Friday, July 25 2014 | Vol. 33, No. 30
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P5 Congressman Ed Royce speaks with IAPAC President Sujeeth Draksharam (in dark suit) and GIBV Coordinator Achalesh Amar as Hasu Patel looks on at the Townhall Meeting at Madras Pavillion on Sunday, July 20.
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July 25, 2014
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3 July 25, 2014 COMMUNITY Mayuri Turns Ten with a Lot of Love from Friends!
super sound system and a ceramic tile floor. And that’s where the Tenth Anniversary party to which all the restaurant’s friends and guests were invited this past Sunday evening, July 20. The buffet line was blocked off on one end for the bar and the appetizers kept rolling out (Oh, those succulent but spicy lamb chops!) all evening long. Without any fanfare, the party
started with Adarsh Menon, who only a few months ago relocated form Pittsburg and works for an oil company, belting out a recent Bollywood Hindi song in his deep, resonating voice. He kept the guests entertained and was joined in by 14 year-old Akhila Mamandur, whose voice is so controlled and was anything but young that she should audition for American Idol. She took to the mic like a fish takes to water and the two – Adarsh and Akhila – sang out a number of duets in Hindi and Telegu as some people from the audience got to the dance floor to lay down some moves. Skivalli Rangaraj also got up and sang a song. Dayaker Reddy, who owns the restaurant but spends most of his time in Hyderabad, India, was in town for the big party, along with his wife Suneela. A private person who doesn’t prefer the limelight, Reddy will stay on for a couple of weeks before heading back to Hyderabad. He leaves most of the day-to-day operations to General Manager Charanjit Singh. As part of its tenth anniversary celebration, Mayuri has a special promotion going on till July 31: buy one entrée and you can get the second one free. Look for their ad on page 4.
Adarsh Menon provided live entertainment for the party.
Akila Mamandur wowed people with her voice and range.
Dayaker Reddy with his wife Suneela welcomed guests to the restuarant’s 10th Anniversary party. Photos: Jawahar Malhotra
Mayuri owner Dayaker Reddy (left) with General Manager Charanjit Singh at the party last Sunday, July 20
BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: It seems like just yesterday (how often do you hear that these days?) when Mayuri opened up its doors on Westheimer and Fountainview and everyone was raving about the space, the menu and “Oh, those lovely Indo-Chinese dishes”. Oh, how Time flies by and even though, as Bob Dylan sang “The Times, they are A’Changin’”, Mayuri has kept its appeal as the go to spot by the Galleria when looking for a perfect combination of North and South Indian food and those wonderful IndoChinese dishes, which the restaurant practically introduced to the Bayou City. The spacious restaurant with the large storefront windows still has the buffet line down the middle where you can pick up fresh naans, dosa and other items from the window to the tandoor and oven. The party room was renovated a few years ago and enlarged to hold more tables, with a
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COMMUNITY
July 25, 2014
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Local Community Solidifies its Connection with Friends in Congress During US Rep. Ed Royce’s Day-Long Visit
Indian Consul General Parvathaneni Harish (center) held a breakfast meeting with Congressmen Ed Royce (left) and Pete Olson on Sunday morning, July 20.
BY JAWAHAR MALHOTRA HOUSTON: Last year when Congressman Ed Royce (R, CA39th) had come through the Bayou City on Mother’s Day, he had rolled up his sleeves, loosened his tie and handled some tough questions on Indo-US relations from a small, tame but inquisitive group of people pulled together by the Indo American Political Action Committee, whose newly-elected President, Sujeeth Draksharam had led the charge to invite Royce to town during a previous trip to Washington, DC. Royce had arrived with his wife Marie and was accompanied by Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX22nd), the biggest supporter that the City of Sugar Land has. Royce had won over the audience with his straight forwardness in answer-
ing questions and his unabashed support for strong Indo-US ties in his role as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the Indian Caucus in Congress. He also serves on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. Royce, 62, was first elected in 1982 to the California State Senate before winning his current seat in Congress in 1993. He also serves on several Caucuses in the House, including in 2010 being named Co-Chair along with Joseph Crowley (D-NY-14th) of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which was founded by former Democratic Congressman from New York, Gary Ackerman. Royce is consid-
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Congressman Pete Olson came to the private fundraiser in the evening in a sherwani, and a scarf with the Indian flag tricolors.
ered a moderate Republican and a fiscal and social conservative. This past Sunday, July 20, Royce came through Houston once again on an official trip to visit with the Indian community at a function brought together by IAPAC and supported by the Global Indian for Bharat Vikas, the group which had labored hard to help Narendra Modi win the recent Indian elections at the helm of the Bharati Janata Party; the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin and Indo American Conservatives. The townhall style meeting was held at 3pm in Madras Pavilion Sugar Land and brought together about 80 people, including Olson, Pearland Mayor Tom Reid, State Senator (Dist. 11) Larry Taylor and State Rep. (Dist. 29) Ed Thompson and a few other elected officials from the region. Sugar Land Councilman Himesh Gandhi served as the emcee for the two-hour long event at which Royce expanded on the current state of relations with India, in light of Modi’s election as Prime Minister and said he would hope
to see Modi address a joint session of Congress during his upcoming visit to Washington, DC in September. One of GIBV’s main local coordinators, Achalesh Amar worked with IAPAC to garner attendence at the event. He presented a brief biography of Modi and urged Royce to push for a special treaty on trade and commerce between India and the US. IAPAC’s Draksharam appreciated the work that Royce and the Council was doing in strengthening ties between the two countries. In his opening remarks, Olson spoke about his close relations with the Indian community in his district which encompasses Sugar Land, Missouri City and Pearland. During the meeting Royce described his involvement in the past during the Bhuj, Gujarat earthquake relief work and how he had the occasion to interface with then Chief Minister Modi. He applauded the great strides Gujarat has made in development and was confident that, with Modi in charge, it would continue on the national level. He took several questions from the
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audience on the Ukraine crisis, immigration reform and Pakistan’s support for Kashmiri militants. He related how he had urged for the closure of 600 madrasas and other suspected terrorist camps. Royce’s day began with a courtesy call with Pete Olson on the Indian Consul General Parvathaneni Harish at his residence on Sunday, July 20 where many community leaders and the media were invited to have breakfast. Both men were involved in pushing through the agreement for gas exports to India, which was signed last year with Cheniere Energy from the terminal being built at Sabine Pass, an achievement that Olson said he was particularly proud of. Harish said the Indian President had called the recent elections, “an election of hope” and that India had structural ties to the US. He said that nearly 14% of trade between the two countries came from Texas and that India had $8 billion in investments in the state. “The government is committed to CONTINUED ON PAGE
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COMMUNITY
July 25, 2014
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BY THARA NARASIMHAN after Ramji elaborated Thodi raga alapana HOUSTON: Arangetram or the debut per- followed by kriti. Here the percussion artformance is the ultimate goal for any per- ist exhibited his skill and proficiency. This forming artist. Unflinching desire combined was done exceedingly well by Ranjit that with determination and dedication were the was evident when a thunderous culmination foundation for the grand triumph behind the of the Korvai ended, a thunderous applause Mridangam Arangetram that was rendered followed. by Ranjit Panchacharam. His family providVaishnavi Sharveswara the young and ed wholehearted support and a sprightly per- accomplished Vocalist and Bharatanatyam formance marked the momentous occasion. dancer not only provided Tambura support Immense discipline and hard work was evi- but sprinkled a beautiful rendition of Raga dent in the presentation and initial goal that Hamsanandhi kriti, “Srinivasa Thiruvengawas set thirty-three da”, a tamil comyears ago blossomed position of Pain front of an appreciapanasam Sivan. tive audience. Ranjit Distinguished viwas exposed to music olinist Dr. Deepa from early childhood, Ramachandran as his mother was provided melosoprano singer and dious support on pianist. Although he the violin that led started learning many the harmonious years ago his full blend of the contime commitment to cert. the art came after he Eminent Atfulfilled all his famtorney and ily obligations and long time famcareer demands. He ily friend George relentlessly pursued Willy greeted his goal to become a Panchacharam stage performer after and congratuhis retirement. lated him on his Ranjit is a student performance. of “Ramji” Shanker He quoted “this Ayyar, the notable is a momentous Mridangam Vidwan event presenting in Houston. Ramji the Tamil culRanjit Panchacharam has been an integral ture” and recogpart of carnatic music exponents in the nized that one could not resist tapping their Houston community both as Mridangist feet to the beats of the Mridangam of the and Vocalist. He showcased his student’s extraordinary performer. debut performance as a vocalist with his Ranjit is a consummate musician and a own inimitable style of singing. The guru favorite vocalist of the Sri Lankan commuselected brilliant compositions with variety nity presenting old Tamil movie hits in their of rhythms to exhibit flow of various intona- gatherings. He also learned to play Tabla tions that reflected his student’s talent. For from David Courtney and Sitar from Sriniover three decades Ramji has trained sev- vas Koumonduri and aims to clasp those art eral students in percussion. He is an enthu- forms under his belt as well. siastic teacher who can inspire hope, ignite Celebrity Musical Couple David Courtthe imagination, and impart a love of learn- ney and Chandrakantha Courtney were the ing reinforced with a good sense of humor. chief guests for the evening. David made Ranjit Panchacharam was the first disciple an opening statement that the concert was of Ramji Shanker Ayyar. exclusively exceptional and extreme skill From the very start to finish it was a me- was shown by Ranjit. He highlighted on the ticulously well- planned program. At the Guru Sishya tradition of learning through a very outset G.P.Luckshmanan (Lucky) Guru that is still in practice in learning claswelcomed all to his father’s premier perfor- sical music. He added that Shanker Ayyar’s mance. The performance commenced with extraordinary talent of singing for his own a short prayer ceremony by Manicka Bhat- student’s performance was a remarkable tar that was followed with a prayer song by trait. Vaishnavi Sharveswara. Sarojini VinayaGuru Ramji Shankar Ayyar presented a galingam introduced the artistes and Dr. certificate of graduation and congratulated Sakuntalai Nanthakumar took over as the his student whose passion for the art new no emcee for the evening that was remarkable. boundaries and never let go of his goal. The repertoire was set standard beginShanthi Panchacharam, wife of Ranjit and ning with a Varnam piece that had appeal- their son Shawn Panchacharam proposed a ing kalpana swaras. Excellent expansion of vote of thanks to many of those who helped ragas preceded most of the songs that were to stage the performance. Shawn commentrendered by Ramji with enthusiastic presen- ed about his father living unto the proverbs tation and Ranjit displayed the nuances of “Age is no barrier to achieve one’s goal and the beat precisely and perfectly. Beautiful “Where there is will, there is away”, that compositions of Saint Thyagaraja, “Manasa was evident through the outstanding perEtulo”, “Ada Modi Galade”, Periaswamy formance. Shanthi Pancharacharam was Thooran ever popular song, ”Muruga, Mu- felicitated as the woman behind the well ruga” in Saveri ragam and a dazzling tamil accomplished Mridangist, who took to the song in Poorvi Kalyani “Karanam Kehttu stage that day. Vaadi” a composition of Gopalakrishna Indeed Ranjit Panchacharam proved to Bharathiyar were rendered in succession live the words of Walt Disney “If you can of one another. The magnum opus piece dream it, you can do it.” the Thani Avarthanam was provided soon
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
COMMUNITY
July 25, 2014
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Chandrabindoo Rocks the Stage at Barnali
BY SANCHALI BASU HOUSTON: It was a nice surprise and utter delight for the Houston Bengali crowd to experience and enjoy the music of Bangla band Chandrabindoo at their favorite haunt, the Durgabari auditorium the evening of July 18. It was part of the Tagore Society of Houston’s (TSH) annual Barnali event. Coincidentally, the onset of
Kuchipudi-Odissi fusion medley met with a loud applause by the appreciative audience. Monali Das Biswas’ modern dance interpretation of “Main to piya se naina ladi re”, was very energetic and beautifully choreographed and executed. Swati Roy Choudhury’s encouraging emceeing brought the best out in all the artists. In the foyer, Chandana Guha
Shalini and Rukmini Das
Photo: Biren Das Biswas
Chandrabindoo’s international music journey 25 years ago happened in Houston and they’ve come a full circle with several accolades under their belt and a lot of nostalgic memories. Local Bengali talent took the stage for the first part of the evening. Popular Bengali and Hindi songs to tracks were sung by Sharmishtha Kolay in her sweet voice and Dipayan Bhattacharya
Chandrabindoo
in his soothing baritone. The opening dance number to a Rabindra Sangeet by a very cute threesome of very young dancers trained by Shrabana Biswas drew oohs and aahs from the crowd. The dynamic sister duo Rukmini and Shalini Das performed a Bharatnatyam-
with her array of mouth watering pulao, aloor dum, vegetable chop, tandoori chicken, tomato chutney and Chhanar polao attracted hungry customers and everyone was ever so grateful for the thoughtful food stall. Lasagna and bread pudding for the kids also disappeared in no time. While Chandrabindoo geared up to rock the stage, Ruma Acharya, president TSH presented special
Photo: Biren Das Biswas
Some of the band members had also reconnected with some of their old friends in Houston and in a special gesture invited Rajesh Bose, former band member, a local Houstonian now, to join them on stage. He got to sing the last song, “Gaan Bhalobeshe Gaan” along with the audience. The band got the crowd on to their feet. While some in the audience sang, some clapped to the beat, others danced. They left fond memories behind with the audience wanting more. This will be a night to remember for a long time to come.
audience into the mood by starting off with the evergreen Bengali rendition of Sound of Silence, “Mounamukharata”. Then followed one popular hit after the other. With the audience egging them on, they were unstoppable with “Paashbaalish, Rickshawallah, Jhilmil Raat, Aamra Bangali Jati”. They connected so well with audience that the requests kept pouring in and they were in quite a predicament trying to please everyone. The crowd was on a nostalgic trip back to their college days and the group of Anindya, Upal, Arup, Rajshekhar, Surajit and Shibabrata obliged by belching out their favorite songs.
Photo: Arpita Chatterjee
recognition awards to Neeta Shetkar, Partha Chatterjee, Jayanta and Sailaja Bandyopadhyay, Partha Ghoshal and Shibir Chaudhuri for their contributions to TSH. Now, it was time to let the hair down, relax and enjoy the music of Chandrabindoo. They got the
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COMMUNITY
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an artistic treat, poetry in motion by the world renowned
nts
prese
Part funded by The Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance
Celebrating 20 years of service to Houston Arts
Artistic Director: Rathna Kumar
Kalakshetra Dance Ensemble, India in one of its most famous productions
Sita Swayamvaram choreographed by its late legendary founder-director,
Rukmini Devi Arundale
Friday, August 29, 2014 8:00pm
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center Tickets: $25 up to $100 ( free for members )
Sulekha.com or samskritihouston.org www.samskritihouston.org samskritihouston@hotmail.com
832 275 9656 281 265 ARTS
Sanatan Shiv Shakti Mandir of Houston Inc. 6640 Harwin Dr, Houston, TX 77036
A Hearty Invitation to all Hindu Devotees to celebrate
Shraavan Maas — July 27 to August 25
Let us Celebrate Shraavan Maas
The First Jyotir Lingam, a Replica of Bhagvan Somnath & Maa Shri Umiyaji, in Houston. Please Come with your family and Friends and pray at Our New Temple.
||Om Namah Shivay||
• Mahapuja Every Monday at 5:00 PM. Arati 7:00 pm. • List your name for Pooja with the Priest. Abhishek will continue for the whole day. • For Mahapooja, a donation of $201.00 is appreciated, Abhishek during daytime a donation of $21.00 is appreciated. • Please bring Milk for Abhishek & Prasad is welcome. • Shravan Maas starts from Sunday, July, 27, 2014 and ends on Somvati Amavasya, Monday,August 25,.2014. • Full Prasad will be served after Arati Donate generously for the New Temple. No donation is big or small for the Temple.
On all Mondays of Shravan Maas that is July 28, August 4, 11, 18 & 25 there will be different Shringar Darshan of Mahadevji. Yajman or Donation is welcome for Shringar Darshan & Mahaprasad Daily Pooja is open for everyone.
Devotees willing to sit in Havan & Pooja may give their names to our Priest Shri Hardik Raval Tel: 361-243-6539 or 713-278-9099
Sanatan Shiv Shakthi Mandir is located at 6640 Harwin Dr. Note: We do not have any other Temple at 5645 Hillcroft Ste: 701
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COMMUNITY
July 25, 2014
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IMAGH Organizes Iftaar at Ahmadiyya Mosque
From left: Latafath Hussain welcoming the guests while Imam Mubashar Ahmad, Dr. Eijaz Sheikh, Shazad Bashir and Dr. Jaseem Pasha look on.
man beings and observing respect for human dignity, without excluding anyone. The next speaker was Shahzad Bashir who gave a vivid example of what separates humans from others, and his statement,’that if you aspire for paradise, you should create a paradise here first’, were all very well received. The last speaker was Imam Mubashar Ahmad, who highlighted the importance of interfaith and
Attendees at the event.
BY DR. JASEEM PASHA HOUSTON: IMAGH’s motto is “Fostering Amity Across Communities, Cultures and Religions� and towards that end it organized a dialogue and iftaar (breaking of the fast) and dinner on Sunday, July 20 Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Houston hosted a very educational inter-faith social evening, attended by a large crowd of Houstonians, representing all hues of Muslims from the subcontinent, which included Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, and Ismailis, as well as Hindus, and Christians to share “Break the Ramadan Fast together�. The event took place at their beautiful mosque, the “Baitus Samee� in north Houston. The highlight of the event was discussion on “Importance of inter-faith Communal Harmony� by eminent Houstonians. Present were Dr. Maqbool Haq, the Chairman of Board of Directors of Indian Muslims Association of Greater Houston (IMAGH), Latafath Hussain, the President of IMAGH, and Karim Maknojia, the Vice-President of IMAGH. More than seventy five members of IMAGH and their friends attended
Breaking the fast
the event. The program started exactly at 7 pm with Imam Mubashar Ahmad Sahib, the President of the Ahmadiyya Community welcoming the guests. Iftikhar Sheikh, the Vice President of Ahmadiyya Community, introduced the guest speakers and emceed the event. Dr. Ejaz Sheikh, was the first speaker and gave a very informative introduction and passionate explanation of ‘who is an Ahmadiyya�. Dr. Sheikh was followed by Dr. Jaseem Pasha, who emphasized that the success of interfaith dialogue lies in establishing the common grounds of recognizing each other first as hu-
intra-faith harmony. The guests appreciated the warm hospitality that was extended to them by the members of the Ahmadiyya Community. The arrangements were impeccable, the quality of discussion was par excellent, and the food (cooked in-house) was absolutely superb.
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COMMUNITY
4th Annual Youth Iftaar in Houston Sullivan who represented Judge Ed Emmett. The auspicious event began with beautiful recitations of the Holy Quran followed by English translations making it easier for the youth to understand the words. Following, were the spectacular performances of Hamd, Naats, Salaam and Dua. Despite the hall being filled with a crowd of nearly 500 people there was silence as everyone attentively listened to the religious hymns. A special video of Al Saif Youth volunteers spreading the message that nobody should From left: Mike Sullivan, Council Member Richard Nguyen, President of MACC, Rahman Moton, Congressman Al Green, Founder of Al Saif Youth - Shabu (Zeenat) Boghani, and Consul General of Indonesia, Isman Pasha.
HOUSTON: On Sunday, July 13, Al Saif Youth held their 4th Annual Youth Iftaar for the Muslim youth in Houston. The event was a huge success with council member Richard Nguyen and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presenting Shabu (Zeenat) Boghani, Founder and CEO of
Al Saif Youth, with a certification of appreciation. Other important political dignitaries in attendance included Congressman Al Green, Council Member Richard Nguyen, Consul General of Indonesia, Isman Pasha, President of MACC and Event Co-Chair Rahman Moton and Tax Collector, Mike
be judged based on appearances and that only god can judge was also shown. Lastly, the event also had an Art Competition, showcasing beautiful artwork submitted by the youth. Al Saif Youth’s Shabu (Zeenat) Boghani would like to thank the people behind the succes of the event, including countless supporters and her team of volunteers, and all the parents. Without their support this event would not have been successful. In addition, Rahman Moton was appreciated for his help and support.
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COMMUNITY
July 25, 2014
Hindus of Greater Houston’s Janamashtmi Celebration Kickoff Meeting with Organization Leaders
26 organisations participted in the Janmashtami meeting.
BY RADHA RANI DIXIT HOUSTON: 2014 is an exciting year for the people of Houston as we celebrate the 25th year of the Janmasthami festival in Houston under the banner of Hindus of Greater Houston, an organization whose motto is to celebrate our festivals collectively. On the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, Saturday July 12, Hindus of Greater Houston brought together leaders from numerous Hindu organizations and temples to Keshav Smriti hall in order to discuss the preparations for the upcoming Janmashtami celebration. The organization was fortunate to have the presence of Srila B. V. Dandi Maharaja, PhD, PE and founder of Sri Ranganatha Gaudiya Matha in Bangalore. He attended with leaders of Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha in Houston and blessed all the Hindu organizations on the occasion of the Janmastami meeting. He quoted Sanskrit verses from Gita Mahatamya and his message was that human beings seem to have different religions according to classifications of country, caste, or race, but in reality, all living beings throughout the multiple universes have only one eternal, immutable constitutional position - sanatana dharma. President of Hindus of Greater Houston, Sharad Amin, was impressed with the active participation of leaders from 26 different organizations at the meeting. Amin wrote, “We received numerous recommendations on how to increase community participation, encourage volunteers, and open the festival to the mainstream Houston community.” Amin encouraged the attendees to invite their non-Indian friends in order to get a glimpse of a true Indian festival where everyone is welcome. With an expectation of achieving crowds of over 10000, Amin anticipates that it it can be a reality with the collective efforts of all the organizations in Houston. Partha Krishnaswamy, Vice-President of Hindus of Greater Houston and Janmasthami Coordinator, commented, “Every organization that participated in today’s meeting felt part of Hindus of Greater Houston and their willingness to support this Janmasthami event is a very satisfying sentiment.” Krishnaswamy also reminded everyone that Hindus of Greater Houston is not a separate entity or group of people. It is made up of individuals who are already part of temples and organizations but strongly believe in the unity and strength of coming together as one whether to celebrate a special festival or to come to the aid of one who has befallen tragedy. All attendees were given a few minutes to briefly discuss their organization and
how they hope to contribute to the celebration. Some organizations pledged volunteer engagement, others wanted to help with Prasad distribution, and it was a welcome surprise to have a number of organizations pledge monetary support on the spot. Krishnaswamy also got the momentum going when he announced the guests and artists who would be attending this year’s event, including the very popular Saurabh Raj Jain, who plays the part of Krishna in the new Mahabharata series. Anita Pandit from Sajda Sisters of X-Factor India fame will also be a special guest along with a live Raas Garba band for the entertainment of the youth. One of the most talked about groups in the exotic world of music, the uplifting Mayapuris who have traveled the world with their dynamic drum dances will also be on stage with their powerful mridangas to engage the youth with their soulful and hip energetic kirtan performances. Special efforts are being made this year to have a little something for all ages to enjoy whether it be the puja in the beginning , procession , kirtan , or garbha dance. We hope to engage each and every person in the audience for sure this year! Attendees will be welcomed with a spectacular Rangoli on ice by awardwinning Houston artist Sangeeta Bhutada and an unparalleled food court. The evening will also include a costume contest depicting the Dashavatars, exciting cultural programs, kid’s Matki-Fod and activities, art contest, the most anticipated live Raas-Garba, and traditional midnight aarti. In addition to having the beautifully decorated temple and nonprofit organization booths, this year marks the first time that commercial booths will also be available. Coordinators for the different segments were introduced at the meeting including Richa Dixit (832-451-7206) for volunteer opportunities, Dharminder Dargan (713855-9818) for website, Sheetal Rathi (281597-8794) for costume contest, Charlie Patel (832-423-7979) for non profit and commercial booth registration, Ravi Sharma (303589-0053) for advertisements and article submission for the 25th anniversary special souvenir, Sharad Amin (713-962-8523) for donations and sponsorship activities. For details regarding this grand celebration can visit www.hindusofhouston.org You can also contact Chairperson Partha Krishnaswamy at 713-962-8523. In addition, B. V. Dandi Maharaja has done extensive research on Science & Spirituality and has published several books and articles. He is available at bvdandi@gmail. com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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16 July 25, 2014
COMMUNITY
Local Community Solidifies its Connection with Friends in Congress During US Rep. Ed Royce’s Day-Long Visit CONTINUED FROM PAGE
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ensuring that obstacles to business are removed and there is a stable environment,” he added, “opening up opportunities with the US”. Royce praised the Indo-American community for their achievements and having the highest percentage of advanced degrees in Texas and California. He spoke about his work in the building the members of the India Caucus from 8 in 1993 to 108, “thanks in part to the work of Pete Olson”. Royce stated that he had been opposed to sanctions against India for nuclear armament and insisted that “the US and India should be natural allies. “Both have right goals, though they may be imperfect republics”, adding “India is a very positive story. Studies show that investment in India has much higher returns” than in China. Olson thanked the Consul General and
echoed most of Royce’s remarks. He disclosed that Royce was going to be in charge of Narendra Modi’s State dinner and speech to Congress when he visits in September. He added a humorous anecdote of his own visit to India as part of the Congressional delegation last December. On Sunday evening, the two Congressmen attended a private reception and fundraiser at the home of IAPAC President Draksharam, where Olson impressed everyone in an Indian sherwani and an Indian tricolor scarf although his wife, Nancy, had to opt out of wearing a sari at the last minute. Royce then revealed that he had made Olson a ViceChair of the Council for Foreign Affairs Committee. The event raised between $15 to $20 thousand for Congressman Royce.
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Photos: Karthik Datta
FESTIVAL
What is Eid ul Fitr
Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and take part in religious activities like peace-making and charitable giving. It is a time of extreme spiritual rebirth for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world observe a festive three-day celebration known as Eid ul-Fitr, which is the Festival of Fast Breaking. Eid ul-Fitr, frequently called Eid means “festivity”, and Fitr means “to break fast”; therefore the holiday signifies the breaking of the fasting period. It is observed after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the initial day of Shaw’waal which is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Eid ul-Fitr or the ‘festival of fast breaking’ is the most festive of all the Muslim celebrations. The term ‘Eid’ has been originated from the Arabic word ‘oud’,
July 25, 2014 which also means ‘the return’ and signifies the return of the festival each year. The celebration is momentous as much for its
timing, as it is for its religious connotations. Legend h a s it that the Koran was made known to Prophet Mohammed in the final ten days of Ramadan. The celebration signifies the start of festivities and enjoyment for a time frame of three days. Eid ul-Fitr is filled with thanksgiving and joy. Prior to the day of Eid, within the final number of days of Ramadan, every Muslim family bestows an established amount as a contribution to the poor. This contribution is of real food such
Lighter Pistachio Baklawa Ingredients: For the syrup: ½ cup sugar or 100 g 1 cup water or 250 ml 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon cornstarch or 15 g, (to thicken the syrup) ½ cup water, cold, to mix with cornstarch For the baklawa: 1 packet filo pastry, thawed if frozen 1/3 cup butter or 75 g, melted 1/3 cup water, hot ½ cup ground almonds ¼ cup caster sugar or 50 g, mixed with the ground almond For the filling: 1.3 cups pistachio nuts 1 tablespoon blossom water 2 tablespoons rose water 1 tin nestlé fat free sweetened condensed milk or 405 g 5 slices toast bread, crust re-
moved Method: To prepare the syrup: Add sugar and 1 cup of water to a saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for 6-8 minutes. Dissolve the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in the remaining ½ cup of cold water then add to it the lemon juice. Add the cornstarch mixture to the simmering sugar and water, stir constantly on heat for 2 min until syrup thickens, and set aside to cool. To prepare the filling: Combine all ingredients for the filling in a blender; beat until wellcombinedandsetaside. To prepare the baklawa:
tribution is referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr, which means Charity of Fast Break-
ing. On the day of Eid, women cook sweets at home and every Muslim is seen embellished in new attire, as they are persuaded to dress in their best clothes, new if feasible for the celebration. Muslims assemble early in the morning in outdoor spots such as fields, squares or mosques to carry out the Eid prayer. After the Eid prayer is the Khutbah which is a sermon that educates Muslims as to the act of the rituals of Eid, like
pastry, brush with butter and repeat the same with 5 more sheets. Carefully spoon the filling all over the pastry. Place 1 sheet of filo pastry to cover the filling, brush with butter and sprinkle with a little of almond mixture. Top with another sheet. Sprinkle with little almond mixture and repeat method with the remaining sheets. Brush the surface with melted butter, then cut parallel lines through pastry and filling to get diamond shaped pieces. Bake in a 185°C preheated hot oven for 25-30 minutes or until it becomes golden color. Pour the cool syrup over the baklawa as soon as it comes out of the oven. - www.nestlefamily.com
Grease a 30cm x 20cm oven tray, place 1 sheet of filo
Eid Special Henna Tips Applying Henna Designs Today henna filled cone is used to apply henna designs. The benefit of using a cone is that you can achieve incredibly fine lines with it. Hold cone like a pencil in your hand and apply design.
as barley and rice and other provisions. This is to make sure that the needy can have a holiday meal and take part in the festivities. This con-
Henna designs look prettier when something decorative is added to it. Today, glitter of different shades are used in designs for filling and for shading in flowers. It is great for kids because they love glitter. For a glamorous look you can make an outline of design with glitter. Another advance approach which you can apply is “kunden” and crystals in design of arms and legs (for half sleeves and Capri). These type of henna designs look awesome. You can also make small heart shape leaves around filled circular in the center of the palm and on opposite side use beads around filled circular. How Dried Henna is removed? Do not use water when removing the dried henna paste. The paste should be
scraped off and any stubborn bits can be removed using henna oil or olive oil. Tips to Get Deeper Henna Color Everyone seems to want deeper henna color on their palms. You can achieve this with following useful tips. Apply a fixative solution to the design which consists of lemon juice and a pinch of sugar with cotton ball. When henna design is dried completely warm up your hands on clove smoke. Once the henna starts to fall off, apply “Vicks VapoRub” on your hands. When the henna starts to fade and appears patchy, it can be removed by applying cosmetic body bleach. - www.khanapakana.com
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the Zakat (an offering of a small fraction of one’s belongings to charity, usually to poor and Muslims in need). Afterwards there is a prayer, known as Dua’requesting pardon, forgiveness and assistance for each and everyone all over the world. It is then traditional to hold in your arms the individuals sitting on either side of you, when you are greeting them. After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually go to visit several friends and family members, provide gifts, especially to children, and make phone calls to distant family to offer them wellwishes for the holiday and some persons also go to visit graveyards. These actions customarily go on for the three days of the celebration. In many Muslim countries, the three days are certified government and school holidays. Eid ul-Fitr promotes the shared characteristics of the fast, which conveys many of the essential values of the Muslim community. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and rejoice with friends and relatives, the close of a month of joy and blessings. -www.whatisramadan.com
Manish Malhotra’s Eid Collection Manish Malhotra is a standout amongst the most prestigious designer in the nation and huge superstar whose points are an indication of the current India. He is perceived for his shade narrating and glamorized intricate artisan-ship. Manish’s adventure to the apex has been one of a mixed bag. Manish produced an e x ceptional way to achievement. Recently Manish Malhotra showed his eid collection 2014. This fresh introduction is truly staggering and astounding. Staggering outlines, brilliant shades and advanced slices have connected to this spring gathering to make it suitable for hot season wear. This collection incorpo-
r a t e s lehngas, sarees, skirts, tops, kalidar, coats and kurta set.All the splendid and adorable shades, for example, pink, tan, red, blue, ash, dark, and yellow has utilized as a part of this fresh debuts. This collection looks staggering and beguiling. - www.360fashion4u.com
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
18 July 25, 2014 Will War Remain in Waziristan? Last month, after years of indecision, Pakistan’s military launched a full-scale military operation in the North Waziristan Tribal Agency aimed at eliminating terrorist bases and ending the region’s lawlessness. In particular, the army wants to clear out foreign fighters who are using the territory as a base for various jihads around the Muslim world. But, by triggering yet another refugee crisis, the operation risks spreading the terrorist threat to other parts of Pakistan, including Karachi. Operating from sanctuaries established in the tribal agency, various terrorist groups, in association with organizations elsewhere in the country, have already attacked Pakistan’s four neighbours — Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran. Of the region’s foreign fighters, Uzbeks belonging to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan have recently become the most visible threat, taking responsibility for the Karachi airport attack. In launching the North Waziristan operation, General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan’s new Chief of Army Staff, stated that his forces would draw no distinction between supposedly ‘good’ and ‘bad’ Taliban. The former, including the Haqqanis, who led the Islamic resistance against Soviet forces in Afghanistan, had been trained and equipped by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This conflict will not be easy to contain or manage. Karachi, hundreds of miles to the south, will not escape the fallout from the North Waziristan operation. The military, which planned to flush out the main militant hideouts with air strikes, and then send in ground troops, instructed residents to leave the area beforehand. Some 350,000 people have already fled. According to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, released just five days after the assault, at the end of 2013 there were 51.2 million forcibly displaced people in the world, six million more than the year before, and the largest number since World War II. Indeed, Karachi is sometimes called an “instant city,” having grown 50-fold as a result of several waves of migration since Pakistan gained independence in 1947. The first wave, of around two million people, arrived in Karachi when eight million Muslims fled India for Pakistan. The second wave included Pashtun construction workers who helped build the new commercial capital. The third wave comprised refugees displaced during Afghanistan’s war against Soviet occupation. And the fourth began in the early 2000s, following the US invasion of Afghanistan. The current displacement from North Waziristan, therefore, can be seen as part of this fourth wave. Even if the army succeeds in clearing out the militants, some of the internally displaced people, bearing battle scars, will end up in Karachi. They will be in no mood to lay down their arms. In that case, the long-term consequence of the military’s North Waziristan campaign may well be more violence where it can cause the most damage. Shahid Javed Burki is former finance minister of Pakistan and vice-president, the World Bank.
EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY Please, A Few Fewer Selfies
BY ADITYA GUPTA When I was a kid, things were so much simpler. I would dutifully stand where I was told to, fix my innocent gaze at a distant cloud, give my hair a quick surreptitious pat and then, at the exact perfect microsecond, flash a dazzling megawatt smile as the camera clicked, adding yet another Kodak moment to my life. Posing had been distilled to an exact science of appearing magnificently unaware of a camera being trained on you while inwardly being supremely conscious of the fact. The most elaborate look of unconcern took the most elaborate effort of preparation. The moment the click sounded a spell was lifted — manic grins dropped back to comfortable smiles, shoulders and necks slumped down, and stomachs ballooned out bouncily to their original, unrestrained girth. And then there was the drama of the pictures being developed and brought home. Who can forget those teary brown paper envelopes which would send entire households into a frenzy? A hush would descend as a hand dipped into the envelope and drew out the thick wad of plastic-clad negatives. Sighs of relief were heard — if there were negatives there would be photos (a rule at par with the one insisting on there being fire if there was smoke). When the thick sheaf of glossy prints finally emerged a collective gasp of pleasure would erupt. A comfortable half hour would then ensue in which each picture was reverentially passed from hand to hand evoking laughter, shouts and quick flashbacks. And then, with the theatrical flourish of a grand finale, the pictures would be lovingly encased between the cellophane pages of a new photo album and enshrined amongst the family heirlooms. Cut to the present day — there’s a camera in every hand. Goodness knows I’m all for the forward march of progress but there are times when it’s annoying. At a restaurant I would already be halfway through my portion of mutton kababs when I would suddenly notice that no one else has touched their plates. ‘So sorry,’ I would whis-
The ‘selfie’ or self-taken picture was invented in 1839 — but its time is now. As people hang selfies in every tech space, on mobile phones, social media and messages, the selfie’s bloomed into a million forms. We love our everyday selfie — a self-taken picture of you or me, working out, dancing at a wedding, even brushing our teeth. But there’s also the glittering celebselfie, memorably mirrored in Ellen de Generes’ snap of 10 Hollywood superstars taking a break from bagging Oscars to huddle together and say cheese. There are political selfies, epitomized by the mediasavvy Obamas, Barack even pausing from mourning Nelson Mandela at Madiba’s funeral to take a cheery selfie with David Cameron. per to my adjacent companion, ‘Are we saying Grace?’ ‘No,’ he would whisper back, ‘We’re waiting for that guy to finish clicking photos of each dish on the table.’ Even during posing I would valiantly hold my smile steady for a painful half minute while the self-styled photographer fiddled
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with light filters, screen resolution and other such obscene things from which we need to protect our nation’s kids. As for the ubiquitous selfie, how do I put this politely? Unless you’re Kareena Kapoor there’re just so many self-taken pictures of yourself which we can tolerate before resorting to dishonest ‘Likes’ and insincere compliments (example: ‘u luk FAB!’). If you feel like pouting do it in front of a mirror, not a camera lens! It’s not that photography has become worse, it’s just become different. It has become a fluid, ceaseless process instead of the defined, finite moment it used to be. Virtual albums teeming with hundreds of whimsical shots have replaced the paper-andplastic albums studded with a select few carefully-composed frames. On one hand you can always carry your pictures with you; on the other hand you’ll always have to depend on a device to give you access to them. But the best thing about today is that so many more people at least have the chance to capture a slice of their lives as pixels than the select few who used to own a camera in earlier times. And that is a picture — of our world, of our times — which is definitely worth more than a thousand words. Now if you will excuse me i need to gulp down some glucose. My friends are planning to take pictures and Iwill need all my energy to maintain my megawatt smile for 45 minutes. ToI
TRAVEL/HEALTH
Holiday - Turkey & Beyond Destination Greece
Greece, like Turkey is a mix of the ancient and modern. It has something for every traveler. If you are a true explorer at heart, (you live only once) explore your heart out in Greece. The country is filled with possibilities. It has great museums, archaeological sites, shopping and a unique, yet amazing culture that displays through its nightlife. Greece is meant to be explored at leisure. From well preserved old mansions, high end luxury stores, intimate boutiques, exotic taverns, combined with natural beauty. With mountains and sea below, Greece offers the perfect place for a getaway for all ages. For the cultural buff, touring Greece holds visages of history etched in its monuments and architecture. They are from the prehistoric and archaic periods, unique to the Hellenistic, Medieval, and Byzantine periods. Greece offers educational tours, theatrical productions, festivals, pilgrimages, and many other outings to help you understand it better. Athens the capital of Greece is called the birthplace of civilization, the city of the Gods. It is surrounded by majestic mountains, Ymmytos, Pendeli and Parnitha northwards and eastwards and the Saronic Gulf on the south and westward side. The
Acropolis was nominated to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Parts of the old neighborhoods are sure to enchant you. The Parliament and ministries are located in the famous Syntagma square. The temple of Poseidon, the God of the sea is located in Sounion and is a must see location among others. Mykonos is the most popular party island in Greece. Full of parties and young life, luxurious hotels, entertainment, it is the place to be. Dominated by white buildings, crystal turquoise skies, with horse riding, parasailing, surfing the waves, jet-skiing, and ending the day with some fabulous night life this island does not sleep, ever. There are not very many trees around Mykonos. Mostly it is rocks and boulders strewn across the island. The hillsides are dotted with villages. Mythology has it that Hercules killed giants there. And they believe the rocks around the island are the giants’ corpses. Santorini is officially Thira in Greek, an island in the Southern Aegean sea, about 100 miles from Greece. We suggest a yacht trip to see the actual beauty of this island. It holds spell binding beaches, spectacular beauty and an active volcano. The last biggest eruption was 3,600
July 25, 2014
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years ago. The volcanic beaches have pure white, red and black sand, volcanic pebbles, and spectacular rocky landscapes. The island is the youngest in the East Mediterranean and is called the Pearl (Gem) of the Aegean. Santorini, like Mykonos is a romantic getaway, also a great place for weddings and honeymoons. It can be reached by air from Athens and sea from Piraeus. Rhodes is located in the Eastern Aegean Sea. It provides the perfect spot for trekking. Nature enthusiasts will love the island’s natural beauty. Mt. Ataviros, the highest mountain imposes itself over Rhodes. It has a rocky summit with green slopes and is an eternal symbol of the island. Mt. Ataviros has vineyards and the villages serve some of the best wines. On the east coast is Kallithea, a popular holiday resort teeming with hotels along the Faliraki beach. The Roman baths are popular in Kallithea. Rhodes is a mix of different cultures and civilizations. It is a perfect holidaying destination given its rich green hills, green valleys and shores of golden beaches. Article Courtesy: Travel Guzs, Call 713 893 0649 to speak to a knowledgeable and certified associate to plan and book your Vacation!
The Healthy Dose – Sugar and Diabetes Part 1
BY PARTH DWIVEDI HOUSTON: Before development of a treatment in 1923 Diabetes Mellitus commonly caused extreme weight loss, dehydration, and weakness until acidic blood killed most people affected. Children born with it would die before their second birthday. Diabetes can be controlled effectively today, but it is still a problem in the South Asian community, amongst others. Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetes Insipidus share similar names, but are basically different diseases altogether. Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by elevated blood glucose and is usually the one that comes up in conversation. Funny enough, mellitus means “sweet” in Latin, a reference to the early method of diagnosis where a doctor would have to note the sweet flavor of a patient’s urine. Ew, right? The main player in Diabetes Mellitus is a protein called Insulin, which is made in the pancreas. Normally
as food is digested in the intestines it is broken down into glucose and enters the blood stream for transport throughout the body. This is where Insulin comes in. It has a few different jobs but we will focus on one in particular; Insulin causes glucose to be absorbed into different parts of the body from the bloodstream. In other words, Insulin decreases the amount of glucose in blood. Inability to absorb glucose is what causes the fatigue associated with Diabetes. After all, if less fuel is getting to your car, it makes sense that the car would start slowing down. This hits the brain especially hard, as it is the only organ in the body that relies exclusively on glucose for energy. While this is going on glucose builds up in the bloodstream. The number of substances in the blood matters a lot, and the body must maintain an even ratio of fluid to molecular substance. This ratio is called the osmolar ratio of blood. An increase in blood glucose increases the osmolar ratio which causes the body to send more water into the bloodstream to balance it out. The immediate effect of more blood fluid is increased urination, which can be thought of as water
loss. Losing water causes dehydration which makes fatigue even worse. High blood pressure is also created in the long run, which creates complex health problems. This is a good time to keep in-mind that glucose will be escaping with the urine, although not quickly enough to make a difference in the blood. Some of the ways this shows up is as bubbles following urination, and of course, a diagnostic tool doctors across the world were happy to quit using. Join us next week when we continue this article and talk about the different types of Diabetes Mellitus.
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Parth Dwivedi has a B.A. in Neuroscience and an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences. He likes reading non-fiction and still watches I Love Lucy.
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WEDDING
Not Just Another Wedding Site: Perfect Muslim Wedding BY MARWA DIAF Weddings. A time to celebrate love with family and friends. From the elegant decor to the stunning bride, weddings have always been a passion of mine. Which is why I’ve decided to be a part of Perfect Muslim Wedding. After planning my own wedding I’ve noticed the lack of resources that cater to the American-Muslim culture. Although many believe there are enough wedding sites that fill this void, there is still a lack of sites that pertain to this
ican-Muslim culture. For example, for my wedding, I had requested female staff at the venue because I wear the head covering (hijab) and also, a female DJ. Although we started the site with a U.S. perspective we have added vendors in Canada, U.K., and Australia, with free listings. Besides the website and blog, Per-
ding, Twitter, www.pinterest.com/ muslimwedding/Pinterest and http:// instagram.com/perfectmuslimweddingInstagram. We conducted a first ever www. perfectmuslimwedding.com/about/ muslim-wedding-survey-presentation/ Muslim Wedding Survey which revealed what color brides preferred to wear to how the bride and groom met . We published a http://www.perfectmuslimwedding.com/about/ muslim-wedding-guide/ Muslim Wedding Guide and will be updating it every so often.
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niche. There are the mainstream sites like The Knot, The Wedding Channel and Bride magazines. Then there are the niche sites like Maharani Weddings and South Asian Bride Magazine who cater to the “desi” audience, but I am Arab-American and Muslim. When I got married last year, we found out about vendors purely through word of mouth. Much later and by chance I came across www. perfectmuslimwedding.com. Perfect Muslim Wedding, a wedding planning resource. It contains a blog with all types of ideas, insights, and tools to help manage your budget and plan the wedding. As the current blog editor, I have learned a lot and love what I do. Perfect Muslim Wedding is ecofriendly and stylish, from haute couture to bohemian. We want the style, but also want our wallets to remain intact. Vendors can be of any faith, but there has to be a willingness to accommodate the needs of the Amer-
fect Muslim Wedding has a presence on all the major Social media channels including www.facebook.com/
PerfectMuslimWedding, Facebook, https://twitter.com/prmuslimwed-
What’s next? We’re looking to feature Muslim weddings on www.perfectmuslimwedding.com/category/real-weddings/ real weddings category. We want to share their beautiful story complete with photos, lessons learned, vendors used, and
advice.
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ENTERTAINMENT
July 25, 2014
Movie Review: Hate Story 2
BY SWETA KAUSHAL Sonika (Surveen Chawla) is Mandar Mhatre’s (Sushant Singh) keep who is a corrupt politician and exploits Sonika in every way possible. Trapped in the bad world of Mhatre, Sonika finds solace in photography where she meets her love - Akshay (Jay Bhanushali). Mandar kills Akshay and Sonika sets out on her revenge trip. Once the cops find Sonika inside a coffin and rescue her, she’s sent to hospital and she runs away. But the cops won’t flash her missing report in media because “jinse bhaag rahi hai wo alert ho jaayenge”! Seriously? Do you have such dumb villains that they won’t know their captive is
absconding? When Mandar kills Akshay, Sonika suddenly gathers all the courage and skills to avenge her lover - the way you saw Kajol in Dushman, only Sonika gains the skills and courage overnight, without any rhyme or reason. How does a girl, who was so helpless she never tried running away from the evil politician, gather the courage to face and challenge him? That’s for the audience to figure out. Why should the filmmakers make any efforts to explain everything to the audience? The only saving grace, perhaps are the performances: Sushant Singh perfectly essays the role of the maniac that Mandar is, adding fun to his
character. Sushant has the expertise to perform evil character with ease. No wonder he’s been awarded the best actor in negative role (IIFA & Zee Cine Awards for Jungle, 2001). He wonderfully portrays the male chauvinist who slams his wife in front of his henchmen and doesn’t mind beating his keep too. Sushant also brings some of the best moments in the film. Sample some of the dialogues he mouths: When challenged to a duel by Akshay in the cliched Bollywood style ‘Mard ka baccha hai to in chamchon ko peeche hata aur akele aa’, Mandar replies, “Koi shauq nahi mujhe mard ka baccha banane ka, jaisa hun thik hun.” Another interesting line Sushant says when Sonika has thrown an open challenge to him: “Chuhe ko maarne ke liye uske peeche nahi daudte, wo khud apni badle ki bhookh mitaane ke liye chuhedani me aayegi.” Surveen, too, fits into her character perfectly throughout the movie. Other actors, however, are more irritating rather than being convincing. The inspector, for example, who sets out to help, tries too hard to act like a brooding cop but fails. Jay, doesn’t have much of a role but is not believable enough even in the bits he’s supposed to act. -Hindustan Times
Sonam Kapoor Says Can’t do Justice to what Rekha Did in ‘Khoobsurat’
MUMBAI:Sonam Kapoor, who has stepped into the shoes of Rekha for the remake version of ‘Khoobsurat’, says she cannot do justice to what the veteran actress did in the original film. ‘Khoobsurat’ is the remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s cult comedy which featured Rekha in the lead role and Sonam is aware that her version will draw comparisons with the old classic. “I don’t think I can do justice to what Rekha has done. This film is an ode to Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s filmmaking,” Sonam, 29, told reporter here at the trailer launch of the film. “There are very few films that have been wholesome entertainers and have great value. Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films appealed to all as they were fun films with a message. Today such films are made by Raju Hirani,” Sonam said. She thinks the 1980 release will be relevant even now as things like love, happiness and family values
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remain the same.In the film, Sonam plays Mili, a spirited young girl, who creates ripples in an order-crazy royal family. “I am more like this character in real life. This is my personality. Rhea (her sister who has produced the film) and Shashanka (director) have taken a lot of me in this film. They have exposed my life completely,” Sonam said. The film is set to release on September 19 and Sonam is nervous as well as excited about it. “It is a huge responsibility but it was exciting to work on this film,” Sonam said.The movie marks the Bollywood debut of popular Pakistani actor-singer Fawad Khan. The original film had Rakesh Roshan as the male lead. The film also stars Kirron Kher, Ratna Pathak and others. It is produced by Disney, Sonam’s sister Rhea Kapoor and her father Anil Kapoor and is directed by Shashanka Ghosh. -Indian Express
22 July 25, 2014
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Mama’s Punjabi Recipes
Sabat Moong Di Dal (Whole Moong Lentils)
Dals are the mainstay of Indian diet, whether you are in the north or south, east or west - providing much needed protein - and each region has its own way of making them. But nowhere will you find the heartiness and flavorful taste of dals as you would in the Punjab. Punjabi dals are known for their smooth, thick texture and the perfect blend of spices. They are not supposed to be runny or thin and the hot tardka or blending in of spices, onions, garlic and sometimes hing (asafoetida) is a sizzling experience that fills the air with the aroma of the dish. Many people in India make dals in pressure cookers and they have brought along this method to their new homes in America too. But, in our ancestral homes in Jhung and Lyallpur in West Punjab there were no pressure cookers and we used to make dal in a large patila (pot) simmered for an hour or more over a slow to medium flame. Very often, the dal made in a cooker gets overcooked and comes out like soup! Dal should be cooked so that you can spot the grain and scoop it up with a little turri (curry). As most people know, there are at least six major types of dals, and then some are available skinless too as this alters their taste. Skinless dals cook faster than those with the skin on. The fiber content of the skin gives dals a nuttier, earthier taste. Some people only know dals by their color; the moong dal is leaf green when whole and comes out yellow when it is skinless. Moong dal cooks fairly fast and goes well with rice and rotis. Ingredients: • 1 cup sabat moong dal (whole moong lentils) • 2 cups pani (water) • 2 tbspn olive oil • 4 cloves of lasan (garlic) – peeled and chopped, or use powdered garlic • 1 medium adrak (ginger) – peeled and chopped, or use powdered ginger • 1 tspn garam masala • 5 stalktops fresh dhania (coriander) – pinch off the leaves and cut into pieces • Spices: lal mirch (red pepper); namak (salt); haldi (turmeric) – to your taste
Directions: 1. Place the moong dal in a bowl and wash it thoroughly in cold water, then rinse it out. 2. Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Pour in the moong dal into the pot, cover, and add the haldi, ginger and salt and let it come to a second boil then reduce the heat to medium. 3. If the water boils off before the dal becomes tender, then add some more and let it continue to boil for about 30 minutes till the dal is tender but not soft. Keep a frequent eye on the dal to make sure it does not become soupy. 4. Heat the oil in a small karai or wok and add the garlic and brown it a little. When roasted and the smell of the pieces starts to come through, take off the heat and drop
5. Sprinkle the top of the dal with garam masala and the cut coriander leaves above. Shakuntla Malhotra is a skilled cook of Punjabi dishes made in the old-fashioned style that she learnt as a young woman in her ancestral home in Lyallpur, India before it became part of Pakistan after the Partition in 1947. People have often admired her cooking for its simplicity and taste that comes with each mouthful. Even in her mid-eighties, she continues to cook daily and agreed to share some of her delectable Punjabi recipes.
MAMA’S TIP OF THE WEEK COAT ONLY ONE SIDE OF ROTI TO SAVE GREASY HANDS AND EXCESS OIL
There are still quite a few South Asian households in the US where fresh rotis are made every day, even though many frozen varieties are available. But whether frozen or fresh, many people follow the old tradition to choppard (coat) one side – the fluffed up side with the thin skin – with butter or oil. This gives the roti or parantha a crispier, cooked taste. To save oil or butter as well as not to make your hands greasy while making the rotis, it is best to choppard only one roti, then when the next one is ready, rub the two thin skin sides together and leave them stacked that way, facing each other. The newer rotis will be stacked on top, one ungreased side resting on top of the other ungreased side.
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the masala into the pot of cooked dal and stir to mix well.
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India Among Biggest UK India’s E-tailing Business to Zoom as Retail Giants Eye Online Stores Foreign Investors LONDON (TOI): India has retained its position as a leading foreign investor into Britain, according to latest UK Trade and Industry (UKTI) figures released here today. India ranks seventh in the top overseas sources of investment with 74 projects during 2013-14 a year with the highest number of projects since records began in the
India has retained its position as a leading foreign investor into Britain, according to latest UK Trade and Industry (UKTI)
1980s. UKTI said the UK remains the most attractive destination in Europe for foreign business investment, winning almost 1,800 new projects in the past year. Trade minister Lord Ian Livingston said it had been an “exceptional year for foreign investment”, which had created 66,390 new jobs, the highest number since 2001. “It shows that our strategy to attract investors to the UK by creating one of the most business-friendly environments in the world is the
right one, and it is proof that foreign investors have confidence in the UK as the best place to do business,” Lord Livingston said. The US led the rush to invest in Britain with 501 projects in the UK, followed by Japan (116), France (110), Germany (102), Canada (89) and China (88). Below India in the tally are Italy (70), Australia (69) and Ireland (55). John Cridland, the director-general of the CBI, said: “Investment in Britain is flying high. “The UK is a very strong brand overseas, and this is an engine for providing the growth and jobs we need to drive forward a healthy and sustainable recovery.” UKTI says investment rose 8 per cent to a record level of 975 billion pound and resulted in the creation of 66,390 new jobs, the highest total since 2001. Europe provided 566 billion pounds of the total, the Americas 325 billion pound and Asia 72 billion pound. The rest came from Australasia and Africa. The 975 billion pound was the second-highest total of all the countries surveyed, behind the US (2,890 billion pound), and ahead of Hong Kong (845 billion pound), France (630 billion pound) and China (560 billion pound). The majority of the projects were in England but investments in Scotland (122), Northern Ireland (50) and Wales (79) each created or safeguarded significantly more jobs on average.
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NEW DELHI (HT): With Internet penetration growing by leaps and bounds, and tech-savvy consumers preferring to go online to shop for all things ranging from apparel, electronic items, books and beauty products to even homes, top Indian companies are looking to set up shop in cyberspace, bypassing shops, middlemen and the marketplace. A bevy of companies such as Reliance, Tata, ITC, Panasonic, Madura Group, Dabur, Godrej, Future Group and Bata, among others, are readying their own e-commerce Websites, as a dedicated e-tail portal offers the consumer the convenience of browsing and ordering products without stepping outside her home — or even on the go. The strategy is likely to work, as Indian consumers have embraced the online shopping experience, and no longer finds a “touch and feel” experience necessary for shopping. Ankur Bisen, senior vice-president of Technopak Advisors, said e-tailing is fast emerging as a viable alternative for companies. “Almost all Indian businesses are looking at e-tailing with an intellectual curiosity for determining the role e-tailing can play in their growth.” “About 70-80% of home search happens online,” said A Harikesh, senior VP (marketing and sales) Tata Housing. “So we have tied up with banks like IDBI to facilitate sales of home online. A buyer can narrow down the apartment he wants to buy and pay an online booking amount of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 using credit or debit card.” Atul Chand, chief executive of Lifestyle Retailing Division at ITC, said shoppers are increasingly crossnavigating between ‘click’and ‘brick’ stores. “The Wills Lifestyle e-store was launched six months ago, and
the objective is to double the revenue through this channel every year,” Chand said. Reliance Retail is expected to announce its e-tailing venture by October. “e-commerce combined with physical stores will offer tremendous choice and convenience to the consumer,” the company’s annual report said.
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“Panasonic will launch ‘Panasonic’s E-Store’. We will appoint a re-seller who would maintain the portal and distribution,” said Manish Sharma MD Panasonic India. India’s Internet user base is expected to touch 550 million by 2020, against about 243 million users at present.
24 July 25, 2014 Dhoni Decides, Ishant Provides
SPORTS
MS Dhoni and Ishant Sharma reversed India’s customary defensive strategies, on day five at Lord’s, to help them to a landmark Test win BY SIDHARTH MONGA LORD’S (ESPN Cricinfo): It is just before 1pm. The ghosts of Johannesburg and Wellington are warming up. There has not been a wicket the whole session. Joe Root and Moeen Ali have added 84. The pitch is not green anymore. It is not Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s pitch anymore. Mohammed Shami has wobbled the ball a bit, but the two young England batsmen have been resolute. Ravindra Jadeja has kept the batsmen honest - they dare not play an adventurous shot with the balls landing in the rough one after the other - but where is the wicket? When nothing else works, MS Dhoni goes to Ishant Sharma. They need someone who can hit that pitch hard now to exploit the uneven bounce. It is time for Ishant then, the man with the worst record for anyone who has played 50 Tests or more, the man who never shies away from the dirty work. Lucky Ishant. Unlucky Ishant. The only Ishant. England see an opportunity here. Root gets stuck into Ishant. The first ball is a loosener. A long halfvolley. Four. Shane Warne doing commentary wonders why the fast bowlers do not bowl the bouncer as a loosener if they need a loosener. Dhoni has started wondering why not bowl bouncers here. Later in the over Root drives loosely, but through the gap. Four more. Then Ishant bowls short and wide, and Root guides him through gully for four. Root’s fifty has come up. The target is now under 150. Hello Wanderers. Hello Basin. Dhoni bowls Jadeja. Gets a quiet over in. Ishant is persisted with for the last over before lunch. He is asked to bowl bouncers. He does not really feel comfortable doing it. This is England, isn’t it, where you are supposed to bowl full. Dhoni tells him, don’t worry, even a top edge caught in the deep is a wicket. As good as caught in the slips. We need wickets... Just to make sure he gives Ishant a field where he cannot bowl full. Leg gully, short leg, short
midwicket, two men deep on the hook. Dhoni has stepped in. This is the Dhoni we do not know well. This is the Dhoni who has possibly been passive twice. He does not want to be now. Ishant digs one in. Root ducks it. He has to bowl one more now. Will he? Will he ever? This is right at Root’s throat. Root fends at it. What a welcome sight for anyone willing to bowl short and fast on the final day. The next one is into the ribs. Root wears it. Gets off the strike with the leg-bye, which should not really be, because he has let it hit him as opposed to taking evasive action. Ishant has Moeen on strike now. The next two short deliveries are down the leg side. One so far down he has to pull out from the pull shot. The last ball of the session. If England survive this ball, no matter what how ungainly they look doing it, they go to lunch with a huge psychological boost. India can start questioning themselves. Can we really ever win a Test away from home? Ishant needs to get this one absolutely right. No easy leave here. He bowls one at the throat. With a plan telegraphed to him, it should be easy for Moeen to get under this. He does not. He cannot sway out of the way either. This is a poor way of playing at this. He gloves it. Moeen’s mind has switched off. India have turned the session around. Forty minutes later. India want to bounce England some more. Matt Prior has shown this summer that he does not like it up there. There’s only 146 to get, though. This can unravel fast if the bowlers get it wrong. How often have they got it wrong in the past? And if they get it wrong, how long before Dhoni feels the need to defend? The good thing is, there are only four overs to go to the new ball. Dhoni has a definite target in sight. Shami, though, bowls soft bouncers. He is pulled away for 10 runs in the first over after lunch. Surely this is not working? Only 136 to get now. Dhoni hates to concede
Ishant Sharma is the one man for India who is built to bowl the bouncer.
runs. Surely this cannot go on for too long? Think of the time when he sent back a deep point when an injured Jacques Kallis reverseswept Harbhajan Singh in Cape Town in 2010-11. That game was headed only one way after that: away from India. Ishant is allowed to do it for another over, though. The first ball is short and wide. Easy four. Ishant still does not seem convinced about it, but he is the man who can actually bowl the short ball well. He is quick, he is tall. Dhoni leaves him no choice. Two men on the hook, just one slip for the new batsman, a short leg and a short midwicket. Ishant goes for another four as Prior drags a pull from wide outside off and hits the last ball of the over through deep midwicket. The target is now only 126. Only twenty-five per remain-
ing wicket. They are knocking them off by the 10s. The old Dhoni would have spread the field all over by now. He is not doing it now. He is, as Warne says, prepared to lose in order to win. He knows only too well, thanks to his own batsmen, that you cannot continue hooking with total control of it. He has now put one more man in the deep. A deep fine leg, a deep square leg and a deep midwicket. He is not worried about the runs. He just wants Ishant to eliminate every other shot. And this is no mickeymouse boundary where you can feel confident of hooking for a six in such a tense situation. Eightieth over then. Possibly the last before India attack with the new ball. First ball. Pulled down. Single. Second ball. No-ball. Pulled down. Single. Two more similar singles. The target is now 121. Ishant tries the bluff. Bowls full. Prior is equal to it. Two more balls, and India might go back to bowling length with the new ball. Root and Prior have gained some sort of momentum and confidence. If they attack the new ball and it flies away, this game could be over quickly. Down to two more balls from Ishant. Dhoni goes up to him. Asks him to go round the stumps. Ishant does not like it. Dhoni insists. Ishant goes for it. And he gets this one right. Over the shoulder and across Prior’s body. This is not easy to control. And M Vijay judges a catch nicely at deep midwicket. In a workhorsely manner, Ishant has kept India in it again. And look at Dhoni leap for joy while running towards his team-mates. His plan has come off. He hardly ever does this. Give away runs to buy wickets, or show such emotion. If Johannesburg and Wellington are giant blimps hanging over wherever India play, they have been pricked. It is only a matter of time now. And now that Dhoni is in control, he begins to do his funky thing. He refuses the new ball. Because Jadeja provides him control
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with the old ball. Ishant is hurting, but he can go on. He can smell the win, how can you take the ball out of his hand? It would be unfair too. Ben Stokes comes, Ben Stokes pulls, Ben Stokes goes out. Root pulls. Root finds deep backward square. There is no “c Dhoni b Ishant” on the scoreboard but these wickets are all conceived by Dhoni and taken by Ishant. In his last 18 legal deliveries, Ishant has taken four wickets for 17 runs. He is in pain. He is on his haunches. He is also on the honours board. And two wickets from a win at Lord’s. Dhoni tells him there are three more Tests to go. He does not want him injured. If there is the slightest bit of niggle anywhere, he need not bowl another over. Ishant is having none of it. He bowls another over. Then another. Finally the literal c Dhoni b Ishant makes its poetic appearance as Stuart Broad edges a short delivery down leg. At 23-6-74-7, Ishant’s job is over. Now, he walks off the field. Jadeja finishes the match with bête noir James Anderson’s runout. Ishant is not on the field. Players have had their huddle. They have taken stumps as souvenirs. Jadeja has even shaken Anderson’s hand and tapped his shoulder. Only when the players make it to just outside the pavilion does Ishant step out. Shami holds the match ball in his palm as if in a cup. Smiling that toothy smile that he has never let go of, Ishant accepts it gleefully. Anyone who does not feel happy for this muchmaligned cricketer has a rock for a heart. Dhoni has taken the back seat somewhere. He has been positive from the moment he has landed in England. Batting himself at six, persisting with attacking fields even when runs are flowing, getting into the bowlers’ ears, getting them to do things he wants as opposed to letting matches drift. Long may he remain. Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
July 25, 2014
25
BRICS Bank: How PM Got Big Powers to Accept India’s Idea BY PRASHANT JHA
NEW DELHI (HT): Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s maiden multilateral outing to Brazil for the BRICS summit is already a success, with the announcement of the New Development Bank. It is remarkable that a group as diverse and disparate as this, in such quick time - the idea of the bank was first mooted only two years ago at the Delhi summit - has carved out a tangible design for a global institution of this scale with the potential of changing the rules of the financial game. The final negotiations between India and China on the bank modalities, and Modi’s meeting with President Xi Jinping, also offer us some insights into the evolving Modi doctrine vis-avis big powers - especially seen in the backdrop of his meeting with US deputy secretary of state William Burns last week. But, first the bank. Ever since its first meeting in 2009 in Russia, a running theme of the group’s declarations has been the inequities of the current financial institutions and the need for their reform in the context of the changing world economy and order. Remember this was happening right after the global financial meltdown when the developed economies took a battering. At that point, Brazil-Russia-India-China sought ‘greater voice and representation’ in such institutions and an ‘open, transparent, merit based selection process’ for its heads instead of the division of spoils among the more developed economies that continues to date. In 2010, in Brazil, they spoke of the ‘legitimacy deficit’ of World Bank and IMF, asked for a substantial shift in voting powers for emerging market economies, and warned that if the reforms did not happen within a time frame, these institutions would risk becoming obsolete. The following year, South Africa joined the group and added to the chorus for reform. It was here in China in 2011 that BRICS also spoke of a reserve international currency providing stability and certainty. 2012 was a turning point for before the sum-
But besides the economics of it, it is a huge political and symbolic message. Countries which cooperate but also compete can come together and work together, especially if the victors of World War 2 behave like the balance of power is Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (C), Russia’s President still the same. Vladimir Putin(L), Prime Minister Narendra Modi(2L), China’s It was in this President Xi Jinping(2R) and South Africa’s President Jacob backdrop that the Zuma pose for the official photograph of the 6th BRICS summit current summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. (AFP Photo) started with several unresolved mit, the BRICS Academic Forum, hosted by issues. There was concern among the other the Delhi think tank Observer Research Foun- four countries that China’s economic weight dation, recommended to the leaders ‘studying would make the bank its appendage, which is the establishment and operational modalities why India insisted on equal holdings and the of financial institutions such as a Development one country one vote principle. This has now Bank and/or an investment fund’. been accepted. The summit took it up, and in its declaration, Delhi also wanted to host the bank, but gave slammed the pace of reforms and considered into China’s insistence on location being Shangthe possibility of a Development Bank ‘for hai. But in return, India would lead the bank for mobilising resources for infrastructure and 6 years followed by the other three countries for sustainable development projects in BRICS five years each. countries and other emerging economies and The group also set up a currency reserve fund developing countries’. where China’s contribution is by far the largest It was however careful not to project this as a at $41 billion out of a pool of $100 billion. But competitor or counter but as a possible supple- as a check and to bring in a degree of equity, it ment to existing institutions. can draw out only half its contribution while This brief glance at the history of the idea South Africa can draw out double its contribushows that the bank is an organic conception - tion of $5 billion. Russia and India would put rooted in the perceived and real discrimination in $18 billion and would be eligible to ask for that developing economies have felt in a world the amount they have put in. order that has not taken into account their needs There are already murmurs among sceptics and rise. in New Delhi about losing out to China on It is a mechanism for the additional financial location, and how this is symbolic of how capital required for rapid development in these Beijing would call the shots. This is myopic economies. And it is a safety valve in case any and it is heartening that PM Modi - despite the of these economies faces a severe crunch. occasionally aggressive rhetoric against China
Bodies of All 24 Engineering Students from Hyderabad Recovered SHIMAL(IE): The longest-ever search operation to recover bodies of 24 B.Tech students, who drowned in River Beas in Mandi district on June 8, came to a close with recovery of bodies of two girl students. With this, the bodies of all 24 students have been recovered and only a co-tour guide Pralahad is missing. The bodies of Dasari Srinidhi and Kasarla
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Rishita Reddy were seen floating in the Pandoh Dam reservoir on Sunday and taken out by a search team, police said. A co-tour guide and 24 engineering students, including six girls, were washed away when the Larji Hydropower Project authorities suddenly released water from the dam on the evening of June 8. About 600 men of NDRF, Army, Navy,
Police, ITBP and 50 expert divers conducted a search in swirling waters of Beas for 44 days. Taking suo moto notice of the news reports regarding the incident, the Himachal High Court had taken up the matter and the management of the Hyderabad college and Larji project authorities were asked to pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to next of kin of each victims which was to be shared in 50:50 ratio.
in his election campaign - has seen the need to negotiate a compromise. The two countries have elements of conflict, but both establishments recognise that it is the cooperative element that has to be strengthened. This attitude was also visible in Modi’s meeting with the Chinese president, where they both recognised that the world would take notice if the two worked together. In this, Modi has displayed a streak of continuity that has marked Indian foreign policy for over two decades. Two principles which can be said to define this approach are multi-alignment and hedging. Replacing non alignment in letter, while retaining it in spirit, multi-alignment is code for diversifying relations, not getting embroiled in big power conflicts and engaging with issues on its merit, building alliances on positive platforms across a range of issues, ensuring multi-polarity and not letting go of strategic autonomy. The bank reflects all of that. Hedging comes in with the larger China-USIndia dynamic, for no policy maker in Delhi can forget 1962 and the border conflict. Which is why PV Narasimha Rao sought rapprochement with US post the Cold War and simultaneously negotiated principles for a tranquil border with China; Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership with US while arriving at a pact where China conceded Sikkim was a part of India even as India reiterated Tibet was a part of China; Manmohan Singh did not let border skirmishes come in the way and deepened trade ties with Beijing even as he signed a historic nuclear pact with US. Modi will - it appears - do the same, managing a careful dance in this trilateral equation to hedge bets. He has already sought concrete deliverables from Washington and will try to bring back the bilateral relationship on track even as he deepens economic ties with Beijing and seeks a resolution to the border conflict. The continuity is testament to the soundness of broader Indian foreign policy tradition - the momentum is testament to Modi’s willingness to take on the baton in quick time. The court had also ordered a thorough enquiry in the matter and monitored the enquiry by Divisional Commissioner, Mandi.
All bodies have been recovered and only a co-tour guide Pralahad is missing.
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Tel:281-909-0825 - 713-545-4749 Cell:832-878-4338 shobajoshi999@gmail.com
First Ever
24 Hour
Telugu Radio in Houston
Online at www.radiohungama.net & Every Sunday 12 PM to 3 PM CST On
KCHN AM 1050 Contact: Sridhar Dadi at
281-217-9736
houstonradio@yahoo.com
Job Posting:
MULTI-MEDIA DESK CONTRIBUTOR – P/T
News Junkie – Scanner hound – Twitter addict – Passion for writing Do these words describe you? KTRK-TV, the ABC O&O located in Houston, TX is accepting applications for a part-time multi-media desk contributor in the news department. The ideal candidate knows how to multi-task and set priorities. Must have strong news instincts, extensive knowledge of the Houston television market and a good working knowledge of the web and social media. In this position you will have the opportunity to gain experience working on the assignment desk and our digital platforms – along with sorting scripts and running the teleprompter. Must be willing to work weekend afternoons/evenings and should have two plus years of professional newsroom or new web experience. All Interested applicants must apply online at disneycareers.com, reference job # 202268BR. Please upload a cover letter, resume and list of references. In addition, please mail writing samples to: Robin Freese, Executive Producer, KTRK-TV, 3310 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005 and indicate job reference number you are applying for. No phone calls please.
KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
July 25, 2014
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM