IndiaPost-03-26-2010 by Ghanshyam Bisht

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U.S. BACKS INDIA ROLE IN AFGHAN

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VOL 15, No. 810

March 26, 2010

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Periodical Postage

No scaling down presence: Nirupama

Mani Shankar Aiyar

Uninterrupted dialogue must for India, Pak Details on page 8

Jay P. Goyal bill against special interests in polls

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Indian eye care provider wins $1.5m award

Couple guilty of hate crime against Indian

Details on page 24 Details on page 18

Obama gives away Nobel Prize money

Kerala panel asks Coca Cola to pay damages

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Details on page 11 PROMOTING INDIA CAUSE: India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao with US Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns at the State Department, Washington, DC after their talks on March 16. She put forward a robust case for India. ANAND'S PACT: (Picture on right) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma with US Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, in Washington on March 17 after signing a framework for cooperation on trade and investment. (Reports on page 10)

SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

Trivedi is front runner in PA Dem primary

At a standing room only reception hosted in her honor by the Consulate General of India in New York, Rao reluctantly responded to questions from the media that cornered her after her brief address to those gathered. Rao categorically refused to comment on the guilty plea entered in a US court by David Headley, the Pakistani-American who is charged for his role in the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks. She said, “I am not here to talk about Pakistan.” Details on page 6

Missing Indian woman found dead Details on page 12

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 38-39 Classifieds --------------------- 49-51 Community Post -------------- 12-22

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INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com This week’s question

Nirupama Rao presented robust case for India? Last week’s result

Has Obama abandoned direct dealing with India? YES 56%

NO 44%

LeT heinous face of Pak Army: Ashley Tellis SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

Ashley J Tellis

wards India, and their impact on Indo-Pakistani relations and on the United States. As a final solution to dealing with the LeT if the United States fails to either compel Pakistan to initiate action against it or hold Pakistan responsible for LeT's actions, the United States would have to take unilateral action to neutralize the most dangerous of terrorist groups now resident in Pakistan, said Tellis. Details on page 8

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

Date Book -------------------------- 48 Edit Page --------------------------- 53 HealthScience Post --------- 24-25 Horoscope ------------------------- 23 Immigration Post ------------- 42-45 India ---------------------------------- 30 Life Style ----------------------- 40-41 Philosophy ------------------------- 52 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 37 TechBiz Post ------------------- 46-47 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 31-34

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n India it is not uncommon to hear of unscrupulous 'godmen' being involved in sex scandals. So also in the West, it has become common to hear about major sex scandals rocking the Catholic Church. Child and sex abuse scandals have rocked the Catholic Church in the United States as well as in Europe. Ireland is currently rocking under revelations of decades of widespread child abuse and evidence of an elaborate cover up late last year. Reports of sexual abuse also surfaced recently in Germany and elsewhere. While the churches, including the Vatican are working on damage mitigation to keep the faith among followers alive - like the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland apologizing for his handling of a child sex abuse scandal 35 years ago - it becomes pertinent to question as to why heinous acts happen in places that are supposed to be sacred. I may not be an authority to question the church or its sanctity much as I am to judge the morality of people in society, but it came across as a cruel joke to me when I heard the Chief Exorcist of the Vatican tell a CNN interviewer that it was but the Devil that was tempting everyone in politics, in economics, in sport and above all, religious leaders including those in the Vatican. The exorcist who was quite literal in what he meant says, "Nothing occurs without the permission of God, and he allows even holy people, even saints, to be possessed by the devil." And with that I suppose the church believes it's as easy as apologizing and making a proclamation of repentance for a pedophile priest to get away with while the more common louts of the society get locked up (rightfully so) along with a lifelong registration as sex offenders. Hardened as one is to the harshness of today's realities, it does scare me sometimes to think of how blurred the lines are between the 'evolved' concepts of good and bad; right and wrong; and even God and Devil. Literally, it's 'to each his own, and the rest be damned.'

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Rush Hour director Brett Ratner was so taken in by Hrithik Roshan's film Kites that he offered to make the film click in US.

Cover Story: Role in Afghanistan The US fully recognizes that India has legitimate interests in Afghanistan, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said in New York.

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US backs India role in Afghan No scaling down presence: Nirupama SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The United States fully recognizes that India has legitimate interests in Afghanistan, India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said in New York on March 17. Rao was in New York after a hectic two-day visit to Washington DC where she met with her US counterpart and other Obama Administration officials to further the strategic partnership between the two countries. At a standing room only reception hosted in her honor by the Consulate General of India in New York, Rao reluctantly responded to questions from the media that cornered her after her brief address to those gathered. Rao categorically refused to comment on the guilty plea entered in a US court by David Headley, the Pakistani-American who is charged for his role in the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

L to R: Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary, US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero and Ambassador Meera Shankar at the State Department, Washington, DC on March 16

She said, “I am not here to talk about Pakistan.” Asked if she had to impress upon the US administration about India’s role in Afghanistan, Rao said, “The US fully recognizes that

India has legitimate interests in Afghanistan. It appreciates the development work we do and appreciates the fact that we are a force for stability and moderation in our region.” Despite threats by terrorist groups to Indian diplomats and other civilian Indians working in Afghanistan, Rao said, “we are not scaling down” operations in that country. Further justifying India’s presence in Afghanistan, Rao said, “India is a country that knows Afghanistan very well because Afghanistan and India have been friends and partners— part of the same family for so many centuries. We understand our Afghan brothers and sisters very well.” Rao added that there were certain forces at work there that are spreading terror. “The Taliban is very much a part of that very negative presence and India feels that the international community has to stay involved in Afghani-

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Daniel O. Hill Deputy Under Secretary for Industry and Security along with the delegation at a breakfast meeting at the Willard Hotel, Washington DC on March 15

stan in order to deal with this problem created by these extremist groups in that country. It is very important that Afghanistan become a stable democracy and that is the core of what we are conveying to our friends in the

United States.” Earlier in her address to the gathering, Rao talked about India and the US being strategic partners and praised the role of Indian Americans in strengthening the ties between the two countries.

India, US consolidate progress on hi-tech trade

L to R. Ambassador Meera Shankar, US Congressman Gary Ackerman and Nirupama Rao India Post News Service

NEW YORK: India and the US consolidated the progress made in the last five years and identified the next steps for further expanding high technology trade between the two countries - especially in the areas of Defense and Strategic Trade, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. The government level talks were headed on the Indian side by India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao who was in Washington DC (March 15-16) to co-chair the 7th meeting of the India-US High Technology Cooperation Group. This was the first meeting of the High Technology Cooperation Group, a component of the India US Strategic Dialogue, with the new US Administration. It may be recalled that during the State visit of Prime Minister Dr.

Manmohan Singh to Washington in November 2010, he and President Obama "agreed that strengthening high technology trade between their countries is in the spirit of their strategic dialogue and partnership. They reiterated their shared commitment to technology security and that it is in their mutual interest to invigorate this area of their partnership." During the two days of deliberations - between the industry representatives of both countries followed by the Government level meetings to consider the recommendations of the industry - on promotion of high technology trade between India and the USA , the two sides were able to consolidate the progress made in the last five years and identified the next steps for further expanding high technology trade between India and the US - especially in the ar-

eas of Defense and Strategic Trade, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. They also agreed to create new groups for focused attention on cooperation in Health IT and Civil Aviation. The Indian side requested the US Department of Commerce to review US Export Controls applicable to India and update them to bring them in keeping with the changed political realities that contextualize India-US strategic partnership today.

The Indian side requested the US Department of Commerce to review US Export Controls applicable to India and update them to bring them in keeping with the changed political realities that contextualize India-US strategic partnership today During her visit, Secretary Rao had a series of bilateral meetings with US Administration officials. On March 15, she met Michelle Flournoy, Under Secretary for Policy in the Department of Defense. On March 16, she met her

counterpart, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, William Burns. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton dropped in and joined the discussions. Rao also met the National Security Advisor, General James Jones, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Robert Hormats and Under Secretary of State for Democracy Global Affairs, Maria Otero. The Foreign Secretary also met Congressman Gary Ackerman and Senator Joseph Lieberman.

The bilateral meetings of the Foreign Secretary with US interlocutors provided an opportunity to review the progress on various pillars of India-US Strategic Dialogue agenda including cooperation in defense, nuclear energy, counter-terrorism, agriculture, education, energy, space, cyber-security etc. Discussions also focused on regional issues including India's neighborhood. Rao briefed the US side about her talks with the For-

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, US Senator Joe Lieberman and Ambassador Meera Shankar

It may be recalled that the two sides had instituted a Strategic Dialogue in July 2009 when Secretary Clinton visited India. The Indian External Affairs Minister is expected to visit Washington soon for the first round of Strategic Dialogue with Secretary Clinton.

eign Secretary of Pakistan last month. She exchanged views on recent developments related to Afghanistan and stressed that Afghanistan presented the foremost security related challenge in the region. Cont’d on page 7

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Summit brings US, India hi-tech industry together SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The total exports of Advanced Technology Products from the United States to India has increased from $1.3 billion in 2003 to over $4 billion in 2009, informed India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, while addressing the 7th US-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) Summit hosted by the USIndia Business Council (USIBC) in Washington DC, March 15. Leading executives from US and Indian industry, joined by top government officials, for the Summit, which provided a day-long opportunity for Indian and US Industry to interact, identify market barriers, and highlight opportunities in high-tech areas such as Defense/Strategic Trade, Civil Nuclear Cooperation, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Civil Aviation. Secretary Rao said the focus of the HTCG to bridge the gap between policymakers and industry has served well for the increase in bilateral high technology trade. "The total exports of advanced

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao addressing the Seventh U.S.- India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) Meeting in Washington, DC on March 15

curity," said Rao. "And I would say, there could be no better partner than India to galvanize hi-tech US exports." "Among the early results of the HTCG were the removal of a number of Indian organizations from the Entity List by 2005, delicensing of certain categories of dual-use items and institution of a presumption of approval policy in other categories. This process of easing of controls seems to have slowed down; we need to address this issue," she added. Implementation of the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement and the

‘Among the early results of the HTCG were the removal of a number of Indian organizations from the Entity List by 2005, delicensing of certain categories of dual-use items and institution of a presumption of approval policy in other categories. This process of easing of controls seems to have slowed down; we need to address this issue’ technology products from the United States to India has increased from $1.3 billion in 2003 to over $ 4 billion in 2009, a somewhat impressive increase - particularly against the backdrop of the global economic slowdown," Rao said. Rao said the summit coincided with the US Government's decision to undertake a thorough export control review to increase high technology exports. "We noted the announcement of a National Export Initiative - to reform the Export Control System for American strategic, high-tech industries, so that their competitiveness is enhanced without compromising the country's national se-

India US Bilateral Investment Treaty ( which is presently under discussion) - as also India's defense procurement program were opportunities for a win-win situation for both countries, Rao pointed out. "The United States Government's announcement of their intention to overhaul the US' Export Control policy is reassuring. Government of India has shared its views regarding US' high technology restrictions applicable to India with the US Department of Commerce." In conclusion Rao said she anticipated that industry participants at the summit would come up with detailed insights and recommendations to provide a use-

ful foundation for the government-to-government dialogue and to help the officials on both sides to see how the policy framework can be made more businessfriendly. "Looking ahead, there is no doubt about the potential of high technology as a key area of cooperation and trade between India and the United States," she said. "When we think back to the progress already made between our nations in the area of high technology cooperation - from the manner in which our navies supported one another following the Tsunami of 2004, in the way we collaboratively embraced civil nuclear cooperation, pioneered the US-India Open Skies Agreement, and participated in India's first, successful launch to the moon, Chandrayaan I, which included NASA and Raytheon technology - we can only be optimistic looking ahead along our line of sight for 2010, when President Barack Obama travels to India," said Ron Somers, President of USIBC. Somers added: "If we think of our common challenges and our common goals, the United States and India stand united on issues concerning regional security, energy security, food security, fighting disease as well as the scourge of terrorism, promoting aviation safety and the security of our Open Skies, and providing education and the tools for uplifting our fellow man. In every one of these instances, high technology cooperation will play a constructive role in providing the solutions to meet these challenges and in achieving these noble goals," Somers said.

India, US consolidate progress on hi-tech trade Cont’d from page 6

She reiterated India's long held position that it was important for the international community to stay the present course in Afghanistan for as long as it is necessary. The US interlocutors

conveyed their appreciation of the important developmental work being done by India in Afghanistan. At the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, the Indian Foreign Secretary delivered an address on

the subject, "Two Democracies - Defining the essence of India-US Partnership". She also had a separate breakfast meeting in the morning of March 16, to interact with experts from prominent Washington Think Tanks.

Building on the successful state visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009, the HTCG working groups identified specific barriers that continue to hamper high-technology trade as well as acknowledged the growing scope for collaboration. The Summit also provided a unique opportunity for business leaders to hear from key U.S. and Indian policy makers, including Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Deputy Assistant to the President of the United

States, Michael Froman. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Kevin Wolf presented an update on export control issues affecting US-India trade. Michael Froman, Deputy Assistant to the President, underscored the importance of the US-India relationship, saying: "There is no other bilateral relationship as important as the U.S.-India relationship." The US-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG) was conceived in November 2001 by President George W. Bush and then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Both countries agreed to take cooperative steps to create the requisite political, economic, and legal structures to enable successful high-technology commerce. Since the HTCG's inception, dual use exports requiring licenses for US-India trade have dropped from 40% to just 0.3% demonstrating the commitment of both countries to engender a relationship based on trust, predictability, transparency, and robust high technology engagement.

Dalai Lama favors good ties between India, China BHOPAL: Tibetan spiritual answer political questions related leader the Dalai Lama has said he to China, saying he did not want favored good relations between to say anything which might anIndia and China to ensure peace ger Beijing. "I know China gets in the region. upset with me even when I say Addressing a press conference that I am the son of India." here, the Nobel peace laureate Asked about the Chinese desaid it was important for the re- cision to set up bases near Pakigion that these two countries, who stan or Bangladesh, he said such are powerful in their own right, came toThe Dalai Lama said he did gether. The Dalai Lama said not want separation from he did not want separation from China, but China, but was in favor of was in favor of greater greater autonomy for Tibet autonomy for Tibet un- under the constitution of the der the constitution of Communist nation. the Communist nation. The 75-year-old The 75-year-old Buddhist Buddhist leader said leader said that youth organithat youth organizations in Tibet were in zations in Tibet were in favor favor of secession from of secession from China, but China, but he did not he did not agree with them agree with them. China must understand that censorship in normal a question should be directed to times does not serve any purpose the Defense Ministry. and must be done away with, the The exiled spiritual leader said Dalai Lama said. according to his information, in "I believe very firmly that there the recent past, there had been should be no censorship in China 800 articles in the Chinese press, as the Chinese people were smart agreeing with his stand on Tibet. and intelligent enough to underThe Dalai Lama arrived here on stand the truth when it was told a two-day visit to Madhya to them." Pradesh and delivered a lecture at The Buddhist monk declined to the State Assembly-PTI

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LeT heinous face of Pak Army: Ashley Tellis SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: In an eye-popping testimony before the Congress March 11, Ashley J. Tellis, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, laid bare the genesis and growth of the terrorist organization Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), its irrefutable links with the Pakistan as a state, Pakistan's military strategy towards India, and their impact on Indo-Pakistani relations and on the United States. As a final solution to dealing with the LeT if the United States fails to either compel Pakistan to initiate action against it or hold Pakistan responsible for LeT's actions, the United States would have to take unilateral action to neutralize the most dangerous of terrorist groups now resident in Pakistan, said Tellis. "Doing so may be increasingly necessary not simply to prevent a future Indo-Pakistani crisis, but more importantly to protect the United States, its citizens, its interests and its allies," Tellis said. In the prepared testimony titled 'Bad Company -- Lashkar eTayyiba and the Growing Ambition of Islamist Militancy in Pakistan', Tellis told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia, that despite recently resuming talks, tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan remain high and warned that continued Pakistani support for the LeT threatens to undermine the delicate peace between the two countries and plunge the region into conflict, with significant consequences for American interests abroad. In his hard-hitting testimony

Tellis said the LeT represents "one heinous face of the Pakistani Army's ongoing war with India." "The threat posed by LeT to India today is not a danger posed by "a stateless sponsor of terrorism," as it was unfortunately described by President George W. Bush on December 21, 2001," Tellis said. "Rather, LeT represents a specific state-supported and state-protected instrument of terrorism that operates from the territory of a particular countryPakistan-and exemplifies the subterranean war that Islamabad, or more specifically Rawalpindi, has

‘Rather, LeT represents a specific statesupported and state-protected instrument of terrorism that operates from the territory of a particular country’ been waging against India since at least the early 1980s. It is not a war that relies any more on "fomenting insurgencies," that is, exploiting the grievances of a dissatisfied section of the Indian populace against its state. Instead, it is a war that is centered on "fomenting terrorism," that is, unleashing groups, which have little or no connection to any existing internal grievances within India, on murderous surprise attacks aimed at indiscriminately killing large numbers of civilians whose only fault lies in being at the wrong place at the wrong time." Elaborating on the situation on the ground in Pakistan, Tellis said

the LeT is-with the exception of al-Qaeda-arguably the most important terrorist group operating from South Asia and was the mastermind of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. It remains the spearhead of the Pakistani military's campaign against India. LeT remains primarily Pakistani in its composition, uses Pakistani territory as its main base of operation, and continues to be supported extensively by the Pakistani state, especially the Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The terrorist outfit's capabilities to conduct terrorism multinationally have increased: it does not need constant operational support from the ISI for its effectiveness today, but its tight linkages with ISI still persist, he said adding that its ambitions extend beyond India. The organization's close ties with alQaeda in Pakistan and its support for the Afghan Taliban's military operations pose a direct threat to US citizens, soldiers, and interests. Establishing the LeT as an instrument of Pakistan's National Strategy, Tellis said that just as Pakistan had supported the Sikh insurgency against New Delhi earlier in the decade; Islamabad threw its weight behind the Kashmiri resistance -- a development that was in many ways inevitable, given Pakistan's longstanding claims on this disputed state. "Unfortunately for Pakistan, its strategy of defeating India through armed insurgencies failed in Kashmir, just as it failed in the Punjab," Tellis said. "By 1993, the native Kashmiri uprising spearheaded by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), a secular organization composed largely of Kashmiris, was defeated by the Indian mili-

tary, just as the Khalistan movement in the Punjab, also supported by Pakistan, was slowly being ground down at about the same time. "These twin defeats, first in the Punjab and then in Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrated that Pakistan's national strategy of supporting domestic insurgencies in order to checkmate Indian power had failed conclusively. But the larger objective of keeping India "off-balance" and weakening it through persistent attacks would not disappear because it is rooted in a dangerous medley of deep

‘Unfortunately for Pakistan, its strategy of defeating India through armed insurgencies failed in Kashmir, just as it failed in the Punjab’ geopolitical dissatisfactions, the ambitions of a self-serving military that rules even when it does not govern, and the possession of nuclear weapons." Tellis further testified that today, LeT's ability to raise funds independently from mosques in Pakistan and business and charities in the Middle East and Europe, has allowed it greater freedom of action than existed during the 1990s. "Today, for example, LeT relies on the ISI primarily for safe haven and political protection for its leadership, intelligence on selected targets and threats, campaign guidance when necessary, and

infiltration assistance, particularly in regard to long distance operations involving transits through third countries." "Given the objective of bleeding India through a thousand cuts, but not wounding it to a point that automatically embarrasses Pakistan or precipitates a major subcontinental war, the ISI has only sought -- especially after the post-2001 era-to "modulate" the object and intensity of LeT's violence, but emphatically not to end it. The record of ISI behavior in the aftermath of the carnage in Bombay clearly confirms this fact," he said. The ISI has simply no intention of eviscerating LeT (or any other anti-Indian jihadi groups) because of their perceived utility to Pakistan's national strategy visà-vis India, Tellis said. "Whether the strategy succeeds or fails ultimately in destroying the Indian polity has become quite irrelevant; rather, attacking India appears to be an end that justifies itself." Putting forth some US policy recommendations in dealing with the situation, Tellis asks the US to "be candid about Pakistan's role." The United States should stop pretending that LeT is an independent actor. A candid recognition that the organization receives protection and support from the Pakistani state would go a long way toward solving the problem, he says. Further, he urges the US to partner together with India on joint counterterrorism operations: Since the attack on Mumbai in 2008, the United States and India have successfully partnered together on matters of intelligence and counterterrorism. This cooperation should expand further, he recommends.

Uninterrupted dialogue a must between India-Pak: Mani Shankar Aiyar SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: "I am bewildered at our inability to befriend Pakistan," was an almost nonchalant comment that came from former Indian diplomat and former central minister Mani Shankar Aiyar while addressing an elite gathering at the Indian Consulate in New York, March 15. Aiyar was definitely not playing to the gallery but perhaps was running with his words for the benefit of Ahmad Kamal, former Pakistan Ambassador to the UN, and Pakistan Permanent Representative to the United Nations Hussain Haroon who were special guests on the occasion. Or

perhaps it was his old affinity to the country where he served as a Consul General while in the Indian Foreign Service, or the fact that he was born in Lahore (1941) in the then undivided India. Aiyar was in New York to promote his two books - 'Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist' and 'A Time of Transition-Rajiv Gandhi to the 21st Century' and as part of the Consulate's Distinguished Persons Lecture series spoke extempore for over an hour-and-half on democracy, secularism, socialism and non-alignment ranging from historical perspectives to the present day scenarios. Quite critical of the failure of India's diplomatic services in bringing the beleaguered neighbors

Mani Shankar Aiyar, former cabinet Minister and†Ahmed Kamal, former Ambassador of Pakistan,†sharing a lighter moment at a reception held at Indian Consulate in NY on March 15. Pic Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia

closer, Aiyar said that Pakistan and India are the albatross around each other's neck. "I am unable to comprehend a foreign office which knows how to make friends with Paraguay, but is bewildered about what to do about Pakistan," he said. "The fact is that it is so much easier to paint Pakistan and its establishment in monochromatic colors and to deal with a sworn enemy. I am bewildered at our inability to befriend Pakistan." Aiyar continued saying that, "We are divided by history, but are conjoined by geography. While Pakistan is smaller than India in every dimension, it is a very large country by itself. Cont’d on page 9

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Six Indian Americans are Soros Fellows for 2010 India Post News Service

try three years earlier. He majored in NEW YORK: Six Indian origin public health studies The Johns students have become the proud at recipients of the 2010 Paul & Daisy Hopkins University, Soros Fellowships for New Ameri- graduated in 2007, and was selected to cans. Chosen on a nationally com- be a British Marshall petitive basis, Amit Jain, Hari Scholar. While at Johns Prabhakar, Deep Shah, Neman Shah, Zaheer Dossa and Aarti Hopkins he became Shahani are among the 30 Fellows aware of, and comZaheer who have been granted the fel- mitted to alleviating, the grossly inadequate health lowships this year. Amit Jain is a second year MD care provided to indigenous student at Johns Hopkins. Under populations in India. He has mentorship of an eminent pedi- conducted extensive health seratric orthopaedic surgeon at vices research in tribal areas of Hopkins, Jain is keenly studying India and has become a leading implant related fractures and spi- advocate of efforts to improve access to care for Sickle nal deformities in Cell Disease, a major children. public health probHe graduated malem internationally, gna cum laude in over the past 6 years. bioengineering from To that end, he esthe University of tablished the Tribal California at Berkeley India Health Founin 2008 with elections dation and the Sickle to both Phi Beta Cell Disease Center Kappa and Tau Beta in South India. Pi. At Cal, Jain co-inHe has simultavented a novel neously focused on method of examining improving care for tumor behavior in a Deep Shah sickle cell patients in three dimensional mithe United States cro-environment and published his award winning through numerous publications and development of action plans, work in Biomaterials. Born in Ambala, India, Jain im- guidebooks, and primers for pubmigrated to US with his family in lic and private agencies. 1999 when he was eleven. His Prabhakar received his MScPH parents live in Portland, OR. He from the London School of Hyenjoys adventure; he has climbed giene and Tropical Medicine and Mount Shasta, backpacked an MSc in international health across Europe, and ran management from the Imperial College in London. He is now a Baltimore's full marathon. Hari Prabhakar was born in first-year student at Harvard Dallas, TX to south Indian par- Medical School. Deep Shah was born in Atlanta, ents who had come to this coun-

GA eight years after his parents immigrated to this country from Gujarat in India. He entered the University of Georgia with 21 AP credits; won a Truman scholarship; graduated summa cum laude with majors in biology and international affairs; elected Dossa to Phi Beta Kappa, was named the 2008 Georgia Outstanding Scholar; and received a Rhodes scholarship. He has served as a Legislative Fellow in the US Senate. Shah has also held internships with the Greater New York Hospital Association and the

At Oxford, he years in an effort earned a master's deeventually successful gree in comparative - to avert her father's social policy with a fodeportation. She drew cus on health care. He on these experiences is currently a first year with immigration-restudent at Harvard lated bureaucracies Medical School. and courts systems to Naman Shah was establish and lead born in Charlotte, NC Families for Freedom, to parents who had a non-profit which asemigrated from India. sists families that Aarti Shahani He graduated with have members who highest honors and distinction in are under threat of deportation. public service from the University Her advocacy efforts have of North Carolina (UNC), where been publicized on National Pubhe majored in environmental lic Radio, in numerous newspaper health in the School of Public articles, and through commentary Health. and bills that were addressed in He was a North Carolina Lead- Congress. Shahani is currently a first year student in public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of The prestigious Fellowships, which are granted Government. After completing her master's degree there she plans to to provide opportunities for continuing generaenter an MBA program at one of tions of able and accomplished New Ameriseveral business schools. Zahir Dossa was born in cans to achieve leadership in their chosen Canada before moving to Texas fields, are grants for up to two years of graduate to parents of Indian heritage who study in the United States. The Program is estabhad settled in, and then fled during the socialist regime from, Tanlished in recognition of the contributions New zania. Dossa gained admission to Americans have made to American life and in MIT, where he and a fellow stugratitude for the opportunities the United States dent founded an organization to distribute low-tech but very inexhas afforded the donors and their family pensive irrigation pumps to lowincome farmers in Sudan. Their efforts were featured in Veterans Health Administration, ership Fellow and an IBM Watson as well as programs that took him fellow. Naman developed and an article in Popular Mechanics to Costa Rica and Japan. helped introduce in Cambodia a and a report on BBC World RaSubsequent to beginning his test that identifies drug resistance dio. Their organization has remedical studies, he worked as a in malarial parasites. Following ceived various awards, including project manager with the Georgia graduation he worked in polio the $10,000 Davis Peace Prize. Governor's Office to design a low- case surveillance and related im- Funded as an undergraduate by the Gates Foundacost private health insurance plan munization activities tion, Dossa gradufor the working poor. Shah's re- in a rural district in Inated with majors in search on Parkinson's disease re- dia. electrical engineering sulted in two jointly-authored His meta-analysis and computer science publications. of research on malaria along with managedrug resistance proment. vided an evidence He has remained at base for Indian offiMIT, where he is now cials to modify their pursuing both a MEng malaria drug policy. in electrical engineerNaman is now a thirding and a PhD in urban year candidate for the studies. Continuing MD and PhD degrees can remain united if it remains a Neman Shah with his interest in indemocracy and a secular state. in the Medical Scien"What does it matter whether it tist Training Program at UNC. His ternational development, he has creall began with the Rig Veda or the recent projects include entrepre- ated a curriculum for practitioners Paigambar or Guru Nanak or Jesus neurial ventures such as the in- and is working to create a minor in troduction of a new, low-cost wa- international development at MIT. Christ?" he said in rhetoric. The prestigious Fellowships, He also underscored the need ter purifier into emerging rural marwhich are granted to provide opkets. for bringing the moral content portunities for continuing generaAarti Shahani was born in back into India's foreign policy that existed under the reign of the Casablanca, Morocco to parents tions of able and accomplished New country's first Prime Minister of Indian heritage. Their search Americans to achieve leadership in for a more permanent home led their chosen fields, are grants for Jawaharlal Nehru. Among the others present on them to settle in this country when up to two years of graduate study the occasion were Ambassador she was a baby. Shahani attended in the United States. The Program is established in Hardeep Puri, Permanent Repre- the University of Chicago, where recognition of the contributions she was an honors graduate in ansentative of India to the UN and New Americans have made to thropology in 2002. Neelam Deo, former Consul GenWhile she was growing up, her American life and in gratitude for eral of India in New York. Prior to delivering the lecture, father and uncle ran afoul of im- the opportunities the United States Aiyar signed copies of his books migration requirements. She has afforded the donors and their spent the better parts of nine family. which were on sale.

Uninterrupted dialogue a must between India-Pak: Mani Shankar Aiyar Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 8

We cannot wish them away, and if we have to live together, is it so difficult to make friends with the people of that country who but for the accident of partition, would be our fellow citizens?" Uninterrupted and uninterruptable dialogue was the only way to resolve the problems with India and Pakistan, he said, somehow implying that the onus was on India to keep up the talks irrespective of the terrorist violence from across the border. "The two countries must designate one day in the week for talks and vent out any complaints they have against each other but continue to talk till they find a solution," he said.

Talking about the Late Rajiv Gandhi's vision of steering India into the 21st Century, Aiyar lauded the former Prime Minister's efforts to strengthen Panchayati Raj and empowering local bodies. Speaking of democracy, he said the single most downside for the Indian democracy was the sheer size of its electorate where the gap between the voters and their elected representatives was too huge spawning power brokers in the middle. Critical of the bureaucracy, Aiyar quoted Rajiv Gandhi who said a community looking after its own interests would do a far better job than one that looks at the bureaucracy for solutions. On secularism, he said India

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Indo-US framework for trade & investment inked WASHINGTON: Taking trade and business ties to an altogether new level, India and the US have signed a framework for cooperation on trade and investment to strengthen bilateral cooperation and to further build on the recent rapid growth in bilateral trade that has more than doubled in the past five years. The agreement was signed by commerce minister Anand Sharma and US Trade Representative Ron Kirk here. In the first significant step taken under the framework, Sharma and Kirk also announced the launch of an initiative called 'Integrating US and Indian Small Business into the Global Supply Chain' which will expand trade and job creating opportunities for companies in both the countries. By signing this framework, Sharma said, "we want to create the right environment to ensure that the relationship brings maximum benefit to the maximum number of people. We will do so by promoting inclusive growth. "We also intend to use this framework to encourage the development and deployment of clean energy and environmental

technologies as well as to support India's infrastructure growth," Sharma said. The move will directly support US president Barack Obama's national export initiative as well as the recently announced budget initiatives of Indian government. "There is almost limitless po-

FICCI President Rajan Bharti Mittal. The two countries can realize this potential by working together towards the goals set forth in the framework agreement such as developing and enforcing policies that encourage technological innovation, increasing agriculture,

group to the trade policy forum. This group will provide strategic counsel to enhance the two governments? efforts to increase bilateral trade and investment. The members of the group also offered to work as implementing partners for initiatives undertaken by the trade policy forum,

Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Anand Sharma addressing the audience at Brookings Institute on Asia's unfolding Economic Saga : An Indian Perspective in Washington, DC on March 17

tential for growth in trade between our two countries, and that can contribute to economic recovery and job creation in the US and continued economic growth in India," Kirk said after inking the deal, in the presence of Indian ambassador to US Meera Shankar, USIBC president Ron Somers and Bharti group vice-chairman and

services, and industrial goals and increasing investment flows, Kirk said, adding "closer collaboration with entrepreneurs and private sector leaders in both our countries will enhance our work." Following the signing in ceremony, Kirk and Sharma also hosted a meeting of a restructured private sector advisory

including the small business initiative announced. It was last October that Kirk and Sharma announced their intent to finalize the "framework for cooperation on trade and investment" when they co-chaired the US-India Trade Policy Forum meeting in New Delhi. The two governments agreed

to work together to support greater involvement by small and medium-sized enterprises in each other's markets, and to pursue initiatives in the further development of India's infrastructure, and collaboration on clean energy and environmental services, information and communications technologies, and other key sectors. Under the "framework for cooperation on trade and investment," both the countries intend to meet the objectives of developing and enforcing trade policies and fostering a trade-enhancing environment by undertaking initiatives to help us meet those goals. Examples include increasing opportunities for private sector partnerships in infrastructure projects; enhancing IPR awareness and enforcement; promoting increased bilateral cooperation in the healthcare, education, information technology, energy and environmental services industries; working to empower women and disadvantaged groups; creating greater mutual understanding of respective approaches to government procurement; and SME development.

Obama donates Nobel Prize money to charity India Post News Service

NEW YORK: President Barack Obama last week announced the charities that will receive a portion of the $1.4 million award that comes with the Nobel peace prize. "These organizations do extraordinary work in the United States and abroad helping students, veterans and countless others in need," said President Obama. "I'm proud to support their work." Here's a break-up of the Charities that received the prize money: $250,000 to Fisher House Fisher House is a national nonprofit organization that provides housing for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. $200,000 to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, President Obama asked former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to create the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund to raise funds for long-term relief efforts in Haiti. $125,000 to College Summit College Summit is a national non-profit organization that partners with elementary and middle schools and school districts to

strengthen college-going Fund has awarded culture and increase colclose to $280M in lege enrollment rates, so scholarships to more that all students graduate than 90,000 students in from high school career need. and college-ready. $125,000 to the Ap$125,000 to the Posse palachian Leadership Foundation and Education FounThe Posse Foundadation tion is a national nonA non-profit orgaprofit organization that nization funded by identifies public high foundations and comschool students with expanies, ALEF suptraordinary academic and ports and enables leadership potential who young men and may be overlooked by women from Appalatraditional college selecchia to pursue higher tion processes. Posse's education though college and university scholarship and leadpartners award Posse ership curriculum. Scholars four-year, full$125,000 to the tuition leadership scholAmerican Indian Colarships. The scholars lege Fund graduate at a rate of 90 The American Inpercent. dian College Fund $125,000 to the United File picture of President Barack Obama receiving the Nobel transforms Indian Negro College Fund higher education by Peace Prize during a ceremony in Oslo The United Negro funding and creating College Fund plays a critical role Fund (HSF) is the nation's lead- awareness of the unique, commuin enabling more than 60,000 stu- ing Hispanic scholarship organi- nity-based accredited Tribal Coldents each year to attend college zation, providing the Hispanic leges and Universities, offering through scholarship and intern- community more college scholar- students access to knowledge, ship programs. ships and educational outreach skills, and cultural values which $125,000 to the Hispanic Schol- support than any other organiza- enhance their communities and arship Fund tion in the country. In its 34 year the country as a whole. The Fund The Hispanic Scholarship history, the Hispanic Scholarship disburses approximately 6,000

scholarships annually for American Indian students seeking to better their lives through higher education. The Fund also provides support for tribal college needs, ranging from capital support to cultural preservation curricula. $100,000 to AfriCare AfriCare was founded in 1970 and has more projects in Africa than any other U.S. based charity, reaching communities in 25 countries, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its programs address needs in three principal areas: health and HIV/AIDS; food security and agriculture; and water resource development. $100,000 to the Central Asia Institute The Central Asia Institute promotes and supports communitybased education and literacy, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Institute's co-founder, Greg Mortenson, was also a Nobel Peace Prize nominee this year, whose book, Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, One School at a Time, recounts his attempt to successfully establish dozens of schools and promote girls' education in rural Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Trivedi is front-runner in PA Democratic primary

SIAEA’s outreach to help young professionals India Post News Service

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Democratic candidate for Congress from Pennsylvania, Manan Trivedi, has overwhelmingly won the local support of the two largest counties in his Congressional District, according to the Indian America Leadership Initiative, which has endorsed him. With this momentum Trivedi is well on his way to winning the Democratic Primary in this Dem leaning district, says Bhavna Pandit, IALI Political Director. According to a local publication, Trivedi won the endorsement of Montgomery County Demo-

crats last week, following which he has gone from relatively late entrant into the race to the favorite of the party's rank-and-file throughout the 6th District. Trivedi, a Reading physician and Iraq War veteran, overwhelmingly beat out former Inquirer editorial writer Doug Pike for the endorsement, winning 77 votes to Pike's 28. As the party's preferred candidate, Trivedi is now an obvious front runner in the May primary. Only a couple months ago, Montgomery County was seen as Pike's strongest base of support, but Trivedi quickly made inroads,

thanks in part to the support of prominent former state Senator Connie Williams. It remains to be seen if Trivedi's fundraising will pick up now that he has been endorsed by the local parties in both Montgomery and Chester counties. Berks County doesn't formally endorse, but Trivedi is seen as having solid support in what is essentially his base. After the vote, Trivedi said he can close the fundraising gap by courting contributions from military veterans, health care providers and Indian-Americans (there are currently no Indian-Americans in Congress).

US officials see little change in Pak's perception about US WASHINGTON: In spite of having pumped billions of dollars into Pakistan as assistance, US officials have said they see little change in Pakistani's perception about America. The trust deficit remains despite several steps taken and aid and assistance given through the Kerry-Lugar-Berman bill signed into law last year, US officials said in a testimony before a Congressional committee. "They (Pakistanis) feel it as a

very self-interested relationship," said Daniel Feldman, Deputy to the Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan. "The perception of Americans is not a positive one" the official told the lawmakers and continued to attribute this to what they called waxing and waning of American interest based primarily on security and military interest". "They don't believe that we are interested in a longer-term rela-

tionship and that's why so much of our work has been to emphasize that this is a long-term relationship, that it is based on a civilian relationship as well as a security one", the official said in his testimony. Feldman told the Congress members that to bridge the trust deficit had been the theme of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip last fall where she talked about turning the page in building this relationship. -PTI

LeT not yet on Pak's radar: Gen Petraeus WASHINGTON: Terror outfits like LeT are not yet on the radar of the Pakistani establishment and the need to take action against the organization blamed for Mumbai attacks has been Washington's "source of dialogue" with Islamabad, a top US General has said. General David Petraeus, Commander of US Central Command, said elements like Lashkar-e-Taiba are not yet on the radar of Pakistan, "which is waging a serious war against terrorism in the tribal areas of the country bordering Afghanistan, in particular the Taliban and Al Qaeda." Appearing before the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen Petraeus said the entire Obama Administration has had quite a bit of interaction with the government of Pakistan over LeT after the Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people, including Americans.-PTI

Indian origin, we recently decided to increase our scholarship amount to $2000 for each winner,” he said. Every year, ten scholarships are awarded to promising students at the Society’s Annual gala dinner. “While some members have been able to recruit employees for their projects at our student outreach events (at various institutions), we have successfully convinced new professionals about the usefulness of joining our organization during networking and outreach programs,” declared Shenoy.

NEW YORK: Param Walia, a Computer Information Systems student of New York City College of Technology, was awarded a scholarship by the Society of Indo American Engineers and Architects (SIAEA) in 2008. Recently, Walia, along with Hari Jaswal, another 2008 Scholarship award recipient, attended a grassroots seminar in Queens, NYC organized by the SIAEA, looking for volunteering and career opportunities. “Our strategy to invest in the younger gen- In order to encourage engieration of engineers and neering and architect students architects of Indian origin is paying off,” re- of Indian origin, we recently marked Ravi Shenoy, decided to increase our scholpresident of SIAEA, arship amount to $2000 for who launched a variety each winner,” he said. Every of outreach events to year, ten scholarships are connect with its mem- awarded to promising bers as well as to enroll students at the Society’s new ones. “As we extend a helping hand to Annual gala dinner younger generation, Welcoming new members, they feel encouraged to come back to us for mentoring and shaping Nayan Parikh, SIAEA’s presidentelect, emphasized the importance of their careers,” he added. In 2009, the Society embarked networking during this period of upon a massive membership cam- economic downturn. “Our experipaign by organizing networking ence shows that we have enorseminars and outreach meetings. mously benefited by finding pro“In order to reach out to new professional help and advice from each fessionals, we decided to hold meet- other through networking,” he comings at locations outside of Man- mented. “In the coming months, a series of such events have been hattan,” said Shenoy. “This strategy proved to be suc- scheduled to be held at different cessful as 140 new members joined locations in the New York Metro the organization during the past area. We expect to enroll an increasyear. In order to encourage engi- ing number of members,” he anneering and architect students of nounced.

Kerala Assembly panel asks Coca Cola to pay damages

HONOR FOR PM: Appeal of Conscience Foundation to honor Indiaís Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with 2010 World Statesman Award. President and Founder of the Foundation, former United States Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte (left); Vice President, former Washington DC Archbishop, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (right), and Vice-President Archbishop Khajag Barsamian; Primate of the American Diocese of the Armenian Church (2nd from left) presented a silver apple honey dish to Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar (2nd from right) at her official residence on March 11

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after an assembly panel suggested curbs on the Pepsi plant in Kerala, another House committee has asked government to ensure compensation to the people at Plachimada in Palakkad district from Coca Cola for the losses they suffered from its plant in the area. The Petitions Committee of the Kerala Assembly, which looked into the environmental pollution and water shortage allegedly caused by the plant, wanted the government to take steps to get compensation from the multi-national giant for the losses suffered by villagers, majority of whom are tribals and other weaker sections. Addressing the media after ta-

bling the report, Committee Chairman V Surendran Pillai said the report had suggested conducting of an experts' study to ascertain problems caused by the plant to the health of the people and farming. A state Assembly committee on irrigation and power had in its report asked the state government to restrict use of water by Pepsi plant at Pudussery in Palakkad district at 3.4 lakh liters a day. The Assembly panel report on Coca Cola plant has come at a time when a high-level committee set up by the state government to assess the "socio-economic" damage caused by the plant is expected to submit its report tomorrow. -PTI

Desi News

Gabhawala wants to make FIA stronger RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

Community felicitates award winners ASHWIN PATEL

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

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Sikh teenagers interact with other religions at interfaith meet

March 26, 2010

Details on page 18

Goyal to introduce bill against special interests in elections India Post News Service

NEW YORK: State Rep. Jay P. Goyal (D-Mansfield) will be introducing legislation to protect against excessive influence of special interest groups and companies in Ohio elections. State Rep. Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) is a joint sponsor on the legislation which will address a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling by banning contributions from corporations that do business with the state and by strengthening accountability and disclosure measures. "Unless we take action, the Citizens United case will usher in an unprecedented level of special interest influence in Ohio elections," said Rep. Goyal. "By banning con-

tributions from those companies that do business with Ohio and adding new accountability and disclosure requirements, we can protect the integrity of our elections and the voices of Ohio citizens." In addition to banning the independent expenditures of companies heavily regulated or subsidized by the state, the legislation will also include provisions to strengthen the transparency and reporting requirements of corporate political spending. If a corporation or interest group does not do business with the state and is permitted to contribute to campaigns, it must file its independent expenditures with the Secretary of State, post its filings online, and provide reports on political spending activity.

Jay P. Goyal

"The Ohio Secretary of State's office has made large strides in ensuring the fairness and accuracy of Ohio elections," Rep. Goyal said. "This legislation will build upon the highly-effective filing structure within the agency and provide greater openness and honesty in corporate campaign spending." The legislation also calls for enhanced accountability standards for companies or labor organizations that choose to potentially influence elections. Language in the bill would require a majority of the members of the governing bodies of these corporations and organizations to publicly authorize campaign expenditures. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 15

Missing Indian woman found dead KAPILA SHAH

Push for Chicago Western Avenue development CHANDRAKANT MODI

CHICAGO: A 32-year-old Indian origin Gujarati woman Sangeetaben Patel was found dead, months after she was reported missing from Maine Township near Chicago last January, according to police officials Cook County Sheriff's Office spokesman Steve Patterson said that the body of Sangeetaben Patel was recovered from the Des Plaines River on Sunday, March 7. He said that it was a case of suicide as there seemed to no signs of foul play. "After interviewing those who knew Patel, police investigators determined her actions in the days before her disappearance suggested the potential for suicide," Patterson said. The autopsy re-

port by the Cook County Medical Examiner revealed that the cause

County Forest Preserve Police after a couple kayaking in the water

Sangeetaben Patel

The body was recovered from the Des Plaines River by Cook County Forest Preserve Police after a couple kayaking in the water spotted the body caught in river debris about a quarter-mile south of Milwaukee Avenue

of death was drowning. The body was recovered from the Des Plaines River by Cook

spotted the body caught in river debris about a quarter-mile south of Milwaukee Avenue.

Prior to the identification of the body by Patel's parents on March 9, the recovery of personal property, including jewellery, at the scene helped the officials in identifying it. Police said that Patel was last seen leaving for office in her black uniform pants and purple jacket on Jan 2. She was 'purportedly walking towards the bus stop to go to work' at Subway restaurant in Wheeling before she was reported missing. Police, based on the information gathered during the investigation said that there was neither any history of domestic trouble between Patel and her husband, nor did she ever remain away from home without contacting him.

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March 26, 2010

India Post 13

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Gabhawala wants to make FIA stronger year only. He would like to make intensive efforts convincing all those Indian organizations which are out of FIA fold to come under one umbrella. Secondly, he said, it is of utmost importance to get more and more second generation Indian Americans to get involved in the affairs of this body. "The infusion of young blood will not only make this body a vibrant one but would ensure that it would continue to serve the com-

RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Addressing one of the recent meetings of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Illinois, Sunny Gabhawala, the incoming president of FIA, displayed two qualities required of a good leader- his vision of taking FIA to a higher level and to realize this vision, holding out olive branch to rivals so that everybody works together. In a talk to this paper last week, he reiterated his views how to make FIA strong, vibrant and communityoriented organization of Indians, for Indians and by Indians with the help of all FIA members and the community at large. FIA right now is embroiled in a controversy triggered by allegation of fraud in recent elections and the matter has been dragged to court. In the light of court order, Gabhawala was reluctant to talk about the merits or demerits of the pending matter but was still agreeable to discuss the ways and means that would help FIA to be really strong. Just the way he elucidated his views at the FIA Republic Day meet, he said that "FIA does not belong to me. It belongs to all of us Indians. I may be president for a year and after that somebody

website further, (he paid rich tribute to outgoing president Dr. Hyder Mohammad on this score), strengthening the financial base of FIA by getting more members and holding fund raisers and identifying problems faced by the community and help to resolve them. "All this needs unity among us. Without that I cannot do much. My appeal too all during Republic Day celebrations was to come together and end our differ-

I would get the youth involved in all major programs that FIA undertakes. I would also seek their views to pick up new line of activities besides holding India Day Parade Sunny Gabhawala at India Post Office

else would come and then another. It is the organization that is important and not an individual. I am aware of this and I have no personal ego or any personal agenda to serve. It is in the light of this conviction that I would like all of us to work together to strengthen the base of this biggest national organization of all Indians." "Other organizations like AAPI and AHHOA have a national base but they are bodies of Indian professionals. Same way there would

be many social - sectarian organizations, but FIA is a distinct organization cut above all the local, regional and professional considerations. We all need to make this body very strong so that we can not only serve our community but also be of help to our brethren back home." The first and foremost task in this regard he would like to address is to substantially increase the membership of FIA. He would like to nearly double the strength from the present level of 21 in one

munity for a long time and not die an unnatural death. I would get the youth involved in all major programs that FIA undertakes. I would also seek their views to pick up new line of activities besides holding India Day Parade and celebration of national events," he said. There are some other community oriented projects that he would want FIA to undertake - care of seniors, financial and other aid to students pursuing higher studies, organizing educational seminars, exchange of faculties with Indian universities, improving

ences thru talks, and not fritter away our energy and money thru washing dirty linen in public or engaging in legal wrangling," he said with a bit of emphasis and a bit of sadness in his tone. Sunny Gabhawala has held important executive positions in FIA Board earlier. Besides, he was a regional head of the second largest body of Indians- AAHOA. He acquitted himself well in the discharge of his duties as AAHOA executive. He is working to ensure that AAHOA holds its national convention in Chicago this year.

BAPS MW hosts women's conference SANDIP PATEL

Guests, speakers and attendees at BAPS Womenís Conference in Bartlett.

CHICAGO: Over 350 women from across the Midwest region came together for the annual BAPS Women's Conference held at Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, a northwest Chicago suburb, last week. The three-hour conference was in the wake of International Women's Day (IWD), a global event commemorated by the United Nations to recognize women and the important contributions they have made in the world. BAPS is a current member of the UN's Economic and Social Council.

The theme of the conference, "Nurturing Families, Shaping Communities," pro-

through their roles in family and society. The theme draws inspiration from BAPS'

‘Education is more than what girls learn in school,’ Justice Jorgensen said. "As unaware teachers and mentors, we have a profound impact on the lives of young women vided a forum for attendees to discuss the educational and environmental impact created by the global community of women

core values of nurturing individuals and creating stronger families. The keynote speakers each stressed one of these topics.

Guest speaker Renee Cipriano

Justice Ann Jorgensen, who currently sits on the Illinois Appellate Court, addressed the topic of education. "Education is more than what girls learn in school," Justice Jorgensen said. "As unaware teachers and mentors, we have a profound impact on the lives of young women. Each day presents us with an opportunity to give lessons to others." Neha Patel, graduate student at Chicago State University, was particularly inspired by this speech. Cont’d on page 15

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March 26, 2010

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Motherland author talks about immigrant experience SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: An interactive session with the author of 'Motherland India,' Vineeta Vijayaraghavan from Harvard University, was organized by Coming Together in Skokie, a recently set up body for promoting cultural integration and un-

Born in India but raised in the United States, Vijayaraghavan graduated from Harvard University and works as a senior research fellow and project manager at Innosight Institute Healthcare in Boston. "Motherland," her only published novel to date, was recognized as the best book for young adults by the American Library Association derstanding among different communities in Skokie. The event was held at Holiday Inn Skokie. Sheila Gilani, CHO of Lakhani Hospitality and Holiday Inn Skokie had taken the lead in the matter. The First Lady of Skokie Susan Van Dusen delivered the welcome speech followed by

L-R: Penny Swartz, Vandana Jhingan, Linda Moore, Rosamin Bhanpuri, Dr. Naciann Gatta, Susan Vandusen, First Lady Skokie, George Vandusen, Mayor of Skokie, Sheila Gilani, Vineeta Vijayaraghavan, Author of the book Motherland, Carolyn Anthony, Usha Kamaria, Christine Robinson, Dina Modi, Dipti Patel.

Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen who praised Vijayaraghavan. The event was aimed at promoting more in-depth knowledge about many different cultures in Skokie through arts. Author Vi n e e t a Vijayaraghavan talked about her novel and the immigrant experience to students at Holiday Inn Skokie, Oakton Community College, Niles North and Niles West high schools as well as to an audience at the Skokie Public Library. She said she was honored to learn her book was chosen as the focal point for Coming Together in Skokie. Though she was familiar with the experience of having students study "Motherland," the

events planned around her novel were different than anything she had heard of in other community-based book discussions. Born in India but raised in the United States, Vijayaraghavan graduated from Harvard University and works as a senior research fellow and project manager at Innosight Institute Healthcare in Boston. "Motherland," her only published novel to date, was recognized as the best book for young adults by the American Library Association. "'Motherland' is a wonderful book written in such a manner that it will be enjoyable to older people and to our younger gen-

eration," said Susan Van Dusen, first lady of Skokie and Coming Together in Skokie co-organizer. "It's a quick read, it's a simple read, but it gives you a feel for the Indian community." The book relates the story of Maya, a 15-year-old girl struggling with cultural identity who is sent by her parents to spend the summer in India with her aunt, uncle and grandmother. Vjayaraghavan said she was inspired to write "Motherland" while observing the changing economic, political and social landscape of India. "There is also a part in it that was woven around the grandmother-mother-daughter lineage and how to show each of them

Vineeta Vijayaraghavan

in ways that captured the different choices they had been presented with. The different choices they had made and to create some compassion for some of the difficulties they have faced and the bonds they managed to build," she said. Vijayaraghavan said, "I was surprised by how much I loved this novel. This is not a book of unexpected twists or particularly perilous situations. The characters are intriguing, but not unusual. The setting is exotic, but rather limited. However, the honest depiction of relationships, conversations and observations seduce you into the story and refuse to let you go."

Show to raise funds for documentary on blindness India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Joya Dass and Aiden Murtagh of Eyes Wide Open Productions, are hosting a "green" charity fashion show to raise money for the post-production of a documentary about the 45 million people living with some form of visual impairment in India. The show titled 'Sense and Sustainability' will take place April 9 at the Aicon Gallery. The completion and release of the documentary will draw much needed attention to the foundation's efforts to eradicate curable blindness in the country. To date, Sankara Eye Care Institutions have performed 550,000 free eye surgeries. Its goal is to ramp up to a million beneficiaries a year- by the year 2020. Sense and Sustainability will feature three Indian fashion designers committed to using Indian and fair-trade resources to further the green and sustainable fashion movement.

Dass is a local business television news reporter in New York City and her partner Aiden Murtagh is a New York- based businessman. They undertook their first independent project together last year. "First Sight" was shot in Tamil Nadu in December 2009. It follows the plight of three-sight chal-

naked...with heaps and heaps of garbage all around them. No garbage truck was going to come take it away. None of the garbage was particularly biodegradable. This spurred us to not only raise awareness about eye disease in India, but to tell people about all the ways people can help save the envi-

The show titled 'Sense and Sustainability' will take place April 9 at the Aicon Gallery. The completion and release of the documentary will draw much needed attention to the foundation's efforts to eradicate curable blindness in the country. To date, Sankara Eye Care Institutions have performed 550,000 free eye surgeries lenged children and two doctors through the Sankara Eye Care Institute in Coimbatore. "While shooting First Sight, we traveled to really remote and poor villages of Tamil Nadu. Children, aged 3 months to 13 years, would sit in the middle of the road, almost

ronment," says Dass. Dass teamed up with several South Asian women who share her concern for giving back and Sense and Sustainability is a collaborative effort amongst these women. Tina Tandon, Swati Argade, and Helen Asir -- the three New York- based designers featured in

the show -- give back by using Indian resources to create sustainable fashion. Tandon will introduce her fun, flirty spring collection that uses all-natural Indian fabrics, such as cotton, linen, modal and bamboo. Argade's line of exotic dresses is woven in fair-trade cooperatives in India, which helps to sustain and develop the local economy of Orissa. The debut of her latest collection will include the introduction of her newest endeavor "Bhoomi", which is a line of "green" raincoats that are made of recycled plastic bottles and organic Texasgrown cotton. Asir's journey into fashion began when she became frustrated trying to buy sustainable formal wear for her children, and could only find a small selection of very high-priced items often made of polyester. So she journeyed to the only place she knew she could find luxurious organic silk, pure silk, and natural stones for ornaments: India. No plastic zippers or synthetics can be found in her Couture Collection.

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Community celebrates 'Hind Rattan' & 'Bharat Gaurav' ASHWIN PATEL

BAPS MW hosts women's conference Cont’d from page 13

Prasad Thotakura (left with garland and memento) and Dr. Sridhar Reddy Kosapati (right with garland and memento) with friends, well wishers and admirers at felicitation event in Dallas last week

DALLAS, TX: "Recognize the historic achievement and celebrate the victory" was the theme of the evening at the Kokila Indian Restaurant where over 150 prominent members of Indian Diaspora gathered to recognize and felicitate Dr. Sridhar Reddy Korsapati and Thotakura Prasad who were recently bestowed with the "Hind Rattan" and "Bharat Gaurav" awards respectively. This private dinner was jointly hosted by friends and well wishers of Dr. Korsapati and Thotakura besides ethnic organizations like Telugu Association of North Texas (TANTEX), American Telugu Association (ATA), Telugu Association of North America (TANA), Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) and India Association of North Texas (IANT). After a welcome address by NMS Reddy, President-Elect, TANTEX, Dr. Narasimha Reddy Urimindi enlightened the audience about the "Hind Rattan" and "Bharat Gaurav" awards and the respective issuing authorities. Chandra Kanneganti, President of TANTEX honored Dr. Korsapati with a garland. Following that Prasad Thotakura was honored by NMS Reddy with a garland. Dr. Sridhar Korsapati won the "Hind Rattan" award given by "NRI Welfare Society of India", New Delhi on the eve of India's Republic Day. Dr. Korsapati was one of 30 such awardees for 2010 (world-wide of Indian Diaspora). Dr. Korsapati was recognized for his tireless leadership and service to Indian community in USA. Prasad Thotakura won the "Bharat Gaurav" award given by "India International

Friendship Society (IIFS)" - a voluntary organization established to forge greater unity and integrity among the people of Indian origin living globally. Thotakura was among several top NRIs honored on January 7, 2010 at a function attended among others by Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment and Iqbal Singh, Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry. Thotakura was recognized for his decades of social service and excellent leadership for various In-

Dr. Sridhar Korsapati won the "Hind Rattan" award given by "NRI Welfare Society of India", New Delhi on the eve of India's Republic Day. Dr. Korsapati was one of 30 such awardees for 2010 (worldwide of Indian Diaspora) dian organizations in North America. Several members of the Indian community congratulated the awardees for their community service, accomplishments and recollected the dedication and the reasons behind their success Dr. Korsapati and Thotakura thanked the organizers for felicitating them. Thotakura in his acceptance speech spoke briefly about the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi statue in Dallas project which is progressing well for mid-August to October installation this year. Kistapati concluded the meeting with vote of thanks.

Goyal to introduce bill against special interests in elections Cont’d from page 12

This authorization would be further clarified by requiring specific corporate disclosure statements on any paid political advertisement. The disclosure statement would name the organization sponsoring the advertisement along with a full list of donors to the organization. "An educated public is one of the core

tenants of our democratic system," Rep. Goyal said. "The voting public deserves to know who the money designed to influence elections is coming from and why. We must give Ohio voters the information they need to make an informed decision." Rep. Goyal has been working with several non-partisan citizen advocacy groups such as the Ohio League of Women Voters and Ohio Citizen Action in crafting the legislation.

"Justice Jorgensen's presentation was truly eye-opening," she said. Dr. Arunika, Rehabilitation practitioner at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, spoke on the necessity of maintaining proper health. "Health is wealth," she said. "We must make time to take care of ourselves, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and stay up to date with our health exams and screenings." Renee Cipriano, Partner with Schiff Hardin LLP, spoke on the importance of protecting the environment, citing examples from her experiences as an attorney. Quoting the 2000 UN Millennium Declaration she stated, "We need to be promoting the empowerment of women as an effective way to combat poverty, hunger, and disease, and to stimulate environmental stability." Elaborating further, she said, "Women are the community caretakers, mothers, and resource providers. We must influence change within the environment by taking action individually as well as at the community level." The fourth and final speech of the afternoon was prepared by Dr. Pratixa Patel on the impact women have via their role in the family unit. A clinical pharmacist and preceptor at Ohio Northern University, Dr. Patel elaborated on the need for a stronger family unit in today's society and focused on the

concept of spirituality to achieve this. "Today, women are half of all workers in the United States and are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in the family," she said. "But women also have a new kind of power - a spiritual power - providing needed nurturing and stability within the home. They are the foundation of the family unit." Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, also briefly attended this

‘Women are the community caretakers, mothers, and resource providers. We must influence change within the environment by taking action individually as well as at the community level’ weekend's event. Addressing the conference she stated, "As a woman, as a wife, as a mother, it is very challenging to get things done on a daily basis. But we should believe as women, we can get the job done!" Amita Rao, National Outreach Coordinator for BAPS, added a few remarks on the initiatives of BAPS Charities and women's activities. Attendees left inspired and empowered, ready to implement the message of the conference in their own lives.

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Bal Vihar celebrates Holi in grand way

March 26, 2010

Magnificent anniversary of Shree Jalaram Mandir SURESH BODIWALA

ISHITA SANGHVI

ST. LOUIS: St. Louis Bal Vihar held celebration of Holi for children at Mahatma Gandhi Center on March 6. Children of ages 5 though 17 celebrated the event in high spirits by sprinkling colored powder on each other. Over 200 children participated who were in joyous mood sprinkling color and enjoying pizza. The children were given plenty of colored powder to use under supervision of their parents. The event was coordinated by Giri Yanamala and was assisted by the team led by parent's coordinator Shobha Nedungadi. As a tradition, Bal Vihar School has been celebrating this event since 2000. Bal Vihar of St. Louis, a premier educational institution of MO, is providing its services to the community's future generation and fosters Asian Indian cultural values in children. Founded in 1992, this organization is preparing the future citizens, achievers of America to understand and apply Asian Indian culture, its heritage and values for the best in the community The students are exposed to a

Children and youth sprinkling color during Holi celebrations

Over 200 children participated who were in joyous mood sprinkling color and enjoying pizza. The children were given plenty of colored powder to use under supervision of their parents

wide variety of cultural and Asian religion aspects including meditation techniques and Yoga, a method to stay healthy internally and Indian festivals. Debates such as values of various cultures and their significances, their own cultural values in modern society, living in harmony were found relevant to all involved. Children participate in the community awareness programs such as visiting local hospital and giving them handmade items to patients, collecting and offering food to the needy in the St. Louis area, conducting activities for senior citizens etc. The Center of Indian Cultural Education School is now planning to move to a new and bigger facility. To raise funds for the school, Bal Vihar is holding an Annual Gala event on April 24 at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, MO. The President and Founder of the Children School, Dr. Sudhir Brahmbhatt has urged the community to participate and help raise $250,000 by April 24 contributing or joining the event.

Maha Puja at Jalaram Mandir on second anniversary celebrations

CHICAGO: The Hoffman Estate situated Shree Jalaram Mandir celebrated its second anniversary recently in a magnificent way. Over 700 devotees flocked to the temple from metropolitan Chicago area. The event was well planned and successfully executed with hard work and support from Trustees,

space was needed to accommodate increasing number of devotees. The response from the community was immense and, as a result, with the blessing of Shri Jalaram, construction for expansion will commence soon. The second anniversary of the temple was celebrated on March

Since late sixties and early 1970s devotees of Jalaram Bapa, a great saint of Gujarat-India, have immigrated to USA, including Chicago members of Executive Board of Shree Jalaram Mandir, and especially the second generation Indian Americans. Since late sixties and early 1970s devotees of Jalaram Bapa, a great saint of Gujarat-India, have immigrated to USA, including Chicago. Jalaram organization was established in December, 2006 and with

5. On this occasion, Maha Pooja by devotees was conducted by Chief Priest Acharya Shri C. L. Shastriji and Poojari Shri Pravinbhai. Maha Puja ceremony was concluded with blessing from Shree Shastriji. He stated that "may his holiness Jalaram Bapa keep all of you healthy, happy and give wisdom strength and deter-

Jalaram Mandir volunteers and management officials

the devotion, dedication and generous contribution of these devotees, Shri Jalaram temple opened its doors on March 8, 2008 at Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The cost of this temple was about $1.25 million. Soon after the opening, the management found that more

mination to complete the expansion project successfully." Devotees at the end of Maha Pooja harmonically chanted 'Jalaram Satbavni.' Rest of the crowd joined with thunderous slogan of "Jai Jalaram." Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

March 26, 2010

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Push for Chicago Western Avenue development

Sikh invocation at the Indiana State House

CHANDRAKANT MODI

CHICAGO: Over 70 enthusiastic residents of the West Rogers Park area attended a kick-off meeting for the Western Avenue Redevelopment Project at Devon Bank in Chicago recently. The project covers the commercial strip from Peterson to Howard and is led by three organizations: West Rogers Park Community Organization (WRPCO), Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) and the West Ridge Chamber of Commerce (WRCC) with LISC, a national notfor-profit consulting group acting as consultants under a grant from the MacArthur Foundation. The purpose of the project, said Ashish Sen, Chairman of WRPCO, was "to revitalize the economic health of the Western Avenue commercial strip without giving up the lifestyle that brought us to this area." The meeting was attended, among others, by Ira Silverstein, State senator of 8th district, Chris Jang, North Region Chicago dept of community development, Irv Loundy, Senior VP of Devon Bank and Ms. Zahra Someri, representative of Congresswoman Jane Schakowsky. Steve Heller, Past Chairman of WRPCO described two studies that had already been completed by the Lakeside CDC and the University of Illinois Extension. He mentioned a significant decline in the economic climate even before the recent downturn in the national economy. In addition, recently several car dealerships,

India Post News Service

Ashish Sen, Jake Cowan and Steve Heller

which this part of Western Avenue was famous for, have closed their doors. 'While the closing of auto dealerships is a loss for the area, it

The audience applauded when Sen mentioned that Senator Silverstein had sponsored a grant to WRPCO for capital improvements on Western Avenue is also an opportunity,' said Pamela Stauffer, Vice Chair of WRPCO. 'There is probably no other place in the north half of Chicago where

so much land has become so suddenly available,' added Jake Cowan. 'This project will help us identify the right businesses for this area,' said Amie Zander. The audience applauded when Sen mentioned that Senator Silverstein had sponsored a grant to WRPCO for capital improvements on Western Avenue. Ms. Kimberley Bares, Executive Director of RPBA, outlined the steps of the project to be undertaken. 'The results of the study,' she said, 'would be to develop actionable steps with the help of the businesses and residents of the area.' West Rogers Park is a diverse dynamic community on north side of Chicago representing residents of 82 countries, speaking more than 38 languages.

Magnificent anniversary of Shree Jalaram Mandir Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 16

This was followed by chanting of traditional kirtans and Arti. Special dinner was served in the communal dining room. Subsequent cultural vocal music programs by renowned singers Hitesh Naik, Padmini Rao and their troupe was well received by all those attending the event. Hasmukhbhai and family made a special king size cake at their home for the celebration which was enjoyed by all the devotees present. This saint, Shri Jalaram Bapa, was born on 4 November, 1799. The name of his birth village was Virpur in Gujarat State, India. He dedicated his entire life preaching religion through kindness and compassion, achieving highest contentment of body and soul

Children participating in the celebration

through love and devotion to God. His teaching and message was propagated to millions of people throughout the world by his followers. Every year, millions of his devotees from all over the word make pilgrimage to Virpur, his birthplace. In Virpur, one of the biggest at-

tractions is to do darshan of Jalaram Bapa's cloth handbag and cane which were his constant travel companions throughout his journey by foot to spread divine message of God and eating the prasad of delicious khichadi and buttermilk. Vote of thanks was proposed by Chirayu Parikh.

INDIANAPOLIS: A long time Indiana resident, Kanwal Prakash Singh delivered first time Sikh Invocation at the opening session of Indiana General Assembly on March 1. Drawing inspiration from Sikh spirituality, commandments, and traditions, the Invocation highlighted the spirit and principles of just laws that respect and safeguard human dignity. The invitation to deliver the Invocation came from the office of State Representative F. Dale Grubb, Caucus Chairman. "For me, having sur-

vived the nightmare of the Partition of India almost 63 years ago, this moment stood as an undreamtof blessing and a triumph for Indiana's emerging diversity," Singh told this paper. Meanwhile, several students from the Indiana University School of Nursing visited the Sikh Temple (Acton Road) recently. They came to learn as a part of their nursing education and preparation, how best to take care of Sikh and Indian patients. The flow of students, educators, faith representatives, and civic leaders is a regular feature at the Sikh Temple (Acton Road).

Indo-Pak Day celebrated at Niles West

iles West High School IRC (Library) recently celebrated a special day called Indo-Pak Day in the IRC. Penny Swartz, Coordinator of the Niles West IRC, is on the Coming Together in Skokie Committee and she organized the day. The entire library was adorned with saris, artwork, traditional Indian wedding attire, and other decorations representative of the Indian and Pakistani cultures. More than 1500 students, 50 teachers and administrators, and many members of the community were treated to varied presentations with the goal of educating about and celebrating the rich tra-

ditions and cultures of India and Pakistan. The Niles West advanced theatre students, under the guidance of Andrew Sinclair, gave four dif-

ferent interactive, educational performances "Hollywood vs. Bollywood." Poonam Patel, Niles West Science teacher, shared the experience of her traditional Indian wedding. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 21

Community/california

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March 26, 2010

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Cal News BAPS women's conference held in Milpitas

Sikh teenagers interact with other religions at interfaith meet JASJIT KAUR AHUJA

JAYA GAUTAM India Post News Service

Cal Gov applauds Global School of Silicon Valley

Seerat Kaur Saini (back) with her discussion group

ORANGE COUNTY: Twentyfour teenagers from the Sikh community took part in the 6th Annual Interfaith Youth Dialogue sponsored by the Interfaith

theme "When times get tough, how do people of faith get going?" Each discussion table group consisted of a teen from each faith, along with an adult facilitator, com-

India Post News Service

Sharmila on ITT Watermark mission in India India Post News Service

The Interfaith Youth Forum

Council of Central Orange County on March 7. The event was a tremendous success, with about 120 high school teens and 25 adults participating in a discussion of the

ing together to tackle difficult questions regarding compassion and righteousness within the context of tough economic times. There was a presentation on hunger and homelessness in OC,

Gurdev Singh Anand and Tommy Dedrick

and a challenge to come up with "1 million ideas for compassion" at the end of the program. At the conclusion, many teens commented that they had noted great

Each year a different house of worship has hosted the event. This year the event was hosted at the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim similarities in philosophy between the faith groups, with common threads of moral living and community service. The discussions were stimulating, energetic and productive of

interfaith understanding and respect. Divneet Kaur Wadhwa, who has now participated for several years said, "The Interfaith Youth Dialogue this year provided me with an array of diverse religions to learn about. I not only met new people of my age, but had the chance to spread my knowledge and awareness of my own faith. Along with all of this, me and many others were able to "debunk" myths of other faiths, and truly see them in a new and accepting way." Each year a different house of worship has hosted the event. This year the event was hosted at the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim. For most of the Sikh teenagers (and many parents), this was the first experience at a mosque, with a chance to observe prayers. This in and of itself was an enlightening part of the day for the teens. Cont’d on page 19

Couple guilty of hate crime against Indian-American India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: On March 12, a federal jury convicted Joseph and Georgia Silvia for their role in a vicious racially motivated attack on Vishal Wadhwa, an Indian American, while he was visiting El Dorado Beach in Lake Tahoe. He and two friends were called "Indian garbage," "terrorists," and "relatives of Osama bin Laden" by the couple before he was brutally assaulted. After deliberating for 90 minutes, the jury returned with guilty verdicts for the couple, convicting them of federal hate crimes. The Silvas were originally charged with felony and misdemeanor assault and battery charges, with hate crime enhancements, by the El Dorado District

Attorney's office. But after numerous procedural delays, Judge Suzanne Kingsbury of the El Dorado Superior Court dropped the hate crime enhancement and felony charge, allowing the Silvas to plead no contest to misde-

Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area ("AABA") urged federal law enforcement officials to get involved in the case to ensure the Silvas were brought to justice. On March 5, a federal grand jury indicted the Silvas on federal civil

‘Although the Silvas deserve appropriate prison sentences for their crimes, the court should also consider alternative rehabilitating the Silvas’ meanor battery charges. In response to the light sentences the Silvas received, the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California (SABA-NC), along with a number of other groups including the Asian Law Caucus and the Asian American

rights charges. The latest verdict was the culmination of that indictment. "It is good to know that Mr. Wadhwa and his family were able to receive justice in federal court," said Kiran Jain, President of SABANC. "The guilty verdicts send a clear message that hate crimes will

not be tolerated in our community. But this case serves as a reminder that hate crime victims still face an uphill battle trying to convince state officials of the seriousness of these attacks on our community, especially since 9/11." Veena Dubal, co-chair of the Civil Rights Committee for SABANC echoed Ms. Jain's comments. She added, "Although the Silvas deserve appropriate prison sentences for their crimes, the court should also consider alternative punishment that has the goal of rehabilitating the Silvas back into the community through counseling, anger management, and a lengthy term of community service with organizations advocating on behalf of racial minorities or victims of hate violence." Cont’d on page 21

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March 26, 2010

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BAPS women's conference held in Milpitas

Panel Discussion with Ms. Tesha Poe

JAYA GAUTAM India Post News Service

MILPITAS, CA: The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) hosted its third annual Women's Conference on Saturday, March 13 in the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Milpitas, California. The conference, which was initially held in 2007, celebrated International Women's Day, held annually on March 8 across the globe to recognize women and their achievements. The conference is a venue for South Asian women in California to join together; build support networks, to celebrate their achievements and to discuss avenues of community contribution. The theme this year was 'Nurturing Families, Shaping Communities', which was inspired by BAPS' core values of nurturing individuals and creating stronger families. The central idea behind the discussions was how a woman could effect change in her family and community, eventually leading to global change. Delaine Eastin, the keynote speaker, shared her insights as California's first female State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She talked about the value of early education and also encouraged women to participate within their local community. "Today, we have an opportunity to get involved," said Ms. Eastin, "Be it public office, nonprofits, or other community-based activities, women have a chance to be at the table." Subsequently, in a QA session, Ruta Iyer of BAPS delved into the

Environment Workshop Leaders at BAPS Women's Conference

personal and professional journeys of two Bay Area educators, Avani Shah, Principal of Challenger School in Newark, and Tesha Poe, Director of Admissions at Hillbrook School in San Jose. "The mother is the first educator and one mother is equivalent to 100 fine educators," shared Ms. Shah. "My family created an environment for me where I could learn and flourish." When asked about what a positive parenting environment should be like, Ms. Shah answered "Parents can take time to be with their child, talk to their child, and understand their child's expectations, limitations, and capabilities. All parents should give children a chance for rewards, praise, guidance, and an opportunity to learn from mistakes." Tesha Poe shared her journey from South Bronx to Chicago to New York City and onward to the Bay Area. While administering a college-level program at De Anza College, "I always taught my students that they had to manage up," said Ms. Poe, "I try to understand my students and what their goals are. And most of all, I encourage them to engage the community, not just take from the community." A major concern of women today is the work-life balance. Ms. Poe had this to say "Maybe balance is not the goal, balance is elusive. Perhaps it is more about prioritizing and doing things that feed you." "Try," Ms. Shah encouraged the audience, "Progress, be it slow, let it be." "Balance what is good

for your family and for you, nurture and lead your family", she said. "Managing work and life is possible if you start at the home first", said Ms. Reena Patel, CPA at a major Bay Area accounting firm. She talked about business success, career challenges, the 'glass ceiling' women face and said that we should not sacrifice our values and beliefs. The conference also featured two workshops on the environ-

Laura Monycynski teaches audience how to compost

dener from the Santa Clara Master Gardener Program detailed the ins and outs of composting. Ms. Moncynski said that home gardening has increased tremendously in the past few years. Michelle Obama's kitchen garden in the White House has brought a flood of positive media and public attention to the cause of growing your own food. Environmental impact of long distance food transport and concerns about what is in the food we ingest has

lies are remarkably similar across the world with behavioral patterns like listening to each other, effective management of crises and stress, caring and compassion, playing together, etc. Ms. Pratima Patel, organizer of the conference ended it by thanking the attendees, the volunteers and all involved in making the conference a success. "We have tried to provide a platform for women to meet one another, learn from one another and work together to fos-

‘Managing work and life is possible if you start at the home first’, said Ms. Reena Patel, CPA at a major Bay Area accounting firm. She talked about business success, career challenges, the 'glass ceiling' women face Audience learns about household-level sustainability

ment. The first one with Shawn Rosenmoss, Grants and Fundraising Manager of the San Francisco Department of Environment, talked about basic home sustainability measures that everyone can take to help the environment. Ms. Rosenmoss said that every little bit counts, she is not judgmental about anyone's efforts and that people should do what they can. The other workshop with Laura Moncynski, Master Gar-

raised public interest in the topic substantially. Afterwards, Dr. Rita Patel, an active member of BAPS, addressed the audience on the value of spirituality in nurturing families and shaping communities. "A nurtured individual flourishes in her family and community, and she creates a positive impact on the world around her." She mentioned that research has shown that strong and well connected fami-

ter a positive community." The conference closed with a dinner where the attendees networked and discussed the tools and strengths they had learned about in the conference. Hopefully, the world will notice a few micro-movements in the near future, starting by individuals who were at the conference and went home with the ideas and concepts discussed burning in their minds.

Sikh teenagers interact with other religions at interfaith meet Cont’d from page 18

As first-time participant Jiya Bhullar put it, "This was my first year doing the Interfaith Youth Dialogue and it was a really unique experience as we discussed other religions, as well as our own, with other teenagers around our age. It was also interesting to go to the mosque and see their way of conduct." In discussing the Sikh ap-

proach to the issues presented, the teens had to research and prepare beforehand, advancing their own understanding of their faith. The youth did an exemplary job of communicating in an articulate and respectful manner. Teens representing the Sikh community included Anupreet Kaur, Divneet Kaur Wadhwa, Simran Kaur, Taskeen Kaur, Jiya Kaur Bhullar, Seerat Kaur Saini, Simran Kaur

Chadha, Navjot Kaur Mehrok, Arveen Kaur Dhillon, Sharon Kaur Chawla, Kulreet Kaur Nakai, Arjun Singh Ahuja, Gurdev Singh Anand, Angad Singh Gogia, Kavaldeep Singh, Harsimran Singh Mundi, Sahib Singh Grewal, Jasneet Singh Khaira, Navdeep Singh Sodhi, Kabir Singh Gogia, Harji Singh Charaia, Navroop Singh Sekhon, Rujual Singh Bains, Pranav Singh.

Given the state of the world in general, as well as the local interreligious strife at some of our own UC campuses, it seems all the more important to encourage interfaith understanding at as young an age as possible. Event organizer and President of the Interfaith Council of Central Orange County Mike Penn noted "I read recently in a history book that not too long ago boys became men at 16 and girls

women at 14 or 15; today it is not until they receive a BA or MA degree. Our teens can and want to do so much more, more for themselves to stretch and experience and more to make our communities a better place to live. The Youth Forum is just a first step to help them realize their gifts and the Interfaith Youth Council is the next step to allow them to act on that potential."

Community/california

India Post

March 26, 2010

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BAPS donates $47,000 for Haiti earthquake relief

Cal Gov applauds Global School of Silicon Valley India Post News Service

BAPS Charities presents a check of $47,000 to The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to provide relief to the victims of Haiti earthquake. Seen from Left to Right, Mr. Richard Esserman, Director of Finance, UNICEF; Mr. Ed Lloyd, Chief Financial Officer, UNICEF; Anand Mehta, Director of BAPS Charities; Ms. Dawne Basinski, UNICEF and Yogi Trivedi, BAPS Charities, Director of Media Relations. India Post News Service

BAPS Charities donated $47,000 to the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, launching the first-ever partnership between the two NGOs. Ed Lloyd, CFO of UNICEF said, "Every

Chavda, a six-year old girl, was saving money in her piggybank for a new toy; however, after she heard about the plight of the children in Haiti, she donated all that she had saved, to help them rebuild their lives. "I can't imagine living without cookies and juice.

Roshni Chavda, a six-year old girl, was saving money in her piggybank for a new toy; however, after she heard about the plight of the children in Haiti, she donated all that she had saved, to help them rebuild their lives’ penny makes a difference. This is what we do. We are in the business of helping children. Luckily, today, we found an able and willing partner. This partnership shows what two giving organizations can do to help children in

It must be hard for them." Roshni donated enough money to buy 45 cartons of juice and more than 60 packs of cookies! Ms. Hilde Johnson, UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director, recently visited Haiti to survey and

BAPS Charities and UNICEF stand united in relief efforts for Haiti in the UNICEF North American Headquarters. A donation of $47,000 was given by BAPS Charities to be used on the ground in Haiti as the country rebuilds from the massive earthquake.

need." The volunteers of BAPS Charities - children, youth, and adults came together to raise funds for those suffering in Haiti. Roshni

gauge the progress of the relief efforts undertaken by the global community. Cont’d on page 21

SACRAMENTO: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has applauded the Global School of Silicon Valley for providing an innovative and exciting education program to the children of the Silicon Valley through the launch of its first school in the United States. In a message to the participants of the second Open House organized by the Global School of the Silicon Valley, Governor Schwarzenegger said "California's future is only as strong as its youth, and I applaud everyone who had a hand in making this school a reality." Singapore-based International Foundation, which runs 21 schools across seven countries, is opening the Global School of the Silicon Valley at Clarinda Way on the San Jose-Los Gatos border with a curriculum that emphasizes on science, technology, math, arts, physical education and multicultural studies. "The innovative programs and exciting academic environment are certain to provide many opportunities for your students to grow and achieve. As you begin your service in Silicon Valley, I thank you for your

dedication to our youth and for adding to California's rich legacy of educational achievement," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. The brainchild of eminent scholar, jurist and diplomat the Late Dr. L.M. Singhvi, the Foundation operates schools in India, Singapore, UAE, Japan, Vietnam,

Silicon Valley and hoped for its continued success. The school held its second Open House on Feb 27 at the campus. The next open house is scheduled for March 27. The private school will offer an innovative, multi-cultural education for K-8 students, Temurnikar

The brainchild of eminent scholar, jurist and diplomat the Late Dr. L.M. Singhvi, the Foundation operates schools in India, Singapore, UAE, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia Narpat Bhandari

Thailand and Malaysia. "The mission of our schools is to nurture global citizens by imparting an international perspective that builds entrepreneurial skills from the very beginning," said Atul Temurnikar, chairman of the Foundation. Governor Schwarzenegger congratulated the Foundation for starting their new venture in the

said while announcing that the Global School has started enrolments for the 2010-2011 school year for which classes will begin by September 2010. This is the 22nd school of the Foundation which opened a school in Dubai during December 2009. Cont’d on page 22

Workshop on introspection into mind India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: An enlightening three-hour workshop was held on "Mann: An Introspection Within" at Lankershim Gurdwara on Saturday March 13, led by Sdr. Kanwaljit Singh. The workshop

The workshop began with. Singh asking the audience to define why they were there and how they defined Mann. The exercise highlighted the dilemma and difficulty of defining this nonexistent controller of our lives was attended by people of all ages (17-70). As one thinks about the word "Mann," many different meanings are available. In fact, the literature (both Punjabi and English) provides various definitions. Mind,

ego, desire are a few. The word describes a non-existent entity. Yet, this "entity" seems to control every aspect of our life - the way we live, how we live, how we think, what we think. This "entity" has a control on our very being. The Mann is a paradox. The workshop began with. Singh asking the audience to define why they were there and how they defined Mann. The exercise highlighted the dilemma and difficulty of defining this non-existent controller of our lives. The entire

workshop then entered into a prayer (an Ardas) together. Mr. Singh began with an introduction of current modern thoughts available in English and Punjabi literature and science on the concept of Mann. The audience began to see the emptiness of these scholarly perspectives. This led to Mr. Singh guiding the audience into the main theme of the event, an introspection of Mann through Gurbani. Cont’d on page 21

Community/california

March 26, 2010

India Post 21

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Sharmila on ITT Watermark mission in India India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Sharmila Parikh Houck of Rochester has been selected to volunteer on the ITT Watermark Mission in India from March 13 to March 25. She is the daughter of Girish and Hasu Parikh who live in Modesto, California. ITT Watermark is ITT's global signature philanthropy program whose mission is to provide clean water to developing countries. ITT Watermark, working with the nonprofit partners Water for People and Mercy Corps, together, act as indirect facilitators, providing water technology, sanitation facilities and hygiene education. These solutions allow local governments, the private sector and community members to effectively operate and manage their water systems year after year. The objective of the trip is to perform scoping studies to identify potential area(s) for future expansion of the Water for People model developed in West Bengal, India last year. There

are several ITT Watermark teams traveling to different states in India. Sharmila Parikh Houck is teamed with Jim Fischer from ITT

Sharmila has been working for Kodak/ITT as a Software Test Engineer. She has a B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from

ITT Watermark is ITT's global signature philanthropy program whose mission is to provide clean water to developing countries. ITT Watermark, working with the non-profit partners Water for People and Mercy Corps, together, act as indirect facilitators Sharmila Parikh Houck

Water and Wastewater in Pewaukee Wisconsin. They will be doing scoping study in the state of Uttar Pradesh, primarily in the capital city of Lucknow.

DePaul University in Chicago. Sharmila lives in Rochester (New York state) with her husband Earle Houck. They have daughter Megan and son Michael.

CAIR condemns killing of Sikh in Pak India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) along with the California Sikh Council and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has condemned the recent vicious murder of a Sikh, Jaspal Singh, in Pakistan. In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush

‘We condemn this barbaric attack, offer condolences to the loved ones of the man killed and call for the swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators’ said: "We condemn this barbaric attack, offer condolences to the

BAPS donates $47,000 for Haiti earthquake relief

loved ones of the man killed and call for the swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators. We commend the Pakistani security forces on their success in rescuing the two other victims and call on all religious communities, in particular Pakistan's Muslim majority and Sikh minority, to promote unity and reject all those who spread hatred and extremism." He also noted that political and religious leaders in Pakistan condemned the attack.

Representatives of BAPS Charities and UNICEF discuss various relief efforts for the victims of the Haiti Earthquake and share stories of their charitable experience. Yogi Trivedi of BAPS Charities mentions the thousands of donors who have made this contribution from BAPS Charities possible. Cont’d from page 20

"Learning spaces like this give children who have been through a terrible experience a chance to get back to normality, allowing them to resume learning activities as well as to play and have fun," said Ms. Johnson in a UNICEF press release. "Working with UNICEF has been a great experience," said Anand Mehta, Director, BAPS Charities. "These two organiza-

tions worked in unison and quickly mobilized to provide the Haitian children with immediate relief and long term rehabilitation." BAPS Charities is known for its excellence in providing disaster relief services and on-going humanitarian care for children. The natural calamity in Haiti has again provided an opportunity for BAPS Charities to engage tens of thousands of its volunteers to work alongside UNICEF to make a difference in our world.

Couple found guilty of hate crime against Indian-American Cont’d from page 18

The nature of punishment for those who commit hate crimes is a growing issue for minority communities. On April 7, SABA-NC, along with the Asian Law Caucus and the Barristers Club of San Francisco, will host a panel discussion at the San Francisco office of Bingham McCutchen en-

titled "Restorative Justice in the Context of Post-9/11 Hate Crimes." "The Silvas' convictions serve as a good opportunity to examine how we, as a community, deal with hate crime perpetrators," Ms. Dubal said. "My hope is that we can think creatively about how we deal with these individuals so they can escape a cycle of hate."

Workshop on introspection into mind Indo-Pak Day celebrated at Niles West

Cont’d from page 20

"In order to answer this question, as with any other question, we must always continue to seek the sanctuary (and authority) of Gurbani - this is our perimeter, our fence within which all questions can be answered." Laying out the fence of Gurbani as the authority for the answer, the introspection could begin. The workshop then defined what Gurbani calls this Mann. Thus began the process of defining the different aspects of Mann - Mann's filth, Mann's habits and Mann's possessiveness. The aspects highlighted the very nature of this non-existent being. This eventually led to the way, according to Gurbani, of controlling this Mann, instead of it con-

Cont’d from page 17

trolling us. Through the contemplation of Shabad can one begin to understand the true nature of oneself (i.e., one's own Mann). Once this was established, the Gurbani exponent, Mr. Singh ended the workshop with yet another prayer,

seeking the sanctuary of Gurbani. When a member of the audience was asked what he had learned, his response captured the spirit and essence of the workshop in one sentence, "I learned simply that I need to start a Sehaj Paath."

Indo-Pak Club members including Roshni Dholakia, Emma Mall, Sajni Ganger, Shazain Khan, Mohammed UlHaq, Ankush Verma, Reteesh Bulsara, Mira Chotalia, Brittany Modi, and Abtaha Ahmed, danced to various songs. Social Studies teacher and Cricket Club Sponsor, Evan Bauman, shared the sport of cricket through demonstrations and video. Participants were treated to delicious food including kulfi which

was prepared by the Niles West Chef's classes, and samosa and papad. Henna painting was pro-

vided by two Henna artists including Niles West student, Hiba Razzaq. -Suresh Bodiwala

Community/california

India Post

March 26, 2010

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Celebrating graduations of American-born Desi children DR. JASWANT SINGH SACHDEV

he celebration of Graduation, especially in the countries of the West, is something that every student as well as his or her parents looks forward to. Next to the wedding and the birthday of a child, the graduation happens to be the most important day of significance for a family with the children. By celebrating graduation of a child, the parents wish to acknowledge and perhaps announce to the world, at least for the sake of the child, that their child has achieved something worthwhile. The graduate in question, likewise, feels elated that now he or she is finally able to cross one important step in his or her growing life. Graduations have been taking place in India too, and the elements of joy on such occasions among the parents and the graduates as well, are equally visible back home. However, the style of elaborate, rather, somewhat expensive parties to announce such occasions like what happens here in the Diaspora families settled in the West, was not that common in India. In fact, it was almost unheard of, at least, during the time we were growing up. There was nothing of the sort of frequency and embellishment that we have here. Yet, under no circumstances, did it imply, that the children in India had not worked hard to complete their graduation and their joy in any way shape or form was lesser than what the students and parents would have here. It will not be an over statement to suggest that among most of the middle and poor class, the celebration of graduation after middle school and even in many cases after high school was something only limited to the close family. The reasons, besides economics, were several folds. First of all it was not considered something of an extraordinary achievement of

any unheard of proportions necessitating an announcement by the DJ in a huge collection of semi-drunk guests. The sacrifice of thousands of chickens and plethora of thirty six kinds of Bhojan for the fulfillment of overhanging tummies of a large number of guests was not considered essential just because host's child has been successful in passing a mere middle or high school. The members of Diaspora seem to have taken the Western style get-togethers and celebrations to a next level. Like any other local custom, they have not only adopted such celebrations but rather customized

when a student child finishes secondary or even primary school, and advances to next school level, the occasion is also labeled as Graduation.' (Wikipedia) In fact, the celebration of such event or graduation may even start from Kindergarten. Such is not the case in United Kingdom and many other countries with a British influence on education. 'The students in those countries do not graduate from school below university level for they are usually not considered diplomas and as such not presented in any formal ceremony.' (Wikipedia)

What indeed intrigues me by all the high-end celebrations affiliated with graduation, relates not only to our passive acceptance of certain customs of the West, rather a desire to outpace them from every angle possible. And this seems to be the case here, irrespective of whether such behavior makes any sense of not! them in such a way to suit their needs in highlighting the egos. Elaborate festivities take place more than what the local population would ever consider. Not only the children, rather, the parents look forward to such celebrations, in fact, at times they are noted to be far more excited than the children. Through the celebration of their children's graduation, they somehow try to re-live what they might have missed during their times. 'Graduation happens to be the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree as well as its attendant associated ceremonies. The event itself in the Western culture is known as convocation or invocation and other times a commencement. In the United States and Canadian cultures,

To some extent, celebrating graduation may be good idea for it certainly helps the children enjoy their newly achieved success. At the same time, it may motivate some of them to achieve more in their future careers. Through the involvement of the parents in the celebration, the children also get to know that their parents truly care for them and are willing to go an extra mile especially if their children achieve something that makes their parents proud. What indeed intrigues me by all the high-end celebrations affiliated with graduation, relates not only to our passive acceptance of certain customs of the West, rather a desire to outpace them from every angle possible. And this seems to be the case here, irrespective of whether such behavior makes

any sense of not! When such occasions are celebrated in a huge gathering where booze and dance becomes the main focus, it ends up bordering on controversy; for in reality, the event then becomes a mere show put up by the parents for their ego satisfaction. It snatches away the limelight from the graduate whose celebration it was to begin with and transforms the event into a party for the parents and their friends. Such a scenario not only leads to the confusion in the minds of children but it also opens the flood gate of the questions. On one hand, they are told that they should work hard to achieve more, and not to indulge into drinking. Yet, excessive booze by parents, their friends and relatives assembled in large numbers on such occasions, throws contradictory signals to the children that such actions are justified and acceptable. Sending such opposing signs further confuses AmericanBorn Confused Desi Children (ABCD) who during that age might well have been looking for a right direction from their parents. Fortunately, most of the children growing in the Diaspora homes are smart enough to begin with. They are usually in a position to fully comprehend and see through the double attitudes and behaviors of their parents, thanks to their blessed development in an otherwise solid environment in most of the Diaspora households. On top of this, their astute sensory perceptions, sharpened by availability of many resources in this adopted country of their parents, helps them in preserving their sanity and thus enable them to distinguish right from the wrong most of the times, if not always. The writer is author of a recently published book, 'Square Pegs, Round Holes.'

Lexus discrimination Cal Gov applauds Global School against Sikh established of Silicon Valley India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a decision recently that a Sikh job applicant suffered discrimination by TriCounty Lexus. The EEOC is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the nation's employment discrimination laws. The applicant, Gurpreet Singh Kherha, wanted to work as a sales representative at the Little Falls, New Jersey dealership, but was told to remove his religiously-mandated beard if he wanted the job. Gurpreet was interviewed by Tri-County Lexus in February 2008. After the interview, Gurpreet was told that he was "well-educated" and "well-qualified", but that he would not be hired because of a policy prohibiting facial hair. Gurpreet contacted the Sikh Coalition after being denied the

job. In cooperation with New Jersey attorney Ravinder Singh Bhalla, the Coalition filed both a claim of discrimination with the EEOC in November 2008 and a lawsuit in New Jersey state court last month.

After the interview, Gurpreet was told that he was "welleducated" and "wellqualified", but that he would not be hired Since the EEOC made a decision in Gurpreet's favor, the agency will now attempt to negotiate a settlement with Tri-County Lexus on his behalf. If the dealership refuses to settle, the EEOC may file a lawsuit in federal court for Gurpreet.

Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 20

The Global School strives to educate the next generation of enterprising and ethical leaders who are at ease and confident in a global setting, says Narpat Bhandari, Country Director and CEO of the Global School of Silicon Valley. "We hope to provide a holistic approach to primary education and in addition offer extracurricular activities including dance, music and studio arts, besides introducing Bay Area students to festivals and traditions celebrated around the world. "With trends in business, economics, politics, science and the arts all moving toward borderless systems, a global education starting at day one is vital for success in today's world," said Bhandari, an educator, scientist and veteran entrepreneur of the Silicon Valley who was responsible for cofounding TiE, one of the world's

largest non-profit organizations that works with mentoring entrepreneurs and ideas. "As an administrator and also as a parent, I see a tremendous advantage for children to learn and grow in a multicultural setting,

The Global School strives to educate the next generation of enterprising and ethical leaders who are at ease and confident in a global setting, says Narpat Bhandari, Country Director and CEO which can have a significant impact on their future careers," he said while pointing out that the Global School's unique approach to cur-

riculum goes beyond what is taught within the walls of the classroom. India has contributed in a big way to the Silicon Valley via the IT industry and we are now bringing Indian education to the United States, which could well be the next wave from India, says Atul Temurnikar. "Economic liberalization ensured that we are getting the best of the world into India. Now it is our turn to offer the Best of India to the world," he says. Recognizing the increased interconnection among nations and peoples, the Global School embraces technology to connect with students at sister campuses across the globe on a daily basis. Web and videoconferencing will link to other campuses where students can build relationships and share learning experiences virtually. Teachers are also encouraged to engage a network of 1,500 educators around the world for collaboration and idea sharing.

Horoscope

India Post

March 26, 2010

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ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 You will try to have conversation with a child and try to make him understand what's right for him. Hunt will continue for a better job. Trip will be fruitful but results will come at a later day. Your ventures will need more money and you will be exploring few ideas to tackle this situation. You may visit a holy place with family this week.

LEO Jul 23-Aug 22 Slow progress and not getting quick response will cause slight frustration. Keep working on your plans and have patience, results will come and in big way soon. You need to spend more time with children and provide them guidance now. You will be successful in recovering some old payments also.

SAGITTARIUS

March 26 to April 1

Nov 23-Dec 22 Combination of Sun and Mercury will help in all career related matters but you may have to settle for lot less than what you really deserve. You may put your needs aside and help a real needy person. People in business will do better than past months. You will finally take the initiative and call an old and trusted person.

NEWS at your doorstep

TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 If you play your cards right and on time without involving emotions, the world is yours. Opportunity will come on a silver platter. Deal will materialize and you will make plans about the big upcoming move. Value of your assets and stocks will appreciate but will be better to hold on to them. You will be working with the best in trade.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 You will continue to march in right direction. Help and ideas will come on their own. Some of you may be traveling long distance to attend to some important business soon. Legal issues should not be taken lightly and it will be better to seek the right advice. Strong Venus in angel will bring in much needed extra cash to play with.

CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 19 You will take time out to entertain yourself from a busy schedule. Health issues can be tacked by making change in diet and some walk. You may temporarily develop taste for hot and spicy food. Money will go on doing some work in or around the property. Spouse will need lots of moral support.

GEMINI May 21-Jun 20 Week may start with headache but one by one you will resolve all issues once for all. Phone call will not go waste but will bring down financial pressure. People in business will need to work harder to make old clients stay. Waiting for things to happen is not going to help, its you who will need to take initiative. Expect lots of bills in the mail.

LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 You will be working extra hard to please the boss. Most of the conditions will be fulfilled and the loan will be approved in full soon. You will also recover from minor illness with the help of over the counter medication. Search for the right property may continue for some more time. You will do some cleaning work in or around the house.

AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 You may make some money through stocks. Business deal will finally happen and you will lay your hands on a big chunk of money. Decisions will need to be taken fast or chances are you may miss the boat and settle for less. Spouse will buy some fine and expensive item for the house. You will slowly get ready for an upcoming trip.

CANCER Jun 21-Jul 22 It will be a mixed week. You will be concerned about spouse and try to provide moral support. You will be buying new things for the house and personal use. Money wise things should start looking up. Dealing in stocks and playing lottery will be profitable. Throw all unnecessary fear out of your mind. There will be some major changes in career soon.

SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 22 Offer will come but way lower than expectations. People in business will deal with few new faces. Running around will not go waste and some of you will be traveling out of area for an important business meeting. A child not doing so well in the past will make remarkable improvement. A sibling may call you and ask for your help.

PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20 Do not let your guards down and watch out for a person trying to drag you into unnecessary argument and hurt your image even. This week expenses will definitely exceed your income. It will be better to seek advice and help from an experienced person before you make any move. There will be some delay but ultimately money will be funded for project.

Health

Line

Hearts may swoon when stocks do, study suggests

ATLANTA: A study at a major medical center suggests more heart attacks may have occurred as stock prices crashed at the start of the recession. Researchers at Duke University in North Carolina tallied heart attacks treated at their hospital and compared the numbers with the Nasdaq stock index from January 2008 through July 2009, when the economy started to recover. As stocks dipped, heart attacks rose. The trend weakened once they took into account seasons of the year, however, because heart attacks are more common in winter. However, other experts say the issue is worth studying nationwide because stress can lead to heart attacks. The study was released at an American College of Cardiology conference in Atlanta. -AP

Inmate medical care costs $1 million a year BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss.: Inmate medical costs in Hancock County have risen nearly 600 percent in the past three years, and county supervisors may ask the cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland to start paying their shares. Currently, the cities are enjoying a free ride when it comes to inmate medical costs and the housing of city inmates at the Pearl River County Jail. The cities pay nothing once an inmate is dropped off at the booking facility. Hancock County Administrator Princy Harrison said medical costs have progressively increased over the past four years. In the 2007 fiscal year, the total medical cost for inmates was $288,174; in 2008 it jumped to $672,418; in 2009, the costs were $1.12 million; and the 2010 costs are projected to eclipse the $1 million mark once again, Harrison said. -AP

Health Science 24

India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 26, 2010

GOP warns again against passing health bill WASHINGTON: Newly arrived Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts accused President Barack Obama and Democrats of a ``bitter, destructive and endless'' drive to pass health overhaul legislation that Brown warned would be disastrous. -AP

Indian eye care provider wins $1.5m Hilton Humanitarian Prize India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Aravind Eye Care System, the world's largest eye care provider in India that has developed innovative technologies allowing it to perform 300,000 eye surgeries each year - 70 percent subsidized or free for the poor has been selected to receive the 2010 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation presents the annual award, the world's largest humanitarian prize, to an organization that is doing extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering. More than 200 nominations are received from throughout the world, and an independent international jury makes the final selection. There are 45 million blind people in the world, the majority in the developing world, and 12 million of these are in India. Because of extreme sun and genetics, Indians get cataracts in their 40s and 50s versus 60s and 70s in the United States. Without surgery they go blind, losing many of their productive years. Realizing that it was possible to end much of the unnecessary blindness in his country, Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, known as Dr. V., upon his retirement in 1976 from government health service, mortgaged his home to start an eye clinic Aravind - with 11 beds in a rented house in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. As of 2009, Aravind has handled over 29 million outpatient visits and performed over 3.6 million surgeries. It operates five

A 2008 picture of President Pratibha Patil presenting BC Roy Award to Dr P Namperumalsamy

Equipment that typically might be used a few times a day is used 30 times a day at Aravind. The result is that Aravind runs at one-fifth the cost of similar hospitals, leading to its model being replicated in other countries Aravind hospitals in India supported by a network of clinics, manages four others, and has well established research laboratories and a manufacturing facility producing high quality, low cost ophthalmic supplies. It is now expanding its model globally, establishing seven eye hospitals in Bangladesh with Grameen Bank and training all the staffs. It has worked with over 260 eye hospitals from India and other developing countries to expand their capacity to address eye diseases and conditions in addition to cataracts. It has participated in establishing national eye care plans for India, Rwanda and Eritrea.

"Aravind is a remarkable enterprise and its scale of impact on millions of patients is phenomenal," said Steven M. Hilton, CEO and president of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. "In a 30-year quest to end blindness in India, Aravind has developed innovative technologies that are now a model for both the developed and developing world." "The worldwide visibility and recognition that comes with the Hilton Humanitarian Prize will allow us to bring our healthcare model to alleviate suffering in many more parts of the world," said Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Aravind's chairman. "Over 80 per-

cent of the developing world's blindness and impaired vision is needless, causing enormous personal and family suffering and severely limiting a country's ability to develop. Our goal is to manage 100 hospitals worldwide by 2015 to provide sight to many millions and the Hilton Humanitarian Prize will help us reach this goal." Inspired by the fast-food giant McDonald's capability to replicate the same quality and efficiency anywhere in the world, Dr. V. adapted this concept to eye care, standardizing everything from systems and equipment to training. Nurses can be transferred to any Aravind facility and immediately start work. An assembly-line approach to surgery increases productivity tenfold. Nurses and paramedical staff handle routine tasks while doctors concentrate on diagnosis and surgeries. While a typical ophthalmologist might perform 250 to 400 surgeries annually, an Aravind doctor will average 2,000 or more. Equipment that typically might be used a few times a day is used 30 times a day at Aravind. The result is that Aravind runs at onefifth the cost of similar hospitals, leading to its model being replicated in other countries and by other medical disciplines. "Every 15 minutes a doctor at an Aravind Eye Hospital completes an operation and restores someone's eyesight," reported Hilton. "Yet, with this great efficiency, there is no compromise on quality or care. Cont’d on page 25

Even Obama getting too many med tests CHICAGO: Too much cancer screening, too many heart tests, too many cesarean sections. A spate of recent reports suggests that many Americans are being over treated. Maybe even President Barack Obama, champion of an overhaul and cost-cutting of the health care system. Is it doctors practicing defensive medicine? Or are patients so accustomed to a culture of medical technology that they insist on extensive tests and treatments?

A combination of both is at work, but new evidence and updated guidelines are recommending a step back and more thorough doctor-patient talks about risks and benefits of screening tests. Americans, including the commander in chief, need to realize that ``more care is not necessarily better care,'' wrote cardiologist Dr. Rita Redberg, editor of Archives of Internal Medicine. She was commenting on Obama's recent physical.

His exam included prostate cancer screening and a virtual colonoscopy. The PSA test for prostate cancer is not routinely recommended for any age and colon screening is not routinely recommended for patients younger than 50. Obama is 48. A White House spokesman noted that earlier colon cancer screening is sometimes recommended for high-risk groups, such as African-Americans. Cont’d on page 25

Health Science Post

March 26, 2010

India Post

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Indian eye care provider wins $1.5m Hilton Humanitarian Prize Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 24

Aravind is so respected for its unique model that students from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Yale and the University of California at San Francisco come to India for training." Aravind also has developed a cost-effective revenue model in which only 30 percent of patients pay and the remaining 70 percent are treated free or almost free. It depends on volume and efficiency to keep its low-cost structure, establishing eye camps in remote villages that bring in about half of its patients. Many are treated on-site with even prescription glasses dispensed in rural camps. When intraocular lenses were introduced, Aravind sought to use them but, at $200 each, they were too costly. So Aravind set up Aurolab to manufacture these lenses which now cost as little as $2 on average and are currently supplied to 120 countries, commanding 8 percent of the global market. Aurolab also manufactures other supplies such as ophthalmic drops, sutures and lasers for treating diabetic retinopathy. Aravind

has accomplished all of this without assuming debt and with minimal charitable contributions. The 2010 Hilton prize will be presented for the first time at the Global Philanthropy Forum's 9th annual conference at a dinner on April 20, at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City, CA. The Hilton Prize jury includes: Princess

Aravind also has developed a costeffective revenue model in which only 30 percent of patients pay and the remaining 70 percent are treated free or almost free Salimah Aga Khan, international ambassador for SOS Children's Villages; Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the United Nations World Food Program and professor of public administration, Syracuse University; Gro Harlem Brundtland, MPH, former directorgeneral of the World Health Organization and former prime minister

of Norway; Eric M. Hilton, director, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and son of Conrad Hilton; James R. Galbraith, director, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; Olara A. Otunnu, president of LBL Foundation for Children, former UN under-secretary-general and special representative for children and armed conflict and current candidate for president of Uganda; and Professor Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize Laureate in economics and Lamont University professor at Harvard University. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by international business pioneer Conrad N. Hilton, who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world's disadvantaged and vulnerable people. The Foundation currently conducts strategic initiatives in five priority areas: providing safe water, ending chronic homelessness, preventing substance abuse, caring for vulnerable children, and extending Conrad Hilton's support for the work of Catholic Sisters. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded nearly $900 million in grants and distributed $80 million in 2009.

Even Obama getting too many med tests Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 24

Doctors disagree on whether a virtual colonoscopy is the best method. But it's less invasive than the traditional procedure and doesn't require sedation or the possible temporary transfer of presidential power, the White House said. Yet Redberg, a doctor with expertise in health policy, takes issue with that test and a heart scan to look for calcium deposits in the president's arteries. She said the calcium check isn't recommended for low-risk men like Obama. And the colon exam exposed him to radiation ``while likely providing no benefit to his care,'' she wrote in an editorial in the medical journal. Obama's experience ``is multiplied many times over'' at a huge financial cost to society, and to patients exposed to potential harms but no benefits. ``People have come to equate tests with good care and prevention,'' said Redberg, of the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center. ``Prevention is all the things your mother told you eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, don't smoke and

we've made it into getting a new test.'' This week alone, a New England Journal of Medicine study suggested that too many patients are getting angiograms invasive imaging tests for heart disease who don't really need them; and specialists convened by the National Institutes of Health said doctors are too often demanding repeat cesarean deliveries for pregnant women after a first Csection.

Obama's experience 'is multiplied many times over' at a huge financial cost to society Last week, the American Cancer Society cast more doubt on routine PSA tests for prostate cancer. And a few months ago, other groups recommended against routine mammograms for women in their 40s, and for fewer Pap tests looking for cervical cancer. -AP

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Briefs

CBSE set to become international board from next session

NEW DELHI: After deciding to make Class X board exam optional, India's premier school board CBSE is set to go global by introducing a new syllabus for international students and would affiliate any school from any country from the next academic session. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would introduce a new syllabus to make it on par with international boards like International Baccalaureate (IB). The new syllabus will be only meant for international students and will be taught in the interested affiliated schools from abroad. "From next session, the CBSE will introduce a separate curriculum for international students. This will help the board to become an international board like IB," a HRD Ministry official told PTI. -PTI

'Uncle' could be accused in '93 serial blasts: ATS

MUMBAI: The "Uncle" who was instructing the two arrested suspected terrorists to carry out terror acts in the city, could be Bashir Khan, an absconding accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case, ATS officials said here. "The verification to establish the identity of this Uncle is still on. We cannot conclude that it is Bashir Khan yet, but at the same time we also cannot deny. The Uncle could be Bashir," an ATS official said. Bashir Khan is an aide of Tiger Memon, who is closely associated with underworld fugitive Dawood Ibrahim and one of the masterminds of the 1993 blasts. Khan is accused of having transported explosives to Mumbai prior to the serial blasts. -PTI

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One killed in militant attack SRINAGAR: One person was killed and four others were injured, including two CRPF personnel, when ultras struck the heavily-guarded Lal Chowk commercial hub of the city, the fourth attack here within a week. Three civilians identified as Mehrajuddin Wani of Rainawari locality, Mehrajuddin Shah of Nawa Kadal and Khursheed Ahmad Parray of Khansahib area of Budgam district received gun shot wounds in the attack and were admitted to a hospital where Parray (28) succumbed to his injuries, official sources said. -PTI

Curing sick & dying without any drugs or fees India Post News Service

MUMBAI: A retired Director General of Income Tax of India says that give him you're terminally ill and dying for few months and he will return them healthy and vibrant. Mumbai based Veer Dilawar Singh Balahara, who has been atheist most of his life, found inner-light while working in various senior positions in Government of India and started exploring it further. After his about 20 years of self-exploration, he feels that he is now ready to take his mission and enlightenment globally to help the sick. Although his technique is complex, but in simpler terms it seems to be based around pranayam (exercising control over the process of breathing). He feels that some hidden force is leading him by holding his hand. He himself appears very vibrant at 62 and thinks that these are the best years of his life. Balahara says that his method does not belong to any particular religion or de-

nomination and he wants to take it worldwide once it is proven in India. He does not want to label himself a "guru" and may accept the term "navigator" for himself. Beauty about the whole thing is that he does not charge any fees. That "inner light" tells me to help the sick for whom all doors have been closed, Balahara points out.

minally ill and dying and make them energetic and full of life. He says that he will show them a new way of living. He claims that the spiritual journey is very easy to undertake, but the mayajaal (web of worldly illusion) complicates it. To launch his vision, Balahara is organizing a camp at a Lonavala resort, about one hundred kilome-

He does not charge any fees. That 'inner light' tells me to help the sick for whom all doors have been closed, Balahara points out "It was mostly journey within", he tells about his enlightenment experience. Although the exploration continues, but Balahara feels that it is time now to bless others with the energy and transfer some of his light to others. He has served in various senior income tax positions in various parts of the country as Indian Revenue Service officer. Balahara's goal is to see the happiness and joy returned to the ter-

ters from Mumbai, from April 1618. The camp is already full just by word of mouth and without any publicity campaign and he had to refuse many because of limited facilities available. This "dhyan shivir" (as he likes to call it) will focus on changing the participants as a whole-physically, mentally, and spiritually. In it, emphasis will be laid on understanding: body and its cultivation;

India building chancery in Kabul to thwart terror attacks NEW DELHI: In an effort to safeguard Indians against terror attacks in Kabul, government is in the process of building a well-

protected chancery cum living quarters in the Afghan capital which will house over 500 people. Besides an increase in security

personnel posted in Kabul, the new establishment will be protected by the best anti-sabotage technology to prevent any casu-

HC dismisses plea of SIMI to deseal property NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has dismissed the plea of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) seeking to get its premises desealed in the national capital. Justice S Muralidhar refused to give the direction to the government to deseal the premises located in South Delhi locality. In an affidavit filed before the court in response to the notice on SIMI's plea, Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, had stated that municipal records showed the house belonged to one Habibullah Siddiqui and so neither SIMI nor its President Shahid Badar Falahi had any claim on the building. -PTI

five elements and their therapies; subtle bodies, nadis, and chakras; proper way of breathing and pranayam; senses and their cultivation; mind and its conditioning; swar, sound and mantras; meditation and its techniques. The idea, Balahara argues, is to bring about a change in lifestyle and thinking of participants so that one gets relief from chronic ailments; remains protected against frequent infections; creates safeguard against day to day stress and its usual consequences like headaches, body aches, blood pressure; remains centered in one's being and stays cool/calm in flared up situations; avoids resorting to allopathic drugs; takes problems as opportunities for speedily moving ahead in all spheres of life. The purpose and end result of all this is that one enjoys life in full (instead of somehow carrying on its burden) and is ready to scale new peaks and meet new challenges, Balahara stresses.

FINGER PRINT EXPERT: Home Minister P Chidambaram presenting the Khan Bahadur Aziz-Ul Haque Shield to S Arun Kumar of Kerala Police for Securing 1st Position in the All India Board Exam for Finger Print Expert, at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of National Crime Record Bureau, in New Delhi on March 11

alty in case of a terror attack, sources said. The construction is being carried out on a piece of land that India had bought in 1963 in the diplomatic area, where the US and the UK had built their embassies and living places. Boom-barriers, refurbished walls to withstand impact of a bomb blast and infra-red CCTV cameras among others would also be put into place besides multilayered commando security. The protected complex will also act as an office cum home area for government officials involved in developmental work in the war ravaged country, the sources said. The move comes after India decided to rework its strategy on its presence there while continuing with the developmental projects to which it has affirmed its commitment. About 4,000 Indians are engaged in reconstruction projects in health, power, roads and social sector across Afghanistan. -PTI

31 India Post

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March 26, 2010

ovalam, meaning "a grove of coconut trees," is just 14 km from the state capital of Kerala -Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is actually a combination of three small beaches. Among these, the southernmost beach, named Lighthouse Beach, is the most frequented. Earlier the beach of Kovalam was an

anglers' paradise. It still has some small villages, just a few kilometers away, which belong to the fishing community. Gradually, this beach has been transformed to a tourist spot of great interest.

Kovalam is an ideal place for a sunbathing during winter. Tourists to Kovalam can also experience the typical Kerala massage from the parlors available a few kilometers

away along the Kovalam beaches. September to March is the best time to visit Kovalam. In winter the average temperature of Kovalam is 30 - 32 degree Celsius whereas

the summer temperature is 30- 35 degree Celsius. The monsoons in Kovalam start at the beginning of June and last till the beginning of August. The second turn of monsoons in Kovalam start at the end of October and lasts for the next two weeks. Festivals: The village temples of Kovalam hold festivals during the months of January, February and March. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 34

Kovalam is an ideal place for a sunbathing during winter. Tourists to Kovalam can also experience the typical Kerala massage from the parlors available a few kilometers away

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Nepal eyes gays to promote tourism KATHMANDU: Nepal, hit by a decade-long Maoists insurgency, will launch gay tourism in big way by offering same-sex marriages and honeymoon packages to exotic sites like Mt Everest base camp. Same-sex couples will be provided with special packages in places like Mt Everest base camp, Chitawan National Park famous for tigers and rhinos and lake resort city Pokhara. "We can cash in on the big international market of gay tourism,"

said Sunil Babu Panta, Nepal's first gay parliamentarian, who also heads Blue Diamond Society dedicated for the cause of Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual and Trans-sexual (LGBT). "As Nepal prepares for the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 aiming to attract one million, promoting gay tourists is one of the unexplored market for us," he said. Gay tourists are believed to be high spending tourists and in South Asia no country other than

Nepal has favorable atmosphere for such tourism. Nepal is ideal place for gays and

‘As Nepal prepares for the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 aiming to attract one million, promoting gay tourists is one of the unexplored market for us,’ he said lesbians as the country has laws that are friendly to the sexual minorities.

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In 2007, the Supreme Court ordered the government to draw up new laws to protect gay rights. Nepalese laws permit same sex marriage and issuance of citizenship certificate with third sex identity. Nepal is also drafting a new constitution within May 2010 in which the rights of the gays and lesbians will be ensured. "We don't discriminate against tourists on the basis of their gender or sexual orientation, said Sarad Pradhan, media consultant at Nepal Tourism Board. "We welcome all kinds of tourists so long as they abide by our laws," he said. Tourism is one of the main drivers of Nepal's economy, worth about USD 350 million last year. -PTI

March 26, 2010

SilkAir plans new flights to Chennai, Bangalore SINGAPORE: SilkAir, the regional unit of Singapore Airlines, plans to fly to two new destinations in India, saying they offered strong growth opportunities. Subject to regulatory approvals, the full-service regional carrier will launch daily flights to Bangalore from May 17 and to Chennai starting June 14 from its home base in Singapore. The Singapore carrier said the cities' economic growth offered prospects for business and cargo traffic, while historical and cultural attractions would offer tourism and leisure traffic, SilkAir said. "SilkAir is very excited to introduce services to these two cities in India," said chief executive Chin Yau Seng. "We see good prospects for growth in air traffic to and from India, and are pleased to strengthen our presence in India with the addition of these two new points," he said in a statement. Currently, SilkAir flies to four destinations in India and they are Kochi, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Coimbatore. It is the regional wing of Singapore Airlines and it flies to 31 destinations across 11 Asian countries. -PTI

Assam's bid to save lone rain forest GUWAHATI: In a bid to preserve Assam's lone rain forest area, the government, in association with environmentalists, NGOs and media, has launched an ambitious plan to make Jeypore reserve forest an eco-tourism hub. The Jeypore reserve forest and Dilli reserve forest combine to be the only rain forest area in the state spread across the three upper Assam's districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sibsagar comprising a total area of 575 sq km. The forest is listed to be the last lowland forests under the Assam valley wet evergreen forest area in the region. "As a part of a determined effort to preserve the unique rain forest area, the government has planned to involve the media, environmentalists and the NGOs to hold the rain forest music festival to make the area an eco-tourism hub", Kushal Deka, Jeypore range forest officer, told PTI. With the rainy season in the offing, Deka says the much awaited festival will be held early next year which will showpiece the cultural heritage of the local people displaying their typical ways of living. -PTI

March 26, 2010

Potagarh fort to get facelift BERHAMPUR, Orissa: Potagarh fort, which stands as a mute witness to the vicissitudes of history in Orissa, is all set to get a facelift with the state government deciding to make it a major tourist destination. In the first phase of renovation, a restaurant and a reading room with other basic facilities will be made inside the historic site, located on the bank of river Rushikulya, about 40 km from here, said a senior tourist department officer. State-owned Orissa Tourism Development Corporation is carrying out some of the construction works using fund provided from the 12th Finance Commission award and the work is scheduled to complete by March end, he said. In the second phase, renovation of the 300-year-old fort would be carried out with more tourist facilities. -PTI

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Sikkim prison to become Center sanctions border a tourist destination tourism projects in JK

GANGTOK: The Sikkim government has decided to throw open the gates of its prison at Rongyek for the tourists for three hours on Sundays. The domestic tourists will be soon able to visit Rongyek jail in East Sikkim from 1100 hours to 1400 hours on Sundays, prison official Yap Tshering Bhutia said here quoting a Home Department notification. The Tourism Information Centre (TIC) will be the nodal office for registration of the interested tourists for Rongyek Jail, he said, adding keeping in view the security arrangements at the jail the concerned TIC officer must affix his authorized signature on the travel papers of the visitors. Similarly, the number of tourists visiting the jail should not exceed 10 at a time, Bhutia said. He said the visitors will be escorted by a prison staff and al-

lowed to visit only identified areas inside the jail. The tourists will be allowed to take still photographs barring the barracks lodging the inmates, the

The domestic tourists will be soon able to visit Rongyek jail in East Sikkim from 1100 hours to 1400 hours on Sundays, prison official Yap Tshering Bhutia said here quoting a Home Department notification jail official said, adding the people can only interact with the prisoners upon being allowed by the Jail Superintendent, but they will have to shell out Rs 10 per tourist for the purpose. -PTI

Gujarat to relax prohibition policy for tourists AHMEDABAD: Gujarat government has decided to relax its prohibition policy and allow special permit outlets at the airports, virtually admitting that the ban on liquor is affecting tourism sector in the state. "We have recently opened a liquor permit shop at Ahmedabad airport. Now, permit outlets will be started at other airports also,"

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said a tourism department official. The official said the new initiative has drawn a positive response from the tourists visiting Gujarat. On whether the prohibition policy will be further relaxed to attract tourists, he said the state government has accorded top priority to tourism and wants the

sector to grow more. Gujarat government does not want visitors to stay away from the state just because of the prohibition policy, the official said. Gujarat is the only state in India with a prohibition policy which bans sale or consumption of alcohol and special 'health permits' have to be issued if locals want to consume alcohol. -PTI

JAMMU: In a bid to give fillip to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has sanctioned two border tourism projects in the state. "This is the first time when the Union government has sanctioned two border tourism projects at Chamblyal and Suchetgarh in Samba and Jammu districts," tourism minister Rigzin Jora said here after laying the foundation stone for development of the Baba Chamblyal shrine at Ramgarh border, 40 km from here. -PTI

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March 26, 2010

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Kovalam: Catamaran cruises and Ayurvedic massage Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 31

Shopping: Shopping in Kovalam is fun. You may pick up handicraft items and spices from Kovalam besides sunglasses. Tourist Attractions: Apart from the usual sunbath and surfing, many marine activities are possible at Kovalam. The local fishermen provide sunrise and sun set cruises in fishing boats. Catamaran cruises: The Catamaran cruises, on country rafts are very popular here. An innovative tour operating company of Trivandrum has introduced a new package for marine angling for deep-sea fishing. This new project is concentrated near Vizhinjam fishing harbor, just four km away east of Kovalam beach. Surfboards and boogie boards can also be hired on the beach. Ayurvedic Massage: At Kovalam many hotels and resorts offers the Ayurvedic massage and treatment. Yoga (Indian way

Elephant Festival

of meditation) centers are also in plenty. Some theatres perform the traditional Kerala art form, Kathakali and ethnic martial art, Kalarippayattu. Private Beaches: Among innumerable beach holiday resorts Kovalam Ashok Beach Resort, Surya Samudra Beach Garden, Somatheeram, Niki's Nest, Coconut Bay Beach Resort, Uday Samudra Beach Resort, Hotel Samudra etc own private beaches famous for their cleanliness and secluded location. Most of these private beaches are located near Vizhinjam at least 8 km far from Kovalam Excursions Around: The holy city of Anantha, Thiruvananthapuram City is located just sixteen kilometers north of Kovalam. Sri Padmnabhaswamy Temple is

the major landmark of the city. Though nonHindus are not entitled to enter inside the temple one can visit the premises, which is an architectural marvel. Puthan Malika or Horse Palace is a wooden palace, situated very near to the Temple. The belongings of the Royal Family and the very construction of the palace leave the visitors amazed. The Chalai Market just meters away from the temple is a fine example of the typical large market of Kerala. The Napier Museum is a building in IndoSaracenic Style, situated just 3 km away.

Accommodation: Kovalam beach resorts offer picture perfect accommodation to holidaymakers on the Kovalam beach. Kovalam beach resorts are so romantic that honeymoons and weddings here are popular. For the tourists the Kovalam beach resorts offer the best of facilities. The luxurious and exotic Kovalam beach resorts are picture perfect for memorable holidays in Kerala. You may savor multi-cuisines in Kovalam beach resorts. The Kovalam beach resorts also offer several Ayurvedic rejuvenation pack-

Another important site to be visited is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the Southern most tip of Indian subcontinent. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu state is 90 km east of Kovalam. It is the place where three oceans meet. A visit to Vivekananda Rock located exactly on the sea is a great privilege The hill resort, Ponmudi is located 60 km away from Thiruvananthapurm city. The resort is famous for its tea plantations and jungle streams. Another important site to be visited is Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the Southern most tip of Indian subcontinent. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu state is 90 km east of Kovalam. It is the place where three oceans meet. A visit to Vivekananda Rock located exactly on the sea is a great privilege. Kanyakumari is famous for sunrise and sun set watching. Padmnabhapuram palace, the second largest wooden palace in Asia is on the way to Kanyakumari, which is a major center of tourist attraction.

ages especially during the monsoons. There are conferencing and banqueting facilities too. It is recreation that dominates the Kovalam beach resorts. Volleyball courts and hammocks are popular spots at the resorts. How to Reach Kovalam is easily accessible by air, and rail. Air: The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is just 14 km away from Kovalam. Indian Airlines and Jet airways link Kovalam with New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Banglore. Rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station is the nearest to Kovalam. From here trains are available to all major parts of India.

Kerala to go ahead with proposal to rope in Big B THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government will go ahead to rope in Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador of tourism if both sides can arrive at a consensus on terms and conditions, according to highly placed government sources. The reports in a section of media that the government was re-thinking on the move since Bachchan also happens to be the brand ambassador for Gujarat had no basis, the sources told PTI. "We will be sending a senior tourism official to Mumbai to hold discussions with Bachchan. If the terms and conditions are

mutually acceptable he will be made the brand ambassador for tourism. It all depends on how the specifics are going to work out," they said. Bachchan had said in an interview recently that he did not see anything wrong in being the promoter of tourism of the two states simultaneously. He also said he only represents Gujarat's tourism and not its politics. Bachchan first expressed his readiness to be Kerala's brand ambassador in an interview with a leading Malayalam channel. Following this, State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan wrote to the actor to know if he was willing for the same. -PTI

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Realty Tidbits

Hindustan Const. stake in Swiss developer

Real Estate

industan Construction Co. has said it agreed to acquire a 66% stake in Swiss real estate developer Karl Steiner AG for about $33 million in cash to gain a foothold in Europe and the Middle-East. The deal will also help the company expand into the fast-growing buildings construction segment in India, HCC Chairman and Managing Director Ajit Gulabchand said at a press conference. The Indian company gets most of its revenue from constructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. The deal comes at a time when demand for commercial and residential buildings is recovering as Asia's third-largest economy expands at a fast pace.

Banks cautious in extending loans to real estate

anks' non-performing assets have shot up nearly 30% at the end of calendar 2009 from a year ago due to stress in many sectors and farm loan waiver, indicating sharply lower profits for banks and possibility of curbs on exposure to sectors that have contributed to the bad assets. In a reply to the Rajya Sabha, the government said the overall NPAs have increased to Rs 80,023 crore at the end of December 2009 from Rs 61,647crore at the end of December 2008, an increase of over 30%. "Banks will be more cautious towards lending to sectors such as real estate, exports and even retail loans," says a senior banker with a private bank. A number of private banks have already curtailed their retail lending, specially personal loans.

Emaar MGF's 500 cr housing project in Gurgaon

eal Estate Major Emaar MGF will invest Rs 500 crore to build a mid-income housing project at Gurgaon in Haryana. The company, which plans to launch its initial public offer to raise up to Rs 3,850 crore, would develop 1,250 units in the 29 acre-project located at Sector-77 in Gurgaon. Sources said that investment in the project 'Palm Hills' could be around Rs 500 crore, excluding the cost of the land. With a starting price of Rs 48 lakh the company has sold 650 units in the first phase.

37 India Post

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Criminal activities money in Goa real estate

everal controversial real estate deals by foreigners in Goa could well have been funded by proceeds from crime and narcotics trade, an Enforcement Directorate official has said. 'We are probing the possibility of money sourced from proceeds of crime and through sale of narcotics being used to purchase of properties,' the department's Assistant Director Jyoti Sharma told media persons here.

March 26, 2010

Gurgaon, Mumbai emerge as top residential destinations

urgaon and Mumbai have emerged as the top desti nations for residential investment in the country. Both have seen a massive infusion of commercial and retail space owing to residential demand, which in turn was spurred by a growth in employment opportunities, according to the

tor of the crisis-torn Indian real estate industry has emerged as the sole bright spot for individual investors, the digest ranked Noida, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata behind Gurgaon and Mumbai. The six cities, which are witnessing an influx of IT/ ITeS em-

Analyzing the contours of the top destinations, the digest said the downturn has led to new opportunities at affordable prices in Gurgaon. The presence of Tier-I developers and quality development, together with the Metro fourth quarter Asia Pacific Property Digest by global real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSelle. The residential market in both the regions witnessed a price correction of 25-30% from their peak values which presented opportunities to end-users and investors alike. Despite being hit hard by the recent turmoil, the residential sec-

ployees, also provide residential units at affordable prices. However, infrastructure continues to remain a concern across most of these cities as it is unable to keep pace with the growth in population. With the exception of Bangalore, oversupply will be a concern in the short term due to large number of projects launched over

the past 3-4 quarters. Analyzing the contours of the top destinations, the digest said the downturn has led to new opportunities at affordable prices in Gurgaon. The presence of Tier-I developers and quality development, together with the Metro, is expected to improve connectivity. The commercial city of Mumbai has witnessed high income demographics and high investment ac-

tivity levels across various price bands. The relative affordability in suburban markets like the eastern suburbs, Thane and Navi Mumbai, has been attracting investors in a big way. In Noida, the reasonable price range has led to an increased absorption momentum. The excellent connectivity through the existing road infrastructure and the Metro has triggered investors' attention.

JP Morgan Fund invests in China, India

P Morgan Asset Management has invested almost a quarter of its $860 million Asian infrastructure fund in China and India assets, as part of efforts to complete investments in the next two years. The Asian Infrastructure & Related Resources Opportunity Fund invested in cement and water treatment companies in China and a hospital in India over a

ment as a core part of their holdings," Jackson said. "Clearly we anticipate China and India will be the two largest markets, but frankly we are anticipating we could be investing equally easily in Korea or in Southeast Asia," he told Reuters. Heady economic growth in China and India has enticed investors to tap the potentially lucrative emerging economies whose populations

‘Ten or 15 years ago, Asia was an optional, alternative investment as a geography. The teenager has come of age and I find it hard to believe that any global investor could really not have Asian investment as a core part of their holdings’ month after the fund was closed, said Philip Jackson, chief of JP Morgan's Asia infrastructure investments group. "Ten or 15 years ago, Asia was an optional, alternative investment as a geography. The teenager has come of age and I find it hard to believe that any global investor could really not have Asian invest-

make up a third of the world's. Jackson said the rationale behind investing in Scitus Cement in China's southwestern province of Guizhou was that the region needed huge resources such as cement to build up its infrastructure network. "(Guizhou) is about the size of California. It is very mountainous and it needs a lot of

infrastructure. And the infrastructure is not going to be built if the cement isn't available," said Jackson, who has been living in Asia since 1993. The fund also invested in a water treatment company that operates in China's southern boomtown of Shenzhen called Goldtrust Water, and India's SevenHills Hospital, which is expanding in Mumbai, he said. JP Morgan Asset Management, which has global assets of around $43 billion in the real es-

tate and infrastructure sectors, has been actively scouting for assets in Asia, where economies are growing solidly compared to the rest of the world. Apart from the infrastructure fund, the management arm has a $350-million Indian property fund and another in greater China that raised $600 million. Infrastructure has become a distinct asset class over the past few years, with banks such as JP Morgan, Citi , Macquarie and Morgan Stanley sponsoring funds.

1 Tere Naina - My Name Is Khan

6 Karle Mujhse Pyaar - Toh Baat Pakki!

2 Cham Cham - Striker

7 Kaise Jiyu - Hide and Seek

3 Noor E Khuda - My Name Is Khan

8 Sajda - My Name Is Khan

4 Neeyat Kharab Hain - Teen Patti

9 Aameen Suma Aameen - Click

5 Hey Ya! - Karthik Calling Karthik

alman is always looking out for his family members. After starring in his brother Arbaaz Khan's production Dabang, Salman will next be working on brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri's Hindi version of the Malayalam super hit Bodyguard. The buzz in the trade is that Boney had bought the rights of Bodyguard and wanted Prabhudebva (who directed the runaway hit Wanted not too long ago) to direct the Hindi version, but Salman asked him to hand over the rights to Atul Agnihotri. Siddique, who had directed the original in Malayalam, will also direct the Hindi version. A source revealed, "Boney did not hesitate to give up remaking Bodyguard. He loves Salman too much and considers the actor's wish as his command." Boney said, "Salman is family to me. I love fulfilling all his wishes and will always continue to do so."

Family man

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March 26, 2010

ush Hour director Brett Ratner was so taken in by Hrithik Roshan's upcoming film Kites that he offered his services to make the film click in the US. "I was introduced to Ratner in Los Angeles. We got talking about films and I showed him the English version of Kites," Rakesh Roshan, the film's producer, said. "Ratner said it's a good film with the ability to cross over only if it is presented keeping in mind the American sensibilities. He offered to work on it." A month later, Roshan returned to LA to discover that Ratner had chopped the songs from the film, and also reduced its length from 118 to 90 minutes. "His editing upped the film's intensity for the US market," Roshan said. Also starring Kangna Ranaut and Mexican actress Barbara Mori, the film's Hindi and English versions will release simultaneously in India and the US on May 21. Ratner reportedly told a US daily, "I'm not saying that Kites will be the hit that Rush Hour was, but I felt it had the potential to cross over." Ratner reportedly told a US daily, "I'm not saying that Kites will be the hit that Rush Hour was, but I felt it had the potential to cross over."

Education of Sush

regarious could be a synonym for Sushmita Sen, except that it is hard to pin down the former Miss Universe to any one adjective or label. In just one instance of her strongly individualistic attitude, Sushmita went ahead and adopted Renee, becoming a single mother with ĂŠlan. And now she has adopted another daughter Alisah, who is so young she just can't live without her. When the whole world went into overdrive calling her overweight, she shed all the fat and went back to flaunting a svelte figure. Because for Sushmita Sen, life's a report card of living in the public glare."I never went to college," confesses Sushmita, adding, "I learnt everything in life. You know, if someone asks me if I'd like to go back and enrol in college, I'd say no. I have no regrets about not going to college and I've loved learning everything as it comes." But, a little impishly, Sush does tell us that she stood in line for a seat in Delhi University. She says, "I stood in line at Maitreyi College and St Stephen's for two days. But then I got the call for Miss India and I could never go back to studies. But my learning this way has been fun."

10 Tere Bina Jiya Na Jaye - Shaapit

Bollywood

March 26, 2010

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'Worst' awards

great. I'm thrilled. I hope to win this award every year," Cyrus said cheekily. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar won the 'Bas Kijiye Bahut Ho Gaya' (Please stop its enough) award, asking him to stop making films. Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards won the 'Baawra Ho Gaya Hai Ke' (Have you gone nuts?) award for participating in the expensive flop Kambakkht Ishq. The worst supporting actor (male and female) went to Ranvir Shorey and Deepika Padukone, respectively for their roles in Chandni Chowk To China. While the worst film went to Kambakkht Ishq, Ashutosh Gowariker was declared the worst director for What's Your Raashee? Jackky Bhagnani and Shruti Haasan were declared worst newcomer actors for their roles in Kal Kissne Dekha and Luck, respectively. Rani Mukerji-starrer Dil Bole Hadippa! was given the Most Original Story award for being copied from Hollywood's She's The Man, while her pairing with Shahid Kapoor in the same was named the Worst Pair.

ollywood actor Harman Baweja was named worst actor for his performance in the dud What's Your Raashee and Kareena Kapoor got the worst actress title for her role in Kambakkht Ishq at the second annual Golden Kela awards, a spin-off on Hollywood's Razzies in Delhi. Funnyman Cyrus Broacha was the chief guest and he was awarded the Cyrus Broacha Memorial Award. "It's

Danger lover

exican actress Barbara Mori says she has learnt a lot from Hrithik and loves doing stunts herself. "I am really excited because Kites is the biggest film I have ever done. I never imagined that I would come to Bollywood and be a part of a film made for audience all over the world. Kites will be very important for my career because this is my first international movie. I can't wait!" she says. Performing stunts for the film, she says "I was not scared at all, because I like danger. I was really very impressed with the action director and with car crashes and explosions. Hrithik is so good at action, I was learning a lot from him. The action director kept dissuading me from doing my stunts because they were dangerous. But I went to Hrithik and told him I can do it. So he said okay and convinced the action director to let me do my own action stunts. We had a lot of fun. It was the best experience of my career! She said she would love to do more movies in Bollywood. "I live in Mexico with my son and my family and I have been working so much in my country. Of course, I will come to India soon. I'm looking forward to it."

Lolo has a baby boy

ctress Karisma Kapoor, who is married to industrialist Sanjay Kapur, gave birth to a boy at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Friday morning, said a source. This is her second child. "Karisma has given birth to a baby boy. The delivery took place in the morning," said the hospital source. The actress, who gave hits such as Hero No.1 and Dil Toh Pagal Hai, has a six-year-old daughter Samaira. Karisma's friend, jewellery designer Farah Khan, wished her on Twitter. "Karisma Kapoor just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Many congratulations to her and her family," Farah wrote.

Chatur learning

mi Vaidya, or Chatur of 3 Idiots, is taking diction classes to tone down his accent and play roles of `bornand-bred Indians' He played the role of Chatur, or Silencer, in the film 3 Idiots. Following its success, life has taken a U-turn for actor Omi Vaidya, who has been receiving fan attention as well as several television offers. Quiz him about his accented Hindi in the film and he replies, "Everything in life is an asset and a liability. People find my khichdi Hindi endearing, but to start playing the roles of born-and- bred Indians, I will have to do better. That's why I am taking diction lessons." Apart from signing his first television commercial with actress Shruti Seth, Vaidya will also host a couple of upcoming dance shows on television. . Vaidya says that although he wants to be selective about the work he does, he is willing to give various genres a try.

MOHAMMAD GHOUSE

CHICAGO: It is now final. The Mozart of Madras, A. R. Rahman would be in Chicago in the middle of June this year as part of his USA tour where he would be performing at sixteen centers beginning New York at Nassau Coliseum on June 11. For Chicago, Shows 2u Entertainment, founded by Monty Syed would present A R Rahman Jai Ho: The Journey Home Live in Concert on Friday June 18 at Chicago Sears Center. In a talk to this paper, Syed said that the show seems to be heading for a big hit in the light of huge inquiries that the organizers are receiving. "It could be bigger than the Big B Show (Bachhans and Aishwarya Rai) that we staged two years ago with resounding success," he said. He said that Rahman's rise to prominence in the west came when he captured the world spotlight last year with his work on the film score for Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire winning a Golden Globe, two Academy Awards and most recently two Grammy's. As a touring musician, as well as composer, Rahman has long been filling arenas with his elaborate and stunning live performances. Time magazine summarized his popularity back home by saying "A.R. Rahman dominates the music industry so totally that he has supplied the sound track for a whole generation," he pointed out. Rahman has sold-out international arenas including the prestigious Hollywood Bowl in 2006 and has played for crowds as large as 120,000 in his home country of India. Now, this summer, audiences have a rare opportunity to experience once in life time concert with A.R. Rahman which will blend new technologies with powerful dance arrangements and acrobatics," he added. The show will feature changing sets, large images on LED screens and a spectacular cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe. On his forthcoming tour, Rahman will collaborate with creative director Amy Tinkham who is known for creating live musical concerts for a variety of popmusic icons including Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey. "Through the vast tapestry of music that

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March 26, 2010

contemporary Indian music but it also transcends boundaries. Earlier this month, Rahman traveled to Australia on a journey of peace where he performed a free concert at the Sydney Festival in Australia as part of the 2010 festival program. The concert was a gesture of cultural diplomacy and goodwill by Rahman himself in an effort to ease the current tensions in Australia and India relations, as a

Rahman

is coming

is AR Rahman, he takes us on a virtual journey through beauty, culture, and spirituality," said Tinkhman. "This is uniquely Indian - both ancient and modern." The material spans throughout AR's prolific career, including songs from Slumdog Millionaire as well as landmark Indian films Lagaan, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Dil Se, Rang De Basanti and Roja'. Roja was a run-away

success with its sound track placed by some music critic in the Top 10 of all time best movie soundtracks of the world. It also won for Rahman the Indian National Award for the best music composer, the first time ever by a debutant. Since then, Rahman has gone on to win the National Award three more times, the most ever by any music composer. AR Rahman music has not only redefined

On his forthcoming tour, Rahman will collaborate with creative director Amy Tinkham who is known for creating live musical concerts result of the attacks on Indian students in Australia. The concert was one of the most anticipated events of the three-week festival and packed in nearly 75,000 people into Parramatta Park, many of whom camped overnight to see Rahman and his troupe of nearly 40 musicians and dancers. Rahman has had several high profile placements and appearances last year. He appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Last November, Rahman was invited to perform at The White House by President Barack Obama. Rahman was also featured in the remake of "We Are The World" alongside Wyclef Jean, Jennifer Hudson, Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion to name a few.

BIG Cinemas now in Manhattan India Post News Service

NEW YORK: BIG Cinemas, India's largest cinema chain, a division of Reliance MediaWorks Limited and a member of Reliance ADA Group, strengthened its global footprint with the reopening of ImaginAsian Theater as BIG Cinemas Manhattan in Midtown East - New York. After undergoing major renovations over the past months, including aesthetic, audio and visual enhancements, the theater now features brand new and comfortable recliner seating, remodeled restrooms, expanded lobby with an updated concession stand, LCD screens and box office, as well as BARCO 2k digital projection in the auditorium. The theatre will host several premier and special shows in keeping with its aim to provide a distinguished programming plan to its patrons. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 41

March 26, 2010

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Indo-Chinese cuisine: myth & legend

cent crowd including businessmen, VIPs, foreign delegates and also a union minister. Later we came to know that many of these dignitaries patronize this restaurant We were overwhelmed by the variety of Chinese food in the Chinese New Year menu such as Vegetable & Bean Curd Soup, Chicken Man chow Soup, Lung Fung Seafood Soup, Steamed Prawn Garlic Sauce, Steamed Chicken with Mushroom, Steamed Vegetables, Steamed Tofu with Soya Sauce, Yellow Beans with Fresh Chilies, Gin Chicken, Chicken Dragon Roll, Golden fried Chef CS Rawat at his job Baby corn, Jade Dumplings, Vegit closed a couple of years ago in etable sesame Toast, Chung King FRANK FERNANDES India Post News Service 2008. Prawn, Pan Fried Fish with Spring As Chinese food got popular- onions & Garlic, Chicken MongoMUMBAI: In recent years a ity among masses, the Chinese lian, Chicken Hong Kong, Chicken crop of new restaurants serving restaurants started popping up all Singapore, Honey flat Noodles food from all over the world have over Delhi. Recently this year with ice cream, Date Pancake etc. sprouted up in the Indian capital, while attending the Pravasi more than 100 items. Delhi. The most popular among Bharatiya Divas, in New Delhi, I At an action station we got inthe foreign foods troduced to the Execuwhich has risen to the ‘People were skeptical about Chitive chef CS Rawat, top position is no who is a disciple of nese food being oily, but now with doubt- the Chinese. legendary Chef Ming At a glance if we the introduction of low calories Chiof Hong Kong and sneak peek into history nese… people are very appreciaserving Indian Chiof Chinese Cuisine in nese cuisine at ChopIndia, the credit goes to tive" He recalled how a foreign sticks since 1983 and Lord Mountbatten the guest tipped him Rs 5000 winner of many prestilast Viceroy, who visited gious awards and cerChina in 1948 on a royal invitation got an invitation to have a feast tificates displayed at the entrance from Chiang Kai-shek, the emperor at the Chopsticks Restaurant Siri of the Chopsticks. of China and a wartime friend of Fort New Delhi which was hostWe watched Chef CS Rawat prethe former in the capacity of the ing a Food Festival from Feb 12 to paring some low calorie Chinese Commander-in-Chief of the dishes who offered us a allied forces in the Far East. taste testing. Wow! everyAt the end of this hisbody said its amazing cretoric visit, while departing, ation and applauded Chef CS Viceroy, besides many Rawat, who said "people valuable gifts in his posseswere skeptical about Chinese sion, had asked the Emfood being oily, but now with peror for an unusual gift, a the introduction of low calocook from his Royal kitchen ries Chinese… people are for the Viceroy-House in very appreciative" He reDelhi. The Emperor called how a foreign guest promptly obliged his friend tipped him Rs 5000 last sumand one of the best chefs mer in appreciation of his was inducted to Viceroy Indo-Chinese food. Kitchen in Delhi - as the Chef Rawat is a visionstory goes. Thus Chinese ary. He hopes the upcomfood was introduced in ing Commonwealth GamesDelhi for the first time 2010 in Delhi will not only through the Viceroy House. promote ethnic cuisines At the departure of Vicebut will also set new trends roy Mountbatten from Inin Indian style Chinese cuidia near the end of 1948, sine. "My goal always is to the great Chef was shifted serve food which can proto Constitution Club, the mote longevity of life, vigor Wellesley Club of British and strength. The need of India, where over 360 memhour is healthy food and my bers worked for the Indian preparations of Indian Chigovernment to write the nese food is exceptionally New Constitution of Free Rawat with award good with use of fresh inIndia. Finally in 1953, the gredients, fresh vegetables, chef landed in Nirula's Chinese Feb 28 on the occasion of Chinese Spices & herbs cooked at the right Room, the most famous Chinese New Year of the Tiger-2010. temperature and at the right proAt Chopsticks we noticed a de- portions," he said. restaurant in the Indian capital till

Hong Kong Fest to pay tribute to Guru Dutt

India Post News Service

HONG KONG: The prestigious 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), from March 21 to April 6, will pay special tribute to India's late actor-director-producer-writer Guru Dutt, whom it calls "Bollywood Guru". The Festival will showcase his films "Kaagaz Ke Phool" (1959, with Waheeda Rehman), "Mr. & Mrs. 55" (1955, with Madhubala), "Sahib Bibi aur Gulam" (1962, with Meena Kumari & Waheeda Rehman), and "Pyaasa" (1957, with Mala Sinha & Waheeda Rehman). While "Sahib Bibi aur

Gulam" was directed by Abrar Alvi, rest were all directed by Filmfare Award winner Guru Dutt himself. Screening over 240 titles from over 50 countries in 11 major cultural venues across the territory, HKIFF claims to be one of Asia's most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience outstanding films. Wilfred Wong and Ann Hui are Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of Board of Directors of HKIFF Society. Its tagline is: "Uniting the World through Film".

BIG Cinemas now in Manhattan Cont’d from page 40

New York has a large and affluent Asian Indian population with over three hundred thousand Indians having a strong affinity towards Indian movies. Commenting on the occasion, Anil Arjun, CEO of Reliance MediaWorks, that operates the BIG Cinemas brand of cinema chain world-wide, said, "New York with its fast-growing and prosperous population of Indians, is the epicenter of growth for us and we see considerable opportunity here in the exhibition infrastructure space starting with the redevelopment of BIG Cinemas Manhattan. The theater has undergone some remarkable changes and we are proud to present it as such a distinguished movie destination with best of amenities, services and film programming." Similar to the strategy in India, BIG Cinemas is setting up standalone properties and cinemas in malls in the US. Also, existing properties are being taken over, renovated and operated by BIG Cinemas while taking advantage of their already considerable infrastructure and brand value. In US, BIG Cinemas has aggre-

gated a network of over 188 screens in 27 theaters across East Coast, Midwest and West Coast that now regularly screen Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabi movie features, in addition to Hollywood. BIG Cinemas accounts for 30-35% of box office collections

Similar to the strategy in India, BIG Cinemas is setting up standalone properties and cinemas in malls in the US. Also, existing properties are being taken over of Hindi films, and over 75% of Tamil and Telugu box office collections in the US. BIG Cinemas has been awarded the "Entertainment Retailer of the Year" honor at the India Retail Forum 2009 and has also been awarded 'International Exhibitor of the Year 2008' by CineAsia 2008 at Macau.

In Brief Boston immigration trial for Homeland boss BOSTON: A trial has begun in Boston for a former top U.S. Department of Homeland Security official accused of encouraging her Brazilian housekeeper to remain in the United States illegally. Lorraine Henderson was a regional director of homeland security, customs and border protection. She was responsible for stopping illegal immigrants from entering the country through Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. During opening statements in Henderson's trial in U.S. District Court, a prosecutor told jurors she violated the immigration law she had taken an oath to uphold. The charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence upon conviction. Henderson's lawyer didn't make an opening statement. -AP

Immigration ruse results in 12-year sentence KANSAS CITY, Kan.: One of two men who posed as immigration officials to get into a Kansas City, Kan., home and rob the place is headed to prison. The Wyandotte County district attorney's office says the 12-year prison sentence was ordered this past week for 50-year-old Felix Lamar Izquierdo, a Cuban national. He was convicted earlier of aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated burglary and endangering a child. The other defendant, 17-yearold Michael James Lea of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced to more than five years. The Kansas City Star reported that after posing as immigration officials last summer, the men tied up the residents of the home with zip-ties and locked them in the basement. -AP

Lawmakers approve immigration bill BOISE, Idaho: Idaho lawmakers concerned about illegal immigration are going after people who create fake identification documents. The measure approved 6-1 by the Senate State Affairs committee Friday would make creating false documents a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The bill also gives employers who accept fake identification a lighter punishment. They'd get a misdemeanor charge and up to two years in county jail. Prosecutors would have to prove employers knew the documents weren't authentic. -AP

Immigration 42

India Post

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March 26, 2010

Obama backing of immigration overhaul 'unwavering' WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has assured immigration advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of US immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system he has said is broken. What remains unclear is whether Congress will send him a bill this year. Obama also met separately with Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who gave the president an outline of a bill they are drafting. Obama said afterward in a statement that he ``looked forward to reviewing their promising framework.'' Obama said he told the senators and the advocacy groups that ``my commitment to comprehensive immigration reform is unwavering, and that I will continue to be their partner in this important effort.'' The immigration issue is an important one for Obama, who has promised to work to solve the

problem. Hispanics voted heavily for Obama in the 2008 presidential election, making the difference in key states like Florida, and their votes will be critical in the November midterm elections when Obama and his fellow Democrats will be fighting to maintain control of the House and Senate.

``Using reconciliation to push health care through will make it much harder for Congress to come together on a topic as important as immigration,'' Graham said. Schumer said he and Graham asked Obama for help building support in the Senate for an immigration bill, and getting business

Obama also promised to help resolve outstanding issues pertaining to ‘virtual fencing’ along the border with Mexico to detect people trying to enter the US illegally Latino voters who don't think progress is being made on the issue may not go to the polls. Graham said he told Obama ``in no uncertain terms'' that the immigration effort could stall in Congress if the health care bill, which Republicans oppose, moves forward under a special process known as budget reconciliation that would limit the GOP's ability to derail the bill in the Senate.

and labor groups to agree on the future flow of lower-skilled labor. The South Carolina Republican said Obama also promised to help resolve outstanding issues pertaining to ``virtual fencing'' along the border with Mexico to detect people trying to enter the US illegally, and creation of a temporary worker program that is satisfactory to business. Another idea on the table is

some type of high-tech Social Security card to keep illegal immigrants from getting jobs. After meeting for more than an hour with Obama, immigration advocates told reporters they want Schumer and Graham to at least release their blueprint before a planned demonstration at the Capitol, with a bill introduced in the Senate soon after. The relatively short timetable for getting major legislation out of Congress in a midterm election year is one obstacle to getting a bill that combines tougher border enforcement with a pathway to legalization for the estimated 12 million people in the US illegally. “We had a very good discussion about the difficulties,'' said Eliseo Medina, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union. ``I think the president is well aware of it. So are we.'' Cont’d on page 43

Census Bureau campaign to boost Asian participation India Post News Service

ith advertisements in 13 Asian languages and promotional materials in many more, the Census Bureau has provided an overview of the historic campaign it is conducting to encourage all members of the Asian community to fill out and mail back their 2010 Census forms. "The Census Bureau's Asian campaign is historic and multifaceted," said Paul Watanabe, a member of the Census Bureau's Asian Advisory Committee. "Not only are there more materials available in more Asian languages than in any previous census, but all materials are created in consultation with relevant Asian community leaders to ensure cultural and language relevancy." Outreach efforts targeting the Asian community include the following: • Advertisements in 13 Asian languages, including 24 televi-

sion spots, 62 radio spots and 46 print advertisements. This is first known advertising campaign to produce such a wide range of customized, targeted, in-language advertisements featuring actors from each Asian community. • Staff from a wide range of Asian cultures who speak the language and understand their community's unique concerns.

• A confidentiality campaign, designed to educate communities that the census is safe and that all data collected will be kept completely confidential. • 'Portrait of America' Road Tour participation in different Asian parades, festivals and community events, such as the Chinese New Year Parade and Festival in San Francisco.

‘It is vital that all Asians in the US participate in the Census so that our voices can be heard,’ Watanabe said. ‘Filling out and mailing back your 2010 Census form is one of the most important things • Partnerships with local Asian community organizations, such as the Korean Churches for Community Development (KCCD) in Los Angeles and the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) in Washington, D.C. • Asian media briefings in key cities to provide an overview of the 2010 Census and updates on regional activities related to the 2010 Census.

The official 2010 Census form is available in six languages, including simplified Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. Language assistance guides, intended to help Asian community members fill out their census questionnaires, are available in a total of 59 languages, including Chinese (traditional), Japanese, Laotian, Thai, Khmer/Cambodian, Hmong, Burmese, Nepali,

Gujarati, Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali and Telugu. More than 30,000 questionnaire assistance centers throughout the country, including many in Asian communities, will help members of the public fill in their forms, and toll-free in-language lines will be made available to the public. "It is vital that all Asians in the U.S. participate in the Census so that our voices can be heard," Watanabe said. "Filling out and mailing back your 2010 Census form is one of the most important things we can do as a community. The questions on the form are basic, your responses are strictly confidential, and the data the census produces will help determine congressional representation and how more than $400 billion in federal dollars are distributed to communities every year." For more information about the 2010 Census, please visit www.2010census.gov.

Immigration Post

March 26, 2010

Lawmakers target false immigration documents BOISE, Idaho: After beating back two other immigration reform efforts, Idaho lawmakers are now focusing on changes that would toughen penalties for those involved in falsifying employment documents. A bill approved by the Senate State Affairs Committee boosts fines and jail time for falsifying employment documents, raising the maximum prison time to 14 years. It also calls for slightly tougher sanctions for employers who knowingly hire workers with phony papers, making it a twoyear misdemeanor. Jeremy Chou, a lobbyist for the Idaho Business Coalition for Immigration Reform, said the bill appropriately targets those who sell false documents to immigrants desperate to find jobs. ``These guys out there are creating these documents that are helping to facilitate the main problem,'' he said. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, could be the Legislature's last chance to

address an issue that vexes voters, employers and immigration reformers in a year when many lawmakers are facing re-election. Major industries that rely on unskilled labor, such as dairy and construction, worked with McGee to develop an alternative to two other measures considered more severe for employers. Those bills

Industry leaders argued those proposals were too burdensome on employers who rely on seasonal and migrant labor, and both bills failed to clear committees failed to gain momentum. Reps. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, and Phil Hart, R-Athol, sought to suspend business licenses for up to a year for employers caught hiring illegal workers. Sen. Mike Jorgenson, RHayden, lobbied for more stringent reforms. His bill, modeled after a

2008 Arizona law, would have required that businesses use the federal background check system to validate workers and revoked the licenses of businesses that flouted the law. Industry leaders argued those proposals were too burdensome on employers who rely on seasonal and migrant labor, and both bills failed to clear committees. But McGee's bill also has detractors who argue it doesn't put enough responsibility on employers for reversing immigration hiring abuses. They cite a provision that clears any employer who in good faith didn't know a worker was illegal. It also includes exemptions for businesses who hire day laborers or workers hired by independent contractors. ``It does not punish an employer who has every signal in the world that somebody is presenting to them a false document,'' said Maria Andrade, a Boise immigration lawyer. ``The bill was drafted to make it nearly impossible to convict an employer for violating the law.'' -AP

Obama backing of immigration overhaul 'unwavering' Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 42

Medina said the groups also want to discuss the issue with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Republican leader John Boehner, ROhio. Clarissa Martinez de Castro, director of immigration and national campaigns for the National Coun-

cil of La Raza, said Obama told the groups he would make a statement with Schumer and Graham when they release the blueprint. ``It is undeniable that presidential leadership, greater presidential leadership is needed, and the president committed to doing that,'' she said. Angelica Salas, director of the

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said the president agreed to help get a legislative framework out before the rally. She the groups also discussed enforcement. ``We want results,'' Salas said. ``That's what we're going to be expecting in the next couple of weeks.'' -AP

India Post

Immigration Post

India Post

March 26, 2010

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Calif. Gov hopefuls spar on taxes, immigration COSTA MESA, Calif.: The two Republicans seeking their party's nomination for governor sparred over what kind of tax cuts would best stimulate California's faltering economy and whether the state should cut off services to illegal immigrants. The kickoff debate of the primary campaign proved a test of conservative credentials on issues from global warming to party fealty in often pointed exchanges between former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. Whitman said California should eliminate taxes on manufacturing and startups as a way to create private-sector jobs. Poizner is pushing a plan that would cut income, sales and corporate taxes by 10 percent. He said Whitman's targeted tax cuts would not go far enough and allow lawmakers in the state Capitol to pick which industries and people benefit most. ``Only massive overhaul will do,'' Poizner said. ``That's why one of the centerpieces of my campaign is to cut taxes broadly across the board.'' Whitman called that approach irresponsible, given the $20 billion budget deficit projected for Cali-

fornia through June 2011. ``That will be a $30 billion deficit _ $10 billion on top of the $20 billion we already have,'' she said of Poizner's approach. ``We cannot afford it.'' Poizner said his plan would net California $7 billion in the first year. The debate, organized by the Orange County-based Republican group New Majority California, offered both candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to voters. Whitman, a billionaire, has a 30-point lead in early polling after spending millions of dollars on television and radio advertising. Poizner, a Silicon Valley multimillionaire, has criticized her for running a tightly choreographed campaign and, until recently, keeping her distance from reporters. Poizner took an aggressive approach in arguing that he is the more conservative candidate, despite both candidates' history of supporting Democratic candidates and causes. Both have veered to the right as they campaign for GOP primary votes. Repeating a point he made during the state party convention over the weekend, Poizner said California needs to ``turn off the magnets'' of state-funded services such as health care and education

that he said draw illegal immigrants. ``We just really differ here. I want to end illegal immigration once and for all. ... Meg doesn't want to go that far,'' he said. After the debate, he told reporters he'd support bringing an anti-illegal immigration initiative to voters if reforms aren't enacted in the Legislature.

Poizner said he wants to stop government funding for abortions; Whitman supports government funding for abortion for lowerincome women He did not specify what that initiative would say, but his remarks echoed the debate over Proposition 187 in 1994, which denied publicly funded social services to illegal immigrants. A federal court later found the law's provisions unconstitutional. Whitman has said she does not favor eliminating education and health care for children who came to the country illegally, saying they should not be blamed for the actions of their parents. She also said Poizner

has flip-flopped on the issue. ``Steve's done a complete about-face from where he was in 2004-2005,'' when he endorsed President George W. Bush's immigration proposal that called for providing a pathway to citizenship. The winner of the June 8 GOP primary will face state Attorney General Jerry Brown, a former two-term governor who has no serious challenger in the Democratic primary. Whichever Republican emerges to run against Brown faces an immediate challenge. Republicans represent less than a third of registered voters statewide, meaning Whitman or Poizner will have to take more centrist views if they hope to appeal to the 20 percent of California voters who are registered as independents. Both GOP rivals have focused their campaigns on taming the state's annual budget deficits and creating private-sector jobs. They're counting on those themes resonating with voters angry over lost jobs and a persistent national recession. In the Republican primary, however, the fight for conservative voters is central. ``There is one liberal Republican in this race, and it is not me,'' Whitman told reporters after the debate.

Yet both candidates have previously supported Democratic candidates and causes, including Whitman's one-time endorsement of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a liberal icon seeking her fourth term in 2010. Whitman now says she agreed with Boxer's stand in 2004 against Internet taxes. Likewise, Poizner has explained a campaign donation he made to Al Gore in 2000 by saying it was made by his wife and bore his name because the money came from a joint account. Poizner had the last remarks of the night, challenging Whitman's position on abortion when she was unable to respond. Poizner said he wants to stop government funding for abortions; Whitman supports government funding for abortion for lower-income women. Both Poizner and Whitman favor some abortion rights, but Poizner has hardened his position since he ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly in 2004. At that time, Poizner also supported government funding of abortion for low-income women and earned a 100 percent rating from the proabortion rights group Planned Parenthood. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in the last year of his second and final term. -AP

Crackdown shakes up dairy farmers Legislature OKs watered down immigration bill

BAKERSFIELD, Vt.: A Vermont dairy farmer who was among those targeted in a federal crackdown on undocumented workers says he thought three illegal workers had proper documentation. Clement Gervais believes his family's farm has been cleared following the November inspection by immigration officials, but federal officials say four cases involving farms are still pending in Vermont. The crackdown has shaken up dairy farmers, some of whom struggle to fill milking jobs and often rely on foreign farm workers, who may have entered the country illegally. Many farmers are reluctant to talk about the issue publicly for fear of bringing trouble on themselves, and their workers are even more hesitant. Gervais agreed to speak to The Associated Press after his case was closed, saying he hoped to help other dairy farmers and push for them to be allowed to hire workers under a temporary worker visa program. Gervais Family Farms was inspected as part of a national effort the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced in November to check the records of 1,000 employers around the coun-

try who were suspected of having hired illegal immigrants. Businesses that knowingly hired or continue to hire unauthorized workers could face fines or criminal charges. ICE will likely release an update on these cases in coming months, spokeswoman Gillian Brigham said. In a similar audit announced in July, ICE reviewed more than 85,000 worker documents from

Many farmers are reluctant to talk about the issue publicly for fear of bringing trouble on themselves, and their workers are even more hesitant more than 650 businesses, determined at least 14,000 were questionable and issued at least $2.3 million in fines, she said. Gervais, 36, who owns the farm about 20 miles from the Canadian border with his three brothers and parents, said he wasn't fined or charged. He handed over employees' I-9 forms, which verify they can legally work in the U.S, and a copy of the payroll. ``We were prepared in the

sense that we had I-9s on everybody,'' he said, adding that his wife, who does the bookkeeping, had taken several classes the state offered on documenting workers. ``The problem is the documentation they (workers) give you, you take it that it's truthful and accurate,'' he said. ``You look at it, and unless you can see something that's obviously fraudulent about it, you've got to take it for what it is, which is what we did.'' But after the visit by the inspector, three Hispanic workers left the farm. Seven, who are permanent residents, remain. ICE inspects farms and businesses when it receives tips about illegal workers or when they are near or connected to important infrastructure and resources, such as food supplies, nuclear reactors, water treatment systems and transportation hubs, Brigham said. Gervais said he was told the selection was random and doesn't know why his farm was targeted. Gervais urged other dairy farmers to follow the law and keep documentation to avoid fines or criminal charges. ``All businesses should be doing their I-9s,'' he said. ``If they're not, they're foolish.'' -AP

SALT LAKE CITY: Some Utah businesses would have to confirm the immigration status of employees under a bill passed by the state Legislature. An original version had criminal penalties for failing to verify status but those were removed by the bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Chris Buttars of West Jordan. Lawmakers voted 46-24 to pass Senate Bill 251, sending it to Gov. Gary Herbert's office. Critics say the bill created a law

without any real consequences for breaking it. A private employer with 15 or more workers would be barred from hiring new employees after July 1 without verifying their immigration status. Several states require businesses to use the federal E-Verify program. The Web-based system checks a worker's information against federal databases to determine US employment eligibility. -AP

Vote prevents debate on Neb. immigrant tuition LINCOLN, Neb.: A vote to kill a bill has kept Nebraska lawmakers from discussing whether some illegal immigrants still should be allowed to pay in-state tuition at state colleges. The bill would have required the Nebraska School Activities Association to follow open records and meetings laws. Because the bill was killed, an amendment to it that would have repealed the in-state tuition law

was not discussed. State Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh has said he will try to attach the same amendment to another bill this legislative session. The in-state tuition law allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition if they graduated from Nebraska high schools, lived in the state for at least three years and are pursuing or promise to pursue legal status. -AP

Immigration Post

March 26, 2010

India Post

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Jewish, Latino leaders form ties in more cities animus toward immigrants surfacing as the country debated immigration reform. In addition, surveys of Latinos in the Boston area found that a significant number of immigrants from Central America and the Caribbean held anti-Semitic views.

‘As the scope of our communities have changed and grown, we wanted to create a bigger event that was more encompassing of all of our neighbors,’ Smith said Diego Portillo, president of the Latino Professional Network in Boston, said the two groups can address both matters by joining forces. ``It's really eye-opening,'' Portillo said. ``There are stereotypes on both sides, but we can change that.'' The Rev. Jean-Pierre Ruiz, associate professor and chair of Theology and Religious Studies at St.

John's University in New York, said sporadic attempts to build better Jewish-Latino relations have been happening for years. But the Boston example shows that more cities are seeing JewishLatino coalitions pop up as they rally around a shared history, immigration reform and cases of violent hate crimes against immigrants, he said. ``It's very clear that the Jewish community in the United States is recognizing the importance of outreach to the growing Latino community throughout the United States,'' Ruiz said. ``I think they see parallels in their own experiences as immigrants.'' Those outreach efforts include round-table discussions and community events. ``There have been moments where discussions have gotten tense,'' said Ecuadorianborn Jerry Villacres, co-chair of the Latino Jewish Roundtable in Boston. ``People aren't guarded or politically correct, but that's what we need.'' Outreach efforts also include sponsored trips to Israel for Latinos something used in the past to build relations. -AP

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BOSTON: When six teens allegedly beat a Guatemalan immigrant into a coma last July in a Boston suburb, a Jewish and Latino coalition called the attack ``hateful.'' In October, when a Cape Cod Jewish center was trashed and Nazi images were downloaded onto a rabbi's computer, Boston Latino leaders came to a rally to denounce the vandalism as a hate crime. The responses in the two cases, advocates say, are examples of recent efforts by Jewish and Latino leaders to forge alliances. The Anti-Defamation League of New England has planned a ``Community Seder'' with an immigration theme, highlighting a shift by the Anti-Defamation League in fighting against hostility against immigrants and tackling antiSemitism among some Latinos. Both, it contends, are rising. Similar events are scheduled this month in Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego and Orange County, Calif. areas that also have seen growing ties between Jewish and Latino community leaders. Jennifer Smith, associate regional director of the Anti-Defamation League of New England, said the Boston group is using the traditional Passover event that celebrates the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt as a means to also celebrate immigration in the United States. Issues around immigration, Smith said, bring Jewish and Latino leaders together. ``As the scope of our communities have changed and grown, we wanted to create a bigger event that was more encompassing of all of our neighbors,'' Smith said. The move to build a coalition in Boston began in 2007 after the Anti-Defamation League of New England, a group primarily known for combating anti-Semitism, announced new efforts to fight against ``anti-immigrant rhetoric'' and hate crimes. Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League said at the time they were alarmed at the

Tech News TRAI paper on uplinking/ downlinking NEW DELHI: Following the concerns raised by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) over the uplinking/ downlinking television channels in the subcontinent nation, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a consultation paper. Titled as "Policy issues on uplinking/downlinking television channels in India", the consultation paper brings forth the recommendations by the regulatory body after jotting down the preliminary views provided by the stakeholders.

TechBiz 46 India Post

www.indiapost.com

s the global recession bows out, marking an end to the industrial stagnancy, the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector is gaining back the momentum of growth. The fact has been stated by a report released by KPMG, a global network of professional services firms, in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The report has been released at the ongoing global media business conclave - FICCI Frames 2010 - in Mumbai. According to the figures revealed by the report, the Indian M&E industry stood at Rs 587 billion in 2009 which marked a growth of 1.4% over the previous year. Foreseeing the growth over the next five years, the report projects the industry to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13% to reach the size of Rs. 1091 billion by 2014.

'Meter Down' India's auto rickshaw mag

uto Rickshaw Magazine', yes this is what exactly you read after rendering first glance at the heading of this news item. Confused???...Don't be, because this unique yet amazing concept has recently been implemented by some of the finest young minds from the journalism arena. 'Meter Down', India's first auto rickshaw magazine launched in Mumbai is the brain child of three innovative minds of Mulchand Dedhia, Simi Sailopal and Ishan Mehta. It seems that with this new concept they have imparted a new approach towards setting up of a business model along with providing entertaining information to people even on the move.

BORDEAUX: A French luxury yacht manufacturer has announced a USD 21-million contract to supply India with 15 coastal surveillance ships. The deal with Couach shipping yards is thought to be part of India's efforts to bolster security over its waters after it accused Pakistani extremists behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai of traveling by sea. Couach said the contract was for 15 ultra-fast 13-metre cutters and that the first three could be delivered in February 2011. Seven extra vessels could also be purchased. -PTI

EIU forecasts India's GDP growth at 7.7% India Post News Service

Study assesses M&E growth in 2009

March 26, 2010

India to buy French surveillance ships

NEW DELHI: The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the world's foremost provider of country, industry, and management analysis, has presented highlights of its economic forecast for India in a presentation titled, "Powering Ahead: The Economist Intelligence Unit's five-year forecast" at the opening of Economist Conferences' 14th Business Roundtable with the Government of India. The two-day roundtable was chaired by Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor, The Economist, with senior leaders from the government and industry in attendance. According to the EIU, in 2010 India will be the ninth fastest growing economy in the world, and the second fastest growing major economy. GDP growth is predicted to rise to 7.7 per cent in 2010-11 and 8 per cent in 2011-12. India will continue to reap the benefits of a relatively young demography and strong economic fundamentals. The Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts are highly respected and sought after for their accurate analysis and prediction. In April

2008, six months before the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the EIU had predicted "the collapse of a globally important bank which could damage confidence badly enough to threaten the world financial system". Anjalika Bardalai, EIU's Senior Analyst for South Asia, said, "Given the recent global financial crisis and the worst monsoon in nearly a quarter of a century, India's

and Head, India Domestic Business, at Capgemini, the lead sponsor of the Roundtable, noted, "To meet India's high GDP growth rates, and help improve the business environment faster, public sector organizations must collaborate to improve services to citizens, customers and other agencies, while incorporating significant budget reforms. Technologies enable visibility,

Anjalika Bardalai, EIU's Senior Analyst for South Asia, said, "Given the recent global financial crisis and the worst monsoon in nearly a quarter of a century, India's economy demonstrates resilience and has in fact fared much better than many other countries economy demonstrates resilience and has in fact fared much better than many other countries. Continued strong domestic consumption, spurred by rising incomes and a growing middle class, will be the primary drivers of India's growth. High savings rates and investment levels will support India's continued economic acceleration." Kishor Chitale, Vice President

structuring and transfer of information to help deliver seamless services, while business intelligence systems offer insights to support choice and tailoring of services. For example, in Europe, e-Governance has radically defined the way a government provides service to citizens, businesses and other arms of the government."

Highlighting the importance of energy & power in fuelling India's growth, Pradipta Sen, President of Emerson in India, the supporting sponsor for the Roundtable, said, "For India to continue powering ahead, an understanding of the infrastructure issues and the investment that is still needed is critical. The demand for power, the efficient utilisation of water resources and the responsible use of energy are all part of the great Indian infrastructure challenge. We hope to bring this to fore in the discussions that we have with industry and the Government of India so that together, we can drive home the message that better infrastructure equals better foreign direct investment equals more sustainable growth." Emphasising the need for cautious optimism, Anjalika remarked, "Although we forecast robust growth for India, we must be aware of the risks to the country's macroeconomic stability, including high inflation. The Government's weak fiscal position poses another important challenge that needs to be addressed to maintain India's growth and resurgence."

S&P upgrades India's rating to 'stable' NEW DELHI: Credit rating agency Standard & Poor's has said it might not downgrade India's sovereign credit rating further, after the government announced plans to reduce the gap between income and expenditure. Currently, India's long term credit rating is at the bottom of the investment grade -- 'BBB-minus'. The agency, at the same time, revised the ratings outlook to "stable" from "negative," indicating potential positive changes to the country's credit fundamentals. Sovereign rating is a tool to measure the risk level of a country's investing environment and shows investors the ability of a country to repay its debts, foreign or domestic. Finance Minister Pranab

Currently, India's long term credit rating is at the bottom of investment grade -- 'BBB-minus'.

Mukherjee, in the Budget for 201011, said that the government will reduce its borrowing in the new fiscal and also pegged fiscal deficit to come down to 5.5 per cent of

the GDP next fiscal. Fiscal deficit is estimated at 6.7 per cent this fiscal. "We revised the outlook on the Republic of India to stable from

negative," S&P said in a statement from Singapore, while pegging India's economic growth rate at eight per cent for next fiscal. This is in line with the government's own projection. In February last year, the rating agency had cut the outlook on India's credit rating from stable to negative, as the country's fiscal deficit widened after the government provided stimulus to perk up the economy in the wake of the global financial meltdown. In the Budget 2010-11 last month, the government partially rolled back the stimulus and restored customs duty on crude and raised excise duty on petrol and diesel. The country's short term rating is placed at A-3, which is lower medium grade. -PTI

TechBiz Post

Nokia to launch its music service in India soon MUMBAI: In order to fight piracy, Nokia plans to launch its music service 'Comes With Music' in India in a couple of months to give unlimited music access to its consumers, a top company official said. "To fight piracy we need to develop content that is compelling, innovative, exclusive and subscription s which are almost free," Nokia India's Marketing Director, Vineet Taneja, told PTI here. With the launch of the music service, consumers will get access to unlimited music downloads from the Nokia Music Store for a year, Taneja said, adding, "it will offer 3.5- million tracks of all genres, Indian and international labels. This service will be targeted for mid-and-top-end s...starting with Rs 6,000-7,000 handsets. Service will be available in existing and upcoming handsets."

Consumers can browse, download and sync music either to their computer or directly on to the mobile device, he said. The company has tied-up with

With the launch of the music service, consumers will get access to unlimited music downloads from the Nokia Music Store for a year, Taneja said independent Indian record labels including T series, Venus, Tips, Big Music, Eros and Indian Music Industry (IMI). Nokia has already launched this service in 26 countries. -PTI

India Post

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Rs 450 cr project for checking emissions CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has said the Centre was implementing a Rs 450 crore project in the state for checking emissions, performance and safety of vehicles. "On our initiative, Government of India is currently implementing National Automotive Testing Research and Development Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) at a cost of Rs 450 crore," Karunanidhi said inaugurating RS 4,500 crore Renault Nissan Alliance Plant at Oragadam, about 45 kms from here. Stating the government had offered 304 acres of land for the NATRIP project, he said the project was aimed at facilitating introduction of world-class automotive safety, emission and performance standards. The chief minister said though Chennai had become the automobile hub of India, it was lacking vehicle testing facilities currently. Automobile manufacturers had to send their vehicles to Pune for testing and certification, he said.

www.indiapost.com

March 26, 2010

Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin said with increasing industrial production and growing spending power among middle class households, the country would be among top five markets in the cars and commercial vehicle

Stating the government had offered 304 acres of land for the NATRIP project, he said the project was aimed at facilitating introduction of world-class automotive safety segment by 2020. He said currently the car penetration level in India was just 12 cars per 1000 population. "This is against Malaysia's 273 cars per 1000 population, China's 128 cars and USA 765 cars", he said. -PTI

WPP Chief sees advertising industry stabilizing

he growth of the advertising industry in the year 2009 was negative due to the crisis of the economic downturn worldwide. While, entering the year 2010, the industry has shown signs of stability, remarked Sir Martin Sorrell, the Chief Executive of the world's leading communications group, WPP Group. Addressing the audience at the FICCI Frames 2010, Sorrell talked about "Why I'm bullish on the advertising industry?" He pointed out that the things have started to differ from the last year and would gain momentum back once the advertising organizations start to explore beyond the geographical markets. The planners need to begin working after analyzing the trends and characteristics of the individual markets and develop localized strategies. Sorrell also mentioned about the digital advertising during his standalone keynote address. He emphasized that the traditional advertising need not be separated from digital advertising completely.

Datebook

48 India Post

March 26, 2010

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK Upcoming Sat March 27 • IMPACT Aatif Aslam and Shreya Ghoshal - live in Concert Venue: Trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic city, NY Time: 7:30pm Contact: 609-432-3301

Thurs March 25 • Mangalam-A Bollywood Wedding Affair Venue: The Saloon, 1584 York Avenue, Between 83rd & 84th Street, New York Time: 8pm to 2am Contact: 347-633-8429

Fri April 2 • Amjad Ali Khan: Master of Sarod Venue: Miller Theatre at Columbia University, 2960 Broadway (at 116th Street), New York Contact: 917-971-7510

ILLINOIS Upcoming Mon March 29 • Full-Moon Meditation every full moon night Venue: I.M.U., 1418 W Howard St, Chicago, Illinois Time: 9pm Contact: 773-262-1468

Sun April 4 • Boogie Woogie U.S. Finals 2010 Venue: The Meadows Club, 2950 W. Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, Illinois Time: 5:30pm to 10pm Contact: (815)404-3803 Highlights: Come cheer the Junior (ages 6-13 yrs.) and Senior (ages 14-21 yrs.) winners from 15 states, and enjoy musical entertainment from a celebrity performer followed by dinner with the celebrities.

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

WASHINGTON DC Upcoming

Sat March 27

Wed March 24

• Marathi Vishwa-Vasantotsav 2010

• Ram Navmi

Venue: Crosroads Middle School- South, 195 Major Road, Monmouth Junction, New Jersey Time: 3pm to 8pm Contact: 732-355-9844

Venue: Hare Krishna Temple, 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, Maryland Contact: 301-299-2100

Sat March 27

• 2010 Space Odyssey

• 2010 Spring Festival Venue: Ocean Township High School, Ocean, New Jersey Time: 3pm to 9pm Contact: 732-801-4694

Venue: Heritage Lounge, 1337 Connecticut Ave, Washington, District of Columbia Time: 9:30pm Contact: 402-933-0647

Sun March 28

Fri April 2

• Ek Lamha with Shabana Azmi & Javed Akhtar Venue: Ramada Inn, 999 Route 1 South, North Brunswick, New Jersey Time: 5pm to 8pm Contact: 732-688-7249

Sat March 27

• The Essence of All Advice Venue: Hare Krishna Temple, Potomac, Maryland, 20854 Contact: 301-299-2100

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Sat March 27 • Marathi play - MaNaSanStha - Marathi Natyat Sangeetache Sthan Venue: Cal State University East Bay (Hayward State) Theater, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, California Time: 2:30pm to 5:30pm Contact: 408-263-9914

Tues March 30 • Tabla Performer for hire Venue: Bay Area, Berkeley, California 94705 Time: 6pm Contact: 510-486-8266

Sat April 3 • Mahatma Moses Comedy Tour Venue: SFCC Clubhouse, 414 Mason St, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California Time: 7pm to 8:30pm Contact: 415-676-1371

Sun April 4 • Dasavatar, Nataraj School of Dance Annual Program 2010 Venue: Ohlone College, Jackson Theatre, 43600 Mission Bouvelard, Fremont, California Time: 3pm to 6pm Contact: 510-429-8422

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Upcoming Every 4th Sat every Month • Durga Mata Ka Jagaran Venue: 2335 S. Diamond Bar Boulevard, DBC Center, Diamond Bar, CA Time: 6:30pm Contact: 909-519-1579, 626-810-2345

Every Thursday evening • Pranayam, Meditation & Healing Venue: 18743, Pioneer Blvd, Suite Artesia, CA 90702 Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm Contact: (949)235-2960

Every Sat (start from Sat Aug 8) • Gurukul Classes for Children Venue: Sindhu Center, South California Time: 2pm to 4pm Contact: 818-541-1754 & 909-576-1114 Highlights: Children between the ages of 5 and 18. Children will be taught the Fundamentals of Hinduism, Prayers, Shlokas, Bhajans and Values of our culture.

Thurs March 25 • Indian Music and Dance Festival 2010 Venue: Neuroscience Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA Time: 7pm to 10pm Contact: 858-200-7481

Thurs April 15 to Sat April 17 • Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Visiting LA: Art of Living Venue: Art of Living Foundation LA Center, 948, W Adams Blvd, LA Time: 10am to 12:30pm & 3pm to 5pm Contact: 310-820-9429 & http://us.artofliving.org/losangeles Highlights: Sanskrit shlokas, be immersed in the grace, meditate and support the new legacy this building brings. Many of you know what a gift his commentary on the Ashtavakra Gita has been for us.

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March 26, 2010

India Post 49

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MATRIMONIALS BRIDEGROOM WANTED

Parents looking for a groom for their beautiful daughter, American Citizen, 31years, 5'3" tall, Caste No Bar. Please send your picture and biodata to P.O.Box # 342, India Post 29274 Union City Blvd.,

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Well Settled in California,

PUNJABI FAMILY INVITES CORRESPODENCE FOR THEIR WORKING DAUGHTER 28 YRS OF AGE, 5'6". SEEKING US RAISED WORKING BOY. SEND RESPONSE TO RSOUGU@YAHOO.COM OR CALL AT 714-234-4921

PUNJABI SIKH PARENTS INVITE CORRESPONDENCE FROM WELL ESTABLISHED FAMILIES FOR DAUGHTER, 24 YRS, BEAUTIFUL, SLIM, 5’3", MASTERS-HUMAN GENETICS, LIVING IN INDIA. PROFESSIONALS PREFERRED. PLEASE SEND BIODATA WITH PICTURE. gundeepsingh8@gmail.com PH:562-201-1130

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India Post

March 26, 2010

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India Post 51

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Philosophy

52 India Post

March 26, 2010

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Page Sponsored by Sahanis SATHYA SAI BABA

ama is the in-dweller in every body. He is the Source of Bliss (AtmaRama), the Rama in every individual. His blessings, upsurging from that inner spring, can confer peace and bliss. He is the very embodiment of dharma, of all the codes of morality that hold mankind together in love and unity. The Ramaayana, the Rama story, teaches two lessons: the value of detachment and the need to become aware of the Divine in every being. Faith in God and detachment from objective pursuits are the keys for human liberation. Give up sense objects, and you gain Rama. Seethaa gave up the luxuries of Ayodhya so she could be with Rama during His exile. When she cast longing eyes on the golden deer and craved it, she lost Rama's presence. Renunciation leads to joy; attachment brings about grief. Be in the world, but not of it. Rama's brothers, comrades, companions, and collaborators are all examples of people saturated with dharma. Dasaratha is the representative of the merely physical, with the ten senses. The three qualities (gunas) --serenity, passion, sloth (satwa, rajas, tamas)-- are the three Queens. The four goals of life (purusharthas) are the four sons. Lakshmana is the intellect; Sugriva is discrimination (viveka). Vali is de-

he seekers after Truth who want to practice the vidyas (knowledge) should not forget the simple wellknown fact that what we think, that we become. So there should be no doubt about the efficacy of meditation given in the Upanishads. The end of concentration of the mind on anything is to become one with that thing. In a high school, the teacher was giv-

spair. Hanuman is the embodiment of courage. The bridge is built over the ocean of delusion. The three demon (rakshasa) chiefs Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana are personifications of the passionate, slothful, and serene (raajasic, taamasic, and satwic) qualities. Seethaa is the awareness of the Universal Absolute (Brahmajnana), which the individual must acquire and regain while undergoing tra-

until this very day; but it has provided inspiration to the poetic imagination of every language and country. It is the greatest treasure inherited by his good fortune by every Indian. Rama is the guardian deity of the Hindus; the Name is borne by the bodies in which they dwell and the buildings in which those bodies dwell. It can safely be said that there is no Indian who has not

Rama, source of bliss, embodiment of Dharma

Rama

vails in the crucible of life. Make your heart pure and strong, contemplating the grandeur of the Ramaayana. Be established in the faith that Rama is the reality of your existence.

The four goals of life (purusharthas) are the four sons. Lakshmana is the intellect; Sugriva is discrimination (viveka). Vali is despair. Hanuman is the embodiment of courage

The name 'Rama' is the essence of the Vedas; the Story of Rama is an Ocean of Milk, pure and potent. It can be asserted that no poem of equal grandeur and beauty has emerged from other languages or from other countries

imbibed the nectar of Ramakatha, the story of Rama. The Ramayana, the epic that deals with the story of the Rama Incarnation, is a sacred text that is reverently recited by people with all varieties of equipment, the scholar as well as the ignoramus, the millionaire as well as the pauper. The Name that the Ramayana glorifies cleanses all evil; it transforms the sinner; it reveals the Form that the Name represents, the Form that is as charming as the Name itself. As the sea is the source of all

great poet who composed the epic, to each canto, Kaanda. Kaanda means water, an expanse of water. It also means 'the sugarcane'. However crooked a cane may be, whichever section you chew, the sweetness is unaffected and uniform. The stream of Rama's Story meanders through many a curve and twist; nevertheless, the sweetness of Karuna (tenderness, pity, compassion) persists without diminution throughout the narrative. Rama Navmi is being celebrated on March 24

is the matter with you? You are not attending to what I am teaching here. Your mind seems to be elsewhere. I am noticing this for the last so many days." The boy admitted the fault and said: "O teacher, what you have said is true. I am at fault, but I could not help it. Though I wanted very much to attend to the lessons, I find my mind is going to my dear bull in my house which I love so much." The teacher reflected for a few

turbed his mind, because he had so much love for the bull. This went on for seven days. On the eighth day he felt he had no more to think of the bull and so decided to attend the class. He went and waited outside the class. The teacher who was inside the classroom asked him: "My dear boy, did you do as I instructed?" The boy replied: "Yes, my revered teacher. I did exactly as you advised. I was thinking of my bull

This is the result of constant concentration on the bull. The boy felt that he was the bull, which was his object of thought earlier. Such is the power of the mind. In the Upanishadic meditation we are asked to meditate on the Self either directly or indirectly with or without the help of symbols. When our real nature is already divine, we can attain the goal more easily by fixing the mind on the Self with the help of the symbols. The reason for the distraction of the mind and lack of concentration during meditation on God, complained by the neophytes on the spiritual path, is that they have some object or other more dear and lovable than God. The thought of that object which is stronger naturally drives off the weaker thought of God. And they complain of lack of concentration. They must know that God on whom they have to meditate is the dearest and most lovable more dear and more lovable than all the objects that this world and even heavenly worlds can give. Then all distractions will cease and there will be progress in meditation.

Rama - Prince and Principle

What We Think That We Become Sri Swami Brahmananda

ing lessons to the students of the 10th class. He noticed that everyday during his period a particular student was not attentive to the lessons taught. The teacher found that the student was thinking deeply of something else. One day, after the class was over, the teacher called that boy and asked him: "What

the waters on earth, all beings are born from 'Rama'. A sea sans water is unreal; a being sans 'Rama' is without existence, now or ever. The azure Ocean and the Almighty Lord have much in common. The Ocean is the abode of the Almighty, as myth and legend proclaim; they describe Him as reclining on the Ocean of Milk. This is the reason behind the title given by Valmiki (son of Prachetas) the

When our real nature is already divine, we can attain the goal more easily by fixing the mind on the Self with the help of the symbols minutes and then told the boy: "My dear boy, I will suggest a remedy to you. From this evening, you go to the nearby hill, sit there and think of the bull as long as you like." The boy, in obedience to his teacher's advice, started going to the hill every day. He sat there and was thinking of the beloved, beautiful bull. No other thought dis-

alone for seven days. Now I feel that I need not think of it any more." Then the teacher said: "All right, now come in and take your seat and attend to your lessons." The boy replied: "O, revered teacher, I am unable to enter the class room, as my horns are too long and the door here is too small to allow me to enter the room."

When I am in my ego, then You (Lord) are not with me. Now that You are with me, there is no egotism within me. -Guru Ravidas A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. -Mark Twain A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything. -Friedrich Nietzsche But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. -Kahlil Gibran Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it. -Robert Frost Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. -Confucius Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses. -Lao Tzu

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India's endeavor to acquire space security assets KRITI SINGH

he evolution of information technology has metamorphosed the very dynamics of contemporary warfare. In the current scenario, national security not only relies on the modernization of armed forces, cutting-edge defense technology and innovative policies, but also on elusive assets like communication and information. There is a transition, from the race of arms, nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), towards the race of information dominance. The enhanced use of information, expeditious chrysalis of microcomputers, information technologies and cyberspace has changed the very face of war and emerged as a new challenge for national security. The avidity to acquire more information and intelligence to counter and design future warfare puts an intense demand on space assets. Accentuating the advantages of space assets, James A Lewis, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, asserts that using satellites and space services for national security provides several important benefits. First, space services are a force multiplier for conventional forces, as they improve capabilities and performance. Second, space services can significantly expand intelligence collection and analysis for assessing threats and providing warnings. Nations can, of course, conduct military operations, collect intelligence, and plan their security and strategic functions without access to space assets and services, but those that make use of space will have an advantage over their adversaries and competitors. Finally, space programs are an element of national power - they increase prestige and provide technological prowess which can expand a nation's influence and leadership on the international stage. After decades of waiting on the sidelines, India has imbibed the importance of space assets due to a series of transitions taking place in its geopolitical environment, uncertain and altering international security order, indispensability of gaining information dominance and decisive role of information in asymmetric warfare with rapid technological advancements. Moreover, its face-off with cross border terrorism, infiltration bids, and especially the Kargil experience, further reinforced its determination to look towards space

as an imperative option for national security. The resolve to create its own alcove in space assets has today made India one of the major space actors in Asia. Seen as one of the most active players in Asia after China, India is rated as a world leader in the remote sensing data market. India's vigorous peaceful space program has made noteworthy all-round progress. According to the Department of Space Annual Report (20082009), the Indian space program made phenomenal progress in its quest towards mastering critical technologies and witnessed several major accomplishments. A major event was the successful launch of India's first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1. The Indian space program recorded another major success with the launching of 10 satellites

Space programs are an element of national power - they increase prestige and provide technological prowess which can expand a nation's influence and leadership on the international stage utilizing the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota that included India's advanced remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2A, Indian Mini Satellite (IMS-1) and eight nano satellites for international customers. In addition to this, 2009 witnessed the successful launch of seven satellites - OCEANSAT-2, four CUBESAT Satellites and two RUBIN-9, Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT)-2 and Anna University Microsatellite (ANUSAT) from Sriharikota. Moreover the two major operational space systems - Indian National Satellite (INSAT) and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites have continued to provide reliable services to the nation. On the international podium, India is already working in a technological alliance with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States (US). Formal Memoranda of Understandings (MOU) have been signed with Australia, Bra-

zil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), European Space Agency (ESA), France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom , Ukraine, the US and Venezuela. Today developing countries are looking up to India for research assistances and support. However, India needs to accelerate its space missions, keeping pace with China's rapid development in this field. Elaborating on motives that guide both China's civil and military space efforts, James A Lewis pointed out that, "China looks to these new technologies to provide asymmetric advantage against the US and other potential opponents. This means that military space architecture for China will look very different from that used by the US or Russia." News reports indicate that, "China's space program is poised to surge ahead in 2010. In fact, over the next 12 months, China's activities in space may be such that 2010 could well rank as one of China's top years thus far in terms of the total number and variety of missions launched." Moreover, Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation in the space industry should be also noted. Recent years have witnessed their collective efforts to advance their space and science and technology cooperation. For example, China was a great force to provide momentum to Pakistan's space program in 1990. Beijing catapulted Islamabad's first satellite, Badr-A, from its Xichang Launch Center. Both countries are working together in space industry, cybersecurity, climate science and so on. Meanwhile India too is moving ahead, The Indian Navy plans to create and sustain a three dimensional, technology enabled network centric system with its dedicated satellite support system. Moreover, efforts like expected launch of spy craft, called the Communication Centric Intelligence Satellite is another concrete step in attaining a secure space architecture. The use of space to provide an invincible shield and strengthen national security from future electronic warfare threats is no more a distinct dream, but an upcoming reality. The writer is Research Officer, IPCS

India Post De facto ruler

hen Pakistan's intelligence agency chief Shuja Pasha was given an extension recently, speculation began about the tenure of Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who is supposed to retire later this year. President Asif Ali Zardari's office quickly denied any move to give him an extension even though Washington favored such a proposal in view of Kayani's success in the joint antiTaliban operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Zardari's spokesperson put forward the reason: "Keeping in view past examples, extensions to army chiefs have not proved beneficial for democracy and the country," she said. Kayani and Zardari have not enjoyed best of relations. Zardari wanted the Army to be subservient to civilian decision making while Premier Yusuf Raza Gilani preferred to go along with the powerful military. Military is the dominant institution of Pakistan and an army chief is the most powerful person in its decision making process. The volatile internal situation and Pakistan's central role in regional and international security in the context of extremism has enhanced the role of army chief. As of now Kayani controls Pakistan's key national security issues -Afghanistan, nuclear weapons, the United States, China and India. So whether he continues to remain the Army chief of Pakistan is a vital question. The civilian government of Islamabad doesn't inspire fear or respect in Rawalpindi, the headquarters of the Army. But in the situation created by Musharraf in his eight years of misrule, an Army takeover will not be accepted by the people and Kayani knows this. After Musharraf's ouster, the army was reviled as a usurper that denied the legitimate aspirations of the Pakistani people. He presided over a corrupt system characterized by weak government, economic stagnation and rising extremist violence. Although in the current situation, with victories over the Taliban in the difficult tribal regions, the respect and clout of Kayani has gone up, he would most probably accept retirement and withdraw to save the army's image. But before that he might put his own men in key positions. Respected security expert C Raja Mohan feels that since Kayani has become so central to the decision-making on India and Afghanistan, it would make sense for Delhi to directly reach out to him and invite the Pakistani army chief to visit India. Since he doesn't refer to Kayani's possible retirement his theory would extend to inviting his successor even who would by implication, be equally powerful. Such a move would be no less than scandalous. The Indian political leadership which keeps its own Army Generals at an arm's length, by inviting Kayani would give legitimacy to the Army's superior role in the sub-continent. And how would the weak civilian leadership react to such a development? It would be a direct attack on their credibility as the rulers of Pakistan and they would in no way allow such a development. India has been in fact working to see that the civilian government and democracy is strengthened in Pakistan. Zardari has gone on record to say that no civilian government has gone to war with India. Does the interest of India lie in strengthening the civilian leadership or the Pakistani army? Analysts in India say there can be no peace between India and Pakistan until the military's role is pared to the legitimate task of defending the country's national borders. No civilian regime in Pakistan will be in a position to make credible commitments until the Army's role is controlled. The civil-military relationship in India and Pakistan tends to two extremes. If in Pakistan there are excessive and extra-constitutional powers with its military, in India the military has no say in decision making. A corrective would require India to give more respect, power and involvement to the Army in India's development whereas Pakistan should take away decision making powers from its Generals.

54 India Post

www.indiapost.com

March 26, 2010

Announcing Air India’s All-INDIA service from Chicago Experience a new generation of aircraft. All of Air India’s ﬂights from the U.S. operate with new, state-of-the-art Boeing 777s. From the six foot-plus ﬂat beds in First and Executive Classes to the generous seat pitch in Economy Class, these luxurious aircraft offer a whole new dimension of comfort. On board our 777s you will also enjoy outstanding Indian cuisine and a large selection of current Indian films, music, and reading materials. And our gracious, multi-lingual flight attendants will see to all your needs.

Our new, direct ﬂights to Mumbai put virtually all of India within easy reach. Flights depart daily from O’Hare International Airport, make a brief stop in Frankfurt, and continue to Mumbai and Hyderabad. From Mumbai, Air India offers seamless connections to over 40 cities in India – including same-terminal connections to Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, and other major locations. And in Frankfurt, you can also connect to our daily ﬂights to Delhi and Ahmedabad. No other airline makes getting from Chicago to your destination in India easier and more convenient. For details and reservations, see your travel agent, or call 1-800-223-7776.

Have you tried the new Air India? www.airindia.in

March 26, 2010

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India Post 55

56 India Post

March 26, 2010

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