IndiaPost_01-13-2012 by Ghanshyam Bisht

Top Stories

V O I C E

O F

I N D I A N S

W O R L D W I D E

India Post www.indiapost.com

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

Pandit Ramesh Maharaj

Priest worries if they’d do it again Details on page 8

Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad sworn in to Edison Council

VOL 17, No. 904

January 13, 2012

50¢

Periodical Postage

NRIs NOT KEEN ON VOTING RIGHTS

NEW DELHI: Admitting that response from Non- Resident Indians on voting rights has not been encouraging, Union Minister Vayalar Ravi said here Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry is in talks with the Election Commission to simplify process of registering themselves for exercising the right. The Ministry would try to resolve the problems which have erupted with regard to registration of NRIs for vot-

ing rights and a modification in the modus operandi may be needed, he said. "The Government will confer voting rights on every Indian. Only thing is NRIs should register themselves. I believe some issues have cropped up. Many people have complained that they have not been able to travel all the way to embassies to register their name. The response has not been encouraging so far," he said. Details on page 5

Gov. Haley endorses Mitt Romney Details on page 7

24-year-old arrested in LA arson spree Details on page 7

NY detective jailed for raping Indian-origin girl

Details on page 12 Details on page 9

Prakash elected Mayor Pro Tem of Cypress City

Indian firm faces $1 million in fines

Details on page 19

Details on page 9

Myanmar's clemency falls woefully short

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 22-23 Classifieds ------------------------- 47 Community Post -------------- 12-19

Details on page 10

Date Book -------------------------- 39 Edit Page --------------------------- 49

INDIA POST SURVEY

HealthScience Post --------- 34-37

survey@indiapost.com

Horoscope ------------------------- 46

This week’s question

Immigration Post ------------- 40-43

Mitt Romney will eventually take Republican nomination ?

Life Style ----------------------- 24-26 Philosophy ------------------------- 48

Last week’s result

Will fast fiasco deflate Anna agitation? YES 61%

NO 39%

Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4

NANO RIVAL: Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto Ltd, poses for a photo with the companyís first-ever four-wheeled vehicle RE60 during its launch in New Delhi on January 3. (Details on page 6 )

Real Estate -------------------- 20-21 TechBiz Post ------------------- 44-45 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 27-31

Certified by “CIRCULATION VERIFICATION COUNCIL Readership 117,765”

India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

India Post

India Post www.indiapost.com

The Weekly Newspaper Serving Indians Worldwide

Romesh & Sunita Japra Publishers Subhash C Japra Co-Publisher Vikram Paul President Krishan Sharma Mg Director & Joint Editor Ranjana Sodhi Managing Editor Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor Naresh Sodhi General Manager Ghanshyam Bisht Supervisor Graphics SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY Vijay Thapar CPRO & Advertising Sonia Sidhu Management Analyst Radhika Jhamb Correspondent Sudesh Kumari Correspondent Deepa Japra Youth Post Correspondent Rama Mehra Advertising Bhumi Bhutani Health Science Correspondent Jaya Gautam Correspondent Sujata Singh Correspondent Sirisha Chandraraju Correspondent Isha Patnaik Correspondent Raaj D. Photo Journalist Srinivas Mangipudi Photo Journalist LOS ANGELES Mrs Shashi Trivedi Bureau Chief J S Bedi PR & Marketing Mrs Prem Kishore Sr Correspondent Greg Heffernan Correspondent Ms Bobby Sharma Correspondent Babeeta Kaur Dhillon Correspondent Pavan Kaur Bhatia Correspondent CHICAGO Ramesh Soparawala Resident Editor A Q Siddiqui Correspondent ST. LOUIS Ashwin Patel Correspondent NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY Pinky Kaur Bureau Chief Srirekha N. Chakravarty Correspondent Nikita Japra Correspondent Sukhvinder Saini Circulation ATLANTA Sanjay Saggere Bureau Chief FLORIDA B K Madnani CANADA Firdaus Ali Correspondent BOSTON Gope Gidwani Bureau Chief DETROIT Ashok B Jain, M D Bureau Chief Gurminder Singh SAN DIEGO Neelu Bhardwaj Bureau Chief SACRAMENTO Madan Sharma Bureau Chief Janak Sidhra Correspondent Upen Shukla Correspondent CENTRAL VALLEY (CA) Dr Ram Saini Bureau Chief Sheila Rogers Correspondent YUBA CITY (CA) Satnam Tatla Correspondent CAROLINAS Nalini Raja Patel Correspondent INDIA Vinod Dhawan Senior Editor & Bureau Chief NEW DELHI Vinod Kumar Khatana Graphics Madan Bangari Graphics PUNJAB Shiv Japra Bureau Chief Anil Kanwar Senior Correspondent/ Marketing CHANDIGARH Raj Kumar Bali Correspondent DOABA, PUNJAB Romesh Kaura Correspondent HYDERABAD M Sagar Kumar Bureau Chief MUMBAI Mayank Thakkar Correspondent Nidhi Soparawala Correspondent Frank Fernandes Correspondent Vaidehi Patel Correspondent NASHIK Mahendra Thakkar Correspondent India Post (ISSN-1064-3868) is published weekly for $30 for 52 issues yearly by India Post, 1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538. Periodicals postage paid at Norwalk, CA and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the corporate headquarters: 1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538 Copyright © 1994 Indamec, Inc. DISCLAIMER India Post assumes all advertisers to be reliable and responsible for all liability for their claimers

January 13, 2012

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

Publisher’s Diary

ll right, the big election year is upon us and Republican Presidential contenders have already made it through the first leg of the race in the Iowa Caucuses on Jan 3. With almost half of Iowans undecided as to who they want to see as the possible Republican candidate to run against President Obama even on the day of the caucuses, it was no surprise that the top two contenders had a mere 8-vote margin between them. Not surprisingly, it was Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney who scraped his knees and elbows to touch the finish line before Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum in the second lead and Texas Representative Ron Paul in third place. No surprises again that Minnesota Representative Michelle Bachman who won a mere 5% votes even though it is the state of her birth, announced her withdrawal from the race, and that die hard Texas Governor Rick Perry decided not to withdraw despite his dismal showing. If you haven't realized it yet, the only surprising element here is Rick Santorum. Unbelievably, the Senator who was not even in the reckoning of the pundits, surged forward like the quintessential dark horse to give the consistent frontrunner Romney palpitations in the photo finish to victory. So, who is Rick Santorum anyway? He is a one-time Senator who failed a reelection bid, quit politics to practice law. But the bug wasn't cured after all, and last year, he threw in his hat for the presidential run. At this point I don't need to know more about Santorum. Because, if last week's caucuses were an indication, Republican voters have little choice but to settle for the lesser evil of the lot in the exhausting rounds of elimination from their pathetic roster of candidates; and Santorum could just be a final experiment. It's only just begun and there's a long way to go with at least 13 more Caucuses and 38 Primaries to go through before a final nomination at the Republican Convention in Florida in August. We still have time before we start talking about the incumbent in the race.

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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

HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: No to Angelina! Kareena Kapoor rejected Bhandarkar’s suggestion to watch Angelina Jolie's film Gia to prepare for her role in 'Heroine'.

Cover Story: Voting rights Union Minister Vayalar Ravi admits that response from Non-Resident Indians on voting rights has not been encouraging.

Community: Prasad sworn in Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad was on New Year's Day, sworn in for a second term to the Edison Council in New Jersey.

Life Style: Buddha play John C. Reilly directs the West Coast premiere of Evan Brenner's moving and enlightening one-man play on Buddha.

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

12 24

Classifieds: Tel: 510-938-8668; E-mail:classifieds@indiapost.com Graphics Inquiry: Tel: 510-936-9490; E-mail: ghanshyam@indiapost.com For Editorial: Sonia Sidhu Tel: 510-797-7799; E-mail: sonia@indiapost.com

For advertisement rates call the office nearest to you: SAN FRANCISCO & SILICON VALLEY 1900 Mowry Ave # 201 Fremont, CA 94538 Tel: 510-938-8667 e-mail: nareshsodhi@gmail.com

LOS ANGELES 12908 Indian Lane Norwalk, CA 90650 Fax: 562-947-0632 Tel: 562-441-5511, shashi19@yahoo.com Tel: 562-929-4213, kimi@indiapost.com

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

NEW YORK Tel: 212-944-1931, Fax: 732-969-3735 Tel: 908-338-3752 (Marketing) Tel: 732-283-4939 (Editorial) E-mail: indiapost2000@yahoo.com

NEW JERSEY 21 Longfellow st., Carteret, NJ 07008 Tel: 732-969-1114; Fax: 732-969-3735 E-mail: indiapost2000@yahoo.com

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

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

Sports: Corporate Games Delhi Corporate Games will be held in 12 sports disciplines from 9-12 February 2012 at the Sirifort Sports Complex.

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

Techbiz:

DELHI

Media deal

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

Reliance Industries and Network 18 group have joined hands for a multi-layered deal worth about Rs 4,000 crore.

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

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

Travel: Gulmarg Gulmarg means "meadow of flowers" and the rich verdure with the snow-capped tips is ideal for skiing and winter sports.

Cover/Top Stories

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

NRIs not keen on voting rights: Ravi NEW DELHI: Admitting that response from Non- Resident Indians on voting rights has not been encouraging, Union Minister Vayalar Ravi said here Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry is in talks with the Election Commission to simplify process of registering themselves for exercising the right. The Ministry would try to resolve the problems which have erupted with regard to registration of NRIs for voting rights and a modification in the modus operandi may be needed, he said. "The Government will confer voting rights on every Indian. Only thing is NRIs should register themselves. I believe some issues have cropped up. Many people have complained that they have not been able to travel all the way to embassies to register their name. The response has not been encouraging so far," he said. Ravi said the Ministry has taken up the issue with the Election Commission and a solution would be found to the problem. The Government had in 2010 allowed millions of NRIs to vote in elections by giving them the right to exercise their franchise. To a question, Ravi said NRIs who have already registered can

Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi addressing a Press Conference of 10th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas-2012, in New Delhi on January 5

exercise their franchise during the Assembly elections to five states, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The Minister said the global economic crisis and the Arab revolution did not have major im-

pact on Indians living abroad with only an additional 1.2 lakh people returning home in 2011. "Usually, 2 lakh people return to India every year. But last year 1.2 lakh additional people returned. It is not much.

He said there has been an increase in the number of people going abroad in the past two years. In 2010, over eight lakh people went to different Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries like nations in Gulf as against

six lakh in 2009. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas On the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas being held in Jaipur from January 7-9, Ravi said the sessions at the three-day conference will focus on a number of issues like the role of Diaspora in inclusive growth and their problems. A dozen Union Ministers, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will address the Diaspora with Ravi exuding confidence that desired results would be achieved at the end of the event. "Another main thrust of the event is to find ways and means on how to make the younger generation of Persons of Indian origin to understand about India. We will discuss the issue at length," he told a press conference here. The Minister also dismissed suggestions that the PBD has become more of a "symbolic event" than producing any desired results. "I would just call these suggestions coming from cynics. People who say this don't invest," he said. To a question, the Minister said a total of Rs six crore would spent by the Ministry and other sponsors like CII on the annual event. -PTI

Overseas Indian Affairs: More of promises, less of action NEW DELHI: Providing pension, insurance cover and resettlement expenses to Diaspora on their return home and simplifying visa-free entry were some promises the government made in 2011 to woo the 25 million overseas Indians for deeper two-way engagements but these remained merely unkept words. The Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry, which also looks after issues linked to Diaspora, was on its toes coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs in evacuating thousands of Indians from violence-marred Libya and Egypt that witnessed fierce antigovernment protests in early part of the year. In the course of the year, the ministry took a range of initiatives like extending the Indian Community Welfare Fund to all Indian Missions abroad to offer various assistance, including legal and financial help to distressed Indians. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi announced in the middle of the year plan to launch a scheme to provide Diaspora community resettlement expenses, insurance cover and pension benefits on their return to the country. The ambitious scheme mainly aimed at offering

financial help to Indians working at the Gulf region, however, is yet to be launched. As signs of another economic slowdown loomed large, the government tried to reach out to the Diaspora seeking their support in bolstering the economy while highlighting its resilience. Leading the effort at the annual

As signs of another economic slowdown loomed large, the government tried to reach out to the Diaspora seeking their support in bolstering the economy while highlighting its resilience Pravasi Bhartiya Divas earlier in the year, President Pratibha Patil invited overseas Indians to share their skills and finances in diverse sectors in India including education and health. The Diaspora sent a whopping USD 56 billion in remittances in the year 2010-11 to India. Prime Minister Manmohan

Singh, in an effort to woo the community, announced at the conclave merging of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards into a single facility to simplify visa-free entry and participation of Indian Diaspora in business and other activities here. However, government is yet to implement the announcement. A PIO card holder does not require a visa to visit India and the card is valid for 15 years while the OCI card is a kind of lifelong visa and any India origin person can apply for it if his host country allows dual citizenship. At the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the ministry promoted the northeastern states and appealed to the Diaspora to invest in the region to help it prosper on a par with the rest of the country. In June, government organized a mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Toronto in Canada to connect with the Diaspora living in North America. The ministry has also started work to launch a fully transparent mechanism under which Indian Missions and emigration authorities will be linked through an online portal for providing seamless services to those going

abroad for jobs. The new system is aimed at ensuring orderly migration and check unscrupulous agents who often dupe Indians promising greener pastures abroad. However, the new Emigration management Bill, drafted by the ministry to provide for greater transparency and better regula-

Another highlight of the year was Election Commission issuing guidelines for enrolment of names of NRIs in the electoral rolls after holding several rounds of discussions tion of migration process, remained stuck at the inter ministerial consultation process almost a year-and-half after being finalized. Following increasing reports of Indian women facing harassment in Gulf countries, the government tightened immigration rules for the fairer sex seeking employment

in the labor-intensive region. To protect the interest of women, government imposed age restriction of 30 years for allowing them to go to the Gulf region and some other countries for employment under ECR (Emigration Check Required) category besides putting in place certain other conditions. Another highlight of the year was Election Commission issuing guidelines for enrolment of names of NRIs in the electoral rolls after holding several rounds of discussions with the Ministries of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs. Grant of voting rights has been a long standing demand of the NRIs and Prime Minister Singh had promised the community early last year that their demand will be met by the government. Citizens of India living abroad, who have not acquired the citizenship of any other country, can now apply for getting his or her name enrolled in electoral rolls of the constituency within which the place of residence of the applicant as given in the valid passport, falls. According to earlier rules, an NRI's name gets deleted from the voters' list if he or she stays outside the country for over six months at a stretch.-PTI

Top Stories

India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Bajaj unveils Nano's rival RE60 India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: Four years after Bajaj Auto showcased its 'small car' at the 2008 Auto Expo, the two- and three-wheeler giant has unveiled what it calls the RE60. "It is not a car. It's a four wheeler," said Rajiv Bajaj while addressing the media at hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi. The RE60 will be built at Bajaj Auto's Aurangabad plant and the launch will take place in a few months from now. The company refused to divulge the price. However, it said that the RE60 will deliver close to 40 kmpl and emit only 60g/km of CO2, making it one of the most fuel-efficient and

THREE WHEELS TO FOUR: Managing Director of India's Bajaj Auto Rajiv Bajaj addresses media representatives as he poses with newly launched vehicle - RE60 at a function in New Delhi on January 3

Nano missed chance to remove tag of poor man's car: Tata NEW DELHI: Admitting that Nano has 'wasted an early opportunity' due to teething problems, Tata Group chief Ratan Tata has said Tata Motors will do everything to undo the tag of 'poor man's car'. In an interaction with media here, Tata, who is also the Chairman of Tata Motors, said: "Many efforts were made to discredit the product. We never pushed it (Nano) as a poor man's car, but as an affordable family car. Whatever stigma is there in the market, we will undo it." Asserting that the very concept of Nano is a robust one, he

said: "The launches of similar small cars by others vindicate our belief that this segment was miss-

ing in the product line." He further added that Tata Motors was "not much in compe-

tition with others as far as pricing of it is concerned". When asked about the problems Nano has faced, like the fire incidents and the recent replacement of starter motors, Tata said the issue was mainly due to various parts coming from different vendors. "Current upgrade should help resolve the problem...upgrade will resolve issue relating to problematic supply from vendors. Upgrade will also resolve the earlier issues and also take in customer feedback. We will look at variants of models to move up the value chain," he said.-PTI

India's economic fundamentals good: Ratan Tata NEW DELHI: Differing with some of the leading corporate voices against perceived policy paralysis in the government, industrialist Ratan Tata has said there is no need to be pessimistic because of the global uncertainties as India's economic fundamentals are strong. "We must stop pessimism...India's (economic) fundamentals are correct and we should be striving for retaining growth rate," Tata told reporters here. His comments come within days of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hitting out at industry leaders for their "negative comments" on the government policies. Singh had said that such remarks had added to the uncertainty.

Amidst the talk of policy paralysis in the government, the Prime Minister had asserted that the government was committed to

Ratan Tata

creating a growth-oriented economic environment. "I must confess that it is a little disappointing to sometimes hear negative comments emanating from our business leadership or

be told that government's policies are causing slowdown and pessimism in the industrial sector. "Such comments have added to uncertainty and have emboldened those who have no stake in our economic growth," Singh had said at the meeting of the PM Council of Trade and Industry. When asked what steps the government should take to improve sentiments, Tata suggested that it (government) must look at accelerating expenditure and create jobs which was slowing down partly due to the fiscal policy and late decision taken by various ministries. "...If we focus on infrastructure it will be good not only for today but in the future as well," he said. -PTI

green vehicles in the market. The RE60 caters to the commercial passenger segment and is designed to gradually replace the autorickshaw as a mode of transport. And the Bajaj MD has a point, as the RE60, complete with four wheels and doors, is a much safer and convenient mode of transport compared to the three-wheeler autorickshaw. The four-wheeler will have a 200cc, water-cooled, fuel-injected DTSi engine that will put out roughly 20 PS of power but the light kerb weight of just 400 kgs gives the vehicle a power to weight ratio similar to A-segment

cars in India. The engine is mounted at the rear of the fourwheeler and as a result boot space is limited to 44 litres. On the inside, the RE60 makes no fuss about what it is. The base model comes with an integrated digital fare meter in the dashboard. The instrument cluster is on the center of the dashboard with the gear lever just underneath it. The indicator and headlamp stalks are in the correct place on both sides of the steering wheel, which like that of a traditional four wheeler is circular in shape. The RE60 is designed to seat four passengers including the driver. That's two upfront and two at the back. While the RE60 is designed to be a commercial passenger vehicle Rajiv Bajaj does not rule out the possibility of the vehicle entering various peripheral segments as is the case with its three wheelers. Bajaj recalled Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit's reaction to the RE60's design as saying, "The autorickshaws are an eyesore for tourists and visitors." It is true that the RE60 does look better than the autorickshaw, however, the biggest advantage of the four-wheeler over three wheelers is the enhanced safety thanks to a better balance.

L N Mittal among star delegates JAIPUR: Among the delegation where he requested OIA minister of NRIs representing 65 countries Vayalar Ravi to get the PBD orgafor the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas nized in Rajasthan" added the ofare a lot of Rajasthani diaspora. ficial. Haridas Kotahwaka, president of The Confederation of Indian Rajasthan Association of North Industry (CII), organizing partner America (RANA) is leading a huge of PBD too feels making Jaipur as delegation of the venue for non-resident the 10th edition Rajasthanis of PBD helped in (NRR). Similar attracting many participation of NRIs. NRRs from "This time Canada, Austraregistration for lia and Germany the event broke is also expected. all records. The "This time lot month of Demany people cember witwho belong to nessed maximum Rajathan will be registrations so L N Mittal attending the far," said Nitin PBD. It is like Gupta, state homecoming for them and they head, CII. would surely like to visit their naHowever, the major attraction tive towns and villages," said the of the event would remain the son official from ministry of Overseas of the soil - L N Mittal. Born in Indian Affairs (OIA). Churu district, Mittal went on to "The major push came from the become one of the biggest steel CM's visit to RANA last year magnets in the world.

Top Stories

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Gov. Haley endorses Mitt Romney for President AFP

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Indian American Republican governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley has endorsed Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney in the race to the White House. In a guest column published in The State last month, Governor Haley said, "As a state representative four years ago, I supported Mitt Romney for president. What I've learned since becoming governor has led me to once again support him for president this year." Haley who is popularly considered a Tea Party favorite extended her support to Romney who had earlier endorsed Haley's run for governor of South Carolina. "I did not make this decision lightly," she wrote. "In the end, the things I cared about most were a focus on jobs and the economy, having the executive experience to deliver results to

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) listens alongside South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley during a town hall meeting at the Memminger Auditorium

the American people, and finding someone who has never been a part of the destructive chaos that is Washington. Using those

criteria, I have no doubt that Mitt Romney is the best choice." In her column, Gov. Haley blamed President Obama for the

country's credit rating downgrading, rise in unemployment and record shattering national debt. We are heading in the same

horrible direction as the dismal economies and bankrupt governments of Europe. In order to save our country from this catastrophe, we need to change directions fast…Mitt Romney knows how to turn things around - he's done it before. He knows what it means to make decisions - real decisions - and not simply cast a vote. He is not a creature of Washington. And he knows how the private economy works, and how to fix it." Gov. Haley said that she does not agree with Gov. Romney 100 percent of the time, nor does she support every position he has ever taken, but citing his accomplishments - substantially cutting taxes and eliminating deficits in a heavily Democratic state, turning around the Olympics, building successful businesses and repairing troubled ones - she says he has the courage, experience and knowledge to turn the economy around and get Americans back to work.

24-year-old arrested in LA arson spree LOS ANGELES: Authorities arrested a German man here in connection with dozens of suspected arson attacks that destroyed parked cars, scorched buildings and rattled much of the secondlargest U.S. city over the New Year's weekend. Harry Burkhart, 24, was booked for investigation of arson of an

been in the United States. Police said he told arresting officers he's from Frankfurt. Burkhart was arrested earlier in the day because he resembled a ``person of interest'' captured on surveillance video. He was stopped by a reserve sheriff's deputy in a van being sought by arson investigators, who did not

Harry Burkhart

‘We are very confident in this arrest, but we have a long way to go,’ said Police Chief Charlie Beck, who mentioned receiving information from federal authorities who recognized Burkhart from the video. They believed he had been involved in removal hearings in immigration court, but they didn't specify how he was involved inhabited dwelling and was being held without bail, authorities said. Authorities said they didn't know how long the German national has

rule out the possibility that others may be involved. More than 50 blazes have flared in Hollywood, neighboring West

Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, causing about $3 million in damage. Firefighters have not responded to any other suspicious fires since Burkhart was detained. Police declined to reveal any motive for the fires. When asked at a news conference about reports that an immigration problem with Burhkart's mother may have been a factor, authorities declined to comment. “We are very confident in this arrest, but we have a long way to go,'' said Police Chief Charlie Beck, who mentioned receiving information from federal authorities who recognized Burkhart from the video. They believed he had been involved in removal hearings in immigration court, but they didn't specify how he was involved. Most of the fires began in cars, and authorities have not said how they were started. The blazes forced many apartment dwellers from their homes. But there were no serious injuries - one firefighter was hurt in a fall from a ladder, and another person suffered smoke inhalation. One of the fires occurred at the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex, a popular tourist destination bordered by the Walk of Fame in a neighborhood that includes Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Damaged buildings included a former home of the late Doors singer Jim Morrison in Laurel Canyon.

Los Angeles firefighters battle an arson car fire under a carport in Los Angeles. German officials say a man taken into custody in connection with a spate of fires across the city is under investigation for a house fire in Germany last year. -Mike Meadows, AP

The onslaught of intentionally set fires left residents on edge over the holiday weekend in some of the most densely populated areas of the city. Hundreds of investigators, police officers and firefighters raced to deal with the blazes. Police conducted extra patrols all weekend, and the noise of helicopters and sirens persisted virtually nonstop in Hollywood. Even long-time firefighters struggled to recall an arson outbreak involving so many fires. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Division Chief James Lopez recalled a notorious case from a generation ago, when California arson investigator John Orr was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 1984 killings of four people in one of multiple ar-

sons he set over the course of years. ``Sometimes it's pathological in nature,'' Lopez said. ``I think motives are going to be hard to come by. We may never know.'' Investigators were still busy mapping out the sequence of the blazes, examining more than 100 clues and interviewing witnesses. Despite the arrest, authorities continued to urge vigilance. ``We're not resting, and we're not stopping'' the extra patrols, police Cmdr. Andrew Smith said. ``If you have lights in your carport area, keep them on tonight.'' Some other deliberately set fires were reported in Hollywood and two people were arrested. But police said that those suspects were not connected with the 52 other blazes. -AP

Top Stories

India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

'To rebuild the temple would have been impossible for me': NYC temple priest SRIREKHA CHAKRAVARTY India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Pandit Ramesh Maharaj thinks it was only providential that his home, where he runs a small place of worship that offers Hindu prayer services, was left undamaged in the unprovoked explosive attack on his premises on New Year's night. "It would have been devastating," says the sixty-two year old mild mannered priest at the thought of the damage the two crude flaming explosives could have caused to the house. "I paid off for this property from my savings when I used to work. To replace this now would be impossible for me." The attacker is now in police custody, but as Maharaj says, "When you really look at it, it does cross your mind that it could happen again. But I trust the Lord." The innocuous red façade house on 170th Street in Jamaica, Queens, looks like any other on the street with no ostensible display that announces it to be a temple. But on the night of January 1, a disgruntled man, who is now in police custody, threw two Molotov cocktails or crude explosives in gasoline filled bottles, on the house - part of a series of five such attacks he carried out in the area and Long Island, that night. The NYPD arrested a Guyanese origin man Jan 3 - having tracked him down after seeing him in action on a tape from the security cameras at the Hindu temple - who confessed to having thrown fire bombs at five premises including the Hindu temple, an Islamic center, a Sikh-owned convenience store, home of a Christian family, and a relative's house in Nassau County. His motive: A personal grudge against each of the places for different reasons, including a rent dispute. Amongst all the places that were attacked that night, the Hindu place of worship was the only one with good, working security cameras - eight of them all around the house - that recorded the attacker in action. It was not clear at the time of writing this report whether the police were bringing in hate crime charges in addition to arson charges in the attacks. Pandit Maharaj, a Trinidadian Indian started the temple in the street-level basement of his home in 1984. An all inclusive temple, the altar has idols of various Hindu deities as also pictures of Jesus and

Pandit Ramesh Maharaj in his temple. Pic Srirekha

Mary. Maharaj was watching television in the same room that night, when he saw somebody throwing the two explosives at his house, on the CCTV monitor placed right next to the television. The attacker got away by the time Maharaj ran out. While one of the flaming explosives hit the wall and fell onto the grass on the front lawn, the other hit the wrought iron fence and fell down.

The NYPD arrested a Guyanese origin man Jan 3 - having tracked him down after seeing him in action on a tape from the security cameras at the Hindu temple - who confessed to having thrown fire bombs at five premises Although one of crude bombs exploded, it did not cause any damage to the house. A devotee - his god daughter, as Maharaj calls her - who lives next door too ran out having seen the attack, and called 911. Since there was no prayer service on Sunday evenings, there

were no congregants at the temple that night. Maharaj was alone and resting after a busy New Year's Eve special puja and havan the previous night. His wife and two grown up daughters who live with him were out visiting his married son for the holiday weekend. Watching the attacker on the CCTV monitor, his first thoughts were: ""How could this happen to me? Is it that they are going to burn my house down again?" Eerily enough, the attack brought back painful memories of a paraffin bomb attack on his house in May 1994 when his entire house was gutted. Unemployed and wheel chair-bound over an illness at that time, Maharaj had faced the ignominy of being accused by police of having burnt his own house down for claiming insurance. Although it was later proved that he was not to be blamed, the police never did catch the real culprits who were responsible for that arson attack. Painstakingly, Maharaj rebuilt his house from his savings then. But this time around, he is not sure he would have been able to do that. The reason: The house has no insurance coverage because, as a priest running a very informal house of worship, he has no income to carry the insurance. "If there had been any kind of loss, I would have been in trouble," the Pandit told India Post. Uncannily, Maharaj did not think that the attack was either

personal or because the house happens to be a Hindu temple. "I thought it was some miscreant up to mischief." But in the context of the other attacks, he surmised it to be "part of a different scheme of things." "I heard that he (the attacker) had tried to steal from the Sikhowned deli and that he had threatened to get even when he was caught and thrown out of the store. I knew it had something to do with

In the case of the home belonging to a Christian family, the attacker reportedly said he thought the house belonged to a drug lord. He attacked the deli because he was caught stealing and thrown out from there that." Typically, the temple has 20-25 devotees on the premises at any given time on weekends and more on special puja days or Hindu festivals. The congregants are predominantly Guyanese or Trinidadian but devotees from Punjabi, Gujarati and other commu-

nities too visit regularly. Maharaj runs the place with donations from devotees whom he refers to as god children or chelas. He has no fixed rates for any of his services. "Devotees give whatever dakshina they feel like," he says, adding that he manages a humble living from the offerings from the devotees and is not dependant on any family member. "The way I live right now, the clothes I wear, the food I eat is all what somebody has given me as their guru… I have no income; I don't depend on my children," he says. Maharaj says he feels no animosity towards the perpetrator. "I feel sorry for him because of his ignorance," he says. "He doesn't know the extent of damage he can cause… such persons lack consciousness of god. His ignorance causes him to do negative actions. He needs help." Maharaj further said of the perpetrator, "Yes, he will be punished by law but he will have difficulty because he has to go through karma for what he has done." Undeterred, Maharaj says he will continue to keep the temple open and conduct services as usual. "I will not stop doing what I do because the Lord's work must go on," he says. The police had stationed a patrol car outside his home for surveillance. Regular at the temple, it did not visit in the immediate aftermath of the attack. "On Monday night, there were just four people for the weekly Shiv puja," Maharaj said. But as Bidya Nath, an employee of the Municipal Credit Union in New York City, one of the regular visitors at the temple who was with the Maharaj when this reporter visited, says, "They are upset and fear for the safety of the Maharaj, but time will heal, they will come back." The Islamic Center attack As it turned out, the suspect in custody has told investigators that he attacked the Islamic center because he was not allowed to use the bathrooms in the building. While in the case of the Hindu temple, the suspect reportedly said he thought someone with whom he had had a quarrel with, lived there. And in the case of the home belonging to a Christian family, the attacker reportedly said he thought the house belonged to a drug lord. He attacked the deli because he was caught stealing and thrown out from there. Cont’d on page 9

Top Stories

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

NY detective jailed for raping US establishes Bureau of Counter-terrorism Indian-origin girl NEW YORK: A New York private detective has been sentenced to 32 years in prison for raping his Indian-origin girlfriend and then implicating her in one of the most elaborate frame-ups in US history for which she was wrongly jailed for seven months. Jerry Ramrattan, 39, Indian-origin man from Guyana, was convicted in November after a fourweek jury trial of first-degree rape, perjury, conspiracy, tampering with a witness and falsely reporting incidents in his plot to frame his former girlfriend Seemona Sumasar, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said. Sumasar, 36, is the daughter of an Indian taxi firm owner from Guyana and had previously worked as a Morgan Stanley analyst. "The sentence provides a measure of justice for this victim, who survived a nightmarish rape only to be victimized again when she was arrested on robbery charges and sent to jail - away from her daughter, away from her business and facing the prospect of many years in prison," Brown said, adding that Ramrattan's actions strike at the very heart of the criminal justice system and must be severely punished. In handing down the sentence, Justice Richard Buchter said Ramrattan deserved no mercy as he was a "diabolical conniver and sinister manipulator" who had "shamelessly exploited the criminal justice system." Sumasar said Ramrattan showed no remorse and would have stopped at nothing to destroy her. "You're evil, you're a sociopath and you need help," she said in

Jerry Ramrattan

court. Using knowledge he acquired partly from watching crime dramas like "C S I," the private detective,

"I don't have enough words to describe my feelings for all the support we have received from all communities," said Maan Al-Sahlani, Minister of Religion at the Imam Al Khoei Islamic Center on Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. Not surprisingly, before the suspect was caught, it was widely perceived as a hate crime and local communities reacted with much concern even as the NYPD went into an overdrive to nab the culprit. Al-Sahlani said support pouring in from all quarters. "We have received calls from India, Pakistan, Middle East, Europe, and every-

Jerry orchestrated what prosecutors in Queens called one of the most elaborate frame-ups in recent history. -PTI

Indian traders safe in Shanghai, return will take time: MEA NEW DELHI: The Government has said the two Indian traders who were mistreated in the Yiwu city of China, are now safe in Shanghai but their return to the country will have to wait till the litigation against them is completed. "The traders are in Shanghai and Indian consulate officials are in touch with them. We do not want to disclose their location as they are in a state of shock... this is also a matter of private information," OSD, External Publicity,

'To rebuild the temple would have been impossible for me': NYC temple priest Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 8

Sumasar

where. Hundreds of people turned up at the center for a vigil on Jan 2, he said. Al-Sahlani said he was not afraid to keep the center running as usual. "We are proud of our police department, they do a good job." And to those who are likely to commit similar attacks on centers such as his, he says: "We want to tell those who are likely to commit similar crimes, first of all that we are human beings. We share the same humanity, they have to consider that. If they have wrong ideas they have to search, ask and come to us for information. Our place is open 24/7."

Ministry of External Affairs, Syed Akbaruddin told reporters. He maintained that the family members of the traders, identified as Deepak Raheja and Shyam Sunder Agarwal, have been informed about their whereabouts and insisted that they are safe in Shanghai. However, their return to India will not be imminent as they are facing charges of non-payment and the like and unless these are sorted out, the traders will have to stay in China. "They are involved in a financial litigation which is on-going... The litigation has to run its course," Akbaruddin said, adding the standard norms and procedures have to be followed but the consulate continues to closely follow the developments and will render all possible help. The two Indian traders were released after Indian consulate intervened and were taken to Shanghai. They had been held captive by locals in Yiwu, a trading hub of China, as their Yemeni boss has erred on payment of dues reportedly running into millions of dollars. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had discussed the issue with Chinese ambassador Zhang Yan. After the two traders were released, Krishna had said he was "immensely pleased and satisfied". -PTI

WASHINGTON: Facing a tinue to be so, he said in response "continuing threat" from al-Qaeda to a question. and other terrorist groups, the US According to a State Departhas established a new bureau of ment fact sheet, the US faces a counter-terrorism, which will lead continuing terrorist threat from alits efforts in fighting the menace Qaeda and other groups and indiabroad and protect this country viduals who subscribe to violent by adopting measures like extremism. strengthening homeland security. "While we have made much The Bureau of Counter-terror- progress in combating terrorism ism, established by Secretary of since the 9/11 attacks, challenges State Hillary Clinton, would as- remain," it said. sume the responsibilities of the "Together with defense, intelexisting Office of the Coordinator ligence, law enforcement and for Counter-terrorism. "The mission of the new bureau will be to The new bureau will develop lead the Department in the US Government's and implement countereffort to counter terror- terrorism strategies, policies, ism abroad and to secure the United States operations and programs to against foreign terrorist threats," Ambassador- disrupt and defeat the netat-Large Daniel Ben- works that support terrorism jamin, Coordinator for Counter-terrorism, said at a news briefing at the State homeland security, diplomacy and Department. development are critical to keep"The bureau will have a num- ing America safe. To secure our ber of concrete responsibilities," future, we must continue to he said, while announcing the es- strengthen our international coatablishment of the bureau. lition against terrorism, build forIn coordination with eign partner capacity to mitigate Department's leadership, the Na- terrorist threats, reinforce resiltional Security Staff and other US ience against attacks and counter government agencies, the new the ideologies and ideas that fuel bureau will develop and imple- violent extremism around the ment counter-terrorism strategies, world," the fact sheet said. policies, operations and programs The Bureau of Counter-terrorto disrupt and defeat the networks ism will focus on the State Departthat support terrorism. ment in US government efforts to The bureau will lead in sup- counter violent extremism. porting US counter-terrorism diNoting that the security of the plomacy and seek to strengthen US depends on the strength of its homeland security, countering partners and allies abroad, the fact violent extremism and build the sheet said with capable partners capacity of partner nations to deal who are able to manage the effectively with terrorism, Ben- threats within their borders and jamin said. regions, the likelihood of US The new bureau, he said, will forces being called into action is lead the Department in US government efforts to reduce radicalization With capable partners who and mobilization are able to manage the abroad. It will work with the threats within their borders and recently-established Center for Strategic regions, the likelihood of US Counter-terrorism Communications to de-le- forces being called into action gitimate the violent ex- is greatly reduced tremist narrative and develop positive alternatives for populations that are greatly reduced. vulnerable to recruitment. The Bureau of Counter-terrorThe bureau will also work to part- ism will work with other bureaus ner with governments and civil so- and agency partners in supportciety in building capacity to counter ing US government work to build violent extremism, Benjamin said. international partner counter-terDesignations of Foreign Ter- rorism capacity in the civilian secrorist Organizations is one of the tor and will contribute to efforts core activities of the office and of in the military and defense secthe new bureau, and it will con- tors, it said. -PTI

Top Stories

10 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Myanmar's clemency falls short of expectations YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar began releasing some prisoners last week but activists and relatives said a government clemency fell short of national reconciliation promises and showed that political prisoners may remain behind bars for a long time. President Thein Sein signed a clemency order marking this week's 64th anniversary of independence. He said the sentence reductions were "for the sake of state peace and stability" and on "humanitarian grounds." Under the order, death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment, and prisoners serving more than 30 years will have their sentences cut to 30 years. Those serving 20 to 30 years will have their terms reduced to 20 years, while those with less than 20 years will have their sentences cut by one-fourth. Most political prisoners, both from the pro-democracy movement and from out-of-favor government factions, are serving long terms and will remain in prison. The United States said it understood that only about 10 prisoners had been released because of the clemency order. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the U.S. remained concerned about the more than 1,000 political prisoners still held. She said that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had made clear to Myanmar's government during a landmark visit to the country in December that it would be difficult for the U.S. to make significant steps toward normalization of relations without prisoner releases. Nuland told reporters in Washington the clemency order was

reforms since taking office last March, following decades of repression under previous military regimes. His government is still dominated by a military proxy party, but changes have been made in areas such as media, the Internet and political participation. "I am very disappointed and feel hopeless because the clemency order makes no difference to political prisoners. Only common criminals will be freed," student activist Phyo Min Thein said. He said the decision will cause a loss of confidence in the 10month-old nominally civilian government.

of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. "Such a move can cause political instability and the tempo of political demands will increase," he said. The prisoners reportedly freed, including 11 political detainees, had little time remaining on their sentences. Well-known comedian and social critic Zarganar Thura said the government failed to deliver on its promise. "I once likened the situation of my friends in jail as being in the hands of Somali pirates. I now withdraw this comment. The So-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It is very disappointing and devastating. It is clear that political prisoners will not be freed for a long time,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Win Tin, 82, a prominent journalist and member of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party

Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi addresses during a ceremony to mark the 64th Independence Day at the house of a politician in Yangon, Myanmar,on January 4

"not a step of the magnitude that we would be interested in matching." Last week, Myanmar state-run media reported that the govern-

ment-appointed National Human Rights Commission had appealed to Thein Sein to issue a general amnesty for prisoners. Thein Sein has pushed forward

Phyo Min Thein was released from prison in 2005 after serving 15 years. His brother-in-law, activist Htay Kywe, had his 65-year sentence reduced to 30 years with this order, but still has 26 years to serve. "What families of political prisoners want is absolute freedom," said Kyi Kyi Nyunt, the sister of prominent student activist and political prisoner Min Ko Naing, whose 65-year term was also reduced to 30 years. "It is very disappointing and devastating. It is clear that political prisoners will not be freed for a long time," said Win Tin, 82, a prominent journalist and member

mali pirates keep their promise," he said on his Facebook page. Zarganar was released from three years in prison in an amnesty last October that freed 6,359 prisoners, including about 200 political detainees. Suu Kyi said in November that there were still about 600 political prisoners, but some human rights groups put the number at about 1,500. The release of political prisoners has been seen as a crucial step in the country's reforms, and a failure to free a substantial number is also likely to be considered inadequate by the European Union and other nations.-AP

Authoritarianism is over: Myanmar media YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar's state media, known for its dogged support of the country's former military junta, celebrated 2011 as the year the previous "authoritarian" regime ended. Government mouthpiece the New Light of Myanmar said that last year, when a new nominallycivilian government took power and implemented a series of reform gestures, was a "transition period from the old era to the new one". "Most international observers were taken aback by the fact that Myanmar, which had been ruled by an authoritarian Tatmadaw government... has started practicing democracy," said an editorial ahead of Independence Day on January 4. Tatmadaw is the term

for the military. The report said the junta had built the "foundations" for the recent changes and said its "goodwill" should be recognized, along with the "drive to change the country to a certain degree in a peaceful and stable way". Myanmar, a military dictatorship marked by the brutal suppression of dissent and international isolation, saw a transition to a nominally-civilian - although armybacked - government in March. The new regime has surprised observers and raised hopes of further changes by undertaking a series of reformist moves, including holding dialogue with democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi and reaching out to the West.-AFP

A Myanmar man waits for customers at his stall in Yangon on January 3

Top Stories

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

'No fight' with Ministry over age issue: Army Chief NEW DELHI: Dismissing re- yet." ports of rift with the Defense MinIn recent past, media reports istry on the age row, Army Chief have suggested that the army General V K Singh has said he has chief was contemplating to move not thought of approaching the courts to get redressal on the age courts yet on the issue. issue. He said the issue over his date On whether he was raising the of birth has not affected the func- issue of date of birth for his honor tioning or decision-making in the and integrity, Gen Singh said, "InService as it was only "concern- tegrity is an issue which I have ing him and not the rest of the army". The Defense Minis- â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;There are perceptional try had rejected his statutory complaint to differences and that is a change his date of birth from May 10, 1950 to totally personal issue.... May 10, 1951-- a step which would have There is no rift between given him an extra ten me and the Ministry. We months in office. "There is no controversy or fight between are as cordial as we have me and the Defense Ministry. There are ever been. I have not perceptional differpersonally seen any riftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ences and that is a totally personal issue.... There is no rift between me and the Ministry. We are as flagged and it is totally a personal cordial as we have ever been. I issue and that is where it ends.". have not personally seen any rift," Commenting on the age issue, he said. Law Minister Salman Khurshid Gen Singh told this to journal- said the government "has gone ists when asked if there was any by rules" in deciding the date of rift or differences between the birth of Gen V K Singh. army and the Defense Ministry "As far as legality and rules are over his age issue. concerned, sometimes you feel Asked if he would take legal helpless. You have given to yourrecourse and approach the courts, selves a legal framework and you the Army Chief said, "The can't escape from it," he said. thought has not occurred to me The Minister said rules and le-

gal framework affect everybody in the same manner. The army chief has two sets of date of births in official records. The Military Secretary branch records it to be May 10, 1950 whereas the Adjutant General's branch has May 10, 1951. The Defense Ministry has rejected his claim to accept May 10,

Army Chief General V K Singh

1951 on the basis of submission by Attorney General, who has thrice opined against him on the issue. The controversy around his date of birth came up after the army on basis of an RTI reply changed the date of birth of Gen Singh to May 10, 1951. Later on, the Ministry in an order on July 21 declared it to be "null and void and non est" and "unauthorized and illegal". -PTI

Pak to link future ties with US to nuke tech transfer ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ex- the non-transgression of pected to link its future relation- Pakistan's frontiers in future. ship with the US to the transfer of The draft recommendations civil nuclear technology by also sought a complete ban on America to help it overcome a crip- transporting supplies for NATO pling energy shortfall. forces in Afghanistan via Pakistan The Parliamentary Committee and said that the bilateral relationon National Security, which has ship should be organized at an been tasked by the Prime Minis- equal level. ter to recommend new "terms of Rabbani told the media earlier engagement" with the US, has that the committee had finalized "declared that the basis of the new its draft recommendations relationship should be conditional through consensus. on the agreement to transfer civil nuclear technology to PakiPakistan has been pressing stan," The News daily quoted its sources as the US to give it access to saying. Pakistan has been civilian nuclear technology pressing the US to give it access to civilian ever since Washington connuclear technology cluded a landmark civil ever since Washington concluded a landmark nuclear deal with India civil nuclear deal with India. The committee's Chairman, The committee will complete Raza Rabbani, said the panel was the task of finalizing its recomclose to finalizing its recommen- mendations after a few more meetdations for resetting the troubled ings, he said. Pakistan-US relationship. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Though Rabbani did not give Gilani asked the Parliamentary details of the recommendations, The committee to draft recommendaNews reported that the committee tions for new terms of engagehad declared that Pakistani prod- ment with the US after a crossucts should be given greater access border NATO air strike killed 24 to US and European markets. Pakistani soldiers in November. The committee also sought a Following the attack, Pakistan complete halt to US drone attacks, closed all NATO supply routes steps to ensure respect for and forced the US to vacate Pakistan's sovereignty and terri- Shamsi airbase, which was used torial integrity and a guarantee of by CIA-operated drones. -PTI

RALLIES IN MEMORY OF ANUJ BIDVES A member of British Police arrives to meet Anuj Bidves family at his residence in Pune

Members of the community hold candles during a vigil at the scene of the murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve in Salford, north-west England on January 2. Twenty year old Kiaran Stapleton appeared at MagistrateĂs Court in Manchester having been charged with the murder in Salford on December 26

Peace march at India Gate in New Delhi

Desi News Fundraiser by Hindu Mandir of Lake County Asian Media USA

Kala Sampath unique CD launched

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

Details on page 18

12 India Post

NEW JERSEY: Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad was on New Year's Day, sworn in for a second term, to the Edison Council in New Jersey. At an official ceremony on January 1, at the Township offices in Edison Municipal Complex

Edison community, Dr. Prasad added, was changing rapidly with new dialects being heard every day; it was emerging as a big city on the crossroads of the world with its diverse communities and diverse challenges where all newly elected Council members were sworn in, Dr. Prasad was administered the oath by his nephew Prayia N. Roy, who is Assistant Chief Counsel in the Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Prasad took the oath on a copy of

Details on page 16

the Bhagvad Gita, with several members of his family including his wife, two children, parents and sisters standing by his side. Thanking his supporters who voted him back, Dr. Prasad said it was the goodwill of the people in the constituency that made him decide to run again. Edison Township, he said, faced many challenges and as-

sured he would work with the administration on all issues that concern the Edison community. Edison community, Dr. Prasad added, was changing rapidly with new dialects being heard every day; it was emerging as a big city on the crossroads of the world with its diverse communities and diverse challenges. Dr. Prasad was first elected in

2008. A physician at Rahway Medical Associates, he is the former Chairman of JFK Hospital Department of Medicine. He is also a member of the Edison Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Edison Dussehra Festival Committee. A 17-year resident of Edison's Oak Tree section, Dr. Prasad is married with a son and a daughter.

Hundreds gather at Waterford to ring in New Year ASIAN MEDIA USA

J OJHA

CHICAGO: Members of Bharatiya Seniors Citizens of Chicago hosted a Christmas and New Year party in Addison, a northside Chicago suburb. The event had a good response with more then 300 members and guests attending the get together. Mafatbhai Patel, often described as the uncrowned king of India Mini Town on Devon Avenue, was the Chief Guest. The event began with the cofounder of BSC Batukbhai Shukla welcoming Mafatbhai.

January 13, 2012

India Post News Service

Seniors celebrate ChristmasNew Year

www.indiapost.com

Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad sworn in to Edison Council

India Post News Service

Details on page 15

New Year & Balaji 10 year celebration at Riverside

CHICAGO: Over seven hundred Indian Americans flocked to Waterford Banquet hall in Elmhurst, a southwest suburb of Chicago, at the behest of Pritesh Gandhi to ring in the New Year on December 31. The spectacular New Year Eve event attracted fun-loving celebrants, both young and old, from the Chicago land area. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 13

Enthusiasts take a hand at roulette

Pritesh Gandhi (left) with dancers and Presley impersonate. (Pics: Asian Media USA)

Community Across America

January 13, 2012

India Post 13

www.indiapost.com

IACS Christmas party has revelers in high spirits India Post News Service

NEW JERSEY: The Indian American community in New Jersey did not lag in celebrating Christmas during the Holiday season. The community organized

Santa Claus that had the children excited. The 'professional' Santa Claus entertained the children for two hours, showering them with gifts and posing for pictures. The crowd was also enter-

The 'professional' Santa Claus entertained the children for two hours, showering them with gifts and posing for pictures Christmas parties all over the TriState but the one organized by the Indo American Cultural Society perhaps went a long way down the revelers' memory lane.

tained to some Bollywood music and dances performed by Satrangi School of Fusion. As the party peaked the elders also joined on the dance floor to some hip swing-

Santa Claus with children at IACS Christmas Party at Albert Palace

Hundreds gather at Waterford to ring in New Year

Dance performance at Xmas party.

The IACS led by Pradip (Peter) Kothari held its annual 21st Christmas celebration at the Royal Albert's Palace in Fords, NJ. The party had everything one could ask for - dance, food, music, not to forget the drinks that kept the spirits high-literally, and

ing. Kothari took the opportunity to honor the main sponsors of the party. There was political representation too with some of Republican Party members, mayors from different townships and elected officials including Assemblyman

Upendra Chivkula and Edison Councilman Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad, besides Mayor of Franklin TWP Brian Levine and his wife Laura joining the party. DJ Magic Mike spell entertained all and raffle prizes had the winners dancing with joy.

Girns honored with Model Family Award RAJINDER SINGH MAGO

CHICAGO: The Girn family of Wheeling Illinois, Balwinder Singh and Harminderpal Kaur Girn and their sons Amrit Singh and Gurpreet Singh were recently honored by Asian Chronicle USA TV Channel Program with an Asian American Humanitarian and Model Family Award. Balwinder Singh Girn is the 2011 President of the Punjabi Cultural Society (PCS) of Chicago. He is also a Senior Project Manager at Northern Trust Bank in Chicago. At Northern Trust Bank, Girn played a critical role in reestablishing Asian Leadership Business Resource Council (ALBRC), provides mentoring opportunities to ALBRC members and is member of the planning committee for Asian Heritage Month celebrations. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

The Girn family of Wheeling Illinois at the Asian American Model Family award ceremonies hosted by Asian Chronicle USA TV Channel Program at Sheraton Four Points Hotel, in Schiller Park.

New Year Eve revelers ring in New Year Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 12

The Las Vegas theme which generated a lot of ecstasy in the audience had all the gambling machines rented by Jokers Wild Entertainment Casino Rentals Blackjack, Craps, Texas hold'em, Roulette, Poker Tables and Slot machine. A person dressed up like Elvis Presley and two beautiful and pretty Go-Go dancers made guests believe that they are in Las Vegas. There was open bar from the beginning to end of the party serving premium liquors and cocktails. There cannot be a good India type festivity without excellent food. For that over 300 feet buffet was provided by India House. This included 10 appetizers and more than 60 different mouth watering international items followed by a variety of deserts including attractively arranged fruits. The international varieties tables included Punjabi, Chinese, Rajwadi Gujarati, Khaman Dhokla, RoyalDarbar and Fusion India dishes along with fountain of Mango and Chikoo Lassi. Midnight champagne toast attracted guests from all over Chicago to

enjoy this one of a kind show and to ring in 2012. Pritesh Gandhi, the main organizer, had worked hard with his colleagues and Banquet staff to ensure that the party meets grand success. DJ Nilesh Desai Jockey

There cannot be a good India type festivity without excellent food. For that over 300 feet buffet was provided by India House

and Company provided virtually non-stop exhilarating dance music. The dance floor was filled with enthusiasts and jubilations and the joy was felt by everyone present. The party ended at about 2am on January 1st, 2012.

Community Across America

14 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Fundraiser by Hindu Mandir of Lake County Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Hindu Mandir of Lake County (HMLC) in Grayslake, a far north suburb of Chicago, recently held its first fund raising dinner at Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, in Lincolnshire with close to 500 members and guests attending and extending their support to the grand activities that the temple has been undertaking in the past few years. The program had all the ingredients for a great religious, spiritual and entertaining evening with a variety of cultural episodes and Bollywood music while maintaining its purpose of raising funds for the temple. Theme of this event was called "Bhoori Virala Danam" meaning "please donate generously. Currently the Mandir's property is owned by the bank with an outstanding mortgage of $2.5 million. After the inauguration of the temple in June 2007, this was the first organized fundraiser to pay debt and meet other needs of day-to-day activities. The gala event was sponsored by the fundraising committee of the India Cultural Association. Besides Anil Agrawal, others who helped make the event a great success included Dr. Harsh Kumar (President), Yoginder Kumar (Vice president), Kumar Natesaiyer (Secretary), Yougesh Datta (Treasurer), Dr. Nilesh Mehta. Radio personality Manjit Gill did outstanding job as Master of Ceremony. Since inception, The Hindu Mandir of Lake County in Grayslake has grown by leaps and bounds covering a wide array of activities for the youth as well as adults. Dr Harsh Kumar said, "I would like the Mandir to provide and become a nucleus for our second generation children" The over three hours program started

Hindu Mandir in Grayslake

with the youth of the temple singing a prayer and a devotional song starting with "Hum ko maan ki shakti dena". This was followed

cated to Lord Ganesha. There was then chanting of 'Hanuman Chalisa' and recitals from Ramayana. The role of Shri Hanuman

HMLC plans for a second full time priest, continue Gita class and courses in "Sunday" school expansion, and increase involvement of all communities

by two dances performed by Nartan students and choreographed by Mebgaksei Patel. Next was a performance of a dance dedi-

was performed by 6 year old Dhenu Patel. The performance of a Mahobattein music dance was followed by a presentation by students of Swardaya School of Music

and Nrilyanant Academy of Performing arts. First, a solo of Lord Shiva dance by Jashua. Next item was by Sambandar Kaulwam Sam Bandar, the boy saint, who sang praises to his divine parents Shiva and Parvati. The keynote address from the President Dr. Harsh Kumar highlighted spectacular growth of the temple in a relatively short time since year 2007. He thanked devotees, all past presidents and Board of Trustees, volunteers and Mr and Mrs Aggarwal for financial and spiritual support for the event. A power point presentation was given by Kumar Natesayer, Secretary of the Mandir. He talked about Hindu religious and spiritual services in Lake County, educational classes on Hindu culture, religion, and philosophy plus location for cultural and social events for Indian community. Periodic presentations by visiting Acharyas, volunteer teachers for Sunday school, Bharatnatyam class, Navratri Garba, regional group celebrations in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujarati, music performances by visiting artists and venue for weddings. HMLC plans for a second full time priest, continue Gita class and courses in "Sunday" school expansion, and increase involvement of all communities. There has been a significant increase in the participation of children in the Sunday school with about 110 children attending on a regular basis. This Manidr is the only Hindu temple throughout the Chicagoland area representing all major Hindu deities. The temple serves approximately 1,500 families. All are welcome to the temple which provides services in the traditional Hindu style. It was built in 2007 to promote inter-religious, social and cultural understanding. Members also support humanitarian causes.

Volunteers Appreciation Day at Jalaram Mandir ARVIND THAKKAR

area of Mandir. It was a group of almost 250 volunteers and their families. At the outset, Dip Pragatya was performed by four of the randomly selected volunteers, followed by Swasti Vachan Mantra recital and blessings by Pujariji Diwanji.

Atulbhai Soni and Ritaben Patel along with their orchestra, which included Purandada (Puranbhai Vyas) on Tabla. At the intermission, Rajendra Thakkar, volunteer program coordinator detailed the services provided by volunteers and recog-

At the intermission, Rajendra Thakkar, volunteer program coordinator detailed the services provided by volunteers and recognized them for the excellent work The Mandir management team and volunteers

CHICAGO: Shree Jalaram Mandir in Hoffman Estates (a Chicago suburb) has made great progress in the four years of its existence, meeting the need of the community for a temple of Shree Jalarambapa, a great saint of Gujarat, India. All this was made possible by

the devotees, members of the Boards and most importantly by the large number of dedicated volunteers, working day and night, rain or shine for the development of Bapa's cause of human service and religion. Friday December 30, 2011 was

designated as a Volunteers Appreciation Day by the temple management. Volunteers from every area of service - kitchen, parking, education, construction, bhajans, religious events, social gatherings, medical services, blood draw programs - were invited in the lower

After welcoming the volunteers and guests, president of the temple executive committee, Chirayu Parikh mentioned the need for more youth participation and activities. Excellent kathiawadi food was served at the beginning of the program. A beautiful musical program of melodious songs was provided by the group of

nized them for the excellent work by all of them. Musical program continued past midnight with a lot of songs requested by the audience. At the tea break, the Chairman of the Trustee Board, Madhusudan Thakkar thanked all the volunteers and the music party. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

Community Across America

January 13, 2012

India Post 15

www.indiapost.com

Kala Sampath unique CD launched

AI announces First Class sale fares India Post News Service

Dr. Austin Prabhu, Founder President of Kala Sampath, USA and two past presidents - Ligoury Martis and Stan D'Souza. India Post News Service

CHICAGO: One of the oldest Konkan cultural associations of Chicagoland, Kala Sampath, USA, had organized the inauguration of unique Vozram-Motiam CD at the residence of Melville and Merlyn D'Souza recently. The event taking place on New Year eve also turned out to be an occasion for exchanging New Year greetings by all those attending the event. The Founder President of the association Dr. Austin D'Souza Prabhu in his speech presented the newest venture undertaken by Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario, who compiled 12 songs by famous poets and singers of Konkan cultural world and brought about the CD titled "VozraMotiam". A fitting title to a unique collection of songs sung by award winning singers. Dr. Prabhu stated that Mandd Sobhann has maintained its unparalleled innovation in everything it has organized so far and inauguration of this CD also amazed its fans worldwide, which broke all the records or CD release in the history of Karnataka by organizing this event in 70 places throughout the world. On its first day, thousands of CDs were sold throughout the world. He narrated his experience he had during the World Konkani Festival a year ago, attended by President of India, Prathibha Patil, where he was presented with President's Award for the Association's contributions to Konkani heritage and culture

along with 24 other association representatives worldwide. He said this cultural extravaganza was first of its kind in thousands of years of Konkan history. The Current and Past Presidents of the association, Ligoury Martis and Stany D'Souza, released the CD to the Konkan

Dr. Prabhu stated that Mandd Sobhann has maintained its unparalleled innovation in everything it has organized so far and inauguration of this CD also amazed its fans worldwide, which broke all the records or CD release in the history of Karnataka by organizing this event in 70 places throughout the world Chicagoans gathered at the program. It was hot sale of CDs of Vozra-Motiam at this program. At the spur of the moment 20 CDs were sold as hot New Year cakes. The attendees gathered had fun time in savoring typical Mangalorean refreshments and greeted each other's a Happy New Year.

Kala Sampath Unique CD event

NEW YORK: Air India is ringing in the New Year with Executive and First Class Sale Fares from its New York area gateways (JFK and Newark Liberty International airports) to Delhi, Mumbai, and eight other tourism and commercial centers in India. The special fares are good for transatlantic travel Sunday to Thursday eastbound and Monday to Friday westbound, from mid-January through mid-May 2012, and include all taxes and fees. Roundtrip Executive Class fares from JFK or Newark to Mumbai are $4,459 ($4,486 to Delhi) for tickets purchased at least 21 days before departure, and $4,929 from JFK or Newark to Mumbai ($4,956 to Delhi) with no advance ticket purchase requirement. Executive Class Sale Fares from JFK and Newark to eight other major Indian cities are also available, both with a 21-day advance purchase requirement, and with no advance purchase requirement, at higher fares. All tickets must be issued by March 31, 2012. First Class tickets are on sale for $10,013 roundtrip from JFK or Newark to Mumbai and $10,040 roundtrip to Delhi. First Class Sale Fares are also available to eight other major cities is India, at higher fares. There is a 10-day advance purchase requirement,

and all tickets must be issued by March 31, 2012. In addition to Delhi and Mumbai, the eight other destinations for which these sale fares apply are Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, and Trivandrum.

Roundtrip Executive Class fares from JFK or Newark to Mumbai are $4,459 ($4,486 to Delhi) for tickets purchased at least 21 days before departure, and $4,929 from JFK or Newark to Mumbai ($4,956 to Delhi) with no advance ticket purchase requirement The minimum stay for all Sale Fare tickets is past the first Sunday, and the maximum stay is up to three (3) months. Fuel surcharges, departure taxes, airport and other fees, including the 9/11 Security Fee are included.

Community Across America

16 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Seniors celebrate Christmas-New Year J OJHA

CAIR troubled by new detention law India Post News Service

Mafatbhai Patel greeting Bharatiya seniors at Christmas-New Year party

CHICAGO: Members of Bharatiya Seniors Citizens of Chicago hosted a Christmas and New Year party in Addison, a northside Chicago suburb. The event had a good response with more then 300 members and guests attending the get together. Mafatbhai Patel, often described as the uncrowned king of India Mini Town on Devon Avenue, was the Chief Guest. The event began with the cofounder of BSC Batukbhai Shukla welcoming Mafatbhai. This was followed by another co-founder Manshukhbhai Patel, President Haribhai Patel and Secretary Parsotam Pandya

according hearty welcome and offering their greetings to guests and members. They submitted a detailed report of the activities during the year to those

had their birthdays in November and December. They were greeted, presented birthday cards and they exchanged pleasantries with each member. Pravin Parmar (CPA) gave

Mafatbhai Patel, often described as the uncrowned king of India Mini Town on Devon Avenue, was the Chief Guest. The event began with the cofounder of BSC Batukbhai Shukla welcoming Mafatbhai present. Mafatbhai Patel thanked the organizers for inviting him and offered his good wishes on Christmas holiday. He also wished happy birthday to members who

details of the balance of account to all members. Secretary Parsotam Pandya appreciated the activities being carried out by the seniors and pitched for continued support.

WASHINGTON: A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization said that it is "deeply troubled" that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has been signed into law. The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the legislation will forever be seen as a "stain on our

the Act will be interpreted and implemented "in a manner that best preserves the flexibility on which our safety depends and upholds the values on which this country was founded." As the legislation passed through Congress, CAIR issued a number of statements and alerts urging a presidential veto if the detention provisions were not removed. In a statement reacting to the

As the legislation passed through Congress, CAIR issued a number of statements and alerts urging a presidential veto if the detention provisions were not removed nation's history" because it authorizes the military to arrest and indefinitely detain American citizens suspected of terrorism without charge or trial. In a statement, President Obama said, "I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists" and that the provisions of

signing of the legislation, CAIR said: "It is deeply troubling that the NDAA became law with the detention provisions intact. We believe it is unconstitutional for our military to become a police force that would hold American citizens indefinitely without the right to trial or even to hear the charges brought against them. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

Rejection of Bhagavad Gita ban applauded SURENDRA ULLAL

Rajan Zed

CHICAGO: NRI Press Club and a group of Indian American activists headed by Sohan Joshi in Chicagoland have welcomed the rejection by Tomsk court in Siberia (Russia) of proposed ban on ancient scripture Bhagavad Gita. Madhu Patel, founding president of the NRI Press Club, asserted that Gita is not only a sacred and most revered book for well meaning Indians but is a philosophical treatise that helps guide people at large in meeting their daily challenges of life. "It should be treated

Madhu Patel

Nand Kapur

as a friend, philosopher and guide and not be given a narrow religious

and a Trustee of FIA Chicago, said there should not be any discrimi-

Gita is not only a sacred and most revered book for well meaning Indians but is a philosophical treatise that helps guide people at large in meeting their daily challenges of life title," he said in a talk to this paper. Sohan Joshi, a tax consultant

nation between Gita and other religious or philosophical books

when any government in the world chooses to act in a particular narrow way. "I applaud the decision of the Russian court and hope that this paves the way for the political authorities to act in a more sensible way," he said The court decision was also welcomed by other activists across the country. Nand Kapur, former head of Association of Indians in America, said that the court intervention in a way was very timely and a highly welcome development." Banning Bhagavad

Sohan Joshi

Gita was apparently an attack on religious freedom and belittling of the entire community," he said Rajan Zed of Nevada (USA) and President of Universal Society of Hinduism, thanked the honorable court and welcoming its ruling pointed out that it did the right and sensible thing befitting a democratic, open-minded and pluralistic society. Zed said that Bhagavad Gita was one of the holiest scriptures of Hinduism and banning it would have hurt the devotees. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 17

Community Across America

January 13, 2012

India Post 17

www.indiapost.com

Dr Enas' book on heart disease on web India Post News Service

Guide for Asian Indians and their Doctors, he mentioned that lot must be done to

CHICAGO: A front ranking Indian cardiologist Dr Eanas A Eans has taken recourse to electronic version in redesigning and updating of his book "How to Beat the Heart Disease Epidemic among South Asians". Dr Enas, Director of the CADI Research Foundation told this paper that "rather than printing a new edition, I have decided to redesign my website and provide all the latest information in my website www.cadiresearch.org." "It is currently a test version and will serve as the electronic update of my book with extensive discussion on heart disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome in the Indian subcontinent. In addition to providing information to practicing doctors, this update is intended to provide reference materials for researchers on Indian Heart Disease." He said that heart disease is highly predictable, preventable, treatable and even reversible. In his book ,"How To Beat The Heart Disease Epidemic Among South Asians - A Prevention and Management

susceptible to coronary heart disease. According to the research foundation that he

According to Dr Enas, the BMI, LDL and HDL levels laid down by the American Heart Association is not applicable to Indians and South Asians in general. The book provides specific recommendations for the desirable levels of various risk factors for Indians that are distinctly different from those of Americans and Europeans Dr Enass A Enas

disseminate and communicate this fact to the large number of South Asians who are

heads , "Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of CAD has increased 300%, from

Volunteers Appreciation Day at Jalaram Mandir Cont’d from page 14

Regular activities at the temple include bhajans on every Thursday, first and third Sunday, Sunderkand Path eve r y S a t u r d a y, a b h i s h e k o n Mondays and on Ekadashi, group Satyanarayan Katha, Jalaram Jayanti, lectures of saints from India and celebrations of all religious events like Ram Navami, Janmashtmi, Navratri, Holi, Diwali and Ekadashis. On the humanitarian side the temple arranges annual health camp, provides free flu shots, arranges blood donation. There are plans to provide monthly clinic seva, which will include doctor's consultation, laboratory tests and providing free generic medicines on an ongoing

"Permitting indefinite detention of American citizens without trial shatters a cornerstone of our democracy - the right of the individual to due process. Every elected official who participated in the formation and passage of this law has violated their oath to support and defend the Constitution. "As the president noted in his signing statement, such unconstitutional detentions would 'do nothing to improve the security of the United States.'

Rejection of Bhagavad Gita ban applauded Cont’d from page 16

He thanked the efforts of Hindus and other friends worldwide who supported the ban rejection. "Besides being the cornerstone of Hindu faith, Bhagavad Gita is also one of the masterpieces of Sanskrit poetry and a world treasure. It has been commented upon by hundreds of authors and translated into all major languages of the world," he said.

A section of volunteers and family members at Volunteer Appreciation Day meet at Jalarambapa Mandir

basis. Educationally, the activities include yoga classes, music teach-

ing, Gujarati classes and religious classes.

CAIR troubled by new detention law Cont’d from page 16

2% to 6% in rural India and from 4 % to 12% in urban India - the latter surpassing those of the Diaspora's". According to Dr Enas, the BMI, LDL and HDL levels laid down by the American Heart Association is not applicable to Indians and South Asians in general. The book provides specific recommendations for the desirable levels of various risk factors for Indians that are distinctly different from those of Americans and Europeans. "The totality of the data indicates a genetic susceptibility to CAD among Asian Indians possibly mediated through elevated levels of lipoprotein (a) - a genetic variant of LDL cholesterol. Life-long maintenance of a waist size less than 80 cm in women and less than 90 cm in men and a non-HDL cholesterol of <130 mg/dl in both genders (less than 100 /mg/dl in patients with diabetes or CVD) offers the best insurance against not only CAD but also stroke and diabetes. One must learn to eat right, quit smoking, exercise daily for minimum of an hour and know one's numbers.

"While it is encouraging to hear that the current administration will interpret the detention provisions 'in a manner that ensures that any detention it authorizes complies with the Constitution, the laws of war, and all other applicable law,' we have no assurances that future administrations will act in a similar manner. "This ill-conceived and unAmerican legislation will forever be seen as a stain on our nation's history - one that will ultimately be viewed with embarrassment and shame." Additionally, in signing the leg-

islation, President Obama said: "I want to clarify that my administration will not authorize the indefinite military detention without trial of American citizens. Indeed, I believe that doing so would break with our most important traditions and values as a nation." CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. No faith, larger or smaller, should be maltreated. Established in 1604, Tomsk, one of the oldest towns in Siberia, is a major center for Russia's IT industry and houses Siberia's oldest university Tomsk State University.

Girns honored with Model Family Award Cont’d from page 13

He is also an active member of North AmericanAsianAmerican Professionals (NAAAP) Chicago chapter. The award ceremony took place at a dinner banquet at Sheraton Four Points Hotel, in Schiller Park, Illinois where more than 250 Asian Americans of Chicago attended the event. The Asian Model Family Award is given annually by the Asian TV channel to the families which are cohesive role models for others to emulate, extend numerous civic and community services here and/or in their native countries, and they impact the positive image of Asians in America. Balwinder Singh Girn born in Punjab immigrated to the US at the

age of 12. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (1989), Master of Science in Mathematics (1993), and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (1995) all from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Girn has extensive project and program management work experience in Manufacturing, Telecom, Consulting, I.T., and Financial Services in USA, Japan and Singapore. Balwinder Singh's wife, Harminderpal Kaur Girn is a training specialist for challenged persons, has been working for an Illinois based not-for-profit organization for the past 10 years. Their sons, Amrit Singh Girn and Gurpreet Singh Girn, are also dedicated volunteers for the community service programs.

Community/California

18 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

New Year & Balaji 10 year celebration at Riverside VICTORIA TRUVER

RIVERSIDE: Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir brought in the New Year with record-breaking attendance for the 10-year anniversary of Balaji's Pran Prathistha. From 7 am until 8 pm closing the Mandir was constantly filled with devotees. The program began at 8 am with Balaji Abhishekam performed by

announce the arrival of the Deities. Bhaktas carried the Utsav Murtis to the mandap where the wedding was held. The event concluded with aarti followed by maha Prasad. On the day before the program, organizers Sujatha Upadhyayula, Lakshman Koka and Hema Nakka were joined by a small group of vol-

Malati Raju made malas for the Deities from lotus flowers she had specially ordered flown in fresh from India. An amazing attendance of over 1,000 set a record Pandit Seshacharyulu Samudrala assisted by his father-in-law Pt. Narasimha Gudimella Chary. At 10 pm Head Priest, Dr. Shukavak Dasa officiated during the Narayan Maha Yagna followed by a second yagna for the Mandir children. Venkateshwara Kalyanam began with a small procession through the Mandir. Bachubhai Chandravadia blew a conch to

unteers to beautifully decorate the Mandir for the event. Flowers, banners and colorful lights turned the Mandir into a visual wonderland. Malati Raju made malas for the Deities from lotus flowers she had specially ordered flown in fresh from India. An amazing attendance of over 1,000 set a record for this annual event and a promise for a successful 2012.

Community/California

January 13, 2012

India Post 19

www.indiapost.com

Prakash elected Mayor Pro Tem of Cypress City India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Prakash Narain, MD, has been elected Mayor Pro Tem of Cypress City Council, California for a second term from December 2011 to November 2014.

Chief of Staff of Los Alamitos Medical Center and was the Chairman of the Governing Board of Los Alamitos Medical Center from 2008 to 2009. Narain has a history of community involvement. He served for

Mayor Pro Tem Narain holds a medical degree with specialty in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Narain has been practicing medicine at Leisure World in Seal Beach since 1987 He served as Mayor in 2009-10. Mayor Pro Tem Narain holds a medical degree with specialty in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Narain has been practicing medicine at Leisure World in Seal Beach since 1987. He is a former

eight years on the Cypress Senior Citizens Commission, three of which he served as Chairman of the Commission. He was an Advisory Board Member of Acacia Adult Day Care and was a former Volunteer Physician Advisor for

the Cypress Police Department. Narain is currently representing the City of Cypress on the following boards and committees: Traffic Signal Coordination Committee - Representative; Orange County Library Advisory Board - Representative; Orange County Sanitation District - Representative; Orange County Council of Governments (Alternate); Business Retention, Attraction, Creation, and Expansion Committee (BRACE); City/Anaheim Union High School District Joint Steering Ad Hoc Committee; League of California Cities Orange County Division (Alternate); League of California Cities Legislative Delegate Program (Alternate); League of California Cities Orange County City Selection Committee (1st Alternate). Narain, his wife Veena, and their two children Sachin and Seema, have resided in Cypress since 1987.

Edison fund to support Rivergrade tragedy victims India Post News Service

ROSEMEAD, CA: Edison International has established a fund to help the victims of the Rivergrade tragedy - Angela Alvarez, Abhay Pimpale and the immediate families of Henry Serrano and Scott Lindsay. Edison has contributed $100,000 to the

fund and will match employee contributions. There has been an outpouring of support for the victims of the tragedy from employees, members of the community and businesses. Contributions from the public will be accepted as well and will be handled through Wells Fargo Bank. Donations are not tax de-

ductible. Members of the public who wish to donate may do so by mailing a check payable to SCE's Rivergrade Victims Fund to: Wells Fargo Bank SCE's Rivergrade Victims Fund 1803 Walnut Grove Avenue Rosemead, CA 91770

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

In the service of Hindu causes

hereby solemnly resolve and declare on the eve of the New Year: • That I will try my level best to restore the dignity to Hinduism, and work for the unification and consolidation of Hindu Nation. • That I will steadfastly and sincerely dedicate my services for Hindu unity. • That I will devote my time, energy, intellectual capability and financial resources in the service of Brihad Virat Hindutva. • That I will volunteer, support and work for any organization/ association/temple that promotes Hindu cause. • That I will stand up and be counted if any injustice and humiliation is heaped on Hindus in any part of the world. • That I will campaign against the dowry system, untouchability, and will seek to eradicate them from the Hindu society.

• That I will not do anything which would create disunity, or drive a wedge among Hindu people. • That I will try to stand up and protect the honor and dignity of my Hindu fellows anywhere in the world. • That I will endeavor to learn about the real history of India. • That I will help the organizations and associations and leaders working and supporting Hindu causes. • I will support, guide, inspire and motivate my Hindu brothers and sisters to come forward and join the forces working for Hindu causes. • That I will expose and nip in bud the mean, mendacious and malicious designs of our enemies who are bent on denigrating and destroying all of us. Narain Kataria New York

Disclaimer :- India Post does not endorse opinions expressed in the letters.

Realty Tidbits Apartment for Rs 300,000 monthly rent

Real Estate

n a recent transaction, a newlybuilt apartment in Vasant Vihar, admeasuring 2,200 square feet, was leased at a monthly rent of approximately 300,000. The apartment has 4 bedrooms and a terrace garden and is newly constructed with all modern amenities. This prime South Delhi location has always been an established residential district which offers high-end developments and is preferred by expatriates and consulate members for its proximity to the office districts, international schools and established retail destinations.

Eiffel to invest Rs 300 crore in Mumbai-Nashik belt

s the second home phenomenon gains currency in the industrially-developed Mumbai-Pune-Nashik belt, realty player Eiffel Group has earmarked Rs 300 crore over the next three years to launch more projects in the region, referred to as the state's 'golden triangle'. "Eiffel Group is primarily into plot development. In realty parlance, plotted development means a developer sells large tracts of land after building basic infrastructure like sewage systems and roads. We will be investing around Rs 300 crore for acquiring land as well as building the necessary infrastructure in this area. Cont’d on page 21

Rs 1,200 crore industrial park for Delhi

he Delhi government's premier infrastructure development agency, DSIIDC, has started groundwork for setting up of a knowledge-based industrial park in South West Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore. The park, which will be developed over an area of 77 acres, is expected to provide direct employment to nearly one lakh people and indirect employment to another 2 lakh. DSIIDC chief managing director Chetan Sanghi said the park's design had been approved by the government, and the MCD was currently considering the building plans. "The design of Knowledge Park has been approved. The DDA has approved the land use change. Cont’d on page 21

India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

Sewree flat sold for Rs 5.25 cr

residential apartment in Mumbai measuring approxi mately 1,500 square feet in Sewree was sold for 5.25 crore. This was one of the new developments which is amongst the premium developments in the area and is equipped with all modern amenities such as gymnasium, swimming pool, garden among many others. The location is well connected and enjoys proximity to the office districts of Nariman Point and BKC. The social infrastructure of the area includes several education, healthcare and retail developments which have added to the attraction of the place.

West Bengal set to amend Urban Land Ceiling Act

n the New Year, Mamata Banerjee's government is finally in the process of readying its first formal sop for attracting investment in the state, seven months after she assumed charge of West Bengal. The government led by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is currently putting final touches to a proposal. This, when implemented, will place the information technology industry outside the purview of the Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCA). Incidentally, Banerjee had, earlier accorded priority sector status to the IT industry, on the back of thinking that the sunrise sector has the ability to create employment without an influx of large tracts of land. Recently, the government roped in leading infrastructure and finance player IL&FS to develop an IT hub in the state. State industry and IT minister Partha Chatterjee said IT is identified as one of our priority sectors. "We are discussing the issues for quite some time. We have almost finalized to take a decision in this

direction," he said in response to a query. The issue of land and the ULCA had popped up within the first month of Banerjee taking over the CM's office when at her investors' meets Godrej Properties chairman Adi Godrej requested her to repeal the Act. Since then, the TMC has hardened its stance of land in general (refusing to acquire anything

IT "anyway does not require" too much land. "Putting the industry out of the purview will show a positive intent. This, in my opinion, will translate into more investment," said its vice-president Kalyan Kar. According to the Act, introduced in 1976 to prevent hoarding or excessive holding of land in urban centers, ceiling limit on va-

The need for sops to the industry has become more and more obvious to the new government because there have been no major proposals for industrialization for the industry) and the ULCA in particular. Last month, in an interview to a television channel, Banerjee had also gone on record to say that she was against repealing the ULCA, for she was fearful in case someone tried to buy Kolkata. "What will happen if someone wants to buy the city?" she told the channel. Sector-V association noted that

cant land in urban area is 7.5 cottahs (one-eighth of an acre). While the Union government repealed the Act in 1999 and many states like Gujarat were quick to rescind the Act, West Bengal is yet to do the same. However, efforts were made by then CPI (M)led government in 2006-07 to repeal the Act, but it failed to convince its allies to agree to this.

Also, the state government is also understood to be exploring the possibility of modifying other land-ceiling clauses as well to address some concerns of the industry. The government has sought suggestions from pertinent ministries and industry bodies on amending Section 14Y of the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Act, 1955, which grants exemption from the land ceiling to certain categories of industry. The exemption is confined to "tea gardens, mills, factories, workshops, livestock breeding firms" with no room for modern ventures like information technology. "More sectors need to be included so that industrial parks can come up," Chatterjee said. The need for sops to the industry has become more and more obvious to the new government because there have been no major proposals for industrialization since Banerjee has taken over. Put in context, the situation seems worse, given the Rs 1.92 lakh crore debt burden on the state government.

Maha housing law could be less stringent

hile Maharashtra might be set to become the first state in the country to put in place a real estate watchdog, several of the provisions in Maharashtra Housing Act, 2011, may turn out to be less stringent than its Central counterpart. The state Cabinet recently approved the draft of the Maharashtra Housing (Regulation and Promotion of Construction, Sale, Management and Transfer) Bill, 2011, a law meant to safeguard the interest of home buyers. The move comes two months after the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation released its Model Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2011, drafted to serve as a prototype for enforcing such a law at the state level.

The basic purpose of both the state and Central Bill is to bring about more transparency and accountability in the highly unregulated realty sector by way of setting up a Real Estate Regulatory Authority and an Appellate Tribunal. However, the state Bill deviates

ers in a separate escrow account within 15 days of receiving the amount. The provision was inserted in the Central Bill to prevent the widely prevalent practice of diverting the money received from home buyers and pumping it into purchase of land instead of using it for timely execution of the

‘The regulatory authority is a quasi judicial body and is not so feeble that we need to ask developers to deposit a huge sum to ensure enforceability of its orders’ from its Central version on several counts. To start with, unlike the Central Bill, the state law does not make it mandatory for developers to deposit 70 per cent of payment received from the buy-

residential project. The Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI) had, in its letter to the Central ministry, voiced its protest against this clause saying that since land cost

forms a major portion of the project cost, using the money only for project completion is not possible. The state government's Bill only requires the developers to maintain a separate account of the money received and, if required, provide details of the transactions using that money to the regulatory authority. "The regulatory authority is a quasi judicial body and is not so feeble that we need to ask developers to deposit a huge sum to ensure enforceability of its orders," said a senior state housing department official. Once the Bill is passed by the state legislature, the three-member Regulatory Authority followed by the Appellate Tribunal will handle all property transaction disputes, which are currently handled by the consumer and civil courts.

Real Estate Post

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

DDA may lose role as housing watchdog

elhi Development Authority (DDA) could soon lose its monitoring role over all housing activities in the national capital. The finance ministry has initiated work on creating a new regulator for the capital's housing sector to replace the DDA, which currently acts as a regulator, a housing board as well as a builder. The move is likely to face resistance from the DDA which has prepared an ambitious 2021 Master Plan for Delhi that entails planned development of 202 square kilometers to make the capital a global metropolis. The urban development ministry is currently reviewing the Master Plan and considering the issue of appointing regulators for urban governance which could include one to oversee land development authorities. Top finance ministry mandarins met senior officials of the DDA, the home ministry and the ministry of housing and urban pov-

erty alleviation recently to kick-start the exercise to divest DDA of its conflicting regulatory roles. "Obviously, the authority is not going to be pro-active about this, so the government will have to drive the change," said a senior official close to the develop-

allots it for commercial and housing purposes. It is also in charge of making institutional allotments of land for hospitals, clubs, schools, colleges and religious institutes. The committee on allocation of natural resources, chaired by former finance secre-

Pushing for more transparency, the natural resources' allocation panel had asked that DDA must be asked to put up an 'Asset statement' on its website disclosing all lands and assets under its custody ment. Land acquisition and allocation by housing boards or urban development bodies generally come under state governments' purview, but the central government has administrative control over the DDA. The DDA acquires land, develops it and

tary Ashok Chawla, had urged the government to 'immediately' constitute a regulatory body for the housing sector to take over the monitoring and oversight functions from DDA to bring transparency. The committee's report, submitted to the Group of Ministers on tackling corruption

NBFCs' importance goes up in sluggish market

on-banking finance com panies (NBFCs) will give private equity (PE) firms a run for their money in the realty sector this year, as developers fight falling home sales and tight bank credit. Many PE firms did structured or mezzanine debt deals in the past two-three years. The rates were 25-26 per cent, and they'd downsell it to NBFCs at 17-18 per cent and exit. Now, NBFCs are directly doing straight debt deals with developers at 18-22 per cent, Business Standard reported, citing top property consultants. According to consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, there are at least 20 NBFCs active in real estate lending, compared to six-odd just three years before. Along with the established players such as HDFC, DHFL, LIC Housing Finance and Kotak, there are a number of new ones such as Indostar Capital Finance set up by Ashmore Group Plc, Everstone Capital, and the PE arm of Goldman Sachs; also Piramal Capital, the NBFC set-up by the Ajay Piramal Group; the NBFC floated by the Xander

group, and Edelweiss Capital. All are active in real estate lending. "Increasingly, NBFCs are realizing they can do debt deals directly and take exposure to realty

According to consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, there are at least 20 NBFCs active in real estate lending, compared to six-odd just three years before

projects than buying debt papers from PE firms. They think they can do all the due diligence themselves and take charge on the projects," says Raja Kaushal, managing director, real estate and infrastructure advisory, BNP Paribas. Pointing to the Rs 810-crore deal between PE giant Blackstone

and realty majors DLF and Hubtown for the Pune Special Economic Zone, he says while the big PE firms would chase larger deals, "NBFCs have come into play due to a quicker turnaround time, flexibility in end-use and size of funds." On the other side, consultants and fund managers expect a significant shortage of funds in the PE arena. Around $3 billion (Rs 15,900 crore at the day's exchange rate) of funds raised in 2006 and 2007 are set to exit in 2012, as their funding cycle is coming to an end. Only a handful such as Indiareit, Kotak, HDFC and Red Fort are raising new funds now, they point out. PE investments in real estate were $0.85 billion (Rs 4,505 crore at the current exchange rate) in 2011, according to JLL. It was $6.7 billion in 2007 and $3.3 bn in 2008. Against this, NBFCs have deals worth Rs 3,000 crore in the current year and this is set to rise next year, says Amit Goenka, national director, capital transactions, at UKbased global property consultant Knight Frank.

Eiffel to invest Rs 300 crore in Mumbai-Nashik belt Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 20

Besides, we may also develop certain residential facilities here, which we can promote as second homes," said Shirish Mulekar, director, Eiffel Group. "Investment in real estate is the best option today. There is an enormous appetite for plots situated within 90-100 km radius of the

Mumbai-Pune-Nashik belt, both for ownership as well as an investment," Mulekar said. He said, areas such as Pen, Neral, Khalapur and Pali, near Mumbai, are a part of the golden triangle and therefore are on the cusp of rapid development as several infrastructure projects are coming up in the vicinity. "Buyers are looking for investing in prime home projects in the

city and its vicinity, as prices are on fire in the city. But a property, with lower ticket price gives an opportunity even to a common man as well as investors," he said. Moreover, Maharashtra has laid huge emphasis on infrastructure in the golden triangle, such as Panvel-Karjat rail connectivity, Murbad highway and SewriNhava Sheva trans-harbour link.

in June 2011, had said that the presence of a regulator would help provide sufficient housing at reasonable costs with government realizing the true value of its land holdings. Pushing for more transparency, the natural resources' allocation panel had asked that DDA must be asked to put up an 'Asset statement' on its website disclosing all lands and assets under its custody. It had also mooted a centralized land data bank with complete ownership details with the use of satellite images for tracking encroachments and actual land use. Such a system, with real time updates of all property transactions, will not only improve government revenue collections but also expose the scourge of benami properties in the capital. There are several lacunae in the way the DDA currently functions, often short changing the government's coffers.

Rs 1,200 crore industrial park for Delhi Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 20

The MCD is considering the building plans. The work should start by June," Sanghi said. In developing the IT Park, the government is following the model of the Nokia SEZ in Chennai where setting up of the Nokia plant led to various vendors such as Salcomp, Aspocomp, Foxconn and Wintek establishing their manufacturing units. Asked about the plan to redevelop the industrial estates, he said the work on improving infrastructure in Narela and Bawana industrial estates had been awarded to private entities under a PPP model. The private entities would also maintain the two estates for next 15 years. "Work has started on the ground in Narela and Bawana. Patparganj and Okhla industrial estates also will be given on PPP mode in the next three months," Sanghi, who is also Secretary of Industries Department of Delhi government, said.

Delhi has 29 industrial estates whose maintenance has been handed over to DSIIDC as per provision of a new legislation - Delhi Estate Industrial Development Operation and Maintenance Act, 2010.

Improving infrastructure in Narela and Bawana industrial estates had been awarded to private entities under a PPP model The MCD and the DDA, which are running some of the industrial estates, are expected to hand over administrative control of the estates to the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (DSIIDC) in next few months.

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Ooh La La: The Dirty Picture 2 Saddaa Haq: Rockstar 3 Ishq Sufiyana: The Dirty Picture 4 Kun Faya Kun: Rockstar 5 Subha Hone Na De: Desi Boyz 22

India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

6 Jazba: Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl 7 Dil Ke Liye: Ghost 8

Hai Yeh Maya: Don 2

9 Jhoom Jhoomta Hun Main : Players 10 Dil Yeh Bekarar Kyu Hai

adhur Bhandarkar wanted Kareena Kapoor to watch Angelina Jolie's award-winning TV film, Gia (1998), to prepare for her role in his upcoming project 'Heroine'. However, the actress wasn't very keen with Bhandarkar's idea and refused to do so. Says an insider, "He wanted Kareena to watch Gia because of Angelina's performance. Although Bebo understands the character, the idea was to help her get a tighter grip on the intricacies. But she wanted to keep things natural." Confirming the news, Kareena said, "Yes, Madhur said, 'watch Gia and look at Jolie's performance.' But I told him to let me get into Heroine completely blank; I asked him to guide me. I don't want to take on performances of other actors. I want to play the role like I essay other parts - in a natural way. I don't want to prepare for it." Kareena Kapoor recently got done with the first schedule of Heroine. The second will start in February.

: Players

NO LOVE,

PLEASE

V Jackie HOUSEFUL S

ri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez was ready to pack her bags and quit Bollywood in 2011. But a slew of projects, and brighter prospects in the industry, have enticed her to stay. "(The year) 2011 came really unexpected... because I was almost ready to leave the industry and then 2011 just caught me by surprise and things just started getting better," Jacqueline said on the sidelines of a performance rehearsal. The former beauty queen made her Bollywood debut with "Aladin" in 2009, and went on to feature in "Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai" - both of which turned out to be duds. She also featured in "Murder 2", but she was most appreciated for her item song "Dhanno" in Sajid Khan's "Housefull". And now Jacqueline is looking forward to a promising new year. "I've always had a maximum of one release in a year but in 2012, I am going to have three releases." Among the films lined up for Jacqueline are "Housefull 2", "Race 3" and "Raaz 3D" in the coming year.

idhu Vinod Chopra's new project, a love triangle 'Chitthiyan' was offered to Shahid Kapoor. But, it is heard that, the actor turned down the offer after his last film 'Mausam' went blank at the box-office. "I haven't accepted any new offer except Maneesh Sharma`s. And it would be inappropriate to talk about the films I`ve said no to," said the 30-year-old actor. It seems that Shahid is not ready for another love story after what happened with 'Mausam'. Says a close friend of Shahid, "He is hearing at an average one script every day. For some strange reason, most of the films on offer, including Anand (`Tanu Weds Manu`) Rai`s `Ranjhana`, are love stories. Ideally, Shahid would want to do an action film next." "Shahid has the highest regard for Vidhu Vinod Chopra`s work and was keen to work with him. But a love story is not what he wants to do at the moment. He meant no offence to Mr. Chopra and would like to work with him in the future. At the moment the only film Shahid has said yes to is Maneesh Sharma`s next for the Yash Raj Filmsâ&#x20AC;Ś" added the friend.

January 13, 2012

Bollywood

India Post

www.indiapost.com

riyanka Chopra's role as Kaali is the soul in Agneepath. The actress plays the leading lady opposite Hrithik Roshan. "The best thing about Kaali (her character in the film) is that she is Vijay's strength. She is the soul, happiness and naughtiness in the filmâ&#x20AC;Ś So to prepare, I had to just follow Karan," Said PC at the unveiling of the second look of the film. Priyanka plays a Maharashtrian girl. However, her character in the film has no resemblance to that of Sweety in "Kaminey". "I was playing a Maharashtrian girl for the second time. When Karan Malhotra and I discussed the film, we were very clear that we have to try to keep this character as different as possible from my character of Sweety in 'Kaminey' because the personalities of both the girls are different." "Karan was very clear-minded about Kaali's character. So, it was very easy for me,"

John wedding? So what?

Thanks dad P

onam Kapoor is thankful to her father Anil Kapoor for launching her in Bollywood. She gives all credit of her success to her dad. "I am here (in Bollywood) because of my father. I am not one of those star-kids who say you don't know how hard I have worked and that it has nothing to do with my father. My work has everything to do with my father. People treat me with respect because I am Anil Kapoor's daughter," Sonam is quoted as saying by a news agency. The actress says, she will never want to disassociate herself from her father's success, Sonam said, "I am proud of him. It is unfair to my father's hard work to say it has nothing to do with me." "He has been in the industry for 30 years and he has worked for his children and if we don't bear the fruits of his hard work then who will," she asked. Sonam Kapoor was recently in news for showing her middle finger in her upcoming film Players. Talking about it, she says, "the middle-finger gesture is a part of the lingo of the youth now."

ost break up with John Abraham, Bipasha Basu has moved on. In fact, the actress is not one bit disturbed with the fact that her ex is soon going to get married. Well, just in case you are not aware of it, let us tell you that John is currently dating Priya Marwah, an investment banker, and is all set to marry her, mid 2012. On asking Bipasha Basu to comment on this, the lady says, "Nobody close to me has confirmed to any marriage plan. If there is anything such I will congratulate them." Talking about the movie Players, Bipasha says: "The directors Abbas-Mastan have shot the film in a very Indian way. As compared to the female lead in The Italian Job, my character has lot more space in Players." Players is a remake of the Hollywood flick The Italian Job. The 32-year-old actress added, "Also while the Hollywood hit captured that time, Players reflects the present age, and the change in look and feel is apparent and important".

India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

It's no dry tale: the Buddha's life stands among the great archetypal adventure stories. Brenner workshopped the play for two years before premiering it at Boston Center for the Arts in 2009

Evan Brenner in Buddha: Triumph & Tragedy In The Life Of The Great Sage -Pic: Hong Sooyeon India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES, CA: The life of the Buddha in his own words - the evolution of his thought, his triumphs, and the rarely portrayed tragedy at the end of his life. John C. Reilly directs the West Coast premiere of Evan Brenner's moving and enlightening one-man play, Buddha: Triumph & Tragedy In The Life Of The Great Sage. The limited four-week engagement runs February 3 - 25 at the Bootleg Theater. The man we know as the Buddha lived in

Northern India around 500BC and introduced the teaching known as Buddhism. After his death, an extensive oral history of the movement was written down and carried throughout Asia, becoming the taproot for all Buddhist traditions. Framed in a most unusual and personal context, writer/performer Evan Brenner brings selections from these texts to the stage, unchanged, to enact the extraordinary life of the man from start to finish. It's an epic story of personal struggle, supreme enlightenment and horrific tragedy.

"I found myself discouraged by the confusing and contradictory array of Buddhist teachings, so I set out to discover what I perceived to be the source of the Buddha's teaching," explains Brenner. "I became deeply engaged in the sutras which are really quite dramatic and work really well just as a story. And so I had a eureka moment: what if I did the Buddha as a one-man play - in his own words, taken directly from the sutras?" It's no dry tale: the Buddha's life stands among the great archetypal adventure stories. Brenner workshopped the play for two

years before premiering it at Boston Center for the Arts in 2009. "Enchanting, poignant, revealing, compelling - I loved it!" raved Boston Globe critic Terry Byrne. The Boston Herald wrote, "Riveting! Brenner is a subtle and masterful storyteller." Agreed Boston Metro, "Wonderfully entertainingâ&#x20AC;Ś marvelous to experience." Following the Boston production, Brenner has toured with Buddha to performing arts venues around North America including New York, Pittsburgh and Denver. Evan Brenner majored in Drama and Religion at Vassar College then received a Masters Degree in Dramatic Writing at Loyola Marymount University. His writing and directing credits include both film (The Riddle, Two Bits, and Dr. Fisher) and television (America's Most Wanted and Little Bill.) As an actor, he appeared in the films The Deep and Dreamless Sleep, Two Boneheads, West Side Evan, Spare Me and Waking up Crazy. Evan has practiced meditation and studied Buddhism for more than twenty years and since 2003 has pursued canonical sutra studies in the Therevada tradition. He is particularly interested in the Buddha's life as an expression and example of spiritual struggle, achievement, and on-going challenge. Oscar and Tony-nominated actor John C. Reilly is best known for his roles in respected films like What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Georgia, Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, Talladega Nights, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Cedar Rapids and, most recently, Roman Polanski's Carnage. He received his BFA in Acting from DePaul University in Chicago and made his professional stage debut with Chicago's Organic Theatre, where he also wrote and directed a series of monologues called Walkin' the Boogie. He appeared with the prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Othello and again in the 1988 premiere of The Grapes of Wrath which transferred to Broadway and went on to earn a Tony Award for Best Play. In 2000, Reilly returned to Broadway in Sam Shepard's True West, in which he and co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman displayed their extraordinary range by alternating their roles as feuding brothers throughout the show's four-month run, both receiving Tony nominations. Buddha: Triumph & Tragedy In The Life Of The Great Sage runs Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:30 pm (please note early curtain time) from February 3 through February 25 (dark Feb. 24).

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Special screenings of Khushiyaan in Delhi/NYC India Post News Service

NEW YORK: After a worldwide theatrical release by Eros International, New York EmmyNominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik's new film Khushiyaan, in Punjabi language with subtitles, will have a special screening to benefit the Indian American Forum on January 8. The screening will take place at the School of Visual Arts Theater in the heart of Manhattan and the proceeds will support the Indian American Forum's efforts to have activities for senior citizens. Within the same week, Khushiyaan has been chosen to be featured in the Punjabi Academy of Delhi Film Festival, which is headed by Rawail Singh. The Academy is run by the government of Delhi, supported by Delhi's Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, and aims to promote Punjabi cinema and art in Delhi. The festival will

includes lyrics by Kumaar. There is also a Shabd sung by the late Jagjit Singh.

The film portrays the complex emotions of leaving parents in India and getting caught up in a busy American life. It is shot in both New York and India screen Khushiyaan less than one week after the New York Screening, from January 13-15. "I am extremely honored that the film will be part of both events," Malik said. "It is so wonderful to play a small part in

helping my communities in New York and Delhi." The film portrays the complex emotions of leaving parents in India and getting caught up in a busy American life. Shot in both New York and India, Khushiyaan

Don 2 rakes in $3.3m in 10 days

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Shah Rukh Khan's latest hit film 'Don 2' has broken the record for 2011's topgrossing Bollywood film in North America after a mere 11 days in theaters. Released by Reliance Big Entertainment, the Farhan Akhtar-directed action thriller has grossed a stunning $3.3 million through January 2 surpassing the $3.1 million of previous record-holder 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' starring Hrithik Roshan and Akhtar, as well as the $2.5 million of Khan's own 'R.A. One', which was released during Diwali. Don 2 has already grossed more than Salman Khan's 2011 hits 'Bodyguard' and 'Ready'

The Berlin-set Don 2 also set a new record for the all-time biggest opening week for a Hindi film in North America collecting a stellar $2.64 million beating the $2.55 million that Shah Rukh's 'My Name is Khan combined. The Berlin-set Don 2 also set a new record for the all-time biggest opening week for a Hindi film in North America collecting a stellar $2.64 million beating the $2.55 million that Shah Rukh's 'My Name is

Khan' earned in its first seven days in February 2010. Co-starring Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani, Don 2 continues to play to large crowds in over 160 theaters across the US and Canada.

combines family drama, comedy, and music into a thought-provoking story. Khushiyaan is produced by Darshan Garg, D.P. Goyal, and Pardeep Bansal. The music is composed by Jaidev Kumar and

The film stars well-known names of Punjabi Cinema: Kulbushan Kharbanda, Rama Vij, Tisca Chopra (Tare Zamin Par), Deep Dhillon, Shrey Bawa, Vivek Shauq, Gurpreet Guggi, and famed singer Jasbir Jassi.

Good Kat t is heard that Katrina Kaif is creating a website for women in distress and who are looking for help and solution. A source close to the actress says, “For a very long time Kat has been quietly helping her mother with all the philanthropic work that she does in Pondicherry, for deprived children. Katrina feels an online helpline for women through a website would be a

Katrina feels an online helpline for women through a website would be a good idea

good idea. Earlier she was in the midst of designing her own website. But at this point of time she feels a website devoted to women who are too embarrassed to discuss their distress on the phone and television, would be far more insync with what she feels is the correct way to use her strength on the internet.”

Katrina says, “I am told I am ahead of people who have achieved a lot more than me. I really don’t take that seriously. Just being an Internet-favourite is not of much use unless you do something substantial with what you have. I am looking at other ways to carry forward the clout that my name might generate on the web. But it’s too early to share my plans.”

January 13, 2012

India Post www.indiapost.com

Zee cine awards 2012 in Macao SUDHIR VYAS

NEW YORK: With a legacy that spans thirteen glorious years of Indian cinema, Zee TV, a South Asian Network in the Americas

and worldwide, will bring Zee Cine Awards 2012 to the Venetian Macao, one of Asia's prime destinations for leisure and entertainment on January 21, 2012. The list of nominations across

popular categories declared by Zee Cine Awards 2012 features stars who have truly made a mark in the year 2011 with their outstanding contributions to cinema. With millions of votes pouring in every year from across the globe, Zee Cine Awards has emerged as

will be Hrithik Roshan for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Ajay Devgn for Singham, Shah Rukh Khan for Don 2 and Ra.One, Salman Khan for Bodyguard and Ranbir Kapoor for Rockstar. Amongst the leading ladies, the battle is on between Vidya Balan for The Dirty Picture,

With tributes being paid to the stalwarts of the industry by young guns like Shahid Kapoor, the Zee Cine Awards 2012 promises to be an evening of glitz, glamour and fun filled surprises! the most definitive measure of viewers' choice in movie awards. The movies nominated in the Best Film category include Don 2, Bodyguard, Rockstar, Singham, The Dirty Picture and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The actors vying for the Best actor award this year

Priyanka Chopra for Saat Khoon Maaf, Kareena Kapoor for Bodyguard, Kangna Ranaut for Tanu Weds Manu and Katrina Kaif for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The star-studded awards ceremony will be hosted by the dynamic duo of Bollywood's

Badshaah Shah Rukh Khan and the Queen of Fashion Priyanka Chopra. The much awaited event will be telecast on Zee TV! With tributes being paid to the stalwarts of the industry by young guns like Shahid Kapoor, the Zee Cine Awards 2012 promises to be an evening of glitz, glamour and fun filled surprises! Zee TV, an Indian channel, has been a dominant player in broadcasting content for more than 17 years in the national and international space. In July 1998, Zee TV expanded its presence in the international space by establishing itself as a mainstay in American households, reaching more than 2 million viewers. Zee reaches over 500 million viewers in about 168 countries. The network caters to a wide audience with a growing number of channels, including Zee Cinema, Zing, Zee Business, Ten Cricket, Zee Marathi, Zee Kannada and Alpha ETC Punjabi.

LIFE TEACHER: Anupam Kher (L), Amitabh Bachchan (C) and Kirron Kher pose during the unveiling of Kher's life-coaching book "The Best Thing About You is You !!" in Mumbai on January 3

27 India

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

ulmarg means "the meadow of flowers" and the place is indeed a picturesque location. Known for its unparalleled beauty, Gulmarg's virgin forests are a welcoming sight for tourists. The lush green slopes, their silence broken by the occasional tinkling of cowbells, have been the locale for several films. The rich verdure with the snow-capped tips provides an ideal ambience for the skiing and winter sports. Located in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg is in the Baramulla district, 57 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar. It is perched at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and is not very far from the Indo-Pakistan border. It has a gently sloping topography generally identified with European skiing of the 1940s and 1950s. Adventure Sports: For the adventure seekers Gulmarg is the ultimate destination for skiing. You may easily hire the skis and sticks, snow boots, woolen socks, mufflers, windproof jackets, goggles, and caps. With all the equipment and the Ski instructors at hand it is the best bet to enjoy the holidays at Gulmarg. The skiing season at Gulmarg is from November to February. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 29

Gulmarg means "the meadow of flowers" and the place is indeed a picturesque location. Known for its unparalleled beauty, Gulmarg's virgin forests are a welcoming sight for tourists. The lush green slopes, their silence broken by the occasional tinkling of cowbells, have been the locale for several films

Travel & Hospitality Post

28 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

LA Times Travel Show brings new exhibitors India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Times Travel Show, named one of BizBash's "Top 10 Southern California Trade Shows and Conventions," returns to the L.A. Convention Center January 28-29 hosting exhibitors from destinations around the globe on the largest show floor in the West. In its 14th year, the 2012 Travel Show will deliver all-new themed areas focused on family and active vacations, cruises, and luxury and leisure travel. A culinary stage will serve up regional and exotic flavors with cooking and cocktail demonstrations, while experiential activities and cultural performances will complete the international atmosphere. The popular Los Angeles Times Pavilion, a must-see for show attendees, will showcase The Times' renowned editorial experts and offer a wealth of practical information. The Pavilion's intimate, interactive presentations and Q&As will highlight Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award-

winning reporters and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers including: • Christopher Reynolds: revealing guide to local travel, "Southern California Close-Ups" • Mark Boster: stunning visual portrait of "Four Seasons in Yosemite"

Times Travel editor Catharine Hamm and a full roster of guests will also be speaking throughout the weekend. Don Wildman ("Off Limits"), Josh Gates, ("Destination Truth"), Sarah Schlichter (IndependentTraveler.com), Alice Short

Tour operators and travel professionals representing locations near and far, various modes of transportation and recreation and related products and services will be on hand all weekend • Chris Erskine: in-depth, behind-thescenes reports on LAX and John Wayne Airport • Jen Leo: web buzz and digital apps for tech-savvy travel • Kathy Pyon: expert tips for taking vacation photos like a pro

(Times Features editor) and Booth Moore (Times fashion critic) are scheduled to join headliners Rick Steves ("Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door"), Lisa Ling ("Our America"), Arthur Frommer (Frommer's travel guides), and Adam Richman ("Man v. Food Nation," "America

the Edible") for talks and panel discussions on topics ranging from budget travel to the best shopping destinations. Considered an essential for anyone planning trips in the New Year, the show is designed to prepare adventurers to hit the road and maximize the experience of traveling. American Express Travel Services will be on site ready to create itineraries and book travel, while the U.S. Department of State will be providing passport services. Tour operators and travel professionals representing locations near and far, various modes of transportation and recreation and related products and services will be on hand all weekend, offering information, special pricing and giveaways. Los Angeles Times Travel Show's sponsors include Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Visit Mexico, Best Western and Korea Tourism Organization. Media partners include KTLA, PBS SoCal, Travel World News, OnTravel, KFWB, Hoy and LA Inc. - the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Indian tourists grew by 39% in Nepal Centre sanctions tourism KATHMANDU: The number of Indian tourists coming to Nepal by air has increased by 39 per cent to 145,338 during last year. The number of foreign tourist arrival by air to Nepal has also witnessed an increase of 21.4 per cent over the 2010 figure of 448,769 visitors, official sources have said. However, Nepal's Tourism Board (NTB) has admitted that it has failed to meet the set target of attracting 1,000,000 tourists during the Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign as the year witnessed only 544,985 foreign visitors by air including 145,338 Indians. The arrival of less than expected tourists can be attributed to a number of factors such as shortage of aircrafts of the Nepal Airlines, the national flag carrier, and economic slowdown in Europe, said Sarad Pradhan, media advisor of Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). However, if we add the arrivals by land route, we can arrive at a total of 750,000 tourists from January to December 2011, he said. Even after adding the land figure the number of tourist arrival

could not suffice the targeted one million figure. The Indian tourists arrival witnessed a significant growth of 39 per cent this year as compared to the last year's arrival figure of 104,470 by air. The number of Chi-

Political instability, the frequently observed shut downs and strikes have also contributed to the slowdown in tourism sector nese visitors also witnessed 77.6 per cent growth registering 45,400 arrivals this year, according to the NTB. Besides lack of effective promotional campaign by Nepal's tourism authority abroad political in-

stability, the frequently observed shut downs and strikes have also contributed to the slowdown in tourism sector, they pointed out. According to a survey there were more than 50 days of general strikes and shut downs in the year 2011 despite the pledge made by leaders of some 20 political parties last year not to launch any strike or agitation affecting tourism sector during the NTY 2011. Last year two of the eight casinos of Kathmandu were closed down due to labor problems and failure to pay government royalties on time. Casino Nepal, the oldest casino of Nepal, was shut down six months ago after failing to pay government revenue and Casino Shangrila was shut down last week due to row between two leftist trade unions. The casinos of Nepal mainly target Indian tourists. The Maoist affiliated trade union had shut down half a dozen hotels in Kathmandu last year to exert pressure on the management to fulfill their "unrealistic" demands. -PTI

projects for Ladakh

JAMMU: The Centre has sanctioned Rs 17 crore for three tourism development projects in LehLadakh belt of Jammu and Kashmir, state Tourism minister said here. "The Centre has sanctioned three development projects costing Rs 17 crore for upgradation and development of tourist-related infrastructure in Leh-Ladakh belt," Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora said.

The state has received the first installment of Rs 3.39 crore under the first phase of the project which includes development of a circuit connecting Pongang, Tsomuriri and Tsokar lakes, he said. Giving details of the sanctioned projects, Jora said Rs 4.59 crore would be expended on creation of a tourist facility in Leh district and Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for development of infrastructure. -PTI

J&K saw increase in tourist inflow JAMMU: Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards prosperity, a J-K minister has said a record number of tourists had visited the state last year. "The J-K government has been moving the state towards prosperity and the year 2011 remained peaceful and satisfactory...a record number of tourists visited the state," Minister for Health Services and Horticulture Sham Lal

Sharma said while undertaking an extensive tour of villages in Akhnoor border tehsil. While more than one crore pilgrims visited the Vaishnodevi shrine in 2011, over 6.35 lakh devout visited Amarnath Shrine, he said. The Kashmir Valley had over 6.50 lakh visitors, 70,000 tourists explored Ladakh and over 20 lakh pilgrims visited other shrines of the state, he added. -PTI

Maldives tourism industry denies spas are brothels COLOMBO: Tourism officials in the Maldives have denied that health spas at luxury holiday resorts operate as brothels and sought legal redress to squash the government orders to shut the facilities. The tourism ministry has recently instructed resort hotels across the nation's coral islands to close all spas and health centers offering beauty treatments and

massages. The crackdown followed protests by an Islamist party that claimed they were a front for prostitution. "Sex tourism definitely does not happen in the resorts," Sim Ibrahim, the head of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), told AFP by telephone from the capital Male. "The ban is very disruptive, not

helpful for tourism and bad for our country's image. We have asked for legal clarity to protect an industry that has been in operation for 40 years." Tourism is a key foreign exchange earner in the Maldives, a popular destination for well-heeled honeymooners where rooms can cost up to USD 12,000 a day. The tourism industry has filed two cases in the local civil courts,

asking the judiciary to revoke the ban, MATI's lawyer Azima Shukoor said. "The circular violates the lease agreement signed between the government and resort owners and the constitution rights to protect investors," she said, adding that the association had also applied for a temporary injunction. At least 100 spas and health centers were shut immediately af-

ter the government announcement, but Ibrahim said tourism was crucial for the national economy and that he hoped the ban would be overturned within days. Home to some 330,000 Sunni Muslims, the Maldives has a reputation as a paradise holiday destination but this has come under pressure from a minority of religious fundamentalists who are growing in influence. -AFP

January 13, 2012

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post 29

www.indiapost.com

Asia's Switzerland overflows with tourists GULMARG: Fireworks lit the night sky as hordes of tourists flocked to this world famous ski resort braving sub-zero temperatures to usher in the New Year. As tourists danced with gay abandon to famous Bollywood numbers and exchanged hugs at the stroke of midnight, the unprecedented rush of visitors at this time of the year brought smiles to the faces of tourism authorities and hotel operators alike. The tourist resort at an altitude of 8,000 feet, also known as the Switzerland of Asia, had packed bookings with tourists pouring in from across the country and foreign destinations as well. "I have never seen such a huge rush in Gulmarg and I wish that this flow of tourists does not end ever. Such developments augur well for the economy of families who are engaged in providing sledges, skiing and sale of handicrafts," says Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam. Chief Executive of Gulmarg Development Authority Mehmood Ahmed Shah said that all hotels were 100 per cent packed and re-

Tourists from various states including West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Delhi had a memorable experience when the first ever display of fireworks organized by the state government kept them spellbound. "I had heard a lot about this place but I guess seeing is believing," says Rahul, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, while looking at the snow-capped Peer Panjal range.

For Masroor Hussain, General Manager of Royal Park hotel, it was a new experience all together. "I have never seen such a quests were still pouring in from various sections to accommodate more and more people. "My phone has not stopped ringing as

Gulmarg: Ideal for skiing and winter sports Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d from page 27

The slopes in Gulmarg varying between 8,700 and 10,500 feet make the ski runs the highest in India. It is noteworthy that Gulmarg is the only heli-skiing resort in Asia. Even the amateurs can enjoy with the ski lifts and the chair lifts. Gulmarg also boasts of a gorgeous green golf course that happens to be the world's highest too. You may even hire the golf sets from Gulmarg. The Golf Club offers short-term memberships to the players. Gulmarg also offers some excellent op-

crowd in last five years

Tourists celebrate New Year during sub-zero temperatures in Gulmarg.

view of the great Himalayan range. From here, across the Apharwat - the peak that looks up from this point - is Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake that remains frozen until late June. It is located at a distance of about 13 km from Gulmarg. For horse riding freaks, Alpather Lake makes an exciting day's excursion, and one has to start early morning and return by late evening. Slightly lower than Gulmarg is the shrine of Baba Reshi (a Muslim mystic saint), which is visited by people of all faiths. Best time to visit: Throughout the year (November-February for skiing). The hill

it seems everyone wants to spend his new year in this exotic tourist spot," Shah said. The state tourism department had organized a cultural evening with a small cracker show. Private hotels in the area drew large number of tourists and one could hear people singing and in a boisterous mood to welcome 2012. For Masroor Hussain, General Manager of Royal Park hotel, it was a new experience all together. "I have never seen such a crowd in last five years of my service. We organized the musical evening but seems we underestimated the crowd," he said.

resort of Gulmarg is a gorgeous place to be at throughout the year. There are winter months from November to February that are ideal for skiing. The adventurers are known to throng the hill resort as soon as the snow falls. As it is, the summer months from May to September offer pleasant weather to the tourists. The sun scorched souls from the plains flock to the hill resort as a summer retreat. How to reach Air - The nearest airport is in Srinagar. This airport is connected with major cities of the country. The nearest railhead is at Jammu.

Chief General Manager Hill Top hotels Vinod Bhat said tourists were looking for a fun-filled holiday to begin their new year. "It's wonderful finally to see tourist pouring in to this destination," he said. The temperature as recorded by the Met Office at the New Year midnight was minus three but camp fires brought some warmth. "I only hope that this trend continues and Kashmir's tourism industry takes a big leap forward," said Nasir Aslam. -PTI

Air Tours Inc. wishes you a very

Gulmarg also boasts of a gorgeous green golf course that happens to be the world's highest too. You may even hire the golf sets portunities for long walks. In case you take up the outer circle walk you can enjoy the pine forests and wonderful vistas. The beauty of the Kashmir valley will not fail to mesmerize you. Then there are the Nanga Parbat and the Haramukh that you may explore. Past: The British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Tourist attractions: From Gulmarg, a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Seven Springs. It takes a couple of hours by pony, and slightly longer on foot. Khilanmarg offers an unparalleled

of my service

and a very HAPPY TRAVELING ThisNe options, Socalustd r asonbleirf earl

w Y ear-201,

Air

tomak

T oursInc

eamorbly yandbok

ouane

wgam

ourexticvans, esofan

ybir

. bringsy

utofra

v el

ear201.

ymajorilne

cruiseholda ytra

ys, most v elsr

vices&getfabulos

discount.

Air Tours Inc. 1-888-AIR-4545 (247-4545) www.airtoursinc.com

1-877-FUN-N-MASTI(386-6627) www.masticruise.us

1-866-999-HOLIDAYS(4654) www.airtoursincholidays.com

H.O. : 2609 W. Devon Avenue, Chicago IL 60659 Ph. :1-773-764-4544, 773-764-6928 / 6929 Branch : Schaumburg (IL) Ph. : 1-847-301-7777

Travel & Hospitality Post

30 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Elephants race, play soccer in Nepal festival CHITWAN, Nepal: Soccer-playing elephants used all four feet and even their trunks trying to score goals. Racing pachyderms thundered to the finish line to the cheers of the crowds. And in the elephant beauty pageant, contestants sported nail polish on their notso-dainty toes. It was all part of an elephantthemed festival in Nepal. The three-day event was held to promote conservation awareness and lure foreign visitors to Nepal. The elephants were trained for weeks for the games, taking time off their normal jobs carrying tourists through protected jungles near Chitwan. The conservation forest has rhinos, several species of deer and crocodiles and is a popular tourist spot some 170 kilometres south of the capital, Kathmandu. "We hope that the elephant festival will help bring more tourists to Chitwan. We need both foreign and domestic visitors," said Ghanashyam Shrestha, one of the organizers. Tourism is picking up in Nepal as it slowly recovers from a 10-year Maoist insurgency that killed more than 13,000 people. The conflict ended after the rebels gave up their armed revolt and joined a peace process in 2006. But the tourists who mainly

Teams of four elephants played football matches using a standard-size ball. The elephants blocked passes, kicked the ball and batted it with their trunks, pushing each other for control of the play.

come to hike the Himalayan country's many mountains aren't returning fast enough for some. Nepal received some 600,000 visitors in 2010, short of the goal of 1 million set by the government declaring the Nepal Tourism Year. Organizers of events like the elephant festival, which draws on a popular elephant polo event held elsewhere in Nepal, hope more colorful events will increase interest in tourism. The final event, a 300-metre race, was won by an elephant named Bajadur Gaj, who pounded his way to the finish line in 69 sec-

onds as thousands of locals and foreign tourists cheered.

The elephants are between 4 and 5 years old. Young ones are easier to train and run faster, Mahato said Teams of four elephants also played soccer matches using a

The 300-metre race was won by an elephant named Bajadur Gaj, who pounded his way to the finish line in 69 seconds as thousands of locals and foreign tourists cheered.

standard-size ball. The elephants blocked passes, kicked the ball and batted it with their trunks, pushing each other for control of the play. "Training the elephants to play soccer was not easy but they learned the basic command. They understood they need to hit the ball when I yell 'kick' at them," said Basudev Mahato, 37, an elephant mahout who has been training and riding elephants for 15 years. The elephants are between 4 and 5 years old. Young ones are easier to train and run faster, Mahato said.

At the Hattishar elephant camp, trainers and workers cleaned up the elephants, fed them a special meal of rice and sugar wrapped in grass and painted them to prepare them for the event. Over at the beauty pageant, a trainer painted white patterns on an elephant named Loktantrakali, then varnished her toenails bright red. Judges who checked contestants bodies' for scars and overall beauty and also watched them perform tricks, picked Loktantrakali as the second-prize winner. -PTI

Can foreign tourists help Maldives looks to mid-market Indian tourists US economy? LAS VEGAS: Agustina Ocampo is the kind of foreign traveler businesses salivate over. The 22-year-old Argentine recently dropped more than USD 5,000 on food, hotels and clothes in Las Vegas during a trip that also took her to Seattle's Space Needle, Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo. But she doubts she will return soon. "It is a little bit of a headache," said Ocampo, a student who waited months to find out whether her tourist visa application would be approved. More than a decade after the federal government strengthened travel requirements after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, foreign visitors say getting a temporary visa remains a daunting and sometimes insurmountable hurdle. The tourism industry hopes to change that with a campaign to persuade Congress to overhaul the State Department's tourist visa application process. "After 9/11, we were all shaken and there was a real concern for security, and I still think that concern exists," said Jim Evans, a former hotel chain CEO heading a national effort to promote foreign travel to the US. At the same time, he said, the US needs "to be more cognizant of the importance of

every single traveler." Tourism leaders said the decline in foreign visitors over the past decade is costing American businesses and workers USD 859 billion in untapped revenue and at least half a million potential jobs at a time when the slowly recovering economy needs both.

Tourism leaders said the decline in foreign visitors over the past decade is costing American businesses and workers USD 859 billion in untapped revenue and at least half a million potential jobs While the State Department has beefed up tourist services in recent years, reducing wait times significantly for would-be visitors will likely be a challenge as officials try to balance terrorist threats and illegal immigration with tight budgets that limit hiring. -PTI

MALE: As it works to rebrand itself as a more inclusive tourist destination, Maldives is putting special emphasis on India to make sure that people from the country's growing mid-market sector look towards it as a favored holiday spot. While tourists coming in from India to the beautiful sea country have grown steadily over recent years, the numbers do not even closely match that of China that now holds 25 per cent share of Maldives' tourism sector. Sensing this crucial omission from a large market that is closest to the country, tourism promotion officials of Maldives have put India among their top six priority nations. Particular focus is now being placed on marketing the tourist hot spot as a location that can also cater heavily to the mid-market tourist, to shake its image as an exclusively upmarket destination. "We have done very well as far as the upper end is concerned, and we are not apologetic about it. However, we now realize the importance of the mid-market and of providing a more affordable experience," says Simon Hawkins, Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation. While Indian tourist inflow has increased at a rate of 28 per cent year on year, its pales

in comparison to the inflow from China, that has gone up 90 per cent in recent years. Given its location, less than an hour flight distance from Thiruvananthapuram, Maldives could have been the ideal Indian holiday spot, but despite being just next door to the country it comprises only three per cent of its tourists. Officials blame lack of sufficient connectivity and the problem of branding as two main obstacles to a huge tourist flow. And they are very keen to address the second aspect. "We have established PR agencies in six countries and India is among them. We are promoting the concept of 'find your island' whereby travelers can pick the slot they are looking for. Among the lowest priced categories are islands where you can spend a night in as less as USD 75 per person," Simon says. The country, comprised of a little less than 2,000 islands, banks on tourism for its income, and with its lush and sunny beaches, has traditionally been a retreat for Europeans. Lately, the Chinese too have been flocking here. While the substantial costs of maintaining the island resorts rules out the possibility of operators slashing prices in many islands, officials say a better marketing and increased connectivity would help. -PTI

January 13, 2012

Travel & Hospitality Post

India Post 31

www.indiapost.com

Slowdown-hit tourism sector struggles NEW DELHI: The economic slowdown in the US and Europe coupled with adverse travel advisories hit the tourism sector in 2011 as the country saw less footfalls even during the festive season. In mid-October, travelers from the US, the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia were advised by their governments to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to India, citing terror threats. No country has softened the tone of these advisories, despite a strong response by the Ministry of External Affairs. It has affected the festive season with only 4.7 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in November as against 12.3 per cent growth for the same period last year. Till November, Incredible India campaign attracted 55.75 lakh foreign tourists including 11,121 visitors availing the visa on arrival facility. Nevertheless, the Tourism Ministry unveiled an ambitious target of attracting about 11 million foreign tourists and creating 24.9 million jobs in the next five years.

Develop lesser visited places: Omar Abdullah JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked officials to promote lesser known tourist spots to pilgrims, visiting various shrines in Jammu and Kashmir, for bringing development in these places. "There is also need to divert pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi in large numbers to other parts to help generating economic activities holistically," Omar said while chairing the third meeting of Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority (SMDA). Omar related economic welfare of the state to the development of tourism and underlined the greater scope for harnessing tourist potential in a planned manner. The chief minister said Mansar and Surinsar lakes along with pilgrimage sites of Purmandal and Utterbani have a good potential for attracting tourists. He asked the SMDA officials to conserve and protect the natural beauty of the two lakes and provide all facilities to the tourists coming to these places. -PTI

The ministry has sought Rs 23,000 crore from Planning Commission in the 12th Five-Year Plan to develop tourism infrastructure and achieve 10 to 12 per cent growth in the sector. The year began with Subodh Kant Sahai taking over the ministry with new zeal and promise. He made a presentation on socioeconomic relevance of tourism and strategies to address challenges in the sector to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This was followed by Singh

kind in the country, on the pattern of Sentosa in Singapore and Cancun in Mexico. These parks will have convention centers, food courts, amphitheatres, hotels, shopping plazas, swimming pools and adequate parking space among other facilities. In order to develop tourism infrastructure, the ministry appointed a consultant to identify four new tourist destinations and two rural clusters in each state. Catering to the huge demand for skilled manpower in the hos-

Recognizing the need for innovations in the industry, it has developed new and niche products such as caravan tourism, golf tourism and cruise tourism constituting a high-level committee with members from different ministries including Civil Aviation, Urban Development, External Affairs, Road Transport and Highways to expedite tourism related projects. Besides the introduction of evisa system to facilitate more arrivals of foreign tourists, the ministry is also seeking extension of visa on arrival scheme to CIS, Middle-East and African countries to increase footfalls. The ministry has proposed to set up 20 theme parks, first of its

pitality sector, the ministry has planned to open new institutes of hotel management and food craft institutes as well as augmenting the capacity of existing ones. Recognizing the need for innovations in the industry, it has developed new and niche products such as caravan tourism, golf tourism and cruise tourism. It launched Campaign Clean India for a clean environment at tourist destinations. During the year, the global television campaign under the Incredible India brand was also initiated. -PTI

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

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

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

2508 W. Devon Ave.Chicago, IL 60659

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

CATERING IS OUR SPECIALITY

January 13, 2012

India Post www.indiapost.com

Serving to P erf ection Perf erfection SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE

SEEMA WORLD TRAVEL, INC.

SCHAUMBURG EXCLUSIVE LUNCH BUFFET 7 DAYS AWEEK

One of the Oldest Travel Agencies in St. Louis

Competitive Rates & Confirmed Seats for All Major Airlines DEVON LOCATION STRICTLY VEGETARIAN CHICAGO:

SCHAUMBURG:

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

2543 W. DEVON AVENUE

730 SCHAUMBURG RD.

1329 UNIVERSITY BLVD. EAST

CHICAGO IL 60659

SCHAUMBURG IL60194

TACOMA PARK MD 20783

(773) 338-2152

(847) 884 9510

(301) 434-1531

ENJOY SPECIAL NON-VEG ITEMS AT SCHAUMBURG

New York (Hicksville)

10635 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132

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

AIRWING TRAVELS INC. Est. 1991

Tel: (516) 931 4600

Toll Free: (866) 532 3413

New Jersey (Iselin)

Tel: (732) 658 5450

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

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

India Post 33 www.indiapost.com

SKY WORLD TRAVEL 1-888-695-0005

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

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

E-mail us at: skyworldtravels@hotmail.com

FOR ALL YOUR

MATCHLESS EXPRESS TOURS 2600 W. Peterson Ave., Suite 105 Chicago IL 60659 Experienced Travel Consultants Pasport and Visa Services available * Confirmed seats (Even in High season) * Low Airfares * Courteous Service 2240-42 West Devon Chicago IL 60659 Ph# 773-338-4080 Fax# 773-338-4088

Call and Contact

Tel. (773) 338 6260

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

CALL:

Sita Ram Patel @ 847-568-0535

Health

Line

Federal officials join abortion clinic fire probe PENSACOLA, Fla: Federal investigators plan to join the investigation of a suspicious fire at a Florida Panhandle abortion clinic that has been the site of deadly violence in the past, officials said. The early fire at American Family Planning in Pensacola largely destroyed the two-story building, said Lt. Kevin Theodore of the state fire marshal's office. No one was injured. The fire began in dry vegetation around the outside of the building, which is surrounded by oak trees. The blaze burned underneath the building, up its sides and into its attic, collapsing the second floor ceiling, Theodore said. What sparked the blaze remains unknown. The clinic's alarm company alerted authorities to the fire, which had been concealed from view by heavy fog. -AP

Community College bans toacco use BOONEVILLE, Miss.: Northeast Mississippi Community College starts 2012 with implementation of a complete ban on the use of tobacco products on its property. The ban will apply to all locations including the Booneville main campus and the centers in Corinth and New Albany. NEMCC President Johnny Allen tells the Daily Corinthian (http://bit.ly/vgkHMd ) that the ban came out of a concern for public health and is part of the school's overall efforts to create a healthy and safe environment. He says smoking has been prohibited inside campus buildings for several years.-AP

Colorado county considering paramedic care CORTEZ, Colo: Montezuma County officials are considering using paramedics to cope with a shortage of health care providers. Eagle County officials shared their experiences with a similar program that uses paramedics to provider health care to patients in their home before an emergency occurs. According to the Cortez Journal Montezuma County was recently rated deficient by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for not having enough primary health-care providers. -AP

Health Science 34

India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

3 doctor-panel to decide if sheriff can retire HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.: The decision on whether the sheriff in Henderson County can retire for medical reasons because of his mental health problems will come down to a panel of three doctors.-AP

Critics assail crime laws aimed at people with HIV NEW YORK: A man in Texas is serving a 35-year prison sentence for spitting at a police officer - because he has the virus that causes AIDS and his saliva was deemed a deadly weapon. In Michigan, an HIV-positive man who allegedly bit a neighbor during an argument faced a bioterrorism charge. Charges for the same acts would have been far less severe if the defendants had been virusfree. Now, a coalition of advocacy groups - backed by an outspoken champion in Congress - is ratcheting up a campaign to press for review and possible repeal of criminal statutes specifically targeting HIV-positive people. These laws are archaic,'' said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. ``They're criminalizing a population of people who should not be criminalized.'' Lee introduced a bill in September that would provide states with incentives and support to reform criminal laws aimed at people with HIV. Lee assumes the bill has little chance of passage while Republicans control the House, but hopes it will help raise awareness about the state laws.

It's very important to start these debates, to get governors and legislators to look at it,'' she said in a telephone interview. Thirty-four states have criminal laws that punish people for exposing another person to HIV, according to the advocacy groups working with Lee. Prosecutions occur even in the absence of ac-

thanks to the development of medication regimens - is no longer viewed as a death sentence. Scott Burns, executive director of the National District Attorney's Association, suggested that most prosecutors would oppose Lee's bill and argue that the laws remain necessary to deter HIV-positive people from reckless or irrespon-

Under most of the state laws, people who don't know they have HIV are less culpable than those who do know. This fact could deter some people from learning their HIV status, and thus preclude some HIV-positive people from getting treatment tual HIV transmission, and the laws generally do not consider use of a condom as a defense, the groups said. Many of the laws were enacted early in the AIDS epidemic, when fear of the disease's deadliness was at its highest and before advances in understanding how HIV was transmitted. The laws have not been revised even though AIDS -

sible behavior. Not withstanding that we've made tremendous medical advances, I don't know anyone who'd want to be infected with HIV and go through the treatment regimen,'' he said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person, sharing of

tainted needles or syringes, and births by an HIV-infected mother. HIV is not spread by saliva, tears or sweat, and there are no documented cases of it being transmitted by spitting, according to the CDC. As for biting, the CDC says there is no transmission risk if the skin is not broken; in a ``very small number of cases,'' transmission did occur when a bite drew blood and caused severe tissue damage. While prosecutors defend the HIV laws as appropriate for certain cases, some activists argue that criminalization of exposure to HIV can backfire and actually fuel the spread of the disease. They note that under most of the state laws, people who don't know they have HIV are less culpable than those who do know. This fact could deter some people from learning their HIV status, and thus preclude some HIV-positive people from getting treatment. A better approach, the advocates say, is to encourage responsibility and disclosure without the underlying threat of arrest and prosecution. Cont’d on page 36

Bird flu research raises safety questions GENEVA: The World Health Organization is warning that dangerous scientific information could fall into the wrong hands after U.S. government-funded researchers engineered a form of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus more easily transmissible between humans. In a strongly worded statement, WHO said it was ``deeply concerned about the potential negative consequences'' if the results of the study were used to create biological weapons or the mutated virus was accidentally released. ``This is not the kind of research that you would want to have out there,'' WHO's top influenza expert, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, told The Associated Press in a

telephone interview. At the same time, WHO was concerned that all credible researchers should be able to access the study to better understand how to prevent a deadly H5N1 pandemic, Fukuda said.

coming more easily transmissible from human to human. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has asked scientists at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands and the University of Wisconsin-Madison to

The US National Institutes of Health has asked scientists at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands and the University of Wisconsin-Madison to refrain from publishing full details of their work H5N1 rarely infects humans and usually only those who come into close contact with poultry. But among those infected, up to 60 percent die, and scientists are closely watching the virus for any signs it is be-

refrain from publishing full details of their work on how to make the H5N1 virus more easily transmissible between humans. The unprecedented step by NIH prompted concern in the scientific community that research-

ers with a legitimate need to know about these dangerous mutations, particularly in Asia, would be prevented from accessing the data. Fukuda said there was a danger that perceived censorship of scientific results could harm the so-called Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, an international agreement painstakingly hammered out only recently by the global body's 194 member states. ``We don't want the concerns or controversies surrounding this H5N1 research to pose a risk to the implementation of that framework because we see it as a very important public health step,'' Fukuda told The Associated Press.-AP

Health Science Post

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Health officials confirm human rabies case BOSTON: A man from Cape Cod is the first person on record to contract rabies in Massachusetts in more than 75 years, state public health officials said. The man, who is in his 60s, was in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital and his prognosis was poor, officials said. His name and hometown were not released. It is not clear how the man was infected, but there was evidence that he may have been exposed to a rabid bat, said Dr. Al DeMaria, medical director of the state's Bureau of Infectious Disease. ``Over the last few days he wound up being hospitalized with enough clinical symptoms to suggest the potential for rabies,'' DeMaria said. Tests performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the diagnosis, he said. ``Unfortunately there have been very few survivors of rabies,'' DeMaria said. Rabies is a deadly virus that spreads to humans from the saliva of infected animals. The disease affects the central nervous system and brain. The last confirmed case of hu-

man rabies contracted in Massachusetts was in 1935. DeMaria said he believed that victim was a teenager from Saugus. In 1983, a 30-year-old Waltham man died after being exposed to rabies, apparently from a dog bite in Africa. The man developed symptoms, including high temperature,

In 1983, a 30-yearold Waltham man died after being exposed to rabies, apparently from a dog bite in Africa. The man developed symptoms, including high temperature difficulty breathing, sore throat and excessive salivation, about three months after returning to the U.S., and was admitted to Waltham Hospital, according to CDC records. He died a few weeks later. There have been other instances over the years in which

individuals infected elsewhere have received treatment in Massachusetts because of the state's highly-regarded hospital system, he said. The CDC said rabies-related human deaths have fallen dramatically in the U.S. from 100 or more annually at the turn of the century to no more than 2 or 3 per year, most but not all involving bats. The CDC reported two other fatal human rabies cases this year, one in New York and one in New Jersey, with both victims believed to have acquired the disease from dog bites outside the U.S., Haiti in one case and Afghanistan the other. Two fatal human rabies cases were reported to the CDC in 2010, one in Louisiana and one in Wisconsin. The Louisiana case involved a migrant farm worker who was believed to have been bitten by a vampire bat in Mexico. There were 6,154 rabid animals confirmed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico in 2010, about 8 percent of which were domestic animals. More than $300 million per year is spent on rabies prevention programs, including vaccinations of pets and other domestic animals,

and wild animal control programs, the CDC said. While U.S. cases are rare, worldwide an estimated 55,000 people die from rabies each year. Experts say preventative treatment for humans feared to have been exposed to rabid animals has proven nearly 100 percent effec-

The CDC said rabiesrelated human deaths have fallen dramatically in the US from 100 or more annually at the turn of the century to no more than 2 or 3 per year, most but not all involving bats tive in staving off the disease, as long as the treatment is given before the onset of symptoms. ``If someone presents after they have developed the symptoms and signs of rabies, it's the reverse,'' said Dr. Laurence Madoff, director of the Division of Epidemiol-

ogy and Immunization at the Massachusetts DPH. ``Almost no one survives at that point.'' DeMaria said the state hopes to confirm shortly from the CDC if the victim contracted rabies from a bat. He said authorities were still determining whether family members or other people who had contact with the infected man will be given preventative treatment, but he added that there has never been a medically documented case of person-to-person transmission of rabies. He said while it was highly unusual for bat rabies to spread to people or even to other animals, people can protect themselves by making sure their home is as batproof as possible. This includes keeping chimneys capped and repairing holes in attics, cellars and porches to keep bats and other wild animals out. ``Avoid exposure to potential rabid animals and make sure children do not go near any animal that they don't know,'' DeMaria said. Anyone bitten by a bat or any other wild animal should seek medical attention immediately. -AP

Health Science Post

India Post

January13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Paralyzed bride still hopes to walk again RALEIGH, N.C.: A North Carolina woman who got married last summer after a poolside accident left her paralyzed isn't walking yet, but she hasn't given up on learning to move on her own again. Rachelle Friedman Chapman is stronger after training for almost three weeks in October at Project Walk, a spinal cord injury recovery center in Carlsbad, Calif. And the 26-year-old from Knightdale, near Raleigh, hopes to return for more training that could help her walk for the first time since the accident just weeks before her original wedding date. You see people standing up out of their wheelchair, people who are relearning how to walk,'' Chapman said in a recent phone interview. It was on May 23, 2010, that Chapman was pushed into a pool by a friend at her bachelorette party in Virginia Beach, Va. She fell into the shallow end and awkwardly hit the cement bottom. The injury to her vertebra left her with no feeling from the chest down and feeling on the inside of her arms

Rachelle Friedman Chapman is stronger after training for almost three weeks in October at Project Walk, a spinal cord injury recovery center in California. -AP

but not the outside. Her wedding had been scheduled for a few weeks after the party, but she and her fiancé postponed it by more than a year. She has never revealed the name of the friend, who was a bridesmaid when the wedding was finally held in July 2011. The cruel timing of her injury and her enduring positivity landed her story in newspapers, websites and television reports around the world. Chapman got one round of rehabilitation therapy after her accident and tried to exercise on her own. Now she works out on a table that her husband, Chris, and his father built for her and does weight-bearing exercises on a home gym. Her balance is bet-

ter because her core is stronger, in a frame that uses hydraulics to move clients to a standing position. as are her arms. ``I was pretty impressed with her When Chapman arrived at Project Walk, she was weak, says progress,'' Davis says. ``She didn't Kimberly Davis, an instructor leave here walking, but she inthere. Her blood pressure was low creased her strength tremendously.'' While she describes because her muscles had atrophied and she didn't have the Chapman's condition as severe, muscle contractions necessary to move the blood, Davis says. Chapman got one round of Mornings would be difficult for her,'' Davis rehabilitation therapy after says. ``We wouldn't her accident and tried to even be able to get her into a seated position exercise on her own. Now without her passing she works out on a table that out.'' She also was suffer- her husband, Chris, and his ing from bone loss befather built for her cause she's not standing or bearing weight. By the end of her treatment, Davis says it's still possible she Chapman was able to move for 30 will walk again. ``With this injury, minutes on a machine similar to an it's unpredictable,'' she says. Chapman, whose California rehab elliptical trainer that takes clients through the walking process while was funded by an organization called supporting their legs and body Walking With Anthony, hopes to return in 2012. ``I want to go back with a harness. She also was able to get upright more than anything,'' she says. -AP

Critics assail crime laws aimed at people with HIV Cont’d from page 34

The Obama administration's National AIDS Strategy, released in July 2010, echoes those concerns, saying some of the state laws ``may make people less willing to disclose their status by making people feel at even greater risk of discrimination.'' It may be appropriate for legislators to reconsider whether existing laws continue to further the public interest,'' the strategy says. ``In many instances, the continued existence and enforcement of these types of laws run counter to scientific evidence.'' Advocates for changes in the laws say many people have served long prison terms and been forced to register as sex offenders for conduct that posed no meaningful risk of HIV transmission. Catherine Hanssens of the Center for HIV Law and Policy, one of the key groups in the advocacy coalition, blames the longevity of the laws on ``a seemingly invincible ignorance'' about transmission. Annual surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation have documented this phenomenon. According to this year's survey, 1 in 3 Americans has a basic misunderstanding about HIV transmission _ believing, for example, that one can get HIV from sharing a drinking glass or swimming in a pool with someone with HIV.

``We need to educate people,'' Hanssens said. ``Before we change the laws, we have to change their minds.'' As part of an initiative called the Positive Justice Project, Hanssens' center recently documented scores of cases since 2008 in which people were prosecuted on charges specifically related to being HIV-positive.

Many people have served long prison terms and been forced to register as sex offenders for conduct that posed no meaningful risk Among the cases: • In March 2010, an HIV-positive man in Michigan faced bioterrorism charges of using HIV as a weapon after he allegedly bit a neighbor on the lip during an argument. Three months later, a judge threw out that charge; the defendant, Daniel Allen, was placed on 11 months of probation for assault. • In Iowa, an HIV-positive man, Nick Rhoades, received a 25-year

sentence in 2009 for failing to disclose his HIV status prior to a onetime consensual sexual encounter during which the virus was not transmitted. Rhoades' sentence was eventually suspended, but he was nonetheless required to register as a sex offender. • In 2008, a homeless man with HIV, Willie Campbell, received a 35year sentence for spitting at a Dallas police officer because under Texas law his saliva was considered a deadly weapon. Local health officials said the risk of HIV transmission from saliva was extremely low, but the prosecutor in the case said the tough sentence was warranted. ``No matter how minuscule, there is some risk,'' said Jenni Morse. ``That means there is the possibility of causing serious bodily injury or death.'' In Ohio, there have been several recent cases of people being charged with felonious assault under an 11-year-old state law making it a crime for anyone diagnosed with HIV or AIDS to have sex without disclosing that status to their partner. The law applies regardless of whether HIV is transmitted. ``If you participate in any sex act, no matter how major or minor, you must tell your partner you are HIV-positive before having sex _ even if you are practicing safer sex!'' warns a fact sheet distributed

by Ohio health groups. In an ongoing case in Cincinnati, former professional wrestler Andre Davis faces the possibility of decades in prison after being convicted in November of 14 counts of assault for having sex with women without telling them he'd tested positive for HIV. His sentencing is set for Jan. 6. In accordance with the judge's

The law regarding HIV and felonious assault is "fearbased'' and flawed because it doesn't require proof that there was any attempt to cause harm instructions, it was never established at the trial whether any of the women actually became infected with HIV through contact with Davis, whose wrestling stage names included ``Gangsta of Love.'' Davis' attorney, Greg Cohen, said the law regarding HIV and felonious assault is ``fear-based'' and flawed because it doesn't require proof that there was any attempt to cause harm. He has said

he may file an appeal. ``You can't just assume someone intended to harm someone else just by sleeping with them,'' Cohen said in a telephone interview. However, prosecutor Amy Tranter, in closing arguments at last month's trial, said Davis should go to prison for a long time. ``He's shown no remorse, no responsibility for anything that he's done,'' she said. William McColl, political director of the Washington-based advocacy group AIDS United, believes criminal prosecutions should be avoided in HIV-related cases except possibly for the rare instances when an HIV-positive person deliberately seeks to transmit the virus to someone else. In the more common cases where an HIV-positive sexual partner had no malicious intent and there is a dispute about whether the HIV status was disclosed, prosecution is probably inappropriate, McColl said. Advocacy groups recommend that people with HIV - to guard themselves against prosecution should find ways to document that they disclosed their status to sexual partners. This could entail making a video of a disclosure conversation, having the partner sign a letter confirming the disclosure, or having the partner join in a discussion with a health professional. -AP

Health Science Post

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Eugene man grateful for device that monitors heart EUGENE, Ore.: Every time 61year-old Charles Mestrich Jr. hears about another young athlete who suddenly collapsed and died, and the autopsy reveals hypertrophic cardioยกmyopathy, he has two thoughts: One, if only the youngster had known; and, two, that could have happened to me. But Mestrich, who lives in Eugene, was lucky. His hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened, or enlarged, and an ailment that led to the death of Oregon State University football player Fred Thompson earlier this month was diagnosed before disaster happened. And Mestrich has lived 15 years since then, with the help of an ``implantable cardioverter defibrillator'' residing under the skin just above his heart. Unlike a pacemaker, which keeps the heart beating at the proper rate, the larger defibrillator just sits there waiting until the heart needs an electrical jolt to get it beating again in case of a lifethreatening disturbance to the heart's rhythm. However, the defibrillator also contains a pacemaker, so it can quicken or slow the heartbeat if necessary. Mestrich had no idea that his

heart was an accident waiting to happen until he was 45 years old, working in a lumber mill in his hometown of Astoria. It was in early 1996 when ``all of a sudden the power went off to the shaker-blower-chipper,'' he recalled. ``I ran back to the boss's office to tell him, and it felt like something was coming down on

Unlike a pacemaker, which keeps the heart beating at the proper rate, the larger defibrillator just sits there waiting until the heart needs an electrical jolt to get it beating again my body, and I lost consciousness for 30 seconds or so. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground.'' He didn't go to the doctor immediately he knows now that he should have _ but when he did, ``they ran all these tests, and they told me I had an enlarged heart. The doctor told me about the bas-

ketball star Hank Gathers. He died of the same thing.'' Eric ``Hank'' Gathers played his first year of college basketball at the University of Southern California before transferring in the wake of a coaching shake-up at USC to Loyola Marymount, a Catholic university also in Los Angeles. He sat out a year following the transfer, according to NCAA rules, but in 1987-88, Gathers led his team in both scoring and rebounding and was named most valuable player in the West Coast Conference tournament. The next season, he became the second player in the history of NCAA Division I to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding. During his senior year, it was assumed he would be among the top picks in the NBA lottery. But on Dec. 9, 1989, Gathers collapsed while shooting a free throw during a game against UC Santa Barbara. At that point, he was diagnosed with an abnormal heartbeat and given medication. He believed the medication suppressed his playing ability, so he apparently at least cut back his dosage and perhaps neglected to take it altogether on game days. On March 4, 1990, he suddenly

collapsed again, during a West Coast Conference quarterfinal game in Los Angeles against the University of Portland, and died almost immediately. He was 23. The autopsy showed the cause was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. An autopsy performed on the body of OSU's Thompson, who collapsed and died on Dec. 7 dur-

He sat out a year following the transfer, according to NCAA rules, but in 1987-88, Gathers led his team in both scoring and rebounding and was named most valuable player ing a recreational basketball game on the Oregon State campus, revealed the same condition. Announcing the cause of death, state Medical Examiner Karen Gunson said the ailment ``is a major cause of death in young athletes who seem completely healthy but die during heavy exercise.''

Eugene cardiologist Fran Munkenbeck, who practices at the Oregon Heart and Vascular Institute at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend, at the time described the condition as a ``heart muscle (that) is too thick. It's formed abnormally, and when you're playing sports, everything is going in your system very rapidly, and that's what puts you at a setup for arrhythmias and sudden death.'' Young athletes - or others who develop symptoms during strenuous activity should immediately seek medical attention if they develop chest pain, dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath or a strong sensation of feeling the heartbeat, the doctors advised. Knowing about Gathers, Thompson and all the other young people who died suddenly from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy makes Mestrich feel exceptionally lucky. After his `àttack,'' he decided to quit his job. `Ì called the mill and said, Ì'm not coming back to work. I'm afraid I might die on the job,''' he said. He believes in his case, the condition is genetic, and he has made sure his children have been tested..-AP

Three tonners

Sports 38 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

Corporate Games in Delhi from February 9-12 Australian Captain Michael Clarke celebrates after scoring his 300 on day three of the second cricket Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5

India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: The concept of Corporate Games is new to India but internationally, the Games are

of rolling substitution so that weekend warriors (weekend players), if they are not good state of health and get tired after playing 15 to 20 minutes, can be substi-

rect statement is that India is young but it is also getting sick. Dr. Naresh Trehan and Dr. Agarwal have made statements that out of every four persons who come to

CEO of Delhi Corporate Games Mr. OP Bhatia addressing the press conference to announce the Corporate Games in Delhi Ricky Ponting waves his bat after reaching his 100 on day two of the second cricket Test against India

Michael Hussey celebrates after scoring his 150 on day three of the second cricket Test against India

being held in 54 cities in 25 countries every year. The CEO of Delhi Corporate Games Mr. OP Bhatia recently announced that the Delhi Games will be held in 12 sports disciplines from 9-12 February 2012 at the Sirifort Sports Complex. Mr Bhatia said these games are not confined to elite sports persons but to all employees of businesses and organizations including their families with a view to promoting lifelong fitness among employees of all age groups. Games are being organized in different age group i.e. 19-29, 3039, 40-49 & 50 and above. Sports persons of higher age group who have been practicing and competing regularly can participate in lower age group but persons of lower age group are not permitted to participate in higher age group. In team games like Cricket, Soccer, Hockey and Basketball people of all age groups play together as a team. In Cricket the team strengths is only 8 persons in a combination of Men & Women. In the team games there is a rule

tuted. Mr Bhatia said, "We are planning to invite 70-80 companies/ organizations to participate in these games. So far more than 30 corporates/companies have shown their interest to participate in Corporate Games. Companies like GE Capital, NTPC, HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, Barista, ONGC, Nikon India Pvt. Ltd., Posco India, ARI, Kuehne + Nagel and Stag International have already confirmed their participation. If the media helps promoting this concept, we feel that more and more companies would permit their employees to participate in Corporate Games with intent to promote lifelong fitness in their organizations. Incidentally it may be matter of interest that members of the families of employees are also welcome to participate under the banner of the company." It has been extensively reported in the media that nearly 65% of Indian population is below the age of 35 years. This is true but only a half truth. The cor-

them with heart ailment, one turns out to be below the age of 35. Dr. Naresh Trehan, eminent Cardiologist & Chairman of Medicity Gurgaon has often been saying,"If you want to be healthy, control your weight through diet control and regular exercise " Leading medical institutions,

nizations practice playing and competing on weekends so that they can keep themselves physically fit throughout life. "We are trying to propagate the same philosophy so that India remains young and healthy, fit and strong." He mentioned that though this concept is being accepted by corporates but the process of acceptance is rather slow. "We intend continuing our efforts for next few years with a hope that a large number of Corporates encourage their employees to participate in games and sports, so that India remains young and healthy." Mr. Vivek Kohli, Joint Managing Director of International Sports & Stag Sports Meerut, which are one of the sponsors of Corporate Games, highly commended the concept of Corporate Games and called it as a carnival of sports. Mr. Bobby Singh, Chairman of Peninsula Sports Management and a supporter of the games, praised the efforts of the organizers and mentioned that their coaches will help to organize the games in February. A number of other speakers were of the opinion that if media supports this concept, it will catch on in India and help to improve health of people of all age groups. Mr. Bhatia explained the rules

"If the media helps promoting this concept, we feel that more and more companies would permit their employees to participate in Corporate Games with intent to promote lifelong fitness in their organizations. Incidentally me mbers of the families of employees are also welcome to participate under the banner of the company" eminent doctors and health experts have been repeatedly saying India would be healthy if you are healthy. Mr. Bhatia mentioned that the concept of Corporate Games is initiated so that employees of corporates/businesses and orga-

of different games and mentioned that they have been made interesting by mixing Men and Women Teams for Cricket, Hockey and Basketball. Cricket will be team of 8 players with rolling substitution. It will be played by having 3 innings of 7 overs in each innings.

Datebook

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Upcoming

Sat Jan 14

Wed March 7

• Musik Waves Presents A tribute to the Legend

• Loves Got a hold on me

Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium, 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, New York Time: 8pm Contact: 732-277-6687

Venue: Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard, Park Forest, IL Time: 7pm Contact: 312-572-9373

Sat March 17

NEW JERSEY

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Upcoming

Sat Jan 14 • Lohri Party Venue: Akbar Restaurant 21, Corlandt Street, Edison, New Jersey Time: 7:30 pm Contact: 732-501-4201

Thurs Jan 19 ï Classical Indian Vocal Music & Dance Venue: Samsung Hall 200 Larkin St. San Francisco, CA 94102 Time: 7pm Contact: 415-581-3500

• Tufaan 2012

Sat Jan 14

• Desiliciouse Starlust partyBollywood

Venue: Cahn Auditorium, Northwestern University, 600 Emerson Street, Evanston, IL Time: 6pm Contact: 617-827-5581

• Thriller in Atlantic City! Venue: Dante Hall Thearter of the Arts 10 North Mississippi Avenue, Atlantic City Time: 8pm

Sat Jan 21

Sat March 10

Fri Jan 20 • Musik Waves Presents A tribute Concert to Jagjit Singh

• Best of the Best 2012

• FAM Entertainment Theater Company Presents ìChicagoís 2012 Breaking the Cycle Da

Venue: Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA Time: 4pm Contact: 510-402-4633

Venue: Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street, New York Time: 6:30pm

Venue: Ford City Mall, 7601 S. Cicero, Chicago Time: 8:30am Contact: 312-572-9373

Sat April 7

Venue: Edison Hotel, 3050 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, New Jersey Time: 8pm Contact: 732-277-6687

WASHINGTON DC

Upcoming Sat Jan 21 • IAGB Republic Day Celebration Venue: Burlington High School, 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA Time: 4pm Contact: 781-325-8171

Sat Feb 4 • Pongal Vizha-2012 Venue: Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA Time: 3pm

Upcoming Sat Jan 14

Sat Jan 21 Venue: Pacha NYC 618 W. 46 Street, New York Time: 10pm Highlights: Bolly Dance Music by Ashu Rai Bolly Visuals by Neeraj from London.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

• Kasturi Media Presents Swara Sanjeevini

Sun Jan 22 ï Natya Yoga: The Yoga of Bharatanatyam

• I Just Wanna Dance 2012 Venue: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA Time: 6pm Contact: 310-937-6607

Sat Jan 21 • HTHF Annual Dance & Dinner Gala Event 2012 Venue: Arcadia Community Center Hall, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91006 Time: 7pm Contact: 626-991-4789

Sat Jan 28 • Garba with Attitude Venue: Segerstrom Center of the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, 92626 Time: 1pm Contact: http://www.garbawithattitude.com/

Venue: Cultural Integration Fellowship 2650 Fulton St San Francisco, CA Time: 11am

Fri Feb 3 to Sat Feb 25

Sat Jan 28

Venue: Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 Time: 7:30pm Contact: 800-838-3006 Highlights: Written & Performed by Evan Brenner, Directed by John C. Reilly, Presented by the Bootleg Theater

• Dhol Di Awaaz Venue: Center of Performing Arts 255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA Time: 6pm

Sat Feb 4 ï Teacher Workshop: New Year Celebrations Venue: Asian Art Museum 200 Larkin St. San Francisco, CA Time: 9:30am

Sat April 7

Sun Feb 5

• Swar Bahaar

• Year of the Dragon Celebration

Venue: Littleton High School Auditorium, 56 King Street, Littleton, MA Time: 4pm Contact: 617-905-4305

Venue: Museum Wide 200 Larkin St. San Francisco, CA Time: 11am

• Buddha: Triumph & Tragedy in The Life of the Great Sage

Sun Feb 05 • South Asian Wedding Expo 2012 Information Venue: Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center, 1 Industry Hills Parkway, CA Time: 11am Contact: 714-493-7900

Sun Feb 11 • Passage Meditation Retreat in Encino Venue: Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino, CA Time: 9am Contact: 800-475-2369

In Brief DHS launches hot line for jailed immigrants WASHINGTON: The Homeland Security Department is launching a hot line for people jailed on immigration charges who believe they are victims of crime or may be US citizens. The toll free hot line 855-4486903 will be staffed 24 hours a day and run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to answer questions from people held in local jails about whether they may face deportation proceedings. The hot line is the latest move by the Obama administration to address concerns about suspected illegal immigrants held in local jails.-AP

Man wanted for 3 killings in Mexico is deported NOGALES, Ariz: A man wanted by Mexican authorities for a triple homicide in Caborca, Mexico, a year ago has been handed over to Mexican law enforcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say 26-yearold Marcos Samuel Renteria Gaxiola, alias ``El Mamut,'' was deported through Nogales on Dec. 23. ICE spokeswoman Amber Cargile tells the Nogales International agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit learned Renteria was in the U.S. Cargile added once the government confirmed Renteria was wanted in Mexico as a homicide suspect, ICE agents apprehended him in Phoenix and made his subsequent removal a priority. -AP

Britain to miss migration target: think-tank LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron is going to miss his target of reducing annual net migration back to the "tens of thousands" by 2015, a think-tank warned. Issuing its forecast for 2012, the Institute for Public Policy Research predicted that Britain's net migration - the difference between the number of people entering and the number leaving - would be 180,000 in the year ahead, down from a record 252,000 in 2010. The IPPR said the government's best hope of getting it below 100,000 would be to make Britain less attractive to migrants and drive away migrants from the European Union who were already here.-AFP

Immigration 40

India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

Immigration, testimony addressed in new Ala. laws MONTGMERY, Ala.: The New Year has brought with it some new laws, including a key provision of Alabama's tough new immigration law and a change in the type of expert testimony that can be presented in criminal and civil cases. Details on page 42

Indian immigrants lead top 50 venture funded companies India Post News Service

NEW YORK: The most common country of origin for an immigrant founder of a top 50 venturebacked company was India, according to a latest US National Foundation for American Policy study. The study conducted by Stuart Anderson of the NFAP finds that immigrants have started nearly half of America's 50 top venturefunded companies and are key members of management or product development teams in more than 75% of the country's leading cutting-edge companies. Leading the pack is India, followed by Israel, Canada, Iran and New Zealand. Other founders and co-founders were born in Italy, South Africa, Greece, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Switzerland, and France. Immigrants are increasingly important in driving growth and innovation in America, as evidenced by the role played by foreign-born founders and key personnel in the

nation's breakthrough companies, the study states. The research finds that among the top venture-backed companies, immigrant founders have created an average of approximately 150 jobs per company in the United States. The research involved conducting interviews and gathering

stock market in the years ahead, are today each valued at less than $1 billion and have received venture capital (equity) financing within the past three years, an important indicator of the promise seen by investors. The research finds that 48%, or 24 out of 50, of the country's top venture-funded companies had at

The research found 38 of the top 50 companies, or 76%, had at least one immigrant helping the company grow and innovate by filling a key management or product development position information on the top 50 venturefunded companies in the United States, which were ranked in 2011 by the research firm VentureSource based on factors that included company growth, (successful) track record of CEOs, founders and investors, and capital raised. The companies, all privately-held and with the potential to become publicly traded on the

least one immigrant founder. A 2006 study conducted with the National Venture Capital Association identified an immigrant founder in 1 in 4, or 25%, of publicly traded venture-backed companies created between 1990 and 2005. This study is the first to examine the role immigrants play on the management or product develop-

ment team in leading private companies in information technology, health, energy, business and financial services, and other fields. The research found 38 of the top 50 companies, or 76%, had at least one immigrant helping the company grow and innovate by filling a key management or product development position. Chief technology officer, CEO and vice president of engineering are the most common positions held by immigrants in the top 50 venturebacked companies. Interviews pointed to the uniqueness of America's entrepreneurial culture, with many believing it remains the country's greatest economic strength. In conclusion, the researcher states that one of the lessons of the research in this report is that America wins when we are open to talented individuals. Policies that help retain talent in the United States are likely to yield both more startup companies and the personnel needed to create more jobs and innovation in America.

Do you know where your H-1B employee is? MYRIAM JAIDI

.S. companies employing foreign workers in H or L nonimmigrant status are increasingly subjected to random, surprise site visits by the USCIS. This article provides an overview of such visits. The site visits occur under the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program (ASVVP) conducted by the Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Directorate. The purpose of the visits, according to USCIS, is to "verify information contained in certain visa petitions." Visits are conducted pre- and post-adjudication on randomly selected applications and petitions. Interestingly, ASVVP site inspections are not performed in cases where fraud is suspected, although they are part of the fraud detection process, geared toward enhancing the "integrity of the immigration benefit process."

Many of those who have experienced such site visits are thrown into a state of worry and sometimes panic, convinced that there must be a huge problem with their petition and ability to employ foreigners in H-1B or L status. Beneficia-

might disappear. There is a great deal riding on these site visits: if an officer is unable to find a beneficiary or verify the information in a petition, the petitioner may receive a denial on a pending case or a notice of intent to revoke an approved

If you employ foreign nationals in H or L status, be sure that if an officer from FDNS comes to conduct a site visit, your employees (such as the receptionist, HR team, etc.) know to contact a specific person (such as the signatory on the petition) who can accompany the officer throughout the visit and answer his or her specific questions ries get worried because they see their H-1B status (and perhaps the green card process they have been waiting so long to come to completion) flash before their eyes, as if it

petition. If derogatory information is discovered during a site visit, this may lead to further investigation or even civil or criminal penalties. Our advice? Nothing earth shat-

tering: Be prepared. If you employ foreign nationals in H or L status, be sure that if an officer from FDNS comes to conduct a site visit, your employees (such as the receptionist, HR team, etc.) know to contact a specific person (such as the signatory on the petition) who can accompany the officer throughout the visit and answer his or her specific questions about the petitioner, the details of the petition, and the beneficiary. The officer will usually want to speak with the signatory and the beneficiary. If those individuals are not available, the officer should be asked to provide contact information for a follow up discussion. The officers may also want to verify details with the signatory or beneficiary by phone or via email after conducting the site visit, if they are not available at the time of the visit. Contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d on page 43

Immigration Post

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Lawsuit, immigration enforcement lead SC new laws COLUMBIA, SC: South Carolina lawsuit awards face new limits and employers will be required to check a federal database to see if the people they hire are in the country legally under new laws which have gone into effect. The limits on lawsuit punitive damage awards only affects new cases and may not show up for months in courtrooms. South Carolina will limit punitive damage awards in lawsuits filed after Jan. 1. In a typical case, punitive damages will be limited to $500,000 or three times the actual damages, whichever is greater. But if the defendant's conduct would bring a felony conviction or was motivated by unreasonable financial gain, the court could raise the maximum award to $2 million, or four times actual damages that include things like lost wages and hospital bills, if that amount is larger. And there is no cap when the defendant intended to cause harm, found guilty of a felony related to the damage or was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The South Carolina Civil Justice Coalition had pushed the legislation and said it would help make the state more attractive to businesses. `Ìt will add to the stability of anticipated costs for companies,'' said Joe Jones, the coalition's administrator. ``How do you put a value on that.'' Otis Rawl, chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, said the limits are needed. `Ìt protects businesses from frivolous lawsuits,'' Rawl said. `Ànd it give the state another tool in its toolbox.'' South Carolina's illegal immigration law is modeled after Arizona's and would be one of the nation's toughest. It requires that police check immigration status at traffic stops and other places. The stops must not be made based on the suspicion that someone is in the U.S. illegally. Meanwhile, the law sets up a new illegal immigration law enforcement unit in the state Department of Public Safety. The law requires employers to check a federal database to see if the people they hire are in the

country legally. It makes it a crime to employ illegal immigrants. And it makes it a crime to harbor an illegal immigrant or to make or hold fake identification. Illegal immigrants would face felony charges by allowing themselves to be transported inside the state.

Immigration law presents a mixed bag of concerns, including from some that agricultural crops won't be harvested The law is facing legal challenges. The Justice Department, American Civil Liberties Union and several Latin American and Caribbean nations say it is unconstitutional and will promote discrimination. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel has put parts of the law on hold: harboring illegal immigrants,

immigration status checks and a requirement that people carry immigrant registration documents. Gergel also turned down a request by state Deputy Attorney General Emory Smith to let all of the law take effect while the U.S. Supreme Court decides the fate of Arizona's law. He is letting other portions of the law go into effect. That includes a requirement that businesses check new hires' legal status through a federal online system. Businesses that knowingly violate the law could have their operating licenses revoked Rawl said the immigration law presents a mixed bag of concerns, including from some that agricultural crops won't be harvested. But at the same time, there are plenty of businesses that felt an ample supply of illegal immigrants made it easy for unscrupulous businesses to compete unfairly because they didn't follow wage laws or requirements to buy workers' compensation insurance. ``What we need to do is create

jobs for our citizens and the people who are here legally,'' Rawl said. Other new laws affect drivers and people wanting to register cars or get titles for their vehicles will have to show identification. Sen. Larry Martin, a Pickens Republican, co-sponsored the bill. He said it will help people who live out of state and have second homes here South Carolina titles for vehicles that they leave at those second homes. That lets them buy South Carolina insurance policies on those vehicles. The state also is changing the rules for insurance discounts people get after passing driver training courses that previously were only available to people 55 and older. Beginning Jan. 1, people 25 or older can enroll in AARP driver safety classes that last six hours instead of eight. Insurance companies are required to give discounts for drivers who successfully complete the class. The law says people can four-hour classes every four years to renew the credit. -AP

Photo ID, anti-immigration measures among new laws NASHVILLE, Tenn.: Tennesseans will be required to have photo identification in order to vote and state employers will have to make sure their employees are legally authorized to work in the U.S. under new laws that took effect Jan. 1. The photo ID measure has stirred debate, with critics saying the requirements to comply with the law are excessive and confusing, and could actually deter people from voting. ``You have to have a specific government issued ID in order to vote, and that will disenfranchise a certain number of Tennesseans who don't have that kind of specific ID,'' said Mary Mancini, executive director of Tennessee Citizen Action, a public interest and consumer advocacy organization. The group has launched a petition drive that supports proposed legislation to repeal the law. About a week ago, the Justice Department rejected a similar law in South Carolina, saying it makes it harder for minorities to cast ballots. It was the first voter ID law to be refused by the federal agency in nearly 20 years. Opponents of the Tennessee law say they're most concerned about its effect on senior citizens. One case that made headlines a few months ago involved a 96year-old Chattanooga woman who was denied a photo ID card.

Dorothy Cooper went to a Driver Service Center to get the free ID card offered by the state as part of the new law, but a clerk refused to give Cooper a card because her birth certificate carried her maiden name, Dorothy Alexander, and she didn't have a copy of her marriage certificate.

Initially, the legislation sought to mandate all employers use E-Verify to prove their employees are legally in the country Cooper later provided her marriage certificate for verification and was able to get a voter ID. Nevertheless, critics say such hassle is reason to exempt elderly residents from the law. But supporters say doing so could affect the constitutionality of the measure. ``I believe if we tweak it in any form, it will become unconstitutional and the whole bill becomes unraveled,'' said Sen. Bill Ketron, a Murfreesboro Republican and one of the measure's main sponsors.

He added that the law is necessary because ``we live in a different world.'' ``And for those who have fought and died and sacrificed for their right to vote, then we should make sure that everyone is who they say they are,'' said Ketron, who has also sponsored legislation to fight terrorism and illegal immigration. One measure he co-sponsored will require some businesses to use the federal E-Verify program. Initially, the legislation sought to mandate all employers use EVerify to prove their employees are legally in the country. But the law that passed exempts employers with five or fewer employees and allows them to keep a copy of the new hire's driver's license instead of using E-Verify. Supporters say the legislation is needed to crack down on illegal immigration, while opponents say it could cost businesses time and money. Jim Brown, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the law will affect about half of the group's roughly 8,500 members, who are being educated about the new requirements. ``We ... believe the bill wound up in a better place than it was originally,'' Brown said. -AP

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

Former Assistant StateÂ&#x2019;s Attorney

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

http://www.proy-singh.com

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

Immigration Post

India Post

January13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Kan. lawmakers expect to debate immigration again TOPEKA, Kan.: Kansas lawmakers are almost certain to debate illegal immigration again this year with Kris Kobach, an architect of get-tough proposals across the nation, serving as secretary of state and his fellow conservative Republicans eager to raise an issue they believe resonates with constituents. But even Kobach acknowledged his home state's lawmakers are likely to concentrate on familiar proposals that have foundered in the past, rather than moving aggressively as Alabama lawmakers did last year in passing the nation's toughest immigration law. Alabama requires public schools to check students' the legal status, prohibits landlords from knowingly renting to illegal immigrants and even makes it a crime to give illegal immigrants a ride. Instead, once Kansas lawmakers' annual session opens Jan. 9, Kobach's allies expect to renew their push for measures requiring government contractors to use the federal E-Verify system to check workers' status and directing law enforcement officers to check the status of people they suspect of

being illegal immigrants after stopping them for other reasons. They're also going to make another attempt to repeal a 2004 law that allows some illegal immigrants to pay residents' lower tuition rates at state universities, community colleges and technical schools. And advocates for having the state crack down on illegal immigration want to require people who seek many state services to prove they're citizens. The focus on such issues is largely a result of political calculations. Roman Catholic and several Protestant bishops for Kansas have said publicly the issue should be solved by the federal government, and reservations among some business groups have intensified because of Alabama's experiences. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is staying out of the debate, and the Senate's GOP leaders, less conservative than their House counterparts, are wary. ``It's just a question of strategy and what we can achieve,'' Kobach said. ``Their constituents are determined as ever to stop illegal immigration.''

Some advocates for immigrants expect the Legislature to consider immigration proposals every year Kobach is in office. Mary Lou Jaramillo, president and CEO of El Centro Inc., a Kansas City,

Some business groups worry about the cost of complying with new immigration requirements and the potential penalties if firms make mistakes in hiring Kan.-based social service and advocacy group, called the prospect ``fatiguing.'' ``It creates this suspicion of anybody who doesn't look like vanilla,'' she said. ``That just has a ripple effect throughout neighborhoods and communities.'' The Washington-based, nonprofit Pew Hispanic Center estimates 65,000 immigrants in Kansas were among the 11.2 million in

the U.S. illegally in 2010. It says the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. is down from its 2007 peak of an estimated 12 million but slightly higher than in 2009. As a U.S. senator before becoming governor, Brownback once backed legislation offering legal status to immigrants who were proficient in English and paid back taxes and fines, but he also voted for a fence along the U.S.-Mexican border. As governor, he signed a bill requiring people registering to vote for the first time in Kansas to prove their citizenship, starting in 2013, but he's been silent on other proposals. He's expected to concentrate in 2012 on other issues, such as reworking the state's public school financing system and overhauling its Medicaid program. Asked whether he'd sign immigration legislation, spokeswoman Sherriene Sontag-Jones said only that he'd carefully consider any bill that reaches his desk. In 2011, the House approved a bill repealing the immigrant tuition law, only to see it rejected by a Senate committee. A bill containing the proposals on E-Verify, public services and having law enforcement

officers check people's legal status was tabled indefinitely by the House Judiciary Committee. Committee Chairman Lance Kinzer, an Olathe Republican who pushed that bill, acknowledged strong opposition from some business groups and local governments. ``Many of those same dynamics will be in place this year,'' he said. Some business groups worry about the cost of complying with new immigration requirements and the potential penalties if firms make mistakes in hiring. There's also concern about Kansas appearing less business-friendly. ``We just don't want to see the economic harm,'' said Mike Beam, a senior vice president and lobbyist for the Kansas Livestock Association. In Alabama, tomato farmers said thousands of dollars' worth of crops rotted this fall because they couldn't find workers. State officials also were embarrassed by the arrest a German executive for Mercedes Benz, a major employer in Alabama, for driving without necessary papers. -AP

Immigration, testimony addressed Suit claims immigration policy made in secret in new Ala. laws MONTGMERY, Ala.: The New Year has brought with it some new laws, including a key provision of Alabama's tough new immigration law and a change in the type of expert testimony that can be presented in criminal and civil cases. Among the 13 new laws that have taken effect in Alabama is a major provision of Alabama's immigration law. That section requires employers to use a federal system known as E-Verify to determine if new employees are in the country legally. All employers have to use E-Verify after April 1, but employers who do business with any government agency have to use the system beginning Jan. 1. Rosemary Elebash, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said many companies do business with government agencies, even if it's something small like catering a luncheon for a state college. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said E-Verify is his favorite part of the immigration law because it provides employers a way to make sure employees are legal. Many critics of the Alabama law have complained that enforcing laws is a federal, not a state duty. The Senate sponsor of the im-

migration law, Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, agrees that the EVerify provisions are a key part of the bill. ``Any part that deals with employers hiring illegal aliens is an important part. We should do the best we can to make sure that people working in Alabama are legally present,'' Beason said.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The employer agent service that we are providing is designed to help our small businesses comply with the new immigration lawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Beason said `È-Verify'' is a tool that gives people the ability to check the legal status of an employee and `Ì believe they should be doing so.'' The `È-Verify'' section is one of the few parts of the immigration law that has not been challenged in count. Some parts of the farreaching law have been at least temporarily put on hold by federal judges while other parts have been given judicial approval.

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security is offering to help businesses with 25 or fewer employees comply with the ``EVerify'' provisions of the law. The law requires the department to make available to small businesses help in using E-Verify. ``The employer agent service that we are providing is designed to help our small businesses comply with the new immigration law. Our department has provided the tools that small businesses may find useful in helping them comply,'' said Director Spencer Collier. Another new law which takes effect puts restrictions on who can testify as an expert witness. The law limits what critics called ``junk science'' theories of how or why a crime occurred. The law requires Alabama courts to adopt federal standards in deciding who can testify as an expert witness and what evidence can be presented. The sponsor of the bill in the Senate, Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, said the law means that the standards for expert testimony will be the same in state and federal court. The law says that expert testimony is only admissible in court if it is based on sufficient facts or data.-AP

NASHVILLE, Tenn.: A lawsuit filed in Nashville claims a new policy that instructs Tennessee jailers on how to investigate the immigration status of detainees is illegal because it was crafted in secret. The lawsuit says the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission deliberated by email and in meetings where public notice was not properly given, including an Oct. 15, 2010, meeting where the policy was adopted, according to The Tennessean. Plaintiff William Geissler seeks an injunction to immediately stop enforcement of the policy and a hearing on that request has been scheduled in Davidson County Chancery Court. In its response to the lawsuit, the Attorney General's Office argues, ``Plaintiff makes no allegation that a temporary injunction, now over one year after POST promulgated its written procedure, is immediately necessary and that waiting for a final judgment would be ineffective.'' The response does not address whether the commission violated the state's open meetings law. The POST Commission was required to draw up the policy by a new state law that took effect this year requiring jailers for cities and counties across the state to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement when they detain a suspected illegal immigrant. The policy the commission adopted requires jailers to ask detainees whether they are citizens and whether they were born in the United States. ``The response to those questions will trigger an inquiry to (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) as to whether the individual

The policy the commission adopted requires jailers to ask detainees whether they are citizens and whether they were born in the United States needs to be held or not,'' according to the minutes from the commission's meeting Oct. 15, 2010. Frank Gibson, public policy director for the Tennessee Press Association, said the POST Commission is subject to the state's open meetings laws. But even if Geissler and attorney Elliott Ozment win the case, it is likely the policy would only be invalidated temporarily. -AP

Immigration Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Do you know where your H-1B employee is? Cont’d from page 40

If the beneficiary is not available at the worksite, for example because he or she is out sick or tending to a family member, the company should have clear proof that the individual has taken a sick day, otherwise revocation could result. If the beneficiary is employed at a third-party worksite, it is important that the receptionist or other first-contact employees are aware of the person's placement and can direct the officer to the beneficiary. What kinds of information are FDNS officers looking for? Some

• Who paid petition filing fees and attorney fees? To a third-party/end-client worksite representative: • Describe the relationship between end client and the petitioner • Does the end client anticipate receiving the services of the beneficiary? • If the answer is yes, the end client may be asked to provide • beginning and ending dates of beneficiary's employment; • job description/duties; • beneficiary's physical work location • project description of the

Most petitioners have an attorney prepare their immigration filings for them. Where is the attorney in this process? Unless the petitioner or the beneficiary gets the attorney on speakerphone in a conference room during a site visit, or asks the attorney to take the lead on following up with the officer, the attorney will be absent from the process typical areas of inquiry include: To the petitioner, about the petitioner • Verify the signatory of the petition, his or her position within the organization • Whether the signatory is aware that an H-1B petition was filed for the beneficiary • Check the ID of the petitioner's signatory • Total number of employees at the petitioner's company • Number of employees on H-1B status • Number of employees with LPR status • Gross annual income • Net annual income To the petitioner, about the beneficiary: • Start date with the organization • Current salary • Whether the petition signatory is aware that the beneficiary is on H-1B status To the beneficiary: • Name of the employer/ petitioner • Offer letter for the position with the petitioner • W2 for the most recent year • Most recent paystubs • Description of job duties • Photocopies of qualifying degrees

task to which beneficiary has been assigned; and • name and title of the beneficiary's supervisor • Is end client aware that the beneficiary is an employee of petitioner? • Who assigns work to the beneficiary? • Who does the end client contact about employee related issues for the beneficiary? You may recognize that these questions go to the issues not only of verifying details in a petition but also of verifying the existence of an employer-employee relationship and whether the employer controls the employment of the beneficiary. We discussed this issue in former articles about guidance issued by USCIS in January 2010, providing a general overview of the guidance, and advice on using the guidance Once this information is provided, the parties are often greeted with silence, in large part because the officers conducting the site visits report their results to FDNS for review, but do not themselves make decisions regarding the validity of an application or petition. After the site visit is over, FDNS reviews the information and determines whether further inquiry is nec-

essary. As USCIS summarizes: "If FDNS cannot verify the information on the petition or finds the information to be inconsistent with the facts recorded during the site visit, the ISO may request additional evidence from the petitioner or initiate denial or revocation proceedings. When indicators of fraud are identified, the FDNS Officer may conduct additional administrative inquiries or refer the case to ICE for criminal investigation." Most petitioners have an attorney prepare their immigration filings for them. Where is the attorney in this process? Unless the petitioner or the beneficiary gets the attorney on speakerphone in a conference room during a site visit, or asks the attorney to take the lead on following up with the officer, the attorney will be absent from the process. Site visits are surprise visits of the petitioner's offices or the beneficiary's worksite (if not at the beneficiary's offices). Attorneys are not informed of the visit, and a petitioner's (and beneficiary's) right to counsel in this context is basically ignored. USCIS takes the position that petitioners have consented to the visits by signing the Form I-129, Petitioner for Nonimmigrant Worker, which in Part 7 includes the following statement: "I also recognize that supporting evidence submitted may be verified by USCIS through any means determined appropriate by USCIS, including but not limited to, onsite compliance reviews." Thus, the burden is on the petitioner and/or beneficiary in a particular case to get counsel involved in the on-going process. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

India Post

Tech News The text message/ SMS turns 19 years old

TechBiz

Volkswagen XL1 car on display at the 11th Auto Expo 2012

ccording to Wikipedia, the first SMS text message was sent over the Vodafone GSM network in the United Kingdom on 3 December 1992, from a man named Neil Papworth using a personal computer to Richard Jarvis of Vodafone using an Orbitel 901 handset. The text of the message was "Merry Christmas". The technology behind the SMS text is 27-years old, having first been developed in the FrancoGerman GSM cooperation in 1984 by Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert. It was then, eight years later, that the "Merry Christmas" text was sent. The Text Message has turned 19 years old. Since then, SMS technology has come a long way to dominant the current mobile messaging scene. In 2010, SMS texts generated $114.6 billion in revenues worldwide, but many believe it's just the beginning. Experts estimate that mobile networks will earn $726 billion from SMS text messaging over the next five years. So while smartphone applications like GroupMe and services like Apple's iMessage start to make up larger slices of the text messaging field, SMS is not giving up its mobile messaging throne anytime soon. Now, it's time to send a happy birthday text!

14 lakh Aakash tablets booked in 2 weeks

ookings for the Aakash tablet have reached 14 lakh units in just two weeks since it was put up for sale online. The world's cheapest tablet is being offered at a price of Rs 2,500 each. Datawind, the UK based company that is manufacturing the tablet has decided to set up three new factories in Cochin, Noida and Hyderabad within the first six months of 2012 to assemble the tablet and cater to the huge demand. Datawind had earlier put out a limited 30,000 tablets for sale online with e-commerce provider Ncarry.com. The limited numbers since then have already been exhausted. Datawind is however facing a problem with supplies. The company also plans to put an online sale of the new version of the tablet the Aakash - Ubislate 7 later in January. The latest version is priced at Rs 2,999.

at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

44 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

RIL to fund Network 18 promoters, divest in Eenadu channels MUMBAI: Reliance Industries and Network 18 group has joined hands for a multi-layered deal worth about Rs 4,000 crore, under which the Mukesh Ambani-led corporate giant would sell a part of its interest in Eenadu TV channels and would also fund rights issues of Network 18 firms. As part of the deal, Network 18 and TV18 Broadcast would together raise a net amount of Rs 4,000 crore through rights issues (wherein shares are issued to existing shareholders), including about Rs 1,700 crore contribution of promoters. An independent trust set up by RIL would provide funds to the Network 18 group promoters, in the form of 'optionally convertible debentures', for rights issues. TV18 would spend up to Rs 2,100 crore for acquiring a part

of RIL's stake in ETV assets. The deal also involves RIL's broadband venture Infotel get-

channel CNBC-TV18, English news channel CNN-IBN, along with various other channels and

Network 18 and TV18 Broadcast would together raise a net amount of Rs 4,000 crore through rights issues (wherein shares are issued to existing shareholders), including about Rs 1,700 crore contribution of promoters ting preferential access to the content and distribution assets of Network 18 group, whose properties include business

Mukesh Ambani

websites. RIL said that its investments in various Eenadu TV assets total Rs 2,600 crore.

RIL holds 100 per cent stake in Eenadu's four regional news channels (ETV Uttar Pradesh, ETV Madhya Pradesh, ETV Bihar, ETV Urdu), 100 per cent stake in five entertainment channels (ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Gujarati and ETV Oria), and 49 per cent in two Telugu channels (ETV Telugu and ETV Telugu News). TV18 is acquiring 100 per cent stake in regional news channels, 50 per cent in non-Telugu entertainment channels and 24.5 per cent interest in two Telugu channels. TV18 would get the board and management control of the ETV news channels and ETV nonTelugu entertainment channels. However, RIL funding would not alter promoter, management or editorial control of Network 18 entities, the two groups said. -PTI

Indian American company faces $1m in fines for safety violations India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Houstonbased Indian American owned Piping Technology and Products is facing more than $1 million in fines from the US Department of Labor for alleged safety violations. The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last month cited Piping Technology and Products Inc. for 13 willful and 17 serious violations for exposing workers to the risk of amputations and other serious injuries from dangerous machinery, as well as other hazards, at the company's Houston facility. Proposed penalties total $1,013,000. "Repeatedly ignoring the law while risking workers' lives and providing misleading information to federal investigators will

not be tolerated," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Employers who endanger the lives and limbs of their employees must be held accountable." Piping Technology has been the subject of an OSHA investigation that began earlier this year

Agrawal said in a statement: "Piping Technology & Products maintains a safe workplace for its employees. We started out in a garage in Southeast Houston and we've grown the company to nearly 600 employees over the last 30+ years. All the while, we've

According to OSHA, in addition to substantiating the complaint items, its inspection found that employees were permitted to cut metal Ibeams and pipes without the proper machine guarding, which exposed them to possible severe injuries when a worker contacted OSHA, alleging a lack of brakes on overhead cranes and unguarded presses at the company's facility in Houston. In response to the citations and proposed fines by OSHA, Piping Technology Vice President, R. K.

maintained employee safety as our #1 priority. And we think the data supports it." "Regarding the citations and proposed fines just issued by OSHA, we disagree with the conclusions that OSHA has reached. We look forward to working with

OSHA to resolve the situation," he said. Agrawal further said: "Throughout OSHA's recent inspection of our facility, the men and women of Piping Technology, including members of our safety team, our department supervisors, our management and our other employees have fully cooperated with OSHA inspectors." According to OSHA, in addition to substantiating the complaint items, its inspection found that employees were permitted to cut metal I-beams and pipes without the proper machine guarding, which exposed them to possible severe injuries. Additionally, OSHA inspectors found that during machine maintenance, workers were exposed to the unexpected release of stored energy because of improper safeguards. ContĂd on page 45

TechBiz Post

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Air India to lease five Boeing 777-200 NEW DELHI: Within days of deciding to sale and leaseback the first seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners it will receive till this June, Air India has offered to lease five of its eight Boeing 777-200 planes for 8-10 years, officials say. The national carrier has floated a global tender to dry-lease these B 777-200 (Long Range) aircraft, four of which were manufactured in 2007, one in 2008 and three in 2009. The move came days after the ailing national carrier decided to

sale and leaseback seven of its Dreamliners and started looking for bridge financing worth USD 230 million. These B 777s are on US Exim

Guaranteed financing and are being offered as sub-lease, the offi-

cials said. The decision to lease out the Boeing 777s came in the backdrop of the planned induction of the

B 787s, the first of which is expected to arrive later this month.

The second Dreamliner would be inducted in March, the third in April and two each in May and June. The officials said the composite-material built Dreamliners

would replace the B-777s on the long-haul, nonstop routes like those to the US and Canada. The airline is also contemplating launching direct flights to Australia with these aircraft, they said. Air India is also looking for interim bridge financing for accepting delivery of the first two B 7878 planes and has invited offers from banks and financial institutions to arrange for USD 230 million or equivalent of cost of two planes. -PTI

Aakash gets a competitor in 'Classpad' Indian American company faces

hile the students and techsavvy people are going mad about Datawind's cheapest tablet 'Aakash', its competitor is

three models: Classpad 7, Classpad 8 and Classpad 10. Compared to Aakash tablet's battery life of around one and half hours, Classpad runs without fail for more than 6 hours. Though rates of Aakash tab have been subsidized to Rs 1,700 for mass distribution in schools, from the original cost of Rs 2,500, the Classpad is a bit costly as it offers richer media and interactivity with more Rohit Pande, CEO, ClassteacherLearning apps and a wider sylSystems (left) and Dr Harish Chaoudhary, Asst labus, longer battery Prof of Marketting Managementat Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi at the launch of life of Classpad on December 29 s e v e n h o u r s already on the roll to grab user's compared with attention. Aakash's 1.5 hours Rohit Pande, a graduate of the and better touch expeIndian Institute of Technology, rience. Delhi and Indian Institute of ManClasspad gives a agement, Calcutta has launched an better battery life, education tablet called Classpad. supports 1.3 Ghz proThe Classpad, priced in the cessing speed and a range of Rs 7,500-14,000, comes in built-in memory of 4

Gb which can be expandable to 8Gb. With the magic of artificial intelligence and Android platform, it has got all to woo the young guns. Designed for the students of standard 3 to 12, Classpad can serve as an interactive e-reading device, with the capability of storing dozens of books. Interestingly, it can also be attached to interactive classroom boards. Commenting on the launch, Rohit Pande, CEO, Classteacher Learning Systems said that, they had been working on it for the last four years and with the study device their aim was to create a personalized learning experience.

Hi-tech jeans with slimming effect!

ccording to a CBS report, the material simply sucks you in. hold in and high waist cinches while on 'The Early Show Sat2 Jeans: Not Your Daughter's smallest part of the body. urday Edition,' Lucky magazine Edi- Jeans, Boot Cut in WHITE, 98 dol3 Jeans: Shape FX, Built-in tor at Large Elise Loehnen and some lars, Amazon.com Control Jeans, 59 dollars, "real-people" models ShapeFX.com showcased some ShapeFX: built-in "body-sculpting" power-mesh panty lifts, jeans promising to give shapes rear, slims tummy, you the perfect body boot-cut balances hips. shape, and described 4 Jeans: J.Brand Boot the claims made by Leg in Dark Vintage with their manufactures: XFIT Lycra, 179 dollars, 1 Jeans: JBbrandJeans.com Miraclebody, Skinny XFIT LYCRA: FourMinnie Jeans, 110 dolway stretch, won't stretch l a r s , out, feel like yoga pants, MiracleBody.com wont bunch in the knee, "10 pounds lighter hold you in, wide waist Hi-tech jeans with slimming effect!. Getty Images in 10 seconds" - these band. J Brand works with Lift Tuck technology: criss- XFIT to make their super popular slims legs, uplifts rear and controls tummy. Have a tummy band and cross stitching at the tummy to jeans even more flattering.

$1m in fines for safety violations ContĂd from page 45

"Piping Technology deliberately exposed its workers who operate band saws and other dangerous machinery to amputation hazards while misleading OSHA investigators about the use of these machines," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. The willful violations involve the failure to guard seven band saws and to lock out all of the sources of hazardous energy to six pieces of equipment before service and maintenance. Each of the 13 citations carries a penalty of $70,000, for a total of $910,000. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health, an OSHA statement said. The 17 serious violations, with penalties totaling $103,000, involve the failure to guard other machines and grinders properly, ensure that openings on electrical equipment were securely closed, provide fall

protection training and ensure that employees wore hard hats when exposed to overhead hazards. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Piping Technology had knowledge of OSHA requirements due to citations issued in 1986, 1994, 2004 and 2005 that specifically addressed the need to guard the band saws used in production processes. In 2004 and 2005, OSHA cited the company with penalties totaling $82,500 and $33,000, respectively, for a variety of workplace hazards that included lockout/tagout violations. OSHA has placed Piping Technology in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. Initiated in June 2010, the program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat or failureto-abate violations.

Horoscope

46 India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Your Weekly Future by Pandit Parashar

JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH (November 23 to December 22)

(March 21 to April 20)

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

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

(April 21 to May 20)

(December 22 to January 19)

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

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

(May 21 to June 20)

(January 20 to February 18)

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

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

(February 19 to March 20)

(June 21 to July 22)

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

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

aturn's transit in third will free you from all bondages of past. You will have a big chance to prove your ability. Deal is all yours. You may make big money through stocks also. You will spend money on buying some fine quality item for personal use. You may start some kind of legal process to prove your point and get compensation. (August 23 to September 22)

hysical activities will increase. Not only you will accomplish a lot but shed away few pounds in the process. Money will come from more than one source. You will go out and spend money on yourself too after long interval. New product will open doors for more revenue in business. Property deal may also finally go through this week. (September 23 to October 22)

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

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

Russell Grant had predicted Princess Diana's death

ussell Grant is best known for be- the 'Astrologer Royal' and I began appearing one of the UK's top astrolo- ing on TV as the cuddly bloke in brightlygers - and he is the Evening colored jumpers." Telegraph's very own astrologer - but his He became a regular on breakfast TV stint on Strictly Come and also become a Dancing last year reclose pal of Princess vealed his true passion Diana but has refor dancing and perfused to discuss their forming. friendship. "I'll never At 14 he became inbreak her confiterested in horoscopes. dences," says "I was fascinated by Russell. "NEVER. how different people She was a fabulous could all be affected in person." But he did similar ways by the popredict her death - in sition of the planets an article on August when they were born," 10, 1997 - and behe says. "It became a lieves the crash passion, but it was only which killed her and meant to be a hobby." lover Dodi Fayed was Russell Grant Russell continued no accident. his astrology as a sideline. And his life He recalls: "I said their relationship was changed when he had a stall at the Ideal so fated it would end in tears. And she Home Exhibition. died on August 31. I warned her. I said, "The Queen Mother visited my stand 'Don't go there, love. Don't go anywhere and I was photographed showing her her with him. You've got to knock this on the chart," he says. "After that I was called head.' It was star-crossed lovers - bad."

Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

925-833-7170

website: www.parashar.com

Classifieds

January 13, 2012

India Post 47

www.indiapost.com

MOTEL FOR SALE 25 35 39 50

rooms rooms rooms rooms

Gardena La Puente Bellflower Gardena

$1.79 M. S2.65 M. $2.75 M. $3.5

Inn Realty HENRY CHEING: 626-484-8785 Cell

626-350-0506 (O)

For Classifieds Ads Call

Shree Jalaram Mandir Chicago NEEDS IMMIDIATELY 1. Full Time Cook Needed ASAP 2. Full Time Pujari Need ASAP Please Contact: Hasmukh 1 847 371 1098 or Bhupendra 1 224 715 2010

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

NORTHERN CA (Sonia) Tel: 510-938-8668 sonia@indiapost.com SOUTHERN CA (Shashi Trivedi) Tel: 562-441-5511/ Fax: 562-947-0632 shashi19@yahoo.com CHICAGO (Ramesh Soparawala) Tel: 773-973-7394 / Fax: 773-973-7396 sramesh@aol.com NEW YORK (Pinky) Tel: 212-944-1931/ Fax: 212-944-1932 pinky@indiapost.com

Philosophy

India Post

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

Page Sponsored by Sahanis SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

n studying the religions of the world we generally find two methods of procedure. The one is from God to man. That is to say, we have the Semitic group of religions in which the idea of God comes almost from the very first, and, strangely enough, without any idea of soul. It was very remarkable amongst the ancient Hebrews that, until very recent periods in their history, they never evolved any idea of a human soul. Man was composed of certain mind and material particles, and that was all. With death everything ended. But, on the other hand, there was a most wonderful idea of God evolved by the same race. This is one of the methods of procedure. The other is through man to God. The second is peculiarly Aryan, and the first is peculiarly Semitic. The Aryan first began with the soul. His ideas of God were hazy, indistinguishable, not very clear; but, as his idea of the human soul began to be clearer, his idea of God began to be clearer in the same proportion. So the inquiry in the Vedas was always through the soul. All the knowledge the Aryans got of God was through the human soul; and, as such, the peculiar stamp that has been left upon their whole cycle of philosophy is that of introspective search after divinity.

KAHLIL GIBRAN

ou work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite. When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music. Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison? Always you have been told that work is a curse and labor a misfortune. But I say to you that when you work you fulfill a part of earth's furthest dream, assigned to you when that dream was born, and in keeping yourself with labor you are in truth loving life, And to love life through labor is to be intimate with life's inmost secret. But if you in your pain call birth an affliction and the support of the flesh a curse written upon your brow, then I answer that naught but the sweat of your brow shall wash away that which is written.

The Aryan man was always seeking divinity inside his own self. It became, in course of time, natural, characteristic. It is remarkable in their art and in their commonest dealings. Even at the present time, if we take a European picture of a man in a religious attitude, the painter always makes his subject point his eyes upwards, looking outside of

The majority of philosophies in every country, especially in the West, have started with the assumption that these two, matter and mind, are contradictory existences; but in the long run we shall find that they converge towards each other and in the end unite and form an infinite whole. So it is not that by this analysis I mean a higher or lower

body, although we find, many persons who think that this body is nothing. In old times, every country was full of people who thought this body was only a disease, a sin, or something of that kind. Later on, however, we see how, as it was taught in the Vedas, this body melts into the mind, and the mind into the body.

Matter and mind finally converge towards each other The majority of philosophies in every country, especially in the West, have started with

Give to your fellow what he needs to accomplish what life asked of him. Do not impose on another your idea of how he should best live. -Jean Klein

the assumption that these two, matter and Swami Vivekananda

mind, are contradictory existences

nature for God, looking up into the skies. In India, on the other hand, the religious attitude is always presented by making the subject close his eyes. He is, as it were, looking inward. These are the two subjects of study for man, external and internal nature; and though at first these seem to be contradictory, yet external nature must, to the ordinary man, be entirely composed of internal nature, the world of thought.

standpoint with regard to the subject. I do not mean that those who want to search after truth through external nature are wrong, nor that those who want to search after truth through internal nature are higher. These are the two modes of procedure. Both of them must live; both of them must be studied; and in the end we shall find that they meet. We shall see that neither is the body antagonistic to the mind, nor the mind to the

You must remember the one theme that runs through all the Vedas: "Just as by the knowledge of one lump of clay we know all the clay that is in the universe, so what is that, knowing which we know everything else?" This, expressed more or less clearly, is the theme of all human knowledge. It is the finding of a unity towards which we are all going. The 149th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda will be observed on January 12.

You have been told also that life is darkness, and in your weariness you echo what was said by the weary. And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge, And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge, And all knowledge is vain save when there is work, And all work is empty save when there is love; And when you

to dwell in that house. It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit. It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit, And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching. Often have I heard you say, as

that the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass; And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving. Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is

When you work you fulfill part of earth's dream

Kahlil Gibran

work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God. And what is it to work with love? It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth. It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were

All urge is blind save when there is knowledge, And all knowledge is vain save when there is work, And all work is empty save when there is love if speaking in sleep, "He who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone, is nobler than he who ploughs the soil. And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet." But I say, not in sleep but in the overwakefulness of noontide,

better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man's hunger. The 129th birth anniversary of Kahlil Gibran was observed on January 6

Self-education begins by watching how we are using the energy and learning how not to waste it. -Vimala Thakar Meditation is not a tension, it is not a strain. One is never tired of meditation. -Osho Nothing to do, Nothing to force, nothing to want - and everything happens by itself. -Ven. Lama Gendun Rinpoche Great knowledge sees all in one. Small knowledge breaks down into the many. -Chuang Tzu You are Emptiness, the Ultimate substance: remove Emptiness out of Emptiness leaves only Emptiness because there is nothing beyond It. -Papaji To study the way of the Buddha is to study your own self. To study your own self is to forget yourself. -Dogen

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

Edit Page

January 13, 2012

India Post

www.indiapost.com

Analyzing events of 2011 & prognosticating 2012 PR CHARI

here is no dearth of yearend assessments of the major international events in 2011 that were singular. Fair consensus exists that it was a tumultuous year for the international system. There is fair agreement also about the events that caused this tumult, and there could be disputes about their prioritization for taking remedial steps. Several of these events will cast their deep shadows over the course of 2012. The still evolving Arab Spring must head this list, closely followed by epochal events like the Eurozone financial crisis, the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear disaster, the failure of the super-committee in the US to credibly address its crippling debt issue, the American withdrawal from Iraq and its impending abandonment of Afghanistan, and, finally, the growing estrangement between China and the US as the latter 'pivots' around Asia. The most significant of these events undoubtedly is the Arab Spring, which embodies popular discontent against the militarybureaucratic autocracies in the Arab Maghreb and Middle East region. In quick succession Tunisia and Egypt witnessed popular revolutions, and a civil war erupted in Libya. These countries saw regime change, which was the prime objective of the Arab Spring dissenters. Civil uprisings affected Bahrain, Syria and Yemen. Besides, major and minor protest movements have excoriated almost all the Arab countries. The motivating factors include the insensitivity of dictatorships and absolutist regimes to public demands, unemployment - particularly of educated and militant youth who could not accept the status quo, economic downturn resulting in grinding poverty and food insecurity, while wealth was concentrating in the hands of the ruling classes. Moreover, corruption had increased manifold with a concomitant lack of accountability and transparency. The contention between rising aspirations and lack of government response triggered off these protests. All it required was some precipitating event to set off the political earthquake. For instance, the self-immolation of a fruit seller protesting against police corruption set off the revolution in Tunisia that spread to neighboring Egypt, Algeria, Libya and then across the Arab world.

Internet and the social media allowed the protestors to communicate with each other without the heavy hand of censorship intervening, or the protestors being detected and punished. But, a common denominator fuelling the Arab Spring was the unwillingness of the rulers to parley with the protesters. What if counterfactual questions are helpful in understanding crises? And, it is worth speculating if a different outcome would have resulted if the Arab regimes had agreed to negotiate with the protestors before their crises reached unmanageable proportions. The deeper conceptual implications of the Arab Spring have a global remit. Civil society has become aroused now, which derives from the new egalitarianism

continue Putin in power reveals that its civil society has become conscious of their democratic rights. Further, Russian citizens are determined to assert these rights despite efforts by its rulers to suppress their protest. In a sense, the people are forcing their rulers to fulfill their part of the Hobbesian bargain by ensuring the commonweal, and not by perpetuating themselves in power and plundering the nation. The jury is still out whether the removal of their autocracies by the Arab Spring movement will usher a more democratic era into these countries. In Egypt, for instance, the failure of the protesters to unite and work out a scheme for political reform has ensured the renewed relevance and ascendancy of its military. These post Arab Spring developments will

Egyptian protesters shout anti-military council slogans as they hold a national flag

sweeping over the international system. Small and weak nations have confidently and successfully stood up to powerful countries - the apocryphal example of Vietnam can be recalled here. Interventions by powerful countries in the affairs of weak nations have proved ineffectual, even disastrous - the American intervention in Somalia, then Iraq and Afghanistan for instance. Earlier, the Soviet Union had been forced to retreat from Afghanistan in similar circumstances. It is being argued here that the egalitarianism distinguishing the international system is now being reflected within nations. No longer can autocratic and unrepresentative rulers ensconce themselves in power by controlling the security forces. Nor can they gain office through rigged elections without incurring the wrath of their citizenry. The continuing protests in Russia over efforts designed to

unravel further in 2012. Meanwhile, another interesting phenomenon is worth flagging, which is the growing legitimacy of dynastic succession. South Asia has for long been receptive to the concept of power being reposed in preferred families, and this occurrence can be illustrated by highlighting the dynastic succession principle obtaining in India vis the Nehru-Gandhi family, the Bhutto family in Pakistan, and the Mujib-Zia families in Bangladesh. The Kim tradition is flourishing in North Korea and the succession of the "princelings" in China reveals that other regions have also approved dynastic succession. Whether the tradition of dynastic succession strengthens elsewhere while autocratic regimes weaken in the Arab world is a development that merits attention in 2012. The writer is Visiting Professor IPCS

India Post Public vs. politicians

he public wants to see some evidence that some dent is being made on tackling corruption so endemic in the administrative system led by the Congress party. The latter put up a charade in Parliament blaming all and sundry except itself for the failure of the Lokpal Bill. Some opposition parties made a show of support for Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement. But when it came to showing their hand in Parliament, it became clear that the present set of MPs do not want the Lokpal Bill, in any form. Like the Women's Reservation Bill, disruptions will ensure that it is never put to vote. In public all parties have made noises in favor of the Bill but privately all politicians fear that if Anna Hazare's suggestions are ever implemented, it will mean end of the supremacy of Parliament, unchecked empowerment of a set of do-gooders and creation of new administrative problems. The Government also brought the bill to Parliament unwillingly. It was forced to do so by public opinion. In the end, going by the drama in Parliament associated with the bill, it amounts to cheating that same public opinion. How long can it continue this charade? The Congress will have to give account to that same public sooner or later. Perhaps sooner, because the way things are developing, particularly after the February elections to five states, mid-term elections could be forced on the country. The UPA may be the majority alliance but in practice it hardly has full support from any of its allies on any issue. And used as it is to functioning as the sole ruling party of yore, the Congress forgets to consult its allies and has been beating the retreat on all issues it has taken an initiative on. On the Lokpal bill also it left out the public demands of removing the CBI from government control, bringing the lower bureaucracy also under it but kept the provision of Lokayukta to be appointed in states. Instead it introduced some of its own not very salutary features like bringing NGOs under the bill, without consulting the allies. The Anna Hazare team is also guilty of confusing fighting corruption with Lokpal Bill. Their insistence on "our bill or nothing" has cost them some support as evident during their last show of "fast and forward" with Anna Hazare in Mumbai. To the ordinary Indian, any means of ending corruption would be welcome and it need not necessarily be the Lokpal Bill. In a democracy, other options could also be considered. There are well-meaning crusaders against corruption like Jaya Prakash Narayan whose Lok Satta Movement (means people power) is already working on election reforms, police reforms, right to information act and voter registration procedures. The Anna team has also to learn that they have to begin at the grassroots for making a lasting impact. It could join this new JP movement by ensuring that right kind of candidates get selected for fighting elections. It is at this level that maximum energies of reformers should be spent. Instead of trying to going it alone like the Congress, the Anna movement could also do with some useful allies. It is in danger of losing public sympathy by tending to blow its own trumpet. Candidates fighting elections on the basis of family power, money power or muscle power need to be exposed at this level and alternative educated and responsible candidates should be promoted by the reformers. Only such MPs could provide useful legislation that could benefit all in the country. Forcing a bill down the throat of reluctant MPs would be counter-productive as it would be stalled at the implementation stage.

50 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012

www.indiapost.com

India Post 51

52 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 13, 2012