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Khaleel Rezak

Indian-American Neuroscientist gets big grant Details on page 7

SRK inspires 'Swades' Movement in US Details on page 7

India test-fires n-capable Prithvi-II missile

VOL 19, No. 1008

January 10, 2014

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U.S. STUDYING THREE OPTIONS ON DEVYANI

WASHINGTON: Even as prosecutors are pressing for indictment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade on January 13, three possible options for resolving the issue are believed to be under discussion within the US administration.

Topping the three options is giving full diplomatic immunity to Khobragade, who was arrested in New York on December 12 on charges of visa fraud and misrepresentation, by accepting her credentials to the UN before the criminal charges are filed against her by the Department of Justice, sources said.

Devyani Khobragade

This is said to be the preferred option under present circumstances and is believed to be supported by those in the administration who are ardent supporters of India-US relationship and do not want the Devyani episode to derail the strengthening ties between the two countries.

The second option is to accept the UN transfer of 39-year-old Khobragade only after she is criminally charged.

This would give some tense moments to both the Indian diplomat and also New Delhi, sources said.

Style & pomp mark Bay Area New Year Details on page 18

Glenview set to get Hanuman temple Details on page 19

Details on page 5

Telugu film star Uday Kiran kills himself

Details on page 8

Details on page 7

USIBC praises RBI guidelines on foreign banks Details on page 12

Shinzo Abe

Japanese PM to be Republic Day chief guest

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post -------------- 18-26

Details on page 10

Date Book -------------------------- 48 Edit Page --------------------------- 54

INDIA POST SURVEY

HealthScience Post --------- 32-35

survey@indiapost.com

Horoscope ------------------------- 47

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 44-46

Is Devyani case mere clash of egos?

Life Style ----------------------- 49-51 Philosophy ------------------------- 53

Last week’s result

Will Indo-US relations revive in 2014?

YES 83%

NO 17%

CONNECTING DIASPORA: Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi inaugurating an exhibition at the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas ‘Engaging Diaspora Connecting Across Generation’, in New Delhi on January 7. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports Jitendra Singh is also seen. (Details on page 8)

Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 38-39 TechBiz Post ------------------- 12-15 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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Publisher’s Diary

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t's that time of the year folks, when we roundly pat ourselves on our collective backs for all our achievements as designated Indian Diaspora. And providing an apt platform for that indulgence is the Indian government at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, as it has been doing for the past 12 years in India.

Actually, for India PBD is kind of like Thanksgiving. After all, it is these precious pravasis who today fill the Indian coffers with foreign exchange, which currently stands at $70+ billion, almost double that of all foreign direct investments in India.

And that I guess, makes many among us believe that we, as senders of remittances, have certain rights and privileges when it comes to anything and everything in India.

I am not sure I subscribe to such sentiments. I mean, most Indians who leave India to work abroad, do so with little or no expectation of ever coming back, unless circumstances force them to. The majority of the big remitters, that is, NRIs from the US, UK, Australia, etc are those who have chosen to leave India for better prospects.

So, simply because they happen to remit monies to their extended families in India does not give them a carte blanche rights and privileges.

They want to influence the political processes in India by pumping in funds.

They want to campaign and vote in the elections.

I believe, at the PBD this year, the representatives of the Diaspora are demanding separate fast track courts to decide on their cases, mostly regarding their disputed properties; and well, demanding that they be given representation in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament.

Well, I don't know… I may be wrong in understanding such demands, but I do feel, they are being too presumptuous in their expectations. After all the monies they remit are for their family's personal use and the investments they make in properties in India are also for their own personal benefit. I would like to know how many among these NRIs actually send money to India with the intention of specifically strengthening India's forex reserves.

Romesh K Japra

rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Declined?

If reports are to be believed then Katrina Kaif has apparently declined Ranbir Kapoor’s marriage proposal!

Cover Story: Three options The US administration is studying three possible options for resolving the Devyani Khobragade issue

Community: New Year party The FIA New Year party themed "Unforgettable New Year's Eve" was the most successful event in Bay area.

28 1 18

Immigration: Visa delays Delays of a decade or two are routine for many immigrants notably from Philippines & Mexico to get an immigration visa

Life Style: Timeless classic The current films that seem to make so much money seem to pale into insignificance when weighed against "Sholay"

Techbiz: Fair pricing Indian PM has called upon major Asian buyers of LNG to come together to demand a fair pricing mechanism for gas

Travel: Delhi Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt

44 49 12 40

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January 10, 2014

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US studying 3 options on Devyani case WASHINGTON: Even as prosecutors are pressing for indictment of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade on January 13, three possible options for resolving the issue are believed to be under discussion within the US administration.

Topping the three options is giving full diplomatic immunity to Khobragade, who was arrested in New York on December 12 on charges of visa fraud and misrepresentation, by accepting her credentials to the UN before the criminal charges are filed against her by the Department of Justice, sources said.

on December 20. More than a fortnight after that the State Department continues to review the paper work and is taking an unusually long time.

The final option is to refuse to accept Khobragade's UN transfer due to pending criminal charges, the sources said.

Though the least preferred option, it is said to be advocated by those in the administration who want to "teach a lesson" to India for taking up retaliatory measures against the only super power of the world by removal of security barriers outside its Embassy in New Delhi and withdrawing privi-

The officials from both India and the US are having discussions on two parallel tracks one which is on the diplomatic front led by the State Department and the other being handled by the Department of Justice which involves lawyers This is said to be the preferred option under present circumstances and is believed to be supported by those in the administration who are ardent supporters of India-US relationship and do not want the Devyani episode to derail the strengthening ties between the two countries.

The second option is to accept the UN transfer of 39-year-old Khobragade only after she is criminally charged.

This would give some tense moments to both the Indian diplomat and also New Delhi, sources said.

The State Department had received the necessary paper work for the UN transfer of Khobragade

leges of its diplomats.

Though, currently in minority, supporters of the third option argue that other countries might soon follow the Indian path, if Washington does not take strong action against New Delhi.

High-level intervention However, sources said, no final decision has been taken as yet and it is very possible that a highlevel intervention might be required to take a final call on resolving the issue.

The third option, friends of India-US ties in Washington argue,

would derail the bilateral relationship at least for the next several years.

Khobragade has sought a onemonth extension of the deadline for charging her in the visa fraud case but her plea has been opposed by the prosecution.

The US has categorically ruled out "apology" and "withdrawal" of charges against Khobragade.

The officials from both India and the US are having discussions on two parallel tracks - one which is on the diplomatic front led by the State Department and the other being handled by the Department of Justice which involves lawyers.

Lawmakers, who returned from their Christmas and New Year vacation, have started inquiring about what went wrong with the India-US ties.

While they are waiting for the issue to be resolved, Congressional sources said some of the lawmakers are gearing up to ask the administration about the basic facts of the Devyani case.

prosecution and the defense and amongst other government officials and it is our strong view that the pressure of the impending deadline is counterproductive to continued communications," Khobragade's counsel Daniel Arshack said in the request.

He later told PTI that Khobragade, 39, is seeking extension of the indictment deadline, adding that a defendant can seek an extension.

"The deadline is designed to protect defendants from prosecutors who might drag out proceedings...In this case however, an indictment would further polarize the litigants. We would like to avoid that," Arshack said.

The lawyer told the court that he has conferred with the prosecution concerning extending the

her UN transfer after she is criminally charged or refuse to accept her transfer to the UN due to the pending criminal charges.

"The choice will either repair or damage this bilateral relationship," he said adding that it is important to identify the official in Washington who "recklessly abused" his discretion and approved criminal prosecution against the Indian diplomat.

In the process, the official "unilaterally" turned a "love-fest" between the US and India into a "bad dream", the lawyer said.-PTI

Resolve the row Eminent Indian-American lawyer Ravi Batra has said the State Department should resolve the row urgently and "repair" a necessary bilateral relationship.

"Time to heal and resolve the 'Devyani' self-inflicted wound is now, and we must restore warmth and dignity to our bilateral relationship with India as soon as possible - world peace and security depend upon it as well as and it protects American interests," Batra told PTI. He said a fake video that purportedly shows the CCTV foot-

Khobragade requests court to extend deadline NEW YORK: Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade has requested a court here to extend the deadline for charging her in a visa fraud case, saying the "pressure of the impending" deadline is interfering with the ability of the parties to have meaningful discussions on the issue."

In a request submitted with Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Khobragade's counsel sought postponement of the preliminary hearing date, currently scheduled for January 13 and extension of the indictment deadline by 30 days "to and including February 12, 2014".

"Significant communications have been had between the

age of Khobragade's strip search is "highly provocative" and is "maliciously" circulating on the web to falsely damage American law enforcement.

"Who created the fake video, and if any nation was involved, will be quite telling," Batra added.

With the January 13 deadline for indictment in the case approaching, Batra said the options before the State Department include accepting Khobragade's UN transfer and giving her full immunity before any criminal charges are levied against her, accepting

deadline and has been informed that the prosecution will not seek an extension of the deadline.

"We therefore, wish to inform the court that we waive the 30 day time limit set by the court on December 12, 2013 because we believe that the time limit is interfering with the parties ability to continue to have meaningful discussions," Arshack said in his request to the judge "...We believe that making such a request under these circumstances constitutes good cause and is in 'the public interest' since it is in the interest of justice, not to mention judicial economy, to promote and encourage the very sort of discussions which have taken place to date," he said.-PTI

Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade’s father Uttam Khobragade protesting outside American Consulate in Mumbai on January 7

Bharara opposes indictment deadline extension plea NEW YORK: India-born US District Court for the Southern prosecutor Preet Bharara has told District of New York seeking posta judge here that ponement of the his office is oppreliminary hearposed to the ing date, curone-month exrently scheduled tension of the for January 13 deadline for and extension of c h a r g i n g the indictment D e v y a n i deadline by 30 Khobragade in a days "to and invisa fraud case as cluding February sought by her, 12, 2014". saying plea disResponding to cussions can Arshack's recontinue even quest, Bharara after she is wrote to the Preet Bharara charged. judge that the Khobragade's government is lawyer Daniel Arshack has sub- not seeking an extension of the mitted a request with Magistrate deadline for indictment.

Cont’d on page 6 Judge Sarah Netburn of the US

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US hopeful of resolving Khobragade issue WASHINGTON: The US has expressed hope of arriving at a resolution of the Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade issue, which has resulted in "hiccups" in the India-US bilateral ties.

"Absolutely" the State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Marie Harf, told reporters at her daily news conference, when asked if the US was hopeful that the issue would be resolved.

This comes in the wake of strong Indian statement to the US that it cannot be "business as usual" between the two sides till the issue is resolved.

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh conveyed this to US Ambassador Nancy Powell when she met her at South Block in New Delhi.

The US and Indian officials are believed to be working on both the diplomatic and judicial front to arrive at an amicable resolution of the issue, with US officials insisting that law would take its own course.

"As I've said, many, many times throughout this whole ordeal, that we don't want this to

define our relationship going forward and don't think that it will," Harf said noting that the US does not want India-US ties to be affected by the arrest of the Indian diplomat in New York last month on visa fraud charges.

we are putting the process forward. We're setting that aside," she said.

She said that the US is "letting it (this entire episode) run its course" and was focused on "where to go from here because,

"We want it to be resolved as soon as possible. Certainly, that's our goal, but we're only part of this process." Marie Harf, however underlined that the issue has diplomatic and judicial components to be resolved separately India has sought an US apology and withdrawal of charges against Khobragade.

The US, however, insists that this is an isolated incident.

"If you look throughout the region, if you look at Afghanistan, if you look at energy issues, economic issues, we have a whole host of things we work together on."

"And those are very important and shouldn't be derailed by this incident. And that's why, again,

as we've always said, the relationship with India is incredibly important."

"It's vital, and that's what we're focused on," the State Department Deputy Spokesperson said.

Emphasizing that the US-India relation is multi-faceted to be affected by this incident, Harf said: "We say the same thing privately that we say publicly: that there's a lot of work we have to do."

"There's a lot of business we

US agrees with PM's remarks; wants to move on WASHINGTON: The US has agreed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the arrest of an Indian diplomat has caused hiccups in bilateral ties, but said it is now focused on getting the relationship back on really strong footing.

"When you hear the Secretary (of State) express regret about something, that means that everything hasn't gone as it should," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters at her daily news conference.

She was responding to questions about the remarks made by Prime Minister Singh in New Delhi that the arrest of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the US has resulted in hiccups in the bilateral ties.

The United States has been describing this as an isolated incident and has been saying that it wants to move forward.

"What we're focused on now is getting the relationship back on really strong footing," Harf told reporters. "We just have too much important work to do together going forward on a host of issues in the region and around the world."

The US, she said, continues to review the paper work that the

State Department received from the UN on the transfer of Khobragade to the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, which would give her the necessary diplomatic immunity.

"There's a judicial process, a legal process underway, and I don't have any estimates for how long that will all take to play out.

"This video, which we are aware of, is absolutely not footage of Khobragade. We would call it a dangerous and provocative fabrication," she said There's also our diplomatic discussions as well. Just nothing new to announce or guess about here today," Harf said in response to a question.

Meanwhile, Harf also said that a video currently in circulation on the social media, which claims to be allegedly showing the CCTV footage of Khobragade's strip search after her arrest is a hoax, dangerous and provocative fabrication.

"This video, which we are aware of, is absolutely not footage of Khobragade. We would call it a dangerous and provocative fabrication," she said.

The alleged video shows law enforcement officials strip searching a woman in custody. The woman is seen screaming, while she is being searched by police.

"This hoax video, which I think has appeared on some news websites without obviously confirming its authenticity, because it's not, we find it deeply troubling, irresponsible and reckless and condemn, again, this dangerous fabrication. I want to make very clear this is not video of her," Harf said.

She said the State Department spoke with the US Marshals Service on this issue.

"They confirm that the footage in question does not depict US marshal employees, obviously that the search methods depicted in the video are not US marshals' policy. I haven't watched the video myself. But I want to be very clear in saying this is not how we do things here," she said.

She also said that Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, is looking forward to her maiden visit to India. No dates have been announced yet. -PTI

have to get done together, a lot of issues we work very closely on economically, diplomatically, and that's what's important to us and that's what's important to do moving forward, and I have no reason to think that that won't be the case."

The US wants this to be resolved as soon as possible, she said.

"We want it to be resolved as soon as possible. Certainly, that's our goal, but we're only part of this process."

She, however, underlined that the issue has diplomatic and judicial components to be resolved separately.

"We're the diplomatic part that focuses on the relationship and all the issues we work together on.

There is a separate judicial and

legal process that is working its way through right now" "There is a reason we have these processes, and hopefully that will work itself out soon as well, but I don't want to get ahead of that process, and certainly don't want to speak for it," she noted.

Meanwhile, US is still reviewing the paper work with regard to the transfer of Khobragade to the India's Permanent Mission to the UN, which would give her full diplomatic immunity.

"We've received the request for change and accreditation, but the process is ongoing, and no official decision has been made yet to do that. So there is no change in her status as of this point. Hopefully we can get a resolution to it, she added.-PTI

Pakistan backs India on Devyani issue NEW DELHI: Pakistan has sided with India on the row over the treatment meted out to senior diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the US and said such treatment should not be meted to any official of another country.

"In the entire world, there is only one way...there is a long history to this...the respect for Vienna Convention...the Vienna Convention ought to be respected in letter and spirit by everybody," Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir said on the sidelines of an

event when asked about his reaction to the issue.

Former Pakistan Foreign Secretary Shaharyar M Khan said this kind of treatment should not be meted out to diplomats.

"This kind of treatment with diplomats should not happen. It is written clearly in Vienna convention - both for diplomatic and consular conduct‌under it one cannot arrest any diplomat especially if that diplomat has said that he or she has immunity. Every country has signed it..." Khan said.-PTI

Bharara opposes indictment deadline extension plea Cont’d from page 5

He said the one-month adjournment of the January 13 preliminary hearing date has been sought in order to facilitate the plea discussions that have been ongoing between his office and Khobragade.

"This office remains receptive to continuing the plea discussions that have taken place over the past several weeks. We have participated in hours of discussion in the hope of negotiating a plea that could be entered in Court before January 13," Bharara said.

"Indeed, as recently as Saturday, January 4, the Government outlined reasonable parameters for a plea that could resolve the case, to which the defendant has not responded," he said.

Bharara pointed out that the plea discussions to resolve the issue can continue even after the indictment has been filed.

He said while his office remains open to continuing the plea discussions as the case proceeds, "the discussions are simply not at a stage that merits a continuance of the preliminary hearing."

"Moreover, the plea discussions can continue following indictment of the case. Accordingly, the Government is not seeking an extension of the deadline for indictment and therefore there is no motion for the Court to decide," Bharara said.

"At any rate, as the Court knows, the timing under which the Government seeks an indictment is in the discretion of the Government, and the defendant cannot alter that," he said.-PTI

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Indian-American Neuroscientist receives $867,000 grant HOUSTON: A US research agency has awarded an Indian American neuroscientist, Khaleel Rezak, a five year USD 866902 Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) grant for further research on his projects.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Rezak for his research on how the brain processes everyday sounds may lead to therapies for age-related hearing problems and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS).

Originally from Chennai, Razak, is an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

His lab at UCR focuses on how the auditory brain processes behaviorally relevant sounds and how those mechanisms are altered by developmental experience, disease and ageing.

The NSF grant will specifically support research on how the auditory cortex of the brain processes information about sound locations.

"Precise sound localization can be a matter of life and death," he explained adding, "The auditory cortex is necessary for sound localization, but our understanding of the relevant neural processing is rudimentary. Sound localization is also interesting from a computational perspective because we explore how neurons integrate in-

puts from the two ears."

The NSF funding will also allow Razak to investigate the neural computations that generate cortical maps underlying sound localization behavior in the pallid bat.

"The pallid bat is a bit unusual among bats in that it uses echolocation for general orientation and obstacle avoidance, but listens for prey on the ground, like crickets, scorpions and millipedes."

His lab at UCR focuses on how the auditory brain processes behaviorally relevant sounds and how those mechanisms are altered by developmental experience, disease and ageing "Behavioral studies indicate the pallid bat can localize sounds with an accuracy of about 2 degrees," he said.

Pallid bats and humans appear to process sound locations similarly, calculating direction via intra-cortical networks that are little understood.

The project will provide funda-

mental insights on how intra-cortical networks shape feature detectors and maps.

In addition to basic sound localization mechanisms, Razak's research also focuses on mouse models of ageing and Fragile X Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.

Age-related hearing loss is the most preventable hearing-related problem in the world, the neuroscientist explained.

"People develop problems with processing rapid changes in sound frequency," he said.

"It's a processing deficit that accumulates with age, a declining ability to distinguish, for example, the difference between 'bah' and 'dah.'"

This problem gets more acute in difficult listening conditions such as a noisy room. While hearing aids amplify sound, they don't improve speech recognition because the brain itself has changed, Razak added.

"Impaired speech recognition may lead to isolation and reduce cognitive abilities," he said.

"We hope to identify the neuron types that seem to be lost or changed during ageing. There may be combinations of behavioral or pharmacological therapies that could delay or prevent these changes. But we need to characterize the age-related changes first." -PTI

SRK inspires 'Swades' Movement in US WASHINGTON: Inspired by the Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan-led blockbuster movie "Swades," a Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Assam, who is in the United States on a Yale University fellowship, is motivating Indian students in American universities to return home.

Arguing that if the best and the brightest leave the nation's shores, can a 21st century country be built with all those who have been left behind, Prodyut Bora is currently networking within the Indian student community in the United States - either in person or addressing them through Skype - to create a real "Swades" movement for India.

"If the 21st century is to belong to India, our best and the brightest have to accept the stewardship of the nation-building process. Today some of our finest young minds come to foreign educational institutions to study and do research. Unless they go back and contribute to the country's development, how can

we aspire to global leadership," Bora told PTI during his recent trip to Washington, DC. The movie - as well as our movement - "Swades" is inspired by the life of Aravinda Pillalamarri and Ravi Kuchimanchi, the NRI

Prodyut Bora

couple who returned to India with the mission of making a difference, Bora said.

Swades would be a completely student-run organization. "My role has been that of a catalyst,

and would be that of a mentor," he said.

"Perhaps, it is now a time to launch the Indian Dream in full vigor. We are a group of students, primarily from Yale University and University of Michigan, and we strongly believe in leading the journey to move back to India," Shalmoli Halder, an undergraduate student of biomedical engineering and political science at Yale University, said.

"The call is clear: Back to India," said Halder, who has teamed up with Priyamvada Trivedi, a Ph.D. student from the University of Michigan, and Suyash Bhagwat, an undergraduate student in economics from Yale University, to kick off the "Swadesh" movement in the United States.

"There are many Indians who do like to go back and work on their dreams. We want to establish contact with them so that not only can we have ambitious dreams but also stay in touch with reality on the ground," explained Trivedi. -PTI

Telugu film star Uday Kiran kills himself HYDERABAD: Telugu actor Uday Kiran, who started out as a heartthrob in 2000, allegedly committed suicide here, apparently after film offers dried up of late, pushing him into mental depression and financial crisis.

The 33-year-old, best known for his debut performance in "Chitram", was found hanging from the ceiling at his flat in Srinagar colony here after midnight, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone) V Satyanarayana told PTI that a case of suspicious death has been registered in connection with the actor's demise.

"He (Uday) was under depression for not getting films since last one year and was facing financial crisis. It seems he was to get a call from a Tamil film-maker," he said quoting the actor's wife and other family members.

Uday sent an "I love you" SMS from his phone to his wife, who had gone for a birthday party. When she called back after some time, the actor did not pick the phone.

Growing suspicious, she and her parents rushed to his house and found him hanging. Banjara Hills police were also analyzing the actor's call data records, and took his laptop as part of investigation.

He shot into limelight with his maiden film, a teenage love story in 2000, and followed it up with back-to-back hits "Nuvvu Nenu" and "Manasantha Nuvve", earning him the title "hat-trick" hero at the time.

The three films, all love stories, made him a household name in Andhra Pradesh and earned him the lover boy image in early 2000s.

He acted in about 20 films in a career spanning 13 years but box-office success that he tasted earlier eluded him. Uday Kiran's career went on the down slide, and he soon found himself without good offers on hand, though he acted in couple of Tamil films, including "Poi" by veteran director K Balachander.

The DCP said a thorough investigation was underway and

they were probing all angles.

Telugu film industry reacted with shock and grief over the death of the actor, who became the youngest winner of the Filmfare best actor award in 2001 for 'Nuvvu Nenu" after Kamal Hasan.

"It is very sad. I knew him even before he had a mous-

Uday Kiran

tache. He was a decent and good-natured person. He would never harm anyone. I am feeling sad because I gave him a break," Teja, who directed Uday Kiran's debut film 'Chitram', said here.

"If he (Uday Kiran) was depressed, it is only natural.

Any actor would be depressed if he does not have films. Many actors and film-related persons do not know any other work," he said.

Recalling his fond memories with the actor, prominent Telugu music composer R P Patnaik, who composed music for 'Chitram', said, "This is a shocking news for me. I was speechless after hearing this. He had strong willpower".

"It is hard for me to believe that he has committed suicide.

He has a good following even now. He could have rebounded with one good hit. I have some beautiful memories with him," Patnaik said.

Several Telugu actors including Srikant, Rallapalli, and Vijay Chandar, expressed grief over the actor's demise. -PTI

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India test-fires nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile BALASORE, Odisha: India has out by SFC and monitored by the "The missile trajectory was successfully test-fired its indig- scientists of Defense Research and tracked by DRDO radars, electroenously developed nuclear-ca- Development Organization optical tracking systems and tepable Prithvi-II missile, lemetry stations located which has a strike range along the coast of of 350 kms and is caOdisha," they said. pable of carrying war"The downrange teams heads of up to 1000 kgs, onboard the ship deployed from a test range in near the designated impact Odisha. point in the Bay of Bengal The launch was part monitored the terminal events of a user trial by the Army. and splashdown," they said.

Describing the trial Inducted into India's of the sophisticated SFC in 2003, Prithvi II, the missile as a "complete first missile to be develsuccess", Integrated oped by DRDO under Test Range Director M India's prestigious IGMDP V K V Prasad said the (Integrated Guided Missile launch conducted by Development Program) is the specially formed now a proven technology, Strategic Forces Coma defense source said. mand (SFC) met all the "The launch was part of parameters. a regular training exercise The surface-to-surof SFC and monitored by face missile was test fired DRDO scientists," the from a mobile launcher in source said. salvo mode from launch Such training launches complex-3 of the ITR at clearly indicate India's opChandipur near here at erational readiness to meet about 0948 hrs. any eventuality and also "The missile was Prithvi-II Missile being launched from Chandipur Range in establishes the reliability Chandipur, Odisha on January 7 randomly chosen from of this deterrent compothe production stock and the en- (DRDO) as part of training exer- nent of India's Strategic arsenal, tire launch activities were carried cise," sources said. the source said.

Prithvi is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines.

The last user trial of Prithvi-II missile was successfully carried out from the same base on December 3, 2013. -PTI

Govt reaches out to youth Diaspora at 12th PBD NEW DELHI: Making a strong pitch for greater connectivity with the Diaspora youth, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said here partnerships between young Indians in the country and those residing overseas in industry and social sectors would create jobs and bring prosperity.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 12th edition of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD), India's flagship annual event to connect with its Diaspora spread across the globe, which kicked off on January 7 with special focus on "engagement with the youth".

Referring to the opportunities for growth and development that India's growing economy presents today, he said "the interac-

this purpose," he said.

This year's theme is "Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations" and this is the first time that the Youth PBD is being held on the first day of event.

"It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of our working population is between the age group of 18-35 years and are contributing immensely to the growth and development of our great country India," Ravi said.

More than a thousand delegates are participating in the three-day event which is expected to open up horizons of a strong network of young overseas Indians to contribute to India's engagement with youth in all sectors.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, K C Venugopal with the dignitaries at the Concurrent session – Young Achievers, at the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas ‘Engaging Diaspora Connecting Across Generation’, in New Delhi on January 7

FLY YOUR KITE: Participants flying a kite during the 26th International Kite Festival 2014 at Central Park, Connaught Place in New Delhi on January 7

tions should foster greater connectivity between Indian and Diaspora youth, which should eventually result in economic cooperation leading to the creation of wealth, livelihoods and prosperity."

Ravi said that in this age of globalization, there are greater trade and business links between nations.

"Indian youth and their Diaspora counterparts should come together in developing strong networks, which would lead to partnerships in trade, industry, entrepreneurship and social work," he said.

"This will lead to the creation of wealth and employment, which will benefit the masses at large.

Our goal should be to build a strong global connect of youth for

Meanwhile, in his address, Youth Affairs and Sports minister Jitendra Singh while talking about the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and National Service Scheme (NSS) schemes run by the government urged overseas Indians to connect with the volunteers of these programs and said that the government also will promote social entrepreneurship.

Singh said, "I encourage the Overseas Indian community to connect to these (NYKS and NSS) networks and work with them.

Some of the brightest NSS volunteers who have been chosen to participate in the Republic Day parade are present. It is an opportunity for the Indian Diaspora to interact with them," Singh said.

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Delhi govt asks power firms to cooperate with CAG audit NEW DELHI: Delhi Government has warned private power distribution companies that their licenses may be cancelled if they do not cooperate with the Comptroller and Auditor General which is scrutinizing their finances.

In his address to the Assembly, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung said CAG audit of the private companies is being carried out to ascertain their financial position and the firms must cooperate with it.

"A CAG audit of electricity companies is being carried out since power distribution was privatized. Licenses of those who

LeT operatives did not meet riot victims NEW DELHI: Two suspected LeT operatives had met two people in Muzaffarnagar region, Delhi Police said, three months after Rahul Gandhi had stoked a controversy claiming that Pakistan's ISI had approached disgruntled victims of the communal riots.

However, the police denied that the two residents of Muzaffarnagar were riot victims or had anything to do with the violence there.

Delhi police's Special Commissioner of Special Cell told the media that the suspected operatives Mohd Shahid and Mohd Rashid, who have been arrested recently from Mewat region of Haryana, had met Liyakat and Zameer, Muzaffarnagar residents in connection with mobilizing funds for construction of a mosque.

The Special Cell had last month claimed to have busted a terror module of Lashkar-eToiba which was in an "advanced stage" of planning a militant strike in Delhi with the arrest of these two suspected LeT operatives.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had courted a controversy in during election campaign in October last when he had claimed that Intelligence Agency officials have told him that ISI was trying to recruit disgruntled youth from among the victims of Muzaffarnagar riots.

Shrivastava said police had arrested Mohd Shahid and Mohd Rashid, who are residents of Mewat region. "We are interrogated them, checked their background and tracked all those people who were in contact with them," he said.

"We came to know that they were in contact with some people living in Muzaffarnagar region. When we asked them about this, they told us that Rashid along with another man, whom I cannot name right now, had gone to Deoband.

"On their way back, they telephoned one Liyakat who was already known to them and told him that they will stay at his house in the night and take a train to Palwal, Mewat in the morning," he said.

The duo stayed at his house in the night and in the morning, Liyakat (58), who works under UP education department, took them to Thana Bhavan railway station. He then called a friend, identified as Zameer asking him to arrange for tea for his guests, he said.-PTI

do not cooperate in the process may be cancelled," Jung said. Power distribution in Delhi was privatized in 2002.

He said will not be a "silent bystander" on the issue and will not hesitate to take decisions.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had ordered a CAG audit of the finances of the three power companies BSES Yamuna Power Ltd, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. The companies have strongly opposed CAG scrutiny of their accounts.

Jung said government was also committed to checking the electricity meters as there has

been complaints of fast running meters.

In his address, Jung promised to bring reform in governance and said bridging the chasm between the citizens and government would be among the top priorities.

"Government will put an end to all symbols of privilege and power that distance the citizen from the government. No minister or MLA will use a red beacon on their cars. Special security will be avoided.

"We intend to take all steps to end corruption in government departments. Passing the version of Lokpal Bill for which Anna Hazareji had to undertake a fast will be a priority for the government," said Jung.

-PTI

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Defense Ministers of India, Japan Akhilesh encourages talk regional situation investments from Canada NEW DELHI: India and Japan have agreed to step up military ties as they exchanged ideas on the regional security against the backdrop of tensions in the East China Sea over the restrictions imposed their by China.

The cooperation on military ties

against the backdrop of China establishing Air Defense Identification Zone over the area to bar passage of any kind, including flights of any other country. This move has led to tensions between Japan and China, with even the US getting involved.

logue and the Defense Secretarylevel 4th Defense Policy Dialogue in Delhi in 2014 and agreed to promote exchanges on UN Peacekeeping Operations," the release said.

The two sides also agreed to continue expert exchanges in di-

Defense Minister A K Antony and the Defense Minister of Japan, Itsunori Onodera, at the delegation level talks, in New Delhi on January 6

and other issues came up during talks between Defense Minister AK Antony and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera here.

"The two ministers extensively and frankly exchanged ideas regarding regional and global security challenges, as well as bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges between India and Japan.

They shared views on issues relating to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region," a Defense Ministry release said.

The exchange of views on regional security situation comes

At the meeting, Onodera also briefed Antony about Japan's National Security Strategy and the National Defense Program Guidelines, which were adopted in December 2013.

Expressing satisfaction at the progress of their ties, the two sides agreed to continue highlevel visit exchanges under which the Indian Defense Minister will visit Japan later this year and also decided to have bilateral naval exercise to be held in Japan.

"The two countries also agreed to hold the third "2 plus 2" dia-

saster relief and counter terrorism between both Indian and Japanese Army; and discuss possibility of conducting staff talks between their air forces along with professional exchanges of testpilots and in the field of flight safety.

The two ministers appreciated the progress on India-Japan bilateral defense cooperation including the second bilateral training between the Japan Maritime SelfDefense Force and the Indian Navy from December 19-22, 2013.

-PTI

Will resolve issues with India through talks: Hasina DHAKA: Fresh from victory in on some bilateral issues like the The Land Boundary Agreethe controversial general elec- pending Ganges Water treaty, ment envisages exchange of 161 tions, Bangladesh Premier Sheikh water sharing in 53 other common enclaves adversely held by India Hasina has said she was confi- rivers and the Land Boundary and Bangladesh in each other's dent of resolving territories and alteration of borall pending isders between the two sides at sues with India, some places. including the Hasina's Awami League Land Boundary won 104 of the 147 seats for Agreement, which polling was held. Havthrough talks. ing won 127 seats unconReplying to a tested, the party now has 231 question about seats in parliament. h e r The main opposition government's Bangladesh Nationalist Party ties with India in (BNP) led by former prime minthe past five ister Khaleda Zia boycotted the years, Hasina polls, which were marred by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pauses as she said she wants widespread violence and a low speaks to the media during a press conference in Dhaka, good relations turnout.

Bangladesh, January 6 with all regional Opposition parties had decountries with the common inter- Agreement, but I believe we can manded that Hasina should step est of fighting poverty and deriv- settle them through talks," she down and hand over power to a ing mutual benefits. said in her first comments to the neutral caretaker government for "We may have some problems media after the victory in polls. poll oversight. -PTI

LUCKNOW: Inviting investments from Canada, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has said the state government would provide all possible support and facilities to the investors.

Addressing a seminar on the arrival of a high-level Canadian delegation, Akhilesh said Uttar Pradesh was important for trade activities in the country as it was one of the biggest state economies in India.

Observing that one-sixth population of the country lived in UP, he said Canada's willingness to increase its investment in the country should benefit the state and assured the delegation of support and facilities to investors.

The CM said that Samajwadi Party government had created employment opportunities and improved arrangements for training youths.

He said the government had formulated and implemented poli-

cies which promote trade and commercial activities and clarified that that development and infrastructure-related activities were not limited to Noida only.

Akhilesh Yadav

A 26-member delegation led by Senator Asha Seth and president of Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Nawal Bajaj is on a tour to the state.

On the occasion, Seth read out a message from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and handed over a copy to Akhilesh. -PTI

Bhushan in row over Army in J&K remarks NEW DELHI: Under fire for his remarks on army deployment in Jammu and Kashmir, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Prashant Bhushan sought to wriggle out by saying any reference to referendum should not be misconstrued to mean plebiscite on Kashmir's relationship with India.

In a "clarification" statement issued by the party on behalf of Bhushan stated "Aam Aadmi Party is of view that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Needless to say, I share this view.

"Any reference to referendum should not misconstrue to mean plebiscite on Kashmir's relationship with India."

In his interview to a television channel, Bhushan had said it was his personal view that deployment

of the armed forces in huge number within Kashmir, not for external defense or to prevent infiltration but for security of Kashmir, should not be done without consent of people of Kashmir.

In his statement, Bhushan said although it was upon the government to deploy forces anywhere in the country this should be done by taking people's view in consideration and this was his view of participatory governance and Swaraj.

"It is the prerogative of the state to deploy security forces, including armed forces for any stretch to internal and external security. This prerogative must be exercised in the best interest of the people, and as far as possible, with their consent," he said. -PTI

Japanese PM Abe to be Republic Day Chief Guest NEW DELHI: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be the Chief Guest at this year's Republic Day parade at Rajpath here.

The country will celebrate its 65th Republic Day on January 26 when President Pranab Mukherjee will take salute from the contingents of the armed forces and paramilitary forces alongside a

rich display of its culture and heritage.

India, sources said, is according high importance to Abe's visit as Japan has been a long standing partner in a host of bilateral and other issues.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were recently in India on a six-day state visit. -PTI

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Dhoni keen to continue as skipper in all 3 formats NEW DELHI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not averse to the idea of continuing as the skipper of the Indian cricket team in all the three formats, saying it would be unfair to burden a new player with the mantle of captaincy with just one year left for the World Cup. "I think, it's a point of no return with the World Cup literally one year away from now. It won't give a new guy the ideal time to play, at least, 70-80-90 games beginning to the World Cup that's what we would like to have him play before the World Cup", Dhoni said.

"I understand the pressure, it's not always that you turn up and at the same time, you get the kind of things which give you more

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Indo-Americans to garner support for BJP on phone WASHINGTON: Taking cue from Barack Obama's successful campaigning strategy, the Overseas Friends of BJP has decided to create an army of Indian-American volunteers to call their friends and relatives back home seeking their support for Narendra Modi in the next Lok Sabha polls.

"Each volunteer is expected to make at least 200 calls," president of OFBJP Chandrakant Patel said.

"Thousands of volunteers are getting ready to work for 'Mission

2014 BJP 272+' in the US and some of them are traveling to India to campaign for the BJP," said Patel.

The objective of the campaign is to help BJP to win the parliamentary polls this year and have Narendra Modi as the next Prime Minister, he said.

The OFBJP will form a series of committees comprising of eminent Indian-Americans to work in various areas like social media, research and analysis, IT and web, youths and women. -PTI

Govt reaches out to youth Diaspora at 12th PBD Cont’d from page 8

He said the government promotes social entrepreneurship and provides annual investment for social entrepreneurs. This facilitates the setting up of social ventures in India by overseas Indians.

"My ministry will work to create an institutional framework under which the overseas Indians will have an opportunity to come and work with NYKS and NSS and other social organizations in India and further strengthen their ties," he added.

Giving figures, Singh said that in India 27.5 per cent of the population belongs to 15-29 year age group while 41.3 per cent are in the 13-35 year group. By the year 2020, the population of India is expected to have average age of 28 years.

This, against 38 years of US, 42 years of China and 48 of Japan, makes India one of the youngest

nations in the world, he added.

Speaking at another session of the Pravasi Bharatiya conclave, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said the credit for holding the meet should go to the NRI community.

He claimed that in this age of internet, border controls and visas have less significance as it was fast becoming a "seamless world".

"Internet represents the largest ungoverned space on planet Earth... The world is marked by two civilizations today - the physical civilization and the virtual civilization," Tewari said.

He expressed hope that the conclave will see a constructive and fruitful engagement between the Diaspora, the Indian government and people.

In reply to a question, the Minister accepted that there was a need for a more robust broadcast system to reach out to global viewers. -PTI

experience than the others. So, we have to go through it," he said at a promotional event here today.

Dhoni, India's World Cup winning captain was responding to a question on giving up captaincy in one of the formats to prolong his career.

Dhoni had, last year, said that he might have to give up a format to lead India's title defense in 2015 but such a decision would be made only at the end of 2013.

Dhoni will be 33 by the time the World Cup starts in Australia and New Zealand.

The skipper said he is feeling a lot fitter and healthier than ever.

"I was really fortunate to see where I am right now with the amount of cricket that we are playing these days. -PTI

Indian High Commissioner meets Pak leader ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, has stressed on the need for dialogue and negotiation to arrive at peaceful solutions to all the outstanding Indo-Pak conflicts.

Indian High Commissioner T C A Raghavan called on the party's vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi during which issues of mutual interest, bilateral relations and the geopolitical situation of the region were discussed at length.

Qureshi pointed to PTI chairman's recent visit to India and stated that the party believes in improving relations between Pakistan and India through dialogue and negotiation to arrive at peaceful solutions to all the outstand-

ing conflicts between the two nuclear neighbors, according to a statement released by the party.

"The Vice Chairman also discussed the scheduled withdrawal of NATO and ISAF forces from Afghanistan and the possibility of a regional strategy for peace and stability once the transition was completed," it said.

Asserting the need to address water problem between two sides, Qureshi said that sensing the significance of the issue, the leadership of both the countries should evolve a comprehensive, just and viable mechanism of water distribution between the two states.

He also highlighted the party's stance on the construction of dams across LoC including the Kishenganga Dam.-PTI

Tech News ISRO plans more GSLVs & Mark III launches SRIHARIKOTA: Enthused over its successful launch of GSLV D5 with GSAT-14 communication satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, ISRO is planning a series of GSLV launches and an experimental launch of the advanced version GSLV Mark III soon from the spaceport.

"We are going for a series of GSLVs after this successful launch. GSAT 6, GSAT 7, GSAT 9, GISAT 7, Chandrayaan 2 and two more communication satellites. In the end of 2014 or in early 2015, we will have the next GSLV launch," ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters here.

To a query on how many more successful launches would GSLV need to become reliable, he said "This launch has reached the level of maturity. However one more successful launch of GSLV would make it reliable."

With the present launch, ISRO is confident of launching satellites weighing up to 2.2 tonnes, he said, adding that the satellites from India weighing above the mark would have to be launched through other space agencies abroad.

This implies that two-tonne satellites like GSAT-6, 7, 9 and 10 can be launched on board a GSLV, whereas 3.5-tonne satellites like GSAT-15,16,17 and 18 needed to be launched from abroad. -PTI

'Star Wars' phone lets you talk to friends in '3D' LONDON: A Star Wars-style telephone which allows users to see a live 3D hologram image of the person on the other end of the line could be available within five years.

A Polish telecommunications company plans to create the world's first hologram telephone call.

The concept was made popular when Princess Leia appeared before Luke Skywalker as a hologram in the 1977 blockbuster 'Star Wars'. The technology is being pioneered by Leia Display Systems, a company named after the Star Wars heroine.

To make the image, the caller will sit in front of a specialized camera that has two lenses to create a single blended image.-PTI

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Bollywood Actor Salman Khan during the launch of Sporty spearhead Audi RS 7 Sportback car for Indian market in Mumbai on January 6

January 10, 2014

Asian LNG buyers should team up to demand fair pricing: PM KOCHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called upon major Asian buyers of LNG to come together to demand a fair pricing mechanism for gas being imported from outside of continent as the region has been a driver of the global LNG demand in recent times.

"Asia has been the driver of the global LNG demand in recent times.

It is therefore important that major buyers of LNG in Asia come together to demand a fair pricing mechanism for gas being imported from outside of Asia," Singh said while dedicating to the nation the Rs 4,500 crore Petronet LNG terminal at nearby Puthyvype here.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that India would contribute towards an effort of this kind in the future.

"Our country has less than one per cent of the world's known natural gas reserves. Therefore for augmenting the supply of natural gas in our energy mix, we must necessarily import natural gas either by setting up LNG terminals or through trans-national pipelines," he said.

Import of natural gas and pricing the imported gas constitute challenges that we must meet successfully in the time to come, he added.

Pointing out that the terminal should be utilized to its fullest capacity; Singh urged the agencies

concerned to do everything possible to ensure this.

Petronet LNG has already tied up to supply 14.4 lakh tonnes of LNG per year for the Kochi terminal from the Gorgon project in Australia for a 20 year period, he said adding the company was also

greater use of natural gas, he said.

Singh also urged the state government and the Petroleum ministry to pay attention to rolling out city gas distribution networks in the state so that gas could reach a much larger number of households.

He urged Kerala Chief Minister

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing at the dedication ceremony of the Kochi LNG Terminal to the Nation, in Kochi, Kerala on January 4

at an advanced stage of discussion with other LNG suppliers for long-term contracts.

To make full use of the large investment in this project, the focus should be on increasing penetration of natural gas in Kerala by augmenting the pipeline network as done in the northern and western parts of the country.

There was also need to explore how industrial units could make

Oommen Chandy and Petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily to coordinate with all stakeholders, including Ministry of Power, to ensure realization of full potential of the Kochi terminal.

"I am confident that in the coming years this terminal will prove to be of immense benefit to your beautiful state and help it in realizing its enormous potential," he said, adding it would

put Kochi on the world LNG map and contribute to making Kerala an industry oriented and investor friendly destination.

"It will contribute to our efforts to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions. It will help in protecting Kerala's environment, green cover and natural beauty", the Prime Minister said.

The world class facility would provide South India with a cleaner and greener form of energy and cater to energy needs of industries in a diverse range of areas across the southern states.

A whole new industrial corridor is expected to come up along the gas pipeline route. The terminal is also expected to meet the energy needs for transport and households in cities as it can process as much as 50 lakh tonnes of LNG in a year.

Chandy assured that all stakeholders will cooperate in removing the bottlenecks with regard to the completion of pipelines and promised full support of his government.

Pointing out that gas was no longer a commodity used by the rich and was the most common fuel of ordinary people, he said price of gas affects the common man.

He urged the Prime Minister to consider whether fixing of gas prices should be left to oil companies alone. -PTI

USIBC praises RBI guidelines on foreign banks WASHINGTON: The new RBI guidelines regarding foreign bank operations in India are a "valuable step" and will provide strong regulatory transparency to the industry, the US India Business Council has said.

It has, however, sought certain clarifications from the Reserve Bank of India.

"By clarifying that a one-sizefits-all model will not be employed, the RBI has once again proven its long-standing repu-

tation of being a measured, highly respected institution which takes into consideration all stakeholders including consumers," USIBC President Ron Somers told PTI.

USIBC is the apex business advocacy organization for the US in India which comprised top American and Indian companies.

The council says the new set of

The guidelines provide welcome clarity and flexibility necessary for industry, improving the investment climate

guidelines released recently by the Reserve Bank is a welcome move and will provide strong regulatory transparency to the industry.

"The guidelines provide welcome clarity and flexibility necessary for industry, improving the investment climate for financial services in India," USIBC said in its letter to the RBI submitted on behalf of major US banks and some European ones having presence in India.

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India big market for consumer electronics NEW DELHI: India is poised to become a huge market for wearable technology like smartwatches and fitness monitors, driven by keen consumer interest in these latest gadgets and increasing spending on consumer durables, consulting firm Accenture has said.

According to Accenture's Digital Consumer Tech Survey 2014, respondents from India were most interested in buying fitness monitors (80 per cent), smart watches (76 per cent) and Internet-enabled eyeglasses (74 per cent).

About 80 per cent said they plan to buy a smartphone, 69 per cent a High Definition TV, 65 per cent a traditional tablet PC, and 63 per cent a laptop PC. "India is clearly a major growth market for consumer electronics.

Craving more personalized digital experiences, the country's consumers rank among the world's most willing to pay for and use consumer electronics devices -including wearable technologies," Accenture Global MD (Electronics and High-Tech industry group)

connected eyeglasses.

The survey was conducted across Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, the UK and the US and covered more than 6,000 people.

Wearable technologies can be used for a range of applications like tracking a person's heart rate and calories burned through fitness monitors or enabling consumers to browse the Internet, take digital photos and receive hands- free notifications through Internet-connected eyeglass displays.

"In the past year wearable technologies have emerged as the next big consumer electronics market category, particularly for health and wellness," Lewren said.

Mattias Lewren said.

Globally, 52 per cent said they were interested in buying wearable technologies like fitness monitors for tracking physical activity and

managing their personal health.

About 46 per cent said they wanted to buy smart watches, while 42 per cent said they were interested in purchasing Internet-

Calif. officials bemoan failure to snag plane deal LONG BEACH, Calif.: California officials have said they were disappointed that the state failed to snag a coveted Boeing plane contract and must now ramp up efforts to replace jobs being phased out by the company.

Long Beach officials are worried about the anticipated loss of local jobs when Boeing ends its C-17 military cargo jet production line in 2015. The program employs about 3,000 workers, the Orange County Register reported. ``Long Beach needs to get busy trying to attract other businesses here,'' Long Beach Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske told the newspaper. ``We need to figure out what we need to do to replace Boeing.''

California is one of more than 20 states that moved to bid for work on Boeing's 777X commercial plane. The bidding came to an end when Boeing machinists voted narrowly to approve a new labor contract that moves workers away from pensions. The move secured a deal to build the 777X in the Seattle area.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, said she was disappointed by the outcome, but that Long Beach proved how competitive it is by getting on a list of candidate cities for the project.

The 777X, an updated version of Boeing's best-selling 777, is ex-

pected to carry as many as 400 passengers.

In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee praised the vote, which supporters said keeps thousands of wellpaying jobs in the state and solidifies Boeing's presence in the Seattle area, where the company built its first airplanes nearly a century ago. -AP

USIBC praises RBI guidelines on foreign banks Cont’d from page 12

USIBC asked the RBI to define exactly what "near-national treatment" of foreign banks in India will mean.

It has also sought clarifications from the RBI on certain provisions which present lingering questions for the industry, including the credit rating of the Indian subsidiary or global parent.

It also raised questions related to new branch licensing implications if India enters into a Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (CECA) with a foreign bank's host country. Welcoming the RBI guidelines, Somers said these rules are certainly a valuable step in the right direction.

"Global banks in India are the key to leveraging the global capital and expertise required to finance India's trillion-dollar infrastructure challenge as well as social development," Somers said.

"USIBC has been engaged in a dynamic dialogue with both public and private sector on the future of foreign banking in India since the original RBI discussion paper on this topic was released," USIBC Director of Financial Policy Melissa Frakman said.

"Our membership very much welcomes the flexibility provided by the final guidelines. With this certainty, banks are now able to plan their next century supporting India's economic growth," Frakman added. -PTI

To capitalize on this growth opportunity, consumer electronics companies should consider investing in wearable product innovation and industrial design, and building ecosystems that connect wearables to the broader array of interactive digital networks, Lewren said.

Globally, 52 per cent respondents said they plan to purchase a smartphone next year, while 40 per cent voted for a tablet PC. Similarly, 41 per cent said they intend to buy a HD TV, 38 per cent a laptop, 25 per cent home game consoles, 23 per cent Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation units and 22 per cent ebook readers. -PTI

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5 money resolutions for the New Year NEW YORK: New Year's resolutions often involve eating better and exercising, but you can also use the start of the year to get financially fit.

Making resolutions is easier than keeping them, however. The Associated Press talked to a few financial experts about what you should be doing to keep your money goals for the year on track.

Here are five money resolutions to consider for 2014: 1.

KNOW WHERE YOU STAND Begin 2014 with an overall view of your finances. Figure out your net worth: Write down your assets bank balances, retirement accounts and the value of your

home. Next list your debts, such as car loans, mortgages or creditcard balances. Subtract your debts from your assets. Save it, and do

this exercise annually or twice a year. Writing the numbers down will help you see how your net worth is changing over the years,

says Ernst & Young's Elda Di Re, who is a partner at the accounting firm's personal financial services group.

2. THINK SMALL Aiming to save a big pot of money can be overwhelming and set you up for failure. Instead of resolving to save $1,200 over the year, for example, break that amount into smaller goals, says Jerry Love, an independent certified public accountant and a member of the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission, which aims to educate Americans on personal finances. For a figure like $1,200, focus on saving $100 a month instead. Pulling together smaller amounts may be more manageable.

Once you see that you're able to meet that goal after a few months, you're more likely to stay on track for the rest of the year, says Love.

3. PAY YOURSELF FIRST Make any savings automatic.

Ask your employer to send a certain amount of your paycheck to a savings account. If you manually move money to your savings ac-

Center committed to growth of IT sector: PM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noting that the country has witnessed phenomenal growth in the Information Technology sector, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said the Centre was committed to providing an enabling environment to encourage further growth in this field.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) Global Learning Centre, claimed to be the largest in the world, he said the Centre would "contribute toward an objective that is one of our national priorities-that of imparting skills training to our young men and women on a very large scale."

"Pursuant to the recommendations of the Rangachary report, several taxation issues confronting the IT sector have been addressed. We are also engaged in the resolution of issues pertaining to immigration and visas and trying to improve the hardware ecosystem and are exploring the establishment of two semiconductor water fabrication manufacturing facilities," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said his government had set very ambitious targets for itself in the area of skill development and was working hard to achieve them. "We have taken several initiatives in this area and

some of them have involved partnership with the private sector," he said complimenting TCS. The Prime Minister said he expected the proposed global learning centre of the TCS would be the largest facility for IT training in Thiruvananthapuram. It would be able to train around 50,000 associates when fully functional.

Singh said TCS was a shining example of the success of Indian private enterprises in the last 20 years and had carved a niche for itself in the global market for IT and ITenabled services.

"I am confident that the Centre, which proposes to integrate elegant design, ecological thinking and modern technology, will set global benchmarks for corporate learning institutions," he said.

The Prime Minister said he learnt that TCS was setting up a software development Special Economic Zone in the capital city of Kerala.

"I hope to see even more initiatives by TCS and other IT companies in Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram in particular, especially in view of the high quality of human resource in the state," he said.

Singh said TCS was a shining example of the success of Indian private enterprises in the last 20 years and had carved a niche for itself in the global market for IT and IT-enabled services. The company had also set a benchmark for excellence in the area of software development.

"Today, TCS ranks among the top ten IT services companies globally. It is not only the highest valued company in India, but also the second most valuable company in the world in the technology and services industry," he said.

TCS had also taken up several projects in the areas of education, health and environment. The company had made a significant contribution to education through its adult literacy program which had covered nearly two lakh beneficiaries.

Singh said the company's BPO employability program had trained over 22,000 graduates belonging to weaker sections, many of whom had also been provided gainful employment in the company. -PTI

count, you're likelier to forget. ``You should invest in yourself before having a chance to spend the money,'' says Lisa Featherngill, a CPA and managing director of Abbot Downing, the money management business of Wells Fargo.

4. PAY DOWN DEBT Tackle credit-card debt this year by writing down all the cards

interest payments, says Hevert.

5. SAVE MORE FOR RETIREMENT No matter your age, most people should be putting 10 percent to 15 percent of their income toward retirement, says Hevert, who works for a company that manages retirement accounts.

That could be in a 401(k) account,

No matter your age, most people should be putting 10 percent to 15 percent of their income toward retirement, says Hevert, who works for a company that manages retirement accounts. That could be in a 401(k) account, a retirement savings plan provided by employers you have, their balances and the interest rate you pay. You should increase payments on the card with the highest rate, says Ken Hevert, Fidelity's vice president of retirement products. Paying $100 more than the minimum amount due every month will help you pay it back faster and save money in

a retirement savings plan provided by employers, or an individual retirement account. People are living longer and pensions from employers, which used to help fund retirements, are disappearing, says Hevert. ``Retirement has become a do-it yourself project,'' he says. AP

Ficci objects to CAG interfering into private co books NEW DELHI: Amidst accounts of private firms in power and telecom business coming under scrutiny of CAG, industry body Ficci said there is "no place for CAG interfering into a private company's books" as the official auditor was set up to examine accounts of government firms.

"As far as audit through CAG is concerned, we believe the CAG was constituted to be answerable to Parliament in respect of businesses which are owned by the government. So therefore to my mind, there is no place for CAG interfering into a private company's books," Ficci President Sidharth Birla said at a conference here.

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has held that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) can audit the accounts of private telecom operators under the relevant provisions of the law.

A bench of justices Pradeep Nandrajog and V Kameswar Rao permitted the top accounting body to conduct audit of private telecom companies under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act.

Besides, the Delhi Government has also warned private power distribution companies that their licenses may be cancelled if they do not cooperate with the CAG which is scrutinizing their finances.

Birla also called into question the efficacy of the UPA

Ficci President Sidharth Birla

government's flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), saying it had drawn people away from productive or industrial employment, leading to fall in capital assets.

"When NREGA was originally conceived and passed in Parliament, the expectation or the suggestion was that assets would be created. That has not happened," he said.-PTI

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India Post

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Smart pillow that charges your devices WASHINGTON: A designer duo in Canada has developed a smart pillow that charges your phones and laptops.

The 'Power pillow' resides on your sofa or bed and comes in handy when a wall socket either isn't available or not in close proximity.

The pillow looks like an ordinary pillow and is available in a range of different designs.

It houses a lithium-polymer battery pack, with two USB ports to charge electronic devices, 'Gizmag' reported.

"Passionate about making designs that work for people; it occurred to us that charging often means abandoning your device at a wall socket when you would

Seven prototypes of the pillow have been made to help users "experience the convenience of lounging while charging".

Another advantage of using the

rather be using it. We set about designing a method of charging that was pleasant and comforting," its makers, from Halifax, Canada said on Kickstarter website.

pillow is that people waiting for an important phone call, text, or email don't have to abandon their smartphone or tablet in another room while it recharges. -PTI

AI grounds VRS plan citing high attrition MUMBAI: National carrier Air India has given a quiet burial to its much-talked about voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) owing to high attrition rate and government's disinclination to provide committed funds due to precarious state of the central finances, say sources.

"It has been decided at the last over-sight meeting that we will not pursue the VRS scheme," Air In-

dia sources told PTI. Air India had in July 2012 approved the VRS package for all its permanent employees who have served for 15 years or are at least 40 years of age.

The now-derailed scheme had expected some 5,000 employees to avail of the package, which was aimed at reducing the huge salary bill - pegged at Rs 3,100 crore this fiscal.

Over the past couple of years, its salary bill has been coming

down. In FY12 it was Rs 3,500 crore, which came down to Rs 3,300 crore last fiscal.

"We were very keen to implement the scheme at that stage as we wanted to trim the workforce.

However, the situation in the last over two-and-a half years has changed as we have seen very high super-annuation rate, which led us to shell it altogether," they said.

According to sources, the carrier has seen over 3,000 retirements in the last two years across categories, in addition to around 200 employees leaving for reasons other than retirement.

As per the company policy, an employee completing 20 years can submit his papers and leave the carrier.

Air India had sought Rs 1,200 crore from the government to implement the VRS package, sources said, adding, "the Finance Ministry, however, turned down the request."

The ministry, while red-flagging the scheme, had pointed out that around 7,000 employees will retire from service over the next three years and another 12,000 will be transferred to ground handling and engineering subsidiaries, they said. -PTI

UK endorses AgustaWestland as India scraps deal LONDON: The UK has distanced itself from the controversy around India's cancellation of its Rs 3,600 crore deal with AgustaWestland for 12 VVIP choppers even as it endorsed the Anglo-Italian firm's credentials.

"This is a matter for the company and the Indian government.

AgustaWestland produce worldclass helicopters for both the UK Armed Forces and export markets, including a recent 1-billion pound contract to supply 16 helicopters plus support and training to the Norwegian government," an official government statement said.

India had cancelled the deal signed in 2010 for procuring 12 VVIP choppers from AgustaWestland after bribery allegations surfaced against the firm in Italy along with the arrest of its two top executives there.

The luxury helicopters were intended to carry the Indian president, prime minister and other VIPs. UK Education Minister David Laws, an MP for Yeovil, where the firm is based, had said: "It would have been preferable to give time to establish the veracity of the allegations which have been made before taking any action."

"AgustaWestland has over many years demonstrated its resilience, based on the outstanding quality of the helicopters which it makes," he said.-PTI

Selling social media clicks becomes big business SAN JOSE, Calif.: Celebrities, businesses and even the U.S. State Department have bought bogus Facebook likes, Twitter followers or YouTube viewers from offshore ``click farms,'' where workers tap, tap, tap the thumbs up button, view videos or retweet comments to inflate social media numbers.

Since Facebook launched almost 10 years ago, users have sought to expand their social networks for financial gain, winning friends, bragging rights and professional clout. And social media companies cite the levels of engagement to tout their value.

But an Associated Press examination has found a growing global marketplace for fake clicks, which tech companies struggle to police.

Online records, industry studies and interviews show companies are capitalizing on the opportunity to make millions of dollars by duping social media.

For as little as a half cent each click, websites hawk everything from LinkedIn connections to make members appear more employable to Soundcloud plays to influence record label interest. ``Anytime there's a monetary value added to clicks, there's going to be people going to the dark side,'' said Mitul Gandhi, CEO of seoClarity, a Des Plaines, Ill., social media marketing firm that weeds out phony online engagements.

Italian security researchers and bloggers Andrea Stroppa and Carla De Micheli estimated in 2013 that sales of fake Twitter followers have the potential to bring in $40 million to $360 million to date, and that fake Facebook activities bring in $200 million a year.

As a result, many firms, whose values are based on credibility, have entire teams doggedly pursuing the buyers and brokers of fake clicks. But each time they crack down on one, another, more creative scheme emerges.

When software engineers wrote computer programs, for example, to generate lucrative fake clicks, tech giants fought back with software that screens out ``bot-generated'' clicks and

began regularly sweeping user accounts.

YouTube wiped out billions of music industry video views last December after auditors found some videos apparently had exaggerated numbers of views. Its parent-company, Google, is also constantly battling people who generate fake clicks on their ads.

And Facebook, whose most recent quarterly report estimated as many as 14.1 million of its 1.18 billion active users are fraudulent accounts, does frequent purges. That's particularly important for a company that was built on the principle that users are real people.

Twitter's Jim Prosser said there's no upside. ``In the end,

their accounts are suspended, they're out the money and they lose the followers,'' he said.

LinkedIn spokesman Doug Madey said buying connections ``dilutes the member experience,'' violates their user agreement and can also prompt account closures.

Google and YouTube ``take action against bad actors that seek to game our systems,'' said spokeswoman Andrea Faville.

Dhaka, Bangladesh, a city of 7 million in South Asia, is an international hub for click farms.

The CEO of Dhaka-based social media promotion firm Unique IT World said he has paid workers to manually click on clients' social media pages, making it harder for Facebook, Google and others to catch them. ``Those accounts are not fake, they were genuine,'' Shaiful Islam said.

A recent check on Facebook showed Dhaka was the most popular city for many, including soccer star Leo Messi, who has 51 million likes; Facebook's own security page, which has 7.7 million likes; and Google's Facebook page, which has 15.2 million likes.-AP

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January 10, 2014

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India Post 17

Desi News Ushering New Year in traditional Indian way GEETHA PATEL

CHICAGO: Hindu Mandir of Lake County welcomed New Year 2014 in a traditional Indian way on 31st December 2013 in the morning with Pt. Anil Joshi performing Lord Ganesh, Sarva Dev and Devi pujan along with special poojan of Shri Ram Parivar and Lord Hanuman.

Pt Joshi also performed the pujan of holy book Ramayana.

Ramayana path was started at 11am and went all through the day and night without any break. In spite of bad weather and snow, almost 300 devotees attended the program. This trend is showing that Indian communities are becoming more spiritual minded and taking part in all the religious and cultural events of the temple with zeal and zest. New Year celebration by the temple was very much enjoyed by young adults and children.

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Importance of Makara Sankranti for Hindus Details on page 26

18 India Post

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January 10, 2014

Style & pomp marked 'Unforgettable New Year's Eve' in Bay Area

Details on page 20

Sizzling performances at New Year Gala HARISH RAO & ASIAN MEDIA USA

CHICAGO: Inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions notwithstanding, the spirit and enthusiasm of a packed house at the Meadows Club NYE Gala, Dance Masti here heralded the New Year with great pomp.

The Gala sizzled with some well choreographed performances by visiting celebrities, Jay Bhanushali, host of Zee TVs Dance India Dance and Mahhi Vij, winner of Star TVs Nach Balliye 5.

They were accompanied by group of dancers from Atlanta's Prem's Dance Studio and Chicago's own Arabian dancing stars Megan Hartman, Jessica Beuckman and Eliza Perry. Backed by an exciting light and sound arrangement by the Meadows Club and Tantrixx, the grand ballroom was a sight to behold.

Rajesh Verma, Dr. Romesh Japra, Meenakshi Mehndi, Singer Harjeet Mehndi, Manorama Joshi, Ritu Maheshwari and Sanjeev Sharma

VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service

FREMONT: The Federation of Indo Americans of Northern California in association with India Post news weekly had their annual "New Year party" on December 31, 2013 at San Jose Airport Garden Hotel, San Jose. The party was themed "Unforgettable New Year's Eve" and was the most success-

Dr. Romesh Japra welcoming the guests

ful event in Bay area.

The evening festivities were attended by over 700 people all over the Bay who welcomed their New Year with style and pomp.

India Post, leading newsweekly serving the Bay area from 1994, is a one stop for National and International news. It's unbiased and authentic news makes it the most preferred weekly by Indians all over United States. India Post,

Details on page 22

Guests with Sunita Japra

Seniors celebrate 12 years of successful journey SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Indian Seniors of Chicago celebrated their 12 years of successful journey providing social, cultural and religious programs for the benefit of members and Indian community.

Details on page 23

Dr. Japra, Nandini Verma, Guest, Sunita Japra, Sudesh Kumari, Soni Singh, Manorama Joshi, Shalu Dewan and Dharminder Dewan

voice of Indians worldwide covers all the community events across Bay area and provides the updated and authenticated news to the Bay area.

The event was organized by FIA, Japra Inner circle, India Post, Nurture kids with Women Now TV being the entertainment partner.

The evening started off with a strong social message from Dr. Romesh Japra, President, India Post and eminent social activist of Bay area.

Cont’d on page 21

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Glenview set to get Hanuman temple & spiritual center RAMESH SOPARAWALA Indfia Post News Service

CHICAGO: It will be a dream come true for many a devotee of Hanumanji in Glenview and surrounding suburbs of Chicagoland with the Hanuman Spiritual and Community Center formally conducting a Bhumi Shuddhi puja for establishing a Hanuman temple along with a facility for community and spiritual activities for people of all ages.

The Center headed by Dr Chandra Khurana and a group of Indian Americans, searched for a few years for a suitable site on the north side of Chicago for the temple and community center and finally found a 4.1 acres of land in Glenview and decided to construct a 37,200-square-foot, twostory building at 3623 West Lake Ave. The plan has received the blessings of village trustees.

Mary Bak, planning and economic development director, said the facility would be the first Hindu temple in Glenview. The property was once used as stor-

Proposed Hanuman Temple

make-shift heaters inside an old and humongous barn-like structure. The event was enjoyed by all amidst the chanting of Mantras and chanting of Hanuman Chalisa

kind in USA. Impressed with the details, a large number of devotees made their contributions for the project and also assured continued support in future.

At the conclusion, hot Prasad was provided in carry-out boxes which was graciously donated by Shri Jain of Viceroy of India restaurant. Everyone was presented with a framed pocket size picture of Hanuman Ji along with a hard cover copy of Hanuman Chalisa.

The religious gifts were donated

by Moti Agrawal and Dr. Khurana.

The project will include a Hanuman Mandir and a community center. The Community Center will serve the long standing desire of the community to have a multi-faceted public place to celebrate various cultural, spiritual and educational programs.

In a talk to this paper Dr Khurana said that beside Hanuman Ji idol, there will be idols of other deities like Ram Parivar, Shiv Parivar, Radha Krishna and Ganeshji. The project is expected

to be completed in about a year's time.

The two-story religious institution will have a parking lot with 143 stalls according to village

‘In building the temple in Glenview, it is the goal of the Hanuman Temple to create a safe and peaceful place for prayer, meditation and reflection for attendees and members of the public at large for generations to come’ documents. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hanuman Mandir Bhumi Shuddhi Puja in progress

age for used and antique cars and motorcycles.

On a wet, cold and snow-filled day of December 14, 2013, some 170 dedicated devotees of Hanuman Ji assembled to celebrate the Bhumi Shudhi. The auspicious occasion marked the beginning of realization of a long cherished dream of the Indian community residing in the northern suburbs of Chicago.

Despite aggressive weather outside, the devotees made themselves comfortable amidst the

by Shri Keshav Ji. The Havan Yagna was performed by priest, Nagendra Rao, followed by Aarti.

A slide show was presented by young and energetic devotees for the general information to outline the essential features of the prospective project. The devotees were shown the design and provided the essential details of the Mandir. Dr Khurana told this paper that the Hanuman Ji idol will be carved from Jaipur Marbles in India and it would be 20 ft plus in height, probably the tallest of its

Aerial view of the temple site

Sunday.

The Village of Glenview was impressed to note that the Community Center will benefit members of all communities and will offer a very broad-based opportunity of social interaction.

"In building the temple in Glenview, it is the goal of the Hanuman Temple to create a safe and peaceful place for prayer, meditation and reflection for attendees and members of the public at large for generations to come," the temple's representatives explain in city documents. "Worship and prayer are central tenets of Hinduism, as they cultivate devotion to God and become assets for devotees as they progress in life."

Currently, there are 75 to 100 members of the temple, but many more could be expected to attend during special festivals, including Diwali in the fall and Holi in March.

Dr Khurana said that all major Hindu festivals will be celebrated at the temple besides holding educational and spiritual programs.

Community Across America

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Ushering New Year in traditional Indian way GEETHA PATEL

CHICAGO: Hindu Mandir of Lake County welcomed New Year 2014 in a traditional Indian way on 31st December 2013 in the morning with Pt. Anil Joshi performing Lord Ganesh, Sarva Dev and Devi pujan along with special poojan of Shri Ram Parivar and Lord Hanuman.

Pt Joshi also performed the pujan of holy book Ramayana.

Ramayana path was started at 11am and went all through the day and night without any break. In spite of bad weather and snow, almost 300 devotees attended the program. This trend is showing that Indian communities are becoming more spiritual minded and taking part in all the religious and cultural events of the temple with zeal and zest. New Year celebration by the temple was very much enjoyed by young adults and children.

At midnight, all devotees wel-

fered new vastram and pushpam to the holy book.

Bhajans sung by Kamalesh Desai, Avinash, and other devotees made the atmosphere very divine and blessed. The whole program was under the supervision of Madhup Ji. Special puja and archana were performed to all deities in the temple with bright lights and festive cheers.

Pt. Anil Joshi spoke on the importance of Ramayana. He said that Ramayana is like a flowing Ganga. You can take this Ganga rupi Ramayana with you anywhere in the world. To take a holy dip in Ganga you have to go to India but when you read Ramayana, you can get the benefit of the holy dip.

Ramayana offers stability, sense of balance and equilibrium to our mind and helps us to uplift ourselves above the paap and punya concepts and attain high level spiritual enlightenment.

Ramayana Purti

us to love and respect all the creations of God and maintain good familial and social relationships

Harsh Kumar thanked each and every one including sponsors,

volunteers for making the New Year celebration a grand success.

Bankim Pathak relives Rafi in New Jersey SUDHIR VYAS

Mahamangalarati by devotees

comed the New Year with chanting of Jai Shree Ram, Jai Hanuman with conch and bells sounds that filled the shrine and created a devotional atmosphere. On first January 2014, Ramayana purti was performed by priest with Mantras and Slokas. President Harsh Kumar, Avinash Kotage, Madhup and other dedicated members of Akhanda Ramayana Path team of-

Further Pt. Joshi said that Ramayana is a complete Hindu scripture and philology that proposes solutions to all our day to day life problems. Ramayana also makes us realize how to pursue ideal life and understand our responsibilities towards family and society in particular and the world in general.

He also said that Ramayana tells

Phulangi Alankaram with Pt. Ganesh Ji and Pt. Anil Joshi Ji

which are essential to bring in harmony, peace and advancement in life. At the end, Pt. Anil Joshi gave blessings to all the devotees for their happiness, hope, prosperity and success in life.

South Indian community offered Phulangi Seva to Lord Balaji which was an extraordinary attraction of the day. The meaning behind this Phulangi alankaram is that by offering colorful and fragrance filled flowers to Lord Balaji we obtain his blessings that make our life more colorful, consecrated, and meaningful. Devotees chanted Vishnu Sahastranam and Hanuman Chalisa and performed archana and aarti. Later, Lord Ganesh Abhishekam was performed by Pt. Ganesh.

The temple served mahaprasadam to all devotees on the New Year's Day with love and blessings of God. Traditional prasadam was prepared by Kamal Gupta and his team. President

WOODBRIDGE, NJ: The golden era of Indian music from the year 1950 to 1980 will never come back but the songs recorded during that period will remain in the minds of people for another 50 to 100 years, said well-known singer Bankim Pathak who is also called the "Voice of Rafi".

In a candid interview with this correspondent before an enchanting musical evening at the Woodbridge High school here, Bankim when asked about his reaction for the modern cult of remix music said, "remix has emerged because there is dearth of good new music and people want the music of those golden era and because the present day music directors cannot deliver that golden touch, hence remix has emerged".

When asked why he chose to sing only songs by Rafi Saheb, he explained saying, "My voice suits

that of Rafi sahib. It is not that I do not sing songs from other legendary singers but I always prefer Rafi over others when doing professional shows. So far I have

Bankim Pathak

done over 4500 professional shows spanning over 40 years of my singing".

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Style & pomp marked 'Unforgettable New Year's Eve' in Bay Area Cont’d from page 18

He spoke at length about the laudable events of 2013 and the events to happen in 2014.

Nonstop entertainment started off with Harjit Mehndi's power packed rendition of hit Bollywood numbers. It was followed by Bridal fashion show by Vama designs. At

the stroke of midnight, JIC members and other guests welcomed 2014 in style and wished prosperity for all. Dr. Japra thanked Swagat, DJ Suresh, Eve decor, Women Now TV and Vama designs for their contribution. India Post wishes its readers "Happy and Prosperous New Year, 2014".

Cont’d on page 24

India Post team with Vama Designs fashion show team

Shalu Dewan, Taruna Chhabra, Premlata Chhabra, Deepak Chhabra and guests

Dr. Charanjit Uppal, Jerry Ahuja, Fashion show model, Teresa Cox, Mrs. Uppal

Sunita Gupta, Sunita Japra, Mrs. Sahney, Veena Birla, Manorama Joshi, Nandini Verma, Neena Kapoor

Fabulous fashion show by Vama Designs

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Sizzling performances at Bankim Pathak relives Chicago's New Year Gala Rafi in New Jersey HARISH RAO & ASIAN MEDIA USA

CHICAGO: Inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions notwithstanding, the spirit and enthusiasm of a packed house at the Meadows Club NYE Gala, Dance Masti here heralded the New Year with great pomp.

The Gala sizzled with some well choreographed performances by visiting celebrities, Jay Bhanushali, host of Zee TVs Dance India Dance and Mahhi Vij, winner of Star TVs Nach Balliye 5. They were accompanied by group of dancers from Atlanta's Prem's Dance Studio and Chicago's own Arabian dancing stars Megan Hartman, Jessica Beuckman and Eliza Perry. Backed by an exciting light and sound arrangement by the Meadows Club and Tantrixx, the grand ballroom was a sight to behold.

"The most gratifying thing was to see so many families come in with their children in tow to celebrate together", said Shebani Kulkarni, the host of the event.

"Our efforts really paid rich dividends in term of huge presence of many a family."

The evening began with performances by Arabian dancers and Prem's Dance Studio who sizzled with foot tapping Bollywood numbers. Jay Bhanushali came center stage to regale the audience with his energetic dances. Soon members of the audience were up on the stage with him doing the "Lungi Dance" and other popular hits.

Mahhi Vij then entered the stage and presented a few popular Bollywood hits.

Cont’d on page 23

Welcome 2014 with Mahhi Vij, an actress and winner of Star TVs Nach Balliye 5, Madan Kulkarni CEO of The Meadows Club and Jay Bhanushali, host of Zee TV's Dance India Dance. Pics Asian Media USA

New Year Eve revelers

Cont’d from page 20

lent profession, it has name and fame but to achieve that children must have patience. It is not instant; one has to work hard for that."

"There is never going to be another Mohammed Rafi or Mukesh or Kishore Kumar. There will never be their replacement so it is time for us to preserve what we have and relish it. Most parents try to imbibe the golden era moments in their children's life but it is up to them to digest it and relive those golden songs".

Later, on a dull rain-drenched evening legendary singer Mohammed Rafi came alive albeit through Bankim Pathak who had hundreds of fans of Rafi Saheb dance to his melodious songs from films of yesteryears. It was a night that most New Jerseyans will not forget so easily.

Ek Yaad Rafi ke Baad, organized

by A & K Events of Kaushal Thakkar and Natwer Thakkar in association with Manpasand Inc.

In reply to a question about his opinion about the new breed of singers and their versatility, Bankim Pathak said, "they all are good but there is no melody in their singing and hence their life span is so low. Besides that there are no good compositions also coming up these days.

How do you expect a melodious song and good composition in an action-packed movie" he asked.

"Unfortunately today it is all computerized. With the help of computer all sur can be managed.

During days of Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, it was their versatility in singing that enhanced the music and the song. It was their relentless pursuit of perfection that those melodious songs were recorded and only melody can give an everlasting music", he exclaimed.

Asked about the musical reality shows being shown on TV these ‘No doubt it gives a good days, Bankim Pathak said, "no doubt it gives platform to the younger a good platform to the generation but it is so unforyounger generation but it is so unfortunate that tunate that the judges who the judges who sit on sit on the panel of these the panel of these shows are upcoming shows are upcoming music music directors and directors and want to ensure want to ensure that songs composed by that songs composed by them only are sung. In them only are sung’ the earlier days of Sare Gama Pa, the contestants chose to sing the old songs had the crowd on its feet when but later the contestants and TV Bankim Pathak along with Daksha shows were forced by these new Gohil and Anila Gohil rendered one music directors to sing new songs hit song after another to bring the as otherwise there were no takers audience craving for more and more of those immortal songs sung for their new music songs".

Bankim Pathak was also skep- by Rafi.

Pathak along with Daksha and tical of the results of these musical reality shows. He said it all de- Anila Gohil took the audience pends on how well connected and back memory lane with some of the famous are the parents and rela- most memorable songs from films tives of a contestant. If the par- of yesteryears. While Bankim ents are well connected they can Pathak sang some of the hot faask all their friends and family vorites of Rafi like "Yaad na aye members to send their SMS for a bite dino ke", "Khoya, Khoya particular candidate and if a par- Chand" "Jan kabhie Tum ent was not very well known a bulaoge", Baharoein phool deserving contestant may lose barsao".

On the other hand Daksha and out. There is every possibility that a good upcoming artist may not Anila Gohil sang all-time hits get justice due to this anomaly. As "Chura Liya hai", "Jab Pyar Kiya a result of this a new artist may to Darna Kiya", "Java hai mohabattein" and some of the get frustrated."

Asked to comment on the chil- duets included "Oh hasina julfo dren of second generation Indians wali", Sou sal pehle" etc. The list settled in the United States and if of the songs is just endless like he had any advice for them, Bankim the hits rendered by Mohammed Pathak said, "singing is an excel- Rafi.

Community Across America

January 10, 2014

India Post 23

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Seniors celebrate 12 years of successful journey SURESH SHAH

CHICAGO: Indian Seniors of Chicago celebrated their 12 years of successful journey providing social, cultural and religious programs for the benefit of members and Indian community. The event was held at Manav Seva Mandir, Benselville, on Saturday 21st December, 2013. Over 300 members attended the program.

Hirabhai Patel welcomed all on behalf of Executive saying that this program was for family of seniors and therefore everybody should enjoy as a family event rather than a public event. The highlight of the program was a

Deep Pragatya ceremony and Hema Shastri and Madhuben Patel requested the guests to light the Deep Pragatya. Narsinbhai Patel studied B.Sc., D.P.Ed and PhD. He has written five books on physical education and many articles on physical education & sports. He represented Gujarat University Kho-Kho and Kabaddi team at all India Inter University Kho-Kho & Kabaddi tournaments.

CV Desai called selected senior members Dilip Patel, Naginbhai Mehta, Manilal Patel, Chandrakant Patel, Bipin Shah and Smt. Madhuben Patel one by one on stage for recognition.

Then Chief Guest Chhotubhai Patel was A successful businessmen to speak on in Stainless Steal processing requested this occasion. area, Chhotubhai is a A successful businessmen in Stainless very simple man in his Steal processing area, behavirour and is always Chhotubhai is a very simple man in his ready to help behavirour and is always ready to help. He musical concert from Kamlesbhai was happy and appreciated the and party. Executive member and well managed program of Indian past president of Gujarati Samaj, Seniors of Chicago.

Manubhai Shah introduced memThen second session of musibers of Executive Committee. cal program was started with Naranbhai Mody invited songs selected by audience. All Rohitbhai Joshi and Smt. the sponsers were appreciated by Madhuben Patel on stage for Deep Indian Seniors of Chicago with a Pragatya (lamp lighting). flower and token. Pre recorded Dr. Narsinhbhai gave a brief songs CD was played during dinhistory of Indian Seniors of Chi- ner time and then live songs were cago and invited Chief Guest continued. Everybody enjoyed the Chhotabhai Patel, Guest of Honour celebration and appreciated the Dr.Bharatbhai Barai and whole program. Vice President Dahyabhai Prajapati on stage. Dr.Rasikbhai Shah gave vote of Rohitbhai Joshi recited slokas for thanks.

Sizzling performances at Chicago's New Year Gala

Executive members with Chief Guest Chhotabhai Patel (center), Dr.Bharatbhai Barai, Dahyabhai Prajapati, Dr Narsinhbhai, Hirabhai, Dr. Rasikbhai and CV Desai on chair

Members sitting in Lakshmi Hall, Manav Seva Mandir for celebrating the Annual Program

Indians join Pope Francis in New Year message MADHU PATEL

CHICAGO: Indians across USA have joined Pope Francis urging people to accept each other's differences and recognize that "we belong to the same heavenly father and we share a common destiny." Echoing the sentiment they maintain that "we are brothers and we should strive for

headed in the same direction. Despite our serious differences, we should respect others view points, display solidarity with purpose, work for each other's well-being and be kinder," the community activists Raja Zed ( President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Nevada) Sohan Joshi (

build a new just world; devoid of inequalities, poverty and prejudices." Rajan Zed urged "Let us make a resolution to steadily improve our self, refuse to give up on our path to righteousness, make efforts to replace war and violence with reconciliation and dialogue, and bring positive

Dance performance at New Year Gala Cont’d from page 22

Her romantic duets with Jay Bhanushali went aerial as the audience was in frenzy. The mood then went ballistic as the DJ duo of Jeet and Stylz steadily led to the countdown to the New Year and the balloon drops.

Speaking later to the press the organizers Madan and Shebani Kulkarni were extremely grateful for the support they had received from the sponsors. "Our staff has established a culture of excellence for which we are grateful and feel proud off" they said.

Pope Francis

Rajan Zed

world peace, liberty, love, happiness and justice during 2014."

"Although from diverse faith traditions but from the same human family, we have one direction to go and that is replacing conflict with understanding and love.

Sohan Joshi

President National Federation of Indian Associations Chicago) Sudhir Vyas, a journalist in New York and Dr Ashok Jain of Michigan said.

"We pray that 2014 brings hope and trust, the people flourish and

Dr Ashok Jain

Sudhir Vyas

change. We can do this."

"This brings a responsibility for each to work so that the world becomes a community of brothers who respect each other, accept each other in one's diversity, and take care of one another," the Pope had said.

24 India Post

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January 10, 2014

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Style & pomp marked 'Unforgettable Sikhs celebrate Holidays New Year's Eve' in Bay Area with the needy Cont’d from page 21

SURENDRA ULLAL

Gulshan Bajaj, Guest, Harpeet Chaudhary, Gagan Singh, Neeraj Tandon, Victor Uberoi and Kamal Sud

Tina Ghai, Dr. Japra, Ena Sarkar and guests

Joe Johal, Manorama Joshi, Anil Yadav and Yogi Chugh

CHICAGO: Sikhs from Palatine, nurse to offer guidance to people Illinois, and surrounding towns on health issues. came together to celebrate HoliThey also have local Commudays with Palatine Opportunity nity College classes from Harper.

Center (POC) located in Palatine, Palatine Park District also rents distributing 50 goody bags space in the center and have amongst visitors and employees dance, Jumba, aerobic and other of the center. entertainment classes. Soon they Cash money was also handed are looking to start Bhangra over to the Director Ms. Kathy Millins. She has been Director with the center ever since it opened.

The Center provides many valuable free services to the community that inPOC Board Member Thakar Basati with Sikh community clude Spanmembers and children ish, Russian, European, Asian and other low income classes. Park Dist. classes fill very people. The Center has free medi- fast. There are two classes for cal clinic, free English tutoring, small children for parents who free computer classes, free Immi- can't afford to pay nursery classes. gration and Citizenship classes. It Many moms take classes there. offers income assistance reThe Center provides rooms for sources for people who can't pay community needs like conference utility bills or mortgages. Youth or meeting rooms. Palatine Public counseling is by professional cer- Library has room for books, free tified people like doctors and computer access, audio videos. A nurses. There is a paid community senior citizen consultant provides free service to seniors twice a week. The Center also runs summer garden where land and water are provided by Fire Station. Volunteers grow organic produce which is given to needy families.

This concept could easily be implemented by many religious institutions around the world.

Cont’d on page 26

Tying turban

Community Across America

January 10, 2014

India Post 25

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Multi million dollar community center in Houston RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

HOUSTON: A dream project of members of Gujarati community in Houston area to set up a full fledged community center for social, cultural and other activities

the most ideal locations in Houston, Stafford. It will be easily accessible to most Gujarati and Indian American residents in the city.

Spurred by a hefty donation of a parcel of land by Amit Bhandari and Mukesh Turakhia, the new executive team with the infusion of

Gujarat Samaj Community Center

has finally come true.

One of the oldest and largest organizations of Indian Americans in Houston, Gujarati Samaj has finally taken upon itself to build a multi million dollar center measuring 39,000 sq feet plus at one of

young blood finally goaded all team members to an action plan and a formal Bhumi Pujan was done three months ago. The project, as explained by Suresh Patel, Director and treasurer of the Samaj, would be in two phases and will house a

multi purpose banquet hall, kitchen, and center stage while the second floor facilities will be used for library and conference room.

Suresh Patel said that construction would start as soon as formal building permit is received and before the middle of 2014 the hall would be fully functioning for numerous activities. "The project is a dream coming true as the Samaj members were toying with this idea for over two decades and they moved closer to realizing the dream once two Indian businessmen came up with a donation of a sizeable parcel of land .The idea caught up fast as the location of the Center is considered ideal for all to reach - near the highway and Siddhivinayak Ganesh temple not only for the huge Gujarati community but for members of other communities as well. It is designed in such a way that it will have a multi purpose use.

Jay Patel, secretary of the Samaj said that "after lots of scrutiny and consultations with over 100 people, we have come to this final design of the Hall. It will be one of a kind where people would love to do all family and social functions.

It has capacity for 1000 people sit-

ting. It can be divided into two around 48000, and that is a strong separate halls, each one will have presence of this community in the kitchen, enough bathrooms, sepa- area. "Obviously the Center will rate entry, excellent sound system, meet their need for a community separate reception area, bigger meet and gatherings", said Suresh than many four star hotels and Patel He also observed that the excellent lighting. Our location is total outlay will be close to $5800, very impressive, close to all Sugar 000 (including that for detention land members, easy access from pond and reserve fund) while the 1960, Beltway 8and south. And Samaj already has about there is plenty of parking." $2,280,000, including donations "This project's final design is and pledges. The Samaj will have expected to be completed in September Suresh Patel said that con2014 and construction will be completed in struction would start as soon Sept-Oct 2015 or as formal building permit is sooner, depending on weather conditions," received and before the added Dr. HD Patel, middle of 2014 the hall Chairman, Board of Directors, Gujarati Samaj would be fully functioning of Houston. "If we subscribed to the idea that some one to raise the balance for the project. will do then nobody will do.

The Board of Directors of the If we collectively and individu- Samaj are: Chairman Dr Harshad ally support this project, it will be- Patel, Vice Chairman is Ajay Patel, come a reality and every one will Past chairman Dr Kirit Desai, Secbenefit" he averred. retary Jayanti Patel, Treasurer The 2010 Census placed the Suresh Patel. Two young officials Indian American population at assuming office in the coming year 95,000 plus. Assuming 50% of this are president and vice president group constitutes Gujaratis then of the Samaj respectively Amita it would be safe to place Gujaratis Patel and Yogini Patel.

26 India Post

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January 10, 2014

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Importance of Makara Sankranti for Hindus PT ANIL JOSHI

M

akara Sankranti is the most auspicious occa sion for Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India and Nepal in a numerous cultural forms, with great devotion, passion, and cheerfulness. It is generally a harvest festival in India.

Makara Sankranti always falls on 14 January every year; with some exceptions, when the festival is celebrated on 13 January or 15 January during leap years.

Makara Sankranti also marks the arrival of spring season in India.

After Makara Sankranti, the days start becoming longer and warmer and thus the chill of winter declines.

Sankranti is celebrated all over South Asia with some regional variations. It is known by different names and is celebrated with different customs in different parts of the country. It is celebrated in major parts of India with the name Makara Sankranti, Maghi, Pongal, Magh Bihu and Kichdi Day. For Hindus, the Sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom.

Makara Sankranti denotes that we should move away from the darkness in which we live and begin to lead a new life with new light to shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in knowledge, wisdom and purity as the Sun does from the day of Makara Sankranti.

Cultural Significance

Makara Sankranti has an astrological significance as the Sun enters the Capricorn (Makara) zodiac constellation on that day and starts moving northward (Uttarayaana) towards the Tropic of Cancer, in the month of Pausha.

According to the Puranas, on this day Surya (Sun) visits the house of his son Shani (Saturn), who is the lord of the Makara rashi (Capricorn).

Though the father and son did not get along well, Surya made it a point to meet his son on this day.

Priest Pt Anil Joshi of Hindu Temple of Grays Lake

He comes to his son's house, for a month. This day thus symbolizes the importance of the special relationship between the father and son. From Makara Sankranti starts the 'day' of devatas (gods), while dakshinayana (southward movement of the Sun) is said to be the 'night' of devatas, so most of the auspicious things are done during uttarayana time.

In the eighth chapter of Srimad Bhagwad Gita it is said that one who leaves his body during the six months of Uttarayaana, attains Moksha whereas one who leaves his body during the six months of Dakshinatana, returns to this world after enjoying the fruits of his good deeds in heaven. The historic proof is there in Mahabharata when Bheeshma Pitamah was lying on the arrows bed made by Arjun, He waited till Makara Sankranti to leave his body and attain Moksha.

A very big Ganga Sagara Mela is organized every year on this day of Makara Sankranti at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Thousands of Hindus take a dip in the water and perform tarpana for their ancestors. It is believed that taking a holy dip on the day in the Ganga Sagara by the son is considered to cleanse sins committed by his ancestors and lead to their Moksha (Salvation).

In some parts of India people offer thousands of colorful oblations or gifts to the Sun God in the form of beautiful kites. Kite flying implies that our 'colorful thoughts' and 'ambitions' that wish to grow higher and higher and thread of the kites indicates the 'control' with which we maneuver the kites in the sky. In the same manner we need to grow higher by controlling our 'ego' or 'self.'

Preparations for the celebration

Buddhists welcome New Year with Gayatri Mantra

of Makara Sankranti to make it a meaningful festival • Clean and decorate your homes to create a religious and festive atmosphere • Get up early in the morning and worship the rising Sun by offering water, flowers, and akshat.

Pray for knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment to rise to greater heights in life.

• Perform Ganesh poojan ( Guru poojan, Lord Vishnu and Navagraha poojan especially the poojan for Surya Narayana) • Prepare homemade dishes with sesame seeds and jaggery

A very big Ganga Sagara Mela is organized every year on this day of Makara Sankranti at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Thousands of Hindus take a dip in the water and perform tarpana for their ancestors (Gud) along with your regional dishes for Naivedhyam • Perform Yagna (Homam) of Sarva Dev and Devi, offer special ahutis for Lord Surya and Lord Shani by chanting their Mantras and Slokas • Do some charities to needy people, religious and cultural organizations in the name of Lord Surya, Shani, and your ancestors Benefits from celebrating Makara Sankranti • Children who have difference of opinion with their parents perform this festival together to re-

India Post News Service

NEVADA: Reno Buddhist Center in Nevada welcomed the New Year in a unique service at midnight with ringing of bells and recitation of Gayatri Mantra.

Matthew Fisher led the service and talked about "108 Im-

pediments"; while Carole Ann Maupin lead the congregants in the song "Auld Lang Syne"; Shelley Fisher, Cathy Riordan and Matthew Fisher chanted "Shoshinge" while attendees lined up to offer incense and ring the bell; and homages were paid to Buddha-Dhamma-

Sangha.

In a remarkable interfaith gesture greeting the New Year, Rajan Zed president of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited Gayatri Mantra, considered the most sacred mantra of Hinduism, which is from Rig-Veda, oldest existing scripture of the mankind.

to get rid of health problems • Lord Shani is a chief justice in the Navagraha Mandal who decides about our good and bad Karma Phal. By celebrating this festival people get his soft corner for their bright future • By performing charities, poojas and taking dips in holy rivers people get divine energy, develop good spiritual thoughts and ease their sins. When people perform tarpan, they help their ancestors to move from Pitru Loka to Deva Loka and from Dev Loka to get ultimate Moksha Phal.

Sikhs celebrate Holidays with the needy Cont’d from page 24

Just after the service, from left to right are: Carole Ann Maupin, Rajan Zed, Shelley Fisher, Matthew Fisher and Cathy Riordan

move the difference and build good relationship. Children should touch the feet and give some gifts to their father on this auspicious day to get the blessings of Lord Surya who is residing in your own living father.

• Those who are not successful or face obstacles in life even after making all possible efforts perform this festival with utmost trust and devotion and get blessing of Lord Surya and Shani to fulfill their desires and dreams • Children who have fathers with some health problem should perform Makara Sankranti festival

The Center runs on grants and public donations. People donate food and clothing for every day use.

Each goody bag had a greeting card with a painting of King Akbar eating Langar (Free vegetarian food served in Gurdwara, Sikh place of worship). A poster showing officers and men of Sikh Infantry marching through London's Admiralty Arch on their way to Buckingham Palace during the 1919 Peace Day was given too.

Bhai Mohinder Singh started the program with a prayer and explained to about 60 people the meaning of Sikh Prayer. Prof Kulwant Singh Hundal gave a brief description of Sikh religion. About 20 people had the experience of tying turbans on their heads.

They were told the importance of turban in Sikh religion and also the differences between turbans of other religions.

He informed the audience that Old Testament talks about turban.

They were also told about how turban protects from extreme temperatures. Balbir Sufi shared his couplet with the audience which was translated by Thakar Singh Basati.

Irish dance was performed by granddaughters of Thakar Singh Basati. Free vegetarian food was served by KK Pamma.

Thakar Singh Basati is a board member of POC. He said that Sikhs of Palatine have done it many times before when they collect money and donate goods and/ or goody bags to nursing homes, senior center or other charitable organizations.

January 10, 2014

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TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

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E

January 10, 2014

ven though the two have remained tight lipped about their whirl wind romance, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's alleged love life isn't hidden from anyone. If reports are to be believed then Katrina has apparently declined Ranbir's marriage proposal!

The Bollywood heartthrob, Ranbir who can make any woman weak at her knees needs a dash of luck when it comes to convincing rumored girlfriend Katrina. According to reports, Katrina said no to Ranbir's marriage proposal as she wants to focus on her career.

Ranbir seems to be serious about his relationship with Kat and in an interview even spoken about getting married at the age of 28. Well past that age now, after his girlfriend's alleged refusal to walk down the aisle with him, the 'Besharam' hero will have to wait before he can hear wedding bells.

Katrina and Ranbir's marriage rumors grew stronger after Ranbir's cousin Kareena Kapoor teased him on 'Koffee With Karan' about Kat and even addressed to her as his sister-in-law.

The Bollywood heartthrob, Ranbir who can make any woman weak at her knees needs a dash of luck when it comes to convincing rumored girlfriend Katrina. According to reports, Katrina said no to Ranbir's marriage proposal.

ollywood diva Madhuri Dixit makes a comeback on the screen in a never-seen-before avatar in Dedh Ishqiya, a hinterland based thriller-drama, and thanks Indian cinema for evolving and making way for strong female characters.

"The more depth in the character the more fun you get to perform," Madhuri said when asked how comfortable she was with the bold role in Dedh Ishqiya, which brings her out of her comfort zone.

"I am so thankful that our cinema has come a long way, and I am happy that women are portrayed as characters and not just eye candy in the films. (Women are) very beautifully portrayed on the screen," the actress said in an interview.

“The more depth in the character the more fun you get to perform," Madhuri said when asked how comfortable she was with the bold role in Dedh Ishqiya, which brings her out of her comfort zone

1 Malang: Dhoom 3 2 Kamli: Dhoom 3 3 Dhoom Machale Dhoom Dhoom: Dhoom 3 4 Sunny Sunny: Yaariyan 5 Kabhi Jo Baadal Barse: Jackpot 6 Gandi Baat: R...Rajkumar 7 Baarish: Yaariyan 8 Tu Hi Junoon : Dhoom 3 9 ABCD: Yaariyan 10 Ram Chahe Leela: Ram-leela

Bollywood

January 10, 2014

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A According to sources, Salman has taken her under his wing and even recommended her name to Kunal Kohli

lthough Aishwarya is one of the most sought after beauties in India, a powerful personality and one of the richest ladies of the country, she is a simple traditional person at heart which she vouched for when asked her opinion about Indian customs and traditions.

She replied 'We are rooted, consider values in the highest esteem, we are simple people. We are very hard working and we know how to retain respect, love and commitment, tradition. Being Indian is being beautiful.'

At the same time, she is not judgmental about others and is flexible when accepting others for what they are. On failed marriages in Bollywood, she said 'I don't think it is fair to get judgmental and limit relationships or strengths or inability to hold themselves or limit it to showbiz. What happens in society is each to his own. What would be fair and respectful is belief in people to allow them to live their lives and finding strength in choices they make.'

C

E

lli Avram is taking her Salman con nect to the next level. She has appar ently got the same management team handling her work.

Elli said, "I personally asked Salmanji if he could guide me as he is such a senior actor. He's very supportive. I am not sure, but I think Salman must have put in a word for me. If that's true, I am very grateful to him. Also, who wouldn't want to work with Salman?"

According to sources, Salman has taken her under his wing and even recommended her name to Kunal Kohli.

When asked about attending the superstar's birthday party held recently, Elli revealed that she gifted him a crystal angel with a lamp inside as a birthday gift.

ricketer Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma may have not admitted to their relationship in public, but that didn't stop the rumored couple to ring in the New Year together.

According to reports, Virat who landed in Mumbai on December 31 from the cricket series in South Africa, ditched the hotel where he was supposed to go and instead headed straight to alleged girlfriend Anushka's house in Andheri.

Not just that, Anushka had sent two cars to pick up Virat a Range Rover for his luggage and a BMW for him. Reports suggest that the Indian cricket Vice Captain who was supposed to travel to the hotel along with the rest of his team in a bus, waited for Anushka's cars instead and promptly got in.

He then headed straight for Anushka's pad where she was hosting a party to bring in the New Year. While Anushka is said to have rubbished rumors of them dating, she instead opted for the safe 'friends' tag and in an interview to a news organization said "when he (Virat) is in Bombay, he does come and see me".

Anushka had sent two cars to pick up Virat - a Range Rover for his lugg age and a BMW for him

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„ Health

Line

Moms-to-be should get more vitamin D LONDON: Children are likely to have stronger muscles if their mothers had a higher level of vitamin D in their body during pregnancy, according to a new research.

Low vitamin D status has been linked to reduced muscle strength in adults and children, but little is known about how variation in a mother's status during pregnancy affects her child.

Researchers from the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (MRC LEU) at the University of Southampton measured vitamin D levels in 678 mothers in the later stages of pregnancy.

When the children were four years old, grip strength and muscle mass were measured.

Results showed that the higher the levels of vitamin D in the mother, the higher the grip strength of the child, with an additional, but less pronounced association between mother's vitamin D and child's muscle mass. -PTI

„ Good night's sleep crucial for brain health LONDON: Lack of a good night's sleep may damage your brain in a similar way to being hit on the head, a new study has warned.

The study from Uppsala University, Sweden, shows that one night of sleep deprivation increases morning blood concentrations of molecules NSE and S100B in healthy young men.

These molecules are typically found in the brain. Thus, their rise in blood after sleep loss may indicate that a lack of sleep may result in loss of brain tissue, researchers said.

Fifteen normal-weight men participated in the study. In one condition they were sleep-deprived for one night, while in the other condition they slept for approximately 8 hours.

"We observed that a night of total sleep loss was followed by increased blood concentrations of NSE and S-100B. These brain molecules typically rise in blood under conditions of brain damage," said sleep researcher Christian Benedict at the Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, who led the study.

"Thus, our results indicate that a lack of sleep may promote neurodegenerative processes," said Benedict.-PTI

Health Science

Providing health care complicated in rural areas Details on Page 34

32 India Post

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January 10, 2014

British scientists test crash diet cure for diabetes LONDON: British scientists are exploring a short-term crash diet that can reverse type 2 diabetes and restore natural insulin levels, offering fresh hope to millions suffering from the disease around the world.

The scientists found that putting overweight diabetics on a diet of just 800 calories a day cleared the disease and returned them to health in a few weeks.

According to a report in the Sunday Times, so far the technique has been tested successfully on only 11 patients, but now it is to be the subject of a 2.4-million-pound medical trial by Diabetes UK involving 280 people with obesity-induced diabetes.

Professor Roy Taylor, director of Newcastle University's Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) centre, who led the initial study, said the early findings were "enormously exciting".

"We demonstrated that by

changing calorie intake we could change fat levels in the liver and pancreas and return insulin production to normal," he said.

to prove that it works."

Type 2 diabetes, unlike Type 1, is closely correlated with obesity. It occurs when the body can-

"The new study is to see whether GPs can use this approach to reverse diabetes in their patients and whether it will stay reversed. The evidence is that it will, but we need a large-scale trial

not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that moves glucose from the blood and into cells where it can be used for energy.

With insufficient insulin, blood sugar soars, with a raft of dangerous side effects. These include a sharply increased risk of heart attack and stroke, blindness, foot amputation and dementia.

Scientists already know that people who undergo weight-loss surgery such as gastric bypasses often see their type 2 diabetes go into remission, but such treatments are dangerous and are seen as the last resort.

Taylor and his co-researcher Mike Lean, professor of human nutrition at Glasgow University, who will be jointly overseeing the new trial, used MRI scans to observe how crash dieting rapidly removes these particular fat deposits, potentially explaining why it gets such rapid results.

"The good news is that if you cut fat in the diet then the liver fat falls very rapidly - and that means the pancreas can start working again," said Taylor. -PTI

Smoking can disrupt your sleep NEW YORK: Want a good night's sleep? Quit smoking!

Smoking may not only cause cancer and heart disease, but also disrupt the body clock and ruin sleep quality, a new study has warned.

The study suggests that smoking disrupts the circadian clock function in both the lungs and the brain, meaning it ruins productive sleep, leading to cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, depression and anxiety.

"This study has found a common pathway whereby cigarette smoke impacts both pulmonary and neurophysiological function.

Further, the results suggest the possible therapeutic value of targeting this pathway with compounds that could improve both lung and brain functions in smokers," said Irfan Rahman from the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Cen-

ter in Rochester, New York.

"We envisage that our findings will be the basis for future developments in the treatment of those patients who are suffering with tobacco smoke-mediated

ing molecule) and this reduction altered the level of the clock protein (BMAL1) in both lung and brain tissues in mice.

A similar reduction was seen in lung tissue from human smok-

injuries and diseases," said Rahman.

Rahman and colleagues found that tobacco smoke affects clock gene expression rhythms in the lung by producing parallel inflammation and depressed levels of brain locomotor activity.

Short- and long- term smoking decreased a molecule known as SIRTUIN1 (SIRT1, an anti-age-

ers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Researchers made this discovery using two groups of mice which were placed in smoking chambers for short-term and long-term tobacco inhalation.

One of the groups was exposed to clean air only and the other was exposed to different

numbers of cigarettes during the day.

Researchers monitored their daily activity patterns and found that these mice were considerably less active following smoke exposure.

Scientists then used mice deficient in SIRT1 and found that tobacco smoke caused a dramatic decline in activity but this effect was attenuated in mice that over expressed this protein or were treated with a small pharmacological activator of the anti-ageing protein.

Further results suggest that the clock protein, BMAL1, was regulated by SIRT1, and the decrease in SIRT1 damaged BMAL1, resulting in a disturbance in the sleep cycle/molecular clock in mice and human smokers. However, this defect was restored by a small molecule activator of SIRT1.

The study was published in The FASEB Journal. -PTI

January 10, 2014

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Historic smoking report marks 50th anniversary ATLANTA: Fifty years ago, ashtrays seemed to be on every table and desk. Athletes and even Fred Flintstone endorsed cigarettes in TV commercials. Smoke hung in the air in restaurants, offices and airplane cabins. More than 42 percent of U.S. adults smoked, and there was a good chance your doctor was among them.

The turning point came on January 11, 1964. It was on that Saturday morning that U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry released an emphatic and authoritative report that said smoking causes illness and death - and the government should do something about it.

In the decades that followed, warning labels were put on cigarette packs, cigarette commercials were banned, taxes were raised and new restrictions were placed on where people could light up. ``It was the beginning,'' said Kenneth Warner, a University of Michigan public health professor who is a leading authority on smoking and health.

It was not the end. While the U.S. smoking rate has fallen by more than half to 18 percent, that still translates to more than 43 million smokers. Smoking is still far and away the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. Some experts predict large numbers of Americans will puff away for decades to come.

Nevertheless, the Terry report has been called one of the most important documents in U.S. public health history, and on its 50th

anniversary, officials are not only rolling out new anti-smoking campaigns but reflecting on what the nation did right that day.

The report's bottom-line message was hardly revolutionary. Since 1950, head-turning studies that found higher rates of lung cancer in heavy smokers had been appearing in medical journals. A widely read article in Reader's Digest in 1952, ``Cancer by the Carton,'' contributed to the largest drop in cigarette consumption since the Depression. In 1954, the American Cancer Society announced that smokers had a higher cancer risk.

But the tobacco industry fought back.

Manufacturers came out with cigarettes with filters that they claimed would trap toxins before they settled into smokers' lungs. And in 1954, they placed a full-page ad in hundreds of newspapers in which they argued that research linking their products and cancer was inconclusive.

It was a brilliant counter-offensive that left physicians and the public unsure how dangerous smoking really was. Cigarette

sales rebounded.

In 1957 and 1959, Surgeon General Leroy Burney issued statements that heavy smoking causes lung cancer. But they had little impact.

Amid pressure from health advocates, President John F. Kennedy's Surgeon General, Dr. Luther Terry, announced in 1962 that he was convening an expert panel to examine all the evidence and issue a comprehensive, debate-settling report. To ensure the panel was unimpeachable, he let the tobacco industry veto any proposed members it regarded as biased.

Surveys indicated a third to a half of all physicians smoked tobacco products at the time, and the committee reflected the culture: Half its 10 members were smokers, who puffed away during committee meetings.

Terry himself was a cigarette smoker.

Dr. Eugene Guthrie, an assistant surgeon general, helped persuade Terry to kick the habit a few months before the press conference releasing the report. ``I told him, `You gotta quit that. I think you can get away with a pipe - if you don't do it openly.' He said, `You gotta be kidding!' I said, `No, I'm not. It just wouldn't do. If you smoke any cigarettes, you better do it in a closet,''' Guthrie recalled in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

The press conference was held on a Saturday partly out of concern about its effect on the stock market. About 200 reporters attended.

The committee said cigarette smoking clearly did cause lung cancer and was responsible for the nation's escalating male cancer death rate. It also said there was no valid evidence filters were reducing the danger. The committee also said - more vaguely that the government should address the problem. ``This was front-page news, and every American knew it,'' said Robin Koval, president of Legacy, an anti-smoking organization.

Cigarette consumption dropped a whopping 15 percent over the next three months but then began to rebound. Health officials realized it would take more than one report.

In 1965, Congress required cigarette packs to carry warning labels. Two years later, the Federal Communications Commission ordered TV and radio stations to provide free air time for anti-smoking public service announcements. Cigarette commercials were banned in 1971.

Still, progress was slow. Warner recalled teaching at the University of Michigan in 1972, when nearly half the faculty members at the school of public health were smokers. He was one of them. ``I felt like a hypocrite and an idiot,'' he said. But smoking was still the norm, and it was difficult to quit, he said.

The 1970s also saw the birth of a movement to protect nonsmokers from cigarette fumes, with no-smoking sections on airplanes, in restaurants and in other places.

Those eventually gave way to complete

smoking bans. Cigarette machines disap- dangers of smoking was getting louder in peared, cigarette taxes rose, and restrictions 1964, experts said. But the way the commiton the sale of cigarettes to minors got tee was assembled and the carefully neutougher. tral manner in which it reached its concluTobacco companies also came under in- sion were at least as important, said Dr. Tim creasing legal attack. In the biggest case of McAfee, director of the Office on Smoking them all, more than 40 states brought law- and Health at the Centers for Disease Consuits demanding compensation for the trol and Prevention. costs of treating smoking-related illnesses.

At the same time, he and others said any Big Tobacco settled in 1998 by agreeing to pay about $200 billion and Surveys indicated a third to a half of all curtail marketing of ciga- physicians smoked tobacco products rettes to youths. at the time, and the committee reIn 1998, while the settlement was being flected the culture: Half its 10 members completed, tobacco ex- were smokers, who puffed away during ecutives appeared before committee meetings. Terry himself was Congress and publicly acknowledged for the a cigarette smoker. first time that their products can cause lung cancer and be addic- celebration of the anniversary must be temtive. pered by the size of the problem that still Experts agree that the Terry report clearly exists. triggered decades of changes that whittled Each year, an estimated 443,000 people the smoking rate down. But it was based die prematurely from smoking or exposure on data that was already out there. Why, to secondhand smoke, and 8.6 million live then, did it make such a difference? with a serious illness caused by smoking, For one thing, the drumbeat about the according to the CDC.-AP

Health Science Post

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Providing health care complicated in rural areas FREEPORT, Fla.: In this rural part of the Panhandle, Christopher Mitchell finds few takers when he delivers his message about the importance of exploring insurance options under the federal health overhaul.

People in the conservativeleaning area tend to have a bad impression of President Obama's signature law because of negative messages they hear on talk radio or from friends, said Mitchell, marketing director for a network of nonprofit health clinics. Even for those with insurance, a doctor's

efit from federally subsidized health insurance but aren't open to it.

Among those unconvinced by Mitchell's pitch was Laressa Bowness, who brought her father to the clinic for dental care. ``I get frustrated because I hear so much stuff. The politicians who put the system into place have lost their sense of reality. They don't understand what people who work face,'' said Bowness, who added that most people she knows don't have health insurance because they simply cannot

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, Joe Manning sits in his office in De Funiak Springs, Fla. Manning is an outreach worker trained to sign people in rural Florida to participate in the Affordable Care Act.

visit may require a long drive because there are few providers in the area - and some are selective about the coverage they accept.

Around the country, advocates spreading the word about the Affordable Care Act in rural areas face similar difficulties. Coupled with the well-publicized glitches for the online insurance marketplaces, their stories illustrate the broader challenges in meeting President Barack Obama's goal of reducing the number of uninsured in places with some of the highest percentages of uninsured residents. ``I tell people that I am not here to advocate for the law, I am here to support the law and empower people to be able to use and understand the law,'' said Mitchell, whose employer, PanCare of Florida, received a federal grant for outreach efforts. ``But when people are hearing over and over and over that it is bankrupting America, it is hard to break through.''

On a recent afternoon, Mitchell made his pitch to half a dozen patients in the waiting room of a lowslung brick clinic surrounded by pine trees on the two-lane state road that serves as Freeport's main street. In areas like this where one-story houses and mobile homes sit far apart on lots of tan, sandy soil and pine needles many poor residents could ben-

afford it.

In a sparsely populated area of Michigan, retired nurse Sue Cook crisscrosses the 960-square mile Sanilac County to help people sign up for insurance through the online exchange. The spread-out county has only 42,000 residents. ``There are many challenges we're facing right now,'' said Cook, who leads an all-volunteer team of health care professionals at Caring Hearts Clinic in Marlette, 65 miles north of Detroit. ``You've got somebody in the northeast part of the county that has no transportation to get here to even sign up. ``We're finding that even if I go to the far end of the county, there's the issue of not having Wi-Fi to hook up to,'' she said. ``Those are huge hurdles for us to try to conquer in a large county like this.''

Kathy Bannister recently signed up with Cook's help after many failed attempts. The selfemployed beautician secured a plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan with a monthly payment of $215 after subsidies. She now pays $500 for a comparable plan from the same insurer. ``The whole idea was to make it easier for people,'' said Bannister, 51, who had a heart-valve replacement 13 years ago. ``I'd been calling and calling and calling, and a lot of people would have given up. It's discouraging.''

To the north, Nick Derusha is director of the health department for four Upper Peninsula counties with a high rate of uninsured residents: Mackinac, Luce, Alger and Schoolcraft. The region covers a vast expanse but only consists of about 35,000 people.

Barriers faced by people in the area include a shortage of health workers, a lack of transportation and Internet and cable connectivity. ``There are many barriers to care, as well as health care coverage alone,'' Derusha said.

Rudey Ballard, an insurance broker in Rexburg, Idaho - population 25,000 - has been selling health care policies for two decades. In addition to his brokerage downtown, his six-person office staffs a small kiosk at the local Wal-Mart, just down the hill from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple that dominates the rural skyline.

Rexburg is Republican country - all local lawmakers are GOP, and residents voted overwhelmingly for presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. Ballard sometimes finds himself the target of criticism when he's manning the Wal-Mart booth. ``I've actually had people come up to me and boo me,'' he said. ``They come up to me and go `Boo, hiss. Boo, hiss. I will never sign

up that.'''

Back in Florida, Mitchell had no takers during his afternoon of trying to get people to sign up.

Some in the small waiting room told him that even with federal subsidies they would face a choice between utilities, food, gas or monthly health insurance. One woman asked Mitchell about the fine for not having health insurance. She laughed and said the $95 is much more affordable than a monthly health insurance bill.

Walton County, with about

take additional funding from the federal government to expand Medicaid coverage, many people who would qualify for Medicaid under the federal guidelines do not qualify under the state's guidelines. People can appeal their Medicaid eligibility and seek help in reducing insurance premiums, but that doesn't always work.

Florida Blue, the state's Blue Cross Blue Shield network, is the only insurer providing coverage in all of the state's 76 counties.

Kevin Riley, the company's vice

One woman asked Mitchell about the fine for not having health insurance. She laughed and said the $95 is much more affordable than a monthly health insurance bill.

58,000 residents, stretches from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the Alabama border in the north.

While there are wealthy neighborhoods along the coast, most of the county looks more like Freeport. For the ZIP code surrounding the town, census data shows that the median household income is around $43,000 and the poverty rate is around 12 percent.

Because Florida opted not to

president, said serving rural Florida can be a challenge. ``It is tough in part because of the distances people have to drive in those large, rural counties to reach providers,'' Riley said.

The company has held townhall style meetings throughout the state and has sent representatives to Wal-Marts in rural areas to discuss coverage with customers. AP

LA settles for $200,000 in 'patient dumping' case LOS ANGELES: A hospital has agreed to a $200,000 settlement with the city of Los Angeles for dropping off a patient on Skid Row without making arrangements with a shelter or family members, the city attorney said, vowing a crackdown against any reemergence of ``patient dumping,'' a practice that plagued Southern California nearly 10 years ago. ``My office will fight to protect everyone in our community, especially our most vulnerable,'' Mike Feuer said in a statement announcing the settlement with the 224-bed Beverly Hospital in Montebello. ``Patient dumping is inhumane and intolerable.''

Feuer's office alleged that the Beverly Community Hospital Association failed to perform a proper screening of a dependent adult with an emergency medical condition, failed to stabilize and transfer the patient, then improperly discharged them to Skid Row, dropping them off in a taxi without arrangements with family or a

shelter. ``It truly is hard to imagine for a person to be in a more vulnerable position than being delivered to nowhere on Skid Row,'' Feuer told the Los Angeles Times.

The hospital has been very

cooperative with his office since litigation began in December, Feuer said, agreeing to $200,000 in civil penalties and adopting changes to its medical and psychiatric screening process.

The case was minor when compared to the near epidemic of ``patient dumping,'' that struck Southern California nearly a decade ago,

with Los Angeles police reporting hundreds of patients on downtown streets, some still in hospital gowns. One Orange County hospital paid $1.6 million in penalties and charitable contributions after dropping of some 150 patients in vans, the Times reported.

Dumped patients had been a rare phenomenon in more recent years after police, prosecutors and other public officials cracked down on the practice.

It has been a bigger problem in Nevada and Northern California, where San Francisco's city attorney filed a lawsuit last year claiming Nevada has bused psychiatric patients to the city and declined to pay the costs connected with their care. -AP

January 10, 2014

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State finds 'jeopardy' to disabled at 3 centers LOS ANGELES: Three California centers for the developmentally disabled are at risk of losing Medicaid funding after some patients were found in unsafe situations, state health officials said.

The California Department of Public Health announced that it would take steps to decertify the Porterville, Lanterman and Fairview Developmental Centers.

Health officials said they discovered ``situations involving immediate jeopardy'' to patients at the three facilities. ``The actions we're taking today are necessary to ensure that the Developmental Centers improve the quality of care at these facilities,'' said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the health department.

The exact nature of the problems was unclear. Spokeswoman Anita Gore said

documents providing more details would be posted on the department website after being redacted.

The facilities had been under review throughout the last year due to ``deficient practices.''

The Department of Developmental Services, which oversees the institutions, has appealed termination of the funding.

The department said in a statement released to The Associated Press that the centers ``remain fully operational'' and it is ``committed to making the necessary improvements that ensure appropriate and safe services at these facilities.''

Health officials said they would work with the Department of Developmental Services to find a way to continue the Medicaid certification. ``We will work with them to try to ensure that they come into compliance so that they don't have to be terminated,'' Gore told the Los Angeles Times.

But if they fail to do so, they could begin losing some of their funding by midMay, affecting the services received by 430 people.

However, Gore added, ``We believe they will come back into compliance.'' -AP

Two flu deaths reported in Alaska ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Two adult Alas- the flu under a test designed for a quick kans have died from the flu, according to reading. The state is awaiting confirmation state health officials. from a lab test.

The deaths are the first to be reported ``Most of the positive tests are true induring Alaska's 2013-14 influenza season - fluenza,'' Yablon said. ``There can be false which has been picking up - and the first positives but in the middle of flu season, since new rules requiring health care facili- it's likely to be flu.'' ties to report adult flu deaths to the state Unlike in 2009, the H1N1 strain is part of took effect in late December. this year's vaccination, said Gerri Yett, the Before, Alaska only tracked deaths immunization program manager for the among children. The state has not been health department. notified of any child deaths so far this flu ``There's an ample supply of vaccine season. available still,'' she said. ``People think, `Oh it's just the flu,''' said Alaska State health officials say they'll Dr. Brian Yablon, a state epidemiologist. ``But flu People think, `Oh it's just the flu,''' actually is a common cause of death every winter. It's a said Dr. Brian Yablon, a state good thing to be able to epidemiologist. ``But flu actually is track.'' a common cause of death every The state Department of Health and Social Services winter. It's a good thing to be able did not disclose the names, to track.'' ages or hometowns of the Alaskans who died.

The deadly H1N1, or the so-called swine waive the administrative fee for the stateflu, triggered more than 90 percent of the supplied flu vaccine for certain Alaskans 290 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in Alaska in an effort to get more people immunized. since September, the Anchorage Daily For those who qualify, that $28 fee is being News reported. It's the flu strain behind the waived through March at all state public worldwide pandemic in 2009 that swept health centers and the Anchorage Public across more than 209 countries and killed Health Center. more than 14,140 people.

Alaska vaccinated 39.7 percent of resiA lab test confirmed that one of the adult dents older than 6 months during the 2012flu deaths in Alaska was caused by H1N1, 13 flu season, the most current statistics Yablon said. The other tested positive for available. -AP

Gujarat behind fall in maternal mortality rate AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has done a little worse than the national average when it comes to achieving decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), according to the Union Health Ministry.

TFR, which signifies the number of children born per woman, fell from 2.8 in 2005 to 2.4 in 2011 in the state, as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) data.

The national decline in TFR in this period was 17.2 per cent, from 2.9 in 2005 to 2.4 in 2011.

The state registered 23.75 per cent decline in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) the number of maternal deaths per lakh live births. Between 2004-06, the MMR was 160, while the same during 2010-12 was 122. The national decline, during the same period, was 29.9 per cent.

However, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) number of child deaths per 1,000 live births - fell in the state from 54 in 2005 to 38 in 2012, registering a 29.63 per cent fall, higher than the national decline of 27.5 per cent.

Maternal and Child Health Tracking System (MCTS) under the National Rural Health Mission has been put in place in all the districts of the state, the report said.

"Total of 42,17,965 pregnant women and 30,73,905 children have been registered with MCTS since inception," it said.

The Centre has given Rs 4,164.34 crore to the state under the NRHM since the pro-

gram began. For 2013-14, Rs 608.41 crore have been released.

Of the 1,158 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in the state, 101 (9 per cent) are functioning 24x7, the report said.

Under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), launched in June 2011, the state has implemented all the entitle-

Maternal and Child Health Tracking System (MCTS) under the National Rural Health Mission has been put in place in all the districts of the state ments (free diet, free drugs and diagnostics, free referral transport to pregnant mothers and their children up to 1 years) in all the districts.

Rs 29.56 crore have been sanctioned under the JSSK for 2013-14 to Gujarat, the report said.

The report further said that in addition to Ahmedabad city, National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke is being implemented in six districts - Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Porbandar and Junagadh.-PTI

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Realty Tidbits

Funding secured for Ninilchik lowincome housing KENAI, Alaska: Plans are moving forward for low-income housing in Ninilchik.

The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. has awarded money to seven projects statewide, including $924,000 to the Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives for the sixunit building Inlet Ridge in Ninilchik.

Steven Rouse, KPHI executive director, said construction on Inlet Ridge is likely in 2015 but it could begin as early as this year, the Peninsula Clarion reported. ``The development that we funded in Ninilchik was funded in a large part because (the project) was really cost efficient,'' Daniel Delfino, AHFC planner said. ``It was located in a rural community, which is a priority under our allocation criteria, and it just hit on a number of targets for affordability and efficiency.''

There will be one-, two- and three-bedroom units, which will vary in price according to tenants' incomes and other factors. Ground floor units in the two-story property will be equipped to house mobility-, visually- or hearing-impaired tenants. -AP

„

Fred Meyer outscores foes for Civic Stadium land

EUGENE, Ore.: A committee looking at proposals to replace Eugene's historic Civic Stadium has ranked a Fred Meyer store as the best financial option.

The Register-Guard reports that the committee comprising school district employees and a real estate consultant ranked proposals the district received last month for its 10-acre property.

A Fred Meyer developer offered to pay $360,000 a year to lease the land for 20 years, with an option to buy it at the end of that period for an estimated $10.2 million to $11.2 million. It outscored offers from the Eugene Family YMCA, the city of Eugene and the nonprofit Friends of Civic Stadium.-AP

Real Estate

Realtors body flays hike in ready reckoner rate

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Texas' three largest home insurers plan to raise rates DALLAS: Texas' three largest home insurers are kicking off 2014 with steep increases in policyholder premiums, according to a report.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Allstate, Farmers and State Farm plan to raise rates for most current and new customers by between an average of 6.5 percent to 14.9 percent. More than 2 million homeowners will be affected.

The companies have notified the Texas Department of Insurance that the increases will help offset projected losses. The insurance department will review the rate hikes and can reject any it deems excessive in what would be the first major decision on rates made by new Insurance Commissioner Julia Rathgeber.

But Public Insurance Counsel Deeia Beck, the state consumer advocate for the industry, has already said the proposed hikes aren't justified.

Farmers is raising rates an average of 14.9 percent, and State Farm is boosting rates 9.8 percent.

Allstate's increase is 6.5 percent.

That will affect policyholders with Allstate's two largest homeowner's insurance subsidiaries.

The Office of Public Insurance Counsel has opposed all rate increases, but objected most strenuously to the State Farm and Farmers plans. Beck wrote that State Farm based increases on projections that ``exaggerate future expected losses.''

State Farm is the state's largest

insurer. Spokeswoman Patti Kelly told the newspaper that the company had no choice, given that it

Beck wrote of Farmers that the company's filing includes unsupported premium and property loss

is spending $1.11 for every dollar collected in premiums to cover the cost of business expenses and claims.

trends and that it was seeking ``greatly excessive'' Texas profits.

Luis Sahagun, a Farmers spokesman, said the insurer needs

to account for ``increasing costs associated with covering the risks faced by customers'' in Texas, including damage from tornadoes, hailstorms and other severe weather.

Insurance profit and loss figures for last year aren't yet available. But 2012 was a very profitable year for many in the state.

Overall, insurers paid out an average 54.4 percent of their premiums to cover property losses, a major improvement over previous years.

A ``loss ratio'' of 60 percent is considered a good target for industry profitability. State Farm showed a loss ratio of 47.5 percent. Allstate had a 50.8 percent loss ratio, and Farmers was 66.3 percent.

Alex Winslow of Texas Watch, a consumer group, said Texas had the third-highest rates of any state according to a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners last month - trailing only Florida and Louisiana. -AP

DDA to launch housing scheme NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority will be launching a new housing scheme under which people from all the segments of the society will get affordable flats through a draw this year.

The flats will be made available in different parts of the city and the scheme will provide accommodation ranging from one room tenement to three bedrooms flats.

According to sources, under the scheme, DDA will allot about 5,000 to 6000 flats.

A person above the age of 18 years, residing in any part of the country, can apply for the scheme provided he does not own any residential flat or plot in full or in part on lease hold or freehold basis in Delhi either in his or her own name or in the name of the spouse or minor or dependent children.

One person can only submit one application form.

DDA will make a formal announcement/advertisement in this regard soon to announce the price range or the specific areas where these flats are located along with

other details.

The last housing scheme of DDA was launched in 2010 when 16,000 flats were on offer in various parts of the national capital like Vasant Kunj, Rohini, Dwarka etc. -PTI

According to sources, under the scheme, DDA will allot about 5,000 to 6000 flats.

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Jethmalani cheated in Chennai land deal CHENNAI: Former Union law minister and senior Supreme Court lawyer Ram Jethmalani has complained to the Chennai city police that a real estate dealer has cheated him of Rs 7 crore.

Jethmalani, 91, visited the police commissioner's office here to file the complaint.

Police sources said Jethmalani and his two friends in Delhi had approached a real estate broker in Nungambakkam, whom they had identified through a leading website. They asked him to show them properties in prime areas in the city and on ECR. The man collected Rs 7 crore from them under the pretext of paying an advance to a land owner, but never got the land registered.

A police source said whenever Jethmalani and his friends tried to ask for the money, the dealer would dodge the matter and instead suggest a few other properties in the city. Finally, when they insisted on getting back the money, he vanished, Jethmalani

told police commissioner S George.

The commissioner has forwarded

Jethmalani, however, said he was on an official visit. Police offic-

Ram Jethmalani

the complaint to the central crime branch (CCB).

Coming out of the commissioner's office,

ers had apparently advised Jethmalani against telling reporters the details of the cheating case.

Realtors body flays hike in ready reckoner rate MUMBAI: A day after the state government steeply hiked property prices in major cities in spite of falling sales, realtors association has flayed the decision saying the move will harm the industry in particular and the state in general.

"I think the government has taken an upfront decision.

reckoner (RR) rates for residential and commercial properties in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Navi Mumbai municipal areas to the tune of 5-30 per cent with the average hike being 20 per cent.

Jain further said the decision will make people unhappy and will also harm the interest of the state's revenue generation as property sales

Realtors association has flayed the decision saying the move will harm the industry in particular and the state in general.

There is no synchronization in the decision-making. The decision should have been taken by the chief minister and the cabinet and not by the revenue department alone," Credai chairman Lalitkumar Jain told PTI. The state increased the ready

are slumping already.

For the developers, their capital cost will go up which in turn will increase the sale price at a time when the inventory levels are piling up, Jain added.

Last year the state had increased the ready reckoner rate by

20 per cent. Normally the RR rates are changed on the last day of the year.

Jain also called upon the government to reverse the decision or else its will harm the interest of the state.

For the megapolis, according to officials, the rates were hiked by over 20 per cent in only 26 of the total 737 zones of the city. The new rates mostly affect tony areas like Worli, Napeansea Road, Altamount Road, Carter Road and Prabhadevi, among others.

The ready reckoner rate is an annual statement of property rates based on which the stamps and registration department collects stamp duty from buyers. It is the basis for the calculation of the market value of flats for stamp duty and registration charges.

Following the hike, property buyers will have to shell out more in terms of higher VAT, service tax and stamp duty, leading to the overall price rise in the city which attracts the highest realty price in the country.

Duties from property registration and stamp duty are the largest revenue of the state and it has set a target of Rs 20,000 crore this fiscal from this.-PTI

Sobha's Q3 sales bookings fall by 6 pc to Rs 502 crore NEW DELHI: Realty firm Sobha Developers' sales bookings fell by 6 per cent in the third quarter ended December 2013 to Rs 502.3 crore due to lower sales volumes because of a slowdown in the real estate market.

The Bangalore-based company had achieved sales bookings of Rs 533.4 crore in the year-ago period.

"The company, during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, has sold 0.74 million sq ft of new space valued at Rs 5.02 billion at an average price realization of Rs 6,786 per sq ft," Sobha said in an operational update for the third quarter of financial year 2013-14.

In terms of volume, the sales bookings declined by 18 per cent to 0.74 million sq ft during Octo-

"There is a marginal decline in the area sold during April-December 2014 as compared to the corresponding period of 2013 on account of weak sentiments prevailing in the NCR market coupled with the economy related factors," Sobha said.

In the beginning of this fiscal, Sobha had given a guidance of new sales area of 4.2 million sq ft valued at Rs 2,600 crore for the current financial year.

"At the close of three quarters of FY'14, the company has registered new sales area of 2.66 million sq ft at Rs 1,737 crore. While the company is able to maintain better sales realizations and generate consistent operational cash flows, it remains cautious about

During the full financial year 2012-13, Sobha had sold 3.75 million sq ft area for Rs 2,214.5 crore. Apart from Bangalore and National Capital Region, Sobha has projects in Chennai, Pune, Thrissur, Coimbatore, Kozhikode and Mysore. ber-December quarter as against 0.9 million sq ft in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

The average sales realization, however, was higher at Rs 6,786 per sq ft as against Rs 5,910 per sq ft during the period under review.

During April-December period of this fiscal, sales bookings have risen by 13 per cent to Rs 1,737.4 crore from Rs 1,540.3 crore in the year-ago period despite lower volumes.

Sobha's sales bookings fell to 2.66 million sq ft in the first nine months of this fiscal from 2.68 million sq ft in the corresponding period of previous fiscal.

achieving its guidance set for the current fiscal," Sobha said.

During the full financial year 2012-13, Sobha had sold 3.75 million sq ft area for Rs 2,214.5 crore.

Apart from Bangalore and National Capital Region, Sobha has projects in Chennai, Pune, Thrissur, Coimbatore, Kozhikode and Mysore.

"We remain upbeat about our south Indian markets despite a lower sales volume during the quarter. We also anticipate an uptick in the sales momentum in the coming quarters due to proposed new launches across our existing markets," it added. -PTI

Madison works to secure more housing for homeless MADISON, Wis.: Madison city and nonprofit officials are working on two initiatives to provide more housing for the homeless.

Occupy Madison Inc. hopes to buy a parcel of land so it can build more of what it calls ``tiny houses,'' shed-like structures on wheels, for the homeless and eventually park eight to 10 there, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

The 98-square-foot houses have a roof, insulated walls, a compost toilet and sink. Currently, a tiny house parked on a Madison street must be moved every day or two.

Occupy has secured an option to buy the land for $110,000. The plan is for up to 10 people to live

in temporary shelter there as they help build their house.

The proposal needs conditional use approvals, a zoning change and a campground permit, Occupy board member Brenda Konkel said. The plan commission would retain oversight due to the conditional use, she said. ``We want to make sure the neighborhood is very comfortable with this,'' she said, adding that Occupy eventually hopes to create a small village at a different, larger site.

Alderman Larry Palm told the newspaper it's an appropriate site for construction but said he is unsure about parking houses there.-AP

www.indiapost.com

40 India Post

D

elhi is a city that bridges two different worlds.

Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj comprises spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings.

Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, a number of Delhi's rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.

The city's importance lies not just in its past glory as the

January 10, 2014 seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in the rich and diverse cultures. No wonder chroniclers of Delhi culture - from Chand Bardai and Amir Khusro to present days writers - have never been at a loss for topics.

In Delhi, you will discover that the city is sprinkled with dazzling gems: captivating ancient monuments, fascinating museums and art galleries, architectural wonders, a vivacious performing-arts scene, fabulous eating places and bustling markets.

Delhi has been the political hub of India. Every political activity in the country traces its roots here. This was true even of the mythological era. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata had their capital at Indraprastha, which is believed to have been geographically located in today's Delhi.

HISTORY OF DELHI Delhi, the capital of India has a strong historical background.

It was ruled by some of the most powerful emperors in Indian history.

The history of the city is as old as the epic Mahabharata. The town was known as Indraprastha, where Pandavas used to live. In due course eight more cities came alive adjacent to Indraprastha: Lal Kot, Siri, Dinpanah, Quila Rai Pithora, Ferozabad, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad and Shahjahanabad.

Delhi has been a witness to the political turmoil for over five centuries. It was ruled by the Mughals in succession to Khiljis and Tughlaqs.

In 1192 the legions of the Afghan warrior Muhammad of Ghori captured the Rajput town and the Delhi Sultanate was established (1206).

The invasion of Delhi by Timur in 1398 put an end to the sultanate; the Lodis, last of the Delhi sultans, gave way to Babur, who, after the battle of Panipat in 1526, founded the Mughal Empire. The early Mughal emperors favored Agra as their capital, and Delhi became their permanent seat only after Shah Jahan built (1638) the walls of Old Delhi.

Cont’d on page 41

India Gate

Qutab Minar

Safdarjang Tomb

Travel & Hospitality Post

January 10, 2014

India Post

41

www.indiapost.com Bahai Temple

Cont’d from page 40

From Hindu Kings to Muslim Sultans, the reins of the city kept shifting from one ruler to another.

The soils of the city smell of blood, sacrifices and love for the nation.

The old 'Havelis' and edifices from the past stand silent but their silence also speaks volumes for their owners and people who lived here centuries back.

Delhi

SEAT OF POWER FOR ABOUT A MILLENNIUM

Humayun's Tomb

In the year 1803 AD, the city came under British rule. In 1911, British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi. It again became the center of all the governing activities. But, the city has the reputation of overthrowing the occupants of its throne. It included the British and the current political

Akshardham Temple

parties that have had the honor of leading free India.

After independence in 1947, New Delhi was officially declared as the Capital of India.

CULTURE OFDELHI Delhi is the traditional and present day capital of India. Delhi

stands in a triangle formed by the river Yamuna in the east and spurs from the Aravali range in the west and south.

Delhi is not only the largest commercial centre in Northern India but also the largest centre of small industries. The IT sector, handloom, fashion, textile and electronic industry contribute a lot to Delhi's economy.

Delhi is bounded by four states namely Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab that have a strong influence on the lifestyle of Delhi. Delhi is a cosmopolitan city where people are open to embracing new ideas and lifestyle. People from all parts of the country live here. All major festival of India are celebrated and the Unity in Diver-

Red Fort

Birla Mandir

sity is evident in social and cultural gatherings. Be it Holi, Diwali, Id, Guru Purab, Buddha Purnima or Christmas, you will find the same vigor and bliss among people from different communities.

TOURIST PLACES Akshardham Temple, Azad Hind Gram, Bahai Temple, Birla Mandir, Dilli Haat, Garden of Five Senses, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, Lodi Tomb, Parliament House, Purana Quila, Qutab Minar, Safdarjang Tomb, Red Fort.

Parliament House

Cont’d on page 42

42

India Post

Travel & Hospitality Post

January 10, 2014

www.indiapost.com

Incredible India website in 11 languages NEW DELHI: Aiming at world audience, the website for 'Incredible India' campaign will soon provide tourist related information in 11 languages, including Chinese, Spanish and Arabic.

"Our website is going to be in 11 languages including Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, French and Spanish to make it helpful for foreign tourists," Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan said at the Incredible India calendar launch here.

Besides, the Tourism Ministry website will also have new features like virtual tours and audio guides of prominent tourist places in the country.

"Eight cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Jaipur, Ahmedabad have been covered by virtual tours and our aim is to cover at least one place of every state in two years in the virtual tour program," Dewan said.

Hoping for a growth in foreign and domestic tourists in the cur-

rent year, he said, "We are expecting an increase of about 5 per cent in the foreign tourist arrivals this year while the number of domestic tourist is increasing by 18 to 19 per cent every year."

The new calendar, launched by the Tourism Secretary, has 24 pages with each month having two pages displaying pictures of tourist attraction of a state.

The calendar has also carried 12 pictures of the last year calendar at the bottom of it. "In this calendar, we have 36 pictures of 35 states and UTs. The biggest state UP has two pictures," he said.

The pictures have been arranged to match the popular festivals of the month.

"We have tried to arrange them in such a way that photos are matching with the months. For example Golden Temple is shown in April as Baiskahi, popular festival of Punjab, is celebrated in the month," Dewan said.

January has a picture of Lakshadweep beach as people prefer to go to a beach during this time while second picture of the month is of Himachal which shows snow." -PTI

Delhi

Seat of power for about a millennium Cont’d from page 41

Best Time to Visit The best time to visit Delhi is from October to March when the weather is at its best. During this period flowers are at their blooming best, the weather is pleasant and enjoyable to experience Incredible Delhi.

How to Reach

By Air Delhi is well connected with domestic and international flights, to all the major cities within and outside India. Almost all the major airlines have their flights operating from Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi. Domestic Airport connects Delhi to the major cities in India.

By Train

The railway network connects Delhi to the all major and, nearly, all the minor destinations in India.

The three important railway stations of Delhi are New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station.

By Road Delhi is well connected, by a network of roads and national highways, with all the major cities in India. The three major bus stands in Delhi are Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan Bus Terminus and Anand Vihar Bus Terminus. Both the government and private transport providers provide frequent bus services. One can also get government as well as private taxis here.

Jantar Mantar

January 10, 2014

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post

43

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Maldives seeks Indian investment Boats, pearls, crabs: new museum channels Miami in tourism, energy NEW DELHI: Maldives has sought Indian investment in sectors such as energy, fisheries, tourism and transport to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.

"We are open to corporate India. Indian investments are welcome in Maldives. I assure Indian

ism and hospitality, transport and energy were some of the sectors for investments," he said, adding that Maldives is more suited as a hub for the services sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M S Natchiappan

dian investment in the islands. The case is currently in arbitration.

Ficci member Ambuj Chaturvedi outlined a five-point agenda to enhance economic engagement with the Maldives. He said both countries should sign BIPPA, increase exchanges of business delegations

(L–R): S C Aggarwal, Senior Managing Committee Member, ASSOCHAM & Chairman & Managing Director, SMC Group; E M S Natchiappan, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India; Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives; Ambuj Chaturvedi, Member, FICCI & Executive Director, Overseas Infrastructure Alliance (India) Pvt Ltd.; Subodh Bhargava, Past President, CII & Chairman, Tata Communications Ltd.; Rajeev Shahare, High Commissioner of India to Maldives at the Business Session with Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of Republic of Maldives held on January 2 in New Delhi

industry that we will provide a conducive environment for investment," Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom while addressing members of three industry chambers - CII, Ficci and Assocham.

He said the strategic location of the island nation in the Indian Ocean makes it an ideal investment destination.

"Areas such as fisheries, tour-

pitched for negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with Maldives. The agreement would help to protect Indian investments in that country.

In 2012, Maldives cancelled its biggest foreign investment project, a USD 511 million deal with India's GMR Group to develop Male international airport, raising questions about the future of In-

and improve air connectivity.

CII past President Subodh Bhargava suggested the two countries should explore new areas of cooperation such as IT, promoting Maldives as a location for Bollywood movies and the creation of warehouses, among others.

Trade between India and Maldives stood at USD 128.65 million in 2012-13. It was USD 143.49 million in 2011-12. -PTI

Yatra.com eyes 40% sales growth in FY'15 MUMBAI: Online travel company Yatra.com is looking at over 40 per cent revenue growth next fiscal on expectations of increase in hotel bookings and holiday package business, according to a senior company executive.

"We expect 2014-15 to be much better than the current financial year, which has been a very challenging year for the industry. This year we invested into the hotel bookings business, which has doubled from FY'13, and is expected to be one of the major growth driver of our business going ahead," Yatra.com president Sharat Dhall told PTI here.

The company is also expecting its packages business to double in the next financial year, he added.

"On the back of the hotel bookings and packages business, we are expecting about 40 per cent revenue growth in 2014-15," he

said.

The company, he said, expects about 20-25 per cent growth in revenue during FY'14.

At present, hotel bookings con-

stitute 15 per cent of the business, holiday packages around 20 per cent and flight bookings account for the rest, he said.

"During the next financial year, we expect the hotel bookings and holiday packages to grow to around 45 per cent," Dhall said.

Going forward, Dhall said, the company is going to focus on mobile applications.

"We see a significant traffic coming from mobile handsets. Currently, we are seeing 12 per cent actual sales through channel. We expect this segment to grow tremendously going ahead," he said.-PTI

MIAMI: Model yachts, rustic fishing boats and wooden rafts dangle above visitors as they step into the new Perez Art Museum Miami. The colorful display is both a playful nod to South Florida's maritime culture and a somber reference to the perilous journeys many make to get here. It is the perfect entry to a museum that channels the city around it: whimsical, vibrant, brimming with culture from across the Americas and yes, a work in progress.

The museum, which opened in December, still lacks a permanent blockbuster, but its retrospective of Chinese master and political dissident Ai Weiwei, on display through mid-March, should temporarily satisfy. And the museum's eclectic and provocative collection, coupled with its bay front location, has quickly turned the PAMM - as locals already call it into a must-see destination for tourists and natives. ``Our biggest competition down here isn't the other cultural institutions. It's the beach, the water,'' Museum director Thom Collins said. ``So, rather than compete, the museum embraces its surroundings.''

As in the rest of Miami's booming downtown, visitors to the Perez Museum are immediately greeted by construction along the museum's front plaza and at the site of a neighboring science museum, set to open in 2015. Once under the PAMM's shaded deck, though, Ai Weiwei's mammoth bronze animal Zodiac Heads welcome guests, and the call of gulls and ocean breezes take over.

The Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architect firm Herzog & de Meuron took pains to design an airy and hurricane resistant build-

ing, with a wide, shaded deck that can serve as the rare outdoor communal space in a city with scorching temperatures and no central park. Beneath the deck's threestory slatted roof, shrubbery-covered columns hang like an abstract enchanted forest, pumping recaptured rainwater through hidden pipes to further cool the deck.

Inside, strategically placed windows offer views of the beaches and downtown skyline and provide natural light, while an open floor plan ensures future exhibits can be shaped around new acquisitions. No space is wasted: the museum's center staircase doubles as a theater that can be divided into two auditoriums.

Ai's retrospective, which includes symbolic crab piles, buckets of pearls, a maze of hundreds of bicycle wheels and an exploration of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, will be followed by a retro-

spective of Caribbean art and an exhibit by Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes, whose psychedelic color bursts have earned her fame throughout Latin America and Europe.

Collins says that contemporary Latin American artists like Milhazes are sometimes overlooked by major U.S. museums. ``Her work is so baroque and sexual, and often in the U.S. we are somewhat puritanical,'' he said, ``but it will be well received here.''-AP

In Brief Skagit County man suing over immigrant abuse ANACORTES, Wash.: A Skagit County man who is a Mexican national is suing the federal government over the way he was treated after a traffic stop in Anacortes.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports Gustavo Vargas Ramirez spent two months in detention under threat of deportation for failing to signal before a left turn.

He is being represented by the Northwest Immigration Rights Project and is suing the government for psychological, physical and professional damages.

The Border Patrol says he was held because they couldn't verify his immigration status.

His lawyers say Ramirez spent 10 weeks in detention and was not allowed to post bail, even though he had no criminal record. The deportation process was closed on Feb. 6 and he was released. AP

„ Pak origin gay denied partnership visa in Australia MELBOURNE: A Pakistani origin gay is being deported from Australia after his application for a partnership visa was rejected, a media report said.

Ali Choudhry who grew up in the US, had been living in Brisbane for four years, after having a relationship with a Brisbane doctor Matthew Hynd, ABC reported.

He and Hynd were one of the first gay couples in Queensland to register their civil union on March 12, 2012.

His application for a visa recognizing his relationship with Hynd was refused. He said he cannot understand why theirs is not considered a legitimate long-term partnership.

"We applied for a partnership visa to try and keep me here, and keep us together," he said adding "For us, for whatever reason, it took about two years, and then even after all that time, it came back as a no."

He was notified two weeks ago that he must leave Australia following his visa review application to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was also rejected, the news report said.

Choudhry has now lodged an appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal, but may not find out if that application is accepted before his deportation, it said.

Choudhry faces risk of harassment and possible life imprisonment in Pakistan for being gay. -PTI

Immigration

I lose sleep on US Immigration Bill: Nasscom chief Details on page 46

44 India Post

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January 10, 2014

Job applicant from India may have to wait 70 years for visa NEW YORK: Sergio Garcia, the Californian granted a law license despite being in the U.S. illegally, has been waiting in vain since 1994 to get an immigration visa.

Depending on their connections and home country, the wait for some would-be immigrants is far shorter, but delays of a decade or two are routine for many others - notably from the Philippines and Garcia's homeland, Mexico.

Here are some questions and answers about the U.S. immigration system, and the widely varying waiting times facing those who deal with it.

Q: How many people are ``in line'' seeking to emigrate to the U.S.? Are they on any sort of comprehensive official list?

A: There are many different queues, depending on where a would-be immigrant is from and what sort of family and job prospects they have in the United States. In general, to obtain an immigrant visa, an applicant must be sponsored by a prospective employer or relative who is either a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

According to the latest State Department figures, there are 4.2 million immigrant visa applications

pending at U.S. diplomatic missions abroad based on family sponsorships, and about 111,600 employment-based applications.

On top of this are permanent-residency applications filed by people

already in the U.S., such as refugees and foreign students.

Q: How many of the immigrant visa applications are likely to be approved?

Sergio Garcia speaks at The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) news conference in Los Angeles.

A: Under current U.S. law, immigrant visas for the 2014 fiscal year are limited to no more than 226,000 for family-sponsored applications and about approximately 150,000 for job-related applications.

Q: In terms of chances for approval, does it make a difference what country an immigrant is from?

A: Yes. The timetable for consideration of family-based applications is markedly slower for those filed in Mexico and the Philippines, because those countries have more people seeking to come to the U.S. and thus account for large backlogs.

For 2014, the maximum number of applications that can be approved from any one country is set at 26,320, while Mexico has 1,312,198 pending applications and the Philippines has 436,639. Under U.S. law, no one country can account for more than 7 percent of the approved applications.

In regard to employment-based applications, timetables for China and India can be slower than normal because of the relatively large number of job applications they account for.

Cont'd on Page 46

California grants law license to immigrant SAN FRANCISCO: The California Supreme Court granted a law license to a man living in the United States illegally who graduated from law school and passed the state bar exam.

The decision means Sergio Garcia can begin practicing law despite his immigration status.

Garcia had challenged a 1996 federal law that bars people living in the country illegally from receiving professional licenses from government agencies or with the use of public funds, unless state lawmakers vote otherwise.

Shortly after the court heard arguments in the case, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a

state law that authorized the granting of the license. The new law went into effect Jan. 1.

Garcia arrived in the U.S. ille-

administration, which opposes licensing Garcia, against state officials who have supported him.

The Obama position in the

Garcia, 36, worked in the fields and at a grocery store before attending community college. He became a paralegal, went to law school and passed the bar on his first try.

He applied for citizenship in 1994, and is still working toward that goal. gally 20 years ago to pick almonds with his father and worked at a grocery store and in the fields while attending school.

The case has pitted the Obama

case came as a surprise to some, since it adopted a program that shields people who were brought to the U.S. as children, graduated from high school and have kept a

clean criminal record from deportation and allows them to legally work in the country.

Lawyers for the federal government argued that Garcia was barred from receiving his license because the court's budget is funded by public money.

But Garcia said his case is about showing other immigrants that hard work and dedication mean something in the U.S. Garcia, 36, worked in the fields and at a grocery store before attending community college. He became a paralegal, went to law school and passed the bar on his first try. He applied for citizenship in 1994, and is still working toward that goal. -AP

Immigration Post

January 10, 2014

India Post 45

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Case of overstaying after expiry of i-94 CORA-ANN V. PESTAINA

M

ark Thomas (not the actual name of any cli ent, of course) is suddenly living a nightmare. He has just discovered that he has remained in the U.S. well after the expiration date of the Form I-94 issued to him the last time he entered the U.S. in H-1B status. His employer has informed him that he might be out of status and he wants to terminate his employment because he thinks Mark is no longer eligible to work in the U.S.

proval Notice indicating USCIS' approval of the petition or application to extend or change the foreign national's nonimmigrant status in the U.S. Previously, whenever a nonimmigrant arrived in the U.S. by air or sea, he or she usually filled out a white arrival/departure record the I 94 (or green I-94W for foreign nationals entering on a visa waiver) and presented it to the port's CBP officer. The officer would then tear off the bottom portion

Mark's first desperate instinct is to get on the next international flight to anywhere and then re-enter the U.S. to receive a new I-94. However, his attorney advises him that this is too risky and warns Mark - leave and he could be barred from re-entering the U.S. for years!

Mark Thomas feels hopelessly stuck.

Mark's first desperate instinct is to get on the next international flight to anywhere and then reenter the U.S. to receive a new I94. However, his attorney advises him that this is too risky and warns Mark - leave and he could be barred from re-entering the U.S. for years! Mark Thomas feels hopelessly stuck.

Every foreign national who has visited the U.S. whether for business or pleasure, is familiar with the all-important Form I-94. The I-94 is the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Arrival/Departure record. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues the I94 to document a foreign national's admission into the U.S. whether the individual is admitted as a nonimmigrant or is the process of adjusting status in the U.S. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also issue the I-94 to foreign nationals who are extending their nonimmigrant status or changing from one nonimmigrant status to another in the U.S. This I-94 appears at the bottom of USCIS' Form I-797A, Ap-

of the form and stamp it to indicate the alien's nonimmigrant status (i.e. B-2, L-1A, H-1B, etc.) and the expiration date of the alien's authorized period of stay.

The I-94 was then stapled to a page of the alien's passport, and upon departure, the alien had to turn in the I-94 at the port of departure as a record of timely departure.

CBP has now automated the I94 process for all foreign nationals applying for admission at U.S.

der ports of entry and also to certain classes of aliens such as refugees and at other times CBP deems the paper I-94 to be appropriate.

When issuing the electronic I94, the CBP officer will stamp the foreign national's passport with an admission stamp that indicates the class of admission; the date of admission and the admitted until date. Now, foreign nationals who need to present their I-94s as proof of their lawful status to employers, schools/universities or government agencies can access their CBP arrival/departure record information online at www.cbp.gov/I94.

Remaining in the U.S. beyond the period of authorized stay as granted on the I-94 may cause the foreign national to be out of status and unlawfully present in the U.S. Staying beyond the period authorized is a violation of U.S. immigration laws and may result in the foreign national being barred from reentering the U.S. in the future.

More specifically, remaining in the U.S. for more than 180 days beyond the I-94 expiration date could cause the foreign national to be barred from reentering the U.S. for a period of three years and staying for more than one year beyond the I-94 expiration date could cause the foreign national to be barred from reentering the U.S. for a period of 10 years.

In some cases, foreign nationals and their employers can neglect to note the I-94's expiration date and the foreign national could inadvertently remain in the U.S. well beyond the authorized period of stay possibly in violation of U.S. immigration laws. This is exactly what happened to Mark Thomas. ports of entry. Air and sea travelers no longer need to complete the paper I-94 (or I-94W). CBP will still issue a paper I-94 at land bor-

Unfortunately, many foreign nationals remain unaware of the importance of the I-94.

Oftentimes, foreign nationals are

confused as to which document governs their stay in the U.S. There could be one expiration date on the nonimmigrant visa stamped in their passport; another expiration date on the I-94 issued on Form I-797 by USCIS and yet another expiration date on the I-94 issued by CBP upon their last entry into the U.S. In some cases, foreign nationals and their employers can neglect to note the I-94's expiration date and the foreign national could inadvertently remain in the U.S. well beyond the authorized period of stay possibly in violation of U.S. immigration laws. This is exactly what happened to Mark Thomas.

Mark is a national of Bermuda,

who resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Mark last entered the U.S. through Newark Airport in New Jersey on August 15, 2012 and presented his H-1B visa stamp valid until September 30, 2012 and his Form I-797, H-1B Approval Notice issued by USCIS indicating that his H-1B status in the U.S. had last been extended from January 1, 2012 until March 10, 2014.

The Form I-797 bore an I-94 card on the bottom indicating an expiration date of March 10, 2014.

At the airport, the CBP officer issued Mark an I-94 valid only until February 15, 2013, the same expiration date as Mark's passport.

To be continued

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

Former Assistant StateÂ’s Attorney

Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc.

1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1

http://www.proy-singh.com

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

Immigration Post

46 India Post

January 10, 2014

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I lose sleep on US Immigration Judges consider Arizona no-bail immigration law Bill: Nasscom chief NEW DELHI: The US Immigration Bill, which proposes higher visa fees and enhanced audit by US agencies, is still giving "sleepless nights" and the Indian IT industry needs to keep a watch,

Representatives.

"We are well-positioned on the Immigration Bill ... I think it has some very good provisions like increasing visas ... But this is something I will not sleep with.

Outgoing Nasscom President Som Mittal says Indian govt and corporates have been engaging with their US counterparts to convey their concerns over the US Immigration Bill.

Nasscom chief Som Mittal said.

The Bill - Border Security Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act 2013 - was passed by the Senate and is yet to be passed by the US House of

We still need to work and keep a watch on it," outgoing Nasscom President Som Mittal told PTI. He added that Indian government and businesses have been engaging with their US counter-

parts at all possible forums to convey their concerns.

"Our Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) took up this issue with Barack Obama. This issue has also been taken up with the US Secretary of State and Vice President Joe Biden and has been discussed at various Congressional levels. The businesses in the US are separating us ... But I would still lose sleep," Mittal said.

Last year, Nasscom hired influential lobbyist, public relation and law firms to plead the case of Indian firms with Congressmen.

Indian software-export giants like Tata Consultancy, Infosys and Wipro rely on visas to send employees overseas to service clients in the US, its biggest market. US contributes 65 per cent of the revenue of these firms.

The proposed legislation also requires firms to dilute their visa dependent workforce over the next few years, a move that will force Indian companies to hire local talent, thus affecting their revenues. If passed in its current form, the Bill could hurt the margins of the Indian IT sector. -PTI

Job applicant from India may have to wait 70 years for visa Cont'd from Page 44

Q: How long can the waits be?

A: For some categories, applications can be processed in just a few months - for highly skilled professionals, for children being adopted by American parents, for the spouses or fiancĂŠs of American citizens.

However, the timetable is far slower for adult children or siblings of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Even from countries with the most favorable standing under U.S. immigration law, it's estimated that such applications will take from 10 to 12 years to be processed. For applicants from Mexico and the Philippines, the estimated wait is even longer 20 years for applicants from Mexico like Garcia who are adult children of a legal U.S. resident; 23 years for Filipinos who are siblings of adult U.S. citizens.

Waits can also be long for jobrelated visas. According to Stuart Anderson, an immigration expert who is executive director of the National Foundation for American

Policy, an applicant from India seeking a certain type of employment-based visa could potentially wait 70 years to get approval.

Q: How precise are the timetables?

A: Every month, the State Department issues an updated Visa Bulletin that includes the latest estimates of how long the application process is taking for different

from El Paso, Texas. ``It will drive you out of your mind trying to figure out how long it takes.''

Q: Isn't it only fair that immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally should have to join those who are facing such long waits while applying though legal channels?

A: That's the viewpoint of many Americans, including some who favor immigration reforms

According to Stuart Anderson an applicant from India seeking a certain type of employment-based visa could potentially wait 70 years to get approval. categories. Some immigration lawyers complain that these estimates can vary markedly over time, making it hard for them to advise clients how long their case might take. ``You expect the waiting time to keep getting shorter, but sometimes it gets worse,'' said Kathleen Walker, an immigration attorney

that would provide a pathway to citizenship for immigrants in the U.S. illegally. President Barack Obama, for example, has said such immigrants should go to ``the back of the line.''

However, some immigration lawyers and activists say this would be unfair and unrealistic, given the long waiting times. -AP

PHOENIX: A federal appeals court has decided to rehear arguments over complaints that an Arizona law that denies bail to people who are in the country illegally and charged with certain felonies violates their constitutional right to due process.

A three-member panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rejected a challenge to the law in June, but those seeking to overturn it, including lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union, succeeded in getting a larger panel of the court to review the case again.

Arguments are now set for the week of March 17 before an 11-

case,'' ACLU attorney Cecillia Wang said. ``Proposition 100 is really unprecedented law in U.S. history applying this no-bail rule.

It's really contrary to the fundamental principles that you're innocent until proven guilty.''

In supporting the law, thenMaricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas said in 2006 it was needed to ensure the defendants stick around to answer for their crimes. ``Arizona has a tremendous problem with illegal immigrants coming into the state, committing serious crimes, and then absconding, and not facing trial for their crimes, either because they jump bail after they are let out, or be-

ACLU attorney Cecillia Wang said. ``Proposition 100 is really unprecedented law in U.S. history applying this no-bail rule. It's really contrary to the fundamental principles that you're innocent until proven guilty.'' member panel of appellate judges.

Proposition 100 was overwhelmingly approved by Arizona voters in 2006. The law denies bail outright to defendants who are in the country illegally and charged with certain felonies, including murder and sexual assault, under the premise that the suspects are considered a flight risk.

But the law also covers crimes such as conspiracy to commit human smuggling and identity theft.

Detractors argue the law violates numerous constitutional clauses, including the right of the accused to have their cases heard before a determination is made regarding bail. ``Obviously, we're delighted the court has decided to rehear the

cause, when they are let out on bail, the federal government deports them,'' Thomas said in a television interview at the time, according to court records.

In the original ruling by the appeals court panel in June, the judges found the law did not run afoul of the Constitution. ``Denial of bail without individualized consideration of flight risk or dangerousness is not unusual,'' wrote Judge Richard Tallman. ``After all, the vast majority of states categorically deny the right to bail to persons charged with capital crimes, and at least eight states categorically deny bail to those charged with crimes punishable by life imprisonment.'' -AP

German coalition squabbles over EU immigration BERLIN: Germany's governing coalition is squabbling over calls to restrict welfare payments to European immigrants as the continent's labor markets open to Romanians and Bulgarians.

The conservative Christian Social Union, one of three governing parties, is suggesting other European Union nationals should be ineligible for social security for their first three months in Germany and welfare cheats should be expelled to combat ``poverty migration.''

Labor-market restrictions across the EU for people from Romania and Bulgaria, two of its newest and poorest members, ended Jan 1 fueling fears, particularly in Britain, of an influx of unemployed migrants.

Center-left Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told Sueddeutsche Zeitung freedom of movement for workers is ``an essential part of European integration.'' Questioning that principle, he says, damages Germany and Europe. -AP

Horoscope

January 10, 2014

India Post

47

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

JANUARY 10 TH - JANUARY 16 TH , 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

(August 23 to September 22)

T

oo many distractions will make it difficult to focus but ultimately you will make the correct choice. Money wise looks like a better week and you may lay your hands on some easy money. Trip will be relaxing and will bring smile on every one's face. People self employed will face new and strong competitors this week.

A

nother highly professional will give some useful leads and may show you the short cut also. Property deal will be tempting and the price will be good but see what need to be done to bring it up to city codes. Expenses towards children will escalate. People prone to blood pressure should be extra vigil this week.

(April 21 to May 20)

E

xtra running around will not go waste. You will make final payment on old bills and reduce liability permanently. Value of stocks will appreciate all of a sudden. It's a very favorable week for people looking for a change in career. You may start to miss close family members who came to spend vacation with you.

(September 23 to October 22)

H

ave patience with partners, business as well as life for next few weeks. Money will just slip out of your hands and you may have to spend money on replacing some electric item in the house. You may be taking a trip to a warmer area for some urgent business. If you really want, the right advise is only a phone call away.

(May 21 to June 20)

Y

ou will need help in resolving an important issue. Recent financial fluctuation will cause slight panic in mind and you may start exploring new avenues to supplement income. Some of you make an offer on business not doing so well because of mismanagement.

You will also discard few people from your friends list this time.

(June 21 to July 22)

(October 23 to November 22)

C

learance from the government agency open new doors and you will quickly start taking advantage of the opportunity. There will be some last minute change in travel plans but you will take the trip. This is going to be a very favorable week for people connected with the health industry and accountants also.

S

trong Mars will help in career. People looking for a change will be called for another interview. Try to stay calm on phone or when communicating with important people. money wise you will continue to stay in safe zone. You may make good use of extra time on hands and do some serious cleaning inside home this week.

(July 23 to August 22)

(November 23 to December 22)

I

f you take advantage of the recent opportunity, you will be on the roll.

Money wise you will be comfortable. Value of stocks will appreciate and you may dispose them off for a decent profit. Divine protection and good intuition will continue to steer your life in correct direction without any more bumps.

Y

ou will continue working on a great plan that can take you towards financial freedom and submit more paper work. Do not take a chance with weather or may have to stay home for few days. Most of the money will go on making payments on recent purchases. You may need to help your child with filing some applications.

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

510-886-4370

www.parashar.com

(December 22 to January 19)

M

istake made in the past will catch up and you will need to deal with a government agency, good thing is that matter will get cleared.

People in business will spend more time on phone in order to recover the money. You may take an older family member to a doctor for treatment of seasonal ailments.

(January 20 to February 18)

M

inor surgery is still an option to treat the issue that keeps popping up from time to time. Some of you will start your hunt for another job and send resume to well known companies. Money wise you will have enough left after making payments on several bills. An old friend will call to invite to a small party.

(February 19 to March 20)

Y

ou will finally receive the package you had been eagerly waiting for. One of your business associate may decide to move out. You will be working on your plans and continue your search for people with right tools. There is no harm in enjoying the company of new colleague but maintain a distance if possible.

Datebook

48 India Post

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

Upcoming

Upcoming Sat, Jan 4 • NetIP LA-OC Kites Festival Venue: Claremont Sand, 54th Pl, Long Beach, NJ 08820 Time: 11:00am Contact: 661-373-9670

Sat, Jan 25 • Saregamapa Live In Concert Venue: Resorts World Casino, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd, New York, NY 11420 Time: 08:00 pm

www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sun, Jan 25 • 8th Annual India Republic

Fri, Feb 14 • Star Enterianment - Valentine Bash 2014

day Celebration Radio Zindagi and Young Leaders Academy Presents

Sat, Feb 08 • Gujarati Comedy Play 2

Venue: Performance Pavilion, Lake Elizabeth Park, 40204 Paseo Padre

• Lohri Party 2014

IDIOTS

Venue: Royal Alberts Palace, 1050 King Georges Post Road, Fords, NJ 08863 Time: 5:00 pm Contact: 551-221-7000

Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium -NY, 143 - 09 Holly Avenue, New York, NY 11355 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 347-989-6104

Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538 Time: 9 am to 3:30 pm

Sat, Feb 22

Sat, Mar 29 • Zakir Hussain and The Mas-

Sat, Jan 11

• Indian Classical Music Competition Venue: Marathi Vishwa Community Center, 143 State Route 35, Old Bridge Township, NJ 08879 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 862-222-0105

ters of Percussion Venue: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets, New York, NY 10001 Time : 8:00 pm Contact : 866-858-0008

January 10, 2014

Venue: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas, CA 95035 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 510-673-0153

Sun, Jan 25 • Tamil Manram Celebration

Thu, Feb 20 • Seminar on Health Care Fraud

Pongal Vizha 2014

Venue: Courtyard San Francisco Airport -

Venue: Gale Ranch Middle School, 6400 Main Branch Rd, San Ramon, CA 94582

1050 Bayhill Drive - San Bruno, California

Time: 2:00 pm Contact: 510-364-8675

Contact: 800-385-1607

Sun, Jan 26 • Announcing Reiki-2 Venue: 4800 Patrick Henry Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95054, 4800 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Time: 9:00 am Contact: 408-409-4325

Sat, Feb 15 • Uttarayan 2014 Venue: Royal Delhi Palace, 22323 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 Time: 11:00 am Contact: 408-586-0006

Sun, Fed 23 • The Wedding Show for The Modern Bride Venue: Sofitel Hotel, 8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Time: 04:00 pm Contact: 562-366-3640

Time: 9:00 am

ATLANTA Upcoming Sun, jan 19 • Traditions - Transitions Venue: Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Dr,

ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes

Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund

Decatur, GA 30034

Vivekananda Vedanta Society

Time: 3:00pm

• Sat Jan 11, Shivanam Time: 6:30pm

Sat, Jan 25 • Maa Tujhe Salaam 2014 Venue: Shree Shakti Mandir’s Sumant Center, 1450 Huie Rd, Morrow, GA 30260 Time: 6:00 pm

Fri, Feb 14 • Cupid Calling ! Valentines Day Party.

Venue: Shiana Impact Banquet Hall, Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 9:00 pm

Sun Jan 19, Swami Vivekananda Tithi Puja Time: 10:30 am Venue: Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago Contact: 708-301-9062

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

www.indiapost.com

49 India Post

SUBHASH K. JHA

I

f as William Shakespeare told us, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet, then "Sholay" in any format -3D, 4D or whatever, would remain just the same. An inviolable classic, timeless, as it is timely. The new version, spruced up with flying bullets and thundering hoofs, comes to us at a time when "Dhoom" is trending. So it's "Sholay 3D" weighed against "Dhoom: 3".

Undoubtedly, the current films that seem to make so much money seem to pale into flamboyant insignificance when weighed against the hefty impact of "Sholay". As many as 38 years have passed since "Sholay" and its astonishing lines (Salim-Javed at their pithiest) created immediate and enduring history.

Yes, the film opened badly. But then Rome and Amitabh Bachchan's career weren't built in a day. With each viewing of "Sholay", I come away wiser and richer. Yes, this is what 'Bollywood' entertainment should always be but seldom is.

Rich in drama, vivacious and vibrant in its characterizations, "Sholay" about one armless man's

two-men army and their battle against a sadistic dacoit (Amjad Khan) spawns innumerable eras of cinematic experience.

It is the most well assembled screenplay ever.

With the passage of time, we can view the film in episodes - the stunning train robbery sequence at the start, the massacre of 'Thakur' Sanjeev Kumar's family by Gabbar and his ragged henchmen, Dharmendra's 'suicide' drama from atop a water tower, 'Jai' Amitabh Bachchan's marriage proposal on behalf of his buddy 'Veeru' Dharmendra, 'Gabbar' Amjad Khan's Russian roulette in the ravines with his trio of petrified henchmen, 'Rahim Chacha' A.K. Hangal's son's poignant death scene, the widow 'Radha' Jaya Bhaduri's flashback into a colorful Holi when she accosts her future father-in-law with incessant chatter (Radha could have been Basanti), Jagdeep's Soorma Bhopali and Asrani's 'angrezon ke zamaanein ka jailor' episodes.... each of these and many others, have a throb-

bing autonomous life of their own.

And yet, here lies the magic of a monumental classic - all the ac-

January 10, 2014

centuated episodes come together in a compelling cohesive screenplay which blows your mind. This is a revenge story with a supremely sustained momentum.

The characters show no sign of aging with time. Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan's Veeru and Jai are to this day roguish mercenar-

ies who seem to convey an endearing amorality in their conduct even as they emerge as unlikely heroes in the Thakur's fight against an oppressively cartoonish outlaw. There are two romantic tracks navigated by two very contrasting female characters.

Cont'd on Page 51

50 India Post

January 10, 2014 www.indiapost.com

Dev's most challenging role in Africa-set adventure India Post News Service

W

inner of 10 Best Actor awards and counting, Indian star Dev has won both critical and commercial success in his career and now tackles his most ambitious film project yet with the Africa-set adventure Chander Pahar ("Mountain of the Moon") which opens Friday, Janu-

ary 10, in US theaters with English subtitles.

The acclaimed actor recently sat down to discuss this challenging new role in this exclusive new interview below.

Did you have a connection to this novel before taking on this film?

Chander Pahar is a book which almost all Bengalis grow up reading. I knew the story, and read it after I was offered the film. And when I read it I thought, 'Can this

be made into a film? Is it even possible?' I had a whole lot of questions after reading the book a few times. I wanted to know how we would show Shankar with the lion... it should look credible. I knew we were getting into this really risky zone. I asked Kamal how are you going to show the period (1909). I still read it in parts, just to be sure that I have enacted the

scenes correctly.

How was the experience of shooting in Africa and what were some of the highlights for you?

It gave me sleepless nights. I experienced raw fear while shooting many sequences. A Hollywood production would have done the film in the same way. The canvas of the film is so huge. We have done everything for this film.

All the team members took great risks for Chander Pahar. Now when

I see the scenes I am really amazed by them.

What kind of director is Kamaleswar Mukherjee and how did you both collaborate on the set?

I am really proud to be a part of this film. Kamaleswar is a genius.

When I met Kamal, he was carrying a stack of 20 files with him. I asked him, 'Are you sure you see me as Shankar?' And he said, 'I won't be able to make the film if you don't agree to do it. The film needs you as much as you need it.' I asked 'why?' He said that he was looking for a well-built person with an innocent face. He is such a perfectionist.

How did making this film differ from your past film experiences?

Every person dreams of doing something out of the comfort zone. I fought a lion, encountered a black mamba, a herd of elephants and got into life-threatening situations for the most important film of my seven-year career. But apart from all these, while being Shankar I overcame some of the biggest insecurities, phobias and personal restrains of my life. Being a part of this film is my biggest achievement!

Any messages for U.S. fans?

Painting our thoughts on the words of Mr. Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay has been a childhood Utopia for all us Bengalis.

The effort that has been put to experience it on celluloid is magnum opus...keeping in mind only one thing - bringing back the

good old days of our childhood from book to screen and overwhelm each one of us with heavy nostalgia. Watching a fave childhood novel on screen is sure going to be a treat not only for people staying abroad but also for those who are in love with Bengali literature! Releasing it in US is another milestone for Bengali Cinema done with one sole objective - to let you people feel home away

following one's dream against all odds and emerging victorious, a story about a young lad called Shankar who, faced with the prospect of having to make a living as a factory worker in his impoverished village, bids farewell to his family in Keutia, rural Bengal, and through his aide Prasad Das Banopadhay, who happens to work for the Uganda railway head office, sets sail to the Dark Conti-

from home! Watch Chander Pahar and relive the adventure Utopia!

nent to work as the station master in Nakuru station, a dream come true for Shankar who has always envisioned himself as a expeditionary and holds interest in world geography and map reading. It is at this Nakuru station, where Shankar is faced with the consequences of Africa, ranging from bloodthirsty lions & aggressive Black Mambas. Shankar's true test begins when he rescues the Portuguese explorer Diego Alvarez and he tells the story of the ultimate adventure; a journey to the fabled 'Mountain of the Moon'.

Synopsis Chander Pahar is the journey to the fabled, 'Mountain Of The Moon', in search of gold and diamond mines, up against threats as vivid and varied as lurking snakes, pouncing lions, poisonous flora, the fury of an active volcano and a seemingly, almost supernatural mythical horror 'The Bunyip' the guardian angel of the diamond cave.

However, it is also the story of grit and determination, a story of

It still feels like the honeymoon: Vidya Balan V

idya Balan turned 35 on January 1. The actor talks about her birthday, completing one year of marriage with Siddharth Roy Kapur, competition with Ranbir Kapoor and going slow on films.

Any special plans for your birthday?

We've just returned from a holiday in Bali. I like to celebrate my birthday and bring with my family.

Have your birthdays become more special after marriage?

I'm enjoying being married to Siddharth, so obviously special days take on even more special hues (smiles).

A few days back, you celebrated your first wedding anniversary.

How has the first year of marriage been? Did you do anything special to mark the occasion?

It has been wonderful, by God's grace. We've both spent a lot of time apart because of work commitments so I would say it still feels like the honeymoon is on. It's wonderful living with a person you love. There's so much to discover and share. It has made me less restless.

Last year, you only had one release (Ghanchakkar). Are we going to see you more frequently in 2014 or are you taking it slow on purpose?

At any given time, I'm a oneman woman and a one-film actor (laughs). I shot for Shaadi Ke Side Effects last year and we've completed 60 per cent of Bobby Jasoos already. I am due to start Hamari Adhuri Kahaani soon, so Inshallah, I may have as many as three releases next year.

The first look of Bobby Jasoos

has created a lot of buzz. Are you enjoying working in a detective film for the first time?

The reactions to the first look have been incredibly exciting and it has been great fun sharpening my wits on this one... Samar Shaikh (director) is a slave driver; we are all happily enslaved by him.

Bobby Jasoos is already being compared

to Ranbir Kapoor's Jagga Jasoos. What's your take on it?

It's bound to happen because they are both detective films and their titles have the operative word jasoos. It (the comparisons) means that both films are being looked forward to and I like that.

It is also being said that your film might release before and beat Ranbir's film despite the fact that he is working on completing it quickly‌ (Laughs) I am sure that's hogwash. Knowing Ranbir, he's just working hard to deliver another knockout performance.

Lastly, are you really playing Amitabh Bachchan's daughter in Shoojit Sircar's next?

I'd love to play just about anything to Mr Bachchan, but I must admit I'm not aware of such a film.

Caption

January 10, 2014

India Post 51 www.indiapost.com

Recipe for Rasam MELAINE BASKARAN

Step 1: Dry roast 1 cup of horse gram in a pan for 10 min in slow flame and coarse grind the horse gram.

Step 4: Tamarind Juice: Soak the small lemon sized Tamarind in hot water for 5 min. Once it soaked prepare the tamarind extract with

250 ml of water.

Step 5: Smash 2 tomatoes, break 1 green chillie into 2 halves, 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 3 strings of coriander leaf, salt, and Rasam powder into the tamarind extract.

Step 6: Seasoning: In the pan add 2 teaspoon of oil, 1 red chili, 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds.

Once it splutters add 2 pinches of hing and 1 string of curry leaves to it.

Sholay outclasses Dhoom Cont'd From Page 49

While Basanti (Hema Malini) never stops chattering, Radha (Jaya Bhaduri) seldom speaks.

They are portraits in contrasts done up in colors that have acquired deeper shades and relevance with the passage of time.

Step 2: Boil 2 cups of water and add the coarse powder of horse gram and simmer it for 10 mins and keep it aside.

Step 3: Rasam Powder: Grind 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 red chili and 3 garlic pieces to coarse powder.

Step 7: Add the seasoning to the tamarind mixture. Let the mixture boils. Once u have seen the white bubbles in the mixture switch of the stove.

Step 8: Finally add the boiled horse gram to Rasam.

-Courtsey: Chennai Grill

Scientists use Internet to search for time travelers!

WASHINGTON: In a first-ofits-kind study, researchers have searched through the Internet to look for any time travelers from the future that may be lurking in our world.

Astrophysicist Robert Nemiroff from Michigan Technological University and his students were inspired to conduct the research after they wondered: If there were time travelers among us, would they be on social media? How would you find them? Could you Google them?

"We had a whimsical little discussion about this," said Nemiroff.

The result was a serious-butfun effort to tease out travelers from the future by sifting through the Internet.

Nemiroff's team developed a search strategy based on what

they call prescient knowledge. If they could find a mention of something or someone on the Internet before people should have known about it, that could indicate that whoever wrote it had traveled from the future.

used a variety of search engines, such as Google and Bing, and combed through Facebook and Twitter.

In the case of Comet ISON, there were no mentions before it

Astrophysicist Robert Nemiroff from Michigan Technological University and his students were inspired to conduct the research after they wondered: If there were time travelers among us, would they be on social media?

They selected search terms relating to two recent phenomena, Pope Francis and Comet ISON, and began looking for references to them before they were known to exist.

Their work was exhaustive: they

burst on the scene in September 2012. They discovered only one blog post referencing a Pope Francis before Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected head of the Catholic Church on March 16, but it seemed more accidental that prescient. -PTI

Dissertations, thesis, textbooks and essays have been written on the impact of "Sholay" on commercial Indian cinema. Does the narrative show any signs of wear and tear? Never! Except when monetary amounts meant to be astronomical in 1975 are mentioned.

Thakur Baldev Singh hires the services of Jai and Veeru for a princely sum of Rs.50,000.

That in today's economic context would amount to close to Rs.10 crore. And if you have actors as exceptionally charismatic as Amitabh and Dharmendra playing Jai and Veeru, then the characters seem priceless. Has there ever been a better celluloid illustration of male bonding than the Jai-Veeru jodi in "Sholay"?

Amitabh and Dharmendra came together once again as Ram and Balram in Vijay Anand's film.

But the same chemistry was missing. No one can encore the magic of Ramesh Sippy in "Sholay".

Not even Sippy himself.

And what a team of technicians Sippy had!

Dwarka Divecha's cinematography, M.S. Shinde's editing and R.D. Burman's background music will never cease to take our breath away. I always found R.D. Burman's songs in "Sholay" to be relatively weak. I still do.

But that's a very small quibble in a film that defies all analyses.

So does the 3D format affect "Sholay"? I'd say "Sholay" in any format is..."Sholay"! Incomparably gripping, flawlessly cast and impeccably mounted, this is the mother of all Bollywood classics.

Take a bow, Mr. Ramesh Sippy.

-Courtesy Firstpost

52

India Post

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January 10, 2014

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Philosophy

January 10, 2014

India Post 53

www.indiapost.com

Page Sponsored by Sahanis PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA

E

ven if life gave you at one time everything you wanted - wealth, power, friends - after a while you would again become dissatisfied and need something more.

But there is one thing that can never become stale to you - joy itself. Happiness that is delightfully varied, though its essence is changeless, is the inner experience everyone is seeking. Lasting, ever new joy is God. Finding this Joy within, you will find it in everything without. In God you will tap the Reservoir of perennial, unending bliss.

Suppose you are going to be punished by not being allowed to go to sleep when you are desperately in need of rest, and suddenly someone says: "All right, you may go to sleep now." Think of the joy you would feel just before falling asleep. Multiply that one million times! Still it would not describe the joy felt in communion with God. When you sit in the silence of deep meditation, joy bubbles up from within, roused by no outer stimulus. The joy of meditation is overwhelming. Those who have not gone into the silence of true meditation do not know what real joy is.

As the mind and the feeling are directed inward, you begin to feel God's joy. The pleasures of the KAHLIL GIBRAN

Y

ou would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.

If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.

In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.

Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honor. Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king? Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and

senses do not last; but the joy of God is everlasting. It is incomparable!

Very few of us know how much we can put into life if we use it properly, wisely, and economically. Let us economize our time lifetimes ebb away before we wake up, and that is why we do not realize the value of the immortal time God has given us.

Do not while away your time in idleness. A great many people oc-

activity first importance, with the result that you have no time for God? That is not common sense.

It is because of maya, the net of cosmic delusion which is thrown over us, that we entangle ourselves in mundane interests and forget the Lord.

If we are attuned to God, our perception is limitless, pervading everywhere in the oceanic flow of the Divine Presence. When the Spirit is known, and when we know

and attracts whatsoever you truly need or desire.

I tell you truthfully that all my questions have been answered, not through man but through God. He is. He is. It is His spirit that talks to you through me. It is His love that I speak of. Thrill after thrill! Like gentle zephyrs His love comes over the soul.

Day and night, week after week, year after year, it goes on increasing - you don't know where the

Pleasures of senses do not last; joy of God is everlasting

Paramahansa Yogananda

When you sit in the silence of deep meditation, joy bubbles up from within, roused by no outer stimulus. The joy of meditation is overwhelming.

Those who have not gone into the silence of true meditation do not know what real joy is.

cupy themselves with inconsequential activities. Ask them what they have been doing and they will usually say, "Oh, I have been busy every minute!" But they can scarcely remember what they were so busy about!

In an instant you may be required to leave this world; you will have to cancel all your engagements. Why then give any other

ourselves as Spirit, there is no land or sea, no earth or sky - all is He. The love of God, the love of the Spirit, is an all-consuming love.

Once you have experienced it, it shall lead you on and on in the eternal realms. That love will never be taken away from your heart. It shall burn there, and in its fire you shall find the great magnetism of Spirit that draws others unto you,

end is. And that is what you are seeking, every one of you.

You think you want human love and prosperity, but behind these it is your Father who is calling you. If you realize He is greater than all His gifts, you will find Him. Excerpted from the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda.The 121st birth anniversary of Yogananda was observed on Jan 2

seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though weeping, until you shall come laughing.

When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet. Therefore let your

of others you shall not be heard.

It is enough that you enter the temple invisible.

I cannot teach you how to pray in words. God listens not to your words save when He Himself utters them through your lips.

But you who are born of the mountains and the forests and the seas can find their prayer in

Praying in Joy You pray in your distress and

Seek the secret of death in the heart of life When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet. Therefore let your visit to that temple invisible be for naught but ecstasy and sweet communion. in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance. For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself into the living ether?

And if it is for your comfort to pour your darkness into space, it is also for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your heart.

visit to that temple invisible be for naught but ecstasy and sweet communion.

For if you should enter the temple for no other purpose than asking you shall not receive: And if you should enter into it to humble yourself you shall not be lifted: Or even if you should enter into it to beg for the good

Kahlil Gibran

your heart. And if you but listen in the stillness of the night you shall hear them saying in silence, "Our God, who art our winged self, it is thy will in us that willeth.

Excerpted from The Prophet.

The 131st birth anniversary of Kahlil Gibran was observed on Jan 6

Heaven and earth and I are of the same root. The ten-thousand things and I are of one substance.

-Zen Master Sêngchao/Sõjõ There's nothing equal to wearing clothes and eating food. Outside this there are neither Buddhas nor Patriarchs.

- Zenrin Kushû Like the clear stillness of autumn water-pure and without activity; in its tranquil depths are no obstructions. Such a one is called a man of Tao, also, a man who has nothing further to do.

- Wei-shan Ling-yu When you forget the good and the non-good, the worldly life and the religious life, and all other dharmas, and permit no thoughts relating to them to arise, and you abandon body and mind-then there is complete freedom.

- Pai-chang Huai-hai Speech is blasphemy, silence a lie. Above speech and silence there is a way out.

- I-tuan The full-grown man aspires to pierce through the heavens: Let him not walk in the footsteps of the Buddha!

- Ts'ui-yen

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Security and strategic challenges in 2014

T

he twin terrorist attacks in the Russian city of Volgograd that have killed more than 30 innocent people and grievously injured scores of others on two successive days (29 and 30 December 2013) which are suspected to be the handiwork of an Islamist separatist group are illustrative of the most complex and abiding internal security challenge that India will have to confront in 2014.

The scars of 26/11 that terrorized Mumbai in November 2008 serve as a reminder of the worstcase exigency that the Indian security establishment needs to successfully pre-empt - often unobtrusively - given the undesirable polarization of the terrorism discourse in India.

In like fashion, the April 2013

drawal of US and ISAF military presence from Afghanistan will also take place in mid 2014 and the ability of the Afghan security forces to maintain the necessary level of peace and stability in the face of a resurgent Taliban will be severely tested.

The Afghan elections and a post Karzai scenario are fraught with many uncertainties and for Delhi, the recall of December 1999 and the IC 814 hijacking episode reiterate the truth that the ideological orientation of Kabul can impact India's internal security situation.

In like fashion, the current turbulence in Dhaka between the caretaker ANP and the right-wing BNP could adversely impact the Indian security environment. The worstcase scenario for Delhi would be

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the Defence Minister A. K. Antony during the Combined Commanders’-in-Chief Conference, in New Delhi on November 22, 2013. The Chief of Army Staff, General Bikram Singh, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne and the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral D.K. Joshi are also seen

Depsang incident with China and the more recent politico-diplomatic tension with the US over the Khobragade case are indicative of the complexity and the fragility of the two most critical strategic bilateral relationships for Delhi in the new year.

The nature of the challenges in the security and strategic spectrum that are likely to acquire greater salience for India in 2014 will be compounded by the fact that the UPA II government is in its last lap and the country will be in election mode for the early part of the year. Whether the new central government in Delhi in mid 2014 will be a stable coalition led by one of the major political parties (BJP or Congress), or an uneasy coalition of a Third Front type remains moot.

Concurrently, the security environment in the extended South Asian region with specific implications for India will be shaped by two regions - Afghanistan-Pakistan in the first instance and Bangladesh at a remove. The with-

India Post

C UDAY BHASKAR

the rise of radical right-wing Islamist forces in the domestic political framework of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Nations have to acquire the necessary capacity and determination to deal with their security challenges and India's bandwidth spans the nuclear weapon-ballistic missile domain to low intensity conflict and ideologically-driven terrorism.

Civil-military relations The two institutions that need to review their synergy to deal with a complex security compulsion are the civilian part of the state represented by the political classes and the bureaucracy on one hand; and the uniformed fraternity that includes the military, the paramilitary and the police. Regrettably, civil-military relations in India have remained in a state of suspension since the 1999 Kargil War. India deals with its complex security challenges through institu-

tional arrangements that can be only described as less than optimum. At the core is the reality that the Indian military is not part of the higher defense and security management of the country. This shortcoming has been the subject of many reports and Task Forces but little has changed.

Political diffidence and bureaucratic obduracy have contributed to this state of affairs for the last decade plus and this will remain one of the central challenges to the new government in Delhi in 2014.

A fairly modest beginning was envisaged by the creation of the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and while the military top-brass has supported this initiative - the civilian leadership has not been supportive. The net result is that the higher defense management remains mired in stasis, delays and lack of institutional synergy.

The internal health of the Indian military as an institution and the paramilitary and the police forces is in dire need of rigorous internal review and appropriate redress. The unhappy controversy generated in the top echelons of the Army and the various charges of corruption and financial irregularities do not augur well.

Paramilitary and police reforms have been postponed and little interest has been demonstrated to acknowledge these omissions.

A paradox The Indian experience of higher defense management remains a paradox. On one hand, the nation can be legitimately proud of the advances made in acquiring strategic capabilities including nuclear propulsion. Significant inventory induction has taken place including the aircraft carrier, the heavy lift transport aircraft and suchlike.

Yet for almost 30 years, the Indian Army is unable to get a replacement for its artillery gun and the Air Force is managing without a credible indigenous trainer aircraft.

These examples can be applied across the board to almost all the institutions dealing with national security and the more alarming aspect is the lack of institutional accountability. The New Year offers an opportunity to embark upon a holistic review of the various challenges and opportunities that punctuate the Indian security spectrum.

The writer is Member, Executive Committee, IPCS

Congress delusion

C

orruption in administration is a major issue today. Espousing this concern the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has stormed into people's consciousness and into government as the ruling party in Delhi. In great contrast, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his rare press conference did not seem to give it much importance. Questioned about corruption scandals in his administration he said most corruption cases, which have been used to target his government, date back to the UPA-I and people still handed over UPA a second tenure, suggesting that it was not as much a big issue as made out by the opposition and the media. He was hoping that in keeping with that tradition, the people will once again hand over power to his UPA coalition in the coming parliamentary elections.

This inability to see wrongdoing in government under their charge has been the singular failing of the century old Congress party.

Even with the glaring example of the AAP before them, they have not been able to see the writing on the wall. There has been grudging acknowledgement as with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi saying that it was wrong on the part of the Maharashtra Government to have rejected the report on the Adarsh housing scam in which many Congress stalwarts are involved. After his public statement the Maharashtra government has accepted a part of the report which blames officials and will act against them. But it has not accepted that part of the report which blames politicians including a former chief minister of Maharashtra.

Instead of making a public statement expressing displeasure at the Maharashtra government's rejection of the report, could not Rahul Gandhi have used his undoubted clout to tick off the Maharashtra Chief Minister and ask him not to adopt an approach which was clearly against the prevailing anti-corruption mood in the country? Even though holding high office in the party, Rahul was once again seen to be behaving as if he is not a part of the Congress culture. As if he is an outsider. If there are any good things being done in the Congress, he would like to take credit. But if there is blame to be attached, it should stick to the Prime Minister.

He pretends to be squeakingly clean. His own brother-in-law Robert Vadra is not a part of government nor does he hold any office in the party. Still his name figures among the VIPs who are not to be searched and are to be given special facilities at Indira Gandhi international Airport. Still Rahul Gandhi behaves as if he should not be blamed if there is wrongdoing by his party or family men.

Manmohan Singh is made of the same cloth. He boasts about his integrity and that he has not benefited his family or people close to him. It is astonishing that he wipes his hands clean off the wrongdoing by ministers and other officials who function under him. As Prime Minister of India, he does not act as someone responsible for corruption free administration in the entire country but claims credit for integrity of the small circle of his family. In fact he has never behaved as Prime Minister, only as an official at the beck and call of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Not that the BJP has behaved any better. It has quietly accepted the return of the tainted former chief minister Yeddyurappa back into its party in Karnataka.

Already there are many instances of the AAP crusade against corruption making a mark in the country. It is reported that newly appointed Chief Minister of Rajasthan went to her office in a taxi instead of the red beaconed luxury car. Concerned by the cheaper electricity rates given in Delhi, the chief minister of adjoining Haryana has announced reduction in rates. And now there is a report that the Central government will ascertain views of people before finalizing a bill!

January 10, 2014

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