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VOL 20, No. 1061

January 16, 2015

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KERRY: IT IS TIME TO TAP 'INCREDIBLE POSSIBILITIES' GANDHINAGAR: Setting a positive tone for US President Barack Obama's visit, Secretary of State John Kerry said here it is the perfect time to tap "incredible possibilities" between India and the US, as he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying his initiatives like 'Make in India' will be a winwin situation for the world.

Kerry also said he has been very much impressed with his 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' campaign and suggested emulating this "pretty good slogan" at the global as well as at Indo-US levels.

After attending Vibrant Gujarat Summit here, Kerry also met Modi and discussed the visit of Obama, who will be the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

Obama will hold wideranging discussions with Modi and the two sides are expected to sign a slew of agreements to bolster defense, economic and strategic ties.

Kerry later tweeted that he held a "good" meeting with Modi regarding ties between the US and India, "the world's oldest and largest democracies", as also issues like climate change and economic growth.

TOGETHER TO NEW HEIGHTS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US Secretary of State

Details on page 5

John Kerry at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 11

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015

Ban asks India to play key role in N-disarmament Details on page 7

Global leaders praise Modi's initiatives Details on page 9

Govt nod likely to voting for NRIs Details on page 10

Dilip Kumar's Pak home to be museum Details on page 10

CONTENTS Bollywood ---------------------- 28-29 Classifieds ------------------------- 48 Community Post -------------- 16-27 Date Book -------------------------- 47 Edit Page --------------------------- 54 HealthScience Post --------- 32-35 Horoscope ------------------------- 49 Immigration Post ------------- 44-46 Life Style ----------------------- 50-52 Philosophy ------------------------- 53 Publisher’s Diary ------------------ 4 Real Estate -------------------- 30-31

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TechBiz Post ------------------- 36-38 Travel & Hospitality Post ---- 40-43

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saw the cartoons - the Charlie Hebdo Mohammad cartoons that is, and felt that they would perhaps appear offensive even to non-believers. And for those who are religiously inclined, surely such cartoons would make them uncomfortable, for no faith is sacrosanct enough to be above crass ridicule to the self-proclaimed conscious keepers of the society - the media.

The debate over what constitutes humor, what may be the parameters for satire and how free should be free speech is nothing new. Now, being in the newspaper business I tread a thin line here in expressing support to either the "I am Charlie" bandwagon or the "I am not Charlie" counter wagon. So I shall speak of what strikes to my mind as right.

Islamic fundamentalism is that organic creature that keeps spreading its tentacles farther and wider the more the attempts to destroy it. It is a hopelessly no-win situation, which the non-Muslim world needs to realize. In one form or the other, fundamentalism exists in other major religions too. So who is to be the judge of which one is the lesser evil?

In today's commercialized world, no religion is beyond reproach. Propaganda is the norm, radicalization is rampant, and politicization so high in organized religion that it takes very little provocation to bring rival believers to violent outbursts. And I am not even talking about terrorism. Surely, it's not about God. It is merely a power struggle.

Given the scenario, the question that rankles the thinking mind is, is religion so necessary for human survival when it hardly feeds the hungry or treats the diseased. Organized religion has become the bane of modern society and I fail to see how the masses can't see through it. What is it that is driving the common people more and more toward religion or toward men or women who claim religious leadership?

Simplistic as it may sound, why can't humans simply believe as God, the unlimited bounty and beauty of nature; worship it and preserve it towards a better life for all humanity? Why can't life be as simple as Eat, Pray, Love?

Romesh K Japra rkjapra@indiapost.com

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HIGHLIGHTS Bollywood: Parents charmed It seems Deepika's parents are also in favor of Ranveer Singh as his charm has floored them

Cover Story: Incredible possibilities John Kerry said in Gandhinagar it is the perfect time to tap "incredible possibilities" between India and the US

Community: Sister Cities Tulsa, the capital of Oklahoma in USA and Patan, former capital of Gujarat, will soon forge Sister City links.

Republican plans House Republicans have announced plans to eliminate protections for immigrants brought illegally to this country

Life style: Star awards Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's "P.K." has won the Best Film along with Best Director, Best Dialogue, Best Sound Mixing

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Expensive gifts Many large corporates in India are giving out expensive gifts to rewarding topperforming employees

Rajgir The small hill town in Bihar covered with lush green forest has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism.

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Kerry: Its time to tap 'incredible possibilities' GANDHINAGAR: Setting a positive tone for US President Barack Obama's visit, Secretary of State John Kerry said here it is the perfect time to tap "incredible possibilities" between India and the US, as he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying his initia-

Kerry also said he has been very much impressed with his 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' campaign and suggested emulating this "pretty good slogan" at the global as well as at Indo-US levels.

After attending Vibrant Gujarat

United States Secretary of State John Kerry addresses the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 11

tives like 'Make in India' will be a win-win situation for the world.

Summit here, Kerry also met Modi and discussed the visit of Obama,

Obama 'excited' to be at R-Day celebrations: Kerry GANDHINAGAR: President Barack Obama is "very excited" that he will be the first US President to be honored as the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations, Secretary of State John Kerry said here.

Speaking at the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, he said: "President Obama is very excited and particularly pleased with the fact that he will be the first US President to be honored as the chief guest on Republic Day commemoration."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited the US President to be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Obama accepted the invitation in signs of expanding ties between the two nations.

"And he will the first sitting US President to visit India twice while in office," Kerry said. "Let

Barack Obama

me make it clear we believe in values that both countries share."-PTI

who will be the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

Obama will hold wide-ranging discussions with Modi and the two sides are expected to sign a slew of agreements to bolster defense, economic and strategic ties.

Kerry later tweeted that he held a "good" meeting with Modi regarding ties between the US and India, "the world's oldest and largest democracies", as also issues like climate change and economic growth.

At the Summit, Kerry also referred to Modi's journey "from a young man who sold tea right by the rail road here in Gujarat to the PM's residence on the Race Course Road".

"We join with you celebrating extraordinary new chapter of India that is being written today," he said at the biennial global business summit inaugurated by Modi.

On ties between the two countries, Kerry said, "The moment has never been more right to tap the incredible possibilities between India and the US." He added that the economic partnership is al-

ready getting stronger by the day.

Making a special mention of Modi's campaign 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', Kerry said this initiative of 'participation of all for development of all' was a "pretty good slogan for all of us to adopt, and if we adopt it we can get the job done."

"We will turn Modi's 'Make in India' initiative a win-win opportunity for the planet as a whole," he said.

Annual trade between goods and services between US and In-

mon responsibility, together with other country partners, to prove that democracies can deliver for their citizens, he said.

Flagging concerns over climate change, Kerry said it was affecting crop production, economy and raising cost of doing business. "...believe me if it continues down the current trend line we will see climate refugees, fighting each other for water and seeking food and new opportunities," he said.

Stressing sustained energy

"Together we can create an environment where all companies play a leading role in bringing cutting edge technology, equipment and capital know-how not just to India, but countless countries� dia has grown nearly five-fold since 2000. Bilateral FDI now stands at nearly USD 30 billion, Kerry said. "...I want to ensure that our economic relationship grows stronger in every respect. We share PM Modi's goal of increasing our countries annual trade five-fold in years ahead and we want to expand our commercial ties ...we can take this relationship to the new heights that we envision," he said.

India and the US have a com-

policy to fight climate change, he said India government has now committed to greatly expanding wind resources, make agricultural systems more resilient and increase its national solar mission five-fold.

"Together we can create an environment where all companies play a leading role in bringing cutting edge technology, equipment and capital know-how not just to India, but countless countries that need this growth and development," he said. -PTI

Kerry discusses ties, economic growth with Modi GANDHINAGAR: Days ahead of US President Barack Obama's India visit, Secretary of State John Kerry met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed "ties between the world's oldest and largest democracies" with regard to economic growth and climate issues, among others.

Kerry, who attended the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here and lauded Modi for his 'Make in India' and other initiatives, later tweeted that he held a "good" meeting with the Indian Prime Minister regarding ties between the US and India, their economic growth and the upcoming visit of the US President.

Obama will be the first US President to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

Kerry said he also went for a "moving visit to Gandhi Ashram" earlier in the day and participated in a discussion with "dynamic In-

dian women" regarding furthering economic opportunity and empowerment.

was "wonderful to be back in Ahmedabad, where I lived as a child, with my boss John Kerry".

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with US Secretary of State, John Kerry during a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

He was accompanied by Nisha Biswal, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, among other senior US officials.

Biswal, who hails from Ahmedabad, also tweeted that it

"Welcome Nisha Biswal back to her childhood home!" Kerry said.

Kerry said his visit is focused on US-India economic growth and investment.-PTI

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Defense pact likely during Obama trip: Parrikar NEW DELHI: India and US are likely to sign their new 10-year defense framework agreement during the visit to the country of President Barack Obama later this month, Defense Minister

'To the Point', on the Headlines Today channel.

However, the minister stated that the issue would be decided by the Prime Minister's Office.

The US President would be visit-

Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar

Manohar Parrikar has said.

He added that the strengthening of the existing framework and enhancement of its scope was going to be "definitely beneficial" for India.

"This (the signing of the agreement) is one of the possibilities...

These are issues which are in the spectrum, or horizon," Parrikar told Karan Thapar on his show,

ing the country later this month to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade here.

Asked if he welcomes such a framework, Parrikar said, "I think strengthening our ties with US, with the already existing framework enhancing its scope, is definitely beneficial to the country."

He said technology transfer initiatives and trade can be impor-

tant areas of the new framework.

Parrikar pointed out that the focus would not be on procurement but on joint development of technology and technology transfer.

"There is already existing technology and trade (cooperation) which can be expanded," he said.

On a query about enhancing joint military exercises, Parrikar said it was already going on and that "enhancing it is not a big problem".

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US last September, both countries had agreed in principle to extend their defense agreement for another 10 years, which will take forward the cooperation between the two in the crucial area.

The framework agreement, which expires this year, was signed in the US in 2005 by the then Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his US counterpart in the previous George W. Bush administration, Donald Rumsfeld.

The new framework is likely to enhance the bilateral defense partnership by stepping up joint military exercises and through more in-depth intelligence-sharing, maritime security, etc.

It will also include a drive against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.-PTI

USIBC welcomes India, US deciding to speed up BIT WASHINGTON: A leading business body here has welcomed the decision of India and the US to speed up negotiations on bilateral investment treaty (BIT), saying this would create the necessary business-friendly environment and significantly increase investment flows to India.

the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit.

"A bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between India and the US would create this environment and significantly increase investment flows," Acting President, USIBC, Diane Farrell, said in a statement.

"USIBC is delighted to know that the BIT was discussed between Prime Minister Modi and Secretary Kerry at Vibrant Gujarat. When making investment decisions, companies need an environment that is predictable, transparent and consistent.�

The US-India Business Council (USIBC), a premier business advocacy organization representing more than 300 of the largest global companies investing in India said this after a meeting Secretary of State John Kerry had with American corporate leaders in Ahmedabad on the margins of

US industry applauds the Secretary's focus on economic issues, including his leadership in forging the way for a US -India bilateral investment treaty (BIT), USIBC said.

"USIBC is delighted to know that the BIT was discussed between Prime Minister Modi and

Secretary Kerry at Vibrant Gujarat.

When making investment decisions, companies need an environment that is predictable, transparent and consistent.

"A bilateral investment treaty between India and the US would create this environment and significantly increase investment flows," Farrell said.

Earlier in the meeting, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Catherine Novelli held a breakfast roundtable with senior executives representing a broad spectrum of sectors.

US Ambassador to India Richard Verma, US Consul General from Mumbai Tom Vajda, among others, attended the meet.

Among top priorities discussed, USIBC members felt that tax, labor and land reforms, longterm infrastructure financing, movement of capital and increasing FDI in key sectors would increase investments in India.-PTI

US, India to discuss progress on nuke cooperation GANDHINAGAR: The US and India will try to make progress on civil nuclear cooperation during President Barack Obama's visit this month end, Secretary of State John Kerry said here as Washington views the liability clause as one of the "knottiest and thorniest" issues in bilateral ties.

He also said that they expected India to sign a landmark climate change agreement in Paris at the end of this year and this would be part of the discussions Obama will have with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We will try to make progress

on issues like defense agreements, civil nuclear agreement as well as economic progress," Kerry told reporters here giving an outline of the proposed discussions with Modi.

"We are also working together to strengthen maritime security.

We are strengthening our partnership to combat terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are committed to regional dialogue on key political and security issues," he said.

After the landmark nuclear deal between the two countries in 2008, cooperation in the sector has been stalled over the tough provisions in the Civil Nuclear Liability Act that have come as a dampener for foreign suppliers who have been made accountable for damages in case of accidents.-PTI

No act of terror will stop march of freedom: Kerry GANDHINAGAR: US Secretary of State John Kerry said here no act of terror will ever stop "the march of freedom" and the entire world is with the people of France.

In the deadliest terror attack in France in four decades, heavilyarmed gunmen stormed a satirical newspaper's office in Paris on January 7 and shot dead at least 12 people.

Speaking at the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Kerry said: "We may have come from different walks of life. But we stand together this morning with the people of France as a marching tribute to the victims of last week's murderous

attack on the headquarters of satirical weekly Charle Hebdo.

"We stand together in freedom and together we make it clear that no act of terror will ever stop the march of freedom."

The entire world stand together not just in "anger and outrage" but in "solidarity and commitment" to the cause of confronting extremism, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also denounced the attack in Paris terming it as "condemnable and despicable" act, and said India's solidarity was with the people of France. -PTI

Kerry's car involved in minor accident AHMEDABAD: US Secretary of State John Kerry's car had a brush with another car in his convoy on his way to the airport but none was injured.

Kerry, who was here on a two-day visit to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, was heading to the airport when his car and another in the motorcade were involved in the accident.

"It was a minor incident.

During their drive towards airport, a dog suddenly crossed their path on a road here.

"To save the dog, one of the cars applied the break suddenly. However, all the vehicles as well as people traveling in

them, including Kerry, were totally safe and moved ahead without any trouble," said Superintendent of Police(SP) of Gandhinagar, Sharad Singhal.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said during the drive to the airport in Ahmedabad two cars in the motorcade had a minor traffic accident resulting in some damage to both cars.

"Secretary Kerry was in the first of the two vehicles. He sustained no injuries nor did any staff or personnel," she said, adding that he reached the airport without any further incident. -PTI

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Ban asks India to play key role in N-disarmament NEW DELHI: Recognizing its growing stature, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked India to play a major role in ensuring nuclear disarmament in South Asia, bringing back peace and stability in Afghanistan and combating key global challenges like terrorism, climate change and poverty.

Expressing deep concern over

experts at the Indian Council of World Affairs here, the UN Secretary General identified terrorism as major global challenge and said the terror attack in Paris was to strike at the "heart of our freedom".

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held expansive discussion with Ban during which issues such as growing global concern over terrorism, UN Peace-

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, MP Sachin Tendulkar, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi with actress Nandita Das and Sharmila Tagore during the launch Young@70 in New Delhi

rise in violent extremism and radicalization in the region, Ban said India must shoulder the responsibility" to help South Asia stop developing nuclear arsenals and urged it to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) which provides for banning all nuclear tests.

In an address to a select group of diplomats and foreign affairs

keeping Mission and UN reforms figured among others. India has been seeking reform of the UN Security Council to reflect realities of the modern world.

India stressed on the need for a decision-making mandate in the evolving UN doctrine on peacekeeping. India has been one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping missions.

The issue of "Indian air component" which had been withdrawn by India in Congo in peace keeping mission also figured in the talks.

In his lecture on "India and the United Nations in a Changing World", Ban also mentioned about 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai and killing of school children in Peshawar recently and said a secure regional environment and stability in South Asia will help India reach its "ambitions and goals".

"As world's largest democracy, India has an important role. Political leaders must put aside longstanding grievances and resolve old disputes. Specially in case of India and Pakistan.

"Continued instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only responsibility of those nations," he said in his lecture.

Ban also said India can play an important role in ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Appreciating India's contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions, he said he had set up a panel, also comprising an Indian, to ensure better support to those involve in such efforts. Around 8,000 Indian security force personnel are currently engaged in UN Peacekeeping missions.

Mentioning about India's strength, Ban said the country can be a "driver of peace" in the region and in the world as it is a "champion" of human values.

He said the country can also play a leadership role to encour-

age sustainable development globally. The UN chief praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative and smart cities project.

Modi had met Ban on the sidelines of Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gandhinagar and discussed issues relating to climate change, environment and clean energy.

Ban, who visited Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad

about the "narrative of hate" and said dissatisfaction and anger against political leadership and lack of good governance and rule of law have given rise to conflicts in various parts of the world.

That is why we are seeing problems in Africa, Europe and many other places, Ban said.

He hailed the peace march in Paris to rally for unity and freedom of expression and honor 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon during a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 11

earlier, said all the problems facing the world can be solved following Gandhian principles.

Highlighting importance of sustainable development to deal with climate change, he suggested that the Make in India initiative can be renamed "Make it Green in India".

Identifying terrorism as a major threat to humanity, Ban talked

victims of terrorist attacks. The UN chief said he would have been there if his visit to India was not scheduled.

Identifying poverty as a major challenge facing the world, he said India has around 500 million poor people and hope concerted efforts will help address the problem.

Cont’d on page 8

UN asks India to set target on carbon emissions GANDHINAGAR: United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon has asked India to set an ambitious target to cut down carbon emissions, saying it is in a unique position to lead sustainability, energy efficiency and fight against climate change.

"India should come out with an ambitious target to cut down carbon emissions," he said addressing the 'Vibrant Gujarat Summit' at Mahatma Mandir here.

His call came after the recent announcement by China and the US to cut down carbon emissions and failed climate change talks among various countries during a UN summit in September last year.

"India is in a unique position to lead sustainability, energy efficiency and fight against climate change. India has a young population and it is a great opportunity," he said, referring to

the greater role the country can poverty. In December, Paris will "This will pave the way for inplay at the global level. hold conference to arrive at a clusive growth and action Ban, who is attending the Vi- universal and meaningful climate against climate change. It will brant Gujarat Summit for the first time, started his speech in Gujarati while greeting the audience and said he was glad to be here.

This vibrant state is a gateway for the world to do business in India, he said.

"I wish India will play a full role in this mission for social security, health care and environment," he said.

"2015 is a historic and most important year for the humanity as it could be the time we end poverty, avoid worst impacts of climate change through sustainable United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during his visit to Gandhi Ashram development.

This is the 70th year of foundation of the United Na- change agreement. In July, Addis provide access to health care and tions," he said.

Ababa will hold a conference to education, find solutions to "This is the year to achieve find solutions to fund develop- eradicate poverty, build huge inmillennium development goals - ment agenda of the world," he frastructure, and India will be access to energy, eradication of said. playing a huge role in it," he said.

Ban made an appeal to the global business leaders that during bilateral talks at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, more than business, they should be focus on sustainable development.

He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives to increase use of renewable energy sources (wind and solar) and to build new smart cities in the country.

"We should be able to provide universal access to energy to all seven billion people of the world. We should be able to double the energy efficiency and double the use of renewable energy in total source of energy. I am happy that Prime Minister Modi has already set the target for solar and wind energy for India and I also commend his initiative to build smart cities," he said.

On Mahatma Gandhi, the UN Secretary General said, "Leaders of the world will be inspired by vision and teachings of Gandhiji." -PTI

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World needs Modi's bold leadership for clean energy: UN VADODARA: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has underlined the need for transforming global energy systems to reduce threat of climate change even as he hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "bold leadership" initiative to bring about a clean energy revolution.

Ban also appealed to end the "energy poverty" before addressing extreme poverty.

"We cannot reduce the threat of a climate change without transforming global energy systems," the UN Secretary General said after inaugurating Gujarat's first 10 MW solar power plant on Narmada river canal here.

The Rs 109.91 crore project comprises around 33,000 to 36,000 solar panels and has been designed in a manner that the panels will sustain a wind velocity of 150 kilometers per hour. The plant will produce 16.2 million units of power in the first year.

"I have an initiative to jumpstart this transformation.

It's called sustainable energy for all. It brings together public and private partners. We are working to dramatically increase energy access, energy efficiency and the use of renewables by year 2030," Ban said, adding "We have an historic opportunity to transform our societies and this project shows us how."

Observing that the "right approach" to energy can drive progress on three pillars of sustainable developments - economic dynamism, social progress and environment sustainability, he said, "People of all faiths and all countries have for millennia appreciated the immense value and power of our sun, but we have only just begun to harness sun's energy for good of our planet and its people."

Ban also lauded Modi for the latter's "commitment to dramatically scale-up renewable energy."

"I applaud his (PM's) pledge to light every household in India with a solar light bulb. This is the kind of bold leadership the world needs to reap the benefits of the clean energy revolution," he said.

"This is the first 10 MW solar power plant in the state which has come up in the engineering procurement construction (EPC) mode instead of public private partnership (PPP) mode.

MEIL will also be maintaining it for 25 years," Patel said.

SSNL will be the sole consumer

Rs 7 per unit," the chief minister said.

Listing salient features of the project, Patel said, "The project has around 33,000 to 36,000 panels. It has been designed in a manner that panels will sustain a wind velocity of 150 kilometers per hour.

Since the canal level is higher than

UN Secretary General Baan Ki Moon inaugurating 10 MW canal top solar power plant in Vadodara city on January 11

Ban said he was counting on all partners to continue to support common goals on energy front.

"Engage actively, make commitments, invest your resources and take actions...Together we can create a safe, more prosperous world for all," he said, adding solar power protects the environment.

"It (solar power) creates development, it helps us conserve land and it promotes health and pros-

'Had left my heart in Delhi' NEW DELHI: "When I come to Delhi I am a full man as I had left my heart here," this was how UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reminisced his days as a young diplomat here 43 years ago.

"I had left my heart in Delhi.

I am returning regularly to check whether half of my heart is totally functioning," he said delivering a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs.

Ban worked in South Korean Embassy as vice consul which was his first overseas posting after joining Foreign Service.

"I am happy to be in New Delhi... Mei Bharat wapas ake

perity... More solar power means less pollution which will lead to cleaner air and healthier lives. I welcome government's recent announcement to dramatically scale up solar power to equal more than 10 per cent of total energy mix by 2022," the UN Secretary General said.

He also praised Central gov-

bahut khush hoon," he said, adding "I started from here 43 years ago in 1972."

Recounting his memories in India, Ban said "When I come to Delhi I am a full man."

His current visit is fourth to India as UN Secretary General.

Ban was the foreign minister of South Korea from January 2004 to November 2006. On October 13, 2006, he was elected the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations.

On June 21, 2011, he was unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly to the top post. He continues in his post till December 2016.-PTI

ernment for organizing the first renewable energy investors summit, RE-invest, in Delhi next month.

"India offers immense opportunities to investors who, like its prime minister, are on a cleaner energy future," Ban said, adding that a special representative of UN will attend the summit.

State Chief Minister Anandi Patel said the task to set up the project was taken up ten months ago by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SNNL), a government agency created for the purpose.

"This solar power plant is shot in arm for Gujarat's initiative in tapping solar energy. Incumbent Prime Minister and then Chief Minister Narendra Modi encouraged and motivated in the setting up of the canal top solar photovoltaic grid connected power plant," she said.

Patel said the project covers a distance of 5.5-km from Vishwamitri siphon to railway siphon.

The project was executed by the Hyderabad-Based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL).

MEIL has already built a 50 MW plant in Maharashtra and a 20 MW plant in Andhra Pradesh.

of this power project, she said.

"SSNL has been purchasing power from Gujarat Urja Vin Nigam Limited (GUVNL) at a cost of Rs 6.48 per unit and the prices are set to rise by 5 to 10 per cent per annum. In this case, the power will be generated at a cost of around

the ground, the civil construction costs are high in addition to the expenditure involved in the laying of panels over the canal."

Patel said the technology will help save a lot of water and money as well because acquisition of land is not necessary. -PTI

Ban asks India to play key role in N-disarmament Cont’d from page 7

able to achieve all the MGD goals.

But we have succeeded in cutting down poverty by half, he said, adding a separate set of goals covering all aspects of various challenges are being finalized.-PTI

Talking about women empowerment, he also refereed to Justice J S Verma committee report which was formed following gangrape of a 23year-old girl on December 16, 2012.

Admitting that all Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) will not be achieved by 2015, he said India must be congratulated for eradicating polio and bringing down infant mortality and maternal President Pranab Mukherjee with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon during a meeting in New Delhi mortality rates. on January 13 We may not be

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Global leaders praise Modi's development initiatives GANDHINAGAR: Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and vision, global leaders ranging from UN Secretary General to World Bank chief have described him as the "driving force" of India's growth engine during the inauguration of the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit here.

get for solar and wind energy for India and I also commend his initiative to build smart cities," he said.

World Bank Chairman Jim Yong Kim said that Modi and his government are quickly putting in place the building blocks for even more rapid growth, streamlining

Australia's Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander said they consider Gujarat as the "growth engine" of India and Modi's vision as "driving force" behind it.

UN Secretary General, who started his speech in Modi's mother tongue Gujarati, appreciated his initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy sources (wind and solar) and to build new smart cities in the country.

"I am happy that Prime Minister Modi has already set the tar-

the national regulatory structure, using public funds more efficiently and promoting social inclusion.

British Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Livingston said, "We are excited with the PM Modi's vision of smart cities."

Australia's Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb and Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander said they consider Gujarat as the "growth engine" of India and Modi's vision as "driving force" behind it.

Japanese auto giant Suzuki Corp's chairman Osamu Suzuki said Gujarat is superior in terms of infrastructure and administration.

"India is becoming consolidated into one economic identity under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

"Gujarat definitely supportive in administration and policies. I urge each and every investor to follow our path and invest in Gujarat, just as we did," Suzuki said. -PTI

Modi promises easy biz; big investments announced GANDHINAGAR: Big corporates - including Ambanis, Adanis and Birlas as also Suzuki and Rio Tinto from abroad - have committed to investing over Rs 1.6 lakh crore and creating more than 50,000 jobs, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to make India the 'easiest' place to do business with a stable policy and tax

Taking the lead, billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani said Reliance Industries would invest Rs 1 lakh crore over the next 12-18 months across businesses.

Adani group signed a MoU for setting up a solar park in Gujarat in partnership with US-based SunEdison at an investment of USD four billion (about Rs 25,000

Modi with different dignitaries in the tea party, at Mahatma Mandir premises, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting with Australian Delegation led by Andrew Robb, at New Sachivalaya, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 10

other businesses.

Among foreign companies, Australian mining giant Rio Tinto's CEO Sam Walsh said the group would add 30,000 jobs in diamond cutting industry in Gujarat, adding that entire Australia is looking forward to the state as a promising business destination.

Modi with President of World Bank, Jim Yong Kim at a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

regime.

Modi also promised "truly unlimited" development across sectors and regions, while business leaders lined up huge investment commitments and signed MoUs across sectors during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here.

crore), while creating 20,000 jobs.

Adani group also signed an agreement with Australian energy major Woodside.

Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla also announced Rs 20,000 crore investment in the state in cement and

Japanese auto major Suzuki's Chairman Osamu Suzuki said its new car manufacturing unit in Gujarat, being set up at an investment of Rs 4,000 crore, will be ready by 2017.

Cont’d on page 11

Modi with Chief Advisor to President of Islamic Republic of Iran, Akbar Torkan at a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

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Govt nod likely to voting for NRIs NEW DELHI: Days after extending more benefits to Persons of Indian Origin, the government is set to accept the recommendations of a committee which has favored voting for NRIs through electronic means.

The government has already firmed up its stand on the issue of NRI voting and will tell the Supreme Court that it accepts the recommendations of the committee, including e-ballot for NRIs. The issue will come up before the apex court where government has to explain its position on the issue.

A committee comprising officials from the EC, Law Ministry and the Ministry of

External Affairs had taken the opinions from all sections before submitting a report to the apex court last year.

Any move to allow NRIs use proxy voting on the lines of defense personnel and e-ballot facility will require changes in the law.

Under the proposal, NRIs will be sent ballot papers electronically and they will have to return it to poll authorities physically.

Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath had said recently that the MEA was opposed to the idea of allowing NRIs to vote at embassies as it will be difficult to

allow such an exercise because, in some countries, the NRI population could be equal to the local populace and it will be difficult to hold such an exercise at the embassy.

A senior government functionary told PTI that misuse of the process can be checked by devising safeguards once the facility is actually started.

"The committee is of the view that epostal ballot, where blank postal ballot is transferred electronically to NRIs and returned by post, can be employed after validation of the process and pilot implementation in one or two constituencies and then be scaled up for parliamentary elec-

tions if found feasible, practicable and meeting the objectives of free and fair elections," said the report given to the SC. The 50-page report was prepared by a 12-member committee led by Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner, for 'Exploring Feasibility of Alternative Options for Voting by Overseas Electors'.

The report is the result of a public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court against the "inherent inequality" created

by Section 20(A) of the Representation of the People (RP) Act which insists on the physical presence of an NRI in his local constituency at the time of voting.

According to EC website, after enrolment, an overseas elector will be able to cast his or her vote in an election in the constituency, in person, at the polling station provided for the part where he is registered as an overseas elector.-PTI

Dilip Kumar's Pak home to be museum PESHAWAR: The ancestral home of Bollywood's thespian actor Dilip Kumar here will be repaired and converted into a museum and a national heritage site, Pakistan's provincial government in Khyber Pakthunkhwa said here.

In the first phase, the damaged portion of Dilip's house in Mohallah Khuddadad at the back of historic Qissar Khwani bazar in Peshawar would be repaired, Director Musuem Peshawar and Research Officer Bakht Muhammad said.

Prior to this, the historic Sethi House (an architectural marvel built in the old walledcity in late 19th century) has been c o n verted into a museum, he said.

T h e c o n struction process of the house would be c o m pleted in f o u r phases to bring it back to its original glory, he said, adding, the house would be preserved and converted into a museum so that it could remain a national heritage.

The legendary Indian actor, who was born as Yousuf Khan in Peshawar in 1922, is popular in both countries, and for years, there have been requests in Pakistan for salvaging his ancestral home. -PTI

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Modi talks counter-terror with Modi promises easy biz; big investments announced US, Canada leaders Cont’d from page 9

GANDHINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi here discussed counter-terror cooperation, among other issues such as greater economic ties, with senior leaders of the US and Canada vis-

economic matters and matters of regional interest also figured in the talks.

"Both sides agreed that the visit would add momentum to the India-US strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Minister for Citizenship & Immigration of Canada, Chris Alexander during a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

iting India for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here.

In his meeting with the US Secretary of State John Kerry, discussions primarily focused on the upcoming visit of US President Barack Obama and issues like counter-terror co-operation, while

They also noted that issues relating to WTO Trade Facilitation had been satisfactorily resolved," an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Counter terror cooperation was also a key theme in the Prime Minister's meeting with Canada's

World Bank projects 6.4% economic growth GANDHINAGAR: Indian Prime Minister Modi and his goveconomy is likely to grow at 6.4 ernment have been quickly putper cent in 2015 and accelerate ting in place the building blocks further in the next year on the back for even more rapid growth, of steps being taken by the streamlining national regulatory Narendra Modi-led NDA govern- structure and promoting social ment, World Bank President Jim inclusion.

Yong Kim said here.

Jim said he was "very encourSpeaking at the Vibrant Gujarat aged" by the recent proposal of a summit here, he said the World Bank was committed to catalyzing a vibrant The proposed new indirect India and there is much tax regime, he said, offers reason for optimism.

"We project that In- an opportunity to make it dia will be a bright spot substantially easier to in an otherwise medium global economic out- do business look. (The) economy according to our projections is ex- Constitution amendment bill for pected to grow 6.4 per cent this year Goods and Services Tax. and even faster in 2016," he said.

The proposed new indirect tax After slowing to sub-five per regime, he said, offers an opporcent growth in the previous two tunity to make it substantially financial years, the economy has easier to do business in India. started showing signs of pick-up "GST will create one common as it expanded by 5.7 per cent and market and substantial saving for 5.3 per cent in the second and companies on logistics, espethird quarter of 2015. cially if the structure of the GST is The World Bank President said uniform," he added.-PTI

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander.

"The Prime Minister condemned the attack on Canada's Parliament, and stressed the need for a zero-tolerance approach to terror," the statement said.

Modi also said he looked forward to visiting Canada.

Besides, Modi met Israel's Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir and both sides sought to further enhance cooperation in the agriculture sector.

The Prime Minister invited Israel to take advantage of the Make in India initiative and establish high-end manufacturing centers in India.

In Modi's meeting with Akbar Torkan, Senior Advisor to the President of Iran, both sides reviewed progress in the implementation of the Chahbahar Port Project. Energy cooperation and regional issues also came up for discussion.

Separately, Modi also met World Bank President Jim Yong Kim wherein climate change and clean energy came up for discussion.-PTI

'Humanitarian forces should unite against terrorism' GANDHINAGAR: Calling for zero tolerance on terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the time has come for all humanitarian forces to join hands to end the menace. In his remarks at the CEO Conclave, being held as a part the three-day the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here, Modi said terrorism is a threat to the humanity. "...the time has come for all humanitarian forces to join together to resolve the problem of terrorism," he said. Emphasizing the need for zero tolerance on terrorism, Modi said "this required political will" and added that "products should reach the needy and not terrorists".

Earlier in the day in his speech at the Summit, Modi had expressed solidarity with the people of France as they mourn their loss and come to terms with the brutal terrorist attack. "As we see it spread around the world, let us pledge to work together to make sure that it will not succeed against the life that we have all gathered here to build, and the values that we stand for," he said.-PTI

Diversified Kalyani Group also said it will invest Rs 600 crore for upgradation and overhaul of Armored Fighting Vehicles unit at Dholera, Gujarat, while We l s p u n Renewables announced an investment of Rs 8,300 crore to set up about 1,000 MW solar and wind capacities in the state.

After inaugurating the seventh edition of this biennial global business summit, conceived in 2003 during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised a predictable and fair policy environment and stable tax regime and assured the global community that India would be the "easiest" place to do business.

"Since day one, my government is actively working to revive

commitments and announcements. We are also backing them up with concrete action."

Vibrant Gujarat Summits (VGS) have always seen huge investment commitments to the tune of billions of dollars by business leaders from India and abroad.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the VGS has become the country's "principle economic summit" and other states, including Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal have begun organizing summits events.

At the recently held Bengal Business Summit, investment commitment worth Rs 2.43 crore were announced.

Various leaders and experts from across the world also called for greater reforms in the country.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, who was also present, said tax and subsidy reforms are essential for inclusive growth in India, while he also warned against problems like an "enduring" bias on caste and other ba-

Modi with other dignitaries during the inauguration of the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 11

the economy. My government is committed to creating a policy environment that is predictable, transparent and fair," he told an audience comprising US Secretary of State John Kerry, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and top global and domestic CEOs. Modi, who assumed office as Prime Minister in May last year after BJP stormed to power with a huge mandate, said that the atmosphere of "despair and uncertainty" has gone away within a very short span of seven months.

The government will "hold your hands whenever needed...If you walk one step, we will walk two steps for you," he said.

Seeking to address concerns of investors, Modi said, "We are trying to complete the circle of economic reforms speedily. We are also keen to see that our policies are predictable," he said, while adding that tax regime would be made stable.

He also brushed aside the criticism that nothing was happening on the ground by stressing that "we are not only making

sis.

At the same time, he said that India remains the only bright spot in an otherwise mediocre global economic outlook.

US-India Business Council President and Mastercard CEO Ajaypal Singh Banga said American investors want to be in India and he is here to bridge the gap between what can be done and what they are capable of doing.

"The world is awakening to the promise of a resurgent India," he added. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said the state has become a global business hub and everyone would benefit from the summit.

Among major business leaders, Gautam Adani, Anil Ambani, Shashi Ruia, Sunil Mittal, Uday Kotak, Shikha Sharma, Adi Godrej, A M Naik, Arundhati Bhattacharya were also present.

Mukesh Ambani invited the companies from across the world to invest in the state, while Birla said, "We have a personal bias for Gujarat and our ambitions are woven with the state." -PTI

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Cos sign 21,000 MoUs to invest Rs 25 lakh cr GANDHINAGAR: Corporates from India and abroad pledged to invest an astonishing Rs 25 lakh crore and signed 21,000 MoUs at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, matching the hype associated with this biennial event conceived

by Narendra Modi in 2003 as the then Chief Minister of the state.

This is more than double the investment amount committed during the last edition of the Summit in 2013 at Rs 12 lakh crore (with 17,000 MoUs) and is over tentimes the investment commitments announced at the recently held West Bengal Global Business Summit.

Announcing these eye-popping figures, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said these MoUs include as many as 1,225 'strategic partnerships', but did not give specific details of the individual companies that have committed these investments.

The companies that have disclosed their investment commitments include Reliance Industries, Adani Group, Aditya Birla Group, Suzlon and Videocon, as also foreign players like Rio Tinto, Suzuki

of jobs.

Addressing the valedictory

faith on us and now it's the sole responsibility of government of Gujarat and the 6.5 crore people of Gujarat to cooperate with the global industries. "... in the previous six Summits, Prime Minister of India did no take part, but I am fortunate that this time Prime Minister of India graced the summit with his presence and session of the 7th Vibrant Gujarat created a hype across the world," Summit, Patel said that the pres- she added. ence of Prime Minister of India Making an emotional pitch, "created a hype across the world" Patel said, ""Now it's our turn to take the test... This is not just a biennial summit, this is such a river which keeps flowing continuously."

She took over as Gujarat Chief Minister after Modi became Prime Minister in May last year after leading BJP to a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

"I know all of you are eager to know the figure. More than 21,000 Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan Osamu Suzuki MoUs (memorandum of Understanding) have about the event. been signed during the Summit, Speaking at the Sum- which will usher in investments mit, Finance Minister of Rs 25 lakh crore (USD 400 bilArun Jaitley said that in- lion)," Patel said. vestments would signifiSources said that MoUs or excantly pick up in the pression of investments has come coming days into India, across the sectors. as the new government Among major announcements, has succeeded in stop- Adani Group committed Rs 20,000 ping the reverse flow of crore investment in port sector in capital that was seen in Gujarat, on top of another Rs the last 3-4 years.

25,000 crore power sector plan He also promised announced earlier. quick decisions and a Mukesh Ambani had anstable tax regime, echo- nounced Rs one lakh crore investing the views expressed ment, while Birla Group has comIndustrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla

by Modi when he said mitted Rs 20,000 crore. the aim is to make India Patel said the event is a platand CLP Holdings. The propos- easiest place to do business. form to eradicate poverty and als also include creation of lakhs "The entire world has put their promised investors that the state

government would be 'proactive' in supporting them.

"The small and medium industries give employment to the most

summit is a platform to eradicate poverty," Patel said.

The Gujarat Government has made several policies and several others will be formulated in the next few months to give the benefit of investment to all, to expedite the implementation of MoUs and to monitor the situation.

"We will set up an updated and computerized cell in each district where the proposed investors have signed the MoUs. The government will proactively help them in colChairman and CEO of Emerson Electric lecting or submitting the Company David Nelson Farr addresses the Summit needed documents," Patel said. number of people. If industry will A committee under the chairbe established, people will come manship of Chief Secretary will out of the poverty. The govern- monitor the situation related with ment thinks of poor, the person of the land acquisition and issues rethe last strata, the children, wid- lated to the environment to get ows, aspiring youths and this them solved in time, she said.-PTI

Reliance announces Rs 1 lakh cr investment GANDHINAGAR: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has announced Rs 100,000 crore investments across businesses in the next 12-18 months and said India was on the path to become the world's fastest growing economy.

The investments will be in ex-

campaign and Digital India initiative "have energized India and its enterprises".

"We will invest over Rs 100,000 crore in the next 12-18 months in contributing to the Make-In-India and Digital India initiatives," he said at the Summit inauguration function that was attended by

Code for India launches Gujarat chapter WASHINGTON: Silicon Valleybased 'Code for India', a fast growing network of Indian-origin tech professionals, has announced plans to launch a Gujarat chapter to help build skills development programs in the state.

With major success stories of building free software and apps for over 30 NGO's and a community of 1500 tech professionals across its chapters in California, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, the new chapter in Ahmedabad will

The new chapter in Ahmedabad will focus on building technology-based solutions for public services and involve professionals across Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot "Our mission is to think local and hack global with our volunteer base of tech professionals from top technology companies in Silicon Valley and India," said Karl Mehta, a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and CEO of EdCast Inc.

focus on building technologybased solutions for public services and involve professionals across Ahmedabad, Baroda and Rajkot, a media release said.

The Gujarat chapter of Code for India has been launched on the

margins of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

It has been launched in partnership with iCREATE, IIMAhmedabad, IIT-Gandhinagar and US-India Business Council (USIBC) Education Foundation.

"Our volunteers are from some of the iconic companies in the world, including Google, Facebook, Infosys, Microsoft, Cisco, HGS, etc and they love giving back to the community through their tech-talent," said Mehta, who founded Code For India as a non-profit in Silicon Valley in 2013, when he was working as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow.

Cont’d on page 15

Industrialist Mukesh Ambani during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015

panding petrochemical production capacity as well as in launch the much-awaited 4G broadband services while contributing to Make in India and Digital India initiatives.

Ambani, the world's richest energy billionaire, speaking at the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit here, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call for boosting domestic manufacturing and job creation through Make in India

Modi as well as top captains of industry and world leaders.

Ambani said as part of the investment program, RIL will partner and enable thousands of small businesses and Gujarati entrepreneurs to create virtuous cycle of prosperity.

"India is marching forward with a clear vision to emerge as global power even when as most of the world is struggling with low growth.-PTI

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PBD awards given to 15 members of Diaspora

Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari with the awardees at the Valedictory Session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 9. Governor of Gujarat, O.P. Kohli,Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Statistics and Program Implementation (I/C), External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh and other dignitaries are also seen

GANDHINAGAR: The threeday Pravasi Bharatiya Divas concluded here at Mahatma Mandir in the presence of Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, who gave away 'Pravasi Bharatiya Samman' awards to 15 members of the Indian Diaspora.

Prominent among the awardees was Satyanarayan Nadella, the Indian-origin CEO of

Microsoft, based in Seattle, in the state of Washington, USA. Nadella was however not present to accept the award.

The recipients were Guyana President Donald Rabindernath Ramaotar, Mala Mehta, Dr Rajaram Sanjaya, Kanwaljit Singh Bakhshi, Rajmal Parakh, Duraikannu Karunakaran, Essop Goolam Pahad, Shah

Bharatkumar Jayantilal, Ashraf Palarkunnummal, Mahendra Nanji Mehta, Professor Nathu Ram Puri, Satyanarayan Nadella, Dr Lulla Kamlesh and Dr Nandini Tandon.

In his valedictory speech before the gathering of over 3,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) as well as persons of Indian origin, Ansari called for greater partici-

pation of Diaspora to contribute in building a new India.

"Overseas Indians can play a major role in building a new India, as they are having experience and resources to deal with problems. They have taken initiatives to transform the country in which they are living. We welcome them to replicate those initiatives here," said Ansari.

PBD exhibition will change world's opinion: Swaraj GANDHINAGAR: A mega exhibition organized as part of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was inaugurated by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said the exposition showcases India's capability and achievements, and seek to dispel several myths about the country.

"This grand exhibition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas showcases our country's capability. It would open the eyes of all those people across the world who still believe that India is a backward country," she said here this evening.

A trade show has also been organized along with the exhibition by the Gujarat Government Swaraj pointed out that then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee started PBD in 2003, the same year when Narendra Modi organized the first-ever Vibrant Gujarat Summit as Chief Minister.

"Atalji started PBD in 2003 as Prime Minister, while Modiji started Vibrant Summit as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Today, after so many years, both these events are taking place almost simultaneously at one place, because we are also cel-

ebrating the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's return to India.

There can't be any place better than Gujarat to celebrate it," said

Union Minister for External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs Sushma Swaraj delivering the welcome address at the Valedictory Session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 9

Swaraj.

She took a dig at past UPA Governments for not giving permission to hold PBD in Gujarat and credited Prime Minister Modi for brining the event to the State.

"As CM, Modiji made numerous representations to past Governments at the Centre to hold PBD in Gujarat. Now, when we are celebrating it here, Modiji himself is our PM," she said.

Swaraj congratulated Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel for organizing both the events here.

In her speech, Patel traced the brief history of Vibrant Summit, a biennial global investor meet which attracts CEOs and industrialists from India and across the world.

"It all started with a humble beginning in 2003. It (the first edition) was organized at Town Hall in Ahmedabad in just 3,000 sq mt of area. Now, we are organizing the 7th summit in 1.2 lakh sq meters of area having 1,300 stalls," said Patel. -PTI

Also present were External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli and president of Guyana Donald R Ramotar.

Swaraj lauded the efforts and struggle of overseas Indians and said that Indian Diaspora is very dear to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Overseas Indians overcame hurdles and achieved success.

They are proud citizens of their country, but, their heart still beats for India. Indian Diaspora is close to Modiji's heart. He appealed to them to contribute in India's development whenever he went on foreign tours," Swaraj said.

"I am happy to see so many young NRIs here. It is time for Bharat Banao (make India) and Bharat Me Banao (make in India).

Modiji is having a mission of Remake India and young Indian Diaspora can play a vital role in realizing that vision. We can partner in India's growth story," said Swaraj.

Chief Minister Patel promised that the NRIs will find a cleaner Gujarat when they come next time.

"When on India visit, NRIs feel disappointed about sanitation scenario here and wish to see a cleaner country. I want to promise them that when you come back, you will be able to see that change, as Gujarat has put extra emphasis on Modi's call to make a cleaner India by 2019," said Patel. -PTI

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Diaspora a great capital, opportunities await you: PM GANDHINAGAR: Indian Diaspora is a "great capital" for the country which needs to be nurtured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here as he sought its cooperation in transforming India that awaits them with opportunities.

Reaching out to the expatriates, he recalled how once adversity, courage and urge to explore new avenues for livelihood motivated

Mahatma Mandir which marked the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's return to the country from South Africa.

The Prime Minister said the world was eager to engage with India with "love".

"After taking up my new responsibility, I have had the opportunity to meet the Heads of State of over 50 countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering the inaugural address to the Indian Diaspora at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, in Gandhinagar on January 8

their ancestors to leave Indian shores but now the country had "risen with great strength" where "great opportunities" awaited them.

"My conviction is that Indian Diaspora is a great capital for us in the global context. The more we nurture it, the more strong will be our presence globally," Modi said after formally inaugurating the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas at

We spoke with an open heart. I feel the poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich nations are looking up to India.

Such occasions are rare.

"A measure of love the world has for India was reflected when the United Nations accepted my proposal to observe the World Yoga Day. 177 of the 193-member UN co-sponsored that resolution,

over 40 of them Islamic nations, and it was passed in just 100 days, a record of sorts when such resolutions normally take two years to pass," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the love being shown by the world was not because of the affluence of the Indian Diaspora in the countries they have adopted but because of their "value system and cultural inheritance".

He, however, said it was a challenge to prove equal to the expectations the global community has from India.

"Now it is our responsibility to prove equal to the expectations of the world with confidence which Mahatma Gandhi showed even while sweeping the streets, popularizing Khadi and doing other services to the nation as he led the freedom movement," Modi said.

"There used to be a time when you left your beloved country to explore opportunities in different parts of the world...Now I want to assure you that lot many possibilities are awaiting you as time is changing rapidly and India has risen with new strength," Modi told around 4,000 delegates at the event.-PTI

US-based doctor launches fund raiser for statue GANDHINAGAR: To help realize the dream of constructing the "Statue of Unity", a US-based medical practitioner of Indian origin has started a fund raising campaign aiming to collect USD 250,000 for the project devoted to

the awareness for the 'Statue of Unity'. We have made coins from one kilogram of silver and we are selling those to raise funds," Patel told PTI on the sidelines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event.

Patel, who heads an umbrella

In October last year, the Gujarat government had issued a work order to engineering firm Larsen and Turbo (L&T) to construct the 182metre tall statue of Sardar Patel. The entire cost of the project is around Rs 2,979 crore Sardar Patel.

Chicago-based Indrajit J Patel, the man behind this initiative, has deployed a novel idea to help reach the target through selling silver coins with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's face on it.

"We want to create funds and

body of 33 Diaspora associations in Chicago, has started the campaign by unveiling the coin here.

"Anyone who wants to participate in this campaign will have to donate one kilogram of silver to us and we will give him 50 coins.

He can then sell those coins and

give us the money, which will be used towards building the 'Statue of Unity'," he added.

Patel said he aims to raise USD 250,000 for the Prime Minister's pet project through the sale of silver coins. The 'Statue of Unity' project was floated by Modi on October 31, 2013, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, India's first home minister who was instrumental in getting all the princely states to join the Indian Union post Independence.

In October last year, the Gujarat government had issued a work order to engineering firm Larsen and Turbo (L&T) to construct the 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Patel. The entire cost of the project is around Rs 2,979 crore.

The 'State of Unity' would be double the size of New York's 'State of Liberty' (93 meters).-PTI

2015 PBD was unmatched in grandeur and numbers: MEA GANDHINAGAR: The Ministry of External Affairs has said the 2015 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention was unmatched in scale, grandeur and number of participants.

"The 2015 P r a v a s i Bharatiya Divas was unmatched in terms of scale, grandeur and in terms of the numbers who participated in the event," MEA spokesperson S y e d Akbaruddin said here.

He said 4,000 delegates from different countries participated in the event and claimed that there were many firsts at the three-day event. .

"There were many firsts in this event. For the first time a community worker Ashraf Palarkunnummal of UAE was given 'Pravasi Bharatiya Samman' award for his service in individual capacity. He has helped sending many bodies of Indians who died back to their home, in his individual capacity without any institutional support," he said.

"This was the best example of co-operative federalism.

There was an element of cooperation and competition when nine chief ministers invited investment to their states," he said.

Replying to a question on UP government's plan to celebrate their state's NRI function on similar lines as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he welcomed it saying, "This reflects that the event has generated a spirit of competition as well as cooperation. It is good if a state like UP organizes such function". -PTI

Sushma meets world leaders attending PBD GANDHINAGAR: In New "Swaraj had a fairly detailed Delhi's maiden engagement with the discussion with the South African newly formed government in foreign minister. These included Mauritius, External Affairs Minister issues relating to the PBD and Sushma Swaraj met Vice Prime Min- other issues as well," he said. ister Showkutally Soodhun here.

India has been holding PBD for Ministry of External Affairs 12 years now to coincide with the spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin arrival of Mahatma Gandhi back tweeted a photograph of the meet- to India from South Africa in oring, which happened on the side- der to acknowledge the contribulines of the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya tion of the Indian Diaspora to the Divas, with a caption saying this is development of the country. This the first meeting between New Delhi year marks the 100th anniversary and Port Louis since the formation of the arrival of the young barrisof the new government last month. ter Gandhi, who eventually went After Jugnauth's centre-right on to lead the country to indepenalliance Lepep swept the polls late last India has been holding PBD month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had for 12 years now to coincide congratulated him on with the arrival of Mahatma victory but this was the Gandhi back to India first meeting between leaders of the two coun- from South Africa tries.

Swaraj also met President of dence.

Republic of Guyana Donald R At the meeting, NkoanaRamotar, who is the chief guest Mashabane said this is a special for the meet of overseas Indians occasion for the South Africans being held here. Ramotar gifted as well as they mark the 103rd anSwaraj a coin commemorating the niversary of the African National 1838 arrival of Indian indentured Congress (ANC), the MEA labor in the South American coun- spokesperson said. try, Akbaruddin tweeted.

Nkoana-Mashabane said After inaugurating the meet, South Africa will also be celebratSwaraj also held parleys with her ing 100 years of Gandhi's arrival South African counterpart Maite back to India because it feels Nkoana-Mashabane, he told re- Gandhi's stay there is as imporporters, adding that the two lead- tant as his contributions to the ers exchanged views on a host of Indian freedom struggle, he said. issues.

-PTI

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January 16, 2015

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We want 'man ka rishta' with Diaspora: Rajnath GANDHINAGAR: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the government is not just looking at investments by the people of Indian origin living

We are very proud of the contribution of the people of Indian origin and we cannot forget this grouping's contribution in the India story, he said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh addressing the CMs Session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 9

across the world but also wants to have deeper ties with the Indian Diaspora.

"Please don't feel that we are looking only at investments from you...it is not 'dhan ka rishta' that we are looking, but a 'man ka rishta'," Singh said addressing the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas here.

The Home Minister also acknowledged that if any ill happens in the country, the PIOs and NRIs also feel hurt even though they are based in a different part of the world.

Calling the Diaspora as 'Swadeshi', irrespective of the country they are residing in,

Singh said that the country needs them to contribute in multiple ways on this journey of transformation that India has begun.

"We want to create a self-esteemed, self-reliant and a strong India, and cannot achieve the objective without your contribution," Singh said, addressing the flagship conclave of the Diaspora.

Just like Mahatma Gandhi's vision, the Modi government is working to have an integrated development of the country which entails equal attention to the villages, he said, appealing the Diaspora to help create jobs in the rural areas.

Drawing attention towards the government's flagship 'Make in India' initiative, Singh said the objective of turning India into a manufacturing powerhouse cannot be realized without active support from the NRIs and PIOs. Indian Diaspora is a "great capital" for the country which needs to be nurtured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said as he sought its cooperation in transforming India which awaits them with opportunities.

Reaching out to the expatriates, Modi had recalled how once adversity, courage and urge to explore new avenues for livelihood motivated their ancestors to leave Indian shores, but now the country had "risen with great strength" where "great opportunities" awaited them.

PM inaugurates 'Dandi Kutir' museum GANDHINAGAR: Prime Min- visitor-book here.

Gandhi's life to the young-generaister Narendra Modi inaugurated "Mahatma Gandhi - a global tion through modern science and here the state-of-the-art Dandi citizen, identity of an era. technology is coming true. It Kutir, a museum on the life and A legacy of human-centric de- would be satisfactory doing work works of Mahatma Gandhi in velopment. A source of an unend- of human welfare if the life of Gujarat's capital of Gandhinagar, ing power of the unfailing weapon pujya (respected) Bapu will inspire on the occasion of the the future generation," 13th Pravasi Bhartiya added Modi.

Divas (PBD).

"This has become Modi, accompathe memory of 100th nied by Gujarat Chief year of Pujya Bapu's reMinister Anandiben turn to India. At this Patel and other state moment, I salute Pujya ministers, took a Bapu's life, his life-mesround of the museum sage and his life full of and saw each and evactions," the PM ery aspect of Gandhi's wrote. life portrayed in the The sculptures on form of sculptures in Gandhi depict his childthe 'salt-mound' at hood, early life, his reMahatma Mandir. turn to India and his role "The Prime Minisin the country's freePrime Minister Narendra Modi lighting the lamp at Dandi Kutir, in ter is viewing the exdom struggle.

Mahatma Temple premises, Gandhinagar on January 8. Chief hibits at Dandi Kutir 'Dandi Kutir' is loMinister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel and other dignitaries are also seen in Gandhinagar," said cated inside a 41-metre a message on PMO high salt-mound as a India's twitter account. of non-violence," Modi wrote. symbol of Gandhi's famous Dandi Modi also saw a 3D short film "Dandi Kutir. It's a pleasant march against the salt tax provion the life events of Gandhi and feeling when the dream of creat- sions imposed by the British relater penned his thoughts in the ing a source of inspiration from gime in March 1930.-PTI

The share of manufacturing currently stands at 14 per cent of the GDP and the government is targeting to increase it to 25 to 30 per cent in the next few years, Singh said.

"Let us pledge to create India as a super economic power, not merely an economic power," he said, adding that this will require both domestic as well as foreign investment.-PTI

Israel to open centers of excellence for farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting the Agriculture Minister of Israel, Yair Shamir, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 11

GANDHINAGAR: Israel will start centers of excellence for farmers in India to encourage research in agriculture sector and for the growth of animal husbandry.

"Israel will start 'centre for excellence' in India for research in farm sector and to boost milk industries in India," Minister of Agriculture in Israel, Yair Shamir told reporters here on the sidelines of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit-2015.

He said Israel was likely to

open these centers in the states of Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Shamir said his country was relying upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for white revolution in India.

"Israel also wants to help India to fight against hunger and to provide ample food security by providing some good researches in agriculture sector," he added. PTI

Code for India launches Gujarat chapter Cont’d from page 13

"We are excited about partnering with iCREATE, IIM-A, IIT-Gandhinagar and USIBC to launch the new chapter in Ahmedabad and Vibrant Gujarat is the perfect venue," Mehta said.

"This is yet another initiative to deepen the US-India knowledge partnership which fits with our commitment in connecting corporate entities, universities, research institutions and nonprofits," said Diane Farrell, president (Acting) USIBC. Code For India (CFI) has completed several large-scale projects including a real time Ebola tracking mobile application, a voter

registration app, a pothole tracking app, and also a garbage tracking app that supports the nationwide Clean India Movement.

The CFI Ahmedabad chapter will also be involved in technology skills development keeping in mind Prime Minister Modi's ambitious Digital India campaign that aims to make 10-lakh people digitally literate by the end of 2015, in addition to facilitating growth in nine identified areas including egovernance, and IT for jobs.

Additionally, the Ahmedabad chapter promises to reach out not just to local residents, but also to the tech communities of Baroda and Rajkot, the media release added. -PTI

Desi News FIA & India Post welcome 2015 with dance & music India Post News Service

SAN JOSE: This year Bay Area's best and most thrilling New Year celebration was held at San Jose Airport Garden Hotel. The evening festivities were attended by over 800 people from all over the Bay to welcome the New Year.

The Unforgettable New Year's Eve party organized by India Post news weekly and Federation of Indo-Americans (FIA) of Northern California featured eclectic dance performances from world over. A packed hall of eager attendees feasted on the best sensory pleasures as they regaled in Brazilian Samba, Egyptian Belly dance by Nicolana, and singing by international fame Harjeet Mehndi. A beautifully choreographed night made the evening a memorable one. Among others, Consul General of India Mr Venkatesan Ashok was the Guest of Honor.

Details on page 24

New York to have $9 million BAPS temple

COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA

16 India Post

God, Souls and Maya are eternal entities

January 16, 2015

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Tulsa and Patan in Gujarat to forge Sister City links soon RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Patan, a former capital of Gujarat, is going to steal the honor over Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad to be on the international map of Sister Cities soon.

Tulsa, the capital of Oklahoma in USA and Patan will soon forge Sister City links.

An agreement to formalize this arrangement will be inked coming January 23 in Patan in the presence of dignitaries from both the sides - Tulsa and Patan. A 14-member Tulsa delegation is scheduled

Dr Dayal Meshri and Hemant Tanna

University, First Class First in Chemistry. He migrated to USA and in eighties started his own company, Advance Chemicals that

to represent him.

The main objectives in forging the Sister City relationships are promoting all-round understanding

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Bochasawasi Akshar Purshottam Swami (BAPS) are now set to take New York by storm. BAPS devotees have planned a multi million dollar authentic and majestic Mandir in Melville, NY, which is expected to be commissioned by 2016.

The two-storied Shri Swaminarayan Mandir complex, currently under construction on a 5-acre plot, is expected to cost $9 million.

Details on page 18

Veteran community leader passes away India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A veteran community leader and activist, Shankerprasad Someshwar Bhatt, breathed his last on Saturday, January 10 night at his residence in Hoffman Estates, a northwest suburb of Chicago.

Shankerprasad Bhatt lived his life serving the community and improving lives of others. Hailing from Gujarat, India, he worked at Officer Level in various municipal corporations in Gujarat including Bhavnagar, Morbi, Anand, Nadiad, Porbandar, Bharuch, Palanpur, Wakaner, Ankleshwar etc.

Details on page 21

Details on page 23

Patan, former capital of Gujarat

to arrive next week and the Paten team led by Mayor Hemantbhai Tanna will meet them for the signing ceremony planned at North Gujarat University named after the famous Jain Acharya Hemachandra Suri.

The initiative for the Sister Cities deal was taken by Dr Dayal Meshri, a long time resident of Patan who studied at MN High School and graduated from Gujarat

currently employs 250 plus employees.

Dr Meshri is Director of Tulsa Global Alliance, a no profit body that has been a key player of the deal. Dr Meshri is leading the Tulsa delegation. In a talk to this paper, he said that the Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett was to lead the Tulsa delegation but could not make it for family considerations.

TGA CEO Collins Becky is likely

and stimulating economic development between the two cities. This will be achieved by connecting

cultures through friendships, business alliances, student and teacher exchanges, exchanging ideas on customs, sports, current events, other activities and topics of interest, according to Dr Meshri.

The purpose of this visit is to explore a potential Sister City relationship between the City of Patan, India and Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. The initial trip to India is approximately from January 20 to February 2, he told this paper Patan, an ancient fortified town, was founded in 745 AD by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Kingdom. He named the city Anhilpur Patan or "Anhilwad Patan" after his close friend and Prime Minister Anhil shepherd.

Tulsa Global Alliance (TGA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing global understanding and linking people and institutions worldwide. To achieve its mission, Tulsa Global Alliance hosts international visitors, facilitates Sister City activities, promotes global education and economic development, collaborates with international organizations and serves as a resource for area governments, businesses, educational institutions, organizations and residents.

The initiative for the Sister Cities deal was taken by Dr Dayal Meshri, a long time resident of Patan who studied at MN High School and graduated from Gujarat University, First Class First in Chemistry. He migrated to USA

January 16, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 17

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Community braces to celebrate R-Day SURENDRA ULLAL

CHICAGO: Members of the Indian American community are bracing for grand celebrations of 66th Indian Republic Day this month The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) headed by Dr Indrajit Patel has organized an attractive cultural event on Friday January 23 at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows. A recently set up rival FIA will host its own celebrations on Saturday January 24 at the same place. Meadows Club once again seeks to showcase India's cultural diversity.

Indian Consulate has announced that on the auspicious occasion of the 66th Republic Day of India, the Flag Hoisting ceremony will be held at 10 am on Monday January 26 at its premises on NBC Tower Building, Chicago. Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Consul General, will unfurl the National Flag and read out the message of the President of India on the occasion.

Keerthi Ravoori, FIA Chicago President, said that Republic Day celebration will be permeated by traditional, patriotic and contemporary dazzling dance presentations. At this Republic gala, newly-elected FIA executive board will be sworn-in to begin their tenure for 2015-2016.

Indian CG Dr Ausaf Syeed with the Consulate staff celebrating Republic Day 2014

tion to guide its destiny.

Dr Ram Gajjela, FIA's Vice President-Elect, is serving as the Gala Chairman; while Ajeet Singh and Syed Hussaini as Event CoChairs. Air-India and Win Trust are the major sponsors.

Newlyelected FIA President Dr Indrajit Patel will be swornin along with his new team consisting of Va n d a n a W a l i a , M i n h a j Akhtar, Dr Ram Gajjela, Ajeet Singh, H a r i s h Kolasani, Babu Varma, Kanti Patel, The FIA team: President Keerthi Ravoori, Trustee Chair Iftikhar Shareef and Shaurin incoming president Dr Indrajit Patel Mehta and He added that FIA would also honor the Jatin Patel along with a ceremonial position golden moments in the history of India to Syed Hussaini. when India attained its freedom which culSunil Shah, the founding president of riminated in the establishment of a sover- val FIA, praised the community members for eign, democratic republic with a constitu- their support and observed that the tenac-

ity of the executive team and supporters helped the organization to sail thru rough weather. The association now has reached greater new heights and received enormous appreciation from community members and government officials at all levels, he said.

He mentioned that his FIA has scheduled a colorful program to commemorate India's 66th Republic Day Celebration at

Meadows Club on January 24 (Saturday) which will include Beauty Pageant Contest and dazzling cultural events. This event would be followed by a workshop by the Indian Consulate office on immigration and passport issues. Blood donation drive, clothes and food collection for the homeless and other charitable programs are also planned.

18 India Post

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January 16, 2015

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New York to have $9 million BAPS temple India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Bochasawasi Akshar Purshottam Swami (BAPS) are now set to take New York by storm. BAPS devotees have planned a multi million dollar authentic and majestic Mandir in Melville, NY, which is expected to be commissioned by 2016.

The two-storied Shri Swaminarayan Mandir complex, currently under construction on a

5-acre plot, is expected to cost $9 million. It will have a spacious sanctuary besides classrooms. In addition to worship services, it will also offer educational programs, cultural classes and activities, religious lessons, free health clinics, children and youth activities, humanitarian projects, etc and shall also make efforts in social outreach. All its statues were sculpted in India.

Originally envisioned in 1988,

Akshar Purushotam Swami Narayan and Radha Krishna deities

cohol, no addictions, no adultery, no meat, no impurity of body and mind are the cornerstones of his teachings. It envisions "a society whose joy lies in the joy of others". With Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the current Spiritual Guru, it has over 3,850 centers across the world and has over 880 devout sadhus, spreading his gospel.

Melville, an affluent hamlet in Huntington (New York) known to native Americans as Sunsquams, houses US headquarters of several national/international corporations and hosts operations for various Fortune 500 companies.

its Bhumi Pujan ceremony was held on November 11, 2012 and its foundation stone was laid on October 27, 2013. Community leaders associated with raising of this With Pramukh Swami temple include Harshad Maharaj as the current SpiriBhatt, Girish Patel, etc. tual Guru, it has over 3,850 BAPS, headquartered in Ahmedabad, is centers across the world and a socio-spiritual organi- has over 880 devout sadhus, zation.

Bhagwan spreading his gospel.

Swaminarayan in the late 18th century was the main force and has inspired Frank P. Petrone is the Supervisor millions through his teachings and of Town of Huntington.

Cont’d on page 19 services to the community. No al-

Balaji Temple in Oregon soon RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service

OREGON: Indian Americans in and around Washington County in Oregon have a cause to rejoice.

A Hillsboro-based no profit organization, the Hindu Educational and Cultural Society of America (HECS), has an-

lion with the avowed purpose of building Balaji temple in authentic style in the course of next few years.

The temple to be built in multilayer phases will have its first phase commenced in all probability before middle of the year as the HECS committee awaits clearance for the temple and community hall project

Balaji Temple in Oregon

nounced plans to build a Balaji temple and all purpose community center in the area soon The Society has recently bought a parcel of 11.5 acre property investing close to $1. 3 mil-

from the concerned local authorities, according to Sunder Rajgopal, president.

In a talk to this paper, he said that the plan is to have a place of worship, community hall and meeting place in the first phase that should cost around $2,5 million.

Cont’d on page 20

January 16, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 19

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First Bank aids non profit organizations STEPHANIE KULKE

EVANSTON: First Bank & Trust announced last August that it would donate $2.50 to a local nonprofit organization for every "like" the bank received on its Facebook page through December 2014. Now, thanks to an overwhelmingly successful campaign, First Bank & Trust has decided that it will continue the initiative through May 2015.

"First Bank & Trust is dedicated to supporting non-profits in our community, and we feel this promotion is a wonderful way of promoting worthy causes," said Michael Yohanan, Assistant Vice President of Marketing at First Bank & Trust. "With the first promotion, we were amazed at how many people in our community came forward to support their favorite non-profit organizations by

Gathering during the Bank's Green Branch opening and staff helping community

liking our Facebook page, and the non-profits were ecstatic to not only receive the funds but also to increase their visibility."

Over the next few months, First

Bank & Trust will be donating money to McGaw YMCA in January; Shorefront Legacy Center in February; The Woman's Club of Evanston in March; Citizens'

Greener Evanston in April and Curt's Cafe in May. Donations will be made each month, to a maximum of $500.

To participate, simply visit the

First Bank & Trust Facebook page athttps:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / CommunityFirstBT and click the "like" button

Hari Om Mandir welcomes New Year with Ramayan Path Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Hari Om Mandir celebrated the New Year with 24

announced. Indrajit Sarkar was re-elected as president. Sarkar welcomed all and lauded the services of the Trustee Board Chair-

Salwan, Manish Salwan for their unconditional support," he said.

Accepting the ward, Ayodhia Salwan along with his wife Mrs

Honoring Ayodhia Salwan & Prem Salwan: L to R Nirmal Bagga, Krishan Tejpal, Ayodhia Salwan, Prem Salwan, Satpal Salwan and Indrajit Sarkar

memory."

Talking about the coming year, Sarkar said, "Our Goal for 2015 would be to keep peace and harmony, proceed with projects and numerous other infrastructural changes. Education committee will focus on many exciting programs along with ACT/SAT classes for our youth."

Executive Board: Indrajit Sarkar; President, Anita Rawal; Secretary, Gopal Tiwari; Treasurer, Aarty Singla; Special Events, Sham Taxali; Inside Property Management, Anil Saxena; Outside Property Management, Ashok Sharma; Publication, Usha Verma; Food & Prasad.

Board of Trustees: Ayodhia

New York to have $9 million BAPS temple Cont’d from page 18

hour Akhand Ramayan Path starting 11.55 pm on December 31 and ending the next day with the onset of New Year .

Ram Dhun was chanted by the devotees present in the hall with full enthusiasm.

At midnight all the devotees greeted each other and sweets were distributed to all as Prasad by temple priest. Subhash Sharma took the responsibility of the 24 hours Akhand Ramayan Path.

During the course of celebration, the new team for 2015 was

man Ayodhia Salwan with a 20 years' service of excellence award. "We also want to thank

Prem Salwan thanked all "for your helping me with Tan Man aur Dhan which is remarkable. I

At midnight all the devotees greeted each other and sweets were distributed to all as Prasad by temple priest. Subhash Sharma took the responsibility of the 24 hours Akhand Ramayan Path. During the course of celebration, the new team for 2015 was announced.

Mrs Prem Salwan, Manav Salwan, Ashima Salwan, Meenu

will never forget your deep love and save the plaque for my

Salwan; Chairman, Nirmal Bagga; Vice Chairman, Mohan Karamchandani; Secretary, Naveen Paul; Ram Verma; Mahendra Thakkar; Subhash Sharma; Amar Singla Priest: Pt. Dinesh Kumar Hari Om Mandir located in Medinah (a northwest suburb of Chicago) conducts Havan every Sunday followed by Aarti and Bhojan Prasad.

On every first Saturday of the month, the Mandir hosts Devi Jagran from 7-10pm; every Monday Shiv Puja and every Tuesday Hanuman Challia Path. Two priests are available for Poojas, Havan, Kathas etc in the temple and at home.

Frank Petrone, the Supervisor of the Town of Huntington, welcomed the BAPS community to Melville and said "only the bricks and mortar are left, because the mandir has already been built more than ten years ago, in the hearts of the BAPS members and the Melville community members."

Council members Susan A. Berland, Mark Curthbertson and Mark Mayoka of the Town of Huntington also lauded the devotees' efforts.

Rajan Zed, President of Univer-

sal Society of Hinduism, has applauded efforts of BAPS volunteers and area community residents for realizing this Hindu temple complex. He said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society. He hoped that this new temple would help in this direction. Instead of running after materialism, we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

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Valor & devotion make Hanuman most liked deity PUNDIT ANIL JOSHI

C

hicago will soon have the distinction of being the only city in USA to have two tallest images of Hanuman ji - one at Hari Om Mandir and the second at Hanuman Mandir in Glenelyn. This is reflective of the huge reverence and devotion that a Sevak of Lord Ram evokes from members of the Indian community at large.

Hanuman Ji is revered no less fervently than Lord Ram and it is only because of his selfless devotion to his Master Lord Ram in spite of himself possessing hefty supernatural strength and power.

Lord Hanuman Ji

He is revered because of super human power, valour, tremendous energy, excellent wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures and yet being hugely humble and down to earth.

He has extraordinary skills of warfare and exhibits astonishing physical strength but he does not take credit for what he has done for Lord Ram: whether searching for Ma Janaki or facing demon king Ravan as a messenger of Lord Rama or at a time when Lakshman needed help to survive. The following Shloka describes the qualities of Hanuman Ji as the repository of immense power with a body glittering like a mountain of gold.

Atulit Bal Dhamam, Hem Shayla Badheham, Dnuj Van Krishanum, Gyany Naam Agraganyam.

Sakal Gun Nidhanam, Vanaranam Dheesham, Raghupati Priya Bhaktam, Vatjatam Namami.

Hanuman Ji jumps across seven seas in one leap as he is the son of Pavan ('Vayu', the Wind God). He can fly to any of the destinations in the universe. He has no ego despite his powers.

Jambuvant made him conscious of all his super natural strength. Not only that, he never misused his

amazing power. As a minister and Himalayas and brought back messenger of Sugreeva, Hanuman Sanjeevini Parvat when asked by Ji persuaded him to strike friend- the Master of Medicine, Sukhan ship with Lord Ram to successfully address his problems and grievances. He succeeded in his sincere efforts.

Hanuman Ji is the symbol and the epitome of devotion, dedication, and services towards His Lord. He, as the chief of Lord Ram army of vanars, took a lead role in planning and strategising war against Ravana.

He informed Ravan that Lord Ram did not want to have war Pundit Anil Joshi with him but wanted his wife as that was the only recourse to Janaki back who save Lakshman ji was tricked in beOn the other hand, with the help lieving something of Vibhishan, Hanuman Ji helped that did not hap- restore Ma Janaki back to Shri Rama. pen before her. In his venture, he always followed Hanuman Ji of- the instructions given by Lord fered Ravana a Rama with full devotion. Therefore, promise on behalf in Sundar Kand, Lord Ram praises of Lord Ram that Hanuman Ji's courage, power and he can live without faithfulness, and selfless service by fear for years to- saying, "O mighty hero I cannot gether as the King repay your debt." of Lanka if he acAfter listening to this praise, cepted Lord Ram Hanuman Ji fell at the feet of Lord as his Lord and Ram and said humbly, 'I did all this turn his devotee. due to your blessings and protecThis illustration tion provided to me.' Hanuman Ji makes it clear that symbolizes the qualities of an ideal a real devotee devotee of Lord Ram. should be like The key qualities of a devotee Hanuman Ji who encourages other include humility, righteous people to become the followers of behaviour, shunning power and his master. ego, following and preserving According to Hanuman Ji, Dharma and Satya Marg, showing Dharma means to do good thing love to God and to all His creations to others. Hanuman Ji tells by Manasa, Vacha, and Karmana, Vibhishan that it is not enough to and not expecting rewards for his just chant the Lord's name but one services. Such qualities in should also put in action (Kamara) Hanuman Ji made him not only a the Lord's work and thereby special and favourite devotee of spread His vibhuti (glories) in the Lord Ram, but drew huge reverworld. Hanuman Ji served as ence among devotees of Lord Ram Vibhishan's guru and guided him Hanuman Ji is believed to be to surrender and serve Lord Ram. the 11th Rudra Roopa of Lord Hanuman Ji's guidance gave Vibhishan greater strength in his spiritual Hanuman Ji tells Vibhishan practices and lead his that it is not enough to just spiritual life without chant the Lord's name but blemish. Vibhishan starts following the one should also put in acright path of Dharma in tion (Kamara) the Lord's the same way as work and thereby spread pitched by Lord Ram. Hanuman Ji demon- His vibhuti (glories) strated what he said to Vibhishan that a devotee should Shiva. He is present as a powerful do his Lord's work. During a cru- entity in all Yugas. In Satya Yuga cial phase of war against Ravana, he was in the form of Shiv, in Treta Lord Rama got the news that his Yuga he existed as Hanuman, in brother, Lakshman had gone into Dwapar Yuga, he was present on coma. Hanuman Ji jumped at the the flag of Arjun's Rath at the time chance to serve the Master once of Kurukshetra War to help Arjun again and volunteered to go to any and protect Pandavas as per Lord extent to save Lakshman's life. Krishna's instructions. In Kali Hanuman Ji hopped and flew to Yuga, he comes in the form of

'Sankata Mochana' power which removes all hurdles.

Hanuman Ji performs innumerable miracles as he had obtained all Vedic knowledge from his Guru Lord Surya (Sun God).

By performing Puja of Hanuman Ji his devotees get double bonus: Blessings of Lord Ram Parivar; by worshiping Ganesh; you get blessings of Shiv Parivar; by adoring Radha you get benediction of Krishna and by revering Lakshmi, you get sacred signs of Lord Vishnu. Hanuman Ji thus stands out among his worshippers as his blessings always lead to the fulfillment of all wishes and desires quickly for the devotees.

He is there wherever Lord Ram

is there as said in this Shloka. yatra yatra raghunathakirtana? tatra tatra k?ta mastakaĂąjalim ? ba?pavariparipur?alocana? maruti? namata rak? asantakam ?

We all bow down to Hanuman Ji, who is the slayer of demons, and who is present with head bowed and eyes full of flowing tears wherever the Katha of Lord Ram is sung.

A person should try to have all or some of the qualities of a real devotee like Hanuman Ji and render selfless services to humanity and become a favorite and special devotee of the Lord.

Pundit Anil Joshi is the Priest at GraysLake Hindu Temple

Balaji Temple in Oregon soon Cont’d from page 18

The second phase will be building an authentic Hindu temple and enough parking facilities for the devotees not only from Portland but surrounding areas too, serving closet to 8000 families.

Portland Balaji Temple currently rents space on Northwest Aloclek Drive in the Cornelius Pass Business Park. The temple as it operates now is proving too small and is sometimes cramped for its congregation of over 1,000 people from all across the Portland area and beyond. Besides, the current facilities also have a Sai Temple and it is being frequented by huge number of devotees who during festival period swell to 1500 to 2000 in number.

In the light of huge support that it receives from attendees and devotees alike, HECS has decided to shift to its own and a bigger place. According to information from Washington County officials, it bought a parcel of land January on Glencoe Road just south of its intersection with the Sunset Highway. The 11.5-acre property lies next to a gas station.

The construction of the new facilities will occur over multiple phases, it is learnt.

Plans are afoot to build a community hall of at least 10,000 square feet. The authentic Indian-style temple, which could measure as large as 15,000 square feet, would come later. But it's not only Indians that the temple hopes to serve.

"We are inviting all commu-

nity people who want to learn about Hinduism," S. Rajagopal said. He added that the organization also wants to "build for the homeless people. We have a plan for that, also. We want to help the community."

The temple, founded in 2010, recently hosted a grand Diwali celebration attended by hundreds of devotees. One of its missions is to promote and practice the Hindu ideal of universal brotherhood and love, and to create awareness about Hindu religion through worship, education, social services and teachings among second generation Indian immigrants.

The aim for the community center is to have a place for conducting social, educational, cultural, literary and religious activities for the community.

The temple management also hosts cultural programs and shows on a regular basis to offer a glimpse of Indian culture and a first hand experience of the way the festivals are celebrated across diverse India to adults and children alike.

The current Temple, open seven days a week, runs a library; classes of Sanskrit/Slokas, Kannada and Carnatic vocal; and organizes cultural events. It conducts various pujas, including Car Puja (prayers for the car) for $51.

Wedding ceremony costs $500.

Washington County is also home to Beaverton-based India International Church, which is primarily composed of Indian immigrants of various Christian faiths.

January 16, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 21

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Veteran community leader passes away India Post News Service

CHICAGO: A veteran community leader and activist, Shankerprasad Someshwar Bhatt, breathed his last on Saturday, January 10 night at his residence in Hoffman Estates, a northwest suburb of Chicago.

Shankerprasad Bhatt lived his life serving the community and improving lives of others. Hailing from Gujarat, India, he worked at Officer Level in various municipal corporations in Gujarat including Shankerprasad Bhatt July, 27 1924 - January, 10 2015

Readers Write... www.indiapost.com

PBD a celebration of NRI achievements

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he Pravasi Bharatiya or Non Resident Indian is characterized by hard work, sincerity, loyalty to his adopted land without losing identity and connection to the homeland.

The NRIs or Pravasi Bharatiyas have created a trillion dollar economy overseas and possess know-how and skills that are world class.

Brand India has benefited substantially since the first Indians set foot overseas.

The Government of India recognizes this potential and the invaluable contribution of the PBs to keep the name of India flying high in their adopted lands and globally.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a celebration of the achievements of the NRI community, and an opportunity to strengthen their links to their homeland and network with equally talented people in India and overseas in a congenial environment of homeland.

A stellar role is played by the Indian community of USA in all professional fields, notably medicine, research, science and technology and business.

The Indian ethnic media plays a key role in keeping the NRI community educated of the developments locally and globally. Air India has been in existence since 1932 and has connected USA and India for 64 years continuously as the national flag carrier owned by all of India.

Air India is indebted to our patrons and in their yeoman role of promoting their homeland and brand India shine in the lands they live and among those they work with.

May their excellence and unity shine through for all times to come.

Our good wishes to all well-wishers of India and of course Air India.

Katherine Thorat AIR INDIA District Sales Manager, Chicago

Bhavnagar, Morbi, Anand, Nadiad, Porbandar, Bharuch, Palanpur, Wakaner, Ankleshwar etc. His responsibilities covered implementation of projects for betterment of lives of the citizens with respect to air, water, food, schools, roads, transportation and security.

After retiring at end of 1980, he moved

After retiring at end of 1980, he moved to USA to join other members of his family. He continued to serve the community

to USA to join other members of his family.

He continued to serve the community in his adopted land as well by joining various organizations including Hindu University of America, Gita Society, World Association of Vedic Studies and Metropolitan Asian Family Services at Chicago He is survived by six children, 13 grand children and one great grand child.

His cremation took place at Countryside Funeral & Crematory on 950 S Bartlett Road, Streamwood, in the presence of family members, relatives, friends and well wishers on Tuesday January 13. All prayed that his soul rest in peace.

22 India Post

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January 16, 2015

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JadooTV launches 4th generation Androidbased set-top box SAN FRANCISCO: JadooTV, the Intel Capital backed video streaming services & technologies company, has launched Jadoo4 it's fourth generation Android-based set-top box with an

hanced App offerings via Google Play App Store. Jadoo4 is priced at just $219 inclusive of the Air Mouse (a $20 value) and 12-month free access to the JadooTV iOS & Android Apps (a value of $60).

"The current generation of JadooTV is more than two years

improved quick-response user interface, faster processing speed, higher streaming quality, and en-

old. It was time for an update to capture the latest and best in streaming video standards and

India Post News Service

set-top box technology. Jadoo4 is a significantly improved device and will surely engage users with its quick-response user interface, fast channel load and switch time, and an abundance of applications & entertainment content. It promises a great consumer experience!" said Sajid Sohail, CEO of JadooTV. An interface worthy of JadooTV Jadoo4 is completely redesigned offering a single page easy to navigate home menu.

The new design allows users easy access to Live & On-Demand content, Device Settings, Favorites, myJadooand Applications all on a single home page.

The new navigation layout

combined with a faster native android user interface creates a superior user experience and is a vast improvement from the previous generation of JadooTV. E n hanced Entertainm e n t & A p p S t o r e (Google Play™) Jadoo4is designed to bridge the generational gap offering entertainment content for the entire family.

The device offers more entertainment and App content to engage parents and kids. Users can access over 400 live channels & thousands of hours of On-Demand content from, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Af-

to the JadooTV Android and iOS (Apple) Apps for a 12 month period.

ghanistan, India and the Middle East.

In addition, Jadoo4 comes with the Google Play™ Store so users can play more, do more, and watch more. With thousands of Apps to choose from, users can find the right app when they need it, right on the Play Store.

Enjoy movies, sports, music, social media, communications, and educational apps; from Netflix, HBOGO, EROS NOW, XBMC, Watch ESPN, Pandora, Saavn, there's something for everyone.

JadooTV Content Everywhere Apps Jadoo4 comes with free access

download the Apps from App Stores and subscriber to the JadooTV Appfor $4.99 a month.

About JadooTV JadooTV is an Intel Capital backed consumer technology and services company based in Silicon Valley. It is committed to delivering Live and On-Demand content to viewers via its proprietary Internet based set-top box (STB).

JadooTV is the leading distributor of Internet based South Asian television content, bringing Television, Movies, and Music to Diaspora from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Middle East.

Customers who purchase a Jadoo4 can download and access the JadooTV App to consume content on connected devices such as tablets and smartphones. User who do not own a Jadoo4 can also

January 16, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 23

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God, Souls and Maya are eternal entities SWAMI NIKHILANAND

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his Article discusses the uttar pakch, that begins in chapter 2 of the Gita.

Thus far, Arjun acts like an agyani - one who does not have correct spiritual knowledge - so that Krishna can reveal the correct knowledge for the benefit of the souls of the world.

Arjun's fundamental confusion is the same confusion we all have: we believe we are the physical body, and we have forgotten that we are the Divine soul.

Shree Krishna begins by telling Arjun that he is speaking like a learned pandit - because he gave Krishna a whole lecture on why

cannot cease to exist, and a nonexistent thing cannot be brought into being (chapter 2, verse 16).

Although we call God the creator, yet He has never created any souls, nor has He created maya.

The souls have existed forever and are as old as God - eternal.

Maya is also an eternally existing energy, because energy cannot be created or destroyed.

During the dissolution of the universe, both maya and the souls stay within God in a dormant form.

When God re-activates the mayic energy, the universe is created, and the souls are sent forth to be born. Thus, souls have always

Our physical body was born and will one day die, but not the soul. The physical body passes through the phases of birth, growth, maturation, decline and death (chapter 2, verse 13), but not the soul, because the soul is eternal and unchanging. he was not going to fight the war and yet he is grieving for his relatives in the way an unlearned man would. He tells him that the learned do not grieve for the dead or for the living (chapter 2, verse 11) because whatever exists today has always existed and will always continue to exist (chapter 2, verse 12).

existed, and have been taking birth after birth since eternity in this endless cycle of srishti and pralaya of the material universe.

Who Dies and Who Is Born?

So who actually dies or is born?

If something has always existed, then it cannot be born; and if something will always continue to exist, then it never dies. That means Whatever Exists Now Has Al- that all three - God, the souls and ways Existed and Will Always maya - were never born and can Exist never die. The only thing that can be born is a physical form made out of mayic energy. That form is temporary: it was created, and it can be destroyed.

If you go to the beach and use the sand there to make a s a n d castle, Swami Nikhilanand then you The Ved states that there are created a form out of something three things that exist eternally. that was already there. You creThere is no fourth existence, or ated the castle, not the sand. When tattva. The three eternal tattva are: a wave washes away your sand brahm (God), jeev (souls) and castle, then the castle is demaya (the material energy that pro- stroyed, but not the sand. Simiduces the world). All three have larly, mayic energy manifests in no beginning and will never end. various forms in this universe - as All three have existed forever and planets, stars, galaxies, etc., as well will continue to exist for all eter- as the bodies inhabited by the livnity, because an existing thing ing souls.

The mayic energy is eternal, but the physical forms created by it are temporary - they are born and they die, just like your sand castle.

Our physical body was born and will one day die, but not the soul. The physical body passes through the phases of birth, growth, maturation, decline and death (chapter 2, verse 13), but not the soul, because the soul is eternal and unchanging.

The soul is indestructible (chapter 2, verse 23) and is not killed by the death of the physical body (chapter 2, verse 20). When the body dies, the soul moves on to another body, just like we cast off old, worn out clothes and take new ones (chapter 2, verse 22).

Therefore, only the physical body can die, and that was a certainty at the time of its birth, because whatever is born must one day die (chapter 2, verse 27).

For Whom Should We Grieve?

Then for whom should we grieve? For the physical body whose existence was always known to be short-lived and whose death was guaranteed the moment it was born? Or for the soul which can never be killed and will go on to take another body?

Neither is worth grieving for. So it is only the unwise, or those who do not realize their Divine identity as the soul, who grieve for the death of anyone's physical body.

Thus, Shree Krishna advised Arjun to perform his duty by fighting the war, and to fear neither his own death nor the death of the relatives against whom he would fight, because he cannot kill their soul, and they cannot kill his.

Therefore, he should simply do what is right and do not worry about who will kills and who will be killed in the war.

After this, Shree Krishna explained to Arjun about the law of karm and that from that point of view as well, he should fight the war. That will be the topic of the next article.

Disciple of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj: Swami Nikhilanand Ji is a Canadian born Hindu spiritual leader based in Austin, Texas. He is a sanyasi disciple and pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.

Attracted to the teachings of Hinduism from a young age, Swamiji eventually let his deep spiritual longing lead him to India, where he was most fortunate to come under the guidance of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Thereafter, living in the ashrams of JKP, he ex-

tensively studied Hindi, the philosophy of the prime Sanskrit scriptures (Vedas, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam), and practiced meditation in the tradi-

charming nam sankirtan. His informative and compelling speeches provide practical insight into how to adopt the teachings of Sanatan Dharm into our daily lives, and in-

tion of raganuga bhakti. In 2003, he was given sanyas.

Now, with the blessings of his Guruji, he offers satsang programs throughout America, engaging audiences with his clear explanations of Hindu philosophy coupled with inspired chanting of Sanskrit mantras and shlokas and

spire us to awaken our inner spiritual potential.

To stay in touch with Swami Nikhilanand Ji, like his Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/ SwamiNikhilanand or follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/ Swami_Nikhil.

Community Across America

24 India Post

January 16, 2015

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FIA & India Post welcome 2015 with fabulous dance & music

L to R: Rajesh Verma, Vijay Thapar, Dr Romesh Japra, Vidya Sethuraman, Ritu Maheshwari, Pooja Kaur, Priya Nayar and Victor Uberoi India Post News Service

SAN JOSE: This year Bay Area's best and most thrilling New Year celebration was held at San Jose Airport Garden Hotel.

The evening festivities were attended by over 800 people from all over the Bay to welcome the New Year.

The Unforgettable New Year's Eve party organized by India Post news weekly and Federation of IndoAmericans

Dr Romesh Japra addressing New Year's Eve gathering

Consul General Mr Venkatesan Ashok at the NYE party

Dr Romesh Japra, Mrs Sunita Japra, Mrs Nandini Verma, and Mr Rajesh Verma

Guests posing for a quick picture at the NYE party

(FIA) of Northern California featured eclectic dance performances from world over. A packed hall of eager attendees

Live entertainment with fabulous DJ, delicious dinner, host bar, midnight champagne and balloon drop, free professional photography, fashion show and nonstop dancing to the tunes of Live music were key highlights

feasted on the best sensory pleasures as they regaled in Brazilian Samba, Egyptian Belly dance by Nicolana, and singing by international fame Harjeet Mehndi. A beautifully choreographed night made the evening a memorable one. Among others, Consul General of India Mr Venkatesan Ashok was the Guest of Honor.

Live entertainment with fabulous DJ, delicious dinner, host bar, midnight champagne and balloon drop, free professional photography, fashion show and nonstop dancing to the tunes of Live music were key highlights of the evening.

Neena Kapoor, Deepak Chhabra, Ritu Maheshwari, and Manorama Joshi

Priya Nayar, Manorama Joshi, Reva Kumar, and Soni

Guests with Consul General Mr Venkatesan Ashok

Cont’d on page 27

January 16, 2015

India Post 25 www.indiapost.com

NEWS on your desktop www.indiapost.com

26

January 16, 2015

India Post www.indiapost.com

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January 16, 2015

Community Across America

India Post 27

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FIA & India Post welcome 2015 with fabulous dance & music

Mr. P.C. Gupta, Kapil Mohan, Vijay Bhatia, and Dr. Kamal Parek

Manoram Joshi, Haji Springer, and guest

Cont’d from page 24

Dr. Romesh Japra, Publisher India Post and President and Convener FIA wished everyone a happy New Year and expressed the hope that in coming year, community will come together to make progress in all spheres of life and become a strong cultural force to reckon with. Encouraging community talent was another initiative at the party.

Many local singers were invited to perform at the event. Kapil Mohan, Anu and Rajiv Batra, Alka Bhatnagar mesmerized the audience with their amazing singing talents.

Vama Designs performed a wonderfully choreographed fashion show. It was a harmony of the beauty, the brains and the trendy clothes. The performances were a perfect blend of social and entertainment quotient and showcased the best talents of Bay Area Indian community As 2014 gave way to the New Year at mid-night, balloon drop

by India Post team welcomed 2015 in style.

Nicolana performing India Post, Egyptian Belly Dance l e a d i n g newsweekly serving the Bay area from 1994, is a one stop magazine for national and international news. Its unbiased and authentic news makes it the most preferred weekly

by Indians all over the world. India Post, voice of Indians worldwide, covers all the community events across Bay area and provides updated and authenticated news to Bay area.

India Post wishes its readers a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year, 2015.

Guests enjoying the event

Harjeet Mehndi, Manorama Joshi, and Varsha Patel Brazilian Samba dancer entertaining the guests

TOP TEN HINDI FILM SONGS

1 Khamoshiyan : Khamoshiyan 2 Tu Hai Ki Nahi : Roy 3 Sooraj Dooba Hain : Roy 4 Tu Har Lamha : www.indiapost.com

28 India Post

January 16, 2015

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his is not the first time Ranveer Singh mingled with ladylove Deepika Padukone's parents. At the award function, held last year Ranveer Singh bonded with Deepika's parents and sister. It seems Dippy's parents are also in favor of the actor. Ranveer's charm has floored her parents too.

After ringing in New Year with Deepika's parents in Maldives, Ranveer joined his ladylove and her mom Ujjala and sister Anisha to the extended New Year celebration which stretched to Deepika's birthday. The 'Cocktail' actress headed to Bangalore to celebrate her birthday and she was joined by her boyfriend.

The couple was spotted strolling into a highend shopping centre at the garden city accompanied

by Deepika's mom and sister.

The couple has been together ever since they starred in 'Ram Leela' and going strong.

On Deepika's birthday, Ranveer gifted her an exclusive limited edition of a designer clutch.

"People want to see me in strong roles...whether it's in an artistic film or comedy. They want a lot of strength (in the character). And I only care about my audience, about entertaining the people who love me,"

B

ipasha Basu, who has turned 35, says she will do roles that suit her and that she's not game to essaying a college girl on the big screen. Bipasha will next be seen in a double role in horror movie 'Alone'. She was last seen in 'Creature 3D'.

Asked why she's picking horror films, the bold and beautiful actress said, "If at all anybody offers me a role of a college girl, I won't do it. It is very frivolous! You have to do roles that suit you." She feels that whenever she has essayed 'strong roles', people have liked it.

"People want to see me in strong roles...whether it's in an artistic film or comedy. They want a lot of strength (in the character). And I only care about my audience, about entertaining the people who love me," she added.

Khamoshiyan 5 Tharki Chokro : PK 6 Superman : Tevar 7 Dance Basanti : Ungli 8 Lovely : Happy New Year 9 Mileya Mileya : Happy Ending 10 Chaar Kadam : PK

E

ver since Salman Khan mentioned in Bigg Boss Season 7 that Elli Avram reminds him of Katrina Kaif, the Swedish beauty seems to be stuck with the tag of being a 'Katrina lookalike'.

About a year-and-ahalf since then, the actress, who has her roots in Stockholm, seems unable to shake of the label. And more than the industry, it's the people outside who apparently connect her with Katrina.

As one witnessed when Elli left from a Bandra restobar after attending celebrity photographer Dabbo Ratnani's annual calendar launch.

Elli was waiting for her car when a group of urchins, who had gathered outside for a dekko of the celebrities, spotted her and were overheard telling each other, "Arre, nayi wali Katrina dekh."

Obviously, they were loud enough, so Elli could hear them too. When her car came, the actress waved to them saying "Happy New Year beta" before getting into it and zooming off.

Elli, who started her Bollywood innings with Mickey Virus, will soon be seen in AbbasMustan's romcom, Kis kisko Pyaar Karun, which marks the debut of Kapil Sharma, well-known for his comedy skills on television shows.

January 16, 2015

Bollywood

India Post 29

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T

hough Sridevi disappeared from the silver screen after English Vinglish, the actress is all set to do a Tamil film next. Titled Puli, the film is said to have Sridevi playing the role of a mother.

Announcing this on her Twitter handle, Sridevi said, "It gives me immense happiness to announce the title of my new Tamil film Puli. It's been a wonderful experience working with the cast & crew." The film will also star Sudeep of Makkhi fame and it will be a fantasy adventure. However, the actress has been maintaining secrecy over the details of the film. It is learnt that the film will have Hansika Motwani and Shruti Haasan in prominent roles.

Looks like Sridevi is all set for new beginnings in 2015!

"It gives me immense happiness to announce the title of my new Tamil film Puli�

T

he year's line-up of big-ticket films kicks off with Boney Kapoor's Tevar, which has the novel pairing of Arjun Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha.

Also featuring Manoj Bajpayee as the antagonist, the action romance is directed by debutant Amit Ravindernath Sharma and produced by Sanjay Kapoor, Sunil Lulla, Naresh Agarwal and Sunil Manchanda.

Ask Arjun what he likes about Sonakshi's character Radhika, and he says, "She's a bubbly girl at first, but becomes subdued when faced with a situation. Her vulnerability and emotional transition will have the audience rooting for her." Sonakshi feels that the viewers will relate to Arjun's character Pintu Shukla for the way he stands up for Radhika. "Arjun has high regard for women and that comes across in the way he plays the character," she says.

S

hraddha Kapoor doesn't believe in New Year resolutions as she believes that it puts a lot of pressure on her.

"The only change I can see is that I will be writing 2015 like everybody. I believe in going with the flow and don't like getting stressed up with New Year resolutions," says Shraddha, who was delighted to have spent her New Year with her m o t h e r Shivangi while she was shooting for ABCD 2 with Varun Dhawan in Las Vegas.

"My mom visited me in Las Vegas on New Years.

It was really nice to have her there, it completed my New Year," she said excitedly. But the mere mention of her alleged boyfriend Aditya Roy Kapur, and her smile disappears. " W h a t about him?

Aditya is a friend...at present I am only romancing the camera and no one else," she says.

„

Realty Tidbits

Sobha's Q3 sales bookings fall 15% NEW DELHI: Realty firm Sobha Ltd's sales bookings declined by 15 per cent to Rs 427 crore during the third quarter of this fiscal due to slowdown in demand.

Bangalore-based Sobha had achieved sales bookings of Rs 502.3 crore in the year-ago period.

"Q3'15 was operationally a subdued quarter with the company achieving new sales of 6,61,451 sq ft valued at Rs 4.27 billion with an average realization of Rs 6,456 per sq ft," Sobha said in its operational update.

In volume terms, Sobha sold 6.61 lakh sq ft of area during October-December against 7.4 lakh sq ft in the corresponding period of previous fiscal.

Sales realization also dropped to Rs 6,456 per sq ft from Rs 6,786 per sq ft during the period under review.

"The real estate sector continues to be bogged down by inflexible interest rates, approval delays and slowing demand," Sobha said.

During the first nine months of this fiscal, Sobha's sales bookings have declined by 15 per cent to Rs 1,468.2 crore from Rs 1,737.4 crore in the year-ago period. -PTI

„ Race, segregation at forefront for real estate agents ST. LOUIS: Five months after Michael Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson officer, St. Louis real estate agents were again forced to confront thorny issues of race and housing segregation that have shaped the region's growth and identity for decades.

More than 200 housing industry workers, bankers and community organizers packed a Creve Coeur conference room for a discussion hosted by the St. Louis Association of Realtors on the ``Ferguson impact.'' The event was billed as a chance for attendees to learn how to ``navigate the difficult conversations you may face with your clients as it pertains to race, discrimination and racial residential segregation.'' ``As soon as you get onto an airplane or go to another city, you know exactly what the conversation is going to be about,'' panel discussion moderator Reena Hajat Carroll said.

Brown, a black 18-year-old who was unarmed, was killed Aug. 9 by white ex-officer Darren Wilson. A St. Louis County grand jury decided in November to not indict Wilson on criminal charges. -AP

Real Estate 30 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 16, 2015

Google Capital invests in CommonFloor.com NEW DELHI: Online real estate platform CommonFloor.com has received a fresh round of funding from Google Capital. The financial details were, however, not disclosed. This investment shows that Google Capital believes in CommonFloor and its vision to transform the real estate market in India, CommonFloor.com co-founder and CEO Sumit Jain said in a statement. "We look forward to drawing on the technical and operational expertise of Google Capital's partners and advisers as we continue to scale our business," he added. -PTI

Answering the rent-or-buy riddle MARCIE GEFFNER

W

hether to rent or buy a home is an easy deci sion for many people.

But for those who have the means and motivation to do either, the choice can be difficult to make.

Buying offers freedom from rising rents, a mortgage interest tax deduction and the possibility of building equity in a home over time.

Renting offers flexibility and no home maintenance or repair costs or obligations.

For people who aren't in a financial position to buy, renting is the only option. And some people who are able to buy still aren't sure this major commitment is the right choice for them.

When rents are high and prices are low Affordability is a key factor that can tip the scales to the buy side, says Wendy English, sales manager for Century 21 Commonwealth in Medfield, Massachusetts. Rapidly rising rents in many cities, combined with attractive home prices and low mortgage interest rates, make owning a home seem more affordable than renting.

Ryan Donovan, a Realtor with Keller Williams Vermont in Colchester, Vermont.

"Something ties them to this place and gives them a reason to stay here as opposed to going someplace else," Donovan says.

"I ask them, 'Do you think you'll be moving this year? Yes or no.

Do you see yourself moving in three years? Will you still be here in five years?'"

The longer they plan to stay, Donovan adds, "the more inclined they are to buy."

The five-year mark can be crucial because it rarely makes financial sense to buy a home with the intention of moving sooner than that.

Children also can be an important decision point, whether you have kids approaching school age or plan to have a family.

When mobility is important A typical rent-or-buy scenario is a 30-something couple who see the benefits of homeownership but want to be able to move quickly if they suffer a job loss or can take advantage of career op-

Those who think they might move within a few years "want someone to give them some sort of certainty that they won't lose money when they have to sell," Neill says.

Unfortunately, there's no guarantee.

"Uncertainty with the job market for upwardly mobile people who want to be able to keep con-

The rent-or-buy decision can cause considerable strife for couples.

Jan Baron, a Realtor at Realty One Group in Temecula, California, describes one pair who were lifelong renters before they found themselves in a position to buy.

"He says he's tired of throwing money away on rent," Baron says.

"His wife doesn't want to move. A

Donovan suggests such couples need to "sit down and talk about their feelings with each other until they're on the same page" -- preferably not in the presence of the real estate agent. sidering all their options definitely factors into the rent-or-buy decision," she says.

Those who want to become homeowners and still maximize their flexibility might decide to buy a house in a strong rental market or a condo that doesn't come with rental restrictions.

"They purchase a property that they could rent if they decide not to stay. I've seen that tip the scales to buy," English says.

When couples disagree

couple of times he has found a property, and I've said, 'Let's get her.'

She doesn't want to go, and they end up not speaking to each other."

Donovan suggests such couples need to "sit down and talk about their feelings with each other until they're on the same page" -preferably not in the presence of the real estate agent.

"In some ways," he says, "it's a bigger commitment to buy a home together than it is to get married."

-Courtesy Bankrate.com

Action 'as per law' in Vadra case: Haryana CM "They get a letter from their landlord saying their rent is going up," English says. "They crunch the numbers and find it would be less expensive each month (to own), and they would get the tax deduction, so they take the leap and buy."

Even when buying appears affordable, a limited supply of for-sale homes can tip even the most motivated buyers back to the rent side.

When location is a major element Location also can be a scaletipping factor, particularly for those who want to remain near family, friends, a relationship partner or place of employment, says

portunities, English says.

Some potential buyers possess special skills that are likely to take them to far-flung employment opportunities over time.

"If they may spend a year or two at one company, then go to another company across the country, does it really make sense for them to buy?" Donovan asks.

Answer: Maybe not.

When equity-building is in doubt Some Gen X and Gen Y couples have been told that they should buy, yet they're concerned about the ups and downs of the housing markets, says Maura Neill, a Realtor at Re/Max Around Atlanta.

AHMEDABAD: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has said his government would take action against Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, as per the law in connection with his deals with the real estate major DLF. "The state Government has formed a special investigation team to investigate the Vadra-DLF land deals. Data is being collected in all cases of irregularities and action would be taken as per the law," Khattar said, speaking to reporters.

Khattar visited the Haryana pavilion during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas event in Gandhinagar.

Haryana government had pro-

vided 10 per cent reservations in industrial plots to non-resident Indians and it could be increased on demand, he informed.-PTI

Manohar Lal Khattar

Real Estate Post

January 16, 2015

India Post 31

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'Poor land valuation resulting in black money' NEW DELHI: Difference in real value of land and circle rates in the national capital is not only facilitating black money inflow in the property market but also causing revenue loss to the exchequer, the Central Information Commission has said.

It has also directed the Chief Secretary to review the policy and carry out an inquiry.

Using its powers under the RTI Act, Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu directed the Chief Secretary to have "serious look" at the policy of circle rates and put them on the website.

Expressing concerns over impact of poor land valuation on the RTI Act, Acharyulu said, "The Commission finds in many cases before it that several public authorities are escaping accountability under RTI by showing value of

the land given to them by the government as 'commercial value' which is an open lie as every one knows the real value would be thousand times more than what it

was shown to be."

He said several hospitals, sports clubs, cricket associations are claiming that the land was given to them at commercial rate, simply because the state does not have any document to say that they have properly assessed the

value of the land in a particular area.

"Because of this every selfish person or profit motivated corporate body is trying to take prime government land using the corruption as an easy tool and making huge profits at the cost of public exchequer and imposing burden on common consumers," he said in the order.

The observations of the Commission came on a plea of an activist S P Manchanda who had given detailed description to Delhi government on the loopholes in the process to determine rates of land in various circles resulting in revenue loss.

Acharyulu said all this is facilitated by the absence of "minimum governance" at the higher level where the powers that be prefer to relax and refuse to decide what is the value of the land. -PTI

CBI may close probe into Tata-Unitech deal NEW DELHI: After re-opening a probe into whether funds from the Rs 1,700 crore Tata RealtyUnitech land deal were diverted for spectrum purchase, the CBI is mulling the option of closing the case again.

The CBI is considering the closure of the case soon on the ground that the Supreme Court had not directed the agency to carry out more investigations into the matter.

The probe was opened afresh last October by former CBI Chief Ranjit Sinha, who had reasoned that if Reliance could be investigated for the same alleged offence, then why no probe had been carried against Tata Realty and Unitech.

Sinha had also informed the Supreme Court about re-starting the probe against the two companies. However, both the companies had said that there was no illegality in the land deal in 2007 and no money from the deal was used to bid for spectrum

by Unitech Wireless.

After the retirement of Sinha on December two, the officials probing the case including the Superintendent of Police Vivek

Priyadarshi and Deputy Inspector General Santosh Rastogi had written on the file that the matter be closed as there were no set of instructions from the Supreme Court.

It may be mentioned that during the tenure of Sinha, Rastogi had sought recusal from the Tata

Realty-Unitech case and sought transfer from the CBI. However, this proposal was shot down by the Supreme Court and Rastogi was asked to continue with the agency.

CBI has reopened an earlier

Preliminary Enquiry (PE) to probe an alleged Rs 1,700 crore land deal between Tata Realty and Unitech in 2007.

The SFIO has alleged that the realty deal between Tatas and Unitech in 2007 could have been meant for funding Unitech's telecom license issued in January 2008.

The then Director wanted to probe whether the advance given by Tata Realty was used by Unitech for real estate projects or for a telecom license pertaining to the 2G telecom spectrum allocation scam.

"We have clarified in the past and reiterate that Tata Realty and Infrastructure Limited (TRIL) and Unitech entered into a bona fide real estate deal that had no relation to the 2G licenses.

"The transaction between Unitech and TRIL was done with full and proper due diligence, and has been fully explained to all the regulatory agencies," a Tata Realty spokesperson said. -PTI

Emaar MGF raises Rs 600 crore from SSG NEW DELHI: Real estate developer Emaar MGF has raised Rs 600 crore from private equity (PE) fund SSG Capital Management for its projects in the National Capital Region. The funds have been raised against the security of two residential projects and one industrial park in Gurgaon, near Delhi, that the builder is developing. The builder will use Rs 75 crore to construct two of its projects in Gurgaon, which are at an early stage of development.

Around Rs 300 crore will be used to service the existing debt while Rs 125 crore will go towards development of the company's other projects. SSG Capital Management can redeem these debentures by July 31, 2021.

A spokesman for Emaar MGF Land confirmed that the company raised Rs 600 crore against issue of NCDs to SSG Capital Management in the current financial year.

"The funds were used for our projects and corporate requirements," he said.

SSG Capital Management did not respond to an e-mail questionnaire sent by ET. The Singaporebased fund had recently put Rs 450 crore in a Noida project of builder Lotus Greens along with

Clearwater Capital. Lotus Greens too had issued non-convertible debentures to the funds.

Home sales in the last few quarters have been a worry for developers across the country. Home sales across the top six cities of the country saw a quarter-onquarter drop of 25% in the September quarter, the lowest since 2009, while unsold inventory rose to a high of 815,000 apartments, according to property research firm Liases Foras.

In the NCR, unsold inventory rose to 318,000 apartments, which would take 83 months to be sold at the current pace of sales. "Cash flows have been constrained for most developers today. The big challenge is to raise money on flexible terms, which would help a developer manage his stress for the next 1214 months," said Anckur Srivasttava, chairman of GenReal Property Advisers.

He said that many developers are out in the market to raise this kind of money. "Today, pricing of capital is not such an issue.

The more important aspect is the flexibility of the capital they are raising in terms of payment structures," he said. -Courtesy ET

Chicago city demands landlords provide heat CHICAGO: The extreme cold has prompted the city of Chicago to convene an emergency hearing to force landlords to restore heat to city apartment buildings.

Officials of Chicago's Department of Buildings say the agency has received 600 no heat complaints. Department inspectors have investigated 495 of those complaints.

WBBM-AM reports city attorney Steven McKenzie says

the hearing was called because of a need to get landlords into court as soon as possible.

McKenzie says most cases stem from broken furnaces or boilers and most landlords comply in a timely fashion.

Chicago ordinances require landlords to provide heat and water between Sept. 15 and June 1. If the service is disrupted, offending owners face up to $500 a day in fines until the problem is corrected. -AP

„ Health

Line

Arkansas to look at retiree health care plans LITTLE ROCK, Ark.: An advisory panel is recommending that the state of Arkansas explore offering Medicare managed care plans to retired state and public school employees who are covered by the federal program for the elderly and disabled.

About 18,000 retired state and school employees are enrolled in state plans that supplement traditional Medicare coverage. Under the recommendation by the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board's benefits subcommittee, the board would solicit proposals from companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the companies receive a fixed amount from the federal government to provide health benefits to Medicare enrollees.

A study conducted last year found that switching to the privately managed health care plans could be less expensive than the state providing supplemental health care coverage.-AP

„ Wide-faced men seen as more aggressive TORONTO: Men with the widest faces are perceived to be twice as aggressive than those with the narrowest features, according to a new research.

Researchers at Brock University, Canada, said that humans are programmed to see those with broad faces as aggressive because it is a marker of high testosterone exposure in the womb.

"Men with broad faces would have had an evolutionary advantage because, as a marker of aggression, it would see off the opposition without the need to expend energy in fighting or risk injury," Shawn Geniole, who carried out the study with Professor Cheryl McCormick, was quoted as saying by 'The Telegraph'.

The facial-width-to height ratio is the distance between the cheekbones divided by the distance between the mid-brow and the upper lip.

It is linked to testosterone exposure in the womb but is not obscured by facial hair like other cues widely used in judgments of dominance and strength such as the size of the chin and jaw, researchers said.

Psychologists showed images of 25 men before and after they had grown beards and asked men and women volunteers to rate them for aggression and masculinity. .-PTI

Health Science 32 India Post

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January 16, 2015

Optimistic people have healthier hearts Details on Page 34

Nobel laureate sounds alarm over excessive antibiotic use MUMBAI: Alarmed over the increasing use of antibiotics to treat even common ailments, Nobel laureate Dr John Robin Warren has warned of a "disaster" if excessive use of antibiotics is not stopped.

"I think one of the current issues globally is the increasing use of antibiotics and the increasing resistance to antibiotics.

If that keeps growing, we are going to be in real trouble," Warren, who was in Mumbai for the 102nd Indian Science Congress, told PTI. Speaking on the global perspective on challenges in medical research, Warren who hails from Adelaide in Australia, said, "Doctors should stop prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed.

"Patients also insist to the doctors to prescribe antibiotics for things like cold, even when

the doctor knows that the antibiotics is not going to be of any

Dr John Robin Warren

assistance at all. So he (doctor) shouldn't give them to the patient. But people tend to prescribe when the patient demands it," he said.

Asked if he saw a decline in prescription of antibiotics after a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) said resistance to antibiotics poses a "major global threat" to public health, Warren said, "It is a very difficult situation.

It is not a disaster yet, but could easily become one."

"I haven't seen things improving (after the WHO report)," Warren said.

Warren awarded the Nobel for his work in Physiology in 2005 for his discovery on the 'bacterium Helicobacter pylori' and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases.

"When we started on our journey, scientific and technological tools were not advanced.

Science believed that bacteria couldn't grow in stomach, good biopsies were rare, and there were no clinical specimens.

"Gastritis was not understood well by the medical fraternity. But we refused to be discouraged, kept experimenting with determination and after years of dedicated hard work, discovered the bacterial strain," he said.

"It was a quite a miracle and opened new vistas in discovering treatments for Gastritis and peptic ulcers for making the life of human beings more productive and healthy," Warren said. -PTI

Row over DU handing over med college to govt NEW DELHI: A row is brewing within Delhi University over its acceptance of a central decision for the transfer of University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) to Delhi government with its Executive Council (EC) members slamming the move as being "unilateral" and "undemocratic".

"The decision (was) communicated to the ministry on Nov 25 and the Executive Council was informed about it on January 9. How can such a decision be taken without the Council's consent?" said Abha Dev Habib, an EC member.

The HRD ministry had written to DU in October of last year reminding it of the decision on UCMS taken by the Union Cabinet in 2005 and asking it to complete the formalities within a month.

"The Cabinet in its meeting held on August 25, 2005, had taken a decision that Delhi government will make a proposal to Department of Secondary and

Higher Education to take over UCMS (which will remain affiliated to DU), (to) enable the government to run both college and hospital on the pattern of Maulana Azad College and associated hospitals," the MHRD deputy secretary had said in the letter.

Thereafter, the DU registrar had

"DU has noted that the ministry has indicated that the decision has to be implemented, and it will comply with this ... The university may kindly be informed of the modalities taken by government of Delhi to implement this decision... DU will subsequently take all steps necessary to implement

Delhi University College of Medical Sciences

written back to the ministry in November confirming that the varsity has decided to comply with the order.

the decision of the Cabinet," the DU registrar had said.

However, DU's EC in 2007 declined to comply with the decision

and the matter of the transfer of UCMS to Delhi government had been lying unresolved since then.

The EC members are now saying they are irked over the "secret" manner in which the decision was taken and communicated to the government.

"The VC cannot use emergency powers to take such an important decision. The entire thing happened very secretly.

The varsity didn't even seek the complete proposal from the government and even decided to comply with the modalities required by it," another EC member, Aditya Narain Mishra said.

Defending the decision, DU's Media Coordinator and Joint Dean of Welfare, Malay Neerav said, "The university didn't have much choice. It had to comply with the decision of the government.

"No EC meeting had taken place after the communication from the ministry, (but) the matter has been reported to the council now."-PTI

January 16, 2015

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Healthcare quality should not suffer in quest for more RAIPUR: Union Health Minister J P Nadda has said the medical education framework must attend to the "critical requirement" of enhancing clinical skills which he claimed often get ignored due to the pressure of producing more doctors.

The Union minister stressed the need for developing clinical skills in doctors.

"Due to the pressure of producing more doctors, the clinical skills tend to get ignored. The medical education framework should attend to this critical requirement," Nadda said.

He was addressing All India Medical and Dental Students Conference at Raipur, Chattisgarh.

Nadda also emphasized on the need to develop a framework for holistic healthcare and well-being rather than merely sick-care.

"While there is a challenge of manpower in the healthcare sector and there is a focus on quantity, quality is equally important and should not be lost sight of," he said.

Recalling the old concept of family physician, who used to be a vital part of the healthcare set-up of the family and knew the health issues and needs of the family, Nadda said that there was a need to revive that concept again in the quest to move from sick-care to well-being.

Nadda also appreciated the various innovative initiatives undertaken by the Chhattisgarh government in the health sector and said it has provided a social security to the common masses. Chief Minister of the state, Raman Singh, was also present

during the occasion.

Earlier, Nadda distributed Computer Tablets to urban Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) at a function at Raipur.

Stating that the tablets will help the ANMs in more efficient delivery of services to the urban areas, particularly the urban

Union Health Minister J P Nadda

slums, Nadda said that these devices will be useful for real-time data collection and reporting on the various health services being provided under the NUHM. Observing that record keeping of the data from the field was a "weak link" in effective monitoring of progress of the schemes, the Minister said that the tablets will aid in efficient record keeping and better monitoring. -PTI

Arkansas health officials warn of chikungunya LITTLE ROCK, Ark.: A new mosquitoborne illness could begin spreading across Arkansas this spring, according to state health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention says the chikungunya virus reached the northern Mexico state of Sonora and is likely to spread to other re-

gions in Mexico, then to the continental United States, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Chikungunya causes fever and severe joint pain, often in the hands and feet. Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and a rash.

The virus originated in mosquito populations in Africa, southern Europe and Southeast Asia, and reached islands in the Caribbean in 2013, the CDC said.

Most cases in the United States were found in people who had traveled to other countries, although there were a small number of cases in the Florida Keys last year.

Arkansas had five cases of chikungunya in 2014, all from people who contracted the virus while traveling, said Susan Weinstein, public health veterinarian with the Arkansas Department of Health.

Cont'd on Page 35

Center to support Ayurvedic center in Kerala THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre has pledged financial support to set up a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic Clinical Research Centre in Kerala to help scientifically validate traditional systems of healing and medicine and integrate them with mainstream public healthcare delivery.

Union Minister for State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik gave the assurance while announcing the new National Program of Ayurveda Inspired Discovery and Research, initiated by the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) and the proposed National Ayurveda Expo 2015, to be held in April.

The RGCB is setting up a National Centre for Excellence for Ayurveda Inspired Discovery to lead research into efficacy mechanisms involved in Ayurvedic therapeutics.

At a function here, Naik said the Centre would fund the setting up of the clinical research facility at Konni in Pathanathitta district, as state Minister for Health and Family Welfare V S Sivakumar promised to provide 50 acres required for the project.

He also urged stakeholders in the AYUSH sector to intensify research and

awareness to promote the Indian system of medicines in foreign countries.

The knowledge of 5000-year-old Ayurveda can be utilized for the benefit of the society through proper research and studies in the sector, he said.

"We should promote and propagate the

Indian system of medicines and its benefits not only within the country but also abroad. AYUSH medicines are needed to be propagated globally. For that I urge AYUSH industry to promote research studies and come up with quality medicines," he said. -PTI

34 India Post

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January 16, 2015

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Optimistic people have healthier hearts WASHINGTON: Optimistic people have significantly better cardiovascular health than their pessimistic peers, a study of over 5,000 adults has found.

US researchers found that people who were the most optimistic were twice as likely to have ideal cardiovascular health with better blood sugar and total cholesterol levels.

"Individuals with the highest levels of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts," said lead author Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the University of Illinois.

"This association remains significant, even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health," Hernandez said.

Participants' cardiovascular health was assessed using seven

metrics: blood pressure, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and serum cholesterol levels, dietary intake, physical activity and tobacco use - the same metrics used by the American Heart Association to define heart health.

In accordance with AHA's heart-health criteria, the researchers allocated 0, 1 or 2 points - representing poor, intermediate and ideal scores, respectively - to participants on each of the seven health metrics, which were then summed to arrive at a total cardiovascular health score.

Participants' total health scores ranged from 0 to 14, with a higher total score indicative of better health.

The participants, who ranged in age from 45-84, also completed surveys that assessed their mental health, levels of optimism, and physical health, based upon selfreported extant medical diag-

noses of arthritis, liver and kidney disease.

Individuals' total health scores increased in tandem with their lev-

els of optimism. People who were the most optimistic were 50 and 76 per cent more likely to have total health scores in the interme-

diate or ideal ranges, respectively.

The association between optimism and cardiovascular health was even stronger when sociodemographic characteristics such as age, race and ethnicity, income and education status were factored in.

People who were the most optimistic were twice as likely to have ideal cardiovascular health, and 55 per cent more likely to have a total health score in the intermediate range, the researchers found.

Optimists had significantly better blood sugar and total cholesterol levels than their counterparts.

They also were more physically active, had healthier body mass indexes and were less likely to smoke.

A paper on the research appears in the journal Health Behavior and Policy Review.-PTI

Shark moms can store sperm for 4 years WASHINGTON: Scientists have documented the longestever case of sperm storage in sharks after a bamboo shark which spent nearly four years in isolation from males laid a viable egg which resulted in birth of a healthy pup.

Steinhart Aquarium biologists at the California Academy of Sciences found that a shark egg case dropped by an adult bamboo

shark showed signs of healthy development.

The scientists were surprised because the aquarium's female brownbanded bamboo sharks had spent 45 months in complete isolation from males.

When one viable egg resulted in the birth of a healthy pup, Academy scientists set out to examine this unprecedented example of sharks' long-suspected ability to

store sperm over long periods of time.

Their results, published in the Journal of Fish Biology, mark the longest documented case of sperm storage in any species of shark.

"Long-term sperm storage where a female can delay fertilization for months or even years after mating - is a remarkable adaptation that helps promote genetic

diversity," said Dr Luiz Rocha, Academy Curator of Ichthyology.

"In contrast, asexual reproduction produces offspring with very little genetic variation," Rocha said.

The Academy's scientific investigation began in 2010, when biologist Nancy Sinai transferred several brownish egg cases found in the aquarium's Shark Lagoon exhibit into a separate incubator

on public display, where two of the eggs showed signs of healthy embryonic development.

While one egg failed to develop, a healthy bamboo shark pup emerged from another in 2012 and scientists set out to investigate how this seemingly unlikely birth may have occurred in the absence of male sharks.

Two guesses were more likely: either a female adult shark reproduced asexually in a process called 'parthenogenesis' (as has been observed in four different shark species), or it had stored sperm from its last mating event several years before the fertilized egg appeared in the Lagoon.

Aquarium records showed that the Academy's three female bamboo sharks - each a possible mother to the new pup - had no contact with compatible males since their 2007 residence at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Southern California.

Scientists then removed tiny DNA-packed slivers from the fins of the pup and the three potential mothers during their annual physical exam.

The shark pup displayed comparable results with each female on a particular genetic test that looks at genetic variation within an individual.

If the mother had reproduced asexually through parthenogenesis, the offspring would have shown less genetic variation than that of its mother.

The pup also displayed ge-

netic material - in the form of 32 alleles, or parts of genes - absent from all three adult females.

Study authors concluded that the young shark most likely

inherited this 'mystery' genetic material from its father - an unknown male from the long-ago tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific. -PTI

Calif. apple packer behind listeria deaths WASHINGTON: The Food and Drug Administration says strains of listeria found on surfaces inside a California apple packing facility match listeria bacteria found in 32 people sick-

ened across the country, including at least three deaths.

The illnesses and deaths have been linked to the consumption of caramel apples. Health offi-

cials warned consumers in December to avoid all prepackaged caramel apples after the deaths and illnesses in 11 states were reported.

California-based Bidart Bros. has recalled all shipments o f Granny Smith a n d G a l a apples t h a t came from its Shafter, Californ i a , packing facility in 2014.

The company's president, Leonard Bidart, said in a release that the news is ``devastating'' to the Bidart family. -AP

January 16, 2015

Health Science Post

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More sun may mean fewer kids, grandkids LONDON: Increased UV radiation can have an effect on human fertility over generations, a new study has warned.

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) studied information from more than 9,000 people listed in the church records from 1750 to 1900 in Norway.

Gine Roll Skjaervo found that children born in years with lots of solar activity had a higher probability of dying compared to children who were born in years with less solar activity.

On average, the lifespan of children born in years that had a great deal of solar activity was 5.2 years shorter than other children. The largest difference was in the probability of dying during the first two years of life.

Children who were born in years with lots of sunshine and who survived were also more likely to have fewer children, who in turn gave birth to fewer children than

others.

This finding shows that increased UV radiation during years of high solar activity had an effect across generations.

Skjaervo used information on the num-

it," said Johnson, also postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences at Florida State University.

"Our findings suggest that the addition of a single food, blueberries, to the diet may mitigate the negative cardiovascular effects that often occur as a result of menopause," said Johnson.

Over an eight-week period, 48 postmenopausal women with pre- and stage-1 hypertension were randomly assigned to receive either 22 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder - the equivalent to one cup

cially in rural areas, the study said.

Women who worked in the fields were more exposed to the sun than other women.

In many cases they also had a poorer diet.

"There are probably many factors that come into play, but we have measured a long-term effect over generations. The conclusion of our study is that you should not sunbathe if you are pregnant and want to have a lot of grandchildren," said Skjaervo.

The study was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.-PTI

Arkansas health officials warn of chikungunya ber of sunspots as an indication of the amount of UV radiation in a given year. The number of sunspots reaches a maximum every 11 years on average, which results in more UV radiation on Earth during years with high sunspot and solar activity.

Daily cup of blueberries may reduce BP WASHINGTON: Just one cup of blueberries daily could be the key to reducing blood pressure and arterial stiffness, both of which are associated with cardiovascular disease, a new study claims.

"Our findings suggest that regular consumption of blueberries could potentially delay the progression of prehypertension to hypertension, therefore reducing cardiovascular disease risk," said Sarah A Johnson, assistant director of the Centre for Advancing Exercise and Nutrition Research on Ageing (CAENRA).

"Once women go through menopause, this puts them at an even greater risk for

UV radiation can have positive effects on human vitamin D levels, but it can also result in a reduction of vitamin B9 (folate).

It is known that low folate levels during pregnancy are linked to higher child mortality.

The NTNU study showed that families from the lowest socio-economic groups were most affected by UV radiation.

This is probably related to the time period researchers studied, which was a time of clear class distinctions in Norway, espe-

of fresh blueberries - or 22 grams of a placebo powder.

Participants, meanwhile, continued their normal diet and exercise routines.

At the beginning of the study, the team took participants' blood pressure and measured their arterial stiffness and select blood biomarkers.

At the end of the eight weeks, participants receiving the blueberry powder on average had a 5.1 per cent decrease in systolic blood pressure, which is the top number in the blood pressure reading that measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.

They also saw a 6.3 per cent reduction in diastolic blood pressure, or the bottom number measuring the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

Additionally, participants in the blueberry-treated group had an average reduction of 6.5 per cent in arterial stiffness.

They also found that nitric oxide, a blood biomarker known to be involved in the widening of blood vessels, increased by 68.5 per cent.

That is important, Johnson said, because arterial stiffness and the narrowing of blood vessels are both a part of hypertension.

This rise in nitric oxide helps explain the reductions in blood pressure.

Previous studies on blueberries have shown positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, but they all included large amounts of blueberry powder consumption, anywhere from 50 grams to 250 grams. -PTI

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``It will be unlikely that it wouldn't move (into) Arkansas,'' Weinstein said. ``Just a little over a year ago, there have been over a million cases in the Caribbean. That is an incredibly fast spread of a disease.''

Adults older than 65, young children and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease are at risk for more severe illnesses, according to the CDC. The virus is different than the mos-

quito-borne West Nile virus in many ways, Weinstein said, chief among them that those with West Nile virus don't show symptoms. ``Anywhere from 75 to 90 percent of people who get chikungunya are very aware. They get sick,'' Weinstein said.

West Nile virus spread quickly across the country because mosquitoes that carry it live everywhere in the U.S., CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund said. Mosquitoes that carry chikungunya, however, survive only in the southern region of the country, Nordlund said. -AP

Tech News Corporate heads discuss Vedic wisdom PALGHAR: Industrialists and corporate leaders from across the country and abroad have converged at Govardhan Eco Village in Wada Taluka of Palghar district, near Mumbai, to learn and understand the insights offered by Indian Vedic philosophy for businesses.

In a unique mix of talks and panel discussions, leaders form various corporate houses converged to discuss issues like Vedic wisdom, art of giving, spirituality and governance, as applied to current business practices, according to a press release issued here.

'The Confluence', organized by ISKCON and Artha Forum, highlighted the role of Vedic wisdom in the modern and contemporary business environment and practices.

Artha Forum is a not-for-profit venture supported by Basil Growth Corporation that connects entrepreneurs, professionals and business leaders and bring to them the relevance of ancient wisdom and literature in modern business. -PTI

Asia's richest tycoon announces business overhaul HONG KONG: Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, who has been Asia's richest person for nearly two decades, has announced a reorganization of his sprawling ports-to-mobile phone conglomerate into two new listed companies.

Li and members of his family control Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong and its affiliate Hutchison Whampoa. Through a series of stock transactions, the conglomerate will be re-birthed as a company overseeing all of its real estate assets and a second company for non-property businesses.

The 86-year-old Li said in a statement that the reorganization was a "watershed" moment which will result in better returns for shareholders.

Investors dislike the existing corporate structure because it lumps together diverse businesses, making them hard to value.

The announcement also foreshadows a change in leadership, with Li expected to eventually hand the reins to his eldest son Victor.

Li has a fortune of USD 33.5 billion, according to Forbes.

He is nicknamed Superman in Hong Kong for his money making abilities. His businesses operate in more than 50 countries and employ 270,000 people. -AP

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Oil and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb at the Indo-Australian Summit in New Delhi on January 12

Perks in India Inc get fancy; top talents get iPhones, Mercs NEW DELHI: When it comes to rewarding top-performing employees, many large corporates are giving out expensive gifts such as latest iPhones, Mercs, flats and jewellery - a trend started by a little-known diamond firm in Gujarat a few months back.

Last Diwali, Surat-based Hari Krishna Exports created a flutter by announcing expensive gifts like cars, flats and jewellery worth Rs 50 crore for its nearly 1,200 employees.

Each employee who passed a 'loyalty test', were given a Diwali gift worth at least Rs 4 lakh and were given an option to choose one gift - from a Fiat Punto car, part-payment for a 2-bedroom flat or gold and diamond jewellery.

Joining this club, companies like Infosys and HCL Tech are now giving out expensive gifts to their respective top-performing employees.

Human resource experts believe that companies are thinking out of the box, when it comes to retaining top talent and are ready to dole out attractive perks in ad-

dition to hefty pay package and attractive annual bonus.

HCL Technologies has rewarded 130 of its top performing employees with a Mercedes or an

projects and hiring needs are increasing for every company across the industries so companies are looking at motivating their top performers and are ready to

all-expenses-paid holiday abroad as a token of appreciation, while Infosys gifted iPhone 6S to 3,000 of its top performers.

"There are enough opportunities in the market in terms of new

compensate them in terms of 'kind' which excites these performers," Sunil Goel, MD GlobalHunt, a leading executive search firm said.

According to HR experts, star performers as always would con-

tinue to be differentiated and companies would go the extra mile to retain them. While compensation is one of the factors for retention, smart companies offer accelerated career opportunities for such people.

Hari Krishna Exports had selected 1,268 employees for the reward from its total workforce of about 6,000, for their exceptional work, devotion and loyalty towards the company.

"These are certainly good initiatives to keep the morale up in the company in the short term and adds to the feel good factor and sends a positive message that the company cares for its people," global executive search firm EMA Partners International Regional Managing Partner-Asia K Sudarshan said.

Sudarshan further said that "in the longer term, to manage attrition and retain good people the company has to create sustained career growth opportunities for its people and needless to say, compensation has to keep pace with the rest of the industry".-PTI

Adani Group, Woodside sign pact on LNG AHMEDABAD: Business conglomerate Adani Group has signed an agreement with Australian energy major Woodside for sourcing of LNG as well as cooperation in oil and gas exploration and production.

"Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), the flagship company of Adani Group, a global infrastructure conglomerate, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australian energy major Woodside Energy for cooperation for exploring business opportunities across a broad spectrum in oil and gas sector in India, as part of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative," the company said in a statement here.

The MoU was signed by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani Woodside Energy CEO

Peter Coleman.

"The two companies will jointly

explore opportunities in sourcing of liquefied natural gas (LNG), sup-

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi with industrialist Gautam Adani and a foreign delegate at the Mahatma Mandir premises during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 10

ply and purchase arrangements for India, LNG marketing, investment in upstream activities such as oil and gas exploration, production and liquefaction plants, knowledge sharing, training, joint technology studies, technology workshops and connecting local R&D institutions and universities with each other," it said.

"This cooperation arrangement is a landmark and the firstof-its-kind between two large organizations of India and Australia sharing common aspirations and vision. This MoU will go a long way in bringing new perspective to addressing the energy issues, enhancing energy trade and further strengthen warm relationships shared by the two countries," said Adani.

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I&B plans outreach through 'Whatsapp', talkathons NEW DELHI: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on disseminating information through new media, Indian Information and Broadcasting Ministry is planning to use 'WhatsApp' and also integrate other social media platforms to hold 'talkathons'.

While the ministry has been widely using Twitter, Facebook and Youtube to publicize important events, it has yet not utilized the potential of WhatsApp, a senior official said.

"One of the reasons that we have not used WhatApp much is because there is a limit to the number of members that can be added to a group. And to manage multiple groups, a customized software solution is needed. But we are now considering possibilities as to how this medium can be used to reach the people," a ministry official told PTI. The official added that the ministry is also planning to use more

widely interactions that it calls 'talkathons', which were first held at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014.

"By integrating different social

media platforms, the ministry is planning to hold talkathons. At IFFI, interactions were held where a panel deliberated live on Youtube questions which were fired by the audience in real time on Twitter," the official said.

The 'talkathons' at IFFI were received by film lovers with much enthusiasm and the I&B ministry now has plans for more such interactions in the future, the official added.

The I&B ministry has a wing that specializes in utilizing the new media for the spread of information.

The ministry and its associated bodies have over 16 lakh followers on Twitter, nearly 90,000 YouTube subscribers and a substantial following on Facebook.

It has managed to carry out a vigorous online coverage of important events live, including PM's address at Madison Square Gar-

Ford to introduce new infotainment system LAS VEGAS: US auto major Ford plans to introduce in India its latest version of communications and entertainment system, SYNC 3, in its vehicles by next year.

Ford showcased its SYNC 3 technology at the International CES here. SYNC 3 will be available

will come to Indian markets by 2016-17," Ford Product Development Engineer (App Link) Stefan Bankowski told PTI. The "next generation voice activated technology" in cars, as Ford calls it, would be available for Android and iPhone users.

in vehicles in US this year.

According to the company, its latest infotainment system SYNC3 would be faster, more intuitive and easier to use than the existing SYNC AppLink present in Ford cars.

"We are currently rolling out SYNC 3 updated version in North America. My guess would be it

Bankowski said that the app connects to some smartphone apps through voice commands and apps like 'Map My India', AccuWeather', Cric Info' would now also be available.

"The customer can just give a voice command or use the touch screen of the infotainment system to select the app," Bankowski

said.

The new design and easy-toread graphics is the key innovation for updated SYNC 3 technology.

Through the app, the customers can stream Internet radio, listen to tweets, and more without fumbling through phone menus.

"SYNC 3 is another step forward in delivering connectivity features customers most want and they tell us this kind of technology is an important part of their decision to buy vehicles," Ford Group VP (Global Product Development) Raj Nair said.

The SYNC app, which is already in use in over 10 million vehicles on the road, connects customers to some of their favorite smartphone applications through voice commands.

In India, the SYNC feature is available on Ford Ecosport while the SYNC with AppLink is a feature on Fiesta 2014 model.

The company plans to introduce SYNC with AppLink on Ecosport this year in India. -PTI

den, IFFI opening and closing ceremonies, launch of flagship programs and 'Good Governance Day' celebrations, officials said.

The new media wing spread

awareness online about the activities on Swami Vivekananda's birthday on January 12, which was celebrated as the National Youth Day.-PTI

Govt unblocks 32 websites as they promise to cooperate NEW DELHI: Government has ordered unblocking of all the 32 websites that were being used by terrorists after these sites promised to cooperate with the authorities and removed 'jehadi' content.

"Order has been issued to unblock all 32 websites that were blocked following complaint of Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad that ISIS is disseminating content through them. All websites has responded that they will work with government and removed jehadi content," a source told PTI. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team Director General Gulshan Rai confirmed the development.

The websites were blocked in November following an order from Mumbai Court, which was approached by Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) with a plea to block some websites carrying anti-India content.

During its probe into certain terror cases, the ATS had received information that some websites were carrying anti- national content, said an official.

The websites included dailymotion.com, weebly.com, github.com, pastebin.com, archive.org, heypasteit.com, ipaste.eu, thesnippetapp.com, vimeo.com among others They purportedly containing material about Areeb Majid, an al-

leged ISIS member who was arrested by NIA, and three others hailing from North Karnataka's Bhatkal area.

Sources said some of the websites were being used to induce Indian youth to join ISIS and for spreading news about purported death of certain persons while fighting Allied Forces in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ban was lifted on some of the websites in December and rest of have been ordered to be unblock now, the source said. -PTI

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Mobile payment firm LoopPay to enter India LAS VEGAS: US based tech firm LoopPay is planning to enter the Indian market this year with its patented technology that facilitates payment by just placing mo-

bile phones beside a normal card reader at retail stores.

The company, founded in 2012 by payment industry experts, has developed a magnetic transmission based technology in the form of a mobile cover and card. Credit or debit card details can be loaded in LoopPay's mobile phone applications.

"We are looking at expanding

our presence in late 2015 including India. We believe India, China and Japan would have appetite for this technology," LoopPay CMO Gregory Mann told PTI at Con-

sumer Electronics Show.

"A user can select the card on mobile phone application from which he wants to pay and touch the cover on any normal card swipe machine to pay and transaction will happen. There is no need for retailers to install any additional device like card readers or anything else to accept payment from mobile phone," Mann said.

The Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology of LoopPay generates changing magnetic fields over a very short period of time. This is accomplished by putting alternating current through an inductive loop, which can then be received by the magnetic read head of the credit card reader.

The signal received from Loop emulates the same magnetic field change as a mag stripe card when swiped across the same read head. Loop works within a 3-inch distance from the read head. The field dissipates rapidly beyond that point, and only exists during a transmission initiated by the user.

Mann said the app is password protected so that in eventuality of the phone being stolen, Loop app can't be used.

Prevalent mobile payment systems use technology like Near Field Communication (NFC) and others require installation at the vendor side as well to sense payment data.

LoopPay currently offers the

United Kingdom launches Great Collaborations with India AHMEDABAD: Drawing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' call, the United Kingdom has announced a campaign to forge collaborations with Indian companies.

The program called 'Great Collaborations' will seek greater cooperation between the companies based in India and the UK on a range of sectors, an official statement of the British High Commission said here.

"In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to the world to make in India, the UK is launching a campaign to celebrate and inspire Great Collaborations between the UK and India," it said.

The campaign will over the time showcase and promote areas of collaboration that benefit both counties across a range of sectors such as energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financial service and infrastructure, it said.

"The first showcase of 'Great Collaboration' is the partnership between UK's BP plc (BP Petroleum Company) and India's Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) in developing and producing energy," added the statement.

Following an initial investment

by BP of over seven billion dollar in 2011, BP and RIL plan to invest over 1.5 billion dollar in deep-water exploration and production by 2016 with approximately 50 per cent spent to date, it said.

Subject to regulatory decisions, RIL and BP are keen to progress

additional investments of around 10 billion dollar to produce three to four trillion cubic feet of gas from new fields in their K6 D6 deepwater block, the statement said.

The UK Embassy has also quoted British and Indian Prime Ministers appreciating the financial ties between the countries.

"I am proud of the depth and breadth of the UK's links with In-

dia. British companies such as Standard Chartered, GSK, Hindustan Unilever, BP and Vodafone have been making in India for decades. And companies such as Tata, Mahindra and CIPLA are operating in the UK and India for decades, benefiting both of our countries," British Prime Minister David Cameron was quoted as saying in the statement.

"Through this campaign we want to inspire and showcase more such great collaborations across all the sectors we work together on. It underlines our support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign and celebrate India and Britain making great things together," Cameron added.

"I am pleased that British industry, supported by its government, is responding enthusiastically to our call for 'Make in India'," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the release.-PTI

device charge case for USD 59.95 and for iPhones only. The LoopPay Card costs USD 49.95.

With increasing number of mobile phone subscribers in India,

replace their physical wallets.

"Our technology will enable existing point of sale infrastructure to accept contactless payments through mobile devices at major-

The signal received from Loop emulates the same magnetic field change as a mag stripe card when swiped across the same read head. Loop works within a 3-inch distance from the read head. The field dissipates rapidly beyond that point, and only exists during a transmission initiated by the user.

LoopPay hopes that there would be takers for secure solutions to

ity of retail merchants," Mann said. -PTI

Vedanta explores merging Cairn, Hindustan Zinc JAIPUR: Mining baron Anil shareholders...How value can be Agarwal is mulling merging cash- created, how smooth. We are open cows Cairn India and Hindustan for merger if the recommendation Zinc into his flagship Vedanta comes," he said.

Group firm to create a global natuSesa Sterlite, India's biggest ral resources giant to rival Rio zinc and aluminum maker, is laden Tinto or BHP Billiton. with debt, Rs 29,769 crore as on In an interview to PTI, Agarwal, March 31, 2014 while Cairn and the ebullient former scrap-metal Hindustan Zinc (HZL) are its cash dealer who begenerating unit. came one of Sesa holds conIndia's most trolling stake in prominent selfboth the firms. made industrialCairn and HZL acists, said consultcount for about 80 ants have been per cent of Sesa's appointed to expre-tax earnings. plore if it would Insisting that no make sense to decision has been merge the two taken on merger, firms into Sesa Agarwal said Anil Agarwal Sterlite.

Vedanta chief ex"We have asked a consultant ecutive Tom Albanese, the former to look at it," he said.

Rio Tinto boss who he hired last The consultant will look at if it year, is on board and whatever recmade sense to "keep oil and gas ommendations come, decision will and energy companies separate or depend on that. merge Hindustan Zinc, merge While his firm's share buyback Cairn, so that we can have a com- in Cairn met with poor response, pany like BHP. That can be one merger of HZL will depend on a model. It all depends on similar proposal.-PTI

Adani Group, Woodside sign pact on LNG Cont’d from page 36

Coleman said, "We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Adani to further cooperation between our companies and countries. While the breadth of commercial interest between Australia and India is proven, it is up to industry to ensure that the

true potential of this relationship is realized."

Woodside Energy is Australia's largest independent oil and gas company. It has an extensive portfolio of oil, gas and LNG facilities, including the landmark Australian LNG project - the North West Shelf -one of the world's premier liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. -PTI

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40 India Post

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R

ajgir, just 15 kms from Nalanda, boasts of a complex of temples and monasteries. It is one of the most important tour ist places in India. Being located in a valley, Rajgir is a very scenic place. The small hill town is covered with lush green forest which adds to the beauty of the place.

Rajgir was the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad (State) when Patliputra was not formed. In those days it was called Rajgrih. Rajgir or Rajgrih means the home of Royalty. This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir but also delivered sermons here and proselytized emperor Bimbisar at the Griddhakoota hill.

The Jivekarmavan monastery was the favorite residence of Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physician Jivak treated Buddha after he was injured by his cousin Devdatta. The teachings of Buddha were penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council.

Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage centers for Buddhists.

Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples. Not only as a place for worship,

January 16, 2015 Rajgir has come up as a health and winter resort with its warm water ponds. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway which takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hills.

What to See Jarasandh ka Akhara: This is the Ranbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.

Jivakameavan Gardens: Seat of the Royal Physician's dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have a wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara.

Ajatshatru Fort: Built by Ajatshatru (6th century B.C.), the king of Magadha during the Buddha's time. The 6.5 sq.meter Ajatshatru's Stupa is also believed to have been built by him.

Cyclopean Wall: Once 40 km long, this wall encircled ancient Rajgir. Built of massive undressed stone carefully fitted together, the wall is one of the few important Pre-Maurayan stone structures ever to have been found. Traces of the wall still subsist, particularly at the exit of Rajgir to Gaya.

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Russian tourists turning Goa to offer hot air balloons, away from Goa amphibious vessels PANAJI: Goa seems to be losing the preferred tourism destination among Russians as nearly 40,000 tourists have cancelled their bookings for the state this season, as per industry statistics.

"I have understood that there are at least 40,000 Russians who have diverted their holidays away from Goa during this season. And the downfall is likely to continue in the next season too," Vikram Varma, legal adviser to Russian Consulate told PTI. The current tourism season would end at 35 per cent low compared to the last year creating a crisis in this sector, industry players have claimed.

Destinations like Portugal and

several factors within the state that can be corrected are responsible for the tourism graph to go down.

"The widespread negative publicity in the Russian social media about conduct of taxi drivers towards Russians in Goa is a critical factor in the cancellation of bookings and their choice for alternative destinations like Spain and Portugal," he said.

Both the countries have offered better prices and a safe environment to Russian tourists, Varma said.

"The image of Goa as a safe and competitive tourist destination has suffered a considerable setback and it would need a substantial amount of thinking by all of us to

Spain are becoming more attractive, affordable and safer for Russian tourists, Varma said.

"The volatile state of the Rouble is one factor resulting in reduced tourism from Russia. But I am informed that still a large number of Russians have traveled overseas for their holidays," he said.

The law official maintained that

put the industry back on track.

This thinking clearly needs to be out-of-the-box," said Varma who has been helping out Russian tourists in distress in the state.

State Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and Tourism Director Amey Abhyankar were not available for comments on the trend. PTI

Tibet got record 15 million tourists in 2014 BEIJING: Tibet reported a tourism boom in 2014 as the plateau region attracted more than 15 million visitors in 2014, up more than 20 per cent.

The regional capital Lhasa alone saw more than 9.25 million tourists and netting tourism revenue of 11.2 billion yuan (USD 1.79 billion), the regional tourism bureau said in a report.

Aided by transport infrastructure, including roads, rail and air connectivity, Tibet has been experiencing huge tourist arrivals mainly Chinese tourists.

Tourism is a pillar industry in Tibet, with tourism revenue accounting for over 20 per cent of the region's gross domestic

product (GDP).

The June-September period is high season for Tibet.

Traditional Tibetan festivities, such as the Horse-racing Festival and the Shoton Festival, the highlight of which is the "sunning of the Buddha" ceremony in the 600-year-old Drepung Monastery, have proved to be major attractions.

Lhasa saw 1.4 million tourists during the week-long Shoton Festival in June, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

With winter looming, the region slashes the price of entrance tickets to major attractions by 50 per cent to boost arrivals. -PTI

MUMBAI: To provide tourists an opportunity to explore the rich geography of the state, the Tourism Department of Goa will launch hot air balloons and amphibious vessels for them this summer.

"Both adventure services will focus on highlighting Goa's hinterlands and will give tourists an opportunity to explore the rich geography of Goa via the sky and the waterways," Goa Tourism Development Corporation Chairman (GTDC) Nilesh Cabral said in a release issued here.

Two agencies have been selected for running these high- end tourism services to come up in April that aims for a dedicated, safe and thrilling experience for tour-

ists, he added.

Camping Retreats, a Delhibased agency, has been selected to provide the Hot Air Ballooning

service, while US-based consortium with D'Souza Leisure of Goa will run the Amphibious vehicles service.

Buoyed by the success of white water rafting and women taxi services in 2014, GTDC has decided to expand tourism experience and launch these new ventures as part of the larger plan, he said.

As many as six amphibious vehicles, which can operate both on land and water will be introduced utilizing Goa's wide networking of ferry ramps.

The venture will further facilitate 'Hop On Hop Off' tours along with Goa's inland waterways and chain of jetties and ferry ramps, bird watching tours and eco-tourism tours. -PTI

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Rajgir, Bihar

Buddha's residence as well as a health resort

Cont’d from page 40

Ropeway at Rajgir Shanti Stupa: The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is located on a 400 meter high hill. The stupa is built in marble and on the four corners of the stupa are four glimmering statues of Buddha. To reach the top of this hill one has to come through the "Ropeways".

This place is also called the GriddhKoot.

Venu Vana: Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king's

first offering to Lord Buddha.

Karanda Tank: It is the tank in which Buddha used to bathe.

Sonbhandar Caves: Two rather strange cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock. One of the chambers is believed to have been the guard room. The rear wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock; the doorway is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara's treasury.

Inscriptions in the Sankhlipi or shell script, etched into wall and so far undeciphered, are believed to give the clue to open the doorway. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact.

Bimbisar jail: His impatient son and heir, Ajatashatru, imprisoned King Bimbisara here. The captive king chose this site for his incarceration, for, from this spot he could see Lord Buddha climbing up to his mountain retreat atop the Griddhakuta hill. There is a clear view of the Japanese Pagoda. The stupa of peace was built on the top of the hill.

Veerayatan: A Jain Temple and Museum Jain Temple: On hill crests around Rajgir, far in the distances one can see about 26 Jain temples.

They are difficult to approach for the untrained, but make exciting trekking for those in form.

Chariot Route Marks: The Chariot Route and hell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut deep into rock for about thirty feet giving credence to the local belief that they were k

Pippala Cave

Tan da n a r Ka

S

an onbh

dar

Cav

es

"burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata times. There are several shell inscriptions, the undeciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to 5th centuries AD, and engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.

Hot Springs: At the foot of Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara, the seven streams, be-

lieved to find their source behind the "Saptarni Caves", up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a tempera-

ture of 45 degrees Centigrade.

Pippala Cave: Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to have been used as a watch tower. Since it later became the resort of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and popularly known as "Jarasandh ki Baithak" after the name of the King Jarasandh, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharata Sonbhandar Caves Swarn Bhandar: It is said that it was King Jarashandh's store of gold. The legend is that there is a lot of gold in this cave and a script written on a stone is the code to unlock the door of this Swarn Bhandar.

Gridhakuta: This was the place where Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law and for three months preached many inspiring sermons to his

Gridhakuta

disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan has constructed a massive modern Stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chair lift. One way ride takes 7.5 minutes and the view is splendid over the hills of Rajgir.

Best Season: October to March.

How to Reach Air: The nearest airport is at Patna 101 kms away. Indian Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.

Rail: Though Rajgir itself has a railway station yet the nearest convenient railhead is at Gaya, 78 kms.

Road: Rajgir is connected by road to Patna - 110 kms, Nalanda - 12 kms, Gaya - 78 kms, Pawapuri - 38 kms, Bihar Sharif - 25 kms etc. Regular buses are available from all the above said points to Rajgir.

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J&K Tourism expects to bounce back in 2015 CHENNAI: Hoping to bounce back from the devastating floods which hit last year, the tourism board of Jammu and Kashmir expects about 15 lakh tourists this year, a government official said.

"In 2013 the number of tourists visiting the state was 13 lakh. But in 2014, it dipped to 12 lakh. This year we are expecting 15 lakh tourists...", Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Tourism Kashmir, Direc-

tor, Talat Parvez told reporters here.

"Of course, due to the floods, there has been a dip in the number of tourists who visited us, he said.

Asked about the development in those areas which were affected by the floods, Parvez said some of

the tourist places like near the Jhelum River were hit but things were now normal.

Some of the roads that was cut off due to the floods have been repaired and connected with the towns, Parvez said.

On the initiatives taken by the tourist department this year, he said the state Government has decided to open 20 new sites and 50 villages for tourists which were

not opened earlier.

Besides, doing away with the permit system for foreign nationals visiting Jammu and Kashmir by the Ministry of Home Affairs is also expected to bring in more tourists from overseas places, he

said.

The number of foreign nationals visiting Jammu and Kashmir last year stood at 47,000 which he expects will touch over 50,000 in 2015. People from South East Asia constituted the largest number tourists who visited Jammu and Kashmir followed by Europeans and those from Middle East, he said.

On the domestic segment, he said people from Maharashtra and Gujarat topped the charts in visiting Jammu and Kashmir followed by Southern States like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Targeting the business communities, Parvez said the Government plans to add more number of rooms for corporates who have been visiting Ladakh region in large numbers. "In 2014, the number of people who visited Ladakh was 1.78 lakh", he said.

To a query, he said the state government plans to increase the number of rooms for tourists to 40,000 in the next two years all over Jammu and Kashmir from the present 25,000 rooms.

Besides, home stays or paying guest accommodation offered in some areas would also be increased to 20,000 rooms from the current 12,000, he said.-PTI

New tech for Golconda's light-sound show HYDERABAD: The sound and light show at the historic Golconda fort here is proposed to be shut down for a month or so shortly to facilitate installation of modern gadgets and infuse fresh life into the attraction, Telangana tourism department officials said.

The sound and light systems were installed two decades ago and have not been updated to keep pace with the times.

Adverse criticism has, however, now prompted the department to go for a revamp.

While the script and storyline of the show, which has the voiceover of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, would remain the same, what would change are the virtually outdated systems that are of late seen by some as a drag.

"We have approved Rs 50 lakh for renovation. For the size of the show, we plan to spend Rs four to Rs five crore," a department official told PTI while noting that the show is twenty-year-old.

"We were doing it in bit and pieces (to improve the show in terms of sound and lighting systems). But that's not solving the

problem. Now the (tourist) season is going on.

Once the season gets over by January-February, we will have to close it down for a month or so, and then do it (revamping the sound and light systems)," he said.

"Control systems (light and sound) have to change. We will install modern gadgets," the offi-

cial said.

The glorious past of Golconda fort is narrated in the show, but some say that the present sound and light effects are a "let-down", he added.

Department officials also said that things were looking up on the

tourism front in Telangana, where monthly turnover of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) is touching Rs 10 crore on an average now, compared with less than Rs six crore from the same units which were earlier under the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

TSTDC, in fact, is planning to spend Rs 20 crore over the next six months to renovate some of its properties.

While the historical city of Hyderabad is Telangana tourism's "unique selling proposition", efforts are on to aggressively promote attractions in other parts of the new state which came into being on June 2 last year, particularly those in Warangal, Adilabad and Nizamabad districts.

The Telangana government has already expressed its desire to develop Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple on Yadagirigutta in Nalgonda district on the lines of famous Tirumala-Tirupati and plans are afoot for a massive development of that area. -PTI

Interpretation centers to come up at 25 monuments NEW DELHI: Moving forward in its mission to bring heritage closer to tourists under the Adarsh Smarak initiative, the Centre has decided to set up interpretation centers at 25 of the most-visited monuments in the country.

The concept, on the lines of facilities available at monuments in other parts of the world, envisages on-site enclosures for visitors to get an insight into various aspects of the monument through an audio-visual medium.

"There would be chambers with seating arrangement for anywhere between 25 to 40 visitors. The significance of respective heritage structure would be showcased in it," Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told PTI. Noting that the potential of Indian monuments is yet to be completely explored by tourists, he said visitors at such centers will get to know about the importance of the heritage monuments through the facility.

"Such chamber facilities are available in several monuments in different parts of the world," Sharma said.

The Ministry of Culture has already identified 25 Model Monuments including Taj Mahal in Agra,

Elephanta Caves in Mumbai and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi for developing them as model monuments under the Adarsh Smarak (Model Monuments) initiative.

These monuments would also be provided necessary tourist facilities including Wi-Fi, security, signages and encroachment-free

Tourism Mahesh Sharma

area, as part of the initiative.

It may also be recalled that the Archaeological Survey of India had recently launched e-ticketing facility for Taj Mahal and Humayun's Tomb, which attracts large number of visitors. -PTI

Hema Malini banks on tourism for Mathura MATHURA: BJP MP Hema Malini has said that boosting tourism will not only create employment opportunities but lead to an all-round development of Mathura.

"Tourism would not only pave

Hema Malini

the way for employment but will completely change the scenario," she told reporters here.

With the help of state as well as the Centre, infrastructure will be developed, she said adding that a festival would be organized in Mathura, Vrindavan and Goverdhan to boost tourism.

The actor-turned-politician said there is a need to focus on waste material management and planned development of Brijbhumi.

"For waste material management, plants at Mathura and Vrindavan would be set up. The gas would be used for cooking while fertilizer would be used by the farmers. It would also pave the way for clean Mathura and Vrindavan," she said.

She also has a plan for setting up a place which gives a glimpse of the life of Lord Krishna.

The BJP MP aims to develop Mathura and Vrindavan on the lines Tirupati and Shirdi.

The architect of Shirdi has been invited to give suggestions in the form of a plan, she said.

She also pitched for better medical facilities and training centers for Indian classical dances such as Odissi, Bharatnatyam and Kathak. -PTI

In Brief 46,200 California immigrants apply for driver's license SACRAMENTO, CA: California officials say 46,200 immigrants started applying for a driver's license in the first three days that the state began issuing licenses to immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said that 970 licenses were issued to immigrants who weren't required to take a road test because they previously had a license in California or another state.

Most applicants are given permits after passing a required written test and must return for a road test before getting a license.

The DMV says 54 percent of all new driver's license applicants who took the written test in English passed it, while 36 percent passed it in Spanish.

California expects 1.4 million people to apply for the licenses in the next three years. -AP

„ 1 killed in crash involving vehicle carrying immigrants TUCSON, Ariz.: A car driven by suspected human smugglers in southern Arizona collided headon with another vehicle, killing a woman and injuring five other people, authorities said.

The crash occurred on the San Xavier Indian Reservation southeast of Tucson, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.

The incident began when Border Patrol agents driving southbound saw a suspicious northbound vehicle and slowed to turn around.

The Sheriff's Department said the agents didn't activate their vehicle's flashing lights or start a pursuit, but the northbound vehicle sped off. A spokesman for the Border Patrol said the vehicle the agents were driving was unmarked.

The northbound vehicle was being driven by William Huebbe, 30, and was carrying Robert Butcher, 25, along with two suspected immigrants. Authorities say Huebbe and Butcher are suspected of smuggling the immigrants.

The agents lost sight of the car but later came across it after it had collided with a southbound vehicle.

Huebbe and Butcher fled into the desert but were apprehended quickly.

Authorities identified the woman who was killed as Gracie Baldwin, 80. She was the passenger in the southbound car driven by a 55-yearold woman who suffered non-lifethreatening injuries. -AP

Immigration

Texas lawsuit against Obama may meet Arpaio's fate

44 India Post

www.indiapost.com

January 16, 2015

Details on page 46

House GOP takes broad aim at Obama immigration policies WASHINGTON: House Republicans announced plans to take broad aim at President Barack Obama's immigration policies and eliminate protections for immigrants brought illegally to this country as kids.

The legislation satisfies demands from the most conservative lawmakers and goes further than the approach initially discussed by some House Republicans. That approach would have targeted only the executive actions Obama announced in November that provided deportation protections for millions of immigrants in the country illegally.

Conservatives in the GOP caucus pressed leadership to go further and also shut down a 2012 program that has granted work permits to more than 600,000 immigrants brought here illegally as kids. Ending the program would eventually expose those young people to deportation. Other changes would undo Obama directives to immigration agents aimed at limiting deportations of people with no significant criminal record. ``The American people were

expecting the leadership to step up to the plate and not just make some symbolic gesture in trying to address what the president did back in November, but try to go a step further,'' said Rep. Robert

colleagues.''

But the outcome won't have the support of a handful of moderates in the caucus, including lawmakers representing heavily Latino districts.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, departs a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, with House Republicans on thwarting President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration by blocking the funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Aderholt, R-Ala. ``That's what our language does and that's what at the end of the day I think will garner a lot of support among our

``We've got to deal with immigration, immigration as a whole.

Reforming our system across the nation,'' said Rep. Jeff Denham,

R-Calif. ``Just picking on the children that came here through no fault of the own I think is the wrong way to start.''

The vote will come on a $39.7 billion spending bill to keep the Homeland Security Department running past February. Lawmakers said the goal is to keep the agency running on full funding an especially critical goal in the wake of the Paris terror attacks while at the same time blocking Obama's administrative moves on immigration.

Obama's directives in November gave temporary relief from deportation to about 4 million immigrants in the country illegally, mostly those who'd been in the country at least five years and have kids who are citizens or legal permanent residents.

The earlier program, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, applied to certain immigrants brought here illegally as kids, known as ``Dreamers'' by their supporters.

The immigration fight is coming to a head as Congress wraps up its first week of work for the year after convening under full

PIO card holders turn OCI card holders NEW DELHI: All Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card-holders are deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card-holders with the government issuing a notification in this regard.

"The PIO card notification has been withdrawn with immediate effect and further it has been notified that all existing PIO card-holders will be deemed to be OCI card-holders. Now only one OCI card with enhanced benefits is in existence," a Home Ministry statement said.

The government had promulgated an ordinance that seeks to merge PIO and OCI schemes, by which PIOs will also get lifelong Indian visa.

The amendments through the ordinance to the Citizenship Act ensured that PIOs will get ben-

efits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station on every visit.

The move came as per the promised made by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi in the US and Australia that the PIO and OCI cards will be merged and the Indian Diaspora will be given maxi-

mum possible benefits.

There used to exist simultaneously the PIO and OCI cards, leading to a lot of confusion prevailing among the PIOs residing abroad. The notification is going to fulfill a longcherished demand of Ind i a n Diaspora abroad.

The decision to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 was taken after a large number of complaints were received from PIOs who often complained of visits to local police stations and

stringent visa norms that debarred them from buying property in India, in comparison to those holding OCI card.

It will also do away with the clause of foreigners who marry Indians to continuously stay in the country for a period of one year before they get an Indian citizenship. The amendment will give foreigners a relief of 30 days in a year when they can travel outside the country. The Citizenship Amendment Bill of 1955 was first introduced by the UPA government in 2013.

The decision came in the midst of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which came to an end in Gandhinagar. Prime Minister Modi and top Union Ministers attended the three-day event. PTI

Immigration Post

January 16, 2015

India Post 45

www.indiapost.com

Arizona to appeal rejection of smuggling law PHOENIX: Arizona plans to appeal a court ruling that bars authorities from enforcing the state's 2005 immigrant smuggling law once a powerful tool for local authorities to confront illegal immigration.

The state's lawyers informed U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton of their plans to appeal her November decision, which concluded that the state law is trumped by federal statutes.

Bolton struck it down as part of the Obama administration's challenge of the state's landmark 2010 immigration enforcement law, which made a minor change to the 2005 smuggling statute. The dispute over the smuggling law is all that remains of the federal government's challenge of the 2010 law known as Senate Bill 1070.

The filing by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich's office signals that the state won't back

off former Gov. Jan Brewer's aggressive defense of SB 1070.

Kristen Keogh, a spokeswoman for Brnovich, said in a statement that Brnovich and his team ``are reviewing the litigation file and determining what the best

with federal law. It is among a string of Arizona immigration statutes that have been thrown out by the courts.

Lawmakers passed the smuggling law in response to voter frustration over the state's position as the nation's then-busiest immigrant smuggling hub. It marked Arizona's second major immigration law and was followed by the sweeping 2010 legislation.

The smuggling law had been used frequently in Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's trademark immigration efforts and inspired the sheriff to establish a squad devoted to cracking down on immigrant smuggling.

Another federal judge ruled in May 2013 Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich that Arpaio's office had long-term course of action is as systematically racially profiled we move forward.''

Latinos in regular traffic and immiThe state's attorneys contend gration patrols. The sheriff vigorthe smuggling law doesn't conflict ously denies profiling suspects. -AP

Seoul to deport American over N. Korea comments SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea plans to deport a KoreanAmerican woman accused of praising rival North Korea in a recent lecture, officials said in the latest in a series of cases that critics say infringe on freedom of speech.

The Korea Immigration Service decided to deport Shin Eun-mi, a California resident, after determining that her comments violated South Korea's Security Law, agency official Kim Du-yeol said.

He declined to say when she would be deported, citing privacy issues.

The Korean Peninsula remains technically in a state of war, split along the world's most heavily fortified border, because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. In South Korea, praising North Korea can be punished by up to seven years in prison under the Security Law. Critics have urged that the law be scrapped, saying it violates freedom of expression. Supporters argue that it is needed because of continuing threats from North Korea. Past authoritarian leaders

in South Korea frequently used the law to suppress political rivals.

Shin posted stories about her trips to North Korea on

distributed to libraries across South Korea.

During a November lecture in Seoul, Shin said many North Ko-

California-resident Shin Eun-mi, center, talks to the reporters at Seoul District Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, South Korea. South Korean officials said 9 they were considering whether to deport the Korean-American woman accused of praising rival North Korea during a recent lecture.

OhmyNews, a popular South Korean online news site. Her book on her trips was included in a government-designated reading list in 2013, but the culture ministry removed it amid criticism of it. Ministry officials said they will seek to retrieve 1,200 copies that were

rean defectors living in South Korea had told her they want to go back home and that North Koreans hope new leader Kim Jong Un will bring change. She also praised the taste of North Korean beer and the cleanliness of North Korea's rivers. -AP

Canada opens doors to 13,000 Syrian, Iraqi refugees OTTAWA: Canada has agreed Minister Chris Alexander, pointing to resettle another 10,000 Syrian to the Islamic Group's "murderous and 3,000 Iraqi refugees over the rampage across Syria and Iraq and next three years in response to a (its) systematic killing of anyone UN plea for help, the immigration who does not adhere to their disminister has announced.

This meets 10 percent of the latest UN refugee agency's appeal for help resettling people fleeing violence in the two countries.

According to a report released earlier by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the numAs winter strikes in Syria tents at a makeshift ber of Syrian refugees settlement in Bar Elias, in the Bekaa valley are has outstripped Afcovered in snow ghans as the largest displaced population in need of pro- torted version of Islam." tection.

Millions have been displaced "Syrians and Iraqis face the by escalating violence. worst forms of violence in the Since 2009, Canada has welworld today," said Immigration comed 20,000 Iraqi refugees. -AFP

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

Immigration Post

46 India Post

January 16, 2015

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Texas lawsuit against Obama may meet Arpaio's fate

O

n November 20, 2013, the very same day that President Obama announced a series of executive actions aimed at "Fixing Our Broken Immigration System", a lawsuit against the newly announced executive actions and against the existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) was filed by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Sheriff Arpaio's name may be familiar to readers of this blog: among other lowlights of a long and controversial career, he has been found by the Justice Department to have engaged in "unconstitutional policing" targeting Latinos, and was similarly found by a federal judge in the private class-action lawsuit Ortega Melendres v. Arpaio to have engaged in unconstitutional racial profiling.

Barely a month after Sheriff Arpaio's lawsuit was filed, on December 23, 2013, the Arpaio v.

Obama lawsuit was dismissed by a Memorandum Opinion and Order issued by Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In his lawsuit, Sheriff Arpaio sought to challenge DACA as originally implemented, DACA as revised by the November 20 announcement, and the new Deferred Action for Parental Accountability program that will provide deferred action similar to DACA to some parents of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents.

Judge Howell's Memorandum Opinion found that Sheriff Arpaio lacked standing to sue regarding any of these programs, for a number of reasons.

As Judge Howell explained in her Memorandum Opinion, the Supreme Court has held that the power of federal courts under Article III of the U.S. Constitution to hear "Cases" and "Controversies" is restricted to instances in which the plaintiff meets certain requirements of standing to sue.

The Supreme Court has explained, "The irreducible constitutional minimum of standing contains three elements." [Lujan v.]

Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. [555,] 560 [(1992)]. First, the plaintiff must have suffered an "injury in fact," i.e., "an invasion of a legally protected interest which is (a) concrete and particularized, and (b) actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical." Id. (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).

Second, there must be "a causal connection between the injury and the conduct complained of," i.e., the injury alleged must be fairly traceable to the challenged action

DAVID A. ISAACSON

of the defendant. Id. Finally, it must be "likely" that the complained-of injury will be "redressed by a favorable decision" of the court. Id. at 561. In short, "[t]he plaintiff must have suffered or be imminently threatened with a concrete and particularized 'injury in fact' that is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant and likely to be redressed by a favorable judicial decision." Lexmark Int'l, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 1377, 1386 (2014).

Arpaio v. Obama, No. 1401966 (D.D.C. Dec. 23, 2014), slip op. at 15-16.

Sheriff Arpaio, Judge Howell found, failed to satisfy all three of these requirements. First of all, he had not properly alleged any injury in fact to him resulting from the challenged deferred action programs. To the extent that he sued in his personal capacity, and claimed only the interest of every citizen in governmental compliance with the law, Sheriff Arpaio was asserting a generalized grievance of the sort that the Supreme Court has consistently held not to confer standing.

His assertion of past threats against him by undocumented immigrants was not a basis for standing because those threats, besides being in the past, were not traceable to the challenged deferred action programs and would not be redressed by any action the court might take against those programs.

As for Sheriff Arpaio's claims in his official capacity as Sheriff of Maricopa County, the injuries he asserted there as well, having

committing crimes once there-that are purportedly the direct cause of the plaintiff's injury." Arpaio v.

Obama slip op. at 22. But those actions would not be authorized by the challenged government programs. Indeed, by enabling federal authorities to focus their resources on actual criminals, the challenged deferred action programs might help rather than harm Maricopa County: "In the present case, the challenged agency action-the ability to exercise enforcement discretion to permit deferred action relating to certain undocumented immigrants-does not authorize the conduct about which the plaintiff complains.

The challenged deferred action programs authorize immigration officials to exercise discretion on removal; they do not authorize new immigration into the United States (let alone Maricopa County); they do not authorize undocumented immigrants to commit crimes; and they do not provide permanent status to any undocumented immigrants eligible to apply for deferred action under any of the challenged programs.

Contrary to the plaintiff's assertion that a consequence of the challenged programs will be an increase in illegal conduct by undocumented immigrants and an increase in costs to the Maricopa County Sheriff's office, these programs may have the opposite effect.

The deferred action programs are designed to incorporate DHS's enforcement priorities and better focus federal enforcement on re-

Barely a month after Sheriff Arpaio's lawsuit was filed, on December 23, 2013, the Arpaio v. Obama lawsuit was dismissed by a Memorandum Opinion and Order issued by Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. to do with alleged increases in workload, were generalized to the point of not being cognizable, and extremely speculative to boot: he alleged that the deferred action programs would attract new undocumented immigrants into Maricopa County, and yet the programs by their own terms applied only to those who had already been present in the United States prior to January 1, 2010.

Nor did Sheriff Arpaio's complaint demonstrate causation and redressability, the other key requirements of standing. As Judge Howell's Memorandum Opinion explained, "It is the actions taken by undocumented immigrants-migrating to Maricopa County and

moving undocumented immigrants committing felonies and serious misdemeanor crimes. Since the undocumented immigrants engaging in criminal activity are the cause of the injuries complained about by the plaintiff, the more focused federal effort to remove these individuals may end up helping, rather than exacerbating the harm to, the plaintiff."

Arpaio v. Obama slip op. at 24.

Sheriff Arpaio, the court found, had "submitted no evidence showing that the challenged deferred action programs are, or will be, the cause of the crime harming the plaintiff or the increase in immigration, much less "substantial evidence."" Id. at 25.

Moreover, given the limited resources available to the executive branch for removal of noncitizens from the United States, Sheriff Arpaio also could not establish that his alleged injuries would be redressed by the relief he requested, an injunction against the challenged deferred action programs. Such an injunction, after all, w[ould] not grant additional resources to the executive branch allowing it to remove additional

requirements that led the Supreme Court to rule in Hollingsworth v.

Perry, 133 S.Ct. 2652 (2013), that proponents of a California initiative prohibiting the marriage of same-sex couples did not have standing to appeal a decision striking down the statute enacted by that initiative where the governor and Attorney General of California did not appeal.

It was also those same standing requirements that led the Su-

undocumented immigrants or to prevent undocumented immigrants from arriving. Thus, the plaintiff's complaint regarding the large number of undocumented immigrants and the limited number of removals w[ould] not change as a result of any order by the Court in this litigation.

Arpaio v. Obama slip op. at 28.

Given Sheriff Arpaio's lack of standing to bring the suit, Judge Howell found herself compelled to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction. She did, however, go on to detail, in the course of addressing Sheriff Arpaio's request for a preliminary injunction, some of the other obstacles that his lawsuit faced as well. “Among those obstacles were the fact that "the challenged deferred action programs continue a longstanding practice of enforcement discretion regarding the Nation's immigration laws," that they "still retain provisions for meaningful case-by-case review," and that they "merely provide guidance to immigration officials in the exercise of their official duties." Arpaio v. Obama slip op. at 31-32.

For all of these reasons, and given the absence of irreparable harm to Sheriff Arpaio and the public interest weighing against a preliminary injunction Judge, Judge Howell denied the motion for a preliminary injunction and dismissed the suit.

For any readers who may be disturbed that a case of this nature would be dismissed before entirely reaching the merits, it is worth noting that the requirements of standing have played an important role in other controversial areas of law as well. It was these

preme Court to order dismissal of a lawsuit by environmentalists seeking to overturn an administrative rule that limited application of the Endangered Species Act in Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555 (1992).

Whatever one thinks of modern standing doctrine, it has clearly gored the proverbial oxen of plaintiffs of all ideological persuasions, immunizing government actions across the political spectrum from judicial review at the behest of bystanders without a sufficient concrete stake in a particular matter.

Sheriff Arpaio's lawsuit against the President's executive actions may not be the last to founder for lack of standing. As explained in a recent post on this blog by Gary Endelman and Cyrus D. Mehta, (http://blog.cyrusmehta.com/ 2014/12/justice-justice-shall-thoupursue-why.html ) even the lawsuit filed in December 2013 by a group of states led by Texas to challenge President Obama's immigration initiatives is likely to fail for lack of standing.

The United States' Memorandum in Opposition to the states' request for a preliminary injunction in that litigation also sets out in great detail why standing is lacking there. The states' lawsuit, like Sheriff Arpaio's, is also deeply problematic on the merits, for the reasons explained in that same blog post and in the United States' Memorandum in Opposition. For both reasons, the Texas lawsuit may soon meet the same fate as Sheriff Arpaio's. * Cyrus D Mehta, may be contacted at 212-425-0555 or info@cyrusmehta.com

Datebook

January 16, 2015

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

Upcoming

Upcoming Sun, Jan 18 • NJTS Pongal Celebrations Venue: EWest Windsor High School South, 346 Clarksville Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550 Time: 2:00 pm

Sat, Jan 24

• Republic Day Celebration 2015 - Fundraiser for Project Udaan Venue: Hotel Westin, Newport (Grand Ballroom), 479 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310 Time: 5:00 pm

Sat, Jan 31

• INDIA Republic Day Venue: North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Time : 12:00 pm Contact: 732-801-4814

Sat, Jan 24

• Chakde India - Indian Republic Day Bash Venue: Maple / Aspen Club, 157 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 Time : 10:00 pm Contact: 646-543-8127

Fri, Feb 13

• Bollywood Disco Presidents Day Weekend Venue: Drom NYC, 85 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 Time: 10:00 pm Contact: 718-207-0058

Sat, Feb 14 • Harry Malhotras Valentine Party

Venue: Antun's by minar, 244 W Old Country Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801 Time : 8:00 pm Contact: 917-325-4903

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CHICAGO

Upcoming

Upcoming

Sat, Jan 24 • NetIP LA-OC 4th Annual Kites

Sat, Jan 17 • Sankranti & India Republic Day Celebrations

Festival Venue: Claremont Sand, 54th Pl, Long Beach, CA 90803 Timet: 11:00 am Contact: 714-925-3237

Sat, Jan 31 • Akshaya Patra Reception for President Vicente Fox and Dr. Deepak Chopra Venue: The Renaissance Hotel Long Beach

by Marriott, 111 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 Timet: 06:30 pm Contact: 424-765-0907

Sat, Jan 31 • The Biggest International Bollywood New Years Eve Ball Rhythm Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 39900 Balentine Dr, Fremont-Newark, CA 94560 Time: 07:00 pm Contact: 510-432-6385

Sat, Feb 7 • Roshni - Cricket 2015 Venue: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 C E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93063 Time :07:00 pm Contact: 310-920-1863

Sun, Feb 8 • Surati Ponk – Undhiyu” Ujjani 20145 Venue: Shreemaya Krishnadham, 25 Corning Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035 Timet: 1:00 pm Contact: 408-586-0006

Venue: HTGC Rama Temple, 10915 Lemont Rd, Lemont, IL 60439 Time: 3:30 pm.

Fri, Mar 13 • Zakir Hussain Celtic Connection Venue: Pabst Theater, 144 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 Time: 8:00 pm Contact: 414-467-3032

ATLANTA Upcoming Sat, Jan 31 • Maa Tujhe Salaam Venue: Shree Shakti Mandir's Sumant Center, 1450 Huie Rd, Morrow, GA 30260 Time: 6:00 pm Contact: 678-789-4690

Sat, Feb 14 • Cupid Calling ! Valentines Day Party 2015 Venue: Ashiana banquet hall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 Time: 9:00 pm Contact: 404-246-3256

Mon, Aug 31 • MITHAS 2014 Membership Venue: Wong Auditorium, MIT, 70 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02142 Time: 07:00 pm Contact: 857-205-9731

ILLINOIS Upcoming • J K Yog Satsang and Bal Mukund Hindi Classes are held every 2nd and 4rth Sunday of Month Chicago Satsang Information: J K Yog, Chicago - Swami Mukundananda Venue: Clarion Inn/Waterford Banquets, Board Room, 933 South Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL 60126 Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807 Website: www.jkyog.org

1st and 3rd Sunday of Month • Chicago Children's Bal Mukund Character Building Program and Hindi Literacy Classes Venue: Vogelei Center, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffmann Estates, IL 60192 (Next to Nissan Dealership) Contact: Ajay & Arti Chandhok @ 630-561-4807

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105

Mondays and Fridays • Free ESL - English as Second Language Classes Where: Metropolitan Asian Family Services Venue: 9015 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL, Time: 10:30am to 12:30pm Contact: 773-465-3105Time: 5:30 pm

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Horoscope

January 16, 2015

India Post

49

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Your Weekly Future

by Pandit Parashar

January 16th - January 22nd, 2014 (March 21 to April 20)

V

alue of your stocks will appreciate and you may dispose off some and pocket the profit. You will be lucky in all other financial matters also. Health of a child not doing well in past few weeks will improve or become normal. Offers will be good but think twice before making the final decision and go for the one closer to home.

(April 21 to May 20)

Y

ou may finally launch the new company without seeking any outside help.

Have confidence as it should work out in long terms. People in business will continue to gain edge over their opponents. Expect some interesting developments in ongoing legal matters. Do not take any chance with weather and have proper clothing when you go out this week.

(May 21 to June 20)

Y

ou will make full payments on several bills in order to decrease the liability. Strategy will be helpful in coming months. Mind will be set and you will be more focused on your goals and the results will be almost instant. You will be able to shed off few pounds with recent change in diet. You will start working on an old idea with a close friend.

(June 21 to July 22)

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his is the right time to make your move in career.

An exalted Mars in angle will help you hit your professional goal. Let the head rule over the heart or you will loose the focus and wander off the right path. A simple test will confirm the news you had been waiting for. Do not hesitate to try your hands at lottery this week.

(July 23 to August 22)

(November 23 to December 22)

S

hort vacation will bring the energy back. Your plans are extremely wonderful, keep working on them. Expect some major and positive developments in legal matters. People in jobs will be looking for a change and may be called for interview from more than one place this week. New contract will come with better deal and on good terms.

(August 23 to September 22)

Y

ou will hear some good news from far off places.

Money wise it looks like a very promising week so go out and take your chances. Some money may also go towards legal bills this week. Its high time that you should start paying attention to eating habits. Relationship or a new partnership will keep moving in right direction now.

(September 23 to October 22)

Y

ou may be going on an important business trip to a comparatively warmer area. Some of you may also finally sign the papers and dispose off a property chewing up your savings in the past. It will be another good week for people in food business.

You may also receive a small check from an insurance company for claim filed recently.

(October 23 to November 22)

C

ourageous actions will get the results quick. It will make every body at home happy and give one more reason to celebrate. You may also receive some green signal from a government agency opening more doors for revenue.

Health will improve with the change of diet. Some of you will be in the market to buy another vehicle this week.

PANDIT PARASHAR, CEO & COO Astro Scan USA is also available for individual consultations.

He can be reached at: parashar@parashar.com

C

ombination of Sun, Mercury and mars in second is helpful. You may be offered a dream opportunity in career soon. Its going to be once in life time chance so don't take time to decide.

Chances are you may develop taste for hot and spicy food temporarily. An old friend will call to invite you to a get together in February.

(December 22 to January 19)

T

ake outside help or seek second opinion to resolve a situation which popped up in last few days only. Some of you may join some health club to get in shape and fulfill your new year resolution. You will be writing some important letters and try to complete some important paper work also. Money wise you will stay very comfortable.

(January 20 to February 18)

Y

ou have to be careful when dealing with a tricky situation you found your self in recent days. It will be better to stay calm and try to settle amicably rather than prolonging the issue. People looking for another job will receive a lucrative offer but from distant place only. You may change some electric gadget in the kitchen.

(February 19 to March 20)

O

ffer will be huge and far better than earlier anticipated. A colleague who was a trouble maker will quit and move to another state. You will make final payment on several bills and still have enough left. You may finalize a get together with some close friends for the first week of February. Good piece of advice coming from an older person.

510-886-4370 www.parashar.com

50 India Post

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MUMBAI: Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani's "P.K." won the Best Film along with Best Director, Best Dialogue, Best Sound Mixing and a special award for earning over Rs.100 crore here at the Renault Star Guild Awards 2015.

The awards ceremony took place Sunday night at Reliance Mediaworks in Film City and it was "PK" that took the maximum awards at the gala night. The film stars Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma in the lead roles.

The Film & Television Producers Guild of India and Wizcraft International Entertainment announced the winners in Film & Television for the year 2014.

Actor Shahid Kapoor won the award for best actor for his performance in "Haider" while Priyanka Chopra walked away with the best actress award for her role in "Mary Kom".

PHOTOS: Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Shraddha Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez at Star Guild Awards Taking the podium as host, the inimitable Kapil Sharma brought his own brand of humor to the night as he enthralled audiences with his quick wit.

While megastar Amitabh Bachchan performed at Piddly song from his upcoming movie "Shamitabh", Priyanka Chopra kicked off the night with a stunning performance on "Asalaam e ishqum" and "Ram chahe leela chahe".

January 16, 2015

Alia Bhatt created magic on the stage with a performance on "Phataaka gudi" and "Radha on the Dance floor". Other performances included Jacqueline Fernandez and Shahid.

Big B gave a special tribute on behalf of the Guild to late filmmaker Ravi Chopra.

Rakesh Roshan received a Lifetime Achievement Award that was presented to him by Jeetendra and son Hrithik Roshan. Deepika Padukone walked away with the award for Entertainer of the Year and Alia Bhatt won the Gionee Most Stylish Youth Icon Award.

Priyanka Chopra won the award for Hindustan Times Celebrity for a Cause, on the other hand the Star Plus Shining Superstar Award went to Shraddha Kapoor.

India Post 51

January 16, 2015 www.indiapost.com

'PK' collection crosses Rs 18cr in Pakistan

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amir Khan's 'PK' has re portedly collected over Rs 18 crore at the Pakistani box office in three weeks and is fast heading to shatter the business records of 'Waar' and 'Dhoom 3' in the country, ibtimes.co.in.

Distributor Club (PVT) Ltd Marketing Manager Hassaan Rizvi confirmed the news about the film's box office collections in Pakistan.

He feels that a strong message and Aamir-Rajkumar's association are main reasons for the film's huge

success in the country. "'PK' has made over Rs 18 crore in Pakistan and continues to attract moviegoers. It will be in cinemas until the end of January so I'm sure it will make a lot more," a daily quoted Rizvi as saying.

"The movie thrives because it entails a strong message and of course because of Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani," he added.

Action thriller Urdu film 'Waar', directed by Bilal Lashari, is the highest-grossing Pakistani film of

Akshay Kumar's playful photo shoot India Post News Service

A

kshay Kumar has kicked off the New Year with a stylish and playful photo shoot for renowned celebrity photographer, Dabboo Ratnani's 2015 calendar. The annual calendar, which has become a notable showbiz event in India since its debut in 1999, captured Akshay Kumar looking dapper and suave in a black waistcoat and formal trousers.

Akshay Kumar, who is currently

promoting his latest movie, Baby, never fails to keep his fans entertained, as he is seen in a monochrome frame posing on a mini tricycle!

The 'Baby' leading man tweeted a first look of the image and also shared it on his Instagram page with the tongue-in-cheek strapline: 'Keep the child in you alive' 'Baby', a highly anticipated ac-

tion thriller, sees Akshay reunited with director Neeraj Pandey, who

teamed up on the critically-acclaimed film 'Special 26'.

all time. 'Waar' raked in Rs 22 crore at the Pakistani box office (statistics provided by Saad Baig of Footprint (Pvt) Ltd). Now, 'PK' is inching close to beat that record.

"By January 6, 'PK' had made almost Rs 15 crore and has managed to cross Rs 18 crore in a matter of four days. It is likely that the movie will keep the momentum going and Aamir Khan's depiction of a quirky alien addressing deep rooted social issues will keep the house full," predicted reporters.

I like Indian jewellery: Jennifer Aniston NEW YORK: 'Cake' star Jennifer Aniston has revealed that her eight-carat diamond ring from fiancĂŠ Justin Theroux is not of her kind.

Aniston, 45, who has been engaged to Theroux for two years, said she is not a diamond girl and might not have picked it for herself, reported the New York Post.

"It's a rock, I know. He rocked it

up. It took me a while to get used to it. I'm not a diamond girl. I'm more Indian jewelry and stuff," she said.

Aniston said she considers Theroux a blessing sent to her by her first love, who died of a brain tumor when they were young.

"He would have been the one.

But I was 25, and I was stupid. He must have sent me Justin to make up for it all," she said. -PTI

Jennifer Aniston

52 India Post

January 16, 2015 www.indiapost.com

Tipu Sultan era paintings on display in Doha DOHA: A collection of 24 paintings depicting the famous battle of Pollilur in 1780 in which the 'Tiger of Mysore' Tipu Sultan, fighting alongside his father, crushed the British East India Company forces is on display in a special exhibition at a museum here.

The exhibition 'The Tiger's Dream: Tipu Sultan' at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) explores the life and times of Tipu Sultan, the Muslim ruler of Mysore, through objects and paintings produced under his rule which lasted from 1782 to 1799.

Drawn entirely from the MIA collection, the centerpiece of the exhibition is a group of 24 paintings showing Tipu and his father's victory over the British army at the Battle of Pollilur in 1780.

The battle of Pollilur, fought in September 1780 between the British East India Company and the forces of Tipu Sultan and his father Haydar Ali, has been described as 'the severest blow that the British ever sustained in India', the museum said.

The paintings appear to be a preparatory attempt for a palatial mural. In their original state, they formed one continuous roll of rice paper, approxi-

mately 2m high and 9m wide. It has since been cut into 24 separate pieces.

The painting has been digitally re-stitched for the exhibition, allowing it to be seen again as a single artwork.

The actual wall painting in the Darya Daulat Bagh, Tipu's palace in Srirangapatna, survives to this day, although it has been heavily restored.

Alongside the paintings on display is a selection of objects which reflect Tipu's image as the 'Tiger of Mysore', the museum said on its website.

Tipu Sultan painting

Dog photos on Facebook for Arizona teen PHOENIX: What started out as a simple Facebook request for photos of dogs for a 16-year-old cancer patient has since turned the pet-loving boy into an Internet celebrity.

Anthony Lyons' love for the therapy dogs that greet him during his treatments for leukemia led a family acquaintance to put up a Facebook event page the week before Christmas to re-create the experience online. The request, ``Photo Doggies for Anthony,'' resulted in thousands of pooch pictures and cheered up Anthony, but

it has also evoked gifts and gestures in the real world.

The attention has brought Anthony offers for donations of actual dogs. People have mailed him stuffed animals. Someone offered New York Yankees tickets. Businesses wanting to capitalize on the attention have also come out of the woodwork as they try to profit

from the story.

While it might be tempting to use the notoriety to get money for medical and household expenses, Anthony's mother said she is adamant about not turning the page into a for-profit operation. ``No one is benefiting other than just their own happiness.

And that makes me happy right now,'' Kristen Lyons said. ``This is honestly the best thing that's ever happened to us _ ever. It's given us something to do besides lay around and wait for the next `sick' thing to happen.''

Anthony was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July. He has been undergoing chemotherapy at Phoenix Children's Hospital but has a good prognosis, his mother said.

Anthony said the photos that people have posted have helped him feel better. Pet owners have also shared pictures of cats and

pot-belly pigs. Some have also posted photos of pets stricken with cancer. ``It's reassuring because you look at the pictures of the dogs; they're sick all the time but they're still happy. They're happy to be alive. I've never met a sad dog,'' Anthony said.

The teenager said he can easily pass half a day just scrolling through them. Sometimes he'll even choose picture-gazing over playing Xbox. He has been trying to go through the more than 500,000 images and is apologetic that he can't ``like'' and comment on all of them. ``If I see your dog, it's appreciated,'' he said. ``I'm still trying to go through all of them. You have to realize, there's so many people posting.''

The page was taken down after someone posted a photo of a dead dog, but it was back up a day later.

An alternate page was set up. So they will respond to both pages for now, Kristen Lyons said.

Lyons, a real estate agent who is currently not working, said Anthony will have to be on chemotherapy for the next three years. ``But he's doing very well. You'd never know he was sick,'' she said.

Anthony wants the page to keep going so that it can help other people in similar situations. ``If it's just somebody else having a bad day, go through the page,'' he said. ``You can see all these dogs and these hilarious pictures.'' -AP

Among them is a 481-kg cannon which features snarling tiger heads at the muzzle, on the sides and back of the gun barrel.

An inscription within a pair of tiger stripes on the barrel calls on the 'triumphant lion of God', a phrase found regularly in calligraphic designs of this period.

The inscription reveals the 254-cm-long cannon was manufactured in Srirangapatna, Tipu's capital, and dates back to 1790.

The presence of the heartshaped 'Haydar' talisman shows that the cannon was cast at the Sultan's foundry. -PTI

Network18 sells multiplex business to Carnival NEW DELHI: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd has announced the exit from multiplex business by divesting its stake in Stargaze Entertainment to Carnival Films for an undisclosed sum.

Network 18's venture capital arm Capital18 Fincap said it has entered into an agreement with Carnival Films Private Limited to divest stake in multiplex operator Stargaze Entertainment, which operates multiplexes under the brand name of 'Glitz Cinemas'.

"Capital 18 is a majority share-

700 crore, the biggest ever in this sector.

Started in 2008, Glitz Cinemas currently operates in 8 cities across India.

In May last year, RIL's board approved funding of up to Rs 4,000 crore to Independent Media Trust (IMT), of which RIL is the sole beneficiary, for acquisition of control in Network 18 Media & Investments Ltd (NW18), including its subsidiary TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18).

The NW18 Group has interests in television, Internet, films, e-com-

Network 18's venture capital arm Capital18 Fincap said it has entered into an agreement with Carnival Films Private Limited to divest stake.

holder at Stargaze and the transaction, expected to be completed within the current financial year, will result in a profitable exit for Capital18," the company said in a filing to the BSE. With this stake sale to the south India-based company, Carnival Cinemas will now be the majority stake holder in Stargaze.

Last month, Carnival acquired Big Cinemas from Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group for an estimated Rs

merce, magazines, mobile content and allied businesses.

Its properties include moneycontrol.com, Firstpost.com, Homeshop18.com and Bookmyshow.com, while Colors, CNN-IBN, CNBC TV18, IBN7 and CNBC Awaaz are among its broadcast channels.

Shares of Network 18 Media & Investments Ltd closed at Rs 64.45 per scrip on the BSE, up 4.37 percent from the previous close. -PTI

Philosophy

January 16, 2015

India Post 53

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here is a certain ideal. At the same time there must always be a large majority of the human race who cannot come up to the ideal, not even intellectually. The strong ones carry it out and many times have no sympathy for the weak. The weak to the strong are only beggars.

The strong ones march ahead.

Of course, we see at once that the highest position to take is to be sympathetic and helpful to those who are weak. But then, in many cases the philosopher bars the way to our being sympathetic.

If we go by the theory that the whole of this infinite life has to be determined by the few years' existence here and now, then it is very hopeless for us, and we have no time to look back upon those who are weak.

But if these are not the conditions, if the world is only one of the many schools through which we have to pass, if the eternal life is to be molded and fashioned and guided by the eternal law, and eternal chances await everyone - then we need not be in a hurry. We have time to sympathies, to look around, stretch out a helping hand to the weak and bring them up.

With Buddhism we have two words in Sanskrit: one is translated religion, the other, a sect. It is the most curious fact that the disciples and descendants of Krishna have MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI

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ho is the doer (of the Karma)? The doer is the ego, the mind. Although the senses perform the action, but the senses are not the doer. The doer is the thinker within. So the thinker, as long as it is associated with the body.

But the doer is that thinker, that subtle body, that Jiva. If he casts away this body, goes to the other body, he will be caught by that action in the other body. Body doesn't matter. What matters is the doer and what he has done.

The vibrations (of the Karma) return from the wall, from the sun, from millions of miles. There are galaxies in the world from where the light takes millions of years to reach the earth.

When the vibrations reach so far and strike against that and then will be rebound and come back, millions of years have passed already. So the effect of the Karma done now is not received all at once. It keeps on being received from time to time, for all eternity.

The effect in the vicinity of the doer is maximum, but the effect is created throughout the universe, whatever little effect at far distances, but it is created and all this

no name for their religion [although] foreigners call it Hinduism or Br창hmanism. There is one religion, and there are many sects. The moment you give it a name, individualize it and separate it from the rest, it is a sect, no more a religion.

A sect [proclaims] its own truth and declares that there is no truth anywhere else. Religion believes that there has been, and still is, one religion in the world. There never were two religions. It is the same religion [presenting] different aspects in different places. The task

all, his the first lips that uttered beautiful words for each and all.

This Krishna preceded Buddha by some thousand years. A great many people do not believe that he ever existed. Some believe that [the worship of Krishna grew out of] the old sun worship. There seem to be several Krishnas: one was mentioned in the Upanishads, another was king, another a general. All have been lumped into one Krishna. It does not matter much.

The fact is, some individual comes who is unique in spiritual-

stories about Buddha the one central note of that whole life is kept up - sacrifice for others.

There are two ideas supreme in Krishna's message: The first is the harmony of different ideas; the second is non-attachment. A man can attain to perfection, the highest goal, sitting on a throne, commanding armies, working out big plans for nations. In fact, Krishna's great sermon was preached on the battlefield.

Krishna saw plainly through the vanity of all the mummeries, mock-

The highest position is to help the weak

Swami Vivekananda

There never were two religions. It is the same religion [presenting] different aspects in different places. The task is to conceive the proper understanding of the goal and scope of humanity.

is to conceive the proper understanding of the goal and scope of humanity.

This was the great work of Krishna: to clear our eyes and make us look with broader vision upon humanity in its march upward and onward. His was the first heart that was large enough to see truth in

ity. Then all sorts of legends are invented around him. But, all the Bibles and stories which come to be cast upon this one person have to be recast in [the mould of] his character. All the stories of the New Testament have to be modeled upon the accepted life [and] character of Christ. In all of the Indian

eries, and ceremonials of the old priests; and yet he saw some good in them.

Excerpted from Swami Vivekananda's address delivered in California, on April 1, 1900.The 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated on Jan12.

effect has to come back.

Every second that we are producing some Karma, we are storing the fruit of that Karma to be born for millions of years.

Thoughts are the seed of Karma, very powerful seed. The seed in its seed status is very potent. If you have thoughts of injuring a man, you

Maharishi: Intentionally, because his attention was there, then the effect will be more intensive. But the effect will be on the same line.

You can't stop the evolution. If you commit sin in the room, then you are creating sinful vibrations.

And sinful vibrations means, wherever they go they damage the evolution of that thing.

Someone speaks ill of the other and plans damaging him, very underneath plan, nothing on the

Q: If I have a bad son and have to beat him, is this bad Karma?

Maharishi: It is the Karma of the son that brings him beating and it

Think of injuring one & you injure whole creation If I do some sin and in this room there is no one, I think nobody has seen it. But it has been exposed to the whole universe and somehow that will be delivered to us back by all the agencies in the universe, knowing or unknowing. have injured the whole creation, already injured in the subtle state.

Future after death depends on what a man has done throughout life. But the next goal, where he will be born, mainly depends on the desire at the time of death.

Question: Is there a difference of a bad Karma done intentionally or unintentionally?

is the Karma of the father that makes him sorry.

If I do some sin and in this room there is no one, I think nobody has seen it. But it has been exposed to the whole universe. Everyone in the universe knows it.

And somehow that will be delivered to us back by all the agencies in the universe, knowing or unknowing.

God refuses to be mine, thine or his. For him the truth is but one but the proud and the vain have forged many out of their desires and fancies.

- Tulsidas Many have died; you also will die. The drum of death is being beaten. The world has fallen in love with a dream. Only sayings of the wise will remain.

- Kabir Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.

- Stephen Hawking Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.

-William Shakespeare

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

surface, damaging the entire creation by his mischief. Because the agency of thought is just vibration. That is why scriptures forbid us speaking ill of others or damage someone or do harm.

Excerpted from Maharishi's lecture in Hochgurgel, Austria in 1962. The 97th birth anniversary of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was observed on January 12.

Yesterday is but a dream, Tomorrow is only a vision.

But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

-Kalidasa The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

-Helen Keller

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Opportune time for S. Asian regional integration India Post

AMITA BATRA

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n May 2014, when India made the unprecedented gesture of inviting the heads of all SAARC member-countries for the oath taking ceremony of its new Prime Minister, hopes were raised that a new beginning for regional cooperation in South Asia was now in the offing.

A few months later, both days of the 18th SAARC Summit were spent speculating about the possibility of a breakthrough in the cold vibes shared by the heads of India and Pakistan. While the Summit was rescued with a lastminute agreement on energy cooperation, two other agreements, on road and rail connectivity were left languishing.

gional groups already exist. Membership in some of these sub-regional groupings extends beyond South Asia to Southeast Asian/ East Asian countries.

These include the BBIN with Bangladesh Bhutan, India and Nepal as members; the BCIM with Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar; and the BIMSTEC with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as member economies.

Instead of the existing overlapping and all-encompassing objectives of these sub-groupings, it would be better to delineate a workable agenda based on an area of comparative advantage for each and adopt a focused approach to-

South Asian leaders at Modi’s inauguration

The much-expected revival of SAARC did not happen; but there was a hint among SAARC members of moving ahead with interested partners. The first month of 2015 has seen interesting developments with the West Bengal Chief Minister accepting Bangladesh's invitation for a visit and a surprise outcome of presidential elections in Sri Lanka. What do these three developments mean for South Asia?

First, it is time to reformulate the idea of regional cooperation in South Asia as open and differentiated regionalism. Member-countries should come together in smaller sub-regional groups with a focused agenda comprising both common challenges and aspirations that are cross-border in nature.

Once they are successful in attaining the limited agenda, the aims and objectives can expand and so can the membership as non-members would begin incurring the costs of non-accession.

In due course, sub-regionalism would serve as a preparatory ground for merging into larger groupings as it would be indicative of the members' willingness to act in a cooperative framework with their neighbors and a readiness to join larger groupings in the region that go beyond these members.

Within South Asia, sub-re-

wards its achievement. Issues of hydropower, movements of peoples, transit rights etc. could be primary areas for the BBIN; connectivity and economic corridors for the BCIM; and supply chains in textiles and clothing and gas pipelines could constitute the working agenda for the BIMSTEC. The resource and expertiseconstrained South Asian economies may then be able to contribute to and benefit from these groupings in accordance with their potential. A necessary prior requirement in this context would be the establishment of an institutional mechanism that includes a secretariat, working groups with requisite expertise, regular meetings, coordination and periodic exchange of information and reports. Over time, a merger or expansion of the sub-regional groupings could shape into regional formulation.

Second, apart from the Teesta water sharing arrangement and the land boundary agreement - two significant issues that might see a resolution during the West Bengal Chief Minister's February 2015 visit to Bangladesh - the two countries may also like to consider the issue of full transit to India's northeast via Bangladesh. Preliminary action on this front was evident in 2014 when Bangladesh, under a

special transit arrangement, allowed transport of food grains to Tripura through its territory.

The certainty of a full transit agreement will facilitate connectivity of the North-East Indian states with the rest of India and as a consequence, allow them to take advantage of the Indian economic dynamism.

Change in Sri Lanka Third, the political change that Sri Lanka recently saw augurs well for the India- Sri Lanka Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations for which, beginning 2005, led to a framework agreement scheduled to be signed in 2008. Reservations regarding the services sector liberalization, particularly mode 4 related movement of professionals, investment and non- tariff barriers (NTBs) coupled with lack of political will have prevented the CEPA from being signed and operationalised.

In order for this to happen, the CEPA must uphold the same principles of non-reciprocity and differential treatment as was the case in the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The India-Sri Lanka FTA is an example of a south-south trade agreement that has taken into account the asymmetry of the two economies in its provisions and yet been successful in generating a positive outcome of increased trade for both economies.

Deeper integration via the CEPA may be particularly opportune when India is attempting to revive its manufacturing sector; and fears with regard to NTBs and services liberalization may be better combated with more rational assessments of alternative liberalization scenarios.

Strengthening developing country linkages is an imperative in the post-global financial crisis period when several traditional Western markets are unable to generate sufficient growth and hence demand for exports of these economies. Regionalism is being actively pursued by the rest of the world. South Asia must therefore make best of the available opportunities in this direction in 2015.

The writer is Professor of Economics, Centre for South Asian Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi

Right to offend

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f the pen is indeed mightier than the sword - or the gun - then it needs to be used with great discretion. As India's ancient phi losophers have said, the wound made by the sword gets healed, but the wound given by the tongue lasts much longer. The written word has an even more lasting effect as it has the potential to hurt as many as set their eyes on it. Then, in the name of freedom of expression, as being claimed in the present day Europe, do you have the right to deliberately provoke and offend?

This doesn't mean that those allegedly offended can just pick up the gun and shoot the offenders. Terrorism can never be defended.

But if the shooting of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists was one extreme, so was the deliberate lampooning of religious beliefs of one community. More than 3 million people marched through Paris in a massive show of unity and defiance in the face of terrorism. They were led by 40 world leaders, gathered in a demonstration of solidarity with France.

These European people were demonstrating against the right to kill offenders but upholding their right to offend. You may choose to offend your own countrymen, politicians and your own religious hypocrites. But can that right be extended to insulting gods and messiahs of other religions of other countries? And then pat your own backs after having done so? Hinduism has been one of the most liberal of religions. For decades fun has been made of its hundreds of gods and goddesses and its beliefs. But no one has even objected to such transgressions. It is only now that some Hindu champions have started objecting to the misuse of Hindu icons for cheap publicity or commercialism. In America itself instances have been found of beer makers using the icon of Lord Shiva as their brand. Some make fun of Lord Hanuman by putting his pictures on their products, and some use image of Laxmi on their pillows or socks and other such paraphernalia. What the Hindu leaders have done is to protest by writing to the makers of these products and telling them to stop insulting Hindu icons. And the makers have promptly accepted their mistakes and removed the offending usage. This shows a protest can be done in a civilized manner. Would such incidents justify some Hindu taking the gun and killing the offending people?

There are many extremist elements among Muslims who would take to the gun to gain a sense of justice. There is turmoil within Islam at this moment in history but there are many reasons for it. It is however a fact that millions of peace loving followers of Islam are also offended by the provocative pen wielders of France and Germany but they have no way of expressing their rage. They swallow the insults and keep quiet. When large sections of Europeans demonstrate in favor of the freedom to offend, the humanity in the Muslim section of the world must be watching it with great dismay.

They might not like their brethrens who took to the gun but they are also amazed at the Europeans' insensitivity.

David Brooks in a recent column in New York Times says, "Public reaction to the attack in Paris has revealed that there are a lot of people who are quick to lionize those who offend the views of Islamist terrorists in France but who are less tolerant towards those who offend their own views at home." And he goes on to list a number of instances where universities have fired professors who propagated views contrary to accepted conventions. He characterizes the deliberately offensive humor of Charlie Hebdo as puerile, ok to be indulged in when you are 13 or so. As we grow up we move towards more complicated view of reality and more forgiving view of others. That is what may be lacking in French society.

January 16, 2015

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