FIJISUN MAR 2010

USA

18 I want to be Writer Sonam Kapoor Bollywood

Vol-19 Issue-3

Inside

P-2 Ms Duneja FAAG Chief Guest

March-2010

www.fijisun-usa.com

510-677-4488

Upset Hindu priests outcry anti-Hindu article in the Fiji Times USA HAYWARD- More than 15 Fiji Hindu priests gathered at the Cal State Science Room and lashed out at an “insulting” Diwali article published in the Fiji Times USA the called “largest newspaper out of Fiji”. An excited crowd of more than 100 believers assembled here Sunday Feb 22 heard some fiery speeches from angry Hindu Pundits most of whom called for stringent action the paper including calling on its sponsors to boycott its support. ( Continued on page -4 )

Public scorn for Congress sharpens, support for Obama holds

WASHINGTON – Americans have come to detest Congress ever more deeply as it nears the end of a nasty fight over health care. But more than half still back President Barack Obama, a bright spot for a Democratic Party counting on its leader to help stave off expected losses in elections this fall. The latest Associated Press-GfK poll found that fewer people approve of Congress than at any point in Obama's presidency. Support has dropped significantly since January to a dismal 22 percent as the health care debate has roiled Capitol Hill.

Neither Republicans nor Democrats are safe; half of all ( Continued on page -12 )

Eight jailed in conspiracy for murder case

P-9 NCIC Seminar

P-32 Shiksha Sharma in “Dasavataar”

P- 16 Sachin’s 200*

SUVA : A Fijian high chief and seven others were jailed Friday after being convicted of plotting to kill military leader Voreqe Bainimarama.

High chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata was jailed for seven years for his part in the alleged plot in late 2007, a year after Bainimarama ousted the elected government in a coup. The other seven, who included five former members of a military unit who mutinied against military commander Bainimarama in 2000, were sentenced to terms of between seven and three years.

Fiji High Court judge Paul Madigan said the eight men had plotted the assassination with New Zealand-based businessman Ballu Khan, who won a permanent stay of proceedings on charges against him in 2008 and returned to Auckland. Takiveikata was a business partner of Khan. The other accused worked for the controversial businessman. The court had been told

I will not take political position in Tibet : Dalai Lama

Dharamsala. Seeking more autonomy for the Chinese controlled Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), Tibet’s exiled Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama said he would not hold any political position in the government in Tibet, once the vexed Tibetan issue is resolved.

“Let me reiterate that once the issue of Tibet is resolved, I will not take any political position nor will the members of Tibetan Administration in exile hold any position in the government in Tibet” said Dalai Lama addressing hundreds of Tibetan gathered at the main Buddhist temple to mark the 51st anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day.

the plotters, who were infiltrated by military intelligence, planned to declare a police state and request Australia and New Zealand for assistance. "The theme throughout the trial of weakening the military, 'removing' the commodore (Bainimarama) and the president, ridding the

country of Indo-Fijians, reveals both sinister and racial intentions," Judge Madigan said.

"In late 2007 the state of Fiji was in a very fragile state, and had this plot succeeded, the consequences are unthinkable."

Khan said in Auckland after hearing news of the convictions that he and the eight convicted men had never plotted to kill Bainimarama.

"None of them should be going to jail, they should have never been tried in the first place.

The military people should have been in the dock and being charged," Khan told Radio New Zealand. "Everyone in New Zealand must appreciate that we are dealing with Fijian judiciary here. It's not an independent judiciary."

Bainimarama sacked the judiciary in April last year and threw out the constitution after a court ruled his regime was illegal. His government has since appointed new judges.

Curb terrorist activity, India tells Pakistan

New Delhi : India told Pakistan to take effective action against anti-India terrorist groups operating in its territory. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told a news conference after meeting her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir that Islamabad needed to curb all terrorists operating from its territory and territory under its control.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao welcomes her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir before the Indo-Pak Secretary level talk at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

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March, 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

EDITORIAL

Fiji FAAG Samelan draws huge crowd Ms Prabha Dunjea speaks on essence of Geeta at the FAAG

NEWARK-(PAVILLION)-Master of ceremonies and the FAAG convener Pandit Sailendra Sharma had already given a heads up on some surprises to a crowd of more than 500 members of the Fiji Hindu FAAG mandalis that came to witness a day long fifth annual completion held here Sat. Feb 5.

One the greatest surprises was Indian mystic and writer ms Prabha Duneja well known for her spiritual talks and yoga education. She said along with reading Ramayan, it was important for Hindus to read Geeta as well. Ms Duneja said that it is the teachings of Geeta one learns of Karma.

Prabha Duneja born in India, spent her childhood in a small town of Punjab (India). Her devotion to Lord Krsna and her fascination for the study of Geeta started at the early age of eight. She graduated from the Sanskrit University of Kurukshetra as a teacher of English and Music. After coming to United States, she took a teaching assignment at Junior High.Prabha Duneja born in India, spent her childhood in a small town of Punjab (India). Her devotion to Lord Krsna and her fascination for the study of Geeta started at the early age of eight.

Power of concentration

For some reason we from Fiji do not seem to have patience for listening words of wisdom and persever-

ance to hear a long discourse. Not only we are short on active listening skills but apt to disconnect midway and indulge in gossips. May be our ears are not trained for intellectual substance and we quickly get turned off not realizing that it is very lethal to

Fiji Regime Bans Church Conference Until 2014

SUVA. Fiji's military-led government banned the country's powerful Methodist Church on Wednesday from holding their annual conference until 2014, accusing church ministers of spying on the nation's military for the government ousted in a 2006 coup.

Wednesday's move follows a ban last May on the 2009 conference and the arrest of eight senior Methodist leaders after the regime accused them of pursuing a political agenda to destabilize the government.

The government also accused the church of being in breach of the regime's Public Emergency Regulation that bans meetings and protests not approved by authorities.

The military regime, led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama, took power in this Pacific island nation in a bloodless coup in December 2006, ousting a democratically elected government.

It tightened its grip on power last April, imposing a state of emergency, overturning the constitution, firing the judiciary and placing censors in newsrooms.

Dozens of opponents have been arrested, questioned and eventually released with warnings to stop their criticism of the regime, which plans to hold democratic elections only in 2014 despite international calls for a

swift return to civilian rule.

Bainimarama said Wednesday that Methodist Church officials had spied on the military before the 2006 coup. ''Police have found that they were being paid as informers by the past government which indicated that politics was alive in the church,'' he told reporters. ''There will be no Methodist Church conference until 2014.''

There was no immediate response from the Methodist Church of Fiji, whose more than 200,000 members account for a quarter of the volatile South Pacific country's population, and which strongly opposes Bainimarama's regime.

The latest action comes just a day after Fiji and New Zealand agreed to begin a thaw of frosty relations by appointing senior diplomats to some of the posts in their capitals left empty by expulsions over the past 18 months.

Also Wednesday, the regime said pension payments to former Fiji civil servants who do not support the government will be stopped from this week. ''We will stop pension payments to all those who speak against the government or all citizens seen to halt government's work on moving the country forward,'' said the permanent secretary for information, Lt. Col. Neumi Leweni.

our brain and subconscious mind that has capacity to retain information like computer hard drive that we retrieve later with such ease and use the information to articulate ourselves. ( Editor)

Court dismisses two of three Fiji assassin plot charges

The court dismissed the second and third counts of conspiracy to murder Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum (pictured) and Mahendra Chaudhry. Fiji's High Court has acquitted eight men of the second and third counts of conspiracy to murder in the alleged 2007 assassination plot of senior public servants.

Justice Paul Madigan has dismissed the second and third counts of conspiracy to murder the attorneygeneral, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and the former finance minister, Mahendra Chaudhry. However, Justice Madigan says the first count to murder interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama remains. Fiji Times reporter Harold Koi was in court to hear the judge dismiss the charges relating to the alleged assassination plot on Mr Chaudhry and Mr SayedKhaiyum. "Justice Paul Madigan had commented saying the evidence was poor, there was insufficent evidence, and accordingly he dismissed the charges," he said. "But on the first count, on the assassination on Commodore Bainimarama, [he] found there was sufficient evidence to hear the case and put it to the assessors."

March, 2010

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March, 2010

PHOTO GALLERY

FIJI FAAG SAMELAN IN HAYWARD

INDIA UPDATES

Sonia Gandhi, Nooyi in Asia's 8 top power women

C

ongress president Sonia Gandhi, Pepsico's India-born CEO Indra Nooyi and ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar figure in CNN's list of eight of Asia's top power women.

Taking a 'look at the key women who are shaping Asia's political and economic landscape' on the occasion of 100th International Women's Day, the CNN's list is headed by China's 'Paper Queen' Zhang Yin. Indra Nooyi, in the second place, 'lords over some 185,000 corporate minions in close to 200 countries', notes CNN. 'Nooyi's hardas-nails leadership and her sense of fun (one-time lead guitarist in an all-girls rock band still performs regularly at corporate functions) has earned her spots on many 'best leader' lists in the US,' it adds.

'Converted Indian Sonia Gandhi's story reads like a soap opera,' says CNN of the third-placed Italy born president of the Indian National Congress and chairperson of ruling United Progressive Alliance.

'Born Edvige Antonia Albina Maino in Italy, she met future husband and Indian political aristocrat Rajiv Gandhi at Cambridge and tied the knot four years later. Rajiv became India's prime minister but was assassinated in 1991. 'Years later (Sonia) Gandhi entered politics as a pri-

Finally in Jaffna, the Tamil heartland

Jaffna. It was dusk when I checked into Bastion hotel in Jaffna.

I had left Colombo at dawn. Layers of red, sweaty dust had settled on me in spite of the car's determinedly rolled-up windows. It took a clearance from the Ministry of Defence and 12 hours to cross from Colombo on the west coast to the far north, a road-distance of over 350 km. The town was in Sunday somnolence.

Markets were shut. Mostly television chatter and the queasy smell of incense sticks came out of pretty houses with red roofs and little gardens in front. The scene changed dramatically in the morning. The roads of Jaffna town burst into life with school children on bicycles and office-goers on two-wheelers -many of them women in saris wearing over-sized helmets --swarming

them. Shops opened shutters with loud cranks and owners switched on tape recorders to play Tamil songs.

Kiosks under tarpaulin sheets selling children's dresses for Rs 150 spread their wares. Gleaming Toyotas of the UN made busy trips. Army personnel kept watch from under the lengthy shadows of ruins of homes or trees. Inside the office of the Tamil newspaper, Uthayan, the printing presses were doing their morning shift, the sound deafening and defiant. In 25 years of its history, the Uthayan has been bombed, burnt and displaced. Several employees were murdered, at least two inside the office. "Even the IPKF town commander in 1989 complained when we wrote something critical," editorin-chief MV Kaanamylnathan said.

On the walls outside his office are

Moscow. India and Russia are to invest USD 600 million to set up a joint venture (JV) to produce a medium lift transport aircraft for their armed forces. While Bangalore based state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will fork out USD 300 million, Russia's United Aircraft Cooperation (UAC) will invest a similar amount for the joint venture which will start rolling out the aircraft by 2017. The Voice of Russia radio said that the joint venture coming up with fifty-fifty equity would develop the aircraft at Aviastar-SP plant based in Ulyanovsk city on Volga. The Indian Air Force is expected to order at least 35 and Russian Air Force as many as 100 medium lift transport aircraft. In its basic configuration the new transport aircraft will have a payload capacity of 18.5 tons of cargo and can fly up to a a distance of 2500 km in any climatic conditions.

Riyadh. India and Saudi Arabia signed the Riyadh Declaration to put their seal of approval on rapidly growing ties that are moving towards a strategic partnership covering security, economic, defence, technology and political areas and including joint combat of terrorism.

The 'Riyadh Declaration - A New Era of Strategic Partnership' was signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz at a ceremony at the Al Rawad Palace in Riyadh.

"The two leaders reviewed the status of implementation of the historic Delhi Declaration signed in 2006, and expressed their satisfac-

India, Russia set up a USD 600 million aircraft Joint Venture

March, 2010

mary member of the Congress before rising through the ranks to become party leader in 1998. 'Under her leadership, the Congress become the Lok Sabha's single largest political party.' Fifth placed 'Chandra Kochhar is no stranger to 'key women' lists,' notes CNN. The head of ICICI Bank -- India's second largest bank -- has frequently been named in Fortune's 'Most Powerful Women in Business' list. Last year she figured among Forbes' 'World's 100 Most Powerful Women'. 'Little wonder, considering how the mother of two is responsible for some 15 million customers in India, which makes up a third of India's retail lending,' it says. Others on the list are Ho Ching (4), wife of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and CEO of Singapore's governmentowned investment company Temasek, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (6), Hyun Jeong-eun (7), chairwoman of massive South Korean conglomerate Hyundai, and Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Indrawati (8).

Indian schoolchildren hold placards as they take part in a rally to protest against pollution and urge others to protect the environment near India Gate in New Delhi .

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M F Husain surrenders his Indian passport in Doha

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egendary painter M F Husain, who was recently granted Qatari citizenship, has surrendered his Indian passport to the country's mission in Doha, a media report. 95-year-old Husain, revered by many as India's Picasso, yesterday went to the country's mission in Doha and surrendered his Indian passport, the Gulf Times reported.

Husain, who has been living in self-imposed exile fornearly four years following a spate of cases in India over his controversial paintings of Hindu goddesses, had accepted Qatar's offer and would no longer be an Indian, his son Owais Husain said recently. India does not recognise dual citizenship. So, "in such a situation, surrendering passport by the person concerned is mandatory and Husain has only done that," an Indian Embassy official was quoted as saying by the paper. The artist has also applied for the Overseas Citizen of India card, the mission sources said, adding the embassy has facilitated all requirements for him to obtain the OCI card. He also had a nearly two-hour meeting with Indian Ambassador in Qatar Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, the sources said. Husain, who shuttles between Dubai and London, went in exile after a hate campaign was launched against him in 2006 over his controversial paintings.

Indian PM, Saudi monarch seal ties with Riyadh Declaration tion at the steady expansion of Saudi-India relations since the signing of the Delhi Declaration," the new declaration read.

"They re-emphasised the importance of full implementation of the Delhi Declaration through exchange of visits at ministerial, official, business, academia, media and other levels." The Delhi Declaration, signed during the historic visit of King Abdullah to India in 2006 as the chief guest on India's Republic Day, had charted out a new path of cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia across a range of fields including security, bilateral trade and investment, culture, science and technology. According to the

new declaration, keeping in view the development of relations between the two countries, and the potential for their further growth, the two leaders decided to raise their cooperation to a strategic partnership covering security, economic, defence and political areas. "The two leaders reiterated their mutual desire to develop as knowledge-based economies based on advances in the areas of information technology, space science and other frontier technologies," it stated. The two leaders renewed their condemnation of terrorism, stating that it was global and threatened all societies irrespective of race, colour or belief. "The two sides agreed to enhance coopera-

tion in exchange of information relating to terrorist activities, money laundering, narcotics, arms and human trafficking and develop joint strategies to combat these threats," the declaration stated. Manmohan Singh - whose visit here marked the first by an Indian prime minister after 28 years - and King Abdullah also called for preservation of Afghanistan's sovereignty and independence.

"They supported the efforts of the people of Afghanistan to achieve stability and security, protected from exploitation by terrorist organisations, while upholding the values and principles of the constitution of Afghanistan," it stated.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SYPOSEUM 6

BUSINESS NEWS

March, 2010

Conference held at Hayward Public Library on February 20th, 2010

T

he afternoon provided an opportunity for a group of highly trained business professionals to meet and exchange a range of ideas and experiences that covered the broad spectrum of business communication.

Presentations were made by Mr. Ben Venktash, Dr. Allfred Pillay, and Dr. Laura Lyons. Mr. Venktash stressed the value of proper business etiquette and Dr. Lyons regaled the audience with real life examples taken from her international experiences in leading motivational seminars for Fortune 500 Companies and speaking to 100,000+ people in soccer stadiums in South Africa.

The afternoon concluded with Dr. Laura presenting several members of the audience, by luck of a drawing, complimentary “one-on-one” sessions with respect to personal and career development. It would be correct to say that all in attendance were left with the feeling of having spent a productive and informative time and of looking forward to attending the next

Participants included the following:

Moderator – Dr. D.H. Koya – Publisher Fiji Sun, Ben Venktash - Fellow of the Royal Society of Health, environmental engineering, Dr. Alfred Pillay - Noted Psychologist, Ms Sarita Sharma Health Care Professional, Mr. Hirday Sharma – Business Executive, Mr. Kamal Rajan -Sr. Vice President,Wells Fargo, San Francisco, Robbie Michaelson – National Secretary, International Press Council, Rev.Mark Denni, - Engineer, Hajji Sayed Hussain, - Manager/Owner Quiznos, Pandit Shalendra Sharma and Dr. Laura Lyons – CEO of Career Dynamics International

National Marketing’s pricing affects retailers

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n an effort to lure retail customers to his own store, National Marketing owner Robin Singh has set the same price lines for all. This action resulted from some of the major stores not paying on time and defaulting for several months in unsecured debts.

In one case Fiji Sun was told a store owed over $30,000.00 and was in default for over 3 months. A business analyst looking at the situation said that such an action for a small operator becomes necessary if there is not guarantee or collaterals against goods on credit. In small economies, the analyst said, “There is no system for credit rating and extending credit privilege to small retailers. It is very risky business to give goods and products on unsecured credit.” Fiji retailers see it differently. One store operator we interviewed said that she buys on cash basis and reasoned that she should not have to pay the same price the so called credit-retailers pay. “It does not make sense and it is not fair to my customers that I buy at the retail price from a wholesaler and turn around sell the same product for a much higher price than the distributor,” the store operator said. But National Marketing sees it as an opportunity to squeeze the retailers and drive their customers to its premises to avoid any more credit problems.

Kash Fabrics to diversify

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or sometime now the Fiji Sun has been suggesting inclusion of a very important section to the existing Kash Fabric’s business both for to meet customer needs and boost their business. Finally we were told last week that plans are underway for a diversified business that would thrill most of you and perhaps make it one of the sought-after one-stop shopping experience for all. In the meantime though, Kash Fabric’s is proud to announce the grand opening of their Beauty Solon just next to its elaborate fabrics department. So keep an eye on the upcoming improvements soon.

An AIM – AMERICAN INSITUTE OF MANAGEMENT SPONSORED FORUM FOR ALL

Nest Guest Speaker: Sr. Vice President Kamal Rajan At Hayward Weekes Library Date to be announced soon.

H. Koya (PhD) Moderator 510-677-4488

FOOD/NONVEG SPECIAL

March, 2010

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Ingredients

250 g -

minced chicken (cleaned and washed well) onion (finely 1chopped) 1tomato (finely chopped) 2big green chillies (slit) 1 tbsp - oil 2 tbsp - ginger garlic paste 2 tbsp - corriander and mint leaves (chopped) 1/2 tsp - pepper powder 1/2 tsp - garam masala powder a pinch - turmeric powder 1/4 tsp - red chilly powder 1 tsp roasted corriander powder 1/2 tsp - lime juice

Method

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non-stick kadai or pan and saute the onions on a low flame till golden.

2. Add ginger garlic paste and tomatoes.

Mix well..

3. Add all the dry masalas and saute on a low flame till oil separates.

4. Add the minced chicken and cook on a low flame for about 45mintues.

5. Add mint and coriander leaves, green chillies and lime juice.

6. Mix well and simmer for 10 mins.

7. Serve hot with pao.

Egg Rolls in Masala Gravy

Preparation of

Preparation of

1.

1.

EGG ROLLS 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Heat 2tsp of oil add finely chopped onion&chilly paste.

Fry till onion is light brown,add salt. Mix & remove and cool.

Break eggs in a bowl, add above onion chilly mix.

Whisk well.

Start making omlettes on nonstick pan using minimum quatity of oil as follows: Pour a laddleful of egg batter, spread it like omlette.

Sprikle few drops of oil.

Let it cook for few seconds, slowley fold it like spring roll(do not turn it).

Cut the roll into 3to4 bricks.gently press each piece with the back of spoon fry it on both sides so that inside is also cooked.

Make use of all the egg mixture&.keep the pieces aside.

GRAVY 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Heat remaining oil, add elachi,cinnaman,cloves, next chopped onion pieces, fry ,add ginger garlic paste fry till raw smell disappears.

Add dhania powder,red chilly powder.haldi &garam masala powder fry for 1 to 2 min.

Add paste of coconut &khuskhus along with 1/2 cup of water & salt.

Let it boil for 1 to 2 min.

Reduce heat &drop the omlette pieces into the gravy slowley.

Stir gently. Let it simmer for few seconds.

Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves &remove from heat.

Can be served with chappathi, puri or even with plain rice or fried rice.

1.

2.

3.

Method

Shell prawns, leaving tail intact, remove back vein.

Put � cup oil into 6 individual fireproof dishes, add 30 gms. butter to each dish.

Crush 2 cloves of garlic into each dish.

Ingredients

1.5 kg 3 cups 180 g 12 cloves 31 tbsp -

1.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Seed and finely chop chillies, divide evenly among dishes.

Put dishes on barbeque, heat until butter has melted and oil is very hot.

Divide prawns between dishes, heat until prawns are cooked.

Serve immediately, sprinkle with parsley.

king prawns oil butter garlic small chillies chopped parsley

Method

For the meatballs, mix ingredients 1 to 7 and make 1-inch meat balls with the mixture pressing tightly in your palm n then shaping.

2. Set aside.

3. For the gravy, fry ingredients 8 to 14 above in 1tbsp oil in a pressure cooker in the order listed, frying well after adding each item.

4. Cook till tomatoes soften, then add the meatballs & enough water to cover them all.

5. Gently toss spices around the meatballs.

6. Close and cook for 1 whistle in the pressure cooker or till meat is cooked.

7. For the gravy, fry onions in ghee, then add the turmeric, coriander, red-chili, pepper pwds.

8. Fry well & then add the tomato puree & fry well.

9. Add coconut milk 2tbsp at a time, stirring gently & constantly.

10. Add the meatballs with the soup from the cooker, boil for 2-3 minutes & then simmer for 2-3 minutes after adding salt, sugar, vinegar & tamarind to your taste.

11. Garnish with coriander.

Tandoori

FISH TIKKA Method

1. Wash and clean the fish, cut into cubes, apply salt, red pepper and lemon juice and keep aside for 10 mins.

2. Add yoghurt & mix well.

3. Add the fish and let it marinate for 6-8 hrs (the more the better) 4. On a thin skewer gently put the fish tikkas and cook in a hot tandoor/oven for 15 minutes turning once.

5. Garnish with lemon, chaat masala and serve with cold mint-yoghurt chutney/sauce.

Ingredients

600g 200g -

1/2 tsp 2 Salt 1/2 inch

boneless fish yoghurt A pinch of red chilli powder garam masala or 1/4 tsp each of red chilli, cumin & pepper powders Juice of 1 lemon cloves garlic to taste ginger Pinch of chaat masala

Curry Goan Meatball

Ingredients

1 tsp garlic-ginger paste Salt & pepper to taste 1/2 tsp each of haldi/turmeric powder, garam masala (all spice) powder and coriander pwd 1 finely chopped green chili or 1/2 tsp red chili powder Optional 1 tsp vinegar 1 medium onion - finely chopped/ minced 2 large chopped onions 2-3 red dried chilies 1 half-inch cinnamon stick 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped Salt to taste 1/2 tsp pepper powder 1/2 tsp cumin powder 2 tbsp ghee/ clarified butter 1/2 tsp each pf turmeric powder 1/2 tsp red-chili powder 1/2 tsp cumin powder 1/2 tsp pepper powder 1 cup minced/ finely chopped onions 1/2 cup tomato puree/paste 2 tbsp vinegar 2 tbsp coriander powder 1 tbsp tamarind juice/paste Salt and lime as required Chopped coriander to garnish 1/2 cup full-cream coconut milk

Outraged Hindu priests speak of two minds on Diwali article 8

INTERFAITH

March, 2010

( Continued from page 1 )

Amid enormous cautions by the chair not be emotional, mention anyone’s name and use of foul language, the priests expressed both and utter disgust as well as call for tolerance and corporation.

In an earlier private sitting, the priests were briefed to go the route of “forgiveness.” Against popular expectation that the meeting would call for some stringent action, the gathering decided to appoint a committee to further review into the issues and come up with recommendations for action against the newspaper.

Bay Area Muslims meet for “Unity in Diversity” NCIC network SAN JOSE – The Northern California Islamic Council, founded some four years ago, held its second networking seminar here at 352 North Third Street EIBA mosque Sat March 6, 2010.

Moderator by Executive Director Ms Reshma Inamdar, the event attracted more than participants including, CAIR, United Muslims of America, ICNA (Islamic Council of North America)

and East Bay Islamic Association. NCIC chair, Imam Bilal outlined the role of his organization and invited representatives to present their organizational profiles. NCIC aspires to work as an umbrella organization to foster unity among all Muslims. To this end, NCIC encourages all Muslim non-profits to affiliate with NCIC. A fifty-dollar annual membership is applicable.

PAKISTAN UPDATES

Confusion over US Qaida man nabbed in Pak

ISLAMABAD: An American member of al-Qaida was picked up in a raid in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, Pakistani officials said, but reversed earlier assertions that the detained man was the terror network's US-born spokesman. They identified the suspect as Abu Yahya Majadin Adam, but gave no details on his background. A name very close to that is listed on the FBI's website as an alias for Adam Gadahn, the 31-yearold spokesman who has appeared in several videos threatening the West since 2001. The resemblance created confusion among officials Sunday, leading them to believe that the suspect was Gadahn.

March, 2010

Osama's close aide arrested in Pakistan

Karachi. Dreaded terrorist Osama bin Laden's close aide and a top Al Qaeda leader was arrested from the outskirt of Pakistan's southern port city Karachi. Pakistani security forces with the help of US intelligence arrested Abu Yahya Mujahdeen Al- Adam, who was a close associate of Osama Bin Laden and included in the CIA's list of ten most wanted terrorists.

Abu Yahy was arrested Sunday and has been shifted to Islamabad for further investigation, the DawnNews reported quoting sources. The militant was believed to have been living with Osama bin Laden after september 11, 2001 attacks in New York. Pennsylvania-born Abu Yahya is a US citizen and assumed to be a commander of foreign militants fighting in Afghanistan, the report said.

India's ‘massive militarisation’ a threat for the region: Pakistan

Bull racing is quite popular in Asia and South American, the only variation being the style of the sled that pulls a jockey. The races usually take place during cultural festivals, as is the case in Pakistan and the colourful tournaments consist of races between two pairs of bulls, each team pulling a rider and sled.

Musharraf has no immediate plans to return to Pakistan: aide

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Lahore. Former President Pervez Musharraf has no immediate plans to return to Pakistan and resume political activities, one of his close aides has said.

"No, he (Musharraf) is not coming to Pakistan. He has no desire to do so as of now. Such talk is there in the media and newspapers but I think he is not coming back," former National Security Advisor Tariq Aziz told reporters in Lahore. Contrary to the impression being created by certain elements, Musharraf was not planning on returning to the country or joining politics, Aziz said yesterday. Aziz declined to comment when he was asked if the former military ruler would join any political party. "It's not an inappropriate time to reply to this query," he said. In response to another ques-

tion, Aziz said the people had learnt a lot after rejecting Musharraf.

Referring to the hardships people were facing under the current democratic government, he said the public "would learn even more".

"The economic situation was much better during Musharraf's regime but the poverty level is witnessing a surge now... Now people are thinking that Musharraf's regime was better," he said, adding that the government should change its policies to control widespread poverty.

Musharraf has been living abroad since he left Pakistan in mid-April last year to deliver a series of lectures in various countries. He resigned as President in August 2008 to avoid impeachment by the Pakistan People's Party-led government.

Islamabad. Pakistan has rejected India’s concerns regarding the sophisticated armaments being provided to it by the United States, saying the country’s military doctrine is purely defensive in nature.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit instead blamed India of ‘massive militarisation’ describing it as a threat for the region. "It is India’s dangerous military doctrines and massive militarisation that are matters of huge concern for regional stability whereas Pakistan has always acted to protect its legitimate security interests.

Our military doctrine is purely defensive in nature,” The News

quoted Basit, as saying.

On Saturday, Defence Minister AK Antony had raised serious concerns over reports that the Obama administration would be providing new sophisticated weapons, including laser guided bomb kits to Pakistan.

Antony said the US must ensure that the arms do not fall into the hands of terrorists and be used against India. “Latest decision of the US to provide sophisticated weapons to Pakistan is a matter of concern to India. When the US Defence Secretary was here (in New Delhi) I actually had taken up the matter with him,” Antony had said. There have been reports that

the US has cleared the supply of sophisticated laser-guided bomb kits, 12 surveillance drones and 18 F-16 fighters to enhance Pakistan military's capability to strike at Taliban and al Qaeda hideouts located in troubled tribal areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

“We request US again they must see that these new equipments which they are going to give to Pakistan it should be properly utilised, it should be deployed only in Af-Pak region and it is duty of the US to see that these equipments are not used against India,” Antony had said.

Islamabad. ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha has been granted an year's extension of service by Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani citing his key role in the 'war against terror'. Kayani issued a notification granting 58-year-old Pasha an extension in service yesterday, which was approved by Prime Minister Yousf Raza Gilani on Wednesday. A brief statement issued by the Prime Minister's House said Gilani had approved the summary or official proposal for extending the service of the ISI chief. Gilani had "appointed Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha as Director General of ISI for another year with effect from the date of his retirement", the statement said. However, sources told that the Prime Minister's action was merely a formality as the powerful army chief had already granted an extension to Pasha on Tuesday.

PESHAWAR : Militants stormed a building used by a USbased charity in Pakistan on Wednesday, sparking heavy clashes with police and killing at least five people, police and an aid worker said.

The gunmen attacked offices of World Vision near Oghi town, in Mansehra, a relatively peaceful district of the troubled North West Frontier Province, where Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants have carried out multiple attacks.

Police said five people were killed, including two women, but an aid worker said that six World Vision staff died and six were seriously wounded, with staff still trapped in the besieged building.

"They opened fire and also exploded hand grenades," senior police officer Waqar Ahmed said.

"So far we have confirmation about the deaths of five people,

including two women," he said, giving no further details. An aid worker confirmed that a group of militants had attacked the World Vision office early Wednesday, unleashing heavy gunfire and sparking a battle with police, who rushed to the site.

"Six staff from World Vision are dead, six are seriously injured.

More information is coming. The staff are trapped in the office," he said. Foreign targets are rarely attacked directly in Pakistan, despite the chronic insecurity in the nuclear-armed state, which is a key ally in the US-led war on alQaida and the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. A wave of suicide and bomb attacks across Pakistan has killed more than 3,000 people since 2007. Blame has fallen on Taliban and alQaida-linked militants bitterly opposed to the alliance with the

United States. Four local staff with the British-run aid group Plan International were killed in a similar attack in Mansehra in February 2008, prompting some charities to withdraw their offices from the troubled area. The Plan office was burned to the ground in the attack by gunmen who opened fire and hurled grenades, and the nongovernmental organisation, which had been active in the area for 12 years, halted its operations in Pakistan.

World Vision's website describes the organisation as "a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice". It says the aid group is "inspired by our Christian values", but stresses that the organisation works with people of all faiths.

ISLAMABAD : Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha was today granted an year's extension of service by army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani due to his key role in the ongoing war against terror. Pasha, who was appointed Director General of the ISI in September 2008, was set to retire on March 18. TV news channels quoted official sources as saying that the army chief had issued a notification granting him an extension in service. The spy master has held several key appointments, including the post of Director General of Military Operations. Pasha is the fourth lieutenant general to be granted an extension in service by Kayani. During a recent interaction with Pakistani journalists, Kayani had said it was within his powers to grant Pasha an extension without referring the matter to the President or Prime Minister.

Kayani gives 1yr extension to ISI chief

Militants storm US charity building in Pak, 5 killed

Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha granted one-year extension of service

Almost 400 people buried in mass grave after Nigeria massacre 10

WORLD NEWS

March, 2010

Nairobi/Abuja : Almost 400 people who were slaughtered when Muslim herdsmen raided Christian villages near Nigeria's restive central town of Jos have been buried in a mass grave. The massacre was the latest outbreak of violence between rival ethnic groups in Plateau State, where the indigenous Christians are struggling with Muslims who immigrated to the region decades ago over control of land and resources. "We have about 351 corpses being buried at this mass grave, and at the other end, there is another village called Zot, where there are about 36 corpses to be buried separately," Plateau State's chairman of the search, recovery and evacuation committee, Solomon Zang, said by the graveside in the village of Dogo

Hawa Monday night. The death toll was higher, Zang said, because some families had taken deceased relatives for burial, corpses were still in the mortuary and a search team was looking for more bodies.

Witnesses in Dogo Nahawa, the worst hit by the violence, said Hausa-Fulani tribesmen descended on four villages Sunday, firing shots in the air. When people ran out of their homes, they were set upon with machetes or shot.

The commissioner of police in Plateau State, Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba, said 93 people had been arrested in connection with the massacre. "Nineteen Fulani ... were arrested after the incident with daggers and knives ... while four Fulani were shot dead ... by the joint patrol team," he said. Another

74 people were arrested after an exchange of gunfire, he said.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has put the army on alert in the region. The massacre was believed to be in reprisal for violence in Jos at the start of the year.

More than 300 people died in January when rival gangs of youths clashed in Jos, burning mosques, churches and businesses. More than 10,000 people have died in ethnic clashes since Nigeria's return to civilian rule in 1999.

The continued unrest came amid political uncertainty in Africa's most-populous country. Jonathan, a Christian from the south, is running the country while President Umaru Yar'Adua, a Muslim from the north, recuperates from a heart complaint.

President Barack Obama, right, kisses Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, after remarks at a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington

One-fifth of Australia's private colleges visa factories: Report Secrets of Martian moon Phobos may be revealed soon

R

eports indicate that a series of 12 flybys by Europe's Mars Express spacecraft might reveal the deepest secrets of the Martian moon Phobos.

According to a report in New Scientist, the flights will probe the moon's gravity better than ever before, revealing the distribution of material throughout its body.

The MARSIS radar will also search for underground structures in the rubbly moon, which is probably riddled with caverns.

The gravity data will help Russia's Phobos-Grunt mission, set to launch in 2011 or 2012, maneuver efficiently around the moon before coming in for a landing. New portraits of Phobos are

also on the way. "Until now, the encounters have been on the (moon's) nightside," said ESA's project scientist Olivier Witasse.

"This week, we switch to flying by the daylight side, allowing the camera and spectrometers to begin working," he added.

That will give the moon's composition, testing the idea that Phobos formed from rocks that somehow found themselves orbiting the planet. Unfortunately, a 90-metre-high rocky outcrop called the 'monolith' is not visible to Mars Express during this series of flybys. The monolith could be a piece of Phobos's interior thrown to the surface during the formation of a crater.

Melbourne : Nearly a fifth of Australian private colleges are "permanent residency factories", a new report in the education sector has revealed.

The education sector, which is the country's third largest export industry, has been affected by a string of assaults on international students, particularly Indians. The claims of exploitation of overseas students have also not helped matters.

Education Minister Julia Gillard had asked former MP Bruce Baird to review the international education sector. He released his report in Canberra on Tuesday.

Baird said the education industry had been "distorted" by unscrupulous people cashing in on foreign-

ers' desire to live in Australia.

"We have permanent residency factories, (and) if you ask any of the good providers they'll quickly name those who they believe are the dodgy operators... "It is those groups that we should be directing our attention to. I certainly think that they represent... about 20 per cent of the vocational sector," Australian news agency AAP quoted Baird as saying. The report recommends the development of clear, enforceable standards, and fines for non-compliance. "High-risk applicants... won't be allowed in. If they are medium- to lower-risk, they would have to pay a higher rate of registration and they would be monitored more regularly," he said. He suggested that foreign

student hubs be set up to provide information and advocacy services and wanted the government to expand its Study in Australia website to include a manual available in major languages.

Baird said: "We need to do more work in terms of social inclusion, and part of the idea of the education hubs is actually to encourage greater interaction with students and the Australian community."

Gillard said: "We're saying to international students, come, study in this country, it's a great place to study." "But the purpose of coming here as a student is to engage in study and end up with a qualification, not with an immigration pathway," she was quoted as saying.

Melbourne. An Indian taxi driver was remanded in custody over the killing of Indian toddler Gurshan Singh, as the boy's mother voiced her anguish at losing her "beautiful boy". Gursewak Dhillon, who is charged with manslaughter by criminal negligence, did not apply for bail at Melbourne Magistrates' Court and will appear again on June 29. Police have alleged that 23-year-old Dhillon, one of six adults who shared a Melbourne home with the Singh family, dumped the boy's body near the city's airport.

Jerusalem : Israel will allow UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to enter the Gaza Strip when they each make Mideast visits later this month, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said that the authorisation for Ban and Ashton to enter Gaza was issued in response to 'special requests' by the two diplomats. 'Israel has decided to facilitate their entry to

the Gaza Strip in order to allow them to get a first-hand impression of humanitarian activities taking place in that area,' the ministry said. Ashton, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, has announced plans to travel to the region starting on Sunday. Ban is scheduled to meet the leaders of the League of Arab States March 27 in Libya, with plans to urge the group to support an early resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

French minister was enthusiastic about the idea, Landau said.

It was France which, beginning in the 1950s, helped Israel build its nuclear reactor at Dimona. Israel is believed to have used that reactor to construct a stockpile of nuclear weapons. Israel has never acknowledged being a nuclear power, following a policy it calls "nuclear ambiguity." Israel also has a smaller nuclear reactor for research at Nahal Soreq, not far from the coun-

try's population center in Tel Aviv.

Landau's office says no specific plans to set up a third nuclear power plant have been drawn up so far. The construction of a nuclear reactor could draw international attention to Israel's nuclear activities. Asked if Israel would allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to supervise any new project, Chen Ben Lulu, an aide to Landau, said only that Israel would follow all the relevant rules. Israel

has not signed the NonProliferation Treaty, which aims to limit the number of countries capable of developing nuclear weapons.

The idea of generating nuclear energy has been floating around for years. In 2007, one of Landau's predecessors in the National Infrastructure Ministry, Binyamin Ben Eliezer, said he was working on a plan to build a nuclear power plant in Israel's southern Negev desert.

Indian taxi driver remanded over Gurshan's death in Australia

Israel to allow UN chief, EU envoy to enter Gaza

Israel wants to develop nuclear energy

JERUSALEM – Israel wants to build a nuclear power plant, Israeli officials said Tuesday, a move that could bring new attention to the country's secretive nuclear activities. Israel's national infrastructure minister, Uzi Landau, was to publicly announce the idea Tuesday at an international nuclear energy conference in Paris.

"Building a nuclear reactor to produce electricity will allow Israel to achieve energy independence

and end its dependence on others," Landau said in a statement.

"Nuclear technology has many applications that can serve the goal of peace and cooperation."

Israel currently uses coal and natural gas to produce electricity.

Landau met several months ago with the French minister in charge of energy, Jean-Louis Borloo, and raised the idea of French-IsraeliJordanian cooperation in developing a nuclear power plant. The

WORLD NEWS

Haiti needs hurricane alert system: scientists

Miami : Haitians desperately need a new hurricane alert system because its communications were largely destroyed by January's devastating earthquake, experts have warned.

Scientists from 30 countries focused on how to improve meteorological services in Haiti to prevent further disasters as they began three days of meetings in Bermuda. "One of the areas they will be looking at will be better communications and dissemination possibilities," Robert Masters of the World Meteorological Organisation said by telephone as the hurricane committee convened. Masters said about 80 per cent of Haitians would normally be informed of any imminent hurricane threat by tuning in to their televisions or radios. "But now with the earthquake this was reduced to 20 percent because people don't have electricity, don't have television and radios," he said. "So it's important to find new way to disseminate information to be sure people are warned in the face of severe weather.

March, 2010

Students of Rabindra Bharati University dance as they celebrate spring festival in Calcutta, India, Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The University was founded on May 8, 1962 to mark the birth centenary of the poet and first Indian Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore.

Japan confirms Cold War-era 'secret' pacts with US

See-through airport scanners can see you ‘nude’

As part of stringent security check to foil any terrorist attack, several airports world over are making new `see-through’ body scan imperative. While it is essential to make air travel safe, enforcing a complete body scan, wherein a security officer can view a person bereft of clothes has drawn criticism from rights activists. While airports and aviation security officials argue that such body scan is essential to prevent Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab-like incidents, not every air traveller is willing to bare their all. Earlier, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian tried to blow up a Detroitbound plane with explosives allegedly sewn into his underwear.

Aviation security officials claim a full body scan will foil such attempts.

Security officials agree that privacy would be infringed, but that is only to ensure absolute safety. They say that officials are being sensitized to deal with body scanners. One way out is that the almost naked images would be viewed by trained staff at a remote location.

Canadian jury dismissed in Air India perjury trial

TOKYO – A Japanese government-appointed panel on Tuesday confirmed the existence of oncesecret Cold War-era pacts between Japan and the U.S. on nuclear arms and other issues, ending decades of official denial by Tokyo. While declassified U.S. documents have already confirmed such 1960s agreements, Tuesday's revelation was the first from the Japanese government.

The investigation is part of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's campaign to make his government, which was elected to power last year, more open than that of the long-ruling conservatives, who repeatedly denied the existence of such pacts. Among the secret pacts the panel acknowledged was a tacit agreement that allowed U.S. nuclear-armed warships into Japanese ports in violation of Japanese postwar principles not to make, own or allow the entry of nuclear weapons.

"It's regrettable that such facts

were not disclosed to the public for such a long time, even after the end of the Cold War era," Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told a press conference. Speculation about the existence of such secret pacts have been swirling in Japan for years, so the panel's findings likely won't shock most Japanese, although it will likely aggravate distrust in the previous administrations. That sentiment could help Hatoyama's government, whose approval ratings have been sliding ahead of this summer's upper house elections. Okada said the investigation wouldn't affect the U.S.Japan security alliance, under which nearly 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan. The U.S. is obliged to respond to attacks on Japan and protects the country under its nuclear umbrella.

Tokyo's ties with Washington have been strained since Hatoyama took office last September because of a dispute over the relocation of a key U.S.

Marine airfield on the southern island of Okinawa. The purpose of the investigation, Okada said, was to regain public trust in Japan's diplomacy. He added that it was possible that before 1991, when the U.S. stopped carrying battle-ready nuclear weapons, U.S. vessels might have carried nuclear weapons as they entered Japanese waters or entered Japanese ports.

There is strong aversion to nuclear weapons in Japan, the only country to suffer atomic bombings — in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. The panel, led by University of Tokyo professor Shinichi Kataoka, said that while documents showed that Washington and Tokyo appeared to have differing interpretations about allowing nuclear-armed ships into Japanese waters, it was likely that Tokyo and Washington shared an unspoken understanding permitting them to make port calls in Japan.

VANCOUVER : A Canadian judge dismissed a jury as it was about to hear the perjury trial of Inderjit Singh Reyat, who is accused of lying in court about an Air India bomb plot 25 years ago, saying he feared the panel may have been tainted.

British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Mark McEwan ordered that a new jury be selected. He said a remark allegedly made by one juror to others on the panel may have tainted the jury as it was being selected last week. McEwan said a juror complained to him about the remark, the details of which are subject to a publication ban.

Reyat's trial was scheduled to begin in Vancouver on Monday, but has now been delayed until March 22. Reyat is accused of lying 27 times under oath during the murder trial of Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh

France. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is encouraging developing countries to build nuclear plants despite concerns about proliferation. Sarkozy urged the international community to stand firm against those countries who “cheat” on international promises of transparency about nuclear activities. Opening a nuclear conference in Paris on Monday, he was apparently referring to Iran, amid international concern that its nuclear program is aimed at military and not only energy-producing ends.

Sarkozy says “nuclear energy must be implanted in new countries” and France wants to play a key role in expanding it around the world.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A U.S. missionary held for more than a month in Haiti on kidnapping charges flew back to the United States after being released from prison, while the leader of her Baptist group remained in custody.

Charisa Coulter and Laura Silsby were the last two missionaries still in custody of 10 that were arrested for trying to take 33 children out of Haiti after the earthquake. The other eight were released Feb. 17. Coulter, 24, was freed Monday and whisked from her jail cell to the airport by U.S. Embassy staff. Wearing a red tank top and sunglasses, she declined comment as she quickly got into an

SUV that took her to the Haitian airport, where she caught a flight back to the United States.

Coulter's father said his daughter arrived in Miami late Monday and went straight to a hotel. Mel Coulter said her release brought a mix of joy and sorrow, because the leader of the Idaho-based missionary group, Silsby, was left spending the night alone in a Haitian jail.

"It is good news, but it's tempered," Coulter said. "We're really happy to have our daughter back on American soil. But Laura is still there. So this is really only completing part of the journey for the two of them. My daughter has left her best friend behind." He did not say when

his daughter would head to her home in Boise, Idaho. Silsby, 40, said she was glad about Coulter's release. "I'm very happy that she left today, and for her freedom, and expect mine to come soon," Silsby told The Associated Press as she left the courthouse where a judge held a closed hearing Monday. She was returned to her cell in a police station near Port-au-Prince airport.

Defense lawyer Louis Ricardo Chachoute said Coulter was released because there was no evidence to support the charges of kidnapping and criminal association.

He predicted Silsby would be released soon as well. "There are no prosecution witnesses to sub-

Sarkozy opens nuke summit

11

Bagri, who were acquitted in 2005 of the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985 that killed 329 people. The attack on Flight 182 is history's deadliest bombing of a commercial airliner, and is alleged by police to have been plotted by Sikh extremists living in Canada as revenge on India for its 1983 storming of Sikhism's Golden Temple. Reyat pleaded guilty to a minor role of collecting bombmaking material and was called as a witness against Malik and Bagri. Prosecutors now allege he lied when he testified he never learned the bomb maker's name, what the target was or who else was involved in the plot. Police have never publicly identified the bomb maker, but the judge who found Malik and Bagri not guilty of murder and conspiracy in 2005 nonetheless called Reyat an "unmitigated liar."

9th US missionary freed in Haiti, returns home

stantiate anything," Chachoute said. Coulter is a diabetic and had medical difficulties during her confinement. She was treated at least once, on Feb. 1, by American doctors after collapsing from what she said was either severe dehydration or the flu.

After the hearing Monday for Silsby, Judge Bernard Saint-Vil said he heard evidence from a police officer who said he stopped Silsby from loading a bus with children near the Dominican Republic consulate in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 26.

That was three days before her group was arrested while trying to cross into the Dominican Republic with 33 children.

LABASA DOWNS SUVA TO TAKE LEAD 12

FIJI SPORTS

March, 2010

The Labasa football team is now leading the National League Series after defeating Suva 3-0 this afternoon in the National Football League. The Babasiga Lions have maintained their unbeaten record, registering 10 points after four games. First half was scoreless but second half goals came from Joseph Nimariau and Under-20 reps Misaele Draunibaka and Ilisoni Laqaivou gave the visitors the much deserved win. Labasa looked good in all facet of play in the second spell and kept the Suva defence under pressure most of the time.

Suva has won only one game in three games this season.

Rugby Snap Shots

Fergie fury at Rooney's England role

Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced his dismay at England's handling of Wayne Rooney after the striker was left doubtful for Manchester United's Premier League trip to Wolves on Saturday.

Rooney played for 86 minutes of England's friendly win over Egypt in midweek, just three days after ending the League Cup final complaining of a twinge in his right knee and Ferguson fears he will have to do without his leading scorer this weekend. "We're going to have to assess Rooney because he played nearly a full game for England the other night which I was disappointed in," Ferguson said.

"He played for almost an hour on Sunday on the same pitch and then he played for almost the full game on Wednesday. It's far too much. So he's a doubt.

"There were some changes made during the game and I thought Rooney would be one of them particularly as he went into the game with a small injury."

With Chelsea engaged on FA Cup business, United can return to the top of the Premier League by beating struggling Wolves at Molineux on Saturday evening.

United's defence for the match will be bolstered by the return of Rio Ferdinand, who has managed just one Premier League start since October but has recovered from his latest bout of back trouble. A win on Saturday would send United two points clear at the top with nine

( Continued from page 1 )

Public scorn for Congress sharpens ...

people say they want to fire their congressman. Conversely, Obama's job-performance standing is holding fairly steady at 53 percent. And over the past two months, the Democrat has gained ground on national security issues, specifically the subsiding Iraq war and the escalating Afghanistan war, as he has spent most of his time — at least publicly — on domestic matters like the economy and health care. On those issues, he still has the support of about half the people. "I agree with what Obama is trying to do, but nobody is listening to him," said Grace Pope of Waterville, Maine. But this 75-year-old Democrat added, "I don't think that the Congress is doing anything."

Such sentiments and the survey's results make clear that Obama remains far more popular than House and Senate members as he leads a Democratic Party facing a volatile election-year environment that, so far, seems to be trending in Republicans' favor. Judging by his standing at this point, Obama seems to be an asset for his rank and file. But, given the fickleness of this electorate, the uncertainty of the health care debate and the stubbornly high unemployment rate, the president could just as quickly turn into a liability. His own clout will be on the line in the first midterm elections of his presidency. And the outcome is certain to shape the remainder of his first term, if not his likely re-election bid in 2012. For now, it's unclear just how much Obama can do to prevent midterm election shellackings. Democrats lost recent statewide elections in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia even though he campaigned for them. Presidents typically lose House and Senate seats in their first midterm elections.

Boxming Snap Shots

games left to play. "Hopefully we can get the points we need and go top of the league as Chelsea are in the FA Cup," said Ferguson. "Going top of the league at this stage of the season is no bad thing."

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM NEWS

March, 2010

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM USA HOSTS 4TH ANNUAL PR SEMINAR IN NY “Your organization is as good as your PR”, B. Venkatesh, (Fellow AIM)

T

he 4th Annual Public Relations Seminar held this past weekend at Bait-uz Zafar in Queens, New York was a world-class, high-powered event. The seminar illustrated techniques and provided information which PR persons can implement to achieve the desired objectives as set out by Hazur (aba). Zinda M. Bajwa Sahib led the Media Team Steering Committee and informed the more than 85 delegates from various 44 Ahmadiyya Muslim Community National chapters about the importance of effective public relations. The seminar was deliberately "aggressive and ambitious" to generate enthusiasm for action among all participants.

During the course of the two-day seminar held the past weekend, delegates were given an intense orientation on the broad national objectives underway. The basic premise was to develop plans at the local chapter level by increasing awareness and engaging with elected officials at a grass roots level. This is critical for raising concerns about Religious Discrimination and Human Right issues at Capital Hill. With specific targets to accomplish the delegates set April 11 as the deadline to meet elected U.S. officials armed with facts and to inform them how AMC is impacted both at home and abroad.

The message to deliver is not ‘please help us’ rather ‘what can we do to help you!’

GLIMPSES OF AMC PR SEMINAR AT BAIT- UZ- ZAFAR, QUEENS, NEW YORK

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14

March, 2010

March, 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

SACHIN’S

SACHIN SPECIAL

March, 2010

B-town celebrates Sachin’s double

century

I

t was a very proud moment indeed when I saw Sachin Tendulkar become the only cricketer in ODI cricket history to make double century and our Bollywood folks also rejoiced and cheered Sachins performance on Twitter.Read below: SHAHID KAPOOR SACHIN u r truelly GREAT ……..

Humbling to c him … Wat a player

PRIYANKA CHOPRA Oh my god!Just read about sachins double century!Mannn!I slept thru it!! feel so proud to be born at a time when I can witness greatness!

INDIAN NEWSPAPER COVRAGE

16

I don't know how to react to this. I would like to dedicate this to the people of India who have always stood behind me for these 20 years amid the ups and downs."

KARAN JOHAR His name is TENDULKAR and he is a LEGEND!!!

REITESH DESHMUKH HISTORY has been created by d Master In future people will always remember where they were when SACHIN scored 200* runs. Atyanth abhimaan.

VIVEK OBEROI I’ve always said….”if cricket is a religion….sachin is god! Truly the GOD of cricket! WOW! the one record,the one milestone,the one EVEREST that was left…he has conquered it with dedication n grace!

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN You make us proud SACHIN! Kunal Kapoor: I finally know what god really looks like!! He is about 5.5, maharashtrian and plays cricket!!

Tendulkar bapa morya

Highest score in

ODI’s

Sachin becomes first batsman to score 200 in an ODI

M

man Sachin ilestone Tendulkar re-wrote the record books, hammering the first double century in the history of one-day cricket to add another feather to his well-adorned cap.

The capacity crowd at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium witnessed history as Tendulkar, statistically the greatest batsman the game has ever seen, pushed a Charl Langeveldt delivery through the off-side and ran a single to achieve a feat which no other cricketer has achieved.

One-day international cricket, since its 1971 inception, had to wait nearly four decades to see a batsman score 200. The previous best mark was shared by Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out against Bangladesh in 2009) and Pakistan's Saeed Anwar (194 against India in 1997). As the crowd erupted with unbridled joy, Tendulkar, tired but composed, took off his helmet, looked skyward, closed his eyes to offer a silent prayer. His captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came down from the striker's end to shake hands and hug him.

And as Tendulkar set on his way back to the pavilion after the completion of the Indian innings, a tumultuous celebration greeted him. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as the entire stadium erupted in euphoria while his teammates were simply ecstatic as they clapped and hugged each other,

basking in the glory of their senior teammates. Tendulkar batted like a man with a mission and the South African bowlers simply had no clue where to bowl. Once he crossed the 150-mark, the crowd anticipated something special and Tendulkar did not let them down. A six off Roelof van der Merwe took him past Kapil Dev's 175 not out and in the next over, he hit Jacques Kallis for a four to equal his previous best of 186 not out that had come against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1999.

The crowd got restless as Tendulkar approached the 194-run mark and a couple off Wayne Parnell saw him eclipse it. His teammates and spectators were on the edge of their seat with a double century round the corner but with Dhoni going berserk at the striker's end and facing most of the deliveries, it was an agonising wait for all. Dhoni took singles off the final deliveries of the 47th-49th overs and Tendulkar finally took strike with four balls left in the innings. The first ball he received from Langeveldt was steered past point and Tendulkar ran for a single to remain unbeaten after an unforgettable unbeaten 200 that came off just 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes in it. It was yet another milestone for the man, who has some 30,000 international runs under his belt, including 93 centuries (47 in Tests and 46 in ODIs).

Player

Runs Balls 4s

6s

Against

CK Coventry

194*

7

Bangladesh

Sachin Tendulkar

147

25

Saeed Anwar

194

146

22

5

India

Chennai

Sanath Jayasuriya

189

161

21

4

India

Sharjah

Sachin Tendulkar

186*

150

20

3

New Zealand

Hyderabad

Sir Viv Richards Gary Kirsten MS Dhoni

Sourav Ganguly

Mathew Hayden

189*

188* 183* 183

181*

156 170

159 145

158

166

16 21

13 15

17 11

3

5

4 10

7

10

South Africa

Ground

200*

England

UAE

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

New Zealand

Gwalior

Bulawayo Manchester

Rawalpindi Jaipur

Tounton

Hamilton

and..

The Award

82ND ACADEMY AWARDS Best Actor

goes to...

Jeff Bridges, winner of Best Actor award for "Crazy Heart," Best Supporting Actor

Christoph Waltz, winner of Best Supporting Actor award for "Inglourious Basterds,"

Best Actress

Best Supporting Actress

Sandra Bullock, winner Best Actress award for "The Blind Side,"

Mo'Nique, winner of Best Supporting Actress award for "Precious.

Best Picture

Best Director

Kathryn Bigelow, winner of Best Director award for "The Hurt Locker,"

OSCARS

2010 Best Animated Feature

Pete Docter, winner of Best Animated Feature award for "Up,"

The Hurt Locker scores over Avatar I

Jeff Bridges won the Oscar for best actor for Crazy Heart. The son of Hollywood star Lloyd Bridges held his trophy high over his head, looked to the heavens and, thanking his late parents, shouted, "Mom and Dad, yeah.

Thank you Mom and Dad for turning me on to such a groovy profession."

Animal activist Ric O'Barry, director Louie Psihoyos, and producers Paula DuPre Pesmen and Fisher Stevens, winners Best Documentary Feature award for "The Cove,"

Best Adapted Screenplay

Geoffrey Fletcher, winner Best Adapted Screenplay award for "Precious

Best Sound Editing and Mixing

Paul N.J. Ottosson, winner of Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing awards for "The Hurt Locker,"

Best Film Editing

Bob Murawski and wife Chris Innis, winners of Best Film Editing award for "The Hurt Locker,"

Best Original Screenplay

Mark Boal, winner of Best Original Screenplay award for "The Hurt Locker,"

17

raq war movie The Hurt Locker took the Oscars by storm on Sunday, winning six of the major film honours, including best film and best director for Kathryn Bigelow, who became the first woman to win that honour. The drama about a squad of bomb-defusing specialists and the emotional toll war takes on them also secured writer Mark Boal the Academy award for best original screenplay, and claimed honours for film editing, sound editing, and mixing. The Hurt Locker and Bigelow won Oscars over stiff competition from her ex-husband James Cameron, whose sci-fi adventure Avatar is the top-grossing film of all time with $2.5 billion at box offices and was seen as a favourite for best film.

"This really is, there's no other way to describe it, it's the moment of a lifetime," Bigelow said at the 82nd annual Academy Awards function at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Avatar earned just three Oscars, all in the technical categories — visual effects, cinematography, and art direction. Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg received the award for outstanding art direction while Mauro Fiore received the award for cinematography.

Best Documentary Feature

Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow and Greg Shapiro, winners of the Best Picture award for "The Hurt Locker,"

March, 2010

Best Song award

Ryan Bingham, winner of Best Song award for "The Weary Kind" (from "Crazy Heart"),

18

writer I wanted to be a

March, 2010

Sonam kapoor

H

er association with fashion has been largely talked about, with renowned designer Roberto Cavalli even dubbing her his muse. “I’m flattered. I like his clothes,” she smiles. Is he her favourite? “No. It’s Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfield,” comes a straight reply.

“I’m extremely emotional and blatant. I’ve got into trouble with the press for being blunt. But if you’re very diplomatic, you lose your identity,” she maintains.

She doesn’t plan to be more prolific with her films. Is Sonam going the Aamir Khan way? “I’m just following my own path. My films take time. So, I’ll do only two or three a year,” she states.

The young achiever is modest about her feats, and adds, “It’s about being at the right place at the right time; being dedicated, honest, having a lot of goodwill and listening to your parents as they want the best for you.

I was born and brought up in this industry. I don’t know how it is to

Anil Kapoor has just returned from a work-cum-fun holiday abroad with wife Sunita. While in the US, he dubbed for his TV show 24. He clarifies, "In Hollywood, it's not called dubbing anymore, but ADR. The dubbing is done online and though I can't see the team of technicians and mixers, the rushes and pictures are sent through the net. Everything has become very hi-tech now." So hopefully AK will bring the technology here too? Did we hear him say: No Problem?

Gul Panag on Twitter

Gul Panag was one of the earliest B-Town folk to get hooked on to Twitter. Her thousands of followers look up to her comments and views. In a recent interview to Stardust, the ex-Ms India says, "It is a great way to stay connected; for me, it is a community of people with similar wavelength and we discuss similar ideas. The kind of people who follow me are not the kind of people who follow Priyanka Chopra or Sonam Kapoor. People who follow me are usually doctors, lawyers and IT professionals."

Kat has just one project in hand this year!

A

source close to the actress reveals, “Most of Katrina’s movies have been romcoms or commercial cinema. This year she has Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti, which is more serious cinema compared to her other movies. She wants to broaden her horizons and work for issue-based films, like the ones Madhur Bhandarkar does. Katrina likes all his films, more so because they are women-centric. Also, his lead actresses have won accolades for their performance and that has boosted their career graph. She has been sending him feelers.” Meanwhile unconfirmed reports say that Katrina is being signed for the sequel of Dostana by Dharma Productions, besides Imtiaz Ali’s next opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan. But our source says, “Apart from Rajneeti, which releases this year, Katrina has just one project in hand, the Abbas Mustan remake of The Italian Job. A lot of projects have been spoken about, but as of now nothing has been signed officially.” Apparently what could be a trigger for Katrina is the fact that her closest competitors, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor, have a sufficient number of movies lined up and are also experimenting with different genres. “Not to be left behind in the rat race, Katrina is making her moves to remain in the top bracket,” adds the source. But when contacted, Katrina said, “Not true at all. I am pretty tied up with my films already.” When quizzed whether she’s been in touch with Madhur, Katrina said, “No. I have not connected with him.” Despite repeated calls and messages, Bhadarkar remained unavailable for comment.

MEANWHILE

Anil Kapoor back to work

be a banker’s daughter.” Hence, the trappings of stardom don’t bother her, as she patiently answers the media. Says Sonam, “I wanted to be a writer. I respect responsible journalism.

Apparently, Jawaharlal Nehru once came to the TOI office and said, ‘You are the conscience of the nation’. I notice young mediapersons just trying to do their jobs, and realise we need each other.”

Post the Deepika-Ranbir split, reports suggested Sonam went around town saying, ‘I told you so’.

“I can never do anything that malicious as I know there are many young girls trying to ape my behaviour,” she clarifies. About her kind of man, Sonam says, “He should be faithful. I’m conservative and believe marriage is for keeps.”

Does her I Hate Luv Stories director Puneet Malhotra make the cut?

“He’s a part of my friends circle.

None of us has the time nor the inclination to get into a relationship now,” says Sonam.

After giving several hits in a row last year, suddenly Katrina Kaif has little to look forward to this year.

Mumbai Mirror has learnt that director Anees Bazmee is pretty upset with Katrina, with whom he has worked in two successful films, Welcome and Singh Is Kinng. Apparently Katrina had given the go ahead for Bazmee’s next, Thank You, which also stars Akshay Kumar. However, Katrina has given her dates to Farah Khan instead for Tees Maar Khan.

Left in the lurch at the last minute, Bazmee won't be forgiving Ms Kaif in a hurry.

BOLLYWOOD

Sonam Kapoor looks every bit the stunner as she alights from her car, her micro entourage in tow. After all, her looks have ensured that several endorsement deals have come her way. Remind her that her endorsement count is higher than her releases, and she retorts, “I’ve done only three. It’s very little compared to many in the industry. I pick brands of the highest quality with which I can have longstanding associations.”

BOLLYWOOD

My Name Is Khan

Director :

Karan Johar

Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?

Director :

Ajay Devgn Konkana Sen Sharma, Paresh Rawal

Rating: *****

WHAT'S HOT: There's no one quite like Karan Johar when it comes to love stories and MNIK simply reinforces that. This is a difficult subject to handle -- it's multilayered unlike his previous attempts.

There's a hero with a handicap; the leading lady who is the mother of a school kid; there's a clash of cultures inspired by true events and there's some hard-hitting drama. It's commendable the way Karan interweaves all of this in his narrative, in a film which at the core is a love story with epical proportions. Even though MNIK is the director's shortest film in terms of length, it's the most comprehensive story he's ever told. The quintessential dazzle of a KJo film is all there -- from the zigzag streets of Frisco to the stark beauty of Arizona. The director scores full marks in the poignant portrayal of each of the relationships. The Rizwan-Mandira romance is captured beautifully.

Rizwan's moments with her son are brilliant and the child's acceptance of the new man in his mother's life is subtle yet so effective. The sec-

19

Cast :

Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Jimmy Shergill, Soniya Jehan and Zarina Wahab

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: When the maestro of romance teams up with celluloid's most adored pair, you know there's magic waiting to happen. Get set for the year's best offering so far. My Name Is Khan has all the gloss you expect from a KJo film -- only this time, it comes along with a new sensibility and a bolder theme. The film is about Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a birth disorder. Rizwan has problems in his social interactions. After his mother's (Zarina Wahab) death, his US-based younger brother (Jimmy Shergill) takes him to San Francisco where Rizwan starts working as a salesman. On one of his calls, he encounters Mandira (Kajol) and his life changes. Mandira is a single mother, falls in love with Rizwan in an improbable yet utterly romantic manner. They get married and, life seems till (9/11) changes it all.

Rizwan and Mandira are torn apart after they face a monumental tragedy as victims of racism. To win Mandira back, Rizwan is faced with the most daunting task of all. And thus begins his journey -- across states, cultures, people, racial profiling and hatred. In his quest to rediscover his lost love, how Rizwan emerges as the most unlikely hero forms the crux of the film.

March, 2010

Ashwni Dhir

Cast :

Movie Review

A funny family fare

Rating: **1/2

ond half of the film is the crowning glory -- the lead pair's parting forms the base leading to Rizwan's spectacular ride through the country and his ability to strike a chord with everyone he encounters. MNIK works because it's an uplifting tale of an underdog told in an entertaining manner. There's also that element of freshness in the film also his choice of actors -- Zarina Wahab, Jimmy Shergill, Soniya Jehan (simply superb) and Arif Zakaria. It's a delight to see Kajol back in action -- she brings Mandira alive first with her characteristic candour and then with her heartrending complexity of emotions. The distressing scene with her son is proof of why she's simply the best. But MNIK is, after all, the story of Rizwan and it is to Shah Rukh

WHAT'S THAT

Rizwan never shakes hands with anyone -- he has a problem with that. Yet, when he meets the American President, he shakes hands not once but twice.

Special treatment for special people?

Khan's credit that Rizwan grows on you with every scene. What seems awkward initially eventually culminates into a character you warm upto want to take home -- you want to laugh at his innocent antics and cry when he's in pain. The SRK magic is at play in almost all the crucial moments -- when Mandira proposes to him; his touching camaraderie with the African-American family; the sequence in the Church where he speaks about his son; the one where he stands up to a fanatic; the scene -- MNIK is Shah Rukh

WHAT'S NOT: In a near-perfect film, the only over-the-top part is Rizwan's return to a flood-hit small town to save the African-American family. It's stands out because everything else is so understated.

And then the part about the media brigade landing there followed by Rizwan's supporters is a bit unconvincing. Also, one of the highlights of all Karan Johar films has been the musical score. In MNIK, nothing impresses us much except for the Noor-E-Khuda track, which is haunting.

What's it about: In an era of the so-called 'multiplex cinema' and movies catering to niche audiences, we've all but forgotten the quintessential 'family film' that dominated the '70s and '80s. Ashwni Dhir reinvents the genre with Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? and brings back memories of the Basu Chatterji and Hrishikesh Mukherjee school of filmmaking. Based on a short story by Sharad Joshi, the film explores a quandary we've all experienced at some point or the other -- a house guest who overstays his or her welcome. Puneet (Ajay Devgn) is a scriptwriter married to Munmun (Konkana Sen Sharma).

They have a six-year-old son and live a comfortable middle-class existence in Mumbai. Trouble begins when Puneet's distant relative Lambodhar Chacha (Paresh Rawal) lands up at their doorstep and their entire lifestyle goes in for a toss. They put up with the guest-from-hell initially, thinking he would leave soon. But he refuses to and his antics cause major chaos in their personal and professional lives. Fed up, they start devising plans to get rid of the atithi (guest) but all fails.

What's hot: To make an entire film out of a short story is a tough job. Maybe that's why Dhir also takes some inspiration from the Hollywood film, You, Me and Dupree (2006).

The writing is simple and the dilemmas faced

by Puneet and Munmun are common -- that's

why the film connects with you. Dhir adds a mature touch when it comes to sketching the atithi's character -- he makes Lambodhar Chacha likeable even though his actions lead to irreparable damage. Puneet and Munmun's problems are real but despite their total condemnation of the guest, the director maintains the pathos in their characters. And that is what stops the film from venturing into the 'dark comedy' territory. ATKJ is wholesome family entertainment -- the kind you don't get to see these days. In the second half, the Ganesh Chaturthi sequence is a brilliant stroke that elevates the film. What make the film work are the three key actors. Ajay Devgn is at his candid best -- his scenes with the unwanted guest are hilarious and yet understated. He adds just the right amount of emotions in the intense scenes too. Konkona Sen complements him splendidly. Paresh Rawal as the atithi is so convincing that you almost want to get into the screen and toss him out of the nice couple's house. Look out for him in the bhajan sequence done on the track of Beedi (from Omkara) -- it's super funny.

What's not: The director could've been more innovative in his screenplay in the second half. There are scenes that fall into the trap of predictability -- Dhir could've done away with those. Also, the burping and farting jokes get offensive after a point.

Kajol ko time kahaan?

While Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are still fighting it over being the endorsement queen Kajol Devgn appears to have quietly taken over the crown.

The actress has been shooting for new campaigns for a couple of brands she already endorses. These campaigns are said to be super-expensive in terms of budgets -- not to mentions Kads fees, which is astronomical. In the past year, there has been an huge rise in the number of ad campaigns Kajol has signed up for. She's currently endorsing a probiotic health drink, toffees, washing machines, soups, face creams, and now will be selling washing powder. Plus she will be the face for two new brands in the FMCG segment." Phew! We are left wondering where does that leave time for her to spend with hubby Ajay Devgn?

Rahman plans massive music tour in June O

scar winning music maestro A.R. Rahman has reportedly teamed up with Amy Tinkham, known for creating live musical concerts for Britney Spears and Mariah Carey, for a tour to salute Bollywood and Indian music.

"The Journey Home World Tour will be a theatrical experience that will blend new technologies with powerful dance arrangements and acrobatics. The concert will keep intact the heritage and traditions of India with a new modern presentation," contactmusic.com quoted Rahman's spokesperson as saying. "The show will feature changing sets, large images

on LED screens and a spectacular cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe."

The Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour is slated to begin in June at the Nassau Coliseum in New York. It will feature music from the film and tracks he was working on with the late Michael Jackson before the King of Pop died last summer. Produced by Deepak Gattani, the tour will travel to over 20 major arenas and cities around the world, including The Forum in Los Angeles, The Patriot Center in Washington, American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas and Wembley Arena and the O2 Arena in London.

Toxic Thoughts: An Assassination Of The Mind 20

ARTICULATION/FIJI NEWS

March, 2010

By Dr. Laura B. Lyons

On a recent visit to my retreat of choice, the Ann Wigmore Health Institute in Aquada, Puerto Rico, I marveled at a comment made by one of the personal development instructor about "mind toxicity. The substance of the instructor's message is that we can toxify our minds with negative thoughts, in much the same manner as we toxify our bodies with junk food. I really sat up and took notice when the teacher stated that "the mind has the capacity to process approximately 92,000 thoughts per day, and according to this self development expert, our lives would be significantly enhanced, if at least three of these thoughts were positive, and self affirming. Wow!! Now, "ain't that something to think about?!

I assumed that toxic thoughts syndrome, was solely my own personal demon.

However, self-development literature, reveals that it is an international phenomenon that is no respecter of age, image, gender, race or national origin. Certainly, the self admitted attempted suicide of a celebrated beauty, such as Haile Berry, the

reportedly self destructive behavior of super model Naomi Campbell, and even the widely reported, low self-esteem of Princess Di, give credence to the universality of "negative thinking.,, At some point in our lives, statistics reveal that even the most accomplished and apparently, self-confident persons experience the debilitating effects of "toxic thoughts syndrome. Oprah Winfrey, for example, admits, "I have struggled with my own self-value for many, many years. Even when she was winning numerous awards and public applause, Oprah says she was, "filled with self-doubt and fear of not being good enough! The good news is that we can transcend our tendency to lament our lot, belittle our achievements, question our com-

petence, and doubt our ability. Some life changing maxims for transforming our thought processes are; - It may sound trite, but it is a fundamental truth that we are each made in the image of the creator and "he don't make no junk.

So, we are each divinely great in our own right. This awareness can neutralize toxic thoughts.

- Accentuate the positive. Become your own personal champion. Remember most unhappiness derives from comparing your weaknesses to someone else's strength.

You are as great as you think you are!

- Discover the path to positivity., Read Maya Angelou's, "Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now. This book will inspire you

Please note beginning next month all seminars will be sponsored AIM – American Institute of Management. You are welcome to visit www.americaninstituteofmanagemen.com CALL US AT 510-677-4488 if you would like to be a professional presenter.

Dictator's son winner of Togo election

to believe in your innate power, as Maya did during her struggle with self-acceptance, according to her revelations.

- Create your own healing experiences.

Make an appointment with yourself for pampering, and reminiscing over your previous successes. Remember you are not an imposter. Your accomplishments are as real as your perceived failures. Listen for the applause and ignore the boos, in your life.

- Lighten up on yourself. Perhaps your expectations are too high. Give yourself permission to let go. Quit trying to be perfect.

You're Ok, just as you are.

Most importantly, pat yourself on the back for the strides that you've made, and take life one day at a time. This is not a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Therefore, we should live on our own terms, minus (sans) toxic thoughts., Author of "Lyons, Guide to the Career Jungle, Dr. Laura B. Lyons is President of Career Dynamics International, a Motivational Trainer and Management Consultant. Her articles may be read at www.islandsun.com - e-mail address: cdi@caribsurf.com

Dr. Laura Lyons and close friend and Anil Sharma (IT professional) with Ben Venktash, Arun Chauhan and Wells Fargo Sr. Vice President Anand are among the new finds to appear as resource persons at our FIJI OPEN FORUM SEMINAR in April.

Lome. Togo's election commission on Saturday declared the son of the country's late dictator winner of the presidential race, extending the family's rule into a fifth decade in a deep blow to Togo's opposition, which vowed to take to the streets in protest. Provisional results indicate President Faure Gnassingbe won 1.2 million votes, representing 60.9 per cent of the roughly 2 million votes cast in the tiny country, said Issifou Tabio, the head of the election body.

Opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre, who had earlier accused the ruling party of rigging the election, received 692,584 votes, or 33.9 per cent. As results were broadcast district by district and it became clear that the opposition had lost and Gnassingbe would get a second term, Fabre led a group of around 200 protesters to a square in downtown Lome, making good on a promise to take to the streets if the ruling party did not cede. Security forces fired tear gas, forcing the group to disperse, said witnesses

and a police spokesman.

The contentious election is only the second since the death of Eyadema Gnassingbe, who grabbed power in a 1967 coup and ruled for 43 years, only for his son to seize power upon the dictator's death in 2005. The younger Gnassinge went on to win elections that same year that were widely viewed as rigged. Pro-Gnassingbe soldiers openly intimidated voters at polling stations and in several instances opened fire with live ammunition before stealing the ballot box, according to a report by Amnesty International. Although the opposition has claimed that this election was rigged, international observers said earlier they have not seen overt evidence of fraud. But they say there is mounting evidence that the ruling party tried to buy off voters. During campaign rallies, opposition supporters chanted "We were not paid to be here", a jab at Gnassingbe who they accuse of handing out cash and bags of rice to supporters.

Britain gives S.Africa money for condoms

Britain has given one million pounds in aid to South Africa for the purchase of condoms to tackle HIV and AIDS in the world's worst-affected country ahead of the 2010 World Cup. The money, equivalent to 1.1 million euros or 1.5 million dollars, is to bolster the host's condom supplies, a move health officials predict will be necessary amid the tournament's "spirit of festivity." Britain said the aid, announced shortly after a visit to London by South African President Jacob Zuma, would help the country's aim to buy one billion condoms at a time the AIDS fight has been hit by the economic downturn. "As a consequence we face the very real prospect that progress on tackling HIV will go into reverse," said international development minister Gareth Thomas. "That is why (Britain) is supporting South Africa's leadership and drive to turn the tide on their epidemic."

T

Military officers sacked over sex affairs

Fiji’s Military heads have sacked 10 of their instructors who were caught having extra-marital affairs with female cadet officers. The instructors were part of the Military’s Force Training Group in Nasinu outside Suva. Military chiefof-staff Brigadier General Mohammed Aziz said the officers were removed because the army wanted to lead by example, and moral discipline among the ranks had to be maintained.

He said they would ensure that army personnel did not take advantage of female officer cadets. “We will make sure that we maintain discipline in the force,” Aziz said. The female cadet officers involved in the fiasco were also terminated.

They were part of a recent recruit of 70 officer cadets to undergo training at Nasinu.

PSC audit needs $2.5m

HE Public Service Commission plans to audit all government ministries but they will need an extra $2.5m to complete the task. This was revealed by PSC chairman Josefa Serulagilagi at the second meeting of the National People's Charter Advisory Council (NPCAC) held at the parliamentary complex. The auditing will be done after renovations to government quarters, which are to be leased out, are completed. "We have already $300,000 from the government budget but that is not enough," Mr Serulagilagi said. "We will need an (additional) allocation of $2.5 million. We started with

$300,000 and we are hoping that since no outside fund is coming in, then we will probably have to ask the government to top up the allocation that we have already got." Mr Serulagilagi said the auditing procedure was a challenge because it involved all ministries. "It's a big job to go to all ministries and start auditing the staff, the qualification of people that are employed and the right size for that particular ministry," he said. "All this will be taken into account, its not really losing job, its just reorganisation. There may be more people in one ministry, and then we will have to rationalise the number."

MAKE-UP

March, 2010

21

Make-up Rules for office

Nails Manicure AT I

HOME

After all these steps, comes the time of nail coloring. You first need to choose the most appropriate color you want to apply on your nails.

n the daily rush of life, we often tend to neglect our hands and nails. However, you need to realize that your nails are always on a display whether at office place, party or anywhere. Moreover, they form an important part of daily hygiene and thus proper care and attention needs to be given to them. Given below are some tips which would help you achieve a perfect manicure at home. The first step involves getting rid of any nail polish from your nails. This can be easily achieved with the help of a good nail-polish remover. Most of us face the problem of removing nail polish which gets stuck at the corners and cuticles. For that, you can use a cuticle stick and if you don’t possess that, then you can use an ear bud after soaking it in nail polish remover. Then you should soak the nails in lukewarm olive oil or water for a few minutes to make them soft. This helps in their easy cutting and shaping. You can then provide your nails with the desired shape with the help of a filer. The most popular shape is oval but one should use the shape which suits one the best. If hangnails are present, carefully clip them. You should apply lotion to your hands and massage them properly to moisturize them along with increasing circulation. After all these steps, comes the time of nail coloring.

You first need to choose the most appropriate color you want to apply on your nails. First, apply the base coat on the nails, let it dry and then apply a second coat. When it gets dried, then apply the transparent coat to lock the color of the nails. By following these simple steps, you can easily do a manicure at home to further beautify your nails and hands.

Casual chica

If you have a back-end job in the media, casual is probably the dress code at office.

Some tips that would add some spunk to a casual you: A media job usually means long hours. Many people in these jobs have dark circles under their eyes. Your make-up should conceal this," says Vakil. After applying moisturiser, use a translucent powder to hide your dark circles, suggests Vakil.Next comes eyeliner and mascara. "Don't wear too much of this if you don't want to look too dolled up. Use a plain gloss or nude colours on your lips so that you don't look too loud," she says. Vakil says you don't have to use nail paint if your office atmosphere is casual. "But make sure they are neat. They should not be chipped. Use a buffer to smoothen and shine your nails," she says.

Formal façade

Women who meet clients on a regular basis are expected to dress formally in suits or saris to make the right impression. Start with a moisturiser, says Vakil. Again, make-up should not be too loud but needs to be more defined," she explains.

Here's what you do for an impressive formal you: Vakil recommends a light foundation. "Women who have an oily skin should use a liquid foundation while those with normal or dry skin can use a powder-based foundation," she says. According to Vakil, your lip and nail colour should also be more obvious. "However, stick to light colours - pinks, browns, or light purples. French manicures look elegant. Avoid any kind of nail art," she says. The same rules

Anupriya and Naina are twins who have just started working. Anupriya is a copywriter at an advertising agency while Naina is an investment banker. Because of the nature of their jobs, they step out of the house every day looking completely different. "Naina always wears formal clothes. Jeans are what everybody in my team wears," says Anupriya. Poonam Vakil, a make-up artist, says dressing right is not enough. You have to make sure your make-up complements your image and office atmosphere. Here's what she suggests:

apply to make-up for office parties. "But you can enhance your makeup a little since most parties are in the evening," adds Vakil. You can slap on some eye shadow and a light blush. A highlighter on your cheekbones, jaw and collarbones will make your face look chiseled," she explains. Vakil's last piece of advice is that you should always apply moisturiser before your makeup. "This will protect the skin. If you have oily skin, only use a water-based moisturiser. Oil-based moisturisers are only for people with dry skin.

Make sure your moisturiser has a minimum SPF of 25," she con-

Tips for

Beautiful Lips

W

ho doesn’t want to have those beautiful, full lips? After all, they add to the glamour and style of a person. However, you must have often noticed your lips cracking and drying during winters and even plumping up when they absorb more water. So how do you keep those lips in perfect shape and health?

Answer is a very simple one. Follow some given tips as your lips need just a little loving care to become perfect in a short span of time.Water with its numerous healing powers is not only good for your skin and body, but also for your lips. Keep yourself hydrated and carry a water bottle with you whenever you go out. This is because dehydration of body can lead to cracked and chapped lips. If you have a habit of frequently licking your lips, then get rid of this habit as soon as possible. This is because frequent licking of lips damages its protective layer leading it to frequent drying. If you feel your lips are drying, then apply a lip balm instead of licking them. Many people face the problem of peeling lips which can be due to an allergic reaction to lipstick, toothpaste, food or beverage.

You need to visit a doctor for this. You should also protect your lips from excessive sun exposure to prevent wrinkles around the lips.

Moreover, lips are susceptible to sunburns since they lack melanin.

If you need to go out in sun, you can protect your lips by applying lipsticks which come with SPF. Moreover, use matte lipsticks sparingly as they can be extremely drying. Also, for treating dry and chapped lips, use lip balms which have hydrating ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, vitamin E and almond or coconut oils. Follow these simple tips to get beautiful lips to let your lips do all the talk.

22

March, 2010

Taliban claim suicide attack on NATO-Afghan base

Khost. The Taliban claimed responsibility Wednesday for a suicide bombing inside a US-Afghan base in eastern Afghanistan that killed two NATO service members. A Taliban operative wearing an Afghan police uniform infiltrated the base Tuesday night and detonated his explosive vest next to a group of soldiers who were warming their hands beside a fire, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press by phone. US troops command most of the eastern area bordering Pakistan, and local officials said they only knew of US soldiers and Afghan border police on Chergotah base. A NATO statement on the attack confirmed that two of its service members died but did not give their nationalities. A number of others were wounded in the attack, the military alliance said. The attack was a reminder of the increasing sophistication and reach of insurgents _ who have expanded attacks against targets like the capital and heavily guarded military outposts even as NATO forces have started to take back some of their strongholds in the south.

Swedish papers reprint Prophet cartoon

WORLD NEWS

STOCKHOLM : Leading newspapers on Swedish Wednesday published a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed with the body of a dog by a caricaturist after he was targetted by an alleged Sweden's assassination plot. paper of reference Dagens Nyheter published the controversial drawing, insisting artist Lars Vilks "is not alone in this conflict" after seven Muslims were arrested in Ireland for allegedly plotting his murder.

"A threat against him is, in the end, a threat against all Swedish people," the paper said in an editorial. Irish police on Tuesday arrested the seven -- four men and three women -- suspected of conspiracy to murder Vilks because of his cartoon, in an operation coordinated with US and European security agencies. Police said there was a plot to assassinate Vilks, who has a 100,000-dollar (74,000-euro) bounty on his head from an Al-Qaedalinked group. US prosecutors also

said a Pennsylvania resident Colleen LaRose, who was arrested in October 2009 operating under the online name "JihadJane", had agreed to carry out the murder of a Swedish resident, pledging "only death will stop me." The Justice Department declined to comment on whether LaRose was connected to the alleged plot to kill Vilks.

Dagens Nyheter called on the Swedish state to give Vilks "all the protection he needs." It said authorities must take action "against an attack aiming at one of our most fundamental rights, freeThe dom of expression."

Expressen tabloid also published the cartoon, insisting it was important "to defend freedom of expression which is more and more threatened." "An open society must show that it will not give in to threats, that it is ready to fight for freedom of expression," added the daily in an editorial. The regional daily Nerikes Allehanda started the

controversy when it first published Vilks' satirical cartoon on August 18, 2007 to illustrate an editorial on the importance of freedom of expression. That paper did not choose to republish the drawing Wednesday. ¨I don't think it is relevant to publish the picture," Nerikes Allehanda's chief editor Ulf Johansson, who has also faced threats over the initial publication, wrote in the paper. "If I were to publish it, it would have another symbolical value than when other papers publish it. Dagens Nyheter has published the picture three to four times already and no one has cared," he added. The Aftonbladet tabloid, which published the drawing in 2007, also refrained from republishing it, with chief editor Jan Hellin insisting "the picture has no news value today." "Publishing the same picture now would ... only increase the level of conflict and provocation in a situation that

WASHINGTON: An agent linked to disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan had offered Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 1990 that they could build an atomic bomb for him in three years under a $150 million "nuclear package deal," according to a new book.

The "package" deal included not only weapon designs but also details of production plants and foreign experts to supervise the building of a nuclear bomb, David Albright, a former UN weapons inspector, said in his book to be released next week, 'The Washington Post' reported.

Reporting on the book entitled 'Peddling Peril' - 'How the Secret Nuclear Trade Arms America's Enemies,' the paper said the newly uncovered documents suggest that Khan's offer of nuclear assistance to

Saddam was more comprehensive than previously known. "A 1990 letter attributed to a Khan business associate offered Iraq a chance to leap past technical hurdles to acquire weapons capability," it said. "Pakistan had to spend a period of 10 years and an amount of 300 million US dollars to get it," begins one of the memos, the daily said reporting from the book.

"Now, with the practical experience and worldwide contacts Pakistan has developed, you could have 'A.B.' in about three years' time and by spending about USD 150 million.

'A.B.' was understood to mean "atomic bomb," Albright wrote, adding that aid from the Pakistani nuclear scientist could have accelerated Iraq's quest for a weapon if the Iraqi leader had not run out of time. One memo cited in the book promised to

provide "all the vital components and materials" needed to make fissile material and added that "two to three Pakistani scientists could be persuaded to resign and join the new assignment" in Iraq, the daily said. Copies of the original Arabic documents -several with handwritten comments in the margins -- were shown to The Washington Post, the report said. In his book, Albright argues that Khan could have been stopped if governments and private businesses had been more willing to share intelligence, it said. He cites results of "a secret Dutch investigation into Khan's activities in that country in the 1970s, a probe that confirmed Khan's theft of sensitive nuclear blueprints, yet failed to result in a broader inquiry of a serious security breach," the Post reported.

reserved verdict on January 26. The two judges were subsequently recalled to Lahore, and the verdict was announced on Tuesday by Justices Asad Munir and Ijaz Ahmed.

Violation Shahbaz Rajput, a lawyer defending some of the accused, said the Bench ruled that the statement made by Kasab to the Indian authorities could not be used in a Pakistani court as it violated Article 43 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order of 1984 or the Evidence Act. “This article states that the statement of an accused can be used against the co-accused, only if they are all appearing in the same court for the same case.”

Sources said Kasab's confessional statement formed a crucial part of the case prepared against the accused by the Pakistani prosecution. Defence lawyers have been demanding that Kasab's statement be excluded from the evidence, as he had retracted it during the proceedings in a Mumbai court.

OSLO: A record 237 candidates have been nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said on Wednesday. The tally comprises 199 individuals and 38 organisations and beats the 205 nominations made last year, when the coveted award went to US President Barack Obama.

This year's figure has been released after the five-member Nobel Committee formally registered all the nominations during its first session earlier this week.

The Nobel Committee advises those making nominations not to reveal their proposals in advance. However, there are no formal rules against doing so, allowing for plenty of speculation before the winner is announced, normally in early October.

A Q Khan network offered to build nuclear bomb for Saddam : Book

“Statement of Kasab cannot be used against accused” A baby sits in a basket while waiting to board a train at a railway station in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: In a significant ruling that could affect the trial of seven suspects charged with involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks in Pakistan, a Bench of the Lahore High Court ruled that Ajmal Amir Kasab's confessional statement could not be used against the accused. Kasab, the lone surviving gunman in the attacks, is being tried in a special court in Mumbai. The Rawalpindi-based Bench gave the order in response to a petition filed by Lashkare-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and other accused who are being tried by an anti-terrorism court for planning and helping to execute the 2008 attacks. However, the Bench dismissed the plea of Lakhvi and the other accused for acquittal.

The Bench said they could not be acquitted when their trial was under way in the anti-terrorism court. The accused filed the petition in the Lahore High Court earlier this year. A Bench of Justices Sagheer Ahmed Qadri and Ijazul Ahsan

requires enlightenment, discussion," he wrote. Vilks said Tuesday he was not worried by the arrests in Ireland or the threats on his life.

"I'm not shaking with fear, exactly," he told Swedish news agency TT. He also told the TV4 commercial broadcaster he would consider doing it all over again "if the occasion was right." "One is allowed to insult all religions but not Islam.

That is the exception. There is a problem there," he said. The threat against Vilks has its parallel in Denmark, where several plots to murder cartoonist Kurt Westergaard have been foiled since his drawing of Prophet Mohammed with a turban in the shape of a bomb was first published in September 2005, along with 11 other drawings focused on Islam. The threat against Vilks "is very sad, I think," Westergaard told Expressen. "But I am impressed by his courage and that he refuses to give in," he added.

Pak govt ‘sponsored’ 26/11

Mumbai :The November 26, 2008, terrorist strikes that hit Mumbai was the handiwork of the Pakistani government, the prosecution told the special court conducting the trial at the commencement of the final arguments today.

“The conspiracy… was hatched on Pakistan’s soil and the inevitable inference (that) can be drawn (is) that the attack was state-sponsored,” special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the court. Citing the evidence tendered by Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman from the 10 Pakistan-borne terrorists to be taken alive, Nikam said their training was under the supervision of officers of the Pakistan army. “Kasab has said one Major General was present during their training and had supervised them,” the prosecutor said.

Record 237 nominated for 2010 Nobel Peace prize

FIJI NEWS

New US Embassy for Fiji and region in 2011

Construction of a new 100 million dollar US Embassy in Fiji will be completed by the end of the year, and be open to the public in early 2011.

Regional Public Affairs Officer, Jeffery Robertson told journalists who visited the embassy site in Tamavua yesterday that the new embassy is an example of America’s expanding commitment to the Pacific region.

The embassy has been described as a ‘regional embassy’ serving five Pacific countries and covering almost 20 million square kilometers in ocean and land area.

“That’s truly what this is, it is a Regional embassy. It’s not just for Fiji. It is accredited to five countries, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru but it also has the largest US consul district in the world which includes French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna.”

The Embassy has been thoughtfully designed and con-

structed to incorporate environmental, cultural and social concepts unique to Fiji and the city of Suva.

At the same time the Embassy

meets international standards of safety and security which American Embassies have to abide by following attacks against American interests around

the world.

“In 1998 many of you remember we had bombings in Dar es Salaam and in Kenya, two places where nobody expected an embassy would ever be bombed.

So after that the US state department moved forward with a plan on how we could build buildings that would protect both our local employees and our American employees and still be able to provide services to the people we serve.

Project Director Tracy Thomas said the Embassy construction created over 500 jobs and cost 100 million dollars, half of which was injected into the local economy. “The total estimated cost in local currency of the entire project including our American designs and the security forces on the team, is roughly 100 million Fiji dollars of which 50 million we estimate was put directly back into the economy.”

Taken from / By: FBC

Deposed Fiji Prime Minister We were under miliLaisania Qarase before court tary threat: Ex CRW

FICAC prosecutor, Laisa Lagilevu has told the Suva High Court that FICAC has evidence to show that former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase had been paid Class A dividends from Fijian Holdings Limited. While making the submission for a consolidation of the charges against Qarase and former Fijian Holdings CEO, Sitiveni Weleilakeba yesterday, Lagilevu said Weleilakeba and Qarase were charged for the same offence which is 'Conspiracy to Effect an Unlawful Purpose that is to Contravene the provisions of the Companies Act'. Lagilevu argued that Weleilakeba has been charged with the offence of forgery, the allegation is that he forged a Special Resolution of the 7th AGM of Fijian Holdings Company Limited, in order to change its status to a public company. She said this alleged action

benefitted both Weleilakeba and Qarase whereby they were allegedly able to have Class A shares of Fijian Holdings allocated to them, the significance of this being that Class A shares accrue greater dividends.

Lagilevu alleges that the special resolution of the FHL was never passed during the meeting and she then pointed out to the court, the resolution being referred to. The case will be heard again on the 23rd of next month to give time to the defence lawyers to change their submission after FICAC made the application to consolidate the charges against Qarase and Weleilakeba.

Lagilevu alleges that the special resolution of the FHL was never passed during the meeting and she then pointed out to the court, the resolution being referred to.

Former Counter Revolutionary Warfare soldier Barbados Mills says his involvement in the alleged assassination plot against Army Commander Voreqe Bainimarama was because he was under threat from the military.

Taking the stand in the High Court in Suva, Mills, one of the eight accused, said, “whether we took part or not, we’d face the full brunt of the military”.

Mills today told the court that State witness Corporal Peniasi Kuli initiated the plot to kill the PM and members of his Cabinet, not his group. He said Kuli had relayed to his group that the military council was not happy with the way the Commander was running the Government and that he was going in a direction, in contrast to what was being planned. Mills said in one of their meetings, he asked Kuli what weapons they were going to use in the assassination and Kuli

gave a verbal list. “I was at the meeting because I wanted to see what he was up to. I wanted to see what was going to happen.

“It was never my intention to join him in his plan,” Mills told the court.

He said he never once called Corporal Kuli.

“Kuli was always calling me. He was harassing me, pushing me for this execution plan to go ahead,” he said. Mills said he never trained with Kuli and his group at Wailase, Naitasiri. State prosecutor David Toganivalu suggested that Mills had trained Kuli and his men to take over the 3FIR, to which he said, no.

“13 skilled CRW tried to take over the army camp but couldn’t.

These guys are not skilled, it would be a bloodbath,” he said. He added that the 3FIR was the most dangerous place in the military, the most populated and well-armed and it would not be possible for a small group to do it.

Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has had his official vehicle removed and his pension stopped by the Fiji Government.

Rabuka confirmed to FBC News that he had received a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office, explaining the decision to him.

Soldiers also came to his home on Tuesday to take his vehicle away. Rabuka who led Fiji’s first coup in 1987 says he has accepted the decision. He told FBC News “if anyone understands authority, they will follow authority”. Rabuka is among the first to be affected by the recently gazetted Pensions Decree.

ABOUT 20 Suva City Council staff workers have been told to stay home pending investigations into their alleged anti-government activities.

While SCC special administrator Marica Hallacy neither confirmed nor denied the staff, including some senior management staff, were told to go home, it has been made public that workers from the engineering, business licence section, parking meter section, town and planning and enforcement section were given marching orders on Friday afternoon.

Ministry of Local Government acting permanent secretary Maraia Ubitau was not aware of the inci-

dent. "I have not heard about the incident," she said.

The Fiji Times received information from that a team of men in civilian clothes entered the SCC office on Friday to serve Ms Hallacy with a letter revealing names of staff with alleged anti-government leanings.

"They came at about 3pm and gave a letter to special administrator. It had a list of names," the source said. "It's alleged the names were people who were writing antigovernment stories and making anti-government comments.

"The men took our computers and documents, saying it was for their investigation. We were told to stay home until the investigations

were complete." The source said they were taken aback by the directive and confused at what was happening. It has also been revealed that the suspended workers were alleged to have been contributing to anti-government blog sites. "We don't have access to blog sites at work. This was a directive in the past to stop accessing blog sites, so these were banned," said the source. "The men took our computers saying it was for their investigations. They did not have evidence with them when they came."

Ms Hallacy could not make a statement on the issue yesterday.

She said a statement on the matter would be made today.

Former Fiji coup leader stripped off his pension

City Council staff sent home

March, 2010

23

NZ should not overreact to Fiji nominee

The NZ government should not overreact to Fiji’s nomination of Lt Colonel Neumi Leweni to its high commission in Wellington, says a former NZ diplomat. Terence O'Brien, who was once New Zealand’s Ambassador to the UN, says New Zealand should not get into a public and destructive spat with Fiji over the proposed appointment.

O’Brien told the NZ Herald that NZ should make their response known quietly and directly with the Fiji government.

The NZ Government has not been commenting on reports that Fiji wants to send Lt Colonel Neumi Leweni to serve at its high commission in Wellington.

The proposal has been seen by some as provocative given the New Zealand Government's travel ban on members of the Fiji military.

NZ and Fiji agreed to improve diplomatic relations early this year after a meeting between their Foreign Affairs Ministers. Lt. Colonel Leweni’s appointment is being seen as a test of New Zealand’s commitment to re-engage.

Fiji PM opens Bio-fuel Mill

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama officially opened the new 400 thousand dollar Bio -fuel Mill in Nacamaki – Koro, this morning. The mill is expected to contribute greatly to the Koro economy, particularly in helping revive the copra industry there. Our reporter Eleanoa Osbourne is in Koro and filed this report: “Government is excited with the bio fuel project as the multiplier effects will be huge. Opening Fiji’s first bio-diesel mill in Nacamaki–Koro this morning Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says the benefits to the villagers will be enormous and will contribute to national development.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

March, 2010

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Afghan society concerned over kil ing of civilians

BURLINGAME, CA 94101

Dr. Laura first AfroAmerican to address Fiji Business Forum Future seminars will be held under AIM banner at the Fiji Open Forum!

HAYWARD – Speaking at the third Fiji Open Forum seminar held at the Weekes Library Feb 22, guest speaker Dr. Laura Lyons told the group that part of communication involving reward verses punishing as key to obtaining results. An author and motivational speaker, Dr. Laura is former Dean of Merritt College in Oakland. The seminar opened with an overview on Business Communication by the Fiji Sun editor, a management development specialist and Fellow of AIM- American Institute of Management. It was followed by a presentation on Dr. Pillay explains understanding defensive mechanism in interpersonal communication Dr. Alfred Pillay, a practicing psycho therapist led a discussion on defensive mechanism we are all are prone to using as part of our communication technique. Dr. Pillay explained that a good understand of the mechanism helps understand people and their motivation better and helps in counseling and coaching workers in the business world.

Sophia Omari of Café Sophia hosted luncheon meeting at Paradise Mission Banquet to raise awareness

HAYWARD-Deeply horrified and moved by tragedy-stricken war victims back home, a series of meetings has been organized in the Bay Area to pull together support to end the Afghan war and enlist support to extricate women and children caught in the middle. A documentary on the Afghan war and in the involvement of the US Allied Forces was screened here for a small group of Rotarians, key Afghan leaders and news reporters. The documentary

featured extremely disturbing scenes of the after-math of this unnecessary in which women and children are greater victims as a father seen offering to sell his infant daughter to keep his

family alive. Nation-wide deepening concerns are mounting to exert pressure on Obama Administration to end this nasty, expensive and senseless war started by his predecessor.

Pastor in custody

A Pastor is in police custody over allegations he sexually assaulted six secondary school students during prayer meetings in the Northern Division. The pastor was taken from his village home in a district of Cakaudrove yesterday morning for questioning at the Savusavu Police Station. Police assistant spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed police were investigating the matter last week which led to the pastor’s arrest. He said no charges had been laid was still being questioned by police but added charges could be laid soon.

Insp Sokomuri said the report stated that the pastor used to hold payer meetings in his home which the girls attended between December last year and February.

Three of the girls are in Form Six, two in Form Five and one is in Form Four.

Bay Area singers and artist offer free performance for fundraiser for kidney transplant

Asian support higher education in pacific

FIJI NEWS

T

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) and “The financial the Indian Government have formed a support from partnership to support higher education services in the Pacific, beginning with the India aims to University of the South Pacific. leverage In“This co-financing agreement is the first support by the Government of India to develdia’s extensive opment in the Pacific and we are very pleased experience to be the partner of choice,” Keith Leonard, and technical regional director of ADB’s office in Fiji said.

“The financial support from India aims to leverexpertise in age India’s extensive experience and techniICT to help imcal expertise in ICT to help improve access to prove access higher education in the Pacific.” The Government of India through ADB will provide to higher edua $1.94 million grant to the initiative. The grant cation in the will directly support upgrading of the University of the South Pacific ICT network and prepare Pacific.” a larger investment project. Upon completion of the investment project, a large proportion of USP courses are expected to be available through ICT-based systems thus greatly increasing access and affordability of higher education.

While ICT-based education is increasingly in demand and being delivered in many Asian countries, many Pacific countries have limited access to ICT services. This is usually due to poor infrastructure, inadequate human resources, and a shortage of education materials. “The technical assistance project with USP will also provide more opportunity and access to higher education among youths in the Pacific,” Kiyoshi Nakamitsu, ADB education specialist said. Other key activities under the project include upgrading distance and flexible learning (DFL) program content with new ICT technology and possible increase of bandwidth. The ADB said more active academic partnerships with other educational institutions will also be established.

Rarasea finds his pot of gold

Landowner Jokatama Rarasea at his farm in Vesaru, Ba. JOKATAMA Rarasea of Vesaru in Ba has been a farmer since 2002. With a total of 54 acres, the 50-year-old aims to produce about 800 to 900 tonnes of cane this year.

This will be a leap from the 200 tonnes he produced last year.

"I know I can do it," Mr Rarasea said. He started off with six acres of land and the $10,000 given under the Farming Assistance Scheme.

With that money, he bought a tractor and all the farming implements he needed. Once a church leader in the community, he had a habit of yaqona drinking and laziness, which has changed since he started farming. Mr Rarasea realised he had to manage his time well if he was to have any kind of success. "Now if I have to drink grog, it only goes up to 10pm," he said. He works six days a week from dawn to dusk. Mr Rarasea's farm spoke volumes of his hard work. His three-bedroom farm house is also testimony to all that he has been up to.

No need for morning walks

March, 2010

CHILDREN of Nakawakawa Village in Wainunu, Bua will now no longer have to walk three kilometres to Daria Village to attend kindergarten. Last week the village started its own kindergarten with 25 students after concerns from villagers that three kilometres was too long a walk for five year olds. Although their mothers used to accompany them, most couldn't carry their children. The turaga ni yavusa Naniudrau of Nakawakawa Village, Iliesa Ratusaki, said he felt sorry for the children and women walking long distances to school so he called for a village meeting to discuss the possibility of having their own kindergarten. Mr Ratusaki Villagers of said although plans had started in 2007, the village didn't fulfill their responsibilities in buildNakawakawa committee ing a preschool. He said another committee was outside their new chosen towards the end of last year to help fulfill the kindergarten plan. The village committee followed normal procedures through the Ministry of Education which has resulted in their own preschool. Mr Ratusaki said women who used to accompany their children to the school would leave Nakawakawa at about 6.30am in order to arrive at school on time. He said the mothers would wait for their children to walk back with them at midday. Another concern raised at the village meeting, Mr Ratusaki said, was how the women would return at about 1pm from Daria with their children to start the household chores. Mr Ratusaki said the women would then cook lunch for their husbands and children before starting their daily chores such as washing and cleaning their homes.

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WORLD SPORTS

March, 2010

PCB imposes lifetime ban on Yousuf and Younis

NEW DELHI: Taking action on the players' poor performance on the recent Australian tour, Pakistan Cricket Board imposed life bans on former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan.

Another former captain Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved were banned for a year and allrounder Shahid Afridi has been fined for involvement in ball tampering. The probe was carried out after open rebellion by several players during the Australian tour.

Malik and Naved were also fined two million rupees ($23,500), wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was handed a fine of three million rupees ($35,200) and Umar Akmal, younger brother of

Kamran, was fined two million rupees ($23,500). Both the brothers have also been put on probation for six months.

Afridi was fined 3 million rupees ($35,200) for ball tampering during the one-day series

against Australia.

The reasons behind banning two of the most experienced cricketers (Younis, Yousuf) are still not known, but PCB said it would be making the inquiry committee's report public in few days.

Yousuf was under tremendous pressure and had to face flak from all quarters for one of the shoddiest performance by Pakistan during Australia tour in recent years.

Younis, who had earlier stepped down as the captain of the squad saying he was not able to control the team, was recalled into the team for the five one-day against the internationals Kangaroos but failed to click any of the matches.

India out from hocky WC

Message for Indian hockey: Adjust to European style or fall out

New Delhi: The message is loud and clear for Indian hockey: Quickly adjust to the European style of play to arrest the slide in international hockey. India’s chief coach Jose Brasa, a Spaniard, is trying his bit to mould India’s style of play into the European structure, but going by their style of play in the ongoing World Cup, it seems that the eight-time Olympic champions still have a long way to go.

Hockey World Cup

A trace of India’s European style of play was seen in the World Cup opener against arch-rivals Pakistan that they won 4-1. The Indians played beautifully interchanging their positions and that rattled the Pakistani defence. But in the second match, the Indians failed to match the speed and the agility of World No.2 Australia.

Against Beijing Games silver medallists Spain, Indians were at par with them in terms of performance by opening numerous scoring chances, but it was experience that made the difference in their 2-5 loss.

Brasa, who coached the Spanish women’s team to gold in 1992 Barcelona Olympics, has been modest in accepting that “miracles don’t occur overnight.”

Brasa feels that to adapt to hockey’s modern style, India will have to play more often against the European team.

“Our boys lacked the exposure. For half the boys in the side this World Cup is the biggest event they are ever playing. You can’t expect miracles in six months. We can only improve if we play consistently against the top teams in the world like the Netherlands, England, Germany and Spain,” Brasa said.

Beckham braced for emotional homecoming

MANCHESTER: Eighteen years after graduating from Manchester United's youth academy as part of the celebrated 'class of 92', David Beckham returns to where it all started.

Back then, the midfielder was just one more member of Manchester United's FA Youth Cup winning squad and still 18 months away from scoring his first goal for the club where he was to make his name. Fast forward the best part of two decades and the spring of 2010 finds him turning out for AC Milan in the late autumn of a career which has established him as a rival to Tiger Woods as the most famous sportsman on the planet. Floppy-haired flamboyance has given way to the chiselled elegance of early middle age, but the handsomeness that has helped make Beckham a global icon has not been withered by age. Few would say the same about his effectiveness as a footballer. Deployed in central midfield, Beckham floundered in Milan's 3-2 first-leg defeat, prompting United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to publicly question the judgement of his Milanese counterpart Leonardo.

Beckham and Ferugson, of course, have significant history.

One of the Scottish manager's dressing room rages left the player needing stitches for a wound inflicted, just above his eye, by a flying boot. Beckham did not last long at Old Trafford after that, Ferguson having grown tired of the celebrity circus that surrounded a player who scored 85 goals

in 394 matches for him, winning six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League in the process. But the acrimony that surrounded Beckham's 2003 departure for Real Madrid appears to have dissipated and Ferguson has recently endorsed his former player's claim to be part of England's World Cup squad in South Africa later this year, by which time he will have passed his 35th birthday.

Beckham, for his part, has never wavered from gracious acknowledgement of the United manager's role in his footballing, professional and personal development and, as a result, admits that Wednesday evening is unlikely to pass without a tear or two dropping on to the Old Trafford turf.

"Coming to terms with not being a United player was certainly the toughest thing I've ever had to deal with," Beckham said recently. "The relationship I have with the fans is still important to me. I

Triumphant ending for Vancouver Winter Games

VANCOUVER : The Vancouver Winter Olympics ended in spectacular triumph on Sunday with a closing ceremony that mixed traditional pomp with self-effacing humour and put the icing on 17 days of unrelenting drama and action.

The president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge declared the Games "excellent and very friendly" in a closing speech that also paid tribute to the Georgian luger who was killed in a training accident on the day of the Opening Ceremony. "We have shared the grief of an Olympic dream cut short. The memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili will always be with us," Rogge said before closing the Games and inviting the world's athletes to reassemble at Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Millions of Canadians had already begun celebrating long before the closing ceremony began after the host-nation defeated the United States 3-2 in a heart-stopping end to the men's ice hockey competition to capture a record 14th gold medal.

Sidney Crosby scored the winner after the Americans had equalised 24 seconds from the end of regular time to force the match into overtime and threaten to spoil the Canadian national party. "You dream of that moment a thousand times growing up," Crosby said.

"For that to come true is pretty amazing. The

LASTING MEMORY

hockey was one of just two medals decided on the last day of competition with Norway's Petter Northug winning the first in the men's 50km cross country ski race at Whistler after the closest ever finish to the lung-bursting event. Northug sneaked past Germany's Axel Teichmann right at the finish line to win the gold by just 0.3 seconds with Sweden's Johan Olsson taking the bronze.

Canada were already assured of finishing top of the standings for the first time at either a Winter or Summer Olympics but beating their American neighbours was the perfect ending for the hockey-crazy host nation.

"Our last one (gold) will be remembered

for generations," Vancouver's organising chief John Furlong said at the ceremony.

The Canadian victory set a new record for golds won at a single Winter Games, surpassing the previous mark of 13 jointly held by the Soviet Union (Innsbruck, 1976) and Norway (Salt Lake City, 2002).

The US also set a record for the most overall medals at a single Winter Olympics, finishing with 37, one more than Germany in 2002, but that was of little consolation to members of the beaten hockey team.

"It's the biggest game any of us has ever been in and it's devastating," American defenseman Jack Johnson said.

The final provided an unforgettable ending to the competition and transfixed the whole of North America with US President Barack Obama and Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper even wagering a case of beer on the outcome. Vancouver was transformed into a sea of red and white maple leaf flags and sweaters as thousands of people flooded into the central business district in preparation for the most eagerly awaited match of the Games. Every restaurant and bar was packed to overflowing after patrons queued for more than four hours to get the best seats while local television broadcast pictures of American and Canadian troops in Afghanistan watching the game.

The party atmosphere continued at the closing ceremony at BC Place with the hosts poking fun at themselves in a two-hour extravaganza that was laced with self-effacing humour. Michael J. Fox and William Shatner mocked their countrymen's penchant for politeness while giant inflatable beavers and moose joined in an game of hockey that took an irreverent view of the country's obsession with the sport.

There were some more sombre moments.

Figure skater Joannie Rochette carried Canada's flag after winning a bronze despite still grieving the sudden death of her mother

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

An old, long-running relationship could be sparkling back to life, or a new relationship will come into your life that just puts the twinkle back in your eyes. You could get sudden financial gains as well. Sometimes you spend more money, so you have to watch there aren’t unexpected losses.

April-21 to May-20

Whatever tensions there may have been recently in your emotional life may come out into the open, but that is all to the good. They will set you free in the long term and allow you to go off and do the things that you really need to do for yourself. Be careful about huuredly leaping into situations.

The Moon at the lowest point in your chart today could help you to understand how you’ve got into one or two emotional muddles. Now you can begin to see that you acted without thinking things through clearly.

And with more understanding you can prevent yourself ending up in this place in future.

Today you sense that companions around you are very preoccupied. They are all tied up in what they are doing, and you just want to disappear into your own space to think things through. Your need to be generous may get in the way of common sense and security.

You may be spending money like mad, and then suddenly wishing you hadn’t bothered. You will find that you have got much more sparkling relationships with friends, neighbours and other people around. You want to be one of a gang, one of a crowd, but not crowded.

TAURUS

GEMINI

May-21 to June-21

You are likely to go off and flirt. You want to be around people who are going to be light-hearted and rather more exciting. Clearly not a very good day for doing anything solid and sensible and routine. You want that rather electrical quality in life which puts all the neon lights on, as it were.

LEO

July-24 to August-23

SCORPIO

October-23 to November-22

AQUARIES

January-21 to February-19

VIRGO

August-24 to September-23

A family member or loved one may be inclined to lean on you today. You must make sure you are not being a martyr to save others. Make them stand on their own two feet. This Moon comes round once a month and shakes you into activity to sort out your finances.

SAGITTARIUS

November-23 to December-22

Maybe you are feeling dissatisfied at the moment, or muddled with the way that things seem to be going. You don’t know how you want to appear to other people, or indeed what you really want for yourself. So just leave well alone for a couple of days and everything may become clearer.

PISCES

February-20 to March-20

March, 2010

27

If you have been feeling that you need to add a little sparkle and fun to your closest relationship, then now is the time to go do it.

Waken things up that have become dull and routine. If you are too insecure, it could make you a little edgy because you’re scared of letting go.

If you’ve got a long-running emotional relationship, the present influence comes along and just shakes it up a little bit, and if you’re hanging on too much for security, it sometimes feels a little bit insecure. But on the other hand, it opens you up and lets a blast of fresh air blow through things.

You need to feel that you belong, so look for reassuring companions who will give you support and be an anchor for you. Try to avoid overeating because you will want to pamper yourself. You may find it difficult to communicate clearly today. Neptune is floating around causing a bit of a smokescreen.

Today you are the one at the centre of the group at work who really makes things work for everyone. Though you really would much prefer to escape into your inner dream world because the outside world seems very inadequate at the moment. By all means give yourself quiet time to reflect.

Fiji Students’ Oratory Contest

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HEALTH

March, 2010

Dealing with cholesterol level Do your test reports reveal a high cholesterol level?

Here’s how to get it under control...

GET MOVING

Half an hour of physical activity on a regular basis goes a long way in lowering your cholesterol levels. If you indulge in a vigorous exercise, such as jogging, experts suggest that even 20 minutes thrice a week is enough. A tip for starters is not to carry on for 30 minutes at a stretch.

You may break down the exercise to three intervals of 10 minutes each.

If you hate exercising, or feel that gyming is too boring, go for a walk.

EAT OUT WISELY

When you are eating out, it

A

Dieting doesn’t have to mean giving up taste, and that’s for real, nutritionists say. A few tips:

ll of us experience problems, some big and some so small that they are important only to us.

Over a period of time, these problems tend to return and create new problems for us. This happens because our subconscious minds record every feeling and action, making them memories in a deeper part of ourselves.

Remember the many times you were driving while deep in thought, and suddenly you realised that you had driven home? Or when you reacted in a certain way to someone or some episode that reminded you of some incident, pleasant or unpleasant, in the past?

Our subconscious minds are very powerful and are responsible for our impulsive reactions and all our habits.

The subconscious is different from intuition. The subconscious mind does many things at the same time and knows the answer to all things. It is from the subconscious that every great artist, musician, philosopher and scientist draws his or her power. The powerful subconscious mind builds our bodies and health and continues to run our entire lives. The only reason the body starts to deteriorate or becomes ill is due to subtle changes in thoughts as time passes by.

The truly amazing thing is that our sub-

becomes all the more imperative to stay cautious. Restaurants have a habit of supersizing everything. Stay clear of fried food as much as possible. Go for boiled, baked or steamed food. Also, ask for the sauces to be served at the side and not mixed with your food. Most of these sauces are high in sodium and calories.

DON’T STRESS Stress directly affects your cholesterol levels and can also lead to high blood pressure. Try and reduce your stress levels with relaxation techniques such as meditation

Try chicken instead of bacon, for example. Use extra flavourings and vegetable toppings to boost the flavour of meat dishes.

SUBSTITUTE MEATS

Use half the amount of frosting on cakes or replace it with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Put fewer chocolate or peanut butter chips into cookies — you’ll still get the flavour.

In place of lemonade, squeeze fresh lemon into a glass of water.

For a lower-calorie ‘juice’, stir in a sugar-free mix.

Use one egg white and one whole egg instead of two whole eggs in scrambles and omelets. The yolk is higher in calories.

Most baked goods do fine with a third to a half less oil or butter.

Make gradual cutbacks and experiment with healthier ingredients. Use nonstick pans and cooking spray.

Swap half the white flour in recipes for the whole-wheat version. Pasta, rice and bread also come in tasty, fibre-rich wholewheat versions.

FLAVOUR YOUR WATER

CUT THE FAT IN RECIPES

INNER HEALING

conscious minds affect our bodies and all the organs and can heal any illness or health problem. If we anticipate that healing will be long, difficult or impossible, then that's what it will be. If we anticipate that emotional healing will be available, easy, fast, then that's what it will

CUT DOWN ON HIGH-FAT EXTRAS

EMPHASISE EGG WHITES

GO WHOLE WHEAT

be. Here's a famous saying: "Think you can, or think you can't, and either way you'll be correct."

All pain - physical, emotional or spiritual - begins and is maintained by a factor of resistance. This is resistance to acknowledging that the problem exists. If we don't acknowledge the problem, it will persist. But when we release our resistance, healing will begin. The subconscious mind pushes the conscious mind to act on what we deeply believe in.

People who suffer from low self-esteem or similar issues constantly act in ways that endorse their feelings about themselves. They may blame the external environment but the truth is that they perform actions that are congruent with a low self-esteem. Many people are unable to drop bad habits even if they promise to. That's because they're not ready or convinced about dropping the bad habit. One way to influence the subconscious mind is to make positive affirmations. If you are aware of the subconscious mind and make sure that your 'intention' and 'action' match, you can open up the dormant powers of the subconscious. This will help you achieve a healthier balance in your inner mind.

Healing can be rapid and profound when it comes from the subconscious mind.

and yoga. A simple way out to reduce stress levels is to exercise deep breathing.

EAT MORE BEANS

You cannot rule out carbohydrates completely from your diet because they are important sources of energy for the body. However, some sources of energy are better than the others. For example, beans and whole grains have more fibre and less sugar. Hence, they play an important role in bringing down the risk of diabetes while simultaneously controlling the body’s cholesterol level. White bread, potatoes, etc do just the opposite.

Organic food makes for a healthy diet T

he reason is simple, organic foods such as vegetables and other products are grown in specific conditions without permitting the usage of synthetic pesticides. Thus, after certification, the labelled organic foods are considered safer for consumption by most health experts.

The pros and cons : Organic foods do not contain dangerous pesticides. Although studies show that the minimal amounts of residues of chemical pesticides found on non-organically grown foods are not dangerous to one’s health. Studies also cite that children who maintain conventional diets have more pesticides in their bodies than those who eat organic foods. Organic food advocates also claim that organic foods are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods. Organic farms are much more compatible with wildlife and land conservation programmes.

The cost : Organic foods are more expensive to grow than conventionally grown foods and that cost shows up in the higher prices in the grocery store.

More and more people around the world are opting for organic food to maintain a healthy diet.

March, 2010

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PHOTO GALLERY

March, 2010

SAN BRUNO MANDIR CELEBRATES SHIV RATRI

FAAG CELEBRATION AT MODEST RAM MANDIR

Celebrating with a ride down memory lane

F

rom left Iva Tavui,76; Virisila Tuvou, 76; Merelita Lolokula, 90; Iliana Roqoroqogone, 78; and Keyasi Loma, 85 at the Fiji Times during their visit yesterday. Picture: ATU RASEA FIVE elderly women from Korovisilou Village in the province of Serua celebrated International Women's Day in style when they were taken for a ride to the capital their first in 20 years. The women in their 70s, 80s and 90s shed tears when their minibus made its way through the city as they recalled their younger days. There was pin-drop silence as they marvelled at some of the taller buildings in Suva in disbelief.

They paid a visit to Government House, Parliament, the Fiji Times office and cruised around the city before making their way to Nausori. The women ended up at Nausori Airport after stopping over at Lelean Memorial School.

For the past few years the women all of whom are greatgrandmothers have been a pillar of strength for their families, carrying out daily rural chores with gusto.

They looked after the kitchen, helped their husbands on the farms and took their children to school. A few of them have been the sole breadwinner after their husbands died. "For all those years they had been staying in the village without realising what Suva had to offer. They cried when they reached Suva. I can't recall how many times they cried while I took them around," said Josefa Rokobatitini. Mr Rokobatitini said he wanted to give the women a break. For 90 year-old Merelita Lolokula the trip was worthwhile and would be best remembered. "There are a lot of changes. I can't even figure out when was the last time I visited Suva," said Mrs Lolokula. Upon returning, they visited two elderly women of their age telling them about what had changed since their good old days.

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT

Completion of “Pyasa ya Pyar”

A

n event was organized to show sneak preview of the up-coming bollywood movie (95% finished) by Gajendra a new rising Bollywood Director, Story writer, Lyrics writer, Screenplay writer, and Actor Gajendra is making a Bollywood movie right here in Hollywood with talent from bay area people and Bollywood expertise. This event was to show his hard work and efforts towards completing the movie and to reach out to bay area financers.

Talking about the movie Gajendra said "For the theme of

the movie, I can say right now is that the movie shows many different aspects of "Love" in the life of man and woman and how circumstances do change the feel of love." For more information please visit www.balaxfilms.com and give me your input and comments. After the preview of the movie people enjoyed some music from the same movie.

Among attendees were Robbie Michaelson and Dr. Laura Lyons, Fiji Sun editor Dr. Koya, Mrs Sarita Sharma and daughter Shiksha Sharma.

Update by - KIRAN, Coordinator, BalaxFilms

Fiji Awards night tipped for June 2010

T

his Fiji Sun sponsored award night will honor the best of the best with many surprises. Fiji Sun first presented FIJI AWRADS NIGHT in 1993 during its infancy. This was on hold for number years for a variety of reasons. In the recent years many changes took place and the Fiji American community has come along ways where it has become necessary to bring back the show both for recognition and entertainment. An awards committee has been working in the quiet obtain nominations and preparing data sheets for recognitions.

March, 2010

31

Join Us

We will be hosting our next meeting via telephone/online.

We will be discussing "How Fiji Americans were undercounted in the 2000 US Census?" and "What steps we can take to make sure Fiji Americans are NOT undercounted or mislabeled in the 2010 US Census?"

SAAZ AUR AWAAZ

whole day recording of bhajan...

Winner of a number of national awards, top Bay Area Hindi Radio show “ Saaz Aur Awaaz” hosted by Arun and Roshini Chauhan celebrated 20 years of wonderful service and entertainment they have been providing to thousands of their listeners. Saaz Aur Awaaz can be heard 24hrs on the internet. Arun and Roshni Chuhan did a whole recording of Bhajan Sangeet at Fiji Sweets & Snacks as part of their celebration.

The recordings will be played on air so tune into SAAZ AUR AWAAZ for your entertainment.

Neel Narayan reaching for higher goals

Contributing Writer Crystal Singh

with a career high of 50 points in a single game. It was during these times that Narayan’s parSan Jose, CA - The San Jose ents had finally realized that their City College (SJCC) Jaguars are ultimate decision to listen to their victoriously maneuvering son was without regret. through the season undefeated.

Not only is Narayan’s love for Thanks, in no small part, to the sport vividly conveyed sophomore Shaneel (Neel) through each game, his dedicaNarayan. The 20 year old, who tion to doing well is admirable. grew up in Hayward, CA, is Narayan was named as the clearly demonstrating 2 0 0 9 - 2 0 1 0 his diligence and love Conference Player Narayan is working of the Year, while for basketball through his repeated 20 points toward receiving a averaging recognition as per game, and is SJCC’s leading scorDivision 1 basketball currently ranked as er for the 2009-2010 the “Top 50 JC scholarship in season.

Basketball Players His fervor for the in California” - an o s t y h p e o s o m e d a sport began at the accomplishment tender age of 5 and play professionally unlike any in his has continued ever career thus far. in either the NBA or since.

Although Narayan is workNarayan was raised ing toward receiving overseas. All the amongst a soccer a Division 1 basketfamily, he was driven ball scholarship in while, he is focusto basketball through hopes to someday ing on earning the influence of his play professionally favorite player, in either the NBA or his degree.

Michael Jordan. With overseas. All the such adamancy to while, he is focusing play the sport, his on earning his supportive parents, Ashok and degree. Narayan is adamant on Sheila Narayan, allowed him to being a good role model to his pursue his passion by enrolling younger brother as well as the him in organized basketball at younger children in his communithe age of 8. Narayan played ty. Basketball has played an varsity basketball for 2 years at essential role for Narayan, as it Tennyson High School and has taught him team work, discibecame recognized as the most pline, good work ethic, time manvaluable player during his senior agement, humility, and respect year. His recognition was not sur- all characteristics of which can prising as he was continuously be applied to the successful averaging 21 points per game, essence in life!

32

March, 2010

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Fiji seeks more Sri Lankan judges

ORE Sri Lankan magistrates and judges are headed Fiji's way as Chief Justice Anthony Gates conducts interviews with possible recruits to bolster the short-staffed judiciary. The AttorneyGeneral's office confirmed Justice Gates is in Sri Lanka looking for possible candidates. In his absence, Justice Daniel Goundar is acting chief justice. Since the suspension of the judiciary in April 2009, Sri Lanka has been a recruiting ground for the judiciary. The shortage of judges and magistrates has created a vast backlog of cases with hearing dates for High Court cases fast filling the calendar.

Dismissed magistrate Mary Muir had given out all her 2010 dates for trials as well.

The drive for judicial officers is similar to that Justice Gates undertook in August last year when he met Sri Lankan Chief Justice Asoka de Silva and Attorney General Mohan Peiris to discuss his recruitment mission.

Following the meeting, Justice Gates conducted interviews. Justice Gates served as a volunteer teacher as a VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) in Sierra Leone and Sri

Lanka before joining Fiji's Director of Public Prosecutions office in Fiji in 1977. The judiciary, which includes the State prosecution services and the Legal Aid Commission, is also in need of lawyers. According to the Sri Lanka Sunday Times, judicial officers from that country have obtained leave from the Judicial Services Commission there to take up two-year assignments in Fiji.

Justice Gates has been in Sri Lanka since February 21 and the Daily Mirror reports he has interviewed more than 70 judicial officers willing to take up work in Fiji.

"We cannot say how many are to be recruited but there would be more than one or two," Justice Gates told the newpaper. "Initial contracts will be for two or three years depending on the leave the applicants can obtain.

But there are possibilities to go high and get promotions in the Fijian judiciary. "Among those interviewed were well-educated, post graduates and experienced lawyers and judicial officers." At present seven Sri Lankan judicial officers serve here, including as prosecutors for FICAC

S

Shiksha Sharma to perform in “Dasavtar”: Ohlone College

hiksha is a proud student of Nataraj School of Dance, founded in 1997 by Ms. Sima Chakraborty; a gold medalist in Odissi Dance from India.

Nataraj School of Dance aims to spread the art of Odissi dance through its students. Odissi dance is one of seven Indian classical dances.

This year's Nataraj School of Dance annual show is "Dasavatar" - representing the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The performers will come

together to depict the different forms Lord Vishnu took to save the Earth from calamity. Shiksha is one of the senior students of the School and has developed her graceful techniques under her guru, Sima Chakraborty’s training. Ms. Chakraborty stated that Shiksha continues to hone her talent and she makes a strong contribution to the School.