India in New York - October 3, 2014

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PARESH GANDHI

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2014

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Madison Square Garden, September 28.

‘I will really endeavor to make India the India of your dreams’ Desis at Madison Square Garden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the kind of gusto unprecedented for any Indian leader visiting the United States, Aziz Haniffa reports.

Photographs: Paresh Gandhi

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housands of diehard, almost fanatical supporters of Narendra Modi, who perhaps had wanted to attend his inauguration as prime minister but couldn’t, were delivered a miniature replica of the inauguration at New York’s Madison Square Garden September 28.

Even before he arrived, Hari Sreenivasan, a PBS news anchor who co-emceed the program with Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, reacting to the chants of ‘Modi, Modi, Modi,’ and the crowd getting to their feet each time a rumor spread that Modi was about to enter, quipped: “Remember, he is already elected, but it is starting to sound like a campaign rally.”

The crowd was there in all its splendor and hues, with saffron being expectedly the flavor of the day, with even the sprinkling of Sikhs sporting saffron turbans while a contingent of Bohra men and women who all sat together were in

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

It was a full house with about 18,000 people in attendance. The roughly 800 VIP ticket holders paid anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 to get the choice seats. The other tickets were free.

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their traditional attire, with men in their white hats and long flowing white robes and the women in their head covering and long gowns of different shades.

Thousands of ticket-holders began to assemble at 6 am on a mild but sunny Sunday morning with the gates opening only at 8.30.

It got progressively chaotic

and the VIP ticket holders who had paid anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 to get the choice seats — about 800 of them to bankroll the extravaganza, which means the other 17,200 could get in free — began to get angry as the lines did not move for hours.

One individual, seething with anger, kept screaming, “I paid

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Among the attendees were about three dozen US lawmakers.

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50 grand ($50,000) and here I am standing in the sun for hours. These guys should have been better organized.”

The Indian American Community Foundation, which had been formed by Modi’s old friend and fellow Gujarati, Dr Bharai Barai, to organize and run the event, was being staffed by over 800 volunteers and scores of committee working for over two months, and the long lines and the confusion almost seemed like the people may not get in for hours and the schedule was unlikely to be met.

But once the lines got moving and people began entering the area, all of this was quickly forgotten and the anger disappeared as the entertainment got going — entertainment which was underwritten by billionaire Florida cardiologist Dr Kiran Patel, who along with Dr Barai were running the show.

They had the assistance of several savvy young second-generation volunteers run by the founders of IndiaCorps, Anand and Sonal Shah.

Many in the audience even bought tee shirts for sale as they entered, which said, hashtag Modi in America, with the subtitle, Unity, Action, Progress, which was also emblazoned as the tag line on the giant TV screens in the Garden.

The entertainment was kicked off with a Gujarati folk dance, which had been preceded by hipped up versions of Vande Mataram and Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA blaring from the speakers.

The chanting, clapping, dancing followed for nearly an hour before at least three dozens of US lawmakers entered to loud cheers, including four Senators and one Governor, South Carolina’s Nimrata ‘Nikki’ Randhawa Haley, who got the loudest applause when she was introduced, as did the only Indian-American in the US Congress Dr Amerish ‘Ami’ Bera, California Democrat, and fellow Democrat Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, the first and only Hindu American in the US House of Representatives.

Before introducing each of the lawmakers on the stage, when Sreenivasan

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The entertainment segment of the Madison Square Garden event included a speed portrait drawn of Narendra Modi — which funnyman host John Oliver called ‘the classic out of towner cliche’ — a violin recital by the legendary L Subramaniam, left, and cultural performances.

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Atttendees stand as the American anthem and Indian anthems are sung.

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announced that the only other Indian-American Governor, Piyush ‘Bobby’ Jindal could not make it but had sent greetings, it was met with sustained boos.

And then about an hour behind schedule when Modi entered holding his hands in a namaste greeting, the crowd went wild and even some of the lawmakers had their smart phones out snapping photographs of the former Gujarat chief minister who in 2005 had been banned from entering the US for his alleged condoning of complicity in the pogroms against Muslims in the 2002 com-

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US Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, left, and Grace Meng of New York, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley at the event.

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munal riots.

But after his landslide victory in the general election in May, here he was being welcomed with the kind of gusto and almost reverence unprecedented for any Indian leader visiting the United States — for that matter any foreign leader, perhaps only to be eclipsed when Pope Francis comes to the US. After Modi took center-stage for a while and continued with his namaste, with the US lawmakers cheering him on as the standing ovation and chants of ‘Modi, Modi, Modi’ grew even shriller.

The lawmakers were ushered off the stage and it was then all unadultered Modi for 90 minutes straight, on a rotating stage.

He was fasting for nearly seven days, and here he was working the crowd with each passing minute.

Ever the politician, and well aware of how humor can be the most potent catalyst to get the crowd going, he said India had been known as the land of snake-charmers, and when he was once in China, a journalist had asked him if he could ask a question, but repeatedly despite Modi telling him to go right ahead, had peppered him with caveats if he would be offended.

Finally when the question was asked, it was whether India was still called the land of snake-charmers, to which Modi said he had replied, ‘We have given up the snake for the mouse.’

He also invoked Mahatma Gandhi several times, although once again calling him incorrectly ‘Mohanlal Gandhi’. It was all about Gandhi’s fight for Indian Independence being also a fight for cleanliness, which he said was Gandhi’s mantra second only to his fight for independence, and here he used it to push to for the cleansing of the Ganga.

Modi, obviously aware, that even though they were fawning supporters, were particularly vexed over issues of visas when trying to visit India, using the opportunity to take a crack at his own denial of a visa, said, “Yes, I know there are problems, visa problems, and even though I am more than thousands of miles away, know your pain.”

And the crowd roared.

But he was keeping the best to the last, when he said, he would move quickly in the next few months, to resolve the visa problem and said that the Person of Indian Origin and the Overseas Citizen of India card would be merged (something that then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh had announced in 2011), and PIO card holders would be given a lifetime visa.

And then Modi egged on the crowd, saying, “Are you happy?”

He also said American tourists would be given visas on arrival and Indian Americans who intended to stay on for a longer period need not have to report to police stations to apprise authorities of their intent to extend their stay.

As he wound up his marathon speech, Modi also said how eternally grateful he was to the Indian-American community for always being there for him for the past 15 years.

“From the core of my heart, I have gratitude for all the love you give me and I will really endeavor to make India the India of your dreams,” he said.

In the final minutes, he revved up the crowd with exhortations of “Bharat Mata ki Jai!” And when the crowd was not showing the same measure of frenzy that was evident at the beginning and through much of his speech, he said, “I am the one fasting, clench your fists and show your enthusiasm.”

Once again, the audience responded with the kind of fervor and frenzied reaction that you seemingly find only at some of the biggest religious pilgrimages the world over.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sadhvi Ritambhara, second from left, also made it to the MSG.

The attendees belonged to all age groups.

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A tireless Narendra Modi left over 700 notable luminaries in peals of laughter with his quick wit during a dinner reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Taj-owned The Pierre Hotel.

Aziz Haniffa was there at the festive, grand dinner.

Modi’s wit keeps celebs, lawmakers hungry for more O ver 700 Indian Americans — many of them shining stars from the world of politics, culture, arts, music, medicine, technology, and others community leaders — attended Indian Ambassador Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s reception and dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Taj-owned The Pierre hotel in New York, September 28.

After Dr Jaishankar’s welcoming remarks, Prime Minister Modi left the audience in splits as he remarked, “This speech is going to be more of a punishment,” a reference to his 90-minute speech at Madison Square Garden that morning to a cheering crowd of 18,000 fans.

To more laughter, he said, “I spoke too much this afternoon.”

Praising desis in America, he extolled them for holding onto their Indian heritage and culture and commended them for their achievements in their adopted country.

“People see and appreciate your contributions. I am very happy for the contributions you have made and I congratulate you for that.”

Modi then switched to his mantra of trade and development as the only solution for India’s growth and economic progress, and to generate employment in the country.

“It should be one-third agriculture, one-third manufacturing and one-third services,” he said.

Modi also made a major push for tourism to India, saying this could be a $3 trillion industry and also be a catalyst for India’s economic growth.

If all Indian Americans could convince non-Indian families to visit India it would give employment “to the taxi,

scooter and even chai-wallahs like me,” he said to laughter and applause.

“If you can go in that direction, it would be a service to the nation,” he said, ending his 10-minute remarks by saying, “I am very thankful for all of you welcoming me and I give my best wishes to all of you.”

Several US lawmakers were present at the reception and interacted with Modi. They included US Representatives Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Frank Pallone, founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans; former co-chair of the Caucus, Joe Crowley; the current co-chair of the India Caucus, Jim McDermott; another former India Caucus co-chair, Pete Sessions, chair of the House Rules Committee; Dr Ami Bera, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the US Congress; and Tulsi Gabbard, the first and only Hindu American in Congress.

During dinner, Dr Jaishankar said, “All of you would agree that the outcome of the general election and the formation of the new government has brought great hope and optimism in India. These sentiments extend to IndoUS relations as well.”

“There are considerable expectations from the prime minister’s visit to Washington,” the ambassador added, “which includes a White House summit with President Obama. And no one looks forward to its success more than Indian Americans.”

Among the senior Obama administration officials present were Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal and Deputy Assistant Secretary

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with guests at the reception.

of State in the same bureau, Atul Keshap, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arun Kumar.

Prime Minister Modi had an interesting group of guests at his table during the dinner with whom he had animated conversation. To Modi’s left was Royce while he was flanked on the right by Dr Jaishankar, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi and Silicon Valley billionaire entrepreneur Romesh Wadhwani.

At another table, Crowley engaged in earnest conversation with businessman Mukesh Ambani, while at yet another table Pallone and McDermott were seen talking animatedly to Indian Ambassador to the United Nations Ashoke Kumar Mukerji.

Other notable luminaries present at the dinner were Ajay Banga, CEO, MasterCard; the Indian-American fundraiser supremo for the Republican Party and close friend of the Bush family, Dr Zach Zachariah of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; another major Republican fundraiser and supporter, Armeane Choksi; billionaire entrepreneurs from Potomac, Maryland, Ken and Kavelle Bajaj, Sharad and Mahinder Tak; Democratic Party fundraisers and philanthropists Ranvir and Adarsh Trehan; US Surgeon General nominee Dr Vivek Murthy; Dr Ravi Jahagirdar, president, American Association of Physicians of Indian origin.

Also present were, of course, the key organizers of the Madison Garden extravaganza, Dr Bharat Barai and Dr Kiran Patel; community activists Swadesh Chatterjee, a Padma Bhushan awardee; Ashok Mago; Dr Sambhu N Banik; K V Kumar; Subhash Razdan; Sampat Shivangi, president, Indian American Forum for Political Education, Chandrakant Patel.

Other notable names present were Prakash Mehta, a partner at Akin Gump, one of the country’s leading corporate lawyers; Sonal Shah, co-founder, IndiCorps; and Indiaspora founder M R Rangaswami.

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‘Modi’s speech was full of ideas’ George Joseph speaks to guests at the Madison Square Garden event.

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CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS

or Abeezar Tyebji, a Bohra community leader from Houston, “the promises that Modi made during his speech was what most attractive about the speech.

It was refreshing to hear his speech.”

“The promise that he would not do anything to shame the Diaspora touched my heart the most,” said Tyebji, who was one of the 150 members from the community present at Madison Square Garden to hear Prime Minister A Modi supporter outside Madison Square Garden. it, since he said that he feels blessed when he removes Narendra Modi’s speech September 28 morning. obsolete laws,” Oommen said.

When asked why he was supporting Modi at a time that ing Modi’s visit, Chatwal said he did not agree with their He also welcomed the announcement of visa on arrival many others from his community were opposing him, views. “Modi has a vision for India and it will benefit the for American citizens and hoped that it would be applicaTyebji said, “He brings fresh ideas and leadership. As country.” ble to Indian Americans too.

Gujaratis we feel proud of him. If what he did to develop US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu to be The announcement that the Person of Indian Origin Gujarat can be replicated at a national level, it will change elected to the US Congress, said Sunday was a day that card would be valid for life was also welcomed with the face of the county.” cheers. In his speech, Modi said he would be removing the made her proud. She said she had not visited India, but When India in New York asked members from across looked forward to doing so soon. During her meeting with the community about Modi’s speech, they said the promis- rule that PIO who stay in India for more than 180 days Modi, she gifted him the Bhagwad Gita on which she took should register with the Foreigners Regional Registration es, the forward thinking and the positivity he stood for her oath of office.

Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer or local police was what made the speech so stirring and moving.

However, the Madison Square Garden event wasn’t authorities. He also said the consulates will soon grant For Benoy Thomas, community leader from without incident. Scores of people stood outside the arena long-term visas for visitors from the US. Washington, DC, the point about the snake charmers and and protested against Modi and his Bharatiya Janata New York hotelier Sant Singh Chhatwal termed Modi a the computer mouse was the most attractive thing in Party. good administrator and a brilliant speaker who will Modi’s speech. “Modi in his speech said, ‘I was in China When India in New York approached a group of Sikhs some years ago and someone wanted to ask a question. He change the face of India. When asked about Sikhs protestwho were protesting, pointing out that a was hesitant, but I encouraged him to go Sikh delegation had met Modi on ahead and ask me. He said he had heard Saturday, Jaspal Singh, one of the protestIndia was the land of black magic and ers and a student at Queens College, New snake charmers. But I said no, our forefaYork, quipped that those Sikhs must be thers might have played with snakes but from Delhi with business interests. we play with the (computer) mouse,’ said The protesters held posters protesting Modi, which was what I liked the most.” the Gujarat 2002 riots. When asked about Sante S Chary, an adviser to the it, Jaspal Singh said, “The riots targeted a American Association of Physicians of minority and all minorities should unite to Indian Origin, said Modi’s boldness was protest against such things. It happened to what made the prime minister’s speech a Sikhs in 1984. In 2002, it was the turn of big hit. “He is bold, doesn’t care about critthe Muslims. If we don’t protest, it will icism. Whatever he feels is right, he says. happen again.”

This is what made the speech memorable.”

Feroz Vohra, who was among the proAnd it wasn’t just the hope he presented testers outside, said he feared more of that gave Modi a rock star reception at crony capitalism than communalism from Madison Square Garden. His several sops Modi. “Already the rich are benefitting. to Indian Americans were welcomed with Gradually, the common man will suffer. It thunderous applause. is not good for anyone,” he said.

Thomas T Oommen, a long-term activist Sufia Salim, a Boston resident at the for reforming passport and visa laws, said protest, said Modi’s words were not Modi’s announcement about visa rules was matched by his deeds. She felt upset that a welcome change. the Muslim community is attacked on such “We expected him to remove the much baseless things as ‘love jihad’. hated rule for the renunciation of the citi“Marriage and love is an issue between zenship of India. Maybe the officials withThe Tyebji family from Houston at Madison Square Garden. As a Gujarati, Abeezar Tyebji said, he was two individuals,” Salim said, “and others held the information from the prime minvery proud of Modi. should not get involved in it.” ister. Otherwise, he would have removed

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10 TAKEAWAYS FROM MODIÊS SPEECH Sheela Bhatt’s notes from Madison Square Garden 1. Modi connected The Indian-American community showed ferocious support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The enthusiasm was for him and about him. He came, spoke and conquered the hearts of Indian Americans present. The speech was not business-oriented, but high on emotion.

It struck a chord with some 20,000 hearts who missed India on American soil.

Keval Shah of Chicago, Subhash Patel of Georgia, Shubhra Gupta of New Jersey, Jai Modi of New York, Rajeev Sharma of Houston — they were all there to see him.

When I asked if they liked Modi’s speech, they all had the same answer: “Amazing!”

Without any doubt, they said: “Modi connected.”

From Modi’s point of view, this was a ‘Thank You’ speech for his favorite NRI audience, the Indian Americans. Nothing more, nothing less.

As a local journalist put it, Modi was in his natural constituency.

2. Visa announcement Modi’s most important gifts came in the form of announcements related to visas for People of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizens of India card holders.

He announced that in the coming months the government will merge the two categories. Actually the announcement had come from his predecessor Manmohan Singh in 2011, but as usual it was implementation where the government stumbled.

Stating that immigration-related processes will improve soon, Modi said outsourcing of visa services will be expanded to expedite the processes.

He also announced lifetime visas for PIO. What he actually meant, probably, was that the validation of the PIO card which is currently for 15 years will be now for a lifetime. But the process of getting a PIO card is so cumbersome that by the time a person gets a PIO card s/he is past the 50s.

India is already in the process of granting visas on arrival to citizens of some 30-plus countries. Modi formally announced that US citizens will get visas on arrival.

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Narendra Modi, in his element.

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To facilitate tourists from the US, he announced that Americans will get longterm visas.

Also, he said the home ministry will discard the practice of reporting to police stations when non-Indians stay for beyond the permitted time period if they have visas.

3. The India dream Modi read the basic emotion of his supporters at Madison Square Garden right.

The reason why he enjoys rockstar status amongst Indian Americans is because most Indians after migrating to America, after making it big and after managing to survive against all odds, are unable to get India out of their system. This class wants India to prosper.

Modi received tremendous applause when he profoundly said, “ I will repay your debt, shape the India you dreamt of.”

Modi understands that every Indian American dreams of a prosperous, corruption-free, clean and secure India.

In him they see someone who will help them make India better.

Modi’s effort to touch this dream-inevery-heart reached a crescendo when he tried to convince Indian Americans that their support to him will not go in vain.

4. From Hindutva to Maa Ganga Modi gives a lot of thought to what he wears. At the Madison Square Garden, he wore a saffron jacket.

Seven times he said, “Bharat Mata ki Jai!” and not the usual “Jai Hind.” That said it all.

It was clear that he thought that the audience largely understands the Bharatiya Janata Party kind of Hindutva.

He earned the maximum applause when he spoke about “Maa Ganga” and his ideas to clean the river.

He also touched a chord when he spoke about India’s Mars mission.

5. US acceptance The line-up of American politicians was impressive. US lawmakers Ed Royce, Chuck Schumer, Robert Menendez, Steny Hoyer, Cory Booker, Tulsi Gabbard, Ami Bera, Joe Crowley, Nikki Haley, Sheila Jackson and Carolyn B Maloney were among those present.

Their presence suggested that the US no more finds Modi unacceptable, but as someone they would have to deal with for a long time.

The pragmatic US approach has come in

It was a grand show. full play to work with Modi.

The presence of so many political leaders revealed that the new Indian political force is recognized now.

6. Desi unity unleashed During the never-before-kind of event, 20,000 people stood up in unison for the future of India. There was an expression of unity inside the arena.

They were in sync with his vision to clean India, build toilets, pursue goal of ‘Make in India.’

There were enough people who spoke without being overzealous about Modi.

Srinivas, a researcher in New York who migrated from Hyderabad, wore a white Modi shirt distributed free at the venue.

“I do not know if he will deliver or not,” he said. “I like him now. We hope he will do some good for India.”

On whether Modi would deliver, Ravi Saraswathi, a software engineer from Kerala living in Washington, said: “I do not know. I support him now.”

Ravi had come with Modi’s picture pasted on his back. He says BJP leaders from Kerala had been engaging over video conference to popularize Modi in America. He attended some of these meetings and liked what he heard from them about Modi.

Sunday was a golden day for the IndianAmerican community.

Mexicans, Jews, Filipinos, Chinese and many such Diasporas live here, but rarely has a leader from a native country received

such a reception at the Madison Square Garden.

If the Indian-American community leaders do not take the event to its logical conclusion (harnessing the emotion and support for Modi into concrete action), it will be a colossal loss of community spirit.

7. India’s 3D power Modi’s speech had many points which he has raised before like his penchant for cleanliness, his mission to build toilets and his idea of minimum government, maximum governance.

Three things, he said, make India different from other nations around the world: Democracy, Demographic Dividend and Demand of 1.2 billion people.

Noting that 65 percent of India’s population was below 35 years, Modi said no other country had such a huge market or democratic structure of governance.

8. Saffron boost Modi’s speech was addressed to the domestic audience as well.

Although it did not have any action plan for Modi’s Indian-American bhakts, the BJP’s American branch got a tremendous boost.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary Ram Madhav were seen at the event.

9. The ‘see the positive’ pitfall What didn’t work at the MSG was Modi’s blooper when he mentioned Mahatma

Gandhi’s first name as Mohanlal instead of Mohandas.

On a larger scale one would like to question how long will Modi continue to play the ‘hope card’ for his supporters.

Modi has demonstrated enough of Gujarat, enough of positive signals and hopes.

His theme of ‘see the positive only’ should end at the MSG. Also, the arrogance of Modi’s supporters is strikingly visible at such events where they refuse to see any other side of what all Modi says. It happens in India, as well in America.

Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, who was here to cover Modi’s visit, got a hostile reception from Modi fans outside the arena.

10. An event well done Dr Bharat Barai, Modi’s old friend and president of the Indian American Community Foundation, and his team deserve kudos for the trouble-free arrangement at the event.

There were people and people and queues and queues.

There were lots of freebies.

Most people were in their 30s and 40s.

Security at the Madison Square Garden was polite and swift.

Since it was a Sunday, a lot more people could come.

Gujaratis were seen in large numbers — all of them in awe of Modi.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Central Park, New York, September 28

At Central Park, Modi salutes the youth PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

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P RAJENDRAN

hat Ranjana Chari really wanted to see Narendra Modi was clear from the way she asked likely people how she could get into Central Park’s Green Lawn, where the Indian prime minister was one of the speakers at the Global Poverty Project’s Global Citizen musical festival, September 27.

Chari, a retired math teacher, had come with her husband to visit her son, had tried at the New York Palace, where Modi was staying. She says she and about 20 others had stuck it out in the lobby in the face of security pressure to leave. While Modi went out of his way to meet admirers on the street, he did not go anywhere near the spot she was waiting at.

Chari had no tickets for the Madison Square Garden event, and so doggedly tried every option to get to the Green Lawn.

“I just want to see him once,” she said.

At Central Park, Chari got around the first barrier by accompanying someone else. But she was thwarted at the second portal by a determined guard. Chari would have to wait for another day to see her hero.

At the park, the crowd was less raucous than might have been expected — perhaps a function of the fact that to get in it took not money but evidence of social commitment, including to the GPP effort to eliminate extreme poverty from the world by 2030.

At which other concert could one see expect to see portable toilets on the doors of which desperate visitors would be reminded that the relief they are about to get is denied to those in many parts of the world where people don’t have the privacy, dignity and health benefits that a toilet provides? Twitter fans were provided with a helpful hashtag for later reference: #opendefecation.

The artists were mid to top drawer: Jay Z, Beyonce, Sting, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, DJ Tiesto, No Doubt, Fun, The Roots... A line-up that would have no trouble raking in huge sums. But though there was stuff

on sale, the concert itself was free.

In between musical performances, leaders of different groups and nations came up to pitch their own brand of social commitment.

From United Nations Secretary-General Ban ki-moon, through Queen Silvia of Sweden, and representatives from Norway, Denmark, organizations like Caterpillar, Citibank, NBC, H&M and others all spoke, some discussing their own area of focus when fighting poverty or directly endorsing the GPP aim of eradicating the kind of poverty that, as CEO Hugh Evans earlier told India in New York, results in people dying because they cannot afford a 30-cent vaccination.

Simon Moss, GPP’s co-founder, spoke of how he and Evans met at some conference and found they shared a worldview and went on to start the organization.

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

At the Central Park event, in between musical performances by top-draw artists, leaders of different groups and nations came up to pitch their own brand of social commitment. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of them

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Given the bipartisan nature of the support, it was natural that Aaron Schock, a Republican Congressman from Illinois, introduced Modi.

India’s prime minister got off the marks with some fulsome praise of those assembled there. Modi extolled the idealism, innovation, energy and can-do attitude, of the youth, and expressed hope that India’s young people could transform their own country.

He then went on to become perhaps the only politician to recite and translate a Sanskrit shloka — an ode to peace — and thereafter close with a Star Wars reference: ‘May the force be with you.’

PARESH GANDHI

‘May the force be with you’ H

What Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Global Citizens Festival

ow are you doing, New York? I hope you are having a good time. Namaste.

My greetings to all those watching on TVs, laptops, tablets and phones as well.

This is a great city. It has assimilated the world in itself. Today, you have shown that you also care for the world outside.

I am truly delighted, to be here. In the open Central Park. And not inside a closed conference room.

Among the youth. Among you. Because you are the future. What you do today will decide our tomorrow.

I feel a current of hope in this park. Among you, I feel confident about the future.

You are touching the lives of those who are not as fortunate as you are. What an admirable act this is. What a sacred mission.

For you to think about those who are far, whose faces you have not seen. Whose names you do not know, whose nationality does not

matter to you. For you to convert your thoughts into action. And devote your time and energy so that others may have a better future too. Those living in poverty, without education, without basic sanitation, without opportunity, and worse, without hope.

I salute you. I feel proud of each one of you. I am sure your families, your friends, your nation feels just as proud.

Some believe that the world changes with the wisdom of the old. I think that the idealism, innovation, energy and can-do attitude of the youth is even more powerful.

That is my hope for India too — 800 million youth joining hands to transform our nation. To put the light of hope in every eye.

And the joy of belief in every heart. Lift people out of poverty. Put clean water and sani-

tation within the reach of all.

Make health care available to all. A roof over every head.

I know it is possible…

Because I feel a new sense of purpose, energy, and will in India. Because, India’s youth can see that you are joining hands with them.Because I believe that we can speak with one voice. For one future.

That is why I am here. Because I believe in you. Let me end, with a few lines in Sanskrit that inspire me personally: May all be prosperous, and happy.

May all be free from illness.

May all see what is spiritually uplifting.

May no one suffer.

Peace, Peace, Peace.

Thank you once again for having me over.

Thanks in particular to Hugh Jackman here.

God bless you all. May the force be with you.

The Sanskrit verse has been translated

Cover Story

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

At the breakfast meeting with business leaders.

Modi assures biz leaders of a new beginning TEAM INDIA IN NEW YORK

H

osting a breakfast for 11 CEOs, including PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi, Google’s Eric Schmidt and Citigroup’s Michael Corbat, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he wants to convert the recent Indian Supreme Court judgment on coal allocation into an ‘opportunity to move forward and clean up the past’.

The Supreme Court last week quashed the allocation of 214 out of 218 coal blocks allotted to companies since 1993 terming them as ‘fatally flawed’. It allowed the Indian government to take over operation of 42 such blocks which are functional.

Listening to concerns raised by the business leaders at the breakfast in New York, Modi assured them that his government will address their issues and try to make the environment in India more business-friendly.

Most business leaders described the meeting as ‘excellent’ and ‘very good’. They said that the prime minister heard their concerns and listed out the priority areas of his government to take the India story onward, and higher.

The prime minister also told the business leaders that ‘infrastructure development is a big opportunity; it creates

jobs and enhances quality of life of our citizens.’

Attendees at the breakfast meeting also included Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, Cargill’s President and CEO David W MacLennan, Caterpillar’s Douglas Oberhelman, AES’ Andres Gluski, Merck’s Kenneth Frazier, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Carlyle Group David Rubenstein, Hospira’s Michael Ball and Warburg Pincus’s Charles Kaye.

All these companies already have considerable presence in India and their chiefs are believed to have expressed intention to further expand their engagements with the Indian government and enhance their business presence in the country.

After the meeting, Banga said the prime minister listed out areas like tourism, skill development and infrastructure as his key focus areas.

The over one-hour-long breakfast meet was followed by one-on-one meetings with six CEOs of Boeing, KKR, BlackRock, IBM, General Electric and Goldman Sachs.

Nooyi described the meeting as ‘excellent’.

‘He answers questions brilliantly and is very focused on improving India,’ she told the Press Trust of India. ‘So, we are thrilled to be working with him.”

Banga said the prime minister was a good listener and

he believed that Modi can execute plans like the way he did in Gujarat.

‘I have every belief he can do that,’ Banga was quoted as saying. ‘I believe then you can have a very good decade or ahead of growth in India and that would make every American investor happy to put their capital, technology and their people into India. Banga said Modi was focused on generating jobs, for which there was need for improving manufacturing and tourism and infrastructure.

‘His view is that he will get those with clear policies as well as about willingness to execute and he made the point many times over and I think from his perspective of his focus and his energy around Asia,’ he said.

Andres R Giluski, CEO of AES Corporation which in the power sector in Odisha, said the prime minister listened to everyone’s concerns and he thought he was planning to address them.

Asked what bottlenecks he would want the government of India to remove, he said there are number of issues and reforms happening. ‘The prime minister likes to get things done and so do we.’

GE CEO Jeffery Immelt said Modi ‘has a good head set for business. Look forward to him to continue to drive the reforms. India is a great country and place to invest.’

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Cover Story INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

New grandparents Clintons meet Modi

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

Tulsi Gabbard gifts her Gita

PHOTOGRAPH: MEA/TWITTER

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu Congresswoman, presented a copy of the Bhagwad Gita to Narendra Modi September 28 when she met with the Indian prime minister at his hotel.

The two discussed about Prime Minister Modi’s proposal at the United Nations General Assembly of launching an International Day of Yoga. Gabbard told Modi that she was a practitioner of yoga and was very interested in the proposal and also assured him that she would try to do her best to support and further this proposal.

Modi also invited the US representative from Hawaii to visit India, which she has not visited yet.

Officials said that Gabbard, a great supporter of India who has interest in defense-related matters, discussed her approach towards the topic as well as international cooperation in terms of working against common threats posed through terror.

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton September 29 called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York and discussed bilateral relations.

The Clintons had a 45-minute meeting with Modi, who was accompanied by India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Modi and Swaraj warmly welcomed the Clintons and wished them on becoming grandparents. Chelsea, the daughter of Bill and former secretary of state Hillary, gave birth to daughter Charlotte last week.

The Clintons-Modi meeting comes in the backdrop of reports that Hillary may contest the presidential elections in 2016.

The Clintons lauded Modi for his initiative to clean the Ganga.

‘Your efforts at cleaning the Ganga will send a message to others in Asia,’ Hillary reportedly told Modi.

‘It is a sacred project and smart approach,’ Bill Clinton reportedly told the prime minister.

Netanyahu invites Modi to Israel Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu September 28. Modi was accompanied by his External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the meeting in which many issues were discussed, particularly cyber security in which India wants Israel’s aid in countering terrorism.

According to Syed Akbaruddin, spokesman for India’s ministry of external affairs spokesman, the leaders discussed the situation in Gaza, the crisis in the Middle East, water management, and the development of cities.

Defense ties were also extensively discussed. Israel is a big exporter of arms to India.

While talking about arms purchases, Prime Minister Modi also told his counterpart of the ‘Make in India’ policy through which Modi hopes to manufacture weapons indigenously and mentioned that foreign direct investment in India’s defense sector can now be up to 49 percent.

Netanyahu shared that when he visited California, he noticed that most of the software

engineers were either from Israel or India. Hence, he said, India and Israel should have greater

PHOTOGRAPH: MEA/TWITTER

cooperation in the IT service industry as well.

Modi also asked for Israel’s help in management of water in 500 cities in India, per Akbaruddin, and Netanyahu invited Modi to Israel.

Cover Story

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

‘Earlier there was a habit in our country to keep small groups happy,’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Council on Foreign Relations.

At CFR event, Modi underscores international cooperation to fight terror PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

SUMAN GUHA MOZUMDER

‘T

errorism divides while tourism unites,’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his address September 29 to the Council on Foreign Relations just before leaving for Washington, DC to meet with President Barack Obama.

The prime minister invited members of the audience at the CFR event — that was out of bounds for journalists — to come and visit India to see firsthand how the country of 1.25 billion population is changing.

Modi said terrorism should not be classified as good terrorism and bad terrorism. He recalled that when he met with State Department officials way back in 1991 and told them about the issue of terrorism, his concern was dismissed.

He was told that basically it was a law and order problem for India.

‘It is only after the 9/11 attacks on the United States that the US officials understood that there is terrorism in the world which is spreading,’ Modi said.

He noted that terrorism has been exported to India, and is not homegrown.

‘I once told a CNN journalist when asked about the rise

and effect of Al Qaeda in India, that India Muslims no doubt would defeat terrorism,’ he said.

The only way to defeat terrorism is international cooperation, he said.

‘Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and we need to come together to fight it,’ he said. ‘The only way, therefore, to tackle the challenge terrorism is to be convinced that all countries who believe in humanity should come together and join hands to stamp this evil.’

Giving credit to the youth for bringing out a change in the course of Indian politics, Modi said there is a new wave of aspiration in the country after the change of government.

‘Earlier there was a habit in our country to keep small groups happy,’ he said. ‘Divide in small groups and keep your vote bank intact. This has changed now. The thinking of the young generation of India has changed. The young generation of the country does not want to live in parts. The change has come due to the youth.’

Asserting that he wants to create opportunities for a neomiddle class to accelerate development, Modi said his government plans to focus on achieving a balance between agriculture, manufacturing and services to achieve growth.

He said a large number of people have gone above the poverty line but are yet to find a place among the middle class.

‘If we ignore our neo-middle class and they again slide back into poverty, then the poor will lose hope of coming out of poverty,’ he said.

He pointed out that a single party had formed a government after 30 years and this is the first time that somebody born in independent India has got an opportunity to become prime minister. He also credited India’s democratic set-up for making a person of humble origins like him occupy the country’s top most position.

Defining good governance as minimum government and maximum governance, he said a large number of rules and a mammoth hierarchy had become a problem in itself.

Modi, who at the Madison Square Garden used the metaphor of cost of travel by auto rickshaws in Ahmedabad to compare the expenditure incurred on India’s Mars Mission, evoked the imagery of a Hollywood film at the CFR. ‘Mars Mission completed its distance of 650 million km on an expenditure less than what is incurred on making a Hollywood film,’ he said.

He said his government’s ‘Make in India’ program — meant to boost manufacturing — is moving ahead with focus on skill development. He also said his government has carried out labor reforms, which were not considered politically correct but were badly needed.

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Cover Story INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

‘I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere’ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the UN was befitting of a statesman, says Suman Guha Mozumder

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi September 27 told the United Nations General Assembly that India is ready to engage in serious dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere without the shadow of terrorism.

Islamabad, he added, should reciprocate by creating an appropriate environment for such talks.

Without referring to Pakistan, Modi said that raising bilateral issues in the United Nations does not help make progress in the relations of two countries.

In his speech September 26, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raked up the issue of Kashmir and demanded a resolution on the basis of a half-a-century-old UN resolution for a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.

‘Raising issues in this forum is not the way to make progress towards resolving issues between our two countries,’ Modi said, speaking in Hindi before the 69th UNGA. ‘Instead, today, we should be thinking about the victims of floods in Jammu and Kashmir. In India, we have organized massive flood relief operations and have also offered assistance for Pakistan occupied Kashmir.’

‘I am prepared to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue with Pakistan in a peaceful atmosphere, without the shadow of terrorism, to promote our friendship and cooperation,’ he added. ‘However, Pakistan must also take its responsibility seriously to create an appropriate environment.’

The prime minister said India desires a peaceful and stable environment for its development.

‘A nation’s destiny is linked to its neighborhood. That is why my government has placed the highest priority on advancing friendship and cooperation with her neighbors.

This includes Pakistan,’ Modi said.

Modi did not refer to Pakistan again in his speech that went on for exactly 33 minutes and offered, like a true statesman, a holistic view of the world focusing on development, democracy, peace and the need to eliminate terrorism.

‘And for all these to happen, the work should begin here at the United Nations,’ he said. ‘While we speak of an interdependent world, have we become more united as nations?.

Today, we still operate in various Gs with different numbers.

India, too, is involved in several. But, how much are we able to work together as G-I or G-All. On the one side, we say that our destinies are inter-linked, on the other hand we still think in terms of a zero-sum game — if the other benefits, I stand to lose.’

Dressed in a traditional Nehru jacket and trousers, Modi — unlike many of his contemporaries or predecessors — often made eye contact with his audience.

Indian Prime MInister Narendra Modi speaks at the 69th United Nations General Assembly.

‘It is easy to be cynical and say nothing will change. But, if we do that, we run the risk of shirking our responsibilities and we put our collective future in danger. Let us bring ourselves in tune with the call of our times. First, let us work for genuine peace. No one country or group of countries can determine the course of this world. There has to be a genuine international partnership. This is not just a moral position, but a practical reality,’ he said.

‘We need a genuine dialogue and engagement between countries. I say this from conviction of the philosophical tradition that I come from. And our efforts must begin here — in the United Nations.’

‘When we think of the scale of want in the world — 2.5 billion people without access to basic sanitation, 1.3 billion people without access to electricity, or 1.1 billion people without access to drinking water — we need a more comprehensive and concerted direct international action. In India, the most important aspects of my development agen-

PARESH GANDHI

da are precisely to focus on these issues. The eradication of poverty must remain at the core of the post-2015 development agenda and command our fullest attention.’

In sense, Modi took a leaf from his predecessor Inder Kumar Gujral who during his brief prime ministership made it a point not to bring up bilateral issues with Pakistan, such as Jammu and Kashmir, to the United Nations. Modi scrupulously avoided making any counter reference to Pakistan’s traditional India bashing on the Kashmir issue.

Evidently, his positive remarks, rising above a parochial perspective, went down well with the audience.

“I think you can call his speech visionary,” a former Indian ambassador to the UN, now a top aide to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told India in New York. “Mr Modi painted a very broad canvas today and it was a good expression of India’s vision of true multilateralism. I think everyone liked the address.”

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

It was not an insignificant protest, and it included hundreds of desis of varied backgrounds.

‘IT’S SHAMEFUL THAT SO MANY FROM THE DIASPORA ARE SUPPORTING HIM’ On the other side of 7th Avenue, Chaya Babu finds a counter-narrative to the Indian American’s love story with Narendra Modi

C

PHOTOGRAPHS: CHAYA BABU

rowds swarmed the sidewalk on 7 Avenue outside Madison Square Garden September 28 under the unusually warm Sunday autumn sun.

Those who did not have tickets to get in, but hoped to see and show their support for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by gathering outside the venue, circled around Headlines Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai as he interviewed Prachi Patankar from the South Asia Solidarity Initiative, one of the organizers of the rally taking place across the street.

The throng swelled and shoved, arms reaching in with camera phones ready, shouts in Hindi and thickly accented English demanding to push through to get closer to the center.

Patankar had her safety net — two young desi activists in the wings, nestled among the all-male mob — ready to pull her out in case something went down.

“If this is the Diaspora, we have a lot of work to do,” said Janani Bala, one of the twenty-something pair keeping their eyes on Patankar.

Moments before, Sardesai had been physically harassed by some of the men, presumably for raising critical questions about Modi in his reporting on the scene.

“I take it as par for the course as a journalist,” Sardesai th

said. “There are all cheerleaders here, right? Cheerleaders don’t want to see anyone even asking questions. But it’s okay; it’s part of the job. And there are plenty of very nice people here — a few abusers should not be able to spoil the whole thing.”

“Most Indians are decent, honorable people, but you will get a few abusers, and I hope the prime minister of India starts telling those abusers to stop abusing. That’s my problem with the prime minister sometimes; the prime minister needs to tell those who spread hate, ‘Stop spreading hate.’

Because when he remains silent, these people get more muscle,” Sardesai added.

The Modi supporters had become a raucous crew, he said, in response to the presence of protesters, who, along with Patankar, were voicing their dissent regarding Modi, his visit, and all he represents for India.

Between coach buses and reams of yellow taxis, a large and lively pack of people with banners and signs was visible on the opposite side of the wide avenue. Approaching them, their numbers stacked heavily toward the front of a narrow area blocked off on West 32nd Street and confined between lined up police barricades, their chants grew audible.

‘Modi Modi you can’t hide! You committed genocide!’

Their visual messaging was equally bold.

A ‘wanted’ poster featured a Modi mugshot of sorts, calling him out for crimes against humanity. A black sign with a blaze of red flames read ‘MODI! India’s Prime Murderer.’

Others labeled him a fascist and a killer and oppressor of minorities.

It was not an insignificant protest — hundreds of Indians of varied backgrounds took their places inside the blue wooden barricades.

The picture closer to Madison Square Garden, which had a full house and tickets sold out in advance, showed a warm and welcoming sentiment toward India’s new leader; just a few car lanes away revealed another story.

“They will have us believe,” Patankar told India in New York, “that the hoopla and the celebration are this thing where all kinds of Indian Americans are supporting (Modi), but this is not true, and this is why we’re here — to make sure that a voice of opposition is heard,” She said she has witnessed an element of surprise about the fact that opposition exists, and that’s concerning.

“People are saying things like, ‘Why are you bringing up

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

MODI UPSET OVER ATTACK ON JOURNALIST Sheela Bhatt and Suman Guha Mozumdcr

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi has kept silent over rowdy elements within his Bharatiya Janata Party, and among his fans.

But the September 28 incident at the Madison Square Garden, when journalist Rajdeep Sardesai was abused and manhandled, forced the prime minister to react.

Modi’s friend, billionaire Gautam Adani, called Sardesai and delivered a personal message from the prime minister, stating that Modi was upset over the incident.

Sardesai was abused by a small group of Modi fans and then manhandled moments before the grand event to honor the prime minister commenced at the Madison Square Garden.

Sardesai recently joined Headlines Today as a consultant editor after parting ways with CNN-IBN. Things were fine initially. Those who recognized Sardesai took scores of selfies with the television celebrity near Penn Station.

Suddenly, Sardesai was hit on the back by someone to which he objected.

A small group of people — some of them dressed in saffron — then started abusing him and reportedly told him that he should migrate to Pakistan along with his wife, journalist Sagarika Ghose, and his children.

Sardesai objected strongly to this, especially when his children were abused. He took on the guy threatening him.

Unfortunately, the man who hit Rajdeep was not shot on camera, but subsequent events have been recorded.

‘The prime minister will not be very happy when he comes to know about what you guys are doing today,’ Sardesai told the people trying to rough him up. ‘I am an Indian too and here to cover our prime minister’s visit.’

“I think these people still hold a grudge over my reporting after the 2002 riots,” Sardesai told India in New York immediately after the altercation.

Some presumably Modi supporters also made disparaging remarks about a group of protesters gathered under the banner Alliance for Justice and Accountability opposite the main entrance of the Madison Square Garden on Seventh Avenue.

Holding banners and buntings, the AJA raised anti-Modi slogans, protesting what they called his divisive agenda.

“The humans are standing on this side of the street and the dogs are on the other side,” one person was overheard as saying about the protesters.

Many believe it is time Modi speaks out against such incidents where over-enthusiastic fans have gone berserk.

In recent months, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and then Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chauhan were hooted in the prime minister’s presence.

‘IT’S SHAMEFUL THAT SO MANY FROM THE DIASPORA ARE SUPPORTING HIM’ f

always ensure that, when there are wrongs done, we’re able to get justice for the people.”

Joseph emphasized the importance of disrupting a singular image of what Indian Americans feel about Modi. the past? Why in this euphoria are you trying to dampen “One of the things that we wanted to do was offer a the mood?’” she explained. counter-narrative to this idea that Indian Americans “These are the comments we’ve been getting even from reporters. But for us it’s important that whatever he did in are Hindu, upper caste, and forming a Hindutva ideology,” she said.

Gujarat… we want to make sure that that is not forgotten “We’re here against the Hindutva ideology. We’re here and that the victims voices and their plight are heard and against Hindu supremacy. We’re here against the lack of justice for them is served. And we believe that if we let pluralism and the diversity that we see. We believe that somebody like this get away... that doesn’t look good for India is a diverse country and we are here representing the future of India.” equality. It’s shameful that so many from the Diaspora are “It means an India that’s based on the Hindu rashtra, or supporting him.”

Hindu nation, rather than what India was founded on realPatankar also mentioned Modi’s neoliberal development ly: A secular place where Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and Christians and all kinds of people live in har- strategy in India, in which she said the rich gain and the poor lose as mining projects ravage tribal peoples. His lack mony. And I fear that’s not what we’ll face if Modi continof regard for lower classes and castes of India, she said, furthers the protesters’ points that Modi is aiming to create an India that is not inclusive of all the communities for whom it is home.

“Inside (Madison Square Garden) unfortunately are those people who have bought into this fascist narrative that India belongs to one particular religion, one particular language, one particular people,” said Dr Shaik vUbaid, from the Alliance for Justice and Accountability.

In front of him, men in kurtas mixed in with elderly women in salwaar kameezes and chiffon scarves covering their heads, and young women in jeans, nose studs, and buzz cuts.

Dr Ubaid led a line-up of The protesters emphasized the importance of disrupting a singular image of what Indian Americans speakers who addressed the feel about Modi. large group, stretching halfway to 6th Avenue. Speakers included Joe Lombardo ues to be in power and is allowed to continue his policies.” from the United National Antiwar Coalition; Jasjit Singh he 2002 Gujarat riots were what echoed most loudly from the North American Sikh Alliance; Dr Svati Shah, through the ranks on 32nd Street, comprising activists, anthropology professor and activist; Kannan Srinivasan, students, academics, and more. scholar on the history of the Hindu Right; Dr Amarjit Sonia Joseph, another organizer of the rally, said the Singh from the North American Sikh Alliance; Yusuf widespread belief that Modi has been cleared by India’s Dadahi from the Alliance for Justice and Accountability; Dr Supreme Court proves that the public needs to dig deeper Satinath Chaudary, scholar and Dalit activist, and more. in its understanding of who he is and what he represents The chants continued as it neared mid-afternoon and for India. only the most faithful cheerleaders remained on the curb Jinee Lokaneeta, who teaches political science at Drew University in New Jersey, said she’ll never forget the sight of outside of the Garden. A smaller line of protesters crossed back over that way for a silent march in front of the venue, children playing in burial grounds at the relief camps in a back and forth, back and forth procession of picketing.

Gujarat when she went there after the mass brutality “We’re trying to reflect and shine a light on the past, the against Muslims. present, and the future,” said Teju Nagaraj. “Speaking about “I do feel, given that through this time we haven’t had any Modi’s original sins — his biggest one in 2002, and many justice and there’s been no accountability, really angry and others in the movement he’s a part of, which has attacked disappointed,” Lokaneeta said. “And given that India does Muslims, which has attacked Christians, which has attacked have strong democratic institutions that can ensure Dalits, which has attacked women — and asking truth accountability and yet there’s a way in which we have a hisabout that is the only way we can actually renew a possibilitory of forgetting. And we should not forget that being a ty for a critical politics and for an active democracy that’s part of a democratic system also means that while you celenot this chest-beating nationalism.” brate whatever’s good about your country, you also have to

T

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India in New York October 3, 2014

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India in New York October 3, 2014

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Community Special

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INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Dr Ron Jacob on donation day.

D

r Ron Jacob started working for the South Asian Marrow Association of Recruiters after his friend Bevin Varghese was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in 2007. They organized several camps to find a bone marrow donor for marrow/stem cell transplant, in vain.

Varughese died in 2008.

Dr Jacob, 35, medical director, SAMAR, had given his name to the Be The Match Registry. Recently, he was told his marrow matched someone who needed a transplant to live.

“It is extremely rare for someone who is so closely associated with the registry to come up as a match, but he viewed it as a privilege and donated without any hesitation,” said Moazzam A Khan, director of community outreach, SAMAR. Dr Jacob, who was born in Queens, New York, and whose parents immigrated from Kerala in the 1970s, wrote for Be the Match’s newsletter about the experience of helping another human being live and lead a normal life: ‘It was 3 am, and my family and I had just returned from our New Year’s Eve Midnight Mass. Right before going to bed, I checked my e-mail. That’s when I saw the message identifying me as a potential match for a patient. I told my wife Sarah and we were both in disbelief.’

‘Every single person associated with the Be The Match Registry dreams of receiving the message that they are a match…

My good friend Bevin was diagnosed with ALL a few years before… Unfortunately Bevin passed away in 2008, but I stayed with SAMAR as the secondary medical director and then eventually the fulltime medical coordinator and recruiter,’ Dr Jacob wrote.

Understandably, it was Bevin I thought of initially. Then I thought of my two friends, Shaun and Anila, who had suffered with similar illnesses. With the complete support of my wife, there was absolutely no hesitation from my end and within 5 minutes, I responded.’

‘I tried my best to contain my excitement, especially since I knew exactly what the odds were of being able to donate. I was thrilled that 2014 had begun in such a great way.’

In a couple of days I received the call with the same information I had so often provided to many donors over the past seven years. It was definitely a surreal experience being on the other end of the conversation. I completed the health history questionnaire, sent back my consent forms and scheduled my blood work. The blood work was quick and easy. I was out of the lab within 20 minutes.’

‘I informed Rafiya Peerbhoy Khan and Moazzam A Khan, the founders of SAMAR, about the situation. They were both ecstatic for me. One of their own employees who spends his days working on behalf of patients now had the opportunity to potentially save a life.’

‘Almost two months later I was informed that I was an acceptable match and could proceed. The wonderful staff at the New York Blood Center sent me the official documents to review, sign and mail back and scheduled my physical exam, which consisted of more blood work and a chest x-ray.’

‘A preliminary date was scheduled for my first shot of Filgrastim (stimulating the bone marrow to increase pro-

what we tell our donors, ‘The pain is a good thing because you know the Filgrastim is working.’ I was at church and noticed that I couldn’t sit in any position without discomfort. I took the pain meds before it got worse. I received my third dose of Filgrastim and took the pain meds as needed throughout the day. That night I started feeling more pain in my hips and lower back but slept extremely well that evening.’

‘Day 4: Definitely the day I felt the most pain. I felt it in my hips, lower back and tailbone. A few times I felt it in my sternum and ribs as well. The pain was bearable and never prolonged. I went into work, but since I could not sit in one place for a prolonged period of time, I took a half day. I went home and decided to stay in bed since that alleviated the pain. I received my fourth dose of the Filgrastim.’

‘Donation Day: I slept very well the night before. Sarah accompanied me to the NYBC and I received my final injections of the Filgrastim. We enjoyed a nice breakfast and after an hour, it was finally time to begin. The donation process began and there was no pain at all. Whenever I felt my calcium levels drop, I let the nurse know and he supplemented me with some calcium. I received a nice visit from Mr and Mrs Khan along with our staff member Pooja Shah. They were so happy and supportive of me and mentioned how this must be a rarity for a recruiter to donate.

The process took 5 and a half hours.

Sitting in one place for that amount of time was probably tougher than any of the injections or the process itself.’

‘My wife and I watched a movie on our tablet and the NYBC staff made sure to keep me entertained.’

‘After the necessary amount of product was collected, I was ready to go home.

That evening, I just relaxed at home with my family. I had some pain still, but the meds alleviated any discomfort.’

‘Day 1 after the donation: I had been given the day off so I could stay home to recover from any residual effects. I still had some slight pain, but again it wasn’t anything overbearing.’

‘Day 2 after donation: I felt 95 percent and was back at work. I did not have to take any pain meds and went about my day as I would normally.’

‘Day 3 after donation: I had a scheduled day off and was 100 percent recovered. My only restriction was a recommendation to not do any physical or strenuous activity for two weeks after donation.’

‘I can honestly say this was one of the greatest experiences in my life. There was a certain level of discomfort, but any time I felt any pain, I simply thought about the recipient. I kept thinking about one specific moment in the recipient’s life; the moment s/he was informed of the diagnosis. I kept telling myself, if the recipient was able to cope and deal with that particular moment, the slight discomfort I am experiencing is nothing.’

‘I hope to meet the recipient one day, but if it doesn’t work out I’ll always know that I have a ‘sibling’ in the world that fought hard till a match was found. I am proud the recipient never gave up hope and allowed me the opportunity to help and experience the full circle.’

Approximately every 3 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

THE GIFT

OF LIFE

Queens physician Dr Ron Jacob couldn’t save his friend, but his marrow saved another life.

George Joseph unearths an inspirational story duction) and the subsequent donation. It was at this time that I told my parents and in-laws about the match. I was blessed that my wife and family were extremely supportive of the donation.’

‘Unfortunately, some further follow-up blood work was needed, which delayed the donation process by almost two weeks. This was actually a good thing, because it allowed me to see the other side of things. We often forget how fragile the process is and although it may seem like simple issues, they can cause delays that are frustrating on many levels.’

‘Day 1: First day of Filgrastim injections. I left work in the middle of the day and headed to the NYBC for my shots. I was very curious to experience the ‘pain of the injections’ that is often mentioned when recruiting new registry members. To me, the pain was a non-issue. It was less pain than a flu shot. I went back to work and continued my day. I was a little fatigued, but that was it.’

‘Day 2: Was a Saturday. My mother, a retired registered nurse, agreed to give me my injections for days 2-4. My only ‘side effect’ that day was fatigue.’

‘Day 3: First day of initial bone pain. I kept in mind

India Special

24

INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

A Ganesh Nadar and Reuben N V traveled to Kerala to meet some of the nurses who have returned from civil-war ravaged Libya.

G

eena Jose, 28, went to Libya in 2012. She worked as a nurse at the Abu Salem Hospital in the capital Tripoli.

“I was working for the ministry of health,” she says.

“When we landed it was peaceful. Muammar Gaddafi (Libyan dictator) has been deposed a year earlier and the people had settled down,” Geena remembers.

Even after the civil war began in Libya, the Indian nurses were not in any danger, she says. “It was peaceful in the hospital and hostel which is right behind the hospital. We were not in any danger. We had not seen any fighting, but we could hear guns and bombs exploding. Thirty women refused to come back with us. They decided to stay back and continue to work. I used to get a salary of Rs 45,000 ($750) a month. Here I will get Rs 7,000 ($117) for twice that amount of work.”

“I am pregnant and all the hospitals, which had gynecology departments, had shut down in Tripoli. I knew I could not deliver a baby there safely,’ she says, explaining why she returned.

“We will go back after the civil war stops,” she adds.

The nurses had to resign from their jobs to return to India. Indian embassy officials took them by bus to neighboring Tunisia. The Indian ambassador met them at the hotel where they were put up.

“Everything was managed well by the government. We faced no problems anywhere. They provided us with papers and air tickets to come back,” Geena says. “There were two reasons that made me come back. I was pregnant and when the airport shut down we were all scared. It meant we could not leave even if we wanted to. 177 Indians came back, but many are still working there.”

“When I sent her there it was peaceful,” says Geena’s father Jose Thomas. “My cousin is working there. As we already knew someone in Libya I had no qualms about sending her there. When we read in the papers about what was happening there, we were worried and scared. We told her to return. We were talking to her on Skype every day, so we were in touch at all times.”

Mabhouvya with her parents at her home in Kerala.

Indian officials contacted the nurses on e-mail and via SMS, telling them the government was ready to take them back home. Her husband, who also worked in Libya, returned with her.

The Department of Non Resident Keralites Affairs looks after non-resident Keralites all over the world. They provided India in New York a list of nurses who had returned from Libya. One name on this list was Sheena Jose.

When India in New York went to her home, her parents were shocked to see the list, since Sheena is still in Libya and has no plans of coming back. “My daughter-in-law is working at the Benghazi Medical College Hospital. It is a big hospital on 2,500 acres of land. There are nearly 1,500 nurses working there. She speaks to us every day,” says Sheena’s mother-in-law Gracy Mathew. “There is peace there. Nothing is wrong.”

“Our neighbor’s daughter is also in Libya. She is a nurse.

She has come down for a holiday, you can talk to her,” Mrs Mathew volunteers helpfully. When Indian in New York calls the lady on the phone, she asks her not “to mention my name in any report. I came to see my children. I was planning to go back when the airport shut down. Once the airport opens I will go back. I work in Benghazi and nothing is wrong there.”

“You media people don’t create a scare. My friends are still working there. Don’t write something that will harm them,” she says. “You people have only negative things to write. You want sensational news. There is nothing sensational about a mother coming back to see her children.”

Mabhouvya is only 26 and already a Libya veteran. Her smile belies the trauma she has been through and her eyes are wistful when she mentions a Rs 200,000 ($33,333) student loan she is yet to repay.

“My friends call me Maya as they find my name very difficult to pronounce. I went to Libya in 2012 as a family friend worked there. I have a diploma in nursing. I used to work in a private hospital here. Then I got a temporary job in the government hospital in Kayamkulam. I was paid Rs 7,480 ($124) a month here. I was offered Rs 45,000 ($750)

REUBEN NV

ÂWe will go back after the Libyan civil war stopsÊ in Libya and I was working for the ministry of health.”

“The hospital and hostel were safe, but in the last three months we could not go out as thugs roamed the streets.

Things went from bad to worse these last three months,” says Mabhouvya. “I was in touch with my parents. I am an only child and my family was upset with what they saw on television.”

“The news from Libya was very disturbing so we told her to come back,” adds her father.

When the Indian government announced it would bring the nurses home, Mabhouvya grabbed the opportunity.

“The airport was shut so we boarded a bus that took 13 hours to reach Tunisia. We had no problems crossing the border as the India’s ministry of external affairs had cleared all hurdles. The government officials were very helpful.”

She is upset that she could not collect her gratuity for two years work there. “If we had given one month notice before quitting they would have given us gratuity too, but we left in a hurry. I just resigned and came home.”

The Libyan experience has not shaken Mabhouvya’s selfconfidence. “If I get a job offer from any country in the world except Iraq and Libya I am ready to leave just now,” she declares.

“I still have a Rs 200,000 ($33,333) student loan to pay off. I will earn and pay it back. From Libya, I sent money home regularly. I built this house we are sitting in just now,” she said proudly.

What of the nurses who have come back?

The Kerala government promised the nurses that the wages due to them would be collected and paid to them, particularly to those who worked for the government there.

Banks have been advised to forgo interest that these nurses owe them on student loans. The banks are under no compulsion to do this.

Government jobs are not available. Private employment means working for wages of about Rs 7,000 ($117) a month.

Geena is waiting to deliver her child; Mabhouvya awaits a call from her hospital in Libya to go back.

25

India in New York October 3, 2014

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26

Bollywood INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Shahid Kapoor discusses why Haider is the most challenging film of his career.

Patcy N listens in

ÂWEIRDNESS COMES NATURALLY TO MEÊ

F

rom an action film like R… Rajkumar to a film like Haider (based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet), Shahid Kapoor has gone from one end of the movie spectrum to another. Shahid claims Haider directed by the awesome Vishal Bharadwaj, is the best movie of his career yet.

You are in a happy space in your career right now…

Yes, I am in a happy space generally. I am happy with what happened with my last film (R… Rajkumar). I am very proud that we made a film like Haider. Now, I am having fun on Shandaar.

Are you happy with the roles you are offered?

I never imagined I would get a role in a film like Haider.

The exciting thing about being an actor is that filmmakers surprise you by how differently they see you.

I never thought I would get an opportunity to go bald, hold a skull in my hand and say, ‘To be or not to be’. Or shoot an entire film in Kashmir, or get to work with actors like Irrfan, Tabu, and Kay Kay. Different filmmakers want to mould you in different ways and that’s what makes it like an adventure, you don’t know what is coming next.

Now when I sign a film I go with a completely clean slate.

There was a time when I would think what I would do in my role; now I go without any thought because I feel that is the journey of a filmmaker and you have to do it along with the filmmaker.

Once my filmmaker starts downloading information on me, that’s when I start the process of understanding what I should do with the information.

What was it like working in Haider?

It is liberating to shave your head to do your work. As an actor, it is always about how you look; you have to look attractive and let go of all your inhibitions and think that

this is what my role needs me to do and this is what I am going to do.

Going from a genre of film like R... Rajkumar to a genre like Haider, and from a filmmaker like Prabhu Dheva to a filmmaker like Vishal Bhardwaj definitely makes you understand that you have gone from one end of the spectrum to another.

It is tiring and scary but it is very liberating. I am up for anything now.

Why do you think R... Rajkumar worked? Some of your films like Mausam did not do well at the box office.

I think if there had been a more established action hero in R... Rajkumar, the film would have made even more money.

It was a new genre for me that I had never attempted before. First time you do something, nobody is sure (how you will perform), especially when you change from being a romantic hero to an action hero.

Producers are worried about whether the actor will work.

The next time, people have decided whether they like you or not. So if I do another film like R... Rajkumar now, it will do well. R... Rajkumar opened a new avenue for me.

Kaminey was a non-commercial film and it made the most money of any film in my career.

I have been working for 11 years in the industry and today I feel comfortable jumping genres.

What is the novelty in adapting a novel when everybody knows the story?

Reading a book and seeing a movie are two different experiences. Even with the remake of a film, you are seeing a new version of something that was made in the past.

Many film stories are similar yet people watch them.

Haider is an adaption. I know what Hamlet is all about — Google it and you get to know the basic structure. Yet when

I heard the script, I wanted to know what happens next — it kept surprising me and I did not know where the film was going.

The promo of the film shows that it is a different version of Hamlet. If you were to truly make a film on what was written in the original by Shakespeare, I don’t know if the Indian audience will connect with it.

When I heard the script, it felt very fresh to me. Vishal Bhardwaj has based the film in Kashmir. That changes a lot of the dynamics and gives it a completely new subtext.

Bang Bang and Haider are releasing on the same day. Did you think of changing dates?

We knew from the beginning that Bang Bang was releasing on the same day. I hope Bang Bang does really well. I like Hrithik’s (Roshan) work and it’s looking really good.

But I am very confident about my film. What Haider is offering the audience, Bang Bang can’t offer, and vice versa.

Also, it’s a five-day weekend, which happens very rarely.

Even a three-day weekend is enough to handle two big films.

Haider has been made on a strict budget, so for us to recover the money won’t take much time.

Would you call this the most challenging role of your career?

This is the most challenging role of my career. I thought Kaminey was more challenging because of the double role and speech defect. But this eventually turned out to be far more challenging.

PAGE 27 g

Bollywood

27

INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Kareena Kapoor clueless about Mangalyaan?

W

hile other actors in Bollywood are going all out, praising India’s successful Mars Orbiter Mission, actress Kareena Kapoor seems like she doesn’t have a clue about the Mangalyaan.

At an event held recently in Mumbai, when the diva was asked by a journalist to express her opinion about India getting on Mars, she got confused and just said, ‘What?’, some three times.

Not just that, the actress then asked the journalist to repeat the ‘very scientific’ question in English. The journalist did translate the question for her and explained the mission’s significance. To this, she just replied, ‘Great. That’s a great day for us. I also want to go to space.’

Oscar-nominated Liar’s Dice is Nawaz’s first romantic film

L

iar’s Dice has been selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars, and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who features in it, is very proud of it.

“It is a very special film and my first with a woman director,” he says. “The film is a road journey, which we shot at one stretch.” The film is special for other reasons too.

“Liar’s Dice is my first romantic film,’ Nawaz says. “But not the usual romance. It’s the story of a woman in search of her husband. I am the man who helps her in the search.

Her journey begins in Himachal Pradesh and we travel by road to Delhi via Shimla.”

Last year, Nawaz’s much-acclaimed film The Lunchbox was a popular choice to be sent to the Oscars but it lost out to Gujarati film The Good Road.

Nawaz says he is very surprised with the way the last two

years panned out.

“I thought 2012 was too eventful a year for me to repeat,” he says. “In 2013, I had only two releases. But by God’s grace, I got so much praise for both Bombay Talkies and The Lunchbox. It continues even now. This year, Kick has taken my career to a new level. Its success will help sell Liar’s Dice to distributors.”

Talking about his movies going for international film festivals, Nawaz says, “Last year I had gone to the US to the Sundance Film Festival with Liar’s Dice. It seems the film’s journey will continue into 2015. In the last two years, there is a not single major international film festival that hasn’t featured my cinema.”

— Subhash K Jha

ÂWEIRDNESS COMES NATURALLY TO MEÊ f PAGE 26 Tabu says you carry the film on your shoulders…

Tabu has an outstanding role in the film.

She is underplaying it. She has a killer role in this film, so don’t take what she says seriously.

Were you nervous working with actors of the caliber of Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Kay Kay Menon?

You are always nervous before you start.

But if you really love what you are doing, it takes over everything. You are busy trying to achieve what you want to and that becomes much more important.

Of course, I was nervous. But on the third day, I was enjoying and loving it and feeling that I am fortunate that I am getting to perform with these people.

How emotionally taxing was it working on this film?

It was taxing. It is the kind of role that drains you. It requires you to be in a certain space. It is not a sad role but there is lot of

intensity.

You always feel tired after you have finished something. When you are in it, it’s like a crisis situation and you can’t afford to let anything go wrong. But after I finish a schedule, I don’t get out of bed for 18 hours.

We shot in very cold conditions. We had a grueling schedule. We finished the film in 54 days. It should have taken 75 to 80 days but we finished it fast.

Vishal Bhardwaj has always given you good roles. What does he see in you that others don’t?

It’s not just me; whoever he has worked with has done well, whether in Maqbool or Omkara or Kaminey. He is also a director who gives women protagonists an opportunity to perform — Tabu in Maqbool, Konkona Sen Sharma and Kareena Kapoor in Omkara, or Priyanka Chopra in Kaminey, who had seven scenes but she bagged all the awards.

Even in this film, Shraddha Kapoor and Tabu are amazing characters.

Which Shakespeare play do you like best?

I haven’t read all of Shakespeare’s plays.

Before I started Haider, I read a little bit of Hamlet. I saw a Russian version of Hamlet and, honestly, I got bored halfway through.

Shakespeare is timeless because he speaks about human relationships and the dynamics for those relationships are relevant even today. So even if you adapt or modify it, the basic core of his story and characters and emotions are relevant.

His plays are about love, hate, and jealousy — basic emotions we all feel.

There is so much madness and weirdness in the character you portray… what did you do to get into the character?

Weirdness? What’s weird? Everybody looks like this (laughs). Weirdness comes naturally to me (laughs). We did not have workshops but we had a couple of readings and we went to Kashmir a few days earlier to interact with people and to settle into that atmosphere and to feel where you are and what you are representing.

You have not got any awards so far. Do you think Haider will get you a National Award?

It is weird — four or five people have asked me this question. Don’t raise my hopes please. I don’t think about that.

May be in the first four or five years of my career I would dream about it. I have to get better with every film that I do. It could be the best film of my career.

28

Bollywood INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

‘I never pulled anyone down to get ahead in my career’ Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who turned 85 on September 28, goes down memory lane with Subhash K Jha

Y

ou have turned 85. Do you feel you’re 25 at heart?

(Laughs) I do! How time flies! I want to thank all my friends and well-wishers in advance. It’s because of them that I am still singing.

At one time, you were accused of monopolizing the playback singing section.

People who accused me of practising monopoly were wrong. The media fueled rumors about it. The first question I was always asked during interviews was about my supposed monopoly. Once I was even asked if I tampered with the equipment during other singers’ recordings. How can I do that? I never bothered with what other singers were doing. When Runa Laila came to India for the first time, I went to her first recording for Kalyanji-Anandji even though I had fever.

They said I just had gone to see how she sang. Why should I care about how other people sing? Runa Laila met me with lots of affection. Later she too was poisoned against me.

Even Vani Jairam, I praised her all the time. She still turned around to say I would not let her sing.

Do you know Anuradha Paudwal sang the first song of her career for my brother in a Marathi film? Forget about female singers, even some male singers accused of trying to stop them from singing. Anyway, I wish them all the best.

You have just recorded some new songs! A birthday gift for your fans?

You can say that. I recorded some Bengali songs after a very long. These had to be recorded for Dussehra. As you know, puja songs are very precious during this time of the year in Bengal. I haven’t recorded them for 26 years.

The ones that you’ve recorded are played during every Dussehra in Kolkata?

Yes, their popularity is imperishable. I did not want to record any other puja songs unless something really worthwhile came up. The last puja songs I had recorded were composed by Salilda (Salil Chowdhury). Now we found one song of his that had not been sung by anyone. I am proud to have sung it.

Salil Chowdhury and you shared an amazing work rapport...

What a composer he was! His songs were always challenging. We would work on them until they were polished to perfection.

Do you regret the fact that your brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar never became as successful a composer in Hindi films?

Very much. There were many reasons for this. He never made the rounds of producers’ offices to get work. Nor did I recommend him to any filmmaker. Even when I wanted to, he forbade me from doing so.

Moreover, it’s all a matter of fate. I’m happy that he has

made a big name for himself in Maharashtra as a Marathi composer and stage performer.

Films songs are becoming increasingly unworthy of you.

I wouldn’t blame music directors. It’s what the films and their producers demand. Nowadays there are seven music directors in one film. I had never heard of such a thing before. If one of our old music directors was told to share a score with others, he would have left the assignment.

I remember a film for which Majrooh Sultanpuri was to write the lyrics. Composer Salil Chowdhury got Shailendra to write one lyric and suggested that Majroohsaab do all the rest. Majroohsaab chose to leave the assignment.

He reasoned that if he allowed this to happen once to him it could happen again.

Now of course music directors and lyricists have no choice. Producers too have no choice since one music director cannot give them a bouquet of assorted compositions.

Earlier the music directors had the talent and the confidence. I remember an incident with Naushadsaab. It was during the recording of Uthaye ja unke sitam in Mehboob Khan’s Andaz. The director felt that every line in the antara should be sung twice.

Naushadsaab said he’d rather remove the song from the

film. Mehboobsaab backtracked. Finally Naushadsaab did comply but on his own terms. Music directors could assert themselves without fear or insecurity. Earlier, they had the guts.

Who among the current lot of actors is your favorite?

Shah Rukh and Aamir Khan. I believe Hrithik Roshan eats, lives and breathes his work. Aamir Khan is another favourite. I loved his dancing in Radha kaise na jale in Lagaan. In Aamir’s case, every mannerism — including the dance steps — is dictated by the character he plays. He never steps outside the character’s orbit. I like Aamir for this reason.

Have you made mistakes in your singing?

Many times before. There are so many songs that I could not sing the way I wanted to. When such songs come on television or radio, I shut them off, or leave the room.

Kishoreda (Kishore Kumar) used to say that if people were listening to a song where he had slipped up, he would start talking loudly to distract their attention.

Do you feel you would have made a huge impact if you restricted yourself to classical singing?

Perhaps. I love classical singing. If I had the time to do riyaz and hone my classical singing, I’d have been the happiest woman in the world. But circumstances willed otherwise. I never got the time. But I don’t regret anything. Whatever little I’ve learned of classical music, I have applied to my film singing.

Is it true that composers used to wait for weeks and months for your dates?

Yes. It was well known in the film industry that if I went out of Mumbai or was unwell, composers would wait for weeks, sometimes months, to record their songs. Among those were Shankar-Jaikishan.

Then there was Madan Mohan. Sometimes he would be under a lot of pressure to record my song in another voice when I wasn’t available. I would encourage him to use another voice rather than let his work suffer. But he would say, ‘I compose songs with you in mind. Never say no to me.’

Those days composers and singers worked as a team.

What do you have to say about today’s film songs?

I suppose they serve their function. If we look back, we may feel nostalgic. In those days, there used to be 30-40 gifted and popular composers. I had the opportunity to sing for all of them. Since every composer had his own unique style, there was a great deal of variety.

Today the scope for variety has shrunk drastically. There are only a handful of topnotch composers like A R Rahman, Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit... that’s it.

Fans behave with extraordinary restrain with you. They never mob you. They worship you from a distance. Has it been difficult for you to live up to their expectations?

I have had to make many sacrifices in my life. When I was a child, my father passed away. There were only sacrifices to be made thereafter. I was the eldest child of a family of daughters and one son, and he was the youngest.

Hridayanath was only 4 when our father died. I had to shoulder all the responsibilities. But I always feel I have got much more than I deserve. Maybe that’s why I have evolved as an artiste.

29

India in New York October 3, 2014

IMMIGRATION NEWS THE FAMILY THAT IS COUNTED TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER: HOW TO ELIMINATE IMMIGRANT VISA BACKLOGS – PART II

By Gary Endelman* and Cyrus D. Mehta** (continued from last week’s article) We do not claim that derivative beneficiaries are exempt from numerical limits. As noted above, they are indeed subject in the sense that the principal alien is subject by virtue of being subsumed within the numerical limit that applies to this principal alien. Hence, if no EB or FB numbers were available to the principal alien, the derivatives would not be able to immigrate either. If they were exempt altogether, this would not matter. There is, then, a profound difference between not being counted at all, for which we do not contend, and being counted as an integral family unit rather than as individuals. For this reason, INA §201(b) simply does not apply. We seek through the simple mechanism of an Executive Order not an exemption from numerical limits but a different way of counting them.

We are properly reminded that INA §§201(a)(1) and 201(a)(2) mandate that “family sponsored” and “employment based immigrants” are subject to worldwide limits. Does this not cover spouses and children? True enough but all is not lost. While the term “immigrant” under INA §101(a)(15) includes spouse and children, they were included because, in concert with their principal alien family member, they intended to stay permanently in this their adopted home. No one ever contended they were or are non-immigrants. However, this does not mean that such family derivatives are either “employment based” or “family sponsored” immigrants. No petitioner has filed either an I-140 or I-130 on their behalf. Their claim to immigrant status is wholly a creature of statute, deriving entirely from INA § 203(d) which does not make them independently subject to any quota.

INA § 203(d) must be understood to operate in harmony with other provisions of the INA. Surely, if Congress had meant to deduct derivative beneficiaries, it would have plainly said so somewhere in the INA. The Immigration Act of 1990 when modifying INA §§201(a)(1) and 201(a)(2) specifically only referred to family sponsored and employment-based immigrants in §203(a) and §203(b) respectively in the worldwide cap. This was a marked change from prior law when all immigrants save for immediate relatives and special immigrants, but including derivative family members, had been counted. In this sense, the interpretation of INA §203(d) for which we contend should be informed by the same broad, remedial spirit that characterizes IMMACT 90’s basic approach to numerical limitation of immigration to the United States As already noted, these immigrants ought to only be the principal beneficiaries of I-130 and I-140 petitions. Derivative family , of course, are not the beneficiaries of such sponsorship. At no point did Congress do so. Under the theory of expressio unius est exclusio alterius, it is entirely reasonable to conclude that Congress had not authorized such deduction. Surely, if this was not the case, Congress would have made its intent part of the INA. If the Executive Branch wanted to reinterpret §203(d), there is sufficient ambiguity in the provision for it do so without the need for Congress to sanction it. A government agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute is entitled to deference under Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984)—often abbreviated as “Chevron deference”. When a statute is ambiguous in this way, the Supreme Court has made clear in National Cable & Telecommunications Assn. v. Brand X Internet Services, 545 U.S. 967 (2005), the agency may reconsider its interpretation even after the courts have approved of it. Brand X can be used as a force for good. Thus, when a provision is ambiguous such as INA Section 203(d), the government agencies charged with its enforcement may reasonably interpret it in the manner that we suggest.

Skeptics who contend that the INA as written mandates individual counting of all family members point to two provisions of the INA, §§202(a)(2) and 202(b). Neither is the problem that supporters of the status quo imagine.

Let’s consider §202(a) (2) first. In relevant part, it teaches that not more than 7% of the total number of family and employment-based immigrant visas arising under INA §203(b) may be allocated to the natives of any single foreign state. Eagle eyed readers will readily notice that this does not apply to derivative family members whose entitlement comes from INA §203(d) with no mention of §203(b). Also, but no less importantly, INA §202(a)(2) is concerned solely with overall per country limits. There is no reason why the number of immigrant visas cannot stay within the 7% cap while all members of a family are counted as one unit. There is no reason why monitoring of the per country family or employment cap should require individual counting of family members. The per country cap is, by its own terms, limited to the named beneficiaries of I-130 and I-140 petitions and there is no express or implied authority for any executive interpretation that imposes a restriction that Congress has not seen fit to impose.

What about cross-chargeability under INA §202(b)? Even if §202(b) has language regarding preventing the separation of the family, it does not mean that the derivatives have to be counted separately. If an Indian-born beneficiary of an EB-2 I-140 is married to a Canadian born spouse, the Indian born beneficiary can cross charge to the EB-2 worldwide rather than EB-2 India. When the Indian cross charges, the entire family is counted as one unit under the EB-3 worldwide by virtue of being cross charged to Canada. Such an interpretation can be supported under Chevron and Brand X, especially the gloss given to Chevron by the Supreme Court in the recent Supreme Court decision in Scialabba v. de Osorio involving an interpretation of the provision of the Child Status Protection Act. Justice Kagan’s plurality opinion, though seeking to clarify the Child Status Protection Act, applies with no less force to our subject: “This is the kind of case that Chevron was built for. Whatever Congress might have meant… it failed to speak clearly.” Kagan slip op. at 33. Once again, as with the per country EB cap, the concept of cross-chargeability is a remedial mechanism that seeks to promote and preserve family unity, precisely the same policy goal for which we her contend.

Our proposal falls squarely within the mainstream of the American political tradition, animated by the spirit of audacious incrementalism that has consistently characterized successful reform initiatives. Since the Congress will not expand the immigrant quotas themselves, unless we are willing to watch the slow death of the priority date system in silence, the President must act on his own. Doing so will double or triple the number of available green cards without the creation of a single new visa. The waiting lines will vanish or be drastically reduced. As Rabbi Hillel asked in Ethics of the Fathers, if not now, when? * The views expressed by guest author, Gary Endelman, are his own and not of his firm, FosterQuan, LLP. ** Cyrus D. Mehta, a graduate of Cambridge University and Columbia Law School, is the Managing Member of Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates, PLLC in New York City. He is the current Chair of AILA’s Ethics Committee and former Chair of AILA’s Pro Bono Committee. He is also the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Immigration Council (2004–06) and Chair of the Committee on Immigration and Nationality Law (2000–03) of the New York City Bar Association. He is a frequent speaker and writer on various immigrationrelated issues, including on administrative remedies and ethics, and is also an adjunct associate professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School, where he teaches a course entitled “Immigration and Work.” Mr. Mehta received the AILA 2011 Michael Maggio Memorial Award for his outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field.

The Law Firm of Cyrus D. Mehta & Associates, PLLC

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Bollywood

30

INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Here’s the first look of Sushant Singh as M S Dhoni. With this pic, Shekhar Kapur tweetet, ‘Way 2 go, Sushant! Cant think of a better actor to play my fav cricketer, cant wait 2 see this film.'

ALL THAT GLITTERS

A PEEK INTO THE WEEK’S GLITZIEST TINSEL TOWN EVENTS

The star cast of Desi Kattey — Tia Bajpai, Akhil Kapur and Sasha Agha — at the special screening of the film, in Mumbai, September 25.

Kailash Kher was also seen with wife Sheetal and son Kabir. Kailash has composed music for the film.

Rhea Chakraborty arrives.

Claudia Ciesla, who has done an item song in the film, turns up for the screening.

Vinod Khanna poses with his nephew Akhil Kapur. Khanna’s wife Kavita also joins them.

Bollywood

31

INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Cast member Rannvijay Singh poses at the event.

Filmmaker Vishesh Bhatt arrives.

Anindita Nayar, who stars in the film 3AM, arrives for its special screening in Mumbai, September 25.

Salil Acharya, who stars in 3 AM, was spotted. Television actor Gurmeet Choudhary was also among the attendees.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

A PEEK INTO THE WEEK’S GLITZIEST TINSEL TOWN EVENTS

Star couple Kunal Khemu and Soha Ali Khan also turned up to watch the film.

32

Aseem in New York INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

A scene from the film Titli, screened at the 10th Zurich Film Festival.

Finding Indian film gems in Zurich

I

ndians in Zurich love Bollywood and the association Yash Raj Films has with the Swiss countryside. This was evident when Indians in the city turned up in big numbers last week to watch a Bollywood flash mob, and later for an Indian Fusion party — all part of the 10th Zurich Film Festival.

And in between they filled up one of the largest movie theaters in Zurich to watch the premiere of Titli — a directorial debut film of Kanu Behl, and produced by Dibakar Banerjee and Yash Raj Films. Titli opened the New World View section at this year’s Zurich festival, which featured 13 films from India: Sulemani Keeda, Court, Fandry, Ship of Theseus, Monsoon Shootout, Soodhu Kavvum, Liar’s Dice, Lucia, I.D., Gulabi Gang, Katiyabaaz and a collection of sorts.

Much to the surprise of the Indians in the audience, Titli turned out to be a rather different film. In fact, at the end of the screening before Behl went up on stage to do the Q&A, the moderator even commented that she and her friends associated the Yash Raj banner with Shah Rukh Khan singing with Madhuri Dixit or Sridevi on the Swiss Alps.

Over this past weekend I saw two other Indian films, I.D.

F

and Court, and I was shocked to find that not a single Indian showed up for the screenings, indicating they had no interest in India’s new indie films.

Titli opened earlier this summer at the Cannes Film Festival. And while it may not have worked with the Indian audiences in Zurich, it is an exceptionally well made film about a family of petty criminals living in a small, two-room flat in East Delhi. They are violent with the outside world, but it is the violence within the family — the elder brother (a very frightening Ranvir Shorey) inflicting emotional pain on the youngest in a family of three brothers — which makes the film a tough watch, although a rewarding cinematic experience.

Titli is such a wonderfully crafted film — intricate, gripping plot with an almost thriller-like quality. It is one of the best films to emerge out of India in 2014 and hopefully it will be in theaters soon.

lash mobs are supposed to be a surprise and the press office at the Zurich Film Festival only told me about it since they thought I should attend it as a journalist. But the word had spread within the Indian community. When I caught the tram to Zurich’s Silhcity neighborhood, my train had quite a few young Indian families, with enthusiastic children. More Indians had gathered in the plaza outside the Silhcity Mall.

At exactly 8 pm, we heard the dholak beat and saw two dancers approaching the plaza. Within minutes a circle had formed around a larger group of dancers from a local company called Nachle.

Most of the dancers were of Indian origin, but we could also see some Europeans dancing with them.

It was all very thrilling and there was so much energy with the sounds of Bollywood songs. The dancers performed to Rang de basanti, Chhamak chhallo, Jai ho and several other recent songs from Hindi films.

And for a moment, I forgot that I was in a foreign country, away from my home in New York City, where the Indian Americans are a lot more visible and such Bollywood programs happen often.

Dancers perform to Bollywood numbers in a flash mob outside Silhcity Mall, Zurich.

T A guest, Kanu Behl (director, Titli), producer Guneet Monga and Kamal FM (director, I.D.) at the Indian Fusion Party.

here were actually two parties that evening. First, there was a reception organized by the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce. And later at night was the big India Fusion party.

Both parties were held in the Pepiersall building in Silhcity.

There was a small group of Indians visiting from Mumbai for the festival, including Film journalist Rajeev Masand, producer Guneet Monga and filmmakers Behl (Titli) and Kamal K.M. (I.D.). The local Indians really came dressed for the events. One socialite woman introduced herself to me and then said, “I’m the queen bee of Zurich.”

There was more Bollywood-inspired dancing by the Nachle dance group. This time they opened with the song Bhumro from We nibbled on pretend Indian Pakoras and Masala Idlis. Later there was a small supper served by young white Swiss men, all wearing Indian half-sleeve shirts.

33

India in New York October 3, 2014

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34

The Week That Was INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Jayalalithaa sent to jail, fined $16.23 million

BABU/REUTERS

All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam supremo J Jayalalithaa was sentenced to 4 years’ jail in an 18-year-old corruption case September 29, which stripped her of the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s post. A fine of $16.23 million was also imposed on her. John Michael D’Cunha heard the $10.82 million disproportionate assets acquired during Jayalalithaa’s first term as chief minister between 1991 and 1996. Tamil Nadu finance minister O Panneerselvam was sworn in as the chief minister.

Jayalalithaa filed an appeal against the conviction in the Karnataka high court, September 29.

At least 16 people were believed to have committed suicide either by setting themselves ablaze or by hanging since Jayalalithaa was sentenced.

J Jayalalithaa outside her home in Chennai, September 27.

Mumbai: Wife of 26/11 martyr passes away

Kavita Karkare, wife of former Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare who died fighting terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, passed away September 29. She suffered a brain hemorrhage and slipped into coma.

40 arrested after communal clashes in Vadodara After Hindu-Muslims clashes in Vadodara September 27, the police has arrested 40 people and suspended mobile Internet and text messaging services. Groups pelted each other with stones and set vehicles afire September 27, following several days of tensions.

Gujarat: Anti-Modi officer arrested for corruption Suspended Indian Administrative Service officer Pradeep Sharma was arrested on corruption charges September 30. Sharma — ho along with his brother have been at loggerheads with the erstwhile state government headed by Narendra Modi since 2002 — was arrested for land given to a manufacturing company in Kutch in which his wife has been a partner.

Politician vacates bungalow, finally After 118 days of unauthorized stay, Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh September 26 finally vacated New Delhi bungalow he had occupied. Singh, who had resisted eviction and demanded that the government accommodation be converted into a memorial for his father, former prime minister Charan Singh, handed over the bungalow to the Central Public Works Department.

India says border standoff with China resolved India and China have resolved the standoff at the

Ladakh border and withdrawal of troops was to be completed by September 30, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters in New York September 25.

Swaraj called the resolution a ‘big accomplishment’.

‘I am happy to tell you that both nations have sat down and resolved the issue. Timelines have been decided,’ she told Indian reporters in New York after her meeting with the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session.

Swaraj’s statement came after she discussed the issue with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi at the UN.

Coal-gate: Supreme Court cancels 214 coal block allocations In a verdict that has far-reaching implications for India’s energy sector and that was cheered by green groups, the Supreme Court September 24 canceled all but four of 218 coal blocks allocated by the government to private companies over the past two decades. Most power, steel and cement companies that won coal blocks between 1993 and 2011 will have to return them. The government is free to auction or allot the blocks. In what came to be known as the coal-gate scam, a March 2014 draft report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India had accused the Indian government of allocating coal blocks in an inefficient manner from 2004–2009. The CAG report tabled in the Parliament put the loss to the treasury from such allocation at $30 billion.

PAGE 35

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The Week That Was

35

INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

that the government cannot compel any person to declare his/her religion in any document, form or declaration.

Hearing a public interest litigation, a bench of Justices Abhay Oka and A S Chandurkar ruled that every citizen in India has the right under the Constitution to state that s/he does not belong to any religion and does not practice or profess any religion.

Flying high

Take money and abort: Bihar panchayat tells rape victim A panchayat in Bihar has ordered a minor rape victim to take Rs 200,000 ($3,260) and undergo abortion to settle the issue, the police said September 24. The victim, a seventh grade student, was ordered by the panchayat of Subhankarpur village in Muzaffarpur district to take the money and undergo an abortion.

ABHISHEK N. CHINNAPPA/REUTERS

f PAGE 34

Delhi: Zoo tiger kills young man A 20-year-old man was mauled to death by a white tiger at the Delhi zoo September 23. The man, later identified as Maqsood Khan, jumped into the tiger’s enclosure, the zoo authorities said. In cell phone videos shot by bystanders, the tiger could be seen calmly looking at Khan, who seemed to be pleading with the animal. It was only when the onlookers tried to shoo the tiger away by throwing stones at it, that the 400-plus-pound, 7-foot cat attacked Khan. Khan’s father later told reporters his son had a long history of mental illness.

A participant operates a homemade humanpowered flying machine during the Red Bull Flugtag (Flight Day) event in Bangalore, September 28.

ruption cases that Chaturvedi had unearthed and processed be put on hold and personally reviewed by the health minister.

Citizens need not declare religion: Court In a landmark ruling, the Bombay high court has held

Man tries to stop perverts, stabbed to death A 34-year-old man was stabbed to death September 22 in the distant Mumbai suburb of Virar for trying to stop some men who were sexually harassing a bunch of school girls. While on a visit to a coaching centre, Shashi Jha noticed that five guys were passing lewd comments aimed at some girls who were heading home after their classes.

Jha asked the guys to stop, and they attacked him. Two of teh guys had been arrested at press time.

President’s rule imposed in Maharashtra After Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan resigned September 26 following the break-up of 15-yearold Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance, president’s rule was imposed in the state September 28.

Festive victory of good over evil

Gujarat: Cleric whose skull cap Modi refused arrested for insulting Navratras

AIIMS whistleblower was removed on the orders of a BJP leader: Report India’s Health minister Harsh Vardhan removed whistleblower officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi from the All India Institute of Medical?Sciences acting specifically upon the request of Bharatiya Janata Party leader J P Nadda, Business Standard reported last week, citing official documents. The Central Vigilance Commission didn’t ask the minister or the ministry to do so, new set of official documents revealed, the newspaper said. Nadda also demanded, the newspaper said, that investigations of cor-

Actors wait backstage before their Ram Leela performance in Mumbai, September 28.

DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS

A Muslim cleric who offered then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi a skullcap three years ago was arrested September 23 for allegedly describing garba as entertainment for doers of demonic deeds, reports said.

Sufi Imam Mehdi Hasan was arrested by the Kheda district police from his village on the charge of insulting religious sentiments. He had told a journalist, ‘Garba is not a religious festival, but a place where those who do demonic deeds visit.’

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad organized a press conference the same day to demand his arrest.

36

Sports INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Yogeshwar bags gold in wrestling London Olympic bronze medalist Yogeshwar Dutt ended a 28-year gold drought for India in wrestling as he accounted for the country’s fourth yellow metal in the Asian Games after beating Zalimkhan Yusupov of Tajikistan in the men’s 65kg freestyle, September 28.

This is India’s first

Yogeshwar Dutt celebrates defeating Tajikistan's Zalimkhan Yusupov.

Asian Games wrestling gold after 1986 when Kartar Singh triumphed at the Seoul Games.

Seema Punia Antil ended India’s gold medal drought in track and field on the third day of athletics competitions when she beat back a strong challenge from two Chinese athletes to win the women’s discus throw at the Asian Games, September 28.

The Indian strongwoman clinched victory with a best throw of 61.03 meters in the final while team-mate Krishna Poonia placed fourth with a below par 55.57m.

Men’s squash team clinches gold

Archery gold for Indian men’s compound team; women settle for bronze India earned their second gold medal at the 17th Asian Games after the men’s compound archery team bagged the yellow metal by getting the better of South Korea, September 27.

The Indian women’s compound team had to be content with a bronze after beating Iran in the third-place play-off.

The Indian men’s trio of Abhishek Verma, Rajat Chauhan and Sandeep Kumar eked out a narrow 227-225 victory over the hosts to give the country their second gold medal in eight days. Abhishek Verma also settled for a silver after going down to Esmaeil Ebadi of Iran in the compound men’s individual gold medal match.

Shooter Jitu Rai had earned the top position on the first day of the competition.

In a closely-fought contest, the South Korean team of Choi Yong-hee, Min Li-hong and Yang Young-ho fell short by just two points, even as the Indians held on to their nerves to win an all-important battle.

The Indian men had 12 10s as compared to 13 by their opponents.

Earlier, the Indian women’s team comprising Trisha Deb, Purvasha Shende and Surekha Jyothi shot 224, while Sakineh Ghasempour, Maryam Ranjbarsari and Shabnam Sarlak of Iran earned a total of 217 points.

India’s squash players wrapped up a historic performance at the Asian Games, clinching an unprecedented men’s team gold after the women’s side settled for its first ever silver in Incheon, September 27.

Led by Ghosal, the Indian men’s team edged Malaysia in the summit clash to claim gold.

Ghosal played out of his skin to guide India to a 2-0 win against Malaysia in a n energy-sapping contest that lasted two hours and 26 minutes at the Yeorumul Squash Courts here.

It was 25-year-old Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, who started the proceedings for India on a positive note as he saw off Iskandar Mohamad Azlan Bin 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4 in the opening match that lasted 58 minutes.

World No.16 Ghosal then bounced back from a game down to eke out a 6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9 win over Ong Beng Hee in a gruelling 88minute clash to give India a healthy 2-0 lead.

Ghosal had to dig deep against the Malaysian, who turned the tables in the fourth game which lasted 19 minutes.

In the decider, the Indian managed to keep his nose ahead and reached the match point at 10-8. Ong saved one but the Indian closed the door on his rival on the next opporGold medal winner archers Rajat Chauhan, Sandeep Kumar and Abhishek Verma. tunity to bring joy to the country’s contingent. the podium behind China and hosts South Korea at the The inconsequential third match between Mangaonkar Gyeonggido Shooting Range.

Mahesh and Mohd Adnan Mohd Nafiizwan Bin didn’t Chowdhary shot 96 after rounds of 24, 25, 24, 23, take place after the Indian withdrew from the contest.

Shreyasi had a total of 94 after rounds of 24, 22, 22, 26 while Varsha managed 89 with rounds of 23, 21, 24, 21.

BRENDON THORNE/GETTY IMAGES

ania Mirza and Saketh Myneni proved too strong for the Chinese Taipei combination of Hsien Yin Peng and Hao Ching Chan to win the gold in the mixed doubles final at the 17th Asian Games, September 29.

The second seeded Indians won 6-4, 6-3 in 69 minutes as the country’s tennis campaign at the Games ended with five medals.

Earlier, Myneni combined with Sanam Singh to win the men’s doubles silver after losing to South Korea’s Yongkyu Lim and Hyeon Chung in the final.

The fifth seeded Indian men’s pair was beaten 5-7, 6-7(2) in an hour and 29 minutes.

Yuki Bhambri clinched India’s lone singles’ medal in this edition, after settling for a bronze in the men’s event following a 6-3, 2-6, 1-6 loss to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the semi-final. Yuki won another bronze medal for India when he and Divij Sharan, seeded fourth, lost 7-6 (6), 6-7 (6), 9-11 to Korean pair of Lim Yongkyu and Chung Hyeonas.

The Indian pair of Sania Mirza and Prarthana Thombare settled for a bronze after losing their women’s doubles semi-final to Chinese Taipei’s Chin Wei Chan and Su Wei Hsiehin, September 28.

The fifth seeded Indian combo put up a brave fight before going down 6-7, (1-7), 6-2, 10-4 to the Chinese Taipei pair, seeded second, at the Yeorumul Tennis Courts.

Sania and Prarthana toiled hard for an hour and 35 minutes but at the end failed to make it to the final.

TIM WIMBORNE/REUTERS

MICHAEL DODGE/GETTY IMAGES

Sania, Saketh win mixed doubles gold at Asian Games S Seema Punia wins discus gold

Women shoot bronze in double trap

The Indian shooting team comprising Shagun Chowdhary, Shreyasi Singh and Varsha Varman bagged a bronze in women’s double trap event but Gurpreet Singh narrowly missed out on a medal in his event, September 25..

The Indian women’s team aggregated 279 to finish on

Rowers exit with three bronze medals India picked up two bronze medals from the Asian Games rowing arena, September 25 as army man Swaran Singh Virk rowed his way through exhaustion to the third spot in single sculls before the men’s squad added the eights title.

37

Sports INDIA IN NEW YORK OCTOBER 3, 2014

Ravi Shastri retained till 2015 World Cup

Pakistan suspends 16 bowlers for chucking

T

he all-powerful working committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India retained former India allrounder Ravi Shastri as director of the Indian cricket team till next year’s ICC World Cup. The committee also decided to continue with the services of coach Duncan Fletcher till the World Cup, in Australia and New Zealand in February-March 2015.

The Indian support staff trio of Sanjay Bangar, Bharath Arun and R Sridhar were also rewarded with contracts till the end of the tournament.

The working committee unanimously thanked Ravi Shastri for accepting the job of team director for the limited-over series during the tour of England.

Shastri will be with the team during the home series against the West Indies, followed by the Test series against Australia and triangular series after that leading to the World Cup, beginning February 14, 2015.

Tendulkar unveils jersey and anthem of his ISL team

DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS

S

Sachin Tendulkar signs a soccer ball replica during the emblem-unveiling ceremony of the Indian Super League in Mumbai, August 28.

achin Tendulkar unveiled the team jersey and anthem of Kerala Blasters, the Indian Super League team co-owned by him, and promised to support local talent in the state.

The Blasters will sport bright yellow jerseys in the inaugural season of the football tournament, starting next month. Tendulkar said the color was particularly chosen because it stands for determination and faith.

Kerala Blasters will be led by their marquee player-cum-manager David James, a former England goalkeeper.

Tendulkar believes the ISL will bring about a big change in Indian football and take it to another level, just like the Indian Premier League did for cricket in the country.

‘In ISL, the players are from remote areas. There are no big names. Why not encourage them?’ said Tendulkar. ‘And it is something, I feel, we have lacked over the years... to provide them the right platform. In India there is right talent. We have not been able to provide them the right platform. Over a period the face of Indian football

SHAUN ROY/GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

GARETH COPLEY/GETTY IMAGES

I

n a major crackdown against chucking, Pakistan suspended 16 domestic bowlers with suspect actions, September 25 following the ban of ace offspinner Saeed Ajmal, revealed a senior official.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had suspended Ajmal earlier this month after he was found to straighten his elbow up to 43 degrees, well above the prescribed limit of 15. The ban jolted the Pakistan Cricket Board who wasted no time to take action to avoid further international embarrassment.

Ajmal was the seventh Pakistani reported for suspect actions in international matches, joining Shahid Afridi, Shabbir Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Riaz Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Shoaib Akhtar. Even the two spinners called up to replace Ajmal, Atif Maqbool and Adnan Rasool, have been reported.

will change.’

Tendulkar, who retired from cricket after a glorious career, said the success of the Pro Kabaddi League and Indian Badminton League proves there is a huge interest for sports other than cricket. ‘It is important for me to support all sports in India,’ he said. ‘The kabaddi and badminton leagues are both successful now. I see no reason why the ISL should not succeed. It is the responsibility of everyone, not only of team owners and players alone, to ensure that it succeeds.’

The theme song of the Blasters is composed by M M Sreelekha, who has composed the music for 75 films, and sung by Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani.

38

India in New York October 3, 2014

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Father is an engineer & has his own engineering business. Tel. (678) 5851921

Business / Finance Business Opportunities MOTEL JAX, FL 72 units w/ 5000 sqft bar/ rest. 2ac land. Mins to downtown/ sports complex.

I-95/ Walmart corridor $950K. Call (904) 571-6945 or (904) 314-5595 flglm2207@gmail.com Profitable Drycleaner for Sale - Retirement Piscataway, NJ www.wsmkr.com/cleaners (908) 812-0455 vodkacream@yahoo.com

Employment Help Wanted #INDIA EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

Estb 1982.

Bkkpr-A/C,Secy, data entry, Clerk, CSR,Import/Prod/ Merchandiser/designer, legal, chemist/pharmacist, lab tech, warehouse Mgr, sales/mktg, engineer, tvl agt. Interview in NYC by appt only.

(212) 564-0620 Ann Arbor, Michigan Hiring Indian chef with experience in curry and tandoor.

Good pay.

Good working conditions.

Call Binod (734) 834-1891 or binod@cardamomA2.com

DUNKIN DONUNTS in Queensneeds Cashier, Shift leaders & Manager (all shifts) with experience.

Pls call Mr. Eddie (646) 262-9016 DUNKIN DONUTS STORE located on Long Island needs counter persons. Will train.

Must have legal work papers.

Call (516) 728-7979 SECRETARY Wanted Car dealership in Astoria. Req computer & strong communication skills. Mon-Sat. Tel (516) 581-5439 Email: gullwingmotorcar@aol.com 7-11 Stores Hiring in Denver, Looking for sales person. Call (714) 588-5313. sonnysngh9@gmail.com MANAGER for Gas/Conv.in Va. Young single/ married. English/ legal must. Call (434) 422-2626 NEED cook, experienced North Punjabi Indian restaurant Cincinnati, Ohio. Call (513) 507-7940

PURCHASE Manager for a restaurant chain in NY with Drivers license. Call (203) 434 7205 WAITER, helper and cook needed for an Indian Restaurant. Accommodation provided. Call (319) 325-9225 WANTED Experienced South & North Indian cook & kitchen helper experienced in NJ. Call (908) 338-3388

Household Help Wanted FULL-TIME live-in house help wanted for cleaning & cooking. Call (212) 2233168

SALES OFFICER Amtrade Inc, a well-established wholesale food & marketing company located in NY, has positions open for SALES OFFICERS cover the East Coast of USA.

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE:

FULL-TIME, live-out helper, for a disabled, but fairly independent man, who still drives, cooking cleaning, driving license as well, legal residence requirements. Bergen County, NJ across GW Bridge. Call (516) 5814750

- Excellent selling skills. - Excellent driving skills - Ability to travel most of the time to different cities in the USA. - Must possess legal status to work.

- Must have excellent communication skills.

NEED Live-in Nanny. Light housekeeping. Connecticut/ New York toddler. Call (646) 644-6681

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Services / Miscellaneous REAL ESTATE Apartment/ House To Rent

- Good Salary and Bonus - Opportunity for growth - Company car for business

Apply with resume to: Email: tejen54@gmail.com or Fax: 212.725.0223

AMTRADE INC. NY

ASTORIA, DITMARS: 2 Bedroom & 4 Bedroom Duplex apartment for rent.

Close to all transportation. Very close to Manhattan. Call (917) 500-0285

Apartment House To Share BELLEROSE: Room rent w/ kitchen/ bathroom. Internet. Near all. (718) 8642499

FOR SPECIAL RATES & DISCOUNTS PLEASE CALL 800.822.3532

THANKSGIVING A PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever, O Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us. St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of hopeless, pray for us. Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us. Thank you St. Jude.

St. Jude works. Say this prayer 9 times a day for nine days.

Never fails. Publication may be promised.

Place your ad online www.indiaabroad.com/classifieds

India in New York October 3, 2014

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India in New York October 3, 2014

OPENS Thursday October 2 NEW YORK: AMC Empire 25 Kaufman Astoria Studios Bombay Theater Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas AMC Loews Port Chester 14 AMC Roosevelt Field 8 Regal Westbury 12 AMC Palisades 22 Farmingdale 10 AMC Loews Stony Brook 17 NEW JERSEY: AMC Newport Centre Empire North Bergen AMC New Brunswick Regal Commerce Center Movie City 8 Regal Hadley AMC Jersey Gardens Loews Wayne Carmike Cranford 5

plus more theaters across NY/NJ/CT at Fandango.com