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Maria Pappas returns over $20 million in taxes Details on page 18
US school bans 'kirpan'; Sikhs concerned Details on page 8
Secret defense file found on Asiad road
VOL 16, No. 853
January 14, 2011
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U.S. BORN MAY BE DENIED CITIZENSHIP Legislators considering new law
India Post News Service
NEW YORK: State Legislators for Legal Immigration (SLLI), a coalition of state legislators, revealed Jan 5, their plan to challenge the 14th Amendment and the Constitutional definition of citizenship. Claiming that they need to correct a “monumental misapplication of the 14th Amendment” and protect their states from the “illegal alien invasion,” the legislators proposed model legislation intended to spark a new Supreme Court ruling to reinterpret the 14th Amendment.
The model legislation attempts to create a new definition of “state citizenship” and narrow the categories of people who would be citizens at birth: only children born to at least one parent who is a US citizen, national, or legal permanent resident would be considered citizens. The bill would also create a “state compact” requiring states to issue two different types of birth certificates: one for those considered “natural-born US citizens” and another singling out those whom the state does not consider a citizen.
Andy Shenoy appointed as UNDC director Details on page 5
GOPIO confers Service Awards during PBD Details on page 7
11,000 H1-B visas still available in US Details on page 7
Details on page 34
Details on page 7
US tax hits Indians: CII protests Bobby Jindal
Details on page 15
Jindal most popular Governor in US Details on page 6
Texas varsity offers lessons on Lord Krishna Details on page 19
Save Sonia with bone marrow donation
INDIA'S VOICE IN U.N. COUNCIL: India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri acknowledges greetings on taking India's seat at the United Nations Security Council session.
Puri elected chair of key UNSC committee
CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 24-25 Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post ---- 18-23, 40-43
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NEW YORK: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri has been elected to chair an important Security Council Committee concerning counter-terrorism, and the Working Group concerning threat to international peace and security by terrorist acts. Puri has also been elected to chair the Security Council Committee established concerning Somalia and Eritrea.
The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by Security Council in September 2001 in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. The Committee, comprising all 15 Security Council members, is tasked with monitoring the implementation of a resolution, which requested all countries to implement a number of measures intended to enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world. These measures include:
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Date Book -------------------------- 46 Edit Page --------------------------- 50 HealthScience Post --------- 37-39 Horoscope ------------------------- 47 Immigration Post ------------- 34-36 India ------------------------------ 26-28 Philosophy ------------------------- 49 Publisherís Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 44-45 TechBiz Post ------------------- 15-17 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 29-31
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Travel to Mumbai in comfort. (How you get around there is up to you.) Austrian Airlines now offers 5 ights per week to Mumbai. Enjoy the comfort of Austrian Airlines, with Austrian and Indian specialties as well as excellent service on board.
www.austrian.com
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f you go by the date on this issue, we are already two weeks into the New Year. If you are one of those still hung over from the New Year's Eve party, well, it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. "Smelling the Coffee" might be a bit of an old cliché because as aromatic as most coffees tend to be, it no longer can be symbolic of the harsh realities of life that one wakes up to every morning. I'd call it waking up to smell the stink there's the stink of rising expenditures and decreasing incomes; the stink of corruption and systemic inefficiency; the stink of increasing wealth among the already wealthy; and if you are the middle class, then the stink of approaching poverty; and worst, the stink of rising unrest among the already poor. While those unpleasant truths might be universal, for the year 2011, I'd say they are more poignant for Americans to wake up to. Towards the end of 2010, the federal debt commission, in presenting its report aptly titled The Moment of Truth, had categorically said that for the first time in the history of the United States, we will be passing on a less prosperous and less secure country to our children. Although the annual BVA-Gallup International survey on economic outlook around the world found the French in particular and Europeans in general to be the most gloomy for 2011, Americans seem to hope to fare a little better this year; but it is the people in India, China and Brazil who expect the new year would in fact be a prosperous one for them, the poll indicates. Coming back to America, I am afraid I am skeptical about not just the economic future of the country but also its political future. A Republican majority house; an overly emotional Republican Senate Speaker poised to overturn Obamacare; increasingly polarized network news channels that are already running full-fledged 'election headquarter' stories of 2012… oh, well, not much to want to wake up to in 2011. But then I am definitely not French and would still like to smell my coffee every morning, even if only decaf.
Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com
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Celina engaged Blue eyed Celina Jaitly is in love. She recently got engaged to Dubai-based hotelier Peter Haag.
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Cover Story: Citizenship challenge US Legislators plan to challenge the 14th Amendment and the Constitutional definition of citizenship.
Community: Taxes returned
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The Cook County Treasurer Department headed by Maria Pappas has announced return over $20 million to taxpayers.
Health: Sharp vision A team of Sioux Falls surgeons use a growing assortment of procedures to help patients regain the sharp vision.
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Travel: Kanha National Park The picturesque Kanha National Park in MP was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.
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January 14, 2011
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Puri elected chair of key UNSC committee India Post News Service
implementation of a resolution, which requested all countries to NEW YORK: India’s Perma- implement a number of measures nent Representative to the United intended to enhance their legal Nations Ambassador Hardeep and institutional ability to counter Singh Puri has been elected to terrorist activities at home, in their chair an important Security Coun- regions and around the world. cil Committee concerning counter- These measures include: • Criminalize the financing of terrorism • Freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism • Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups • Suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists • Share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts • Cooperate with Ambassador Puri being greeted other governments in terrorism, and the Working Group the investigation, detection, arconcerning threat to international rest, extradition and prosecution peace and security by terrorist of those involved in such acts; and acts. • Criminalize active and pasPuri has also been elected to chair the Security Council Com- sive assistance for terrorism in mittee established concerning domestic law and bring violators to justice. Somalia and Eritrea. The committee is assisted in The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by its work by the Counter-TerrorSecurity Council in September ism Committee Executive Direc2001 in the wake of the September torate (CTED), which also coor11 terrorist attacks in the United dinates the process of monitorStates. The Committee, compris- ing the implementation of the ing all 15 Security Council mem- resolution. Given its experience in the bers, is tasked with monitoring the
fight against menace of terrorism over more than two decades, India, during its chairmanship of the CTC, will work to further
strengthen the international legal framework for counter-terrorism. India will endeavor to increase international cooperation in the
tee concerning Somalia and Eritrea oversees the implementation of various measures, including arms embargo, travel ban and
The Security Council in session
Puri has also been elected to chair the Security Council Committee established concerning Somalia and Eritrea
fight against terrorism by the UN member-states uniformly and without exception. India will also seek to enhance cooperation among various international institutions and national authorities engaged in fighting terrorism that will help strengthen the implementation of best practices globally and will give adequate assistance for capacity-building of nation-states is fighting terrorism. The Security Council Commit-
assets freeze, against the listed individuals and entities. Given the continuing security and political problems in the region, India will seek to actively promote full implementation of these measures. India will bring its wide experiences in nationbuilding as well as those of its Navy in the fight against piracy to further international cooperation so that Somalia does not become safe haven for terrorists and pirates rather returns to normalcy and stability as early as possible.
Andy Shenoy appointed as UNDC director India Post News Service
NEW YORK: The Governor of New York State has appointed Indian-American business leader of tri-state area Andy Keshav Shenoy as board of director on the United Nations Development Corporation (UNDC). The appointment was made in consultation with United Nations Secretary-General and United States Ambassador to the United Nations. United Nations Development Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the State and City of New York to assist the UN with real estate requirements that include planning, development and financing. Shenoy, President of Trivision Group Inc in New York is currently serving on
New York's Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo's Transition Team. Shenoy has been politically active for over two decades, and is credited for arranging several
UN Development Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the State and City of New York to assist the UN with real estate requirements that include planning, development and financing important meetings for Indian and South Asian community leaders with several New York Governors, New York City Mayors as well as
State Legislative leaders. He has served all previous three Governors of the State on a bi-partisan basis. In September of 2003, Shenoy was responsible for facilitating the meeting between the Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and New York Governor George E. Pataki to discuss bilateral trade arrangements and economic developments between New York State and India. He is also the President of IndoAmerican Promotion, a not-forprofit organization, and has been instrumental in the development of economic ties between India and the State of New York. Shenoy received the Governor's award of Excellence in 2005, for his significant contributions to the social, economic and cultural development of New York State and the nation. Shenoy was also instrumental
in arranging a meeting between Indian Ambassador to United States Ronen Sen and Governor George Pataki, along with other US senators, and similar meeting with
In 2006, he accompanied Federal Under Secretary Frank Levin for Trade and Commerce mission to India to promote bilateral trade relations between India and United States Governor David Paterson in 2007 to discuss and support the civil nuclear deal between India and United States.
Shenoy was Special Advisor for South-Asian affairs to former NY Governor George Pataki, and he continues to serve on the Board of Directors of "The Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority" and the State Advisory Board of Tourism. In 2006, he accompanied Federal Under Secretary Frank Levin for Trade and Commerce mission to India to promote bilateral trade relations between India and United States. In October 2009, he went on an official trade mission to China to promote investments in New York State with Senate President Malcolm Smith, Democratic Conference Leader Senator John Sampson, and Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari. This trip is now credited with encouraging several Chinese companies to visit New York State to explore business opportunities.
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January 14, 2011
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GOPIO confers Service Awards during PBD India Post News Service
NEW YORK: The Global Organization of Persons of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has inducted senior Indian bureaucrat T.K.A. Nair in its Honor Roll and has recognized three other distinguished persons with Service Awards at a prePravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in New Delhi on Jan 6. At its Annual Community Service Awards Banquet at the Ashoka Hotel, T.K.A. Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister was inducted to GOPIO's Honor Roll for his exemplary services to India and support for the Indian Diaspora causes. Previous inductees include former President late K.R. Narayanan, former Prime Minister Inder K. Gujral, the late Dr. L.M. Singhvi, former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra
Gambhir Watts
Chaudhry, former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, and Lord Navneet Dholakia. The Community Service Awards were presented at the banquet in the presence of Vayalar
Ravi, Minister honoring such of Overseas people, we hope Indian Affairs that their exand Haryana ample will motiChief Minister vate more NRIs/ Bhupinder PIOs to serve Singh Hooda. overseas Indian GOPIO's ancommunity and nual CSA the people of Inawards were dia with their established to service and genrecognize and erosity." honor those T.K.A.Nair NRIs and PIOs has the distincwho have protion of serving vided signifithree Prime Mincant commuisters - I.K. nity and public Gujral, Atal TKA Nair service or done Bihari Vajpayee philanthropic and currently work for the Indian Diaspora and/ Dr. Manmohan Singh. Before joinor to India. ing as Principal Secretary at the The awardees for this year in- PMO, he served as Chairman of cluded Gambhir Watts, Executive Public Enterprise Selection Board. Chairman of the Australian Branch Gambhir Watts (Australia) is of Bhratiya Vidya Bhavan; Prof. Executive Chairman since July M.C. Madhavan, Founder of San 2003 for Australia Chapters of Diego Indian American Society Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; ComUSA; a special recognition award missioner, Community Relations was presented to Prof. Prabhat Commission for a Multicultural Jha, world-renowned scientist and NSW and Chairman of Northern author who has worked tirelessly Regional Advisory Council 2006to improve the health and quality 2009; Founder patron of of life of resident Indians. Priyadarshni Academy Bombay "We at GOPIO feel privileged India honoring high achievers in to recognize Mr. T.K.A. Nair and various social, cultural and art rea few NRIs/PIOs who have con- lated fields all over the world; a tributed significantly to their re- Director of Advocacy for Incluspective countries of adoption as sion Australia (an NGO for Diswell as to India, and have also ability). Watts also initiated the contributed to the remarkable re- installation of first ever Mahatma surgence of India," said Lord Diljit Gandhi bust in New South Wales Rana, President of GOPIO Inter- at the University of New South national. Wales jointly with the Consul GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh General of India. said, "The award is a reflection of Prof. M.C. Madhavan (USA) their remarkable accomplishments may perhaps be remembered for a and commendable services. By long time for founding the San
Diego Indian American Society to establish Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture program with the support of his friends in 1984. Over 400 outstanding students have received the scholarship. The society has also funded over 20 projects in India benefiting the states of Bihar, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and various organizations in the San Diego. Prof. Prabhat Jha (Canada) is a world-renowned scientist and author who worked tirelessly to improve the health and quality of life of resident Indians. He recognized that since almost all deaths in In-
Prof.Prabhat Jha
dia did not have medical documentation or assigned causes of deaths, governments and individuals did not have the necessary information to plan effective healthcare initiatives in the country or for individuals to know their own risk of premature disease. He understood that millions of Indians would continue to die need-
Prof. MC Madhavan
lessly unless there was a revolution in the way health information was collected. Thus, in collaboration with the Registrar General of India, Professor Jha started the Million Death Study in 2001. Partly funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this ongoing study will quantify the causes of deaths in over 1 million homes in India from 1997-2014. Results from the study have already demonstrated that India has over 1 million deaths each year from smoking (10% of all deaths; New England Journal of Medicine, 2008), and fewer deaths from HIV than expected (British Med Journal, 2009), but many more malaria deaths than expected (about 0.2 million; Lancet 2010). He has also documented that the major causes of child deaths in the country are avoidable (Lancet, 2010). Future studies from the Million Death Study will continue to shape the direction for India's health.
Jindal the most popular Governor in the US, says poll WASHINGTON: Indian-origin Louisiana leader Bobby Jindal is the most popular serving governor in the United States, an opinion poll has said. Jindal has an approval rating of 58 per cent approval rating, along with 34 per cent disapproving of his job, shows a survey by Public Policy Polling. One of the top ranking Republican leader of the country, Jindal is seeking re-election next year. Jindal is closely followed by Jodi Rell of Connecticut, who has an approval rating of 55 per cent. California's Arnold Schwarzenegger is the least popular Governor in the country with an approval rating of just 25 per cent.
Meanwhile in his remarks, Jindal said the massive oil spill off
the state's coast will continue to be a challenge into 2011 and be-
yond. "As I reflect on the oil spill I
keep getting the question, 'Is Louisiana going to be OK? You've been through four hurricanes and an oil spill in the past few years. What's wrong with you people down there? Are you waiting for locusts?'" Jindal said. At 36, Jindal in 2007 became the first elected non-white Governor of Louisiana and also the first ever Indian American Governor of an American State. Since then he has been ranked as one of the most popular governors of the country and a rising star of the Republican Party. He is also considered to be aspiring presidential candidate for the party, though he has himself denied this. -PTI
January 14, 2011
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Top secret defense file lands 11,000 H1-B visas still available in USA up on Asiad Village road India Post News Service
revealed that the file related to one of the biggest defense deals in the NEW DELHI: On 21st Decem- world. The PTI story said, "A secret ber night, a security guard of Asiad Village in South Delhi file related to over $11 billion deal found a file lying on the roadside for procuring 126 multirole comwithin the colony. He rang up the bat aircraft went missing from the Secretary of Asiad Village Society Defense Ministry and has been Capt Krishan Sharma, who also found on the roadside in New happens to be the Managing Di- Delhi, prompting the Indian Air rector and Joint Editor of India Force to order a probe into the Post. Capt told the guard to bring incident. The secret files are rethe file to his house where the lated to the Offsets clause in the maid took the file and kept it on a deal and were table. Capt told the guard that if found on the someone comes looking for the roadside in a file, he should send him on to his Delhi locality recently, IAF offihouse. Next morning Capt looked at the cials said here, file. It seemed to be an important adding that the one. It was an Air Force file with file has been re"Secret' marked on it. Immediately covered. "The IAF has he got down to contacting defense ministry and home ministry ordered a CoI into the loss of the officials living in the colony. Af- secret file which went missing from ter more than 20 calls, one senior the Defense Ministry. The Minisofficial working in the defense try will order a separate probe into ministry and dealing with the Air the incident as the file had gone Force came over. The official in missing from there," Air Vice Marturn rang up to find out if any- shal M Matheswaran, Assistant body in the Defense Ministry had Chief of Air Staff (Operations) said lost a file but there was none who in New Delhi. The incident comes at a time when the multibillion dollar deal has entered the critical stage after the IAF carried out extensive flight evaluation trials of the six participating aircraft. The IAF had submitted its report to the Defense Ministry, Defense Ministry AK Antony which has to take a final call on the deal. Viewing the development He said the IAF had ordered seriously, Defense minister AK the probe under a senior official to Antony said the officials find out how the needed to be careful while file had gone missdealing with files related to the ing from the Ministry as it beproposed procurement of longed to the air force. Medium Multi-Role Combat "The secret file has been recovered Aircraft (M-MRCA) and it is in our custody," he added. Under the Offsets clause in the admitted so. Fearing the file could fall in wrong hands, it was decided defense production procedure, a to call in the Air Force police who foreign vendor bagging any deal worth over Rs 300 crore has to incame and collected the file. The Capt did not confide this vest back at least 30 per cent of incident to anybody fearing it the contract's worth back in Incould tarnish the country's image. dian defense sector. Under the M-MRCA deal, the But he was shocked to find a PTI story dated 31st December which offsets were pegged at 50 per cent
of the worth of the deal. American F-16 and F/A-18, French Rafale, Swedish Gripen, Russian MiG 35 and European Eurofighter are the six contenders participating the deal for supplying the aircraft to the IAF.
Minister Antony is angry According to the latest PTI update, "Two senior defense ministry officials, including an additional secretary, have come under the scanner as probe gathered momentum into an incident in which a secret IAF file related to multibillion dollar aircraft deal was found by a roadside in New Delhi. Viewing the development seriously, Defense minister AK Antony said the officials needed to be careful while dealing with files related to the proposed procurement of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA). The IAF file relating to the offsets clause in the M-MRCA deal worth over USD 11 billion had gone missing from the defense ministry and was recovered from the roadside in Khelgaon locality in South Delhi. The inquiry, launched soon after, has found that the file apparently was lost by an Additional Secretary-rank official while he was taking it to Bharat Electronic Limited guest-house, his temporary home, in Khelgaon, sources said. The file, marked 'secret', was found by a security guard who handed it over to a senior defense ministry official who was passing by, they said. "The official was subsequently asked to vacate the guest house which he did on 3 January," they said. The official has named a director-level officer in the department of defense production for the incident and his role is also being probed, the sources said. "We have viewed the incident seriously. An inquiry is on in the case," Antony said while commenting on the incident. "As far as M-MRCA is concerned, I am clear that every officer needs to be careful at every stage," he said. After the incident came to light, IAF and the Defense Ministry had simultaneously launched an inquiry into the case.
WASHINGTON: For the first time, about 11,000 H-1B visas, the most sought after by Indian professionals for working in the US, has found no takers indicating a grim employment scenario in the country and the steep hike in the visa fee daunting the job-seekers. Of the 65,000 mandated H-1B visa slots, about 11,000 remains unused for qualified applicants for the fiscal 2010-2011, says the latest figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa in the US which allows American companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Last year, the cap of 65,000 was reached on December 21. In 2008, the cap was reached on April 8 and the USCIS had to resort to computerized draw of lots to determine successful applicants. Till a couple of years ago, the cap in H-1B visas was reached in
the first few days of USCIS starting to accept applications. The latest figures indicate that the employment situation in the country has still not improved. However, in the H-1B Master's Exemption category the cap of 20,000 has almost been filled. So far, USCIS has received 19,700 applications in this category. This is applicable for those holding Masters or a higher degree from a US university. The fees for H-1B visas soared from USD 320 to USD 2,320 to help pay for a USD 650 million effort to increase security along the USMexico border. India's IT industry reacted sharply saying the move would cost them USD 200 million a year. After the Border Security Bill was passed by the Congress and signed into Law by US President Barack Obama, India voiced concern over the new legislation, contending that it would mainly impact Indian companies. -PTI
10 Indians and a Pakistani jailed for murder in Dubai DUBAI: Ten Indians and one one of whom has been named as Pakistani bootleggers have been Abu Baker Nujila, the daily resentenced to prison terms rang- ported. ing from 10 years to life after beThe judge adjourned returning ing convicted here for beating a a verdict on these charges until man to death and burying his February 7. body in a shallow sandy grave. "This was the strongest gang Two Indian men, MS, 24, ac- and after their arrest, increased cused of being the ringleader of a security and police presence bootlegging gang, and HS, 26, his chased away all the alcohol bootdeputy, were both sentenced to leggers from the area," an investilife at Dubai's Criminal Court of First Instance 17 Indians were awarded death for killing a rival bootlegger identified only as by a Sharjah court which found "number 36", the Na- them guilty for the murder of a tional paper reported. They attacked the Misri Nazir Khan, a Pakistani victim with swords, ma- national, near a Sharjah labor chetes, pipes and wooden blocks in No- camp over bootlegging dispute vember 2008 behind the in January 2009 Samsung office in Jebel Ali area and beat him to death. gating officer had said last year. Eight other Indians were senInvestigators said fierce competenced to 15 years in prison for tition had emerged between alcooffences related to the murder, hol bootleggers in the area. The while a Pakistani driver was sen- killers said during interrogation tenced to 10 years, the paper said. that they had warned the victim The convicts denied the mur- against selling alcohol in their area. der charges. Last year, 17 Indians were The defendants were not awarded death by a Sharjah court present in court to hear the ver- which found them guilty for the dicts. The charge came after they murder of a Misri Nazir Khan, a were arrested for the murder, rape Pakistani national, near a Sharjah and torture of another two rival labor camp over bootlegging disgang members on January 1, 2009, pute in January 2009.-PTI
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US school bans 'kirpan'; Sikh community concerned WASHINGTON: A school in Michigan's Canton township has barred students from bringing a 'kirpan' to the premises after a fourth grader was found carrying the religious symbol and parents of other students objected to it. The move has troubled the small Sikh community in the township near Detroit, prompting them to launch a public awareness campaign to make people realize that 'kirpan' is only a religious symbol that is completely non-threatening. The school authorities decided to ban the carrying of kirpan within the school premises late last month after the fourth grader Sikh student was found with a threeto-five inch kirpan. Following a legal review, the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district decided to ban it as it violated local, state and federal policies against carrying weap-
ons or items that look like weapons to school, the Detroit Free Press reported.
The school authorities decided to ban the carrying of kirpan within the school premises late last month after the fourth grader Sikh student was found with a three-to-five inch kirpan
Similar disputes have cropped up in other parts of the US as well and the incident has concerned Sikh parents and other community leaders, who argue that kirpan
symbolizes their commitment to fighting evils, such as greed, and has no assault value. "It's not an assault weapon," Tejkiran Singh, 47, of Canton, a Sikh community leader was quoted as saying by the newspaper. "It's so small, so blunt... The whole purpose of wearing it is that it's a reminder of our spirituality," he said. Sikhs of the area have organized a public forum to address concerns the city people may have about the growing Sikh community, the daily said. There are now three Sikh gurdwaras in Plymouth and Canton. "It's to inform people about this great world religion, which many don't know anything about," said Steve Spreader, director of programs for the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and In-
Over 100 Hindu families in Pak want to migrate to India ISLAMABAD: Over 100 Hindu families in Pakistan's Balochistan province are making efforts to migrate to India after becoming the target of a campaign of kidnappings and extortion, according to a media report. The Hindus of southwestern Balochistan have been hit hardest by incidents of abduction for ransom and extortion, with the records of the province's Home Department showing that a large number of the 291 people abducted last year were Hindus, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. Five Hindu families have already migrated from Balochistan's Mastung district to India and six more families are trying to seek asylum elsewhere or to shift to other parts of Pakistan, the daily quoted Hindu elders as saying. Vijay Kumar, a 33-year-old chemist, claimed that over 100 Hindu families of Balochistan are making efforts to migrate to India because of the campaign of kidnappings and extortion. ""Our relatives are there in India, thus we Hindus prefer to settle India," he told the daily. Suresh Kumar, 31, who runs a grocery shop in Mastung district south of Quetta, wants to migrate though his family has lived in Balochistan for almost a century. "Most of the people are trying to migrate to India or other areas of Pakistan because of the deteriorating law and order situation," Kumar said.
"Kumar is not alone in this desire. Frightened by the rise in kidnappings in which their community is being targeted, many Hindus want to leave the country at the first opportunity," the report said. In provincial capital Quetta alone, four of eight persons kidnapped last year belonged to the Hindu community. The situation was worse in Naseerabad district, where half the 28 people kidnapped in 2010 were
The recent abduction of spiritual leader Luckmi Chand Gurji has shaken the Hindus. Gurji was kidnapped with four followers last month. The captors released three men and kept the spiritual leader and the son of a trader from the minority community. "It is a common perception that most of the victims were released after paying huge sums of money as ransom to kidnappers. Relatives are reluctant to disclose how much money was paid to the kidnappers, fearing that they will be targeted again," the report said. Balochistan's Minorities Affairs Minister Basant Lal
Ghulshan said: "Recent incidents have shocked us." Forty-one Hindus were abducted during the past three years and four more were killed when they resisted kidnapping attempts. Juhary Lal, a well-known trader, was abducted about 16 months ago in Naal area of Khuzdar district and his whereabouts are unknown. The recent abduction of spiritual leader Luckmi Chand Gurji has shaken the Hindus. Gurji was kidnapped with four followers last month. The captors released three men and kept the spiritual leader and the son of a trader. Similarly, an engineer named Nanak Ram was kidnapped near Rojhan Jamali and his whereabouts are still unknown. The Hindus are ethnic Baloch and have been unaffected by the insurgency in the province. They are being targeted by kidnappers due to the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan. Hindus have lived in several Baloch-dominated districts like Nushki, Dera Allah Yar, Mastung, Khuzdar, Kalat, Jaffarabad, Lasbela, Kharan, Sibi and Kachhi and territories inhabited by the Marri and Bugti tribes for centuries. Hindus are also part of the Bugti, Marri, Rind, Bezenjo, Zehri, Mengal and other Baloch tribes and live under the tribal system.PTI
clusion, which is co-sponsoring the forum with other groups. It all started early December
According to the daily, the second student felt the kirpan and asked what it was. The student who was wearing the 3 to 5 inch item around his neck explained he received it when he was baptized when the young Sikh student, whose identity has not been revealed, and another student at Bentley Elementary were roughhousing on the playground, said
Frank Ruggirello, Plymouth-Canton spokesman. According to the daily, the second student felt the kirpan and asked what it was. The student who was wearing the 3 to 5 inch item around his neck explained he received it when he was baptized. School officials examined the item, saw it did not have any sharp edges and gave it back to the student, said Kenneth Jacobs, deputy superintendent of the district. "It does not have sharp edges. It is a religious artifact," the spokesman said. At the request of the school authorities and parents, the student's family agreed to remove the kirpan until Plymouth-Canton Community Schools officials figure out the best way, legally and otherwise, to handle it. But the school after following a legal review, decided to bar it.-PTI
Lawyers shower Pak governor's assassin with rose petals ISLAMABAD: The assassin his views. of the outspoken Pakistani govGuardian quoting police offiernor was showered with rose cials said that Qadri, 26, was a petals by lawyers and people as known radical in the police serhe made his appearance in a court vice who had previously been room to face murder charges, lay- declared unfit by superiors for ing bare increasing radicalization guarding VIPs. Qadri told interroof the Pakistani society. gators that he was proud to have Mumtaz Qadri, the police body- killed a blasphemer. guard who killed the Punjab gov"We pay rich tributes and saernor Salman Taseer, appeared lute the bravery, valour and faith unrepentant in court, where wait- of Mumtaz Qadri," acclaimed ing lawyers showered him with Jamaate Ahle Sunnat Pakistan, rose petals and others in the one of the biggest organizations crowd slapped his back and kissed of Barelvi, representing 500 relihis cheek as he was led out amid heavy security, British newspaper ‘We pay rich tributes and 'The Guardian' reported. The paper said that salute the bravery, valour religious organizations and faith of Mumtaz Qadri,’ applauded the murder of the moderate gover- acclaimed Jamaate Ahle nor and hailed his killer Sunnat Pakistan, one of the as 'Ghazi', religious warrior underscoring biggest organizations of Pakistan's journey from a nation defined by Barelvi, representing 500 moderate Islam to one religious scholars increasingly influenced by fundamentalists. The internet in Pakistan has gious scholars. been flooded by fan pages for The assassination has further Qadri, with one Facebook page at- deepened turmoil in nucleartracting over 2,000 followers be- armed Pakistan, where the fore being taken down and there economy is barely scraping by were even small demonstrations and suicide attacks by Islamic exin favor of the killer in the tremist groups are mounting. country's turbulent North-west. The government is struggling While the big mainstream po- with the collapse of its ruling coalitical parties condemned the mur- lition. der and a tearful thousands at"Words like liberal and secular tended his funeral, the big and have become demonized in the nasmall religious outfits declared tion," Guardian said quoting pothat he deserved to be killed for litical leaders. -PTI
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American Airlines snaps away from Expedia & Orbitz A.Q. SIDDIQUI India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Good days are coming back to Indian travel agents in US thanks to a recent tiff between American Airlines, Orbitz and Expedia. First American Airlines snapped away from Orbitz, the major booking website for pricing or other issues. In turn, Expedia the other web based booking giant dropped American Airlines from its booking system. American Airlines web based fares for various Indian destinations have been a matter of concern among Indian travel agents. While no other airline has so far published any lower fares on its own web site or any internet booking engine other than contracted fares to consolidators, American Airlines fares with code share flights to all Indian destinations has marginalized Consolidator fares to some extent. For example, according to Faizan, the web fare Manager at Evia Travel Inc Chicago, American Airlines fare Chicago-Abu Dhabhi-Mumbai-Abu DhabhiChicago in November, sold as American code share flight segments for Etihad Airlines, was slightly lower than Etihad airlines' own Consolidator fares. Why American Airlines published a fare where all "flights segments" were operated by Etihad was a real concern for many leading Consolida-
tors in US. But this type of fare has its own problems, says Faizan. He pointed to a case of two passengers who checked this fare on a major booking web site and insisted on that ticket. The ticket was issued for Chicago-Abu Dhabhi-Bangalore-Abu DhabhiChicago sector. The passenger Jahan Ara and daughter did travel to Bangalore on 18 December and
American has not flight operations from Bangalore and due to peak season it was not possible to find alternate flight from India. The passengers would have been stranded but Etihad Chicago office did more than expected. The Etihad Sales team not only confirmed flights for next day but also got a special approval for passengers to travel on American Airlines tickets Etihad flight bookings.
than contracted bulk fares offered to travel agents through airline appointed consolidators. So nobody so far has ever purchased a cheaper ticket on internet than what is sold by travel agents. Again, published fares tickets sold on booking engines are mostly non-refundable and governed by restricted conditions. Whereas tickets sold by travel agents are flexible for refund or
Majority of such booking engines are not authorized travel agents, but only referral sites. A click on such sites refers to another site, a search begins and surfer gets a fare that really does not exist they were scheduled to return on 2 Jan. However, Etihad flight Bangalore-Abu Dhabhi was cancelled on 2 Jan. Since the entire ticked was issued on American document (though there was no flying segment on American), passengers were asked to contact American. Here started the real problem.
But all passengers are not as lucky as Jahan Ara. There have been many affected cases. According to another leading Consolidator, it is myth that "internet fares" are cheaper than travel agents fares. Internet booking engines are allowed to sell only "published fares", much higher
can be changed with governing penalties. Nadeem Qureshi, the Canada-based owner of a web fares provider to US web based travel agencies however has a different view. He feels people are aware that they are paying more for buying online tickets; however it is only a one time experience.
Online ticket purchased is hardly a repeat sale. But for good travel agents, their passengers keep coming back to them. Faizan, however blames "mushrooming of web based booking engines" to the new concept of Metabolic search engines. Many 'referral sites' generated by Metabolic search engine refer surfers to some sites which are not actually authorized travel agents. They are hooked up with some consolidators for ticketing. So buying tickets through a referral website often lands you in unauthorized hands. Faizan's view is endorsed by other travel agents. In the beginning there were only 2-3 web based booking engines claiming to offer cheaper airline fares. Now there are so many booking engines vying with each other you simply do not know which one to trust. Majority of such booking engines are not authorized travel agents, but only referral sites. A click on such sites refers to another site, a search begins and surfer gets a fare that really does not exist. There have been reports that many customers bought tickets for Indian destinations online that were really not reported in airline system and passengers were turned away from airline check-in counters. Since American Airlines fares with code share flights have generated anger among Indian travel agents, the new development is viewed with a sigh of relief.
Doubts emerge over whether Qadri acted alone ISLAMABAD: Suspicion has grown over whether the Pakistani policeman who assassinated Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer acted on his own or was assisted in the act following emergence of a raft of evidence that he had been declared unfit for guarding VIPs because of his extremist leanings. Several police officials have confirmed that Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the Elite Force personnel who gunned down Taseer, was removed from Rawalpindi Police's Special Branch about 18 months ago after then regional police chief Nasir Khan Durrani described him as a "security threat". Despite a recommendation that Qadri, 26, should not be assigned to guard VIPS because of his extremist views, he was deputed to Taseer's security detail on five previous occasions. Investigators probing the assassination have sought a report from Rawalpindi Police to fix responsibility in this regard. An investigation team is interrogating eight other personnel of
the Elite Force who did not take any action when Qadri shot the Governor at very close range. Taseer was hit by at least 26 bullets and some reports said Qadri changed the magazine of his
the Dawn newspaper quoted its sources as saying. "It makes no sense that personnel who were on duty did not retaliate despite carrying active firearms... This is why the percep-
Investigators are trying to determine whether Qadri's colleagues were only in the know of his plan to kill Taseer or if they assisted him. Qadri had reportedly told his
Several police officials have confirmed that Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the Elite Force personnel who gunned down Taseer, was removed from Rawalpindi Police's Special Branch about 18 months ago after then regional police chief Nasir Khan Durrani described him as a ‘security threat’ Salmaan Taseer
assault rifle and continued firing. Investigators were of the opinion that the failure of the other guards to stop Qadri as he fired three bursts had strengthened "the suspicions of a conspiracy,"
tion that the rest of the guards had some inkling about Qadri's intention is gaining strength," an unnamed official told the daily. "Every aspect is being considered," another official said.
colleagues of his intention to kill the Governor and even said he would surrender after the act. Sleuths are also probing Qadri's background and collecting information from his neigh-
bors, relatives and friends following reports that he had attended several meetings and rallies organized by religious hardliners in the recent past. Qadri often wore a green turban, which he removed only when he put on his uniform. Qadri said he had killed Taseer for the Governor's criticism of Pakistan's blasphemy law. He laid down his weapon and surrendered after shooting Taseer in a market in Islamabad. Two junior officers who accepted Qadri's request to be made part of Taseer's security detail were among over 30 police personnel detained as part of the investigation. However, some senior officials conceded that the junior officers may not have been aware of the bar on Qadri. Meanwhile, a First Information Report filed by Taseer's son Shehryar Taseer at the Kohsar police station in Islamabad said his father had received several threats from different religious and political groups for expressing his views on important issues.
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Watershed year for Diaspora, NRIs got voting rights NEW DELHI: Granting voting rights to millions of NRIs and a slew of welfare schemes, including establishment of distress fund in 42 countries and seeking tax exemption for professionals, made 2010 a watershed year for the Diaspora.
places of origin in India. In a novel initiative, government set up a community welfare fund in 42 Indian missions abroad to facilitate extending help to Diaspora community in times of difficulty. The Indian Community Welfare
to consider regulation of employment agents and organize pre-departure orientation program for the students. The major highlight of the year was the government fulfilling the long-standing demand of the NRIs to vote and participate in the
the Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council, comprising 20 top global business leaders and economists of Indian origin including Jagdish Bhagwati, steel magnate L N Mittal and Pepsi chief Indra Nooyi. A plethora of issues ranging from cheating by builders, red tape in approval of investment proposals, bottlenecks in acquiring land, complexities involved in succession and inheritance of properties of NRIs dominated the conclave.
The government also said it will consider allowing NRIs to invest in infrastructure bonds to facilitate greater inflow of funds in infrastructure sector that needs around USD 435 billion investment. If these bonds come up, they would be the second major initiatives of this type after SBI' Resurgent India Bonds floated in the late 1990s for raising resources from overseas players for infrastructure sector in India. -PTI
Five JeM terrorists get life imprisonment
Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi addressing the Curtain Raiser Press Conference of 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2011, in New Delhi on January 5
Terming the year as "very remarkable" as it witnessed a longpending demand of NRIs to participate in the country's democratic process fulfilled, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told PTI that in the coming year his ministry aims at deepening the two-way engagement which will benefit both the country as well as its population abroad. Apart from drafting a new bill to replace the current Emigration Act, the ministry also is helping expatriates get tax concession in return of their contribution in social sector in India. Outlining the tasks ahead, Ravi said engaging the young Indians living abroad with the country's root and culture will be the top priority of his ministry in the New Year, besides streamlining the migration process. "We want to involve young Indians with the culture and heritage of the country. We have identified it as a major task for the year 2011. We will use various media platforms like TV channels and Bollywood to connect young Indians with their roots," he said. The government also launched a novel initiative providing tax exemption to Indians living in the US if they spend on social welfare projects at their native places in India. Under the 'India Development Foundation for Overseas Indians', they will get tax exemption if they want to build schools, primary health centers and other infrastructure in their villages and
Fund has been set up to offer assistance, including legal and financial help to distressed Indians. The fund has been made available in all the Gulf countries where a substantial number of Indians are living. An estimated five million workers are currently staying in the Gulf region. The ministry signed social security pacts with Denmark, Norway and South Korea to exempt Indian professionals working there from paying social security contribution if they make such payments in India. Negotiations for similar agreements several other countries are currently un-
The government also launched a novel initiative providing tax exemption to Indians living in the US if they spend on social welfare projects at their native places in India derway. Attacks on Indians in Australia kept the government occupied since the beginning of the year and it asked Australian authorities to take all possible steps to ensure safety of its citizens in that country. Both the governments set up a joint working group with a view
democratic process of the country. Addressing Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry's flagship annual event Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured that Indian passport holders living abroad could get voting rights by the time of next Lok Sabha elections in 2014. "We seek the active involvement of the overseas Indian communities in accelerating the pace of our economic and social development," Singh had said, trying to reach out to the Diaspora at the conclave. Nearly 1,500 delegates from over 50 countries including top businessmen, economists, entrepreneurs and scientists participated in the three-day event in January which also saw participation of several chief ministers and Union ministers. The government, in the Monsoon session of Parliament, introduced the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 which was passed by both Houses, paving the way for NRIs, who have not acquired citizenship of any other country, to vote. Currently, the name of an NRI gets deleted from the voters' list if he stays more than six months at a stretch outside the country. The Overseas Indian Affairs and External Affairs ministries are now holding discussions with the Election Commission to finalize modalities for inclusion of names of NRIs into electoral rolls. One of the major highlight of the event was the first meeting of
NEW DELHI: Terming five The court had convicted them Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) mili- noting that they "hobnobbed" tants as "merchants of death and with each other, and two of them destruction", a Delhi court has went to Pakistan and stayed illesentenced them to life imprison- gally to get training for the purment for indulging in terrorist ac- pose. tivities and waging war against They were convicted under the country. various sections of Indian Penal While sentencing convicts Code (IPC) relating to waging war Noor Mohammad Tantre, Pervaiz against the country and under the Ahmed Mir, Faroz Ahmed Bhat Explosives Substance Act for posand brothers Atiq-uz-Zama and sessing huge quantity of arms and Raees-uz-Zama, arrested by Delhi ammunition, including grenadepolice in August 2003, Additional launchers. Session Judge R K Gauba also Convicts Raees and Atiq, who imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on hail from Sikandrabad in Uttar each of them. Pradesh, are brothers of The court had convicted them Habibullah, who was gunned on January 3. down by Delhi Police along with "These foot soldiers of forces Pakistani national Zahoor in an inimical to India and bent upon sabotaging the peace and tranquilThe court also referred to differity here, besides posing a serious threat to its ent terrorist attacks in the coununity, sovereignty and try, including the 26/11 Mumbai integrity, have to be terror strikes, to say that Pakistan neutralized. "In order that they has been responsible in abetare suitably de-fanged ting the scourge in India and blunted so as to be of no further use to the enemy, it is imperative that these encounter on August 30, 2003, in merchants of death and destruc- the Millennium Park near tion are locked away for their re- Nizamuddin Bridge here. maining lives, which is the course All the five militants were arpermissible in the statutory pre- rested by the Delhi Police on Auscriptions provided for a large gust 30-31, 2003, following the number of offences committed by encounter. them," the court said in its sevenBesides the arms and ammunipage order. . tion, the police also claimed to have The court also referred to dif- recovered a sum of Rs 19.20 lakh ferent terrorist attacks in the coun- from prime accused Tantray who try, including the 26/11 Mumbai was held from Sadar Bazar here. terror strikes, to say that Pakistan During the arguments, defense has been responsible in abetting counsel M S Khan sought a lethe scourge in India. nient view from the court saying "Pakistan's imprint is writ large that all of them have faced trial for in the evidence adduced against over seven years and have famithe five convicts. Each of them lies to look after. have revealed his respective conSpecial Public Prosecutor nections with the terrorist ele- Devender Kumar had sought sements rooted in that country," vere punishment against them.Judge Gauba said. PTI
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Pakistan bans onion export via land route CHANDIGARH: Pakistan has imposed a complete ban on the export of onion to India via Wagah-Attari land route, a development which may hit Center's efforts in rein in skyrocketing prices of bulb in the country. "Pakistan government has banned the supply of onion to India via land route," Customs Department (Amritsar) Deputy Commissioner R K Duggal said here, while adding that no truck was allowed to bring onion by Pakistan authorities following the ban. Local traders attributed the imposition of ban on export of onion by Pakistan government to prevent any spiraling hike in bulb prices in the neighboring country. Sudden ban imposed on export of onion has hit the traders of both the countries with Indian importers claiming that Pakistan had not even allowed the supply of almost 1,500 tonnes of contracted orders of onion. "Almost 1,500 tonne of onion was yet to be supplied to us but Pakistan government has not allowed the local suppliers to fulfill their trade obligation," rued Anil Mehra, Amritsar-based vegetable merchant. According to custom officials, between 100-150 trucks laden with onion were not allowed to enter Indian territory at Amritsar by Pakistan authorities and were asked to return. "When custom authorities (of Pakistan) have already given
clearance to contracted supply of onion heading for India then why they (Pakistan) have stopped the supply," asked Mehra, whose 250 tonnes of onion imported from Pakistan got stuck following the implementation of ban. Though Indian custom authori-
of onion had arrived since the commencement of onion export to India from Pakistan via land route. Because of the supply of Pakistan onion, prices of onion in Punjab and Chandigarh had come down from a level of Rs 60-65 per kg to Rs 45-50 per kg.
ties claim that onion supply from Pakistan was allowed through rail route yet importers argued that Pakistan had banned onion export except sea route. "Pakistan order clearly says no supply of onion will take place except sea route," traders asserted claiming that vegetable suppliers in Pakistan were agitating against imposition of ban on onion export. Notably, close to 7,000 tonnes
Even the Centre had abolished the custom duty on import of onion in order to rein in spiraling rates of bulb. India and Pakistan had agreed to start cross border movement of trucks in the month of October 2007 after a gap of sixty years from Attari Check post at Amritsar in India to Wagah border in Pakistan with an intention of boosting bilateral trade.-PTI
QUEUE IN COLD: Bangladeshi cricket fans queue for tickets for the forthcoming Cricket World Cup 2011 tournament in a street of Dhaka on January 3, as banks started selling tickets for the event. Armed police in Bangladesh monitored long queues of frustrated cricket fans who have spent two days sleeping in the cold waiting to buy World Cup tickets. The World Cup, jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, opens on February 19, in Dhaka with a highly-anticipated match between India and Bangladesh
US to rush 1400 more marines to Afghanistan WASHINGTON: Anticipating a many as 300 troops. Taliban surge ahead of mandated The fresh forces, US officials troop reduction, US, in a surprise said, were being dispatched on the move, has decided to dispatch ad- request of field commanders who ditional 1400 strong marine com- fear that Taliban may be planning bat force to Afghanistan. an anticipated spring offensive by A decision to boost up US pumping in militants from their forces has been decided by the bases in neighboring Pakistan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates US commanders in Afghaniand the marine battalion could stan are facing intense pressure start arriving on the ground as to show sustainable security early as mid-January, Wall Street gains in the first half of 2011. Journal reported. "Military officials fear that an The new troops are to be de- upswing in attacks by the Taliban ployed in the south around the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar The fresh forces, US officials where the US has concentrated troops over said, were being dispatched the past several on the request of field commonths. manders who fear that Taliban "Commanders are also examining other may be planning an proposals to tempo- anticipated spring offensive rarily boost further the number of combat troops in Afghanistan in addition could convince the White House to the marines authorized," WSJ that the Pentagon's war strategy said quoting Pentagon officials. is flawed, which could mean that The officials said if the plans the troop pullout should be acare approved, the front line fight- celerated," officials told the newsing force could be boosted by as paper. -PTI
Gibbs, public face of Obama presidency, to quit WH WASHINGTON: Robert Gibbs, one of the most visible and forceful advocates of Barack Obama, is stepping down as the White House Press Secretary and will now serve as an outside political adviser to the US President to boost his 2012 re-election bid. 39-year-old Gibbs, who is considered very close to Obama since his pre-election days, would leave the White House sometime in February, after the President delivers his annual State of the Union Address. No dates for the State of the Union Address have been announced yet, but it is likely to be held in the last week of January or the first week of February. Gibbs last evening said that he would be working as a consultant to the President outside the White House. "It is true," he said in response to an email on his decision to resign as Press Secretary, according to CBS News. The departure of Gibbs comes as Obama contemplates a reshuffle to freshen his administration and as his re-election campaign machinery begins to stir. Obama said Gibbs will continue to play an important role in his
team even after his departure. "For the last six years, Robert has been a close friend, one of my closest advisers and an effective advocate from the podium for what this administration has been doing to move America forward," Obama said in a statement. "I think it's natural for him to want to step back, reflect and retool. That brings up some challenges and opportunities for the White House, but it doesn't change the important role that Robert will continue to play on our team," Obama said. No replacement for Gibbs has been named yet, though a few names immediately cropped up, including his two deputies Bill Burton and Josh Earnest, besides Jay Carney, spokesman of the US Vice President Joe Biden. Earlier in an interview to The New York Times, Obama said Gibbs will continue to be a close adviser and "will continue to shape the dialogue politically for many years to come." "We've been on this ride together since I won my Senate primary in 2004," Obama said. "He's had a six-year stretch now where basically he's been going 24/7 with relatively modest pay. -PTI
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Iran agrees to get payments from India in Rs; awaits RBI nod NEW DELHI: Iran has agreed to receive payments for USD 12 billion worth of crude oil it sells to India in rupees but Reserve Bank of India is yet to agree to the proposal. RBI had last month said that oil payments to Iran can no longer be settled using a longstanding clearing house system run by the central banks of nine nations -including India and Iran -- dubbed the Asian Clearing Union (ACU). "For January, we have an interim arrangement for paying Iran through a German bank. But for a permanent solution, we will need to look at currencies other than dollar and euro," a senior government official said. At a meeting of central banks of India and Iran in Mumbai last week, the Persian Gulf nation agreed to accepting rupee payments but RBI so far has not agreed to it, he said. The trade between India and Iran is heavily loaded in favor of Iran. As against exporting USD 12 billion worth of oil, Iran imports USD 1 billion worth of products from India. "But if they are ready to receive payment in a State Bank of India account in Mumbai, it shouldn't matter to us what they did with that money. If they used the money to import more, that will be good for the country. And if they used it to invest in India, that will create more jobs," he said. "Strangely, this proposition is not acceptable to RBI which had
scrapped the well running ACU payment mechanism without consulting the oil companies or putting an alternate mechanism in place," the official said. Payment in Chinese currency is also being considered. Oil Minister Murli Deora said a solution to the payment row would be found soon. For January, SBI will route euro payments from its Frankfurt branch to the account of National
‘For January, we have an interim arrangement for paying Iran through a German bank. But for a permanent solution, we will need to look at currencies other than dollar and euro’ Iranian Oil Co in the Hamburgbased Europisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG (EIH Bank). India imports 12 million barrels of crude oil every month from Iran. Iran accounts for 12 per cent of India's supplies and is its secondlargest supplier behind Saudi Arabia. Using the new system, Indian Oil Corp will receive a shipload of oil from Iran on January 8. Another cargo is scheduled to reach
Essar Oil's Vadinar Refinery in Gujarat on January 10 and a vessel load will reach MRPL's Mangalore Refinery a day or two later. Iran wants Indian firms to open euro accounts with Iranian-owned EIH, which is also known as European-Iranian Trade Bank AG, but that may not be a permanent solution, as the US had imposed sanctions against the bank in September. S delegation led by an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and comprising representatives from the RBI, SBI and oil companies will visit Tehran on January 14-16 to find a permanent solution to the issue. . Payment for Iranian crude in Japanese yen is also not possible as the US sanctions prohibit any freight payment for Iranian crude in Japanese currency. The UAE dirham is also being considered as an alternative currency, but this also can not be a permanent solution, as the Middle East country strictly monitors payments routed to Iran and may block them under pressure from the US. Sources said the best option was to pay Iran in Indian rupees, or in Chinese currency. The payment option, as well as issues like credit period, will be discussed at the Tehran meeting next week. India imported 21.3 million tonnes of crude oil from Iran in 2009-10 and imports in 2010-11 are expected to amount to around 18
million tonnes, as Reliance Industries has totally stopped using crude oil from the Persian Gulf nation. Iran currently gives IOC, which imports about 3 million tons of crude oil from the Persian Gulf nation, a credit period of 30 days. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), which imports 7.1 million tonnes crude, gets a 90 day credit period. Essar Oil imports another 3 million
Under the ACU mechanism, payments for all trade deals between member countries are settled every two months, with individual transactions not accounted for separately tonnes. At the meeting in Tehran next week, it will be discussed if NIOC is willing to extend these credit period even without RBI standing guarantee for the payments. Refiners in India used the ACU, which settles payments in dollars and euros, to pay for oil purchases from Iran. Regulations endorsed by the EU in October required deals involving Iran and the euro to be
accompanied by a certificate outlining payment details for each and every transaction. Under the ACU mechanism, payments for all trade deals between member countries are settled every two months, with individual transactions not accounted for separately. MRPL is the biggest importer of Iranian crude oil with 7.1 million tonnes (about 4 million barrels a month) of contracted quantity. Mumbai-based Essar Oil imports roughly 3 million barrels per month (about 5 million tonnes a year) and IOC and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) about 3 million tonnes each. ACU, based in the Iranian capital Tehran, settles trade transactions from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Till 2008, payments under the ACU mechanism was done in US dollars but after United States imposed sanctions against Iran over its suspected nuclear program, the currency shifted to Euro. United Nations sanctions do not forbid buying Iranian oil and recently the European Central Bank (ECB) asked RBI to provide certificates that the Euro being used to import products are not on US sanctions list. Sources said while certification for crude oil imports was easy to provide and track, RBI chose to scrap the entire system itself. -PTI
PM asks young scientists to think out of the box CHENNAI: Asking scientists to think out of the box for advancements in the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced 2012-13 as the 'Year of Science' to unleash the energies of young scientists and attract more people towards research streams. Singh also asked scientists to devise mechanisms to forge alliances with scientists of Indianorigin serving abroad and who look forward to return to their homeland to pursue their interests. "Science is ageless, but our scientists must be younger," he said inaugurating the 98th Indian Science Congress at the SRM University campus here. Singh announced that the year 2012-13, the centenary of the Indian Science Congress, would be designated at the 'Year of Science in India'. The Prime Minister called for concerted efforts to build and motivate a new generation of sci-
entific talent and noted that over 3.5 lakh students in the age group of 10-27 have been awarded scholarships to pursue studies in science. "I sincerely hope the Year of Science in India will unleash the
Singh also asked scientists to devise mechanisms to forge alliances with scientists of Indian-origin serving abroad and who look forward to return to their homeland to pursue their interests energies of our young scientists and inspire a new generation of Indians to enter the world of science, cross new horizons and explore new possibilities," he said. He urged Indian scientists to
"think big" and "out of the box" for scientific advancement and innovations in the country. "The time has come for Indian scientists to think big, think out of the box. The time has come to produce Ramans and Ramanujans as we usher in the decade of innovation," he said. Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal pointed out that last year nearly one third of research papers emanating from the country were from the university system. "This is commendable because India's growth rate in scientific publications averages around 12 per cent per annum, during the last three years, as compared to the global growth rate of about four per cent. Thus, our initiatives for rejuvenation of research in universities seem to be bearing positive results," he said. . Recalling his visits abroad, the Prime Minister said he had come across young scientists from India who express their desire to re-
turn. "Whenever I travel abroad I meet bright young people from India doing good science who tell me they look forward to the day they can continue their work back home in India," he said.
The Prime Minister stressed on the need to better higher education in the country and claimed that the government was already moving forward in this direction "How do we draw on this talent pool? How do we make our universities more open to such talent, including for those who seek temporary affiliation? I hope you will deliberate on these issues,"
Singh said. The Prime Minister stressed on the need to better higher education in the country and claimed that the government was already moving forward in this direction. "Our government has paid special attention to the growth of our university system. In the past six years, our government has established eight new Indian Institutes of Technology and five institutes" of higher education and research, he said. "The growth of our economy, defense of our people and security of our people depends of scientific and technological competence," he said. Noting that science has made strides even in societies that were neither modern nor liberal, the Prime Minister cautioned scientists on "illiberal" uses of technology. "I sincerely believe we must guard against such tendencies, especially in our own blessed country," he said.-PTI
January 14, 2011
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IMF warns about Pak's deteriorating economy BlackBerry ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund has warned Pakistan about its state of economy saying it is far worse that estimated and asked Islamabad to take steps to cut its spiraling budget deficit. The Wall Street Journal quoting a senior Pakistani official who had seen the IMF missive, also said the global funding body urged immediate fiscal belt-tightening measures. The IMF withheld 3.5 billion dollars this year from its 11.3 billion dollar loan package for Pakistan in a bid to pressure the country to take action, the report said. A spokesman for the IMF declined to comment on the matter. The IMF, World Bank and their most influential members, the US, European countries and Japan, are worried that unless Pakistan boosts tax revenue, its economy may suffer through escalating inflation. Pakistan finances much of its budget by borrowing from the central bank, essentially printing money, the report said. Other than 450 million dollars in flood relief, the IMF has not disbursed any loans to Pakistan since May and neither have other donors. The US has been trying to help the IMF pressure the Pakistan government to make
changes but the effort stalled with the death of Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke, who pushed President Asif Ali Zardari to revamp the economy. Zardari has tried to convince donors to forgo Pakistani debt and provide more economic aid in exchange for help in the war in
As far as the tax payers in the country are concerned, only two million Pakistanis, mostly middle-class professionals and government workers, out of a population of 180 million pay tax.Analysts said further delay in implementing tax reforms could lead to an even larger deficit Afghanistan, the report said. Pakistan called in the IMF in 2008 amid a balance-of- payments crisis. The IMF's support was supposed to end on December 31 but the world body recently extended the loan by nine months to give
17 Indians refuse settlement proposal in Sharjah murder case DUBAI: Seventeen Indians, on a death According to her, evidence cannot be row in the UAE for killing a Pakistani man accepted in the light that no weapon has yet have turned down an offer to pay blood been presented before the court as evidence. money under a proposed settlement to es"It is the duty of the prosecution to escape the noose, claiming they were inno- tablish that the weapon which was used to cent. commit the crime is present before the court. The 17 Indians, 16 from the Punjab and That hasn't happened despite several hearone from Haryana, were awarded death in ings," she said. March this year by a The court has fixed Sharjah court which February 17 as the next found them guilty for the During the previous date for hearing during murder of a Misri Nazir hearing in the Sharjah which more witnesses Khan, a Pakistani nahave been asked to be tional, near a Sharjah la- Appeals court, on present. bor camp over bootleg- December 17, the During the previous ging dispute in January hearing in the Sharjah defense was prepared Appeals court, on Decem2009. Blood money is paid to cross-examine the ber 17, the defense was to the next of kin of a murprepared to cross-examevidence but that der victim as a fine. ine the evidence that the The convicted Indi- didn't aterialize. prosecution was to bring ans spurned a proposal Instead a CD containto the court but that didn't to settle the case by paymaterialize. ing blood compensation ing the reconstruction Instead a CD containto the family of the Paki- of the scene of the ing the reconstruction of stani man, who was the scene of the crime hacked to death in crime was provided was provided. However, Sharjah in a brawl to sell the police officials that illicit liquor. were supposed to be present in the court Lawyer of the Indians, Bindu Suresh did not show up. Chettur said "the family of the Pakistani man The court has asked the prosecution to told the court that they were ready to accept ensure the presence of witnesses, including compensation including blood money but a Sharjah police personnel who prepared the we refused because justice is on our side." report which formed the basis of conviction. "The prosecution has failed to establish Indian government has expressed conthe relationship between the offence, cern over the sentencing to death of 17 Indiweapon with which crime was committed and ans. The government had instructed the Inthe scene of the crime. No evidence has yet dian Mission in Dubai to engage the serbeen brought before us," she told PTI after vices of a leading legal firm to defend the a hearing. accused. -PTI
the country more time to implement reforms. Pakistan's budget deficit is already six per cent, above a target of four per cent, due to failure to implement general sales tax reforms and curb expenditures in line with promises made by the government to the IMF in return for lending. The budget deficit could go up to eight per cent in this fiscal if the government borrowing continues at the same pace, according to Finance Ministry officials. Pakistan also needs to do more to strengthen the independence of its central bank, the IMF says. As far as the tax payers in the country are concerned, only two million Pakistanis, mostly middle-class professionals and government workers, out of a population of 180 million pay tax. Analysts said further delay in implementing tax reforms could lead to an even larger deficit. The government says it has pushed the general sales tax reforms but has been blocked by the opposition PML-N and other parties. Even some members of the ruling coalition have argued the government should implement broader tax reforms, not merely the general sales tax that will hit mainly urban voters and businessmen. In Pakistan, the agricultural sector is still exempt from tax. The leaders are still not willing to take critical measures hoping that Washington would bail the country out," the senior government official said. -PTI
seeks 2-yrs to offer solution NEW DELHI: Blackberry has asked for 18-24 months to provide a complete solution for interception of its Enterprise Mail, but with a condition that its services would not be banned, a guarantee that the government declined to give. "Research in Motion (RIM), maker of BlackBerry, can provide the infrastructure in India for BlackBerry Enterprise Servers (BES) services in a time frame of 18-24 months provided it is confirmed that the services will not be banned in India during the period," the Canada-based company said at a meeting with the Department of Telecom (DoT). The company was earlier given time till January 31, 2011, to provide solution for Lawful Interception of contents sent or received on the device. The DoT has, however, refrained from giving any guarantee to RIM officials that their services would not be banned in case they fail to provide solution. The government said creating RIM infrastructure for BES services in India will not only enhance the possibility of accepting such service from security point of view but that may also be of the commercial interest of the company. Therefore, RIM should seriously consider to create infrastructure for BES in India and condense the implementation time to a much shorter time frame to create such an infrastructure, the DoT officials said during the meeting.-PTI
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Center may consider two options on Telangana and (c) Bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and Coastal Andhra Regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana. The forth option is: Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad Metropolis as a separate Union Territory. This Union Territory will have geographical linkage and contiguity via Nalgonda district in the southeast to Guntur district in coastal Andhra and via Mahaboobnagar district in the south to Kurnool
district in Rayalaseema. The Home Minister said another meeting of all political parties of Andhra Pradesh is likely to be convened later this month to discuss the options given by the panel. Sources said the next meeting is likely to be held before the Republic Day -- January 26. The government would like to take a decision on the recommendations of the panel possibly before the Budget session of Parliament starting in February-end, they said.-PTI
Cong protecting Bofors middlemen: BJP Policemen form a line to stop the progress of students of Osmania University in Hyderabad on January 6, during a protest demanding the separate state of Telangana in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh
NEW DELHI: With the Srikrishna Committee itself finding four out of the six options suggested as not workable, the Centre may have to take a call on the remaining two options -- keeping Andhra Pradesh united and creation of a separate Telangana state -- in the next few weeks. In his opening remarks at the meeting with political parties of Andhra Pradesh, Home Minister P Chidambaram declared government's intention to find a "just, honorable and practicable solution that has the widest measure of support among all stakeholders." Asking all concerned to give
the report of the panel "most careful, thoughtful and impartial consideration" and read it with an "open mind", the Home Minister
The Home Minister said another meeting of all political parties of Andhra Pradesh is likely to be convened later this month to discuss the options given by the panel
counseled everyone to be prepared to persuade, and to be persuaded by, people who hold another point of view. Chidambaram pointed out that the Committee itself has rejected the first three options suggested by it as "non-practicable". On the fourth option "it may be difficult to reach a political consensus in making this solution acceptable to all," the Committee has said. The first three options are: (a) Maintaining Status Quo, (b) Bifurcation of the state into Seemandhra and Telangana; with Hyderabad as a Union Territory and the two states developing their own capitals in due course
NEW DELHI: BJP today alleged that the CBI and the government were protecting middlemen who had received kickbacks in the Bofors deal and sought a clarification from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the matter. "The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi are trying to protect those middlemen who were involved in the Bofors deal. The Congress should clarify its stand on the issue," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said. The principal opposition also hit out at Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh for questioning the timing of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal verdict. "Digvijay Singh, who is close to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi
is now raising questions about the verdict... Congress differs from his statement but since he is close to Sonia Gandhi we consider his comments as that of the Congress. The party should clarify if his comments are official," Hussain said. BJP alleged that the government was unsuccessful on all fronts and was divided on issues. In the wake of court directives to the CBI to file a report on the Bofors issue, the BJP said the investigative agency has "made every effort to save Ottavio Quattrocchi". He claimed that the CBI has "destroyed evidence" to protect those who got kickbacks. Hussain described the court order as an "eye-opener" for the country. -PTI
Give adequate political space to Militants threaten to kill Hasina if associates not freed Telangana people: Panel NEW DELHI: Providing adequate political positions like chief minister and deputy chief minister to people hailing from Telangana is among the confidence building measures suggested by the Srikrishna panel if the region remains part of Andhra Pradesh. The five-member panel, which went into the demands for a separate Telangana as well as keeping Andhra Pradesh united, noted in its 461-page report that the momentum for a separate state "picked up" from the time the decisions incorporated in the gentlemen's agreement of 1956 signed between Telangana and Andhra leaders were not implemented. It hoped that the proposed
Telangana Regional Council with statutory powers would take care of the grievances of the people of the region, who have been demanding that ten districts of Andhra Pradesh be taken to carve out a new state. In its option of keeping Andhra Pradesh united with constitutional and statutory measures for socio-economic development of Telangana region, the Committee says confidence building measures needed to be initiated. It suggests "providing adequate political space to Telangana, such as the positions of chief minister or deputy chief minister and other key ministerial portfolios." The ruling Congress had last month announced that one of its
MLAs from the Telangana region would be made the deputy chief minister. The committee said it would also be necessary that for confidence building, important meetings in Government of India particularly where allocation of development and other funds are discussed, both the chief minister and his deputy should attend. The 1956 agreement provided safeguards with the purpose of preventing discrimination against Telangana by the government of Andhra Pradesh. In the united Andhra Pradesh scenario, the committee recommended setting up of Water Management Board and an Irrigation Project Development Corporation in expanded role.
DHAKA: Islamic militants have threatened to kill Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and blow up a high-security jail in northeastern Chittagong city if their associates are not released from the prison within a month. The jailer of the prison in Chittagong port city received a letter containing the threat, with its sender calling himself a member of the outlawed Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), the 'Daily Star' newspaper reported. "She (Hasina) survived this year's August 15 but she will not be alive in future as she will also be blown to smithereens," the letter said in an oblique reference to August 15, 1975 when her father and the country's founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family members, according to the report. The daily said the letter demanded that the militants lodged in Chittagong jail be freed in next one month. Chittagong jail officials could not be reached immediately, while security officials in Dhaka declined to comment on the matter saying they were unaware of any such letter. "But we are always concerned about her security as she was exposed to such threats earlier also and survived attempts on her life at least once in 2004" during a grenade attack on her rally here, a senior official familiar with the Prime Minister's security detail told PTI preferring anonymity. PTI
Tech News Cos not providing 2G service fined TIRUCHIRAPPALLI (TN): The Centre has collected Rs 76 crore as fines so far from companies which had not provided 2G spectrum service after obtaining licenses, IT & Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said here. "The Government had slapped Rs 219 crore as fine on 119 license holders who have so far not provided the service. The companies have started paying the fine and an amount of Rs 76 crore has been collected so far," he said. As per the conditions of license, licensees are required to roll out the services in 90 per cent of the service area in metros and 10 per cent in district headquarters within 12 months from the date of award of licenses. -PTI
Swamy moves SC for cancellation of 2G licenses NEW DELHI: Janata Party Chief Subramanian Swamy has moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the 2G spectrum licenses allotted during the tenure of former Telecom Minister A Raja allegedly in violation of all norms and procedure causing huge loss to the state exchequer. The PIL filed by Swamy sought a direction to the government for holding a fresh auction for eligible entities for all the 122 licenses in 22 circles across the country. He alleged the allotment of spectrum, which according to the CAG report has caused a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the state exchequer, has been sustained despite judgments of the Delhi High Court that struck down the policy of allocating radio waves at the 2001 price on first-comefirst-served basis in 2007-08. -PTI
India to build ultra-super power plant CHENNAI: Leading a pioneering effort, Indian scientists aim to built an advanced ultra-super critical coal-fired power plant in the next six years. Once realized, the plant is expected to put India in a very select group of nations having the technology which would reduce the amount of pollution significantly when compared with the current thermal power plants. Scientists at the Kalpakkambased Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) have joined hands with their counterparts at the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) recently in this regard. -PTI
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FM cautions on window dressing by accountants Details on page 17
January 14, 2011
US decision to impose taxes affecting Indians unjustified: CII NEW DELHI: Indian industry has voiced serious concern over the US decision to extend hiked visa fees and impose additional taxes that will impact Indian companies, saying such "unjustified" protectionist steps are making the environment difficult there for businesses of this country. In a statement issued here, business chamber CII hoped that the US would revise its stance on targeting Indian companies, especially given the increasing volume of investments and jobs they are creating for the US economy. "CII is deeply concerned over the rising costs and increasingly terse business environment for Indian companies operating in the US, particularly in the pharmaceutical and IT sphere," said the statement issued by CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee. The Industry body referred to the new US Health Bill that provides for imposition of two per cent excise duty on goods and services imported by the US government from countries, like India and China, which are outside the purview of WTO's Agreement on Government Procurement and said
it "unfairly" targets foreign companies to pay for domestic imperatives which is "unjustified". Quoting "several critics", it said the provisions in the bill amount to "absurdity" as it would
der Security Bill that would impact Indian professionals. "The provisions clearly go against the Indian companies," Banerjee said. US President Barack Obama
CII hoped that the US would revise its stance on targeting Indian companies, especially given the increasing volume of investments and jobs they are creating Chandrajit Banerjee
be akin to India requiring US companies to pay for healthcare compensation of victims of the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The CII was also critical of the US government decision to extend the hiked visa fees under the Bor-
signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act on January 3, which provides compensation for treatment of victims of 9/11 terrorist attacks. The estimated budget (USD 4.2 billion) will be funded by continu-
ation of an increased fee on certain categories of H-1B and L1 visas up to 2015. In August, the visa fee hike, under the US Border Security provisions, was valid till 2014. The move would mainly impact Indian IT companies, which earn about 60 per cent of there USD 50 billion revenue from exports to America. Banerjee said that apart from internal laws, the US has also been a strong proponent of the AntiCounterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Under ACTA, the border and customs authorities can seize goods "suspected" of violating intellectual property related laws, even if such goods are in transit to another destination where they may be acceptable. The CII DG said that in the last two years, there has been a "barrage of protectionist measures" proposed and enacted against foreign companies like measures restricting iron and steel imports in the American Recovery Act, Ohio's ban on offshoring projects, among various others.-PTI
Kellogg business conference on Jan 29 SURESH SHAH
Praful Patel Minister of State Civil Aviation
Sam Pitroda Advisor to Prime Minister of IndiaInformation Technology & Innovation
Shikha Sharma Managing Director & CEO, Axis Bank
S. Mitra Kalita Deputy Global Economics Editor, Wall Street Journal
CHICAGO: Kellogg Business schools has scheduled its annual business conference on India on January 29 at its campus in Evanston from 8-30 a.m. The 2011 KIBC - India: Building Bridges, Creating Connections - will discuss the opportunities and challenges that will shape India's role in the emerging world
order. For followers of the India story, this year's conference will continue the rigorous discussion about India's future, with a special focus on the role of media and entertainment, as well as the success of women in Indian business. For the first time, there will be a social innovation competition that
will showcase ideas which leverage technology to improve the quality of life in India for the common man The keynote speakers and panelists include: Praful Patel - Minister of State Civil Aviation Sam Pitroda - Advisor to Prime Minister of India - Information
Technology & Innovation Shikha Sharma - Managing Director & CEO, Axis Bank S. Mitra Kalita - Deputy Global Economics Editor, Wall Street Journal Featured panels: The Role of Media & Entertainment in Modern India Succeeding in India as a Woman
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Tata launches diesel vehicle 'Venture' in Rajasthan JAIPUR: Tata Motors has launched its new multi-purpose diesel vehicle 'Venture' in Rajasthan. "We are launching the product first in Rajasthan and later it will be launched in other states. The vehicle is with the footprint and maneuverability of a hatchback car, but the interior space of a utility vehicle," the company's Head Marketing and Sales S Saxena told reporters here. "We have focused on safety and luxury features in the vehicle. This the safest van among others (vans)...A collapsible steering and side impact beams protect occupants in an exigency. It meets crash safety norms applicable in the domestic market," he said. "This is cost effective and customer friendly and we hope that it will be a great success in the Rajasthan market," Saxena said.
Comfort and convenience of both driver and passengers have been adequately addressed with power steering, power windows, reverse parking aid, keyless entry with engine immobiliser and rear wipers. Tata Venture will be available in five, seven and eight seater op-
tions in three row front facing configuration and will be available in a range of five colors. It will be available across 24 dealership in the state. The vehicle is priced in the range of Rs 4.05 lakhs and Rs 5.07 lakhs (ex-showroom Jaipur). -PTI
New policy for power allocation of CPSEs NEW DELHI: The government has approved a new policy for allocation of power to be generated by upcoming state-run thermal power plants, earmarking 50 per cent to the home states, while also fixing an overall target generation capacity of 1 lakh MW for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). "The proposal is for allocation of 50 per cent power to the 'home' states, where the projects are located, 35 per cent to the other constituents of the region and 15 per cent power as unallocated power at the disposal of the Centre," a government official said after the Cabinet meeting. The proposal pertains to 14 power projects -- Gadarwara, Lara, Talcher Expansion, Kudgi, Darlipalli, Gajmara, Barethi Gidderbaha, Katwa, Dhuvran, Khargone, Pudimadka, Bilhaur and Kathua of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) coming up during 12th and 13th Plan and all thermal plants of central
public sector undertakings, an official statement said. At present the power is shared as per Gadgil formula, which provides for 10 per cent power as preferential allocation to home state, reserves 75 per cent for constitu-
NTPC's Barethi project in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, is expected to spur development of infrastructure in the region ent states, including home state and retains the rest at Center's disposal. Under the rule, central power generating stations at present can provide a maximum of 33.3 per cent
of the electricity to the home state. "Enhancement of allocation to 50 per cent to the home states is the only new element in the present proposal," the statement said. NTPC's Barethi project in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, is expected to spur development of infrastructure in the region, it added. While 50 per cent of power from the project is proposed to be allocated to Madhya Pradesh, the home state and 15 per cent of power remains as unallocated power, 35 per cent of power is proposed to be allocated as a special dispensation to Uttar Pradesh for development of Bundelkhand region. Meanwhile officials said that the government has also approved setting a power generation capacity target of one lakh MW for the 12th Five Year plan. In the current 11 Year Plan (200711), the government had targeted 78,000 MW, which was slashed down to about 62,000 MW. -PTI
Rs 70-cr budgetary support for 10 CPSES NEW DELHI: The government has approved budgetary support of Rs 70.41 crore for 10 sick and loss-making Central Public Sector Enterprises for payment of employees' statutory dues like gratuity, provident fund, insurance and bonus. The funds approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) would be used for clearing employees' dues from April-June, 2010 for the CPSEs under the Department of Heavy Industry. Hindustan Cables Ltd has maximum of statutory dues of Rs 24.37 crore, followed by different HMT units and Nagaland Pulp and Paper Co. Other CPSEs with these outstandings include Triveni Structurals, Tunghabadra Steel Products, Nepa and Scooters
India. "Payment of outstanding dues would mitigate the hardships of the employees motivating them for better output and prepare them to achieve the goal of revival of the companies", an official statement said after the CCEA meeting. Government has provided salary/wages support of Rs 1,953 crore on 17 occasions since May, 2004. In May 2004, there were 24 CPSEs which were defaulting in payment of salary and eages. This number has come down to 10 due to comprehensive restructuring efforts, the statement said. For these 10 units revival/closure schemes are yet to materialize. -PTI
Gurgaon police won't question Citi's Pandit GURGAON: Police have ruled out the possibility of questioning top executives of Citibank including its global CEO Vikram Pandit in the Rs 300 crore fraud case saying the chances of their involvement appears remote. However, a high networth individual, who lost Rs 33 crore in the scam and has filed the FIR against Pandit and others, attributed the episode to "systemic failure" and that the fraud could not have been perpetrated just by an individual. Gurgaon Police Commissioner S S Deswal ruled out questioning of top Citibank executives including Pandit for now on the ground that their involvement fraud was "remote". "At this point of time the possibility of involvement of global CEO...India head looks remote" Deswal told reporters here. However, he said more local staff of the bank could be questioned. The high networth individual and Managing Director of Helion Advisors Sanjeev Aggarwal, who filed the FIR, described the fraud as "systemic failure" and said that
Vikram Pandit
top executives cannot escape their responsibilities. The bank, however, dismissed his allegations and said that "his claims against senior executives are completely without basis and we intend to contest them vigorously". It also said that it was the bank which lodged the FIR in the case and was also investigating on its own. Seeking return of his money, Aggarwal said, "I would be very surprised if they left me in lurch". -PTI
Singur locals asks Tatas to set up a plant SINGUR (WB): The locals of Singur have assured Tata Motors of full cooperation for setting up a plant, prompting the industrial giant to consider meeting the representatives in this regard. Tata Motors has indicated it will meet Representatives of land losers who had given land for Tata's Nano manufacturing plant before the company withdrew from the state in 2009 following violent local protests. They were seeking higher land price besides other demands from Tatas. "I can call on you during one of my visits to Kolkata", Tata Motors Vice President (Govt Affairs and Collaborations) A S Puri said in his response. He was responding to a letter by president of the Singur Shilpa Vikash Unnayan Committee, Uddayan Das, apprising him of the locals' changed attitude towards Tata's enterprise. Das had written to the Tata Motors on November 11, saying the situation has undergone a change since then. He had said that while the company's assessment that the situation at Singur was not favorable as yet for industrial activity was true, "this was correct to some
extent till December 2009." However, Das said, the situation had changed since then and the people of Singur would now support and cooperate for renewed industrial activity. "We never thought that in spite of completion of 85 per cent of total project work, you would take such a painful decision to close
‘We never thought that in spite of completion of 85 per cent of total project work, you would take such a painful decision to close the (Nano) project’
the (Nano) project", he wrote. The response of Tatas' has kindled rehabilitation hopes among members of committee of land-losers formed by the CPI(M) after the exit of Tata Motors' Nano project from Singur in Hooghly district more than a year ago. -PTI
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FM cautions on window dressing by accountants NEW DELHI: In the wake of Citibank fraud and other scams, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has cautioned against "window dressing" by accounting firms and called for stricter disclosure guidelines. "Accountants have a critical role in guarding against window dressing of balance sheets that encourage entities to take more and more risk until they are dangerously leveraged," the Minister said. Mukherjee was addressing a conference on sustained economic growth organized by accounting body ICAI. The estimated Rs 300 crore Citibank fraud at Gurgaon branch, involving diversion of depositors money to the stock markets, was uncovered last week. "We must encourage stronger disclosure standards for systemically important financial institutions as well as complex and sophisticated financial products", Mukherjee said. On sustaining growth, he said the challenge before the country was to sustain high rate of economic expansion and cross the double-digit growth barrier.
"The challenge now is to sustain this high GDP growth over the extended period of time and find the means to cross the double
istering a growth of 7.4 per cent in 2009-10. "The Indian economy has recovered robustly in 2010-11, re-
‘Apparent risk taken should not encourage everyone to take more risks and thereby increase risk for the entire system or at the global level’ Pranab Mukherjee
digit growth barrier in the coming years." The economic recovery witnessed in the recent times, the minister said, has been broad based, with agriculture, industry and services contributing to the growth momentum. The economy recorded a growth of 8.9 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal, after reg-
cording one of the fastest growth rates in the world," he said. According to estimates, the growth rate may cross 9 per cent in the current fiscal and revert to the pre global financial crisis levels. The economic growth rate slipped from over 9 per cent to 6.7 per cent in 2008-09. The government, the minister
Citi fraud: Sebi probes income rules violation NEW DELHI: In connection with the alleged Rs 300-crore Citibank fraud, Sebi is probing whether the stock brokers collected from the accused his income proof documents, a mandatory requirement for trade in derivatives market. The market regulator had made it mandatory in December 2009 for the brokerage firms to collect income proof documents from all their clients before allowing them to trade in derivatives segment of the market. The preliminary investigations into the alleged fraud committed by Shivraj Puri, a senior employee at a Citibank branch in Gurgaon, has found that he diverted his clients' money into derivatives market. Investigative teams from Sebi have already more than once questioned Puri as well as other parties connected to the fraud, including the officials from the bank and the two brokerage firms used by Puri - Religare and Bonanza. As per the preliminary probe, Sebi has found lapses on part of the brokerage firms in collecting all the required financial documents from Puri and others through whose accounts he invested in stock market, a senior official said.
The brokers have been asked by Sebi to furnish all the documents that they had collected from Puri, subsequent to which the regulator would check their veracity. Most of these funds were invested into Nifty options -- a derivative product with the market benchmark index Nifty as underlying security, where the investor
Sebi has found lapses on part of the brokerage firms in collecting all the required financial documents from Puri and others through whose accounts he invested in stock market, a senior official said has no obligation to take the delivery and needs to pay only margin money. In this derivative, investors bet on upward or downward move of Nifty and returns depend on accuracy of such bets. As the derivatives trade involve large-scale transactions, there are greater chances of black money or
money earned through dubious means finding way to stock market through derivatives, the official said. This was the reason behind Sebi in December 2009 making it mandatory for all the brokerage firms to allow their clients to trade in derivatives only after submission of valid income proof. In cases of discrepancies or the income profile not matching with the investment portfolio, the brokers are supposed to immediately inform the regulator. Initially, brokerage firms had resisted implementation of these guidelines and agreed to abide by them only by mid 2010. Brokers are supposed to collect these documents every year and these include copies of latest Income Tax Return Acknowledgment, Annual Accounts (last financial year for individuals, last two financial years for non individuals) and Copy of Form 16 in case of salary income. Besides, the clients also need to submit a CA-certified net worth certificate for the latest financial year, salary slip of one month in current financial year, bank account statement for last six months, demat account Holding statement and other documents substantiating ownership of assets. -PTI
said, will continue to address weakness in the system and institutions at different levels of governance. "We need to reflect upon possible flaws in our system and address them to withstand adversity. We need to make our financial sector more competitive by enhancing efficiency and transparency," he added. Stressing that prudential norms should be followed, he said, "apparent risk taken should not encourage everyone to take more risks and thereby increase risk for the entire system or at the global level. Regretting that scams occur despite laws requiring business entities to keep money trail transparent, Mukherjee said, "Governments and regulators can lay rules and frameworks, but cannot mandate integrity and ethical conduct." Talking about the Direct Taxes Code (DTC), the Minister said, it would make the tax legislation progressive in line with the global norms and best practices. "The thrust of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) is to improve efficiency and equity of our tax system by eliminating distortions in
the tax structure, introducing moderate levels of taxation and expanding the tax base", Mukherjee said. The government proposed to introduce the DTC, which will replace the Income Tax 1961, from 2012. "The new Code is designed to provide stability in the tax regime as it is based on well accepted principles of taxation and best international practices. " ...together with GST (Goods and Services Tax), this will streamline the tax administration of the country by making it efficient and equitable", the Minister added. The Centre is trying to work out a consensus with the states on implementation of the GST which would require amendments to the constitution. The state finance ministers have been discussing the GST constitution amendment in their last few meetings but failed to build consensus, as states and Centre stuck to divergent views. Even states had disagreements on the issue. The GST will subsume indirect taxes like excise duty and service tax at the central level and VAT on the states front, besides local levies. -PTI
No tax worse than inflation: Chidambaram NEW DELHI: Sharing the concerns of the common man, Home Minister P Chidambaram said here "there is no tax worse than inflation", but wondered whether the government has all the tools to rein in high food prices. Chidambaram, who held the finance portfolio under the UPA-I government, said inflation eats away the income of the families even if they are earning more. Food inflation rose to a 10-week
high of 14.44 per cent for the week ended December 18, mainly on the back of high prices of onions and other vegetables. Onion prices increased by almost 40 per cent on an annual basis, touching Rs 7580 per kg in the retail market. Overall inflation stood at 7.48 per cent for the month of November, 2010. "... Not sure whether we understand all the factors that contribute to price rise. -PTI
Desi News Major exhibition on Lord Vishnu for Nashville India Post News Service
NASHVILLE: "Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior", said to be the first major museum exhibition to focus on the Hindu deity Vishnu, is ready to open at Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville (Tennessee, USA) on February 19. The exhibition displaying over 170 sculptures, paintings, prints and textiles created in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, going as far back as third century, revealing many ways Vishnu was portrayed and celebrated is slated to continue till May 29 and then move to Brooklyn Museum from June 24 to September 18.
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
Details on page 40
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Maria Pappas returns over $20 million to tax payers SURESH SHAH
CHICAGO: The Cook County Treasurer Department headed by Maria Pappas has announced return over $20 million to taxpayers by intercepting duplicate property-tax payments on their homes and other property before they were accepted. In a release to the Press, Pappas
Details on page 20
Rhythms of Rajasthan at School of Folk Music
Details on page 22
IAC celebrates holiday season with gusto SURESH SHAH
CHICAGO: Nearly 200 youth and their families gathered at the Indo-American Center (IAC) to celebrate the holiday season. As is its tradition, IAC opened its doors to youth ages one to sixteen for three hours of gift-giving, raffles, and holiday cheer. Draped in holiday lights, IAC's main hall burst with excitement as youth lined up to receive gifts, provided by various community organizations and businesses including the Indian American Bar Association (IABA) Details on page 23
plicate payments before they cause further trouble." Pappas said her office designed STOPS to identify double payments made on a tax installment. The program was activated for the one-month payment period for 2nd installment bills for tax year 2009.
"In this economy, stopping people from making unnecessary payments is a Christmas gift," Pappas said, adding that STOPS would intercept future duplicate payments year-round
RAMESH SOPARAWALA
CHICAGO: Rhythms of Rajasthan will be presented on Wednesday January 19, 2011 at 8:30pm at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. This project was conceived in Jodhpur, Rajasthan by Nitin Nath Harsh, a folklore promoter of Rajasthan, who began his career in folklore of Rajasthan with legendry folklorist Late Padam Bhushan Komal Kothari. He has been working with hundreds of folk artists of Rajasthan for the last nine years. The vast unending expanse of burning hot sand that makes up the Thar Desert of Rajasthan hosts one of the most vibrant and evocative music cultures of the world.
Ahmadi annual convention shows 'Real Muslims are peaceful'
Maria Pappas
said many of the approximately 7,000 double payments were made erroneously by taxpayers who forgot or didn't know that their mortgage companies also were paying. "When the taxpayer and the company both pay, the taxpayer has to file for a refund that our office has to process," Pappas said. "We now can intercept those du-
In the collection period ending December 13, some 7,000 duplicate payments worth more than $20 million were intercepted. "In this economy, stopping people from making unnecessary payments is a Christmas gift," Pappas said, adding that STOPS would intercept future duplicate payments year-round.
Edison Adult Day Care celebrates a centenarian India Post News Service
NEW JERSEY: For Truong Vinh, Middlesex County senior citizen of Chinese origin, the end of the first decade of 21st century marks completion of one hundred years of age. Every year January 1st brings a lot of sweet memories for him. Vinh celebrates the first day of the year as his birthday. The Edison Adult Day Care Center on Oak Tree Road in Edison, NJ, however, helped him celebrate his centennial birthday on Dec 31, 2010 in the presence of local dignitaries and other members of the Center. Mayor of Edison Toni Ricigliano, also a senior citizen, and State Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula participated in the celebrations. William Zengerle, Administrator of
the center said, "It is a rare occasion for us when one of our members will complete one full century of life." The idea of One Hundredth Birthday celebration was the brain child of Satish Mehtani, partner of the center. Mehtani,
tive thinking. I think Vinh represents these values that we should follow in our lives." Satish Mehtani said that he launched the Edison Adult Day Care Center on Oak Tree Road in Edison two years ago with his partner Dr. Dinesh Patel. "The
"I feel blessed as I am about to turn 100. January 1 is a special day for me," said a cheerful Vinh through an interpreter who celebrated his 76th birthday a few months ago, commented, "We are blessed to have citizens who have been witness to the century long happenings of humanity. It is our duty to honor such people who are living inspirations for us. A long life is a result of healthy living and posi-
goal of the center is to provide care and comfort to the most vulnerable section of our societyour seniors allowing them to remain in their homes and avoid nursing home placement." Mehtani a local owner of several Restaurants has been involved in promoting many social
causes. His services for the neediest have been applauded by then House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and by former President Bill Clinton. Vinh is one among many elderly Asian American senior citizens, who spend their day engaged in a variety of recreational and entertainment activities, such as, playing cards, arts/crafts and exercising. "I feel blessed as I am about to turn 100. January 1 is a special day for me," said a cheerful Vinh through an interpreter. Asked if he has missed anything in life, he looked at his wife, Chau Hue, 79, who was sitting next to him and said, "I have no regrets, except that I would like to travel but my age won't allow me to." Vinh and Hue have been married for 53 years. Cont’d on page 23
January 14, 2011
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Texas Christian University offers lessons on Lord Krishna India Post News Service
HOUSTON: Texas Christian University (TCU) in USA, affiliated with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offers a couple of courses on Hindu Religion and Lord Krishna. The course titled "Many Faces of Krishna" seeks to interpret images of the Lord Krishna and also throws light on Hindu thoughts and practices looking into Krishna's appearance in Mahabharata, including Bhagavad-Gita, and later in devotional literature and poetry in Sanskrit, etc. TCU courses titled "Hindu Religious Perspectives" and "India: Texts and Traditions", explore the ritual, philosophical, and devotional strands of Hindu religious tradition; and examining the Hindu epics
The course titled "Many Faces of Krishna" seeks to interpret images of the Lord Krishna and also throws light on Hindu thoughts and practices looking into Krishna's appearance in Mahabharata, including BhagavadGita, and later in devotional literature and poetry in Sanskrit, etc Mahabharata and Ramayana. It is offering five yoga classes starting January 12, involving Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa style yoga, etc., and one of these claims to cultivate "peace of mind". TCU has developed a "Meditation Primer" which provides with basic instructions for silent sitting meditation and says that "motivation for meditation is the abiding sense of inner peace and harmony it typically engenders". It quotes Sri Krishna: "When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place". It conducts "Weekly Meditation" on Mondays and Fridays. It's "Themed Meditation Series" in the past included Kundalini Yoga. Founded in 1873, TCU in Fort Worth (Texas) with over 9,100 students, offers 21 doctoral, 56 master's and 118 undergraduate programs. Its total investments
are over $1.12 billion and 2011 budget is $381 million. Estimated annual cost for a student to study here is $41,000. J. Luther King Junior is the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Dr. Victor J. Boschini Junior is the Chancel-
lor and C. David Grant is the Chair of Religion Department of TCU. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), founded on American soil in the early 1800s and headquartered in Indianapolis (Indi-
ana, USA), claims to have 691,160 members in 3,754 congregations, part of whose Vision/Mission is "to share the Good News of Jesus Christ". Reverend Sharon E. Watkins is General Minister and President.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal, says Razan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism.
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Major exhibition on Lord Vishnu for Nashville India Post News Service
NASHVILLE: "Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior", said to be the first major museum exhibition to focus on the Hindu deity Vishnu, is ready to open at Frist Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville (Tennessee, USA) on February 19. The exhibition displaying over 170 sculptures, paintings, prints and textiles created in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, going as far back as third century, reveal-
dowment for the Arts (NEA) (a US federal government agency). Rajan Zed has urged NEA to fund more Hinduism centered art projects so that more Americans could learn the rich philosophy Hinduism offered. "We are honored to organize and present Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior, the first major exhibition to explore the Vaishnava tradition in art," said Frist Center Executive Director Dr. Susan H. Edwards. The Frist Center, whose vision
"We are honored to organize and present Vishnu: Hinduism's Blue-Skinned Savior, the first major exhibition to explore the Vaishnava tradition in art," said Frist Center Executive Director Dr. Susan H. Edwards
Brahman Samaj to promote Vedic knowledge
Dr. M.G. Prasad delivering his keynote speech. Others are Mr. K.J. Sharma, Convention Director, Mr. Mahendra Misra, Chairman of the BSNA BOT, Dr. Om Sharma, BSNA President India Post News Service
ing many ways Vishnu was portrayed and celebrated is slated to continue till May 29 and then move to Brooklyn Museum from June 24 to September 18. According to a release, the first section of the exhibition, 'Images of Vishnu', introduces Vishnu in his primary form with subsections dedicated to his attributes, consorts and legends. The second section, 'The Avatars of Vishnu', is devoted to Vishnu's avatars (incarnations) explored as a group as well as individually. The third section, 'Worshiping Vishnu', explores some of the ways the deity has been venerated over the centuries. A companion exhibition, "Hindu Home Shrines: Creating Space for Personal Contemplation", is also being organized. Vishnu exhibition is sponsored by HCA and TriStar Family of Hospitals and First Tennessee Bank, and supported by National En-
is "to inspire people through art", has hosted a spectacular array of art from the region, the country, and around the world. William R. Frist is Chairman of Board of Trustees. Vishnu is "Preserver" in the Hindu triad with Brahma and Shiva as the aspect of the Supreme. He had ten incarnations to establish dharma (divine law). Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal. Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth. It was a laudable step for Frist Center to provide opportunity to the world to further explore Hinduism and its concepts.
NEW JERSEY: The New Jersey branch of Brahman Samaj of North America, an organization dedicated to promoting Vedic Knowledge among the Indian Diaspora, recently held its regional convention in Edison, New Jersey. It was inaugurated with chanting of Vedic mantras by noted Vedic scholar Dr. M. G. Prasad. New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula was the chief guest of the event. In his discourse, Dr. Prasad spoke about the meaning and role of 'Brahmans' as defined in the Sanatam Dharma. Dr. Om Sharma, president of BSNA explained that it was necessary to spread Vedic knowledge to bring peace and unity among members of the Indian heritage. "It is important to communicate with main stream America about the importance of Vedic knowledge," he said. "BSNA is actively promoting our cultural
values. It is our responsibility to preserve and promote Vedic knowledge among communities aligned with the mission of BSNA."
Dr. Om Sharma, president of BSNA explained that it was necessary to spread Vedic knowledge to bring peace and unity among members of the Indian heritage Dr. Akkaraju Sarma emphasized that Hinduism didn't believe in converting people through coercive means. "Hinduism is characterized by the philosophy of 'live
and let live' Anju Bhargava, who serves on the President's Council on FaithBased and Neighborhood Partnerships, informed the audience about 'Hindu American Seva Charities', an organization working to gain the rightful place for Hindus in mainstream America. "HASC is a progressive American organization advancing the cause of community service and promoting interfaith collaboration, pluralism, social justice and sustainable civic engagement," she said. Dr. Om Sharma, offered to collaborate with HASC in advancing its goals. Others who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Bhudev Sharma, Nikunj Trivedi, Chetan Bhatt, Girish Shelat, and Dr. Ranjana Pathak. K.J. Sharma, convention director of BSNA spoke on the Western perception of Hinduism. The day long program ended with a lively poetry recitation, music and dance performances.
Bangalore Etihad's 8th destination in India A Q SIDDIQUI
CHICAGO: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has launched a service from Abu Dhabi to Bangalore, its eighth destination in India. Etihad operates four roundtrip flights a week to Bangalore, which is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka and the country's third most populous city. The airline will increase to a daily service on the route from March 25, with the start of its summer scheduling season. Etihad operates a two-class Airbus A320 on the new Bangalore route, configured to carry 140 passengers with 20 in Business class
and 120 in Economy class. With the addition of Bangalore,
The new Bangalore flights offer convenient connections to and from Etihad's US services at its Abu Dhabi hub Etihad flies to eight Indian destinations including the cities of New
Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad and Kochi with a total of 49 flights to India per week. The new Bangalore flights offer convenient connections to and from Etihad's US services at its Abu Dhabi hub. Etihad now serves 66 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America (New York, Chicago and Toronto). Etihad operates a modern fleet of 57 Boeing and Airbus aircraft, with more than 100 aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing, including 10 A380 super-jumbos and 35 Boeing 787s.
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Mandala Pooja for Lord Ayyaapa ASHWIN PATEL
Lord Ayyappa
ST. LOUIS: The Hindu Temple of St. Louis celebrated its Annual Mandala Pooja for Lord Ayyappa
Priests and devotees doing Pooja
The stage for the function was constructed in the shape of the main Ayyappa Sannidhanam in
were quite a few devotees including women, kids as young as five and men who took vratham for 41
Sabarimala. Lord Ayyappa was top of the eighteen holy steps with Lord Ganesha on the right and Lord Muruga on the left. There
days and prepared the Irumudi under the guidance of the Guru Swami. The Irumudi was then offered to Lord Ayyappa and
The highlight of the evening function was the Vibuthi Alankaram for Lord Ayyappa and it literally brought tears to the eyes of the devotees when Lord Ayyappa was unveiled in this form. It was generally the refrain that such a sight was possible only with divine grace on December 25, 2010. This grand function was the culmination of a 41-day Mandala period starting in the middle of November.
Abhisekham was conducted. The ghee abhisekham is considered especially auspicious for Lord Ayyappa. The highlight of the morning function was the padi pooja and the Raja Alankaram for Lord Ayyappa at the end of Abhisekham. The evening function included the Seeveli (Light Festival) and Ayyappa Urchava Murthi procession around the inner praharam of the temple. Ladies carry the lamp behind the Urchava Murthi of Lord Ayyappa around the temple and this has become a very popular event over the past few years. The highlight of the evening function was the Vibuthi Alankaram for Lord Ayyappa and it literally brought tears to the eyes of the devotees when Lord Ayyappa was unveiled in this form. It was generally the refrain that such a sight was possible only with divine grace. This year, as part of the Mandala season celebrations, the Ayyappa group of the Hindu Temple also visited other temples
in the mid-west, including the Hindu Temple of Kansas City and the Hindu temple of central Indiana besides conducting a pooja in the Greater Chicago area. They are also planning to visit the Hindu Temple of Springfield and further continue with this bhajan tour to spread word about the upcoming Ayyappa Mahasannidham in 2011. They also conducted more than 20 individual poojas at houses and at the Hindu temple of St. Louis. They reached out to more than 1500 people throughout the Mandala season and this has become a sought after event by devotees all over St. Louis. The Hindu Temple of St. Louis has launched its expansion project this year and it will become only the second temple in North America to have an exclusive Ayyappa Mahasannidhanam with eighteen steps. The construction for the temple is expected to start in early 2011 and the temple is in the process of raising funds for the same.
FIA move for going green 'My Earth, My Home' is the new slogan for an initiative towards going green and saving the earth, adopted by the Federation of Indian Associations (NY, NJ, CT) for the year 2011, at its annual general body meeting held recently. The new FIA President Bipin Patel is spearheading the Force In Action of 2011 taking charge from Jan 1, with the organization's first event coming up on Jan 29 - "Dance Pe Chance" - a Bollywood Dance Competition in celebration of India's 62nd Republic Day. Established in 1970, FIA is completing its 41 years this year and Team FIA is planning special events to celebrate the 41 years of success. Similarly, the famous India Day Parade started by FIA in 1981 will be celebrating 31st India Day Parade on Sunday Aug 21 this year. Seen in the picture taken at the meeting, are FIA executive committee (from left) Srujal Parikh (Jt. Secretary), Haresh Hemrajani (Secretary) Nimesh Dave (Vice President), Bipin Patel (President 2011), Nirav Mehta (President 2010) & Sanjay Amin (Treasurer).
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Rhythms of Rajasthan at School of Folk Music RAMESH SOPARAWALA
CHICAGO: Rhythms of Rajasthan will be presented on Wednesday January 19, 2011 at 8:30pm at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. This project was conceived in Jodhpur, Rajasthan by Nitin Nath Harsh, a folklore promoter of
hosts one of the most vibrant and evocative music cultures of the world. Rhythms of Rajasthan is birth of an idea to create an exciting fusion of traditional rhythms and melodies from this culture. The group captures the romanticism and heroism of the north In-
This project was conceived in Jodhpur, Rajasthan by Nitin Nath Harsh, a folklore promoter of Rajasthan, who began his career in folklore of Rajasthan with legendry folklorist Late Padam Bhushan Komal Kothari Rajasthan, who began his career in folklore of Rajasthan with legendry folklorist Late Padam Bhushan Komal Kothari. He has been working with hundreds of folk artists of Rajasthan for the last nine years. The vast unending expanse of burning hot sand that makes up the Thar Desert of Rajasthan
dian desert in a visceral hypnotic performance of poetry, dance, and music. The hereditary caste musicians perform the traditional music of the Langa and Manganiar in addition to Kalbelia dance as a component in the group's colorful and stunning performance. Additionally, the artists will give
Artists playing Rhythms of Rajasthan
a workshop as part of the Old Town School Thursday Workshop Series on January 20, 2011 at 6 pm. At the workshop participants will have the opportunity to explore Rajasthani rhythms using several
percussion instruments such as the Dholak (double head drum), Khartal (wood block with jingles), and then integrating them with the Morchang (Jews Harp) and the string and wind instruments,
Alogja and Pungi. Students will have a hands on experience with the instruments. The workshop fee is $20. Contact the box office at 773 728-6000 to register for the workshop.
Indians in St Louis welcome New Year ASHWIN PATEL
ST. LOUIS: India Association of St. Louis (IAS) and Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center (MGC) jointly hosted the New Year's Eve party on Friday, December 31, 2010 and joyfully welcomed 2011. This family friendly event started at 9 pm and was enjoyed by over 200 people from the greater St. Louis region. Arrangements were made to make this party for all age groups. On the upper level of MGC there was non-stop dance music played by a professional DJ - Sam, along with colorful strobe lights and party/disco club lights which created a perfect ambiance for adults and teen-agers to party and dance into the New Year. Dance floor was filled by the enthusiasts and jubilations were felt by everyone St. Louis Indians celebrate New Year
present. At the lower level of MGC a professional clown, Lolli, entertained the children with her act as well as face-painting,
each other and the party ended at about 1am on January 1, 2011. This event was a grand success despite the tornadoes and
Dance floor was filled by the enthusiasts and jubilations were felt by everyone present. At the lower level of MGC a professional clown, Lolli, entertained the children with her act as well as face-painting, balloon-twisting etc balloon-twisting etc. Movies and music were also being played for the children at the lower level. Countdown to the New Year was led by outgoing IAS president Girdhar Sharma followed by the mid-night toast. The folks present at the event greeted
severe storm warnings in the region earlier in the day, and elicited an outpour appreciation from the community. Cont’d on page 23
January 14, 2011
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IMA New Year event big success
Indians in St Louis welcome New Year Cont’d from page 22
India Association will be hosting India's Republic Day celebrations on Saturday, January 29, 2011 and the chief-guest / speaker for this annual event is Padmashree Prof. Ramanath Cowsik who is a world renowned Astrophysicist and Director of McDonnell Center for Space Sciences at Washington University of St. Louis. 2011 Committees were elected by both MGC and IAS under the supervision of their election commissioners. India Association of St. Louis Northwest Indiana Indian Medical Association hosted traditional New Year Eve on Friday December 31, 2010. The event was a grand success as over one thousand revelers attended it, enjoying Indian food and live music. Shiv Chawla of Chicago provided the Dhamaka DJ music. Singers were Dr Smita Raiker, Murali Collur, Nupur, Santosh Verghese and Rita Modi.
IAC celebrates holiday season with gusto SURESH SHAH
CHICAGO: Nearly 200 youth and their families gathered at the Indo-American Center (IAC) to celebrate the holiday season. As is its tradition, IAC opened its doors to youth ages one to sixteen for three hours of gift-giving, raffles, and holiday cheer. Draped in holiday lights, IAC's main hall burst with excitement as youth lined up to receive gifts, provided by various community organizations and businesses including the Indian American Bar Association (IABA), the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) and Republic Bank. "This is the time of year when holidays mean the most to kids," said IAC Executive Director Jay Luthra. "For that reason, we
Holiday season celebration at Indo American Center
Over 125 youth tore wrapping off of games, sports equipment and other age-appropriate toys, whizzing around the room showing off their new gifts. Shortly thereafter, adults accompanying
"This is the time of year when holidays mean the most to kids," said IAC Executive Director Jay Luthra. "For that reason, we strive every year to work with the community to put on a big holiday youth event strive every year to work with the community to put on a big holiday youth event. It's our aim that they come to IAC and, for a few hours, enjoy themselves in the spirit of the season."
youth were thanked for their involvement in holiday festivities with reusable yellow and orange grocery bags, provided by Patel Bros. and Republic Bank respectively. Cont’d on page 43
Board of Directors: Pradip K Das (President), Vijaya Kumar Buddhiraju, Girdhar G Sharma, Sundar Varanasi, Sundari Nori, Sanjiv Shekhar, Hema Patel, Paritosh Sheth and Girija Kasinadhuni. Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center Board of Governors: Jiwan Singla (President), Vijaya Lakshmi Buddhiraju, Anjan Roy, Chandan Mahanta, Mohinder Partap, Bhargavi Patel, Ranjit Bagwe, Elly Bhuyan and Satish Kulkarni. Raghunandan Dundoo is Building committee chair and MGC reservations incharge.
Edison Adult Day Care celebrates a centenarian Cont’d from page 16
According to his son, Stanley, who looks after his parents in his East Brunswick home, Vinh worked in Vietnam as a teacher in early decades of Twentieth Century. "My father used to ride a bicycle during his youth as it was the most convenient mode of transportation in Vietnam. He also walked regu-
larly but never followed a restricted diet", said Stanley responding to a question about the secret of his father's long and healthy life. Vinh is a permanent resident of USA. "He did try to acquire US citizenship, appeared for interviews several times (the last one at the age of 94), but couldn't make it. Then he gave up," said Stanley laughingly.
TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS
1 Sheila Ki Jawani : Tees Maar Khan 2 Yeh Des Hai Mera: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey 3 Tarkeebein: Band Baaja Baaraat 4 Shakira : No Problem 5 Chamki Jawani :
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Yamla Pagla Deewana 6 Kaare Kaare Badra : Mirch 7 Teri Parchhaiyan : Tera Kya Hoga Johny 8 Aali Re: No One Killed Jessica 9 Wallah Re Wallah : Tees Maar Khan 10 Isi Umar Mein : Isi Life Mein
L
ove is clearly in the air, as another starlet decides to settle down or at least taking the first step towards it. Blue eyed Celina Jaitly re cently got engaged to Dubai-based hotelier Peter Haag. Celina and Peter met through their respective families, exchanged numbers and started dating only some 10 months back. The relationship was kept under wraps as Celina is extremely superstitious about her personal life and only when rumors about her marriage started floating around did she speak about Peter. The engagement took place among close family members, Celina's best friend from Kolkata and her maternal uncle in the actress's Versova house. The couple exchanged rings during the auspicious Durga Puja but Peter's parents weren't present for the ceremony. Is marriage around the corner? Not in the near future as the actress plans to focus on films and endorsements that take up most of her next two years.
Sadhvi Kat
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ot all know that at the Big Star Entertainment Awards in Mumbai, Rani Mukherjee had a hard time holding on to her skirt which was very loose. Rani kept exiting the stage for a few moments and even moved backstage during her final track to check for her skirt. Rani managed to pull off her performance coolly and she did not let the audience feel for once that her skirt was slipping off her waist. However, when the actress entered the media room for meeting with the press, and her designer came to ask how her performance went, Rani lost her cool and shouted at the designer so much that she was almost in tears. She told her 'kitni beizzati hui mujhe stage pe aaj, tumhare skirt ke wajah se! Kya ill-fitting skirt diya!' Mostly, Rani's outfits for stage shows are done by Neeta Lulla and Sabyasachi Chakroborty but this time it was a new girl because of shortage of time. Rani had even brought in her own choreographer to design her dance moves.
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atrina Kaif will be seen in a role in dire contrast to what she played in Tees Maar Khan. This Prakash Jha film titled 'Satsang' will see Kats as a woman clad in an ochre robe and in search of spirituality. This upcoming film exposes the multi-billion global religion factory in India. Her role in Satsang is so complex that even Jha was not sure, initially, if the actress could deliver. "It would be the most challenging part of my career so far," says Katrina. Semi-autobiographical in nature, her role is that of a woman from the West in search of Oriental spiritualism. Katrina will be seen sans makeup for the film and will have to get informed on the intricacies of the multi-billion religious industry in India. Katrina is already geared up for the role and says, "Prakashji and I have discussed the part in detail. This is one film that I've to do the most preparation for. I'm open to the challenge."
Bollywood
January 14, 2011
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adhuri Dixit might play the role of Sonam Kapoor's mother in Anil Kapoor's remake of the Hollywood film, 'Freaky Friday'. The film revolves around a mother and daughter who magically swap roles for a day. Bollywood actresses like Shabana Azmi, Rekha and Kirron Kher had been approached for the role but they all had date problems. Now, Madhuri is being considered for the role and if she says yes, it would fulfill Anil Kapoor's wish which was expressed when he said that he would like to work with his former leading lady again. Her secretary and previous manager, Rakesh Nath has said, "She has got four-five very good offers. She will definitely do another film soon, but this time we have to be very careful. I've worked with other actresses, but Madhuriji is Madhuriji." Well, some part of the story definitely seems to be true as Madhuri has tweeted, "Meeting with Anil Kapoor today. Let's see what happens…."
No shedding
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ollywood bombshell Tanushree Dutta feels that actresses are asked to shed inhibitions in front of the camera mainly to cater to public demand and not because the script demands it. "Actually, when people come to you with the line that shedding of inhibitions is the demand of a particular screen role, they are actually pandering to the public demand. Words like demand of the role or the character are all trash," Tanushree said in an interview. Asked whether she is ready to shed clothes if the character required that, Dutta said: "In Bollywood, people have been making movies for more than half a century and they are made in such a way that you need not shed off all your inhibitions. I would really draw the line. I am no more a newcomer in Bollywood." Tanushree had won the Femina Miss India Universe title in 2004, and made her entry into Bollywood in 2005 with the hit film "Aashiq Banaya Aapne". She starred in "Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets" the same year, and came to be considered one of tinsel town's dark horses.
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riyanka Chopra looks back at the past decade with pride, but hints that she is a little 'nervous' about what the future holds. Nevertheless, she is raring to go. "Today woke up with a strange sense of nervousness, fear maybe…Worry also… Wondering what direction life will take... new or familiar? I've always been God's favorite child. Everything happened for a reason. I look back at the last ten years n have a knowing smile that I'm right," Priyanka posted on her Twitter page. The year 2010 proved to be an average one for the National award-winning actress with films like "Pyaar Impossible" and "Anjaana Anjaani", and she is looking forward to a great New Year. "It's the end of a decade. The most important one of my life." Priyanka's next release will be Vishal Bharadwaj's "7 Khoon Maaf", in which she has donned seven different looks.
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NEW DELHI: The indigenous aerospace and internal security industry received a major boost as the Government announced major changes in its defense procurement policy that are likely to encourage investments worth billions of dollars in these sectors. Under the Defense Procurement Policy 2011 announced, the scope of offsets has been enhanced to "include civil aerospace, internal security, training within the ambit of the eligible products and services for discharge of offsets obligations," Defense Minister A K Antony said in the foreword of the policy. As per the offsets policy till now, foreign vendors bagging deals worth over Rs 300 crore had to invest 30 per cent of contract's worth into the Indian defense sector only but the new changes will allow them to invest in related sectors such as civilian aerospace and in industry developing weapons and equipment for internal security roles. These changes were being sought by the foreign vendors as with a very limited defense industrial base in the country, they were finding it hard to find eligible partners to work with in India. The demand had the support of Indian chambers of commerce as the country is looking to sign various big ticket defense deals in near future which are likely to result in offsets deals worth over Rs 50,000 crore and it would have been difficult for the indigenous industry to absorb them. "The list of eligible offsets will now most aspects of civil aerospace including both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, air frames, air
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January 14, 2011
The Defense Minister said the policy has been refined based on the inputs and feedback received from the defense industry, both Indian and foreign, and is aimed at expediting and simplifying contractual and financial provisions. "The policy also aims to establish a levelplaying field for the Indian defense industry, both public and private sector," he added. Antony said the policies regarding the ship building procedures have also been refined with an aim to "encourage participation of private shipbuilding industry in
Scope of defense offsets expanded to aerospace, security As per the offsets policy till now, foreign vendors bagging deals worth over Rs 300 crore had to invest 30 per cent of contract's worth into the Indian defense sector only but the new changes will allow them to invest in related sectors such as civilian aerospace and in industry developing weapons and equipment for internal security roles engines, aircraft components, avionics... a wide range of weapons and services for counter terrorism have been included in list of products under internal security," the Defense Minister added.
Hoping that the policy changes will provide a wide range of offset opportunities to vendors, Antony hoped that this would encourage building up of an indigenous manufacturing capability in crucial areas.
India in defense contracts." "These guidelines will provide a levelplaying field for Indian shipyards and promote indigenization and self-reliance in warship construction," he added. -PTI
Aarushi case: CBI hurry for Rupam in jail, editor arrested in MLA murder case closure report questioned GHAZIABAD: A special CBI court here Aarushi's father Rajesh Talwar, who is has questioned the "hurry" on the part of the prime suspect in the case, told reportthe agency to close the investigations in ers, "We want the case to be reopened." the Aarushi Talwar murder case and asked Rajesh and his wife, Nupur, both denit to file annexures to its report. tists, had earlier lashed out at the CBI for "The closure report has been registered. making "false and baseless" allegations Now the court will against them. give the time to the in"By this closure revestigating officer to port all I can say is that submit the annexures the CBI has conof the closure report," demned us for life. Special Judicial magisThey have put all kinds trate (CBI) Preeti Singh of false allegations said. upon us without any The court may fix evidence. This has another date postbeen a completely lunch to decide on the shocking thing for us," case in which the CBI Nupur had said. has filed a report to In its closure report, end the investigation the CBI gave a clean after a probe lasting chit to three servants of two-and-a-half years the doctor couple --Aarushi on grounds of insuffiKrishna, Raj Kumar cient evidence. and Vijay Mandal -The CBI had on December 29 filed a clo- who were picked up as suspects. sure report in the sensational murder case Teenager Aarushi was found murdered of 14-year-old Aarushi and her servant with her throat slit at the Talwar's resiHemraj in May 2008. dence in Noida near Delhi on the morning As soon as the hearing began, the court of May 16, 2008. The body of Hemraj, their asked CBI counsel A K Saini, "What was domestic help, was found on the terrace the hurry (in filing a closure report)? Where the next day. are the documents (annexures) of the cloThe CBI had raised doubts over the role sure report?" of the dentist couple in the case but said Saini replied, "Our (CBI) process is that there was insufficient evidence against we file closure report when a decision in Rajesh for it to file a chargesheet as it could this regard is taken." not zero in on any motive. -PTI
PURNIA, Bihar: Rupam Pathak, accused of stabbing to death Bihar BJP MLA Raj Kishore Keshari, was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days while the editor of a local weekly was arrested in connection with the murder. Pathak, who had stabbed Keshari in full public view in his house at Sipahi Tola here on January 4, was brought from Kathihar hospital by police and produced at the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate D L Prasad amid tight security. She had been undergoing treatment at the Kathihar hospital after being badly assaulted by those present at Keshari's residence during the incident. She will be lodged at the divisional jail here following her remand. Meanwhile, police launched a full-scale probe into the killing and arrested Navlesh Pathak, editor of local English weekly 'Quisling' which had for the first time reported Rupam's complaint about being sexually harassed by the MLA some months back. The journalist was arrested after an FIR was lodged against him, Rupam and an unknown person by the MLA's nephew Sudip, DIG (Purnia range) Amit Kumar told PTI. The FIR also complained of conspiracy behind the murder. While the identity of the unknown person was yet to be known, police subjected Navlesh to marathon grilling during the day. The family members of Navlesh have alleged that police were biased and apprehended threat to him under custody.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi Kumar Modi, who attended Keshari's funeral, has ruled out a CBI probe into the killing. "There is no possibility of the state government handing over the inquiry into the Keshari murder case to CBI at the moment. We also don't feel the necessity of ordering a judicial probe as the state police is fully competent to conduct the investigation," he had told newsmen here. Demands for a CBI probe into the killing of the MLA made by RJD chief Lalu Prasad
The journalist was arrested after an FIR was lodged against him, Rupam and an unknown person by the MLA's nephew Sudip and Bihar PCC chief Mehboob Ali Kaiser besides some members of the ruling NDA. In a petition to the state women's commission, Rupam's mother Kumud Mishra also demanded a CBI probe alleging that Keshari and his aides had been "mentally and sexually torturing, harassing and threatening her constantly". She said, "It is wrong to say that my daughter is mentally unfit ... She was running her school satisfactorily. She is innocent," adding, "Keshari's character is known to everybody in Purnia." -PTI
India
January 14, 2011
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Jamnagar Viklang Melo a big success
diology test in the trust's mobile van and given an appropriate hearing aid. A simple hearing aid for a school child or an elderly person helped change their lives completely-the child can now attend school and
Minister Vasuben Trivedi attending the Mela
VAIDEHI PATEL
JAMNAGAR: A joint public and private effort to rehabilitate the physically handicapped and hearing impaired persons in districts of Gujarat in the recent past had a further extension when a Viklang Mela 2010 was held in Jamnagar recently. Viklang Melas organized by Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust with the active support and assistance of the local Government authorities were held in Bhavnagar (Palitana-28,549 beneficiaries), Banaskantha (16,798 beneficiaries) and Patan (21,513 beneficiaries) and now at Jamnagar which was probably the largest project of its kind in the world having rehabilitated 31,330 beneficiaries. To outreach to the maximum number of beneficiaries and offer facilities nearest to their place of residence the Viklang Mela was organized at four locations within the district-Khambaliya, Lalpur, Jamnagar and Dwarka from December 15 to 30. The viklangs were mobilized through network-
ing with anganwadi workers, village sarpanchs, local community leaders and NGOs. Prof. Vasuben Trivedi, Minister for Women and Child Development, Gujarat, had come at the event on December 25 and assured all possible help from government agencies. Present were senior members of the Oshwal community of UK who have not only contributed funds for the project but have also come personally to give their time and effort for this humanitarian cause. Polio-affected children received custom made calipers and amputees got made to measure artificial limbs. Tricycles, wheelchairs, ortho splints/braces and crutches were distributed on a need based assessment by prosthetic engineers of the trust. Adequate facilities were created at the camp site itself for the fabrication/fitting of the aids and appliances so that a viklang who came in the morning could walk out on his own by early evening. The hearing impaired underwent an au-
Celebrities to mobilize voters for UP polls LUCKNOW: The Election Commission is planning to rope in celebrities to create awareness among the voters towards their right to franchise before the 2012 Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. "We are on a look out for celebrities from Uttar Pradesh in the field of sports, films, media or culture to issue appeals and messages to mobilize more and more people to exercise their franchise," chief electoral officer of the state, Umesh Sinha told PTI. These celebrities would be utilized specially for creating awareness among the rural electorate or the newly enrolled youth and, if required, they could be asked to conduct some programs in the rural areas, Sinha said. The celebrities who would be picked up for this campaign would be totally non-political as this exercise has to be kept away from all kinds of politics, he said, adding that voters would be made aware of the
importance of their votes and how they have to keep themselves free of all kinds of pressures while casting their ballot. The Commission has given the slogan 'mazboot loktantra sabki bhagidari' (strong
'We are on a look out for celebrities from Uttar Pradesh in the field of sports, films, media or culture to issue appeals and messages' democracy depends on everybody's participation) on its diamond jubilee and this step is a move in the direction of ensuring maximum participation in the electoral process, Sinha said. -PTI
Final statistics of the Jamnagar Viklang Melo 2010 Camp location Khambaliya Lalpur Jamnagar Dwarka
Numbers 7078 7435 14071 2746
TOTAL
31330
the elderly person can interact with his family and peers. The Jamnagar Viklang Mela was a prime example of a welfare project implemented under the Public Private Partnership model and the unstinted support of the District
Viklangs getting help at the Mela
Collector and other officials contributed to its grand success. Beneficiaries eligible for aids and appliances under the Central and State Government schemes got the same in the camps and those not eligible were assisted by the trust so that no beneficiary was left unattended.
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CCI orders probe in 'cartelization' of onion traders NEW DELHI: Competition watchdog CCI has ordered a probe into the possible cartelization by onion traders that might have led to the spike in the prices of the essential commodity. "The commission has held many deliberations to study the possibility of cartelization by onion traders and prima facie there appears to be a case. So, we have taken a suo moto action in carrying out the probe," an official source told PTI. The Director General (Inves-
tigations) of the CCI will submit the report on probe within 45 days. . Onion prices, which were already ruling at Rs 60 per kg, shot up to Rs 80 per kg last fortnight. Chief Economic Adviser Kaushik Basu had blamed cartelization by traders for the spurt. "The CCI has taken the suo moto action after making an economic analysis of demand and supply of the product, studying media reports and data from the mandis," said the source.
'The commission has held many deliberations to study the possibility of cartelization by onion traders and prima facie there appears to be a case'
Discussion on corruption in Cabinet meeting NEW DELHI: Amid government moves to bring an ordinance to tackle corruption, the Union Cabinet saw a brief discussion being held on the issue. Though corruption was not on the agenda of the Cabinet meeting, the issue was discussed informally, with some members expressing their views, sources said. The discussion was inconclusive because the meeting was short as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and some other Ministers had to attend to various programs, they said. The discussion on corruption at the Cabinet comes against the backdrop of government moves to bring an Ordinance on Lokpal which will bring the Prime Minister within its purview.
The government, sources said, wants the issue to be part of the President's Address to the Nation
The discussion on corruption at the Cabinet comes against the backdrop of government moves to bring an Ordinance on Lokpal which will bring the Prime Minister within its purview on the eve of the Republic Day later this month. The endeavor is being expe-
dited in view of Congress President Sonia Gandhi unveiling a five-point plan of action at the AICC Plenary last month to tackle the menace of corruption. She also declared that corruption would be taken "head-on" by the government. In pursuance to her agenda, moves are also afoot to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to suggest ways to deal with corruption. According to the Lokpal Bill under preparation, the Lokpal shall consist of a Chairperson who is or has been a Chief Justice or a judge of the Supreme Court. It will also have two members who have either been the judges of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justices of the High Courts. -PTI
FinMin cracks whip on IRS officers overstaying abroad NEW DELHI: The Finance Ministry has cracked a whip on Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers, who are "overstaying" in foreign countries even after the courses they went to undertake had come to an end. The Ministry has asked all the Chief Commissioners of Income Tax (CCsIT) across the country to report as to how many such officers have gone on trainings and study programs at universities and institutions abroad and what action has been taken against those who have not returned without furnishing proper reasons. The action has been taken after Minister of State for Revenue S S Palanimanickam wrote a letter to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)-- the administrative authority of the IRS (Income Tax) cadre in the country-- stating
Finance Ministry Pranab Mukherjee
"some officers who have proceeded on training courses overseas are neither returning on the conclusion of the courses or intimating reasons for their overstay. This may please be verified and a
status note in each case reporting action taken against those officers may please be given....urgently." Sources said a number of officers from various field formations and units of the income tax department are sent on training courses abroad for specific time periods. However, some of them have failed to report back to their cadre controlling authorities and hence the action has been taken. The department is already facing a shortage of officers and is faced with increasing work pressure and deputation of officers to other law enforcement agencies, they said. The CCsIT have been asked to furnish the information to the CBDT at the earliest so that proper action can be taken after that. -PTI
The investigations have been ordered under section 26 of the Competition Act 2002. The section empowers the Commission to order an inquiry by the Director General into a matter if it finds that a prime facie case exists for violation of the competition law. Retail prices of onion rose by Rs 5-10 per kg to Rs 55-60 in Mumbai and Chennai, but remained unchanged at Rs 50-60/kg in Delhi and Kolkata due to sluggish supplies.
Meanwhile, wholesale price of onion in Delhi and Mumbai remained unchanged from Rs 45/kg, while rates in Chennai fell by Rs 5/kg to Rs 55. But in Kolkata, prices rose marginally to Rs 55/kg, up by Rs 3, according to the reports from these centers. The government had banned exports and removed import duty on onions to boost domestic supply and curb rising prices. Private traders have already imported over 5,000 tonnes of onions through Amritsar. -PTI
Six parties question govt on 'TC-Maoist nexus' NEW DELHI: Six parties, including four from the Left, have asked the Manmohan Singh government to decide whether it wanted to continue its alliance with Trinamool Congress, whose "collaboration" with Maoists was a "clear threat" to internal security. Alleging there was "incontrovertible evidence of collaboration" between between Trinamool Congress and Maoists, leaders of CPI(M), CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc, TDP and JD(S) submitted a memorandum to Home Minister P Chidambaram asking the government to "spell out" how it proposed to deal with the "TCMaoist nexus". After the meeting, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury asked "will you (UPA) continue to allow TC to hobnob with Maoists to save your government at the Centre? ... It is a clear threat to national security. You (UPA) have to take a call. "How can the UPA continue with the contradiction that when the Prime Minister describes Maoist violence as the gravest
threat to the nation, his own cabinet colleagues actively collaborate with Maoists. They can't compromise national security to gain political mileage." The memorandum said "the responsibility of overcoming the impact of the Maoist violence is not the responsibility of the state governments alone, it is a phenomenon which spans across several states. Therefore, the Union Government also has a responsibility." Observing that it was earlier felt that charges about TCMaoist nexus was being made by the Left for political considerations, Yechury said the memorandum and its annexures contained what leaders of TC and Maoists have been saying themselves. "It contains their views from their mouth." "In this memorandum, we have given evidence as we have collected it from one of their (TC) own members of Lok Sabha who has published a book detailing various meetings that have taken place before the Nandigram incident in West Bengal." -PTI
Burglars strike at golden chariot of Lord Balaji TIRUPATI: Burglars struck at the golden chariot at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala in a high security zone and decamped with a few pieces of it worth about Rs one lakh, temple sources said here. The burglars managed to take away some gold-coated copper leaves fitted around the umbrella placed atop the chariot stationed a few yards away from the temple's main entrance, temple sources said. The miscreants had cut one of
the tin sheets covering the chariot to gain access to it, they told PTI. The burglary came to light last night, but it was not known when it took place, the sources said. Top officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, which administers the richest temple in the country, and the police visited the site. Police investigation was on. The chariot was made in 1992 with and wood and copper plates and 25 kg of gold used for gold plating. -PTI
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The park was created in 1955 by a special law and, since then, it has dedicated itself in preserving a variety of animal species. Many endangered species have indeed been saved here
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ituated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the picturesque Kanha National Park was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's unfor gettable classic Jungle Book. The romance of the Kanha National Park has not diminished over time - it is still as beautiful. If one were to point to the middle of India, chances are he will pick out the forests of the Banjar and the Halon valley, the two forming the western and eastern halves of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, which have long been famous for their wide diversity of wildlife. The park was created in 1955 by a special law and, since then, it has dedicated itself in preserving a variety of animal species. Many endangered species have indeed been saved here. Today Kanha is among the few most scenic and beautiful wildlife reserves in Asia. This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both predator and prey. By far the most striking features of this region are the open grassy meadows, where sighting blackbuck,
January 14, 2011
swamp deer, sambhar and chital is common. And, if one can transcend into time, a barefooted Mowgli would perhaps come padding along the dusty trail, for this is the land of Kipling's Jungle Book. Best time to visit: The climate of this region is tropical. Summers are hot and humid with a maximum and minimum temperature of 40.6°C and 23.9°C. Winters are pleasant with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 23.9°C and 11.1°C, respectively. The annual average rainfall is 152 cm. The park is closed from July to mid-November during monsoon. Best time to visit is April to June and November to January Tourist attractions The main wildlife attractions in the park are tiger, bison, gaur, sambhar, chital, barasingha, barking deer, black deer, black buck, chousingha, nilgai, mouse deer, sloth bear, jackal fox, porcupine, hyena, jungle cat, python, pea fowl, hare, monkey, mongoose, tiger, and leopard. Cont’d on page 30
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High air fare hits tourist traffic to Goa PANAJI: The high air fares hit tourism in Goa during Christmas and New Year, trade sources claimed. The tourist inflow could have been much better if airlines had not hiked their ticket fares during the peak season, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Gaurish Dhond told reporters. He said that except for two days of Christmas and New Year, the tourist traffic was thin. "Extremely high bus and airfares made it
Air fare for Goa touched all time high Rs 30,000 per ticket single way from Delhi as against the normal air ticket of Rs 6,000 difficult for the travelers to come," he said. But he did not quantify the fall in number of tourists to the state because of high air fares. TTAG chief said that air fare for Goa touched all time high Rs 30,000 per ticket single way from Delhi as against the normal air ticket of Rs 6,000. "When Malaysia and Sri Lanka offer three-night package for as low as Rs 15,000 including flight ticket, who would spend so much just to visit Goa," he asked. -PTI
January 14, 2011
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Haryana govt to promote health tourism CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government will promote health tourism and various projects involving an investment of over Rs 100 crore would be given the status of industry for the purpose of incentives. "Haryana holds great potential for development as centre of medical tourism. It also has the potential for investment in the health sector through establishment of hospitals offering primary, secondary and tertiary level health care facilities and allied services like pharmacies, diagnostics, pathological labs, training and skill development for para-medical services," an official spokesman said here. The state government will work towards establishment of facilities like common biomedical waste treatment, proper disposal of biomedical waste generated by hospitals, laboratories and Research and Development Centers, effluent treatment plants for treatment of liquid effluent generated from government hospitals and liquid oxygen plants in hospitals with bed-strength of more than 100, he said. Various state agencies like Haryana Urban Development Authority, Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation and the urban development bodies would endeavor to earmark separate clusters at appropriate locations for medical care service providers. Referring to the pharmaceutical industry, he said that the sector has a vast growth potential in the country and the state rec-
ognizes the need for development of this sector on a sustainable basis. The Union Government has selected Haryana to set up a Bio-Technology Park along with research and development facility and also establishment of a Pharma In-
The state government will work towards establishment of facilities like common bio-medical waste treatment, proper disposal of biomedical waste generated by hospitals, laboratories and Research and Development Centers, effluent treatment plants dustrial park in the state, he said. "The state government has decided to earmark or acquire about 1000 acres of land for the development of a dedicated Pharma Park in the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway Global Economic Corridor for this purpose," he added. -PTI
Govt promoting wellness tourism & yoga PUDUCHERRY: The Centre is promoting "wellness tourism and yoga" on a priority basis, attracting foreign tourists particularly from the US and European countries, Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said here. Inaugurating the four-day 18th International Yoga festival conducted by Puducherry Tourism Department here, she said that India "cured with care" and such "niche products" like wellness tourism and yoga held the key for spiritual as well as physical wellbeing. Selja also laid the foundation of the Rs 45 crore mega tourism circuit project sanctioned for Puducherry by her ministry. The project aimed at adopting an integrated and composite plan for tapping the vibrant potential available in tourism sector in the Union Territory. She said she would hold talks with the Central Aviation Ministry to ensure that Puducherry was brought under air connectivity so that "this dream destination" could be accessible for all those intending to visit this former French colony. Selja also laid the foundation of the 'Kirumambakkam lake project' and declared open the new premises of the Puducherry Institute of Hotel Management and Catering technology constructed at a cost of Rs 11.75 crore provided by the Union Tourism ministry. -PTI
Kanha National Park: Inspiration behind Kipling's Jungle Book Cont’d from page 29
The bird species in the park include storks, teals, pintails, pond herons, egrets, peacock, pea fowl, jungle fowl, spur fowl, partridges, quails, ring doves, spotted parakeets, green pigeons, rock pigeons, cuckoos, papihas, rollers,
Twenty years ago, the barasingha was faced with extinction but some desperate measures including the fencing-off of some animals helped save them and again the air in Kanha bugles with their rutting calls bee-eater, hoopoes, drongos, warblers, kingfishers, woodpeckers, finches, orioles, owls, and fly catchers. However, if one animal species were to represent Kanha, it would probably be the barasingha, or the
swamp deer. The barasinghas at Kanha are unique, being the hard ground variety, which populate the large open tracts of grass amidst the forests of teak and bamboo. Twenty years ago, the barasingha was faced with extinction but some desperate measures including the fencing-off of some animals helped save them and again the air in Kanha bugles with their rutting calls. The open meadows during the cold winter months are usually
teeming with barasinghas and there is plenty of tiger activity around the fringes. A female with two small cubs would circle around at least two or three times during the day and the swamp deer would go berserk, their husky alarm calls ringing through the jungle. Far from being the cunning, smart aleck, portrayed in Disney's adaptation of the Jungle Book, the real "Sher Khan" is true blueblooded royalty. There is a museum at Kanha
depicting attributes and activities of the park and tribal culture. It is closed every Wednesday. Places around: Near Kanha National Park is Bamni Dadar visited by every tourist who comes to the national park. This place is also known as the sunset point. The Kanha National Park is at it scenic best at this point. The sunset from this spot is mesmerizing. The eminent natural splendor of the park comes to the fore here. The grazing sambhar, barking deer,
gaurs, and other animals make the ambience magical. How to reach Air - Nagpur (266 km) is the nearest airport. It is connected by Indian Airlines flights with Mumbai. Rail - Jabalpur (175 km) is the convenient railhead to visit Kanha. Road - Kanha National Park is connected by road with Jabalpur (175 km), Khajuraho (445 km), Nagpur (266 km), Mukki (25 km), and Raipur (219 km).
January 14, 2011
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Himachal to develop rural areas for tourism SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh government has said that the Centre has sanctioned around Rs 15 crore for developing rural areas as tourist spots in the state. "We have received the sanction letter from the Centre and implementation of the project would start during this year with
identification of new destinations," Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal told reporters here. Dhumal said out of Rs 14.94 crore, Rs 11.99 crore has already been released and various activities like development of community centre, picnic spots, public lavatories, parking area and shel-
ters are being undertaken at various places in the state. Installation of benches would be carried out in Kinnaur district while trekkers huts would be constructed at Shakoli,Udgosh, Khanger villages and an artificial lake would be created at Sissu village to upgrade tourism infrastructure in Lahaul-Spiti dsitrict. -PTI
Nepal attracts record number of tourists KATHMANDU: A record number of tourists flew to Nepal last year, with most of the growth coming from neighboring India and China, according to official figures released here. The Nepal Tourism Board said the arrival of 448,769 foreign visitors at the country's only international airport in 2010, 15 per cent more than in 2009, showed tourism had recovered from the impact of a 10-year civil war. The figure rises by about 50,000 when visitors traveling overland are included, but officials conceded it would be difficult to meet a government goal of attracting a million tourists in 2011. "We are reasonably optimistic about 2011, but we will be hampered by the lack of direct flights from European coun-
tries," said tourism board spokesman Sarad Pradhan. The government last year declared it would double the num-
The number of Indian tourists traveling to Nepal more than doubled in 2010 to 111,512, while the number of Chinese visitors reached 37,576, a slight increase on 2009 ber of tourists coming to the Himalayan nation in 2011, dubbing it "Visit Nepal Year."
But the country continues to be dogged by political instability, and few believe the current caretaker government has done enough to achieve anything like that number. In an editorial, Republica, an English-language daily newspaper, said tourism could lift thousands of Nepalese out of poverty. The sector accounts for around seven per cent of Nepal's gross domestic product. But it said there was a "huge gap between our aspiration and our ability," citing a shortage of hotel rooms and a lack of capacity at the "archaic" international airport in the capital Kathmandu. The number of Indian tourists traveling to Nepal more than doubled in 2010 to 111,512, while the number of Chinese visitors reached 37,576, a slight increase on 2009.-AFP
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Chandigarh to promote 'Garden Tourism' CHANDIGARH: Famous for its many theme based gardens, the administration here is planning new gardens in the city to attract more tourists. "Chandigarh nestles in a picturesque setting in the foothills of Shivaliks and is well-known as a city of Greens and Gardens. To enhance tourism entity, the UT Administration is coming up with Garden of Spring at Sector 53 here," an official said here. The Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned over Rs three crore for the development of the new garden to be developed in an area of about 25 to 30 acres.
The components of Garden include tourist information centre, illumination of Garden of Spring and walkways, tourists hut and seating benches, construction of walkways throughout the garden, public convenience and water drinking facilities for tourists, stone pitching embankment of rivulet, plantation of flowering trees, shrubs and creepers, he said. The city has treasury of more than 150 species of flowering trees, flowering shrubs and different kinds of flowering creepers which are spread over different areas here, he said. -PTI
W. Bengal travel advisory on Himalayas KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has issued a travel advisory on do's and don'ts, to be followed when caught in lifethreatening situations in the Himalayas. Releasing the advisory, Tourism Minister Manab Mukherjee said contact details, full travel plans, proper health check-up before undertaking tours, proper knowledge of hazards in high altitude, trekking and equipment to be used, besides a list of survival tips
were included in it. The advisory was for individuals, organizations and tour operators promoting treks. The state government has launched a website giving details of various Himalayan treks and additional information on topography. Mukherjee said that a formal meeting with different organizations and tour operators would be held in the second week of March. -PTI
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16 % rise in tourist arrivals in Himachal SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh witnessed a growth of 16.38 per cent in the arrival of foreign and domestic tourists during 2010, Chief Minister P K Dhumal said here. A total of 1.33 crore tourists visited Himachal from January 1 to December 31, 2010, compared to 1.15 crore in the same period last year, Dhumal said. The number of foreign tourist arrivals also increased from 4 lakh in 2009 to 4.55 lakh during 2010, an
increase of about 54,300. The government's strategy is to present the state as 'Himachal for All Seasons for All Reasons' to ensure regular flow of tourists throughout the year, Dhumal said while presiding over a review meeting of Tourism Department. The state has the potential to cater to all categories of tourists, including the pilgrims, who throng the state in lakhs from far off places, he said.
The government has started the 'Home Stay' scheme to attract tourists in rural areas and a large number of people in these areas had registered their houses under the scheme, the chief minister said. Besides developing five and seven star hotel and resorts in different areas, the state government had also approved the heli-taxi service to fly high-end tourists to different destinations, Dhumal added. -PTI
Lanka to introduce online visa system COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will soon introduce an online visa system to boost the economy and the tourism sector in the country after the end of a three-decade ethnic conflict that ended last May. The new service will enable the tourists to obtain visas without going to embassies. "The president has given instructions to relevant authorities to start the new system as soon as possible," president's office said in a statement.
Last month, a senior cabinet minister announced that the government had plans to adopt the policy of issuing multiple entry visas for investors and business travelers. Sri Lanka had also proposed to do away with visas on arrival for nationals from over 85 countries. This was to have come into effect from October. However, the implementation of the scheme has been delayed following protests from the tourism
industry. Sri Lanka has recorded increasing tourist arrivals after the end of a three-decade war in May last year. More than six lakhs tourists arrived in the country this year, up from last year's 400,000 arrivals. The government forces defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009, ending the group's armed struggle for a separate state. Between 80,000 and 100,000 people were killed in the fighting. -PTI
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In Brief Boulder increasing immigrant outreach in 2011 BOULDER, Colo.: The city of Boulder is expanding its efforts to educate immigrants about government, city services, and how to become a U.S. citizen. The city will increase its efforts in 2011 to reach immigrants in conjunction with a project from the National League of Cities. The project called Municipal Action for Immigrant Integration will include public service announcements, education television programs and other marketing materials at no cost to the city. The Boulder Daily Camera reports that about 69 percent of Boulder's estimated 10,600 foreign-born residents are not U.S. citizens. That's according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. -AP
New Arizona AG says he'll defend immigration law PHOENIX: Newly sworn in Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne says the state now has an attorney general who will defend SB1070, the controversial law targeting illegal immigration. Horne made that declaration in remarks after taking the oath of office during the inauguration. Horne is a Republican who replaces Democrat Terry Goddard as attorney general. Goddard said last year he thought the law was misguided but that he would defend it in court from legal challenges. However, Gov. Jan Brewer pulled Goddard from the case and instead hired private lawyers who are being paid with money donated to a state fund. -AP
Immigrant reunited with son who was to be smuggled DOUGLAS, Ariz.: A Guatemalan woman caught sneaking across the Mexican border into southern Arizona has been reunited with her 5month-old son who was supposed to be brought into the United States by a smuggler. U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Eric Cantu says the mother was concerned that once she was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Douglas, Ariz., she wouldn't be able to meet up later with the smuggler to get her child. The boy, however, was never sneaked across the border. Border Patrol agents worked with Mexican authorities to find the boy unharmed in a hotel just south of Douglas near the Mexican city of Agua Prieta. -AP
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Kansas likely to crack down on illegal immigration TOPEKA, Kan.: Kansas legislators expect to join the growing list of states trying to keep illegal immigrants out and to discourage businesses from hiring them. Details on page 36
State legislators move to alter citizenship laws India Post News Service
NEW YORK: State Legislators for Legal Immigration (SLLI), a coalition of state legislators, revealed Jan 5, their plan to challenge the 14th Amendment and the Constitutional definition of citizenship. Claiming that they need to correct a "monumental misapplication of the 14th Amendment" and protect their states from the "illegal alien invasion," the legislators proposed model legislation intended to spark a new Supreme Court ruling to reinterpret the 14th Amendment. The model legislation attempts to create a new definition of "state citizenship" and narrow the categories of people who would be citizens at birth: only children born to at least one parent who is a US citizen, national, or legal permanent resident would be considered citizens. The bill would also create a "state com-
pact" requiring states to issue two different types of birth certificates: one for those considered "natural-born US citizens" and another singling out those whom the state does not consider a citizen. Calling the proposal unconstitutional, Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director of the American
US who would be confined to a new second-class citizenship and vulnerable to abuse and discrimination. While claiming to uphold the Constitution, these legislators have taken a clear stance against American values and principles. In the US we have confirmed a tradition of liberty, equality and justice, where we are no more able
Only children born to at least one parent who is a US citizen, national, or legal permanent resident would be considered citizens Immigration Council said, "The proposal presented today is clearly unconstitutional and an embarrassing distraction from the need to reform our nation's immigration laws. It constitutes a vicious assault on the US Constitution and flies in the face of generations of efforts to expand civil rights. Moreover, it is an attack on innocent children born in the
to punish children for the actions of their parents than we are to pass titles of nobility down from one generation to the next." "Denying citizenship to certain children born in the US would not decrease unauthorized immigration; in fact it would increase the number of people in the US without legal immigration status," Johnson said. "Moreover, the im-
pact of this misguided effort would be felt well beyond the undocumented population. Every American parent would have to prove the citizenship status of their children, requiring new documentation and a large government bureaucracy to sort through historical records, immigration documents, and international citizenship laws at taxpayer expense." "We acknowledge that our immigration laws are badly broken, and we recognize that state and local legislators are frustrated by Congress's unwillingness to reform our immigration system," he added. "However, attacking constitutional citizenship is simply another distraction that moves us further away from addressing the real problems with our broken immigration system. Rather than challenging Congress to reinterpret the 14th amendment, we need to redouble the effort to reform our immigration laws."
PERM and the roving employee-II CORA-ANN PESTAINA
(Continued from last week)
T
he DOL's response to the Stakeholders' query indicates that the choice is left to the employer. If the employer lists the worksite as the employee's home then the employer can perform recruitment and also request the prevailing wage from the location of the employee's home. Alternatively, the employer can list the worksite as the employer's headquarters and recruit out of that location. However, if adopting this alternative strategy, the employer should be mindful to conduct recruitment that also covers the home office (e.g. recruitment that is national in scope). Additional guidance was also provided in the following question which was asked and an-
swered as follows: 20. In the case of a telecommuter or an employee whose location is not specific to the job, please confirm that the notice of posting, recruitment, and prevailing wage determination should be based on the location of the employer's headquarters.
do when the employee will work from home, in a location different from that of the employer's headquarters and will also work from unanticipated locations throughout the US? From the DOL's response to the Stakeholders' queries, it would appear that the employer could re-
The employer can list the worksite as the employer's headquarters and recruit out of that location. But the employer should be mindful to conduct recruitment that also covers the home office Please see answer to number 19 (in last week's article). This guidance also indicates that whenever the job requires work in various locations, the employer may post the Notice of Filing at the company's headquarters. But what should the employer
cruit in the location of the employee's home. However, in such a case, the employer should take pains to show that it is not filing from the employee's home location in an attempt to lower the prevailing wage or to minimize US worker applicants.
As in the Amsol case, the best course of action would be to obtain prevailing wages for both the employer's headquarters location and the employee's home location and ensure that the offered wage exceeded the higher of the two and, also ensure that at least one of the additional three forms of professional recruitment is national in scope. The Notice of Filing can be posted at the employer's headquarters. The above mentioned Stakeholders Meeting minutes provided further guidance as follows: 21. For purposes of completing ETA-9089, if an employee works from home, what address should be identified in H.1 and H.2--the actual home address of the employee or the address of the employer's headquarters or office from which the employee is based/paid? Cont’d on page 36
Immigration Post
January 14, 2011
India Post
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www.indiapost.com
State Dept can help in Indian visa problems India Post News Service
NEW YORK: American citizens of Indian origin have clear avenues to approach the US State Department or the US Congress to raise concerns over the issue of visa issuance with the Government of India, a State Department spokesperson said recently. At a recent press briefing, acting spokesman Mark C. Toner, in response to a specific question on whether the State Department could intervene about the dilemma faced by Indian Americans who are American citizens facing troubles with visa applications for India and the passport surrender issues, said, "‌on an issue like this, these are American citizens‌ they have clear avenues to communicate their frustrations or their concerns either through Congress or directly to the State Department."
BYU professor attempts to quantify immigrant crime SALT LAKE CITY: A Brigham Young University professor is attempting to quantify how many crimes are committed by illegal immigrants in Utah. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that BYU professor Charlie Morgan's research so far indicates that illegal immigrants commit no more violent and property crime than those born in the country. Morgan examined data from Utah jails and found inmates with detainers placed on them by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement represented 2 to 5 percent of jail inmates statewide. A detainer means ICE does not want the inmate released from the jail because that person might be deported. Utah has an estimated 100,000 illegal immigrants, or about 4 percent of the state population. Morgan found similar rates in Utah's prisons. Over a nine-year span, 4.5 percent of prison inmates were illegal immigrants. The figures at the prisons were higher for a pair of violentcrime categories. Data showed undocumented immigrants represented 12 percent of the 655 inmates in prisons for a murder conviction. For convictions requiring entry on the sex offender registry, illegal immigrants were 9 percent of the 2,053 such Utah prison inmates, Morgan found. -AP
Overseas Indians have been in recent months facing difficulties dealing with new government of India rules about surrender of old passports and delays in issuance of visa. There have been
Toner, understandably, was not aware of the issue as such and was merely responding to an Indian American reporter's query protests and representations made to consul generals at the various Indian consulates in the US including San Francisco, Houston, Chicago and New York. A group of senior citizens in Houston, in fact, staged a 24-hour
hunger strike demanding that the Consulate find solution to the issue of delays in issuing visas to Americans of Indian origin. Toner, understandably, was not aware of the issue as such and was merely responding to an Indian American reporter's query on the possibility of recourse for Indian Americans. "I don't know the specifics on this case, but I can certainly look into it. But certainly, this is something that, were it to prove credible, were we to look into the story, that we would - we could certainly raise with the Indian Government. We obviously take the needs and concerns and situation of American citizens very seriously." When the reporter pressed on asking whether the State Department has some say to talk to the Indian Government to make life easier for Indian Americans, Toner said, "Well, of course."
Utah Senate leaders want single immigration bill SALT LAKE CITY: Utah Senate leaders say they are considering running a single immigration bill in the upcoming legislative session that combines parts of numerous bills other lawmakers are already sponsoring. It isn't clear exactly what the bill would entail. Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Jenkins told The Salt Lake Tribune that Republican caucus has revealed divisions on how to approach the immigration issue. Current proposals call for stricter enforcement, eliminating in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and creating a guest worker program. Jenkins suggested rolling portions of multiple bills together, but he couldn't get a consensus. Leadership planned to press harder on moving in that direction when the caucus gathers again Jan. 10, he said. The Legislature could have its productivity hampered if it has to address multiple immigration bills while grappling with hundreds of other measures dealing with everything from education to health care, all while addressing a tight budget, Jenkins said. ``Look, I know we have 16 (immigration bills) and we could have 20 easy. This could end up taking weeks and weeks of our
time and just destroying everything else,'' he said. ``We could free ourselves from a week and half of our time if we could put together an omnibus bill.'' Senate President Michael Waddoups said there isn't much interest in ``doing a little bit here and a little bit there.'' Instead, it has to be comprehensive, he said. One proposal mentioned by Waddoups is to have Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, sponsor an im-
Current proposals call for stricter enforcement, eliminating in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and creating a guest worker program migration bill that addresses enforcement, education, employers and guest-worker possibilities. Bramble was the original sponsor of a state law that allows illegal immigrants to get driving privilege cards. ``It's not about me, but it's about people's lives and whether we can get the support of a diverse group of people to actually tackle the problem,'' Bramble said. ``If that means sponsoring a bill, then, yes, I'd be willing to do it.'' -AP
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Immigration Post
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Kansas likely to crack down on illegal immigration TOPEKA, Kan.: Kansas legislators expect to join the growing list of states trying to keep illegal immigrants out and to discourage businesses from hiring them. One of the top legal minds in that movement is about to take office as Kansas' secretary of state, and he said he's ready to advise lawmakers. But strong opposition is expected from the state's business community, particularly the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. Gov.elect Sam Brownback also is cool to sweeping immigration proposals, preferring to focus on the state's budget woes and creating jobs. The chamber's resistance creates an odd political dynamic in a Republican-leaning state with large GOP majorities in its Legislature and, soon, no Democrats in statewide elective office. Some legislators advocating the low-tax, small-government agenda favored by the chamber will be fighting the state's largest business group on immigration. So far, the state chamber has prevailed. But advocates of gettough measures like those instituted in Arizona believe they're tapping into national frustration with federal inaction and expect pressure to build on the Legislature after it opens its annual ses-
sion and Brownback is sworn in January. 10. ``A few interest groups who are plugged into the legislative process can derail something,'' said Secretary of State-elect Kris Kobach, a law professor on leave who's gained national attention for working on immigration issues with legislators in other states. ``But ultimately, I think you find that, in end, if the people of a state really want a statute, it eventually happens.'' The Kansas Chamber has focused its opposition on proposals requiring employers to verify that workers are in the U.S. legally and fining companies or taking away their licenses if they hire illegal immigrants. Chamber officials argue those laws can impose draconian punishments for unintentional mistakes. Kent Beisner, the Kansas Chamber's president and chief executive officer, also said if Kansas enacts rules and other states don't, Kansas will find it harder to attract and keep businesses. ``We want to be as competitive as we can be,'' Beisner said. Many legislators saw the chamber as a big reason why Kansas' last attempt to enact a sweeping immigration law that included penalties for employers failed in 2008.
The House and Senate were negotiating a final version but couldn't agree. ``There were at least a number of business interests that simply did not want to see any meaningful immigration reform bill that dealt with the employment issue,'' said state Rep. Lance Kinzer, an Olathe Republican who helped lead the push in 2008.
‘We have short-term memories about the contributions of immigrants to this country,’ said Mary Lou Jaramillo The nonprofit, Washingtonbased Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 65,000 immigrants in Kansas were among the 11.1 million in the U.S. illegally in 2009. The center also estimates that 50,000 Kansas workers, about 3 percent of the total, are illegal immigrants. It says the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has dropped in the past few years. State legislators nationwide have grown less willing to wait on
the federal government to address the issue. The National Conference of State Legislatures said that in the first half of 2010, state lawmakers considered almost 1,400 immigration proposals four times as many as five years ago. Kobach helped write last year's law in Arizona empowering police to question anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally, a policy some Kansas lawmakers hope to enact in their state. He also was involved in drafting a 2008 Missouri law that penalizes businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Kinzer said he and other legislators are interested in not only those measures, but also repealing a state law that gives some illegal immigrants a break on tuition at state universities and colleges. And Kobach campaigned successfully on a promise that he'll seek a law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls and proof of citizenship when they register to vote for the first time in a new place. Groups providing services and advocating for immigrants worry about how such proposals would hurt families with some members in the U.S. legally and others illegally. They argue legislators would do better to provide immi-
grants with help in gaining citizenship. ``We have short-term memories about the contributions of immigrants to this country,'' said Mary Lou Jaramillo, president and CEO of El Centro Inc., a Kansas City, Kan.-based social service and advocacy group. Brownback has endorsed Kobach's voter ID and proof-ofcitizenship. But he said other immigration measures adopted elsewhere are still being challenged in court. ``I don't think we should be going at it going at those areas that are in the middle of litigation,'' he said during a recent interview Meanwhile, the chamber's resistance is important because it's a major player in state politics. The chamber and its political action committee have reported spending more than $1.1 million on lobbying and campaign-related activities in the past six years. One vice president and lobbyist, Jeff Glendening, is a former member of the state House majority leader's staff. A former lobbyist, Rachelle Colombo, left the House majority leader's staff to join the chamber and then earlier this month became chief of staff to House Speaker Mike O'Neal, a Hutchinson Republican.
PERM and the roving employee-II Cont’d from page 34
Please see answer to number 19 above. Final Note: When a job is regional, such as an employee working out of a home office but traveling throughout a specific geographic area, the analysis of where to obtain the prevailing wage and recruit can be thorny. Prior to PERM guidance was that the preailing wage would be determined where the majority of duties are performed. Best practice under PERM would be to use the highest wage within the region/MSA and recruit in the regional edition of a nationwide paper. This gets complicated as there are few nationwide papers with regional editions or newspapers
that could be considered regional. As in the scenario described at the beginning of this article, what if the employer is located in one state, the employee will work from home in another state and also in three other specific states in the region? Again, this issue has not been directly addressed by the DOL. But, employers should ensure that recruitment is performed in the manner best likely to discover qualified US workers. As described above, the employer could recruit from the location of the employee's home choosing the regional edition of a national newspaper as one form of recruitment; ensure that prevailing wage exceeds the highest of the prevailing wages for each state in which the employee will work; and post the Notice of Filing at the employer's headquarters. With regard to roving employees, it is critical that the employer's advertisement inform US workers that a "home benefit is available" or that the worker "must be willing to work anywhere in the US" or that "travel is required." Any such requirement must also be included in the prevailing wage request and in Box H.14 on the ETA Form 9089 lest
the employer be accused of offering conditions in the advertisements that were less favorable than those offered to the alien in violation of 20 CFR § 656.17(f)(7). It would seem that the DOL has adopted a "You will know if you made the wrong choice when the PERM gets denied" attitude to the issue of the roving employee. At the recent AILA PERM Conference in New Orleans, many practitioners expressed ongoing frustration with the lack of guidance. Learning through trial and error is not acceptable for a process as costly as PERM and practitioners can ill-afford to demonstrate an inability to correctly advise clients. Another AILA Stakeholders meeting was held recently and roving employee issues were certainly on the list of questions for the DOL. While holding one's breath is not suggested, the minutes of that meeting will hopefully shed some well-needed light on this tricky issue
* Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com
„ Health
Line
Clover sprouts linked to illnesses OLYMPIA, Wash.: Washington and Oregon health officials say six Northwest residents have fallen ill in a salmonella outbreak linked to clover sprouts from a Kent, Wash., company. Four illnesses have been reported in Washington and two in Oregon; no one has required hospitalization. Sprouters Northwest of Kent has voluntarily recalled the products. The sprouts are sold in a variety of package sizes labeled ``clover sprouts'' or as mixed varieties that contain clover sprouts as an ingredient. The recalled products all have a ``best by'' date of 1/16/ 11 and earlier. Oregon Public Health officials say the sprouts were sold in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, British Columbia and possibly other states.-AP
„ Health insurers required to treat autism CARSON CITY, Nev.: Health insurance companies are now required to offer coverage for autistic children. The Tahoe Daily Tribune says that insurance policies must now cover the screening and diagnosis of autism, as well as treatment. The Nevada Legislature passed the law during the 2009 session but delayed the implementation date. The autism provisions were added to a list of required coverages for such things as colorectal cancer screenings and mammograms. -AP
„ Hundreds at NY church possibly exposed to virus MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY: Health officials say hundreds of people may have been exposed to hepatitis A while receiving communion on Christmas Day at a church on Long Island, NY. The Nassau County Health Department said it will offer vaccines this week to anyone who received communion at the church Dec. 25. A church spokesman told Newsday that the investigation was ongoing and that he could not identify who might have transmitted the virus. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice. The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. -AP
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La. to examine health insurance rate increases BATON ROUGE, La.: The Louisiana Department of Insurance says it will examine proposed health insurance rate increases and determine if they are unreasonable. -AP
Doctors debate more permanent solution for vision
I
t's all in the eyeball. That's where Dr. John Berdahl does his best work. He's part of a team of Sioux Falls surgeons who use a growing assortment of procedures to help patients regain the sharp vision they once enjoyed. He works with Dr. Vance Thompson and other specialists at Vance Thompson Vision, a clinic under Sanford Health. Most of their work, 80 percent or more, is laser surgery to reshape the cornea. But now a growing share is implanting contact lenses, a more complex process catching on as another option in vision care. ``These lenses have been around four or five years. Most people don't know about them,'' Berdahl said. The health industry sees both laser and implant procedures as elective. Insurance programs generally don't cover them, Berdahl said. The Thompson clinic does one or two procedures a week, about 100 a year, Berdahl said. The Lasik laser procedure costs $2,500 per eye in an outpatient setting at the clinic with an eyedrop for a local pain killer. The other procedures can cost up to $4,500 per eye in an operating room with anesthesia. The process moves eye work one step closer to the brain. While glasses sit a half-inch
from the eyeballs and traditional contact lenses sit on the surface of the eye, these procedures cut into the flesh. The Lasik uses a cold laser stream to reshape the cornea, the outer surface of the eye. Now comes the implant procedure, requiring a cut into the eye to insert a tiny lens in front of the iris. Thompson, a pioneer in this treatment, testified before federal officials in 2004 on the value of this method. The newer implant
tect, was in his early 40s when he reluctantly agreed to let Thompson do surgery. Otten had worn glasses since age 12 and never moved to contacts. ``I didn't like the idea of poking myself in the eye every morning,'' he said. The thought of someone cutting into his eyes made him all the more squeamish until a change in health coverage made him think it over.
Dr Alison Tendler, another surgeon at the clinic, had the procedure with lenses inserted behind the iris. The natural tension in the eye holds her lenses in place process requires a cut farther back in the eyeball and dropping the contact behind the iris. The end result in each case is to help the eye convey light to the retina at the back wall of the eye socket, allowing light to send accurate images by way of the optic nerve to the brain. ``The whole reason we're doing this is to focus the light in the right place so vision is clear,'' Berdahl said. The process has its skeptics and its converts. Kim Otten, a Sioux Falls archi-
``Our insurance company was covering the procedure, but it was not going to be a continuing benefit. I decided to go ahead and have it done and got it in under the wire. I never pursued it until they said the opportunity was going away.'' Otten, now 52, has no regrets. He had one follow-up with Thompson a few weeks after the surgery, but he hasn't needed help in the years since. To him, the event was like a brief trip to the dentist with the cutting shorter still. ``It took about 30 seconds,''
Otten said. Amber Brennan, 26, an ophthalmic assistant to Berdahl, wasn't a candidate for reshaping the cornea, so she had the lens implants in November. Her new lenses are behind the cornea and in front of the iris. The lenses are oblong, about 13 millimeters, with tiny holes on each end. The natural tissue grows through the holes to hook the artificial lenses in place. She also has microsutures of nylon to seal the incision. ``It's more comfortable than when I had contact lenses in my eyes,'' she said. Dr. Alison Tendler, another surgeon at the clinic, had the procedure with lenses inserted behind the iris. The natural tension in the eye holds her lenses in place. Another process goes deeper still. It removes the natural lens behind the iris to insert an artificial lens in its place. The process is similar to cataract surgery to remove a cloudy lens. Berdahl said the procedure doesn't replace routine eye care, but called it ``a permanent fix until you develop cataracts later in life.'' ``In 10 years, I'll need reading glasses,'' said Tendler, who's 35. ``But this is a bonus. Everybody will have to deal with the issue of an aging eye.'' -AP
Holes in Idaho emergency preparedness TWIN FALLS, Idaho:Anational study by the Trust for America's Health puts Idaho near the bottom when it comes to public health emergency preparedness. The eighth annual ``Ready or Not - Protecting the Public from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism'' covers nearly 10 years of improvements in how the country responds to disease outbreaks and bioterrorism threats following the Sept. 11 attacks and anthrax deaths. The Times-News reports that out of a possible 10 points, Idaho scored six points, tied with eight other states but better than the five points received by both
Montana and Iowa. The report released in December said Idaho lost points for not increasing or maintaining funding for public health programs and not requiring child-care facilities to have evacuation plans.
District Director Rene LeBlanc said the state has been working on improving the state laboratory's capabilities. ``The lab identified its needs and it received an infrastructure grant three months ago that
'Every home should have emergency supplies of food, water and batteries so if people lose power or are asked to stay indoors, they can' The report also found Idaho wasn't able to identify sources of E. coli bacteria fast enough to prevent an outbreak. South Central Public Health
wouldn't show up in this report,'' LeBlanc told The Times-News. The report also said Idaho doesn't have the ability to detect health threats from bioterrorism attacks,
such as mailings of anthrax. Idaho's point total is up from the two points the state received in 2003. While states have improved, the report found budget cuts could cause a decrease in preparedness. Jackie Frey, emergency services coordinator for Twin Falls County, said citizens should also be prepared. ``I can't emphasize how important family preparedness is but few people are prepared,'' Frey said. ``Every home should have emergency supplies of food, water and batteries so if people lose power or are asked to stay indoors, they can.'' -AP
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Jackson doc faces hearing on manslaughter charge LOS ANGELES: Prosecutors are set to unveil their case against the man hired to look after Michael Jackson's health during rehearsals for his comeback tour as a judge determines whether the doctor should stand trial in the superstar's death. Jackson's family and fans are expected to attend the hearing, which begins with testimony from police, a coroner and medical experts about their search to find what killed Jackson and whether Dr. Conrad Murray was responsible. In spite of an autopsy report attributing his death to acute intoxication of a powerful anesthetic complicated by other sedatives, the circumstances of Jackson's
death are mysterious. Prosecutors have suggested that Murray's lawyers will blame Jackson, claiming he may have injected himself with the fatal dose of propofol. But that issue is unlikely to arise until trial. The guardians of Jackson's legacy will be watching as the hearing focuses on the star's drug use. Executors of his estate have spent the last year and a half since his death burnishing Jackson's musical reputation, intensifying memories of his star power with the release of a movie, ``This Is It,'' and an album, ``Michael,'' featuring music he left behind. The court proceedings, which are likely to lead to a lengthy trial,
could open doors they would rather keep closed. For Murray, the court case is
Murray, 57, was hired to help Jackson prepare and to accompany him on his European comeback tour, entitled 'This is It.' But Jackson died between rehearsals the continuation of a nightmare. His dream job as Jackson's $150,000-a-month personal physi-
cian died along with Jackson on June 25, 2009, and, to make it worse, he stands accused of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors have scheduled 30 witnesses to testify at the preliminary hearing before Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor. Murray, 57, was hired to help Jackson prepare and to accompany him on his European comeback tour, entitled ``This is It.'' But Jackson died between rehearsals, and Murray is accused of gross negligence when he administered propofol, which Jackson demanded to get to sleep. The Houston cardiologist, who also has a clinic in Las Vegas, could face not only a prison sentence of up to four years, but
the revocation of his medical license if he is convicted. Murray has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer has said that nothing he did should have harmed Jackson. An autopsy report found Jackson died from an overdose of propofol. In a statement to police, Murray acknowledged giving Jackson the drug and other sedatives to help him sleep, then briefly leaving the star's bedside. Cellular phone records show Murray made at least three personal calls around the time Jackson was stricken. His lawyers claim the amount he administered could not have killed the superstar. That remains one of the key mysteries to be unraveled. -AP
Walker gives AG OK to challenge NM won't pay OptumHealth health care law pending investigation MADISON, Wis.: Hours after taking over as Wisconsin governor, Republican Gov. Scott Walker followed through on a campaign pledge and authorized Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to challenge the new federal health care law. Van Hollen, a Republican, had asked Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle for approval last year to challenge the law but was denied. The Democratic-controlled Legislature also refused. Walker said while campaigning for governor that if elected, he would authorize Wisconsin to join a lawsuit brought by 20 other states challenging the law. Van Hollen spokesman Bill Cosh said that no decision had been made whether Wisconsin would join that lawsuit or file its own.
Walker's authorization allows Van Hollen to take any legal action he deems appropriate.
Van Hollen said in a statement that a requirement under the federal law that people purchase health insurance by 2014 or face penalties is unconstitutional Van Hollen said in a statement that a requirement under the federal law that people purchase
health insurance by 2014 or face penalties is unconstitutional. A federal judge in Virginia ruled last month in a related case that the individual mandate requirement was unconstitutional. That case is expected to go to the Supreme Court. Two other federal judges have upheld the insurance requirement. Walker, in his letter to Van Hollen authorizing legal action, said he believed that requirement was unprecedented and unconstitutional. He said it was in the interest of the state to ensure the federal government doesn't exceed its authority as outlined in the Constitution. Democratic state Sen. Jon Erpenbach of Waunakee derided the move as a waste of taxpayer money. "I don't know why the governor would want to make a political statement at the expense of Wisconsin citizens,'' Erpenbach said in statement. Erpenbach is a staunch supporter of the federal law, saying it makes important reforms to the health insurance industry by doing such things as removing lifetime caps on benefits. Attorneys for the federal government have sought the dismissal of the states' lawsuit, saying they don't have standing to challenge the law. States involved in the other lawsuit are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington. -AP
SANTA FE, N.M.: New Mexico officials have launched an investigation into a large contractor based on allegations that it used out-ofstate workers in violation of its agreement. The New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative said it's looking into OptumHealth New Mexico and whether the firm had hired overseas and out-of-state workers to process claims instead of New Mexicans. OptumHealth has a fouryear, approximately $1 billion state contract to manage the money that pays for services used by thousands of New Mexicans who are mentally ill and who struggle with substance abuse. The state is withholding payment to OptumHealth and will continue to do so until the firm can prove ``the work is being performed in New Mexico as required,'' according to a Dec. 29 letter the collaborative's chief executive officer, Linda Roebuck Homer, sent to the firm. ``Taking work that is contractually required to be performed by New Mexico residents and shipping it overseas or out of state without approval is a practice that cannot and will not be tolerated,'' Roebuck Homer wrote. An OptumHealth spokesman declined to comment on the allegations but said the firm will cooperate with the state and the new administration of Gov. Susana Martinez.
OptumHealth ran into problems shortly after taking over the state's four-year behavioral health contract in July 2009 when it was discovered that the firm failed to pay millions of dollars to providers for work they already had completed. In early 2010, former Gov. Bill Richardson asked the collaborative to rebid the contract. Only after protests from providers and those being served did the state back off the proposal.
The state is withholding payment to OptumHealth and will continue to do so until the firm can prove 'the work is being performed in New Mexico as required' Many in the state's behavioral health community said the proposed rebidding would be devastating so soon after the state's bumpy 2009 transition from ValueOptions, the previous contractor, to OptumHealth. OptumHealth reached an agreement with New Mexico earlier this year as a result of the 2009 payment problems. The firm paid $1.5 million into two separate funds in lieu of a penalty and agreed to statehired monitors who would provide greater oversight. -AP
January 14, 2011
Health Science Post www.indiapost.com
Nebraskans with disabilities get more options LINCOLN, Neb.: Nebraskans with development disabilities who get state services will soon have more programs to choose from. A release from the state Department of Health and Human Services says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has renewed two home- and communitybased Medicaid waivers for Nebraska. As part of that renewal, HHS' Jodi Fenner says,
about 4,300 Nebraskans will have more flexibility in choosing services. Fenner, who runs the Division of Development Disabilities, says many people choose less-expensive options that may not provide the best services for their condition. She says the waivers will allow Nebraskans explore other options, such as home and vehicle modifications and respite services.-AP
Students can get free flu shots at NC clinics
Midwest researchers say more sulfur OK for cattle
RALEIGH, N.C.: An urgent care clinic franchise is offering free flu shots for school-age children and college students at its nine locations in North Carolina. Officials with Urgent Cares of America say all children age 4 and up and college students with their college IDs can walk into the clinic and get the shot as long as supplies last. This year's flu shot protects against three different strains of the virus. The free shots are available at Asheville Urgent Care, Boone Urgent Care, Hendersonville Urgent Care, Clayton Urgent Care, FastMed of Cary, FastMed of Wake Forest, Fuquay Urgent Care, Urgent Care of Cary and Wake Urgent Care. -AP
LINCOLN, Neb.: Researchers at two Midwestern universities have developed new dietary recommendations to ensure cattle are consuming a safe amount of sulfur. A release from the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources says cattle ranchers may be relying more on sulfur-laden distillers' grain to offset the high cost of corn. But, too much sulfur can be toxic for cattle. Recent research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University on sulfur toxicity in cattle has led to the new dietary recommendations, which allow for higher levels of sulfur.-AP
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Ahmadi annual convention shows 'Real Muslims are peaceful'
Rizwan Jattala India Post News Service
CHINO, CA: For the past quarter-century, in keeping with their motto, "Love For All -- Hatred For None," the Ahmadiyya Muslim community members from the West Coast of the U.S. have quietly and peacefully held their Jalsa Salana (annual convention) during the Christmas season to
This year the community hosted over 1300 attendees from 35 chapters in the United States, with some members venturing from five other countries. The attendees also included members of the Ahmadiyya Community's national executive leadership along with other dignitaries and guests. The theme for this year's convention was: "Muslims for Peace and Loy-
his own thought. Imran Jattala who was charged with the responsibility of organizing the event dealt with the recordbreaking storm immediately prior to the event. Because skies cleared only a day before the event, it seemed as if all arrangements happened in one day only. "No, actually it took us a lot longer. We started weeks in ad-
This year the commu-
There were several break-out sessions
nity hosted over 1300 attendees from 35
during the three days which focused on
chapters in the United States, with some
issues such as the moral training of
members venturing from five other coun-
children, and the importance of suc-
tries. The theme was: ‘Muslims for Peace
cessfully getting and staying married
and Loyalty’
strengthen their spiritual bonds and offer special thanks to neighbors and civic leaders for their friendship and support. Keeping with tradition, the Silver Jubilee 25th annual West Coast Convention started with the Friday prayer and sermon from Imam Shamshad on December 24th. The three-day convention, which ended Sunday, Dec. 26th, was held at the Baitul Hameed Mosque at 11941 Ramona Ave. in Chino.
Hameedur Rahman, a national vice president for the West Coast region of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The opening session started with the Arabic recitation and English translation of a selection from the Holy Qur'an, followed by a poem in Urdu with it translation in English. Dr. Hameedur Rahman wel-
alty." Jonathan MA Ghaffar, local assistant secretary for interfaith dialogue and community outreach showed amazement with the outpouring of attendees. "Thirteen-hundred Muslims converge in one place for three days and generate no live "breaking news" or calls to the police? What? How can that be?" Mr. Ghaffar asks rhetorically. "The answer is simple: real Muslims are peaceful," Mr. Ghaffar completes
vance but what everyone else observed was only on the last day activity due to the rain," explained Imran Jattala. "For the most part, every thing flowed exceptionally well. We were very blessed in this regard. And, that seems like a special blessing of God at everyone of our annual conventions, anywhere." The convention had a very involved program for the three days. The Friday's opening session was presided over by Dr.
comed the participants and presented the opening remarks, explaining the importance and background of the Ahmadiyya annual Conventions. Dr. Rahman concluded his remarks with silent prayers. The convention featured numerous speeches on various spiritual and historical topics, including: "The Holy Quran: Guidance for the Righteous" and "The Holy Prophet Muhammad's Message of Peace & Loyalty."
There were several break-out sessions during the three days which focused on issues such as the moral training of children, and the importance of successfully getting and staying married. The visitors listened to Quranic verses with translation, talks about the peaceful message of Islam, directions for the younger members of the community as well as poem readings. The Lajna Ima'Illah, or the women's auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, hosted a women-only session where topics related to the perspective and responsibilities of women were addressed. Speeches during this session covered themes such as: "A Woman's Role in Marital Harmony," "The Importance of Absolute Faith in God" and "The Holy Prophet Muhammad as an Example of Personal Accountability." Some of the subjects dealt with in the session for the men were: "When Does a Natural Disaster Become Divine Decree," "The Spiritual Revolution brought About by the Promised Messiah" and "Putting into Practice the Ahmadiyya Motto: Love for All Hatred for None." Attendees also enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones while visiting the book stall, tea table, Humanity First disaster relief agency booth and the exhibition hall being tended to by local members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Cont’d on page 42
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Courageous Rose Parade rider
India Post News Service
Although Anum was only 2
A
num Ebrahim (pictured) of Indian and Pakistani descent, who lives in Culver City, was one of ten Kaiser Permanente patients who rode on the healthcare provider's Rose Parade float on New Year's Day. She is shown here standing on the float minutes before the start of the parade on January 1. Anum and the others were chosen to ride due to their heroic and inspiring fight against significant diseases. The ability to overcome adversity is a core character trait of Anum. When she was 2, she was rushed to a hospital with flu-like symptoms. Her mother fainted when she heard the news. Anum had cancer. It was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the white blood cells (the cells in the body that normally fight infections). With chemotherapy and other treatments, the cancer went into remission, but as Anum grew, she faced another hurdle. In school, Anum worked daily to overcome disabilities that affect her learning and physical
when diagnosed with cancer, her memory of that time is vivid. She cites her physician at the time, the compassionate and calm Dr. Elaine Smith (now deceased), as her hero and inspiration to go into medicine. Anum says that her illness has motivated her to help others coordination. She worked so hard, in fact, that Anum went on to play on her high school's lacrosse team, and has earned As
and Bs in her coursework. Now 18, she teaches kids how to read Arabic at her mosque.
Save Sonia with urgent bone marrow donation India Post News Service
LOS ANGELES: Sonia, 24, was diagnosed last month with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), which is a cancer of the blood. She is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant. Sonia is receiving excellent care at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Her brother Sumit says her diagnosis "caught us all by surprise and we need to act very quickly to find a bone marrow match." Sonia is currently undergoing intense chemotherapy but requires a bone marrow transplant quickly to survive beyond the next few months. Increasing the number of South Asians registered as poten-
tial bone marrow donors will help Sonia and will benefit our whole
You may share this email message with South Asians and ask them to use the power of your address book, the web, and social networking to spread this message community since there are currently not enough South Asians
registered as donors. The fastest way to get registered is at one of Sonia's donor drives in person. If you are unable to attend an event, you can register online at http:// www.marrow.org/JOIN/index.html. You may share this email message with South Asians and ask them to use the power of your address book, the web, and social networking to spread this message. Her family says, "Today more than ever before, we can achieve a broad scale effort and be part of a large online movement to save lives. We need to get the word out quickly. Saving Sonia is about numbers and odds."
Although Anum was only 2 when diagnosed with cancer, her memory of that time is vivid. She cites her physician at the time, the compassionate and calm Dr. Elaine Smith (now deceased), as her hero and inspiration to go into medicine. Anum says that her illness has motivated her to help others. Through her participation in the parade, Anum wants to show people that "you can fight cancer, survive, and thrive." Kaiser Permanente's entertaining float presented a spectacular image of a momma cat and family practicing healthy eating and active living in a Victorian-inspired garden. Standing and seated alongside these giant feline figures were the young patients, all courageous fighters against life-threatening diseases. Entitled "Purrfectly Healthy," the float aimed to inspire people to make the lifestyle changes that can lead to better total health, a central theme of Kaiser Permanente's ongoing "Thrive" message. The float was judged worthy of the tournament's Director's Trophy for artistic merit in design and floral presentation.
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Punjab Palace - Flavors from the land of 5 rivers
Raj Sharma
The Main Hall
JS BEDI India Post News Service
LOS ANGELES: Located at the intersection of Tyler and Magnolia in Riverside, Punjab Palace s a unique restaurant that offers an authentic flavor of Punjab. The menu features over 80 items including entrées, breads, beverages and desserts. The façade of the restaurant does not quite reflect the quietly elegant interior of the restaurant which is far more relaxing and comfortable than what one would expect at an Indian restaurant. The spacious hall with seats
of chefs led by Ashok Kumar explained the secret behind the unique taste in what Punjab Palace brings to the table - slow cooking at low temperature, a process by which the nutrients and taste are fully captured in the food. Each item is cooked separately from scratch unlike most Indian restaurants that rely on a common spice mix and cream. As for the food, there are lots to choose from. The menu features over 70 items both veg and non veg. While the establishment is better known for its nonveg delights, there is more than enough variety for the vegetar-
Mixed Veg Korma and Mushroom Masala amongst others. As for dessert they offer a variety of puddings, ice cream and mithai. The bar features Indian, domestic and imported brands of wine and beer. If you are nostal-
The Ghiata family
terprise Readers' Choice as the best Indian Restaurant since 2004. The seating is child and disabled friendly. The food is healthy, stomach and heart friendly with fresh cooking everyday. Catering is one area they spe-
Punjab Palace has been endorsed by the Mayor of Riverside and featured in the Top 25 of Riverside. John and Lisa Ghiata along with their kids Carsyn (10) and Cash (4) are regulars at the restaurant gic about Golden Eagle or Kingfisher, Punjab Palace is the ideal watering hole. Punjab Palace opened in 2003 and has been voted by Press En-
cialize in. No party is too big or small and Punjab Palace with its fleet of vans and highly trained catering professionals will make your party a memorable one.
They provide full service catering complete with linen cutlery etc. Punjab Palace has been endorsed by the Mayor of Riverside and featured in the Top 25 of Riverside. John and Lisa Ghiata along with their kids Carsyn (10) and Cash (4) are regulars at the restaurant. "We have tried many Indian restaurants all over the country and this has the best food," they said. So folks, hit the 91 freeway and take the Tyler exit and go north. Punjab Palace is on your left in the plaza as you cross Magnolia. It's an experience you will never forget. And do not forget to tell Raj about this review for your special discount. It's easy, just tell Raj you read this review and he will give you a special discount.
Ahmadi annual convention shows 'Real Muslims are peaceful' Cont’d from page 40
A dining delight
around 175 is clean and well appointed like in a gourmet Indian eatery. The second hall seats up to 60 and the entire restaurant has been remodeled. As the name suggests, it is an establishment which serves Punjabi veg and non veg cuisine, and it takes pride in its unique style of slow cooking to retain the natural nutrients and taste of its vegetarian and meat dishes. Punjab Palace is renowned for its "world famous chicken tandoori and chicken tikka." Owner Raj Sharma and his team
ian too. The buffet offers over 25 choices which are replenished several times during the day and the menu is changed daily. Punjab Palace is perhaps the only Indian restaurant to offer different kinds of soup and marine delicacies in the lunch buffet. Specialties and not to be missed are Fish Tandoori, Chicken Tikka, Karahi Lamb and Goat Curry, to name a few. It is also a Veggie paradise with mouthwatering entrees like Malai Kofta, Saag Paneer, Bhartha,
Hot meals were served three times a day to all the "guests of the Promised Messiah" (a traditional moniker by which convention-goers are referred to) consisting of eggs and other breakfast fare in the morning, with lunch and dinner featuring spicy basmati rice, pita bread, chicken curry, beef or goat dishes, and Dahl, or lentil soup. Tea and dessert were also served. The event was attended by senior national office-holders of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, including Imam Naseem Mahdi, National Vice-President and Missionary In-charge, and National Vice-Presidents Dr. Naseem Rehmatullah, Wasim Malik, and Masoud Malik, National General Secretary. The national President of the Ahmadiyya women's auxiliary,
along with several other members of the National Executive body were also present and many de-
While West Coast Ahmadiyya Muslim conventions have been held since 1982, there have only been consecutive annual gatherings since 1986, thus establishing the 2010 event as the Community's Silver Jubilee milestone livered speeches at the convention. Shamshad A. Nasir, the Imam of the Baitul Hameed Mosque
and the Ahmadiyya missionary for the Southwest U.S. region, delivered a talk about the progress and spiritual successes of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the wake of fierce persecution over its 122-year history. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's U.S. West Coast annual conventions have been held semi-regularly since 1982 at various locations in Southern and Northern California -- the very first West Coast convention was at a Masonic Lodge in San Francisco with 75 members attending. And while West Coast Ahmadiyya Muslim conventions have been held since 1982, there have only been consecutive annual gatherings since 1986, thus establishing the 2010 event as the Community's Silver Jubilee milestone.
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Ahmadis condemn murder of IAC celebrates holiday season with gusto Salman Taseer India Post News Service
CHINO, CA: Pakistan's Punjab Governor Salman Taseer had openly declared that Ahmadis were "our brothers and sisters" and fellow Muslims. For this sentiment and for his opposition to the blasphemy laws, the assassination of Gov. Taseer was called for repeatedly by Muslim clerics and other hard-liners from numerous Islamist political parties and militant groups. In a press release, the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community has condemned the cruel and senseless murder of Salman Taseer. It said, "We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family. We hope and pray that the killer will be brought to justice." "Reverence for life is part of Islam. In Islam, there is no punishment prescribed for blasphemy. These are the true teachings of Islam as taught to us by the Messiah of the Age, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian," said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community,
USA. Media reports indicate that the Governor was killed because of his desire to expunge the current blasphemy laws in Pakistan. We urge the world community to use their resources to compel Pakistan to
Salman Taseer
do away with such barbaric laws, he said. Speaking from the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, the Ahmadiyya Community's southwest regional missionary, Imam
Shamshad A. Nasir, said, "Gov. Salman Taseer was a truly brave man who spoke out against the tyranny and evil of the mullahs and other religious extremists who are terrorizing the people of Pakistan and giving Islam a bad name." The Imam continued, citing that Gov. Taseer had called for the end of the blasphemy laws that have legitimized the murder of thousands of people with religious views seen as different from the norm. "The sad fact," said Imam Shamshad, "is that it is really those who kill others for their perceived differences who are the ones not following the true Islamic teachings or the example of the Holy Prophet." Shamshad added that Muhammad and the Holy Quran both call for tolerance and freedom in the matter of religion, and that there is no punishment whatsoever for blasphemy or for leaving Islam. "What these mullahs and ignorant Muslims are doing in Pakistan is completely against the spirit and foundation of Islamic morals and teachings."
Cont’d from page 23
For the first time, the party included a coat raffle for girls and boys ages eight and above. Made possible by donations from the City of Chicago's Department of Family and Support Services, the raffle provided warm winter coats to six party attendees. For about twenty girls in IAC's Youth Program, the Holiday Party also represented a dancing debut. Performing to a traditional Hindi song, the girls put on a SouthAsian inspired dance for the audi-
ence shortly before dinner was served. The dance was also a new addition to the party - and much praised by party attendees. "People were happily surprised by the new activities at the party this year," reflects Lindsey Trent, IAC's Youth Program Coordinator. "Parents were so excited to see their daughters on stage dancing, telling me the next day that it was so beautiful, so pretty, so nice." The Indo-American Center is a not-for-profit community service organization serving the South Asian immigrant population.
Without justice, there is never true peace IMAM SHAMSHAD A. NASIR
A
t the beginning of each New Year, the perfunctory calls for Peace and Happiness are heard the world over. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but upon closer examination, one finds the sentiments devoid of meaning without some concrete morality and methodology to secure and maintain this longed-for peace and happiness. It has been observed by others more knowledgeable than I that peace is not the absence of disagreements or conflicts between peoples, communities and nations, but the presence of justice in the resolution of their disagreements and conflicts. Being just is the duty and responsibility of each and every one of us, not a quality to be expected in our leaders but not in ourselves. The well-known expression "Peace begins with me" should also include the practice of justice, for without that, there is never true peace. This ideal may seem as obvious as it is (apparently) absent throughout recorded human history, but that does not mean that its manifestation in the world is not at all evident. In the Islamic tradition, all prophets of God are clear examples of courage, morality, justice and peace. It is not, therefore unsurprising that religions at their core present codes of morality and conduct designed to inculcate a deep spiritual connection with the Creator as well as peace and justice among people. The world's Holy Scriptures regularly proclaim God's desire for and requirement that justice be applied equitably in all situations so that true and actual peace will be the result. So, as an Ahmadi Muslim who believes in
the Messiah, I will present some teachings on the subject of justice from the Holy Quran, and from the Founder of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and from his subordinate, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Messiah of Muhammad, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian. Starting with the Word of God in the Holy Quran, 16:91, it says: "God enjoins equity and benevolence. . ." And in 49:10, ". . .Act justly, verily God loves the just." And in 6:153, "And when you speak, observe justice, even if the person concerned be a relative, and fulfill the covenant
"Seven will be sheltered under the safeguarding shade of God's Mercy on the Day on which there will be no other shade beside the shade of His Mercy. These are: a just ruler; a youth who occupies himself with the worship of God; one whose heart is ever-present in the place of worship; two people who love each other solely for the sake of God; one who is called by a woman possessed of beauty and charm and who declines, saying, "I fear God"; one who spends secretly in charity so that his left hand does not know what his right hand spends; and the one who remembers God in solitude (private prayer) so that his eyes
Let us bring about a change in our behavior and in our character and welcome in the New Year with peace and justice by acting upon these teachings. Let us endeavor to create peace and happiness for others of God; that is what He enjoins upon you, that you may be mindful and take care." And in 5:9, "O ye who believe, be steadfast in the cause of God, bearing witness in equity, and let not a people's enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness." Justice is such an important concept in Islam that it is not only expected among friends and co-religionists, but it is expressly mandated in dealings with one's enemies. In the Sayings (Hadith) of the Holy Prophet of Islam, we read:
brim over with tears." Another saying of the Holy Prophet reads: "The just will be placed in columns of light in the presence of God. They will be those who act justly in their decisions, their families, and the affairs (duties) committed to them." Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908), the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community sheds light on the importance and necessity of forgiveness in the promotion of peace and justice when, in his book "Our Teaching," he writes:
"If you want that God should be pleased with you in Heaven, unite and be one, like two brothers from the same mother. Nobler is he among you who forgives the sins of his brother, and doomed is he who is stubborn and does not forgive. He has nothing in common with me. Live in fear, lest you be cursed by God. . . [for] the wicked cannot attain His nearness, the arrogant cannot gain His nearness, nor can the tyrant, nor the one who breaks a trust. Nor can he who is not ready to lay down everything for the honor of His Name, nor can those who succumb to the pleasures of the world like dogs and vultures, and who seek after the comforts and luxuries of the world. Each unchaste eye is remote from Him, each impure heart knows him not. Those who remain in agony for His cause will be delivered from the Fire of Hell. He who weeps for Him with laugh in the end, and he who breaks away from the world for his sake will meet Him. Be God's friend will all your heart, in all sincerity, gaining His nearness with ever-growing zeal. Be kind to your subordinates, to your wives, and to your less-fortunate brothers so that you may be shown kindness in Heaven. Become truly His so that He may become truly yours." Let us bring about a change in our behavior and in our character and welcome in the New Year with peace and justice by acting upon these teachings. Let us endeavor to create peace and happiness for others, without discrimination, so that God may smile upon us.
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Realty Tidbits
AMR to invest 1100 cr in Greater Noida
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ealty firm AMR Infrastructure will invest about Rs 1,100 crore by 2014 to develop its four different projects, including an IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Greater Noida. "We will invest about Rs 1,100 crore by 2014 to develop some projects. These are located across different states and are currently at different stages of development," AMR Infrastructure director Kapil Agarwal told media. He said the company will fund the investment through internal accruals and revenues coming from customers bookings.
„ Property prices back to pre-crisis level
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fast-growing economy fired up the real estate market after almost a year-and-a-half of property gloom, with prices touching the pre-crisis peak and companies announcing structures that will pierce the sky. The property party would have been perfect had it not been for the service tax slapped on under-construction buildings and as expected, the burden was passed on to the buyer. The Budget proposal meant that 25 per cent of the gross sale value of the property would be taxed and this resulted in a 2.5 per cent increase in the rates of houses under construction. Prices, on an average, increased by 30 per cent across India, forcing the Reserve Bank of India to tighten the norms on lenders' exposure to the realty sector.
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Real Estate 44
India Post
www.indiapost.com
I
f consolidation was the buzzword for the retail sector in 2010, the coming year is expected to see some big-bang entries of global retail majors as the sector looks forward to a positive outcome on the relaxation of FDI norms in retail. Even while India added around 5 million sq ft of retail space in 2010, some stores were relocated and some unviable ones faced closure. Oncelucrative businesses were bought out.
HUD grant for Asian Pacific American community housing India Post News Service
WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) a $785,000 grant to administer a national housing counseling program targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in 10 states. The grant is part of the $73 million program that supports HUDapproved counseling agencies throughout the country in an effort to expand and preserve homeownership opportunities, as well as provide assistance to lower income renters and tenants. Of the 28 HUD-approved national housing counseling intermediaries, National CAPACD is the only organization focused on serving AAPI communities. "Many of National CAPACD's member organizations are at the frontlines assisting AAPIs survive the current foreclosure crisis," said Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of National CAPACD.
The HUD grant to National CAPACD will support a network of 14 local housing counseling organizations and approximately 37 bilingual and multilingual housing counselors to assist nearly 5,000 clients prevent foreclosure, purchase homes, find affordable rental housing and avoid homelessness "This grant from HUD represents a significant investment in our communities and an indication of this Administration's commitment to addressing needs in our communities that are often overlooked."
Reliance focusing on Haryana SEZ M ukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries is relooking their ambitious 25,000 acres multi product special economic zone project in Haryana which the company had practically put on hold since the beginning of this year. In the last 7-8 days, it has started fresh land acquisition in the Jhajjar district. But this time around RIL might have to invest significantly more than in their original plan because the state government has decided to almost double the land price for the project, to Rs 38 lakh per acre, from the original contract of Rs 22 lakh per acre. "We have decided to increase price of land, because we want prosperity to reach the last man in the mile. We have already communicated it to RIL, and they have started buying land at the
January 14, 2011
Global majors to enter Indian retail
increased prices," said Shiv Bhatia, advisor to CM, Haryana government. In fact, RIL will also
The RIL SEZ project has been on hold since the beginning of this year. In fact, earlier this year, RIL even proposed a watered down version of the project, mainly because of adverse conditions in the export market have to pay an annuity income of Rs 42,000 per year for every acre of land for the next 30 years and
this amount will have to keep increasing by Rs 1,500 per acre every year. So far, RIL has acquired close to 8,000 acres for the project. According to the original contract, the company will have to buy 17,500 acres directly from the farmers and the state government will then allot the remaining 7,500 acres, to help the company achieve continuity in the project. The RIL SEZ project has been on hold since the beginning of this year. In fact, earlier this year, RIL even proposed a watered down version of the project, mainly because of adverse conditions in the export market. But now, the project is primarily back on track after RIL saw Mitsui and Panasonic showing interest in setting up large operations at the SEZ.
In the current housing crisis, the services of non-profit housing counseling agencies are more critical than ever, providing objective information about homeowner's options for avoiding foreclosure, how to responsibly and sustainably purchase property, transitioning into rental housing and how to prevent homelessness. Recent Census data show that homeownership rates for AAPI have been declining since 2007 and a study from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco found that AAPI homeowners are more likely to lose their home in foreclosure than Whites and even Black/African-American homeowners. However, AAPI families often cannot find language-appropriate and culturally-sensitive as-
sistance to address their housing options and needs. National CAPACD's multilingual, nationwide network of housing counselors has become an invaluable resource for homeowners facing foreclosure and has been instrumental in providing financial education and stable housing opportunities for underserved communities. Since its inception in 2008, the housing counseling network has grown to serve over 12 different metro areas in more than 23 AAPI languages. "This support from HUD is a testament to the hard work housing counselors are doing every day to empower communities about their housing circumstances. These resources will allow organizations to continue providing much needed housing counseling assistance to AAPI communities throughout the country," stated Jane Duong, National CAPACD Housing Program Manager. The HUD grant to National CAPACD will support a network of 14 local housing counseling organizations and approximately 37 bilingual and multilingual housing counselors to assist nearly 5,000 clients prevent foreclosure, purchase homes, find affordable rental housing and avoid homelessness. For the majority of these nonprofits, this grant will be the first time that they will receive funding from HUD for their existing housing counseling services and represents a major investment in the AAPI community. The HUD grant is matched by additional investments by numerous financial institutions, foundations and local grantmakers.
Real Estate
January 14, 2011
India Post
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Boom time for Indian hotel industry MUMBAI: An Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) survey has revealed that over 55 per cent potential tourists have preferred North Indian tourist destinations to usher in New Year 2011. The
survey of 3,500 tourists was conducted in 10 major cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram and Ahmedabad. Almost 35 per cent of potential travelers said they
preferred to visit coastal destinations like Goa, Puducherry, Kerala, Thiruvananthpuram and Rameshwaram. Ten per cent desired to visit areas like Ooty, Mahabaleshwar, Jaipur and Mysore.
Among the North Indian destinations favored by those surveyed include Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul, Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Nainital, Kullu, Manali, Mussoorie, Dalhousie, Kufri, Kashmir Valley, Chandigarh,
Panchkula and Udaipur. ASSOCHAM said hotels and restaurants in these tourist hot-spots are recording a massive business boom during the New Year festive season owing to the improved economic situation in the country. Hoteliers said the harsh winter this year in Europe has also helped India record an improved performance this December as more foreigners are flocking to India instead of Europe where December has traditionally been one of the busiest times of the year for the tourism industry. Releasing the findings of the survey, ASSOCHAM secretary general, D.S. Rawat said the steady increase in hotel occupancy mostly in North India and other traditional tourist destinations has also helped by the festival season when more people go for holidays. "The festive season and an increase in domestic tourism should be given credit for this surge in hotel occupancy and the hotels are cashing in on the increased spending power of the individuals and buoyant festive mood," he said. ASSOCHAM said the upsurge in number of tourists has resulted in 35-40 per cent increase in tariffs for hotel accommodations. "Food
and beverage costs are also running up by nearly 20-25 per cent. Almost all hotel owners have boosted their prices by significant margin as the tourists jostle to enjoy the New Year fever," Mr.
Loan rates can bring property prices down P
roperty prices are likely to come down in 2011 making it more affordable to own a house, as rising cost of home loans will temper demand and check the
Sahara buys UK's Grosvenor House Hotel I
n the first crossborder deal for the Indian hospitality sector this year and also the first one for Subrata Roy's Sahara India, the Lucknow-based financial services-to-real estate conglomerate has acquired UK's iconic Grosvenor House hotel for a knock-down price of ÂŁ470 million (Rs 3,275 crore) from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The UK has been a favorite shopping destination for Indian companies, with several well-known assets like Tetley and Typhoo in the tea category, Cuticura, Erasmic and Nulon in cosmetics and premier auto brands Jaguar & Land Rover having been snapped up. The 494-room luxury property on London's Park Lane, which was once home to the Duke of Westminster, is Sahara India's second acquisition in the hospitality sector after its 2006 buyout of Sahara Star hotel, earlier known as Airport Centaur, in Mumbai. "This acquisition is part of the major expansion plans of the group. In addition to the acquisition of Grosvenor House, London will be the gateway for Sahara to introduce some of its new business ventures internationally," said Subrata Roy Sahara, managing
worker & chairman, Sahara Group. RBS took over Grosvenor House in 2001 after Le Meridien collapsed into administrative receivership. The bank had been looking for a buyer for Grosvenor House for the last three years. At that time, the hotel was "valued for more than ÂŁ1 billion." However, unfavorable economic conditions hit valuations hard. Roy said, "The valuation, even today, is quite high but due to a highly satisfactory due diligence by RBS and after long and strict negotiations, we have purchased it for ÂŁ470 million." Richard Lewczynski of Blandford Goldsmith put the deal together for Sahara India, which has acquired the property through
Amby Valley Ltd. Grosvenor House, which has the largest banquet hall in London, is managed by the US-based Marriott Interna-
Rawat added. ASSOCHAM said the Central and State governments have also realized the significant revenue realization potential of the tourism sector and are giving increasing priority to the industry.
tional and is positioned as a JW Marriott hotel since September 2008. However, following the change in ownership, Sahara and Marriott will jointly manage the property. The conglomerate plans to refurbish Grosvenor House by offering several facilities such as an Indian restaurant under the name Namak, a night club, swimming pool and spa. When Subrata Roy took over Sahara Star, he gave the property a complete makeover. The five-star hotel boasts of being the world's largest pillar-less clear-tosky dome structure complemented by India's biggest marine aquarium. Kaushik Vardharajan, MD of HVS, a global hospitality consultancy firm, said, "The US and European hospitality sector continues to be under pressure with low room occupancy levels and dropping tariffs. As a result, valuation of hotels has declined significantly. This helps companies like Sahara to acquire properties at a discount." Vardharajan added that in terms of capital investment, it works out better to acquire hotels abroad at a discount compared to building one in India. The cash flows kicks in immediately in a running hotel compared to a greenfield one.
sharp bounce back of price after the slowdown in 2008-09, say real estate consultants. Housing demand had increased last year after economic revival boosted consumer confidence and banks introduced teaser rates with lower interest cost for borrowings. Sensing better demand, builders had increased prices between 20% and 35% across the country. This will moderate after banks pulled the plug out of such attractive borrowing schemes and raised interest rates by about 50 basis points over the past one month. The correction process has already begun in overpriced locations of Mumbai, said Anuj Puri, chairman & country head at real estate consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle India. "The same dynamics will be seen in all cities that have had irrational price escalation," he said. Housing prices have increased despite developers reviving and completing pending projects besides launching new ones that has increased the supply. "The sharp rise in prices in such a short span of time is a growing concern and may slow down sales of residential properties in the next few months," said GB Singh, chairman and managing director of Red Fort Capital, a real estate-focused private equity firm. Chennai witnessed the highest rental and capital appreciation that rose as much as over 50% last year compared to 2009, according to real estate consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield.
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Datebook
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January 14, 2011
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ILLINOIS
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Thurs Jan 13 • The Whipping Man Venue: Manhattan Theatre Club, 311 W. 43rd St, 8th Fl NY, New York Time: 8pm to 2pm Contact: 212- 239-6200
Fri Jan 14 • Rhythm of Rajasthan Venue: Peter Norton Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street, New York Time: 8pm Contact: 212-545-7536
Sat March 5 • Lo Gujjubhai Ghode Chadaya Venue: Hindu Temple Auditorium, 143 - 09 Holly Avenue, Flushing, New York Time: 7pm to 11pm Contact: 732-763 -0118
Sun Jan 30 • South Asian Bridal Expo Venue: Holiday Inn Rolling Medows, 3405 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois Time: 11am to 6pm
Sat Feb 20 • Ohio South Asian Bridal Show Venue: Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N High St, Columbus, Ohio Time: 1pm to 5pm Contact: 888-677-2726
Fri March 18 • Art of Living Course Venue: Westmont, 127 Whote Birch Lane, Westmont, Illinois Contact: 630-654-0852
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Sat Jan 15
Sun Jan 23
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• Galleria Winter 2011
Venue: Holiday Inn, 3050 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, New Jersey Time 6:30pm Contact: 732-713-1419
Venue: Hilton Hotel Fremont/Newark, 39900 Balentine Dr, Newark, California Time: 11am to 5pm Contact: 510-894-3047
Sun Jan 30 Mon Jan 24
• South Asian Wedding Expo 2011
• Ashtavakra Gita Part 3
Venue: One Industry Hills Parkway, Industry Hills, Bay Area, California Time: 11am to 5:30pm Contact: 714-493-7900 Highlights: The unique expo will feature the leading designers, wedding planners, decorators, DJ's, photographers, florist, food vendors, videographers hair and make up artist and all sorts of great vendors that can help you plan your next big event.
Venue: Jersey City Center, 121 Newark Ave, 4th Floor, Jersey City Time: 7pm to 6pm Contact: 732-762-4275
Sat Feb 5 • Ladies Night Out!! Venue: Ramada Inn, 999, US Route 1 South, North Brunswick Twp, New jersey Contact: 732-422-6480
Fri March 4 • Lo Gujjubhai Ghode Chadiya Venue: Eastern High School, 1401 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, New Jersey Time: 8:30pm Contact: 732-277-6687
WASHINGTON DC
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Sat Nov 12, 2011 • Hello Namaste Satsriakal Masti
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Venue: Chandni Restaurant, 5748 Mowry School Rd, Balentine Plaza, across Hilton Hotel, Newark, CA 94560 Time: 7pm Contact: 510-299-1138 Highlights: Bollywood Singers and Lollywood Music Director Hungama Musical Live Band Dance Party Dance Performances Banquet Style Dinner, Single Ladies and Men - Come and Register with Hamraahi Matrimonial.
Sun, Jan 30 • South Asian Wedding Expo 2011 Venue: Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center, One Industry Hills Parkway, Industry Hills, California Time: 11am to 5:30pm Contact: 714-493-7900
Thurs Feb 3 • Leadership Retreat-- an Inner Engineering Intensive Venue: Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles Time: 5pm Contact: 248-739-2934
Sat Jan 22 • India Republic Day
Thurs May 5 2011
Venue: High Point High School, 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, Maryland Time: 3pm to 9pm Contact: 240-453 0580
• Fund raising Volleyball tournament
Sat Feb
Thurs Feb 24
• Elite 8 Bhangra Invitational
• Art of Living Course
Venue: Warner Theater, 1299 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC Time: 6pm to 9pm Contact: 800-551-7328
Venue: Belmont Sports Complex, 550 Island Pkwy, Belmont, Bay Area Time: 6:30am to 4pm Contact: 617-922-8234
Venue: Ponderosa Park, Sunnyvale, CA Time: 8am to 5pm
Mon Aug 1, 2011 • Yogalicious! Venue: Art of Living Center Los Angeles, 948 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, California Time: 6:30pm to 9pm Contact: 310-820-9429 Highlights: Its programs teach a blend of ancient eastern breathing techniques and wisdom that help eliminate stress, restore the highest human values and encourage people from all backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions.
Horoscope
January 14, 2011
India Post
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Your Weekly future January 14th - January 20th by Pandit Parashar
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rip will turn out to be more exciting than earlier expected. Friends and new contacts you make this week will be very helpful later. You will be full of energy and stay very cheerful. You will contrubute money to a holy place or make commitment for the future. Opponents at work will make futile attempts to distrub you.
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person from different culture will enter your life. You may make some money through stocks also. Letter or mail you send out will get quick response and in positive only. People prone to blood pressure problem shout watch out for next few weeks. Things will get more relaxed at work as boss will take off some load of work.
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D
o not be nervous and go for it. You will spend money towards a property or do some work around the house. You may also start a legal process to reclaim your rights. Other side will provide almost no resistance. You will continue to do charity and also visit a holy place with family. Bank balance will shot up all of a sudden.
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aste of success will fill you up with extra energy. You may invite few close friends at your place this week. Some money will go towards repairs of an automobile. Do not risk all when it comes to making an investment. Kids will make plans to visit an interesting place and leave soon. There will be some interesting changes at work.
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oney wise it looks like another promising week. Planets favors those connected with real estate especially. Several deals can materialize this week. You will be little aggrsive on the phone but will get several jobs done quickly. You will be successful in recovering part of money long overdue. Trip will be relaxing.
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usiness trip will be a grand success. You may make up your mind and try for another addition in the family. You will make a very calculated move in career and wait for response. It will be better to dispose off money making stocks and wait another week to buy them back. your eyes will be set on an empty land for sale.
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Y
O
Y
our risky attempt will make every body nervous at home. Some of you will be traveling long distance this week. You will be spending lots of time with a child trying to straighten things about further education. Extra running around will make you feel tired. A close relative will call to invite you for a get together.
ffer will be good and you will quickly jump onto it and start preparing for the big move. You may also dispose off some stocks and pocket the profit. Mind will be full of bright ideas and you will be looking for ideal partners. Bachelors will be introduced to a person from different culture and quickly come close.
Pandit Parashar, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations. He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com
fforts will pay off and the contract will finally get signed. It will be a very favorable week for people in banking or connected with finance industry. Try to make good use of time on hand and open mail on time. You will be getting ready to attend an upcoming event and may buy new cloths or costumes for the family members.
nd this could be the start of an exciting relationship. You will have multiple choices but will go with what you think is more legitimate and right. People in power will extend a helping hand in your crusade. Spouse will go on a shopping spree with children so don't be surprized. Assignment offered will require move to another state.
ou will continue to make steady success on your projects. Tough stand will calm down people trying to make trouble. You will become friend with a well known person and discuss your plans with him. You will have to cancel plans with family become of last minute engagement. Bank balance will continue creeping up.
ou will be content the way things are going on at work. It will be a very relaxing week other wise. You will get to see many old friends this week at the party. People in business will spend more on advertising. Spouse will feel little exhausted. You will meet all financial commitments and still have some left in the savings.
925-833-7170 website: www.parashar.com
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Philosophy
January 14, 2011
India Post
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Page Sponsored by Sahanis SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
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ne of the greatest lessons I have learnt in my life is to pay as much attention to the means of work as to its end. He was a great man from whom I learnt it, and his own life was a practical demonstration of this great principle. I have been always learning great lessons from that one principle, and it appears to me that all the secret of success is there; to pay as much attention to the means as to the end. Our great defect in life is that we are so much drawn to the ideal, the goal is so much more enchanting, so much more alluring, so much bigger in our mental horizon, that we lose sight of the details altogether. But whenever failure comes, if we analyze it critically, in ninetynine per cent of cases we shall find that it was because we did not pay attention to the means. Proper attention to the finishing, strengthening of the means is what we need. With the means all right, the end must come. We forget that it is the cause that produces the effect; the effect cannot come by itself; and unless the causes are exact, proper, and powerful, the effect will not be produced. Once the ideal is chosen and the means determined, we may almost let go the ideal, MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI
Q: At what level of consciousness is it unnecessary for an individual to incarnate again. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: At the level of consciousness where the development of the self is full. And that is‌Cosmic Consciousness. It is a state where the small 's' has become big 'S'. Self. And Self big 'S' Self - means unboundedness. Unboundedness. Eternity. When the status of the individual has expanded to unboundedness, that is his status and that is he. When the status is unbounded, he is beyond time and space. He's all over. Once he is all over, where he can go? Q: He's individual, but yet he's unbounded everywhere? MMY: This is what the small self becoming big Self means. In our meditation that unbounded awareness, that awareness, it has already expanded to eternity, to infinity. Infinite is the boundary of the individual consciousness. On the level of consciousness. On the level of the body he is so many feet long and so many feet wide. Individual. But his awareness is so much unbounded. When the individual is so much unbounded, and the body ceases to function, then what will happen to that un-
because we are sure it will be there, when the means are perfected. When the cause is there, there is no more difficulty about the effect; the effect is bound to come. If we take care of the cause, the effect will take care of itself. The realization of the ideal is the effect. The means are the cause: attention to the means, therefore, is the great secret of life. We also read this in the Gita and learn that we have to work, constantly work with
row is this: we take up something, and put our whole energy on it perhaps it is a failure and yet we cannot give it up. We know that it is hurting us, that any further clinging to it is simply bringing misery on us; still, we cannot tear ourselves away from it. The bee came to sip the honey, but its feet stuck to the honey-pot and it could not get away. Again and again, we are finding ourselves in that state. That is the
every detail of our life. We are being worked upon by other minds, and we are always struggling to work on other minds. We want to enjoy the pleasures of life; and they eat into our vitals. We want to get everything from nature, but we find in the long run that nature takes everything from us - depletes us, and casts us aside. Had it not been for this, life would have been all sunshine. Never mind! With all its failures
Pay as much attention to means as ends Swami Vivekananda
Whenever failure comes, if we analyze it critically, in ninety-nine per cent of cases we shall find that it was because we did not pay attention to the means
all our power; to put our whole mind in the work, whatever it be, that we are doing. At the same time, we must not be attached. That is to say, we must not be drawn away from the work by anything else; still, we must be able to quit the work whenever we like. If we examine our own lives, we find that the greatest cause of sor-
whole secret of existence. Why are we here? We came here to sip the honey, and we find our hands and feet sticking to it. We are caught, though we came to catch. We came to enjoy; we are being enjoyed. We came to rule; we are being ruled. We came to work; we are being worked. All the time, we find that. And this comes into
and successes, with all its joys and sorrows, it can be one succession of sunshine, if only we are not caught. The 148th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is being celebrated on January 12 Excerpted from a lecture at Los Angeles, California, January 4, 1900.
bounded awareness? Nothing can happen to It. That It is 'I' capital. It. Unboundedness. And therefore, it doesn't leave the body and doesn't go anywhere because being everywhere it cannot leave a place and go to another place. It cannot leave one time, go to other time. So the unboundedness is free from the boundaries of time and space. And that is why a man living Cosmic Consciousness does not go somewhere. His body goes
becomes permanent. One example will clarify this situation. Green water in a glass. Now the sun is shining everywhere and the glass is in the sun. The reflection is green. This is like the small 's' self - when the nervous system is not purified, it is green. The water is green, it's not very clear. Nervous system is clouded with all kinds of impurities. Now that green water has green reflec-
becoming less and less green. Less and less green means more and more towards the nature of the sun. Less and less green reflection means more and more becoming like the sun. At a point, at one particular moment, the water is no more green. Completely pure. Still, the water could continue to be modified. This modification could continue till the reflection has gained the quality of the sun around it. The reflection has be-
When the small 'self' becomes the big 'Self' Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
from manifested state to unmanifested state. The body goes, he doesn't go. Now how does CC grow? How does one grow in CC? We have known it is the growth of the nervous system. Growth means transformation. Purification of the nervous system. Modification of the nervous system. Due to which that pure consciousness
In our meditation that unbounded awareness, that awareness, it has already expanded to eternity, to infinity tion. The sun, sun shining evenly everywhere is not green. It's neither green nor red or no color. It's colorless. If we modify water, green water being modified, green becoming less and less. That means the reflector of the sun is being modified, resulting in the modification of the reflection. The water becoming less and less green, the reflection is
come the omnipresent sun. It has gained the quality of the sun around it. This is like Cosmic Consciousness. The 97th birth anniversary of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is being celebrated on January 12 Excerpted from a lecture by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, August 1970, Humboldt State College, California
All violence consists in some people forcing others, under threat of suffering or death, to do what they do not want to do. -Leo Tolstoy If we call ourselves children of God, then others are also children of God. -Sri Chinmoy Bondage is of the mind; freedom too is of the mind. If you say 'I am a free soul. I am a son of God who can bind me' free you shall be. -Ramakrishna Crave for a thing, you will get it. Renounce the craving, the object will follow you by itself. -Swami Sivananda A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions. -Confucius A donkey with a load of holy books is still a donkey. -Sufism Whatever you have in your mind - forget it; Whatever you have in your hand - give it; Whatever is to be your fate - face it! -Abu Sa'id
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The P-5 visits and India's nuclear energy program TANVI KULKARNI
T
he race to enter India's nuclear power market is on. India has been gaining recognition as a responsible nuclear weapons power and, more significantly, expanding its nuclear commerce. Not all the deals that India wanted have fructified; but, a scramble for entering India's nuclear power industry was a notable feature of the visits made by the leaders of the major nuclear powers of the world to India in 2010. Beginning in July 2010, India hosted high profile visits from the P-5 countries (Britain, the US, France, China and Russia, in that order). Their leaders came with huge trade and business delegations and offers of multimillion dollar deals to 'create jobs back home' and 'make money'. India's nuclear energy requirements have opened up a $150 billion market for nuclear power reactors and fuel, which provides immense scope for foreign firms to gain nuclear business in India. Apart from commercial logic, political factors and diplomatic leveraging have also dictated what each country has obtained from the giant Indian nuclear pie. Ban on nuclear exports to India (a non-NPT state) and the unwillingness of previous Labor Party Governments has been responsible for the low level of UK-India nuclear commerce. In July 2010, UK's Conservative Party Prime Minister, David Cameron, assured that he would approve export licenses for civilian nuclear technologies being transferred to India and enable British firms like Rolls Royce and Serco to do nuclear business with India. No announcement however was made on advancing the IndiaUK joint declaration on nuclear cooperation. However, BARC signed a joint nuclear research program with UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research. Having signed the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) ahead of US President Obama's four-day visit in November, India hoped to reassure US nuclear power firms on the supplier liability aspects. Pending further negotiations, India's Nuclear Power Corporation (NPCIL) has not yet allotted specific nuclear projects to Westinghouse and General Electric. Obama was left to celebrate the deal and reiterate both countries' commitments to a nuclear weapons-safe and weapons-free world.
While supporting Indian membership of the four export control regimes (NSG, MTCR, Australia Group and Wassenaar), he demanded a firmer Indian stand against Iran's nuclear activities. Singh and Obama also floated the idea of a dialogue between nuclear weapons powers to reduce nuclear weapons. French President Nicholas Sarkozy visited India in the first week of December. Four nuclear agreements were signed during his visit: Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and French Nuclear Safety Authority renewed
Good friends
their agreement on exchanging technical information and regulating nuclear safety; there were agreements on technical cooperation between AERB and French Institute of Radiation Protection and on Protection of Confidentiality, and, most significantly, a Framework Agreement between Areva SA and NPCIL for constructing two of six nuclear reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra along with supply of uranium fuel and a reprocessing facility. The French have shown keenness to deepen
Obama was left to celebrate the deal and reiterate both countries' commitments to a nuclear weapons-safe and weapons-free world commercial nuclear relations with India despite the liability concerns. The nuclear component was missing in the talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, when he visited India the week following Sarkozy's visit. Nuclear antagonism and China-Pakistan nuclear relations continue to mar any prospects for Sino-Indian civil nuclear cooperation. The Joint CommuniquĂŠ did not go beyond
reiterating commitments to global nuclear disarmament. Anxious not to heighten existing tensions with China, no clarifications were sought on the Sino-Pakistan nuclear deal. Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao confirmed that India would be tackling the issue "through existing international mechanisms". The Russian President's visit in December was an opportunity to accelerate Indo-Russian civil nuclear relations. India's nuclear liability clause was expected to affect the state-backed Russian companies the least. However, just prior to his visit, Medvedev made it clear that although India's signing the CSC would not assuage Russian concerns it would not affect their commitment to supply nuclear reactors and fuel to India. According to the agreement signed between Prime Ministers Putin and Singh in March 2010, Russia is slated to construct sixteen nuclear reactors in India. Agreements for Kudankulam 3 and 4 were not signed; an indication that the Russians do not want to be left behind in influencing India's nuclear policies to accommodate their own interests. The joint statement called on both countries to consider civil nuclear energy ventures in third countries. India is energy starved and has an attractive nuclear power market. Nuclear research is an area where cooperation with major powers is advancing. India is inviting support for establishing the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. Negotiations with the US, French and the Russians highlight how each perceives its bilateral commercial nuclear relations with India, especially with regard to India's civilian nuclear liability law. France moved ahead of the others with the Areva-NPCIL agreement. Indian nuclear diplomacy would have to do more on the American and Russian fronts. The Indo-US Nuclear Deal and the NSG waiver have allowed India to approach countries like Japan and South Korea for civilian nuclear deals. India should use the existing nuclear business relations and effective diplomacy to further expand its nuclear commerce. The writer is Research Intern, IPCS
India Post Explosive society
T
he killer of the Governor of Pakistan's Punjab province was found grinning in police custody after having committed the dark deed. Salman Taseer, appointed Governor by ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP), was known for speaking out boldly on behalf of women and religious minorities. A big controversy rages in Pakistan over a Christian woman having been sentenced to death for allegedly criticizing Prophet Muhammad. Taseer had called for her pardon, leading religious groups to denounce him as an "apostate" and burn his effigies during a nationwide strike in support of the law which was promulgated at the instance of military dictator Zia-ul-Haq. The nation is divided on the law with religious groups in a minority but having a vociferous say and support of the violent militants. Interestingly, women who are victims of the many unjust laws of Pakistan, have also expressed support for the law. One woman in a message to a newspaper supported killer Mumtaz Qadri, "I think [he] has done a great job," she said. "He has killed that person who doesn't have the respect of our beloved Prophet Muhammad." And when the assassin was brought to the court, lawyers and some other people showered rose petals on him. Clear evidence of the schism in Pakistani society. The memory of a man of God threatens to rip apart Pakistan which was formed as a separate geographical entity so that people belonging to the religion he started could live peacefully according to his teachings without being confronted by any other religion. Now, in the name of that religion they are killing each other claiming to be better followers of that religion. Those being killed are obviously considered not good followers. And the good followers of today might attract the ire of other followers who might consider themselves better than the "good" followers. Since most of the followers are armed, "the not so good" followers will always be in danger of being eliminated. Where does that leave Pakistani society? What advertisement are the people of Pakistan for the Prophet? Do they think the Prophet would approve of all these killings? The present day Pakistan does great injustice to the Prophet in whose name they are conducting the dastardly deeds. The killing of the governor of Punjab province is a proof that the saner elements don't stand a chance in Pakistani society. Taseer is believed to have remarked in his blog that he "was under huge pressure to cow down before rightist pressure on blasphemy. Refused. Even if I'm the last man standing." He had also recently condemned terrorism in Pakistan saying, "though Islam does not allow extremism and terrorism yet so-called Muslims have brought our country close to complete destruction in the name of Islam." His courage to stand up against religious intolerance in the country was met with protests and his effigies were burned. Thus it is clear that he was a marked man. If Pakistan is the most dangerous country in the world it is because most people living there have misinterpreted their religion and not understood their prophet's words. And the religious leaders have been quick to exploit the ignorance of the people. Add to this the dominance of the army in the country and you have an explosive mixture which is threatening the world and defying any solution even by the Big Powers like the US who are caught in the trap that is Pakistan. The present weak civilian government is in danger of collapse and thus unable to seriously act for the good of Pakistan. With Taliban sympathizers infiltrating into Pakistan's security forces, the US must wonder where is its war against terrorism going!
January 14, 2011
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January 14, 2011