India in New York - August 22, 2014

CRICKET INDIA’S ABJECT SURRENDER

COMMUNITY ‘NOT JUST A SIKH PROBLEM’

BOLLYWOOD RANI MUKERJI, TOMBOY www.rediff.com (Nasdaq: REDF)

VOL. XVIII NO. 9

India in New York A GUIDE TO EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FROM INDIA ABROAD FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

THE COLORS OF INDIA THE INDIA DAY PARADE GETS GRANDER ADVERTISEMENT

PARESH GANDHI

India in New York

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

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Community

‘This is not a Sikh problem’

Three Sikh men attacked in separate New York City hate crimes last week called on the government and police leaders to enact policy reforms to address violence and discrimination against minority communities in New York City.

At a press conference organized by the Sikh Coalition, Dr Jaspreet Singh Batra, a medical scientist, recounted how he was attacked and injured August 7 on Roosevelt Island.

Speaking via video because of the seriousness of his injuries, Sandeep Singh, a business owner and father, called his slow recovery a ‘miracle’. He was run over and dragged by a driver in a pick-up truck on a public street in Queens July 30.

Dr Prabhjot Singh, who was attacked in Harlem last year, joined the men in solidarity.

‘This is not a Sikh problem,’ said Dr Prabhjot Singh. ‘This is a human problem, a New York City problem, and an American problem about how we take responsibility for each other. I hope that Mayor De Blasio and Police Commissioner Bratton will follow through on meeting with us to find a productive way forward.’

‘We can’t afford to be satisfied with how things were.’

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Bharara demands Martoma forfeit $9.4 million, pay fine A CORRESPONDENT

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nited States Attorney Preet Bharara has asked United States District Judge Paul Gardephe to order Mathew Martoma — convicted by a jury in the largest-ever insider trading case — to forfeit about $9.4 million and pay a fine.

Earlier Bharara demanded a jail term not less than eight years for Martoma, who will be sentenced by Judge Gardephe September 8.

Martoma, 39, was a portfolio manager at CR Intrinsic Investors, a division of hedge-fund giant SAC Capital. He was convicted February 6 for using inside information about a clinical trial of a new drug for Alzheimer’s disease

Mathew Martoma and his wife Rosemary in Manhattan, February 6.

by Elan Corp and Wyeth.

Using the information, SAC sold its shares before the results of the trial appeared and made profits worth $276 million, according to the prosecution.

The forfeiture is based on the bonus of $9,380,322, Martoma received in 2008 for his role in the insider trading activities.

‘Martoma was the central figure in the most lucrative insider trading scheme ever charged,’ Bharara said.

‘Over a period of approximately 18 months, the defendant cultivated and corrupted two doctors legally bound

to guard confidential information concerning a highprofile drug trial, ultimately obtaining an advance preview of the highly anticipated public announcement of the results.’

Martoma’s lawyers argued he should be sentenced only for his $6.3 million of personal profit from his trades, for a recommended prison term as short as three to five years.

Martoma’s unlawful trading was ‘far narrower in many important respects than the unlawful trading in nearly all other recent insider trading cases,’ his attorney Richard Strasberg noted in his request to Judge Gardephe.

Strasberg said more than 100 people have written letters in support of Martoma.

‘Those letters speak with one EDUARDO MUNOZ/REUTERS voice in describing Mr Martoma as a uniquely devoted husband and father, a man who puts his family above all else — the glue that holds together three young children ages 8,7,4…’ Strasberg wrote.

Martoma was expelled from Harvard in 1999 for allegedly doctoring his law school transcript to try to gain a federal clerkship. He changed his name from Ajai Mathew Thomas to Martoma before applying to Stanford, where he got his MBA. After the Harvard incident became public after the insider case, Stanford’s business school stripped him of his MBA degree.

At the UN, book on India’s role in World War 1 is released

A CORRESPONDENT

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ndian War Memorials of the First World War, a photo-album containing an overview of the contribution of Indian soldiers in the First World War, was released by United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and President of the United Nations General Assembly John Ashe at a ceremony at the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium at the United Nations last week.

Much of the material used in the book has been made possible by the increasing access given to people the world over through interactive Web sites of institutions like the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which comprises the governments of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

The book was conceived and edited by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asoke K Mukerji.

Mukerji said the event was organized by the Permanent Mission of India on the eve of the centenary anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s historic letter of August 14, 1914 to the British government, in which he

said ‘our voluntary participation’ in the First World War was ‘an earnest of our desire to share the responsibilities of membership of this great Empire, if we would share its privileges.’

A hundred years later, Mukerji said it can be said that this same sentiment pre-

vails among the vast majority of the membership of the UN, who have willingly shared in the responsibilities of ‘this unique organization in the hope that they would be allowed to share in its privileges as well.’

Mukerji said he hoped that through

From left, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN General Assembly President John Ashe and Ambassador Asoke K Mukerji, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

commemorative events such as this one, it would be possible to generate awareness of the continuing need to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.

The immense sacrifices and widespread destruction caused by the War resulted in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and the establishment of the world’s first intergovernmental organization, the League of Nations.

As a signatory of the Treaty of Versailles, India, then under British rule, became a founder-member of the League of Nations, the precursor of today’s United Nations.

Ban recounted the sacrifices of more than 60,000 Indian soldiers and said, ‘History often ignores such sacrifices.’

In a short film screened after the event, archival photographs and text were used to honor the thousands of soldiers who fought and died in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle in France and Ypres in Belgium, where many of them were exposed for the first time to the European winter, and where the first use of chemical weapons in modern warfare occurred.

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

GEORGE JOSEPH

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ommunity activist P T Thomas is contesting the Democratic primary for the New York State Assembly from the 96th District in Rockland County.

He faces incumbent Democrat Kenneth Zebrowski in the September 9 primary.

Zebrowski is endorsed on the Working Families line.

Thomas will be a write-in candidate in the line, meaning that voters have to write his name in the column.

The winner will face Republican Matthew Brennan in November.

Thomas agreed that it is difficult to challenge an incumbent.

“The establishment would not allow others to come up or stand for election,” he said. “One’s long-term work or contributions are not taken into consideration when candidates are selected by party leaders.”

Three-term Assemblyman Zebrowski got the party ticket when he was 23, after his father died,.

The 96th District — which covers New City, Congers, Valley Cottage, Nanuet, Nyack, Haverstraw, West Haverstraw,

P T Thomas contests Democratic primary for NY State Assembly Garnerville, Thiells, Pomona, New Hempstead, Monsey, Wesley Hills and Spring Valley — leans toward Democrats.

It has a large Indian community, though the number of voters may not number more than 1,500.

Local issues like the plight of the East Ramapo School District are the highlights of Thomas’s campaign theme.

He objects to the desalination plant proposed by United Water as not only bad for Rockland because residents will be forced to drink water from the Hudson River, but also bad for the environment.

ASAAL endorses Liu, Avery, Jung for NY Senate

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he Alliance of South Asian American Labor held a political screening of New York state senatorial candidates from Queens and endorsed John C Liu for District 11, Munir Avery for District 14, and S J Jung for District 16.

The primary election will be held September 9, 6 am to 9 pm.

Liu, a former New York City comptroller, is challenging Tony Avella, the incumbent Senator from District 11.

Jung said he had the demographic advantage — with more than 53 percent Asian voters in the district — over incumbent Senator Toby Stavisky.

Avery, a member of ASAAL, is chal-

lenging incumbent Senator Malcolm Smith, and former deputy borough president and city council member Leroy Comrie.

Liu said ASAAL is in his blood.

‘As a City Council member, I had sponsored the first-ever Eid celebration in the City Hall chambers after the 9/11 disaster,’ he said.

Maf Misbah Uddin, founder and president, ASAAL, conducted the screening process. Members asked questions to each of the politicians who attended the session. ASAAL members then cast their votes by secret ballot to decide their endorsements.

He is also concerned at the haste and the lack of planning by which Common Core Standard is proposed to be implemented, which he says has created a lot of stress not only on students but also on teachers and parents.

He noted that more than 50,000 young people have left the county because they cannot afford to live there.

An equal number of retirees are also leaving the county, he said.

‘For Rockland to have economic growth, our youth and retirees should stay in the county and spend their money right here,’ he said.

P T Thomas Thomas, a licensed Master Social Worker, is an alumnus of Drew University and Fordham University.

He runs P T Thomas Inc, a 30-year-old tax preparation firm. For the election campaign, he is spending mostly his money and expects the community to come forward to help.

Thomas has been active in the community for more than 30 years. He works as a supervisor with Rockland County Child Protective Services specializing in family assessment response. He served as president of Rockland County Civil Service Association for eight years.

He served as joint secretary and treasurer of the Federation of Indian Associations in the 1980s. He was also president of the Hudson Valley Malayalee Association in 1986.

He is the founder and president of the Town of Ramapo India Heritage Association and served on the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals for about 20 years. He is also one of the founders of the Alliance of South Asian Labor, and serves as its executive vice president.

Pennsylvania school district hosts Hindi summer camp A CORRESPONDENT

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three-week summer camp, YHS Startalk Hindi Language and Culture Program 2014, was hosted by the North Penn School District at Nash Elementary School in Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

It was organized by Yuva Hindi Sansthan, a New Jersey-based non-profit educational and cultural organization.

‘It is a heartwarming experience to see the younger generation demonstrate their knowledge in Hindi,’ said Shambhu Amitabh, vice consul, culture, at the Indian consulate in New York.

He said his office was very happy to support the cause of Hindi in the United States.

Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay sent a message congratulating the Yuva Hindi Sansthan for organizing the camp. A colorful T-shirt made by a student was presented to Amitabh as a token gift.

“This is the fifth year in a row for Yuva

Hindi Sansthan, to have won the federal award for conducting the Startalk student program for Hindi learning,” said Ashok Ojha, program director.

“We have trained hundreds of students to speak, read and write Hindi, and in the process helped them connect with India and its culture,” he added.

The North Penn School District provided the school facilities where all classrooms

were Internet connected and laptops were made available for all students.

‘Students learn about India and Indian culture during the camp using Hindi language,’ said teacher Mamta Puri. ‘They practiced speaking in Hindi while exchanging ideas, doing research or explaining their presentations.’

The students presented their work about India’s food, geography, science and scien-

tists and family at an exhibition on the final day.

All five teachers presented their classes at the concluding day event when the students’ work was shown on a big screen.

‘We introduced a number of songs and made opportunities to experiment with the Hindi language during the program,’ said Rashmi Gupta, lead instructor of the program.

‘Once they learned vocabulary terms of a lesson and practices sentence structures, they could use and experiment with the language on their own,’ she added.

New Jersey-based choreographer Varsha Naik, Atlanta-based stage director Sandhya Bhagat, along with Sanjyot Tatke, Alka Singhvi and Usha Mishra trained students of different age groups and grade levels.

‘I wish this program continues for a longer period,’ a parent was quoted as having said.

Vice Consul Shambhu Amitabh, second from left, at the event.

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

India’s Day in New York Thousands of people attend the largest celebration of India in the United States.

George Joseph reports from the India Day parade organized by the Federation of Indian Associations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Photographs: Paresh Gandhi

The parade’s grand marshals, Bollywood stars Raveena Tandon, second from left, and Sunny Deol

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ollywood rules, it was evident at the largest Indian Independence Day parade in the United States — at Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, August 16.

When the parade’s grand marshals, Bollywood stars Sunny Deol and Raveena Tandon, appeared on one of the floats that were part of the parade, a mass of humanity surged towards them, waving hands.

Thousands of cameras veered around to focus on them.

Security had a hard time to take Deol and Tandon to the review stand on 30th Street. On the PA, the announcer asked people to behave for the sake of India’s pride.

Till then the march was a picture of discipline, with thousands already having crossed the finishing point on

27th Street.

Imagine if it was Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan on the float.

This year’s parade, with the theme ‘Colors of India’, tried to portray modern India, though many of the floats were from television networks announcing their shows.

The 34th annual India Day Parade, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, surpassed the number of attendees in previous years.

With clear skies and moderate temperature, thousands marched in the parade while thousands more watched from the sides. Mainstream Americans and tourists were in large numbers among them, applauding the colorful

themes of the floats.

Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings Major, the first Indian-born owner in the National Basketball Association’s history, who was one of the three grand marshals, said he felt humbled being invited to the event.

‘Over 150,000 people were here to experience the India Day parade,’ he said, ‘and I can’t express how proud I am that the Kings and the NBA were a part of this transcendent moment.’

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio waves an Indian flag

India’s Day in New York f PAGE 5 He was accompanied by Sim Bhullar, the first player of Indian descent to sign with an NBA team, who joined the Sacramento Kings.

The 7-foot-5, 360-pound (163 kg) centre was a member of the Sacramento Kings team that won the 2014 Samsung NBA Summer League title in Las Vegas.

Since Ranadive bought the Kings in March 2013, the Kings televised over 20 live games in India, launched a Web site in Hindi to connect with a growing Hindispeaking fan base from around the world, sent the Kings’ players and dancers to Mumbai, and signed the team’s first Indiabased sponsor.

India’s Consul General in New York Dnyaneshwar Mulay said it was a proud moment for him to participate in the parade and see such a large number of

Indians.

Rob Astorino, Westchester County Executive, who is challenging New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as a Republican in the November election, marveled at the colorful march and number of attendees.

He said he has very good relations with the Indian community in his county, which is the fastest growing group there.

‘We celebrate diversity and it enriches us,’ he said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Public Advocate Letitia James, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and New York State Assemblyman David Weprin joined the parade.

Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, deputy chief mission at the Indian

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Sacramento Kings player Sim Bhullar, left, and owner Vivek Ranadive

Cover Story INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Kailash Kher rocks it and chills out, below. In a first, the India Day parade events spanned three days, and began with Kher’s gig in new Jersey.

India’s Day in New York f PAGE 6 embassy in Washington, DC, also participated.

In a first, this year the FIA’s India Day parade was a three-day celebration that began with a live concert by Kailash Kher at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre in Newark, New Jersey, August 15.

Bernice Snydder, who lives a few blocks away from Madison Avenue, said she was impressed by the parade.

“This is the first time I attended,” Snydder, a retired teacher, said. “I missed it all these years, which was a great loss.”

Dr Ravi Jahagirdar, president, American Association of Physicians of Indian origin, traveled from Florida to attend the parade.

Chicago native Dr Ram Raju, president and chief executive officer, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, said this was his first time at the New

York parade.

Karen Lukas, founder of the New York-based nonprofit Folk Arts Rajasthan, walked in the parade with volunteers to create awareness about the Merasi musicians in Jaisalmer, whom FAR is giving new hope and audiences.

Lukas felt sorry that she had not attended an India Day parade before though she has been living in the city for 35 years.

The nonprofit organization i4Farmers marched to highlight the plight of farmers in India and the rampant farmer suicides.

Among the marchers was the Swamy Bapa Pipe Band, billed as the first desi pipe band. Kanu Patel, manager of the band, said they perform at temples

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Bhangra star Daler Mehndi

India’s Day in New York f PAGE 7 and India-related events.

There was also the Dhol Taasha Jallosh with its high-energy lezim dance, the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, the largest literacy movement in India that participated in the parade for the first time, the Telangana Association of North America with its colorful float and cutouts of Chief Minister K C Rao. The Federation of Kerala Associations in North America and the Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas marched in the parade with sizeable numbers.

Lakshmi Anand, one of the founding members of

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Many Bollywood celebs were part of the parade.

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Participants dressed as Lord Ram and Sita walk down Madison Avenue.

India’s Day in New York f PAGE 8

the parade 34 years ago, said she was not invited to the parade like many founding members.

“The India Day Parade which was started in the early ’80s by FIA has grown in magnitude,” she said. “Many of us were involved in initiating and evolving what is today one of the largest parades. More than the spirit of Independence, there is display of glitz, glamour and pomp.”

Dr Shaik Ubaid of the Coalition Against Genocide said, “It is even more important for the organizers of the parade to make it inclusive. Minorities from India must be made to feel welcome, for we love India as much if not more and have contributed to its freedom — from Tipu Sultan to Maulana Azad.”

Two days of events, billed as ‘freedom celebrations,’ were held at the Garden State Exhibit Centre in Somerset, New Jersey. The highlights included an Indian real estate expo, jewelry displays, food court, dance performances, Bollywood celebrities, and a performance by Londonbased R&B singer Arjun.

From nonprofits to television networks, everyone was there.

Indian tennis star Leander Paes, right, shares a joke with Sunny Deol, center.

Indian mythology ruled with the children as well.

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

‘A party with an Indian porn star?’

Priya Rai, right, at the after-party CHAYA BABU

For young people, the India Day parade means partying, says Chaya Babu

“

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party with an Indian porn star?” my friend Neerja texted me. “That doesn’t seem very India Day parade if you ask me.”

On Madison Avenue just north of the Madison Square Park, the floats fly on by as they do every year. There are banks, cultural organizations, community groups and dance troupes.

Blaring bhangra and banging symbols rise and fall as they approach and pass slowly, elderly couples, small children on shoulders of fathers, and groups of tween girls leaning over the metal barricades that are keeping the swell of people from interrupting the procession.

A young skinny guy and two of his girl friends are hanging out on the east side of the street between 28th and 29th streets. They seem to be waiting for something. It turns out that thing is Arjun, pop-R&B singer from the United Kingdom who’s touring the United States and is a special guest at the India Day celebrations. He is why they came out from Queens to Manhattan for the parade.

“We love all his songs,” says Himanshu Darji, 20. “We’ve

known him since his first song and we found out that he was going to be here today, so we woke up super early to get ready and come. Then he got off his float so we basically stalked him here. We want to get more pictures when he comes out.”

Here is outside of Pranna, a posh restaurant and lounge that serves Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine but is more known for its Bollywood nights and boozy brunches that attract a young professional set of Indians.

Himanshu and the girls, who are 19 but look 15, say they come to the parade every year. They watch the wide glass doors of the restaurant as they explain that they’ve seen it grow and become more crowded since they were kids.

A float with about 15 Indian women in classical Indian dance costumes and thick braids and big buns adorned with white floral garlands goes past.

Just feet away, on the sidewalk near where Himanshu was standing, a white woman with long blond hair in a flowing cotton skirt does a brief side-to-side hip jerk with her hands out to her sides, palms up, her cigarette hanging out of her

mouth as she chats casually with her small entourage.

They’re standing outside of Pranna, on the opposite side of the door from the velvet rope, smoking before getting in line. It’s only 3pm, but the fun has very obviously started inside.

I see twenty- and thirty-somethings of a mix of backgrounds line up, show IDs, and go in. But there is certainly a heavy desi representation, those who were watching the parade moments earlier filtering into the cool, airy, highceilinged space.

Many of them have already been drinking, and the cocktails — signature concoctions cutely named Indian Rye and Pranna Sutra — are sure to continue their hazy daytime buzz.

As I move to get in line myself, an attractive woman with glowing caramel skin, almond shaped eyes and high cheek-

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

f PAGE 10 bones hands me a postcard-sized flyer.

She tells me that Indian porn actress Priya Rai will be at the parade afterparty at a Lower East Side club. I promptly buy a $20 ticket from her, considering my evening plans set, and head into Pranna.

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‘A party with an Indian porn star?’

unlight pours in through the large windows and yet the vibe is that of a nightclub. Techno-infused pop and hip-hop drown out any potential for conversation.

A tall Indian girl in a midriff-bearing patterned top, blousy bright yellow high-wasted pants, and stilettos makes her way to the neon-lit bar as I find my way back to a packed dance floor. Or, rather, an entire room of bodies gyrating and jumping to the beat. Headbands with flashing lights mingle with purple beams moving and bouncing off of two ladies in black bra tops, underwear, and fishnet thigh-highs dancing atop a banquet that spans the length of the area dividing it in half.

Also visible: Mini Indian flags on thin wooden sticks waving through the mob.

In an upstairs loft where it’s a bit more chill, I see someone I know.

“We came in here to get away from the craziness,” Pooja Agarwal says. “It’s just too nuts out there.”

She has a friend visiting from out of town; she points to a coed group of more Indians a few feet away. As we catch up, a guy with brown skin, spiky black hair, and a British accent interrupts us to strike up conversation with her.

“Are you talking about those people over there?” he says.

“Uhhh yeah,” Pooja says.

“Why?” “They’re my friends.”

It’s too loud for this, and he awkwardly walks away. She rolls her eyes at me. It’s not even dusk and the guys are already macking. Or trying to.

Day turns to night seamlessly for this age group on jovial, celebratory occasions when there’s a good reason to keep a steady stream of alcohol going without pause. On the street again, I pass a group of college-age guys with orangewhite-and-green rectangles painted on both sides of their faces, the small wheel melted into a vague blue dot.

“I gotta represent my roots, you know, gotta come be with my brown people,” says one of them, who has come from Greenwich, Connecticut.

His breath smells like liquor, he gives me a fake funny name as he sarcastically tells me he’s a huge Arjun fan, and then we all take a selfie together. Other young parade-viewers pop in and out of the bars in the neighborhood, some grabbing a bite just two avenue blocks away in Curry Hill.

Even though they are hanging on the periphery of the officially planned India Day festivities, they are here, with what feels like community to them, celebrating their history and basking in their pride for being Indian in their own way.

The party at Club Mystique on Chrystie Street just around the corner from Chinatown is supposed to start at 8. But Indian standard time plus general ‘going out’ norms means no one shows up until close to 10.

The awkward selfie

Past the bar area just inside the entrance, the walls are lined with vertical panels that glow red, and a matching red carpet runs down the center of the dancefloor to the DJ booth. A sparse crowd of what appears in the dark to be mostly Indians takes up the low-leather seating of the perimeter, bottle service and hookahs ordered. Steel buckets with frost on the outside and stacks of upside down glasses sit on tables in front of young men in suits. They’ve dolled up for this. One, however, is donning jeans and Greek letters: Iota Nu Delta, the national South Asian fraternity.

Pretty girls with long shiny hair twisted into separated waves and thickly lined eyes move subtly in place, bouncing lightly to the reggae music. They’re in crop tops, dresses, or rompers — all in towering heels. No effort spared on their end either. One of them walks by and I catch a whiff of jasmine.

“There are way too many dudes here,” says one guy, sitting at the bar drinking a beer. He goes by Ash. He has thickrimmed glasses and looks bored; he and his two buddies came from Queens and went all the way home to change between the parade and the party.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Considering I came to see a porn star,” he adds, laughing a little. He breaks away from this with a rant about how politicians in India are corrupt, how he’d like to give back because he’s so privileged but he feels his help is just a drop in a bucket of systemic problems.

It’s an interesting choice of topic amidst the roving strobe lights, Sean Paul blasting loudly, and the intoxicating hookah smoke.

Priya Rai hasn’t arrived — she’s at her hotel getting her

makeup done, I’m told — and the energy at the venue reflects this disappointment. Only a few people are dancing, in particular a man with two women grinding against him, each one straddling a leg as they collectively inch closer to the ground and then back up again.

“I know her; I’ve watched her videos online and sh*t,” Ash says. “She’s pretty big, among us, among Indians I mean, so I came to say hi to her and have some drinks with my friends. The party could be better though. But the night is definitely young — it’s only 11 o’clock, and on my day off I want to party all night.”

“It’s pretty dead up in here,” his friend Jay chimes in, taking the hookah pipe out of his mouth. “It’s the India Day Parade afterparty, so it’s supposed to be Indian music first of all and it’s supposed to be more hype I guess. It’s not a fullout Indian party. I wasn’t expecting this for the India Day party. I was expecting crazier.”

These guys are more upset about the level of Indianness in the club than the absence of the porn star.

“It’s whatever,” Jay says about her impending arrival.

Still, I learn from a quick Google search on my iPhone that Priya Rai is pretty big – Complex magazine ranked her 19 out of their list of the top 100 porn stars in 2011, reporting that she was ‘among the most viewed pornstars on the web.’

I’ve heard of Sunny Leone, but not Rai, and when I expose my cluelessness, Ash thinks I’m lying.

I go outside to see if she’s coming soon because it’s late.

Parked outside the club is a line of fancy cars, including a hot yellow Lamborghini. It says ‘LAMB Baraats’ on the side.

The license plate is ‘I DO SIN.’ Finally, exactly as one might expect, a huge black SUV with impenetrable black windows pulls up. I’m ushered inside because she’s here.

Somehow, in the minutes I’ve been loitering on the sidewalk talking to Riz, Rai’s manager, who told me she’s actually an ex-adult film actress hoping to transition to Bollywood, Club Mystique has filled up. I hang by the entrance, hoping to get a good look as soon as she enters.

When she does, the double doors flinging open and she flanked by Riz one side and another body guard of sorts on the other, the only thing extraordinary are her massive artificial eyelashes. They are black and white, matching her striped, structured dress. Her breasts are impossible to not notice. I dig her hairstyle, long, flipped to one side exposing a shaved undercut above her left ear.

The small sea of people moves with her, the music pumping through the space, and the vibe has, every so suddenly, shifted. Rai stands for pictures on the carpet, poses a few times, does a dance step or two, and then takes her spot in a tiny, raised VIP area.

Indian waitresses walk over, matching their gait with the beat, holding champagne bottles with sparklers bursting out of the top high over their heads. The party has begun I guess.

I look over at Ash. We exchange a smile. I look back at Rai, her lashes, amongst other things, standing out in the darkness.

I think, I guess there’s no one way to celebrate India Day. And I’m reminded, there’s no one way to be CHAYA BABU Indian.

Aseem in New York

12

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Proud to be desi

L

ast week a small, beautifully made, French film, Jealousy, opened in theaters

Kailash Kher performs in New Jersey

Indian Associations to mark the India Day parade in New York City August 17, started nearly an hour late — around 9.30 pm — and that was good because I was not able to make it in time. So I did not miss anything.

It was classic Kher — full of energy, immediately connecting with the audience, cracking all sorts of jokes and yes, singing most of his greatest hits, including two Punjabi songs by Nusrat — Tere Bin Nahin Lagta Dil Mera Dolna and Sanu Ik Pal Chain Nai Aawe.

Among the other songs he sang were Main To Tere Pyar Mein Diwana Ho Gaya, Tauba Tauba Re Teri Surat, Teri Diwani, and Allah Ke Bande.

The orchestra section of the auditorium was full, but the balcony was nearly empty. At one point Kher commented that there were fewer people in the theatre than he had expected. But then he played that into a joke.

“You are all like the Pandavas,” he said. “They were only five and still with a lot of strength.”

in New York City. Directed by Philippe Garrel, the 2013 Venice Film Festival contender stars his

PARESH GANDHI

I

first saw Kailash Kher perform nearly 10 years ago, at the Rubin Museum in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Someone introduced me to Kher and mentioned that he would be the next Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. That evening Kher sang a few qawwalis, but the acoustics in the museum’s lobby were not good enough.

A year later, Kher was singing in major Bollywood films, including The Rising: The Ballad of Mangal Pandey. Very soon he became rather big in Bollywood. But Kher always enjoyed his roots — live performances with his band Kailasa, where he collaborates with two brothers, Naresh and Paresh Kamath. And despite all his successes, Kher is a very down-to-earth, approachable artist.

Kailasa has performed a number of times in New York City and I have seen them many times.

Last Friday, I took the NJ Transit train to see them at the Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The concert, organized by the Federation of

O

son and the young French star Louis Garrel (The Dreamers, Ma Mere, Heartbeats) The 77-minute, black and white film starts with a 30year-old man (Garrel playA scene from Jealousy ing Louis), walking out of his marriage and a young daughter. He’s a struggling actor and moves in with his actress girlfriend who is having her own career problems and is dealing with many insecurities.

What seems like a happy relationship starts to unravel and fall apart.

Jealousy is heartbreaking in how it truthfully looks at the emotional journeys of its lead characters. It is a must-see film for those who long for good foreign language films.

n Friday night, the Empire State Building was lit up in the Indian tricolor, to mark the country’s Independence Day. The building looked grand draped in saffron, white and green, and could be seen from miles inside New Jersey as a group of us drove towards the Lincoln Tunnel after the Kailash Kher concert.

On Sunday, thousands of Indian Americans from New York and other neighboring states, plus other New Yorkers, descended on Madison Avenue to watch the FIA’s annual India Day Parade.

Sunny Deol and Raveena Tandon marched down as grand marshals, along with senior Indian diplomats at the UN, Washington, DC and the consulate in New York. There were floats, of local businesses, television shows and DJs. Dance troupes, from as far as Princeton, New Jersey, re-enacted musical acts from Bollywood films.

As in the past, there were food stalls. A lot of Indian cuisine was consumed in the mid afternoon period on Madison Avenue and in the park west of it. The lines were long for the food and it got so crowded around 3 pm — immediately after the end of the parade — that it become almost impossible to walk along Madison Avenue.

But, as in past years, people seemed to be in good spirits.

The weather was good — partly sunny, not too hot — although the humidity level was high for the day. That did not deter the parade marchers as well as families, especially children who had come to watch the grand event that gave them a chance to show their connection with India.

India Day parade snapshots

13

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Everest Scholar Gains path to Residency

Dr. Ravi Sahni had a dream to be a doctor in America, but it nearly didn’t happen. A native of Canada, Ravi went to Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. He returned six years later to Toronto only to discover year after year he couldn’t find a residency program in Canada or America despite a very good USMLE Step One and Two score. Giving up on his dream to be a doctor, Ravi got a job working in a Ford automotive factory.

When things looked their bleakest, Ravi was blessed with finding a nonprofit organization like the Everest Foundation, a 501 (c)(3), that specifically assists a lot of FMGs (Foreign Medical Graduates) find research and/or the clinical experience and guidance needed to be a licensed doctor.

“I had pretty much given up my hopes and goals, and that’s when a fellow Everest Scholar recommended me to the Foundation,” says Ravi with grateful reflection. “Now I am a research Fellow at the prestigious Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai under the direct guidance of Vice Chair for Education, Dr. David C. Thomas. I even receive a monthly stipend from the Foundation so my research is professional, not voluntary. Without the

Dr. Ravi Sahni (Everest Fellow), Dr. Arnold Michael Everest (Chairman, The Everest Foundation), Dr. Christina Wyatt (Associate Professor of Medicine, Nephrology, Mount Sinai Hospital), Dr. David C. Thomas (Vice-Chair of Education, Professor of Medicine, Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education, Mount Sinai Hospital), Dr. Rachana Yalamanchili (Everest Fellow), Lizette Perez (Director of Education, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital), Professor Greg Heffernan (Director of Foundation Relations, The Everest Foundation)

Everest Foundation I never would have been given that amazing opportunity,” he says, adding that when the Everest Foundation saw his needs they prepared him via education courses through Residents Medical, a twenty-two year old graduate medical education organization. “Residents Medical has some of the best USMLE instructors in America; it also

guides students to university-based research and externships,” says Harpavan Sandha who also came to the Everest Foundation for help, and like Ravi benefited from its assistance.

Dr. Arnold Michael Everest, Chairman of the Everest Foundation, echoes both Ravi and Harpavan’s enthusiasm: “The Everest Foundation was established by

ANNOUNCEMENT

my father, Dr. Edwin Everest, a famous cardiothoracic surgeon, and over the years we have supported so many wonderful journeys, like Ravi’s. I’m reminded of a medical doctor we helped from Syria who lost all of his family in the current war. We got him into a very tough General Surgery residency training program. Then there’s a fellow from China we’re guiding into research, who was working three jobs including moonlighting at a Chinese restaurant and sleeping on a sofa in the back of the restaurant while trying to pave his way to residency,” says Dr. Everest.

Ravi is confident he will be moving into residency this coming year with the mentoring he’s received at Icahn School of Medicine and Vice Chair Dr. Thomas.

“Mt. Sinai/Icahn is the number 16th ranked medical school in America. They treat people from nearly every demographic in the country. I can’t think of a better place to gain experience for residency,” says Ravi who punctuates that he’s been enjoying every minute of it.

“Glory lies in the attempt to reach one’s goal and not in reaching it, according to Mahatma Gandhi. I completely agree,” he says.

By Tom Shelley

14

India in New York August 22, 2014

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India in New York August 22, 2014

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16

Bollywood INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

U

nlike many newly wed Indian actresses, Rani Mukerji is not suddenly singing a different tune about what is acceptable for an actress to do.

And she makes it clear that she refuses to let her personal life limit her professional choices.

The actress gets candid about her media shy husband Aditya Chopra, the mogul at the helm of Yash Raj Films conglomerate, her new film Mardaani, and the future.

Rumours about your pregnancy are the talk of the town.

Rumours about my marriage started even before I actually got married and here I am today, happily married and settled.

So if rumours of my pregnancy also come true, then great because very soon I will become pregnant. These rumours will somewhere reach the universe and the universe will make it happen.

For every woman, it is important to feel like a woman and go through the cycle of being a mother. I am no different.

The rumours got stronger because of the way you were dressed on a reality show. Is it discomforting when people constantly judge you?

No, it doesn’t matter if I am judged. I am in an industry where everyone is judged. If people stop judging me then I would feel like I have accomplished everything. In this industry, any news is good news.

After marriage, actresses often cut down on their work. Will you do that?

Not really. Women try to cut down on work because they are pregnant and during that time, they are physically not capable.

In Hollywood, many actors work when they are pregnant. If a director is ready to work with me during my pregnancy, I will surely work.

It also depends on how supportive a husband is. Adi (Aditya Chopra) is a very supportive husband. I don’t think he would want me to slow down.

How does it feel being married?

It’s my parents’ blessing that I finally found a man who is compassionate, extremely kind and a very good human being.

I always wanted a partner who I would look up to. I have been working in this industry for long so I am aware of how people are. Honestly, I have not come across a person as clean as Adi. He is very pure at heart. He is a much better human being than I am.

How romantic is Aditya Chopra?

Adi has made and written some of the best romantic films; he will not be able to do it if he doesn’t believe in it. I think you got the answer.

How do you plan to support him?

By truly loving him and being there whenever he needs me. I don’t think any man today wants to make his wife sit at home and cook. Everyone respects a working woman. I would love to support Adi by working and make him feel that I am independent.

What traits of your father-in-law Yash

ÂI WOULDNÊT LIKE TO TAKE ORDERS FROM ADITYA CHOPRAÊ Rani Mukerji discusses why she doesn’t want to be directed by her husband, and why she wants to continue acting.

Sonil Dedhia listens in

Chopra do you see in your husband?

The most important trait is that they love food (laughs). They are a true Punjabi family. Adi loves food and it’s a very big challenge for me to keep a check on my weight.

He is a combination of a very lenient husband and a strict producer. On the one hand, he feeds me, and on the other hand he gets stressed to see me put on weight!

Aditya is media shy. Will he be seen more often now?

My husband has a very different personality. Although he is married to an actor, I don’t think he is compelled to become media savvy. He likes to maintain his privacy. He likes to remain anonymous and enjoy movies with the normal crowd. He has been doing this since he was a kid. I respect his decision. As long as he is visible to me, I am very happy (smiles).

I am a lazy person. I hate dressing up and so I am happy that he doesn’t go out.

The headache of dressing up is gone. We are happy sitting at home, watching television, eating food and catching up with friends. I like Adi because he is exclusive.

Does he have any plans to direct you in a film?

No, I don’t want Adi to direct me.

I don’t think I will be able to take his direction because directors are like the captain of the ship and you have to be very professional. There are times when directors shout at you and tell you what to do.

I wouldn’t like to take his orders so it’s better that I just play the role of a wife so

that I can tell him what to do (laughs).

Most scripts demand kissing or intimate scenes. Now that you are married, would you do such roles?

My husband is a filmmaker and a creative person and he knows what goes into filmmaking. He isn’t a narrow-minded person.

If the script requires me to do certain things, I am sure he will allow me to do it.

I don’t think he is going to check my scripts. He is too busy with his own work.

Mardaani is the first Yash Raj film to get an ‘A’ certificate.

Unfortunately, in our country, we don’t have a separate censor certificate for people above 12 years and below 18 years.

Either we have an A certificate, which is only for adult audiences (18 years or over) or we have a UA certificate for people of all ages but it is advised that children below 12 be accompanied by a parent.

I would love to see people, especially women and girls, across all age groups watching this film. The film will inspire girls to speak their mind and be brave and bring out their mardaani (brave and bold) spirit.

Why did you choose a script with such a serious subject?

The film gives a message of women’s empowerment. It deals with the issue of trafficking of girls.

It is time that women in our country take matters like self-protection into their own hands. I don’t want any girl to be dependent on her father or brother to go somewhere just because she is scared.

Today, every parent is concerned when

their daughter steps out of the house. I want girls to enrol in self-defence classes like karate, kickboxing etc.

I hope this film works so that we can come up with Mardaani 2 and tell another story that will make an impact.

You play a cop in the film. Did you take inspiration from anyone?

I am inspired by my mother. She is a tigress. From her, I have learnt how to be in hold of my actions. She is a very strong personality in the house.

When it comes to women officers we only know of Kiran Bedi, but there are a thousand Kiran Bedis out there today.

When I was doing the research for my film, I met many such women police officers. I took inspiration from them too.

We have to change the way people look at a woman police officer. This film is one step towards bringing that change.

Since your husband is the producer of the film, you obviously want the film to do well at the box office.

I definitely want this film to work. In fact from now on, I will not only pray that my films work, I will also pray that all YRF films are superhits (laughs).

Are there any plans to be creatively involved in Yash Raj Films?

No, not at all. There are many capable people who take care of everything. Adi is at the helm and I don’t think he requires anybody else. I don’t want to produce or direct a film.

Does one now expect you to star only in YRF films?

No, not at all. My next film will be outside the YRF banner.

Bollywood

17

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Actress Deepika Padukone

ABHIJIT MHAMUNKAR

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Film producer Ritesh Sidhwani with wife Dolly.

Several Bollywood stars attended Ritesh’s birthday party in Mumbai August 14.

A PEEK INTO THE WEEK’S GLITZIEST TINSEL TOWN EVENTS

Actress Priyanka Chopra

Actress Kangna Ranaut

PRADEEP BANDEKAR ABHIJIT MHAMUNKAR

Farhan Akhtar, Sidhwani’s business partner, and designer Niharika Khan.

Actor Ranveer Singh

ABHIJIT MHAMUNKAR

PRADEEP BANDEKAR

ABHIJIT MHAMUNKAR

Actress Anushka Sharma PRADEEP BANDEKAR

PAGE 18 g

Bollywood

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INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

f PAGE 17

Tina Ambani, wife of Reliance honcho Anil Ambani, and Parmeshwar Godrej, wife of industrialist Adi Godrej.

Actor Riteish Deshmukh also attended Ritesh Sidhwani’s birthday bash.

PRADEEP BANDEKAR

Actor Anil Kapoor

PRADEEP BANDEKAR

PRADEEP BANDEKAR

Left, filmmkaer Imtiaz Ali and actor Ranbir Kapoor at the inauguration of Shuraut ka Interval, a short film festival, in Mumbai August 13.

From right, filmmakers Vikramaditya Motwane, right, and Vikas Bahl and center, actress Alia Bhatt.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

A PEEK INTO THE WEEK’S GLITZIEST TINSEL TOWN EVENTS

PHOTOGRAPHS: PRADEEP BANDEKAR

Bollywood

19

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

‘Our film will compete with international films’ he trailer of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Happy New Year was launched with much fanfare in T Mumbai, August 14.

Shah Rukh, who hosted the show along with actor Boman Irani, said the trailer was released on the eve of India’s Independence Day because it was a patriotic film, and he wanted to release the trailer along with his Chennai Express director Rohit Shetty’s new film Singham Returns, which released August 15.

Actress Deepika Padukone, who reunites with SRK, her Om Shanti Om co-star, and director Farah Khan for this one, said, “Nothing has changed. They are very possessive and protective!”

Jackie Shroff, who plays the villain, reminisced about working with Shah Rukh in films like King Uncle, One Two Ka Four and Devdas: “I remember Shah Rukh when I saw him for the first time on the sets of King Uncle. He was so quiet, sitting in one corner and smoking. He has reached great heights today

Emraan vs Bhatts mraan Hashmi, the blue-eyed boy of the Bhatt camp, just fell E from grace. When he decided to

allot some time to promote his upcoming film Raja Natwarlal, the move did not go down well with mentor and uncle Mahesh Bhatt, who wanted those dates to finish Mr X. Bhatt shared his outrage on Twitter, ‘Gratitude is the life blood of any meaningful relationship. I am grateful to Emraan for giving his best to us. But is he grateful to us? Brand Emraan stands on the bedrock of Vishesh Films. We have a huge emotional investment in him. He can run from this fact, but not hide from it.’

Emraan Hashmi and Mahesh Bhatt on Koffee with Karan.

He added, ‘Charity begins at home. Emraan Hashmi can’t ‘steal’ from Peter & gift it to Paul. He can’t cancel Mr X’s shooting & do PR for Raja Natwarlal!’

Emraan responded in a similar vein, tweeting, ‘Having a tendency to shoot a firearm before adequately identifying the target... Trigger happy. Having a tendency to constantly rant and solve personal issues on Twitter .. Twitter happy :)’ ‘Bhattsaab agli baar pls pick the phone and abuse me. Twitter ke wajah se Tamaasha ban gaya hai. Have contacted Oxford dictionary to add ‘Twitter happy’ after our family feud on Twitter.’

Manisha to adopt a girl anisha Koirala, who turned 44 August 16, is all set to embark on M a new phase in her life.

Speaking from the Oneness University in Andhra Pradesh, Manisha says, “I have decided to adopt a baby girl, so in my own way, I can start a family.”

She says she would have adopted earlier, but “after my ovarian cancer was cured, I was advised to give it three years before my body would be considered safe from the disease.

PRADEEP BANDEKAR

Shah Rukh Khan, right, and Deepika Padukone at the trailer launch of Happy New Year.

just because of his hard work. I tell Tiger (Jackie Shroff ’s son) to learn from him. He has not changed at all. He is at the top, but lonely.”

Co-star Abhishek Bachchan narrated an incident that happened two years ago when he met Shah Rukh and they decided they had to make the biggest film in Indian history. Abhishek recalled, “He had said, ‘We have to concentrate on how to behave with each other off screen because that will set the tone of the film.’”

“It’s a kind of a film that Manmohan Desai will be proud of,” Abhishek added.

“I don’t know how much the film will make at the box office,” Shah Rukh said. “The biggest hit so far is Avatar. But I can say that there is not a single film that has dance and heist as its theme. Our film will compete with international films.”

— Patcy N

Manisha Those three years will get over Koirala next year. That’s when I’ll feel confident enough to take care of a new life, and will officially adopt a child.”

So far, love has been elusive in her life, Manisha admits.

“I have always fallen in love with the wrong people,” she says. “I have ended up being hurt but I’ve never been disillusioned by love. I still look for love. I still crave to be in a perfect relationship, though I know it may not be possible to find it. I want to find that perfect love in my relationship with my child.” have now finally understood what the “Life has taught me some hard lesgift of life is.” sons,” she added, “I am 44 now. I feel I — Subhash K Jha

Ajay’s turn at Marathi talkies ctor Ajay Devgn is ventured into Marathi cinA ema. His production house

Ajay Devgn Films will present Vitti Dandu.

Slated to release later this year, this period drama revolves around the triumph of love for the country over attachments for a loved one.

Ajay Devgn Devgn is the latest Bollywood actor to back regional cinema after Ritesh Deshmukh’s Yellow, Balak Palak and Lai Bhaari and Shreyas Talpade’s Poshter Boyz, and Aamir Khan’s rumoured plans to do a Punjabi film.

Jyoti Amge, the world’s smallest woman, with Jessica Lange, her co-star on this season of American Horror Story: Freak Show. Amge, the latest addition to the FX series, lives in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and measures up to just 2’ 0.6”. Amge will reportedly have a four-episode arc in the show, playing the mother to Gabourey Sidibe’s character.

A small addition

COURTESY: TWITTER.COM/MRRPMURPHY

20

Health INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

These popular workouts can hurt you Yoga guru Shameem Akthar alerts you to injuries you need to watch out for

T

he enthusiasm for working out is a good thing. But the downside is that unsupervised workouts are rather haphazard.

It’s not just a matter of buying equipment and following the pamphlet that comes with it. Or attending a short gym session and believing it is okay to do that on your own.

Many offices are now equipped with gyms. Many housing societies also have their own gyms. This means there is plenty of opportunity to work out on one’s own.

But workouts have their pitfalls, and you need a trained professional to help you get 100 percent out of it.

If you attend a gym, make sure the trainer is at hand, and appears to know the machines and is watching out for you.

Many gyms have poorly trained trainers with some vague certificate of qualification or just a buffed up body. They are not fully literate about all aspects of dangerfree training.

Treadmill threats

off ’ while doing the treadmill. Any workout where the mind is switched off can only give a fraction of the benefits. Plus, it could cause all those accidents that are never spoken about.

Trampoline trouble

The trampoline made waves a few decades ago and a lot of interest was whipped up in the jumps as a great way to achieving overall health.

People undoubtedly looked happier on trampolines than on treadmills. The very act of jumping makes you scream or grin and releases those endorphins and eustress (happy stress) hormones.

Since then, the trampoline has lost some

Rowing risks

Rowing machines are also popular among those who train on their own, but they too come with risks.

The rowing machine must allow for

JASON OXENHAM/GETTY IMAGES

In many countries there is a high alert

about treadmill mistakes and dangers.

Since only the lower limbs are worked out, there is much more stress on the joints — like the knees and lower back (in the spine).

Most people think of the treadmill as a warm-up to the rest of their gym practice and do not prepare enough with a thorough warm-up before attempting it.

They also rush off to do other things without a cool-down since they think it is meant to heat them up.

Wearing down of the knee joint in the young can often be attributed directly to overuse and misuse of the treadmill.

Because the balance is tricky on the treadmill, most people when they hike up the uphill elevation end up walking wrong, hugely stressing the back.

In the United States, after the unfortunate death of Mike Tyson’s child through a treadmill accident, several articles were written about the dangers of using the treadmill when one’s attention is switched off, resulting in burns, falls and serious injuries.

In India, it is still hip to mentally ‘switch

not make the connection. But, when the seat is too high or too low, or if one is leaning forward too much and encouraging more exciting movements over the stationary bike, there are loads of things happening that are not always good. These include straining at most of the joints, including the delicate wrists, and the hips.

While muscles may get their due work out, it comes at the expense of overstraining and injuring major and crucial joints.

You may want to rethink this form of work-out.

of its sheen due to the number of accidents it has caused.

The material you jump on will wear out, the rings that hold them are where you may land badly, and then fall off.

Media reports indicate that this is more a high-risk adventure than fun and you may want to avoid it.

The most common injuries are fractures, especially of the upper body, which shows just how risky jumping for fun can be.

THAIER AL-SUDANI/REUTERS

Spinning spiel

The craze for this started a few years ago. It seems to give a tremendous high to its fans.

Knee troubles from spinning have been highlighted, but another common and less known form of injury is lower back weakness, including slipped disc.

Those who have suffered the latter may

smooth movements. But most amateurs believe, erroneously, that they work out more if they can spike up the resistance.

This could put unnatural strain on the lower back and the neck (you are also likely to get a jowl, as the wrong muscles develop to support the wrong movement at the upper body).

Adjusting the machine to get it right, buying a complete machine which gives different types of resistances, having a trainer to point out the mistakes you are making (in adjusting the seat and resistance) is crucial when using this machine.

Otherwise, you are likely to strain joints of the hands and the spine. Hardly the outcome you want when you buy the machine to better your health!

Shameem Akhtar trained with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.

21

India in New York August 22, 2014

IMMIGRATION NEWS DACA RENEWALS AND THE UPHOLDING OF EXECUTIVE ACTION IN ARIZONA DREAM ACT COALITION V. BREWER – PART

By Michelle S. Velasco* August 15, 2014 marks the two-year anniversary of the implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The policy was announced through a memorandum by then Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on June 15, 2012. The Memo directed the heads of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to implement DHS’s decision to grant deferred action, and employment authorization, to certain eligible individuals who entered the U.S. when they were younger than 16 years old. Now, nearly two years have passed since DHS began accepting applications for the program on August 15, 2012. DACA recipients who were among the first to apply and receive DACA and employment authorization must now undergo the process of renewing their DACA. ICE and USCIS released their renewal processes in February and early June, respectively. ICE had begun issuing DACA to eligible immigrants in removal proceedings prior to August 15, 2012, when USCIS began accepting applications. To be eligible for DACA renewal, the recipient must (1) not have departed from the U.S. on or after August 15, 2012 without advance parole; (2) have continuously resided in the U.S. since the first DACA approval; and (3) not have been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and does not otherwise pose a threat to national safety or public safety.

The renewal process for ICE-granted and USCIS-granted DACA recipients is the same: Complete and submit the following forms: o The new version of Form I-821D (6/4/2014 edition) o Form I-765 o Form I-765 Worksheet • Submit the $465 fee for the employment authorization application • Submit only new documents involving removal proceedings or criminal history that was not previously provided to USCIS (Note: USCIS does not require previously submitted documentation establishing the applicant’s DACA eligibility) USCIS has advised DACA recipients to renew approximately 120 days (4 months), but no more than 150 days (5 months), before their current DACA grant expires. USCIS also anticipates that in the event it cannot process the submitted applications before the initial DACA expires, it might issue extensions of the initial DACA to prevent any lapse in time before the renewal is approved.

Since its implementation, DACA has been granted to over 550,000 recipients, according to USCIS statistics released on March 2014. DACA has provided more than half a million young immigrants security from removal and a means to work lawfully in the U.S. The DACA recipients, sometimes also called Dreamers, can now live openly, work, and contribute to their own and their families’ wellbeing. The economic and social repercussions of this have not yet been fully studied or revealed, though the American Immigration Council recently published a study of the economic impact of DACA on the recipients. The study found that through DACA, many young immigrants have benefitted economically through such activities as obtaining new jobs, getting driver’s licenses, and opening bank accounts. We can also imagine what has been the psychological impact on these young immigrants of coming out of hiding and being able to be productive members of American society and the American workforce. They have experienced the excitement of receiving an approval notice and the much sought after work permit, then a valid Social Security Number and card, and then oftentimes a State Identification Document in the form of an ID or driver’s license.

Though it has undoubtedly bettered the lives of half a million recipients, DACA has been a double-edged sword. While it provides recipients protection from removal from the U.S. and allows them to work legally, DACA is still far less than what these young immigrants would have received from the government had the DREAM Act or Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) passed in Congress. The DREAM Act would have granted a way for eligible young immigrants to apply for permanent residence, and therefore, lawful status. S.744, the CIR bill passed by the U.S. Senate on June 27, 2013, and that has since stalled in the House of Representatives, included stipulations for the implementation of the DREAM Act’s provisions. In contrast, DACA is only granted for two years, and DACA recipients must renew before the expiration of their deferred action and work permits. Moreover, DACA recipients do not have lawful status in the U.S. (although they do not accrue unlawful presence upon the grant of DACA since they are still authorized to remain), and there is no direct pathway to permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

One limitation that some DACA recipients face is getting a driver’s license. Until recently, two states, Arizona and Nebraska, refused to grant driver’s licenses to DACA recipients. The Ninth Circuit, on July 7, 2014, struck down Arizona’s law that denied driver’s licenses to DACA recipients. Arizona Dream Act Coalition v. Brewer, No. 13-16248, WL 3029759 (9th Cir. July 7, 2014).

This much-maligned law (see Cyrus Mehta’s take down of it, http://blog.cyrusmehta.com/2012/08/nightmare-in-arizona-how-governor.html ) was put in place as soon as DACA was first announced in the summer of 2012. Governor Jan Brewer issued Executive Order 2012-06 “Re-Affirming Intent of Arizona Law In Response to the Federal Government’s Deferred Action Program,” August 15, 2012, directing Arizona state agencies to design rules to prevent DACA recipients from becoming eligible to obtain state identification such as driver’s licenses. Arizona’s Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Decision changed its requirements for state identification eligibility such that Employment Authorization Documents (EADs or work permits) with the DACA category code of (c)(33) would not be accepted as proof that the license or ID applicant’s presence was authorized in the U.S. Five DACA recipients living in Arizona, along with the Arizona Dream Act Coalition, filed suit to stop Arizona from enforcing its policy. The Ninth Circuit found that the law violated the Equal Protection Clause and there was no rational basis for the Arizona government’s policy. The decision hinged on Arizona’s refusal to accept as proof of “authorized presence” in the U.S. an EAD based on DACA category (c)(33) work while they continued to accept EADs based on (c)(9) and (c)(10) categories, which respectively correspond to applicants for adjustment of status and applicants for cancellation of removal. The Ninth Circuit systematically rejected each of Arizona’s arguments that it had a legitimate state interest in upholding the policy. Initially the Court rejected Arizona’s argument that (c)(9) and (c)(10) noncitizens could demonstrate authorized presence in the U.S. while (c)(33) could not. Putting aside the nonsensical use of the term “authorized presence” which holds no actual meaning in immigration law, Arizona conflates the immigration concepts of unlawful presence and unlawful status – two very different things. Unlawful presence is used in determining admissibility under the 3- and 10-year bars, while a noncitizen not in lawful status may be authorized to stay in the U.S. The Court’s clearly did not make that mistake: “Employment Authorization Documents merely “tied” to the potential for relief [i.e. (c)(9) and (c)(10) categories] do not indicate that the document holder has current federally authorized presence, as Arizona law expressly requires.” Arizona Dream Act Coalition, at *9. Moreover, the Court found that Arizona’s other four arguments also could not hold up against a rational basis test. Arizona could not show it might have to issue licenses to 80,000 unauthorized immigrants (less than 15,000 Arizona residents have applied for DACA). DACA recipients cannot access state or federal benefits using a driver’s license alone. Though the DACA program might be canceled at any time and DACAs could lose their authorized stay, the same could occur to (c)(9) and (c)(10) noncitizens whose corresponding applications are denied. Therefore, these arguments also do not pass the rational basis test. The Court went on and mentioned that additionally, Arizona’s policy “appears intended to express animus toward DACA recipients themselves, in part because of the federal government’s policy toward them.” Id. at *25. The court pointedly stated: “Such animus, however, is not a legitimate state interest.” Id. (To be continued)

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The Week That Was

22

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

India calls off talks with Pakistan

India called off foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan and conveyed a blunt message that it was interfering in India’s internal affairs by holding talks with Kashmiri separatists.

India was upset that despite being firmly told by Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh that Pakistan had to choose between ‘India or separatists’ for talks, Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit went ahead with the meeting.

When Modi speaks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, August 15.

Woman raped, tied naked to tree

A woman, 33, was gang-raped by three men, one a school teacher, who left her tied to a tree naked, the police in Umarda area of Uttar Pradesh said August 18.

BJP attacked for fuelling communalism

Mounting a frontal attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress party President Sonia Gandhi said August 12, ‘There has been an increase in communal violence in the country since 11 weeks of the BJP-led government coming to power at the Centre. These were deliberately created to divide the people.

More than 600 incidents of communal violence happened in Uttar Pradesh and, perhaps, as many in Maharashtra.’

Indians abducted by ISIS unharmed: Government

Indians, including 39 construction workers abducted by Islamic State militants over two months ago in conflict-hit Mosul in Iraq, are ‘unharmed,’ external affairs ministry said August 14.

The government had gone silent over their fate for a while.

AHMAD MASOOD/REUTERS

Ashok Chakra for Major Mukund Varadarajan

there is no record of any woman’s execution.

India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra, was awarded posthumously to Major Mukund Varadarajan’s family. The 32-year-old major, of the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, was killed in an encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen militants in Shopian in Kashmir in April.

Sisters from Maharashtra may become the first women to be hanged in India

Two sisters from Pune, Maharashtra, found guilty of kidnapping 13 children and killing nine of them, are to be hanged soon.

President Pranab Mukherjee has rejected the mercy petitions of Renuka Shinde and Seema Gavit, who were sentenced to death in 2001.

The number of people executed in India since Independence is a matter of dispute, but

Sea bound

India may act against radio jockeys who mimic lawmakers

India, or at least her lawmakers, is proving that it’s a nation that cannot laugh at itself. The government is considering acting against radio jockeys airing jokes or mimicking MPs. The issue, believe it or not, was raised in the Rajya Sabha by former actress and now Samajwadi Party member of parliament Jaya Bachchan. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javdekar said the matter was serious and the government would consider what action could be taken against erring RJs.

India amends judicial appointments system

The Indian Parliament cleared the Constitution Amendment Bill that will facilitate the setting up of a commission for appointment of judges, replacing the 20-year-old collegium system, August 14.

This makes way for the setting up of the National Judicial Appointments Commission, which will appoint and transfer judges to the Supreme Court and the 24 high courts.

An Indian sailor walks down the gangplank The bill will come into force after ratification by 50 percent of the state of the newly commissioned warship, INS legislatures, a process that could take up to eight months.

Kolkata, during its commissioning The Bill has been opposed by eminent justices and lawyers. ceremony near Mumbai August 16. The 163 meter long warship, with a cruise speed of 30 knots, is equipped with the Coming Soon: India’s first anti-terror academy latest telecommunication devices and The Indian government will set up an anti-terror academy in New Delhi. armed with anti-air missiles and The brainchild of new National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, it is likely to be anti-submarine weapons. operational in six months and have a think-tank to guide anti-terror policy.

Specialists from the United States and Israel will be involved in the training.

Indian Army to probe rape allegations

by New York doctor

The Indian Army has ordered a court of inquiry against a serving brigadier for allegedly raping a New York-based doctor-turned-entrepreneur last year.

Brigadier Manoj Tiwari, now serving at the Army War College, is accused of raping a woman doctor last year when he was posted as the military attache to India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. He was then a colonel.

DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS

PAGE 23

g

The Week That Was

23

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

From drought fears to this…

REBA KUMAR BORAH/GUWAHATI

f PAGE 22

BJP leader’s bikini plan for Goa

A month after Sudin Dhavalikar, a minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led Bharatiya Janata Party government in Goa, asked for a ban on bikinis on beaches, a BJP legislator Lavoo Mamledar said that if tourism had to be promoted and is necessary, then there could be a bikini beach with entry fees.

Soldier held for trying to molest girl

A soldier was arrested for allegedly attempting to molest a teenaged girl on board the Dibrugarh-Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam. The Railway Protection Force caught the man after the 17-year old girl raised an alarm.

Chinese troops in Indian territory: Sources

Chinese troops are reported to have entered 15.5 miles to 19 miles deep into Indian

Uttar Pradesh: The toll in Uttar Pradesh floods rose to 49 at press time, with several rivers flowing above the danger mark and posing a threat to more than 1,000 villages.

Bihar: The death toll in the Bihar floods rose to 10 at press time with more than 1.1 million people in nearly 600 villages affected. The situation remained grim due to the rising water level of all major rivers in the state.

Uttarakhand: The death toll in rain-related incidents rose to 24 in two days in Uttarakhand.

Himachal Pradesh: Showers also wreaked havoc in the hill state, killing at least six people. The rains triggered landslides and over 200 roads were blocked due to it along with road breaches.

Odisha: 47 people have lost their lives following heavy rain and floods since July.

Though the situation has improved, thousands continue to be marooned in some areas.

Assam The flood situation in Assam (pictured left) turned critical with the water level of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries rising alarmingly in Upper and Central Assam districts. The Kaziranga National Park and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary were also heavily flooded, forcing hapless animals to move to highlands to protect themselves. territory in the Burtse area in Ladakh where they had pitched tents last year, leading to a tense three-week standoff. Sources said a patrol of Indian troops noticed the People’s Liberation Army personnel August 17. An army spokesperson denied such an incident.

Telangana shuts down for a headcount

Life in Telangana came to a standstill August 19, thanks to the state government’s Intensive Household Survey. The first of its kind survey aims to enumerate all 8.68 million households in the state on a single day.

Censor Board CEO arrested on bribery charge

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Censor Board CEO Rakesh Kumar for allegedly demanding a bribe for clearing a movie.

Although the present case deals only with the Chhattisgarh movie, the agency has information that some top producers in Bollywood had allegedly paid bribes to get their films cleared in time.

A New York icon on the block Trumps’ Mumbai outing RAJESH KARKERA

From left, Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Jr, and Abhishek Lodha announce their plans to put up India’s first Trump Tower in Worli, central Mumbai.

The Trumps have tied up with the Lodha Group, one of India’s high-end real estate developers, for the project destined to be a 75-story skyscraper (or higher) with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, solar heating, rain water harvesting, ventilators, concierge, seven-levels of security, private gyms, pools, jacuzzis and lounges.

The apartments will sell for as high as $3.5 million each. The building is slated to be ready in 2018.

CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS

People walk past the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, August 18. The Sahara group has reached an agreement with a foreign party to sell its stake in this hotel as well as the city’s Dream Downtown and London’s Grosvenor House, its chief Subrata Roy told the Indian Supreme Court, August 14.

Roy, who has been in jail for over five months, said he couldn’t reveal the name of the party because their confidentiality had to be protected till the deal was signed.

The Wall Street Journal’s online edition reported August 17 that an investment firm affiliated with the Sultan of Brunei had offered to pay $2 billion for the three hotels. A spokesman for the Sultan later dismissed the report.

Sports

24

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

India versus England 5th Test

India 148-10

Murali Vijay c Root b Woakes 18 Gautam Gambhir c Buttler b Anderson 0 Cheteshwar Pujara b Broad 4 Virat Kohli lbw b Jordan 6 Ajinkya Rahane c and b Jordan 0 *MS Dhoni c Woakes b Broad 82 Stuart Binny c Cook b Anderson 5 Ravichandran Ashwin c Root b Woakes 13 Bhuvneshwar Kumar c Buttler b Jordan 5 Varun Aaron c and b Woakes 1 Ishant Sharma not out 7 Extras: 7 byes:6 leg byes:1 no balls:0 wides:0 Total: 148-10 (61.1) England: James Anderson 17-4-51-2, Stuart Broad 15.1-4-27-2, Chris Jordan 14-7-32-3, Chris Woakes 147-30-3, Moeen Ali 1-0-1-0. *Alastair Cook c Vijay b Aaron 79 Sam Robson b Aaron 37 Gary Ballance c Pujara b Ashwin 64 Ian Bell c Dhoni b Ishant 7 Joe Root not out 149 Moeen Ali b Ashwin 14 Jos Buttler c Ashwin b Ishant 45 Chris Woakes c Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar 0 Chris Jordan c Dhoni b Ishant 20 Stuart Broad c Kohli b Ishant 37 James Anderson lbw b Ashwin 1 Extras: 33 byes:18 leg byes:3 no balls:11 wides:1 Total: 486-10 (116.3) India: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 24-3-86-1, Ishant Sharma 30-8-96-4, Varun Aaron 29-1 153-2, Stuart Binny 12-058-0, Ravichandran Ashwin 21.3-2-72-3.

England thrash India, clinch series 3-1

I

ndia’s recent saga of spineless performances touched a new low as they crashed to a humiliating innings and 244 runs defeat well inside three days in the fifth and final cricket Test against England, who clinched the series 3-1, at the Oval in London, August 17.

India collapsed to 94 all out in the second innings, after scoring just 148 in the first innings, after Joe Root’s unbeaten 149 powered England to 486.

It was India’s worst Test defeat in 40 years.

The series win enabled Alastair Cook and his boys to retain the Pataudi Trophy for the second time in three years.

PAUL GILHAM/GETTY IMAGES

India 94-10

Top, Cheteshwar Pujara is bowled by Stuart Broad on day one of the fifth Test between England and India at the Oval, London, August 15.

GARETH COPLEY/GETTY IMAGES

Above, Alastair Cook of England celebrates with Gary Ballance after England won the match on day three.

Left and right, the England team celebrates

Murali Vijay lbw b Anderson 2 Gautam Gambhir run out (Woakes) 3 Cheteshwar Pujara c Buttler b Anderson 11 Virat Kohli c Cook b Jordan 20 Ajinkya Rahane c Ballance b Broad 4 *MS Dhoni c Robson b Woakes 0 Stuart Binny not out 25 Ravichandran Ashwin c Bell b Jordan 7 Bhuvneshwar Kumar c Bell b Jordan 4 Varun Aaron run out (Ali/Buttler) 1 Ishant Sharma c Ali b Jordan 2 Extras: 15 byes:8 leg byes:6 no balls:0 wides:1 Total: 94-10 (29.2) England: James Anderson 8-3-16-2, Stuart Broad 10-222-1, Woakes 7-0-24-1, Chris Jordan 4.2-0-18-4. *Captain

GARETH COPLEY/GETTY IMAGES

GARETH COPLEY/GETTY IMAGES

SURRENDER

England 486-10

Sports

25

INDIA IN NEW YORK AUGUST 22, 2014

Gautam Gambhir is run out by Chris Woakes on day three of the fifth Test between England and India, August 17.

Voices on IndiaÊs performance ‘T

GARETH COPLEY/GETTY IMAGES

he top-order felt the pressure of not scoring. That’s what you have to do in Test cricket — absorb pressure. A bit more application from the batsmen and it would have been better. Right from the start, our batsmen never really performed, the lower order helped out. That camouflaged the performance of the top order, just scoring 150-60 runs will not be enough to defend against the home team… We’ve lost a lot of confidence over the five-Test series. It is disappointing, there will be many experiences which the youngsters will learn — not too many have played Tests away from home and hopefully they can take that it into the future…’

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni Indian captain

‘T a bit.’

‘Q

Women triumph

W

hey (the Indian batsmen) felt I was an easy target, a guy they could get easy runs from, which has helped me quite

hile the Indian men’s cricket team disappointed with its spineless performance, the Indian women’s team made a remarkable comeback into the Test fold, beating England eves by six wickets in London, August 16.

India skipper Mithali Raj led from the front with a gutsy unbeaten 50 as the Indian eves surpassed a competitive target of 181 runs with consummate ease.

This is the first Test that the eves played after an eight-year hiatus, with eight players in the

— Moeen Ali England spinner uestions will be asked. Because of the love for the game, people, fans can question what’s going on in the team. It’s

fans who spend their hard-earned money to watch the team play. Work ethics (followed) under (former India coach) Gary Kirsten is not the same now… There are some players in the side who may not need much practice but there are others who need more practice… India can accept that the other team is better but how can we accept not to fight and giving up. In one session you are losing 6-7 wickets in the last three Tests, it needs to be looked at.’

— Sunil Gavaskar Indian cricket legend

‘D

honi led the team poorly. His selection policy, strategy, field placing and bowling changes lacked commonsense.

He made some glaring mistakes match after match for which India paid heavily. Unfortunately for him and India, he had Duncan Fletcher as the coach, who, it seems, is devoid of any ideas and has no clue as to how to turn things around. He, it seems, hardly motivated the young team. The support staff and the think-tank really let down the team very badly. I hope the BCCI sacks them immediately unless they go once again by what the senior players in the team feel about them.’

Dilip Vengsarkar Former Indian skipper

‘O

ur team should carry their subcontinental pitches wherever they go abroad’ — An Indian cricket fan on Twitter

starting XI making their Test debut.

The women’s team also achieved a remarkable feat, which the Indian men have never achieved in England, by winning back-to-back Test series, having won the one-off ‘Test’ at Taunton in 2006, which incidentally was the last time that the likes of Mithali and Jhulan Goswami were seen in white flannels.

Brief scores: England: 92 & 202.

India: 114 & 183/4 (Smriti Mandhana 51, Mithali Raj 50 no, Shikha Pandey 28 no).

Result: India won by 6 wickets.

Perfect sendoff

ormer Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene F was given a fairytale sendoff

DINUKA LIYANAWATTE/REUTERS

in his last Test, as Sri Lanka eased to a 105-run victory that completed a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan, August 18.

The victory enabled batting stalwart Jayawardene, 37, to end his 149-Test career with a victory. He scored 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84.

CHRISTOPHER LEE/GETTY IMAGES

India beat Pakistan in soccer to 10 men, India showed character to prevail 1-0 over Pakistan in their first friendly soccer match, in Bangalore, August 16.

DIn own the first of two friendly matches, which is also Pakistan’s maiden appearance

in a bilateral soccer series in India, India’s captain Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh combined to put India in the lead in the 44th-minute.

Chhetri, who plays his club football for Bengaluru FC, tapped it in after Robin’s flick off a Lalrindika Ralte corner hit the post.

Robin Singh was sent off midway in the second half, made it a bitter-sweet day for the local striker.

Robin was given marching orders in the 69th minute for receiving his second yellow card of the match. Thereafter, India played with 10 men against a strong Pakistan, a fact which national coach Wim Koevermans stressed post-match that he was ‘keen to see how the boys responded.’

26

India in New York August 22, 2014

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Weekend workers needed for Demo marketing in NY, NJ, CT, PA and more cities in USA. Young women & men. Personable, well-mannered and able to work on their own. Demonstrate Indian brands - tea to cookies to masalas.

ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE OWN TRANSPORT. Call 917-331-4924 immediately.

REAL ESTATE

PERFECT FOR LARGE, EXTENDED FAMILIES MOTHER/DAUGHTER WITH PERMIT! 6/7 Br 8.55 Ba Fully Updated on 1.84 Acres $1,295,000. 44 Edcris Lane, Huntington Open House Sun Aug 17th 12-3pm For Private Showing, Contact: MICHAEL MACCHIO, Licensed Agent Century 21 Dallow (516) 660-8642 mmacchio@dallow.com www.44edcrislane.c21.com

Room For Rent

FURNISHED room for rent with terrace new DVD smart cable TV - G&E use of bathroom/ toilet/ kitchen. $750 per month. Good for retired female. Phone: (718) 271-3793

B E A UTY INSTITUTE

NY Flushing Beauty Institute NEW YORK STATE LICENCED BEAUTY SCHOOL • Cosmetology (Hairs) • Esthetics (Skin Care) • Nail Technology • Waxing

Knowledge is Power

WE PROVIDE THESE TUITIONS Nails, Skin Care, Cosmetology, Waxing

YES! You Can.

36-09 Main St., 6 FL, Flushing, NY 11354

718.461.5252

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India in New York August 22, 2014

ASTROLOGY

SWAMI MANJITJI WORLD FAMOUS ASTROLOGER PALMIST & SPIRITUAL HEALER Consult Swami Manjitji for Accurate Horoscope Reading, Palm Reading and likelihood of Major Events of Life: Love, Marriage, Children, Employment, Health, Business, Immigration, Real Estate, and Court Cases.

Lucky Stones and Lucky Numbers. Horoscope Readings are much more Accurate than Computer Readings.

Swamiji Removes Black Magic, Gives Protection and Helps in Resolving Various Problems by Powerful Holy Mantras and Meditation on God. Doctors, Politicians and Bureaucrats also consult Him.

HELPING CLIENTS IN USA SINCE 1988

Excellent Results 2

12 1

3

11 10

4 5 6

9

7

8

Visit 9 countries in 15 days

$4000 only

DEPARTURE DATES:

August: 25, September: 08, 22, 29

718.358.2901/917.497.3212 146-31, 61 Road, Flushing, New York 11367 www.swamimanjit.com

ATTORNEY FREE PHONE CONSULTATION

H 1 B 1 . co m IMMIGRATION Law Offices of

Ajay K. Arora, Esq.

Tel: 212.268.3580 Fax: 212.268.3582 Email: info@h1b1.com 1270 Broadway, Suite 510, New York, NY 10001

Travel Centre NY Your expert travel guide!

Division of Travel Services Inc.

NO GIMMICKS!

Low Economy/Business Class Special Fares for New Year & Winters Around the World Exclusive Offering Quality New Year and WinTravel Solutions ter Best Fares For Over Decade!

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Inquire about Refundable/Non-Refundable Fares, Date Changes, Baggage Free etc.

Email: info@travelcentreny.com Toll Free: 866.500.8359, 212.730.2600

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India in New York August 22, 2014