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EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

MIDWEST EDITION | EAST COAST EDITION | Volume 4 • Issue No.292 DECEMBER 19 2014 | THE COMMUNITY FIRST

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

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Published weekly PUBLISHER Hemant Brahmbhaatt hemant@hiindiaweekly.com Tel.: 773.552.6083

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EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

‘MEETHI MIRCHI, TEEKHI MIRCHI’

: A REVIEW OF INDIA US BEAUTY PAGEANT x

START YOGA TO CUT CONDITIONS: STUDY HEART DISEASE RISK | INDIA: RUSSIA’S TRUSTED ALLY ACCORDING TO | LYON SPINS OZ TO VICTORY | FIA OF TRI-STATE HAS A NEW TEAM

MURTHY IS ‘AMERICA’S DOCTOR’

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MURTHY IS ‘AMERICA’S DOCTOR’ diaspora

Born in England, Murthy moved with his Indian parents to Miami; to become the youngest US Surgeon General ture healthcare law.

Born in England, Murthy ivek Hallegere Murthy moved with his Indian parents to has made history as the Miami when he was three. youngest U.S. Surgeon He would become the leading COMMUNITY | THE DECEMBER 19 2014 General and the first of US spokespersonFIRST on matters of Indian descent with his Senate public health. confirmation in the teeth of strong He will also be the operational opposition of powerful gun lobby. head of the 6,500-strong US PubThe Democratic controlled Sen- lic Health Service Commissioned ate voted on December 15 51-43 Corps, one of the seven uniformed to confirm Murthy, 37 as ‘Ameri- services including army, navy, air ca’s doctor’ more than a year after force and marines.

Murthy, a bachelor, has said he his nomination with the Republicans dead set against him because will focus on preventing chronic of his support for gun control and diseases, efforts to curb smoking, President Barack Obama’s signa- and programmes to improve diets ARUN KUMAR, WASHINGTON

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Vivek Murthy was a vocal supporter for Barack Obama’s signature healthcare policy.

Murthy has become the leading US spokesperson on matters of public health.

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and combat obesity.

Applauding the Senate for confirming Murthy, Obama said “as ‘America’s Doctor,’ Vivek will hit the ground running to make sure every American has the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”

“He’ll bring his lifetime of experience promoting public health to bear on priorities ranging from

stopping new diseases to helping our kids grow up healthy and strong,” he said in a statement.”

“Vivek will also help us build on the progress we’ve made combatting Ebola, both in our country and at its source,” Obama said “Vivek’s confirmation makes us better positioned to save lives around the world and protect the American people here at home.”

Ami Bera c India caucu

WASHINGTON: A Indian-American U ber, a Democrat, a George Holding w new co-chairs of th Caucus on India a cans in the new C Their appointm announced on De outgoing co-chairs Joseph Crowley a Peter Roskam, ah session of the Con January 6. Bera’s issues is impressiv no question the Ca excellent hands,” C “The Indian-Am has a wonderful p Bera, and I look fo with him, and the cus, as we continu strengthen relation US and India,” he “As the only Ind serving in Congres was “excited to tak role at a critical tim ship between the U Building on Prim Narendra Modi’s v September and Pr Obama’s upcomin looked forward to Caucus members grow the economi relationship betwe and to advocate fo American commun “As Republican Caucus, George w growing the relatio our two democrac our nations’ share global security to t tional prosperity,” s

In one of the worst acts of human savagery ever perpetrated, the Pakistani Taliban slaughtered 148 people, 132 of them schoolchildren, in a brazen terror attack x special report launched by its heavily armed gunmen andHindujas suicide bombers on an army-run school in acquire Churchill’s iconic Old War Office Pakistan’s Peshawar city in retaliation toTthe army’s operation extremists n Sharif n Indiaagainst ends moratorium on death penalty shows solidarity with P IANS, MUMBAI

he Hinduja Group has acquired a significant chunk of world history — the Old War Office Building in London, once the hub of British war time prime minister Winston Churchill, the group said on December 15.

The acquisition of the heritage structure was made by Hinduja Group chairman S.P. Hinduja and co-chairman G.P. Hinduja, in partnership with a Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD), a Spanish industrial company.

The landmark building, at 57 Whitehall in central London, will now be restored and redeveloped into a five-star hotel, residential

Hinduja Group said the British defense ministry had confirmed the deal, in partnership with OHLD. The property, spread across 580,000 square feet, has been sold on a 250-year lease to Hinduja Group-OHLD for an undisclosed amount following a competitive bidding process, the ministry said.

“We will make every effort to honour the heritage and restoration of this national monument, elevate its status and reconnect it with the public,” S.P. Hinduja and his brother G.P. Hinduja said of the prestigious deal.

“We will forge a new future for the site, creating a vibrant and sustainable destination that retains and enhances the historical importance of the building," they said.

WHAT CRIME DID WHAT CRIME DID SCHOOLKIDS SCHOOLKIDS DO? KIDS DO?

one of the worst acts of human savagery ever perpetrated, the Pakistani idarity withIn Pakistan

slaughtered 148 people, 132 of them schoolchildren, in a brazen terror attack

the Pakistani Taliban by its heavily armed gunmen and suicide bombers on an army-run school in terror attack launched Peshawar city in retaliation to the army’s operation against extremi un school in Pakistan’s ainst extremists apartments with several private function rooms, a spa and fitness facility.

The new buyers have made a

commitment to grant access to the building with an outdoor public space as part of the redevelopment plans.

Boat for school, courtesy Indian-American couple IANS, NEW YORK

IANS, ISLAMABAD

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hildren from many tribal villages in Gujarat’s Chhota Udaipur district once had to swim across the raging Hiran river every day during monsoons to reach school in Utavadi village in Narmada district. Many of them carried a gohri, a liter brass pot that they held on to stay afloat as they crossed the Meter tributary.

Their ordeal will now be over, thanks to the gift of an inflatable power boat by a New York-based Indian-American couple.

Ratna Bhalla, deputy director of emergency housing at Nassau County, Long Island, was planning a family trip to Disney World in Florida when her husband Varinder Bhalla told her about a story of the children’s plight he had read in an Indian daily.

*NOTICE

hildren the majority Modi speaks towere Sharif Bhalla, a mechanical engineer in the school authorities to find possiof the 148 people killed NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narenthe U.S. for the past four decades, ble solutions”, Ratna Bhalla told “was restless till he connected with IANS. The Bhallas, who founded on December 16 in a Taldra Modi on the news reporter, who in turn put the AWB Food Bank in 1991, a him in touch with the villagers and Delhi-based charity which has disDecember 16 iban attack on a school run by the Pakistani army in the evening spoke northwestern with his Pakistani city of Peshawar, near the border with Afghanistan. counterpart Nawaz Sharif over The fatalities included 132 stuphone offered dentsandand nine Narendra school Modi employees, histhe deepest condolences for the of public military’s director dastardly terror attack on Asim a school information, Gen. Bajwa, told inaPeshawar.

He said India press conference. was ready to provide all assistance durAnother 122 students were ing this hour of grief. wounded, as well as nine of the sol“India stands firmly with Pakistan diers who retook school from in fight against terror.

Toldthe PM Sharif the insurgents. we are ready to provide all assisthan were tanceMore during this hour 900 of grief,”people he insideExternal the compound at the start of tweeted. affairs spokesperson Akbaruddin in asaid. tweet theSyed assault, Bajwa posted Modi’sTaliban statement.

Seven fighters dressed in army uniforms entered the school ecember 16. A through a back door shortly before Members of Pakistani civil society light candles for the victims of the attack by militants on school in Peshawar on December 16. A >>PAGE 04 ssive attack.

Ban on death midday, police against spokesperson Seid total of 148 people including 132 students and nine staff members were killed and 133 others injured in the massive attack.

Wali said.toThe terrorists go:attackers Sharif hurled ek-egrenades and fired burst of gunfire scenes of chaos around the school families by the military.

All about Tehreek-ePESHAWAR: A day after a Taliban as they from to and the sounds of explosions and A counterinsurgency operation n attack on an went army-run schoolclassroom here Taliban Pakistan classroom, Wali added. gunfire were clearly audible in the six months ago in the Khyber and left nearly 150 people killed, nearly eek-e-Talthe students, ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Talall ofOne them of students, Pakistan a 14-year- background. The attackers never North Waziristan areas left more o known as iban Pakistan (TTP), also known as old Minister boy, told The Express Prime Nawaz Sharif on Tribune planned to take hostages and were than 1,100 insurgents dead, accorddeadliest Pakistani Taliban, is the deadliest that two17men burstthe into December announced ban his class- simply out to kill as many people as ing to Pakistan’s army. grown milionroom death sentences in terrorist wing the US among Pakistan’s home grown miliand began shooting indis- possible, Gen. Bajwa said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif cases is being revoked and said an, the tant outfits. Formed following the US After securing the school, the called the assault on the school “a criminately. the nation is united in the fightlaunched an military embarked on a anti-insur- national crisis”, declared three days by a section intervention in Afghanistan, the The Pakistani army against terror. All in Paksupport movement started by acopy section operation toparties liberate thefreeschool, gent sweep across Peshawar theas well of mourning convened a meethi INDiA weekly newspaper distribute copies for readers, community for benefit of ourand readers as advertiser. and hi INDiA reserves it’s right to distribute copies was limited to 1 free per reader which is available in the stores near to your area, However if you need more copies, reader can call us and we will send you the copies via mail or deliver to you @ $2.00 per copy. We distribute our istan were united in fighting terrorof radicals in Pakistan to support serves grades 1-10,we but surrounding province of Khyber ingWeWednesday in toPeshawar with from illegal copies which only at major Indo-Pak stores, where have obtained the permission from the owner of the location. reserve the right protect our copies activities like, picking up more than one copy ism, for other than reading We watch our inventory at the stores constantly and we will notify authorities of any and all illegal activities as well as will file law-suite for the punitive damages.

Nawaz Sharif affiliated saidpurposes. at a press the Afghan Taliban. progress was slow as the troops had Pakhtunkhwa. leaders of all parties represented in as both conference as leaders gathered for However, TTP is not affiliated to contend with explosives planted Pakistan’s main Taliban group, the Pakistani parliament. stories and an all-party meeting in the Goverwith the Afghan Taliban, as both inside by the attackers.

Soldiers known as the TTP, claimed responUS President Barack Obama nor House here.

tributed over 10 needy children in decided to go to I a solution.

The Bhallas tr elders to navigate ried from New and precautionary ing the need to w They launched river with the chil with the distribut breaking a coconu old Hindu ritual elder prayed for t mission. The ch and excitement kn they embarked up crossing in a moto

Modi sp

NEW DELH dra Modi on December 1 evening spo with his Pak counterpart Nawaz Sha phone and his deepest dastardly te in Peshawa ready to pro ing this hou “India sta in fight agai we are read tance during tweeted. Ex son Syed A posted Mod

Ban on terroris

PESHAWA attack on a left nearly 1 all of them Prime Minis December on death se cases is be the nation i against terr istan were ism, Nawaz conference

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special report

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

SPECIAL REPORT

n Sharif ends moratorium on death penalty n India shows solidarity with Pakistan In one of the worst acts of human savagery ever perpetrated, the Pakistani Taliban slaughtered 148 people, 132 of them schoolchildren, in a brazen terror attack launched by its heavily armed gunmen and suicide bombers on an army-run school in Pakistan’s Peshawar city in retaliation to the army’s operation against extremists

WHAT CRIME DID SCHOOLKIDS DO? IANS, ISLAMABAD

Modi speaks to Sharif

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hildren were the majority of the 148 people killed on December 16 in a Taliban attack on a school run by the Pakistani army in the northwestern city of Peshawar, near the border with Afghanistan.

The fatalities included 132 students and nine school employees, the military’s director of public information, Gen. Asim Bajwa, told a press conference.

Another 122 students were wounded, as well as nine of the soldiers who retook the school from the insurgents.

More than 900 people were inside the compound at the start of the assault, Bajwa said.

Seven Taliban fighters dressed in army uniforms entered the school through a back door shortly before midday, police spokesperson Seid Wali said. The attackers hurled grenades and fired burst of gunfire as they went from classroom to classroom, Wali added.

One of the students, a 14-yearold boy, told The Express Tribune that two men burst into his classroom and began shooting indiscriminately.

The Pakistani army launched an operation to liberate the school, which serves grades 1-10, but progress was slow as the troops had to contend with explosives planted inside by the attackers. Soldiers eliminated the last of the insurgents by 6:20 p.m., authorities said.

Television stations broadcast

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 16 evening spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif over phone and offered Narendra Modi his deepest condolences for the dastardly terror attack on a school in Peshawar. He said India was ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief.

“India stands firmly with Pakistan in fight against terror. Told PM Sharif we are ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief,” he tweeted. External affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin in a tweet posted Modi’s statement.

Members of Pakistani civil society light candles for the victims of the attack by militants on school in Peshawar on December 16. A total of 148 people including 132 students and nine staff members were killed and 133 others injured in the massive attack.

scenes of chaos around the school and the sounds of explosions and gunfire were clearly audible in the background. The attackers never planned to take hostages and were simply out to kill as many people as possible, Gen. Bajwa said.

After securing the school, the military embarked on a anti-insurgent sweep across Peshawar and the surrounding province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan’s main Taliban group, known as the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was in reprisal for the what the militants claimed was the targeting of their

families by the military.

A counterinsurgency operation six months ago in the Khyber and North Waziristan areas left more than 1,100 insurgents dead, according to Pakistan’s army.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called the assault on the school “a national crisis”, declared three days of mourning and convened a meeting Wednesday in Peshawar with leaders of all parties represented in the Pakistani parliament.

US President Barack Obama condemned the attack, as did Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan’s Ashraf Ghani.

All about Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Pakistani Taliban, is the deadliest among Pakistan’s home grown militant outfits. Formed following the US intervention in Afghanistan, the movement was started by a section of radicals in Pakistan to support the Afghan Taliban.

However, TTP is not affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, as both groups have different histories and goals.

Ban on death against terrorists to go: Sharif PESHAWAR: A day after a Taliban attack on an army-run school here left nearly 150 people killed, nearly all of them students, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on December 17 announced the ban on death sentences in terrorist cases is being revoked and said the nation is united in the fight against terror. All parties in Pakistan were united in fighting terrorism, Nawaz Sharif said at a press conference as leaders gathered for an all-party meeting in the Governor House here.

‘Mind struggles to comprehend Pakistan school massacre’

Sydney hostage drama over, 3 dead

PESHAWAR: The “mind struggles to comprehend” the massacre of 132 students by the Taliban at a Pakistani Army-run school here, Pakistani dailies said Wednesday, calling for a prompt end to terror.

In an editorial, Dawn described the terror attack as “so horrifying, so shocking and numbing that the mind struggles to comprehend it”.

“Helpless school children hunted down methodically and relentlessly by militants determined to kill as many as quickly as possible. “...the death count seemed to increase by the minute. First a few bodies, dead schoolchildren in bloodied uniforms, then more bodies, and

16-hour hostage crisis — the first terror attack in Australia — ended early on December 15 after police stormed a cafe in the heart of Sydney where an Iran-born cleric took some 30 people hostage and made several demands, sending shockwaves across the country.

As police stormed Lindt Chocolate Cafe using flash grenades and firing dozens of gunshots, several hostages — panic writ large on their faces — fled with their hands raised past advancing heavily armed policemen.

One of them was Ankireddy Vishwakant, an employee of software major Infosys who hailed

IANS, SYDNEY

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then more and more until the number became so large that even tracking it seemed obscene.”

It said that nothing compares to the horror of what took place at the Army Public School. “The militants found the one target in which all the fears of Pakistan could coalesce: young children in school, vulnerable, helpless and whose deaths will strike a collective psychological blow that the country will take a long time to recover from, if ever.”

from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh and was recently granted Australian citizenship.

The Australian media said two people may have been killed in the police operation, and one of them could be the hostage taker, Man Haron Monis, a 50-year-old who had been granted asylum in Australia in 1996.

TV clips showed him as a beard-

ed man with a white headgear who had been previously charged with sexually attacking seven women and trying to kill his former wife.

The police operation followed several hours of tense suspense when Australians remained glued to televisions, and the Indian community in all Australian cities prayed for the safe release of the hostages.

The dramatic police operation began suddenly around 2.30 a.m., with three bangs followed by dozens of gunfire shots.

Within minutes, several hostages were carried away on stretchers by police personnel and para-medics.

Police officers then told the Sydney Morning Herald that the siege was over.

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US NEWS

US NEWS

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Big jolt for

US security team takes stock of Taj city Agra

Obama

Federal judge rules US President Barack Obama’s immigration measures as unconstitutional IANS, WASHINGTON

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federal judge in Pennsylvania on December 17 ruled unconstitutional President Barack Obama’s recent executive action to temporarily protect from deportation more than five million undocumented foreigners.

Judge Arthur Schwab, appointed

BRIEFS Cheney backs CIA interrogations move WASHINGTON: Former US vice president Dick Cheney on December 21 defended the controversial CIA interrogation techniques used on terrorism suspects after the 911 attacks, despite the fact that the Dick Cheney Senate issued a report last week calling such techniques torture.

“All of the techniques that were authorized by the president were, in effect, blessed by the Justice Department opinion that we could go forward with those without, in fact, committing torture,” the vice president under former president George W. Bush said on December 14 in a press meet.

US, Iran hold bilateral n-talks in Geneva

to the bench by former Republican president George W. Bush, justified his ruling on the legality of the presidential decree because the accused in a driving under influence (DUI) case, 42-year-old Elionardo Juarez-Escobar, could — in his judgment — benefit from Obama’s executive action.

This is the first court decision against regularizing the status of

undocumented immigrants announced by Obama last month, a measure that has spurred Republican opposition and opened a new inter-party battle front in Congress, which will pass to full conservative control in January.

Since the case in question is an individual case that has no direct relationship with the president’s executive action. Juarez-Escobar

was deported in 2005 but came back to this country illegally and was arrested this year while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Schwab’s argument for ruling on the presidential action is that Juarez-Escobar could avoid deportation thanks to Obama’s measures. The judge said that Obama “violated the separation of powers” with his unilateral action.

Jeb Bush likely to run for presidency in 2016 IANS, WASHINGTON

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he former Florida governor Jeb Bush became the first candidate to throw his hat in the ring for the 2016 US presidential race on December 16 as the battle to secure the backing of wealthy donors prompted an unusually early starting gun for the next election.

“I am excited to announce I will actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States,” said Bush in a surprise statement on Twitter and Facebook.

Bush is the fourth member of his family to seek national office, following in the footsteps of brother George W Bush and his father George Bush Sr, who served a combined 12 years in the White House, and grandfather Prescott Bush, who was a US senator. Jeb’s son, George P, was elected as Texas land commissioner last month.

weeks, pending a likely announcement in the New Year, for fear they might commit to Christie or former presidential candidate Mitt Romney instead. I am excited to announce I will actively explore the possibility of running for President of the United States, he tweeted.

In a sign that this was more than just a throwaway musing, Bush also announced he would be forming a political action committee in January to “help me facilitate conversations with citizens across America to discuss the most critical challenges facing our exceptional nation”.

The announcement came just Christie are expected to compete for “The Pac’s purpose will be to suphours after the New Jersey governor, the same business donors lining up port leaders, ideas and policies that Chris Christie, his likely rival for the behind the party’s establishment will expand opportunity and prosmainstream Republican ticket, reap- wing against more conservative can- perity for all Americans,” he added.

Republican strategists have estipeared in the national headlines didates such as senators Rand Paul mated that candidates will need to thanks to a meeting with President and Ted Cruz.

Bush’s supporters had privately raise at least $20m just to stand a Obama designed to bolster his been letting potential backers know chance in the upcoming bipartisan credentials.

If they both run, Bush and to keep their powder dry in recent primary race.

Love of yoga fuels a $27 bn industry across America ARUN KUMAR, WASHINGTON

GENEVA: Officials from the US and Iran held bilateral meetings here on December 15 over the latter’s disputed nuclear program, weeks after the failure to meet a November 24 deadline for a comprehensive nuclear deal.

An official with the US Mission here confirmed that talks started in the afternoon, and the bilateral talks between the two sides continued till December 17.

AGRA: A 40-member team comprising US security advisers, representatives of the two houses and journalists visited the Taj Mahal in Agra to access security arrangements and logistics, ahead of the US President Barack Obama’s India visit on January 26.

The US president is expected to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra, said officials, adding that the date for Agra visit was not yet final.

The US security team landed at the Kheria airport Tuesday afternoon and interacted with senior police officials and the Archaeological Survey of India officials.

No further details were given out to the media.

US President Barack Obama’s state visit to India in January to attend the Republic Day Parade will be spread over two days and include summit-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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rom tired housewives to stressed executives, Hollywood stars to US First Lady Michelle Obama, they all do it, with yoga studios mushrooming in every large city from San Francisco to New York and capital Washington. With the world recognizing the health benefits of yoga, the ancient Indian art of keeping fit is going places fuelling a $27 billion industry in America.

Yoga sessions have become a part of her Let’s Move! campaign to end childhood obesity in the US and a regular feature of the traditional

White House Easter Egg Roll, the largest annual public event at the White House.

And when a fasting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came calling last September after urging the

UN to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga, President Barack Obama too wondered how his guest kept such a rigorous schedule on just warm water and yoga.

There are yoga clubs, yoga magazines and yoga sites all over North America. “Yoga is arguably the most widespread and influential Eastern spiritual practice to spread outside the Indian subcontinent,” as the Huffington Post noted in a recent article. A Toronto based international yoga chain which has 64 Modo Yoga studios worldwide, is set to open a new 5,000-squarefoot studio in Austin, Texas, its ninth in the U.S.

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india news

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

INDIA NEWS

Conversion row

rocks parliament Opposition raise Christmas holiday issue in Lok Sabha; RSS postpones conversion plan

‘Clean India, Green India’ calendar launched

IANS, NEW DELHI

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pposition parties in the Lok Sabha, led by the Congress, again on December 17 raised the issue of schools being asked to remain open on Christmas day, accusing the government of misleading the house in the matter.

The uproar over reported conversions and comments by parliamentarians of the ruling BJP continued to rock the Rajya Sabha for the third consecutive day on December 17, leading to several adjournments.

The opposition was upset that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a comment on the issue at a meeting of BJP’s parliamentary party, but did not come to the house. As soon as the house met, the issue was raised by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agarwal.

“We read in the papers that some

‘Lashkar plan strike during Obama visit’ NEW DELHI: After the massive terror strike at a Pakistan school in which over 140 children were killed, the Centre has asked all state governments to ensure adequate security is provided at public places including malls and schools.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that an advisory has been issued to states after yesterday’s terror attack in a school in Peshawar which has drawn strong international condemnation.

Sources said that India has been warned by foreign intelligence agencies that the terror group Lashkar-eTaiba may be planning an attack in the country to coincide with next month’s visit by US President Barack Obama. Sources in Indian intelligence agencies said that they are paying special attention to five terror suspects who escaped from a prison in Madhya Pradesh in October last year and have still not been found. The Lashkar, which is based in Pakistan, is responsible for the 26/11 siege of Mumbai in which 166 people were killed in 2008. The recent phone intercepts reveal Lashkar handlers talking to the escaped terror suspects about being tasked to an attack.

The uproar over reported conversions and comments by BJP MPs continued to rock the Rajya Sabha for the third consecutive day on December 17.

policy decisions were made in the parliamentary party meet of BJP,” Agarwal said referring to prime minister’s warning to party members for not crossing the “Lakshman Rekha” (limits) in their statements.

“If his ministers are making some mistake, it is his responsibility to say it in the house,” said Agarwal.

Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, however rejected the charge that any policy decision was taken.

“PM has not made any policy decision in the meet. But I have a

point of order. In the name of point of order, can Naresh Agarwal every day raise a point of disorder,” said the finance minister.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari again raised a point of order, on the same issue.

“We are just telling PM your people are creating disharmony in the country. If he is accepting some ministers are crossing Lakshman Rekha... let him tell which Lakshman Rekha is being crossed,” said Tiwari.

NEW DELHI: ‘Clean India Green India’ is the theme of the Indian government’s calendar for 2015 that was released here on December 17 by Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley, who also launched a mobile app to download its digital version. Jaitley, who addressed the brief function at the National Media Centre, said this year’s calendar release function is “different” in the way that it has converged two of the government programmes in one — Swachch Bharat and Digital India.

The calendar that is devoted to the government’s Swachch Bharat or Clean India programme has on its first page a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wielding the broom October 2 when he kicked off the campaign. Jaitley said the calendar highlights the societal work of the

Probe Manmohan’s role in coal scam: SC IANS, NEW DELHI

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special court hearing the coal block case allegedly involving industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and others here on December 16 asked the CBI to record the statement of former prime minister Manmohan Singh who was then also holding the coal ministry portfolio.

Special Judge Bharat Parashar asked the Central Bureau of Investi-

Manmohan Singh

gation (CBI) to record Manmohan Singh’s statement.

“I have ordered further investigation. I desire that statement of then coal minister (Manmohan Singh) be recorded beside other officials,” the judge said.

An aide of Manmohan Singh IANS spoke to did not comment on the court directive. “There is nothing new in this. We have nothing to say. We have yet to receive the order,” the aide said.

government through the visuals of Swachch Bharat. “Wherever the calendar will be seen it will send across a message of Swachch Bharat and thus contribute to the campaign,” he said. The minister said the calendar also contributes to the Modi government’s Digital India programme with its mobile calendar app.

“The digital mode changes the concept of the calendar, you need not buy a calendar,” Jaitley said, adding that if technology continues to progress like this then “instead of a year calendar we will get it for a ‘yug’ (century)”. “DAVP (Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity) promotes government programmes and also social objectives. I feel in the future, conventional and futuristic calendar will be taken forward by DAVP,” said the minister.

IS banned in India: home minister NEW DELHI: Union home minister Rajnath Singh on December 14 informed Parliament that terror outfit IS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) has been banned in India as all outfits proscribed by the United Nations get banned here as well under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

PM, Shah reach Jammu to woo voters in final phase IANS, SRINAGAR

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n its bid to reap a rich electoral harvest in the final phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is rushing its top guns to the Jammu region to woo voters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed two public meetings — first in Kathua and then in Jammu — on December 16.

This will be followed by rallies by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah and several senior Union ministers. All eyes are now on the 20 constituencies in Rajouri, Jammu and Kathua districts that will go to

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier taken part in election campaigns in the state defying terror threats.

polls on December 20 in the fifth and final phase of the assembly elections. Counting of votes will be held on December 23 for the 87-seat J&K assembly.

An assessment by the state BJP after the first four phases of polling suggests that the party might find it difficult to open its account from any of the 46 seats in the Kashmir

Valley that could also put a dampener on its ambitious Mission 44+ target. But the state leaders expect to win at least 25 of 37 seats from the Jammu region where the party is riding on Modi’s popularity.

“A dominant sentiment was clearly in favor of the BJP, following statements that the state would, for the first time, will have a Hindu chief minister from Jammu,” he said. “But the ambiguity on Article 370 and U-turns on other issues may mar our chances now.”

The Congress, on the other hand, is plagued by infighting, which is likely to affect the party’s chances in the region.

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india feature EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

INDIA FEATURE

India: Russia’s

9 Prime Minister Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in New Delhi on December 11.

trusted ally

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, his visit to India was productive and positive from the viewpoint of further development of cooperation SAEED NAQVI, NEW DELHI

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ho knows, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have added non-alignment to his bow in the conduct of foreign affairs. He stood firm by the side of President Vladimir Putin at a time when Washington has all but given notice that it seeks regime change in Moscow.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov tweeted as much.

“We have a strategic partnership that is incomparable in content.”

Having said this after his talks with Putin, what turn of phrase will Modi employ during President Barack Obama’s visit on January 26? “Even if India’s options have increased, Russia remains our most important defense partner.”

Deals in oil exploration, infrastructure, nuclear energy, defense and diamond could exceed $100 billion. Russia, China, Japan and Vietnam have all measured up to Modi’s emphasis on economic diplomacy. Will the US too?

The end of the Cold War had SHWETA SHARMA, NEW DELHI

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nable to find a course of his choice at Delhi University, Ankit Khullar, 27, decided to pursue his graduation from the US. Armed with a degree in finance, he returned to India for his masters. But after “two wasteful years”, he returned to the US for further studies.

“The primary reason (to go back to the US) was the low perceived quality of education offered in India and my interactions with graduates from various universities. The idea was not just to attain a degree, but to learn,” Khullar told IANS. He added that the courses being offered in the MBA programs lay emphasis on subjects he had either already covered as a part of his bachelor’s degree or were “outdated” as compared to those offered in the US. Like him, many Indian students are opting to study at international varsities owing to better living environment, highquality teaching and the opportunity to receive world class education. While the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Australia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a press conference in New Delhi. (Photos: PIB)

rendered non-alignment redundant. But a new and imminent Cold War is creating room for India to reinvent it.

It is strange that Washington and Riyadh should be jointly interested in keeping the price of oil below $70 because plummeting price of US shale oil would hold back investments in this new sector.

US military has been arguing that Iraqi Shia militias should not attack ISIS positions before the US Air Force is in possession of

ground intelligence. But Baghdad believes militia operations against the Islamic State have created a sense of security in the Shia south.

The ISIS is, by most accounts, a double edged sword. It has Salafi and Baath mutated-to-Sunni forces focused on the Shia enemy. Its even more virile Muslim Brotherhood forces are a nightmare to the Saudis at the other end of the spectrum. If they are thwarted in their purposes in Iraq, they could well turn their attention elsewhere and appeal to the Brother’s extensive support.

In search of greener pastures Indian students opt to study at US varsities owing to better living environment and high-quality teaching

and Singapore are the most favored destinations, Indian students are now also exploring other countries such as Sweden, Italy and Ireland.

Despite a high rate of Indian students seeking education abroad, the government does not maintain a record of those studying abroad.

Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Ram Shankar Katheria informed parliament that since studies

abroad was a matter of individual will and choice, “information regarding the number of Indian students going abroad or the expenditure incurred thereon are not maintained by the ministry.”

According to the European Union, India has the second highest number of internationally mobile students, after China, travelling abroad for tertiary level education.

Between 2000 and 2009, the count of Indian students in Europe increased from 3,348 to 51,556.

The total number of Indian students in the US shot up 28 percent to over 1.3 million, comprising the second largest foreign student body in America after China, according to a new report published last month by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security. As per the recent Assocham study “New overseas destination for Indians students”, more than 85,000 Indians went abroad in 2005 and the count shot up to 290,000 in 2013. This, say Assocham estimates, costs India a foreign exchange outflow of 15 to 20 billion dollars per annum.

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diaspora

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

DIASPORA

MURTHY IS ‘AMERICA’S DOCTOR’

Ami Bera co-chair of India caucus

Born in England, Murthy moved with his Indian parents to Miami; to become the youngest US Surgeon General ARUN KUMAR, WASHINGTON

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ivek Hallegere Murthy has made history as the youngest U.S. Surgeon General and the first of Indian descent with his Senate confirmation in the teeth of strong opposition of powerful gun lobby.

The Democratic controlled Senate voted on December 15 51-43 to confirm Murthy, 37 as ‘America’s doctor’ more than a year after his nomination with the Republicans dead set against him because of his support for gun control and President Barack Obama’s signa-

ture healthcare law.

Born in England, Murthy moved with his Indian parents to Miami when he was three.

He would become the leading US spokesperson on matters of public health.

He will also be the operational head of the 6,500-strong US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one of the seven uniformed services including army, navy, air force and marines.

Murthy, a bachelor, has said he will focus on preventing chronic diseases, efforts to curb smoking, and programmes to improve diets

Vivek Murthy was a vocal supporter for Barack Obama’s signature healthcare policy.

Murthy has become the leading US spokesperson on matters of public health.

and combat obesity.

Applauding the Senate for confirming Murthy, Obama said “as ‘America’s Doctor,’ Vivek will hit the ground running to make sure every American has the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”

“He’ll bring his lifetime of experience promoting public health to bear on priorities ranging from

stopping new diseases to helping our kids grow up healthy and strong,” he said in a statement.”

“Vivek will also help us build on the progress we’ve made combatting Ebola, both in our country and at its source,” Obama said “Vivek’s confirmation makes us better positioned to save lives around the world and protect the American people here at home.”

Hindujas acquire Churchill’s iconic Old War Office IANS, MUMBAI

T

he Hinduja Group has acquired a significant chunk of world history — the Old War Office Building in London, once the hub of British war time prime minister Winston Churchill, the group said on December 15.

The acquisition of the heritage structure was made by Hinduja Group chairman S.P. Hinduja and co-chairman G.P. Hinduja, in partnership with a Obrascon Huarte Lain Desarrollos (OHLD), a Spanish industrial company.

The landmark building, at 57 Whitehall in central London, will now be restored and redeveloped into a five-star hotel, residential

apartments with several private function rooms, a spa and fitness facility.

The new buyers have made a

commitment to grant access to the building with an outdoor public space as part of the redevelopment plans.

Hinduja Group said the British defense ministry had confirmed the deal, in partnership with OHLD. The property, spread across 580,000 square feet, has been sold on a 250-year lease to Hinduja Group-OHLD for an undisclosed amount following a competitive bidding process, the ministry said.

“We will make every effort to honour the heritage and restoration of this national monument, elevate its status and reconnect it with the public,” S.P. Hinduja and his brother G.P. Hinduja said of the prestigious deal.

“We will forge a new future for the site, creating a vibrant and sustainable destination that retains and enhances the historical importance of the building," they said.

Boat for school, courtesy Indian-American couple IANS, NEW YORK

C

hildren from many tribal villages in Gujarat’s Chhota Udaipur district once had to swim across the raging Hiran river every day during monsoons to reach school in Utavadi village in Narmada district. Many of them carried a gohri, a liter brass pot that they held on to stay afloat as they crossed the Meter tributary.

Their ordeal will now be over, thanks to the gift of an inflatable power boat by a New York-based Indian-American couple.

Ratna Bhalla, deputy director of emergency housing at Nassau County, Long Island, was planning a family trip to Disney World in Florida when her husband Varinder Bhalla told her about a story of the children’s plight he had read in an Indian daily.

Bhalla, a mechanical engineer in the U.S. for the past four decades, “was restless till he connected with the news reporter, who in turn put him in touch with the villagers and

the school authorities to find possible solutions”, Ratna Bhalla told IANS. The Bhallas, who founded the AWB Food Bank in 1991, a Delhi-based charity which has dis-

WASHINGTON: Ami Bera, the lone Indian-American US House member, a Democrat, and Republican George Holding will serve as the new co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the new Congress.

Their appointment was announced on December 11 by the outgoing co-chairs Democrat Joseph Crowley and Republican Peter Roskam, ahead of the first session of the Congress starting January 6. Bera’s “passion for the issues is impressive, and there is no question the Caucus will be in excellent hands,” Crowley said.

“The Indian-American community has a wonderful partner in Ami Bera, and I look forward to working with him, and the entire India Caucus, as we continue our efforts to strengthen relations between the US and India,” he said.

“As the only Indian American serving in Congress,” Bera said he was “excited to take on this new role at a critical time for the partnership between the US and India.”

Building on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in September and President Barack Obama’s upcoming trip to India, he looked forward to working with the Caucus members “to continue to grow the economic and strategic relationship between our countries and to advocate for the Indian American community.”

“As Republican Chair of the India Caucus, George will focus in on growing the relationship between our two democracies, emphasizing our nations’ shared interests from global security to trade and international prosperity,” said Roskam.

tributed over 10 million meals to needy children in the last 23 years, decided to go to India to work out a solution.

The Bhallas trained the village elders to navigate the boat they carried from New York, with safety and precautionary measures, stressing the need to wear life jackets.

They launched the boat in the river with the children. They started with the distribution of sweets and breaking a coconut as per the ageold Hindu ritual, while a village elder prayed for the success of the mission. The children’s eagerness and excitement knew no bounds as they embarked upon their first river crossing in a motor boat.

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

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sports

SOUTH INDIA

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

Lyon spins Oz to victory

13

‘Ishant is the leader of the pack’

After a narrow defeat in first Test, India look solid at Brisbane Test

IANS, ADELAIDE

Vijay’s ton gives India a solid start

I

ndia succumbed to off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s guile, losing eight wickets for 110 runs in the final session to go down against Australia by 48 runs in the first Test despite valiant knocks from skipper Virat Kohli (141) and opener Murali Vijay (99) on the fifth and final day at the Adelaide Oval here on December 13.

Man-of-the-Match Lyon scalped seven for 152 to bowl out India for 315, chasing a 364-run target, after the hosts declared their seconds at their overnight score of 290 for five.

After losing opener Shikhar Dhawan (9) and Cheteshwar Pujara (21) cheaply, India were well on course to chase down the huge total in 98 overs, courtesy of a superb paretnership batting display by Kohli and Vijay.

But India lost the plot after Tea, losing their last eight wickets for only 73 runs to lose with 10.5 overs still to be bowled in the day to trail 0-1 in the four-match Test series. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson (two wickets) and fellow

BRISBANE: Murali Vijay’s stylish 144 helped India amass 311 for four by stumps on day one of the second Test against Australia at the Gabba here on December 17.

India became the second visiting team to score more than 300 runs on the first day of a Test match at the Gabba, buoyed by Vijay’s fifth hundred in Tests and Ajinkya Rahane’s solid 75 not out. Only the formidable West Indies team of 1959-60 had scored more than 300 runs on day one here.

Virat Kohli became only the second player after former Australian batsman Gregg Chappell to record twin tons in a debut match as captain.

quick Ryan Harris (one) also contributed to the victory.

Vijay and Kohli shared a 148run undefeated partnership for the third wicket till tea and the duo

Yuvraj Singh, Pietersen released by their IPL teams NEW DELHI: Yuvraj Singh, the most expensive player of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been released by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) while Delhi Daredevils skipper Kevin Pietersen was released along with Dinesh Karthick, Ross Taylor and Murali Vijay, according to media reports. The Vijay Mallya-owned RCB had paid the 33-year-old all-rounder `140 million, an amount that consumed a massive share of their auction purse.

Yuvraj was the second highest run-getter for the side with 376 runs at an average of 34, including three fifties.

He did not bowl much in the tournament, delivering a total of 22.4 overs that fetched him five wickets at an average of 37.40 and an economy rate of 8.25. Despite having a star studded line up headed by Yuvraj, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle, RCB finished second from the bottom in the points table with five wins and nine defeats in the 2014 IPL edition.

Earlier, the left handed batsman was not included in the 30-member Indian preliminary squad for the 2015 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup. Delhi finished at the bottom of the table in 2014 with two wins in 14 matches and in their bid to revamp the squad, they have released former England skipper Pietersen (`90 million), wicketkeeper Karthick (`125 million), opening batsman Vijay (`50million) and former New Zealand captain Taylor (`20 million).

returned to extend their stand to 185 in the post tea session.

Kohli first completed his century, becoming only the second player after former Australian batsman

Gregg Chappell to record twin tons in a debut match as captain.

But, Lyon effected a double break, dismissing Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane (0) with the score at 242 to turn the match around.

Rahane was adjudged to have nicked a sharp turning delivery to short leg but TV replays showed that the ball had missed the bat only to hit the pad.

BRISBANE: India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun said Monday that Ishant Sharma is the ‘leader’ of the team’s bowling unit in the ongoing series against Australia since he is the most experienced among the pacers in the squad. The coach said the team’s younger bowlers looked up to Ishant who converses with his colleagues on a regular basis, providing them with inputs and ideas whenever required.

“Ishant is the leader of this attack. The bowlers look up to Ishant and sometimes, when he comes up with an idea and talks directly to the younger guys, it creates much more impact than the coach saying it. It is smart to get the senior bowler speak to his colleagues directly about what he did right and the lessons he learnt,” Arun said.

BCCI rule under Supreme Court scanner IANS, NEW DELHI

T

he Supreme Court will examine the BCCI rule that was amended in 2008 allowing its office bearers to hold commercial interests and team franchises in the IPL and Champions League Twenty20 tournaments which was prohibited earlier to curb conflict of interest in the sporting body.

The apex court bench of Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla decided to examine Rule 6.2.4 of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan told the court that the 2008 amendment created a conflict of interest situation as it gave a

legal shield to its then secretary N. Srinivasan-headed India Cements Limited for holding Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super

Kings (CSK).

The court said the issue of conflict of interest which has arisen during the hearing could not be “glossed over”.

“The issue of conflict of interest can’t be glossed over,” the court observed.

Dhavan, who appeared for former BCCI president I.S. Bindra, told the court: “This clause needs to be examined and this is the heart of the problem and this amendment gave rise to greed.”

This provision permitting conflict of interest must go, Dhavan told the apex court saying: “The things go wrong when commercial interests invade the game and this is only because of the Rule 6.2.4.”

Boxer Sarita Devi banned for one year IANS, NEW DELHI

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nding months of speculation regarding her career, troubled Indian female boxer L. Sarita Devi was on December 17 banned for one year by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for refusing to accept her 2014 Asian Games bronze medal.

The world boxing body also handed down a two-year ban to the 29-year-old boxer’s husband Thoiba Singh, period ending October 1, 2016, and her coach

Boxer Sarita Devi

Lenin Meitei for one year, period ending on October 1, 2015.

The AIBA, however, relieved Indian boxing chief coach G.S. Sandhu from any misdemeanour charge.

In Incheon, a day after she lost the 60-kg category semi-final bout to host challenger Jina Park despite dominating the bout, an inconsolable Sarita refused to accept the bronze medal and later handed it over to Park, who left the medal on the podium before making her exit at the Seonhak Gymnasium.

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South Special

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

SOUTH INDIA

TELANGANA CABINET GETS BIGGER Defectors dominated the list of six new ministers inducted in the K. Chandrasekhar Rao-led cabinet IANS, HYDERABAD

TDP leader quits as MLA to join cabinet

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hief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao rewarded T. Srinivas Yadav and Tummala Nageswara Rao, who quit Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to join TRS, with ministerial berths. They were among six ministers administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan. A.Indrakaran Reddy, Jupally Krishna Rao, C. Laxma Reddy and A. Chandulal were the other four sworn in as new ministers.

Nageswara Rao, who joined the TRS in August, is a powerful leader in Khammam district, where the TRS is considered weak and has just one legislator.

Both Yadav and Nageswara Rao had served as ministers in the cabinet of N. Chandrababu Naidu in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

A. Chandulal with Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan Rao and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao after swearing-in as a new minister in Hyderabad.

The TRS chief also rewarded A. Indrakaran Reddy for switching loyalties. The 65-year-old was elected to the assembly on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket but within a few weeks crossed over to

the TRS. A key leader in Adilabad district and one of the first Congress legislators to raise his voice for a separate Telangana state, Indrakaran Reddy was twice elected to the Lok

HYDERABAD: Former Andhra Pradesh minister T. Srinivas Yadav on December 16 resigned from Telangana state legislative assembly and also from Telugu Desam Party (TDP), ahead of his joining the Telangana cabinet. Yadav, who was elected from Sanathnagar constituency in Hyderabad on TDP ticket in the elections held in April, sent his resignation to assembly Speaker Madhusudhana Chary. He also announced his resignation from the primary membership of TDP.

Sabha. He started his political career with the TDP before joining the Congress.

He was also briefly associated with the YSR Congress party.

Jupally Krishna Rao, who

resigned as a minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2011 to protest the delay in the formation of the Telangana state, also secured a cabinet berth.

A prominent leader from Mahabubnagar district, he served as minister in the cabinets of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy. In the elections held in April this year, he was elected to assembly as a TRS candidate.

Azmeera Chandulal, a tribal leader from Warangal district, served in the cabinet of N.T. Rama Rao. He was also elected twice to the Lok Sabha. In 2005, he quit the TDP to join the TRS. C. Laxma Reddy is a TRS legislator from Jadcherla constituency in Mahabubnagar district. He was elected twice to the assembly.

With the first expansion, the number of ministers in the cabinet has gone up to 18. There is not a single woman in the ministry.

Infosys techie escapes safely More nurses to return home from Libya IANS, HYDERABAD

IANS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

T

he family of Ankireddy Vishwakant expressed joy on learning that he was rescued safely from a Sydney cafe when Australian police stormed it to end a hostage drama.

His parents were elated to see him on television channels coming out of the cafe.

Clad in a white shirt and with raised hands, the techie was seen emerging from the cafe and escorted by two commandos. His family spoke to Ankireddy’s wife in Sydney who confirmed the news. She told them he spoke to her over telephone after being rescued.

“Thank God! This is a big relief for us,” said Ankireddy’s father Ishwar Reddy at his house in Guntur

Jagan’s more property attached HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate has attached properties, valued at over `47o million, of three firms owned by YSR Congress Party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy in an alleged money laundering case.

Enforcement Y.S.J. Reddy Directorate’s Hyderabad zonal office attached properties of Jagati Publications, Janani Infrastructure and Indira Television.

Plant and machinery of Indira Television to the extent of `248.5 million, of Jagati Publications worth `55.9 million and other properties of Janani Infrastructure were attached.

E town, about 300 km from here.

The software engineer’s mother Sulochana, who was in shock since the hostage drama began in the morning, was overjoyed.

An employee of software giant Infosys, Ankireddy hails from Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.

His father Ishwar Reddy, a government employee, said his son stopped at the cafe on his way to work when a gunman took him and 29 others hostage.

ighty-seven nurses from Kerala working in Libya are all set to return home in the coming days, says an official here, adding that the remaining 600 nurses have not expressed desire to return at the moment.

P. Sudeep, CEO of RootsNorka (the Kerala agency that looks after the welfare of the diaspora) told IANS that 12 nurses reached Tunisia on December 16 morning and 22 more on December 17 morning, and the remaining 53 will move to Tunisia in the coming days.

“We have sent a list of 87 nurses from Kerala working in Libya to the central government seeking their help for repatriation. Of the

Earlier a large number of Indian nurses were rescued from Iraq from the clutches of the terrorist outfit ISIS.

remaining 600 nurses, 99 per cent are from Kerala but they have expressed their desire to remain there,” said Sudeep. The state offi-

cials are in constant touch with the Indian authorities in Libya as the returning nurses have to travel 300 km by road from Benghazi.

When bricks, tents turned canvas at Kochi Biennale SHILPA RAINA, KOCHI

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talian Francesco Clemente is often described as a nomadic artist and this is why he has chosen a tent as a canvas and painted it with powerful imagery drawn from his tour across the world, including India. In contrast, Unnikrishnan C. has portrayed his two-month journey in Kochi on bricks where he has mixed myths and poignant portraits of daily life.

These two artists at the ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale stand out for the choice of canvas — bricks and tents. This is why their works narrate a tale of their travels and are very personal and interesting.

Clemente was born in Italy but now lives and works in Rome,

Artists perform during the inauguration of the second edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) in Kochio on December 12.

(Photo: IANS)

New York and Chennai. His nomadic lifestyle has had major contribution in his works that have a spiritual connect and representation of a body and mind.

“Everybody’s journey in the world is misplaced or people in the world would like to be misplaced,” 62-year-old Clemente told IANS. “So it is important to imagine

safe places in reality and that comes with understanding and respecting your body,” he added.

On a different note, 21-year-old Unnikrishnan is the youngest artist in the biennale where around 94 artists from 30 countries are participating, with at least 100 projects scattered around at eight locations in Kochi.

At the CSI Banglow, Unnikrishnan has raised a brick wall that depicts his two-month old observation in Kochi, as he had come to Kochi from his own town Pezhumpara in Kerala, and created this artwork to go with the theme “Whorled Explorations” of the 108-day-long festival. He has painted girls in burqa, fish, chillies and lemon.

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south cinema

SOUTH CINEMA

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

15

Amala Akkineni roped in for cameo in Bollywood film

South superstar Rajinikanth receiving the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year from Amitabh Bachchan.

Rajinikanth thanks Modi, fans for wishes Greetings poured in from millions of fans and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the actor turns 64 IANS, CHENNAI

S

uperstar Rajinikanth on December 12 thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his good friend Amitabh Bachchan and millions of fans for wishing him on his 64th birthday. In a string of tweets, Rajinikanth first thanked Modi, saying: “My heartfelt thanks to you

dear @narendramodi ji, for your thoughtful birthday wishes amidst your busy schedule, Warm regards.”

“Here’s thanking @srbachchan ji, Kamal Hassan, my entire film fraternity and all my dear friends for the birthday wishes,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.

“To the ones who mean everything to me... MY FANS... from all over the world who wished me

‘Joganiyan’ hits right chord IANS, NEW DELHI

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oganiyan’, a song sung by Shruti Haasan for Tevar, has crossed 150,000 views online. Released on December 10, it has so far garnered over 150,000 views on YouTube.

From Alia Bhatt to Shraddha Kapoor, there has been a trend of Bollywood actresses crooning for their films, but “Joganiyan” is different.

Shruti, who is not part of the cast, has given her soulful voice for the track, which is a mix of both classical and rock, for the Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor starrer.

“The song has been sung so beautifully by Shruti that it has actually helped in bringing out the visibly amazing chemistry between Sonakshi and Arjun in the video,” says a source close to the film.

Shruti has previously crooned a number of tracks like Aazma — luck is the key.

today...THANK YOU #touched.

God bless.”

Earlier, Modi took to Twitter to reach out to the cinema czar on the day his film “Lingaa” also hit the screen. “On his birthday, I extend greetings to the legendary Rajinikanth ji. May he remain in the best of health and have a long life. @superstarrajini,” Modi tweeted.

MUMBAI: Actor Amala Akkineni, wife of Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, will feature in a cameo in Mohit Suri’s Humari Adhuri Kahani, revealed the film’s producer Mahesh Bhatt.

“Timeless Beauty. Amala Akkineni makes a special appearance in our love saga — Humari Adhuri Kahani,” Bhatt tweeted on December 15.

Amala has been a popular actress of Tamil and Telugu films, having starred in entertainers like Shiva, Satya, Pushpak and Nirnayam.

Made under the Vishesh Films banner, the key cast members of Humari Adhuri Kahani include Vidya

Balan, Emraan Hashmi and Rajkumarr Rao. The film is likely to release in June 2015.

Music director Chakri dead HYDERABAD: Popular Telugu music composer Chakradhar Gilla aka Chakri died here on December 15, said a family source.

The music director was 40.

“He returned home late on December 14 night from his studio. In the morning, when his wife couldn’t wake him up, he was rushed to Apollo Hospital. He was declared dead on arrival,” the family source told IANS. “The doctors are yet to confirm

the cause of death. It is suspected to be heart attack,” he added.

Born June 15, 1974, Chakri started his career by composing music for independent albums. In 2000, he made his debut as music composer for Telugu film Baachi.

Till now, he has composed music for over 80 Telugu films. His last released album was for the Telugu film Errabus.

FILM REVIEW | TELUGU

‘Lingaa’ - A hero with a thousand faces Film: ‘Lingaa’; Cast: Rajinikanth, Sonakshi Sinha, Anushka Shetty, K. Vishwanath, Jagapathi Babu, Vijayakumar, Radha Ravi, Santhanam, Karunakaran and Dev Gill; Director: K.S. Ravi Kumar; Rating: ***

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n one of the scenes in Lingaa, Rajinikanth is seen reading Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with A Thousand Faces. The camera zooms in on the book’s title from difRajini could go ferent angles to emphasize that it from a king to a from a king to a pauper in a was included for pauper and scene and audia very strong reaaudiences won’t ences won’t son. According mind it because to director Ravi mind it because he’s the hero Kumar, his hero he’s the hero with a thousand is Rajinikanth, with thousand faces. and his thousand faces.

From his signafaces are that of a ture walk to bizarre collector, a king, a civil stunts to philosophical engineer, a patriot, a socially responsible citizen, a leader, a touch in dialogues to his reluctance communist, and finally, a common towards politics but interest in servman. Rajini proves he could be ing people — every scene illumianybody on screen. He could go nates with Rajini’s presence. In

another scene, Rajinikanth jumps off a mountain on his sports bike to land on a hot air balloon.

Lingaa is a social period drama that unfolds in the pre-independence era. It follows the story of Raja Lingeshwaran (Rajinikanth), a collector during the British regime, who becomes instrumental in the construction of a dam in a village.

When a group of villagers ask Lingeshwaran why he threw away a king’s life for the villagers, he replies that a person with a happy heart will remain happy forever.

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cinema news

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

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Akshay

Sachin is bowled over

by Aamir Khan’s ‘PK’

introduces his ‘Baby’ character online The film will see Akshay play Ajay Singh Rajput, an officer on a mission to bust terrorists’ plan; set for release on Jan 23 IANS, MUMBAI

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ctor Akshay Kumar took to micro-blogging website Twitter to unveil a glimpse of his role from his upcoming movie Baby. The actor also said that all the developments and scoops from the movie will reach his fans on the social networking platform first.

“Starting today, I will introduce you to members of @BabyTheFilm . #AjaySinghRajput #TeamBaby ,” he tweeted on December 13.

In the clip, the 47-year-old, who is known for his daredevil stunts, is seen running after villains, jumping off cliffs and doing some great

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ommenting on reports of her walking out of British film Bombairiya in the middle, actress Richa Chadha says constant procrastination of the project, which led to clash with her other commitments forced her to opt out of the movie. Directed by debutant Pia Sukanya, the film is an ode to Mumbai and is being produced by India-born British

‘Roy’ was challenging for me: Jacqueline MUMBAI: Sri Lanlkan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez, who will be seen in a double role in her upcoming film Roy, says performing with actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal made her experience tougher.

“Working with two very powerful actors Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in Roy was fantastic experience for me. It was a very difficult and challenging movie and I am very excited for its release.”

is floored by Aamir Khan’s performance in the film PK and says it’s the best film that he has ever seen.

Sachin was present at a special screening of the film on December 16 hosted by Aamir for him. “The film is superb. I have promised Aamir so I won’t disclose much about the story. But I would like to say that all of you please go and watch this film as it is completely different. For me it’s the best film and best performance of Aamir that I have ever seen,” Sachin said.

“His role in the film is completely different. It is completely out-of-the box film with a very strong message. It is a must watch film. Without any doubt it is his best performance,” he added.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and coproduced by Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, PK will see Aamir as an astronaut and speaking Bhojpuri. Further, the master blaster praised Anushka’s performance as well.

action moves the Khiladi style.

Baby will see Akshay play Ajay Singh Rajput, an officer on a mission to bust terrorists’ plan.

Akshay was so moved by the response to the film’s trailer that he vowed to keep his Twitter fans posted about the movie.

“Your love and reactions to the #BabyTrailer have won me over!

From today, you will see everything on @Babythefilm before the world does,” he wrote.

Previously, the actor had shared a teaser of Neeraj Pandey’s directorial, which is set to hit the theatres January 23, 2015, on the social media. The film also stars Rana Daggubati and Danny Denzongpa.

I didn’t leave ‘Bombairiya’ in lurch, says Richa Chadha IANS, MUMBAI:

MUMBAI: Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar

producer Michael Ward. It was slated to go on floors in December.

“I was approached by Beautiful Bay productions in August 2013 to play the lead in their next film.

The shoot was initially to start in January 2014. Finally in August Michael Ward mentioned that he needed more prep time and I told him I had prior commitments till December. After some adjustments on both our parts we were ready to roll in December.”

A.R. Rahman for Oscar again?

IANS, LOS ANGELES

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ouble Oscar winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman is once again in the race for an Academy Award.

Among the 114 scores in contention for a nomination in the Original Score category for the 87th Oscars, the Mozart of Madras stands a chance with three mentions. His work for Million Dollar Arm, The HundredFoot Journey and Indian film Kochadaiiyaan are part of the long list released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

on its website.

The final nominations shortlist for the prestigious awards will be announced on January 15, 2015, while the presentation ceremony will be held on February 22.

‘Badlapur Boys’ - depiction of a kabaddi team’s journey Film: ‘Badlapur Boys’; Cast: Shashank Udapurkar, Nishshan, Puja Gupta, Mazhar Khan, Annu Kapoor, Anupam Maanav, Saranya Mohan, Kishori Shahane and Aman Verma; Director: Shailesh Verma; Rating; ***1/2

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hey are a bunch of losers.

And the film doesn’t hesitate in portraying the losers in the most unflattering light. The charm lies not in the sophistication of presentation (of which there is nil), but in the way the people in this small-village big-hearted film respond to their rural environment.

When the villagers’ plea for a water dam falls on deaf ears, the

hero’s father immolates himself, leaving behind a son Vijay (newcomer Nishan) who would hence-

forth be called ‘paagal baap ka beta’.

Remember that other towering Vijay in Deewaar seething and sim-

mering with that tattoo ‘mera baap chor hai’?

The film reveals a remarkably gentle and guileless soul. Vijay and his kabaddi-playing friends seem to stuck in a time-warp in their village in Uttar Pradesh. They live, talk and respond to the changes in the outside world with a disarming disregard for progress.

Interestingly, the romance that grows between Vijay and Sapna, who has played the same role earlier in the Tamil and Telugu versions of the story, is set in an annual village mela where they see each other, fall in love without exchanging words and then separate without exchanging names, let alone numbers.

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RTAINMENT

Salman dethrones SRK NEW DELHI: Actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan may be starting a new chapter of their friendship after an undeclared cold war, but the latter has dethroned the former by grabbing the top spot in Celebrity 100 list for 2014 of Forbes magazine. Interestingly, Shah Rukh has fallen down from the number one spot to Salman’s last year’s number three spot. The decline is because of his disappearance from the screen for the preparation and shoot of his top grosser Happy New Year.

Shah Rukh did some cameos in movies like Youngistaan and Bhoothnath Returns in the period considered for this list. Whereas, Salman was all over the entertainment sector with his films like Kick and Jai Ho. In fact, his stint as the host of the reality TV show Bigg Boss is also credited for his upward swing. Deepika Padukone has reinforced women power in Bollywood by becoming the only woman mentioned in the top ten of the list. The list is compiled by measuring money and fame.

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

Priyanka calls Bipasha a ‘nightmare’ MUMBAI: Actor Priyanka Chopra is impressed by Bipasha Basu’s ‘nightmarish’ act in the trailer of Alone, and says she’ll definitely watch the forthcoming horror film.

“Who would have ever thought the lovely @bipsluvurself will be your nightmare!! Chk this out! I’m definitely watching! http://bit.ly/Alone_Trailer,” Priyanka tweeted on December 13.

The trailer of the Bipasha and Karan Singh Grover starrer was launched recently and Bipasha is being appreciated for her look in the new horror.

Directed by Bhushan Patel, Alone is an official remake of a Thai film with the same name and features Bipasha as conjoined twins.

The actor has crossed eight million followers on the micro-blogging site Twitter and is overwhelmed by the love of her fans, whom she calls PC Maniacs.

Aishwarya felicitated at Miss World 2014 LONDON: Aishwarya Rai was on December 14 felicitated by the Miss World Organization at the 64th edition of the international beauty pageant for her commitment to “beauty with a purpose” since winning the crown two decades ago.

Described as embodiment of beauty with purpose, Aishwarya is also seen as the most successful Miss World so far, a title that she won in 1994. “I stand here overwhelmed by this honor. I thank Miss World Organization for such an incredible honor that I have received...” she said.

Radhika Apte to host dance camp MUMBAI: Actor Radhika Apte, who is a passionate dancer and a graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, is planning to organize a summer camp for dance enthusiasts here.

The actor, who has acted in movies like Shor in the City, Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! and is now gearing up for Badlapur, hopes to bring down faculty members from the foreign university for the two-week camp.

However, the dates for the event are not locked in yet, but it is expected to happen in April next year. “I think India and Bollywood has great potential to adapt to new forms of dance,” she said in a statement.

Dance lovers will also get a chance to take formal dancing lessons from award winning Israeli choreographer Hagit Yakira along with three other faculty members of the college.

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I would’ve been great for ‘Bigg Boss’TRPs: Diandra Soares MUMBAI: Model Diandra Soares created quite a stir inside Bigg Boss 8 right till her eviction when it was reported that she was pregnant. And had her stint on the reality show continued, she says her “absolutely outrageous” avatar would have pushed up its ratings.

Talking about her stay in the controversial home, Diandra said: “I couldn’t fake it. I never can. I can’t play games. And I couldn’t do so in Bigg Boss. Honestly. I think I can very proudly and confidently say I was the most unguarded person in the house.”

She regrets not making it to the finale.

“It’s a bit sad. But I truly believe whatever happens in life happens for the absolute best. I had decided to be absolutely outrageous and not take any of the nonsense going in the house quietly.”

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2014 EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19,19, 2014

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COMMUNITY NEWS

MIDDLESEX COUNTY ROBBERIES: FOUR INVADERS CHARGED

BY A STAFF WRITER

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EW BRUNSWICK (NJ) -Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey has said that four people have been charged in five home invasions that targeted Asian-Indian families.

Chaka Castro, 39, Juan Olaya, 34, Octavius Scott, 22, and Johnisha Williams, 19, are charged in connection with the five incidents, in which families were restrained, robbed at gunpoint and assaulted.

All those charged are from Houston, Texas, the prosecutor’s office said. The five were arrested last week in robberies in that state, Carey said. Authorities here are working on extraditing them to New Jersey.

They also committed crimes--targeting Asians--in Texas, Michigan, New York and Georgia.

Castro is charged with five counts of conspiracy to commit robbery for allegedly taking part in orchestrating the robberies. She allegedly picked the victims and then directed

Police search for distraction burglar

BY A STAFF WRITER

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OWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP (PA) – The police in Lower Paxton Township are investigating a recent diversion burglary in which a man posing as an “employee of a gas company” created an opening for someone else to steal a woman’s checkbook, wallet and money.

The incident occurred at a residence in the 5600 block of Derbyshire Road.

A woman who lives on the block said she received a phone call from someone claiming to be an employee of a gas company. The caller said someone would be arriving at the residence to “take measurements for upgrades.”

Around 4 pm, a man arrived driving a black, unmarked pickup truck. He went with the resident to the back yard, where he was on his cellphone several times. That made the resident suspicious and led her to ask for identification.

At that point, the man went to his truck and left the area. Later in the day, the resident received a phone call from the Wells Fargo in the Colonial Park Mall. A bank employee asked her to verify a “substantial check” made out to someone who was there trying to cash it.

The bank did not honor the check and the man who tried to cash it fled the bank. After receiving the phone call from the bank, the woman realized her checkbook, wallet and some money were missing from her home.

The police said they were uncertain whether the same man who arrived at the resident’s house was the one who tried to cash the check at the bank.

Investigators are convinced at least two people were involved in the distraction burglary because the first man who arrived in the truck never went inside the residence.

The suspect was described as white and had dark hair. He was wearing a dark shirt and jeans. Investigators are working to obtain a surveillance photograph of the man who showed up at the bank with the woman’s check.

the others to commit the crimes, Carey said.

The three others are facing a number of charges, including first-degree robbery and kidnapping, second-degree conspiracy, burglary, assault, terroristic threats and hindering their apprehension.

According to the prosecutor, Scott and Olaya entered the homes at gunpoint while Williams waited outside in a getaway car.

Scott and Olaya smashed cellphones and threatened homeowners after duct-taping them, punching them and kicking them.

The kidnapping charges carry penalties

of up to 30 years. The robbery charges count for 20-year terms.

The victims in Middlesex County spanned the ages of 2 to 75, Carey said. Three of the invasions happened in Old Bridge, one in Edison and one in South Plainfield. The first crime occurred on October 20, and the last on November 29.

A sweeping investigation involving electronics, the State Police, the FBI lab and a DNA lab in Union County led authorities to Texas.

Carey said it was too early to determine

whether the office would pursue hate-crimes charges.

“Hate crimes require a specific intent,” Carey said. “That is something we will be considering and looking at. But I assure you being charged with first-degree robbery is quite significant at this point.”

The crimes put Middlesex County’s large Asian-Indian community on edge.

Carey said that the group targeted Asian-Indians because they believed the population would have cash and valuables, and victims would be “less likely to use aggressive tactics.”

Mahesh Shah, an official with the Iselinbased Indian Business Association, said the crimes changed the way the community felt about its security. For example, he saw a car idling on a side street one night recently, and decided to call the police.

“The community is better prepared and more informed,” Shah said. “We never thought that this sort of thing would happen until it happened.”

‘Give me water’ project launched

by Consulate General of India, NY

BY A STAFF WRITER

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EW YORK -- The Consulate General of India, New York, D n y a n e s h w a r Mu l a y a n d District Leader Uma Sengupta (D-Flushing) held a Sustainable Water Summit on December 15 to provide solutions to water pollution globally and to launch projects in India that will bring clean drinkable water systems to India’s underserved communities.

Water pollution is a growing environmental and health issue in India. As the majority of rivers, lakes and surface water in India are increasingly becoming more polluted, many rural and improvised areas in the region are depleted of their resources and children and families are unable to have access to clean drinking water.

Consulate General Mulay and Sengupta launched the “Give me water” project that will extract the well water in villages to give rural areas access to fresh and clean drinkable water all year round.

The project will start in the South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, India.

In a study conducted in 20 villages, 30% of the children residing in the South 24 Parganas district are inflicted by water borne diseases.

(L-R) Consulate General Mulay, Hon. Uma Sengupta, Councilman Vallone, NYC HHC President Dr. Ram Raju & Miss Connecticut 2014 Jewel of India Roopa Modha

In these villages, residents only have access to water 2 hours a day and have to walk long distances to obtain water for bathing, cooking and other uses.

“The world’s biggest long-term challenge is working to address the problem of a global water scarcity. Access to fresh and clean readilyavailable drinking water is a basic human right and we need to make sure all communities are provided water in a healthy and sustainable way,” said Sengupta.

On February 14, Sengupta will travel to India to provide clean water systems to four

villages in South 24 Parganas district who are suffering from a drinking water shortage.

The policy forum also included presentations from New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) president Ram Raju, Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) and Miss Connecticut 2014 Jewel of India Roopa Modha who discussed how local, city and transnational efforts can help form international policies that promote environmental protection, sustainability, health and wellness in India, the United States and countries affected by water pollution and water scarcity.

Scammers pose as IRS agents, sheriff’s officers

BY A STAFF WRITER

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ACKENSACK (NJ) -- Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino has warned residents not to give out personal information over the phone, after receiving a complaint about a caller posing as an Internal Revenue Service agent and Bergen County Undersheriff.

A Bergen County resident told police that someone called identifying himself as Mr. McCoy of the IRS. “McCoy” said the resident needed to pay $3,900 in back taxes or be fined $90,000. The caller knew information about the resident, his wife and home, Saudino said.

The caller told the victim to stay on the phone and purchase $3,900 in Green Dot

Sheriff Michael Saudino money cards at an Office Depot in Wayne.

But at Office Depot, a manager recognized the scam and told the victim to hang up.

Moments later, someone called identifying himself as an undersheriff with the Bergen County Sheriff ’s Office.

He threatened to have the victim’s wife arrested. The caller ID came back to a working number in the sheriff ’s office.

The victim hung up and contacted a friend at the Passaic County Sheriff ’s Office, who contacted the Bergen County Sheriff ’s Office.

Saudino said residents should contact police if they were asked to give personal information in unsolicited calls.

“No government agency will tell you to make payments to them through a bank or wire transfer from debit cards,” he said. “It is incumbent on all residents to be alert and it does not hurt to take the time to verify these incidents with us.”

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 19, 2014 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

EDISON, NJ: A nearly packed Royal Albert Palace hall was on hand to greet not only the new Miss India USA Beauty Queen and Miss India Teen India USA Beauty Queen, but for the first time ever Mrs. India USA Beauty Queen, on Sunday, December 14.

A REVIEW OF INDIA US BEAUTY PAGEANT

‘MEETHI MIRCHI, TEEKHI MIRCHI’

(L-R) All three winners Miss India Teen NY Riya Kaur, Miss India USA Pranathy Gangaraju & Mrs India USA Namita Dodwadker

BY JOHN PERRY

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harmatma Saran and his wife Neelam have been pioneers of the Indian beauty pageants abroad. They have worked tirelessly for the last 33 years and have spread far and wide throughout the world resulting in Miss India Worldwide Beauty Pageant that is held in various other countries too. The next international event is slated to be held in June, 2015 at the beautiful tourist resort place: Goa. In the process they have imparted their experience and trained tens of Indian youth in the art of organizing beauty pageants, depending on their assistance while holding it on the East Coast of USA as also enabling them to conduct them independently in their respective states or countries. But something was missing at this year’s contest. Was it the absence of Ankeeta, daughter of the Sarans, who had lion’s share in the success of the competition and was recently married?

The organizers had published the photographs of the contestants in three categories with only their first names. It was done to prevent judges from falling in the trap of regionalism of course, with a Gujarati judge having a soft corner for a name like Patel or Shah and the same applied to other judges who hailed from other parts of India. But it didn’t work.

It messed up and caused heart-burn in one instance.

Though instructed not to disclose their family names when introducing themselves, some of the contestant did it anyhow and the worst incident that brought tears in the eyes of some of the audience was in the Miss Teen India contest when the young girl named Rhea came forward and had her pictures taken with the other four finalists, only to be announced later that it was supposed to be another girl by the name of Riya.

When questioned, Dharmatma agreed

that it was an embarrassing situation which could be avoided in future by giving the contestants numbers too.

Riya won the contest while Karishma as the first runner-up and Harika was the second runner up. Nicky and Shavi were the other two in the finalist list.

The Mrs. India contest was the most interesting one with three of out 12 contestants being doctors by profession and most of them proudly telling the audience that the number of children they have, one of them being a son aged 21.Namita was declared the winner with Sheetal as the first runner up and Rupal the second runner up. The other two finalists were Namita and Rakshi.

The Miss India USA certainly had plenty of beauties as also unlike other categories plenty to time to display their talents, where most resorted to Bollywood dances. Pranathy Gangaraju was declared the winner and was crowned by the reigning queen and was crowned by H.R.Shah, CEO of TVAsia.

Monica was the first runner up and Angela N was the second runner up.

There was a mess up in the publication of her picture too since there were too Angela one Angela N and the other Angela S. The other two finalists were: Nisha and Shivali.

Publishing full names would have avoided this mix-up too. Hiding the family names from the judges or from the audience did not help at all. Some contestants were bold enough to break the rule and announce their family names during introduction while others made sure to add the regional greeting. It was a vain effort ! Of course, the contestants would have loved to see their picture with their full names in the publication.

This report which mentions most of them by first name is a fine example how unimpressive it can be.

The opening number with all the contestants

Chairman & Founder of IFC, Dharmatma Saran with all three winners

Miss Inda USA Pranathy Gangaraju been crowned by outgoing queen Monica Gill

When questioned the high entrance fees to take part in the pageant, which is $495, Dharmatma defended it by stating that it included three nights of hotel stay, meals, color pictures, personal sash, hair and makeup. He added that even the local county pageants charge as much as $1000.

The total number of contestants was 51.

However, though a Miss India USA Beauty Pageant, just a handful of states were represented and when suggested that one of the reason the response from the 50 states of the USA and the District of Columbia was not up to the mark since most of these shows are held in New York, New Jersey area, Dharmata pointed out that in the past they had held it in Tampa, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas.

But the question still remains: how many of our girls, most of them students can afford the $495 fees and travel across the nation to take part in the contest which is mainly held on the East Coast.

It takes the glamour, the meaning and the

(L-R) The panel of Judges Satya Shaw, Dr Ravi Jhagirdar, Susmita Patel, Dr. Binod Sinha, & Ines Hernandes

importance of being a ‘national contest.’

Dharmatma and Neelam Saran have certainly worked hard for the last 33 years, initiated the contest and taken it worldwide. It could be that the prosperous, well settled Indian community in the United States has failed to understand the importance of such a contest and support it. Local Indian businesses could sponsor their own state representative by taking over their expenses, both the entrance fees and travel expense. The Indian Festival Committee should spread its wings and encourage and groom local organizers so as to make it truly national.

And above all, lets give up on being Guajarati’s, Punjabis, South Indian and North Indians. We are all Indians here.

Select judges who are educated and big enough to understand that we are not Photos by Suresh Jilla clannish anymore.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2014 EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 19, 2014

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COMMUNITY NEWS

ZEE TV’S CORE PROPOSITION EVOLVES TO ‘HAR LAMHA NAYI UMMEED’

BY A STAFF WRITER NEW YORK -- Launched in 1992 against the backdrop of post-liberalization with its socio-cultural and economic upheaval, Zee TV has brought a new meaning to entertainment in India.

It created a revolution in entertainment broadcast technology with its content, which mirrored the common man’s life and dreams.

Some 22 years later, it still stands tall as a leading player in India and the largest Indian entertainment network in the world.

In an exciting development at its annual awards show ‘Zee Rishtey Awards’, Zee TV, India’s leading Hindi entertainment channel, announced an evolution in its core proposition from ‘Ummeed Se Saje Zindagi’ to ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ and ZEEL MD & CEO Mr. Punit Goenka unveiled an all-new, vibrant and dynamic brand packaging that resonates with its core ethos, while staying relevant to the changing palate of its loyal audiences.

Zee TV continues to share a very strong emotional bond with its viewers. It has sustained and grown due to its ability to innovate and keep pace with changing times and expectations.

A reflection of the adage that ‘Tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today’.

In keeping with this thought, the channel announced a new brand identity featuring a new logo with a slogan ‘Ummeed Se Saje Zindagi’ in June 2011, conveying a progressive outlook for the channel.

The slogan is a life truth that resonates

beautifully with the content across Zee TV’s primetime.

Whether it is shows such as Punarvivaah that spoke of rediscovering love in a second marriage, Afsar Bitiya that captured the journey of a small-town girl from modest beginnings to a successful career and self-esteem or any of Zee TV’s non-fiction formats that celebrate the talent of India’s common man, the channel’s shows have presented a beacon of hope to its viewers over the years.

Today, Zee TV adds another layer to its core proposition, making it even more relevant to everyday life scenarios that its viewers are faced with. Zee TV’s new brand slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures the beauty of re-discovering a new ray of hope with every moment of life.

Speaking on the occasion, Zee TV business head Pradeep Hejmadi said, “Zee TV’s core proposition of Ummeed se saje Zindagi was

about a celebration and vindication of a woman’s emerging beliefs and a reflection of her changing hopes, dreams and optimism.

“This essence was embodied by each of our protagonists who emerged as role models and harbingers of hope for the masses. In that sense, Zee TV will always stand for Ummeed.

“It is the articulation that will change to reflect the changing times. Today, with India poised for growth, there is a feeling of ‘a new hope, every moment’. Zee TV’s new slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’ captures this spirit and its brand philosophy as also its content will reflect the same!”

About the new packaging for the channel, he adds, “Designed and developed by the internationally acclaimed design studio Les Telecreateurs, Zee TV’s aqua blue logo now makes way for a deeper shade of blue, lending it a stronger, more dynamic edge.

“The new motif of the packaging is a spinning top, originally derived from the left top portion of the ‘Z’ itself. It spins, taking the form of a beautiful flower-like element.

Here, each spine is perceived as a new lamha; Every show of Zee TV is a new lamha, a new emotion, a new sense of exuberance, a new cherishable moment.

And from this thought stems the new brand slogan ‘Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed’.

The color scheme of the new packaging is further fine-tuned to a strong blue for weekday fiction shows evoking the faith and trust of our viewers, yellow for weekend fiction signifying warmth and optimism, orange for weekend

UC scientists make ‘smart’ material

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BY A STAFF WRITER

ERKELEY (CA) -- UC Berkeley scientists headed by Dr. Sanjay Kumar have taken proteins from nerve cells and used them to create a ‘smart’ material that is extremely sensitive to its environment.

This marriage of materials science and biology could give birth to a flexible, sensitive coating that is easy and cheap to manufacture in large quantities.

The work, published on October 14 in the journal Nature Communications, could lead to new types of biological sensors, flow valves and controlled drug release systems, the researchers said.

Biomedical applications include microfluidic devices that can handle and process very small volumes of liquid,

Dr Sanjay Kumar

such as samples of saliva or blood, for diagnostics.

“This work represents a unique convergence of the fields of biomimetic materials, biomolecular engineering and synthetic biology,” Kumar, a UC Berkeley associate professor of bioengineering and the project’s principal investigator, said in a press release.

“We created a new class of smart, protein-based materials whose structural principles are inspired by networks found in living cells,” the Indian American researcher said.

The researchers showed that the protein brushes could be grafted onto surfaces, and that they dramatically expand and that they dramatically expand to changes in acidity and salinity.

MoneyGram makes funds transfer faster

BY A STAFF WRITER

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ALLAS (TX) -- MoneyGram, a leading global money transfer company, has announced that customers can now send money to all rupee-denominated bank accounts in India in as little as three hours, when sent during India bank processing hours.

“Our agents around the globe can now provide this superior service offering to customers seeking a fast and efficient way to send funds directly into any Indian bank account with excellent exchange rates,” says Grant Lines, MoneyGram’s executive vice president, Asia Pacific, South Asia and Middle East.

“With the addition of India, we now offer bank account deposits through the MoneyGram network into four of the world’s largest remittance receive markets-China, India, Mexico and the Philippines.

This is a significant milestone for us, and it follows our launch last month of a

new send-to-wallet solution into Kenya’s M-Pesa ecosystem.”

This service, developed in collaboration with one of India’s largest banks, Axis Bank, taps into the national Indian banking payments network, the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) network.

With a real-time connection through Axis Bank, MoneyGram provides its customers around the globe with access to the efficiency and speed of the India NEFT network to send international money transfers directly into rupee-denominated

bank accounts.

Customers can send funds through MoneyGram to all major banks in India including Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, ICICI, HDFC, SBI and many more.

Indian bank processing hours are generally Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm (Indian standard time), and Saturday, 9 am to noon (Indian standard tTime).

Individual bank branch processing hours may vary.

MoneyGram provides essential services to consumers who are not fully ser ved by traditional financial institutions. It offers worldwide money transfer services in more than 200 countries and territories through a global network of 347,000 agent locations, including retailers, international post offices and banks.

MoneyGram also offers bill payment services, issues money orders and processes official checks in select markets.

non-fiction that stands for cheer, confidence and celebration. The red packaging for movies and events represents excitement and youthful energy.”

Zee TV has rolled out a 360-degree marketing campaign across HSM to unveil the new identity. The creative agency FCB Ulka has conceptualized a simple yet memorable visual device of ‘fingers crossed’ to bring alive the new proposition.

The channel has also brought on board ace music composers Salim Sulaiman to compose a very upbeat and memorable audio pneumonic to bring alive the essence of the new brand proposition.

Says Nitin Karkare, COO, FCB Ulka, “Har Lamha Nayi Ummeed – the power of the moment that can bring hope/ummeed being the notion and tagline, the creative idea had to be something that not only sticks to people’s minds, promotes a telegraphic take-out of the message but also has a viral potential to become the talk of the town.”

In the wake of this brand refresh exercise, the channel will call out to its viewers to share their Ummeed stories – slices of their life that will go on to inspire content on Zee TV as well as be showcased on digital platforms.

Some of the most impressive, crowdsourced stories will even be curated into a book by a best-selling author. Zee TV also plans to encourage its viewers to begin contributing videos of their acting, dancing or singing to an online talent repository, with gratification for the best entries every single month!

2 more Hindu days in NJ school holiday list

BY A STAFF WRITER

N

EW JERSEY (NJ) – The New Jersey State Board of Education (NJSBE), in a December 3 revision, added “Goverdhan Puja” and “Pongal” to its “List of Religious Holidays Permitting Student Absence from School” at the urging of Universal Society of Hinduism.

It already had 14 Hindu holidays—Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Navaratri, Duserra, Diwali, Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Chandramana Yugadi, Rami Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Souramana Yugadi—on the “list of religious holidays on which it shall be mandatory to excuse a student”, with Navratri listed for nine days.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada, called the “List” a step in the positive direction, thanked the NJSBE and its president Mark W. Biedron for being inclusive.

Rajan Zed had said that Hinduism was rich in festivals and festivals were very dear to Hindu families. Since families wanted to celebrate these festivals together along with their school going children, we did not want our children to be deprived of any privileges at the school because of absence on these days.

The Universal Society of Hinduism had also requested Guru Purnima, Naga Panchami and Onam to be included the list and a Board representative said they would be included in the 2015-16 calendar.

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

COMMUNITY NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

3

FIA OF TRI-STATE HAS A NEW TEAM

BY A STAFF WRITER

NEW YORK -- The Federation of Indian Associations (tri-state of NY, NY & CT ) one of the largest and the oldest non-profit South Asian umbrella organizations in the tristate, held its Annual General Council Meeting on December 5 at the Royal Albert Palace, Edison, NJ. The multi-facet agenda of the meeting included the FIA’s work in the fiscal year of 2014 via presentation od reports by the 2014 president Ankur Vaidya, secretary Nishil Parikh, treasurer Alok Kumar Yadav, and the announcement of the recently-elected executive members for 2015.

The reports were reviewed and unanimously approved during the meeting.

The FIAs’ 2013-14 annual report provided an overview of the various associations’ activities, initiatives undertaken and accomplishments over the last year.

During 2014, the FIA hosted a number of successful community events highlighting cultural diversity, connecting with the new and emerging communities and helping them.

Additionally, throughout the year, FIA continued to affirm its representation and presence at various conferences and community consultation forums as well as expanding its effective consultative arrangements and collaborative partnerships with agencies and

organization in the area primarily for the betterment of the Indian diaspora.

The events summarised were the town hall meeting hosted to address the flaws in Visa processing, passport and customer service issues, multi-state visit to India to promote and enhance the India Day Parade in NYC recognition in India, Washington DC meeting with Congress to discuss the Immigration Bill S744, job forum for the diaspora, awareness of available programs for community members.

Insights were also provided on various successful events that were concluded in 2014 which included Republic Day Celebration in the form of ‘Dance Pe Chance’ Youth cultural dance celebration, the flagship event, 34th Indian Day Parade, marked by the presence

of the Bollywood Grand Marshal Mega Star Sunny Deol, US community Grand Marshal Vivek Ranadive, chief guest Raveena Tandon along with a host of other celebrities.

For 2015, the election committee comprising Yash Paul Soi, Ram Gadhvi, and Dr. Pravin Pandhi briefed the attendees regarding the formation of the new executive committee.

Yash Paul Soi, vice chairman of FIA, congratulated the 2014 FIA team for its 2014 accomplishments and wished it luck for the upcoming year.

Soi announced the elected executive committee of FIA for 2015.

The election committee expressed its confidence in the team and announced Ankur

64-month jail for Indian for ponzi scheme

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BY A STAFF WRITER

RIGHTON, MI -- A 37-year-old Brighton man has been sentenced to 64 months in prison for running a $3.8-million ponzi scheme whose victims included family friends.

Sachin Uppal, an unlicensed investment adviser, ran the Jefferson Smith Trading Company LLC, marketing it to potential investors as a hedge fund. He operated the company from July 2007 through Sept. 2013.

“Uppal told investors that he was a ‘day trader,’ who would use investor funds to buy and sell financial instruments within the same trading day, which he said would reduce risk to investors,” said US Attorney Barbara L.

McQuade in a statement. Judge Edmunds also ordered Uppal to pay restitution to his victims in the amount of $3,867,187.

Several of Uppal’s victims were family friends. This phenomenon, known as ‘affinity fraud,’ often targets members of a religious or ethnic community or club members.

Uppal promised a return of 18 to 20 per cent per year to his clients with a minimum investment commitment of only 12 months.

Once he got that initial investment, he e-mailed false monthly “year-to-date investment summaries” to make them lying about their accounts performing well and persuading them to invest more. Sometimes, Uppal traded and lost funds during the relevant

G N I M O C P U

period.

Other times, he simply pocketed the money without conducting any trades at all. When investors asked to close their accounts and withdraw their investment funds, he gave them various excuses to prevent them from doing so.

“Uppal took advantage of trusting relationships with family, friends, and associates, breached their confidence, and stole their money,” Special-Agent-in-Charge Paul M. Abbate of the FBI Detroit Field Office said in a statement.

“Criminals like this use every means of deceit available to further their selfish goals, and investors need to exercise great caution so as not to become victimized.”

EVENTS

in the Mid West area

Dance Jan. 10, 2015 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Avenue, New York.

Jagjit and Chitra’ Dec 26, 8:00 p.m at Edison Hotel. 3050, Wodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837 Music Waves-NJ

‘The Imposter’: An adaptation of Moliere’s Taratuffe” directed by Dr.Farley Richmond, Dec 14, 6:00 p.m at North Brunswick High School, 98 Raiser Road, North Brunswick , New Jersey email indiaculturalsocietynj@ gmail.com

Vaidya as the president for the 2nd consecutive term with Srujal Parikh as the vice president, Anand Patel as the executive vice president, Saurin Parikh as the general secretary, Alok Kumar as the treasurer and Chhavi Singh as the joint secretary.

Vaidya thanked everyone for their enormous support, advice and inputs that had enabled FIA to achieve many things over the last year.

Said Vaidya: “I look forward to continue expanding a robust, united and diverse umbrella Organization to advocate and represent the interests of our members and the community, for the benefit and sustainable development of the Indian diaspora here not only for the immigrants and the first generation but for our generations to come.

Minor earthquake is recorded in NJ

BY A STAFF WRITER

T

RENTON (NJ) -- Officials say a very small earthquake in central New Jersey has caused no damage or injuries.

The US Geological Sur vey’s national information center says the 1.9-magnitude quake occurred at 7:13 am on December 13, hitting in an area about 17 miles east/southeast of Trenton.

A few people in some western Monmouth County and northern Ocean County towns said they felt the quake in their homes. But for most residents, the event was completely unnoticed.

Experts say earthquakes in New Jersey are rare and usually small when they do occur.

2-year-old toddler smells of alcohol

BY A STAFF WRITER

W

ILKES-BARRE (PA) – Police and child welfare authorities are investigating after a toddler was brought to a northeast Pennsylvania hospital smelling of alcohol.

The Wilkes-Barre police said tests showed the 2-year-old had a measurable blood alcohol content. They did not disclose her condition or if she sustained any injuries.

The girl’s aunt and uncle noticed the smell of alcohol on the girl after picking her up from her parents’ home in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

The duo alerted Luzerne County Children and Youth Services.

EAST COAST EDITION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

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Start yoga to cut heart disease risk If you are unable to hit the gym, begin yoga at home to cut your cardiovascular disease risk found that yoga may provide the same benefits in risk factor reduchere is “promising evi- tion as such traditional physical dence” that yoga is ben- activities as biking or brisk walkeficial in managing and ing. “This finding is significant as improving the risk fac- individuals who cannot or prefer tors associated with cardiovascular not to perform traditional aerobic disease and is a “potentially effec- exercise might still achieve similar tive therapy” for cardiovascular benefits in (cardiovascular) risk reduction,” the team health. Following a systemsaid. atic review of 37 ranIn comparisons domized controlled trials (which with exercise Yoga may included 2,768 itself, yoga was provide the subjects), investifound to have gators from the comparable same benefits in Netherlands and effects on risk risk factor the US have factors as aerIANS, NEW YORK

T

reduction as biking

obic exercise. The investigators note that this might be because of yoga’s impact on stress reduction, “leading to positive impacts on neuroendocrine status, metabolic and cardio-vagal function”.

When compared to no exercise, yoga was associated with significant improvement in primary outcome risk factors like body mass index, systolic blood pressure, lowdensity (bad) cholesterol and high-density (good) cholesterol.

There were also significant changes seen in secondary endpoints like body weight.

Alcohol abuse damages lung conditions: Study KOLKATA: Alcohol abuse can expose one to life threatening lung conditions, an American scientist said here on December 15, suggesting Indian teenagers should refrain from excesses.

The Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health 2014 by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that the amount of alcohol consumption has risen in India between 2008 and 2012.

In 2012, about 3.3 million deaths, or 5.9 percent of all global deaths, were caused by alcohol consumption.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood and research has revealed a link to alcohol abuse.

IANS, LONDON

C

Your week ahead...

Aries

Taurus Make no fresh financial commitments now and just attend to routine work. You may have to put in some extra effort to complete a certain assignment that got held up due to technical reasons.

Gemini The week is replete with joyful celebrations. You will be able to conclude most of your pending assignments and will now make plans for holidays in the company of family and friends. Financially you will feel quite secure.

Cancer You will conclude the year on a very positive and profitable note. The next few days you will be busy at home organizing family get-together and re-arranging a few things for a larger social function towards the weekend.

Leo Business activities will thrive. You are at your creative height and work out plans, which will yield better profits than usual. Your rivals will be surprised and will look at you with respect.

Virgo You will be looking forward to forthcoming festivals. Having achieved stability in your work and career, and with comfortable financial situation, you will leave all your cares and worries behind and get into the mood to celebrate.

“It leads to a build up of fluid in the air sacs inside and this fluid prevents enough oxygen from passing into the bloodstream, basically you are swimming in your own fluid.

“While one is usually bothered about liver damage from alcohol consumption, respiratory distress is increasingly being observed,” Michael Koval of the Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, US, told IANS here.

Skipping meals make kids obese hildren who skip any of the main meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - and cling on to sugary foods are more likely to have excess body fat and an increased risk of having diabetes, heart disease or stroke, research has found. “Based on the findings, sticking to regular meals seems to be crucial for preventing overweight and cardiometabolic diseases already in childhood,” said Aino-Maija Eloranta from University of Eastern Finland.

Cardiometabolic risk refers to the chances of having diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

A higher consumption of sugary drinks, red meat and low-fat margarine and a lower consumption of vegetable oil are also related to a higher car-

You will be in mood to keep aside all work, cares and worries, and just abandon yourself to the spirit of gaiety and joyful festivities. You have earned yourself a well deserving holiday, which has given you satisfactory results.

27

diometabolic risk, the researchers noted.

“The more of these factors are present, the higher the risk,” Eloranta added.

The study involved 512 Finnish girls and boys of six to eight years of age. The study also showed that most children’s diet was far from ideal.

(December 21-27) Libra The week begins on a positive note with you receiving news of concluding a favorable contract. This new venture assures a steady income and without much hard work on your part. This will make you happy.

Scorpio In business your relationship with your partner is on the verge of a break down and sincere efforts will be required to save it. Your seniors seem to be particularly relying on you for certain types of assignments .

Sagittarius Financial growth and prosperity is assured to you during this week. A forthcoming promotion and elevation is likely. Your seniors holding a small get-together will celebrate this news at office.

Capricorn

By You will conclude most assignments early this week in order to avail of brief respite from a rather hectic schedule.

You will make exciting plans for the forthcoming holidays.

The married and those in love will share delightful moments.

Aquarius After having worked hard, you will now get into mood to take time off to just celebrate your success. Financial stability and a secured career can make it easier for you to indulge in joyful merry-making with family and friends.

Pisces You will be very excited about your forthcoming trip that you have planned in the company of your family. Your work and financial position is comfortable and you can afford for a luxury holiday with your family.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

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LIFESTYLE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 EAST COAST EDITION

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Chocolates keep you

E-cigarettes exposing rising number of kids to nicotine

healthy, happy

IANS, WASHINGTON

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It's that time of the year when chocolates are everywhere, so enjoy the delicacies without thinking about health issue IANS, LONDON

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t’s a well known fact that too much consumption of sugar is bad for health. But a little bit of sugar in moderation isn't as terrible as one thought, say researchers.

The sweet delicacies not only help in preventing ageing and ensuring proper blood flow but they also help in losing weight and making you happy.

It's that time of the year when chocolates are everywhere, so enjoy the delicacies without thinking twice as some of the research conducted by different brands suggests that chocolate can be good for you too, reports mirror.co.uk. l Cocoa helps in blood flow: The main ingredient in chocolate

VISHAL GULATI, SHIMLA:

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imely and continuing snow in Shimla brings along with it the sublime promise of a White Christmas, which has been elusive since 1991 when heavy snowfall occurred on Christmas Eve. Though December 13 snowfall was moderate, it has warmed up the Yuletide spirit of the hospitality industry. There is expectation of more spells before the New Year dawns. “It was moderate (snow) but good. It indicated that this winter season would be the best for the hospitality industry,” Clarks Hotel general manager D.P. Bhatia told IANS.

contains a wonderful antioxidant you consume plenty of flavanolrich cocoa. To make the most of called flavanol, which is its health benefits, stick found in plants. Scito ‘healthy’ variants entists at head with at least 70 quarters of percent cocoa. chocolate The sweet l Prevents agebrand Mars ing: The Bar teamed delicacies help antioxidants up with in preventing found in fruit the Uniageing and and vegetaversity of bles, which L’Aquila in ensuring proper help fight freeItaly to find blood flow. radicals that lead that these to wrinkles, are antioxidants just as potent in can increase cocoa-rich chocolate. blood flow to the l Makes you happy: Research brain. The higher the cocoa content in your chocolate, the published in the scientific journal Nutritional Neuroscience has better it is for you. l Brain power: Scientists discov- suggested that chocolates can ered you could have the brain boost your mood and reduce power you had 20 years ago, if symptoms of depression.

US study has suggested the e-cigarettes have hooked a new generation of children to nicotine who otherwise might not have taken up smoking at all.

The study found e-cigarettes' usage has grown exponentially among teenagers in the US, especially in the Hawaii state.

Nearly 30 percent of the over 1,900 teenagers surveyed in Hawaii were found to have tried e-cigarettes, and of those, 17 percent were using e-cigarettes only.

The overall rate is about three times higher than previously report-

Porn addiction hampers male sexual performance NEW YORK: Porn addiction forces men to deliberately conjure images of pornography during sex to maintain arousal and have concerns over their own sexual performance and body image, a study has found.

The findings showed that the more pornography a man watches, the more likely he was to use it during sex and request particular pornographic sex acts of his partner.

For the study, the team surveyed 487 male college students in the US in the age group 18-29. Ana Bridges, an associate professor of psychology and her colleagues at the University of Arkansas in the US, found that the

Shimla set for White Christmas

Snow is a big draw for tourists, especially from the plains of northern India. But Met officials

are wary. They say it is still too early to predict whether Shimla will present a snowy landscape

ed in the US studies in 2011 and 2012, which showed rates of 4.7 percent and 10 percent respectively, the researchers said.

“You have to think carefully about the risks and benefits of using either tobacco or nicotine, which is known to be an addictive substance,” said Thomas Wills from University of Hawaii Cancer Center. “A lot of teens think it is easy to quit smoking but it isn't true. It's hard for anybody to quit,” Wills added. He said e-cigarettes are widely available in the absence of restrictions on their sale, and that may help explain why the rate of use is so high in Hawaii.

this Christmas. Some areas like Jakhu and the US Club in Shimla Saturday experienced moderate snow but it melted immediately, Manmohan Singh, director of Shimla's Met Office, told IANS.

more men watched porn, the more they relied on pornographic fantasies in the bedroom as well. Higher pornography use was negatively linked with enjoying sexually intimate behavior with a partner.

Nearby places like Kufri and Narkanda, however, experienced moderate to heavy snowfall.

Likewise, Manali and its uphill Solang ski slopes also saw snow, the season's first.

Manmohan Singh said it was in 2012 when Shimla experienced significant snow in December, that too, after a gap of five years. But there was nothing on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. On December 14, 2007, Shimla recorded 19 cm of snow. Last year, the state capital saw a light spell of snow on December 22. “The prevailing higher moisture content and low temperatures are ideal for snow,” he added.

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