NRI Pulse Newspaper

Atlanta’s Premier South Asian Newspaper February 2014

Tel: 404-235-4998

www.NRIPulse.com

Parents, Babysitter Held In Baby Death Case Pg 12 Florida Mom In MurderSuicide Case May Plead Insanity Pg 12 I Want To Take Indian Cinema To Global Arena: Kamal Haasan Pg 18

Consul General of India in Atlanta Ajit Kumar, Mrs Margret Kumar and Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) cut the tric-color cake at the Consulate’s community reception held to celebrate India’s Republic Day at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek . Full report on Page 4. Photo by Bytegraph.

Vivek Murthy Breezes Through Hearing For Surgeon General

Microsoft’s New CEO Satya Nadella Calls For Innovation

Washington: (IANS) President Barack Obama’s pick for surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, breezed through his confirmation hearing before a Senate panel even as several Republican senators expressed concern over his support for Obama’s signature healthcare law. Murthy, 36, who would be the first Indian-American to become “America’s doctor” if confirmed by the Democratic controlled Senate, was an early supporter of Obama and his health-care law.

A physician with the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and an instructor at Harvard Medical School, he co-founded an advocacy group in 2008 called Doctors for Obama, a national organization of 16,000 doctors and medical students.

As the US Surgeon General, Murthy will be the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the US and the operational head of the 6,500-strong US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one of the seven uniformed services including army, navy, air force and marines.

Washington: (IANS) Shortly after he was named the new CEO of Microsoft, Hyderabad-born Satya Nadella shot off a letter to employees asking the software giant to “prioritize innovation” and “help drive cultural change.”

“While we have seen great success, we are hungry to do more,” wrote Nadella, only the third CEO in the company’s 39-year history, Tuesday after taking over from Steve Ballmer with founder Bill Gates by his side in a new role as “technology adviser”.

“Our industry does not respect tradition - it only respects innovation. This is a critical time for the industry and for Microsoft,” wrote the 22 year Microsoft veteran, who before his elevation headed one of its fastest-growing divisions-the Cloud and Enterprise Group.

“Make no mistake, we are headed for greater places - as technology evolves and we evolve with and ahead of it. Our job is to ensure that Microsoft

thrives in a mobile and cloud-first world.”

Sharing “some background on myself and what inspires and motivates me,” Nadella, 46, who has been married for 22 years and has 3 kids, wrote: “Many who know me say I am also defined by my curiosity and thirst for learning.”

“I buy more books than I can finish. I sign up for more online courses than I can complete. I fundamentally believe that if you are not learning new things, you stop doing great and useful things. So family, curiosity and hunger for knowledge all define me,” he wrote.

Nadella said he was at Microsof “for the same reason I think most people join Microsoft - to change the world through technology that empowers people to do amazing things. I am here because we have unparalleled capability to make an impact.”

He wrote, “This starts with clarity of purpose and sense of mission that will lead us to imagine the impossible and deliver it.”

Free Copy

........City News ........

4 NRI PULSE

February 2014

Consulate Hosts Reception On India’s Republic Day Tel: 404-235-4998 Email: nripulse@gmail.com www.NRIPulse.com

Publisher NRIPulse Media Inc. Editor Veena Rao editor@nripulse.com \

Contributors Jyothsna Hegde Supriya D.G. Columnists/Writers Ravi R. Ponangi Mahadev Desai Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Rani Sharma P.S. Lakshmi Rao Advertising Sam Kumar 678-990-0919 sam@addate.com Veena Rao 404-235-4998 nripulse@gmail.com

NRIPulse Newpaper is the monthly print edition of www.NRIPulse.com, and is published by NRIPulse Media Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, duplicated, reprinted or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

BY VEENA RAO Photos by Bytegraph Atlanta, GA: The Consulate General of India in Atlanta celebrated India’s Republic Day with a glittering community reception held at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek on January 26. Rep. Rob Woodall (RGa.) was a guest at the event which was attended by heads of Atlanta Indian associations, corporate heads and other dignitaries.

In his address, Consul General Ajit Kumar said India’s major achievement in the past 64 years has been its evolution as the world’s largest democracy.

“Our democracy is vibrant, and sometimes noisy, but today we are a country of over a billion people where the principles of democracy and rule of the law are firmly rooted,” he said. “There is no precedence in history, of a democracy governed by over a billion people. India’s pluralism is a great lesson for others.”

The Consul General said India stands third in the list of fastest growing economies in the world, with the World Bank projecting a 6% GDP growth next year. “That is because of our strong economic principles and entrepreneurial spirit,” he said.

Quoting from India’s President Pranab Mukherjee’s Republic Day address, he said “Our finest assets are human.” He said, India is an ancient civilization, but a young country with a large chunk of its population below the age of 25, which provides for dynamism and growth. He touched upon India’s telecom revolution, its finest talents in Silicon Valley, its Mars mission, Bollywood- which makes the largest number of movies in the world and the upcoming elections which will be the largest elections humanity has ever witnessed, with over 780 million voters.

Consul General Kumar also spoke about the close strategic relations between India and the United States.

Obama had characterized India-US relationship as a defining partnership of the 21st century, he said. A joint statement was issued after Manmohan Singh’s visit to Washington, characterizing the two countries as natural allies rooted in the traditions of democracy and rule of law. He said through the visionary foresight of the political leadership, significant ground has been covered in the last decade, across a spectrum of activities (like education, health, development, agri-

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions published in this newspaper are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

NRIPulse News Magazine accepts no liability for the errors and content of advertisements in the newspaper.

Subscriptions: NRIPulse Newspaper is available FREE at major retail locations in Atlanta. Want NRIPulse at home?

Only $10 for 12 issues. Call 404235-4998 for more details.

Consul General Ajit Kumar with his family.

Hansinee (playing the violin) & Nishtha Mayani.

culture, energy, defense, security etc) for joint cooperation between both countries.

“Our partnership enjoys bi-partisan support in both countries,” he added. “But the strongest element of our partnership is the people to people dimension. The three-million strong Indian-American community has come of age and plays a vital role in expanding the numerous connections which make our relationship people-centric.”

The Consul General also provided a report on the work of the consulate in the seven months since full consular services were opened in July of last year. He said the consulate has already issued 7000 visas, 7000 passports, 5000 renunciation certificates,

2600 OCI cards 1200 PIO cards, in addition to 5000 miscellaneous services. “We intend to improve our systems to provide better services,” he said, adding jocularly, “This proves that sometimes, we also work.”

Congressman Rob Woodall, in his brief address said, “We have a wonderful partnership with this community.”

He quoted Pranab Mukherjee as saying that he “celebrated the noise (in the country)”. “We should also learn to celebrate the noise. We need to propose and oppose. It takes a mature country that does that,” he said.

Rifka Mayani was the emcee for the evening which opened with the national anthems of India and the US on the violin played by Hansinee Mayani with Nishtha Mayani. The cultural segment included dances by the talented students of Nritya Natya Kala Bharti.

6 NRI PULSE

........City News ........

February 2014

IACA Celebrates India’s Republic Day With Patriotic Fervor

REPORT & PHOTOS BY MAHADEV DESAI

Atlanta, GA: India American Cultural Association (IACA) celebrated India’s 65th Republic Day with great joy, enthusiasm, patriotic fervor and national pride on Sunday January 26, 2014.

Hon. Rajinder Singh , Consul and Head of Chancery of the Consulate General of India in Atlanta, Chief Guest Greg Pridgeon; guest speaker Anand Bhika, past and present IACA Board of Governors and Executive Committee members, IACA members and representatives of various Atlanta organizations were present at the event.

The newly elected IACA President Nivedita Garabadu extended a warm welcome to all. She and BOD member Padma Rallapalli (clad in an attractive tiranga salwar kameez) performed ‘swagatam’ (traditional welcome) ceremony of Hon.Rajinder Singh, Greg Pridgeon and former IACA President Dr. Gaurang Banik.

Garabadu assured the attendees that she and her dynamic, dedicated executive committee would strive to make 2014 a landmark year with lots of interesting and entertaining activities and community services. She exhorted the audience to lend its full support to make this possible. She invited and introduced her Executive Committee members; Executive Vice-President Salil Gulve; Vice President Mohan Nair; Treasurer Narayan Swamy and Secretary Vishwanath Ganti.She recognized and thanked Ex-Servicemen Arun Chickmenhalli and Prashant Garud who were in the audience for their services to the nation.

Some of the former IACA Presidents, and BOD members who were present, and current EC members and the distinguished guests were invited on stage, who, together with the audience joined in fervent renditions of the Indian National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and U.S.National Anthem by Suma Yellamraju and Sonakshi Mishra.

The cultural program was jointly emceed by Mohan Nair and Vishwanath Ganti. Speaking on the occasion Hon.Rajinder Singh wished all a very Happy Republic Day. “This is an occasion when we celebrate the strength and resilience of India’s vibrant democracy, a respect for fundamental freedoms, upholding of the rule of law and commitment to friendship with neighbors and our partners all over the world including the USA,” he said, adding, “Today is an occasion for us to renew our pledge and our determination to protect our Republic and to work for the progress of our beloved nation. We have never flinched from our challenges. We will face these with basic goodness of the human spirit that imbues our people. Democracy and its enduring values can never let us down.”

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest,

former Chief of Staff, City of Atlanta and Rockdale County, Board of Commissioners, Greg Pridgeon said,” It is an honor and privilege to come before you on this wonderful and significant day as you celebrate India’s 65th Republic Day. You all are

ambassadors of a country that is steeped in wonderful and vast culture and steeped in wonderful products that are transported round the world. Without struggle, you very seldom have a chance for success.65 years ago and even beyond that, as you led up to this great Republic Day, there was struggle, there were difficulties, people did die, people did survive and those who did came forth with a legacy that they brought to their children and to their grandchildren. I am honored to be a member of this wonderful fraternity and sorority of brothers and sisters. Finally, please allow me to acknowledge my friend and Chairman of the Gandhi Foundation of USA, Subash Razdan. Subash and I worked very close together in the City of Atlanta as employees for decades. I consider myself to be a great friend of this community. My heart is filled with the enthusiasm in this room and my heart is filled with the friendship that I feel for you.”

Sreevidhya Rajesh of Sreevidya Academy, in her mellifluous voice led her troupe of young singers into singing a moving prayer song Ek Tu Hi Bharosa from movie Pukaar and followed this with a second rousing song Hum Honge Kamyaab.

Talented and proficient musician and singer Shubhadeep Roy strummed his guitar and sang a Hindi cum Bengali song dhan dhanye se bhara’in praise of Mother India and then ever-popular patriotic song Vande Mataram and Sare jahan se achha.

Three cute little girls Sohini Gupta,Anisha Srivastava and Prioska Baruah in glittery orange costumes and colorful facial, wrist and ankle adornments performed a scintillating Assamese Jhumur dance, choreographed by Subalita Barua and coordinated by Swapnali Das of Pratibha Dance Academy.

Sreekanth Murugan and his troupe in army outfits presented a rousing and inspiring patriotic song Kadam kadam badhaye ja’ Mohan Nair gave a brief talk on the history and significance of the Indian National Flag also known as tiranga (tri-color).

All the songs and dances by children won the hearts of the audience who greeted all these performers with big rounds of applause.

Guest Speaker Anand Bhika, a former Director of NETIP Atlanta Chapter shared his insights on Rediscovering India in 21st Century-Perspectives of the Indian Youth in America.

In his upbeat tone, he said that he had fond memories of his privileged formative years in India where his dad explained to him about the sacrifices of the Indian leaders to attain India’s freedom. On Republic Day, he used to attend flag-hoisting ceremony and there after engage in another Indian tradition-playing cricket! There has been a pivotal change in India’s progress in the last 15 or so years. Opportunities, innovation abounds in India and there is a remarkable spirit of entrepreneurship and unbridled optimism. He said that his association with the prestigious NETIP, which engages in social networking, professional networking and community outreach efforts, gave him a keen insight into the psyche of the Indian youth. Those who are born here are absorbing both western and Indian culture. Many are visiting India to imbibe more Indian culture. It used to be doctors, engineers and IT Consultants but now the young generation is changing the paradigms. He cited accomplishments of Aneesh Chopra and Nina Davuluri who have merged the best of both worlds.

Bhika urged all to attend 23rd NETIPNA Conference in Atlanta on Labor Day weekend this year. “Let us pull our resources and talents, collaborate and inspire future leaders in our community” He thanked IACA for keeping Indian culture, traditions and heritage alive and wished all a Happy Republic Day. Mustafa Ajmeri informed the gathering about the TIMES Now T/V Channel’s truly global NRI of the year Award 2013. Please visit www.NRIOFTHEYEAR.Com for more details.

Nivedita, Vishwanath and Narayan Swamy presented flower bouquets to Rajinder Singh, Greg Pridgeon,Surinder Pal Singh (grandson of the Gadarite Bhagwan Singh Gyanee) and Anand Bhika who then presented all the participants with appreciation certificates.

Vishwanath read the message of congratulations and good wishes from Congressman David Scott (D-GA 13th District).

In his vote of thanks Salil Gulve thanked Gujarati Samaj;Shakti Mandir,John Patel (JDH Developers; Nayanbhai and Anandbhai of Haldiram Snacks,Harshadbhai(Dunkin Donuts),volunteers Chaitanya Bhatt, Kaushal Tripathi,Narayan Swamy,Syam Yellamraju(manning Sound system),TV Asia,Pardes magazine and other print media,Anoop Kapoor (for the Projector) and all the distinguished speakers and performers.

Delicious refreshments and beverages were served to all at the end of the program.

February 2014

NRI PULSE 7

8 NRI PULSE

........City News ........

February 2014

Maa Tujhe Salaam 2014- Republic Day Celebrated With Dance

Atlanta, GA: Maa Tujhe Salaam (MTS) is not just a dance show; its not just a competition; its not just a display of talent amongst youth in the IndianAmerican community.

Maa Tujhe Salaam is a celebration of Indian culture on one of the most significant days in India’s history January 26th, 1950- the day on which the constitution of India came into force.

From it’s inception as a new country in 1947 and with a new constitution in 1950 to today, India is currently the world’s largest democracy with a growing economy, numerous languages, and a rich history. MTS was established in order for the Indian community in Atlanta to celebrate their heritage and culture while simultaneously providing an entertaining and family friendly environment to all the attendees.

MTS is a show put on by students. It was started 2013 by Bhishma Oza and Rushit Nesadia in coordination with GSU Lamhe - a singing group at Georgia State University and Sigma Sigma Rho sorority at Georgia State University.

This year, the MTS committee was not affiliated with a particular school, but rather was a unification of students from UGA, GSU, and Mercer amongst others. MTS 2014 took place at Shree Shakti Mandir, hosting an audience of approximately 800 people within the Southern and Metro-Atlanta region.

The show began with the Indian National Anthem, sung by Atlanta Bhishm Oza Indian Idol, Bhishma Oza followed by the American National Anthem. The MTS Committee and show were honored to have the presence of the Mayor of Stockbridge, Mark Alarcon. The Mayor talked about his happiness and pride in celebrating unique cultures represented by Indian Americans with

the MTS event. The emcees kept the audience engaged, starting with a great introduction that was followed by various entertaining acts throughout the event.

There were three judges who were selected based on their knowledge, expertise, and experience with dance. Vasanta Chivukula started learning dance at the tender age of 3 and completed her Visharad both in Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi.

She is currently pursuing her Visharad in Kathak under Kumud Savlaji and teaching at Nritya Natya Kala Bharti at the Cumming location. Shiva Turlapati is one of the finest Bollywood dancers and choreographer in Atlanta with more than 17 years of experience in the dance industry.

He started Shiv’s Institute of Dance, which is located in Cumming, Marietta, and the newest branch in Decatur. Artistic Director and Choreographer Prem Rahman started Silent Killers Dance Mania and its partner school Prem’s Studio for the Performing Arts in 1999. This group is composed of artists who have beautifully per-

formed contemporary, folk, hip-hop, Bollywood and classical dances for many Southeast Asian communities in cities throughout the USA and other countries.

The judges based team scores off of entertainment, Rushit outfits, music, and synchroNesadia nization. The teams that participated in the competition portion of the show included ATL Tanishq, UGA Asura, USC Moksha, Champa & Chameli, and Karma Bhangra. After much deliberation, the judges gave ATL Tanishq first place, UGA Asura second place, and USC Moksha third place.

The participants of the show and the audience were excited with the results and posed for photographs after the show was completed.

The hard work and dedication put forth by the committee, emcees, and participants was unequivocal. The MTS team did a great job this year not only dazzling, but also engaging the audience - young and old alike.

This year’s event was outstanding, and we cannot wait for Maa Tujhe Salaam 2015.

NYE Party At Atlanta Event Hall Adrita Khanna Honored with

BY POOJA SHARMA

Atlanta, GA: One of the most rocking New Year Parties of 2014 was held by Atlanta Event Hall located in Venture Mall in Duluth, on Dec. 31 2013. The host and owner, Ramzan Virani, along with organizers Ashok Goyal, Dr. Saibaba Arcot, Nizar AliVirani, Zohra AliVirani, and Nizar

Chhatriwala did a splendid job in organization and entertainment from the beginning to the end. There was not a minute of delay or boredom in terms of entertainment. Punctuality, organization, and enjoyment were the three key adjectives to describe the atmosphere.

Guests were welcomed promptly and courteously into an ambience of red, gold, and silver lighting and were served a mouthwatering grand

buffet with both veg and non-veg entrees. Without any delay, the event soon took off in full swing after dinner was served with a Zumba competition by Anisha Tajani followed by some sensational live singing and DJ by Shan Khan and singers Farheen Khan and Bhishma Oza, but it did not stop there. From ages three to 93, the dance floor soon became a smashing success with the live dhol and bangra performance by Jasmeet Singh, while these memories were captured by photographer Shehnai Arts.

E v e r y little detail was taken into consideration, from a New Year photo booth to an open bar for social drinkers.

For those who liked to sit and enjoy, seating arrangements were organized around the dance floor. For young couples with small children, a specially designated spot with a play-inflatable area was equipped with adult supervision, free of charge.

Many volunteers including Rajshree Arcot, Shehnaz Virani, Zohra Sayani, Amber Kesani, Faisal Nayani, Zahir Tajani, and Nevin Samnani worked hard to put the event together. Over 500 people attended the sold-out event.

Hind Rattan Award

Atlanta, GA: Adrita Khanna a resident of Atlanta, GA was recently awarded the coveted Hind Rattan 2014 award by the NRI Welfare Society of India, whose current convener is Deepak Singh, in a ceremony held on the eve of Republic Day in New Delhi, India.

Adrita received the award from Honorable Tariq Anwar - Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing of the Government of India and general secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party of India who was the Chief Guest and along with many other dignitaries from the Government of India such as Shri Dalbir Singh National Secretary All India Congress Committee, Dr Shakeel-UzZaman Ansari Secretary All India Congress Committee and Chairman National Minority Forum and Shri Gurinder Singh - the Secretary General of the NRI Welfare Society graced the occasion with his presence.

Adrita was also invited to view the Republic Day Parade as part of the felicitation.

Having worked in the hospitality industry in India, Switzerland and US, Adrita understands and

is an expert in customer service. She is now active in giving back to the society and promotes family values and showcases the achievements of married Indian women from around the world through her pageants – Mrs. India International and Mrs. Pakistan International. Adrita has been involved with pageants since 2008 when she participated and won the Mrs. India International title for 2008. She became director of the event and since 2010 has been organizing the year round activities for the pageant which culminate in a grand finale where the Queen for the year is selected.

The pageant is associated with the world famous an& longest running pageant for married women – Mrs. International which is now in its 27th year.

Adrita has also been involved with World Vision charity for many years. She has utilized her skills in her 10 years in the US to promote Indian culture amongst the children and youth of Indian origin.

Adrita has a passion for acting and has participated in a variety of stage plays, web television and main stream cinema in both India and USA.. She is currently acting in some mainstream Indian movies.

February 2014

........City News ........

NRI PULSE 9

TAMA Celebrates Sankranthi With Pomp & Cultural Gaiety

Atlanta, GA: Looks like the New Year 2014 has started on a very good note for TAMA. There

as a special attraction. An eclectic mix of dances, songs and instrumental featuring classical, folk and film songs were lined up by the TAMA team for the audiences. A special attraction was mimicry by Ravi Bhaviri, of the famous TV9 p r o g r a m “Evadigola Vadide.

L a t e r Photos by Vakiti Creations President Sandhya was a ‘never-been-seen scene’ buzzing with Yellapragada introduced 2014 executive commitcrowds, high-voltage programs, busy stalls and tee team, thanked the team for coming together what not. TAMA’s newly elected executive com- to make the event successful. The newly elected mittee led by president Sandhya Yellapragada or- team includes Vinay Maddineni,Venkat Meesala, ganized the annual Sankranthi Sambaraalu, which Nagaraju Manthena,Anil Boddireddy,Srini Peddi, was celebrated with pomp on January 18, 2014 at Rajesh Yallabandi, Kiran Gogeneni, Shyam Berkmar High School, Lilburn GA. Mallavarapu, Sri Harsha Yerneni, Raju Chief Guest of the night, Hon. Rajinder Singh, Mandapati, and TAMA Board with Sunil Savili, Consul Head of Chancery from Consulate Gen- Vijju Chiluveru, Nagesh Doddaka, Rajesh eral of India in Atlanta wished the Telugu people a Jampala, Sudhaker Borra, Sudhaker Vallurupalli, happy Sankranti. The event was sponsored by Sairam Pamulapati, Vijay Kothapalli,Devanand Paramount Software solutions.

Kondur, and Ram Maddi.

The event started with a welcome note by Sunil Savili, the newly elected chairman of cultural secretary Anil Boddireddy followed by the board, briefly explained the long term projects Ganapati Song while the team lit the lamp. The of the TAMA board while explaining how it has emcee team, Suresh Korothu , Sravani Rachakulla been instrumental in realizing the need for an ofand Janardhan Pannela took over the stage and got fice space and its efforts in owning a new building the ball rolling in a very unique way, while Revati, of its own.

President of Tennessee Andhara Samiti, joined them “Muggula pooti”” was conducted for enthu-

siastic women, prizes were sponsored

by Hotbreads. A free Mehandi booth was arranged for interested women.

“Monduga vaste pattucheera” a different and unique raffle was conducted, which was sponsored by Vijaya Collections of Atlanta.

A delicious festival dinner was provided by Srikrishna Vilas. Photography services were offered by Sridhar Vakiti

and Praveen Boppana of Vakiti Creations and DJ was provided by Don DJ with support of Srinivas Durgam.

The show was gracefully wound up with a

thank you note by Vice President Vinay Maddineni. Stage decoraton was done by Katyayini Pinnika, Praveena Gunji, Saritha Kondapalli, Sudha Reddy, Madhavi Nakka, Sreelakshmi Madduri and Rupa Gattu.

Gopi Mulpuri, Rajasekar Munaga, Krishna Mahankali helped the cultural team and hospitality. Padma Nimmagada and Aruna Sangawar volunteered for Muggula poti.

Nagaraju Manthena, Vinay Maddineni,Suresh Peddi,Arjuna S Venkata, Sandeep Mandarapu, Raju helped in food counters. Kondal Nallajerla, Venkat Meesala, Rajesh volunteered in chairs arrangements and other things.

“TAMA and the executive committee extend special thanks to the all volunteers for their support and participation, without which this event would not have happened,” said the press note issued by TAMA.

Shruthilaya Celebrates Composers Day With Musical Tribute

Atlanta, GA: Shruthilaya Carnatic music school celebrated its annual Composers day at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta on January 25. The theme for the event was Lord Ganesha’s compositions of various composers.

Many compositions comprising trinities, pre and

post trinities were included in the event, which started with kids bhajans and short keertanas.

The next segment led by Kala vasudevan along with her senior students began with Sri Ganapathini (sourashtram), Girirajasutha (Bangala), Guruleka etuvanti (GowriManohari) continuing with renditions of the five gems of Saint Tyagaraja Pancharatna kritis.

This was followed by an ensemble of vocals, Indian and western instruments

rendering Nottuswaras of Sri. Muthuswamy Dhikshitar and Saint Tyagaraja.

Special mention in this musical journey is the accomplished performance by the accompanying artistes who raised the entire experience to an exalted level. C.V Subramaninan on the violin, Ravi Subramanian on the electric guitar, Suresh Kothandaraman, Subra Viswanathan, and Amit Narayan on the mridangam ,Adarsh Kulkarni

on the flute, Shree Varshenee & Nitheyaa Shree on the veena weaved a tapestry of melody and rhythm that highlighted the performance and virtuosity of the main artistes.

The kids performances were ably accompanied by the young and aspiring artistes Shweta Vedanaryanan on the violin, Prahlaad Ram, Satya Jella and Archit Suresh on the mridangam, Aditi Arunmozhi on the saxophone, Srinidhi Vangala on the clarinet and Snigdha Nellutla on the flute.

All in all, this was a musical feast that fully lived up to its expectations and left the audience enchanted.

........NRI News ........

Neel Kashkari Announces Run For California Governor

Washington: (IANS) Former Indian-American US treasury official Neel Kashkari, a multimillionaire who oversaw the $700 billion bank bailout after the 2008 financial crisis, thinks he can unseat California’s popular Democratic Governor Jerry Brown.

Kashkari, who lives in Laguna Beach in Orange County, previously worked for Goldman Sachs. Last year, Kashkari quit his job as an investment banking executive and began traveling across the state and mulling his run for governor, meeting with potential donors, community organizations and regular Californians.

“Clearly Governor Brown is a very powerful incumbent, but there are so many examples nationally of where very powerful incumbents lose,” he said recently citing said citing former President George W. Bush’s victory over then Texan governor in 1994.

“Ann Richards was a wildly popular Democratic governor of Texas,” the former assistant US Treasury secretary, who is challenging Brown as a

moderate Republican, told Buzzfeed, a website focusing on viral media currently resonating on the web, in an interview.

“People loved her, she was a really funny lady and everyone thought she was unbeatable.

And then here was this young man named George W. Bush who had never held elected office before and said, ‘I think I can beat her,’ and then beat her,” he was quoted as saying.

“There are definitely Republicans who feel like California is lost and California is a permanent Democratic state and there’s no point competing here,” Kashkari said.

Kashkari, a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from India 50 years ago, was appointed to the Treasury Department by Bush in 2006.

“Things can change quickly and if you have the right leader who has the right message and right ideas, I think you can bring a lot of people together rather quickly,” he said.

Kashkari’s shot at the nomination comes

Indian-American Physicians Lobby For Vivek Murthy

Indian-Americans Save Most For Children’s College Education

Washington, Feb 4 (IANS) Leaders of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) have met with key US senators seeking their support for the confirmation of Vivek Murthy as the US Surgeon General.

Murthy, 36, is the first Indian-American physician to be nominated by President Barack Obama to the prestigious job of what is sometimes called “America’s doctor”.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Murthy will become the 19th surgeon general. A graduate of Yale University, where he earned a medical degree and an MBA, he will also be the youngest person to hold the office established in 1871.

As the US Surgeon General, Murthy will be the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the US and the operational head of the 6,500-strong US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one of the seven uniformed services including army, navy, air force and marines.

AAPI leaders Monday met with Senators Tim Scott, Mike Enzi, Lamar Alexander, Mark Kirk, Orrin Hatch, Pat Roberts, and Rand Paul ahead of Murthy’s confirmation hearing Tuesday.

“AAPI is proud to support the nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy as the US Surgeon General,” AAPI president Jayesh B. Shah said noting it “cements the reputation physicians of Indian origin have across America.”

Murthy’s nomination has been hailed by the influential Indian-American physician community, consisting of over 100,000 strong physicians.

Washington: (IANS) Indian Americans, who have the highest income among America’s multicultural groups, save much of their higher household income for their children’s college education, according to a new study.

This heavy emphasis on higher education, however, leads to times when Indian Americans prioritise saving for their children over saving for themselves, according to the third biennial 2013 State of the American Family Study.

The study from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual),offering a broad snapshot of Americans’ financial viewsindicated that IndianAmericans are savers.

One third of them indicating that they have six months or more of their monthly living expenses set aside as savings. The top two financial priorities of Indian-American for their savings are for their children’s college education and keeping the family financially shielded.

As a result, one quarter of Indian-Americans struggle between saving to pay for their children’s college education and saving for their own retirement, the study notes.

“Being an Asian Indian myself, I know and understand the importance that the community places on putting family first,” said Nimesh Trivedi, director of multicultural market support, US Insurance Group at MassMutual.

“With the current cost of a college education, it can be challenging for parents to provide for

largely because Brown is widely considered a shooin, according to Buzzfeed. Although Brown has not yet officially announced his candidacy, no other Democrats have stepped forward to challenge him, and his campaign has raised $17 million.

“I look at California schools ranked 46, jobs ranked 46, No. 1 in poverty. Someone has to fight to turn it around and I don’t see a bench,” Kashkari said.

“I don’t see a long line of people running to Sacramento to make major changes in the state, and so I said, look, if a guy like me - 40 years old, a lot of energy, experience in public policy - if a guy like me is not willing to try and turn it around, how’s the government going to get better?” he asked.

But before Kashkari takes on Brown, he needs to be among the top two vote-getters in June’s open primary where all candidates vie for the top two slots, regardless of party.

“We’re all vying for No. 2,” he told Buzzfeed.

Kashkari grew up in a middle-class household outside of Akron, Ohio. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering at the University of Illinois, he moved to California in 1998 to work as a design engineer at TRW in Redondo Beach.

several children’s education and still be left with a surplus for their own future.”

Indian Americans’ savings rate is not coincidental; as a group they are hands-on, when it comes to their finances.

An overwhelming 70 percent of IndianAmerican respondents want to be actively involved in all decisions regarding their finances, while just over half indicated that they tend to do their own research and make their own decisions about insurance and investments.

Indian-Americans are more likely to own mutual funds, individual securities and college savings plans than any other group, according to the study Despite such solid financial planning, only about a third are satisfied with their current financial situation and one third are worried about being able to meet their long-term financial goal.

Other key findings from the survey further illustrate Indian-Americans’ strong tendency to put family first: . Sixty-seven percent of Asian Indians think about what is best for the family when making financial decisions. . Three quarters of Asian Indians believe that it is important to educate their children about finances to ensure a strong economy in the future. . Seventy percent feel it is important not to burden their own children with the cost of caring for them when they get older.

Khobragade Affair Should Never Have Happened: Jaishankar Wa s h ington: (IANS) Saying “this should never have happened”, Indian ambassador S. Jaishankar said talks are on to repair the damage done by the Khobragade affair to India-US ties which both sides consider “indispensable”.

“For those of us who have devoted time and energy to building Indo-US ties, the last few weeks have been truly distressing,” he told a Washington audience Wednesday, alluding to the worst diplomatic spat between the two countries over the Dec 12 arrest of an Indian diplomat.

“What I have encountered since my arrival is the sense that this situation should never have happened,” said Jaishankar in his first public comments on US-India relations at the Carnegie Endowment, a leading US think tank.

“But since it did, we will now have to work through this problem. That is part of the conversations underway,” he said.

“But what the issue does highlight is the need for greater sensitivity, for better understanding and for stronger oversight of our ties.”

Asserting that “the grand strategy underwriting our ties is fundamentally sound,” the envoy said: “It needs maintenance and from time to time, an upgrade. That puts the emphasis on detailing and problem solving.

“Building ties requires a degree of give and take that can test officialdoms,” he said. “Appreciating each other’s interests can be more difficult than we generally assume.”

Jaishankar suggested that the “US has to overcome its inclination to view ties through the lens of alliance practices” while “Indians perhaps have to indulge themselves less in compulsive ambiguity”.

“Ironically, American complaints on that score usually come when it too is considering hedging,” he said, reminding his audience that “contrary to what many seem to believe here, domestic politics is not just the prerogative of the US”.

However, despite the differences, Jaishankar, echoing President Barack Obama, described the US as “the indispensable partner” to realise India’s key priorities.

“To realize India’s four key priorities – energising the economy, raising our technology and management capabilities, securing the homeland, and ensuring a favourable balance of power – the US is the indispensable partner.”

Secondly, “these big Indian goals are not at odds with the interests of the US. In fact, these could even be complementary”.

Noting that “economy is now so central to our ties,” Jaishankar said: “I would also like to make it very clear that India’s interests warrant supporting an early American recovery.”

Not enough credit has been given to the investments Indian companies have made in the US since 2008, he said, pointing to a recent study of 68 Indian companies which revealed that their collective investments in the US exceed $17 billion.

February 2014

........City Pulse ........

NRI PULSE 11

Tirupati Tirumala- Book Chronicles History With Detailed Photos

TIRUMALA TIRUPATI

By Dr.Kumar Annavarapu and Rajeswari Annavarapu Vidya Graphics Pvt.Ltd.www.saividyafoundation.com 200 Pages $100 REVIEWED BY MAHADEV DESAI Dr. Kumar PVHN Annavarapu who is a renowned and prolific long standing editor, journalist, author, research scholar and a sought-after speaker, and his wife Rajeswari Annavarapu have co-authored an awe-inspiring album on India’s most reputed and richest iconic vedic temple in the hill town of Tiumala near Tirupati in Chitoor District in Andhra Pradesh.

With an illuminating historical perspective and meticulous attention to detail, the humble and selfeffacing scholar-couple has given a wealth of interesting information which makes this album a worthy acquisition for devotees, Hindu and non-Hindu pilgrims and tourists to help them learn and appreciate this glittering gem among India’s many temples.

Tirupati was built by Tundaman. Later extensions were made by Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and the Vijayanagar dynasty. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice. It has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. About 75,000 pilgrims visit the temple daily and more than 500,000 on special occasions and annual Brahmotsava.

The administration of Tirumala temple is entrusted to a Board of Trustees and an Executive Officer, under

a 1987 Act by the Andhra Pradesh Govt. Tirumala hills are nestled in the verdant Eastern Ghats. It comprises seven peaks-Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. Tirupati Temple is on the seventh peak Venkatadri, on the southern bank of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank.

The temple can be approached from the town of Tirupati by a ghat road. On the way to the top of the hills pilgrims can enjoy the heartwarming scenic beauty of greenery and cascading waterfalls. The majestic archway called Alipiri Gate is the gateway to the green hills.

The entrance for darshan is through the Vaikuntam Queue Complex-a series of inter-connected halls that leads to the main temple.

The exquisite deity called Mulaberam rests

beneath the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana.

From the Tirumamani mandapam one can enter the Bangaru Vakili to reach the inner sanctum sanctorum. Two tall copper idols of the dwarpalakas Jaya and Vijaya are at the entrance. The doorway is directly in line with the Padi Kavali and the Vendi Vakili. It admits devotees to the Snapana Mandapam.

The authors have described the exquisite ornaments of Lord Venkateswara.

The most famous annual festival is called ‘Brahmotsavam’celebrated on a grand scale for nine days in September. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially significant in as much as Garudotstavam and Rathostavam take place on those days. The authors have given an elaborate and engrossing description of the Brahmotsava festival with the daily rituals over nine days, and followed it up with information on the three temples and Teerthams.

Head Tonsuring: Many devotees have their heads tonsured as an offering. The hair is sold to international buyers at periodic public auctions.

The album has slokas with their meanings in English. This edifying album has pages and pages of breathtaking pictures of the architectural grandeur of the temple; the surrounding scenery;’ sila thoranam’, natural Garuda’, Garbha Gruham, resplendent idols of the Lord,with Sridevi and Bhudevi embellished with ornaments, the vimanam, spacious courtyards, illuminated colorful fountains

and dazzling gopurams, awesome Unjal Seva, circumambulatory processions etc. The pictures are a feast for the eyes.

The album will undoubtedly give the readers a deeper appreciation of this sacred temple. This album is now available in America for $51. It has been designed differently in the form of a gift box.

Humble and self-effacing, 45 year old Dr. Kumar has an enviable and blazing academic and professional track recordan M.A.(History);M.A.(Sociology);M.Philosophy;Ph.D in Journalism,BL(Law) and P.G. Diploma in Public Relations. Multi-linguist Dr.Kumar is fluent in English, Hindi, Telugu and Sanskrit and has traveled widely to all the countries of European Union ,Singapore, Malaysia, and parts of USA; and is the recipient of prestigious Awards and Honors.

Rajeswari Annavarapu, M.A. has played a crucial role in preparation of these albums by sharing her passions and talents. She has helped in editing,researching and collating all the material for these outstanding albums.

The authors are ardent devotees of Lord Shirdi Sai Baba. In October 2010,they co-authored a lavish 19x13" life-sized 206 pages including 270 invaluable photos album Shirdi Sai. For copies of Tirumala Tirupati album and Shirdi Sai Album please contact : DR.KUMAR ANNAVARAPU 10055 JONES BRIDGE ROAD,#APT;1409 JOHNS CREEK,GA 30022 kumarannavarapu@ymail.com . Phone: U.S.678-64077682 and India 040-23445566

12 NRI PULSE

IIFA Stomp - Welcome Indian Party For All In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay (IANS) The International Indian FilmAcademy (IIFA) event to be held here in April will be a four-day weekend this year with the launch of IIFA Stomp, a free-for-all public party with “a taste of India”.

Stomp - an entertaining mix of Indian food, music and handicrafts, will take place April 23 at the picturesque Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which overlooks the Hillsborough River.

“We always wanted to do a ‘welcome party to the city’ and this is going to be just that,” Andre Timmins, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, the organisers of the annual gala, told IANS in an interview here.

The park has museums and centres of art which preserve the culture of Tampa Bay. A view of the University of Tampa Bay is soothing and delightful but what stands out is a facility for an electronic boat ride.

It gives people a chance to rent boats and drive away.

Or during Stomp, they could sail nearby and soak in the joys of Indian music from the water.

“When we saw the Curtis Hixon Park, we felt it was just beautiful. We thought why not do something here with our music…something which is free to the general public and then we get in some popular disc jockeys from India and even get local DJs,” Timmins said.

“People will get to experience this at no cost and there’s also going to be a mela (fair) with Indian handicrafts and food. It’s like virtually giving them India in Tampa Bay,” added Timmins, who is one of the directors of Wizraft International with Sabbas Joseph and Viraf Sarkari.

........NRI News ........

Parents, Babysitter Held In Baby Death Case

New York: (IANS & Sources) The parents of a 19-month-old boy in the US state of Connecticut, who died from head injuries after his babysitter allegedly slammed him to the floor, have been arrested.

The parents, Thenmozhi Rajendran, 24, and Sivakumar Mani, 33, of New Haven, were charged with risk of injury to a child and interfering with police, the Hartford Courant newspaper reported Police, however, said the baby sitter Kinjal Patel, who was arrested and charged with manslaughter last week, is the prime suspect.

Her bail was set at $1 million.

Mani Sivakumar, 33, and Thenmozhi Rajendran, 24, Athiyan’s parents, were arrested Jan. 30, allegedly for interfering with police at the scene of the crime and risking additional injury to their son, who was alive but in critical condition when police arrived at the crime scene. Sivakumar and Rajendran were arraigned Jan. 30 and each posted bail of $25,000.

New Haven Police Department spokesman David Hartman told India-West that Rajendran had made several inconsistent statements to police during their investigation of Patel.

Patel, 27, earlier allegedly told police that she got angry with the baby and forced him to the floor at her home in New Haven city, injuring his skull Jan 16.

Here’s what the police affidavits report: The parents brought the boy to Yale-New Haven Hospital on Jan. 16, saying he was having trouble breathing and couldn’t open his eyes. He was in critical condition, his skull fractured, his brain bleeding internally. He was declared dead at the hospital that Sunday.

The mother originally told police she was home with the baby, that she doesn’t work outside the house. She said she was with the baby on Jan. 16 when “she heard [him] breathing abnor-

mally and his eyes were closed.” She called her husband at work, she said; he came home, and they drove the baby to the hospital. The father told police the same story.

A day later, detectives learned from an investigator with the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) that she had been looking at the family’s situation prior to the Jan. 16 incident.

The child had shown up at the hospital the day before Christmas with “a cut inside of his lip, tongue, and a bruise to his chin.” The hospital contacted DCF; the DCF investgation discovered that a babysitter had been watching Athiyan the day he suffered the lip injury.

Meanwhile, Detectives Colon and Lucille Roche interviewed the boy’s mother on Jan. 17.

She gave this description of what happened on the afternoon of Jan. 16: While her son was napping, around 2 p.m., she could hear, from the kitchen, that he made “unusual noises during his sleep. [She] went to the bedroom and picked the victim up from his crib and began calling his name trying to get him to respond. [She] said her son’s breathing was abnormal and his eyes were closed.”

Then she changed her story. She “stated the victim was standing on the arm of the couch in the living room when he was reaching for the door

FL Mom In Murder-Suicide Case May Plead Insanity

Atlanta, Jan 31 (IANS & News Sources):� The attorney for Sujatha Guduru, the Oveido, FL mother accused of murdering her 17-year-old daughter in a failed homicidesuicide said today that she has been mentally ill for most of the last 20 years and may plead insanity, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

In court, Guduru spoke softly when Seminole County Judge Fred Schott asked a series of routine questions. Her attorney, Brian Bieber, in a brief hearing, said Guduru needed mental health evaluation and care. He said she had been hospitalized and under the care of medical professionals and had been prescribed psychotropic drugs for mental health issues for much of the last 20 years.

“Unfortunately Ms. Guduru has been tortured by her mental health issues for much of the last 20 years,” the Orlando Sentinel quoted Bieber as saying.

Bieber hinted that because of her mental

February 2014

health history, Guduru should not have been able to purchase the .380-caliber revolver at a local gun shop six days before the shooting, the report added.

According to the arrest affidavit, Sujatha Guduru, 44, shot her daughter Chetana Guduru twice, fearing there would be no one to care for the girl after the mother’s suicide, www.myfoxorlando.com reported.

Chetana Guduru, a pupil at Seminole High School in Orlando, Florida, was found mortally wounded in her mother’s bed, dying a few hours later at Orlando Regional Medical Centre.

The distraught, suicidal mother admitted to police in Oviedo, a small town in Florida, that “she intended to commit suicide and that she did shoot her daughter as well,” Lt. Mike Beavers was quoted as saying.

“She gave statements on why she decided to shoot her daughter but we’re still not very clear on why she decided to do this in the first place.”

Police believe Sujatha had been planning the murder-suicide for weeks, recently buying a .38 caliber revolver, writing a last will, and detailing

her plans in an email to her brother. He didn’t see it until it was too late.

Chetana’s father, Rao Guduru, was not home at the time of the incident and drove Monday from Atlanta to be with his family, the Orlando Sentinel said.

According to the Sentinel, Chetana’s academic talent earned the Oviedo girl acceptance into a variety of colleges, but it also garnered the admiration of her Seminole High School fellow seniors.

The girl’s funeral, a private Hindu service was held this morning at an Orlando funeral home.

knob of the front door. The victim fell onto the ground and started crying. She picked him up and cradled him to sleep. She rubbed his head and felt a bump on his head. The victim slept for approximately two hours when she heard him breathing abnormally.” She said didn’t “have that much knowledge about calling 911 so she called her husband.”

In the interview, the mom stated she had not left the boy with a babysitter since Dec. 24.

The father, in a separate interview, told the detectives he hadn’t asked his wife “what happened. When they were at the hospital, his wife told him that the victim might have fallen off the couch.”

The detectives then learned that the mother does work outside the house—at a suburban Krauszer’s market. They verified with the market manager that she had been at work the afternoon of Jan. 16.

Next, the detectives went to interview the babysitter, who is of Indian descent, like the family. And like Colon. The babysitter speaks only Hindi. So Colon interviewed her in Hindi.

The babysitter said she hadn’t babysat the child again since the Dec. 24 incident, in which, the babysitter said, the boy “fell off of his toy car and fell over.”

A day later, the detectives met with the babysitter again. She changed her story. She “admitted that she used to watch the victim at least four-five times a week since August of 2013,” in the afternoons. The parents would drop the baby off at her house. She said the boy had been sleeping at her house on Jan. 16, then suddenly woke up around 5 p.m. and started shaking.”

“During the course of this interview, [the babysitter] admitted to lying to us about the victim being asleep,” Colon wrote. She “changed her story and stated that she was in the kitchen area when the victim followed her there. She was washing dishes at which time the water from the sink leaked onto the floor. The victim slipped on the floor and fell backwards. [The babysitter] stated she picked him up and brought him into the living room. She stated the victim was crying uncontrollably and his body was convulsing.”

The stories still weren’t adding up. The babysitter agreed to a third interview, on Jan. 24.

This time she “admitted[ed] to causing the injuries” on Jan. 16. She “stated the victim’s father told her not to tell anyone about her babysitting the victim.” She also admitted lying to DCF. “She did not want the victim’s father to get in trouble so she lied to the police as well.”

It turned out the parents had previously signed a “safety agreement” with DCF promising not to leave the baby in the care of the babysitter, given the Dec. 24 injuries. The parents promised to look for a licensed day care center.

The parents appeared in Superior Court Wednesday before Judge Maureen Keegan, then were released after posting $25,000 bonds. The babysitter is being held on felony manslaughter and risk of injury charges on a $1 million bond.

She has not yet entered a plea; her next scheduled court date is on Feb. 11.

14 NRI PULSE

Women’s Group Demands Probe Into Sunanda’s Death

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) A women’s group Monday demanded a thorough investigation into the mysterious death of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of union minister Shashi Tharoor.

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) expressed concern at the “arbitrary and non-serious way” in which the probe into the death of Pushkar is being carried out.

“The case has been transferred back to the south district (police) from the Crime Branch without providing justified reasons,” the AIDWA said in a statement.

The association demanded the reasons behind the transfer to be “spelt out clearly”.

In the statement, the AIDWA said the transfer only “raised suspicions” about chances of “external interventions” in the case which involves Tharoor.

Pushkar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her room at a hotel in south Delhi Jan 17.

“It has been 10 days since her death, and so far there hasn’t been any police investigation.

Moreover, there are reliable reports suggesting that some instructions were being given to close the case files by putting it in ‘cold cases cell’,” it said.

AIDWA added that Pushkar’s autopsy reports specified injury marks on her body and that the investigation agencies were “duty bound to establish whether violence or foul play was involved” in her death.

It also suggested that investigation agencies ascertain Tharoor’s role in the matter.

“AIDWA feels that there should be a fair, thorough and speedy investigation into this case.

No ‘clean chits’ should be given to people involved, either by police or ministers before the investigation is over,” the statement said.

........India Pulse ........

February 2014

Manmohan Hopes Parliament Passes Telangana, Anti-Graft Bills New Delhi: (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed the hope that Parliament will approve the Telangana bill and anti-corruption bills during its session that began Feb 5.

Speaking to reporters after an all-party meet ahead of the parliament session, the prime minister said: “This is going to be the last session of the 15th Lok Sabha. There is important legislation which is pending for approval by parliament.

“There is important legislation relating to anticorruption measures.

There is important legislation with regard to Women’s Reservation Bill.

There is important business concerning the control of communal violence,” he added.

The prime minister said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government wants to bring the Telangana Bill in parliament for its approval.

“I sincerely hope that after a long debate extending over many years, the house will, in its wisdom, be able to transact the business and pass the Bill relating to the creation of the state of Telangana,” the prime minister added.

The parliament session began on Feb 5 and end Feb 21. The prime minister’s remarks assume significance as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is opposed to the division of the state, is planning to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on the issue. The Andhra chief minister is in Delhi.

During the day, Manmohan Singh also met a delegation of Telangana Rashtriya Samithi (TRS) leaders and appealed to them that the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh “should be peaceful”.

“Nothing should be said or done that can inflame passions. I appeal to all that the bifurcation process should be peaceful,” the prime minister told the delegation led by party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao. The TRS leaders presented the prime minister with a memorandum on Telangana state, said the PMO. YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy also wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar saying that his party would oppose the Telangana bill “tooth and nail”.

“It is the firm view of our party that the Telangana Bill should not be tabled in parliament after it was rejected by the state assembly. We have opposed the Bill and bifurcation of the state at many forums and will continue to do so in Parliament as we feel the division is undemocratic,” he said.

BJP To Launch ‘Chai Pe Charcha’

New Delhi: (IANS) From Feb 12, the BJP will launch its ‘Chai pe Charcha (discussion over tea)’ campaign for the Lok Sabha elections across 1,000 locations in the country, party leader Sushma Swaraj announced here Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters here, Sushma Swaraj said the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would launch the campaign nationwide on Feb 12.

The party expects to dialogue with at least two crore people through the interactive sessions at tea stalls.

The event is a reaction to the Congress taunt targeting Modi, who used to sell tea on trains as a youngster.

“People can give their suggestions through phones or social media during events or after it,” said Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.

“We hope to reach out to two crore people through this Chai pe Charcha and Chai Chaupal campaign,” she added.

She said 10-15 rounds of chai stop campaign have been planned. The sessions would be held every five days. “We have identified 1,000 locations.”

Tricked Into Sex Racket, Say Three Ugandan Women

New Delhi: (IANS) Three Ugandan women filed a police complaint saying they had been tricked into a sex and drugs racket by Indian placement agencies, while the external affairs ministry Tuesday said it has written to the Ugandan mission here on the issue.

The women registered a complaint with Deputy Commissioner (south and southeast) Nila Mohanan, saying several placement agencies were operating in and around Delhi that lured African women with assurances of plum jobs but instead forced them into sex and drug rackets.

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said they have suggested to the Ugandan High Commission to provide consular services to the three Ugandan women.

“This morning also we received a communication from the Delhi government indicating that three Ugandan women, who had come to India on Jan 17, have requested that they be sent back to Uganda because they were lured to India under false pretences,” he said.

The Delhi Commission of Women has also written to Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi demand-

ing a probe into the allegations levelled by the three Ugandan women. NCW chairperson Barkha Singh told IANS that she has demanded a probe into the matter.

“I stated in the letter that the police commissioner should chip in and the probe should be initiated by him,” she said.

The three women stay in Khirki Extension, in Malviya Nagar area, where Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti along with some AAP members carried out a midnight raid last month following allegations of a “drugs and prostitution racket” being run there. Bharti and his group had rounded up some African women and made them undergo medical tests. The incident provoked an uproar, following which the Indian government summoned worried African envoys to condemn the incident and assure them that it was an aberration.

Bihar’s First Muslim Woman Minister Resigns, May Join AAP

Patna: (IANS) Bihar’s Social Welfare Minister Perween Amanullah, the first Muslim woman minister in the state, Tuesday resigned from the cabinet and the JD-U. A leader close to her said she may join the Aam Aadmi Party and contest the Lok Sabha polls.

“I have resigned from the cabinet and the Janata Dal-United and sent the resignation letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar,” Amanullah, in her early 50s, told media persons here.

State JD-U president Vashisht Narain Singh requested Amanullah to reconsider her decision.

“I will appeal to Amanullah to take back her resignation. I will be a happy man if she reconsiders her decision,” Singh told IANS here.

Singh, considered close to Nitish Kumar, said Amanullah’s grievances can be sorted out.

“She can meet the chief minister to discuss her grievances. It is not an issue,” he said.

Amanullah refused to disclose the reasons behind her decision to quit the cabinet and party, but only hinted at her anger against the system that prevented her from functioning as per her desire.

The daughter of diplomatturned-politician Syed Shahabuddin and wife of IAS officer Afzal

Amanullah, she did not rule out the possibility of joining another political party and contest the Lok Sabha polls.

“I may inform about it soon,” she said.

A JD-U leader close to Amanullah said she may join the Aam Aadmi Party to contest the general election.

“Some senior AAP leaders approached her and asked her to join the party. She has taken a big risk by resigning from the cabinet and JD-U. It seems certain that she has made up her mind to be part of the AAP,” the leader said.

He said Amanullah was eyeing the Kishanganj parliamentary seat.

In 2009, she was keen to contest from Kishanganj as the JD-U candidate but was denied a ticket. Her father had won from the seat in the 1990s. Amanullah said she was open to returning to social work again. She was an RTI activist before 2010. In the 2010 assembly polls, she had won from Sahebpur Kamal, a Muslim-dominated constituency in Begusarai district.

January 2014

NRI PULSE 15

16 NRI PULSE

........Perspective/Feature ........

February 2014

If Our Momos Are Accepted, Why Not Us? A Northeastern Indian’s Lament

BY SHRADHA CHETTRI

Four years in the national capital, apart from all other things I have developed immunity against the word “chinky” though I consider it extremely offensive and derogatory. I have ignored it while walking past people, thinking they were naïve when they have called me “chinky” right to my face. But now, with Nido Tania, the 19-year-old student from Arunachal Pradesh, being beaten to death in the capital, the thought kept nagging me— was I right in ignoring the name-calling or should I have given it back to them?

However, how many people will I fight and in how many places? Whether it is the bylanes of the place I live in (Lajpat Nagar, the residentialcum-commercial area in south Delhi where this incident happened) or the market places that I visit? There is no end to these names being hurled at you. For people it might be just a word to laugh about but for us (the female community from northeast particularly) it is a “racial slur”.

According to the dictionary, “chinky” is an English ethnic word describing a person of Chinese ethnicity, but for people here it has become a word to describe girls from the northeast with amusing connotations like “chilli chicken” and “chowmein”.

Not just boys, who are much younger than you but seemingly well educated, well dressed men pass these remarks. Once, on my way back home from the office, a man probably my dad’s age came close and said “Chinky is so sexy”. Left startled I could barely react, my eyes welled (due to anger) but I could only just walk away helplessly.

Is it our fault that our ancestors belonged to

a certain race and had certain facial features? Why are we being branded this way?

Feeling helpless like I was, a friend from

Arunachal Pradesh narrated an incident from a busy market place. It was immediately after Nido Tania’s news, that she was teased and young boys called her “Chinese”.

If young boys, from seemingly well off families, make such remarks who is to be blamed?

People in the heartland of the country should know we also hold the same citizenship and we also feel the same thrill when we hear our national anthem.

Having different facial features (from people in the heartland), speaking in a different way and our region being a little disconnected due to lack of communication, has saddled us with a label that we find hard to live down.

We accept we like to follow fashion and are genetically built differently, so what is wrong in that? Why are we stereotyped? The gaze and the comments being made because of our dress is something I have failed to understand. Is it out of jealousy or do we look like aliens?

However this apathy is not restricted to streets or public places but even on the professional front.

Many have had to lose out even after having competitive talent and capability. A friend shared with me that a leading apparel brand that she knows rejected a strong contender for a fashion shoot only because she had different facial features. Off the record she was told she was “chinky”, hence not suitable for the assignment.

So when one’s talent takes a back seat to facial features, what more are we to expect?

We do not have good educational facilities in our region and there are not enough good jobs because of which we are forced to travel far away from home. And Delhi is as much ours as of the others. Delhi opens up to you with opportunities but then there is another battle to fight.

So what is the middle path for us? Is it our fault that our region is neglected and the government recognized the need to develop the area very late?

Having certain facial features, the hurdle doesn’t end there. It also creates difficulties in finding a place to live in. There are instances of prospective tenants being told bluntly that if you are from Mizoram, Manipur and other places

from the northeast you can’t rent a place. House brokers ask your place of origin first - as if we are from outside India - even much before they want to know our names.

We are also told that we do not mingle and interact with people and stay confined to ourselves. How can one be friends when the people on the other side are already judgmental about

We are also told that we do not mingle and interact with people and stay confined to ourselves.

How can one be friends when the people on the other side are already judgmental about you? Moreover, we do not want to be an object of mockery. you? Moreover, we do not want to be an object of mockery.

We do not want to feel insecure so it is better to stay happy among ourselves. Once in a while one can tolerate or be indifferent or deaf to street insults and ignorant racial barbs, but not when it becomes a regular feature.

These are only a few recalled instances, but in some way or the other this is a part of my everyday life and of many others like me who hail from the northeast - comprising no less than eight states of India. I do not know whether things will ever change. But I am left with one lingering thought: when the cuisine from our place, the tasty and succulent momo, has been accepted so widely why not the people who introduced it?

Americans Take To Yoga With Gusto, Fuel A $27 Billion Industry

BY ARUN KUMAR

From US First Lady Michelle Obama to stressed out executives to students to housewives, some 20 million people in America are practising the ancient Indian art of yoga, fuelling a $27 billion industry.

Michelle Obama, who turned a “fit and fabulous” 50 last Friday, told the People magazine that she’s tweaked her workout routine to do more yoga and less cardio with an eye toward her 70s and 80s. Daily yoga is also a key ingredient of “Let’s Move!”, a comprehensive initiative launched by the First Lady dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation.

Even Washington’s iconic National Cathedral, envisioned by the US Congress in 1893 as a national spiritual home, recently opened its 10-story Gothic worship area for tai chi, yoga and meditation as part of a week-long public programme “Seeing Deeper” - according to a Washington Post report.

And Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is holding what is described as the world’s first exhibition of yogic art to explore the mysteries of yoga and its profound meanings.

Through masterpieces of Indian sculpture and painting, “Yoga: The Art of Transformation” explores its rich diversity and historical transformations with more than 130 objects borrowed from 25 museums and private collections in India and

the US, as also Europe.

The Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) system, the largest such in New Mexico with about 90,000 students across 140 schools, plans to offer yoga to its students as a means of physical exercise right from the elementary school level.

The 2012 “Yoga in America” study released

by San Francisco’s Yoga Journal indicates that some 20 million people, or 8.7 percent of US adults, practice yoga, compared to 15.8 million from a 2008 study, an increase of 29 percent.

In addition, practitioners spend $10.3 billion a year on yoga classes and products, including equipment, clothing, vacations, and media. The estimate from the 2008 study was $5.7 billion.

Of current non-practitioners, 44.4 percent of Americans call themselves “aspirational yogis” people who are interested in trying yoga.

“The number of practitioners and the amount they spend has increased dramatically in the last

four years,” Bill Harper, vice president and group publisher of Active Interest Media’s Healthy Living Group, is quoted as saying.

“Companies that want to advertise to the

health-and-fitness market for women will want to make sure that yoga is a strong segment in their target,” he said as 82.2 percent of yoga practitioners are women.

The top five reasons for starting yoga were: flexibility (78.3 percent), general conditioning (62.2 percent), stress relief (59.6 percent), improve overall health (58.5 percent) and physical fitness (55.1 percent).

The growth in the yoga market is reflected in the growth of the Yoga Journal magazine itself.

Founded in 1975, it now has 10 international editions.

Sat Jivan Singh Khalsa, a lawyer turned Kundalini yoga teacher who set up a yoga studio in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill in 1971, has seen yoga in America evolve from a niche activity of devout New Agers to part of the cultural mainstream.

Dozens of yoga variations can be found within a one-mile radius of his studio in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, from Equinox power yoga to yogalates to “zen bootcamp,” he told The Huffington Post.

As Khalsa said: “The love of yoga is out there and the time is right for yoga.”

......Biz Pulse......

February 2014

Hyderabad-Born Satya Nadella Named Microsoft CEO

Washington: (IANS) The search is finally over.

Software giant Microsoft has named Hyderabad-born Satya Nadella as its new CEO to replace Steve Ballmer, making him perhaps the most powerful Indian-born tech executive in the world.

Nadella, 46, who was said to be in the race for the top job with another Indian American, Chennai-born Sundar Pichai, a senior vice president at Google, took over immediately to allow Ballmer to retire early.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates, meanwhile, is moving to a new role as technology adviser with John Thompson, Microsoft board member and former Symantec CEO, assuming the role of chairman, the software giant announced.

“There is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella,” said Gates in a prepared statement. “Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision, and the ability to bring people together.”

“His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.”

Nadella’s naming to the post, effective immediately, makes him the third CEO since the Redmond, Washington company was founded in 1975.

“The one thing that I would say that defines me is I love to learn,” Nadella told Time in his first interview as Microsoft’s chief. “I get excited about new things. I buy more books than I read or finish.”

“Today is a very humbling day for me,” said Nadella, a 22-year veteran of Microsoft who currently heads the company’s Cloud and Enterprise group, in an internal memo to Microsoft employees.

“It is an incredible honor for me to lead and serve

this great company of ours,” he wrote outlining why he has stayed on at Microsoft. “While we have seen great success, we are hungry to do more.”

“This is a critical time for the industry and for Microsoft. Make no mistake, we are headed for greater places - as technology evolves and we evolve with and ahead of it. Our job is to ensure that Microsoft thrives in a mobile and cloud-first world.”

In choosing Nadella, “Microsoft has turned to a highly accomplished executive in the mould of Gates, who reportedly held out for a candidate with sufficient technical gravitas to inspire — and if need be, change — Microsoft’s engineer-driven corporate culture,” wrote CNet, a technology site.

Nadella, who grew up in Hyderabad, attended Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet before getting a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from the Manipal University.

After moving to the US, he earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and a Master of Business Administration from University of Chicago.

India’s First Monorail Launched In Mumbai

Mumbai: (IANS) The much-anticipated Mumbai Monorail - India’s first - was inaugurated here Saturday, with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and several media persons climbing aboard for the inaugural ride.

The 8.93-kmlong Monorail, running between Chembur and Wadala in the east-south direction, comprising the first phase, will be open to the public from Sunday.

It would initially travel at a speed of 31 km per hour.

Usually, the Chembur-Wadala road journey takes around 60-70 minutes but the Monorail will complete it in just 20 minutes.

The second phase - connecting Wadala with Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk in south Mumbai, a distance of 19.17 km - will be completed by mid2015, said officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

Costing a total Rs.3,000 crore, the fully-elevated Monorail has a minimum height of 5.5 metres and is higher in some sections.

The fully completed Chembur-Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk corridor will be second longest Monorail corridor in the world after the 23.8-km Osaka Monorail in Japan.

The Wadala-Chembur section, that was thrown open, has seven stations en route - Wadala, Mysore Colony, Bhakti Park, BPCL, VNP-RC Marg Junction, Fertiliser Colony and Chembur.

The Monorail will also be cost-effective for commuters who can enjoy airconditioned comfortable travel with the minimum fare starting at just Rs.5. The fare will go up to Rs.11 for the full journey.

The Monorail comprises four colourful coaches - featuring sky blue, green and soft pink that would stand out in the Mumbai skyline from

all sides.

Each train is capable of ferrying 600 passen-

The capacity can be enhanced to 900 with the addition of two more coaches in each Monorail in the near future when the speed would also be gradually increased to 80 km per hour.

Later, the services are proposed to be in-

creased to around 19 hours daily, from 5 a.m. to midnight, on the lines of the existing congested Mumbai suburban railways and BEST bus fleet.

The Monorail has generated immense excitement among Mumbaikars - comparable to the Rajiv Gandhi Bandra-Worli Sea Link opening in June 2009.

With comfortable, clean, quick, green, world-class commute at affordable rates, the Monorail will provide a crucial connectivity to areas not adequately serviced by the existing suburban railways network.

It will also complement the objectives of the upcoming Metro Rail that will link VersovaAndheri-Ghatkopar.

Washington: (IANS) The US Chamber of Commerce recently accused India of allowing the deterioration of intellectual property (IP) climate in the country and asked the Obama administration to enforce IP rights.

Unveiling the 2014 global IP index by its Global Intellectual Property Center, which showed India at the bottom of the ladder, the USCC said “India is heading towards the wrong path to undermine all IP rights” stifling investment, international trade, and its “own innovative potential”.

“The continued use of compulsory licenses, patent revocations, and weak legislative and enforcement mechanisms raise serious concerns about India’s commitment to promote innovation and protect creators,” it said.

The report said that in the bio-pharmaceutical space, Indian policy continued to breach international standards of the protection of innovation and patent rights, revoking patents generally ac-

cepted around the world and announcing that other patented medicines are being considered for compulsory licences.

The IP index is a survey of 25 countries with diverse economies reflected in varying market size, level of development, and geography. It provides an empirically-based measurement and comparison of the IP environments of each country.

This year’s report, ‘Charting the Course’, evaluated 30 factors indicative of an IP environment that fosters growth including protection and enforcement of patents, trademark, copyrights, trade secrets and participation in relevant international treaties.

India continued to score lowest, most notably in categories relating to patents, copyrights, and international treaties.

India has a low seven point out of a maximum 30, with the US topping the index with 28.5 per cent. India had also figured at the bottom in the 2012 GIPC Index.

gers.

India Undermining International Property Rights: US Chamber

NRI PULSE 17

India Aviation Safety Downgrade Unrelated To Diplomatic Row: US Washington: (IANS) Asserting that the US downgrade of India’s aviation regulator had “absolutely nothing” to do with the Khobragade affair, Washington says it was committed to help India get its status back as soon as possible.

“This absolutely had nothing to do with the ongoing case of Dr. Khobragade,” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters Friday when asked if the US action would hurt efforts to restore ties with India after their worst diplomatic spat over the Dec 12 arrest of an Indian diplomat.

The diplomatic row was sparked by the arrest and strip search of Devyani Khobragade, 39, India’s then deputy consul general in New York.

She was asked to return home Jan 10 after India declined to waive her diplomatic immunity to enable her prosecution charges of visa fraud and underpaying her housekeeper even as she was indicted by a grand jury in New York.

“Again, this was a regulatory decision,” she said referring to the US Federal Aviation Authority’s (FAA) downgrade of the safety ranking of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from category-I to category-II rating.

“I don’t know how much leeway we have in those,” Harf said when asked if it was not possible to try and defer the FAA decision amid efforts to repair frayed relations over the arrest of Devyani Khobragade.

“But it’s my understanding that this was all made inside a regulatory framework that has very specific criteria countries have to meet under ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards that we’re all party to,” she said.

“These aren’t our standards,” Harf said commenting on India’s expression of disappointment over the FAA decision.

“They’re the ICAO standards everyone has to live under, and we’re committed to working with India to help them get back to a Category I rating,” she said.

On the broader question of relationship Harf said: “we’re all committed to moving on to working together on all of the issues we work on all the time.”

“A number of folks obviously have talked to our Indian counterparts over the last few weeks, and I think we’re all committed right now to moving the relationship forward and really focusing on working together,” she said.

The spokesperson made three points relating to the FAA decision.

“First is that both the US and India are fully committed to restoring India to a Category I rating as soon as possible,” Harf said, noting “there is currently an FAA team in India, in part to discuss how to go about doing just that”.

“The second, that this decision was made within a regulatory framework,” she said. “Third, the United States and India remain fully committed to cooperation in civil aviation.”

Harf said the process of consultations and discussions with India over the issue “began many months ago. The assessment was conducted in New Delhi in September. The assessment team returned to India on Dec 11 for follow-up discussion”.

18 NRI PULSE

........Bollywood Pulse ........

Kareena Discusses Social Issues With Former French First Lady

Mumbai: (IANS) Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor was present for a lunch affair with Valerie Trierweiler, the former First Lady of France. The two discussed issues related to young children and nursing mothers suffering from pneumonia, dysentery and malnutrition in Mumbai’s slum areas.

Trierweiler, who is an active member of Action Contre La Faim - an international humanitarian organization committed to saving the lives of malnourished children - flew to India from Paris over the weekend.

She spoke about Fight Hunger Foundation, an NGO which promotes approaches to prevent acute malnutrition, over a private lunch where Kareena was also present.

“I am extremely glad and fortunate to be a part of this private lunch affair. All the women in this room are not just beautiful but powerful and successful as well,” Kareena said in a statement.

The event was organised by lifestyle expert Chhaya Momaya.

“Kareena epitomises the power of women today with her grace and beauty. With her honest commitment towards the cause she has taken up she can influence and empower the audience effortlessly,” Momaya said.

Priyanka Is Not My Role Model: Parineeti

New Delhi: (IANS) “Ishaqzaade” star Parineeti Chopra in one of her latest interviews to fashion magazine Vogue India says that she seeks help from her actresscousin Priyanka Chopra, but the latter is not her role model.

Parineeti said that she doesn’t want to emulate the former Miss World, who has delivered hits like “Krrish 3”, “Barfi!” and “Kaminey”.

“She’s not my role model. In fact, nobody is my role model. In this profession, you cannot aim at

having a career like someone else’s.

I could be inspired by different people for different things, but that’s about it,” said Parineeti, who will be on the cover of Vogue India’s February issue this year.

“Where it’s helped me is that when I am in doubt I can call her and she always has the right answers,” she added.

Parineeti, known for playing bubbly characters, made her Bollywood debut in 2011 with the movie “Ladies vs Ricky Bahl”.

I Want To Take Indian Cinema To Global Arena: Kamal Haasan

Chennai, Jan 28 (IANS) Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who has been named for a Padma Bhushan, says it is a “good fortune” that he has been chosen for India’s third highest civilian honour, but the artiste in him will only be satisfied when he takes Indian cinema to the international arena.

“I think it’s by sheer chance and my good

fortune that I have been chosen for the award.

But as an artist, awards don’t bring me satisfaction and happiness. I want to take our cinema to the international arena. We have achieved that feat in other fields, but commercial success is not everything,” Kamal told IANS at his residence here.

“I see the award as an incentive to continue doing my good work. I think it’s an honour for the work I will do in the future. There are thousands who are more deserving than I for this award,” he added.

The 59-year-old, who has starred in over 200 films across multiple languages in over five decades, dedicated the award to all those who are responsible for his success.

“I can’t solely take credit for the award. I haven’t done anything by myself. My success, achievement, is because of the efforts of so many others. I feel they deserve the award more than I do. Therefore, I would like to dedicate it to them,”

Bollywood, Hollywood To Lend Glamour At IIFA

Tampa Bay (Florida): (IANS) The 15th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards and weekend will see a host of Hollywood celebrities as well as biggies from the Hindi film industry rubbing shoulders at the event that is to be held for the first time in the US. The IIFA weekend, which promotes Indian cinema offshore by organising various activities like premiers, discussions and award functions, will take place here April 24-26.

IIFA awards has been previously held at exotic locations like Sun City, Amsterdam, Colombo, Johannesburg, Toronto, Macau and Singapore.

International singer Akon, who got a roaring response for lending his voice to “Chammak challo” - a popular track from Shah Rukh Khan’s “Ra.One” - is also expected to be present for the awards. The festivities are much awaited due to the introduction of IIFA Stomp, a free-to-all public party with “a taste of India”. This will have an entertaining mix of Indian food, music and handicrafts and will take place April 23 at the picturesque Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which overlooks the Hillsborough river. The IIFA weekend and awards will also have IIFA Rocks, an exclusive night of music and fashion; IIFA Magic of the Movies and

February 2014

Technical Awards; and the main IIFA Awards night.

Bollywood actors like Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, who are associated with IIFA, are busy promoting the prestigious event. They toured Los Angeles, Tampa Bay and New York with the IIFA management to create a buzz about this edition of the awards extravaganza.

Both Anil and Priyanka have an international connect. While Anil is popular for his act in the Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire” and TV show “24”, Priyanka launched her career as a singer with her first single “In my city” in the US. Tampa Bay is also gearing up for the event with some of the event’s key delegates visited Mumbai and New Delhi last year in order to strength ties before the mega event. Santiago Corrada, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Bay, met Bollywood actors Salman Khan,Anil, Sohail Khan and singer Sonu Niigaam.

he said.

Kamal, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 1990, said that the long gap between the two honours doesn’t bother him.

“As an actor, his or her work will be recognised when the time comes. It’s not some remuneration that you expect it come to you promptly. I’m happy that India has recognised my talents and has awarded me. I didn’t mind waiting,” added the actor, who was named for the Padma Bhushan Jan 25.

It was on the same day in 2013 that his film “Vishwaroopam” got embroiled in a controversy.

“I haven’t changed since last year. I’m still in the same state of mind as I have been since a youngster.

The past has shaped me, groomed me as an individual and as an artist,” said Kamal.

With two coveted awards in his kitty, does Kamal have any plans to pen an autobiography?

“I’m against autobiographies. You need to speak the truth in an autobiography, but if I do that I will end up offending a lot of people. I feel autobiographies make you tell a story in a certain way, twisting facts and, therefore, I think it’s a lie most of the times,” he said.

He is currently awaiting the release of “Vishwaroopam 2”, which is nearing completion.

“It will hit the screens in three or four months. We are left to shoot a song and for that we sought the permission of the Indian military and it has been granted. As soon as we finish the song, we’ll start working on the computer graphics and post-production work,” he said.

“Vishwaroopam 2” is written and directed

by Kamal, who also plays a spy in the film.

Rahul Bose, Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Anant Mahadevan and Waheeda Rehman will be seen in important roles in it.

Salman Still Open To Do Southern Remakes

Superstar Salman Khan’s recent release “Jai Ho”, a hindi remake of Southern film “Stalin”, may have received mixed response at the box office but that doesn’t mean that he has lost interest in the genre.

Post the release of “Jai Ho”, there were reports that Salman is no longer keen on working in Southern remakes but the 48-year-old denied this by saying: “Who said I will not do any Southern remake ? Did I say that ? No. Whenever a good remake will come up I will do it,” he added. So far, Salman has worked in four Southern remakes including “Wanted”, “Bodyguard” and “Ready”. While these three raked in hefty amounts, “Jai Ho” managed to pull in approximately Rs.61 crore in the opening weekend of it’s release.

“All my next films are of different kinds,” said the superstar who will be next seen in “Kick”, being directed by Sajid Nadiadwala.

February 2014

........Features ........

NRI PULSE 19

One By Two- Slice Of Urban Life, Excuse Me While THE FUNNY SIDE Done Up In Tasteful Shades I Read 200 Mn Text Messages Film: “One By Two”; Cast: Abhay Deol, Preeti Desai; Writer-Director:

- Nury Vittachi

SuDoku Challenge Rules: 1.The 3 x 3 sub grids are called regions 2.Numbers already filled in the grid are called givens 3.The goal of the player is to fill the blank grids of · Every row · Every column and · Every 3 x 3 box · With the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 However: All rows and columns and regions (3 x 3) should contain numbers 1 to 9 without being repeated.

1

6 3

2

1

9

5

4 8

1

3

4 8

9

8 4

5

2

7

7

SuDoku Solutions 5 2 9 6 1 3 8 7 4

4 7 6 1 5 2 9 8 3

3 8 2 7 9 4 5 6 1

9 1 5 3 6 8 7 4 2

6 5 7 9 4 1 3 2 8

2 9 1 8 3 6 4 5 7

8 4 3 5 2 7 1 9 6

place behaviour. Just why these two back-benchers end up necking in Abhay’s bedroom is a mystery It takes a while to figure out why this deli- no one , not even the film’s writer, can unravel. ciously yummy concoction about urban aspiraI specially liked the spirited sassy girl (played tions is called “One By Two”. And it would be a by Yashika Dhillon) who plays the brassy bahenji crime more criminal than character assassination chosen as a Bahu by Abhay’s over-zealous to tell you why the two main characters in the film parents(Rati Agnihotri and Jayant Kripalani, maknever meet till the closing moments. ing a cute if cliched ‘careless’ couple).

This is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Besides the fact that the real-life Abhay-Preeti And it doesn’t roll up that sleeve when the narra- pair never meet till the end,the remarkable thing tive is endangered by uncomfortable twists of cir- about “One By Two” is that it weaves interesting cumstances.

Devika episodes into inherently Bhagat loves her protagoroutine lives making their nists Samara and Amit, MOVIE REVIEW anonymous existence seem quirks, excesses, far more special flatulence and all. than it actually is.

The urban That’s the magic crefable constructs Saated by the skilled mara and Amit’s writing, convincing dreams as a spiral of characterization and frustrations. We reof course credible ally don’t expect performances. these two people to While Preeti as come out triumthe day-time phant at the end. dreamer tripping And really, they over her dance shoes don’t. What they do to get to the finishis to connect theming lines, gets a taiselves as very bel o r - m a d e lievable young role(including a people with dreams scene justifying her that seem to be poor command over picked out from the the Hindi language), streets rather than it is Abhay who manufactured on a holds the yawning cinematic stage. stretches of this urOne of them ban tale where the likes to pound the human aspirations guitar. The other one don’t listen to the loves to dance. She alarm clock. is on that crazy jourAbhay clocks ney through the up a very assured dance-reality show, working-class hero’s the kind that Anushka Sharma embraced in Aditya character. He is bitter but not broken. Bewildered by Chopra’s “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” to fob off a the vagaries of life, but never unamused by the irony of housewife’s boredom. it all. He is everyman, and yet special in his ordinariThe dysfunctional girl Samara(effectively played ness. As for the film , the quirky mood is never too far

by Preeti Desai)has serious dreams that seem driven off from the smooth surface. Pushing its way out of the more by her alcoholic mother’s frustrations. Indeed film’s inner-world the characters’ insistent clamorous some of the film’s most effective dialogues and drama self-projections become more amusing than tragic when emerges in the mother and daughter scenes....Quite unweighed against the sheer commonness of their dreams. derstandable when the mother is played by the everThere is a warm lived-in feeling to Bhagat’s direcdependable Lilette Dubey. torial debut. It may There are some not win your heart as very interesting inciunconditionally as dental characters linFarhan Akhtar’s direcing up to lend a sense torial debut “Dil of optimism to the Chahta Hai”. central dilemma of But there’s a two characters who winsome, bubbly never seem to get their bouncy and ebullient fundas right. Among quality to this take on the peripheral characurban aspirations. ters Abhay’s two clingy office colIrresistible in leagues make an interparts, “One By Two” esting study in worknever disappoints.

7 3 4 2 8 5 6 1 9

BY SUBHASH K. JHA

My former neighbor Edward Snowden (one of his hiding places was a hotel near my office) recently released his latest bombshell: US spies read 200 million text messages a day. Big deal. So does my daughter. She reads at least that number and probably writes twice as many.

Here’s an example of 10 text messages she sent me in a very short space of time. 1) I just saw this puppy, its so cute 2) Can I have it? 3) Please 4) Please 5) PLEASE 6) PLEASE PLEASE 7) PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE 8) DAD!!!! 9) PLEEEEEASE!!!!! 10) PLEEEEEEEAASSEE!!!!

You can see it’s very cogently argued, although they can occasionally be a tad hysterical. But she’s an adorable kid. You expect that kind of thing.

What you don’t expect is a responsible, mature adult making an announcement about his problems in the toilet to the world on Twitter. But one of India’s top politicians did exactly that: “Severe loose motions,” Arvind Kejriwal told the world via the internet the other day. Having said that, perhaps describing a politician as a “responsible, mature adult” is stretching it a bit.

When a reader first told me that Mr. Kejriwal was apparently posting from the smallest room, I assumed he was making a clever pun about passing political motions in parliament. But, no, a quick peruse of the news reports revealed he had digestive problems and felt the world needed to know.

It amazes me what people feel the need to tell the world these days. I know one pulp fiction writer, a mature, white-haired Western male, who spends money with young Asian women in Thai bars. Instead of doing this furtively, as any self-respecting man should, he sticks photos of his encounters on Facebook.

I had friends reading over my shoulder when a picture of him with a young woman on either side recently popped up on my Facebook news feed. I told people it was a charming picture of an elderly friend with his grandchildren, but suspect I fooled no one.

But my favorite recent news item was this one: Thousands of people flocked to a temple in India to worship an idol made of 1,400 kilograms of butter, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

You see, by coincidence, the butter idol story appeared on the same day as numerous pictures of wobbly oversized US politician Chris Christie, who also appears to consist of 1,400 kilograms of butter.

But their eventual fates will differ. The butter god at the Brajeshwari Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh, was due to be broken up and distributed to members of the public. This is unlikely to happen to Mr. Christie, since Americans are rather fussy about things like cannabalism.

Meanwhile, politicians around the world are calling for US spies to stop reading text messages.

Surely it would make more sense to send these messages as a series of texts? 1) Stop reading messages! 2) Please. 3) PLEASE. 4) PLEEEEAAASE!!!!!! 5) DAD!!!!!

1 6 8 4 7 9 2 3 5

Devika Bhagat; Rating: ***1/2

7

9

3

8

2

5

4

6

NRI Pulse Online Magazine The Complete Portal for NRIs www.NRIPulse.com

News, Views, Blogs, Features, Perspectives, Debates, Community Profiles, Immigration, Health, Business, Youth, Fashion, Entertainment, Bollywood, Cookery, Free Classifieds and more...

INSURANCE

November 2013

REAL ESTATE

NRI PULSE 1

PHOTO/VIDEO SERVICES

BOUTIQUE/JEWELRY

SERVICES

WEDDINGS

To Advertise here, call us @ 404-235-4998

Free Classifieds at www.NRIPulse.com

February 2014 IACA presents 2014 FEB 14 A Love Story Stylish Valentine’s Party. Dinner with appetizers included. Dine, Dance, Dazzle on ramp walk, Interesting competitions, exciting prizes, and more...

When: Friday, February 14 from 7:00 p.m.

Where: Palace Indian Restaurant, 6131 Peachtree Pkwy, Norcross, GA 30092 Contact: Nivedita Garabadu 770-977-0483, Gauranga Banik 770-579-8594 Desi Events Presents FEB 14 Cupid Calling Valentine’s Day Party A Romantic escapade filled with delicious Desi food (veg & non-veg) full course dinner/dessert/ beverages/cash bar Dress to impress in traditional or western wear.

Tickets: Couple : $65.00, Single : $35.00, Reserved table for 8: $250 Kids: $15.00 (under 12yrs) When: Friday, Feb 14 Where: Ashiana Impact Hall, Global Mall Contact: For group booking & more info Shamsu :404-246-3256, Sofia: 404-993-8629, DJ Zee: 678-508-5050 Tickets Available At Gokul Sweets Decatur, Choptixs Duluth or Sulekha or Eventbrite

EVENTS/FEATURES Agenda: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm networking, 6:30 pm presentation and Q&A Pricing: Members – $10 Non-Member - $25 Refreshments included for all attendees The Georgia IndoFEB 25 American Chamber of Commerce (GIACC) proudly presents: Indian Heritage Night with the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls When: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 Game Time: 7:00 p.m. (Pre-game reception 5 - 6 pm) Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA, First 150 paid ticket holders get a special pass to a pre-game event 5-6 p.m. • To meet & greet the Hon. Consul General Ajit Kumar • To take a photo with members from the Atlanta Hawk Cheerleaders. • To have their name in, for a draw, for autographed Atlanta Hawks souvenirs.

Website: giacc.org Hindu Temple of FEB 27 Atlanta is celebrating Maha SivaRatri on Thursday, 27th all-day with four Siva Abhishekams & Individual participation of Rudrabhishekam and Special Abhishekam at Lingodbhava Kalam (midnight).

When: Thursday, Feb 27 all day Where: 5851 Georgia Hwy. 85, Riverdale, GA 30274 Contact: 770-907-7102 Visit: www.hindutempleofatlanta.org

Valentine Day Party FEB 14 2014 Dance on Floor,, Dance Competitions, lots of prizes, dress code red, pink, black, belly dance, bhangra dance, salsa dance, kids activities including clowns, Veg & Non Veg food will be served. Full cash bar available Adult $30 VIP $50 Child $20 under 10 year old 8-persons Table $220 When: Feb 14 Where: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Dr NW, Santa Fe Mall, Suite # A-80,, Duluth, Georgia 30096 Tickets at www.AtlantaEventsHall.com or www.Sulekha.com Contact: Virani, 404-934-9991 or 770-310-4626

Mahashivratri FEB 27 celebrations at Sadhana Mandir - Pooja Preparation, Ganapati Pooja, Shiv Pooja, Complete Rudravashki, Vyashestakam, Avarug and Ang Pooja and more When: Thursday, Februay 27, 2014. Pooja starts at 6:00 p.m. Arti and mahaprasad 8.30 pm Where: Impact Conference Center, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross, Ga 30071 At temple from 9.30 pm till midnight Contact: Joshiji 770-310-5744, 770-921-6889, Madhu Kumar 678-427-4533

Amma Satsang – FEB 15 Sarvaishwarya Puja with Br.Ramanand Puja will be followed with Prasad and Vegetarian Dinner.

When: Feb 15 from 4 pm 7.30 pm Where: Sharon Springs Community Center 1950, Sharon Rd – Cumming GA Contact: ammaga.satsang@gmail.com or call 770-309-6268

Ambaji USA Shree FEB 27 Shakti Mandir celebrates Mahashivratri Special Shiv Pooja. Shiv Aarati. Farali prasad will be served in Annapurna Prasad Gruh 12:15 p.m. to midnight.

When: Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 7:00 a.m. - Midnight Where: 1450 Huie Road, Lake City, GA 30260 Contact: 770-968-3490

Super Comedy Hindi FEB 16 Stage Drama “Ek Bechara Pyar Ka Mara” Entry only $10 ( Food will be available for Sale ) When: Feb 16 from 2 pm to 5 pm Where: Atlanta Event Hall, 3750 Venture Drive, Duluth GA-30096 Contact: Virani at 404-934-9991 or 770-310-4626

Ekal Vidyalaya MARCH 8 Foundation Presents: “Avartan” (Fusion of Classical Dances & Bollywood Melodies) by Aditi Bhagvat and her Troupe from India When: Saturday, March 8 from 7:00 pm- 11:00 pm Where: Meadow Creek High School, 4455 Steve Reynolds Blvd., Norcross, GA 30093; Advance ticket $20, Ticket on event day $25 (includes dinner).

Visit: www.ekal.org.; Contact: Chander Aggarwal (407) 454-3739 & Shiv Aggarwal: (404) 456-2973

GIACC and Arnall FEB 18 Golden Gregory LLP Jointly Present: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) When: February 18th from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Where: Law Offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, 171 17th Street Northwest Suite 2100 Atlanta, GA 30363

To submit an upcoming event, follow the link for ‘Submit Event’ on our website www.NRIPulse.com.

NRI PULSE 21

Perception & Gratefulness

SARAYU NARAYAN is a sophomore at Chamblee High School. This essay won the North Atlanta Rotary Club’s ‘Laws of Life’ essay competition in 2013. tude toward his life, I listened on to hear him explain in his broken-up English, “Madam, two “In moments of surprise we catch at least a years back, I get 50 rupees per day, now 100 glimpse of the joy to which gratefulness opens rupees daily, I better. My daughter go to good the door.”

English school, she become doctor. My karma ¯ David Steindl-Rast different, her karma different, both lucky only.

Walking through magnificent arches and Life mean good if you see it good, life mean bad huge glass rooms gleaming with the rays of sun- if you see it bad.” light shining upon them, I gazed at the heavenly That day, I finally understood the immense gardens and flowing fountains that surrounded value of perception and gratefulness. There I me on either side. Pondering to myself, I devel- was, standing in front of a poverty-stricken oped a sense of satisfaction for the choice of peanut vendor, who worked hard from sunrise hotel, as I was now staying at the grand Taj to sunset on the harsh roads of India. He held Palace Hotel, in no remorse in him for Mumbai, India. I conthe quality of his life, tinued walking for a I finally understood the immense nor jealousy for the while, lost in my own value of perception and gratefulness. high-paying jobs and reverie, as I suddenly There I was, standing in front of a comfortable lives that snapped back to reality, poverty-stricken peanut vendor, who many others seemed to drawn aback by the have. However, for all worked hard from sunrise to sunset that satisfaction that enormous contrast in my surroundings. I had on the harsh roads of India. He held one peanut vendor held left a glorious hotel be- no remorse in him for the quality of buried inside him, there hind me, where every- his life, nor jealousy for the high-pay- was a world full of thing from the decoraing jobs and comfortable lives that people who could eastive curtains to the magily diminish his powernificent swimming pool many others seemed to have... ful insight. And back in was carefully tuned to the resplendent and experfection, and now I was facing a noisy and pensive Taj Palace hotel, that only the most polluted road, filled with masses of people hur- fortunate could afford, there were hundreds of riedly shoving their way past each other – the people who would gladly enlighten you on all typical atmosphere in India. the reasons for which their life was not good Intrigued by my surroundings, I darted enough, me having been one. However, that one across the street to view the scene of India, and stunning experience altered my perception of approached a smiling peanut vendor, sitting on this world completely. a hand-woven mat in front of the famous GateEvery sunrise, we awaken to the dawn of way of India. As I observed him more closely, I yet another beautiful day of life, looming with began to wonder where all his joy was coming countless opportunities and packages of hapfrom, as he was wearing only a stained dhoti and piness waiting to be opened. But, through our a rather ragged-looking shirt. Suddenly interrupt- eyes, we often perceive our lives as mere hours ing my train of thoughts, the vendor enthusias- to be passed, and our minds fill with dissatistically called to me, asking if I wanted any pea- faction and greed, as we thoughtlessly discount nuts. Feeling slightly sorry, I bought a portion, that which we already have, and deeply concenand began to carry on a conversation with him, trate on all that we do not. It is an endless search only to find that he was extremely open and however, to base satisfaction on the fulfillment seemingly tireless, despite his long hours of of our wants, as one can never truly find happiwork in the blazing Mumbai sun. He had been ness when there is such an abundance of things to selling peanuts for nearly ten years now, with set ones’ eyes upon. To open the door of joy, we only his and his wife’s small incomes to sup- must alter our perceptions of the world, and port their daughter’s college expenses. Thor- quench our desires for more through our very oughly impressed by his rare and grateful atti- own gratefulness and satisfaction.

FREE Classifieds! Post your Classified at nripulse.com/nripulse-classifieds/ (or visit www.NRIPulse.com and click on ‘Classifieds’). For a limited time, we are printing classifieds (from our website) free of charge in our print edition. Hurry!

........ What’s Cooking? ........

22 NRI PULSE

Pesarattu Pulusu (Mung dal dosa soup) BYP.S. LAKSHMI RAO

2 Cups mung dal with skin 4 Cups water to soak dal

½ Teaspoon salt ½ Teaspoon cumin seeds 1 Tablespoon water 1 Teaspoon peeled and chopped ginger 2 Teaspoons oil 2 Tablespoons InVogue oil 1 Teaspoon Methi seeds (fenugreek) ½ Teaspoon cumin seeds(jeera) 4 Whole red chilies Curry leaves from two stems 2 Long green chilies cut into three pieces 3 Large onions, peeled and blended to a coarse paste.

1 Tablespoon chopped ginger 4 Cloves chopped garlic ½ Teaspoon ground red pepper or to taste ½ Teaspoon ground turmeric ½ Teaspoon salt Walnut size tamarind (soaked In 1 cup water) 1 Teaspoon brown sugar or jaggery (optional) 1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) Wash and soak mung dal in four cups water for three hours or more. Pour dal into a colander and wash,

........

making sure not to loose any of the skin. Transfer dal into a blender with salt, cumin seeds and water. Blend into a smooth paste. Add ginger and blend a little. Pour the batter into a bowl.

Heat a griddle on medium heat. Using a paper towel, smear the griddle with half a teaspoon oil. Pour half of mung bean batter onto griddle and spread it with

........

a soup ladle into a thick half inch pancake. Drizzle half a teaspoon oil on top and fry it in low heat until the bottom turns light brown. Turn it over and fry the same as other side. Remove from the heat and transfer it to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with other half of the batter.

Cut each pesarattu into sixteen pieces and keep them aside.

Mix ginger and garlic. Make it into a paste.

Heat oil in a wide non-stick pan on medium heat. Add methi seeds and fry until golden color.

Add red chilies, cumin seeds, curry leaves and green chilies. Fry for thirty seconds. Add onion

paste and ginger garlic paste. Fry continuously until the oil separates from the mixture. Reduce heat to medium low and add red pepper, turmeric, salt and pesarattu pieces. Fry for a minute gently with a heat proof spatula or a wooden spoon making sure not to break the pieces.

Extract juice out of the tamarind by squeezing with hand. Add the juice into the pesarattu mixture. Add half cup more water into the tamarind pulp and squeeze more juice into the pesarattu mixture. Discard the tamarind pulp. Add fresh coriander leaves and brown sugar or jaggary if using. More salt and red pepper can be added at this time.

Cook pesarattu pulusu covered for ten minutes on low heat while mixing it and making sure not to let it stick to the bottom. Add more water if needed. Soup should not be too thick or too thin.

Tastes great with rice or roties.

Makes eight servings.

I would like to thank Mrs. Pramila Penumetcha from Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh India for sharing this recipe.

February 2014 Heat oil in a medium saucepan. When the oil is hot add methi seeds and fry until light brown.

Add mustard seeds and fry until they start to pop.

Reduce heat to low. Add hing, turmeric, oranges and salt. Cook orange pieces covered, mixing occasionally until the orange pieces become soft (this might take thirty minutes).

Remove the lid and add red pepper to the orange pickle mixing continuously until oil separates out to the sides. Let the pickle cool and keep it in a glass jar. Keep the pickle in the refrigerator after two days for freshness. Tastes good with rice and roties.

Makes eight servings.

Note: Sour oranges are available in farmers markets.

Variation: Lemons can be used instead of oranges.

Sour Orange Pickle

2 Tablespoons oil ½ Teaspoon methi seeds (fenugreek) ½ Teaspoon red mustard seeds ¼ Teaspoon hing (asafoetida) ¼ Teaspoon turmeric 2 Sour oranges cut into half inch pieces (discard seeds) 1 ½ Tablespoons salt or to taste 1 Tablespoon ground red pepper.

........ InVogue .......

Indian jewelry has been a desirable assessor for many fashion experts for decades. The intricate detail that is stunning in the jewelry is a standard feature that always seems to tell the story of the pieces. The pieces are usually dramatic in their use of bold colors. This style of jewelry stamps from the tradition of indian jewelry establishing who was nobility or royalty for the man of the country.

Indian jewelry has a long history associated with high quality techniques and precious materials. Much of the modern Indian jewelry produced is modeled on past periods in the history of country or/and contemporary modern styles in indian culture as the popular Bollywood film style.

Materials used in the making of Indian jewelry include gold and silver which can be made by hammering or made into intricate filigree designs.

Designer Indian Jewelry

BY RANI SHARMA, RANEEZ BOUTIQUE Pieces are also crafted from clay, wood semi precious stones and beads, enamel and even risen stones including costume precious and semiprecious stones in simple or complicated settings.

Manju Shah is a treasure chest of unique fusion jewelry which combine the majesty of the old with the intensity of the new.

The unique and exciting collection of semi-precious stone is set in gold plated and silver inspired by the beauty of the royal jadau designs (Asian art of embedded stones). The jewelry remises of a bygone era of royal palaces and prince extravagant.

The diamond collection brings together a compendium of the purest and brightest stones in a variety of settings, each making for a unique piece of body adornment for people. Pearls symbolize elegance, sophistication and style over the years they have come to symbolize elongativity, prosperity, love and things rare or precious. Paulki kundan kesari is a traditional form of indian gemstone jewelry involving a jam set with gold foil between the stones and its mounts, meenakari that involves enameling to define the designs.

Patri haar - there are six pieces with three lines all together of pearls, beads and some stones with a big pendant in the center. Long kundan haar- is a double string almost hundred pieces with a kundan pendant with a magar earrings.

Phirosa culture crystal shaded strings- this comes in seven lines with a drop diamond earrings.

There is a lot of different variety in jewelry.

Some comes in different colors, precious stones with a nice big pendant. Pendants comes in diamonds, Victorian, kundan and pearl settings. Mostly ruby, panna, neelam and pearls are used in all jewelry.

The art of Indian meenakaari looks very beautiful.

For more information, call me at 404-386-2062.

November 2013

NRI PULSE 23