTI

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Vote shelved on Jindal health outsourcing plan BATON ROUGE, La.: Gov. Bobby Jindal's top budget adviser scrapped a legislative vote on the governor's proposal to outsource a state employee health insurance plan, when it became clear the contract didn't have enough support to win approval.

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols pulled the proposed contract between the Office of Group Benefits and Blue Cross/Blue Shield from consideration after four hours of discussion. Her decision sidetracked an attempt by House opponents to vote on rejecting the proposal outright. ``We'd like to come back at a later date,'' Nichols said.

The House and Senate budget committees ended their joint meeting in a flurry of votes that went nowhere because the two sides couldn't agree on anything, not even a vote to delay a decision on the contract until next week.

Jindal proposed hiring the private company as a cost-cutting move to manage a state employee health insurance plan that covers 62,000 workers, retirees and their dependents. Critics question the savings estimates and worry the change could harm

health benefits for workers. ``There are some very legitimate concerns,'' said Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, a Jindal ally who persuaded senators to delay a decision rather than vote on a House motion to refuse the contract. ``I think we probably need to give a little more thought and a little more time on this issue,'' he said.

Nichols said the outsourcing plan

sion. We have duplicative functions for the same services, and the result of centralizing those functions has no impact to members, with the exception that they get greater access to a number of providers,'' Nichols said.

Lawmakers said they had been flooded with calls from state employees and retirees who don't understand the outsourcing plan and don't believe it would improve their costs or care. Some legislators said even if

Lawmakers said they had been flooded with calls from state employees and retirees who don't understand the outsourcing plan and don't believe it would improve their costs or care. Some legislators said even if the idea was good, state workers had such mistrust of the Jindal administration that they wouldn't believe it would save money by consolidating duplicative administrative costs because Blue Cross/Blue Shield already runs a larger insurance plan for state workers in a contract with the office. She said employees and retirees would have more doctors available to them. ``This is one example of what I would consider a very easy administrative deci-

the idea was good, state workers had such mistrust of the Jindal administration that they wouldn't believe it. ``I know in my heart that this is not the right thing to do,'' said Ed Parker, a representative of the Louisiana chapter of the workers' union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The outsourcing, if approved, would take effect Jan. 1 and eliminate 111 government jobs, including up to 88 people who would be laid off.

The governor hadn't intended to seek budget committee approval, but the attorney general's office said the contract required it.

Nichols said the contract with Blue Cross would save $20 million annually. The Legislative Fiscal Office said about $9 million of that would be savings to state agencies, and the rest would be split among local school boards and state employees.

Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, asked why local school leaders hadn't called their lawmakers to support the contract if the school systems would be saving money.

Scott Richard, head of the Louisiana School Boards Association, said the boards hadn't received information from the Jindal administration about the savings.

Opponents of the Blue Cross objected to the layoffs and said the current group benefits leadership runs the health plan efficiently, processing claims quickly. They said they were concerned that to achieve savings long-term, insurance rates will have to be raised or benefits decreased. -AP

Arizona 20-week abortion ban faces court test PHOENIX: A federal appeals court is poised to consider Arizona's earliest-in-thenation ban of most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy amid debate over both its legality and its practical impact on women if allowed to take effect.

The case to be argued before a panel of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges in San Francisco hinges on how far states can go in restricting abortions before viability, when a fetus is capable of surviving outside the womb.

The legal issue is whether the ban effectively prohibits abortions before viability, which would be barred by the US Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, or is merely a restriction such as others the high court has ruled that states can impose.

But it's not just the Arizona ban's legality that's in dispute as lawyers, doctors and advocacy groups weigh in on both sides of the issue.

In fact, just about everything associated with the ban is subject to debate or uncertainty. That includes the validity of the justifications cited by its backers, whether the ban would cause real hardships for women and even exactly how the ban would be implemented.

Arizona is now among 10 states to enact versions of 20-week bans. However, Arizona's ban is considered to be the earliest because its starting point to calculate a fetus' ``probable gestational age'' would be about two weeks earlier than under the others states' versions.

Aside from a decades-old North Carolina ban, all the bans were enacted in the past several years, starting with Nebraska in 2010.

Besides Arizona and Nebraska, other states with versions of 20-week bans are

Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Most were enacted in the past several years.

A challenge to Idaho's ban was scuttled early on, so Arizona's ban is the first to be tested in court.

Arizona's Republican-led Legislature approved it as part of a broader abortion law last spring. The ban was to have taken effect Aug. 2 but the 9th Circuit temporarily blocked implementation pending a ruling on an appeal of a judge's ruling that upheld the law's constitutionality.

The Roe vs. Wade ruling said states cannot prohibit abortions outright prior to vi-

Attorney Montgomery told the 9th Circuit in a brief. ``The act does not prevent abortions.''

Supporters of legal abortion say the other side's justifications ignore women's health risks associated with pregnancy and other medical conditions and that claims of previability fetuses experiencing pain are unproven.

Saying the ban is merely a regulation is a ``fabrication,'' said Janet Crepps, a Center for Reproductive Rights lawyer helping represent three Arizona OB-GYNS whose lawsuit challenged the ban. ``For some women, it's an outright ban prior to viability.''

The legal issue is whether the ban effectively prohibits abortions before viability, which would be barred by the US Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, or is merely a restriction ability, generally considered to be about 23to-24 weeks of pregnancy, but the high court has ruled since that states can impose restrictions such as waiting periods and a ban on a specific late-term abortion procedure.

The Arizona ban was championed by abortion opponents who say it will help protect women from health risks associated with later-term abortions and prevent unborn child from being subjected to pain through abortions.

Those assertions are in dispute, but a prosecutor helping defend the ban said they are concerns that make the ban a reasonable restriction that the state can impose.

Because the ban has an exception for women with medical emergencies, it's not an outright prohibition, Maricopa County

While most of the other 20-week bans start the age calculation from a supposed date of conception, Arizona's version begins with the first day of the woman's last menstrual period. For most women, that would be about two weeks earlier than conception.

However, Arizona's ban includes a yetto-be-determined amount of wiggle room because the ban also tells doctors to use also other accepted medical practices, such as ultrasound exams, when determining a fetus' age.

Arizona's abortion law already used the last menstrual period as a dating technique before the ban was enacted, and its use isn't controversial by itself because it's a standard starting point in obstetrics for calcu-

lating a due date. ``LMP is the gold standard,'' said Crepps, the Center for Reproductive Rights lawyer.

However, she and other critics of the ban said applying that measurement to a 20-week abortion ban both crosses a legal line and imposes hardships on women who might chose to abort pregnancies in the weeks immediately before viability.

Legislative supporters of the ban relied on testimony by Dr. Allan Sawyer, a Phoenix-area OB-GYN opposed to abortion, that it'd be very rare that fetal anomalies that might prompt women to get abortions couldn't be detected earlier than 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Sawyer said ultrasounds and blood tests can detect abnormalities fairly early in pregnancies, well before 20 weeks.

That means women would have ``time to make a decision on whether or not to abort,'' said Rep. Kimberly Yee, the sponsor of the abortion bill that included the ban.

However, an Arizona OB-GYN opposed to the ban said many women don't have early ultrasounds because of limitations of insurance coverage and that some don't learn of anomalies such as the lack of a brain stem until right at about 18 or 19 weeks. Then it takes time to get a confirming diagnosis from a specialist, said Dr. Maria Manriguez. ``By the time they get an appointment, it could easily be 20 weeks and that person is not able to terminate that pregnancy that could not be viable,'' said Manriguez.

According to Arizona Department of Health Service statistics, 188, or 1.4 percent, of the 13,606 abortions reported to the state as being performed in 2011 were at gestational ages of 20 or more weeks as measured by a woman's last menstrual period. -AP

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Doctors debate value of 'fringe' heart treatment LOS ANGELES: A heart disease treatment that many doctors consider to be fringe medicine unexpectedly showed some promise in a federal study clouded by ethical and scientific controversy, causing debate about the results.

The study took 10 years, cost taxpayers $30 million, involved several doctors convicted of felonies and spurred a federal probe into patient safety. Even the lead researchers say the treatment cannot be recommended without further research.

The study tested Chelation periodic intravenous infusions that proponents say may help remove calcium from hardened arteries around the heart. Chelation has long been used to treat lead poisoning but its safety and value for heart disease are unproven.

The heart disease version involves a different drug that does not have government approval for any use in the United States. However, alternative medicine practitioners have been ordering it custom-mixed from compounding pharmacies - businesses like the Massachusetts one involved in the current meningitis outbreak and treating people with it.

More than 100,000 Americans use Chelation, often out of distrust of conventional medicine and sometimes in place of established treatments such as cholesterollowering medicines and stents to open clogged arteries. Treatments cost $90 to $150 apiece, usually are done weekly for 30 weeks and then less often, and are not covered by insurance.

At an American Heart Association conference in Los Angeles, researchers said that a Chelation mixture they tested in a study of 1,708 heart attack survivors led to fewer complications _ repeat heart attacks, strokes, deaths, hospitalization for chest pain or need for an artery-opening procedure.

Four years after treatment, 26.5 percent of the Chelation group had one of these problems versus 30 percent of those given dummy infusions.

However, 17 percent of participants dropped out before the study ended, and only 65 percent had all 40 infusions they were supposed to get. The missing and incomplete results make it unclear whether the benefit credited to Chelation could have occurred by chance alone.

The results have not been published in a medical journal or vetted by independent scientists, another reason doctors are leery.

ist. To find the opposite is ``a red flag'' that suggests those who got dummy treatments found that out and decided to drop out.

More than 100,000 Americans use Chelation, often out of distrust of conventional medicine and sometimes in place of established treatments such as cholesterol-lowering medicines and stents to open clogged arteries ``The study in my view is inconclusive,'' said Dr. Steven Nissen, the Cleveland Clinic's cardiovascular chief who had no role in the research. ``Chelation has been practiced by physicians on the extreme fringes of medicine'' and many involved in this study offer ``a variety of other quack therapies,'' Nissen said. ``I'm really worried about harm coming to the public. Patients should not seek this therapy on the basis of this trial.''

Others including the Heart Association praised the government for doing the study. ``Patients are doing this with or without our permission'' so it's important to test, said Dr. John G. Harold, president-elect of the American College of Cardiology and a doctor at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. He said at least two of his patients had suffered heart failure after getting Chelation in Mexico.

Dr. Gary Gibbons, director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which funded the study with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, called it ``a first step'' and urged caution about results that suggest ``a marginal benefit.''

This Chelation seemed safe in this study, where steps were taken to minimize complications and exclude people likely to suffer them, he said. ``Further research needs to be done before this can join the mainstream of cardiovascular care.''

Other experts questioned the results, especially because 60 more people in the group getting dummy infusions withdrew from the study than in the group getting Chelation. Usually, more people in a treatment group drop out because of side effects, said Dr. Christie Ballantyne, a Baylor College of Medicine heart special-

``There's something funky going on here,'' Ballantyne said. ``It raises questions about study conduct,'' especially since a difference of one

or two people or complications could have nullified the small overall benefit researchers reported.

Dr. Clyde Yancy, a Northwestern University cardiologist and a former Heart Association president, agreed. ``It's funny business,'' he said. ``I've never seen a study in which one in five people withdrew consent.''

The study's leader, Dr. Gervasio Lamas of Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, said: ``The trial needs to be taken for what it is - a step towards future investigation.''

It initially aimed to enroll 2,400 people in the United States and Canada but recruitment lagged

and the goal was reset to 1,700.

In 2008, a group of scientists published a long article criticizing the trial, saying participants had not been warned that others had died from Chelation. More than half of the doctors running the study make money by selling Chelation treatments a conflict of interest, they complained.

Investigations by the Office for Human Research Protections and the Food and Drug Administration found that several doctors doing the study had been accused of poor practices by state medical boards or involved in insurance fraud, and at least three were convicted felons. -AP

Desi News Guj Samaj hosts Navratri Garba celebrations Asian Media USA

BENSENVILLE: Gujarati Samaj Chicago (GSC) hosted a colorful Raas Garba festivity on Saturday, October 27 celebrating the Hindu Festival Navratri with vigor and gusto at Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville, a north side suburb of Chicago.

This has turned out to be an annual affair and is done to propitiate and honor Goddess Durga and Amba Mataji. The event was attended by over 400 Samaj members, guests and other devotees The Mahalaxmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir was transformed into a huge dance floor to accommodate hundreds of bare feet moving in to thunderous drumbeats in swirling circles around deities Goddess "Durga and Amba Mata".

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Karva Chauth celebrated with religious fervor Details on page 34

16 India Post

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November 16, 2012

Hindu-American politician Tulsi visits Dallas ANGELA LEE

Details on page 20

Perfect blend of shopping and entertainment VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT: Shor Media and Desi 1170 organized Diwali Bazaar, an annual event at "The Sainte Claire Hotel" on Sunday, November 4 from 10 am to 5 pm. It was a free event and was attended by about 1000 people from all over the Bay area. The program was organized by Shor Media, in association with Desi 1170 and the program had a perfect blend of entertainment and shopping.

Details on page 30

Mrichchakatika scales new high in performance

IAFC team members honoring Ms Tulsi Gabbard

DALLAS, Tx.: Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, current Honolulu City Councilwoman, former state representative of Hawaii and Iraq war veteran who won the recent Democratic Party primary for the 2nd Congressional District of US Congress from Hawaii, visited Dallas at the request of Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC).

In spite of her busy schedule and the coming general elections, Ms. Tulsi took time and interest to meet several Hindu, IndianAmerican leaders from all walks of life here in Dallas.

Though a practicing Hindu since childhood and a strict vegetarian, Gabbard is not of Indian origin. Her father Mike Gabbard, a Catholic Christian and current Hawaii State senator, is from American Samoa.

Her mother Carol Porter Gabbard, a white American from Michigan State, is a practicing Hindu. Her parents raised all five of their children with an important value of "karma yoga" and always wanting to be of service through everything that they do. Her parents have been leading their lives by example.

During her stay in Dallas, she visited several temples including Sri Hari Hara Peetham (Coppell), D/FW Hindu Temple (Irving) and participated at the groundbreaking ceremony of Hindu Temple of Greater Fort Worth. She was well received with full honors at these temples and special prayers were made for her political success.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony which was attended by several holy people including Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Satguru Sivaya

Subramuniyaswami (Hindu Monastery- Kauai, Hawaii) she talked about her strong belief and commitment to Hindu philosophy and Hindu way of life in which she was raised since childhood. She mentioned as a Captain in the Hawaii Army National Guard that while on tours of deployment in Iraq (medical unit) and Kuwait (military police platoon leader) she always found time to read scriptures, meditate and practice vegetarianism in a creative manner in the face of danger lurking always.

Cont’d on page 19

SHUBHA SUBBARAO

ST LOUIS: The Mahatma Gandhi Center auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri, was filled with artistic fervor as the cast gathered to perform one of the best literary works from India "Mrichchakatika". This was the very first time in the history of the State of Missouri, (probably in the whole USA) that a 2000 year old Sanskrit work from India was enacted for three consecutive evenings.

Mruchchakatika, translated as the 'Little Clay Cart' is a Sanskrit drama written by Shudraka and is known to be an outstanding play on several counts.

Details on page 22

Indian Consulate hosts CIIS event India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Consul General of India, New York hosted a reception for the New York Chapter of the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Alumni Gathering on October 26 at New India House. The event was attended by about seventy guests comprising members of CIIS, distinguished academics and senior officials of the Consulate.

Welcoming the gathering, Consul General Prabhu Dayal,

citing examples of ancient philosophy, spoke about the values of integral education and its relevance in contemporary living.

The main attraction of the evening was a lecture by Ms. Ameeta Mehra, Chairperson of the Gnostic Centre and International Centre for Integral Studies, Delhi. Ms. Mehra spoke on 'The Founding Spirit of Auroville, the universal township in South India which was set up on the philosophical principles of Sri Aurobindo.

Cont’d on page 19

Consul General Prabhu Dayal speaking on the occasion

November 16, 2012

Community Across America

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United Sikhs rallies post-Sandy relief efforts India Post News Service

NEW YORK: As thousands continue to struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey, United Sikhs staff and volunteers rushed to provide aid to all who have been affected.

In collaboration with the Gurdwaras (Sikh places of wor-

local and state disaster relief agencies. The procurement and delivery of specifically requested items is underway to shelters bearing the brunt of evacuees.

Over 700 hot meals have been delivered to the York College shelter in Queens, NY itself. United Sikhs Director Mankanwal Singh stated, "The joy this act brought on the faces of our fellow Ameri-

eaten a hot meal."

One of the ladies who visited to get the food for herself and her daughter spoke with United Sikhs volunteers and said "I am very

thankful and happy to get an actual meal. It is a pleasant change from the army rations. Thank you so much for the hot meal. Thank you and God Bless you!"

Over 700 hot meals have been delivered to the York College shelter in Queens, NY itself.

United Sikhs Director Mankanwal Singh stated, "The joy this act brought on the faces of our fellow Americans was a sight I will never forget. The evacuees were extremely grateful and overjoyed to actually eat fresh hot food and not the MRE packages� ship) in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, United Sikhs Disaster Response Team is providing over 1100 meals a day to people in evacuation shelters. United Sikhs is in constant communication with

cans was a sight I will never forget. The evacuees were extremely grateful and overjoyed to actually eat fresh hot food and not the MRE packages. This was the first time in four days many of them had

Delivery of food at York College, NY

United Sikhs teams across the nation have been mobilized to send additional supplies to the East Coast.

Cont’d on page 19

November 16, 2012

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November 16, 2012

India Post 19

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United Sikhs rallies postSandy relief efforts

Indian Consulate hosts CIIS event Cont’d from page 16

Pre packed hot meals to be served Cont’d from page 17

A shipment of 500 blankets has been shipped from California to help provide warmth for hundreds of families bracing for a bitter winter.

United Sikhs teams are also collaborating with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Office of Emergency Management, State VOADs and other local organizations.

The local shelters have requested United Sikhs to immediately provide: Small hand towels; Socks; Diapers; Feminine hygiene products; Canned food such as soups, noodles etc.

The community and local gurdwaras have come together to assist in the preparation and delivery of hot meals and bottled water. United Sikhs has expressed gratitude to the following gurdwaras for their unflinching assistance: Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, NY; Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Gurdwara, NY; Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Glenrock, NJ; Garden State Sikh Association Gurdwara, Bridgewater, NJ; Glencove Gurdwara Saheb, Long Island, NY; Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Southington, Connecticut; Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, Port Reading, NJ; American Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee.

Volunteers distributing food

Hindu-American politician Tulsi visits Dallas Cont’d from page 16

IAFC held a grand reception in her honor at Pasand Indian Restaurant (Irving) which was well attended. In her inspiring speech, Ms. Tulsi promised to take oath of office by swearing on Hindu scripture "BhagvadGita" as one of the members of US House of Representatives from Hawaii in Washington D.C. in December, 2012. She firmly believes in Hindu scriptures and carries Bhagavad-Gita along with her wherever she goes. In an interactive session, she answered several questions.

Prasad Thotakura, TX State Coordinator of the IAFC, said, "Tulsi is a decorated war veteran, a bright light in the world of politics, who happens to be a life-long practicing Hindu who will pro-

vide a voice for all Indians in Congress.

Until recently, Tulsi was a Honolulu City Council member representing the 6th District. On August 11, she won the Democratic primary in Hawaii by a landslide, and is assured a victory to the U.S. Congress in next week's elections, given that her district is safely Democratic. We are very proud of Tulsi Gabbard who is going to create history in US politics by becoming the first Hindu-American who is very honest and focused to serve the country and wish her all the best."

Prasad Thotakura and Sanjay presented Tulsi with copy of Bhagvad-Gita with signatures of all who attended the reception. Many Indian American leaders from all walks of life including several IAFC leaders attended the event.

She stated that Auroville was created to bring together citizens of the world to render themselves to become willing servitors of the divine consciousness, through unending education to establish a new order of human unity.

Others who spoke on the occasion were President Joseph L. Subbiondo and Dean Richard Buggs, of the CIIS. The event concluded with a dinner reception.

Ms Ameeta Mehra, the guest lecturer of the evening

Consul General Prabhu Dayal, Mrs Chandani Dayal and other guests

20 India Post

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Guj Samaj hosts Navratri Garba celebrations

Garba in progress at Manav Seva Mandir Asian Media USA

BENSENVILLE: Gujarati Samaj Chicago (GSC) hosted a colorful Raas Garba festivity on Saturday,

The Mahalaxmi Hall of Manav Seva Mandir was transformed into a huge dance floor to accommodate hundreds of bare feet moving in to thunderous drumbeats in

modern beats.

The most fascinating was the Dandiya Raas. Colorful Dandiyas, some of them specially ordered from India, had modern looks.

While the traditional Dandiyas are made of wood, it is now the age of aluminum and even colorful plastic. Some of the Dandiyas change color with every beat making it all the more fascinating. The non-stop Dandiya drains participants

player, on Octapad was Kafi Khan and on Percussion Andy Patel A specialty of Navratri is the Prasad, distributed at the end of the Garba to all those present. The Navratri special Prasad has varieties of Shiro, Panda, any kind of sweet and fruits.

Prizes were distributed to winners in different groups. There were 16 trophies awarded for the following categories: Under 25 Years Best Costume Male - Kathan Shah; Best Costume Female - Devashi; Best Garba Raas Male - Neel Sheth; Best Garba Raas Female - Nirsha Shah.

Over 25 Years Best Costume

Arati at the end of session

October 27 celebrating the Hindu Festival Navratri with vigor and gusto at Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville, a north side suburb of Chicago.

This has turned out to be an annual affair and is done to propitiate and honor Goddess Durga and Amba Mataji. The event was attended by over 400 Samaj members, guests and other devotees

swirling circles around deities Goddess "Durga and Amba Mata".

The celebrations started in the evening and lasted till well past midnight. Young and old, men and women danced their heart out in front of Amba Mata. Musicians from India made it to the shores of the US to make the Indians dance to traditional rhythms mixed with

While the traditional Dandiyas are made of wood, it is now the age of aluminum and even colorful plastic. Some of the Dandiyas change color with every beat making it all the more fascinating. The nonstop Dandiya for almost 90 minutes not only drains the participants but the musicians also. The viewers are left spellbound by the fast rhythm and pace.

Traditionally dressed participants who won a prize

Garba had the orchestra of SaReGaMa of Chicago with singers Rita Patel and Atul Soni.

Anand Master was the Keyboard

Male - Milind Desai; Best Costume Female - Veidehi Desai; Best Garba Raas Male - Jinal Ray; Best Garba Raas Female - Rushil Patel.

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Mrichchakatika scales new high in performance SHUBHA SUBBARAO

ST LOUIS: The Mahatma Gandhi Center auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri, was filled with artistic fervor as the cast gathered to perform one of the best literary works from India -

well-known poets or playwrights such as Kalidasa or Shakespeare, it stands high on the basis of its theatrical strength. It digs through the persona of different strata of society and portrays the social

jected, turns into a villain.

Interspersed in the play, one can enjoy the humor generated by the jester - Maitreya - a close aide of Charudatta. The dance drama does full justice to the story line

Scenes (here and below) from play Mrichchakatikam

"Mrichchakatika". This was the very first time in the history of the State of Missouri, (probably in the whole USA) that a 2000 year old Sanskrit work from India was enacted for three consecutive evenings.

Mruchchakatika, translated as the 'Little Clay Cart' is a Sanskrit drama written by Shudraka and is known to be an outstanding play on several counts. It excels in characterization in comparison to any outstanding dramas of either the East or the West. Written sometime between the 3rd and 5th century AD, much before any of the

complexities of the times. The characters in the play are considered as "Citizens of the World".

The plot unravels in the ancient city of Ujjain, in India, around a triangular love story of three people namely - Charudatta, the hero, the merchant, who has lost all his wealth due to his extreme charitable nature and kindness; Vasantha Sene - the heroine, a beautiful courtesan, who has fallen for the good heart of Charudatta; and Sansthanaka (also known as Shakara) - a person who seeks the love of the heroine, and who after being re-

keeping the time constraint of modern days. It is said the complete script of Mruchchakatika needs at least a 6 to 8 hours of production.

The director, Guru Prasanna Kasthuri, did a tremendous job of balancing drama, dance and singing in the production. The play started with a traditional Poorvaranga - an invocation of the Gods. The dancers established a celestial protection weapon "Jarjara" that marked the start of the production. As Sutradhara (narrator) Gopinath Joshi did a neat job of introducing the production. Although, the play seems to start off on a calm note, but with the introduction of Pulikeshi

Kasthuri as Shakara and Murthy as Maitreya, the audience gets worked into laughter. The performance of students in the rain dance was very impressive.

Samanvita and Shri Nivedita, dance with their little carts, and bring out the symbolism of the Mruchchakatika production. The plot involving the murder of the courtesan brought in the element of suspense and seriousness to the play. Nagendra portrayed the role of charioteer effectively while, the heroine Shwetha excelled in expression.

It was in the last scene where Guru Prasanna's strength of dance, theatre and music came together in a strong portrayal of Charudatta and his miserable situation. The two and a half hour production stayed crisp all along in its rendition of the storyline.

The main attraction of the show was Sathya Narayana Murthy, who played the role of Maitreya and stole the show with his mimics and facial expressions. Shalini, Annuja, Shubhi, Chinmayi and

changing in and out of costumes and roles effectively.

The dialogues by Prabhakar Betnag, Gopinath Joshi and Nagendra Sanjeeva were crystal clear. The fitting props of the chariots drawn by horses, the mansion architecture with the walls, and doors added effectively to the visualization of the storyline. Costumes were very appropriate to suit the characters and the time period of the play.

Mruchchakatika (The Little Clay Cart) was successfully produced in Kannada and in English and catered to a wide spectrum of audiences in the Midwest, touring Atlanta, Cincinnati, Chicago and also bringing its production to the home base in St. Louis.

The play enthralled people of all ages with its captivating storyline that included love, deceit, suspense, theft, fights, ending with a message that justice is served and that righteousness wins ultimately. This major artistic production, including the three shows in St. Louis, was supported

The plot unravels in the ancient city of Ujjain, in India, around a triangular love story of namely - Charudatta, the hero, the merchant, who has lost all his wealth due to his extreme charitable nature and kindness; Vasantha Sene - the heroine, a beautiful courtesan, who has fallen for the good heart of Charudatta; and Sansthanaka who after being rejected turns into a villain Keertana, of Soorya Dance Company supported the production with their marvelous dancing as also with their role plays as different characters of the play, by

by the funds of Missouri Arts Council (MAC), Regional Arts Commission (RAC), Sulekha.com, Enopi of Greater St. Louis and USA Mortgage.

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November 16, 2012

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Navratri Garba by Kadva Navratri Garba by Senior Citizens Patidar Samaj JAYANTI OZA

JAYANTI OZA

CHICAGO: The Kadva Patidar Samaj of Chicago (KPS) hosted its Navratri Garba on Oct 13 at Jain Temple in Bartlett, a north side suburb of Chicago Over 900 community members attended the event which started with lamp lighting ceremony by businessman Chhotubhai Patel and Hansaben Patel. It was followed by a Raas-Garba program featuring Rohit Parekh's Malhar Group.

Parekh enthralled the audience with his be taali (two claps) and tran taali (three claps) Garba performances. That was followed by the Raas-Garba .The event also included Sanedo, a style of Gujarati folk music, and Bhangra performances.

The event ended with arati and

TV Asia's Vandana Jhingan, Chairperson Nalinkant Shukla and BSCC President Haribhai Patel at the Garba event Grand Sponsor Chhotubhai Patel, KPS President Narendra Patel, Board of directors Vijay Patel & Harshad Patel

mahaprashad was served. President of KPS Narendrabhai Patel thanked all team members of

Kadva Patidar Samaj and all participants who took part in Navratri Garba.

State Dept relents on Modi visa issue VANDANA JHINGAN

CHICAGO: Congressman Joe Walsh hailed the decision by the State Department to allow Indian Minister Narendra Modi to apply for a diplomatic visa to the United States as a great victory for the Indiana American community in the 8th District and across the

for South and Central Asia Robert Blake announced that Modi "is free to apply for another visa whenever he chooses and the system will take its course." This comes a week after the United Kingdom softened its stance toward Modi.

"This is a great victory for In-

Tammy Duckworth tried to politicize the issue when she sent out a press release, which essentially called Modi a terrorist who is responsible for genocide. To which Walsh said, "Once again, my opponent is on the wrong side of the issue. With the State Department's

CHICAGO: The three-day Navratri Garba program by Bhartiya Senior Citizens of Chicago (BSCC) culminated on Oct 13 at Wyne Town Ship, West Chicago, IL. Over 1500 community members and invited guest attended this event during three days. Dhirubhai Shuhagia and Bharatbhai Barot kicked off the event with lamp lighting ceremony and Bharat Oza with his orchestra group enthralled all those who participated in Dandiya and Garba Bharat Oza had his beats in two taali (two claps) and tran taali (three claps) Garba performances.

That was followed by the RaasGarba. The event also included

Sanedo, a style of Gujarati folk music.

Vandna Jhingan, a TV Asia correspondent was one of the honored guests. Dr. Pratima Shah gave prizes for best costume, best playing Garba beginning to end and best style. All the three days participants had good feast of BSCC food like fafda, jalebi, curry, bananas, farali and chevda.

The event ended with arati and mahaprashad. President of BSCC Haribhai Patel, Founder Manshukhbhai Patel, Chairperson Nalinkant Shukla thanked all the team members of Bhartiya Senior Citizen of Chicago and all participants who took part in Navratri Garba.

Garba participants having a good time

More Community stories on page 30 Congressman Joe Walsh (third from right) with Indian community activists

country.

Congressman Walsh has been an outspoken leader on this issue, even writing two letters to Secretary Hillary Clinton this past spring and summer urging her to reverse its decade-long ban on visa to Narendra Modi. Since the 2002 post-Godhra riots, the US has refused to give a diplomatic visa to Modi, a senior BJP leader. BJP is India's main opposition party.

US Assistant Secretary of State

dian Americans," said Congressman Walsh. "I am pleased that my efforts urging the State Department to lift its visa-ban on Modi were successful. He has been recognized across the world for establishing Gujarat as one of the most business-friendly states in India. In our own trying economic times, we could learn a great deal from him."

In contrast to Walsh's leadership on this issue, his opponent,

move, Ms. Duckworth now holds a position that is so out of the mainstream that even the State Department disagrees with her. Just last week Ms. Duckworth referred to Modi as a 'violator of religious freedoms and an instigator of violence' without any evidence to support the claim. It's time for Ms. Duckworth to apologize to the Indian American community in the district for slandering one of India's most successful public officials."

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India Post Survey Part II

US, India will continue to be political allies SURENDRA ULLAL & RAMESH SOPARAWALA

I

ndia Post, as has been its tradition for the past many years, has conducted a survey on the eve of Diwali asking Indian Americans across the country about their views on the state of things they expect during the coming year.

The consensus was that India has to grapple with the problem of corruption and inept leadership while the US economy would revive, albeit slowly. Here is Part Two of the Survey.

The First part was featured in the November 9, 2012 issue.

Niranjan S. Shah Niranjan Shah, President of Globetrotters Group and recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, said that regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election, the US and India will continue to be political allies because of India's economic strength, democratic values, and the US' dislike/

distrust of China. This common ground will enable the US a quality educaand India to cultivate bilateral political and economic rela- tion. This would tionships. make India one However, the US/ India/ Pakistan relationship may be of the most powdifferent depending on who wins the presidential election. erful nations in If President Obama is re-elected, he would take a strong South Asia stance against state-sponsored terrorist activities. He rather than playwould be more supportive of India with regards to any ing second terrorist activity that has an appearance of Pakistani fiddle to China. government/ ISI involvement.

Anyone who On the other hand, a Republican administra- says that cortion may take a slightly softer stance under the ruption in India old pretext that Pakistan has been an ally for is no different long period of time. A stable Pakistan is not than corruption only in the best interest of the US but the in the US or Niranjan Shah region as a whole, including India. In turn, a other western Republican administration would be more willing to give billons of dollars to Pakistan If President Obama is re-elected, he would for aid and arms supply to take a strong stance against state-sponsored bring stability. However, his- terrorist activities. A Republican administratorically, all the aid that Pakistan has received since its creation has tion may take a slightly softer stance under not helped the people of Pakistan or the old pretext that Pakistan has been India, and there is no reason to think it an ally for long period of time. would be any different in the future.

Naturally, India would not have significant control over these developments or events. But countries is either a liar or has no understanding as to India does have control over its own destiny. The gov- how democracy works in countries like the US, Great ernment must fight corruption and bureaucracy and pro- Britain, Germany, etc.

Cont’d on page 25 vide its people a better quality of life and opportunities for

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US, India will continue to be political allies Cont’d from page 24

Iftekhar Shareef Former president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago had the distinction and honor to be the first dual citizen of India and USA. In his observation of Indian and US economy he said, "I strongly believe in the present Democratled government. The US economy will bounce back. The US was in recession from 2009 to 2011 and this is the longest recession US has seen.

“I am very confident that, with only few days left to see our President Barack Obama getting re-elected for the second term, we believe in his leadership role in getting the US economy back on track. When he took office in 2008 from the Republican Party, he inherited economic problems and all the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and others.

“As the President promised, our troops are coming back home and Iraq has its own government and its own army. Same is the case with Afghanistan, which means that our spending on wars and defense will substantially go down. The President's plan to create more jobs in 2013 looks bright as US industries are coming back and exporting more goods than before.

“India's economy is still on the up, especially exports have been increasing for the past five years and imports have declined. A growth of over 7% GDP has been

Iftekhar Shareef

noticed in 2011 and 2012. Corruption in India has decreased, but it is a long way yet for it to go. Law and order must be in

control. Cross border terrorism should be on top priority. Domestically India needs to fight religious and caste based vote banking. The coming election in 2014 is very important. If any party gets the majority it would be better than a coalition government which will lead to a better economically stable India.

“India should open to FDI more open heartedly so that the NRIs could invest with more confidence. If one looks at the Chinese economy, most of the investment is coming from overseas Chinese. Similarly, if India allows its PIOs, OCIs and other NRIs to invest and one window clearance of projects is provided, it would make a huge impact on the economy. Lastly and most important, India should allow a real dual citizenship with voting rights to all OCIs, then many of us from around the globe will feel more confident in investing in India and taking it's economy to next level".

“India should open to FDI more open heartedly so that the NRIs could invest with more confidence. If one looks at the Chinese economy, most of the investment is coming from overseas Chinese. Similarly, if India allows its PIOs, OCIs and other NRIs to invest and one window clearance of projects is provided, it would make a huge impact on the economy”

Sohan Joshi

Sohan Joshi The newly elect president to National Federation of Indian Associations(NFIA) Sohan Joshi said that the coming year will see a new administration in USA after the elections but whoever heads the government will have to face a tough economic situation which got aggravated because of Sandy in East Coast. "In my opinion, the economy will have a slow recovery with unemployment rate still hovering around 7 percent," he said.

Cont’d on page 26

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US, India will continue to be political allies Cont’d from page 25

India is "Bhagwan Bharose" as cancerous corruption saps morale which is already low because of heavy inflationary tendency partially triggered by surge in oilgas prices. The slowdown in global economy too casts its shadow and "my fears are that the outsourcing to India and other third world countries will get a setback, further tarnishing the economic picture."

Politically, USA has a stable government whoever wins and hopefully the government will play a more positive role in international affairs. Terrorism is still the main threat. In India, it is a gloomy picture with 'Mili Juli' government (coalition government) at the Center which again hampers

economic policies and development. "I do expect that the Congress Party will have a setback and the BJP will gain some ground. But still it is "Khichdi" politics," he observed.

Sunil Shah Sunil Shah, Founder President, FIA Chicago, said that everyone will have conflicting views on how USA would be heading politically and economically in the coming year. Majority of the people feel it's heading straight for the cliff and a few optimistic people like me feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is no doubt that much would depend on the election results and which party comes to power and what policies they would adopt after January 20, 2013.

Sunil Shah

Alarming increasing debt, ongoing prospect of deep spending cuts and expiration of tax cuts are some of the very important factors which would determine the future of our country.

Democrats and Republicans

are moving in opposite directions with respect to their views and policies. There is a strong need for compromise and bipartisanship. It means a much greater degree of political cooperation between GOP and the Democrats, between both houses of the Congress on one side and the President on the other. We don't expect them to reach a major deal before the election and still major issues require immediate attention.

There is a silver lining as we see improvement in housing and that is a positive sign. Unemployment rate goes down by adding new jobs every month. I expect automobile industry sales to go up and thereby GDP growth to rise.

Going by present tends, the economy might grow by 7.5% in the coming year.

Balvinder Singh Balvinder Singh, a front ranking political activist and supporter of Democratic candidates, said with a positive note that he had no doubt about Barack Obama winning the Presidential elections and that the US economy under his stewardship will soon recover. "Already there are signs that President Obama's policies have begun paying dividends and that it is a matter of time for the end results to get amplified," he said.

He expected Indo-US relations under the new administration to show further improvement and

“There is a strong need for compromise and bipartisanship. It means a much greater degree of political cooperation between GOP and the Democrats, between both houses of the Congress on one side and the President on the other” In India, we perceive a political turmoil and it is alarmingly increasing. Also, at an astounding pace the country is enmeshed in corruption. So not the next year, unless there is a mid-term election in 2013, but after 2014 we may see change in power and hope that the country chooses right leaders taking it in the right direction.

As far as the economy is concerned, India is 10th largest in the world and 3rd largest by purchasing power. India has strengths in telecommunication, information technology and other significant areas such as auto components, apparels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and jewelry, resulting in huge inflow in 2011 of about $36.5 billion.

This is higher than the 2010 figure of about 24.15 billion.

Despite a surge in foreign investment, the rigid FDI policies are a big hindrance. Much would depend on how the leaders look into this matter.

India's economic is likely to grow and a very important factor would be government policies.

The uncertainty could erode country's long term prospects.

hoped that Obama would pay a visit to India soon. He was also optimistic that the Democrats would control the Congress and give a boost to the economic vision of the President.

Balvinder Singh

Turning to India, Balvinder was not that optimistic and said that the main problem is that of corruption and lack of real leadership.

"I am tired of infighting among leaders to grab gaddi and pull down each other. They should unite to fight the problems that face the country and put down divisive forces," he added.

Cont’d on page 27

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India Post November 16, 2012

27

US, India will continue to be political allies Cont’d from page 26

Anil Gopal Anil Gopal, President of St. Louis Asian Indian Business Association, said that after a turbulent period, we are heading in a new direction for 2013. Our stagnant economy slowly gets back on track. We will have a new President, and Congress should not have any excuses, but get down to nation building, ending political bickering.

India will succeed with its huge IT sector, labor and infrastructure.

Indian IT industry has built solid foundations for future growth.

India will continue to build on its relationship with the United States. India's hospitality indus-

domestic travel market. Domestic consumption will be stable, as imports will take up more shelf space in a growing economy.

Middle East uncertainty and turmoil makes India an ideal partner for the Western World.

As the global economy starts recovering, cultural exchanges expose us to life in different parts of the globe. We will start a new era of global understanding and mutual respect.

Anil Gopal, a front ranking Gujarati community activist, was born in South Africa. Moving to Canada in 1979, he and his family have made St. Louis their home for the last 19 years. He has led SLAIBA for the last 14 years.

Vinesh Virani

“For example, both nations are able to significantly benefit through the Indian-established FDI trade agreement which will now allow foreign companies and investors to indulge in the Indian consumer market, which is one of the largest in the world� try also continues to grow, as it is now catering to an ever-growing

Vinesh Virani, a front ranking activist for Art of Living, said that

Vinesh Virani

both India and the USA being the largest and oldest modern day democratic nations, respectively, will be able to become more promi-

nent if their ideas and strengths are shared.

For example, both nations are able to significantly benefit through the Indian-established FDI trade agreement which will now allow foreign companies and investors to indulge in the Indian consumer market, which is one of the largest in the world. Moreover, American companies such as WalMart and Starbucks are already establishing themselves in India.

This opens up a greater opportunity for Indians to establish a better infrastructure to further develop the nation and give American companies a greater market.

Similarly, USA's and India's nuclear deal allows for India to

provide a cleaner and cheaper energy source to their large population. Also, India should offer a medical tourism program to US citizens, allowing cheaper healthcare and further trade agreements. Politically, whichever administration comes to power in the US, I believe they should support India as a fellow democratic nation and acknowledge them as a stable and secure country.

All in all, both India and the USA can grow together economically and politically if they work together to establish themselves by trading and supporting each other for their beliefs and values which include democracy and freedom.

India Post November 16, 2012

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28

With Malice to None

Will someone say 'OMG' to wrongdoers!

AQ SIDDIQUI

B

oth friends from India and Pakistan were sad today. "Oh my God, we never thought about it" was writ large on their faces.

They had just finished watching the Paresh Rawal movie, "Oh My God".

"At least there is someone who could dare say against the wrong practices in religion," said Money Patel. "I knew all about it since childhood but we never thought someone will make it public someday. Hinduism is world's oldest divine religion. But alas, today we made it a big money spinner. Every festival is shrouded in business deals.

“I remember the Ganesh festival we used to celebrate in our BDD Chawl near Dadar station.

The money collected was spent in arranging public movie shows near the Ganesh Pandals. The Ganesh statues were not as tall as they are today. Donations were not forced upon anyone. Today how much money is collected and how is it spent, no one knows. “ You dare not ask the Bhai forces in Mumbai.

Come Holi, cheap colors with hazardous chemicals are thrown around irresponsibly. Color balloons thrown on local train commuters have caused serious injuries to many.

Many people have lost hearing, property burnt and other loses due to Diwali crackers.

“Why don't we have a culture of solemn observation of our faith? Hinduism was world's oldest divine religion. Those sages or sadhus who went into the hills of Himalayas might have a real chance of speaking to God. If brought back to life in India now, how would they react to see what the followers are practicing in the name of religion?

“God sent religion through His Messengers, but mankind made their own. Christ came to remind the Ten Commandments God sent through Moses, but the followers developed Trinity."

"I agree with you," Chaudhary noded, "Look what is happening in my own country in the name of Islam? Attacks and counter attacks. There was a famous couplet by Iqbal, "Dasht to dasht, Darya bhi na Chode Hamne, Behare Zulmat main doda diye ghode hamne,' (What to speak of

dense forests, we did not hesitate to tame sea water, even we ran our horses on Black Sea). But today we can say, forget market or public places we did not spare even the mosques in Pakistan from bomb blasts.

“This is the man made phase of Islam. Talibans, suicide bombers, Jehadis, fundamentalists, terrorists, extremists, the so called mullahs, where they all came from? Of course, from the man made Islam.

"Islam was practiced the way Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) taught us only till the reign of Caliph Omar. After his death, conflicts mounted among Muslims.

Till the reign of four Caliphs, the followers of Islam were Muslims only. Afterwards, they came to be known as Sunnis or Shias or Wahabi and etc.

“Only God, who declared in Quran that religion is completed, knows how many types of Muslims are around the world. But of course you cannot finger Muslims

for waste of money on festivals.

We celebrate only two festivals.

We distribute Zakah, tax on our wealth to poor in Ramadan and we distribute the meat of sacrifice animals to poor in Eid ul Adha.

“The Dargah or tombs are not part of Islamic faith. I think only Jews preserved the basics of their faith as brought to them by Prophet Moses. Well, but why are we discussing religion? This is election time everywhere; let us come back to politics. So Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister of India. But how?

To be continued (For comments email to sidakl@yahoo.com)

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India Post November 16, 2012

29

30 India Post

Community Across America

November 16, 2012

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Perfect blend of shopping and entertainment

Vidya Sethuraman and Naveen

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT: Shor Media and Desi 1170 organized Diwali Bazaar, an annual event at "The Sainte Claire Hotel" on Sunday, November 4 from 10 am to 5 pm. It was a free

event and was attended by about 1000 people from all over the Bay area. The program was organized by Shor Media, in association with Desi 1170 and the program had a perfect blend of entertainment and shopping.

The event had about 40 vendor booths catering to designer wear, jewelry, real estate agents, beauty salon, insurance companies. The event was done in asso-

ers had included a comical angle to the show, says Ritu from Shor Media.

The show witnessed extraordinary performances by the talented tots of Bay area.

Students of Rangmanch theater group performed Dandia, hip hop remix and classical performance. Nach K Dekh is a Bay area based Bollywood dance company. Like the unique flavors of an Indian curry, Rangmanch came up with

Diwali Bazaar ciation with Divine Vastu, Matrix Insurance agency and Andaaz TV. The show was different from the regular Diwali events and the organiz-

the right mix of music, steps, style, choreography, and costumes to give each dance its unique character that is music to your palette.

Ramleela act was performed by tiny tots of Chinmaya Mission which runs several regular programs to serve the community. Feeding program at the homeless shelter, San Jose Youth Sandwich Preparation Program, Lunch Bag Sewa by Families are some of their prominent activities in Bay area.

Jyoti Kala Mandir performed to the authentic Odissi dance, Kuchipudi.

The dance school was established in 1993, founded

by Guru Jyoti Rout. JKM represents the future for Indian music, dance and mardala in USA and India.

The organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting India's vibrant classical music and dance.

The institution not only trains the students in music and dance, it also conducts mega events like dance and music festivals, workshops, seminars, dance recitals by eminent artists and performances by exponents in various fields in India and USA. The show witnessed some dramatic stand up comedy performance by Samson Koletkar and Kabir Kabeeze. Samson

Koletkar is of Indian-Jewish origin and has participated in America's Got Talent. He enthralled the crowd with his comical views on the impending elections and general issues.

Cont’d on page 31

November 16, 2012

Community Across America

India Post 31

www.indiapost.com

Perfect blend of shopping and entertainment Cont’d from page 30

He won the 2010 Asian American Theater Company Comedy Competition, has performed at clubs, colleges and corporations in India, Canada and 12 states in the US and has been featured on Asian Jewish Life, Indian Express, NBC, CBS and NPR. Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh is one of the fastest rising standup comedians in the USA headlining nights at some of the most famous clubs in California including the Hollywood Improv, Hollywood Laugh Factory, Long Beach Laugh Factory, SF Punchline, SF Cobbs, and selling out many other clubs all over America.

Kabir has also opened and shared the stage with some of the biggest stand-up comedians in the world including Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Bill Burr and Russell Peters.

He has also been seen touring on the "BFF" Tour with Jo Koy and Anjelah Johnson. Kabir's energy, in-your-face attitude mixed with clever material and the love to please the crowd anywhere has grown him a monster fan base in a few short years.

Project Pulse entertained the crowd with a brilliant dance act. It has been providing high-quality dance entertainment to the Bay Area since 2006. Their work has a unique concept created by a team of talented and thoughtful artists.

The show came to a close with a brilliant performance by upcoming singer Nayan Shah. He stole the show with Bollywood melodies and fast numbers. The event was an appetizer to put the Desi crowds into the Diwali mood.

Community Across America

32 India Post

November 16, 2012

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Shujaat's memorable concert in aid of cancer victims

Ustad Shujaat Khan in concert

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

SANTA CLARA, CA: The Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation "Benefit Concert" was held at Santa Clara Convention Center on November 4 from 5 pm to 8 pm.

The Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation, established in 1981, is a nonprofit and charitable organization committed to improving medical care in India. It supports the advanced training of physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, purchases medical equipment in the USA and donates it to those who will use it most effectively in India for the treatment of poor cancer patients.

It is an organization that has

from volunteer service, says Dr Bhupinder Bhandari, eminent gastrointestinal expert in Bay area and its San Francisco chapter president.

In India, officially more than 5 lakh people are known to die of cancer every year but unofficially millions of people lose their battle to the emperor of maladies. Cancer kills more people than AIDS, TB & Malaria put together and globally, 1 in 8 deaths occur due to cancer, says Mahesh Pakala, Vice president of San Francisco chapter.

NDCF provides bone marrow transplants, dialysis treatment, pediatric cancer treatment and palliative care among other treatments. The foundation is involved in Pediatric Palliative Day Care Center in Mumbai and is expect-

Ustad Shujaat Khan and Vidya Sethuraman

been serving people for about 30 years and 100% of the proceeds reach the needy. The organization gets its administrative expenses

ing to raise $36000 every year to provide the utmost care for tiny tots after rigorous treatment.

It is an active and total ap-

proach to care from the point of diagnosis or recognition throughout the child's life, death and be-

out Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe. Shujaat Khan has also collaborated with different genres

In India, officially more than 5 lakh people are known to die of cancer every year but unofficially millions of people lose their battle to the emperor of maladies. Cancer kills more people than AIDS, TB & Malaria put together and globally, 1 in 8 deaths occur due to cancer yond. It embraces physical, emotional, social and spiritual elements and focuses on enhancement of quality of life for the child and support for the family. The foundation urges the community to come forward and help them in this noble cause, says Mahesh Pakala.

The evening was made memorable by Sitar maestro Ustad Shujaat Khan. He is one of the greatest North Indian Classical musicians of his generation.

Khan's music pedigree extends seven generations and he is the disciple of the great sitarist Ustad Vilayat Khan. He belongs to the Imdad Khan gharana and his style of playing sitar, known as the gayaki ang, is imitative of the subtleties of the human voice.

Khan's musical career began at the age of three when he began practicing on a specially made small sitar. By the age of six, he was recognized as a child prodigy and began giving public performances. He has performed at all the prestigious music festivals in India and has performed through-

of music. The Rain, an album featuring Shujaat Khan and the Indo-

Persian Ghazal ensemble, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004 for "Best Traditional World Music Album". He was moved by the organization's effort and he welcomes their initiative and urged the community at large to help the noble cause. He urges youngsters to be persistent and hardworking to achieve success in all facets of life and give back to the community.

The event was a strong crowd puller and saw some eminent physicians of Bay area attending. They gave their views on the deadly disease and how the community can make a difference by joining hands with this organization.

SCE sends equipment to repair Sandy damage India Post News Service

ROSEMEAD, CA: Southern California Edison's (SCE) equipment has been flown to the New York area to assist Consolidated Edison Company of New York, known as Con Edison, in repairing damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

The U.S. Air Force is helping to transport 70-80 SCE vehicles from March Air Force Base in Riverside County. It took about six C-5 and about eight C-17 transport cargo aircraft to transport equipment back to New York.

President Barack Obama requested SCE's assistance and authorized the airlift. Plans originally called for a ground convoy, which

would have taken four days.

About 120 SCE personnel left separately on a chartered plane.

The group includes 16 crews of four people, eight two-man troublemen crews and other support personnel.

SCE is responding to a request for mutual aid from Con Edison under the auspices of the Edison Electric Institute, an association of U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Costs for the work will be paid for by Con Edison under the terms of a mutual assistance agreement.

In determining how many people to send, SCE assessed its staffing capacity to ensure sufficient personnel remained to support its own system.

November 16, 2012

Community Across America

India Post 33

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Queens College named among top ten FLUSHING, NY: Queens College has been recognized in the 2013 edition of U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges by its appearance on the top 10 list of Top Public Regional Universities North. Other CUNY schools on this list include Baruch and Hunter.

Queens College also enjoyed an

national universities, provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master's programs; the difference is that the regionals offer few, if any doctoral programs. The 625 regional universities are ranked against their peers in one of four geographic regions - North, South, Midwest, and West.

Queens College offers more than 60 master's and certificate

overall 18-point rise in its category of Best Regional UniversitiesNorth.

U.S. News & World Report ranks nearly 1,400 schools nationwide in a variety of categories.

"Regional universities," like the

programs. Students may also take courses in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology towards PhD degrees offered through doctoral programs based at CUNY's Graduate Cen-

India Post News Service

ter. As it celebrates its 75th year, Queens College has reaffirmed its commitment to providing a premier liberal arts education to generations of bright, ambitious students. From graduate and undergraduate degrees, honors and preprofessional programs to research

and internship opportunities, its over 20,000 students can realize their potential in countless ways, assisted by an accessible, awardwinning faculty.

Located on a beautiful, 77-acre campus in Flushing, Queens College enjoys a national reputation

for its liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional programs. Each year the Princeton Review also cites Queens College as one of the nation's 100 "Best Value" colleges, thanks to its outstanding academics, generous financial aid packages, and relatively low costs.

Community Across America

34 India Post

November 16, 2012

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Karva Chauth celebrated with religious fervor

Panditji conducting puja

RITU MAHESHWARI India Post News Service

FREMONT: Karva Chauth is a religious event celebrated with zeal and fervor by married Indian women every year. On the 4th day of auspicious Kartik month of Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated to pray for long life of husbands. Women fast whole day and break their fast in the evening after offering prayers and seeing a glimpse of the moon. Husbands offer the first bite to wives.

This year, for the first time, Fremont Hindu Temple organized a special event to celebrate Karva Chauth. A specific area was earmarked for special puja and hymns. Priest Brij Bhushan conducted the puja and explained the

rationale behind the event and the fast. He said that this event is celebrated by married women to pray for their husband's long life, health and progress.

Ladies dressed in beautiful red saris came with brightly decorated puja thalis and eagerly offered prayers. They waited for the moon to rise in the sky before they could break their fasts. One of the devotees, Archana Ahuja said that this reminded her of puja done in India where all neighborhood ladies get together, offer prayers and sing religious songs.

Dr. Japra, convener of Hindu temple was actively involved in making arrangements and in providing prasad to every participant.

He said that Fremont temple strives to keep the Indian culture

Ladies performing puja in groups

and traditions alive by organizing key functions for every important religious occasion. Earlier in the year, similar celebrations were held for Ganesh Chaturthi and Janmashtami.

Rekha Malik and Leela Ji helped conduct the puja as per tradition and also regaled the ladies by tell-

ing stories about origin of Karva Chauth. Puja was conducted in batches with a new batch starting

every 30 minutes. Puja started at 2.30pm and finished around 8.30pm in the evening.

Dr Japra giving Prasad to devotees

Karva Chauth storytelling

Fremont Hindu Temple Chairman Dr Romesh Japra taking pictures of group of ladies performing puja (L-R: Sunita Japra, Nandini Verma, Vidya Hemmad and friends)

India Post 35

November 16, 2012

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H

ailed as the 'Scotland of India' and the 'Kashmir of the South', Coorg is one of the most popu lar hill stations. Nestled amidst the lush greeneries of the Western Ghats at an altitude close to 3500 feet above sea level, Coorg is a haven and the ideal place for resting and relaxing.

Coorg boasts of the greenest sceneries, waft of innumerable coffee plantations, religious sites and several other spots that kick up a sense of adventure in every individual. Complementing the landscape, the weather in Coorg is very pleasant and can help you de-stress and unwind.

Talakaveri, from where the Kaveri River originates, Nisargadhama, a man-made island and a favored holiday resort, Iruppa and Abbey Falls, Nagarhole National Park, Dubare Elephant Camp - each of these can be an adventure destination by themselves. Coorg is also famous for its

India Post

huge coffee and spice estates, which offer a special experience to tourists.

The Kodagu district comprises different communities - Kodava, Tulu, Gowda, Moplah out of which the largest is the Kodava community, both economically and politically.

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November 16, 2012

steep hill'. There are many versions behind the origin of the name Kodagu. According to the Puranas, Kodava is the redefined name of Krodhadesa, meaning 'Land of Anger', said to have been inhabited by the Kodava tribe. While for some, it is believed

'dense forest' on a steep hill. It is said that the history of Coorg dates back to as early as 888 AD. Sight seeing & trekking Popular places in Coorg include Kakkabe, which is also the largest producer of honey in south Asia. One of the main religious sites here is the ancient Omkareshwara Temple. Nagarhole National Park is another popular tourist attraction that is home to a variety of wildlife such as elephants and panthers.

December to May is the best time to trek in Coorg. Tourists can contact local organizations like the Coorg Adventure Club, which organizes regular trekking expeditions for interested travelers to prominent peaks like Brahmagiri, Pushpagiri, Mandalpatti and Tadiandamol. For white water rafting, holidaymakers can visit Barapole in Coorg.

Popular places in Coorg include Kakkabe, which is also the largest producer of honey in south Asia. One of the main religious sites here is the ancient Omkareshwara Temple. Nagarhole National Park is another popular tourist attraction that is home to a variety of wildlife such as elephants and panthers The economy depends on agriculture, coffee plantations, forestry and tourism.

Origin of Kodagu Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on

to have been named after the River Cauveri, where 'kod' means 'give' and 'ava' means 'mother' - which means Cauvery is the 'mother to the people'. Few believe the name originated from the Kannada kudu which means

Cont’d on page 37

Travel & Hospitality Post

November 16, 2012

India Post

37

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Chiranjeevi - new 'brand ambassador' of Tourism Ministry NEW DELHI: A brand ambassador himself for decades, Telugu superstar K Chiranjeevi has taken charge of the Tourism Ministry. He began selling 'Incredible India' by promising to increase the number of tourist arrivals and easing restrictions for film shooting in the country.

It was action from the word 'start' for the 57-year-old actor, who resolved to use his "glamour quotient" and decades of experience in the tinsel world to improve tourism infrastructure and increase to 1 per cent the total number of tourists to India worldwide.

After assuming office, Chiranjeevi did some plain speaking when he said the "full capacity" of the tourism industry is not being realized and promised to remove "bottlenecks" which are impeding the growth of the sector after talking to his colleagues in

Increasing the figure to 1 per cent would mean generation of employment for an additional 2.5 crore people, substantial increase in tourism sector's contribution to the country's the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 6.5 per cent to 10 per cent, the new Minister said.

Telugu superstar K Chiranjeevi

other ministries.

"India has everything, from mountains to backwaters to monuments. How far are we making use of them? Certainly not to the full-

est of the capacity. Currently, India receives only 0.65 per cent of tourist arrivals in the world. If we make it to 1 per cent then it would be a big achievement," he said.

Coorg: Greenery, coffee plantations, religious sites & trekking too Cont’d from page 36

Madikeri has an array of sightseeing spots. There is the Madikeri fort which was built in the 19th century and consists of a palace, chapel and prison. The fort overlooks the town, and the view is breathtaking in the night. There is even the Raja's seat. It is believed

is a very auspicious spot as it is the site of the origin of the river Cauvery.

Nisargadhama is a very serine picnic spot, where you can enjoy the view with some delicious delicacies. Trekking is one of the major activities at Madikeri, and some of the trekking spots are

place to spot several species of birds, including some that have Coorg as their origin like Malabar Trogons, Nilgiri Laughing-Thrushes, Great Black Woodpeckers, and Malabar Whistling-Thrushes.

Abbey Falls attracts many birds, and this is also a very popular picnic spot that bird watchers can visit. The falls are located around 7 km from the town of Madikeri, considered to be the capital of the district of Coorg.

Coorg is touted to be a haven for ornithologists and bird-lovers alike. The Indian subcontinent accounts for over 2060 species of birds, and the fact is that Coorg or Kodagu contributes as much as 25% of the overall bird population White Water Rafting at Coorg

that all the Kings in the Kodagu vicinity would come and spend their free time here. Tourists love to watch the sunset in the evening.

The Abbey falls is about 8 km from Madikeri. It is the perfect place to spend an entire day, have a picnic, and laze around. Bhagamandala is a temple that is built at the junction of the Cauvery, Kanika, and Sujyothi rivers. It has a number of shrines all built under one roof.

There is also the Talacauvery, which

Thadiyandamole, Pushpagiri, Brahmagiri, and Nishanimotte and many more.

Bird watching Coorg is touted to be a haven for ornithologists and bird-lovers alike. The Indian sub-continent accounts for over 2060 species of birds, and the fact is that Coorg or Kodagu contributes as much as 25% of the overall bird population in this regard.

Nagarahole is considered the best

Reaching Coorg • By Air: Coorg is located 120 km from Mysore airport, 136 km from Mangalore Airport and 250 km from Bangalore Airport.

• By Rail: The nearest station is 55 km away in Mysore. A journey from the railway station to Coorg can be timed at approximately two and a half hours.

• By Road: Well laid and networked roads are a blessing for city-folk to reach Coorg. It is around 250 km from Bangalore.

He also said he would work out things on how easy access can be given for shooting of films in public places in the country, which would be a "free publicity" He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told him that he was chosen to head the Tourism Ministry because he himself was a "brand ambassador" and the "glamour quotient" which is attached to him.

The actor-turned-politician also had some good news in store for the film industry when he said he would work towards easing restrictions on film shooting in the country by talking to his counterparts in other ministries.

Shooting in foreign countries like Thailand is much cheaper than shooting in India, he noted.

"Shooting in India is much more difficult than in other countries.

Here we need to pay for everything.

Right from immigration to shooting there are a number of regulations. I will talk to other ministers and try easing the rules," Chiranjeevi said.

He also said he would work out things on how easy access can be given for shooting of films in public places in the country, which would be a "free publicity".

He also said he would have a dialogue with actors like Amitabh Bachchan on how they can contribute to selling 'Incredible India' and rope in some of them if they are willing to participate in campaigns.

The Minister said the allocation of Rs 15,190 crore for the ministry during the 12th five-year-plan would be used for building infrastructure and further improving sites of national importance across the country.

The first file he signed after assuming office was that of assistance to a 'Heritage Festival' being held in Warangal district of Telangana region in Andhra Pradesh from November 25. -PTI

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Gustakh Dil: English Vinglish 2 Aashiyan: Barfi!

3 Phir Le Aya Dil: Barfi!

4 Barfi!: Barfi!

5 Badla Nazara: English Vinglish 40

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E

Sushmita

STRANDED ushmita Sen was stuck in London, thanks to the devastating hurricane Sandy which hit the United States.

On the way to LA for a charity event, the actress was supposed to fly into New York City from London before covering the final lap of her final destination.

"And now I'm here in London. I was on the way to NYC en route to LA. Now with the storm in NY, I am stuck in London," grumbled Sushmita good-naturedly from London.

'Stuck', perhaps is not the right word. Because Sushmita decided to make the best of the time in London, catching up with a couple of old friends whom she hadn't met for a while.

Though she's tightlipped about the purpose of her visit to LA, it is learnt that she was flying in to attend a fundraiser for an organization named Pratham. From Los Angeles, Sushmita was to fly into San Francisco for another fundraiser for a charity called Home Of Hope.

She flew out alone this time without her two daughters, as they are not allowed to miss school.

November 16, 2012

mraan Hashmi has taken the biggest leap amongst actors of his generation in Bollywood. He has been signed for a film by none other than Academy Award winning BosnianBelgian film director and screenwriter Danis Tanovic of No Man's Land fame. The film was chosen for the Oscars over Aamir Khan's Lagaan a decade ago.

"This is huge," says an insider, "Let's not even talk about competition here as Emraan has clearly made his entry into an elite segment here. For someone who was said to be delivering hits only due to his kissing prowess, the man has gone ahead and proved his credentials, especially over last couple of years. What more testimonial do you need as an actor than working with an Oscar winner director?"

Moreover, unlike some of the Indian actors in the recent past who were (literally) seen in blink-and-you-would-miss roles in prestigious Hollywood products, Emraan is expected to throw around some substantial weight. Reason being that the film has another Indian connect as well, hence turning out to be an international collaboration.

"There are several production houses coming together for this one", a source adds, "The film would be backed by ASAP Films (France), DAR Motion Pictures, Sikhya Entertainment and, hold your breath, AKFPL (Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt Ltd)."

In a way this is indeed a big deal for Anurag Kashyap as well.

6 Radha: Student Of The Year 7 Navrai Majhi: English Vinglish 8 The Disco: Student Of The Year 9 Tujhpe Fida: Heroine 10 Saiyaan: Ishkq in Paris

Ranbir's gal S

he made her Hindi film debut alongside Ranbir Kapoor in Anurag Basu's Barfi! And now Ileana D'Cruz is all set to start shooting for Raj Kumar Santoshi's Phata Poster Nikla Hero where she is paired with Shahid Kapoor.

Apparently, Ileana and Shahid got along like a house on fire during the film's rehearsals. Which is probably why Shahid has been addressing Ileana as 'Ranbir's girl'.

A source from the sets said, "Ileana had a great time working with Ranbir on Barfi! She shared some of those experiences with Shahid, who has now started teasing her as 'Ranbir's girl'. Shahid is being plain mischievous.

November 16, 2012

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November 16, 2012

"PC is a stunner! I have heard In My City …

India is a talented country … With such a single, PC sure does have fans worldwide. I like her and I'd love to meet her," the reggae singer said.

Recently, Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias, too, said he's in awe of the 30-year-old actor.

Asked about which Bollywood actress has his attention, he said, "Priyanka Chopra … I got to meet her and also managed to see a few of her movies. I loved them! She is great and simply unbelievable." Enrique also liked PC's debut song.

Sean Paul said, "PC is a stunner! I have "I also recently heard her single, it was pretty heard In My City … India is a talented good. I enjoyed it," he said during his recent Bengaluru concert. country … With such a single, PC sure It's not just singers who are all praise for does have fans worldwide. I like her Priyanka. Hollywood actor Joseph GordonLevitt has fallen in love with PC's voice. "I and I'd love to meet her” came across Priyanka's new track and found the song very upbeat and refreshing. She is esi girl Priyanka Chopra's first international single, beautiful and extremely talented. The song is going on In My City, is sure getting her international fan my iPod list," The Dark Knight Rises actor said recently. following. The latest to join the PC fan club is The compliment made Priyanka instantly tweet: "Thank Jamaican singer Sean Paul. u Joseph!"

D

Sonakshi Sinha walks the ramp for fashion designers Falguni and Shane Peacock during the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2012 in Mumbai

MUMBAI: It was a fairytale night at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2012, here in Mumbai. Bollywood beauties were out in full support of their designer friends.

Shatrughan 'Shotgun' Sinha's beautiful daughter, actress Sonakshi Sinha, walked the ramp at Falguni and Shane Peacock's show, at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2012.

The earthy Indian beauty was seen strutting her stuff, in a black sequined ball gown. The fishtail mermaid like dress suited her pretty frame, and she looked radiant and elegant while walking the ramp.

Sonakshi is seldom seen in Western wear, and her stylist needs to remedy this condition pronto, for the lady looked stunning in the designer dress.

She completed her evening look with some smoky-eye makeup and nude lip color. Designer duo, and brother-sister Shane and Falguni, chose Sonakshi to be

SONAKSHI SINHA SCORCHES THE RAMP the showstopper for the evening. The collection was signature Shane and Falguni, with exquisite western ensembles.

The earthy Indian beauty was seen strutting her stuff, in a black sequined ball gown. The fishtail mermaid like dress suited her pretty frame The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2012 Day 1 was off to a star-studded start, with other Bollywood celebrities walking the ramp for their designer friends as well.

November 16, 2012

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Playboy club all set to open in Goa

P

Sherlyn Chopra

layboy's iconic 'bunnies' will serve drinks at the brand's first club in the country, which will open despite a nationwide ban on the adult magazine An Indian firm with rights to the Playboy brand will launch the club in the holiday state of Goa in December - the first of 120 clubs, hotels, fashion cafĂŠs and shops planned over the next 10 years.

Sanjay Gupta, chief executive of PB Lifestyle, said the famous bunny costume of a skimpy corset with a fluffy rabbit tail and ears would be adapted to suit India's conservative values, and he stressed no nudity would be involved.

"Bunnies are an integral part of Playboy clubs," he said. "For

Ex-Army man produces power from poultry waste JHAJJAR, Haryana: Former Army man Rammehar Singh has been generating electricity from chicken waste to power his farmhouse. His household wasn't affected by the recent grid failure across North India.

With the installation of a 50 kilowatt capacity poultry waste based biogas power plant at his poultry farm, Rammehar Singh has figured out a way to live up to the Gandhian ideal of being self sufficient. His biogas reactors produce gas to run powerful generators that Singh claims to have saved him lakhs of rupees.

Disappointed with the frequent power cuts and the lackadaisical attitude of the government electricity department, Singh has now disconnected himself from the electricity grid and produces his own electricity, food and pumps water. "I was a little fed up with the power department and decided that this is the way to go and decided to

go for it," he said.

The waste from 10,000 birds goes into the big self designed biogas reactor plants. As the waste decomposes, it produces

Former Army man Rammehar Singh

gas that is piped to the special gas generator to produce electricity for most of the day and night. Surplus gas is also used to light up stoves to cook food. The state Department of Renewable Energy said there were about 30 million

poultry heads in the state.

Singh's son Jagbir now has three gas plants and wants to install more to use up extra waste material. "If the government gives us a bit of help, poultry farms can not only generate and use power for themselves, but they can use the waste to supply large amounts of power into the electricity grid.

This would generate lots of renewable energy for the country," Jagbir said.

Even as the state government continued to focus on cattle waste biogas plants, Rammehar Singh and his family thought different and took a big risk. Now they are happy they have turned pioneers and hope to see better utilization of biogas plants across the country to avoid flaring greenhouse gases into the air and also reducing the burden on the electricity grid. "Since we got no help we had to experiment quite a bit before we could understand how to use this biogas," Singh said.

the obvious reasons of Indian morality and sensibilities, we can't follow the traditional costumes that Playboy bunnies are associated with."

obscenity laws banning material deemed "lascivious".

Bollywood actress Sherlyn Chopra became the first Indian woman to pose naked for Playboy

"Bunnies are an integral part of Playboy clubs," he said. "For the obvious reasons of Indian morality and sensibilities, we can't follow the traditional costumes that Playboy bunnies are associated with."

The new outfits will be revealed at the club's launch at its 22,000-square-foot premises on Candolim beach in north Goa. Playboy, along with a host of other foreign "adult" magazines, is not permitted in India owing to

magazine this year, causing something of a stir in the country. "Super excited! It ain't about nudity ... (it is) about introducing a lifestyle of fun (and) glamour," Chopra said via Twitter after plans for the new club were revealed.

Sufi shrine in Mumbai restricts women's entry

M

umbai's Sufi shrine Haji Ali Dargah has re stricted the entry of women. The management of Sufi shrine, which is visited by thousands of devotees every year, said the decision is irrevocable.

According to reports, the trust

been allowed to roam freely within the dargah's compound.

"They can offer their prayers, do namaaz and offer shawls and flowers. We are only requesting our sisters not to enter inside the dargah," a report said quoting Rizwan Merchant, a trustee and

has ordered that women will not be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum housing the tomb of 15th century Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.

The trustees have reportedly said that it is "un-Islamic under the Sharia Law" for women to visit graves. However, women have

noted criminal lawyer.

The Sufi shrine is located on a bed of rocks into the Arabian Sea and off the coast of Worli in south central Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the decision has evoked sharp criticism from several quarters and triggered protests.

In Brief California woman charged in work visa fraud case LOS ANGELES: The owner of a Los Angeles employment agency has been indicted on immigration fraud charges that allege she filed more than 100 false work visa petitions on behalf of illegal immigrants who wanted to remain in the United States.

Lilia Tabafunda, 57, was charged with nine counts of visa fraud and one count of perjury.

She was arrested Oct. 15 as she tried to board a cruise ship headed for Mexico. If convicted, she faces up to 95 years in prison.

Tabafunda claimed in petitions submitted to government officials that her clients were being sought for positions by such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America and St. Jude's Research Hospital, authorities said. Among the jobs listed on the fraudulent employment visa petitions were budget analysts, clinical research specialists and health educators. -AP

Immigrants to avoid deportation in some crimes OAKLAND, Calif.: A new policy in Alameda County is instructing prosecutors to consider filing lesser criminal charges for some legal immigrants in an effort to avoid convictions with mandatory deportation.

The Oakland Tribune reports that District Attorney Nancy O'Malley's order will make the county one of a handful in the U.S. to pass similar policies.

The policy would allow legal immigrants convicted of petty thefts or low-level drug cases to avoid deportation in exchange for longer jail sentences or other terms. -AP

US immigration judges behind on caseload WASHINGTON: The government is not keeping up with the caseload in U.S. immigration courts, even with an increase in the number of judges handling the cases, a top Justice Department official reported.

In a report, Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz said recordkeeping by the immigration courts is so flawed that it is difficult to draw conclusions about why the courts are unable to reduce the volume of cases.

From 2006 to 2010, the number of new immigration cases rose from 308,652 to 325,326. -AP

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November 16, 2012

Pakistan's Imran Khan 'welcome' in US WASHINGTON: Pakistani cricketer turned politician Imran Khan "is welcome" in the United States even though he was briefly held by US immigration agents in Canada, a US official had said.

Details on page 45

Thousands of immigrants to apply for scholarship program CHICAGO: When 24-year-old Rigoberto Padilla first enrolled in one of Chicago's community colleges in 2007, there were few financial aid options available for illegal immigrants like him.

He was brought to the country from Mexico at age 6 when his family crossed the California border illegally for a new life in Chicago.

Illinois officials expect thousands of young immigrants to apply for help for college through a privately-funded state scholarship program.

Immigrant students in Illinois whether they have papers or not can apply for tuition help to Illinois colleges and universities because of the Illinois DREAM Fund, which was created by state legislation passed in 2011.

Officials with the fund say special focus will be given to students who don't have legal status to stay in the country. ``Undocumented students are ineligible for federal aid,'' said Tanya Cabrera, head of the fund and associate director of minority student outreach at Illinois Institute of Technology. ``We're not

covering everything, but we are giving students a large sum to help them minimize their financial burden.''

The fund has raised $500,000 in private donations so far. Immigrant students attending two-year colleges are eligible to apply for $2,000 scholarships and those attending four-year institutions can apply for $6,000.

ment that it encouraged students to ``pursue their education regardless of their legal status. This fund will help remove the biggest barrier to immigrants pursuing higher education: cost.''

Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA, and a minimum ACT score of 17 is required of those just graduating high school.

Some critics of the scholarship

Immigrant students attending two-year colleges are eligible to apply for $2,000 scholarships and those attending four-year institutions can apply for $6,000.

While some states have tightened regulations around illegal immigration in recent years, Illinois has continued to institute policies that give it some of the most immigrant-friendly policies in the country. There was little opposition to the college scholarship fund, which had backing from top leaders in the state.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised the fund, saying in a state-

fund have suggested that it could lead to more illegal immigration, which Illinois officials dismissed. ``We are trying to take care of the immigrants who are here,'' Cabrera said. ``We are trying to provide them access. It's unfortunate that others don't recognize that.''

She expects 5,000 students to apply for scholarship money this year. The fund is working to raise

$5 million. ``We want to make the scholarship renewable,'' Cabrera said. ``We don't want students to saying, `It's a one-time thing so what happens next?'''

The Illinois scholarships also come during a shift in federal policy toward young illegal immigrants.

Federal officials announced new guidelines earlier this year that provide a two-year protection from deportation to certain young people brought to this country illegally and the chance to apply for a work permit. The federal government began accepting applications in August. Some groups estimate that as many as 1.7 million people could be eligible; an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants live in the U.S. Padilla is now pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He will not be applying for a Dream Fund scholarship, having secured funding through other scholarships.

But he hopes the fund will encourage undocumented students to go to college. -AP

Feds charge Wichita firm over illegal immigrant WICHITA, Kan.: Prosecutors charged a Wichita firm with knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant as manager of one of its McDonald's restaurants, the latest prosecution in a widening federal crackdown in Kansas that aims to make employers accountable for using illegal workers to gain a competitive advantage.

A criminal information filed in federal court charges McCalla Corp. with a felony count of aiding and abetting the use of a false document. The firm operates six McDonald's restaurants in Wichita.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom told reporters that a tentative plea agreement has been reached in which the company will pay $400,000 in fines and forfeitures. He said the company was charged with only one

count, but that the investigation revealed it knowingly hired numerous illegal immigrants. ``Employment is the primary driving force behind illegal immigration,'' Grissom said. ``I'm calling on all Kansas employers to

also said the incident involving the McDonald's manager does not reflect his company's policies. ``This corporation takes seriously its obligation to comply with the law and takes full responsibility for this single isolated incident

A criminal information filed in federal court charges McCalla Corp. with a felony count of aiding and abetting the use of a false document strengthen their hiring practices and to help us safeguard this nation by hiring and maintaining a lawful workforce.''

McCalla Corp. president Roy McCalla said in a statement released through his attorney that corporations are responsible for the acts of their employees. He

charged by the government based on the action of one individual who is no longer employed by the company,'' McCalla said.

The prosecution in Wichita is the second time within two months that a Kansas firm has been charged with knowingly employing illegal immigrants. The other

case involved the owners of two hotels, one in Overland Park and another in Kansas City, Mo. Grissom said holding employers accountable is one of the most effective ways to combat illegal immigration. ``Businesses that knowingly hire undocumented workers are putting us all at risk,'' Grissom said. ``They are creating a marketplace for unauthorized workers who may resort to presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits and even stealing the identities of legal U.S. workers.''

Court documents show the investigation into McCalla Corp. began in February 2011 when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security received a tip that the Wichita firm employed illegal immigrants. -AP

Immigration Post

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Ariz. spends $640,000 on immigration training PHOENIX: Police agencies in Arizona have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars training officers to enforce the state's 2010 immigration law, despite claims from supporters that it wasn't going to cost much extra for the state's 15,000 officers to carry out the statute.

An informal survey by The Associated Press of selected police departments and a state agency that trains officers shows that seven agencies have spent a combined $640,000 on training that focused heavily on the law's requirement that officers, while enforcing other laws, question people's immigration status if they're believed to be in the country illegally. Other agencies were surveyed, but said no training cost estimates were available.

A federal judge gave police the go-ahead to start enforcing the law's questioning requirement on Sept. 18 after a two-year court battle waged by the Obama administration, immigrant rights advocates and others.

Lost in all the heated political rhetoric surrounding the law was the question about how much it would cost to carry out.

The spokesman for Arizona

Gov. Jan Brewer said in the days after the questioning requirement took effect that he didn't know why there would be any additional costs in enforcing the measure.

Matthew Benson said that immigration inquiries are just another line of questioning for officers to work into their routines when they stop someone and have good reason to make immigration inquiries.

A week later, when told about training costs, Benson said the amount being spent on the law would still pale in comparison to the estimated $934 million in net costs from illegal immigration that the state had to eat in 2011, the last year for which an estimate was available.

That estimate includes the costs of educating illegal immigrants, jailing illegal immigrants arrested on state crimes and providing health care for those in the country illegally. ``We are not talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars,'' Benson said.

Beyond the training, there are costs to actually enforce the law.

Those figures are not known, although they aren't as great as opponents had predicted.

Federal authorities who are

charged with verifying the immigration status of people on behalf of local police departments said they haven't experienced a significant uptick in calls since officers started to enforce the questioning requirement.

Benson said the amount being spent on the law would still pale in comparison to the estimated $934 million in net costs from illegal immigration that the state had to eat in 2011 Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor had predicted in 2010 that the law's immigration check requirement for all arrested people before they can be released from custody would result in higher jail costs.

The higher jail costs would come from those who would normally be cited and released for minor offenses, but who would have to be booked if federal authorities

aren't able to quickly verify their immigration status, he said.

But Villasenor's interpretation of the law has since changed.

He said the prevailing view by police departments now is that, in cases where federal authorities didn't respond to an inquiry or there is no record of a person in an immigration database, they will fall back on their department's policies, which in Tucson is to cite and release them.

Still, Villasenor estimated his agency could make 50,000 immigration inquiries a year. He doesn't know how much that could cost the city in staff time.

Only one study has been conducted on the costs of enforcing the immigration law, but that examination by budget analysts for the Legislature concluded the costs couldn't be predicted and is considered outdated.

The study is based on an earlier proposed version of the law that would have expanded the state's trespassing law to criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants in Arizona and impose criminal penalties, such as jail time.

But the trespassing provision was later taken out of the proposal and replaced with the questioning requirement, which doesn't include criminal penalties.

Budget staffers at the Legislature haven't produced another study on the subject.

Federal immigration officials who in 2010 had predicted the questioning requirement could dramatically increase their workload and slow down response times on immigration checks say they don't have an estimate on how much the checks are costing Washington. -AP

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law

Former Assistant StateÂ’s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc.

1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1

Pakistan's Imran Khan 'welcome' in US WASHINGTON: Pakistani cricketer turned politician Imran Khan "is welcome" in the United States even though he was briefly held by US immigration agents in Canada, a US official had said.

"We are aware that he was detained briefly in Toronto before boarding his flight to the United States," acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters when asked about Khan's questioning.

But he disputed allegations that Khan was held and interrogated for hours as he tried to board a New York-bound plane from the Canadian city.

Khan is the leader of the Pakistan Movement for Justice Party (PTI) and has campaigned for an end to US drone strikes against suspected Taliban and Al-Qaeda

Imran Khan

militants in Pakistan's tribal areas.

"My understanding is that the issue was quickly resolved and that he traveled into the United States, and certainly he is welcome

in the United States," Toner said.

Khan was headed to New York to attend a fundraiser organized by his party.

"I was taken off from plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views on drones.

My stance is known. Drone attacks must stop," he wrote on Twitter.

Khan argues drone strikes are illegal and counterproductive and earlier this month he led thousands of supporters - and a group of American peace activists - on a march to the edge of Pakistan's restive tribal districts to protest them.

Toner said he did not know "the specifics" of why Khan was held, but added: "I would just say that we certainly don't want any legitimate traveler delayed for no reason." -PTI

http://www.proy-singh.com

2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659

Realty Tidbits

Realty approvals report by month-end MUMBAI: The committee appointed by the Ministry of Urban Development to streamline approval procedures for real estate projects is expected to submit its report by the month-end, a senior official said here.

"We have made the recommendations and the final report will be submitted to the ministry by the end of this month," committee chairman and former chairman of Competition Commission Dhanendra Kumar told reporters here on the sidelines of a real estate summit organized by Foci.

The committee was formed to suggest a systematic approach through which all cities and states can develop fast-track, single window clearance mechanisms giving specific focus on simplification of procedural aspects, formulating single composite form with complete listing of the set of documents necessary to accord sanction and automated systems for building-plan approvals.

"We have studied best practices from across the country and we will suggest a standardized procedure, including single window clearance that can be adopted.

This will enable new players to come in the sector thus encouraging competition," he said. -PTI

Moscow reclaims Europe's tallest building MOSCOW: Moscow is reclaiming bragging rights for having Europe's tallest building after losing the distinction for a few months to London.

The mixed office and residential tower called Mercury City has topped out at 338 meters (1,109 feet), officials of its development company said.

The tower, sheathed in coppercolored glass, actually became Europe's tallest in September while still under construction, when it exceeded London's 310meter (1,017-foot) Shard, according to the construction information company Emporis.

Mercury City's reign is likely to be almost as short. It's next-door to the under-construction Federation Tower, which is to reach 506 meters (1,660 feet) when it's completed next year.

Both are in a sprawling development called Moscow City that also holds two other buildings that once were Europe's tallest.

Builders unhappy with RBI policy Details on page 47

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Another builder under I-T scanner AHMEDABAD: It's raining search and survey for the income tax department in Ahmedabad.

I-T officials cracked down on a city-based developer. The group, which owns a mall near SG Highway, has launched several hi-end residential schemes in the past few years.

November 16, 2012

Details on page 47

Noida turns to luxury housing NOIDA: From being an affordable housing destination, Noida is slowly transforming into a hub of luxury and high-end projects to give a stiff competition to the neighboring city of Gurgaon in Haryana.

The Noida and Greater Noida authorities have decided to brand the twin cities in the luxury segment with various developers coming up with high class residential and commercial towers in the region.

The chairman of the three authorities of Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway, Rakesh Bahadur, said that till now Gurgaon was considered the costliest in Delhi-NCR despite the township lacking in terms of necessary infrastructure and facilities.

"Now, Gurgaon will have only one USP, which is close proximity to the airport. As builders are coming up with projects developed by world class agencies, in the next five years, Noida will beat Gurgaon in all respects," Bahadur said.

Even developers are upbeat about the new tag being given to the region. CREDAI (western UP) vice-president and CMD of Supertech, RK Arora, said that this change was imminent as time demands it. "Considering the fact that Noida is much stronger than Gurgaon in terms of infrastructure, now high-end buyers are shifting base here. The Authority is also

helping bring this change," said Arora.

World renowned Italian couturier Giorgio Armani is likely to design an exclusive flat in the Supernova project and final talks are

nova," Arora added. Also, Supertech has also tied up with Leela hotels group to open the first 7-star hotel in Noida.

Another project, Curio City, will be using extensive art styles

Real estate industry experts, however, fear that affordable housing may take a hit if the luxury housing segment is promoted more. on with the developer group regarding this. "The cost of one designer flat with an area of 4,0005,000 sq feet will be around Rs 10 crore. For starters, Raj Kundra has decided to purchase a flat for his wife, Shilpa Shetty, in Super-

in design with an amalgamation of several schools of art - Middle East, European and Contemporary. The township will have a mix of plotted development, villas, group housing, commercial establishments, club, institutions, hi-

street and luxury retail, 5-star hotel, business hotel, etc. The cost of one flat in this project will start from Rs 1.5 crore. In addition, developers like Amrapali, Ajnara, ABA Corp and Prateek group are coming up with high-end luxury apartments costing between Rs 25 crore.

Real estate industry experts, however, fear that affordable housing may take a hit if the luxury housing segment is promoted more. "Greater Noida West was considered as an affordable housing destination, but even this region has witnessed price appreciation of around 50%," said Amit Gupta, member Assocham and MD of Orris group.

Rules amended to aid construction workers NEW DELHI: Giving more teeth to two laws dealing with welfare of construction workers, the Union Cabinet has approved amendments which among other things eases some restrictions for availing benefits.

The amendments to the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Cess Act, 1996 was cleared by the Cabinet at its meeting chaired

by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Building and Other Construction Workers Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 is expected to be introduced in the

Winter Session of Parliament.

The amendments would also facilitate speedy implementation of these Acts by the Central and the state governments, an official statement said.

the workers who are engaged in building and construction work after attaining the age of 60 years, this upper age limit criteria is also proposed to be removed.

The amendments also seeks to

The amendments also seek to empower the central government to specify the maximum cost of construction in place of the present limit of Rs 10 lakh According to the proposed amendment, the prerequisite condition of engagement for 90 days to get registered for enjoying benefits is proposed to be done away with.

Besides, to extend benefits to

empower state governments to file complaints for any contravention of provisions.

The amendments also prescribed a time limit of 30 days for cess collecting authorities to deposit cess to the state building and

other construction workers welfare board which is utilized for welfare of the workers.

The amendments also seek to empower the central government to specify the maximum cost of construction in place of the present limit of Rs 10 lakh.

At present, workers can derive benefits in establishment where the cost of construction is more than Rs 10 lakhs.

The decision of the government for amendments in the Acts follows the recommendation of a task force examining the provisions of the Building and Other Construction Workers Act. A Tripartite Central Advisory Committee under the Act had accepted the recommendations.

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Supertech ties up with Leela for Noida hotel NEW DELHI: Real estate firm Supertech has announced tie up with hospitality chain The Leela Palaces, Hotel and Resorts for management of its luxury hotel in Noida that is being developed at an investment of Rs 450 crore.

The 250-rooms hotel, which is part of a mixed-use project 'Supernova' with 5 million sq ft of builtup area, would be completed in four years.

"We have signed management contract with Leela Palaces for our hotel in the prestigious project Supernova," Supertech Chairman and Managing Director R K Arora told reporters here.

The hotel will be developed at an investment of Rs 450 crore and

Asked about the revenue sharing, Nair said the management fee is as per the industry practice.

Leela Group currently has eight hotels comprising 2,200 keys in its

at Jaipur, Agra and Ashtamudi (Kerala) and Bangalore.

Supertech would develop branded residences in the upper part of the hotel building to be

Managing Director Vivek Nair said: "Noida is an upcoming area of Delhi-NCR. With hotels in Delhi and Gurgaon already operational, We will be covering all the major destinations of the national capital region" the total cost of entire project is Rs 2,700 crore, he said, adding that the proposed investment would be funded through internal accruals, debt and private equity.

Leela Group Vice Chairman and

Managing Director Vivek Nair said: "Noida is an upcoming area of DelhiNCR. With hotels in Delhi and Gurgaon already operational, We will be covering all the major destinations of the national capital region".

portfolio at Bangalore, Gurgaon, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Goa, Kovalam and Udaipur. Out of eight hotel properties, six are owned and two are management contracts.

Leela is coming up with hotels

managed by Leela Group.

"We are in advance stage of discussion with world- renowned fashion brands including Armani," Supertech Director Mohit Arora said. -PTI

'Reduce human interface to Another builder under I-T scanner check corruption' MUMBAI: CREDAI, the apex industry body for real estate developers, has said the proposed realty regulator should try to minimize the human interface in

which will help in reducing corruption," CREDAI national president Lalit Kumar Jain said in a release issued here.

When the real estate regulatory

When the real estate regulatory Bill comes into force, there should be a single agency to attend to consumer complaints, that too as an appellate authority, after the CREDAI redressal process is completed, he said the process of granting clearances and registrations to reduce corruption.

"Human interface should be minimized in the process of granting clearances and registrations,

Bill comes into force, there should be a single agency to attend to consumer complaints, that too as an appellate authority, after the CREDAI redressal process is completed, he said.

Confederation of Real Estate Developer's Associations of India (CREDAI) has its own consumer redressal system across its chapters in the country, apart from various courts that take up the complaints.

He also advocated that consumer forums and even civil courts should not have any jurisdiction over real estate issues if the regulator comes into force.

Newly-appointed Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ajay Maken had said that the government was likely to present the much-awaited Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill before Parliament in the Winter Session. -PTI

Builders unhappy with RBI policy

R

ealty firms and property consultants have expressed disappointment over RBI's decision to keep key policy rate unchanged and said it was the right time to bring down the borrowing cost for home buyers as well as developers.

"CREDAI has expressed strong disappointment at the RBI's latest credit policy. The Central Bank should shed its negative approach towards the real estate industry," the apex realtors' body said in a statement.

Stating that the cost of funding for real estate is very high, CREDAI President Lalit Kumar Jain said the RBI should come out with a positive policy and facilitate reduction in interest rate. “ We have been pointing out

that the real estate industry is not only the 2nd largest employer in the country but also contributes

"CREDAI has expressed strong disappointment at the RBI's latest credit policy. The Central Bank should shed its negative approach towards the real estate industry," the apex realtors' body said in a statement. handsomely to the GDP and growth of 400 other industries," he added.

After the recent meetings with Finance Ministry officials, CREDAI had been hopeful that the government and the RBI would come out with "pragmatic policy", Jain said.

Echoing similar views, CBRE South Asia Chairman and Managing Director Anshuman Magazine said: "The RBI's decision to keep the key policy rates unchanged once again is a disappointment for the real estate sector".

"While a cut of 25 base points in the CRR rate does infuse some liquidity, a reduction in the repo rate would have helped boost investor sentiment. The festive season coupled with an expected change in policy rates would have been the ideal time for improving consumer confidence," Magazine said. -PTI

and seized Rs 12 lakh cash from one of the firms.

In the last few weeks, the department has carried out more than 10 search and surveys on realtors, cloth merchants, stock brokers and commodity traders.

In the survey on two cloth merchants at New Cloth Market, the department recovered around Rs

AHMEDABAD: It's raining search and survey for the income tax department in Ahmedabad. I-T officials cracked down on a citybased developer. The group, which owns a mall near SG Highway, has launched several hi-end residential schemes in the past few years.

Earlier, the I-T department had carried out search and survey on 30 premises of a city-based realtor and commodity trading firm and its associates. During the operations, the department attached around 15 bank lockers and seized Rs 1 lakh cash.

Later, I-T officials cracked down on the city-based angadia firms

I-T officials cracked down on the citybased angadia firms and seized Rs 12 lakh cash from one of the firms.

1.5 crore of tax after they found major discrepancies in their stock.

"Due to administrative reasons there were hardly any search and survey during this financial year in the state. But after September 15, there have been over a dozen I-T operations across the state," said a senior I-T official.

48 India Post

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November 16, 2012

Datebook

November 16, 2012

India Post

49

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Upcoming

Fri July 20 to Sat Dec 15 • Turning Rumi: Singing Verses of Love, Unity and Freedom Part2 : The Art of Salma Arastu Venue: Dominican University of California, 50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael, California Time: 2:30pm to 4:30pm (Artist Reception on Sat Sept 15at Community Gallery, Alemany Library) Contact: 415-482-2453

Sat Nov 17 • Anahat - South Asian A Cappella Competition Veneu: UC - Berkely - Wheeler Auditorium, 2200 University Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720 Time: 5:30 pm Contact: 5:30 pm - 6:00

Sat Nov 17 • Diwali Dhamaka 2012 Venue: Folsom Park, 401 Stafford St, Folsom, CA 95630 Time: 1:30PM Contact: 9163370914

Sun Nov 18 • Naathemenum Koyililae - A Grand Diwali Light Music Concert Venue: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545 Time: 4:00 pm Contact: 4089664363

Fri Nov 16 • Sikhlens: The Sikh Arts & Film Festival Venue: Dodge College of Film and Media Arts - Chapman University, 283 North Cypress Street, Orange, CA 92866 Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 7147594723

Sun Nov 18 • Ayyappa Mandala Puja & Maladharana Venue: Campbell Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, 1300 White Oaks Rd, Campbell, CA 95008 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 4847278424

Sun Nov 18 • The Empowerment Conference Venue: The Olympic Collection, 11301 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 Time: 2:00 pm Contact: Phone: 213-399-3820

Sun Nov 18 • Music Concert by Mauli Dave Venue: La Mirada Theater For the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 5623352349

Sun Nov 25

Fri Nov 30

• Tulsi Vivah

• A Musical Extravaganza

Venue: Gayatri Mandir, 22116 Pioneer Blvd, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716 Time: 6:00 am Contact: 562-425-3970

Venue: Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Rd, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: Peter Sahjani, 510-673-0153

Fri Nov 16

Sun Nov 18

Mon Dec 03

• Diwali - Festival of Lights

• Enlightening Talks in English

By Swami Mukundananda

• Bruno Groening Circle of Friends: Spiritual Healing

Venue: Akbar Restaurant, 2nd St, Garden City, NY 11530 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 917-715-2883

Sat Nov 17 • Annual Diwali Mega Bash - Live from Mid Town Manhattan

Sun Nov 18

Venue: K-Lounge, 30 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 Time: 1:00 pm Contact: 7247778187

Venue: Crossroads Theater, 7 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Time: 2:00 pm Contact: 732-397-9811

Sat Nov 24 • Jaya Jaya Sree Rama Venue: P.S. 115 Auditorium, 80-51 261st St, Floral park (Queens), NY 11004 Time: 3:30 pm Time: 914-484-5291

Mon Dec 10 & 11 • Childrens Film Festival: Celebrating Children's movies from Bollywood Venue: Plainview Old Bethpage, Public Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY 11803 Time: 5:30pm Contact: 516-349-7119 Highlights: Festival Starting with the movie curated by Award winning Producer and Director Mr. Tirlok Malik (Little magician).

ATLANTA Upcoming

Sat Dec 1

Mon Dec 31

• Disha - Unforgettable Melodies

• DYFC Invites You to Christmas KickOff Party

• A New Year's Resolution 2013 (5th Edition)

Vene: Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 5107985440

Venue: Norwalk Presbyterian Church, 11345 Rosecrans Ave, Norwalk, CA 90650 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 8053283932

Venue: Westin Perimeter, 7 Concourse Parkway Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30328 Time: 9:30 pm Contact: 864-907-2003

Sat Dec 1

Venue: Hindu Samaj Temple, 243 W Ramapo Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430 Time: 3:00 pm Contact: 201-280-6938

• South Asian Theater Festival

Sat Nov 24 • Diwali Mela NJ Nov 24 Venue: Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 732 763-0118

Venue: Unity West, 4750 N Mayfair Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53225 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 414-375-4131

Fri Dec 14 & 15 • Sita Ram Venue: Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 312-334-7777

Mon Dec 31 • NYE SOIREE 2013 w/ Stache Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile Venue: Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile, 300310 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60604 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 5122319226

Horoscope

50 India Post

November 16, 2012

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

NOVEMBER 16TH to NOVEMBER 22ND (November 23 to December 22)

(March 21 to April 20)

M

Y

oney will go on an upcoming trip. You will hear some encouraging news at work but the implementation will take several weeks.

Sound strategy will help people in business beat competitors and increase their profit margin. You have a pleasant surprise coming in mail. An old friend will call to invite you to a party at his place.

ou will be very firm when it comes to dealing with people who kind of used you in the past and every body will notice the change.

You will be eagerly waiting for the return on investment made recently. Your good deeds will make you popular in social circle and you will be invited to few parties. Do not ignore health issues.

(December 22 to January 19)

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

A

ou will finalize a short trip to a nice and never visited before place.

Things will stay calm at work and soon you will be working on a new project. Intuitions will help you take several correct decisions.

You will be doing little work in and around the house. You will be reunited with a close family member soon. Dispose off money making stocks.

void any frictions at home. Opponents will make mistakes and you will have the chance to take advantage of the situation. Some of you will be getting ready for an overseas trip. You have big chunk of money coming through legal channel soon. Planets will make you far sighted and you will be planning big from now and on.

(January 20 to February 18)

(May 21 to June 20)

Y

ou will go on an important trip and it will turn out to be beneficial for you in many ways. New association and friendship is in horizon. People will try to irritate you but will not succeed. You will be spending lots of money with your own hands. You will be spending lots of time on a new project collecting data etc.

Y

ou will be under lots of pressure. Family and finances both will be the main issue in mind. Solution will be hard to find. Some one close will express the desire to move to distant place. You will quickly recover from minor health problem also. You may be thinking of contacting an old and trustworthy friend for advice and some directions.

(February 19 to March 20)

F

inancially it will be a rewarding time. Your popularity is on increase and you will be surrounded by admirers at the party. You will be offered a new project by an intellectual group. A child may not keep well and need extra medical care and rest. You will also give final shape to a short trip to a neighboring state.

(June 21 to July 22)

D

o not ignore the opportunity. You will be working extra hours and will be on your feet most of the time. You will be working really hard to meet upcoming commitments. Soon you will be reunited with a close family member. There is a big chance of some money coming through legal channel. You will also give final shape to a short trip.

(July 23 to August 22)

S

ome of you may accept the offer from a friend and decide to start the business in partnership. Have proper clothing when you go out in the evening. You may have to pay couple of legal bills also this week. Children will be making some plans for a short trip. You will be call an old friend and try to arrange a get together at your place.

(August 23 to September 22)

T

hings will slow down all of a sudden but there will be enough money in pipeline. You may be traveling in East direction in near future. You may also receive a small check in shape of a refund.

Some of you will be getting ready to travel long distance to meet relatives. You will be working on another big business proposal.

(September 23 to October 22)

Y

ou will have many opportunities to make extra money little unorthodox way. You will be traveling and spend most of the time away from home. You may win some money in lottery if you try your hand at it. Dispose off money making stocks and wait few weeks.

Eye sight may start giving trouble but you may not get time to visit the doctor.

(October 23 to November 22)

M

ind will become very creative and you will buy some interesting items for others. You will be moved to another important project.

Money wise you will continue to do well and may dispose off some stocks and pocket the profit. You will take time out to write letters and mail. You will help a very needy person with your expertise.

Higher post for Narendra Modi predicted after 2013

G

ujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is the firebrand leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He celebrated his 62nd birthday on September 17, 2012.

Born on September 17, 1950, Modi is a Libran. The position of Mars in his horoscope makes him a person with wisdom who never surrenders easily.

According to astrologers, the position of Mars in his horoscope makes him a great thinker and a dedicated person. He has 'Mahalakshmi Yog', 'Gajkesari Yog' and 'Buddhaditya Yog' in his horoscope.

A special yog in Modi's horoscope makes him a person who can turn the course of events to his favor.

According

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

to his horoscope, the time from July 2012 and December 2013 won't be in his favor.

He will be witness to a lot of ups and downs.

In 2011, Modi remained in news for various reasons but nothing could affect his popularity.

But, the time after December 2013 will prove to be a very important phase of his life. There are high chances that he will enjoy fame, respect and higher position. He will be seen as an important prime ministerial candidate.

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

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Philosophy

November 16, 2012

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis SATYA SAI BABA

I

t was on Deepavali day that Sri Rama's coronation took place after his victorious return to Ayodhya from Lanka vanquishing Ravana and his Rakshasa brood. For a long period Ayodhya had been plunged in darkness when Rama was in exile in the forest. In the absence of the effulgent Rama, Ayodhya was a city of darkness.

The forests were filled with light. The return of Rama was hailed by the people of Ayodhya as the return of divine effulgence and hence they celebrated the event by the lighting of lamps everywhere.

It is also a joyous festival to celebrate the destruction of the demon Narakasura by Sri Krishna.

Today is the day on which Naraka, the demon was killed. What does this event signify? It signifies killing the demon in man. 'Nara' means man and 'Asura' means demon. This demon is present in every human being.

It is not necessary to acquire great Astras and Sastras (weapons) to kill this demon. Man is called 'Nara' because there is Atma in him. That Atma is the embodiment of love. It is possible to kill the demons only through love.

Therefore, realize the Atma Tathva and develop love. This is true Bhakti (devotion).

WILLIAM B. IRVINE

A

bout a decade ago I began a research project on human desire. The goal of the project was to write a book on the subject, but I also had a hidden agenda in conducting my research: I was contemplating becoming a Zen Buddhist and wanted to learn more about it before taking the leap.

But the more I learned about Zen, the less it attracted me.

Practicing Zen would require me to suppress my analytical abilities, something I found it quite difficult to do. Another off-putting aspect of Zen was that the moment of enlightenment it dangled before its practitioners was by no means guaranteed.

Practice Zen for decades and you might achieve enlightenment - or you might not. It would be tragic, I thought, to spend the remaining decades of my life pursuing a moment of enlightenment that never came.

Then something quite unexpected happened. As part of my research, I investigated what ancient philosophers had to say about desire. Among them were the Stoic philosophers - people like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus about whom I knew little. As I read

We celebrate such a sacred event of killing the demon Narakasura as a festival by preparing so many delicious dishes and feasting on them.

But, we are not making any effort to understand the inner meaning of this sacred event. In order to understand the sanctity of this great event, we must join Satsanga (good company).

You should not lead a life of selfishness. That is the life of a

life sanctified.

Deepavali is also a festival which is designed to celebrate the suppression of the Ego by the Higher Self. Man is plunged in the darkness of ignorance and has lost the power of discrimination between the permanent and the evanescent.

When the darkness of ignorance caused by Ahamkara (the ego-feeling) is dispelled by the light of Divine knowledge, the

light the lamp. The lamp cannot be lit if any one of them is lacking. This lamp dispels the external darkness.

As the wick burns, the oil is consumed.

When the oil is exhausted the flame goes out. Saint Ramadas compared human life to a lighted lamp and declared in one of his songs that when the oil of life ebbs away, neither the wick nor the light will follow the departed.

The flame of a lamp has two

Deepavali signifies killing the demon in man Satya Sai Baba

Vyashti (individual). That is a wasteful life. It is only in Samashti (community) life, can you realize divinity. You must lead a happy life by identifying yourself with Samashti (society).

In fact, Samashti is the embodiment of divinity. Give happiness and take happiness. Happiness is not a one-way traffic, it is a twoway process of give and take.

Speak good words. Develop Samyak Drishti (sacred vision).

Lead a life of purity. Make your them, I discovered that they were quite unlike I imagined they would be. Indeed, it soon became apparent that everything I "knew" about the Stoics was wrong.

They were neither grim nor wooden. If anything, the adjective that I thought described them best was "buoyant" or maybe even "cheerful." And without con-

When the darkness of ignorance caused

by Ahamkara (the ego-feeling) is dispelled by the light of Divine knowledge, the effulgence of the Divine is experienced effulgence of the Divine is experienced.

The lights lit on Deepavali day remove only the external darkness and not the darkness within man.

Even when the sun shines brightly, his light cannot dispel the inner darkness.

For instance, if you want to light a lamp, you need a container. You have to fill it with oil and place a wick in it. You need a matchbox to light the wick. Only when you have all the four accessories can you to get angry at them. My energy was much better spent focusing on things I could control, with the most important being how I responded to the situation. In particular, I could employ Stoic strategies to prevent the incident from spoiling my day.

I also started making use of the Stoic technique known as negative

qualities. One is to banish darkness. The other is a continuous upward movement. Even when a lamp is kept in a pit, the flame moves upwards.

The sages have therefore adored the lamp of wisdom as the flame that leads men to higher states. Hence, the effulgence of light should not be treated as a trivial phenomenon. Along with lighting the external lamps, men should strive to light the lamps within them. to a phenomenon that will otherwise deprive us of much of the happiness we could be enjoying: negative visualization prevents us from taking for granted the world around us and the people in it.

Visualizing in this manner has the effect of resetting the baseline against which we measure our happiness, and it can

Stoics were not grim, wooden but buoyant & cheerful Thus, when I found myself in a predicament - being stuck in traffic, for example I followed the advice of Epictetus and asked myself what aspects of the situation I could and couldn't control sciously intending to do so, I found myself experimenting with Stoic strategies for daily living.

Thus, when I found myself in a predicament - being stuck in traffic, for example - I followed the advice of Epictetus and asked myself what aspects of the situation I could and couldn't control. I couldn't control what the other cars did, so it was pointless - was in fact counterproductive - for me

visualization: I would periodically contemplate the loss of the things and people that mean the most to me.

Thus, when parting from a friend, I might make a mental note that this could conceivably be the last time I would see the friend in question. Friendships do end, after all, and people die suddenly.

Doing this sort of thing may seem morbid, but the practice of negative visualization is a powerful antidote

William B. Irvine

have a profound and immediate effect on that happiness.

As the result of negatively visualizing, we might find ourselves taking delight that we still possess the things that only moments before, we took for granted, including our job, our spouse, our health - indeed, our very existence.

William B. Irvine is author of A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy

Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.

-William Wordsworth We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

-Plato Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

-Martin Luther King, Jr. People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

-Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.

-Marianne Williamson There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

-Edith Wharton

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Infiltration by Hizbut Tahrir in Pakistan's Military

R

ecent disclosures in the Pakistani media indicate that the penetration of Hizbut Tahrir (HuT) within Pakistani Defense services may be more extensive than hitherto believed.

In August 2012, a Military Tribunal convicted Brig Ali Khan, who belonged to a military family and four others - Majors Sohail Akbar, Jawad Basher, Inayat Aziz and Iftikhar to rigorous imprisonment terms ranging from five years to eighteen months - for having planned, sometime in 2011, to usurp power through aerial attacks against the military and civilian leaderships, on way to establishing an `Islamic caliphate'. This was apparently HuT's third attempt to infiltrate in the last decade.

Earlier Attempts An attempt was made to suborn 13 Special Services Group commandos in 2003. In 2009, a number of mid-ranking officers lieutenant Colonels/Colonels were approached. In the last two cases, the same set of HuT activists were involved - one Abdul Qadir, a `Dr Ahmed' and Rizwan.

They used the same modus operandi - first talent spotting sympathetic officers through friends and relatives before proposing specific plans. After Brig Ali Khan was motivated, he revealed his plan to three other Brigadiers - Naeem Sadiq, Muhd Amin and Aamir Riaz - before being nabbed, significantly just four days after the 2 May 2011 taking out of Osama bin laden by American commandos in Abbotabad.

Founded in Jerusalem by Taqiuddin al Nabhani in 1953, HuT developed a sizable following in Lebanon. It professes to establish an Islamic caliphate through non-violent methods. It is against killing of civilians.

Pakistani adherents were noticed in its British branch during the mid-'90s, also in its breakaway faction,`Al Mohajiroun,' led by Omar Bakri Mohd. It came to unpleasant notice in Pakistan first in 2003, though no direct involvement could be found in two abortive assassination attempts against Gen Musharraf then or with the attack on the Karachi Corps Commander. Cells of other Islamist groups were purged within the Air Force, not with complete success.

Subsequently, the HuT was banned but this ban had to be lifted after a successful legal challenge in Lahore High Court in 2004. Though having a distinct Middle Eastern/ Central Asian fla-

RANA BANERJI

vor, the HuT seems to have slowly but surely spread its tentacles inside Pakistan. Its cadres, many of them returnees from UK, were mainly based in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

HuT in Pakistan is believed to have established contacts with Tahir Yuldashev's Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), when the latter was offered refuge by al Qaeda inside the Federally Administered Tribal areas (FATA) after 9/11. Pakistani analysts believe HuT may have been influenced by IMU to use violence as a short term tactic to further its goals.

After the Brig Ali Khan module was busted, Military Intelligence

must be disconcerting for the current cohort of senior Generals, who were the last group of officers who benefited from training overseas, in the West and exposure to wider external influences of a somewhat 'liberal' kind.

In the 1979-87 period, the socalled 'Zia Bharti' years, the intake of officers shifted to more conservative urban areas of southern Punjab from the traditional recruiting heartland of 'Potohar'.

These recruits may have been affected by Zia's Islamic ethos and official fostering of religious ideology and dogma in Army training institutions. Though subsequently, 'cleansed through careful

(MI) and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) teams cracked down on suspected HuT cadres in Punjab and KP. Some of its prominent leaders were picked up - Imran Yousafzai (currently, its spokesperson), Hayan Dawar Khan, Osama Hanif, Dr Abdul Qayum and Dr Wahid.

Their relatives filed habeas corpus petitions against their sudden `disappearance.' This forced the authorities to release them in a phased manner subsequently, though their cases have now come up before the Commission of Enquiry on Forced Disappearances, set up by the Supreme Court in Aug 2012.

The failure of Brig Ali Khan's plot has demonstrated yet again that ` bottom up' coups do not work in Pakistan, this being the fourth such failure after the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case of 1951, the Attock Trials of 1972-73 and the Zaheer ul Islam Abbasi coup attempt of September 1995.

However, this is the second palpable instance of Islamic ideological motivation stirring ambitions at fairly senior echelons. This

screening in the Army's senior Selection Board for promotion from Brigadiers upwards to two and three Star Generals, under both Musharraf and now Kayani, the possibility of someone who cleverly conceals his Islamic predilections getting through cannot be completely ruled out. Such a General would still have to contend with the wisdom of collegiate leadership.

Recent practical experience in counter insurgency operations in FATA and Swat shows that the Army leadership resorts to necessary and sufficient force to 'cleanse and hold' but only after careful deliberation.

The emphasis is on quiet and limited action to bring recalcitrant militants to book. Incidents like the Brig Ali Khan trial indicate that Kayani's refreshing Kakul rhetoric, and post-Malala civil society consternation notwithstanding, this is likely to remain the guiding norm of Army's maneuvers in this region till the withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan.

The writer is Distinguished Fellow, IPCS

Election season

E

ven as the election fever has ended in the US, it has begun in right earnest in India. The Himachal Pradesh election has just ended where the BJP is fighting to retain its right to rule and the challenger Congress could be doing well going by the high voter turnout of over 74 percent. The Gujarat election is imminent in mid December and chief minister Narendra Modi is irresistible in election mode. Modi is nothing if not controversial. He has taken potshots not only at his favorite targets of Sonia Gandhi and her son, this time he made fun of the 'Rs 50 crore' girlfriend of the UN-fame Shashi Tharoor. But he came out second best after the Tharoor retort of 'Better to be a minister of love than chief minister of hate.' This exchange on Twitter is unlikely to affect the outcome of Gujarat election but it sends a word of caution to the ironman of Gujarat to be careful while picking his targets. The Gandhi family and Manmohan Singh are fair game as they play politics with mouths shut. But the witty ones like Tharoor come out best when provoked.

The battle for 2014 appeared a bit closer with the party vs government tussle in the ruling Congress taking a new turn. Sonia and son came together on the same platform with Manmohan Singh to send the message that they are on the same page and are no longer pulling in different directions. At the official rally in New Delhi, the party chief not only endorsed Manmohan Singh's plans on inviting foreign FDI but also backed him on cutting petroleum and fertilizer subsidies. Rahul Gandhi cited the experience of other countries on FDI while claiming it will not hurt farmers and small business.

It has been a pattern where parties are given five years to rule; they tend to slacken in the first four years with ministers and cronies forgetting the people and occupying themselves with feathering their own nests. It is in their last year in office that they start getting active and waking up to the fact that they were sent to parliament to represent the interests of the people. With people being galvanized by civil society activists like Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal, the battle for old time politicians has become a bit tougher. For the first time they are being asked to be accountable.

Arvind Kejriwal has also decided to enter the field of politics which people like Anna Hazare shun. It would be interesting to see how people respond to someone who has so far raised issues of wrongdoings by politicians but has not presented a blueprint of how he would run the business of politics to make it more people oriented if and when his people are voted in by the people.

As it has turned out earlier also, such crusaders have fallen by the wayside when faced with a larger electorate where different interests prevail. The Indian voter has not come out of the shackles of caste and religion and it would be of interest to see if the Annas and the Kejriwals have been able to make a dent in educating the people.

It is being argued that Kejriwal should not dissipate his energies in targeting so many top people at the same time. He has now shot an arrow at big business also making allegations of cheating and profiteering against the Mukesh led Ambani group.

He is being advised to take it up case by case and follow it through the end. Knowing how the judiciary protects the big guns by delaying tactics, Kejriwal has become wiser. It is the business of the investigating agencies to probe these charges, he says. His job is to expose misdoings.

One analyst argues that Kejriwal must fail in politics so that he continues his practice of exposures. The biggest difference he has made to politics is that it is no longer forbidden to challenge the sacred cows.

November 16, 2012

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November 16, 2012