NRI Pulse January 2018

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January 2018

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US Says No Change In H-1B Visa Extension Policy

Washington: (IANS) Indian techies in the US can heave a sigh of relief after the Trump administration said it was not considering any regulatory change that will force H1-B visa holders to leave the country.

The announcement by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) came after a recent report by US-based news agency McClatchy DC Bureau that Washington was considering new regulations to prevent the extension of H-1B visas, largely availed of by Indian IT firms.

"The USCIS is not considering a regulatory change that would force H-1B visa holders to leave the US by changing our interpretation of section 104(c) of AC-21, which provides for H-1B extensions beyond the 6 year limit," said Jonathan Withington, chief of media relations for USCIS. "Even if it were, such a change would not

likely result in these H-1B visa holders having to leave the US because employers could request extensions in one-year increments under section 106(a)-(b) of AC21 instead," Withington was quoted as saying by Kansas City Star.

"The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the President's Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment based visa programs," he said.

Earlier reports said the Trump administration was considering tightening H-1B visa rules

that could lead to deportation of 750,000 Indians.

Withington said that USCIS was never considering such a policy change and that "any suggestion that USCIS changed its position because of pressure is absolutely false".

Representatives Kevin Yoder, a Kansas Republican, and Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat from Hawaii, sent a letter to Trump, obtained

by McClatchy, urging him "not to deport H-1B holders awaiting permanent residency processing."

"We strongly believe this action would be harmful to the American economy, credibility and relations

with India and the Indian-American community," wrote Yoder and Gabbard last week.

Both are members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

The US Chamber of Commerce had warned it would be "tremendously bad policy" to tell highly skilled people they were not welcome to stay in the US. The H-1B program offers temporary US visas that allow companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals working in areas with shortages of qualified American workers.

Indians get most of the H1-B visas, although there are no national quotas for the facility nor is it specifically designed for Indians.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has been talking about cracking down on the visa scheme.

Aziz Ansari Wins His First Golden Globe Award; Creates History Los Angeles: (IANS) Indian-American acand director. tor-comedian Aziz Ansari won the Best PerforThis is Ansari's secmance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical ond Golden Globe nomior Comedy for "Master of None" at the 75th Golden nation and first win.

Globe Awards, making history for an Asian, here.

He was previously According to etonline.com, Ansari's win nominated in 2016 also marked the second time an actor of Indian descent for "Master of None". has won a Golden Globe in 35 years.

He beat Anthony Ben Kingsley, who is of Indian descent, won Anderson ("Black-ish"), for Best Actor - Motion Picture, Drama in 1982.

Kevin Bacon ("I Love "I genuinely didn't think I'd win because all Dick"), William H. Macy the websites said I was going to lose. Also, I am ("Shameless") and Eric glad we won this one because it would have really McCormack ("Will & sucked to lose two of these in a row," Ansari said in Grace"). his acceptance speech at the gala on Sunday night.

Born in Columbia, "The only reason my acting is good in that Foreign Press Association.

South Carolina, to a Musshow is because everyone else holds me up," AnOn the Netflix original series, Ansari not lim family from Tamil Nadu, Ansari started his career sari quipped before thanking the cast and crew of only stars as Dev Shah, the pasta-loving, cupcake as a stand-up comedian and acted on television in the "Master Of None", his parents and the Hollywood show host, but also serves as co-creator, writer, comedy series "Parks and Recreation". He then creat-

ed the "Master of None", based on his personal experiences.

The evening began as many of Hollywood’s A-listers -- from Meryl Streep, Oprah Winfrey, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Chris Hemsworth, Alicia Vikander, Kendall Jenner, Mariah Carey, Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Kit Harington, Mandy Moore, Heidi Klum and more -- walked the red carpet in black ensembles -- and extended support to Time’s Up campaign, which hopes “to shift the focus back to survivors and on systemic, lasting solutions” to sexual violence.

Golden Globes was the first award gala held after the wave of sexual harassment cases involving big names like Harvey Weinstein, Ben Affleck, Brett Ratner, Charlie Sheen, Dustin Hoffman, James Toback and Kevin Spacey made news and caused outrage.

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Over 8000 Devotees Attend HTA Navodaya 2018 Celebrations

BY MAHADEV DESAI Photos by Krish Photography & Mahadev Desai

Atlanta, GA: Despite freezing cold weather, more than 8000 devotees and visitors from all over Southeast thronged the Hindu Temple of Atlanta (HTA) Riverdale, Georgia on Monday, January 1 to celebrate a joyous and spiritually suffused Navodaya 2018 festival.

All the deities in the Balaji and Siva Temples wore a dazzling look in their ornate fineries and colorful garlands. The priests cheerfully and reverently performed Suprabhatam, Siva abhisekham and Lord nataraja abhisekham, followed with Arudra darshan and then half-hourly archanas throughout the day, blessing all the devotees who came to offer their prayers. Throughout the day, both temples echoed with soul-soothing prayers, chantings of shlokas, and devotional songs. Around 11 a.m. Priest Sri Muralikrishna performed a pooja ceremony inside the auditorium, chanting shlokas and conferring his blessings for the New Year to the vendors.

As the day progressed, more and more devotees arrived inside the two temples and after offering prayers, went around visiting and shopping at the HTA gift shop and also at various booths inside the auditorium, which were selling Indian apparel, household appliances and gadgets, jewelry, beads, devotional music CDs and DVDs. Among the first-time vendors was Banyan Way (www.banyanway.com), a matrimony site that combines traditional and modern matchmaking for Indian-Americans in the U.S. Festivals and food go together! The varied menu of South Indian vegetarian splendors like spicy idli sambhar, masala dosas, tamarind or curd rice, upama, boondi ladoos, and snacks were lovingly prepared in the temple’s kitchen by the kitchen staff under the supervision of Food Committee Chairperson, Padma Koganti. A team of volunteers including Ravi Chander, Ram Maddi, Vaisheshi Jalajam, helped at the spacious banquet hall. In the evening, devotees filled up the Balaji Temple to participate in Satyanarayana Pooja.

HTA President Kusuma Kotte, an ardent and long-time devotee, and official in the Hindu Temple, reflected on her first year as President and effusively commented," I am very happy with the unprecedented turnout of over 8,000 devotees today to seek God’s blessings on ‘Navodaya’, New Year's day. Kusuma Kotte further commented, “2017 was a very blissful and fruitful year for HTA and our community. HTA celebrated a momentous and spectacular Rajatotsavam in May 2017 for Balaji and Durga Prathistapana conducted meticulously by His Holiness Srisiddheswaranandaji and 19 priests from India and other Hindu Temples in the U.S. In August, HTA celebrated another mammoth and joyous Ganesh Utsav. This year the elephant Anna added sparkle to the celebrations! We also celebrated rituals – studded, spiritually elevating, Maharudra Yagam

“With God’s grace, we are bidding to a very eventful and successful 2017,” the HTA president added. “More than 8,000 people celebrated Navodaya 2018. Our parking lot reached capacity by 11 AM, and due to the cold weather, we enhanced the visitor’s joyous experience by utilizing five transport shuttles (up from 2 shuttles in previous years). Our various parking and crowd control volunteers worked tirelessly in the cold.”

“A very special thanks to the parking crew, dedicated priests, temple staff, EC members, Volunteer Committee Chairman Ravi Chander, Food Committee’s Chairperson Padma Koganti, HTA cook Sreenivas Garu, Pooja Committee Chairperson Phani Tummala, our security personnel, and finally, the Clayton county police. “ “We appreciate your continued support and involvement for so many years and look forward to working with all of you for years to come. The temple continues to offer Bala Vihar, Yoga, dance classes, language and spiritual education classes.

Please consider enrolling your children and grandchildren in any of these classes as these skills are defining elements of our rich culture.”

The President Kusuma Kotte concluded, “My thanks to all the devotees who celebrated Navodaya 2018 with great enthusiasm, and joy and deep reverence.

My heartfelt wishes for a happy, healthy, spiritually enriching and prosperous New Year to all.”

with Lalitha Sahasra Nama Homam in November, Jan.2018 ed.) with participation by more than 100 rithviks and “We welcome your additional donations for 125 devotees respectively. HTA also celebrated this critical project,” Kotte said.

Vaikunta Ekadasi on Dec.29.with a record number of devotees participating as early as 6.00 a.m.

In order to ensure that the Temple remains a great venue for community worship the HTA board of trustees decided to implement a dress code for HTA visitors. Going forward, Indian clothing will be the preferred attire – in addition, Atlanta, GA: The victim of a homicide was released. clothing such as shorts, athletic gear, torn jeans, whose body was found Thursday, December 21, Patel's identity remained a mystery for days and short dresses (e.g., shorter than knee length) 2017 near the wooded area of the Bloomfield while authorities interviewed families of simiwill not be permitted. I would like to request Park has been identified as 21-year-old Neil Pa- lar-looking people who've been reported missall devotees to spread the word in making sure ing. His family in New friends and family participate in the temple’s acJersey got word of the tivities in appropriate attire.” killing over the ChristKotte said endowment funds are doing well mas holiday, reported due to the strength of the financial markets as well Macon.com. as generous contributions from HTA devotees.

Patel, his hair dyed Key areas of expenditure worth noting include: red, was wearing black Community Support and Outreach. HTA provided shorts, a blue shirt and shelter to hurricane victims in need; scholarships black Converse sneakfor students in October; helped build a home for ers when he was shot to Habitat for Humanity; assisted people who are in death, the report said. dire need for health and financial aid.

Neighbors in the Another key area of expenditure was the area told a reporter they temple security and perimeter wall efforts: In orheard several gunshots a der to continue to ensure visitors a safe and peacecouple of nights before ful experience, HTA has plans for the constructel of Macon, according to information released Patel's body was found. tion of a perimeter wall in early 2018. A highly

by Bibb’s County Sheriff’s office.

Anyone with information related to the successful Kuchipudi ballet Sri Pattabhishekam Patel was reported missing on December homicide of Neil Patel is urged to call the choreographed by Smt. Sasikala Penumarthi was 19, 2017. Next of kin was located and notified Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751staged on December 10, to help raise funds for of Patel’s death. The investigation of the homi- 7500, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at the perimeter wall. (Report in Khabar magazine cide of Patel is on-going. No further information 1-877-68CRIME.

Macon Homicide Victim Identified As 21-Year-Old Neil Patel

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USHA Hosts Reception In Honor Of Consul General Nagesh Singh

BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Atlanta, GA: Tadka Banquet Hall resonated with grand references to India’s glorious past, its growing present, and a glowing future at a well-attended reception held in honor of Consul General of India in Atlanta, Nagesh Singh. The event was hosted by US Hindu Alliance (USHA) on December 15, 2017, as part of its outreach to the diplomatic community.

Prominent Atlanta personalities including Sam Massell, former Mayor of Atlanta, Naomi Takahashi, Consul for Economic and Political Affairs for Japan, Vincent Liu, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Dr. Jagdish Sheth, world renowned professor of marketing at Emory University, Narender Reddy, national Republican leader and Major Tom Patton, from the Forsyth County Police Department, braved the cold weather to be part of the event.

Emceed by Pratibha Tripathi, senior media advisor to USHA (and former CNN anchor) and Dr. Sreekala Satheesh, national treasurer of USHA (and a practicing physician), the reception opened with a traditional invocation and a welcome address by Shobha Swamy.

Performers from various dance schools across Atlanta including Kalaivani Dance and Music Academy, Natya Veda Dance Academy, Kalaxya Institute of Performing Arts, Noopura Nrithavidyalaya and Deeksha School of Performing Arts enthralled the audience, showcasing several classical Indian dance forms.

“The reception today is part of our effort to reach out to the broader diplomatic community,” quoted USHA president Gokul Kunnath, who also shared his thoughts on the importance of engaging with the world. “India occupies a special place in the Hindu heart because of our connection to its ancient civilization,” he said.

Kunnath urged the audience to support USHA in building an effective Hindu voice in America.

“The GDP of India in 1600 AD was estimated at 24.3% of the world economy, the second largest in the world,” stated Dhiru Shah, President Elect of Global Indian Business Council (GIBC) and an Alumni of the London School of Economics.

Tracing India’s economic graph through centuries, he pointed out that the country’s share of world income went from 27% in 1700 AD to 3% in 1950, thanks to the ruthless exploitation under British colonial rule. The British also destroyed India’s education system, its agricultural, textile and manufacturing industries, he noted.

Citing acquisition by Tata Motors of two popular British brands, the Jaguar and Land Rover, Dr. Jagdish Sheth asserted his confidence in the emergence of India as a major economic power. “The next generation of the new middle class that is brand conscious, is the biggest consumer

Consul General Nagesh Singh and Pragjna Singh with USHA volunteers.

Former Atlanta Mayor, Sam Massell.

Consul General Nagesh Singh and Pragjna Singh with guests.

market,” he noted.

“Amazon is massively investing in India.

Their voice recognition system is customized with Indian accent and Hindi words to cater to the Indian market. Over 30,000 manufacturers and distributors are supplying their products through Amazon into the US this year,” he said, adding that the supplier and consumer markets were heading to flourishing heights.

Sam Massell, the 90-year-old former Mayor of Atlanta and President of the Buckhead Coalition, in his brief address, said it was pleasure and

honor for him and his wife to be at the event, to break bread together, and to feel the warmth and friendship in the audience.

“The concept of Dharma is what sets India apart from every other country in the world,” quoted Bob Arnett, author of the popular book, ‘India Unveiled’ and many children’s books. “The ideas contained in the Vedas, the most ancient sacred writings, offer the solutions for the seemingly insurmountable problems of the world.”

Rajeev Menon, Vice President of Communication for USHA, introduced the Guest of Honor, Consul General Nagesh Singh citing his various accomplishments through the years, including 20 years of distinguished service to India. “His appointments have included being Officer on Special Duty/Joint Secretary to the Vice President of India, Director (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Counselor on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York, Private Secretary to the Minister of State for External Affairs, and Under Secretary (Pakistan) in the MEA. He served for a year in the Embassy of India to Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania, and over three years

in the Embassy of India to France,” Menon said.

Consul General Nagesh Singh, in his address, stressed on the emergent US-India relations, where investments from both countries in each other have gone up 500% in the last decade.

Georgia has 60 Indian companies and not all of them are IT, about 40% are, he said.

“Do you know with which country US carries out most military exercises outside of NATO as an alliance? It is India. And it is not just a buyer-seller relation, it is also co-production, co-development,” he noted.

Consul General Singh said the US now sees India as a force of peace, prosperity and stability in the world.

The Consul General familiarized the audience about the challenges and the accomplishments of India after independence. “India has demonstrated to the world that it can remain a powerful, united democracy and contribute meaningfully to economic progress, peace and prosperity,” he said.

“India does not need your money, it needs your know-how, your connections and the linking of educational institutions,” he added, while congratulating USHA for taking up the initiative to organize the community.

Numerous Hindu organization heads recognized and thanked the Consul General for the amazing work being done by him and his team in the Southeast. All distinguished guests were duly recognized.

Founded in 2001, USHA, the first Hindu advocacy group in America, is a national grass root, non-profit, tax-exempt, advocacy organization of Hindus to protect and promote the interests of Hindus worldwide. For more information, you may contact contactushaoffice@gmail.com or visit www.ushaonline.org.

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Cardiologist Arrested On Opioids And Healthcare Fraud Charges

Washington: (IANS) An Indian American cardiologist based in the US state of Nevada has been arrested on 39 charges of unlawful distribution of prescription opioids and healthcare fraud, officials said.

Devendra Patel, 58, allegedly prescribed opioids such as fentanyl, hydrocodone and oxycodone without legitimate medical cause on a routine basis from May 2014 to September 2017, according to an announcement made

by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other law enforcement officials.

As per the indictment, the physician fraudulently billed Medicaid and Medicare for medical tests he did not perform. Patel was also accused of presenting patients with fraudulent X-rays to convince them they had heart conditions and coax them into seeking treatment from him.

He appeared in a federal court in Reno city of Nevada on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty, the US media reported.

69,000 Indian Babies Born On New Year's Day: UNICEF United Nations: (IANS) The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has estimated that nearly 386,000 babies were born on New Year's Day, with India heading the list with 69,070.

More than 90 percent of the births took place in less developed regions, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Unicef reported that globally over half the births were estimated to have taken place in nine countries: India (69,070), China (44,760), Nigeria (20,210),

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“Dr Patel is the first person to be charged in Nevada since the formation of the Justice Department’s Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit,” Acting US Attorney Steven Myhre said.

The maximum penalty for distribution of a controlled substance is 10 years in prison. The maximum penalty for healthcare fraud is also 10 years in prison.

“Today we are facing the worst drug crisis in American history, with one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes,” Sessions said.

“This summer, I ordered the creation of the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, which brings together data analysts and Assistant US Attorneys from throughout the country to prosecute doctors engaged in opioid-related healthcare fraud. … We will file many more charges in the months to come,” he said.

Patel is scheduled to appear in court again on January 25.

Pakistan (14,910), Indonesia(13,370), the US (11,280), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (9,400), Ethiopia (9,020) and Bangladesh (8,370).

Among those children, some will unfortunately not make it past their first day.

In 2016, an estimated 2,600 children died within the first 24 hours every day of the year. Unicef said

that for almost two million newborns, their first week was also their last.

In all, 2.6 million children died before the end of their first month. Among them, more than 80 percent died from preventable and treatable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery and infections like sepsis and pneumonia.

Over the past two decades, the world has seen unprecedented progress in child survival, halving the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday to 5.6 million in 2016.

But despite these advances, there has been slower progress for newborns. Babies dying in the first month account for 46 percent of all deaths among children under five.

Next month, Unicef will launch "Every Child Alive," a global campaign to demand and deliver affordable, quality health care solutions for every mother and newborn.

These solutions include a steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities, presence of a skilled health attendant during birth, disinfecting the umbilical cord, breastfeeding within the first hour after birth and skin-to-skin contact between the mother and child.

January 2018

Student Pleads Guilty To Cyber Attacks, Creating IoTBotnet

Washington: (IANS) A 21-year-old Indian-origin student has pleaded guilty of executing a series of cyber attacks on the Rutgers University computer network in the US, authorities said.

Paras Jha of New Jersey along with two others — Josiah White of Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman of Louisiana — also admitted on Wednesday to creating and operating two botnets which targeted “Internet of Things” (IoT) devices, the US Justice Department said.

A botnet is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the knowledge or permission of the computers’ owners. The multiple cyber attacks were launched between November 2014 and September 2016.

“Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system,” Acting US Attorney Fitzpatrick said.

“These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of course work to students, and students’ submission of their work to professors to be graded.

“The defendant’s actions effectively paralyzed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers’ students,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it,” he added.

Jha pleaded before US District Judge Michael Shipp in New Jersey’s Trenton federal court to violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act. He executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University that shut down the institution’s central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty and students delivered assignments and assessments.

According to court documents, Jha succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to Rutgers University, its faculty and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence. His sentencing is scheduled for March 13.

On December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to criminal information in the district of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.

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Modi-Trump Chemistry Apart, Washington Bets Big On New Delhi

New Delhi: (IANS) Though the personal chemistry between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and new US President Donald Trump was the highlight of India-US ties in 2017, what has come as a huge boost to bilateral relations towards the end of the year is the key strategic geopolitical role for India in the new US security strategy.

At the same time, New Delhi made it clear that its foreign policy remains independent when it went with the rest of the world in voting in the UN General Assembly against Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Despite a change of guard in Washington, the India-US global strategic partnership remained strong as ever and a warm hug marked the first-ever meeting between Modi and Trump at the White House in June this year.

While Trump said that bilateral ties have "never been stronger", Modi said that both the countries were "committed to such a bilateral architecture that will take our strategic partnership to new heights".

According to a joint statement, the two leaders "resolved to expand and deepen the strategic partnership between the countries and advance common objectives".

"President Trump and Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that, together, the United States and India will provide strong leadership to address global challenges and build prosperity for their citizens in the decades to come," the state-

ment said.

And that is exactly what got reflected in the New Security Strategy (NSS) that Trump announced this month that sees India being mentioned no less than seven times.

"We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence

partner," the NSS states. "We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India."

This comes in the wake of the meeting between officials of India, the US, Japan and Australia in the Philippines last month in which the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region were discussed.

"We will expand our defence and security cooperation with India, a Major Defence Partner of the United States, and support India's growing relationships throughout the region," the NSS states.

It says that the US would "deepen our strate-

gic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region".

And what will come as music to New Delhi's ears is the reference to Pakistan from the perspective of terrorism.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," the NSS states.

It also states that the US would encourage India to increase its economic assistance in the region.

Trump continued with his praise of Modi at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam last month where he said that the Indian leader was working to bring his country and its people together.

Soon after this, Trump and Modi again met on the sidelines of the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in the Philippines, a meeting that was described as "warm and productive".

Modi-Trump bonhomie apart, high-level visits continued between the two sides throughout the year.

After the Indian leader's visit to Washington in June, both US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited India.

From the Indian side, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, then Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and Minister for Petroleum and

India Joins UN Majority, Defies US On Jerusalem United Nations: (IANS) India joined the UN majority in voting for a General Assembly resolution criticizing US President Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move Washington’s embassy there.

The resolution that was passed by a twothirds majority demanded Washington comply with Security Council decisions against changing the status of Jerusalem and declared US and Israeli action on the city “null and void”.

It, however, only expressed “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”, stopping short of naming the US or condemning it outright.

Defying Trump’s threats to cut off aid to countries that voted for the resolution, 128 countries voted for the resolution, while nine countries joined the US and Israel in voting against it.

An unusually large number — 35 countries — abstained, and 21 others were absent, showing that Trump’s threats had some effect.

US Permanent Representative Nikki Haley repeated Trump’s warning on aid before the vote describing support for it an “insult” to her country.

“We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the UN,” she said. “And we will remember it when so many countries come calling

on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki said that by voting for the resolution nations would be rejecting attempts at blackmail and intimidation.

He warned that Washington’s action could lead to a religious war that “has no boundaries” and only served the interests of extremists.

The Assembly resolution followed the US veto on Monday of a similar resolution in the Security Council introduced by Egypt. All the other 14 Council members voted for it, isolating the US. The Assembly resolution was sponsored by Yemen on behalf of the Arab Group in the UN, and by Turkey on behalf of the Organisation of

Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Representing the OIC, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Jerusalem was the holy city of three monotheistic religions and its historic status had to be preserved.

Referring to the US’ threats to withhold aid, he said such “bullying” was unethical and votes were not for sale.

While the Assembly resolutions do not have the legal clout of the Council resolutions, they carry political clout, especially when endorsed by a two-thirds majority.

Previous Council resolutions have said that the status of Jerusalem and territories occupied by Israel after the 1967 war should not be altered unilaterally.

While close US allies like Britain, France and Japan, which had voted for the resolution in Council, again broke ranks with it in the Assembly, there were some surprises. Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims to follow a progressive foreign policy, Canada abstained.

Five of the countries that voted with the US and Israel were tiny Pacific island nations like Micronesia, and two were from Latin America.

No country of any significance politically or in size voted for the resolution, even if some of them abstained or absented themselves.

Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan were among those who visited the US. Another highlight of the India-US ties this year was President Trump's announcement of a new US policy on South Asia that called for India playing a key role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The appointment of Kenneth Juster as the new US Ambassador in New Delhi came in for praise from all quarters. Juster is an old India hand who played a key role in the India-US civilian nuclear cooperation agreement.

On its part, New Delhi, reflecting the government's tendency of keeping faith in trusted people in key diplomatic posts, extended by a year the term of Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, who was to retire at November-end.

Another highlight was the visit of President Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump to Hyderabad for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, hosted by India for the first time.

This year also saw a shipment of American crude oil arriving in India, marking the first US oil export to India in more than four decades.

On the downside of the bilateral issue this year, however, was the H1-B visa issue that continues to remain prickly.

Soon after taking over as President, Trump called for stricter norms for issuance of H1-B visas, largely availed of by Indian IT firms. A private member's bill was also introduced earlier this year in the US Congress by Democrat Zoe Lofgren which seeks to increase the minimum salary of an H1-B visa holder to a whopping $130,000 from the current minimum of $60,000.

While Trump has spoken of restricting the H1-B visa system as part of his policy of putting Americans first, there have been no changes to it so far and for this year the same levels of 65,000 for general H1-B visas and 20,000 for those with advanced US degrees have been kept.

“Cookstoves In India Cause More Pollution”

Smoke emitting from the traditional cookstove, widely used in the rural parts of India with cheap biofuels -- such as crop chaff or dung -causes detrimental impact on the country's environment and people's health, finds a study, led by one of Indian-origin professors.

"Our project findings quantitatively show that particulate emissions from cookstoves in India have been underestimated," said Rajan Chakrabarty, Assistant Professor at the Washington University in St. Louis. "Traditional cookstove burning is one of the largest source of pollutants in India. We found it's a really big problem; this is revising what people knew for decades," Chakrabarty said.

The results, published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, are based on the series of tests conducted in Raipur -- where more than three-quarters of the families use cookstoves to prepare their meals.

In December 2015, researchers, including those from Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur and the Indian Institute of Tropical Metrology in Pune, burned a wide variety of biofuels acquired from different parts of India, cooked different meals in a number of varying ventilation situations.

They then recorded the resulting emission levels using high-tech particle measurement devices.

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Student Shot Dead

By Armed Robbers

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

In Historic First, Sikh Nominated Attorney General Of New Jersey

New York: (IANS) In a historic first, a distinguished Sikh public prosecutor “who has experienced hate and intolerance first-hand” has been nominated to be the next attorney general of the US state of New Jersey.

If Gurbir S. Grewal’s nomination by Democrat Governor-elect Phil Murphy is approved by the State Senate early this year, he will be the first Sikh to assume the top state law enforcement position in the United States and the second IndiChicago: (IANS) An Indian-origin college student was shot dead during a robbery attempt at a gas station in the US on Thursday and his relative critically injured, media reports said.

Nineteen-year-old Arshad Vhora was filling in for his father — who was in India to attend a wedding — at the gas station in Dolton, Illinois, when the attempted robbery took place, ABC 7 Chicago reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other victim, 55-year-old Bakar Saieed, was taken to a hospital and is in serious condition.

The business is family-owned and operated and the victims were related, though it was not immediately clear how, Chicago Sun-Times said, quoting Dolton Police chief Robert M. Collins Jr. The attempted robbery took place about 11 a.m. and no one was in custody as of Thursday afternoon, Collins said.

Police said they received a 911 call from the Clark gas station from a man who was unable to speak. The officers rushed to the scene and found the victims.

“This is another act of senseless killing. As we know, it happens too often,” said Abdul Vhora, a relative. “He was a very intelligent kid. He was filling in for his father while his father was out of the country. His father is on his way back.”

Vhora was a sophomore business major at South Suburban College, relatives said.

Police are reviewing surveillance video from the gas station, and are investigating the incident as an armed robbery homicide. Police are also interviewing a delivery man who had just arrived at the gas station as a potential witness to the shooting. He was not injured.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, the police believe the suspects came and left on foot. Though they are investigating the shooting as an armed robbery, police said the cash register appears to be untouched and they have not had problems with the gas station in the past.

“Investigators are still combing through video and canvassing the area and seeking out potential witnesses, so right now we do not have any potential suspect information,” said Collins.

“Right now, we’re looking at one suspect but that doesn’t rule out the possibility that there may be more suspects involved.”

A $12,000 reward is being offered by the victims’ family, community activist Andrew Holmes and Dolton Mayor Riley Rogers for information leading to the arrest of the killer.

“To the perpetrators, we’re not going to stop. We’re just going to work with all the law enforcement agencies until someone is brought to justice,” Holmes said.

an-American, after Kamala Harris, who held the position in California before her election to the US Senate.

Announcing the nomination in the state capital, Trenton, Murphy said: “In light of all that is being thrown at us by the president, we need an attorney general unafraid to join our fellow states in using the law to protect all New Jersey residents.”

Grewal, 44, is the prosecutor of Bergen County, an important district across the river from New York city. He was appointed to by the current Republican Governor Chris Christie and that is likely to mute any opposition the senate.

Symbolic of the public acceptance of minorities despite scattered incidents of bigotry, two Sikhs were elected mayors last month, Ravi Bhalla in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Preet Didbal in Yuba City, California.

Vin Gopal, who became the first Indian-American to be elected to the New Jersey State Senate last month, said that Grewal is someone “not only eminently qualified, but who will bring a perspective to the office that is diverse and long-overdue.”

After Murphy made the announcement, Grewal said: “I wanted to give back to a country that has given us and other immigrant families like us so much.”

Turning to his three daughters, Kyrpa, Mayher and Mahek, who were with him, he said: “As someone who has experienced hate and intolerance first-hand throughout my life, I wanted to work to ensure we all live in and that the three of you grow up in a fair and just society.”

Grewal added: “I wanted to perhaps also show people that while I and others like me may look different or worship differently, that we, too, are committed to this country.”

Hailing Grewal’s nomination, Rajwant Singh, the co-founder of the National Sikh Campaign, said: “These are exactly the kind of role models our youngsters need to feel proud of being a Sikh and an American.”

“While America could be seen having a very

polarized situation politically and yet there are some very shining moments to show that people of all backgrounds can aspire for top positions,” he added.

South Asian Bar Association President Rishi Bagga, said: “The decision to appoint a visible minority as the chief law enforcement officer for New Jersey reflects the diversity of the state and of the US, and is especially important in a time where minorities and immigrants have often felt targeted by law enforcement.”

Attorney General is a very powerful position New Jersey heading the Department of Law and Public Safety, which includes the state police.

Grewal has earlier served as an assistant federal prosecutor in New York and in New Jersey, where he was also the chief of the Economic Crimes Unit.

In the administration of former President Barack Obama, Indian Americans have held senior law positions. Neal Kumar Katyal was an Acting Solicitor General.

Sri Srinivasan, now a federal appeals court judge in Washington, did a stint as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General.

Vanita Gupta was the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and headed the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

US President Donald Trump has appointed Uttam Dhillon to be his special assistant and associate counsel.

January 2018

Vijay Gokhale To Replace Jaishankar As Foreign Secretary

New Delhi: (IANS) Vijay Gokhale, who as envoy in Beijing played a key role in the resolution of the Doklam stand-off with China, was on Monday named the new Foreign Secretary to replace S. Jaishankar who retires this month.

The appointment of Gokhale, currently Secretary (Economic Relations), was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, an official statement said.

The 1981-batch Indian Foreign Service officer is widely believed to have played a key role as then Indian ambassador to China when he led the negotiations to resolve the over 70-day Doklam crisis.

Gokhale along with Jaishankar led India's diplomatic outreach to the US and Japan in explaining to them New Delhi's stand on the issue and winning their support that built up the pressure on China.

Gokhale has served Indian embassies in Germany and Malaysia and missions in Hong Kong, Hanoi and New York.

He will take over from Jaishankar who was appointed Foreign Secretary on January 29, 2015, for two years and given a one-year extension in January last year. Jaishankar retires on January 28.

State Department Posts Emails From Ex-Clinton Aide

Washington: (IANS) The US State Department posted a number of emails belonging to former Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin after the FBI found them on her former husband and Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner's laptop, the media reported.

received or sent by former Deputy Chief of Staff Huma Abedin from January 1, 2009 through February 1, 2013 using a non-'state.gov' email address."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has previously said that a number of Abedin's documents were backed up on Weiner's laptop, and that some smaller number were manually forwarded. The emails were not marked as classified, though the FBI later found classified information contained in some emails recovered from Weiner's laptop.

The fact that Clinton and Abedin previously exchanged classified emails gave federal prosecutors probable cause to justify their review of Weiner's laptop in 2015.

Eleven days before the 2016 presidential election, Comey announced that the FBI had discovered emails possibly "pertinent" to the Clinton email server probe "in connection with an unrelated case".

Several of the documents released on Friday The unrelated case was New York prosecutors' were found to contain information classified "con- separate investigation into allegations that Weiner -fidential", and were heavily redacted, reports CNN. a former New York congressman and the estranged The release is in response to a Judicial Watch Free- husband of Abedin -- had sexted with an underage dom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking: girl. Weiner was sentenced earlier this year to 21 "All emails of official State Department business months in federal prison for sexting with the minor.

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January 2018

India Can't Be Complacent On Innovation

BY AMIT KAPOOR

it is critical that India works upon building an The New Year is upon us. It has been 17 enabling conducive environment for innovation years into the 21st century and if one word has to to take place. This includes, but is not limited to, define this period, ‘innovation is bound to reign access to technology required for scaling, availsupreme. Technological innovation in every field ability of funding, leadership and skill, and also a market for all this. has taken place at such a rapid pace over the last As per the Global Innovation Index, India has two decades that most of it is taken as given.

It is hard to imagine that a world obsessed with acronyms like AI, VR, and EV was still very much dependent on the post office barely 17 years ago. It is unfathomable and potentially scary from some aspects as to what the future holds for mankind.

With the world innovating at breakneck speed, no country wants to be left behind the curve. China is the latest kid in the block. It is no longer the low-labour-cost country that makes it the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.

Now, the country's manufacturing strengths lie in its strong supply chain networks and advanced production knowhow. In fact, in its 13 Five Year shown consistent improvement since 2011 and its Plan that began in May 2016, China laid out a performance has been ahead of the average lowroadmap to become an "innovative nation" by er-middle- and upper-middle-income countries of 2020 and an "international innovation leader" by the world. However, the India State Innovation Re2030. port 2017 has brought out some interesting highEven before these goals were set, the country lights on the state of innovation in India. had doubled its spending on R&D between 2000 First, on a national scale India lags considand 2016 from 0.9 percent of its GDP to 2.1 per- erably behind the major economies of the world. cent. It is no surprise then, that the greater Shen- As of 2015, India spent 0.88 percent of its GDP zhen-Hong Kong area finds itself ranked second on R&D while Brazil, the US and Japan spent in terms of global inventive clusters as measured 1.2, 2.8 and 3.4 percent respectively. As for patby patents. ents, India had filed 17 per million people while It is clearly time for India to adopt innova- Brazil, China, the US and Japan were at 34, 541, tion as a paradigm and a long-term principle to 910 and 3,716 respectively. Finally, the India's be competitive on the world stage. Like China, share of global publications stood at 4.2 percent

while China and the US were at 20.2 and 25.3 respectively. Therefore, there remains a vast gap for India to cover if it to catch up with the global economies in the field of innovation.

It is not a preposterous argument to make that the economy which stays ahead in the race for innovation will dictate global dominance. As things have panned out over the last year, USA seems to have been ceding that ground to China. Denying realities like climate change to support indus-

BY AMIT KHANNA

even the likes of cable TV and broadband.

We have all seen the neighbourhood "dhobi" ironing clothes with a rusty coal iron. Clothes have been pressed in such ways for centuries. Even the steam iron is more than 120 years old. Did you realise that the ubiquitous glass bottle has been around in some form or the other since 1,500 BC? Dry-cleaning of clothes was first done almost a hundred years ago. Kerosene may have given way to benzene and other newer solvents, but the process remains the same. The bespoke tailor even today uses the same tools of trade as his forefathers did centuries ago. As do other artisans: cobblers, weavers, metal workers, embroiders, masons, carpenters, butchers and even bootleggers.

All this talk of fancy guns and revolvers and other sophisticated firearms would imply the basic rifle has disappeared. No sir, the modern, bolt-action rifle and chamber-firing revolver are essentially unchanged from their predecessors, and operate exactly the same way they did for our great grandfather. In fact, other than the advent of the semi- and fully-automatic mechanisms, and vast improvements in sighting (i.e. telescopes), a hunter or a police constable from 100 years ago would have no trouble using a modern rifle.

The axe, saw, nails, hammer, screw-driver and spanner are still the same as they were 100 years ago. A fisherman would use a boat in the late 19th century as his counterpart today. A bicycle has hardly evolved in 100 years, nor has the motorcy-

tries of yesteryears like coal and closing doors on the very people who built the country seem inimical to the innovative spirit that has come to define America. A huge vacuum will probably be left behind, and India needs to grasp the opportunity while the time is ripe.

Second, coming to the sub-national level, India shows a very mixed performance. Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra were the most innovative states in 2017. A three-way categorisation was also done based on the classification for developmental stages of economies by Michael Porter, considered the guru of competiveness. Delhi, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh turned out to be the leading states in their respective stages.

A striking feature of the state performance on innovation is that there is a clear demarcation running across India where the western and southern belt of states score considerable better than the rest of the country. This belt of states also performs economically well than the rest of India, but per capita income explains only 60 percent of the innovation scores. Higher industry presence and better prevalence of institutes of higher education along with improving linkages between the two has a substantial impact making the environment conducive for innovation across these states.

However, there are a multitude of challenges faced even by these states in undertaking innovation.

The first and most basic one is that the university system in India lacks focus on research and innovation. Inadequate funding dedicated to education does not help in building adequate facilities for research either. Second, the patenting process is quite cumbersome in India and significant amount of resources need to be devoted towards it, something which the industry typically lacks. Finally, India lacks stringent regulations and IP laws, which hinder any innovative activities. It is a telling fact that in the International IP Index released by the US Chamber of Commerce, which ranks 45 economies based on patents, trademarks, copyrights, enforcement and international treaties, India ranks 43.

There is simply no time for complacency for India when it comes to matters of innovation. The country has a perfect opportunity to get onboard the innovation train that is swiftly chugging away beyond its reach. Almost 15 percent of the startups in Silicon Valley have been founded by Indians. We clearly have the capability to do the same in India. Only the enabling factors are lacking.

As Things Change, Much Remains The Same

As they say, never reinvent the wheel. Well we haven't in millennia. It is ironical that some of the oldest inventions of man have remained unaltered for centuries. In an age where mobile phones, cars and even airplanes get an upgrade every few months, some products and services remain unaltered except for cosmetic changes.

Let's look at some examples. One of the earliest inventions still in use is the plain and simple wheel. It may have been adapted and changed to suit everything from a "thela" to a modern jet, but its basic design remains the same. Take the bullock cart, or tonga, which you can still see on Indian roads -- it is what was 5,000 years ago in Vedic times. Did you know that the rubber tyre on your bike or car has not changed substantially since John Dunlop invented the first rubber tyre in the late 19th century?

Although 10 million people flew in India last year, over 100 million still travel by railways annually. Since 1804, when the first locomotive hauled a train over rails in Wales we have almost similar trains running on almost similar tracks and sleepers even as we are constructing (and in may countries running) bullet trains.

Till a few years ago, we also had steam locomotives of 19th century vintage in use in many parts of the world. In India, 150 years after trains were introduced, we still use a hole in the floor of a small lavatory to defecate. And people still travel on train roofs! By the way, though aero-

planes have evolved a lot, their loos are still what they were many decades ago (and the seats have actually become smaller).

That reminds me, you must have noticed High Transmission Cables strung across tall pylons racing past you as you travel on railroads

or highways. In spite of rapid advancements in materials, this is the way electricity has been transmitted since its invention 150 years ago. A few years ago, when super-conductivity was discovered, it was predicted that power transmission would become several times more efficient and easy. Nothing happened. Nor have the plugs, switches, meters and fuses altered much.

Typewriters (the QWERTY keyboard invented in 1868 remains the same even on post-modern comps and devices), telegraph and telex may have disappeared, but the good old landline is still very much around. As are the cables strung across poles for all these services and, in fact, now for

cle. Vacuum cleaners, toasters, mixers, ovens and grinders have remained almost the same for years.

Let's look around the kitchen and pantry.

Baked beans still come in cans and tomato ketchup in a bottle. The bread is baked the way it was 200 years ago. The pressure cooker is the same since 1864. The mixer-grinder has been around for 100 years. The best pizzas are still baked in wood-fired ovens and the best tandoori chicken is made not on a rotisserie but a clay tandoor.

You still use frozen peas and vegetables and sausages, pate and cheese made the way they were for generations. Bottle openers, knives, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans all go back centuries.

As does most of the furniture. Fountain and ball pens were invented in 1884 and and 1888, respectively, and are still in use. The list goes on.

So, from scissors and locks, thermometers and fountain pens to knitted pullovers, patchwork quilts and leather coats and cotton swabs, antiseptics and aspirin, the past clings on to our present with a reluctant obstinacy.

The last 10 years have seen technology leap many generations with the microchip and the Internet, but utilities, consumer goods and products remain in the same mould as they were originally imagined. Most services are dispensed the same way. Lateral thinking, anyone?

(Amit Khanna is a writer, filmmaker and media guru.

The views expressed are personal. amitfilm@gmail.com)

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Consulate Celebrates Hanukkah

Atlanta, GA: The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication, was celebrated in the Indian tradition at the Consulate General of India in Atlanta on December 16, 2017. The celebration, which has now become an annual tradition, was hosted by Consul General Nagesh Singh and his wife Pragjna.

Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, office bearers of the Atlanta chapter of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and members of Atlanta Indian-American community associations were part of the celebrations. The delectable vegetarian dinner was catered by Madras Mantra restaurant.

Consul General of Israel, Judith Varnai Shorer, lighting the traditional hanukkiah.

January 2018

Diwali Festivities Hosted By Konkani Association Of Georgia

Atlanta, GA: The Konkani Association Of Georgia (KAOG) had their annual Diwali celebration at the Lanier Technical College in Cumming on October 28. It is the finale of the year, and as always, it started with pooja and bhajans that were sung by many talented singers who rendered them with bhakti. The audience partook of the aarti following the bhajans.

Following the aarti was the most awaited program of the evening - the entertainment.

The association always strives to put together an eclectic offering of songs and dances across genders, genres and ages, built around a couple of long skits. There were Bollywood dances by not only children, but a medley by ladies that was so well choreographed that it could well attract the attention of talent scouts for the next movie!

The skits in Konkani were across timelines: from a present day setting for social media shenanigans to mythical times featuring Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi! ‘Social Media Samsaaru’, written by resident playwright Banur Nageshrao featured a family constantly on their devices, with such endearing characters as Facebook Ponni and Twitter Tara. The highlight of the skit was the flawless delivery of lines in pure Konkani by kids, none older than 10 years. The language seemed to be in good hands as it gets passed down to the next generation! Another short skit, ‘GGGG’ (appropriately with five characters with names starting with ‘P’) mined the age-old theme of husbands partying absent their wives, with many a rib-tickling situation - mostly the wives’ re-entry - written and directed again by Banur. The curtain closer was a long skit, ‘Thatatsu Thatatsu’,

written and directed by the husband-wife team, Sanjay and Radhika Rao. The dialog was riddled with puns and one-liners that were lapped up by the audience. The period costumes and props for the gods - and mortals alike - were remarkable.

Post dinner - delectable fare that was catered through Persis Indian Grill - it was time to name the committee for the following year. It is testimony to the enthusiasm and sense of belonging to community that there many volunteers who stepped up to serve on various committees. When it was over, it looked like there were more people on stage than in the audience! Newcomers to the community - recent transplants to the Atlanta area - were especially enthusiastic to serve, as planning, preparations for and participation in such events gives everyone a chance to get to know one another better.

The KAOG was formed in 2000, when a few families who have been meeting informally decided to form an association. Member events typically occur three times a year - Yugadi celebrations in March/April, a summer picnic in an outdoor setting, and Diwali celebrations in October/November.

There are about 60 active families in the Atlanta metro area, and the few families strewn across Georgia who enthusiastically make the trip for each of the events. The Diwali program is the grand finale, capping off the years’ events, and occasion to showcase the talents of the community, and encourage participation. This year’s celebration capped off a year of successful events with tremendous participation at all levels, setting off a positive vibe for 2018.

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January 2018

A Celebration Of Cricket At ACA’s First Annual Banquet

BY MAHADEV DESAI Photos by Vakiti Creations

Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Cricket Academy (ACA) celebrated its first annual banquet in a grand style on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Casablanca Banquet Hall in Alpharetta, GA. The event was attended by representatives of tournament sponsor ASK Staffing, ACA committee members Venu Pisike, Deepak Roy, Murali Vijjapurapu and Pravin Vaghela, ACA supporters, Coach Anand Tummala, Coach Deepak Roy, Dhiru Shah (President-elect GIBC), freelance journalist Mahadev Desai and volunteers, players and their families.

In the engaging program emceed by cheerful and confident Lahari Pisike and Sanjana Sidike, ACA committee members remembered and celebrated the many success stories and accomplishments this year.

The audience was also regaled with captivating songs, dances, quizzes Coach Anand Tummala, Viraj Vaghela & Pravin Vaghela. and performances on musical instruqualified cricket coach said, “The current period ments like the clarinet by young performers. And is the best time for cricket in the U.S. Cricket is while the gathering was relishing spicy snacks, gaining popularity here.The International Cricket Viraj Vaghela energized the audience with his Council is responsible for the organization and rendering of the popular ‘Champions’ song. Quiz- governance of cricket's major international tourzes were also a lot of fun. naments, most notably the Cricket World Cup. ACA cricket coach Anand Tummala gave More countries are participating in cricket coman absorbing talk on the role of parents in nurtur- petitions. Different formats of cricket matches are ing and supporting children’s passion for crick- gaining popularity so budding talent has many et. Awards and trophies were presented to all openings now to showcase their prowess. Cricket the committed, upcoming and high performance is driven by cricketers .Coaches, physiotherapists, cricket players. support staff are in the background but players are ASK Staffing presented trophies and med- center-stage.” als to Annual Champions Trophy and Challenger He exhorted the young players to make the Trophy Winners and Runners-up. Coach Anand, most of their youth and to make the most of the Dhirubhai Shah, Mahadev Desai and ACA Com- opportunity available to them. He commended mittee members were also invited to present tro- parents for their dedication, commitment and phies to outstanding performers. Dhirubhai Shah support in providing facilities, coaching and in and Mahadev Desai were recognized and present- arranging competitive cricket matches. Anand ed with flower bouquets. then recognized ACA Committee members Venu In 2017, ACA won two championships.ACA Pisike, Murali Vijjapurapu; Pravin Vaghela and Avatars won the US Open Youth U13 cricket tour- Deepak Roy (also an ACA Coach), commending nament held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida over the them for their selfless and sterling services and last weekend of October 2017. The team included calling them ‘four pillars of ACA”. Anand recViraj Vaghela (captain), Ishaan Roy (vc), Ateen- ognized ACA’s cricket coach Alex Camilus who dra Subramanian (vc), Danush Kaveripakkam, could not be present at the banquet.

Dhruv Patel, Pranay Kapadia, Rishi Pandey, Aran ACA profusely thanked ASK Staffing’s Chenchu, Abhiram Kalvakuntla, Jay Sonawala, Devaki Kumayan, Vikram Bedi and Smita Atre Nayan Bhogaraju (wk), Ricardo Powell Jr. (RJ), for attending and for the tournament sponsorPrabhavh Pradeep, Coach: Deepak Roy, Manag- ship. The academy also thanked Atlanta Cricker: Pravin Vaghela et League for helping ACA during the year and ACA Avatars won the Minor Cricket League ACL President - Ramu Parupalli, ACL Chairman (MiCL) U13 Cricket tournament held in St. Louis, - Rakesh Gandavarapu and ACL Board Member MO over the Labor Day long weekend. The team - Sirish Vallabhu for gracing the event. It further included Viraj Vaghela (captain/wk), Ateendra thanked Bhavuk Goel of Bazooka Cricket Store Subramanian (vc), Danush Kaveripakam,Vinay for generously gifting cricket bats and kits to high Polaku, Pranavh Pradeep, Samanyu Vemuri, Aran performers, and Hasan Ali of Cricdepot for donatChenchu, Abhigna Vijjapurapu,Yash Verma, ing raffle prizes. ACA recognized and presented Abhiram Kalvakuntla, Prabhavh Pradeep, Akhil flower bouquets in appreciation to these sponsors Posa, Coach: Anand Tummala, Managers: Murali and representatives.

Vijjapurapu/Pravin Vaghela ACA Committee members presented 2017 Coach Anand Tummala was also recognized key developments, achievements, finances and and presented with an award. In his brief remarks roadmap for 2018. ACA also launched its website Anand, who is a noted cricketer and a highly at the Banquet.

Coaches Deepak Roy (L) and Anand Tummala.

Please check out the ACA website: www.atlantacricketacademy.org or contact ACA by email

at info@atlantacricketacademy.org or by phone at 470/239-0297.

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January 2018

It's Best To Steer Clear Of Bitcoins Lest The Bubble Bursts

BY AMIT KAPOOR

It is impossible to make sense of the Bitcoin-mania that has been making waves of late.

In just a span of one year, the crypto-currency has doubled four times. The price of one Bitcoin in early January 2017 was $1,000 (almost Rs 64,000).

It rose to $2,000 by May 2017. In August, it breached $4,000. By late November, it was $8,000 and, two weeks later, it had crossed $16,000. Nothing short of a bubble can explain such an astronomical run. In fact, most recently, the market valuation of Bitcoin in South Korean markets briefly surpassed that of JP Morgan, the world's largest bank.

The Bitcoin bubble is quite reminiscent of the myriad bubbles in global economic history beginning with the infamous Tulipmania of the 1600s. The tulip bulb bubble occurred in Holland during early 1600s when competing for the rarest tulip bulbs became a status symbol and speculation eventually drove its price to the extremes. At its peak, the price of tulip bulbs rose as much as 1,100 percent in a month. All of this came to an abrupt end in 1637 when prices dropped to an extent that bulbs began trading at a fraction of what they once had, miring many in financial ruin. All bubbles end in a similar fashion. Only the extent differs.

Olivier Blanchard and Mark Watson, in their 1982 paper "Bubbles, Rational Expectations and Financial Markets", explain why assets like gold,

just like Bitcoins, are prone to evolve into bubbles. First, gold acts as a hedge against inflation.

This, however, is not true in the case of Bitcoins.

The second reason that Blanchard and Watson give for a regular gold frenzy is that people base their choices on whether or not to hold an asset

based on past returns rather than market fundamentals. Therefore, investors who witness a rise in asset prices believe that they can hold on to it themselves as long as it appreciates and get out of the market before the market crashes.

The latter reason holds true in the case of Bitcoins, which are largely being driven by such

speculation. Even though the Blockchain technology behind the currency is revolutionary and could very well be the Next-Big-Thing, it does not explain the astronomical 16-fold rise that it has displayed this year. It would make sense if this trend were occurring in light of a broader loss in confidence in fiat money. But this is clearly not the case in the current global economic scenario, which finally seems to be picking up.

It can also be argued that since central banks have been practicing easy monetary policy since the crisis to revive economic activity, asset prices have displayed an upward trend. Therefore, in a market where stocks, bonds and other such assets are overvalued, Bitcoin is not an exception. Its rise can be merely a hedge against oncoming interest rate hikes. But, that does not explain why the rise in gold prices has not been similar. In fact, the rise in gold prices has been lower than that in stocks.

There is an additional aspect of the Bitcoin that might explain its widespread appeal: the anonymity involved in its transactions. Bitcoin transactions can be made securely without revealing one's identity, which makes it easy to bypass the

The Growing Charm Of Online Shopping Fests

Bengaluru: (IANS) Late last year, business reporters from across the world were invited to Shanghai -- China's largest city -- to witness the people of the most populous country in the world shop relentlessly for 24 hours.

The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, one of the world's largest retailers, has been celebrating the country's ability to buy in abundance through its shopping fests since 2009.

Through its 11.11 shopping festival, held on November 11 each year on Singles' Day (an official national festival in China where young people celebrate the fact that they are single), the company has turned the country's purchases into a spectacle for the world.

With humongous monitors that kept a count of the country's spending each microsecond, the festday sales last November had clocked in at about $25.4 billion (over Rs 1.5 trillion), making it the largest shopping extravaganza ever held in the world.

Sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving Day where websites push online shopping) had existed much before Alibaba introduced its flagship shopping event. But the advent of Internet on mobile phones has effectively allowed the Alibaba Group to convert people into consumers who shopped religiously -- not just when given discounts, but also to establish brand loyalty.

The very same mobile phone has managed to turn Indians into diligent shoppers as well, awakening the buyer in many smartphone-owning citizens. Even those who rarely visit shopping malls are now made aware of the best time to buy a television or a mobile phone, thanks to the mobile applications of shopping portals.

The online shopping festivals, particularly, have succeeded in turning non-believers in digital purchasing into believers who are eager to grab

the deals on offer.

"Shopping festivals are not just about offering consumers products at great prices, but are platforms for brands to explore newer and more innovative ways of engaging with people. It is to showcase how technology presents an opportunity for consumer engagement," Alibaba Group Chief Marketing Officer Chris Tung told IANS in an email.

With increasing Internet penetration in

China (over 53 per cent of the total 1.37 billion population), visits to shopping malls have been digitised for the convenience of millennials, the drivers of online shopping, who admit to impulsive shopping online -- a trend that mirrors in India as well.

India's leading e-tailer Flipkart and the local arm of American e-commerce major Amazon, along with other digital platforms, have managed to get Indians -- not just from metros, but also from smaller towns -- to go on an online shopping spree largely through their shopping festivals.

The average Indian shopper, who was known to put his/her money on a product -- that too a brand he or she has known for long -- only after making a store visit, was suddenly seen waiting for Big Billion Day (Flipkart's online sales event) or Amazon's

Great Indian Festival to purchase a mobile phone.

In 2016, about 69 million of India's 1.25 billion population had shopped online and the number was expected to cross the 100-million mark in 2017, according to a Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) study.

"When we launched in India four years ago, e-commerce was mostly an urban phenomenon limited to occasional shopping in few categories -led by discounts. The real opportunity to let anyone, anywhere in India buy online was unaddressed. We were driven to create a company that transforms how India buys and sells," an Amazon India spokesperson told IANS. From kitchen knives, plastic containers, televisions, refrigerators to smart phones and even gold and diamond jewellery, Indians have now turned themselves into devoted digital consumers who boldly shop for their daily needs, luxuries and fancies online.

The Alibaba Group is now working extensively to diminish the barriers between online and offline shopping experiences.

The company has brought in "new retail", which is equipping brick and mortar stores with technological mediums, allowing buyers to scan product barcodes for information about them, pay for them digitally, and even have them delivered at home.

"We want to digitise the offline world because we believe that integrating online and offline shopping experiences presents the best experience for consumers.

"And once they experience how much simpler the process becomes, they are more compliant to adopting technology into the shopping experience," Tung asserted.

government eye altogether. If true, the rise of Bitcoins could point to a disturbing trend of breakdown of global institutions. The Bitcoin craze can be seen in conjunction with a spate of shocking election outcomes that have been witnessed globally which reflect a larger loss in confidence in institutions that have guided growth.

However, in such a case, the longevity of the currency will be dependent on the government's appetite to allow such transactions. It is hard to imagine governments allowing large-scale anonymous transactions that evade any taxation and enable criminal activity. China has already banned the currency. On the other hand, Japan has made it legal tender in an attempt to become the global centre of fintech. The jury is still out on what course governments across the globe will take. American economist and chess Grandmasster Kenneth Rogoff put it best recently when he said: "The long history of currency tells us that what the private sector innovates, the state eventually regulates and appropriates."

Either when the speculative run ends or governments decide to regulate, the Bitcoin dream run is bound to come to an end. It is best to steer clear of the dreaded eventuality.

(Dr. Amit KAPOOR is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, India. The views expressed are personal.)

Parekh Excited To Lead Infosys Software veteran Salil S. Parekh, who took over as the CEO and MD of Infosys this month, said he was excited to lead the IT major on its path of helping clients digitally reinvent themselves.

"I am excited to lead the company on its path of helping clients digitally reinvent themselves for sustained growth," said Parekh in his maiden address to nearly 2 lakh Infosys techies operating at its development centres the world over.

Admitting that 2018 got off to a great start for him as he began his journey as CEO of an iconic company, he told the Infocions that each of them had an important role to play in the world of continuous technology disruptions.

Earlier, Parekh took charge as the new CEO and MD as senior executives, including Chief Operating Officer U.B. Pravin Rao, welcomed and greeted him at the company's corporate office in the Electronics City on the city's outskirts.

Soon after the senior management briefed Parekh about the company's activities and made a presentation on its current business, he addressed the employees through video-conference.

The Infosys Board on December 2 appointed Parekh, 53, for the top executive post for five years with effect from January 2 to December 31, 2022.

Parekh is the second non-founder executive of the $10-billion firm after the exit of the first non-promoter CEO Vishal Sikka in August following a spat with its co-founders over governance issues last year.

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NRI Pulse

..... Books .....

January 2018

The Riddle Of Padmavati- A Riveting Reconstruction

BY VIKAS DATTA Title: Rani Padmavati -- The Burning Queen; Author: Anuja Chandramouli; Publisher: Juggernaut; Pages: 240

There could scarcely be any Indian historical/myhtological character presenting more delicacy in artistic depiction as Queen Padmavati of Chittor, with any story of her tumultuous life liable to invite a raging controversy or worse as a filmmaker and his cast have already learnt. But should she become a symbol of competing narratives than having her story told?

Bollywood, with its penchant for spectacle, simplification and sensationalization, may have not succeeded in retelling this significant episode from late 13th-early 14th century India, but what about a gifted story-teller in an older medium? And there could be no one better than Anuja Chandramouli to tell the tragic story of this queen, in a compelling manner and with the modern sensibility she brings to bear.

In her first foray in a historical topic instead of the mythology and urban fantasy she has hitherto excelled in, Chandramouli shows the story that brings Rani Padmavati, Rawal Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khalji into a fatal clash was no "love jihad" as some vested sections would seek to categorise it.

As she presents it, it is indeed a story of love, proud traditions, honour, duty, patriotism, valour and conflict, but as it is about humans, not symbols, the noble motives are also supplemented by some more baser -- and more prevalent ones -- lust (for power), greed, envy, jealousy, fear, self-preservation, treachery, and so on.

And then there is the overwhelming yearning for a happy, peaceful life with someone we love.

Chandramouli begins with a prologue showing how Alauddin Khalji (depicted as cruel but clear-headed -- and no psychopath) ascended to the Delhi throne, occupied by his uncle and father-in-law Jalaluddin Khalji, and dealt with the traitors who helped him, and also his wife, before

ate, and what this led to.

In parallel, we see Khalji's plans to extend his realm, by any means possible, till people term him "Sikandar Sani" (or a second Alexander the Great), and also his energetic efforts to keep the Mongol hordes from over-running the subcontinent.

The author takes us on to the opportunities -and problems -- following Padmavati's marriage

ing to the breaking of a high-profile marriage, the "honour-killing" of a blameless woman -- and a rift in the realm.

However, Chetana, on the eve of his execution, is saved by a mysterious figure, who stuns him with the price he must pay. Soon he is in Delhi, telling Khalji of Padmavati's beauty in a bid to convince him to invade Chittor and seize her.

Then follows the range of events most Indians are familiar with -- Chittor's siege and sacking, Ratan Singh's capture and Padmavati's self-immolation. But Chandramouli, who has consulted a number of authoritative history books, gives her story a unique but much plausible twist.

There is also a surrealistic dream scene -- a particular motif of the author -and a rather unexpected but powerful ending a decade later, which shows how even a powerful ruler can succumb to ravages of time.

On the whole, this book, one of three the author has out simultaneously, combines a tender love story with some incisive political and historical insight, especially why the Rajputs failed to counter or defeat the "invaders" (who had already been around for a century), and offers a peep into Khalji's mind -- especially what later generations would think of his Chittor launching her story proper. to (an already married) Ratan Singh, their mar- campaign.

We then follow the to-be queen Padmavati in ital life, along with the jealousy their closeness This along with her deft characterisation, her teenage years at her parents' house, their dis- caused among the harem and court, and then the evocative descriptions, spirited dialogue, and cussion of her future, her father and uncle's sum- case of the despicable Raghav Chetana. adding other contemporary happenings (the case mons to their uncle and liege lord -- along with Action starts coming to a head when Ratan of Karan Vaghela of Gujarat and arrival of Veneher, her marriage as part of a political alliance to Singh acts against Chetana following his involve- tian traveller "Malpua Poha") makes this possibly counter the expansionist aims of the Delhi Sultan- ment in an episode of that era's "sex tapes", lead- the best examination of this episode.

Five Books To Look Forward To In January 2018

BY SAKET SUMAN

In "Pakistan's Nuclear Bomb", Abbas profiles the politicians and scientists involved in the After a significant year for publishing in development of the country's atomic bomb and the India, the month of January in 2018 will set the role of China and Saudi Arabia in supporting its literary mood for a new beginning. The Jaipur nuclear infrastructure. Drawing on extensive interLiterature Festival will see the release of several views, the book also unravels the motivation besignificant books, apart from hosting over 200 seshind the Pakistani nuclear physicist Dr A.Q. Khan's sions that will witness participation from writers and thinkers from across the world. Here are the five books that we cannot wait to read this January: 1. "Why I Am A Hindu", by Shashi Tharoor (Aleph) In "Why I Am a Hindu", Tharoor gives us a profound book about one of the world's oldest and greatest religions. Starting with a close examination of his own belief in Hinduism, he ranges far and wide in his study of the faith. He looks at the myriad manifestations of political Hinduism in the modern era, including violence committed in the name of the faith by right-wing organisations and their adherents. He is unsparing in his criticism of extremist "bhakts", and unequivocal in his belief that everything that makes India a great and distinctive culture and country will be imperiled if religious fundamentalists are allowed to take the upper hand.

2. "Pakistan's Nuclear Bomb", by Hassan Abbas (Penguin)

Kaur (Penguin) In February 2017, Gurmehar Kaur, a 19-yearold student, joined a peaceful campaign after violent clashes at a Delhi University college. As part of the campaign, Kaur's post made her the target of an onslaught of social media vitriol. Kaur, the daughter of a Kargil war martyr, suddenly became the focal point of a nationalism debate. Facing a trial by social media, Kaur almost retreated into herself. But she was never brought up to be silenced. "Real bullets killed my father. Your hate bullets are deepening my resolve," she wrote at the time. Today, Kaur is doubly determined not to be silent.

"Small Acts of Freedom" is her story.

4. "Keepers of the Kalachakra", by Ashwin Sanghi (Westland) A seemingly random selection of heads of state is struck down like flies by unnamed killers who work with the clinical efficiency of butchers.

Except that they leave no trace of their methods.

Sanghi returns with another quietly fearsome tale 3. "Small Acts of Freedom", by Gurmehar -- this time of men who guard the "Kalachakra" involvement in nuclear proliferation in Iran, Libya and North Korea, and argues that the origins and evolution of the Khan network were tied to the domestic and international political motivations underlying Pakistan's nuclear weapons project and its organisation, oversight and management.

-- The Wheel of Time. Sanghi describes a world of people at war with one another -- a boomeranging conflict of faiths that results in acts of such slow and planned human cruelty that they defy imagination. Zigzagging from Rama's crossing to Lanka to the birth of Buddhism; from the charnel-grounds of naked tantric practitioners to the bespoke suits of the Oval Office; and from the rites of Minerva, shrouded in frankincense, to the smoke-darkened ruins of Nalanda, the mystery novel is a journey that will have you gasping for breath.

5. "Diwali in Muzaffarnagar", by Tanuj Solanki (HarperCollins) Friendship between two teenage boys dissolves in the aftermath of an act of violence typical of the place they live in -- the north Indian town of Muzaffarnagar. A young man comes to the same town to celebrate Diwali with his family and learns that, given his roots, his cosmopolitanism might not be an option any more. A young woman, hitherto unburdened by family duties, grapples with the absence of grief upon her father's death. Elsewhere, a recently married couple is pulled apart by a crisis rooted in the woman's traumatic childhood.

In Solanki's book of short stories, young men and women travel between the past and the present, the metropolis and the small town, and the always-atodds needs of life: Solitude and family.

17

NRI Pulse

..... Health Pulse .....

How To Rescue Memory?

Dr Daniel Amen & Dr Panchajanya Paul

BY DR.PANCHAJANYA PAUL, MD

M – Mental Health : Chronic Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder I –Infections : Lyme, Toxoplasma, Herpes For long, it was assumed that memory N – Necrohormone Deficiencies : Low testosloss was a part of getting old. Lost memories terone, low Estrogen are gone forever. Once Alzheimer’s and other D – Diabesity : Overweight, high blood sugar dementias set in, nothing can halt their progres- S – Sleep Issues: chronic insomnia sion. This belief is about to change.

The brrain has only 5 percent of our body Earlier it was thought that nerve cells stop growing after adulthood. In the biggest neuro- weight, but requires 20 percent of the blood science discovery of the century, scientists have supply to function optimally. The easiest way found that the human brain can grow new cells to increase blood flow to the brain is physical all through life, even at a very old age. How- exercise. During exertion, the hurt pumps more ever, multiple disease processes can impair the blood and boosts brain function. Nutritional regrowth and regeneration of brain cells. Over supplements like Gingko, Ginseng, Omega 3 time, this leads to degeneration of the nerve fatty acids, green tea, resveratrol found in grapes also improve brain blood flow. Many Ayurvedic cells, causing dementia.

New research suggests that Alzheimer’s is herbs like Ashwagandha, turmeric, brahmi, banot a single disease, but multiple pathologies, copa has been used for thousands of years in Inand the final pathway is the degeneration and dia. Now research has confirmed their positive death of brain cells. Memory loss is the earli- role in brain health.

Playing sports like badminton, tennis, est sign of dementia which slowly progresses to impair all brain functions, finally leading to gymnastics, soccer, which promote balance and death. If we can prevent the factors for brain coordination also stimulates blood flow to the degeneration, and promote the factors for brain brain. Many people who remain alert and active regeneration, then we can treat and reverse Alz- throughout their life notice sudden decline after heimer’s. Based on this simple idea, Dr. Daniel retirement. People approaching the age of reAmen has developed a comprehensive Mem- tirement or those in retirement must be cautious ory Rescue program which can sharpen your to keep their brain active. Learning new things memory, reverse brain aging, and decrease risk create new nerve cell connection. Another factor of Alzheimer’s. Memory Rescue classifies all for brain decline is social isolation. Humans are risk factors for Alzheimer’s and other dementia social animals and maximum brain cells become into 11 categories under mnemonic BRIGHT active when we are socializing in groups. Cultivating a hobby, volunteering, and attending soMINDS. B – Blood Flow : Hypertension, Stroke, Heart cial events like festivals, ceremonies, birthdays anniversary can help to preserve brain function.

Disease Chronic inflammation is another risk to R – Retirement and Aging : Social Isolation, brain and body health. A diet high in plants, Loneliness I – Inflammation : Periodontal disease, high ho- vegetables, organic meat, wild fish will keep the body healthy and fight infection and inmocysteine or CRP G – Genetics : Family member with Alzhei- flammation. A diet full of processed food, trans fat, wheat, sugar will raise inflammation in the mer’s , APOE4 gene body. Add plenty of coconut, avocado, grass fed H – Head Trauma : Concussion, Loss of smell T – Toxins : Alcohol, Cigarettes, Heroin, Co- butter, and ghee in your diet as this will raise the ketone levels, which helps in forming new brain caine , Mercury

health benefits of alcohol. Alcohol is a brain depressant and decreases blood flow to the brain. Chronic alcohol use will cause memory and sleep problems.

Mild, occasional, and social use may have some benefit, but requires discipline. Our environment is full of toxins from chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and preservatives. Chemicals like BPA, phthalates, parabens cause hormone imbalance. Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid nourishes the brain.

Avoid plastic containers, processed food, farm raised meat and fish.

Dr Daniel Amen & Dr Get you hormone levels checked on a regular basis. Alzheimer’s has also Panchajanya Paul been described as the diabetes of the brain. The brain fails to secrete insulin and cannot use the glucose effectively in Alzheimer’s. Get checked and adequately treated for diabetes. Natural supplements that help with blood sugar regulation are cinnamon, chromium, magnesium, and vitamin D. The brain also heals itself during sleep. Chronic sleep problem increases the risk for dementia. The key to your health is in cells. Also, some people may have chronic brain your hand.

Only 5 percent of cases of Alzheimer’s infections from Lyme, Molds, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus which has been linked with de- can be attributed to genetic causes. It might be mentia. They can be detected through lab tests, and good idea to get tested for APOE4 gene. If you treated by your doctor. Chronic psychiatric condi- are positive, then your risk for dementia is hightions like depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD – if er. But also remember, the genetic expression is untreated will cause changes in brain function over mediated through the environment. By controlling time. Studies have shown that people with depres- all the risk factors, you can stop the expression of sion are a higher risk of developing dementia later the Alzheimer’s gene and reverse its progression. in life. If you worry too much consider using sup- As Dr. Amen says “Your brain’s history is not its plement that will boost brain serotonin levels like destiny. Even if you have brain fog or trouble remembering now, it doesn’t mean you always will. saffron, 5HTP, tryptophan, and St Johns Wart.

Any form of head trauma is bad for the You can start having a better memory today by brain. Small amounts of trauma accrued over time engaging in a Memory Rescue plan which will damages brain structure and increases the risk for also improve your energy, mood, sleep, weight, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and and overall success in life.”

If you or your loved ones are struggling psychiatric conditions. Always wear helmet, be careful while driving, using stairs, and limit dan- or at risk for memory loss consider reading the book MEMORY RESCUE by Daniel Amen. gerous activities which has risk of fall.

Recreational drugs like heroin, cocaine, Amen Clinics also provides comprehensive LSD, and others are toxic to the brain. Every other MEMORY RESCUE program, call 1888-288day, news magazines quote studies purporting the 9834 for details.

Fight Your Sweet Tooth With These 4 Natural Sweeteners

We are all set to begin the New Year with new pledges and resolutions to stay fit and tune in to a healthy lifestyle. To beat a big hurdle in your healthy resolution -- dieting boredom -- one needs to keep the diet plan and healthy eating target as exciting and simple as possible. Nature has blessed us with a few natural sweeteners which can best fit into our healthy diet, says nutritionist and fitness trainer Iram Zaidi. Here are her four top natural sweeteners. *Stevia-plant based, zero calorie, easy to use and safe sweetener Stevia is getting popular across the world as a natural sweetener. There were certain misconceptions with its bitter taste as a majority of products were based on traditional stevia sweeteners offered in the form of high purity Reb A molecule. A recently developed variety of stevia tastes exactly like sugar, so that our taste buds should not be compromised. Given stevia can replace some unwanted sweetener calories, it can be one tool for cutting calories from your daily diet without affecting blood sugar or insulin levels.

* Sugarcane juice -- Nature's superfluid and * Honey -- Nature's best anti-biotic and a great sweetener great sweetener Sugarcane juice has been a part of Indian Natural honey is loaded with nutrients and is culture for thousands of years. Ayurveda acharyas an essential part of Indian home remedy solutions from ages. It has proteins, minerals, and vitamins.

The plant enzyme amylase present in raw honey is effective in breaking down and helping the predigestion of the starches and also helps to raise the level of antioxidants required in the body. One teaspoon of honey is only about 20 calories.

prefer the juice to be extracted from healthy canes and consumed in hygienic form. A great energy drink, skin toner, body cleanser and loaded with a variety of medicinal properties to fight a majority of diseases, sugarcane juice is unfortunately missing from our diet plans.

One of the biggest reasons was the hygiene factor. Now, a bottled sugarcane juice or coldpressed sugarcane juice are good pick-ups for a healthy start.

January 2018

* Coconut sugar -- lower glycemic index and great nutritional value Coconut sugar is also called coconut palm sugar. It is a natural sugar made from sap, which is the sugary circulating fluid of the coconut plant. It is a good source of minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, along with some short chain fatty acids, polyphenols and antioxidants. Coconut sugar and coconut nectar contain a fiber known as inulin. This fiber may help slow glucose absorption, offering an alternative for those dealing with diabetic concerns.

“Limit Children's Snacks To 200 Calories A Day”

Concerned over the high intake of sugar from unhealthy snacks among young children in England, a new campaign has urged parents to limit the intake of calories to just 200 per day by including foods such as malt loaf, low-sugar yogurt and drinks with no added sugar.

The Change4Life campaign wants parents to give their children a maximum of two snacks a day containing no more than 100 calories each, not including fruit and vegetables.

The eight-week Change4Life campaign will offer parents money-off vouchers towards items including malt loaf, lower-sugar yogurt and drinks with no added sugar in some supermarkets.

The offer will also be extended on a range of healthier snacks include packs of chopped vegetables and fruit, sugar-free jelly, and plain rice crackers at selected supermarkets.

On average, primary school children have at least three sugary snacks a day, which means they can easily consume three times more sugar than the recommended maximum.

18

NRI Pulse

EVENTS

Kite Festival: Makar JAN 13 Sankranti Lunch, dinner, activities When: Sat, Jan 13, 2018 from 10am-5pm Where: S Convention Center, 540 Access Rd, Cumming GA Tickets:$15, $10 ages 6-17, free for younger kids Contact: napsgausa.org TAMA - SVK Systems JAN 13 Sankranthi Sambaralu Hosted by Telugu Association Of Metro Atlanta Highlights include Art Competition for kids, Muggula Poti, Mehandi, Cultural programs by local talent, Raffle Prizes and Performances by Singers Nutana & Srikanth. We also get to meet Manasuku Nachchindi movie team Manjula & Sundeep. Get ready to taste the delicious food by our Silver Sponsor Cafe Bahar Restaurant.

Kid Friendly When: Saturday January 13, 2018 from 3pm10pm Where: Mountain View High School, 2351 Sunny Hill Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Tickets: $7+, kids $5+ Contact: Manoj Tatikonda: 704-488-4884, info@tama.org www.tama.org Multicultural India: JAN 16 A Visual Journey.

Exhibit featuring the photography of Robert Arnett.

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - March 8, 2018 at 7am Opening reception Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 5pm Where: Social Sciences Atrium, Social Sciences Bldg SO1005B Seating Area Gallery, Kennesaw State University.

Contact: pharbin3@kennesaw.edu

..... Features .....

Chai & Just Chat: JAN 20 The Power of Choice, Finger Pointing to Active Listening w/ Dr. Nazeera Dawood.

Free.

When: Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 4pm6:30pm.

Where: Nazeera LLC, 6475 East Johns Crossing, Johns Creek, GA. Register.

Contact: https://www.facebook.com/nazeera. dawood.5 SAB: South Asian JAN 21 Bride wedding show, a luxury bridal experience Meet top industry wedding vendors, shop for designerwear + gorgeous jewels, relax in the chai lounge, get an express mani.

When: Sunday, January 21, 2018 from noon5pm.

Where: W Atlanta - Midtown, 188 14th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361 Register, Contact: weddingshowbySAB.com.

Youth Festival, JAN 27 FOMAA, Federation of Malayalee Associations of America Various competitions When: Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9am8pm Where: Berkmar High School, 405 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lilburn, GA 30047 Contact: 404-425-4350, 678-862-7563

To list your upcoming event, please email us at contact@nripulse.com with ‘Event Listing’ in the subjectline.

4 Healthy Habits To Cultivate In 2018

As we get ready to welcome 2018, most of us also commit to being better versions of ourselves.

Leading a healthier lifestyle usually tops the list, but it is also one of the toughest things to achieve.

Exercise daily: Promise yourself that you will spend a minimum of 40 minutes every day exercising.

Simple forms of exercise go a long way in preventive care -- they help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis, alleviate depression and anxiety, and even boost mental alertness and confidence.

Get enough sleep: The function of sleep is to not only relax the body, but also rest and restore the mind. It is necessary to heal and repair your heart and blood vessels.

Ongoing sleep deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of various health issues that affect the heart as well as kidney, and also lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. While you can function for a while without getting the necessary amount of sleep every day, it will eventually take a toll on you. Commit to sleeping a minimum of seven hours a day while aiming for

eight, and you will feel yourself getting healthier and happier in a short amount of time.

Go natural: This year, make long-term wellness your goal instead of just trying to solve the problem at hand. As per Ayurveda texts and modern research, Guduchi can significantly help in preventive care, as it is a great promoter of immunity, aids in the fight against respiratory problems, and helps you get healthier. The herb is rich in antioxidants, and including it in your daily life can help you achieve better health.

Drink enough water: If you want to keep the doctor away, eight glasses of water a day is the way to do it. Water is the fuel your body runs on; it is necessary to keep your body functioning well. Drinking enough water can help you with weight loss, detoxification, digestion, beautiful skin and hair, and even easy bowel movement. Work at this goal throughout the day and it will keep getting easier. There are many ways to achieve this goal. Download an app, play a game, or set a reminder, but ensure you keep reaching for that glass of water and hit that two-liter goal.

January 2018

Mythical Potions That Turn Into Reality

BY NURY VITTACHI Lord of the Rings, Dittany potion from Harry I hate it when I want to sneak out of work ear- Potter, Chamalla extract from Battlestar Galacly, but invisibility pills have not yet been invented. tica, the Senzu Bean from Japan's Dragonball Science moves soooo sloooowly. It's stories and so on.

In fact we found only four literary potions 2018! Sci-fi stories promised us that technolwhich were a bit more creative -- and possibly ogy would bring us flying cars; instead it has brought us "Press 7 For Even More Maddening- worth turning into reality.

1) Dried Frog Pills: From Terry Pratchett's ly Irrelevant Choices".

Discworld stories, these make you I was moaning about this hallucinate that you are sane. This when a reader informed me that would help pretty much all world one group of people is serious leaders at the moment, the hope about making fiction into reality. being that they would behave like Officials in Uttarakhand, India, sensible people for a change. are investing cash into finding 2) Extract of Phoenix Feathsanjeevani booti, the magic herb ers: From Japan's Final Fantasy from the Ramayana which the god stories, this not only re-animates Hanuman uses to raise Lakshmana the dead but turns zombies back from the dead. into humans. I know some people What a great idea. I asked say there's no such thing as zomreaders and colleagues: What othbies, but clearly they've never met er potions from literature could modern teenagers. governments turn into reality?

3) Blinkmoth Serum: The first response came from FUNNY SIDE From Magic: The Gathering, this an over-educated workmate, who gives you extreme intelligence, said that ancient Greek literature self-awareness, and understanding, making had two medicines, Nepenthe and the Waters of Lethe, which made those who drank it forget you a person of great wisdom. (This is not to be confused with drinks such as Prosecco and their sorrows.

Bleeaaah. (That's me making the Wrong arrack, which make you think you have become Answer Noise from TV quiz shows.) Reject! a person of great wisdom.) Problem: Everyone I Modern society already has many magic po- mentioned this to declared that they would rathtions which do exactly that, including Carls- er be stupid all their lives than eat a moth. Good point. berg, Kingfisher, Bud Light, etc.

4) The Spice Melange: This stuff from the Then he suggested the elixir in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which puts you in Dune stories makes your senses super-sharp a death-like coma. Bleeaaah. Reject again! We and gives the whites of your eyes a strange already spend most of our days in death-like blue glow. This would be useful to hide the red, blood-shot eyes I'm going to have later this afcomas.

So I handed the question to the Internet's ternoon. "Barman, bring me your biggest jug of Hive Mind and it concluded that authors in gen- the Waters of Lethe." Cheers!

But of course I have to wait until those lazy eral are shockingly lazy. Fiction is full of disappointingly vague potions that instantly heal any scientists invent invisibility pills so I can sneak type of wound, including Athelas elixir from out of work. Come on, guys!

Jewelry Trends For 2018

As the seasons continue to transition and * This year, people will see a lot more of flopeople start to switch closets, women are turning ra and fauna which will be an aesthetic combinato jewelry choices that are way more distinct and tion of glamour, beauty, nature and romanticism. * The brooch is officially back on the runways and red carpets, and the millennials love pinning bejewelled brooches to their denim jackets. * Statement jewelry has always worked wonders. A trendy pair of oversized earrings can turn your otherwise boring outfit into an ultra-chic personal. Pearls, statement jewelry are some of look. the trends that will rule this year. * With the celebrity staple, the chain drop Jewelry designer Pallavi Foley and Sanjay earrings was a hit at the runway and the red carJagwani, Director, Notandas Jewellers, have list- pet. It is a look that flatters universally. They can ed some jewelry trends to watch out for in 2018: be teamed up with both western and ethnic looks. * The all-time favorite are stud earrings. * Pearls are something that never go out of Usually preferred by women who like minimalist style. This season opt for Baroque pearls rather jewelry. There are a variety of variations in sizes than round pearls for their uniqueness in hues and and precious stones like ruby and sapphire which shapes. can be worn for different occasions.

19

NRI Pulse

..... Indians of Atlanta .....

January 2018

Dr Sreeni Gangasani: Fulfilling A Patient’s Last Wish

“It was my mother’s wish that I become a doctor, but I have never once regretted fulfilling her dream. The good feeling that I get, especially when a patient recovers after his family has given up on him/her, is priceless. I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything. And once in a while, something comes along, that makes you believe that you must be doing something right.

A couple of years ago, Joe Shafer, my patient of 12 years, called to tell me that he was dying of cancer. He was going to the hospice. “I have always admired how you treated me. I want to help so we can have more doctors like you,” he told me. Shafer wanted to give a donation to my medical college in India. I was expecting a donation of $1000 to $5000. After Shafer passed away three days later, I heard from a relative. She had a check for $100,000 from Shafer’s estate!

When I got the check, I had goosebumps. I couldn’t sleep that night. The responsibility of doing justice to Shafer’s generosity weighed heavily on me. Shafer was a good old Baptist gentleman who had never traveled to India. I had never treated him differently from my other patients. And yet, he had placed implicit faith in me.

I plan to open a charitable foundation soon.

Shafer’s funds translate to around INR 65,00000.

I want to add my own money and bring the total up to INR 1 crore. The funds will be used for three purposes. I went to a residential school in Sarvail, Telangana- a highly competitive government run school for toppers. I want to announce scholarships to support meritorious students from poor families there. Secondly, I’d like to offer

monetary prizes for poor students who cannot pay tuition at my alma mater, Kurnool Medical College (I was a gold medalist in my class). I am also in talks with the principal to see how some of the funds can assist the cardiology department. Thirdly, my wish is to make a donation to the Vishwa Yogi Foundation in Guntur. Swamiji is providing great service to the community, especially through the foundation’s charitable hospitals.

Now that I have a plan, I feel confident that Sha-

“When I got the check, I had goosebumps. The responsibility of doing justice to Shafer’s generosity weighed heavily on me. I had never treated him differently from my other patients. And yet, he had placed implicit faith in me...” fer’s funds will be used in ways that he would approve of.

I believe in treating others the way I would treat myself or a family member. While this is rewarding in itself, sometimes, the bonus can be a patient entrusting you with his legacy!” – Dr Sreeni Gangasani Sreeni R. Gangasani MD, FACC is a cardiologist with the CardioVascular Group. Dr. Gangasani is a past president and chairman of Board of Trustees of GAPI (Georgia Association of Physicians of Indian Heritage). Under his leadership, GAPI opened a volunteer clinic to serve the health needs of the uninsured and underinsured in Metro Atlanta. He regularly participates in local health fairs in US and India and serves on the board of

directors of SAI Health Fair, Inc. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of American Association of Physicians of Indian origin, (AAPI).

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, as Secre-

tary of APNA (Andhra Pradesh Physicians and Professionals of North America), and as chair of IMG section of Medical Association of Georgia.

He was awarded the Circle of Hope award for compassion in Medicine in 2012 and 2017.

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NRI Pulse

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

January 2018

10 Must-See Bollywood Films Of 2018

Like every year, a lot of films are ready to hit the screens in 2018. So, know where to put your money.

Here's a list of must-see Bollywood films this year: * "Pad Man": On January 26, it's Akshay Kumar, and no one else. I will put my money on this heart-warming saga of

Arunachalam Muruganantham, the man who manufactured economical sanitary napkins even at the risk of being belittled.

Here is another man-of-the-masses part for the ever-enterprising actor who never shies away from seeming less than heroic because he knows that the true hero is the one who dares to venture into the unknown even at the risk of stumbling and falling.

"Pad Man" is directed by one of my favourites R. Balki who courts the quirky with compelling credibility.

In "Shamitabh", it was the Big B giving voice to mute star Dhanush. In "Ki & Ka", a working wife gets herself a happy house-husband. In "Pad Man", gender-sensitisation reaches the cyclic level. Yes, it's that time of the month. * "Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety": Luv Ranjan is a director who gets into the head

and the bed of the young without acting like a twit of a director. His remarkable proclivity for youthful candour is in full view in this wackily-titled rom-com where Sonu's (Kartik Aaryan) over-possessive best friend Titu (Sunny Singh) gets a girlfriend Sweety (Nushrat Bharucha). It's a lip-smacking bromance versus romance on February 9. * "Hichki": For my money and time, Rani Mukerji doing the role of a teacher with a neurological disability is just what the doctors prescribed. This official remake of a little-known American film "Front Of The Class" is the kind of inspirational story we all need in our lives.

Release date is February 23.

* Sanjay Dutt's biopic: Ranbir Kapoor playing Sanjay Dutt in a film directed

by Raj Kumar Hirani is not quite my idea of an inspirational biopic. Nonetheless, this one is of interest for us to know what mistakes one can make in the journey of life. So this can be taken as an inspirational film in reverse. Verdict is on March 30. * "October": Titled "October" but releasing in April. A Shoojit Sircar film by any name or in any month smells just as sweet. Sircar teams up with the most successful star of 2017 (not counting Salman Khan) -- Varun Dhawan -- for what the director describes as the most unusual love story. We can't wait for April 13.

* "Veere Di Wedding": The sheer joy of watching a gallery of interesting female actors navigated by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor is enough reason to give this 'chic-flick' a run for its money.

Release date is May 18. * "Fanne Khan": A famous singer played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan kidnapped by the father (Anil Kapoor) of a wannabe singer -- an extremely unusual premise and a solid project to bring together Aishwarya and Anil Kapoor after "Taal".

Directed by debutant Atul Manjrekar, this remake of a Belgian film promises something unusual. Release date is June 15. * "Gold": If Akshay Kumar owns Republic Day, he also exercises a quasi-copyright over the Independence Day week. On August 15, comes "Gold", a film recreating India's historic win for hockey at the 1948 Olympics.

Reema Kagti's film would be a fictional take on what actually happened. The game of hockey would feature prominently in the plot. But there will also be strong human drama playing at the forefront. And it wouldn't be just the Olympics victory in 1948 we will be looking at. "Gold" will look at 12 crucial years in India's history.

Wow! Can't wait!! * "Super 30": Not kicked by Vikas Bahl's directorial abilities after seeing the mess he made in "Shaandaar". But it would be interesting to see the life of the maths genius Anand kumar brought to life on screen by Hrithik Roshan who hasn't done a biopic before. Releasing on November 23. * "Zero": Aanand L. Rai gets together with Shah Rukh Khan for a game changer this Christmas. Crucial for SRK who needs a clutter-breaker. Releasing on December 21.

And of course, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavat(i)".

Rajinikanth Finally Takes Plunge Into Politics

To Advertise here, Call 404-664-2805 today!

Chennai: (IANS) In a decision that could redraw Tamil Nadu's political landscape, superstar Rajinikanth on Sunday accused political parties of "looting" the people and vowed to form a new outfit to pursue "spiritual politics" and contest the next Assembly election.

After two decades of uncertainty, the 68-year-old bus conductor-turned-heartthrob of Tamil cinema told cheering fans here that his decision, which drew varying reactions from different political outfits, was a "compulsion of time".

Alleging that politics in the country had gone "very wrong", Rajinikanth said in Tamil: "Under the guise of democracy, political parties are looting their own people."

Such a system needed to be changed.

The hugely popular actor said his party -- he did not name it -- would not contest the upcoming local body elections due to lack of time to prepare but would field candidates in all the 234 Assembly seats in 2021.

A decision on the 2019 Lok Sabha uary 14.

Rajinikanth said his first task would polls would be taken at an appropriate be to get many of his unregistered fan clubs time, he said. affiliated with the parent body.

He underlined that he was not getting into politics for the greed of power. He was not interested in political power at age 45 and, so, there was no question of he having the desire now.

Rajinikanth admitted that in a state with a plethora of political parties, it would be no easy task to float a new one. "It is like taking a pearl from the deep sea."

He promised that his party, if elected In a clear attack on the ruling AIAD- to power, would resign if it was not able MK, Rajinikanth said the happenings in to fulfil the electoral promises within three Tamil Nadu in the past one year -- since years of forming a government.

Advising his fans to "think good, talk Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa died in December 2016, leading to splits in the party good and do good", Rajinikanth said his party's philosophy would be "Truth, Work -- had made the state a laughing stock.

He urged his legion of fans not to talk and Growth".

He said he was confident of getting about politics or comment about other parties till his party was floated. Some said people's support as he represented the comthis could happen on Pongal day on Jan- mon man.

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NRI Pulse

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

January 2018

At 75, Amitabh Bachchan Just Keeps On Going

BY SUBHASH K. JHA

In case people haven't noticed, Amitabh Bachchan has stopped giving interviews since the second half of 2017. Even when his 75th birthday arrived, he was steadfast in his resolve to stay mum.

When he makes up his mind to do something, no mountain can move Mr B to change his mind. And no one had better try either.

This year, Mr B has decided to train for his role as a football coach in Nagraj Manjule's "Jhund", although he is not required to play much football on camera for the film.

Mr B's logic: "I know I don't play football.

But the audience doesn't know that."

Every year, the cynics think he will wear himself out. Each time, Mr B surprises his fans and dismays the cynics by re-inventing himself without seeming to.

In 2017, Mr B was heard more than seen.

While he was seen in only one film last year, namely Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar 3", Mr B did voiceovers for as many as three -- Srijit Mukherjee's "Begum Jaan", new director Sankalp Reddy's "The Ghazi Attack" and Rajiev Dhingra's "Firangi".

Among the many monumental achievements of his career, the multitude of narrations and voiceovers form a peculiar place in Mr B's oeuvre.

Once I asked him why is the profusion of voice performances and he said, "Bhai, kya karen? They are all friends who want me to do this for them. How can I say no to them? Tomorrow if

you direct a film and ask me to be part of it, would I be able to say no?"

Mr B doesn't say no to friends. Years ago, a desperate filmmaker needed Mr B to make a guest appearance in a Kannada film about a man who must fulfill his wife's dying wish to meet her favourite actor. When I requested Mr B, he not only did the needful but refused to accept a single penny.

This happened 10 years ago. That spirit of must-do remains. Last year, a friend's daughter from the US wanted to meet Mr B. As usual, the request was followed up from his office by his incredibly efficient secretary Rosy and an appoint-

ment fixed with a request that the guest reach the venue five minutes before the appointed time.

Mr B doesn't pause to congratulate himself or to introspect. He just moves on. In 2018, he has huge plans. Besides brushing up his footballing skills to play the football coach, there is a very hush-hush plan by R. Balki -- and I don't know whether I should be talking about this, but what the hell -- to bring Mr B and Sridevi together in an autumnal love story on the lines of "Bridges Of Madison County".

Then, of course, there is director Vijay Krishna Acharya's "Thugs Of Hindostan", where Mr B is doing the most daring stunts ever. For the last 20 years, his family, specially wife Jaya, has been

imploring him to give up the dangerous stuff.

"But does he listen?

He will just say 'Okay' to our pleas and then do as he pleases," grumbles Jaya.

Sure enough, Mr B has landed up with an arm in a sling. When I asked him how it happened, he shot back testily: "My arm is in a sling only so that you can ask me how it happened."

Ouch.

Physical discomfort is nothing new to him.

"What does one do? One just bears with it, goes on working as best as possible," says the man who inspires us all to hope that 75 is actually the new 40. The most annoying question you can ask him is how do you go on so tirelessly? I've got a range of responses to that from him.

Stubbornly, I ask the question again, and he says, "You make it sound like an accusation. How do I go on? I go on because my body allows me to, until it allows me to. I am just glad I am not sitting in a corner in a wheelchair."

Moral of the Bachchan story: When you are rocking, why think about the rocking chair?

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NRI Pulse

..... What’s Cooking? ..... the oil get little warm, put eggs wait for 30 to 40 seconds, and then put flour tortilla, cook the tortilla both sides for 1 minute and remove the tortilla. Now mix all the vegetables and peanuts, green chills, coriander, and put the sauce and salt.

Then stuff the vegetable mixture in the tortilla and wrap.

January 2018

Quick Snack Recipes

Method: Take a bowl, put 150 ml of hot water, soak the quinoa for 10 minutes. Then strain quinoa, put that quinoa into a fresh bowl. Add some seasoning like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, put assorted lettuce mix it properly, then put it in a fresh serving plate. Take the beet root cut into small cubes and marinate with seasoning salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar and olive oil, put these in the same plate of quinoa and top up with peeled orange slice.

cup pizza pasta sauce, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, 24 nos. papdi Method: In a bowl add finely chopped capsicum, chopped olives, sweet corn, chopped onions and pizza pasta sauce. Give it a nice mix. Now take sev puri papdis and spoon some pizza topping mixture on top of each puri. Top the puris with grated mozzarella cheese. Garnish with sliced olive. Pre-heat your oven at 400°F and bake for 3-5 minutes on the top most rack. Serve immediately.

Barbeque paneer bruschetta

Ingredients: 100-gram paneer, salt to taste, ¼ tsp black pepper powder, 3-4 tbsp, barbecue sauce, pizza topping, ¼ cup Mozzarella cheese, French bread Method: In a bowl mix diced paneer, salt to taste, crushed black pepper and barbecue sauce. Slice French bread into 1 cm thickness. Apply pizza topping and top with the barbecue paneer mixture. Top with grated cheese. Pre-heat oven at 400°F and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Chef Mrinmoy Acharya of Ciclo Café, Gurgaon and Chef Sanjyot Keer have shared easy yet interesting picks this season. Try your hand at these, when planning a get together at home or have your younger siblings to feed but mommy is away.

Calcutta egg roll:

Ingredients: Julienne cut of cucumber 20 gm, Julienne cut carrots 15 gm, Julienne cut onion 5 gm, Julienne cut beetroot 5 gm, Green chili 1 tsp, Cilantro (coriander leaves) 1 tsp, Lemon juice ½ tsp, Roasted peanut 1 tsp, Tomato ketchup 1 tbs, Kasundi (mustard sauce) 1 tsp, Egg 2, Flour tortilla 1, Olive oil 1 tbs, Salt to taste Method: Preheat the pan, put oil in the pan, let

Quinoa, beetroot & orange salad:

Ingredients: Quinoa 50 gms, hot water 150ml , Beetroot one small, Fresh orange one Assorted, lettuce 100 gms, Olive oil one tbs, Balsamic vine- Papdi pizza: gar one tbs, Roasted almond 2 gms, Salt and pep- Ingredients: ¼ cup capsicum, ¼ cup chopped olives, ¼ cup sweet corn, ¼ cup chopped onion, ½ per to taste

..... InVogue .....

Fashion Trends For 2018: Capes, Ponchos, Floor Touching Sleeves

BY RANI SHARMA RANEEZ FINE BOUTIQUE Happy New Year! Whether you are planning a shopping weekend for the upcoming festivities or a close one's wedding, you gotta know about the Indian fashion trends for 2018.

Floor touching and knee length sleeves: Tired of wearing those boring sleeveless and full sleeved dresses? Floor touching and knee length sleeves are the hottest trend this season and will surely create a statement. Sit and pleated sleeves going below the knee and even those that go to the floor are a great option for cocktail or evening parties.

Capes and ponchos: They are hot and trendy.

Embellished, sheer embroidered capes and ponchos are one of the hottest trends this year too. We saw them in lehenga, long trail and floor touching gowns, especially crop sheer ponchos.

Shoulder cut -outs: This trend is here to stay. So flaunt those toned shoulders before it goes out of fashion. We saw shoulder cut

on cholis and blouses, which make you look sexy without revealing too much skin.

Make up: Bright blush-on with smokey eyes and light lipstick Purse: Clutches with matching color combination Footwear: Pencil heel sandals Jewelry: Very delicate stones earrings

For more information on fashion trends for 2018, call me at 404386-2062 or visit Raneez Fine Boutique in Decatur, GA.

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NRI Pulse

January 2018

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NRI Pulse

January 2018