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Indians abroad hold vigil for ‘Damini’ Details on page 6
Candlelight vigil to honor Sandy Hook victims
VOL 18, No. 956
January 11, 2013
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Periodical Postage
N.Y. WOMAN PUSHES INDIAN UNDER TRAIN
Hindu Americans urge FBI to track hate crimes
MOIA & Kerala govt host PBD 2013 Details on page 8
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 52 Community Post -------------- 16-23 Date Book -------------------------- 49
Details on page 17
Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-36
INDIA POST SURVEY
Horoscope ------------------------- 50
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Immigration Post ------------- 44-47
This week’s question
Life Style ----------------------- 30-31
Will Indian society now change attitude towards women?
Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4
Last week’s result
Real Estate -------------------- 42-43
India can rely more on Russia than on US? YES 37%
TechBiz Post ------------------- 24-27 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 39-41
NO 67%
Police arrest and take away 31-year-old Erika Menendez, who out of hatred for Hindus and Muslims, pushed an unsuspecting Sunando Sen (inset) on to the subway tracks in front of an oncoming train at a Queens station in New York as he was waiting on the platform on the night of December 27. (Details on page 5)
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t's the New Year, but I am not inclined to forget some of the old as yet… I want to remind people that some of those who were critically injured followi ng the Connecticut elementary school shoot out died in hospital and the young woman who was brutally raped and assaulted by six men on a moving bus in Delhi, died in hospital after a valiant battle with death. Public memory tends to be short, and I don't want to these incidents go the way of television events - because that's how most real life incidents end up these days - as framed stories with catchy headlines, dramatized to elicit 'human interest' and most importantly of course celebrity comments and reactions for those all important TRPs. What's a television event after all without celebrity, whether it be a rape or a shootout involving kids. So how about these movie star celebrities taking some real responsibility for catalyzing at least some of the ills that are plaguing the society? When was the last any of us saw a movie without a single act of violence or without someone belittling women? Following the rape incident, an Indian parliamentarian blamed the raunchy song sequences in Indian movies for inciting sexual violence in men. While I strongly oppose his inference that women perhaps are to blame for crimes involving sexual violence, in a different perspective I feel such songs, which invariably have a woman dancing extremely provocatively among dozens of lusting and lewdly gesticulating men, blatantly depict women as purely objects of desire. My grief is indeed with the women in these movies. They seem to think that showing skin and dancing provocatively in a crowd of men is 'liberation' or their way of asserting confidence, when in reality they are simply allowing themselves to be used by a predominantly male industry who make movies for a predominantly male audience. Whether real life influences reel life or vice versa, there are no real 'heroes' to fight against crazed gun men and inhuman rapists. People in general and reel life heroes in particular need to realize that.
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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Triple century In a single calendar year, Sonakshi Sinha has enjoyed as many as three 100 crore super hits, a record exclusive to her name.
Cover Story: Pushed to death Indian Americans have asked FBI to track hate crimes after an Indian was shoved to death in front of a subway train.
Community: New temple The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills Los Angeles was inaugurated on December 23 by a host of dignitaries.
Health: No to pill Hobby Lobby Stores has plans to defy a federal mandate requiring it to offer employees access to the morning-after pill.
Life Style: Top ten films Be it small-budget content-driven films or typical potboilers, Bollywood saw a great mix of movies throughout 2012.
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NY woman pushes Indian under train Hindu Americans urge FBI to track hate crimes WASHINGTON / NEW YORK: Expressing shock at the tragic death of an Indian man, who was shoved to death in front of an oncoming subway train in New York on December 27, Indian Americans have asked the Department of Justice and FBI to separately track hate crimes against religious minorities in the country. "Such a violent and hateful attack on any individual, especially because of religious hatred is completely unconscionable in any society" said Suhag Shukla, executive director and legal counsel for the Washington-headquartered Hindu American Foundation (HAF). "We need the Department of Justice (DOJ) to have a separate Hindu category to track anti Hindu hate crimes and urge Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to implement to raise the profile," Hindu American Seva Communities (HASC) said in a statement. Police have arrested 31-yearold Erika Menendez in connection with the case in New York, and charged her with second-degree murder as a hate crime. The defendant reportedly targeted 46-year old Sunando Sen out of hatred for Hindus and Muslims. Menendez pushed an unsuspecting Sen on to the subway tracks in front of an oncoming train at a Queens station as he was waiting on the platform on the night of December 27. Although not frequently reported, this incident is not an isolated event, Shukla said. "Though there is a high level of acceptance of our community in America, sometimes we see gaps through
are under-reported, and if reported are not tracked as hate crimes," it added. "We hope these heinous acts against our community will not go unnoticed and the death of Sen will not be in vain. Just as the community improves its own security infrastructures we urge DOJ and FBI to track these hate crimes separately for appropriate data collection and action," HASC said.
onto the tracks. They said Sen had suffered a heart attack about nine months ago and was taking medication. "This guy was so quiet, so gentle, so nice," another of Sen's roommate M D Khan, a taxi driver, said.
She laughed at arraignment
The 31-year-old New York woman charged with the murder of Indian immigrant Sunando Sen has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after she laughed at her arraignment telling the judge she thought it would be "cool" to push the victim in front of a train. A Kolkata native, Sen lived with roommates in a small apartment in Queens and was unmarried. Menendez was arraigned but showed no remorse for her actions during the court hearing. According to the Queens District Attorney's office, Menendez laughed uncontrollably and smiled during the hearing, telling prosecutors that she pushed Sen onto the subway tracks for no reason. "I pushed a Muslim," Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kaszuba quoted Menendez as telling detectives during the hearing. "There is no reason. I just pushed him in front of the train because I thought it would be cool. I just pushed him because he was Muslim." Asked if Menendez showed
"Though there is a high level of acceptance of our community in America, sometimes we see gaps through intolerance and violence. Unfortunately, innocent people are impacted when individuals turn against any group of people," HASC said intolerance and violence. Unfortunately, innocent people are impacted when individuals turn against any group of people," HASC said. Urging Department of Justice and FBI to track Hindu hate crimes separately, HASC expressed grief over the tragic death of Sunando Sen and concern over xenophobia against Hindus, as well as Muslims and Sikhs. "Many of these heinous acts
Menendez's behavior in court was not different from how she had been behaving since her arrest and said her client did not think the proceedings were funny. Morris ordered that Menendez be held without bail and undergo
any regret for the crime, Kaszuba said she told authorities: "Nope, I don't like to regret anything. It is what it is." Menendez's behavior at the hearing even infuriated Judge Gia Morris who ordered the woman's defense lawyer Dietrich Epperson to "Tell your client this is not funny. You're going to have to have your client stop laughing. This is not appropriate." Epperson told the judge that
a subway train in Times Square by 30-year-old homeless man Naeem Davis. Police said his family in India has been notified. There was no video at the subway station and the New York Police Department released a surveillance video from near the station showing the suspect running away from the scene. New York Police Department chief spokesman Paul Browne said according to witnesses, the woman had been following Sen closely and was mumbling to herself.
No way to prevent
Erika Menendez - Unrepentent
a psychiatric evaluation before her next court hearing on January 14. Menendez has not entered any plea. Sunando Sen was hit by the first car of the train and his body was pinned under the second car before the 11-car train came to a stop. The condition of Sen's body had made it difficult for the police to identify him and investigators used his phone and a medicine bottle he was carrying for his identification.
Copying & printing business
Sen had opened a small copying and printing business this year in the city's Upper West Side. According to Sen's roommates, he was not married and his parents were dead. A R Suman, one of the four roommates with whom Sen had shared a small apartment, described him as a "very educated person and quite nice". "It is unbelievable. He never had a problem with anyone," Suman said in a New York Times report. Suman said Sen had toiled hard to save money to open his printing business and hardly took a day off from work. "I asked him why do you work seven days a week?" Suman said. "He told me, 'I cannot hire someone because business is not good'". Sen's roommates said they could not think of any reason as to why the woman pushed him
"It's so broken, my heart," he said adding Sen enjoyed watching funny clips on YouTube and would listen to classical Indian music.
Looking out over tracks
Witnesses said Sen was looking out over the tracks and the woman was sitting on a wooden bench near the wall behind him. He had his back towards her and was not aware that she was approaching him. As the train pulled into the tracks, the woman got up from the bench and pushed Sen over. Browne said according to witnesses, the attack happened so
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said such attacks were exceedingly rare and there is little that can be done to prevent such incidents. "I don't know that there is a way to prevent things," Bloomberg said. "There is always going to be somebody, a deranged person". He said such incidents were tragic for the families of the victims. "You can say it's only two out of the three or four million people who ride the subway every day, but two is two too many," he told reporters. "We do live in a world where our subway platforms are open, and that's not going to change," he added. Through posters pasted on the subway walls, New York authorities have tried to caution commuters about safety on subway platforms. They advised people to stand away from the edge of the platform and that they should never cross the tracks to get to the
A R Suman, one of the four roommates with whom Sen had shared a small apartment, described him as a "very educated person and quite nice". "It is unbelievable. He never had a problem with anyone," Suman said in a New York Times report quickly that Sen had little time to react and neither could the bystanders do anything to save him. "There's one witness who was sitting on the bench with the woman, the perpetrator here," he said. "And there are other witnesses who were on the platform itself. So we're in the process of gathering information". The shocking incident comes just weeks after 58-year-old KiSuck Han was pushed in front of
other side of the station. The trains and the platform are not separated by any barriers. In 2011, 146 people were struck by New York subway trains, of which 47 died, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The city's subway system is more than a 100 years old and is one of the world's busiest, ferrying millions of commuters daily. PTI
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Indians abroad hold candle light vigil for rape victim W A S H I N G T O N / MELBOURNE: Indian Diaspora in the US, Australia and the UK held candle light vigils for the 23-yearold gang-rape victim in Delhi, demanding stern punishment for the culprits and fast track courts to deal with sexual assault cases. Braving chilly weather, IndianAmericans gathered at the Gandhi Statue in Washington and held a candle light vigil for the girl, who died in Singapore after battling for life for 13 days. "Delhi bus incident is our 'Rosa Parks bus incident'. Hopefully we will discuss gender violence more and do some...thing about it," a group of Indian-Americans, who held the candle light vigil, said on their Facebook page, especially created for the occasion. In Melbourne, a large group of Indian men and women gathered in front of the Indian Consulate and lit candles to express their outrage over the incident. Expressing her anger and grief over the loss of the young girl's life, lawyer Navjeet Jhaji said the Indian government should take stern actions against the culprits. "There should be freedom for the women to just move out freely on the streets." Ravi Bhatia, a community leader, said sexual violence was an all too common occurrence in India. "Tens of thousands of women in India are sexually harassed, beaten and brutalized, raped and murdered, denied justice and basic human rights."
NRIs holding a peaceful rally in front of Indian Consulate in Melbourne to demand justice for Delhi rape victim
The memorial service for the girl, who was brutally gang-raped and assaulted by six men in a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, was organized by a social website group called Indian Solidarity Group. Anjali Tikoo, an active member of an Indian association against domestic violence, said "the death of the young girl should not go waste. There is a message and
we must tell our daughters to fight like this brave-heart against any assault or any oppression against women." The community members also observed a two-minute silence to pay their respect to the departed soul. A memorial service was also being held in Sydney. In London, NRIs, including teachers and housewives, gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi
Ensure dignified treatment for rape survivors: HRW WASHINGTON: India must adopt and enforce measures to ensure the dignified treatment and examination of sexual assault survivors and eliminate the use of 'finger tests' in rape cases, a leading rights body has said amid protests against the brutal rape of a 23year-old Delhi girl. The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the December 16 incident should spur decisive action by the Indian government to combat sexual violence. "It is much harder, but more effective, to revamp the response of police, doctors, forensic specialists, prosecutors, and judges to sexual violence. Survivors deserve an effective, coordinated response to sexual assault," Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia Director for Human Rights watch, said.
"The Indian government should establish national standards and a uniform protocol for the medical treatment and collection of medical evidence in cases
Meenakshi Ganguly
of sexual assault, and to eliminate the use of finger tests on sexual assault survivors," HRW said. "India does not have a uniform protocol for medical treatment and
examination of survivors of sexual assault, making responses ad hoc and unpredictable, and in the worst cases, degrading and counter-productive," it said. "This is reflected in the continued use of the so-called 'finger test'..... While conducting medical examinations, many doctors record unscientific and degrading findings ....," the statement said. "The Indian government needs to adopt and enforce measures to ensure the dignified treatment and examination of sexual assault survivors. Dignity and accountability should underscore the police and medical responses to sexual assault throughout India," Ganguly said. But, the group opposed the death penalty for the accused in all circumstances as an inherently irreversible, inhumane punishment.-PTI
Statue at Tavistock Square and raised slogans. They held placards demanding an end to assault and rape cases in India. "Band Karo Atyachar, save our sisters," one of the placards read. From the Tavistock Square, they marched to the Indian High Commission in Adwych and submitted a memorandum, urging the Government of India to introduce strict punishments for rapists and introduce time-bound investigations and fast track courts to deal with sexual assault cases. Councilor Sunil Chopra, General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress (London), UK said the death of a gang rape victim "is a shame not only for Delhi but for the whole of India." "Justice should be done. Culprit should be hanged to death or imprisoned for life so that no one can dare to do these sort of things again. Her death should not be wasted and we should learn a lesson from this tragedy. New law should be brought and implemented in a strict manner." -PTI
Young woman was to marry in February NEW DELHI: The young woman who died after being gang-raped in Delhi was to marry her boyfriend who was injured in the same attack, neighbors said. A neighbor said that she had been shopping with the 23-yearold medical student for wedding outfits and the contents of a wedding box known as trousseau. "They had made all the wedding preparations and had planned a wedding party in
verbally abused by a group of six men.
Apple of her father's eye
The girl was the apple of her father's eye and her friends were convinced she would achieve great things after completing her medical studies. While India has seen an outpouring of grief for the 23-yearold who suffered fatal injuries when she was gang-raped on December 16, those who actu-
Although not formally engaged, it was well-known by her friends that she was planning to marry the boyfriend who also suffered serious injuries in the same attack Delhi," she told reporters. "We know that she was going to get married in February," she said. "The whole neighborhood was excited about it." The boyfriend also suffered serious injuries during a prolonged assault on a bus on the night of December 16 after they had spent the evening watching a movie at a multiplex in the Saket district of Delhi. He has not spoken since the attack which reports said began when he defended his girlfriend after she was initially
ally knew her paint a portrait of a young woman who was both in love and much loved. Although not formally engaged, it was well-known by her friends that she was planning to marry the boyfriend who also suffered serious injuries in the same attack that would ultimately lead to her death. The young couple had spent the evening together at a mall watching The Life of Pi before they boarded a bus they thought would take them home.
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Bollywood mourns gangrape victim, demands justice MUMBAI: Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Shekhar Kapur came forward to express their grief and anger over the death of 23-
grows up!" Singer Lata Mangeshkar said, "Enough is enough. It is not the death of Nirbhay Damini but the death of humanity in our country.
Bollywood actors Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini and lyricist Javed Akhtar during a candle light rally to pay tribute to Delhi gang rape victim
year-old Delhi gangrape victim in a Singapore hospital, calling it a shameful day for the country. "'Amanat', 'Damini' just a name now... her body has passed away, but her soul shall shall forever stir our hearts !!!," Amitabh Bachchan posted on Twitter. His son Abhishek, who has a
It is time for the government to wake up from its deep slumber and punish the criminals behind this heinous crime." Veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who has been very vocal on the issue, tweeted, "And she passes away in S'pore RIP. Our impotence stares us in the face. May SHE
Bollywood actors Genelia Deshmukh and Mandira Bedi during a candle light rally to pay tribute to Delhi gang rape victim, in Mumbai
daughter with wife Aishwarya Rai, said, "I have always been a very proud Indian. Today, we should ALL be ashamed. Will it always take an innocent's death for a nation to awake? This is not the country I grew up in as a child, this is not the country I want my daughter to know whilst she
become the wakeup call our country needs. We must soulsearch. "Safety of women is a prerequisite of a civilised society. We do not want to be deified as goddesses we want equality, we demand respect. It is time to reflect, to analyse, to soul search how each segment has been culpable
and led to a mindset that makes man treat woman like property (sic)." "Her greatest betrayal is that we will forget. Political system's greatest hope is we will forget. Our only redemption is if we do not forget," said filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. Mahesh Bhatt: "Shut all temples where you pretend to worship the female form. Cry India! Your hands are drenched with the blood of your own daughters. Woman your silence will not protect you. Speak or be silenced forever. Rage." Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap said, "I am ashamed.. And sorry. And angry." Anupam Kher tweeted, "This is Death of Human Dignity, Death of Being an Indian, Death of Innocence and This is also Death of A System. India is Heart Broken. RIP. This is NOT the time to shut down Metros, India Gate or India. This is the time to Apologise, Say SORRY for letting People down." "Why does someone need to be sacrificed to start a revolution? I hope her sacrifice is not in vain!," said Ajay Devgn. Farhan Akhtar wrote: "Numb. All political parties unwilling to take action against their own members who have insulted and degraded women with sexist comments. Question is if they can't keep their house clean, how can we expect them to clean society?." Actor Boman Irani posted, "She was like a soldier of revolution. If forgotten, the shame on us is greater than the one's we accuse!" "Our fighter lost the battle of life. Her only fault, she ventured out of the house at night, walking the streets of the national capital expecting to be safe. The day a woman can walk freely on the roads at night is when India will be truly independent. RIP democracy!," tweeted Akshay Kumar. "RIP to a brave girl who fought in a weak and paralysed country... shame on all of us!," said Karan Johar. Actress Bipasha Basu said, "Disheartened and disturbed! RIP the braveheart girl!." "Please don't let her tragic death be in vain. RIP Nirbhaya. This has been our country's most shameful moment. I hope we can atone for what has been done. If there is a time for a "band" a day of mourning than its today. Not only for this braveheart but also for all unsung victims of such heinous crimes," tweeted Sonam Kapoor.-PTI
Sri Lankan women pay tribute to 'brave heart' Indian COLOMBO: Women in Sri Lanka joined in to pay tribute to the 23-year-old 'brave heart' Delhi gang-rape victim, calling for stringent punishment for the culprits. The women carried a huge poster which read, "let's rise on
niors, who all said they were shocked to learn the fate of the young physiotherapy intern who was raped and brutally tortured by six men in a moving bus on December 16. "We urge that culprits be given
Members of the Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party shout slogans condemning the Delhi gangrape incident during protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka
behalf of the Indian daughter," and were getting it signed to hand over to the Indian High Commissioner. The event was organized by members of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), and those who gathered included the Mayor of Colombo, AJM Muzzamil and several UNP se-
maximum punishment," UNP provincial councilor Shanthini Kongahage said. She said that Sri Lankan women too suffer the same sort of harassment and brutality and lamented the lawlessness which she blamed for the increasing attacks against women in Sri Lanka. -PTI
Lord Paul for tough law against rape GENEVA: Leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul has offered his condolences to the Delhi gangrape victim, who died in a Singapore hospital, and said the least the government can do now is to toughen the law against such heinous crimes. The brutal rape of the 23-year-
old girl has shocked the whole world and had also underlined the need for speedy justice, he said. "It is obvious that the law against such offences has to be strengthened and swift action taken so that it acts as a deterrent," Lord Paul said. -PTI
People gather to pay homage to gang rape victim at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on December 30
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MOIA & Kerala govt host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas India Post News Service
THIRIVUNATHPURAM: The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and the Kerala Government are hosting the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) from January 7-9, 2013 in Kochi, Kerala, India. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on January 8. The President of India will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and also confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards. The pre-conference seminars will also be organized on January 7 followed by plenary and panels sessions beginning on January 8. Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag will be the chief guest. PBD has become a significant forum to connect the overseas Indians from all over the world and the PBD-2013 will be focus-
ing on more connectivity with overseas Indians. Kerala will be the Partner State of the 11th PBD, which would provide the Diaspora an opportunity to understand the vibrant culture and potential of the State. More than 2000 delegates are expected to participate in PBD-2013 from all over the world. The events are being held at Hotel Le Meridien. The closest five-star hotel to the international airport and minutes away from the city centre, Le MĂŠridien Cochin Resort & Convention Centre features an array of dining options, venues for live entertainment, an Ayurvedic spa, a three-tiered outdoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, and a fitness club. The Confer-
Hotel Le Meridien
ence Centre has 12 conference halls, including a variety of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. Blessed with one of the finest natural harbors in the world, Kochi has long been a centre of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch. Cochin, an all-time
tourist favorite, offers everything from beaches and palaces to historic churches and museums, plus the convenience of a modern city. The Portuguese, the Dutch, and later the British shaped Fort Kochi, an obscure fishing village, into the first European township in India, thereby giving it an event-
ful and colorful history where the cultural influences are still to be seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture. A leisurely walk around the area is the best way to discover this quaint town. Local sightseeing includes historic areas such as Fort Kochi (St. Francis Church) and Mattancherry (Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jewish Quarter) where guests can experience the multicultural heritage of Kochi. Shopping in Kochi mainly comprises handmade gold jewellery, cotton and silk textiles, spices, antiques, and handicrafts. The concierge can help organize sightseeing and shopping trips. Day trips can also be organised to places close by such as Alleppey, Kuttanad, and Kumarakom (famed for its backwaters) and Munnar (tea estates).
Suckling appointed as Australia's Indian nationals acquitted of murder in Malaysia next envoy to India MELBOURNE: Hindi-speaking to New Delhi and Washington. He Australian career diplomat Patrick has a post-graduate diploma in Suckling, who had earlier worked Hindi from the University of in New Delhi, has been appointed Sydney. as the country's new envoy to "Suckling is an accomplished India, which Canberra believes is career diplomat with expertise in "critical" to its national interests. Suckling will take up the The appointment was post in New Delhi as the new High Commissioner announced by Foreign next month. He will replace Minister Bob Carr who said Peter Varghese, who is re- the role was important turning to Australia to head the department of Foreign because India is Affairs and Trade. Australia's fourth largest The appointment was export market, with trade announced by Foreign Minister Bob Carr who said between the two countries the role was important be- reaching 18-billion cause India is Australia's dollars a year fourth largest export market, with trade between the two countries reaching 18-billion policy development, public diplodollars a year. macy and consular service," Carr Carr said the relationship with said in a statement. India was critical to "our national "His previous postings to New interests". Delhi and Washington and postSuckling is a career diplomat graduate qualifications in Hindi who has previously been posted will serve him well as high com-
missioner." Suckling was an adviser to foreign minister Alexander Downer in 2007. He headed the international division in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Patrick Suckling
from March 2009 to May 2011 and his most recent position in Canberra was head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's consular, public diplomacy and parliamentary affairs division. -PTI
KUALA LUMPUR: Three In"It is clear cut that although my dian nationals charged with mur- clients were in remand for three der in Malaysia three years ago years, there was no case against were acquitted by a court here, them," Gobind told the court. citing inadequate evidence Deputy public prosecutor against them. Muhamad Yasser Mohd Nasri Security supervisor Illayaraaja said the medical report presented Haridas, 29, student Gobi Nath by the medical officer from Shanmugam, 21, and technician Serdang Hospital, which deduced Tivanesvaran Sathivelu, 23, were that the cause of death was seaccused of murdering Syed Kumar Yahya, 37, in Puchong - a suburb "It is clear cut that although of Kuala Lumpur - three my clients were in remand years ago. Although the three for three years, there was no men were initially charged separately, case against them," Gobind their cases were tried told the court. together as they involved the same victim. In his closing argument, coun- vere head trauma, should be adsel Gobind Singh said none of the equate. prosecution's witnesses or eviThe prosecution argued that the dence could place his clients at three men's defense hung solely on the scene of the crime. their alibis. Justice Ghazali Cha acHe added that the lack of a post quitted and discharged the three on mortem report amounted to a lack the grounds that the prosecution of evidence over how his clients had failed to prove a prima facie case were tied to the murder. against them.PTI
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GOPIO to honor 7 with community service awards India Post News Service
NEW DELHI: GOPIO International will hold its annual executive and general council meetings, followed by its conference starting on January 5 afternoon and concluding on January 6 immediately preceding, and in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 events of January 7-9, 2013 in Kochi, Kerala, India. GOPIO has selected seven to receive community service awards at GOPIO's annual CSA Banquet to be held on January 6 in Kochi, in addition to four for special recognition including Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary General of FICCI and former Secretary of MOIA. GOPIO's Annual Convention will take place in Kochi on January 5 and 6. The conferences will cover country and area reports on
L to R: Governor of Karnataka and Kerala H. R. Bhardwaj; MOIA Minister Vayalar Ravi; Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Lord Bhikhu Parekh of the House of Lords, London
National Development Foundation. George Subraj - USA: George Subraj, born in Guyana and resident of New York, is CEO of Zara Realty Holdings based in New York. He is dedicated to supporting diverse community projects in
Sunny Augustine is Managing Director of White Sands Tours and Travel, a leading tour and holiday company in Dubai, and has been in the forefront of a historic humanitarian task. In 1991, during the Gulf war, when thousands of hapless expatriates
L to R: Murray Bullock, George Subraj, Dr Anil Mehta and Prof. Ajay Rane
community issues and perspectives from different part of the world on January 5 at the Presidency Hotel in Kochi. Conferences will take place at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kochi and include Diaspora Issues: Challenges & Opportunities; Freedom Movements in the Diaspora - Gadar & Others; Economic Progress in the Diaspora: Making an Impact in Global Investments & Business Entrepreneurship and Economic Progress in the Diaspora: Investment in India; Creating IndiaDiaspora Science, Technology & Innovation Knowledge Network. The convention will end with an awards banquet where NRIS and PIOs who have done outstanding service to the community will be honored. Several dignitaries have already been confirmed to attend the convention awards banquet. They include the following: The following have been selected for their services to the Diaspora community:
Community Service Awards Murray Bullock - St Vincent & Grenadines: Murray Bullock is Chairman of St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) National Lotteries Authority and Chairman of St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)
USA and Guyana, including medical equipment and services to the needy.
trapped in the war zone, he played a key role in their evacuation from Saudi Arabia to the safety of their
able and positive impact. He cofounded Canada India Foundation (CIF) for deepening engagement between Canada and India using public policy advocacy platform. Ishwar Ramlutchman - South Africa: Ishwar Ramlutchman is CEO of AC Industrial Sales & Services. He is a business entrepreneur and worked for procurement and implementation of water and sanitation infrastructure projects for local government; corporate social responsibility by building schools, poor feeding and health facilities for the poor and disadvantaged in Kwa Zulu Natal.
Special Recognition
Manpreet Kaur Singh - Australia: Manpreet Kaur Singh is a well established and prominent journalist in print, broadcast and online media for over 23 years. Developed reference tool on preservation of history of Indian migration to Australia, prescribed by Education Services Australia and used by high school students. Worked for community issues/ social causes, worked alongside police and community organizations, for welfare of Indian Australians Ashok Rao - USA: Ashok Rao is an entrepreneur with five successful high technology start-ups and one of the first Indian Americans to take a company public on NASDAQ. He is a professional, keynote speaker at numerous Global Conferences, TIE Retreats and Chapters, as well as Rice University and Franklin Pierce University. He is a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies and various trade organizations. He is Chairman of TIE Global Board of Trustees, the world's largest organization of entrepreneurs. Dr. Awtar Singh (Posthumously) - USA: Chair, Board of Trustees, Indian American Heritage Foundation, recognizing and rewarding qualified high school students in Southern California; Instituted Perpetual Fellowship at University of California, Berkeley, covering out-ofstate tuition and fees, books, and living expenses. Instituted Awtar
Dr A. Didar Singh - India Dr Alwyn Didar Singh is Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). A former civil servant, recently served as Secretary to Ministry of Overseas InGOPIO CSA Awardees for 2013 - Sunny Augustine, Vasu Chanchlani and Ishwar Ramlutchman dian Affairs where he was Dr Anil Mehta - Netherlands: respective countries. Dr. Anil K. Mehta has been helpVasu Chanchlani - Canada: very supportive on issues of ining people of Indian origin for the Vasu Chanchlani is a serial entre- terest and concern of the Indian last 30 years in the Netherlands preneur and visionary philanthro- Diaspora, in particular GOPIO's who are without proper stay-per- pist supportmit or health insurance, referred ing projects through gurudwaras and having transISKCON temples, becoming their formational only medical shelter. impact. He Prof. Ajay Rane - Australia: started six Prof. Ajay Rane is former Chair- s u c c e s s f u l man and current Honorary Trea- technology surer of the Royal Australian and v e n t u r e s New Zealand College of Obste- with world tricians and Gynaecologists. He class strateserves on the Board of the Aus- gic investralian Gynaecological Endos- tors. He is accopy Society (AGES) and is on tively enGOPIO Special Awardees 2013, From L to R: Dr A. Didar Singh, Manpreet Kaur Singh and Ashok Rao the Urogynaecology committee gaged with of the apex organization for Ob- his philanstetrics and Gynaecology, thropic projects, and contributes initiatives on Passport Surrender and Teji Singh Scholarship Fund Sunny Augustine - Dubai: enormously for planned, sustain- and Kolkata Memorial. at University of Colorado.
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Obama wants gun violence 'Scientists solve mystery behind human itching' measures passed in 2013 WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama pledged to put his "full weight" behind a legislative package next year aimed at containing gun violence, describing the shooting of 20 elementary school students as the worst day of his presidency. In an interview with NBC television's "Meet the Press", Obama voiced skepticism about proposals to place armed guards at schools in the aftermath of the Dec. 14 deadly assault at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. In his boldest terms yet, he vowed to rally the American people around an agenda to limit gun violence and said he still supports increased background checks and bans on assault weapons and high capacity bullet magazines. "It is not enough for us to say, 'This is too hard so we're not going to try,'" Obama said in the interview. "So what I intend to do is I will call all the stakeholders together. I will meet with Republicans. I will meet with Democrats. I will talk to anybody. "I think there are a vast majority of responsible gun owners out there who recognize that we can't have a situation in which somebody with severe psychological problems is able to get the kind of high capacity weapons that this individual in Newtown obtained and gun down our kids. And, yes,
it's going to be hard." Obama's comments come as the schoolroom shooting has el-
lobbying group, has resisted those efforts vociferously, arguing instead that schools should
evated the issue of gun violence to the forefront of public attention. Six adults also died at the school. Authorities say the shooter killed his mother at their home and then killed himself as police closed in at the school. The slayings have prompted renewed calls for greater gun controls. The National Rifle Association, the influential gun-rights
have armed guards for protection. "I am skeptical that the only answer is putting more guns in schools," Obama said. "And I think the vast majority of the American people are skeptical that that somehow is going to solve our problem." Obama said he intended to press the issue with the public. "Will there be resistance? Absolutely there will be resistance," he said. -AP
Sebi slaps Rs 4 lakh penalty on Indiabulls Securities MUMBAI: Market regulator Sebi has imposed a penalty of Rs four lakh on Indiabulls Securities for allegedly violating various norms for stock brokers including delay in redressing investor complaints. Sebi has slapped the fine on Indiabulls Securities for not taking adequate steps to redress the complaints within 30 days of the receipt, executing trades in clients account without their instruction and squaring off of client's positions even after sufficient ledger balance/margins, among other things. "...it is not in dispute that there were 82 out of 372 complaints where the notice has taken more than the stipulated 30 days to reply/redress the complainant," Sebi said in an order dated December 28.
Sebi found that the majority of the 82 complaints were those concerning square up position and trade disputes "which have financial repercussions on the investors where time value and opportunity costs are essential ingredi-
Sebi said that "any recourse to sell off securities without making margin call on the client would play foul of the regulatory provisions...conclude that the broker has faulted in this respect�
ents". On the charge regarding squaring off of trades, Sebi said that "any recourse to sell off securities without making margin call on the client would play foul of the regulatory provisions...conclude that the broker has faulted in this respect". Other violations by the stock broker included accepting orders from client's financing entity without the instructions of the client and for providing incomplete data to Sebi's inspection team. Sebi had conducted an inspection of the books of accounts, documents and various other records maintained and furnished by Indiabulls Securities at the entity's branch offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai between September, 2009 and January, 2010. -PTI
NEW YORK: Scientists have solely to itch proved elusive. discovered nerve cells that deal Some researchers even wonsolely with itching sensations in dered whether itch and pain were humans, a breakthrough which always processed by the same can lead to effective treatments nerve fibers, but interpreted by for pain relief. the brain differently, said study The new findings are also im- co-author Xinzhong Dong, a neuportant because they provide a roscientist at Johns Hopkins Unitarget for new gen-next anti-itch versity. medications. However, the urge to scratch According to a new study, cer- seemed different in key ways from tain nerve cells are specialized to the experience of pain. For indetect itchy sensations, and those stance, when a mosquito bites, receptors don't detect painful sen- most people feel a powerful desations. sire to scratch the bite, while the The study helps resolve a long-standing debate over whether "This is a very convincing itchiness is just a weird piece of work," Lerner said. form of pain, "Scientists can perhaps 'LiveScience' reported. Researchers have target this particular type of pinpointed the respon- nerve as a means of treating sible nerve fibers, which could be silenced itch, but still allow you to to develop better anti- experience the protective itch treatments, said Ethan Lerner, a neuro- aspect of pain," he said scientist at Harvard University. pain of touching a hot stove "This is a very convincing causes people to recoil, Dong piece of work," Lerner said. said. "Scientists can perhaps target To identify cells that sense itch, this particular type of nerve as a researchers genetically engimeans of treating itch, but still al- neered mice whose nerve cells low you to experience the protec- glowed fluorescent green when tive aspect of pain," he said. firing. They then exposed the mice For decades, why people itch to irritating compounds, such as has been a mystery. While some histamine and the active ingredipain nerves have been found to ent in itching powder, and looked fire in response to itchy stimu- for nerves that fired (and glowed lants, nerves that responded green) as a result. -PTI
Tiger population in India increases significantly: WCS NEW YORK: Tiger population in India has significantly increased in the wild, thanks to protection of additional habitat of the big cat and stringent antipoaching patrols, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) said. In southwestern India, where WCS research and conservation efforts began 25 years ago, a major rebound of tigers in the Western Ghats region of Karnataka has taken place. Over 600 individuals have been identified to date from camera trap photos during the last decade in this mountainous landscape, WCS said in a statement. In Nagarahole and Bandipur National Parks, tigers have actually reached saturation levels, with surplus young tigers spilling out into forest-reserves and dispersing using secured forest
corridors through a landscape that holds over a million human beings. In newer tiger reserves including Bhadra and Kudremukh, numbers have increased by as much as 50 per cent after years of neglect and chronic poaching were tackled, WCS said. The successes are muchneeded good news as tiger numbers worldwide continue to hover at all-time lows due to the combined threat of poaching, loss of prey, and habitat destruction. WCS estimates that only 3,200 tigers exist in the wild. "Tigers are clearly fighting for their very existence, but it's important to know that there is hope. Victories like these give us the resolve to continue to battle for these magnificent big cats," WCS President and CEO Cristian Samper said.-PTI
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New cardboard helmet could 2012 saw new campaigns to woo tourists revolutionize head safety WASHINGTON: An Indianorigin researcher has designed a new lighter and safer bicycle-helmet entirely made up of cardboard. The helmet 'Kranium' has been constructed from cardboard and designed by Royal College Art student Anirudha Surabhi, which promises to be 15 per cent lighter than standard helmets, while absorbing up to three times the impact energy during a collision. Surabhi was inspired to create the Kranium following a nasty fall from his bicycle which caused a cracked helmet and minor concussion, 'Gizmag' reported. The designer was also struck by the woodpecker's ability to withstand repeated heavy impact, thanks to the bird's unique corrugated cartilage structure which separates beak from skull. The Formula 1 team Force India is incorporating the Kranium technology into its own helmet design, the report said. The Kranium is waterproof, and boasts some green credentials, due to it being manufactured
Anirudha Surabhi
from recycled paper. Cardboard can be a surprisingly versatile manufacturing material in the right hands, as was highlighted by the recently unveiled cardboard bicycle. Rather than remaining completely rigid, the helmet is designed to allow a degree of flexing in order to help absorb impact
force, of which it can withstand up to three times as much as typical expanded polystyrene (EPS) helmets, while remaining 15 per cent lighter. These figures derive from tests conducted by Surabhi and his collaborators, in addition to safety testing laboratories in Germany and the UK. -PTI
Coalgate, CWG tax evasion probe keep CVC busy NEW DELHI: The Central Vigilance Commission in India acted on a number of corruption cases and directed Central Bureau of Investigation probe in coal blocks allocation scam and recovery of about Rs 1,000 crore tax evasion in Commonwealth Games-related works this year, besides other antigraft measures. The probity watchdog was also chosen to head a 10-member global task force to prepare a knowledge management system for promoting international cooperation in checking graft and black money. In its bid to ensure transparency in governance, the CVC directed rotation of officers handling sensitive posts, expediting cases of corruption involving senior government officials and regulations in public procurement, a government activity susceptible to corruption. It also suggested the government to introduce and implement a US-type False Claims Act to recover losses from a corrupt government contractor. The Commission received over 25,000 complaints of financial ir-
regularities and made recoveries of at least Rs 142 crore after inspecting works, including public procurement, carried out by different organizations. The CVC, which went into alleged irregularities in CWG- related civic and construction projects, found tax evasion of Rs 1,014.60 crore by government departments and private companies. It slapped notices for recovery of over Rs 500 crore tax allegedly evaded by government departments and private firms while executing the works.
At least 9,000 publicly-funded projects were executed by 37 government departments and private companies for the mega sporting event held in New Delhi between October 3-14, 2010.
According to Vigilance Commissioner R Srikumar, a multi- jurisdictional inquiry found evasions of Income Tax, Service Tax and Value Added Tax among others. At least 9,000 publicly-funded projects were executed by 37 government departments and private companies for the mega sporting event held in New Delhi between October 3-14, 2010. The CVC is looking into 28 cases of alleged irregularities in CWG works. The CVC, which has probed crucial cases, including 2G spectrum allocation scam and directed CBI inquiry, also referred alleged irregularities in coal blocks allocation for further probe by the investigating agency. The coal blocks were allocated to private companies between 2006 and 2009. Besides, a decision to assign the role of heading the task force to the probity watchdog was taken recently by International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, an independent, nonpolitical anti-corruption organization of more than 300 members including India, in October.-PTI
NEW DELHI: The Indian tour- per cent. ism industry in 2012 showed some Giving a thrust to the hospitalsigns of recovery with an increase ity sector, the National Council for in the number of visitors flocking Hotel Management and Catering the country after a bad season last Technology extended its MoU year and saw a three-time jump in with the Indira Gandhi Open Unithe fund allocation in the 12th versity for its three-year BSc and Plan period. two-year MSc programs. This reFilmstar-turned politician newal will provide greater recogChiranjeevi took over charge of nition to the hospitality program the ministry in October from in the country. Subodh Kant Sahai. He set a tarExploring possibilities of givget of attracting 11 million foreign ing export industry status to the tourists and creation of about 24 tourism sector, the ministry anmillion jobs in the next five years nounced that a comprehensive besides giving a new thrust to the study will be carried out on imIncredible India campaign by pact of taxation on the sector, a launching two new ad campaigns. constant demand made by Indian While "Find What You See" tour operators for long. campaign was launched for gloThe tour operators claim they bal tourists, "Go Beyond" was for are being discriminated as the exdomestic tourists. port industry is exempted from The government relaxed its service tax whereas the tourism tourist visa rules lifting restric- industry is not. tions imposed on foreign visitors With an aim to develop inteto have a two-month cooling off grated tourism circuits in south period between subsequent visits. The restriction was imposed in 2009 after the Mumbai Exploring possibilities of attacks. giving export industry status However, citizens of Pakistan, China, Iran, to the tourism sector, the Iraq, Bangladesh, Af- ministry announced that a ghanistan, Sudan and comprehensive study will people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin and be carried out on impact of "stateless persons" will taxation on the sector continue to come under the 60-day gap rule. In a boost to tourism, government increased fund allo- India, the ministry formed Southcation by three times in the 12th ern Zonal Tourism Council comPlan period. The ministry was al- prising Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, located Rs 15,190 crore for 2012- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and the 17 period as against Rs 5169 crore Union Territory of Puducherry. in the 11th Plan period. With the objective of developThe ministry has set a target ing tourist centers in Gujarat, for increasing India's share in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, world tourist arrivals from the cur- India Tourism Development Corrent 0.6 per cent to 1 per cent by poration has joined hands with the end of the 12th Plan period Hindustan Salts Ltd (HSL) by and the relaxation in the visa re- signing a MoU with it. HSL, a subgime would contribute to a large sidiary of Sambhar Salts Ltd (SSL), extent in achieving this target. will undertake the development of The economic slowdown in the regions of Khara Ghoda (Gujarat), US and Europe coupled with ad- Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) and verse travel advisories hit the Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) as tourtourism sector in 2011 as the coun- ist centers. try had witnessed less footfalls. The tourism ministry also idenA total of 58.99 lakh foreign tified 'film tourism' as a niche tourtourists visited India during the ism product and asked state govJanuary-November period as ernments and Union Territory adagainst 55.72 lakh in the corre- ministrations to recognize its posponding period last year, a tential and constitute special bodgrowth of 5.9 per cent. ies to facilitate filming in their reThe government earned Rs spective areas. 83,938 crore as foreign exchange Hollywood adventure film "Life from tourism as against Rs 68,721 of Pi" was awarded National Tourcrore in 2011, an increase of 22.1 ism Awards by the government for per cent this year. promoting India as a tourism desThe visa-on-arrival scheme tination, especially Puducherry drew 13,903 tourists as against and Munnar in southern Kerala. 11,121 visitors in 2011, a rise of 25 PTI
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Vibrant Gujarat gets endorsement from UK, US, Auz business AHMEDABAD: With Japan and Canada as partner countries and endorsements from UK, US and Australian business councils, the sixth edition of Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS) 2013, a biennial event of the Gujarat government, will be held from January 11-13. "USIBC's (US-India Business Council) executive mission, comprising senior US business executives representing a broad range of sectors, seeks to promote Gujarat as India's global business hub," according to the council's portal. It added that under Modi's leadership, Gujarat has emerged as one of the most attractive investment destinations for American businesses. The event, which showcases Gujarat as a global business hub and investment destination, will have participation from some African countries, Australia, Bahrain, Thailand, Russia, the Netherlands and Belgium, among others. The state of Karnataka is also participating, with a seminar to showcase investment opportunities there. "The focus will be on youth,
skill development and knowledge sharing. Having participation from worldwide, it will facilitate investments for major infra projects of the state," an industry department official said. "Large-scale investments from the partner countries are expected to flow."
The event, which showcases Gujarat as a global business hub and investment destination, will have participation from some African countries, Australia, Bahrain, Thailand, Russia, the Netherlands and Belgium, among others Japan has a cooperation pact with the Union Government for 19 projects, of which seven are proposed in Gujarat. In fast-industrializing zones of Dahej and Sanand in the state, two 'Smart City'
29 Indians and Indo-Americans named IEEE fellows HOUSTON: Twenty-nine Indi- University of North Carolina, ans and Indian- Americans were Kannan Krishnan from University among 297 people who were nomi- of Washington, Subhasish Mitra nated to serve as '2013 Newly El- from Stanford University, Suman evated IEEE Fellows' of the Insti- Datta from Penn State University tute for Electronic and Electrical and Suhas Diggavi from the UniEngineers, the world's largest tech- versity of California. nical professional association. Prof Sushil Jajodia, Swarn Singh The nomination is a distinction Kalsi, Ravi V Mahajan, Kadaba R reserved for select IEEE members whose extraorThose honored include Om dinary accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields Prakash Narayan Calla from of interest are deemed fit- Rajasthan, Jayant ting of this prestigious Ramaswamy Haritsa from grade elevation. Those honored in- IIS-Bangalore, Sreenivasa S clude Om Prakash Murthy from IIT-Delhi, Narayan Calla from Rajasthan, Jayant Pradeep K Sinha from Pune Ramaswamy Haritsa University and Bayya from IIS-Bangalore, Yegnanarayana from the Sreenivasa S Murthy from IIT-Delhi, Pradeep IIIT-Hyderabad K Sinha from Pune University and Bayya Yegnanarayana Lakshmikumar, Prof Madhav V from the IIIT-Hyderabad. Marathe, Bikash C Pal, Prof Others include Raja Chatila Kameshwar Poolla, Sanjay Raman, from France, Ramachandra Achar Prof Sudeep Sarkar, Associate Prof from Canada and Lalit Kumar Goel Gaurav Sharma, Prof Prashant from Nanyang Technological Uni- Shenoy, Subhash L Shinde, versity in Singapore. Ramasamy Uthurusamy, Prof Pramod The Indian-Americans in the Viswanath, Harish Viswanathan and list include Sanjoy K Baruah from Randhir P S Thakur. -PTI
projects by Japan are proposed. Major investment potential for Gujarat, out of the total estimated infra projects of USD 90 billion along the 1,500 km Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor across six states, is of about USD 30 billion. Nearly 38 per cent (564 km) of the dedicated freight corridor passes through Gujarat. The state, having one-fifth of country's coastline (1,600 km), also targets to handle 40 per cent of the traffic through Indian ports by 2020. Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has acquired nearly 35,000 hectares of land in 2011-12. "As a part of VGS, Gujarat will host a largest-ever industrial exhibition - Global Trade Show spread over 1,00,000 sq mt against 20,000 sq mt last time," an official said. According to officials, VGS2011 saw 8,000 Memorandums of Understanding for investment of Rs 20,83,000 crore. However, a very small percentage has translated into implementation, though the state claims to have an impressive 53 per cent overall implementation rate of MoUs since inception of VGS in 2003. -PTI
One more Andhraite found dead in US WASHINGTON: An Indian man hailing from Andhra Pradesh, who used to run a liquor store in the US, was found dead at the shop under suspicious circumstances and police have opened a homicide investigation. Venkat Reddy-Goli, 47, was found dead by the police inside the Central Liquors store in Colerain Township of Ohio having a population of some 60,000. The police said Goli, owner of the liquor store, suffered from fatal injuries. A spokesman of Colerain Township Police Department told PTI that no arrest has been made so far. Police said they have opened a homicide investigation. "It is under investigation. We can't divulge any other information," he said. The police arrived at the crime scene in the wee hours after his wife called. The wife went to the store after Goli did not return from his business. When she reached the store, she found her husband lying aside in the store and notified police. -PTI
Japan to launch asteroidsampling mission in 2014 NEW YORK: Building on its successful first round-trip mission to space rock Itokowa, Japan's space agency is readying to launch an ambitious new asteroid sampling probe in 2014. The new space mission, Hayabusa2, is scheduled for launch in 2014 and is aimed at the asteroid 1999 JU3, a large space rock about 3,018 feet in length. The mission is due to arrive at
launched in May 2003 and returned samples of Itokawa the first asteroid samples ever collected in space in June 2010. The Hayabusa2 mission will rely on NASA's Deep Space Network of ground stations to help track the spacecraft. The spacecraft's return capsule will also land in Australia, another similarity to the first flight. Hayabusa2 is expected to stay
the asteroid in mid-2018, loiter at the space rock and carry out a slew of challenging firsts before departing the scene at the end of 2019, 'Space.com' reported. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft is scheduled to return to Earth with samples of asteroid 1999 JU3. The probe's name is Japanese for "Falcon2". Officials with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said Hayabusa2, like its Hayabusa predecessor, will also involve a significant level of international cooperation. The initial Hayabusa mission
with asteroid 1999 JU3 for more than a year, 18 months in all, thereby allowing ample time for observation and careful sample collection, according to the mission's project manager Makoto Yoshikawa from Japan's the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). Asteroid 1999 JU3 is of particular interest to researchers because it consists of 4.5-billion-year-old material that has been altered very little. Measurements taken from Earth suggest that the asteroid's rock may have come into contact with water. -PTI
Japan's PM seeks security ties with India TOKYO: Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sought to expand the Japan-US security partnership to India and Australia as it faces a bitter territorial row with China. "The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone," Abe, sworn in as Prime Minister, said in an interview with the mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun. "It's good to expand it to security cooperation among Japan, the United States and India. (Co-operation) among Japan, the United States and Australia will also contribute to stability in the region," Abe said.
"It is important to regain the region's power balance," he added without elaborating. Abe won conservative support in national polls earlier this month with forthright pronouncements on the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, vowing not to budge on Japan's claim to them. China also lays claim to the island chain, which it calls the Diaoyu. Beijing has sent ships into the islands' waters many times since Tokyo nationalized the chain in September, with analysts saying China intends to prove it can come and go as it pleases. -AFP
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Country in grip of pessimism due to 'policy paralysis': Modi NEW DELHI: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi launched a fresh attack on the Centre, saying the country was in the grip of pessimism because of "policy paralysis, intellectual bankruptcy and lack of leadership". He said the Center's policies "lack urgency or seriousness" in tackling economic crises and thus
are leading the nation making it difficult to move forward. In his speech at the meeting, Modi said, "It seems that there is no urgency or seriousness in tackling economic crises facing the country. There has been a virtual lack of direction in the macro-economic management of the country."
Narendra Modi
the "sense of pessimism" in the 12th Plan. "There is a policy paralysis, intellectual bankruptcy and lack of leadership in the country because of which the country was experiencing stagnancy. We are going on the path of negative growth," Modi told reporters at the 57th National Development Council (NDC) meeting here. He said when the entire world was looking at India in the context of development, there is sense of pessimism from the ones who
Attacking the government for lowering the growth target for the 12th Plan, Modi said though the target of 9 per cent GDP growth, talked about last year, appeared ambitious, "it was not impossible to achieve if we had the political will to do what is necessary". "In this context, it is painful to note the unmistakable sense of pessimism in the 12th Plan document...Significantly lowering the growth targets of the 12th Plan will further add to the mood of despondency and pessimism in
the country and cast increasing doubts on the sustainability of the India Growth Story," he said. Modi sought to project the Gujarat model of development by listing out the initiatives taken by him in various sectors including agriculture, urban development and decentralized planning. Modi, however, evaded questions on whether he was ready to lead the nation. Questioning the Centre for blaming the international economic situation for the slow growth, Modi said how then were some of the states performing better. "If the Centre can blame the international situation, who should the states point out to," he said, referring to the high growth rate in some states including Gujarat. Modi also called for setting up a National Resources Commission on the lines of the Finance Commission which discusses the allocation of grants to states every five years. The Chief Minister said the National Resources Commission should decide on the quota utility of natural resources which were a part of the state, but noted such states should be given a say while making such allocations. He said the country is facing a demographic opportunity as 65 per cent of the population is young and pitched for a youthcentric growth which focuses on skill development. Modi said the Planning Commission had also studied the
India, China, Brazil to pay more in UN '12-13 budget UNITED NATIONS: India, Brazil, China and other emerging nations will pay more to the United Nations after the General Assembly approved a five per cent increase to the world body's budget for 2012-13 to USD 5.4 billion. Capping days of intense negotiations, the Assembly adopted a range of Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) resolutions, covering the scale of assessing Member States' dues, the United Nations pension system and the proposed 2013 budget for 33 political missions. In a consensus vote, the 193member world body increased the budget for UN's regular operations by about USD 243.3 million from the USD 5.15 billion agreed last December. The income was revised upwards by USD 3.99 million to USD 511.74 million for the current bi-
ennium. The Assembly approved USD 566.48 million to keep the 33 special political missions running in 2013. These missions include those for Syria, Yemen, Libya and Sudan-South Sudan and large operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Emerging nations such as India, China, Russia, Brazil would have to pay an increased share,
In a consensus vote, the 193-member world body increased the budget for UN's regular operations by about USD 243.3 million
while contributions of European nations, such as Britain, Germany and France and Japan have been cut in the revised UN budget. The US' share for the regular budget will remain unchanged at 22 per cent. Each UN member state contributes to the budget based on its share of global gross national income. India's payments would increase 24 per cent, taking its budget share from 0.5 to 0.66 per cent. China's UN fees would increase by 61 per cent, taking its share of the budget from 3.2 to 5.1 per cent. This makes China the sixth biggest UN contributor, overtaking Canada and Italy. Brazil has agreed to an 82 per cent hike in payments, paying 2.9 per cent of the budget instead of 1.6 per cent. Russia's payments would increase by 52 per cent. -PTI
Gujarat model for skill development and recommended it to other states. Contending that growth in manufacturing has been stagnating at 16 per cent, Modi said, "The outlook for employment for the youth in industry remains bleak which casts a doubt on India's capacity to take advantage of the demographic dividend. "It is unfortunate that the cen-
for taking "unilateral" decisions and said it should "resist the temptation to tinker with the federal structure mandated by the Constitution." "There has also been a tendency to take unilateral decisions by legislating on subjects which are dealt by states where huge financial liabilities are created for the states without commensurate transfer of resources from the Cen-
Attacking the government for lowering the growth target for the 12th Plan, Modi said though the target of 9 per cent GDP growth, talked about last year, appeared ambitious, ‘it was not impossible to achieve if we had the political will to do what is necessary’ tral government has been bereft of any vision or strategy in this regard. This feeling of helplessness in making effective policy interventions has resulted in job creation suffering and the youth of the country becoming disillusioned," he said in his speech. Modi, who was sworn-in as the Chief Minister for the fourth time, was greeted by several leaders including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Modi walked up to Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to greet him. Modi also attacked the Centre
tre. The Right to Education Act is a recent example of this," he said. He wanted the Centre to set up a structured mechanism to address such issues and resolve them in a time-bound manner. On the issue of capping of subsidies on cooking gas, Modi said the Centre had shown "little concern" for the "constant agony" that millions of Indians are forced to undergo on a daily basis because of rising prices. "The recent decision of the central government to restrict the number of LPG cylinders to six per year will further add to the misery of India's middle classes and the poor," he said and demanded a review. -PTI
Rajaratnam to pay USD 1.45mn to settle SEC suit on Gupta tips NEW YORK: Jailed hedgefund founder Raj Rajaratnam has agreed to pay USD 1.45 million to settle a civil lawsuit filed by US regulator SEC against him and India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta for their roles in one of the largest insider-trading schemes in US history. 55-year-old Rajaratnam, Galleon Group's Sri Lanka-born cofounder, has also agreed to waive his right to appeal this judgment, court papers showed. US District Judge Jed Rakoff approved the final judgment in the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC's) case against Rajaratnam, who is serving 11 years in prison for insider trading, and 64-year-old Gupta. Under the consent agreement signed by Rajaratnam earlier this month, he would pay a total of USD 1.45 million, which includes USD 1.3 million in disgorgement and about 147,000 dollars in pre-
judgment interest. Rajaratnam has been ordered to pay the amount within 90 days. The final judgment in the SEC's case orders Rajaratnam to disgorge his share of the profits gained and losses avoided as a result of the insider trading as well as the prejudgment interest on that amount. The SEC's claims against Gupta remain pending. The US regulator had filed its complaint in October 2011, alleging that Gupta had passed on to Rajaratnam confidential information he had learned as Goldman board member about Berkshire Hathaway's USD five billion investment in the financial giant in September 2008, as well as about Goldman's financial results for the second and fourth quarter of 2008. Rajaratnam used the information he learned from Gupta to trade profitably in certain Galleon hedge funds. -PTI
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Jayalalithaa walks out of NDC meet after 'big humiliation' NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa walked out of the National Development Council (NDC) meeting here accusing the Centre of "stifling" the voice of Chief Ministers by restricting their speeches to 10 minutes. Coming out of the Vigyan Bhawan, the venue of the meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said it was a "big humiliation" for her to be stopped from completing her speech at the NDC meeting. She said the Centre came out with a "new method" of limiting the speeches of Chief Ministers to 10 minutes which was not enough to articulate their views. Sources said each Chief Minister was allotted 10 minutes and was forewarned. Jayalalithaa had come to Page 10 out of her 28-page speech when the bell rang, they said. Jayalalithaa immediately left for Chennai cutting short her stay. Jayalalithaa said she had come prepared with several points to "enlighten the interest of Tamil Nadu and the interest of the nation." "But I was told only 10 minutes will be allowed to each CM. On that, if we speak beyond the allotted 10 minutes then a bell would ring. I began my speech and as the 10 minutes were up, they rang a bell. It was a big humiliation," she said. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said there had been many occasions where the Chief Ministers were allowed to speak for 25 to 35 minutes. "To show my protest, I have
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa exchange greetings during the 57th National Development Council (NDC) meeting in New Delhi
walked out of the NDC meeting because the plan document itself is so lengthy and encompasses so many subjects...Just by allowing 10 minutes and humiliating us in this way, they need not have to call us all the way to Delhi to participate in this meeting," she said. "It stifled the voice of the Chief Ministers who are in the opposition," she said. In her speech, Jayalalithaa said she found that no reasonable and legitimate suggestion from the states had been accepted and the "big brotherly
She said even a simple request from a state PSU for a Digital Addressable System (DAS) Licence for Chennai City has not been granted on totally extraneous considerations
and undemocratic approach of superimposing on elected state governments the dubious policies, priorities and programs of a minority ruling coterie in Delhi has prevailed." "We get the impression that the government at the Centre is indifferent about reducing poverty...The Union Government, far from serving the common man, is conspiring against him by hiking the prices of essential commodities and inputs and appears more focused on facilitating the
interests of foreign investors," she said. "The regime at the Centre, caught up in the daily squabbles of its constituents, in merely trying to survive from day-to-day, has neither the time nor the inclination to pay attention to the problems of the people of this country," the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said. Jayalalithaa accused the Centre of being "completely ineffective" in playing its constitutional role in ensuring that the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal is duly notified so that it can be implemented and the rights of Tamil Nadu as a lower riparian state are protected. "The central government has also failed in protecting the citizens of the country - the fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu from attacks across the maritime boundary," she said. She said even a simple request from a state PSU for a Digital Addressable System (DAS) Licence for Chennai City has not been granted on totally extraneous considerations and alleged that the delay is intended to facilitate the switching over of subscribers to a family-owned TV network, in a clear reference to Marans-owned network. "The deliberate non-issuance of DAS license to the state government-owned Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation is only to facilitate the business interests of a particular family which forms part of the ruling coalition at the Centre," she said. -PTI
Petro products, power, coal underpriced; need to hike rates: PM NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made a strong case for "phased" hike in prices of petroleum products, coal and power as they are "underpriced" warning that failure to control subsidies would lead to cut in plan expenditure.
for some consumers. "Immediate adjustment of prices to close the gap is not feasible, I realize this, but some phased price adjustment is necessary", Singh said while addressing the 57th meeting of the National Development Council
Drawing attention to the need to control subsidies, Singh said some subsidies were a normal part of any socially just system but they should be well designed and effectively targeted. The total volume must be kept within limits of fiscal sustainability "Unfortunately, energy is underpriced in our country. Our coal, petroleum products and natural gas are all priced well below international prices. This also means that electricity is effectively underpriced, especially
(NDC). The apex policy-making body NDC, which comprises Cabinet Ministers and State Chief Ministers, was convened to approve the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) which seeks to peg the average
annual growth rate at 8 per cent, as against 8.2 per cent proposed earlier. Drawing attention to the need to control subsidies, Singh said some subsidies were a normal part of any socially just system but they should be well designed and effectively targeted. The total volume must be kept within limits of fiscal sustainability. "Failure to control subsidies within these limits only means that other plan expenditures have to be cut or the fiscal deficit target exceeded," he said. In his address, Singh also referred to the recent gang rape of a 23-year old paramedic student in the capital and said the government would accord high priority to safety and security of women as "there can be no meaningful development without the active participation of half the population".
Singh also cautioned that "business as usual" policies will
nario. This is the second time that the Planning Commission has proposed reduction in the average a n n u a l growth target for the 12th Plan. It was first scaled down from 9 per cent to 8.2 per cent and now to 8 per cent. Noting that India imPrime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the 57th ports oil, natuNational Development Council meeting, in New Delhi ral gas and even coal, not be sufficient to achieve the Singh said some adjustment in scaled down growth target of 8 price was necessary to moderper cent, which he described as ate demand of these products "ambitious" in the current sce- and curb imports.-PTI
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Tony Greig passes away after losing battle to lung cancer SYDNEY: Tony Greig, a former England cricket captain who went on to become a celebrated commentator and attained fame in India, passed away after suffering a heart attack while battling lung cancer here. Greig was 66. He breathed his last at a hospital here after being brought in a "critical condition". "He was rushed into St Vincent's Hospital. The staff of the emergency department worked on Mr. Greig to no avail." hospital spokesman David Faktort said. In his 58-match Test career, Greig scored 3,599 runs at an average of 40.43 and picked up 141 wickets. He slammed eight centuries during his Test career. In 22 ODIs that he played, Greig scored 269 runs and managed 19 wickets. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in October this year after undergoing treatment for what was initially thought to be bronchitis in May.
He underwent tests after the World Twenty20 Championships in Sri Lanka and it was revealed
that there was a small lesion at the base of his right lung. Greig's son Mark had stated that his father's cancer had progressed to "stage four". While commentating during the coverage of the first Australia-South Africa in November,
they added. According to hospital sources, the man who is battling for his life has been identified as Deepak (24) from Uttar Pradesh and his condition is critical. He has been found to have inhaled carbon monoxide. "He is on ventilator. Medics are trying their best to save his life," the hospital sources added. “They might have died due Sharon, his brother to asphyxiation after inhaling Sajith, Lakaylet and Deepak were staying in some poisonous gas emitthe same room of the building where they ted from objects they had were carrying out inteburnt to keep their room rior decoration work. All the four were workwarm," the Times of Oman ing with a small company. reported quoting sources The bodies of the deceased have been tion building in Yimti near Izki. kept at the hospital mortuary. "They might have died due to Sajith is under police custody as asphyxiation after inhaling some part of the investigation. poisonous gas emitted from obSocial Welfare Secretary with jects they had burnt to keep their the Indian Social Club P M Jabir room warm," the Times of Oman said, "As the company lacks reported quoting sources. money to repatriate the bodies to "One of their roommates who India, we have sought the help of was in the same room is now bat- the Indian embassy to airlift their tling for life in Nizwa hospital," bodies."-PTI
tional all-rounder for England. Considered a controversial figure, he helped Kerry Packer start the
The best performance of Greig's captaincy career came in 1976-77, when England toured India for a five-Test series. The team had not won there for 15 years but went on to score one of their most convincing triumphs when they clinched the first three Tests by huge margins
Tony Greig
Two Indians found dead in Oman DUBAI: Two Indians have been found dead in their room in an under-construction building in Yimti area, about 125 km from Oman's capital Muscat. Sharon D'Souza (26), an engineer, and his uncle Lakaylet D'Souza (35) from Karnataka were found dead in an under- construc-
Greig spoke about the disease. "It's not good. The truth is I've got lung cancer. Now it's a case of
what they can do," Greig had said. Born in Queenstown, South Africa, Greig qualified to play for England due to his Scottish parentage. His father was a Scot. Greig was a leading interna-
World Series Cricket by signing up many English as well as some West Indian and Pakistani cricketers. The move to start the World Series Cricket with Packer ended
up costing him England's captaincy. The best performance of Greig's captaincy career came in 1976-77, when England toured India for a five-Test series. The team had not won there for 15 years but went on to score one of their most convincing triumphs when they clinched the first three Tests by huge margins. Greig turned into a successful commentator following the end of his playing career in 1977 and was forthright with his views. He was one of the most bitter critics of BCCI's opposition to the Decision Review System. A member of Australia's Channel Nine commentary team, he was described as a "beloved" figure by the network. "Tony Greig is a name synonymous with Australian cricket -from his playing days as the English captain we loved to hate, to his senior role in the revolution of World Series Cricket, his infamous car keys in the pitch reports and more than three decades of colorful and expert commentary," Channel Nine said. -PTI
Desi News Dr Ashish Sen elected IADO President JITENDRA DIGANVKER
CHICAGO: The 33-year old Indo-American Democratic Organization [IADO] held its biennial elections on Saturday, December 22 at the Skokie Holiday Inn and elected Dr Ashish Sen as its incoming President and Tom Kalayil as Vice-President. The outgoing president, Harendra Mangrola congratulated Dr. Sen and said, 'IADO has had a very successful year - we are now a Federal PAC and we worked hard during the last election. Everyone whom we endorsed got elected. It is now time to pass the torch on. I expect that under Dr. Sen's leadership, IADO will reach even greater heights.'
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Tough times no deterrent to Medstar munificence
January 11, 2013
Details on page 23
New BAPS mandir combines best of architecture & technology
Details on page 21
Dance Rush - A journey of love, passion and fantasy VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service
D
ance Rush - The Show is the story of a 12 year old boy who is orphaned at birth yet believes with all his heart he can find his parents. He is a special boy blessed with an incredible ability to hear music and see its color, motion, and form. One night he falls into a dream and 7 dancing spirits symbolizing the 7 musical notes appear: Rock, Hip Hop, Swing, Ethnic, Opera, Jazz and Classical. He is led through a fabulous journey full of love, passion and fantasy. Music brings them closer and closer until they finally meet in the freest area in New York, Central Park under a starlit night as his composition is being played.
BAPS Mandir in Chino Hills with devotees thronging on inauguration day
SONIA SIDHU India Post News Service
CHINO HILLS: The traditional marble stone studded BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills (Los Angeles), California was inaugurated on December 23 by a host of dignitaries which included Assemblyman Curt Hagman
along with Sadguru Pujya Kothari Swami (Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami, one of the most senior Swamis of BAPS), State Senator Bob Huff, Mayor Peter Rogers, Councilmember Art Bennett and Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, the head of Kauai's Hindu Monastery and publisher of Hinduism Today magazine.
Pujya Kothari Swami (Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami) performed the consecration ceremony in accordance with Hindu Vedic rituals to infuse divinity into the sacred images inside the Mandir in the presence of devotees and well-wishers from across North America and various countries around the world. Speaking on the occasion,
Details on page 18
MAFS ushers in New Year with style BEGUM NAZNEEN
CHICAGO: Attended by over 200 prominent community members and Metropolitan Asian Family Services staff, the New Year's Eve soiree of MAFS blended in style with scrumptious delicacies, and good music, at MAFS Chicago location on December 28. The celebration started with social hour and was followed by cultural program and performances. Welcoming the attendees, Ms. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director, thanked her board. Details on page 22
Nagar Yatra (City Procession) that preceded the inauguration ceremony
Mayor Rogers said "The Mandir is a beautiful testament to the hard work of your congregation who has spent several years to build this place of worship. It will indeed be a place that Chino Hills can be proud of for so many, many generations". Other dignitaries present for the event were Councilwoman Cynthia Moran, Artesia Mayor Sally Flowers, Milipitas Mayor Pete McHugh, and Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella. The inauguration was a culmination of a host of events held over four days. The festivities for the opening began with His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj's 92nd Birthday celebration on December 20. Nagar Yatra, a colorful procession parading the sacred images in eight beautifully crafted floats through the streets of Artesia, CA took place on December 21 as devotees in colorful costumes celebrated with folk dances, devotional hymns, and a youth marching band. Later that evening a Kirtan Aradhana was performed by BAPS Swamis. On December 22, the Vishwa Shanti Mahayag featured a grand yagna and prayers for world peace. A Women's Conference was also organized on the same day. Cont’d on page 19
January 11, 2013
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Candlelight vigil to honor Sandy Hook victims India Post News Service
been felt by people throughout this nation. They are children of the whole family that is America! Each of us must take action to prevent such violence, and instead create a safe future. Whether it's focus on the gun laws, family unit,
SANTA CLARA, CA: It was a cold, frosty night. The air was crisp and redolent with the smell of candle wax, grief and loss. Wednesday, December 19, people from all over the Bay Area gathered at Live Oak Park in Rivermark, Santa Clara at an emotional candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Organized by South Bay residents Harbir Kaur Bhatia, Jaya Gautam and Kathy Watanabe, the event was a forum for people to share, grieve, support and, hopefully, help each other deal with the tragedy and in turn be a comfort to others. More than 60 mourners from Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Milpitas, Fremont and as far as Pleasanton gathered in a children's play area as a Abdul Egal, a community member, speaks symbolic gesture as the names of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting or mental health, it's everyone's responsibility." were read out aloud. Kathy Watanabe wanted evHarbir Bhatia said, "Pain has
eryone to, "Commit 26 random acts of kindness in memory of the 26 victims in the hope that by everyone taking part and paying it forward, good can one day triumph over evil." Jaya Gautam said, "We need to mourn the children and teachers of Sandy Hook. Each one is an irreplaceable part of our lives now, but we should not lose our faith in humanity and in each other. Remembering the heroic acts of the teachers as they tried to save their students should be our inspiration as we make our community, our nation stronger." She also read out a poem in memory of the victims, 'Hard to Believe'. Pastor Jack Treiber of North Valley Baptist Church and Kent Litzau of South Bay Church led the group in prayer and expressed how hard it was for people as parents to understand what had happened. Jessi Kaur, children's book author and founder of In Global Synergy Now, representing the Sikh faith, addressed the crowd about the importance of ending gun violence and supporting each other as a nation. Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews emphasized the impor-
A compassionate canvas of feelings
tance of love of family and especially children. San Jose City Councilmember Kansen Chu shared how he is working on put-
ting in place a gun buyback program. Cont’d on page 22
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Dance Rush - A journey of love, passion and fantasy VIDYA SETHURAMAN India Post News Service
D
ance Rush - The Show is the story of a 12 year old boy who is orphaned at birth yet believes with all his heart he can find his parents. He is a special boy blessed with an incredible ability to hear music and see its color, motion, and form. One night he falls into a dream and 7 dancing spirits symbolizing the 7 musical notes appear: Rock, Hip Hop, Swing, Ethnic, Opera, Jazz and Classical. He is led through a fabulous journey full of love, passion and fantasy. Music brings them closer and closer until they finally meet in the freest area in New York, Central Park under a starlit night as his composition is being played. "Dance Rush" is inspired by such story - the child is all of us. Our parents are those who bring us to life. People who give total comfort, warmth and love unconditionally. We want to escape from our constricted lives to come home through the beauty and splendor of music. Music is marvelously and solely made up of seven notes seven notes that have an endless motion and diversity. And it is these seven notes, these seven journeys into music, that bring us closer to home - folk music, classical music, world music, opera, jazz, contemporary, ethnic and rock music‌ together with the sounds that surround us daily from the moment in our mother's womb to the last breath and further beyond. Inspiring and Exhilarating! YADA's Dance Rush premiers
at The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on the January 11, 2013, followed by seven shows. The YADA Dance Company, a highly acclaimed and popular European company has a particular brand - spectacle and entertainment at its best that leaves audiences jumping on their seats and joining in the dance. This company has taken Europe by surprise with its unique rendition of dance shows, where the whole auditorium becomes a part of the stage, where emotions are destined to be touched and where from beginning to end,
color and design take center stage. Felix Busuttil, Director and Founder of YADA, started to dance quite late in life. "I started dancing professionally at the age of 17. But since I was a child, music just mesmerized me - I used to stare and visualize whole shows, complete shows with lights and costumes at the age of 8 and 10. I never closed my eyes to see and feel it. I was blessed by some powerful force to change music into movement and when I felt it, I transformed it into reality. The
The YADA Dance Company, a highly acclaimed and popular European company has a particular brand spectacle and entertainment at its best that leaves audiences jumping on their seats and joining in the dance
famous saying "Thoughts become reality‌" "Dance took over, music controlled me - and I have always wished to transfer and share the same elating music to all around me. I wished all felt how powerful music is - it makes one feel good, moves, changes, brings comfort, joy and compassion. It builds spectacles, cities, cultures and humanity. It seems that nature itself is governed by music. The ebb and flow, the crescendo and the andante, the sounds of weather and the creatures that roam planet Earth. The
tion of only 31,000! The islands boast a 6,000 year history, possessing the oldest pre-historic temples of the world built 2,000 years before the Pyramids of Giza. Coming from such a small country did not however stop Felix in creating this spectacle. Dance Rush is inspired by the motion picture August Rush starring Robin Williams. It is performed by troupe of 40 all-star dancers from Italy, Malta, England and Hungary making their first appearance in the United States. Symphonies and compositions
Dance Rush is inspired by the motion picture August Rush starring Robin Williams. It is performed by troupe of 40 allstar dancers from Italy, Malta, England and Hungary making their first appearance in the United States
sounds of children laughing, our machinery at work, our walking‌ it is what inspired me to choreograph Dance Rush." Malta- A Spiritual Land YADA is truly a miracle company born from a population of only 400,000 Maltese. Malta lies in the heart of the Mediterranean and has strong values, a deep sense of spirituality and a love for the stage derived from passion. Felix Busuttil was born in the smaller sister island, Gozo which is 26 square mile size, roughly the size of Manhattan and a popula-
attract the parents back to their beloved son. Music ranges from compositions by John Miles, soundtrack from August Rush composed by Mark Macina, and authentic sounds of Maltese born Etnika, Dominic Galea, Red Electrick and DJ Ruby, to classical hits by Vivaldi, Bach, Shostakovich, operatic highlights from Madame Butterfly, La Traviata and Carmen, and modern music by Jennifer Lopez and Michael Buble. The grande finale is the amazing voice of a Chiara singing live, the silver medalist of Eurovision song contest.
January 11, 2013
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Avtar Chahal meets Obama, First Lady urged for tight gun control in the wake of the latest Sandy Hook SAN JOSE, CA: On an invita- School shooting in Connecticut. Mr Chahal first had chance to tion received from the White talk to the First House for Lady, Michelle Christmas celObama and ebrations, thanked her for Avtar Singh personally goChahal along ing to console with his son, the entire Sikh Gurbaksh community at Chahal from Oak Creek San Jose, had Gurdwara. a brief meeting Then he had a with the First talk with PresiLady and the dent Obama. President Mr Chahal said Obama in the "Mr President, White House. the Sikh comHe thanked Avtar Singh Chahal munity love both of them you and they for their support to the Sikh community for Oak are your friends and on behalf of Creek Gurdwara shooting and all Sikh community over the globe, India Post News Service
New BAPS mandir combines best of architecture & technology Cont’d from page 16
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the inspiration behind the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Cultural Center in Chino Hills, California. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide socio-spiritual organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony. Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Through a number of social and spiritual ac-
Constructed from 35,000 pieces of meticulously hand carved Italian Carrara Marble and Indian Pink Sandstone, the BAPS Mandir in Chino Hills, encompasses five pinnacles, two large domes, four balconies, 122 pillars and 129 archways. From the external walls and domes to the inside pillars and ceilings, the Mandir is etched with intricate carvings in marble and sandstone. The 6,600 hand-carved motifs depict a mosaic of tales of inspiration, devotion and dedication, along with historical figures from Hinduism. Artisans created the carvings in India with great love, skill and patience before the The 6,600 hand-carved pieces were shipped to motifs depict a mosaic of Chino Hills. The Mandir is situated tales of inspiration, devoon a 20-acre site, complete with 91 foot lotus-shaped tion and dedication, along reflection pond, a Cultural with historical figures from Center, gymnasium and Hinduism. Artisans created classrooms. It is designed to "calm the mind and the carvings in India with open it," said Ronak Patel, great love, skill and paa volunteer of the BAPS tience before the pieces Swaminarayan Sanstha. As the first earthquake- were shipped to Chino Hills proof Mandir in the world, the upper structure of the complex tivities, BAPS endeavors to prois protected from earthquake dam- duce better citizens of tomorrow age by separating it from the base who have a high esteem for their with a series of 40 base-isolator roots - their rich Hindu culture. Its units. The Mandir also uses a so- 3,300 international centers support lar power system to generate elec- these activities of character-buildtricity and reduce adverse effects ing. Under the guidance and leadon the environment. "The Mandir ership of His Holiness Pramukh combines the best of traditional Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to stone art and architecture and the build a community that is morally, best of modern technology," said ethically and spiritually pure, and Divyesh Patel, a member of the free of addictions.
I convey their thanks for your support you had extended to them at a very critical time to boost their morale for Oak Creek tragedy. The President said, "Thank you for the kind words and let me see how I can best serve the American people to avoid any further incidents in future" Avtar Singh Chahal is also appearing on one 60 seconds "beproud.org" documentary to end hate on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and other channels for which his son Gurbaksh Chahal has taken an initiative to show the identity of Sikhs to the entire world so that they should not be further target of mis-identity in future. Gurbaksh Chahal has founded beProud foundation which has been endorsed by many celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood and prominent persons world wide to end hate and love each other.
Avtar Chahal of San Jose with the First Lady and President Obama in the White House
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Alderwoman Debra Silverstein celebrates victory India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Must have been the draining campaign, topped by the flush of a fabulous victory! But for once, 50th ward Alderwomen Debra Silverstein's famous composure cracked, and she thanked her team of volunteers and staff for their outstanding work that has given her this chance to serve and get closer to various ethnic communities at a recently held dinner at Candelite Restaurant in Chicago The celebration started at 6 pm with prominent members of various communities gathering and sharing their happiness with Ald Debra. They were treated to scrumptious dinner served by Candelite Restaurant. Addressing the well represented party State Senator Ira Silverstein, thanked everyone saying "it is the hard work and sacrifice that thrive in a prosperous and glowing victory which in true sense is a victory of vibrant community of 50th ward." Silverstein also tickled everyone with his hilarious notes. Another such stirring remark was given by Alderwoman Debra Silverstein. She thanked her supporters for standing with her in accomplishing many im-
State Senator Ira Silverstein (2nd from left) and Ald Debra Silverstein (3rd from left) with Bhavesh Patel of Sahil and other supporters
portant goals and milestones including fixing the potholes, repaving streets, infrastructural upgrades and, more importantly, to significantly revamping the constituent services by institut-
ing an 'open door' policy for various vibrant communities of 50th ward. Debra then assured everyone with stability and peace in her tenure of serving and said that
she is looking forward to continuing to work with all of her fellow leaders to address the serious challenges that they face together in this very vibrant 50th ward.
The celebration culminated with Debra supporters thanking her for new vigor, energy, ideas and refreshing leadership that have significantly revitalized Chicago's 50thward.
Texas school move to teach Hindi welcomed SURI SWAMY
CHICAGO: Indian Americans in Texas and across USA have expressed joy and happiness that a school in Texas has introduced teaching of Hindi language in its curriculum. They have expressed the hope that this will serve as a model and example for many other schools in the country to follow. Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District (HEBISD) headquartered in Bedford (Texas, USA) is introducing Hindi, official language of India, for its students. Seventh, eighth and ninth graders will be in a position to take Hindi classes. These courses are part of the district's International Business Initiative, which will set students on a course to success in college and in the workforce, HEBISD states. Welcoming the news, Nand Kapoor a former president of Association of Indian Americans, said that the next step should be to offer other languages of India like Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, etc to the as-
piring students. This would improve their understanding to the multi cultural and multi-linguist Indian society. Rajan Zed, the Chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, commended HEBISD for offering Hindi and observed
cohesiveness and harmony in the communities. In addition, American children of India-descent would be able to keep their languages, traditions and culture alive and intact, Rajan added. Congratulatiing the HEBISD school management on its bold
Hindi in their schools. It's really a proud moment for all of us at Hindi Lovers Club of Illinois." Ms Sudakash Kapoor, a front ranking member of Hindi Lovers Club, said that language is the soul of one's cultural identity and sometimes it is sad that many in
L to R: Rajan Zed, Nand Kapoor, Gurbachan Singh and Sudaksah Kapoor
that besides learning the rich languages and culture of India, it would also make a good business sense to open-up American children to India which is on track to becoming a global power. Moreover, USA being a culturally diverse society, introducing languages of India would bring more
move, Gurbachan Kaur Neelam, president of newly set up Hindi Lovers Club in Chicago, observed that "this could be just the beginning. Once students and parents see the advantages of knowing Hindi abroad and in India, other schools in different States will be induced to teach
India are rushing to get their children learn English at the expense of Hindi or other Indian language. "The report that a school in Texas has taken initiative to teach Hindi to its students should be an eye opener for many not only in this country but also in India," she said.
The district website states that "Today, China and India are powerful players in the global economy‌Students in HEBISD can get competitive advantage by enrolling in Hindi or Mandarin Chinese classes." It lists Hindi among languages "essential to success in a global marketplace". Hindustani is reportedly the fourth highly spoken language in the world after Chinese, Spanish and English and has more speakers than Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, etc. HEBISD, a K-12 public school district founded in 1958, has about 21 thousand students in its 26 schools spread in seven cities. It has sister schools in China and India. Its pupils reportedly speak 72 languages, and about 51% of its students are economically disadvantaged. Faye Beaulieu and Ellen Jones are President and Vice President respectively of HEBISD Board of Trustees while Dr. Gene Buinger is the Superintendent.
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Dr Ashish Sen elected IADO President JITENDRA DIGANVKER
CHICAGO: The 33-year old Indo-American Democratic Organization [IADO] held its biennial elections on Saturday, December 22 at the Skokie Holiday Inn and elected Dr Ashish Sen as its incoming President and Tom Kalayil as Vice-President. The outgoing president, Harendra Mangrola congratulated Dr. Sen and said, 'IADO has had a very successful year - we are now a Federal PAC and we worked hard during the last election. Everyone whom we endorsed got elected. It is now time to pass the torch on. I expect that under Dr. Sen's leadership, IADO will reach even greater heights.' Dr. Sen said he was happy to accept the challenge. 'IADO should be the primary political voice of South Asian Americans,' he said. Dr. Sen is Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also served in the Clinton Administration, was a member of the Chicago Board of Education and is currently a member of the CTA Board. He was a former member of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies and is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and the Royal Statistical Society. Kalayil is Director of Respiratory Care/ EEG/Sleep Lab at Vista Health System. He is the Founder and Director of the Kerala Volleyball of North America, President of the Malayalee Association of Respiratory Care and serves on several other boards. 'I
IADO officials and guests L to R Harendra Mangrola, Mridu Sekhar, Raja Krishna Moorthy (guest and former Illinois elected official), Dr Ram Gajela, Jitendra Digvanmer and Dr A Sen.
be involved in mainstream American politics so as to speak out for ourselves and members of our community that cannot be heard.' Joining Sen and Kalayil as Secretary of the IADO Board will be Gladson Varghese. Mridu Sekhar will be the Treasurer. Varghese is the Divisional Director of Westinghouse Air Brakes Corporation and is also President of GV Systems, an IT consulting company. He got his Masters in Mechanical Engineering and M.B.A in operations management from Purdue University, Indiana. He was the past president of Malayalee Engineers in North America (MEANA) and current National Treasurer of Indian National Congress Kerala Chapter and General Secretary of the Federation of Malayalee Association in North America The newly elect President Dr A Sen addressing IADO meet Dr. Sekhar is an entrepreneur in healthcare and computing, Dr. Sen is Professor Emeritus at the having worked at a senior level University of Illinois at Chicago. He for computer manufacturers and in Chicago area hospitals in the also served in the Clinton Adminis- seventies. Later she led the computerization of the University of tration, was a member of the ChiChicago Medical Center. cago Board of Education and is Harendra Mangrola will be currently a member of the CTA the Executive Director. Shajan Kuriakose was elected Joint Board. He was a former member Secretary and Ram Villivalam of the Executive Committee of the Joint Treasurer. Ranjit Ganguli, Dr. Ram Gajjela, Pramod Shah, Transportation Research Board of Jitendra Diganvker, Jawahar the National Academies Reddy Police, Sean Choudhary, Sarbani Choudhary, Al Khalfan, strongly believe,' said Kalayil 'that every Sabu Thomas, Morlie Patel and Nikhil South Asian has a right and obligation to Angelo were elected Directors.
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MAFS ushers in New Year with style BEGUM NAZNEEN
CHICAGO: Attended by over 200 prominent community members and Metropolitan Asian Family Services staff, the New Year's Eve soiree of MAFS blended in style with scrumptious delicacies, and good music, at MAFS Chicago location on December 28. The celebration started with social hour and was followed by cultural program and performances. Welcoming the attendees, Ms. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director, thanked her board members for joining MAFS family on this joyous occasion. She also thanked her staff members and wished everyone a prosperous New Year. She updated her staff with new changes that Obama government is bringing in like ADS and CCP programs and spoke on
new plans and ventures that she is targeting for 2013. Ms. Nalini Goyal, MAFS board member in a message acclaimed Ms. Kumar for contributing her creative artistry towards numerous
commended Mrs. Kumar for dedicating her life for the welfare and happiness of the deprived people in India and in the United States. Other MAFS board members who spoke and wished everyone
Ms. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director, thanked her board members for joining MAFS family on this joyous occasion. She updated her staff with new changes that Obama government is bringing in like ADS and CCP programs and spoke on new plans and ventures that she is targeting for 2013
Ms Santosh Kumar, executive director and Pramod Kumar, CFO
organizations and causes. Beena Patel, MAFS Board member wished everyone a very peaceful and delightful New Year. She also
with good health, success and prosperities were Naren Patel and Rakesh Asthana.
Candlelight vigil to honor Sandy Hook victims Cont’d from page 17
A Rivermark mom, who did not want her name published, spoke from her heart when she shared the story of losing her son, Matthew, back in 2008. She expressed how the love and support of the community caused a ripple effect amongst everyone they dealt with while her son was hospitalized. Expressions of support, no matter how small, will help uplift and heal not just these families in Newtown, CT but their future generations as well. Aparna Gulati and Pratap Whig, at the vigil with their two young children, felt: "We can't bring back those little ones. We can't even fathom what their loved ones are
Children light a candle, in memory
Drawing on the canvas, sharing the loss the grief and the hope
experiencing. But we sure can send our prayers, our love and our positive wishes to them while attempting to resurrect our own faith
in the goodness of humanity." Deeply impacted by the tragic shooting, Kiran Chadha and Himanshu Singh, who helped set
up the vigil onsite, said they were happy to help. The 'first responders', the police and other emergency personnel, who respond first to any emergency situation were represented by the presence of the Santa Clara PD. At the vigil, adults and children were encouraged to express their feelings by signing or drawing on a large canvas. Children may and will find it especially difficult to comprehend the tragedy, especially since the victims were school age children. By writing or drawing on the canvas and making cards, it was an opportunity for them to express and address some of their feelings through art and sharing. Stuffed animals, books and other toys were also collected to be donated in the name of Sandy Hook Elementary
School to Toys for Tots and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It was a cold, frosty night. The air was crisp and redolent with the
together to stand in support of another community almost 3,000 miles away. We will remember, we will not forget, and hopefully, we
Gathered together
smell of candle wax, grief and loss. It was also filled with a sense of sharing and a community coming
will learn how to prevent another tragedy like Newtown from happening again.
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Tough times no deterrent to Medstar munificence Asian Media USA
CHICAGO: The holiday season has always been a time to give back to the communities for MedStar and the tough economic times notwithstanding, the company kept up its tradition of munificence this year too. Medstar Laboratory picks up different Non Profit Organizations, and its staff members including CEO Naren Patel and Vice-Presidents Neal and Raj Patel attend these events. "I feel a great joy seeing sparkle in the eyes of children when they receive Christmas presents with their names on them," Naren Patel told this paper. This year Medstar Laboratory partnered with Father Pflager and St. Sabina Church in Englewood, Mayor Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero and Dr. Aliaga in the Little Village neighborhood. St. Sabina Church and Father Pflager, known for helping reduce the violence in the Englewood neighborhood, have an annual Christmas dinner in which they celebrate with the youth who help stay off the streets, and their families. On Wednesday, December 19, Medstar Laboratory sponsored
Medstar Laboratory CEO & President Naren Patel, Vice Presidents Neal and Raj Patel, and Medstar Staff Members with the Saint Sabina Church's children
the dinner and offered 90 families a turkey and groceries so they can prepare a Christmas meal for their
This year Medstar Laboratory partnered with Father Pflager and St. Sabina Church in Englewood, Mayor Larry Dominick and the Town of Cicero and Dr. Aliaga in the Little Village neighborhood. St. Sabina Church and Father Pflager are known for helping reduce the violence in the Englewood neighborhood
families. They also gave individually wrapped gifts to each and every one of the 110 children in attendance. Many of these children were not going to have any gifts to open this year and were overjoyed to receive these gifts. Medstar Laboratory staff members said they felt the love and gratitude from all and were touched by the children performing a musical dance. On December 20, Medstar Laboratory visited the Little Village
neighborhood in which Dr. Aliaga, a family doctor who has been practicing there for many years, was
They also gave individually wrapped gifts to each and every one of the 110 children in attendance. Many of these children were not going to have any gifts to open this year and were overjoyed to receive these gifts. Medstar Laboratory staff members said they felt the love and gratitude from them
MAFS ushers in New Year with style
MAFS members & volunteers with Ms Santosh Kumar
Earlier the celebration started with a music program which was presented by MAFS staff members. Surendra Shah, ADS Program
coordinator entertained everyone with Bollywood classical numbers such as Apna dil to awara na jane kis pe aayega, and other hits. Sudaksha Kapoor enthralled everyone with her inspiring poetry
and quotes. Pramod Kumar, MAFS CFO surprised everyone with his captivating performance. He took the attendees by storm with his very famous song wafa jin se ki bewafa ho gaye. Mrs. Kumar also
able to provide Medstar with the names of 20 single mothers whose husbands had run off and left
enthralled everyone by singing a soulful classical number. MAFS staff and board members enjoyed delicious dinner prepared by MAFS dedicated kitchen staff.
them to fend for their children on their own. Women who have told Dr. Aliaga they can barely even feed their children. For these 20 women also, Medstar provided a turkey and groceries for their holiday dinner and brought 47 gifts for their children, who were not going to have a holiday at all this year. The kids were so appreciative and happy. It was a heartwarming sight. Finally, on December 17, Mayor Larry Dominick and the town of Cicero provided Medstar with the names of 20 families who have been hit hard by the economy and who have one or both parents out of work. For these families, Medstar provided hams and groceries for their Christmas dinner and a gift for all 57 children. The families were very thankful for the help. This is something that Medstar strives to do every holiday season, to be of help in the communities they serve, and give back a little each time.
Tech News 'Bank transactions to replace barter in LoC' JAMMU: Bank transactions are soon expected to replace the barter system in LoC trade between the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Minister for Industries and Commerce S S Slathia said here. "Bank transaction is expected to replace barter system in LoC trade soon. Banking facilities for trade transactions are under active consideration of the External Ministries of both the countries to replace the existing barter system, which is cumbersome for the traders and businessmen," Slathia said at a public meeting in Kesso Manhasan area in Samba district.-PTI
Public sector can be competitive too: Pranab HYDERABAD: Disagreeing with the notion that public sector cannot be as competitive and efficacious as public sector, President Pranab Mukherjee has said what is required is efficiency in management of resources. Citing the example of Indian PSU banks, he said prudent management has enabled them to remain strong at a time when major banks in various parts of the world failed due to economic crises. "Public sector still plays important role and it is doing so. Public sector banks. Who can deny the fact that if Indian banking system did not follow prudent management, they would have faced the same situation which most of the powerful banks in the world, European banks, American banks which crumbled like pack of cards. It is world recognized," he said speaking at a book release function here in south India. -PTI
Jet Airways launches second Delhi-Dubai flight NEW DELHI: Jet Airways has announced launch of its second flight to Dubai from the national capital. The airline would begin the day service between India and the financial hub of United Arab Emirates from January 18. "This would complement the night flight presently operating between Delhi and Dubai. The introduction of this new flight would strengthen the presence of Jet Airways in the Indo-Gulf sector," an airline spokesperson said.-PTI
TechBiz
Tomas Ernberg, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India, poses with a Volvo car during opening of their
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Corporate icon Ratan Tata retires as Chairman MUMBAI: Corporate icon Ratan Tata has retired as Chairman of Tata Group after a 50-year run predicting that India's growth will reestablish after the 'passing phase' of a difficult environment, which will most likely continue in the next year. Turning 75, he kept away from the Bombay House headquarters of the USD 100 billion group but instead spent time with employees in the manufacturing facilities of Tata Motors in Pune. "At the request of the union, I spent the day - my last day prior to retirement, in the Tata Motors' various manufacturing facilities at Pune to say farewell to my shop floor colleagues. We have been together in good times and bad and have gained closeness based on mutual trust," he tweeted. He said in his twitter message that going to the plants and receiving greetings from so many colleagues is a great emotional experience. "I have been deeply moved by the sincerity and spontaneity of their greetings. I will always carry memories of this day with me through the rest of my life," Tata said. In a farewell letter to all the employees, he asked the employees
to live by the value systems and ethical standards the group had followed all along. He also asked his colleagues to show their "support", "commitment" and "dedication" to achieve success in these somewhat difficult times. In the letter, Tata, who has been appointed Chairm a n Emeritus and
rent year will most likely continue through most of the next year. We will probably see continued constraints in consumer demand, over-capacity and increased competition from
Ratan Tata
passes on the baton to 44-yearold Cyrus Mistry, told the employees to live by the "value systems and ethical standards on which our group was founded". "The difficult economic environment that we face in the cur-
imports," he said. Tata said there will therefore be great pressure on Tata companies to reinvent themselves in terms of business processes and to dramatically reduce costs, to be more aggressive in the market place and
to widen their product range to better address consumer needs. "We will also need to contain our borrowings and work hard to retain our margins. This environment would once again call on you for your support, your commitment and your dedication to achieve success in these somewhat difficult times," he said. Tata said the seemingly gloomy picture, however, will be a passing phase. "I feel confident that the robust growth that India has shown over the past several years will be reestablished and the strong fundamentals in the country will result in India once again taking its place as one of the economic success stories of the region," he said. Cyrus Mistry, the Chairman designate, visited the office. He was groomed for the assignment by Tata for a year. He chose group company Tata Motors' sedan Indigo Manza to travel to work on a day that marked an end of an era. The narrow lane leading to Bombay House, one of the oldest buildings in the heritage Fort area of south Mumbai, had heavy media presence since morning in anticipation of Tata visiting Bombay House. -PTI
Ratan Tata led the Group brilliantly: India Inc NEW DELHI: Describing Ratan Tata as a true Indian corporate leader, India Inc has said he led the Tata Group brilliantly and attained global heights which showed it is possible to do business in an ethical way. Adi Godrej, Confederation of Indian Industry President and Chairman of Godrej Group said: "Ratan Tata led the Tata Group brilliantly and successfully in expanding and globalizing it." He has also leveraged the growth of TCS both in India and abroad. "I wish him good luck for the future," he added. Industry chamber Assocham
termed Tata as a true Indian business leader who went on to attain global heights in the corporate world and wished him a good and more rewarding life ahead. "As Mr Tata lays down office after his 50 years of association with the great business house of
the country, we in the Indian industry salute him for courageous and completely ethical way of doing business," Assocham President Rajkumar Dhoot said. Tata has shown the guts which reflect that it is possible to do business in a clean and ethical way, he
Tata has shown the guts which reflect that it is possible to do business in a clean and ethical way, he added. Despite odds, Tata showed some rare courage when he made acquisitions like Jaguar Land Rover and Corus in Europe, Assocham noted
added. Despite odds, Tata showed some rare courage when he made acquisitions like Jaguar Land Rover and Corus in Europe, Assocham noted. Wishing Cyrus Mistry great success, Dhoot said "We are confident that the young successor to Ratan Tata will uphold the values that are associated with the Group". Assocham came up with a CEOs survey spread across several cities, including London and New York, which placed the Tatas as the best known Indian global brand. -PTI
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Slimmer, powerful gizmos lineup for 2013 NEW DELHI: iPhone 5, iPad Mini, Nexus 7 and Galaxy SIII rocked the devices market in 2012, but as gadgets get slimmer, sexier and more powerful, similar to those seen in 007 Bond flicks, gadget enthusiasts are in for a treat in 2013. 2012 saw users transitioning from feature phones to smartphones as they moved from just talking and texting to tweeting, networking socially and shopping with increasing mobile Internet penetration and lower data tariffs. From a little over 100 million Internet users in 2011, the number
has now grown to close to 140 million with more people, especially youth, going online using their mobile phones.
"The handset market remained dynamic in 2012 with a clear preference emerging for smarter performing devices among consumers. The trend was not limited to the high end only but even entry level users moving up aspired it all," Nokia Senior Vice President (Sales - IMEA) D Shivakumar said. In 2013, Nokia expects to see a massification of these two trends with lower price points for devices and a plethora of relevant services and content being available, he
added. Smartphone lineup for gadget freaks includes Apple iPhone 5S, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Nokia Lumia 920 and 820. According to a McKinsey & Company report, Internet-linked consumption and expenditure in India contributes an estimated USD 30 billion, or about 1.6 per cent of the GDP and is poised to account for 2.8 to 3.3 per cent by 2015. The same report says India is likely to also have the secondlargest Internet user base in the world with 330 million to 370 million Internet users in 2015. This year, while mobile browsers were a default instal-
lation on the handsets, companies like Nokia focused on offering devices with a dedicated Facebook button.
'Wait and See': Bengal minister on Cyrus Mistry SANKRAIL, WEST BENGAL: West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee has reserved comment on the new Tata group chairman-designate Cyrus Mistry who has taken over charge from Ratan Tata. "Wait and see," Chatterjee told reporters when asked whether the state government would congratulate Mistry on his new assignment. "I believe that management is always a continuous thing and it is the leader who decides which way they will go. Let's see," Chatterjee said. Bengal Chamber of Commerce had suggested that the West Bengal government should reach an out-of-court settlement with the Tata group on the Singur issue to change the perception about the state. Chatterjee reiterated that he would not like to comment on a matter that was subjudice. He said, however, that a number of Tata group companies were operating in the state and there was no problem. TCS, a Tata Group company recently began construction of new campus at Rajarhat on the outskirts on the metropolis. -PTI
Cyrus Mistry, who succeeds Ratan Tata as Chairman of the Tata Group, leaves from Bombay House
Operators also introduced special tariff plans to allow consumers surf the net and visit social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Another highlight of the year was the flooding of Indian market with low-cost tablet PCs, with the likes of Micromax, HCL and Zen launching their devices to cater to the burgeoning demand from rural parts of the country as well as increasing interest from enterprises. Traditionally dominated by global giants like Apple and Samsung, the tablet PC price war is now being fought at the bottom of the pyramid with many lesser known companies introducing devices for
segments like education and enterprises. "We are finding it easier to sell high end phones compared to economy range phone. On an average, we have been able to sell an average of 25,000 unit of our Intel chip-based Xolo phones which are in the price range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000," Lava International's founder member and Director S N Rai said. -PTI
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TVS Auto plans expansion of MyTVS car service in Gujarat CHENNAI: TVS Automobile Solutions plans to have 12-15 "MyTVS" multi-brand car service facilities by 2015 in Gujarat, with a capacity of handling 70 cars a day, a top company official said. MyTVS earlier this year entered into a joint venture with promoters of ABC Bearings Group for expanding its multi-brand car service business in Gujarat. "Through this JV, the company will set-up multi-brand car service outlets in various cities of Gujarat over the next few years to provide integrated car service solutions under one brand for car users in Gujarat", Chennai-based TVS Automobile Solutions said in a release. The company recently inaugurated its first state of the art multibrand car service outlet in Subhanpura, Gujarat. "The outlet also marks the first ever entry of an organized player in multi-brand car service market", it said.
TVS Automobile Solutions, President, R Srivatchan said, "Gujarat is a very important market for MyTVS and is key to our growth expansion plans. This ex-
sorts of repairs to all types of post warranty cars. The company has announced special promotional service packages to car customers as part of
pansion helps us to serve larger customers and importantly closer to their place of convenience". "We have doubled our number of outlets in the last one year and we would continue to be aggressive in expanding our network by 12 to 15 outlets in various cities of Gujarat by 2015", he said. The new facility at Gujarat aims to provide quality service for all
its inaugural, it said. As per the Joint Venture with ABC Bearings Group, TVS would provide service expertise and train the workforce on quality service, timely delivery, customer care among others. ABC Bearings Group would work in tandem with MyTVS in administration and marketing activities, it added. -PTI
Central, state govts not allowed to run TV channels: TRAI NEW DELHI: In a development that will have immediate implications for various state governments including Tamil Nadu, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has held that central and state governments should not be allowed to enter the "business of broadcasting". In recommendations that were submitted recently, TRAI said that not just governments but political bodies should also not be allowed to enter the broadcasting sector. I&B secretary Uday Kumar Varma had on November 30th written to TRAI seeking recommendations on whether state or central governments or entities on which they have control could be allowed to enter broadcasting or distribution of channels. In reply to Varma's letter, TRAI's secretary in-charge Sudhir Gupta said that central government ministries, departments, companies, joint ventures or entities which
belong to or are funded by centre or state governments "should not be allowed to enter into the business of broadcasting and or distribution of TV channels." TRAI's recommendations hold special implications for the TN
The Authority recommended that political bodies and people affiliated or associated with them should be barred from entering into broadcasting government's Arasu Cable TV Corporation Private Limited as it needs to obtain fresh permission from the I&B ministry after Digitization of cable services is implemented in Chennai.
The Punjab government had approached the I&B ministry for setting up a TV station, while there were proposals from the Gujarat government and the HRD ministry to start channels. The AP government had submitted a proposal for distribution of signals of Mana TV through cable operators. TRAI said that it had in its earlier recommendations in 2008 held that political bodies should not be allowed to enter broadcasting activities. To ensure that, it suggested that its earlier recommendations relating to 'Disqualification of political bodies' should be followed. The Authority recommended that political bodies and people affiliated or associated with them should be barred from entering into broadcasting and distribution activities by incorporating the disqualifications into the relevant rules, regulations and guidelines.-PTI
Gujarat mulling Knowledge Cities on the lines of S Korea AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat tutes of higher education catering government is planning to set up to over 7 million students. However, Knowledge Cities, hubs of only a few institutes have active academia, research, technology tie-ups with international institutes. and industry, for promoting innoIn view of this, officials said, the vation, on the lines of countries state is going to organize the secsuch as South Korea and Taiwan. ond edition of International Con"There are two proposals for ference for Academic Institutions Knowledge City received by the (ICAI) as a part of Vibrant Gujarat government with longterm investment com- "Accommodating all of mitments," Additional Chief Secretary (Sci- these at the same place is ence and Technology) necessary so that people Ravi Saxena said. "Such could move from one to cities are where you have universities, aca- another, like a professor demic and industrial re- could go to industry if he has search laboratories, ina patent in his hand, which is cubators, and you have possible when he doesn't the industry," he said. "Accommodating all have to shift residence or of these at the same place is necessary so that town," he said. "The concept people could move from is on lines of technology one to another, like a pro- parks in Taiwan and fessor could go to industry if he has a patent in a city in South Korea." his hand, which is possible when he doesn't have to shift Summit (VGS) 2013, where MoUs residence or town," he said. or Letter of Intentions between "The concept is on lines of tech- Gujarat, foreign universities, state nology parks in Taiwan and a city industry would be signed. in South Korea." The first edition of ICAI had Hshinchu Technology park of seen 33 delegates from 25 univerTaiwan and Gwangju Metropoli- sities, representing 9 countries, tan City in South Korea are ex- during which 74 MoUs or LoIs for amples of this model. collaboration between Gujarat uniGujarat currently has around 51 versities, foreign universities and universities and over 1,400 insti- industry were signed. -PTI
Apple fined over $165,000 for copyright violation in China BEIJING: Technology major Apple Inc has been fined USD 165,908 by a court here for allegedly selling unlicensed electronic versions of books online. The Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court ordered Apple to pay a total of 1.03 million yuan (USD 165,908) to eight Chinese writers and two companies for violating their copyrights. The plaintiffs said they spotted applications containing unlicensed electronic versions of their books available for download last year, adding that the books were downloaded in great quantity, resulting in large economic losses for their authors, Xinhua quoted the lawyer as saying. The court concluded that Apple violated the plaintiffs' "right
of communication through information networks", an element of China's Copyright Law, by providing apps that contained unlicensed electronic versions of the books. The company also failed to
carry out its duties regarding the care of apps it provides online, the Court said. Earlier this year Apple settled 'iPad' trademark dispute in China by paying USD 60 million to Proview Technology (Shenzhen). -PTI
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DoT makes Telecom operators fall in line on Blackberry issue NEW DELHI: Major telecom companies in the country have agreed to providing real time intercept facilities for Blackberry smart phones meeting a December 31 deadline set by the Government. The Department of Telecom (DoT) had set a deadline of December 31 for lawful real time legal interception of Blackberry services after the Canadianbased manufacturer of the smart phone - Research In Motion (RIM) - had provided a solution for the same. After initial reluctance from all major telecom service providers including Bharti Airtel and Tata, all the operators fell in line and installed the software for providing real time intercept of all facilities to the security agencies, sources said. RIM, which has more than one million subscribers in India, had been asked to provide resolution and web-browsing requirements in respect of Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) in consultation with the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and their lawful interception vendors. RIM agreed to place a server in Mumbai in this connection, the sources added. Vodafone and Tata's were
among the first TSPs to report compliance which was followed by Bharti Airtel who have also offered to the DoT that they were ready for testing of the equipment. TSPs had been pushing for extension of tomorrow's deadline but a reluctant DoT finally made them
less carriers to address their lawful access requirements for our consumer messaging services, which include Blackberry Messenger (BBM) and Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) email. "The lawful access capability now available to RIM's carrier part-
fall in line and ensure that the interception facilities were completed before December 31, the sources said. In a statement, Blackberry had said that "we are pleased to inform you that RIM has now delivered a solution that enables India's wire-
ners meets the standard required by the Government of India for all consumer messaging services offered in the Indian marketplace. We also wish to underscore, once again, that this enablement of lawful access does not extend to Blackberry Enterprise Server." -PTI
NASSCOM, SIDBI ink partnership for MSME development BANGALORE: The National Association of Software and Services Companies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Small Industries Development Bank of India to work together for entrepreneurship growth and development of MSME in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the country. As part of the MOU, both the parties will aim to coordinate the synergies in their activities to achieve this objective, NASSCOM said in a statement. "NASSCOM and SIDBI will explore and work on various av-
enues related to entrepreneurship like policy advocacy, structuring of new risk capital and other direct credit products to create an
As part of the MOU, both the parties will aim to coordinate the synergies in their activities to achieve this objective enabling ecosystem for fostering entrepreneurship and development of MSMEs", it said.
NASSCOM and SIDBI will create a joint working group of five members with three nominees from SIDBI and two from NASSCOM that will undertake the necessary assessment and evaluation of the proposals submitted by the eligible NASSCOM and MSME members, the statement said. It will screen the "Eligible Enterprises" on a best effort basis within its pool of members and refer the proposals to SIDBI for evaluation, on the basis of which these eligible MSMEs will be provided financial assistance, it was stated. -PTI
HC restrains hotels from playing music without valid licenses NEW DELHI: In a major relief ventures including Delhi-based to Phonographic Performance Ltd, Hotel Royals Plaza and Taj Palace apex-licensing arm of Indian mu- Hotel. sic industry, the Delhi High Court During the hearing, PPL argued has restrained some hotels from that it is authorized to carry on playing its music without requisite copyright business in sound relicenses from it. cordings of its members, charge "From the documents placed and collect license fees from the on record, plaintiff (PPL) has dis- users of sound recordings whose closed a prima facie case in his fa- rights vests in its members. vor. In case defendants (hotels) It said it apprehended that the are not restrained from playing/communicating the sound recordings During the hearing, PPL administered by the argued that it is authorized to plaintiff without requisite license, the plaintiff carry on copyright business will suffer irreparable in sound recordings of its loss and injury. "Balance of conve- members and charge and nience is also in favor collect license fees of the plaintiff and against the defendants. from the users Accordingly, till further orders, the defendants are re- hotels may play the music over strained from playing cassettes/ which it has copyright, without CDs/ audio visuals containing the obtaining requisite license or paysound recordings administered by ing the license fee to the apex-lithe plaintiff in their events and censing arm of Indian Music Inshows organized by them," a va- dustry (IMI). cation bench headed by Justice PPL is the apex-licensing arm Siddharth Mridul said. of IMI and was formed to adminThe order, which may spoil New ister "the Broadcast, Telecast Year parties at various hotels here, and Public Performance rights of came on the pleas of PPL which its member companies. Currently, had sought restraining orders it has 241 plus member compaagainst various hospitality sector nies. -PTI
'New intelligence unit to detect corporate frauds' NEW DELHI: Faced with a growing number of financial frauds, the Indian Corporate Affairs Ministry is setting up a new intelligence unit that will delve into 'data mining' from all possible sources to detect any wrongdoings by the companies and their promoters at the earliest possible stage. "In the Ministry, we are setting up an intelligence unit. It is at a nascent stage. We would be putting technical people with lot of experience and expertise on the job and these would be the people who can mine the data," Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot told PTI in an interview here. "The idea is to have a set of
people to do the data mining, collection and checking of records that is available on various platforms, and them link them with the inputs from investigating agencies," Pilot said. The Minister said that the information needed to detect possible corporate frauds at an early stage is generally available on one or the other platform, and what is actually needed is that "we have to have the sense to mine it". "For any financial fraud, you need to have companies registered, institutions, bank accounts, statements, filing and reporting... Investigating agencies have to find the links and they need to talk to each other.-PTI
TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
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onam Kapoor, who will be seen in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag next year, will also commence shoot for the remake of Khoobsurat. The iconic film of Rekha that released in the 80s will be remade by Anil Kapoor and directed by Shashanka Ghosh. Sources close to the actress confirm the development saying, "Sonam is very excited to start working on this project as it was one of the finest works of Rekha. It was a blockbuster of 1980 that had won the best film award too." But before she starts shooting, Sonam wants to meet Rekha personally. Adds the source, "She wants to understand the character well and take Rekha's advice on how to go about it." In fact Sonam will be spending a lot of time preparing for the role before she starts the shoot; after all it's not easy for anyone to fit into Rekha's shoes.
1 Jiya Lage Na: Talaash 2 Ishq Shava: Jab Tak Hai Jaan 3 Dagabaaz Re: Dabangg 2 4 Fevicol Se: Dabangg 2 5 Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola: Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 6 Oye Boy Charlie: JMatru Ki Bijlee www.indiapost.com January 11, 2013 Ka Mandola 7 Darmiyan: Inkaar 8 Jee Le Zaraa: Talaash 9 Khamakha: Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola 10 Heer: Jab Tak Hai Jaan onakshi Sinha has managed to achieve a feat that no other counterpart of hers, whether fe male or male, can boast of. In a single calendar year, she has enjoyed as many as three 100 crore super hits, a record exclusive to her name. "She started the year with Rowdy Rathore, got another success with Son of Sardaar and now has Dabangg 2 doing exmran Khan is following in the foot tremely well. All these films steps of his uncle Aamir Khan and have now crossed the 100 crore pasting posters of his new film "Matru mark, making her the only acKi Bijlee Ka Mandola" on taxis. tor who can claim this feat", Imran recounts the similarity besays a source. tween his way and what Aamir once did. There are others who "Twenty four years ago Aamir uncle have done well too this pasted the posters of his film 'Qayamat year, case in point Se Qayamat Tak'. I remember him with Katrina telling the story that he and my Kaif (Ek mother were roaming around Tha Tiger, the by-lanes of Bandra and Jab Tak seeking the permission of rickHai Jaan), shaw drivers to paste the postAsin (Housefull ers of his film and telling them 2, Bol Bachchan) that he is the hero of the film," and Priyanka the 29-year-old said while proChopra (Agneepath, moting the film. Barfi!). However "Flash forward 24 years and Sonakshi's sucI find myself doing the cess rate has same thing. Actually in been unparalour city public transport leled. is the most impor-
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tant thing whether it is rickshaw, taxis or buses, it has always been the lifeline of the city. I think it is the easiest way to communicate and reach out to the people," he added. D i rected by Vishal Bhardwaj, "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" also features Anushka Sharma, Pankaj Kapur a n d Shabana Azmi.
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Shaadi
LOVES
DANCING K
areena Kapoor's 'Fevicol Se' is the latest addition to the list of item numbers and is doing the rounds quite well, being promoted almost everywhere. Kareena apparently loves dancing and feels positive when she taps her feet to tunes. "I love dancing, although I am not as good as my sister Karisma. Lolo dances like a professional and I don't think I am even close to her style. But there is something so energetic about dancing and the kind of positivity it oozes is one of the reasons I love to dance," she excitedly said. She added that she had lot of fun while dancing to 'Fevicol Se' with Salman Khan for Dabangg 2. Asked about her favourite item song till date, she refused to choose one as she feels all the songs are very different from each other. "Chammak Chhallo is one classy number, Fevicol is rustic and 'Halkat Jawani' is totally different.
FANTASY K
atrina Kaif has topped the list of perfect matches for Bollywood's famous bachelor, and her former beau, Salman Khan, according to a survey by a matrimonial site. The survey by shaadi.com covered 21,000 respondents, and 69.84 percent believed that Katrina, 28, would make an ideal wife for Salman, 47. Another interesting survey around the "Dabangg" star reveals that 62 percent of Indian men don't want the actor to get married at all while 60.37 percent women want him to settle down as soon as possible. In the survey, several fans from the south would like to see Salman's "Dabangg" co-star Sonakshi Sinha as his off-screen life partner too while north Indians won't mind seeing southern actress Asin as his better half in real life. "Most individuals associate themselves with a celebrity at some point in their life. Through the poll, we wanted to understand how an icon's lifestyle influences people's views and choices during partner search," said Gourav Rakshit, chief operating o f f i c e r , Shaadi.com.
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ollywood had it all in 2012 - action, drama, comedy or romance. Be it small-budget content-driven films or typical potboilers, the industry saw a great mix of movies throughout 2012. Here are the best of the lot that rocked the box office: English Vinglish: Gauri Shinde got the language of her debut feature right. "English Vinglish" was one of those films that are difficult not to like. Sridevi, in her comeback movie, outshone any actress in any role this year and proved once again that you don't need a male star to make a good Bollywood film. It taught us not to be quick to judge if there is someone speaking halting English, or any other language. Barfi!: The simple story line, sensitive treatment and excellent performances helped Anurag Basu's Barfi! establish an emotional connect with the audience. The love story of a deaf and mute boy, played deftly by Ranbir Kapoor, with an autistic girl, essayed by National award-winning actress Priyanka Chopra, left many
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January 11, 2013 donation without using double entendres. Especially when most 'comedy' films this year seemed to have lost the plot. Ayushmann Khurrana played the perfect Delhi boy, and Yami Gautam set quite a few hearts aflutter. Despite the somewhat predictable ending, this one was a winner all the way. Shanghai: Dibakar Banerjee's chronicle of an India that is being left behind in the mad rush of urbanization featured some stirring performances by Emraan Hashmi and Abhay Deol, but more than that, it was the story Banerjee told that was gripping. OMG: Oh My God!: Comedy, sadness, anger and greed. Paresh Rawal carried out all emotions in one character flawlessly. Akshay
Kumar played god in the Umesh Shukla-directorial, which questioned the existence of god. Complete with humour and a message, the movie minted over Rs.70 crore at the box office. Ek Tha Tiger: The very fact that former real-life couple Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan were the lead pair for this film was enough to draw audiences to the theatres. Its songs, picturisation and powerpacked action kept the cash registers ringing, and helping this film garner approximately Rs.190 crore. Salman played an Indian spy named Tiger, who falls head over heels in love with a female spy from Pakistan, essayed by Katrina. Their chemistry, of course, worked. Jab Tak Hai Jaan: Love was redefined in typical Yash Chopra way with Jab Tak Hai Jaan. The late filmmaker, who bid adieu to the world just a few days before the movie's release, gave his final work with the king of romance Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. The movie, also featuring Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, captured
with smart dialogue, a script that didn't let up and a director who was clearly having a blast while shooting the whole thing, "Gangs of Wasseypur" was an experiment that went right. The grime of the coal mines, the edgy characters and a great ensemble cast meant that audiences left the cinema sated. Vicky Donor: There is one criterion for watching "Vicky Donor" - you have to have lived in Delhi, or visited the city to get the humor. Credit must go to writers Shoojit Sircar and Juhi Chaturvedi for making the year's funniest film, that too on a subject like sperm
the scenic beauty of London and Kashmir very well - garnering collections of over Rs.120 crore.
TOP 10 FILMS OF 2012
teary eyed. India's official entry for the foreign film category Oscar this year, the movie, which is now out of the Oscar race, made collections of Rs.110 crore. Kahaani: 'Ekla Chalo Re' in Amitabh Bachchan's baritone and Vidya Balan looking down at a teeming Kolkata street is a lasting memory of Sujoy Ghosh's "Kahaani". Ghosh used the chaotic vibrancy of the city during the Durga Puja festival to great effect in this thriller. Add to it an unusual protagonist (by Bollywood standards), some great characters (the bespectacled assassin is hard to forget) and short running time
made up for the somewhat predictable ending. Talaash: Aamir Khan's Midas touch rarely fails. Talaash was just another case in point. This suspense thriller by Reema Kagti narrated the story of a Mumbai cop trying to put a puzzle in place and it kept the audience on the edges of their seats. The film, also starring Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji, made around Rs.90 crore at the Indian box office. Gangs of Wasseypur (Part 1 and 2): Five hours of blood, gore and fun. Anurag Kashyap's epic revenge saga was, more than anything, a lot of fun to watch. Packed
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Portrait of an artist as a boy Choudhury paints an affectionate portrait of the childhood of a budding artist who survives the vagaries of a lower middle class upbringing and a tyrant father to discover his skills. Unwillingly, he is forced to join as an airman in Indian Air Force, his father's profession. The novel ends with this touching observation: "All the boy had asked for in life was a pen or a paintbrush. Instead, thrust upon him was a rifle and a bayonet. With his heavy leather boots he plodded along." What happens to Kaalu after he joined as airman is perhaps subject for a sequel. But this novel is about his child-
VINOD DHAWAN India Post News Service
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hich is the most paying profession? Engineering, IT, Commerce? The answer may change from generation to generation but what doesn't change is the en masse pursuit of the paying profession whether one has aptitude for it or not. Or one has to willy nilly bend to the father's profession. In The Sergeant's Son, Ashim
neighborhood while going to school is an adventure. Ordinary happenings are lighted up with loving attention. Even the scene at the dry latrine is described without inhibition. The feeling of inferiority never leaves the family. His father is never promoted. The reason: "In the Air Force, as in the other forces too, one's promotion depended less on competence and more on the ability to keep one's superiors in good humor," which Kaalu's father was singularly incapable of. In addition, Kaalu is deeply conscious of his dark complexion which once led a neighboring lady to mistake him for a servant. But there are joys in life BOOK REVIEW like being encouraged to paint by some acquaintances and winning praise for In this debut novel, largely autobiographical, Ashim his essay in school. The novel throws up several interdisplays a gift for lyrical description of childhood esting characters but the most compelsights and sounds, little joys and fears and how the ling is Borda (meaning elder brother). kids cook up tales for each other. Despite living in The eldest of the siblings keeps being a city, the four siblings grow up in the lap of nature, expelled from school and is beaten up regularly and mercilessly by the father playing and growing up among the trees but no beatings or failures can shake his unconventional approach to life. hood as an airman's son inside the military camp at Kalina Eldest siblings are usually serious and more responsible in Bombay and as an adolescent in Allahabad, where his but this one steals his mother's earrings, picks even Kaalu's father is transferred. In this debut novel, largely autobio- pocket, cheats his way with neighbors and lives a life of graphical, Ashim displays a gift for lyrical description of luxury with his rich friends to the admiration of his brothers childhood sights and sounds, little joys and fears and how and other children in the neighborhood. He even shocks the the kids cook up tales for each other. Despite living in a city, conservative family once by bringing a girl friend home. Acthe four siblings grow up in the lap of nature, playing and cording to Ashim, he remained incorrigible even in later life. growing up among the trees. The crossing of a Christian Ashim Choudhury has had a chequered career having been an airman himself, a journalist, cartoonist and a UN official. But his first love remains painting. With this novel he has shown that he can paint even with the pen. Outside India the book will be available on www.uread.com More about the book on http:// Back home, Dhawan said, "Apoorva was wonderful. My ashimch13.blogspot.in/ family and I can't thank him enough for what he did." The Sergeant's Son Reliving the Friday nightmare, he said, "I went to Bunty's Publisher: Rupa, party after taking my insulin injection for my diabetic conPages 256, dition. But I forgot to take the compulsory sweet thereafter. Indian Price Rs 250 Four to five hours passed and my stomach was empty. Suddenly, I started shivering and broke out into a sweat. My wife arrived after ten minutes. In the meantime, I was fed some chocolate. At Lilavati tests were done immediately. All is well now." Strangely, no one other than Apoorva and Kunal Kohli came forward to help that night. Apparently, they were too shocked to react at Dhawan's sudden collapse. Needless to say, Dhawan has a lot to thank Apoorva for. His two sons will be personally visiting Apoorva to thank him for saving their dad's life.
Close shave for David Dhawan
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t was a close shave for David Dhawan at Bunty Walia's wedding reception recently. The filmmaker, who had forgotten to eat the mandatory sweet food article after his insulin injection, collapsed at the party. Help came from unexpected quarters in the form of Apoorva Lakhia, who rushed Dhawan to Lilavati Hospitalin the nick of time.
Health
Line
Help available for smokers who resolve to quit
WHEATON, Ill.: Help is available for smokers who resolve to kick the habit in the New Year. The DuPage County Health Department says quitting smoking is one of the most important things people can do for their health. Health officials recommend smokers call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 866-QUIT-YES (866784-8937). That toll-free hotline is staffed by trained smoking cessation counselors. Callers can get a ``quit kit'' mailed to their home that includes self-help materials, such as information on nicotine replacements and stress management. The Quitline is a service of the Illinois Department of Public Health and the American Lung Association of Illinois. -AP
3 flu deaths already reported in Washington OLYMPIA, Wash.: Flu activity has picked up across Washington, especially in Western Washington, the state Health Department has said. A Pierce County boy and two older adults in King County were the first influenza deaths in the state this season, the department said. The boy, who was younger than 12, was the first death, earlier in December. A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s in King County died in the past two weeks. An average of two children and 25 adults die of the flu each year in the state. The worst flu season recently was 2009-2010 when 5 children and 95 adults died in Washington, department spokeswoman Julie Graham said. -AP
Surprising health benefits of beer unveiled WASHINGTON: Despite its bad reputation, beer has a number of natural antioxidants and vitamins that can help prevent heart disease and even rebuild muscles, study claims. Researchers have found that beer has several surprising health benefits that can help lower cholesterol, fight cancer and even kill viruses. Beer, however, also has one of the highest energy content and can make a person fat, 'Fox News' reported. Beer is 93 per cent water and according to a Spanish study, it may actually provide better hydration than H2O alone when a person is sweating out under the sun. -PTI
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Protein that resets body's food clock WASHINGTON: Researchers have discovered a protein that is critical in resetting the "food clock" if your eating habits change, a finding that may explain the molecular basis of diabetes, obesity and other metabolic syndromes. Details on page 34
Physical Education class changes in Alabama stress student health MONTGOMERY,Ala.:Alabama's public school students are taking part in a new physical fitness assessment this year, replacing a series of tests that had not been updated since their parents were in school. Citing a need to refocus on the fitness of the state's children, the new Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment rolled out this fall in public schools. The tests are required for all students in grades 2 through 12 and replace the old President's Challenge Fitness Test, which was adopted in 1984. The new assessment has been in the works since 2010, when federal stimulus money started flowing to the states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded grant money to the Alabama Department of Public Health, which used the money to partner with the Alabama State Department of Education to try to improve the quality of physical education in the state, said Laurie EldridgeAuffant, public health education manager for the ADPH. ``Our prevalence rate of obesity is higher than the rest of the nation, for both adults and chil-
dren,'' Eldridge-Auffant said. ``We have some other indicators that let us know we have many chronic diseases that are above the national average.'' Though the individual students' results will be treated as confidential information, both parents and students will receive the assessment results. The PE teach-
teachers are finishing up the pretesting on the kids. Post-testing will begin in March. The new assessment measures four areas: Aerobic cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, abdominal strength and endurance and flexibility. PE teachers received training in how to test the kids, but videos
"Our prevalence rate of obesity is higher than the rest of the nation, for both adults and children,'' Eldridge-Auffant said. "We have some other indicators that let us know we have many chronic diseases" ers will report the results annually, which should eventually allow for comparisons to see whether the fitter children perhaps have higher test scores. ``We're excited about the potential data down the road,'' EldridgeAuffant said. ``We know from the research that the kids who are more physically fit and more physically active have better academic scores.'' But those comparisons will be some time away. For now, the
that demonstrate the exercises used in the assessment are on the state Department of Education's website. The exercises include a partial curl-up (like an abdominal crunch); a timed one-mile run/walk test (the child can walk the whole way if necessary); and a 90-degree push-up (as many as the child can do in two minutes.) The students will be assessed in each area and then classified into one of three fitness zones: The
Needs Improvement Zone, the Healthy Fitness Zone and the High Fitness Zone. The goal, of course, is for as many students as possible to fall into the Healthy Fitness Zone. The results allow the teacher to assess her class; if the majority are not in the healthy zone, she can more specifically target areas that need improvement, Eldridge-Auffant said. Both Eldridge-Auffant and Nancy Ray, physical education and health specialist at the state Department of Education, say this new assessment is much better than the old one because it is a criterion-referenced assessment. That means the score shows whether the students perform well or poorly as individuals. The previous test was norm-referenced, which identified only whether a student performed better or worse than the other students but that didn't determine much. ``When a parent or a teacher saw (those) results, they could see that a child maybe fell into the 60th percentile, but that number didn't mean a whole lot,'' EldridgeAuffant said. Cont’d on page 34
Hobby Lobby won't offer morning-after pill WASHINGTON: An attorney for Hobby Lobby Stores has said that the arts and crafts chain plans to defy a federal mandate requiring it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill, despite risking potential fines of up to $1.3 million per day. Hobby Lobby and religious book-seller Mardel Inc., which are owned by the same conservative Christian family, are suing to block part of the federal health care law that requires employee health-care plans to provide insurance coverage for the morning-after pill and similar emergency contraception pills. The companies claim the mandate violates the religious beliefs of their owners. They say the morning-after pill is tanta-
mount to abortion because it can prevent a fertilized egg from becoming implanted in a woman's womb. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied the companies' request for an injunction while their lawsuit is pending, saying
the stores failed to satisfy the demanding legal standard for blocking the requirement on an emergency basis. She said the companies may still challenge the regulations in the lower courts. Kyle Duncan, who is representing Hobby Lobby on behalf of the
Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said in a statement posted on the group's website that Hobby Lobby doesn't intend to offer its employees insurance that would cover the drug while its lawsuit is pending. ``The company will continue to provide health insurance to all qualified employees,'' Duncan said. ``To remain true to their faith, it is not their intention, as a company, to pay for abortion-inducing drugs.'' In ruling against the companies last month, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton said churches and other religious organizations have been granted constitutional protection from the birth-control provisions but that ``Hobby Lobby and Mardel are not religious organizations.'' -AP
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Planned Parenthood seeks order in health program AUSTIN, Texas: Planned Parenthood has asked a Texas court to order the state to continue funding the organization's preventive health care services for poor women until a trial can determine if the group's ban is legal. The Republican-controlled Legislature last year passed a law banning clinics affiliated with Planned Parenthood from participating in state-funded programs for poor women, even if all they provide is birth control and preventive health care. The law excludes anyone who advocates for abortion rights, which Planned Parenthood does, from receiving state funds. State law already bans state funding for abortions or clinics that provide abortions. Planned Parenthood complains that the new rule, set to take effect Jan. 1, is unconstitutional and violates existing state and federal law. Federal authorities are cutting off Texas' funding effective Dec. 31 because they say the so-called affiliate rule violates federal law by denying a woman the right to choose her doctor. That forced the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to create a new Women's Health Program, which
starts Jan. 1, solely with state funding. Texas' ban and the federal response has triggered two federal and two state lawsuits as Planned Parenthood fights to continue treating 48,000 of the 110,000 women enrolled in the existing Women's Health Program. Assistant Solicitor General Kristofer Monson argued that since the Women's Health Program will no longer receive federal funding, it is a new beginning and the state has the right to exclude Planned Parenthood for supporting abortion rights. He said the state can require the poor women currently under Planned Parenthood's care to seek out new doctors. ``Nothing has ever given these women the right to the provider of their choice,'' he said. Pete Schenkkan, representing Planned Parenthood clinics and patients, said the new program is a continuation of the old one and that Planned Parenthood should be allowed to continue caring for patients until a court decides whether the so-called affiliate rule is valid. He argued that existing statutes should prevent the state from enforcing the rule and that the organization and its pa-
Army to start intestine transplant facility soon NEW DELHI: In a first for the country, the armed forces are set to have an intestinal transplant facility at a top hospital in the capital as early as next month, a need that was highlighted after the 23-year-old Delhi gang rape victim had to be shifted to Singapore for treatment. A top official of the Armed Forces Medical Services said the complex transplant could soon take place at the Research and Referral hospital in New Delhi and clearances are being sought to start it. "We are already in the process of starting the intestinal transplant facility. No such facility exists in the country at this time," Director General AFMS, Air Marshal D P Joshi, said. Joshi said that a team from the Health ministry would visit the hospital soon before giving permission to start the facility. "We have already applied to the government to start it in January. The team may come to inspect the R&R and we have adequately trained people who will do the needful," he said.
While armed forces doctors refused to comment on the rape victim's medical condition, they were all praise for Safdurjung hospital for its handling of the complex case. A top doctor said the severe shortage of doctors was the reason for the absence of such a transplant facility in India.
"We are already in the process of starting the intestinal transplant facility. No such facility exists in the country at this time" "The main reason why we have not had it so far is the total shortage of doctors... The number of patients who require this treatment is also very small," said Director General Medical Services (Navy), Surgeon Vice-Admiral A C Anand, a trained intestinal transplant specialist. -Courtesy Indian Express
The law excludes anyone who advocates for abortion rights, which Planned Parenthood does, from receiving state funds. State law already bans state funding for abortions or clinics that provide abortions tients would be harmed if the state refused to provide further funding on January 1. ``Under the law that we have
now, the department can't do the things they want to do,'' he said. He added that it was not clear that the State Department of Health
Services had enough capacity to make up for the loss of Planned Parenthood clinics and doctors. Linda Edwards Gockel, an agency spokeswoman, said the department has enrolled enough providers for the major metropolitan areas, but that a survey of the available capacity in rural and South Texas was still under way. She said more doctors are signing up for the program every day. -AP
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Parents of autistic boy sue Ohio health department CINCINNATI: The parents of an autistic toddler are suing the state Department of Health and others, accusing them of denying their son federally mandated treatment in a case that could affect how other autistic children are cared for in the state. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Cincinnati, accuses the state of discriminating against children with autism and their parents by failing to provide them with a type of intensive treatment known as applied behavioral analysis. The lawsuit was filed by Robert and Holly Young, of Williamsburg, about 25 miles east of Cincinnati. The Youngs' 2-yearold son, Roman, was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism a year and a half ago. ``It's been a living nightmare,'' said Holly Young, a Miami Township police officer. ``It's heartwrenching to know what you need to give your son and you can't provide it, and no one will help. And the people who are supposed to help seem to be turning their backs.'' Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, states are required to provide early intervention services for children with autism, a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties communicat-
ing, emotional detachment and excessively rigid or repetitive behavior, among other symptoms. States get federal money to provide the treatment, with the goal of turning children with autism into self-sufficient adults who won't have to depend on public resources. The Youngs argue that Roman, who doesn't speak and has other difficulties, needs 46 hours of applied behavioral analysis a week, including 33 hours of in-home, one-on-one time with a therapist. That's based on diagnoses and recommendations the Youngs got from various autism experts, including doctors at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Daytonbased Trumpet Behavioral Health. The Youngs say the state has repeatedly denied their requests for the intensive therapy, offering just two hours of speech therapy a month. ``The state is condemning Roman to a life that will not be selfsufficient, that will not minimize his need for special education, and that will not maximize his potential to live independently,'' according to the lawsuit, filed Dec. 18. ``The developmental time lost to Roman due to the state's culpability cannot be regained. Roman is being irreparably harmed for life and the harm mounts daily.''
Department of Health spokesman Robert Jennings said he could not comment on the Youngs' case because of the pending legal action. But he said federal guidelines don't specifically require states to provide applied behavioral analysis.
The lawsuit came just three days before Gov. John Kasich expressed his support of a plan for the state to require health insurance companies to cover therapy and treatment for children with autism starting in 2014 ``Therefore it is not provided,'' he said, adding that the state provides a number of other treatments. The Youngs have been using grants to pay for 15 hours of applied behavioral analysis for Roman, but Holly Young said the grants expire next month and she and her husband, a Miami Township firefighter, have taken out loans, used up credit cards and
Physical Education class changes in Alabama stress student health Cont’d from page 32
The assessment was designed to be inclusive, and allows for modifications to be made by PE teachers to accommodate special needs students or those with medical concerns. The teachers will report the results electronically through I-Now, the statewide student management computer system. After the public health department and the education department agreed on the need for a new assessment, a task force was formed, comprising a wide array of professionals: K-12 PE teachers, university personnel, school administrators, experts in childhood obesity and physical fitness, a medical doctor, a superintendent and others. The task force formed in April 2010, and one of the first directives was to develop a definition for quality PE and what that would look like in Alabama, said EldridgeAuffant, who was a consultant to the task force. ``The definition was really important, because we knew that systems didn't have extra money
to implement any tests that they didn't have supplies for already,'' she said. The task force determined that once the definition had been decided, the school systems, as they received money down the
The response from the PE teachers so far has been positive, though Ray acknowledges there are growing pains. It's human nature to have trouble adapting to change, Ray said road, would be able to shape their programs to fit the definition. By early fall 2010, the assessment was pretty much fully developed, with a working draft of the accompanying instructional guide. Then the assessment was pilot tested in a cross-section of school systems. ``We worked with the school
systems to make sure that the test that was developed was working,'' Eldridge-Auffant said. The task force reconvened the next summer to tweak the assessment, and then drafted a policy for the state Board of Education to consider. The BOE adopted the policy in November 2011. The response from the PE teachers so far has been positive, though Ray acknowledges there are growing pains. It's human nature to have trouble adapting to change, Ray said, and they anticipated some problems here and there. ``I think they're all excited to be able to have immediate feedback once they get their data in on their students,'' Ray said. Eldridge-Auffant said she joined Ray for several presentations on the new assessment, and she heard nothing but good things from the teachers. ``They're excited to have a new test in place, and really, many states have (already) moved to this criterion-referenced test,'' she said. ``It was time for Alabama to move in this direction.'' -AP
gotten help from friends and family to pay for their son's treatment. The lawsuit said the couple is on the brink of bankruptcy. Jim Ball, executive chair of the national board of the Bethesda, Md.-based Autism Society of America, said lawsuits like the one the Youngs filed are not uncommon in the U.S. He said parents seeking the best treatment for their children are at odds with states and school districts trying to minimize costs while following federal requirements to treat autistic children. Access to applied behavioral analysis, widely considered the best treatment for many children with autism, is spotty across the country and often comes down to where a child is born, how well off the parents are or how much government agencies are willing to pay, Ball said. ``It's sad to say, but in a lot of cases it comes down to money,'' he said. Besides the 46 hours of
therapy a week for Roman, the lawsuit seeks more than $3 million in compensatory damages for the Young family and a declaration that the state ``systemically violates the rights of infants and toddlers with disabilities when it unilaterally and categorically excludes certain intensive early intervention services.'' The lawsuit came just three days before Gov. John Kasich expressed his support of a plan for the state to require health insurance companies to cover therapy and treatment for children with autism starting in 2014. Most private carriers don't offer coverage for children with autism. Ohio's new requirement will allow parents to get coverage through health insurance sold in the private market and in the upcoming federal health insurance exchange and for state employees. The requirement won't include the self-insured and large group insurers. -AP
Protein that resets body's food clock WASHINGTON: Researchers have discovered a protein that is critical in resetting the "food clock" if your eating habits change, a finding that may explain the molecular basis of diabetes, obesity and other metabolic syndromes. People who are jet-lagged, people who work graveyard shifts and plain-old late-night snackers risk upsetting the body's "food clock". "Food clock" is a collection of interacting genes and molecules known technically as the food-entrainable oscillator, which keeps the human body on a metabolic even keel. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), revealed how "food clock" works on a molecular level. "The work has implications for understanding the molecular basis of diabetes, obesity and other metabolic syndromes because a desynchronised food clock may serve as part of the pathology underlying these disorders," said lead researcher Louis Ptacek. The team found that a protein called PKCy is critical in resetting the food clock if our eating habits change. The study discovered that the food clock works on a genetic level as the PKCy protein binds to another molecule called BMAL and stabilizes it, which shifts the clock in time.
The study showed that normal laboratory mice given food only during their regular sleeping hours will adjust their food clock over time and begin to wake up from their slumber, and run around in anticipation of their new mealtime. But mice lacking the PKCy gene are not able to respond to
"The work has implications for understanding the molecular basis of diabetes, obesity and other metabolic syndromes because a desynchronised food clock may serve as part of the pathology underlying these disorders," said lead researcher Louis Ptacek changes in their meal time - instead sleeping right through it. Scientists have uncovered many genes recently whose cycles are tied to the clock and discovered that in mammals it is controlled by a tiny spot in the brain known as the "superchiasmatic nucleus". -PTI
January 11, 2013
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Men get more health benefits from KanCare companies lack dark chocolate than women specialists in Topeka area
LONDON: Eating dark chocolate can protect against heart disease and stroke, scientists claim, adding that men derive more health benefits from it than women. The benefits include anti-clotting effects which are activated within two hours in both sexes, and with greater impact in men. Having a piece of chocolate a day could be the secret to staying heart healthy, according to scientists at the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, the 'Daily Mail' reported. "It's an acute effect in the body that men and women both benefit from, but it's more diluted in women. These findings are not a carte blanche to eat chocolates as they are extremely rich in fat and sugar," lead researcher Dr Baukje de Roos, from the Rowett Institute, said. "But probably eating a little bit of dark chocolate containing at least 70 per cent cocoa every day is going to do more good than harm," she added. Researchers from the Rowett joined Institute of Food Research in Norwich to study what happened in the blood of 42 healthy volunteers, 26 women and 16 men, after they ate dark chocolate specially boosted with cocoa extract. They were investigating the effect on blood clotting, the result of over-activity of platelets that stick together blocking blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Compounds called flavanols which are found in cocoa, tea and apples, appear to have a beneficial effect on platelet function - and they are higher in cocoa-rich chocolate. The platelet function of people eating the enriched dark chocolate was compared with platelet function in those who had eaten dark chocolate - with a lower cocoa and flavanol content - and white chocolate.
Blood and urine samples were taken and then analyzed two hours and six hours after chocolate consumption. The scientists were looking at a range of platelet function tests such as platelet activation - a reversible process where platelets are starting to get stressed and sticky - and platelet aggregation - an irreversible process when sticky platelets clump together.
They discovered the specially enriched dark chocolate significantly decreased both platelet activation and aggregation in men, but only cut platelet aggregation in women. The strongest effects were seen two hours after the chocolate had been eaten They discovered the specially enriched dark chocolate significantly decreased both platelet activation and aggregation in men, but only cut platelet aggregation in women. The strongest effects were seen two hours after the chocolate had been eaten, said the report published in Molecular Nutrition Food Research. Researchers also measured bleeding time - which shortens as platelets become stickier. They found that the specially enriched dark chocolate significantly increased bleeding time after six hours in both men and women, possibly caused by the metabolites that human bodies produce from flavanols. -PTI
Ky. program for parents improves children's health LEXINGTON, Ky.: Recent studies show a Kentucky program that has traditionally worked with first-time parents improves the health and development of their children. Health Access Nurturing Development Services, or HANDS, started as a pilot program in 1998 as a way to combat child abuse. Now the program is in all 120 Kentucky counties and has served more than 60,000 families since 2000. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports research at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville has found that HANDS participants have 32 percent fewer pre-term births than similar populations. They also have a 70 percent lower overall infant mortality and 50 percent fewer emergency room visits. Babies in the program have fewer developmental delays. And mothers are more likely to complete or further their education and to breast-feed their babies.
Cuban immigrant Tocado Conception signed up to participate in the program in Lexington when she became pregnant more than two years ago. Since then, Ada Hildago has been a regular visitor with the family. Conception says with few family members in the area, Hildago provided needed advice. ``She's like our grandmother,'' she said. ``I would recommend it to anyone.'' The program has been so successful that it was recently expanded to non-firsttime parents. A UK study showed that some health outcomes, such as premature births, improve after a HANDS worker visits just once. ``The fact that we show positive outcomes with just one or more visits is a strength in itself,'' said Dr. Ruth Ann Shepherd, director of Maternal and Child Health for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. -AP
TOPEKA, Kan.: The three managed care companies that will take over Kansas Medicaid services have strong primary care physician networks but some gaps in their specialty provider networks in the Topeka area, according to recent data. Sunflower State Health Plan had no providers within 25 miles of Shawnee County in nine of 22 medical specialties, including allergy, dermatology and orthopedics, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported based on data collected earlier this month. Shawnee County, which includes Topeka and the surrounding area, is the third most populous county in the state. A second company, Amerigroup, didn't have any providers in nephrology, physical medicine/rehabilitation and plastics and reconstructive surgery within 25 miles of Shawnee County, and United Healthcare had no neonatologists within 25 miles of Shawnee County. The three companies have been building provider networks since this summer, when they were announced as the recipients of contracts for KanCare, Gov. Sam Brownback's managed care plan for Medicaid. Most of the state's 380,000-some Medicaid recipients have been assigned to one of the companies, but starting Jan.
1, they will have 90 days to switch between them. United Healthcare spokeswoman Alice Ferreira said the networks are constantly changing and the company responds to member needs. ``No one's in any immediate or eminent danger of having no access to their doctor,'' Ferreira said. Brownback and other members of the administration say KanCare is imperative to stem burgeoning Medicaid costs. They estimate it will save the state more than $1 billion during the next five years without cutting benefits, limiting enrollment or lowering provider compensation rates. Miranda Steele, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said provider networks have grown since the document was last updated and will continue to grow after KanCare goes live. She also said it's up to the managed care organizations to ensure specialist care. ``The MCOs must guarantee access to specialists, so if a specialty is not available in their network in a specific area, they must make arrangements for members to access those services out of network,'' Steele said. -AP
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'Dolphin-therapy' helps children with mental disability BEIJING: A new Dolphin-assisted therapy that helps treat children with mental disabilities is gaining popularity in China, according to a media report. The technique for children with mental disabilities has already made a splash in the West, and China is now riding the experimental tide. Fifteen sessions with a pair of bottle-nosed dolphins at Hangzhou Polar Ocean Park have helped a fiveyear-old autistic kid become "aware" and "alert". Zheng Jun, father of the boy, believes the dolphin-assisted therapy has been more effective than any other treatment. "Now, you can`t tell he`s different from his classmates," Zheng said. Zheng became a believer of the technique after he visited an Australian dolphin-swim program few years ago. He says his son is elated when he splashes with the creatures in the park in Jiangsu, capital of east China`s Zhejiang province. More than 80 parents of children with severe mental disabilities have booked all of next year`s spots in the program, the daily said. Newcomers must now wait until 2014,
says Liu Quansheng, manager of the park`s owner, Zhejiang Aquarium Investment Group. "People with mental disabilities often have short attention spans. Swimming with dolphins helps them relax and focus," Liu said.
"Dolphin therapy is effective because these animals hold the kids` attention better than even the most engaging human therapist," he said. While the science of dolphin-assisted therapy`s assortment of purported benefits hasn`t been verified, many believe at least some benefits come from the experience`s emotional magic. -PTI
IRDA plans detection system to check claim frauds NEW DELHI: Worried over fraud in the health insurance sector, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) plans to build an advanced detection and prevention system to check fraudulent claims. In order to reduce the cost of insurance inflicted by fraud, IRDA said it is proposing to build advanced detection and prevention systems at industry level to identify fraudulent claims before payment occurs and to improve the accuracy of fraud detection. "Firms/organizations are advised to submit proposal to establish a comprehensive and complete solution for insurance fraud management within health insurance segment...," IRDA said, while inviting bids from eligible agencies for fraud prediction and detection analysis for underwriting and claims. The regulator said it is looking to develop the system to enable the industry to underwrite the proposals effectively by getting up-to-date information, fraud alerts and medical history from the central database and also price products based on reliable database. Among other things, the selected agency will have to assist the industry as well as the regulator with alerts related to
fraudulent and suspicious transactions including overcharging, unlawful claim, false claims or multiple claims for same event in a particular region. Further, it intends to minimize cost at industry level by centralizing data without individual insurers having to necessarily resort to both software and hardware solutions for the purpose of fraud prevention. The four PSU insurance firms National Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance and United India Assurance had in July 2010 stopped the cashless facility in select private hospitals, alleging over-billing. They had alleged that some hospitals were charging patients who have health insurance policies at rates which are much higher than the normal cost of treatment. IRDA has already constituted Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB), a central repository of insurance industry data, which is collecting, processing and disseminating data. Also, the proposed system aims to assist insurers efficiently manage the claims by getting relevant information on fraud and claim reporting patterns, also ensuring that genuine customers do not face hassles. -PTI
Directions issued for not using sero-diagnostic kits for TB CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Health Department has directed all pathological labs, TB hospitals and medical fraternity not to use sero-diagnostic kits for diagnosis of tuberculosis, saying these kits give inconsistent and imprecise results leading to wrong diagnosis. The Government of India has banned the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of sero-diagnostic kits in public interest under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 on June 7, 2012, a release quoting Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Rakesh Gupta said.
Despite the ban, some centers were still using these kits for gains, he added. Gupta said directions have been issued to all senior drug control officers as well as drug control officers to keep a strict vigil on such elements and, if any such case was detected where sero-diagnostic kits were manufactured, sold or used, necessary action would be taken. He appealed to the State Indian Medical Association, pathologists and private clinical laboratories to use alternate test methods available for TB like sputum smear examination, X-ray and other histo-pathological tests. -PTI
J&K govt to involve HSCC in health projects JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government will involve consultancy group Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation (HSCC) in all future health care projects to ensure quality infrastructure in the state. HSCC, a Government of India enterprise, will be part of future health care projects in the state for providing quality infrastructure and services, Commissioner-Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said while chairing a meeting of the state health department. In the meeting, approval was given for work to begin on two medical facilities, a
maternity and a children's hospital, sanctioned by the state government at Bemina in Srinagar. While Rs 50 crore for the maternity hospital would be provided by the central government, the state government would foot the Rs 60 crore bill for the construction of the child-care facility. The two hospitals are to be interlinked and would have several common facilities for the convenience of patients. The plans for the proposed hospitals had been discussed at length and suggestions made by HSCC experts incorporated, Dwivedi said here. -PTI
January 11, 2013
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January 11, 2013
he Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary at Junagadh in Gujarat is a 1412 sq km hilly tract of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub, ever green and semi-evergreen flora and grasslands, fed by rivers and streams. Among the many water-bodies in the reserve is the Kamleshwar Dam, known for its large crocodile population. Originally protected by the Nawab of Junagadh, after British viceroys brought to his attention the plight of the lion in Asia, the sanctuary is the jewel of Gujarat's ecological resources. Fauna of Gir According to official census figures, Gir has about 300 lions and 300 leopards, making it one of the major big-cat concentrations in India. Sambar and spotted deer (chital), blue bull (nilgai), chousingha (the world's only four-horned antelope), chinkara (Indian gazelle) and wild boar thrive in Gir. Jackal, striped hyena, jungle cat, rustyspotted cat, langur, porcupine, black-naped Indian hare are among the other mammals of Gir. Gir has a large population of marsh crocodile or mugger, which is among the 40 species of reptiles and amphibians recorded in the sanctuary.
The park checklist has 250 birds and about 50 other species (including the endangered lesser florican and the saras crane) are recorded in the grasslands along the perifery of the sanctuary. Many species like the painted sandgrouse, grey francolin, quails, Asian paradise flycatcher, black-naped monarch, white-browed fantail, Asian brown flycatcher, grey-headed flycatcher, verditer flycatcher, tickell's blue flycatcher, greenish warbler, white-eye, coppersmith barbet, common and marshal's iora, rufous treepie, yellow-footed green pigeon have been spotted by our guests around the lodge itself. Long-billed vulture, Indian white-backed vulture, red-headed (king) vulture, Eurasian griffon vulture, changeable hawk-eagle, crested serpent eagle, bonneli's eagle, greater spotted eagle, lesser spotted eagle, tawny eagle, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, laggar falcon, red-headed falcon, oriental honey-buzzard, whiteeyed buzzard and other raptors have been seen in the sanctuary. Gir also has brown fish owl, Eurasian eagle owl, spotted owlet. In the evening, nightjars can be seen near the lodge gate. Cont’d on page 41
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Website to link all tourist destinations Gujarat tourism to invite NEW DELHI: A government website listing important tourist destinations in the country and facilities available there will soon be available to visitors. "Many states have responded to this website initiative of the Tourism Ministry. So far details of 243 destinations have been compiled and the effort is to cover every tourist spot in the country," Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan said here at the CII conference on pilgrimage tourism. He said "this will serve as a comprehensive catalogue for the foreign and domestic tourists including those travel in the pilgrimage route." Describing faith tourism as "recession proof", Dewan said religious tourism held the key to India's effort to augment the flow of foreign tourists in the country and to facilitate domestic traveling.
"We have to have a proactive approach for developing these centers and should be sensitive to the needs of people who are visiting these centers. For instance,
Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan
the hotels set up in Jain religious centers should address the sentimental values and food habits of that people," he said. The Secretary mentioned about the plans of the ministry to develop more religious tourist cir-
cuits in the country. "A Jew pilgrimage centre would be opened up connecting cities like Kochi, where at one point of time a number of Jews lived and later migrated to other countries," he said. Dwelling on the importance of connecting Sufi tourism in the country, Dewan said that there are 22 Sufi centers in the country that can be connected. He also mentioned about the strengthening the connectivity of Chennai with pilgrimage centers in the North, primarily to cater to the needs of the Buddhists pilgrims from Sri Lanka. Underscoring the need for better air, rail and road linkages for promoting pilgrim tourists in particular and general tourism in general, Dewan emphasized on greater involvement of stakeholders not only in formulating plans but also for its implementation. -PTI
Kerala promoting green tourism at Festival MUMBAI: Kerala is promoting green tourism and is hopeful of receiving more than 10 per cent more visitors this year during the 6th edition of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival over the last year's 10 million. "Our focus is green tourism, and this is the primary reason behind the Global Village in Kochi," Kerala Tourism Minister AP Anil Kumar told PTI from Thiruvananthapuram. "While we are spending Rs 7 crore to promote the Global Village, we are putting in another Rs 25 crore to promote the sixth edition of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF)." The Global Village will run till January 9. Set up as part of the GKSF, it was inaugurated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The 24-acre Village, an international trade fair, stands on the adjoining Bolghatty Island, across Ernakulam waters.
The Village features nearly 400 stalls, over six thematic pavilions international, national, Kerala, consumer, brand and weaves - Kumar said, adding it represents trade and
The minister said the government is expecting around 1 million footfalls at Global Village, which is targeted primarily at visitors from outside Kerala, particularly from overseas cultural traditions of various states and countries. While the national pavilion is dedicated to unique crafts and products from states like Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the global pavilion has Thailand as the partner country with stalls selling the Southeast Asian nation's unique products and its cuisine. It also has a space to stage cultural shows. It also has Chinese and Japanese stalls. The minister said the government is expecting around 1 million footfalls at Global Village, which is targeted primarily at visitors from outside Kerala, particularly from overseas. When asked about the rationale for promoting the state, known more as a perfect getaway, as shopping attraction, the minister said, "Tourism and shopping go hand in hand across the globe and we want to tap that potential as well. Another objective is to position the state as a premium tourist destination, and not only for the backpackers."-PTI
Tourism projects in Jammu almost ready JAMMU: Work on the two proposed border tourism projects in Suchetgarh and Chambyal of Jammu region is nearing completion. Over eighty per cent of construction and development work has been finished, according to Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora. He said the tourist facilities are expected to be thrown open for public by end of February next. Jora was speaking after reviewing ongoing work at Suchetgarh, some 30 kms from here, with Medical and Technical Education Minister R S Chib.
To promote border tourism in Jammu, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 6.39 crore for Suchetgarh in Jammu district and Chambyal in Samba district. While Rs 4 crore was allocated for infrastructure development at Suchetgarh, Rs 2.39 crore was approved for Chambyal area. Works taken up under the projects included construction of tourist facilitation centre, budgeted accommodation, pick and choose restaurant, fencing work, flower stalls, pathways etc., besides conservation and development work of historical Radha Krishan temple and Peer Baba
Ziarat at Suchetgarh. The government has so far released Rs 5.11 crore, out of which Rs 4.68 crore have been expended on creation of different tourist facilities in these border areas, he said. Jora said that government is focusing on promoting border tourism to attract more visitors to the state. The proposed tourism destinations will be a symbol of friendship between India and Pakistan because of its location on the zero line. Chib, speaking on the occasion, said the projects will give a boost to the local economy. -PTI
private investors THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seeking to make Gujarat a major destination for holidayers, the state tourism policy, to be announced early next year, will be offering several incentives for investors. Apart from improving the infrastructure and amenities in the established spots around the state, the policy would aim at promoting private investments in a host of new destinations, including the coastline, Gujarat Tourism Commissioner Sanjay Kaul said. "We are already providing incentives like power tariff concession. The tourism policy will be coming out with some more attractive incentives. We are working on the details," Kaul told during an interaction with hoteliers and tour operators here. The Gujarat Government had ambitious plans for tourism during the 12th plan period and was looking forward to investors from across the country and abroad to seize the opportunity, Kaul, also MD of Gujarat Tourism Corporation, said. Coastal tourism had been identified as an area with vast potential for the state and the Planning Commission had sanctioned Rs 1200 crore for development of coastal tourism, he said.
The state also had identified a range of new spots covering various segments like eco tourism apart from spiritual tourism which had already been growing fast, he said.
Gujarat Tourism Commissioner Sanjay Kaul
The state's tourism potential and the government's policy initiatives would be showcased during the biennial Vibrant Gujarat Summit to be held next month in Gandhinagar. The summit would provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to come and explore opportunities in the state, he said. The "Kushboo Gujarat Ki" campaign, which has Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan as brand ambassador, has greatly helped the strides made by tourism in the state in recent times, Kaul added. -PTI
Plan to attract more South Africans tourists JOHANNESBURG: Besides advantages of high quality and low cost medical treatment, the prospect of a diverse range of tourist activities in India provides a huge potential to attract South Africans tourists, a top Indian tourism official has said. "As a first step, orientation tours for travel agent staff and media will be undertaken to show the wide range of tourist activities that are available in India, from wildlife to skiing holidays and architecture to the growing health tourism as people take advantage of high quality, low-cost medical treatment in India," the newly appointed Director of India's Tourism Office in South Africa Manas Patnaik told a seminar on tourism organized here by the Indian High Commission. Indian South Africans have traditionally seen Mumbai as a shopping haven, linking it either to visits to the golden triangle that includes the Taj Mahal in Agra, or to temple visits to the south of India, but there is much more to the country than that, according to Patnaik.
"India is not restricted to Jaipur, Agra or Goa for tourism, and we need to make sales staff aware of this," Patnaik said. "Unless they are aware of this, they cannot promote all this as a destination in India. We are looking forward to long-term relation-
“As a first step, orientation tours for travel agent staff and media will be undertaken to show the wide range of tourist activities that are available in India� ships with tour operators in South Africa, airlines and other partners in the region." The official highlighted the fact that India offers unspoilt beaches where one can swim with an elephant, which is not possible anywhere else in the world. -PTI
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Gir: Major big-cat concentration with 300 lions Cont’d from page 39
The lodge can also be used as the base to visit the coastal areas from Veraval to Diu Bird Sanctuary for shore birds. Gir also has about 2000 species of invertebrate and the trails around the lodge can be good for
has a big role to play in increasing the population of the Asiatic lion. The best time to visit the Gir National Park is from November to June. The ideal way of observing the lions of the national park is to travel around the forest in a jeep. The Gir National Park has a
Vad, Sirus, Charal and Amli. People of Gir Gir is the home of the Maldharis, a term used for the many Hindu and Muslim pastoral groups of the area. The Maldhars live in traditional
butterfly-spotting. Asiatic Lion This park was established to protect the Asiatic lions. The Asiatic lion is smaller than the African lion. Its mane is also smaller. This animal is the main attraction of the Gir Forest National Park. This park
mixed deciduous forest. The main trees that are found to grow in this forest are teak, banyan, flame of the forest and acacia. There is a vegetation belt near the major streams and rivers. The plants that are commonly found in this region are Karanj, Jambu, Umro, Kalam,
This park was established to protect the Asiatic lions. The Asiatic lion is smaller than the African lion. Its mane is also smaller. This animal is the main attraction of the Gir Forest National Park. This park has a big role to play in increasing the population of the Asiatic lion settlements called nesses and tend Jafrabadi buffalos, Gir cows and other livestock. Some of them also have camels, sheep and goats. Among the best-known pastoral groups of Gir is the Sorathi Rabari.
Security forces evacuate hotels in Srinagar SRINAGAR: As decline in militancy paved way for influx of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir over the past two decades, over 60 per cent hotels occupied by the security forces in Srinagar city have been evacuated. Consequent upon the improving security scenario in the city and the huge rush of tourists this year, the government in consultation with various agencies evacuated these hotels and other buildings and relocated forces to other places, officials said. "Over 60 per cent of hotels occupied by security forces have been evacuated. Almost 150 hotels and other buildings which were being held by security forces have been evacuated and there is less visibility of security forces now," Director Tourism, Kashmir, Talat Parvez told PTI. The director said the evacuation cannot be done in one go and is being done in a phased manner and rest of tourism infrastructure would be evacuated by the start of next tourism season. "The rest of hotels (occupied
by security forces) are being evacuated in a phased manner. By next start of season, I believe, all the hotels will be free from all security occupation and they (forces) will be relocated to someplace else," Parvez said. Majority of the hotels in Srinagar were occupied by various security agencies in the wake of militancy in the early 1990s.
The state government is reducing footprints of security forces in the city and as many as 44 bunkers have been removed from the city in last two years. The state witnessed a huge rush of tourists this year. The officials estimate the figure to be around 12 lakh till November, which includes more than 35,000 foreign tourists.
Siddis are a community with African origins. Believed to have come from African countries as mercenaries, slaves and labor, the Siddis grew to become powerful generals, some of them even be-
Parvez said there is a tremendous pressure to improve the infrastructure and provide the best to tourists, who have been flocking to Kashmir in recent years. "There has not been much improvement in tourism infrastructure in the last two decades of violence. Nothing new was created and whatever old infrastructure we had, got dilapidated. Tourist flow almost doubled which meant more requirements and it was both ways having pressure on the infrastructure and we felt the need to have more infrastructure in place," he said. The director said the department started the camping-site and guest-house scheme to immediately accommodate the large number of tourists. "We have been very liberal in granting the incentives and asking people to convert their houses into guest-houses. We do not ask for many formalities and we allow them to conduct their business and ultimately, that will become one of the assets for us," he said. -PTI
came rulers. In Gir, there are villages of the Siddis, who are well known for their dances and other performances, and Nagarshi Pir at Jhambur nearby is a major shrine for the Siddi community. Best Time to Visit Gir Forest Reserve is open to visitors throughout the year ex-
cept during the monsoon months between June and October. By far the best time to visit the park is in the winter, from December to March when the weather is cool and there are great chances of game sightings. How to Reach By Air: The nearest airport is Keshod, at a distance of 90 km from Sasan Gir; the other airport is Rajkot at a distance of 140 kms. By Rail: Sasan Gir has a railway station of its own, with train connections to a number of other cities and towns in Gujarat and its neighboring states. The towns of Junagadh, Veraval and Delwada have daily trains to Sasan Gir, from where the park is only about a km away. By Bus: Fairly good roads link the park to the rest of the country. Junagadh itself is only about 60 km from Gir, and there are frequent buses connecting the town to the park.
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Realty Tidbits
Plan to inject moral values among realty brokers
GURGAON: While buying a home, brokers play a vital role in making the entire process smooth, however, in the booming real estate market of Delhi-NCR, most consumers complain of being misinformed or cheated by real estate agents. One of the major reasons for this lack of professionalism among real estate agents is the lack of adequate regulations/certifying bodies for the industry. Filling this gap in the DelhiNCR property market is Association of Property Professionals Delhi-NCR (APP Delhi-NCR), which besides membership, offers various entry level and advanced courses for real estate agents to elevate the standards of practice of the realty brokerage business. "There is no structured association, no entry level platform barrier and no licensing for real estate agents in India leave aside NCR. We are working towards building that structure," said Samir Chopra, President APP Delhi-NCR.
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JAIPUR: The state government recently incorporated strict provisions against the builders in the draft of Apartment Act to protect the rights of purchasers. With the mushrooming of residential high-rises and apartments in every nook and corner of the city, a provision has been included to safeguard the interests of buyers. The provision includes that if there is any damage in the flats for one year after giving the possession then the developer will be held responsible. According to the provision the developer will be liable to deposit the amount to residential associations of a particular group housing societies. To ensure that this is done in a proper manner, it has been proposed that developer will have to deposit Rs 5 lakh or half per cent of the construction cost in the residential societies account.
January 11, 2013
NEW DELHI: Godrej Properties, real estate development arm of Godrej Group, has said it has entered into an agreement with Ratnaraj Blessing Milestone to redevelop a private society in Mumbai. Godrej Properties Ltd (GPL) through its whollyowned subsidiary Godrej Projects Development Pvt Ltd (GPDPL) has entered into a development management agreement with Ratnaraj Blessing Milestone to redevelop a private society at Currey Road in Mumbai, GPL said in a filing to BSE. -PTI
Home sales reach three year high in the US
„ New provisions to protect flat owner's rights
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Godrej inks pact with Ratnaraj to redevelop estate
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xisting home sales in the United States are at their highest level since 2009 and prices have risen for nine months in a row, the latest data from the National Association of Realtors shows. Total sales increased by 5.9% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million from a downwardly revised 4.76 million in October, and are 14.5% higher than November 2011. 'Momentum continues to build in the housing market from growing jobs and a bursting out of household formation. With lower rental vacancy rates and rising rents, combined with still historically favorable affordability conditions, more people are buying homes,' said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. The national median existing home price for all housing types was $180,600 in November, up 10.1% from November 2011. This is the ninth consecutive monthly year on year price gain, which last occurred from September 2005 to May 2006.
Distressed homes, that is foreclosures and short sales sold at deep discounts, accounted for 22% of November sales of which 12% were foreclosures and 10% were short sales, down from 24% in October and 29% in November 2011. Foreclosures sold for an average discount of 20% below market value in November, while short sales were discounted 16%. 'The market share of distressed property sales will fall into the teens next year based on a diminishing number of seriously delinquent mortgages,' Yun explained. Overall single family home sales rose 5.5% in November and are 12.4% than November 2011. The median existing single family home
2% from a year ago. Existing home sales in the Midwest increased 7.2% in November and are 21.4% higher than a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $141,600, which is 7% above November 2011. In the South, existing home sales rose 7.9% and are 17.2% above November 2011. The median price in the South was $157,400, up 10.5% from a year ago. Existing home sales in the West rose 0.8% in November and are 4.4% higher than a year ago. With ongoing inventory constraints, the median price in the West was $248,300, which is 23.9% above November 2011. Total housing inventory at the
The median time on market for all homes was 70 days in November, slightly below 71 days in October, but is 28.6% below the 98 days in November 2011. Some 32% of homes sold in November were on the market for less than a month, while 20% were on the market for six months or longer price was $180,600 in November, up 10.1% from a year ago. Existing condominium and coop sales jumped 9.1% in November and are 33.3% above a year ago. The median existing condo price was $181,000 in November, which is 10.6% higher than November 2011. Regionally, existing home sales in the Northeast rose 6.9% in November and are 14.8% above November 2011. The median price in the Northeast was $232,900, down
end of November fell 3.8% to 2.03 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 4.8 month supply. This is less than the 5.3 months in October, and is the lowest housing supply since September of 2005 when it was 4.6 months. Listed inventory is 22.5% below a year ago when there was a 7.1 month supply. Raw unsold inventory is now at the lowest level since December 2001 when there were 1.89 million homes on the
market. NAR president Gary Thomas pointed out that there's been speculation of a rise in short sales before the end of the year with pending expiration of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. 'However, there's been no movement in short sales, their market share is staying in a narrow range, and they're still taking much longer to sell, typically three months. The fact remains it is extremely difficult to expedite a short sale, and banks' response to client urgency is only starting to improve,' he said. 'However, we're hopeful that the act will be extended before it expires on December 31 so sellers don't have to pay taxes on forgiven mortgage debt, which would be unfairly treated as income for owners who are selling under duress,' he added. The median time on market for all homes was 70 days in November, slightly below 71 days in October, but is 28.6% below the 98 days in November 2011. Some 32% of homes sold in November were on the market for less than a month, while 20% were on the market for six months or longer. First time buyers accounted for 30% of purchases in November, down from 31% in October and 35% in November 2011 while all cash sales were at 30%, up slightly from 29% in October and 28% in November 2011. Investors, who account for most cash sales, purchased 19% of homes in November, little changed from 20 % October and the same as November 2011.
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Condos beat town houses and vice versa STEVE MCLINDEN
Dear Real Estate Adviser, I am considering buying a condo on the beach, but I'm now wondering if a town house wouldn't be better due to the fact that homeowner association fees are lower, which would allow me to use the difference to paint and otherwise improve the place. What are your thoughts on condos versus town houses? - Olga T. Dear Olga, Yes, the homeowners' fees in town houses are lower because you are responsible for the upkeep of more space. In fact, there are lifestyle trade-offs to ownership of town houses and condos, as you're probably discovering. While homeowner associations in both product types can limit the extent of improvements you
can make, town houses are typically much more flexible in allowing different color schemes, flooring choices and other minor improvements. There are other differences to consider as well. In a condo, you are buying only your living space, not the walls, ceiling, floor or exterior. In a town house, you own it all and typically hold title to the land where the home sits. Hence, your insurance will be costlier because you have to cover more area. Condos are usually less expensive than town houses because they tend to have less floor space and less storage space. Condos are usually one level and tend to appeal more to seniors who have downsized their living needs or to those who just prefer a less-complicated lifestyle. Town houses typically have at least two floors, and sometimes a third, and are appealing to more ambulatory people who like multidimensional
living. Tax assessments are generally smaller in condos because owners are taxed on only a percentage of their actual market value,
Your insurance will be costlier because you have to cover more area. Condos are usually less expensive than town houses because they tend to have less floor space and less storage space. whereas town houses are taxed like standard single-family homes. Besides being unit-based home purchases, the two product types have other similarities. Their homeowner associations are typi-
Real estate sector likely to revive in 2013: Experts MUMBAI: After a long lull, the year 2013 is expected to bring back hopes of growth to the real estate sector, mainly due to the government's positive approach towards reforms and moderation of interest rates, experts say. Land Acquisition and Real Estate Regulation Bills are expected to be passed during the year, while there is a likelihood of Reserve Bank bringing down the interest rates. "The passage of FDI in multibrand retail by the government shows its seriousness on introducing reforms. RBI can be expected to lower interest rates in the coming months which will benefit developers as well as consumers. This will boost the sentiments," Knight Frank India chairman Pranab Datta said. Residential prices, which have been increasing over the past few years are likely to witness subdued growth in most markets in a short to medium term till the pressures of unsold inventory are eased out, CBRE chairman and managing director Anshuman Magazine said. Finance Minister P Chidambaram had recently asked the developers to sell their unsold inventory at a lower price. "Besides, infrastructure initiatives such as Greater Noida metro rail network and proposed metro
link in north-west Bangalore are likely to have a positive impact on the residential market of these cities," Magazine said. FDI in multi-brand retail will also boost the demand for commercial real estate. "Apart from the international brands, several domestic brands are also exploring opportunities to increase their foot prints across the country. This anticipated growth in demand is expected to bring some
upward movement in retail rentals, particularly along established hubs," DTZ-India chief executive officer Anshul Jain said. According to Jones Lang LaSalle, major cities like Mumbai, NCR-Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata will see the addition of close to 9.5 million sq ft of mall space in 2013. "The primary reason is that a sizable amount of supply that was expected to reach completion in 2012 has been being pushed to 2013," JLL Chairman and Country
Head Anuj Puri said. While Mumbai, NCR-Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai will together contribute 70 per cent of the total retail space absorption, cities like Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata will account for the remaining 30 per cent. Further, the ongoing policy reforms are expected to provide some cushion to corporates who are likely to execute their expansion plans in near future. "Demand for office space is expected to be broad-based and not restricted to IT-ITeS and banking sectors. However, even as leasing activity performs relatively well, rentals are expected to remain stable owing to large upcoming supply and high vacancy levels across most cities," Jain said. According to JLL, cities including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune will witness commercial corporate property transactions focused on their own occupancy needs. "We expect 2013 to bring a larger-than-usual number of NRI investors into the commercial space arena. This is because NRIs are currently enthused by the prevailing exchange rate benefits and the fact that commercial real estate capital values are still 15-25 percent under their 2007-08 peak levels," Puri said. -PTI
cally responsible for the upkeep of any common areas, which may include a pool, tennis courts, picnic grounds and other recreational amenities and community conveniences. Condo and town house associations can put restrictions on unit resale, with condo boards generally exerting tighter controls. Unlike with a town house, a condo owner's monthly association fee covers exterior property insurance, building maintenance, yard care, sewer, water, pest control, trash pickup and other elements. It's hard to say which housing type is easier to resell, because this can depend greatly on location and amenities, but condos seem to be a little tougher sell in this real estate cycle. Certainly, the economics of the still-depressed housing market may ease your purchase more now than, say, in a couple of years. And if those extra living dimensions of a town
house present you no physical challenges and the added autonomy is important to you, you might indeed be happier in a town house, particularly if the two beachfront properties are similarly priced. But if you do go the town house route, snag an end unit if possible to limit your exposure to noise and neighbors. End units are the most desirable, much as topfloor locations are often preferred by condo owners. And read the fine print carefully. Some town house developments operate under more of a condo-ownership structure. To get an insider's perspective, I suggest you casually interview a few owners of the town house or condo community in which you're interested. Good luck with your beachfront buy! Nothing like waking up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. -Bankrate.com
Rs 3800 crore land scam unearthed in Noida NOIDA: Another land scam worth Rs 3800 crore during BSP regime has been unearthed in Noida. The previous government had leased back three lakh 81 thousand sq meter land in the favor of private companies and 'favorite' individuals. The authority has removed a Nayab Tehsildar and the authority CEO has recommended suspension of a PCS officer posted as additional district magistrate (land) in Noida. The authority is likely to lodge an FIR against these officers claim officials. The inquiry began in June, soon after the regime change in the state. The Noida authority revealed that the scam took place in 2011 a inquiry revealed that three top Noida authority officials- a PCS officer Harish Chandar, who was posted as secretary, Ajay Shrivastav (Tahsildar), and
Manoj Kumar Singh (Nayab Tahsildar) had allegedly allotted 3, 81, 527 square meters of developed prime land along Expressway, in sector- 140A, 141, 142 and 143 to three private companies, and individuals violating all laid down norms. The Noida Authority removed Manoj Kumar Singh from his post while Ajay Shrivastava had been removed earlier. While, the Noida authority chief executive officer Sanjeev Saran has recommended the suspension of PCS officer, Harish Chander, the current additional district magistrate in Gautam Budh Nagar district. TOI has a copy of the letter written to UP chief secretary (appointment) Rajeev Kumar and has also accused the inquiry report conducted by the Authority into the multi crore scam. "
In Brief Mexico urges court to block part of Arizona law PHOENIX: The Mexican government is urging a U.S. court to prevent Arizona from enforcing a minor section of the state's immigration law that prohibited the harboring of illegal immigrants. Lawyers representing Mexico asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in a filing to uphold a lowercourt ruling that blocked police from enforcing the ban. Mexico argues in its friend-ofthe-court brief that the ban harms diplomatic relations between the United States and undermines America's ability to speak to a foreign country with one voice. The harboring ban was in effect from late July 2010 until U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked its enforcement on Sept. 5. Bolton had said two weeks before shelving the ban that she knew of no arrests that were made under the provision. -AP
Sandy pushes back Haitians' deadline on immigration MIAMI: The lingering devastation of Superstorm Sandy has prompted the U.S. government to give Haitian nationals more time to register for extended residency and employment benefits in this country. Temporary protected status for Haitians displaced by the 2010 earthquake in their Caribbean homeland was extended through July 2014. Haitians previously approved to temporarily live and work here originally had until Nov. 30 to register for the 18-month extension. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services this week pushed back the registration deadline until Jan. 29. Officials say that's due to ``the impact Hurricane Sandy has had on regions were Haitians reside.'' The New York City area has a large Haitian-American community. Sandy devastated parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, damaging or destroying hundreds of thousands of housing units and businesses. -AP
Outlook unclear on new 2013 Miss. immigration laws JACKSON, Miss.: A top lawmaker says he's not sure how the state will deal with efforts to curb illegal immigrants in the 2013 Legislature. Details on page 46
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No licenses for illegal immigrants in Iowa IOWA CITY, Iowa: Iowa will not issue driver's licenses to young illegal immigrants who are eligible to work in the U.S. under a federal administration program, transportation officials announced. Details on page 46
GOP slowly changing stance on immigration after poll defeat DES MOINES, Iowa: For years, Republicans have adhered fiercely to their bedrock conservative principles, resisting Democratic calls for tax hikes, comprehensive immigration reform and gun control. Now, two months after an electoral drubbing, some party leaders and rank-and-file alike are signaling a willingness to bend on all three issues. What long has been a nonstarter for Republicans raising tax rates on wealthy Americans is now backed by GOP House Speaker John Boehner in his negotiations with President Barack Obama to avert a potential fiscal crisis. Party luminaries, including Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, have started calling for a wholesale shift in the GOP's approach to immigration after Hispanic voters shunned Republican candidates. And some Republicans who previously championed gun rights now are opening the door to restrictions following a schoolhouse shooting spree earlier this month. ``Put guns on the table. Also, put video games on the table. Put mental health on the table,'' Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., said recently. Other prominent Republicans echoed him in calling for a
sweeping review of how to prevent tragedies like the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. Among those open to a re-evaluation of the nation's gun policies were Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. ``You've got to take all these things into consideration,'' Grassley said. And yet, the head of the National Rifle Association, silent for
views of Americans as a whole. Many Republicans recognize that to remain relevant with voters whose views are changing, they too must change. ``We lost the election because we were out of touch with the American people,'' said John Weaver, a senior adviser to past presidential candidates John McCain, the GOP nominee in 2008, and Jon Huntsman, who sought
Most GOP candidates Romney among them also long have opposed allowing people in the country illegally to get an eventual path to citizenship. But exit polls from the Nov. 6 election showed most voters favored allowing people working in the US illegally to stay a week after the Newtown shootings, has proposed staffing schools with armed police, making clear the NRA, which tends to support the GOP, will continue pushing for fewer gun restrictions, not more. What's increasingly clear is that the party is now engaged in an uncomfortable and very public fight over whether its tenets, still firmly held within the party's most devout ranks, conflict with the
the nomination this year. The polling suggests as much. While Republican candidates for years have adamantly opposed tax increases on anyone, an Associated Press-GfK poll earlier this month found roughly half of all Americans supported allowing George W. Bush-era tax cuts to expire on those earning more than $250,000 a year. Most GOP candidates Romney among them also long have op-
posed allowing people in the country illegally to get an eventual path to citizenship. But exit polls from the Nov. 6 election showed most voters favored allowing people working in the U.S. illegally to stay. And gun control has for decades been anathema to Republicans. But a Washington Post/ ABC News poll, following the Connecticut shooting, showed 54 percent of Americans now favor stronger restrictions. This is the backdrop as Republicans undergo a period of soul-searching after this fall's electoral shellacking. Romney became the fifth GOP nominee in six elections to lose the national popular vote to the Democratic candidate. Republicans also shed seats in their House majority and lost ground to majority Democrats in the Senate. Of particular concern is the margin of loss among Hispanics, a group Obama won by about 70 percent to 30 percent. It took only hours after the loss for national GOP leaders to blame Romney for shifting to the right on immigration and signal that the party must change. Cont’d on page 46
Resume review in the PERM process CORA-ANN V. PESTAINA
U
nder the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Department of Labor (DOL) has a statutory responsibility to ensure that no foreign worker (or "alien") is admitted for permanent residence based upon an offer of employment absent a finding that there are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified and available for the work to be undertaken and that the admission of such worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. INA § 212(a)(5)(A)(i).The DOL fulfills this responsibility by determining the availability of qualified U.S. workers before approving a permanent labor certification
application and by ensuring that U.S. workers are fairly considered for all job opportunities that are the subject of a permanent labor certification application. Accordingly, the DOL relies on employ-
workers during the permanent labor certification process, as described in 20 C.F.R. § 656.10 (b)(2)(i) and (ii). However, the DOL does not prohibit attorneys and agents from performing the analy-
The DOL does not prohibit attorneys and agents from performing the analyses necessary to counsel their clients on legal questions that may arise with respect to this process ers who file labor certification applications to recruit and consider U.S. workers in good faith. Attorneys, agents, and foreign workers are prohibited from interviewing and considering U.S.
ses necessary to counsel their clients on legal questions that may arise with respect to this process. The employer, and not the attorney or agent, must be the first to review an application for employment, and
must determine whether a U.S. applicant's qualifications meet the minimum requirements for the position, unless the attorney or agent is the representative of the employer who routinely performs this function for positions for which labor certifications are not filed. The DOL has indicated that good faith recruitment requires that an employer's process for considering U.S. workers who respond to certification-related recruitment closely resemble the employer's normal consideration process. Yet, real world recruiting is at times impossible when the DOL sets forth "unreal" recruitment standards for employers! Cont’d on page 47
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Immigration reform one of the top priorities of Obama WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has said that "fixing" the broken immigration system, stabilization of the economy and energy independence would be on top priorities during his administration's second term. Obama is all set to be sworn-in as the US President for the second term on January 21. In an interview to the 'Meet the Press' of the NBC news, Obama listed out his second term priorities. "I've said that fixing our broken immigration system is a top priority. I will introduce legislation in the first year to get that done. I think we have talked about it long enough. We know how we can fix it. We can do it in a comprehensive way that the American people support. That's something we should get done," he said. "The second thing that we've
got to do is to stabilize the economy and make sure it's growing. Part of that is deficit reduction. Part of it is also making sure that we're investing, for example, in rebuilding our infrastructure, which is broken.
Obama said. "Number three. We've got a huge opportunity around energy. We are producing more energy and America can become an energy exporter. How do we do that in a way that also deals with some
"I've said that fixing our broken immigration system is a top priority. I will introduce legislation in the first year to get that done. I think we have talked about it long enough. We know how we can fix it. We can do it in a comprehensive way� "And if we are putting people back to work rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our schools, in part paying for it by some of these broader long-term deficit reduction measures that need to take place that will grow the economy at the same time as we're also setting our path for long-term fiscal stability,"
of the environmental challenges that we have at the same time? So that's going to be a third thing," he said. Obama said in his State of the Union Address, he would put forth specific proposals to address the issue of gun control. Vice President Joe Biden has
Kobach agenda sparks contentious Kansas debates TOPEKA, Kan.: Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach's attempts to influence immigration policy and how the U.S. runs elections are expected to pull the state into two contentious political debates in the coming year, reinforcing his reputation as a polarizing political figure. The conservative Republican and former law professor helped write laws in Arizona and Alabama that direct police to check the immigration status of people they detain. Kobach advises Kansas legislators looking to do the same. Kobach said during an interview with The Associated Press that he isn't leading the push - but some officials think such issues wouldn't gain as much interest in the Sunflower State without him. As the state's top elections official, Kobach pushed for laws that now require new Kansas voters to prove their U.S. citizenship and all voters to show photo identification at the polls. Next year, he said, he wants legislators to grant his office the power to prosecute election fraud cases and argues that his initiatives are models for other states. Democrats expect to propose legislation designed to curtail his legal work on immigration in other states, though Kobach defended his outside work, saying he is sacrificing sleep, not shirking his official duties. The Kansas Democratic Party also has started a legal defense fund to combat his ``anti-voter'' agenda. ``Now, frankly, I think they
should be paying me a commission since they're using my likeness and my reputation,'' Kobach joked. ``They're using me as a fundraising tool, and so it suits their interest to make a caricature of me, you know, make me more threatening to their interests than I actually am.'' Legislators convene their 2013 session on Jan. 14, and Kobach will likely be highly visible at the Statehouse. And although Kobach
Nationally, Kobach is best known for his work on the antiillegal immigration laws in Arizona and Alabama, and for serving as an informal adviser to Mitt Romney's GOP presidential campaign on such issues dismisses such talk, supporters and opponents alike believe the 46-year-old with academic degrees from Harvard, Yale and Oxford harbors grander political ambitions. ``He is an insidious figure,'' Kansas Democratic Party Chairwoman Joan Wagnon said. ``He is dangerous.'' Kansas House Elections Committee Chairman Scott Schwab, a conservative Olathe Republican,
scoffs at such comments, saying it's a testament to Kobach's big election victory in 2010, his effectiveness with legislators and his possible ambitions. ``It's just visceral hatred,'' Schwab said. Nationally, Kobach is best known for his work on the antiillegal immigration laws in Arizona and Alabama, and for serving as an informal adviser to Mitt Romney's GOP presidential campaign on such issues. He also has been advising Kansas legislators since leaving a two-year stint at the U.S. Justice Department and returning to the University of MissouriKansas City to teach law in 2003. Kansas legislators anticipate reviewing proposals similar to Arizona's ``check your papers'' law, along with other illegal immigration-related bills. Those include requiring state contractors to use the federal E-verify system to check the immigration status of new workers; declaring that no state or local benefits can go to illegal immigrants; and repealing a 2004 law that allows children of illegal immigrants to pay the same tuition as legal Kansas residents at state universities and colleges. ``I don't drive that train, but I'm there as a helpful adviser if any legislator wants my assistance,'' Kobach said. ``There's an open offer to legislators - if they need help drafting, I'm happy to help provide that.'' Cont’d on page 47
US President Barack Obama
been tasked to work with other Cabinet members and stake holders to come out with specific pro-
posals in this regard. "So this is not something that I will be putting off," he said. -PTI
New US laws address gays, children, immigration COLUMBUS, Ohio: Measures on gay rights and child safety are among the top state laws taking effect at the start of 2013, along with attempts to prevent identity theft and perennial efforts to restrict abortion and illegal immigration. In many states, new laws take effect on Jan. 1, while in others they do so 90 days after a governor's signature. The first voter-approved laws allowing same-sex couples to marry take effect in Maryland in January and in Maine. California also approved a law exempting clergy members opposed to gay marriage from performing same-sex marriage ceremonies. In California, a first-of-its-kind law bans a form of psychotherapy aimed at making gay teenagers straight but is on hold during a court challenge. The law would ban what is known as reparative or conversion therapy for minors; such therapies are widely discredited by medical professionals. A number of laws seek to protect children from bullying and abuse. Pennsylvania school employees in contact with children, who already must report suspected abuse, must now be trained to recognize the warning signs, their legal obligations and what are considered appropriate relationships with children. That law was being debated and voted on in June as a jury was finding former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry
Sandusky guilty of 45 counts for sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years. California coaches and administrators in schools, as well as higher education employees who have regular contact with children, will be required to report suspected child sexual abuse. Oregon will require schools to adopt a policy on teen dating violence,
California coaches and administrators in schools, as well as higher education employees who have regular contact with children, will be required to report suspected child sexual abuse. a law that follows state legislation earlier this year requiring school employees to report acts of bullying, harassment and online bullying. States continue to wrestle with illegal immigration. Pennsylvania will include a requirement that contractors on public works projects make sure through the federal EVerify system that their employees are legal U.S. residents, while a Montana ballot measure taking effect denies illegal immigrants of state services. -AP
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No licenses for illegal immigrants in Iowa IOWA CITY, Iowa: Iowa will not issue driver's licenses to young illegal immigrants who are eligible to work in the U.S. under a federal administration program, transportation officials announced. President Barack Obama announced a policy change in June that lets certain illegal immigrants apply for a temporary work permit if they were brought to the country as children. But the Iowa Department of Transportation said state law does not allow it to issue driver's licenses or non-operator identification cards to people who are not in the country legally, and the federal decision does not extend lawful status or a lawful immigration path to people who are granted ``deferred action'' status. The Transportation Department cited two state laws that allow licenses only for citizens and foreign nationals who are authorized to be in the United States. Republican Gov. Terry Branstad
believes state officials should follow the law, said his spokesman, Tim Albrecht. ``Should the Legislature wish to make changes, the governor will review their proposals and would carefully consider any legislation that arrived at his desk,'' Albrecht said in an email. The DOT's statement came in response to an October letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which asked the state to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants who receive deferred action status. Omar Mex Valle, 24, came to western Iowa eight years ago from the Mexican city of Campeche, on the Yucatan Peninsula. He was accepted into the federal deferred action program in October, passed the state driving tests, and applied for work as a bank teller in Denison. Now, Mex Valle said he may have to hitch a ride from friends or relatives if he gets the job.
``I don't know what's going to happen,'' he said. ``I hope they don't take my license away.'' ACLU of Iowa executive director Ben Stone said the Iowa DOT misinterpreted the law. Stone said
Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants could benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which went into effect just months before the presidential election his group was still discussing how to respond, but actions could include a lawsuit against the state or a push for legislation in Iowa. Stone said the state's position could lead some immigrants to sim-
GOP slowly changing stance on immigration after poll defeat Cont’d from page 44
Jindal, a prospective 2016 presidential contender, was among the Republicans calling for a more measured approach by the GOP. And even previously hard-line opponents of immigration reform like conservative talk show host Sean Hannity said the party needs to get over its immigration stance, which heavily favors border security over other measures. ``What you have is agreement that we as a party need to spend a lot of time and effort on the Latino vote,'' veteran Republican strategist Charlie Black said. When Congress returned to Washington after the election to start a debate over taxes and spending, a number of prominent Republicans, including Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, signaled they would be willing to abandon their pledges against raising taxes as long as other conditions were met as part of a package of proposals to avoid a catastrophic budget meltdown. While some Democrats quickly called for more stringent gun laws, most Republicans initially were silent. And their virtual absence from the debate suggested that some Republicans who champion gun rights at least may have been reconsidering their stances against firearms restrictions. By the Monday after the Con-
necticut shooting, MSNBC talk show host Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman from Florida, called for reinstating the ban on assault-style weapons, which he had opposed. The ban expired in 2004, despite support for it from Republican President George W. Bush. Referring to the shooting, Scarborough said: ``I
Republicans initially were silent. And their virtual absence from the debate suggested that some Republicans who champion gun rights at least may have been reconsidering their stances knew that day that the ideologies of my past career were no longer relevant to the future that I want, that I demand, for my children.'' The next day, Grassley and Kingston were among the Republicans saying they were at least willing to discuss stronger gun laws. ``The party is at a point where it wants to have those discussions in public, where people feel comfortable differing from what is perceived as the party orthodoxy,''
said Republican consultant Dan Hazelwood. If silence is a signal, shifts on other issues could be coming, chief among them gay marriage, which the GOP base long has opposed. Exit polls found half of all Americans say same-sex marriage should be legally recognized. After three states Washington, Maryland and Maine voted to legalize gay marriage, the Republican leadership generally has remained quiet on the issue. There also has been no effort in the House or Senate to push major legislation, only narrower proposals, such as a move in the Armed Services Committee to bar gay marriages at military facilities. But in a sign that the fight over gay marriage also may be waning within the GOP base, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said it was time for Republicans to accept shifting public opinion. The former Georgia congressman, who oversaw passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in Congress and helped finance state campaigns to fight gay marriage in 2010, said in a Huffington Post interview that the party should work toward acceptance of rights for gay couples, while still distinguishing them from marriage. ``The momentum is clearly now in the direction in finding some way to accommodate and deal with reality,'' Gingrich said. -AP
ply drive without licenses to get to their jobs. ``The ACLU of Iowa and its allies are deeply disturbed by this decision,'' Stone said. ``This has terrible consequences.'' Advocates for the young immigrants said some are now in legal limbo, because they've already applied for and received Iowa driver's licenses. ``This is just totally wrong,'' said Joe Henry, Iowa state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens in Des Moines. ``It goes entirely against what the president was attempting to do.'' Henry said the decision could affect between 4,000 and 10,000 young immigrants in Iowa who are eligible to participate in the in the program. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said each state can decide whether to issue licenses or extend other benefits to young immigrants who qualify. Advocates for the immigrants say denying them licenses will lead to many unlicensed drivers. Several Republican governors have said they will not issue driver's licenses to immigrants who
qualify, including Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman. In August, Heineman announced that his state would continue to deny licenses, welfare benefits and other public assistance to illegal immigrants unless required by state law to offer services. Earlier this month, Heineman said he expected that the state would vigorously defend itself against any lawsuit that challenged the decision. His comments came after Brewer was sued in Arizona. Obama's program applies to illegal immigrants who came to the United States before they turned 16 years old and who were 30 or younger as of June 15. To qualify, they also must have lived continuously in the United States for at least five years, be enrolled in school and have a clean criminal record. Hundreds of thousands of young immigrants could benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which went into effect just months before the presidential election, in which the Hispanic vote played an important role. -AP
Outlook unclear on new 2013 Miss. immigration laws JACKSON, Miss.: A top lawmaker says he's not sure how the state will deal with efforts to curb illegal immigrants in the 2013 Legislature. House Judiciary B Committee Chairman Andy Gipson, RBraxton, told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal that his committee is still assessing a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling. It struck downs parts of an Arizona law aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Gipson says the committee is also still assessing information from an August hearing. ``I don't have anything definitive in the way of plans for immigration legislation,'' Braxton said. ``We will take a good look at all immigration bills in the Jud B committee and will gauge interest in the bills from our members, from the public and from the Senate.'' The high court said police could check the immigration status of people stopped for other crimes. But the court said that, in general, immigration enforcement is a federal and not a state responsibility. Gipson's 2012 proposal to strengthen Mississippi's efforts against illegal immigrants passed the House, but died in the Senate.
He said then that the proposal would have been constitutional. Law enforcement and local governments fought the legislation saying it would cost them money. Business interests said state law already required employers to check a federal database (known as e-verify) to ensure a potential employee is legally in the country. They questioned the need to take additional steps.
‘We will take a good look at all immigration bills in the Jud B committee and will gauge interest in the bills from our members, from the public and from the Senate’ When asked about the chances of an immigration bill passing the Senate during 2013, Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, who presides over the chamber, simply said, ``The Senate will review immigration-related legislation during the committee process if bills are filed.'' -AP
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January 11, 2013
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Resume review in the PERM process Cont’d from page 44
As an attorney who regularly counsels employers filing PERM labor certifications, I have found that one of the most difficult concepts for some employers to grasp is the resume review process and how it ought to be conducted in the PERM process. It's hard for an employer to comprehend why they have to continue to assess an applicant who upon receipt of an e-mail from the employer, responded that he was "away" and would get back to the employer at some point in the following week; or an applicant who, when contacted, had no recollection that he had even applied for the job and needed to be informed of the job opportunity and the employer's business; or an applicant who only listed "Software Engineer" as his experience leaving the employer unclear as to what skills he may possess. As reasons for rejection of applicants, employers sometimes state, "applicant is far too overqualified and I would never hire him for this position" or "these applicants went to foreign universities and I know they require spon-
sorship." While these reasons may be acceptable in the employer's normal consideration process, neither is a valid reason for rejection in the PERM process. Some employers become frustrated and push back. I find that I very often have to preface my comments with "We are not operating in the real world here…" Currently, and for some time now, every PERM audit letter requests verification of the unavailability of US workers. A request for resumes and applications for all US workers who applied for the job opportunity seems to have become the standard. The DOL specifically wants to review documentation of the employer's contact with applicants and its assessment of the qualification of applicants. Yet, other than the expectation that the employer conduct "good faith" PERM recruitment; the DOL has not issued significant guidance with regard to resume review. But it is possible to glean some information from recent decisions by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA). In particular, two specific cases, involv-
ing Supervised Recruitment, shed some light on how the DOL expects employers to conduct resume reviews. In Matter of Goldman Sachs & Co., 2011-PER-01064 (June. 8, 2012), the employer, indicated on
The DOL specifically wants to review documentation of the employer's contact with applicants and its assessment of the qualification of applicants the ETA Form 9089 that it would accept for the position of Financial Analyst, "any suitable combination of education, training and experience," language well-known to practitioners filing PERM applications as the Kellogg language based on Matter of Francis Kellogg, 94-INA-465 (Feb. 2, 1998) (en banc). During Supervised Recruitment, the employer submitted
an expert opinion to the DOL detailing why thirty-five U.S. worker applicants had each been rejected without interview. As examples, BALCA highlighted one applicant who was rejected despite his "substantial academic business credentials" and because he did not possess "narrowly focused" experience necessary for the position and another applicant who the employer described as having "a long and varied career in accounting and financial reporting" but lacking in certain specific experience. The Certifying Officer (CO) denied the labor certification finding that the employer rejected U.S. workers for other than job related reasons. The CO specifically emphasized that the employer had indicated its willingness to accept "any suitable combination of edu-
cation, training or experience" and had not taken the time to explore and evaluate the suitability of the applicants' education, training or experience. The DOL cited 20 C.F.R. § 656.24(a) (2) (b) and stated that "where there is a reasonable possibility the applicant may meet the job requirements, it is incumbent on the employer to further investigate the U.S. applicant's qualifications." In its request for reconsideration, the employer argued, inter alia, that it has no duty to interview candidates who fail to show on their resumes that they satisfy the major job requirements. (To be continued)
* Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com
PRADEEP ROY-SINGH B.A. LL.B. M.B.A. J.D. Attorney-at-Law
Former Assistant State s Attorney
Civil & Criminal Litigation Felonies, Misdemeanors, Inc DUI 1 Personal Injury, Business, Divorce etc. 1 Property Tax for Commercial Properties 1 1
Kobach agenda sparks contentious Kansas debates Cont’d from page 45
Kobach's involvement in shaping immigration proposals ``is a lot more than he might let on,'' said Eric Stafford, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce's senior director of legislative affairs. The chamber is influential among Republicans, having helped elect conservative GOP majorities in both the House and Senate this year after backing an unsuccessful proposal last year to start a state guest-worker program for industries deemed to have labor shortages. But such issues split Republicans this year, preventing passage of any immigration-related legislation in Kansas.
Inside Kansas, Kobach also faces strong criticism over initiatives rewriting election laws. Kobach contends that he is trying to weed out voter fraud, but opponents contend that by pushing the voter ID laws, he is attempting to suppress voter turnout among Democratic-leaning groups such as minorities and the poor. So far, Kobach's office has identified no reported cases of possible fraud from this year's election - even as more than 500 voters didn't have their ballots counted in November because they lacked proper ID at the polls. Kobach said local prosecutors are overloaded with other criminal
matters, making election fraud a low priority. As for the lack of reported incidents this year, he said the laws he advocated prevent ``90 percent'' of past problems. But some want those decisions to remain with prosecutors. ``It seems kind of dangerous that we would give him the authority to prosecute,'' said Louis Goseland, coordinator of KanVote, a Wichita-based advocacy group opposing Kobach. Kobach dismisses such arguments are partisan politics. ``It's such a strange argument, the idea that we don't want to take election crimes seriously because the current secretary of state is a conservative,'' he said. -AP
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Sat Jan 12
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Venue: Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 415-724-9255
Sat Jan 12 • Free 2-Day Meditation Training Program For Young Aspirants Venue: Private Residence, heathrow terrace, Fremont, CA 94555 Time: 9:30 am Contact: 510-405-1630
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WASHINGTON DC Upcoming Fri Jan 18 • Holiday Inn Washington DCCentral/White House Presidetial Inauguration Venue: Holiday Inn Washington DC-Central/ White House, 1501 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005 Time: 1:00 am Contact: 202483200
Sat Jan 12
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• Philosophy & Poetry of Kabir
• Learn to meditate and de-stress
• 2013 Sankranthi & Republic Day Celebration
Venue: Residence, 31 Haymarket Ct, Cranbury Township, NJ 08512 Time: 7:15 pm Contact: 609-369-4109
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•Arabian Nights Belly Dancing Show w/ DJ Wave! Fire n Ice
Venue: City Winery, 155 Varick St, New York, NY 10013 Time: 6:00 pm
Sun May 05 • Masters of Indian Music & Dance Krishna Bhatt & Anindo Chatterjee Venue: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY 10025 Time: 7:00 pm Contact: 212-545-7536
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Sat Jam 19 • 2-Day Meditation Training Program For Young Aspirants Venue: Virginia / Maryland PAM center (Gaithersburg, MD), 116 North Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Time: 9:30 am Contact: 301-947-9040
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Sun Jan 13 • Winter Wonderland Bridal Ball Expo Venue: Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 4046356862
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• My Shadi Bridal Expo Venue: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, 2450 Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 Time: 12:00 pm Contact: 9547848100
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Sun Jan 27 • Pongal Special Cultural Programs Venue: North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time: 9:00 am
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Sun Jan 27 • Hindi Lovers Club of Illinois is celebrating 64th R-Day of India Venue: India House Banquet Hall 1521 W. Schaumburg Rd.,Schaumburg ,IL 60194. Time : 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm Contact: 8479628595
Horoscope
50 India Post
January 11, 2013
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Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar JANUARY 11TH - JANUARY 17TH (March 21 to April 20)
I
t will be another favorable and fortunate week. Combination of few favorable planets can open new doors. News will come as a pleasant surprise. There is also a chance of some kind of financial jackpot as Venus occupies another favorable house. Things will keep improving at work and most of your plans will come through.
(July 23 to August 22)
P
lanets are in perfect order to help you out achieve your goals easily. Business will pick up suddenly and the order could be larger than previously negotiated. For people working, a dream assignment or promotion in on the horizon. Planets will bring self confidence back and you will buy some expensive item for spouse.
(April 21 to May 20)
P
eople will try to take undue advantage of your generosity. Money wise you will do better but the expenses will not leave you alone this week. Commitments made in the past will keep draining you out. It will be a better week for people connected with real estate or food business. An important person will be added to network.
(August 23 to September 22)
L
ady luck is with you this week. Money wise things will brighten up from now and on. You will take few courageous actions and the results will be instant and positive. Legal matters can also take a favorable turn and a government agency giving you run around for quite some time will accept your appeal and give clearance.
(May 21 to June 20)
R
esponse will come in positive for all important mail you send out. You will gain friendship of an important person. Some one will give a very good idea and even offer partnership in a venture. You should just go ahead and grab the opportunity. You may be in touch with a government agency for some important work.
(September 23 to October 22)
S
ome of you will be traveling long distance for business purpose. Strong Venus will keep you cheerful and help overcome many obstacles. You may replace some items in the house also. One of your major competition may decide to close down or move away. Have more patience with life or another business partner.
(June 21 to July 22)
V
alue of your stocks will appreciate considerably and you may even win some money in lottery. A big refund will finally show up in mail or in bank account. You may be able to finally dispose off a property also. Strong Venus will take you closer to an interesting person. You may try to cut down on hot and spicy food.
(October 23 to November 22)
Y
ou may be writing a big check to a government agency this week. Value of your stocks will appreciate and it will be better to dispose them off for the time being. You may be traveling to a nearby town to visit some old friend with family. Opportunity you have been looking for in career is still a few weeks away. (November 23 to December 22)
Y
ou will forcefully launch your project. Your image in society will take off and most of your plans will be successful. Chance of an addition in the family are too strong. A child will be accepted to college of his choice. You may make some money through stocks also. Trying playing lottery this week. (December 22 to January 19)
S
ome of you will be traveling in direction East for some business purpose. You will meet your professional goals and finish the project well before deadline. People applying for a change will be called for second interview. You will continue to use over the counter medications for problems that keeps coming back every year. (January 20 to February 18)
Y
ou may put your needs aside and help a needy friend or sibling. It will be lot easy to get anything done from a government agency this time. Spouse may complain about some aches and pain in the body. People in business will find new vendors who are not only reasonable but efficient too. Bank balance will keep growing. (February 19 to March 20)
P
lanets in sixth will help those looking for a change in career this week. Your tough attitude will be enough to scare people trying to create problem at work. Bachelors will have better luck and will be introduced to a nice person by another friend. People prone to litigation should be extra careful.
Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
510-886-4370 website: www.parashar.com
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Notice is hereby given that sealed competitive bids will be accepted in the office of the GSA-Purchasing Department, County of Alameda, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 907, Oakland, CA 94612 NETWORKING BIDDERS CONFERENCES for RFP #901064 Landscape and Miscellaneous Open Space Maintenance Services South County –Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Public Works Agency, Room 230 A/B/C, 951 Turner Court, Hayward, CA (followed by a walk-thru of Five Canyons Parkway) and North County – Friday, January 18, 2013 at 2:00 PM at General Services Agency, Room 1107, 11th Floor, 1401 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA Responses Due by 2:00 pm on February 13, 2013 County Contact: Lovell Laurente (510) 208-9621 or via email: lovell.laurente@acgov.org Attendance at Networking Conference is Non-mandatory. Specifications regarding the above may be obtained at the Alameda County GSA Current Contracting Opportunities Internet website at www.acgov.org. 1/11/13 CNS-2427110#
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Philosophy
January 11, 2013
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I
n the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Hindu calls this M창y창, the manifestation of God, because it is the power of God. The Absolute reflecting through the universe is what we call nature. The Word has two manifestations - the general one of nature, and the special one of the great Incarnations of God - Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Ramakrishna. Christ, the special manifestation of the Absolute, is known and knowable. The absolute cannot be known: we cannot know the Father, only the Son. We can only see the Absolute through the "tint of humanity", through Christ. In the first five verses of John is the whole essence of Christianity: each verse is full of the profoundest philosophy. The Perfect never becomes imperfect. It is in the darkness, but is not affected by the darkness. God's mercy goes to all, but is not affected by their wickedness. The sun is not affected by any disease of our eyes which may make us see it distorted. In the twenty-ninth verse, "taketh away the sin of the world" means that Christ would show us the way to become perfect. God became Christ to show man his true nature, that we too are God. We are human coverings over the Divine; but as the divine Man,
KAHLIL GIBRAN
A
woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children." And he said: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls. For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Christ and we are one. The Trinitarian Christ is elevated above us; the Unitarian Christ is merely a moral man; neither can help us. The Christ who is the Incarnation of God, who has not forgotten His divinity, that Christ can help us, in Him there is no imperfection. These Incarnations are always conscious of their own divinity; they know it from their birth. They are like the actors whose play is
are both necessary. The idea of dualism is from the ancient Persians. Really good and evil are one (Because they are both chains and products of Maya) and are in our own mind. When the mind is self-poised, neither good nor bad affects it. Be perfectly free; then neither can affect it, and we enjoy freedom and bliss. Evil is the iron chain, good is the gold one; both are chains. Be free, and know
and none will be imposed. Let us give out of our own bounty, just as God gives to us. The Lord is the only Giver, all the men in the world are only shopkeepers. Get His cheque, and it must be honored everywhere. "God is the inexplicable, inexpressible essence of love", to be known, but never defined. In our miseries and struggles the world seems to us a very dreadful place. But just as when
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -John 14:6
Evil is the iron chain, good is the gold one God became Christ to show man his true nature, that we too are God. We are human coverings over the Divine; but as the divine Man, Christ and we are one
Swami Vivekananda
over, but who, after their work is done, return to please others. These great Ones are untouched by aught of earth; they assume our form and our limitations for a time in order to teach us; but in reality they are never limited, they are ever free. . . . Good is near Truth, but is not yet Truth. After learning not to be disturbed by evil, we have to learn not to be made happy by good. We must find that we are beyond both evil and good; we must study their adjustment and see that they
once for all that there is no chain for you. Lay hold of the golden chain to loosen the hold of the iron one, then throw both away. The thorn of evil is in our flesh; take another thorn from the same bush and extract the first thorn; then throw away both and be free. . . . In the world take always the position of the giver. Give everything and look for no return. Give love, give help, give service, give any little thing you can, but keep out barter. Make no conditions,
we watch two puppies playing and biting we do not concern ourselves at all, realizing that it is only fun and that even a sharp nip now and then will do no actual harm, so all our struggles are but play in God's eyes. This world is all for play and only amuses God; nothing in it can make God angry. Excerpted from the teaching given in London on June 19, 1895. The 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda will be observed on January 12.
On Giving Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving." And he answered: You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow? And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent
ognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. And there are those who have little and give it all. These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty. There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who
but it is better to give unasked, through understanding. And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving. And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given. Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'. You often say, "I would give,
Your children are with you, but do not belong to you To the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving. And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. -Matthew 5:43-44 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:33 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -Matthew 7:7,8 Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 19:14
Kahlil Gibran
dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city? And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable? There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for rec-
give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth. It is well to give when asked,
but only to the deserving." The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Excerpted from The Prophet. The 130th birth anniversary of Kahlil Gibran was observed on January 6.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. -Mark 8:34-37
You Insure all your Valuables, all are replaceable except YOU! So Insure yourself FIRST. Call Sahanis, (Arish, Priya or Shiv) for your Insurance needs 718- 271- 0453. Serving for last 35 yrs
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Different regional perspectives on Afghanistan D SUBA CHANDRAN
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n earlier commentary on this issue asked the following: can there be a region-led and region-owned solution for stability in Afghanistan? Can the stakeholders be brought together? For any regional initiative to achieve success in stabilizing and securing Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, India and countries of Central Asia remain crucial stakeholders. In particular, Pakistan, Iran and India are three countries that have the potential to both stabilize and destabilize Afghanistan. All three hold larger strategic interests in Afghanistan; unfortunately, these interests have the potential to both build and break Afghanistan. Of the three countries, Pakistan is extremely apprehensive of the future of Afghan stability, in terms of external influences and investments in Kabul. Undoubtedly, Rawalpindi (and to an extent Islamabad) would like to have a stable, if not too strong Afghanistan. The military and the ISI in Pakistan would like to ensure that the future leadership in Kabul is not strong enough, either politically or militarily, to build Afghan resistance against Pakistan's influence. More than Indian presence in Afghanistan, a strong Afghanistan antagonistic towards Islamabad, is not in Pakistan's interests. While Pakistan is well aware of Karzai's position, it cannot take the Taliban's support for granted; given that if the Taliban come to power, they may have their own perspectives. The first and foremost strategic interest of Pakistan in Afghanistan is, to ensure that the regime in Kabul is under substantial influence of Islamabad. This has been the primary reason for the military and ISI getting upset when the US and some European countries, especially Germany, attempted to open a direct line with the Taliban, bypassing Pakistan. The fact that the Taliban also accepted to negotiate with the West, without the ISI's knowledge, made Pakistan even more apprehensive. The second strategic objective of Pakistan in Afghanistan, aims to ensure that there remains no space for India in any future Afghan settlement. While the traditional belief on "strategic depth" is being repudiated by many within Pakistan, the contemporary Pakistani fear is over Indian presence in Kabul and in multiple towns in Afghanistan, closer to the Durand Line.
Pakistan loathes Indian investments in economic and infrastructural projects in Afghanistan, for the following reasons - it provides much needed space for India to create a positive image in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul; allows the international community to entertain New Delhi to proceed further and expand Indian investments; it brings Kabul closer to New Delhi; and most importantly, Indian presence along the Durand Line will exacerbate the insurgency movements within Pakistan, especially in Balochistan. India's strategic interests are almost on the lines of what Pakistan is objecting. As a regional economic power, India has the ability to invest in Afghanistan and expand further. Since India is unlikely to send its troops or provide any hard core military assistance to Afghanistan, it would like to use economic and
and assisted by the ISI. While Pakistan is an important factor in India's calculations in Afghanistan, it has larger economic and infrastructural interests as well. Iran also has crucial long term interests in Afghanistan, which generally go unnoticed in the global debate over Afghanistan, as Tehran is seen as rogue and unruly. In fact, if only the international community (read the US) realizes the strategic location of Iran in stabilizing Afghanistan and overcome the stated jingoistic positions, Tehran could play a greater role in securing and stabilizing Afghanistan. Iran's primary strategic interests in Afghanistan are three fold - ethnic, bilateral and international. Shiite Iran has serious concerns over the status and political position of the Hazara minority in Afghanistan, who are Shias. Generally marginalized in the po-
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on November 12
infrastructural investments as a strategy to influence Kabul and more importantly, to win the goodwill of Afghans, especially the Pashtuns. Road projects within Afghanistan and the north-south corridor linking Iran's coast with Central Asia, are an essential aspect of this larger strategic interest. Though New Delhi's rhetoric would link the Indian presence in Afghanistan as a gateway to Central Asia, the real interest is to ensure that Kabul does not become the backyard of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Perhaps, a section within the strategic community may also consider using Afghanistan in terms of how Pakistan is using Kashmir. There is also an exaggerated fear that Afghanistan, after 2014, will become the hub of a regional jihad led by the Taliban
litical calculations led by the Pashtuns and the northern tribes, the Hazaras were also prosecuted during the Taliban regime in the 1990s. Equally importantly, Tehran is also apprehensive of Iran-Afghan relations, which have been generally ignored in the regional political equation. While Iran-Pakistan and Afghanistan-Pakistan relations have been widely read and appreciated, the Iran-Afghan relationship has not been given enough importance. Finally, there is a deep concern within Iran on the possibility of the US using any democratic or non-Taliban regime as a proxy against Tehran. In this context, any presence of international troops, especially that of the US after 2014, will be seen with great suspicion. The writer is Director, IPCS
Muted welcome
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arely has a New Year dawned in such a somber mood in India's capital. Celebrations were cancelled not only by restaurants and pubs but also resident associations in memory of the braveheart girl who was gangraped and died but refused to be a shamed victim like many others who went through such ignominy in the year 2012. Although her cremation was rushed and hushed under heavy police security, thousands of girls and boys remained demonstrating at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding a modicum of security for those still alive. The focus of Delhi's police is tilted heavily towards providing security to the VIPs who live a luxurious life in the spacious Lutyens' section of Delhi. Heavily understaffed, there are few policemen left to enforce law and order in the rest of Delhi. And those left to deal with ordinary people have no sympathy for them, particularly women. If at night there is a policeman around a woman, she needs to be afraid. The Delhi of VIPs was turned into a fortress. India Gate, Raisina Hills and surrounding areas were barricaded. Milling crowds at Jantar Mantar were not allowed to move towards Parliament House. Young protestors were rounded up and taken to police station. Some of them took to Twitter, describing their plight and within minutes their account had reached lakhs. This is where the rulers' fortress was breached and the police found itself on the backfoot. And this where the future of India is being written. It will decide whether girls and young women will continue to live in fear and not step out on the streets for fear of being molested or will it raise a generation of women who will demand freedom to do what they like, move where they need to at whatever time of day or night. Instead of reassuring the younger generation, the government led by septuagenarians has made it a fight between "us and them." They think the voice of Indian youth has to be suppressed lest they undermine the security of the elected politicians; elected to get away with all the wrongs they can perpetrate, including rape, on those they have been elected to represent. With the social media in the hands of the youth, it would seem the government has chewed more than it can digest. It would be difficult to control the social media and even if they try to, they can say goodbye to their electoral prospects in 2014. The social media that was a networking tool has now become a weapon of public mobilization. It has no leaders, no organized structure and there is no pre-determined plan evident. The urban middle class has started expressing itself directly in a way that has not been seen before. Various measures have been recommended to the government to ensure safety of women and provide stiff punishment to the rapists and for other crimes against women. It is not that the laws so far have been less stringent. It is in the implementation that the governments fail. There already are laws banning tinted glasses in cars and buses. The offending bus in which the infamous rape took place had been challaned at least six times before. Rapes have been taking place with a regularity that would put even men to shame, but the recording of cases has been dismal. Without taking away from the seriousness of the Delhi crime and protests, historian Rudrangshu Mukherjee sees it as a struggle between India (the urban) and Bharat (rural or rest of India). Pointing to events away from Delhi, he lists khap panchayats inflicting humiliation and violence on women, daily bloodshed in the forests of Chhattisgarh and in Jangal Mahal in West Bengal and near civil war situation in Manipur. Has anyone in Delhi marched on any of these issues from India Gate to Raisina Hill, he asks. The echo from rest of India doesn't reach Delhi.
January 11, 2013
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