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Indian doc removes record kidney stones Details on page 36

CG answers crucial Visarelated queries Details on page 20

VOL 16, No. 846

November 26, 2010

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ILLICIT OUTFLOWS COST INDIA $462 BILLION

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been estimated to account for 50 percent of India's GDP (approximately $640 billion at the end of 2008) - ends up outside of the country. From 1948 through 2008 India lost a total of $213 billion in illicit financial flows (or illegal capital flight), the report states. These illicit financial flows were generally the product of: corruption, bribery and kickbacks, criminal activities, and efforts to shelter wealth from a country's tax authorities, it points out.

'Tiffin' among America's top restaurants

Anti-Defamation League honors Rana Sodhi Details on page 21

Ex-governor aide Bedi facing felony charges

Details on page 14

Details on page 13

Mumbai kids want to go to US colleges Details on page 6

Lamba becomes first enlisted Sikh soldier

World leaders launch fight against graft

Details on page 24

LeT a profoundly dangerous group: US Details on page 5

Pak Army quietly names 453 killed in Kargil Details on page 5

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

Will Tata’s electric car be viable? Last week’s result

Will US India friendship survive Pak hurdles? YES 67%

NO 33%

Details on page 7

RELEASE OF NEW HOPE: Myanmar's newly freed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) holds flowers as she leaves following a visit to a care centre for people living with HIV, on the outskirts of Yangon on November 17. Suu Kyi was freed from house arrest on November 13, less than a week after a controversial election that cemented the junta's decades-long grip on power but was widely criticised by democracy activists and Western leaders as a sham. (Details on page 8)

G-20 moves India into key IMF position Details on page 11

Tata-owned Jaguar unveils electric concept car LOS ANGELES: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar has unveiled an electric concept car that can run 900 km to a charge with a top speed of 320 km per hour. Christened C-X75, it has been created to celebrate 75 years of the company, says Ian Callum, design director of Jaguar Cars. Callum told PTI that Tata Group Chief Ratan Tata was very "excited about the car and loved its design". He said the concept car had everything a Jaguar should be. The car which would be put on display at the prestigious Los Angles Auto Show beginning tomorrow has created waves in the last few days after being exhibited in some parts of this city of Hollywood. Details on page 10

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 34-35 Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 12-26 Date Book -------------------------- 46 Edit Page --------------------------- 49 HealthScience Post --------- 36-38 Horoscope ------------------------- 45 Immigration Post ------------- 42-44 Philosophy ------------------------- 52 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 39 TechBiz Post ------------------- 10-11 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 27-31

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

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November 26, 2010

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Publisher’s Diary

am reading this new book, a compilation of letters and journal entries by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the outspoken American envoy who served as Ambassador to India in the early 1970s. The book offers an extraordinary insight into the geo-political equations of American foreign policy, the turbulent Nixon Presidency and a not-too-surprising sense of America's then condescending attitude towards India. Looking at US-India relations from the perspective of President Obama's India visit earlier this month, I found interesting some very candid impressions Moynihan has expressed in his various journal entries and letters to Nixon Administration officials as well as President Nixon himself. "There is a near obsession here with things American," Moynihan had said from Delhi, in a letter to President Nixon dated Mar 21, '73. More poignant was his observation in a letter to then Secretary of State where he infers that India was a political and economic failure. "We (America) conceal this from ourselves by the doctrine that India is a Power. It is nothing of the kind. To the contrary, it is near internal chaos as it has been for years, and likely as not will be until it ceases to be a democracy. We might then find a totalitarian nuclear nation of a billion persons fundamentally hostile to our (America's) existence." In '74 there was a Guinness Book world record - Moynihan had presented to Govt. of India a check for Rs. 16,640,000,000, the greatest amount paid by a single check in the history of banking. Pertinently, Moynihan writes about a conversation between a US Secretary and a US Ambassador. "What has India ever done for the United States?" asked one to which the other replied: "It has survived." Today perhaps, that answer would have been: "It has given us jobs." The two countries have sure come a long way. We now have an American President who declared that India is not a rising power, but one that has risen. Wish Moynihan was here to see this. Never mind, history will be the witness.

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The last fight Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have called off their relationship after a big fight over Ranbir Kapoor.

Cover Story: Illicit outflows A report puts illicit financial outflows from India at a staggering $462 billion - 72 percent of India's underground economy.

Community: Air India awards

Air India presented top selling awards to its consolidators in Midwest in a glittering and well attended event.

Health: Indian doc’s record An Indian urologist has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having removed most kidney stones.

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Tata Motors-owned Jaguar has unveiled an electric concept car that can run 900 km to a charge with speed of 320 kmph.

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Travel: Kanyakumari Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans.

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November 26, 2010

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Illicit outflows cost India $462 billion India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Mind-boggling statistics revealed by a Washington DC-based Global Financial Integrity report released Nov 17, put illicit financial outflows from India at a staggering $462 billion accounting for approximately 72 percent of India's underground economy. This means that almost threequarters of the illicit assets comprising India's underground economy - which has been estimated to account for 50 percent of India's GDP (approximately $640 billion at the end of 2008) ends up outside of the country. From 1948 through 2008 India lost a total of $213 billion in illicit financial flows (or illegal capital flight), the report states. These illicit financial flows were generally the product of: corruption, bribery and kickbacks, criminal activities, and efforts to shelter wealth from a country's tax authorities, it points out.

The report, 'The Drivers and Dynamics of Illicit Financial Flows from India: 1948-2008' analyzes that the finding that only 27.8 percent of India's illicit assets are held domestically support arguments that

Opportunities for trade mispricing grew and expansion of the global shadow financial system -particularly island tax havens - accommodated the increased outflow of India's illicit capital flightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the desire to amass wealth illegally without attracting government attention is one of the primary moti-

vations behind the cross-border transfer of illicit capital. "In the post-reform period of 1991-2008, deregulation and trade liberalization accelerated the outflow of illicit money from the Indian economy," says the report. "Opportunities for trade mispricing grew and expansion of the global shadow financial system -particularly island tax havens - accommodated the increased outflow of India's illicit capital flight." There is a statistical correlation between larger volumes of illicit flows and deteriorating income distribution, the report adds. Total capital flight represents approximately 16.6 percent of India's GDP as of year-end 2008; illicit financial flows out of India grew at a rate of 11.5 percent per year while in real terms they grew by 6.4 percent per year; and India lost $16 billion per year from 2002-2006. The report notes that High NetWorth Individuals (HNWIs) and private companies were found to

be the primary drivers of illicit flows out of India's private sector. India's underground economy is also a significant driver of illicit financial flows. Trends showed that from 1948

Dev Kar

through 2008 the Indian private sector shifted away from deposits into developed country banks

and towards increased deposits in offshore financial centers (OFCs). The share of OFC deposits increased from 36.4 percent in 1995 to 54.2 percent in 2009. Tax evasion is a major component of the underground economy, which in turn is a primary driver of India's illicit outflows and expanding India's tax base and improving tax collection has high potential to curtail illicit flows, the report recommends. Illicit financial flows cannot be curtailed without the collaborative effort of both developing and developed countries, it adds. The report has been authored by Dev Kar, formerly a Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and currently Lead Economist at Global Financial Integrity (GFI) at the Center for International Policy. For methodology, Kar utilized the World Bank Residual Model (CED) and a trade Mispricing Model based on IMF Direction of Trade statistics.

Pak Army quietly names 453 US says LeT a profoundly dangerous group soldiers killed in Kargil War ISLAMABAD Eleven years after the Kargil War, the Pakistan Army which has been denying its role in the conflict has quietly included the names of 453 soldiers and officers in the battle on its website. Proof of the involvement of regular Pakistani soldiers in the 1999 Kargil War over a string of strategic heights in the Kargil sector of the Line of Control in 1999 has come from an institution that spent years denying its role in the hostilities with India, the Pakistan Army. The 453 Pakistani soldiers were shown killed in Batalik-Kargil sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The names of those who died in Kargil are tucked away in a list of thousands of personnel killed while on duty that has been posted in the "Shuhada's Corner" (Martyrs Corner) of the website. The very first page of the long list of martyrs includes the names of Capt Karnal Sher and Havildar Lalak Jan, who were both killed on July 7, 1999 in Kargil and awarded Pakistan's highest military award, the Nishan-e-Haider. Several others were posthumously given other gallantry awards like the Tamgha-e-Jurat (Medal of Courage). The army also reveals the codename given to the operation

to occupy strategic mountains and heights on the Indian side of the LoC: "Operation Koh-ePaima" or Mountain of Resolve. In some cases, the campaign is also referred to as "Operation Kargil". A majority of those who died in Kargil were soldiers from the Northern Light Infantry, a forma-

ture of death of each casualty. During the Kargil conflict and in subsequent years, the Pakistan Army insisted that none of its regular soldiers were involved in the hostilities. This stance continued despite the Indian Army capturing several serving soldiers and the Pakistan Army never issued an

tion that was made a regular regiment of the Pakistan Army because of its performance in the 1999 conflict. It was earlier a paramilitary force formed by the amalgamation of several militias from the Northern Areas or Gilgit-Baltistan. Several causes are cited for those who died in Kargil "killed in action", "enemy action", "enemy firing", "enemy artillery shelling" and even "road accident". The list gives the name, rank, unit, and location and na-

official list of its casualties. The first official admission of the Pakistan Army's involvement in the conflict came from former army chief and President Pervez Musharraf, who revealed in his 2006 memoir "In The Line Of Fire" that regular soldiers had fought in Kargil. The Hindi version of Musharraf's book said 357 troops were killed and over 660 injured but political parties have claimed that thousands of soldiers and insurgents died in the conflict.-PTI

WASHINGTON: Branding Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a "profoundly dangerous" group, US has said that it is working with allies to ensure that organizations with such radical agenda do not sprout and were not allowed to subvert the state. "Obviously, LeT is a profoundly dangerous group and its support that it derives from doing social services is like Hamas... like Hezbollah and is a course of great concern," Daniel Benjamin, State Department Coordinator for Counter Terrorism said. "I don't think I ever said LeT was more dangerous than al Qaeda, but it is certainly a very, very dangerous group," a top US official said referring to the group behind November 26, Mumbai terror attack. "That is why the work that we are doing with Pakistan, aside from the law enforcement cooperation -- and we have been very supportive of Pakistan's efforts to bring Mumbai perpetrators to justice," Benjamin told reporters in response to a question. He argued that it was critically important that Pakistan continue to develop its institutions and develop the ability to provide the services to its people so that other organizations with a radical agenda were not in there subverting the state.

The official said that KerryLugar-Berman bill was important... and of course, in the aftermath of devastating floods, it was all the more important to ensure that Pakistani people have the basic resources they need to get on with their lives, and it was not being delivered to them with an extremist message. "There's been an enormous amount of money pledged, I believe something along the lines of USD 14 billion. It's being disbursed. I think this is a goodnews story in the face of enormous suffering. But as your question suggests, over the long term the key is a strong state that can provide the needs for its people," he said. The State Department official said the US was delighted that many in the region were very concerned about the LeT threat and cooperating much more effectively. "I mentioned Bangladesh and India, which have had a real breakthrough in this area in terms of their coordination. We are working closely with all the partners," he said, adding, this kind of cooperation was sensitive. He assured that the partners were working hard to ensure that there was no future attacks.-PTI

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India raises concerns over stapled visas with China BEIJING: India and China held "open and candid" discussions on a host of issues, including the row over stapled visas for Kashmiris, Sino-Pak nuclear ties, Chinese activities in PoK and existence of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan during their strategic dialogue here. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who headed the Indian delegation, held talks with her Chinese counterpart Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun as part of the fourth round of strategic dialogue. The talks are regarded as a part of wider consultative process to prepare the ground work for next month's visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to New Delhi. Rao's talks came close on the heels of a lengthy bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jeichi on the sidelines of RIC Foreign Ministers summit at Wuhan in China. The dialogue between Rao and Zhang, regarded as the most comprehensive compared to the other three rounds, covered a host of issues, including the stapled visas being issued by China to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, presence of Chinese personnel building various projects in Pakistan- Occupied Kashmir (POK), terrorist safe havens in Pakistan as well as Beijing's plans to build new nuclear power projects in Pakistan.

"We brought up the question of stapled visas and need for China to find solution to this. This was an issue that had triggered serious concerns in India," Rao told reporters here. "It is an issue of sovereignty and issue of right of all our nationals to be treated at par and equally. The seriousness with which it was viewed has been

‘We brought up the question of stapled visas and need for China to find solution to this. This was an issue that had triggered serious concerns in India,’ Rao said. ‘It is an issue of sovereignty and issue of right of all our nationals to be treated at par and equally’ conveyed," the top diplomat underlined. The issue of stapled visas has become a major irritant in bilateral ties as the recent refusal of visa to top Indian General B S Jaswal on the ground that he headed troops of Northern Command, which included Jammu and Kashmir, resulted in India putting on hold defense exchanges with China.

Rao said they had also discussed Sino-Pak nuclear cooperation and Chinese involvement in various projects in PoK. "We did speak about Sino-Pak nuclear cooperation. We also spoke about Chinese involvement in various projects in POK, including development of communications and roads," the Foreign Secretary said, adding "It was an open and candid discussion". During her four-and-a-halfhour talks, Rao also raised the issue of terrorism and militant groups finding safe havens in Pakistan. "We spoke about concerns about terrorism and terrorist groups and safe heavens in Pakistan," she said. . Rao said the two sides also discussed the Indo-Pak peace dialogue. "While we have persisted in our efforts to resume dialogue with Pakistan, the response from their side has not been forthcoming as we (would have) liked it to be," she said. The issue of China building a massive dam on Brahmaputra River figured prominently in the dialogue. "The Brahmaputra dam issue was raised by me. I was reassured by the Vice Minister that it was not a project designed to divert the water and affect the welfare and availability of water to the countries in the lower reaches," the Foreign Secretary said. "It is a power project. It is not

going to affect people in lower reaches. China is cooperating with India on hydrological data which is going on since 2003. The Chinese Minister said China would continue to do so," she said. On the issue of Chinese plan to build new nuclear plants in Pakistan without the approval from the Nuclear Suppliers Group

Nirupama Rao

(NSG), Rao said India expressed its concerns and China appeared to understand New Delhi's stand. "On the nuclear issue they listened to what we had to say. Our concerns were articulated. I believe they understand the depth of our concerns on this. What they will do with this we have to see," she said. But at the same time, "we said very clearly we do not regard this as a zero sum game, their relations

with Pakistan and us. That is not the way," the top diplomat said. Rao also made it clear to China that India looked beyond South Asia with its 'Look East Policy' as "We are a big country in the region". "We have interests that go beyond South Asia. We are in many ways an East Asian country. The Chinese view that we are a South Asian country. We also made it clear that we are very much part of East Asia," she said, adding that she also spoke about India's relations with Japan. On the UNSC reforms as well as other issues, the Chinese Minister acknowledged India's rising global influence. The Chinese side listened to India's concerns on PoK, Rao said. The Chinese responded by reiterating their stand on the Kashmir issue that it should be settled between India and Pakistan. "He (Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang) wanted to know our relations with Pakistan. How we see the situation in Afghanistan, expansion of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, India's look and engage east policy, postelection scenario in Myanmar, the question of dialogue architecture of Asia- Pacific security and Korean peninsula," the top diplomat said. The two sides also discussed contours of a host of agreements and MOUs to be signed during the Wen's visit to India.-PTI

Mumbai kids want to go to American colleges: Obama India Post News Service

NEW YORK: President Barack Obama, who has returned from a 10-day trip through four Asian countries starting out with India, going on to Indonesia, participating in the G-20 Summit in South Korea and concluding with the APEC meet in Japan, came away with the strongest impressions, it would seem, from India. It may be that at the town hall meet at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai President Obama faced some very tough questions from college students, but it was the school kids he met earlier that day who seemed to have impressed him, of course with good reason. On his way back home, responding to a reporter's query on board Air Force One on Nov 15, on what his takeaway/highlight was from the entire trip President Obama said all of Asia was eager for American engagement and leadership. "We saw that in India; we saw it in Indonesia; we

President Obama†interacting with students at St Xavier's College Mumbai on Nov 7. (Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia)

saw it during the G20 and we saw it during APEC," he said. But what struck him most was that such an expectation was not just from leaders. "I was struck when I was at the first school that we went to in Mumbai, and those young kids who were talking about the environment and green technology. On the way down, I

said, "Well, what are you guys' plans?" "Well, we're of course going to go to college." I said, "Where are you going to go?" "Well, America, of course." The President said despite the tough couple of years, and cynicism back home, all over Asia leaders and people - think of America as still central. "And

they want us there," he said. His second strong impression of the trip, President Obama said, was that Asians are truly moving. "Korea, China, India, the entire Southeast Asian region - Japan - all of them recognize how competitive things are and that they are thinking each and every day about how to educate their

workforce, rebuild their infrastructure, enter into new markets. And we should feel confident about our ability to compete, but we are going to have to step up our game." Back in India, the incident where White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had an altercation with Indian security officials over the number of White House media representatives that should be allowed for the Obama-Singh bilateral meeting in New Delhi Gibbs is supposed to have actually stuck his foot in the door so it would not be closed before all of "his White House Eight" were allowed in for the photo-op - has become infamous, if not viral on mainstream American television. When a reporter asked tongue-in-cheek, whether Gibbs was in line for a Presidential Medal of Freedom for taking on the Indians to get reporters in, President Obama, amidst laughter, said, "I will say that his foot is still bruised. But it was all for a good cause."

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November 26, 2010

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World leaders launch unprecedented fight against global corruption

Attending members of the G20 group as well as invited guests wave as they pose together for the ìfamily photoî following the plenary sessions at the G20 Summit in Seoul on November 12 India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Among the many significant actions that the G-20 leaders agreed upon at the Seoul Summit earlier this month, perhaps the most far reaching, if not onerous task was that of anti-corruption efforts worldwide. With a comprehensive Action Plan to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, the G-20 signaled its commitment to fighting corruption in the public and private sectors and ensuring that corrupt officials cannot access financial institutions or find safe haven in these countries. The G-20's agenda is built around three pillars: (1) a common approach to building an effective global anti-corruption regime, the principles of which are enshrined in the provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC); (2) specific commitments to show collective leadership by taking action in high priority areas that affect these economies; and (3) a commitment to directly engaging the private sector stakeholders in the development and implementation of innovative and cooperative practices in support of a clean business environment. The UNCAC, the Anti-Bribery Convention, and the Financial Action Task Force, among other instruments, outline the necessary steps and set in place clear and high standards. The G-20 consider it their collective challenge to summon the political will to embrace these instruments and standards, strengthen them where appropri-

ate, but most importantly take actions to effectively implement them, which makes the Action Plan endorsed by the G-20 is so important. Under the Action Plan, G-20 Leaders agreed to lead by example in key areas, including: • to accede or ratify and effectively implement the UNCAC and promote a transparent and inclusive review process; • adopt and enforce laws against the bribery of foreign public officials; prevent access of corrupt officials to the global financial system; • consider a cooperative framework for the denial of entry to corrupt officials, extradition, and asset recovery; protect whistleblowers; and safeguard anticorruption bodies. US Leadership to combat corruption The G-20 Action Plan builds on President Obama's global leadership in the fight against corruption, which this Administration has made a top national priority. Over the past year, US leadership has included: Prosecuting Bribery and Corruption Overseas • Increased enforcement capacity to pursue bribery of officials overseas, including enhanced enforcement efforts of the Fraud Section at the Department of Justice and the creation of a dedicated unit at the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has helped to level the playing field for ethical businesses that operate internationally.

• Filing 105 enforcement actions involving bribery of foreign officials overseas since the beginning of 2009, and collecting over $2 billion in criminal and civil penalties. Denying Safe Haven to Kleptocrats and Proceeds of Corruption

‘Increased enforcement capacity to pursue bribery of officials overseas, including enhanced enforcement efforts of the Fraud Section at the Department of Justice and the creation of a dedicated unit at the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has helped to level the playing field for ethical businesses that operate internationally’ • Using Presidential Proclamation 7750 and other immigration authorities to prevent corrupt officials and those who pay them bribes from entering the United States, with increased focus on corruption in extractive industries and a decision to double staffing to provide more capacity to the State Department's antikleptocracy efforts. • Launched a Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, initiating

the process to substantially increase staffing in the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section to pursue the proceeds of foreign official corruption and foster international cooperation. Developing the International Standards and Architecture for Fighting Corruption • Led the creation and initiation of a new peer review mechanism to review the efforts of 147 countries in implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and set an example to other countries by being one of the first countries to be reviewed. • Continued US leadership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery including by: ensuring greater accountability through published statistics on investigations and prosecutions; negotiating a new OECD Recommendation to enhance the implementation and enforcement of the Antibribery Convention; developing good practice guidance to help companies strengthen compliance programs to prevent and detect bribery; promoting regular meetings of prosecutors to address cross-cutting issues; and supporting the third phase of monitoring on enforcement of transnational bribery laws. Building Capacity of Other Governments to Tackle Corruption • Provided over $1 billion in fiscal year 2009 in anti-corruption and related good governance assistance aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and participation in government institutions and public processes at all

levels. • Posted expert prosecutors and law enforcement officers in over 35 countries this year to assist in building sound and fair justice systems and establishing non-corrupt institutions. • Provided specialized anticorruption assistance, including three initial pilot programs on recovery of assets stowed abroad by corrupt officials, in targeted countries. • Signed three new Millennium Challenge Corporation compacts in 2009 and 2010 totaling $1.2 billion with countries selected, in part, on performance on control of corruption. Promoting Public-Private Partnerships against Corruption • Increased efforts in business education and awareness including outreach to potential importers and investors in developing countries and support for ethics initiatives. • With this year's financial commitment, became the largest donor to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative -- providing $10.5 million to the Trust Fund over the last three years -- and worked with international organizations, the private sector, and governments to help resource rich countries build transparent and accountable practices in the extractive industries sector. • Worked with the US Congress to pass a "Publish What You Pay" law requiring that oil, gas, and mining companies report payments to the U.S. or any foreign government for resource extraction.

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November 26, 2010

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Magazine for South Asians wanting to study abroad India Post News Service

NEW DELHI/NEW YORK: Salwan Media Private Limited, a global media company, has launched BrainGain Magazine (http://www.braingainmag.com), an online publication for students in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan) seeking to study abroad. Coming on the heels of President Obama's visit to India, the launch in New Delhi coincided with USIndia Business Council (USIBC) Higher Education Summit, and the Institute of International Education's delegation of universities visiting India. The event also included representatives from the US State Department and the US Department of Education. Some of the other institutions represented at the launch included Manipal Education, Amity University, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (The Netherlands), OP Jindal Global University, The British School,

Arizona State University, among others. BrainGain Magazine aims to be the definitive source of information for anyone interested in ex-

Coming on the heels of President Obama's visit to India, the launch in New Delhi coincided with US-India Business Council (USIBC) Higher Education Summit ploring and learning about educational opportunities outside South Asia, and provides information on student experiences and studying in universities

around the world. The interactive online medium provides students access to helpful and practical details on learning about their chosen field of study, campus life, admission process, careers services, financial aid and visa regulations. Besides regular streams such as engineering, MBA and medicine, BrainGain Magazine will also cover specialized courses such as oceanography, astrophysics, script writing and film making, to name a few. BrainGain Magazine is the second media property launched by Salwan Media this year. The magazine is the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Harjiv Singh, who serves on the advisory board of India Knowledge@Wharton and has been a guest faculty at Duke University's corporate education arm, DukeCE. Harjiv himself has studied at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and the New York Institute of Technology.

According to UNESCO-UIS 2009 report, nearly three million students are pursuing studies outside of their country of origin. US is the leading destination for Indian students alone has reached a record high of more than 671,000 students," said Singh, Founder-CEO of BrainGain Magazine. "Studying in a foreign country is an as-

piration for many students but fulfilling that dream can be an overwhelming one. The first resource of its kind in South Asia, BrainGain endeavors to help students achieve their goals by providing relevant and comprehensive information in one place." According to UNESCO-UIS 2009 report, nearly three million students are pursuing studies outside of their country of origin. US is the leading destination for Indian students going abroad to study, followed by the UK and Australia respectively. Delivering the keynote at the launch of BrainGain Magazine, Jerry MacArthur Hultin, President of NYU-Poly, the second oldest private engineering school in the US, underscored the importance of BrainGain Magazine as it allows students in South Asia to learn about higher education opportunities the world has to offer. Jerry is the former US Under Secretary for Navy under President Clinton.

Suu Kyi defends boycott of general election

ANNIVERSARY OF ARRIVAL: Women from Indian community (R) join Hindu priests in performing a prayer on November 16, at the South Beach in Durban to mark the 150th year since the first indentured Indian workers arrived by boat in Durban. The eastern port is home to some 800,000 South Africans of Indian descent who countrywide make up less than three percent of the population

'China dam on Bramhaputra will not have negative effect' GUWAHATI: China has told the Centre that construction of dam at the source of the river Brahmaputra in its territory will not have negative impact downstream in India, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. "China has told the Central government that there will be no negative impact downstream in India and so there is nothing to fear here. However, we have to be vigilant about the development," Gogoi told reporters here. The Chinese assurance came when the Prime Minister took up the matter with Beijing after Assam government drew his attention to

"A recent IIE report shows that international student mobility is redefining the global higher education landscape. Foreign student enrollment in the United States

the issue in 2006, he said. Gogoi said, "We will urge the Centre to have a water sharing information treaty with China. We will also study the downstream impact of the Chinese project." To BJP leader Rajnath Singh's assertion that the country should give permission for only small dams in the highly seismic North Eastern region, Gogoi accused the party of having double standards as the erstwhile BJP-led Central government had sanctioned mega dams which were converted to single purpose power dams. "They have double standards. The BJP and AGP which sup-

ported mega dams are now realizing their negative impact and waking up," Gogoi said. On multi-purpose dam for the Lower Subansiri hydro-electric project at Gerukamukh in Arunachal Pradesh, Gogoi said, "If it benefits us here, then why should we oppose it? If it has negative effect here then we will have to force Arunachal Pradesh to stop the project. "We will not cooperate and will prevent those projects that harm us. We have asked the Centre to examine all central, state and private projects that harm Assam. We have also asked for law on it," he said.-PTI

YANGON: Myanmar's pro-de- younger then when she cammocracy campaigner Aung San paigned for democracy in the Suu Kyi says she has no regrets past," the correspondent said. over her party's decision to boy"She believes her party is getcott the general election held on ting through to the younger genNovember 7. eration and she is getting more In an interview to Al Jazeera, confident that this is the key to the 65-year-old Nobel Prize laure- change here [in Myanmar]." ate said the decision to withdraw International monitors of the her National League for Democ- elections and some of her local racy (NLD) was the right one, even following had criticized Suu Kyi's though some of her supporters decision to boycott the national believed it was a mistake. vote because it left people with Suu Kyi said that the people of little choice. Myanmar have to stand up for themselves if they want to see Suu Kyi was careful not to change in their country. verbally challenge the current "The people have to want it, and they have military leadership of to be united," she said. Myanmar. However, she was In the interview, Suu Kyi was careful not to defiant over her seven-year verbally challenge the period of house arrest, which current military leadershe termed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;illegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ship of Myanmar. However, she was defiant over her seven-year period of "Boycotting the elections was house arrest, which she termed the only decision to make because "illegal". they [the NLD] didn't believe in She also said the military lead- the election rules," the corresponership of Myanmar was not soft- dent said. ening its stance. "Standing up for democracy Al Jazeera correspondent said can be a very dangerous occupaSuu Kyi's release encouraged her tion in Myanmar, but she [Suu further to fight for democracy, Kyi] believes the more people do "because her following has grown that, the more perhaps the current significantly during her deten- rulers of this country will start to tion". take notice, and will start to "A lot of those supporters are change."

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November 26, 2010

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India to seek info about specific accounts in Swiss banks NEW DELHI: Stepping up efforts to bring back black money stashed in Swiss banks, India is set to seek information on specific accounts there through the Federal Court of that country. The Finance Ministry has initiated steps under which the Swiss Federal Court of Justice would be requested to ensure that information on specific accounts is provided by April 1, 2011 under the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement, sources told PTI. Attorney General G E Vahanvati would be writing to the Swiss authorities to obtain information for the Foreign Tax (FT) and Tax Research (TR) Divisions of the Finance Ministry, which are investigating aspects related to Indian black money stashed in bank accounts abroad. The sources, however, did not specify the accounts about which the details would be sought. Sources said several individuals have made investments to the tune of crores of rupees, taking

advantage of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) in various countries and the details sought from Switzerland would help agencies investigate tax evasions. In August this year, India and

Sources said several individuals have made investments to the tune of crores of rupees, taking advantage of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) in various countries Switzerland had signed a protocol to amend the existing DTAA between the two countries so as to bring under its ambit information regarding the money stashed away in banks in that country. "Under the current DTAA be-

tween India and Switzerland, India has not been able to obtain banking information from Switzerland. The protocol now seeks to amend the Article concerning Exchange of Information to enable exchange of such information," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had informed the Lok Sabha in a statement made in August. Under the revised DTAA, information, which is foreseen as relevant for carrying out the provisions of the agreement or to the administration or enforcement of the domestic laws concerning taxes, can be exchanged under the pact. Earlier, information which was relevant only for carrying out the provisions of DTAA could be exchanged. The objective of the DTAAs is to evolve an equitable basis for the allocation of the right to tax different types of incomes between the 'source' and 'residence' States, ensuring in that process tax neutrality in transactions between residents and nonresidents. -PTI

TERESA AWARD: Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (R) recieves the Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice from Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee (L) and nuns from the Missionaries of Charity (C) in New Delhi on November 18. The Tibetan spiritual leader received the award in honour of his commitments to human values, fostering inter-religious dialogue, and the welfare of the Tibetan people

Chinese built Lanka port inaugurated COLOMBO Sri Lanka's new port in the southern city of Hambantota, built with Chinese assistance, has been formally commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the symbolic entry of a converted troopship. The port located in Rajapaksa's home district of Hambantota has been named after the President and the inauguration coincided

with his 65th birthday celebrations. "When I came to power, I promised an honorable peace and a new Sri Lanka. I have kept my promise and built a new country," Rajapakse said in a speech. The project is funded by the Chinese government and the first of the four-phase project has been completed at a cost of USD 672 million, officials said.

"Jetliner", the naval vessel that was used for troops transportation during the 30-year-old civil war, entered the harbor followed by two other vessels commissioning the harbor. Port officials say that more than 2,000 hectares of land adjoining the harbor will be declared as a special economic zone to boost commercial and industrial activities. -PTI

'Absolutely necessary for PM to clear all charges' NEW DELHI: The CPI(M) has "The best way to resolve this said it was absolutely necessary issue would be to set up a Joint for the Prime Minister to clear all Parliamentary Committee to probe "charges" vis-a-vis the 2G spec- it. It would also be useful in maktrum allocation and a joint parlia- ing recommendations for a policy mentary probe was the best way framework or issue guidelines on available before the government. the sale of national resources, like Former Telecom Minister A spectrum, to private parties," Raja has been claiming that all Yechury said. steps regarding the 2G radiowave The Marxist leader said the isallocation were taken with the "full sue has been in public discourse knowledge" of the Prime from 2008, since when he wrote Minister's Office and the Supreme three letters to the Prime Minister Court has also asked the govern- on the telecom scam. "Barring ment to clarify, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said here. Yechury said he himself "The matter seems to urged the Prime Minister when be becoming more and more grave. they met in the lobby of ParAgainst this backliament after the Rajya Sabha drop, it is absolutely necessary that the adjourned for the day. "The Prime Minister clears Prime Minister nodded his himself of all charges and explains the role of head," he said when asked PMO before the people about Singh's response and Parliament," he told reporters here. Another Polit Bureau member acknowledgements, there was no Brinda Karat wondered what were assurance whether our contenthe "compulsions" for Singh that tions would even be considered," he "kept silence" for the last two he said. years and still he is silent. To questions on alleged scams "This is unprecedented. The in Commonwealth Games prepafact is that the highest court of rations and Adarsh housing socithe country has asked such a ety in Mumbai, he said these question to the PM. This is first cases as well as those relating to time in the history of India that the land scam and illegal mining the Supreme Court has asked PM in Karnataka should be thorto give an answer on such an is- oughly enquired into. sue," she said. "All these cases cannot be igYechury said he himself urged nored in the spotlight of 2G (specthe Prime Minister when they met trum scam). We will continue to in the lobby of Parliament after the pursue them," Yechury said. All Rajya Sabha adjourned for the these scams were "a reflection of day. "The Prime Minister nodded crony capitalism of the worst orhis head," he said when asked der, which the PM has said India about Singh's response. cannot afford. -PTI

Tech News DRDO to invest Rs 1,000 crore in 3 projects HYDERABAD: Defense research agency DRDO will be investing around Rs 1,000 crore on missile manufacturing augmentation and other two key programs at its facility here over the next five years. Investment will be made in three sanctioned programs of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), its Director General V K Saraswat said. "Around Rs 600 to Rs 650 crore will be spent on missile manufacturing augmentation, Rs 300-Rs 350 crore will be spent on hypersonic wind tunnel program for testing scramjet engine, which will be six times faster than sound velocity, and the remaining will be invested on radio frequency testing centre," he told reporters here.

Solar energy projects for Rajasthan JAIPUR: Solar energy projects of 505 MW capacity will be established in Rajasthan, a move which, the state government said, is likely to attract investment of Rs 6,000 crore in private sector. The Centre has "recently executed tender process to select solar power projects of 630 mw capacity to be established in the country. Out of the total capacity, projects of 505 mw capacity will be set up in Rajasthan alone," an official statement said here. "This is likely to attract investment of around Rs 6,000 crore in private sector," it said. -PTI

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Industry possible at Singur, says govt KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has said it was possible to set up industry in Singur if Trinamool Congress responded positively to the state housing minister Gautam Deb's offer to return 11 per cent of acquired land at Rajarhat township if the Mamata Banerjee-led party allowed the Tatas to set up their second small car unit at the site. Industry minister Nirupam Sen said some land at Singur was lying with the state Industrial Development Corporation. Earlier, during talks on the issue, the chief minister had offered to return 100 acres to unwilling farmers out of 997 acres acquired for the car project, Sen said. -PTI

November 26, 2010

Tata-owned Jaguar unveils electric concept car LOS ANGELES: Tata Motorsowned Jaguar has unveiled an electric concept car that can run 900 km to a charge with a top speed of 320 km per hour. Christened C-X75, it has been created to celebrate 75 years of the company, says Ian Callum, design director of Jaguar Cars. Callum told PTI that Tata Group Chief Ratan Tata was very "excited about the car and loved its design". He said the concept car had everything a Jaguar should be. The car which would be put on display at the prestigious Los Angles Auto Show beginning tomorrow has created waves in the last few days after being exhibited in some parts of this city of Hollywood. "It possesses remarkable poise and grace yet at the same time has the excitement and potency of a true supercar", Callum said. "This is as close to a pure art form as a concept car and is a worthy homage to 75 years of iconic

Jaguar design, he said. Top Jaguar executives insist CX75 was only a concept car and not for commercial sale while conceding they have been receiving a lot of inquiries from serious potential buyers.

range to 900 km. Top speed is over 320 km/h and the two-seater can sprint from 0100 km/h in just over 3.0 seconds. The super car was first put to public display at the Paris Auto show recently and now at the Los

The Jaguar C-X75

Built with lightweight aluminum panels and chassis, the C-X75 is a 4WD vehicle. Besides being powered by 145kw electric motors at all wheels, it has a pair of micro gasturbines that provide another 140Kw of charge and extend the

Angeles Auto Show. From here it would travel to China, before it goes back to its garage at London. Callum said there is no plan to take this concept car to India, where its owners the Tata Motors is headquartered.

On comparison and similarity between Tata NANO - the world's cheapest car - and Jaguar C-X75, now being dubbed as the 'super car', he said it was 'innovation' which has been the key thrust of its chief Ratan Tata. Mr Ratan Tata saw it in August some time. He saw it a few times of course as we developed it. He is very excited about it. "He (Tata) loves the technology. He loves the design of it. And he is a great fan of the car," Callum said. When he (Tata) saw it all finished, he was very very delighted indeed, Callum said, adding that at the moment there is no plan to market this super car. Meanwhile, the advanced design director of Jaguar Jullian Thomson has said the car "represents the ultimate in design technology. It is very obvious that Mr Tata himself loves the Jaguar brand and has a very very passionate view of Jaguar, said Thomson. -PTI

MoneyGram to sponsor ICC Cricket World Cup Panel to evolve infrastructure funding strategy NEW DELHI: Faced with the challenge to raise an estimated USD one trillion for developing the country's infrastructure, government has set up a high-level committee to evolve a strategy in this regard. The committee headed by former RBI Deputy Governor Rakesh Mohan would submit its report in 18 months, an official statement said. It would suggest steps for improving capital markets for garnering long term savings and facilitating flow of foreign investment. The committee would assess the investments required to be made by the central and state government, public sector undertakings (PSUs) and the private sector in the ten major physical infra-

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: MoneyGram International, a global leader in money transfers, has signed a long-term sponsorship agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC). Per the agreement, MoneyGram will have a presence at all ICC cricket tournaments around the world during 2011-2015. More immediately, MoneyGram will be a local partner level sponsor of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, which takes place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from Feb. 19 to April 2, 2011. "MoneyGram is delighted about our long-term sponsorship with the ICC," said Juan Agualimpia, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of MoneyGram International. "MoneyGram's brand and services are well known in 'cricket

countries' and we are glad we can align ourselves with the heritage of the sport and bring ourselves closer to our customers." "It is wonderful that MoneyGram has retained its involvement as a local partner for our flagship event, the ICC Cricket

MoneyGram announced its sponsorship agreement during a press conference in Mumbai recently, which was attended by ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and international cricketer, Ajit Agarkar World Cup 2011. The extension says much about the value of our great sport and that we continue to attract and retain sponsors of the caliber of MoneyGram. The global reach of the MoneyGram network is such that ICC can promote its flagship cricket event in many new and exciting destinations worldwide."

MoneyGram's second foray into sponsorship of the sport as the company sponsored the ICC's Twenty 20 World Cup 2010, held in May the West Indies. "Cricket is the biggest game in the Indian Sub-continent and we take our sport seriously," said Harsh Lambah, regional director of South Asia for MoneyGram. "As

a fan and a MoneyGram employee, I am excited about the potential we have to strengthen our brand in this important region through MoneyGram's sponsorship of ICC matches and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. I know our network of over 30,000 agent locations throughout India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are equally excited to be aligned with the World Cup through MoneyGram as their money transfer provider." India, which has the largest base of cricket fans in the world, is one of the largest money transfer markets in the world with more than $48 billion in remittances sent to India in 2009, according to the World Bank. MoneyGram 's presence in the region provides an important service to the more than 25 million non-resident Indians all over the globe who continue to have links to India.

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G-20 moves India into key IMF shareholder position India Post News Service

NEW YORK: A historic reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed upon by the G20 leaders at the recent Seoul Summit moves India, along with Brazil, China and Russia into the top 10 shareholders of the institution, while maintaining the veto power of the US over key IMF decisions. At the Pittsburgh Summit last year, President Obama led the G-20 in calling for enhancing the role of dynamic emerging market and developing countries in the IMF. In response to that call, in Seoul the G-20 leaders agreed to a comprehensive reform of the IMF that gives those economies greater

voice and representation in the institution's governance. This reform will help to create a more effective, credible, and legitimate IMF that better reflects the global economy of the 21st century. A stronger and more credible IMF improves the ability of the United States to find common ground with its partners on the policies needed to secure a strong and balanced global recovery that avoids the reemergence of dangerous imbalances. US leadership was critical to this agreement, which surpasses the goals set out by Leaders in Pittsburgh a little over a year ago. The Seoul reform: * Increases the voting power

of under-represented dynamic emerging market and developing countries by over six percent, ex-

A stronger and more credible IMF improves the ability of the United States to find common ground with its partners on the policies needed to secure a strong and balanced global recovery ceeding the G-20 Pittsburgh commitment of at least a five percent shift; * Moves Brazil, China, India,

and Russia into the top 10 shareholders of the IMF to reflect the size of their economies; * Protects the voting share of the poorest countries; * Maintains the US veto over key IMF decisions; and * Enhances emerging market and developing country representation on the IMF's Executive Board, creating a Board that is more representative of today's global economy. Advanced European countries agreed to relinquish two of their eight seats on the Executive Board to provide greater voice for emerging market and developing countries. The US worked closely with the Euro-

pean Union and G-20 members to achieve this ambitious reform. Governance reforms have been combined with significant reforms of the IMF's lending facilities, including the enhancement of the Flexible Credit Line and the establishment of the Precautionary Credit Line. These new measures will help prevent crises from spreading by allowing strongly-performing countries to insure themselves against external shocks during future crises. This, in turn, will help to build a more smoothly-functioning international monetary system and facilitate the strong global recovery needed to create jobs here in the United States.

Dabur acquires Namasté Group for $100 million India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Dabur India Ltd has acquired 100% equity in Namasté Laboratories LLC and its three subsidiary companies -- Hair Rejuvenation & Revitalization Nigeria Limited, Healing Hair Laboratories International, LLC, and Urban Laboratories International, LLC along with its South African arm - for $100 million, in an all-cash deal. This marks Dabur's entry into the fast-growing $1.5-billion ethnic hair care products market in U.S., Europe and Africa. "This acquisition is in line with our strategy to build a global presence in the international FMCG market," Dabur India Ltd. Chairman Dr. Anand Burman said. "The Namasté Group has a complementary product mix that can be easily integrated with Dabur and will also serve as a gateway to the US market for our portfolio of consumer products. This transaction will also enhance our profitability, increase stakeholder value and substantially add to Dabur's already strong presence in Africa, serving as one of the key pillars in strengthening our competitive position in the African continent." The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the 2010 calendar year, subject to regulatory approvals in the US. Mr. Gary Gardner, founder and CEO of Namasté, along with the well experienced management team will continue to run the business as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dermoviva Skin Essentials Inc -- a subsidiary of Dabur India Ltd. Namasté's North American sales team will also remain in place, and its existing relationships with retailers, wholesalers, distributors and suppliers will not change as a result of this transaction. Founded in 1996 to fulfill the

needs of the health-conscious consumers of African descent, Namasté Laboratories offers a

"Over the last few years, Dabur has been following a very disciplined and focused approach to identify acquisitions that represent a strong fit with our busi-

gration of Balsara, Fem and Turkey's Hobi Kozmetik. We are confident that the opportunities for capitalizing on the strengths of Namasté's business across our

‘We expect this transaction to provide a tremendous platform for value creation in both the US and Africa. With this acquisition, nearly 25% of Dabur's consolidated revenue would be generated overseas’

P D Narang

range of products developed with natural ingredients. Namasté markets a portfolio of products under the Organic Root Stimulator® brand and is one of the leading marketers of hair and beauty products for women of color. The company controls a 12% market share in the US and enjoys significant market positions in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean region of North America. It has a strong multi-channel distribution platform across the US in mass, retail, beauty stores and salons. "We are very excited about this acquisition as it opens up new vistas for our burgeoning overseas business. This transaction will mark Dabur's entry into the hair care market in Africa and add to our already substantial and growing oral care and skin care business in the African continent," Dabur India Ltd Group Director Mr. P. D. Narang said. "We expect this transaction to provide a tremendous platform for value creation in both the US and Africa. With this acquisition, nearly 25% of Dabur's consolidated revenue would be generated overseas."

ness," Dabur India Ltd Chief Executive Officer Sunil Duggal said. "We have also developed strong processes to manage and integrate these acquisitions, as demonstrated in the successful inte-

international operations are significant." "The entire Namasté management team is excited to be joining forces with Dabur," said Namasté founder and CEO Gary

Gardner. "In Dabur, we have found a strategic partner who will help realize our vision of becoming the hair care brand of choice for people of color worldwide. “With their presence in Africa, and with our knowledge of the consumer of African descent, we look forward to building a global presence rooted firmly on the African continent. We believe this partnership will thrive because the two companies complement each other so well and because there is a mutual respect. We know our employees, customers, distributors and retailers will benefit from this great growth opportunity."

UAS Laboratories acquires APN Labs India Post News Service

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN: On November 11, UAS Laboratories, Inc. acquired all outstanding shares of APN Labs, Inc. to become the sole owner. APN Labs, Inc. of Wausau, Wisconsin, USA, is a leading contract manufacturer of premium nutraceuticals for quality-conscious companies who are seeking to develop or maintain name brand products. APN Labs has its own condition-specific probiotic blends as well as other ingredients. With its innovative technology, APN Labs has become a leading nutraceutical manufacturer and has been operating in the USA for the past ten years. The facility and equipment meet the strict FDA and state health department requirements as well as the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) guidelines. APN Labs is also kosher certified. This custom manufacturing and private label expertise

allows APN Labs to develop products from conception to completion for their customers. Dr. S.K. Dash, President of UAS Laboratories, said, "With the ac-

Dr. S.K. Dash

quisition of APN Labs, we are now in a great position to provide a complete range of probiotics and other specialty nutritional supplements including our branded products as well as customer private label products. UAS Labs has extensive experience in formulation of probiotics and other specialty nutraceuticals and we will now be

able to offer many more services". The facility at APN Labs, Inc. has adequate manufacturing space with capability to produce customers brand products and bulk capsules, tablets and powder. Earlier this month, APN Labs received GMP certification from NSF. Consumers and health care practitioners look for ways to identify reliable, high-quality dietary supplements and NSF certification provides the reassurance that the production facility meets the highest level of GMPs for dietary supplements. NSF International is a 65-year old not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that is a world leader in standards development, product certification, education and risk management for public health and safety. NSF, headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, serves manufacturers in 80 countries and has earned the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center designation.

Desi News

Apna Ghar celebrates 20th anniversary SUHANI AMIN

CHICAGO: Chicago witnessed a landmark event on November 14. Apna Ghar (Our Home) a place for battered women and victims of domestic violence, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala dinner and entertainment program at the Carlisle Banquet Hall in Lombard. The evening honored Professor Margaret Abraham, Professor of Sociology at Hofstra University in New York for her research in the field of Domestic Violence. Abraham is the author of the acclaimed book Speaking the Unspeakable: Marital Violence among South Asian Immigrants in the United States.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

CG answers crucial Visa questions at large gathering Details on page 20

12 India Post

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November 26, 2010

Air India presents top selling awards to travel agents

Details on page 14

India Tribune Grand Diwali attracts hundreds Asian Media USA

Diwali at northwestern universtiy in Evanston SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Om Hindu Cultural Council, Northwestern University in Evanston, celebrated Diwali festival along with students and their families on Saturday, November 13. The students performed the Lakshmi Puja under the guidance of Acharya Rohit Joshi, a front ranking Hindu priest of Chicagoland. Talking about the significance of Diwali, Acharya Joshi said that he was honored to celebrate Diwali festival with members of the Council and students of Northwestern University. Acharya Joshi said that the festival of lights, known popularly as Deepavali, is just a beginning. Details on page 18

Consolidator Sunita Lal of AA Travel getting Award

Skybird's Umesh Patel getting Top Achiever Award

India Post News Service

Airport Manager Palekar, Finance Manager Kamal Roy, Sunny Thomas and others from airport were

CHICAGO: Air India presented top selling awards to its consolidators in Midwest in a glittering and well attended event recently at Ashiyana Banquet in Downers Grove, a south west Chicago suburb. Air India consolidators and other travel agents were invited for the grand annual award ceremony. Ms. Chitra Sarkar, Air India Executive Director - Americas & Europe joined Jude Crasto Manager Midwest and Chicago staff members for the gala dinner presentation. Katherine Thorat District Sales Manager Midwest,

In the beginning there were only two flights a week, the frequency was increased to five flights a week, then seven flights a week

AQ SIDDIQUI

Air India Consolidator Hari Travels Mr Singh getting Award from J Crasto

also present. Ms Sarkar described the event as most important since it coin-

Consolidator Birju Bhagat of Krisbi Travel getting Award

Air India Consolidator Asgar Ukani getting award

cided with Diwali occasion and inauguration of Air India's nonstop service from Chicago to Delhi.

Palat of Evia Travel getting Achiever Award

The event also assumed importance in view of 50th anniversary of Air India operations to United States. Ms Sarkar also remarked that Air India picked up very well from Chicago. In the beginning there were only two flights a week, the frequency was increased to five flights a week, then seven flights a week. Now Air India operates daily non-stop flight from Chicago, the fastest way to reach US passengers to any city in India. Air India Team L to R: Faroz, Mahesh Palkar, Subhash Raul, Tom Demsey, Sunny Thoma, Jude Crasto (Manager) Katherine Thorat, Chetan Patel, Archana Shah, Shweta Mahadeshwarn and Jay Abesekar

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 13

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November 26, 2010

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Ex-governor aide Bedi facing felony charges India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A former aide to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Rajinder Bedi, 58, got himself in dire straits as a sequel to charges of shoplifting filed by Chicago police November 6. According to the police report, Bedi entered a Home Depot Store in Lincolnwood, Chicago, Illinois, collected the merchandise and paid the value of the merchandise

may be charged with felony retail theft, which has a threshold of $150.00. Bond was set at $10,000 and Bedi was released posting the bond amount required. The case is scheduled to come up in the court on December 12. Bedi was a witness to the trial of the former Governor Rod Blagojevich. He was formerly the Managing Director of State's Office of Trade & Investment in

Bond was set at $10,000 and Bedi was released posting the bond amount required. The case is scheduled to come up in the court on December 12

AA's Chicago-Delhi non-stop completes five years AQ SIDDIQUI India Post News Service

CHICAGO: It was five years ago that a front ranking international airliner, American Airlines announced its plan for the longest non-stop flight from Chicago to Delhi in July 2005 and in less than four months, the mission was accomplished. On November 15, 2005 the world's largest airline launched its first longhaul non-stop service from O'Hare International Airport for Delhi. The longest route for nearly 7,500 miles was flown in 16 hours with 236-seat Being 777 aircraft. The event was recalled by

Indian CG Mukta Tomar was presented with a memento by AA Management team L to R Raj Sidhu, Tom Aichele, Ms Mukta Tomar and Ms Lorett Kus

ebrate the 5th Anniversary of Chicago-Delhi non-stop service. Tom Aicheles was addressing a large gathering of travel agents

On November 15, 2005 the world's largest airline launched its

Rajinder Singh Bedi

totaling $166.00, and left the store. A little later he entered the store again, collected the same items again, placed them in his cart and exited without paying. The security, which was observing his alleged unlawful activities arrested him thereupon and detained him until the arrival of the police. Bedi was allegedly seen by the employees of the store concealing items valued $166.00 and leaving the store without paying. He

at the Doubletree Hotel Oakbrook. Tom described the historic beginning of American non-stop

Blagojevich administration. He testified under immunity in July about ex-Governor's alleged attempt to sell President Obama's Senate Seat in Chicago. A front ranking Indian community activist, Bedi headed the Federation of Indian Associations in the past besides founding an ethnic Indian newspaper, Indian Reporter. Many in the community expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden turn of events.

first long-haul nonstop service from O'Hare International Airport for Delhi Raj Sidhu, American Airlines Asia & Pacific Sales Executive

Tom Aicheles, American Airlines' Vice-President Passenger Sales

Tom Aicheles, American Airlines' Vice-President Passenger Sales in Chicago as the Sales Team joined local travel agents to cel-

and Indian community members. The 5th Anniversary celebration was hosted by American Airlines Sales team on Monday evening

service as the result of team work. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 14

Air India presents top selling awards to travel agents

Air India US Canada Chief Ms Chitra Sarkar Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

In a record time saving operation, Air India passengers will reach Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkota, Kochi or Amritisar by 8.15 or 10.15pm next day. Jude Crasto welcomed the guests and thanked all for joining the event. He emphasized that new AI non-stop service from Chicago is more comfortable and time saving for all Indian destinations. Crasto made a video presentation about the new service and

Air India Midwest Manager Jude Crasto

Air India Executive Director Southern Region Sunil Kishen

facilities at Delhi's new airport. Air India South Regional Executive Director Sunil Kishan, who specially flew in from India for the event, also spoke about the new operation and distribution of passengers from Delhi aiport. The Awards were presented to agents by Ms Sarkar, Crasto and Ms Katherine. Sunil Kishan and Himanshu Mehtaji, Regional Finance Manager was also present for the awards ceremony. The awards were given for performance in 2008-2009 and 2009-

2010. Air Tours won the top selling award, Orbit and Sky Bird Travel Chicago - Detroit, Krisbi Travel, Evia Travel Inc, RK Travel, Aero Travel, Natraj Travel, All Airline Agency, Royal Travel, Direct Express Tour, Hari World Travel, Devon Travel were also among the recipients. Gifts and prizes were also given to winners by Air India Chicago office. The award ceremony was presented by all staff working in Chicago office turn by turn, namely Kamal, Sweta, Archana, Sampat and Feroz.

Air India dinner Top Consolidator Mafat Patel with travel agent Samri Shah

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'Tiffin' among America's top restaurant franchises India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The skyrocketing fortunes of Philadelphia-based Munish Narula's Tiffin Contemporary Indian Cuisine restaurant chain have not been lost on a growing legion of faithful patrons or on the local/regional food critics and media. A comprehensive North American search and selection competition reviewing some 170 different concepts from throughout the US and Canada has selected Tiffin as "America's Next Top Restaurant Franchise." In addition to the honor and affirmation of being selected through the rigorous applications, interview, site visit and business review process, Tiffin will receive a complete package of franchise development services valued at over $100,000. "We are very excited about winning this grand prize and being selected among so many popular concepts," says Narula, a Wharton grad and former CreditSuisse Banker. "I think this affirms our belief that Indian food has arrived as a significant addition to the American menu." The competition was conducted under the aegis of the Sysco Corporation -North America marketer and distributor of foodservice products -- and supervised By The Franchise Edge, Harold

Kestenbaum P.C., and Total Image Graphics, all nationally recognized experts in the restaurant franchise development field. Over the last four years Tiffin has been lauded as a breakthrough food concept which combines the rich flavors and traditions of Indian cuisine with a fresh contemporary style that appeals increasingly to a general American

Apna Ghar celebrates 20th anniversary SUHANI AMIN

"We are very excited about winning this grand prize and being selected among so many popular concepts," says Narula, a Wharton grad and former CreditSuisse Banker dining audience. During that time Tiffin has grown from a single restaurant at 7th & Girard to five locations and six different operations, including its Tiffin Etc. street food and pizza eatery, and has received rave reviews and the highest accolades from every major critic, publication and food-centric online outlet in the area.

Apna Ghar President with Guest Speaker Margaret Abraham (left)

Founders of Apna Ghar with Guest Margaret Abraham L to R Lee Magalya, Ranjana Bhargav, Kant Khipple, Margaret Abraham and Prem Sharma,

the field of domestic violence in the South Asian immigrant community for more than a decade. In her keynote to the guests, she said "We need to address domestic violence, affordable housing, healthcare and immigrant

rights. Let us all think in ways that we can make a significant impact in achieving human rights for all. We can link hope and action in influencing policy by writing letters to public officials. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 15

Apna Ghar team

AA's Chicago-Delhi non-stop completes five years Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 13

The non-stop service has continued since it started five years ago, has improved a lot saving more time, giving more comfort and remaining a top choice among Indian travelers. Tom hailed Indian American organizations in Chicago for supporting American Airlines non-stop service to Delhi and assured American Airlines' participation in local Indian events. American Airlines has been supporting Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) for India Independence Day celebrations. The successful completion of five years of American Airlines nonstop service to Delhi proved it had survived even the seeming hurdles of cultural and dietary differences. The Indian Consul General in Chicago Ms Mukta Dutta Tomar congratulated American Airlines for the 5th anniversary of its nonstop flight to Delhi and remarked that the service will continue to foster both trade and cultural ties between India and America. She

emphasized the importance of few factors that promote Airline sales such as cabin comfort, time saving schedules and pricing. She felt

The Indian Consul General in Chicago Ms Mukta Dutta Tomar congratulated American Airlines for the 5th anniversary of its nonstop flight to Delhi and remarked that the service will continue to foster both trade and cultural ties between India and America that AA's link to India would further cement economic and cultural ties between the two countries. A memento was presented to Ms

Tomar by American Airlines. Earlier, American Airlines Asia & Pacific Sales Executive Raj Sidhu welcomed the guests. He introduced the American Airlines local sales team members. Loretta Kuss, Director Chicago Sales also thanked the Indian community and local travel agents for their support. The 5th anniversary celebration included an entertainment program by Nritya Kala Dance Academy. The traditional Indian dance program was presented by TV Asia host Vandana Jhingan. Since its beginning in November 2005, American Airlines is operating daily non-stop flight from Chicago to Delhi leaving at 7.45pm and arriving in Delhi at 9.45pm, flying 14 hours 40 minutes with all cabin comforts in economy and Business class. The flight is operated by 777 new Boeing aircraft. All Indian cuisines are offered in meal menu. According to AA sources, the non stop India operations from Chicago have been very encouraging and that on an average over

AA Management team with local artists who performed classical Bollywood dance

8000 passengers have been using this air career for their travel to India from Chicago. Encouraged by this response, the AA management is reportedly considering extending non stop services to more cities in India, Mumbai being on the top of the list. Prominent Indian community members Niranjan Shah, Mafat Patel, Arvind Shah, Birju Bhagat,

Asgar Ali Ukani, Iftekhar Shareef were among those present. American Airlines' top selling and other loyal travel agents were invited for the celebration dinner. Seen among the agents were Vikram and Umesh from Sky Bird Travel, Abbas and Rachael from Mill Run Tours, Raj from Air Tours, Faizan from Evia Travel, Joseph from Royal Travel and many others.

Community Across America NY Comptroller attends Deepavali mela Apna Ghar celebrates

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Council Speaker Christine Quinn sent messages to congratulate Tamil Sangam for organizing the event. Peter Koo, council member of New York City representing Flushing, praised the services and hard works of Indian-Americans, especially Tamils, and their stellar role in making Flushing and entire New

20th anniversary

The Comptroller was honored in a truly President Albert Chelladurai wraps a silk shawl around Comptroller Liu. (Pic Ramesh Ramanathan, courtesy NY Tamil Sangam) India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The comptroller of the City of New York John C. Liu has praised the contribution of Indian-Americans in making New York a vibrant and culturallysuperior city. Addressing the Deepavali Mela organized by New York Tamil Sangam, he said India has a rich and cherished heritage and culture. Immigrants planted them here to the benefit of other communities. "I am here in this position thanks to the support of various immigrant groups in New York,"

he said recalling his long association with the Indian-American community. The Comptroller was the chief guest at the event and honored in a truly Tamil style by President of New York Tamil Sangam Albert Chelladurai with sandalwood garland and by wrapping of silk shawl as a mark of respect. Liu also released a souvenir brought out on the occasion. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, Consul General Prabhu Dayal, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri and City

Tamil style by President of New York Tamil Sangam Albert Chelladurai Fascinating dance presentation from Natya Dance Theater artists

York a better place to live. Ramesh Rajapur, vice president (business development) of State Bank of India and others spoke on the occasion. Prakash M Swamy, secretary, welcomed the gathering. The program was followed by a musical extravaganza by Jersey Rhythms singing old and new numbers from Tamil films.

Fundraiser for Mahatma Gandhi Center in St. Louis ASHWIN PATEL

ST. LOUIS: Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center (MGC), in collaboration with the India Association of St. Louis (IAS) recently hosted a fund-raising dinner at its facility in St. Louis. The event helped raise $50,000 for its various activities. The fund raising efforts were for the center's structural maintenance, up-keep and renovation. This is the first time that India Association of St. Louis collaborated with MGC to help in organizing a fund-raising dinner. The event started at 6pm with cocktails and snacks in a social hour in the lower level of MGC, where community members

Cont’d from page 14

We can be partners in this journey with Apna Ghar." Alongside Abraham, the founders of Apna Ghar Kanta Khipple, Prem Sharma, Ranjan Bhargava, Lee Maglaya and Late

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley commended Apna Ghar for its two decades of assisting victims of domestic violence and their children and offered his best wishes for continued success. Governor Pat Quinn pointed out that over the years it has touched many lives Frances Kung were felicitated for their twenty years of relentless dedication to the organization. Awards were also presented to Dr. Shastri Swaminathan and Naiyer Rafathullah for their devoted services to Apna Ghar and The Polk Bros. Foundation for its support of Apna Ghar for many years. In a letter to the Apna Ghar team, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley commended Apna Ghar for

Guest Charlie Dooley with L to R Girdhar Sharma, Dr. Sharad Parikh and Jiwan Singla

mingled with each other and also interacted with special guest Charlie Dooley. The dinner event

Gandhi Center and IAS office bearers with Chief Guest Charlie Dooley. L to R. Vijaya Kumar, Shreni Dandmuni, Jiwanlal Singla, Dr. Bhyan, Chand Mahant, Guest Charlie Dooley, Dr.Dandoo, Girdhar Sharma and Anjan

started on the upper level of MGC at 7pm with opening remarks by President of MGC, Jiwan Singla and President of IAS Dr. Girdhar Sharma. Drs. Sharad Parikh and Vijaya Kumar Buddhiraju served as the Masters of Ceremony for the event. They articulated the history and current state of MGC to the audience of about 250. MGC and IAS felicitated one of its founder members Dr. Kamal and Mrs. Sudha Yadav by presenting them with a plaque and bouquet. This was followed by pledges and fund-raising where attendees actively participated in support of MGC. Cont’d on page 19

its two decades of assisting victims of domestic violence and their children and offered his best wishes for continued success. Governor Pat Quinn in his letter pointed out that over the years it has touched many lives, helping to restore hope and a sense of dig-

nity and self-respect, "and I want to thank and commend them for everything they have done and continue to do to serve the community and end domestic violence." Surinder Nand, President of Apna Ghar, observed that "as we look towards the future, we will continue our intervention services. Cont’d on page 17

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Digitizing the American experience through memory

Yoga improves mental & physical health SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: A research conducted by United States National Institute of Health (NIH) suggests that Yoga might improve mood and sense of well-being besides countering stress, reducing heart rate and blood pressure. The study also indicated that

largest source of funding for medical research in the world, is medical research agency of United States Department of Health and Human Services and traces its roots to 1887. Headquartered in Bethesda (Maryland), it invests over $31 billion annually in medi-

changes in endogenous antidepressant neurotransmitters such as GABA. Kim A. Jobst of United Kingdom is the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. from New Rochelle

Currently 43 studies on Yoga are open under its Clinical Trials Devotees from the Ganesha Temple, located on Bowne Street in Flushing, during an annual ritual in which temple members pull a sacred statue of the Hindu deity Ganesha through the streets of Flushing on a chariot. India Post News Service

NEW YORK: In 2009, the US Census Bureau estimated that there were over two million people residing in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the nation. Now, an unprecedented new project underway at Queens College aims to tell their stories - one conversation at a time. The Queens Memory Project, a collaboration of the Queens College Libraries' Department of Special Collections and Archives and the Archives at Queens Library, will serve as a living hub of collective memory. Among its goals are to record borough history as it is happening and empower residents from all ethnicities and walks of life to document their life in the borough. "History is on the street corners," says Professor Benjamin Alexander, director of Special Collections and Archives at Queens College. "Like Queens itself, this project is complex and dynamic. We're not doing traditional archiving of materials from the past. Instead, we want to engage the historical process of Queens in real time and create a website that captures the borough's democratic, pluralistic history. There has never been a project like this, which aims to capture ethnographic change on such a huge scale. It's very exciting." The project began as an independent study project for Natalie Milbrodt, then a Special Collections and Archives Fellow in the Queens College Libraries and a master's degree candidate in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. Milbrodt's work reflects Queens' ethnic spectrum. Subjects include 92-year-old Annalou Christensen (nĂŠe McQuilling), whose parents purchased the lot for their home in the early 1900s from parceled farmland. Annalou's family has a long history in America, including a McQuilling who fought in the Civil War.

Milbrodt also spoke with Nilda and Rosa Tirado, the sisters, who bought their house in the 1970s and were among the first women in the area to be given mortgages, discussed their early efforts to be accepted as the first Puerto Rican family in the area. Devotees of the largely South Indian Ganesha Temple, a vibrant community whose temple is currently undergoing tremendous expansion, were another focus. Interviews and photographs document an annual ritual in which temple members pull a sacred statue of the Hindu deity Ganesha through the streets of

The project began as an independent study project for Natalie Milbrodt, then a Special Collections and Archives Fellow in the Queens College Libraries and a master's degree candidate Flushing on a chariot. The digital archive will eventually expand beyond Flushing. It will combine neighborhood-specific historical and contemporary photography, maps, news clippings, and other documents with oral history interviews of current residents. Ultimately, the archive will serve as a site for collective memory where individuals and organizations can share their own photos, maps, blogs, ephemera, and notes related to the community. The nearly 20,000 students enrolled in Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY come from over 150 nations and speak over 90 native languages, creating an extraordinarily diverse and welcoming environment. Each year Queens College has been cited by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's 100 "Best Value" colleges.

program, which include effects of laugh-yoga, yoga-based cancer rehabilitation program, etc. Yoga in its full form combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and a distinct philosophy Rajan Zed

Yoga could increase lung capacity; improve muscle relaxation and body composition; help with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia; improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility; positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals. There is growing evidence to suggest that Yoga works to enhance stress-coping mechanisms and mind-body awareness. NIH have been investigating Yoga's effects on blood pressure, chronic low-back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes risk, HIV, immune function, inflammatory arthritis and knee osteoarthritis, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, smoking cessation. Currently 43 stud-

cal research. The boost to Yoga also comes from yet another prestigious monthly, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. In its November issue, the Journal maintains that Yoga has a greater positive effect on a person's mood and anxiety level than other forms of exercise. Yoga's ability to improve mood and lessen anxiety is linked to increased levels of a critical brain chemical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that helps regulate nerve activity, according to this article in the peer-reviewed Journal based on the study by Dr. Chris C. Streeter from Boston University School of Medicine (Massachusetts, USA) and team of ten

Yoga's ability to improve mood and lessen anxiety is linked to increased levels of a critical brain chemical gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) Acharya Rohit Joshi

ies on Yoga are open under its Clinical Trials program, which include effects of laugh-yoga, yogabased cancer rehabilitation program, etc. Yoga in its full form combines physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and a distinct philosophy, an NIH backgrounder pointed out. National Institute of Health, the

other experts. It says that, based on psychological assessments, increased GABA levels measured after a session of yoga postures are associated with improved mood and decreased anxiety. Study suggests that the practice of yoga stimulates specific brain areas, thereby giving rise to

At the height of the popularity of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and the Science of Creative Intelligence propounded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in early 70s, a study conducted by a team of experts under the guidance of the Maharishi noted that unparalleled rise of technology constituted paradoxical rise of tension. Saints and seers of India had called this as "Kama" (Desire) which propels human mind to crave for those thoughts or objects not necessary for normal living, because in order to achieve this desire they stoop to do things that could be immoral or anti-social, culminating in tension of the mind. Lauding NIH efforts in this direction, a Hindu scholar and President of Universal Society of Hinduism Rajan Zed urged NIH to provide more funding and support for yoga research, as although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, yoga is a world heritage to be utilized and benefited by all. Acharya Rohit Joshi, a Chicago based scholar, said that yoga was practiced way back to around 2,000 BCE by inhabitants of Indus Valley civilization as a mental and physical discipline handed down from one guru to next, for everybody to share and benefit from. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga is a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of both physical and mental elements. Swami Vivekananda introduced Yoga to USA in 1893. According to an estimate, about 16 million Americans now practice yoga.

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India Tribune Grand Kerala Center honors five at banquet Diwali attracts hundreds

Kerala Center Award recipients for 2010 with Chief Guest Msgr. Bharanikulagara and Center's Board members and Trustees. Award recipients in the front row, from L. to R.: NYPD Captain Stanley George, City University professor Dr. Vinod Menon, Manhattanville College President Dr. Molly Easo Smith, Sprinklr CEO Ragy Thomas and Transplant nephrologist Madhu Bhaskaran. Emcee Sunil Shah (center) with India Tribune Director Dinesh Gandhi and Ms Rita Shah Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: India Tribune, one of the oldest ethnic Indian newspapers in this country, hosted its famous India Tribune Night celebrating the festival of Diwali in a grand and unique style at the Meadows Convention Center in Rolling Meadows, northwest suburb. Over six hundred guests and invitees attended the event witnessing extraordinary performances by talented artists, including Indian dancing sensation Kamlesh Patel and Polish television star Kinga Imiolek-Modjeska. The night began with a social hour in the foyer where guests were treated with bite size Indian delicacies, besides entertaining Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Michael Jackson impressionists. The Masters of Ceremonies were Falguni Rana, Usha Kamaria and Sunil Shah. Usha captivated the audience with her unique style while Sunil and Falguni struck rapport with the audience with their exuberant dance moves. Ceremonies began with a bang when the over hundred dance participants and volunteers paraded into the room in line formation. They danced with diyas from an opening in the back of the hall all the way to the stage with Falguni Rana and Sunil Shah. The audience was in complete awe as they watched the spectacle.

There was a brief addresses from India Tribune Publisher, Eric Shah. Rita and Arvind Kakodkar along with Kinna and Satish Shah were the judges for the Best Dressed Couple. In the end, the title was awarded to Sunita, who wore a dark

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Over 300 people gathered at the Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center Nov 13, to honor five Indian American Malayalees for their outstanding achievements in their field of specialization or for their service to the society, at the Center's annual banquet. Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dr. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Counselor and Deputy Head of the Permanent Observer Mission of Vatican to the United Nations,

was the chief guest for the evening. Msgr. Bharanikulangara spoke of the success and impact of the Indian Americans to American society and called upon the Indian American Malayalees to actively participate in the political process of the adopted country. Venture capitalist and Kerala Center's founder Sreedhar Menon introduced the keynote speaker Dr. Molly Easo Smith, President of Manhattanville College, who was also an award recipient for her outstanding achievements in educa-

tion. Four others received the award including Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, Medical Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset, New York) in Medicine; Captain Stanley George, New York City Police Department (NYPD) for Service to Government; Ragy Thomas, Founder and CEO of Sprinklr (New Jersey) for Entrepreneurship and Dr. Vinod. M. Menon, Associate Professor of Physics at Queens College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY).

Apna Ghar celebrates 20th anniversary Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 15 Eric Shah of India Tribune welcoming guests

Ceremonies began with a bang when the over hundred dance participants and volunteers paraded into the room in line formation. They danced with diyas colored saree with delicate embroidery and to her husband for his striking black kurta. The cultural program consisted of over 20 performances from various groups and individuals.

Dance performers at India Tribune nite. (Pics Asian Media USA)

We will focus more on education, awareness, outreach, research and prevention efforts. My hope is that twenty years from today, the President of Apna Ghar will stand here and tell you that there is no need for organizations like Apna Ghar because we would have realized our vision of eradi-

cating domestic violence from our communities." Another highlight of over three hours program was the dance music performance from Natya Dance Theater. It performed specially choreographed dance sequence of AR Rahman songs titled "Asha Hope". Apna Ghar provides emergency shelter and transitional

housing, along with a range of supportive services, to survivors of domestic abuse in the Chicago area. All services are free and available to survivors regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, or socioeconomic status. A large proportion of clients are immigrants from Indian sub continent and other Asian and African countries.

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India Association celebrates Deepavali with gusto ASHWIN PATEL

Diwali at northwestern universtiy in Evanston SURESH SHAH

Local artists

ST. LOUIS: India Association of St. Louis (IAS) recently hosted India Nite for the year 2010. This event was part of IAS year long

bers and participants. The evening unfolded a variety of entertainment programs including popular Bollywood, clas-

Acharya Joshi explaining significance of Diwali

Acharya Joshi said that the festival of lights, known popularly as Deepavali, is just a beginning. Deep means light and Avali means row. "We must create the rows of enlightened persons. Let us light the lamp of our life. Body is the Kodiau-earthen pot. Self faith (Sraddha) is the wick. Pure Love is the Ghee (clarified butter). Match stick is the Vivek (Power of Discrimination)," he said On Diwali day, businessman, householders and students offer prayers particularly to three powers, Acharya explained.

Children and youth present entertainment program

activities and it signified celebration of Indian festival Deepavali among the local Indian community. It turned out to be a huge success with attendance by more than 400 people. The event started at 5.00 pm with a variety of stalls con-

tributed by local businesses and families. The stores vended ethnic Indian dresses, costume jewelry, decorative items and other merchandize. This was followed by drinks and dinner for all the mem-

sical, semi classical and regional folk dances, songs, skit and standup comedy performed by local and professional artists of all ages. There were more than 25 items in the cultural program that kept the audience mesmerized for about three hours.

The event concluded with a thunderous response from the audience. The attendees were served sweets and delicacies sponsored by local merchants Seema and India Bazar.

Audience at IAS event

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

Orissa Society celebrates Diwali Fest KANAK HOTA

CHICAGO: Chicago Oriya Society (OSA) celebrating Diwali along with Midwest Regional Drama festival at the Fair Lady Production Inc in Naperville, showcased the artistic talents of the chapter members and their kids in a spectacular way. The three hour-long cultural extravaganza was interspersed with humor, scintillating wit and soul stirring music and dance. OSA office-bearers headed by President Ashok Parida did a wonderful job in making the event a grand success. The MCs, Salil Mishra and Dr. Subhashree Joshi were outstanding for orchestrating the colorful items in delectable fashion which was great for its presentation and grace.

Lisa Mishra singing Trisha Mahapatra presenting Odissi dance while Shimron Shahu doing Bharat Natyam Tyler Swift song

The well-paced show, structured by the Event Chair Rosalin Samantray, was perfectly synchronized and was representative of the community's cultural identity. She wrapped devotional chanting, modern dance medley, classical dances Bharatnatyam and Odissi, Beatles and western contemporary song and the dra-

mas by visiting Chapters as dazzling pieces of the diverse identity. If Sarita Parida's "Aayee Dhoom Diwali" set the mood for dance and music, the hilariously comedic short plays mocked at the limitations of us as human beings blinded by egoism, personal ambition and hypocrisy.

Diwali dance, Akasha Dash on guitar and a scene from a play.

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 19

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Diwali at northwestern universtiy in Evanston Cont’d from page 18

"In our scriptures, these powers - Shakties -are identified with particular names of goddesses. 1) Power of Material - Money, as Maha Lakshmi, (2) Power of Knowledge as Maha Saraswati and (3) Power of Action as Maha Kali. One can't perfectly do anything if lacking any of these three Shakti-Powers." "For example, a person wants to make chapati - tortilla. Now that person, (1) with the power of material - blessing of Maha Lakshmi, can buy flour; (2) with the power of action - blessing of Maha Kali,

Pappas celebrates United Nations Day Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas (center) celebrates United Nations Day at her Chicago office with a reception attended by representatives from different countries in their native dress. A mandate of the United Nations, which was founded in 1945, is to achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural or humanitarian problems. Representing India were Pankaj Patel, Shaifali Kurshetra, Treasurer Pappas, Krishna Mahajan and Rashmika Shah.

physically he can mix the ingredients with the flour; but lacking (3) the power of knowledge - Blessing of Maha Sarswati, he doesn't know how to make a dough or a round chapati - tortilla from that flour mix," he added. He urged students to take four vows on this Diwali 1) I will not be angry 2) I will be honest , 3) I will be helpful to my fellow beings and 4) I will keep a smiling face leaving out worries. Anandarup Basuroychowdhury, president of the Council and Arpa Mukherjee, Education Chair, welcomed everybody for the dinner party following the Aarti.

Orissa Society celebrates Diwali Fest Cont’d from page 18

Manoj Mahapatra's play Jaha Hele Hau was deeply satirical. It presents the plight of a director who fails to bring together a bunch of self-absorbed egocentric individuals fighting hard to prove themselves as better actors than the rest. The event paid rich tributes to Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, doyen of Odissi dance, devotional singer Bhikari Bal and Dr. Bani Dasmahapatra, a renowned physician, who passed away recently. Milwaukee Chapter's Uchit Charcha targets the plight of a semi-educated power-hungry politician on a visit to Chicago. Two worldviews -the politician back home who believes that dollars grow on trees and the selfmade immigrant who does not want to part with his hard earned dollars, created fun for the viewers. Rajkishore Pati as the screwed/shrewd politician joined by Manas and Sikha Patnaik on

the stage provided a lot to laugh and reflect upon. The comedy in Gosein Mahatma by Swapnalata Mahapatra from Detroit openly attacks the

The event paid rich tributes to Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, doyen of Odissi dance, devotional singer Bhikari Bal and Dr. Bani Dasmahapatra, a renowned physician, who passed away recently institution of priesthood that preys on the faith of common man. Their cast Subhasish Mohanty, Akshyay Ray, Debasish Acharya, Sangram Basantia, Swapnalata

Mishra were wonderful in their acting. Chicago kids brought the house down by their scintillating performances: Shivansh's chanting and Diwali dance by Pallavi, Payal, Sabrina, Shivangi, Shivank, Samyak, and Ayush were excellent. Ashley Sahu and Shimron Sahoo gave the audience a treat in Bharatnatyam while Lisa Mishra's rendition of Tyler Swift's song was outstanding. Akash Dash gave a treat of his guitar and vocal prowess to the packed house. Trisha Mahapatra performed a stunning Odissi dance, and the combination gave variety, glamour and spark to the entertainment on a platter. The program was volunteered by Dr. Minakhi Panigrahy, Bharati Khuntia, Usha Dash, Ipsita Satapathy, Sunita Patnaik, Rupa Mahapatra, Kiti Kamath, Saurya Khandai, Sujata Patnaik, Srikant Panda, Sunita Dash, Sarita Parida, Rajendra Supkar and Sunil Mishra.

Fundraiser for Mahatma Gandhi Center in St. Louis Cont’d from page 15

Dinner started at 8pm which was followed by a live musical performance, "Surmayee Shaam" by Nishaad group. Extraordinary vocal and instrumental talents of this local musical group led by Vijayraj Kamat and Anand Navadikar, captured and thoroughly entertained the audience for over two hours with golden oldies Hindi movie songs. The event was a grand success and elicited an outpour of support and appreciation from the community. MGC is a not-for-profit community center that was built by the joint efforts of various IndianAmerican community members

with major contributions from Drs. Uday Dash and Kamal Yadav at that time.

Extraordinary vocal and instrumental talents of this local musical group led by Vijayraj Kamat and Anand Navadikar, captured and thoroughly entertained the audience The center was inaugurated couple decades ago by then Am-

bassador of India to the United States, Dr. Abid Hussain, on August 19, 1990. Since then, MGC has been a very popular community center that is increasingly being used by the local Indian-American community of the greater St. Louis region at a nominal rental price for their personal and/or public events. MGC also serves as election center and hosts health fairs, visa camps etc. This dinner was organized to raise funds for center's structural maintenance, up-keep and renovation. This is the first time that India Association of St. Louis collaborated with MGC to help in organizing a fund-raising dinner.

Salil Mishra and Dr. Subhashree Joshi

Community/California

20 India Post

Cal News Nagar Keertan imbued with Khalsa spirit PRITAM SINGH

YUBA CITY: Come what may this Sikh parade is going to happen in Yuba City, year after year. It is a gathering of people having one idea: to uphold the high spirit of the Sikhs. That is why Sikhs come from all over the country including Alaska, Canada and UK. People stayed in hotels, with friends and gurdwaras of Yuba City. They felt very comfortable wherever they stayed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was the Sikhi warmth. This time the rain, the clouds, the cold, the wind could not subdue the Sikh Spirit and enthusiasm of the spectators or the participants.

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CG answers crucial Visa-related questions at large gathering India Post News Service

ARTESIA: Indian Americans traveled long distances to get answers from Ambassador Susmita Thomas, Consul General of India, San Francisco to their questions relating to visa for travel to India. The meeting was arranged in

Prior to the community meeting with the Consul General, lunch was arranged for a small number of community activists and prominent people who informally met with Ambassador Thomas and Consul Ashok Sinha at the Bombay Garden restaurant in Artesia. Besides the community

The Consul General explained that as a result of new security measures introduced by the Government of India in May 2010, some people faced hardships or delays in obtaining visa for India

Details on page 22

Lamba becomes first enlisted Sikh soldier India Post News Service

November 26, 2010

Artesia by GOPIO chairman Inder Singh who was supported by community leaders Chandu Patel (NFIA President), Ajoy Dube, Ashok Madan and Mahesh Parekh of GOPIO, Los Angeles, Rajinder Dhunna of FIA, Vinita Vineet of UFICA, Amrit Bhandari

activists, Cypress Mayor Prakash Narayan, Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Harry Sidhu, prominent businessman Uka Solanki, hotelier BU Patel and several others also attended the luncheon meeting. During the two hour session

Harbhajan Samra, Harry Sidhu , Consul Gen Sushmita Thomas and Inder Singh

PIO or Miscellaneous services from the consulate? A: For a person who acquired US nationality after June 1, 2010, Surrender Certificate is mandatory. For those who acquired US na-

long time back. Do I need to obtain a Surrender Certificate? A: Yes Q: Should application for Surrender Certificate be sent separately or along with PIO and OCI

MSI's new stone and tile design center India Post News Service

ORANGE, CA: M S International, Inc (MSI), the leading North American distributor of natural stone, has opened a 15,000 square foot stone and tile design gallery at its corporate headquarters in Orange, California. The new stone and tile design gallery incorporates the full line of MSI's product line of granite, marble, slate, travertine, limestone, quartz, porcelain, ceramic, sinks, and glass mosaics serving the flooring, countertop, and landscaping industries. In addition to a refreshed look for MSI's existing products, the new design center includes MSI's newest product offerings. Details on page 25

The Lunch Group

and Bobby Kumar of India Association of San Fernando Valley. The Consul General explained that as a result of new security measures introduced by the Government of India in May, 2010, some people faced hardships or delays in obtaining visa for India. However, some of the rules have been relaxed and procedures for various visas have been streamlined. For two hours, Ambassador Thomas and Consul Ashok Sinha answered written questions from the audience. Several people, at the end, thanked Ambassador Thomas and Consul Sinha and also the organizers for arranging the meeting, thus enabling them to have face-to-face interaction with the Consul General.

with the community, several questions from the audience were answered. Following are the questions with their answers: Q: Is Surrender Certificate required for travel to India? A: No. Any person of Indian

tionality on or before May 31, 2010, it is recommended to apply for Surrender Certificate. Q: If Indian Passport was cancelled while obtaining Visa/OCI/ PIO, is Surrender Certificate still required?

If the passport is lost or details of last held Indian passport are not available, the applicant should apply for renunciation of Indian citizenship along with a notarized affidavit explaining why details of Indian passport are not available origin who held an Indian Passport is required to surrender his passport after acquisition of US citizenship. Q: Is Surrender Certificate pre-requisite to getting Visa/OCI/

A: If the Indian passport was officially stamped with the wordings "Passport Canceled As Acquired US Nationality", no need for Surrender Certificate. Q: My Indian passport expired

application? A: Send both at one time. Q: If Indian passport is lost, how can one get a Surrender Certificate? A: If the passport is lost or details of last held Indian passport are not available, the applicant should apply for renunciation of Indian citizenship along with a notarized affidavit explaining why details of Indian passport are not available. Q: If someone has PIO/OCI/ Long term Visa, does he need Surrender Certificate? A: If the Indian Passport is NOT cancelled with the wordings "Passport Canceled As Acquired US Nationality", apply for a Surrender Certificate and the cancellation of the Indian passport, whether it is valid or not.

November 26, 2010

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Anti-Defamation League honors Rana Sodhi DR. JASWANT SINGH SACHDEV

PHOENIX, Arizona: Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization of the Jewish people was founded 100 years ago in 1913 to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Over period of time it has become the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry defending democratic ideals and protecting civil rights for all. It attempts to build bridges of communication, understanding and respect among diverse groups of people in United States and around the world. By honoring Rana (Lakhwinder) Singh Sodhi, a Sikh resident of Arizona at its Annual Jerry J. Wisotsky, Torch Of Liberty Award Dinner on November 4 at Camelback Marriot Hotel, the Arizona Region of the ADL clearly justified the truthfulness of its mission. Close to 800 people were at hand to cheer the Award recipients. Rana Singh

Sodhi happens to be the youngest brother of S. Balbir Singh Sodhi, the first Sikh killed in US four days after 9-11 due to a hate crime. Because of uncut beard and turban, the Articles of his Sikh faith, S. Balbir Singh Sodhi was mistakenly believed to be-

death. Rana has been reaching out along with other members of local Sikh communities to various civic and national activities in disseminating Sikh Awareness. Such activities were not limited to his local volunteering work with Sikh Police Advisory Board

Close to 800 people were at hand to cheer the Award recipients. Rana Singh Sodhi happens to be the youngest brother of S. Balbir Singh Sodhi, the first Sikh killed in US four days after 9-11 due to a hate crime long to the group of terrorists from Mid-east responsible for 911 attacks although he was a Sikh immigrant from India. In introducing Rana Singh Sodhi, Bill Strauss the director of Arizona Region ADL talked extensively and emotionally about Rana's achievements over the last nine years since his brother's

and other awareness activities but included his trip to White House and meeting with Senators and helping out Score, a Sikh advocacy organization in Washington DC area. Rana Sodhi was this year's recipient of "Al Brooks Community Leadership Award" established 21 years ago to pay tribute every year

to an individual who, in the course of daily life, gives back more than can be measured. In his speech Rana stated that when he arrived his dream was to take care of his family with full freedom to practice his faith but 9-11 changed entire focus when his brother became the first Sikh victim of hate. "It shook my soul. I decided to help those who believed in the freedom to practice their faith. I felt obligated to educate those who didn't know much about my faith and to inform that our philosophy is to live and let others live in harmony

and peace. We are all God's people and we are all equal. Uncut beard and a turban should neither make one bad nor does their absence makes one better." At the end Rana Sodhi finished by stating that this has been and will be his message. At least 25-30 members of Sikh and Indian community including Rana Sodhi's family and friends were at hand among a crowd of close to 800 attendees at the dinner to facilitate Rana Singh Sodhi for one of the greatest achievements of his life.

22 India Post

Community/California

November 26, 2010

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Nagar Keertan imbued with Khalsa spirit PRITAM SINGH

Pics GS Video, Sacramento

YUBA CITY: Come what may this Sikh parade is going to happen in Yuba City, year after year. It is a gathering of people having one idea: to uphold the high spirit of the Sikhs. That is why Sikhs come from all over the country including Alaska, Canada and UK. People stayed in hotels, with friends and gurdwaras of Yuba City. They felt very comfortable wherever they stayed – it was the Sikhi warmth. This time the rain, the clouds, the cold, the wind could not subdue the Sikh Spirit and enthusiasm of the spectators or the participants. All the sevadars were resilient even when Mother Nature was not cooperating. They served the sangat happily during the entire time while the parade

ger and other masalas was unsurpassable. Each glass of sweet juice was sprinkled with love, Sharda (devotion) and respect for sangat. The bazaar is a permanent feature of this event. It was a “Real

Punjabi Mela.” People get reminded of coming winter when they see colorful, beautiful blankets hanging displayed on 3 – 4 stalls. If you are hunting for deals

It is so thrilling to see so many different colored turbaned Sikhs and colorful dupattas flowing on Punjabi women. It was a river of beauty and happiness flowing in

was going on. Food stalls at the road side and in the main gurdwaras of Tierra Buena Road were surpassing in quality, taste and variety of food. Fresh sugarcane juice with gin-

in Punjabi suits, and fabric for suits or special occasion clothing, this is really the place. If you want books on Punjabi and religions themes, you get them in abundance. Sometimes

a place where it is hard to imagine its happening. This happiness and celebration infects you. The enthusiasm multiplies in you and stays with you for a long time. Many Sikhs feel it is a pilgrim-

you find the rarest of books here. This parade is really a fashion parade also. Beautiful Punjabi women and handsome Punjabi men wearing latest design of clothing. They marched on with laughter and smiles.

This time the rain, the clouds, the cold, the wind could not subdue the Sikh Spirit and enthusiasm of the spectators or the participants. All the sevadars were resilient even when Mother Nature was not cooperating

age to “mini” Punjab and to a historical gurdwara. In fact there is no place on earth, outside India, that can be termed as “Punjab” except Yuba City. South Hall in UK is basically urban mini

Punjab while Yuba City offers an agricultural landscape. People of Yuba City and its Sikh mayor prove we can make a success anywhere and everywhere.

November 26, 2010

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Diwali celebrated with great enthusiasm at BAPS Mandir

India Post News Service

CHINO HILLS: Diwali was celebrated with great enthusiasm at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills. Buzzing with joy and excitement, visitors were greeted

mountain of food', is traditionally offered to God to celebrate the beginning of the Hindu New Year. "The preparation begins very early in the morning for us," explained Shirali Patel a BAPS volunteer. "The vegetarian food is

have been offered to God." Devotees arrived early in the morning dressed in new shervanis and colorful saris to engage in darshan of the beautifully adorned deities in the Mandir. The atmosphere was filled with festivity and

because of the excitement that fills the air when the festival nears." said Amruta Patel. "After coming to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills, I felt like I was back in India. I experienced my culture while getting a taste of fine Indian cuisine. Every person I met had an expression of warmth and happiness on their face. I truly felt at home."

nificant ritual of Diwali, the Annakut," concluded, Ravi Patel. Diwali is also a time when children look forward to the celebrations it brings. The Children's Diwali celebration was held and proved to be as fun as it was educational. The children learned the history and origin of this festival, played a variety of exciting games, and were given an assortment of

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;After coming to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills, I felt like I was back in India. I experienced my culture while getting a taste of fine Indian cuisine. Every person I met had an expression of warmth and happiness on their face. I truly felt at homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

with rangoli, a beautiful floor design made with colored rice and powder, as they entered the brightly glowing Mandir. Thereafter, visitors participated in chopda pujan, a special prayer ritual during which account books are purified and prayers are held for a prosperous New Year. "Just as everyone experienced joy today, every day would be Diwali, if we rid ourselves of the ignorance that we are this body and if we believe ourselves to be atma," said Pujya Sarvadarshan Swami explaining the spiritual significance of Diwali. "Diwali is a festival to be aware of the inner light of God, and once we understand this, we will experience joy in every moment of our lives," he added. Saturday, November 6 marked the culmination of weeks of planning and preparation, setting the stage for the most significant ritual of the Diwali events, 'Annakut'. Annakut, which literally means 'a

traditionally arranged in tiers or steps in front of the Murtis of God. The sweets are placed nearest. As the tiers descend, other foods

divinity as devotees greeted each other. The young touched the feet of the elders and sadhus, and got their blessings. The first arti

"Diwali is that time of year when family, friends and relatives get together and strengthen their bonds through various festivities. Being away from India should not cause a lapse in our traditions", said Ravi Patel. "Preparations for the festivities begin months in advance. Devotees, young and

such as vegetables, pulses and fried savories are arranged. A mound of cooked rice, symbolic of Mt. Govardhan, is placed in the center. Today over 900 food items

(Hindu ritual) of the New Year was performed at 7:00 am followed by prayers for world peace and wellbeing. "Diwali is my favorite festival

old, sacrificed their time to help in creating decorations, preparing food, arranging for the Children's Diwali Celebration, as well as setting up the stage for the most sig-

gifts and goodies. This education and fun-filled event featured an exhibition that displayed the significance of each ritual associated with Diwali. Along with that, there were panels which promoted the health and environmental benefits of leading a vegetarian lifestyle, as well as the importance of conserving en-

ergy, water and other resources through methods such as recycling. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 24

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Lamba becomes first enlisted Sikh soldier India Post News Service

COLUMBIA, SC: Another major barrier has fallen in the campaign to end the US military's ban on Sikh service. To great fanfare, Simran Preet Singh Lamba became the first enlisted Sikh soldier in more than two decades to complete basic training while maintaining his turban and unshorn hair. Enlisted soldiers are the US Army's "new recruits" who are below the rank of an officer. Over the past year two Sikh commissioned officers graduated. All the Sikh graduates were represented by the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and the Sikh Coalition. Amandeep Singh Sidhu, Esq. led the McDermott Will, & Emery team on the case. "I am thrilled to serve with my fellow soldiers and serve the United States of America," said Simran Preet Singh Lamba. "I humbly believe I was able to excel in all aspects of my training. Most importantly, I was overwhelmed by the support and camaraderie I felt with my fellow soldiers and base leadership. I thank them all and look forward to my service." Mr. Lamba was recruited by the Army in

2009 through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program for his language skills in Punjabi and Hindi.

for accommodation with the assistance of the Sikh Coalition and McDermott Will & Emery LLP.

‘I am thrilled to serve with my fellow soldiers and serve the United States of America," said Simran Preet Singh Lamba. "I humbly believe I was able to excel in all aspects of my training. Most importantly, I was overwhelmed by the support and camaraderie I felt with my fellow soldiers and base leadership. I thank them all and look forward to my service’ Simran Preet Singh Lamba

His Army recruiter could not guarantee that his Sikh articles of faith would be accommodated. Thus, Lamba filed a formal request

Contrary to the concerns of some, Mr. Lamba was able to meet all the requirements of a solider during basic training. He wore a

helmet over a small turban during field exercises. During gas mask exercises, he successfully created a seal. Present Army policy still excludes Sikhs who maintain their turban and beard. Sikhs in the U.S. military may maintain their articles of faith only if they receive an individual exemption to do so. Nevertheless, the past year has seen welcome progress in the campaign to restore Sikh service in the U.S. military. In March, Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, became the first Sikh commissioned officer to complete basic training in more than two decades. In September, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a physician, became the second Sikh commissioned officer to complete basic training. The Sikh Coalition has resolved to continue its campaign to ensure every Sikh can freely join the U.S. military, if they so choose.

Diwali celebrated with great enthusiasm at BAPS Mandir Cont’d from page 23

Family unity and world peace were also emphasized in the exhibition, highlighting the need for unity within diversity and differences. A unique aspect of the exhibition was that it featured a panel on the site layout of the mandir premises. Guests were educated about the significance of different aspects of the mandir and their origins within the Hindu scriptures. "This cultural experience was especially remarkable - featuring the Annakut with traditional Indian delicacies which were being offered to the murtis, as well as the cultural exhibition, which presented topics such as family unity as well as the rituals of Diwali in such creative manner - catering to a diverse audience," said Priya Shah, a BAPS volunteer, of her experience of the event. This year Pramukh Swami Maharaj celebrated Diwali and Annakut in Gondal, Gujarat, India. He blessed the devotees on the New Year day. "Everyone's devotion could be seen today. If we develop Dharma and Bhakti in our

hearts, God becomes pleased, and thus He graces us with His blessings."

November 26, 2010

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MSI's new stone and tile design center India Post News Service

sinks, and glass mosaics serving the flooring, countertop, and landscaping industries. In addition to a refreshed look for MSI's existing products, the new design center includes MSI's

newest product offerings, including approximately 20 lines of porcelain, 25 new colors of natural stone slabs, 200 new skus of wall tile and mosaics, Q Premium Natural Quartz, and MSI's new line of

prefabricated countertops and stainless steel sinks. With products imported from 36 different countries, MSI's corporate headquarters maintains over 1,500 containers of inventory,

offering customers the largest selection of natural stone and related products in the country. Manu Shah, MSI's Chief Executive Officer, said," Despite a continued challenging economic

environment over the last two years, MSI remains committed to investing to bring innovation and increased product choice. The main goal of our new design center is to showcase these products for our wholesale customers. We are happy to report that in 2010, we will maintain our internal goal of achieving 15% of our revenue from new products or product lines." MSI also maintains distribution centers in New Jersey, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Maryland, South Florida, Northern California and Phoenix. MSI also maintains international offices in Brazil, China, India and Turkey.

Should the Park 51 mosque near Ground Zero be built? IMAM SHAMSHAD A. NASIR

he Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, set an excellent example for us to live in peace and harmony with others. This is also in accordance with the Holy Qur'an, which says the only way to attain God's grace is by following the example of Prophet Muhammad. There is an incident in early Islamic history that demonstrates how Muhammad was the highest example of humbleness and forbearance in dealing with those opposed to one's goals -- much as the Park 51 Islamic Center in New York City has stirred up fear and an angry backlash against Islam, Muslims and the building of mosques. In the year 628 AD, on the basis of a dream he had, the Prophet Muhammad told his companions he would go to Mecca to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage. Thus, Muhammad set off for Mecca from Medina with about 1500 companions. When he reached the town of Hudaibiya near Mecca, he stopped and set up camp. Some Meccan leaders soon came to meet with him and told him he would not be allowed to enter Mecca to perform Umrah. The leaders of Mecca viewed

Islam as the chief threat to their religious beliefs and accepted way of life. So rather than allow Muhammad and the Muslims to participate in the lesser pilgrimage, the Meccan leaders offered a humiliating agreement to the Muslims known as the Treaty of Hudaibiya. And while this agreement would end hostilities between the Muslims and the Meccans, the terms of this treaty were extremely insulting to the Muslims. But still the Prophet Muhammad signed the treaty with all these humiliations to win the peace for all. With the Treaty of Hudaibiya, the words and actions of the Holy Prophet demonstrated his excellence of character, his high morals and great courage, his faithfulness to his word, and his patience and complete trust in God. This was the lofty standard of the Holy Prophet in matters of negotiation, an example Muslims are required to emulate as best they can. So in what way are Muslims following the example of the Holy Prophet when it comes to negotiating today? Are Muslims sensitive to the feelings and concerns of the members of other religions as they would like the members of

other religions to be sensitive to them? In Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia, the answer is no. In these places, it is common for Muslims and their governments to be notoriously cruel and intolerant of other religions -- even other denominations within Islam, like Ahmadi Muslims, who are often persecuted and murdered by other

So in what way are Muslims following the example of the Holy Prophet when it comes to negotiating today? Are Muslims sensitive to the feelings and concerns of the members of other religions as they would like the members of other religions to be sensitive to them? Muslims because of perceived differences in Ahmadi beliefs. So when it comes to the building of an Islamic center near Ground Zero in New York City, the

negative reaction -- in large part instigated and orchestrated by political and religious conservatives -- is understandable. It doesn't make it right, nor does it make it an accurate portrayal of the reality of most Muslim's intentions. Ideally, a mosque should be a place of peace for the lovers of peace, where people from all faiths are welcome. And as non-Muslims soon learn, the members who call a mosque their place of worship are regular people like themselves who want peace with their neighbors, who welcome their neighbors, and who want to be welcomed with peace in return. If this desire for peace is not present on both sides, then the proponents of a mosque should first correct this imbalance by educating their own members, if need be, and by reaching out to the people in the neighborhood where they wish to have a mosque and win the community over to the plan before any groundbreaking or renovation starts. This is the way and example of the Holy Prophet of Islam, and as such, it is the model for all Muslims to follow: seek peace with your neighbors. Do not seek to impose yourselves or your beliefs

by force. Respect the rights and feelings of others so that you may receive the same treatment in return. Win the friendship and respect of your neighbors by first being friendly and respectful. The potential greatness of America and its people -- all of whose ancestors originally came from somewhere else -- rests in the principle that people, no matter where they are from or what they believe in, are and should be free to peacefully follow and practice their own religion without fear of persecution. This is, in fact, also the teaching of Islam, where it says in the Quran: "For you, your religion, and for me, my religion. . ." People in any country should be free to follow the religion of their choice, and Islam teaches that God will set the record straight in the next life concerning our various and numerous differences in beliefs. The Holy Prophet has said "Muslims should want for others what they want for themselves." This is the Islamic version of the famous "Golden Rule" espoused by saints, scholars and prophets for thousands of years: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 26

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Should the Park 51 mosque near Ground Zero be built? Cont’d from page 25

Therefore, regardless if the proposed building is a mosque, a church, a temple or a synagogue, there should be equal respect and opportunity for the freedom and practice of religion. Ahmadi Muslims living in America, like most Muslims here, are intensely grateful to be living in a country where they are free to practice their faith. We know that in many so-called Muslim countries this freedom is not given to other religions or even other sects of Islam. This is un-Islamic and a disgrace to the true teachings of Islam and the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who granted Charters of Religious Freedom to Christians, Jews, and even idol worshippers. Muhammad, as Chief of Medina, once hosted a delegation of Christians from Najaran and, when it was time for their congregational prayer, he insisted they conduct their service inside the mosque as it was built to worship God. It is just this spirit of respect and tolerance that is so badly needed today. It is why Ahmadi Muslims make it a point to consider the feelings of others and to dispel fear and distrust with dia-

log and education whenever we seek to build a new mosque or acquire a building to be used as a mosque. If we don't win the approval of the community in question, we don't pursue our Mosque

Ahmadi Muslims living in America, like most Muslims here, are intensely grateful to be living in a country where they are free to practice their faith. We know that in many so-called Muslim countries this freedom is not given to other religions or even other sects of Islam plans until such approval is given. We must all guard against fear being used to incite people to deny others the same rights they enjoy and expect as Americans. If only some of us are free, then none of us are free.

anyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a Hindu pilgrim center, it is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the waters. The multicolored sand is a unique feature of the beach here. History: Kanyakumari was once referred to as the Alexandria of the east. This place has been a great center for art, culture, civilization, and pilgrimage for years. It was also a famous center for commerce and trade. During the early part of the eighth century AD Islam entered the southern part of India through the sea route with traders and missionaries. Through St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, Christianity arrived in this area in AD 52. Islam, Christianity and Jainism have greatly contributed to the architectural wealth and literary heritage of this place. Kanyakumari was also under the control of the Cholas, the Cheras, the Pandyas and the Nayaks who were great rulers of south India. The architectural beauty of the temples is the work of these rulers. During the British Raj, Kanyakumari was bestowed the dry title of Cape Comorin, necessitated perhaps by the Englishmen's inability to pronounce local names. Legend has it that Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati, was to wed Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity. But he did not turn up at the auspicious time and the wedding never took place. The rice and cereals meant for the marriage remained uncooked. Even today, one can buy stones

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there that look exactly like rice and cereals. Local folks believe that they are the leftovers of the legendary marriage that could not be solemnized. As for the princess Kanya Devi, she became a virgin goddess blessing pilgrims and tourists alike. Best time to visit: Due to its proximity to the sea, Kanyakumari enjoys a pleasant climate and can be visited throughout the year. However, the best season to visit this place would be between October and March. During summers, the temperature can rise to a high of 34.8Â°C while it can dip to a low of 20.4Â°C during winters. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 28

November 26, 2010

Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a Hindu pilgrim center, it is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the waters

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

November 26, 2010

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Tourist inflow was up by 45,000 in Games' period LONDON: Despite the negative publicity around the Commonwealth Games, an estimated 45,000 more foreign tourists visited India last month as compared to the previous year, coinciding with the sporting event, Tourism Secretary R H Khwaja has said. Khwaja, who was here to participate in a tourist expo told newsmen, that an estimated 4.87 lakh foreign tourists visited India in October, 2010 -- 45,000 more than those visited during the corresponding period last year. He said: "India today is emerging as a major economy of the world with growth rate of more than 8 per cent per annum. The tourism industry in India is set to grow even

at a higher pace". Indian tourism sector had expected a massive inflow of visitors during the October 3 to 14 event but the lead up to the Games was full of negative publicity of ill-preparedness and security issues. Days before the Games, a bus carrying Taiwanese nationals was also attacked in Delhi, raising fears that tourists might not turn up for the big-ticket event. Khwaja said the international tourist arrivals to India has grown by around 10 per cent this year. Khwaja also said that India is not only the recipient of world tourism today but also a major contributor to the export of tourism.

India with its growing per capita income has become a big source market in the world, he said. "When the whole world was facing slowdown and tourism industry showing signs of recession, it was India amongst others which led the tourism industry's remarkable recovery," he said. Later, speaking at a reception hosted in his honor by the IndoEuropean Business Forum, Khwaja said India offers destinations from the magnificent Himalayas in the north to the beautiful and serene backwaters of Kerala. He said the world class heritage sites like Hampi in Karnataka, and the legendary forts of Rajasthan were all a major tourist draw. -PTI

J&K Tourism dazzles in London show SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir tourism department became the first in the country to have taken part in the Lord Mayor's Show in London, showcasing the famed 'Shikara' as a part of the world's oldest civic procession. The 'Shikara' was portrayed as a symbol of resilience of the industry which survived despite facing upheaval in the state for last 20 years, a tourism official said here. A delegation for the show was led by state tourism minister Nawang Rigzin, he said. "Our participation in the Lord Mayor's Show will be beneficial for the promotion of Jammu and Kash-

mir tourism. The state's float comprised a Shikara mounted on the top. More that 30 people, wearing traditional dresses from all three regions of the state, accompanied the float," he said. Over 6,000 people took part in the show, the world's oldest civic procession, where vehicles, carriages and floats were paraded on the streets of London. It had 200 vehicles including two steamrollers, a potato harvester, rickshaws, a horse-drawn double-decker bus and a mobile post office. It also had 21 carriages, including the 253-year-old gold Lord Mayor's State Coach, 71 floats, 150 horses and 20 marching bands. -PTI

Kanyakumari: Meeting point of three oceans Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 27

Tourist attractions The Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore, is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who did penance to obtain Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple and the adjoining ghat, picturesquely situated overlooking the shore, attract tourist from all over the world. The diamond nosering of the deity is famous for its sparkling splendor said to be visible even from the sea. Two rocks reach out of the ocean, southeast of the Kumari Nagaraja Temple, from which the town derives its name Amman temple. One of these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the father of the nation were kept. Kanyakumari, Suchindram bears Places around the imprint of various kingdoms. the virgin goddess are said to be Vattakottai (literally, circular The Thanumalayan temple here is imprinted. Swami Vivekananda is said to have sat in deep meditation fort) is an 18th-century fort over- a repository of art treasures beand here also stands the famous looking the sea, located six km from longing to those kingdoms. The temple is famous for its musical Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in Kanyakumari. The Udayagiri Fort (34 km), columns and its impressive six m1970. There is a dhyana mandapam where one can sit in a serene atmosphere and Swami meditate. Ferry services are Vivekananda is available to said to have sat in reach the memorial. deep meditation The striking and here also Gandhi Memorial has been stands the famous built on the spot where the urn Vivekananda containing the Rock Memorial Mahatma's ashes was kept built in 1970 Gandhi Memorial at Kanyakumari for public viewing before immersion. Resembling central In- built by King Marthanda Varma tall statue of Hanuman. The main dian Hindu temples in form, the me- (AD 1729-1758), has a foundry for deity in the form of a Shivling repmorial was so designed that on Ma- casting guns. The king's trusted resents Shiva, Vishnu, and hatma Gandhi's birthday (October European general De Lennoy's Brahma, the trinity of the Hindu pantheon. Ancient inscriptions 2), the first rays of the sun fall on grave is located within this fort. Situated 13 km from dating back to the ninth century the exact place where the ashes of

The Courtallam Fall

are found in this place. The Nagaraja Temple at Nagarkoil (20 km) is a magnificent temple with Nagaraja as the main deity. There are also shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The entrance to this temple is reminiscent of the Chinese architecture of a Buddhist Vihar. Nagercoil is 19 kms from Kanyakumari on the way to Padmanabhapuram. Padmanabhapuram Palace (45 km) is a large mansion of the Travancore Kings. It is known for its fascinating natural splendor. Tiruchendur (85 km) is the site of a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya. The temple located here on the shore of the Bay of Bengal is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The location of the temple draws a perennial stream of devotees. The temple overlooking the singing sea is an inspiring sight. The Courtallam Fall (137 km) is perched at a height of 167 m. Its water is believed to contain medicinal properties. Fairs & festivals: The Chaitra Purnima Festival (the April full-

moon day, celebrated in the first week of May), Navratri (last week of October), and the Holy Annual Festival of the Roman Catholic Church (fourth week of December) are the notable festivals celebrated in Kanyakumari. How to reach Air - The nearest airport is at Trivandrum (80 km). It is directly connected with Bangalore, Mumbai, Cochin, Delhi, Goa, and Chennai by regular flights. Rail - Kanyakumari is connected to Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, and Mumbai by broad-gauge railway network. Tirunelvelli (80 km) is the other nearest railway junction and can be reached by road via Nagarkoil (19 km). Road - Kanyakumari is connected by road to Trivandrum (86 km), Nagarkoil (19 km), Tirunelvelli (91 km), Tiruchendur (89 km), Tuticorin (129 km), Rameshwaram (300 km), Courtallam (130 km), Madurai (242 km), Thekkady (358 km), Kodaikanal (362 km), Palani (370 km), Ootacamund (576 km), Cochin (309 km), and Coimbatore (478 km).

November 26, 2010

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November 26, 2010

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Srilankan Airlines awards agents in US, Canada India Post News Service

COLOMBO: SriLankan Airlines USA & Canada gave away awards for their Agents at a ceremony held recently in Sri Lanka at

SriLankan Airlines, Mr. Manoj Gunawardena, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa and the Sri Lanka Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Jaliya Wickramasuriya were present at the event.

The Chairman and Management of SriLankan Airlines presented a special Award to Sri Lankan Travel, Inc "In appreciation for a Decade of Loyal Partnership" which was received by Mr. Dillan Ariyawansa, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Travel, Inc the Galadari Hotel, Colombo. The staff of SriLankan Airlines USA and Canada were

The Awards were based on performance of the Agents over financial year 2009/2010.

Special Recognition Award for Sri Lankan Travel, Inc. presented to Dillan Ariyawansa

All Agents with UL personnel

present at this event which was attended by most of their Agents based in different parts of the US and Canada. Defense Secretary of Sri Lanka, Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, were the Guests of Honor. Chairman SriLankan Airlines, Mr. Nishantha Wickramasinghe, CEO

For USA the Gold Award was won by "Upul's Travel Service" and the Silver Award went to "Expedia" while the Bronze Award was received by "Adore Travel". For Canada the Gold Award was won by "Airlink Travel" and the Silver Award went to "Jetspeed Travel" while the Bronze Award was received by "AJB Travel".

Appreciation Awards were given for Orbitz, Eastquest, Avia Travel and Concord Travel in the USA and Serendib Travel1, Skylawn Travel Ltd, Goway Travel Ltd, Jet Travels and Voyages Professionals in Canada. Among those who spoke on the occasion were Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Mr. Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Mr. Manoj

Gunawardena and the PATA Chairman Mr. Hiran Cooray. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. Lalith Wickramasinghe, Manager Canada. The Chairman and Management of SriLankan Airlines presented a special Award to Sri Lankan Travel, Inc "In appreciation for a Decade of Loyal Partnership" which was received by Mr. Dillan Ariyawansa, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Travel, Inc. Mr. Ariyawansa and his team were also thanked for the wonderful event put together. The event was compered by Mr. Kumar De Silva in English and Sinhalese while Ms. Jananey Jayaratnarajah compered in Tamil. The Awards Night featured performances by the Sri Lankan violinist Ruwan Weerasekera and several beautiful Sri Lankan dances by the Channa-Upuli Dance Troupe. The ceremony was preceded by a familiarization tour of Sri Lanka's tourism potential by a dozen reputed tour operators from USA & Canada from 4th to 7th October which included a plane ride & day tour of Jaffna arranged by the Presidential Secretariat.

Asian elephants arrive at new home India Post News Service

LOSANGELES: On November 10, the Los Angeles Zoo received two female Asian elephants from the San Diego Zoo for the new Elephants of Asia exhibit, scheduled to open December 16. Tina and Jewel, the two females, were transported to the Los Angeles Zoo in specially designed elephant crates and accompanied by curators, keepers and veterinarians from the San Diego Zoo. Once Tina and Jewel arrived, the two female elephants were given access to rooms inside the Elephant's of Asia Barn. They immediately vocalized with trumpets, squeaks and chirps. Billy the Zoo's 25 year old male Asian elephant, stood outside the barn, watching with interest and vocalized back to the females. Staff from the San Diego Zoo remained in Los Angeles to work with L.A. Zoo staff to insure a smooth transition for Tina and Jewel. In

preparation for the move, all of the Los Angeles Zoo's elephant keepers traveled to San Diego Zoo to work with Tina and Jewel. The female elephants will be quarantined inside the exhibit for over a month after which time they

Elephants of Asia will focus on the rich connection between elephants and the cultures of Thailand, India, China and Cambodia will slowly be introduced to Billy. Both Tina and Jewel were wild born sometime in the mid to late 1960s. Tina is estimated to be between 37 and 44 years old and weighs 7,051 pounds. Tina loves to swim on hot days. She also puts

San Diego Zoo's Tina and Jewel arrive at the L.A. Zoo's Elephants of Asia Exhibit

her tail to the side when she is excited. Jewel is estimated to be between 42 and 47 years old and weighs 6,926 pounds. Jewel loves to be hosed off and make a great mess with the water. Tina and

Jewel have lived together for almost 30 years and have a close relationship. The two elephants were brought to the San Diego Zoo by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials in August

2009 for medical treatment. For the last year they have received expert animal and veterinary care, and the two pachyderms are now fully recovered and ready for a new start. The Elephants of Asia exhibit is scheduled to open December 16. The habitat will include features dedicated to the health and welfare of the elephants such as bathing pools, sandy hills, varied topography, enrichment opportunities and a state of the art barn that is capable of caring for elephants of all ages. Elephants of Asia will focus on the rich connection between elephants and the cultures of Thailand, India, China and Cambodia. The exhibit will familiarize guests with the challenges Asian elephants face in the wild, including their shrinking natural habitat and give visitors the opportunity to directly contribute to conservation programs that support elephants in their native countries.

Travel & Hospitality Post

November 26, 2010

Garo drums fest off to thunderous start ASANANGGRE, Meghalaya: The 100 Drums Wangala Festival the harvest festival of Garos - is being held in this sleepy hamlet of Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district. Catapulted to prominence following its performance at Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, the thanksgiving harvest dance was converted into a community event 32 harvests ago under the patronage of then chief minister Captain Williamson A Sangma. The festival which has grown exponentially in size and popularity is organized in a competitive format to integrate the scattered ethnic group across state and national borders while preserving and promoting indigenous A'chik culture globally. Eminent litterateur and poetmusician, Llewlyn R Marak, a key personality in the organizing committee, expressed happiness that the festival was finally getting its

due prominence in the outside world, which was long overdue. Welcoming the introduction of a brand identity for the Festival, parliamentary secretary in-charge industries, Ismail R Marak said the 100 Drums Festival was suitably poised to become the flagship festival of the state.

The festival which has grown exponentially in size and popularity is organized in a competitive format State Medicinal Plants Board chairman Tony TC Marak, who is steering an ambitious state venture to promote its rich non-timber forest resources, said publicity and packaging played a vital role in the promotion of tourism, art and culture.-PTI

sued during October was 523, according to Tourism Ministry data. In September, 471 foreigners availed the scheme to visit the country. While the maximum number of tourists were from New Zealand (211), only two persons availed it from Luxembourg. There were 130 tourists from Japan and 99 from Finland who utilized the VoA scheme in October.

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Visitbritain ties-up with Standard Chartered MUMBAI: For the convenience of those traveling to the UK, Britain's national tourism agency - Visitbritain - has tied-up with banking giant Standard Chartered to provide a pre-paid travel money card. The cards that can be purchased from a StanChart branch before travel, will be loaded in Indian Rupee and will automatically convert to pound sterling without any commissions, Standard Chartered said in a release issued here. Cardholders can withdraw the amount as cash through automated teller machines or use it for merchant transactions. The card will carry the visa logo and have security features like a four digit PIN to complete a transaction and a round-the-clock call centre to block it in case of theft or misplacement, it said. Cardholders will also be able to avail discounts of up to 20 per cent in over 1,500 restaurants and cafes in UK, it added.-PTI

Over 5000 tourists avail visa on arrival facility NEW DELHI: Over 5,000 tourists have availed the visa on arrival facility since its launch in January. To attract more foreign tourists, government had launched the Visa on Arrival (VoA) scheme for citizens of five countries - Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Singapore - visiting India for tourism purposes. The total number of VoAs is-

India Post

A total of 5,016 VoAs were issued since January this year. Maximum number of tourists from Singapore availed the scheme - 1,501, followed by New Zealand (1,328), Japan (1,110), Finland (1,033) and Luxembourg (44). During the ten month period, the maximum VoAs were issued at Delhi airport (2,695), followed by Mumbai (1,093), Chennai (975) and Kolkata (253). -PTI

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Dhoop Ke Makaan: Break Ke Baad

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Tumse Kya Kehna: Dus Tola

5 Sapne Saloney: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey 6 Maula Maula: Allah Ke Banday 7 Desi Kali: Golmaal 3 8 Ajab Leher: Break Ke Baad 9

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hahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra have called off their relationship after a big fight over Ranbir Kapoor. Priyanka had gotten quite friendly, it seems, with Ranbir Kapoor while shooting for Siddharth Anand's "Anjaana Anjaani." she also went ahead and signed another film opposite Ranbir during this time, Anurag Basu's "Silence". All this did not go down well with Shahid. Says a source, "Shahid was getting jealous and increasingly uncomfortable about Priyanka's growing proximity to Ranbir. He then confronted Priyanka about Ranbir." Apparently, when confronted, Priyanka's retort was a very strong one. She told Shahid,

'You have many friends who are girls. Do I mind that? And more importantly, you haven't committed to me yet. Then why are you objecting to my friendship with Ranbir?'. It was post this fight that the two decided to end their relationship and go their separate ways. It may be recalled that a few days before "Anjaana Anjaani" hit the theatres, Shahid was rumoured to be very miffed about the Priyanka-Ranbir kiss in the film. The source adds, "The problem in

hile most actresses her age are avoiding marriage and queries related to it, Kareena Kapoor is open to tying the knot. The actress has been in a serious relationship with Saif Ali Khan, and is ready to get hitched after a year. If the latest buzz in tinsel town is to be believed, Saif and Kareena are set to marry in 2012. Kareena stated to news daily "Of course, I talk to Saif and my family. Saif is extremely supporting and he jokes that marriage is a taboo in our film industry." She further added, "Surely, there are norms that we can break but the fact is that the film fraternity considers a married actress a taboo." "Saif is so busy with his production and his films, so a wedding will happen but after a year maybe,"said the actress candidly. Well, looks like another big fat Bollywood wedding is on the cards.

Wedding 2012

Shahid and Priyanka's relationship was not just the fact that they happen to be very strong individuals with different tastes, but also that both of them had never committed to each other. There was possessiveness from both sides, but no commitment in the offing. That hastened the end to their relationship soon after the fight over Ranbir. Shahid and Priyanka had many ups and downs in their relationship, but this time it's final; even their common friends are not mediating now. It's all over."

eepika Padukone has taken to washing dirty linen on national television. During an interview with film-maker Karan Johar on his chat show, Koffee With Karan, Deepika made fun of ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor's Casanova image. Asked what she would like to gift him, she said, "A pack of condoms." Deepika didn't even spare actor Katrina Kaif, who was linked to Kapoor after their split. When KJo asked her what she would like to say to Kat, Deepika said, "I would like to see her passport." The actor's comments hint at the mystery around Kat's nationality and her antecedents. Though Kaif has always maintained she is a Kashmiri Indian brought up in London, some say this is untrue. Actor Jackie Shroff's wife Ayesha had told the media in 2009 that she had asked Kat to change her last name to Kaif.

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November 26, 2010

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o keep girlfriends' suspicions at bay, Ranbir has been using technology rather intelligently Ranbir Kapoor, who is labelled as a Casanova in Bollywood, surely knows how to carry on all his affairs in a discreet manner. To begin with, the actor saves the numbers of all his girlfriends on his mobile phone, listing them in block letters as 'BATTERY LOW'. So, if Girlfriend B is calling him when he is with Girl A, Girlfriend A reads 'BATTERY LOW' on his mobile and not even in her wildest dreams imagines that it is some other girl calling him. But don't the words 'Incoming Call' also flash on Ranbir's mobile along with 'BATTERY LOW'? "How does that matter? The words 'Incoming Call' flash in a very small font size compared to 'BATTERY LOW' when one of Ranbir's girlfriends is calling him." says a source. Ranbir has himself admitted that he saves the numbers of all his girlfriends as 'BATTERY LOW' on his phone, on an episode shot for the new season of "Koffee With Karan". In this episode, Ranbir made an appearance with Imran Khan. It turns out, Ranbir also saves some girls' numbers under male names. Ranbir admitted to this too, on the same show.

eha Dhupia is being dubbed as female Gabbar Singh these days, in response to her role in Phas Gaye Re Obama as Munni Madam, a dacoit who does not leave any stone unturned when it comes to using or abusing her power. An enthusiastic Neha strikes a pose and avows: "I am not the heroine but a hero in the film. I have done everything that a hero does in the movie; including abusing and firing guns. Also, my gang performs murders and gang rape. We have done everything in the film." The actress insists it was a memorable experience to play a dacoit. "I am surprised by myself ... at how I have done this role," Neha marvels. "But I am happy to have done this film. Every time I became Munni Madam, I felt stronger than the world." Point out that Obama's presence in the country was a happy coincidence for her film whose title had a reference to the US President's name and the actress remarks: "Marketing is important. It may be a coincidence or a deliberate effort, I don't know; but it's good. We just want that message to reach people." So what message would Neha give Obama if given a chance? "I would just tell him to please watch my two-hour long movie whenever he has time.â&#x20AC;?

ophia Loren wants to visit the thespian at his home in Mumbai. This is a love story of sorts that dates back to 1961 and features two legends of world cinema - Bollywood's iconic Dilip Kumar and Hollywood's Sophia Loren. Bet you didn't know that the two actors shared a vibe in the sixties after Loren publicly heaped praise on Dilip saab for his performance in "Gunga Jumna" (1961). The thespian has always been respectful of the Italian actress' own body of work. That includes the 1962 film "Two Women" - that got Loren the Oscar for Best Actress and also 21 other awards - in her 57-year-long career over which she received 50 international awards plus two Oscars and five Golden Globes. The two had briefly met at an international film festival in the sixties. Sophia had expressed dismay in 1962 when Dilip saab declined David Lean's offer to play the role of Sheriff Ali in his cult film "Lawrence of Arabia" that subsequently went to Omar Sharif. Now, the meeting of the legends looks likely to happen. Loren, now 76, is planning a short winter vacation to India next month and has expressed the desire to visit Dilip saab on his 88th birthday which falls on December 11. It is the ageing actor's recent ill-health that has prompted Loren's decision to come to Mumbai. It is a meeting Loren has wanted to have since many years but which somehow never managed to fall into place. This time around, however, it looks most promising. Saira Banu - Dilip saab's wife - said, "We will welcome Sophia to our place when she comes to visit Dilip. She will be a very special guest."

Â&#x201E; Health

Line

Women with high job stress face heart risks

CHICAGO: A new study finds that job stress can take a toll on a woman's heart. Researchers say women who have jobs with big demands but little authority are 40 percent more likely than women with less job strain to suffer a heart attack or a stroke or to have clogged arteries. Worrying about losing a job can set the stage for heart problems, too. Previous studies have focused on men, the traditional breadwinners. This is the longest major study of job stress in women, who make up nearly half of the workforce. It involved 17,000 women who were studied for 10 years. Results were given at a heart conference in Chicago. -AP

Â&#x201E; Calif rejects pot, but cities embrace drug OAKLAND, Calif.: Californians may have rejected legalizing recreational marijuana, but voters across the state are more than ready to reap revenue from the state's largest cash crop. On Election Day, all 10 cities with local measures on their ballots approved new or higher taxes on marijuana sales that put the need for cash above the stigma of a federally banned drug. The same was true in Colorado, where medical marijuana was approved in 2000. Nine municipalities approved higher sales taxes on medical marijuana products this year. So far, no Colorado town with a marijuana tax question on the ballots has rejected it. -AP

Â&#x201E; Spilled-oil burns posed little health risk WASHINGTON: Federal scientists say burning off oil to clean up the massive Gulf spill released small amounts of toxins, not enough to pose added cancer risk to workers or coastal residents. The U.S. Coast Guard set 411 fires from late April to mid-July, burning off as much as 13 million gallons (50 million liters) of oil from BP's blown-out well that otherwise might have reached the shore. The well, before being capped, released more than 200 million gallons (757 million liters). Research by the Environmental Protection Agency found concentrations of cancer-causing dioxins in 27 smoke plumes similar to those created by wood stoves or forest fires. -AP

Health Science 36

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November 26, 2010

More deaths mean more work IOWA CITY, Iowa: An increasing number of deaths in Johnson County has the medical examiner asking county supervisors for more resources and a new fulltime staffer. Details on page 38

Indian doc removes record kidney stones from one patient MUMBAI: An urologist from Dhule district of Maharashtra has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having removed most kidney stones, from a single patient. Dr Ashish Patil, Director of Tejnaksh Healthcare's Institute of Urology (Dhule) removed 1,72,155 kidney stones using both open surgery and flexible endoscopy from the left kidney of 45-year-old Dhanraj Wadile from Shahada on December 8 last year. After perusing and verifying all the details and records from all over the world, the Guinness World Records declared that Patil was the current holder of the feat. "I received the certificate only five days back," Patil told reporters. Wadile is still under observation as he is from the stone belt of Maharashtra (hot and dry places like Dhule, Shahada and Nandurbar) where the population is affected with tendency of forming kidney stones, a hereditary problem, he said. Wadile was suffering from severe lower abdominal pain frequently for six months before he

Patient Dhanraj Wadile

Dr Ashish Patil

Wadile is still under observation as he is from the stone belt of Maharashtra (hot and dry places like Dhule, Shahada and Nandurbar) where the population is affected with tendency of forming kidney stones, a hereditary problem, he said was operated upon in December last for four hours. During the four-hour operation, doctors used both open

surgery and flexible endoscopy. "The surgery was complicated due to the number of kidney stones. It was difficult to remove

so many stones from his kidney. These stones were anywhere between the size of 1mm to 2.5cm," said Dr Patil. "The possibility of leaving some stones behind was one of the risks as it could have jeopardized the surgery. Bigger stones had to be tackled individually. We also did a plastic surgery to widen the opening of the kidney," said Dr Patil. Dr Patil's entry to the Guinness Book was declared on October 20. "The Guinness team took time to verify world-wide records. The earlier record holder, a doctor from Nashik, had removed 14,098 kidney stones," said Dr Patil. "I had stopped eating and going to work," said Wadile, 45, a paan shop owner. When Wadile was referred to Dr Patil he discovered that Wadile had an uncommon birth defect where his kidney was abnormally positioned in the pelvic and had an obstruction. Approximately 2 to 4 per 1,000 population in the world suffer from this Pelvi-Ureteric Junction obstruction. -Agencies

Sebelius returns to Kan. to tout health care law TOPEKA, Kan.: U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has predicted that federal health care changes approved this year will be refined, but she gave no hint that Democratic President Barack Obama's administration is backing away from a law targeted by successful Republican campaigns. She promoted the new law as a significant step toward improving Americans' health and their medical care during a speech to the Kansas Hospital Association's annual convention in Topeka. She also talked about the administration's goal of reducing tobacco use. Sebelius, a former two-term Kansas governor, didn't mention Republicans' strong criticism of the health care changes championed by Obama and fellow Democrats in Congress or the GOP recapturing a U.S. House majority in this year's elections. She deflected

questions from reporters after her speech about the law's future. She said the administration is implementing the law and seeing positive changes from provisions that allow parents to keep their young-adult children on their health coverage or that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

GOP congressional delegation, want the law repealed, and Kansas Attorney General-elect Derek Schmidt, also a Republican, has promised to have Kansas join other states in challenging it in federal court. ``A sufficient number of American citizens and I think a majority of Kansans are troubled that the balance has gone too far in favor of unfet-

She promoted the new law as a significant step toward improving Americans' health and their medical care during a speech to the Kansas Hospital Association's annual convention in Topeka ``Those efforts are moving forward,'' she told reporters. ``We have some very positive changes already in the market place and we will continue to implement the law as we move forward.'' Many Republicans, including the members of Kansas' soon-to-be all-

tered federal authority,'' Schmidt said. In her remarks, Sebelius didn't touch on the law's requirement that most Americans purchase health insurance, starting in 2014. That provision helped energize the tea party movement and is a key issue in legal challenges by states.

Asked about that GOP opposition to the law, Sebelius said: ``I think this is a platform for a big step forward in health care, not only in the delivery system but in the insurance side of the puzzle, and we will continue to work on refining it and improving it as we move forward.'' But Tom Bell, the hospital association's president, said uncertainty about the law's future has created anxiety among his group's members about what to expect from the federal government. ``We are, as a country, still divided about this law, and you cannot look at the polls and reach any other conclusion,'' Bell said after Sebelius' remarks. ``Our hope is that folks can go to Washington and over the course of the next couple of years, figure out how they come to some agreement so the that public feels a little bit more united about this.'' -AP

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November 26, 2010

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Malaysia to hire Indian medical specialists KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Health Ministry has said it will work directly with the Indian government to hire qualified medical specialists to help tackle the shortage of doctors in this country. Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said his ministry had advertised in the foreign media for specialists but the applicants were not very good, local media reported. Apart from India, Malaysia will also work with the governments of Egypt and Pakistan to hire qualified medical specialists, he said. Malaysia wants to project itself as a medical tourism hub but lack of medical specialists in some areas is coming up as an obstacle in this path. "The doctors who replied to our advertisements were qualified but many of them were sent back because of attitude problems," the minister said. "Of course, these doctors also had to go through an interview locally. But, sometimes, they could not perform according to our expectations," he said. By working directly with the governments, "we would be able to hire better doctors, as they would be vetted by both the foreign and local governments," he said. Liow said the Egyptian Health Ministry submitted a list of 58 specialists who would be recruited to work in local hospitals or medical facilities.

"The Egyptian government has given these specialists sabbatical leave. So, many of them are more than willing to leave their country and serve here," he said, adding that the agreement was for these doctors to serve only for two years. Liow said the same system would be applied to recruit specialists from India and Pakistan. -PTI

Natural therapy for opening heart veins

rof. Dr. S. Vikineswary, of the Biotech Division Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has developed a natural therapy for opening the veins of the heart. He recommends taking the following ingredients: Lemon juice 01 cup Ginger juice 01 cup Garlic juice 01 cup Apple vinegar 01 cup Procedure: Mix all the above and boil on low heat, approximately for half an hour. When it is reduced to three cups, take off stove and let cool. After cooling, mix three cups of natural honey and keep it in bottle. Every morning before breakfast, use one table spoon regularly. Your blockage of veins will open. No need for any angiography or bypass, he claims.

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Health Science Post

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November 26, 2010

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Santhigram launches Ayurveda center in Houston India Post News Service

HOUSTON, Texas: Santhigram Kerala Ayurvedic Co. of US launched its fifth Ayurveda center in the US at Stafford (in Houston), TX. Santhigram Kerala Ayurveda is an international Ayurvedic company offering genuine "Kerala specific Ayurvedic Therapies" for the wellbeing of mankind and is in the mission, Santhigram Ayurveda with its corporate headquarters in New Delhi, India, after a decade long successful operations in India, spread its wings to United Kingdom five years back. The recent popularity of Ayurveda in the United States and its continued acceptability and success in UK has encouraged the company to further extend its unique services to the United States. Santhigram launched its first US center in November 2007 and presently is running four centers in New Jersey, one at Holiday Inn, Raritan Center, Edison, another inside Bally Total Fitness Facility in East

where modern system of medicine is not helpful in providing sideeffect-free treatments and people go all the way to India to undergo this treatment. He promised all

Traditional lamp being lit by Mr. Thomas Abraham, Mayor Pro-tem, City of Sugarland, TX and His Holiness Bhakti Sundar Goswami Maharaj

Brunswick, third Center at Oak Tree Road, Edison NJ and fourth center at Denville, Near Parsippany NJ. The fifth US Center was inaugurated on October 22 South Main, Stafford TX by Mr. Thomas Abraham, Mayor Pro-tem, City of Sugarland, TX in the presence of Stafford Councilman Mr. Robin Ellakkad. Bhakti Sundar Goswami

Maharaj, the Regional Secretary of Iskcon Temple, American Region was the Guest of Honor. On the occasion Mayor-Protem Thomas Abraham appreciated the efforts of Santhigram for bringing this unique Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy to Houston and expressed confidence that it will be of great help to many people who suffer from various ailments

Sanford doctor focuses on American Indian health FARGO, N.D.: Dr. Donald Warne, who heads a new Sanford Health initiative to improve the health of American Indians, began his medical career as a primary care physician. But the native of South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation became convinced that prevention and better public health provide the keys to improving the health of American Indians. As director of the Sanford Office of Native American Health, Warne is focusing on addressing the many long-standing health disparities between American Indians and the general population. ``There's a lot of work to be done,'' he said. The effort already has been given a boost through a $7 million federal grant to help establish a National Center for Minority Health Disparities Exploratory Center of Excellence. To cite a few examples of the disparities: Native Americans are almost three times as likely to die of diabetes as the general population, more than six times as likely to suffer alcohol-induced death, and almost twice as likely to commit suicide, according to the Indian Health Service. Underlying those stubborn problems: high rates of poverty throughout Indian country and

what tribes have complained is chronic underfunding of the Indian Health Service. Colon cancer afflicts Native Americans at high rates, yet the financially strapped Indian Health Service isn't equipped to perform colonoscopy screens, a mainstay of prevention, or pay for the procedure at private clinics, Warne said.

Colon cancer afflicts Native Americans at high rates, yet the financially strapped Indian Health Service isn't equipped to perform colonoscopy screens ``So the result is we can't screen for a screenable cancer,'' he said. His strategy calls for working on four fronts: better clinical care, research, education and policy development. To do that, the Sanford program will work collaboratively with partners, including the medical schools in South Dakota and North Dakota, and the Indian Health Service, where Warne has served as an adviser. ``It's a unique public-private partnership,'' Warne said. ``This

type of partnership doesn't exist anywhere else in the country.'' The Aberdeen (S.D.) Area Indian Health Service, with a service that largely overlaps the Sanford Health service area, welcomes the new initiative. ``The Indian Health Service looks forward to the potential of creating meaningful partnerships with Sanford Health that increase access to affordable health care options,'' said Constance James, public affairs liaison for the IHS. Jacqueline Gray, an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health in Grand Forks, said Warne, who has a medical degree from Stanford and master's of public health from Harvard, has an impressive vision of what can be done. ``He's a big thinker,'' she said. ``He's got lots of good and innovative ideas.'' There's talk, for instance, of having universities and colleges along the Interstate 29 corridor from Grand Forks to Omaha, Neb., meet collectively to recruit American Indian students to health fields. The sprawling service area of Sanford Health based in Fargo and Sioux Falls, S.D. covers parts of five states and includes 28 tribes and an estimated 250,000 American Indians. -AP

Bhakti Sundar Goswami Maharaj talked about the origin of Ayurveda which is a system of medicine practiced by the sages in ancient times and forms part of Hindu mythology. He narrated his excellent experience of Ayurvedic treatments possible support for Santhigram's mission to establish authentic Ayurvedic centers in various parts of United States. Mr. Robin Ellakkad, the councilman, expressed happiness that Santhigram was successful in bringing this specialized therapy to

Houston which will be of immense help to many people suffering from a number of chronic ailments. Bhakti Sundar Goswami Maharaj talked about the origin of Ayurveda which is a system of medicine practiced by the sages in ancient times and forms part of Hindu mythology. He narrated his excellent experience of Ayurvedic treatments that he had undergone in India and wished Santhigram all success in its efforts to establish authentic Ayurvedic centers in the United States. Mr. Gopinathan Nair, President & CEO of the company in his welcome speech expressed satisfaction about the tremendous support Santhigram has received from the local community leaders for starting the Ayurvedic center in Houston and unveiled the plan of the company in launching more centers in Texas and other states in coming months. Mr. Vikram Pillai, Global Director, Mr. Muraleedharan Pillai, Centre Director and Dr. Ambika Nair, Senior Consultant also spoke on the occasion.

Health reform could save Tenn. $43.5M CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.: Federal health care reforms could save Tennessee up to $43.5 million next year in health care costs for retired state employees. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports $5 billion in federal aid will be available over the next three years to pay high-cost claims for people who take early retirement but are covered by their former employer's health

plans. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program is designed as a bridge until 2014, when federal health care reform is fully implemented. The state government is one of 60 groups in Tennessee that have been approved for a share of the money. The program's aim is to encourage employers to maintain health benefits for retirees until Medicare benefits kick in at 65. -AP

More deaths mean more work IOWA CITY, Iowa: An increasing number of deaths in Johnson County has the medical examiner asking county supervisors for more resources and a new full-time staffer. Johnson County medical examiner Michael Hensch called the situation desperate, noting there were an all-time high 558 deaths that needed a medical examiner last year. Hensch said this year's 471 deaths so far are on pace to match last year's record. Hensch's staff includes a supervisor, medical secretary and three on-call investigators. He works seven days a week and said the medical examiner supervisor is working 60 to 80 hours a week. ``That's why I'm trying to express to you the 24-hour, seven-

day-a-week nature of our jobs,'' Hensch told county supervisors. ``We just need some relief.'' Johnson County is fourth in population statewide but second in deaths because patients are often transported to area hospitals like University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Medical examiners handle cases of violent, sudden or unexpected deaths and unidentified or unclaimed bodies. The department also is responsible for determining causes of death, notifying next of kin, properly certifying deaths and coordinating organ donations and cremations. County Supervisor Rod Sullivan said he doesn't think the county is in the position to provide more money. -AP

Realty Tidbits

Mumbai 4th most expensive office space

Real Estate

umbai, India's business capital, has been ranked as the fourth most expensive market in terms of office space rentals in the world by global real estate consultant CB Richard Ellis. New Delhi is placed at the 11th spot in the list, which is topped by London (West End), according to CBRE's semi-annual Global Office Rents survey. "While the rankings of Mumbai and Delhi have not changed globally since May this year, what is notable is that rentals of prime office space have risen… as across most of the markets in the world," CB Richard Ellis (South Asia) Chairman and Managing Director Anshuman Magazine said.

Sahara all set to buy London hotel

ahara India Pariwar, the conglomerate run by Indian billionaire Subrata Roy, is all set to buy the landmark Grosvenor House hotel in central London, which was once home to the Duke of Westminster. According to the Sunday Times, Royal Bank of Scotland, which took control of the property in 2001 when it paid 1.2 billion pounds for 12 Le Meridien hotels as part of a sale- and-leaseback deal, has agreed to sell Grosvenor House Hotel to Subrata Roy for a knock-down price. The five-star hotel will be sold for about 470 million pounds, the report said. Sahara is believed to be taking advice from consultants DTZ and Blandford Goldsmith on the real estate deal.

Parsvanath buys railway plot for Rs 1652 crore

n what is being called the biggest real estate deal in Delhi after the 2008-09 slowdown, Parsvnath Developers have bagged a 38-acre plot auctioned by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) in Sarai Rohilla for R1,652 crore. At R43.4 crore per acre, this deal is second only to DLF's pre-slowdown deal of R44.1 crore per acre, when it acquired 38 acres near Moti Nagar for R1,675 crore from the DCM group. "This property is going to change the skyline of Delhi, especially in terms of luxury houses, a school, hotel and luxury club," Parsvnath chairman Pradeep Jain told HT.

November 26, 2010

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India Post

Unitech sells 4.99mn sqft area for Rs 2312 crore

nitech Ltd, the country's second largest real estate firm, has sold nearly five million sq ft of area, primarily housing, worth Rs 2,312 crore in the first half of this fiscal. "Close to five million sq ft sold during AprilSeptember 2010. Value of sales bookings more than Rs 2,300 crore," Unitech said in a presentation to the investors. The company sold 4.99 million sq ft of area during April- September period, out of that 4.05 were in housing and 0.94 million sq ft in non-residential segment.

Developers worried over higher construction costs

hile higher land prices and raw material costs could put profitability of companies under pressure, a steep rise in borrowing costs is likely to hurt demand. The BSE Realty index fell 11 per cent over the last month and eight per cent over the week as real estate companies reported margin pressures in the September quarter. To add to the problems, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) toughened stance on rising asset prices. Also, doubts are being expressed about a pick-up in volume due to high prices. "A drop in volumes due to high prices could lead to working capital issues for some players", said an analyst. The RBI's measures - lowering the loan to value ratio and higher provisioning for luxury home and teaser loans -are likely to have a minor impact, say analysts. The sector also faces spiraling costs, which have dented the profitability of India's largest listed players.

High land prices, construction costs and muted sentiment could hurt plans of companies such as Emaar MGF which are looking to come out with initial public offers (IPOs). Though the credit policy was negative for the sector, some realty experts, such as Sanjay Dutt, CEO, Business, Jones Lang

Most conservative financial institutions and banks have already become cautious on home loans. Analysts say key urban markets such as Mumbai and Delhi will be impacted by higher provisioning for home loans Lasalle Meghraj, believe it will have a moderate impact. According to them, most conservative financial institutions and banks have already become cautious on home loans. Analysts say key urban markets such as Mumbai and Delhi will be impacted by higher provisioning for home loans of Rs 75 lakh and above. Given the price

Ahmedabad's first IT SEZ by March 2011

he 3rd Eye Voice IT SEZ, city's first IT/ITES special economic zone (SEZ), is all set to become operational in March 2011. Already around 100 small companies functioning from different locations under Software Technology Park of India (STPI) scheme are planning to shift into the upcoming Rs 550 crore project. Another two citybased companies, Elitecore Technologies Limited and HiTech Outsourcing Services are also moving part of their existing business into the SEZ. "3rd Eye is developing 36 lakh sq-ft infrastructure near Science City. Of the 10 buildings designed inside the SEZ, construction work of two towers is almost completed, where companies will start moving from March next year," said Bipin Shah, director of 3rd Eye SEZ. The company is

increase and higher construction costs (due to labor shortage and rising cement and steel prices) and lower sales in markets such as Mumbai, the norms will be an additional burden for the builders. With developers withdrawing the 10:90 (10 per cent upfront and the rest on possession) schemes, ana-

also planning a 50-storey (200m) tower, which will be the tallest building of Gujarat inside any IT SEZ in India. Design of the proposed tower is ready, but implementation will depend on certain approvals from state and central governments, added Shah. "We are in the process of acquiring 70,000 sq ft space in the SEZ and investing Rs 100 crore for new software product development," said Rakesh Mistry, chief finance officer, Elitecore. Bhanu Gupta, director of HiTech said his company will purchase 35,000 sq ft space. Uttam Patel, who is representing a consortium of around 100 small IT companies associated with STPI said that since subsidy on exports and benefits under STPI schemes will expire in October, his group was looking for 3 to 5 lakh sq ft space.

lysts believe they are likely to bring down the size of the houses or look at lowering prices. While banks have not yet raised rates, analysts believe home loan rates may rise 50 basis points, increasing the borrowing cost. Overall, higher prices and rising costs could hurt demand.

According to analysts, Mumbaibased developers (Orbit etc) and others such as DLF, Unitech and Sobha will be impacted given their exposure to premium housing. High raw material costs and paucity of labor have led to spiraling of expenditure for leading developers. Unitech and DLF, India's top realty players, saw raw material costs double year-on-year in the September quarter, while consolidated revenues rose 26.5 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively, for the duo. Construction costs were up 38 per cent for DLF on a sequential basis. DLF, which saw earnings before interest, depreciation, tax and amortization margins drop 900-basis points on a sequential basis to 42 per cent in the quarter, says the drop on account of variation in the product mix is temporary and the company is likely to end the year with margins in the 45-50 per cent range.

Embassy to raise 2400cr through IPO

angalore-based real estate developer Embassy Property Developments (EPD) has said it will raise Rs 2,400 crore through an initial public offer. "The company filed the draft red herring prospectus with the market regulator SEBI in July this year, and is now awaiting a nod," Embassy Property Development (EPD) Managing Director Jitu Virwani told reporters. We expect the IPO to hit the capital markets

by this month end, he said. "The IPO proceeds shall be used to finance the construction of ongoing projects, repayment of debt and shall be used for general corporate purposes," Virwani said. "We shall use Rs 1,500 crore for financing the ongoing projects, Rs 430 crore for repayment of debt and Rs 470 for general corporate purposes," EPD General Manager Corporate Finance Sandeep Subramanya said.

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In Brief GOP wins 'boost to immigration bill' PHOENIX: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson says the election of additional Hispanic Republicans to Congress could help the chances of Congress passing comprehensive immigration legislation, something that the lameduck Democrat supports. Richardson is currently the nation's only Hispanic governor. The Democrat told a journalism conference in Phoenix that immigration legislation could draw bipartisan support that it needs to pass, partly because Republicans don't want to be labeled ``the party of no.'' Richardson says the election of four additional Hispanic Republicans to Congress improves the chances of enactment but not dramatically. -AP

Church supports Utah Compact on immigration SALT LAKE CITY: Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is among community and religious leaders who have signed on to five principles guiding discussion on immigration. Shurtleff and Bishop John C. Wester of the Salt Lake City Roman Catholic Diocese joined others in signing the Utah Compact. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hasn't signed it but issued a statement supporting it. The compact says immigration should be a federal policy issue, local law-enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, and that the signers oppose policies that unnecessarily separate families. They also acknowledge immigrants' role as workers and taxpayers and say Utah should welcome people of goodwill. -AP

Trial for Ga. student in immigration debate MARIETTA, Ga.: Jury selection has begun in a trial on traffic violation charges against a Georgia college student and illegal immigrant whose case has become a flashpoint in the national debate on immigration. Jessica Colotl pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of impeding the flow of traffic and driving without a license. Police stopped the 22-year-old student at Kennesaw State University for a traffic violation in March. Cobb authorities turned her over to federal immigration officials after learning she was in the country illegally. -AP

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November 26, 2010

Major human smuggling cell busted in Arizona PHOENIX: Authorities have dismantled a major cell of a human smuggling ring that may be responsible for the transportation of thousands of illegal immigrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to Phoenix and other parts of the country, investigators said. Nine people were arrested after a year long investigation. They have not yet been charged but are accused of picking up illegal immigrants after they crossed the border by foot, and taking them to what are known as drop houses in Phoenix before they were distributed to other parts of the country. Authorities say the group was led by a 29-year-old Mexican man who told them his name is Mark Rodriguez-Banks. They say he also is known as Ricardo Morales-Mejia. At least seven of the people in custody are Mexican men who are believed to be in the country illegally, authorities said. Rodriguez-Banks provided vehicles for the immigrants' trans-

portation from the border to Phoenix, and from there to other parts of the country, said Arizona Department of Public Safety Capt. Fred Zumbo. Authorities seized 62 vans from the group, some of which were disguised as belonging to flower or carpet cleaning companies. None of the vehicles had been

the southern Arizona town of Sonoita in which 11 illegal immigrants from Central America in the vehicle were killed. Twenty-seven people had been ``stacked like wood'' inside, and most were ejected after a tire blew and the vehicle rolled. Members of the group also were involved in two other reports last

Authorities seized 62 vans from the group, some of which were disguised as belonging to flower or carpet cleaning companies. None of the vehicles had been reported stolen but were registered to people with addresses that don't exist reported stolen but were registered to people with addresses that don't exist. Zumbo said the group specialized in smuggling people from Central America, and that many of their customers - who paid to be taken to various U.S. cities - came from Guatemala. The group has been connected to a June 2009 vehicle rollover near

year of transporting illegal immigrants. Charges in those cases involved resisting arrest, fleeing law enforcement, aggravated assault on an officer and endangerment. The group displayed a ``total disregard'' for human life, said Zumbo, who leads the Illegal Immigration Prevention & Apprehension Co-op Team, a task force of Arizona law enforcement agen-

cies that targets human smuggling. ``We have put a huge dent in the human smuggling arena, not only in Maricopa County but in Arizona,'' he said. ``We are going after the mid- to upper-level players in these organizations.'' The seized vans surely would have been used to smuggle more people, Zumbo said. ``The biggest thing that we need to look at on this case is what we prevented possibly, because this group was very violent,'' he said. ``These vans were potential hazards on our highways, they were possibly going to hurt and injure our citizens because of the reckless disregard of these human smugglers.'' Arizona is the busiest illegal entry point for human and drug smugglers along the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) U.S.-Mexico border. Between 40 percent and 50 percent of all immigrant arrests each year on the border are made in the state, according to the U.S. Border Patrol. -AP

WHD audit of contractor misclassifications CYRUS D. MEHTA

he Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) reportedly plans a nationwide audit this fall of misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sent notices of inspection to employers nationwide in September 2010. WHD and ICE are working together on the independent contractor issue, and some analysts believe that WHD may be providing leads to ICE on potential Fair Labor Standards Act violators. It is unclear which industries are targeted, but it is expected that they may include agriculture, construction, distribution, food processing, hospitality, janitorial services, landscaping, manufacturing, restaurants, and sanitation, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. CDMA recommends preparing for audits in advance and contacting us for guidance on how to clas-

sify workers as employees or independent contractors, and how to conduct an internal audit to correct errors or omissions in I-9 work authorization verification forms and other relevant documentation. District Court finds NY Education law limiting pharmacist licenses to U.S. citizens, LPRs unconstitutional

wise qualified pharmacists with temporary authorization to work in the U.S. Twenty-two of them had obtained H-1B visas. Most had applied for permanent residence and all had remained in the U.S. in compliance with federal immigration laws while their cases were pending. New York Education Law Â§ 6805(1)(6) provides that "[t]o

It is unclear which industries are targeted, but it is expected that they may include agriculture, construction, distribution, food processing, hospitality, janitorial services, landscaping The U.S. District Court for New York ruled in a consolidated case on September 29, 2010, that a New York education law was unconstitutional because it violated the plaintiffs' rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and encroached on federal immigration authority. The plaintiffs were 26 other-

qualify for a pharmacist's license, an applicant shall...be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States." The law excludes, among others, those who have received federal authorization to work in the U.S. temporarily. Among other things, the court said:

The theory is that courts must be wary of state laws that exploit aliens' political powerlessness by denying them the fruits of their societal contributions. Here, the State does not explain why this theory would apply any less to non-immigrants, who also work, pay taxes, contribute to society, and have no political voice while they remain in this country. At one point, the State seems to suggest that non-LPR classifications should not receive strict scrutiny because non-LPRs have a different "constitutional status" by virtue of their weaker ties to the country....But what does it mean to say that non-immigrants have a different "constitutional status" than LPRs, or that non-immigrants "need not" be protected to the same extent as LPRs? The Supreme Court has already established that all aliens, even undocumented aliens, have rights under the equal protection clause. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 44

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November 26, 2010

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Deportation of college student delayed SAN FRANCISCO: Federal immigration officials have pushed back the deportation of a City College of San Francisco student who was scheduled to return to Peru, his attorney said. Sin Yen Ling, an attorney for the Asian Law Caucus, a civil rights organization representing Steve Li, said she has been notified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that her client will not be deported as planned. Ling said ICE officials did not say why they were at least delaying Li's deportation, but it comes after she had applied on behalf of her client to have his deportation delayed. Sen. Feinstein spokesman Gil Duran said that the senator also asked ICE to delay Li's deportation until she could assess whether proposing a private bill was appropriate in the case. ``As an original co-sponsor of the Dream Act, I believe it would be unjust to deport Mr. Li before we get a chance to vote on this bill, which would allow students

like him to attain U.S. citizenship,'' Feinstein said in a statement. ``Therefore, I have asked ICE to halt the deportation proceedings while I consider introducing

Legislation pending in Congress, known as the Dream Act, would give high school graduates who entered the U.S. illegally as children a path to legal residency a private bill that will allow Mr. Li to remain in the United States on a temporary basis,'' the statement said. Ling said she hoped to get additional details from ICE officials about Li's status. In the meantime, the 20-year-old remains in a detention facility in Arizona. Li, a student at San Francisco State University, came to the United States with his parents on

tourist visas in 2002 from Peru, when he was 12. The family fled to the South American nation from China in the 1980s to avoid persecution, said Lisa Chen, a spokeswoman for the Asian Law Caucus. They applied for political asylum from China, but their application was denied several years ago. Legislation pending in Congress, known as the Dream Act, would give high school graduates who entered the U.S. illegally as children a path to legal residency. They would just have to spend two years in college or the military. The Asian Law Caucus supports its passage. ``This is a good example of what happens when Congress does not pass the Dream Act,'' said Ling. Li's parents, who are Chinese nationals, are being monitored by ICE although they do not face immediate deportation. The caucus had reached out to Sen. Dianne Feinstein and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Li's behalf. -AP

Lawmaker's illegal immigrant comments decried MEMPHIS, Tenn.: Representatives of Memphis Hispanic groups and their supporters decried comments by a Republican lawmaker who likened illegal immigrant births to rats multiplying. The Commercial Appeal reported the groups stood outside the home of Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville. Todd made the comments while he was questioning state officials at a committee hearing about whether the state-funded Cover Kids program checked citizenship before paying for health care. He was told that the federal government didn't allow it for prenatal care because any child born in the US is a citizen. Todd said that means the immi-

grants can ``go out there like rats and multiply.'' Todd told AP he was wrong to use that choice of words. He said using the term ``anchor babies'' probably would have been more palatable. The term, considered derogatory by some, is a reference to children born to at least one illegal immigrant parent. Todd told WHBQ-TV in a phone interview that he doesn't plan to apologize. ``I'm not apologizing to anyone who may have been offended. I used the wrong terminology,'' he said. During the protest, about 10 people - including representatives

of the NAACP and the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center - stood in Todd's driveway. Mauricio Calvo, head of the advocacy group Latino Memphis, said he expects ``uneducated people'' to make such comments. ``What's scary is when our leaders make those comments,'' Calvo said. Governor's criticism Meanwhile in Nashville, Governor of Tennessee said Republican lawmaker Curry Todd used a poor choice of words when he likened pregnant illegal immigrants to rats multiplying. Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen said he would never refer to a human being in such a way. -AP

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'Immigration reform should focus on economy' BOSTON: Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has said he wants to work with Democrats on possible federal immigration reform, as long as it's not ``fluff.'' Brown, who replaced the late Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy, a champion of immigrants' rights, told The Associated Press he plans to meet with Senate leaders of both parties about options for reforms. But he said any effort should be focused on improving the economy. ``We're going to get fully briefed as to what (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid) has planned,'' said Brown before the opening of a new wing focusing on art of the Americas at Boston's

Museum of Fine Arts. ``(The Democrats) are still the majority in the Senate, so I'm eager to see whether they are going to do stuff for fluff, or (if) they are going to focus on the things that can get us moving again, getting our economy moving.'' Asked if that meant focusing solely on strong enforcement of immigration laws, Brown said, ``it's up to the leader on what he's going to bring forth.'' He made those comments almost two weeks after Reid, D-Nev., survived a tight re-election challenge largely by the backing of Latino voters. Reid had championed comprehensive immigration

Some advocates, mainly immigrant students, have staged protests and sit-ins around Brown's office to press him on reforms reform measures and has promised to support such legislation. During Brown's campaign for Senate, he said he would push for restrictions on illegal immigration. He also recently called a proposal

to give some illegal immigrant students a pathway to citizenship through college or military service ``amnesty.'' But Brown also has been a target of President Barack Obama, who has tried to court the Massachusetts Republican on immigration and financial reform since he won a special election in January to replace Kennedy. Kennedy, who died in August 2009 at age 77, championed legislation that directly benefited immigrants, their children and their grandchildren and pushed through the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which fundamentally changed the demographics of the United

States. Meanwhile, some advocates, mainly immigrant students, have staged protests and sit-ins around Brown's office to press him on reforms. Some immigrant advocates said they were encouraged by Brown's comments. Eva Millona, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrants & Refugee Advocacy Coalition in Boston, said she was glad to hear that immigration reform was on Brown's mind. ``I've very pleased to hear that the senator is willing to work with both parties on immigration,'' Millona said. ``This is a positive sign.'' -AP

Miss. seeks to have immigrant's suit tossed JACKSON, Miss.: Mississippi's attorney general has asked a federal court to throw out a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Mexican illegal immigrant who claims the state welfare agency and a hospital conspired to take her newborn to give to a white couple for adoption. U.S. Magistrate Linda R. Anderson has set a Dec. 15 conference for the case that's at the heart of a national debate over parental rights of illegal immigrants who give birth to children while in the United States. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed suit in August against the state Department of Human Services, two social workers, Singing River Health System and a hospital interpreter. In documents filed in U.S. District Court, Attorney General Jim Hood has asked that the complaint be dismissed. Singing River Health Systems also denied the allegations of the suit in a separate filing. ``This complaint has been baseless and without accurate facts from the beginning. It is a shame that the Health System has even had to defend itself and its employees against such ridiculously frivolous charges,'' Richard Lucas, a hospital spokesman said this week.

The suit alleged Cirila Baltazar Cruz's constitutional right to family integrity were violated after she gave birth to a baby girl at the hospital in November 2008. Cruz - who spoke no English and little Spanish and could not read or write - was interviewed by a hospital interpreter. The inter-

US Magistrate Linda R. Anderson has set a Dec. 15 conference for the case that's at the heart of a national debate over parental rights of illegal immigrants preter spoke Spanish, not Chatino, a dialect indigenous to Cruz's native Oaxaca in rural Mexico, the lawsuit alleges. The suit alleged the interpreter told officials that Cruz was trading sex for housing and wanted to give the child up for adoption. After social workers for DHS intervened, Cruz's child was taken into state custody and placed in the home of the white couple, who

work as attorneys. Cruz said in the court filing that she tried to explain to the interpreter she worked in a Chinese restaurant and lived in an apartment. Cruz and her daughter were separated for a year while the child was in the couple's care. The mother and child were reunited in November 2009 and have since returned to Mexico. Hood declined to comment on the case beyond what can be found in the court documents that were filed Oct. 26. Hood's office contends the suit should be dismissed because it fails to state a claim for which relief can be granted, among other reasons. ``What they're saying is that even if everything we say is accurate, they haven't done anything illegal. We find that to be an extraordinary position. These entities and defendants did conspire to take this woman's baby illegally from her. On its face, that's a pretty strong accusation of illegal conduct,'' said Mary Bauer, legal director of the law center. The suit also claimed officials had contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs officials about Cruz' status. There have been similar cases around the country. -AP

WHD audit of contractor misclassifications Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 42

The court pointed out that New York purported to ameliorate the dangers posed by transient or judgment-proof pharmacists through Â§ 6805(1)(6), which was aimed at only a tiny subclass of pharmacists, instead of imposing generally applicable insurance or similar malpractice-related requirements upon the entire profession. The state also did not put forth

any evidence that transience among New York pharmacists threatened public health or that nonimmigrant pharmacists, as a class, were considerably more transient than LPR and U.S. citizen pharmacists. As a consequence, the court said, the law did nothing to reduce the dangers of transience among citizen and LPR pharmacists while at the same time excluding longtime nonimmigrant residents, many of whom will be-

come LPRs as soon as their pending green card applications are processed. "The question is not close; under any form of heightened scrutiny, Â§ 6805(1) (6) fails," the court concluded. The decision is available at http://engnishimura.com/files/ PhamacistLawUnconstitutional.pdf. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Horoscope

November 26, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

by Pandit Parashar

Nov 26 - Dec 2

t is going to be slightly stressful week but running around will be for a good cause. Money may come through stocks or lottery. Changes in career will benefit you financially for a long time to come. Venus in the fourth will make you change your car to a better and newer model. A big move also in the air.

o not be restless as things will definitely materialize with slight delay. You will be traveling to a warmer place or in East direction for some important meeting. Legal papers should not be ignored but given top priority. Do through research before you commit to invest in the project and seek second opinion.

ssues involving a child will cause some anxious moments but a favorable outcome is days away. You will not only make useful contacts but the trip will be financially rewarding too. Entering into food business will be good. Spouse will be in good mood and you will relish your favorite food the whole week.

e careful at home as well as with business partners. You will attend an important event and meet few politicians. Bank balance will grow and the extra money could come through a property deal. Some one will try to take undue advantage so be careful before you make any commitment. Party will be entertaining.

pponents will try their best but will not succeed. Planets will help those seeking another job. A child will be the source of happiness this week. Some of you will start making preparation for an upcoming trip. Throw all fears out of your mind and stop worrying as appropriate solutions are around the corner

ou will write a big check to government agency this week. Venus in first will keep you cheerful. You may take family out to a nice place for dinner this week. Some of you will need new prescription for eye sight. You may develop taste for hot and spicy food also. Money from insurance can come this week.

oss will put some challenging conditions and you will accept the assignment. You will help many needy people with your expertise and even earn their blessings. People in business will see new clients and improved sales. You may start paying more attention to health and even join some health club also.

ou will have to have more positive thinking and fighting attitude to get the things rolling in right direction. People will be getting ready for upcoming trip. Some one will come with a weak business proposal. You will be invited to couple of parties. Money will come but disappear fast.

ew member will be added in the family soon. This is the right time to make your move in career. Some of you will be getting ready to relocate to a better place. Chances to get money out of a law suit improve with recent developments. You will learn something new even from your opponents this week.

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

government agency will give clearance making room for big improvement in career. You will spend some time with well known and important people. You may change your mind about attending a party on last minute. You may have your eyes set on a nice piece of property but spouse will oppose the whole idea.

enus in second should bring financial relief. Stress will reduce a lot and you will gain edge over your opponents and may hear the positive news from a government agency. You will be dealing with some well known people this week. Some one in the family will traveling to distant place in near future.

ou will be concerned about the health of an elderly family member. Money will come but will go on paying last months bills. You may also give final shape to a small family vacation. Boss will become more demanding and may assign additional work. You may try to reach an old friend for some valuable advice.

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

Datebook

India Post

November 26, 2010

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Fri Dec 3 • D'Arranged Marriage Venue: Triad NYC, 158 West 72nd Street, 1st Floor, New York Time: 9pm Contact: 212-362-2590

Sat Dec 4 • Revive: Rebuilding a Dream Venue: The Prince George Ballroom, 15 East 27th Street, New York Time: 7:30pm Contact: 347-668-0251

Thurs Dec 30 • Last Basement Bhangra Of The Year Venue: SOBs, 204 Varick Street, New York Time: 7pm to 4am Contact: 212-252-2392

Sat Nov 27 • Gita Fest 2010 Venue: ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago, 1505 McDowell Road, Naperville, Illinois Time: 11am to 4pm Contact: 630-677-9056

Fri Dec 3 • Arabian Nights 2010: Hosted by Women's Club Venue: Monty's Banquet Hall 703 S. York Road. Bensenville, IL Time: 7pm to Midnight Contact: 224-210-9122 Highlights: Professional Belly Dancer from Egypt, DJ - Arabian, Indian Mix Music & Songs, Non Alcoholic Beverages, Exotic Arabian Dinner & Desserts, Women Social Networking, This promises to be the most colorful Arabian night of your life!

NEW JERSEY

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Fri Nov 26 • Thanksgiving Camp 2010 Venue: Chinmaya Vrindavan, 95 Cranbury Neck Road, Cranbury, New Jersey Time: 9am to 6pm Contact: 609-933-1915

Sun Dec 19 • A Unique & Spectacular Dance Show by Sonalee's Bollywood Dance Studio Venue: MCC Performing Arts Center, 2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, New Jersey Time: 5pm to 8:30pm Contact: (732) 213-4333

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Sat Dec 4 Bollywood Musical Night Venue: Westfiled High School, 4700, Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, Virginia Time: 5:30pm to 10pm Contact: 202-255-1431

Tues Nov 30

Tues Nov 23

• Mahatma Moses Comedy Tour

• Ohlone College Chops Big Band Fall Concert Directed by Ken Crowell

Venue: Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St, San Francisco, California Time: 8pm to 10pm Contact: 415-676-1371

Fri Dec 3 • Boney M. concert Venue: Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, California Time: 7pm to 10pm Contact: (415) 933-7172

Sat Dec 4 • Yeh Shaam Mastani - A Nostalgic Musical Tribute to RD Burman

Sat Nov 27

Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Auditorium, 420-450 Perisan Drive, Sunnyvale, CA Time: 5pm Contact: 510-421-3535

Venue: Haldi Root, 20969 ventura Blvd, Suite #32, Woodlands Hill, California Time: 10pm Contact: 818-234-3096

Thurs May 5 2011 • Fund raising Volleyball tournament

Sat Dec 4

Venue: Ponderosa Park, Sunnyvale, CA Time: 8am to 5pm

The Grand Magic Show - Hollywood Famous Jeff Parmer

Sat Nov 12, 2011

Venue: Oakton high School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, Virginia Time: 5:30pm to 9:30pm Contact: 571-969-1160

Fri Dec 31 Two Premier blockbuster Bollywood New Years Eve Parties Venue: HYATT - Reston Town Center - Virginia, 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, Virginia Time: 8pm Contact: 703-468-1820

Venue: Smith Center at Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Boulevard, Fremont Time: 8pm Contact: 510-659-6031 Highlights: Ohlone College's Chops Big Band, under the direction of Ken Crowell, presents its Fall Concert featuring standard jazz pieces by Charles Mingus, and contemporary works by Gordon Goodwin, Rob Vouno and Tower of Power.

• Hello Namaste Satsriakal Masti

• Bollywood Weekend

Thanksgiving

Sat Dec 4 • Meet your Soul Mate Venue: Chakra Cuisine, 151 S Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, California Time: 8:30pm to 11:30pm Contact: 310-985-5014

Salaam

Venue: Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Rd, Balentine Plaza, across Hilton Hotel, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 7pm Contact: 510-299-1138 Highlights: Bollywood Singers and Lollywood Music Director Hungama Musical Live Band Dance Party Dance Performances Banquet Style Dinner, Single Ladies and Men - Come and Register with Hamraahi Matrimonial. Prizes for Best Dressed Couples or Pairs Let us Celebrate Diwali and Eid Together.

Sat Dec 18 • Yan Can Cook! At the Fremont Main Library Venue: Alameda County Library, Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Boulevard, Fremont, CA Time: 2pm Contact: 510-745-1401 Highlights: Martin Yan, Master Chef, noted author of more than 30 books and television personality, will discuss his latest book and demonstrate his cooking skills at the Fukaya Room A&B.

Classifieds

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For Classifieds Ads Call NORTHERN CA (Sonia) Tel: 510-938-8668 sonia@indiapost.com SOUTHERN CA (Shashi Trivedi) Tel: 562-441-5511/ Fax: 562-947-0632 shashi19@yahoo.com

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CHICAGO (Ramesh Soparawala) Tel: 773-973-7394 / Fax: 773-973-7396 sramesh@aol.com NEW YORK (Pinky) Tel: 212-944-1931/ Fax: 212-944-1932 pinky@indiapost.com

Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING/SOUTH COUNTY BIDDERS CONFERENCE RFQ #900757 for Microfilm Processing Services, Wednesday, December 01, 2010, 10:30 a.m. 単 Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Avenue, Learning Center, Castro Valley, CA NETWORKING/NORTH COUNTY BIDDERS CONFERENCE RFQ #900757 for Microfilm Processing Services, Thursday, December 02, 2010, 2:00 p.m. 単 General Services Agency, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Room 1105, 11th Floor, Oakland, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on January 20, 2011 County Contact : Stefanie Taylor (510) 208-9610 or via email: stefanie.taylor@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory. Specifications and bid copies regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org. 11/26/10 CNS-1983037#

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Philosophy

India Post

November 26, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Page Sponsored by Sahanis SWAMI CHIDANANDA

here elders are respectfully honored, there prosperity prevails; and where elders - father and mother, grandfather and grandmother, uncles and aunts - are treated with contempt, with harshness, with scant respect, there is no prosperity. These things are not known. So when people are miserable, when people are unhappy, when people lack prosperity, it is not known why it comes about that way. It is brought about by oneself by a total breaking of these laws. And then you try find out the consequences of the bad situation by looking at the diary, or statistics, or expenditure and income account. Perhaps you blame economic conditions. But, no - you create your bad conditions by breaking the spiritual laws. Where elders are treated with respect and honor, are treated with reverence, there, in that family, in that house, prosperity will abide. In the life of that person who honors his elders, prosperity will always rest. Secondly, where the women of the house are treated with reverence, where they are put upon the pedestal which they deserve, there is prosperity. Where are we all, where is humanity if it is not for the women? It is the Supreme Mother who is the very source of the whole universe, and where

PAUL BRUNTON

modern way of spiritual living for busy city-dwellers would be to carry out all normal duties but to retreat from them from time to time into rural solitude for special meditation and study. In the town itself, they should manage to find a half to one hour every day for prayer and mental quiet. If you begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves, and truth in your mind, you not only benefit by their presence but also bring them to others--to your family or friends, and to all those whom destiny draws across your path that day. This withdrawal from the day's turmoil into creative silence is not a luxury, a fad, or a futility. It is a necessity, because it tries to provide the conditions wherein we are able to yield ourselves to intuitive leadings, promptings, warnings, teachings, and counsels and also to the inspiring peace of the soul. It dissolves mental tensions and heals negative emotions. We need these interludes of mental quiet. Lucky is the man who, in these days, can extricate himself from society without passing perma-

the mothers, the women, are treated with reverence that is due to them, in that house, there is prosperity. And where women are treated with disrespect, unkindness, harshness, prosperity cannot come. Prosperity does not abide in that house where the wife and the mother are made to weep, where tears of women fall. Prosperity takes wings and flies away from that house where woman weeps.

less thing here. So the true beauty and grace of a woman is modesty. If a woman is modest, if she is chaste, she becomes worshipful; and prosperity becomes the servant, the handmaid of that family where women are adorned by the ornaments of chastity, modesty and gracefulness. Sometimes it is very pitiable to see women getting unsexed in some of the modern, high-born societies. They are losing their feminine quality. After all, the thing that

male. No! She can claim a certain type of equality, but not equality in all ways. If in this craze for being equal with man, woman loses her grace, her modesty and her chastity, then she has lost the most precious thing that God has given to her. And, last but not the least, where God is worshipped every day, there the whole house becomes blessed with the highest prosperity. All joy, all blessedness, all prosperity comes to that house where God is

Clues to prosperity in the house Swami Chidananda

Where are we all, where is humanity if it is not for the women? It is the Supreme Mother who is the very source of the whole universe

Thirdly, for the womenfolk themselves, modesty is the magnet of prosperity. For a woman, modesty is the highest ornament. The ornament of a woman, the beauty of a lady, is not in the jewellery she wears or in the type of material or the dress she wears - no, that is not beauty. After all, what is the beauty of the body? The moment you take leave of the body, it is just a use-

makes a woman a woman is her feminine quality - her tenderness, her grace, her kindness, her forgiving nature, her forbearing nature. These are the things which make a goddess of a woman. If these are not there, if women are sharp-tongued, if they are caustic, if they are bitter, if they are full of hostility, there prosperity cannot come. It cannot come where a woman wants to be, in all respects, like a

worshipped regularly. Say thanks when you get up in the morning, for your health, for your body, for a clean mind, for energy in the body to live a life of usefulness to yourself and to all, and in the evening thank God again for the bounty of a good day, for clear weather, fresh air, good health and energy, opportunity to serve and be useful to yourself and to others.

nently into the cloister. Yet luck is only apparent, for no one can do it without firm determination and stubborn persistence. The aggressive world of our time needs to learn how to get out of time. The active world needs to learn to sit still, mentally and physically, without becoming bored. If we give a part of the day to the purposes of

insists on making a period for elated feeling and exalted mind. He can do nothing better for himself and, in the end, for the world than to step out of its current from time to time. If he uses the occasion well, he will bring back something worth having.In these periodical retreats from society he finds the best part of himself. In society,

cial, family, or professional demands, will provide excuses for their neglect. In these periods he retreats for a while from the outer role he is playing on the world-stage. He is letting it go, no longer to play the "personal self" role but to rest from it and simply "be." At certain periods they feel a

Don't be carried away by speed and greed

Paul Brunton

study, prayer, meditation, and physical care, it may begin as a duty but it may end as a joy. To begin the day with such high thoughts, such metaphysical reading, such meditative calm, is to begin the day well. All his reaction to its coming events will be influenced by this wise procedure. He is a far-sighted man who refuses to be carried away by the speed and greed of our times but

Lucky is the man who, in these days, can extricate himself from society without passing permanently into the cloister. Yet luck is only apparent, for no one can do it without firm determination he finds the other part. The earth will continue to turn on its axis, with or without him. He is not so important as he thinks. If human life is to achieve intelligent awareness, it must find time, privacy, and quiet. He must do whatever is possible within his karmic limits to arrange times for such retreats. Otherwise the pressure of habit and routine, of other persons and so-

need to get away from each other. There can be merely physical, nervous, emotional, or mental reasons for it, but on the highest plane it is the need of that undistracted aloneness in which God can be found. Before the day's business starts, attend to your business with the Overself. Excerpted from Notebooks of Paul Brunton

Because I could not stop for death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves and immortality. -Emily Dickinson A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us. -Ralph Waldo Emerson When you're deluded, every statement is an ulcer; when you're enlightened, every word is wisdom -Zhiqu Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. -Buddha A man who won't die for something is not fit to live. -Martin Luther King, Jr. Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. -Martin Luther There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. -Dalai Lama

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Edit Page

November 26, 2010

India Post

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Why single out Myanmar for sanctions? BRAHMA CHELLANEY

NEW DELHI: With the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from prolonged house detention, it is time for the United States and its European partners to moderate their sanctions policy against Myanmar (Burma) so as to create incentives for greater political openness and to insulate its citizens from the rigors of the punitive actions. There is no reason why a weak, impoverished Myanmar should continue to be held to a higher human-rights standard than an increasingly assertive China. Why deny Myanmar the internationaltrade opportunities that have allowed the world's biggest executioner, China, to prosper? The defining events that led to the crushing of pro-democracy forces in Myanmar and China actually occurred around the same time more than two decades ago, yet the West responded to the developments in the two countries in very different ways. China's spectacular economic rise owes a lot to the Western decision not to sustain trade sanctions after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of pro-democracy protestors. The Cold War's end facilitated Washington's pragmatic approach to shun trade sanctions and help integrate China with global institutions through the liberalizing influence of foreign investment and trade. That the choice made was wise can be seen from the baneful impact of the opposite decision in favor of sustained sanctions against Myanmar, which brutally suppressed pro-democracy demonstrators 10 months before Tiananmen Square and subsequently refused to honor the outcome of a national election in 1990. Had the Myanmar-type approach of escalating sanctions been applied against China internationally, the result would have been a less prosperous and a potentially destabilizing China today. By contrast, the continuation of sanctions and their subsequent expansion against Myanmar snuffed out any prospect of that country emulating China's example of blending economic openness with political authoritarianism. Indeed, the military's attempts to open up the Myanmar economy in the early 1990s fizzled out quickly in the face of Western penal actions. Today, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi offers the U.S. and Europe an opportunity to recalibrate the sanctions policy by drawing

on the lessons of the past two decades. The first lesson is that the economic sanctions, even if justified, have produced the wrong political results. Years of sanctions have left Myanmar without an entrepreneurial class or civil society and saddled with an all-powerful military as the sole functioning institution. A second lesson is that the expansion of sanctions has not only further isolated Myanmar, but also made that country overly dependent on China, to the concern of the nationalistic Myanmar military. At a time when the United States is courting Communist-ruled Vietnam as part of its "hedge" strategy against a resurgent China, it makes little sense to continue with an approach that is pushing a strategically located Myanmar into China's strategic lap.

Going after the small kids on the global block but courting the most-powerful autocrats is hardly the way to build international norms or ensure positive results. An uncompromisingly penal approach against Myanmar has had the perverse effect of weakening America's hand while strengthening China's Yet another lesson is that the sanctions have hurt not their intended target - the military - but ordinary citizens. By cutting off investment and squeezing vital sectors of the Myanmar economy, from tourism to textiles, the sanctions have lowered the living conditions of the Burmese and shut out liberalizing influences. The blunt fact is that after being in power for nearly half a century, the military has become too fat to return to the barracks. In fact, it won't fit in the barracks. With no hope of a "color revolution" in Myanmar, demilitarization of the polity can at best be a step-by-step process. In that context, the recent elections, although far from being free or fair, have helped revive a long-dormant political process, given birth to new political players and institutions (including a bicameral national

Parliament, 14 regional parliaments and the impending appointment of a president and civilian federal government), and implicitly created a feeling of empowerment among the people. With the military now in the throes of a generational change, the revived political process has created new space for the democracy movement, as symbolized by Aung San Suu Kyi's release. But with the opposition badly splintered and the military's grip on power firm as ever, Aung San Suu Kyi cannot bring about tangible democratic reforms without building bridges with the armed forces. Now is the time, with Myanmar in transition, for the United States and its allies to get out of a selfperpetuating cycle of sanctions and help carve out greater international space in that nation. Each step toward greater political openness in Myanmar ought to be suitably rewarded. More broadly, democracy promotion should not become a geopolitical tool wielded only against the weak and the marginalized. Going after the small kids on the global block but courting the most-powerful autocrats is hardly the way to build international norms or ensure positive results. An uncompromisingly penal approach against Myanmar has had the perverse effect of weakening America's hand while strengthening China's. This was best illustrated during the Bush administration, which, after slapping the harshest sanctions on Myanmar, turned to Beijing as a channel of communication with the Burmese junta. President Barack Obama began on the right note by exploring the prospect of a gradual reengagement with Myanmar. Yet on his recent visit to India, Obama attacked Myanmar three times, reflecting his frustration with the painfully slow movement to create a democratic opening in that nation. Despite Aung San Suu Kyi's release, the seeds of democracy will not take root in a stunted economy. External penal actions without constructive engagement and civil-society development in a critically weak country defeat their very purpose. Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research, is the author, most recently, of "Asian Juggernaut." Courtesy New York Times

India Post Coalition dharma

he Supreme Court has expressed surprise that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh remained silent for 16 months on a plea to sanction prosecution of A. Raja, the DMK minister in his government who was forced to resign over the 2G spectrum scam after the opposition stalled functioning of Parliament. It is not difficult to see why the PM was silent. Since his Congress party doesn't enjoy majority in Parliament, it has to depend on allies like the DMK of Tamil Nadu to remain in power. Any action against the DMK minister would have destabilized his government. And such a fear of the majority partner gives the carte blanche to even the minor allies to defy rules and norms and enrich themselves through corrupt deals. Corruption in high places is not a secret. It has been the subject of drawing room conversation and the common man on the street is also aware of it. There is an air of inevitability about it as also the impression that nothing can be done about it. It is also known that the Opposition party BJP, which is leading the attack on corruption in Congress ranks, is equally vulnerable in the states where it is in power, particularly in Karnataka. What has turned the tide against corruption was the recent international bad press over the mismanagement, delays, cost overruns and inefficiency during the Commonwealth games. Indians usually take domestic criticism in their stride. It is international, particularly western, exposure which hurts them. There is the practice of instituting harmless inquiries which continue endlessly till the whole issue is forgotten or replaced by some other scam in the public eye. But the scores of TV news channels and print media have tasted blood. It suddenly seems possible to stir the immovable mountain of Congress corruption. Something will come out of it, they feel. There are obvious attempts in the Congress to scuttle or dilute the probe. Asked a while earlier why the Prime Minister was not sacking A. Raja, Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan put her PR spin saying, there is a "coalition dharma" and that it was for the DMK to decide to pull out their nominee from ministership. Coalition dharma means you are at the mercy of your smaller partner. A similar coalition dharma is in evidence in the case of Trinamool Congress of West Bengal whose leader Mamata Banerjee is Union Minister for Railways but spends most of her time campaigning in Kolkata for the next election in which she hopes to emerge as claimant to chief ministership. And the Congress is quietly putting up with her tantrums as it needs her support to continue its government in Delhi. Accidents upon accidents have been taking place in railways but the minister is hardly around to take remedial measures. And whenever she is in her railway ministry office in Delhi, it is to do something to benefit her state of West Bengal. She is using the Central government machinery to bolster her early campaigning. And all this is known to the Prime Minister. And he is keeping silent. The PM in fact rules by silence. Home Minister P. Chidambaram recently said that taking no action is also action. That seems to be the motto of this government. Manmohan Singh will take no action until circumstances force him to. With the BJP caught up in an identity crisis and giving no evidence of any mature and credible stance on national issues, the TINA (there is no alternative) factor favors the Congress. But with its dithering on corruption within its ranks the ruling party might just lose the advantage if corruption becomes an election issue.

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