Indo-American News: January 03, 2020

Friday, January 03, 2020 | Vol. 39, No. 01

Indo American News

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January 03, 2020

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Guru Gobind Singh Ji Special

Cricket : Best of the Decade

P5 India Records 67K Births on Jan 1

P9

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

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January 03, 2020

GURU GOBIND JI SINGH SPECIAL

Devotees Offer Prayers at Golden Temple in Punjab

Amritsar: On Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti today, thousands of devotees offered prayers in Punjab’s Golden Temple.

They also took dip in the holy pond called sarovar and sought blessings from Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhism who was born on this day.

Guru Gobind Singh birth anniversary is celebrated with much joy and fervour across the world where devotees visit various gurdwaras to take part in religious activities to mark the day. Gurpurab is also dedicated to serving poor and underprivileged as directed in the teachings of the holy Guru. A spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher, Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1666 in Patna. His birthday falls within the months of December or January every year and is celebrated by the followers of Sikhism.

On the holy day, leaders greeted the nation on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2020.

“Homage to Guru Gobind Singh Ji on his birth anniversary. He devoted his life to serving the people and upholding the values of truth, justice and compassion. The life and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

continue to inspire us,” President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.

“We bow to the venerable Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on his Prakash Parv (birth anniversary),” PM Modi tweeted in English and Punjabi.

PM Modi also posted a video highlighting Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings and values.

“Guru Gobind Singh’s values are at the roots of the creation of new India. I believe that all of us will strengthen our re-

solve of creating new India by following Guru Gobind Singh’s path”, the Prime Minister said.

“Greetings to fellow countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti today. Throughout his life, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji stood up against injustice.

His teachings transcend time and will remain relevant for all times,” Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.

“May his teachings inspire

us to be better human beings and guide the humanity to serve the needy, poor and downtrodden,” he added.

“On the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh’s Prakash Parv (birth anniversary), I pay my obeisance and bow on his feet. The tenth Sikh Guru and the founder of the Khalsa Panth, devoted himself to fighting against injustice and wrongdoing”, Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted on Guru

Gobind Singh Jayanti 2020.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also took to twitter to extend his wishes and pay respects to Guru Gobind Singh.

“I join the sangat in paying obeisance to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on his Parkash Purav. Spiritual leader, philosopher and warrior, Guru Sahib founded Khalsa Panth and gave Sikhs the tradition of five K’s,” Mr Puri tweeted.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offered prayers at Patna Sahib Gurdwara in Patna on Gurpurab.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also recalled Guru Gobind Singh’s immense contribution for the betterment of mankind and said that his teachings will always inspire people.

“Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji dedicated his entire life to serving the people and fighting against injustice. He led by example and showed exemplary courage and sacrifice all his life. His teachings will continue to inspire the coming generations. I bow to him on his Jayanti,” Mr Singh tweeted.

-- NDTV

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI SPECIAL

January 03, 2020

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‘Akhand Path’, ‘Nagar Kirtan’ Mark Guru Gobind Birth Anniversary

Patna: Thousands of Sikh devotees on Wednesday participated in the ‘akhand path’ and ‘Nagar Kirtan’ at Gai Ghat gurdwara, which was followed by a ‘Shobha Yatra’ on the second day of three-day 353rd Prakashotsava celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.

The ‘Shobha Yatra’ which started from the Gai Ghat gurdwara at 2.30pm converged at Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib in Patna City late evening. During the yatra, devotees recited ‘Gurbaani’ from

the Guru Granth Sahib on the beats of drums. The band members of several schools including Guru Gobind Girl’s Middle and High School, Guru Gobind Boy’s Middle and High School, Guru Tegh Bahadur Academy and Guru Nanak School as well as orchestra members from Punjab enthralled the audience with their scintillating performances. Gatka (martial arts of Sikh) was also performed by the youths during the yatra.

Members of the gurdwara committee and locals put up stalls of

refreshment between Gai Ghat gurdwara and Takhat Sri Harmandir Patna Sahib gurdwara to provide snacks, juice and water to the devotees. Horses, camels and elephants were also included in the procession.

On the occasion of Prakashotsava, all the gurdwaras in the city, including the Takhat Sri Harmandir Patna Sahib gurdwara, Gurdwara Sri Gai-ghat Sahib, Guru Ka Bagh gurdwara and Bal Leela gurdwara have been decked up with flowers and illuminated with lights.

A rush of devotees from India, Canada and Australia was witnessed at various locations in Patna City, including the Kangan Ghat and other gurdwaras. Many devotees also showed active participation in serving ‘langar’ to the people.

Manpreet Singh from Punjab said he along with his family will contribute their best during the three-day Prakashotsava. Another devotee Mahinder Singh, who, after celebrating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Rajgir,

arrived in the city to attend Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary said, “Since I am a retired man, my wife and I have decided to participate in all such events.”

Daljeet Singh, superintendent of Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Prabandhak Committee said, “Langar was also arranged at Gai Ghat gurdwara for devotees. People of all religious groups have come out on streets to mark the Prakashotsava celebrations. The celebrations will continue till midnight of January 2,” he said. -- ToI

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SOUTH ASIA

January 03, 2020

UP Identifies Land for Mosque in Ayodhya

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has identified plots of land outside the periphery of the “panchkosi parikrama” to be offered to the Sunni Waqf Board as an alternative site for a mosque as mandated by the Supreme Court in its November 9 verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case+.

“Panchkosi parikrama” is the 15-km-long circular route taken by devotees within Ayodhya town to pay obeisance.

Top government sources told TOI that as many as five potential sites close to highways passing by Ayodhya have been identified and sent to the Union home ministry for clearance.

Plots have been identified on the Ayodhya-Faizabad Road, Ayodhya- Basti Road, Ayodhya-Sultanpur Road, Ayodhya-Gorakhour Road, along with one more spot.

Sources said that land has been identified beyond the “panchkosi parikrama” periphery so that devotees are not inconvenienced when Muslim and Hindu festivals are held simultaneously.

Sources also said a mosque closer to highway will ensure easy access to Muslims.

Most part of the temple town, with a major portion of its population, is situated within the “panch-

kosi parikrama” route.

On November 9, the Supreme Court, while handing over the entire disputed land to the Hindu side for construction of Ram Temple, had asked for identification and allocation of five acres of land to the Muslims to build a mosque as a compensation for the Babri Masjid which had been demolished on December 2, 1992.

While the Sunni Waqf Board is yet to decide on whether to accept the alternative land that the government has to provide, other Muslim parties including Jamiat Ulema I Hind and All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which represents individual Muslim litigants, have openly rejected the offer.

On the directions of the Supreme Court, the Centre initiated the process for identification of five acres of land for the mosque and asked the state government to send proposals.

The UP government, through the Faizabad district administration, is learnt to have shortlisted five plac-

es where five acres of land is available and sent the proposal to the Union Home ministry for finalising and shortlisting one.

In a related development, the Supreme Court will take up in chamber a batch of review petitions seeking re-examination of its November 9 Ayodhya verdict which gave the Janmabhoomi-Babri site for construction of Ram temple and ordered that five acres be allotted to Sunni Waqf Board elsewhere in Ayodhya for construction of a mosque. *Eighteen review petitions have so far been filed in the apex court of which eight were filed by those who were parties in the Ayodhya land title dispute case and rest by third parties who were not involved in the decades-old legal battle. Supreme Court to take up Ayodhya review petitions: *The review petitions have been filed by Mufti Hasbullah, Moulana Mahfoozur Rehman, Mohammad Umar, Haji Mehboob, Misbahuddin, Haji Asad Ahmed, Shia Central Board of Waqfs and Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha who were litigants.

A group of 40 academicians and activists, including Irfan Habib, Jayati Ghosh, Nandini Sundar and Prabhat Patnaik, have also filed plea. -- ToI

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5 Express World Test XI of the Decade Has Virat Kohli as Captain

SPORTS

January 03, 2020

Who have been the best batsmen and bowlers in the world in Test cricket in the last decade? What would a playing XI look like if a team were to be formed with the most established names in the longest format?

Opener – Alastair Cook Alastair Cook became over the course of this decade England’s highest run-scorer and centurymaker in Test cricket. He has also been an emblem of England’s Test team over the decade, being the fulcrum at the top of the order as the team went from the heady years of Kevin Pietersen to the more composed years with Joe Root in the middle order.

Cook’s batting was in a decline in the later half of the decade, till he hung up his boots in 2018, but the first half of the decade saw Cook becoming one of the best opening batsmen in the history of Test cricket. The 2010/11 Ashes saw him amass 766 runs in seven innings to anchor England’s first series win in Australia for 24 years.

Opener – David Warner David Warner, Alastair Cook’s antithesis in every imaginable way, is the second opener chosen to be part of this XI. Warner might have had burst onto international cricket as a specialist in the shorter formats, but he has over the last decade cemented his reputation as one of the best opening batsmen of recent times across formats.

Making his Test debut in 2011, he carried his bat through only in his second Test innings – a sign of a different side of Warner, that was to manifest itself many times over the years. In 2019, he scored 335* vs Pakistan, his highest score in the longest format.

3 – Steve Smith If somebody had predicted in the last decade that Steve Smith would become the best Test batsman in the world, it would have made for a laughable statement. Smith, who started out as a leg spinner in the shorter formats, has metamorphosed into the batsman with the most impenetrable defence in recent years.

He might have a technique great Test batsmen of the past might have sniggered at, but his volume of runs – he is the highest runscorer in Test cricket over the last decade – is testament to how big an impact he has had on the game.

Tellingly, Australia’s newest Test

superstar – Marnus Labuschagne – has started out his career in much the same way Smith had – with an unorthodox technique and a backstory of a spinner who has magically turned into a batsman who cannot be dismissed.

4 – Virat Kohli (captain) Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, WVirat Kohli’s Team India have been the team to beat in Test cricket over the last decade and one of the major factors behind this success is the volume of runs scored by the skipper himself at No. 4. Barring Bangladesh, Kohli has scored Test hundreds in and against every country he has played. He is the third-highest run-getter in the Test format in this decade.

Kohli’s captaincy has also brought about a new dimension to the Indian Test side, by virtue of which he is also nominated as the captain of this ‘playing XI’. His aggressive brand of cricket and how he gets the crowd involved in India’s home matches has on many occasions brought Test cricket to life.

5 – Joe Root It would be an intense dispute to decide who the third-best middleorder batsman has been in Tests over the last decade, with Joe Root of England and Kane Williamson of New Zealand perhaps having equal claim, but Root beats Williamson out on basis of having a slightly better first half of the decade.

In the year 2015, Root made 1385 Test runs and vied with Steve Smith for the No.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings. Root might have fallen short of the standards

Australian to take 300 Test wickets, and only the second spinner behind Shane Warne.

9 – Dale Steyn Dale Steyn leads the pace trio selected in this XI. The veteran South Africa bowler had already established himself as one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in the world by the end of the last decade.

Steyn, showing admirable longevity for a fast bowler, is still active in Test cricket, having taken his wicket count to 439 wickets in the Test arena this year – the seventh highest count of all time.

10 – Trent Boult New Zealand’s Trent Boult is picked as the most junior bowler in this legendary pace unit. Boult might not have the prodigious records of Steyn and James Anderson, but his pace and ability to move the ball both ways makes him the only left-arm seamer in this side.

Boult burst onto the Test arena in 2011 and raced past 100 wickets in only his 29th match. In 2013, only two years since his debut, he was New Zealand’s top-wicket taker.

Alongside Tim Southee, he has formed a formidable new ball pair for New Zealand over the last decade. He also happens to be one the best fielders among fast bowlers.

11 – James Anderson James Anderson is probably the fast bowler who can be said to define not just the last decade but also this century so far. With 577 wickets, Anderson is the highest wicket-taking bowler in Test cricket among fast bowlers.

reached by Smith and Kohli in runs alongside Sachin Tendulkar the last few years, but he has a and Brian Lara. A rare instance of proven ability to put a price on his a batsman who continued to score wicket and consistently put up 50+ big runs in the Test arena even in scores. the final days of his career, San6 – Ben Stokes gakkara scored 203 vs New ZeaBen Stokes is the all-rounder in land in Wellington in 2015, the this Test XI, for his ability to be year he would later retire. the fourth seam bowling option 8 – Nathan Lyon and his proven track record of beAustralia’s Nathan Lyon naring capable of winning matches rowly trumps India’s Ravichansingle-handedly with the bat. dran Ashwin to be picked as the If Stokes’s prodigious talent was specialist spinner in this side. always known about, as much as The pitch curator who became his natural inclination to be em- the best Test spinner of the decade broiled in trouble, 2019 was the – Nathan Lyon’s story will take year it all came together for the some beating. Lyon struck with Durham cricketer. With his one- his first ball in Test cricket when man show in Headingley, when he had Kumar Sangakkara caught Stokes produced one of the best at slip. By 2015, Lyon had beshows of batting heroics of recent come Australia’s most successful times, Stokes has established him- Test offspinner of all time, passself as an all-time great in the Test ing Hugh Trumble’s tally of 141 arena. wickets. He became just the sixth 7 – Kumar Sangakkara (Wicketkeeper) The only cricketer in this team Hiring individuals, with or without to have played experience, who are interested in the majority of upper management positions in the his cricket in the industry of Apartment Complexes. last decade, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Our company trains all of employees, and Sangakkara is needs people seeking full-time positions (40 the designated hours a week). wicketkeeper of this XI. Individuals must have computer skills in: He was named Microsoft Excel & Word and typing skills. the Test Cricketer of the Year Please contact our office at 832-390-1713

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SOUTH ASIA

January 03, 2020

Onion at Eye-watering Rs 150/kg; Government Imports Underway

Mumbai: Retail onion prices on Friday remained higher at up to Rs 150 per kg even as the imported supplies have started arriving to boost the domestic availability and check prices.

In metros, retail price of onion was ruling at Rs 120 /kg Kolkata, at Rs 102/kg in Delhi and Mumbai and at Rs 80/kg in Chennai, as per the data maintained by the consumer affairs ministry.

In most cities, onion prices were ruling at Rs 100/kg. In Itanagar, the bulb crop was at Rs 150/kg.

“Imported onions have started arriving. About 1,160 tonne has reached India. Additional 10,560 tonne of shipments are expected to arrive in the next 3-4 days,” a senior ministry official told PTI. Both red and yellow onions have been imported from Turkey, Egypt and Afghanistan. The shipments are landing at Mumbai port, the official said.

State-owned MMTC, which is importing the key kitchen staple on behalf of the government, has contracted 49,500 tonne of onion so far. Some shipments will arrive next month.

Onion prices have shot up sharply due to estimated 25 per cent fall in kharif production of 2019-20 crop year (July-June) compared to the previous year because of late monsoon and eventual excess rains

This year, onion prices rose sharply due to 26 per cent fall in kharif and late kharif (summer) production due to late monsoon and later untimely rains in key growing states especially Maharasthra and Karnataka.

in the major producing states.

The prices have failed to cool down despite several government measures in the last few weeks.

The government has banned export of onion, imposed stock limits on traders and is also supplying buffer stock at a cheaper rate.

Traders and experts are of the view that onion prices will continue to remain firm till January when late kharif crop will start hitting the market.

The country had last imported 1,987 tonne of onion in 2015-16 when prices had shot up significantly.

To prevent the repeat of this year’s onion crisis, the Centre has decided to create a buffer stock of 1 lakh tonnes of the key kitchen staple in 2020, a senior government official said on Monday.

The government had created a buffer stock of 56,000 tonnes for the current year but it was not suf-

ficient to contain the prices which are still ruling above Rs 100 per kg in most cities across the country.

As a result, the government was compelled to import through staterun MMTC. “The issue was discussed in detail in the recent meeting of the group of ministers (GoM), headed

by Home Minister Amit Shah. It was decided that higher buffer stock of about 1 lakh tonne will be created for next year,” the official

told PTI. Cooperative Nafed, which had maintained the buffer stock of onion on behalf of the government, will continue to do so next year. It will source the rabi (winter) onion crop — which has higher shelf life — between March and July directly from farmers.

This year, onion prices rose sharply due to 26 per cent fall in kharif and late kharif (summer) production due to late monsoon and later untimely rains in key growing states especially Maharasthra and Karnataka.

To check rising prices, the gover MMTC, which is importing on behalf of the government, has contracted about 45,000 tonnes of onion from Turkey, Afghanistan and Egypt.

After onion, another staple potato is also turning dearer. For the first time at least in a decade, mandi prices of potato have risen in December from the previous month, helping farmers to earn higher returns on the crop.

Consumers in some parts of the country are currently paying as high as Rs 40/kg in retail markets while the average price during corresponding period in recent years used to be half this level. The current upward trend has baffled experts who did not see any concrete reason for the price spiral.

Happy Gurpurab!

Best Wishes to the Community on the occasion of

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birthday!!

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ENTERTAINMENT

January 03, 2020

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1000 Songs in 1000 Days: Swapna Abraham Setting World Record

By Dr. Matthew Joys Dubai: You might have heard that the longest singing marathon

by Sunil Waghmare (India) in Nagpur, India, from 3 to 7 March 2012 lasted 105 hours. The feat with a variety of popular Indian songs being sung without repeating a song within a 4 hour period.

But when I say that an Indian girl ventured to write the lyrics, composing its music, singing it and publishing a new video on the same day- consecutively for 1000 days is yet another world record that involved more endurance, dedication and talent. That is the story of Swapna Abraham, fulfilling her dreams to reality on the dawn of the new year 2020.

While I watched Swapna Abraham from Kottayam singing to record few English devotional songs for the Album ‘Believe’ by Adonai Musics during 1992 in the cubicles of Pyramid Studio, Kottayam, I was amazed at her superb performance with her intense emotion and depth of singing quality.

When jokingly commented that she sings like Amy Grant, she told she would like to be like Amy one day if God blesses her.

She had her childhood resentments being compelled to be in the boarding school for 12 years. But she used to write poetries, dance and sing. She was always the ‘Best All Rounder’ in the school. She

had her music grades from Trinity College of Music, London.

During the subsequent years, I was fortunate to see her various stages of performances, and also to be a part of releasing few albums in audio cassettes and later on digital discs. She was such a God fearing musician, that with her ex husband Abey Abraham, she was fortunate to stage devotional musical extravaganzas in so many foreign countries including USA, Canada, Europe, Australia,New Zealand, Indonesia, Philippines.

Kenya ; and in most of the cities in India for so many years witnessing

for Jesus in their lives.

Our relationship with God is deeply personal; and God hears and answers your earnest prayers.

But sometimes we all need a little help recognizing what God is saying to us.

Swapna Abraham is a living witness to the abundant blessing she is receiving, in spite of intricate challenges she faced later on.

She has released about 23 albums.

After her MBA, she worked in executive levels loop in various organizations in India and abroad.

Somehow lately Dubai-based singer and songwriter Swapna

Abraham, then 46 years became equally passionate about creating a world record, having read the Guinness Book voraciously throughout her youth.

Lately she prayerfully became a competitive marathoner to set a new world record: writing and singing 1000 songs in 1000 days.

Swapna has released one new song every day since April 8, 2017, and is on track to reach her 1,000 songs goal on January 2, 2020; her experience, of course has been exhausting and fulfilling.

During her saga of composing and singing, she received many

prominent awards. 2012 she was awarded with the Maestro Award – LAMP-ICONGO Karmaveer Chakra for gospel music.

On May 27, 2019 It was a pleasant surprise when Swapna received a call about The 31st Global Women’s Empowerment Summit 2019 Award and also got asked to write a song over the Iftar surrounded by beautiful women just before receiving the award.

She celebrated her half way marathon on Aug 18, 2018 . With VIP Witness on Day 500, Mr. Yasser Al Gargawi, Director of Cultural Events, Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, Government of Dubai, now in the Ministry of Tolerance. The song for the day “This Blessed Land” was written based on his theme suggestion.Her interviews with so many from Asianet news, LaChelle Adkins to Steve Kuban are so incredible, demonstrating her intense passion to accomplish her mission.

Her album “1000 Songs In 1000 Days” will qualify to be considered as the record for “most songs on a digital album” with the Guinness Book of World Records.

Her final composition will coincide with the launch of Dubai’s EXPO 2020, a timing Swapna Abraham chose to make the record special for Dubai.

-- The Asian Era

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January 03, 2020

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI SPECIAL

Best wishes to the Houston Sikh Sangat on the 353rd

Birthday of

Guru Gobind Singh Ji

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Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

SOUTH ASIA

January 03, 2020

9

India: Highest Number of Babies Born Globally on New Year’s Day

New York: India recorded the highest number of babies born worldwide on New Year’s Day with the world’s second most populous country registering an estimated 67,385 births out of the nearly 400,000 babies born globally on that day, the UN children’s agency said.

Nearly 400,000 babies were born around the world on New Year’s Day with India recording the highest number of these births worldwide at 67,385, the UN children’s agency said.

An estimated 392,078 babies were born around the world on New Year’s Day, according to UNICEF. Of this, an estimated 67,385 babies were born in India, the most globally. China comes in second with 46,299 births. “The beginning of a new year and a new decade is an opportunity to reflect on our hopes and aspirations not only for our future, but the future of those who will come after us,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said. “As the calendar flips each January, we are reminded of all the possibility and potential of each child embarking on her or his life’s journey-if they are just given that chance.”

Fiji in the Pacific most likely delivered 2020’s first baby, while the US, the last of the New Year’s Day. Globally, over half of these births were estimated to have taken place in eight countries – India

(67,385), China (46,299), Nigeria (26,039), Pakistan (16,787), Indonesia (13,020), United States of America (10,452), Democratic Republic of Congo (10,247) and Ethiopia (8,493).

Each January, UNICEF celebrates babies born on New Year’s Day, an auspicious day for child birth around the world, it said.

However, for millions of newborns around the world, the day of their birth is far less auspicious. In 2018, 2.5 million newborns died in just their first month of life; about a third of them on the first day of life. Among those children, most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis. In addition, more than 2.5 million babies are born dead each year.

UNICEF said over the past three decades, the world has seen

remarkable progress in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half.

But there has been slower progress for newborns. Babies dying in the first month accounted for 47 per cent of all deaths among children under five in 2018, up from 40 per cent in 1990.

UNICEF’s Every Child Alive campaign calls for immediate investment in health workers with the right training, who are equipped with the right medi-

cines to ensure every mother and newborn is cared for by a safe pair of hands to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy, delivery and birth.

“Too many mothers and newborns are not being cared for by a trained and equipped midwife or nurse, and the results are devastating,” said Fore. “We can ensure that millions of babies survive their first day and live into this decade and beyond if every one of them is born into a safe pair of hands.”

India is projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country around 2027. According to UN estimates, India is expected

to add nearly 273 million people between 2019 and 2050, while the population of Nigeria is projected to grow by 200 million. Together, these two countries could account for 23 per cent of the global population increase to 2050.

China, with 1.43 billion people in 2019, and India, with 1.37 billion, have long been the two most populous countries of the world, comprising 19 and 18 per cent, respectively, of the global total in 2019. Through the end of the century, India is estimated to remain the world’s most populous country with nearly 1.5 billion inhabitants, followed by China.

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7500 BELLAIRE BLVD #100 HOUSTON, TX 77036 Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

10

January 03, 2020

BUSINESS

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI SPECIAL

January 03, 2020

11

Teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji You Can Use in Your Daily Life

Guru Gobind Singh (16661708 C.E.) is the tenth and last Sikh Guru after his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The guru had relinquished his life while fighting against the injustice of the Mughal rulers of that time. Guru Gobind Singh Ji Jayanti is a day that witnesses vast parades and social gatherings across gurudwaras. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Nanak Sikh Guru, was conceived at Patna Sahib on December 22, 1666. His birthday falls within the months of December or January each year. The annual celebrations of the Guru’s birth anniversary take place as per the Nanakshahi calendar, which will fall on January 2, 2020 this year.

During the birth anniversary celebrations, devotees seek blessings by offering prayers. Processions are organised on a large scale and devotional songs are sung. It’s also a special day for sharing food with adults and children.

Guru Gobind Singh was also a writer and a poet. He had declared the Holy Scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib as the permanent guru of Sikhism. It is believed that the Guru baptised five men from a ‘lower caste’ as his ‘Five Beloveds’ in 1699. He passed away in 1708.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji introduced the five ‘K’s that the Sikhs abide by: Kesh: Uncut hair Kangha: A wooden comb Kara: An iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist Kirpan: A dagger Kacchera: Short breeches Through centuries, the teachings and wisdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji has been passed on to his followers through religious scrip-

tures. His teachings are relevant at any given point of our lives.

Here are a few of his teachings from the 52 Hukams stated by Guru Gobind Singh that can be incorporated in our daily lives for better living: * Kisae dee ninda, chugalee, atae eirkhaa nahee karnee Do not gossip, nor slander, or be spiteful to anyone. * Dhan, javaanee, tae kul jaat da abhiman naee karnaa (Nanak

daadak tahe duae goath. Saak guroo Sikhan sang hoath) Do not be proud of riches, youthfulness or lineage. (Regardless of maternal and paternal caste or heritage, all of the Guru’s Sikhs are siblings of one family.) * Shabad da abhiaas karnaa Practice the sacred hymns to life. * Guru Granth Sahib Jee noo Guru mananaa Believe in and accept Shri Guru

Granth Sahib Ji as the Guide to enlightenment. * Gurbanee dee kathaa tae keertan roaz sunanaa atae karnaa Take part in listening to Kirtan and discussions of the essence of Gurbani every day. * Dushman naal saam, daam, bhaed, aadiak, upaa vartnae ate uprant udh karnaa When dealing with enemies, practice diplomacy, employ a variety of tactics, and exhaust all techniques before engaging in warfare. * Pardaesee, lorvaan, dukhee, apung manukh dee yataahshkat seva karnee Do as much possible to serve and aid foreigners, those in need, or in trouble. * Putaree da dhan bikh jananaa Realise that considering a daughter as property is poison. * Dasvand denaa Donate a tenth of your earnings. * Chugalee kar kisae da kam nahee vigaarnaa Do not ruin anyone’s work by gossiping. * Kum karan vich daridar nahee karnaa Work hard and don’t be lazy. * Istree da mooh nahee phitkaarnaa Do not subject your wife to cursing, or verbal abuse. -- Hindustan Times

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Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

12

January 03, 2020

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI SPECIAL

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Happy Gurpurab!

Congratulations to the entire Houston Sikh Sangat on 5th Jan, 2020 on

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s The 353rd SJS Group of Companies Inc Birthday!!

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GURU GOBIND SINGH JI SPECIAL

January 03, 2020

13

Congratulations to entire Houston Sikh Community on

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s 353rd Birth Anniversary!!

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Congratulations to the entire Houston Sikh Sangat on

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s 353rd Birthday on Jan 5, 2020!!

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14

TRAVEL

January 03, 2020

India Off the Beaten Track: Rani ki Vav – The Queen’s Stepwell

A view from the top (left), view of the sculptures, and security at the site -- on a wing and a prayer.

By Shashishekhar Gavai A three-hour drive from Ahmedabad brought me to the town of Patan. Hotel Apple Residency had been booked online and was unbelievably priced for the facilities it claimed to offer. So on the way I had visions of a seedy, rundown affair and had wondered if I would have to abandon it and find shelter elsewhere. I was happy to have been proven wrong. I was escorted to a large, clean, airy suite with facilities one would associate with a more upscale establishment. And the service was prompt, efficient.

Those travelling in Gujarat know that a nonvegetarian meal is not an easy find, particularly on the highway and even in many hotels. The farsan, the undhiu, the kadhi, the rotlis are all very nice at decent intervals, but after two days of vegetarian fare, my carnivorous instincts resurfaced and I ventured into the Muslim quarter of Patan in search of some animal protein.

A brief exploration of the area brought me to Akbari Restaurant, which looked like a family run affair with women “manning” the kitchen. This held the promise of something close to a home cooked

meal and I wasn’t disappointed The discreet red masala on the fried fish complimented it’s delicate flavor and a wholesome curry of tender mutton with chapaties made for a very satisfying main dish. Travellers who like a drink to precede their meal should note that the burden of being Mahatma Gandhi’s birthplace does not rest lightly on Gujarat. It doggedly continues with its insistence on being a ‘dry’ state – although my Gujarati friends who enjoy a tipple claim with some justification that the stuff that cheers flows in plentifully from neighboring states and union territories .

The car engine rattled noisily as I was driven back to the hotel.

I thought it was the fan belt but Pragnesh the owner-driver felt it was the 300,000 kilometres old engine that was in the process of packing up. This was certainly a cause for concern. A car cruising on the highway with an engine of that vintage was akin to an 80-year-old man running a marathon. I said so to Pragnesh who merely chuckled. But all was well the next morning. The culprit was indeed the fan belt and a mechanic had set it right. The old girl still

had some juice left in her.

Patan is the original home of the renowned Patola ikat silk sari. It doesn’t come cheap as its manufacture by hand takes ages and production is limited. The Patola sari is said to have originated many centuries ago and was later even exported to Sumatra, where it influenced local ikat designs – an early example of Make in India .

But it is not the sari that has drawn me to Patan .

If you spare a moment to open your wallet and pull out a new Rs. 100 note, you will be looking at Rani ki Vav on the reverse. A short, 15-minute drive from Patan brings me to this ancient stepwell or Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2014. Stepwells built over centuries have fulfilled a critical need in the water scarce regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, and there are scores of them. What makes some of them special is the ornamentation. And Rani ki Vav, the Queen’s Stepwell is perhaps the most special of all – hence the UNESCO honor.

Rani ki Vav was built a thousand years ago by Queen Udayamati and dedicated to the memory of her husband Bhima I. It was later

flooded by the Sabarmati River and was hidden by silt. It was revealed in the 1940s during excavations by the erstwhile Baroda state. But extensive excavations and restoration were undertaken only in the 80s by the Archaeological Survey of India and what you see today is a result of that effort .

The park enclosing the site is well maintained with trees, lawns and pathways of sandstone. From the top, you have a spectacular view of the monument which, goes down seven storeys. As you walk down the steps, you are greeted by exquisite carvings of religious, mythological and secular motifs on its walls and several pillars. Gods and goddesses, celestial beings, men and women going about their daily chores, animalbirds, trees all find place in the rich tapestry of stone. The sculptures must surely have provided a welcome diversion to women and men fetching water from the well below and would have eased their labors somewhat. The well has dried and certain sections of Rani ki Vav are out of bounds because of structural damage caused by the 2001 Gujarat earthquake.

Pulling away from the captivat-

ing multitude of art around me I make my way up the steps. A security guard with a gun slung on a shoulder and prayer beads in one hand greets me. I ask him what the gun is for. It is to counter terrorists who may try to destroy the monument, I gather from him. I express my doubts about the effectiveness of a single man armed with a cartridge-loaded gun against terrorists, who would presumably carry automatic weapons. Expressing disdain for cops the guard says they are always the last to arrive so he is the first line of defence.

Whatever happens he will put up a good fight even if it costs him his life , he says . Much as I admire his bravery I leave Rani ki Vav with the hope that such a situation never comes to pass – for his sake and that of this beautiful monument. I think the security guard shares my sentiments – hence the prayer beads.

A retired Indian Foreign Service Officer, Shashishekhar Gavai’s career has included serving as the Consul General of India in Houston and India’s High Commissioner for Canada. For a full version of this and other travelogs, visit indiaoffthebeatentrack.home.blog.

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

ENTERTAINMENT

January 03, 2020

15

Worst of Bollywood 2019: Dabangg 3, Kalank, Housefull 4 and More

By Mimansa Shekhar In the wave of good films like Article 15, Gully Boy and Bala, big-ticket releases Kalank, Student of the Year 2 and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga among more played spoilsport.

On New Year’s eve, we list down the major disappointments of the year.

1. Kalank Despite a dream star cast, this soulless, tiring Karan Johar production could not be salvaged. Can we get our money back, please?

2. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga What was expected to be a pathbreaking film about same-sex love turned out to be a damp squib.

Even Anil Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao couldn’t save the movie.

3. Student of the Year 2 SOTY 2 was one of the biggest disappointments of 2019. Period.

4. Marjaavaan In her review of Marjaavaan, Ektaa Malik wrote, “If only Marjaavaan was the name of a time capsule whose main aim was to fill you in on everything that was tried, tested and failed from the Eighties.

But no such luck, this is a film set in present-day Mumbai, and we had the misfortune to watch it first-

where Salman gets to romance 21-year-old Saiee Manjrekar?

Isn’t it time Salman realised that the audience just cannot be served anything on the platter?

9. Romeo Akbar Walter John Abraham’s new-found interest in spy thrillers resulted in Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW). We could not find anything noteworthy in the film.

10. Drive We can only laud Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for taking the wise decision of not having a theatrical release for this drivel. Netflix, matlab kuch bhi!

Best Films of 2019 day first show. Just three minutes into the film and you realise this is not a tongue-in-cheek parody of the problematic film decade, but rather a loud, half-hearted attempt to recreate and celebrate it with dialogues like ‘main marunga toh mar jayega’, ‘doosra janam lene se dar jayega’ uttered by local goon Raghu (Malhotra), as he beats up a whole army of bad guys.”

5. Housefull 4 Some franchises should stop right after the first film, and Housefull is one of them. Its fourth installment was a reincarnation

comedy, but the audience did not find it funny. The ensemble cast, a spoof on Baahubali, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and the song “Bala” couldn’t save Housefull 4.

6. Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Sunny Deol turned director to launch his son Karan Deol. He even hard sold Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas on all mediums. But the audience verdict wasn’t in the film’s favour due to its outdated plot and poor performances. Guess Karan will have to try harder in his next project.

7. Total Dhamaal

Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit were reuniting after 17 years. Ajay Devgn was also on board this time. However, the movie was such a disaster, that these biggies would surely be regretting their choice now. The comedy film left the audience in tears and asking for a refund.

8. Dabangg 3 Salman Khan’s Chulbul Pandey returned for a third time. But who wanted him back? Dabangg 3 is the origin story of Chulbul Pandey.

But who wanted to know? And who needed a flashback love story

Let’s just say it was yet another exciting year in Bollywood, which had its share of hits and flops, the good ones and bad ones. The best are: 1. Bala, 2. Gully Boy, 3. War, 4. Section 375 and 5. Uri: The Surgical Strike.

Nothing encapsulated the mood of the movies better than patriotic fervor. Hits like Gully Boy, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Bharat, Mission Mangal, Manikarnika, Kesari and War prove that one surefire way of grabbing audience attention is to give them the adrenaline rush, or ‘josh’ to borrow from Uri.

Indo-American News • Friday, JANUARY 03, 2020 • Online Edition: www.indoamerican-news.com

16

January 03, 2020

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI SPECIAL

vwhu vwhu goibMd isMG Awpy guru cylw

Happy Gurpurab!

Congratulations to the entire Houston Sikh Sangat on 5th Jan, 2020 on

Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s 353rd Birthday!!

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