FIJISUN APR 2010

USA

18 I am being maligned : Bipasha Bollywood

Vol-19 Issue-4

Inside

P- 17 Brave Pakistani ladies face camera

P-16 Rajan sepaks at AIM

P- 30

Sikh IDC : Its a Ba-Suva final

April-2010

510-677-4488

SexWorkariskybusinessinFiji

HINDU PRIESTS APPOINT COMMISSIONER TO DELVE DEEPER INTO CONTROVERSIAL DIWALI ARTICLE

Correction to Hindu Outcry article: Neither our original nor the proof-read article said 5 million. The typesetters inadvertently changed the words for which they sent us apologies. The is deeply regretted ( Editor) See Page 3.

Suva, Fiji- Economic insecurity is the key driver of sex work in Fiji, a study has revealed. The report, titled, ‘Risky Business: Sex Work and HIV Prevention’ in Fiji, was compiled by Heather Worth and Karen McMillan from the University of New South Wales' School of Public Health and Community Medicine.

According to the study, most sex workers interviewed started selling sex at around 18 years of age, normally after leaving school and moving from their rural homes to an urban environment. “Financial need was the overwhelming reason for selling sex. Many participants had another job as well, but could not

Manmohan, Gilani to meet during SAARC summit?

Washington: While diplomatic observers here are hopeful of a brief encounter between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the upcoming nuclear summit, speculations are also rife that the two leaders may hold a detailed meeting in Bhutan later this month.

Diplomatic observers said that both Singh and Gilani could hold prime minister-level discussions in Thimpu on the sidelines of a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, which is scheduled to be held on 28-29 April. If the leaders meet, it would be their first meeting since ( Continued on page -6 )

P- 26

www.fijisun-usa.com

support themselves on those wages alone,” the study revealed.

The findings revealed are aimed at informing the development and provision of programs, policy, resources and services that will reduce the risks of HIV transmission related to sex work in Fiji. The research was funded by Aus AID through a targeted HIV social research grant to the International HIV Research Group (IHRG) of the University of NSW, Australia. It was conducted in partnership with the Pacific STI and HIV Research Centre (PSHRC) of the Fiji School of Medicine in Suva and with the assistance of members of the sex worker community in Fiji.

MISS SOUTH PACIFIC PAGEANT IFJ Welcomes Entry of Media on Fiji Consultation IFJ Welcomes Admission of Barred Media on Fiji Consultation The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes reports that Fiji’s interim government has said it will permit the Fiji Times and Fiji Television to participate in consultations on a government-devised Media Decree, after initially barring the two media outlets from the process. The move, announced by interim attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyu.

FIJI GIRLS FEATURED IN “DASAVTAR” AT OHLONE COLLEGE

SEE GALLARY ON PAGE-16

Fiji Government Audit Reveals Lack of Discipline Procedures

Suva, Fiji - A Fiji government audit has revealed that several ministries and departments failed to take disciplinary action against its workers. The 'Auditor General’s Volume 5 report on the Infrastructure Services Sector' has been released by the Public Accounts Committee, and it cites several abuses.

The committee noted that ministries and departments were simply satisfied with transferring the offending officer away as a form of disciplinary action, rather than imposing a fine or some other forms of discipline. “For instance disciplinary action taken on misappropriation of funds often resulted ( Continued on page -6 )

PACC celebrates Pakistan Day at Chandni Restaurant

India Win world cup...

P- 22

Sania, Shoaib are now...

SEE GALLARY ON PAGE-17

2

EDITORIAL

April, 2010

FIJI SUN STAFF www.fijisun-usa.com

PO Box 265, Mt. Edec, CA 94557 PH 510-677-4488 FX 510-781-4884 Email: fijisun@gmail.com

M H Koya (PhD) Editor-Publisher

INTERNATIONAL PRESS COUNCIL

M H Koya (Phd) President

Robbie Michaelson, M.A. NATIONAL SECRETARY

Tom Walia, M.A. Vice President : 510-414-4756

Parmkinder Aujla Vice President

Why a Customer Value Proposition is important whether you own a company or work for a company

“

Creating and living your customer value proposition is a critical step in improving your business or your job prospects,” said Kamal Rajan, Senior Vice President in Wells Fargo’s Business Banking Group, guest speaker at the AIM Seminar. “If you cannot articulate what you do 30 seconds, you are already at a disadvantage.” Some of today’s most successful companies have very clear Value Propositions. Creating a value proposition for yourself is as simple as identifying the following:

VALUE STATEMENT

Create your value statement: in one short sentence clearly state the value you or your company provide.

REASONS TO BELIEVE

List the reasons your customers should believe you can deliver on your value statement above.

FEATURE BENEFITS

List the features and benefits customers will get by working with you or your company.

This process will yield you a very clear summarized value proposition for your company or yourself as an individual. Some might say that “I

work for a company, I don’t have any customers.” Oh contraire, your company is your number one customer.

You offer a set of skills to your company and they buy the product (your skills) and pay you for it in the form of wages. In reality, you are no different than a consultant, except they call you a “permanent employee” and in today’s uncertain job market we all might as well be consultants. So changing your mindset to delivering

for your customer (your employer) will give you a completely different outlook and force you to clearly articulate to your customer the value you provide.

Two things might happen when you start thinking this way 1) you may end up realizing that your product (your skills) are a lot more valuable than you had thought, or 2) you may end up being more happier at your job because you have clearly articulated what you do.

told Vighyan Pratap Commission “teriPundit maichod” for Hindu Sewa Foundation A

F

ollowing the outcry on the alleged Diwali article, a team of Fiji Hindu priests met March 14 in San Leandro and appointed real estate broker Vighyan Pratap as commission to moderate proceedings of a newly founded Hindu Sewa Foundation to delve further into the circumstances of the article.

The Foundation has been given two months to work vigorously to come up with a set of recommendation for action about the article. Large majority of attendees at the February meeting convened at the Cal State Hayward were outraged and were calling to pressure sponsors to boycott the paper. Some were of the view that there should not be a total boycott but to resort to some sort of softer approach.

Vallejo resident told the February meeting that when their Pundit called the publisher for an explanation of the Diwali article, he first blamed it on the editor and said it was his mistake, Unsatisfied with the answer, the Pundit called the second time. The learned publisher said, “Teri maichod.” The moderator of the meeting stopped the speaker from making further statement. The language is the hallmark of the person’s character as he use freely uses the abusive statement when he cannot control his furious temper.

Nick Khelawan reported Sattar Hussian’s vehicle was vandalized

Mastans celebrate Mozy’s 16 birthday at Chandni A

t the February meeting, Real Estate Financier Nick Khelawan told the gathering, “Brother Sattar Hussain couldn’t be here because Rocky Ali Buksh had called and threatened him on phone. The following morning Sattar Hussain found his vehicle had been severely damaged.” That sounds like the criminal behavior we are familiar with of a hardcore criminal back in Fiji who used to vandalize vehicles near Howell Road, Laucala Bay and Flagstaff area in the seventies. Fiji Police Criminal Records office may still be carrying fingerprints of the suspect and his cousin who were given to stealing goat and selling the meat to police officers.

April, 2010

handni REStaurant The Exquisite Pakistani & Indian Cuisine

Definition of Taste • Weddings

• Menus 4 Most Budgets

• Mehndi Parties

• Custom Menu Planning

• Graduation Parties

• Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

• Theme Parties

• Picnics

• Birthdays

• Full Service Catering

• Memorials • Office Parties

• Drop Off Service

• Hi- Tea Parties

• On Site Tandoor Services

• Exquisite Sit Down Dinners

• Complete Beverage Service • Custom Box Lunches • Party Trays • Party Rentals • Catering for 10 to 10000

Location

• Black Tie Affairs Chandni Restaurant provides a unique setting for gatherings of 10 to 900 guests. Your luncheons or dinners can be set in any one of our appropriate rooms ensuring your maximum privacy. Our array of sophisticated menus has been carefully designed for even the most discriminating taste and our attention to detail is legendary.

We will arrange literally everything to ensure a stress-free event. At Chandni, we are taking a fresh and creative approach in our often uninspired and inconsistent food industry. We are setting new standards of excellence and expertise in product inception, production, and presentation.

• Complete Event Planning • Parties of 10 to 10000

5748 Mowry School Road Newark, CA 94560 Balentine Plaza, opposite Hilton

PH: 510-668-1051 FAX: 510-668-1093 rsvr@chandnirestaurant.com, promo@chandnirestaurant.com, info@chandnirestaurant.com, corporate@chandnirestaurant.com, manager@chandnirestaurant.com

3

4

BAY AREA NEWS

April, 2010

Officers and Board of Trustees

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

FARRUKH SHAH KHAN

NOREEN TARIQ

M. ASGHAR ABOOBAKER

RAGHIB HUSSAIN

JAVED KHAN

Founder, President, Trustee

President Elect, Secretary, Trustee

Founder, Chairman, Treasurer

Trustee

Treasurer

Mr. Khan has worked in high tech industry for more than 17 years. Currently he is the executive producer of WBTTV covering Silicon Valley business and technology scene for CH-15. He is also the Media Director for VC~PE Roundtable and media technology consultant for Izzaan, Inc. He has been on various committees for non-profit organization. Farrukh has Masters of Science degree in Computer Science from University of Rhode Island and BS from Rutgers University, N.J.

Mrs. Tariq is a former children educator, a current event manager, and an art enthusiast. She has 15 years of experience in educating children and has been involved in the management as an Assistant Director. She has also presented workshops/ training seminars on childhood education and development of literacy through art. Given her strong background in art and design, Mrs. Tariq now operates her own company, Aesthetika, offering event management and design services.

She has helped coordinate, decorate and manage various charitable events and community functions in the bay area. Mrs. Tariq, has completed Teacher/ Director certification program from Ohlone college in Fremont, CA. and is a graduate in Textile Design from National college of Arts, Lahore.

Mr. Aboobaker has worked in high tech industry for more than 30 years as a business manager as well as engineering manager at companies like Intel Corporation. Currently he is the managing director of a venture fund, K2 Ventures. He has also run businesses as CEO and is on board of startups. He has been on board of directors of more than 3 non-profit organizations in last 20 years. Asghar has Masters of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and BSEE from NED in Karachi.

Mr. Hussain has been in high-tech industry for about twenty years. He is one of the founders of Cavium Networks. Currently he is serving as Chief Technology Officer and Corporate Vice President of Software Engineering at Cavium Networks.

Prior to Cavium Networks, Mr. Hussain has held senior technical roles at Cisco, a network equipment company and Cadence Design Systems, an EDA design services company.

Prior to that, Mr. Hussain served at VPNet, an enterprise security company, of which he was a founding team member. At VPNet, he was a key contributor to the design of the first commercial IPSec based VPN (Virtual Private Network) gateway. Mr. Hussain has multiple patents issued and pending. He received a BS degree in Computer Systems Engineering from NED University in Karachi, Pakistan, and an MS degree in Computer Engineering from San Jose State University.

Mr. Khan has been in high tech industry for three decades.

Currently he is running his own high tech company as IBM service partner. Javed is on board of couple of other non-profits and has been involved with many in the past as well. Javed has MS in Mechanical Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. As a trustee, he is responsible for high level policy of PACC and general guidance to the organization.

DR. WAHEED SIDDIQEE

SYED ZAFAR MOHSIN

Trustee

Advisor to the board

Advisor to the board

Mr. Mohsin works as a full time Mechanical Engineer in a multi-national high tech company in San Jose, CA. He earned his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Evansville, IN. He has served as a Commissioner in Milpitas Community Advisory Commission. He was awarded, " Citizen of the Year", for Milpitas in 2005 and he also received, "Human Relations Award", a California state award for his community work. Mr. Mohsin advises PACC board of Trustees on governmental matters and media relations.

Mr. Noorani is a retired Physical Therapist and Safety Consultant. Graduated, University of Karachi, College of Physiotherapy, 1970. He has served on boards and committees of professional organizations at state and local levels. He is currently contributing to projects/activities of the Pakistani-American community and supports education for the underprivileged and education reform in Pakistan.

He serves on the Advisory Council of The Citizens Foundation, USA (TCF-USA) and also as Secretary of the International Coalition for Education Reform in Pakistan (ICERP).

OBJECTIVES

To promote positive and intellectual image of Pakistani culture and history through classes, seminars, conventions, panel discussion, performing arts events, special day events, newsletter, and TV programs.

To provide a social networking platform through games, sports, family activities, library, etc.

To provide social counseling through legal, financial, career and other counseling.

To Co-sponsor events/activities with other like minded organization.

7 GOLDEN RULES @ PACC GENERAL POLICY FRAMEWORK

Dr. Siddiqee has worked in high tech industry for more than forty years. Currently he is a teacher in a Sunnyvale high school. He has been involved in numerous nonprofit organizations as a founder, officer or trustee. Dr. Siddiqee has PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Minnesota. As a trustee, he is responsible for high level policy of PACC and general guidance to the organization.

Language of Communication: English.

Democratic process with great respect for all opinions and reasonable compromises to keep the team spirit and integrity in mind.

Active participation by both genders at all levels.

Activities based on demand and availability of champions and resources.

No sponsorship of political or religious activities.

Project highest quality and integrity in all activities and actions.

We approach one another with utmost respect, which every human being deserves, as an individual of great potential.

We offer intentional, verbal and physical support to one another.

We believe in open communication. We leave off any hidden agendas outside the center.

We start with statements of support and appreciation before we offer constructive criticism.

We trust each other. We refrain from Gossip about one another.

We collaborate and cooperate with other individuals and organizations to bring more value to all.

Enjoy each other's company.

AMJAD NOORANI

NCIC BOARD TRAINING SUNDAY April 18, 2010 T

he newly elected Northern California The training is designed Islamic Council board will hold it first Board Training for reorientation and and moderated by refreshing the knowledge and skills of the Dr. Koya a university Board members, according to the newly appointed Education and Science board certified Training And member Dr. H. Koya editor-publisher of Development expert on the Fiji Sun. The NCIC in its March board meeting approved the program and4415 Management and Fotrain Rd the training is scheduled for April 18, 2010 from 12 Noon to 5 PM at the Organizational SABA Office located at Address: All Board Development. members have been designated presentation subject areas for presentation both for purpose of active participation and involvement in training program. This alleviates the need to “hire” outsiders. The training is designed and moderated by Dr. Koya a university certified Training And Development expert on Management and Organizational Development. Koya is also director of AIM – American Institute of Management and a fellow of the institute. The training is centered around management functions important for operating a non-profit organization. Call: 510-677-4488 for more infortion.

Celebrating Independence of Fiji is adding insult to injury to Fiji Indians

ARCHIVES

By M H Koya (PhD) legal and political analyst, Fiji Sun-USA

Since the first racially-motivated military coup of 1987 Indians have been demoted, removed or made to flee the country!

Civil service dominated by indigenous natives over senior and highly qualified Indians Police Force is almost 95% Fijians Indian population fell from 64% to 34 % 300,000 plus Indians fled the country to Australia, NZ, Canada and USA. Farming Indians dwindled with no future left. Sugar is no longer “green gold” of Fiji.

NLTB landowners seek $25,000 plus for lease renewals, exceeding the annual cane tonnage per land area.

An independent Fiji was essentially the Indian dream resulting from Indian Diaspora that saw the exodus of Indians from their motherland into unknown foreign lands and in unfamiliar circumstances.

The Indenture Laborer System was a guise to cover the “slave trade”. We the descendants of our forefathers are children of “slaves” called “Indentured Laborers.” It is

a slur! It’s an insult to our origin.

Our situation is similar to the AfroAmericans who were brought as salves to the United States of America.

The more than 100 years of hard-labor our great grandparents put in and toiled on the Fiji lands, creating within a short period a vibrant agricultural-based economy is unprecedented. While the Indians provided the labor force and built the economic base for Fiji, they also fared well the with care-free natives given to many social taboos. Over a period of socialization with them, Indians conscientiously attempted in every form to keep them abreast with the pace of development. Soon an uncaring community took to labor, jobs and education if not out of competition with the Indians certainly driven by newly emerging needs of a changing and industrializing Fiji – from farming to industries and commerce.

Indians were a blessing in disguise for the natives and the Colonial masters who knew their acumen, integrity and love for hard labor. They poured in their sweat and blood in the barren soil of Fiji, slept in the came farms, earned pennies for an hour, saved the hard-earned money, freed themselves from lower social class to affluent people with houses of their own, build schools unheard of in the uncivilized Fiji and paved

Despite the passage of time and the tendency in the human nature to temper, forget and innovate, there are still traces of evidence in scores of religious scriptures to believe that some, if not all of it, was once revealed by God. The previously revealed scrip-

tures hold enough evidence to believe that some superior power with knowledge of the unknown future had the incredible ability to foresee and grant such knowledge to his appointed leader or prophet to pass onto the people as glad tidings or as warnings of some event or some disaster. Such advance knowledge being the proof of a living supreme being to assure an erring populous that they may be guided right and saved from disastrous consequences.

Direct revelation from God in the form of actual spoken words or visions are different from inspirations though, which may come to saints in special circumstances in which they feel within them an inspired feeling that may be taken as having come from God. Additionally, along with such inspired feelings, some may utter words of their own and feel as if the words came from God - a very weak form of revelation.

On occasions, however, saintly ones are said to have made statements with such strong conviction in God that their words come to be fulfilled in a prophetic way that they are taken to mean as if God granted them those words. When recorded or written down, those words are looked upon as having been inspired by God and specially with the regard to older scriptures many such thoughts are con-

became an eye-catching scene for all with all kinds of vegetables popular on the kitchen tables in all Indian homes in Fiji.

The competition took place at the Araya Samaj School in Saweni, Lautoka. From dozens of displays, it was clear where the best products were found as they crowds flocked to our shed again and again. At the

end of the day we picked up the top awards. The following Monday morning Mr. Reddy just bragged about the victory at the huge school assembly and lavishly praised me for my part in the show.

This victory led Mr. Reddy to believe that Muslims could another mark on the map in the annual sports completion. Mr. Reddy arbitrarily appointed me the sports master for the year against several well qualified and better candidates. He did not know what a pathetic soccer player I was. And when I attempted explain him my limitations, he retorted with a serious look through his thick glasses, “ Master I am asking you to play. I am asking you to lead. And I know you can do it.”

Obeying seniors and teachers was a must for my generation. So I took his words as a necessary command and plunged into the soccer field with a select team of players.

Late Gopal Krishna was one my selected players. I laid down a few ground rules that I borrowed from observing a visiting German soccer that had given a thrashing defeat to all soccer teams in Fiji with a noticeable “ground ball” approach and great team work.

I told my team, “if I see and high balls in the sky and if anyone took the ball all by himself across the field, he will be out.”

the way for future of all races.

Yet they did not suppress or neglect the natives, they carried them along, provided jobs and opportunities to ensure they kept pace. While natives remained somewhat hostile and remorseful of the Indian presence, the Indians lived up to their high morals and discipline never to get in conflict with them. In many cases, Indians gave freely to the Fijians to appease or compensate. Some routinely took advantage of the Indians as we saw when growing up in the village settings.

Indians gave Fiji more than it deserves, unreservedly that neither their Colonial masters nor the natives could give. (To be continued)

From Hillium.com

(Note: Anyone wishes to be a published writer, please join Hillium.con for free and get your articles published.)

Can different sacred texts be inspired by God?

FROM THE ARCHIVES

This is a rare picture. I am seen in the center in the back row (tie) with some of my high schoolmates right after finishing high school.

Many of the teachers are no more with us and some may be still kicking around somewhere. When I first published this picture a few years ago several people wrote to us to know more about them. I have not been able to fix or restore this to the original form as you can see it took a lot of beating and seems to have retrievd from trash. The picture marks a significant turn-around time for me as I sought a career in teaching.

I had to cut short my career when the Fiji Muslim League laid me off on account of my joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community a very new and small but significant Muslim group in Fiji then.

Among the teachers in the group there are two most significant persons I met here who changed my life around. They were the principal Mr. B S Reddy his and deputy Master Mohammad Hussain (bearded) both seated in the front row. Impressed with my performance, Mr. Reddy took me under his wing and had me lead the school in the national school garden competition. The Lautoka Muslim Primary school then was known for its low profile as it legged behind in

all fronts. It was Mr. Reddy’s dream to place the school on center stage with excellent achievements. He would whisper to me how he dreamed of winning the school completion as I worked side by side with him in the vegetable garden he was trying to establish in the big school complex. Within a few short weeks a flourishing green garden

April, 2010

5

taminated with actual words of God that it is difficult at times to differentiate them. The cardinal rule with respect to revelation is that it is actual words of God and as such are most authentic whereas inspired words are not necessarily the words of God and as such have the tendency to be misrepresented and attributed to God. One has to separate word of God from word man - those words having been inspired. Not everything a man says out of inspiration is from God. As stated earlier only very saintly and pious ones can have the spiritual inspiration on account of their profound relation and devout worship of God-when man and God are is absolute communion. It is a spiritual experience enjoyed by only a select few on very rare occasions but not a daily experience being contingent upon special conditions. It is a phenomenon that cannot be amply expressed in words.

The bottom line is that one needs to understand the revealed words of God and what is said to be inspired words. While both can be part of a sacred text as many scriptures are, it is the revealed words of God which form the authentic text and relied upon for guidance. ( “Indeed a PhD material”, Ben Venktash, Fellow in forensic science)

Fiji women’s Award Night part of Gala Awards ceremony

HAYWARD-Speaking at the monthly Press Conference here, AIM director told reporters that the first AIM Gala Awards night coming in June will include and feature Fiji Women’s Awards ceremony, talent show and a standup comedy. Nominations for the Fiji Women’s Awards can be email directly at drhkoya@hotmail.com. You can nominate just about any woman you know deserves recognition for her services and achievements. The AIM Awards are bestowed to those who qualify in the professional management field. For full descriptions of the Awards please visit American Institute of Management by searching on google or visit www.fijisun.org The AIM director told reporters that this is prestigious award ceremony and it is observed in accordance with the standards followed by AIM counterparts, the New Zealand Institute of Management and Australian Institute of Management.

40 PLUS JAYCEES

A select number of Fiji Jaycees now past 40 years will also be given due recognition as senators of JCI. Anyone interested is requested to contact the Fiji Sun editor directly.

6

WORLD NEWS

April, 2010

Zardari tried to bribe my father: Fatima Bhutto

NEW DELHI: Asif Ali Zardari attempted to bribe his brother-inlaw Murtaza Bhutto to swing a deal in the Middle East at a time when his estranged sister Benazir Bhutto was Pakistan’s prime minister but was roundly rebuffed, Murtaza’s daughter Fatima Bhutto writes in her just released memoir, “Songs of Blood and Sword”.

Zardari was accused of plotting Murtaza’s murder but had been acquitted of the charge. The book, published by Penguin, comes at a time when Zardari is set to be deprived of his sweeping powers through a constitution amendment being tabled in parliament Friday to transfer to the prime minister major powers like the appointment of armed forces chiefs and reduce the president to a titular head of state.

“During a state trip to Syria during Benazir’s first government and while we were still in exile there, Zardari had gone so far as to ask Papa to facilitate a deal he was considering in the Middle East, offering him a cut of the profits,” Fatima writes.

“Papa was sickened; he never liked his sister’s husband. His corruption and the stories of his excess reached Papa’s ears often and it hurt him that such a man would use Zulfikar’s (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Fatima’s grandfather and Paksitan’s former president) name and memory to bilk investors the globe over of millions. He was further annoyed that Zardari, hapless when it came to any understanding of what Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s legacy meant, would be so crooked as to assume

Pak govt tables bill to curb Zardari’s powers

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government introduced a constitutional bill in parliament, transferring President Asif Ali Zardari’s sweeping powers to the prime minister and possibly ending months of political wrangling. The set of reforms, known as the “18th Amendment Bill” is expected to be passed by the two-chambered parliament, effectively turning Zardari into a titular head of state.

The development may help calm political opposition to Zardari, but the government is facing mounting pressure from an assertive Supreme Court to reopen corruption cases against the president after it threw out a controversial amnesty law in December. “I suspect that after the

signing of the 18th amendment, it (the unstable political environment) is going to change,” said Samina Ahmed, South Asia director for the International Crisis Group. “Part of the problem is structural. Nobody knows where the locus of authority lies.” Because of that uncertainty, she said that all branches of government are trying to expand their powers at the expense of the others.

“There’s a little bit of muscle flexing all around,” she said. But if the 18th Amendment goes through smoothly, the center of authority goes to the parliament, “with the judiciary interpreting” — possibly leading to a less assertive bench. “It will settle down,” she predicted.

( Continued from page 1 )

Fiji Government Audit Reveals

only in the officer being dismissed from the service without the case being referred to the Courts for the recovery of lost revenue,” the committee noted. As well, most departments’ senior management were new to their current positions and were not in those positions at the time of audit. “The Committee continued to reiterate that, irrespective of whether they were in that position or not at the time of audit, they had the responsibility as post holders to respond to the Auditor General’s report,” the committee noted. Departments audited included the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Meteorological Services, Department of Mechanical, Works and Electrical, Departments of Energy, National Roads, Water and Sewerage, Fiji Islands Maritime and Safety Administration, Government Shipping Services and the Fiji Roads Upgrading Project Stage 3.

Manmohan, Gilani to meet ...

the dialogue in Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt in July last year. The Indo-Pak composite talks were stalled following the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Even though the foreign secretaries of both the countries met on February 25 in New Delhi, the deliberations failed to yield any substantial result with India pressing hard on its demand for Islamabad to do more against terror networks flourishing on its soil. While India demanded that Pakistan must show sufficient resolve to come down hard on groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which masterminded the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan, on the other hand, insists that it has been doing all it can do to curb the terror menace. It instead expressed greater concern over the Kashmir and water disputes.

that the son of a martyr, who had been struggling in exile for over a decade at that point and who had never compromised on his beliefs, would jump at the sound of a cut in a Zardari deal. “‘We don’t do that, Zardari,’ Papa said furiously,” Fatima writes. Murtaza was killed Sep 20, 1996, when Fatima was 14, in a police gun battle near his Karachi residence. On Dec 3, 2009, a Karachi court acquitted 20 policemen charged with the killing. After Benazir’s government was dismissed in 1996, Zardari was detained for having a part in Murtaza’s assassination. However, no charges were ever proved for want of evidence as the scene of Murtaza’s assassination was wiped clean before police investigators could arrive.

When My blood froze

NEW DELHI: Fatima Bhutto, niece of slain former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, says her “blood froze” on the day Asif Ali Zardari became the country’s president and prompted her to send away her younger brother from the country fearing for his safety.

Zardari was accused of plotting the murder of Fatima’s father Murtaza Bhutto but had been acquitted of the charge. “On 20 September, 2008, on the 12th anniversary of Papa’s death, Asif Zardari took his oath as president of Pakistan. The ceremony had been scheduled for the day before, the 19th, but had been moved on the orders of the new president, who rescheduled his big day for Saturday, Papa’s barsi,” Fatima writes in her just-released memoir “Songs of Blood and Sword”.

POLISH PREZ, WIFE AMONG 96 KILLED IN AIR CRASH

Top brass also killed Mishap in western Russia Fog caused tragedy

Moscow : Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski and some of the country’s top military and civil leaders were killed along with all 96 persons on board the Presidential plane that crashed in dense fog, trying to land against advice by air controllers, in western Russia today. “There were no survivors as the plane hit tree tops and fell apart as it came in to land at the Smolensk airport in thick fog,” Russian and Polish officials said.

Besides the President on board the ill-fated Soviet era Tupolev-154 aircraft, were his wife Maria, Poland’s last President-in-exile Ryszard Kaczorowski, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer, Army Chief of Staff Gen Franciszek Gagor and National Bank President Slawomir Skrzypek.

The aircraft was taking the Presidential entourage to events to mark the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police under Joseph Stalin. Initial reports quoted to Russia’s Investigation Committee had put the death toll to 132. But later, spokesperson of Emergency Situations Ministry Irina Andriyanova said there were 88 members of the official delegation, including the Polish President and eight members of the crew, according to the list of passengers.

“Going by this we are putting the toll at 96 as there were no survivors,” she said. “But we are not aware whether presidential security guards and service personnel were included in this,” Andriyanova told Rossiya 24 channel. Other members of the delegation killed in the

MAJOR PLANE CRASHES IN LAST THREE YEARS 2007 Jan 1 - Indonesian Boeing 737-400 disappeared from radar screens during a flight from Java to Sulawesi islands.

All 102 killed.

May 5- Kenya Airways Boeing 737 crashed after takeoff from Douala in Cameroon. All 114 killed.

July 17- Brazilian TAM passenger plane crashed while trying to land in Sao Paulo, killing 199 people. Sept 16- One-Two-Go, Thai airliner crashed on landing at the resort island of Phuket. 85 killed. 2008 Aug 20- Spanair MD82, flying to the Canary Islands crashed on takeoff at Madrid airport killing 154 people.

Aug 24- Boeing 737-200 bound for Iran, crashed at Bishkek airport. Around 70 people died.

crash included Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jerzego Szmajdzinski, head of the National Security Office

2009 May 20- Indonesian C130 military transport plane burst into flames 6.5 km (4 miles) from the Iswahyudi air force base in East Java, killing 98 people.

June 1- Air France Airbus A330-200 jetliner carrying 228 people crashed over the Atlantic.

51 bodies and 600 pieces of wreckage were recovered.

June 30- Yemen Airways aircraft carrying 153 people crashed in the sea off the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros.

July 15- Caspian Airlines aircraft, 169 onboard, from Tehran to Yerevan in Armenia, crashed killing all.

2010 Jan 25- Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 from Beirut airport in stormy weather crashed

Aleksander Szczyglo and presidential aides Pawel Wypych and Mariusz Handzlik

All about

FOOD/NONVEG SPECIAL 1 cup suji (semolina) 1 1/2 cups grated fresh coconut 1 tin Milkmaid 1 cup caster sugar

This is all about soft, moist chicken legs served with buttery mash and a tart but herby rich sauce.

Method:

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ingredients

Ribbons (fettuce)

In this category, you’ll find tagliatelle, pappardelle, fettuccine, tonarelli. These flat ribbons go well with alfredo.

Tubes

Penne, garganelli, elicoidali, cavatappi are all tubular pasta. Serve these in all’arrabbiata, prosciutti and asparagus based sauces.

Maccheroni rigati, maccheroni, rigatoni, gigantoni are suitable for sauces with sausages and ricotta, ragu, vegetables and pepperoni.

Special shapes

Conchiglie, farfalle, gnocchi, strozzaproti, gemelli, casareccia, lumache, orechiete, radiatori are suitable for cream sauces enriched with salmon, or chicken.

Pasta for soups

Quadrucci, orzi, risoni, alfabetini, farfarelline, maltagliatti, conchigliette, lumachine, anelli rigati, tubetti. These are just right for adding starch and substance to souple like the minestrone.

Stuffed pasta

Tortelloni, pansoti, tortellini, cannelloni, ravioli, raviolini, all come under the category of pasta which are stuffed and then tossed in sauce. Classics include ravioli stuffed with ricotta and served tossed in sage butter and cream.

There’s also the lasagna, sheets of which are layered with meat and vegetable or sauce and then baked.

BHATURA

These include cappelli d’angelo (angel’s hair), spaghetti, spaghettini, linguine, bucatini, fusilli lungi. All suitable for tomato sauces, herb based sauces, carbonara and Bologna sauce. Angel’s hair pasta, for instance, combines beautifully with crabmeat and other seafood.

7

WITH MASH AND GREEN SAUCE

1. Roast suji in a round vessel and when it starts turning light brown take it out and keep aside.

2. Add atleast one cup grated coconut to the semolina and keep the mixture to cool down.

3. Keep rest of the grated coconut to wrap the laddoos.

4. Put caster sugar after a while and add ¾ tin milkmaid. Mix well.

5. Make small balls of the mixture.

6. Roll the balls in the coconut powder.

7. Place it in the refrigerator.

8. Laddoos are ready to serve.

Maida - 1000 gm or 1 kg Milk - ½ glass Sugar - 2 tbs Yeast - 1 tsp Egg - 1 no Salt to taste

Long pasta

March, 2010

Ingredients

COCONUT LADDOO

I

t’s our commonest notion of Italian food. And justifiably so, for pasta is at the heart of Italian cooking and eating. And they’ve been eating the Italians are crazy about pasta and have over the years, developed an array of sizes and shapes (TOI Photo) stuff for centuries. One story goes that Marco Polo brought noodles to Italy after his travels to China. But there’s also evidence that Italians were familiar with pasta eons before that. Whatever the historical origin, there’s little doubt that Italians are crazy about their pasta and have, over the years, developed an array of sizes and shapes and sauces to go with pasta.

While dried pasta, which is easy to store, is now popular, freshly made and artisanal pastas are held in high regard by gourmets. Pasta shapes have interesting names and many sauces have a history to them — all of which makes them much more interesting. Here’s a quick guide to knowing your pasta shapes and sizes:

Y

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The day before cooking,

Method:

Add the above ingredients together.

Add some warm water and mix it into thick dough.

Cover the dough with a wet cotton cloth and keep it aside for six hours.

One or two mixing in between will make the dough extra soft. Now the dough is ready.

Make small balls with the dough and roll it into thick rounds.

Then deep-fry it in oil.

Easy method To make the dough ready in half an hour, mix the flour with soda (bottled soda), a little sugar and salt.

2 cardamom pods 12 coriander seeds 3 juniper berries 100g (3½oz) sea salt 1 small bunch thyme, leaves picked 1 whole head garlic, halved, plus 1 garlic clove, crushed 6 chicken leg and thigh joints About 500g (1lb) duck or goose fat Pared rind of 1 orange Pared rind of 1 lemon 2 bay leaves 1 small bunch rosemary 1tsp black peppercorns Mashed potatoes and salsa verde

METHOD

put the cardamom and coriander in a dry pan and toast until they are slightly coloured and aromatic.

Remove to a board and crush with the blade of a knife.

Crush the juniper berries as well and mix the spices with the salt, thyme and crushed clove of garlic.

Rub the mixture over the chicken and leave for 24 hours, turning two or three times as they marinate.

Next day, heat the oven to 150°C/gas 2. Wipe the chicken with kitchen paper and pat dry but don't wash off the marinade.

Put the chicken in a castiron casserole and cover with the goose or duck fat.

Add the halved garlic heads,orange and lemon

rinds, bay leaves, rosemary and peppercorns and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

Increase the heat to 180°C/gas 4 for 15 minutes, take it up to 200°C/gas 6 for another 15 minutes, then 230°C/gas 8 for about 10 minutes. Check the fat is bubbling, then start to reduce the heat: 200°C/gas 6 for 15 minutes, 180°C/gas 4 for another 15 minutes, then switch off the oven and leave for another 10 minutes or so, until the meat is almost falling off the bone.

Alternatively, cook the whole lot at 170°C/gas 3 for 1 hour.

Serve with mashed potatoes and salsa verde.

How to cook pasta

ou should always cook pasta in a large volume of water.

Make sure the water is boiling rapidly and is salted before you introduce the pasta. Most pasta will take between 10-13 minutes to cook to an al dente (or to the bite) doneness. Keep testing if you aren’t sure of how long it’s going to take. Never overcook pasta. Do not rinse either. And save some of the cooking water for thinning the sauce, if necessary.

Easy pasta sauces

Chunky Tomato Sauce: Peel, deseed and roughly dice really ripe tomatoes.

Heat some olive oil and sizzle some garlic in it. Put the tomato in, add salt to taste stir a minute, toss in torn basil leaves and serve over pasta with some goat’s cheese or feta crumbled on top. Herbed Cream Sauce: Heat a cup of thin cream gently. Add salt and a handful of fresh, chopped herbs like dill. Toss hot, freshly cooked pasta in the sauce.

Carbonara

Fry some diced bacon over a low heat, add some chopped onion and fry till translucent. Beat one egg yolk into a cup of thin cream. Add cooked pasta to the bacon and onion, pour in cream and yolk mixture, stir and serve immediately, with freshly milled pepper. Do not reheat, after adding the egg and cream. The egg will cook in the heat of the pasta and form a creamy sauce that clings to it.

8

April, 2010

INTERFAITH

PANELISTS DISCUSS “KEEPING THE FLAME ALIVE AND PASSING THE FAITH DOWN TO THE NEXT GENERATION” Berkeley, CA : ( Hearst House) Giving a new twist to Interfaith America event, the organizers chose to use the panel discussion format instead of “speech giving” approach to explore this month subject. Panelists Hamza Van Boom, Ms Marla Antebe and David Freeland took time out despite a heavy downpour to give Interfaith America audience and in-depth look into the subject matter.

CC Spotlight : URI San Francisco Penninsula CC (URISFPCC)

W

hat a great joy we share that for nearly 10 years we have been meeting together on the first Monday night of each month to learn about faith traditions other than our own by listening to and dialoguing in community with those of diverse backgrounds, cultures and belief systems. We have had outstanding presentations every month during those years - some from our own diverse group and others from the wider Bay Area community. We have had the pleasure of continuing to meet and make friends with newcomers at the meetings, and our diverse and shared experiences have provided new opportunities for seeking peace in the world.

FASTIVAL SPECIAL

March, 2010

Foundation of Arya Samaj

The day of Baisakhi Festival is also important for the Hindus as it on this day in 1875 that Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj - a reformed sect of Hindus who are devoted to the Vedas for spiritual guidance and have discarded idol worship.

Attainment of Nirvana by Gautam Buddha

Festival of customs and traditions Date of Baisakhi

Baisakhi Festival falls on the first day of Vaisakh month (April-May) according to Nanakshahi or Sikh Calendar. For this reason, Baisakhi is also popularly known as Vaisakhi. According to English calendar, the date of Baisakhi corresponds to April 13 every year and April 14 once in every 36 years.

This difference in Baisakhi dates is due to the fact that day of Baisakhi is reckoned according to solar calendar and not the lunar calendar. The auspicious date of Baisakhi is celebrated all over India under different names and different set of rituals and celebrations.

Baisakhi date coincides with 'Rongali Bihu' in Assam, 'Naba Barsha' in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and 'Pooram Vishu' in Kerala.

Baisakhi Celebrations

People of Punjab celebrate the festival of Baisakhi with exuberance and devotion.

As the festival has tremendous importance in Sikh religion, major activities of the day are organized in Gurdwaras.

People wake up early to prepare for the day.

Many also take bath in the holy river to mark the auspicious occasion. After getting ready people pay a visit to their neighbourdood gurdwara and take part in the special prayer meeting organized for the day. At the end of the Baisakhi ardas, congregates receive specially prepared Kara prasad or sweetened semolina. This is followed by a guru ka langar or community lunch.

Later, during the day people of Sikh faith take out a Baisakhi procession under the leadership of Panj piaras. The procession moves through the major localities of the city amidst the rendition of devotional songs by the participating men, women and children. Mock duels, bhangra and gidda performances make the procession joyous and colourful.

Celebrations by Farmers

For the large farming community of Punjab and Haryana, Baisakhi marks a New Year’s time as it is time to harvest rabi crop. On Baisakhi, farmers thank god for the bountiful crop and pray for good times ahead. People buy new clothes and make merry by singing, dancing and enjoying the best of festive food. Cries of "Jatta aai Baisakhi", rent the skies as gaily men and women break into the bhangra and gidda dance to express their joy.

Everyday farming scenes of sowing, harvesting, winnowing and gathering of crops are expressed through zestful movements of the body to the accompaniment of ballads and dhol music. In several villages of Punjab Baisakhi Fairs are organized where besides other recreational activities, wrestling bouts are also held.

History of Baisakhi

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi Festival is celebrated as the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa Panth. History of Baisakhi traces its origin from the Baisakhi Day celebrations of 1699 organized by the Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh to form Khalsa - Brotherhood of Saint Soldiers to fight against tyranny and oppression.

Story of Baisakhi

The story of Baisakhi Festival began with the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru who was publicly beheaded by the Aurungzeb, the Mughal ruler. Aurungzeb wanted to spread Islam in India and Guru Tegh Bahadur stood up for the rights of Hindus and Sikhs and the Mughals therefore saw him as a threat.

After the death of Guru Teg Bahadur, his son, Guru Gobind Singh became the next Guru of the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh wished to instill courage and strength to sacrifice among his fellow

Baisakhi is one of the major festivals of Sikhs and is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and gaiety in the state of Punjab and all throughout the world where there is a significant Sikh population.

For the large farming community of Punjab, Baisakhi Festival marks the time for harvest of rabi crops and they celebrate the day by performing joyful bhangra and gidda dance. For the Sikh community, Baisakhi Festival has tremendous religious significance as it was on a Baisakhi Day in 1699, that Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru laid the foundation of Panth Khalsathe Order of the Pure Ones. men. To fulfil his dream, Guru Gobind Singh called on the historic Baisakhi Day congregation of Sikhs at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur on March 30, 1699.

When thousands of people assembled for Guru’s blessing, Guru Gobind Singh came out of the tent carrying an unsheathed sword. He gave a powerful speech to infuse courage amongst fellowmen. At the end of the speech he said that every great deed was preceded by equally great sacrifice and demanded that anyone prepared to give his life come forward.

On the Guru’s third call, a young man offered himself. The Guru took the man inside a tent and reappeared alone with a bloodied sword. Guru Gobind Singh asked for another volunteer. This was repeated another four times until a total of five Sikhs had gone into the tent with the Guru.

Everyone present was worried and though that Guru Gobind Singh has killed five Sikhs. At this point Guru presented all the five men before the people. Every one present was surprised to see all five men alive and wearing turbans and saffroncoloured garments. These five men were called Panj Piara or 'Beloved Five' by the Guru. The Guru blessed them with a Pahul ceremony. In an iron vessel, the Guru stirred with a sword called Khanda Sahib, the batasha that his wife, Mata Sundari Ji had put into water. The congregation recited verses from scriptures as

For the Buddhist, the day of Baisakhi Festival is significant, as according to a popular legend it was on this auspicious day that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment or Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree in the town of Gaya. For this reason, the day of Baisakhi is celebrated as Buddha Purnima is several parts of the country. the Guru performed the sacred ceremony.

The water was now considered the sacred nectar of immortality called amrit. It was first given to the five volunteers, then drunk by the guru and later distributed amongst the crowd. With this ceremony, all those present, irrespective of caste or creed, became members of the Khalsa Pantha (the Order of the Pure Ones).

The Guru regarded the Panch Piaras as the first members of the Khalsa and the embodiment of the Guru himself. With the constitution of the Panj Pyare the high and low castes were amalgamated into one as among the original Panj Pyare, there was one Khatri, shopkeeper; one Jat, farmer; one Chhimba, calico printer; one Ghumar, water-carrier; and one Nai, a barber. The Guru gave the surname of Singh (Lion) to every Sikh and also took the name for himself. From Guru Gobind Rai he became Guru Gobind Singh. This was seen as a great step in national integration because society at that time was divided on the basis of religion, caste and social status. Guru Gobind Singh also bestowed on Khalsa, the unique Sikh identity. He directed Sikhs to wear five K's: Kesh or long hair, Kangha or comb, Kripan or dagger, Kachha or shorts and a Kara or bracelet. Guru Gobind Singh also discontinued the tradition of Gurus and asked all Sikhs to accept the Grantha Sahib as their eternal guide. He urged them to come to him with their hair and beard unshorn to get baptized by the sword.

Legends of Baisakhi

There are various legends associated with the colourful and vibrant festival of Baisakhi. A study of these interesting legends of Baisakhi reveal that the day of Baisakhi is significant not just for Sikhs but also for Hindus and Buddhists alike.

Besides, it is joyous to note that as a harvest festival, people of all c ommunities in Punjab celebrate Baisakhi in a harmonious manner.

Harvest Festival

Baisakhi Festival marks the time for the harvest of Rabi crops and is therefore celebrated with utmost joy and enthusiasm in the state of Punjab where agriculture is the predominant occupation of the people. To celebrate the occasion, people dress themselves gaily and perform the joyful bhangra and giddha dance on the tune of the dhol.

Farmers in Punjab celebrate Baisakhi Festival to hilt by feasting and merrymaking before they hit on tiring but joyful task of harvesting from the next day.

9

Police-Air Pacific deal supports aviation safety 10

FIJI NEWS

April, 2010

Fiji : The Fiji Police Force today a Memorandum of signed Understanding with Air Pacific in recognition of the importance of aviation safety and security. While the security environment worldwide has evolved dramatically, Minister for Defence Ratu Epeli Ganilau said Government has now embarked on security initiatives that are expected to enable Fiji to comply with the requirements of international mandates, conventions, resolutions and protocols that Fiji has been signatory to. Citing a recent United States release that rated Fiji as a tier three national on People Trafficking, the defence minister stressed that this has challenged Government to put in place necessary security measures for the safety of legitimate travellers, to monitor and provide

surveillance of individuals who could be connected to renowned terrorist groups and other criminal entities. In addition, the MOU would help remove both organisational, territorial or turf mindsets and the need to be over protective of our own legitimate boundaries of operation, but without compromising corporate role, functions, and obligations at Nadi Airport.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Defence noted that the MOU “is really an indication of the remarkable achievements of the Border Police since its inception last year.”

“In fact the Border Police in the rural areas and outer islands have also been empowered by Government with the role and functions of customs, biosecurity, and immigration.

A Fiji rugby fan watches the third and final day of the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament on March 28, 2010. Organisers hope the world-renowned Hong Kong Sevens, where packed crowds of 40,000 roar on 24 teams over three days of rugby, has reinforced interest in the sport ahead of its Olympic debut in Brazil in 2016.

Daylight savings will resume Oct. 24

Suva : Fiji Citizens of businesses are implementation of Fiji will wind their clocks expected to feel the daylight savings in Fiji in back an hour at 3 a.m. positive effects of its 1998 and 1999 received Sunday to mark the end of re-introduction. In light very encouraging response daylight savings time. of the benefits to the Daylight savings was economy and in particfrom the people and the implemented on Nov. 29 ular for Fiji’s tourism business community following a Cabinet deciindustry, it is necession to amend the Daylight sary to amend the law Savings Act 1998. The Act was amended to to allow daylight saving to be declared for a allow for daylight savings to be declared for longer period, Sayed-Khaiyum said. The any consecutive period between the begin- implementation of daylight savings in Fiji in ning of December and the end of April. 1998 and 1999 received very encouraging Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum earli- response from the people and the business er stated that members of the public and community.

The High Court refused Sakiusa’s application

Suva, Fiji (AHN) - The High Court in Suva Thursday refused an application by the former chief executive officer of Airports Fiji Limited (AFL), Sakiusa Tuisolia, to have proceedings on his case stayed. Tuisolia is charged with three counts of fraudulent conversion, two counts of fraudulent falsification of publications and three counts of fraudulent falsification of accounts. The offenses were alleged to have been committed on Oct. 21, 2004, and April 31, 2006, while Tuisolia was CEO at AFL. He is accused of fraudulently applying

Fiji loses appeal

Suva : The Court of Arbitration of Sport has dismissed Fiji’s appeal to participate at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Fiji had appealed the Commonwealth Games Federation decision to ban Fiji after the country suspended by the was Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Games will be held in New Delhi in October. FASANOC President Vidya Lakhan was the Appeal hearing

investigating against Tongan national

airport funds for his own use and benefit and causing false bookkeeping entries to be made to conceal the fraud. Charges were brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Tuisolia’s lawyer had applied for a stay on proceedings, accusing FICAC of abusing the court process by, among other things, serving late disclosures and substituting new offenses. However, Judge Justice Daniel Gounder refused the application, saying there was no grounds for a stay

Suva - Fiji immigration officials are investigating how a Tongan national has been working in the country for two years without proper documents. The man, whose name is being withheld, is being detained awaiting deportation, Immigration Director Nemani Vuniwaqa confirmed. He is currently being questioned. Authorities believe other Tongans are living and working illegally in Fiji. The man is believed to have been working as a salesman for a retail store.

Preliminary investigations have found that the man may have come aboard a vessel in 2007 and decided to stay in the country after an

Suva, Fiji - Senior church ministers within the Methodist Church, Fiji’s largest Christian denomination, have asked the two most senior leaders to step down. Church President Reverend Ame Tugaue and his General Secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu were asked to resign from their positions following an emergency meeting at the church’s headquarters in Suva, March 24. Acting General Secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said after a meeting with the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama this week, the church ministers decid-

ed that the church leadership be changed. “We met with the Prime Minister and some Government officials and they have told us that in their plan to take Fiji forward, they would like to work with the Methodist Church. “They want people who they can work with,” Nawadra said. He confirmed that the two senior church ministers have asked for some time before they could respond to the request by their fellow ministers.

According to Rev Nawadra, the ministers unanimously decided that they could only move forward if the Church agreed with Government.

Hurricane The High Court refused 'a curse' Sakiusa’s application

HURRICANE Tomas was a curse on those who had turned away from God, a Wainigadru Village elder told President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Tomasi Dovibua, 88, said the villagers were too focused on drinking yaqona and there was little attention given to their families and the land.

He said the hurricane had made the villagers pay.

But Ratu Epeli said he was only there to see to villagers' welfare and such issues were best discussed with church leaders.

Fiji extends media censorship

Suva : Fiji’s military-backed government has extended the regulations used to censor the country’s media until the end of April, ABC News reports. Fiji’s public emergency regulations (PER) were put in place on 10 April last year after the military-backed regime scrapped the country’s constitution. Under the regulations, all local media outlets are censored with a ban on stories critical of the country’s leaders, and no public meeting can be held without government permission. The extension means the restrictions will be enforced until the end of April, about 13 months after they were put in place. The government has said the PERs will be lifted after a new decree governing the media is enacted.

Amnesty International says Fiji Death Penalty Live and Kicking

Suva. The Pacific is only one of two regions in the world that did not carry out any executions in 2009, Amnesty International revealed today as it launched its worldwide annual overview of the death penalty. The report, Death Sentences and Executions in 2009, documents at least 714 people executed in 18 countries and at least 2001 sentenced to death in 56 countries last year.

The report also shows countries that still carry out executions are the exception rather than the rule, with more than two-thirds of countries having now abolished the death penalty in law or practice. Although no executions took place in Europe in 2009, two people were put to death by the state in Belarus earlier this month, leaving the Pacific as the only region that has not used the death penalty in the last decade.

“We are currently witnessing a global trend towards abolishing the death penalty, and we applaud the Pacific region paving the way to a death penalty free world,” says Apolosi Bose, Amnesty International’s Pacific Researcher. “But although no executions took place, there is still work to be done as four Pacific countries retain the death penalty in their laws. We are call-

ing on them to take it off their books completely,” says Bose.

Papua New Guinea (PNG), Nauru and Tonga are abolitionist in practice, while Fiji is abolitionist for ordinary crimes only. All other Pacific nations are abolitionist for all crimes - their laws do not provide for the death penalty for any crime. “We are also urging Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Tonga to show an international commitment to opposing the death penalty by supporting the United Nations resolution calling for a global moratorium on the death penalty later this year,” adds Bose. The first resolution was first adopted in December 2007 by an overwhelming majority of 104 UN member states. Although not legally binding, it carries considerable moral and political weight, and provides an opportunity for these countries to express to the global community their abhorrence of the death penalty. The death penalty is the ultimate cruel and inhuman punishment which Amnesty International is opposed to in all cases, without exception.

“By explicitly prohibiting the use of executions, Pacific countries can show the world they have rejected this fundamental breach of human rights,” says Bose.

FIJI NEWS

Marijuana ‘graduate’ jailed

Fiji Man In Custody For Sexual Assault On Child

Suva : A Fiji farmer who admitted to police that he planted marijuana since leaving school has been jailed for four years after being caught in a police raid. Tui Meloma, 22, had pleaded guilty to being in possession of the drug after the raid last December when police found almost three kilograms of marijuana hidden under a cupboard in his house at Naroi Village.

He was arrested for questioning and on the next day, showed police the site at which he cultivated marijuana at Noavatu in Uciwai.

Suva - Fiji police have arrested a man believed to have sexually assaulted an 8-year-old girl at a primary school in Suva during school hours. The incident has sparked outrage in the country with calls for harsh penalties for the perpetrator.

Police spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed that the man is due to appear in Magistrate Court in Suva soon.

The victim, a class three student, is reported to have been found unconscious in the school toilet by her classmates. Students reported

the matter to a teacher who alerted police. Police say the incident occurred in the early hours of March 24 after the victims’ parents dropped her off for school.

The incident has sparked concern across the country, raising questions of how safe children are in schools these days. Save The Children Fiji (SCF) expressed shock at the incident, saying such a “barbaric act should not be condoned and the person responsible should be severely punished.”

“As an advocate of child rights,

Suva, Fiji (AHN) - The Reserve Bank of Fiji Thursday transferred $39.2 million to the government.

The amount comprised\ the bank’s entire profit of $16.6 million for the financial year ended Dec. 31 and $22.6 million that represents one fifth of the balance of the Revaluation Reserve Account.

In view of the prevailing weak economic conditions and tight fiscal position, the RBF Board decided not to set aside any profit to general reserves. Instead, the full amount was transferred to the government.

The transfer to government in 2009 for the 2008 financial year was $33 million. Profit was $30 million and one-fifth of the Revaluation Reserve was $2,6 million. RBF Governor and Chairman Sada

Reddy said, “The 2009 financial performance is a significant achievement when one takes into account the global financial environment where interest rates were at historical low levels.” He said the outturn was much better than the bank’s budget estimates and was greatly assisted by improvement in the level of foreign reserves. In this regard, Reddy said Fiji foreign reserves level moved above $1 billion for the first time. The total foreign reserves level at the end of 2009 was $1,097,844,000, almost twice the level of $568,691,000 a year ago. In accordance with the RBFiji Act, the audited accounts and operations report for the 2009 fiscal year were submitted to the Minister for Finance on March 29.

: Suva Government will soon be launching a ‘Buy Fiji made’ logo campaign. Minister for Industry and Trade, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this at the Ba Provincial Council meeting that was held over the last two days. Sayed-Khaiyum says people will know they are buying authentic Fiji products and will relate to it. He also revealed that some handicraft sold in Fiji are made in Philippines but passed off as local products.

He says Government wants the tourism dollar to be spent as much as possible within Fiji and also to give tourists access to truly authentic Fijian handicraft.

Fiji Reserve Bank Hands $39m Profit To Government

‘Buy Fiji made’logo to be launched

Fiji’s military tightens control

Security forces have occupied the central bank building in the Fijian capital, Suva, in a further sign of tightening military control.

There are also reports that the bank’s governor has been sacked.

Military chief Frank Bainimarama was reinstated as PM last week in spite of a court ruling that his regime - which seized power in 2006 - was illegal. Three foreign journalists were also expelled for their coverage of the upheaval, amid a wider media crackdown.

One of the three men, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter Sean Dorney, told the BBC that local journalists in Fiji were working under severe censorship regulations.

The president of Fiji’s Law Society has been detained and the courts remain closed since the president dissolved the constitution, dismissed judges and reappointed Mr Bainimarama.

In a statement on the government’s website on Tuesday, Mr Bainimarama said the country would see many changes in the coming days and weeks “to benefit the country”. Mr Bainimarama insists his rule is legitimate, but has said there will not be democratic elections until 2014.

Growing isolation

Australia and New Zealand have warned the military chief of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama, that he faces new trade and travel sanc-

We are seeing a very ugly side of the regime where they are clamping down on personal freedoms

tions.

"We've effectively got a selfappointed dictator. It's now a very much less predictable place than it was," New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully

told Radio New Zealand.

"We are seeing a very ugly side of the regime, where they are clamping down on personal freedoms, media freedoms and there [is a] serious sense of a crackdown on the institutions and individuals who are defying the government," he added.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said it was “almost inevitable” Fiji would be ejected from regional groupings and the Commonwealth of former Britishruled nations. Both ministers said the challenge was to find a way to target Mr Bainimarama and his allies without hurting the Fijian people, many of whom rely on the tourism industry. Last week, the Court of Appeal - Fiji’s second highest court - ruled that the military government was illegally appointed after a 2006 coup, and that democracy should be returned as soon as possible. President Ratu Josefa Iloilo responded by dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution - only to reinstate Frank Bainimarama as interim prime minister a day later.

The army uprising in December 2006 was the country’s fourth coup in 20 years. The military said it had been forced to remove a corrupt and racist administration led by ousted Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

But critics of Commodore Bainimarama have accused him of being a “power-hungry dictator”.

our organization does not want to see such incidents happening to our children in this country,” SCF chief executive Chandra Shekhar said.

The incident, he said, is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of The Child (UNRC) Article 19 which states that “You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated.” Shekhar said the psychological effect of this incident will be felt greatly not only by the child but also by all students, parents, children and everyone in society. “Everyone in this country

April, 2010

11

should come together and create a stronger safety net for our children,” he said. Shekhar applauded the quick action by the school management in reporting the incident resulting in the apprehension of the suspect. The victim is still unconscious in the intensive care unit of a Suva hospital. Nurses said she woke up once, on Sunday, before slipping into a coma again.

As a result of the incident, the minister for education has directed all schools to step up on security around school premises.

Fiji Methodist leaders banned from politics

Suva : Fiji is a republic with a population of approximately 837,000. The 1997 constitution provided for a ceremonial president selected by the Great Council of Chiefs and an elected prime minister and Parliament.

However, in 2006 the armed forces commander, Commodore Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, overthrew the elected government in a bloodless coup d’etat.

In 2007 the interim military government was replaced by a nominally civilian interim government headed by Bainimarama as prime minister. Bainimarama and his Military Council controlled the security forces.

On April 9, the Court of Appeal declared the coup and the interim government unlawful. On April 10, the government abrogated the constitution, imposed a state of emergency, and began to rule by decree. Bainimarama’s de facto government denied citizens the right to change their government peacefully. In April the de facto government dismissed the entire judiciary and replaced it

2009 Human Rights Reports: Fiji 2009 Country Humanghts Practices with its own appointees. It censored and intimidated the media and restricted freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully. Other problems during the year included police and military impunity; poor prison conditions; attacks against religious facilities; the dismissal of constitutionally appointed government officials, as well as elected mayors and town councils; government corruption; deep ethnic divisions; violence and discrimination against women; and sexual exploitation of children.

Public Emergency Regulations (PER), initially promulgated April 10 for a threemonth period, were repeatedly extended

'Create environment against HIV/AIDS' Suva. A study in Fiji has warned that creating an environment for HIV/AIDS preventative interventions is essential to combating the threat of the deadly virus.

A study by Heather Worth and Karen McMillan of the University of New South Wales noted that timely testing and treatment is a necessary component of HIV prevention. However researchers warn that tougher legislation on sex workers may hurt the overall fight against AIDS. “Rather than preventing sex work occurring, these changes will drive sex work underground, and will be

detrimental to efforts to reduce HIV transmission risk," the study notes. The study, funded by AusAID, is titled, 'Risky Business: Sex Work and HIV Prevention in Fiji.' “Despite increasing media attention being directed at the issue, there are scant data on the conditions of sex work and on factors that impact on sex workers’ HIV risk behaviour... This research was designed to further an understanding of the underlying factors that generate vulnerability to HIV transmission among sex workers in Fiji,” the study added.

In census, Obama ticks ‘black’ 12

April, 2010

It is official: Barack Obama is the America’s first black President.

Washington : A White House spokesman confirmed that Obama, the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, checked African-American on the 2010 census questionnaire. The president, who was born in Hawaii and raised there and in Indonesia, had more than a dozen options in responding to Question 9, about race. He chose “Black, African Am, or Negro.” (The anachronistic “Negro” was retained on the 2010 form because the Census Bureau believes that some older blacks still refer to themselves that way.) Obama could have checked white, checked both black and white, or checked the last category on the form, “some other race”, which he would then have been asked to identify in writing. There is no

Michael Jackson administered drugs himself?

LOS ANGELES: Pop icon Michael Jackson administered his fatal drugs overdose himself, defence lawyers for his personal doctor, Conrad Murray who stands accused of his death, are set to claim, according to celebrity website TMZ.com. The late ‘Thriller’ singer died of acute intoxication by medical anaesthetic Propofol last June, and his personal doctor, Conrad Murray faces trial for his murder. Lawyers for the doctor, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter are, however, set to claim it was the singer who administered the powerful drug, not Murray, according to the website.

The defence team say that Dr Murray administered a small dose of 25 milligrams of Propofol to the singer, then sat with him for an hour

making calls. He then went to use the bathroom, during which time Jackson, 50, awoke and was frustrated that he couldn’t sleep; so he reached for the 20 millilitre bottle and intravenously administered it, a huge overdose which lead to his death. The defence will then tell how Murray re-entered the room, and saw what had happened and immediately started trying to resuscitate the star. The website said the defence will also argue Jackson was a long time Propofol addict, and a key piece of evidence will be an empty bottle of the powerful drug.

The website further added that Los Angeles County Coroner’s investigators took a picture in the room, showing an empty Propofol bottle on the floor, underneath the nightstand by Jackson’s bed.

WASHINGTON: In a secret directive, President Barack Obama has asked his administration to intensify efforts to make India resolve its tensions with Pakistan, a priority for progress of the “US goals in the region”.

He has also asked his officials to intensify American diplomacy aimed at easing tensions between India and Pakistan, asserting that without detente between the two rivals, the administration’s efforts to win Pakistani cooperation in Afghanistan would suffer, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The directive, issued in December, concluded that “India must make resolving its tensions with Pakistan a priority for progress to be made on US goals in the region,” the US daily said quoting ‘people familiar with its contents’. According to officials, the Pentagon, in particular, has sought more pressure on New Delhi, it said.

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama said on Monday a retooled nuclear strategy would narrow when the United States would use nuclear weapons, including for self-defense, the New York Times reported.

Obama, in an interview with the newspaper before the White House unveils the new strategy on Tuesday, said an exception would be carved out for “outliers like Iran and North Korea.” The much-anticipated announcement on the size and role of the US nuclear weapons stockpile could build momentum before Obama signs a landmark arms control treaty with Russia in Prague on Thursday and hosts a nuclear security summit in Washington next week.

The Nuclear Posture Review is required by Congress from every U.S. administration but Obama set expectations high after he vowed to end “Cold War thinking” and won the Nobel Peace Prize in part for his vision of a nuclear-free world. To set an example for moving the world toward making nuclear weapons

Obama asks admn to intensify efforts to ease Indo-Pak tension : Report

category specifically for mixed race. On a visit to Ghana last year, Obama took his wife and daughters to see Gold Coast Castle, the one-time slave trading depot from which thousands of Africans were sent in shackles to a life of toil in the New World. Michelle Obama is descended from a South Carolina slave. The president’s multiracial heritage has been a subject for oceans of commentary in America and around the world. But it’s also been a cause for teasing, and even satire. “The first black president!” exclaimed comedian Wanda Sykes at a dinner last year of the White House Correspondents’ Association.

“I’m proud to be able to say that. That’s unless you screw up. And then it’s going to be, ‘What’s up with the half-white guy?’”

STYLES OF

OBAMA...

USA UPDATES

Request for hybrid turned down

WASHINGTON: The US Secret Service has turned down Barack Obama’s request to convert his presidential limousine into a hybrid vehicle due to security reasons.

Obama told an audience at a town hall in Charlotte, North Carolina, that the administration was using its “purchasing power to help encourage the clean car industry”. “I asked can we make these cars hybrids,” Obama said.

“Secret Service said no. Now, the reason is not because Secret Service are bad guys. It’s because the cars that I’m in are like tanks,” he was quoted as saying by the ABC news.

President Barack Obama shoots a basketball during the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington.

President Barack Obama holds "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss as he hosted the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Also pictured are first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia Obama.

Barack Obama to limit use of US nuclear weapons obsolete, Obama’s strategy renounces any new atomic arms development, the New York Times said. A senior US official confirmed the strategy would reject any new nuclear arms development but said that would be coupled with increased investments in the man-

agement of the stockpile. The United States for the first time would explicitly commit to not using nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states that adhered to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty even if they attacked with biological or chemical weapons, the Times said. Obama

India committed to N-liability law: US

WASHINGTON: Saying India has expressed commitment to the nuclear liability legislation, the United States has said it was up to New Delhi to figure out how to move forward on it overriding opposition objections to certain clauses.

“I don’t see that as a sticking point,” assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs Robert Blake told reporters when asked about opposition to the nuclear liability bill in India.

“In all of our conversations with the Indian government, they have consistently said that they remain committed to fulfilling this commitment under the civil nuclear deal, to pass civil liability legislation.”

“I think the opposition in India has recently expressed its objections to

aspects of that legislation, so it will be up to the government of India to figure out how to move forward on this,” Blake said. “But again, they’ve always said to us that they remain committed to moving that legislation.”

On its part the United States remained committed to the nuclear deal, he said noting “earlier this week, the United States and India announced agreement on our reprocessing arrangement, which we feel is a very important step forward in our civil nuclear process.”

said last month the new plan, delayed by months of internal deliberations, would “reduce the number and role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, even as we maintain a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.” He now faces the challenge of lending credibility to his arms control push while not alarming allies under the US defense umbrella or limiting room to maneuver in dealing with emerging nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea. Obama told the Times he was convinced Iran was on a course that “would provide them with nuclear weapons capabilities.” Obama’s conservative critics say his approach so far has been naive and could endanger US national security. The review, widely expected to scale back some Bush-era policies, will be a test of Obama’s effort to make controlling nuclear arms worldwide one of his signature foreign policy initiatives. It is also important because it will affect defense budgets and weapons deployment and retirement for years to come.

April, 2010

13

House The store for women's fashion ware

Wholesale dealer Your absolute source for most reliable and fashion ware

Fax : 510-222-2536 Email : dkbridal@yahoo.com 3817 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante, CA 94803

14

April, 2010

April, 2010

TAJ MAHAL

3831 Raildroad Ave, Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone and Fax 925-439-8359 Email: jassingh@att.net

New ladies clothes section

Fiji , Indian, Pakistani products !

Halal Meat sold here !!!

Fiji Aata !

Santos, Bavan And Dhanraj Brand Frozen Goods ! Naan, chapatti, and vegetables !

Red Cow Milk, Punja’s Ghee Fiji Lok Geet , Bhajans and Qawali CDs.

15

16

April, 2010

PHOTO GALLERY

FIJI GIRLS FEATURED IN “DASAVTAR” AT OHLONE COLLEGE

AIM NEWS

S

It’s time for AIM to go national: Ben Venktash

peaking to the AIM, members resource person Ben Venktash , a fellow of the Royal Society of Health, London, said that he was impressed with mission and goals of AIM and suggested it is time to go national with its program.

Ben told members right now AIM is offering free seminars which in the mainstream American market would cost about $500 a day per participant. Next AIM seminar is planned to be held in Sacramento soon.

Kamal Rajan Sr. Vice President Wells Fargo Bank invited as the chief guest at AIM forum

HAYWARD- Fiji-born Kamal Rajan, the Sr. Vice president of Wells Fargo Bank of San Francisco has been invited to address the American Institute of Management seminar on “ Customer Value Proposition And Customer Relation Management” at the monthly Fiji Open Forum April 3 slated from 11 AM to 2 PM at Weekes Library. Patrick Avenue, Hayward. Speaking at a recent press conference AIM director and Fiji Sun editor Dr. H. Koya told the press that it was a great honor for AIM to have Kamal Rajan come and address the members most of whom are business owners and operators. He said in any business customer is the most important person and understanding customer value and having excellent customer relations are the keys to operating a successful and profitable business. “Kamal Rajan is the best suited speaker for the AIM seminar”, Dr. Koya said, “and we look forward to having as a regular resource person.”

PHOTO GALLERY

April, 2010

17

PACC CELEBRATES PAKISTAN DAY AT CHANDNI RESTAURANT

BRAVE PAKISTANI LADIES FACE CAMERA

T

18

BOLLYWOOD

April, 2010

he Bengali bombshell Bipasha Basu has never looked or felt in better physical shape than she is now.

For her it’s all about loving her body.

Her nine-year romance with Bollywood and equally-long relationship with John Abraham is in full bloom. Post her fitness videos, her film career has picked up steam. She has Priyadarshan’s Aakrosh (earlier titled Garam Hawa), a film meant to give her ‘artistic side’ a boost. Then there is Rohan Sippy’s Dum Maro Dum, the slick action thriller that is currently being filmed in Goa. She’s studying a couple of more scripts and is streamlining her endorsements.

On Easter Sunday, she had a double lunch date at beau John’s home and in her best friend Deanne Panday’s house.

Her personalised clothes line will be launched post the IPL grand finale. With such a flurry of activities, one would naturally assume that Bipasha’s mood is upbeat. Yet there is something niggling at her and being the forthright girl that she is, Bipasha comes straight to the point: “Recent media reports are constantly saying just one thing.

They’re either talking about my divagiri or me being unprofessional. Nothing could be further from the truth than this.’’

Visibly upset with the Bipasha smear campaign, the actress says, “Listen I didn’t get to this position by being unprofessional. Nor do I throw tantrums as it is being made to seem. If I have had issues at a couple of public functions, then it must mean that someone else didn’t keep their end of the bargain.

Unfortunately, one-sided stories make it to the media and since I don’t have a strong public rela-

Hrithik consults his lucky stars

I am being

maligned

Bipasha I’m going to get a PR person. I just feel someone should be out there giving my version of every ugly report that raises its head, of late once too often.’’

H

tions machinery to put things into the right perspective, my reputation is being tarnished.’’

But she will not wallow in selfpity. Always known for taking the reins of her life and career in her hands, and for quick-silver independent decisions, the actress says, “I know some publications survive on negative publicity. But I just feel it’s unfair to tarnish someone’s reputation just to sensationalise a report. I’m the sort who has usually lets most things ride. But that hardly means that I’m insensitive to what is being said about me. I’m going to get a PR person. I just feel someone should be out there giving my version of every ugly report that raises its head, of late once too often.’’ Having said that, she talks of how her latest two movies Aakrosh and Dum Maro Dum are giving her a

ey ho my mint ki golis! Oi oi, what is this I’m hearing now? My hottie Hrithik Roshan is consulting an astro-numerologist. I never expected my Duggu dude to fall into the shaque vaham. My jasoos from Juhu tells that Hrithik got superstitious after several unpleasant events in the Roshan household; from his link-up with Barbara Mori, resultant problems with Sussanne, leakage of Kites promos, to the sudden shaadi of sister Sunaina.

Apparently, he even asked this soothsayer if they need to do any yagya to ward off the evil spirits causing disturbance in his professional and personal life. Considering that he has two big films coming up this year, including Guzaarish with Ash, he doesn’t want to take any chances. Hmmm. Hey ho my mint ki golis!

Oi oi, what is this I’m hearing now? My hottie Hrithik Roshan is consulting an astro-numerologist. I never expected my Duggu dude to fall into the shaque vaham. My jasoos from Juhu tells that Hrithik got superstitious after several unpleasant events in the Roshan household; from his link-up with Barbara Mori, resultant problems with Sussanne, leakage of Kites promos, to the sudden shaadi of sister Sunaina.

Apparently, he even asked this soothsayer if they need to do any yagya to ward off the evil spirits causing disturbance in his professional and personal life. Considering that he has two big films coming up this year, including Guzaarish with Ash, he doesn’t want to take any chances. Hmmm.

chance to bring quality into her performances.

And, while she categorically denies that John recommended her to Rohan Sippy for DMD, the actress laughs, “Listen I know Rohan from the Taxi 9211 days where John played the lead. Rohan approached my casting agent on his own accord. John and I have been together for nine years and haven’t interfered in each other’s careers. ’’

Neena, however, said she was nervous before Masaba’s show. “This is a really important show but I was a bit tensed when it began. However things went of well and I am really happy. She has put up a great show,” she said.

Nina Gupta’s daughter

M

DEBUTS AT WIFW

asaba Gupta, daughter of TV actress Neena Gupta and former West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards made her debut at the 15th edition of the WIFW with her collection ‘Fitoor’. “My collection is a great mix of classic and ‘kitsch’. It has velvet, silks, ikats put to funky sarees with pockets, vibrant shades and it is very Indian,” said Masaba. “I am debuting with Wills India fashion Week. I have done

two seasons with Lakme Fashion Week, she said, adding that her collection was “age versatile”. The young designer was supported by her mother, who cheered her from the first row. Neena, however, said she was nervous before Masaba’s show. “This is a really important show but I was a bit tensed when it began. However things went of well and I am really happy. She has put up a great show,” she said.

BOLLYWOOD

Tum

Milo Toh Sahi

Film review

Cast

Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Suniel Shetty, Vidya Malavade, Rehan Khan, Anjana Sukhani, Mohnish Bahl, Vrajesh Hirjee, Amit Behl, Smita Jayakar, Tanisha Mukherjee, Raghav Sachar.

Love knows no language. Love knows no barriers. Love knows no age. It’s this thought that director Kabir Sadanand tries to encapsulate in his second directorial venture Tum Milo Toh Sahi. Tum Milo Toh Sahi may not be the most amazing take on relationships, but it has several moments that make you experience myriad emotions in those two hours. Having said that, it must be pointed out that the Rehan-Anjana portions are just not captivating.Yet, the outcome is much better than what’s being churned out in the name of cinema and entertainment these days. Final word?

Watch it, especially for veterans like Nana and Dimple, whose stellar act proves that old is gold, indeed! Set in modern-day Mumbai, with all the demands and pressures of city life, the film weaves together the lives of three couples

Lahore Film review

Story: An Indian kickboxer defeats a Pakistani kickboxer in an international tournament. But the event ends in a tragedy due to the Pakistani players intemperance. Will the peace process, initiated by the two countries lose its momentum, specially when the Indian hero’s brother is determined to avenge his family, and country during a second international bout that is being held in Lahore this time? Movie Review: So, the film has been reportedly banned in Pakistan? Do they have reason to do so?

The truth is, Lahore may begin on a note that showcases the Pakistani sportsman (kickboxer, Mukesh Rishi and his coach, Sabyasachi Chakraborty) in a dubious light and has the young Pakistani sports psychologist (Shraddha Das) apologising to our Indian hero on behalf of her entire nation, but it ends on a strong pacifist note and perfectly fits in with the need of the hour. One which demands that the legacy of hate and the baggage of history need to be buried because the principle of an eye for an eye cannot work in international politics. More importantly,

the film does not strike a jingoistic note, despite tracing the entire trajectory of the tumultuous Indo-Pak relationship through the aggressive sport of kickboxing. The tenor of the film is sensitively restrained and low key throughout, with the story of young Virendra’s (Aanaahad) journey through grief, acceptance and transcendence unfolding gently through the bone-crunching and jaw-breaking.

The cricketer who turns to kickboxing to avenge his brother (Sushant Singh) is helped in his endeavours by the avuncular coach (Farouque Sheikh) of the Indian team. But more than training him in the art of kickboxing, the coach must instil the spirit of true sportsmanship in his player and redefine the concept of patriotism for the firebrand. Lahore works due to several reasons. Firstly, because of its topicality which strikes the right note in this season when India and Pakistan are seeking a new equilibrium in their relationship. Secondly because of its narrative style which is the antithesis of nationalistic chest-beating Gadar-like films. Lahore tells a fiery story, gently and lyrically and is embellished with some great cinematography (Neelabh Kaul) and action choreography in the kickboxing sequences (Tony Ching Siu Tung).

But most of all, it boasts of a stellar act by the performers with Farouque Sheikh walking away with most of your applause as the genteel Hyderabadi who must train a team of winners, despite political and bureaucratic interference. Lahore is a sensible and gripping film that has you clapping and cheering.

Sadiyaan

April, 2010

19

who connect with each other. Tum Milo Toh Sahi has three different stories running concurrently, but get merged into one after intermission. The Nana-Dimple chapter is the pick of the lot, in terms of writing and execution, followed by Suniel-Vidya track and RehanAnjana story. Nana’s eccentric persona is a delight. His interaction with Dimple’s grandson is fantastic. Suniel and Vidya’s story has been treated sensitively, but a few moments are plain ordinary, especially their initial portions.

Rehan and Anjana’s sub-plot is the weakest link in the enterprise, although the actors make up with earnest performances. This is director Kabir Sadanand’s second venture and I see a distinct evolution in him as a storyteller. Kabir has handled several sequences with flourish.

The climax is the highpoint of the film.

However, the film is very Mumbai-centric, which would restrict its appeal at other places.

Sandesh Shandilya’s musical score is decent, with the title track being the pick of the lot.

Pushan Kripalani’s cinematography is eyecatching. It’s a treat to watch Nana and Dimple on screen after a hiatus. Both deliver sterling performances. One is sure, after you exit from the auditorium, you’d carry Nana and Dimple in your heart. Suniel too strikes a chord and plays his part with amazing maturity. Vidya Malavade is super, a dependable actor. Rehan springs a pleasant surprise. Anjana is a complete natural too. Amongst the host of supporting actors, Mohnish Bahl and Amit Behl stand out. Raghav Sachar has a brief role; he looks photogenic. On the whole, Tum Milo Toh Sahi has decent merits that should find flavour with the multiplex junta of Mumbai mainly, thanks to its Mumbai-centric theme. Watch it for the wonderful performances by Nana and Dimple!

Film review

B

ollywood, for fair part, is the voice of Punjab. In this film, Punjab itself has a voice. The film starts off with, “Main Punjab hoon” (I’m Punjab). Like samay (time) in BR Chopra’s television show Mahabharat, Punjab is an oldish male, with a grainy voice.

He speaks glowingly of his own past, legends he’s birthed, and the bloody holi (khoon ki holi) of Partition he witnessed, when deadbodies ferried on trains from Pakistan. A couple (Rekha, Rishi Kapoor) survived this 1947 pogrom, migrating from Lahore to Amritsar.

They found an orphaned infant in their new home Punjab home. They raised this child as a bit of an overprotected bozo. He comes charging to the audience thereafter, gallopRaj Kanwar ing on a horse. You stare at the rider. The irony isn’t lost. He travels straight to Kashmir, Luv Sinha Rishi Kapoor falls for a girl’s face, follows her around, sings dull songs of love around duller lakes, wants to marry her, and realises she’s Muslim. He’s grown up in a Hindu home. Segregation between two communities is reconciled to, and I guess, real as well. This appeared a Hindu-Muslim Gadar sort of romance, that’d blown up box offices with its Pak hate campaign around the Kargil War (2001). It’s not. The couple finds for the boy his actual parents in Pakistan. They’re Muslims after all. So is the boy then. Match is made. Two sets of parents compete for the kid thereafter. Pakistani couple (Javed Sheikh,

Director Actors

Hema Malini) wishes to ship him across the border.

Indian ones look on helplessly. The boy, an adult, old enough to marry, could decide for himself. But that’s not an option. The conflict’s a wonderment. The film is set in 1968. It would’ve seemed dated even then. You’ll love the part where the heroine’s friends snigger over her stalker (the hero), “Ladka shararati toh hai; flirt nahin. Zamana lust ka hai, love ka nahin! (The boy’s naughty, not a flirt. The world’s about lust, not love).” Yeah! Never mind the film, really. Sad yawns make it to cinemas every other week. It’s the leading man I feel sorry for. His dad’s the old movie-star Shatrughan Sinha. Videocon group’s pumped in the dough. Long side-burns; receding hairline, parted from the centre; prominent lisp; slight bug-teeth; floppy ears; a disproportionate figure… As you watch this super-star bob his head to contemporary beats in checked trousers, you sense he’s been somehow forced into this. If not, the delusion is a bit worrying. Stop it. No laughing matter, this.

20

LETTERS AND OPINIONS

April, 2010

Karim’s thoughts

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY

Choose your words carefully... they can shape your life...

especially if your subconscious mind picks up on these words (which it likely will)... they'll become your reality quicker than you realize.

Most people don't really pay attention to what they say when they're just making passing comments or off the cuff remarks. But they can have a significant impact on your life.

These are usually simple responses to what often seem like routine questions... like - "how are you" or "how are things going?" or "how's life treating you today?"... "how's work going?"...

We get asked these questions everyday... and over time we form routine responses.

In many cases those routine responses will have no impact on how your life is shaped... but sometimes, those responses or other comments that seem to made in passing or in jest can have a significant impact on how your life turns out.

If you're one who complains a lot - you're likely to get more of what you complain about.

Look for solutions and you'll find them.

Focus on the problem and you'll get more of the same.

Pretty simple.

But how do you go from complaining or focusing on problems to attracting what you want and improving or changing your life so that you achieve your goals?

Actually it's easier than you think and today I'm going to show you how to use your words to get more of what you want and less of what you don't want. So read on and enjoy. http://www.creatingpower.com/cpcourse.htm

Put an end to depression and start enjoying your life again

Don't let the doom and gloom thoughts of depression destroy your life. Put an end to depression and take back your life today.

Simple, powerful program will have you smiling and enjoying life again visit: ft.com/link/13307fa3d00/53ec60"http://www.creatingpower.com/paod.htm

Your words shape your life

Not every word you speak will manifest in reality.

But those statements that you say repeatedly, that you begin to believe... begin to take hold in your subconscious mind will make a huge impact.

Recently I met a relative who for the longest time always said: "Life is hard. You work all your life and you get a kick in the a--!"

That's basically what he said every time I saw him... and for a long time I used to see him everyday.

He's a nice guy, friendly, smart, down to earth, and has a great sense of humor.

But those words took their toll on him.

You see he believed what he said... it became part of his philosophy on life.

For years, those words showed no sign of having any impact.

In fact, for a while, life was good... but he would still say those words.

And he would often expand, especially if you challenged him... he could give you a long list of why life was hard... even when things were going well!

I just didn't get it.

He did.

And today - life is very hard for him.

He's had major health setbacks, can't function on his own, needs constant care and struggles financially. Life got hard... very hard.

Everyday I hope things get better for him.

But everyday - he keeps saying that same phrase: "Life is hard... you work all your life and you get a kick in the a--!"

Choose your words carefully... they could have a bigger impact than you realize... and it usually doesn't happen right away... it just sort of creeps up on you.

Do you know anybody who says something similar?

Maybe you're saying something like that everyday - and don't realize it.

Stop. Stop them and stop yourself.

Change what you're saying.

If you keep at it you'll destroy your life.

Why? When you repeatedly say negative statements you begin to believe them.

Over time this belief becomes stronger and stronger.

When that happens your subconscious mind begins to look at that belief as an instruction. It says - that's what you want - so that's what you'll get.

Your subconscious, being the good servant that it is, simply goes out and creates your life based on your beliefs, regular thoughts, attitudes and actions.

If you believe that life is hard, you'll start doing things to make your life hard. And it will get harder.

Life isn't meant to be hard.

Life should be fun and easy.

Put the joy back into your life.

Make your life easier by creating the right attitude and the right belief system.

Stop saying negative things that will create more pain and sorrow.

Give your mind and subconscious mind the instructions to create success and happiness so you always enjoy your life visit: http://www.creatingpower.com/cpcourse.htm

Choose your words

Next time you're making a passing comment - choose your words.

Those comments that you make everyday - should be positive, filled with optimism and put a smile on your face... it gets infectious.

I have many examples like my relative... I also have countless examples of people who choose their words carefully and continue to have a rewarding and happy life.

What else can you do?

Keep your thoughts focused on what you want, not what you don't want.

Look for solutions to life's challenges.

Make it a point to respond in a positive way - even if someone says something negative repeatedly.

As you do this those chronic negative thinkers that seem to drag you down will fade away. They just don't want to be around people who are constantly positive.

If these people are close to you, then they could change their attitude, you could make a huge impact.

Your words (those casual comments and remarks) are a reflection of your thoughts.

Your thoughts are a reflection of your beliefs.

Your beliefs are what your subconscious mind picks up on and creates.

Believe that life is hard and life will get hard.

Believe that things can never get better and they'll continue to get worse.

Track your words.

Track your thoughts.

Change those that don't work for you. Eliminate those that are negative or pessimistic.

Keep yourself focused on what you want.

Believe in yourself.

Feed your mind and subconscious mind positive thoughts and create beliefs that allow you to succeed and enjoy your life visit: http://www.creatingpower.com/cpcourse.htm

You can live a better life.

You can achieve your goals.

Choose your words carefully.

Spread positive messages and keep smiling.

Believe that things can and will get better.

Spread the positive message everyday and you'll enjoy a better life (at least it won't get worse).

You deserve success and happiness visit: http://www.creatingpower.com/cpcourse.htm Sincerely, Karim Hajee Creating Power PS: Remember -- You only get one life and one chance.

Make the most of it. Stop defeating yourself, stop limiting yourself. Create all the success you want and deserve in life. Visit

Dear editor

VATICAN ON CHILD MOLESTATION The Vatican’s complacency in holding child molesters accountable is wrong because it is breeding dangerous criminals in our society. The Catholic clergy should realize the trauma that children undergo when they are sexually assaulted. The 200 deaf children a Wisconsin priest molested have lived for years bearing the scars of the torture inflicted upon them. Sexual abuse in the Catholic clergy is not a one-time offense but is becoming so rampant that it requires strict laws to ensure that the criminals are prosecuted in a court of law and brought to justice.

-Manahil Shahnawaz

Self-awareness is the way to go

S

piritual masters and psychologists tell us selfawareness can give us happier and more effective lives. Meditation, writing and doing routine work mindfully are some of the ways to increase self-awareness.

Mindfulness meditation is one of the simplest methods.

We sit down with our eyes closed for 10-20 minutes and observe what is happening inside: our thoughts and feelings, sensations and breathing. We should observe our thoughts and not elaborate on them. If we find ourselves elaborating on thoughts, we should combine this method with breathing meditation (observing our breathing) or mantra meditation (repeating a name of God or a mantra).

Janette Rainwater, clinical psychologist and writer says: “Philosophers and mystics, people such as Socrates,

Self-awareness enables us to gain control over our lives.

Gurdjieff, Krishnamurti, the Buddha and Lao Tsu, have all stressed the necessity for selfobservation or awareness as the first requirement for becoming enlightened. But it is important to learn the difference between genuine selfobservation and introspection or obsessive, squirrel cage thinking.” Writing down one’s thoughts and feelings for say 20 minutes regularly develops one’s self-awareness. Robin Sharma, author or self-help books, says: “Journaling builds self-awareness. I also use my journal to write daily goals, plan and record what I’m grateful for, and capture and process new ideas along with lessons learnt.” Selfawareness enables us to gain control over our lives. For instance, a person who smokes should smoke with full awareness. After doing this for some days, he can decide whether he wants to continue.

A person who tends to overeat can try to eat with full awareness in order to control the desire. One can do routine work like chopping vegetables slowly and without talking to develop self-awareness. Rainwater says we should ask ourselves these questions from time to time: What am I doing? What am I feeling? What am I thinking?

How am I breathing? What do I want from myself in this new moment? She says the basic tools of self-observation are journal writing, writing an autobiography, analysing one’s dreams and meditation. We can improve the quality of our lives by developing selfawareness.

WORLD NEWS

20 killed in Baghdad blasts: Interior ministry

Kumari Chanira Bajracharya, a young girl believed by many Nepalis to be the living incarnation of a goddess, attends her first day of School Leaving Certificate exams as Prakash Subedi (R), exam controller, looks on at the Kumari's residence in Patan, Nepal, on 25 March 2010. The 'Living Goddess' is allowed to leave her home only on 19 special occasions in a year, so that she takes the exams in a special room of her residence in presence of examiners. Nearly 450,000 students sit the school leaving certificate exams in Nepal in 2010

Indian babas’ gold-rush in Nepal

KATHMANDU: They might have large fan followings in India and larger controversies but Indian babas have begun to enjoy a headier experience in neighbouring Nepal: incredible political clout.

The recent camp held by Indian yoga guru Ram Dev is a case in point. The saffron-clad bearded yoga teacher turned politician was feted by the President of Nepal, the prime minister of Nepal laid the foundation of his yoga ashram and Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda attended his camp where he advocated a fusion of Maoism and spiritualism. Now even before the ripples created by Ram Dev die down, Kripalu Maharaj, the man hailed by his followers as the greatest seer of his age, will be holding a two-day discourse at Bankali, the sprawling land close to the famed Pashupatinath temple, from April 10.

Sentence for kissing British couple upheld

BAGHDAD: Three bombings just minutes apart in Baghdad killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens on Sunday, an interior ministry official said.

Two near-simultaneous car bombs hit the upscale west Baghdad neighbourhood of Mansur, which is home to several foreign embassies, and a third massive explosion struck the Iranian embassy in the centre of the city shortly afterwards.

In addition to the dead, 45 people were wounded, the interior ministry official said. A medical official at Yarmuk hospital in west Baghdad said it had so far received nine dead, including two women, and 52 wounded.

DUBAI: A British couple accused of kissing in public will spend a month behind bars as Dubai’s appeals court today upheld their sentence, days after two Indians were sentenced to jail for exchanging steamy text messages here. The pair - identified in British press as 24-old-year marketing executive Ayman Najafi and 25-year-old tourist Charlotte Adams - were convicted in January and sentenced to one month in jail followed by deportation, and fined $270 for consuming alcohol, the National newspaper reported.

The defendants were arrested after an Emirati woman with her

against India being directed from its soil was limited to non-state actors.

This came on a day when sources in the home ministry disclosed that an NIA team preparing to leave for the US to question Headley will be accompanied by a magistrate.

The magistrate will be sent when the US grants permission for direct access to Headley to record his statement under CrPC 164, which is admissible in an Indian court of law, sources said. The statement would be crucial when a chargesheet is filed against Headley and his collaborators.

A statement made before a magistrate under section 164 of CrPc is admissible in a court of law and can help India’s efforts to get Headley’s record as judicial evidence.

FBI’s chargesheet against Headley also mentions Lashkar members A, B, C and D - identified as Sajid Mir, Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, Muzammil and Abu Hamza

or Abu Al Qama - as those who, along with Headley, plotted the attack on Mumbai. The role of top Lashkar jihadis was mentioned also

by Ajmal Kasab, the lone Mumbai gunman to have been captured. But what will make Headley’s statement seconding the same before a magistrate significant is that Pakistan cannot trash it as having been extracted under “force by Indian cops”.

This falls in line with the statement made by home minister P Chidambaram on March 20 after his telephone conversation with US attorney general Eric Holden. ``It is my understanding that India would be able to obtain access to David Coleman Headley to question him in a properly constituted judicial proceeding. Such judicial proceeding could be either pre-trial or during an inquiry or trial,’’ the minister said. He added that the NIA and other agencies had been asked to

April, 2010

21

family filed a complaint on November 28 claiming that the two had been kissing and touching each other in a sexual manner in front of her children at a diner in Jumeirah Beach Residence, it said. Both the accused admitted drinking alcohol but denied committing a sexual act, claiming they had kissed each other on the cheek as a greeting.

The defendants’ lawyer Khalfan al Hosani told the judges that the 38-year-old Emirati woman - currently the only adult witness in the case - had presented two different testimonies to police and public prosecutors, the paper said.

Headley names 6 Pak armymen in Karachi Project

NEW DELHI: David Coleman Headley has identified five-six serving officers of Pakistan army among the leaders of the Karachi Project, which seeks to organize attacks on India through fugitive Indian jihadis being sheltered in Karachi by the ISI-Lashkar combine.

Sources said that besides serving Majors Samir Ali and Iqbal of Pakistan army, Headley has told his FBI handlers about the role of one Colonel Shah and at least two other officers of the Pakistan army in the Karachi Project.

On February 26, TOI was the first to report about the role of serving officers of the Pakistan army Majors Samir Ali and Iqbal - in the Karachi Project. These two have been mentioned in the dossier that was submitted to visiting Pakistani foreign secretary Salman Bashir on February 25.

This disclosure demolishes Pakistan’s claim that terrorism

Karzai hits out at western backers, says US meddling in Afghan WASHINGTON : Hitting out at his western backers for the second time in three days, President Hamid Karzai has accused the US of intefering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and said the Taliban insurgency would become a legitimate resistance movement if the meddling doesn’t stop.

During a private meeting with about 60 or 70 Afghan lawmakers, Karzai suggested that “he himself would be compelled to join the Taliban” if the Parliament didn’t back his controversial attempt to take control of the country’s electoral watchdog from the United Nations,” according to two of those who attended the meeting, The Wall Street Journal reported. Karzai’s latest remarks came less than 24 hours after he assured Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that he was committed to working with the US. That phone call followed a similar, but less vitriolic, anti-Western diatribe that the Afghan president delivered earlier in the week, the paper said. After Friday’s call, US and Afghan officials said they were putting the incident behind them and moving on.

Karzai’s fresh round of accusations against the US and its allies laid bare his deep distrust of the West and was likely to further damage an already bruised relationship, it reported.

Pentagon for pressure on India to ease tension with Pakistan: WSJ

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon is actively lobbying for more pressure on New Delhi to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, the Wall Street Journal has reported. It has also revealed that US President Barack Obama had issued a secret directive to intensify diplomacy towards that aim and to win Islamabad’s cooperation in Afghanistan. Asserting that without détente between the two rivals, US efforts to win Pakistani cooperation in Afghanistan would suffer, the directive in December concluded that India must make resolving its tensions with Pakistan a priority for progress to be made on US goals in the region, the daily said citing “people familiar with its contents”. A debate continues within the administration over how hard to push India, which has long resisted outside intervention in the conflict with its neighbour. The Pentagon, in particular, has sought more pressure on New Delhi, the influential daily said citing US and Indian officials.

``quickly prepare the documents necessary to start a judicial proceeding in which Indian authorities could require David Coleman Headley to answer questions and/or to testify.’’ As Headley’s extradition appeared difficult, India was immediately focussing on getting direct access to him to know details about the terror plot.

Under the plea bargain, India can have access to the terrorist by deposition, video conferencing or through Letters Rogatory. Sources said India will like to explore all three. Headley had last week pleaded guilty to all the 12 terror charges of conspiracy involving bombing public places in India, murdering and maiming persons and providing material support to foreign terrorist plots and Pakistanbased LeT besides aiding and abetting the murder of six US citizens in the 26/11 attacks that killed 166 people.

17-yr-old ‘baby-faced’ widow bombed Moscow Metro

MOSCOW: Investigators believe that one of two women suicide bombers in the subway attacks that killed 39 people in Moscow this week was a babyfaced 17-year-old girl from a Muslim region who was the widow of an insurgent leader killed by Russian forces, officials said on Friday.

The teenager, Dzhennet Abdurakhmanova, had been married to Umalat Magomedov, slain in Dagestan in December last year. The Kommersant newspaper showed a photo of the two, both holding weapons, her head covered in the traditional dress of a religious Muslim woman from the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia. Abdurakhmanova, whose last name has also been reported as Abdullayeva, is believed to have carried out the first suicide blast on Monday during the morning rush hour at the Lubyanka subway station, which is near the headquarters of the Russian security services, reports said. She was from Dagestan, a Muslim region near Chechnya, and supposedly first established contact with the insurgents on the Internet, Kommersant reported. It said Magomedov was killed in a security operation on December 31, 2009. The woman who carried out the other attack, at the Park Kultury station, has not yet been identified, officials said. On Thursday, President Dmitri Medvedev, trying to demonstrate

the government’s resolve after a series of terrorist bombings, called for harsher tactics to combat the insurgency. Making a surprise visit, he convened a meeting of regional leaders and senior security advisers in Dagestan, which has faced sustained violence in recent years, including a double suicide bombing on Wednesday that killed 12 people.

Sania, Shoaib are now husband and wife 22

INDO-PAK UPDATES

April, 2010

Hyderabad : Indian tennis star Sania Mirza married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik at a hotel here on Monday after getting a copy of Shoaib’s passport from the city police.

‘The nikah has been completed.

Please pray for the couple,’ Sania’s spokesperson Rucha Naik told media persons outside hotel Taj Krishna. The simple and brief nikah ceremony, held between 12.30 p.m. and 1 p.m., was attended by about 70 close relatives and friends of the bride and bridegroom. Sania, 23, and Shoaib, 28,

signed the ‘nikahnama’ and said ‘qubool hai’ (I accept) in the presence of a qazi and two witnesses to formally solemnize the marriage.

Qazi Najmuddin Hussain, who completed the nikah formalities, said that the ‘Mehr’ (the gift given by the bridegroom to the bride at the time of marriage) was fixed at Rs.61 lakh in cash.

Mehr, a prerequisite for a Muslim marriage, can be in the form of cash, gold or other valuables and it is aimed at providing some security to the wife in the event of divorce or widowhood.

Pakistanis miss the good old ‘Khuda Hafiz’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis are signing up for an online campaign that is pleading Muslims to stick to the good old “Khuda Hafiz” of Persian origin instead of the new Arabised version “Allah Hafiz” that became popular during the regime of former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq. “Khuda Hafiz,” traditionally used by Muslims in the subcontinent to bid goodbye, is being taken over by “Allah Hafiz”. Most people in Pakistan have switched to “Allah Hafiz,” which they think is more religiously correct.

Britain-based Amina Gillani has launched a campaign on social networking site Facebook to bring back the use of “Khuda Hafiz” in common parlance.

“Support Pakistan’s innocent, historical goodbye - khuda hafiz. Stand against the essentialist ideology working to remove it from our colloquial discourse. “All discussions on how either new words and phrases, or (excessive) use and absences of existing words and phrases, impact social realities and experiences are welcome,” Gillani posted on her page. The going has not been easy for the group, which has managed about 1,168 members, including Indians, in the past few months. “I have been saying Khuda Hafiz all my life and still do but when people stare at you and try to correct you, its then that I flare at them and tell them to mind their own business,”

wrote Nighat Navaid, a Pakistani national. “Fi Amanillah is the best if you really want to say it in Arabic.

Otherwise there is no harm in saying Khuda hafiz... Allah’s name in Farsi (Persian)... is Khuda!” wrote Samiya Mohsin, who signed up for “Bring back Khuda Hafiz”. On the other hand, Abida Nudrat joined in to make a case for “Allah Hafiz”. She wrote: “Allah is the Ism-e-Azam meaning great name... The word Khuda means God which can also be used while referring to the deities”. Sajid Hussain challenged her with: “If it were like this, then why wasn’t this word used from 1400 years (ago)”. “Why only in the subcontinent now?” Salman Khan, another member, went a step further and wrote, “Allah ho ya Khuda ho, Ishwar ho, ya God, if it’s one God then you are a Muslim”. To counter Gillani’s group, “Say only Allah Hafiz” has been floated on Facebook. Some Pakistani columnists have been writing about the shift from Khuda Hafiz to Allah Hafiz.

Khaled Ahmed wrote about “The rise of the Allah Hafizites” a few years ago.

Another leading columnist, Ejaz Haider, wrote that when he was growing up, he never heard anyone say Allah Hafiz: “But the reality is that Khuda Hafiz now has very few takers...

It is amazing how we have Arabised ourselves despite our much stronger and direct Persian connection,” he wrote.

With the signing of the nikahnama, Sania became the second wife of former Pakistani skipper, who divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui last week.

Ayesha, a resident of this city, had filed a case against Shoaib after he rejected her demand to divorce her before marrying Sania.

Shoaib had married Ayesha over phone in 2002 but then accused her of duping him by sending photographs of another girl and emotionally forcing him into the marriage. Sania’s uncles Mohammed Shafi Osman and Mirza Fayaz

Baig signed the nikahnama as the two witnesses. ‘Ijab and qabool (offer and acceptance) was completed as per the Islamic law. Since Shoaib Malik was physically present at the nikah and the offer to marry Sania came from him, there was no need for any witnesses from his side,’ the qazi told reporters. The qazi performed the nikah after Shoaib produced a photo-copy of his passport, which he obtained from the city police.

The qazi had reportedly refused to perform the ‘nikah’ Friday in the absence of Shoaib’s passport or its

photo-copy, as they do not perform marriages of foreigners without passports and a no objection certificate from their respective governments.

Shoaib’s passport, seized last week in connection with a case filed by Ayesha, is still with police.

Additional the Commissioner of Police N. Narasimha Reddy said it may take a week for Shoaib to get back his passport as some formalities with regard to closure of the case would have to be completed. Saina strong favourite in Badminton Asia Championships

FINELY THEY MARRIED

Sania Mirza married Shoaib Malik and their relatives after Nikah.

Pak wants to normalise relations with India : Qureshi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants to normalise its relations with India on the basis of “sovereign equality and mutual respect” and the two countries should go back to a structured dialogue process as this is the only way forward, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday. Qureshi briefed a group of former foreign secretaries and ambassadors at the Foreign Office about “Pakistan’s principled position visa-vis India”, an official statement said. He exchanged views with them on key foreign policy issues, including relations with India, the recent US-Pakistan strategic dialogue and the upcoming PakistanEU summit. Qureshi stressed that “Pakistan genuinely wanted to normalise its relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect”. Qureshi said: “It was necessary that our two countries reverted back to a meaningful and structured dialogue process as this was the only way forward.”

PM meets Obama in Washington, discuss Af-Pak situation Washington : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight met US President Barack Obama and is understood to have discussed nuclear security, India's concerns over American military aid to Pakistan and the volatile situation in Afghanistan. Obama (48) walked down across the White House to meet 77-year-old Singh at the Blair House, the US President's official guest house, their second meeting in nearly five months.

Singh and Obama had last met at the White House on November 24, 2009 during the former's state visit. The controversial Civil Nuclear Liability Bill, which is caught in a political quagmire in India with opposition parties strongly objecting to certain aspects of the proposed legisla-

tion, is also believed to have figured during the talks.

Officials said that Singh will use the occasion to inform Obama that the nuclear liability bill is going through democratic processes in India and he hopes it to be passed

by Parliament at the earliest.

The US has been pushing for an early passage of the Bill given that the American companies are feeling left behind in the race as other major players from countries like France and Russia have already inked deals with India. The Indian side will raise the issue of extradition of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, who has confessed to plotting the Mumbai terror attacks, they said.

India wants direct access to the LeT operative to unravel the entire conspiracy.

LIFE STYLE

Thing to know

Sexy...

Wear a perfume with spicy connotations. Probably something with cinnamon and vanilla as their base notes. Or go for something fruity. It will leave you smelling mmmm!

Perfume How to choose Men

However, while choosing any of the best perfumes for men, make sure it blends effortlessly with their magnetic personality.

Women

There are mainly two distinct things to be considered about women’s perfumes — the bottle and the fragrance. If it is a gift, then keep in mind that the fragrance is nice and the bottle represents something special to her.

Tunic

The tunic outfit is in fashion again and you should take advantage at maximum of it, especially if you have problems with the belly.

Top notes

These are but, the first fra-

Large clothes

Many women do the same mistake: wear large clothes in order to hide the extra weight. Wrong. This kind of clothes will make you look fatter than you are. Choose clothes which fit you, make you look good, which are neither large nor tight.

What should I wear to look

THINNER Trousers

If you have problems at the bottom and at the thighs, the most indicated pair of trousers is the right one.

Avoid folds

Heels shoes

You can wear shoes which make you look taller as they will also help you look thinner.

Avoid as much as you can clothes which have folds, they won’t help you look thinner, on the contrary. They will add some extra kilos to your silhouette and you surely don’t want that.

Dark colors

Everybody knows that black clothes make everybody look thinner, but that doesn’t means that you should always wear black from head to toe. Try choosing from a large number of colors such as brown, dark green, dark blue.

Flat...

Wear a light floral fragrance to lift your spirits on the days you feel a little blue.

The perfume you wear can define the way you feel through the day. Here’s the low down on how to smell just yum...

ver noticed your perfume change its fragrance through the day?

Wondered why? Any perfume when worn, smells different by the end of the day, because it goes through different stages before it dies out. Confused?

Here’s why... Every perfume has three parts, commonly known as notes. Each note gives out a different scent.

grances a perfume gives out. It usually makes the first impression for the perfume. These evaporate quickly and last only for 15 minutes usually. So they have to be really good, huh?

Citrus scents are most common for the top notes.

Middle notes

Also known as heart notes, these surface just as the top notes evaporate. These last longer, usually for an hour.

However, these take a longer

Forget belts

Belts aren’t your best friends right now so try avoiding them especially if you have a problem around waist.

The belt will just attract the attention on the waist.

Attract the attention On the beautiful parts of your body.

Find something at your body (face, legs, hair) and be careful to attract always the attention on this part of the body.

23

PERFUMES TO WEAR WHEN YOU FEEL

About your E

April, 2010

Just like that...

while to develop.

Usually floral scents are used for middle notes.

Base notes

These go a long way and form the essence of a perfume.

The scents released in this note is how the perfume smells by the end of the day. This note lasts for several hours. Now you know why you shouldn’t buy a perfume in a jiffy.

Usually woody and earthy scents are used in this note.

Perfumes with citrus notes are best suited for days you feel up to some fun. It will keep the mood going.

Do not disturb...

When you feel like you’d rather be left to yourself, splash on an air of sophistication. Even better, dab on some attitude with woody fragrances.

So go ahead, play with your notes. If you know enough, you could even be a perfumist one day!

Myth or Reality?

CLOTHES DEFINE A PERSON

C

lothes do define a person. Not a complete myth. Not a complete reality. The answer lies somewhere in between. For actors, their main job is to look good and presentable all the time; this makes the phrase ‘clothes define a person’ a reality of sorts. Today, with fashion shows embedded into the circuits of Mumbai and fashion channels providing exposure to the young and old, all the same and with the importance attached to Fashion Designers, clothes have become an intrinsic part of many a person’s life and lifestyle. Actors get defined by how they look and what they wear. An actor like Kajol will be seated in the front row cheering on designer pal, Manish Malhotra at a fashion show because of the innate affiliation that every actor has with their favourite designer. Manish Malhotra is a striking example for being the candy-coloured designer of Bollywood, making colourful, happy, vibrant and stylish clothing for his leading ladies for movies and in personal life. Aki Narula, being the head-stylist and designer for movie Kurbaan, is a big deal. The clothes for the movie were required to be demure, secretive, concealing and sleek. When one read Aki Narula’s name in the credits, one would know that much importance is given to the designer of a movie. This is essential because clothes too, define a movie sometimes.

Imagine if you have to watch Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’s first half of the movie, in un-fitted Salwars or Kurtas, it would have been a disaster.

24

PHOTO GALLERY

April, 2010

SYED SARWAR CHISHTY ON USA TOUR Last days Syed Sarwar Chishty, Gaddi Nasheen Khwaja Ajmer Sharif, Rajashthan (India) was on the usa tour. These picture taken at yuba city. Shahid hussain, Parminder singh, joginder singh pardesi and kashmir singh taking the blessings from Chisty Sahib.

FUNDRAISER FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

CALL: 510-862-9216 RAJ PRAKASH: 510-780-0284

DIAMOND HAIR CUT FOR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Bus: 510-582-2472. Cell: 510-825-0820 *Hair Cut! * Perm! *Facial! *Threading! *Body Henna!

OPEN

Wed-Mon 10.00AM to 7.30PM Sat. 10.00AM to 7.00PM Sun. 11.00AM to 6.00PM

TONY

26655 Mission Bld., Hayward, CA 94544 (At Raymond Village center btw Bank of America and K. Mark)

Don’t worry

HEALTH

Eat happy

Ever wish there were a happy pill to spritz up your spirits when you’re out of sorts? To make you laugh when you’re feeling down? Or to calm your nerves when you’re about to bite someone’s head off?

Well, get this: There are several things in your kitchen that might just do the trick, and they taste a lot better than any pill.

A little dessert

Sugar soothes us when we’re stressed – or at least it soothes stressed-out rats – which are remarkably good models for stress in people. But before you race to the vending machine with a license to binge, know that while a little sugar may soothe rattled nerves, too much will re-rattle them by causing havoc with your blood sugar. Here are some treats that’ll give you just enough: A small slice of cake with 1/2 cup of strawberries 2 cookies and a small glass of juice

Toast and jam

Carbs raise levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, which lifts our spirits. That’s why we crave bread

called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in your diet may boost your mood and your brainpower. Even people battling tough-to-treat depression may feel as much as 50 per cent better when they get lots of DHA. To keep your chin cheerfully up, aim for 200 milligrams (mg) of DHA a day.

Spinach

Spinach is full of folate, a B vitamin that’s a must for making feelgood serotonin. Like DHA, folate may help ease depression, according to researchers. So if you’re trying to stay on the sunny side of life, make chowing down Popeye-style a habit. To get plenty of this happy green, (about 2 cups of cooked spinach) try these tasty tips:

Black bean dip and other carbohydrates when we’re down. Opt for whole-wheat bread and other whole-grain carbs, because they also help stabilize blood sugar levels, unlike refined grains (white bread, pasta, rice), which send blood sugar on a roller-coaster ride, leaving you jittery, grumpy, and hungry.

Get a happy serotonin boost from these snacks:

Half a toasted whole-wheat English muffin or bagel with jam or honey A small bowl of oatmeal with some dried cranberries and a bit of brown sugar

Yogurt and eggs

Numerous studies show that getting more of the omega-3 fatty acid

Black beans, like most legumes, are a nifty source of iron. And if you’re low on iron – as many active women are – you may have trouble sleeping, or you might feel constantly tired, both of which can turn you into a major grouch. Here’s how to help keep your iron levels – and your mood – up:

Two quick tips

To help your body absorb optimal amounts of iron, combine iron-rich foods with foods that are high in vitamin C – like tomatoes, broccoli and red peppers. But don’t wash them down with coffee, tea, or milk; all three can block iron absorption.

Happy foods have another big, big payoff besides brightening your outlook on life: taking care of your emotional health and wellbeing can make you up to 16 years younger!

April, 2010

Pain killers may prevent heart disease

P

aracetamol, a pain reliever, has shown promising results as a preventive for heart disease, says new research. It has also shown promise in preventing other diseases associated with free radicals. Free radicals are organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases. “Essentially we have been investigating a new use for an old drug as an early preventative, and the results have been very promising,” says Brian Davies, professor at the Heart Research Institute, St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, who led the study. The team has found paracetamol is able to prevent an enzyme called myeloperoxidase from producing hypochlorous acid, a highly reactive chemical that can damage tissues when produced in the wrong place, at the wrong time or at excessive levels. Myeloperoxidase and hypochlorous acid levels are often used in patients as predictors of future heart disease. The group made the discovery in model cell culture systems using paracetamol doses in the range currently prescribed for pain relief, and are now moving into human plasma studies with confidence that they will observe similar positive results. “To prevent the onset or progression of disease, the idea would be for doctors to prescribe paracetamol to patients who are in high risk categories, display early signs of developing, or have high myeloperoxidase levels,” says Davies.

Short Sale and REO Specialist FREE:No obligation Short Sale Consultation: Call “Yogi” x x x x x x x

Almost 30 years sales experience 20 years real estate experience Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) Five Star Professional (FSP) from the Five Star Institute Honest & Diligent Individual Respected in the community as well as by other real estate professionals who enjoy working with me Experienced in short sales, foreclosures, and regular sales

Thinking about buying or selling, or simply need some valuable information?

Feel free to contact me and I will be more than delighted to be of service to you.

Trying to modify your home? As a real estate professional, I consider it my duty to assist anyone in my community with absolutely no fees!

Ugesh “Yogi” Singh FSP, CDPE, REALTOR®

Direct: 510-682-9644

39644 Mission Blvd.

Fremont, CA 94539

25

YogiSingh1961@gmail.com http://yogisrealestate.com “Your Trusted REALTOR Since 1990” DRE License No: 01064584

26

Indian Squad for the T-20 world cup-2010

WORLD SPORTS

April, 2010

India beat Pakistan to win Kabaddi World Cup 2010

Ludhiana : Beating their arch rivals Pakistan by a huge margin of 58-24, India Monday won the first edition of the Kabaddi World Cup. The final of this 10-day tournament was played here at jam-packed floodlit Guru Nanak Stadium. Besides a glittering trophy, victorious Indian team received a cheque of Rs.1 crore whereas first Pakistan took home Rs.51 lakh.

Earlier in the day, Canada outplayed Italy by a big margin of 66-22 and attained third spot in the tournament. Canada and Italy bagged cash prize of Rs.25 lakh and Rs.10 lakh respectively.

Indian captain Mangat Singh Mangi was declared the best stopper and Canadian Kuljit Singh Malsihan was adjudged the best raider.

Both were awarded a tractor each.

Besides winning this coveted cup, Indian team members had another reason to rejoice as

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced that all would be given state government jobs. Badal said a formal decision would taken during the state cabinet meeting April 15.

Enthused with the whopping response to Kabaddi World Cup, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal announced that the state will host an eight-nation Punjab Gold Cup hockey tournament this year.

Various senior leaders of Punjab government had come to see the final match. Abhay and Ajay Chautala, senior leaders of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the main opposition party in Haryana, had also come to watch this match. Nine international teams from countries like Pakistan, US, Great Btitain, Canada, Iran and Australia participated in this cash-rich tournament.

Mitchell Johnson achieved his second tenwicket match haul in Tests to finish off New Zealand before lunch as Australia swept to a 20 series victory. New Zealand resumed at 185 for 5 chasing a record-breaking target of 479, but Johnson and Doug Bollinger dismissed them for 302 to secure a 176-run victory.

Johnson was responsible for causing the early damage in the pursuit on day four when his high-speed spells gained three wickets and he backed up with another three. The 6 for 73 followed his 4 for 59 in the first innings and gave him 12 victims for the series. The performance ensured Australia finished an unbeaten summer with seven wins in eight Tests.

The hosts started well through Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum, who combined for 87, but they could not push on after their half-centuries and the game was lost following some late heavy hitting from Tim Southee. Southee blasted 45 from 25 balls, with seven fours and a six, and was the last-man out when he found Michael Clarke at deep point off Johnson.

McCullum was the biggest hope of a big score and he mixed attacking patches with periods of defence in his 51. After being hit on the hand by Johnson in the second over of the day,

he waited and gained some revenge when he struck the bowler for three consecutive fours.

The first was a streaky edge, but a crisp shot through point and a flashing drive through cover ensured some points for the batsman. Simon Katich dropped McCullum twice, at short leg on 30 and short cover on 43, but the mistakes were wiped out when Bollinger took the new ball.

Bollinger pushed McCullum on to the back foot and he squirted an edge to Michael Hussey in the gully.

Australia Swept to 2-0 series win

Australia celebrate with the Trans-Tasman Trophy.

K

arnataka fast bowler Vinay Kumar is Jadeja's controversial omission from the the only new face in India's 15-man IPL didn't hamper his future with the squad for the World Twenty20, national side. While the selectors didn't get while legspinner Piyush Chawla returns to carried away by a few good performances the national side after nearly two years. in the first third of the IPL, Vinay's impresWith both Gautam Gambhir and Ashish sive bowling in the event so far, in addition Nehra declared fit, the rest of the squad to yet another big domestic season, was pick themselves, Rohit Sharma retaining enough for the nod. Vinay, the fourth his place under massive pressure from seamer in the squad, picked 46 Ranji wickVirat Kolhi through ODI runs, ets, and as a timely nudge, is SQUAD and Manish Pandey through a currently joint-second on the bumper Ranji season and IPL wicket-takers' list, bagging MS Dhoni (capt & impressive showing in the IPL. eight for Royal Challengers wk), Virender Vinay has edged out Ishant Bangalore. The same formula Sehwag, Gautam Sharma and Sreesanth, both didn't work for his state-mate Gambhir, Yuvraj part of India's last Twenty20 Pandey, though. He was the Singh, Suresh Raina, squad. Parallels could be leading run-scorer in the Ranji Yusuf Pathan, Dinesh drawn with India's selection of Trophy, and has been valuable Karthik, Ravindra Virender Sehwag and Zaheer for Bangalore in the IPL so far.

Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Khan, who were still recoverThe selection committee, howPraveen Kumar, ing from injuries, for last year's ever, went for the batsman Ashish Nehra, World Twenty20. Then, as the more experienced at the interHarbhajan Singh, selectors said later, India had national level, in Rohit. The Piyush Chawla, Vinay Kumar, Rohit Sharma taken the risk and paid for it: choice of back-up spinner, Sehwag didn't manage a sinwhich has been this selection gle game, and Zaheer was not at his best. committee's weakest suit, continues to This time, though, Kris Srikkanth, the baffle. Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra, who chairman of national selection committee, have been taking turns in travelling as the confirmed all players had sent in their fit- back-up spinner without actually getting a ness certificates, and that there were no decent run in the team, were both overfitness worries in the squad. The selectors looked in favour of Chawla. All three spinresisted the temptation of looking outside ners have been in reasonable form in the the 30 probables they had earlier IPL, with Mishra leading the way. Chawla announced, after Robin Uthappa's fire- last played for India during the 2008 Asia works in the IPL, and Irfan Pathan's return Cup in Pakistan. "I had a really good Ranji to fitness. Instead they went for the tried Trophy season after a good county stint at and tested names there: Rohit in the mid- Sussex. So I was confident about my dle order, and Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra cricket but about this Twenty20 selection it Jadeja as allrounders. As expected, was 50-50," Chawla told.

The ICC World Twenty20 2010 will be contested by 12 teams which have been 'seeded' and divided into four groups:

Group A Pakistan (1) Bangladesh (8) Australia (9)

Group B Sri Lanka (2) New Zealand (7) Zimbabwe (10)

Group C South Africa (3) India (6) Afghanistan (11)

Group D West Indies (4) England (5) Ireland (12)

Kabaddi World Cup - it's all about being Punjabi

Chandigarh: Dulla Pehalwan from the US, Jassa from Italy and Jinder Amli from Canada... all have gathered in Punjab for the first edition of the World Cup Kabaddi Punjab 2010 that is turning out to be quite a gathering of Punjabis from all over the world playing the game. While the Canadian team in the nine-nation tournament boasts of names like Jinder Amli, Lucky Kurali, Bhoora and Aman Kundi, the US side has two Pehalwans -- Dulla Pehalwan and Jassi Pehalwan -- in its ranks. The team from Italy includes surnames like Kala, Jassa, Laddi and Billa. In fact, sources in the sports department said two teams from Italy arrived in Ludhiana last week. The organisers had to shortlist players from both sides to create one team. They are all Punjabi youth settled in other countries and invited by the Punjab government to put up a global kabaddi show celebrating the traditional game of the state - the brainchild of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The 11-day event, which started

April 3, is said to cost over Rs.100 million (Rs.10 crore), including nearly Rs.22.5 million (Rs.2.25 crore) in prize money. The cost, to be borne by the state government and its agencies in getting the events organised across several towns and cities of the state, will be much more, officials said. For the record, though, Amli means drug addict when translated from Punjabi, Kundi means an illegal power connection, Bhoora means brown and Kurali is a small town, 30 km from Chandigarh. Pehalwan means a wrestler while Kala, Laddi, Jassa and Billa are typical Punjabi nicknames.

Only the teams from Iran, Pakistan and hosts India seem to have genuine players from respective nationalities participating in the tournament. The rest of the teams, obviously having no official recognition from the countries that they represent since kabaddi is not even considered a sport there, are full of players who are basically Punjabi residing in the countries.

"We were asked to organise teams

from leading countries. We did whatever we could manage. Otherwise, sports officials in some of the countries don't even know anything about kabaddi," a Punjab sports department official told

IANS on condition of anonymity. Badal, who is also president of the ruling Akali Dal in Punjab, personally monitored the organisation while his brother-inlaw and Akali legislator Bikram Singh

Majithia is heading the organising committee of the multi-million rupee event.

"We want to promote traditional games like kabaddi and put them on the international scene. This will also help our (Punjab) youth stay away from menace like drug addiction," Badal had said recently. Officials representing other countries are also basically Punjabis of Indian origin. In fact, in some of the teams all the players are of Punjabi origin. While the Canadian team has Kulwinder Singh Biharipuria as captain, the team from Spain has Malkit Singh as coach and captain. The Australian squad is being led by Rajiv Kumar, and the US team by Tirath Singh Gakhal. Italy has Kamaljit Singh as captain. Norway, which withdrew from the tournament at the last minute, also had several Punjabis in the team.

Kabaddi, a contact sport that originated in India, is played in two halves of 20 minutes each. The game is played across the length and breadth of India and requires no sophisticated equipment.

STAR AGE ARIES

March-21 to April-20

CANCER

June-22 to July-23

LIBRA

September-24 to October-22

CAPRICOM

December-23 to Januar-20

You can use the Pluto influences around to do some kind of research, investigate below the surface. You want to influence companions so muster up all your persuasive force. But it is important not to run into opposition from others by pushing too hard.

April-21 to May-20

Be careful about how you handle things. It’s important not to become obsessed with one matter, so focused on tiny details that you miss seeing the broad picture. You will be turning your attention to your most personal relationships. You may be feeling a bit more vulnerable than usual.

You may not be very practical but you will certainly be charming in all the right places. Flattery will get you almost anywhere and it certainly beats hard work. The right people will be impressed by your dynamic approach.

Mercury is about communication, a two-way process, so you may also be listening a bit more. You are a steady rock for others at the moment. Just try to open up about your vulnerabilities and listen to constructive feedback. Don’t be scared that others will be able to control you if you do so.

You need to sort one situation out in a sensible way, so take constructive steps to find out what you need to know. There has been some kind of mystery that you want to get to the bottom of.

You will find long-term answers if you persist. You won’t easily give way in discussions.

TAURUS

GEMINI

May-21 to June-21

If you are feeling rather gloomy give yourself a shake. Don’t look on the bleak side of every situation. Sometimes you just have to dig deep to find out what people’s motivations really are, or what has led you to the situation you are now facing.

LEO

July-24 to August-23

SCORPIO

October-23 to November-22

AQUARIES

January-21 to February-19

VIRGO

August-24 to September-23

You may be absolutely right in what you are thinking but it’s still a great idea to keep a fairly open mind. If you can be tolerant of other people’s viewpoint and open to feedback then you will make progress faster.

You have the ability to investigate every situation down to its roots.

SAGITTARIUS

November-23 to December-22

Try to open up. Maybe you fear you would be humiliated if you disclose your ideas.

But in fact you will gain from creative discussions. The truth is what matters at the end of the day. It will be difficult for you to open up discussions on certain topics, but its important that you try.

PISCES

February-20 to March-20

April, 2010

27

Try to be straightforward if you can and do not allow a note of self righteousness to creep into your discussions. If you do so then the influences that are around today can be immensely helpful to you. But keeping detached and being unemotional will be the key.

If you are feeling a bit frustrated because companions are shutting off what you say, then you need to rethink your approach. Sometimes the harder you push, the more they resist. Gentle persuasion will work best. You have certainly no intention of being ignored.

Mercury is in aspect to Pluto today so you are likely to find that you are thinking about things rather more deeply than usual and talking in a penetrating way. But you may come across rather more forceful than you intend. Pluto is also re-organising your attitudes to handling money.

You are examining everything in great detail but don’t make judgments before you have all the information. You have the enthusiasm to be part of a group of like-minded friends, all pulling together in a co-operative venture. In however small a scale you really do want to create a better world.

Fiji Students’ Oratory Contest

Listen to internet gdnfmradio

RADIO RIMJHIM

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY West Mac Arthur Blvd.

Oakland, CA Yeman Samut

PH 510-331-7804 www.alislam.org

Your host: GANGA DHARAN radiorimjhim@yahoo.com>

BAYA AREA FAMILY CHURCH Rev. Mark Denni

2305 Washington Ave,

San Leandro, CA 94577 Cell: 212-920-6469

CHURCH 510-483-4712

CONTACT RAJU (LACHMAIYA)

To Join International Law Society.

Get accredited !

FOR AUDITIONS IN UPCOMING MOVIES

CALL: BALAX MOVIES

415-374-0983 Or Fiji Sun 510-677-4488

FIJI-US OUTREACH

Led by Fiji American Youth We serve the disadvantaged students back home.

We also provide volunteer assistance to local organizations CALL: RAJNESH JEET

510-688-6899 VALENTINES DAY

Sat. Feb 13, 2010 at CHANDNI

VIDEO CREATIONS.COM

Video & Photography We cover all Occasions!

510-498-8200 650-814-1394

ACCOUNTING

MnL Tax & Accounting Services

510-258-6003

MOBILE MECHANIC CALL: JOHNNY AFZAL

209-450- 4393

Audition at Weekes Library Hayward Sat. Dec 21, 2009 from 12.30 PM to 3.30 PM AT THE FIJI OPEN FORUM AS FIJI US BUSINESS COUNCIL PRESENTATION

510-677-4488

JOIN THE TRAVEL CLUB BUSINESS

And get Life time Membership $250 Cash back $250 in travel vouches Commission and Residual Income 6 nights in hotel and 2 Return air ticket free! Call business office:

510-677-4488

FOR ADVERTISING IN CLASSIFEID CALL: 510-677-4488

28

April, 2010

Orientation

THURSDAY, APRIL 15TH

Success Calls Mon - April 19th Weds - April 21st Fri - April 23rd

Cleanse Week : April 19th - 23rd "I plan to be fit, fine and fabulous at 100." Asara has guided thousands of people through a variety of cleansing processes.

People have released 40-50 pounds, increased their vitality, for gi ven family and frie nds, improved their eating habits and released fear & anger.

C l e a n s i n g i s v e r y p o w e r fu l e ff e c t i v e n a t u r a l medicine. Here are a few personal stories from our February Cleanse Participants

Dafina -

I made a conscious decision to start drinking more water during this cleanse. I also enjoyed eating grapefruit, even though I thought I wouldn' t. I had no desire to eat cookies and junk food though they were all around me.

Bethanie -

I feel fabulous. I also got real clear about the direction for my life. I am very glad I did the 5-Day Cleanse.

Elaine -

I found it easier to focus in meditation.

Experienced exceptional laser clarity. I released 5lbs in 5-days.

Jenee -

The cleanse brought my confidence and self-assurance into my life. I became more present. I had a tough week and had very challenging conversations with people and yet I was able to stick with the cleanse. The cleanse was a big support to me during this stress-full time. This was my second cleanse with Asara and it was great. The smoothies were a hit!

5-Day Spring Cleanse April 19th - 23rd

FAISHON SPECIAL

Dear Beloved Dr.,

A Time To Renew - Recharge - Release A Unique Spiritual 5-Day Cleanse April 19th- 23rd simple -gentle - effective - For Only $69.00 Could you use a spiritual lift, a recharging of your energy?

Is your spirit calling for some rest and renewal?

Do you want to experience greater health and vitality?

Well this is a chance to recommit to some of the good you have been promising yourself. To re-establish your spiritual practices that keeps you grounded and sane. I have been observing myself and recog-

nizing that my spiritual focus has needed to become even more intentional and consistent. Fear, upset and negative energy is being injected into the mass consciousness and into the ethers at this time.

Our ability to remain balanced, clear while keeping it healthy, can become a fleeing idea.

Ground yourself with ancient principles that have stood the test of time and are invaluable in these contemporary times and temporary circumstances and situations.

Fortify your mindset. Vitalize your body and renew your spirit..

Spring is here! What Spring means to me is new Beginnings, new ways to Be, new ways to Think, and new ways to Look after myself. My rituals for the Spring are doing a health cleanse, spring cleaning my home and clearing with any people that I have incomplete energy or conversations with so that Spiritually and Emotionally I can be free.

I invite you to take this journey

5-Day Cleanse Details

You can be anywhere in the country and participate in this unique process as long as you have access to a telephone.

This cleanse is not a fast. You are eating. You will have the benefit of experiencing food as medicine all the while lowering your grocery bill for the week.

It is possible for you to improve your relationship with food, create new healthful habits, to have support in releasing weight, to have a breakthrough in releasing old unhealthy habits and gain additional knowledge on how to live a healthier lifestyle.

I am calling forth Women and Men who are ready to gently release emotional, physical and spiritual weight with ease and professional guidance.

This 5-Day Cleanse is based on mind/body /spirit principles and will be offered the week of April 19th - 23rd 2010.

Centering, bathing, journaling, prayer and self-care principles will be a part of this guided cleanse.

The Cleanse includes:

Cleanse Schedule - Orientation Thursday, Apr 15th 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm - Kick-Off & Group Support Monday, Apr 19th 6:45 pm - 7:00 pm (15 minutes) - Group Support & Success Weds, Apr 21st 6:45 pm - 7:00 pm (15 minutes) - Completion & SuccessFriday, Apr 23rd 6:45 pm - 7:15 pm (30 minutes)

with me. Free up yourself, Get a new perspective on things, Nourish your body and Transform your relationship with food in this unique cleansing process.

Say Yes to Recharging Yourself!, say Yes to Renewal ! and Yes to a New start! You deserve to feel good in your body, weight your ideal weight and have healthy relationships with the people in your life.

We invite you to participate in our 5 -Day Unique Spiritual Cleanse only $69.00 If you have been considering the cleanse for the last few months stop the hesitation the time is now to say yes to YOU! -Space is LimitedDon't Miss this Opportunity Sincerely, Asara Tsehai, African Medicine Woman

A teleconference orientation that includes instructions for the cleanse week. And, for you to meet your partners in this journey. Thursday, April 15th, 6:45pm- 8:15pm Guidance from the African Medicine Woman, a wholistic health expert of 30 years.

! ! SPACE IS LIMITED - REGISTER NOW ! !

The benefits of cleansing are numerous.

This unique 5-Day Cleansing process will support you in releasing weight, in strengthening your immune system, increasing your energy, improving your digestion and elimination.

Renew your commitment to YOU.

You will receive a very simple shopping list during the orientation. All groceries will be available at Trader Joe's and your local health food store.

Success Preparation - you will be provided with success mindset principles and simple practices so that you complete your cleansing successfully.

Information on what foods you can eat during your cleanse

Electronic hand-outs 1 Kick off call 1 Success Call 1 Completion Call A Support Partner Information about what you can expect from the cleanse Call- in number and pass code for our teleconference calls.

Registration ends Monday, April 12th For more information feel free to call 510-268-1720.

Note: Making a reservation indicates a commitment to register

Please feel free to share this invitation with your friends, associates, colleagues, facebook friends and co-workers.

ONCE YOU REGISTER YOU will receive a information form OR to set your intention to register, you can RSVP via email Note: Making a reservation indicates a commitment to register

FIJI COMMUNITIES OVERSEAS

FIJI CLUB OF NEW ZEALAND A group for all Fijians started on the North Shore, Auckland to promote the cultural, social, educational, community, settlement issues, sports, music, arts, crafts, drama, business, employment, leisure and networking activities.

Alton A Shameem JP - Founder & President of Fiji Club of New Zealand & New Zealand Association of Accountants Inc

Alton A Shameem is a dynamic member of the Fiji Club of New Zealand (FCNZ), of which he is President, and a valuable member of his North Shore community as, among many things, a Justice of Peace. He is also Founder and President of New Zealand Association of Accountants (NZAA).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alton Shameem JP, Founder & President, Ph: (09) 488 7808, Mob 027 324 6106 and Committee Members: Samuela Barakuta Vodo, Ph:09 940 9230(W), Mob 027 534 9156, Johnny Ali, Mob:021 147 8976, David Reddy, Ph:09 478 8064, Abdul Satar, Ph: 09 414 7319 (W), Mob 021 683 786, Abdul Rauf, Ph: 09 276 6670 (W), Mob: 021 416 443

OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVE, FIJI

Ms Tema Daveta, Operations Manager, Golf Terrace Apartments – Denarau Island, Nadi

New Zealand Association of Accountants Inc Ph: 679 675 0557, Fax: 679 675 0899 Email: tema@golfterraces.com.fj

N

ZAA is a non-profit professional organization for accountants either qualified as overseas or NZ Certified Public Accountants, Chartered Management Accountants, or tertiary qualified accountants or who have worked overseas as accountants and have migrated to NZ, and those who are employed, self employed or are students. An Affiliate Group membership includes people who are working in our areas of expertise, but do not meet our criteria for membership, or who do not wish to study for our profes-

sional entry requirements.

Participation in this group entitles you to receive newsletters and invitations to NZAA functions and seminars. A need has been felt

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Alton A. Shameem JP, B.A (Prof. Acctg/Admin), COP (Econs), CPPA, ANZIM, AMNZCS, Founder & President, Phone: 09 488 7808 (Work), Mob: 027 324 6106. Email: asc.accountants@x

that such accountants come together and interact with each other and also with other accountants to share their knowledge, experiences, and the problems they face and likely solutions.

The Association promotes opportunities for networking, professional and personal development, employment, self-employment, education, sports and social activities. The NZAA Inc. fills the need for an alternative, active, cohesive, participative, inclusive and progressive professional body to unify members. It is an inclusive association.

FIJI BEAT NEW ZEALAND 2-0 IN FINAL QUALIFIER

World Cup in search of better competition and direct entryFiji scored a consolation 2-0 win over a 10-man New Zealand on Wednesday in the final match of the Oceania qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup. Fiji striker Roy Krishna found the net twice in the second half after New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss had been sent off for the visitors. The result had no bearing on the competition as New Zealand had already sealed top spot in the Oceania qualifying division. They advance to a two-leg playoff against the fifth-placed team from the Asian preliminaries late next year for a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

S

April, 2010

29

FIJI AND NEW ZEALAND

topover in Auckland, the city of sails, on your way to your Fiji break. Situated on a thin strip of land surrounded by magnificent beaches and islands, Auckland is a spectacular harbour city. Experience first class local wines and cuisine, defy gravity and ascend the Sky Tower for mind blowing views of the city, and check out cutting edge boutiques such as Zambesi, Karen Walker or Kate Sylvester. If you want to explore more of beautiful New Zealand, Auckland is the perfect starting point. Rent a car or let Air New Zealand take you to any of its other 24 domestic destinations.

Once in Fiji, the options are endless. Of its 300 islands, around a hundred are inhabited; the rest are nature reserves populated by

wonderful bird life and surrounded by tropical fish filled reefs. That's Fiji in a nutshell - an exhilarating mix of 'civilised' pleasures, friendly people, and nature at its most vivid. Only 20 minutes away from Nadi airport is the reclaimed island of Denarau which offers world class resorts, an international standard golf and racquet club, and a marina. Between Nadi and Suva, Fiji's capital, stretches the beautiful Coral Coast.

Well-equipped resorts with fabulous beaches and good surfing cater for every taste and pocket from families to honeymooners.

Start your multistop holiday package booking now by selecting 'Build Itinerary' or refer to the example itineraries below to assist with building that perfect trip.

Hard work pays off for Jay

J

ay Narayan became a doctor through education and hard work IN order to predict the future you need to make a future for yourself. That is what has kept 66-year-old Jay Narayan going and succeeding in his aims and goals in life. A doctor by profession, he did not finish high school because he had to work on the family farm to make a living for his younger siblings and parents but that did not deter Dr Narayan from completing his education and succeeding in life. It came as a shock when Dr Narayan revealed that he did not go to high school but took adult classes to get his high school diploma in California, USA. When you meet him for the first time, he comes out as the kind of man who oozes confidence and experience in his profession but when he starts talking, you see a warm-hearted and down-toearth person. His good nature and thirst to succeed in life motivated him to take up responsibilities. For most young people these days, leaving school halfway could mean losing their friends and at times they lose interest in continuing their education. But it was not the case with Dr Narayan.

His positive attitude made him work harder and his passion for achieving high results drove the young man to new heights and helped him build a niche for himself in the medical profession. He was born in the cane belt at Nawaka in Nadi. "At 17 years of age, I left for the US on a boat. I had no idea what to do because I had not been on a ship that huge in my life before," he said.

His friend got him a job as gardener and it helped him get through his adult high school diploma. "I earned $1.25 an hour and it helped me pay for my rent," he said. Dr Narayan finished his high school diploma and was transferred to a junior college in California.

From there, he went on to study for his Bachelor's degree at San Francisco State University. He graduated from the university in 1963 and joined Central Michigan University to do his Masters in

Management and Supervision of Healthcare Administration and graduated in 1975. "I got my Ph.D at the age of 60 years, in 2000, and I am very proud of it."

Dr Narayan, who has now retired, was based at the Seton Medical Centre in California as director clinical laboratory, pathology, radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.

"I am still attached to the hospital and when there are health fairs held in the area, I have a questionnaire where people get the chance to fill it out and at the same time they get an idea about where they stand in terms of risks from heart disease, hypertension and diabetes," he said. Dr Narayan says health is a very important issue because when a person is healthy, there is nothing he or she cannot do but when health fails, all fails.

Apart from his medical profession Dr Narayan has a wife and two daughters and a handful of grandchildren who make their days.

He said there were some people in Fiji and the world who had to leave school halfway for some reason but it did not mean they could not continue and complete their education. "My advice to people who had to leave school early or those thinking of leaving, is to stay in school because education is important.

"Your future is in making certain you take the challenges that come your way and motivate yourself to work hard," he said.

30

FIJI SPORTS

April, 2010

Fiji fights back but South Africa closes the game with a win

M

uch has no doubt been written, talked about and analysed regarding Fiji’s quarter-final clash against South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. Another game and tougher opposition - it was always going to be a difficult mountain to climb. The points gradually piled up against Fiji, until a momentous spell in the second half when the men in black and white fought their way back to score two glorious tries by Delasau and Bobo. At 20 points all and with only 20 minutes to go, hope of another World Cup upset beckoned. Further chances went missing though, agonisingly.

South Africa regrouped, refocused and ‘turned the screws’ on Fiji to secure a 37 points to 20 win and a place in the semifinals.

For the Fiji team this was the end of the line for them in this tournament, but with the knowledge that they had played well overall, improving with every game indeed, it can be said that this has been the best Fiji team performance at a Rugby World Cup to date. As for Graham Dewes, a fairy-tale story - earlier this year, an unknown player on the big stage, breaks into the Fiji squad

and gains his first cap in the Pacific Nations Cup. Selected for the Fiji Rugby World Cup squad and played in four out of the five matches that Fiji was involved in, including of course the thrilling quarter-final match against Wales in which he scored the winning try.

Sila Central School has won the boys title of the triple N zone defeating last year’s champions Lelean Memorial School after two days of intensive competitions at the TFL Stadium this afternoon.

Sikh IDC : Its a Ba-Suva final

D

efending champion Ba will face Suva in the final of the 2010 Sikh Inter District Championship final at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori later this afternoon.

The Men In Black led by inspirational Alvin Singh overpowered Nasinu 4-1 in the semifinal to book their spot in the

final. Host Suva which is one of the most impressive teams in the tournament proved too strong for Tavua in their semifinal clash winning 6-0 to set up a date with the reigning champs.

Fiji Sikh Football Association president Ajesh Singh is looking forward to an exciting and competitive final. "Ba and

Suva have been the best teams from Day 1 and everybody was looking forward to seeing them in the final." "Both teams are good and have an equal chance of lifting the title." "I am anticipating a very good game and want football to be the winner in the end" he said. The final will kickoff around 3pm.

Fiji A team selected for Tonga test

Fiji : Flying Fijians coach Sam Domoni has named his Fiji A team that will take on Tonga in a test match next week.

The Fiji Warriors and Barbarians battled it out this morning at the Albert Park grounds in a trial match.

Fiji 7s player Waqabaca Kotobalavu has made his way into the team with Tikiko Uluiviti, Viliame Veikoso, Isireli Ledua, Mosese Vasuitoga, Mosese Volavola, Jonetani Ralulu and Dale Tonawai. “It was a very difficult job selecting the team but this is not lost hope for those that did not make the cut,” Domoni said.

“We still have a long way to go before we select the team for the Pacific Nations Cup and this is but one of the trials. The other boys that did not make the Fiji A team have been put into the Fiji Babaas side that will also be closely monitored by the national selectors.” The Fiji A squad is expected to march into camp next week.

FIJI BARBARIANS Sakeo Latianara, Vereniki Sauturaga, Iowane Naivalurua, Jasa Kadivuka, Adriu Durutalo, Kelemedi Bola, Amani Bosenawai, William Saukuru, Ratubuli, Adriu Delai, Epeli Vuicuvu, Satabu, Ben Makutu, Aseri Buli, Iosefo Bele, Senitiki Tuivuya, Epeli Natuikata, Gonevou, Emosi Vucago, Sunia Vata, Paula Tiko, Penaia Nawailulu, Dakuvuka, Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Iowane Dovumatua

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT

mother Dola Roy, a commendable singer whose voice supports this performance. is choreographed from a song written by Kabi Guru Sri Rabindranath Tagore What sublime joy fills me, my Lord with the advent of the joyous spring. Love blossoms in full bloom amidst the exuberance of music and the glow of happiness filling the sky. Life bows in quiet surrender to thee, my Lord.

Odissi, is the traditional dance form of State of Orissa in India. It owes its origin to the temple dances of the devadasis (temple dancers). It is considered to be one of the oldest surviving dance forms based on archaeological evidence. Odissi has been mentioned in classical literature, depicted on sculptures in temples like the Brahmeswara and the dancing hall of the Sun Temple at Konark. It was first encountered outside the temple only in the early sixteenth century.

3.Aajo Shakhi:

Inspired by the melodies of Rabindra Sangeet, the younger dancers are following in Dipshika's footsteps with "Aajo Sakhi". Aajo Sakhi is choreographed from a song written by Kabi Guru Sri Rabindranath Tagore. The author of hundreds of poems, short stories, dance drama, and songs, including the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh, the great poet Rabindranath Tagore is known throughout the world as one of the first Indians to receive the Nobel Prize. The song we have chosen for today is from one of Tagore's many dance dramas, Bhanu Singher Padabali. The lyrics of the song are in the language Brajabuli. In this song, Radha is describing the beauty of spring to her friend, or sakhi. She describes how the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the wind is blowing all around.

ODISSI HAS TWO MAJOR FACETS:

Nritta or non-representational dance, in which ornamental patterns are created using body movements in space and time; Abhinaya or stylized mime in which symbolic hand gestures and facial expressions are used to interpret a story or theme.

4.Bidrohi

The next dancer to perform her Ranga Prabesh piece is Bidisha Roy. She takes note from her father's own theatre experience, who lends his voice in the recitation of the poem "Bidrohi" Bidrohi is an interpretive based o the poem ‘Bidrohi’ by Kazi Nazrul Islam. He was a Bengali poet, a musician, a freedom fighter, and a philosopher. His also happens to be the national poet of Bangladesh. Bidrohi was written in 1922, and remains his most famous work. The story of Bidrohi is of warrior, who is the fierce and yet righteous, ruthless and yet spiritual. He is a tired soldier but will not end his fight till oppression is removed from this earth.

O

dissi is a soft and lyrical classical dance that depicts the ambience of Orissa and the philosophy of its most popular deity, Lord Jagannath. The performances are replete with lore of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. The dance form concentrates on the tribhang or the division of the body into three parts: head, bust and torso. The mudras or the expressions are similar to those of Bharatnatyam. The Odissi dancers use their heads, busts and torsos in soft flowing movements to express specific moods and emotions.

The Odissi style, developed from musical plays and dances were originally performed by women only. Later, men dressed as women performed them around temples. Now both men and women perform these dances. The Odissi style is a solo dance form, usually performed by a woman. It makes a greater use of curves in body movements and postures. Jumps add vitality to the Odissi style. The current form of Odissi is the product of a 20th century revival. Dedicated scholars and dance enthusiasts carefully researched manuscripts and studied sculptures, paintings and poetry of the region to revive the dance form. Today’s Odissi dance form is restructured as a unique classical dance style adapted to the requirements of formal stage presentation. Over the years Odissi has become one of the most popular classical dance styles. Nataraj Dance School, located at Union City and San Leandro was founded in 1997. Here students of all ages are taught Odissi and light Indian classical dances. The founder and principal teacher, Sima Chakraborty has been learning Odissi dance under the guidance of Guru Muralidhar Majhi since she was ten years old. She was a student of the MFA (Odissi Dance) program at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, India. She received Gold Medal from the University for her excellence in Odissi.

She participated in the Odissi Dance Workshop conducted by Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra. She currently lives with her husband and two daughters at Union City.

5.Iss Baar Nehin

1. Mangalacharan

This afternoon's Mangalacharan has been choreographed for Guru Vandana..Sant Kabir, the 15th century mystic saint-poet of India, once said,

"Guru and God both appear before me. To whom should I prostrate?I bow before Guru who introduced God to me."

These potent words, in essence, defines the place of the GURU in the Indian tradition as “one who dispels spiritual ignorance, with spiritual illumination”.(Advaya-Tãraka Upanishad : Verse 16). A Guru leads us from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, and from the physical world to the spiritual.

The guru can be a loving mother on whose lap a child learns her/his first words of communication, in the arms of an affectionate father who teaches the right from the wrong, or a dedicated teacher who fills a child's mind with a love for learning. Similarly, in the fine art of dance, the guru guides the steps of her/his disciple to attain the purest state of mind and body where the dancer and the dance become one sublime entity, and unites with the Supreme Spirit Shankararacharya invokes the Guru’s blessings with this powerful sloka: "Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru

Devo Maheshwara. Guru Sakshath Parambrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha."

Translation:

Guru is the creator Brahma, Guru is the preserver Vishnu, Guru is the destroyer Siva. Guru is directly the supreme spirit — I offer my salutations to this Guru.

This afternoon's composition is a dedication to all the important people in our lives who lead us from ignorance to knowledge, however big or small their contribution, and are instrumental in making us realize our true self and true worth in this world as an individual, in conjunction with our deep connection to the universe and ultimately, with God.

2.Laboneye Purno Prane:

In the past year, Nataraj School of Dance has been proud to display the talents of three of its senior students through their Ranga Prabesh. A Ranga Prabesh, or Odissi dance graduation, is a milestone in any dancer's career.

Within each programme, dancers are given the option to do one item that best displays their own creativity, something that expands on their Odissi foundation.

Our first graduate dancer of this afternoon, Dipshika Roy, chose to honor her Bengali roots through the Rabindra Sangeet song "Labonye Purno Prane".

Additional inspiration came through her

Continuing to bring alive poetry through the art of dance, the students of Nataraj School of Dance will now articulate the rise of a nation from tragedy in "Iss Baar Nehin" It has been over a year now.... The accused seeks entertainment. The carnage has become lost in the archives of the electronic media and myriads of dailies. Politicians have gone back to haranguing each other.The conspirators rejoice. Mumbaikars are trying to deal with their loss and the list goes on. Yet as the city awaits justice, there is a cry in the concrete jungle....Where the undead die each day as moans are stifled into a pillow, as a mother wipes her child's tears even as she sheds her own, as a father longs for his son to come home, as a husband waits his wife's return, all knowing that their eyes will run dry.... a war-cry not to sit back and let the wounds heal but to ignite the fire of revolt against those who have buried themselves in apathy and complacency when democracy is being attacked mercilessly.

Nothing is the same; it never will be.

Lives affected by this tragedy has changed forever. The city has learned not to forgive or forget.

Penned by Prasoon Joshi, wellknown lyricist and screenwriter, "Iss Bar Nahin" is a rendition by famous film personality and actor, Amitabh Bacchan. It is a tribute to the brave soldiers who were killed while trying to save innocent lives and to the people of India to rise up and fight back this time. Guru Sima Chakraborty has sought to bring out

31

April, 2010

Amitabh Bacchan's anguish as an echo of the metro's and whole nation's pain, at this senseless human tragedy, through the medium of dance. She has choreographed this poem in Odissi.

6.Liquid Dance

Our final graduate of the past year, Amrita Moitra chose to express her individuality by combining her Indian heritage with her Western upbringing. With "Liquid Dance" from Oscar-winning A.R. Rehman's film "Slumdog Millionaire", Amrita brings her two worlds onto one stage. Here, choreographer, Guru Sima Chakraborty, intertwines Amrita’s grace with AR Rahman’s rhythm, blending pure classical Odissi steps with 21st century cinema beats from Bollywood.

This contemporary dance number takes the best from both classical and contemporary dance worlds, and blends them together with grace and fluidity.

This is called the mirror dance, as Amrita reflects her passion for dance through the mirror to the audience.

Kanya:

Using Odissi as a foundation and integrating with other lyrical styles the dancers inspired by Amrita's performance now present "Kanya" by Nirag Chag.

In this piece from his album, Along the Dusty Road, Niraj Chag coalesces the voice of Gauri Tripathi with a composition of both eastern and western classical styles. Through this exposition, Chag and the dancers express the beauty of youth. Presenting, Kanya.

Dashavatar

We continue with another example of abhinaya, Das Avatar, or the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver of the Universe, took ten incarnations to protect the world from calamity. The words are in Sanskrit and serve as an introduction to the Gita Govindam, written by the 12th Century poet Jayadeva. It is said that this is Lord Jagannath's favorite song, and that he will not go to sleep without first hearing the recitation of the ten incarnations.

Before proceeding, Sushrita will provide a demonstration of each of the incarnations:

The first incarnation is Matsya, or fish. / In this incarnation, Lord Vishnu saved the sacred books, the Vedas, / from the demons. The second incarnation is in the form of Koorma, or the tortoise. / In this form, the Lord carried the mountain on his back.

The third is Varaha, or the boar. / In the form of the boar, he held the earth on his horn and saved it from the demons.

In the fourth incarnation he came as Narasimha, or half human, half lion. / In this form, he destroyed the evil king Hiranyakashipu. The fifth incarnation is Vamana or the dwarf. / Disguised as a dwarf Brahmin, he crushed the pride of King Bali.

The sixth incarnation is the great sage Parasurama. / In this form, he wiped out the wicked kings from the face of the earth. In the seventh incarnation he came as Sri Rama. / As Rama, he killed the ten-headed demon Ravana.

Lord Vishnu's eighth incarnation to earth was Balarama. / He saved the earth from hunger by teaching the skill of land cultivation. In his ninth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Buddha. / He eliminated animal sacrifice from religion, among other things. The tenth incarnation is Kalki, or that which is yet to come. / It is said that he will appear on a white horse to restore peace and order in

Sima Chakraborty Director

32

April, 2010