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Geramie Dizon of Philippines is Miss Asia Details on page 28

July 3, 2009

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INDIA FOR FREE FLOW OF PROFESSIONALS, EXPORTS SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

Harish Mehta re-appointed to NJ Dem panel

VOL 14, No. 774

NEW YORK: The most compelling challenge between India and the US on the trade front is for the US to allow free flow of exports from India, said India's newly inducted

Minister for Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma.

Addressing a luncheon gathering of trade and industry specialists at the Asia Society in New York on June 19, Sharma said Indian exports should be welcomed by the US, especially those from labor intensive sectors like gem and jewelry, leather and garment industry.

Details on page 6

Details on page 10

Nilekani made Union Cabinet Minister Details on page 10

Renowned artists at Badrikashram silver jubilee Details on page 19

Indian cos made $5 billion worth US acquisitions Details on page 41

Ex-Im Bank, FICCI sign MoU to expand trade

Sikh Conference at US Library of Congress

Details on page 40 Details on page 10

Advisory on health screening at Indian airports Details on page 17

HISTORIC YATRA: Devotees pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra in front of the Lord Jagannath Temple during the celebration of the "Rath Yatra" at Puri, about 65 kilometers from the eastern temple city Bhubaneswar on June 24

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 26-27 Classifieds --------------------- 48-51

Indian MPs’ team in Yale

Community Post -------------- 10-22 Date Book -------------------------- 39 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

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

Indo-US leadership programs are helpful?

Last week’s result

Should India, Pakistan resume dialogue?

YES 43%

NO 63%

India Post News Service

HealthScience Post --------- 36-37

NEW YORK: A delegation of Indian parliamentarians participated in the third India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program, June 20-27, the focus of which was global politicaleconomic affairs and the challenges of leadership.

Details on page 8

Horoscope ------------------------- 25 Immigration Post ------------- 44-47 India ---------------------------------- 23 Life Style ----------------------- 28-30 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate ------------------------ 43

Ijyaraj† Singh (left) and Priya Dutta (right) making a point during India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program in New York City

Sports Post ------------------------ 38 TechBiz Post ------------------- 40-42 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 31-33

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f ever there was a white elephant, I think it would be an apt description for India's national flag carrier Air India.

In the 45 years since the airline -- started by the Father of India's aviation JRD Tata in 1932 -- was nationalized, Air India has only been a drain on the Indian tax payers. And today it has reached a point where it is unable to pay its 30,000 odd employees salaries for this month.

Perhaps one of the most misused airlines anywhere in the world, Air India has, over the years, served the interests of self serving politicians and labor unions.

While ministers and miscellaneous politicians used it as a personal airline, the labor unions have milked the airline dry by aggressively protecting inept staff and threatening strikes over the smallest of actions taken by the management.

Still, for the billion odd people of India and Indians living abroad, Air India symbolizes India's legacy of royalty. And though it is wont of Indians to be critical of one of their own, they have always taken pride in the iconic Air India Maharaja.

For most Indians living in the US, Air India is an inseparable part of every community event - a generous sponsor and supporter of any community endeavor, be it an ethnic publication, a community convention, an Indian festival or parade.

It is therefore sad to see the airline ailing so, reeling under losses close to a billion dollars, straddled with a ridiculously high number of employees, stuck with orders for new aircraft to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore and a management with its hands tied by the ministry that controls it.

Ironically, it is the same aviation ministry that has made a government bailout to Air India conditional on the airline losing its flab, trimming overheads and turning around within two years.

But Air India executives need not worry much. It's the era of government bailouts, with the US itself setting illustrious example of rewarding corrupt and irresponsible corporations huge bailouts, almost unconditionally. The taxpayers be damned for all anyone cares.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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Bollywood Walkout over ‘nudity’ A Delhi journalist offended Kareena Kapoor so much that she walked out of the press conference.

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Cover Story: Indian plea on exports Indian minister Anand Sharma asks the US to allow free flow of professionals and exports between the two countries.

Community: Sikh Conference The Sikh National Conference: "Taking Heritage into the 21st Century," in the Library of Congress drew huge crowds.

India: New Uttarakhand CM The BJP in Uttarakhand had to resort to a secret ballot to elect the new chief minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank".

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End of fairy tale For a couple of years no one has questioned India Captain MS Dhoni’s outrageousness or lack of form.

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Travel: Mount Abu Mount Abu was the favorite summer destination of the British, who came here to escape the heat of the plains.

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India for free flow of professionals, exports SRIREKHA N. CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The most compelling challenge between India and the US on the trade front is for the US to allow free flow of exports from India, said India's newly inducted Minister for Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma.

Addressing a luncheon gathering of trade and industry specialists at the Asia Society in New York on June 19, Sharma said Indian exports should be welcomed by the US, especially those from labor intensive sectors like gem and jewelry, leather and garment industry.

The other major challenge for India currently is the restrictions on the movement of professionals, the minister said. "We want the US to allow the movement of Indian professionals coming here on the H1B visas," he said. "It's a two-way process. There should not be any barriers in such tough economic times, but a deeper engagement between the two countries."

Sharma urged the industry representatives in both countries to work towards dispelling the myth that Indians "take away jobs". "In fact, Indian companies investing in the US have created 300,000 jobs and have invested over $100 billion. In this difficult time, let us not create barriers. The issue needs a focused approach," he said.

Sharma was delivering the keynote address at the CII-USIBC sponsored CEO Forum series of Asia Society with a CEO delegation from India to discuss the post election landscape vis-à-vis the next wave of investment opportunities in India Despite being hit hard by the

economic downturn, investments into India have not dried up, the minister said. "India is still attracting foreign investments. We have attracted close to $27 billion in Foreign Direct Investment, $2 billion in the month of May itself," he said. "We are closing our growth rate this year at 7 percent and we have the confidence to take the growth rate back to 9 percent by next year."

‘We want the US to allow the movement of Indian professionals coming here on the H1B visas," he said. ‘It's a two-way process’ On the election results in India, the minister said the peoples' verdict to bring the Congress Party led UPA government back to power in India reflects their wish for continuity and an endorsement of the government's policies over the last five years. "It was also a vote for development and stability," he added.

The Manmohan Singh government's developmental programs have brought tens of millions of Indians out of the poverty net, Sharma said. "The despair and feeling of helplessness has been removed. People now know they have fall back options in government sponsored welfare, job and developmental pro-

grams," he said.

Given the volatility of India's extended neighborhood, Sharma said, "We hope we will be able to achieve what Europe or this part of the world has achieved. We want to move forward but not alone - we want to move the entire region forward."

Consulate Reception Later the same evening, Minister Sharma attended a reception hosted in his honor by the Consul General of India in New York Ambassador Prabhu Dayal. Addressing the gathering of community representatives, Sharma said the Manmohan Singh government has "started the second innings with the same degree of commitment" as it had in the first term. "We approach it with humility and gratitude," he said.

Elaborating upon the recently concluded General Elections in India, Sharma remarked on the "clarity and vision, with which people of India have exercised their judgment," and reiterated Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's "continuing commitment to economic and social development" for all sections of the society.

Around a hundred and seventy guests, comprising of American and Indian- American dignitaries from the Tri-State area, attended the event.

Meeting with Secretary Clinton Earlier in Washington DC, Sharma met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on June 17. The discussions covered the effect of the economic downturn on the two economies and the way ahead for WTO negotiations. The Minister said that while a perfect solution may be elusive, it should be possible to find a fair solution acceptable to all parties, while

Indians to get 'maximum' security: Rudd CANBERRA: Facing flak for the recent spate of attacks on Indian students, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has vowed to provide "maximum" security to foreigners pursuing education in this country.

"Any assault against any person or any visitor to Australia or any international student is one assault too many," Rudd told a visiting Indian media delegation here.

Quizzed over the 16 incidents of brutal attacks on Indian youths in less than a month, including two recently, that affected Australia's image as an anti-racist nation, Rudd pledged to provide "maximum safety" to foreign students.

"Let's be realistic. Obviously

there has been a very large reaction to this (attacks) in India. Let's just call facts for what they are," he was quoted as saying by

‘I take these things (attacks) quite seriously. I have discussed it with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well’ NDTV. Rudd said Australia is "very sensitive" to the well-being of any international student in the country.

After a brief lull, attacks targeting Indians in Australia resumed with two youths from the community becoming the latest victims, taking to 16 the number of such assaults within a month.

"I take these things (attacks) quite seriously. I have discussed it with Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh as well. We will work our way through this. I have many many friends in the Indian community," Rudd was quoted as saying by another channel CNN-IBN. However, he said he was "disturbed" by these assaults and that his government was doing "everything that is possible to maximize the security."-PTI

keeping in mind that development was central to the Doha Round.

He also briefed Secretary Clinton about the programs being undertaken by the Indian government to stimulate domestic demand while providing a social security net to the most vulnerable sections of the society, including through the successful implementation of the national Rural Employment Guarantee Program.

Anand Sharma

At the USIBC Summit Speaking at the Annual Summit of the US-India Business Council in the capital, which was also addressed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the minister underlined that the existing level of trade and economic engagement was not commensurate with the potential which existed in the wake of India's far-reaching economic liberalization. Citing the findings of the study entitled "Contribution of the Indian industry to the US economy" prepared for the India Brand Equity Foundation which he released at the Summit, the Minister mentioned that over 2004-07, Indian industry had contributed $105 billion to

the US economy and created 300,000 jobs. This, he said, revealed a story of commitment to optimize and to invest in the future of the relationship. He underlined that India and the US were partners in progress and could together shape the 21st century.

Meeting with USTR Kirk Later in the day, Sharma met United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk. This was his second meeting with Ambassador Kirk; the two had met on the sidelines of the Cairns Ministerial Group meeting in Bali. Both sides discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest and explored the ways and means for increasing bilateral trade and investment.

They agreed to revive the dialogue on trade issues and to focus on resolving them to the extent feasible. Sharma emphasized that there were numerous opportunities that could be harnessed in the bilateral economic relationship even against the background of the global downturn. They welcomed the move towards resumption of Doha talks and agreed to work together towards resolving outstanding issues.

Minister Sharma invited Ambassador Kirk to visit India for the meeting of the G 20 Trade Ministers as well as for bilateral discussions.

Sharma also had a meeting at the US Congress with the leadership of the Sub-Committee on Trade of the House Ways and Means Committee. In his meeting with Chairman of the SubCommittee on Trade Representative Sander Levin and Ranking Member Kevin Brady, the focus was on the Doha Round. The Minister shared with the Congressmen some details of the steady growth in Indian investments in the United States.

Burns: US should back India as permanent member of SC WASHINGTON: The United States should support India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, former Bush Administration's point man for the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal said.

"India should be a permanent member of the Security Council. The US should support it," former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said in his opening remarks at a discussion on Indo-US relations here.

This is for the first time, someone as influential as Burns has come out in support of India get-

ting a place in the Security Council as a permanent member.

So far the US has only endorsed Nicholas Burns

the case of Japan as permanent member of the UNSC. Burns in his speech also supported Brazil for the same.-PTI

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Pak says no request received from India ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said it has not received a formal request from India or Interpol to hand over 22 suspects in the Mumbai terror attacks even as it insisted it will take action against its nationals on its own soil.

Islamabad's reaction came two days after a Mumbai court issued non-bailable warrants against 22 Pakistanis, including JuD chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed and LeT's operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said that Islamabad has not received any official request from Interpol or India in connection with the arrest warrants issued for 22 Pakistani nationals by a special court in Mumbai.

However, "I will not comment on their (Indian) legal process. We will follow our own procedure," he said. Minister of State

for Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Khan also said that "no Pakistani national would be handed over" to India.

He said Pakistan would bring people involved in the Mumbai attacks "to justice but in our own country" provided India gave more evidence on the terror strikes.

Meanwhile, replying to a question on Indian national Sarabjit Singh whose appeal against his death sentence has been dismissed by the Pakistan Supreme Court, Foreign Office spokesman Basit told a weekly news briefing that he was "not aware" of the government considering any proposal for clemency for him.

Sarabjit was sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in 1991 for his alleged involvement in four bomb blasts in Pakistan in 1990 that had claimed 14 lives.-PTI

US Senate passes bill to triple civilian assistance to Pak WASHINGTON: The US Senate has unanimously passed the Kerry-Lugar Bill, which triples America's civilian assistance to Pakistan to USD 7.5 billion in the next five years and advocates an equal amount for another five years - USD 15 billion in 10 years.

Unlike the House version of the bill, which was voted against by the Republi-

pressed its reservations over the House version of the bill - the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009 (HR 1886), which imposes strict conditions on Pakistan. HR 1886 was passed by the House on June 11. "This legislation marks an important step toward sustained economic and political cooperation with Pakistan, while establishing mechanisms to help ensure that funds are spent efficiently," SenaLugar said the bill subjects US tor Richard Lugar, Ranking Memof the Senate Foreign Relations security assistance to a certification ber Committee, said.

Lugar said the bill subjects US that Pakistani government is using security assistance to a certificathe money for its intended tion that Pakistani government is using the money for its intended purpose -- to combat the purpose -- to combat the Taliban Taliban and al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda.

"The bill also calls for tangible can members, the Kerry-Lugar Bill, which progress in governance, including an inis called Enhanced Partnership with Paki- dependent judiciary, greater accountabilstan Act (S962), received bi-partisan sup- ity by the central government, respect for port from Senators and is supported by the human rights, and civilian control of the Obama Administration. levers of power, including the military and The Obama Administration had ex- the intelligence agencies," he said.-PTI

Nilekani to head Unique Database Authority, gets Cabinet rank NEW DELHI: Infosys Technologies' CoSonia said the Authority shall have reChairman Nandan Nilekani has been ap- sponsibility to lay down plans and policies pointed as Chairman of an Authority with to implement the Unique Identification Cabinet minister's rank to steer the ambitious Scheme (UID), shall own and operate the scheme for creating a multi-purpose unique Unique Identification number database and identification database of citizens. be responsible for its updation and mainte54-year-old Nilekani, the co-founder of the nance on an ongoing basis," Soni said. leading IT firm along with N R Narayana The Authority will identify the targeted Murthy 28 years ago, will head the Unique groups for various flagship programs, she Identification Database Authority of India added.

(UIDAI) under the aegis of the Planning ComThe flagship schemes of the UPA inmission. clude the National Rural Employment GuarHe will have the rank and status of the antee Scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, NaCabinet minister, Information and Broadcast- tional Rural Health Mission and Bharat ing Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

The scheme is NEW DELHI: People may not be screaming his name out in aimed at providing a offices, but he has his own fan following and enjoys rock starunique identity to like fame. Nandan M Nilekani has clearly emerged as the most the targeted populafamous of those who created India's widely idolized IT comtion of the flagship pany - Infosys. schemes to ensure N R Narayana Murthy has probably had more media coverthat the benefits age but as the key people behind Infosys prepare to hand over reach them, she said. control to the next generation of business leaders, it is Nilekani A visionary and a who looks all set to enjoy a great solo career. thinker, Nilekani gets Nilekani, 54, is already credited with repainting India's iman annual compenage globally and will now head an authority that will create a sation of over USD unique electronic database of the country's citizens - a project 1.75 lakh. that many see as key to plugging loopholes in implementation Nilekani, born in of welfare schemes.-PTI Sirsi in Uttara Kannada in northern Karnataka, did his early education in Banga- Nirman. lore and Dharwad before moving to Mumbai The unique identification number would to study Electrical Engineering in IIT, Bombay. ensure that any lacuna in these schemes is The PMO said the functioning of the au- removed so that the benefits do not reach thority and activities to be performed by the those they are not meant for.

UIA would serve multiple objectives.

The Government had earmarked Rs 100 The authority shall have the responsibil- crore in the interim Budget presented by ity to lay down plans and policies to imple- Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parment the unique identification scheme in liament on February 16 to kickstart its amthe country. bitious Unique Identification Project.

It shall own and operate the unique idenThe government has been working on imtification number database and be respon- proving arrangements to ensure that develsible for its updation and maintenance on opment deliverables reach the intended benan ongoing basis. eficiaries, Mukherjee had said.-PTI

IT icon or rock star?

US bill ignores Indian concerns, though puts conditions on Pak WASHINGTON: The Kerry-Lugar bill, which triples US aid to Islamabad, seems to have ignored New Delhi's concern about use of Pakistani soil for terror attacks in India, even as it requires presidential certification that the Pakistan Army is making "concerted efforts" against Taliban.

The bill, which was unanimously passed by the US Senate, requires annual certification from the US President that the Pakistani security forces are "making concerted efforts to prevent the Taliban from using the territory of Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan."

By doing so, the Kerry-Lugar bill, which is supported by the Obama Administration, indicates that its focus is on Afghanistan and appears to be mute on the terrorist attacks carried out by terrorists groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad in various parts of India, which the United States is very well aware of.

However, the Senate bill asks for several presidential certifications from, with regard to aid to Pakistan. It requires benchmarks for measuring the effectiveness of US assistance, including a systematic, qualitative basis for assessing whether desired outcomes are achieved.-PTI

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India's Parliamentarians participate in Yale leadership program India Post News Service

NEW YORK: A delegation of Indian parliamentarians participated in the third India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program, June 20-27, the focus of which was global political-economic affairs and the challenges of leadership.

The 2009 cohort of members of India's parliament participated in the four-day program on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut, followed by three days of meetings, discussions and interactions with US politicians, policy analysts and senior US government officials in New York City and Washington, D.C. "The India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program underscores Yale's longstanding

The 2009 cohort of members of India's parliament participated in the four-day program on the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut, followed by three days of meetings commitment to educating our students for service and leadership," says Yale President Richard C. Levin. "We have now gone a step further to include emerging and mid-career leaders. The program will provide the parliamentarians with opportunities to critically think about the challenges of leadership and to explore freely, away from the legislative arena, the issues facing India."

Among the participants were Abhishek Singhvi, member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), who is the national spokesperson of the Indian National Congress party and chairman of the India-US Forum of Parliamentarians; Prakash Javadekar, the official spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party; and six newly elected members of the Lok Sabha (Lower House).

According to Singhvi, "The India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program is pioneering in the amazing diversity of topics explored; in the outstanding, cutting-edge quality of the world-renowned lecturers; in the truly bipartisan nature of the multiparty delegation; in the unusual blend of the vibrant young and the experienced vets comprising the delegation; and in the intense, disciplined and highly structured mix of academics and policy planning at our Yale and Washington, D.C. interactions.

Lectures, discussions and private meetings with experienced practitioners complemented the curricular activities of the Yale program

Participants in India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program with Yale University President Richard Levin and members of the diplomatic corps from the United Nations and the Consulate General of India in New York City. Pics Harold Sharipo, Yale University, 2009

Most important, and perhaps most unquantifiable but clearly tangible, is the remarkable bonding between the members of the delegation over the course of the program-something not found easily even after years in Parliament!"

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Secretary General Amit Mitra says, "The India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program encourages greater understanding of public leadership, accountability, transparency and parliamentary oversight amongst the parliamentarians. It is designed to provide the parliamentarians capacity building and skill development and greater engagement in public policy discussions. The program is aimed at making an important contribution to their leadership capabilities to prevent and manage challenges through effective parliamentary governance."

Lectures, discussions and private meetings with experienced practitioners complemented the curricular activities of the Yale program.

Faculty members included experts from Yale, as well as from research institutes, government offices and the private sector.

This year's Leadership Program covered these topics: US Foreign Policy Toward Afghanistan-Pakistan; Religion and Politics; Economic Risks in the Global Economy; Poverty and Economic Development; India and Globalization; India in the Global Economy; IndiaChina Economic Relations; Rule of Law and Governance in China; Reform of Higher Education in India; India's Priorities in the United Nations Framework; Climate Change and Energy Security in South Asia; Obama Administration and South Asia; Innovation and Economic Progress in Emerging Markets; US Response to the Global Financial Crisis; Negotiation and Strategy; Innovation; and Leadership Challenges.

In Washington, D.C., Leadership Program participants discussed India-US bilateral issues with senior US government officials from the departments of Defense, Energy, Treasury and State as well as with the US Trade Representative, and members of the Senate and Congress.

They also received briefings on foreign policy issues from scholars and advisers at the Brookings Institution, the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.

Yale has a long and distinguished record of educating government leaders. Since its founding in 1701, Yale has educated public servants for all sectors of American society and, increasingly, around the world. This tradition of leadership and public service is found in every branch of government in the United States and in all areas of human endeavor-the arts, business, law, medicine, science and civil society.

In the past few months, a large number of Yale alumni have been appointed to serve in U.S. President Barack Obama's new administration, and others served on his transition team.

In recent years, recognizing that the complexity and demands of geo-political and economic affairs during the twenty-first century will require that governments at all levels have inspired leaders, Yale has sought to engage the rising leadership of some of the world's

Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Haryana); Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo (Lok Sabha - Biju Janata Dal - Bolangir, Orissa); Priya Dutt (Lok Sabha Indian National Congress- Mumbai North Central, Maharashtra); Naresh Gujral (Rajya Sabha - Shiromani Akali Dal - Punjab); Prakash Javadekar (Rajya Sabha - Bharatiya Janata Party - Maharashtra); H. D. Kumaraswamy (Lok Sabha - Janata Dal Secular - Bangalore Rural, Karnataka); Mausam Benazir Noor (Lok Sabha - Indian National Congress - Malda North, West Bengal); Mohammad Hamdullah Sayeed (Lok Sabha - Indian National Congress Lakshadweep); Anurag Singh Thakur (Lok Sabha - Bharatiya Janata Party - Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh); Ijyaraj Singh (Lok Sabha Indian National Congress - Kota, Rajasthan); Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Rajya Sabha - Indian National Congress - Rajasthan). The parliamentarians will be accompanied by Ramesh Chandran (Executive Director, India-U.S. Fo-

In Washington, D.C., Leadership Program participants discussed India-US bilateral issues with senior US government officials from the departments of Defense, Energy, Treasury and State as well as with the US Trade Representative, and members of the Senate and Congress most consequential countries in leadership development programs in the United States.

Since 2004, Yale has held programs for senior leaders from China, Japan, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates.

Yale launched the India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program in 2007, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the India-U.S. Forum of Parliamentarians. The program reflects the belief that exposure to new ideas can offer insight, perspective and new ways of thinking. The first and second India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Programs were held in October 2007 and June 2008, respectively, with different delegations of Indian parliamentarians. In total, more than 30 members of India's parliament have participated since the program was created.

The participating parliamentarians are Jayant Chaudhary (Lok Sabha - Rashtriya Lok Dal - Mathura, Uttar Pradesh); Shruti Choudhry (Lok Sabha - Indian National Congress Party -

rum of Parliamentarians, and advisor, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry).

The India-US Forum of Parliamentarians is a body of leading Indian parliamentarians representing the broad political spectrum of India from both Houses of Parliament. The Forum was formed six years ago with the support of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Chairing the Forum are Abhishek Singhvi and Shobhana Bhartia, member of the Rajya Sabha.

Encompassing all aspects of Indo-US relations, the Forum makes an effort to facilitate wider exchange of dialogue on crucial issues of bilateral and global concerns between parliamentarians of India and their counterparts in the US, senior US government administration officials, business leaders, opinion-makers and the Indian-American community. The Forum, through Track II initiatives, adds an important parliamentary dimension to the bilateral relations.

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Gandhi, Nehru letters in Christie's auction LONDON: A series of signed and autographed letters by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and some documents and postcards will figure in a Christie's sale here on July 14.

Three of Gandhi's autographed letters to Islamic scholar and leading figure in the Khilafat movement, Maulana Abdul Bari, in Urdu have an estimated price of 2,500-3,000 pounds (Rs 1.99-2.38 lakh).

They refer to Hindu-Muslim relations, including communal tension in Lucknow and their personal friendship. Writing one letter from prison, Gandhi thanks Bari for gifting cotton for spinning.

A khadi cloth signed by Gandhi and said to have been woven by him will go under the hammer at an estimated price of 2,000-2,500 pounds (Rs 1.59-1.99 lakh).

The cloth was a gift from Gandhi to South African-born actress Moira Lister, who was a friend of Maharani of Jaipur Gayatri Devi.

Two autograph postcards (1,500-2,000 pounds or Rs 1.19-1.

A series of 29 letters signed

LONDON: The next time you travel on Londons Underground, Gandhi's famous quote, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind", may catch your attention among the service announcements.

Not only Gandhi, quotations by Sartre, Einstein and other great thinkers will be interspersed between the service announcements as a part of a novel initiative by London transport authorities to make traveling on the Underground enjoyable.

Transport for London, the com-

pany responsible for the Underground, has commissioned awardwinning artist Jeremy Deller to compile a list of quotations by Gandhi and others that can be mixed with the drivers announcements.

The initiative will soon be rolled out on the Piccadilly Line, and trials have already elicited enthusiastic response from passengers.

Driver Susy Wells told BBC during a trial "This job can be a bit monotonous sometimes. So it's brilliant and the passengers do love it".-PTI

No US mediation on Kashmir, says Barack Obama and four autograph letters and notes signed by Nehru to friend Mridula Sarabhai, together with a signed document, a signed greeting card and 29 envelopes will have an estimated price of 4,0005,000 pounds (Rs 3.17-3.97 lakh).

Nehru's letters discuss subjects including events in Kashmir, Sarabhai's political campaigns, rehabilitation of Muslims evicted from their homes at Partition and a humanitarian project

for homeless children in Delhi.

"I must act according to my own judgment. I know perhaps better than you do of the consequences of what is happening and what is likely to happen consequences not only in Kashmir but the whole of India and Pakistan," says one of the letter written on August 3, 1953, just before the dismissal of Sheikh Abdullah as Kashmiri prime minister.-PTI

Baitullah's successor killed in US drone attack ISLAMABAD: Taliban commander Qari Hussain, a close aide of Tehrik-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, who was popularly known as 'Ustad-e-Fidayeen' (trainer of suicide bombers) was among those killed in US drone attacks in South Waziristan.

It was a death of Hussain, widely believed to be Baitullah's successor, which had bought the Tehrike-Taliban chief to attend his funeral where he had a narrow escape as the procession was hit by hurricane of missiles fired by US drones, the influential Dawn newspaper reported. Over 80 people, a majority of them militants, were killed in the attacks.

Residents of Bekh Mary Langara in South Waziristan, the scene of Tuesday's attack, said 30 militants were among the more than 80 people killed in the two US drone attacks Tuesday.

US drones yesterday fired three missiles at a Taliban training centre near village Makeen, 60 kms from Waziristan's chief town of Wanna, killing seven militants. Another barrage of seven missiles rained down

Gandhi's words among announcements on London Underground

on the same area at a funeral procession for some of those killed in the first attack.

Earlier, local officials were quoted

by TV channels as saying that Baitullah Mehsud was at the funeral, with media reports saying he had a very close call. Local officials and intelligence reports suggested militants had lost contact with Mehsud for a while after the attack.

But, media reports today while confirming that Mehsud had visited the village where the funeral took place, said the the militant leader left before the lethal second attack. Hundreds of top ranking Taliban leaders attended the funeral and their presence, the sources said, indicated that the first drone attack had taken out a high-value target. PTI

WASHINGTON: Firmly ruling out any US mediation on the Kashmir issue, President Barack Obama has said that dialogue between India and Pakistan, "maybe not starting with Kashmir", is the best way to reduce tensions between them.

Describing both India and Pakistan as "great friends" of the US, he said Washington wants to be "helpful" in that process and can't dictate to them how they should resolve their differences.

"I believe that there are opportunities, maybe not starting with Kashmir but starting with other issues, that Pakistan and India can be in a dialogue together and over time to try to reduce tensions and find areas of common interest," Obama said in an interview to Pakistan's Dawn TV. The answer from Obama came in response to a question as to why his Administration has been silent on Kashmir, after he had initially mentioned it.-PTI

Taliban, not India, greatest threat to Pakistan: Zardari LONDON: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that terrorism, not India, is the greatest "threat" to his country, a significant shift in Islamabad's view of its neighbour that provoked controversy back home.

During a meeting with EU officials in Brussels Zardari said: "I do not consider India a military threat, India is a reality, Pakistan is a reality, but Taliban are a threat,

an international threat to our way of life and at the moment, I'm focused on the Taliban".

"It's something that has been going on for a long time and of course went unchecked under the dictatorial rule of the last president," he had said.

The statement marks a significant shift in Islamabad's view of its traditional rival, the Daily Telegraph said.-PTI

Pak SC dismisses Sarabjit's plea; Zardari to decide his fate

Dalbir Kaur (C) and Poonam (L), sister and daughter of Indian citizen Sarabjit Singh currently held prisoner in Pakistan, along with members of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) youth organization, protest against the dismissal of SinghĂ­s appeal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan during a demonstration in Amritsar on June 25

ISLAMABAD: The fate of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh hung by a slender thread as Pakistan's Supreme Court dismissed his review petition challenging the death sentence handed out to him in 1991, leaving him at the mercy of a presidential pardon by Asif Ali Zardari.

Sarabjit's conviction for alleged involvement in four bomb blasts in 1990 that killed 14 people in Pakistan by an anti-terrorism court in 1991 was upheld by a three-member Supreme Court bench led by Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed.

The bench dismissed 43-year-

old Sarabjit's review petition after his counsel again failed to appear in the court and he was convicted as there was nobody to defend him.

Sarabjit's counsel had failed to appear in the court for the past few hearings, including the last one. "I cannot really comment on this now," Presidential spokesman Farhattullah Babar said when asked to comment on the court order.

Sarabjit's lawyer Hamid said he had been unable to appear in the court after he was last year appointed an additional advocate general by Punjab government.-PTI

Desi News Shah Rukh coming to Carnival only RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: "No, big No. Shahrukh Khan is not coming to the India Day Parade being organized by the Federation of Indian Association (FIA) on August 15 on Devon Ave, Chicago," says Iftekhar Shareef, a current Trustee and a former president of FIA here.

"Shahrukh Khan is coming to South Asian Carnival along with other Bollywood artists.

Details on page 12

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Riverside Temple blessed by Shankaracharya's presence Details on page 18

July 3, 2009

EAST-COAST

Sikh Conference at US Library of Congress draws record crowds

CRY America launches new national campaign India Post News Service

NEW YORK: CRY America has launched the 'My Vision and Dream for Children' Campaign - an initiative aimed at bringing people across the US together from different walks of life to envision and work collectively towards a better world for children.

The four-month long campaign aims at creating a platform for people to engage in the larger debate on children's rights and express their vision and dream for children in creative ways.

Details on page 15

US Reps urge Secretary Gates to accept Sikh soldiers

The Singh twins, Lubeena Kaur Bindra, Arpana Caur, Inni Kaur India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Sikh National Conference: "Taking Heritage into the 21st Century," a two-day se-

ries of lectures, panel discussions, film screenings and photo exhibits, all celebrating the addition of more than 80 Sikh volumes to the collection of the Library of Con-

Details on page 17

gress in Washington DC, drew huge crowds last week.

Peter Young, chief of the Asian division, said "the importance of the Sikh heritage and the amazing

contributions that Sikhs have made to American culture, art and our collective history have become clear to me."

Cont’d on page 10

Harish Mehta re-appointed to NJ Democratic State Committee conference held at Labor Education Center, Cook Campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick on June 11 by the Democratic Party.

Mehta is the only appointee to the State Committee from the

India Post News Service

WASHINGTON: Earlier this month, three Congressional representatives from New York and New Jersey wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on behalf of their Sikh constituents.

In their letters, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen and Congressman Joseph Crowley asked Secretary Gates to allow Sikh soldiers to serve with their articles of faith intact.

Congressman Mike Honda and Kojo Nnamdi

Menendez's senate election as an Asian outreach coordinator, has worked in social services, community development, social change and relevant public policy issues, study key topics and make recom-

Mehta, who had earlier campaigned for Governor Corzine's gubernatorial election and Bob Menendez's senate election as an Asian outreach coordinator, has worked in social services Harish Mehta honored at Lions Club India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Harish Mehta, President of Central Jersey Indian's

Lions Club, has been re-appointed as a Deputy Vice Chair of New Jersey Democratic State Committee for the second consecutive term at a

South Asian community for the new four year term.

Mehta, who had earlier campaigned for Governor Corzine's gubernatorial election and Bob

mendations to the Governor.

Recently, he was honored by Central Jersey Indian Lions Club for his outstanding achievements in political and public services.

July 3, 2009

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Sikh Conference at US Library of Congress draws record crowds Cont’d from page 10

The event came on the heels of the DC Council's resolution declaring the week of June 15 to 19 as 'Sikh Heritage Week.'

The two-day National Sikh Conference, sponsored by The Kaur Foundation of Washington, DC in collaboration with The US Library of Congress Asian Division and The Asian Division Friends Society was a symbol of the Sikh American community coming of age. This historic event took place at the magnificent and ornate Jefferson Building and James Madison Memorial Building near the US Capitol. "The Conference, has taken a life Foundation President Mirin Kaur, Senator Richard Lugar, of its own," said Inni Kaur Dhingra, a board Jagdeep Singh, Satjiv Singh Chahil, Peter Young (Chief Asian Division Dr. Arvinder Uppal, Ravi S. Dhingra member of the Kaur Foundation, "There has Library of Congress), Dr. Kanwarjit Singh, Ranjit Singh & Daya Singh young Sikh professionals discussing their been an overwhelming response from the Sikh nowned artists That evening, a formal dinwork in advancing the Sikh image in their community and the wider audience. The ner reception was held in the Grand Hall of chosen fields and how their heritage has speakers read like a Who's Who in Sikh art the Library of Congress which attracted ‘The Conference, has taken a played a vital role in their development. and history, and people have traveled from over 400 dignitaries and attendees, and fea- life of its own,’ said Inni Kaur Arpinder Kaur, the first turbaned pilot of a across the United States, England and India tured the American book launch of Patwant major airline in America, Valarie Kaur, a filmSingh and Jyoti Rai's book, "Empire of the Dhingra, a board member of to be here for this event." maker who traveled across America in the The Conference with its theme of "Tak- Sikhs, The Life and Times of Maharaja days after 9/11 filming instances of hate ing Heritage into the 21st Century" accom- Ranjit Singh" a biography of Maharaja the Kaur Foundation, ‘There crimes against Sikhs and Muslims, Sonny plished much beyond the "Celebration of Ranjit Singh. Sardar Patwant Singh was has been an overwhelming Singh Caberwal, the first Sikh model who Sikh Traditions, Heritage and Arts." It in- given a standing ovation as he charmed response from the Sikh comwas featured in a Kenneth Cole ad campaign, cluded the Sikh Collection Initiaand Ranjit Singh Rangr, an architect. tive - a permanent installation of munity and the wider The Kaur Foundation led by Mirin Kaur over 80 books on Sikh history, litPhool is committed to fostering cross-culerature and the arts, scriptures audience’ tural ties through outreach programs and and classics in English and building institutional partnerships that nurPunjabi in the Library of Congress. ing writers, historians, artists and business ture ties that advance the cause and conPowerful presentations and panel leaders. The conference ended with the cerns of Sikh Americans. discussions thrilled the conference attendees.

Over the two days, several members of the US Congress addressed the National Sikh Conference: Senators Ben Cardin (DMaryland) and Richard Lugar (RIndiana); Congressmen Mike Honda (D-California) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland). They Kaur Foundation President Mirin Kaur with Senator Benjamin Cardin applauded the Sikh community's contributions since the early 1900's in enriching the fabric of America's the audience with his stories.

A photo exhibit entitled "A Journey," diverse society and culture.

The conference commenced on the af- detailing the Sikh experience in America ternoon of June 18 with the lecture, "Por- from the time of the first Sikh settlers on traits of Courage," which was an enlighten- the West coast through the present day ing look at the Sikh history of valor and was another evening highlight. Photocourage since the times of Banda Bahadur, graphs from the early days of Sikhs in America were displayed along with recent photographs taken from Fiona Aboud, Gurmustuk Singh Khalsa and Jagatjoti Singh's Sikh collection.

Dr. Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian for Library Services, emphasized the significance of the Sikh Collection Initiative and congratulated the attendees "on advancing the enrichment of America's cultural and intellectual diversity."

Mirin Kaur, President of Peter Young (Chief Asian Division Library of Congress), Dr. Kamal Kaur Sethi, Dr. Kenneth Robbins, Kaur Foundation thanked the Pushpindar Singh Chopra guests and dignitaries and left

by Nishaan magazine's Executive Editor, them with a poignant thought, "What Pushpindar Singh Chopra. Dr. Kenneth would the Sikhs who came in the 1800's Robbins spoke on Sikh valor and challenges think, if they saw us sitting in this beautiin present day. The session was moderated ful auditorium of the Library of Congress

by Dr. Komal Kaur Sethi. The next session celebrating the launch of the Sikh Collecwas the "Extraordinary Achievements of tion Initiative?"

The second day brought together leadSikh Women in Art," featuring world-re-

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Shah Rukh coming to Carnival only RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: "No, big No. Shahrukh Khan is not coming to the India Day Parade being organized by the Federation of Indian Association (FIA) on August 15 on Devon Ave, Chicago," says Iftekhar Shareef, a current Trustee

Carnival organizers and Sponsor (L-R) Raju Shah, Altaf Hussain, Dhitu Bhagwakar, Syed Monty, Iftekhar Shareef and Dr Shiraz Ahmad

Musa Uddin

and a former president of FIA here.

"Shahrukh Khan is coming to South Asian Carnival along with other Bollywood artists. All the artists whom we have announced would be coming for sure to the Carnival that is slated for two

days- August 15 and 16- at Rosemont Convention center near O'Hare Airport," said Syed Monty, an organizer of the Carnival here.

The Carnival is first of its kind in entire Midwest and the organizers would want exclusivity for their participants.

Shareef and Monty were addressing a well attended ethnic media meet here that was also attended by other organizers of the Carnival - Altaf Hussain, Musa Uddin, Raju Shah, Dhitu Bhagwakar and Dr. Shiraz Ahmad along with Syed Monty.

Musa Uddin welcomed the media and gave a brief picture of the two-day program saying that the biggest highlight will be Meet & Greet Bollywood Stars. He said that the Bollywood artistsShahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan,

Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Diya Mirza and Gulshan Grover along with top

Altaf Hussain said that they expect close to 15,000 visitors each on the two days of carnival. "It could be more and we are all prepared to meet any number coming to our show� notch singers like Kumar Sanu, Krishna, Mujid Salamat, Sujata, Nisha Jain, Rachina, Smita Parikh

and Pakistani celebrities Ali Raza and Sare Gama fame Amanat Ali would entertain thousands who are expected to come to the carnival.

He further said that Catwalk and Fashion shows by top Indian and Pakistani designers would be an additional attraction. Syed Monty during the question answer session indicated that the Bollywood artists would be there in two groups -one for Saturday August 15 and the other batch on August 16. All the artists will have two entries each day and the schedule of their appearances would be available to visitors on the day. He declined to name the fashion designers from India and Pakistan saying "leave it as a surprise."

Altaf Hussain said that they expect close to 15,000 visitors each on the two days of carnival. "It

could be more and we are all prepared to meet any number coming to our show. We want more and more people to have a glimpse of their favorite artists and singers during the first of its type show in Midwest," he said. The organizers, he further said, plan inviting local and federal political celebrities as is the vogue with Indian entertainment events in the past.

Syed Monty mentioned that there would be all types of booths with vendors selling "you name it" items. The booth prices for two days range from $950 to $1650 per booth. "We have huge inquiries and already fifty spaces are booked. Iftekhar Shareef, who also happens to be a sponsor of the Carnival, proposed a vote of thanks. The media event was followed by dinner.

Apna Ghar joins protest against funding cuts HARISH RAO

vices, mental health including substance abuse, child and teenage services, programs for the elderly and the homeless. In a news release to the Press, Apna Ghar said that the Illinois Department of Human Services [IDHS] had earlier informed the Domestic Violence [DV] Network to expect between 30% to 50% cuts in the funding provided by them, but on Friday June 12, the DV Network was told to expect as much as 75% cuts .IDHA grant supports emer-

adversely impacted. While many DV organizations decided to close their operations for joining the protest march, Apna Ghar decided not to resort to such drastic measures. While some members of the staff marched at the rally, others continued to provide essential services to the clients.

Prem Sharma, one of the founding members of Apna Ghar, said the Ghar is the first DV organization established twenty years ago to serve South Asian and other immi-

Another domestic violence shelter in Chicago will close leaving only 193 beds for victims of domestic violence fleeing a life of violence. Children's and senior services, legal advocacy, economic empowerment, counseling are other areas which will adversely impacted Apna Gha advocates protesting against Budget cuts

CHICAGO: Staff members and volunteers of Apna Ghar, a shelter for battered women and children, joined a protest rally in Chicago Downtown to protest against heavy cut proposed in Illinois State Budget for organizations like Apna Ghar.

Apna Ghar has been rendering yeoman services for the past two decades to bettered women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Shouting 'No More

Cuts ' and 'Keep my shelter open' , several Apna Ghar staff and Board of Directors , wearing purple T-shirts with Apna Ghar logo and carrying a large banner, participated in the rally held in front of James Thompson Center in Chicago Downtown last week They had joined thousands others to protest against the massive cuts proposed in the Illinois State Budget for social ser-

gency shelter in most DV agencies, including Apna Ghar's emergency shelter. Such massive cuts would result in 56,000 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault losing critical services in Illinois, the release said, Another domestic violence shelter in Chicago will close leaving only 193 beds for victims of domestic violence fleeing a life of violence. Children's and senior services, legal advocacy, economic empowerment, counseling are other areas which will

grant women and children. She said that from a 24 hour crisis hotline, Apna Ghar evolved other critical services like emergency shelter, transitional housing , counseling, legal advocacy and one of the three Supervised Child Visitation Centers and Safe Exchange Program. 'I urge all of our supporters to tell their legislators to make sure that these services continue," she said.

Staff and Directors of Apna Ghar's Board plan to go to Springfield to advocate for the rights of survivors of domestic violence.

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PCS holds Youth Graduation & Scholarship Awards Night RAJINDER SINGH MAGO

CHICAGO: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) organized its ninth annual "Punjabi Youth Graduation and Scholarship Awards Night" on Sunday, June 14 at Vice Roy of India Banquet Hall in Lombard, Illinois.

More than 300 attended. The guests of honor were the class of 2009 graduates from the community.

The celebration included recognition awards, scholarships, keynote address, cake cutting ceremony, DJ music, dancing, networking, and delicious Indian cuisine. The participants of "Rangla Punjab 2009" a PCS Annual Vaisakhi cultural program were also awarded. The party was free

Class of 2009 graduates who received the certificates of honor at PCS Youth Graduation, Scholarship and Awards Night 2009, seen cutting cake

for the graduates and Rangla Punjab participants.

P.C.S. $1000 scholarship this year was awarded to Dilraj Singh Sekhon of North Side College Prep High School Chicago. Dilraj won for his high scholastic achievements and also participation in Class of 2009 graduates enjoying the party thrown Punjabi cultural acin their honor at PCS Youth Graduation, Scholarship tivities including and Awards Night 2009

The celebration included recognition awards, scholarships, keynote address, cake cutting ceremony, DJ music, dancing, networking, and delicious Indian cuisine playing Punjabi dhol.

The second scholarship award

Keynote speaker Dr. Diljeet Kaur Singh (center with plaque) of Northwestern University being honored by Sardar Surjeet Singh Patheja (right to Dr.Kaur).

Others in the picture L to R Balwinder Singh, Surinder Singh, Mohinder Singh Saini, R. Kular, Baljit Singh Siddhu, Rajinder Singh, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Sunny Kular

was a tie and went to Pardeep Singh Deol of Buffalo Grove High School and Irwinpreet Singh Bagri of Barrington High School for their high scholastic grades and participation in cultural activities and volunteering for community service. The scholarships were presented by Harinder Singh, the chairman of PCS. The Keynote Speaker for the evening was Dr. Diljeet Kaur Singh, MD, DrPH, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University.

She made an inspiring presentation to the young graduates.

She could connect with the youth because she grew up locally and had participated in local "Rangla Punjab" cultural activities while in high school.

She also advised the young graduates to have fun while learning but stay focused to achieve their dreams, be selective in choosing their friends who share their dreams and avoid hanging out with those who would pull them down. (For details logon to: indiapost.com)

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Grand Pratishtha Mahotsav at Jain Temple SURESH SHAH & HEMANT SHAH

CHICAGO: Hundreds of Jains from Chicagoland and nearby States of Indiana and Wisconsin flocked to Jain Temple in Bartlett to be part of the 10 days of Grand Celebration of Pratistha Mahotsav being conducted there.

The event was kicked off with the lighting of the lamp by a noted Indian businessman Mafat Patel of Patel Bros and his brother Tulsibhai Patel on Friday June 19.

This was followed up with arati to Dikpal and other deities.

A grand procession was held on Saturday June 27. Tarak Shah of procession committee explained that in this grand procession there were 10 decorative floats going from East view school in Bartlett to the Jain temple about mile and a half along with Bhagwan Mahavir's Palaki, Flag of Jainism and various music bands, etc. A special helicopter was arranged for "Pushpvrusti" when actual Pratishtha happen in the temple, said Trustee Kishore Shah For the past 14 months a large contingent of volunteers had worked hard to make the event a grand success. The entire Jain Center facility from parking lot to the main temple was beautifully

Jain devotees kicking off the Pratishta Mahotsav with arati. Mafatbhai Patel, the chief guest in suit is seen lighting the lamp

decorated with various artifactshome made and custom ordered from India. Decoration committee Chair Hema Dakshay Shah said that special effects are created for unique displays of "Trajvu" - balance, "Chhiplu", etc.

An arch imported from India marked the grand entrance to the temple premise. The front yard has been converted into a tent city to host various events. This temple inaugurated fifteen years ago was built for all four sects of Jainism.

Chicago' temple was the first temple in USA inaugurated in 1993. With renovations and expansion; it has again become one of the "must see" icons of Chi-

An arch imported from India marked the grand entrance to the temple premise. The front yard has been converted into a tent city to host various events. This temple inaugurated fifteen years ago was built for all four sects of Jainism. Chicago' temple was the first temple in USA inaugurated in 1993

Jains from across Chicagoland gather at Pratishta Mahotsav

cago and a flagship Jain temple of USA. According to President Atul Shah, every effort was made to make this event a great spiritual success. "Our society has Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji and Shri Promodaji of New York, Gurudev Shri JinchandrajiBandhu Triputi of Tithal, India, Shri Devendrakirti Bhattarakji of South India, Muni Shri Tej Sahebji of Mumbai, Gurudev Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, Smt. Sudhaben Sheth and Samanijis (followers of Acharya Mahapragyaji) to bless the devotees and conduct religious discourses," he said.

He added that the event planning is done in such a way that there is a good mix of entertainment and bhakti sangeet (devotional music) for all. Secretary Tejas Shah described that during all ten days various kinds of poojans will be performed and some are being held for the first time in USA, such as "Uvassagaharam poojan", "Namokar Mantra Poojan", "Bhaktamar Vidhan Poojan", "Simandhar Swami Poojan".

Detailing the highlights of the Cultural JSMC, Vipul Shah, Chair of Public relations and communication, said that a renowned Vidhikar from India.

Cont’d on page 15

NAMI conference raises awareness on mental illness in community India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: The 2009 NAMI NJ conference, Challenges & Choices, held June 13 sought to raise awareness and provide much needed information to families and people living with mental illness in New Jersey.

The conference attracted over 200 individuals living with mental illness, family members, providers of mental health or disability and social services, and members of

speaker Congressman Rush Holt addressed the national challenges facing the mental health system, and NAMI Director of Policy and Legal Affairs Ron Honberg presented findings from NAMI's seminal 'Grading the States Report'.

NAMI NJ's acclaimed law enforcement training film "The Community I Serve" was screened in the afternoon.

NAMI NJ's 2009 Richard J. Codey Mental Health Champion Award for outstanding contributions to improving mental health

The conference program featured morning and afternoon speakers followed by eight concurrent workshops that addressed the challenges and choices that people with mental illness face, and explored topics such as the transformation of state mental health systems, new treatments, supports, housing and education the community who wished to learn more about mental illness.

The conference program featured morning and afternoon speakers followed by eight concurrent workshops that addressed the challenges and choices that people with mental illness face, and explored topics such as the transformation of state mental health systems, new treatments, supports, housing and education.

Introductory remarks were presented by Kevin Martone, Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services. Keynote

services in NJ was given to Chief Thomas J. Garrity from the Collingswood Police Department to recognize his extraordinary support for law enforcement education. A Special Recognition Award was presented to the Union County Prosecutors office, and an Outstanding Film Production Award was presented to Omusha Communication for their work in making "The Community I Serve."

Attendees were also treated to a musical performance and to a spirited performance from NAMI Camden County's Gale Lewin.

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CRY America launches new national campaign India Post News Service

NEW YORK: CRY America has launched the 'My Vision and Dream for Children' Campaign - an initiative aimed at bringing people across the US together from different walks of life to envision and work collectively towards a better world for children.

The four-month long campaign aims at creating a platform for people to engage in the larger debate on children's rights and express their vision and dream for children in creative ways.

CRY, Child Rights and You America Inc. (CRY America) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that works towards ensuring the basic rights of underprivileged children - to live, learn, grow and play. Zee TV is the official media sponsor for this campaign.

The website specially created for this campaign www.america.cry.org/

‘My Vision for children is essentially happy children,’ shared Aprajita Rathore, Management Consultant and CRY America Supporter.

She continues, "I would like to see, one day, a world where there are no children that go hungry or go to bed crying” myvisionforchildren.org invites participants to express their dream for children in eight creative ways in an attempt to garner interest and motivate people to think and act for children's rights. They are: paintings, poems, essays, songs, photographs, photoessays, short films and statements/slogans.

"My Vision for children is essentially happy children," shared Aprajita Rathore, Management Consultant and CRY America Supporter. She continues, "I would like to see, one day, a world where there are no children that go hungry or go to bed cry-

Grand Pratishtha Mahotsav at Jain Temple Cont’d from page 14

Shri Narendrabhai Nandu and his group, of Mumbai and well known musicians Karnik Shah of Vadodara, India., would be performing during the celebrations.

There will be unveiling of a beautiful 200page souvenir, which is going to be momentous to keep for long.

With this Pratishtha Mahotsav JSMC's trustees are expecting to raise about 4 million dollars in donations against their debt of 6 million dollars. Trustee Sunil Jain said that various donation opportunities are created for everyone to participate. A uniquely defined raffle scheme has been announced so that anyone can win a Pratishtha opportunity through raffle with one thousand dollar donation.

ing, children are taken care of, have time to play, have time to enjoy their lives, develop, get educated. Participate in this campaign organized by CRY America and tell us about your dream and vision for children."

Entries can be uploaded online at www.america.cry.org/myvisionforchildren across 8 categories and in 3 age groups of juniors, teens and adults. On-ground contests will be held through local events organized by volunteer chapters across 12 cities in the US. The site also allows partici-

pants to set up their own page through which they can showcase their entries and invite friends to join in.

The campaign will run for 4 months and will culminate on October 15th, 2009. Winning entries will receive Certificates and be displayed in a booklet 'Expressions of Childhood' that will be released in November 2009.

Says Shefali Sunderlal, President, CRY America, "Illiteracy, child labor, malnutrition, preventable diseases, gender discrimination, child abuse are injustices faced by mil-

lions of children on a daily basis. But not for long we hope. Because no matter how long or difficult the journey - if each one of us believes in doing what's right, then all children will have their right to live, learn, grow and play! Participate in this campaign and strengthen CRY America's vision of a 'just' world in which all children - regardless of gender, class, caste, faith, color, race, physical and mental ability etc. - have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential and realize their dreams."

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Community Across America

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City Council demands end to MTA's 'turban-branding' policy

Indian Catholics enjoy summer picnic AUSTIN D'SOUZA

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: A majority of the New York City Council has called on the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to end a policy requiring Sikh workers to brand their turbans with the MTA logo. 27 of the Council's 51 members sent a letter to Howard Roberts, president of MTA New York City Transit, charging that the policy amounts to religious discrimination.

This marks the first time in the four year dispute between Sikh transit workers and the MTA that a majority of the New York City Council has spoken out against the MTA's turban-branding policy. As it stands, the MTA requires both Sikh and Muslim workers to brand their respective religious headdress with its logo.

The policy is presently the subject of litigation in the federal court brought by both Sikh and Muslim workers.

"We are not talking about baseball caps that people wear when it's too sunny outside or when their hair might be messed up," stated City Council Transportation Chair John Liu. "This is headdress that is required of followers of the Sikh faith. It is totally and utterly unacceptable for the MTA to require that their corporate logo be sewn onto this religious wear. It serves no purpose toward enhancing service nor protecting the public, and effectively humiliates followers of the faith."

Council Member Tony Avella added, "It's time for the City Council to take action on this matter, and it's long overdue that the MTA end religious discrimination. Enough is enough."

In March 2005, the federal Jus-

tice Department released results from an investigation that found over 200 instances of MTA employees wearing headdress without an MTA logo over the course

‘We are not talking about baseball caps that people wear when it's too sunny outside or when their hair might be messed up,’ stated City Council Transportation Chair John Liu. ‘This is headdress that is required of followers of the Sikh faith’ of three days. This included MTA-issued Russian-style winter hats without a logo. The Justice Department filed its own discrimination suit against the MTA

in September 2004.

In July 2005, the Sikh Coalition filed discrimination charges on behalf of five Sikh station agents and a Sikh train operator.

"The MTA honored me for driving my train in reverse away from the towers on 9/11 and leading passengers to safety. They called me a 'hero of 9/11,'" said plaintiff Sat Hari Singh (aka Kevin Harrington), a practicing Sikh. "I didn't have a corporate logo on my turban on 9/11. I see MTA workers wearing Yankees caps, fashion headwear, and yarmulkes.

Why are they only picking only on Sikhs and Muslims?"

"To create special rules only enforceable against Sikhs and Muslims that don't apply to anyone else is discrimination. This lawsuit has been going on for years, and it's time for this policy to end.

Our city transit workers should look like the rest of the city. As we saw in the case of Kevin Harrington on 9/11, you don't need to brand your turban with a corporate logo to do your job," said Amardeep Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition.

MAFS to protest proposed budget cuts MOHAMMAD GHOUSE

CHICAGO: Chicago Metropolitan Asian Family Services, a no profit body serving senior Asian Americans at four centers in Chicagoland, fears that the proposed budgetary cuts in the Illinois State budget would severely hamper its operations servicing seniors, especially its operation relating to homemaker services.

Himali Bhrucha, a spokesperson and Program Coordinator, said that any reduction made may affect the well being of seniors.

"They may be placed in nursing homes where the expense is higher than the homemaker services, and it is vital that all seniors are provided medical assistance presently

provided by federal government and the state government," she said

Himali Bhrucha, a spokesperson and Program Coordinator, said that any reduction made may affect the well being of seniors To protest against any action in this correction, a grand rally has been planned. People are asked to

wear black that day and Dave Vinkler of AARP is sharing information on transportation options, she added. The cuts include elimination of all non-Medicaid eligible clients in the Community Care Program, reduction by 50% of care plans for remaining clients, elimination of health insurance for homemakers, 50% reduction in Circuit Breaker grants and possibly elimination of the Circuit Breaker pharmacy program. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services may reduce or eliminate Illinois Cares Rx funding. We are hearing that there may be 5% reductions in all other programs/line items.

Members of Indian Catholic community enjoying family picnic in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio: It was a memorable day for everyone who attended Summer Picnic organized

by Indian Catholics of North East Ohio. Picnic was started with a Holy Mass at the Holy Trinity Church by Parish Priest Fr. Albert Veigas. In his homily, he addressed the need to unite community people and get involved in activities. He also blessed all the fathers present for their leadership role in their families.

Pot Luck Food organized by Arlene Carvalho was excellent. It had US and Indian cuisine samosas, bhajas, sandwiches,

fruits salads, sannas, biryani, channa sukka, salad, etc.

There were sports activities for all ages. Rahul D'Mello conducted the first ice breaker game where almost every family member had an opportunity to introduce his/ her family members to the crowd and their favorite activity in real life. Nina Shresta and Roy D'Mello conducted various games for children and adults including pineda, water balloons, roll and crawl, dog and the bone, etc., while adults were busy playing cricket.

(For details logon to: indiapost.com)

108 Kundi Maha Yagna in NJ India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram is organizing a very unique 108 Kundi Yagna in Matawan, NJ on July 12. This Yagna will be conducted by learned pundits and is for happy, healthy, peaceful family life as well as to inculcate Vedic sanskar in children.

There will be special chanting and havan of Gayatri Mantra, Mantra for health and a special mantra to eliminate potential problems in family, personal and professional life. Shastra's say that the Vedic mantras recited during Yagna reverberate for many days not only in the surrounding, but also within the hearts of those who perform. The vibrations created by mantra recitation and Yagna can cure illness of both, the body and mind, while bringing good fortune.

It is believed that by performing Yagna, the layers of sanskaars and negative energy get wasted away and the pure self shines through.

On the scheduled day, yagna and aahuti of Gayatri Mantra, Aarogya Mantra and Sarv Kast Nivaran Manra will be performed by 108 families on 108 Kundi under the guidance of learned Brahmins. This event will be followed

by Satsang, Guru Poonam celebrations, children's cultural program and Maha Prasad.

A special Children's Summer Camp is also scheduled for July 30 to August 2. This camp is organized by Baal Sanskaar Kendra run by the Ashram with an objective to instill rich spiritual traditions of Vedic culture in the younger generation. Children in the age group

The vibrations created by mantra recitation and Yagna can cure illness of both, the body and mind, while bringing good fortune of 6 to 18 years are encouraged to take benefit of this summer camp.

Major highlights of the summer camp will be yoga, pranayam, meditation, prayers, mantras, painting, group discussions, multi-media presentations and character building.

Summer camps have been organized by the Ashram for the past seven years and more than 1000 children already benefited from Ashram's Baal Sanskaar Kendras in USA.

July 3, 2009

Community Across America

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US Reps urge Secretary Gates to accept Sikh soldiers India Post News Service

WASHINGTON: Earlier this month, three Congressional representatives from New York and New Jersey wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on behalf of their Sikh constituents.

In their letters, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen and Congressman Joseph Crowley asked Secretary Gates to allow Sikh soldiers to serve with their articles of faith intact. The Sikh Coalition and the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery worked with each representative to draft and send these requests.

Two separate letters were sent to Secretary Gates - one from Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Congressman Joseph Crowley, members of Captain Tejdeep Rattan's New York delegation and the other from Captain Kamaljeet Kalsi's representative, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, from New Jersey.

Both letters asked the Secretary to give full consideration to the soldiers' requests to serve with their articles of faith intact.

The letters cited other Sikhs' service in the US Armed Forces and in our allies' militaries

Both letters asked the Secretary to give full consideration to the soldiers' requests to serve with their articles of faith intact. The letters cited other Sikhs' service in the US Armed Forces and in our allies' militaries to support their argument that these men should be permitted to serve to support their argument that these men should be permitted to serve. The Representatives also reminded the Secretary that these requests "implicate[s] one of the most fundamental values - freedom of religion upon which our nation was founded and which makes the United States a beacon of hope and liberty throughout the world."

Captain Kalsi and Captain Rattan were recruited as part of an Army program that pays for medical education in return for military service. At the time of their enrollment, military recruiters assured both men that their turbans and unshorn hair "would not be a problem." Though both men maintained their Sikh identity throughout graduate school, during specialized Army training, at Army ceremonies, and in Army medical facilities, the Army is now telling them that they will have to forsake their religious practices to serve.

In the coming days, the Coalition will launch a broader letter of support from Congress to Secretary Gates for these Sikh soldiers. Its goal is to have this letter signed by over 50 Senators and Representatives from around the country and from both sides of the political aisle. Once the letter is launched, every Sikh in America will be required to approach their representatives and ask them to sign on.

Advisory on health screening at Indian airports India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Indian Consulate in Chicago in a press statement has informed all travelers to India from the United States health screening of passengers coming from affected countries including the USA is conducted at 21 airports in India (Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Srinagar, Trichi and Varanasi) in the wake of an outbreak of Swine-flue. In all 221 doctors and 111 paramedics have been deployed to man 76 counters at the above air-

ports.

All visitors arriving in India from the United States are advised that in case of detection of symptoms of flue, quarantine and /or hospitalization etc. would be required as decided by the health experts at the Indian airports.

So far samples of 370 persons have been tested out of whom forty four have been tested positive for novel Influenza A [H1N1].

Of these, only four are indigenous cases who got the infection from the positive cases traveled from abroad. The rest of the samples have been found negative for the novel virus. Among the 370 persons tested,

120 were identified through health screening at International Airports, 14 identified through contact tracing and the rest were samples from persons who have self reported.

Of the 44 cases, sixteen have been discharged. Rest of the passengers are all stable and remain admitted to the identified health facility. Necessary medicines are available in India. The situation is being monitored constantly.

The World Health Organization has reported 35928 laboratory confirmed cases worldwide of influenza A/H1N1 infection from 76 courtiers as on June 15.

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Desi News

WEST-COAST

Renowned artists at Badrikashram silver jubilee

Riverside Temple blessed by Shankaracharya's presence

India Post News Service

FREMONT: Badrikashram located in San Leandro, CA. celebrated the completion of 25 years of service to the community in a very aesthetic way. On June 21, the CET Hall in San Jose saw a humongous gathering of people from all walks of life, which enjoyed the performances of world renowned sitarist Pt. Habib Khan, besides famous vocalist Rita Sahai, and the Kathak dancer Anuradha Nag. The august presence of Professor Jagdish Srivastava (Quantum Mathematics Statistics Colorado University).

VICTORIA TRUVER

Details on page 19

50 Students at Saraswati graduation puja VICTORIA TRUVER

RIVERSIDE: Fifty graduates of all ages sat down for the annual Saraswati Puja/Graduation Day/ Father's Day Celebration at Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. The students were seated in long rows before Saraswati Devi.

Head Priest Dr. Shukavak Dasa explained each step of the puja to the participants. By the end there was a coconut in front of each student which was covered with flower petals and other offerings. Each coconut was different and beautiful, almost appearing like individual works of art. As the puja ended Pandit Shukavak read and explained the Saraswati sloka from the arati verses.

Details on page 21

Symmetry to showcase top designer Vikram Phadnis JS BEDI India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Vikram Phadnis, India's premier designer and designer to the Stars is expected to showcase his collection in New York and possibly Los Angeles sometime in August or Sept this year. The exact dates are yet to be finalized. The show is being brought by New York based Symmetry Model Management.

Talking to India Post Ayesha Naeem, CEO Symmetry Model Management said they are all very excited about it.

Details on page 22

Personal assistants Ashok Samrat and Umesh Pandey accompanied the Shankaracharya from India

O

ne year ago His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerth of Bhanpura visited Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. Many Mandir members attended although it was an unplanned visit with only two hours advance notice.

The positive response to that one brief lecture was overwhelming and everyone wanted more.

Arrangements were made for

Swamiji to return in June for Shiva Purana Katha. For this visit he

Arati in progress

and Umesh Pandey.

The Katha was held for eight

The Katha was held for eight days. On the first day Mandir President Bachubhai Chandravadia blew a conch to announce the arrival of Swamiji. A grand procession was formed which walked clockwise around the outside of the Mandir would be accompanied by two personal assistants Ashok Samrat

days. On the first day Mandir President Bachubhai

Chandravadia blew a conch to announce the arrival of Swamiji. A grand procession was formed which walked clockwise around the outside of the Mandir and devotees took turns carrying the holy book on their heads.

The procession eventually ended at the main entrance to the Mandir and His Holiness was seated on the mandap.

Cont’d on page 20

BAPS supports 'World No Tobacco Day' India Post News Service

T

obacco, one of the leading causes of death world wide, takes one life every 6.5 seconds and 5 million every year. World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31 to reduce the 5.4 million yearly deaths from tobacco related health problems.

BAPS Charities observed, World No Tobacco Day by furthering the World Health Organization's (WHO) message, "Tobacco Health Warnings," and enlightened hundreds of people about the risks associated with tobacco usage.

While smokers and non smokers alike understand the negative affects of tobacco, not many people understand the damage tobacco can cause.

The only way to effectively prevent and reduce tobacco usage is by properly informing everyone about the consequences of tobacco use. BAPS Charities continued informing the public about the dangers of tobacco during their World No Tobacco Day

BAPS Charities Anti-addiction exhibition to create awareness among the public for the need to lead an addiction-free life

events. BAPS Charities volunteers regularly dedicate their time motivating smokers to give up their

BAPS Charities health lecture on cancer caused by use of tobacco.

ing exhibitions. "So many people die everyday due to tobacco.

Even those people that don't

The only way to effectively prevent and reduce tobacco usage is by properly informing everyone about the consequences of tobacco use.

BAPS Charities continued informing the public about the dangers of tobacco addiction and live a healthy life style.

The student volunteers also offered a helping hand by creat-

smoke are affected by second hand smoking," said Yogesh Patel. "It is our duty to help others take care of their bodies by

showing them the dangers of tobacco." These exhibitions were displayed throughout North America during the BAPS Charities annual health fair.

BAPS Charities' anti-addiction campaigns have inspired thousands of people to give up their ill habits of smoking. In the past, about 33,000 children traveled throughout India, counseling over 3 million people in stores, coffee houses, parks, offices and factories, and created awareness about living a de-addicted healthy lifestyle.

Community Across America

July 3, 2009

India Post 19

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Renowned artists at Badrikashram silver jubilee

Pt. Habib Khan India Post News Service

FREMONT: Badrikashram located in San Leandro, CA. celebrated the completion of 25 years of service to the community in a very aesthetic way. On June 21, the CET Hall in San Jose saw a humongous gathering of people from all walks of life, which enjoyed the performances of world renowned sitarist Pt. Habib Khan, besides famous vocalist Rita Sahai, and the Kathak dancer Anuradha Nag. The august presence of Professor Jagdish Srivastava (Quantum Mathematics Statistics Colorado University)

Rita Sahai and troupe

Swami Prabhudanandji (President Vedanta Society N.California) Swami Omkaranandji (Founder President Badrikashram) made the event very enlightening.

The four hour event started with the blessings of Swami Mangalanandaji, and Srimat Swami Prabhuddhanandaji. Pt. Habib Khan and his troupe invoked the presence of Lord Ganesh and Shiva in classical musical prayer; he is as much at ease with light classical and religious music as he is with pure classical renderings of raagas. His enthralling rendering of raag Hemant Kalyan set in sixteen beats bought

a resounding applause from the audience. Pt. Habib Khan is con-

Pt. Habib Khan and his troupe invoked the presence of Lord Ganesh and Shiva in classical musical prayer; he is as much at ease with light classical and religious music sidered as one of the world's best sitarists. He lives in San Francisco

Kathak performance

where he runs his Musical Academy Gurukul.

Then the stage came alive with the delicate tinkling of ghungroos as Anuradha Nag and her students rendered Kathak performance. Kathak dancers settled abroad look up to the great masters in India and want legitimacy from mainland India who else but from Pt.Birju Maharaj of Lucknow Gharana whose disciples are propagating Kathak dance in the USA which was till now a strong foothold of Bharatnatyam. Delicate dance movements and deft footwork, twirling skirts told the katha of Lord Krishna and his raas

with Radha. Graceful and coordinated dance movements of Anuradha and her students was awesome and left the audience wanting to see more of such performances.

Badrikashrama's two centers, in San Leandro, California and in Madihalli, Karnataka, India have for past twenty five years been places of peace and sanctity to thousands of people who participated in its many programs related to education and culture. Dedicated to the service of God in Humanity, the philosophic values of ashram have strong roots in Vedic faith.

Cont’d on page 20

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Unique fair to share Nithyananda's 'Living Enlightenment' India Post News Service

MONTCLAIR, CA: On Saturday, June 20, an enthusiastic and dedicated team of more than a dozen volunteers visited Artesia, CA to meet with local businesses in a unique street fair to share the bestselling new release by Nithyananda, Living Enlightenment, which has transformed millions of lives.

The street fair ran from 11:00am 4:00 pm. During the event, volunteers visited more than 85 stores and spoke with hundreds of local residents. According to the volunteer coordinator for this special event, volunteers were delighted at the positive response they received.

Display copies of Living Enlightenment were offered to more than 15 stores. A few business owners who received personal or display copies started reading excerpts aloud from the book to their customers and employees. These copies are now available to customers and the general public to learn how to live a blissful life in these stressful times.

Living Enlightenment sold more than 250,000 copies on the first day and is poised to become a US bestseller. This unique book, written by Nithyananda, covers a wide variety of topics, including yoga, meditation, and blissful living. The book is available in both hardcover and an abridged soft cover edition. The many powerful techniques in this book give the reader practical ways to "Live Enlightenment" every day.

"Living Enlightenment", says Nithyananda, "is living an inte-

grated and conflict-free life". According to Swamiji, "Living Enlightenment" is defined by four elements: Shakti (energy), buddhi (wisdom), yukti (clarity), and bhakti (devotion). Shakti is the ability to change what needs be changed, buddhi is the wisdom to accept what need not be changed, yukti is clarity that everything is part of a constant, continuously changing dream, and bhakti is de-

Nithyananda

votion to the unchanging Energy, Existence or Master.

Nithyananda was born in the temple town of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, which boasts a rich Vedic tradition and is home to a succession of enlightened masters, including Ramana Maharishi and Annamalai Swamigal.

Nithyananda began his spiritual quest at a young age, studying yoga, meditation and Vedic rituals.

A few years after his first spiritual experience, Nithyananda left home to travel the length and

breadth of India on parivrajaka, or "wandering", in the tradition of great masters before him. During his travels, he carried only a kamandalu (holy water jug) and would stay no more than few days in each place. His experience of parivrakaja gave him the ability to deeply understand the problems and daily concerns people face in their everyday lives.

After years of intense medita-

Living Enlightenment sold more than 250,000 copies on the first day and is poised to become a US bestseller. This unique book, written by Nithyananda, covers a wide variety of topics, including yoga, meditation, and blissful living tion practice and in-depth study of Yoga, Tantra, Vedanta, and Shaiva philosophies while on parivrajaka, Nithyananda attained the ultimate state of consciousness, the State of Nithyananda (Eternal Bliss). After achieving this state, Nithyananda felt the intense need to share this precious gift with humanity so that every individual can realize his full potential. "Gratitude makes you resonate with Existence and transform you into a beautiful human being."

(For details logon to: indiapost.com)

Public help sought in two ' cold-case' murders JS BEDI India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: During a press conference held in front of Sherman Block Sheriff's Headquarters Building in Monterey Park on June 23, 2009, Homicide Lieutenant Paul Becker asked for the public's help in solving the cold-case murders of Karen Klaas and Brenda Sierra.

The rape and strangulation murder of Karen Klaas, wife of singer/songwriter Bill Medley of "Righteous Brothers" fame, occurred in 1976 in the city of Hermosa Beach, California. "Detectives have created a DNA profile of the suspect from evidence collected at the scene," stated Lieutenant Paul Becker.

Fifteen year-old Brenda Sierra

disappeared while on her way to school in the East Los Angeles area on October 18, 2002. Her body was discovered the next day in the

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is offering a $150,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals involved in the murder city of Crestline, California. "By the use of new technology, those individuals responsible for this murder are known to be from an East Los Angeles street gang,"

stated Lieutenant Paul Becker.

The sister of Brenda Sierra stood nearby as Lieutenant Paul Becker, the supervisor of the investigation, announced that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is offering a $150,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals involved in the murder of Brenda Sierra. "We need the public's help," Lieutenant Becker said, "All of our leads have been exhausted."

A composite drawing of the individual seen leaving Karen Klaas' home can be obtained through Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau, (323) 267-4800. Anyone with information regarding these heinous crimes is asked to call Detective Larry Brandenburg or Sergeant Tom Harris at (323) 890-5500.

Riverside Temple blessed by Shankaracharya's presence Cont’d from page 18

theory of Vedanta. Nine years after sanyas, in the year 1989, he was installed as the 11th Sankracharya of Bhanpura Peeth by the Braham leen Swami Ram Ashram Ji Maharaj, the then Sankaracharya of the Peeth, during the Maha Kumbha Mela. Af-

Program Coordinator Ratan Lal Tiwari welcomed Swamiji by placing a garland of fresh roses around his neck. For the next eight days the Shiva Purana Katha attracted 100 on weekdays and 200 to 300 on weekends.

Every day Swamiji impressed devotees with his knowledge.

It was evident that the Shankaracharya is an experienced and gifted speaker.

On the last day devotees were delighted to learn that His Holiness plans to return in October Nirmla Tiwari carries holy book on her head in the 2009 for another procession around the Mandir Katha.

Swami Divyanand Teerth was ter taking over as a born in a religious minded family Shankaracharya, Swamiji has deof high class Brahmins in Uttar voted his life for the upliftment of Pradesh on January 4, 1953 to Smt. humanity in general and Sanatan Urmila Sharma and Shri Rajani Dharma in particular. Swamiji is the Kant Sharma. first Sankaracharya who ventured He was initiated into sanyas into spreading the Sanatan (the life of a monk) in 1984 by His Dharma worldwide by visiting forHoliness Swami Harishwranand eign countries.

Teerth. A well renowned Dandi When asked why Shiva Purana Swami His Holiness Swami Vishnu Katha was so successful, Ratan Ashram Ji Maharaj of Uttar Lal Tiwari replied, "Swamiji is caPradesh imparted the knowledge pable of interpreting the Shastras of different scriptures to Swamiji and applying their meaning to and made him well versed in the today's concerns and issues."

Renowned artists at Badrikashram silver jubilee Cont’d from page 19

The ashram encourages universal outlook stressing on devotion, selfless service and the application of spirituality in daily life through teaching practices that foster the knowledge of the self.

Educators, professionals, business entrepreneurs, students, all of them find themselves deeply involved with the ashram as they correlate themselves with ashram's approach toward life and belief in humanity, leading to sense of contentment and achievement.

The ashram has a very magnetic effect to all those who come in contact with Swami Omkaranandji whose simplicity and sincerity has touched the hearts and life of many people.

Through the support of the local community and an ongoing relationship with supporters in India, Swami Omkaranandji is building a steadfast foundation for Eastern and western cultural exchange and preservation of India's rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

Prof. Srivastava spoke briefly about spirituality, the highest ac-

tivity we can undertake. It is above religion. Great philosophers and scientists like Einstein, Henry Thoreau and Aldous Huxley believed in Bhagwad Gita.

The evening ended with a superb performance by Rita Sahai and her troupe, by rendering vari-

Swami Omkaranandji is building a steadfast foundation for Eastern and western cultural exchange and preservation of India's rich spiritual and cultural heritage ous ragas in Hindustani classical music. 'Ode to Mother Earth' was sung by a big choir comprising men, women and children, the flawless singing of complicated ragas left everyone with awe and admiration. Thanks for giving us a chance to spend Father's Day in such a culturally invigorating environment.

Community Across America Students advised to study hard during Artesia observes Shaheedi Diwas Saraswati Graduation Puja

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July 3, 2009

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VICTORIA TRUVER

Artesia Langar

JS BEDI Suma Hareesh hands out a certificate to participant Jessica Kaushal

RIVERSIDE: Fifty graduates of all ages sat down for the annual Saraswati Puja/Graduation Day/ Father's Day Celebration at Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. The students were seated in long rows before Saraswati Devi.

Head Priest Dr. Shukavak Dasa explained each step of the puja to the participants. By the end there was a coconut in front of each stu-

All students received certificates which were handed out by Suma Hareesh. The program concluded with announcements of upcoming events by Mandir President Bachu Chandravadia. Children who had participated in the Annual Essay Competition held last Sunday were anxious to learn who had won. Finally the names were read and awards were given.

Vaibhavi Shah took first place with

Students followed instructions for puja given by Pt Shukavak Dasa

dent which was covered with flower petals and other offerings. Each coconut was different and beautiful, almost appearing like individual works of art. As the puja ended Pandit Shukavak read and explained the Saraswati sloka from the arati verses.

He advised the students to, "bring Saraswati into your life to satisfy your desires." Panditji

a prize of $45 in grades 3 to 6 division. Swathi Balaji was second with $35, Karan Mehtaji was 3rd with $25 and Honorable Mention went to Kriti Kumar with $15. Since there was only one entry in the grades 7-9 category Shreya Kumar was awarded an Honorable Mention prize of $15. Winning students in grades 10 to 12 were Radhapriya

Students sat in rows for Saraswati Puja

then asked, "How do you bring Saraswati into your life? You study hard, listen to your teachers and those who give you knowledge. When someone gives you knowledge they are satisfying your desires."

Spencer in first place with a prize of $50 and Nikita Lau took second for $35. The program, which was attended by 200 devotees, concluded with a beautiful Krishna bhajan sung by Usha Agarwal followed by arati and maha prasad.

India Post News Service

ARTESIA: The Sadh Sangat of Artesia organized a Langar and Chhabeel to observe the Shaheedi

Diwas of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The Langar was held at Ambala Cash n Carry. It began at 11 am, serving food, snacks, hot and cold beverages and, of course, Sharbat to the people. By the end of the day at about 8 pm over

a thousand people had been fed. The community response was phenomenal with volunteers from all over pitching in to help. More such Langars are planned on a regular basis in the days to come.

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Glimpses of the Lankershim Sikh School's annual Children's Picnic at Balboa Park Saturday June 20 (Pics: JS Bedi)

Symmetry to showcase top designer Vikram Phadnis JS BEDI India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Vikram Phadnis, India's premier designer and designer to the Stars is expected to showcase his collection in New York and possibly Los Angeles sometime in August or Sept this year. The exact dates are yet to be finalized. The show is being brought by New York based Symmetry Model Management.

and Press," she said. "We hope it t be a very high profile event. All sponsors will be called on stage, will attend a special dinner with Vikram and get a portion of ticket sales," she added.

Ayesha is no novice in fashion and showbiz. At 5'9 she is an accomplished choreographer, designer and model. Being a model she knows exactly how South Asian models are shortchanged and cheated by unscrupulous desi

USA pageant in Los Angeles.

Manuri Ranasinghe represented Sri Lanka in Miss Asia USA 2008. Standing 5'7 in height this dusky Sinhala beauty is a part time model and a successful marketing professional. Currently Manuri is a Marketing Coordinator at Titan Worldwide, the largest out of home advertising company in the world.

Symmetry Model Management is the first Agency in North

What sets them apart is the fact that they offer professional management and promotion to the "diamonds in the rough" that might not have a chance elsewhere. By concentrating on ethnic talent, the agency works in the talent management arena with a guaranteed formula for success.

The changing face of television, film and media is looking for the "ethnic" powerhouses.

Symmetry Model Management Vikram Phadnis

Symmetry Model Management is the first Agency in North America to concentrate on promoting South Asian or "ethnic" talent. It is a unique agency because their multi-talented clients have the skills and versatility to cross over from one industry to another Reshma Dhawan

Ayesha Naeem

Manuri Ranasinghe

Talking to India Post Ayesha Naeem, CEO Symmetry Model Management said they are all very excited about it. "We are still working on finalizing the dates, locations and venues. The venue will be a hotel Ballroom in Manhattan and the other cities, complete with open bar and passed appetizers.

"Tickets will be sold for the event and invites will be given to Media

event organizers and is very sensitive to the models' requirements and rights vis a vis the organizers.

The shows will feature local models including India Post's very own Reshma Dhawan. A talented dancer, choreographer and actress Reshma is also a reporter with India Post. She also has her own dance troupe called Nach La that performed at the recent Miss Asia

America to concentrate on promoting South Asian or "ethnic" talent. It is a unique agency because their multi-talented clients have the skills and versatility to cross over from one industry to another.

The focus is on the model/artist/ actor who not only can perform on stage but are perfect demographic role models highly sought after by top advertisers.

prides itself on developing and maintaining unique, one-on-one relationships with its clients, while keeping their best interests in mind. They want to be known as a firm that represents clients who constitute a "triple threat" - the ability to obtain work in the fashion, television and film industries.

All clients have access to the guidance and direction of talent

managers, marketing materials and a dedicated booking staff.

Through their network they aim to expand globally and extend their management services to Mumbai and Karachi along with perhaps London and Dubai.

Symmetry Model Management plans on event managing at least three major events a year to generate revenue and assist in operating costs. The events will be high level fashion shows, musical events, or celebrity driven charity dinners.

Through these events they hope to maintain media attention as well as earn income to fund inhouse productions and talent promotions. Sponsorship from these events will serve as revenue for the first "struggling" year as they make a mark on the South Asian Media Market.

Symmetry Model Management has a very basic formula: Hard Work + Dedication + Ambition = Success So aspiring models, take advantage while the time is right. Opportunity does not knock twice.

Briefs

Buddhadeb agrees to implement ban on Maoists KOLKATA: Heeding Centre's advice, West Bengal has agreed to implement the ban on Maoists notwithstanding reservations voiced by the CPI-M and the Left Front in the state.

"This (the ban) is applicable for the entire country, all states and we have accepted it. But how to implement it is the government's business," Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhatta-charjee told reporters after a cabinet meeting here.

As the West Bengal government dithered over banning the Maoists, the Centre proscribed it as a terror outfit. Shortly after the ban, the CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat said that proscription may not work because such outfits may re-emerge with a different name. The state Left Front had also taken a similar line.

Over the weekend, Home Minister P Chidambaram had advised the Chief Minister that the State government should ban the Maoists. -PTI

Monsoon likely to be below normal this season NEW DELHI: South-west monsoon, the lifeline for a bountiful harvest for the country's billionstrong population, is likely to be below normal this season, triggering fears of its wide-ranging impact including agriculture and water scarcity.

The delay in onset of monsoon, which has played truant so far after an appearance on May 23, has made the policymakers worried at a time when they were hoping the farm growth rate to play a key role in propping up the economy in the back of recession. -PTI

Dead pilot's family alleges foul play NEW DELHI: A day after the mysterious death of a 22-year-old pilot, his family has alleged foul play in his death.

Kunal Batra, a pilot with Jet Airways, was found dead in a swimming pool of the farmhouse of a consul of Togo in Kapashera in southwest Delhi. He had gone to attend the 21st birthday party of the son of Honorary Consul of Togo.

Kunal's father Rakesh Batra said he had left from home on Saturday around 10 pm and next day morning they got a call from police that he is dead. -PTI

India News 23

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July 3, 2009

Indian paramilitary soldiers detain villagers as they proceed into the village of Lalgarh, in Midnapore district of Kolkata

Pokhriyal chosen Uttarakhand CM through secret ballot NEW DELHI: The fissures in BJP's Uttarakhand legislature group are so wide that the party's central leadership had to resort to a secret ballot to elect the new chief minister, according to party sources.

Though senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, who was the central observer for the crucial meeting along with Thawar Chand Gehlot, maintained that Ramesh Pokhriyal "Nishank" was elected unanimously, sources say it was done through secret ballot.

"The BJP MLAs from Uttarakhand were called one-byone by the two central observers to give their opinion on who should replace BC Khanduri as chief minister. When this did not give a clear picture, a secret bal-

Sources said Pokhriyal was chosen by a thin margin as MLAs close to dissident leader B S Koshiyari had some reservations about him

Newly-elected Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (R) and out-going Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri look on during a meeting at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi

lot was held," a senior leader of the party told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Sources said Pokhriyal was chosen by a thin margin as MLAs close to dissident leader B S Koshiyari had some reservations about him.-PTI

Punjab electricity crunch goes from bad to worse India Post News Service

other states to ensure that the consumers, be they agricultural, LUDHIANA: Senior Congress domestic, commercial or indusleader and Kila Raipur MLA, Jassi trial, do not suffer.

The Kila Raipur MLA asked as Khangura has criticised the state government and the Punjab State what happened to the power Electricity Board for their failure which Punjab was to get in return to provide minimum power to the from other states which they were people. He pointed out that the supplied during the winter seapower supply was incessantly son. "At that time we were told that Punjab is savdeclining, thus ading the power for versely impacting He pointed out summers by proindustry, which is already reeling that during last two viding it to other states who will refrom prejudicial and a half years turn it to us durtaxation, poor ing the summer, labour availability, the government but nothing is lack of infrastruc- had not initiated happening now ture. any measures to except progresHe stated, sively increasing "There are no as- improve the power cuts", he surances from the power situation pointed out, addCM. This governing that "This ment is only inter- in the state Akali-BJP governesting in looting industrialists at every opportu- ment has exported power at the nity, not just at election time. Pri- cost of its own people."

Sharing his concern with the vate power producers are reluctant to enter Punjab because of people and the industry, the Conthe precarious state of the state's gress leader remarked, this govfinances and also because of the ernment was quite insensitive to"entry tax" imposed by ruling poli- wards the problems of the people.

He said, while the industry had ticians to fill their pockets."

In a statement, Khangura been ordered to close for two days pointed out that the previous in a week, the heavy industries like Congress government had pur- the furnaces have been asked to chased sufficient power from shut down for three days a week.

He pointed out that during last two and a half years the government had not initiated any measures to improve the power situation in the state. It had only commissioned the additional units at Lehra Mohabat constructed during the last Congress regime. He added, "Rather it had either stalled those other projects initiated by the previous Congress government or was relaying foundation stones to claim undue credit without doing anything on the ground", he remarked.

Khangura said, whilst in the urban areas the duration of the

power cuts had extended up to twelve hours a day, in rural areas it was much worse with electricity remaining off for days together.

He added that this government seems to have given up the will to govern and appears resigned to the fate that it is never going to return to power again.

He added, "Badal sahib please be honest for once with the people of Punjab and admit that the state simply does not have resources to but additional power because you have wasted public funds for spurious Sangat Darshan purposes."

SUU KYI BIRTHDAY: India-based Burmese celebrate of 64th birthday of political prisoner Nobel Peace Laureate and winner of Jawaharlal Nehru International Outstanding Award Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in front of Burmese Embassy in New Delhi on June 19

24 India Post

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Horoscope

July 3, 2009

India Post

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ARIES Mar 21-Apr 20 Planets in second will give instant results for the efforts made. You will be slowly making preparation for an upcoming and exciting trip with the family. People in business will experience better sales. Idea of changing job will continue to occupy mind but this is not the right time to take any risks. Government agency will show favor.

LEO Jul 23-Aug 22

July 3 to July 9

Planets will cause some much awaited and pleasant developments in career.

Business will suddenly take off. Do not allow heart rule over the head and be practical. Sun and Mercury in eleventh will help you achieve your goals will little efforts and make you likeable person in close circles. Some body with above average height will be helpful.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23-Dec 22 Expect some fortunate changes in career. Combination of Sun and Mercury in Kendra will bring the opportunity and the break you had been waiting for years. Chances of making money through speculation still very good.

TAURUS Apr 21-May 20 Great week as far as money matters are concerned. Timely action will help you make money through stocks also.

You will become little health conscious and start with light exercises.

Stress will reduce but will not disappear at work. You may be in touch with a learned person for some advice.

VIRGO Aug 23-Sept 22 Your enthusiasm will help you overcome hurdles. Make an offer that is hard to refuse in order to get back on top. Lady luck is smiling again; money will start rolling in soon. Strong Venus in ninth will be the cause of distraction coming from a beautiful person. There will be last minute change in earlier plans but will be beneficial.

CAPRICORN Dec 23-Jan 19 People will not stop from making unreasonable demands. Just talking will remove the frustration. Financially things will continue to be stable. You will be going on a short but exciting trip to a nice place. You will be selected among many and called for second interview. A close family member will need extra medical attention.

GEMINI May 21-Jun 20 Planets in first will provide you with wisdom and help make excellent choices. Your expertise will be recognized by superiors and soon big rewards on its way. You may need over the counter medications for a day or two this week. Any relationship started at this point will soon become permanent. You will enjoy the party also.

LIBRA Sept 23-Oct 22 The more time you spend on networking, the more business you will get.

You will have lots of time on hand to enjoy as well as relax. Do not ignore the health issue which pops up after every few months. You will also get to meet few very old friends this week.

You will miss some people who were too close to you in the past very badly.

AQUARIUS Jan 20-Feb 18 You will be busy and get to spend some quality time with family and friends. Trip will be entertaining. Some one short in height and fair color will give some useful tips and may even offer long term help. You will meet all financial commitments and still have some leftover. Just don't take any chance with the law and drive within limits.

CANCER Jun 21-Jul 22 Try to work out a deal without adopting the legal process if at all possible other wise legal expenses alone will drain you out. You should be very careful for next few weeks when it comes to money. Property deal will bring some money but not enough. You will take time out from hectic schedule and take family to a real nice place this week.

SCORPIO Oct 23-Nov 22 Do not go out of your way to help anyone and avoid extending loan either.

You will get to spend quality time with family and meet interesting person during the course of a short trip. You should start keeping an eye on weight and change diet too in order to stay in shape. Some of you will be preparing to join a short term course.

PISCES Feb 19-Mar 20 You will try to take mind off everything and enjoy few days with family. Plans you have been working on can take you to a totally different level in life. A partner may announce that he is moving out soon. You will be invited to a big gathering this week. Presenting your ideas to some one who has vision will help fine tune your plans.

6 Manmohini Morey - Yuvvraaj

1 Guzarish - Ghajini

7 Husn Hai - Wafaa

2 Haule Haule - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

8 Jaane Kyun Singers - Dostana

3 Tere Naina - CC@C

9 Sapnon Se Bhare Naina - Luck By

4 Bekha - Ghajini

Chance

5 Kaisa Ye Raaz Hai - Raaz

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July 3, 2009

K

10 Tu Ne Re - Victory

areena Kapoor is known to be media smart but on in Delhi a TV journalist offended the actress so much so that she walked out of the press conference. Kareena was flown in from London to New Delhi to promote her upcoming movie Kambakkht Ishq. A journalist with a Punjabi channel asked her if she was prepared to go nude in a movie. Kareena was shell shocked on the question and decided to walk out of the press conference.

Earlier Kareena had said that she was open to any kind of films like Jab We Met, Omkara or Golmaal Returns and would do what the script demanded. Her bikini act in Tashan and the upcoming Kambakkht Ishq had become talk of the town. The actress had later justified her donning a bikini in both the movies but stated that she would not wear a bikini in any of her future projects.

K

nown for her gung-ho spirit, Lara Dutta's sudden silence on her tumultuous personal life has stirred many rumors of late. The stunner, whose ex-flame Kelly Dorji had sent gossip mills soaring after he shouted foul over Lara and Dino's supposed romantic alliance, is now in news for dating tennis ace Mahesh Bhupati.

But after keeping mum for months, the gutsy dame has lashed out at all such reports as she told Spicezee, "I am not seeing anyone."

Refuting all link up rumors, Lara clarified to Spicezee, "The stories are all baseless. I am not seeing anyone - single, married or divorced" The diva apparently lost her cool after a leading tabloid reported that she was sweet on Bhupati. The news spread like wildfire with several journals taking potshots at the actress' wavering love interest.

Bollywood

July 3, 2009

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T

he Hindi version of the movie Hrithik Roshan starrer 'Kites,' set to be released in December, would be different from the English version.

Reports suggest that the steamy scenes between Hrithik and his co-star Barbara Mori would be the same in both versions. The movie has been in the news from the very beginning due to some kiss scenes.

Talking to the media the director Anurag Basu said "We can't cheat Hindi audiences. The so-called steamy scenes will be the same in both versions. The visuals will remain unchanged in both."

In a recent interview, Barbara Mori, the 31-year-old Mexican actress, has spoken about her inability to stay single, her romantic scenes in Kites and her Indian sojourn.

When asked about the kissing scene, the actress said that "when I do scenes where I'm wearing very little, kissing or making love, it is always difficult for me. Perhaps, it is about being naked in front of so many people."

"In this case, there were very few people on the set and with regard to the discomfort which I feel while doing scenes of this nature‌ well, it was all very gracefully done," the actress said.

'Kites' came to the Mexican beauty when she was g o i n g through emotional turbulence in her life. Barbara says, "I get very easily infatuated; I always fall in love and then I cannot be alone...but I am trying not to fall in love this time. I am learning to be with myself."

W

hile people tackle their obsession for white skin by slapping on fairness creams, Bipasha Basu has will ingly decided to play an African in Ajay Devgan's All The Best. Earlier, she was signed on only to play Ajay's wife, but she bagged the second role recently.

And for Bipasha's makeover, the producers have hired Hollywood makeup artistes to give her the right look. Explaining Ajay's decision to cast Bipasha in the second role, a source said, "Ajay was looking for a dusky girl to play an African.

Mallika Sherawat and Tabu were approached to play that role, but things didn't work out."

Then Bipasha, who earlier had a double role in Dhoom 2, suggested that she do the role. She said she'd play the African's role too. Sanjay Dutt plays the African girl's boyfriend in the film."

K

I

mage make over can change your luck and this can be said for Soha. Actress Soha Ali Khan received a very juicy role in Kunal Deshmukh's movie, 'Tum Mile'. Sources say that it was the lady's 'new appeal' and 'mature' looks that attracted director Kunal Deshmukh to choose Ms Khan in this project. Paired opposite to the 'Jannat' hero Emraan Hashmi, this romantic movie will prove to be a great pairing with both of them. The movie features some life risky scenes that include shooting in filthy water and surprisingly, Soha was very sportive during those shootings.

Praising the 'Rang de Basanti' heroine, Deshmukh said, "We needed to recreate the deluge and had to shoot in water for over 12 hours a day for 'Tum Mile', but rather than throwing tantrums, Soha showed exemplary levels of energy on the sets.

Soha was like GI Joe. She didn't get tired at all and never stopped.

atrina Kaif is having a tough time dubbing for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, especially with director Raj Kumar Santoshi known to be very particular about his actor's diction. The actress, who has a pronounced British accent, has been practising her Hindi constantly with friends as well as in her dubbing, so much so that she almost lost her voice. For Katrina dubbing is the most difficult part of the acting process. After all, she was initially dubbed by professional artists.

She finally won the right to speak on screen in her own voice. She finds the dubbing the most challenging thing she has ever done. "I don't have any colloquial lines like Ranbir. I play this Catholic Bandra girl who's very dramatic. She's funny to others. But not to herself. So when I cry I have to cry real tears but make sure they come across as funny."

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The winners with the host

Diana Pinto at the Q & A

Shannika like every teenager has many dreams and aspirations. She did Sri Lanka and the entire South Asian subcontinent proud by winning the Miss Friendship title at this year's Miss Asia. Shannika and her demeanor are an instant reflection of Sri Lanka's serendipity and the warmth of its people. That is why this pristine island is known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean."

As always this year's event was extremely successful and enjoyable. There were many talented performances and no event is com-

Nach La is a dance trio comprising siblings Reshma and Shivani Dhawan and their childhood friend Sheena Naidu

The Final Results Miss Asia USA 2009 Geramie Dizon - Miss Asia USA 2009 - Philippines Saruul Ganbaatar ‌.. Mongolia - 1st Runner-up Christina Wen ‌Taiwan - 2nd Runner-up Mina Kim, represented Korea - 3rd Runner-up Mandukhaai Bayarsaikhan, represented Mongolia - 4th Runner-up Best National Costume - Connie Muramoto - Japan Miss Photogenic - Anna Derparseghian - Lebanon Miss Congeniality - Connie Muramoto - Japan Miss Popularity - Christina Wen - Taiwan Miss Friendship - Shanika Gilmour - Sri Lanka Best in Swimsuit - Saruul Ganbaatar People's Choice Award - Christina Wen - Taiwan

Mrs. Asia USA 2009 Kimberly Vodamg - Miss Asia USA 2009 - Vietnam Elizabeth Yang, China - 1st Runner-up Genesis Walcher, Philippines - 2nd Runner-up Khandsuren Byambadorj, Mongolia - 3rd Runner-up Valaurie Lor, Cambodia - 4th Runner up Best National Costume - Kimberly Vodang - Vietnam Miss Photogenic - Ada Pei - Taiwam Miss Congeniality - Genesis Walcher , Philippines Miss Popularity - Kimberly Vodang - Vietnam Miss Friendship - Kim Heng - Cambodia People's Choice Award - Genesis Walcher - Philippines Best in Talent - Kimberly Vodang - Vietnam

This year the South Asian subcontinent was represented by Diana Pinto and Shannika Gilmour. Diana represented InGLENDALE, CA: A sellout crowd of credible India whilst the Pearl of the Inover 1400 people at the Alex Theatre wit- dian Ocean, the paradise nation of Sri Lanka nessed history in the making as the 21st was represented by Shannika Gilmour.

Originally from Thane near Bombay Annual Miss Asia USA and the 5th Annual Mrs. Asia USA Cultural Pageant were Miss India Diana Pinto, 27, has a Masters of Science in Biokinesiology and Physipresented together onstage for the first cal Therapy University of Southtime ever. Never before has such a ern California (2007).She is remarkable and diverse display also a keen sportsperson of Asian cultures been perand was Elected sportsformed on a single stage. woman of the year After five categories of in2001.She also Repretense competition in both pagsented the state in Volleyeants, judges selected Geramie ball and is an athlete (100 Dizon of the Philippines as mts., 4 x 100 mts., shot putt Miss Asia USA 2009 and Kimand discus throw). She curberly Vodang of Vietnam as Mrs. rently resides in New York.

Asia USA 2009. Virgelia B. Tall, athletically built and exVillegas, Chairman and PresiVirgelia Villega, Chair & tremely vivacious Diana is dent of the producer, Virgelia President of Miss Asia USA the epitomy of the beauty Productions, Inc., both wrote and directed the show. It was hosted that Indian women are renowned for.

Miss Sri Lanka Shannika Gilmour takes

by Emmy-nominee David Millbern and the up and coming Ayushka Gharib. Virgelia also great pride in her mixed Sri Lankan Ameriannounced the Queen's Court for Miss Asia can heritage. Her mother is Sinhalese whilst her father is American. All of sixteen, young USA 2009 and Mrs. Asia USA 2009.

JS BEDI

INDIA POST NEWS SERVICE

plete without a Bollywood number.

Nach La is a dance trio comprising siblings Reshma and Shivani Dhawan and their childhood friend Sheena Naidu. They danced to "Jai Ho" the song from Slumdog Millionaire. Extremely talented these girls will go places in the years to come.

They also have a Dance Academy by the same name. Reshma is also a reporter with India Post.

Overall it was a very well organized event and organizers of the various Indian pageants here in So Cal can learn a lot from Virgelia and her team where pageants are concerned.

Shannika Gilmour all of 16 years old

July 3, 2009

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India Post 29

UP TO 4 BEDROOMS + DEN WITH 4 BATHS FROM THE LOW $600,000 S !

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July 3, 2009 www.indiapost.com

Great teacher & ambassador of Indian classical music

L

egendary musician "Sarod" Maestro Dr. Ali Akbar Khan, 86, passed away at his residence in San Francisco on June 19.

Ali Akbar, born on April 14, 1922, in Comilla in present-day Bangladesh, was one of the greatest teachers and ambassadors of Indian classical music.

He is credited with taking this music to the West, ahead of sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar, whose first wife was Akbar's sister, the

sitar and surbahar exponent Annapurna Devi.

News of Ali Akbar's death sent the world of music into mourning.

Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain cancelled all appointments to be present at the funeral.

Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan sai: "I have lost my elder brother and won't be able to express the loss in words."

Ali Akbar's musical pedigree was deep-rooted. He was the son of multi-instrumentalist Baba

Allaudin Khan, who founded the Maihar Gharana, the school most

‘Something that I find truly admirable in him is that he dedicated the last 40 years of his life teaching’ closely associated with Hindustani classical music the world over and

Ethnic marvels for Desi palates

among the prominent musicians of which are sitarists Ravi Shankar and the late Nikhil Banerjee.

Allaudin Khan and Ustad Haafiz Ali Khan, Amjad Ali's father, were gurubhais as they had the same teacher, the veena player Muhammad Wazir of Rampur.

Ali Akbar, Khansaheb to admirers, began learning music from his father at three. He made waves with his concert debut at 17 at the All-India Music Conference in

from all over the world, remaining unparalleled institutions for the teaching of Indian classical music and spread of Indian culture.

"Something that I find truly admirable in him is that he dedicated the last 40 years of his life teaching," Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma said. "Teaching the sarod to a novice when you are a master can be excruciatingly boring.

But Ustadji did this tough job for 40 years."

Ali Akbar Khan

ABHISHEK MUKHERJEE

B

orn in a small village called Swarna in Andhra Pradesh, Komali Nunna arrived in America only after her marriage, and made bold attempts to entertain guests through cooking and decorations. The results were remarkable but confined to a smaller circle. It is to the benefit of the Indian American community that she has decided to expose her culinary skills to a wider audience through this excellently produced cookbook ('Entertaining from an Ethnic Indian Kitchen'), full of mouth-watering illustrations.

It is not just a cookbook - it is a journey that takes us to the depths of everything related to food and cookery. One can gauge the author's enthusiasm for cooking and catering throughout the book. As she herself confesses, "For me, cooking is an art, decorating a craft and entertaining a passion. Whether it is creating a culinary feast or decorating a dazzling table, I do it with

the same passion and zeal." The Indian American has indeed done justice to her obsession.

She touches upon exhaustive South and North Indian cuisines, festival based dishes and all par-

ticulars to achieve perfection in hosting extensive meals. Nunna is open to all sorts of permutations and combinations in cooking, as she maintains that experimenta-

tion and creativity are imperative to be successful in this field. And that is how her preparations vary from those of other cooks, and that she claims have been tastier.

Nunna has striven to hold on to some lovely traditions and also has made daring efforts to include and enrich others, essentially those of the society of America, which has provided her ample prospects to experiment, amuse and savor. She cites the intricate specifics in style and design, theme, pantry, invitation, menu, table setting, silverware, glassware, cocktails, linens, accessories and music, etc. to infinitely boost the charm and attractiveness of a party.

Nunna has a lot of tips up her sleeve too, sharing finest points of cookery.

It is a must read for those for whom cooking is an interest, or more than just a hobby - it will be an unforgettable joyride and will attempt to remove all their inhibitions or misconceptions regarding cooking or hosting a meal.

Allahabad in 1939, an evening that is said to have redefined sarod playing. He went on to compose several ragas, including Gauri Manjari, Lajwanti, Madhavi and Madhu Malati, and also scored Bengali films like Jhinder Bandi, Kshudhita Pashan and Satyajit Ray's Devi.

The three Ali Akbar Khan Colleges of Music -- founded in 1956, 1967 and 1985, respectively, in Kolkata, San Rafael (California) and Basel (Switzerland) -- attracted thousands of students

Among Ali Akbar's numerous awards and recognitions were the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, the MacArthur Genius Award, two Grammy nominations, the President of India Award and, the most valuable to him, the title of Swar Samrat (emperor of melody) bestowed by his father and guru.

But despite his phenomenal success, Ali Akbar remained a very simple man -- another inheritance from his illustrious father, a straightforward Bangaal from East Bengal.

NY COMES TO INDIA: Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham meet their fans during a promotional event of their upcoming film 'New York' in Bangalore on June 24

Travel Brief Rajkot gets its first chain hotel RAJKOT: Rajkot got its first branded hotel when Lords group opened its maiden project 'Pradhyuman Lords Inn' here in Saurashtra region.

"Lords group is focusing on Gujarat because the state is having a lot of potential in hotel and tourism industry," Managing Director, Lords Inn, Satish Bansal told reporters here.

He claimed that the hotel, located at Kalavad Road on city's outskirts, will offer luxurious accommodation at a budget price.

The hotel has 68 spacious rooms with internet facilities.

The hotel chain already has its presence in Gujarat with establishments in Surat, Ankleshwar, Dahej, Vadodara and Gandhidham, Bansal said.

"It will soon have ten more hotels across the country," it's Chief Executive Officer, Romesh Kaul said. "The group is eying to make its presence felt at various other locations in India starting with Bengaluru in October and thereafter at Lucknow, Gurgaon and Jalandhar. -PTI

31 India Post

T

he history of Mount Abu is as diverse as the city itself.

It was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan and served as a summer resort for

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the Rajput kings of the region. After that, it was leased by the British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarter of the Resident to Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan).

During the British rule in India, it was the favorite summer destination of the British, who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains particularly Rajasthan. It also served as a sanatorium for the troops. The small huts and cottages here tell stories of those

times even today.

Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this

July 3, 2009

According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself.

The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent

During the British rule in India, it was the favorite summer destination of the British, who came here to escape the dusty, dry heat of the plains particularly Rajasthan holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, w h i c h emerged from a rock shaped like a cow's head.

Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps did not occur in future.

He asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently.

Cont’d on page 32

32

Travel & Hospitality Post

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July 3, 2009

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Mount Abu: Summer resort for kings & commoners Cont’d from page 31

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This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form - Mount Abu. This place is held in reverence

by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city.

Places to see: There are a number of sites to visit in and around this small city. Besides being a hill station, Mount Abu is also regarded as an important pilgrimage site, with the Dilwara Jain temples, ashrams of saints and some Hindu

This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city temples within its boundaries.

How to reach

By Air: Udaipur is the nearest airport. Daily flight form Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur are available to Udaipur.

By Bus: Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Jaipur and Abu Road to Mount Abu. It is also connected by road to Delhi, Udaipur, Ajmer, Bundi and Udaipur.

By Train: Abu Road is the nearest railway station and is about 22 kms from Mount Abu. And well connected by Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur.

Travel & Hospitality Post

July 3, 2009

India Post

33

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Choice Hotels offers double points for every stay India Post News Service

SILVER SPRING, MD.: Choice Hotels International, Inc. have announced that European-based members of Choice Privileges, the company's award-winning rewards program, will earn double Choice Privileges points for every qualifying stay. The offer applies to stays at Choice Privileges properties for all ten Choice Hotels brands with arrival from May 21 through November 19.

"We are delighted to offer Choice Privileges members in Europe the opportunity to now earn double points when they travel either on business or holiday," said Mark Pearce, vice president, International.

"This exciting promotion will reward our most loyal customers and help them earn a free night

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"We're always looking for new and exciting ways to add value to our rewards program and to attract new members, and I believe the opportunity to earn additional points will be welcomed by our European members and help to attract even more new members to our ever-expanding program," said Greg Brown, vice president, Choice Privileges.

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Health

Line

Obama's own party worried health plan lacks votes

WASHINGTON: A Republican senator seeking a bipartisan health care deal spoke of lowering expectations while one of President Barack Obama's Democratic allies questioned whether the White House had the votes necessary for a such a costly and comprehensive plan during a recession.

Obama's proposal to provide health care coverage for some 50 million Americans who lack it has become a contentious point for a Democratic-controlled House and Senate struggling to reach a consensus Obama desperately wants.

Much of the concern came after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the plan would cost $1 trillion over 10 years but cover only about one-third of those now lacking health insurance.

Democrats protested that the estimate overlooked important money-savers to be added later. But Republicans seized on the costly projection and the bill's half-finished nature, throwing Democratic leaders on the defensive. -AP

Corker wants bipartisan health care reform CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.: Republican US Sen. Bob Corker says President Barack Obama would get a longer-lasting health care reform plan if Republicans were given a say in the legislation.

The Tennessee's junior senator spoke at a Tennessee Press Association breakfast in Chattanooga.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that Corker was supportive of health care reform, but he expressed some reservation about the president's proposal to create a government-run health insurance alternative to private insurance.

He said he doesn't want a public plan that kills private sector health insurance and said the government's involvement in the health care system should be as an organizer. -AP

Health Science 36

India Post

July 3, 2009

www.indiapost.com

Critics say tough to keep fragile patients home AUSTIN, Texas: Disability rights advocates are criticizing how state officials interpret a twoyear old provision designed to keep medically fragile people from being forced into lower-cost facilities when they would be safer in their own homes. -AP

No health care? Expect a requirement to get it WASHINGTON: Don't have health insurance? Don't want to pay for it? Too bad.

It's looking like President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress are going to require you to pick up the bill.

In Washington-speak, it's called an individual mandate or a requirement that people who don't already have health insurance to purchase it, much like most states require drivers to have automobile insurance.

Obama long has been wary of the idea, arguing that people cannot be required to buy coverage if they can't afford it. His plan during the presidential primary didn't require all adults to have coverage, only children. He and then-rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, who backed a universal requirement, sparred repeatedly over the issue.

Now in the White House, Obama has set in motion steps toward his broad goal of making health care more affordable, im-

proving quality of care and expanding coverage. Says Obama: ``We are not a nation that accepts nearly 46 million uninsured men, women and children.''

He largely has left it to the House and Senate to work it out.

But in recent weeks, Congress signaled that legislation overhauling health care was all but certain

the requirement is recent and conditional.

In a letter in early June, he told key Senate Democrats writing legislation that he was willing to consider their ideas for ``shared responsibility,'' requiring people to have insurance with employers sharing in the cost. ``But,'' he added, ``I believe if we are going

Even before the president took office in January, the insurance industry, which killed former President Bill Clinton's health care overhaul, indicated it was willing to accept that trade-off to require that people have insurance. Of course, details about how to implement such a mandate must be worked out - and there are many - but the overall concept increasingly seems on track to be included in any sweeping health care overhaul that makes its way to Obama's desk.

The president's support for

to make people responsible for owning health insurance, we must make health care affordable.''

He went a smidgen further last week.

"I am confident in our ability to give people the ability to get insurance,'' he told doctors. Thus, he said: ``I am open to a system where every American bears responsibility for

owning health insurance, so long as we provide a hardship waiver for those who still can't afford it.''

Obama also indicated that if he were giving a little, insurance companies eager for new customers must as well, and called on them to stop denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. Said Obama: ``The days of cherry-picking who to cover and who to deny those days are over.''

Even before the president took office in January, the insurance industry, which killed former President Bill Clinton's health care overhaul, indicated it was willing to accept that trade-off, making a mandate all the more likely.

Democrats have opposed such a mandate in previous years, fearing it would disadvantage the poor. In fact, it was Republicans, including 1996 presidential nominee and former Sen. Bob Dole, who pushed the idea in the 1990s.

These days, it's hard to find many opposed to a requirement. -AP

FDA bill important but fight against tobacco is not over NANCY BROWN

Chief Executive Officer, American Heart Association

W

e're celebrating a monumental victory in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Representing the American Heart Association's 22 million volunteers, supporters and dedicated staff, AHA President Dr. Timothy Gardner and I were

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. he does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.

In the end, leaders are much like eagles... they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.”

Celebrating Life

ANIL PATEL & ASSOCIATES Insurance & financial Services

17918 Pioneer Blvd. Suite 210 Artesia CA 90701 Ph: (800) 799-2115 Fax: (562) 865-7974 • Email: anil@anilinsurance.com • www.anilinsurance.com

thrilled to stand with President Obama at the White House as he signed the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This legislation represents another huge step toward breaking the deadly cycle of tobacco addiction that leads to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke for millions of Americans.

This bill, which had tremendous support from Republicans and Democrats alike, will give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the clear authority to regulate the manufacturing, advertising and promotion of tobacco products in order to protect public health. The bill also focuses on limiting advertising that targets our kids. It is estimated that the legislation will result in an eleven percent decline in underage smoking over the next decade and will significantly reduce the annual $100

billion cost for tobacco-related illnesses in the US. Why is this legislative victory so important? Nearly one-third

Nancy Brown

of cardiovascular disease deaths are linked to smoking, and tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of heart disease and stroke. For generations, tobacco companies lied to the public about the deadly dangers

of tobacco use. They lied about the addictiveness of nicotine.

They made misleading health claims about light and low-tar products. And they shamelessly and aggressively marketed to children to attract new smokers.

These unconscionable practices will finally be reined in with effective government oversight of an industry that has placed profits above the health of the American people.

American Heart Association volunteers and staff, along with our public health partners, have been working for over a decade to see this legislation become law. We are extremely proud to have played a major role in moving this legislation through Congress and to have had the opportunity to join our Congressional champions today in witnessing the bill signing.

Contíd on page 37

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June 3, 2009

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37

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Sick cows from Mexico could cross into United States ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Longtime New Mexico cattle rancher Judy Keeler is keenly aware of how tough it is to raise livestock in the dusty desert near the USMexico border.

Drought, intense heat, security and illegal immigrants who cut down ranchers fences and drink water meant for livestock are constant concerns.

But Keeler and fellow ranchers now have another worry.

The border fence, installed by the Department of Homeland Security to keep cars and people from crossing into the United States illegally, isn't so good at blocking cattle in some places.

The new fence replaced previous livestock fences at some points, and some stretches are so low that cows can step right over it.

And because regulations in Mexico are less strict, Mexican herds are more likely to have bovine tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.

"It's kind of a hodgepodge of fencing,'' said Keeler, president of the Hidalgo County Cattle Grower's Association in Hachita in south-

west New Mexico. ``The inconsistencies along the border is what I'm trying to get them to correct.''

Some of the Mexican border states don't have the bovine TBfree disease status enjoyed by most of the US border states, said Caren Cowan, executive director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association in Albuquerque, NM.

In Texas, a high fence along the border is needed to control the flow of wildlife and cattle from Mexico That could lead to disease spreading to US cattle, threatening the nation's beef industry, although no infections blamed on Mexican cattle have been reported recently.

"It's a more lower level threat, but it only takes one cow to bring down the economy of the whole nation,'' said Jeff Witte, director of agriculture biosecurity at the New

Mexico Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture officials in the border states of California and Arizona say they haven't heard complaints from ranchers on the issue of border fencing and livestock protection.

In Texas, a high fence along the border is needed to control the flow of wildlife and cattle from Mexico, said Susan Durham with the South Texans' Property Rights Association in Falfurrias, Texas.

Disease concerns there include Cattle Fever Tick, a parasite eradicated from the United States 65 years ago that can transmit disease to cattle.

In New Mexico, complaints focus on differing heights and styles of fence.

While most people envision a 20-foot-tall fence all along New Mexico's border, Keeler said the fence at some points where the barrier is meant to stop vehicles, not people on foot or cows is only 3 feet high.

Some types of fence have high, closely placed steel beams, while others are a design of thick post and rail fencing. -AP

FDA bill important but fight against tobacco is not over ContĂ­d from page 36

This measure, along with many other policy initiatives the association supports on the local, state and national level, directly impacts our mission to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

This historic public health victory would not have been possible without the tenacious efforts and unwavering support of our You're the Cure advocates the volunteers and staff who worked to generate Congressional and public support for the measure.

If you are not already involved, you too can play a vital role in American Heart Association legislative advocacy efforts. Start today by thanking Members of Congress and the President for making this legislation a reality.

Visit heartprescription.org to send your email.(heartprescription.org) I would also like to extend a personal and very special thank you to former CEOs Cass Wheeler and Dudley Hafner, who devoted much of their AHA careers to advancing this issue by

meeting with members of Congress and speaking out loudly about the deadly effects of tobacco on our nation's youth.

And finally, while the FDA bill represents an important victory, the fight against tobacco is not over. We must continue to push

This historic public health victory would not have been possible without the tenacious efforts and unwavering support of our You're the Cure advocates for smoke-free workplace laws, higher tobacco excise taxes and funding for comprehensive smoking prevention and cessation programs to help break the cycle of addiction and create a healthier environment for our families. We're counting on your continued support to help us achieve these important goals.

Sports Track Saina first Indian to win Super Series NEW DELHI: Ace woman shuttler Saina Nehwal scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament after she clinched the Indonesian Open title with a stunning victory over higher ranked Chinese Lin Wang in Jakarta. -PTI

I

t helps me keep in touch, and makes me feel like man of the match," is what MS Dhoni confesses in an advertisement on television, referring to services of a cellular provider. Ironically, his performances on the field are nowadays never worthy of a 'man of the match' award.

For a couple of years no one has questioned his outrageousness or lack of form - it was after all he who had elevated the Indian team to such great heights as the world champions and winners of the bilateral series in Australia.

During his tenure as Captain till this shameful debacle a few days ago, it was astonishing to realise that he got away with each and every decision that he took. In other words he had an amazing foresight.

Many would agree that he had to fall someday, and hard. Call it overconfidence, fatigue, lack of motivation or team spirit, or a combination of all of them, the Indian team right since its warm-up match against New Zealand never looked like a side hungry to win.

It appeared a congregation of world-class players who tried to save their reputations more than anything else, while trying to ease the pressure off themselves as the defending champions.

The attitude was a stark contrast to that of the underdogs they were in the inaugural edition of World T20 two years ago. The largely unknown Indian team then without any of its famous stars played fearlessly, and with right positiveness and aggression.

Dhoni utilised his opportunity to take charge of the team to perfection, as every team member gave it his all. New stars were born in the likes of Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, and there were others like Sehwag who made the best use of this chance to get back into reckoning.

It all started with the bowl-out victory against Pakistan - a game that we miraculously seized from them. It provided the side a boost which proved a catalyst in our ultimate triumph.

Dhoni's fairy tale started from there. He began taking bold decisions which invariably always paid off. Indeed the whole of India was awed by the man with the 'Midas touch'. He was said to be unruffled in all situations, a thinker who could foresee like no other. He led the Indian side

Sports 38 India Post

www.indiapost.com

July 3, 2009

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani posing with national cricket team players and team officials after winning the ICC Twenty20 World Cup final played in England

Dhoni - End of a fairy tale?

ABHISHEK MUKHERJEE

to victory in two straight finals against the Aussies in the bilateral 50-over competition in their own backyard, as if it was no big deal.

Such a sensation he had become that Chennai Super Kings had to shell out six crores - more than for any other cricketer by any other franchise - to pouch him in the auction for the Indian Premier League.

He had the nerve of opting out of the Test series against Sri Lanka last year, citing fatigue for having played 'too much cricket'

followed, and India won once again. Later in the year, Dhoni led his side to a convincing series victory against Australia at home, a series which saw Kumble and a hurt Sourav Ganguly playing their last for India.

New faces filled up the ranks and the coast was clear for him there would be no one whose ego he would have to handle, who could question his decisions or who could challenge his supremacy in the near future.

Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier this year, for reportedly commercial priorities. Yet his aura did not fade, and his brethren at Ranchi continued to religiously worship their favourite deity.

Even when his attitude came under the scanner quite a number of times, his 'cool' behaviour and team's outstanding performances always bailed him out.

Many would agree that he had to fall someday, and hard. Call it overconfidence, fatigue, lack of motivation or team spirit, or a combination of all of them, the Indian team right since its warm-up match against New Zealand never looked like a side hungry to win as the reason. When the BCCI announces the side for any upcoming series, each selected member of the squad is supposed to honour and justify his selection, as there are numerous aspirants who are left fuming, and who would desperately want to be selected and prove their worth. Needless to say, it was a slap on BCCI's cheek, who on their part decided to remain quiet and in fact respect our wonder boy's decision.

He returned to captain the Indian side in the one-dayers that

During all those tough series against the top cricketing nations in the world, Dhoni was said to have brought to the team the aura of invincibility. Though his form with the bat faded gradually, the team kept performing and delivering the goods.

He started appearing in too many advertisements on television, and even devoted time to modelling. He conjured up enough cheek to dishonour the national awards by being absent during the award ceremony at

Not this time, however. As India lost to an exuberant England by 3 runs, his critics finally found their voices.

Many tactical mistakes and disastrous judgments in crucial moments came to the fore. The altering of Yuvraj's batting number, the promotion of Jadeja to the top order in the game against England

and the dropping of Ojha in crunch matches were baffling decisions and lacked logic. In the game against the Windies, he scored an 11 ball 23, slow even

by Test standards.

Rumors about strife between Sehwag and himself saw him lose his cool in front of the media at the start of the tournament, which did not exactly prove a good omen. Everything seemed to be falling apart for him.

More than the strategic mistakes however, it was the body language that was unbearable to watch. Nothing could have been more painful for the Indian supporter than to witness the casualness and lack of intensity among the so-called 'superstars'. It was evident that this status that they enjoyed proved to be fatal. The defeat and exit from the World Cup only brought them, led by our 'Captain Cool', falling to the earth.

Dhoni must have realized by now that no one can be bigger than the game. India has infinite cricketing talent. If needed, Dhoni can be replaced by any new face, who may prove to be better than him.

As we hope for a transformation in outlook from the person, it is times like these that we realise the value of greats like Kumble or a Gilchrist - purely because of their approach towards their game, and respect for their country.

LA hosts Baisakhi Open Golf Tournament JS BEDI India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: The 7th Annual "Baisakhi Open" Golf Tournament was held at the prestigious Pacific Palms Hotel & Resort in the City of Industry, Over 125 golfers came to participate from USA, Canada and India. It was organized by a committee comprising Rajen Dhaliwal, Pali Cheema, Paul Dhaliwal, Amarjit Brara, Amardeep Sandhu, Nachhatar Bhullar, Bunny Sidhu, Bobby Kang and Micky Punia.

Baisakhi Open is an annual golf tournament held in the true Punjabi spirit by Baisakhi Open Inc., a non-profit organization

founded in 2002 by a handful of Punjabi golf aficionados based in Chicago area. The first Baisakhi Open was held in Chicago in 2002

with about 50 golfers participating from US and Canada.

This three-day tournament has grown rapidly in the last six

years. In addition to the U.S. and Canada, participants now fly in from as far away as England, New Zealand, Australia, and of course, from India.

This growth has come about because the Punjabi spirit welcomes everyone, Indian or otherwise, to come and experience the camaraderie, competitiveness, and bonding in a uniquely Punjabi way - having fun while doing everything and anything.

Over the years, the participants have become a community of sorts. These are fun loving golfers who share a commitment and dedication to this exciting and addicting sport.

Datebook

July 3, 2009

India Post 39

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK Upcoming

WASHINGTON DC Upcoming

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

ONGOING

ONGOING

Sat July 4

Sat July 4

• Mehfil-e-ghazal - Ghulam Ali Live

• Red, White & You

1st Wed of every month

ï Sahaja Yoga Meditation

Venue: Hindu Temple Community Center, 143-09 Holly Avenue, Flushing, New York Time: 8pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Venue: K Street Lounge, 1301 K St NW, Washington, DC Time: 9pm Contact: 773-490-0975

ï Raja Yoga Meditation Course

Sat July 4

Friday ï Nithya Yoga

Venue: For date, time & venue visit: www.bayyoga.org or www.sahajayoga.org Contact: 1-877-642-6074 Highlights: Sahaja Yoga is a simple method of meditation discovered.

Tues July 7

• DC Rathyatra, Festival of India

• AMMA - Free Public Programs

Venue: National Mall, 4th Street at Madison, Washington Time: 10:30am to 8pm Contact: 301-299-2100

Venue: Manhattan Center, 311 W. 34th Street, (between 8th and 9th Avenues), New York Time: 10am to 7:30pm Contact: 212-714-5445

Venue: visit www.bklosangeles.com Contact: 323-933-2808

Venue: Vedic Temple 9720 Central Ave., Montclair CA 91763 Time: 10am to 11am (Weekday), 8:20am to 9:30am Contact: 909-625-1400

Sat July 18 Upcoming

• Vibha DC Spelling Bee 2009

Thurs July 9 • Amma - Evening, Devi Bhava program Venue: Manhattan Center, 311 W. 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues), New York Time: 10am Contact: 212.714.5445

Mon July 13 • India Heritage Camp for Kids Venue: PrepMate Learning Center, Flushing, New York Time: 8:30am Contact: (718) 661 4505

Venue: ChesterBrook Academy, 46100 Woodshire Drive, Sterling, Virginia Time: 10am

• Bollywood Desistan Night Venue: Dakota Lounge, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., Cross Street 11th St., Santa Monica, California Time: 10pm Contact: 818-234-3096

ILLINOIS Upcoming Thurs July 2 and Fri July 3 Venue: Odeum Expo Center, 1033 N. Villa Ave., Villla Park, IL Contact: 630-560-9026

Venue: Rescomon Center, Chicagoland, IL Contact: 312-226-6582 Highlights: The theme is Technological Innovation and Cultural Celebrations. Event is filled with lot of business, education.

• Asha Bhosle & Sudesh Bhosle - Concert Venue: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, NJ Time: 8pm to 11pm Contact: 267-253-9112

Fri July 3 • Krishna Our Dearmost Friends Venue: George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingstone Ave, New Brunswick, New Jersey Time: 7:30pm Contact: 732-789-6005

Sun July 5 • Fogana - Garba, Raas, Folk Dance Competition Venue: Voorhees Middle School, 1000 Holy Oak Drive, Voorhees, New Jersey Time: 1pm to 6pm Contact: 856-313-6741

Sun July 5 • Art of Living IAHV with host Yogathon Venue: Hilton Chicago 720 S Michigan Ave, Chicago IL Time: 9am to 5:30pm Contact: 630-930-9145

Sun July 12 • Ekal Musical Evening Venue: Forest View Center, 2121 S Goebbert Rd, Arlington Heights, IL Time: Dinner-5pm, Show Time-6:30pm Contact: 847-226-4929 Ticket: $20 Highlgihts: Indian Geet, Gazal and Bhjajan, performed by Mahabharata fame artists Sushil Baweja, Ashok Pandey's and group.

Wed July 15 • Medication Management and Safety: Fall Prevention Venue: 9015, Milwaukee Ave Niles, IL 60714 Time: 11am to 1pm

Sun July 12 • Bharatanatyam Dance Festival Venue: Sri Venkateswara Temple Auditorium, 780 Old Farm Road, Bridgewater, New Jersey Time: 3pm Contact: 732-819-0773

PRITIBHOJ (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)

Wed July 29 • Medication Management and Safety: Insomnia Venue: 700 N. Court, Palatine, IL 60067 Time: 11am to 1pm

BHAJAN GROUP (11 AM - 11:45 AM)

Mon-Sat ï Yoga Classes Venue: Fremont Hindu Temple, 3676 Delaware, Dr Fremont Time: 6:30 am to 7:30 am Contact: 510-659-0655

• Inner Engineering

Mon June 29 to Mon Aug 6

Venue: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N Center St, Mesa, Arizona, CA Contact: 480-319-5900

• Ohlone for Kids (and Teens) Summer Enrichment Program

Sat July 11

Thurs July 2

ï 4th S S Bajwa Memorial Golf Tournament

• Bahuda Yatra 2009

Venue: Industry Hills Golf Course, One Industry Hill Pky, Industry, CA 91744 Time: Shot Gun start at 12:30pm Contact: Bobby Kang 323-228-3085

Venue: Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd. in Fremont, Contact: www.ohloneforkids.com

Venue: Fremont Hindu Temple, 3676 Delaware Drive, Fremont, California Time: 6pm Contact: 650-917-8829

Fri July 3 • An Evening with Shahrukh Khan

Sum July 12 ï The Full Moon Celebration of Guru Poorinima Venue: 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 Time: 7am to 9am Highlights: Healthy Love Energy Breakfast Free of Charge

Venue: Fairmont, 170 South Market Street, San Jose, CA Time: 8pm Contact: 925-980-4449

Sun July 5 • ETV Telugu Times Film Awards

Thur July 16 to Sat July 18

Venue: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, California Time: 3pm to 7pm Contact: 408-996-2943

ï Sri Sri Rukmani Dwarkantha 40th Anniversary

Fri July 10

Venue: 3764 Watseka Ave, West Los Ange Time: 4pm to 7pm Contact: 213-923-1584

• A Cooking Demonstration and Tasting Venue: Peninsula Center Library, 701, Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 Time: 1pm Contact: 310-377-9584 ext. 601

PRAVACHAN (12 PM - 1PM)

• Dance in The Sky Venue: Hilton Hotel, 333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA Time: 9pm Contact: 415-260-9920

Sun July 12

Sat July 18

Weekly Services Open M-F 8:30 AM-1PM, 4 PM-8 PM, Sat & Sun 8:30 AM to 8 PM DAILY AARATI 9 AM MORNINGS AND 7:30 PM EVENINGS. Sunday Services: 11am to 1pm, Aarti at 1:15pm followed by Prasad & Pritibhoj EARLY MORNING Bhajans by Khanna, Surendra @ 10 AM DATE

Venue: East Bay Hindu Temple, 595 School Street, Pittsburg, Time: 7:30 pm Contact: Temple-925-252-0551

Upcoming

• 17th Biannual Convention

Thurs July 2

ï Mata Ka Jagrata

Wed July 8

• Telugu Festival

Thurs July 2 to Sat July 4

NEW JERSEY Upcoming

Fri July 3

First Saturday of the Month

• Guru Poornima Special Bhajan Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, 420-450 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale,CA Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm Contact: 408-734-4554 Highlights: 3Oms, 108 Names, Bhajans (Devotional Singing), Aarthi, Vibuthi distribution, Prayers, Conelusion.

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Tech News PM extends support to AI restructuring NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has offered to put government's entire weight behind the cash-strapped Air India but not without a condition that it would immediately restructure by cutting costs and flab and overhaul its top management to become "leaner and trimmer".

He gave this assurance to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel who met Singh and urged for a bailout package to the national carrier but refused to go into details of it. Nor would he speak about the money being sought. "The Prime Minister has said the entire weight of the government is behind Air India. It is our national carrier and our pride. But there is a conditionality that Air India must put its best foot forward," he said.-PTI

Pranab calls for revolution in food processing HALDIA, WB: Noting that a revolution in food processing could deal with unemployment and poverty, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that the country should look into this segment.

Mukherjee said that the country had witnesses a green and white revolution and added, "This is the time for food processing revolution". He was speaking at the inauguration of an edible oil refinery of Gokul Refoils and Solvent Limited. The FM also said that India was the second largest producer of tropical fruits in the country but added that a lot of wastage happened while farmers were forced to make distress sale.-PTI

Kerala ask Center to take up Vizhinjam Project THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has suggested that the Center should take up the Vizhinjam port project as it had the potential to earn over Rs 1,000 crore foreign exchange.

Lanco Kondapally Power Private Ltd pulled out from the Rs 4,500-crore Vizhinjam International Deep Sea Transhipment Terminal near here, citing uncertainty connected with the project.

Kerala Minister for Law and Ports M Vijayakumar said in the Assembly that Lanco had cited uncertainty connected with the project as the main reason for backing out of the development of the Vizhinjam port, which would become the country's premier port, once it became functional. -PTI

TechBiz 40 India Post

www.indiapost.com

July 3, 2009

JetLite defers delivery of 4 Boeings MUMBAI: Jet Airways has said owing to the prevailing economic conditions, it has rescheduled the delivery of four Boeing Aircraft, which it was to acquire for its budget airline JetLite.

"Deliveries have been deferred by JetLite due to the current downturn and need to cut down capacity," Jet Airways Executive Director Saroj Datta told PTI here.

The airline was supposed to take delivery of these planes in 2010 and 2011, Dutta said, adding, "The aircraft will now be delivered in 2011, 2012 and 2013." Deliveries of the remaining five aircraft in 2011 and 2012 remain unchanged at present, he said.-PTI

Ex-Im Bank, FICCI sign MoU to expand Indo-US trade relations India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) July 24, signed an agreement committing to work together to expand the trade relationship between their two countries.

Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg and FICCI Secretary General Dr. Amit Mitra signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a ceremony at Ex-Im Bank headquarters. Also attending the event were FICCI President Harsh Pati Singhania and Minister of Commerce at the Indian Embassy in the United States Banashri B. Harrison.

"Despite the credit crisis, the India market continues to see solid economic growth, and offers enormous opportunities for U.S. exporters large and small in expanding exports and

maintaining US jobs," Hochberg said at the signing ceremony. "In fact, India, in the future, is likely to become Ex-Im Bank's largest market."

Hochberg said the Indian government "recognizes that continued investment in critical infrastructure is the clear path to modernization. Ex-Im Bank stands ready to support this development

on business opportunities for US exporters and Indian buyers, and to cooperate on workshops and other initiatives to widen understanding of their respective programs.

Hochberg said FICCI, with a nationwide membership of over 1,500 Indian corporations and over 500 chambers of commerce and business associations, can

‘Despite the credit crisis, the India market continues to see solid economic growth, and offers enormous opportunities for U.S. exporters large and small in expanding exports and maintaining US jobs’ by financing the export of highquality US equipment, technology and services to Indian buyers." He noted that India's Ministry of Finance estimates more than $500 billion will be needed to achieve this modernization.

The MOU calls on Ex-Im Bank and FICCI to exchange information

greatly widen Ex-Im Bank's access to the India market. "And we at Ex-Im Bank will do everything we can to help increase FICCI's access to US exporters." Recent Ex-Im Bank financing of US exports to India has included a $2.1 billion longterm loan guarantee for National Aviation Company of India Limited

to buy Boeing Aircraft, a $400 million long-term loan guarantee to support US exports for India's onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration and production, and support for US small business exports for such products as photovoltaic fabrication equipment.

Ex-Im Bank's current exposure in India totals $3.9 billion.

Ex-Im Bank is the official exportcredit agency of the United States.

The independent, self-sustaining federal agency, now in its 75th year, helps create and maintain US jobs by financing the sale of US exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export-credit insurance and direct loans. In fiscal year 2008, Ex-Im Bank authorized $14.4 billion in financing to support an estimated $19.6 billion of U.S. exports worldwide. Eighty-six percent of nearly 2,328 transactions directly benefited small-business exporters.

Nina hits a sweet spot with Gooseberry Press AMRUTA GADGIL

T

he Gooseberry fruit is known to be sweet and sour, which entrepreneur and designer Nina Godbole says is a bit like her personality. As Nina describes her new venture Gooseberry Press, an unmistakable note of passion and pride also comes through.

Between a fulltime job as a neuroscientist and raising a family, Nina has always had to indulge her creativity on the side. After four years of pouring her heart and soul into an eco-friendly line of clothing, paper goods and bags, she decided to go for her dream.

In May, she launched Gooseberry Press at the National Stationery Show in NYC. "I do have an interest in science and was in research for many years. It was something I enjoyed doing, but at the same time I thought, it wasn't my passion."

The line which comprises ecofriendly ingredients such as organic cotton ,cotton, soy and veggie based inks is already gen-

erating some attention with its city tote bags. The bags spotlight maps of landmarks such as the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge and the Seattle Space Needle. The idea was inspired by Nina's good friend Stephanie Barba, who also serves as Gooseberry Press's illustrator and designer.

the current economy and considered postponing Gooseberry Press until things stabilized, but decided to go for it, "Whether it's my personal life or world events, there is

Between a fulltime job as a neuroscientist and raising a family, Nina has always had to indulge her creativity on the side Barba was creating event maps for wedding invitations and Nina thought the maps would also translate well onto bags, "It would be cool to highlight a city on the bag, so people thought of it as a souvenir from the city they visited."

Nina and her husband weighed

Nina Godbole

always going to be something that will make you think twice about it."

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs certainly helped make the decision easier. Nina's father

started Navin Systems and later made the switch to finance, running a successful hedge fund.

"The whole drive and mentality to rely on your resources and contacts, to make the most of your talents was ingrained in me. I hadn't gone to business school, but being around my parents, seeing they way they function, their philosophy was tremendously helpful."

When asked about her journey with Gooseberry Press as well as any advice for budding entrepreneurs, she reflects "It was a good idea to have a solid background in something and do something I could rely on and then spend extra time on my fun things. I didn't burn out that way and always felt fresh about Gooseberry. I didn't feel forced because I had to rely on it. I could experiment and understand what I needed to without feeling pressured."

Nina's ultimate goal is to make Gooseberry Press accessible and fun for everyone, "I want it to be usable, stylish and affordable."

TechBiz Post

July 3, 2009

India Post 41

www.indiapost.com

Indian companies made $5 billion worth US acquisitions India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Indian companies made 143 acquisitions across various sectors in the US, with the total value in excess of $ 5 billion, according a study prepared by Ernst & Young.

The study that analyzed data for financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09 was prepared for the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) as part of its study on 'India Contributes to Employment, Capital Growth and Tax Revenues in the US - Direct Investment by Indian Companies in 2007-09.

The study was released by Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar at a discussion on 'The US-India Relations: The Road Ahead' by the East-West Center in Washington DC, in collabora-

tion with FICCI. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Shankar described the transformation that the India - US bilateral relationship had witnessed in recent years and high-

Ambassador Shankar urged US companies to take advantage of the huge infrastructure development program that the Government of India proposes lighted the complementarities and convergences in the relationship.

She said that the India-US bilateral relationship was at an important juncture with both countries committed to taking this relation-

ship to a new level.

She said that the US being the largest economy in the world was naturally a key economic partner for India. She pointed out the growing two-way investment between both countries.

Ambassador Shankar urged US companies to take advantage of the huge infrastructure development program that the Government of India proposes to undertake during the next few years and emphasized the need for more engagement in various sectors including education, healthcare and high technology.

President of FICCI Harsh Pati Singhania and its Secretary General Dr. Amit Mitra also spoke about the developing economic ties between India and the United States and the numerous opportunities for further cooperation.

Edison signs contracts for 900 mw renewable power India Post News Service

SCE delivers more renewable energy to its customers than any other utility 12.6 billion kilowatthours in 2008 Wind Energy & Ridgeline Energy, LLC for 90 megawatts of wind power, expandable to 130 megawatts, in Southeast Idaho.

To date, SCE has executed 12 contracts from the 2008 renew-

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ROSEMEAD, CA: Southern California Edison (SCE) has signed agreements with wind and solar suppliers for up to 960 megawatts of clean, renewable power.

The recent agreements, subject to approval of the California Public Utilities Commission, include two contracts with Solar Millennium for a potential 726 megawatts of power from solarthermal trough generators. When complete, those projects call for two 242 megawatt facilities with the option to expand one to include an additional 242 megawatts. The projects would be located in Blythe, Calif., and Ridgecrest, Calif., and are expected to come on line in 2013 and 2014.

"Southern California Edison is committed to expanding our renewable energy portfolio to benefit our customers, our suppliers and the environment," said Stuart Hemphill, SCE vice president, Renewable and Alternative Power.

"As the nation's leading utility in renewables, we applaud the innovation that these companies show, and we look forward to productive, long-term partnerships."

Other recent renewable power contracts - both scheduled to come on line in the fourth quarter, 2010 - include an agreement with Columbia Energy Partners for 40 megawatts of wind power, expandable to 104 megawatts, in Central Oregon; and one with BP

able solicitation representing potential annual deliveries of more than 6.5 billion kilowatt-hours per year. In addition, SCE is in the process of preparing to issue the 2009 renewable solicitation with an expected launch date by the end of June.

SCE delivers more renewable energy to its customers than any other utility - 12.6 billion kilowatthours in 2008 - and 16 percent of its total energy portfolio comes from geothermal, wind, solar, small hydro and biomass resources. In addition, SCE delivered 65 percent of the nation's solar energy to its customers in 2008.

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42

TechBiz Post

India Post

July 3, 2009

www.indiapost.com

Comcast launches new worldwide calling plan India Post News Service

PHILADELPHIA: Comcast Corporation, the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, has announced the launch of Carefree Minutes Worldwide™ 300, providing even more competitive rates to some of the most popular calling destinations around the globe.

Carefree Minutes Worldwide™ 300 offers 300 anytime minutes to 100 countries for $14.95 per month.

"Our goal is to provide customers with plans that allow them to easily connect with family and friends, no matter where they live, at a low cost with premium call quality," said Cathy Avgiris, SVP and General Manager, Voice Services, Comcast. "Our Worldwide

calling plan is another example of how we continue to reinvent phone service while offering competitive cost savings."

Carefree Minutes Worldwide™ 300 Calling Plan includes: 41 countries in Europe Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican City 26 countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America

Antigua, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic,

‘Our goal is to provide customers with plans that allow them to easily connect with family and friends, no matter where they live, at a low cost with premium call quality’ Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Uruguay, Venezuela 20 countries in Asia and the

Pacific Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyz Republic, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam 8 countries in the Middle East Bahrain, Brunei, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey 5 countries in Africa Cameroon, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe In addition to the calling plan options and competitive international rates, Comcast Digital Voice customers can benefit from a number of new, innovative home phone products and features such as: • Universal Caller ID - Comcast

Triple Play customers can view incoming caller information on their TV or PC while watching a movie or surfing the Web. • SmartZone™ Communications Center - this online application brings simplicity and convenience to customers by enabling them to manage email, voice mail and their universal address book all in one place.

• Enhanced Cordless Telephone - a feature-rich home phone that offers all of the popular features that come with Comcast Digital Voice plus integrated services and advanced functionality such as the ability to view email, view/forward/manage voice mail from the phone or PC, read news, sports and horoscopes, access a universal address book and search using online directory assistance.

MoneyGram announces expansion MediaMorphosis acquires of services in India Paypod Ad Network India Post News Service

NEW YORK: MoneyGram International (NYSE:MGI), a leading global money transfer company, announced that Punjab National Bank, the second largest government bank in India, will begin offering MoneyGram's money transfer service across its network of more than 4,600 bank branches in India. The expansion is part of an agreement signed through MoneyGram super agents Thomas Cook and UAE Exchange Financial Services, Ltd. "MoneyGram's growth in India is a vital part of our global expansion plans," said Anthony Ryan, MoneyGram president and chief executive officer. "India represents one of the largest remittance markets in the world and a significant growth opportunity for MoneyGram. Punjab National Bank caters to the needs of 37 million customers and has a network with the capability to deliver MoneyGram's convenient and reliable money transfer services to more customers in more communities across India."

MoneyGram expects to activate the Punjab National Bank locations in phases, launching the first 3,500 branches in large cities such as New Delhi and Ludhiana and smaller communities all over the country by year end.

MoneyGram International executives Nick Cunnew, director of the Asia Pacific and South Asia regions, and Harsh Lambah, regional director of South Asia, were in New Delhi, India, today to celebrate the Punjab National Bank alliance at a launching ceremony with leaders from the bank and

super agents Thomas Cook and UAE Exchange.

R.I.S. Sidhu, chief general manager, Punjab National Bank, said, "We are pleased to offer MoneyGram service through our extensive and large network of over 4600 branches in 2565 cities and centers across the nation.

Adding, MoneyGram service will

Punjab National Bank caters to the needs of 37 million customers and has a network with the capability to deliver MoneyGram's convenient and reliable money transfer services to more customers in more communities across India provide value to our customers and widen the range of services offered to them. Through this service customers can receive their money remitted from abroad through any Punjab National Bank branch in India, close to their home."

Cunnew said, "We are eager to

continue growing our footprint in India and expanding our global reach. Our alliance with a financial institution of the caliber of Punjab National Bank signifies our commitment to working with leading financial institutions to deliver convenient money transfer service, helping millions and millions of people in India stay connected with family and loved ones all over the world."

According to the World Bank, 2008 remittances in India totaled $45 billion-a figure driven by the growing number of Indians living, working, studying and traveling abroad. Demand for safe and reliable remittances is especially high in countries with large Indian populations including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Greece and the UAE. MoneyGram's money transfer service is approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and has been available in India since 1997. In addition to UAE Exchange and Thomas Cook, key agents adding subagent network across India include Mehra Forex, Airwings Services Pvt. Ltd., Indusind Bank, Supreme Securities Limited, Trade Wings Limited and Catholic Syrian Bank.

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: MediaMorphosis Inc., a full service marketing agency that specializes in targeting ethnic markets, has announces its acquisition of Paypod.

Paypod is a proprietary Digital Ad Network technology placing interactive ads on relevant websites and in front of web surfers The Paypod network allows ethnic web publishers to sell ads on their sites and advertisers find the right sites for their ads, offering targeted ad placement on a site-specific, channel-wide, or run-of network basis.

Through this acquisition, MediaMorphosis Inc plans to enhance the technology to become a platform for ethnic targeting across markets, specifically the over 200 million online ethnic population. It will relaunch the network as Ethnic Online Network.

Adris Chakraborty, Chairman of MediaMorphosis says "Ethnic Online Network will provide clients a cutting edge platform where they can reach specific

target audiences online, while providing geo-targeted, lifestyle and demographic segmentation that currently does not exist exclusively in the ethnic market-

Through this acquisition, MediaMorphosis Inc plans to enhance the technology to become a platform for ethnic targeting across markets, specifically the over 200 million online ethnic population. It will relaunch the network as Ethnic Online Network place." Mr. Chakraborty goes on to say "We are also confident that this platform will also help create revenue and exposure to our many publisher relationships that although garner huge traffic and site rankings; have not been able to focus on building a proper advertising sales component."

Perot expands engineering services, opens office in Hyderabad HYDERABAD: Perot Systems Corporation, a global provider of Information Technology services today opened its office in the city for the expansion of its engineering-services capabilities.

The new facility marks the company's sixth major office in

India and is part of Perot Systems' global delivery network, which links IT services and businessprocess specialists in the United States, Asia Pacific, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Latin America.

"The Hyderabad-based team

delivers a variety of engineering services including heavy equipment design and analysis as well as engineering change management and manufacturing support," Anura Jain, President, Perot Systems told mediapersons here.

"As with our engineering-

services delivery centers in the US, the Hyderabad office will use benchmark methodologies that would help our clients bring new products to market more quickly through accelerated product-development cycles", he said. -PTI

„

Realty Tidbits

Commercial real estate still tumbling

Real Estate

C

ommercial real estate prices fell 8.6 percent in April, Moody's Investors Service reports. Moody's Managing Director Nick Levidy says the decline reflects deals that closed in late 2008 and early 2009 when the market was at its most troubled.

Levidy speculates that the falling prices suggest that buyers are adapting to the realities of the declining market. He predicts that more distress sales are on the way.

Richard Parkus, Deutsche Bank head of Commercial Mortgagebacked Securities and AssetBacked Securities Synthetics Research, says U.S. commercial real estate values may fall by more than 50 percent compared to prices in 2007 and will probably take six to eight years to recover.

„

Company offers lesson in real estate bike tours

R

eal estate agents interested in environmentally friendly home tours now have access to a licensing designation that provides the information they need to add bike tours to their business plans.

Boulder, Colo.-based Pedal to Properties offers the designation for $495 per year and a renewal fee of $195, giving real estate pros access to a referral network and video advice on purchasing cruiser bikes, safety, forging local partnerships, and insurance.

„

Best cities for finding opportunity

W

here are the best cities to live in the United States if you want to work hard and get ahead?

Forbes magazine examined the nation's 40 largest metropolitan statistical areas and based on the number of Forbes' 400 best big companies and 200 best small companies that are headquartered in each, it identified what it considered places with the most opportunity.

The magazine says it took this route because the best big companies provide opportunities for those who seek to be employees, and the rate of success of small businesses indicates how the area treats entrepreneurs.

Here are the top 10: 1. Houston, 2. Dallas, 3. Minneapolis, 4. Pittsburgh, 5. Boston, 6. Washington, D.C., 7. Austin, 8.

St. Louis, 9. Kansas City, Mo., 10.

New York

43 India Post

www.indiapost.com

July 3, 2009

Market needs more move up buyers

T

his year's peak home-buying season is suffering from the absence of move-up buyers, Jim Gillespie, CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, told Reuters News.

Gillespie called move-up buyers, "a key to a U.S. housing market recovery" and he met recently with Congressional leaders to support a $15,000 tax credit for all buyers of primary residences. Rising mortgage rates also slowed the spring sale season, Gillespie said.

"When the mortgage rate rose above 5 percent, it spooked many buyers who were already hesitant."

What moves home equity rates?

CHRIS KISSELL

T

he federal funds rate, from which the prime rate is de rived, is the target rate set by the Federal Open Market Committee. Since December 2008, the rate has been at a range of 0 percent to 0.25 percent.

If the federal funds rate isn't moving but interest rates on various products are, what's driving rate changes?

Borrowing costs on home equity products have defied expectations since the Federal Reserve began its most recent rate-cutting campaign in September 2007.

While the target federal funds rate has fallen dramatically during that time, rates on home equity products -- which also fell initially -- have trended upward in 2009.

Such higher rates reflect sobering new credit realities, according to Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans.

"Credit is much tighter than it was," Walters says. "So people who were using credit to finance their lives are finding that it's more challenging to get access to that credit."

The trend is likely to last, forcing consumers to embrace more traditional methods of financing their lifestyles, Walters says.

"The whole advice about saving for a rainy day has always been out there, but never more so than now," he says.

More risk, fewer products The Federal Open Market Committee left the target federal funds rate unchanged during its June 23 to June 24 meeting.

However, the Fed has trimmed rates 10 times since fall 2007. Initially, rates on home equity loans sank steadily with each successive rate cut.

In November 2008, loan rates abruptly changed course and began climbing. By mid-May, they had increased 68 basis points, hitting seven-year highs before set-

While the target federal funds rate has fallen dramatically during that time, rates on home equity products -- which also fell initially -- have trended upward in 2009. Such higher rates reflect sobering new credit realities tling a bit lower in recent weeks. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.

Meanwhile, rates on the other popular home equity product -lines of credit, commonly known as HELOCs -- also have risen steadily this year. In early June, they were 60 basis points higher than this year's low of 5.07 percent.

Rates have climbed for a few key reasons, Walters says. For starters, rising borrower defaults

Will 'Echo Boomers' save the housing market?

E

cho boomers, the children of baby boomers, will be the salvation of the housing market, Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies predicts.

In its annual state of the nation's housing study, the center says that the 75 million Americans born between 1979 and 1995 will mean plenty of demand for housing units.

"There will be 5 million more echo boomers than there were boomers when they first started swelling housing markets," says Eric Belsky, executive director of the Joint Center.

on loans and HELOCs and falling home values have underscored that home equity lending poses "significant more risk than was perceived before."

Lenders have discovered that in many cases, "when people go upside down, they don't pay their loans back," Walters says. Higher rates help compensate for this increased risk.

Reduced competition also has pushed rates higher, Walters says.

Many lenders have scaled back home equity lending. Others have

Belsky predicts that once the job market turns around, the housing market will recovery quickly because inventories are close in balance between supply and demand.

But the study warns that while echo boomers will increase demand significantly, they may not drive up prices much because their real incomes are lower than those earned by people a decade older when they entered the job market.

"While fundamentally we see what could be the foundation for long-term recovery, we still have to get through today's challenges," says Nicolas Retsinas, director of the Harvard center.

stopped selling such products altogether.

"There's no secondary market for them anymore, so there's no competition," Walters says. "Companies like ours don't offer them anymore."

Finally, lenders have much less access to capital than they did in the past, Walters says.

"It's not as though we're at where we were two years ago, where capital was endless," he says.

As a result, borrowers looking for HELOCs are "competing with a lot (of) other people who want access to that capital, whether it be companies financing inventories or corporate deals or whatever," Walters says.

Credit score is crucial To buck the odds and secure a great rate on a home equity prod-

uct, borrowers need a top credit score, Walters says.

"They just need to have absolutely perfect credit," Walters says. "You need to have a 720 score. I don't mean to say that there aren't banks out there that don't do something smaller than that, but credit has never mattered more."

However, even a great credit score may not be enough to secure a loan or HELOC in today's marketplace, Walters says.

Meanwhile, people who have average or poor credit scores will find it increasingly difficult to get a home equity loan or HELOC -- or any other form of credit for that matter, Walters says.

"People in the future whose credit isn't very good are going to find that they can't get loans, whether it's credit cards, mortgages or home equities," he says.

"It's going to be much more difficult than it was in years past."

Instead of relying on credit, consumers should try to build a stash of cash that can see them through emergencies, Walters says.

"That doesn't build overnight," he says. "So the more people can do to save money right now, the better."

Having quick access to such cash will grow more important in a world of restricted credit, he says.

"In the past, if you ran into a bump and the water heater blew up or you needed something, you could go take money out on a credit card or you could get a home equity line of credit," he says.

"These days, you'll find that it's more difficult to get credit when you need it."

In Brief Activist seeks help in US sheriff's abuse probe PHOENIX: Civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for opponents of an Arizona sheriff who has aggressively cracked down on illegal immigration to videotape alleged racial profiling by his office.

The civil rights leader is scheduled to meet with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Sharpton says the videos will help the US Department of Justice in an investigation of alleged civil rights abuses by the sheriff's office.

Critics say sheriff's deputies racially profiled people during immigration and crime sweeps in some Latino areas of metropolitan Phoenix. -AP

36 alleged gang members arrested in Detroit DETROIT: Thirty-six alleged members of four violent Detroit street gangs have been arrested and charged with immigration, probation violation, weapons and a variety of other crimes.

Officials said seven of those arrested were non-US citizens, including six from Mexico and one from El Salvador.

The arrests are part of a nationwide crackdown on violent street gangs called Operation Community Shield, in which US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents work with state and local police agencies.

Those arrested include members of the Latin Counts, Folks, Surenos, and Jamaican Posse, operating on Detroit's southwest and northwest sides. Officials say all have criminal records. -AP

Community picnic to be held in Fremont, Neb. FREMONT, Neb.: Organizers of a Fremont campaign designed to promote unity are gearing up for the effort's first event.

The ``Nebraska Is Home'' campaign was launched earlier this month. That came a year after a public debate over illegal immigration packed a city auditorium and fueled an intense policy discussion that continues today.

The campaign is under way in a handful of cities across the state.

It recognizes the contributions of immigrants and uses posters and billboards to spread messages of shared values among diverse groups. -AP

Immigration 44

India Post

Junly 3, 2009

www.indiapost.com

New Bedford factory workers rally to save jobs NEW BEDFORD, Mass.: Workers from a New Bedford leathergoods factory raided in 2007 by immigration agents held a rally with community leaders to try to save their jobs. -AP

Obama says immigration overhaul is essential WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama says he is committed to a comprehensive immigration overhaul that includes a way for illegal immigrants to become US citizens.

Obama is hosting a small group of senators and House members at the White House to discuss how to move the stalled issue forward, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. People who disagree with the president's positions on immigration reform are among those being invited, he said. “We know the votes aren't there right now,'' Gibbs said, adding that one way to try to change that is to talk about legislative approaches different

Obama is hosting a small group of senators and House members at the White House to discuss how to move the stalled issue forward, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said from previous proposals.

Obama told the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference that U.S. borders

President Barack Obama

must be strengthened to thwart illegal immigration. But he also supports giving the millions of people now in the U.S. illegally the chance

to become citizens.

He said they must pay a fine and taxes, learn English and ``go to the back of the line'' of people trying to enter the United States from their home country. ``That is the fair, practical, and promising way forward, and that's what I'm committed to passing as president of the United States,'' Obama said.

He added: ``The American people believe in immigration, but they also believe that we can't tolerate a situation where people come to the United States in violation of the law, nor can we tolerate employers who exploit undocumented workers in order to drive down wages.'' -AP

Adjustment of status interview after decades CYRUS D. MEHTA

C

harles Oppenheim of the Department of State Visa Office has advised AILA that the EB-2 India preference, which has already retrogressed to January 1, 2000, may become unavailable in August or September 2009.

There are already 25,000 approvable EB-2 India cases awaiting visa numbers. Like other countries, India has a limit of 2,800 EB2 numbers available per year plus any fall down from the EB-4, EB-5 and EB-1 visa numbers. Unfortunately, the EB-4 and EB-5 are seeing a surge in demand from what has historically been the trend, and thus there will be no fall down into the EB-2.

Even the EB-1 is seeing high demand at present, and while current for India and China in July 2009, the State Department will establish cut off dates in the EB-1 for these countries in August or September should demand still be heavy.

Thus the prognosis for EB-2 India, along with EB-2 China, is grim, according to Oppenheim and the waits will need to "be measured in years, even decades." Also, the EB3 for India remains grim. At present, EB-3 is unavailable, but the State Department will establish a cut off

date for the worldwide EB-3 of March 1, 2003 by October 1, 2009.

India will have a cut off date of November 1, 2001 and China's date will be March 1, 2003.

This writer has not yet been able to comprehend the math, but if it is likely to take decades for permanent residency to materialize, it means anywhere from 10 year to 90 years.

Jeff Gorsky of the State Department Visa Office told the India interest

new employers. Moreover, the technology described in the job description may well get obsolete over the years and decades.

But assuming in the extreme case that it takes a few decades, say 40 years, let's contemplate a scenario where one of our firm's clients requires representation at the Adjustment of Status interview in 2049. Here is how the conversation might flow between yours

There are already 25,000 approvable EB-2 India cases awaiting visa numbers. Like other countries, India has a limit of 2,800 EB-2 numbers available per year group luncheon at the AILAAnnual Conference in Las Vegas on June 5, 2009 that the EB-2 wait could be at least 40 years and the EB-3 wait a few decades longer.

Let's hope that our State Department mandarins are wrong on the math. Regardless, even a 10 year plus wait for an EB-2 or EB-3 applicant would be very problematic. How can an employer possibly keep a job offer open for so long? It would be cruel to deprive the potential immigrant of job mobility, such as promotions or even job flexibility with

truly and a client 40 years hence: CDM: Where have you been all these years? I see that your adjustment interview is scheduled two weeks from today, on June 30, 2049.

Client: I was so happy when my date became current during the July 2007 Visa Bulletin period, and you tracked me down to file my adjustment application. I lost hope after Mr. Oppenheim in 2009 stated that it would take decades for EB2s and EB-3s born in India to get green cards.

CDM: July 2007 was the last

time immigration lawyers ever enjoyed a financial bonanza. Since then, it has been downhill for us.

Client: I am sorry I lost contact with you all these decades. Glad to know that you are still alive.

CDM: Same here! I see that you were sponsored as an Automobile Engineer by Ford to develop fuel efficient hybrid engines. The automobile was banished from the face of the earth sometime in 2020.

Ford and all the automobile companies went out off business, which is why the planet was saved from the brink of disaster. Your occupation no longer exists today.

What kind of work are you doing?

Client: I am still involved as a part time consultant in designing solar powered aerial vehicles. It is true that I do not work with the internal combustion engine any longer. Can I make a portability argument under INA 204(j), which allows one to continue with the green card if working in the same or similar occupation? Most of the designing and programming is done by robots, but I am still involved in the designing of nano robotic circuitry, and these robots in turn design and develop the aerial vehicle technology.

ContĂ­d on page 46

Immigration Post

July 3, 2009

India Post

45

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For one Kenyan family, typo creates visa nightmare the visa applicants are her offspring has changed their minds.

A spokesman at the Department of State in Washington declined comment, saying immigration law bars consular officials from discussing specific cases.

Jessica Vaughn, director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, says that if documentation

Nyakundi arrived at the Newark, NJ, airport in September 1998 with just a small suitcase, $50 and an associate degree in social work submitted by Nyakundi is legitimate, it should be an easy thing to get the birth date on the certificate corrected.

Vaughn said, though, that Kenyans generally are notorious for trying to get into the United States illegally, noting that a refugee program had to be shut down after it was determined that half of visa petitions were fraudulent. As a result, legitimate applicants

37 foreign nationals arrested in NV RENO, Nev.: Thirty-seven foreign nationals with alleged gang ties in northern Nevada face deportation hearings after their arrests in an operation led by federal officials.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said the arrests were the latest under the agency's nationwide anti-gang ``Operation Community Shield.''

ICE agents said the arrests in Reno, Sparks and Carson City followed a three-day operation. It was held in conjunction with local law enforcement authorities.

The suspects are accused of being linked to eight different local street gangs, including the South Side Locotes, the Tokers

and the Infamous Soldiers.

“The operation has a big impact on reducing crime. When you take the criminal element out of the community, it takes crime out of the community,'' said Gregory White, resident agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations.

The suspects were booked for administrative immigration violations, and will be scheduled for a deportation hearing before an immigration judge.

While the vast majority of the suspects are from Mexico, others are from El Salvador and Nicaragua.

White said about four of the suspects were permanent legal US residents, but the others were illegal aliens. -AP

come under closer scrutiny. ``I haven't done anything wrong,'' said Nyakundi, 49, a Nairobi native who says the failed effort to reunite her family has left her broke, in poor health and questioning her decision to pick the United States as sanctuary when she fled her abusive husband. ``I'm here legally, and I think it's my legal right to have my children over here. These are nice, hardworking kids. What am I supposed to do?''

Nyakundi arrived at the Newark, N.J., airport in September 1998 with just a small suitcase, $50 and an associate degree in social work. She says she was running from an abusive husband and needed to get away quickly.

There was no time to process travel plans for her children, and she regrets that she had to leave them with their father. She says, though, that even Denis, a preteen at the time, pressed her to flee to safety. ``I had to go quickly because of the abusive situation,'' she said, rubbing a quarter-sized knot on her forehead, one of the lasting effects of the abuse. ``They said, 'If you don't go, he's going to kill you.'''

Her husband didn't harm the children at first, she said, but her daughter Damaris eventually became a target and she soon fled to Toronto, where she now works as a mortgage analyst.

Nyakundi says that, before she got her bearings in the United States, she slept on the basement floor of a friend's house in Wilmington. She eventually got training that qualified her for a job as a surgical technician, but she left that relatively lucrative position in December 2007 because of the stress of her family situation. ``You have to be 100 percent alert in that job, and I couldn't deal with it, I couldn't concentrate,'' she said.

She now works as a nurse's assistant at a nursing home in her neighborhood on Elkton's east side, where she's owned a town house since 2005. -AP

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ELKTON, Md.: One digit a 1 that should have been a 2 has apparently prevented Eunice Nyakundi from seeing her children since she fled Kenya seven years ago.

Perhaps, as Nyakundi believes, it was nothing more than a typographical error committed by a clerk at an immigration office in Vermont on a certificate of permanent residency. Instead of listing her birthday as 12/25, the clerk entered 12/15.

Officials at the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, consider it reason enough or, rather, they have specified no other reason to keep the Elkton resident's two sons from entering the United States from Nairobi and her daughter from crossing the border from Canada, even for short visits with their mother.

Nyakundi, an American citizen since 2007 and the sponsor of her grown children's efforts to win visas, said embassy personnel have made it clear they don't trust her and that none of the documentation she provided at their request not her birth certificate, not her passport, not DNA tests showing a 99.9 percent probability that all three of

46

India Post

Immigration Post

July 3, 2009

www.indiapost.com

Lawmaker favors deporting illegal immigrant inmates OKLAHOMA CITY: An Oklahoma lawmaker who wrote one of the strongest state immigration laws in the nation is continuing his fight against illegal immigration with legislation that authorizes the deportation of illegal immigrant prison inmates.

A measure authored by Republican Rep. Randy Terrill authorizes state prison officials to hand over nonviolent illegal immigrants in state prisons who have served at least one-third of their sentences to federal immigration officials for deportation.

Terrill said the program, crafted after successful programs in other states, will save the state millions of dollars in incarceration costs and free up prison beds for more violent offenders at a time when the state faces a $900 million budget shortfall and a prison population that is almost at capacity. ``I absolutely believe that the federal government has fallen down on its responsibility to protect our borders,'' said Terrill, of Moore. ``As a consequence of this they have functionally turned every state into a border state.''

The tide of illegal immigrants has forced states to pick up the tab for education, health care and public safety costs ``that they should not have had to bear,'' he said.

Since 2006, Terrill has championed legislation to prevent un-

documented immigrants from receiving state benefits and jobs.

Legislation written by Terrill that was passed in 2007 eliminated an illegal immigrant's ability to obtain public benefits and gave state and local law enforcement the ability to enforce immigration law, including detaining illegals until they are deported.

It also imposed new requirements on employers to verify the immigration status and employment eligibility of their workers and

Terrill said the deportation bill will require the federal government to pay the cost of housing illegal immigrant offenders until they are processed for deportation penalized those who willfully hired illegal immigrants. A federal judge blocked employment provisions in the bill after they were challenged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a ruling that is on appeal.

In addition to the deportation measure, Terrill sponsored other bills passed this year to end Spanish language driver's license tests and require that all official actions of the state be conducted in English, measures that critics said

targeted Latino immigrants. ``Illegal immigration is a huge and growing problem in the United States and Oklahoma,'' said Terrill, whose legislation and frequent public appearances in other states where illegal immigration is being debated has made him a national figure in the immigration reform movement. ``There's nothing wrong with a little notoriety as long as it's for a good purpose,'' Terrill said. ``My hope is that I'm doing right by the taxpayers.''

Terrill said the deportation bill will require the federal government to pay the cost of housing illegal immigrant offenders until they are processed for deportation. ``The state is bearing an awful lot of the cost because of the federal government not doing its job,'' Terrill said.

Figures distributed earlier this year indicate there are 511 illegal immigrants in state prisons cells and that 69 percent of them are eligible for the deportation program. A total of 230 offenders would be immediately eligible for deportation and another 124 would be eligible next year.

Housing a state inmate costs about $19,800 a year, so the state would save more than $4 million in incarceration costs in the program's first year. Terrill said the Department of Corrections can use the savings to pay for unfunded increases in operational costs. -AP

Adjustment of status interview after decades ContĂ­d from page 44

Even this is a rarified field as we live in the age of maximum mass transit and the bicycle.

CDM: We will try, although none of the automobile or related programming technologies described in your labor certification exist today. The USCIS has neither kept up with changes in technology nor the real world, and may still refer to some ancient OOH handbook to determine whether you are working in the same or similar occupation. You may have a better shot if you are employed by one of these vintage automobile clubs whose members are still nostalgic for the automobile. Of course, they are hard to find and must obtain a license to manufacture and ply their automobiles in very restricted amusement parks where they still maintain roads.

Client: I'll try, but my adjustment interview is next week. What

about my son. He is 60 today.

CDM: Your son filed his adjustment application, before he turned 21. He is still considered a child under the Child Status Protection

You may have a better shot if you are employed by one of these vintage automobile clubs whose members are still nostalgic for the automobile Act even though he is 60! Did your son ever have any children of his own?

Client: No. CDM: If he had a child born in the country, his US citizen child upon turning 21 could have sponsored him for a green card much sooner. Then your son could have

become a citizen and sponsored you too for a green card much sooner. But that is not the case here, or else your adjustment application would have become as obsolete as an automobile engineer.

Client: Mr. Mehta, I know you still have the creative and fighting spirit in you even in your twilight years. I am retaining your services to ensure that I am adjusted to permanent residency next week under INA 204(j). I have waited 40 years for this day and I know you will make it happen for me.

CDM: Let's hope so. Or else we will sue the USCIS. We still do not have any standards for what constitutes a same or similar occupation under 204(j) since the enactment of AC21 in 2000. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Immigration Post

July 3, 2009

India Post

47

www.indiapost.com

Wisconsin budget writers weigh immigration policy MADISON, Wis.: Wisconsin lawmakers may decide soon how much taxes you pay every time you fill up your car with gas, whether you have to buy car insurance and how your business investments are taxed.

Leaders of the Assembly and Senate are working to reconcile hundreds of differences in the budgets they passed.

The questions facing Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and their colleagues range from the major to the mundane.

Whether the state should impose a new tax on oil companies?

Make sure illegal immigrants are qualified to drive? Create a new income tax check off to benefit military families?

Legislative leaders are under

pressure to come to terms quickly. The state could lose millions of dollars in federal money if the plan is not passed. Law-

The questions facing Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and their colleagues range from the major to the mundane makers also want to quickly enact spending cuts and tax and fee hikes to close a record-high $6.6 billion budget hole.

Negotiators are weighing two

hot-button issues related to immigration policy: whether to create a new driver's card for illegal immigrants and whether to allow them to qualify for in-state tuition at Wisconsin universities and technical colleges.

The Assembly approved both plans. The Senate rejected them.

The driver's cards would be given to illegal immigrants who pass the required tests to show they are qualified to drive. The cards would look different from driver's licenses and say in bold letters they could not be used for other official purposes. Only one other state, Utah, offers a similar card.

The in-state tuition measure would apply to illegal immigrants who graduate from Wisconsin

high schools and have lived in the state three years. Right now they must pay out-of-state rates,

which creates an insurmountable barrier for many low-income immigrants to higher education.

Mass. immigration coalition wrapping up draft BOSTON: A coalition of immigrant activists and Massachusetts officials are finishing up a draft recommendations for state immigration reform.

Eva Millona, the executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, says the coalition this week will finish the recommendations and submit them to Gov. Deval Patrick by July 1.

Last year, Patrick created the

``New Americans Agenda'' initiative. He sent the coalition around the state to take public comment and come up with suggestions for new immigration policy.

During public hearings, speakers asked the coalition to press for such reforms as drivers' licenses and state tuition for undocumented immigrants.

Millona says it will be up Patrick to adopt the recommendations. -AP

48

Classifieds

India Post

July 3, 2009

www.indiapost.com

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Classifieds

July 3, 2009

India Post 49

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Philosophy

July 3, 2009

India Post

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The great task is to make man complete master of himself SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

F

ourteen hundred years before Christ, a great Indian philosopher, Patanjali, made a systematic study of psychology in order to give man a practical framework in which to shape his life. For it was clear to him that man's actions sprang from his mind, and it was only there that man's understanding of himself and control of his destiny could begin.

Looking at workings of the mind, we see that it is conditioned by memories and experiences. And we see too, that memories of the past, some of the present lifetime itself, and some from a remote past, inscribed into our genetic or cultural inheritance, lie forgotten and submerged in the unconscious, beneath the conscious, and yet exert a powerful influence over it, for both good and bad.

On some other occasions, I told you the definition of God and man.

Man is an infinite circle whose circumference is nowhere, but the centre is located in one spot; and

A

t the heart of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's political phi losophy is his condemnation of inequality. Rousseau detested inequality because he saw it as a result of a misdirection of human development at an early stage, and as the cause of the evils which he saw in society - dependence, pride, vanity, the gap between the rich and poor.

His political thought has been called 'an exercise in indignation', and it is inequality above all which causes him to be indignant. From the outset, Rousseau is concerned to clarify the nature of that inequality which he condemns; most importantly, he makes clear his belief that the inequalities of society are not natural by defining them as 'artificial' inequalities and distinguishing them from the inherent differences between individuals' skills and attributes.

He does not attempt to claim that inequalities are not naturally present between people; what he rejects is the notion that such natural inequalities have any importance when man is living in his natural state: 'inequality is hardly perceived in state of nature, and ... its influence there is almost nil'.

The process through which humanity has reached its unhappy condition is essentially, as described by Rousseau, the transformation of harmless natural inequality 'through

God is an infinite circle whose circumference is nowhere, but whose centre is everywhere. He works through all hands, sees through all eyes, walks on all feet, breathes through all bodies, speaks through every mouth and thinks through every brain. Man can become like God and acquire control over the whole universe, if he mul-

the unconscious thoughts are the submerged millions of our conscious thoughts, old conscious actions become petrified - we do not look at them, we do not know them, have forgotten them.

If the power of evil is in the subconscious, so also is the power of good. True psychology would therefore try to bring them

If the power of evil is in the subconscious, so also is the power of good. True psychology would therefore try to bring them under the control of the conscious tiplies infinitely his centre of selfconsciousness. Consciousness, therefore, is the chief thing to understand... " Practical psychology directs, first of all, it's energies in controlling the unconscious, and we know that we can do it. Why? Because we know that the cause of the unconscious is the conscious;

under the control of the conscious. The great task is to revive the whole man, as it were, in order to make him the complete master of himself."

This is the first part of the study, the control of the unconscious.

The next is to go beyond the conscious. Just as unconscious work is beneath consciousness, so

there is another work which is above consciousness. When this super-conscious state is reached, man becomes free and divine; death becomes immortality, weakness becomes infinite power, and iron bondage becomes liberty.

That is the goal, the infinite realm of the super-conscious. But it is so hard to reach the goal, yet even the smallest attempts are not in vain. He who desires a comfortable and nice life, and at the same time, wants to realize the Self, is like the fool, who, wanting to cross the river, caught hold of a crocodile, mistaking it for a log of wood.

The greatest help to spiritual life is meditation (Dhyana). In meditation, we divest ourselves of all material conditions and feel our divine nature. The less the thought of the body, the better. For it is the body that drags us down.

It is attachment, identification that makes us miserable.

"That is the secret: To think that I am the spirit and not the body, and that the whole of this Universe with all its relations, with all its good, with all its evil, is but a series of paintings -- scenes on a canvas -- of which I am the Witness."

The 107th death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda will be observed on July 4

Inequalities are not natural but brought on by civilisation RALPH HARRINGTON

the effects of instituted inequality' into the most harmful and corrupting influence on human society.

Rousseau sets out to strip man down to the essentials of his nature; he sees natural man as 'an animal, less strong than some, less agile than others, but taken as a whole the most advantageously organised of all', but set apart from the beasts with whom he shares

civilisation; men in the state of nature 'could hardly even be brought to understand what servitude and domination are'.

The first step out of the state of nature is seen by Rousseau as the point at which man abandons a wandering lifestyle and elects to establish permanent settlements.

It is this stage which sees the evolution of the first and most basic

The inequalities of society are not natural but 'artificial' and Rousseau distinguishes them from the inherent differences between individuals' skills and attributes the earth by two characteristics.

First, man is free, in three senses: he possesses free will, and is not subject to instinct as an animal is; he is free from any form of political authority; and he is not subject to the will of any other man.

This latter point is of central importance to Rousseau, for the enslavement of one individual by another is for him the most objectionable manifestation of inequality, and is entirely a product of

social grouping, the family.

Despite the attractive description given by Rousseau of this level of 'nascent society', the gradual movement of humanity away from its natural condition of inherent equality and harmony towards the artificiality and corruption of civilisation has begun, for the appearance of family groups and, through each individual's new sense of the possession of his own home, of 'prop-

erty of a sort' foreshadows the appearance of artificial inequality.

Rousseau suggests that the move from nascent society took place as a result of population increase, which led to a shortage of resources. This did not directly bring about conflict, but caused people to join together in groups larger than the family to hunt more effectively for food; the psychological consequence of this was profound, with each man and woman 'ceasing in the context of the family to be a solitary person, [becoming] in the context of society an egoistic person'.

These groups inevitably associated, and as people met and socialised in ever larger groups they 'became accustomed to judging different objects and making comparisons', the concepts of preference and merit were born, and inequality between individuals became established.

The 297th birth anniversary of Swiss philosopher JeanJacques Rousseau was observed on June 28

God is at home, it's we who have gone out for a walk.

- Meister Eckhart We only deceive ourselves by seeking or loving God for any favors which He has or may grant us. Such favors, no matter how great, can never bring us as near to God as can one simple act of faith. Let us seek Him often by faith.

-Brother Lawrence "The greatest comforts and lasting peace are obtained, when one eradicates selfishness from within."

-Guru Gobind Singh Nobody can hurt me without my permission."

-Mahatma Gandhi By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.

-Rabindranath Tagore A considerable percentage of the people we meet on the street are people who are empty inside, that is, they are actually already dead. It is fortunate for us that we do not see and do not know it. If we knew what a number of people are actually dead and what a number of these dead people govern our lives, we should go mad with horror."

-George Gurdjieff 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. -Zen

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Lalgarh: Paradigm case AJAI SAHNI

H

ysteria has increasingly come to dominate both reportage and assessment of security crises in India, and this was, once again, evident in the extended stand-off at Lalgarh, provoked by a Maoist 'takeover' of some 17 out of a cluster of 118 small villages spread across some 300 square kilometers and accounting for a population of about 70,000.

The media - led by the alwaysfrenzied TV channels - spoke of a 'war zone', while even sober analysts and at least some security professionals gravely informed the Press that Lalgarh had been transformed into a 'liberated area' by the Maoists.

Few, however, saw the crisis for what it was: an opportunistic intervention by the Maoists exploiting extraordinary administrative incompetence and a protracted failure by the State Government and its agencies to respond to what was essentially a local flare-up.

Crucially, for all the talk of 'liberated zones', the Maoists quickly faded away on the first signs of determined Police and paramilitary action - something that could have been secured at the very outset, had the State's Marxist leaders not been in a blue funk in Kolkata, crushed by enveloping electoral humiliation and nightmares of Nandigram and Singur.

In many ways, a distilled paradigm of the Maoist strategy - both in its success and its inherent vulnerability - was manifested in Lalgarh. Critically, it is not the strength of the rebels, but the infirmity of the state that accounts for transient Maoist 'dominance'.

Local crises or grievances - especially when manifested acutely are quickly harnessed to the wider purpose of 'conscientization', militant mobilization and recruitment.

The objective is not, as many believe, to seize and hold 'liberated zones' - the Maoists have little illusion regarding their present capacities to secure and sustain such dominance against the state's forces - but simply to take the processes of radical political mobilization a step forward.

A protracted face-off with the state's Forces enormously compresses these processes and creates unique opportunities for the identification of potential supporters and cadres. Within this context, violence - often initiated by Maoist provocateurs - and particularly violent Police action has a special utility: it helps separate the wheat from the chaff.

Most will, of course, flee such violence; some will stand their ground; a handful will engage directly. Maoist recruiters will focus on the last two categories, raising

new cadres, militia and members of front organizations. There is, of course, a price to pay. Bones will be broken; some poor villagers will die. But "the revolution", Chairman Mao reminds us, "is not a dinner party", and a little blood must be shed.

The objective, moreover, is not even remotely to address or redress specific popular grievances.

The outcome of such a confrontation with the state is irrelevant.

Whether the lot of the people of Lalgarh - or Singur or Nandigram improves or worsens is of little significance (indeed, if it worsens, so much the better: more grievances will create new opportunities for mobilization).

The purpose is, rather, to "isolate the enemy by organizing the people into various cover organizations and build joint fronts in order to mobilize the masses into struggles to defeat the enemy offensive". "Army formation", the Maoists insist, further, "is the precondition for the new political power", and "all this activity

The Maoists quickly faded away on the first signs of determined Police and paramilitary action something that could have been secured at the very outset, had the State's Marxist leaders not been in a blue funk in Kolkata should serve to intensify and extend our armed struggle. Any joint activity or tactical alliance which does not serve the cause of the peoples' war will be a futile exercise."

It is this broad strategy that was progressively realized in Singur, Nandigram and, now, Lalgarh.

Other players have, of course, been critical - the Trinamool Congress (TC) principal among the veritable armies of 'useful idiots' who have been taken along. The backdrop of this increasing 'joint front activity' has been augmenting violence and a consolidation of the Maoist presence across West Bengal - something the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M) State Government has sought consistently to deny, underplay and cover up.

The Marxists in Kolkata have remained the only State Government in the principal affected States that has refused to proscribe the Maoists. Indeed, many

political parties, including the Marxists and the TC in West Bengal, as well as various national and regional formations, have, from time to time, been seduced into believing that the Maoists reflect 'legitimate' popular grievances and are, consequently, to be tackled 'politically' (whatever that may mean - the actual constituents of such 'solutions' are never clearly defined beyond a sanguine faith in 'talks') or through an impossible quantum of 'development' which would 'resolve' the 'root causes' of the conflict.

The Marxists have long administered a cadre-based thuggery in the State. Strong arm tactics and the execution of all public programs through Marxist cadres have been the hallmark of CPI-M rule in the State, with the entire structure of governance deeply politicized through the application of crude force.

With the unraveling of Marxist power - a process that appears to have commenced from the moment Jyoti Basu demitted the office of Chief Minister - a widening vacuum has emerged in pockets across the State, and it is into this vacuum that other political formations - including the TC and the Maoists - have stepped in.

These formations have, moreover, used emotive issues to widen this vacuum - the forcible acquisition of land at both Singur and Nandigram being cases in point.

Crucially, in both these locations, the Maoists penetrated and eventually virtually took over an agitation principally initiated by the TC, lending the support of their armed cadres against Marxist storm troopers who were initially sent in to break the agitators, and subsequently against Police and paramilitary action.

The hijacking of the tribal protests by the Maoists is of crucial interest. Initially, the protests against Police action (exaggerated reports of 'atrocities' were to be fabricated later, but the dispute was essentially over the arrest of seven tribal youth) were led by the Bharat Jakat Majhi Marwa (BJMM), a body of tribal elders, which imposed a blockade in Lalgarh.

Eventually, national media exposure and direct prodding by the Union Home Minister forced Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to take belated action. Despite the imminent recovery of the entire Lalgarh area, it is crucial to recognize that the Maoist campaign there has largely served its purpose.

The writer is Editor, SAIR; Executive Director, Institute for Conflict Management

India Post Victory & safety

T

he sharp contrast in the welcome received by the T-20 World Cup winning teams shows up the difference between India and Pakistan. In 2007, Dhoni and his triumphant boys waved from atop an open bedecked bus which wended slowly through lakhs of fans in Mumbai with live telecast spreading the joy of the moment to the rest of the country. In Lahore however, hundreds of fans waiting at the airport for the return of the proud bunch of 2009 winners led by Younus Khan were left disappointed when the security officials whisked the squad away from another terminal.

What is a victory worth if the fans are not allowed to cheer their heroes? Pakistani sportsmen and officials have waxed eloquent about how this triumph is a gift to the embattled country. And they have expressed hope that it would change the image of the country and that international teams would resume playing in Pakistan. If members of their own team behind a historic victory cannot be allowed to be seen in public, how can any foreign sportsmen venture to enter Pakistan?

The victory of its cricket team hasn't made Pakistan a safe country. Even the heavily protected Pakistani government ministers and officials are not sure from which corner a suicide-bomber will emerge.

The battle for safety is to be fought in the minds of Pakistanis who still harbor a soft corner for Islamic militants. They may have thrown their army at the Taliban following intense US pressure but they are not at all prepared to surrender the clout enjoyed over India through unofficial fighting militias vowed to bleed India. Just as the Taliban has turned against the Pakistani state, sooner than later the Lashkars and Jaishes will also turn their guns on their creators. Recently Selig Harrison, an American expert on South Asian issues, warned that it was not the Taliban, but Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which poses the real danger to the sovereignty of the troubled nation. Writing in the Boston Globe, he said, "Disarming Lashkar-e-Toiba should be the top US priority in Pakistan because it would greatly reduce the possibility of a coup by Islamist sympathizers in the Armed Forces."

He reasons that "The Islamists in the Army and the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are not likely to risk a coup in Islamabad unless they can count on armed support from Lashkar-eToiba and its allies to help them consolidate their grip on the countryside."

Pakistan is continuing to allow this Frankenstein to grow with the ulterior motive of destabilizing India. As long as Pakistan is interested in endangering India, it will not be a safe country itself, irrespective of the glories its sportsmen earn abroad.

Javed Miandad, a former great cricketer, is no friend of India. Even during his playing days he never lost an opportunity to rile and taut Indians. His son is married to the daughter of international gangster Dawood Ibrahim, the mastermind of the first terrorist attack in Mumbai.

Miandad has now turned a dove and is pleading with India to help "when the outside world is trying to deprive Pakistan the right to host the World Cup" in 2011.

How can anyone help Pakistan when its own government has sent an advisory to all sports bodies not to organize any international event in the country? Even in cricket, Pakistani administrators have been forced to shift a "home" series against New Zealand in December back to the same country.

Pakistan would become safe if it demonstrates to the world that it is taking action against its home grown terrorists, disarming and jailing them through an honest process of the law.

July 3, 2009

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