IndiaPost-04-23-2010 by Ghanshyam Bisht

Top Stories

India Post V O I C E

O F

I N D I A N S

W O R L D W I D E

www.indiapost.com

Dr. Raju Kucherlapati

Obama names Indian to bioethics panel Details on page 22

Mahesh Mahadevan

Indian student in UC, Irvine, missing Details on page 19

Sanskrit shlokas open Alaska Senate & House Details on page 12

Hindu meet promotes 'seva' Details on page 12

'Time for next chapter in US-India trade'

N-SUMMIT UPHOLDS INDIA'S STAND

NEW YORK • WASHINGTON D.C. • CHICAGO • ATLANTA • CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here India's position about dangers of "international terrorism and clandestine proliferation" had been vindicated at the Nuclear Security Summit that recognized the threat and committed 47 countries to prevent non-state actors from obtaining atomic technology. "The intersection of international terrorism and clandestine proliferation affects our security directly. The concerns that we have been expressing for decades on the dangers of proliferation and risk of nuclear materials finding their way into the wrong hands are today finding widespread acceptance," Singh said after two-day Summit. He noted that when India called for the total elimination of nuclear weapons in the 1950s, its voice was not heeded. Details on page 6

Details on page 10

VOL 15, No. 815

April 23, 2010

50¢

Periodical Postage

Srinija named on Obama’s commission Details on page 8

Infrastructure deficit main challenge: Nath Details on page 38

INOC launches Business Council Details on page 9

Indian sold B-2 stealth tech to China? Details on page 9

HONORED GUEST: President Barack Obama greets Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Nuclear Security Summit April 12 in Washington, DC. President Obama hosted leaders of the 47 nations for the two-day Nuclear Security Summit to discuss solutions to cut down nuclear weapons around the world

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 36-37 Classifieds --------------------- 45-47 Community Post -------------- 12-21 Date Book -------------------------- 44

INDIA POST SURVEY survey@indiapost.com

UN launches Millennium Development Goals in India

This week’s question

Was Obama’s N-summit a success?

Should a US Court summon Indian minister? YES 14%

NO 86%

HealthScience Post --------- 22-23 Horoscope ------------------------- 35

India Post News Service Last week’s result

Edit Page --------------------------- 50

ecutive director of United Nations Office of Partnership. Dossal said the aim of the campaign was to make the Members of Parliament in every constituency aware of the importance of the issues on hand to achieve UN's goal of MDG by 2015 to improve the lives of their people.

Immigration Post ------------- 41-43

Details on page 8

TechBiz Post ------------------- 38-39

Life Style ----------------------- 24-28 Philosophy ------------------------- 48 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 40 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-32

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

India Post

www.indiapost.com

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

India Post

April 23, 2010

India Post

IndiaNewsweekly Post

www.indiapost.com The Weekly Newspaper Serving Indians Worldwide

Romesh & Sunita Japra Publishers Subhash C Japra Co-Publisher Vikram Paul President Krishan Sharma Mg Director & Joint Editor Ranjana Sodhi Managing Editor Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor Naresh Sodhi General Manager Ghanshyam Bisht Supervisor Graphics SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising Sonia Sidhu Management Analyst Radhika Jhamb Correspondent Sudesh Kumari Correspondent Deepa Japra Youth Post Correspondent Rama Mehra Advertising Bhumi Bhutani Health Science Correspondent Jaya Gautam Correspondent Sujata Singh Correspondent Los Angeles Mrs Shashi Trivedi Bureau Chief J S Bedi PR & Marketing Mrs Prem Kishore Sr Correspondent Greg Heffernan Correspondent Ms Bobby Sharma Correspondent Babeeta Kaur Dhillon Correspondent Pavan Kaur Bhatia Correspondent CHICAGO Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor A Q Siddiqui Correspondent ST. LOUIS Ashwin Patel Correspondent NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. Chakravarty Correspondent Nikita Japra Correspondent Sukhvinder Saini Circulation ATLANTA Sanjay Saggere Bureau Chief FLORIDA B K Madnani CANADA Firdaus Ali Correspondent BOSTON Gope Gidwani Bureau Chief DETROIT Ashok B Jain, M D Bureau Chief Gurminder Singh

Mission Statement To empower the Indian Diaspora and make their voice strong and effective in countries of their adoption. RJ Media conglomerate offers a credible, professional and complete package of news, opinion, entertainment, networking and information.

Publisher’s Diary

t was not all just about face time, photo opportunities and rhetoric-ridden speeches after all at the just concluded Nuclear Safety Summit in Washington DC. Leaders of 47 countries unanimously recognized the threat the world today faces from nuclear terrorism and individually and collectively came up with concrete, implementable plans to make the world a safer place. At the Summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the "best guarantor of nuclear security is a world free from nuclear weapons." Last week I had expressed skepticism here about ever being able to see a nuclear free world. Without being skeptical, I know that to rid the world of nuclear materials would be practically impossible. Well, that's because there is so much weapons grade plutonium already in the world that merely disposing it off would result in a doomsday catastrophe in itself. What I dread more is the possible contamination -- do these countries that have stockpiled nuclear materials have a proven way of large scale disposal of such materials, if it is not being put to developmental uses such as generating energy? The US and Russia announced a pact whereby they would dispose off 34 metric tons of plutonium - which seems a mere token considering their respective arsenals. It is laughable that countries like Pakistan should be sitting in on these meets and expressing fears of proliferation and nuclear security; China, after literally helping Pakistan build its nuke program; and the US' steadfast backing of Israel that refuses to declare its nuke program but calls for sanctions against Iran for its program. Like Prime Minister Singh said, talk of nuclear security would remain an empty slogan if the responsibility for ensuring it is not accompanied by responsible behavior by States. I wouldn't be consoled by the fact that this is the first ever such summit and that this is a beginning because the threat of wrongful use of nuclear weapons - even before global terrorism became a buzzword - was there since the world witnessed the man-induced human suffering in Hiroshima and Nagasaki 65 years ago.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

SAN DIEGO Neelu Bhardwaj Bureau Chief SACRAMENTO Madan Sharma Bureau Chief Janak Sidhra Correspondent Upen Shukla Correspondent CENTRAL VALLEY (CA) Dr Ram Saini Bureau Chief Sheila Rogers Correspondent YUBA CITY (CA) Satnam Tatla Correspondent CAROLINAS Nalini Raja Patel Correspondent INDIA Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor & Bureau Chief

INFO-CENTER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-797-7799, Fax: 510-790-2806; E-mail: info@indiapost.com

For Editorial: Sonia Sidhu Tel: 510-797-7799; E-mail: sonia@indiapost.com

For advertisement rates call the office nearest to you:

LOS ANGELES

MUMBAI Nidhi Soparawala Correspondent Frank Fernandes Correspondent NASHIK Mahendra Thakkar Correspondent India Post (ISSN-1064-3868) is published weekly for $30 for 52 issues yearly by India Post, 1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538. Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CA and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the corporate headquarters: 1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538 Copyright © 1994 Indamec, Inc. DISCLAIMER India Post assumes all advertisers to be reliable and responsible for all liability for their claimers

Sajid Khan's film 'Housefull' comes up with a situation that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Shoaib-Sania affair.

Cover Story: Nuclear Summit Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in Washington that India's position had been vindicated at the Nuclear Security Summit.

Community: Hindu prayers

Both Alaska State Senate and House of Representatives in Juneau started the day's work with Hindu prayers on April 9.

Health: Obesity solution Today, 19-year-old Daniel Soderberg is a trim 166 pounds. It's hard to believe when he was 12 he weighed 329 pounds.

Graphics Inquiry: Tel: 510-257-4374; E-mail: ghanshyam@indiapost.com

PUNJAB Shiv Japra Bureau Chief Anil Kanwar Senior Correspondent/ Marketing

HYDERABAD M Sagar Kumar Bureau Chief

Shoaib-Sania film

Classifieds: Tel: 510-938-8668; E-mail:classifieds@indiapost.com

SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY

DOABA, PUNJAB Romesh Kaura Correspondent

Bollywood

E-SUBSCRIPTION: Vikram Paul Tel: 510-789-7520 Extn: 208; E-mail: subscribe@indiapost.com

NEW DELHI Vinod Kumar Khatana Graphics Madan Bangari Graphics

CHANDIGARH Raj Kumar Bali Correspondent

HIGHLIGHTS

1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-938-8667 e-mail: nareshsodhi@gmail.com 12908 Indian Lane Norwalk, CA 90650 Fax: 562-947-0632 Tel: 562-644-9523, jsbedi60@yahoo.com Tel: 562-441-5511, shashi19@yahoo.com Tel: 562-929-4213, kimi@indiapost.com

CHICAGO 2740 W Devon Ave Chicago IL 60659 Tel: 773-973-7394; Fax: 773-973-7396; Email: sramesh@aol.com

NEW YORK Tel: 212-944-1931, Fax: 732-969-3735 Tel: 908-338-3752 (Marketing) Tel: 732-283-4939 (Editorial) E-mail: pinky@indiapost.com

NEW JERSEY 21 Longfellow st., Carteret, NJ 07008 Tel: 732-969-1114; Fax: 732-969-3735 E-mail: pinky@indiapost.com

BOSTON Tel: 617-298-9200; Fax: 617-298-1104 GOPE; E-mail: ggidwani@aol.com

ATLANTA 67 Peach Tree Dr., Ste. 102, Buckhead Atlanta, GA 30309 Tel: 404-425-3021 E-mail: sanjay@eBolo.com

Life Style: CA$H opens Hollywood movie CA$H opened with a bang with a red carpet premiere in Chicago. The film is locally produced.

FLORIDA 8401 West Sample Road 30, Coral Springs, Florida - 33065 TORONTO, CANADA Tel/Fax: 416-744-8610

Techbiz:

DELHI

Infrastructure deficit

Jin Kushal Suri Complex, 3rd Floor, 230-A, Masjid Moth, (NDSE Part-II) New Delhi - 110049 Tel: 11-46142940, 26257769 Fax: 11-46142969 E-mail:delhi@indiapost.com

Infrastructure deficit was the principal challenge that had to be overcome to unleash India's growth potential.

MUMBAI • Shivam, 3rd Floor Opp Raj Kumar Hotel Andheri (W) Mumbai Tel: (22) 2677 7782 Email: nidzp_04@yahoo.com • Fernandes Mansion Tam Taloa, Bassien (W) Mumbai 09619 330159 NASHIK 6 Amrit Dhara Deolali, Near Nashik-422 101 94 23 138 700

For editorial, contact: editor@indiapost.com or call 510-797-7799

Travel: Sunderbans Sunderbans is one of the last preserves of the Royal Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger conservation project.

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

India Post

Cover/Top Stories

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the Heads of the Delegations at the Nuclear Security Summit, in Washington on April 13

N-summit upholds India's stand WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here India's position about dangers of "international terrorism and clandestine proliferation" had been vindicated at the Nuclear Security Summit that recognized the threat and committed 47 countries to prevent non-state actors from obtaining atomic technology. "The intersection of international terrorism and clandestine proliferation affects our security directly. The concerns that we have been expressing for decades on the dangers of proliferation and risk of nuclear materials finding their way into the wrong hands are today finding widespread acceptance," Singh said after twoday Summit.

He noted that when India called for the total elimination of nuclear weapons in the 1950s, its voice was not heeded. "Today the world is veering around to the vision we had put forward of a world free from nuclear weapons. The world is beginning to see merit in pursuing universal, non-discriminatory and complete nuclear disarmament," he said, adding India would continue to persevere in this direction. "After listening to the world leaders at the Summit, I feel a sense of vindication of India's position," Singh said. Welcoming the initiative taken by President Barack Obama to focus the attention of

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Today the world is veering around to the vision we had put forward of a world free from nuclear weapons. The world is beginning to see merit in pursuing universal, nondiscriminatory and complete nuclear disarmament,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said,

the international community on nuclear security, he said it was an important issue for India "because without ensuring security we will not be able to harness nuclear energy for our developmental purposes." He referred to his announcement to establish a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, which will be owned and managed by the government, and said "the initiative is the next logical step in India's engagement with the world after the opening of international civil nuclear cooperation with India." After two days of deliberations in the backdrop of particular concerns with regard to the safety of nuclear material in Pa-

kistan, the nuclear summit issued a three-page 'Communique' and a seven-page 'Work Plan' detailing the national responsibilities and international obligations that each participating country would have to undertake. Significantly, it had no reference to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was a result of hard work by Indian negotiators. The Communique noted that nuclear terrorism was one of the most challenging threats to international security and "strong nuclear security measures are the most effective means to prevent terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors from acquiring nuclear materials.-PTI

India to set up Global Center for N-Energy Partnership WASHINGTON: Demonstrating India's responsible behavior, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced setting up of a 'Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership' for conducting research and development of design systems that are secure, proliferation resistant and sustainable. As soon as Singh made the announcement at the Nuclear Security Summit, US President Barack Obama intervened to wel-

come it, saying "this will be one more tool to establish best practices" in the quest for nuclear safety. Addressing the Summit convened by Obama here, Singh said the Centre will consist of four Schools dealing with Advanced Nuclear Energy System Studies, Nuclear Security, Radiation Safety and application of Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology in areas of healthcare, agriculture and food. The Centre is visualized to be a state-of-the-art facility based on

international participation from IAEA and other interested foreign partners. It will conduct research and development of design systems that are intrinsically safe, secure, proliferation resistant and sustainable, the Prime Minister told leaders from 47 countries. Singh invited participation in the venture by other countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency to make the Center's work a success. India is continually upgrading

technology to develop nuclear systems that are intrinsically safe, secure and proliferation resistant. It recently developed an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor based on Low Enriched Uranium and thorium with new safety and proliferation-resistant features. As a founder member of the IAEA, India has consistently supported the central role of the UN nuclear watchdog in facilitating national efforts to strengthen nuclear security and in fostering effective

international cooperation. India has so far conducted nine Regional Training Courses on Nuclear Security in cooperation with the IAEA. The objective of the School of Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems Studies would be to pursue design studies and analysis of advanced nuclear energy systems with features to achieve intrinsically enhanced safety, security, proliferation resistance and sustainability.-PTI

Top Stories

April 23, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Anxious to see you in India: PM to Obama WASHINGTON: You have caught the imagination of millions across the world, including the people of India who are anxiously waiting for your visit. This is what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told US President Barack Obama during their 50-minute talks on the sidelines of the Nuclear Safety Summit here. Singh said "the President had caught the imagination of millions around the world, including the people of India who were anxious to see him soon in our country", Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here. India has extended an invitation to Obama to visit the country which is expected to take place later this year. "Our Prime Minister said that we in India were looking forward eagerly to the visit of President and Mrs Obama to India later this year," Rao said. "A visit is definitely planned for this year. We do not have dates as yet but both Governments are working on that," she said. "We were greatly looking forward to this visit," Singh was quoted as telling Obama. The Prime Minister said there had been "tremendous rise" in

Manmohan Singh meeting US President Barack Obama, at Blair House, Washington on April 11

infiltration from Pakistan. While seeking the US' cooperation in putting pressure on Pakistan, Singh said India and the US stood on the same side on the issue of dealing with terrorism. "The terrorist onslaught in our region, if persisted, could affect our economic growth," Singh told Obama while underlining the need for tackling the issue of terrorism. "How this menace is tackled will determine the future of the South Asian region," he said, specifically referring to happen-

ings in Pakistan and Afghanistan. To a question, Rao said the fate of Indo-Pak dialogue had no connection with the meeting between Singh and Obama. She said the US as also the entire world was aware of India's approach on dialogue with Pakistan. "The US fully understands" India's position on the dialogue, she said. India has suspended composite dialogue since the 26/11 attacks and has refused to resume it till Pakistan takes concrete and

transparent action against those behind the terror strikes. Rao said there would be no meeting between Singh and Gilani here during the Nuclear Security Summit, but did not categorically rule out such a possibility in Bhutan during the upcoming SAARC meet. During the meeting, the issue of Civil Nuclear Liability Bill also came up, with Obama hoping that it would be passed by the Indian Parliament as expeditiously as possible.

Singh told him that the bill was going through the democratic processes. The passage of the bill, which is a crucial step in the implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, has got caught in a political quagmire with opposition parties objecting to certain provisions in it, including the use of word 'cap' for Rs 500 crore compensation to be paid by the operator in the event of a nuclear accident. The government has indicated its readiness to make some changes in it and the bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the second part of the Budget Session starting on April 15. The two leaders, while reviewing the Indo-US ties, expressed satisfaction at the "good progress" made in the relations since they met last in November last year here. They said they were looking forward to the strategic dialogue to be held between the two countries on June 3. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will be coming here for that purpose. Singh also told Obama that India was eagerly looking forward to his first visit to the country. -PTI

PM highlights terror threat from Pak WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has conveyed to US President Barack Obama India's serious concern over terror emanating from Pakistan and its lack of will to punish the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks. On his part, Obama said the US shares India's concerns over Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terror outfits operating from Pakistan. Singh said New Delhi wants convincing action against those behind the Mumbai attacks. The Prime Minister, during his 45-minute meeting with Obama, also raised the issue of Indian investigators getting direct access to Mumbai attacks plotter David Headley. Obama said the US was working through legal processes for

giving India access to Headley. "He (Obama) was fully supportive of our request for provision of such access," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters. Obama also promised to keep in mind India's concerns over the end-use of the US military supplies to Pakistan after Singh voiced apprehensions in this regard. The US President said he favoured reduction of tensions between India and Pakistan but the Prime Minister made it clear that the "future of South Asia would be determined by the manner in which terrorism is tackled". During the meeting at the Blair House, Singh emphasised that Pakistan needed to take "con-

vincing action" against those responsible for Mumbai attacks, she said. Obama said the US understood India's concerns with regard to activities of Lashkar-e Taiba and other terror groups from Pakistan and Afghanistan and that Washington was "engaging" Pakistan on these issues. While talking about the menace of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, Singh referred to Headley, activities of LeT and its chief Hafiz Saeed and HuJI terrorist Ilyas Kashmiri, Rao said. "Unfortunately, there is no will on part of Pakistan to punish those responsible for terrorist attacks in Mumbai," Rao quoted the Prime Minister as telling Obama.-PTI

Manmohan Singh with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel

No need to give further evidence on LeT: PM WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has rejected Pakistan's contention that there was not enough evidence to act against Hafiz Saeed and others blamed for 26/11 attacks, saying proof was already in public domain and there was no need to give any more. Singh, who had two brief encounters with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani at the

Nuclear Security Summit here, said India could resume dialogue with Pakistan on all issues if "concrete" and "effective" action is taken against those behind the Mumbai terror strikes. He also made it clear that there was no need for the US or any other country to get involved in Indo-Pak affairs. "First of all, I do not see the need for any further evidence about the role of Lashkar-e-

Taiba," he told a press conference when asked to comment on Gilani's contention that Pakistan did not have enough evidence to act against LeT leaders like Saeed. Gilani had said Pakistan needed more evidence about LeT to take action against it in connection with the Mumbai carnage. "If we have more effective evidence, certainly they will be brought to justice," Gilani had said.-PTI

Manmohan Singh exchanging pleasantries with his Pakistani counterpart, Yousaf Raza Gilani

Top Stories

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

UN launches Millennium Development Goals in India India Post News Service

NEW YORK: A campaign taking the United Nations' avowed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eliminate hunger and poverty to all the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India was announced by Amir Dossal, executive director of United Nations Office of Partnership. Dossal said the aim of the campaign was to make the Members of Parliament in every constituency aware of the importance of the issues on hand to achieve UN's goal of MDG by 2015 to improve the lives of their people. It would also galvanize the elected representatives into urging the major corporate major or minor in their constituencies into making a specific commitment to achieving MDGs as part of their corporate social responsibility obligations, he said. Babu Lal Jain, Senior Advisor to UNOP in New Delhi and co-founder World BPO Forum who initiated the project said by participating in the campaign, MPs will realize the importance of harnessing corporate support to create jobs, provide skills, alleviate hunger, and improve health facilities and education, and other development work that comes under the eight MDGs. The MPs would appointed a 'point person' to collect data of the constituency to see how

Babulal Jain, Amir Dossal and Roland Rich, executive head of UN Democracy Fund

best they can work to achieve the goals in relation to MDGs and Jain's office in India will help the team in each constituency to draft an action plan aimed at enlisting local corporate support for specific targets. Many corporations are currently unaware of how MDGs dovetail perfectly into their corporate social responsibility work, Jain said. As this campaign gains momentum, Jain hopes to create greater awareness in business circles and the public mind about MDGs. Owing to poor media coverage, the public is largely unaware of the difference that

‘To create a sense of urgency, it is vital for companies to include MDGs in all their print and electronic media advertising campaigns," said Jain. "As awareness increases, business leaders will realize that MDGs are simply a natural extension of their corporate social responsibility work’

Srinija on Obama’s commission on presidential scholars India Post News Service

NEW YORK: President Barack Obama has appointed Chandigarhborn Srinija Srinivasan, 40, one of the three co-founders of Yahoo! as a member of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. Srinivasan, currently vice-president and Editor-in-Chief at Yahoo! was herself a Presidential Scholar in 1989, a prestigious honor that is awarded to over a 100 high school students each year for outstanding achievements ranging from academia, arts and leadership. In naming Srinivasan and 11 others to the Commission, Obama said, “The Commission on Presidential Scholars is charged with recognizing the future leaders of our country and honoring them for their outstanding achievements. I am grateful that these impressive men and women have agreed to

serve on this commission and help a new generation realize their potential and pursue their dreams.” The eleven will join the National Teacher of the Year, Anthony Mullen, as members on the Commission, a White House an-

She has overseen network editorial standards and original content development and guided the company’s corporate responsibility arm nouncement said. Since joining the company as its fifth employee in 1995, Srinivasan has led a range of editorial and policy functions, beginning with the organization and evo-

lution of the Yahoo! Directory, it noted. She has overseen network editorial standards and original content development, guided the company’s corporate responsibility arm, and directed policy issues including privacy and data use, advertising standards, youth safety, community guidelines, and accessibility. Prior to joining Yahoo!, Srinivasan was involved with the Cyc Project, a ten-year artificial intelligence effort to build an immense database of human commonsense knowledge. She chairs the Board of Trustees for SFJAZZ, a non-profit organization dedicated to jazz creation, presentation, and education. She is also a member of the 2000 class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute. She holds a BS with distinction from Stanford University in Symbolic Systems.

achieving MDGs will make to the lives of India's 1.2 billion people. "There is little sense of enthusiasm, excitement or involvement", he said. "To create a sense of urgency, it is vital for companies to include MDGs in all their print and electronic media advertising campaigns," said Jain. "As awareness increases, business leaders will realize that MDGs are simply a natural extension of their corporate social responsibility work." Jain is also working with Indian Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, and industry bodies in India such as ASSOCHAM and FICCI to determine the role of corporations in the MDG campaign. More im-

portantly, Jain is also actively engaging the World BPO Forum, a network of senior Information Technology leaders, to see how best Technology can be harnessed in achieving MDG's on target. There is a growing awareness among some business leaders that in a country like India, business activity cannot happen in a vacuum. Companies cannot prosper if they are surrounded by a sea of illiterate, unskilled, malnourished and unhealthy citizens with no jobs and no money to spend, Dossal said. "Our aim is to persuade business houses that achieving MDGs is an essential factor in their own business development and profitability rather than a 'nice-to-have' philanthropic activity," said Dossal. The United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as a gateway for partnership opportunities with the UN family. It promotes new collaborations and alliances in furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and provides support to new initiatives of the Secretary-General. UNOP provides Partnership Advisory Services and Outreach to a variety of entities, as well as managing the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP), established by the Secretary-General to serve as the interface in the partnership between the UN system and the UN Foundation, and the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).

PRIDE OF PUNJABIS: The Delhi Punjabi Bhalchara honored Padma Shri awardee Sant Chatwal at a function held in New Delhi. Others honored at the function ware B S Ramoowala, Gen JJ Singh, Kapil Dev and former CBI chief Joginder Singh.The honors were done by R S Jaura (center) and Ponty Chadda (extreme right)

Top Stories

April 23, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Indian-American sold B-2 stealth tech to China, US alleges WASHINGTON: The US has accused an Indian-American B-2 stealth bomber engineer Noshir Gowadia of selling classified defense secrets to China, a charge rejected by his lawyer, saying such "meaningless" information is already in the public domain. The government says Gowadia sold classified US defense secrets about the sophisticated B-2 stealth bomber to China for less than USD 85,000. Gowadia's lawyer says the information is meaningless because the Air Force already had released it and the intelligence did not help the Chinese at all, the Honolulu Star reported. Lawyers for the government and Gowadia presented opening statements to the jury in the espionage trial of the man who marketed himself as the father of the B-2 bomber. The trial is expected to run into July. Gowadia, 66, is facing charges that he helped the Chinese develop a cruise missile capable of evading heat-seeking air-to-air missiles. He is also facing charges that he sent classified information

to the Swiss government and businesses in Israel and Germany, as well as money laundering and tax evasion. From 1967 to 1986 he worked for giant defense contractor Northrop Corp., where he helped design the B-2's unique propul-

trails left by jet engines. When the government expanded the project without him, Gowadia got angry and wrote letters to government officials and his congressman trying to get back on the project, said federal prosecutor Kenneth Sorenson. Defense lawyer David Klein said Gowadia wanted to resume work on the project because he "felt he could save American lives," adding, "He wanted to help his country as he did before." Sorenson said Gowadia was angry because he "felt disrespected in this country." Gowadia bought some land on Maui in 1999. In 2003 he signed a construction contract to build a luxury home on a 2-acre site overlooking the ocean. He now faces forfeiture of the home to the government. Sorenson said when an expected Australian contract fell through, Gowadia needed money to pay his mortgage, which was USD 14,000 per month by 2005. So Gowadia and a business associate approached the Chinese government, he said. -PTI

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC), the overseas wing of the Congress Party in India launched its Business Council recently and inducted prominent New York attorney Rajiv Khanna as its chairman. At the event held to announce the launch of the Business Council, INOC President Dr. Surinder Malhotra announced that Khanna has also been appointed vice president of the INOC. Khanna, who specializes in cross-border trade and investment between India and the US is also head of the India-America Chamber of Commerce. Following the announcement, Malhotra said, that "INOC believes that Rajiv is the best person to chair its Business Council." INOC's Executive Committee conceived the idea of forming the Business Council, he said, in order to support the UPA government's desire to exceed this year, by even greater margins, India's current record-high GDP. Consul General of India in New York Prabhu Dayal who was the chief guest for the occasion, congratulated INOC on the formation of its Business Council and said that it could potentially be a vehicle to greatly enhance prosper-

ity in India and that the Business Council "must succeed" in its mission. INOC supporters from around the Tri-state area and Florida, California and Chicago attended the event. In his acceptance speech, Rajiv Khanna said his focus would be to "harness all the forces favoring trade and investment between India and the US", and that the Business Council would work to remove any impediments that might hinder the growth of trade and investment between the two countries. Khanna said INOC's goal was to make the US and India the largest trading partners of by the end of this decade, which would help India reach its highest level of GDP growth and eliminate poverty and would also bring economic growth to the US. Khanna said that he planned to organize the Business Council into groups of sub-Councils, each to address a different sector of US-India trade and investment, such as nuclear, diamond trade, medical tourism, information technology, outsourcing, real estate, manufacturing, and so on. Each section would be headed by a member of the Business Council's Executive Committee who would have a "hands-on" responsibility for that sub-council.

born to wealth and position. Jinnah created for himself a position. He carved in Bombay a position for himself. He was so poor that he had to walk to work," said Singh, who was expelled from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for praising Jinnah in his book. The deionFormer external affairs minister of India Jaswant Singh signs copies of his book during a ization of book-signing event in Islamabad on April 14 Jinnah was a direct result of the trauma of parSingh said people from both must let go of the shadows of histition, Singh said, adding, the sides of the border have long tory and let the new dawn arrive. view held by many in India that been trying to come closer and it We must create a strong relationJinnah hated Hindus was a mis- is time for making a new start in ship with each other, otherwise take. the relationship of the two neigh- the poverty at both sides of the Singh has said it is time that boring countries. border cannot be wiped away," the 'Berlin Wall' erected between "Masses at both sides of the he said. India and Pakistan following the border are longing to come close Commenting on the US and the 1965 war be demolished. to each other, and therefore we North Atlantic Territory

Organization's (NATO) intervention in India and Pakistan's issues, Singh said it is for both New Delhi and Islamabad to resolve their differences amicably. "The US is around 8,000 miles away from Pakistan, whereas India is only eight minutes away, therefore the people of India and Pakistan must resolve their differences themselves," Singh said. The book was released in August 2009 in India and soon became the subject of controversy. It contains controversial opinions of Singh, claiming that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's centralized policy was responsible for partition and that Jinnah was portrayed as a demon by India for the partition. The book has already received commendation from noted writers and experts Mark Tully, Meghnad Desai, Ram Jethmalani, Namwar Singh and Hameed Haroon, who believe that Jinnah's role needed to be reassessed. During his stay in Pakistan, Singh would also release his book in Islamabad and visit a famous Hindu temple, the Hinglaj Mandir in Balochistan.

Gowadia bought some land on Maui in 1999. In 2003 he signed a construction contract to build a luxury home on a 2-acre site overlooking the ocean. He now faces forfeiture of the home sion system. He then formed his own business, continuing to work with the US military. In 1992 the government's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded him a contract to try to find ways to reduce the visibility of water vapor

Jaswant goes ga ga over Jinnah in Karachi KARACHI: Former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh's enormous love for Mohammed Ali Jinnah was once again on show during the launch of his controversial, yet popular book: "Jinnah - India , Partition, Independence." Speaking at the book launch function, which was attended by a galaxy of politicians, historians, journalists and diplomats, Singh said Indian leaders had not only misunderstood Jinnah, but also demonized him. Comparing Jinnah with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Singh called Jinnah a 'self-made man', who created a position for himself amidst the privileged ones. "Gandhi himself called Jinnah a great Indian. Why don't we recognize that? Why don't we see and try to understand why he called him that?" 'The Daily Times' quoted Singh, as saying. "I admire certain aspects of his personality; his determination and the will to rise. He was a selfmade man. Mahatma Gandhi was the son of a Diwan. All these people - Nehru and others - were

INOC launches Business Council

Top Stories

10 India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

'Time for next chapter in US-India trade' India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: US Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue told India's business leaders April 12, that "there has never been a better time or opportunity to lift US-India trade and investment relations to a whole new level." In a speech to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Donohue said, "The United States is just starting to emerge from a severe recession in which more than 8 million Americans lost their jobs. India must also accelerate its growth in order to provide jobs for the millions of young people who enter its workforce each year. More trade and investment between us means more jobs and prosperity for both of us." Donohue lauded the recent expansion of trade as well as historic policy achievements such as the US-India Civilian Nuclear Agreement. Yet he emphasized that in a competitive global economy, "the smartest way to celebrate past success is to move quickly to build on it." "It's time to start writing the next chapter in the positive USIndia commercial relationship, with the private sectors in both countries leading the way," Donohue said. "Let's collaborate on innovation," Donohue said. "Let's part-

ner on infrastructure. Let's jointly develop clean, plentiful, and diverse supplies of energy. Let's bring efficiencies and productivity to each other's economiesthrough India's innovative valueadding IT industry and America's strength in the retailing, logistics, and education sectors. Let bring our most talented people together

Donohue said he hoped Indian lawmakers would quickly resolve remaining implementation issues surrounding the Civilian Nuclear pact, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;so that the Indian people can begin reaping the benefits of this historic agreementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to invent and apply technologies that can address the food, water, health, environmental, and security needs of our people." The US Chamber President assured his audience that "the interest and enthusiasm of the American private sector in India has reached an all-time high." "The moment I told our members I was coming here, my office was deluged with calls, questions, information, and requests,"

Donohue noted. "There's no lack of desire on the part of American companies from many sectors and all sizes to do business in India. The important question is: What will it take to move our trade to the next level?" Donohue urged the governments in both countries to "catch up to the private sector and put in place the right policy environment so that our companies can create a surge of new joint ventures, increase investment flows in both directions, expand our trade, create millions of new jobs, and yes, generate new tax revenues that can help address deficits in both Washington and New Delhi." Donohue cited restrictive visa policies in both countries, antiquated export control rules in the United States, remaining sectors still to be opened, and overly restrictive investment caps in key sectors in India as issues needing attention. Both nations have made progress in fighting intellectual property theft and protecting innovation, he noted, but "there are important remaining steps we both need to take." Donohue said he hoped Indian lawmakers would quickly resolve remaining implementation issues surrounding the Civilian Nuclear pact, "so that the Indian people can begin reaping the benefits of this historic agreement." Noting that both India and the United

States have each been blamed in recent years for the stalled Doha trade negotiations, the Chamber President suggested that "this reputation, fair or not, puts us in an influential position to work together to get things moving again, and I believe we have a responsibility to do that." Key business organizations

Thomas J. Donohue

such as the US Chamber, CII, and the US-India Business Council have a critical role to play in deepening commercial and friendship ties between the countries, Donohue emphasized. "We must speak forcefully while respectfully to our governments in order to achieve the policy tools we need to expand trade and commerce between us," Donohue said. "And, we must inform elected officials and

citizens about the importance of free enterprise, with open trade and capital markets and reasonable levels of taxation and regulation. By fostering the spirit of enterprise at every level of society, we can continue to lift living standards, reduce poverty, create jobs, and generate growth that is sustainable and inclusive." Following his address, Donohue will meet with senior government ministers, including India's Deputy Planning Chairman, the Competition Commissioner, the Commerce Secretary, and the Roads Minister. Aviation Minister Praful Patel joined Donohue on the dais to encourage more US firms to participate in India's civil aviation sector, part of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan to be implemented by India over the next five years. Following meeting with India's Finance Ministry in New Delhi, Donohue will fly to Mumbai, the financial capital, to meet with business leaders and India's largest banks. This includes SBI's chairman, Reliance's chairman, the Hinduja Group, among many others. Donohue also requested a tour of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai to pay his respects to the brave men and women who stood together in the face of terrorism, and to reaffirm American companies' solidarity with the people of India.

Mumbai journalists honor Dr. Sudhir Parikh NIDHI SOPARAWALA & FRANK FERNANDES

MUMBAI: Indian American physician and a prominent community activist, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, was honored here by Mumbai based journalists and Gujarati Patrakar Sangh on his receiving coveted Padma Shri Award at the hands of Indian President Smt. Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bahavan on April 7. Ms Neelam Pujara, president of the Gujarati Patrkar Sangh, presented Dr. Parikh a plaque recognizing his achievements not only bagging national Padma Shri Award but also his being bestowed earlier with Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman and globally recognized Ellis Award in New York. Dr. Parikh happens to be the only Indian Americans in USA to receive all the three awards and hence the journalists in Mumbai, especially Gujarati journalists decided to honor him. The luncheon reception was held a Samrat Hotel in the heart of Mumbai Downtown The additional reason, as put by Neelam Pujara, was that Dr.

Parikh has recently entered into the print media field taking over News India Times and Desi Talk both weekly newspapers in USA, and Indian American bi-monthly magazine earlier. Also present at the reception was Hemraj Shah, president of Brihad Mumbai Gujarati Samaj. He also greeted Dr. Parikh Dr Sudhir Parikh being honored in Mumbai by journalists (L to R) Hemraj Shah, President of along with Bruhad Mumbai Gujarati Samajm Dr. Sudhir, M. Parikh, Dr Mrs Parikh & Mrs Neelam Pujara, President of Mumbai Gujarati Patrakar Sangh Neelam Pujara. The New Jersey-based doctor is one of the Indians and people of Indian ori"I'm deeply honored and six distinguished Indian Ameri- gin for their contribution in vari- humbled by the honor conferred cans who made the 60th Repub- ous spheres of activity including on me by the President of India," lic Day honors list. The Padma the arts, education, science, Dr. Parikh said adding, "I also Shri is awarded to distinguished sports and social services. recognize the responsibility of

living up to this honor by redoubling my efforts to further USIndia relations, and making greater efforts at community service on both sides of the Atlantic." Dr. Parikh, a noted allergist and an acclaimed authority in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology, is also the chairman and publisher of New York-based Parikh Worldwide Media, Inc. Apart from medical practice and publishing, Dr. Parikh is actively involved in a number of charitable causes in the U.S. and in India. A particular focus of Dr. Parikh's community service has been to promote second generation of Indian Americans in the American political process with the view to ensuring strong U.S.India relations for generations to come. To this end, Dr. Parikh is involved in a variety of institutions. He is a founding member of some of them, including the Indian American Republican Council and Indian American Forum for Political Education.

Top Stories

April 23, 2010

India Post 11

www.indiapost.com

India tests UAV for anti-Naxal operations KANKER (CHHATTISGARH): Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, used by US forces to track down Taliban militants, successfully flew over over the dense forests of Bastar in the first trial run for anti-Naxal operations. The trials, which assumed urgency after the Dantewada massacre in which 76 security personnel were killed by Maoists, were aimed at generating real-time intelligence information to help ground forces in any offensive. The first trial involved an American UAV. The decision to have UAV flights was taken by the Union Home Ministry after the April six attack and their field trials were ordered immediately. An UAV of US' Honeywell, whose pilotless planes are reportedly used successfully by allied forces in the hunt for targets in war-hit Afghanistan and Iraq, flew during the night trial. The compact UAV, weighing nearly 10 kgs, was put through the rugged terrains of the hills overlooking Kanker after its take off from Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College here. The trials were witnessed by

officials not only from Chattisgarh and the Union Home Ministry, but also by police officials of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. Cruising over the hills, the UAV was checked for providing thermal images of any movement on the ground, detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and ammunition dumps. The UAV known as T-MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) is a compact machine manufactured by 'Honeywell'. The company, during

its briefing for officials, claimed that its deployment and stowing operations can be accomplished

The decision to have UAV flights was taken by the Union Home Ministry after the April six attack and their field trials were ordered immediately

in less than five minutes. This UAV was selected first for field trials as it has been claimed that it has been useful to the US forces in tracking down Taliban militants in high mountain passes and dense Waziristan area of Pakistan. The UAVs are urgently required as the forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations need realtime information to achieve greater success. It can go up to a height of 10,000 feet, fly at a speed of 70 kms per hour and can provide 240

minutes of sensor imagery to the ground station. The night-long trials also saw its use in detecting people in pitch dark and dense forests. In certain cases of mine detection, the UAV could not pick up signals properly and only showed some disturbance on the surface. A UAV of Defense Research and Development Organization, which has claimed to have a similar product, may be tried soon. However, its UAV trials two years back had not got the desired results.-PTI

Pak military has a very strong role in policy: Holbrooke WASHINGTON: Pakistan Army has a very strong role in the country's policy, despite restoration of democratic rule in the country, a top US envoy has said. "....The military in Pakistan has a very strong role in policy, which is traditional. Whether one likes it or not, it's part of it," the Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said in an interview. The envoy's comments come as the Pakistan's Parliament is in

the process of passage of the crucial constitutional amendment which will take away unlimited powers enjoyed by the President Asif Ali Zardari. Referring to the amendment in an interview with the MSNBC Holbrooke said, it will restore the supremacy of Parliament and reduce the powers of the President, which was the most powerful post under the previous Musharraf regime. He said by the constitutional

amendment Pakistan will return to the Prime Ministerial system. Holbrooke who was present in number of meetings visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other US leaders said the main crisis facing Pakistan was the energy crisis and economic woes. "Those are big deals, and we're trying to help them. One of the most senior people at the White House, David Lipton, is working

on this overtime. We have just had the Pakistanis here. Secretary (of State, Hillary) Clinton will be working very deeply on this," the envoy said. During his meeting with Clinton and Holbrooke, the Pakistani Prime Minister urged them to fast-track the funding process for undertaking the up gradation of existing power generation and transmission infrastructure to help overcome power shortages in Pakistan. -PTI

Desi News OFBJP holds community outreach program India Post News Service

Indo American Center mourns ex-president KRISHNA RAJ

CHICAGO: Narinder "Ned" Gauri, former Indo-American Center (IAC) President in 2008 and 2009, died of a massive AVM brain hemorrhage on April 5 here. Over 100 friends, family, and fellow colleagues at IAC gathered on Sunday April 11 at the Center's Main Hall to mourn the loss and talk about his lifetime achievements. Details on page 15

University holds Hindu ‘Dikshant Utsav’ RAJU BHARTAN

NEVADA: Unique, one of a kind baccalaureate service in the world, was held at University of NevadaReno (UNR) on the evening of April 11. Details on page 15

Correction

n the article titled 'St Louis Yoga Camp' in the community section of India Post issue dated April 16, the office bearers of two organizations were wrongly identified. Tammy Patel should be read as president of Gujarati Youth Group and not Bal Vihar while Gujarati Samaj president's name should read as Harish Patel and not Harish Bhakta. The error is regretted. - Editor

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

12 India Post

www.indiapost.com

April 23, 2010

Breathtaking performances at PCS Baisakhi SURESH BODIWALA

Sanskrit shlokas open Alaska Senate & House meetings India Post News Service

JUNEAU: Both Alaska State Senate and House of Representatives in Juneau started the day's work with Hindu prayers on April 9. Rajan Zeda, a Hindu community activist, read the opening prayers from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before Senators and Representatives on this day after sprinkling Gangajal (sacred water from river Ganga of India). After Sanskrit delivery, he then read the English translation of the prayers. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He started and ended the prayer with "Om", the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work. Reciting from Brahadaranyakopanishad, Rajan Zed said "Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya", which he then translated as "Lead me from the unreal to the Real, Lead me from darkness to Light, Lead me from death to Immortality." Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he urged State Senators and Representatives to keep the welfare of others always in mind. Rajan Zed also met Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, Lieutenant Governor Craig Campbell, Senate

Rajan Zed (left) reading the prayer from ancient Hindu scriptures in Alaska House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Chenault (fourth from left) is also seen in the picture

President Gary Stevens, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Chenault, Social Services Commissioner Bill Hogan, Education Commissioner Larry LeDoux, Catholic Bishop Edward Burns, Juneau City Manager Rod Swope,

on the occasion and presented them with a copy of BhagavadGita each. Priya Keane, who attended the prayer and whose mother is from India, described it as "wonderful". Alaska Senate comprises 20

members while House of Representatives has 40 members. Lonely Planet describes Alaska as "Big, beautiful and wildly bountiful" and its Mount McKinley is the highest mountain peak in North America.

Hindu meet promotes 'seva' India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The inaugural conference held by the Hindu American Seva Charities on March 27-28 was successful in producing an inquisitive dialogue about Hindu American identity, faith and civic engagement to strengthen America among the many issues on the table. It was also successful in developing a road map to create an

"umbrella of common principles" to collectively build and sustain healthy American communities. The two-day conference held at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, MD began with inspiring introductions from a panel of speakers including keynote speaker Mara Vanderslice, Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Majority

Leader in the Maryland House of Delegates Kumar Barve, and Hindu American Seva Charities founder-convener Anju Bhargava. Bhargava, who is Council member President's Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships said Hindus approach seva as service to humanity and/or God and that it is an integral part of individual spiritual practice. Cont’d on page 13

April 23, 2010

Community Across America

India Post 13

www.indiapost.com

Value based education at Maharishi University

Dr & Mrs Eisner & Mayor of Fairfield Edward Malloy with Indian CG Ashok Kumar Attri and Mrs Attri

India Post News Service

FAIRFIELD, Iowa: Indian Consul General in Chicago Ashok Kumar Attri accompanied by his wife Ms Usha Kiron paid a threeday visit to the City of Fairfield, the Maharishi Vedic City and the Maharishi University of Management (MUM) in Iowa from April 9 to 11. They had a first hand feel about the way the University worked employing age old Vedic knowledge. During the visit, CG Attri interacted with the Indian community of Fairfield and attended prayer ceremonies. He also had a luncheon meeting with Dr. Craig Pearson, Executive Vice President of MUM, Dr. David Goodman, Director of MBA Program and other members of the faculty, adminis-

tration and students of the MUM and toured the campus of the University. Both CG Attri and his wife Ms Usha learnt from the experts about the consciousness based education, value based management and transcendental meditation technique employed in the university to produce fully developed individuals, employing the age old ancient Indian Vedic knowledge. Mayor of Maharishi Vedic City Hon. Edward Wynne and Mrs. Maureen Wynne hosted a dinner in honor of visiting dignitaries at their residence, where the Mayor and other senior members of the City and the University briefed them about the uniqueness of the City and its bylaws. The whole Vedic City is built on the principles of Vastu Shastras and all residents

and visitors use environment friendly materials and food and engage in economic activities which do not harm humanity, animals or environment. All of them are pure vegetarians and grow and use only organically grown materials. The Mayor also talked about the daily Vedic Rudrabhisheka Yagya which is performed by expert Vedic pandits who have been trained in India since childhood through a thorough and rigorous curriculum. For this, the city has built a special campus for Indian Vedic pandits. The City is

1,750 in the near future. The City meets all the costs of bringing the Pandits from India and their housing, meals and other necessities in the custom built campus and also pays them regular salary. The purpose of Yagna performed by the Pandits is to increase positive vibrations in the atmosphere of USA to promote peace throughout USA and the world. CG Attri and Mrs. Attri also attended the Rudrabhisheka Yagna performed by hundreds of Pandits and met the organizers and chief pandits there after the ceremony. They also interacted with a large number of important invited guests. They learnt from Regional Director Pegi Kempner about the activities of the Brahmanada Saraswati Foundation which is working to achieve world peace

about the Institute for Natural Medicine by its Director, Prof. Robert Schneider. The Institute follows ancient Ayurveda system. Dr. Schneider will be shortly visiting India to participate in the forthcoming AYUSH conference organized by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy medicines of the Government of India. Attri also toured the facilities of the Institute at the Raj Ayurveda Health Centre in the Vedic City. The culmination of the three days visit was a luncheon discussion with the Co-Dean of Admissions of the University John Revolinski along with Mayor Ed Malloy of the City of Fairfield, IA, and others. Mayor Malloy briefed about the economic situation in Fairfield and sur-

Vedic Pandits going for Rudrabhisheka ceremony

gradually increasing the number of Pandits from India. Currently they have 1,039 pandits and hope to increase the number to over

through Vedic technologies by training and utilizing the Vedic pandits in such yagnas. The visitors were also briefed

rounding areas in Iowa. They also visited the unique self created Swayamabhoo Ice Shivlingam in its temple in the Vedic City.

Hindu meet promotes 'seva' Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

In the US, community governance is through churches and synagogues and is largely funded by the government. The Hindu and Dharmic institutions are new to this approach (as families provided the support). Hence they do not have a developed social support infrastructure to access the resources for seva. Additionally the current seva activities performed by millions of Hindu volunteers are relatively unknown to their own community and mainstream Americans. Consequently, Bhargava noted, the HASC report documenting seva initiated in response to President Obama's Summer 2009 United We Serve campaign "opened the government's eyes" regarding the Hindu American community's desire to serve and strengthen American through seva. Hindu Americans need external

support from the government and other US stakeholders to develop Seva Centers, as conduits to challenge the collective energy, resources and skills to address both their needs and the needs of the community at large. In her keynote speech, Sonal Shah, director of the White House Office of Social Innovation said it was important the Hindu American community effectively communicates information about Seva, however, the community has to be more unified in its presence. For example, she suggested the Hindu American community create an "umbrella of common principles" so that the larger community clearly comprehends its goals. What would provide further credibility to the community is to collect data to document the need and highlight the collective strength. Shah also suggested Hindu Americans work with state and local governmental officials to dis-

cuss issues regarding capacity building, funds and resources. She said working with government takes diligence, patience, persistence and the ability to compromise. Finally, Shah emphasized

She suggested the Hindu American community create an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;umbrella of common principles" so that the larger community clearly comprehends its goals. What would provide further credibility to the community is to collect data to document the need and highlight the collective strength

the immediate need to educate America's youth, especially in light of the 50 percent high school dropout national rate. She said education is a key item on the White House agenda, adding organizations, such as Hindu American Seva Charities can be more proactive about educating the under-privileged youth and closing the achievement gap through programs, and events. The conference also stressed that Hindu and Dharmic Institutions need to partner with other organizations to expand religious classes to offer yoga classes; scholastic classes for youths, resources for senior citizens, women's empowerment, youth at risk and help to meet immediate needs such as housing assistance for financially struggling families. The Seva Centers could augment meeting internal and external needs, by partnering with wellestablished and staffed service

providers like AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) and AAPI (American Association of Physicians from India), South Asian Total Health Initiative (SATHI), and many more. The conference ended on a collaborative effort with the audience members to pinpoint the top issues of concern and focus as HASC moves forward. The following summarizes the key actions: - Establish a Hindu American Seva Corp. to spur a sustainable nationwide collective Seva movement. - For the coming year, education should be the theme for a national initiative for Summer 2010 focusing on health and poverty reduction. - Foster ways to develop technologically based solution to connect various seva and educational resources and to collect data to provide comprehensive, ongoing analysis of the community.

Community Across America

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

OFBJP holds community outreach program jointly working on the causes related to India and Indian Americans with their respective lawmakers, US administration, thinktanks, and media. He gave examples of shifting Afghan-Pak policies of USA, and China’s expansionist policies. He ridiculed reports of a possible US nuclear deal with Pakistan saying that such a myopic strategy would boomerang on US and is dangerous to not only South Asia but also to the entire world.

Deep Prajwalan by senior Members - L to R - Jayesh Patel (President Elect), Upendra Chivukula (NJ Assemblyman), R. P. Singh (Vice President), Adapa Prasad (President), Radhakrishna Bhargav. The member doing Deep Prajwalan is Ram Kamath (Gen. Secretary) India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: A community outreach program was organized by the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) in New Jersey on April 4 at TV Asia auditorium, the purpose of which was to reach out to the Indian American community and its leadership to work on issues related to India, and the Diaspora in the US. The Tri-State area community responded enthusiastically to the OFBJP’s call with over 200 representatives of various organizations participating in the meeting. The program was coordinated by the OFBJP President-Elect Jayesh Patel and General Secretary Ram Kamath. Past president and National Organizing Secretary, Chandrakanth Patel gave an account of the BJP national executive committee meeting recently held in Indore, India. As a representative of OFBJP-USA at the Indore conference Patel informed that he observed drastic changes

in the BJP under the leadership of Nitin Gadkari. He felt a contagious excitement among the party cadre as ideological moorings were firming up. Dr. Adapa Prasad, President of OFBJP-USA, appealed to the audience to work with OFBJP in

NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivakula said that the community unity is paramount and one should learn this from other successful communities

Members of Central Jersey Indian Lions Club honoring President Adapa Prasad - Himanshu Desai (Secretary, Lions Club), Haresh Shah (V P, Lions Club), Dr. Adapa Prasad (President)

NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivakula said that the community unity is paramount and one should learn this from other successful communities. He reminded the audience about Hinduism and how it contributed to the world. He envisioned a role for OFBJP in

Standing from left - Ram Kamath (Gen. Secretary), Arun Madan (Active Member), Haresh Shah (Active Member), Rakshpal Sood (Senior Advisor), Adapa Prasad (President), Chandrakant Patel ( Past President & Current Organizing Secretary), Arish Sahani (UN Relations Committee), R. P. Singh (Vice President), V. K. Sabapathy (Jt. Secretary), Krishna Reddy A. (Treasurer), Seated from left - Dr. Bijoy Shaw (Active Member), Smt Meera Shaw (Public Relations - NYC), Smt. Nilima Madan (Cultural Committee, NYC), Smt. Bina Sabapathy (Co-ordinator, NYC), Smt. Kamla Singh (Senior Citizen's Issue Comm), Smt Shefali Patel (Website), Jayesh Patel (President Elect)

USA in espousing Hindu and India related causes. He exhorted the audience to be proud of their heritage and urged them to promote those cultural values. Rakhapal Sood, senior leader, and member of the Advisory Council, in his inspiring speech talked about Dharma, and Krishna Reddy, National Treasurer talked about the OFBJP membership categories and their benefits. He gave an account of the OFBJP activities such as conducting seminars, meetings and press conferences of BJP leaders, mobilizing public support against terrorism, educating people on several issues, and ideological issues, publishing news-letters and working with elected officials. He elaborated on how OFBJP is currently making efforts to reach out to all the age groups including Gen X and Gen Y through Internet, websites, social networking sites etc. in the coming months and years.

Manavi to celebrate 25th anniversary India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: Leading women's advocacy group Manavi will host its 25th anniversary gala in Jersey City, New Jersey May 8, to celebrate strides made to halt violence against women in South Asian communities. Dr. Ellen Pence, Executive Director of Praxis International, who has been at the forefront of the movement to end violence against women, and was one of the first champions of the groundbreaking Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), will receive the award for Gala Honoree. Dr. Pence helped found the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project and is widely recognized with creating the Duluth

Model of intervention in domestic violence cases, an interagency approach involving police, courts, and social services that's used worldwide. Special Guest Zeenat Aman, who challenged female stereotypes in 1970's Bollywood by taking on leading roles depicting strong, independent women, and winning Filmfare awards for such roles, underscores Manavi's mission of empowering women to lead self-reliant lives. Zeenat Aman's unique portrayal of such women who embraced an amalgam of Indian and Western identities resonated with a young and democratic India undergoing modernization in the 1970s. "We are very excited to recognize these two inspiring women at

our 25th Anniversary Gala," explains Maneesha Kelkar, the Executive Director of Manavi. "Dr.

Special Guest Zeenat Aman, who challenged female stereotypes in 1970's Bollywood by taking on leading roles depicting strong, independent women underscores Manavi's mission Pence's contribution to ending violence against women runs across the spectrum: from working in the

trenches advocating for battered women in rural areas, marching in demonstrations, to founding and leading organizations that have international impact." Regarding Zeenat Aman, Kelkar states, "her strong roles in Indian cinema, particularly her role as a rape survivor seeking justice despite societal resistance, echoes Manavi's mission of ending violence against women." The gala will be hosted by Joya Dass of Asian Variety Show (AVS), a highly popular weekly South Asian television program, and will feature a silent auction benefit and a musical performance from rising Indian American recording artist, Rajé. As a pioneer, Manavi continues to champion new initiatives

for advancing the South Asian women's movement at the local and national level, such as launching the Economic Empowerment Program in 2010. Since 1985, it has assisted over two thousand survivors of domestic violence and abuse. As a testament to its grassroots efforts and its increasing role in informing national policy, Manavi had the unique honor of being the only South Asian women's rights organization invited to the 2009 White House State Dinner honoring India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. And, in 2010, Manavi was chosen to be a member of the recently formed New Jersey Governor's Commission on New Americans.

April 23, 2010

Community Across America

India Post 15

www.indiapost.com

University holds Hindu Indo American Center Baccalaureate Service mourns ex-president RAJU BHARTAN

NEVADA: Unique, one of a kind baccalaureate service in the world, was held at University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) on the evening of April 11. "Third Annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service of UNR (Dikshant Utsav)" blessed the graduating class in the traditional Hindu style according to ancient scriptures, complete with applying tilak (religious mark) on the foreheads of graduates, participatory

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Muslim Imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi, Buddhist Priest Phil Bryan, Jewish Rabbi Elizabeth Beyer, Baha'i Roya Galata, Confucian Shih Fan Chu, Nevada Clergy Association president Gene Savoy Jr., Nevada Solicitor General Charles Wayne Howle, Sparks Mayor Geno R. Martini, Judge Jim Van Winkle, and Chair UNR Faculty Senate Elliott Parker. Reno Nevada Institute of Religion delivered a Quartet (My Heavenly Father loves me) led by Mark Lorentzen.

Religious, political and educational leaders with some of the graduating students at the "Third Annual Hindu Baccalaureate Service of University of Nevada-Reno" on April 11

reading of Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit, and United States (US) Senate Majority kirtan (sacred chant). It also included bless- Leader Harry Reid, US Congressman Dean ings by Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jew- Heller, Supreme Court of Nevada Associate ish, Baha'i, and Confucian representatives Chief Justice James W. Hardesty, and Reno who read prayers in Arabic, Pali, Hebrew, Mayor Robert A. Cashell Sr. sent congratuPersian, besides English. latory messages on the occasion. Organized by Rajan Zed, an Indian Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal American community activist, in collabora- Society of Hinduism, speaking on the occation with Indian Student sion, said that the purpose Organization and South of this baccalaureate serAsian Association of UNR, Special certificates vice was to root the graduit started with lighting the ating class in divine spiritraditional lamp before the were given to tual and cultural tradition statue of goddess graduates on the so that they have a spirituSaraswati, patron of learnally meaningful life in ading and the arts, and in- occasion with the dition to material success. cluded blessing of the up- parting advice Education in Hindu tracoming graduates with dition has been deep wisdom from Vedas, as - satyam vada rooted, Zed says and adds Upanishads and that after many important Bhagavad-Gita - all ancient (speak the truth), universities in ancient InHindu scriptures by well- dharma chara dia, like Taxila, Nalanda, known Hindu monk Swami Sarnath, Amaravati, Vedananda from California. (practice Banaras, Kanchi and Prominent musician Jim righteousness) Ujjain; great Indian univerEaglesmith chanted kirtan sities also flourished in number "Sita-Ram" and the medieval period, like audience followed him on the chant. Odantapura (745 AD), Vikramasila (810 AD), Special certificates were given to gradu- Somapura (480 AD), Jagaddala (1090 AD). ates on the occasion with the parting adUNR, the flagship institution of the vice as - satyam vada (speak the truth), State established in 1864, is one of the dharma chara (practice righteousness), top 120 universities in America for funded matrudevo bhava (treat your mother with research, which spans issues relating to great respect), pitrudevo bhava (treat your the environment, renewable energy refather with great respect), etc. sources, the life sciences and plasma physBesides Vedananda, those who blessed ics. Hinduism, oldest and third largest the graduating class included Catholic Pas- religion of the world, has about one biltor Charles T. Durante, Presbyterian Pastor lion adherents and moksh (liberation) is Bruce Taylor, Bruce Brinkerhoff of The its ultimate goal.

pects of its service, including the implementation of the Golden Diners Lunch Program CHICAGO: Narinder "Ned" Gauri, former for the seniors in 2009 and the opening of a Indo-American Center (IAC) President in branch office in Des Plaines to help subur2008 and 2009, died of a massive AVM brain ban clients with their Citizenship and Immihemorrhage on April 5 here. Over 100 gration needs. friends, family, and fellow colleagues at IAC His dream for the Center was a new buildgathered on Sunday April 11 at the Center's ing and his resolve has brought that dream Main Hall to mourn the ever closer to reality with loss and talk about his lifethe Board members busy time achievements. finalizing architectural Narinder was deeply plans, obtain necessary involved with the IAC's building permits, and acfounding and growth over tively campaigning to the past two decades, raise funds. Prem Balani, working toward champithe current IAC President oning a cause close to his said, "Every morning, I will heart. He wanted to help think of Ned and work people less fortunate than hard toward making his himself. Citing his own exdreams for the IAC come perience, he would say true." "my father was 90 and "The mission of the Narinder Gauri, former lonely at home. I realized IAC was the same mission IAC President that it would be great for of my father's life: 'to prohim to have an opportunity to meet and mote the well-being' of others. He truly felt socialize with other senior citizens while fortunate to be a part of the IAC family," learning to become a part of the community Narinder's daughter, Anjali Gottreich said. where, as an immigrant, he felt isolated." The IAC mission is to promote the well This realization, said Jay Luthra, executive being of South Asian immigrants through serdirector IAC, continually guided his work vices that facilitate their adjustment, integraat IAC, as he improved the Center in all as- tion and friendship with the wider society.

KRISHNA RAJ

Community Across America

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

First Health Fair at Jalaram Temple Thakkar and Rajan Shah and for females by Rita Thakkar, Nayana Soni, Jayaben Patel, and Sonal

Dr Chandrakant Modii examining a patient

SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: Shree Jalaram Mandir (Temple ) in Hoffman Estates successfully organized its first Health Fair on April 11. The goal was to provide medical check up to all, including those who are uninsured facing medical coverage problems. The health fair provided medical check up for more than 255 participants. The line started from 7:30 am and volunteers like Manubhai Shah, Bhuprndra Thakkar, Yogesh Thakkar Naliniben Shah and Ketan Thakkar helped smooth registration. The vital data such as height / weight were taken by Kajal Thakkar, Mahesh Patel and Karishma Thakkar; blood pressure was checked by Daxaben Thakkar, Hemaben Shastri, Manali Thakkar and Rupa Thakkar; blood sugar was checked by Arti Thakkar, Koshore Chugh, Paragi Patel, Vivek Patel and Falguni Thakkar for each participant. Blood sample was drawn

by Bhagwat Thakkar, Bakul Thakkar, Sonal Thakkar, Disha Patel, Chirag Patel, Versha Patel and Sima Patel.

Dr Chandrakant Modi, a community activist who rendered his services at the Fair, observed that "our community has to do more to address the problems of seniors and medically uninsured Patel. The test results were reviewed by Dr. Vijay Patel and Vikram Patel. Bone density test for ladies were performed by

Checking blood sugar

provided by Dr. Charu Vibhakar and Dr. Rajan Verma. Eye exam and screening were performed by Dr. Grishma Patel,

Jalaram Mandir officials, volunteers and participants at the first ever Mandir Health fair at Hoffman Estate

EKG test was done for males by Subhash Talwar, Ramesh

Ranjana Shah and Bakul Thakkar. Dental services were

Dr. Charles Faron and Dr. M. Raichand. 20/20 vision test was performed by Vithi Thakkar and Nisargi Thakkar. Chiropractic exam were performed by Dr. Kalpesh Gelani; physical therapy was conducted by Nitul Thakkar, Alpa Parikh and Vaibhavi Delwadia. Urine analysis was performed by Dimple Thakkar, Alka Patel, Richa Shah and Purvi

Thakkar. After all tests and physical examination, consultation was provided by Dr. Chandrakant Modi, Dr. Ashok Shah, Dr. Parag Thakkar and Dr. Mona Gosh, who recommended the treatment and follow up required. The blood samples were sent to Medstar Laboratory for testing. The report will be reviewed by doctors and will be mailed to patients' residences. The participants were advised to review their EKG and laboratory test results with their primary care physician. Since most of the participants were fasting for collection of appropriate fasting blood sample, Indian type breakfast and hot masala chai or coffee were provided by Mandir's volunteers. Following completion of the health fare, all the volunteers were provided lunch. On behalf of the board of trustees, Jayantibhai and Chirayu congratulated all volunteers and appreciated their solid, excellent work and dedication for the cause of humanity. Dr. Chandrakant Modi, a community activist who rendered his services at the Fair, observed that "our community has to do more to address the problems of seniors and medically uninsured immigrants, and make them feel that they can live their life in dignity and respect.

AMU Assn show by 3 comedians MOHAMMED GHOUSE

CHICAGO: The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association has slated a comedy show at the Northwestern University, Owen Coon Forum Auditorium, in Evanston, a north side Chicago suburb, at 7 pm on Saturday, May 15. The evening features famous Azhar Usman, internationally known for his "Allah Made me

Funny" fame, amazing comedian Aman Ali of New York and Samson Koletkar (world's only Indian Jewish Comedian) from San Francisco. The AMUAA GC is a non-profit charitable organization of alumni and well wishers of the Aligarh Muslim University working for educational, social, and cultural awareness purposes. All proceeds will go towards Girls' Education Projects of AMUAA-GC.

April 23, 2010

Community Across America

India Post 17

www.indiapost.com

Grand celebration of 108 Sundarkand Mahayagya SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: International Society for Spiritual Advancement (ISSA) celebrated its 4th Annual 108 Sunderkand Mahayagya at Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, on April 3. More than 450 devotees recited simultaneously and in unison the holy Sundarkand from Sant Tulsidas's Shri Ramcharit Manas.

recitation of the Sundarkand started at 9:30 a.m. After Hanuman Chalisa followed the rendition of Bhajans by Girish Bhatt. After Bhajans Inderjeet Gurtatta greeted the special guests Consul General of India at Chicago, Ashok Kumar Attri and his wife Mrs. Usha Attri, Shri Ram Kumar Kashyap, Premi Ji and Ved Bhagat (Hindu Temple of Greater Washington DC), and others. Attri expressed his appreciation and thanks for this spiritual event organized for the community.

Mathuresh Das received enormous appreciation from devotees for arranging such a wonderful spiritual program This was followed by the most awaited event for all devotees, the Ramkatha, "Angad's transcendental change" narrated by Ramanand Ji. A havan (fire sacrifice) ceremony was performed for Lord Ramchandra by chanting his khadakshar mantra,"om ranh ramaya namah. At the end of the havan, purnahuti was performed by all. After the havan, Mathuresh Das and Ramanand led the aartis. Inderjit Gurtatta thanked all the guests and attendees for their participation Kids singing bhajan. Sitting L to R: Anju Balakrishnan, Parvinder Gurtatta (Rani), Sriram Nair, Srihari Nair, Arneet Gurtatta, Raj Angad Gutatta

All the devotees were greeted by youth volunteers by offering aachman (taking holy Ganga jal), sindur tilak on their forehead, tulsi kanthi-mala, angavastra (Ram naam shawl). The first 108 families to arrive were also given a pooja kalash with paan leaves and coconut to offer to Lord Shri Ramchandra and mother Janki. The program commenced at 8 a.m. with Hari Naam Sankirtan by Shri Girish Bhatt, a wellknown classical bhajan singer of Chicagoland accompanied by Mathuresh Das, a devotee of ISKCON and Program Director of ISSA. This was followed by spiritual bhajans by devotees from Chicagoland and from Hindu Mandir of Metropolitan Washington-DC. Special bhajan were performed by the children (Raj Angad & Arneet Gurtatta, Srihari & Sriram Nair,) singing Ramachandra Mangalam. Anju Balakrishnan and Parvinder Gurtatta (Rani) welcomed all the devotees and invited the distinguished guests Guru Jaychandra Raj (a renowned astrologer from India) and Dr. Pradheep Kumar Chhalliyil (from GeneTic ID, Iowa). They were presented with bouquets of flowers. After the welcome address by Guru Jaychandra Raj, Pradeep Challiyil blessed the gathering. Shri Ramanand (Dr. Rama S. Dwivedi) performed ahwaan (invocation) ceremony of the Anant Koti Brahmand Nayak Bhagwan Sri Raghvendra Sarkar and all his paarshads. The

Balaji Temple to host Indian Dance Festival GURU SWAMY

CHICAGO: Sri Balaji Temple of Aurora, Illinois will host a grand Indian dance festival on May 1, 2010 at 2pm in the Temple's auditorium. Performances will include Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattyam and Odissi dance styles of India. Over 150 young performers will participate in this grand cultural event. Audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy the diversity and uniqueness of each dance style. Dance schools based in the Chicago area as well as the Midwest region will participate in this year's event. This event is held every year at the temple to showcase the talents of aspiring dancers and to promote classical Indian dances and to encourage the younger generation of children growing up in America to have a greater sense of appreciation of rich Indian culture. The aim is also to help preserve the classical dance forms which have played a significant role in Indian culture. Teachers who have been training students in their respective art forms consider this a great platform to expose their students' artistic talents to the larger audience and Indian Diaspora.

Bhajan Mandali: Sitting R to L: Ramanand Dwivedi, Suresh Rami, Apoorv Dwivedi, Mathuresh Das, Ramshraddha Das, young Babu Sarkar, Girish Bhatt, Puran Dada

Mathuresh Das, on behalf of ISSA, told this reporter that he received enormous appreciation from devotees for arranging such a wonderful spiritual program that will be remembered by all for a long time. He attributed this success to the tireless work done by all of the volunteers. ISSA has expressed special thanks to Subhash Mantri and his team of videographers and Kanu Thakkar.

Community Across America

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Breathtaking performances at PCS Baisakhi SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: More than 1500 community members and over 200 participants, program coordinators, and volunteers of all ages from metropolitan Chicago and surrounding States packed Lane Tech High School Auditorium in Chicago last week to celebrate Baisakhi festival. An amalgam of myriad colors of youthful spirit and breathtaking sensational performances by participants marked the 'Rangla Punjab 2010', the welcome celebration for Baisakhi (spring) festival organized by the Punjabi Cultural Society (PCS). Other highlights of the evening were stalls showcasing Indian chic designer collections and accessories. The variety show titled "Rangla Punjab" is the flagship event of PCS. This is one of the

Chief Guest Gurucharan Singh honored at Baisakhi festival. Seen in the picture are PCS Officials and members

case their talent. PCS is an all volunteer not-for-profit community service organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, sports, good citizenship, and healthy life style in metropolitan Chicago area. "Rangla Punjab 2010 was a

‘A blend of folk dance, Punjabi songs and dance in varying manifestations of human moods were well showcased in the event,’ said, Rajender Singh Mago of PCS

Child artists at the festival

single largest annual Punjabi community cultural events in Chicagoland running for more than quarter of a century. It is designed to teach and promote Punjabi performing arts Bhangra, Gidha, songs, drama and music to the next generation of the local Punjabi American community and provide an opportunity to show-

Major (retired) Gurcharn Singh Jhai and a former State senator Dan Rutherford were the chief guests. Rutherford congratulated the PCS executive committee for preserving and promoting rich Indian heritage and culture in Chicagoland. He also appreciated the work of Rajender Singh Mago and Omkar Singh for making Rangla Punjab 2010 a grand hit.

huge success in providing a platform to families in the entire Midwest to connect with their roots in Punjab. The Baisakhi festival is the celebration of ending of harvest season, and beginning of a new year in Punjab. Also, this day in 1699 the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ordained the Khalsa order in Anandpur, Punjab, India.

The cultural evening kickstarted with Sikhs prayer shabad by Sikh Youth of Chicago and was followed by array of cultural items. A magnificently decked-up stage and appropriate background music provided the perfect setting. 'Hick vich zor' by Punjabi Sher Indiana team went down well with

Mortgage rates are still historically low Act now Look into reﬁnancing with a responsible lending leader. You may be able to: • Lower your monthly mortgage payment • Switch from an ARM to a predictable ﬁxed-rate loan • Access cash for large expenses or, debt management

• Get a shorter term to pay off your mortgage faster • Finance your closing costs as part of your new loan

• Since 2002, ranked among top 10 volume producers for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Alameda County • One of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage’s top 125 volume producers in the nation • Winner of numerous Sales and Service awards during his 17 years

Call today for a complimentary consultation.

Neil Sheth 39265 Paseo Padre Pkwy • Fremont, CA 94538 510-818-9536 Direct • 408-396-3545 Cell 510-713-1387 Fax n.sheth@wellsfargo.com Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. © 2009 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. #67456 10/09-1/10

the audience. It was followed by other sensational hits like 'Sikh beats' by local teams and The Bhangra Element by Indianapolis participants. A group dance 'Punjabi Dhamaka' by Indiana participants and 'Gajde Punjabi' by

Mohina Ahluwalia said that these programs take a lot of effort to organize, but are worth it to celebrate our culture and to create unity in the community. Rutherford wished he could do Bhangra as well as some the kids who he saw performing. He also has high regard for Punjabi and the Indian community "A blend of folk dance, Punjabi songs and dance in varying manifestations of human moods were well showcased in the event," said, Rajender Singh Mago of PCS. He thanked the audience, sponsors and volunteers and congratulated PCS organizing team. The program was sponsored by Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini (Advance Pain Management), Dr. Narinder S. Grewal (Califor-

Bhangra being performed at 2010 Baisakhi celebrations

Milwaukee participants met with applause. Girls and boys dressed up in traditional costumes enlivened the cultural evening. A skit with social message 'Shaheed Bhagat Singh' was presented by Michigan participantsGurbinder Singh Khehra and Preet Randhawa. Anchors Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Ramandeep Kaur Sekhon, Balwinder Singh Girn and Manjit Singh Gill helped in keeping the audience charged up. In the end, the atmosphere got too charged up and thrilling when students of University of Chicago performed the most famous folk 'Sikh beats'. A group dance 'Punjabi Dhamaka' by Indiana participants and 'Gajde Punjabi' by Milwaukee participants too met with applause. There were a variety of programs throughout the function well applauded by the people. The awards in various categories were presented to the Past PCS president- Ronny S. Kular and Past PCS Chairman - Harinder Paul Singh for their services to PCS". Chief guest - Major (retd.) Gurcharan Singh Jhaj received award for supporting PCS.

nia), Balwinder Singh Girn (Punjab Auto Works), Harinderpaul Singh (MITS), Diljit Singh Ahluwalia - Alfa Tools, Chicago Children's Museum and the Palatine Park District. Hitesh Master of SAREGAMA Orchestra coordinated the music; Photography was by Devinder Singh Sangha and Mr. Suresh Bodiwala PCS announced taking a bus loads of community members at no cost to them on Sunday May 17 to Navy Pier (1 to 4 pm) to participate in a cultural procession at Navy Pier, in Chicago, Downtown and also the "Passport to the World - India" cultural program at Chicago Children's Museum, where Bhangra lessons and turban tying demonstrations will be given. PCS scholarships worth $1000 & $500 will be awarded on June 13 from 5-8 pm at "Punjabi Youth Graduation Night 2010" where Class of 2010 Graduates will be honored. The 16th Annual "Punjabi Sports Festival 2010" is planned during one weekend in Summer 2010 The 8th International Bhangra and Giddha Competition" at "PCS Night 2010" in November 2010.

Community/California

April 23, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Cal. News Indian student in UC, Irvine, missing India Post News Service

Sadhguru's enlightening talk on 'Divine is Destiny' India Post News Service

SAN FRANCISCO: Mahesh Mahadevan, a student of MS/ Ph.D Program in the Mechanical Engineering Department at

Mahesh Mahadevan

whole system was focused on elevating a grosser form to a subtler form, by a process of consecration; not just objects and spaces but even human beings could be consecrated. At one point, Sadhguru declared 'Gautama was out of his mind', then with a twinkle in his eye, explained that by distancing himself from his mind, Gautama became the Buddha - the one who is beyond the tricks and traps of his own mind. When asked to comment on the recent controversies involving an Indian guru and if there was any hope left for seekers in finding a real guru. Sadhguru replied because there are a few rotten apples there is no reason to throw the whole basket away. In turn it becomes

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles area received a special treat with Sadhguru's talk "Divine is the Destiny" at the Sanatan Dharma Temple in Norwalk, April 4. The evening began with the blissful melody of "Anand Varsha" and was followed by Sadhguru's unique blend of engaging stories, answering many questions on the Divine and encouraging all present to look deeper within the self. Sadhguru explained that although people have been looking up to heaven for millennia, with each culture's own stories about these places and their residents, life on the planet isn't any happier or peaceful. Anyway, even the positions of heaven and hell are relative and only symbolic as there is no up nor down in this cosmos.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

UC, Irvine, has been reported missing since April 10. Indian Consul (Community Affairs) in San Francisco Ashok Kumar Sinha has issued an appeal for help to locate him. In a press release, he says, "His parents and friends are extremely concerned and would welcome any information about his whereabouts. Please let us know immediately if you come across any information which can help in locating him."

Free Health Fair at Jain Center India Post News Service

BUENA PARK, CA: Almost everyone in this country knows about heart disease--the importance of prevention, detection, and treatment. Most people are aware of the impact heart disease has on a person but what about vascular disease outside the heart. Many vascular diseases can produce stroke, which is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Details on page 20

OFBJP hails Karnataka CM on civic polls India Post News Service

A section of the audience

Our entire experience of life - every single thing we have seen, smelled, tasted, heard or touched has been experienced only from within, thus what we are seeking is already within us. The intelligence and competence that transforms a piece of bread into a human being is something that is alive and true for every one of us. What we eat becomes us, in a matter of a few hours and that intelligence

and competence is working from within us. There is no machine in the known world as complex or as capable as a human being. This body is not here just to eat, sleep, procreate, and die, but is capable of reaching the ultimate. This is the reason a whole culture (Indian) focused its energy on devising ways to elevate one's self. Indian alchemy was not interested in converting rocks to gold, as in terms of life, gold has no value, especially if everyone had lots of it. Instead, the

‘The intelligence and competence that transforms a piece of bread into a human being is something that is alive and true for every one of us’ our responsibility to discard the rotten ones at the earliest so seekers can enjoy the sweetness of the good ones. As to finding a real guru, Sadhguru asked people to use their intelligence instead of blind belief, pointing out that if someone demands worship, claiming his spiritual experience is unique and exclusive, then he most certainly belongs in the rotten pile. Sadhguru's talk elaborated clearly the significance of becoming inward bound in addition to the natural, sensuous instinct of being outward bound, making it self-evident why we must explore the immense possibilities each human being is born with.

Ashwini Bhide's spellbinding afternoon ragas SARIKA RAVINDRAN

LOS ANGELES: It was an afternoon music lovers will fondly cherish and remember for a long time. Noted Hindustani classical vocalist, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande enthralled listeners in Los Angeles, with her concert of afternoon ragas. Presented by Rupak School of Music, a non-profit dedicated to featuring traditional forms of music, the concert was held at the University of Philosophical Research, Los Angeles. Ashwini, among the most sought after classical vocalists in India today, is an exponent of the historic Jaipur Atrauli gharana of Hindustani classical vocal music. Staying true to the traditional gayaki of her gharana, Ashwini started off the recital with raag Madmad Sarang, a delicate afternoon melody, with a clear and straightfor-

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande

ward alaap followed by two compositions - the slower or vilambit "Jab Se Man Lagyo" and the sprightly "Rang De Rang Rejwa" in drut teental, a fast sixteen beat cycle. An hour passed, as the notes of Madmad

Sarang unfolded. Like a seasoned jeweler unearthing some very priceless gems Ashwini started displaying the characteristic nuances of Jaipur's illustrious gayaki, in ways sometimes subtle and sometimes not. Either way, no one complained. Madmad Sarang was followed by another wonderful melody, Patdeep. Traditionally sung at dusk, Patdeep is a raag that has often lent itself to film music, but the artists' presentation of this melody more than gave it its due place in the classical format. Wasting no time, Ashwini's short but strikingly accurate alaapi delved straight to the heart of the raga and forced a mark of appreciation from her audience at the onset. The haunting composition "Deep Prakash", beautifully set to the tenbeat Jhap Taal, was followed by a gusty tarana in teental. Cont’d on page 21

Community/California

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Free Health Fair at Jain Center into diverse screening areas with various specialties. Community members had received their numbers and started to form lines for the check up. Once a person's height/weight were measured and blood pressure was taken, they moved onto fasting blood sugar screening, hemoglobin screening and then to consult

India Post News Service

Association (AVA). Fortunately for the people attending the 20th Annual Health Fair at Jain Center of Southern California in Buena Park, CA, they had an opportunity to be screened for vascular disease and their risk for stroke. This was just one of many medical screenings and consultation taking place at the health fair. The health fair was held free for everyone by the non-profit organizations Anekant Community Center (ACC) and Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC). The cultural complex of JCSC had turned into a robust satellite clinic by 8:30 a.m. The room was divided

Stroke is also the leading cause of disability in the U.S., and more than $70 billion is spent annually on the care of stroke patients, according to the American Vascular Association (AVA) with a doctor. If a person needed further screening through blood work for lipid panel, sugar, thyroid, etc, they were sent to the phlebotomy area in the laboratory. The doctors' specialists ranged from internal medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, urology, dermatology, allergy/asthma, vascular, gastrointestinal, ENT, OB/GYN, rheumatology general surgeon, neurosurgeon, endocrinologist and ophthalmology, to name a few. For

women, additional services were provided with mammograms and Pap smear. Bone density assessment for osteoporosis screening was also conducted. General dental services were provided by dentists. For the first time, UC Irvine participated by sending a mobile van in which two machines were set up for EKG. The Lions Club provided a van for vision screening & for Ear, Nose & throat check up. Yoga experts, dietician, and a physiotherapist were also available for consultation on life style changes.

efforts of ACC & Jain Center to help community & will explore ways to provide more help to such events in the future. There were approximately forty volunteer physicians supported by fifty healthcare professionals to accomplish the screening, services and consultation. Over one hundred non-medical volunteers assisted with registration, helping with clinic set-up, taking vital signs, and serving lunch for the attendees and volunteers. Care and the success of this health fair are made possible

Orange County Health Department arranged a lecture for breast cancer and cervical cancer screening and prevention. A brief ceremony was held around 11:30 am to recognize Congressman Ed Royce, Anaheim City ProTem Mayor Harry Siddhu, Senior Director, Government Healthcare Programs of UC Irvine Healthcare, Mr. Jon Gilwee, and Vice President of Orange County Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Lynn Hunt. Dr. Jayesh Shah, President of JCSC introduced all while Dr. Ramesh Kothari, Health Fair Coordinator offered thanks to all. Congressman Ed Royce appreciated humanitarian efforts of Jain Community; Harry Siddhu thanked Dr. Nitin Shah for helping the constituents of Anaheim City for last three years with similar health fairs. Mr. Gilwee felt overwhelmed to see the

through the services of doctors and specialists, medical technicians, volunteers and community support. The example of Urvashi Jain, a young daughter of Narendra & Surekha Jain, who celebrated her birthday by sponsoring lunch for all the participants was very inspiring! Other sponsors were Drs. Jasvant & Meera Modi, Warner & Chilcott Co. & Mr. John Royce. More than 450 patients were seen, 200 patients blood were drawn, 46 Pap smear, 22 Mammograms, & 80 EKGs were performed. It was yet another successful year for the ACC and JCSC improving the health of its members and residents of Southern California and also perform various humanitarian tasks. Drs. Ramesh Kothari, Jayesh Shah, Manilal Mehta & Nitin Shah coordinated the event.

April 23, 2010

Community/California

India Post 21

www.indiapost.com

OFBJP congratulates Karnataka CM on civic polls victory India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The Executive committee of the Overseas Friends of the BJP, which met on April 4, unanimously passed a resolution congratulating Chief Minister Yeddyaurrapa and the workers for their historic victory in the Bangaluru Metropolitan elections. This is the first time the saffron party has been able to crush the Congress in the last 53 years. Speaking to the media, Harish Dhruv, OFBJP president said that the future of Karnataka is bright as it is following the well proven formula and the business plans of the progressive state like Gujarat. Executive Vice president Chandru Bhambra said that the BJP performance in BJP led states will be a major factor in the next Lok Sabha elections as the Congress could come to power in Delhi with a

Ashwini Bhide's spellbinding afternoon ragas Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 19

The evening progressed beautifully with a post interval presentation of Raga Bihagda followed by a Daf Hori - a semi classical piece, a Soordas bhajan in Raga Yaman, and finally the icing on the cake, a Marathi abhang, by popular demand, in Raag Bhairavi. Ashwini was ably accompanied by her intelligent co-musicians, Vishwanath Shirodkar on tabla and Smt. Seema Shirodkar on harmonium. Both complemented her musical sensibilities brilliantly, ensuring that the energy stayed consistent during

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande

the entire three and half hour presentation-- the hallmark of a good accompanist. Additionally, accompanying on tanpura was Ritika Dutta, a young student of vocal music. The glistening gayaki of Jaipur, that for centuries has been recognized by its rapidly-looping fast phrases (gamak taans) coupled with gentle notative glides (meends) came alive through the soul - stirring voice of this very accomplished artist. It was a Sunday afternoon that sparkled with music, pure and unbridled.

solid performance in the south as in the last elections. Asked to comment on the status of the faction of the OFBJP lead by Adapa Prasad, Bhambra said, "What is there to com-

Harish Dhruv, OFBJP president said that the future of Karnataka is bright as it is following the well proven formula and the business plans of the progressive state like Gujarat ment on a group formed in violation of all the rules of constitution and bylaws of OFBJP, which was approved by none other then BJP President Rajnathsinghji.

"Mahesh Mehta of VHP had no business in OFBJP matters, and never had, since founding of OFBJP. He still acts and claims as if he is life long coordinator of OFBJP. That election of Jani and Adappa, stands null and void. As, we are in USA and not in any Banana Republic. Dr Ranagesh Gadasalli, vice president of the OFBJP who hails from Karnataka said that the outstanding performance of the BJP will be major factor in influencing the growth of the state and the crushing defeat of Janata Dal lead by former PM Deve Gowda is a silver lining for the party as it was the nuisance party in the state. Executive committee member Sudhakar Reddy opined that the Karnataka BJP has to inspire and help the AP unit to perform much better so that the next Lok Sabha will have more AP representatives from the south.

Health

Line

Wash. day care stayed open after E. coli found

SEATTLE: County health officials didn't close a Washington state day care for several days after children were hospitalized with a deadly strain of E. coli - because of concerns the infection would spread farther if parents took their children elsewhere. A 4-year-old boy died after being infected at the Vancouver, Wash., center, and three other children were sickened. The first case was reported March 19. But Clark County health officer Dr. Alan Melnick said he didn't shut down Fletch Family Daycare until April 2 out of concern that other parents who used the facility could take their children to different day cares and risk exposing others. -AP

Alabama company makes parts no one wants ATHENS, Ala.: Bill Turner's company manufactures products nobody wants to use, but people are thankful they are available if needed. If a wreck crushes bones in a motorist's back, Turner's company makes a metal implant doctors can insert in the spine to fuse to the remaining bones. If an elderly woman or injured athlete needs a knee replacement, Turner's company makes the metal part that acts as the kneecap. Turner Medical in Athens makes these orthopedic implants and surgical products because of a declining automotive industry. Turner found this niche after demand for automotive products waned, garnering his company the Alabama Small Manufacturer of the Year award. -AP

Thousands of H1N1 vaccines expiring in Utah SALT LAKE CITY: Public health departments in Utah are getting rid of thousands of expired, unused swine flu vaccines. The health department in Salt Lake County the state's largest has already sent off about 1,500 doses to the incinerator. Another 5,500 will expire at the end of the month. In Utah County, about 11,000 outdated doses will have to be destroyed by the end of June. ``Part of the problem was the fact that demand preceded supply,'' said Lance Madigan, a spokesman for the Utah County Health Department. -AP

Health Science 22

India Post

www.indiapost.com

April 23, 2010

Patients at Pueblo health center find safe haven PUEBLO, Colo.: Ronnie Sue can remember how it feels to be afraid to step out her front door, board a city bus or stand in line at a grocery store. -AP

Childhood obesity a growing problem in Minnesota ST. PAUL, Minn.: Today, 19year-old Daniel Soderberg is a trim 166 pounds. His body is limber and strong. ``Whew. I cleared that whole thing,'' he said after sailing over a curb on his skateboard. ``That's nice.'' Watching Daniel skate, it's hard to believe that when he was 12 he weighed 329 pounds. That's three times what someone his height and age should weigh. Minnesota has the lowest rate of overweight and obese children in the country. But there is cause for concern. More than 23 percent of the state's children carry too much weight on their young, developing bodies. Some are so fat that they are considered extremely obese putting them at substantial risk of developing devastating diseases or dying prematurely. For many, the path to obesity begins early. Even as a toddler, Daniel was big. By the time he was two and a half, he could no longer squeeze into his car seat, said his father,

Brian Soderberg. Still, Soderberg and his wife, Denise Engstrom, weren't alarmed. ``Because I was big. She was big. My mom was big,'' Soderberg said. ``We were all heavy set. So really I never gave it any thought.''

school photos at age 6, 8 and 10 document his transformation from a chubby first grader to a dangerously overweight adolescent. ``You can see how he was gaining weight even though we were trying to maintain a diet,'' his father said. ``I mean, we couldn't keep the weight off.''

At 12, Daniel became probably the youngest person in the world at the time to receive a gastric bypass

Dr Sayeed Ikramuddin

Daniel's weight gain eventually became impossible to ignore. ``They put me on a lot of diets. They really did,'' he said of his parents. ``Like every diet there was, I was on.'' But diets didn't work. Daniel's

By age 11, Daniel was suffering from back and neck pain. Then he developed severe headaches. His father thought he was faking his illness to get out of school. "One day I asked him for the remote control off the table, and he physically reached around the table like he couldn't see it - and it was right there,'' Soderberg recalled. ``It was the only thing on

the table. And that's when it occurred to me that there might be something going on - that he can't see.'' Daniel's huge weight gain put enormous pressure on his optic nerves, and that was making him blind. The condition he had is called pseudo tumor cerebri. It's associated with obesity - but usually it doesn't occur until adulthood. To relieve the pressure on his eyes, Daniel's doctors cut slits in the nerves. But it wasn't enough. They said he needed to lose weight quickly to save his sight. They recommended a gastric bypass - a procedure in which doctors bypass the stomach and create a much smaller pouch to capture food. The procedure essentially forces the patient to eat dramatically less food. At 12, Daniel became probably the youngest person in the world at the time to receive a gastric bypass. His surgeon at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin, didn't take the matter lightly. -AP

Obama appoints Indian to bioethics commission India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Dr. Raju Kucherlapati, a professor at Harvard Medical School has been appointed by President Barack Obama as Member of the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. The Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues will advise the President on bioethical issues that may emerge from advances in biomedicine and related areas of science and technology. It will work with the goal of identifying and promoting policies and practices that ensure scientific research, health care delivery, and technological innovation are conducted in an ethically responsible manner. Dr. Kucherlapati, along with the other member appointees will join the current Chair, Amy Gutmann, and Vice-Chair, James Wagner, as Members on the

Commission. President Obama said, "I am grateful that these impressive individuals have decided to dedicate their talent and experience to this important Commission. I look forward to their recommendations

cine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Kucherlapati was the first Scientific Director of the Harvard Medical School-Partners Healthcare Center for Genetics and Genomics. His research focuses on gene mapping, gene modification, and cloning disease genes.

Dr Kucherlapati, along with the other member appointees will join the current Chair, Amy Gutmann, and Vice-Chair, James Wagner, as Members Dr Raju Kucherlapati

in the coming months and years." Dr. Raju Kucherlapati, Ph.D. is the Paul C. Cabot Professor in the Harvard Medical School Department of Genetics. He is also a professor in the Department of Medi-

From 1989-2001, Dr. Kucherlapati was the Lola and Saul Kramer Professor of Molecular Genetics and Chairman of the Department at the Yeshiva University Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He was previously a professor in the Department

of Genetics at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine. He began his research as an assistant professor in the Department of Biochemical Sciences at Princeton University. He has chaired numerous NIH committees and served on the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research and the NCI Mouce Models for Human Cancer Consortium. He is also a member of the Cancer Genome Atlas project of the National Institutes of Health. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National academy of sciences and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Kucherlapati received his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from universities in India, and he received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana, as well as conducting post-doctoral work at Yale University.

April 23, 2010

Health Science Post

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Doctors see increase in pain through technology INDIANAPOLIS: Remember the unplugged life? Most people under age 30 can barely recall a world without cell phones, computers and the Internet. Even for many older people, these technologies with a BlackBerry or iPhone thrown in are now essential. But such devices are not necessarily innocuous. As more people use them, health-care providers report seeing more injuries due to overuse. There's BlackBerry thumb, cellphone elbow and a host of others that have yet to earn clever names. Aging eyes may be particularly prone to harm from technology. Computers require us to use our eyes and in many instances to do so with few breaks for several hours on end. ``It's a pretty common thing. We have patients come in every day with those kind of problems,'' said Dr. Christopher Browning, an optometrist with VisionQuest Eyecare in Indianapolis. ``All that digital stuff, it's all up in our face, and our eyes are built to work a little farther away.'' Spending hours staring at a computer screen keeps the muscles of the eye focused on up-close work. When you switch to distance

viewing, such as driving, the muscles can remain locked into that 24-inch distance, Browning said. Years of staring at a computer screen for her job as an insurance adjuster took a toll on Lori LeSage, 45. And after she got home from work, she would hop on the computer for more screen time.

Aging eyes may be particularly prone to harm from technology. Computers require us to use our eyes and in many instances to do so with few breaks for several hours on end Eventually, her close-up vision blurred, she tired easily and had headaches. Even after she left her job about 10 months ago to go to school for medical coding, the Greenwood resident had trouble. In January, Browning prescribed progressive lenses for LeSage, helping her to see not only her com-

puter screen but also her music when she sings in her church choir. `Ì had to adjust to them,'' she said. `Ìt's a little blurry, but it's a lot better than it used to be.'' Not every woe caused by technological overuse can be resolved so easily. Dr. George Hicks, an otologist with the Midwest Ear Institute, sees many patients with the kinds of hearing problems their parents developed decades later in life. The common culprit: iPods and other MP3 players played too loudly for too long. The player's buds sit in the ear, Hicks notes. And their sound quality is so good that turning up the volume creates no distortion. `Ìnstead of natural progression of hearing loss, 40- and 50year-olds are just accelerating the problem. Once that hearing nerve is damaged . . . you can't reverse that,'' Hicks said. ``We're trying to educate people to not use their listening devices too loud or for too long. Otherwise they're going to end up having to listen to their iPods through their hearing aids.'' In some cases, new technologies can spawn new maladies. -AP

Indiana Amish exempt from new health care rules GOSHEN, Ind.: Thousands of Indiana Amish residents will see few changes in their health care despite new federal requirements that most people have health insurance. The landmark health care legislation passed last month will extend coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans. Most people would be required

to buy insurance for the first time or face penalties if they refuse. But a provision in the legislation exempts members of churches that have conscientious objections to private or public insurance. That includes the roughly 239,000 Amish in the United States, about 40,000 of whom live in Indiana. -AP

www.indiapost.com

India Post

CHICAGO: Hollywood movie CA$H opened with a bang with a red carpet pre-

movie theater, a state-of-the-art facility, the event drew in a crowd of local businessmen, community leaders elected official and media. Present at the premiere were producer

miere in Chicago. The film is locally produced by Chicago-based filmmaker Naveen Chathappuram. Hosted at the BIG Cinemas Golf Glen

Naveen Chathappuram, writer/director Stephen Milburn Anderson, director of the City of Chicago Film Office Richard Moskal, actor Antony Thekkek, Babu Patel and

DR CHANDRAKANT MODI

CA$H opens with bang

April 23, 2010

Bhavesh Patel. CA$H, a fast-paced H o l l y w o o d flick with an A-list cast, was made by American-Indian producers

"While Sean Bean was hailed for his performance in Lord of the Rings and carries a huge fan base in the U.S. and U.K., CA$H is his first lead role," said Chathappuram. "We are pretty excited about that." Chathappuram added that the actors "fell in love with the city" while in Chicago. Notorious villain Sean Bean (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Lord of the Rings) and 2011's biggest actor Chris Hemsworth (Marvel's upcoming Thor, Star Trek) star in the film. CA$H is a quirky psychological thriller that explores the power of money can wield over us all. When a struggling young couple, Sam (Chris Hemsworth) and Leslie Phelan (Victoria Profeta- Push, The Drew Carey Show) find a suitcase full of cash, they think their lives will take a turn for the

Admission to Medical School Open for May and September 2010 and January 2011 Semesters

A Saints University of Me cine, Aruba

A Great Place to Build a Solid Medical Foundation at â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Happy Islandâ&#x20AC;?

Offers MD Degree Program: Five Years (High School Graduates) Four Years (BSc Graduates) MCAT not Required

MD Degree Recognized In: United States (ECFMG) Canada (MCC) Listed in WHO Directory

Why Choose ASUM? Small class sizes, enhancing the learning experience Professors are able to give individualized personal attention to each student Experienced and full time faculty enrich student academics Affordable tuition fees Individually sponsored merit based scholarships US & Canadian licensed visiting professors Warm, friendly, and safe atmosphere. A great place to study and graduate - Aruba, One Happy Island!

OPEN HOUSE at

Ramada Hotel & Suites 780 North Ave Glendale Height, IL 60139

Seminar

April 25th, 2010 12 Noon to 4 p.m. For more information call: Glenda @ 973 925 5622

United States Admission Office:

The Aruba Campus:

All Saints University of Medicine 695 Broadway Paterson, NJ 07514 Tel: 973 925-5622 Fax: 973 925-5621 www.asumaruba.org

All Saints University of Medicine Hato 3E and 3F Oranjestad, Aruba Tel: 297 583-2126 Fax: 297 583-2127

Priya Chathappuram (wife of producer Naveen), Mrs.Vattackattu, Mr. George Vattackattu, Naveen Chathappuram (producer of CA$H), Anthony Thekker (actor, CA$H), Mahendra Patel (DGL Laboratory)

Chathappuram and Prema Thekkek. Featured better-until the strange and sinister crimiin the film are Chicago neighborhoods and nal Pyke Kubic (Sean Bean) arrives at their notable Chicago businesses, including Lin- doorstep, looking to collect what he becoln Park Savings Bank, Howard Orloff Land lieves is rightfully his. What follows is an action-packed adventure Rover on West Irving Park, through the streets of and The Room place on North â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We're extraordiChicago, as the three are Elston. narily proud of pulled deeper and deeper "We're extraordinarily Chicago's growing into a desperate spiral of proud of Chicago's growing deception and vioindependent film community," independent film lenceâ&#x20AC;Ś All in the name of said Richard Moskal, Director community,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said cash. Filmmakers believe of the City of Chicago Film Of- Richard Moskal, moviegoers will gain a fice. "Naveen Chathappuram Director of the City unique perspective on and his new film 'Cash' have Bean and Hemsworth in extended the reach of Chicago of Chicago CA$H. film making to international au- Film Office At a time when forediences and furthered our reputation as a true center for production and closures and debt are common, CA$H takes on themes of greed and morality creative achievement." "Chris Hemsworth had been in the U.S. amidst a fast-moving game of cat and only a few weeks when he auditioned for CA$H mouse. Roadside Attractions acquired all in Chicago. We saw potential in him, and U.S. rights to CA$H; Lionsgate will handle CA$H became his first film," said Director the subsequent DVD release. Media 8 EnStephen Milburn Anderson. "He has shot to tertainment, which produced and distribstardom since CA$H. We knew he was going uted the Academy Award winning Monster, is handling international sales. to be huge."

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

India Post 25

April 23, 2010

26 India Post www.indiapost.com

The Ode - a visionary and controversial film India Post News Service

peace with his mother. Director Nilanjan Neil Lahiri was born in Tellicherry, Kerala, in the Blue Lagoons of South India. Following the footsteps of his grandfather Niren Lahiri, who was a successful Bengali filmmaker, Neil studied art at very young age. He graduated from University of Bombay with a degree in Engineering. He attended the Masters program at Savannah College of Art and Design and prestigious American Film Institute.

he Ode is a visionary and controversial film with an Indian theme, a poetic journey between an Indian mother and her gay son. The biopic, based on a novel "Ode to Lata" was shot on location in Kenya and Los Angeles, is directed by Student Academy Award Winning Director Nilanjan Neil Lahiri and produced by Ratna Maity. Veteran Bollywood Producer Bharat Shah, whose film "Devdas" was India's entry in the foreign film category for the 2002 Academy Awards, is the Executive Producer of the film. The Ode spans two generations and intertwines the doomed but passionate love story of Parin and Shiraz with the tempestuous life of their son Ali. When his mother comes to visit Ali, attempts to change his ways, we glimpse into a troubled past he cannot escape and which threatens to destroy him unless he finds

The Ode spans two generations and intertwines the doomed but passionate love story of Parin and Shiraz with the tempestuous life of their son Ali

Gurinder's twins make their debut

he youngest members of the cast in Gurinder Chadha's new film It's A Wonderful Afterlife are the director's twin sons Ronak and daughter Kumiko. Apparently, both the kids not only insisted on being part of the film they even out-performed the veterans on screen.

Gurinder Chadha with twin sons Ronak and daughter Kumiko

Laughs Gurinder, "Yes my twins make their acting debut in my film, not once but twice. And both the times they steal the show. They first appear in a sequence in a park with my husband Paul and then later in a wedding scene throwing flowers at the bride and the groom." Not only that, the twins feature in the end-titles of its A Wonderful Afterlife with their mother. "I can tell you this much, Ronak and Kumiko are naturals in front of the camera." Gurinder's next venture would be a children's film set in Kerala. It would be dedicated to her twins.

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

India Post 27

April 23, 2010

India Post www.indiapost.com

Vidhu gets Roos on board for 'Broken Horses'

idhu Vinod Chopra, who created history of sorts with the record-breaking film 3 Idiots last year, has now begun work on his ambitious Hollywood project Broken Horses. For the last few months, Chopra has been scouting shooting locations in and around New Mexico. The maverick filmmaker has now gone ahead and got Hollywood veteran Fred Roos on board the film as Executive Producer. For the uninitiated, Roos has worked with some of Hollywood's most gifted filmmakers and actors over the last four decades. He has even co-produced cult films like The Godfather Part II, The Godfather Part III and Apocalypse Now. Vinod happened to meet Fred Roos during one of his trips to Los Angeles. Says a source closely associated with the film, "Getting Roos on board is a huge deal. He is revered in Hollywood and has also worked with several big stars. Roos was im-

Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Fred Roos

pressed with the script of Broken Horses and agreed to collaborate with Chopra."

Vidhu Vinod Chopra is obviously excited on getting to work with Roos. "I met Fred years ago as a student on the sets of Godfather. He was an inspiration then and he is an inspiration now. I feel privileged to be associated with him," said the acclaimed filmmaker. Even Fred Roos is looking forward to this association. Speaking from Los Angeles, Roos said, "I was very pleased to reconnect with Vinod after all these years and to be invited to join his team for the production of Broken Horses. I think that it is a terrific project and I am looking forward to having a wonderful time in the making of it. Vinod's script and his passion as a filmmaker are proving to be very attractive to actors here and I am confident that he will end up with a great cast." After his extensive US trips, Chopra has locked various locations for filming and begins principal photography in September.

20 pregnant cows for one scene

hile shooting for Raavana, a particular scene required to show a pregnant white cow delivering the calf. The perfectionist that he is, filmmaker Mani Ratnam got together 20 pregnant white cows to shoot a real birth. In the scene, Abhishek Bachchan, who plays the title role of Raavana, goes to meet someone in a cowshed and sees the birth of a calf. A source from the unit says, "Mani sir arranged for 20 pregnant cows, all due for delivery in the next fortnight. We were shooting in Orccha in Madhya Pradesh where a shed had been built for these cows. For two weeks, the cows stayed there. As soon as we got a go ahead from the vet regarding which one of them was due to deliver the first, we set the camera and waited for the action to begin." On D-day, the camera was kept ready from sunrise. The source

adds, "All of us were present on the sets as early as 6am. The camera was ready to roll by 6.30am. The entire crew was lounging around waiting for the cow to deliver. It's rare that one gets to relax on the sets of Mani sir's film, but this scene was unique.

Abhishek was the first to react, clapping and announcing, 'we have a baby on our sets' Finally, after almost ten hours, the calf was out. Abhishek was the first to react, clapping and announcing, 'we have a baby on our sets'. Everyone started clapping and cheering. Mani sir finally got his shot and was very happy with the outcome. It was a shoot that all of us will remember for a long, long time."

Sania-Shoaib wedding advanced to silence protesters HYDERABAD: The decision to advance the Sania-Shoaib wedding date to April 12 was taken by the Mirzas, a little more than 12 hours before the ceremony actually took place, sources said. Though the nikah had been fixed for April 15 the families had been feeling the heat from religious bodies and even NGOs raising various objections to the marriage.

All smiles

coming on various television channels announcing the time etc,'' said a family source. But on Sunday evening, the family decided to end all such controversies and go ahead with the nikah. ''There is no ritual of mehendi among Muslims but some families have started having it in the last few years. But those who have a mehendi function, keep it a day prior to the nikah, and certainly not after it,'' said a senior Hyderabadi. Sania and Shoaib with family after the wedding

An early nikah, the Mirzas reasoned, would silence these critics. It was on Sunday afternoon that the Sunni Ulema board had issued a fatwa raising objection to the proximity of the yet-to-be-married Sania with Shoaib, who was staying in the Mirzas' home in Hyderabad. On Saturday, some political parties and NGOs had publicly asked invitees to the wedding to boycott it. Sources said that the Mirzas were scouting for options to end the controversies around their daughter's wedding and thus felt it was best the nikah was conducted even before other pre-marriage ceremonies started. So, while the mehendi and the sangeet were held as per schedule on April 13 and 14 followed by the reception on April 15, the nikah was performed much before any of the other rituals, a clear depar-

The bidaai

Mehndi on her hands

ture from the way weddings are conducted traditionally. Rumours of an early nikah had been flying thick and fast. Now, it is learned that the wedding was indeed meant to be held on April 9. ''But that day, the qazi upset the plan by

29 India Post

he name Sunderbans is perhaps derived from the term meaning 'the for est of sundari', a reference to the large mangrove tree that provides valuable fuel. Along the coast, the southern part of the forest passes into a mangrove swamp, which has numerous wild animals and crocodile-infested estuaries. It is one of the last preserves of the Royal Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger conservation project. Situated south of Calcutta, Sunderbans is one of the most unique ecosystems in this part of the world and is dominated by mangrove forests. Situated at the mouth of the Ganges, Sunderbans spreads over 54 islands and two countries (the West Ben-

The southern part of the forest passes into a mangrove swamp, which has numerous wild animals and crocodileinfested estuaries. It is one of the last preserves of the Royal Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger conservation project

www.indiapost.com

gal state in India and Bangladesh) and is a part of the world's largest delta region. A UNESCO world heritage site, Sunderbans is home to the largest number of wild tigers in the world. Best time to visit: The region has a tropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Maximum and minimum temperatures during the summer are 42°C and 37°C respectively. In winters, the maximum and minimum temperatures are 29°C and 9.2°C respectively. Tourist attractions: Tigers: Sunderbans is the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the Royal Bengal Tigers. These ever-

April 23, 2010

green mangrove forests pulsate with myriad forms of life, which hide during high tide and the ebbing tide reveals them on the glistening mud flats. The land is split by numerous rivers and water channels all emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that Bonbibi, the goddess of the forest, protects the woodcutters, honey-collectors and fishermen on their hazardous missions through the forest. For, as the local saying goes, `here the tiger is always watching you'. Project Tiger was implemented here in 1973 and later the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve was demarcated over an area of 2,585-sq km. Cont’d on page 32

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

www.indiapost.com

India plans single point clearance for hotels JAIPUR: The Cabinet will soon deliberate on a proposal to establish a single-point clearance system for new hotel projects, a move that is likely to speed up the process of setting up hospitality infrastructure across the country, the Tourism Ministry said. "A Committee of Secretaries has cleared the proposal for singlewindow clearance of hotel projects and this is to be posed for Cabinet approval soon," Union Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja said while

inaugurating the third Great India Travel Bazaar here. Under the proposal, hoteliers will need to submit only one uniform application for their projects. Committees will be formed at the central and state level for clearance of these projects. At the Union level, the committee will be headed by the Tourism Secretary and at the state level, it will be chaired by the Chief Secretary. "I will be heading the commit-

tee in the government of India. It is my responsibility to get it (hotel projects) through, whether it is from the state government or the

‘Tourism in India is on the road to recovery... We are focusing on renewed promotional efforts along with developing new products’ central government," Tourism Secretary Sujit Banerjee said. Selja said that the tourism industry is on the path of recovery and has started witnessing posi-

If You are looking For the BEST & the MOST AUTHENTIC VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT IN TOWNCome to One and Only One Place

Publicly Acclaimed Top Vegetarian Restaurant Serving NORTH INDIAN • SOUTH INDIAN • GUJARATI • JAIN DISHES

TASTE OUR 30 PLUSE MOUTH WATERING DISHES ONCE YOU COME TO US YOU WILL NOT ELSEWHERE THAT IS OUR GUARANTEE

2508 W. Devon Ave.Chicago, IL 60659

Tel:(773) 274-5800 Fax: (773) 262-4465 E-mail: aryabhavan@aol.com www.aryabhavan.com

CATERING IS OUR SPECIALITY

tive growth in the last few months. In the first quarter of this year, foreign tourist arrivals had grown by 12.8 per cent over the corresponding period last year, she added. "Tourism in India is on the road to recovery... We are focusing on renewed promotional efforts along with developing new products, as well as creating and nurturing infrastructural facilities to enhance our existing products," she said. The ministry has also launched a campaign to improve the quality of the Indian tourism product by setting up wayside facilities and reducing the interface of a foreign tourist with just one person at the time of arrival in India. -PTI

April 23, 2010

Chinese airport near Mount Everest by October BEIJING: Chinese have said that the new airport built near the world's tallest peak Mount Everest in Xighaze in Tibet will become operational in October and would boost tourist traffic in the region, in a move that would enhance its reach closer to Indian and Nepalese border. The airport being constructed at the cost of USD 71.7 million was also expected to boost tourist traffic to Xigaze where the Tashilhungpo Monastery headed by the Chinese appointed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu is located. Construction of the Peace Airport in Xigaze prefecture began in April last year and would be completed in September, making its opening in October feasible, said Xu Bo, director of the Civil Aviation Administration's Tibet Branch. The airport would be able to handle 230,000 passengers and 1,150 tonnes of cargos and allow 2,580 take-offs and landings annu-

Xigaze is home to a group of ancient temples and the world's highest peak, Mount Qomolangma, in Dingri county, it said. It would be the fifth civil airport in Tibet, after those in Lhasa, Qamdo, Nyingchi and Ngari ally by 2020, state run Xinhua news-agency reported. The project will boost investment and tourism in Xigaze, the second largest city in Tibet. Xigaze is home to a group of ancient temples and the world's highest peak, Mount Qomolangma, in Dingri county, it said. It would be the fifth civil airport in Tibet, after those in Lhasa, Qamdo, Nyingchi and Ngari. Tibet also plans to build the world's highest airport at an altitude of 4,436 meters in Nagqu Prefecture. China in recent years beefed up its infrastructure to Tibet connecting it with the mainland both by road, rail and air, raising concerns in India that the extensive net work of connectivity provided tactical advantage for it to deploy troops at the borders in short span of time. The Chinese modernization drive also prompted India to beef up the infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh. -PTI

Travel & Hospitality Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Need to improve tourism products, says Selja JAIPUR: Pointing out that tourism contributes more than 6 per cent to the country's GDP, Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja has said there was a need to improve tourism products to match the brand image created by the "Incredible India" campaign. "The role of tourism as a major economic driver and employment generator is widely known. In India, tourism sector is estimated to contribute more than 6 per cent to the GDP and more than 9 per cent to employment and impacts all economic strata," Selja said at the inaugural function of the three-day Great Indian Travel Bazaar-2010 at City Palace.

The minister said there were hidden potentials and the ministry was "focusing on renewed promotional efforts along with devel-

She said the tourism industry was badly affected due to the global slowdown but now the sector was on the path of recovery oping new products as well as creating and nurturing infrastructural facilities to enhance our existing products."

She said the tourism industry was badly affected due to the global slowdown but now the sector was on the path of recovery. "Tourism in India is now on the path of recovery which is due to the coordinated efforts of the government and the tourism industry that have joined hands to mitigate the negative impact," she said. Selja said one of the major challenges faced in destination development was the area of solid waste management. Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang, Gujarat Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas, Rajasthan Tourism Minister Bina Kak were also present on the occasion. -PTI

Delhi's swanky business hubs big draw NEW DELHI: Delhi with its rich heritage sites, modern healthcare centers and swanky business hubs emerged as the favorite destination among foreign tourists including business travelers in 2008, a study has revealed. According to the latest data on state-wise tourist arrivals available with FICCI, a total of 23.4 lakh foreigners visited Delhi in 2008. The total foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India during the period was 53.6 lakh. At the second spot, Maharashtra was close with 20.6 lakh visitors, followed by Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the FICCIEvalueserve study on India Inbound Tourism said. Mumbai and Pune are the biggest attraction among foreigners in Maharashtra, which is the

third largest state. While Tamil Nadu is famous for its beaches, hill stations, heritage sites, temples and wildlife, Uttar Pradesh is a popular destination due to the presence of religious and historical sites including the world famous Taj Mahal. The study said one-third of foreign tourist visiting India travel to Rajasthan, which is known for palaces, art and culture. The North-east region -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura -which offers numerous leisure and adventure is emerging as a significant FTA destination. Meanwhile, another study by FICCI-Evalueserve said the medical tourism sector was not affected in 2009 even when the FTAs to India declined to 51.6 lakh from 53.6 lakh in 2008. -PTI

India Post

Uttarakhand attracting more wildlife lovers DEHRADUN: Wildlife continues to be a major tourist attraction in Uttarakhand, home to some of the world's famous tiger reserves like Jim Corbett National Park. In the year 2008-09, nearly 2.92 lakh wildlife lovers visited national parks and sanctuaries in the state

as against 2.47 lakh in 2007-08. And the Corbett National Park, which alone attracted 2.02 lakh tourists during the period, continues to remain the first choice of these visitors from home and abroad, says a latest report of the state forest department. -PTI

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 29

The core area of 1,330 sq km has been declared a Wildlife Sanctuary and a world heritage site. The reserve has a tiger population of 287(1984 census). The only mangrove species, the tiger here has adapted well to its habitat. Reptiles: The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project is a crocodilebreeding farm. Tours are organized by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC). This place is accessible through Namkhana. Both the West Bengal Tourism Department and the WBTDC organize conducted tours to the Sunderbans by their motor launches. Bhagabatpur is a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodile in the world. The Sunderbans provide impor-

tant habitat for a variety of reptiles including river terrapin, Olive Ridley, estuarine crocodile, monitor lizard, water monitor and Indian python. The only species of turtle known to nest in the Sunderbans is the Olive Ridley but hawksbill has also been caught in fishermen's nets. The creeks are spawning grounds for some 90 species of fish, 48 species of crabs and a large variety of molluscs. Birds: Sajnekhali has a bird sanctuary and is the only place to have a hotel in this area. There is a Mangrove Interpretation Centre here. There are watchtowers at Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopan, Haldi and a number of other places. The Sajnekhali area contains a wealth of water birds, noteworthy

residents including Asian openbill stork, black-necked stork, greater adjutant stork, white ibis, swamp francolin, white-collared kingfisher, black-capped kingfisher and brown-winged kingfisher. This area is also important for waders, including the Asian dowitcher, a rare winter migrant. Interesting marsh birds found in the reclaimed areas include egrets, purple heron, which is a rare vagrant from Africa, and greenbacked heron. Birds of prey include osprey, Pallas's fish eagle, white-bellied sea eagle, grey-headed fishing eagle, peregrine falcon, Oriential hobby, northern eagle owl and brown fish owl. Other interesting places in the area include Netidhopan, which has the ruins of a 400-year-old temple, Holiday Island, which is a retreat of the barking deer and Kanak, which is the nesting place of Olive Ridley Turtles. Piyali is 72 km from Calcutta and is a gateway to the Sunderbans. It is being developed as a tourist complex. How to reach Air: Dum Dum (166kms), is the nearest airport at Calcutta. Rail: The nearest railhead is at Canning, 48 km away. The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 km away. Sunderbans is accessible only

by riverine waterways. From Calcutta there are suburban trains to Canning and buses to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where motor launch services are available for Sunderbans.

the riverine waterways leading to it. Water - The approximate time taken between various points is From Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (2.5 hours) Sagar Island (2.5 hours) Jambudwip (3.5

Road: Means of road transport are available from Calcutta for the places like Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km), Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), and Najat (92 km), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to

hours), From Sajnekhali Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes) Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours) Netidhopan (3.5 hours) Holiday Island (3 hours), From Sonakhali - Gosaba (1 hour), From Raidighi - Kalas (5 hours).

Scout for Giant Squirrel with tribals in Bhimashankar PUNE: Maharashtra Government is mulling a proposal to allow community-based ecological tourism in the dense forests of Bhimashankar, which is attracting hordes of wildlife enthusiasts looking for a glimpse of rare species of Giant Squirrel. The plan also aims at offering a livelihood option to members of 'Mahadeo Koli' tribe, the local inhabitants of the hilly region overlooking Mumbai, Thane, Pune and parts of Konkan. Piloting the project, Pune-based environment action group 'Kalpavruksha' recently identified and trained 14 tribal families in Bhimashankar, 110 kms from here, to conduct guided tours with live-in facility in the hamlets, imparting knowledge of the bountiful flora and fauna of the forest spread across about 130 sq kms. "A group of nature lovers from Pune stayed with the tribal families who took them round the forest and displayed requisite skills needed for ecological tourism," Pradeep Chavan, Coordinator of Kalpavruksha, told PTI. Y L K Rao, Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra, said the proposal was being discussed by the government authorities concerned. The move was in consonance with the state's policy to promote ecological tourism to protect forests and create greater avenues of livelihood for tribals, mainly subsisting on "non-timber forest

produce", he said. Acknowledging that there was good scope for promoting the concept of ecotourism in Bhimashankar forest, Rao said, "We are working out a methodology to implement it with participation of the locals who are well versed with the topography of the mountainous terrain." The Bhimashankar forest witnesses the maximum tourist turnout during the month of "Shravan" as it also houses one of the 12

Piloting the project, Punebased environment action group 'Kalpavruksha' recently identified and trained 14 tribal families in Bhimashankar 'Swayambhu' Jyotirlingas which attracts Shiva devotees in big numbers round the year. If the community-based eco tourism involving the 'Mahadeo Koli' tribe is permitted, it will also curb the constructions of `dhabas' (roadside eateries), lodges and hotels that are mushrooming in the vicinity to cater to the needs of the tourists coming from far flung parts of Maharashtra and even from other states, said Kalpavruksha Coordinator Chavan. -PTI

April 23, 2010

India Post 33 www.indiapost.com

SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE

NATRAJ TRAVEL INC

SCHAUMBURG EXCLUSIVE

www.natrajtravel.com

LUNCH BUFFET 7 DAYS AWEEK

773-509-1300 DEVON LOCATION STRICTLY VEGETARIAN CHICAGO:

SCHAUMBURG:

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11:30 AM TO 10:00 PM WASHINGTON D.C.:

2543 W. DEVON AVENUE

730 SCHAUMBURG RD.

1329 UNIVERSITY BLVD. EAST

CHICAGO IL 60659

SCHAUMBURG IL60194

TACOMA PARK MD 20783

(773) 338-2152

(847) 884 9510

(301) 434-1531

ENJOY SPECIAL NON-VEG ITEMS AT SCHAUMBURG

email : info@natrajtravel.com AIR : CRUISES :VACATIONS : ONE SITE

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

2240-42 West Devon Chicago IL 60659 Ph# 773-338-4080 Fax# 773-338-4088

FOR ALL YOUR

MATCHLESS EXPRESS TOURS 2600 W. Peterson Ave., Suite 105 Chicago IL 60659 Experienced Travel Consultants Pasport and Visa Services available * Confirmed seats (Even in High season) * Low Airfares * Courteous Service

Call and Contact

Tel. (773) 338 6260

TRAVEL NEEDS INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC AIR INDIA AND ALL OTHER MAJOR AIRLINES. PACKAGE DEAL TAJ TOUR-SOTC

NEWS

10635 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132

www.indiapost.com

Sita Ram Patel @ 847-568-0535

Tel: (314) 423-9990 or (800) 55 SEEMA Fax: (314) 423-0391

AIRWING TRAVELS INC.

Tel: (516) 931 4600

CALL:

One of the Oldest Travel Agencies in St. Louis

Competitive Rates & Confirmed Seats for All Major Airlines

at your

New York (Hicksville)

SEEMA WORLD TRAVEL, INC.

Est. 1991 Toll Free: (866) 532 3413

New Jersey (Iselin)

Tel: (732) 658 5450

Lowest Fares / Confirmed Seats to INDIA & Other Destinations Worldwide Save upto 40% on First and Business Class OPEN 7 DAYS - Call or Email : AIRWINGTRAVELS@GMAIL.COM

April 23, 2010

India Post www.indiapost.com

SKY WORLD TRAVEL 1-888-695-0005

CONSOLIDATORS (INTL. & DOMESTIC) : 3HWHUVRQ 6WH &KLFDJR ,/

SPECIAL LOW FARES TO BOMBAY, DELHI, MADRAS, CALCUTTA, DHAKA, KARACHI, LAHORE etc. Tel: 773-728-9071 773-315-8597

AIR TRAVEL

TOUR

E-mail us at: skyworldtravels@hotmail.com

.VACATIONS.CRUISE

1-800-900-UFLY i p ndia.

akistan\

SINCE 1989 2550 W.Peterson Ave Chicago 773-274-3960 e.mail GLEN_TRAVEL@YAHOO.COM

AIR TRAVEL

TOUR

.VACATIONS.CRUISE

1-800-900-UFLY

Around the world

SINCE 1989 2550 W.Peterson Ave Chicago 773-274-3960 e.mail GLEN_TRAVEL@YAHOO.COM

AIR TRAVEL

TOUR

.VACATIONS.CRUISE

1-800-900-UFLY (8359) SINCE 1989 2550 W.Peterson Ave Chicago 773-274-3960 e.mail GLEN TRAVEL@YAHOO.COM

HARI WORLD

T R A V E L

CONSOLIDATOR OF ALL MAJOR AIRLINES SINCE 1968

FOR LOWEST FARES AND RELIABLE SERVICE TO

INDIAN SUB CONTINENT, EUROPE, AFRICA Call us at:

773-381-5555

6346 N. WASHTENAW, CHICAGO, IL 60659

ALL AIRLINES AGENCY- NAPERVILLE, IL 1355 S. Rt. 59, Suite 202 B, Naperville, IL 60564

Special Fares to India as low as $475RT (Taxes & Restrictions apply) (Limited Seats)

We beat International Fares offered by Airline Websites! Affordable Business Class Fares along with Flat-bed Comfort!! India to USA fares also available !! Email: allairline@hotmail.com Phone: 630.692.1777 Emergency: 630.205.4049 Fax: 630.692.1900

Complimentary Limousine!! (For Business Class)

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

Horoscope

April 23, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 Saturn's transit in sixth will bring lots of relief in your mind. Good chances are that few major issues causing stress for past few years will suddenly get resolved. You may find a very good and suitable match for marriageable child. Business will pick up suddenly and you may get favorable outcome in ongoing legal battle also.

LEO Jul 23-Aug 22 You may invest heavily in a massive project. An important business trip will be finalized. You may go with family on a short trip to a beautiful place this week. Mind will become very creative and you will make few changes inside your home. Some one needy will call for help. Very fruitful week for people in real estate or food business.

SAGITTARIUS

April 23 to April 29

Nov 23-Dec 22 Favorable outcome in legal matters are in the air. Once again you will start to feel lucky as most of your attempts will be successful. A new member will be added in the family soon. You will be moved to an important project. Boss will be friendly but keep an eye on the progress. You are going to spend lots of money.

Sehwag is Wisden Cricketer of the Year again NEW DELHI: Explosive Indian opener Virender Sehwag has became 'Wisden Cricketer of the Year' for the second time in a row, beating off competition from England

Virender Sehwag

captain Andrew Strauss and Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan. The award, which was instituted in 2004, has Australian captain Ricky Ponting, spin wizard Shane Warne and talismanic English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff among its past winners.

The 31-year-old Indian was picked for the honor for a second successive year after scoring "more quickly than any specialist batsman in Tests or one-day internationals", 'Cricinfo' reported. Sehwag apart, English wicketkeeper Matt Prior, spinner Graeme Swann, batsman Graham Onions, pacer Stuart Broad and Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke were the 'Five Cricketers of the Year' chosen by the magazine. Sehwag averaged 70, with a strike-rate of 108.9, in the Tests he played last year. In one-day internationals, Sehwag had a strikerate of 136.5 while averaging 45. Strauss and Dilshan were also nominated by several correspondents who were consulted about this award but fell short of Sehwag. -PTI

TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 Expect some fortunate changes in life. You will get the news but may take another week or so to get things implemented. Planet will throw an excellent opportunity in career which will be impossible to ignore. You may also start some kind of loan process. Once again you will put the past behind and enjoy life. Outing will relax you.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 Presentation given recently will start to reap rich rewards. A big contract will be signed. You will also receive a big check in mail. A female will be instrumental in opening new doors. Legal issues causing stress will get cleared without causing any damage. You may also arrange a small get together and invite few colleagues.

CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 19 Developments taking place now will improve your income for long time to come. Planets will bring positive changes in your attitude. You may be drawn towards an interesting personality and start a secret relationship. Money long overdue will be recovered using little diplomacy. You will spend quality time with friends.

GEMINI May 21-Jun 20 Physical activities will increase. Not only you will accomplish a lot but shed away few pounds in the process. Money will come from more than one source. You will go out and spend money on yourself too after long interval. New product will open doors for more revenue in business. Property deal may also finally go through this week.

LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 You should be careful and think of a backup plan before buying the property for investment purpose. You will really take interest and enjoy the new assignment. This is the perfect time to pick up the phone and make the appointment you had been avoiding. Money wise you will continue to do well. Lottery and stocks will be profitable.

AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 You will be given very limited choice and asked to make up your mind quickly. People involved in research work will finally get the breakthrough. You may make an offer on an old property that needs some visible repairs. You will finally start to feel relaxed abut a child also. You will be invited to a big party this weekend.

CANCER Jun 21-Jul 22 Saturn's transit in third will free you from all bondages of past. You will have a big chance to prove your ability. Deal is all yours. You may make big money through stocks also. You will spend money on buying some fine quality item for personal use. You may start some kind of legal process to prove your point and get compensation.

SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 22 You will see the uncertainty and pressure at work going away. Changes at work will benefit you for long time. You may recover some past due money also. You will have the chance to help many with your expertise. People in business will have increased foot traffic and make new clients. You may visit an interesting place with family.

PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20 You will put all worries aside and enjoy with family and friends this week. A new person will give valuable lead and advice. You will slowly start preparing for an upcoming important presentation. Mind will be at ease and spouse will be a big support. You will be traveling to a warmer place with family and some friends.

1 RI Ka Dhaga Re - Well Done Abba

6 Meri Aashaon Ki - Right Yaaa Wrong

2 Tu Gandi - Love Sex Aur Dhokha

7 Waqt Ne Jo Bij Boyaa - Sadiyaan

3 TBHYRS - Sadiyaan

8 Ajnabee Ehsaas Ko - DDKKM

4 AHBB - Shaapit

9 Aao Seene Se Lag Ke - M v/s M

5 O Janeman - Tum Milo Toh Sahi

ollywood actress Preity Zinta, whose Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab has not been performing well this season, says she has learnt to accept failures with a smile. 'This year is special! I have learnt more about myself than ever in the past. I learnt to accept failure with a smile and (with) my head held high,' Preity posted on her Twitter page.

Preity's failures First, the actress broke off with her boyfriend, Bombay Dyeing scion and Kings XI Punjab team co-owner Ness Wadia, last year and then her team hasn't been scoring well in the T20 tournament. But when Kings XI Punjab won against Delhi Daredevils in the capital Sunday, she rejoiced. 'I learnt who my real friends were and I learnt to stand alone and hold my ground. I learnt to keep the faith and I learnt the importance of silence. Also, learnt that the fastest way to forget all your problems in the world was to wear a pair of tight shoes,' she wrote.

India Post

www.indiapost.com

his has to be the most uncanny coincidence to have happened in Hindi cinema so far. Just when we have Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik being accused of bigamy on the eve of his wedding to Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza, there is Sajid Khan's 'Housefull' coming up with a situation that bears an uncanny resemblance to the 'Shonia affair'. In the comedy, Akshay Kumar's wedding to Deepika Padukone is rudely interrupted by a woman, played by Jiah Khan, claiming to be his wife. When questioned about the similarity, Akshay Kumar said: 'I never thought of it. Now that you've pointed it out I guess there's a resemblance. Actually I've three women claiming to be my wife in the film.' But the actual sequence where Akshay's wedding to Deepika is interrupted is too close to the happenings in the life of the Shoaib and Sania to be a coincidence. Director Sajid Khan said: 'What can I say, except that this is a case of life imitating art? We do have a sequence where Akshay's wedding is interrupted by a woman claiming to be his wife. Compounding the similarities with the real life situation which are grabbing headlines is the fact that the first wife's claims are not as simple as they seem. But I repeat the similarities are coincidental. I wrote my script two years ago.'

Silky Vidya V

idya Balan will play Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture, Ekta Kapoor's biopic on the late bombshell. The script is finally ready and Milan Luthria will direct the film. However, Ekta insists that the film will focus on the real Smitha and not the sleaze she was known for. It will delve behind her screen persona and look into what led to her tragic death. She claims the dancer defied all conventions to become a superstar, thus making her a powerful example of women's empowerment. Vidya confirmed that she had been approached for the film. Silk Smitha was born Vijayalakshmi to poor parents in Andhra Pradesh. She left her studies to make a career in films. In 1996, her fans were shocked when she was found dead in her apartment.

10 Dont Know What To Do - Housefull

April 23, 2010

Bollywood

April 23, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

nushka Sharma imagined she'd be linked romantically with a 'Badmaash' Kapoor. The scribe tribe, however, have singled out a Singh… with whom Sharma is reportedly tangled with. A 'Badmaash Company' insider asserts that Sharma and new find Ranveer Singh, her co star in 'Shaadi Mubaarak Ho', are truly a twosome! The forthcoming flick from Yash Raj Films stars the perky duo… and although Singh has been advised to keep his appearances in check, the duo have allegedly been throwing discretion to the winds. Says a close source, "They hit it off from day one… and no one noticed how soon they've gotten so close to one another. Ranveer is very fond of her and he's an ambitious guy who keeps discussing his career plans with Anushka." Sharma giggling away with Singh, sporting a tee and denims and guzzling beer at a deluxe suburban Mumbai eatspot… asserts the tabloid tattle. Guess, they're simply a high spirited couple.

On way to top

eepika is working in close to half a dozen films today. With confidence looming large in her voice and the desire to succeed pretty apparent, she can be seen marching her way to the top. After having understood the ways of the industry, does she feel like being on the right track as far as this journey is concerned? "See, if I am good at what I do, everything will fall in place", says Deepika without mincing any words, "If I am honest to my profession, I will get all the right films, endorsements, and fan following and of course money." With the trio of Kareena, Katrina and Priyanka being the choice of quite a few when it comes to quintessential Bollywood fare, Deepika says she doesn't believe in the number one business. "Really, I don't intend to get into the number business since my work should speak for itself. Having said, personally speaking, the best sense of achievement that I get is when my work is appreciated. I am making the best choices from the work coming my way and my instinct says that they should only consolidate my career further", concludes Deepika with a smile.

Slapped hard

riyanka Chopra had a tough time on the sets of her film opposite Zayed Khan recently when a stranger tried to grab her as soon as she stepped out of her vanity van. Priyanka Chopra was getting ready to join her colleagues for dinner when this incident took place. As soon as the actress stepped out of her vanity, a stranger who appeared to be in his twenties caught hold of the actress and pulled her closer. Surprised at this sudden misbehavior Priyanka slapped the guy hard in his face to teach him a lesson. This saved the situation from getting worse. The ruckus invited the attention of other colleagues who rushed to her rescue. The guy was let off and no police complaint has been filed against him by the actress.

John is unlucky T

hough he is still hot property in Bollywood, but actor John Abraham is proving unlucky as far as his films are concerned. Now, the latest is that the actor's upcoming film with David Dhawan has been shelved for the moment. Hook Ya Crook, which is produced by UTV and has John in the lead, has been shelved since the producers think that the product is not up to the mark. This will be the second time John's film is facing such a situation. Earlier his film with Nagesh Kuknoor met a similar fate after it got shelved. Though, John is considered to be among the top actors in Bollywood, but it seems his luck is not in top form at the moment.

Tech News Penguin to provide e-books on mobiles

o tackle with problems like lesser profit margin in business and piracy, Penguin India has decided to foray into Digital content by providing readers content online and straight on their mobile phones. Penguin is assured about the success of bringing the content of books into applications with online communities. This new step will include the books on various topics such as lifestyle, cinema and the ones which attract young readers. In a latest announcement, Penguin confirmed its association with the noted author Shobha De. Also, the association will further extend to several magazines and media houses that will act as the perfect platform for the market expansion for Penguin physical books.

Sony to provide FIFA World Cup in 3D

he International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced its detailed plan of the broadcast of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in 3D. The international federation jointly with the electronics major Sony Corporation unveiled insights into what the football fans around the globe can expect from this innovative undertaking to add a third dimension to the football viewing experience. FIFA made the initial announcement last year that the upcoming FIFA World Cup would be broadcast in 3D being the first ever sporting event that would deliver 3D experience globally. FIFA 2010 World Cup begins 11 June and will be held in South Africa.

Amar Ujala launches tabloid 'Compact'

o compete with the expansion plans of Jagran group under the Tabloid domain, Amar Ujala has also launched its tabloid 'Compact' in Bareily to pose competition in front of Jagran's i-next. Amar Ujala states its Compact as 'Country's first family tabloid'. This is the eighth edition of compact in Uttar Pradesh which has been launched with proper rituals and ceremony. Rajul Maheshwari (Director, Amar Ujala Group) inaugurated the newspaper by pressing the button of printing unit in Civil Lines area of Bareily. Compact is already running successfully in Allahabad, Agra, Meerut, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and Varanasi

TechBiz 38 India Post

www.indiapost.com

April 23, 2010

Mammootty launches Asianet M-E in Dubai A

fter making announcement regarding the launch of a full time dedi cated Malayalam entertainment channel for the Keralite Diaspora residing in Middle East, Asianet has finally made it a reality. The launch was done by Malayalam Cine Super star Mammootty at a hotel in Dubai on April 7. Asianet Middle East 24/7, the channel will cater to the diverse entertainment needs of the people of Kerala who have migrated to different parts of Gulf countries in terms of work.

Infrastructure deficit main challenge for India: Kamal Nath India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Infrastructure Deficit was the principal challenge that had to be overcome to unleash India's growth potential, according to Minister of Road Transport & Highways Kamal Nath who was on a visit to New York April 6 to 8. The main objective of the Indian minister's visit was to interact with the US business community to encourage them to participate in India's infrastructure development in the Road sector through financing, capacity building and supply of advanced technology, services and equipment. The minister spoke at two events to groups of CEOs and senior executives representing a mix of US finance, consultancy and investment companies as well as construction and equipment firms. He informed the audience about the tremendous opportunities generated by the resurgence of the Indian economy. He said, "The real potential of India's growth can be understood only if the median national age of 25 years and the prospective rise in disposable incomes of rural India are superimposed on the strong macro-fundamentals of the

Minister of Road Transport & Highways Kamal Nath

The real potential of India's growth can be understood only if the median national age of 25 years and the prospective rise in disposable incomes of rural India are superimposed on the strong macro-fundamentals of the economy economy." He said that the Infrastructure Deficit was the principal challenge that had to be overcome to unleash this potential and the Government was attaching the highest priority to this area. Speaking of the gaps in the roads and highways network, the Minister said, "We are not build-

ing roads for tomorrow, we are catching up with the past." He pointed out that through roads, economic activity could be generated in remote rural areas and the Government of India had launched the largest rural roads program fifteen years ago. The Roads & Highway Ministry was now adopting a

'stretch by stretch' approach to bring about connectivity of rural and district roads with the national highways. It was also focusing on technology and capacity building, the minister said, urging US companies to collaborate in these fields. Nath also delivered a lecture in the "Distinguished Persons' lecture Series" at the Consulate General of India in New York on Apr 7. The large audience appreciated his wide-ranging remarks on emergence of world's largest young society in India which made it imperative that the infrastructure challenges be met speedily and effectively. On Apr 8, the Minister gave the keynote address at the Global Construction Summit 2010 on "Investing in India's Infrastructure". To audience representing major construction and investment companies from all over the world, the Minister spoke about India's plans to achieve a "quantum jump" in the road sector and invited foreign companies to participate in this mega-initiative. He told the over-300 strong gathering about the essentially domestic demand-driven growth of India and said, "India's growth does not threaten, it beckons."

ICICI to pay 12.85 lakh to NRI customer CHENNAI: In the verdict in the first case filed under the Information Technology Act in the country, Tamil Nadu IT Secretary and adjudicator for the state, P W C Davidar has directed ICICI Bank to pay Rs 12.85 lakh as compensation to an NRI customer, who complained he lost money from his account due to phishing in 2007 in Chennai. The order came on a petition filed by Umashankar Sivasubramaniam who claimed he received an e-mail in September 2007 from ICICI, asking him to reply with his Internet banking username and password or else his account would become non-existent. Though he replied, he found Rs 6.46 lakh transferred from his ac-

count to that of a company, which withdrew Rs 4.6 lakh from an ICICI branch in Mumbai and retained the balance in its account. In his application for adjudication filed under the IT Act to the

He said there was no way by which customers could identify an e-mail as being from respondent bank (ICICI). The bank could have obtained a digital signature from the officer responsible for commu-

ICICI has failed to establish that due diligence was exercised to prevent contravention of the nature of unauthorized access, he said, adding â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I find the petitioner justified in the instant caseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; State Information Technology Secretary on June 26,2008, he held the bank responsible for the loss. Davidar in his order, directed ICICI Bank to pay Rs 12.85 lakh to Sivasubramanian, saying the bank has been found guilty.

nicating with customers, thereby providing a layer in authentication of such mails. There appeared to be no effort of that nature by ICICI, he said, adding that access to the petitioner's account details "re-

flects very poorly on ICICI's systems and procedures in the event of a customer facing this situation." "ICICI has appeared to function in a manner that would indicate it has washed its hands off the customer. The bank seems not to have taken RBI directives seriously," he said. ICICI has failed to establish that due diligence was exercised to prevent contravention of the nature of unauthorized access, he said, adding "I find the petitioner justified in the instant case." "The bank failed to put in place a foolproof internet banking system with adequate levels of authentication and validation," he added. -PTI

April 23, 2010

TechBiz Post

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Alagiri's son forays into cable 4 projects rejected by Environment Ministry on eco grounds TV business in Chennai CHENNAI: Feud between DMK's first fam- after the Maran brothers fell out of favour ily and the Maran brothers resurfaced with with Karunanidhi family which launched its Union Minister for Chemical and Fertiliser M own Kalaignar TV to take on the SUN TV K Alagiri's son foraying into the Marans-domi- network, while the state government too nated cable TV business in the city. entered the MSO business under Arasu Alagiri, Madurai-based Cable TV Corporation. DMK strongman and elder The cable TV war Earlier, attempts by the son of Chief Minister M broke out in the state previous Jayalalithaa govKarunanidhi, and his wife after the Maran broth- ernment to break the moKanthimathi inaugurated nopoly of SCV by enacting the multi-system operator ers fell out of favour a legislation nationalising all (MSO) of his son with Karunanidhi the MSOs in the state did Dhayaanidhi's firm JAK family which not take off as the Centre reCommunications. fused to give its nod to it. launched its own Alagiri's son said they Relations between hoped to capture 17 lakh Kalaignar TV to take Karunanidhi's family and subscribers in a phased on the SUN TV network Maran brothers were manner in Chennai, where strained after a Tamil daily the cable TV distribution is monopolised owned by the latter published a survey in by Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV) owned by 2007 placing DMK patriarch's second son Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran -- grand- M K Stalin far ahead of Alagiri to be his heir. nephews of Karunanidhi. Dayanidhi was forced to quit the Union CabiThe cable TV war broke out in the state net at the height of the feud. -PTI

Deutsche Bank launches retail operations in Ludhiana

indiapost.com

CHANDIGARH: Deutsche Bank AG has announced the launch of its retail operations in Ludhiana, taking the number of branches it operates in the country to 15. "Ludhiana is one of the premier cities of Punjab and we will offer appropriate solutions to meet the increasingly sophisticated financial needs of the discerning corporate and individual clients based in Ludhiana," said Deutsche Bank India Managing Director and CEO Gunit Chadha in a release issued here. With this launch, the bank now has fifteen branches across the country in fourteen cities, including Aurangabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Gurgaon, Ludhiana, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Moradabad, New Delhi, Noida, Pune, Vellore and Salem. To meet the financial needs of individual and business customers, the offering will in-

clude deposit products like current and savings accounts, private banking solutions, credit cards and mortgages, as well as investment and insurance products, the release said. Deutsche Bank will also offer an array of integrated and innovative solutions in the areas of cash management and trade finance to corporate clients and SMEs based in Ludhiana, it added. "The city of Ludhiana has seen strong overall growth over more than a decade now and there is a large segment of customers interested in availing high quality financial services. We will offer full-fledged retail banking with strong, customer-centric products and services to this segment of customers," said Deutsche Bank India Managing Director and Head of Private and Business Clients Prashant Joshi. -PTI

NEW DELHI: The government has rejected The committee also shot down a profour commercial projects including Poshitra posal for 2-D seismic survey in an area of port in Gujarat on ecological grounds, Envi- 150 sq km in Narayan Sagar Sanctuary in ronment Minister Jairam Ramesh said assert- Gujarat noting that in the past, a large area ing his ministry is not a "rubber stamp" which of this sanctuary has been carved out for will blindly pass all projects. various development activities. "The environment ministry is not a rubIt also rejected a proposal for withdrawal ber stamp. We give apof water from the Majthal proval only where it is re- The Committee Wildlife Sanctuary in quired. Rejection and acHimachal Pradesh and ceptance is not done refused permission to laying of pipeline for carblindly," he told reporters carry out environrying this water for the exon the sidelines of a func- mental impact pansion of a cement plant tion here. by Ambuja Cement. He said the Standing assessment and risk Withdrawal of water for Committee of National assessment for commercial purpose could Board of Wild Life (NBWL) establishment of a not be permitted as it was chaired by him at a meetagainst the provisions of ing rejected four proposals port at Poshitra Wildlife (Protection) Act, in various states. 1972, the statement said. The Committee refused permission to Another important proposal pertained to carry out environmental impact assessment reducing area of Kolleru Lake Sanctuary in and risk assessment for establishment of a Andhra Pradesh. port at Poshitra in Jamnagar. The Committee has set up a seven"The proposal was rejected on the ground member panel for conducting a scientific that the proposed project site is within parts survey of the entire area through satellite of the Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park mapping to get an actual picture of the which is very rich in marine biodiversity and status and alignment of contour lines. It is in a highly ecological fragile area," the min- has been asked to submit its report within istry said in a statement. three months. -PTI

Realty Tidbits

Crisil predicts stability in property rates

Real Estate

Crisil research report on resi dential property prices of India's 10 biggest cities says prices will remain more or less stable with a moderate dip in prices in Mumbai and a marginal (2 per cent) rise in the National Capital Region (NCR) in 2010. According to the report, the average capital appreciation in the 10 cities is expected to be 2-3 per cent. Bangalore and Chennai are expected to see the highest rises of 7.3 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. On the other hand, Ahmedabad and Mumbai will see a correction in prices by 1.8 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively.

BPTP launches commercial complex in Noida NEW DELHI: Real estate developer BPTP Ltd, which plans to raise around Rs 1,500 crore through an IPO, has said it has launched an integrated commercial complex with facilities like hotel and office space in Noida. The Capital City, spread over an area of 21.17 acres, would also have health clubs, restaurants, bars and shopping arcades, the company said in a statement here. -PTI

Golf-based mega township for Ludhiana CHANDIGARH: Real estate firm Silverglades and Israeli Group Brack Capital Real Estate has announced the development of a golf-based mega township project in Ludhiana with an estimated investment of Rs 600 crore. Spread across 280 acres, the project 'Imperial Golf Estate' will be completed in three-and-half years. "We are very happy to be associated with BCRE and IIRF 2 Realty fund of IL&FS in this prestigious project.” -PTI

40 India Post

www.indiapost.com

Jaypee's high-end housing project in Noida NEW DELHI: Realty firm Jaypee Greens, a part of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, said it would develop a highend housing project in Noida with an expected revenue of at least Rs 540 crore over the next three years. The company would build 160-165 individual homes in this project, which is part of a 1,162 acre township 'Jaypee Greens Wish Town'. -PTI

April 23, 2010

Changes in FDI norms can dampen investments

oreign venture capital funds will find it more difficult to invest in venture funds here with the government changing the foreign direct investment (FDI) rules. Experts fear this could dampen foreign investments into India. The new rules say foreign funds will now require prior approval for investment in Indian venture funds and they cannot invest in unregistered trusts. "This is a retrograde step. This is uncalled for, as no approval should be needed for FDI flows between two Sebi regulated entities," said Punit Shah, financial services tax practice leader, KPMG. The rules were issued by the department of industrial policy and promotion (Dipp), the key government body on foreign direct investment policy.

While the move could be driven by the government's efforts to curb money-laundering through trusts that are not as regulated as companies, the change could impact inflow. Foreign money coming in through the venture capital

benefits to select sectors and tightening registration procedures to regulate flow of funds from these entities. Foreign VC funds entering India have to give an undertaking to the Reserve Bank of India that

Experts also point out the absence of any grandfathering provision in the policy for the foreign investors registered prior to April 1, 2010 route has been under the regulatory scanner since 2007 when there was a surge in investments by these entities into real estate. Both the government and regulators cracked down on foreign venture capital funds and put in place several measures such as restricting tax

they will not invest in the property sector. Thus, some of the offshore VCs, registered in Mauritius, invested in local funds to sidestep regulations. Till now, a Sebi registered foreign venture capital investor was allowed to invest under the automatic route (or without any

prior approval) in a domestic venture capital fund registered with the Sebi. Domestic venture funds have the flexibility to structure themselves either as a company or as a trust and accept foreign investment from a foreign venture capital investor. "Rationale of such measure is not clear and this will act as dampener to free flow of FDI," said Akil Hirani, managing partner, Majmudar & Co. Experts also point out the absence of any grandfathering provision in the policy for the foreign investors registered prior to April 1, 2010 and those that had invested in domestic funds registered before this date. It is not clear if such investments will require any further approval from the government.

Several real estate cos Indian govt approves eyeing IPOs six new SEZs MUMBAI: About 15 mid and large realty players, including Emmar MGF, are looking at tapping the capital market this year, real estate money management and services firm Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj has said. "About 15-odd real estate companies are aiming to list in 2010. Apart from the already successfully-listed DB, these include both mid-level and large companies such as Emmar MGF and Sahara," company's Chairman & Country

Head Anuj Puri told PTI here. But what kind of reception they get and whether they can raise the targeted amount of money will depend upon global investor sentiment, he said. "A lot depends on global investor sentiment -- which at the moment is improving. Appetite is picking up, however this is also a function of the annual results of the currently listed real estate companies, which are due in April. The potential for IPOs of new real estate companies will emerge at that point," Puri said. In 2010, it is anticipated that USD 2-billion worth of private equity investment will come to India, he said. "Private equity funding, apart from the obvious financial support, also helps in improving corporate governance standards of real estate companies," Puri said. Private equity interest in India continues, given the market's risk/ reward profile and size. "We anticipate 2010 to see about USD 2-billion worth of private equity investment coming in," Puri said.-PTI

he government has approved projects on the basis of perceived the setting up of six new spe- commercial inviability. Both excial economic zones or SEZs, ar- ports and employment also rose eas which receive special tax and during the first nine months of the duty concessions for manufactur- current financial year, the ministry ing and exports. Among those ap- added. Direct employment went proved are a solar SEZ by infra- from 3.55 lakh to 4.9 lakh while exstructure company Lanco in ports from SEZs rose even faster. Chhattisgarh and a copper SEZ by Against just under 1 lakh crore Sterlite Industries in ($21.9 billion) Tamil Nadu. The approvals also worth of exports The approvals during 2008-09, allayed fears that also allayed fears that exports from the SEZ policy was the SEZ policy was SEZs hit 1.52 lakh losing steam. Com- losing steam. Com- crore ($32.3 bilpanies like DLF, panies like DLF had lion) during just India's biggest real the first nine estate developer, had wanted to surrender months of 2009wanted to surrender their SEZ licences 10. India's total their SEZ licences exports during during the downturn of last year. the year are expected to be around Against a pre-recession tally of $160 billion. 577 approved SEZs, the total numAs a result, the growth of exber of approved SEZs stood at ports from SEZs during 2009-10 is 580, including the six approved expected to be even faster than the now, the ministry of commerce and 50% growth seen during the preindustry said. The number of ap- vious year. Maharashtra leads the proved SEZs had fallen to 573 in nation with 109 approved SEZs, December last year and to 571 in out of which 15 are operational, February this year as some of the according to a chart released by developers bailed out of the the government two months ago.

In Brief DPS investigating suspected illegal immigrants MESA, Ariz.: The Arizona Department of Public Safety is involved in a pair of traffic stops involving the discovery of several people that may be undocumented immigrants. DPS spokesman Sgt. Kevin Wood told The Associated Press that officers pulled over a truck and arrested the driver at 6:15 a.m., however, 12 people ran from the vehicle and are still on the loose near the San Tan Freeway and McClintock Drive. A second stop on the eastbound San Tan Freeway and Kyrene resulted in the driver plus 10 suspected illegal immigrants being taken into custody. Some of the people found were trying to hide in the back of a truck under what appears to be carpet. -AP

Thousands gather to push for immigration reform SEATTLE: A large weekend rally in downtown Seattle was aimed not only at lobbying Congress for immigration reform, but at countering stereotypes and illustrating the urgency of the problem, an immigrantrights advocate said. ``Health care has sucked up a lot of oxygen for a lot of time,'' said Pramila Jayapal, executive director of the advocate group OneAmerica. ``Our window is very small now.'' Thousands attended the protest organized by The Washington Immigration Reform Coalition, an umbrella group of many immigrant advocate organizations, The Seattle Times reported. Many waved American flags and chanted in Spanish and English. -AP

Thousands attend immigration reform rally in Vegas LAS VEGAS: Thousands of people gathered in Las Vegas to press for swift congressional action on immigration reform. The crowd cheered when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Rep. Shelley Berkley told them they're committed to pushing for action this year. Many participants waved placards that read ``Reform Now,'' and ``Stop Tearing Our Families Apart.'' The rally outside the federal building was sponsored by a broad coalition that includes the non-partisan Reform Immigration for America Campaign, labor groups and faith-based organizations. -AP

Immigration 41

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Illegal immigrant sentenced in three Phoenix cases PHOENIX: An illegal immigrant from Honduras was sentenced to 42 years in prison for two sexual assaults in Phoenix and the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl. Details on page 42

Immigration reform does help US economy India Post News Service

WASHINGTON DC:Anew report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), entitled Immigrant Legalization: Assessing the Labor Market Effects, yields both some enlightening and some potentially misleading results about the likely impact of a legalization program. Because the PPIC report focuses on legal status acquired under current immigration law, it does not reflect the long-term benefits and gains that follow from a comprehensive immigration reform package which includes legalization. While the PPIC report dovetails with other reports when it concludes that legalization would not have a negative impact on native workers' wages and employment, their findings on the wages and mobility of the newly legalized differ from other academic studies on how immigrants fare after legalization. This difference can be attributed to the fact that PPIC looks at legalization only, and how the newly legalized are doing just 4-13 months after becoming legalized. Almost all other previous studies haven take a longer term view of their success. PPIC relies upon data from the

New Immigrant Survey (NIS), a sample of foreign-born individuals who acquired legal permanent resident (LPR) status between May and November 2003. It is important to keep in mind that the NIS is not representative of the unauthorized-immigrant population as a whole. As opposed to the individuals captured in the NIS, most unauthorized immigrants do

ciaries of legalization under the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) revealed pronounced upward mobility in terms of education, wages, homeownership, and occupation between 1990 and 2006: • In 1990, only 30 percent of IRCA immigrants 16-24 years old had a high-school diploma or better. By 2006 (when that group was 31-41 years old), the share had in-

A report on beneficiaries of legalization under the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) revealed pronounced upward mobility in terms of education, wages, homeownership, and occupation between 1990 and 2006 not have a means of acquiring legal status. Moreover, individuals in the NIS were interviewed 4-13 months after acquiring LPR status. Despite these limitations in the NIS data, the PPIC report uses it to conclude that immigrants who receive legal status do not experience significant upward mobility in their occupation or wages. Unfortunately, 4-13 months is far too short a time to witness the sort of upward socioeconomic mobility that legalization would facilitate. For instance, a report on benefi-

creased to 58 percent. • The real wages of IRCA immigrants in all age groups increased between 1990 and 2006. • While 34 percent of IRCA immigrants age 35-44 years owned homes in 1990, 68 percent owned homes in 2006. • The share of younger IRCA immigrants employed in managerial-level positions rose substantially, from 9 percent in 1990 to 17 percent in 2006. Although the PPIC report is right that a new legalization pro-

gram for unauthorized immigrants poses no danger to native-born workers and taxpayers, it vastly underestimates the significant economic benefits that would likely flow from legalization. This stems in part from the report's questionable finding that roughly 90 percent of all unauthorized immigrants already pay taxes and that legalization therefore would bring few new taxpayers into the system. Most other authoritative estimates suggest that around half of unauthorized immigrants currently pay taxes. Legalization would bring more people into the tax system than PPIC assumes, and would yield increasing tax revenue over time as the wages of newly legalized workers rise. A recent report from the Immigration Policy Center and Center for American Progress concludes that, in the first three years after legalization, the higher earning power of newly legalized workers would translate "into an increase in net personal income of $30 to $36 billion, which would generate $4.5 to $5.4 billion in additional net tax revenue." This is a significant increase that reflects upward mobility among legalized workers which takes years, not months, to achieve.

Arrested? Tell your immigration lawyer! MYRIAM JAIDI

he intersection of criminal and immigration law is fraught with risk for foreign nationals, whether they are lawful permanent residents, nonimmigrants or completely without legal status. An arrest that results in a conviction even for what people generally consider a minor offense, may, under the immigration laws, result in a foreign national being removed from the United States and unable to return, or denied entry at the border even though he or she has a valid visa. This article presents an overview of the possible perils as well as recommendations to foreign nationals in valid immigration status who find themselves some-

how ensnared, even in what they think may be a minor way, in the criminal justice system. (Please note that for individuals who are out of status or undocumented, being arrested and detained will most likely

rassing (and can be exhausting in New York City, people who are arrested spend 24 hours or more in detention without a place to rest, given only water and maybe a bologna sandwich, before seeing a

An arrest that results in a conviction even for what people generally consider a minor offense, may, under the immigration laws, result in a foreign national being removed from the United States result in being placed in removal proceedings, and depending upon the circumstances, could at times result in mandatory detention during the removal proceedings.) Anyone who has been arrested knows that the experience can be terrifying as well as deeply embar-

lawyer and being brought before the judge for the first time; this is tough on the body and the mind). Foreign nationals who are being sponsored for status by their employers and may need to reveal the fact of an arrest during a conference call with HR and immigration

counsel regarding their immigration status or pending visa application, may not be forthright due to a fear that their employers might terminate their employment and thus their ability to stay in the US. Or, an individual may fear revealing the fact of an arrest to the family member sponsoring him or her for status. We understand that it can be very painful to have to reveal an arrest to anyone, but cannot emphasize strongly enough that any foreign national arrested for anything, however minor, should reveal that fact to and have it analyzed by an immigration lawyer, preferably before any final action is taken on the criminal charges. Cont’d on page 43

India Post

Immigration Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Asian communities urged to mail back census forms India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Designating the week as National Asian Census Mail-Back Week, the US Census Bureau has urged through community organizations, census partners and supporters representing various Asian communities that everyone living in the United States, regardless of citizenship or residency status, must mail back their census questionnaires as soon as possible. "During National Asian Census Mail-Back Week, we have to do everything we can to ensure that Asians who have not filled out their forms fill them out and turn them in quickly," said Robert Groves, director of the Census Bureau. "Given the country's current response rate to the census is only 66 percent, many communities could potentially lose out on federal funding, political representation and community services that would benefit everyone." For those having trouble fill-

ing out their questionnaires, the Census Bureau has established a toll-free Telephone Questionnaire Assistance center, which will be available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, until July 30. Anyone who would rather complete their forms by

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A chance to improve communities on a large scale like this comes around once every 10 years,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Groves telephone can call the center at 1-866-872-6868. Local Questionnaire Assistance Centers have also been set up in key areas to assist people with filling out their forms. Replacement forms, as well as inlanguage assistance, are available at each Questionnaire Assistance Center. The week marks the deadline for those to mail back their ques-

tionnaires. Those who do not mail in forms by the end of the week can expect a visit from a census taker, who can be identified by an official US Census Bureau identification badge, marked with their name. The takers will only ask the 10 questions that appear on the census form. In addition, they will never ask for Social Security numbers or other financial information and will never ask to enter the homes of residents. "A chance to improve communities on a large scale like this comes around once every 10 years," said Groves. "It is vital that during National Asian Census Mail-Back Week, those who have not returned their questionnaires understand that the 10 minutes it takes to fill out and mail in their forms will help bring in resources that will positively impact our community." For a list of local centers, and additional information about the 2010 Census and the Census Bureau, visit www.2010.census.gov.

Gomez-Gomez was arrested in November 2009 and pleaded guilty on March 1 to six charges including three counts of sexual assault. Authorities say a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in July 2009 by a man who broke into

her house. They say DNA evidence later linked the attack to an unsolved 2007 rape of a Phoenix woman in her home. Phoenix police also linked Gomez-Gomez to the attempted 2007 kidnapping of a teenage girl who managed to escape. -AP

Immigration Post

April 23, 2010

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Arrested? Tell your immigration lawyer! The first thing that all foreign nationals should be aware of, besides the fact that they should exercise their right to remain silent if arrested and their right to an attorney, is that no arrest or conviction is ever rendered invisible to the federal government. Even a conviction that has been vacated will still be noted on an individual's record. For example, when an individual gets arrested for something minor in New York City like shoplifting, although the case may have ultimately resulted in a dismissal, the individual must acknowledge the fact of the arrest on any immigration forms that raise the question. An immigration lawyer can assist in providing an appropriate explanation to a consulate or USCIS. All foreign nationals should also be aware of the United States Supreme Court decision issued on March 31, 2010, Padilla v. Kentucky available at http://bit.ly/ cr1UH4. In this case, the Supreme Court held that a criminal defense attorney's failure to advise a client regarding the risk of deportation related to taking a particular plea on a case can amount to ineffective assistance of counsel. Justice Stevens pointed out that changes to our immigration law have dramatically raised the stakes of a noncitizen's criminal conviction. The importance of accurate legal advice for noncitizens accused of crimes has never been more important. These changes confirm our view that, as a matter of federal law, deportation is an integral part-indeed, sometimes the most important part-of the penalty that may be imposed on noncitizen defendants who plead guilty to specified crimes. This is an extremely important decision for foreign nationals, for it provides them some protections in the criminal justice context and brings us closer to recognizing the importance of advice from competent counsel regarding the intersection of criminal and immigration law. Manuel D. Vargas of The Immigrant Defense Project has prepared an excellent practice advisory, avail-

able at http://bit.ly/brfTs8. As public defenders often state, most people, regardless of their level of education, walk out of criminal court after arraignments (the first court procedure during which an arrested individual is advised of the charges and enters a plea of guilty or not guilty; if a person indicates not guilty, the court will determine whether bail should be set on the case or not) without any realistic notion of what happened. This is in part because criminal court proceedings involve their own lingo and, especially in urban centers, judges expect lawyers to move through cases as fast as possible. This fact also underscores the importance of showing a copy of the charges and the outcome of

Always get a copy of all the paperwork associated with a criminal case - copy of the charging document (called a complaint in NYC), copy of the "RAP" sheet, a copy of any orders associated with the case the arraignment to an immigration attorney who can interpret what has happened and provide an overview of the consequences. Always get a copy of all the paperwork associated with a criminal case - copy of the charging document (called a complaint in NYC), copy of the "RAP" sheet, a copy of any orders associated with the case (protective orders, stay away orders, etc.), and evidence of the disposition (called a "Certificate of Disposition" in NYC). Let's say a foreign national has been arrested in New York City (Manhattan) for shoplifting a shirt that costs $50. This falls under the charge of Petit Larceny, New York Penal Law Section 155.25. The police will either give the person a

Desk Appearance Ticket, indicating when they need to appear in court to answer to the charges, or, most likely, the police will take the person into custody, fingerprint them, and take them to court for arraignments, usually within 24 hours of arrest. If this is the first time the person has ever been arrested, it is very likely that the prosecution will offer an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal ("ACD"). Under New York law, an ACD is not a criminal conviction, not a finding or admission of guilt, and does not result in a criminal record. Under immigration law, the New York ACD is not a criminal conviction and should have no negative results. The ACD should, however, be distinguished from diversionary programs. As a general matter, diversionary programs are entered into before trial and without any admission of guilt, which is essential to avoiding a "conviction" under immigration law. The definition of "conviction" under Immigration and Nationality Law (INA) Section 101(a)(48)(A) has two prongs: 1) a judge or jury has found the alien guilty or the alien has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or has admitted sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt, and 2) the judge has ordered some form of punishment, penalty, or restraint on the alien's liberty to be imposed. Some diversionary programs require some admission of guilt and impose certain conditions on the individual, and therefore could meet the definition of "conviction" under the INA. Thus, if a foreign national is offered a diversionary program, he or she should have it analyzed by an immigration lawyer to determine the possible consequences before agreeing to enter into it. The New York ACD, however, does not constitute a conviction under the INA. (To be continued) * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

REFINANCE/PURCHASE 5.125% Fixed (5.125% APR) 0 Point 0 Non-Recurring Cost Program Available “Rates subject to change with market”

95% Financing on Purchases Available 105% REFINANCING (AVAILABLE IN SOME CASES)

Call: NEERAJ

1-800-671-9534 AMERICAN SONA MORTGAGE California Dept. of RE, Broker License# 01236060

PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law

Former Assistant State s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1

http://www.proy-singh.com

2335 W. Devon Ave., Suite 204, Tel: 773-381-1820 Chicago, IL 60659

American Sona Mortgage

Cont’d from page 41

Datebook

44 India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

NEW JERSEY

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming

Wednes April 21

Sat May 1

• The Blug Play (A comdey play in Hindi & english)

• Kavi Sammela Hasya, Vyang & Geet

Venue: TBD, Edison, New Jersey Time: 7pm

Venue: Sri Mangal Mandir Auditorium, 17110 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland Time: 6pm to 10:30pm Contact: 301-340-2983

May 2 to May 8 • Yoga, Meditation & Spiritual Talks By Swami Mukundananda Venue: Mangal Mandir, 17110 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD,

Fri April 23 • Basement Bhangra Lucky 13 Birthday Bash Venue: Fillmore at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Plaza, New York Contact: (212) 252-2390

Fri April 30 • Musical evening of Bollywood music "Sanj Sanjeevani" Venue: All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Rd, Norwalk, Connecticut Time: 7pm to 10pm Contact: 203-202-7565

Sat May 1 • Dancing STAR ka Damaka Venue: Shreenath Enterprise Inc, 220-15, 92 ave queens village, New York Time: 7pm Contact: 347-513-8526

Fri April 23 • VANDNA with Anoushka Shankar Venue: The Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin Time: 8pm to 10pm Contact: 414-336-5982

Sat April 24 • The Festival Of Colors

Sun May 2

Venue: Knoch Knolls Park, 336 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, Illinois Time: 11am to 4pm Contact: 630-355-5468

• 9th Muslim Matrimonial Hosted by MillanUS.com

Fri April 30

Venue: Adria Hotel & Conference Center, 220-33 Northern Blvd., Bayside, New York Time: 3pm to 9pm Contact: 516-840-0396

• Bapuna Rajma Lilalaher Venue: Jain Center, Bartlett, IL, Illinois Time: 8:30pm 11:30pm Contact: 630-913-6660

Contact: 848-250-6997 Highlights: Featuring star film personalities of Bollywood like, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak and Ranbir Shorey.

Fri April 30 • Ladies Night Out - Baisakhi Beats Venue: AKBAR, 21 Cortlandt Street, Edison, New Jersey Time: 8pm to 1am Contact: 732-763-0118

Sat May 1 • Indian Property Expo 2010

Maryland, 20905 Time: 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm Contact: Mr. Desai Phone : (301) 604-2927

Fri May 7 • Sanjh Sanjeevani, live in concert Venue: Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland Time: 8pm Contact: (202) 247-7434

Sat May 15 • Tamil Musical Nite By Washington Shruti

Venue: Holiday Inn Edison, 3050 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ Time: 10am 7pm Contact: 603-233-0081

Venue: Woodson High School, 9525 Main St, Fairfax, Virginia, WDC Time: 5:30pm to 10pm Contact: 703-801-7725

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat April 24

Every Thursday evening

• Youthsava 2010

• Pranayam, Meditation & Healing

Venue: India Community Center?, 525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas, California Time: 9am Contact: (408) 934-1130

Venue: 18743, Pioneer Blvd, Suite Artesia, CA 90702 Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm Contact: (949)235-2960

Sun May 2 • Speed Matrimonial Matchmaking Venue: Radisson Hotel, 1471 N 4th St, San Jose, California Time: 3pm Contact: 209-566-1478

Sun May 2 • South Bay Hindu Center Presents PARAMPARA Venue: Campbell Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Avenue, Campbell, California, 95008 Time: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Contact: Madan Arora Phone : 510-461-2451

Fri May 14

Every Sat (start from Sat Aug 8)

• Sri Karunamayi Lalita Sahasranama Puja

• Gurukul Classes for Children

Fri May 21

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.

• Gata Rahe Mera Dil - An evening remembering Kishore Kumar

Sat April 24

Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Community Center, 420-450 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale, California Time: 6:30pm Contact: (408) 865-0709

Venue: Mehran Restaurant - Banquet Hall, 5774 Mowry School Road, Newark, California, 94560 Time: 7:30 pm to 11:45 pm Contact: Sudhir Aravindan Phone: (408)802-5128

• Berkeley Venue: Unity of Berkeley at The Ecumenical Center on Holy Hill, 2401 LeConte Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact: 800-475-2369

Sun April 25 • Vastu Ayurvedic Seminar Venue: Sindhu Center, 14117 Clarkdale Avenue, Norwalk, CA 90650 Time: 5:30pm Contact: (213) 422 5725

Sat May 8 • Archana 2010: A Tribute to Farmers Venue: Civit Arts Plaza, FRed Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks, California Time: 4pm to 7pm Contact: 805-754-9861

Classifieds

April 23, 2010

India Post 45

www.indiapost.com

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.,

Union City, CA - 94587.

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

Punjabi Khatri parents looking for a suitable professional match for their beautiful daughter,

and well educated. Kindly respond with photo and biodata to P.O.Box # 340, India Post, 29274 Union City Blvd., Union City, CA - 94587, USA.

match for Punjabi Khatri handsome son born Nov. 1978, 5'9" educated, selfemployed. Alliance invited from beautiful educated girl. Email biodata and photograph to Dreamsunlimited1@yahoo.com

or Call (626) 374-1942

HINDU SOOD KHATRI PARENTS FROM LOS ANGELES INVITE

slim, 29 years, 5’5” tall

Parents seeking

Khatri Family seeking a suitable match for their handsome, tall, non-

ALLIANCE FOR THEIR

smoker, non-drinker,

U.S.CITIZEN SON 28/6'

professional son 26 yr old,

HAVING B.S. DEGREE

5' 9'' and well educated

IN ACCOUNTING

family background.

AND FINANCE. IF

Please contact

INTERESTED, PL CALL AT (818) 996-2825 AND/

510-461-6891 or email bio data at rohitdhand2002@yahoo.com

42, youthful, handsome, PhD, professor in prestigious university, IIT undergrad, Brahmin, vegetarian, US citizen, divorcee never lived together, seeks partner below 36, Indian values, caring, PhD, MD, professionals, bio/photo details must.sunjupe@gmail.com

OR EMAIL BIO DATA

Looking For A Suitable Match For "Hindu Punjabi" girl, 29, 5'5" working. Boy Should Be Tall, Good Looking, Well Educated, Professional And Financially Stable. Please Email At vivah4ca@gmail.com

Hindu Punjabi parents seek a suitable match for their daughter, 32, 5' 8'', Lawyer in U.S.A. Boy should be at least 6' tall, professional, and brought up in North America. Email: RKGTA@HOTMAIL.COM

or Call 416-464-7471

Nai Sikh 5.1’ 25 Girl B.M.I.T.; P.G.D.C.A., from India. M.B.A (I.T) From USA. Has Student Visa and work

For Chanderika: Seeking alliance for 41 year old/5’5” Punjabi Khatri, well established professional teacher. Very brief marriage annulled. Seeking mature, responsible match from sincere professional/businessman, West Coast preferred. Email bio-data/photo at matriad41@gmail.com.

HELP NEEDED

Seeks Suitable Immigrant boy from USA or CANADA.

Upscale Salon in Walnut Creek looking for experienced Threader. Please call

Contact at Email: shoti53@yahoo.com

925-785-3694

with Bio data and Photo

for interview.

permit Trying for H-1B Visa Brother Dentist in India. Father & Mother in USA

at Linconwood, Devon and Cove Plaza, Schaumburg. For details Contact LRM Investments Phone : 773-416-3322 Email :

WITH PHOTO AT

abowry25@yahoo.com

STORES FOR RENT

Brahmin boy, ( from welleducated family of engineers ) 27 yrs, 5'10",very attractive personality ,from top-tier MBA + B-Tech from US, born/bred in India, US citizen, worked as Sr. consultant in Big four, great sense of humor, respectful in line with Indian culture seeks attractive match willing to settle in SF bay. Caste no bar. Please contact asharmacalishaadi@gmail.com

lrm.investments@yahoo.com

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM OF BEING DEBT FREE ARE YOU TRYING 2 GET UR CREDIT CLEAN 1888-632-9073 NO ADVANCE FEES

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

Classifieds

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Great Opportunity

RESTAURANT HELP WANTED

IN CLEVELAND

Urgent Help Needed Care giver & companion for senior male.

Upscale Indian Cuisine (Inchin’s Bamboo Garden- Tadka) In Cleveland Ohio is looking for Professional servers Good compensation Call

Live in/out at our home in

(440) 734-0500

must have a GreenCard,

FINANCING

& desire to help seniors

YOU NEED MONEY? CALL US! FAST CASH- SBA LOANS HOTELS MOTELS, BARS, FRANCHISES, GAS STATION & C STORES LEASING MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT PURCHASE & REFINANCE CONSTRUCTION LOANS. LOW INTEREST RATES BAD CREDIT OK CONTACT MAHESH JANI: (845)735 -0183

Union City, CA Vegetarian/ Male. Passion, patience

NEED HELP VENUS SALON NEED EXPERIENCED THREADING LADY FULL TIME OR PART TIME IN UNION CITY. PLEASE CALL TIVIA @

(510) 441-8462

OR VISIT THE LOCATION AT 2625 DECOTO RD., UNION CITY.

or e-mail Charobhatt@gmail.com

remedytexltd1@hotmail.com

“HOTEL HELP/ COUPLE WANTED” For FRONT DESK NIGHT AU-

Call Charu 510-381-2105

Come as a Part Time Payment Collection Representative to you and it take little out of your time, it pays any amount in a month plus benefits and takes only little of your time. Please send-mail to

PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT WANTED

w w w. i n d i a p o s t . c o m

Currently seeking payroll clerks and accountants. Job comes with great benefits, Applicants should kindly e-mail resumes or inquiries to Guiseppina Cavaliere. Guiseppinainc@aol.com

DIT, House-keeping, Laundry, only. Energetic English/Hindi speaking/Punjabi speaking, Couple wanted In Franchise Hotel Florida / Georgia .Good Salary, Benefits Live Inn Accommodation, Immediate placement.

Please contact, Manish or Bobby at (904)891-5278,or (912)729-5454.

MOTELS FOR SALE 34, rooms EL monte $ 2.5 M. seller financing 80, rooms Oceanside $7.7 M. Franchise, seller finacing 112,rooms $2.8 M. short sale Sacramento 121, rooms $7.2 M.Franchise Mississippi Inn Realty Henry 626-484-8785 cell or 626-350-0506 (0)

Classifieds

April 23, 2010

India Post 47

www.indiapost.com

GET FREE PRODUCTS EVERYDAY! There's a company that gives never-ending freebies to you. And you can make a monthly income too! Get FREE groceries, FREE jewelry, FREE electronics, FREE software, and more. In fact, just about anything you can think of, there is a category of freebies. To join, go to www.abm.nocashever.com Questions? getfreebiesnow@yahoo.com

BUSINESS FOR SALE Quiznos in a prime location in Inland Empire area for sale. Only interested parties, CONTACT

Quiznossub1@hotmail.com or call (909)851-5395 5.30pm to 7.00pm only.

LOOKING FOR A MANAGER Subway restaurant in Cypress and Fullerton . Fluent in English, Experience necessary, Email Resume: nsuva@ca.rr.com

Executive Chef San Francisco based restaurant looking for a EXECUTIVE CHEF/culinary graduate. Must have 10 YEARS of experience.

(650) 271-2849

Wanted Motel Manager Couple or Wanted Single Person for Motel Work Experience Preferred. Accommodation Provided & Good Salary Please Call (314)-922-8190 or (213)-926-2727

Philosophy

48 India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Page Sponsored by Sahanis

As told by Ramana Maharshi

ithoba found Nam Dev had not yet realized the Supreme Truth and wanted to teach him. When Jnaneswar and Nam Dev returned from their pilgrimage, Gora Kumbhar gave a feast to all the saints in his place and among them were Jnaneswar and Nam Dev. At the feast, Jnaneswar in collusion with Gora, told Gora publicly, 'You are a potter, daily engaged in making pots and testing them to see which are properly baked and which are not. These pots before you (i.e., the saints) are the pots of Brahma. See which of these are sound and which not.' Thereupon Gora took up the stick with which he used to tap his pots to test their soundness; and holding it aloft in his hand he went to each of his guests and tapped each on the head as he usually did to his pots. Each guest humbly submitted to such tapping. But when Gora approached Nam Dev, the latter indignantly called out: 'You potter, what do you mean by coming to tap me with that stick?' Gora thereupon told Jnaneswar, 'Swami, all the other pots have been properly baked. This one, (i.e., Nam Dev) alone is not yet

HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

ust as for every illness there is a remedy, so for every disaster there is a reconstruction. Any effort, in whatever form and however small, made towards reconstruction or towards the betterment of conditions is worthwhile, but what we need most is the understanding of that religion of religions and that philosophy of philosophies which is self-knowledge. We shall not understand the outer life if we do not understand ourselves. It is the knowledge of the self that gives the knowledge of the world. What is health? Health is order. And what is order? Order is music. Where there is rhythm, regularity, cooperation, there is harmony, there is sympathy. Health of mind and health of body therefore depend upon preserving that harmony, upon keeping intact that sympathy, which is going on in the mind and in body. Remember that life in the world, and especially if lived amidst the crowd, will test and try our patience every moment of the day, and it will be most difficult to preserve that harmony and peace which are all

properly baked.' All the assembled guests burst into laughter. Nam Dev felt greatly humiliated and ran up to Vitthal with whom he was on the most intimate terms, playing with him, eating with him, sleeping with him, and so on. Nam Dev complained of this humiliation which had happened to him, the closest friend and companion of Vitthal. Vitthal pretended to sympathies with him, asked for all the details of the happenings at Gora's house

friend, your child?' Vitthal said, 'You have not yet properly understood the truth. "Go to the saint who is in a ruined temple in such and such a forest. He will be able to give you enlightenment." Nam Dev accordingly went there and found an old, unassuming man sleeping in a corner of the temple with his feet on a Siva lingam. Nam Dev could hardly believe this was the man from whom he - the companion of Vitthal - was

Still he thought it was revolting that any man, however great, should be resting his feet on a lingam. He asked the old man, 'You seem to be a great personage. But is it proper for you to have your feet on a lingam?' The old man replied, 'Oh, are my feet on a lingam? Where is it? Please remove my feet elsewhere.' Nam Dev removed the feet and put them in various places. Wherever they were put, there was a Siva lingam. Finally, he took them on his lap and he himself became

The story of Nam Dev's Enlightenment Nam Dev removed the feet and put them in various places. Wherever they were put, there was a Siva lingam

Saint Nam Dev

and after hearing everything said, 'Why should you not have kept quiet and submitted to the tapping, as all the others did? That is why all this trouble has come.' Thereupon Nam Dev cried all the more and said, 'You also want to join the others and humiliate me. Why should I have submitted like the others? Am I not your closest

to gain enlightenment. However, as there was none else there, Nam Dev went near the man and clapped his hands. The old man woke up with a start and, seeing Nam Dev, said, 'Oh, you are Nam Dev whom Vitthal has sent here. Come!' Nam Dev was dumbfounded and began to think, 'This must be a great man.'

a Siva lingam. Then he realized the truth and the old gentleman said, 'Now you can go back'." Bhagavan added, "It is to be noted that only when he surrendered himself, and touched the feet of his guru, enlightenment came." Excerpted from book "Day by day with Raman Maharshi"

happiness. What is the definition of life? Life means struggle with friends and battle with foes. It is all the time giving and taking, and it is most difficult to keep the sympathy, to keep the harmony, which are health and happiness. Where are we to learn it? All education, learning and knowledge are acquired, but this one art is a divine art and man has inherited it. Absorbed in outer learning he has forgotten it, yet it is an art which is known to his soul, yet it

thing necessary is to learn the art of being, the art of life, for oneself and to be an example oneself before trying to serve humanity. What is Sufism? It is that art which has just been spoken of, the art through which the music and symphony of life can be preserved, and through which man can enable himself to become the proper servant of God and humanity. Health is an orderly condition caused by the regular working of

often the mind produces an irregularity in the spine or in the brain, thereby causing an illness. The ordinary point of view regards an illness as a physical disorder, which can be cured by means of material remedies. Then there is another point of view: that of people who think deeply and who say that by not taking notice of an illness, or by suggesting to oneself that one is well, one can be restored to health.

Health is order, order is music

Hazrat Inayat Khan

Many think that it is some deformity of the body, a curve in the spine or cavity in the brain that affects the mind. Few realize that very often the mind produces an irregularity in the spine or in the brain, thereby causing an illness

is his own being, it is the deepest knowledge of his heart. No progress in whatever line will give a man that satisfaction his soul is craving for, except this art which is the art of life, the art of being, which is the pursuit of his soul. In order to serve the reconstruction of the world the only thing possible and the only

the mechanism of the physical body. The regular working of the physical body depends upon the weather, diet, the balance between action and repose, and the condition of the mind. Many think that it is some deformity of the body, a curve in the spine or cavity in the brain that affects the mind. Few realize that very

This point of view can be exaggerated, when some people claim that illness is an illusion, that it has no existence of its own. The ordinary point of view can also be exaggerated when one thinks that medicine is the only means of cure and that thought has little to do with actual illness.

Whatever we perceive in the world around us tends to reflect who we are and what we care about most deeply, as in the old saying, "When a thief sees a saint, all he sees are his pockets.ĂŽ - Robert Frager A donkey with a load of holy books is still a donkey. -Essential Sufism Just think of the trees: they let the birds perch and fly, with no intention to call them when they come and no longing for their return when they fly away. If people's hearts can be like the trees, they will not be off the Way. - Langya God has no religion. -Mahatma Gandhi Do not mistake understanding for realization, and do not mistake realization for liberation. -Tibetan saying Don't hope for life without problems. An easy life results in a judgmental and lazy mind. So an ancient once said, Accept the anxieties and difficulties of this life. -Zen Master Kyong Ho I have done my best, that is about all the philosophy of living that one needs. Lin-yutang

You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

India Post 49

Edit Page

India Post

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

Internal security, external threats MIRZA ZULFIQUR RAHMAN

he brutal attack on the Central Reserve Police Force soldiers by Naxalites in Dantewada has raised many questions and concerns about internal security in India. The large Naxal presence, its firepower and its ability to strike the police forces at will, makes for a tense law and order situation in many states of India. There have been intense debates about considering the deployment of the Army and the possible use of the Air Force as well.

It is pertinent at this point to analyze the internal security situation in Naxal affected areas and draw some vital linkages with the internal security situation in Northeast India. Northeast India has been witness to many raging insurgencies ever since Indian independence with many of them still simmering on. The Army has been deployed in almost all the insurgency affected states in Northeast India over time, and even the Air Force was used once in Aizawl during the height of the Mizo insurgency to end a seize of an army camp by the Mizo rebels. The Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) has been in force since 1958 in various insurgency affected parts of Northeast India, giving the Army special and exceptional powers to operate in counter-insurgency operations. The current debate that has gained momentum, that the Armed Forces are primarily meant for external threats, and not for internal counter-insurgency operations; the talks of avoiding collateral damage in populated areas, is a signal of a 'new' thinking in the Armed Forces and the central security policy makers. This is only welcome if it is backed by adequate reforms in the internal policing system, which they say will be bolstered soon in the Naxal affected areas, and Operation Green Hunt could go on without the Armed Forces' help. However, even after decades of the Army's deployment in Northeast India, the central government or

the respective state governments have not managed to implement any reforms towards bolstering the internal policing structure, which could possibly replace the Army in any of its counter-insurgency duties. Vast portions of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have insignificant and weak local policing system, which cannot combat the complexities of strong insurgent networks at present. The ability of the Northeastern insurgent groups to

continue operating as well as managing strong networks of trafficking in arms, ammunition, narcotics and fake currency is testimony to the collective failure of the Army, the local police and the internal security policies. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has admitted many times that Northeast India has been the corridor of arms and ammunition and other logistical support to the Naxalites.

A genuine peace in Northeast India will ultimately come from involving local people in the peace process, not by having an exceptional act in the form of AFSPA with little national debate The various insurgencies in Northeast India have been, to an extent, kept in abeyance by New Delhi for long now, without an attempt to solve them politically. Many of the ceasefire insurgent groups in Northeast India who kept languishing in 'designated camps', have invested in a huge narco-terrorism network. It requires no rocket scientist to point out that this active 'kept in abeyance' insurgency network

in Northeast India has indeed strengthened the Naxal preparations against the government. The short sighted policy of delaying or postponing the peace in Northeast India, has in fact presented to the central government another internal security problem in the shape of this network, the dimensions of which it is yet to fully comprehend. Given the interconnectedness of the conflict scenario in Northeast India, special counter-insurgency attention must be focused on certain insurgent 'hotspots', which are characterized by complex insurgent networks and insufficient governmental presence. The identifiable insurgent hotspots in Northeast India are Karbi Anglong-North Cachar Hills region of Assam, Lohit-TirapChanglang region of Arunachal Pradesh, West Kameng-East Kameng-Baksa-Udalguri-Sonitpur region encompassing Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, UkhrulSenapati-Chandel region of Manipur and Southern Mizoram. Rapid modernization of police forces, to continually monitor these 'hotspots' is required. The Army, which in its normal course of duties, is meant to monitor the extremely porous border areas of Northeast India with Myanmar and Bangladesh, finds itself pressed in internal security duties in many internal areas, where the local police is insufficiently capable of handling the same. The force for monitoring these active hotspots will have to be an army-local police collaboration, as it will require strong local intelligence networks. The level of ground level and intelligence sharing coordination between the local police and the army leaves much to be desired in Northeast India, even with the presence of the Unified Command structure in some of the states. This is also because of the lack of working trust between security agencies and the varying briefs given to them by the central government at one level and the state government at another level. A genuine peace in Northeast India will ultimately come from involving local people in the peace process, not by having an exceptional act in the form of AFSPA with little national debate on its amendment or withdrawal for over fifty years, or stalemated negotiations with insurgent groups. New Delhi needs to analyze the internal security situation of India in a wider connected framework and treat the inadequacies urgently. The writer is Research Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Courtesy IPCS

India Post Admission of failure

here is increasing concern in the US that nuclear weapons could fall into terrorist hands. President Obama said Al Qaeda has been trying without success so far to get hold of nuclear warheads. Everyone knows where Al Qaeda and other terrorists are located. Did he have to call a World Nuclear Summit to realize that? The US itself is engaged with the terrorists in the Af-Pak region who it fears might get hold of the nuclear weapons stationed in Pakistani territory. So the most sensible thing would have been to take up with Pakistan the safety of its nuclear weapons. It is an admission of its failure to persuade Pakistan to control its terrorists that Obama had to call a world nuclear summit. It shows that embroiled in the web of Pakistani intrigue, the US is unable to get a headway over its mission in Pakistan. It keeps changing focus from wiping out the Taliban to supping with it so that it can disengage and bring its troops back safely from the world's most dangerous place. Ostensibly the focus at the world nuclear summit were Iran and North Korea. But these two are rogue states and whatever they are doing on the nuclear front is as two nations. They don't have loose cannons or harbor non-state actors. They can be dealt with at the international level. But how does one deal with non-state actors, that was the main worry of Obama. He declared at the summit, "A terrorist group in possession of plutonium no bigger than an apple could detonate a device capable of inflicting hundreds of thousands of casualties. Terrorist networks such as al-Qaida have tried to acquire the material for a nuclear weapon, and if they ever succeeded, they would surely use it." John Brennan, the White House's counter-terrorism chief, said that such an improvised device could be obtained through criminal gangs or by infiltrating nuclear labs in Pakistan or other nuclear nations. If Obama and his team know this, where are they looking? You can't hunt for Al Qaeda in Washington DC. The solution lies with the state of Pakistan which not only tolerates terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda and Lashkar e Taiba but winks at their activities. There was a time when the US knew the activities of chief nuclear proliferator A.Q. Khan but kept quite for its own interests. Even now it is unable to lay hands on him and obtain a full account of his deeds because the state of Pakistan, notably its Army and its intelligence wing, the ISI were hands in glove with him. There were larger implications of the summit for India. That the Indian leadership was invited to be a participant on an equal footing with the "official" P5 nuclear powers shows its increasing acceptability at the nuclear high table. Significantly, the communiquĂŠ issued after the summit had no mention of India's bugbear the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Admittedly hard work was put in by Indian negotiators to achieve this. Rising to the occasion and in a statesmanlike manner befitting a responsible nuclear power, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced setting up of a global center for Nuclear Energy Partnership which will conduct research and develop design systems which are secure, proliferation resistant and sustainable. The initiative was immediately welcomed by President Obama. Indian experts have however warned that if the proposed center on nuclear security is to be of truly high international quality, the government should involve in its formation and functioning not just the expertise within government agencies, but also nongovernmental experts with a high international reputation.

April 23, 2010

www.indiapost.com

India Post 51

52 India Post

www.indiapost.com

Comcast introduces

XFINITY

April 23, 2010

Now with more choice, more control, more HD.

SUBSCRIBE TO STARTER XFINITY TV

per month for 6 months

• XFINITY TV Delivering you the best picture quality with the best viewing experience. Get access to thousands of On Demand choices — an extensive library of movies, TV shows and music.

Plus, your favorite South Asian programming. ADD THE DESI MEGA PACK

per month

• DESI MEGA PACK Enjoy your favorite Hindi TV serials, movies, music, news, lifestyle and educational programs, dramas, reality and game shows, and more.

(in addition to your Digital Cable TV subscription)

Add VIJAY only for $9.99/month.

(in addition to your Digital Cable TV subscription)

1.800.407.8405 www.comcast.com/internationaltv Offer ends 4/30/10 and is limited to new residential customers. Not available in all areas. Offer limited to Digital Starter. After promotional period, regular charges apply. Comcast’s current monthly service charge for Digital Starter XFINITY TV is $61.99. Cable service limited to a single outlet. Equipment, installation, taxes and franchise fees extra. May not be combined with other offers. Basic Service subscription required to receive other levels of service. Not all programming available in all areas. Call for restrictions and complete details. ©2010 Comcast. All rights reserved.