India in New York - September 19, 2014 by India Abroad

COMMUNITY MODI EVENT: NO TO BAGS, CELL PHONES

BOLLYWOOD FINDING FANNY WITH ARJUN & DEEPIKA

AMERICAN DESI IN THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

www.rediff.com (Nasdaq: REDF)

VOL. XVIII NO. 13

India in New York A GUIDE TO EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FROM INDIA ABROAD FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

THE PROMISE OF SPRING At the New York Fashion Week

FERNANDA CALFAT/GETTY IMAGES

Community

India in New York INDIA IN NEW YORK is published every Friday by India Abroad Publications, Inc. 42 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY 10004.

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Ajit Balakrishnan Chairman and Publisher Nikhil Lakshman Editor-in-Chief

No bags or cell phones allowed at Modi event

Rajeev Bhambri Chief Operating Officer-US Media THE EDITORIAL TEAM NEW YORK Aziz Haniffa, Editor, News Arthur J Pais, Editor, Features Suman Guha Mozumder, Associate Managing Editor George Joseph, P Rajendran, Deputy Managing Editors Paresh Gandhi, Chief Photographer Ritu Jha, Special Correspondent Parimal Mehta, System Manager Production: Dharmesh Chotalia, Production Supervisor. Harish Kathrani David Richter, Production Controller, Editorial CONTACT EDITORIAL Call: 212-929-1727 Fax: 212-727-9730 E-mail: editorial@indiaabroad.com MUMBAI Vaihayasi Pande Daniel, Editorial Director, Features Dominic Xavier, Creative Head Uttam Ghosh, Joint Creative Head Sumit Bhattacharya, Associate Managing Editor Monali Sarkar, News Editor Sanjay Sawant, Satish Bodas, Creative Directors Shailaja Nand Mishra, Senior Production Coordinator THE BUSINESS TEAM DISPLAY ADVERTISING CONTACT THE DISPLAY ADVERTISING TEAM Toll free: 1-866-702-1950 Fax: 212-627-9503 E-mail:displayads@indiaabroad.com Geeta Singh Sales Executive Jitender Sharma Associate Sales Manager

CIRCULATION CONTACT THE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT Call: 212-645-2369 Fax: 212-627-9503 E-mail: circulation@Indiaabroad.com Subscription toll free number: 1-877-INDIA-ABROAD (1-877-463-4222) Anjali S Maniam Associate Vice President, Marketing & Special Events Balagopal Rajagopal, Database Administrator Suresh Babu THE INDIA BUSINESS TEAM Nikita Pai, Deputy Chief Manager. Call: 91-22-24449144, extension 320 REDIFF.COM EDITORIAL TEAM Saisuresh Sivaswamy, Senior Editorial Director. Sheela Bhatt, Senior Editorial Director, News Ivan Crasto, Editorial Director, Sports Shobha Warrier, Associate Editorial Director Prithviraj Hegde, Editor, News, Nandita Malik, Editor, Business Savera R Someshwar, Archana Masih, Syed Firdaus Ashraf, Managing Editors Rajesh Karkera, Joint Creative Head A Ganesh Nadar, Indrani Roy Mitra, Seema Pant, Ronjita Kulkarni, Swarupa Dutt, Associate Managing Editors Prasanna D Zore, Deputy Managing Editor Rupali S Nimkar, Senior Assistant Managing Editor Onkar Singh, Sanaya Dalal, Assistant Managing Editors N V Reuben, Senior Art Director Uday Kuckian, Art Director Puja Banta, Chief Features Editor Vipin Vijayan, Sanchari Bhattacharya, Chief News Editors Harish Kotian, Deputy Sports Editor Patcy Nair, Bikash Mohapatra, Chief Features Editors Abhishek Mande, Senior Associate Editor Rajorshi Sanyal, Deputy News Editor Gauri Ghadi, Senior Assistant Editor Sonil Dedhia, Principal Correspondent Mahipal Soni, Director, Operations (Editorial) Aslam Hunani, Joint Director, Operations (Editorial) Ashish Narsale, Associate Director, Operations (Editorial) Rajesh Alva, Manager, Operations (Editorial) Manisha Deshpande, Senior Visuals Coordinator Anant Salvi, Visuals Coordinator India Abroad Publications, Inc A subsidiary of Rediff.com India Ltd. Ajit Balakrishnan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer EDITORIAL & CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 42 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY 10004 MAIN OFFICE: Call: 646-432-6000; Fax: 212-627-9503 Web site: http://ia.rediff.com/index.html

PARESH GANDHI

CLASSIFIEDS WANT TO INSERT A CLASSIFIED/MATRIMONIAL AD? Call: 1-800-822-3532 Fax: 212-691-0873 E-mail: classified@indiaabroad.com Shahnaz Sheikh Classified Manager Sujatha Jilla Classified Assistant Manager Jim Gallentine Classified Representative

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

GEORGE JOSEPH

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reception at the Madison Square Garden September 28 has been oversubscribed, says the Indian American Community Foundation, set up for the sole purpose of organizing the reception. Tickets are no longer available. Those who applied for indi-

vidual tickets were selected through a lottery September 12. There were 10 applicants for every ticket. “About 1,500 people were selected this way,” said Dr Bharat Barai, the lead organizer and chair, IACF. Those who did not get a ticket even after applying through community organizations were included in the lottery. If one signed up and did not get a ticket in the lottery, s/he may be on a waitlist for tickets available after holders cancel. If one has a ticket and cannot come, the organizers have requested for a cancellation at www.pmvisit.org/cancel About 400 members of the media applied for credentials. Three passes per media organization will be allotted. The IACF has raised about $1.5 million to meet the event’s expenses. Some of the money comes from allotment of seats, with front row seats allocated for a premium. The souvenir being released at the event has also collected a sizeable amount from advertisements. Several United States Representatives and Senators have been invited, including members of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri and PBS News Hour Weekend anchor Hari Sreenivasan will be the emcees. The event will be telecast live in India and the US through community television channels. Due to security reasons people are asked to arrive at the venue half an hour before the program starts at 9:30 am. No one is allowed to carry any bag, cell phones or any other electronic device, cash, or food. The Secret Service has mandated that doors open at 9 am. Doors will close at 10:45. ‘Citizens of the world’s greatest democracy are eager to hear from the leader of the world’s largest democracy,’ said Anand Shah, spokesperson, IACF. ‘The program has been generously sponsored by thousands of individuals who are excited to participate in an unprecedented show of support to promote a stronger friendship between the US and India.’

SFJ promises protest outside White House A CORRESPONDENT

ore than 100 Sikh organizations will protest outside the White House during the summit meeting between President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for September 29-30, the Sikhs for Justice claimed last week. At the SFJ’s initiative, representatives of Sikh organizations from across the United States gathered in New Jersey to devise a strategy for protesting against Obama’s hosting of Modi. The SFJ has earlier accused the White House of violating United States laws by inviting Modi, who the group deems anti-minority and by extension anti-Sikh. In 2005, the George W Bush administration had denied Modi a United States visa

under the International Religious Freedom Act. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the SFJ’s legal adviser, said September 30 thousands of Sikhs will remind President Obama that upholding the religious freedom principle of the US Constitution is more important than inking business deals. ‘While Modi is infamous for his role in the 2002 (Gujarat) massacre,’ Dr Pritpal Singh, coordinator, American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, was quoted as saying, ‘his party is notorious for participating in the attacks on places of worship belonging to minorities starting with instigating the army invasion of the Golden Temple in 1984, carrying out the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, and burning Christian churches in Orissa during 2008.’ The AGPC is an umbrella organization of more than 70 gurdwaras across the country.

Community

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Exhibition aims at ecofriendly worship

Snapshots from the exhibition

GEORGE JOSEPH

n exhibition at the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing Meadows Park features objects that Hindu devotees had thrown into the sea and which members of Sadhana, an all-volunteer group of New York Hindus, collected from Jamaica Bay during their monthly beach clean up. The exhibition, Sacred Waters: A collection of Hindu

offerings from Jamaica Bay, runs through September 28. There is a huge amount of litter at the beach at North Channel Bridge, which Sadhana has adopted in partnership with the National Parks Service. The exhibition is a part of Sadhana’s green initiative, Project Prithvi. “We hope that viewers, particularly Hindu viewers, will see the contradiction between Hindu worship and defiling nature,” said Sunita Viswanath, co-founder, Sadhana. “We

invite the whole community to come and see our exhibit and to engage in ecofriendly worship.” Sadhana, she said, has been working with religious and community leaders to encourage a behavioral change. Two Indo-Caribbean priests, Pandit Arjunen Armogan of Adi Shakti Maha Kali Mandir, Queens, and Pandit Umesh Sharma of Shri Vishnu Mandir in the Bronx, help spread the message to worshippers to not put non-biodegradable offerings into the ocean and rivers, but instead take them home after symbolic offering.

To drum up buzz for the Diwali at Times Square event, Maharashtra’s tourism department — the title sponsors for the Diwali event — last week had a bus drive around Manhattan with the Jallosh group performing their energetic dance atop it. Diwali at Times Square will be held September 20. The events will begin at noon and will include Indian food, dance classes, arts and crafts, fashion show, etc. In the evening, a Light up Times Square concert will feature celebrities like singers Shaan and Arjun, and actor Parineeti Chopra.

PHOTOGRAPHS: PARESH GANDHI

Community

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Massive jump in fee for US citizenship renunciation A CORRESPONDENT

he fee for individuals to renounce United States citizenship has gone up to $2,350 (from $450 earlier) beginning September 12. Critics pointed out that it is more than 20 times the average level in other high-income countries. The State Department said that documenting a renunciation is ‘extremely costly’ and requires a minimum of two intensive interviews with the applicant as well as other procedures. The fees charged for a number of other services, such as fiance(e) visas and employment-based visa applications increased far less than those for renunciation and in some cases declined.

Over the last two years, the US has reportedly had a spike in expatriations. With global tax reporting, more and more people are renouncing their US citizenship, especially if they have dual citizenship. For 2013, there was a 221 percent increase in renunciation. Last year, 2,999 US citizens and Green Card holders renounced their allegiance to the US, a record number, and renunciations in 2014 are on track to exceed that. Many of them live abroad. The State Department said that since 2010 the demand for renunciation has increased dramatically, consuming far more consular time and resources. It also noted that ‘there is no public benefit or other reason for setting this fee below cost.’ The waiting time for an expatriation interview has

increased to as much as six months in some areas. Three-quarters of all renunciations are processed by consular offices in Canada, the UK and Switzerland. More Canadians with dual citizenship are giving up their US citizenship. To leave America, one generally must prove five years of US tax compliance. If you have a net worth greater than $2 million or average annual net income tax (not income) for the five previous years of $157,000 or more for 2014 you pay an exit tax. It is a capital gain tax as if you sold your property when you left. There’s an exemption of $680,000 for 2014. Longterm residents giving up a Green Card can be required to pay the tax too. Experts said more people are leaving after a campaign by the US to track down tax evasion by Americans hiding money abroad. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act’s main provisions took effect in July and require foreign financial firms to report income and account balances above certain thresholds to the Internal Revenue Service. The heightened enforcement is prompting many to renounce their citizenship, reports noted. A renunciation doesn’t free an individual of taxes due for past years. Shrinath Viswanathan, 14, a student of mridangam teacher A R Balaskandan of New York, presented a concert at the Hindu Temple in Queens, September 6. The chief guest was mridangam maestro Karaikudi R Mani. Shrinath, a sophomore at Great Neck South High School, has been learning mridangam since age 5.

Sabina Lotlikar, 19, of Hicksville, Long Island, New York, won the Director’s Award — given to an outstanding participant who has helped others — at the Miss Long Island pageant August 10. A student of criminal justice at Nassau College, this was Sabina’s first pageant. She was one of 300 applicants trying for 16 spots, and wore a sari for the evening gown segment. ‘I wanted to stick out and represent my country and town. There are a lot of Indian people in Hicksville too,’ she said.

Samiksha Vittalraj, a disciple of Bharata Natyam teacher Thejaswini Raj, presented her arangetram last week. Samiksha, a sophomore at Scotch-Plains Fanwood High School, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, has been learning Bharata Natyam for the past seven years.

India in New York September 19, 2014

EMPLOYMENT LAW

TRAVEL

Are you pregnant and being treated unfairly at work? Call workplace lawyer Liane Chinwalla Fisher for a free legal consultation.

ONOKRTNKMTMM

The Woolworth Building 233 Broadway, Suite 2340 New York, New York 10279

Asking the right questions. Attorney Advertising.

Getting the best answers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

BEAUTY 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

To Advertise in INDIA IN NEW YORK Call Toll Free: (866) 702.1950

Cover Story

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

A model walks the runway at the Naeem Khan fashion show during the MercedesBenz Fashion Week Spring 2015 at The Theatre at the Lincoln Center, New York City, September 9. The New York designer rolled out a collection bearing his trademark sparkle, but paired with sporty stripes, geometric patterns and florals.

INDIAN DESIGNERS AND INSPIRATIONS AT THE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

THE PROMISE OF SPRING A Falguni and Shane Peacock creation on the runway at The Pavilion at the Lincoln Center, September 10. The Mumbai designers showcased a collection featuring their signature avant-garde motifs.

FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES

FERNANDA CALFAT/GETTY IMAGES

Cover Story

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

A model walks the runway with TRESemme at the Prabal Gurung show at Skylight, Moynihan Station, September 6. The show paid tribute to the designer’s Nepalese origins. According to Vogue, Gurung explores his roots — ‘a place where spirituality and beauty blend, offering an never-ending string of inspirations,’ and emerges with a style ‘that tries to blend innovation and tradition, translating sportswear accents into shapes of luxurious femininity.’

Bibhu Mohapatra’s collection was shown at The Pavilion, the Lincoln Center, September 10. He looked to writer and political activist Nancy Cunard as inspiration for his spring collection. ‘But instead of reproducing Cunard’s Jazz Age look literally,’ the Women's Wear Daily reviewed, ‘the designer tried to capture her independent spirit – a smart way to update this brand’s elegant style.’

FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES

PETER MICHAEL DILLS/GETTY IMAGES

Cover Story INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

The Ralph Lauren collection, which showed at Skylight Clarkson SQ September 11, used the theme of military khaki in soft fabrics like satin and chiffon. ‘Khaki has always been part of my world, along with denim, and for the jewels I was thinking of India, but not too much,’ Lauren said. The Indian element was evident in the Gurkha trousers or safari outfits, as imagined by a cinematic vision.

Sheena Trivedi's collection showed in the Garment District, September 7. The Pittsburgh designer has said she likes to combine Indian traditions with New York chic and Pittsburgh comfort in her designs. NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAGES

MONICA SCHIPPER/GETTY IMAGES

PETER MICHAEL DILLS/GETTY IMAGES

Melbourne’s Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin also looked to India for inspiration for their label, Tome. It showed at The Pavilion at the Lincoln Center September 4 They were inspired by the work of dancer Rukmini Devi Arundale and photographer Dayanita Singh. ‘We first came across Dayanita Singh’s work at an exhibition in London and became obsessed with her beautiful portraiture of Indian families and also Indian cityscapes,’ Martin told the Sydney Morning Herald. The newspaper added, ‘Draped and wrapped dresses and skirts referenced saris, while a myriad of bold and bright colours evoked the vibrancy of India.’

Cover Story

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Desi spotting at Fashion Week

From left, Padma Lakshmi, designer Naeem Khan, Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Bianca Sanchez backstage at the Naeem Khan show at the MercedesBenz Fashion Week Spring 2015 at The Theatre at the Lincoln Center September 9. CRAIG BARRITT/GETTY IMAGES

We were delighted to spot Indian model Surelee Joseph sauntering down the runway for designer Azede Jean-Pierre at the Hippodrome Building, September 9. BRIAN ACH/GETTY IMAGES

Designer Bibhu Mohapatra poses backstage during his show at The Pavilion at the Lincoln Center September 10. Right, model Waris Ahluwalia at Mohapatraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show.

MICHAEL LOCCISANO/GETTY IMAGES

Aseem in New York INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Qawalli in Manhattan O

ASEEM CHHABRA

n Saturday evening, I attended a qawalli concert by Pakistan’s Farid Ayaz and Abu Mohammad at the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan. The night before, the duo and their eight accompanying qawals had performed at the St Bartholomew Church in midManhattan. Alas! I missed that concert. I first saw Farid Ayaz and his team on one of the Pakistani Coke Studio segments on YouTube. Later, they performed their most famous qawalli, Kangna, in the opening sequence of Mira Nair’s 2012 film The Reluctant Fundamentalist. That film did not work, but the music Nair chose — a terrific rendition of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s ghazal Mori Araj Suno and Kangna —stayed with me. For the Saturday by invitation-only concert — attended by about 60 people, most them from Pakistan, with the rest from India — the team dedicated the evening to Amir Khusro, the Sufi poet born in 1253. The concert had the audience clapping, dancing and showering the musicians with dollar bills. The qawallis included several well-known pieces like Main Nijam Se Naina, Man Kunto Maula and Chaap Tilak. As the audience went into a frenzy, the qawals also performed three pieces popularized by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan — Mere Piya Ghar Aya, Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai and Duma Dum Mast Qalandar. The performance went on way after 2 am. The musicians finally ended the show since they had to head to Boston the next day.

JEMAL COUNTESS/GETTYIMAGES

I was very moved by Margarita. And he Toronto International Film seeing Bose outside the theater all I Festival ended with a couple of could do was to thank her for having really nice surprises. As the fesmade the film, a very honest work. tival awards were announced, two Learning To Drive’s consideration films with Indian themes were in the for the audience award was not mix. expected since the film had not generShonali Bose, whose previous work ated a lot of buzz at TIFF. At the press Amu also played at TIFF, had brought screening that I attended, most people her second film Margarita, With A seemed to enjoy it. There was a lot of Straw to the festival. On Sunday laughter in the theater. Margarita won the Network for the Learning To Drive is a delightfully Promotion of Asian Cinema award at Screenwriter and Co-Producer entertaining film about a middle aged TIFF. Nilesh Maniyar, winner of the New Yorker (Patricia Clarkson) who is The other surprise came when going through a divorce and by chance Spanish filmmaker Isabel Coixet’s NETPAC Award for Margarita, decides to learn to drive. Her goal is to Learning To Drive was declared the with a Straw at the TIFF drive to Vermont to see her daughter. first runner- up in the audience award Awards Brunch September 14, Kingsley’s Darwan Singh Tur — a category. Ben Kingsley plays a Sikh the concluding day of the single man, who later has an arranged driving instructor who lives in Toronto International Film From left, Learning To Drive stars Sir Ben Kingsley, Sarita Choudhury and marriage to a woman from Punjab Richmond Hill, Queens, in the film. Festival. Patricia Clarkson at the film’s premiere at TIFF, September 9. played by Sarita Choudhury — is Margarita, starring Kalki Koechlin Clarkson’s driving instructor. is a rare film that looks at the sexual In the film’s promotional images Kingsley looks awkdesires of a young woman with cerebral palsy. It is a bold outside. I guess some filmmakers want to know the immeward as a Sikh. For one thing his beard and turban do not diate reaction from the media. and yet an important theme for a film from India. I have known Bose for years, since she first came to New look authentic. But a short while into the film, he appears I saw the film at a press screening early at TIFF. Often media screenings at international festivals are followed by York City with Amu. Over the years the connection very convincing and believable as a Sikh. Learning To Drive shows a part of the Sikh life in press conferences, where there is a chance to listen to the between the journalist and the filmmaker turned into friendship. Since Amu, Bose has gone through a lot of per- Richmond Hill that is rarely seen in an English language filmmaker. As I walked out of the theater after the Margarita sonal upheaval, including her older son’s tragic death in a film — from scenes inside a gurdwara to Sikh cabbies cooking or watching cricket on television. screening, I was pleasantly surprised to see Bose standing freak shaving accident from a faulty electrical razor.

American Desi

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

‘I nearly re-thought my decision to come here’ ‘It has been an interesting ride,’ says Nova Bhojwani. Words and photograph: Paresh Gandhi

hen Nova Bhojwani decided to carve a life for himself in the United States, there were many challenges he had not foreseen. Like falling ill with jaundice within 30 days of setting foot in the country. “I had no conveyance, no records… I nearly re-thought my decision to come here,” he says, as he recalls those initial days in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2003. Nova had followed up an early education in New Zealand and a degree in computer engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology, India, with the decision to create a career for himself in America. “The most challenging part about moving here is the start-up. Gosh! There is no mercy for not having a credit record in this country. Those days, of managing with a very limited amount of money and building one’s history in an unknown country, were tough,” he says. But the land of opportunity lived up to its reputation. Nova, today, is the vice president of financial services at Ness Technologies and lives a comfortable life with his family. “This country has provided us with multiple avenues to grow and prosper,” he says. “I have seen steady growth, from being an individual contributor to being a team leader and, now, as part of the management team leading regions and portfolios. It has been an interesting ride from trying to get accustomed to the local culture to being part of the social fabric and in the thick of things today.” Before that happened, Nova had to re-engineer his thought process on various fronts. First, he had to learn and

understand the American system and American culture. “Taking a loan is against Indian principles,” he says. “We believe in saving and spending within our means.” Now that they were in America, the Bhojwanis decided to do as the Americans did. “We took a bold step and decided my wife would earn her medical degree from New York University. A couple of years later, I gathered the courage to complete my master’s degree in business administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Glendale, Arizona.” “The big achievement, for me personally and for us as a family, was finding the courage to go back to school to complete our higher studies in US even as we continued to work,” he recalls. “The pressures of a student loan and balancing academics and a job were tough, but, when I look back, pleasant as well.” Nova began his career in America as a business consultant at General Electric, before progressing to manage the financial services business in the Americas for the C K Birla group’s technology company, Birlasoft. Today, he manages major accounts for the Israel-based Ness Technologies. Professionally, he has a demanding schedule. “The key,” he grins, “is to be ‘available’. In my last job, I used to manage the Switzerland and US territories so, for many years, I started my day at 3 am in New York. Add domestic and international travel to the mix and it could really complicate schedules.” “Operating in a new geography like Switzerland was a

challenge I am glad I took on. I am proud that many of my customers have become friends forever. In my current job, I focus on the East Coast with occasional domestic and international travel, predominantly India.” The future, he says, will see him as an entrepreneur. He aims to use his corporate experience and his background in technology to explore the emerging market in unharnessed energy in India. He derives inspiration from his father, a former professor at Delhi University and an author of books on science. “I feel proud when I Google his name, S S Bhojwani, and get multiple hits,” says Nova. “My parents are in India. Though they have retired, they are so much into voluntary work that they are probably busier than before. But they are very contented in their lifestyle.” Nova stays in New Jersey with his wife Kokila, a practicing dentist with a specialization in cosmetic dentistry and implants, and their 10-year-old son. “Nihaal,” says the proud father, “is interested in soccer, the violin and the tabla.” Nova met his wife — “It was love at first sight!” — while completing his graduation in Delhi. “She belongs to a family of army officers... Man, I was scared! We had to deal with lot of resistance from her parents for the longest time,” he smiles. There were many differences between the two. Nova is a Sindhi who follows the Radhasoami faith, while Kokila is a native of Haryana. “As you can imagine, there was some conservatism,” he grins.

Special INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

COURTESY: RAMA MURALI

Caring for the

caregivers Shobha Warrier meets Rama Murali, who is building a caregiver community in India through CARE3 meant that there are more people suffering from ailments.” Jhunjhunwala suggested she start an organization to do that. Rama was apprehensive because she had no background as an entrepreneur. But Jhunjhunwala assured her that they had the technology to connect people, and she could leverage it to connect caregivers. Rama decided to take the plunge. She met doctors and asked them to put caregivers in touch with her if they needed any help. She discovered that the word ‘caregiver’ was not used commonly in India and thus not understood; she got only one call. She then wrote a small article in a local newspaper, Mylapore Times, about the initiative and what caregiver meant. Soon after the article appeared, she got 25 calls. In April 2013, she arranged the first meeting of all the people who had responded. Twenty-three of them attended the meeting; 40 percent of them were men. “I was surprised that so many men turned up. They were taking care of their wives and parents.” A lively interaction followed. “Some women opened up and confessed that they felt angry, guilty and helpless. Some talked about the financial burden they had to carry. The first meeting gave me an idea of what people need.” After the two-hour- meeting, everyone agreed that there should be more such meetings. They also came up with suggestions about what they wanted to know, such as information on palliative care

SRIRAM SELVARAJ

ama Murali’s decision to return to India two years ago after living in America all her life was for personal reasons — to help her mother take care of her grandmother. After her grandmother passed away, she continued to live in India because of CARE3, an initiative she launched in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras’s Rural Technology Business Incubator. Her experience as a caregiver to her grandmother taught her what the healthcare system in India so sorely lacked. CARE3 aimed to build a strong caregiver community in Chennai. “The word ‘caregiver’ was hardly used,” Rama Murali says. “Hospitals sent patients home without giving the caregiver any information on home care. Most of the time, the family doesn’t know what to do. Caregivers are also made to feel guilty if they think of themselves.” With the steady disappearance of joint and extended families, especially in urban India, nuclear families run around looking for support in times of crisis like the illness of a loved one. Combined with this is the increase in the number of cases of cancer and other diseases of old age like dementia and Alzheimer’s. “I hear people talking about how to take care of the ill. But how many think of the person who provides the care?” asks Rama. She studied psychology and public health, and subsequently worked as a public health professional and hospice volunteer, helping caregivers. She knew the effects of stress on one’s health and the ones that suffer the most stress are the caregivers. “I found that taking care of close family members, especially a spouse, in the absence of support can take a mental and physical toll on caregivers. They are prone to depression and there is also an increased chance of them falling ill. There are instances of caregivers passing away before the sick person.” Rama started working with ITECH/Arogyaan in Chennai, an organization specializing in public health care and HIV, even as she helped her mother take care of her grandmother, who was diagnosed with cancer. She recalls, “The doctor we consulted had absolutely no idea about palliative care. As I had worked as a hospice volunteer, helping caregivers, I had a good understanding of palliative care. In the US, care can be home-based. Only in an emergency are patients brought to the hospice. Here, nobody provides caregivers with any advice on how to manage the patients at home.” While working for I-TECH/Arogyaan, Rama met IIT Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, who asked her what she wanted to do other than working for I-Tech. “I told him I wanted to help caregivers. There was no one doing much work for caregivers in India; they are a neglected lot. If you have a healthy caregiver, you are likelier to have a healthy patient. In India too, the rise in life expectancy has

Rama Murali organzies monthly meetings of CARE3, top, attended by an average of 28 to 30 people.

nurses, doctors, and emergency numbers. Rama understood that caregivers needed a support system to share their problems and feelings, as well as information on what to do in an emergency: “Most caregivers felt lonely and isolated in the small worlds they inhabited. They needed to get out; they needed an outlet to vent

their feelings.” The second meeting a month later was a test to see how many followed up. “There were 13 people and I ran it like a support group of the sort one finds in the US. Those who came wanted someone to speak on various issues so that they could learn more,” Rama recalls. After a lot of deliberation, she chose the name CARE3, the number 3 representing the three Cs: Care, Connect and Community. “There are three types of care involved: taking care of yourself, taking care of your loved one and also taking care of the community. In all our meetings, we talk about the need to take a minute off and take care of yourself so that you can take care of the patient.” A year has passed since CARE3 came into existence and its monthly meetings are attended by an average of 28-30 people. In the first half of the meeting a guest speaker speaks on issues that concern caregivers. The second half is a group discussion on issues affecting members. Rama found that much more of the bonding occurred over tea, especially for those who were too shy to speak in front of a group. The members contribute to cover the cost of the meetings. “The money has come without me asking for it. They just put money in the jar kept in a corner. That covers our cost for the hall, tea, and other miscellaneous expenses. I would say we are self-sustaining,” Rama says. Rama also makes home visits to meet the caregiver and the patient personally, so as to understand the problems they face. She uses this information to counsel them if necessary: “I make sure that caregivers eat and take at least 15 minutes a day for themselves. I focus mainly on the caregivers and not the patients. The response from the caregivers has been extremely positive. They also seem to like the idea of sharing their inner feelings with a stranger.” Another important function of CARE3 is its database of caregivers, doctors who do home visits, nursing services, palliative care services, physiotherapists, and so on, with recommendations from people who have already used the services. This is currently available only online, but a printed directory is planned. Rama also plans to start training nurses for home care and train young people from colleges as volunteers who can give caregivers a temporary respite. “To take this to the next level, I need more resources so that we can move to all parts of Chennai, and later, to other parts of the country as well,” she says. “I wonder why people in India are not giving attention to the very important issue of caregivers. This is a very urgent issue that needs immediate attention.” The most thought-provoking comment she has heard was from a woman who said, ‘As caregivers, we are always made to feel guilty if we think about ourselves. But you have got me to think of my needs without feeling guilty.’

India in New York September 19, 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

11 10

4 5 6

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

NY INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL CAREERS NURSE AIDE $589 EKG TECHNICIAN $399 PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN $399 PHARMACY TECHNICIAN $749 EKG & PHLEBOTOMY $589 MEDICAL ASSISTANT $3500 • Open 7 Days • Easy Paymnet Plan • Job Placement Assistance • National and State Exams on premises Licensed by NYS Education Dept. WE ACCEPT WORKFORCE VOUCHERS

Call: (718) 565-9500 (718) 406-9290/(718) 565-9501

Bollywood INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

ctress Deepika Padukone shares a fabulous relationship with her Finding Fanny director Homi Adajania. As we settle down for an interview, she calls out to Homi, who was in the same room, and insists he sit with her while she talks to the media. She later tells us he’s the ‘number one director’ on her list and why Finding Fanny is already a success for her. Last year was very good for you. Is there pressure to deliver hits with each of your films? No, absolutely not. Last year was really special for me and I don’t expect every year to be like that. Having said that, Finding Fanny is already a success for me. We had some screenings for people from the film industry and we got some great reactions, better than we expected. Not all films are successful just because they do well at the box office. For me, the sign of a successful film is one that has repeat value and Finding Fanny is that film. After seeing the film, Hrithik Roshan came out and told us that the more you see the film, the more you see the different layers in the film. You had also invited Amitabh Bachchan for the screening. I am glad that Amitji took out time to come and watch the film. I was sitting next to him during the screening and he thoroughly enjoyed the film. Afterwards he came up to me and Arjun (Kapoor), patted our backs, and said, ‘This is the kind of film that I would like to do and I really have to learn from you all.’ It’s such a lovely and encouraging gesture. After achieving such success, are you more confident about yourself and your work? Actors are the least confident people. People see our work on the big screen and we come and interact with them and so they feel that we are socially active and very confident. But that isn’t the case. I feel awkward when I go to parties and meet people. It’s getting better, but I am still not as confident as I’d like to be. Are you afraid of losing your stardom? No, not at all. I know my stardom isn’t going to be for all my life. I am secure about my work, but I don’t expect to be a star all my life. It’s practically impossible and if anyone thinks like that, they are delusional. Are you critical about your work? It’s very rare that I am happy with my work. I rarely appreciate myself. I think it’s a good thing to be critical as it helps me perform better. Finding Fanny has some great actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia. Were you apprehensive that your performance might be overshadowed? A film like Finding Fanny, or my upcoming film Happy New Year, needs more than two characters to tell the story. The entire cast of Finding Fanny was comfortable with the characters that were given and we were not insecure about anyone else’s role. Homi has cast five of us for the actors that we are and not for the star value that we bring. Was it difficult to say the dialogues in English? It was a little difficult because the sensibilities

‘I DON’T EXPECT TO BE A STAR ALL MY LIFE’ Deepika Padukone chats about being on the top of her game and why her stardom, like any other actor’s, is temporary. Sonil Dedhia listen in

of the language are slightly different. The film is originally in English and we were scared that the jokes might not be funny and have the same impact when we dub it in Hindi, but surprisingly it worked. Cinema is a universal language. Even if this film was made in German or French, it would have worked because of its content. Homi Adajania said in an interview that he loves to work with you because he doesn’t need to give you any instructions. Do you get along with him? He is the number one director on my list. At a time when no one else trusted me, Homi showed faith in me and cast me in Cocktail. I like to believe that we are on the same page as far as telling stories is concerned. Our sensibilities match. I have immense trust in him. If he tells me to jump off a building, I’d do that also. How difficult is it to market a film like Finding Fanny compared to Happy New Year? It’s interesting you ask that because a film like Happy New Year is more palatable to the audiences’ sensibilities and it does not need too much promotion because it comes with that kind of star value. For Finding Fanny, we have to go out and educate the audience that this is also an entertaining film. Tell us about your experience of working with Dimple Kapadia. She is one of my most favorite people. We connected well when we were shooting for Cocktail. I was doing up my new house then. She loves interior designing. When she had a day off, we went out shopping. She had selected some carpets, cushion covers and paintings, and showed them to me. She had already paid for everything. She then took me for lunch where we discussed each other’s life history. I think we connected beautifully as two women. We keep on talking and chatting with each other. She is an extremely strong woman and I really admire her. You are working with Homi Adajania and Farah Khan for the second time. What changes do you see in them? The gap between the two films (Cocktail and Finding Fanny) is not big so there isn’t a huge change in Homi. Om Shanti Om released seven years back. Farah gave me the best launching pad ever. I was new and she had to prompt me, and literally spoon-feed me. Today she trusts me a lot. She knows that I have understood the craft better, and I am much more comfortable working in a film. What has not changed is that she is still protective and caring about me because I was the only female actor on the sets. Are you excited about the world tour with the cast of Happy New Year to promote the film? I have never been on a world tour so I am really tense about it. We have just started the rehearsals and we are leaving next week. I am sure it’s going to be exciting to get that adrenaline rush and perform in front of a huge crowd.

Bollywood

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

rjun Kapoor is in a happy place, enjoying the kind of movies that he’s doing, and hoping to survive in the film industry in the long run. In a conversation with the press about Finding Fanny, he discloses how going from assistant director to actor are just steps to his ultimate goal — being a director. Are there any similarities between your character in Finding Fanny and you? Yes, but I am not exactly like him. When I look back, I see that Homi (Adajania, the director) has used facets of me — like the sarcasm, the deadpan humor, inability to express sometimes... We both are vulnerable, emotional, and sensitive. The differences are that I can’t be rude to women even though in all my films, I have ended up being rude and obnoxious to them. I am better than my character Savio when it comes to expressing myself. Savio is rough, I am more polished. He has a loser kind of attitude, which I don’t relate to. He finds reason to blame everybody but himself. He doesn’t move on, but I have always made peace and moved on. I have made my mistakes my strengths instead of looking at whose fault it is. My experiences made me strong; his made him weak. What is Savio like? Savio Da Gama is a bitter man. There is a lot of angst in him, but he is not a villain. Savio has a lot of emotions but he doesn’t know how to convey them. Whenever he wants to do good to anyone, it ends up in a mess because he doesn’t know how to express himself. He is upset with his life and blames his family and friends. He doesn’t realize that he has to pick up the pieces and move ahead. When you meet him in the film, he is at a very interesting phase of his life. You don’t know his back story. But you discover it and you understand what made him the kind of person he is in the course of the film. What was your reaction when Adajania narrated the script to you? I was very excited because I had to play the character with a certain vulnerability. He must not come across as a harsh and unattractive or repulsive person. I was excited to play that thin line. Secondly, Homi had seen Ishaqzaade and then offered me the role. When a director sees that kind of role and then offers you Savio, it showed that he has a vision for you. I honestly wasn’t sure that I could play the character because of the language used in the film. I was also still finding my feet. I had just finished Ishaqzaade and was shooting for Gunday and 2 States… But Homi had faith in me and that encouraged me. With all these stalwarts around, did you feel insecure? It was fun working with all of them. They improve you, they guide you, and they teach you by not telling you, but by being around. Naseer sir would improvise with me. If I feel insecure then I am in the wrong profession. I have to trust my director and the material he has given me. He is not making a film for Naseeruddin Shah, or for Deepika or for me. He is making a film because he has a story to tell. I keep telling Homi it’s a free acting class for me. We spent so much time together. The off-camera interaction will always be more memorable than the on camera. What have you taken away from this film? It was very therapeutic. I was just cut away from the world. I had done Ishaqzaade in one schedule and I had found that experience very nice. I lived in Goa when I was shooting, and just before that, and I became Savio in the best possible way. I got my hair cut, and got my goatee, I got the tattoos done.

Homi gave me the Dodge and I learnt to drive. I never took a phone or laptop. There were no meetings, it was stress free. We all lived in the same hotel, we went for the shoot, we hung out together, we went out for meals, to the gym, did whatever we wanted. In this profession you have to get away from work to get calm and peace in your life, but while I was shooting this film I got a break. I loved that experience. We got to meet so many people. Do you choose your films with care or do these unconventional films just happen? It would be nice to say I planned it, but that is not true. I went on impulse and signed films. I did not sign Ishaqzaade, the film chose me. I told Adi

I am not difficult to deal with. I am just having fun while working. I don’t sign a second film with the same star thinking that my first film did well with her so let me do a second one too. The second film should happen when a director gets a good script and he approaches both of you. So you don’t feel insecure? I am just happy to be here. Lots of people would die to be in the position that I am in. I cannot predict what is going to happen. I want to survive for the long run. I want to enjoy myself and work with everybody. I have enjoyed my experience so far and the appreciation I have got, so why should I be insecure? I am 29. I have a long way to go. I have grown up in this profession and I

‘I HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO’ Arjun Kapoor speaks about Finding Fanny and why he is not insecure about his place in Bollywood. Patcy N takes notes (Aditya Chopra, producer) that (director) Habib Faisal doesn’t want me in the film, he wants an animal and I am not that animal. I did not think I was capable of doing it. But then I worked hard for it and enjoyed doing it. I could play someone I am not and really enjoyed it. I loved playing Parma. I signed Aurangzeb because I loved the story. I thought it was an untold tale. For whatever reason, the audience did not like the film. Fair enough, but I still enjoyed the process. Who would say no to a film like Gunday? 2 States happened because I loved the character. He was someone I related to. Finding Fanny I did because I was not sure how to play it, so I took it. So my choices have been personal, not planned. I have just gone with the flow. I am fortunate to have come at a time when people are writing interesting characters. You have great chemistry with all your co-stars… I don’t think about it like that, but it’s good that you think so. I think it is because I have known all the girls from before. Also, the material allows you to create certain equations with your fellow actor.

want to die in this profession. I just don’t want to act; I want to make films, I want to direct. I am very passionate about cinema. I have always wanted to be a director and that’s how I started working as an assistant. That’s why I like being on the sets so that I can absorb more. Ranveer has a special appearance in the film… Ranveer mailed us his photograph. He got ready for the role by getting his look right. He hardly shot for two days; he spent more time dancing! There are rumors that there is a conflict between you two. This is what the media writes about; you all decide what is happening between us. A newspaper article said we had refused to do an ad together. It was because our dates did not match. He was shooting for Dil Dhadakne Do and I was shooting for Tevar. We did the ad after a month. There are no issues between us. Your cousin Sonam Kapoor’s Khubsoorat is releasing… I am excited for her. It is a refreshing change to see her having fun, being herself and enjoying herself. We have not had time to chat. She has seen Finding Fanny but we couldn’t talk as she is busy promoting her film. I am happy for her.

Bollywood INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

ALL THAT GLITTERS

A PEEK INTO THE WEEKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GLITZIEST TINSEL TOWN EVENTS

Shriya Saran performs at the South Indian International Movie Awards in Kuala Lumpur. Below from left, Chiranjeevi watches the show with actresses Maheshwari and Sridevi.

Clockwise from top, actors Chitrangada Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut, Hrithik Roshan with his filmmaker father Rakesh Roshan at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai.

Trisha receives the Best Actress award for Endrendrum Punnagai. She also bagged the award for the Most Popular Actress in South India on Social Media.

Bollywood

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

They moved on to Surat and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. They did justice to their Gujarati thalis in Ahmedabad.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

A PEEK INTO THE WEEKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GLITZIEST TINSEL TOWN EVENTS Daawat-e-Ishq actors Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapoor set out on a road trip to sample the cuisines of various Indian cities. The trip started September 12 in Mumbai.

DEEPAK SALVI

At the Taj Mahal in Agra. The duo visited Jaipur and Delhi before ending the trip in Chandigarh.

From left, actors Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher, both with television shows now, and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, who has hosted a television show, at the 13th Telly Awards in Mumbai.

Bollywood

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Another season of Anil Kapoor

Salman Khan returns with Bigg Boss 8

hile Salman Khan gears up for Bigg Boss W 8, there is trouble brewing

alman Khan, who had announced on a social networking site last year that he might not host the next season of Bigg Boss, returns as the host for the eighth edition of the television reality show. So, what made him change his mind? “One reason is that I have no work right now. And two, when you refuse a show, you get to renegotiate your remuneration,” he joked at the launch of Bigg Boss 8, which goes on air September 20. On a serious note he added, “I thought I won’t come back… There are certain things I didn’t like, but they are sorted now.” Salman also addressed questions about the allegations of bias towards some contestants year after year: “Those kinds of equations just happen with certain people. I don’t do it deliberately. From Monday to Friday, the show is in a regular format. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, we need a connect and that is the reason one feels that I am favoring some of them. The format of the show is such that there are controversies. If something does not happen, then people, including my own family and friends, say, ‘The episode was ‘thanda’ (boring). And if something happens, then they say it was too much. So at the end, you don’t know what to do.” “If you notice, I speak from for both sides. As a host it is important to take a stand for the contestants. Sometimes it looks like you are taking a stand for yourself, but it is for them because you know how they are being projected outside.” He added that the show takes a lot out of him: “Even after the season is over, I am left sorting out people’s sh* t because I know most of them on a personal or a professional level.” Khan said he was shocked when he saw some of the contestants who had fought on the show partying hard after it ended. “Some of them even went to Goa and were drinking together at my farmhouse! So anything can happen,” he said. Who would he like to see in the Bigg Boss house this year? “Sanjay Dutt! Unko wahaan (Get him out of jail) se nikaal ke yahan dalo (and put him in the Bigg Boss house). But I guarantee he will say, ‘Mujhe wapas wahaan bhej do!’ (Send me back to prison). Bigg Boss is a very difficult place to be in.” — Rajul Hegde

for him on another front. The actor might be under the impression that being a high tax payer entails him to special allowances, but the Indian Supreme Court doesn’t agree. During the hearing of the petition filed by the Rajasthan government challenging the stay granted by the state’s high court on the actor’s conviction in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, a bench said September 5, ‘Let equal law apply to everyone. There should be no discrimination vis-à-vis convicts.’ In November last year, the Rajasthan high court had accepted Khan’s submission that he would not be able to obtain a visa for the United Kingdom due to his conviction and stayed the conviction. Khan, in his affidavit filed August 27, had told the Supreme Court, ‘I am one of the highest individual tax payers in India... I am a philanthropist and associated with charitable trusts. My professional engagements generate taxable revenue and help in bringing foreign exchange... My professional engagements also help in promoting the Indian film industry globally and for generating employment and encouraging cross cultural collaboration between film makers across the world.’ The Supreme Court has posted the matter for final hearing on October 28.

he buzz in the television industry was that the second season of Anil Kapoor’s 24 had been indefinitely postponed after the ratings of the first season did not match expectations. To add to that, Amitabh Bachchan’s television show, Yudh, proved to be a colossal failure, thereby adding to the growing feeling that fiction shows with A-listers didn’t work on television. Anil Kapoor But Kapoor has proved naysayers wrong. He will start shooting for 24’s Season 2 next month. A source said, “Anil took a break from movies to do the first season of 24. Likewise, he had to take a break from television to complete his films, Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakne Do and Anees Bazmi’s Welcome Back. That done, he is all set to begin shooting 24 again. In fact, the pre-production has been on for months.” — Subhash K Jha

The debutants

Sujith Shanker

Mohanlal’s son Pranav

alidas, Malayalam actor Jayaram’s son, shot to fame when he mimicked Ajith, Suriya and Vijay at an awards function recently. The video went viral and Kalidas told us “From then on, most of the calls that came to me enquired about my acting plans.” It has now been announced that Kalidas, a National Awardwinning child artiste (Ente Veedu Appoontem), will be acting in Balaji Tharaneetharan’s Oru Pakka Kathai. Balaji is the direc- Kalidas Jayaram, left, with Kamal Haasan, who announced his launch. tor of the Tamil hit Naduvile Konjam Pakkathe Kanom. There have also been rumours about the launch of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s son Pranav. He has finally made his entry into the movies — as an assistant director. Pranav is currently assisting Jeethu Joseph in Papanasam, the Tamil version of the Malayalam blockbuster, Drishyam. Another recent debutant is Sujith Shanker, grandson of Kerala’s first chief minister E M S Namboodiripad. He played the villain in Rajeev Ravi’s recently released Njan Steve Lopez. Sujith is a graduate of the illustrious National School of Drama. — Vijay G

Health

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

The joy of

YOGA RELAXING MUSIC/CREATIVE COMMONS

Yoga guru Shameem Akthar shares five healing practices that will rid you of depression

ny form of yoga, including its simplest poses and practices, hit upon acupressure points that deal with psychosomatic ‘joy’ centers. So, when you start on a yoga practice, even if you do not believe in its near-miraculous impact, you will find that there is relief, almost immediately. This accounts for the craze yoga draws across the globe. The face (in depression skin can be affected) clears up, the posture assumes confidence, breath is relaxed and the expression shifts to become more open, less anxious. All of these will be noticed by those around the depressive and often commented upon, that is how obvious the impact if, of yoga, in acute cases of depression. Other health issues that arise inevitably with depression — insomnia, weakened or fragile immunity, turbulent digestive system, messed up blood sugar or blood pressure, topsyturvy hormonal flow (thyroid, reproductive systems immediately suffer from acute depression) — all get resolved alongside. Emotional mess-ups that occur along with depression like low self-esteem, hyper-anxiety, or its counterpart, which is dullness and lethargy, also get slowly ironed out of the system.

Matysasana (Fish pose)

Lie on your back, palms flat under your back, so sides of either thumb are touching. Legs are stretched out and together. Inhale, lift your head off the ground, to look at the toes. Shift the effort to your elbows at this point. Exhale, drop the head back, arching neck to place crown (if flexible) or back of head on the ground. Mouth should remain shut, chest should be pushed out. Continue normal breathing.

Hold for 15 seconds. Wind off, by exiting the way you entered, to lift you head up, look at toes, then slide back gently on the ground. With regular practice, time in the final pose, may be increased to one minute or more. Benefits: Pushes into ‘bliss spots’ at the arm pits and collar bones. Releases hidden sorrows (and often, those with deep hurt from the past will cry as it sadness gets physically dislodged). Boosts immunity, which is usually compromised by depression, and improves breathing which is shallow in depressives. The ‘energy’ gland thyroid is massaged, providing a natural lift.

Kapalabhati (Skull-cleansing pranayama)

Sit in any cross-legged or meditative posture. Hold either hand in any mudra listed below. Shut your eyes. Inhale and exhale a few times. Then, inhale lightly and exhale forcefully, doing this in a continuous manner. Try not to exert at the face or frown, because it will create permanent furrows in the face. Practice fast inhalation-exhalation 30 to 60 times. Relax. This is one round. Repeat two more times Note: Initially you may feel dizzy, especially if you are under medication or suffer from the habit of shallow breathing (which happens if you are depressed). If that is the case, acclimatize yourself slowly, by doing 10 times, then progressively increasing it over several weeks to desired number so the body gets used to it. Avoid it in extreme high blood pressure or cardiac conditions.

Benefits: Improves breathing. Facilitates hyperventilation of the mind, removing negative thought patterns. Stimulates and excites the mind, removing lethargy. Improves immunity, lung function, and skin tone.

Bhastrika (Bellows breathing)

The practice is somewhat similar to Kapalbhati except Bhastrika is very forceful and the effort has to be shifted to the entire body and the exhalation should be more thorough and forceful. However, with this pranayama, you only need to do 10 such hyper-ventilations in each round. Do not overdo, or you may exhaust your system. Note: Avoid if you suffer from high blood pressure, cardiac conditions, or inflammatory conditions, or are running fever. Benefits: Same as kapalbhati, more enhanced.

Vayu Vardhak Mudra

Touch the tip of the index finger to tip of thumb. Hold for long, in serious clinical depression conditions. Benefits: Helps to treat depression. Increases interest and liveliness back in life. Stimulates the mind.

Surya mudra

Press down the ring finger with the thumb. Hold for long, during meditation, pranayama, or when just passive (like watching TV). Repeat several times a day. Note: Since Surya Mudra increases heat, you need to hydrate. Avoid if you suffer from high blood pressure. Shameem Akthar is a yogacharya trained with the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. Catch Shameem’s yoga tips on jaisivananda.blogspot.com.

The Week That Was INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

BJP gets a jolt in bypolls The Bharatiya Janata Party suffered a jolt in Rajasthan winning just one of four seats and lost ground in Uttar Pradesh where the Samajwadi Party was ahead during counting of votes in the bypolls September 16 exactly four months after it swept the two states in the Lok Sabha elections. In Gujarat, the ruling BJP could retain only six of the nine seats while Congress bagged two and was ahead in one. All the nine seats were earlier held by the BJP and were vacated after the incumbents were elected members of Parliament. The BJP made a dent in West Bengal where it made its debut in the state assembly by winning the Basirhat Dakshin seat. The bypolls for 33 assembly seats spread over 10 states and 3 Lok Sabha seats were held September 13. The three Lok Sabha seats were in Vadodara, Gujarat, vacated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, vacated by Mulayam Singh Yadav and Medak, Telangana.

BJP lawmaker seeks ban on entry of non-Hindus in garba pandals As fringe elements feeling empowered by India’s regime change continue to crawl out of the woodwork — the debate over ‘love jihad’ is still on — a state level lawmaker of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh has asked organizers of a forthcoming Navratri festival to disallow entry of non-Hindu youths in pandals where garba is performed. Usha Thakur, who is also the Madhya Pradesh BJP vice president told reporters, ‘It is not appropriate to let those people who do not believe in Hindu religion enter the pandals for garba only for dancing and singing. I have appealed to organizers to allow only Hindu youths in pandals and that too on production of voter identity cards.’ Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia used the opportunity to grab some limelight by echoing these views for Amreli town in Saurashtra. In a country where most people celebrate festivals of other religions, this is a new low.

Amit Shah chargesheeted for objectionable poll speech Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah was chargesheeted by the police for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by delivering an ‘objectionable’ speech during campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. The chargesheet was filed in a court in Muzaffarnagar for allegedly seeking votes on the grounds of religion, race, caste and community.

Rape accused Shiv Sena man had photos of 30 other minor girls Vasudeo Nambiyar, a former Thane district deputy chief of Shiv Sena, had raped a 15-year-old in January. The police arrested him after the case come to light when the girl delivered his baby September 4. The police then discovered photographs of minor girls, all from the same school as his victim, at his residence September 8. Meanwhile, Laxmanrao Dhobale, a Nationalist Congress Party lawmaker in Maharashtra, was booked on rape charges. The victim works at a college with which he has a close association.

Chief minister threatens to ‘bury alive channels that insult Telangana’

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao sparked a

The tragedy after the floods

REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI

A girl displaced by the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, which has killed more than 200 people, arrives at a free medical camp in Srinagar September 14. Over 237,000 persons were rescued by September 16. As flood waters started to recede in Kashmir, the region was faced with yet another challenge — threat of an epidemic outbreak. ‘We are sitting on a time bomb of an imminent epidemic outbreak. The clock is ticking fast and if immediate steps are not taken, a disaster of a much bigger scale could soon engulf the entire Kashmir Valley,’ the Dr P M Kabui, medical commandant, Sashastra Seema Bal. ‘People do not have access to clean drinking water and they are forced to drink the contaminated flood water.’ Massive dewatering operations have been launched in the flood-hit areas where some places still lay submerged under 10 feet water nearly two weeks after Jammu and Kashmir was ravaged by floods. Some train services have recommenced in the area and the Jammu-Sringar National Highway was reopened.

controversy after he threatened to ‘bury TV channels alive that have dared to insult Telangana, its MLAs, and Telangana’s self-respect.’ The problem arose when the transmission of two television channels — TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyoti — allegedly portraying members of the Telangana assembly in a bad light was blocked. The news channels have been protesting against what they call an unofficial ban.

No ban on liquor bars for now in Kerala: Supreme Court The Supreme Court directed the Kerala government September 11 not to impose a ban on liquor bars and maintain the status quo till September 30. The bench asked the Kerala high court to hear the case and take into consideration the concerns of bar owners, including an allegedly discriminatory clause that would allow only five-star hotels to serve alcohol.

Centre: Cancel ALL coal block allocations The Indian government has favored cancellation of coal blocks that were declared illegal by the Supreme Court. The Center however asked the apex court to retain 46 blocks which are in operation or to be operated soon. The court, which had decided that the allocation of 218 coal blocks was illegal, reserved its order September 9 and refused to give any further hearing on the pleas of companies which were illegally allocated coal blocks by the gov-

ernment. September 12.

Court confirms death to driver who killed 9 in Pune

The Bombay high court has confirmed the death sentence of rogue bus driver Santosh Mane, who went berserk and crushed nine people to death on the streets of Pune in 2012, terming the crime ‘cruel, diabolical and revolting’ that would ‘shock the conscience of society.’

Lord Hanuman gets Aadhaar card! Lord Hanuman has managed to get an Aadhaar card made, but there are no takers for it. The unique identification card with registration number 2094705195411 bearing a picture of the popular Hindu god, addressed him as the son of ‘Pawan’ besides giving a mobile number and thumbprint. The postman was unable to deliver the card as there was no authentic recipients for it.

Ahead of Chinese president’s visit, a fresh transgression in Ladakh Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India September 17, a fresh transgression by the Chinese was

PAGE 21

The Week That Was

INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

f PAGE 20 reported in Ladakh. Local officials said China was objecting to the construction of an irrigation canal in the disputed area of Demchok, 600 metres from the Line of Actual Control — the de facto border between the two countries. This even as it was revealed that in a dramatic break from protocol, Indian Prime Minister Modi would welcome Xi at the Ahmedabad airport.

India may do away with tribal consent for cutting forests

Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, the National Democratic Alliance government is discussing possible ways to do away with the mandatory requirement of securing consent from tribal village councils before cutting down their forests for industrial purposes.

Savita Halappanavar case: No suspension, dismissal of staffers Nine members of the Irish medical team that treated Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, who died after being denied a potentially life-saving abortion when she was found to be miscarrying in 2012, have only been disciplined with written warnings. Twenty-one other staff members at the hospital were told they had ‘no case to answer.’ There have been no dismissals or suspensions.

Nithari serial killer execution stayed Nithari serial killer Surinder Koli’s execution was stayed till October 29. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear his review petition. Koli was set to be hanged between September 7 and 12, but the execution was stayed after a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court that said every death-row convict had the ‘fundamental right’ to a fresh appeal in an open court.

Maharashtra, Haryana vote Oct 15 Ninety seats in Haryana and 288 seats of Maharashtra go

to the polls October 15. Counting will take place October 19 for both states. The model code of conduct has come into effect in both states. The dates were announced even as seat sharing talks between the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra took a rocky turn.

Park Street rape survivor denied entry into restaurant

In a shocking incident in Kolkata, the woman who was raped at gun-point inside a moving car and later thrown out of the car in February 2012, claimed that she was denied entry into a restaurant for being a rape survivor. ‘The management said they can’t allow me because I was the Park Street rape victim. They said they have orders not to allow me inside,’ she alleged.

Saeed free to roam around, says Pakistan envoy Pakistan made it clear September 15 that there was no case against Muhammad Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and he was free to roam the country. ‘He is a free citizen so there is no issue as far as Pakistan is concerned,’ Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit said when asked why Saeed was working alongside Pakistan army very close to the Line of Control.

Chandrababu Naidu cabinet goes paper-less Taking a step further in eGovernance, the Andhra Pradesh state cabinet has now gone paper-less. The Andhra Pradesh government, during N Chandrababu Naidu’s previous stint as chief minister between 1995 and 2004, had been a pioneer in launching various eGovernance initiatives.

Daughter releases Manmohan Singh’s memoir Daman Singh, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s daughter, launched her book, Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan, in Delhi, September 14.

The stars and their politics

ARNOLD SCHWARZNEGGER/INSTAGRAM

Hollywood star and former California governor Arnold Schwarznegger meets former Tamil actress and now chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalitha. The Terminator star arrived in Chennai September 15 for the unveiling of the Vikram-starrer romantic thriller I’s music.

The book comes at a time when former Indian Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai, who has written the book Not Just An Accountant, has refuted claims that Dr Singh was not fully aware of the various scandals that unfolded during the United Progressive Alliance regime.

SIMI announces comeback with blasts The blast outside the Faraskhana police station in Pune in July and a blast in Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh September 12 have sent out the message that the banned Students Islamic Movement of India is back in business. Both blasts were reportedly carried out by a gang of five — Zakir, Aslam, Amjad Hassan, Ejazuddin and Guddu — who escaped from Khandwa jail in Madhya Pradesh in October 2013. These SIMI members have taken it upon themselves to revive the outfit.

RSS launches strategy for repeal of Article 370 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has launched a plan to reach out to at least 10,000 key opinion makers — jurists, bureaucrats, etc — in the next two years to dispel ‘misinformation’ related to Article 370 of the Constitution. The Article gives Jammu and Kashmir a special status, with its own set of laws related to citizenship and ownership of property.

Sports INDIA IN NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

Duncan Fletcher with Ravi Shastri during net practice at Trent Bridge, August 29.

Engineer’s formula: Sack Fletcher ormer India wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer wants Duncan Fletcher axed as the Indian team’s chief coach, and Ravi Shastri and Dilip Vengsarkar to guide F the team after the 3-1 drubbing India received in the five-Test series in England.

LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/GETTY IMAGES

‘Ravi has done extremely well,’ said the former Test ’keeper. ‘He has motivated the boys and he is a dynamic character. Not only one day cricket, he should oversee test cricket as well.’ Former India all-rounder Shastri was roped in as the team director in overall charge of team for the One-Day International series that followed and which India won 3-1, though the under-fire Fletcher continued in his post. ‘I think along with Ravi, you should have someone like Dilip Vengsarkar. They have both played cricket together. They both know the game inside out,’ said England-based Engineer. ‘These two can turn the fortunes of Indian cricket.’ ‘I would say Dilip Vengsarkar would be the prime candidate because he has done it at all levels. He has got his own academies. And for me, he is the prime person to be inducted into Indian cricket for coaching or management,’ said Engineer, adding that Indian-born cricketers should be taking charge of them. ‘I have not seen Fletcher bring the best out of the boys. I have not seen him pro active as such. He is an aloof person as far as I am concerned. You need someone boisterous to make the boys believe in themselves.’ ‘When we lose a Test match, Fletcher never faces the flak. It is skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who does that. Duncan Fletcher sits behind his sunshades in the dressing room,’ added Engineer. ‘For me, a manager has to come forward and defend the boys. I have not seen him do that. He might be a nice man and a fatherly figure but we are talking about the Indian coach earning a huge sum of money.’ ‘I have talked to at least 20 of the old, established Test cricketers and not one of them gives him even 1 out 10,’ Engineer said.

Laxman wants no change in support staff ormer India batsman V V S Laxman believes tinkering with team India’s support staff is F not a viable option and newly

appointed director Ravi Shastri and coach Duncan Fletcher should stay till the 2015 World Cup. The Indian team management did a complete overhaul of the support staff after the team’s 1-3 loss against England in the Test matches. With Shastri incharge, former India pacer Bharat Arun, ex-India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar and R Sridhar also took charge after the ouster of bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding consultant Trevor Penney. ‘I am hoping the Board of Control for Cricket in India will stick to the support staff we had for the one-dayers till the World Cup,’ said Laxman. ‘The tournament is only six months away so there isn’t enough time to chop and change.’ ‘I have worked with Ravi Shastri,’ added Laxman. ‘He is a very positive person with immense knowledge of the game.’ ‘I am glad Bharat Arun and R Sridhar got their

opportunity to coach at the highest level because they have a good track record at the India A and Under-19 level, and Sanjay Bangar because of his recent success with Kings XI Punjab in the India Premier Leauge 7,’ said Laxman. According to him, India needs to focus on two crucial areas to improve their showing in limited-over cricket — death bowling and the opening combination. Laxman felt that Rohit Sharma should open the innings for India during their title defense at the 50-over World Cup next year as the conditions in Australia will suit him. ‘Rohit had a successful One Day International series in 2007. His style of batting will suit Australian conditions,’ said Laxman. ‘In the T20 against England, we gave away 50 runs in the last three overs. So I think these two issues are a problem. Also the way India start with their batting will be important because of two new balls and conditions suiting the fast bowlers.’ ‘Luckily for India they are playing a tri-series before the World Cup and that too against the Australians in their own backyard,’ added Laxman. ‘It will be a good experience for the players to get used to the conditions.’

Cut down on number of ODIs: Dravid ormer India captain Rahul Dravid believes that the numF ber of one day internationals

should be cut down drastically to save one-dayers from extinction, and importance must be given to big tournaments like the World Cup and Champions Trophy. ‘One-day cricket is seriously struggling,’ Dravid said on the sidelines of the Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture at the Cricket Club of India. ‘I definitely think that one-day cricket without a context is struggling. When you think of one-day cricket from a point of view of Champions Trophy and the World Cup, it is relevant.The meaningless one-day games can actually be a problem. You should play lesser one-day cricket and more tournaments.’ On the recent suspension of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for suspect action, Dravid said, ‘The ICC has a rule in place. They reviewed a lot of the old footage and they found out that the elbow bent to about 15 degrees was pretty normal and that is what everyone was doing. Glenn McGrath had a slight bend in his elbow up to 15 degrees.’ ‘I am not suggesting that Glenn McGrath was chucking,’ said Dravid. ‘They have a system in place and what I am glad about is that they are really enforcing it strictly. They are reviewing people, they are getting people caught.’ Dravid did not think chucking is a crime. ‘It is just a technical fault that people have,’ he said. ‘If you have a technical fault in the action, you correct that and come back.’

CULTURED, distinguished, Punjabi, Sikh family seek well-settled, accomplished, educated professional, age 35-42; for pretty, slim, accomplished, 36/5'5'', finance professional girl. Email biodata w/recent photos: pritpal89@hotmail.com

MATCH for MD specialist, 36/5'4'', never married, slim, cheerful, vibrant. Early marriage. Email biodata/ with recent photo to: ultravision@shaw.ca

PROF Qualified match for beautiful North Indian girl, (divorced), 33/155cm, MBA (USA), permanent resident, working in CA. Contact: pariusa17@gmail.com

SINDHI parents seek match for US born daughter, very pretty, fair and smart. Final year in Law School. 25yrs/ 5'6inches. Inviting alliances from professional boys, preferably in the US. Please email recent photo and biodata: kck8000@gmail.com

COMPANIONSHIP/MARRIAGE: Beautiful, 50+, NYC business woman, seeks classy Westernized, educated Gentleman. (516) 804-4633. lookinglove837@gmail.com

Business / Finance Business Opportunities LOOKING FOR WORKING PARTNER With some money in Bayonne, NJ, for dollar store/ GYM, any retail. Have 4680sq on Broadway. Good location. Call Rikcy (516) 532-2825

Store For Sale/Lease

RETAIL STORE With parking available for rent or sale. Perfect for Deli Convenience or 99c store. Walking cooler already in place. 30 Min from NYC in Rockland County. Call (845) 746-6110

Instructor Available

TRADITIONAL MUSIC TEACHER FROM RAJASTHAN

giving classical & semi classical music lessons in New York & New Jersey. Call (347) 837-1984

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

LOOKING FOR an experienced Salesperson or a Cell phone repair Technician for an at & t store. Please call (917) 446-3420 for further inquiries

Accountants / CPA

Astrology

JAIN ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES 40-03 170th St., Flushing, NY 11358 RELIABLE • DEPENDABLE • PROFESSIONAL FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION • New Business Set-Ups • Payroll & Sales Tax Returns • Computerized Accounting, Bookkeeping & Tax Services • Tax Returns for: Individuals, Corporations, Partnerships, Proprietorships. CALL ASHOK JAIN, EA, ABA

Tel: (718) 961-1726 (917) 607-4923

ACCOUNTING

AND

PREPARATION Businesses.

for

Singh

TAX

Individual, &

Shah,

LOOKING FOR PERSON who can do Manicure/Pedicure full-time or part-time in Astoria. Call (646) 593-8382 or (718) 278-2324

270-01 Hillside Avenue, New

RESTAURANT HELP An upscale Lounge/Club located in Queens, NY looking for Experienced Hostesses, Waitresses and a Floor Manager. Please forward your head shot & resume: jevondistributors@ hotmail.com

38th St., 9th Floor, NY 10018;

WANTED P/T Cook for office in Manhattan. Please call (212) 730-6740

Architect

Hyde

Park,

(718) 343.4343.

120514AY

DEV M. KINI, MBA, CPA, CFP, Accounting, Financial PH.

Auditing,

Planning,

Auto/Autos For Sale

DUNKIN DONUTS STORE located on Long Island needs counter persons. Will train. Must have legal work papers. Call (516) 728-7979

VINTAGE 1993 Mercedes 300 SE, $2850 OBO, Caldwell, NJ area, good condition, H&AC, leather interior, sunroof, CD, power windows/ locks,well-maintained, 200,000 miles. (201) 396-6327.

IMMEDIATE HIRING New high end Apparel store needs Sales, Cashiers & Office help. (Long Island, Queens locations). High salary & other benefit. Call (917) 297-3048.

Household Services

ENGLISH & Hindi speaking nanny available to work in Manhattan (347) 935-0844

ENGLISH speaking Nanny available WAITER, helper and tandoori cook to work in Manhattan. Telugu speaking wanted for an Indian restaurant. Nannies. (646) 407-0008. Accommodation provided. Call WEEKEND workers available for LIQUOR store for sale high volume in (319) 325-9125 cooking & cleaning.(646) 407-0008 Florida. Call (850) 567-5427

Tax,

(212)

(732) 322-4971. HARISH

West

947-6787; 032715AY

HATHIWALA,

CPA

Specializing in Small Businesses, Accounting, Auditing, Income Tax, New Business Set up Service. NYC

(212)

714-1988,

(201) 656-2000

ARCHITECTURAL

Services / Miscellaneous

11040

Residential,

NJ 051515AY

WORK, Commercial,

Violation Removal, Filling, Permits, CO’s,

Fire

SINGH (516) 932-8093

Sprinkler. 030615Y

BRINDAVAN DHAAM International famed astrologer Acharya Laxmikant Sharma. Any work possible by vedic pooja/right astrological consultation (201) 420-6750/6259. 092614AY

Construction (General)

AJEET CONSTRUCTION Renovation, carpentry, roofing, concrete, plumbing, electrical, kitchens, bathrooms, doctor offices, stores, finished bsmts, tiling, flooring, siding, windows, exteriors, dormers, new homes. Fully insured NYC Lic # 0850530 Nass Lic # H18E0880000 Suff Lic # 32760-H

(718) 347-9118 / (C) (516) 924-2393

Computer/ IT service

020615AY

Matrimonial Bride

BUSINESS/SERVICES DIRECTORY

WEB SITE DESIGN, Point of Sale System & Software, Computer Services. www.i2htech.com Call: (347) 510-9393 091914A

Courier Services

Eastern Air Couriers, Inc 144 West 37 St., 4th Fl., New York, NY 10018

Tel. Nos.: (NYC) 212-575-8300 (LA) 187788EACNY www.EACny.com Wedding Service

0 060515AY

CLASSIFIEDS

IMPORT MANAGER Exp in L.C., Freight forwarder, duty & clearances etc. $45k plus benifits. Call IEA (212) 564-0620

050815AY

India in New York September 19, 2014

SAI PAAN & GARLAND. Jasmine Gajara, Merrigold Garlands, Mandap, Tulsi,. Bananna leaves etc. Call Bhanu Shetty (718) 446-6060, (732) 549-6465. 112114AY

Closing Day for

BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY ADS

Wednesday at 4.00pm Call: 646.432.6026

Place your ad online www.indiaabroad.com/classifieds

India in New York September 19, 2014