Fijisun jul 13

Usa

l vol-22

l issue-5

l July

l www.fijisun-usa.com

l 510-677-4488

I was not avoiding ...

Actress Shruti Hassan, who has made aplace for herself in the southern film industry, says she was not avoiding Bollywood and commitments down south kept her busy. Shruti made her debut in Hindi films with a cameo appearance in her father Kamal Hassan's...

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Vacationing navtarang naVtarang Fiji Fiji radio Vacationing radioprogram programdirector director Satya Sun team, team,San SanFranciSco Francisco Satyanand nand with withFiji Fiji Sun ModI rISkS CBI ChargeS

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ased on news sources in India, PJB forerunner for 2014 Prime Minister’s post, Narendra Modi runs the risks for being charged in the alleged Fake Encounter charges. In the wake of CBI charges of seven top Gujarat police officer in what is terms as ISHRAT murder case that happened on Modi’s watch as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi is a likely candidate for charges in the case.

The whiTe heard

(L-r) Media: consultant dr. arun Chauhan, dr. h koya Fiji Sun US editor-publisher and Fiji Soccer administrator and a famous Bay area businessman atend Singh. See full story on page 2).

Maunatul Islam US members celebrate Ratib Hajji Mohammed Aiyub adds amazing meaning

The white beard and black beard personalities mentioned in the reports, the white beard is in reference to Modi. Keep in mind Modi was denied US visa earlier this year because of the killings in the riots in Gujarat in 2008. advani’s decenT Despite evading press inquiries if Modi was going to be a BJP frontrunner for 2014 elections, all facts came out in open when he was appointed the campaign chairman to which BJP stalwart L K Advani strong exceptions and resigned from all posts. Advani was eventually persuaded to take back his resignation but his body language at a top BJP meeting did not display and significant pleasure as he remained pretty tensed and did not share direct glances with Modi. Modi has positioned himself for the next PM’s position which Advani may have been aspiring for as a BJP leader.

LaThroP- A more than three-hour recital of Ratib is very ;popular among the Malayalam Fiji Muslims settled in US. For the longest time has been merely a recital led by a main cleric in the community who often did not know the meaning of the Arabic words. Hajji Mohammed Aiyub, however, has taken it a new level as he churns out the translation of the Arabic.. ( See InSIde Page ISLaM Today),

Fiji PM arrives in Solomon Islands Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama arrived in the Solomon Islands this morning ahead of celebrations marking the nation’s 35 years of Independence.

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ainimarama was met by cabinet ministers, and is expected to meet the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Gordon Darcy Lilo later today.

FBC Journalist Akosita Talei is in Honiara and files this report. _"Prime Minister Bainimarama and his delegation landed

at Honiara this morning and was met by the Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs.

He’s also met with their Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Police and National Security. Bainimarama is expected to meet the governor General Frank

Kabui at government House later today and also the Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo before they leave for the cemetery at Varamata for the wreath laying ceremony of five veteran soldiers who were buried here during the war. A welcome dinner will be held later this evening.

Fiji Sun iS now on FaceBooK For aLL

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FiJi SUN editORiAL StAFF

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FiJiSUN

himalayan TSunami

the wORSt hUMAN tRAGedy iN hiStORy 50,000 displaced and evacuated. Over 10,000 feared dead or swept in the floods, A reminder of the days of Ark of Noah when people were drowned in flood water for refusing to believe in Noah as a prophet of God!

H. Koya (PhD) editor-Publisher

robbie Michaelson Contributing writer

Dr. Marion Sanchez Sports & Psychology editor

Po boX 54691 Hayward, Ca 94544

1-800-757-6619 www.fijisun.org email: fijisun@gmail.com

DEHRADUN: With the majority of pilgrims evacuated from Badrinath, disposal of bodies lying in affected areas and transportation of relief material to locals in flooded villages on Sunday posed a fresh challenge to authorities in Uttarakhand. Uncertainty prevailed on the 15th day of the calamity over the number of people killed with conflicting casualty figures doing the rounds. 200 more pilgrims were evacuated from Badrinath to Joshimath on Sunday in five choppers amid government claims of only 500 remaining there with

Army soldiers use a stretcher to carry an elderly pilgrim from an IAF helicopter at Joshimath on June 29, 2013, after he was evacuated from Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

(AFP photo)

enough food material, medicines and doctors to take care of them. Supplying foodgrains to affected villages is proving to be an onerous task for the administration now as trucks loaded with relief material are stuck at different places in the city in the absence of roads which suffered extensive damage in the floods, official sources said.

Disposal of bodies in worst-hit Kedarnath valley is going on but the process is slow due to erratic weather conditions, DIG Sanjay Gunjyal told PTI. There was no clarity over the number of people killed in the

disaster with chief minister Vijay Bahuguna saying it may be beyond 1,000 and state assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal claiming the figure may cross the 10,000 mark. None of the ideas sound practicable in light of the fact that this has been very heavy monsoon rain, heavy landslides and unprecedented rainfall in the Himalayas that caused a furious flood water down the valleys bringing with it boulders and huge rocks that devastated buildings and things that came its pathways.

Satya Nand - Navtarang Radio Fiji program director with Fiji Sun US team SaN brUNoSpeaking to Fiji Sun TV, Satya Nand said he comes to Bay Area for his vacation taking a break from his hectic radio hosting program. Satya has worked for Navtarang for twent five years. In his 25 year broadcasting career, Satya has seen at all from newscaster to being producer and director. Navtarang is a private enterprise where employees can be shareholders as well. It is 24/7 radio channel that can be heard on the internet all over the world. It runs a different shits AM/Evening

(Above: Dr. Arun Chauhan, Fiji Sun US editor H. Koya, Satya Nand program director of Navtarang in Fiji and Atendra Singh, Bay Area businessman and Fiji soccer leader.)

and Graveyard shifts with announces working 4 to six

hour-shift depending on program demands. As a

program director, Satya ensures all shifts run effec-

tively as well overseeing the advertising, news coverage and special events.

As part its community service, Navtarang hosts walkathon fundraisers for disasters in Fiji. Satya has the distinction of doing a non-stop 58 hour campaign for recent floods Fiji.Satya is very excited about his radio broadcasting career which he feels is glamorous with wide popularity among Navtarang listeners. Part of our interview also includes a segment for our Fiji Sun TV show that will be on you tube soon.

Rebuilding Alliance group in San Mateo Hello Dr. Koya SaHeb It was nice talking to you this morning. You always supported me and my missions for peace and that gave me the courage to call you again. Now I am working with Rebuilding Alliance a nonprofit organization located at 178 South Blvd., San Mateo Ca. 94402.

The web-site is http://www.rebuildingalliance.org /. This coming Saturday we have our re-grand opening from 11.00am to 6.00pm. There will be food, music and speakers. I am looking forward to see you Saturday if it is not too late to invite you or after reviewing the web-site, if would be possible to meet and explore what we can do together in Palestine or Afghanistan.

Sophia omar You may recognize Sophia Omar as the distinguished owner and chef of the very popular Sophia’s Café in Palo Alto.

There is so much more to this remarkable woman: Six months after 9/11, Sophia Omar returned to her native Afghanistan for the

•

film screenings; Joyce Quinn, originally from Sonoma, filled the flower boxes with hearty geraniums!

ThiS SaTurday, we inviTe you To our open houSe, 11am To 6pm, for: • first time in 23 years. She used her own money to start a 2-room medical clinic in Kabul and recruited additional resources from Rotary International, CURE, and Assist International, and enabled the clinic to expand into what is today the largest hospital and center of medical training in Afghanistan! Sofiya established the Rotary Club in Kabul, the Rotary Club of Hayward Sunset with the Afghan community in Hayward, and formed a foundation with Rotarians called De SolayDaywa, which runs a training center for widows, including a bakery and a knitting / embroidery center that provide income

for the women and their families.

Of special note, Sofiya is one of the only women ever elected to Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga.

Sophia makes good things happen! Yes, Grand RE-Opening!

When RA bravely signed a 2 year lease for our expanded workspace, magic began to happen: • Artist Derman, originally from Turkey, painted our storefront; • Green Standards in Toronto donated a shopful of new furniture; • Designer Rima Nasser, originally from Nazareth, flew in to bring our space to life with a stage for speakers and

• •

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Delicious food from Al Bayk Restaurant; Palestinian and Folk musicians; Guest speakers including at 1:30PM Sumbul Ali-Karmali, author of The Muslim Next Door, and at 3pm, a call from the road from Frank Simcic who is biking crosscounty to raise awareness about building schools in distant rural lands. His group builds schools in India, ours in Palestine.

We'll also have displays describing Rebuilding Alliance's many programs and ways to help!

Opportunities abound: » Software coders & community organizers to develop

a new way to contact Congress, part of our US Movement to Save Palestinian Villages; » People who love Fair Trade to help with Table events, tastings at stores, marketing & product promotion, Ramadan gift baskets; » Writers – to interview our network and tell our rebuilding stories; » Architect and structural engineers who want to experiment with architectural fabric because Caltrain gave us permission to replace the barn behind our shop; » People who love learning software and doing data processing, to join our Gratitude team; » Visiting teachers for the kindergarten in Al Aqaba; » Event Planners to organize and promote weekly speaking events; and » A Speaking Tour Coordinator to help organize the SF book tour with the authors of The Gaza Kitchen.

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July-2013

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LOCAL NEWS

LIVING LONGER WITH QUALITY

By Dr. Marion A. Sanchez Extending our lives is not a fantasy. It is a reality we can achieve. We are born then we die. How long we extend the time in between is a choice we do have. What we do inextending with quality is in our very own hands. The selections we make regarding our food intake and the physical activities we engage in are the prime factors to arrive at our goal of a longer and healthy life.

We are constantly bombarded with temptations of “delicacies” we “must” have and activities in which we must engage.

Money and more money is the bottom line to most of these offers. Fortunately we do have some very honest offers of “good for you foods”.

Probably the best advise came from grandma, “eat lots of fruits and vegetables and be selective of” other foods. Even though they did not use the

words “Mediterranean diet” it pretty much sums up their intake suggestions.

One of the most prominent scientist and author of books on radically extending the human healthy life span is Aubrey de Gray He inherited 16 million when his mother died. Aubrey donated 13 million dollars to an organization dedicated to erasing human aging.

On February 13th the founders of Google and Facebook joined forces to back huge money prizes for research aimed at extending human life. There are other multi-millionaires supporting biomedical research.

The single purpose in de Greys life is to extend the living time for humans. Regardless of race, religion, and gender or political affiliation most people will agree that living a happy healthy life for a long time is better than illness and dying at a needlessly young age.

As a researcher I promote and follow these edicts. I do this not only for health, but for the enjoyment within.

Basketball is my favorite with track and tennis as second and third favorite. I have a world record in the 300 meter hurdles at age 63. Specific training is required to go for world records. High jump is my favorite track event. Recently I won the high jump in a Senior Master meet at Chabot College. It is a great feeling to see all “older” competitors in great shape and running in superior fashion.

They truly represent living longer with quality. Germany, Russia, South Africa and Australia plus hosts of other countries compete. I have traveled to about ten countries and stayed with Rotarian friends. I hosted several athletes from many countries. Life is a wonderful and healthy experience, but it is up to us to make it a reality.

By: Dr. Marion A. Sanchez U.S.A.Soccer becomes really big time in the Bay Area.

Prime choice for Television and Radio are the latest soccer matches all over the nation. Stanford University tops the headlines in the U.S.A... July 6th. Is a big mark on our soccer calendar?Spartan Stadium will host the super soccer team from Mexico. It is an all Mexico doubleheader that leads into a summer of big time soccer.

This is not a first in our Bay Area, but certainly one of the all-time biggest in both numbers and popularity. I recall being in Mexico a few years in the past when U.S.A. and Mexico were in the final playoff match. My friend and I are both from the states andwere feverishly rooting for the U.S.A. Big mistake in a Mexican bar with a huge T.V. strictly monitored to feature the BIGGEST match of the year. We had a stretched out bet of four to one Mexico over the U.S.A. We extended our lung power and enthusiasm when we scored. The looks we were given spelled“Danger”, “Danger”, you are rooting for the wrong team!” We got the message

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SUPER SOCCER SPECIAL I recall being in Mexico a few years in the past when U.S.A. and Mexico were in the final playoff match. My friend and I are both from the states andwere feverishly rooting for the U.S.A. fast. I have in mind a very pointed memory during a previous match of a whiskey bottle flying through the air and clobbering a person near to

me. With this clearly in mind we silently cheered under our breath. We managed, following the match to make friends and discuss the details of the match. Our winnings provided cash for all the drinks we bought. Griadalayaiss Chivas also known as Club Depotivo is scheduled to run into the powerful and popular Pumas from Mexico City. The U.S.A. schedule will vary depending on their win and loss record. Cruz Azul will be matched with Monarcus Morelia. This match is scheduled for Wednesday, at 5:00 p.m. They represent the kickoff match. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com.

This tournament will feature likely the most popular and host the largest attendance ever i

FIJI FESTIVAL AND FAITHS

By: Dr. Marion a.

Sanchez an amazing celebration is being observed. The Fiji festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 5th& 6th, 2013. Food, dancing and speeches draw the fancy not only of Fijians but a mixture of many groups. as i am writing this article mostly regarding this particular festival i am clearly reminded by no one other than my personal self of the similarities in a variety of cultures, ethnic groups and religions.

These titles seem to be the most important description and definition of people with their own mode of celebrations. i find more likenesses than differences. During my counseling career at chabot college i formed a group of 10 persons in, so called “different cultures”, i am not certain the word culture specifies the differences in my selection. My group consisted of

afghani, indian, (from indio), asian, hispanic, and a variety of different groups as specified by society. if you think i am mixed up – you’re right, but truly it is a beautiful “mix-up”.

My discovery was that there we’re more likenesses in the groups than differences. culture, dancing, eating, sexuality and a host of other issues prevailed. it was a pleasant surprise to my group that they discovered more sameness than differences. This group was a wonderful experience for me. in addition i often counseled with young men and women (boys and girls) in a very personal way. For many it was the first time they were able to talk of very personal concerns.

Becoming more “americanized”, was for some not only an individual challenge but a group concern. obedience to parental rules, religions,

and to ethnic “laws” loomed large in their minds. i did not have a lot of answers to their personal concerns but their openness in expressing themselves was a new experience and awesome. They discovered many answers by simply stating their concerns. an interesting issue is that there was more commonality than differences in their personal concerns. FaiTh is the one word that describes the best definition in their

concerns. Faith covers the religious, ethnical, and cultural beliefs. in my travels to russia, australia, South africa and other countries my belief in the word Faith is the best description of the people i was able to get to know really well.

SaMeneSS is the other word that comes to mind. i discovered, at least for myself, that the differences not only between“groups” are equaled by the differences

within groups. i was fortunate in russia and the republic of Georgia to conduct groups in personal relationships.

My Translators learned a great deal also. not all goes well at times in these groups due to heated discussions in what they were taught and what they truly believed. had occasion at one time to be praised and critized by members of “my own” group for taking part in dancing during a wedding celebration. The comments came not from the group where i participated in their dancing fun, but from “my friends observing. i love dancing and could not resist joining the fun. i will do it again and again. The dancing was individualized and i laughed and danced with all the men and women totally enjoying ourselves. i truly respect customs where at times men dance with men and women with women. on one occasion i was invited to dance within

a circle of group dancing. i simply added a few arm waves and leg turns to simulate their “style” of dancing. it was a whole lot of fun for everyone participating. This happened in Pune, india. “hey” there’s the american who loves our dancing was a comment i heard more than once. again, very properly the word FaiTh, in loving dancing, discussion and simply participating with “groups” is the very best description of people and their honest feelings and desires. oh yes, i have my own definition for FiJi: FaiTh;inViGoraTinG, JUSTiceandinDiViDUaLi Ty. The letter a for aMericanS is aLLToGeTher. in a future article i will write a letter definition for a variety of FaiThS. Feeling, active, intelligence, Thoughtful, hosting, Special. as you may now conclude i love letters, words, and their proper uses.

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FIJI NEWS

July-2013

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Reborn Fiji Airways Hopes New Name Will Restore Its Allure At LAX Back in 1971, some marketing genius decided to change the name of the Fiji Islands’ national carrier from the easily distinguished “Fiji Airways” to the easily forgettable “Air Pacific.” Probably the best result of this ill-conceived move is that it provided the opportunity, 41 years later to change the name back as part of a total restructuring of the airline. On Monday July 1, the new Fiji Airways’ new A330 will make its first flight into the new Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. A U.S. brand launch is scheduled for July 8 at LAX. Fiji Airways operates daily service on the only U.S. route to Fiji.

The Air Pacific name “had no traction in the market,” said interim CEO Aubrey Swift, in an interview. “People didn’t know who we were. We tended to get confused with an air condition-

ing company.” The concept behind the 1971 switch was that management was looking to build a regional carrier, but “that didn’t materialize,” Swift said. “Now, we are a hub carrier out of Fiji and we’ve got a story we can build a brand around: an easy-to-market destination,

an idyllic, tropical island with an authentic and proud culture.”

Besides changing its name, Fiji Airways secured new aircraft including A330s seating 273 passengers (24 in business class) and enhanced the cabin interiors with new features including Fijiian art work and

new crew uniforms. The carrier’s principal competition, Swift said, comes from other Pacific carriers such as Hawaiian and Air Tahiti: they serve their island homes and, of course, proudly display those islands’ names.

The LAX/Fiji flight lasts about ten hours, several hours longer than the competitors’ flights.

That is one reason, Swift said, that Fiji Airways worked so hard to enhance its aircraft. The truth is that Air Pacific required more than a name change. When Virgin Australia boosted flying with low fares between Australia and Fiji in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Air Pacific was forced to reduce its own fares in its principal market: Australia accounts for about a third of the airline’s traffic, and Qantas is a 49% owner. In the three years ending in fiscal 2011, Air Pacific lost

about $63 million. But a restructuring that began in 2010 brought a net profit of $8.5 million in fiscal 2012. “We worked hard to turn a loss into a profit,” said Swift, a veteran of 28 years in the airline industry who started at British Airways and subsequently worked for Virgin Blue and in consulting before he joined Air Pacific in 2012.

“We had to get our pricing right, to make sure we (priced) as a leisure carrier,” he said.

“We had to re-engineer labor contracts to drive costs down. We increased utilization on our 737s to 11.5 hours (daily) from 8.5 hours. We increased loads from the mid60s (percentages) to the high 70s.” The last piece, he said, was modernization of the wide body fleet: the carrier bought three new A330s to replace Boeing BA +1.4% 747-400s.

AG : Fiji is very well positioned Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me much pleasure to be here. As you know it has become an annual event now in the lead up to our awards night that is in fact held every year to encourage, as the chairman said, and to give impetus to those companies, individuals or exporting Fijian products to the rest of the world, and those who are perhaps considering doing so. I think it's only appropriate for me to start talking about exports within the MSG context. As you know, the honourable prime minister is currently in Noumea where he is in fact handing over the chairmanship of the MSG after two years to New Caledonia. Within the past two years, there have been enormous strides made within the MSG context, in particular regarding the removal

of the mini items on the negative listing. The negative listing as some of you would know in fact meant that Fijian products were subject to various tariff controls by way of duty imposed on Fijian products. Fiji, in fact, was the only MSG country that allowed goods from other MSG countries to come in to Fiji duty-free.

We've been doing that now for years. But conversely, that wasn't the same for Fijian products.

In the past two years though, in particular with the past one year, that has significantly changed.

So for example, Papua New Guinea which has a much larger population than New Zealand, nearly double the size or close to doubling the size, has removed all goods from the negative list except three - sugar, salt and tuna. Don't ask me why about salt.

Business Class.

Economy Class.

Fiji Airways unveils new uniform, livery Fiji Airways, Fiji’s national airline, has unveiled its new cabin crew uniforms as part of its complete rebranding.

Earlier this week, the carrier relaunched worldwide as Fiji Airways, retiring its ‘Air Pacific’ brand. The striking new uniforms, stylised to the Fijian attire of Sulu Jaba and Bula wear, reflect vibrant aqua colours, to present a balance with the new Fiji Airways’ cabin interiors featuring sophisticated, earthy tones of Fiji. The aqua contrasts with the colour brown which now forms a key part of the airline’s brandmark and identity.

“The key requirements for our new uniforms were that

The new uniform at the official brand re-launch

they had to stay deeply rooted in the Fiji Airways’ brand and remain true to Makereta Matemosi’s stunning masi artwork,” said Aubrey Swift, Fiji Airways’ Acting CEO. The uni-

forms prominently feature three distinct masi motifs created by celebrated Fijian masi artist Makereta Matemosi. The Qalitoka symbolises the unity of people to complete a task,

Tama symbolising friendly service, and Droe, which means clear blue skies and cool breeze on beaches. The process to create the new Fiji Airways uniform started in March 2012.

Designer Alexandra Poenaru-Philp was selected from a pool of Fijibased designers after an extensive selection process.

Her initial ideas on the design received an overwhelming approval rating from a cross – section of the airline’s cabin crew and the Uniform Design Committee, which included personnel from the Fiji Airways’ Cabin Crew, Guest Services, Marketing and Corporate teams.

Fiji’s first capital becomes a World Heritage Area Residents of Fiji’s first capital, Levuka, hope that the town being declared a world heritage area will help boost the economy and tourism. The announcement by UNESCO was made in Cambodia over the weekend, and the Chief Executive of the town council says it’s the result of years of hard work. The list identifies places of special significance around the world with the aim of protecting them and Levuka is the first site in Fiji to appear on it.

Jamie Tahana reports: UNESCO’s Jing Feng says the town, and its low line of buildings among coconut and mango trees along the beachfront, was the first capital of Fiji, ceded to the British in 1874. He says Levuka is a rare example of a 19th-cen-

tury Pacific port settlement, and reflects the influence of local building traditions and those of a supreme naval power, resulting in a unique landscape.

“JING FENG: This site has been recognised for its outstanding universal value, being the first colonial capital of Fiji peacefully settled by the British, by the King, and then later also it reflects the interaction between the culture of the South Pacific and the European culture.”

The town was inscribed by UNESCO in Cambodia over the weekend, to the delight of the Fiji contingent in attendance. The Chief Executive of the Levuka town council, Suliana Sandys, says the listing is terrific news for both Levuka, and the rest of Fiji. She says the status is the result of decades of hard

work by the people of Levuka.

“SULIANA SANDYS: It’s terrific, people are still trying to get it to sink in, you know? It’s taken almost 30 long years.

People are shaking hands with one another. Our phone hasn’t stopped ringing, really. And for those who have been working long and tirelessly, they’re on cloud number nine, I might say.”

Suliana Sandys says Levuka has been in decline for years and she says the World Heritage status should give the town a much needed boost in both tourism and infrastructure.

“SULIANA SANDYS: Since they’ve redirected the shipping routes, that’s taken away some of the economic activities that used to be here, to Suva.

Levuka has, economically, died a slow

death - a slow, painful one, too. And all the people of the town decided that the only thing we had was a special brand of tourism, which was heritage.”

Jing Feng says as a World Heritage area, the Fiji government must do what it can to protect Levuka’s unique heritage.

He says UNESCO has asked the government to implement a decree to protect the world heritage site.

“JING FENG: The committee also asks further action by the state party of Fiji for its protection and management in terms of implementing the Fiji World Heritage decree and other specific requirements.” Suliana Sandys says, as a result of all of this, she expects tourism in the town to increase by about 20 percent.

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fiji NEWS

July-2013

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A proud Fijian history While the BSP Life brand is only two years old, it is one of the very few companies that has operated in Fiji for over 100 years. Accordingly it's operations have grown alongside our nation's development. » In 1876, the then Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited (CMLA) established its first representative office in Fiji, pioneering the life insurance industry in Fiji. The first policy was issued insuring the life of a barrister, Joseph Hector Garrick. » By the 1900s the CMLA brand was very much part of the Fiji landscape and its headquarters at Central Street in the heart of Suva as much a landmark of most Suva as the iconic Ivi tree which stands opposite it. It was not unusual for taxi drivers to use it as a point of reference for passengers who wanted a lift into the city. » In 1990, CMLA entered the health care market by acquiring Blue Shield (Pacific) Insurance Limited. » In 1994, it acquired the life business of National Mutual strengthening its life insurance business. » In 1996, CMLA demutualised

and became part of Colonial Limited (Colonial) gaining close to 29,000 shareholders.

Since then, over 14,000 shareholders have sold their shares realising the capital gains on their investment. Shareholders who kept their shares have benefitted from the significant increase in the share price since demutualisation.

In 1999, Colonial undertook several major initiatives: » Acquired 51 per cent of the then National Bank of Fiji and established Colonial National Bank. » Colonial set up an investment company, 'Colonial First State Investments' managing three unit trusts. » The most significant milestone that year was the establishment of Colonial as a locally registered company. The new company, Colonial Fiji Life Limited then replaced CMLA. » In 2009, Bank of South Pacific (BSP) acquired Colonial, both its bank and insurance operations. In 2011 the entity changed its name to BSP Life.

BSP Life's investments BSP Life's vision is to be the "leading provider of insurance products and services in Fiji".

Today BSP Life manages a strong and diversified investment and asset portfolio of $430 million, spread across commercial and residential properties, mortgages, shares, bonds and other financial instruments in the local market.

This includes ownership of Rooster Poultry, Suva Private Hospital and over 60 per cent stake in the Sofitel Resort on Denarau. BSP Life's Managing Director Malakai Naiyaga says, "Our investments are testimony to our confidence in Fiji. We are proud to invest locally and in this way, assist our economy grow for the benefit of all our people.

We've been a major investor for over a century and plan to expand our investment portfolio further as viable opportunities arise."

Here are a few things you should know about BSP Life's investments : » BSP Life ensures your premiums are invested in

secure and safe investments providing you with consistent returns. » It is mandated to manage a well-balanced and secure investment portfolio. This investment portfolio combined with BSP Life's experienced board and management team which includes expert actuarial support ensures that BSP Life is able to pay claims when they are due.

In the business of paying claims Since inception thousands of Fijians have benefitted from BSP Life insurance policies. Last year alone, the company paid out $40 million, with $35 million for life insurance and $5 million for health insurance.

A little more than 50 per cent of the life insurance payouts was for maturities.

This clearly demonstrates that customers are looking at Life Insurance as a serious savings vehicle and benefitting from the added returns when their policies mature.

BSP Life's managing direc-

tor, Malakai Naiyaga said, "As a business we are pleased to see that many of our customers are enjoying the full benefits of their investment and the added returns at maturity that assist them fulfil their life plans.

"We receive positive feedback each day of how policy holders have used their maturity payouts to enhance their lifestyles; business people who have used their funds to expand their business, parents who have used it to pay for tertiary fees or retired couples who have taken a well-earned holiday." On the Health insurance side, Mr Naiyaga added "We paid just under five million in claims assisting many families undergo much needed medical treatment to ensure they can continue to live normal lives.

We take our responsibility of being there when our customers need us most very seriously." BSP Life sets itself apart in the market as the only life insurer to offer declared bonuses on a compounding basis and free Accidental Death cover of up to $50,000 whilst proposals are being assessed.

NZ-Fiji relations exposed in top diplomat’s memoirs

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ore revelations about Wellington-Suva diplomacy have been exposed in a book launched in the New Zealand capital this week Thursday.

“The recollections of a former New Zealand High Commissioner to Suva, Michael Green, have just been published under the title Persona Non Grata .”

Michael Green, who died last year, was ordered out of Fiji in 2007 after the prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, accused him of meddling in the country’s domestic affairs - a charge New Zealand denies.

Michael Green’s widow, Gillian Green, told Sally Round being declared ’persona non grata’ did not so much hurt as disappoint her late husband.

GILLIAN GREEN: To be honest, I think he always knew that he had done nothing wrong.

Michael was not the sort of person to be rash or to make some sudden statement that he hadn’t thought through first, so I think he was quite confident that he’d done nothing wrong.

SALLY ROUND: Was this book about putting the record straight in that regard or was it about having a record of events at a very important time in Fiji?

GG: I think it was more about having a record about what happened. Because we went through a time that was actually quite hopeful in Fiji - 2005 and 2006 were really very hopeful.

People thought the election had gone reasonably well. There were a few niggles about fea-

tures of that election in 2006, but on the whole the external moderators were quite comfortable with the way it had gone.

And Fiji seemed to think, ’Right, we’ve weathered this election, we’ve elected another democratic government - we will survive’. And then six months later, of course, it’s all over.

SR: You were next-door neighbours to Commodore Frank Bainimarama. What was that like, on a personal level?

GG: (Laughs) We were. On a personal level it didn’t matter at all. We used to make a joke because we had a swimming pool - I don’t know who designed the swimming pool but the swimming pool was in the shape of a kiwi. And we always thought if the relationship broke down all anybody had to do was to go into a helicopter and have a look for a kiwi-shaped swimming pool and they’d know where we were. On the whole, the guards who were at the front gate were perfectly friendly and we didn’t have any particular problems. But we knew that if Bainimarama ordered action by his staff that they would do it. So we spent the last few nights in Fiji under the protection of our police and defence attaches, who spent every night with us in the house patrolling around with baseball bats. It was fraught at the end, yes.

SR: What was the crunch time for the change in attitude towards Michael Green?

GG: To be honest, I think it was the football match, because he was declared persona non

grata only about a week later.

There had been a cabinet meeting between the football match on the Saturday, and the decision to expel him. And I think frank Bainimarama just lost patience with New Zealand’s stance. What happened at that football match - it was between the New Zealand Junior All Blacks and the Fiji team. And on the day Michael was supposed to be in the same tent with the president. When he got there 20 minutes before the president, as protocol demanded, he was told that the president was ill and couldn’t come, and so would he take over the role as the ambassador representing the other team, which meant that he sat in the tent and he greeted the teams and things like that. And I think for Bainimarama sitting in the stand, that was more than he was prepared to take. And I’m quite sure it was a matter of Bainimarama’s ego. I think that undoubtedly the New Zealand stance had irritated him, but I think the precipitant was that football match.

SR: And that was despite efforts by Winston Peters to get some kind of compromise?

GG: He made a lot of effort in November to try and bring the parties together, but the fact was Bainimarama was not prepared to negotiate, and I think Qarase was. I think he was prepared, in fact, to give up quite a lot if he had been able to find a way to prevent the coup. But Bainimarama came back denying everything that had been agreed at the meeting in Wellington. He just wasn’t pre-

pared to negotiate.

SR: How closely did Michael Green follow political events after he left Fiji, because it’s been a very tumultuous time since?

GG: It has. Well, for about the first year after we came home he was actually sort of involved with Fiji policy for things like forum meetings and things like that. So for about a year he was fully involved, and then, of course, we read the blogs. We kept in contact with friends as best we could to see how things were going.

SR: As New Zealand takes a more cautious approach towards its relations with Fiji was there any tension with the current New Zealand government about spilling the beans so to speak, in this way?

GG: I don’t honestly know.

Michael, of course, had to get Foreign Affairs permission to publish this book. Diplomats are not allowed to publish books without getting that permission.

And the ministry gave permission for the book to be published. But quite what happens from this point on I’m not sure.

SR: What’s struck me about the book so far is the amount of detail. He was a meticulous recorder of events and people.

GG: He was. He was a very, very thoughtful man. We used ot laugh about this, because he was one who sat and thought about things and I was the one who just reacted immediately.

He was not somebody who ever committed himself rashly to anything - not to an opinion, not to a speech, not to a thought,

not to an action. Everything was thought through. Because he was an experienced diplomat he had been deputy secretary of foreign affairs and he was very senior.

SR: Did he have a sense that he needed to record things because what he knew he was going to be revealing at a later stage would be important?

GG: I think there was some of that. I think he felt that somebody who’d been through the situation and was not Fijian and was not part of the current interim government needed to record what was happening.

Because the damage done to Fiji is considerable, the damage done to ordinary Fijians who are finding their lives turned upsidedown. There was lots of talk at the time that this was a bloodless coup. Well, it was not a bloodless coup. People died, people were injured, people were hurt, people were harmed, and their civil rights go on being harmed. I think Michael felt very strongly about the situation and felt that somebody needed to record from the perspective of somebody who did have a lot of knowledge about what was happening there, that that record should be put down on paper.

SR: And how do you feel he would be thinking now about Fiji supposedly on the path towards elections next year?

GG: I don’t think he’d be any more hopeful than me. I’m not hopeful. I think it will only be hopeful if they have the army and the military fully out of the equation, and until I see that I don’t believe it will happen.

8

INDIA NEWs

July-2013

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UTTARAkHAND DIsAsTER

National Green Tribunal issues show-cause notice to state govt NEW DELHI. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a show-cause notice to the Uttarakhand government, Union environment ministry, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) calling for data and information to justify construction and development activity in the hill state. Unchecked and unplanned construction is seen to have worsened the disaster caused by the June 16-17 cloud bursts that triggered flash floods, wrecking havoc in the state. The tribunal, a judicial body, acted on a plea filed by a body of lawyers called Legal Aid Committee and went beyond the petition to seek more documents, proofs and evidence from various authorities to justify rapid development in the state.

The tribunal, describing the catastrophe an "ecological and environmental disaster", asked Central agencies and the state government for proof that "rampant road and building construction" had adhered to master and

zonal plans and if a damage assessment has been carried out. It has also made the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) party to the case. Petitioners had asked the

environment ministry to place on record the cumulative impact assessment for hydro projects on the Himalayan rivers in Uttarakhand in particular and Himalayan region in general.

They also sought the status of

SC refuses to postpone Bengal panchayat polls for Ramzan NEW DELHI. West Bengal Panchayat polls will be held as scheduled between July 11 and 25 as the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected religious sentiment coated postponement pleas, which pointed out that Ramzan clashed with poll schedule and could deprive devout Muslims from casting vote. A bench of Justices A K Patnaik and Ranjan Gogoi said it has respect for religious sentiments of the Muslims, who constitute nearly 33% of voters in West Bengal.

But, the bench clarified that this would not sway it from strict adherence to constitutional mandate for expeditious elections to panchayats, preferably before the expiry of their tenure. The fiveyear term of all panchayats had expired in May and June. The court was firm that religious

considerations could not persuade it to rearrange or postpone panchayat polls schedule as directed by it on June 28. The bench had ordered the state to contribute 35,000 security forces and the Centre between 15,000 to 25,000 forces for each phase. The Mamata Banerjee government's discomfiture at the presence of central forces during panchayat polls came out in open when senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee informed the court that the state was ready to provide 50,000 security forces for each phase.

The bench rejected the offer and said: "If you (Banerjee government) had wanted the elections in time, you could have given requisite forces as per the order of the (Calcutta) High Court instead of dilly dallying for a long time."

Morphed picture of Sonia posted on FB, case filed JALANDHAR : A youth, claiming to be a BJP activist, was on Tuesday booked in Jalandhar for allegedly posting an objectionable picture of Congress president Sonia Gandhi on a social networking website. A case was registered here against Sandeep Bhalla under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act on the complaint of local Congress leader Sanjay Sehgal, police said. Sehgal had filed the complaint on Monday and had also approached the police commissioner online on the matter. "We have filed a complaint to the police regarding the uploading of the picture

by Bhalla on Facebook and other such photographs posted by BJP activists.

the River Regulation Zone Notification that was first put out as an idea in 2002. The petitioners, through their lawyer Raj Panjwani also asked for state government to furnish details of rules and regulations that are

intended to regulate unbridled and unauthorized construction on river bodies. The petitioners asked the tribunal to get NDMA to show what actions it initiated to deal with disasters relating to rivers in the Himalayan region.

The tribunal, while issuing notices to the union ministry, its agencies and state government, has also asked the latter to present what ecological studies have so far been carried out and the basis for massive construction. It has asked if permissions to construct were backed by data, study or master/zonal development plans. The tribunal asked respondents to furnish any study "carried out by any of the respondents more particularly State of Uttarakhand in relation to environment and likelihood of damage to environment, loss of forest cover as a result of rampant road and building construction in the state of Uttarakhand". The state government was also asked to furnish details of preventive steps it plans in future to avoid or mitigate such disasters.

Nitish okays Rs 800cr plan for Muslims PATNA. In an important decision in the light of JD (U) parting ways with the BJP recently, the Bihar cabinet on Tuesday OK'd a sum of Rs 800.30 crore for the development of minorities under the centrally-sponsored MultiSectoral Development Programme (MSDP) in 75 blocks and eight towns with concentration of minorities, spread over 20 districts of the state.

The amount would be spent during the 12th five-year plan (2012-13 to 2016-17). Currently, the MSDP programme is operational in seven minority-dominated districts - Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, West Champaran, Sitamarhi and Darbhanga - for which a sum of Rs 219 crore had been allocated in the 12th five year plan. Of this sum, the central share was about Rs 173 crore while the state's share was Rs 46.03 crore Talking

to media after the cabinet meeting here, cabinet secretariat department's principal secretary Brajesh Mehrotra said an additional 20 districts will be brought under the ambit of the programme in the current financial year, for which the Centre has agreed in principle to provide Rs 332 crore. He said the amount would be spent for the development of madrasas, schools and distribution of scholarships among students belonging to the minorities. MSDP is a special area development programme being implemented by the Union ministry of minority affairs for the benefit of minorities. However, its benefits go to non-minorities also.

The primary objective of the programme is to improve the parameters which resulted in the identification of the districts as backward and to bring them at par with the national averages.

New govt likely in Jharkhand soon DELHI/RANCHI: Congress and JMM have struck a deal to form government in Jharkhand, a tie-up that adds another ally in the UPA kitty ahead of 2014 elections. The two parties agreed to end the political vacuum in the state that is under the President's rule since JMM toppled the Arjun Munda government in January. While JMM would head the government, Congress is likely to corner a chunk of the 14 Lok Sabha seats.

The Congress decision to prop up the JMM government, shedding its reluctance of the last six

months, is dictated by Lok Sabha considerations.

The state has been a happy hunting group for BJP, but Congress believes its alliance with the regional outfit with

support among tribals can yield a good dividend. A senior leader said the tieup was on the lines of 2004 formula, when an alliance among Congress, JMM and RJD won 13 of

the 14 Lok Sabha seats.

Congress is likely to get eights seats to contest.

The alliance would seal another state in favour of Congress, a canny gambit of incrementally cornering the seats through alliances to put the Opposition out of the frame. Congress managers believe Jharkhand would settle another pocket in eastern region out of BJP's reach.

Besides Assam, where BJP has an ally in AGP, Bengal may remain elusive for the saffron alliance since either of the principal players - Left and Trinamool - are

unlikely to join hands with it. BJP's presence in any other eastern or northeastern state, including Odisha, remains negligible. Former Union minister and Ranchi MP Subodhkant Sahay said, "We have joined hands to remove BJP from the frame in Jharkhand."

Like the east, Congress is also focusing on the south. Besides renewing warmth with DMK that left UPA accusing the Centre of ignoring the interests of Tamils in Lanka, Congress is looking to repair its dwindling equations in Andhra

Pradesh with a late decision on Telangana statehood and by securing an assurance of support from rebel Jaganmohan Reddy, who has a sway over coastal and Rayalaseema regions. After a meeting with AICC's central emissaries B K Hari Prasad and Shakeel Ahmed, JMM stuck the deal with Congress that now awaits the nod of supremo Sonia Gandhi.

Sources said the final decision on whether Congress should join the government and who should be chief minister remains to be settled.

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INDIA NEWs

July-2013

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Focus on relief and reconstruction, Congress tells party leaders in Uttarakhand NEW DELHI. Congress has asked the chief minister and elected members in Uttarakhand to focus on relief and reconstruction, worried that continuing criticism of the state government can compound party's woes in the hill state. Sources said the party has told CM Vijay Bahuguna to become more flexible and shed "touch me not" attitude. He has been told that he would be assessed in every challenge and cannot run away from it. At the same time, MPs and MLAs have been told to focus on relief work to provide succour to affected people instead of complaining and settling political scores. The "no criticism" mantra, sources said, was also read out

to Speaker Govind Kunjwal who rattled the government by saying that over 10,000 people have died in recent floods and landslides in the upper reaches of Garhwal and Kumaon. With state having given far lower casualty figures, Kunjwal's statement conveyed an impression that the CM was underplaying the tragedy, inviting instant rejoinder from Bahuguna. Sources said the speaker was told that he should desist from comments that show him as needling the government. The "no dissidence/focus on relief" diktat appears an urgent bid to preempt entrenched groupism in state unit from clouding the relief that is under national scrutiny. Insiders believe that

Bansal given clean chit, nephew nailed New Delhi. Closing its probe into the Rs. 10-crore cash-for-posting scandal, the CBI has given a clean chit to former railway minister PK Bansal but named his nephew and a suspended senior railways officer as accused in the case that forced the Congress leader to quit the cabinet.

Submitting its charge sheet before the special CBI judge Swarna Kanta Sharma, the agency charged suspended railway board member Mahesh Kumar and businessman Vijay Singla, who is Bansal's nephew, and eight others with bribery and criminal conspiracy.

"We have chargesheeted 10 accused... The charge sheet does not name former railway minister PK Bansal and CBI's probe in the trap case is concluded," CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said. Arrest of people while exchanging bribe money is trap in agency's parlance. The CBI had examined Bansal amid allegations that Singla had operated from his official residence and used the telephones there to ascer-

tain the officer/authority which could change Kumar's job profile. The agency, said a source, couldn't find enough evidence to link Bansal to his nephew's activities. Singla is accused of striking a Rs. 10-crore deal with Kumar who was then a railway board member (staff) but wanted to be a member (electrical) and also wanted to be general manager, western railway.

The positions were seen as "lucrative". Singla was arrested by the CBI sleuths in Chandigarh on May 3 after accepting Rs. 90 lakh on behalf of Kumar towards the first installment of Rs. 2 crore. Kumar was arrested later in the day from the Mumbai airport. Bansal represents Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha. "The bribe of Rs. 10 crore was to be delivered to a Chandigarhbased accused in installments -- Rs. 2 crore immediately, Rs. 3 crore after Mahesh Kumar's appointment as member (electrical) and Rs. 5 crore after five or six months," said a CBI source.

Delhi: agent rapes 15-yr-old, tries to sell her New Delhi. A 22-year-old travel agent has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping, raping and attempting to sell a 15-year-old Class 7 government school student to a brothel on GB Road in old Delhi, the police said on Tuesday. A team of the east district police rescued the girl on June 26 before she could be sold off. The victim, a resident of east Delhi's Khichripur, told the police that she had known Chandan, the travel agent, for some time. On the night of June 21, he lured her to an isolated place and raped her. He then took her to his house, where he kept her hostage for five days. In the meantime, her family lodged a missing person's complaint at the Kalyanpuri police station in east Delhi.

Investigators found that the mobile phone the girl was carrying when she went missing was in use. They accessed the call records and traced the phone to northeast Delhi's Durgapuri where Chandan and a minor friend of his were using it.

The police conducted a raid and rescued the girl. The victim reportedly told her family that the two were planning to sell her to a brothel.

Where Vishnu’s penance never ends BADRINATH. Legend has it that Vishnu, protector and keeper of the Universe, is still performing penance at Badrinath. His presence, embodied in a 2.75-foot 'shalikgram' stone statue and a Tapt kund — a sulphur spring - flowing from under his feet, are proof he's here.

Jai Badri Vishal is the one mantra they chant here.

Badri Narayan's pull is enormous.

If Dwarika, Rameshwaram and Jagannath promise devotees dharm, shanti and shuddhi, at Badrinath, one finds Moksha. Badrinath temple high priest Dharmadhikari Bhuvan Uniyal says: "Thousands of years ago, the Gods gathered here each year for an audience with Vishnu. One year,

Vishnu didn't appear.

Declaring this as Vishnu's seat of penance, creator of the Universe Brahma said Vishnu would continue to be worshipped here. Years later, towards the end of the 'dwapar' era, Adi Shankaracharya installed a statue of Badrinath, after he found it in the middle of the Narad Kund, a lake below the Badrinath shrine." Several attempts, local priests say, to destroy the Badri Narayan statue have failed. Each time, a divine power has saved it. It's reinstated, each time, after the Gods send out divine messages to Vishnu's disciples, instructing them where to find the statue. In many ways, the Badrinath pilgrimage is unique. Vishnu is believed to have descend-

ed to earth in the form of saints - Nar and Narayan - to perform penance. In his human avatar, as Nar, he is worshipped between May and November. For the remaining period, Vishnnu, as Badrinath, takes on his divine form and is worshipped by Narada.

A statue of Vishnu's friend, Uddhav, is ferried to Pandukeshwar, where it stays until the next Nar puja.

There's also a tradition for appointing the Badrinath high priest. Believed to have been started by Adi Shankaracharya, the task of looking after Badri Vishal's statue is given to Rawal Namboodri Brahmins from Kerala. These Brahmins even today work as the highest temple priests.

factional considerations have contributed to early criticism that state had failed to respond adequately to the grave calamity. The party decision to rush AICC general secretary in-charge Ambika Soni and Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh to Dehradun on two-day trip was designed to "change the atmospherics". Sources said the central team's meeting with MPs/MLAs and the CM did not witness any dissent and the party has been able to train their focus on the immediate task at hand. As a strategy, the decision to make elected members part of the nodal group on relief distribution appears aimed at bringing everyone under assessment for the

relief provided. While it would stop even opposition members from "politiking" over relief, MLAs would ensure better relief distribution in the last mile since they have a "vested interest" in their constituencies. The urgency to keep out factional ugliness betrays anxiety in Congress since the hill state is under national radar in the wake of tragedy and the opposition is eager to pounce on any slip up that can be magnified on the national scene. BJP leaders have cited "tardy response" of Bahuguna regime as another example of its charge of "malgovernance" against Congress. With countdown to 2014 starting, the ruling camp is eager to keep its stock intact.

Never say die! The cop who dodged death thrice DEHRADUN. He cheated death thrice. DSP Rameshwar Dimri, of Rudraprayag district, was on duty at the shrine on June 16 and June 17 when blinding rain lashed Kedarnath. Dimri,57, was settling a dispute over use of choppers in the area. On June 16, he got to know of shops getting swept away.

He and SDM RK Tiwari walked up 700-800 metres behind the temple to where the Mandakini emerges.

"Small boulders tumbled down, indicating danger," he says. By 4pm, they were making public announcements urging people to head

for the temple complex. As the river's force grew, Dimri declared a red alert. Late evening, as they walked towards the temple area, the first wall of water hit them. "I saw two of our staff dragged into the Mandakini. I was about to be swept away, but for my hold on a rock on the riverbank. I held on for 45 minutes." Covered in rubble till his neck, local boys pulled him to safety.

Barefoot, cold, injured, Dimri was brought to the guard room where he changed into a dhoti and jacket. Some six hours later, he headed for a toilet, metres away. It was 7am on June 17. On his way

back to the guard room, he ran into boulders the size of houses and waters 15-20 feet high. "The mountains had come crashing down.

The toilet where I was minutes ago was swept away.

As I ran to the guard room, it caved in."

Dimri shudders recalling his narrow escape. "Had I stayed in the toilet a few more minutes or if I'd reached the guard room a few minutes before, I'd have been dead." He held on tightly to the temple wall. "I and some others were in the same position from around 7am to nearly 4.30 pm when the water started to recede."

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PAKISTAN NEWS

July-2013

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Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Visits the San Francisco Bay Area

By RAS H. SIDDIquI The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association of Northern California (AMUAA) had the distinct pleasure of hosting a luncheon for Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah, the current Vice Chancellor of their Alma Mater on Saturday, June 22 nd at the Chandni Restaurant in Newark, California.

The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Sabiha Shah at this occasion. Besides being the VC of one of the most famous universities in South Asia, some of Shah Sahib’s other famous attributes are that he has been one of the most senior-level Muslim soldiers ever in the Indian Army (he reached the position of Deputy Chief of Army Staff) and that he is also the older brother of famous Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah.

For an introduction of the hosts in their own words, the “AMU Alumni Association of Northern California consisting of the alumni of Aligarh Muslim University and its friends and supporters of the Aligarh movement was founded in 1996 as a secular, non-partisan, non-political organization serving the educational, social, literacy and cultural needs of the community. It aims to keep alive Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's dream of ensuring equality for all and particularly the underprivileged through education, by supporting AMU and its students in their academic efforts, and by organizing events to highlight AMU's role in creating a modern India.”

In their promotion of the event it was stated that “Vice Chancellor Zameer Uddin Shah has affirmed his core mission of making AMU one of the top universities in India through pursuit of excellence in teaching and research.” This goal also happens to be close to the hearts of many AMU alumni in the US particularly those in the San Francisco

area who have excelled in many fields and would like to see their old university present even better opportunities for future generations of AMU students.

The proceedings began with some networking and a fine brunch buffet in the Mughlai tradition. Before the formalities I had a chance to interact with the VC. We discussed the contributions of Aligarh alumni as leaders in other countries in the region, his brother’s efforts to boost the arts irrespective of borders and when I mentioned that I had visited my late father’s former place of residence at AMU named Mumtaz House, he lamented that the current conditions of all the dormitories was not good and that he was seeking assistance in funding for their repair and upgrading.

He also mentioned that he had invited the Aga Khan and Prince Charles to pay a visit to the campus.

The formal event stated in the Aligarh tradition with the recitation from the Holy

Militants kill 6 paramilitary soldiers in northwest Pakistan PESHAWAR : At least six paramilitary soldiers were killed and seven others injured when heavilyarmed militants attacked a Frontier Constabulary post in northwest Pakistan, police said on Wednesday. Three personnel of Khasadar Force, a paramilitary police, were missing after the attack on Kishan Ganga check-post near Frontier Region (FR) in Peshawar district of Khyber Pakthunkhwa province on Tuesday night, they said. A heavy exchange of fire between security forces personnel and the armed men continued till early on Wednesday morning.

Police said the dead and injured were moved to a nearby hospital while a search operation was underway to recover the missing soldiers.

Qur’an by Afzal Khan.

Emcee for the afternoon and local AMU luminary Shaheer Khan next said that this was the first time that the organization had hosted an AMU Vice Chancellor and welcomed the community present, some of whom had come from as far away as Sacramento and Davis. He also reminded everyone present of the coming Eid Milan Party and Sir Syed Day on September 27 th this year. He also thanked the donors who have supported the efforts of the Alumni Association and the Aligarh Education Endowment Fund. He then introduced the Vice Chancellor who came to the stage and received a plaque on behalf of the Association, presented by Nihal Khan. Mrs Shahla Khan also presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Sabiha Shah. That set the stage for the VC’s speech.

Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah spoke for about 50 minutes

and used a PowerPoint presentation. It is just not possible to incorporate all that he said in this single report so a few chosen highlights will have to suffice here. He was commanding in his delivery and exuded confidence from the beginning of his speech to the very end.

He started off by thanking everyone for the honor and the wonderful gift. He said that the job of being a Vice Chancellor was a thankless one. “It is the toughest I have held,” he commented generating quite a few smiles in the audience, especially since he is a former military man.

“I accepted the job as a mission,” he added. “My mission was to pull AMU out of the trough in which it has descended,” he said.

He added that his mission (with Allah’s help) was to make AMU a top university in India within two years. He said that he was going to Insha’Allah turn the University around so that its graduates can meet the

new demands of both the market and the nation.

Shah Sahib said that he faced three immediate issues: Student indiscipline, intra-religious (not communal) and regional friction on campus, and lastly faculty infighting. He added that these problems were difficult but were not insurmountable. He said that he is looking to add more new and qualified faculty at AMU. He said that he was a liberal Muslim and he wanted AMU to be a liberal-secular institution but primarily for the Muslims. “It is a secular institution, primarily for the Millat as Sir Syed wanted it, and we are going to keep it that way,” he said. He added that the focus should remain on “modern-scientific education," something that unfortunately was not being provided. He said that AMU needs to move beyond the blackboard and chalk era into the computer age. He added that the year 2020 will bring on the university centenary and the plan should be to make it a memorable one remembered all over the country since it is an institution of national importance. He also said that unfortunately the university had a setback on its minority character status and that he would focus on getting it restored.

The Vice Chancellor

said that foreign dignitary visits to the campus have dried up mainly due to our own fault. “It was the fault of the students misbehaving and rebelling against visitor s but they do not know what colossal damage they did to our reputation.” He said that will have to change and that some important foreign dignitaries have already accepted his invitation to visit AMU when they visit India next. Shah Sahib dwelled a great deal on the need to improve the facilities at AMU, especially the housing which is beginning to resemble a slum. He added that this was one of the main reasons why foreign students’ numbers have declined dramatically. He stressed the modernizing of the existing facilities and the building of new ones on the campus, especially for female students. The restoration of the horse riding club and adding a golf course (the VC is an avid golfer) at AMU were already on the cards. He said that AMU should produce well-rounded graduates.

On entrance standards for AMU he said that all aspiring students should pass an entrance exam (not just for engineering and medical students). He also added that foreign languages, including Chinese and Hebrew, need to be taught on campus.

To conclude, Lt. Gen.(Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah expressed pride in the Aligarh Muslim University alumni all over the world and hoped that they could assist him in his mission to build the campus infrastructure in whatever way they could. He added that he was also seeking the assistance from the Aga Khan Foundation for this effort.

The VC took questions after his speech and was presented a book on the Taj Mahal by author-photographer Maqsood Ul Haque.

The event concluded with a presentation of Aligarhfocused poetry by Khalid

Girl's dead body sexually assaulted in Pakistan Probe Pervez Musharraf LAHORE. In a shocking incident, unidentified men allegedly sexutreason case promptly : SC ally assaulted a girl's dead body, digging it out from a grave, hours

after her burial in Gujranwala district of Pakistan's Punjab province. Police said the girl, a grade-VI student, was electrocuted while taking a bath in her house in Qila Dedar Singh on Tuesday and she was subsequently buried at a graveyard in Gujranwala district, about 80 kilometres from here, later in the evening. Early this morning when the members of the girl's family went to the graveyard to offer fateha (prayer) they found her body lying near the grave. They held a demonstration and blocked the road for several hours to protest against the desecration of the body. Senior police officers reached there and assured the family that the culprits would not escape punishment.

ISLAMABAD. Pakistan supreme court on Wednesday directed the government to initiate a probe against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the high treason case and complete the investigation without "unnecessary delay." A three-member bench headed by senior judge Justice Jawad S Khawaja' directed the government to complete the probe in minimum possible time. Neither the government nor SC set any deadline for completion of probe by FIA investigators, which may lead to framing of treason charges and institution of proceeding in a court of law.

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Meeting on national security

Nisar says army chief to be invited ISLAMABAD. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Thursday that Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would be invited to the proposed meeting of the heads of all political parties in parliament to formulate a comprehensive national security policy.

Talking to medial personnel in his office, the minister said although no date had yet been finalised, he had started contacting political leaders. The Prime Minister’s Office said on Wednesday that the meeting would be held on July 12, but Chaudhry Nisar said the date would be finalised after consultations with political leaders. He said participants of the meeting would include the four chief ministers and heads of all law-enforcement agencies. The first session would include brief-

ing by security and intelligence officials over security situation in different parts of the country. It would be followed by a one-hour question session for politicians.

The minister said recommendations of political leaders would be used in formulating the policy. “It is a complicated task and can take some time. After finalisation the draft policy will be presented in the parliament for approval.” Talking about out-

Pakistani girl injured with Malala gets British visa LONDON. A Pakistani schoolgirl injured in the Taliban attack against Malala Yousafzai last year has been granted a British student visa after receiving death threats in her home country, it emerged on Monday. Shazia Ramzan, 15, had a joyful reunion with her friend Malala when she flew into Birmingham airport in central England on Saturday night, their first meeting since they were shot on their school bus on October 9. Both girls are being supported by the office of Gordon Brown, the former British prime minister who now serves as United Nations special envoy for global education. In a brutal attack condemned the world over, Taliban gunmen shot Malala at point-blank range as the bus travelled through northwest Pakistan's Swat Valley. She was targeted

because of her work promoting girls' education, but two other girls were also injured, including Shazia, who suffered wounds to the neck and shoulder. Malala was flown to Britain for surgery on her head injuries and returned to school in Birmingham in March. Her friend will now have a chance to complete her studies at an undisclosed school thanks to a scholarship and support from charities including Brown's A World At School initiative.

lines of the proposed policy, the minister said it would contain two parts — operational and strategic. The operational part will define how the intelligence system should work to have prior information of the possibility of a terror activity. He said it was necessary to assess intelligence failures and security leaks and to improve coordination among various arms of intelligence agencies. “At present we are

Hyderabad traders sound alarm over extortion HYDERABAD. Traders and businessmen have expressed grave concern over a rising wave of street crime and extortion in the commercial areas of Hyderabad, warning that they will take to the streets if their long-standing demand for better policing remains unmet. Speaking to journalists at a press conference at the press club on Thursday, Hyderabad Anjuman-i-Tajiran president Saleem Hussain Vohra and office-bearers of other trade bodies from across the district warned the police that if street crimes such as muggings and robberies in commercial areas including cloth market, Anaj Mandi, Latifabad No 8, Gul Centre, Chandni, Market Tower and Qasimabad were not controlled within three days, they would together with other stakeholders formulate a strategy by themselves which might include protest demonstrations, sit-ins and strikes.

doing only reactionary work and need to learn from mistakes.” The minister said there would be a special rapid force which would act promptly in case of an attack. It would have the ability to reach the spot and engage terrorists before they escape from the scene, he added. Chaudhry Nisar said the strategic side of the policy would determine the direction of action for lawenforcement agencies. In reply to a question regarding investigation against MQM chief Altaf Hussain by British police in the Imran Farooq murder case, the minister said British government had not yet officially sought any input from the Pakistan government. “The case is being dealt by British authorities and the Pakistan government is being updated by authorities concerned.

DRONE ATTACKS Chaudhry Nisar said the US policy of continuing drone attacks in tribal areas could affect its relations with Pakistan. Terming the drone attacks counterproductive, he said the US ambassador had been informed about the concerns of the Pakistan government. “The PML-N government is clear over the issue of drone attacks and if the US stubbornness continues, there will be a serious stand-off between the two countries.” He said Pakistan had categorically conveyed to the US government through its ambassador that such a stand-off with Pakistan could have serious implications on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan as well as the post-withdrawal scenario.

The US must reconsider the ways it had been pursuing over the past seven years, he added.

KARACHI AND BALOCHISTAN In reply to a question regarding law and order in Karachi and Balochistan, the minister said law and order was a provincial subject and the federal government would provide maximum resources to provincial governments for maintaining peace. About the killing of foreign mountaineers in Gilgit-Baltistan, he said security agencies had taken into custody some suspects for questioning. But, he added, the real culprits were still at large.

Don't beg India for power : Hafiz Saeed to Pakistan LAHORE. Pakistan should not buy electricity from India, Jamaat-udDawah chief Hafiz Saeed has told the government, days after PM Nawaz Sharif directed his power minister to visit India to address the severe energy crisis facing the country.

"India is producing electricity on Pakistani rivers and offering the same to us to buy. Don't our rulers understand this basic point?"

Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, asked while addressing an 'Ummat Conference' at Sheikhupura, some 40 kilometres from here, on Sunday. Saeed, who is carrying a $10 million bounty on his head declared by the US, has been freely moving and conducting his activities mostly in Punjab, a province of 90 million.

"There is no need to beg India.., " Saeed, the former head of banned LashkareTaiba , added. His warning to the Sharif government came in the wake of its proposed plan to buy electricity from India and China to cope with the current energy crisis. Finance minister Ishaq Dar had said India is ready to sell up to 2000 MW electricity to Pakistan and "we are seriously pondering to purchase electricity from India."

Don't execute prisoners, Amnesty tells Pakistan ISLAMABAD. The new Pakistani government must not resume executions and instead impose an immediate moratorium on the use of death penalty as a first step towards abolition, Amnesty International said.

Media reports in Pakistan over the past few days have suggested that the new government, led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, may be moving rapidly to resume state killings in response to the law and order situation.

"Any government green light to resume executions in Pakistan would be a shocking and retrograde step, putting thousands of people's lives at risk," said Polly Truscott, Amnesty's deputy Asia Pacific director.

Pakistan has more than 8,000 prisoners on death row, most of whom have exhausted the appeals process, and could now be facing execution.

Govt considers closing missions in 22 countries ISLAMABAD: The government is planning to shut 22 of the country’s overseas missions, besides cutting down on perks and privileges allowed to diplomats and staff posted abroad, due to budgetary constraints. The closure of embassies and consulates would mean a one-fourth reduction in Pakistan’s diplomatic footprint globally. The country currently has some 70 embassies across the world.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a source said, had consented to his Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi’s ‘austerity’ proposals, but would approve it on his return from

China. Five missions identified for closure in the first stage are in Port Louis (Mauritius), Santiago (Chile), Naimey (Niger), Belgrade (Serbia) and

Sarajevo (Bosnia). The plan to open a consulate in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas has been shelved. However, the missions chosen for closure

have left many baffled. The government had indicated its intention to focus on trade diplomacy, but closing missions in Latin America and Africa could limit its prospects of reaching out to the emerging markets in those regions.

Similarly, till last year there was focus on developing military ties with Serbia to diversify defence procurements.

Pakistan had long pursued its case for opening a consulate in Bandar Abbas with the Iranian authorities. Though there has been no agreement on the issue yet, the government had made allocations for it. A diplomat commented that a con-

sulate in Bandar Abbas would have been critical if Islamabad were to pursue the gas pipeline project with Tehran or develop the North-South trade corridor.

The sources said there was little debate on the matter in the ministry. The move comes in the wake of the government’s decision to reduce all nondevelopment expenditures by 30 per cent. The government has set itself a target of saving Rs40 billion this year by reducing the operational expenses of various ministries. The budget allocated in fiscal year 2013-14 for overseas missions is Rs10.9bn against previous year’s allocation of Rs9.74bn.

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BANGLADESH NEWS

July-2013

Easy Chinese visa for Bangladeshis DHAKA. The new Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed this willingness while meeting a high-level Bangladesh delegation, led by the foreign secretary, currently visiting China – the first after the new leadership took power last year. Md Shahidul Haque reached China on June 26 with the representatives of Prime Minister’s Office, Economic Relations Division, Ministries of Communications and Commerce, Armed Forces Division, Board of Investment and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ media release said during their wide-ranging bilateral talks, Bangladesh requested the Chinese side to ease visa procedures, which, the foreign secretary described, would “ultimately help boost trade and economic activities”. The Chinese side reacted positively to consider the request, particularly for tourists and businessmen and proposed to hold ‘bilateral consultation on Consular matters’ to identify the modalities of simplifying visa procedures.

Rajshahi. Prisons authorities have said Chetia has been shifted from Rajshahi to Gazipur’s Kashimpur Central Jail as part of the process.

Rajshahi’s Senior Jail Superintendent Touhidul Islam said the United Liberation Front of Assam leader was taken to Kashimpur on Friday morning amid tight security. “He (Chetia) has been transferred as part of deportation,” he said. The founder General Secretary of ULFA was arrested in Dhaka on December 21, 1997. He

70% hike recommended for media employees recommendations include one for increasing the basic wages of media employees by as much as 70 percent with other perks also to be raised accordingly. The eighth Wage Board proposed five categories for media employees. The seventh board had recommended three. The latest board was formed

Dhaka to host seminar on safe migration DHAKA. A two-day “Intergovernmental Regional Seminar for Promoting Cooperation for Safe Migration and Decent Work” will be held at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka on July 1, reports BSS. Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will organise the seminar. Organisers are expecting that officials from 13 countries, regional bodies and about 21 government officials from the host country will participate in the seminar.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and SAARC Secretariat confirmed their participation. Officials from SAARC nations and some other countries would discuss the issues that affect labour migration governance.

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Chetia being repatriated has been kept at the Rajshahi Central Jail after his prison term ended on Feb 25, 2007. He was sentenced to three-year rigorous imprisonment and fined Tk 5,000 for illegal stay in Bangladesh and possession of forged Bangladeshi passports and foreign currency.

Another court had jailed him for four more years for illegal trespassing into Bangladesh. Chetia sought political asylum in Bangladesh on three occasions – in 2005, 2008 and in 2011. On December 7, 2008, he

BNP blames govt for GSP fiasco

DHAKA : The Wage Board's Chairman Kazi Ebadul Haque submitted its recommendations to the Information Ministry on Sunday morning, said Muhammad Abdullahil Quaiyum, assistant personal secretary to the Information Minister.

Haque is a retired judge and a former chairman of the Press Council. The

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on Jun 18 last year to recommend a news structure of salaries for those employed in the media. In October, it called for implementation of higher allowance rates outside basic salary with effect from Jul 1, 2012.

Though the board was asked to file report within six months, it took double that time.

DHAKA. The BNP has blamed the government’s incompetent lobbying for the suspension by the USA of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) extended to Bangladesh. “I noticed in today’s newspapers that the USA has suspended the GSP facility. This has exposed a complete failure on the part of the government’s lobbyists,” BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a discussion in the city on Friday. US Trade Representative Michael Froman in a statement on Thursday said President Barack Obama suspended the long-time US preferential trade benefits, or GSP status, given to Bangladesh until the country improved workers’ safety in the clothing industry. Losing the GSP will cost Bangladesh millions of dollars in taxes.

Fakhrul said: “The government is responsible for the failure in the garments industry. Many workers died in the Rana Plaza collapse. Many others were burnt to death in the fire that broke out at Tazreen Fashions in Ashulia. The government has taken no steps.” The BNP spokesman also blamed the government for the World Bank’s decision to pull out of the Padma bridge project.

Govt to be forced to hold polls under non-party govt : Khaleda SANGSAD BHABAN. Calling upon the government to reinstate the caretaker government system, leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia on Saturday warned that the government will be forced to hold the next general election under a non-party neutral administration, reports UNB. “Our position is very clear about the parliamentary polls-time government. We won’t participate in any polls under a partisan government. Because, in the context of Bangladesh, a partisanadministration can’t create a level playing field,” she told the House while delivering her speech on the proposed budget for the new fiscal.

The BNP chairperson, who for the first time took part in the general discussion on the national budget in the 9th parliament, said she thinks the solution to the framework of the election-time administration can be found out through talks instead of violence.

AL, BNP leaders in Gazipur for GCC polls Gazipur. Central leaders from both ruling Awami League and opposition party, on Wednesday, rushed Gazipur to campaign for their candidates, ahead of the newly formed Gazipur City Corporation election, to be held on July 6. While participating in the day-long massive campaign, most of the top leaders of the two major parties urged the voters to vote for their respective mayoral candidates.

Senior leaders of the ruling party urged party activists to seriously work for advocate Azmatullah Khan, forgetting any previous intra-party conflicts, to ensure a win for the AL presidentnominated candidate.

On the other hand, opposition BNP’s central leaders urged voters to keep the continuation of their recent landslide victories in four city corporation polls, to respond to the misrule, massive corruption, and terrorism, unleashed by the ruling party activists and their hired goons, across the country.

AL veteran leader and former minister, Tofael Ahmed, along with local AL leaders campaigned in the different

sought refugee status from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. However, after spending 16 years in Bangladesh prison, he wants to go back to India and cancel his request for political asylum. Since his arrest, India has been asking the Bangladesh to hand over Chetia. There is no legal bar to the repatriation after Bangladesh and India signed the extradition treaty on Jan 28, 2013.

Senior Jail Superintendent Islam said the ULFA leader had filed an application for sending him back to India on May 13. It was forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

areas of Gazipur City Corporation, including Joydebpur Crossing, Telipara, Nogopara, Dighirchala and Salna.

While addressing an election rally at Telipara, beside the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, AL advisory council member Tofael Ahmed said the Gazipur city corporation polls will have a great impact on the upcoming general election.

Khaleda said the ruling party’s stubbornness and aggressive and illogical remarks over holding the polls under the leadership of the current Prime Minister will not help overcome the crisis.

A greater national unity is a must now, she said, “Let’s avoid politics of revenge and conflict and turn the country a land of peace. A free and fair election is needed to make it happens.”

“There’s no alternative to holding the election under a non-party caretaker government with the participation of all political parties for the continuation of democracy.”

2 Jamaat-Shibir men held in Sylhet SYLHET : Police arrested two Jamaat-Shibir men from different parts of the city on Friday suspecting their involvement in an attack on two Bangladesh Chhatra Lea gue (BCL) leaders, reports UNB. The arrested were identified as Islam Uddin, president of Shahparan thana unit Shibir and Sayed Farhad, a Jamaat activist. Police said they arrested Islam Uddin from the city’s Lamapara area and Farhad from Tilagarh area on Friday. Aktar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Shahparan thana, said two leaders of Chhatra League were injured when they came under an attack by a group of miscreants at Baluchar area in the city on Friday morning while going to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology for appearing at an examination.

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July-2013

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u m o s y aree e sh n K i W da a m Ra

Ramdan & National Council of Maunatul Islam US Wishes you Ramadan Kareem May the blessings Allah be with you!

Grand Eid Dinner At first Maunatul Islam US Unity Convention

Saturday August 10, 2013 I From 6 PM to 11 PM

MEHRAN RESTAURANT

President : Hajji Moidin (209)462-2591 Chair : Hajji Mohammed Aiyub 408-480-8180 EVP : Hajji Mohammed Kadir 415-584-0151 Moderator : Dr. H. Koya 510-677-4488 Buffet dinner: $35 per person.

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AFGHAN NEWS

July-2013

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Peace Process to Continue Despite Attack : Karzai KABUL. President Hamid Karzai made clear on Saturday his government would press on with the reconciliation process, saying last week’s Taliban attack on his office would not disrupt the campaign. At a joint news conference with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron in Kabul, he said the attack on the heavilyfortified Presidential Palace would not deter his administration from the peace drive. "We know what the people want: we want peace and stability in Afghanistan," said the president, who tended to downplay the incident. He asked the insurgents to

spare the people and government institutions. He said Washington wanted the bilateral security agreement (BSA) with Afghanistan to be inked in the

Kabul Bank Crisis : Foreign Firms Face Action KABUL. A prosecutor at the Attorney General Office (AGO) on Saturday said four foreign firms whose wrong audit reports compounded the Kabul Bank crisis would be brought to justice.

The Anti-Corruption and Crimes Section head at the AGO, Syed Alam Ishaqzai, told a press conference in Kabul the firms included PricewaterhouseCooper, trading as PwC, a multinational professional service firm headquartered in London and Deloitte Consulting, which won a 5-year $92 million project in August 2009. He said the companies had received an amount of $164,000 in return for preparing audit reports, which were wrong and had exacerbated the crisis. Ishaqzai alleged the firms had indicated Kabul Bank was running normal, a false claim that plunged the pri-

vate lender into deep financial trouble. He said the AGO had collected evidence against the four companies and their officials would be brought to justice through the involvement of Interpol.

The firms have already closed their offices in Afghanistan. The AGO official was not satisfied with a primary court verdict that sent 21 individuals in the Kabul Bank case to jail. He believed the sentences were too mild, given the gravity of their crime. He said some central bank officials had also been convicted for their failure and negligence to grasp the magnitude of the scandal.

next three months, even as his government suspended talks with Washington on June 19.

"President Barack Obama recently emphasized an agreement over the BSA until October," he said, explaining the negotiations remained suspended and Kabul had set conditions for signing the pact. Kabul’s terms for signing the security accord included ensuring durable peace and stability in the country, he said, adding: "If our conditions are met, certainly the Afghans will ink the pact." The BSA, as and when signed, will govern the deployment of a limited US military

presence in Afghanistan after the 2014 withdrawal of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops. Some foreign countries, including Pakistan, were trying to fuel anarchy in Afghanistan by trying to promote a federal system there, the president alleged. He claimed such efforts had been ongoing over past six months, but the endeavours would not come to fruition. However, Karzai said he had agreed with the British leader on the need for friendly relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and that there should be no cross-border shelling.

Taliban Must Keep Promises before Talks : Musazai KABUL. The government would hold talks with the Taliban in Qatar if the militants honored their commitments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday. The Taliban’s political office -- the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan -- was opened in Doha last week, with support from the Obama administration. But the Afghan government strongly opposed the Taliban office under that name and suspended negotiations with the US on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA).

Moral Corruption on its Peak : Mujaddedi

KABUL. Former president and jihadi leader Hazrat Sibghatullah Mujaddedi on Saturday said “moral corruption has reached its peak point in Afghanistan” and the government should prevent it. “Alcoholic beverages are sold openly in Band-iQargha (Qarghai lake) and rooms are built for prostitution. People take women to the lake for immoral acts, but the government is indifferent in this regard,” Mujaddedi told a gathering remembering a prominent peace negotiator Maulvi Arsalan Rahmani. Rahaman was shot dead on May 13, 2012 in Kabul. Mujaddedi said the level of moral corruption was extremely high in the country, asking the people not be involved and instead struggle to banish moral corruption from Afghan society.

Senate Adopts Govt. Version of Council Polls KABUL. The Meshrano Jirga on Saturday approved another 20 articles of the new election law, but rejected a lower house-amended provision on district and village council elections. Instead the Senate adopted a government version. In its previous two sessions, the upper house approved 30 clauses of the amended electoral law and gave its consent to another 20 provisions on Saturday. The law has 16 chapters and 79 articles. A member of the Judicial Commission, Mohammad Hassan Hotak, told Pajhwok Afghan News the upper house had overruled the Wolesi Jirga decision on reserv-

Taliban's Political Office Opened in Qatar KABUL. Taliban at a press conference said that its political office has been opened in Doha, capital of Qatar on Tuesday Talks over opening of the office had been going on for a while but always got delayed because of differences between the Group and Afghan government.

Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai while talking at a press conference in Kabul on Tuesday told reporters that the start of peace negotiations in Qatar is acceptable but emphasized on continuation of these talks in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that during peace negotiations with the Taliban, country's national interest will be considered and emphasized that once the peace talk begins Taliban violence will come to an end. "With the opening of office the peace negotiations between High Peace Council and Taliban must start soon. Once talks start in Qatar

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the process should be transferred to Afghanistan immediately," President Karzai said. However, Taliban has repeatedly refused to talk with the Afghan government, instead showed their interest to negotiate with Washington. But, few questions loom large- with the opening of Taliban's office in

Qatar will violence stop in the country and will Taliban cooperate in the peace process? "The opening of this office will benefit Afghanistan and peace talks will be accelerated. Opening of this office is an urgent need," Sayed Akbar Agha, former leader of Jaish al-Muslimeen group said.

ing 25 percent of district and village council seats for women. “We instead approved the real content that came from the government,” he explained. Last week, the lower house decided that 25 percent of seats should be reserved for women in the provincial council. Hotak said the Meshrano Jirga bought no other changes to the law. The Lower House has said women like men should contest provincial, district and village council elections as independent candidates.

Chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said the remaining articles of the law would be approved during Sunday’s session.

UK to Create Over 50,000 Jobs for Afghans KABUL. The British government on Friday announced its plan to create more than 50,000 new jobs for Afghan men and women by 2015 in business, agriculture and textile sectors. The fresh commitment to creating jobs built on the 20,000 employment opportunities created since 2011, the Department for International Development (DFID) said in its annual operational plan for Afghanistan. Identifying elimination of violence against women and girls a new strategic priority, DFID said it would look at incorporating anti-violence initiatives into existing and future programs. The department would also look at how it could work better with civil society

organisations and the international community to make a lasting difference to the lives of those experiencing violence. “UK support in Afghanistan has already brought major improvements over the last 10 years. We have been clear that we will continue to stand alongside Afghans as they shape their country beyond military drawdown, with development funding already committed to 2017,” said International Development Secretary Justine Greening.

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ISLAM TODAY

July-2013

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Fiji Muslim Relief Fund by Maunatul islam usa

SPECIfIC GoALS of MAUANATUL ISLAM USA 1.

To invite, develop, expand, affiliate and unite members to Maunatul Islam USA. 2. To serve the social, educational, cultural, spiritual and religious aspirations and needs of its members.

3. To educate members via short certificate and advance courses in Islamic teachings that resonates with USA environment.

4. To invite Americans and others to experience the grace and beauty of Islam through NCMUISA programs.

5. To lay an emphasis on increased awareness and interest in broader education of its members in law, medicine and technological studies and provide scholarship for the purpose.

6. Provide certificate courses in the spoken Malayalam language.

7. Provide certificate, diploma and fellowship courses in Islamic studies.

8. To recognize and award members and others who excel in education, life achievement, work experience and services to humanity.

9. Host annual convention with consistency and regularity.

10. Host an annual FIJI MUSLIM FOOD FESTIVAL FREMONT – The inaugural National Council of Maunatul Islam USA adopted the proposal paper presented by Dr. Hanif Koya which among many things proposed A Fiji Muslim Relief Fund, National Convention and Fiji Muslim Food Festival.

Of an eight-member committee, three did not attend. Hajji Mohammed Aiyub could not participate due to his work schedule but had gone over most of the information with the editor/convener in an earlier meeting. Chicken without head “The non-existence of a national body of Maunatul Islam in US is like a chicken without head,” reasoned Dr. Koya that other members in attendance agreed and expressed concern that it should have been done long time ago. With the adoption of the proposal paper, the Council will proceed to convene a second meeting for further details with Hajji Moidin as the interim president. Lack of leadership has led to lack of a sense of direction and giving liberty to form privately owned organizations for personal benefits.

fACTIoN The absence of a National organization has in part led to a faction in the community with one led by Imam Mohammed Faizi – the Alim Sahib who once served in Fiji capitalizing on a section as his loyal followers after he lost position as Imam of South San Francisco mosque. It was an unfortunate loss of employment. The Alim Sahib first created his own academy that he reportedly operated from his South San Francisco home. Later, he moved to Sacramento and opened a chapter under the name of Muanatul Islam Association. A Pakistani Muslim brother is believed to have donated over $15,000 to the organization. Some Sacramento members have complained that funds accumulated through donations and subscriptions have not been properly accounted for and substantiated by records. A simmering dissatisfaction among Sacramento members eventually led last week to segregation and creation of a new chapter.

NEED foR NCMUISA The absence of a National organization has in part led to a faction in the community with one led by Imam Mohammed Faizi – the Alim Sahib who once served in Fiji capitalizing on a section as his loyal followers after he lost position as Imam of South San Francisco mosque. It was an unfortunate loss of employment. The Alim Sahib first created his own academy that he reportedly operated from his South San Francisco home. Later, he moved to Sacramento and opened a chapter under the name of Muanatul Islam Association. A Pakistani Muslim brother is believed to have donated over $15,000 to the organization. Some Sacramento members have complained that funds accumulated through donations and subscriptions have not been properly accounted for and substantiated by records. A simmering dissatisfaction among Sacramento members eventually led last week to segregation and creation of a new chapter.

MauNatul islaM oF sacRaMeNto CoNTRIbUTED bY MohAMMED ShAhEED At a general meeting held on June 9, 2013 in Sacramento a new chapter of Maunatul Islam Sacramento was formed. offICE bEARERS PRESIDENT VPS Secretary Asst. Sec Treasurer Asst. Tres Speaker

: : : : : : :

Br. Mohammed Tariq Br. Ali Ahmad and Br. IfranMahmood Br. Mohammed Shaheed Br. Abdul Rahim (Aiyub) Br. AzharJabbar Khan Br. Abdul Islam Br. NavidIqbalRahmani

WoRKING CoMMITTEE Brothers Abdul Kaiyum, Ali Khan, Mohammed Hafiz, Mustaq, Faraaz Malik, Bob Koya, Rahmat Ali and Mohammed Khalil

EXCECUTIVE CoUNCIL Hajji Nasir Ahmad, Maulana Amin Nauman, Hajji Moidin, Hajji Mohammed Kadir, Hajji Mohammed Sarwar, Mohammed Yusuf and Mohammed Rafiq.

Email: Maunautul_Islam@yahoo.com

ISLAMIC

STUDIES Get your degree in Islamic Studies through:

AMERICAN ISLAMIC ACADEMY Life Experience, plus presentations and written submissions accepted! independently evaluated!

Hajji Moidin Koya true founder of Fiji Maunatul islam

By Hajji Moidin I have the distinct honor having had over 40 years of affinity and deep bonding with my very respected elder the late Hajji Moidin Koya and through with the rest of the Koya family in particular the late Hon S M Koya. The respected late Hajji Moidin Koya accorded me the same respect he gave his son Sid Koya.

After almost 50 years, meeting the Fiji Sun US editor Dr. Hani Koya here in San Francisco Bay Area had refreshed my very fond memories of the Koya family. I fell it is my responsibility to pay my tribute to both the late Hajji Moidin Koya and the late Hon S M Koya. Not I only did a learn the Malayalam language and culture but also had the good fortune of learning the religion of Islam and its history through bonding with the Koyas. It was this relationship and mentorship that I was privileged to have that eventually led my election as the national president of the Fiji Maunatul Islam a position that the Almighty Allah granted me the opportunity to hold for 40 years. I have a lot to say and write specially about the Late Hajji Moidin Koya who was an amazing man and a charismatic senior member and leaderof our community. You will soon learn a lot more about him in the up-coming book “Late Hajji Moidin Koya my grandpa man of style”narrated by me and written by Dr. H. Koya

a probe into the Fiji Maunatul islam ba property fiasco Hajji Moidin Former national president of Fiji Maunatul islam Hajji Moidin who served for 40 years recently returned from Fiji armed with facts surrounding the controversy of misuse of funds and real estate property of BA branch of Fiji Maunatul islam. in the middle of the controversy are ninety year old former school head teacher Master Shafiq Koya (eldest brother of late Hon. S M Koya) and a cleric of Malabar origin.

Meanwhile a court date has been set for June 20, 2013. Master Koya is said to be vacationing in San Francisco Bay Area as we w

Full RepoRt coMiNg up iN FiJi SuN uS JulY 2013 iSSue.

FiJi MusliM RelieF FuNd Will be available soon!!

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Eid Celebration At first Unity National Conventionof Maunatul Islam USA

Exhibit Tables will be available for those wishing to display their business ADS.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

July-2013

dr. MArion sAnchez FundrAiser HAYWARDAt a dinner meeting held July 2, 2013 at 7 PM at Hometown Buffet, Dr. Sanchez announce he will do a fundraiser to help the disadvantaged students. In addition to raising the money, Dr. Sanchez’s team will be selling chocolates that he received in donation from a local company.

Fiji US Girmit Festival in September

S

econd Fiji US Girmit Festival is slated for late September at the Weekes Library in Hayward. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. In addition to Hayward Kirtan singers who played for us last year, Fiji’s popular singer Nitya Nand Maiku will also sing some of the 60 and 70s top tune. Others are welcome to join us.

Partial list of Members of Maunatul islam Fiji who came as “Jahajees” in the Girmit era by hajji Moidin editoriaL note We must apologize for single names in the list as most members never used last or send name, In addition, there are suffixes that were added to the name for specific identification. No fun or disrespect is intended. Please send us any pictures or notes you want us to add in subsequent edition via our email: fijisun@gmail.com Partial list 1 HAJJI MOIDIN KOYA: Regarded as the leader/founder of the Fiji Maunatul Islam.

2. MAULVI ASENAR: The only Malayalam Filbadi Shayer (spontaneous poet) who recited on the spot.

3. HUSSAIN BUKSH

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4. HAJJI SYED ALI of Saru, Lautoka.

5, HAJJI AIMUTTI (Father of Ismail Kunjalbi) 6, AHMAD: (Father of Hajji Moidin) 7. UNINI KAKA 8. MOIDIN MODALALI 9. ”NANGONA” MOHAMMED 10. HAJJI KADIR 11. BABRI ABDULLAH 12. VELLA KUTTY 13. ”CHAKOD”ABDULLAH 14. HAJJI ANDRU KAKA 15. V EL KUTTY MOHAMMED 16. ABDUL MOLLAKA 17. ”POLAKANNA” KUTIYALI 18. MARKAR 19. CHENUNI KAKA 20. MAULVI MOIDIN LAMBA KAKA 21. IBRAHIM”AIYAPPAN” Any errors and mistakes are subject to corrections in the next issue.

FIJI uS

GIRMIt FEStIVAL SAtuRDAY SEpt 28, 2013 Skits Presentation by Hayward Kirtan Team Speeches: Ashok Muni Hajji Moidin AnD OthERS

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Indian justice system

I

“Justice delayed is justice denied”

t is most disturbing to note that Indian law agencies are painfully slow in completing investigations and following up on finishing the proceeding of cases within reasonable time. From Sanjay Dutt to Ishrat Fake Encounter case to Salman Khan auto accident case, there is clear and convincing evidence that the Indian law enforcement agencies did not discharge their responsibilities in atimely fashion.

Justice delayed is justice denied is not a mere slogan It’s been the touchstone of British Justice system that’s been followed for centuries now by all Western countries and nations that are modeled on the British system. India is no exceptions but is seems over the years India has become a bad example in so far as putting the

It’s been the touchstone of British Justice system that’s been followed for centuries now by all Western countries and nations that are modeled on the British system. India is no exceptions but is seems over the years India has become a bad example in so far as putting the principle in practice. principle in practice.

Election fever No tempos for 2014 elections are building up, the agencies under panic, are taking stock of all old cases that they have been sleeping on.

Fear of BJP’s backlash and accountability for lack action to a new government and boosting political strength all seem to be in the mix of charging people who seem to have been on a free ride. Dutt, for example should have been

Aunty nityA nAnd MAiku is All sMiles She got her firSt Set of giftS on her 60th birthday.

dealt with years ago for being in possession prohibited weapons. It is clear mere possession is enough to justify an arrest for which Dutt had served a partial sentence of 3 years in prison. Dutt’s contention that his family was under threat does not afford a ground for defense.

Then he was released and let go for several years with no charges and no further investigations. Then all of sudden early this he was arrested and returned to prison to serve what is

said to be the remainder Same with Salma Khan justice should have been delivered years ago. He is now faced with threat of a ten year prison in the auto accident case.

This week CBI’s charges of seven ten cops involved in a fake encounter case of Ishrat in Gujarat is another glaring example where justice was not delivered. This case said be centered on then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and colleagues who run the risk of being charged by CBI.

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Hinduism

July-2013

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A VISIT TO THESE HOLY

THE GREAT HIMALAYAS

SHRINES TOGETHER

PROUDLY REFLECT

FORMS THE CHOTA

THOUSANDS YEARS

CHARDHAM YATRA IN

OLD LEGENDS AND HIS-

INDIA. ALL THESE

TORY BY BEHOLDING

FAMOUS SACRED DESTI-

THESE SACRED SHRINES

NATIONS ARE BEING

AT DIFFERENT DIS-

LOCATED IN THE

TRICTS NAMELY

ASTONISHING

UTTARKASHI, CHAMOLI

HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS

AND RUDRAPRAYAG ON

OF UTTARAKHAND AT

THE SPLENDID

DISTINCT DISTRICTS.

GARHWAL HILLS.

C

hardham Yatra is India’s most devoted and featured part of India spiritual tour. Chardham is the most renowned and holy expedition in India that includes visiting to four glorious shrines including Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and lastly the Badrinath Dham. A visit to these holy shrines together forms the Chota Chardham Yatra in India. All these famous sacred destinations are being located in the astonishing Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand at distinct districts.

The amazing valleys of the Great Himalayas proudly reflect thousands years old legends and history by beholding these sacred shrines at different districts namely Uttarkashi, Chamoli

and Rudraprayag on the splendid Garhwal hills. This exalted trip was being initiated thousands years ago in 8th Century by the great reformer and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya and since then the Chardham tour is welcoming numerous pilgrims at such tremendous locations. This glorified expedition starts from Haridwar, the perfect gateway to God and can be reached to Uttarkashi for Gangotri and Yamunotri shrine and be completed at Chamoli by visiting the Badrinath Temple.

Gangotri Temple The holy river Ganga is known to be originated from Gangotri itself, through the prayer made by king Bhagirath.

Gangotri lies at an altitude of 3,200 mts about the sea level in Uttarkashi district where thousands of devotees pay their visit to wash away their sins in the urge of salvation.

The Ganges is believed to be the sacred source of purity and sanctity and so before visiting the temple, devotees take a

The Chardham Yatra Chardham Yatra is a perfect way to find the spiritual redemption and re-energizing of mind and body in every way.

Yamunotri Temple

holy dip in this mighty river. The shrine of Gangotri temple is 18th century old with an exquisite 20 ft structure made of white granite and people can enjoy the tour fully during the months of May to June and September to October.

Located at Uttarkashi at an elevation of 3164 meters from the sea level, Yamunotri Dham temple sanctifies thousands of moods and spirits bringing the origin of River Yamuna. It is the only place where the devotees can find both the amalgamation of hot and cold environment. The Himalayan environment is purified and freezes with the cold tides of the glaciers of River Yamuna and the sides are remained warmed up with thermal springs which are known as ‘Kunds’ of Goddess Shakti. A visit to Yamunotri temple is a full day tour from Uttarakhand’s main towns including Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The temple is accessible by 13 Kilometers trek from the town of Hanuman Chatti and six Kilometer wals from Janki Chatt during the months of May to June and September to November for

the best spiritual expedition.

Kedanath Temple Kedarnath Temple in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state is elevated at an altitude

of 3584 m above the sea level flanking around the river Mandakini. It is considered as the most pious abode of Lord Shiva and is believed that one of the 12 forms of Lord Shiva in the shape of “Jyotirlingas” was dropped at the hills of Mandar where the main temple is located. The famous Jyotirlinga shrines are must visit places where Lord Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. This is the reason tremendous pilgrims visit this original place to seek blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple was being con structed

by Adi Shankaracharya and was privileged by the name of King Kedar, the ruler of Satya Yuga. Due to heavy snowfall during winters, the temple is

open only between the ends of April to Kartik Purnima. During winters, the idols from the Shri Kedarnath Dham are brought to Ukhimath and worshipped there for 6 month.

Badrinath Temple A perfect example of devotion for humanity and mankind, the Badrinath Temple is elevated at an altitude of 3415 meters in the Garhwal Hills on the bank of Alaknanada River. One of the famous shrines of the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, it is the sacred place devoted to Lord Vishnu. Legend says Lord Vishnu meditated at this place for thousand incessant years under the Badri tree and so the name is given as Badrinath. The idol is made of the Shaligram statue in the meditative pose and is the ideal site for the Vaishnavites. It is being believed that the temple was established

by Adi Shankaracharaya in the 9th century. From Haridwar, Rishikesh and Kotdwar, the devotees can easily reach to Shri Badrinath Dham Temple.

24

uS NATIONAL NEWS

July-2013

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Bradley Manning San Francisco Pride Supporters Come Out In The Thousands SAN FRANCISCO. About 2,000 Bradley Manning supporters marched in San Francisco's Pride parade on Sunday, including famed Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg. As PolicyMic pointed out, Manning's supporters made up the largest noncorporate contingent in attendance. SF Pride faced a firestorm of criticism in April after it was reported that Manning would be named a Grand Marshal for the event. While he would not have been able to attend the Pride parade,

his nomination would have served as quite the gesture. Manning, who is reportedly an openly gay U.S. Army soldier who was arrested for allegedly leaking classified material to hacker group WikiLeaks, is currently in custody and faces 22 charges. Some reports have suggested that Manning was frustrated with the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which was still in effect at the time of his service. The SF Pride board rescinded the nomination almost immediately, sparking yet another firestorm -- this

time amongst his supporters.The board released a statement condemning the nomination, but welcoming supporters to the parade: Bradley Manning will

Americans Celebrate Independence Day

People watch fireworks light up the sky over New York City on July 4, 2013 in Weehawken, New Jersey. July 4th is a national holiday with the nation celebrating its 238th birthday.

Simi Valley Fireworks Show Malfunctions, Injures Dozens SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - More than two dozen people were injured Thursday when fireworks malfunctioned at an annual 4th of July show northwest of Los Angeles. An accidental detonation occurred about 9:20 p.m. at an event called the Fireworks Extravaganza located in a large community park in Simi Valley, said police Cmdr.

John Parks. It wasn't clear how many people were in attendance but Parks said the event usually attracts several thousand revelers. Twenty people were taken to area hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, authorities said. Another eight were treated at the park where emergency crews set up a triage area. A bomb squad was at the park to deactivate the remainder of the fireworks. A video clip show on KCAL-TV

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shows a pair of firework blasts at or near the ground. It wasn't known how close people were to the blast's origin. Another clip posted on YouTube shot from a distance shows three ground-level bursts.

not be a grand marshal in this year's San Francisco Pride celebration. His nomination was a mistake and should never have been allowed to happen. A staff

person at SF Pride, acting under his own initiative, prematurely contacted Bradley Manning based on internal conversations within the SF Pride organiza-

tion. There are many, gay and straight, military and non-military, who believe Bradley Manning to be innocent. There are many who feel differently. Under the U.S. Constitution, they have a First Amendment right to show up, participate and voice their opinions at Pride this year.

And voice their opinions they did. Ellsberg, wearing a pink feather boa, waved at bystanders from a truck labeled "Bradley Manning Grand Marshal," while supporters participated in a Michael Jackson flash mob.

Transgender Bathroom Rights Bill Passed By California Lawmakers SACRAMENTO. Calif.California lawmakers approved a bill Wednesday that would require public K12 schools to let transgender students choose which restrooms they use and which school teams they join based on their gender identity instead of their chromosomes. Some school districts around the country have implemented similar policies, but the bill's author says AB1266 would mark the first time a state has mandated such treatment by statute. Existing state law already prohibits California schools from discriminating against students based on their gender identity, but the legislation that passed the state Senate on Wednesday spells that out in more detail, said Carlos Alcala, a spokesman for the bill's author, Democratic Assemblyman Tom Ammiano of San Francisco.

At least two others state, Massachusetts and Connecticut, have statewide policies granting the same protections, but neither policy is in statute, according to the GayStraight Alliance Network.

The issue has become a battle in some local school districts around the country.

For instance, a Colorado

family filed a complaint with the state's civil rights office in March, claiming that their local school had violated the state's nondiscrimination laws. The family had been told that their firstgrader, who was born a boy, could not use the girl's bathroom and would have to use the restroom in the nurse's office or the teachers' lounge. California's bill would give students the right "to participate in sexsegregated programs, activities and facilities" based on their self-perception, regardless of their birth gender. It sparked an impassioned debate on the Senate floor about when transgender students' right to expression might conflict with other students' discomfort and right to privacy.

Supporters said the bill is needed to protect students

from bullying and other abuse. They also said it represents the next front in their effort to provide equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, just days after same-sex marriages resumed in California.

"There should be certainty that every kid has the chance to go to school and be treated equally and fairly," said Sen. Mark Leno, DSan Francisco, who carried the bill in the Senate. "We know that these particular students suffer much abuse and bullying and denigration. We can't change that overnight, but what we can do is make sure that the rules are such that they get a fair shake." Opponents said the state is going too far if it permits opposite-sex students to use restrooms and locker rooms.

Nancy Gonzalez, New York Jail Guard Admits To Affair With Convicted Cop Killer Ronell Wilson NEW YORK. A former jail guard pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges she had sex behind bars with an inmate convicted of gunning down two police officers in cold blood – a man her lawyer says she still cares about and who fathered her baby boy, named Justus. Nancy Gonzalez entered the plea in the Brooklyn courthouse where a jury is considering whether the inmate, Ronell Wilson, should get the death penalty. Another inmate, testifying earlier Wednesday in the Wilson case, claimed that he witnessed Gonzalez standing near his cell and that when she moved away his pants were down around his ankles.

Gonzalez, 29, told a judge on

Wednesday she "knew it was unlawful to have sex with (an) inmate that was under my supervision." A plea agreement could clear the way for her to testify in Wilson's death penalty case.

Afterward, when asked about the relationship, Gonzalez kept silent while defense attorney Anthony Rico referenced "Romeo and Juliet" and sought

to explain how his client still "feels love" for Wilson. "People find love in all places," Rico said. "There are some people who may understand that, there are some people who may not."

Gonzalez was arrested in March on charges she intentionally engaged in a sex act with Wilson while working the night shift at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. She became pregnant in June 2012, a few months into the affair, and had Justus in March, shortly after her arrest. Wilson, 30, was a young gang member on Staten Island when he was arrested in the pointblank shootings of undercover officers James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews in an illegal gun sting gone awry.

FIJISUN aries

March-21 to April-20

caNcer

June-22 to July-23

libra

September-24 to October-22

caPricoN

December-23 to Januar-20

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You reach a more profound understanding of your life's purpose this month with a rare Grand Water Trine flooding your most sensitive houses. Philosophical Jupiter in your 4th House of Roots aligns harmoniously with pragmatic Saturn in your 8th House of Intimacy and metaphysical Neptune in your 12th House of Spirituality on July 17-19, giving you a broader vision of your past that helps you map out a clearer picture of the future.

Positive feelings wash magically into your life this month as a persistent Grand Water Trine that first occurred in June continues to flow. However, tension that stems from conflicts between your personal or professional needs and the demands of others indicates a rough start to the month.

Mischievous Mercury is retrograde in your 1st House of Self until July 20, obstructing your progress with delays that arise from mixed messages or sloppy thinking.

Summer may be a time for fun in the Sun for many people, but there are too many professional opportunities for you this month to miss out on while relaxing on the beach. A subtle shift toward productivity starts when constructive Saturn turns forward in your 2nd House of Resources on July 7, reminding you to invest in the skills you need to increase your income.

Your month gets off to a rough start, but things improve considerably as the days go by. Your ruling planet, Saturn, turns direct on July 8, freeing you from obligations that have recently prevented you from reaching your goals. The dreams you dreamed when strategic Saturn in your 11th House of Friends and Wishes trined prophetic Neptune on October 10, 2012, came back into focus on June 11.

StAr pAge taurus

April-21 to May-20

leo

July-24 to August-23

scorPio

October-23 to November-22

aquaries

January-21 to February-19

This month starts on a rough note as loving Venus in your 4th House of Domestic Conditions squares austere Saturn on July 1, creating feelings of isolation at home or within your family. Change is desirable when Venus trines progressive Uranus on July 7, but pushing for immediate satisfaction only brings frustration because retrograde Mercury backs into the nostalgic Cancer New Moon on July 8, reminding you of what you must complete prior to moving on.

The deep inner work you began last month now leads you toward a renewed sense of purpose. Your focus is decidedly inward with messenger Mercury backpedaling in your 12th House of Spirituality, which is also occupied by philosophical Jupiter and the Sun. Putting truth into action and strategically bringing your dreams down to earth are supported by an emotionally enriching Grand Water Trine of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune on July 17-19.

Once you make up your mind, you can become so fiercely focused on your goal that your unwavering determination might seem obsessive to others. Fortunately, your intensity could pay off this month by giving you the drive to turn your idealistic dreams into reality. In return, you must be willing to patiently wait for your labor to bear fruit. Although your heightened sense of urgency leaves you frustrated.

In a life overflowing with fascinating ideas, you're not always able to find a viable one and stick to it, Aquarius -but that's exactly what you can do this month. Crystallizing Saturn turns direct in your 10th House of Profession on July 8, which prompts you to clarify current issues and career objectives. On July 17, enthusiastic Jupiter in your 6th House of Employment creates a Grand Water Trine with strategic Saturn and imaginative Neptune that helps.

F

rom Tahrir Square in Cairo to Times Square in New York City, the human cry for and celebration of freedom has come to define modern man's highest aspirations for himself and the one ideal that modern societies hold in highest esteem. After centuries of human history in which slavery and human bondage were accepted as norm, the struggle for individual and collective freedom ought to be commemorated as real progress in realizing the awesomeness of God-given human dignity.

"Truly, We have instilled dignity into the Children of Adam," God reminds us in the Quran (17:70).

And, for this reason, perhaps, the Muslim sage and second caliph of Islam, Umar bin alKhattab, reportedly warned one of his governors against taking slaves, saying, "O 'Amr! When did you begin to enslave and subjugate people after their mothers have given birth to them as free people?" When we speak of freedom, we

July-2013

gemiNi

May-21 to June-21

virgo

August-24 to September-23

sagittarius

November-23 to December-22

Pisces

February-20 to March-20

25

This is a great month for organizing your life, setting long-term goals and establishing successful plans to reach them. Professional aspirations come into focus with a Grand Water Trine between Jupiter in your 2nd House of Income, Saturn in your 6th House of Employment, and Neptune in your 10th House of Career on July 17-19. These outer planets in sensitive water signs align your inner needs and your external ambitions.

Explore the outer limits this month by imagining the possibilities ahead rather than solely focusing on concrete objectives. The planetary gathering in your 11th House of Long-Term Goals inspires you to seek the pot of gold at rainbow's end, even if you don't know how to get there just yet. You're likely to re-examine old expectations before thinking about your new mission as your ruling planet, Mercury, retrogrades through reflective Cancer and your 11th house until July 20.

This is a very significant month -- but it's more about what's going on inside you than external events. On July 17, your philosophical ruling planet, Jupiter, forms a Grand Water Trine with serious Saturn and spiritual Neptune. Jupiter in your 8th House of Deep Sharing illuminates the heart of relationships and connects that awareness with your 12th House of Secrets and your 4th House of Home and Family.

This is a very special month: A Grand Water Trine connects idealistic Neptune in Pisces, optimistic Jupiter in Cancer, and realistic Saturn in Scorpio on July 17-19. This harmonious alignment puts your highest hopes in a practical framework that shows you how to best fulfill them. An almost perfect balance between aspiration and application illuminates your vision of the future with a blueprint for building it.

When we speak of freedom, we speak of those physical and institutional barriers that restrict a person or peoples from exercising the right to follow their conscience...

Jummah :

Freedom and Fasting speak of those physical and institutional barriers that restrict a person or peoples from exercising the right to follow their conscience. Beyond this, however, there are important philosophical and practical questions on the meaning and scope of freedom, for no human value can be limitless or left completely unchecked by other greater values.

Every society will have to answer for itself these

rather difficult and complex questions.

In this sermon I want to focus our attention on, arguably, the least considered aspect of freedom -- an aspect without which the human being and societies will never be able to realize the highest promise embedded within the genome of freedom. I speak of that most precious independence known as inner freedom. This freedom is

a freedom that allows us to unshackle ourselves from the bondage of our own egos, false desires, delusions, addictions, and evil inclinations. God alludes to this inner human trap that one must escape when God asks rhetorically in the Quran, "Have you ever considered [the kind of person] who makes his own desires his deity?"

(25:43). It is in many ways the most difficult freedom to attain, and the one that requires the greatest struggle. In a saying that is attributed to Muhammad, the Prophet turned to his companions after a long and difficult

battle, saying, "You have arrived with an excellent arrival. You have come from the lesser jihad [struggle] to the greater jihad [struggle]: the striving against your false desires." While the chain of transmission back to the Prophet is questionable, scholars throughout the centuries of Islam have taken it as true at least in its wisdom and have written entire works on the meaning of greater jihad. The Quran itself speaks of this greater struggle when it says, "As for those who strive in Our path, We shall most certainly guide them onto paths that lead unto Us:

for, behold, God is indeed with the doers of good" (29:69). Inner freedom is not vague or idealistic. It is real and has very real manifestations. It is what allowed a young Abraham, upon him be peace, to oppose the false beliefs of his people, freeing himself from idolatry. It is what allowed Hagar, upon her be peace, to run between the mountains in the middle of a desert, searching for sustenance, freeing herself from despair.

It is what allowed Moses, upon him be peace, to speak the truth in front of a tyrant, freeing himself from a fear that would have left him speechless. It is what allowed Mary, upon her be peace, to bear the false accusations against her reputation with patience and forbearance, freeing herself from resentment and anger.

26

SPoRtS

July-2013

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India beat England to clinch ICC Champions Trophy BIRMINGHAM : It came down to the proverbial wire, but in the end all of England's melancholic weather and the T20-like drama could not deny India its share of joy in gloomy Birmingham on Sunday. From the start of the Champions Trophy early this month, they had been the team to beat here. In the end, they remained unbeaten.The only coveted trophy missing from India's cupboard - MS Dhoni's too was finally won in dominating style as they signed off from the United Kingdom on the note that they had signed in. The men in blue had once shared this trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002 after being declared joint-winners because of a final marred by rain, but the result wasn't quite appetite whetting.

The win over England by five runs, in a rainshortened encounter that was unfair to India consid-

ering the three breaks in their innings and the sun was out when the hosts batted, once again affirmed their position as World Champions in the

Fletcher may get extended run till 2015 World Cup NEW DELHI. The Champions Trophy triumph has not only lifted the Indian team's spirits, it has also given a boost to their coach Duncan Fletcher.

The Zimbabwean, who copped a lot of criticism during India's horrible run of defeats in Tests not very long ago, now looks set to get an extended run till the 2015 World Cup. BCCI insiders told TOI on Thursday that the board's think tank is keen on continuing with Fletcher as he is "doing a fine job" and even skipper MS Dhoni is happy with his inputs. Fletcher was brought in as coach after the team's 2011 World Cup victory, but India's performance plummeted soon after as they lost

back-to-back Test series in England and Australia and then suffered a humiliating defeat against the English team at home. Amidst speculation that Fletcher may be shown the door, the BCCI working committee decided to extend his contract for a year in March after the team blanked Australia 4-0 in Tests at home.

50-over format. If this was indeed the last edition of the Champions Trophy, it will have to be an ode to a team that arrived here in the aftermath of extremely disturbing developments back home, enjoyed unparalleled fan-following here, looked the most dangerous side from Day One and won a final in which the odds were completely

Ireland women call up 13-yearold Lucy O'Reilly DUBLIN. Lucy O'Reilly is in line to become the second youngest cricketer to play a women's international match after being called into Ireland's squad on Monday for their World Twenty20 qualifiers later this month. The 13-year-old is an all-rounder with the Women's 1st XI of Dublin's YMCA club and the daughter of former Ireland international Peter O'Reilly. She was one of 14 players selected in Ireland's squad for the global qualifying event, which will see the hosts competing alongside seven other countries for the three remaining places on offer for next year's World Twenty20, set to take place in Bangladesh.

against them.England will be in mourning. They came close to a win in the weather that best suited them only to be defeated for the fifth time in the final of a major ICC tournament. Sunday's final was a farcical one indeed and nothing can be taken away from the organisers of the event - the ICC - in the manner in which they

messed up with the schedule of the tournament. Since 2004, the Champions Trophy has been void of reserve days for the final and not even the preposterous English weather could help convince them otherwise.

It was a match that looked like it was played simply to get a result and compensate the

IPL spot-fixing : Chandila was told to rope in Watson, Harmeet says NEW DELHI. Rajasthan Royals player Harmeet Singh has said tainted cricketer Ajit Chandila was approached by three bookies, Mannan, Jeetender alias Jeetu and an unnamed person, at a Mumbai hotel to influence Australian all-rounder Shane Watson to join the betting gang. However, Chandila said Watson "was too big for his boots". Harmeet (20), who recorded his statement before a magistrate at a Saket court recently, said he was present in the same hotel room in midFebruary. The special cell has said it is yet to find any evidence that Watson was approached by bookies.

Investigators have also given a clean chit to Harmeet, say-

ing that though he was approached, bookies had eventually dropped the proposal. The left-arm spinner also said he had come into contact with Chandila and another tainted cricket, Ankeet Chavan, during their Air India days. Police said that Harmeet had listened to Chandila as he was over nine years older to the spinner.

sponsors and advertisers who may have paid handsomely for the tournament. The ICC technical committee in fact went ahead and extended the deadline to finish the game by three hours, instead of having a reserve day in place.

Chasing 129 for victory in 20 overs - reduced from 50 because of constant showers - England started on a shaky note, losing captain Alastair Cook to Umesh Yadav at the start of the innings. However, middle-order batsmen Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell resurrected the innings, bringing their side almost to the brink of a win. But once they left, the remaining batsmen caved in.

It was Dhoni's admirable captaincy - the way he rotated his bowlers, spread the field and kept the faith that did the opponents in.

R Ashwin's spell put England under severe pressure while Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma kept plucking wickets.

Zimbabwe break for seniors?

MUMBAI. The Indian squad for the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe will be picked on Friday, with strong indications that at least some of the frequent fliers in the team will be given a much-needed breather. There is, however, a minor twist to the story: BCCI is not sure about the availability of three senior players who had recently been dropped over form and fitness concerns. 'We don't know where Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan are,' a BCCI official told TOI. "They can be considered for selection only if we know of their whereabouts and availability. We've heard that Yuvraj and Zaheer are in France while Sehwag is in the USA. How do we ascertain their form and fitness,' he said.

India travel to Zimbabwe from July 24 to August 3.

Iqbal Qasim calls time on selector role ISLAMABAD. Iqbal Qasim, chairman of the selection panel, has decided not to renew his contract with the PCB, citing domestic issues and his primary job as the head of the sports department at the National Bank of Pakistan. Qasim's contract was due to expire at the end of the month. The PCB has accepted Qasim's decision and, with the committee formally dissolved, said it will "consider the formation of the new selection committee" later this month. "I have told the top officials of the PCB that I have completed my tenure so they should appoint a new selection panel for the future," Qasim told ESPNcricinfo. "I want to move on to my primary job with the bank. The reports about my differences with the captain and coach were incorrect and fabricated, and they have nothing to do with my ouster as it was

planned months ago."

Pakistan's performance during Qasim's tenure Series won: Asia Cup 2012 in Bangladesh, home T20 series v Australia in 2012, away ODI series v India in 2012/13, away T20 series v South Africa in 2013

Series lost: away Test series v Sri Lanka in 2012, away ODI series v Sri Lanka in 2012, home ODI series v Australia in 2012, away Test series v South Africa in 2013, away ODI series v South Africa in 2013 ICC tournaments: semi-finalist in T20 World Cup 2012, lost all group matches in Champions Trophy 2013 Qasim was appointed chief selector on a one-year contract in March 2012, after interim chief Mohammad Ilyas stepped down. He asked PCB to allow him to end his tenure in April, but the then president Zaka Ashraf asked Qasim to continue until the selection of the team for the West Indies tour. "After announcing the team, I asked once again to be relieved," Qasim said. Qasim has had several stints on the selection panel. He was first appointed

chairman of selectors in August 2009 but resigned in January 2010, following Pakistan's poor performance on their tour of Australia. The team was whitewashed in both the Test and ODI series and Shahid Afridi was banned for two T20 games for ball-tampering. Qasim was also a member of the selection committee until the 2007 World Cup; he had been appointed in an honorary post, while continuing as a senior employee with NBP. In a statement issued on Qasim's behalf by the PCB, he stated: "It has been a great experience working with all of them and together we sincerely have tried to serve Pakistan and Pakistan cricket to the best of our abilities. I am also thankful to all the media for supporting the game of cricket, in general, and me, in particular, throughout my tenure."

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CROSSWORD/puzzLE

DO ThE COLORIng

July-2013

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CATCh-WORDS -16

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Coloring pages are fun, but they also help children develop many important skills.

These skills, eye-hand coordination, color concepts, picture comprehension, form the foundation for early learning success!

puzzLE

AcROSS

Answer of Crossword-15

AcROSS

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I was not avoiding Bollywood

I am very young and still starting out in the industry," Shruti told PTI here today. The actress is now looking forward to the release of two Hindi films, Prabhu Deva's Ramaiya Vastavaiya and Nikhil Advani's, D-Day.

Shruti Hassan

A

John Abraham packs a punch B

e it for the bulging muscles he bared (again) in Shootout At Wadala, or his oft-talked about rigorous workout regimen, John Abraham has established himself as a fitness icon.

Now, the actor is combining this love for sports and fitness with his business acumen (he is a B-school graduate) to rope in former world heavyweight champion David Haye for a “few selected” fitness centres across India with boxing as a major form of exercise. Boxing in India has, of course, come into popular focus recently, thanks to an Olympic medal (at the 2012 Games in London) and a filmin-progress on its winner, pugilist Mary Kom. Not a bad time, perhaps, to harvest the interest in the sport.

John, apparently a boxing enthusiast himself, says about his partnership: “I’ve trained with him (David) and realised that we share the same passion for fitness and the sport of boxing. We have a lot of mutual respect. I’ve always endorsed fitness and a healthy lifestyle, and look to pioneer a new trend in India in association with David.” The British boxer is already in the process of opening his gym in Dubai, called Hayemaker Gym, and is will now bring a similar experience to India in collaboration with John and his JA Fitness franchise.

Preity bad collection for Zinta’s comeback

A

ctor Preity Zinta’s muchdelayed Bollywood comeback seems to have hit a roadblock even before it could take off. Ishkq In Paris failed to create any hype before its release, and that showed in its collections too. Trade analysts claim that the film, made on a budget of Rs18 crore (according to trade analyst Amod Mehra), failed to cash in on

ctress Shruti Hassan, who has made aplace for herself in the southern film industry, says she was not avoiding Bollywood and commitments down south kept her busy. Shruti made her debut in Hindi films with a cameo appearance in her father Kamal Hassan's, Hey Ram, in 2000. She was seen in a fullfledged role in Luck (2009) and then in Madhur Bhandarkar's Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011).

However, both the films did not fare well at the box office.

The actress feels that she was yet to make a mark in any film industry. "I haven't made my mark anywhere. I am very young and still starting out in the industry," Shruti told PTI here today. The actress is now looking forward to the release of two Hindi films, Prabhu Deva's Ramaiya Vastavaiya and Nikhil Advani's, DDay. However, Shruti said that through these films, she is not looking to make a foothold in the Hindi film industry. "I don't know if

there is any strategy that works. I was not avoiding Bollywood. I had commitments down south. I have always looked at it as Indian cinema. It just happened coincidentally that both the films are releasing together. But they are polar opposite films and characters," Shruti said. "But I will be doing more Hindi films. You will get to see me more here," she added. Her two Bollywood films are releasing on the same dayJuly 19. But Shruti is not worried about it and says that it is the concern of producers. "It is always the character and the team that matters. Like in case of, D Day, the character is strong and different.

Sherlyn

Sonakshi Sinha

loves her nose ring

to resume shooting for 'Kamasutra 3D'

S

S

herlyn Chopra, who recently returned from Cannes, will soon resume shooting for 'Kamasutra 3D'. She is expected to leave town for a long outdoor schedule of the movie. The film that was announced at the 66th Cannes film festival has reportedly broken all records with its pre-sale rights.' In the meanwhile, the starlet has been hosting a romantic reality show on television and has been

FIJISUN

receiving rave reviews for it. An excited Sherlyn says, "I am portraying myself in the show; there's no pretence or facade.

Isn't that awesome? I've begun to realise that there cannot be a greater asset than individuality."

having Preity as the female lead. It couldn’t earn even Rs1 crore in its opening weekend. “It’s very poor (the collections). The three-day collection is around R1 crore. It’s a complete failure. People don’t want the film at all, so there’s no question of improvement in the collections. They should have cast a younger heroine,” says trade analyst Vinod Mirani. Amod Mehra reveals that the opening collection for Friday was around R35 lakh, which diminished over the weekend. “Its first week looks set to be the last week in theatres. It’s a complete wash-out,” he says. Exhibitors too are disappointed with the turnover that the film has generated.

A

onakshi Sinha is one of the few actors who wears a nose accessory even on screen.

She says it is convenient to wear and gives her the ‘desi’ look. Sonakshi had her nose pierced when she was 16. “I have worn a nose ornament right from my first film (Dabangg) and I keep altering from a nose ring to a stud,” says Sonakshi.

The 26-year-old will flaunt a nose ring once again in her forthcoming film, Lootera.

The actor will wear a traditional nose ring, which also

ctress Sonam Kapoor, whose latest film 'Raanjhanaa' has set the cash registers ringing, now wants something as challenging as Nawazuddin Siddiqui's role in 'Bombay Talkies'.

"I recently watched Bombay Talkies and Dibakar Banerjee's film in that is my favourite among the four (stories). The way the story was conveyed and it was performed so beautifully, I thought it must be so challenging for an actor to do something

enhances her character in the movie. “I have used a very traditional Bengali-looking nose stud in the shape of a flower. It’s a hassle-free accessory and is also the mark of an Indian woman,” she tweeted.

Sonamfinds

Nawazuddin's act challenging like that," the 28-yearold said at an event held to promote short films. "I love a challenge, so it would be great if I could do something like that," she added. Bombay Talkies is an amalgamation of four short films by Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap and Banerjee.

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BOLLYWOOD

July-2013

Sanatan Mandir of San Bruno, CA Proudly Presents

SHRI SHRI 1008 JAGADGURU RAMBHADRACHARYA JI (Blind from childhood)

“SEVA DHARMA`M PARAM GAHANA`M”

Join us from July 8th to July 14th for Shrimad Bhagavad Katha Education: 1. D.Lit - 1983 Topic - Asthadhyayaya Pratisutram Shabdbodh Samiksha.

2. Ph.D. - 1981 Topic - Adhyatmramayane Apaniniya Prayoganam Vimarsh.

3. Acharya 1976 - Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.

4. Shastri 1973 - Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.

Appellations: 1. JAGADGURU - June 24, 1988 - Anointed as Jagadguru Rambhadracharya of Tulsipeeth, Chitrakoot, India.

2. Rambhadracharya - November 19, 1983 Took Virakt Diksha in Ramananda Sampradaya and Dr. Giridhar Mishra became Rambhadracharya Shri Jagadguru founded JAGADGURU RAMBHADRACHARYA HANDICAPPED UNIVERSITY in 2001 in Uttar Pradesh and serves as a lifetime Chancellor. The University serves and upholds the cause of disabled individuals. (www.jrhu.com)

PROGRAM DETAILS: July 8th to July 14th 7pm to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 1pm Followed by Aarti and Mahaprasad For program information please contact: Pandit Jaleshwar Upadhyay at (650) 794 1294, (650) 921 3468 or Satish Datt at (510) 305 5392 205 Angus Avenue West, San Bruno, California 94066 | Phone: (650) 794-1294 www.sanatanmandirsanbruno.com | info@sanatanmandirsanbruno.com

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